IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRACTION AND OTHER MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MINES, AGRICULTURE, NAVIGATION, AND OTHERWISE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Chrétien and Clément Félix, both of 87, Rue de
Monceau, Paris, in the Republic of France, Civil Engineers, for the Invention
of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRACTION AND OTHER
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MINES, AGRICULTURE, NAVIGATION,
AND OTHERWISE.”
Sealed the 26th September 1879, and dated the 21st May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Chrétien and Clement
Felix at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May
1879.
JEAN CHRÉTIEN and CLÉMENT FÉLIX, both of 87, Rue de Monceau, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Civil Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH TRACTION AND OTHER MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MINES,
AGRICULTURE, NAVIGATION, AND OTHERWISE.'
"
Our Invention relates to the special apparatus of the particular industries which
we will now designate, and has for object the improvement of these apparatus by
our application to them of the work transmitted from a distance by electricity, and
by means of magneto-electric machines (machines magneto-électriques) or other
generators of electricity.
The first part of our Invention relates to the application of force or power (des
forces) transmitted by electricity to traction apparatus generally by the application
to these apparatus of electro magnetic engines (machines magneto-électriques)
receivers of the force or power (la force) transmitted by the current.
By traction apparatus we mean those which are employed in timber yards,
railways, mines, agriculture, and navigation, such as capstans, cranes, winches, and
other traction apparatus, or appliances for hauling wheeled vehicles, boats, harrows,
ploughs, etcætera.
That is to say, the traction may be effected by the adhesion of rolling wheels, or
by the winding of a cord, cable, or chain, on a drum or pulley.
Our Invention also relates to other apparatus used in timber-yards, mines,
agriculture, and navigation, to which we apply the same means for transmitting
the movement they require; such are sawing, boring, dovetailing machines,
Price Gd1

page_text: ventilators, perforators, coal cutting machines ("les haveuses ou machines à
abattre "), land tilling machinery, harvesters, torpedoes, torpedo boats, life boats,
these being operated from the shore, and conducted even with no one on board, by
varying the intensity of the currents on the organs of propulsion and direction.
By our application of the transmission of motive force or power (des forces) by
electricity to the apparatus and industries which we have just specified, we realise
important and new industrial results, and we specially claim this application.
For transmitting motive force by electricity we employ rotary magneto-electric
machines arranged in proximity to and driven by suitable prime motors in
connection with electro-magnetic engines (machines magneto-électriques) arranged
on or near the apparatus to which power is to be applied, and we connect by
conducting wires the magneto-electro machines adjacent to and driven by the
prime motors with the electro-magnetic engines near the apparatus to be operated.
The magneto-electric machines driven by the prime motors in turning develope
electric currents, which are conducted by the wires to the electro-magnetic engines,
which then acquire rotary movement and act as motors, which may drive or actuate
any other apparatus to be operated by appropriate mechanical means.
When the motive force or power (force motrice) is obtained by means of any
combustible we also employ the piles known as thermo-electric piles, or some other
method capable of transformning heat into electricity.
When the power is transmitted to apparatus for which regularity of movement
is necessary this regularity is obtained by introducing into the electric circuit a
variable resistance which is self regulating, as in Fig. 1, or one which is regulated
as required, as in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.
In Fig. 1 the resistance is regulated by the action of a regulator operating_by
centrifugal force, but other arrangements than that shewn may be employed. The
resistance apparatus is represented in the form of a bobbin of insulated wires so
arranged that the collector of electricity A on moving increases or lessens the
quantity of wire in the circuit for the time being.
In Fig. 2 the conductor of electricity is composed of a certain number of
insulated wires bearing separately on contacts A, arranged so that the collector
may collect the current of one or more wires, the electric resistance augmenting
when the current of a portion of the conductors is taken, instead of taking it on
the whole number.
The introduction of an electric resistance into the circuit has also the effect of
attenuating the extra-currents which result from the sudden interruption of an
electric current, as for instance, by the use of a commutator. At the moment of
this interruption a spark is thrown out, the length of which depends on the
intensity of the current, and an extra-current is produced, which notably increases
the electric tension. This increase of tension exhausts the insulators, tends to
establish contacts, and reduces the efficiency of the machines.
The advantage of gradually reducing the tension of a current before breaking it
is therefore evident.
This method allows of the transmission of great power to long distances, and its
application to various apparatus, according to this Invention, enables important
industrial results to be obtained, such as have not been hitherto realised by the
same method. Thus this Invention enables power to be applied by electricity to
hauling apparatus of various kinds, notwithstanding variations in the power of the
apparatus, and whether intended for use in dockyards, ports, mines, agriculture, or
navigation; the employment of the method above indicated being effected by a
suitable combination, according to the case, and like or analagous to that shewn by
way of illustration in Fig. 2, which represents a capstan, the drum of which turns
on a vertical shaft, so as to effect the winding of a hauling rope or chain. In
hoisting and unloading apparatus, which are likewise hauling appliances, the same
application is effected in an analagous manner, as will be readily understood from
the illustrative Drawings, wherein Figs. 3 and 4 represent a hoist pulley vertically;
Figs. 5 and 6 represent a crane, which may also be worked by hand by means of

page_text: the crank handles, which are removed when the crane is worked by electricity;
Fig. 7 represents an unloading apparatus for boats. A is the electro-magnetic
engine (machine magneto-électrique) which receives the current; B is the commu-
tator; C, a small hand winch, by which the inclination of the elevator is regulated
as desired.
As respects the application of this Invention to apparatus specially intended for
agricultural work, whether traction apparatus or direct rotary motors, inasmuch as
natural sources of power, such as streams and waterfalls, may be utilised to drive
the various motors employed in industry, it will be evident the Invention is
capable of very wide application, being applicable for operating ploughs, barrows,
clod-crushers, sowing, threshing, harvesting, mowing, and other machines. Thus
the apparatus shewn in Figs. 8 and 9 may be used for various purposes, as for
instance, for hauling apparatus, for ploughs, harrows, etcætera, or as a means for
transmission of movement by means of the pulley D. In the Drawing this
apparatus is shewn composed of two electro-magnetic engines E, F, causing a
horizontal shaft G to turn by friction, on which shaft are fixed pinions which
engage with the wheels of the drum H, round which is wound the hauling cable C.
The whole is mounted on a carriage.
The shaft I which carries the bevil wheels operated by a pinion fixed to the
extremity of the shaft G serves to give propelling movement to the carrying
wheels by means of an endless chain; thus this apparatus will fulfil in all respects
the duties of an ordinary portable or ploughing engine; and this apparatus,
suitably modified, may be employed in mines and quarries for working and hauling
in the galleries. This Invention inay also be employed advantageously for cutting
and boring in mines, and the electro-magnetic engines being generally run at a high
speed are well adapted for operating the various kinds of cutting and boring
machines used in mining operations.
In applying this Invention to effect the ventilation of mine galleries, either
fixed ventilators of suitable power or small portable ventilators are employed;
these are connected with the electro-magnetic engines, receiving the current either
by fixed wires or by wires winding on portable bobbins.
In applying the Invention to wheeled vehicles, as for example, for use on
railways and tramways, there is or are fixed on the vehicle one or more electro-
magnetic engines connected directly or by intermediate inechanisin with the
driving axles. The current conveyed by an insulated conductor returns by another
conductor, or by the rails themselves.
In vehicles to run on common roads a similar method is employed; the current
may be transmitted by conductors suspended after the manner of telegraph lines.
For the purposes of navigation the application of the same method may be effected
in three different ways, according to whether it is required for towage, propulsion,
or steering. Thus for towing there is applied to the vessel's towing apparatus
an electro-magnetic engine, to which the current is conveyed by an insulated
conductor carried through the air or submerged in the water, the return current
being conducted by another and non-insulated wire. Propulsion is effected by
actuating the propeller, wheel, screw, etcætera, by an electro-magnetic engine,
receiving the current in the same way. Steering is effected with equal facility;
for example, in a life boat, a torpedo, or a torpedo boat, provided with suitable
engines for propelling and steering, and to which it is desired to transmit motion,
it will be clear that by the application of this Invention considerable power may
be utilised in a convenient manner without excessive weight, without encumbrance,
and without complexity. When the vessel has no one on board it and the engine
may be directed and caused to move as required by means of cables transmitting
currents made to vary, as required, and to operate such special mechanical arrange-
ments as a person on the shore or on a vessel of any kind, where the motive
power might be, could direct with precision.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Jean Chrétien and Clement Felix in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 21st November 1879.
JEAN CHRÉTIEN and CLEMENT FELIX, both of 87, Rue de Monceau, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Civil Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH TRACTION AND OTHER MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN MINES,
AGRICULTURE, NAVIGATION, AND OTHERWISE."
Our Invention relates to the special apparatus of the particular industries which
we will now designate, and has for object the improvement of these apparatus by
our application to them of the work transmitted from a distance by electricity and
by means of magneto-electric machines (machines magneto-électriques) or other
generators of electricity.
The first part of our Invention relates to the application of force or power (des
forces) transmitted by electricity to traction apparatus generally, by the application
to these apparatus of electro-magnetic engines (machines magneto-électriques)
receivers of the force or power (la force) transinitted by the current.
By traction apparatus we mean those which are employed in timber yards, rail-
ways, inines, agriculture, and navigation, such as capstans, cranes, winches, and
other traction apparatus or appliances for hauling wheeled vehicles, boats, harrows,
ploughs, et cetera. That is to say, the traction may be effected by the adhesion
of rolling wheels, or by the winding of a cord, cable, or chain, on a drum or
pulley.
Our Invention also relates to other apparatus used in timber yards, mines, agricul-
ture, and navigation, to which we apply the same means for transmitting the
movement they require, such are sawing, boring, dovetailing machines, ventilators,
perforators, coal cutting machines (les haveuses ou machines à abattre), land tilling
machinery, harvesters, torpedoes, torpedo boats, lifeboats, these being operated
from the shore, and conducted, even with no one on board, by varying the intensity
of the currents on the organs of propulsion and direction.
By our application of the transmission of motive force or power (des forces) by
electricity to the apparatus and industries which we have just specified we realize
important and new industrial results, and we specially claim this application.
For transmitting motive force by electricity we employ rotary magneto-electric
machines arranged in proximity to and driven by suitable prime motors in connec-
tion with electro-magnetic engines (machines magneto-électriques) arranged on or
near the apparatus to which power is to be applied, and we connect by conducting
wires the magneto-electric machines adjacent to and driven by the prime motors
with the electro-magnetic engines near the apparatus to be operated. The magneto-
electric machines driven by the prime motors, in turning develope electric currents
which are conducted by the wires to the electro-magnetic engines, which then acquire
rotary movement and act as motors, which may drive or actuate any other apparatus
to be operated by appropriate mechanical means.
When the motive force or power (force motrice) is obtained by means of any
combustible we also employ the piles known as thermo-electric piles, or some other
method capable of transforming heat into electricity.
When the power is transmitted to apparatus for which regularity of movement is
necessary this regularity is obtained by introducing into the electric circuit a
variable resistance, which is self-regulating, as in Fig. 1, or one which is regulated as
required, as in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.
In Fig. 1 the resistance is regulated by the action of a regulator operating by
centrifugal force, but other arrangements than that shewn may be employed. The
resistance apparatus is represented in the form of a bobbin of insulated wires so
arranged that the collector of electricity A, on moving, increases or lessens the
quantity of wire in the circuit for the time being.

page_text: In Fig. 2 the conductor of electricity is composed of a certain number of insulated
wires, bearing separately on contacts A, arranged so that the collector may collect
the current of one or more wires, the electric resistance augmenting when the
current of a portion of the conductors is taken, instead of taking it on the whole
number.
The introduction of an electric resistance into the circuit has also the effect of
attenuating the extra-currents which result from the sudden interruption of an
electric current, as, for instance, by the use of a commutator. At the moment of
this interruption a spark is thrown out, the length of which depends on the intensity
of the current, and an extra current is produced which notably increases the electric
tension. This increase of tension exhausts the insulators, tends to establish contacts,
and reduces the efficiency of the machines.
The advantage of gradually reducing the tension of a current before breaking it is
therefore evident. This method allows of the transmission of great power to long
distances, and its application to various apparatus according to this Invention enables
important industrial results to be obtained, such as have not been hitherto realized by
the same method. Thus this Invention enables power to be applied by electricity to
hauling apparatus of various kinds, notwithstanding variations in the power of the
apparatus, and whether intended for use in dockyards, ports, mines, agriculture, or
navigation, the employment of the method above indicated being effected by a suitable
combination, according to the case, and like or analagous to that shewn by way of
illustration in Fig. 2, which represents a capstan, the drum of which turns on a ver-
tical shaft so as to effect the winding of a hauling rope or chain. In hoisting and
unloading apparatus which are likewise hauling appliances, the same application is
effected in an analogous manner, as will be readily understood from the illustrative
Drawings, wherein Figs. 3 and 4 represent a hoist pulling vertically. Figs. 5 and 6
represent a crane which may also be worked by hand by means of the crank handles,
which are removed when the crane is worked by electricity. Fig. 7 represents an
unloading apparatus for boats; A is the electro-magnetic engine (machine magne-to-
électrique) which receives the current; B is the commutator; C, a small hand winch
by which the inclination of the elevator is regulated as desired.
As respects the application of this Invention to apparatus specially intended for
agricultural work, whether traction apparatus or direct rotary motors, inasmuch as
natural sources of power, such as streams and waterfalls, may be utilized to drive
the various motors employed in industry, it will be evident the Invention is capable
of very wide application, being applicable for operating ploughs, harrows, clod-
crushers, sowing, threshing, harvesting, mowing, and other machines. Thus the
apparatus shewn in Figs. 8 and 9 may be used for various purposes, as, for instance,
for hauling apparatus, for ploughs, harrows, et cætera, or as a means for transinission
of movement by incans of the pulley D. In the Drawing this apparatus is shewn
composed of two electro-magnetic engines E, F, causing a horizontal shaft G to turn
by friction, on which shaft are fixed pinions which engage with the wheels of the
drum H, round which is wound the hauling cable C. The whole is mounted on a
carriage.
The shaft I, which carries the bevil wheels operated by a pinion fixed to the
extremity of the shaft G serves to give propelling movement to the carrying wheels
by means of an endless chain. Thus the apparatus will fulfil in all respects the
duties of an ordinary portable or ploughing engine; and this apparatus, suitably
modified, may be employed in mines and quarries for working and hauling in the
galleries. This Invention may also be employed advantageously for cutting and
boring in mines, and the electro-magnetic engines, being generally run at a high
speed, are well adapted for operating the various kinds of cutting and boring
machines used in mining operations.
In applying this Invention to effect the ventilation of mine galleries either fixed
ventilators of suitable power or small portable ventilators are employed; these are
connected with the electro-magnetic engines receiving the current either by fixed
wires or by wires winding on portable bobbins (bobines mobiles). In applying the

page_text: Invention to wheeled vehicles, as, for example, for use on railways and tramways,
there is or are fixed on the vehicle one or more electro-magnetic engines con-
nected directly or by intermediate mechanism with the driving axles. The current,
conveyed by an insulated conductor, returns by another conductor or by the rails
themselves.
In vehicles to run on common roads a similar method is employed; the current
may be transmitted by conductor suspended after the manner of telegraph lines.
For the purposes of navigation the application of the same method may be effected
in three different ways, according to whether it is required for towage, propulsion,
or steering. Thus for towing there is applied to the vessel's towing apparatus an
electro-magnetic engine, to which the current is conveyed by an insulated conductor
carried through the air or submerged in the water, the return current being con-
ducted by another and non-insulated wire. Propulsion is effected by actuating the
propeller wheel, screw, etcætera, by an electro-magnetic engine receiving the current
the same way. Steering is effected with equal facility; for example, in a life boat,
a torpedo, or a torpedo boat, provided with suitable engines for propelling and
steering, and to which it is desired to transmit motion, it will be clear that by the
application of this Invention considerable power may be utilized in a convenient
manner without excessive weight, without encumbrance, and without complexity.
When the vessel has no one on board it, and the engine may be directed and caused
to move as required, by means of cables transmitting currents made to vary as
required, and to operate such special mechanical arrangements as a person on the
shore or on a vessel of any kind where the motive power might be, could direct
with precision.
Having described the nature of our said Invention, and explained in what manner
the same is to be performed, we hereby declare that what we consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as secured to us under the Letters Patent herein.
before in part recited is,―
1. The application of work or power transmitted by electricity to traction apparatus
of all kinds, substantially as hereinabove described.
2. The application of work or power transmitted by electricity to apparatus of
various kinds used for the purposes of agriculture, mining, and navigation, and to
non-traction apparatus, as, for example, to harvesters, threshing machines, ventilators,
perforators, hewers, propellers, and steering apparatus, substantially as herein before
described.
3. Arranging machines with electrical apparatus, substantially as illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings, for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Chrétien, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventynine.
דיRET IÉTO
J. CHRETIEN. (L.S.)