A Method of and Apparatus for Power Transmission.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1898-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Apparatus for Power Transmission.
I, WILLIAM MORRISON, of Chicago, No. 157, Wabash Avenue, in the County,
of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:
In order to fully explain and clearly define the scope and character of my
invention desire, first, to set forth certain familiar, simple and well known
facts concerning the generation of electric currents by dynamo machines or
generators.
In the dynamo machine or generator, in most instances, an armature is rotated,
by a prime mover, in a stationary magnetic field and the current is generated by
the armature cutting through the magnetic lines of force. In some cases that
which is ordinarily termed the armature is held stationary and the field moved.
It is also well known that as the speed of rotation of the armature in the mag-
netic field increases, a much greater force is necessary to drive the armature
through the field, caused by the increased number of lines of force cut by the
armature which demonstrates that a retarding pull or force is being exerted upon
the armature in opposition to its movement of rotation. This pull or opposing
force increases in proportion to the increase of rotative velocity of the armature,
and it is set up because of a tendency in the field magnet to follow after the
armature rotating within its poles. The rotation of the field magnet or its ten-
dency to rotate is prevented by the fastenings therefor, but should these fasten-
ings be removed and if the field magnet was mounted to rotate it would then
immediately move after the armature.
Although my invention is adapted for application to many uses, I shall describe
it, more particularly, in connection with and as applied to the propulsion of
vehicles. In this class of work, more especially in the propulsion of carriages,
the energy of the prime mover is necessarily applied almost immediately to the
traction wheels and the prime mover is carried upon the vehicle. A steam engine
is found impractical in many respects and a drawback to the use of secondary
batteries is the cost and weight. Attempts have been made to employ engines
o drive a dynamo generator and an electric motor or a motor driven by secondary
batteries, all mounted on the one vehicle; but this arrangement has its serious
lisadvantages. Resort has been had to the employment of gas or other explosive
ngines, which, by reason of weight, size and method of generation, are well
dapted to the propulsion of vehicles. These prime movers, however, are in-
apable of sensitive regulation; cannot readily be varied to obtain different rates
f speed for vehicles; are not capable of starting without considerable manipula-
ion and do not exert a maximum of energy in starting.

page_text: As is very well known, in the propulsion of vehicles or the application of the
energy of a prime mover by means of electro-magnetically operated transmitting
mechanism, a prime mover drives a dynamo generator, which generates a current
delivered to a motor. With this method the dynamo must generate a current
sufficient to overcome its own internal resistance and the resistance of the motor,
which varies with the speed of each.
In that class of work which requires or permits the application of the energy
within or at a comparatively small distance from the prime mover, such as the
propulsion of cars or vehicles of all kinds, it is the object of my invention to
dispense entirely with the electric motor and its necessary weight, and to provide
a self-contained electric machine which in itself combines and unites the func-
tions and accomplishes the results of the separate and distinct dynamo and motor
and in so doing to provide a positive and extremely sensitive regulation of the
energy of the prime mover by what may be termed electrical control.
With such an apparatus I am enabled to employ a gas or other explosive engine
and regulate and sensitively control its energy at will and without the use of
intricate gears and like devices, adding weight and complication and in the end
failing to provide means for complete control. As the engine is driven constantly,
preferably at a uniform speed and the regulation effected, by control of the
transmitting apparatus, the disadvantages resulting from inefficiency in starting
are overcome and sensitive regulation provided.
In the accompanying drawings;
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a carriage with the body broken away to show
my improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section on the line a-a of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detail enlarged view of the field and armature, the winding being
shown diagrammatically.
Figure 4 is a vertical section through the field and armature.
Figure 5 is a side view of the transmitting apparatus with the casing partly
broken away to show the field and armature.
Figure 6 is a detail view showing the contact fingers in circuit with the resis-
tance and bearing upon the contact rings.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the opposite side of the transmitting
apparatus and which also shows the resistance and connection thereof.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view showing the connection of the lead to the
inner one of the contact rings.
I have selected as one means of illustrating my invention the propulsion of a
carriage which is designated as a whole at A.
Mounted upon the carriage platform A2 is a prime mover, in this instance, as
shown, a gas engine B. Although any kind of prime mover may be employed
my invention seems to attain its greatest efficiency in operative conjunction with
an explosive engine of a suitable type.
The transmitting apparatus, of my invention, designated as a whole at C, is
connected with the prime mover B and to the carriage, so that power may be
applied to and delivered from it to propel the carriage in a
described.
manner to be
The transmitting apparatus comprises a member, which for convenience of
designation, may be termed the armature D, mounted to rotate and a field E also
mounted to rotate.
The armature D and the field E are mounted upon a common shaft H, although
each may rotate independently of the other. The field E is mounted upen or
secured to a hub or sleeve E2, which is keyed to the shaft H, and therefore the
field rotates with said shaft. The armature D is secured to the sleeve D2 which
is loosely mounted upon the shaft H, and therefore the said armature may rotate
independently of said shaft. The commutator J is secured to the sleeve 12 and
a transmitting pulley or wheel K is also secured thereon. The commutator
brushes Ja are secured to the field E.

page_text: The connecting rod L of the engine B (Fig. 2) is coupled to the crank L³,
secured to the shaft H, and as the field E is secured to said shaft it rotates there-
with and is revolved about the armature D. The pulley or sprocket wheel K,
secured to the armature E, is connected with the axle M of the traction wheels M²
of the carriage by means of the chain or belt M³ or other suitable means.
From this description it is apparent that the field is revolved about the arma-
ture by means of the prime mover and the armature is connected to propel the
carriage.
Assuming the carriage to be at rest, the armature of my improved transmitting
mechanism is also at rest, or stationary. Notwithstanding the fact that the car-
riage is at rest the prime mover may continue to revolve the field about the
armature.
It is a well known principle, in ordinary dynamo machines, that as the speed
of the armature is increased the current generated increases and as the speed
decreases the current decreases.
When the vehicle is at rest the armature of my improved apparatus, is
stationary and in starting, after the electric circuit is closed, the greatest current
is generated and the greatest pull exerted upon the armature by the
field, which force is transmitted to the carriage through the connec-
tion between the carriage and the armature. This results from the fact
that in starting the field revolves about the stationary armature at approximately
the highest rate of velocity. When the resistance of the carriage is overcome, in
starting, the armature commences to rotate in the same direction as the revolving
field and the current generated and pull exerted then depends upon the relative
difference of speed between the armature and the field. As the speed of the arma-
ture gradually increases the relative difference of speed between the armature
and field decreases, the current generated decreases, the energy exerted
diminishes and consequently the speed of the carriage, connected with said arma-
ture increases. This continues until the resistance of the carriage, now under
way, and the pulling force or energy of the apparatus becomes equal, when the
carriage is then driven at its highest speed. Under conditions of unobstructed
level roadway the field revolves about the armature at such a relatively greater
speed as to generate a current and consequent energy sufficient to propel the
carriage at the highest rate of speed.
When the resistance of the carriage is increased by a gradient or other obstacle,
the speed of the carriage and the speed of the armature connected therewith, is
decreased, and, as the field revolves about the armature approximately at a con-
stant rate of speed, the relative difference of speed between the field and the
armature is increased; thus increasing the current generated in proportion to the
increased resistance of the carriage and in consequence energy is exerted sufficient
to overcome this increased resistance of the carriage.
I have now shown and described one means of carrying out my invention but
I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the construction shown.
and described. The principle of my invention may be embodied in many forms
and in many connections. Thus the armature may be connected with the prime
mover and the field with the object to which the power is transmitted.
Having thus described the construction of my improved apparatus and its
operation, I will now describe the means provided for regulating the same and
controlling the speed of the carriage at will and then point out a few of the advan-
tages resulting from the use of my invention.
I provide a resistance box or rheostat N, so positioned that the lever N³ thereof
may be conveniently reached by a person on the carriage. This resistance is cut
into the circuit to vary the speed as is usually done in electric vehicle propulsion
and the lever N³, which also operates the resistance, is used for opening or closing
the circuit.
Referring particularly to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 two contact rings, insulated

page_text: from each other are provided, secured to the field E and.designated at O and 0.
Two contact fingers P and P³, secured to the frame in a stationary position, bear
upon the moving contact rings.
One of the leads I, from the resistance box N (Fig. 7) is connected to the con-
tact finger P bearing on the outer ring O and the other lead 2 is connected with
the other contact finger P2 bearing on the inner ring 02. The outer ring 0, is
connected with the coils of the armature E by the lead 3 (Fig. 7), and the inner
ring 02, is connected by the lead 7 with one of the commutator brushes 9. The
commutator brushes 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 are connected together in pairs (Fig. 5).
The circuit from and to the rheostat N through the machine, is over lead I,
(Fig. 7) to contact brush P, outer ring 0, lead 3, through the coils of the arma-
ture E, to and over lead 4, to commutator brushes 5 and 6, (Fig. 5) through the
armature to commutator brushes 8 and 9, from thence over lead 7 to inner
ring 03, (Fig. 7) to contact brush P and lead 2 to rheostat N.
The resistance box is therefore in circuit with the field and armature of my
improved apparatus and is adapted to regulate and control the speed of the car-
riage at will and also open and close the circuit.
It has been established by practice that the clectric motor provides an ideal
means of power transmission and application because a maximum pull is exerted
in starting and because of its flexibility; but the use of the electric motor, under
certain conditions, some of which have been set forth, is attended with serious
disadvantages. This is especially the case, as stated, in the propulsion of vehicles.
With my improved apparatus however, I dispense entirely with the electric
motor as a separate and distinct machine and combine in the one machine the
functions of both the dynamo and motor. By this means I am enabled to employ
those prime movers, for the purposes specified, which should be maintained con-
stantly in operation to obtain the best results. A constant high speed of the prime
mover may be maintained because the speed of the carriage is varied by intro-
ducing more or less resistance into the circuit of the transmitting apparatus. It
is also evident that the prime mover may be maintained at a high rate of speed
notwithstanding the carriage is at rest.
The maximum power exerted by a prime mover, such as a gas or other explosive
engine, is when the greatest velocity has been attained, whereas the maximum
pull of a series wound electric motor is exerted in starting. In my improved
apparatus the prime mover may be maintained at a maximum velocity to develop
its greatest energy when the carriage is at rest and consequently the field, con-
nected therewith, is also rotated at its maximum velocity. In starting, therefore,
as the armature is stationary and commences gradually to fotate, the greatest
number of lines of force are cut, the greatest current generated and the greatest
puli exerted at a time when most needed. My apparatus also adapts itself to the
resistance of the carriage and always tends to exert an energy in proportion to
such resistance and sufficient to overcome the same and therefore at a predeter-
mined speed the apparatus is self-regulating.
Dispensing with the electric motor as a separate independent machine does
away with the weight and care of one machine, and especially adapts the appar-
atus for successful and practical use in many connections. As the motor is.
dispensed with it is perfectly evident that it is not necessary to generate a current
to overcome the resistance of the motor.
4
The weight of the prime mover is also reduced as the field is mounted directly
upon its main shaft and it therefore serves the purpose of a balance wheel, 5
although this, however, is merely one of the minor features of my invention.
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. In a machine for transmitting power the combination of a rotary field and 5

page_text: DOCH
noving in the same direction and a prime mover for
rotating one of said members.
2. In a machine for transmitting power the combination of a rotary field, and
a rotary armature, both moving in the same direction, a prime mover for rotating
5 one of said members and means for connection of the other member to the
object to which the power is to be applied.
3. In a machine for transmitting power the combination of a rotary field, a
rotary armature, both moving in the same direction, a prime mover, connections
between the prime mover and one of said members and connections between the
other member and the object to which the power is to be applied.
4. The method of power transmission which consists in rotating the field and
armature of an electric machine both moving in the same direction, whereby the
energy exerted is in proportion to the difference of speed between the said field
and armature.
5. The method of transmitting power, as herein described, by causing the field
and armature of an electric machine to rotate both in the same direction, whereby
the energy exerted or pull is in proportion to the difference of speed between
said armature and field and transmitting this energy to an object to which the
power is applied.
6. The method of transmitting power, which consists in generating current and
consequent energy in proportion to the resistance of the load by the relative
difference of speed between the armature and field moving in the same direction.
7. The combination with the prime mover of a field mounted to rotate and
connected with and rotated by said prime mover, an armature mounted to rotate
and connection between the armature and the
power is to be applied, whereby the energy exerted between the field and arma-
object to which the
ture is as the relative difference of speed between the said armature and field
and in proportion to the resistance of the load.
8. The combination with the prime mover, of an armature mounted to rotate
and connected with and rotated by said prime mover, a field mounted to rotate
and connection between the field and the object to which the power is to be
applied, whereby the pull exerted between the armature and field is as the rela-
tive difference of speed between said field and armature and in proportion to the
resistance of the load.
9. The combination with a prime mover approximately maintained con-
stant at a high rate of speed, of a rotary field and a rotary armature, connection
between one of said members and the prime mover whereby the same is
imately constantly rotated and connection between the other member and the
approx-
object to which the power is applied, whereby the maximum energy may be
exerted to overcome the initial resistance of the load in starting.
10. The combination in an apparatus for transmitting power of a rotary arm-
ature and a rotary field, a resistance and a sliding contact or contacts including
said resistance in circuit with said apparatus whereby to regulate the speed of
the object to which the power is applied.
11. The combination of a main shaft, a rotary field, mounted upon and rota-
table with said main shaft, a rotatable armature also mounted upon said shaft
but rotatable independently thereof and a prime mover for driving the shaft.
12. The combination of a rotary field and a rotary armature each mounted to
rotate about a common axis and a prime mover for rotating one of said members.
13. The combination of a rotary field and a rotary armature, each mounted to
rotate about a common axis and a prime mover for rotating one of said members
ogether with connection between the other member and the object to which the
power is to be applied.
14. The combination with the prime mover of a rotary field and a rotary arm-
ture and a prime mover, the rotary field constituting the balance wheel of the
rime mover.
15. The method of transmitting energy which consists in causing the armature

page_text: and field of an electric machine to rotate in the same direction and regulating
the energy exerted by causing a difference of speed between the armature and
field.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1898.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent.