Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 27th Apr., 1900-Accepted, 21st July, 1900
I, WINTER RANDell Pidgeon, Engineer, of 42, Porchester Square, London, W.,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The machine in a simple form is shown on Sheet 1 and consists of three discs
mounted close together on a central spindle and arranged so that the two outside
discs (13) are driven in one direction, while the central disc (2) is driven in
the opposite direction.
All the discs are covered closely with insulated sectors (S) imbedded in an
insulating material and each of these sectors carries an exposed contact knob (K).
The outside discs (1 & 3) may be similar to those described in my Patent
No. 15100 A.1. 1898 but the central one (2) should have its contacts (K) placed
near the periphery.
Earthing brushes (E) are arranged for all these discs and also collecting
brushes or knobs (C).
This machine will work without inductors, but it is greatly improved by fitting
fixed inductors (A) very similar to those described in my Patent No. 15100
A.D. 1898 outside the two outside discs (1 & 3). In this case the inductors (A)
both slant the same way. Each inductor must be kept charged by an exploring
point (B) which can collect the charge either from a suitable point opposite the
disc it influences, as in Patent No. 15100 A.D. 1898 or from a suitable point
opposite the periphery of the central disc, as shown in Fig. (1). The discs can be
driven by belts, one for each of the outside discs and one for the spindle or sleeve
thereon, to which the central disc is firmly attached, the pulley which drives
this latter dise standing outside one of the other disc pulleys.
When a larger number of dises is required, any number can be strung on the
same axis and arranged in sets of three, with inductors and earthing brushes
arranged for each set as in the simple machine of three discs only, but in this
case it is better to bring the dieca 3 & 4; 6 & 7; 0 & 10; &c. sufficiently close
together for one inductor to act on both discs, in which case there will be only
one inductor between des 3 & 4 and one between 6 & 7 and so on, and the
machine as a whole will be simplified and reduced in length. In this case the discs
may be driven by making numbers 2, 5, 8 &c. fast to the spindle and driving
that in one direction by a belt, while number 1 is driven in the opposite direction
also by a belt, and numbers 3 & 4; 6 & 7 and so on are coupled together and
driven in the same direction as number 1 by a belt passing over a pulley between
trem. In such a machine, however, I prefer a different arrangement and prefer-
ably drive the discs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, &c. forwards by fixing them to a revolving
tube acting as a central axis and drive the discs 2, 6, 8 &c. backwards by gearing
placed within the central tube or axis, as will be fully described in the Complete
Specification.
In the above machine since all the inductors alant the same way it is easy to

page_text: connect them together so that, if preferred, one positive and one negative explor-
ing point can keep the whole lot of them charged.
In another form of machine I place all the discs close together on the same axis
and drive them in such a way that each plate is always turning in the opposito
direction to that of both of its neighbours. This form of machine may, if pre-
ferred, be fitted with inductors opposite the first and last dises, but in either case
it is inferior mechanically and electrically to the form previously described.
It is obvious that the discs may be grouped in other combinations than sets of
three, but this arrangement of groups of three works out best both electrically
and mechanically.
I find that the sectors on the discs, or the tin foil on the inductors, may be
insulated with other materials than the wax mentioned in my Patent No. 15100
A.D. 1898, for instance, certain mixtures of resinous gums fused together and
melted on to the plate may be used, or the discs may be built up of three sheets of
glass or ebonite with the sectors placed on alternate sides of the central sheet,
so as to have solid material between each pair of neighbouring sectors and a large
space over which to make the joint with wax, or otherwise, between alternate
sectors.
Again, the discs may be built up of ebonite in a similar way and finished by
being ebonized together into one solid piece, or the sectors and metal of the in-
ductors may be simply imbedded in the ebonite directly, but in this case it is
rather more difficult to prevent electrical leakage between neighbouring sectors,
owing to the uncertainty of making a joint in the ebonite which will be sound
after the baking process is completed.
It may help to make the action of my machines more clear if we regard them
from the point of view of their being revolving condensers, the plates in any one
of them being so arranged that part of them can be charged when in the most
effectual position for being charged, shuffled into the most effectual position to
charge the rest of the plates and again shuffled so as to bring the positives together
and the negatives together and thus be discharged in the most effectual position
for discharging.
1011
1000
Electrical Influence Machines.
I, WINTER RANDELL PIDGEON, Engineer, of 42, l'orchester Square, London, W.,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The machine in a simple form is shown on the drawings accompanying the
Provisional Specification, and consists of 3 discs mounted close together on a
central spindle and arranged so that the two outside discs (1 & 3) are driven in
one direction while the central disc (2) is driven in the opposite direction.
All the discs are closely covered with insulated sectors (S) imbedded in an
insulating material and each of these sectors carries an exposed contact knob (K).
The outside discs (1 & 3) may be similar to those described in my Patent
No. 15100, A.D. 1898, but the central one (2) should have its contacts (K) placed
near or upon the periphery.

page_text: Earthing or neutralising brushes (E) are arranged for all of these discs and
also collecting brushes or knobs (C).
The machine will work without inductors, but it is greatly improved by fitting
fixed inductors (A) very similar to those described in my Patent No. 15100
A.D. 1898 outside the two discs (1 & 3). In this case the inductors (A) both
slant the same way. Each inductor must be kept charged by an exploring point (B)
which can collect the charge either from a suitable point opposite the disc it
influences, as in Patent No. 15,100 A.D. 1898, or from a suitable point opposite
the periphery of the central disc, as shown in Fig. 1 (Provisional). The disce
can be driven by belts from the shaft below as shown in Figs. (I & II) Pro-
visional The two open belts drive the two outside discs, which turn loosely
on the spindle & the crossed belt, shown on the left hand side, drives a pulley
made fast to the spindle to which also the central disc is made fast. Thus the
two outside discs are made to revolve in one direction & the central one in the
opposite direction.
When a larger number of discs is required, any number can be strung on the
same axis and arranged in sets of three, with inductors and earthing brushes
arranged for each set as in the simple machine of three discs only, Fig. III, but
in this case it is better to bring the discs 3 & 4; 6 & 7; 9 & 10 &c. sufficiently
close together for one inductor to act on both discs in which case there will be
only one inductor between discs 3 & 4 and one between 6 & 7 and so on and the
machine as a whole will be simplified & reduced in length. In this case the discs
may be driven by making numbers 2, 5, 8 &c. fast to the spindle and driving that
in one direction by a belt, over a pulley "P," while number 1 is driven in the
opposite direction also by a belt, and numbers 3 & 4; 6 & 7; and so on are
coupled together and driven in the same direction as number 1 by a belt passing
over a pulley between them (see Fig. 3). In such a machine, however, the discs 1,
3, 4, 6, 7, 9, &c. may be driven forwards by fixing them to a revolving tube
acting as a central axis, while the discs 2, 5, 8 &c. run on balls and are driven
backwards by gearing shown in Fig. IV. The drawing shows three pinions made
fast to an internal spindle & gearing internally into the three discs 2, 5, 8, this
spindle is itself driven by the sun & planet motion shown on the right hand side.
When the handle is turned the whole tube with its internal gearing and the sun
and planet motion attached is revolved bodily forward and carries round with
it the discs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, & 9. At the same time the sun & planet motion drives
the internal spindle round rapidly backwards, and the three pinions attached to
this spindle drive the three discs 2, 5, & 8 also backwards. The sun & planet motion
is arranged to speed up considerably and to drive the internal spindle so fast back-
wards that, although it is carried round bodily forwards, together with the central
tube & discs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, & 9 it yet drives the discs 2, 5 & 8, into which it
gears, backwards at a speed approximately similar to that at which the discs 1,
3, 4, 6, 7, & 9 revolve forwards. Again the discs may be driven by the internal
gearing shown in Fig. V. The spindles E & F are geared together & thus run
in opposite directions. They are driven by the large wheel, with handle attached
and shown on the left of the drawing, which gears with (F). The spindle E
carries six pinions which gear with the six discs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 9, while I car-
ries three pinions which gear with the three discs 2, 5 & 8. When therefore the
handle is turned the discs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, & 9 are driven rapidly in one direction
while the discs 2, 5, & 8 are driven at a similar speed in the opposite direction.
All the discs are carried on ball bearings as shown, and the rods "R, R" steady the
ball races "K, K" and keep the whole machine together. Again, the discs may
be driven by sets of rolling collars, as shown in Fig. 6. Six rolling spindles are
arranged around a central spindle, the six gear with each other and every alter-
nate one gears with the central spindle. Each of the six spindles carries sets of
collars and in these collars the central portion of the disc rides. All the discs
which travel in one direction ride in collars attached to spindles G, B & C,

page_text: Fig. VI. while those which revolve in the opposite direction ride in collars at-
tached to D, E & F. In order to put the machine together these collars are slid
on one after another as the discs are placed in position and held up to their work
by a spring at one end of the spindle.
J is the central spindle. G, B & C gear into J at the right hand end. D. E
& F are clear of J but gear into G, B & C. A little to the left of this gearing
(at R) G, B, C, D, E & F, are necked down, D, E & F being left slightly larger
than GB & C, so that they may roll on a ring (R) surrounding and turned to
fit in this neck. Just to the left of the ring (at Q) 1), E & F are turned slightly
small while G, B & C are left large enough to roll on J. Again at P; J is
turned down and G, B, C, D, E, Froll on each other. Thus 1), E & F rolling
on the ring R and G, B & C rolling on are always kept properly in pitch.
Next to the left come the series of collars K as shown in the drawing, which may
be extended to any length with blank spaces at X, Y, Z turned sufficiently large
for the rollers to roll on each other. At the left end the series of collars are held
up by a spring (S) and a collar (T) screwed on to each spindle. To the right of T
at P the spindles G, B, C, D, E F again roll on each other and at R' are again
necked down to take another ring (R) for 1), E & F to roll upon, while, beyond
that again, G, B & C are left large enough to roll on J at Q. The rings R & R
prevent any endway movement of the spindles and thus, if is carried in journals
at either end after the discs have been put on, the whole machine will be bound
together and will move entirely with a rolling resistance except for the journals
which carry which can themselves be ball or rolling bearings if desired. J can
be driven by gearing or by a belt near one of the journals which carry it.
In any of the above machines since all the inductors slant the same way it is
easy to connect them together so that, if preferred, one positive and one negative
exploring point can keep all of them charged.
In another form of machine I place all the discs close together on the same axis
and drive them in such a way that each plate is always turning in the opposite
direction to that of both of its neighbours. This form of machine may, if
preferred, be fitted with inductors opposite the first and last dises.
It is obvious that the discs may be grouped in other combinations than sets
of three, but I prefer sets of three.
I find that the metal sectors on the discs or the metal in the inductors may be
insulated with other materials than the wax mentioned in my Patent No. 15100
A.D. 1898.
Shellac & other similar gums which are good electrical insulators may be spread
over the surface of the plates either directly by heating or by the application of
successive coats of varnish but I have not as yet got such good results by this means
as I have with the wax. Again the dites may be built up of three sheets of glass
ebonite, "volenite" (a patented artificial substitute for ebonite & indiarubber) or
other insulating material with the sectors placed on alternate sides of the central
sheet, so as to have solid material between each pair of neighbouring sectors and
a large space over which to make the joint with wax, or otherwise, between alter-
nate sectors when the outside sheets are put on.
Again, the discs may be built up of sheets of ebonite, "volenite" (a patented
artificial substitute for ebonite & indiarubber) or other insulating material which
can be welded together, the sectors being placed on either side of a central sheet
and then another sheet of the ane material welded to the front and back of the
ceutral sheet, the contacts being all brought out to one side or to the periphery,
as required, and finally the ebonizing process completed, so that the sectors are
truly imbedded in solid material in a manner which is unlikely to lead to faults
of insulation. This plan of building the discs is to obviate the difficulty of making
the narrow strip of insulation between neighbouring sectors efficient when imbed-
ding the sectors directly in an insulating material.
It may help to make the action of my machines more clear if we regard them

page_text: from the point of view of their being revolving condensers, the plates in any one
of them being so arranged that part of them can be charged when their capacity is
at its maximum, then shuffled into the most effectual, position to induce a charge
on rest of the plates and again shuffled so as to bring the positives together and
the negatives together and thus be discharged in the most effectual position for
discharging.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The influence machines substantially as described.
2. An influence machine consisting of three discs carrying sectors imbedded
in an insulator, the outside discs revolving in one direction and the central dises
in the opposite direction, the whole fitted with earthing or neutralizing brushes
and collectors substantially as described.
3. An influence machine composed of any number of groups of unree discs with
brushes and collectors substantially as described.
4. An influence machine consisting of three discs, carrying sectors imbedded
in an insulator, having the outside dises driven in one direction and the central
dise driven in the opposite direction, the whole fitted with earthing or neutralizing
brushes and collectors and also inductors substantially as described.
5. A machine consisting of any number of groups of three discs fitted with
collectors, brushes and inductors substantially as described.
6. The combination in sets of three of discs carrying sectors imbedded in an
insulator in the manner and for the purpose described.
7. The combination of one or more sets of three discs together with inductors
in the manner and for the purpose described.
8. A multiple plate machine composed of dises carrying imbedded sectors, as
described, each disc running close to and in the opposite direction to each of its
neighbours substantially as described.
9. The method of building up and making each dise of thin sheets of material
to ensure insulation between neighbouring sectors substantially as described.
10. The method of driving many discs in a row by gearing placed inside sub-
stantially as described and as shown in Fig. IV.
11. The method of driving many discs in a row by gearing placed inside sub-
stantially as described and shown in Fig. V.
12. The method of driving the discs by carrying them on rolling collars sub-
stantially as described and as shown in Fig. VI.
WINTER RANDELL PIDGEON.