US1605243A - Electric-power apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2 1926.

E. H. KNAPP ET AL ELECTRIC POWER APPARATUS Original Filed July 20. 1921 INVENTORS E.H.KNAPP C.FINCH HTTQRN EYS AND.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC-POWER APPARATUS.

Application filed July 20, 1921, Serial This invention relates to an electric power apparatus adapted especially for use on farms or other isolated localities, and aims to provide an automatic electric power plant driven by an internal combustion engine which is automatically started and stopped as the circuit of the lamp orother current consuming device is closed and opened, respectively,- thereby eliminating'the necessity for storage batteries of large cap-acity, the present invention being animprovementover the electric power apparatus disclosed in our copending applications filed May 12, 1919, and June 23, 1920, Serial Nos. 296,617 and 390,987, respectively. tion is also a continuation in part of such applications. v

A further object is the provision of such an apparatus including an engine for driving an electric dyanmo or motor-generator to generate current when needed, in combination with a low voltage storage battery or other source of current to operate the dynamo as a starter for the engine, and'controlling means operable so that the dynamo operates as a starter from the source of low voltage current to start the engine when the circuit of the lamp or other current consuming device is closed, and when the engine is started, the dynamo is renderedinoperative as a starter and then automatically serves as a supply of current for the mains or load wires and battery.

still further object is the provision in an apparatus of the character indicated, of extremely simple and effective electro-magnetic means automatically controlling the low voltage starting and high voltage generating circuits of the dynamo and the ignition circuit of the engine, utilizing a minimum number of switches and contact points, in order that the low voltage current from the battery or similar source will supply current for closing and energizing the ignition circuit of the engine, and for operating the dynamo as a starter for the engine, and in order that when the engine has been started, the circuit connections are changed for supplying the main or load circuit with high voltage current,

Another object is the provision of novel means for controlling the circuits when the engine is started, to assure of working conditions with varying loads on the main or load wires.

"With the foregoing and other objects in The present applica No. 486,162. Renewed August 2, 1926.

View, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinatter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The-invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein the figure is a diagrammatical view of the apparatus.

Any suitable combustion engine '1 is used for driving the electrical motor-generator or dynamo 2 havingcombined therewith the low voltage starter motor generator 3 used for starting the engine 1, and an ignition timer 4 operates with the engine.

A switch 5 controls the ignition circuit and also an engine starting circuit, and said switch 5 is under the influence ot a low voltage elect-ro-magnet 6 and the high voltage el'ectro-magnet 7, and connections are provided, as will hereinafter more fully appear, whereby one or the other of said magnets is connected in thenia-in or load circuit according to different conditions.

' The main or load circuit includes the mains or load wires 8 and 9 across which one or more lamps 10 or other current-consuming devices are connected in multiple, each being connected in series with a switch 11 that can be closed forclosing the main circuit through the corresponding lamp or translating device 10. r

A storage battery 12 or other source of electrical energy of low voltage is provided to supply electrical energy for starting the operation, and this battery need not be large as it is only required to supply current during the starting of the engine and for several electromagnets after the engine has started.

l/V hen the'switch 11 is closed to turn on the current, with the apparatus idle, this closes a battery circuit including the battery 12,- conductor 13, conductor 14, contact 40, normally closed switch 63 under the influence of an electromagnet 59, load wire or conductor 8, lamp 10, switch 11, load wire or conductor 9, conductor 17, magnet 6, conductor 19 and conductor 61 leading back to the battery 12, thus causing the energization of the low voltage magnet 6 from the battery. The battery current being of low voltage, and traversing the lamp 10, will still provide sufficient potential for energizing the magnet 6 to attract the switch 5 against its contact 24, to start the operation effectively with a source of low voltage only.

The second phase is followed by the closing of the switch 5, which energizes a device for starting the engine with the low voltage battery current. Thus, the switch 5 closes a circuit including the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 26, switch 5, contact 24, conductor 27, conductor 22, low-voltage electromagnet 28 influencing an armature switch 29, and conductor 30 leading back to the battery 12. Thus, the closing of the switch 5 by the low voltage magnet 6, results in the closing of the circuit of the electromagnet 28, being supplied with current direct from the battery, so that the switch 29 is closed. thereby closing a starting circuit including the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 32, switch 29, contact 31 engaged by said switch, conductor 34, motor or starter section 3 of the duplex motor-generator or dynamo, and conductor 35 leading back tothe battery. The starter motor of the dynamo is thus supplied with current from the battery to rotate the crank shaft of the engine for starting same.

The closing of the switch 5 simultaneously closes the ignition circuit of the engine, independent of the energization of the magnet 28, such ignition circuit including the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 26, switch 5, contact 24, conductor 27, conductor 20, primary induction coil winding 18, conductor 23, timer 4, conductor 36, and conductor 35; The timer 4 will close the circuit of the primary winding 18, at the proper intervals, thereby inducing a high tension potential in the secondary induction coil winding 21 hav ing one terminal connected to the spark plug 51 and the other one grounded to the opposite terminal of the spark plug by way of the conductor 23. The spark plug is thus energized at the proper intervals for igniting the explosive charges in the engine, so that the engine will take up its power impulses.

As soon as the engine operates of itself, it will drive the dynamo 2, so that the generator 52 thereof will give out high voltage current. In practice, the voltage of battery 12 is six volts, while the generator 52 supplies a commercial voltage of say 110 volts. The battery current is now no longer needed in the main circuit. I

The current given off by the generator 52 will close a switch 15 which is under the influence of a high-voltage electromagnet 16, the circuit including the generator 52, conductor 53, conductor 54, magnet 16, conductor 55 and. conductor 44. 'The magnet 16 therefore attracts the switch 15 and brings it against the contact 57. This will close the circuit of the magnet 59, so as to reverse the switch 63, and the circuit includes the battery 12, conductor 13, conductor 14, conductor 62, switch 15, contact 57, conductor 58, magnet 59, conductor 60 and conductor 61. The battery current therefore energizes the magnet 59, to attract the switch 63 and remove it from the contact 40 and bring it against the opposite contact 41. This will disconnect the battery 12 from the main circuit and connect the generator 52 in such main circuit. The main circuit, including the source of high voltage, now includes the generator 52, con ductor 53, conductor 42, contact 41, switch 63, conductor 8, lamp 10, switch 11, conductor 9, conductor 65, a high-voltage elec tromagnet 64 also arranged to attract the switch 15 against the contact 57, conductor 43, magnet 7, and conductor 44. The magnet 59 remains in the battery circuit, to hold the switch 63 against the contact 41, with the generator 52 in the main circuit and the battery cut out of such circuit. The high voltage magnet 16 remains in a shunt of the main circuit, parallel with the lamp or device 10 and magnets 7 and 64, and the magnet 64 which also controls the switch 15 is located in the main circuit in series with the lamp or device 10 and magnet 7. The high voltage magnets 16 and 64 which both control the switch 15 are thus located in shunt and series, respectively, with the main circuit, in order to hold the switch 15 closed under varying loads from the minimum to the maximum, without the liability of the switch 15 opening accidentally by a change in load. This combination shunt and series magnetic device controls the switch 15 in the battery circuit with the magnet 59 for holding the generator in the main circuit during working conditions. The lamp or device 10 is thus energized, and the magnet 6 being disconnected from the main circuit, would release the switch 5 were it not for the energization of the high voltage magnet 7, which retains the switch 5 in closed position to keep the ignition circuit closed. The apparatus is now in running condition with the engine driving the dynamo to supply high voltage current for the energization of the lamp or translating device 10.

The switch 5 being maintained closed, will also maintain the magnet 28 energized and the switch 29 closed, so that the motor 3 in being driven by the engine, will recharge,

ing the storage battery 12 and thus assisting in the energization of the ignition circuit.

When the switch 11 is opened for extinguishing the lamp or device 10, this will open the main circuit, so that the magnets 7 and (St are deenergized, thereby releasing the switch 5, which will open the ignition circuit, to stop the engine at once. The magnet 16 then becomes dead, releasing the switch 15, and this will open the circuit of the magnet 59, which will release the switch 63. The switch 63 will move from the contact 41 against the contact 40, thereby again connecting the battery in the main circuit, and the switch 5 being opened will also open the circuit of the magnetfZS, thereby releasing the switch 29. The apparatus thus becomes idle and is restored to normal dormant condition, with the switchb in position to connect'the battery 12 in the main circuit, so that the subsequent closing of the switch 11 will repeat the operation as before. With the present apparatus, the current is supplied by an engine-driven generator thereby eliminating the necessity for storage batteries of large capacity, andthe starting and stopping of the engine is entirely automatic, controlled by the closing and opening of the switch 11 of the lamp or device 10, for which reason the electromagnetic responsivedevices are used to automatically close and open the several circuits as described. The high voltage current can be had at any time when the main current is closed without the necessity of the engine being started by hand, and the engine is only operated asthe current is needed, thereby providing for economy. The apparatus also provides for the recharging oi the starting battery so that the apparatus requires practically no attentionwhatever, excepting for necessary oiling, adjustments or repairs when required.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. An electric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electrical generator, an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter for the engine, a low Voltage battery, an ignition circuit for the engine including a normally open switch, a low voltage and a high voltage electromagnet controlling said switchto close the same when either 01" said magnets is energized, a second low voltage electromagnet arranged to be energized from the battery when the firstnamed low voltage magnet is energized and said switch is closed, means controlled by the second low voltage electromagnet for connecting the starter in circuit with the battery when the second low voltage electromagnet is energized, high voltage electromagnetic means continually in circuit with the generator, and a switch controlled by the high voltage electromagnetic means to connect the firstnamed low voltage electromagnet and battery in cir cuit with the load wires when said high voltage electromagnetic means is deenergized and to open said circuit and connect the firstnamed high voltage electromagnet and generator with the load wires when said high voltage electromagnetic means is energized.

An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the engine for supplying said circuit, an electric motor for starting the engine, a low voltage battery for supplying the motor, an ignition circuit for the engine including a normally open switch, a second switch normally connecting the battery in the main circuit and movable to open the said battery circuit and connect the generator in the main circuit, a low voltage electromagnet in circuit with the second switch for closing the firstnamed switch when the main circuit is closed, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator for holding the firstnamed switch closed by generator current, electromagnetic means in circuit with the generator controlling the second switch to open thev connection between the battery and the -main circuit and connect the generator in the main circuit, and means for connecting the motor and battery by current flowing through the firstnamedswitch at the time that the low voltage electromagnet is energized and the firstnamed switch closed. 7 Y I i 3.;An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the engine for supplying said circuit, an electric motor-generator for starting the engine and for generating current, a low voltage. storage battery, a low voltage electromagnet, a switch controlled by said electromagnet, an ignition circuit for the engine closed by said switch, electromagnetic means for normally connecting said low voltage electromagnet and battery in the main circuit and for disconnecting them from the main circuit and connecting the generator to the main circuit when. the engine is started, means for retaining said switch in closed position when said electromagnetic means connects the generator to the main circuit, and means receiving cur rent through said switch when it is in closed position for connecting the battery and motor-generator for starting the engine and then charging the battery.

4. An electric power apparatus embodying a main circuit, an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator to be driven by the engine for supplying said circuit, an electric motor-generator for starting the engine and generating charging current, a low voltage storage battery, an ignition circuit for the engine including a normally open switch, a second switch normally connecting the battery in the main circuit and movable to open the said battery circuit and connect the generator in the main circuit, a low voltage electromagnet in circuit with the second switch for closing the firstnamed switch when the main circuit is closed, an electromagnet in circuit with the generator for holding the firstnamed switch closed by the generator current, electromagnetic means in circuit with the generator con trolling the second switch to open the connection between the battery and main circuit' and connect the generator in the main circuit, and means receiving current through the firstnamed switch for connecting the battery and motor-generator to start the engine and then charge the battery when the engine is started.

5. An electric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electric generator, an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter for the engine, a battery, a low voltage electroinagnet, a high voltage electromagnet, means under the influence of said electromagnets for the operation of the starter and engine, a switch normally con-.

necting said lowvoltage electromagnct and battery in circuit with the load wires and for breaking such connection and then connecting the generator and high voltage electromagnet with the load wires, a low voltage electromagnet controlling said switch to move it from the firstnamed to the secondnamed position when energized,

a switch for connecting the secondnamed low voltage electromagent with the battery, and high voltage electromagnetic means in circuit with the generator for closing the secondnamed switch when energized, the lastnamed means being partly in shunt and partly in series, with the load wires.

6. An electric power apparatus comprising load wires, an electric generator, an engine for driving said generator, an electric starter for the engine, a battery, a low voltage electromagnet, a high voltage electromagne't, means under the influence of said electromagnets for the operation of the starter and engine, a switch normally connecting said low voltage electromagnet and battery in circuit with the load wires and for breaking such connection and then connecting the generator and high voltage electromagnet with the load wires, a low voltage electromagnet controlling said switch to move it from the firstnamed to the secondnamed position when energized, a switch for connecting the secondnamed low voltage electromagnet with the battery, and a pair of high voltage electromagnets for closing the secondnamed switch, one of said magnets of the pair being in shunt with the load'wires and the other electromagnet of the pair being in series with the load wires and aforesaid high voltage electromagnet.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification,

ERWVIN H. KNAPP.

CLEMENT FINCH.

Images