US1092083A - Electric lamp. - Google Patents

Description

C. l. STEINMETZ ELECTRIC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 19, 1903.

Patented Mar. 3i, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1A Witnesses: lfm/shim 1 j? ge @L d). Charms @dgigssez'rmwstzi C. P.' STEINMETZ.

ELEGTRG LAMP. APPLloATloN FILED DBG. 19, 1903.

Patented Mar. 31,v 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor C harias P. Seinmez.

tty

Witness-es:

STATES "PATENT orf-FICE. g

orunLEs I.L srEINMErz, OESCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, AssIeNoR To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A, coEPoEA'rIoN or NEW YORK. f

ELECTRIC LA Mr.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Man 31 1914.

`- Application filed December19, 1903. Serial No. 165,790.

Toclll'whom it may concern "Be it known* hat I, CHARLES P. STEIN- iim'rz, a cltizen of the United States, resid- Ing' atv Schenectady, `in the county of Sche- ,ineCt-ady land State of VNew York, have inlcurrent between' the electrodes inthese lamps. y My` present invention has for one of Its objects the provision of improved means to jvstart the currentiow from the vaporizable electrode. v Y v A further/object of my present invention is 'td obtain an advantageous construction and arrangement of the various parts which constitute a 'complete ldevice of the charac-` ter' specified. i The various features of novelty which characterize my Invention are pointed out with. particularityin lthe claims appended to ald forming a part'of this'speciication. For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanyingfdrawings in which I have illustratedembodiments of myinvention.

Figure 1 'is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation illustrating one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 3 is a par-r tial-sectional lelevation showing a modification; and Fig. 1 is a view similaito Fig. 3

showing another modification.

Referring .particularly to Figs. land 2 of the drawings, 1 represents theenvelop of an exhaustedchamber in which the vapor conductor is located. The .envelop may be cylindrical in-general outline and is preferably jformed ywith an enlargement 2 at its upper end and an enlargement 3 near its lower end.

Below the enlargement 3 the tube is reduced somewhat in diameter.v This :envelop ,mayy

be formed? offglas's' and is of course-trimspar-v. ont. the'devxce which the ilament 7' passes.

lmercury carried `'in the cup is; intendedfto .operate fTheflQ/Wrignd: of

lamp, as in the construction illustrated. A

terminal conductorlt passes through the upperI end of the envelop 1 and carries atits Inner end an electrode .5 which may be yformed of artificial graphite, iron orthe like.l

The electrode 5 is located below the body of the enlargement 2 Vwhich serves as a condensing chamber. The portion of the conductor 4 which extends between the electrode 5 and the wall oftheenvelop lissurrounded by a non-conducting jacket 6 which may also be -formed of glass. From the lower end of the electrode 5 a conducting filament 7, which may be formed of carbon, extends towardthe ,other electrode. Suitable guides 8 which may be of glass project inwardly from the envelop andhavel apertures formed in their inner ends through These guides serve to hold the `filament ina central posif tion'witlireferencefto .the wall of the envelop. In the lower end of the envelop is located a mass of fluid vaporizable material such as mercury 9 which .forms one ofthe main electrodes ot' the lamp. terminal conductor 10 passes through the lower por `.tions of the envelop into the `mercury 9.I A

member .or plunger 11 normally floats in the mercury. The member l11, which is formed of magnetic material such as iron, comprises two cylindrical portions 12 and 13 of a dianieter'which allowsthem to slide freely inthe reduced ylowervend of `the envelop 1, and these portions are connected by an inter mediate portion 14C of reduced diameter. The lower reduced portion of the tube 1 is yindented intermediate its ends to form stops 15 located between'the enlarged portions 12 and 13). These stops-limit the-movements of the member 11. lVhenlthemember A11 floats freely in the mercury, the stops 15 allowk the -portio11'12'to project above` the surface of the mercury,.as shown in Fig. 2. When :the

member 11 is urged toward the bottom of the envelop in the mannerihereinafter de scribed, the stops 15 prevent the ylower endr f of the ymember 1,2 from impinging against *the lower end of the envelop 1. .A` cup-like depression-or chamber normally filled with 16 is formed inthe upper end o the member 11. VVhenthe member 11-. 1s 111 the osition shown in Fig. 2 the lower end of the .filament 7 dips into `.the mercury 16 located in the upper end theenvelop. 1 passes through apertures formed in the end plates 17 of a solenoid magnet 18. The end plates17l are secured by means of screws to a cylindrical non-magnetic shell or a spool 19 upon which the winding 20 of the solenoid is wound. A cylindrical member 21 formed out of magnetic material and provided with a number of Ventilating apertures 21 surrounds the winding 2O and is secured to the end plates 17. This. cylindrical member forms part of the magnetic circuit of the solenoid and is of assistanceV in obtaining the proper strength and disposition of the magnetic field produced by the winding 20. Binding posts 22 land 23 are secured in any suitable manner to the under side of the lower end plate 17. The' ends of a pair of rods 24 pass transversely through passages formed for the purposes in the binding ' posts 22 and 23 to which they are detachably secured. The bodies of thel rods 24, which are at right angles to the ends, extendparallel to the envelop 1, and their 'upper ends pass through aconcave reflector member 25 arranged to` direct downward some of the light emanating fronrwlthin the, exhausted envelop. The reflector 25 closes the lower end of an inverted cupshaped hood 26 preferably formed out of sheet metal'.v An inverted U-shaped member 27 through the ends of which rods 24 pass, is clamped against the upper side of the reflector 25 by nuts which are screwed on the ends of the rods 24 above the ends of the member 27 and below the reflector 25. The U-shaped member 27 is secured to the hood 26 by'means of a bolt 28 and-a nut 29. The bolt 28 may be extended to forma hook or the like by whichthe device may be secured to a suitable support. An annular member 30 formed of some suitable refractory material such as soapstone is located within the hood. Suitable-resistance conductors 31 and 32 are Alocated in annular .grooves formed for the purpose in vthe upper surface of the member 30. V@ne terminal of the resistance conductors 31 an'dv 32 which may be 'connected in series, is connected to the inner end -of a binding post 33 carried on the upper side ofthe hood 26. The other end of thel resistance conductors 31 and 32 grounded to the metal hood which is electrically connected with the lower end plate of the 'solenoid coil 18 through the reflector member 25 .and rods 211. One terminal of the winding 20 1s 1n electrical connectlon with the end-plate 17. The other. terminal 34 of the winding 2O is connected to the ter-u minal conductor 10.4 The terminal conduc-l tor 11 isponnected .through a conductor 3.6 to a binding post 35 carried by the-hood 26. Spring clips 24;l are carried by the rodsf24. These clips serve to position the upperend of the envelop 1. When it is desired to remove the envelop from the lamp structure,

'theplunger or member 11 'is in the position shown in Fig. `2, which represents the outof-service condition of the lamp, a circuit is established between the electrodes 9 and 5 by means 0f the filament 7, mercury 16, and member 12. Upon connecting the binding posts 33 and 35 in a suitable electric circuit, current will begin to fiow from the binding post. 35 through the conductor 36, terminal conductor e, terminal 5, filament 7, mercury 16, `member 11, mercury electrode 9, terminal conductor 10, terminal 34., winding 20, rods 21, reflector 25, hood` 26, resistance conductors 31 and 32 to the binding post 33. l'he passage of current through the winding ,20 will cause the member 11 to be totally l7 'an arc willbe formed between the filament and the mercury in the cup.v This arc will be continued after the member is entirely submerged in which case it will extend from the surface 0f the mainbody o f mercury with which the mercury 16 is nowl united. The forma-tion of this arc will cause the envelop 1 to be filled with conducting vapor, whereupo the current will desert the filament-7 an will flow between the electrode 5 and the surface of the mercury 9y through the conducting vapor. When for any'reason the circuit through the coil 20is interrupted, as by throwing the lampout of service, the member 11 willimmediately return to the position shown in Fig. 2 by reason 'of its buoyancy and thevend of the filament 7 will again project into the mercury'carried inthe upper end of the member 11. The resistance conductors 31 and form `a regulating resistance for the lamp. More or less of these conductors may be included in the lamp Circuit according to the circumstances of use and in some cases they may be dispensed withentirely. The enlargement 3 of the envelop is so ,located that the submergence of the member 11 produces but a slight change in the level of the mercury 9 which extends into it. n

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 3 the member' 11 is in the vform of a glass tube, the lower end of the tube being Aclosed and enlarged as indicated at3'7. A mass of magnetic material v38, which may consist of a bundle of iron wires, is placed in the lower oud of the tube.l Av partition or diaphragm 39 closes the 'tube above the magnetic material thus formingv a closed and hermetically sealedl chamber 19in which the magnetic materialy is located and leaving a cup' or recess r41 above the diaphragm which is l illed with mercury 42. A terminalconductor 43 passes through thi diaphragm 39. Another, terminal 44.` projects through the lower end of the tube.v The conductors 43 and 44 which are electrically connected with one another, areprei'erably formed of platinum and in fact may consist of an integral piece of platinum wire. Afquantity of mercury 45 substantially fills-fthe space in the chamber `40 unoccupiedby the wires forming the magnetic mat-erial 38. Itwill, of course, be understood that the lmercury in the chamber' should'not entirely ill it so that the expansion taking place when the to break t e tube. It is not essential that allair be emovedfrom this chamber but the chamber' should lpi'eferablybe heated at the time of sealing. As shown in Fig. 3 the enlargement 37- of the member 11 plays in an enlargement 46 of .the envelop. The engagement of the enlargement 37 with the upper end .of the enlargement 46 serves to limitthe upward movementof the member 11. At the lower end of the enlargement. 46 a small pocket ,47 is formed into which the tip of the member 11 and projecting conduct-or 44 extend when the member l1 is submerged. This prevents the tip and the conductor from impinging againstthe wall of `the envelop. A 'winding 20', similar to the winding 2.0, is placed around the lower end of thel envelop 1. The operation l,of thisform of my invention is practically identi,- cal ywith that of theform shown in Figs. l and 2.

The enlargement 3 of the envelop 1,A shown in Figs. 3'and 4 and corresponding in position to the enlargement 3v of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, forms a very good lcondensing chamber. The extension 3" in line with the body of the envelop' serves to steady the arc andimprove the operation of the'condensing,chamber formed bythe enlargement. With this co'nstruction the condensing chamber formed by the enlargement Qlat the lextreme upper end of the; envelop may be dispensed with if desired. The extension 3 forms an'annular lip around the upper portion of the 4interior of the condensing chamber` 3, and intercepts the How of mercury fromits `normal positionin case the lamp is accidentally invertedi: during transportation. p

55 In order that the member 11 should not have too close a fit in the lower endv of the envelop, an annular 'ridge48 may befformed about the glassV coveringof the member 11 v'as shown in Fig.v 3. This assistsf in centralizing the Iiioating member 11 while at the same vtime preventing member 11 `from 'coming 1n contactgwith the inner wall ofthe-envelop 1.v and sticking thereto. f A l Y as In the form of Ymy invention shown..

tube is heated will not cause the mercury Fig. 4 the lower end of the filament 7 is secured to a block 49 of carbon, graphite or the like which is carried'by la. glass armor support 50 similar to the guidesS. The block may serve as a stopte limit the upward movement of the plunger 11 thus'doing away with the enlargements 37 and 46 of the mem-ber 11v and envelop respectively shown inFig. 3.y In' this form `the lower lend of the iilament 7 'is firmly anchored in place and a strong mechanical arrangement is obtained. L

What I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-

1. In combination, anexhausted envelop',a non-vaporizable electrode, a fluid vaporizable electro-de, a member in said fluid elec trode, said member being provided with a recess or receptacle, a second body of'vaporizable fluid in said recess or receptacle, means for causing an arc to be started between the non-vaporizablc electrode and the Huid contained in said recess or receptacle, and means for causing ,said member` to be submergedy in said finid vaporizable electrede. I

2. The combination of an exhausted envelop, two bodies of vaporizable material therein, said bodies being initially separate but electrically connected within the en` velop, and means for starting an arc from one of said bodies by relatively moving said bodies.-

3. In a vapor electric device, the combination oit' an envelop, a mass oivaporizable .100 material located at one'end thereof but out oi" contact therewith, means for changing the level of said vaporizable material and means cooperating with said vaporizable material to start an arc.

4. The combination of anexhausted envelop having an enlargement at one end, a iuid electrode located at that end of the envelop, a plunger having an enlarged end located within Vthe enlarged end of said eni velop,l a'stop for limiting the movement of said plunger and means for moving said plunger. 4

5. In combination, an -exhausted envelop, al fluid electrode, a conducting filament adliacent thereto, marc-starting plunger lioat ing in said fluid electrode and carrying means 'initially' engaging said filament, and means for moving sald engaging means out of lenga-gement with .said filament 6. In combination, an exhausted envelop, a'luid.--electrode,a conductor in fixed relation to said envelop, and means iioating in said iuid electrode and movable with respect to said envelop for initi-ally connect 125 ing said conductor and said electrode.

.7. In combination, an exhausted ,envelop of rigid material, a xed conductor, `a. member in said envelop carrying Aa movable bod-y lof vaporizable material initially in Contact iso iso With said conductor, and means for moving -said member'to cause said body of Vaporizable material to move out of contact With said conductor.

8. In a vapor electric apparatus, astationary evacuated envelop, asolid conduc- .tor fixed therein, a movable body of vaporizable material inl said envelop and initially in contact with said conductor, and

means responsive to flow of current through said apparatus for moving said body of Vvaporizable material out of contact with said conductor to initiate an are in said envelop. e f

9. In avaporelectricapparatus, the combination of an exhausted envelop, a body of fluid conducting material therein, almember in said body having a fluid-containing pocket or chamber, means for movingsaid 'said envelop, a second mass of vaporizable material located in said envelop, a nonvaporizable conducting body located in said envelop normally in contact With said seci ond body of vaporizable material, and means for separating said non-vaporizable conductor from said second body of vaporizable material, to form an arc.

12. The combination of an exhaust'edenvelop, an electrode and two bodies of vaporizable vmaterial therein, means for moving one of said bodies until it unites With the other body, and means for starting an arc kduring this movement.

13. -In combination, an exhausted envelop, amain body of vaporizable material and an auxiliarybodyy of vaporizable material separated therefrom, and means for starting an' arcv from said auxiliary body as a cathode and forl transferring said arc to said mainI body. i 14. In5,A mbination, an exhausted envelop,

- two bodie vaporizable material, an electrode, and'means for starting an arc be- 'tweenbneof said bodies of vaporizable ma-v terialand..v said 'electrode and for transferring the -arc from the one of said bodies to the other of said bodies.

. 15.A In combination, an exhausted envelop,

a conducting `filament, an electrode of fluid vaporizable material,l an 'arc-starting ,plunestablishing electrical connection With said.

filament and movable 4in line with said filament.

17. In a vapor electric apparatus, a float provided with a pocket and having its outer surface insulated, and a conductor extending from the pocket to the loiver end of the float.

18. In a vapor lamp structure, a top meinlber, a inagiietizing coil pivotally supported therefrom, and an exhausted envelop supported in said magnetizing coil and containing are starting means With Which said magnetizing coil may co-act.

19. In a vapor lamp structure, a top member, a magnetizing coil supported therefrom,

and an' exhausted envelop supported in said magnetizing coil and containing arc starting means ivithwhich said magnetizing coil may coact, the top of said envelop being movable sidewise to clear said top member when the envelop is to be removed from the coil. Y

20. In a vapor lamp structure, a supporting member, a member extending therefrom, a magnetizing coil pivotally connected thereto, and an exhausted envelop supported by the coil.

21. In a vapor lamp structure, a reflector, a magnetizing coil supported therefrom, and an exhausted envelop supported by said coil and extending toward said' reflector, said envelop containing a movable magnetizable member With` Which said coil may coact.

22. In ay vapor lamp structure, a supporting member, a member extending therefrom, a magnetizing coil pivotally connected there to, and an exhausted envelop supported by the coil.

23. The combina-tion of an exhausted envelop, a fluid electrode therein, a conducting filament adjacent to said electrode, an arcstaiting plunger 'floating in said 'Huid electrode and initially providing a path for current through said filament, and means for moving\said plunger to change the nature` of said path.

Inv Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of December, 1903.*-

BENJAMIN B. HULL' HELEN Oimcim.

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