Improvements in and relating to the Coupling of Alternating Current Dynamos or Alternators and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and relating to the Coupling of Alternating Current
Dynamos or Alternators and the like.
I, JOHN ALEXANDER MCMULLEN, of Hornchurch, in the County of Essex, Elec-
trical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
My invention relates to alternating current dynamos or alternators for parallel
working and comprises the improved means hereinafter described for the mech-
anical coupling thereof when gas engines or other fluctuating or unsteady sources
of power are used for driving.
According to my said invention I place all the alternating current dynamos or
alternators in a row so that their axes are all accurately in one line, and I form
the spindles of the said alternating current dynamos or alternators hollow.
Through these hollow spindles I pass a length of shafting which extends from one
end of the row of dynamos or alternators to the other, and which shafting is pre-
ferably kept clear of the inside of the said hollow spindles, but is so arranged as
to be capable of revolving concentrically with them in bearings placed on supports
between the said dynamos or alternators. To one end of each alternator spindle I
fit the one part or half of a clutch the corresponding other part or half of which
is fitted in a suitable position upon the central shaft, and the two parts or halves
of each clutch are so arranged that they can be made to engage or disengage or be
thrown in and out of gear at will.
It will be seen that by this means each dynamo or alternator can be revolved
separately without causing the central shaft to rotate or any two or more of the
row of dynamos or alternators can be connected or coupled to the said central
shaft and will then be caused to revolve together, being in fact mechanically
coupled by the said central shaft and thus incapable of getting out of phase when
their outside circuits are connected in parallel with one another. In this manner
the two end dynamos or alternators, or any others, can be run together, leaving
stationary any machines in the row which it is not desired to run.
The arrangement is applicable wherever three or more dynamos or alternators are
employed, and it will be seen that it is not necessary for the dynamo or alternator
at each end of the row to have a hollow spindle, unless it is intended to add more
machines to the row at some future time. Where no such addition is anticipated
each end machine may be fitted with an ordinary solid spindle, with one part or
half of a clutch fitted to the end of each spindle facing the next machine in the
row. In this case I so arrange the central shaft that each of its ends will be in
close proximity to the end of one of the solid spindles of the last alternators in
the row, and I fit the corresponding part or half of each of the clutches upon
the ends of the central shaft, so that they can be made to grip the parts or halves
of the clutch on the dynamo or alternator spindles.
Instead of mounting the central shaft to rotate in bearings located between the
dynamos, as hereinbefore described, I may in some instances arrange the said

page_text: central shaft to fit the hollow dynamo or alternator spindles and to rotate in the
bearings so formed, but I prefer to mount the said central shaft as first mentioned
on account of the increased facilities for lubrication thus afforded, and for other
reasons.
Dated this 0041
T
1000
Improvements in and relating to the Coupling of Alternating Current
Dynamos or Alternators and the like.
I, JOHN ALEXANDER MCMULLEN, of Hornchurch, in the County of Essex, Elec-
trical Engineer, 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:-
My invention relates to alternating current dynamos or alternators for parallel
working and comprises the improved means hereinafter described for the mech-
anical coupling thereof when gas engines or other fluctuating or unsteady sources
power are used for driving.
of
The accompanying drawing illustrates diagrammatically one method of carrying
out my improvements.
According to my said invention I place all the alternating current dynamos or
alternators A in a row so that the axes of their armatures are all accurately in one
line, and I form the spindles B thereof hollow. Through these hollow spindles I pass
a length of shafting C which extends from one end of the row of dynamos or
alternators A to the other, and which shafting is preferably kept clear of the inside
of the said hollow spindles, but is so arranged as to be capable of revolving con-
centrically with them in bearings D placed on supports at each end of the system
and between the said dynamos or alternators. To one end of each alternator
spindle B I fit the one part or half E of a clutch the corresponding other part or
half of which is fitted in a suitable position upon the central shaft C, and the
two parts or halves of each clutch are so arranged that they can be made to engage
or disengage or be thrown in and out of gear at will. G, G are driving pulleys
keyed to the hollow spindles B, B, and H, H are the bearings in which the said
spindles run.
It will be seen that by this means each dynamo or alternator A can be revolved
separately without causing the central shaft C to rotate; or any two or more of the
row of dynamos or alternators can be connected or coupled to the said central
shaft C and will then be caused to revolve together being in fact mechanically
coupled by the said central shaft and thus incapable of getting out of phase when
their outside circuits are connected in parallel with one another. In this manner
the two end dynamos or alternators, or any others, can be run together, Iraving
stationary any machines in the row which it is not desired to run.
The arrangement is applicable wherever a number of dynamos or alternators are
emploved, and it will be seen that it is not necessary for the dynamo or alternator
at each end of the row to have a hollow spindle, unless it is intended to add more
machines to the row at some future time. Where no such addition is anticipated
each end machine may be fitted with an ordinary solid spindle, with one part or
half of a clutch fitted to the end of each spindle facing the next machine in the
row. In this case I so arrange the central shaft that each of its ends will be in close
proximity to the end of one of the solid spindles of the last alternators in the

page_text: row,
and I fit the corresponding part or half of each of the clutches upon
the ends of the central shaft, so that they can be made to grip the parts or halves
of the clutch on the dynamo or alternator spindles.
Instead of mounting the central shaft to rotate in bearings located between the
dynamos, as hereinbefore described, I may in some instances arrange the said
central shaft to fit the hollow dynamo or alternator spindles and to rotate in the
bearings so formed, but I prefer to mount the said central shaft as first mentioned
on account of the increased facilities for lubrication thus afforded, and for other
reasons.
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 method, substantially as set forth, of so mounting a number of dynamos
or alternators with their armature axes in line that any two or more of the arma-
ture spindles can be connected and disconnected at will.
2. The combination, with a dynamo or alternator armature, of a hollow spindle
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In combination, a number of dynamos or alternators arranged in line some
or each of them having a hollow armature spindle with a driving pulley thereon,
a suitably-supported shaft extending through each hollow spindle, and means
serving to connect or disconnect the armature spindle and the said shaft at will
substantially as set forth.
Dated this bath day of a 1000
5
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.