The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-14

electric plant for his own use on his
ample private estate.
From an electricians point Of view
the greatest obstacle and one which it
was claimed could not be overcome,
was the varia ability Of the wind and the
consequent erratic fluctuations of the
electric pressures which rendered their
utilization impossible by subjecting the
ordinary mechanical connections to ex-
cessive and fatal strains.
Early in his experiments, Mr. Feely
found that one Of the first problems to
be solved was to determine accurately
the Wind velocities and efficiencies dur
ing the various months of the year.
This was determined by the use of
an annemoeter made especially for
that particular purpose and very sim
liar to those in use by the United
States weather bureau, with the excep-
ton that while the government instru-
ments record the mile rate of the wind,
the one made for Mr.. Feely recorded
the wind at each fftieth of a mile.
After some months of hard thinking
and harder work, the machinery with
all its improvements, was finally set in
place, and when all connections were
made Mr.. Feely anxiously awaited the
first trial which should demonstrate the
failure or success of his plans and
labor.
The windmill proper is the. ordinary
kind, common in all out-of-town and
country places where there is no public
water supply. The steel frame or sup
ports, extend fifty feet above the sec
ond story of the stables, as shown in
the picture.
At the top of this frame are the wheel
and fan which are operated by the
wind. AS the wheel revolves under
the influence of the slightest breeze, it
operates a series Of cog wheels which
work upon a long vertical shaft run
ming from the head of the machine to
the basement or cellar Of the stable,
where it communicates with second
shaft leading directly to the dynamo of
the plant.
From this dynamo lead two sets Of
wires. One set carry the current to
the various parts ef<the estate where
it Is utilized for power purposes and for
lighting, while the other set Of wires
receive the surplus current, and store
1t in storage batteries for use when the
fic1e wind is not sufficiently strong to
give power enough to supply the neces-
sary voltage. .
When there is a high wind there is
naturally a much stronger current than
Is necessary, and in order that it may
not be wasted, or play havoc with the
lights, the surplus energy is led into
these storage batteries and kept there
until needed.
A feature Of this dynamo Is that the
same one which generates the current
when there Is q breeze, also acts as
a motor during a calm, and can be
used with the energy always on hand
In the storage batteries. This double
service by a dynamo has never before
been accomplished.
In the comparatively light breeze
which was blowing when the first trial
was made, the wheel of the windmill
began to slowly revolve, then faster
and faster 1t went until it looked like
one solid piece Of circular wood SPIN
ming about in the air,
A number Of electric lights had been
put up in the stable as a test and
when these were turned on after the
windmill had been working some time,
they showed a brilliant, steady light.
the equal Of that supplied by any cleo
trio light company in the country.
The experiment was success and
combination Of windmill and motor
had been found at such a comparatiye
ly slight cost that the matter Of ex,
pense- was hardly worth considering.
Once the practicability Of the ma
chirery was assured. Mr.. Freely lost
no time in putting electric lights
throughout his house and stables and
about his private grounds and utiliz,
ing the new agency for various house,
hold and farm purposes:
The whole secret of the success of
his work Is in the dynamo, which, In
o number Of WAYS. In different from