Nikola Tesla - Free-Energy Devices

4o6INVENTIONS OF NIKOLA TESLA.of remedying certain faults common to arc lamps.He proposed to prevent the frequent vibrations of the movablecarbon "point" and flickering of the light arising therefrom; toprevent the falling into contact of the carbons to; dispense withthe dash pot, clock work, or gearing and similar devices; to renderthe lamp extremely sensitive, and to feed the carbon almostimperceptibly, and thereby obtain a very steady and uniformlight.In that class of lamps where the regulation of the arc is effectedby forces acting in opposition on a free, movable rod or lever directlyconnected with the electrode, all or some of the forcesbeing dependent on the strength of the current, any change inthe electrical condition of the circuit causes a vibration and a correspondingflicker in the light. This difficulty is most apparentwhen there are only a few lamps in circuit. To lessen this difficultylamps have been constructed in which the lever or armature,after the establishing of the arc, is kept in a fixed position andcannot vibrate during the feed operation, the feed mechanismacting independently but in these; lamps, when a clampis employed,it frequently occurs that the carbons come into contactand the light ismomentarily extinguished, and frequently partsof the circuit are injured. In both these classes of itlamps hasbeen customary to use dash pot, clock work, or equivalent retardingdevices but these are often unreliable and;objectionable, andincrease the cost of construction.Mr. Tesla combines two electro-magnets one of low resistancein the main or lamp circuit, and the other of comparativelyhigh resistance in a shunt around the arc a movable armaturelever, and a special feed mechanism, the parts being arranged sothat in the normal working position of the armature lever thesame iskept almost rigidly in one position, and is not affectedeven by considerable changes in the electric circuit ;but if thecarbons fall into contact the armature will be actuated by themagnets so as to move the lever and start the arc, and hold thecarbons until the arc lengthens and the armature lever returns tothe normal position. After this the carbon rod holder is releasedby the action of the feed mechanism, so as to feed the carbon andrestore the arc to its normal length.Fig. 278 is an elevation of the mechanism made use of inthis arc lamp. Fig. 279 is a plan view. Fig. 280 is an elevationof the balancing lever and spring; Fig. 281 is a de-