US306845A - Multiplex electric-arc lamp - Google Patents

Description

' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. H. MATHER.

A MULTIPLEX ELECTRIC ARC LAMP. No. 306,845. Patented Oct. 21, 1884.

Witnqgggs; Inventor,

N PETERS, Pllclo-Lilhogmpher. Washin ton, D. C.

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2, R. H. MATHER.

MULTIPLEX ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

No. 306,845. Patented 001;. 21, 1884.

I I F1 "CL-Q o In ento-r,

Witnesse s:

ra fi Mam flw M 96 m m 03;, at W v N. PCTERS. Fholo-L'lhugruphc I llnirnio STATES RICHARD H. MATHER, OF

P'rnnr l FlCEO "WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT.

ivlULTlPLEX ELECTRlG-ARC LAM P.

iiil-ECIPICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 306,845, dated October 21, 1884.

Application filed December 5, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, Riot-Linn H. MATHER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the town of Windsor, county of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElcctricArc Lamps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby a person skilled in the art to which it appertains can make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that class of electric lamps in which two or more sets of carbons are combined to operate successively in one lamp, and to afford a continuous light regardless, of the consumption of the carbons, and without any manual interference.

The object of my invention is to so construct, combine, and Cl nnect the elements of a series of single lamps of the general character described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 268,254, issued to me November 28, 1882, as to make a duplex or multiplex lamp which will burn till the several sets of carbons are successively consumed, and in particular to accomplish this object by means ofa compound automatic switch whose contact points are the carbons of the lamp.

My invention is not limited in its application to any specific form of such single lamp, but is applicableto all electric lamps of the gen eral character of my said electric lamp, patented as aforesaid.

I shall describe my present invention, in the form shown in the drawings, as applied to an electric lamp and regulator thereof having a carbon-holder with a rod or tube which slides through a friction-clutch or spring-clamp, the latter being operated by a magnet in a shuntcircuit to produce feed, and by the recoil of a spring to separate the carbons.

The distinctive principle of iny inventionis conceived to consist in a peculiar construction and use of the feed-magnets of my improved lampby the aid ofsupplementary coils adapted to re-enforce or neutralize, as the case may be, the electromagnetic action of the shunt-coils of said magnets, together with appropriate connections so arranged that in a lamp of more members than one the electric current shall automatically control and operate the several members thereof to produce the electric light between the members of each set or pair of carbons in succession.

I proceed to point out the best mode in which I have contemplated applying the principle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, ofa duplex lamp embodying my invention as applied to an electric lamp oftwo members. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, of a triplex lamp, or a lamp of three members, embodying my invention.

In Fig. l, A and B are two single electric'arc lamps supported in a suitable frame. These lamps are provided each with an automatic feeding device of the kind above mentioned, and indicated in the drawings, and are pecu liar in their construction only as hereinafter mentioned. The supporting springs, embraced in the feed mechanism or devices before mentioned, are of equal stiffness and clas ticity. A large wire, P, connected with either pole of the generatorl will say the positive pole-separates at any convenient point into two branches, av and I). The branch a proceeds to the magnet in lamp 1%, is wound about the cylindrical core thereof, and constitutes the coarse wire coil or helix a. Then,'leaving the said magnet, the same branch, a, passes as 0. directly to lamp A, where, by means of the binding post '10 and brush 1), it is electrically connected with the carbon rod a. Thebranch wire I) proceeds to the magnetof lamp A, is wound about the core thereof, and constitutes the coarse wire coil 1). After being so wound about said core the branch wire b, on leaving said magnet, passes as If directly to lamp -B, where it is electrically connected, through the binding-post w and the contact-brush, p, with the carbon-rod If. Likewise a coarse wire, N, from the other pole of the generator separates at any convenient point into two loranches, a and b, which are respectively connected with the lower carbons, a and 12 Over the coil b in lamp A, in a direction to re-enl'orce or assist the electromagnetic action of b, is wound the fine-wire coil d, one end of which is connected, through the connectingwire (1 and post w, with the coarse wire a and the other end of which is electrically connected with N through the fine wire (Z and, in like struck first in coming together at first, as above described, and prevents the light from dodg ing back and forth between the sets of carbons. This is a prime feature of my invention, for the principal difticulty to be overcome when two or more single lamps or sets of carbons are combined to form a duplex or multiplex lamp is to cause one of such sets, and illvitllitl'lly the same set, to operate first, and to cause another, and invariably the same other set, to operate next in order, and so on in a fixed and predetermined order, and to bring the carbons of each set together while the others are held apart. Otherwise the light might appear in either member. and pass from member to member indiscriminately. The illumination in lamp A continues, the carbons in lamp B are held apart in the. manner stated, and the upper carbon, a", is fed down gradually, is consumed, just as in my single lamp, patented as above, until the feed in lamp A is arrested by means of the stop on the can hon-rod a". Then, as the gradual consumption of the carbons in lamp A. continues, while feed no longer takes place, the voltaic are between a and a lengthens, and an increasing current is passed through the said shunt'coils by the way of the fine wires bel'ore mentioned. As the current through the shunt-coils increases, the shunt-coil c overcomes and neutralizes the effect of the coarse wire coil a, and causes the lamp B to feed until its carbons b" and b meet again in electrical connecnection. Then the whole current which previously passed through the carbons a and a at once passes through the carbons I) and b, and the light in A goes out; at the same time the armature and feed mechanism of lamp B are left to be actuated by the current through the shunt-coil a, while 0 is at a minimum of etlicicncy by reason of the short circuit through the carbons b" and If. The armature above is therefore released and the carbon-rod b and carbon 1) are lifted by the spring and spring clamp of the feed mechanism of this member. i

The carbons b and b are thereby separated, and the voltaic arc appears between them. Lamp B now continues to act as a single lamp of the type before specified. It will of course be understood that the electric current through c and d is never fully interrupted while this duplex lamp is in operation. From the foregoing explanation it will also be understood that the differential magnet in lamp B operates differentially while-a current passes between (0* and a, and practically at no other time, and that the magnet in lamp A. operates as a re-eni'orced magnet when a. current passes from I)" to b and practically then only.

In order to apply to a lamp of three elements or members the principles of my invention whichhave already been shown in their application to a. duplex lamp, it is necessary to increase, modify, and connect. the elements in the manner shown in the drawings, Fig. 2, and as hereinafter explained.

In Fi 2, A, B, and C are the magnets which severally actuate the feed mechanisms 01" the three members of such lamp, respectively. Each of said magnets is wound with a fine wire or shunt coil and with twoseparate coarse wire coils. In magnet A the two coarse wire coils b and c, are wound and connected to-act as supplementary coils, adapted to reent'orce the action of the shunt-coil d in the same. In magnet B the coarse wire coil a is a neutralizing or ditlcrential coil, and c is a supplementary or assisting coil, as related to the shunt-coil c in the same magnet. In magnet 0 the two coarse wire coils a and I) are wound and connected to act as neutralizing coils, adapted to counteract the effect of the shunt-coil f in the same. The three coils of each magnet may be arranged in any order or position, or even on separate cores. In each magnet the shunt-coil is stronger than either of the remaining coils of the same magnet, and all the coarse wire coils in the lamp are of practically equal streng h. All the coils or helices represented in F g. 2 are of coarse wire, excepting the shunt-coils d, c, and f. The three latter are of line wire, and are connected as shunts about their respective carbons in the usual manner. In my triplex lamp a large wire, I, Fig. 2, connected with one pole of the generator, divides at any convenient point into three branches, a, b, and c, and'a corresponding large wire, N, from the other pole of the generatorseparates into three branches, (0, I), and c, which are in any couvenicnt manner electrically connected with the three lower carbons of the triplex lamp, one branch with each lower carbon.

The construction in other particulars and the remaining connections oi this lamp will be readily understood from the operation of the lamp, as hereinafter explained, from an inspection of the dra\vings, Fig. 2, and from the foregoing description of like connections and like features of construction in my dupleX lamp.

It will be observed, in view of the construction and connections mentioned, that the carbou current of each member of my triplex lamp is conducted about the magnet of each preceding member oi the same lamp asa sup plementary coil adapted to re-cnt'orce the shunt coil of each such preceding member, whereby to produce feed, and about the mag net in each succeeding member of the same lamp as a differential coil to neutralize the shunt-coil ofeach such succeeding member, to prevent feed therein.

In Fig. 2 the connection of the wire a" and the carbon-rod c is indicated as immediate, instead of being represented as efi'ected by contact-brush or other appropriate means; and for convenience the connections Z) If, as well as a" c, are represented in the same manner.

Such being the construction of my triplex lamp, the mode of its operation is as follows: When no current passes through the lamp, the positive and negative carbons of each set are separate, being held apart from each. other ITO Lit

by the springelamp, or other equivalent doricc belonging to the feed mechanism; bttt when a current is passed through the lamp, the connections having been made as indicated, the electric current from 1, Fig. 2, passes in three branches, (Z, c, and f, to the magnets A, B, and (3, respectively. Tlhere it passes through the shunt-coils d c and f, sevorally, and then cc by the fine wires (2, c", andj, passes to N and the generator. The el't'ect oi" the passage of such cu rrent from 1? to N through the shuntcoils, as described, is to draw down the armature in the feed mechanism in each member of the lamp, whereby the carbons in each member are caused to approach. each other until the carbons of each set are in not ual contact. The circuit l. to N is then closed through each pair of carbons. In the first member it is so closed through 1 a a of a a a c 'ct a N. In the second member it is so closed through 1 l) b b b It If b b l) h'; and in the third memberthrough I, c, c, c, 0", c, c, a", c, a, and N. Only a veryslight current then passes tln'ough the shunt-coils, tor the current is short cireuited through the carbons. The effect of the passage of the current from 1 to N in the triple course last described is that in lamp A the electromagnetic action of d is re-cnt'orced by that of b and e. In magnet 13 the action of c is re-enl'orccd by that of c, and counteracted by that of a, while in mag net- 0 the effect off is opposed by that of a and I)", the combined ell'eet of which action and counteraction is that magnet A. is more strongly energized to cause feed, in the man ner bel'ore described, than either of the other magnets 13 and C; while the magnet (Jis actuated least of all, and the magnet l3 exerts an intermediate degree of force a i'ecdingmagnet. The magnet (7 therefore no longer att racts or draws downward its armature w ith sufficient power to overcome or resist the rctractile energy ot'the spring which is attached thereto. The carbon rod and tatrliion c are therefore drawn upward and away from the carbon 0 by the action of the said spring and ot' the springclamp belonging thereto, whereby the carbons e" and 0 being separated, the current through and between themisinterrupted, being shortcircuited through the branch-wires a and I; and the corresponding carbons, a a and ZN). Thus the whole current from P to N, except the insignificant part thereof which traverses the shunt-coils, is eattsed to pass between the carbons (Uc and the carbons b b The reason why the voltaie arc does not appear between c" and a" when they are first so separated lies in the fact that the current; is then short Gil" cuited through the remaining carbons, as just explained. The interruption, in the manner stated, ol" the current which proceeded by the course 1 c e c" c c a, do, leaves the magnets A and I3 inoperative, so far as respccts their respective coils c and a, so that magnet A is for the time being practically reduccd thereby to a magnet of two coils, b and d, and magnet 1-3 to a magnet of two coils, rt

predicament, are caused to operate in the same way upon the same principles and subject to the same explanation, and are productive of the same cl'l'ccts in this my triplex lamp as are the corresponding magnets ot' the members A and B of my duplex lamp .herei nbel'orc explained, after the carbt'ms-have been led to contact, in my said duplex lamp. In short, the nmgnets Aand I then become l'orthe time being the magnets of a tfluplex lamp ol'the type above described and explained, embracing the two membcrsot' my triplex latnp which contain said magnets. And when, in the up eration of such praelieally-duplex lamp containing the magnets A and B, the carbons It" and e have been first consumed andseparated, then the n'tagnets l3 and (l practically ln-conn-. in turn and for the time being the magnets ol' duplex lamp of the same type, and operate in the same way as do the said magnets 01' my duplex lamp to l'eed the carbons to contact, to parate the same successively, and to prod ace the electric light next between I) and and linally' between a and c.

From the above it is obvious that in myimproved lampthe eat-brats ctulstitutc or furnish the contact-points in a compound automatic switch governing and coordinating the act ion of the several members of the lamp in the manner described.

The principles of my invention, which have now been shown in their application to a duplex and to a triplex lamp, may be applied to a multiplex lamp of any' greater number of members, it'thut should become tltssirable, by simple extension and addition, without the intrtnluction oli' any newprineiple.

There is no need of any switch-magnet in any particular n'lemberol' my improved lamp; but it is desirableto have a switch-magnet or automatic cut-out in each such lamp consid; ered collectively, whichtmt-out maybe ol'any ordinary construction and arrangement. in Fig. 2 such a cut-out is indicatct'l at S between N and the generator.

So far as concerns the present case I, disclaim all things which are claimed. in my application No. 105,092,l'ora patentl'orimprovement in electric lamps, tiled August 30, 16815; but now I claim as my invention and desire to se cure by Leters .Patent- 1. An electric-arc lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons whose feed mechanisms are actuated by a series consisting of a corresponding number of elcctrtrmagnets, the first magnet in said series being wound with a shunt'coil and with one or more supplementary coils, and the last magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil and with one or more differential coils, in which lamp each such set or pair of carbons constitutes a pair of Ill) contacts in a compound automatic switch reg nlating such lamp and coordinating the functions thereof.

2. In an electric-arc lamp having two or more pairs or sets of carbons whose feed mechanisms are actuated by a series consisting of a corresponding number of magnets, the first magnet in said series being wound wit-h a shunt-coil and with one or more coil-s supplementary thereto, and the last magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil and with one or more differential coils, a compound automatic switch whose contact-points severally coincide with the points of said carbons.

3. The feed mechanism of an electric-arc lamp, in combination with an electro-magnet which is furnished with a spring-armature or its equivalent and is wound lifierentiall y and supplementarily, with independent coils or helices for operating the same, so that one or more of said coils may be energized without the others, so that two or more of said coils, the same being wound in one and the same direction, may re-enforce or assist each other when traversed by the electric current, and so that two or more of said coils, the same being wound in different directions, may neutralize or counteract each other when energized, whereby the action of the said feed mechanism may be governed and determined by the number, direction, and electromagnetic energy of such oi'thesaidcoilsasare forthe timebeingbrought into operation.

4-. An clectro'magnet wound differentially and supplementaril y with several independent coils or helices for operating the same, and furnished with a springarmature or its equivalent, in combination with a carbon rod or holder, and intermediate feed mechanism of an electricarc lam p,whereby the carbon which carried by such rod or holder may be raised, lowered, or held up according to the number, direction, and electromagnetic energy of such oi" the said coils as are for the time being brought into operation.

5. In an electric lamp, a pair or set of carbons, a carbon rod or holder, and a magnet wound with independent supplementary coils, in combination with intermediate feed mechanism, whereby said carbons may be made to approach, recede, or stay apart, according to the number and electro-magnetic energy of the coils of such magnet which are for the time being traversed by the electric current.

6. In an electric lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons, a series consisting of a corresponding number of electromagnets, the first magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil and one or more coils supplementary thereto, and the last magnet in said series heing wound with a shunt-coil and with one or more coils differential thereto, in combination with spring armatures which are actuated similarly or dissimilarly thereby, according to the course pursued for the time being by an electric current in passing through said magnets.

7. In an electric-arc lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons, a series consisting of a corresponding number of supplementarily and differentially wound electro-magnets, in combination with armatures of said magnets actuated thereby to produce similar or dissimilar motion or rest in said armatures, according to the course pursued for the time being by an electric current energizing said magnets.

5. In an electric lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons, a corresponding number of inter-connected electro-magnets wound with independent coils, in combination with teed mechanisms actuated th ereby,whereby the action of such feed mechanisms is governed aud determined by the course pursued byan electric current energizing said magnets.

9. In an electric-arc lamp containing two or more pairs or sets of carbons, a series consisting of a corresponding number of electromagnets, the first magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil and with one or more coils supplementary thereto, and the last magnet in said series being wound with a shunt-coil, and with one or more coils diflerential there to, in combination with a corresponding number of carbon-supporting rods and intermediate feed mechanisms actuated by said magnets, whereby said carbon-supporting rods may be independently raised, lowered, or held in position. according to the number, direction, and strength of the currents energizing said magnets.

10. In an electric lamp, two or more pairs or sets of carbons, and a corresponding number of differential and supplementary magnets, in combination with intermediate mechanisms actuated by said magnets to impart to said sets of carbons independent separating and feeding movements, whereby the electric light may be established between the members of one of said pairs or sets at atime,while the members of the remaining pair or pairs are held apart.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ltlCl-IARD ll. MATHER. 'Witnesses:

GEORGE C; Mclinn, HENRY It. PRATT.

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