US1821214A - Arc quenching device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1,1931. 2 D. s. GUSTIN ARC QUENCI-{ING DEYIQE Filed Jajln. '11, 1928 v INVENTOR D.-$. GUST/N ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT: orrlcs DANIEL SNYDER GUSTIN, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEW .l'ERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE LAMP COMPANY, CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA ABC oumvcnme DEVICE Application filed January 11, 1928. Serial No. 245,821.

This invention relates to electric incandescent lamps and more particularly to gas filled lamps having means therein for extinguishing an are occurring between the lead wires 5 of the lamp. Although the present invention is applicable to various types of lamps, it is preferably applied'to gas filled lamps and particularly to such type of lamp in which a number ,of m lamps designed for a relatively low voltage are operated in series on circuits ofabout 200 to 600 volts or more as in street lighting and street railway lighting practice;

Heret-ofore, during the operation of such 1 lamps, certain disadvantages occurred by reason of an are forming between the lead wires of the lamp when-the filament failed. It has been found that an are forming between the lead wires is maintained for a considerable 20 length of time and often not only traverses the leading-in wires to the stem-press or lower portion of the lamp, but will actually burn a path through the stem-press and continue into the base portion ofthe lamp fusing 26 the metallic base into the socket or often destroying the socket and injuring the adjacent arts.

p The formation of destructive arcs in lamps has been appreciably increased by the use of an argon as a gaseous filling for lamps instead of nitrogen, since argon permits the formation and maintenance of the are more readily than does nitrogen, and although the present invention is practical in an argon filled lamp, it has been found that -mo re. advantageous results are obtained when-a nitrogen filling is employed.

It will be evident that where lamps are operated in series, as, for example, where five 110 volt lamps are 0 rated in series in a 550 volt circuit, a conslderable area might be turned into darkness should one lamp burn out. Means are, however, provided in the form of various well known devices for closburns out. Some of such devices are incorporated in the socket or in the socket holder and in order that they may be success- V fully operated, it is essential that an interso ruption of the current be effected when the ing the circuit around each lamp in case it filamentfails. Should an arc form between the leading-1n wires and continue to permit a flow of current, the cut-out device would not operate and as will be evident, the arc may continue to'the destruction of the said devices.

An object of the present invention isrto prov de a simple and effective means'for terminating an are within a sealed envelope.

Another object of the invention is to prov1 de an arc quenching medium so disposed w1th relation to the leading-in wires as to terminate an are occurring therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a medium between the leading-in wires of a lamp of such character that when an arc occurs the said medium will evolve gas or gases tending to, snuff the arc.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Fig. is an elevational view of a lamp embodying the present invention, partly brpiken away to show the interior thereof; an

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line IIII in 'Fig. 1.

Although the present invention may be applied to any suitable incandescent electric lamp, it is shown and described in the drawings as embodied in a gas-filled, ring type filament lamp comprising a bulb 10 having the usual flare tube 11 sealed at 12 to the bulb. The flare tube is of the usual hollow form having one'end terminating in a press 13 from which an arbor 14 extends. The arbor is provided with support wires 15 upon which a filament 16 is mounted. Leading-in wires 17 and 18 extend through the press 13 and downwardly through the flare tube 11.

The type of bulb shown includes an exhaust tube 18' which occupies the center of the flare tube, this construction being common to the so-called tipless lamp. The lamp may be provided with the usual base 19 in which the leading-in conductors 17 and 1 8 are electrically connected in the usual manner at 20 and 21.

Normally, the leading-in wires or conductors 17 and 18 extend through the hollow portion of the flare tube 11 and if the filament 16 breaks and an arc occurs between the leading-in wires it would be possible for the said arcto continue through the said flare tube and down into the base. For. the purpose of quenching the are before it reaches the base, the flare tube 11 may be filled with a substance 22 capable of offering a barrier between the leading-in wires to quench or snufl' the arc.

It has been found that a preferable material for-this purpose is magesium carbonate. In practice, the said magnesium carbonate is utilized in a finely divided stateand is poured into the flare tube'until it fills the same. The

' powder may then be packedby tamping until it is compressed and firmly packed about the leading-in wires after whicha collar or washer 23, preferably of felt, may be forced into the flare tube with a tight fit to hold the powder in place. If desirable, the washer may be further secured by applying a layer of a suitable cement 24 thereover.

When a lamp constructed as above set forth is put into operation and the filament fails causing an arc between the leading-in wires, the said arc may-travel down the leads until it is interrupted by the interposed barrier of arc quenching material at which time the conductive passage necessary for supporting an arc will be destroyed and the are terminated.

When employing the present are quenching medium in an argon filled bulb, it has been found that although the argon tends to sup port an arc, the present are quenching material serves to break down the are when said material is'reached. When using the said are quenching material such as magnesium car bonate or like substance in a lamp having a nitrogen gas filling, it has been found that the as evolved, which in the present instance is 0 gas, cooperates with the nitrogen to terminate the arc.

It is believed that the present arc quenching material is of such character as to absorb or dissipate electrons to such degree as to terminate the arc. The invention, therefore, contemplates any finely divided material such as magnesium carbonate which will cooperate with the gas within the bulb to terminate an are produced between elements separated by the arc quenching medium.

By reason of the present invention, a lamp may be produced with arc quenching means in a rapid and practical manner and at a cost comparable with other lamp making operations. It'is appreciated that various types of arc quenching devices have been produced, but the present invention utilizes the standard structure of a lamp for the support of the arc quenching medium, thus avoiding any change in the accepted lamp structure and making the invention applicable to all types of universally used lamps.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An electric incandescent lamp comprising a bulb containing nitrogen, leading in wires supported within said lamp, a filament mounted-on said leading in wires and a quantity of finely divided magnesium carbonate disposed between and in contact with leading in wires whereby gases evolved from the magnesium carbonate upon the formation of an are between the lead wires cooperate with the nitrogen filling to terminate the arc.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of January,

' DANIEL SNYDER GUSTIN.

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