IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND UTILIZING ELECTRIC ENERGY
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Julius Boult at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1883. A communication from
Benjamin Faquant, M.D.V. of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. of
America
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND UTILIZING
ELECTRIC ENERGY [a communication from Benjamin Faquant, M.D.V. of Spring-
field, Massachusetts, United States of America]
"
This invention relates to improvements in electric engines or motors to the
means of generating the electric force and to the means of rendering the operation
of the motor automatic.
The object of this invention is the construction of a motor, which shall be
automatic in its operation, in other words so constructed that being once set in
motion it will generate or cause to be generated sufficient electric force to keep the
machine in motion and supply power and electricity for other purposes.
The invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts
whereby the power is generated stored and conveyed to the working parts and
whereby the machine is rendered automatic in its operation and in the various
details for controling the several parts
The construction is as follows electro magnets of the usual construction are
mounted in pairs and armatures are arranged to move from one magnet to the one
opposite by variations of the electric current.
There is also a cylinder or roll composed of iron zinc and platinum in the
proportion of one pound of zinc and one half ounce of platinum to each twenty.
pounds of soft iron that is cast in any convenient shape I prefer the shape shown.
The object of the platinum is to prevent the oxydizing of the roll. This casting is
heated to a cherry red and tempered in muriatic acid after which it is again heated
and tempered in a solution of sulphate of zinc
This operation renders the generator roll more sensitive and enables me to obtain
an electric current with less friction than would be the case were the generator
roll not so heated.
On the roll or cylinder bears a comb of copper fastened to a standard and
arranged to rest upon the surface of the roll, or instead of this two or more.

page_text: .
rolls or cylinders having their surfaces in contact may be revolved in opposite
directions. These parts may be of any desired shape the object and application
will be readily understood by those skilled in electricity.
There is also a switch board having switches of the usual construction, and a
device consisting of a magnet with armature and parts attached which acts as a
device for shifting the belt communicating motion to the generator pulley
A regulating device is provided consisting of two electro magnets and two series
of resistance coils of three coils each.
There are also condensers consisting of a series of sheets of platinum having
steel filings or chips between each two sheets and these being separated by sheets
of rubber or other insululating material.
The detail of construction is further as follows the generator being in motion a
current of electricity is generated which flows from the copper comb through
wires and traversing the one wire it is conducted to the condenser and entering the
platinumn, traverses the several layers of platinum which are connected by suitable
conductors and passing out through a conductor connecting with the last sheet of
platinum is conducted to the regulator consisting say of two electro magnets and
six resistance coils each resistance coil is provided with a spring which when in its
normal position bears against a certain part thus establishing a connection and
allowing the current to pass without traversing the resistance coil, which if the
spring be drawn away from the above mentioned part the current is compelled to
pass through the resistance coil and is thereby weakened, the current after passing
the resistance coil nearest the magnet enters one part of the electro magnet and
passes out of another part, the armature for these electro magnets are hinged and to
the free end is secured one end of a coiled spring whose other end is attached to a
set screw in the part at the opposite side the free end of the springs of the
resistance coils are connected with the coil springs in such manner that when the
armatures are away from the magnet the said springs will all be in contact with
the parts which cuts the coils and if now the current be sufficiently strong to draw
the armatures towards the magnets then the spring on the resistance coil nearest
the magnet is first with drawn and the current will be compelled to pass through
the resistance coil and be checked if however the armature continues to move
towards the magnet the next resistance coil will be opened in like manner as the
first and the current meet with more resistance. These parts should of course be
nicely adjusted. To aid in controling the action of the armatures and prevent a
quick movement small coiled springs are placed between the end of the bobbin and
the armature The number of resistance coils may of course be varied
By turning an adjusting screw the machine may be adjusted to maintain a given
speed
The regulator as thus constructed avoids the necessity of a ground wire as the
current instead of passing to the ground and being wasted is simply checked and
controlled.
From the regulator the current is conducted to a switch board and is conducted
to a standard through which it travels to the shaft running in the standard and
through it to and through transmitters or rotary switches fixed on said shaft to the
conducting wires which may be current again through the switch board to the
electro magnets and these being alternately charged will attract and release their
armatures as the current is connected or broken
Flat springs project from a standard and bear upon the enlarged portion of the
transmitting disc when it is in the proper position The relative position of these
cams or transmitters on the shaft should be such as to cause the current to flow
alternately to first one and then another magnet as may be desired.
To guard against the generation of a greater anount of electricity than may be
required the generator is provided with a tight and loose pulley and a shipping
device is provided which when the current is of a certain strength will slip the
belt from the tight to the loose pulley and the generator will remain at rest until
the current weakens when the belt will be again moved to the tight pulley and the

page_text: generator be again set in motion The shipping device consists of a magnet
through which the current is caused to pass by intercepting wires To reverse the
motion of the motor it becomes necessary to reverse the relative time of breaking
and connecting the electric current this is done with a reversing switch. Its
position should be between the standard on which are the flat springs and the
switch board.
A V shaped piece is pivoted at one point and the free end moves to the right or
left as occasion requires. the wires terminate in metallic buttons which are in
connection with like buttons upon the switch board and below the switch lever
with which the wires running from the board are in connection.
At the right of the buttons on the switch board is an additional button connected
by a conductor with the button on the board farthest from it these buttons are an
equal distance apart.
The action of either of the magnets may be controlled by switches on the
principle switch board
The electric current as thus generated may be applied to a rotary motor as well
as the one described the construction of the frame and working parts being changed
and adapted to a rotary device the principals however being the same.
The surplus electricity may be used for purposes of electric lighting or
telegraphy.
As applied and utilized in a rotary motor this invention is as follows.
The object of this part of the invention is to construct a rotary electric motor
which shall be automatic in its operation and which in addition to generating
electric power to keep the motor in motion will also supply power and electricity
for other purposes, and these objects are attained by the construction and
arrangements hereinafter set forth.
.
A large wheel is fixed to a shaft and has on its circumference armatures fixed to
projecting pieces. A fixed piece composed of soft iron zinc and platinum in the
proportion of one pound of zinc and one half ounce of platinum to each twenty
pounds of soft iron is also provided.
This piece is supported on suitable supports in close proximity to the wheel
there are magnets of the usual construction except that their projecting cores are
composed one half of soft iron and on half of brass the object of which will be
hereafter explained. Transmitters or switches are fixed upon the shaft and revolve
with it. A switch board has switches of the usual construction there is moreover
a reverse switch also a condenser hereafter described and a regulator
The armatures are of particular shape the sides which are presented toward the
magnets when the wheel revolves in one direction are of soft iron and the other
side is of brass or other material which does not acquire the attractive property.
The portion of the core of the magnets which project beyond the body are similarly
constructed that portion which is presented to the soft iron side or portion of the
armature when travelling towards it being of soft iron and the other portion being
of some material which has not the attractive property; with these parts thus
constructed, while the magnets are charged the soft iron portion of the core and
armature will be attached toward each other and as soon as the armatures have
passed the core the attraction is much lessened as the nonattractive surfaces are
nearest to and presented to each other and are between the attractive soft iron
portions.
To the spokes of the wheel are attached combs of sheet copper cut in threads
and arranged in such manner that they will bear against the surface of the
composition wheel or fixed part and thus generate by the friction of the combs on
this piece a current of electricity which flows from the comb to the surface of the
revolving wheel thence through the shaft to the transmitters through which it is
intermittently transmitted to springs as the connection is made or broken by the
end of these springs being in contact with or separated from the surface of the
transmitters. From this point the current traverses the connecting wires first.
to the reverse switch the object of which is, by changing the current of one wire

page_text: to the other from this point, to reverse the relative time of the magnets being
charged and thus materially assist in checking or stopping the revolution of the
wheel. The wires are connected with buttons on the switch board and other
wires are connected with like buttons on a lever the whole being so arranged that,
if the lever is moved to the right one button on the lever will come in contact
with a button on the board and thus connection between be made and at the
same time the other buttons be brought in contact and the wires thus connected
From the reverse switch the current flows to the switch board, on the switch board
cach switch is provided with a button which being in contact with the button on
the board will connect the respective wires and wires are connected with the
magnets The condenser consists of a series of sheets of platinum with steel filings
between these sheets the platinum and filings being separated by sheets of rubber
or other insulating material-The regulator consists of a series of resistance coils
and an electro magnet with armature arranged so as to allow the electric current
to pass through the resistance coils when the current becomes stronger than
required this weakens it to the required degree this being done automatically, thus
preventing the necessity of a ground wire
This motor is operative even without the regulator or condensor.
From the switch board the current is conducted to the several magnets and to
the platinum of the condensers, thence after traversing the several layers of
platinum, through the switch to the regulator and thence to the steel filings of
the condenser, after traversing which it is conducted to the magnet fixed on the
composition piece thus completing the circuit.
If a light is to be used in connection with the motor, or if the electric fluid is to
be used for telegraphy connection is made which intercepts the electric current
as it passes from the regulator to the condenser, this is deemed the best
arrangement.
To stop the motor the switches may be turned to break the connections or the
switches may be so turned that the whole electric force will be centered in any one
of the magnets or in all without passing through the transmitters thus stopping
the revolution of the wheel
The stands or support are made of magnetism insulating material.
The composition piece is fixed to a frame which is binged and provided with a
part which acts as an armature-A standard has a magnet which may be
adjusted to and from the stand by the set screw A wire is carried to this magnet
and thus it will draw the frame towards it or allow it to remain in position as the
current becomes stronger or is weakened. A spring bears against the frame above
the hinge and thus gives a continuous pressure of the fixed composition piece
against the combs attached to the revolving wheel.
A modification of the generator consists in arranging two rolls in such position
that they will revolve while their surfaces are in contact, both turning in the same
direction thus by the friction generating the electric force without the use of
combs One of these rolls is of copper and the other of the composition first
described.
After casting the composition piece in the desired shape it is rendered more
sensitive by heating it first to a cherry red, then tempering it in muriatic acid
then again heating it and tempering in a solution of sulphate of zinc.
If the last mentioned modified generator be used in the motor then a friction
pulley is arranged to bear on the surface of one of the rolls or against a pulley
provided for that purpose. Each of the rolls is provided with a pulley and belt
causing them both to revolve in the same direction. These rolls have bearings in
boxes which move in their standards and are forced upwards by springs.
A frame is connected with the boxes for the lower roll and provided with
armatures below which are arranged magnets.
The standards are constructed of some material through which the electric
current will not flow.
The electricity now generated at the point of contact of the rolls flows from the

page_text: copper roll through a conductor, through the working parts of the machine as
heretofore described and thence back to the composition roll through wires being
passed through the magnets in the bearing frame for the purpose of regulating the
pressure of the rolls. If the current is too strong these magnets will draw the
rolls apart and thus reducing the friction reduce the amount of electricity generated;
as before stated the electricity thus generated may be applied for the purpose of
electric lighting or may be applied to electric telegraphy. The motor will also
operate if the magnets be fixed to a revolving wheel and the armatures are
stationary.