IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MOTORS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Melville Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1878. A com-
munication from abroad by David Ward and Anson Ball, both of Berkshire,
in the County of Tioga, State of New York, United States of America.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MOTORS." [A communication
from abroad by David Ward and Anson Ball, both of Berkshire, in the County of
Tioga, State of New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to the class of electro-motors that employ both permanent
and electro-magnets, and it consists in the combination of a series of adjustable
permanent magnets, and a wheel carrying a series of electro-magnets, and a current
changer that alternates the current without absolutely breaking it, so that the
electro-magnets are first drawn toward the permanent magnets, and after passing
the poles of the said permanent magnets are repelled, the current being changed at
the proper instant.
The object of the Invention is to construct an electric motor in which the
attractive and repellant force of the magnets are both utilised.
All the working parts of the motor are contained in a frame composed of cir-
cular end pieces with cross bars supported upon legs, and rigidly connected together
by tie bars. At the centre of the end cross bars are boxes, in which are journalled
the ends of a shaft carrying one or more wheels, to the periphery of which a
number of U shaped electro-magnets are secured with their faces outward. These
magnets, eight, or more or less, in number, are placed at equal distances around
the periphery of the wheel. Alternate magnets are wound in opposite directions,
so that positive and negative poles alternate in position on the periphery of the
wheel, and all of the magnets are in one circuit, and are wound with the same
continuous wire that runs from the current changer on the shaft to and around all
of the magnet cores upon one side of the wheel, and crosses to the opposite side of
the wheel, and is coiled around all of the magnet cores on that side, and is returned
to the current changer.

page_text: The current changer consists of two insulated rings, each having projections
which are parallel with the shaft, and are inserted between the similar projections
of the other, but the two rings and their projections are perfectly insulated from
each other, and from the shaft and wheel. The number of projections on each
ring corresponds to the number of magnets on the wheel. One of the rings is
connected with one of the terminals of the magnet coils, and the other ring is
connected with the other terminal and springs, which are secured to binding posts
on the frame that are in communication with battery wires, bear upon opposite
sides of the current changer so as to make contact with the projection thereof. As
the wheel rotates the projections on the rings are alternately brought into contact
with the springs, thereby shifting the current without absolutely breaking it, so
that what was before the positive magnet pole, when the current is changed
becomes the negative pole.
In the circular portion of the end pieces there are a number of holes for receiving
the ends of bars, which correspond in number to the number of electro-magnets,
and are arranged parallel with the shaft, and are placed at equal distances apart.
Each bar is notched to receive a permanent U magnet, which is clamped to the
bar by means of a short cross bar and screw.
The permanent magnets are arranged tangential to the path of the face of the
electro-magnets, and all face in the same direction around the periphery of the
magnet wheel, and are provided with means for regulating the distance between
their poles and the faces of the electro-magnets.
The permanent magnets are of the compound type, one magnet being placed
over the other, so that the side of the compound magnet presents the edges of all
of the magnets of which it is composed to the influence of the electro-magnets on
the wheel.
The arrangement of the current changer is such that as the electro-magnets
approach the permanent magnets their poles are unlike the poles of the permanent
magnets, so that they are attracted, but immediately they pass the poles of the
permanent magnets the current is changed, so that the force of repulsion takes the
place of attraction, and the electro-magnets are driven forward by this force.
It will thus be seen that both the attractive and repellant force of the magnets
are utilised.
To the tie bar, which is secured to the end pieces, are also attached magnets,
which are supported immediately over the shaft, and are of sufficient strength :
nearly, or quite, to support the shaft and the wheel or wheels supported by it, and
thus relieve the bearings of pressure and friction.