US1709757A

US1709757A - Regulating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1709757A
Application number: US112332A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ohlsen Louis H Von
Original assignee: Safety Car Heating and Lighting Co
Current assignee: Safety Car Heating and Lighting Co
Priority date: 1926-05-28
Filing date: 1926-05-28
Publication date: 1929-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1946-04-16

Description

' April 16, 1929; L. H. VON OHLSEN 1,709,757v

REGULAT ING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1926 14 TTOR NE Y.

LQUIS E. VGN OHLSEN, GE NEV] HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY CAR,

HEATIKG (535 LIGHTIHG'VOOM PANY, A CSRPOEATION 0F NEVJ'JERSEY.

BEGULATING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 28,

"his in *ention relates to systems of electriral 'ibution, and more partlcularly to systems in which a relatively large number of devices, such as electric lamps, are operated in series from a relatively high voltage source. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical system of the above-mentioned character capable oil dependable and rellable operation in practical use. Another obgect is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical regulatmg means for safeguarding the serially connected lamps in such a system of distribution against over-voltage and hence against burningout of the lan gs, either due towidechanges in the voltage of the source or due to changes in the total resistance oi the serially connected lamps as one or more of the latter become burned out. Another object is to provide regulating apparatus of the above-mentioned character which will be simple and inexpensive in construction, capable of embodiment in compact practical form, and well adapted to meet the widely varying conditions of hard practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part )ointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly, consists in the features oi construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be excnuilified in the s iructure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. 7

In the accompanying drawing, in which ar shown several of various possible embodiments of certain of the electrical features of my invention,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuit arrangements and of the apparatus embodying a preferred form of my invention Fi 2 is alike diagrammatic representation illus ting a modification of certain features oi? my invention; and

3 is a like diagrammatic representation illustrative of a mddification in certain details of my invention and illustrative of the achievement of certain other advantages of my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

As conductive to a clearer un oerstanding of certain. features of my invention, it may at 1926. Serial No. 112,332.

this point be noted that in certain systems of electrical distribution, such as in certain systoms of illumination, for example, the source of current is of a voltage relatively high with respect to the voltage of the individual lamps which it is desired to employ in such systems it is usual toconnect the individual lamps in series so that the total voltage available is commensurate with that of the summation of the operating voltages of the individual lamps. Such systems of illumination, however, larg'ely employed in rapid transit vehicle servicesuch asv subways and the like, are characterized by a number of disadvantages and limitations which my invention aims to overcome. For example, the burning-out of one lamp in such systems makes the entire series of lamps inoperative, and even though the lamp thus made inoperative may be shortcircuited so as to complete the circuit, the remaining lamps are thereby made to operate at an abnormally high voltage with the result that th y are rapidly burned out.

A dominant aim of my invention to provide a thoroughly practical system of illumination in which any desired number of lamps of appropriate potential maybe serially arranged to be operated from a relatively high voltage source and wherein the burning-out oi one or more or any number of the lamps in a circuit may take place without endangering the remaining lamps; and a further aim of my invention is to achieve this object with apparatus and devices of simple and inexpensive construction.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at 10 a suitable source of current which may, for example, be or a potential in the neighborhood from 450 to 700 volts or there )outs. A plurality of lamps ort anslatii devices 11 are connected in series, and though in the drawing only four of such devices are shown,

it will be understood that any suitable or appropriate number may be thus arran ed. Each device or lamp 11 is provided m a device generally and diagrammatically indicatedat 12, arranged so that when one of the lamps 11 burns out, the device 12, as sociated with that lamp, short-circuits the terminals of the burned-out lamp, thereby to maintainthe series circuit through the ren'iaining lamps 11 intact. The device i2 may take any suitable or appropriate fo m, for

example, such as what is known as alila1nent cutout, and need not be specifically illustrated or described.

The series of lamps 11 is connected by conductor 13 to one side of the source of current 10, whereas a conductor 14 leading from the other terminal of the source 10 completes the circuit throu 'h a current coil 15, a variable resistance 16, the latter preferably in the form of a pressure-responsive carbon pile. thence through any appropriate number of serially arranged fixed resistances, of which only two are shown in the drawin namely, the

resistances

17 and 17. Each of the lixed resistances norn'ially short-eircuited by an appropriate switch; thus the resistance 17 is slmrt-circuited by the switch 18 and the resistance 17 short-circuited by the switch 18.

The pressure on the carbon pile resistance 16 is variable by means of a bell-crank lever 19pi\'*oted as at 20, a spring" 21 acting to tend to compress the carbon pile 16. Associated with the current coil 15 is a core 22 connected to an end of the bell-crank lever 19 so that any tendency of the current in the circuit, which, when the parts are inthe position shown in Fig. 1, will be seen to include the coil 15, variable resistance 16, and the serially connected lamps 11, to increase beyond a value connnensurate with the normal rating of the lamps 11 will cause a decrease in the pressure uponthe carbon pile 16 with consequent increase in the resistance 01'' the latter. The carbon pile regulator therefore will maintain substantial constancy of current in the series circuit, not merely throughout changes in the potential of the source 10, which potential may vary substantially, but also throughout changes in the total resistance of the serially connected lamps 11 throughout a pre determined range. I

The carbon pile regulatm: is of relatively low capacity, in order to achieve greater n'iccty of regulation as well as to achieve greater el'ticiency; and assuming that one of the lamps 11 burns out, its terminals are at once SlNEI't-ClltlllltC-(l by its associated device 12. but the corresponding decrease in the total. re. 'stance oi the series of remaining lamps 11 is at once con'ipensated, for by a commensurate increase in the resistance of the carbon pile 16, due to the action oi the solenoid 1522. As successive lamps 11 burn out. this action of u'iaintaining substantial constancy oi current through the remaining lamps by the carbon pile regulator 16 is repeated until the maximum ohmic value of the carbon pile 16 has b en reached. Further burning out of lamps, therefore, would find the remaining operative lamps devoid of further protection against increase in current due to the range 01 action 01"? the carbon pile resistance 16 having become e hausted. And it is at this point that one of the plurality of fixed resistances 1C '17, etc. is brought into action.

The switch 18 is held in short-circuiting position by a coil or magnet 23 connected by conductors 2 1 and 25 across the series of lamps 11; the switch 18 is held in shortcircuiting )esition by a coil or magnet 23 also connected across the series of lamps 11. lllagnet 23, however, so constructed that it permits the switch 18 to open as soon as a reduction in voltage across the series of lamps 11 has taken place, which reduction will he connuensurate with that due to the burninegout of enough lamps 1.1 to cause the carbon pile regulator 16 to reach substantially its maximum ohmic value. l /hot such a rcduction has taken place, switch 153 opens, and fixed resistance 17, the value of which substantially equivalcnt to the maxinmm ohmic ".alue of the carbon pile. 16. becomes inserted in the series circuit. Tie consequent tendency to reduce the current in the circuit permits the spring 21 to bring the carbon pi e 16 up to substantially its maximum compres 01 1 so that the carbon pile regulator, under the control 01 the current coil 15, m

recommence its regulating action lln'oughout entire range oi? chang e 1n olnnic va. uc.

As soon the caroon pile 16 has again reached its maximum ohmic value due to the continued burning-out of lamps 11, and after one or the plurality of lixed resistances has been inserted in the circuit, a further and like reduction in voltage oecomcs ell'ectivc to cause the magnet Zi to open the switch 18 and insert the next lined resistance 17. 'l he 1112 net 23, as will be understood from the i e going, open-circuits the resistance 17 at a voltage commensurate with that across the lamps 11 when the resistance 1'? has all-cad" been inserted and the carbon pile 16 extended to its maximum ohmic value The carbon pile 16 becomes again compressed under the action of the spring; 21, and may repeat its regulatlira action throughout its range, as herein bc lore described, it being understood that as many listed resistances and coat-ting relays or controlling switches therejl'or are provided as may he desired, each one being, as will now be clear, made operative at succes ivcinter vals of time corresponding to succc \c diminulions in inc total resistance of the o't lilllilT-S 11 in increments corresponding to th maximum ohmic resistance of the carbon pile 16.

Thus the burning-out SUCCQSF-llY0lV of number of the lamps 11 is cll'ectiielv vented from causing the remaining operative lamps to be subjected to over-voltage. and it will be seen that the apparatus, even though the carbon pile regulator oi low capacity or low range, may be readily adapted to meet the widely varying conditions that may be met. As iliiuztratijve of the latter condition, it may be pointed out that my invention preill)

lfii) 1 longer, under peculiarly of advantage where, for example, fronr eighteen to twenty 30-volt lamps are intended to'be operated in series on a 550- volt circuit.

In Fig. 2, in which many of the parts illustrated in Fig. are duplicated, the

resistances

17 and 17 are normally held short-circuited by the

switches

18 and 18 the magnet controlling the opening ofthe switch 18 to bring the lined resistance 17 into the series circuit, however, com n'ises a current winding 26 connected to be responsive to the current flow in the series circuit; the winding 26 is preferably included directly in the series circuit. The magnet controlling the switch 18 includes preferably a voltage-responsive winding 27 connected by

conductors

28 and 29 to be responsive tothe potential drop across the resistance 17.

In operation, the switch 18 is opened by the magnet 26 when the carbon pile 16 can no the action of the solenoid 22, cause a further decrease in'the current in the seriescircuit, that is, when the ohmic value of the carbon pile 16 has reached its maximum. The fixed resistance 17 is thus brought into the circuit so that the carbon pile 16 may operate again throughoutits complete range. As soon as the carbon pile has again, however, reached its maximum value of ohmic resistance, the potential drop across the resistance 17 will have reached a corresponding predetermined value, and it is at this predetermined alue that the magnet 27 opens the switch 18, thus to bring into the circuit the fixed resistance 1'? and to permit the carbon pile 16 to be operated again throughout its entire range. As is true of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, as many

fixed resistances

17, 17, etc. with corresponding operating coils as shown in Fig. 2 may be employed.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a possible modilied embodiment of certain features shown in the arrangement in Fig. 2. In the arrangement of Fig. the switch 18 will be seen to be controlled by a current coil 26 operating as described, in connection with Fig. 2, but instead of employing a fixed resistance 17 per so, the coil 30 of the switch 18" (which controls the insertion of the resistance 17) is connected across the contacts of the switch 18 and has a resistance substantially equivalent to the maximum ohmic resistance of the carbon pile 16.

In operation, therefore, a continued increase in current due to the inability of the,

carbon pile 16 to be further increased as to resistance, brings into action "the current coil 26 so that switch 18 is opened; thus the coil 30 is brought serially into the circuit and with it also a resistance, embodied in the coil itscltt. equivalentsubstantially to the maximum ohinic value of the carbon pile 16. As soon as the carbon pile has again reached its maximum ohmic resistance, and due to its resultant inability to further bring about a decrease in the current as further lamps are burned out, for example, the resultant increase in the current through the coil 30 brings into action the switch 18*to insert serially into the circuit a resistance diagrammatically shownin Fig. 3 as a fixed resistance 1'? but which may, as will be clear from the foregoing, include a coil of a successive switch having a likeresistance,

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a system and apparatus in which the'several objects hereinbefore noted, as well as many practical advantages are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the lamps are thoroughly safeguarded a-gainst oliang'es'in the potential of the source 10, and more particularly will it be seen that the series of lamps 11 are dependably safeguarded against changes that may be brought about due to one or more of the lamps becoming inoperative. The apparatus and system, it will be noted, is thus also well protected against abnormalities in the electrical conditions which might arise due to either relatively slight or relatively large changes in the total resistance of the serially connected devices, such as the lamps 11, it being pointed out that such changes in the total resistance of the serially connected devices are made effective not merely to bring about the regulating action of the carbon pile regulator 16 but also the insertion into or the removal from the series circuit of the relatively fixed

resistances

17, 17 etc. The con trolling devices for the latter will be seen to be responsive directly to the changes in the current in the circuit brought about by changes in the total resistance of the series of lamps 11, whether the controlling coils or magnets for these switches be designated as currcntresponsive or voltage-responsive. Thus, for example, the windings 28 and of Fig. 1, while in and of themselves of rela tively high resistance, are connected to be responsive to the voltage drop across the series of lamps 11 and are therefore, in their action, made directly responsive to such changes in the total resistance as will effect a corresponding 1. R. drop through the lamps. Similarly, the current coil 26 of Fig. 2 will be seen to be directly responsive to current changes brought about by changes in total resistance of the series of lamps 11, while the coil 27 of Fig. 2, shunted about the subsequently in sorted resistance 17, will be seen to be likewise responsive to current changes due to changes in this total resistance. As for the coil 30 of Fig. 3, its action also will be seen to be dependent upon changes in the total resistance of the series of devices 11. It will, of course, be understood that these various controlling coils, while thus made responsive to such changes in the circuit resistance against which the system and apparatus is intended to be salrguarded, become active or effective only after the range of action of the carbon pile 16 has been exhausted.

t will 'lurthern'iore he noted that the apparatus is thoroughly automatic in its action, and that the lined resistances may be auto matically cut out of the circuit in exactly the reverse manner from which they were inserted therein; that is, as inoperative lamps or devices 11 are made operative or replaced, thereby to change the total resistance of the series thereol, the controlling devices for the lined resistances are correspondingly ellective to cut out an appropriate number, or all, of the fixed resistances. 7

It will iiiitlici'ii'iorc be seen that the appaatus is thoroughly practical in its nature, is of simple construction and reliable action, and may be embodied in relatively inexpensive and compact practical form. It will lurthermore be seen tnat the system and apparatus of this invention is well adapted to meet the widely v rying conditions of hard practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be llltltlc. or the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbelore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system of the character describec, in combination, a circuit having serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associated with said lamps adapted to shortcircuit the terminals thereot upon the lamp becon'iing inoperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasing as lamps become inoperative, a variable resistance included in said circuit, a coil lCSPOnSlYB to a function of the current flowing in said circuit for controlling said resistance and adapted therewith to maintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit as the total resistance of said lamps decreases and within the range of action of said variable resistance, a resistance serially arranaed in said circuit and having; an ohmic value substantially equivalent to the m ximum ohmic value of said variable resistance, a switch normally shortcircuiting said secoml-mentiened resistance, and means adapted to open said switch to make said resistance tive in said circuit upon said variable resistance reaching substantially its maximum value.

2. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circui t havin serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associated with said lamps adapted to short-circuit the terminals thereof upon the lampbeco1ninginoperative, the total. ance of said lamps decreasing as lamps become inoperative, a

variable resistance included in said circuit, a coil responsive to a function of the current flowing in said circuit for con trolling said resistance and adapted there ith to maintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit as the total resistance of said lamps decreases and within the range of action of said variable resistance, a resistance serially arranged iii said circuit and having an ohmic value substantially equivalent to the maximum ohmic value of said variable resistance. and a switch controlling the insertion oi said second-mentioned resistance serially into said circuit and having a voltage-responsive coil connected across said serially arranged lamps and adapted to iausc operation of said switch when a decrease in voltage across the amps takes place comn'iensurate with that caused by the maximum value or? said variable resistance.

In a system ol the character described, in cmnbination, a circuit having serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associated with said lamps adapted to shortcircuitthe terminals thereo'l upon the lamp becoming inoperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasing as lamps become in operative, a variable resistance included in said circuit, a coil responsive to a function of the current flowing in said circuit For controlling said, resistance and ada iited there with to maintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit as the total resistance oili said lamps decreases, means responsive to a function of the current in said circuit for opening one of said. switches when said variable resistance has been substantially extended throughout its range of variability, and means responsive to a function of the current in said first-mentioned circuit with one of said fixed resistances inserted therein for opening another of said switches substantially when said variable resistance has again been extended throughout its range of variability. 7

4. In a system of the character described. in combination, a circuit havinQ' serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps. means associated with said lamps adapted to shortcircu t the terminals thereof upon the lamp becoming iimperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasing as lamps bccon'ie inoperative, a variable re stance included in said circuit, a co l responsive to a function of the current flowing in said circuit for controlling said resistance and. adapted therewith to maintain substantial constan v of current in said circuit as the total re, stance of said lamps decreases a d within the range of action or said variable resistance, a plurality of elatively fixed resistances each having an ohmic value substantially equal to the maxinum ohmic value of said variable resistance, a plurality of snvitches. one "for each of said fixed resistances, and adapted to control the insertion serially or said fixed resistances in said circuit, and voltage coils, one for each or circuit, a coil responsive to a function oi? the current flowing in said circuit for controlling said resistance and adapted therewith to maintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit the total resistance of said lamps decreases and within the range of action of said variable resistance, a plurality of relatively fixed resistances each having an ohmic value substantially equal to the maximum ohmic value of said variable resistance, a plurality of switches, one for each of sait fixed resistances, and adapted to control the insertion serially of said fixed resistances in said circuit, and a plurality of voltage coils, one for each of said switches, connected in parallel across said. serially arranged lamps and each adapted to operate its associated switch a different voltage.

6. In a system 01" the character described, in combination, a circuit having serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associated with said lamps adapted to short-. circuit the terminals thereof upon the lamp becominginoperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasing as lamps become inoperative, a variable resistance included in said in said circuit, a plurality of coils, one for each of said switches, and means connecting said coils to said circuit so that they become operative at successive intervals to insert serially and successively said fixed resistances when the total resistance of said serially connected lamps diminishes in successive increments equivalent to the maximum ohmic value ofsaid variable resistance.

7. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circuit having serially arranged therein a plurality of translating devices, each of which is provided with means adapted to shortcircuit the terminals of the device upon the latter becoming inoperative, the total resistance of said devices decreasing as successive devices become inoperative, means including a variable resistance for controlling a function of the current supplied to said translating devices, a relatively fixed resistance, means adapted to insert said relativelyiixed resistance in circuit with said variable resistance, and means operative upon said variable resistance having reached substantially its maximum range of operation for actuating said last-mentioned means.

8. In a systen'i of the character described, in combinat' m, a circuit having serially. arranged therein a plurality of translating devices, each or' which is provided with means adapted to short-circuit the terminals of the device upon the latter becoming inoperative, the total resistance of said devices decreas ing as successive devices become inoperative,

means including a variable resistance for controlling a function of the current supplied to said translating devices, a relatively fixed resistance having an ohmic value substantially equiva cut to the maximum ohmic value of said variable resistance, means for con nccting said fixed resistance in series with said variable resistance, means for actuating said connecting means, substantially only when said variable resistance has reached its maximum ohmic value, a second relatively fined resistance, and means operative when said variable resistance has again reached its mar-ri' mm ohmic value for inserting said second fixed resistance in series therewith,

9. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circuit having serially arranged therein a plurality of translating devices, thetotal resistance of which serially ftlf'ztllfk' d devices may vary in accordance with he number of devices included in the circuit, a r ilator for maintaining substantially constant current in the said circuit throughout a predetern'iined range of change in the total resistance 01 said devices, and

means operative substantially when said predetermined range 01"" change in total resistance has taken place for extending the range of said regulator, said last-mentioned means including'a resistance adapted to be inserted in circuit with said seriallyarrange'd devices. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 30th day of April, 1926.

LOUIS H. VON OHLSEN.