US2624026A - Control method and apparatus for arc discharge - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 30, 1952 L. R. NOFFSINGER 2,624,026

CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARC DISCHARGE Filed April 17, 1951 CONTROL BOX ATI'CI R N EYS Patented Dec. 30, 1952 CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARC DISCHARGE Louis B. Nofisinger, Alexandria, Va.

Application April 17, 1951, Serial No. 221,493

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to electrode assemblies for are lamps and the like generally, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for maintaining a point of arc discharge in fixed relation between arcing electrodes.

Various types of electrode assemblies are used in arc lamps and similar types of equipment to establish a source of light or heat and other useful forms of electrical energy. Such electrode assemblies usually take the form of spaced consumable electrodes connected in circuit relation with a suitable source of electrical power and including means for feeding the electrodes relative to each other. The prior art suggests various methods and apparatus for controlling the feed of the individual electrodes and for indirectly controlling the point of discharge of the are between the electrodes in such assemblies.

Methods and apparatus of the latter type operate on the principle of recognition of or indirect reaction to are displacement by some sensitive means, such as a visual or thermo-electric element, which transforms and relays the effect of such recognition or reaction to a suitable electrode control mechanism. Such elements are usually spaced from the are so that the recognition or reaction is indirect with the attendant disadvantages of time lag and lack of sensitivity.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of maintaining a predetermined relation between arcing electrodes and the position of an arc discharge therebetween in direct response to displacement of the arc discharge from the predetermined relation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical electrical control apparatus which responds directly to are displacement by contact therewith to maintain a fixed relation between the position of are discharge and .arcing electrodes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of controlling movement of an arcing electrode in direct response to arc displacement to maintain the position of arc discharge in fixed relation between the arcing electrodes.

Briefly, in accordance with this invention, there is provided amethod and apparatus for maintaining a fixed relationship between movable electrodes and the arc discharge therebetween by establishing an electrical contact in the nature of a probe adjacent the arc and connecting said probe through a suitable electrically controlled drive to effect movement of a movable electrode consequent upon energization of the control circuit by contact of the probe with the arc. The shifting of the arc in any direction from its initial point of discharge from a movable electrode will energize the control circuit to move the electrode in a direction to restore the arc to its initial relative position between the arcing electrodes.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates an electrode assembly and associated control probes and driving mechanism; Fig. 2 is an end view of the electrodes and associated control probes; and Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the preferred alignment of the electrode assembly and control probes in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is provided an electrode assembly having a circular or disc type electrode 1 which is mounted for rotation on a driving shaft 2 and coupled at 3 to a suitable electrical reversible motor enclosed in the control box. The disc electrode I is normally stationary and is rotated only for purposes of arc position control as will be hereinafter described. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the disc electrode I may be designated as a negative electrode, which operates in the electrode circuit of the assembly to establish a point of arc contact between a rod type positive electrode 4 and a suitable source of unidirectional electrical power diagrammatically represented in the circuit. The rod type electrode 4 is mounted in a predetermined fixed relation to the disc type electrode I and may be supported in such position on a suitable mounting 10.

Once the are has been established between the electrodes I and 4, optimum operation of the electrode assembly requires that the arc discharge from the continuous negative electrode surface remain fixed relative to the rod type electrode.

Such fixed relationship results in uniformity of are energy content and aids efficient utilization of electrode surface. In practice, it has been found that in'such an arrangement the point of discharge of the arc has a tendency to shift primarily because of the continuous are surface from which the arc is initiated. Such are shift or displacement results in undesirable variations in are energy content and operation. Other factors that may contribute to such are displacement are the consumption of electrode surface, variations in applied energy and electrode material, and variations in atmosphere in the arc area.

Such undesirable variations can be reduced in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention by suitably supporting an electricalarc conductor in the form of a probe 5 adjacent the electrode discharge surface in spaced relation from the arc and the surface. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of probes are preferably positioned on opposite sides of the are as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The probes 5 may each be connected electrically to a control circuit or the control fields oilareversibleelectrical motorcthrough suitable terminals T and 8, respectively, .mounted on the control box as shown in Fig. 1. A common return is provided for each of the probes from; the terminal 5 to the rod electrode 4. The motor or other electrode drive is thus connectedinan' energizing circuit through either of the-probes 5 in shunt across the normally open arc, path to.-

a particular probe. These connections are such that the circuit established througheither probe will energize the reversible motor in oppositeidirections. in Fig. 1 shift along the continuous-negative electrode surface an amount sufficient to contactthe probe circuit on the. side of the arc shift, a control? circuit wouldjbe established? through the rod type: electrode, the. arc, and the probe con:- tacted; to. the reversible motor. The voltage-appeanlng. between thetrod; electrode and the :point in:.'the-:arcrfiametouched.by atprobe is:;applied:-to thecontrol box:at terminals! and- 8% which'aresin turn connected to. a reversible motor-or; similar device; as hereinbefore described; The motor. or diiiyesis' connected in the circuit: to be energized tDJ-IOtfitfil the shaft" 2 andtdiscitype electrode-J in:a directionraway'irom the probe contacted, thereby shifting the: point; of arc;discharge out of; contact? with the probe-towards its initial' position and opening the energizing circuit. across the probeiarc'path to'the motor. Thedisc electrode l remains stationary untilLthe arc discharge again shirts toz'repeat: the; cycle: in either direction;

Thus, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of? this. invention, any" shifting of the point 'ofsarmdi'schargealong a continuous. negative electrode-- surface" will. be corrected. by movement, of *suclr' surface in. a direction i to: maintain the point of "arc: discharge: fixed; relative;- to the other electrode. Such control serves to'maintaina predetermined or fixed: relationship-between the. position oftt'he arcrdischarge-and the. arcingelectrodes i'nr-elecrode assemblies or. the like; The manner 'ofjenergizings the electrode control means by directrelectrical contact with. the displaced arcresults in. a: simple, directacting and highly sensitive control for maintainingv the'desired are dis;- charge position.

'The: .method described herein contemplates the establishment of. a direct electrical arcxcontact. as axboun'dary to limit displacement. of. an established-arc; between arcing electrodes. Vic:- latiorr of. established. boundary conditions by; are displacement siniiici-entv to contact. a probeboundam will. berefiected. in; a. control circuit energized .byrsuchzcontact'to move. the electrode from: which the arcis displaced in; a direction tov restore: the

arc to'its initial discharge. position-and therebybrealethercontact to deenergizethe electrode moving means.

Accordingly, the principle ofthis method. may be applied to. any electrode arc: assembly regard,-

less' ofi form and irrespective of independent :bezthe. preferred embodiment of my invention along with suggested modified forms; and: it will lie-obvious to. those skilled inztheart that ot'her Accordingly, should the arc discharge l changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus. described invention; what I claim as;- new and wish to secureby: Letters Patent is:

1. In an arcing electrode assembly including a movable continuous electrode surface and another electrode spaced in fixed relation therefrom, e electrically controlled means for moving said continuous electrode surface relative to said other electrode, an arc conductor positioned adjacent said movable-electrode surface in spaced relation 'fromthearc and said surface, and means connecting said electrode moving means through said arcconductor and across the normally open 'arc path to said arc conductor, the said are conductor being adapted to be contacted by the arc torenergizasaidi moving. means consequent upon disnlacementiof the arc towardsacontact with-said conductor'to.movextheelectrode surface in adi- .ing means-through the; arc conductor and across the. normally open arc path, the said are com .ductoribeing adapted to be contacted by the arc to energizesaictmovingameans consequent upon displacementwf thearc towards contact with said conductor; to. move the electrode surface in a direction'to return the displaced arc to its initial position relativezto the other electrode.

3;. Inanarcing electrode assembly includin a pair of electrodes arranged for passage of an arc therebetween, means for moving one of the electrodes; anveiectrical control circuit for the movable-electrode having a point of direct electrical arc: contact positioned adjacent the normal arc path between the said pair of electrodes and spaced-therefrom, said. point. of electrical contact adapted to; be contacted by-the. arc consequent upon. displacement of the are from its normal path. between the pair of electrodes and towards the saidpointrof arc contact to. energize the control circuitandmove themovable electrode in a direction to return the displaced arc to its initial normal path betweenthesaid pair. of electrodes.

.4. "In; an. arcing electrode assembly including a movable continuous electrode surface, electrically controlled means "for moving said electrode surface in opposite. directions relative to another electrode, a pair of arc conductors, each of said conductors positioned adjacent said electrode surfaceinspaced relation from thearc and said. surfaceqand means connecting said electrode moving means; in: reversing relation through. said conductors and across the normally open arc path to each conductor. respectively, each of said are conductorsadapted, to be contacted by the arcconsequentupon displaccmentof the arc towards the respective conductor to energize the electrode moving means and move the electrode surfacein a. direction to return the displaced arc to its initial positionbetween the electrodes.

5.. Anelectrode assembly comprising in combination, a pair of electrodes, means for establishing an are between said electrodes, electrical means for moving one of said electrodes, the other electrode of the pair being fixedly mounted in spaced relation to the movable electrode, an electrical arc contact supported in spaced relation adjacent the point of arc discharge from said movable electrode to the fixedly mounted electrode, normally open circuit means connecting said electrical arc contact to said electrode moving means whereby said moving means are energized in a predetermined direction to return the arc to its initial position consequent upon arc displacement establishing the circuit through said electrical are contact.

6. In an arcing electrode assembly, a disc type electrode, a rod type electrode cooperatively positioned in predetermined fixed relation relative to said disc type electrode, electrically controlled reversible means drivingly connected to said disc type electrode, a pair of electrical probes positioned in the plane of the disc electrode adjacent the arc path and spaced on opposite sides therefrom respectively, means reversibly connecting each of said probes respectively through the normally open arc path to each probe to energize said driving means, said normally open energizing circuit adapted to be energized by the arc consequent upon displacement of the arc towards contact with the corresponding probe to move the electrode in a direction to return the displaced arc to its initial position in the electrode assen.- bly.

7. In an arcing electrode assembly having a rotatable disc type electrode and a rod type electrode spaced in fixed relation therefrom and including electrical means to establish an arc therebetween, reversible electric driving means operably coupled to said disc type electrode, a pair of electrode probes each positioned on opposite sides of the arc discharge and spaced therefrom adjacent the periphery of said disc type electrode, means connecting each of said probes with said electrical driving means across the normally open arc path to each probe respectively to effect rotation of the disc electrode in opposite directions consequent upon displacement and contact of the arc discharge with the corresponding probe.

8. An arcing electrode assembly comprising in combination, a disc type electrode, a rod type electrode suitably supported at a fixed spacing from said disc type electrode, electrically reversible driving means operably coupled to said disc type electrode, a source of power, circuit means con- 6 nectin said source of power between said electrodes to establish an arc therebetween, a pair of electrode probes each positioned on opposite sides or" said are discharge and spaced therefrom adjacent the periphery of said disc electrode, means connecting each of said probes with said driving means across the normally open arc path to each probe respectively to energize said driving means in a direction to restore the arc to its initial position consequent upon displacement and contact of said are discharge with a corresponding probe.

9. In an arcing electrode assembly including a movable continuous electrode surface and another electrode spaced in fixed relation therefrom, electrically controlled means for moving said continuous electrode surface relative to other electrode, an arc conductor positioned adjacent said movable continuous electrode surface in spaced relation from the arc and said surface, and normally open circuit means connecting said electrode moving means in circuit relation between said are conductor and the fixed electrode across the normally open arc path to said are conductor to energize said moving means consequent upon displacement of the arc towards contact with said are conductor, whereby said continuous electrode surface is moved in a direction to restore the displaced arc to its initial normal path between the movable continuous electrode surface and the fixed electrode and away from contact with said are conductor.

10. In an arcing electrode assembly including a movable continuous electrode surface and another electrode spaced in predetermined relation therefrom, electrically controlled moving means for moving said electrode surface in opposite directions relative to said other electrode, a pair of arc conductors, each of said conductors positioned adjacent said electrode surface in spaced relation from the arc and said surface, and means connecting said electrode moving means in reversing relation between each conductor and said other electrode across the normally open arc path to each conductor respectively, each of said are conductors adapted to be contacted by the arc consequent upon displacement of the arc towards the respective conductor, whereby said electrode moving means is energized to move said electrode surface in a direction to return the displaced arc to its initial position between the electrodes and away from contact with said conductor.

LOUIS R. NOFFSINGER.

No references cited.

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