US295058A - sheehi - Google Patents

Description

' (No Model.)

B J. SHE'EHY..

ELEGTRIG-LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT.

Patented Mar. 11, 1884 INVLN OR .HoZerZ J Sizes/137.,

By Attorneys N. PETERS. Pmwumu m har. waminginn. 0.1;.

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R. J. SHEEHY.

ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT. No. 295,068. Patented Mar. 11, 1884.

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R. J. SHEEHY.

. ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT.

No. 295,058. Patent ed Mar. 11, 1884.

WIIINESSES 17v VEJVTOR N. PETERS. Fboto'limegnphon Washingnn. DJ;

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IOBERT J. SIIEEl-IY, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y;

ELECTRIC-LIGHT REGULATOR AND -CUT=OUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,058, dated March 11, 1884,

Application filed July 1'7, 1882.

(No model.)

. citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Light Regulators and Gut-Outs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electric lights in which the so-called electric arc is maintained between two carbon electrodes. It particularly relates to a class of devices or appliances commonly denominatec regulators, the office of, which is to automatically maintain said electrodes in that relation to each other which is essential to the production of a uniform and maximum degree of illumination, and also to certain devices or appliances commonly denominatec cut-outs, the function of which is to automatically withdraw from an electric circuit in which two or more lights are included any one of said lights in the event of its failure to operate, or in case it presents an abnormal resistance to the passage of the current from any cause.

To these ends my invention consists in a method of and apparatus for automatically maintaining the proper relative positions of said electrodes; in a method of and apparatus for automatically withdrawing a defective lamp from the electric circuit, and in automatically reintroducing said lamp into said circuit when the conditions necessary for successful operation are restored.

IVith reference to the said system of regulation, the several steps of my improved method may be described in general as follows:

First. The carbon electrodes are subjected to the action of a constance force, preferably that of a clock-work mechanism, which tends to bring them into contact with each other. In applying such force I prefer to make use of mechanical'devices, whereby it acts to simultaneously depress the positive and elevate the negative electrode.

Second. I employ a novel form of clutch or clamping device actuated by electromagnetism, so organized as to grasp (through intermediate mechanism) said electrodes at the proper time, and to impart to them the mechanical force exerted by said elect-ro magnetl ism, which is sufficient to overcome the con stant force acting in the opposite direction, and thereby to maintain said electrodes in the relative position best suited to the development of a maximum intensity of light.

Third. The electro-magnetic force may be created by the independent action of the lightproducing current, so that an increase in the strength of said current will produce a separation of the electrodes, while a decrease will cause them to approximate.

Fourth. In order to secure greater efficiency in the operation of the clutch, I prefer to de rive the electromagnetic energy actuating the same from the forces of attraction and repulsion existing between an elect-ro-magnet situated in the main or lighting circuit and an armature which is polarized by that portion of the current traversing a derived circuit which spans both the electric arc and the said electro-inagnet. The helices employed are so wound that like magnetic poles are made to confront each other. Accordingly,when there is but little resistance in the light-circuit, the said electro magnct will be excitedto ahigh degree of magnetization and the said armature to alow degree, and a strong attraction will result; but as the resistance of the light-producing circuit is increased, the strength of the current traversingtheshunt-circuitwill be augmented, and the said armature will therefore attai 11 to a higher degree of polarity, and a repulsion will be gradually substituted for the previously-existing attraction. Thus the abnormal approach of the electrodes establishes the conditions which are to cause their separation, and vice versa. By these appliances I am enabled to maintain a comparatively uniform length of are and degree of illumination.

\Vith reference to that part of my invention which provides for the withdrawal of a de fective lamp from a circuit in which several lamps are placed in series, and the reintroduction of restored lamps, my method may be described in general as follows:

First. I make use of an armature, which may be the same as that hereinbefore referred to, and in like manner polarized by a derived current. \Vhen the electrodes become so far sepa rated as to introduce into the light-circuit an abnormally-great resistance, rendering it de- 2 new ess sirable that the light should be withdrawn from the circuit, the resulting movement of said polarized armature will cause the closing of a shunt or cut-out circuit of small resist ance spanning the electric arc.

Second. The movement of the polarized armature may result from its attraction for a stationary piece of soft iron; but I prefer to substitute therefor an eleetro-magnet situated in the light-circuit, the polarity of which is opposite to that of the said polarized arma ture. Its attractive force therefore increases in proportion to the increase of the resistance of the electric arc.

Third. To automatically reintroduce into the circuit an electric lamp after its normal conditions of successful operation have been restored, I avail myself of the pressure of the electrodes upon each other. This pressure (transmitted through intermediate mechaa ism) is caused to actuate a switch, thereby temporarily introducing into the main circuit an extension or loop, in which is included an eleetro-magnet of small resistance, operating to imn'iediately interrppt the hereinbefore mentioned shunt oflow resistance, and there by to permit the lighting-current to again traverse the electrodes and to relight tlielamp in the manner described above.

My invention further comprises certain details of mechanism, the particular subject matter claimed being hereinafter specifically designated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure .1. is

a theoretical diagram, designed to exhibit clearly to the eye the general. organization of electric circuits employed in connection with my regulator, as well as some of the mechanical devices which I find it convenient to use. Some of these devices are represented both in plan and elevation. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan, of a convenient form of my improved regulator, exhibiting the details of construct-ion.

Referring to the iigu res, the upper or positive carbon, Afis attached by the clamp 13 to the nut 13 sliding vertically along the guiderods 0 and (J as the screw 1) is revolved within said nut. The lower or negative carbon, A", is carried by the bracket I), which is it self supported by a screw, I), turningin a revolving nut-block, 1), and insulated at I). The thread of the last-mentioned screw is inclined in a direction opposite to that of the thread of the screw 1). \Vhen, therefore, the clock-work mechanism (which is actuated by a spring contained in the drum E, and which comprises the wheels 13*, 3, ll, Ff, and E) is in operation, the carbon A will be caused to descend as the wheel E revolvcs,and the carbon A to ascend as the wheel 11 revolves. Any force which acts to reverse the direction of the movement of the clock mechanism will, in like manner, cause the carbons to separate.

Upon the upper face of the wheel' Ff is formed a rim or annular proj eetion,F. (Shown both in elevation and plan in Fig. 1.) This rim enters a curved recess, F, formed in the clamp F". The breadth of this recess is sufficient to freely permit the revolution of the air nular projection F, provided that the said clamp F remains in its normal positionthat is, in contact with the stop F, as shown in Fig. 1. The clamp F" is pivoted at F to one end of a link, F", which, under the influence of the spring F normally holds the clamp against the adj ustablc stop F. A slight movement of said link in the direction indicated by the arrow will cause the clamp F" to impinge angularly upon the rim F, and thus to arrest its revolution. The other end of the link F is provided with alongitudiual slot or fork, F loosely receiving one end of the le ver G", which is rigidly connected to the axial core 11 of the electromagnetic coil J. The core lilis pivoted upon its vertical axis, so as to be capable of revolving thereupon. The helix J is included in a derived circuit, K 19', spanning both the lruninous are and the regulating mechanism. A. soft-iron extension or pole-piece, l, is also rigidly connected to the core II, expanding into an armature, l, facing the clectro-magnet J, or the core may be prolonged to form said armature, which latter plan I prefer. The electro-magnet J is situated in the main eircuitot' the light,which may be traced from the positive bindingscrcw L, by wire 1, normallyclosed contact T T", and wires andii, to the eleetro-magnet J, which is so wound as to develop a polarity in the pole confronting the arnmture G" similar to that exhibited by said armature. From the electromagnet .l" the current passes to the plate M at the point )I". thence to the electrodes A and A bracket D and wire 4, to the negative terminal. I it will therefore be understood that when the carbon electrodes are in contact the resistance of the are will be nil and a powerful current will traverse-the coils of the olectromagnet if, while at the same time the current traversing the shuntwire 1Q 11" will be so feeble that the armature t will be but very slightly polarized, and will accordingly be attracted toward instead of repelled from said magnet, thereby causing the lever G to propel the link F in oppositionto the spring F whereby the clamp F, impinging upon the rim F, will be caused to grasp said rim and move the train of wlierd-work in a direction opposite to that normally caused by its actuating source of power. The elec trodes A and A will be accordingly sepa rated from each other. This se- )aration introduces a resistance into the main circuit, which, as it gradually increases, will, in accordance with the established laws of derived circuits, cause a greater proportion of the current to traverse the shunt-circuit R R thus augmenting the strength of the magnetic polarity of the armature G" and establishing a greater degree of repulsive force between said armature and the electro-magnet J". IVe may ITO . goaoss p 3 thus consider that between the magnet J 2 an'd-lcauses the holder D to turn or twist within its armature an attraction and a repulsion sim'ultaneously exist, the former increasing in strength as the electrodes approximate and the latter as they separate. The armature is also under the influence of the constant force of the spring'F and under the most favorable conditions said armature will assume a normal intermediate position, to one side or the other of which it will vibrate, according as the resistanceof the light tends to become abnormally great or small.

I will next describe the mechanism for withdrawing the light from the circuit when, for any reason, it becomes inoperative.

I have showna lever, G rigidly connected to the core H, which latter, as hereinbefore explained, is capable of revolution upon its vertical axis. This lever is provided within its elbow G with a longitudinal slot, into which one end of the lever l enters. The lever N is fulcrume'd at N", and carries an armature, N, which plays between the contact-stops O 0 and is retained in either of its extreme positions by some suitable device, such as a roller, 1?, mounted upon a spring, P The armature G is rigidly attached to the core H, as heretofore explained. \Vhen, therefore, an abnormal resistance is from any cause created in the light-circuit, it will tend toincrease the strength of current traversing the coils of the electromagnet J, and hence the armature Gr will become more highly polarized. This polarity will be such as to causethe armature to be repelled from the magnet J ,and to exert an attraction for the soft-iron core H In practice I prefer to envelop this core in acoil, J, and to include said coil in the main or light circuit in such manner as to develop therein an opposite polarity to that manifested by the'armature G".- Vhen this attraction exceeds a predetermined maximum strength, the extent'of which is capable of regulation or adjustment by means of the set-screw H, which moves the core to and fro in the direction of its length, the armature G will move over to the core H the lever N will be moved so as to bring the armature N against the contactstop 0 and a shunt-circuit of small resistance will be closed, which will practically withdraw the lamp and its electro-magnets from the main circuit. The circuit in such case passes from the terminal L, by wire 1, to contact-stop T T", wires 2 and 5, armature-lever N contact-stop O, and thence to terminal L Upon the removal of the disturbing cause, so that the clock mechanism again causes the approach of the electrodes, the light will be automatically re established in the following manner: Referring to Fig. 2, the lower carbon is sustained by a curved holder, D rigidly extending from the screw D ,which works within the revolving nut D". The holder D runs between the guide-rollers It R These direct the vertical motion of the holder'D and also serve as a fulcrum, so that the press ure of the upper electrode upon the lower the rollersthat is, so that the screw D moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D, while the lower end of the holder D" moves in the opposite direction. The threads of the screw D fit loosely within those of the nut D, and the barrel D, sustaining said nut, has more or less freedom of motion within its collar in the frame-work M. The action of the pressure of the electrode is therefore to strain the nut D in the direction indicated by the arrow, thereby pressing the lower end, S, of the lever S, (which normally presses against said nut,) and causing the upper end of said lever S to press the lever T away from its contact-point T vThe spring T acts to return the lever T to its normal position when the pressure of said lever S is withdrawn. The lamp is now in condition to continue its normal operation in the manner already de scribed. By means of this apparatus I am enabled to automatically remove the defective lights from a circuit and to reintroduce them when the cause of the difficulty is withdrawn.

I find in practice that the helices of the magnet J in the shunt-circuit K K should be composed of thin wire presenting considerable resistance; but the said helices should not include all of the resistance of the said shunt-circuit, for were such the case the polarization of the armature G would be too great. It is therefore advisable to introduce into said shunt-circuit an additional adjustable resistance, U; or, having empirically determined the proper proportion between the resistances of said shunt-line and the coils of said electro magnet for a given light and strength of current, the lamps may be con structed in accordance therewith, and the artificial resistance will in such case be unnecessary. WVhen the carbon electrodes have been consumed to such extent that it is desirable to extinguish the light, a contact-point, V, will have descended with the positive carbon, so as to impinge upon a contact-point, V, which is connected by wire 4 to the binding-post L This will establish a shunt which will extinguish the light, and thus prevent injury to the metallic portions of the apparatus,

In Fig. 2 I have shown in elevation the details of construction of a practical working apparatus. The same appears in Fig. 3 in plan somewhat enlarged. The apparatus is attached to a base of metal, M, which supports on its upper surface the clock-work mechanism, the clamp-levers. F, F, and G, and the cut-out devices, including the magnet J The electrounagnets J J J the armature G the screws D and D, the guide-rods G O, and the lever S are supported from the under surface of the plate.

As corresponding parts are designated by similar letters of reference, a detailed description of the several parts is deemed unnecessary.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, substantially as here circuit, and vice versa, and clamping mechinbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an arelamp, the mechanical clamping mechanism, a helix situated in a shuntcircuit spanning said electrodes, a core revolved within said helix upon its central longitudinal axis, and means, substantially such as described, eo-operating with said core, to operate said clamping ineelianism.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an arclamp, mechanism for producing a constant force tending to diminish the distance between said electrodes, at grasping mechanism, a helix situated in a shunt-circuit spanning said electrodes, an electromagnetic core within said helix revolving upon its central longitudinal axis, and means, substantially such as described, cooperating with said core, to operate said grasping mechanism and separate said electrodes.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an arclamp, a mechanical clamping device, mechanism for producing a constant force tending to detain said clamping device in a non-clamping position, a cylindrical core revolving on its vertical longitudinal axis under reciprocal changes in the strengths of the main and branch currents, operating to bring said clamping mechanism into action when turning in one direction, and to return said clamping device to said non-clamping position when turning in the other direction.

at. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of a central electro-magnctic core revolving upon its vertical longitudinal axis, and polarized by the current which traverses a derived circuit spanning an electric are, a rightangled extension to said core, an electro-magnet polarized by the li ghtproduein g current to a similar polarity to that of said extension, but of greater intensity, for actuating said extension, and a clamping mechanism of an electric-arc light actuated by the rotary movements of said core.

The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an are light, supported, respectively, by a screw revolving in a nut and a nut revolving upon a screw, mechanism actuated by a spring-power for approximating said electrodes, a clamping mechanism actuated by the movements of a polarized armature for grasping through intermediate mechanism said electrodes and sub jecting them to the action of said polarized armature.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the electrodes of an arclamp, screw and nut bearings for supporting the same and allowing their vertical motion, mechanism actuated by a spring-power for approximating said electrodes, a core revolving on its central longitudinal axis under simultaneous increases in the strength of current traversing the main circuit and decreases in the strength of currenttraversing the shuntanism actuated correlatively with said movements.

7. The combination, substantially as here inbel'ore set forth, of the electrodes of an arclamp, a clamping mechanism, a shunt-circuit spanning said electrodes, a helix in said shuntcircuit, a core revolving on its vertical longi tudinal. axis within said helix, means, substantially such as described, for causing the revolution of said core, and intermediate mech anism whereby the motions of said core are communicated to said clamping mechanism.

8. The combination, substantially as here inbei'ore set forth, of the electrodes of an arc lamp, nut and screwbearings substantially such as described, a train of mechanism actir ated by a spring-power for advancing said electrodes toward each other, a shaft,a clamp ing mechanism by which said shaft may be attached to the said advancing mechanism, a revolving core for impclling said shaft in such direction as to reverse the approximating ac tion of said advancing mechanism, a helix in a shunt-circuit spanning the electric arc surrounding said core, an extension of said core, and an eleetro-magnet situated in the main cii cuit for attracting said extension.

9. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an armature polarized by the current which traverses a derived cir cuit spanning an electric are, a soft-iron core polarized by the light-producing current to a polarity opposite to that of the said armature, and mechanism operated by the movements of said armature to close a shunt spanning the electric are.

10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a core rotated upon its vertical longitudinal axis, and polarized by a current traversing a derived circuit spanning an electric are, a soft-iron attractingpiece polarized by the light-producing current to a polarity opposite to that of said core, and. mechanism operated by the movements of said core upon its axis to close a slnint-eircuit spair ning the electric are.

11. Thevcombination, substantially as hcrcinbefore set forth, of a core situated in the helix of a shunt-circuit spanning an electric are, an extension-piece of said core, whereby the same may be revolved by virtue of the attraction of said extension-piece for a piece of soiliron polarized by the light-producing current, a secondextension of said core, a subsidiary lever operated by the moven'ients of said second extension, and contact-points carried by said subsidiarylevcr for cl osi ug a cutout shunt circuit spanning said electric are.

12. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an extension to a core revolving upon its central vertical axis, two fixed attraetion-pieces polarized by the lightprodueing current for determining the direction in which said core shall turn, mechan' isms by which a movement in one direction separates the electrodes, mechanisms by which given motion in the opposite direction allows points normally together, but separated by the their approximatiomand mechanismsby which turning of said levers, and a shunt: circuit further motion in this latter direction operspanning said arc-lamp thereby opened.

ates a shunting device for short-circuiting said In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 5 light. my hand this 30th day of J une, A. D. 1880.

13. The combination substantially as here- I 'inbefore set forth, of tlie electrodes of an are- ROBERT SHEEHY' lamp, one or more co-operating levers slight- Vitnesses:

1y turned upon their fulorums bythe pressure DANIEL WV. EDGEOOMB, [O of said electrodes one upon the other, contact- CHARLES A. TERRY.

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