Improvements in Electric Arc Lamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Mit Beschrankter Haftung, of Stralsund, in the Empire of Germany.]
Improvements in Electric Arc Lamps.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to an arc lamp, and has for its object to so arrange the
said lamp that the clock-work, which regulates the carbon-feed motion, is con-
nected with two engaging and disengaging or switching devices, one of which
will release the clock-work, as soon as the strength of current or amperage
descends below the minimum limit, and the other, as soon as the tension or voltage
rises above the highest admissible limit.
This may be suitably effected by means of two appropriate coils or solenoids in
such a manner, that the one coil is wound with main current windings and the
other with shunt-current windings.
The main feature. by which this improved are lamp is distinguished from the
so-called differential arc lamps in which the windings of the two regulating
coils so effect the adjustment, that the carbon rods are moved in one or the other
direction. according as either the tension or the strength of current is prevalent-
is, that the two coils work jointly upon the clock-work, thus only admitting of a
carbon feed motion taking place, when the two coils have simultaneously released
the engaging or switching devices above referred to.
Contrary to the differential are lamp, the essential point in view in the case
of this improved invention, is, that the two coils. located in the main- and shunt-
circuit, have nothing, whatever, to do with the formation of the voltaic are proper
that, on the contrary, their only function is to engage and disengage the clock-
work. For striking the arc. therefore. a still further magnet coil or a solenoid
or other suitable device must be provided.
According to the constructional form of an are lamp forming the subiect of
this invention. three magnet-coils are provided, which are adapted to act upon
the lamp mechanism independently of each other.
Two of these coils are inserted in the main circuit. The current first masses
from the positive terminal or conductor through the second main circuit coil.
then traverses the first main circuit coil, through the upper carbon toward the
lower carbon and subsequently again leaves the lamp at the negative terminal.
Between the points of connection or terminals the shunt-circuit conductor of the
third coil is arranged

page_text: According to one constructional form, the first and second or main current
coils are constructed in the form of solenoids, whereas the shunt-circuit or third
coil is constructed as a magnet coil.
The sole object of the solenoid or first coil is, to serve for the formation of the
voltaic arc.
For this purpose the movable core of the same is constructed in the
form of a holder for the upper carbon. The first coil at the same time serves as
a weight for actuating the clock-work; the same being suspended from a chain
wheel by means of a chain, the said chain wheel being connected in the usual
manner with the wheel work.
If the clock-work is not located directly above the first coil, a special guide-
pulley may be arranged for the chain. A counterweight is provided by which the
free end of the chain is weighted. The wheel-work is provided with an air-fan
or fly.
Each of the second and third coils actuate a device, by which, during the action
of the lamp, the clock work is alternately stopped and released.
The device for connecting and disconnecting consists, in the case of the shunt-
circuit coil, of the armature and of the pawl, or stop-lever fixed to said armature.
Where no current passes through the third coil, the armature is drawn back by
a spring so that the pawl or stop lever engages with a catch, thereby stopping
the clock work and consequently also the carbon feed motion.
The solenoid of the second main current coil acts upon a pivoted lever, and
provided with the pawl or stop lever. As soon as, during an increase of current,
the pivoted lever is attracted to a sufficient extent, the pawl or stop lever moves
with its nose into engagement with the air fan or 'fly, so that the clock work and
consequently thereby the carbon feed is also stopped. The spring connected with
the pivoted lever again draws back the pawl, as soon as the current decreases.
In this construction only the upper carbon is movable, whilst the lower one is
immovably arranged in the frame of the lamp. The frame consists of the upper
plate which carries the clock work and the second and third coils, of the lower
carrier or plate and of two side arms. One of the latter two serves for receiving
a counterweight.
The action of the lamp, described is based upon the fact, that the second and
third coils jointly regulate the carbon feed motion the operation being such, that
the clock work only can enable the carbon to perform a feed motion when the
armatures or cores respectively, of the second and third coils release the clock
work. The said two coils, moreover, work in complete independence of the main
current or first coil. The only object of the latter is, to form the voltaic arc,
whilst the two other coils serve to jointly connect and disconnect the clock-work.
The strength of current is consequently normally distributed in the main―
and shunt circuit in such a manner, that the second or main current coil will
release the clock work, when the strength of current has fallen below a certain
limit, that, on the contrary, the third or shunt coil will release the clock work.
when the tension of the voltaic arc is either normal or above normal. Inversely
the second or main current coil prevents the clock work from moving and conse-
quently prevents the carbon feed motion from taking place, when the strength of
current becomes too great, and the shunt coil prevents the clock work from moving
and consequently the carbon feed motion from taking place, when the tension of
the lamp is below normal. The carbon feed thus only takes place, when
the strength of current is below normal and simultaneously the tension above
normal. Thus the number of amperes (amperage) is limited by the current
coil in its downward scale and consequently the tension (Voltage) in its upward
scale and, moreover, inversely, by the action of the shunt-circuiting coil the
tension is again limited in its downward scale and consequently the number of
amperes in its upward scale.
The tension and strength of current therefore can differ but very little.
The operation is accordingly as follows: Let us suppose the lamp to be adapted
for four amperes and 85 volts., further, suppose, that at first no current flows

page_text: through the lamp and that the carbon rods are separated from each other by a com-
paratively great distance. If the lamp be then connected, no current can at
rst traverse the main current coils. The stop-lever is out of gear, thereby
releasing the clock work. On the contrary, the shunt coil is highly energized,
so as to attract its armature, which latter thus likewise releases the clock work.
Consequently, as soon as the carbon rods come in contact, the current traverses
the main current coils whilst the shunt coil still receives but little current, thereby
causing the clock work to be stopped. The carbons are consequently prevented
from coming into firm contact. As soon as the current traverses the carbons, the
coil is thrown into operation and in acting as a solenoid, lifts the carbon holder,
in order to thus form the voltaic arc. The main current coil is likewise thrown
into operation, and as soon as the strength of current has reached four amperes
actuates its stopping device, thereby preventing a further feed motion of the
carbon from taking place. The further feed motion of the carbon can only again
recommence, when the strength of current descends below four amperes and when
simultaneously the tension has risen above 85 volts.
An important advantage of the described arc lamp consists in the fact, that
the carbon rods can not become baked together, in case several lamps are con-
nected in series. In arc lamps of previous construction frequently the defect
has been met with, according to which-in the case of the lamps being connected
in series--the alteration of the number of amperes in one lamp regularly causes
also the other lamps, burning in the same series, to alter their voltaic arc, even
if the latter has been previously normal length. As this alteration must necessarily
again react upon the first lamp, a mutual influencing effect results, which very
frequently causes the carbon rods to bake together.
This defect need not be apprehended in this improved construction, seeing that
cach lamp adjusts itself in absolute independence of the other lamps, burning in
the same series; and the shunt coil maintains in the lamp the required tension,
even when the main current coil has released the clock work. When the voltaic-
arc-tension descends to the lowest admissible limit, the shunt coil retains the
clock work; on the other hand, the main current coil is however, now unable to
bring the carbons closer together. The voltaic arc, therefore, will of necessity,
be permanently preserved, and the carbons are entirely prevented from leaking
together.
In another constructional form, the arc lamp, differs from that above described
in as much, as both connecting or switching devices of the second and third coils
act upon the air fan or fly, whilst according to the first described construction,
the one connecting or switching device acts upon the catch of the clock work.
The connecting or switching devices, may, of course be constructed in various
ways.
Their construction and arrangement is dependent upon the construction
and arrangement of the clock work, which may likewise be varied. All the coils
may be adapted to act as solenoids or as electromagnets. They may also be
doubled or be connected in a manner, different to that described.
It is, however, essential in each case, that two connecting and disconnecting
devices or stops be arranged in connection with one and the same clock work,
one of the said connecting and disconnecting devices or stops being dependent upon
the strength of current (amperage) and the other upon the tension of the current
(voitage).
The lamp may be so constructed, that to both carbon rods a feed motion is
imparted, seeing that the arrangement of the two connecting and disconnecting
devices, described, is applicable to various systems of arc lamps.
בז'
1 11
TL
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 5.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to an arc lamp, and has for its object to so arrange the
said lamp that the clock-work, which regulates the carbon-feed motion, is con-
nected with two engaging and disengaging or switching devices, one of which
will release the clock-work, as soon as the strength of current or amperage
descends below the minimum limit, and the other, as soon as the tension or voltage
rises above the highest admissible limit.
This may be suitably effected by means of two appropriate coils or solenoids in
such a manner, that the one coil is wound with main current windings and the
other with shunt-current windings.
The main feature by which this improved arc lamp is distinguished from the
so-called differential arc lamps-in which the windings of the two regulating
coils so effect the adjustment that the carbon rods are moved in one or the other
direction, according as either the tension or the strength of current is prevalent-
is, that the two coils work jointly upon the clock-work, thus only admitting of a
carbon feed motion taking place, when the two coils have simultaneously released
the engaging or switching devices above referred to.
Contrary to the differential arc lamps, the essential point in view in the case
of this invention, is, that the two coils, located in the main and shunt-
circuit, have nothing, whatever, to do with the formation of the voltaic are proper
that, on the contrary, their only function is to engage and disengage the clock-
For striking the arc, therefore, a still further maguet coil or a solenoid
work.
or other suitable device must be provided.
An arc-lamp embodying this invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 represents the lamp in front elevation partly in section ;
Figure 2 represents the upper part of the lamp in rear elevation;
Figure 3 a plan view;
Figure 4 shows the clock work in elevation ;
Figure 5 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the arrangement of the constituent
parts of the arc lamp; and
Figure 6 is a diagram, showing the connection of the wires.
According to the constructional form of an arc lamp, forming the subject of
this invention, and represented in Figures 1 to 4, three magnet-coils a, b, c are
provided, which are adapted to act upon the lamp-mechanism independently of
each other.
As seen from the diagram represented in Figure 6, the two coils a and bare
inserted in the main circuit. The current first passes from L through the coil b,
then traverses the coil a, then through the upper carbon T toward the lower
carbon T and subsequently again leaves tlie lamp at L' between the points
of connection the shunt-circuit conductor of the coil c is arranged.
According to the constructional form, represented in Figures 1 to 4, the main
current coils a and b are constructed in the form of solenoids, whereas the shunt-
circuit coil c is constructed as a magnet coil.
The sole object of the solenoid a is, to serve for the formation of the voltaic arc.
For this purpose the movable core d of the same is constructed in the form of a

page_text: holder for the upper carbon. The coil a at the same time serves as a weight
for actuating the clock-work; the same being suspended from a chain wheel K
by means of a chain k, the said chain wheel being connected in the usual manner
with the train of wheels l m n o p q r.
If the clock-work is not located directly above the coil a, a special guide-
pulley (Figure 2) may be arranged for the chain k. G is the counterweight by
which the free end of the chain is weighted. The wheel-work is provided with
an air-fan or fly s.
Each of the coils b and c actuate a device, by which, during the action of the
lamp, the clock-work is alternately stopped and released.
The device for connecting and disconnecting consists in the case of the shunt-
circuit coil c, of the armature and of the pawl or stop lever fixed to said
armature. When no current passes through the third coil the armature C is
drawn back by the spring 1, Figures 1 and 5, so that the rawl or stop lever ("
engages with the catch r, thereby stopping the clock work and consequently also
the carbon feed motion.
The solenoid of the main current coil bacts upon the lever B pivoted at B³
and provided with the pawl or stop lever B'. As soon as, during an increase of
current, the pivoted lever B is attracted to a sufficient extent, the pawl or stop
lever B moves with its nose into engagement with the air fan or fly s, so that
the clock-work and consequently thereby the carbon feed is also stopped. The
spring 12 connected with the pivoted lever B again draws back the pawl B¹, as
soon as the current decreases."
In this construction, only the upper carbon is movable, while the lower one
is immovably arranged in the frame of the lamp. The frame consists of the
upper plate h, which carries the clock-work and the coils b and c; of the lower
carrier or plate h¹; and of two side arms gg. One of the latter two
serves for receiving a counterweight G.
The action of the lamp, described, is based upon the fact, that the second and
third coils jointly regulate the carbon feed motion, the operation being such,
that the clock-work only can enable the carbon to perform a feed motion, when
both the armatures or cores, respectively, of the second and third coils and
release the clock work. The said two coils, moreover, work in complete inde-
pendence of the main current or first coil. The only object of the latter is, to
form the voltaic arc, whilst the two other coils serve to jointly connect and dis-
connect the clock-work.
The strength of currents is consequently normally distributed in the main and
shunt circuit in such a manner, that the main current coil will release the
clock-work, when the strength of current has fallen below a certain limit, that,
on the contrary, the shunt coil will release the clock-work, when the tension of
the voltaic arc is either normal or above normal. Inversely, the main current
coil b prevents the clock-work from moving and consequently prevents the carbon
feed motion from taking place, when the strength of current becomes too great,
and the shunt coil c prevents the clock-work from moving and consequently the
carbon feed motion from taking place, when the tension of the lamp is below
normal. The carbon feed thus only takes place, when the strength of current
is below normal and simultaneously the tension above normal. Thus the number
of amperes (amperage) is limited by the current coil in its downward scale and
consequently the tension (voltage) in its upward scale; and, moreover, inversely,
by the action of the shunt-circuiting coil c the tension is again limited in its
downward scale and consequently the number of amperes in its upward scale.
The tension and strength of current therefore can differ but very little.
The operation is accordingly as follows: Let us suppose the lamp to be adapted
for four amperes and 85 volts further, suppose, that at first no current flows
through the lamp and that the carbor rods are separated from each other by a
comparatively great distance. If the lamp be then connected, no current can
at first traverse the main current coils and b. The stop-lever B' is out of gear,

page_text: thereby releasing the clock-work. On the contrary, the shunt coil c is highly
energized, so as to attract its armature, which latter thus likewise releases the
clock-work. Consequently, as soon as the carbon rods come in contact, the
current traverses the main current coils a b, whilst the shunt coil still receives
but little current, thereby causing the clock-work to be stopped. The carbons are
As soon as the current
consequently prevented from coming into firm contact.
traverses the carbons, the coil a is thrown into operation and in acting as a
solenoid, lifts the carbon holder d, in order to thus form the voltaic arc.
main current coil b is likewise thrown into operation, and as soon as the strength
of current has reached four amperes-actuates its stopping device, thereby pre-
venting a further feed motion of the carbon from taking place. The further feed
motion of the carbon can only again recommence, when the strength of current
descends below four amperes and when simultaneously the tension has risen
above $5 volts.
The
An important advantage of the arc lamp above described consists in the fact,
that the carbon rods can not become baked together, in case several lamps are con-
nected in series. In arc lamps of previous constructions frequently the defect has
been met with, according to which-in the case of the lamps being connected in
series the alteration of the number of amperes in one lamp regularly causes
also the other lamps, burning in the same series, to alter their voltaic arc, even
if the latter had been previously of normal length. As this alteration must
necessarily again react upon the first lamp, a mutual influencing effect results,
which very frequently causes the carbon rods to bake together.
This defect need not be apprehended in this improved construction, seeing that
each lamp adjusts itself in absolute independence of the other lamps, burning in
the same series; and the shunt coil maintains in the lamp the required tension,
even when the main current coil has released the clock-work. When the voltaic-
arc-tension descends to the lowest admissible limit, the shunt coil retains the
clock-work; on the other hand, the main current coil is, however, now unable to
bring the carbons closer together. The voltaic arc, therefore, will, of necessity,
be permanently preserved, and the carbons are entirely prevented from baking
together.
The constructional form of the arc lamp, represented diagrammatically in
Figure 5, differs from that above described and shown in Figures 1 to 4, in as
much, as both connecting or switching devices of the coils b and c act upon the
air fan or fly, whilst according to the first described construction the one connect-
ing or switching device acts upon the catch r of the clock-work.
The connecting or switching devices may, of course, be constructed in various
ways. Their construction and arrangement is dependent upon the construction
and arrangement of the clock-work, which may likewise be varied. All the
coils a, b, c may be adapted to act as solenoids or as electro-magnets. They may
also be doubled or be connected in a manner, different to that described.
It is, however, essential in each case, that two connecting and disconnecting
devices or stops be arranged in connection with one and the same clock-work; one
of the said connecting and disconnecting devices or stops being dependent upon
the strength of current (amperage) and the other upon the tension of the current
(voltage).
The lamp may be so constructed, that to both carbon-rods a feed motion is
imparted, seeing that the arrangement of the two connecting and disconnecting
devices, described, is applicable to various systems of arc lamps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A regulating device for arc-lamps, characterized by two coils one of which
is brought into action at a predetermined strength of current, and the other at
a predetermined tension and which independently of each other act on the carbon

page_text: regulating mechanism in such a manner as to leave the same free only when simul-
taneously with the strength of the current becoming reduced below the normal,
the tension raises above the normal valve.
2. A regulating device for arc lamps constructed and arranged substantially
as described and shown in the drawing.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.