US2331793A - Electric current distributor - Google Patents

Description

Oct. l2, 1943. E. B. NowoslELsKi ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR Filed oct. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 awa y Snnentor .35 ward B/awosze/sz Ctttorneg Oct. 12, 1943. E. B. Nowcsn-:LsKl

ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR Filed Oct. 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snvemor Edward BNOwose/sk Cttorneg oct. 12, 1943.

E. B. NOWOSIELSKI ELECTRIC CURRENT DI STRIBUTOR Filed Oct. `15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nventor .Edward BJVowosz'eZsk Gttorneg Patented Oct. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT 1DFFICE or to E'dison-Splitdorf Corporation,

West

Orange, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 15, 1941, Serial No. 415,087

(Cl. o- 24) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to electric current distributors and more particularly to distributors for the ignition current of internal combustion engines. The invention has a special application in ignition systems for aircraft which have large numbers of cylinders and which are to ily at high altitudes in the raried atmosphere.

Ignition current distribution is accomplished by moving a distributing means or rotor past successive leading-out electrodes connected to the engine spark plugs. The distributing rotor is supplied With high-voltage'current impulses, as from an ignition generator or magneto, which are timed with the rotor movement to occur at the instants the rotor moves past, cr registers with, successive ones of the leading-outl electrodes. Thus, the voltage impulses encounter relatively short air-gaps to the successive leading-out electrodes, which gaps they are enabled to jump and be conducted to the respective engine spark plugs,

At each spark jump, or breakdown of an airgap, the immediate region of the air is placed in a highly ionized state and becomes a good conductor of electricity. This ionized state has a ldefinite duration and, because of the separating movement between the rotor and the leading-out electrodes, causes an arc to trail after each electrode. Typically, each voltage impulse may not die out completely before the occurrence of the next succeeding one with the result that a substantial residual voltage is applied to the rotor between impulses. This residual voltage prolongs the duration of l each spark and lengthens the trailing arcs. Increased engine speed also tends to lengthen these arcs. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide ample dielectric spacing between succeeding leading-out electrodes in order that successive firing or distributing positions may not be bridged by the trailing arcs and cause the current to be deviated to the wrong engine spark plugs to cause misring.

In theusual distributor all the leading-out electrodes are arranged at equal intervals in one circle around the distributor block and are fed successively by a central distributor arm. When such a distributor is to have a large number of leading-out electrodes to serve an engine having a large number of cylinders, as of twelve or more, the distributor block must have an unduly large diameter in order to provide ample dielectric spacing between adjacent electrodes to prevent bridging of successive distributing positions. The use of such a large block introduces difficult problems in manufacturing and in meeting size and cost requirements. These problems in distributors are particularly acute in connection With aircraft engines, particularly those which are to ily at high altitudes since the effective dielectric spacing between successive distributing positions in the distributor must for this application be evermore increased because of the decreased dielectric strength of the atmosphere.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved distributor arrangement wherein such possible misoperation as is above noted is eiectively prevented, and particularly it is an object to provide a distributor adapted to serve engines eiiiciently and dependably which have large numbers of cylinders and which are to operate under conditions where the dielectric strength of the atmosphere is reduced.

It is another object to provide an improved distributor arrangement wherein a large dielectric spacing and insulation is obtained between successive distributing positions.

It is another object to provide an improved current distributor, having an aggroupment of leading-out electrodes, wherein the electrodes are selected successively at space intervals greater than the distances between adjacent electrodes.

It is another object to provide a distributor having a plurality of distributing parts coacting in a novel relationship.

It is a further object to provide an improved distributor assembly having a large number of leading-out electrodes for serving engines having many cylinders while yet having such improvements in construction as are conducive to reliability and durability in operation and economy in manufacture It is another object to provide a simplified distributor and current-generator arrangement for the purposes above stated, and more particularly to provide a compact magneto and distributor arrangement of novel design adapted to serve efiiciently and reliably multi-cylindered engines which are to operate in the rarified atmosphere.

Other objects of my invention will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a distributor constructed in accordance with one embodiment of my invention and taken substantially along the line I-l of Figure 2;

lFigure 2 is a top fractional view of the structure of Figure l as seen with the top housing section removed and with a part broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a top View of one of the distributor units employed in this embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of the unit shown in Figure 4 Figure 6 is a partially diagrammatic view of circuits and structure illustrating a second embodiment of my invention and as adapted to a current generator one part thereof appearing in section on the line 6 6 of Figure 7; and

Figure 7 is a View partiallyv diagrammatic of the distributor arrangement shown in Figure 6.

The illustrative embodiment of my invention herein shown in Figures 1-5 comprises a plurality of separate auxiliary distributor units of which in the present instance there are three designated respectively as Ia, Ibi and Ic. These units each .comprise a. series of leading-out electrodes 2., a distributor rotor 3. and an input terminal 4 which constitutes an intermediate leading-out electrode of the system. The units are disposed in circular arrangement about a predeternned axis 5. Journalled at this axis is a main distributor rotor 6 which is adapted to register successively with the input terminals 4 to feed current to the respective distributor units, These .parts are housed in a casing including a central section I3 having an outlet neck I0 for leadingout conductors, an upper end section II bolted to the central section at I2 and a lower end sec. .tion I3 bolted to the central section at I4. In the present instance the distributor units are spaced about thev axis 5 at equal angular intervals of 120. Such even disposition of the. units about the axis 5 permits a compact arrangement of the distributor parts, but itwill be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited. to an equal spacing of the units. Rather, in its broader aspects, as will hereinafter more fully appear, my invention `contemplates any desired physical arrangement of the auxiliary distributors with the'limitation that their respective input terminals constitute the electrodes of a main distributor driven in a predetermined tim.- ing relationship to the auxiliary distributors.

The lower casing section I3. has a central cylindrical portion I3' open to the bottom and terminating at the top into a bearing housing I which extends up into the central casingsection Ill.l The botsing is lined by a .bushing li in which there is journalled a sleeve I8. This sleeve has an enlarged diameter portion I3 at the top tereminating into an outwardly extending flange, I9; thisk flange forms a support for the main rotor (il as is hereinafter explained. The sleeve Iis received by a shaft 2I which constitutes the drive shaft for the magneto. This shaft is keyed. at 211 to a drive gear 23 disposed within the' cylindrical casing portion I3' between the lower end of the sleeve I8 and an integral collar 24 on the shaft. A nut 26V threaded on the upper endof the shaft 2 I. within the enlarged-diameter sleeve portion I8' serves to hold the sleeve I3 and gear ggtightly in place on the shaft.

vIntegral with the lower casing section I3? are Ptlmilg, Walls I5 (see Figure 3) which extend utjfrgm the cylindrical casing portion I3 and form three. separate We1ls28 eouidistontiv snoced about this cylindrical cosine portion. These Weils communicate through. windows 29 withtbeinterior vof the cylindrical casing portion, and have shouldered recesses 30 at the bottom which form seats for bearings 3|, as are shown in Figure 1. The wells have circular openings 32 at the top. Into these openings are fitted annular caps 33 which carry bearings 34 vertically in line with the bearings 3I just mentioned. The caps have lugs 35 at the sides which are secured to the partitionins walls I5 by .screws 38. Shafts 31 are jou-mailed i-n the bearings 3I and 34 and have gears 38 secured thereto within the wells 28. These gears project through the respective windows 23 to mesh with the drive gears 23. The shafts 37 project up into the central casing section Izi). and form spindles for the rotors 3 of the respective distributor units as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Each of .the distributor units comprises a hollow cylindrical body 39 of insulating material having the respective annular cap 33 as a base, the body being secured to the cap in any suitable manner. Each body 3.9v bos a connterbore 11.9 at the. .tov end hos o series of l--sboped conductor Yelements 4i. embedded therein and projecting up intotbe counterbore 4D to form the leading-.out electrodes 2 Vabovernentioned in the present instance there are in each unit lsix of these electrodes equi, distantly spaced.

For each conductor element 4I there is prio.-4 vided a lateral opening 42- in the .body 39 which runsv from a point directly beneath theconductor element through a side` face 43 o f the body, These openings form channels for leading-.out conductor wires. .4.4 which connect to the respective conductors elements. through piercing screws 5, as is shownin Figure l. The openings 4Z are grouped. into two. sets .of-y three each, which sets are disposed at opposite. sides of the body 3.9, The openings for the two conductor. elements adjacent the face 43. are located at, an upper level; those for the two conductor elements oppio: site the face .4.3 are locatedat al lower level; while those for the two: intermediate ,condllGtOr elements are located at an intermediate. level (see Figures 4 andA 5). In order top ermit an advantageous aggroupment of the leading-out con,-y

ductor wires 44, the openings of the respective sets are led out through the face 43 at points verticallyk in line; and the distributor units. are oriented. so that their faces are directed toward the outlet necklil as o focal point. .For instance, the faces of the distributor units` ih .and Ic will be thus directly adjacent the outlet neck I0' and the face of theremaining distributor. unit Iawill. be directed between the other-units towardths eutletneck. By having the conductor wires, lead out vertically` inline from opposite sidesof, the-face .43, ofthis unit, la. the vconductor wires may be led. conveniently .to the outlet neck.. III.' inieroii'ps ofA tnreoot oppositesidcs ofv the. bear.- ing housing l5. between this housing. and. the respective distributor units Iba-nd. I c, es is shown in Fienr-es l and 2- 'iho auxiliary distributor rotors. S'oi'tbe'i'esoective distributor units each comprise .n.obflikc body 50 of insulating materialintov which there.

is embedded o depending sleeve 5I oriented to .ftonto tbe respective shaft 31 and. be locked or .keyed thereto. in any suitable Also embedded into the body 5.0.is the inout terminal 4, which is.=it .s point axially above the sleeve. 5.1', and o distributor conductor' element. 5,2 riveted to the tcrrninoltond extending downtberefrom and then radially, outwardly from the.. body. 50 into thecounterbcre 40. o ftbobodv 392 Upon-ro.- tationV of the rotor 3'this conductor element 52 registers in recurring succession with the group of six leading-out electrodes 2 of the unit.

The main distributor rotor 6 comprises a saucer-shaped body of insulating material 53 having a lower flat face fitting the upper flanged end I9 of the sleeve I8 and secured thereto by screws 20. Embedded into this body 53 is a spidershaped conductor element 54 having a plurality of feeding-out electrodes 55-there being four in the present instance particularly designated as 55a, 55h, 55e and 55d respectively-which are spaced equidistantly about the spider and which project out through the body 53. As is hereinafter explained, these electrodes 55 are adapted to register successively with the input terminals 4 of the distributor units as the rotor 6 is turned. Also embedded in the body 53 within a central dome portion 53 thereof, is a tubular conductor element 56 which is suitably united to the spider conductor element 54 and extended up to the top of the dome portion. In this tubular element 56 there is a terminal button 51 pressed upwardly by a compression spring 58. This button bears against the head of a pointed screw 59 which is threaded into a metallic plate 60 that is embedded in an insulating block 6| carried by the top casing section l I. The block 6l has a laterally extending opening 62 leading out through the side thereof from directly above the plate 60. In this opening there is a supply conductor 63 which is pierced by the pointed end of the piercing screw 55 and thus locked in place and connected to the terminal button 51 through the screw 59. This supply conductor leads out of the distributor casing as through an opening 64 and makes connection with a source of ignition current such as an ignition generator or magneto (not shown).

A booster circuit for supplying ignition current to the rotor 6 during engine starting may comprise a metallic ring 65 embedded in the rotor body 53 and provided with feeding-out electrodes interposed vbetween the electrodes 55 of the spider conductor element 54,*which electrodes 10 have lugs 10 connected as by welding to the ring 65. This ring projects up above the level of the body 53 as is shown in Figure 1. Directly above the end of the ring but spaced therefrom is the head of a pointed screw 66 which threads into a metallic plate 61 that is embedded in the insulating block 6l. A lateral opening 68 in the block 6l abovethe plate 61 includes a supply conductor 69. This conductor is pierced and locked in place by the pointed end of the screw 66, and leads from the casing to a booster source of ignition current as through the opening 64.

In accordance with the present invention the feeding-out electrodes 55 of the main rotor 6 are to register in recurring succession with the input terminals 4 of the distributor units as the rotor is turned. lIn the present instance there are four feeding-out electrodes 55 and three input terminals 4, the electrodes and terminals being each equidistantly spaced about the axis 5. As appears in Figure 2, when the feeding-'out electrode 55a is in registration with the input terminal 4 of the distributor unit la the next succeeding feedingout electrode 55D is at a distance of one-third the interval between succeeding electrodes from the input terminal 4 of unit lb; the next further feeding-outelectrode 55e is at a distance of twothirds this interval from the input terminal 4 ofthe'unit lc; and the remaining feeding-out electrode 55d is at a distance of` a full interval from the input terminal 4 of unit la. Thus a rotation of the rotor 6 through one-third of the interval just mentioned-which is through onetwelfth revolution thereof-will cause it to register with the distributor unit Ib; a further rotation through another one-twelfth revolution of the rotor will cause it to register with the distributor unit Ic and a still further rotation of a further one-twelfth revolution of the rotor will cause it to register with the distributor unit la. As the rotor 6 is continued to be rotated this process is repeated to cause the rotor to come into registration with the distributor units in recurring succession, the several distributor units being brought successively into registration with the rotor for each one-fourth revolution of the latter. Thus, the provision of a plurality of feeding-out electrodes on the rotor permits the rotor speed to be very much reduced. Yet at no time will the rotor register simultaneously with more than one of these distributor units, but will register with the units in regular recurring sequence. A fundamental requirement for fulfilling the condition that the rotor 6 be able to register with the distributor units in regular recurring sequence is that successive input terminals 4 be progressively spaced in the direction of advance of the rotor 6 at equal intervals from the respective preceding feedingout electrodes 55 of the rotor. So long as the input terminals 4 and electrodes 55 are each equidistantly spaced about the axis 5, as is here the case, it will be seen that there will be realized the condition just mentioned provided the number of the electrodes 55 and of the associated input terminals 4 shall not have a common factor. However, it will be understood that the rotor may be made to register with the distributor units in regular recurring succession without both the input terminals 4 and feeding-out electrodes 55 being respectively equidstantly spaced, and that the rule that they shall have no common factor does not then apply.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, each auxiliary rotor 3 is to register in recurring `succession with its respective group of leading-out electrodes 2 ai; the instants the input terminal 4 of the unit is brought into registration with thel electrodes 55 of the main rotor 6. In other words, the main rotor 6 is to feed the supply current to the auxiliary distributor units in recurring succession, and, in turn, the auxiliary rotors 3 of these units are to distribute this supply current to its associated leading-out electrodes in succession. Since in the present example the main rotor has four feeding-out electrodes 55 and there are three distributor units each having six leading-out electro-:ies 2, the auxiliary rotors 3 are each to turn through onesixth revolution for each one-fourth revolution of the main rotor-the amount of turning of the main rotor required to cause it to register once with each of the units as has been above explained. The drive ratio of the main and auxiliary rotors is thus 3:2, which is the ratio ol the gears 38 and 23 above described. While each auxiliary rotor 3 is driven at the speed of the others they are, relatively to another, offset angularly about their respective shafts with respect to their leading-out electrodes. For instance, as is shown in Figure 2, when the distributing element 52 of unit la is in registration with an electrode 2, the distributing element 52 of unit Ib is set back one-third of the interval between adjacent electrodes 2 and the distributing element 52 of unit Ic is set back two-thirds the distance or such interval. Thus, for the relterminate into inward extensions 86 and 81 at points in line with the sets of leading- out electrodes 83 and 84 respectively. Within these lngers there are embedded L-shaped conductor elements 88 and 89 respectively. These conductor elements project slightly beyond the tips of the fingers for registration with the respective sets of leading- out electrodes 83 and 84. The distributing conductor element 88 extends to the axis of the rotor 85 and there connects to a terminal 90 through a short post 9| riveted to the conductor element and journalled in a hollow inner end portion of the terminal. This terminal which is embedded in the end wall 11 of the housing shell, constitutes an input terminal for one of the distributors of the auxiliary unit and is connected to one of the two outgoing conductors leading from the main distributor unit 15, as to the conductor 8|. The distributing conductor element 89 extends partially to the axis of the rotor and is riveted at its inner end to a conductor element 92. This conductor element carries a brush 93 at its other end which bears slidably against an annular ring 94 embedded in the end wall 11 of the distributor shell. This ring is connected to a terminal 95 which extends through the end wall 11. This terminal constitutes an input terminal for the other of the distributors of the auxiliary unit 16 and is connected to the outgoing conductor 82.

To provide a large dielectric spacing between the elements of the separate distributors of the auxiliary unit 16, the housing shell 11 and rotor 85 are provided with interengaging parts of insulating material. These parts include a series of concentric flanges on the end wall 11 of the housing shell, which are a flange 96 between the sets of leading- out electrodes 83 and 84, a ange 91 between the inner set of leading-out electrodes 84 and the ring 94, and a pair of concentric flanges 98 and 99 between the ring 94 and the central input terminal 90. To the end abovestated, the rotor 85 has the inward extension 86 of the longer finger thereof interposed between the outer wall of the housing shell and the flange 96, and has the inward extension 81 of the shorter nger thereof interposed between the flanges 96 and 91. Also, the rotor 85 has a tubular extension of insulating material embracing the conductor element 92 and interposed between the anges 91 and 98, and has a central circular flange I0| which engages the annular recess provided between the flanges 98 and 99.

The fingers of the rotor 85 are oppositely directed as aforementioned, but are angularly spaced at less than 180 by an amount of one-half the angular interval between adjacent leadingout electrodes of each set. Thus, as the rotor 85 is turned the distributor conductor elements 88 and 89 will register alternately with successive ones of the respective sets of leading- out electrodes 83 and 84. In the present example, there are seven leading-out electrodes in each set to provide an ignition distributor for a fourteencylinder engine. Since the rotor 85 will register once with each of the leading-out electrodes of the auxihary unit during each complete revolution thereof, and since the main distributor unit is capable of feeding out four current impulses per each revolution of its rotor 18, it follows that the rotor 18 is to be driven at three and onehalf times the speed of the rotor 85. The drive shown in Figure 6, and hereinafter explained in detail, is adapted to drive these rotors at such relative speeds and, further, in such timed relationship that the supply conductor is connected to the rotor distributor elements of the auxiliary distributors at the instants these elements register with successive ones of their respectively associated leading-out electrodes.

In driving the main and auxiliary distributors as above described, current impulses are fed alternately to the rotor distributing elements 88 and 89 and these elements convey the current impulses to successive ones of their respectively associated sets of leading-out electrodes. Since the succession of current impulses from the Conductor 80 are distributed alternately by the main distributor unit 15 to the separate distributors of the auxiliary unit, the frequency of the current impulses distributed by the auxiliary distributors is reduced to one-half from what it would be in a conventional distributor and, accordingly, for a given size of distributor, the effective dielectric spacing between successive leading-out electrodes is increased by substantially two times. Since the main distributor unit may be readily designed to avoid any appreciable bridging action and the auxiliary distributors are effectively isolated from one another, it will be seen that a distributor arrangement constructed in accordance with the principles herein disclosed is particularly well suited to serve multicylindered engines for use in the raried atmosphere where materially larger dielectric insulation between successive distributing positions is required.

The distributor arrangement just described is particularly well adapted to, and is herein illustrated in Figure 6 in connection with, a magneto of the type disclosed in my application Serial No. 375,996, led January 25, 1941, and entitled Magneto construction. In the magneto here referred to the flux controlling rotor is provided with a limited number of poles and the rotor is then driven above engine speed to provide the requisite number of ignition sparks per engine revolution. For instance, the magneto may have a four-pole ermanent magnet rotor |02 carried on a shaft |82 and coacting with field pieces, one of which is shown and referred to as |03, the field pieces being bridged by an ignition coil |04 having a high tension output terminal |05 connected to the supply conductor 89. For an engine of fourteen cylinders, as has been above referred to, the rotor |02 is driven to provide seven sparks per engine revolution or at one and three-quarters times engine speed. The rotor may be so driven from a drive shaft |06 rotated at seven-eighths engine speed, as through suitable gearing not herein shown, and coupled to the shaft |82' of the rotor through bevelled gearing |01 having a stepped-up transmission ratioof 2:1.

When the rotor |82 is provided with as many poles as the number of current impulses which the main distributor unit 15 is adapted to feed outper revolution of its rotor 18, these rotors are to be driven at the same speed and, accordingly, the distributor rotor 1,8 may be simply rigidly mounted on the magneto rotor shaft |02. The rotor 85 of the auxiliary distributor unit, which is to rotate at two-sevenths the speed of the main distributor rotor 15 as aforementioned, may then be driven from the drive shaft |06 through gearing |88 having a stepped-down transmission ratio of 4:7.

It will be seen that the distributor arrangement of Figures 6 and 7 lends itself to being readily incorporated into the above-described magneto to provide a compact magneto and distributor ar- .rsiisemeiit oeioulole el .serriiie eiiioieritiy .ansi .deiieiioebly eusiiies lier-.ius aree v.iiuliiloers oi orliuifliersfrorirstsiioe, tl'ie of trie mein .distributor writ. .in `@olii.u .iioiioii 7uitlo.the .auxiliary iistriloutor vurli-t l5 o -reitsletter .to lie mede tilyendrel *ii/.ely mail lloret Providine @large .diele ceri ing beto/ een siieeessive iiiiis 'or .distributies iiositioiis .Within .aus iliiy' llilt Yet the` n unititselfis .of i/ery smells fi, sisi 1e. ooustr oiieud .Gori lee iii.- ,eluded .iii the oeiietoiuitiiout suhstieritiel edoiiiiori iriiirir. iiieehsriisiu or ,iii .tile `site `oi the roeerieion ,le the fforeeoiris detailed -iieserilitiori seriele preferred @mbo 'meotsotrriyinu .ti esel neil rli liowerer to lee-i1 rio' uuiieoessery 'irritation .of vmy eutsue *iA erstens" .met enton ,to the `disclosed is irlfof seid u to drve'sald main rotor'anl the separate rogrs .of seid uuitsiri .e oretieterrriiued tiiiiiiisreletioiislur?- .en ieiiitioii distributies, .for .Cerri/ius ourrent .impulses from osuoielr eleetrode to .e

' itis-out, {electro-ties t t reoiiiriiie- 1.1.9.1. plurality .of auxilarydistribuioriotorror respetivegm o f signaa- .tlie oiseitl otors beius .ius-lout eleotrotles .systemiriolusiirie e. une ity of @isn-imite, s, .disposed et predetermined. .intervels .eloout s foute eotliodes. end ,a distribute .oiirreut impulses to its seid ius., uevineeu oueuiii tori the '.eoui' iii yieri oi. ri i lli? iii. .solo 'liousirisg p'lurelity or distributor :units spese@ vfiloout esiti .mein rotor eiisi'eeeh hei/ius en iuiiut terminal positioned ior hav@ i,

.ruis iu .reeurriris .sueues,sieri; en@ .meeiis of seid uriitsiiioludiris f vCad @esima reslstrettiori Witlissid moin rotor und a 4group of leading-out electrodes, .eeoli .of vsaid distributor units fur-ther having apertures for conductors LD be .eonneeted to the respective leading-.out eleotrodes, .the -iuiertures .of leech `unit all terminating .at one side of the unit; and .means -irioiintingsaid .distributor units in said housing in positions wherein said apertures ,are .directed towards the said .opening `o f the housing.

.A ou, ,Clit distributing device comprising .a housing provided with .a .central bearing; it plu- .rulity of seperate distributor units mounted in seid housing undspaeed about seid bearing .as `ti Center. seid units `@seh Comprising a circular ser of stationery electrodes .arid el rotor jouriislled .at the center of said seusaitlrotor ineludings distrililitilie eleotroee .confronting the respective eleotrofie setsrrd .serially disposed terminal .Qonrieoted .to .seid eleetrode; s mein .distributor .rotor lourualled iii ,saisi lieuriiis..ouedl adopted yfor feediris, eurreiit impulsessueoessively to the. .said ktermirisls oi" .seid distributor nuits; and .a `dro/e for ,seid mein roter end the rotors ef seid units adopted to drive `the in .e fixed predetermined timing Areleiti,oiosliipof .ifi Current .distributies devies `ooiuiloiisiug s 'hQl-ll ,DIQVLdGd with aelltolal mam bearing? a sirive slieit viCitrine-,lieti iii soie bearing: seoeroto distributies .units spese@ ist angular intervals about said'ueeriue 'eue resiieetiVelycOmpriSine oii'oul'or stetiouery sets of leading-out electrodes erre oooperetiiie. Adistributing rotors, seid .rotors bolus 4ioilrrieilied. to seid .housing .and Vbeine oro- Vided with leiding-iii :terminals: a main distributiiis rotor mounted, on .seid shaft sod-adapted to register suoelsslvely with the Vterminals of said units; and gearing insaid housing drvingly couplng the rotors of said units to said shaft.

7. A current distributing deve -comprising a 'housing section provided with a centra-1 bearing; a series of Yseparate distributor units Adisposed about said bearing yund respectively having distrbutrnyg rotors journa-lled to vsaid housing, said rotors having leading-ln conducting members mounted thereon; ai drive shaft journalled in said bearing: a main rotor en `said shaft adapted to register with said leading-in conducting members to"feed urrent impulses to said seperate distributor units; gearing drlv'ingly connecting the rotors ofsaid units tolsaid shaft; and partitioning in said housing secvtlon formingfa lubricating compartment for said gearing.

8. AIn an electrul distributor: the combination of a mein distributor rotor; a plurality of aux lg'ary distributing means disposed at intervals about .the axis of rotation o f said main distributor rotor, each of said auxiliary distributing means includingA a distributor rotor, and said main rotor being -adaoted l'co register' with Vthe auxiliary rotors in recurring succession; sind means to drive said main and auxiliary distributor rotors in predetermined timing relationship.

EDWARD B. NOWOSIELSKI.

Images