US1598941A - Rheostat accessory - Google Patents

Description

RHEOSTAT ACCESSORY Filed April 3. 1925 gwoentoz Gttormq Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ELMER STARE, OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXASy ASSIGNOR OF ON'E-HALFr TO W. S; RAMSAY, OF STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS.

RHEOSTAT ACCESSORY;

Application led April 8, 1925. Serial No. 20,462.

This invention relates to a rheostat for controlling` the charge rate of a generator and is particularly adapted for use on Ford automobiles. This rheostat control gives the operator the advantage of changing the output of the generator from city driving to country driving, without the necessity ot' leaving his seat or stopping the automobile. It is well known that a much heavier' charge rate is required in city driving, to keep the battery properly charged, espeeially where the starter and lights are frequently used. lilith the battery charging at this rate, it would be very injurious to the battery and generator to drive the car at a high rate of speed for several hours, but with this device, the driver will have perfeet control of the'out ut* of the generator.

Another important o ject of the invention is the insertion of fuses in the field circuit of the generator, whereby it is impossible to burn out the armature, held coil, or lights.

With the above and numerous other objects in view, as will appear as the descripion proceeds, the .invention consists in a certain novel arrangement as will be herein;- after more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing:

The figure is an elevation, partly in section, of the improved rheostat with the circuits associated therewith, shownv diagrammatically.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that 1 designates the circular casing, which is provided with an annular flange 2, in order that itmay be mounted on the dash board of an automobile, Within easy reach of the operator. An. arcuate member 3 is mounted in the casing, in any suitable manner, such as by means of screws et, and has a resistance coil 5 wound thereabout. An arm G is swingable by a shaft 7 and the end thereof moves over the convolutions ot" the resistance coil 5. The wires 8 and 9 form a part of the field coils of a generator. The wire 8 is attached to a screw l0, from which extends a wire 11, connected to the arm 6. The wire 9 is connected to a fuse 12, from Which extends the wire 13, connected to one end convolution of the resist-ance coil 5. The wire 14 leads to the ammetcr from a fuse 15, mounted in the casing, and the Wire 1G leads from this fuse to the ignition and lighting switch. The tivo fuses are thus conveniently located and can be repaired very quickly and easily, when necessary.

It will be evident that the charging rate of the generator may be controlled by moving the arm 6 over the convolutions of the resistance coil, thus increasing` or decreasing the field of the generator', and thus the battery may be charged at whatever desired rate may be found necessary from experience. The fuse 12 will protect all parts of the generator from becoming burnt up, and will also protect the battery from becoming overcharged, or charged too fast.- It is thought that the construction, operation and advantages ot' the invention will now be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, without a more detailed explanation. v

1t is desired, however, to point out that numerous changes in the details of construction, in thc combination and arrangement otl parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed, or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Havingthus described what l claim as new is:

An accessory ol the class described including a cylindrical casing, an arcuate member in one-halt ot the casing disposed concentrically therewith, a resistance coil disposed about the arcuate member, an arm swingably mounted in the casing and hav ing its end movable over the eonvolutions of the resistance coil, and a pair of' fuses in the other halt' ot' the casing disposed in parallel spaced relation with each other.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

my invention,

THOMAS ELMER STARR.

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