IMPROVEMENTS IN DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and
of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES Communicated
to him from abroad by Philippe Payen and Auguste Sandron both of Roubaix
in the republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1882.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn, in
the county of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN DYNAMO-ELECTRIC
MACHINES a communication to me from abroad by Philippe Payen and Auguste
Sandron both of Roubaix in the republic of France.
The principal features of this invention consist.
First. In rendering movable simultaneously an unlimited number of series
or discs of inductors and induced pieces by giving them a rotary or other
movement in opposite directions, though either the inducing or induced system
might remain stationary.
Second. In causing both poles of the inductors to act upon every element of
the induced system, exciting these latter a great number of times and in opposite
directions. When both systems rotate in opposite directions if each of them
consists of an equal number of elements, say x, (though this is not an indispensable
condition), the greatest number of points of induction which each of the induced
pieces passes through in one revolution is the double of this or 2x.
Third. In permitting of instantaneously arranging for example by means of a
commutator, all the elements of either kind, whether associated in quantity or in
[Prine di

page_text: tension, or of utilizing them separately. This machine can thus be excited in a
great number of ways and can simultaneously supply electrical apparatus requiring
very different tensions and intensities.
Fourth. In permitting of augmenting indefinitely and in a few minutes the
number of inducing or induced elements, upon the same frame, which gives this
apparatus an unlimited producing capacity, and one of them can provide light for
the whole of a manufactory of any size.
Fifth. In producing an inductor as powerful as desired (a) By a very close
proximity between the inductor and the induced piece (b) By causing each of the
two poles of each inducing element to act constantly as described in the second
heading above (c) By forming each of the inducing elements either of a simple and
straight electro-magnet, or of a horse-shoe electro-magnet (and this form is to be
preferred for the exciting series formed by the first and last discs), or by a bundle
of electro-magnets of this. latter kind having a common elbow (d) By employing
bobbins with cores of solid iron or of iron wire, or on the contrary, bobbins without
cores, the inducing and induced bobbins being the same as one of these kinds or
of different kinds (e) By varying at will the quantity of electricity, taken from
the induced coils to pass through the inducing circuit, necessitated by variations
caused by the weather, and according to the tension and intensity of the current
and the resistance opposed to it.
Sixth. In producing alternating or continuous currents at will by a simple
displacement of the brushes, the machine remaining in both cases susceptible
of working as its own exciter or of being excited by another machine, as desired.
Seventh. In being able to excite itself in as many ways as there are com-
binations of arrangements and of possible mathematical permutations in the
number of inducing and induced elements, and this it is understood inay be done
by derivation from the whole or part of the total induced current, or by putting
the inducing circuit into the total circuit.
When it is desired to collect separately, the product of each induced element
whilst the machine is working as a self-exciter, and if the excitation is to be
proportional to the number of induced elements utilized every instant, instead of
surrounding each inducing element with a single circuit, it is surrounded with as
many circuits as there are induced elements or groups of induced elements sub-
mitted to the action of the disc of inductors under consideration. To facilitate the
winding of the inducing coils in this case, all the wires of these circuits can be
previously collected into one band. One could even have two circuits in each
induced element the current in one serving to excite the inducing disc on one side
and that in the other to excite it on the other side.
The following is a description of a special form of machine constructed according
to this invention.
A steel shaft of any length and which may be made hollow for lubricating
purposes as also to afford passage for the wires when it is desired to have the
commutators away from the discs carries an indefinite number of discs, alternately
fixed to and loose upon it. The movable or loose discs are all fastened together
by rigid bars, so that they form a rigid system which receives motion from a
pulley. The rigid system formed by the shaft and the fixed discs is put in motion
by another pulley also fixed upon the shaft and carrying a crossed strap if the first
pulley does not, or vice versu, so that the two systems of discs are revolved in
opposite directions and at equal velocities if the two straps are driven from the
same pulley on the engine. It is of course understood that the first pulley is
movable or loose upon the shaft. Each disc consists of a wheel, made of cast-iron
for the inductors, and of wood and copper for the induced discs, the arms of which
support a rim upon each edge of which is solidly riveted or screwed a flange made
of iron plate, so that the wheel is transformed into a grooved pulley. Between
these flanges are fixed the bobbins, the insulated wires of which differ in diameter
according as the disc is fixed or movable upon the shaft, since both kinds of discs

page_text: The
carry bobbins, induced and inducing respectively; if the bobbins contain cores
they are insulated, except the inductors, alternate ones of which may make con-
nection with the flanges which in this case can be of cast iron or steel.
bobbins in this machine are cylindrical and sixteen in number, but it is proposed
to give them the form of a section of a cylinder with the ends rounded, and to
increase or diminish their number, according to the effect to be produced. The
inducing bobbins form one circuit; the inducing current enters by a brush on an
insulated ring of solid copper fixed to the shaft, it is then collected by a second
brush, whence it passes into the first inducing disc all the bobbins of which it
traverses, it then remounts by an insulated wire to one of the rigid bars which
bind the inducing discs together and re-descends to the next inducing disc, and
so on through all the inducing discs, from the last of which it passes through a
third brush to another insulated copper ring fixed upon the shaft, leaving this ring
through a fourth brush; the first and last brushes are fixed on the end pedestals
of the frame. The induced current passes from one induced disc to another also
by means of the rigid system of inductors and the bars binding them together,
brushes fixed upon the movable or inducing discs working against the induced
discs. The circuits of the several induced discs are coupled in tension and the
two extremities of the total circuit terminate in two insulated copper rings fixed
on the bars which hold the inducing discs together, the rings being in contact with
brushes. It is evident of course that these two rings could be placed elsewhere,
for example they might be fixed by the side of one of the insulated copper rings
fixed on the shaft, and their brushes upon the framing, the induced-current wire
traversing the insulating portion of the last mentioned copper ring, and being
lodged in a groove formed in the shaft.
It will be seen that if all the bobbins of a disc for carrying the induced current
be wound with a continuous wire, the direction of winding of the successive bobbins
being alternate, so that upon each face of the disc following its circumference one
obtains alternatively north and south poles, and if the winding of the inducing wire
is analogous, alternating induced currents will always be obtained by the motion
of the two systems of dises in opposite directions
To redirect the currents a commutator is employed. Round the boss of each
induced disc are arranged a number of teeth or projections, in connection alternately
with the positive and negative poles of the induced current; the brushes fixed to
the inducing discs on either side work over these teeth Suppose the commutator
to turn one tooth, which corresponds to a movement of each induced bobbin to a
position in front of two inducing poles which are the opposite of those just
previously acting upon it; each pole of each induced bobbin will then be changed,
and the whole induced current will be changed in direction, but by this change,
the next tooth will have changed to the opposite kind of electricity to what it had
previously and will be of the same kind as the previous tooth was when it was in
contact with the brush; one brush will then receive nothing but positive and the
other brush nothing but negative electricity. The two extremities of the induced
current from each disc can thus be brought to the rigid connecting bars and
can there be collected in quantity or in tension by a commutator or by hand
with binding screws, or instead of collecting them they can be sent out separately.
Nothing prevents the collection in this way and separate utilization of the
product of each induced element, which justifies the assertions of the third principle
at the beginning of this Specification, those of principles 1 and 2 are evidently
justifiable; the justification of the assertions of the fifth principle consists in
causing to pass in the inducing circuit any desired portion of the product of one
or several induced discs. If the brushes are caused to rub not on the middle of
each half of the commutator but on the bars of the commutator the machine will
produce alternating currents instead of continuous ones, which justifies the assertions
of principle 6. Finally those of principle 7 are justified by the explanation relative
to principle 5.

page_text: It is of course to be understood that the excitation of the inductors is always
effected by continuous currents, in the case when alternating currents are desired,
one or several series of induced coils or merely some of the elements of a single
series of induced pieces are arranged to produce continuous currents and all the
other elements, alternating currents. Further, both continuous and alternating
currents can be obtained simultaneously from a single series or disc of induced
pieces by providing this disc with two commutators either superposed or placed
parallel around the shaft.
These improvements for obtaining the simultaneous movement in opposite
directions of the inductors and induced pieces are applicable to other dynamo-
or magneto-electric machines besides the one herein described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th January 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and of 323, High Holborn
in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer " IMPROVEMENTS IN DYNAMO-
ELECTRIC MACHINES."- -A communication to me from abroad by Philippe Payen
and Auguste Sandron, both of Roubaix, in the republic of France.
(The following being a translation of the description of the invention as
communicated to me in French by my foreign correspondent.)
The essential principles of this dynamo-electric machine consist:
First. In rendering movable simultaneously an unlimited number of series or
discs of inductors and induced pieces by giving them a rotary or other movement
in opposite directions, though either the inducing or induced system might remain
stationary.
Second. In causing both poles of the inductors to act upon every element of the
induced system, exciting these latter a great number of times and in opposite
directions. When both systems rotate in opposite directions, if each of them
consist of an equal number of elements say x (though this is not an indispensable
condition), the number of points of maximum induction through which each of the
induced pieces passes in one revolution is the double of this or 2 x.
Third. In permitting of instantaneously arranging for example by means of a
commutator, all the elements of either kind whether associated in quantity or in
tension or of utilizing them separately. This machine can thus be excited in a
great number of ways and can simultaneously supply electrical apparatus requiring
very different tensions and intensities.
Fourth. In permitting of augmenting indefinitely and in a few minutes the
number of inducing or induced elements, upon the same frame, which gives this
apparatus an almost unlimited producing capacity, and one of them can provide
light for the whole of a manufactory.
Fifth. In possessing an inductor made as powerful as desired (a) By a proximity
as near as desired between the inductor and the induced piece (6) By causing each
of the two poles of each inducing element to act constantly as described under the
second principle. (c) By forming each of the inducing elements either of a simple
and straight electro-magnet, or of a horse-shoe electro-magnet (and this form is to
be preferred for the exciting series formed by the first and last discs), or by a
bundle of electro-magnets of this latter kind having a common elbow (d) By
employing bobbins with cores of solid iron or of iron wire or on the contrary
bobbins without cores, the inducing and induced bobbins being the same as one of
these kinds or of different kinds, (e) By varying at will the quantity of electricity
(variable from loss caused by the weather, and according to the tension and
intensity of the current and the resistance opposed to it) taken from the induced
system to be passed through the inducing circuit.
Sixth. In producing at will alternating or continuous currents, by a simple
displacement of the brushes, the machine remaining in both cases susceptible of
working as its own exciter or of being excited by another machine, as desired.
Seventh. In being able to excite itself in as many ways as there are combinations
of arrangements and of possible mathematical permutations in the number of
inducing and induced elements, and this it is understood may be done by derivation

page_text: from the whole or part of the total induced current, or by putting the inducing
circuit into the total circuit.
When it is desired to collect separately the product of each induced element
whilst the machine is working as a self-exciter, and if the excitation is to be
proportional to the number of induced clements utilized every instant, instead of
surrounding each inducing element with a single circuit, it is surrounded with as
many circuits as there are induced elements or groups of induced elements
submitted to the action of the disc of inductors under consideration: To facilitate
the winding of the inducing coils in this case all the wires of these circuits can be
previously collected into one band. One could even have two circuits on each
induced element, the current of one serving to excite the inducing disc on one side
and that of the other to excite it on the other side.
.
The accompanying drawings show a special form of machine constructed
according to this invention. In these Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 2
and 3. transverse sections showing the inducing and induced discs respectively.
Fig. 4 view of the commutator.
A steel shaft x. y (Fig. 1) of any length, and which may be made hollow to
permit and facilitate lubrication as also to afford passage for the wires when it is
desired to have the commutators away from the discs, carries an indefinite number
of pulleys or discs, alternately fixed to and loose upon it. The movable or loose
discs are all fastened together by rigid bars FJ K L M N (Fig. 2), so that they
form a rigid system which receives motion from the pulley P₁. The rigid system
formed by the shaft and the fixed discs is put in motion by a pulley P also fixed
upon the shaft and carrying a crossed strap if the pulley PI does not, or vice versu,
so that the two systems of discs are revolved in opposite directions and at equal
velocities if the two straps are driven from a common drum on the side of the
engine. It is of course understood that the pulley P' is movable or loose upon the
shaft. Each disc consists of a wheel, made of cast-iron for the inductors, and of
wood and copper for the induced discs, the arms of which support a rim upon each
edge of which is solidly riveted or screwed a flange made of strong iron plate so
that the wheel is transformed into a grooved pulley. Between these flanges are
fixed the bobbins, the insulated wires of which differ in diameter according as the
disc is fixed or movable upon the shaft since both kinds of discs carry bobbins
induced and inducing respectively; if the bobbins contain cores, they are insulated,
except the inducing ones which alternating may make connection with the flanges
which in this case can be of cast iron or steel. The bobbins in the machine
represented are cylindrical and sixteen in number, but it is proposed to give them
the form of a section of a cylinder with the ends rounded, and to increase or
diminish their number, according to the effect to be produced. In the machine
represented, the bobbins 1. 3. 5. 7 are inducing ones and form one circuit; the
inducing current enters by the brush 1, (Fig. 1), on an insulated ring z of solid
copper, fixed to the shaft; after having been collected by the brush f, in order to
traverse all the bobbins of disc 1, it remounts by an insulated wire to one of the
rigid bars F, J K L M N (Fig. 2) and redescends therefrom to the series of bobbins
in disc 3, thence passes to disc 5, and so on to disc 7, this it leaves through the
brush on an insulated copper ring ¹ fixed upon the shaft, from whence it passes
out through a brush g' fixed on the last pedestal v, in the same way as the brush f¹
is on the first pedestal t. The inducing current enters then by the terminal d and
leaves by the terminal ; or vice versa-As to the route followed by the induced
current, it has the same means of supports, namely the rigid system of inductors
and the bars binding them together, since the brushes a, b, a, b, a, b, are fixed
upon the movable discs. In the annexed drawings the theoretical course of the
inducing current is shown by a full line, and that of the induced current by a
dotted line. The circuits of the several induced discs are coupled in tension and
the two extremities of the total circuit terminate in two insulated copper rings
fixed on the bars which hold the movable discs together; the rings being in contact

page_text: with brushes. It is evident of course that these two last mentioned rings and
their brushes could be placed elsewhere, for example they might be fixed by the
side of the ring upon the shaft, and their brushes upon the framing, the induced-
current wire passing through the insulating portion of the ring z and being lodged
5 in a groove formed in the shaft.
It will be seen that if all the bobbins of a disc for carrying the induced current
be wound with a continuous wire, the direction of winding of the successive bobbins
being alternate, so that upon each face of the disc following its circumference one
obtains alternately north and south poles, and if the winding of the inducing wire
is analogous, alternating induced currents will always be obtained by the motion
of the two systeins of discs in opposite directions. Fig. 4 represents the collecting
commutator, which redirects the currents in the following manner. Let us consider
what is passing in the series of a single disc of induced coils at a given instant.
The wire A (Fig. 4) brings positive electricity to the rack CD which is connected
to the rack CD₁; the wire B brings negative electricity to the rack 'N' which
is connected to the rack M N; one of the brushes a² (Fig. 3) is connected at I and
the other 62 at K. Suppose that the commutator turns one tooth, which corresponds
to a movement of each induced bobbin from its actual situation to a position in
front of two inducing poles which are the opposite of those just previously acting
upon it; each pole of each induced bobbin will then be changed and the whole
induced current will have changed in direction; the tooth S which would previously
have given by contact negative clectricity, will give to the brush a positive
electricity, the tooth S¹ at the same time will give the brush b³ negative electricity,
and so on at every elementary movement. The brush a will then receive nothing
but positive and the brush be nothing but negative electricity. The two extremities
of the induced current from each disc can thus be brought to the rigid connecting
bars, and can there be collected in quantity or in tension by a commutator or by
hand with binding screws, or instead of collecting them they can be sent out
separately.
Nothing prevents the collection in this way and separate utilization of the
product of each induced element, which justifies the assertions of the third principle
at the beginning of this specification; those of principles 1 and 2 are evidently
justifiable; nothing but the length of the shaft limits the number of discs, from
which the assertions of principle 4 are justified; the justification of the assertions
of the fifth principle consists in causing to pass in the inducing circuit any desired
portion of the product of one or several induced discs. If the brushes a, b, a¹, b¹,
a, b, are caused to rub not on the middle of each half of the commutator or
redirecting collector, but on the bars CD, M' N' the machine will produce alter-
nating currents, instead of continuous ones, which justifies the assertions of
principle 6. Finally those of principle 7 are justified by the explanation relative
to principle 5.
It is of course to be understood that the excitation of the inductors is always
effected by continuous currents; in the case when alternating currents are desired,
one or several series of induced elements or merely some of the clements of a single
series of induced pieces are arranged to produce continuous currents and all the
other elements, alternating currents. Further, both continuous and alternating
currents can be obtained simultaneously from a single series or disc of induced
pieces by providing this disc with two commutators either superposed or placed
arallel around the shaft.
These improvements, for obtaining the simultaneous movement in opposite
directions of the inductors and induced pieces, are applicable to other dynamo- or
magneto- electric machines than the one herein described.
It is to be understood that the right is reserved of modifying all other dynamo-
lectric or magneto-electric machines for producing the simultaneous movement
n opposite directions of the inductors and induced pieces, also of placing the
ollectors or redirecting commutators and brushes at the end or ends of the

page_text: {
machine instead of between the consecutive discs in order to facilitate their
manipulation.
Having thus described the invention as communicated to me, I wish it to be
understood that what I claim is:
1st. In a dynamo-electric machine, the arrangement of inductors and induced
pieces so that they may receive simultaneous rotary or other movement in opposite
directions, by which both poles of the inductors are caused to act upon every
element of the induced discs opposed to them, passing as close to them as desired
substantially as described.
2nd. The arrangement of commutator substantially as described by which all the
elements of either kind whether inducing or induced, may be associated in quantity
or in tension or be utilized separately.
3rd. The arrangement of brushes and discs substantially as described and shown,
so that by the simple displacement of the brushes, the machine can be made
as its own exciter or be excited by another machine, and so that the whole
or any desired part of the total induced current may be sent through the inducing
circuit, and permitting such a division of the currents, that a single machine may
be able to overcome several different resistances.
4th. The construction of a dynamo-electric machine in which the inducing and
induced bobbins are carried on discs arranged on a shaft substantially as described,
so that their number may be increased or diminished exactly in proportion to the
amount of current required.
5th. The general arrangement construction and combination of parts of the
dynamo-electric machine, substantially as herein described and shown."
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this second day of January in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
M
D THOMPSON
(LS)