Year: 1898

page_text: I, MAX KOHL, Manufacturer, of Beckerstr. 17, Chemnitz, in the German Empire,
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 :-
The object or purpose of the alternating-current interrupter is to enable induction
coils to be worked with alternating current from the net-work of the installations of
cities or towns. The alternating current as supplied by the usual alternate-current
dynamo is for various reasons unsuitable for the direct working of induction coils by
means of which cathode-or Rontgen-rays are to be generated principally, because
of the transcendental nature of the alternating current-curve in its course the high
tension is not created in the distance as is the case of interrupted continuous-current,
and which tension finds expression in sparks of 1000 millimetres and more in length.
To obtain this high degree of tension by alternating-current it is necessary to
interrupt the alternating current at a place of the period in the proximity of a
maximum. This interruption of the alternating current, produces, under the
influence of a condenser switched to both sides of the place of interruption a current-
curve in the primary-bobbin of the induction-coil, which generates tension in the
secondary-bobbin equal to that derived from continuous-current. It is conditional,
for the uniform working of the coil that the interruptions follow the periodicity of the
alternating current. The interruptions may take place between platinum contacts as
well as between a silver pin and mercury.
The alternating current interrupter is embodied as a mercury-interrupter, a
platinum-interrupter, and as a motor-interrupter.
Various modes of construction are represented by the annexed three sheets of
drawings, referring to which :-
In Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the mercury-interrupter, and Fig. 2 a
plan view of the same,
In Sheet 2, Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the platinum-interrupter, and Fig. 4 a
plan view of the same,
In Sheet 3, Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the motor-interrupter, Fig. 6 a side
elevation of the same and Fig. 7 a plan of the same.
The mercury alternating-current interrupter consists of the alternate-current
electromagnet N, in front of which, under the influence of the electromagnet M,
the spring-armature A, is caused to vibrate synchronously. The current flowing
through the electromagnet M enters at the binding-screw W, and leaves by
way of W. The armature A, is provided with a contact-pin, K, which when at
rest dips into the mercury Hg of the vessel G thus the contact-pin K, closes a second
alternating-current-circuit, leaving by way of binding-screw W, takes its course by
binding-screw P₁ to the primary-bobbin of the induction coil, from thence, to the
binding-screw P₂, to the armature A provided with the contact-pin K, into the:
mercury Hg, enters the vessel G, which it again leaves at W., by first passing through
the hoop and binding-screw C. To both sides of the place of interruption at A,
TD 037
2⁹

page_text: and C, the condenser is switched. The mercury vessel G, can be raised and lowered
by means of the screw S, and thereby the interruption of the current may be so
regulated that the same S is every time secured in the positive maximum of the
alternating current-curve. The electromagnet M is by means of the screw E,
adjustable towards the armature A for the purpose of introducing the vibrations of the
latter. By the vibrations of the armature A, the circuit between the contact-pin K,
and the mercury Hg is opened and closed and the induction coil is thereby set into
action.
The platinum alternating-current interrupter consists of the alternating-current
electromagnet M, in front of which the' spring arinature A under the influence of
the electromagnet M, is caused to vibrate synchronously. The current passing through
the electromagnet M, enters at the binding-screw W, and leaves at W2. The armature A
is provided with a special spring of the platinum-contact B, which, when at rest, is in
connection with the platinum-contact D of the stand N. The platinum-contacts thus
close a second alternating current-circuit which enters at the binding-screw W, and
by way of R takes its course to the primary-bobbin F of the induction coil from thence
by way of P₂ to the armature A with the platinum-contact B, passing through
platinum-contact D, in connection, and leaving by binding-screw W. A set screw is
provided at the platinum contact D whereby the interruption of the alternating-
current may be so regulated that the same is every time secured in the positive
maximum of the alternating current curve. The armature A and the spring E, with
the platinum contact B, are insulated from the stand N. At both sides of the place
of interruption at A, and N, the condenser is switched. The electromagnet M, is by
means of the screw E, adjustable towards the armature A, for the purpose of
introducing the vibrations of the latter. By the vibration of the armature A, the
circuit between the platinum contacts B and D, is opened and closed and the induction
coil is thereby set into action.
The motor-alternating-current interrupter, Fig. 5, consists of a synchronised
alternate-current-motor R, which by means of a linear contrivance V, the contact-
pin T, is dipped in and out of the mercury Hg, of the glass vessel G. The current
for the alternate-current-motor enters at W₁, and leaves at W₁, when the contact-pin T,
is dipped into the mercury Hg a second alternating-current circuit is thereby closed
which enters at the binding-screw W and takes its course by way of P₁, to the
primary-bobbin F, of the induction coil, from thence, by way of P₂ to the stand U,
and to the therewith connected contact-pin T it enters through the latter into the
mercury of the glass vessel G, and leaves again through the hook O, the clamp C,
at W..
The mercury vessel ( can be raised and lowered by means of the pinion head y,
and the rackwork Z, whereby the interruption of the alternating-current may be
so regulated that the same is every time secured in the positive maximum of the
alternating current curve, the mercury Hg is insulated from the stand U by the glass
sides of the vessel G. At both sides of the place of interruption at U, and C, the
condenser is switched, by dipping into, and lifting out of the mercury of the contact-
pin T, the current is opened and closed and the induction coil is thereby set into
action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. An interrupter for induction coils consisting of an alternate-current electro-
magnet M, by which an armature A is caused to synchronously vibrate, and thereby
between a contact-pin K and a mercury-contact a second current circuit of the same
alternating-current is at every period unipolarily interrupted in the positive maximum
of its curve.
2. An interrupter for induction coils consisting of an alternate-current electro-
magnet M by which an armature is caused to synchronously vibrate, and thereby,
between the platinum-contacts B a second current-circuit of the same alternating

page_text: current is at every period unipolarily interrupted in the positive maximum of its
curve.
3. An interrupter for induction coils consisting of a synchronised alternate-current-
motor R which, by means of raising and lowering of a contact-pin T a second
current-circuit of the same alternating-current is at every period unipolarily
interrupted in the positive maximum of its curve.
Dated this 26th day of July 1898.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.