centrifugal current regulator
Datecirca 1879
Inventory Number1999-1-0018
ClassificationRegulator
Subject
Maker
E. Ducretet & Cie
1864 - 1931
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsstorage: 35 x 34 x 20 cm (13 3/4 x 13 3/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
instrument: 31.9 cm (12 9/16 in.)
base: 30.7 x 16.3 cm (12 1/16 x 6 7/16 in.)
instrument: 31.9 cm (12 9/16 in.)
base: 30.7 x 16.3 cm (12 1/16 x 6 7/16 in.)
Material
AccessoriesNone
Bibliography
DescriptionListed originally as "Régulateur de courant à force centrifuge de Watt".
Rectangular wooden base on four squarish wooden feet. Two open mouth glass vessels each mounted on a round shiny brass platform. In each is a hollow iron cylinder with grooves or threads on outside. Remains of thin wire can be seen wound around one cylinder. Metal rods extend (iron on coppper(?)) into the iron cylinders. Copper rods extend part way into and between the glass vessel and the iron cylinder. These rods then connect to a metal device across the front. The combination of metal rods that extend into the iron cylinders are hung from an iron bar (black finish) that can rotate on an axis made of a vertical iron rod that supports two shiny brass balls and extends downwards to the base. Tiny crystals are attached to the iron cylinders.
The instrument is missing a horizontal pulley wheel that would be attached to the vertical axis close to the base. It is uncertain whether this particular instrument ever had it installed.
A paper label mentioning "ALAIN BRIEUX" is glued to the bottom.
Rectangular wooden base on four squarish wooden feet. Two open mouth glass vessels each mounted on a round shiny brass platform. In each is a hollow iron cylinder with grooves or threads on outside. Remains of thin wire can be seen wound around one cylinder. Metal rods extend (iron on coppper(?)) into the iron cylinders. Copper rods extend part way into and between the glass vessel and the iron cylinder. These rods then connect to a metal device across the front. The combination of metal rods that extend into the iron cylinders are hung from an iron bar (black finish) that can rotate on an axis made of a vertical iron rod that supports two shiny brass balls and extends downwards to the base. Tiny crystals are attached to the iron cylinders.
The instrument is missing a horizontal pulley wheel that would be attached to the vertical axis close to the base. It is uncertain whether this particular instrument ever had it installed.
A paper label mentioning "ALAIN BRIEUX" is glued to the bottom.
Signedstamped on base: E. DUCRETET / & Cie / A PARIS
FunctionThis device guarantees a steady supply of current by making use of the rotation of an electric motor regulated by a governor.
The instrument would have a horizontal pulley wheel attached to its axis near the base that would couple it to an electric motor. This motor would be powered by the same electricity that goes through the regulator. The regulator circuit consists of either a pair of transformers (the glass vessels which would have wire wound around them), with a movable core held by the rotating brass brad system, or potentiometers (variable resistances) controlled by the movable rod held by the rotating brass ball system. In either case, the idea is that the higher the movable rod rises, the less electricity is allowed to pass through the circuit.
During operation, the electricity would initially pass unhindered through the regulator and allow the motor to start rotating. This rotation would make the brass ball system rotate, which in turn would make the controlling rod rise due to the centrifugal force. The system would come to an equilibrium point where if the voltage diminished, the balls would lower to counteract the decrease in current and similarly, if the voltage increased, the controlling rod would rise hindering the passage of extra electricity.
The instrument would have a horizontal pulley wheel attached to its axis near the base that would couple it to an electric motor. This motor would be powered by the same electricity that goes through the regulator. The regulator circuit consists of either a pair of transformers (the glass vessels which would have wire wound around them), with a movable core held by the rotating brass brad system, or potentiometers (variable resistances) controlled by the movable rod held by the rotating brass ball system. In either case, the idea is that the higher the movable rod rises, the less electricity is allowed to pass through the circuit.
During operation, the electricity would initially pass unhindered through the regulator and allow the motor to start rotating. This rotation would make the brass ball system rotate, which in turn would make the controlling rod rise due to the centrifugal force. The system would come to an equilibrium point where if the voltage diminished, the balls would lower to counteract the decrease in current and similarly, if the voltage increased, the controlling rod would rise hindering the passage of extra electricity.
ProvenancePurchased by Professor Leo Beranek from Alain Brieux, Paris, 1970; donated to the CHSI April 6, 1999.
Date: 1890-1930
Object number: RS1425a
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts.
Object number: DW0141f
Henry Hughes & Son, Ltd.
Date: 1900-1915
Accessories: instruction manual for instrument is in box of disassembled parts.
Object number: DW0141g
Robinson Foster Electric Railway Motor Company
Date: circa 1899
Object number: 1997-1-0542
