Improvements in and relating to Means for Electrically Giving Reciprocating Motion.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Means for Electrically Giving
Reciprocating Motion.
I, HENRY SQUAREBRICS MCKAY, of the City of Boston, County of Suffolk,
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Architect, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The principal object of my invention is to furnish means whereby reciprocating
motion may be imparted to a rod or other device by means of electro-magnetic
devices, and a continuous electric current maintained without the addition of any
outside mechanism.
To this end my invention consists of two or more electro-magnetic devices which
are connected with an electric circuit in such manner that a continuous current is
transmitted through the magnetic devices and an armature adapted to be recipro-
cated by the alternate attraction of said magnetic devices without breaking the
circuit.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated my invention as applied to
a reciprocating drill, or cutter, or hammer, and my invention is particularly
applicable for this purpose. My invention may, however, be applied to various
other devices to which reciprocating motion is to be given.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of a tool and operating mechanism to
which my invention is applied.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same enlarged, and partly broken away,
but through a different plane from Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a similar section to Figure 1, but showing the
electric connections with the tool-end of the machine broken away and the outer
casing removed.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3, but showing the commutator in a. position
midway between the contact plates.
Figure 5 is a cross section enlarged through the line 5-5 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a similar section through the line 6-6 of Figure 1, but with the
solenoids removed.
Figure 7 is a detail enlarged with the outer casing partly broken away.
Figure 8 is a cross section enlarged through the line 8-8 of Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a back end view enlarged.
Figure 10 is a detail enlarged.
Similar letters represent like parts in all the figures.
A is the outer casing of the apparatus in which are enclosed the electro-magnetic
devices, the reciprocating armature and the operating mechanism. B B are two
solenoids placed end to end about midway within the casing A, the end flanges of
the supports or spools of which solenoids have transverse openings a for a purpose
hereinafter to be described. C is the reciprocating armature or plunger which is
of a length slightly greater than the two solenoids B B¹.
D is an inner casing or cylinder enclosed within the outer casing A beyond the
solenoid B. E is a piston enclosed in the cylinder D, formed of two disks bb'
separated from each other by packing c. The disk has a concentric hole, and
the piston-rod E' is of non-magnetic material, and revolubly attached to suid
piston by passing through said hole, and provided with a circular head & which
is enclosed between the two plates band and within a hole in the packing, said
head having ball bearings e e between the same and said disks. A collar f.of

page_text: 1
insulating material is secured to the piston-rod E' outside of the disk for a purpose
hereinafter described, and said rod is longitudinally attached to the end of the
armature C beyond the solenoid B.
G is a slide of non-magnetic material extending across the casing D between
the armature C and piston, and adapted to move in longitudinal slots in said casing.
Secured to the slide G, but separated therefrom by insulation Is is a frame or
casing H of electric conducting material, formed of two chambers and which
are separated by an annular thimble i through which passes the piston rod E¹, the
inner wall of said thimble being covered by insulating material, and thus insulates
the piston rod E from the frame H. Said frame does not extend quite to the walls
of the casing D. but extending out from both chambers hand h' are yielding contact
blocks which are retained in their outwardly extending positions and given
their yielding quality by spiral springs which are enclosed within the
chambers between said blocks and the thimble i.
The longitudinal slots in the inner casing D are covered by two caps. One of said
caps is formed of three pieces m n and o; the two parts m and n are attached to
the casing D but insulated therefrom, leaving a space between their two inner ends;
the piece o has an inwardly extending portion which fits into the space between the
pieces m and n, and said piece o is secured to the pieces m and n by its overlapping
portions, but insulated from said pieces m and . The other cap is formed of two
pieces and the piece p extends entirely over the slot in the casing D, and the
piece which is of a length corresponding to the inner surface of the piece o, and
directly opposite said surface, is set into a recess in the inner surface of the piece p,
and is secured to but insulated from said piece p.
I is the drill stock of non-magnetic material, which is secured to the outer end
of the armature C in any appropriate manner, and extends beyond the end of
the casing A.
"
The outer portion of the drill-stock I reciprocates in a stationary cylindrical
sleeve .J. The inner end of the sleeve J terminates in a circular enlargement or
casing in which two ratchet wheels s and t are adapted to revolve. The armature C
and shank 1 pass loosely through holes in the centres of the ratchets s and t. Splines
extend from the ratchet s into its central hole, and other splines, not shown, similar
to u extend from the ratchet t into its central hole. These splines and those of
ratchett engage respectively with straight and spiral grooves in the armature C
and stock I, the spiral groove w being shown in figure 1, but the straight groove
being covered in said figure and of common construction, it is not shown in
the drawings. The adjacent surfaces of the box r and the ratchets s and t, and
the contiguous surfaces of said two ratchets are provided with ball bearings to
enable the ratchets to rotate freely in the box and independently of each other.
Spring-dogs m pass through the side of the casing and engage with the teeth of
the ratchets.s and t, and serve to lock the same and prevent their turning in one
direction.
2'
During the inward movement of the armature C and shank I, said armature and
shank will be caused to turn somewhat by reason of the spiral groove w riding over
the spline of the ratchet s, the dog m' of said ratchet preventing its rotation, and
the ratchett will be rotated by the straight groove of the armature C engaging
with the spline of said ratchet. On the outward movement of the armature
and stock, the straight groove in the armature will ride over the spline in the
ratchet t, and the ratchet s will be turned in one direction by the curved groove w,
thus allowing the outward movement of the armature and stock to be straight and
direct.
Laterally pivoted to the tool-end of the stock I, are two cam levers n' with
the cams of said levers extending into the tool socket, and with the outer or longer
arms of said levers approaching each other.
The ends of said outer arms are
yoked.or bifurcated, and encircle a smooth rounded depression in a screw o' which
passes through the stock I. The inward and outward rotation of said screw will
thus cause the long arms of the lever n¹ to move toward the socket and away from

page_text: the same respectively, and consequently press the cams of said levers against the
tool and hold it, or withdraw them from the same and release it.
K is a cap covering the outer end of the inside cylinder D, and having a trans-
verse opening covered by a valve p¹ on the inside of the cap K. A series of holes q¹
extend through the wall of the outer casing A, beyond the cap K, and another
series of holes ¹ extend through the wall of a short casing L beyond the cap K.
M is an oblong chamber bounded by two longitudinal partitions or walls
extending between the two casings A and D and the portions of the walls of the
casings enclosed between said partitions, and two transverse partitions at each end
of the longitudinal walls. Holes s't' extend through the two ends respectively of
said chamber. The transverse openings a extend through the flanges of the
solenoid spools, and a longitudinal passage v extends from the outer end of the
solenoid B to the tool end of the machine. N is a cap which covers the end of
the casing A at the end opposite the tool stock. A hole or opening to extends
through the casing D and is situated above the opening s¹; and a regulating screw-
valve extends through the cap N down to the opening s¹ and is adapted for
regulating the size of the passage between said opening and valve, and also
incidentally of the opening w¹.
O is a box bounded on two sides by the walls of the casing A and D (the wall
of the casing A being removed in Fig. 7), the other walls of said box O being one
of the longitudinal partitions of the chamber M; another longitudinal partition
is parallel with the wall of chamber M, the transverse partition in which is the
hole t¹, and another transverse partition a² parallel with the last named and having
an opening y covered by a valve 2 on the inner side of the wall a². An opening
extends from said box O into the inner casing D in front of the piston E. An
opening extends from the box O through the partition into the annular space
between the two casings A and D, and said opening is covered by a valve e² on the
outer side of said partition. The valve t is also covered by a similar valve
similar manner.
in a
P is a screw regulating valve extending through the cap N and partition a² to
the opening for regulating the size of the passage through said opening.
The above named chambers, passage-ways, openings and valves constitute a
pneumatic regulator for the velocity of the stroke of the piston E.
to
The two wires 9 and 10 from an electric generator pass through the casings A
and L between insulation, and to which wires the two pole-pieces or contacts of
any suitable switch Q are adapted to be connected and disconnected, said switch
being within the casing L. The two wires 11 and 12 from the switch Q pass by
suitable connections and properly insulated to the annular chamber between the
casings A and D. The wire 11 passes to and around the spool of the solenoid B',
(forming the coil of said solenoid) and then passes to one end of the plate
which it is connected. The wire 12 passes to and around the spool of the
solenoid B (forming the coil of said solenoid) and then passes to that end of the
plate p opposite the wire 11, and thereby connecting the two coils B and B¹ by
series through the conducting plate p.
The wire 11 is connected with the
conducting plate m by a short wire 13, and the wire 12 is connected with the
conducting plate n by a short wire 14.
15 is a screw-rod journaled at each end in bearings which are fixed at or near
the two ends of the casing A, and the screw portion of said rod between its two
journal bearings passes through a screw-threaded hole 17 in a casing 16 surrounding
the casing A and in which casing 16 the casing A and its enclosed mechanism is
adapted to slide. By the rotation of the screw-rod 15 in either direction, the
The
machine can be moved forward or backward relatively to the casing 16.
dovetailed projection 18 furnishes means by which the casing 14 may be attached
to a tripod or other support. The adjustable means above described for regulating
the position of the casing A and enclosed mechanism relatively to the casing 16,
will consequently regulate the position of the casing A relative to said support.

page_text: A crank R is connected with the outer or. upper end of the rod 15 by clutch
mechanism to enable the operator to turn the feed rod.15 or to turn said crank R
independently of said rod.
The operation is as follows: When the piston E is in the position shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 4, with the transverse frame H and the yielding block k midway
between the plates or pieces m n, and the switch Q connecting the wires of the
apparatus with the circuit wires, the current will pass from the wire 11 through
the solenoid B¹ to the plate p through the wire 12 and solenoid B, and the other
end of the wire 12 to the generator, thus completing the circuit through both
solenoids, energizing the same equally, and so that the armature C will not be
attracted in either direction, and will consequently remain at rest as well as the
frame Hand piston E.
If, however, the armature C and tool-stock I be allowed to drop by gravity or
be drawn toward the tool-end of the casing A, the contact blocks kk will come in
contact with the plate m, and that part of the block p nearest the solenoids, when
the current will pass through the wires 11 and 13, the plate m, block k, frame H,
block k¹, plate p, wire 12, solenoid B, and the other end of the wire 12 to the
generator, thus short-circuiting and cutting out the solenoid B', and energizing
the solenoid B. This energizing of the coil B will attract the armature C until a
point, midway between its ends arrives at the magnetic centre of the solenoid B;
but said armature always remaining within the solenoid B' for its entire length.
When the armature is bear the end of its stroke, the shoulder 19 will strike the
slide G, and push it outward until the block k reaches the plate n, when the current
will pass from the wire 11 to the plate p, through the block ¹, frame H, block k,
plate n, wire 14 and wire 12 to the generator, thus short-circuiting and cutting out
the solenoid B. The solenoid B will then be energized and attract the armature C
until a point midway between its ends arrives at the magnetic centre of the
solenoid B¹; but said armature remaining within the solenoid B for its entire
length. Said armature will draw'down the piston E until it strikes the frame H,
when said frame and the slide G will be drawn toward the solenoids, the block k
will be brought into contact with the plate m, the solenoid B will be energized,
short circuiting and cutting out the solenoid B', and the previous action will be
repeated, without the armature losing its magnetism or the electric circuit being
broken.
The screw-threaded piston rod screwing into the end of the armature provides
for the regulation of the length of the piston stroke, as the more said rod is screwed
into said armature the shorter will be the distance between the shoulder 19 and
the piston, and consequently will said shoulder and piston act sooner upon the
slide G and frame H, and the more said piston is withdrawn or unscrewed from
the armature, the longer will be the distance between the shoulder 19 and the
piston E, and said shoulder and piston will not act so soon as otherwise upon the
slide G and frame H..
The shorter the distance between the shoulder 19 and the piston E, the less
distance will the armature C have to travel to commutate the circuit from one
solenoid to the other, and thus the quicker will be the stroke.
When the piston E
drops or is drawn toward the tool-end of the casing A, the air in the casing D in
front of the piston E is forced through the hole c² into the box O, closes the
valve of the opening ², passes down through the hole (opening the valve e²)
into the annular chamber between the casings A and D, through the transverse
openings a. in the spool flanges of the solenoids, (the course being spirally around
the coils) and through the passage to the tool-end of the machine for the purpose
of blowing away the dust made by the tool or for any other purpose. The screw-
valve. P by its adjustability on its seat above the opening regulates the passage
of the air from the space in front of the piston E to the opening ol, and can be
used as an air cushion of varying resistance to the forward stroke of said piston.
During the above operation, the air will be drawn from outside the machine

page_text: through the openings q' in the casing A, and with the air in the annular chamber
between the casings A and D, it is drawn through the openings in the casing L.
and through the opening of valve p to the back of the piston.
On the upward or outward movement of the piston E the air at the back of the
same closes the valve p', is forced through the opening in the casing D, down
through the chambers M and valve-opening t through the transverse openings a in
the flanges of the spools in a spiral direction, and out through the opening ', the
screw valve serving the purpose by its adjustability on its seat above the
opening to regulate the passage of the air from the space behind the piston E to
the opening ', and can be used as a cushion of varying resistance to the backward
stroke of said piston. During the above operation, the air will be drawn from the
annular space between the casings A. and D, through the valve opening & into the
box O, and through the hole c" below or in front of the piston, closing the valve e
and thus preventing the air from being drawn back from around the coils. The
air which has been drawn through the hole & in front of the piston E, serves as a
cushion to the next downward stroke of said piston, as above described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In combination, the two wires of an electric circuit, two or more electro--
magnetic devices, an armature adapted to be reciprocated by said devices, and said
magnetic devices connected with the circuit wires, and a non-circuit breaking
commutator adapted by its movement to cause the current to pass through short
circuits alternately, and alternately energize and cut out the magnets without.
breaking the circuit, or the armature losing its magnetism.
2. In combination with an electric circuit, two or more electro-magnetic devices,.
an armature passing through said devices, and said armature having a length
greater than the longitudinal line of both or all of said devices, whereby said
armature may be reciprocated by the magnetic devices without either end of the
armature being drawn within the outer ends of the two outer magnetic devices, and
a non-circuit breaking commutator adapted by its movement to cause the current.
to pass through short circuits alternately, and alternately energize and cut out the
magnets without breaking the circuit, or the armature losing its magnetism.
3. In combination with an electric circuit, two or more electro-magnetic devices,
an armature adapted to be reciprocated by the magnetic devices, and a non-circuit-.
breaking commutator adapted to be actuated by the reciprocating armature, or by
means connected therewith, to alternately change the course of the current, to
alternately energize the magnets, and thereby cause the armature to reciprocate.
without breaking the circuit and without said armature losing its magnetism.
4. In combination with an electric circuit, two or more electro-magnetic devices,
an armature adapted to be reciprocated by the magnetic devices, and a non-circuit--
breaking commutator adapted to be actuated by the reciprocating armature to
alternately change the course of the current, to alternately energize the magnets,.
and thereby cause the armature to reciprocate without breaking the circuit and
without said armature losing its magnetism.
5. In combination with an electric circuit, two or more electro-magnetic devices,:
an armature, and rod connected to said armature, and said armature and rod
adapted to be reciprocated by the magnetic devices, and a non-circuit-breaking
commutator adapted to be actuated directly by the reciprocating part of the-
apparatus, to alternately change the course of the current, to alternately energize
the magnets, and thereby cause the armature and rod to reciprocate without.
breaking the circuit and without said armature losing its magnetisni.
6. An electro-magnetic engine composed of electro-magnetic devices, an armature,
and rod connected with said armature, said armature and rod adapted to be
reciprocated by the magnetic devices and a non circuit-breaking commutator for
changing the course of the current from one magnet to the other, and the entire.

page_text: mechanism above named enclosed in a casing, and means for making the electrical
connections between the electrical parts in the casing and an outside electric
cirenit.
7. An electro-magnetic engine composed of electro-magnetic devices, an armature,
and rod connected with said armature, said armature and rod adapted to be recipro-
cated by the magnetic devices, and a non-circuit-breaking commutator for changing
the course of the current from one magnet to the other, and actuated directly by
the reciprocating part of the engine, and the entire mechanism above named
enclosed within a casing, and means for making the electric connections between
the electric parts in the casing, and an outside electric circuit.
8. An electro-magnetic engine composed of electro-magnetic devices, an armature,
and rod connected with said armature, said armature and rod adapted to be
reciprocated by the magnetic devices, and a non-circuit-breaking commutator for
changing the course of the current from one magnet to the other, and a pneumatic
speed-regulator for said reciprocating parts, and the entire mechanism above
named enclosed within a casing, and means for making the electric connections
between the electric parts within the casing and an outside electric circuit, and
means by which air is admitted to and allowed to escape from the pneumatic
regulator.
9. In combination with two or more electro-magnetic devices, a reciprocating
armature, a piston connected with the same, the piston cylinder, a pneumatic speed-
regulator for said piston, and means for controlling the passage of air through the
regulator, all as and for the purpose set forth.
10. In combination with two or more electro-magnetic devices, a reciprocating
armature, a piston connected with the same, the piston cylinder, and an air
passage leading from said cylinder to the tool-end of the machine, all as and
for the purposes set forth.
11. The combination with the reciprocating stock having a spiral groove or
grooves, the, ratchett loosely journaled upon said stock enclosed in a casing, and
having spline or splines engaging with said groove or grooves, and a spring
dog extending inward from said casing and engaging with the teeth of the ratchett,
all as and for the purposes set forth.
HL
12. In combination with the reciprocating stock having a spiral groove or
grooves and longitudinally parallel groove or grooves, two ratchets enclosed in a
casing and each provided with a spline or splines, with the spline or splines of one
ratchet engaging with the spiral groove or grooves in the stock, and the spline or
splines of the other ratchet engaging with the longitudinally parallel groove or
grooves, and spring dogs extending through the casing and engaging with the teeth
of both ratchets, all as and for the purposes set forth.
13. In an electro-magnetic reciprocating engine, the combination with the
armature, a sliding frame connected with said armature and having yielding
contact blocks extending from said frame and connected by a conducting medium,
said blocks and medium being insulated from the armature and contact points or
pieces over which the blocks are adapted to slide, whereby the electric current
may be transmitted through said blocks and conducting medium, from one contact
piece to the other.
14. In an electro-magnetic reciprocating engine, the combination with the
armature, a sliding frame connected with said armature, and having yielding blocks
extending from said frame and connected by a conducting medium, contact
plates mn secured to one side of the slide casing and insulated therefrom, and
separated by an insulated plate which forms the slide bearing for one block
between the two contact plates, and a contact plate having its contact surfaces
opposite those of the plates m and n and insulation separating the contact surfaces
opposite said plates, and said contact plates, surfaces and insulated separator serving
as guides for said blocks, and for the purposes set forth.
15. A compound electric contact plate composed of two or more parts of
conducting material insulated from each other, whereby an electric current may

page_text: pass from one part of said plate to
passing to any other part of the plate.
16. A compound electric contact plate, composed of the parts mon,
and an
intermediate part, all of said parts insulated from each other, and with the
contact surfaces of the three parts in the same plane, as and for the purposes set
a separate conductor or contact, without
forth.
17. A compound electric contact plate, composed of a part having a recess on its
contact side, another plate fitted into said recess and insulated from the recessed
part, and with the contact surfaces of both of said plates in the same plane, as
and for the purposes set forth.
18. In combination with electro-magnetic devices and an armature adapted to be
reciprocated by said devices, a sliding commutator connected with the end of a
reciprocating armature or with a longitudinal extension thereof, on a line with
the axis of said armature, and adapted to slide coincidently with the same, all as
set forth.
19. The combination with electro-magnetic devices, an armature adapted to
be reciprocated by said devices, a sliding commutator situated beyond the armature,
and means connected with said armature and commutator, whereby the length of
the stroke of the armature may be regulated.
20. The combination with electro-magnetic devices, an armature adapted to be
reciprocated by said devices, and a sliding commutator situated beyond the end
of the armature, and a rod longitudinally adjustably secured to the end of the
armature, passing loosely through the commutator and provided with a cross piece
on its free end, all as and for the purposes set forth.
21. In combination with electro-magnetic devices and a reciprocating armature
adapted to be reciprocated by said magnetic devices, a sliding commutator con-
nected with said armature or with the extension thereof, and composed of a
conducting frame, having yielding outwardly extending contact blocks, for making
and changing connection with contact pieces or points, all as set forth.
22. In combination with electro-magnetic devices, and a reciprocating armature
adapted to be reciprocated by said magnetic devices, a sliding commutator con-
nected with said armature or with a longitudinal extension thereof, a slide secured
to said commutator, and guide-ways for the same, all as set forth.
23. In combination, the two wires of an electric circuit, two or more electro-
magnetic devices, an armature adapted to be reciprocated by said devices, and said
magnetic devices connected with the circuit wires, a non-circuit-breaking com-
mutator, contact points or surfaces situated in the line of movement of the
commutator contacts, and electric connections made between said circuit wires,
magnets and contacts, whereby the current is caused to pass through short
circuits alternately, and alternately energize and cut out the magnets without
breaking the circuit or the armature losing its magnetism.
24. In combination, the two wires of an electric circuit, two or more electro-
magnetic devices, an armature adapted to be reciprocated by said devices, and said
magnetic devices connected with the circuit wires in series, a sliding commutator
connected with the end of the armature or with a longitudinal extension thereof,
contact points or surfaces situated in the line of movement of the commutator
contacts, and electric connections made between said circuit wires, magnets, and
contacts, whereby the current is caused to pass through short circuits alternately,
and alternately energize and cut out the magnets without breaking the circuit or
the armature losing its magnetism.
25. A tool holder consisting of a shank having a socket for the tool stock, and
two cam levers pivoted in a recess or slot of said shank adjacent to the socket, and
with the corresponding arms of said levers opposite the cams extending toward
each other, a screw extending through the shank of the holder, and adapted to be
adjusted therein, and with its inner end loosely attached to the adjacent ends of the
levers, whereby the inner or cam ends of the levers may be forced into or drawn
away from the socket to hold or release the tool, all as set forth.

page_text: 26. In combination with an electric engine, a supporting frame for said engine
in which the engine may freely slide, a screw rod journalled loosely upon the
engine and passing through said support, and a crank loosely pivoted on said
rod and having clutch mechanism for fixed connection with the rod, all as set
forth.
Dated this 29th day of Auril 1892.
HENRY SQUAREBRIGS MCKAY.
G. F. Redfern & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.