US1484620A - Electric regulation - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 26 1924.

E. J. BLAKE EnoTRIc REGULATION v Filedmarch 25, v'um 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 S513 lli/1 @1Mo/(Muts,

Feb. 26 ,1924.

1,484,620- E. J. BLAKE ELECTRIC REGULATION Filed March 25 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2' Smm/tot Feb. 26 1924.

E. J. BLAKE ELBSTRIC REWJIJA'I'IOM Filed March z5 1922 4 sheets-sheet a WIW/1 Feb. 26 1924. l

E. -LBLAKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELI J. BLAKE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GOULD COUPLER COMPANY, A CORIORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATION.

Application led March 25, 1922. Serial No. 546,852.

To (all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ELI J BLAKE, a. citizen of the United States, and resident of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Regulations, of which the following is a specifica tion.

The invention relates to electric regulation, and particularly to lamp regulators, or regulators for other loads, in which current is received from a source having a widely varying potential. The invention is particularly adapted to meet conditions involved in maintaining lamp voltage on multiple unit cars receiving current from a third rail at a voltage which varies between 35() and 750 volts. In such a case the energy dissipation required is much greater than that required in usual practice in connection with lamp regulators, operating on 3() or 60 volt circuits, and the resistance range which would be required of a carbon pile is considerably in excess of the resistance range ordinarily required.

In order to meet such conditions, in ac cordauce with the present invention, circuits are arranged in which the greater part of the duty of energy dissipation is placed on fixed resistance units, which are preferablyv used in connection with unusually long piles of carbons of small diameter.

The invention involves combinations and arrangements of circuits, resistances, and controlling means therefor by which the dcsired regulation may be accomplished, and also involves certain features of mechanical construction. Among these latter may be mentioned improved means for controllingr the pressure on carbon piles of a character particularly adapted for use in this invention. Experience has shown that friction of the pile prevents adequate release of pres sure through a pile of considerable length when such release is effected by mov ,ment of one end only. Accordingly a feature of this invention comprises the provision of movable heads at both ends of a pile, with the further provision, when a plurality of piles are used, of an equaliaing system arranged to maintain the saine pressure on the ends` of ill the piles.

Generally speaking the objects of the invention are, first, the provision of means for dissipating a relatively large amount of energy for the purpose ofl regulation with out the necessity of providing a proportionate dissipating capacity in the regulating carbon pile; second, the provision of means whereby the sensitiveness of regulator action may be increased by increasing the variation of the regulating current produced by a given change in the load circuit; and third, the provision ofl effective mechanism for the simultaneous control of a plurality of carbon piles. Other objects of the invention comprise the provision of improved combinations of parts and construction of elements as will be more fully set forth in the following specification.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings forming part of this application and illustrating certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings- Fig. 1 represents a front View partly in section of a regulator comprising features of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are'vertical sections taken respectively on line 2 2 and line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive are circuit diagrams illustrating various manners in which the invention maybe applied.

Referring first to Figs. 4 to 10 of the drawings, various systen or circuit arrangements are diagrammed in which the first and second of the three above named general objects are provided for. The mechanical constructions by which the third object is efi'ected will be explained later in connection with Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings.

Fig. 4 illustrates a case in which it is desired to maintain a constant current in the load, indicated as a single lamp 3. The fixed resistance l and the carbon pile 2, comprising a variable resistance composed of a plurality of contacting electrodes, controlled by solenoid 4, are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the lamp 3. At 5 is indicated a ballast resistance having a constant current characteristic connected in parallel with the solenoid 4. The circuit is controlled by a switch 6 and is supplied with energy troni a variable potential source which is not illustrated but is indicated merely by 'the symbols plus and ininus the ends of the circuit.

t Will be noted that the consisting ot the solenoid e resistance 5 is connected in series with the load. if the current in the load circuit increases as the supply potential varies7 the current through the solenoid will increase until it reaches such a Value as to relieve the carbon pile :2 of pressure` thereby increasing the resistance in series with the load and tending to liniit the loud to a definite value deterniined by the characteristics of the solenoid 4.

lt is well noivn that certrin conductors such as iron rire at a critical temperature value have the chara teristic thettheir resistance increases Very rapidly with their t j with the currnultiple group 4 l l and die naliast temperature. and conscquentl rent flowing through the-in. lic result that they maintain n very close approximation to a` constant current ilo throughout a considerable range ot Voltage variation across their terminals. The ballast resistance 5 has this characteristic; consequently the current which flows through it is nearly inve-riahle7 and practically the `whole variation of current through the load 3 is provided by a variation ol the current through the solenoid l. The. rariation of current in the solenoid being the total Variation, While the total current in the solenoid is only a traction oi' the total load current, it is evident that a =qiren percentage variation in load current Will produce s larger percen age var'ation of current through the solenoid Lt. For example, il the ballast resistance ,nintains a constant current of S amperes, and if the solenoid fl is designed to regulate at 2 nnipcres. the solenoid will rece-ive its normal current when the load circuit is receiving l0 ainperes. lt now, the load current is diminished to Se; ninperes,

normal, the ci rrent in the regulatig-oil will be reduced to 0.5 ainpere or l, or its normal relue. ln like inn-.nner any variation current in the load circuit 3 will produce a relatively ninpnili current through the recul le and e. Correspondined;v inalgniiieii ieeulnting` action.

ln illustrnted lijf Fic. 4A., it -vwill L it that load or translating ineens 3, in i hih s constant curr lnt is to lie maintained, ha constant 4istance and S that the potentie.L drop throu n lamp 3 will also be constant. Neglectinene sinall drop of potential through solenoid 4 and ball last resistance it is evident that the parallel circuit. consisting or the resistor l and 'lliccarbon pile Q must absorb a variable .l und its shunt bullast resistance 5 amount oi energy depending upon the dit ference oet-Ween the variable supply voltage and the. constant iced voltage. The current constant, the energy absorption is lnaxiniuni when the voltage drop a inaniniuin. ji t this time we may assume for purposes ol' illustration that the carbon pile has been lar relieved or pressure that the current through it is negligible. The total current will then lion' through a lined resistor l, the rei-,1 tance of which illust not he less than the total resistance required lor the nrixiinuni drop el potential. Under this condition ille energy i ysipation in carbon pile 2 is zero, but als he required drop dii. riches the curi-cirL supplied by the lizied resistor liecoines insuincieiit to maint-ain the required constant current in the load. The solenoid accordingly permits an increasingl coni ire -i or the carbon pile :2 which supplies un increas 'ig share ol the current irouired i'or the loan circuit. Ail the saine at one-nal'lf ol the niaxiiuuin potential drop.

suppl,

.lerac the duty o? 1the carbon pile iu watts is onequarter as great as the duty it would perlorin at the inagiinuiu (rop7 if thiJ lined resistor were uhsent.

rillie circuit shown in Fig. 5 is siinilar to that just described, except that the solenid are connected across the 'eriuinals of the load L (in series with u resistor lll) und, therefore', aci to maintain constant potential on the lead circuit, wherczis in ifie. l the solenoid l with its shunt ballast r list-lince 5 was connected in series with the load circuit to maintain constant curr/nt in that circuit. it Vwill. olf course.r be understood that the. solenoid and ballast resistor shown in l? ig. f' will be ot liner nire and will be given utaole charneleristic-s in euch 5 lor the ri it with which the;v arc to be used.

The circuit s iown in (i is siniilar to that shown in f f, but ir i' id oi.' a constant lainp io the loa-:l if. .houn as consistini;` or thrc i i i each concircui i.

8. AUso sisior. as shon Tor element is dii 1 lind i2. arranged connealion. The lined resistor f l in psral il with the tainingr a lanip ing controlled hy instead oi' element r is cerlion pile 2 when the. curreiit in tA eine :ne

scribed y: lue .such as 'lll aniperes. In lilre manner the. r ist-or section l2 is cut in by the relay T1 when the load current exceeds sorne hif ier Value such as 2") amperes. In either ca the resistance actually connected is so proportioned to the "Ill ll tl lli) connected load as to function substantially in the manner described in connection with Figures 4 and 5, that is to say, the resistance in parallel with the carbon pile at any `iven load is approximately the resistance required to supply a major part of the load current when the supply potential is a maximum. ln this example, as in that shown by Fig. 5, the solenoid it with its shunt ballast resistance 5 (and series resistor l0) are connected across the load terminals to maintain constant potential on the load circuit.

In Fig. '7 a similar circuit is shown in which, however, the relays 7 and Tb are associated, each with an individual branch of the load circuit. lhenever current flows in one of the load circuits, such as the upper one shown in the figure, the relay, such as relay T, closes so as to connect the carbon pile andv a resistor suitable for that particular load circuit in parallel. llihen, for eX- ample. the switch S of the upper load circuit is closed, the resistor l and pile 2 will be connected in parallel by the closing of relay 7, and when switch 8 of the lower load circuit is closed the other fixed resistor 1b Will be cut in by the relay 7b.

The arrangement shown by Fig. 8 is similar to that shown in Fig. 7 with the eXception that the shunt resistance around the carbon pile is varied by short circuiting a section for each load circuit cut in, instead of by adding a resistor in parallel. The connections by which sections of resistor lC are thus affected ivill be apparent from the diagram. y

The arrangementshown in Fig. 9 is similar to that shown in Fig. 7 with the exception that the resistor for each load circuit is cut in by a switch, upon closing the circuit, instead of by a relay. For example, if the load circuit 3b is closed by closing the double pole switch 8b, the resistance section l" is simultaneously connected to the line in parallel with carbon pile Q.

Fig. l() illustrates what may be considered an elaboration of the system shown in Fig. T. .ln the system shown in Fig. 10 four load circuits are provided for, each being shown as comprising five translating devices, such as lamps 3, lin series. Resistors l, lb, 1, and ld are shown as permanently connected in series. each with one of the lamp circuits, these resistors being suitable for absorbing the difference between the maximum supply voltage and the lamp voltage. Relays "A, 7". '7" and i are arranged similarly to the relays i and Tb in Fig. 7, one of these relays closing whenever its lamp circuit is energized, and connecting the mid point between the lamps and the corresponding resistor to a bus connection 211 leading to the .regulator carbon pile 2. The ballast resistance 5 is shown in shunt with coil 4:, as in the previouslv le,.-"criled diagrams.

It will be noted that a resistance unit 10 is in series with regulating coil 4. Resistance l0 has three functions; first to absorb a port-ion of the load voltage.y which in the case of an installation such as is illustrated in Fig. ld, may be too high for satisfactory application directly to coil Second, to permit the coil to be Wound for relatively small voltage and high. current. This is for the purpose of assuring a certain minimum current flew through the carbon pile, even when all load circuits are open. This minimum current tion1 being assured, it is not necessary to reduce the current through the pile to zero. and any opening of the circuit in the pile with an attending tendency to vibration avoided. Third, the series resistance unit l() may he of very low temperature co-eiiicient and may serve to limit the variation of regulator setting, due to variation of resistance with temperature in the regulating circuit.

lt will he understood that the constant current ballast resistance may be used in various installations for the purpose of increasing the sensitiveness of the regulating action. and that theI use of the same constitutes one of the features of the invention, but that the invention is not limited to include this feature, and that the same may some times be omitted.

Figs. 1,2 and 3 illustrate a form of regulator in which the systems of regulation above described may be carried out and in which an improved mechanism for the control of the carbon piles is effected. The regulator, as shown, may be considered as applied to the regulating system diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l0, it being, of course, understood that the connections may be modified to meet desired conditions in accordance. for example, with the other forms of regulation referred to in connection Wit-h the other diagrammatic views which have been described.

Referring to Figs. 1,2 and 3, it may be noted first that a series of carbon piles 2A, 2B 2f", and 2 are used which may be long piles of carbons of small diameter connected together in series and which will correspond to the carbon pile 2 referred to in the various Wiring diagrams. Pressure on opposite ends of all these piles is equalized and controlled by means of mechanism to be described. In place of the regulating coil 4 referred to in connection with the various diagrams Figs. 4 to 10, a pair of regulating coils 4:1 and 41 are illustrated which are provided with cores having poles between which an armature is adapted to swing, the movementof the armature serving to control the pressure on the carbon piles by means to be described.

Referring now in detail to the construetion illustrated, a pair of brackets 1l and lle one

ilLcL opp -le uli@ Le fl i ust e i1. shunL` round i i Freni he erni ses '-1 x u A n iniougn kne cui. in he order :i n 2;) on u rnine 24, Ccd

later.

Contact with each ce euch end` of the seme ihrer 2G, each of which hears :it br. the Carbon pile. rEhe e'rher ends of the plungers 2S at the left hand ends ci' tl e piles,

h plungers one end meinst referring lo L ig. l, heer ege-inst equulizing he right 1ne-,nd ends of the piles and QG heur :er ecuelizing lever 2T, while Jshe right hand ends or piles 2A and 2D heer against terminal blocks 28. A light spring 29 is positioned around each YWasher and nrw? 'he Cup plunger 26 and peurs against n entrer pin Si) :il one l und 2:51' mi .12 l Y v. y @i (i i, ie lA i sli ein eil ile vi' rizil which serum of hentai i phj-fing dire T shown :il

rig. L, verrier?. by n e r-ciuilizing lever o? und enr` von knife inne 3T is supported by i ok nieinher 1,9 which to lhe ,freine i4, The inffnl: 7

is supil orted by pivors F381 fr( i ineinher 391 which is printed al' lo 1v to frame 14` 'The niernhers 38, 89 and 4l) lieinc* similar te the nienihers 981, 391 and 411V. f scrzm's indicned l the pivot pins 381, 40 una 401;. in the rocking nJ- inhers and frnine.

The insulkii tulie 23T actuar "the springing he describen. hi.' n push rod al- Whil Y suleting ruhe 49 is .similarly nein pull rod 44. The latter interrnpie :lliure 52, subsequently to rricully by sin insulning joinr 4r i'o insulare this mechanism from he iie edge support e-i uhe 42 ro which pull rod 44 is ni'nf'lwd A its right l sind end.

1 44, near ills lel; hond lend, referl, pases freely ihre-ni n lnished insulating tube 21T :is indicated n Y i; lo nmin'nin the r') n sulatine; l Y C y Lied in parallel plm-es ,zo that the faces o l c eqnzxlizinrg levers Y will be kept perpendicular to the plnngcrs 2V which they engage.

The actuating rods 43 and 44 are pivotnlly connected et their left hand ends to links 4G and 47. These links, as is shown at the left hand portion of Fig. 1, are hinged at their left hund ends to opposite ends of :i link 48, which serves to maintain links 46 and 47 parallel. Links 46 and 47 have notches 49 formed therein which are adapted to engage knife edges() attached to shaft 51, (see Fig. 2). An armature 52 is also mounted on shaft 51., this armature being adapted to swingbetween poles formed in the cores 53 of the regulating coils 41, 41. The armature and cores, together with a base member 54 formed integral with the frame 14, constitute a magnetic circuit upon which the coils 41 are placed.

lVhen coils 41 are energized, the armature tends to swing into the plane of the two cores 53. A spring 'is provided to oppose this tendency, (see Fig. l), this spring being attached at its right hand end to stud 56 and connected by means of rod 57, turn buckle and the eye 59 to a post 60 attached to armature 52. The armature may be provided with copper bands 61 surrounding the end portions thereof and tending to damp out oscillations of the armature. A pin 62 projected through an opening in the yoke member 63 serves to limit the movement of the armature 52.

The parts are shown in the position assumed when they are le-energized'. It a current is supplied by the incoming wires to the terminal 23 at any potential higher than that for which the regulator is adjusted, the armature 52 will move towards alignment with the plane of the cores ln so doing it will partially release the pressure exerted by the knife edges 50 of shaft 5l against notches 49 in links 46 and 47, the movement ot armature 52 towards alignment with. cores 53 being opposed by spring lVhen pressure of knife edges 50 on seats 49 is thus partially released, the push oit rod 43 against tube 37 and the pull of rod 44 upon tube 42 will be somewhat decreased and accordingly the pressure of tubes 37 and 42 upon the ends ct the carbon piles, exerted through levers 27 and terminal blocks 28 and plungers 26, will be correspondingly decreased. The carbon piles will raccordingly be perinitted to expand somewhat in both directions and to partially relieve themselves of pressure. Throughout this releasing movement equality of pressure will be maintained at both ends of the piles because of the fact that an equalizing level.' 27 serves to main-A tain equality of pressure as between ,each pair `of adjacent piles. Furthermore the equalized pressure will bev substantially maintained without any sliding ot any pile as a whole through its containing tube, provided that the expansion of all piles at similar pressures is similar. Thus the .maximum pressure that can exist between the carbons in any pile when the ends have been wholly relieved ot pressure .is ythe slight torce required to slide the carbons trom the central portion of any piletowards either end thereof` during the expansion of the pile. Such an arrangement is of importance in cases in which the utilization ot the greatest possible potential drop in the carbon piles is required, since the limiting resistance value of any carbon pile is determined by the internal pressure required between discs to slide the discs along their support during the slight expansive movement of release.

Equilibrium will be restored when the releasing movement referred to has proceeded to such a point that the resistance of the carbon piles reduces the voltage available across the circuit of the coils 41 to normal. If now a lamp load, such as one of the lamp circuits shown in Fig. 10, is turned on in one of the circuits connected to the posts 22, the corresponding relay 7a or 7 b etc., will close, connecting the middle point of the lamp circuit by means ot bus connection 21l to the circuit regula-ted by the carbon piles. It the supply ot' voltage is less than that for which the resistor l are adapted, the current received by the connected lamp circuit through its own particular resistor l Will be less than normal. The deficiency will be supplied by the circuit through the carbon piles which will be accordingly readfjusted as required for maintaining normal volta-ge under the modified condition. When any other lamp circuits are turned on the operation is, of course, the same, any deficiency of current supplied through the fixed resistors 1 being supplied by the circuit through the carbon piles in the manner described in connectionwith the diagram Fig. l0.

The circuits through the carbon piles, it will be noted, extends from post 24 through terminal block 28 connected therewith, pressure head or plunger 26 and carbon pile 2A, through equalizinglever 27 at the lett to pile 2B, through the latter, through equalizing lever 27 at the right to pile 2C, through the latter, through the equalizing lever 27 at the left to pile 2D, through the latter, and the terminal block 28 at the right and thence to post 25. l

lVliile I have described the invention'in its preferred form in great detail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such form or details, since many changes may be made and the invention embodied in widely different forms without departure from the spirit and scope thereof in its broaderaspects, and various features of the invention may be used without using others.

I claim- 1. An electrical system having in combination a source of variable voltage, electric translating means connected to be supplied by said source, means for regulating the energy supplied by the source' to the translating means comprising a variable resistance composed of a plurality ot contacting electrodes and ay fixed resistance in parallel lil) therewith, both being in series Wit-li the translating ineens, e eeil responsive to eertaiin electrical variations the system ffir controlling said regulating ineens enel n resistance in shunt to seid eoil. serial last inentionetl resistance having n eone v.nt current elnirzieteristie.

An eleetrieel system having; in Combina arable voltage5 electric 1 ill tra ineens eonneeted te be supplied ineens 'for regulating :lie oy: Une` sonree to the trnns- 3i` ele resistance eentzietins electrode :f xzllel there. .L l.

mentioned resi; rent eliereeteristi f.

8. An electrical system liziY-:ing' in eornbinzrtion a sonree of variable voltage, plurality 'i' translating neetecl to ne snp- ,oliee here 4imposed 'oiles in e eoil reseies vri-lli sponsife eetrienl sjrstein having in eoinloinzrl ef -Aarielole Voltage, :i Qlnrelitj o ns eenne-etefl to lie snpeeyr` e varii ble resistance eoinposed :i plurali-t3` o ting eleetroiles in series with nennst e Coil ret to eel variations in itl Variable .1 resist entres e more of e seid Ter.

irfl tilzen lijf mentioned ting' to eoninnt to tlie variable resis .snee responsive certain rrrietions in enrrent supplied to ine trans- An electrical sjsein lio-Ying i1; e l

3 (ineinai sonree o't variable voltage. er

\ )lnrality i lening; devices connected to lie snpn ier thereby i'i parallel with one zinotlierj il l resist-nee eoinpesetl O e plurality ingr electrodes eenneetefl in series e lliting eleviees for regulating rgy supplie@ thereto, lixecl resistnnee ineens adapte-l to be connected in shunt to seid Vn 'inole resistance and elect-roi spensive means controlling the connection of different amounts of said fixed resistance in slnint to said variable resisten/e responsive tl Certain variations in logil teken by sani ti nisleting deiv eleetri '1;

il( l7 il. SUlll coni f Y gin e plie r inelins Controlling the eonr'iee- 'int amounts of swirl fixed reffnt to snitl variable resistmree 1 :iin 7arizitions in lr ed translating ileviees, :intl u coil voltage fflisinges across tire. ne' devices for eoinrolling tlie operof seid variable resiste-nee. En eleetrienl system herring in eointion, e source oil' Ynriulile voltage. plunslziting devices eonneeljefl to ne erelly in piirrillel with one en linee eoniposml ol ai oi" eentneting electrodes eonneeteil with the translating (levier-s for r tne energy' supplied thereto, tixefl ineens :irlzipted to oe eonneeierl in to .3mal variable resistirme :intl eleetroineens eonfillingY tlie connection e it :nnonn'ts ot snif tilted, resistance o seid variable resistance responeertziin Variations in loud lilqen liv ln-islziting (levi/eee. :infl n Coil re onacross; llie lr-irrfmeinfr ng the Sipernti'on of ki eoil, sind resislzinee lrzifingr e" j 'rent el zufzxeteristie. 8. An Stein liirfing le Coni- 1 1 l v j l n irnieile ioilnin. z plni one ln' smid sonrie n erir- "slsl'iinee seriell@v ron- .l vi l to swirl mi ele re- `r `fl Ygiri lile ieslf z responsive t I ir-retiens at tlie lumps to control tlie ilonv of Current lo l'lie leunt, :intl :i nee in slrnnt relition t coil, se Y tionerl re lee l e consta t elterneteiistie.

eleel'riefil syste-ni lrivinp; in eoini'ririnlile rol de :i plw ieeterl 'in efitli one Y of SON?

. nneetetl with e; nini' rel;A

to Ln` lerinl'ile t i Vmeting one er more oi snit resistance eleinens responsivc to various amounts of current taken from the source, and mea-ns vfor controlling said variable resistance responsive to certain electrical variations ot the system to regu late the energy supplied to the lamps.

10. An electrical system of distribution having in combination a source of variable voltage, a plurality of-lamp circuits connccted in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each of said circuits having a plurality ot' lamps therein in series relation with one another, a variable resistance connected in series relation with said lamp circuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to be connected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in series relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or more oit said resistance elements responsive to various amounts ot current take-n from the source, and means for controlling said variable resistance responsive to certain electrical variations of the system to regulate the energy supplied to the lamps.

11. An electrical system of distribution having in combination a source of variable voltage, av plurality of lamp circuits connected in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each of said circuits having a plurality of lamps therein in series relation with one another, a variable resistance connected' in series relationwith said lamp circuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to be connected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in series relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or more of said resistance elements responsive to various amounts of current taken from the source, and means for controlling said variable resistance responsive to certain electrical Variations of the system to regulate the energy supplied to the lamps, said variable resistance comprising a carbon pile and said controlling means comprising a coil responsive to voltage variations at the lamps.

12. An electrical system of distriluitiou having in combination a source of variable voltage, a plurality of lamp circuits connccted in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each ot said circuits having a plurality of lamps therein iu series relation with one another, a variable resistance connected in series relation with said lamp circuits. a plurality ot resistance elements adapted to be connected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in series relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or moreoic said resistance elements responsive to various amounts of current taken trom the source. and ymeans for controlling said variable resistance responsive to certain electrical variations of the system to regulate the energy supplied to the lamps, said variable resistaiuze conun'ising a carbon pile and said controlling means comn'ising a coil respon-- sive to voltage variations at the lamps, and a resistance in shunt to said coil, said resistance having a constant current charm:- teristic.

13. An electrical sj/vstem ol distriluititm having in combination a source ot variable voltage, a plurality of lamp circuits conn nccted in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each oic said circuits having a plurality ot lamps therein in series relation with one another,l a variable rcsistance connected in series relation Vwith said lamp circuits, a plurality of resistance elements adapted to be connected each in shunt relation to said variable resistance and in series relation with the lamp circuits, means for so connecting one or more ot said resistance elements responsive to various amounts of current taken trom the source, and meansy 14. In an electrical system, the co1nbiuation with a plurality of load circuits, of a variable resistance, a relay associated with each load circuit, and a resistor controlled thereliv, to be connected in parallel u'ith said variable resistance When the 'associated load circuit is energized. v

15. In an electrical system, the combination with a. source of variable voltage, of a plurality of load circuits connected in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each of said circuits having a middle point, with electric translating means on one side of said point and a tired resistor on the other side thereof, a variable resistance, and switch means associated with each load circuit to connect the middle point thereof` with said variable resistance to connect the latter in series with the translating means of said circuit and in shunt -with the fixed resistor thereof.

16. In an electrical system, the combination with a source ot variable voltage, of a plurality of load circuits connected in parallel with one another to be supplied from said source, each o'l said circuits having a middle point, Wit-h electric translating means on one side ot said point and a fixed resistor on the other side thereof, a f'ariable resistance, and automatic switch means comprising an electromagnet in each loadY circuit adapted to connect the middle point thereof with said variable resistance Whenever said 17. ln an electrical c tion with a source of nlnralitv cf lo; allel .iiLv said se middle point.

means on one side ot resister cn the etlier including a. iarbon ccil thereto across the a point en iid fiile and ed to be connected in f eacli other. in circuit ivitli a ,serre ct variable ncr 'izfnetie ineens i El tential and a load. elect 'for controlling` tbe resistand a circuit in slinnt vfitl magnetic means. so errance variations therein are 19. ln an electric regulate t c.

s ieafl tien of a carbon pile. a prec. are ed to exert pressure apen and electric curr nt to one end tliere( rate member bearing against sa ranged to exert a varjv' .u and. to ccnvev electrical cnrr V crete.. a spring arranged to maintain meenanical contact between said head and memlhl all times.

90. In an electric regulator. tlie combination of a pair cf carbon piles and an inslated pressure een liiner member in incclianical and electric contact 'with ene end ct eacli pile to connect tbem cleelricalljv and to exertnineclianical nresnire against tliem.

21. In an electr' eejlilator. tbc ccnibii tion ci: Jonr `parallel ca kben piles an een. izing lever bearii fri ond pile. at one en(L tliereo'i. an ediializinfr lever bearing' against tlie ai pile at tlie opposite enes tlierefrl.. and an equalizing lever bearing` against tlie third rsf' and secand fourth pile tlre lirst named end thereof.

melma@ n an electric regilator. the combina t a pluralitv ci carbon piles rrr Jed Y te each other with their azes in l'lic l and a reciting member `pivohfl "i'ansrersc te lie z te maintain c tbe a ties requlcl'o". tlie efrnliina carbon piles pesite ends et pair of' piles i; fable l Y i iid levers are nv'ted. a 'ntain positions al\vajxs atA right `angles e zes the piles. and means tor coning tlie movement of said members tos and zivav frein tlie piles. ln an electric regulator. tbe combination et a plurality'. l( ifreater than two. of carbon piles. ecnalixinfr levers at opposite ends eig the piles. eaeli lever bearingr against the i ids et an adiacenti pair of piles. said levers beine; sa arran.fred that nrcssnre exertel at one end oi a Dile will. be transmitted tlironeli all tbe iiiles, and means for mc ne" the tnlrrnms of all the levers toivairls and aivav from tbe piles simultanedevices. andimeans YPer moving said memand away lien parallel lines towards from said piles.

26. ln an electric regulator. tlie combination ot nlnralitv carbon piles. pres-- sure devices bea against opposite ends thereof. insulatingn men'lbers adjacent said Dressnrc one at cach end ci? the devices. piles. evendi-ne' at right angles to the axes of said piles. Contact means carried bv said members` atlante-l te eni'afle against .said Dresser/e devicesr` and automatic means for moving both insulating members to- ,rds and aivav from said pressure devices, simultaneously'. tlircuirli like distances, vsibile mafataininf said members in parailelism.

Q7. In an electric regulator. the combination ci a nluralitvfv ci parallel carbon Diles. one above tlie other. upright insulating members. one adjacent each end. ot tbe piles. contact devices carried bv said members. for engaging the ents et the piles. and a pair el members mounted. on vertical hinges.7 one.

right angles to the axes thereof, adapted to .move towards and away from the same in parallel planes, and connections between said pressure means and said armature for so moving said pressure means.

29. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of carbon piles and regulating means therefor, comprising electro-magnetic means having a pair of pole pieces, an armature pivoted between said pole pieces and adapted to swing towards alignment with said pole pieces when said electro-magnetic means is energized, pressure means at opposite ends of said piles, at right angles to the axes thereof, adapted to move towards and away from the same in parallel planes, and links connecting points on said armature on opposite sides of the pivot thereof with said pressure means and arranged to move in planes parallel with the axes of said piles.

30. In an electric regulator, the combination of a resistor and regulating means therefor comprising a pair of electromag net coils with pole pieces and an armature pivoted between said pole pieces and adapted to swing towards alignment with said pole pieces when said coils are energized said coils being situated beyond one end of said resistor, means for applying pressure to opposite ends of said resistor, a push connection between said armature and one of said pressure applying means, and a pull connection between said armature and the other pressure applying means.

31. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of tubular resistors, a plurality of carbon piles connected together in series, common electro-responsive means for applying varying pressure to all of said piles, and means for electrically connecting any of said tubular resistors in parallel with said piles.

32. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of tubular resistors, a plurality of carbon piles connected tgether in series, common electro-responsive means for applying varying pressure to all of said piles, and means for electrically connecting any of said tubular resistors in parallel with said piles, and a framework carrying all of said resistors and piles.

33. In an electric regulator, the combination of a plurality of carbon piles, arranged one above the other and delecting plates positioned above each pile except the uppermost, to deflect heat produced by said piles from the piles above.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ELI J. BLAKE.

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