The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-04
MAGNETISM AS A MOVING
POWER.
Report Of Professor Charles q. Page 10 the
Secretary ct the Mary, pursuant TO a ca!
from the Seaaie for information.
WAsn1NoroN, d. C., August 30, is,


usefulness OF the electro magnetic power as a me
chanicaI agent for the purposes OF ocomotion and
navigation, and the probable cost OF using the
same"
A schedule Of expenditures incurred up TO this
date, amounting to $sl2,667 %, is herewith an
nexed, by which it will appear that considerably
more than third OF the appropriation renalhsyct
unexpcnded. Outstanding bills remain, amount
ing to about 8 ,000 most OF which Is charged ut
the navy yard for material, which, when deducted,
will leave about third of the appropriation for
further prosec uton of the experiment.
From the brief time allowed, it will be impossi-
BILE for to do in this report than to give an
outline of the experiments which have repeated
and recorded during the past year. Their full de-.
tail aud explanation will form volume replete
with interesting scientific matter, and require much
time and labor.
The frat principal experiments were made with
a small trial engine, built expressly for the pur
pose and with the utmost care in reference TO me-
chanical accuracy. Attached 10 this was dyna-
moneter of new construction, and admirably
adapted to the purpose. This invented by my
principal engineer, and measured, in most salts
factory manner, the dynamic power of the engine
at any given velocty-a great desideratum IN
estimating this power. With this trial
engine the following important questions were
tested
J. The dynamic values Of different qualities of
soft iron.
2. The dynamic values of steel, bard and soft.
3, The dynamic value OF cast iron.
The statica values Of all these varieties were
tested by separate apparatus, constructed for the
varieties in all were tested, and were in bars of
uniform size one foot in length and one inch in
diameter, and il was found that the statical and
dynamic properties correspondent.
4. The proportions of the helices were approx
mately tested, though much remains unsettled yet
upon this important point.
o. The advantage of keeping up the magnetism
the axial bar was most satisfactorily tested.
g. Various modes were tried of reversing the mo
ton OF the engine, and with success.
T. Various kinds of cutoff (Which is the most
criti md ant in he trct nf
the engine) were tried.
s. The operation of closed circuits and secondary
currents was tested by number OF experiments re-
curing great care and accuracy.
8. The best working velocity of this engine, and
its absolute power with given battery, was fully
tested
10. The ratio Of increase of power with an in
in the quantity of the current
ii. The values of different kinds of metal in
forming the cut off.
u. Various mechanical points of construction
supposed TO have been incompatible with the exhi-
btion of this power we're put to practical test.
Various other minor points also were the subject
of experiment, which will be communicated here
after.
A second model of small size and somewhat rude
construction also made, with view of testin q
new arrangement of the axial bars.
Experiments then commenced upon
larger scale, with view to determine whether
the same proportion of power could be obtain ed
from large from small engines this being the
principal question in view at the time OF the grant
OF the appropriation.
With a view to facilitate the construction of hell
ces Of large size, machine which had long been in
contemplation was made at a considerable expense.
The work was done at the navy yard in credita-
bic manner, and the machine performed lis work
well, turning out entire helces of copper wire of
large size from straight bars. But before had pro-
ceeded far, discovery was made in reference TO
the helix which rendered the machine useless, for
the present at least.
number of large heliccs were then constructed
OF various sizes, and suitable bars of soft iron pre-
cd half oil
solid bars were prepared, from two inches to eight
inches in diameter, and generally three feet in
length Some bars of four and five feet in length
were also prepared. The bars all worked at
the navy yard, and at considerable expense.
they were required TO be of homogeneous metal,
accurately turned and bored. With these bars and
helices, a multitude of experiments were performed
and recorded and these were kept up day after day
for about two months.
My official duties as examiner in the Patent Office
left me only the evening of each day for operation,
and under such circumstances you will readily APP
preciatc the difficulties and disadvantages under
which have labored. My zeal has led me be
yond my strength, but have been richly rewarded
by the most hattering results. The experiments here
not such as could be performed upon the la
boratory table, but with large masses of iron
weighing, in some cases, three hundred pounds,
and helices sometimes twice that weight. Adhcr-
ing to the same size Of battery, through long
ries Of experiments, and varying the coils and
bars, found, TO my great qualification, that az ]
increased the dimensions of each, corresponding
increase of power exhibited, and the consump-
ton OF material cost of the power in de-
gree diminished. These results were encouraging
and stimulating in the highest degree, and fully
justified the undertaking at once OF engine upon
much larger scale than any hitherto tried. This
engine, the frame work Of which principally
built at the navy yard, was an upright engine Of
% twofcet stroke, and in order 10 have facilities FOR
comparative trials and experiments, il was ncccs-
sary that a double engine should be made, the two
parts exactly corresponding Two bare Of soft iron,
six inches diameter and three feet in length,
The aFffna ln1f aenn hula amaI ItNr
means of connecting rods and cranks upon a fly
wheel shaft The balance wheel and shaft together
weighed six hundred pounds. When this engine
fret tried with the same battery which had be-
fore given one fifth Of horsepower, with
smaller engine, IL produced only third Of
horse power BY careful attention TO the
adjustment, and particularly TO the cut off, which
was very different thing now from what IL bad
been in the smaller engines, tho engine soon yield
ed one horse- power. Here gain Of eighty
per cent, as measured merely by the size Of the
battery. But Il was much more, for the cost
found 20 be lees for ono horse power, than IL had
been before for one-ffth Of a horse power in
smaller engine; how much less has not yet been
ascertained. great variety OF ex pcriments were
continued with this engine, to be hereafter detailed
each having n definite object; and, I am happy 70
say, each resulting advantagcousy, 80 that, hnal
ly, by little daily ncremCnts, obtained from this
engine, by trifiing addition Of battery, full two
horse power. BY way Of giving practical char
acter TO the engine, IL was geared 10 a circular
saw, ten inches in diameter, the turning lathe and
kiihurtvht VI Aut Oh VI WHICH IL WI hth
simultaneously, as witnessed by a number Of visit
ers; and, If mistake not by your predecessor in
office, in company with Lieut.. Maury Of the Ma
tional Observatory.
After many satsfactory trials with this engine
IL was taken down, and all its available parts used
in the construction of the single horizontal en- Rine
which had the honor lately TO exhibit before the
Smithsonian Institution. This change made
for the purpose Of dispensing with the dead weight
Of one Of the driving bars, and more particularly
for introducing the important feature Of keeping
up the magnetism of the driving bar. As soon rs
this form completed and tried, gain Of
one half horse power was at once realized and, by
the addition OF few more feet of battery surface
the power found to be above four horse Fur
tbcr addition of battery would still augment the
power, and see no reason why ten horse power
might not be obtained from this gine by the ad
dition of more battery; but whether il would be
economical to increase power by this means alone,
and TO ascersn the point for this and every other
engine beyond which economy would cease, by in
cressing the battery alone are matters TO be deter
mined by experiment.
The next most important point to be determined
was the expense Of this power. Much 10 my own