IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO OR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINES APPLICABLE TO BOTH GENERATORS AND ENGINES
Year: 1880

page_text: Fled 12th July 100.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME We THE
EDISON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY of London LIMITED send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date
at Westminster the Thirtieth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty in the forty fourth year of Her reign did for
Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto Peter Jensen of 33 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex his executors administrators or assigns especial
license full power sole privilege and authority that he the said Peter Jensen his
executors administrators or assigns and every of them by himself and themselves
or by his and their deputy or deputies servants or agents or such others as he his
executors administrators or assigns should at any time agree with and no others
from time to time and at all times bereafter during the term therein expressed
should and lawfully night make use exercise and vend within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of
Man an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO OR DYNAMO ELECTRIC
MACHINES APPLICABLE TO BOTH GENERATORS AND ENGINES" A communication
from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison of Menlo Park in the State of New Jersey
United States of America for and during the term of fourteen years thence next
ensuing. And whereas in pursuance and performance of a proviso in the said
Letters Patent contained the said Peter Jensen did within six calendar months
next after the date of the said Letters Patent cause a Specification in writing
under his hand and seal purporting to particularly describe the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same was to be performed to be duly filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office. And whereas by indenture bearing date the Sixth
day of April One thousand eight hundred and eighty two and made between the
said Thomas Alva Edison of the first part Edward Griffith Brewer of the second
part the said Peter Jensen of the third part Anthony I.
Drexel I.
Pierpoint

page_text: Morgan, Egisto Paolo Fabbri and I.
:-
Hood Wright of the fourth part Egisto
Paolo Fabbri and Grosvenor Porter Lowry of the fifth part and The Edison Electric
Light Company Limited of the sixth part the said Peter Jensen as trustee with
the concurrence and by the directions of the parties thereto of the first fourth and
fifth parts as beneficial owners granted and assigned and the said parties thereto
of the first fourth and fifth parts as beneficial owners thereby assigned and
confirmed to the said Company their successors and assigns. The said herein-
before recited Letters Patent and the full and exclusive benefit and advantages
thereof. And whereas since the date of the said assignment we have been
advised that Claims One, Five, Six, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, and the
subject matter of the said Specification relating to the said Claims cover matters
of doubtful novelty and that Claims Three, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Twelve,
Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Twenty, Twenty one, Twenty three, Twenty
four, Twenty five and Twenty six and the subject matter of the said Specification
relating to the said last named Claims refer to matters either covered by the other
Claims of the said Specification which it is intended to retain or relate to
Inventions of so small importance as to render it undesirable to retain the said
last named Claim in the said Specification. NOW KNOW YE that we The
Edison Electric Light Company Limited by and with the leave of Her Majesty's
Solicitor General and for the reasons aforesaid do alter and amend the said Specifi-
cation in manner following that is to say: We strike out of the Specification
printed by the Queens Printers and published at the Great Seal Patent Office in
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one that portion of the said Specification
commencing with the words "another portion" in line 33 of page 8 and ending
with the words "longer bobbin" in line 20 of page 10-We also strike out the
portion of the said Specification commencing with the words "another portion
in line 18 of page 11 and ending with the words "the generators in line 51 of
page 14 We also strike out the portion of the said Specification commencing
with the words "for large" in line 34 of page 15 and ending with the words
"at proper intervals" in line 40 of the same page-We also strike out the
letter "C" which comes between the words "in" and "all" in line 41 of page 15
and of inserting in its place "Fig." 11. We also strike out the whole of the First,
Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, Thirteen, Fourteenth,
Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty first,
Twenty third, Twenty fourth, Twenty fifth and Twenty sixth Claiming Clauses of
the said Specification also in page 16 of the said Specification we strike out the
word "second" at the commencement of line 5 and substitute therefor the word
"First." We also strike out the word "fourth" at the commencement of line 11
and substitute therefor the word "Second "- We also strike out the word
" Eleventh at the commencement of line 33 and substitute therefor the word
"third." We also at page 17 of said Specification strike out the words "Twenty
second" which occur at the commencement of line 20 and substitute therefor the
word "Fourth." And in order that the effect of the Disclaimer and Memorandum
of Alteration as aforesaid may be clearly understood we annex hereto a copy of the
said Specification as it will appear when so altered and amended the preamble and
testing Clauses being omitted.
A portion of the Invention relates to the commutator brushes.
"
As is well known the commutator brush generally used consists of a bundle of
wires or layers of sheet metal fastened in a frame or brush holder in such position
as to bear upon and make contact with the commutator.
As hitherto constructed the brush holders have usually been rigidly attached to
the frame of the machine with some device for adjusting them to different
positions with relation to the commutator, and also so attached that if a com-
inutator brush become so damaged as to need repairs or replacement a stoppage of
the machine was necessitated. It is important that the pressure of the brushes
upon the periphery of the commutator should be constant and capable of
adjustment to the desired degree as when the pressure is too great the parts are

page_text: too rapidly abraded and worn away and when too slight an arc may form between
the opposed surfaces or portions thereof causing them to be burnt or oxidized.
It is also important that provision should be made permitting the removal for
repair or replacement of a brush without stoppage of the machine or interference
with its capacity or the current transmitted.
To accomplish these results each brush or spring is secured in a holder having
an angle therein so that the brush or spring may be set to bear obliquely upon the
commutator, that is, at an angle other than a right angle with the axis of the
commutator-This holder is pivoted in an U shaped jaw in the top of what is
afterwards the stem or shank of the holder-At the pivoted point of the holder
is a chamber in which is a spring whose force is exerted to throw the brush upon.
the commutator, a ratchet wheel and pawl being arranged in connection therewith
so that the force of the spring may be adjusted-By this means an adjustable
spring-seated commutator brush or spring is secured. Upon one side and near the
lower end of the shank or stem is a recess, into which from below passes the end
of a set screw.
In front of the commutator are two metallic conducting bars, each forming one
terminal of the exterior circuit. These bars are of the size of the recess in the
stems or shanks last described and are provided with a groove in their under
surface. Upon each of these bars two three or more of the adjustable spring
seated commutator brushes are placed by slipping the recessed portion upon the
bar they being then secured thereto by turning the set screw until its end takes in
the groove in the bar-This is fully illustrated in Figures 1. 2. and 3 of the annexed
Drawings in which
Figure 1 is a view of a commutator and series of commutator brushes embodying
the Invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of one brush holder, and
Figure 3 a longitudinal section of part of one brush holder.
A is the commutator of a dynamo or magneto electric machine placed as usual
at the end of the rotating armature B and supported at its outer end in bearings c
a a being the strips thereof connected to the coils of the armature, but insulated
from each other. At a suitable distance from the commutators square bars D. D
are supported in (but insulated from) supports D¹ D¹ (one of which only is
shown). The brush holders are made in two pieces E. F. the part E. being formed
with an U shaped recess or jaw at its upper end in which takes and in which is
pivoted the part F. A pin or pivot passes through the two parts and holds
them together. In the lower portion of the part F a chamber is formed in which
is placed the spring h, whose inner end is attached to ȧ the outer end being fast
to the wall of the chamber-Upon the end of i outside of the chamber is a ratchet
wheel ka pawl m being arranged upon E, to take into the teeth of k and hold it
in a fixed position-In the upper or free end of F is a chamber or recess f for
receiving and holding a brush which is secured therein by a set screw e. Upon
the inner side of E is cut a groove the size of the bar D in the under side of which
is cut a slot as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
A series of commutator brush holders thus constructed are placed side by side-
upon the bars D D by simply slipping each on to the bar from the front, each
being secured thereon by the set screws d taking into the groove in D.
The use of a series, as shown, involves several advantages. Each series of brushes
is in metallic contact at the same time with the same strip or strips of the com-
mutator, hence sparks, between the commutator and brushes are greatly lessened, if
not entirely obviated even with a very large current. If repairs upon or replace-
ment of one or more brushes be necessary the set screws d of the defective brushes
are loosened, and the holders of such defective brushes removed from the bar D
without disturbance of the remaining brushes which afford ample contact surface.
As before stated the ratchet is upon the pivot i to which is attached the
spring hence by turning the ratchet k any desired degree of resilience may be
given the spring, which force is expended in holding the brushes upon the

page_text: commutator with a steady and uniform pressure which may be varied or regulated
by means of the ratchet. This arrangement affords a large contact surface while at
the same time any one brush may be removed for repair or replacement without
interference with the generative capacity of the machine or disturbance of the
current and to it is given the name "large current multiple brushes."
Another portion of this Invention relates to the government or regulation of
these machines when used as engines for the conversion of current into power-
Governors as usually hitherto made for such engines have been arranged to break
the circuit upon the occurrence of too much speed the circuit being again closed
upon the proper lessening of the speed, but it is evident that the abnormal speed
will be continued by the momentuin of the parts for a greater or less interval after
the breakage of the circuit-This plan gives rise to undesirable variations in the
speed of the engine as the speed must first rise when the circuit is broken, then fall
when it is again completed, thus alternating in rise and fall of speed, often giving
a jerky motion to the engine and connected gearing-The better plan would seem
to be to so arrange the governor that ordinarily the abnormal or greater than
desired speed should not be reached the speed being maintained practically uniform.
The object of this part of the Invention is to accomplish this result, and to that
end it consists in a governor by which the circuit is broken at regular intervals,
that is, once in every revolution of the governor, and ordinarily at a certain
determined point the engine running by momentum until the circuit be again
completed, thus, so to speak, allowing the current to act through only a portion of
the stroke, cutting it off then, after a manner analogous to the cutting off in steam
engines, the governor being also so arranged that as the speed increases the current
shall be cut off and the engine run by momentum a proportionately longer time
during each revolution forming a variable automatic cut off exactly analogous to
the steam engine cut off.
A centrifugal governor is arranged to be driven from some rotating part of the
engine-Upon its shaft, and connecting with the ball-arms so as to be moved up
and down thereby, is a sleeve composed of an insulating and a conducting portion,
their line of union being a diagonal, that is, if the surface of the spindle were laid
flat it would be of the shape of an italic N, the line between the two being the
diagonal connecting the legs of the N. A spring bears upon the spindle and the
circuit to the engine passes through the spring and spindle. The governor is so
adjusted that upon rotation at the proper speed and with a proper pressure of
current the commutator will be in the right position for the circuit to be complete
during enought of each rotation of the sleeve to maintain uniform such speed-
As either additional work is given the engine to do or less current is supplied the
governor slowing will cause the current to be on for a greater portion of the
rotation, or so to speak, will cut off at a greater fraction off the stroke, or vice versa.
Figure 5 of the Drawings illustrate such a governor.
A is a centrifugal ball governor composed of two balls, attached to the fly rods
which are pivoted in supports fixed upon the shaft B which is mounted in suitable
bearings and receives motion by means of a cord or belt passing around the pulley
C and connecting it to some moving part of the engine-The links a a of the
governor are pivoted to a sleeve b to which is attached a commutator D both
arranged to slide up and down upon the shaft B-The commutator D is made of
a conducting portion d and insulating portion d' each cut diagonally and united at
their diagonal edges-The circuit to the engine passes by conductor I to the
shaft B then by the conducting portion d to spring è supported on but insulated
from the frame of the governor and thence to 2-The governor is so adjusted that
upon rotation at the proper speed and with the proper pressure of current the
commutator will be in the right position for the circuit to be complete during
enough of each rotation of D to maintain uniform such speed-As either additional
work is given the engine to do or less current is supplied the governor slowing will
cause the current to be on for a greater portion of the rotation or, so to speak, will cut
off at a greater fraction of the stroke, or vice versa. The common type of armature

page_text: used at present is one composed of a number of coils wound longitudinally over a
single core, the coils crossing each other at the ends, where there is a large and,
cumbersome mass of wires. If by any chance one or more coils are injured or
destroyed, the repairment is a difficult and tedious process. If such coils were
among the first put on those which overlap at the ends must be removed before
the injured ones can be reached.-It seems desirable that such provision be made
that any coil can be removed or repaired without disturbance of the remainder.
Another portion of this Invention therefore relates to a construction for attaining
this object This is accomplished by making of wire only that portion of the coil
which is upon the operative face the wires of a coil being connected at the ends by
metallic plates fastened to an insulating base, and insulated from each other. These
plates are made so as to project at the proper points above the general surface of
the core, at which points the wires are secured to them by soldering brazing or
clamping devices-At one end each plate is suitably connected to the proper
commutator block-In case of necessity of renewal of any coil it is unloosed
from its plates at each end without disturbance of other coils. In fact by such
construction it is possible to remove repair and replace any coil without taking
the armature out of the machine and with a slight stoppage of the machine.
This part of the Invention may be carried into effect by means substantially
such as shewn in Figure 11 of the Drawings wherein C is the commutating end
and A the other end of the armature. Upon suitable insulating bases circular in
form the radial metal plates numbered 1 to 18 in A and C are secured, insulated
from each other as indicated by the black space between then. Upon A the
circular plate or bar a connects 1 and 10-6 2 and 11; c 3 and 12; d 4 and 13;
e 5 and 14 6 and 15; h 7 and 16; i 8 and 17; 9 and 18 Each of these bars
is insulated from the other and from all the plates excepting those which it is
designed to connect-It will be noticed that upon this end the circular bars connect
exactly opposite coils, as would the wires ordinarily used Upon the commutating
end C the arrangement is somewhat different.
Upon it 1 and 12 are connected by m 2 and 9 by n-3 and 14 by o 4 and 11
by p-5 and 16 by q-6 and 13 by 7 and 18 by 8-8 and 15 by t-10 and 17
by u These bars are insulated as before stated in the case of A.
Upon the commutating end the odd numbered radial bars are bent outwardly at
a right angle at their inner end, the bent portion vv being secured to a hub and
forming the commutator. To these end disks, thus constructed, are secured wires,
ribbons or bars in any suitable manner forming with the radial and circular plates
the coils. By the arrangement of connections and the commutator as shown in
Fig: 11 all the coils are constantly in circuit, the generated current having the
electric motive force of a coil of the total length of all the coils, while the internal
resistance is kept low by the lessening of resistance in the ends, due to the much
larger mass of conductor in section of the plates and bars over that of the wires
ordinarily used while the resistance of the active parts when bars are used as
described is also greatly lessened.
Supposing the parts are in such position that the commutator brushes are in
connection with 5 and 15 the path of the generated currents will be as follows:-
Starting say, at the brush on 5, the path in the machine to 15 would be for one
portion of the current via 5 e 14 o. 3. c. 12. m. 1. a. 10. u. 17. i. 8. t 15 and for the
other portions via 5. q. 16. h 7. s. 18. k. 9. n. 2. b. 11 p. 4 d. 13. r. 6. g. 15 thus including
every coil.
While the term magneto or dynamo electric machines is used herein, both in
description and claim it is evident that these improvements are equally applicable
to electric engines or motors and that the claims herein are to be construed and
taken as covering such application.
What is claimed is:-
First The combination with a commutator of a series of brushes each mounted
independently upon a common supporting shaft or bar and independently adjusted

page_text: Second A brush holder formed of two parts the one for fixing seating upon a
proper support the other connected thereto by an adjustable spring union,
substantially as set forth.
Third A governor for an electric engine arranged to break the circuit once in
every revolution of the governor at a point and for a fraction of the revolution
dependent upon the speed of the engine or amount of load substantially as set
forth.
Fourth. A revolving armature for magneto or dynamo electric machines having
its ends formed of radial plates suitably connected substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof The Edison Electric Light Company of London Limited
have caused their common seal to be hereunto affixed the Second day of
June One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
loave to flo
A
of Alteration
A
Notice of the application for this Disclaimer and Memorandum having been 2
advertised in accordance with my directions -
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above named Edison Electric Light
Company Limited (the Assignees and now legal and equitable owners of the
above recited Letters Patent) to file in the Great Seal Patent Office with the
Specification to which the same relates the above written Disclaimer and 2
Memorandum of Alteration.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Jensen, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO OR DYNAMO
ELECTRIC MACHINES, APPLICABLE TO BOTH GENERATORS AND ENGINES."
A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo Park, in
the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Jensen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th September 1880.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAGNETO OR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINES, APPLICABLE TO BOTH
GENERATORS AND ENGINES." A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva
Edison, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
A portion of the Invention relates to the commutator brushes.
As is well known the commutator brush generally used consists of a bundle of
wires or layers of sheet metal fastened in a frame or brush holder, in such position
as to bear upon and make contact with the commutator.
As hitherto constructed the brush holders have usually been rigidly attached
to the frame of the machine, with some device for adjusting them to different
positions with relation to the commutator, and also so attached that if a com-
mutator brush become so damaged as to need repairs or replacement, a stoppage of
the machine was necessitated.
It is important that the pressure of the brushes upon the periphery of the
commutator should be constant and capable of adjustment to the desired degree, as
when the pressure is too great the parts are too rapidly abraded and worn away,
and when too slight, an arc may form between the opposed surfaces or portions
thereof, causing them to be burnt or oxidized.
It is also important that provision should be made permitting the removal for
repair or replacement of a brush without stoppage of the machine, or interference
with its capacity or the current transmitted.
To accomplish these results each brush or spring is secured in a holder having an
angle therein, so that the brush or spring may be set to bear obliquely upon the

page_text: commutator, that is, at an angle other than a right angle with the axis of the
commutator.
This holder is pivoted in a U shaped jaw in the top of what is afterwards the
stem or shank of the holder.
At the pivoted point of the holder is a chamber in which is a spring, whose force
is exerted to throw the brush upon the commutator, a ratchet wheel and pawl
being arranged in connection therewith, so that the force of the spring may be
adjusted. By this means an adjustable spring seated commutator, brush, or spring
is secured.
Upon one side and near the lower end of the shank or stem is a recess, into
In front of the commutator are
which from below passes the end of a set screw.
two metallic conducting bars, each forming one terminal of the exterior circuit.
These bars are of the size of the recess in the stems or shanks last described, and
are provided with a groove in their under surface.
Upon each of these bars two, three, or more of the adjustable spring seated
commutator brushes are placed by slipping the recessed portion upon the bar, they
being then secured thereto by turning the set screw until its end takes in the
groove in the bar.
This arrangement affords large contact surface, while at the same time any one
brush may be removed for repair or replacement without interference with the
generative capacity of the machine or disturbance of the current.
Another portion of the Invention relates to the combination of the prime motor
with the magneto or dynamo electric machine.
In using magneto or dynamo electric machines it is very important that the
armature should be rotated at an uniform and constant speed, as any variation
therein immediately manifests itself in the current.
As ordinarily used, such machines are connected to the prime motor by inter-
mediate gearing, usually belts, which are liable to slip, causing irregularity in the
rotation of the armature or bobbin, every such irregularity affecting the current,
causing the irregularity to be repeated and shown in the operation of whatever
translating devices are used in the circuit.
To obviate this it is preferable to connect the prime motor and the generator
directly, that is, supposing the prime motor to be a steam engine, the pitman rod
of the engine is connected directly to the shaft or axle of the revolving bobbin,
preferably by a crank pin on a disc upon the end of the bobbin shaft, which disc
is weighted upon the side opposite to the crank pin with a weight which counter-
balances the weight of the pin and pitman, so that any jar or irregularity in
passing dead centres is obviated; this arrangement is specially needed as the
engine used should be one of very rapid stroke, not less than four hundred to five
hundred per minute, in order that the bobbin may receive its needed high rate of
rotation. The engine should also be what may be called "a self contained engine,"
that is, provided with a governor and an automatic variable cut off, which may
be so adjusted that upon the speed becoming too great, the cut off shall be
automatically changed to cut off at a less fraction of the stroke, and vice versa.
Of course, as the speed of the engine lessens the rate of the rotation of the
pressure
bobbin is lessened, and consequently the electro motive force or
generated current drops.
"
"of the
If the steam engine and generator be so arranged, there is provided a system of
generation in which automatically the pressure or force of the current may be
maintained constant.
In manufacturing generators of large capacity, very large cores and very large
castings for polar extensions are required. These very large parts cost more
proportionately than small ones, and are much more difficult to handle, the winding
of them requiring greater labor and care.
The greatest effect upon the cores is given by the coils nearest to it, but in
using very large cores some of the coils are necessarily somewhat distant from the
กกพ.

page_text: With several sinaller cores whose aggregate of weight is that of one larger core
a larger surface for the action of coils may be obtained and a larger amount of
wire used, whose average distance from the surface of the cores in either case is
the same.
Generators of very great capacity may therefore be profitably constructed of a
series (two or more) of coils and cores or field magnets, each set having its own
polar extensions, but one armature or bobbin common to all being used.
By such construction, as before explained, ease and economy of construction are
secured, the coils are brought on an average nearer the cores, and a greater amount
of wire may be profitably used; moreover, if at any time it is desired to increase
the capacity of the generator it may be done by adding more field magnets to those
already in the generator, the only new part required being a proportionately longer
bobbin.
As ensuring compactness and strength it is preferable to mount the engine and
generator upon one base, on which is secured upon intermediate supports of a non-
magnetic substance the generator, the non-magnetic supports being necessary to
avoid the formation of a magnetic outside of the polar extensions.
In order to give greater rigidity and needed support to the generator the series
of polar extensions are united physically by a brace or union of non-magnetic
material, which in effect makes the opposite poles one structurally, but preserves
them separate magnetically.
Another portion of this Invention relates to the governing or regulation of these
machines when used as engines for the conversion of current into power.
Governors as usually hitherto made for such engines have been arranged to
break the circuit upon the occurance of a too great speed, the circuit being again
closed upon the proper lessening of the speed; but it is evident that the abnormal
speed will be continued by the momentum of the parts for a greater or less interval
after the breakage of the circuit.
This plan gives rise to undesirable variations in the speed of the engine, as the
speed must first rise when the circuit is broken, then fall when it is again com-
pleted, thus alternating in rise and fall of speed, often giving a jerky motion to the
engine and connected gearing.
The better plan would seem to be to so arrange the governor that ordinarily the
abnormal or greater than desired speed should not be reached, the speed being
maintained practically uniforin.
The object of this Invention is to accomplish this result, and to that end it
consists in a governor by which the circuit is broken at regular intervals, that is,
once in every revolution of the governor, and ordinarily at a certain determined
point, the engine running by momentum until the circuit be again completed, thus,
so to speak, allowing the current to act through only a portion of the stroke, cutting
it off then after a manner analogous to the cutting off in steam engines, the governor
being also so arranged that as the speed increases the current shall be cut off and
the engine run by momentum a proportionately longer time during each revolution,
forming a variable automatic cut off exactly analogous to the steam engine cut off.
A centrifugal governor is arranged to be driven from some rotating part of the
engine. Upon its shaft and connected with the ball arms so as to be moved up
and down thereby is a sleeve composed of an insulating and a conducting portion,
their line of union being a diagonal, that is, if the surface of the spindle were laid
flat it would be of the shape of an italic N, the line between the two being the
diagonal connecting the legs of the N. A spring bears upon this spindle and the
circuit to the engine passes through the spring and spindle.
The governor is so adjusted that upon rotation at the proper speed and with
the proper pressure of current, the commutator will be in the right position for
the circuit to be complete during enough of each rotation of the sleeve to maintain
uniform such speed.
As either additional work is given the engine to do or less current is supplied,
the governor slowing will cause the current to be on for a greater portion of the,

page_text: rotation, or, so to speak, will cut off at a great fraction of the stroke, or vice
versa.
Another portion of the Invention relates to means for communicating motion
from the rotating armature of an electric engine to the driven inechanism without
the use of belts, gears, or other similar devices used to diminish the speed.
The best effects are obtained from electric engines when the armatures are
steadily and uniformly revolved at a very high speed.
This rate of speed is oftentimes, or rather generally, greater than the rate at
which it is desired to run the driven machinery; in order therefore to reduce the
speed the motor and driven machinery are connected by belts or gearing, in whose
use there are inherent defects, such as the slip and stretch of belts, the rattle of
gear, and so forth.
The method which I have devised for this purpose may be stated in general
terms as follows:-
The rotary motion of the armature is first converted into an oscillating motion,
which is then converted into a continuous rotary motion in the following
way-
Upon the shaft of the armature is a balanced crank pin to which is attached a
pitman or driving rod connected to an oscillating frictional pawl mechanisın.
Upon the driving shaft is fixed a wheel having a frictional periphery. Loose
upon the driving shaft is an arm extending a distance above the rim of the frictional
wheel, and then bent over and fashioned into a frame, in which are pivoted two
pawls connected together by a frame capable of being shifted, so that only one
pawl can take at the time upon the wheel.
The pawls are so constructed that they communicate motion in opposite directions,
hence the direction of rotation of the driving wheels depends upon which one of
the pawls is used,
The arm carrying the pawls is slotted, and the pitman or driving rod is connected
thereto by a pin whose position is adjustable in the slot, so that the leverage may
be adjusted and the speed communicated easily varied.
The arrangement described is used in duplicate; that is, two or more driving rods
communicate motion from the armature shaft to as many frictional pawls and
driving wheels on the driven shaft, the crank pins being so arranged relatively to
each other that a continuous motion is imparted to the driven shaft, and mechanism
connected therewith.
Upon the driven shaft is loosely mounted the fly wheel and main driving pulley,
a clutch being used to fasten them to the shaft when it is desired to communicate
motion, so that the machinery may be stopped without stopping the motor itself.
Some methods by which power could be readily and economically transferred to
a distance from a prime motor has long been felt to be desirable, and to that end
many suggestions have been made and plans devised involving its transfer by ropes,
by compressed air, and by electricity.
Practically it has been determined that the power of a prime motor may be
converted into electricity, and the electricity conveyed to a distance to be
re-translated into power; this, however, only to a limited extent and by the use of
very large conductors, for to transmit power to any great distance without the use
of large and costly conductors, requires that the current should have very great
electro-motive force or pressure," say as much as two thousand to three thousand
volts. In practice, with magneto or dynamo electric machines as now built, it is
impracticable to generate currents of such high electro-motive force.
<<
These machines have but a single bobbin, and the difference of potential between
one section of wire upon the bobbin and another would be very great.
Against so great a difference of potential it is extremely difficult to guard even
by the most careful winding and insulation.
The result, especially in damp weather or when the bobbins become damp, that
the currents break a short path from section to section, burning the wires.

page_text: spark at the commutators.
If currents of such electro motive-force could be safely and economically
generated and translated, exceedingly small and inexpensive conductors relatively
could be used to transfer, without material loss, a very large amount of power, say,
several hundred horse power.
Another object of this Invention then is to furnish means and methods by which
this transmission may be made.
In systems of this kind a prime motor is used which may be an air, steam,
water, engine, windmill.
A high speed engine should be used geared directly to the generator.
When a water wheel is used, such as are now ordinarily used, on account of the
low speed with ordinary heads of water it would have to be connected to the
generator by gearing, ordinarily belts, arranged to increase the speed so as to give
the bobbin a sufficiently rapid rotation. The use of belts or gearing however
involves loss of power and irregularity.
Still another object of this Invention then is to so arrange water wheels in con-
nection with generators that the wheel and generator may be connected directly
and without intermediate gearing, and still the necessary high speed obtained.
To accomplish these last named results a battery of generators is used, each
separate and complete in itself, but with all the rotating armatures or bobbins
(each provided with its own commutator) mounted upon the same driving shaft,
the total electro-motive force of all the bobbins being equal to the electro-motive
force desired.
By thus dividing it between a number of bobbins it is lessened in each bobbin,
with a consequent reduction of difference of potential between the layers or sections
on each bobbin.
The motors or re-translating engines are divided up in the same way, all the
bobbins, each having its own commutator, being mounted upon the one driving
shaft, upon which they all exert their force.
Where a water wheel is used with a fall only sufficient to give a low rate of
speed it should be used to actuate a pumping apparatus, raising the water to a
hight whence it may flow under great head or pressure to a smaller wheel geared
directly to the generator, the increased head of water and small size of the second
wheel resulting in an accelerated velocity. This plan is followed because the loss
in pumping and using the pumped water to drive the second wheel is less than the
loss due to gearing by belts and such like a slow moving wheel to the generator,
in such manner as to give the desired high velocity.
By the arrangement thus generally stated it is possible and commercially prac-
ticable to convert even several thousand horse power of a prime motor into
electricity, convey the electricity by moderate sized or even very small conductors
to a distance, there to be reconverted into power.
In addition, for the best results, certain relations must exist between the
generator and engines.
In using generators to produce a current, which is supplied to an electric engine,
the practice hitherto has been to make the generator or transmitting machine and
the engine or receiving machine exactly alike, so that when each is rotating at
same speed the counter electro-motive force of the receiver exactly equals the electro-
motive force of the generator. In such cases, when no work is being done, the
tendency of the engine or receiver is to acquire that rate of speed which is necessary
to make the counter and the prime electro-motive force about equal. As work is
given the engine to do, its speed, and consequently its counter electro-motive force,
is reduced, but when both are made alike, and have, when doing no work, equal
forces, it has not been found desirable to load the engine or receiver beyond the
point reducing its speed, and consequently its counter electro-motive force, more
than one half.
The difference between the electro-motive force and the counter electro-motive

page_text: force (of course less friction, for example), represents the amount of current trans-
ferred into power, which in most cases is not more than fifty per cent.
Instead of the arrangement described the bobbins of the receiving machines or
engines are wound so that when driven at the same speed as the generators or
transmitters their counter electro-motive force shall be only one half, or even less,
that of the transmitters.
Unloaded then, as their tendency is to run at the rate which shall develope the
same electro-motive force, they rotate at twice the speed of the generators.
Now if they are so loaded with work as to reduce their speed to the same as
that of the transmitters they develope only half their unloaded counter electro
motive force, turning fifty per cent. into power at that rate.
It is preferable to load the engine with work only to that point which permits
of a speed not less than that of the generator, and usually somewhat greater, so that
the counter electro-motive force developed shall be about seventy five per cent. of
the prime electro motive force, at about which point is the greatest economical
conversion into force. In connecting up the generators and engines the same plan
may be followed in both.
As stated previously but a small current is required to keep up to the point of
magnetic saturation field magnets once brought to that point.
Where all the current generated is taken through the coils of the field of force
magnets there is many times as much current as needed for the purpose, and the
resistance of the field coils is uselessly added to the circuit of the current, conse-
quently it is preferred to use only part of the current, arranging a shunt circuit to
the bobbin of one or all the machines, which shunt passes around and energizes the
fields of the whole series; the resistance of the fields is proportioned to the electro-
motive force of the bobbin, so that only the proper proportion of current will pass
through the shunt, that is, just enough to keep the field magnets up to the point
of economical magnetic saturation.
The common type of armature used at present is one composed of a number of
coils wound longitudinally over a single core, the coils crossing each other at the
ends where there is a large and cumbersome mass of wire.
If by any chance one or more coils are injured or destroyed the repairment is a
difficult and tedious process. If such coils were among the first put on those
which overlap at the ends must be removed before the injured ones can be
removed.
It seems desirable that such provision be made that any coil can be removed or
repaired without disturbance of the remainder.
Another portion of the Invention therefore relates to a construction for attaining
this object.
This is accomplished by making of wire only that portion of the coil which is
upon the operative face, the wires of a coil being connected at the ends by metallic
plates fastened to an insulating base and insulated from each other. These plates
are made so as to project at the proper points above the general surface of the core,
at which points the wires are secured to them by soldering, brazing, or clamping
devices. At one end each plate is suitably connected to the proper commutator
block.
In case of necessity of removal of any coils it is unloosed from its plates at each
end without disturbance of other coils. In fact, by such construction it is possible
to remove, repair, and replace any coil without taking the armature out of the
machine and with but a slight stoppage of the machine.
The plates upon the end are made as concentric almost semicircles insulated
from each other with the projections for receiving the wires nearly at right angles
thereto.
These plates offer less resistance than the wire, and consequently the internal
resistance of the generator is proportionately reduced.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Peter Jensen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th March
1881.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAGNETO OR DYNAMO ELECTRIC MACHINES, APPLICABLE TO BOTH
GENERATORS AND ENGINES." A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva
Edison, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
A portion of the Invention relates to the commutator brushes.
As is well known the commutator brush generally used consists of a bundle
of wires or layers of sheet metal fastened in a frame or brush holder in such
position as to bear upon and make contact with the commutator.
As hitherto constructed the brush holders have usually been rigidly attached to
the frame of the machine, with some device for adjusting them to different positions
with relation to the commutator, and also so attached that if a commutator brush
become so damaged as to need repairs or replacement a stoppage of the machine
was necessitated.
It is important that the pressure of the brushes upon the periphery of the
commutator should be constant and capable of adjustinent to the desired degree, as
when the pressure is too great the parts are too rapidly abraded and worn away,
and when too slight an arc may form between the opposed surfaces or portions
thereof, causing then to be burnt or oxidized.
It is also important that provision should be made permitting the removal for
repair or replacement of a brush without stoppage of the machine or interference
with its capacity or the current transmitted.
To accomplish these results each brush or spring is secured in a holder having
an angle therein, so that the brush or spring may be set to bear obliquely upon
the commutator, that is, at an angle other than a right angle with the axis of the
commutator. This holder is pivoted in an U shaped jaw in the top of what is
afterwards the stem or shank of the holder. At the pivoted point of the holder
is a chamber, in which is a spring whose force is exerted to throw the brush upon
the commutator, a ratchet wheel and pawl being arranged in connection therewith,
so that the force of the spring may be adjusted. By this means an adjustable
spring-seated commutator brush or spring is secured. Upon one side and near the
lower end of the shank or stem is a recess, into which from below passes the end
of a set screw.
In front of the commutator are two metallic conducting bars, each formning one
terminal of the exterior circuit. These bars are of the size of the recess in the
stems or shanks last described and are provided with a groove in their under
surface. Upon each of these bars two, three, or more of the adjustable spring
seated commutator brushes are placed by slipping the recessed portion upon the
bar, they being then secured thereto by turning the set screw until its end takes
in the groove in the bar.
This is fully illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the annexed Drawings, in
which
Figure 1 is a view of a commutator and series of commutator brushes embodying
the Invention.
Figure 2 is a side view of one brush holder; and
Figure 3 a longitudinal section of part of one brush holder.
A is the commutator of a dynamo or magneto electric machine placed as usual
at the end of the rotating armature B, and supported at its outer end in bearings C;
a, a, being the strips thereof connected to the coils of the armature, but insulated
from each other. At a suitable distance from the commutators square bars D, D,

page_text: are supported in (but insulated from) supports D', D¹, (one of which only is
shown).
The brush holders are made in two pieces E, F, the part E being formed with
an Ushaped recess or jaw at its upper end, in which takes and in which is
pivoted the part F. A pin or pivot i passes through the two parts and holds them
together. In the lower portion of the part F a chamber is formed, in which is
placed the spring h, whose inner end is attached to i, the outer end being fast to the
wall of the chamber. Upon the end of i, outside of the chamber is a ratchet
wheel k, a pawl m being arranged upon E to take into the teeth of k, and hold it
in a fixed position. In the upper or free end of F is a chamber or recess f for
Upon
receiving and holding a brush which is secured therein by a set screw c.
the inner side of E is cut a groove the size of the bar D, in the under side of which
is cut a slot, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
A series of commutator brush holders thus constructed are placed side by side
upon the bars D, D, by simply slipping each on to the bar from the front, each
being secured thereon by the set screws d, taking into the groove in D.
Each series of
The use of a series, as shown, involves several advantages.
brushes is in metallic contact at the same time with the same strip or strips of the
commutator, hence sparks between the commutator and brushes are greatly lessened,
if not entirely obviated, even with a very large current. If repairs upon or
replacement of one or more brushes be necessary the set screws d of the defective
brushes are loosened, and the holders of such defective brushes removed from the
bar D without disturbance of the remaining brushes which afford ample contact
surface.
As before stated the ratchet c is upon the pivot i, to which is attached the
spring h, hence by turning the ratchet any desired degree of resilience may be
given the spring, which force is expended in holding the brushes upon the com-
mutator with a steady and uniform pressure, which may be varied or regulated by
means of the ratchet. This arrangement affords a large contact surface, while at
the same time any one brush may be removed for repair or replacement without
interference with the generative capacity of the machine or disturbance of the
current, and to it is given the name "large current multiple brushes.
Another portion of the Invention relates to the combination of the prime motor
with the magneto or dynamo electric machine.
In using magneto or dynamo electric machines it is very important that the
armatures should be rotated at an uniform and constant speed, as any variation
therein immediately manifests itself in the current. As ordinarily used such
machines are connected to the prime motor by intermediate gearing, usually belts,
which are liable to slip, causing irregularity in the rotation of the armature or
bobbin, every such irregularity affecting the current, causing the irregularity to be
repeated and shown in the operation of whatever translating devices are used in
the circuit.
To obviate this it is preferable to connect the prime motor and the generator
directly, that is, supposing the prime motor to be a steam engine, the pitman rod of
the engine is connected directly to the shaft or axle of the revolving bobbin,
preferably by a crank-pin on a disk upon the end of the bobbin shaft, which disk
is weighted upon the side opposite to the crank pin with a weight which counter-
balances the weight of the pin and pitman, so that any jar or irregularity in
passing dead centers is obviated. This arrangement is specially needed, as the
engine used should be one of very rapid stroke, not less than four hundred to five
hundred per minute, in order that the bobbin may receive its needed high rate of
rotation. The engine should also be what may be called a "self contained engine,"
that is, provided with a governor and an automatic variable cut off, which may be
BO adjusted that upon the speed becoming too great, the cut-off shall be automatically
changed to cut off at a less fraction of the stroke, and vice versa.
Of course as the speed of the engine lessens, the rate of rotation of the bobbin
is lessened, and consequently the electro motive force or pressure of the generated

page_text: current drops. If the steam engine and generator be so arranged, there is provided
a system of generation, in which automatically the pressure or force of the current
may be maintained constant.
In manufacturing generators of large capacity, very large cores and very large
castings for polar extensions are required. These very large parts cost more
proportionately, than small ones, and are much more difficult to handle, the winding
of them requiring greater labor and care. The greatest effect upon the cores is
given by the coils nearest to it, but in using very large cores some of the coils are
necessarily somewhat distant from the core. With several smaller cores, whose
aggregate of weight is that of one larger core, a larger surface for the action of
coils may be obtained, and a larger amount of wire used, whose average distance
from the surface of the cores in either case is the same. Generators of very great
capacity may therefore be profitably constructed of a series (two or more) of coils
and cores, or field magnets, each set having its own polar extensions, but one
armature or bobbin cominon to all being used.
By such construction, as before explained, ease and economy of construction are
secured, the coils are brought on an average nearer the cores, and a greater amount
of wire may be profitably used. Moreover, if at any time it is desired to increase
the capacity of the generator, it may be done by adding more field magnets to those
already in the generator, the only new part required being a proportionately longer
bobbin.
As ensuring compactness and strength, it is preferable to mount the engine and
generator upon one base, on which is secured, upon intermediate supports of a non-
magnetic substance, the generator, the non-magnetic supports being necessary to
avoid the formation of a magnetic circuit outside of the polar extensions. In order
to give greater rigidity and needed support to the generator, the series of polar
extensions are united physically by a brace or union of non-magnetic material,
which in effect makes the opposite poles one structurally, but preserves them
separate magnetically.
This is illustrated in Figure 4 of the Drawings, which represents a prime motor
and a generator united and constructed, as before set forth.
L is a suitable base, preferably of cast iron, upon which is secured the individual
base M of the steam engine. This base M may be cast in one piece with L, or it
may be made separate and properly fastened thereon; A is the cylinder of the engine
provided with the usual throttle valve a, and with steam chest, &c., not shown in
the Drawing.
The piston rod B connects to pitman b, which takes on a crank pin on the disc C,
to which is secured a block or weight which counter balances the weight of the
crank-pin and the pitman b. The disc C is mounted upon the shaft c, which also
carries the revolving armature or bobbin, and is therefore both the engine and
bobbin shaft, and may be termed properly either a bobbin or an engine shaft.
The engine is provided with a governor G, rotated as usual from some rotating part
of the machinery, and attached to a variable cut off, so as to automatically vary
the cut-off, reducing or increasing the speed by lengthening or shortening the
proportion of the stroke during which steam is admitted. E, E', E", represent
three series of field of force magnets, each series forming one magnet, the cores of
whose coils are connected by a back piece or yoke; e, e', e¹¹, being the yokes of
E, E, E, respectively. Each magnet is provided with its own polar extensions,
one for each pole, as F, F, F, which form one pole of each magnet, the other pole
being hid by the plate H and base I in the Drawing. These poles are separated
slightly from each other, affording opportunity for the passage of air on all sides of
each one.
For compactness these magnets are placed horizontally instead of
the
vertically. In order then to give necessary rigidity, and ensure
between the poles for the rotation of the bobbin, a plate H of non-magnetic
material is bolted to them. Upon the shaft c is the bobbin or armature E formed
on a sleeve D which is keyed to the shaft c. This bobbin is of an effective length,
equal to the length of the aperture formed by the polar extensions, and in which it
proper
distance

page_text: is to rotate. In addition to performing its function as a bobbin or armature, the
bobbin is so proportioned that it acts as a fly or balance wheel to the engine.
In order to prevent a magnetic circuit being formed outside of the magnets non-
magnetic material I, K, is placed between the generator and base L.
If the generator were purely a dynamo machine any drop in the pressure or
force in the circuit, due to increased resistance or work in the circuit, would be
immediately felt in the field coils themselves, whereas it is preferable that such
current should not be so affected. In order to maintain the pressure uniform so
far as regards such disturbances, it is well to use a small auxilliary dynamo generator
as the source of the current for the field-magnets.
The bobbin of such auxilliary generator may be placed upon a prolongation of the
shaft c, and its current passed through the field of force coils E, E¹, E". These
field of force coils may be connected in one circuit as a series; or they may be
connected to the field of force circuits by derived circuits, as a "multiple arc
circuit.
"
While in the Drawing only three series of magnets are shown, it is evident that
two, or any increased number, may be used. It is further evident, given a
generator of certain capacity, that its capacity may at any time be increased by
the addition of more series of magnets, without the necessity of re-modeling the
the machine, further than the providing of a proportionately longer bobbin.
Another portion of this Invention relates to the government or regulation of these
machines when used as engines for the conversion of current into power. Governors
as usually hitherto made for such engines have been arranged to break the circuit
upon the occurrence of too much speed, the circuit being again closed upon the
proper lessening of the speed, but it is evident that the abnormal speed will be
continued by the momentum of the parts for a greater or less interval after the
breakage of the circuit. This plan gives rise to undesirable variations in the speed
of the engine, as the speed must first rise when the circuit is broken, then fall when
it is again completed, thus alternating in rise and fall of speed, often giving a
jerky motion to the engine and connected gearing. The better plan would seem to
be to so arrange the governor that ordinarily the abnormal, or greater than desired,
speed should not be reached, the speed being maintained practically uniform.
The object of this part of the Invention is to accomplish this result, and to that
end it consists in a governor by which the circuit is broken at regular intervals,
that is, once in every revolution of the governor, and ordinarily at a certain
determined point, the engine running by momentum until the circuit be again
completed, thus, so to speak, allowing the current to act through only a portion of
the stroke, cutting it off then, after a manner analogous to the cutting off in steam
engines, the governor being also so arranged that as the speed increases the current
shall be cut off and the engine run by momentum a proportionately longer time
during each revolution, forming a variable automatic cut off exactly analogous to
the steam engine cut off.
A centrifugal governor is arranged to be driven from some rotating part of the
engine. Upon its shaft, and connecting with the ball-arms so as to be moved up
and down thereby, is a sleeve composed of an insulating and a conducting portion,
their line of union being a diagonal, that is, if the surface of the spindle were laid
flat it would be of the shape of an italic N, the line between the two being the
diagonal connecting the legs of the N. A spring bears upon the spindle, and
the circuit to the engine passes through the spring and spindle. The governor
is so adjusted that upon rotation at the proper speed, and with a proper pressure
of current, the commutator will be in the right position for the circuit to be
complete during enough of each rotation of the sleeve to maintain uniform such
speed.
As either additional work is given the engine to do, or less current is supplied,
the governor slowing will cause the current to be on for a greater portion of the
rotation, or, so to speak, will cut off at a greater fraction of the stroke, or vice versa.
Figure 5 of the Drawings illustrate such a governor.

page_text: A is a centrifugal ball governor composed of two balls, attached to the fly rods
which are pivoted in supports fixed upon the shaft B, which is mounted in suitable
bearings, and receives motion by means of a cord or belt passing around the
pulley Cand connecting it to some moving part of the engine. The links a, a,
of the governor are pivoted to a sleeve b, to which is attached a commutator D,
both arranged to slide up and down upon the shaft B. The commutator D is
made of a conducting portion d and insulating portion d¹, each cut diagonally
and united at their diagonal edges. The circuit to the engine passes by
conductor 1 to the shaft B, then by the conducting portion d to spring e
supported on but insulated from the frame of the governor, and thence to 2. The
governor is so adjusted that upon rotation at the proper speed and with the proper
pressure of current the commutator will be in the right position for the circuit to
be complete during enough of each rotation of D to maintain uniform such speed.
As either additional work is given the engine to do, or less current is supplied, the
governor slowing will cause the current to be on for a greater portion of the
rotation, or, so to speak, will cut off at a greater fraction of the stroke, or vice
versa.
Another portion of the Invention relates to means for communicating motion
from the rotating armature of an electric engine to the driven mechanism without
the use of belts, gears, or other similar devices used to diminish the speed.
The best effects are obtained from electric engines when the armatures are
steadily and uniformly revolved at a very high speed. This rate of speed is
oftentimes, or rather generally, greater than the rate at which it is desired to run
the driven machinery. In order therefore to reduce the speed, the motor and
driven machinery are connected by belts, or gearing, in whose use there are
inherent defects, such as the slip and stretch of belts, the rattle of gears, &c.
The method which is devised for this purpose may be stated in general terins as
follows: The rotary motion of the armature is first converted into an oscillatory
motion, which is then converted into a continuous rotary motion in the following
way-Upon the shaft of the armature is a balanced crank pin, to which is attached
a pitman or driving rod connected to and oscilating a friction pawl mechanism.
Upon the driving shaft is fixed a wheel having a frictional periphery. Loose upon
the driving shaft is an arm extending a distance above the rim of the frictional
wheel, and then bent over and fashioned into a frame, in which are pivoted two
pawls connected together by a frame capable of being shifted, so that only one
pawl can take at a time upon the wheel. The pawls are so constructed that they
communicate notion in opposite directions, hence the direction of rotation of the
driving wheels depends upon which one of the pawls is used. The arm carrying
the pawls is slotted, and the pitman or driving rod is connected thereto by a pin,
whose position is adjustable in the slot so that the leverage may be adjusted, and
the speed communicated easily varied. The arrangement described is used in
duplicate, that is, two or more driving rods communicate motion from the armature
shaft to as many frictional pawls and driving wheels on the driven shaft, the crank
pins being so arranged relatively to each other, that a continuous motion is imparted
to the driven shaft and mechanismn connected therewith.
Upon the driven shaft is loosely mounted the fly wheel and main driving pulley,
a clutch being used to fasten them to the shaft when it is desired to communicate
motion, so that the machinery may be stopped without stopping the motor itself.
This system of devices is more clearly shown in the Drawings, in which Figure 6 is
a perspective view of the driven mechanism detached from Figure 7, which is a
perspective of a motor engine complete. Figure S shows the application thereof to
a locomotive, and Figure 9 its application to a pump, it being understood however
that the Invention is applicable to many other uses, these being shown as types.
In Figure 7 is shown an electric engine composed of magnets M, M, yoke Y,
polar extensions P, P, and rotary armature A, the commutator, springs or brushes
being removed, in order not to obscure the view of the other parts. Driven from
some rotating part of the machinery is a governor G which operates a circuit

page_text: breaker, adapted to make or break the circuit at a number of points simultaneously.
This circuit breaker is merely arbitrarily indicated at G¹, its construction, operation,
and functions being more fully shown or explained in prior Patents granted to said
Edison. Upon the shaft b of the armature A is a disk a, on which is the crank
pin e.
The disk is weighted upon one side or cut away so as to be balanced.
Loosely pivoted upon the shaft d of the driving wheel D is the arm g extending
above D, and formed into the frame i, in which are pivoted the pawls le, l³, connected
together by the shifting frame m, by which one or the other may be brought into
contact with the periphery of D. In g is the slot h, in which is secured the pin f.
A pitman or driving rod c is connected at one end to pin c, and at the other to
pin f. As the distance of pin f from its center d is always greater than that of e
from the center b, the rotation of a communicates only an oscillating motion to g.
The pawls are so fashioned, as shown, that in movement in one direction they slide
over the face of D, while in the reverse movement they lock to the face and
move D. As shown, the pawl is in use. If a rotates in the direction of its
arrow, k during the forward half of a's rotation slides over the face of D, but upon
the rearward half rotates D with it in the direction of the arrow marked thereon.
In practice two or more sets are used, as shown at 2, 3, in Figure 7, so that a
constant motion is secured instead of the intermittent action due to one only. If
desired to reverse the motion, the frame m is moved to the left, lifting from
contact with D, at the same time putting in contact therewith. Any suitable
device may be used for holding the frame m in the position to which it is moved.
Upon the shaft d is mounted loosely the fly wheel F and driving pulley E, a
clutch C with lever L being used to connect E, F, to the shaft d, so that the move-
ment of the driven machinery may be controlled without subjecting the motor
itself to the objectionable effects of sudden starts and stoppages.
In Fig. 8 the engine is shown mounted upon a wheeled frame, driving
wheels Ďw being substituted for the fly wheel and pulley, constituting an
efficient locomotive.
In Figure 9 a pump P is shown connected directly by pitman r to a crank
cron shaft d. By thus connecting directly instead of through the medium of
intermediate gearing increased efficiency of service is secured. Some method by
which power could be readily and economically transferred to a distance from a
prime motor has long been felt to be desirable, and to that end many suggestions
have been made and plans devised, involving its transfer by ropes, by compressed
air, and by electricity.
Practically it has been determined that the power of a prime motor may be
converted into electricity, and the electricity conveyed to a distance to be re-trans-
lated into power, this however only to a limited extent; and by the use of very
large conductors for to transmit power to any great distance without the use of
large and costly conductors requires that the current should have very great
electro-motive force or "pressure," say, as much as two thousand to three thousand
volts.
In practice with magneto or dynamo electric machines as now built, it is impracti-
cable to generate currents of such high electro-motive force. These machines have but
a single bobbin, and the difference of potential between one section of wire upon the
bobbin and another would be very great. Against so great a difference of potential
it is extremely difficult to guard, even by the most careful winding and insulation.
The result, especially in damp weather or when the bobbins become damp, is that
the currents break a short path from section to section, burning the wires. In
addition, such great electro-motive force causes a large increase of destructive spark
at the commutator. If currents of such electro motive force could be safely and
economically generated and translated, exceedingly small and inexpensive con-
ductors relatively could be used to transfer without material loss a very large
amount of power, say, several hundred horse power.
Another object of this Invention then is to furnish means and methods by which

page_text: this transmission may be made. In systems of this kind a prime motor is used
which may be an air, steam, or water motor, or windmill. A high speed engine
should be used, geared directly to the generator. When a water wheel is used,
such as are now ordinarily used on account of the low speed with ordinary heads
of water, it would have to be connected to the generator by gearing, ordinarily
belts, arranged to increase the speed so as to give the bobbin a sufficiently rapid
rotation. The use of belts or gearing however involves loss of power and irregu-
larity. Still another object of this Invention then is to so arrange water wheels in
connection with generators that the wheel and generator may be connected directly
and without intermediate gearing, and still the necessary high speed obtained. To
accomplish these last named results a battery of generators is used, each separate
and complete in itself, but with all the rotating armatures or bobbins (each pro-
vided with its own commutator) mounted upon the same driving shaft, the total
electro-motive force of all the bobbins being equal to the electro-motive force
desired. By thus dividing it between a number of bobbins it is lessened in each
bobbin, with a consequent reduction of difference of potential between the layers or
sections on each bobbin.
The motors or re-translating engines are divided up in the same way, all the
bobbins, each having its own commutator, being mounted upon the one driving
shaft, upon which they all exert their force. Where a water wheel is used with a
fall only sufficient to give a low rate of speed, it should be used to actuate a
pumping apparatus, raising the water to a height, whence it may flow under great
head or pressure to a smaller wheel geared directly to the generators, the increased
head of the water and small size of the second wheel resulting in an accelerated
velocity. This plan is followed because the loss in pumping and using the pumped
water to drive the second wheel is less than the loss due to gearing by belts, &c., a
slow moving wheel to the generator in such manner as to give the desired high
velocity. By the arrangement thus generally stated it is possible and commercially
practicable to convert even several thousand horse power of a prime motor into
electricity, and convey the electricity by moderate sized or even very small con-
ductors to a distance, there to be reconverted into power. In addition for the best
results certain relations must exist between the generators and engines. In using
generators to produce a current which is supplied to an electric engine the practice
hitherto has been to make the generator or transmitting machine and the engine or
receiving machine exactly alike, so that when each is rotating at same speed the
contrary electro motive force of the receiver exactly equals the electro motive force
of the generator. In such cases when no work is being done the tendency of the
engine or receiver is to acquire that rate of speed which is necessary to make the
counter and the prime electro-motive force about equal. As work is given the
engine to do its speed, and consequently its counter electro-motive force, is reduced,
but when both are made alike, and have when doing no work equal forces, it has
not been found desirable to load the engine or receiver beyond the point reducing
its speed and consequently its counter electro-motive force more than one half.
The difference between the electro motive force and the counter electro motive
force (of course less friction, &c.) represents the amount of current transferred into
power, which in most cases is not more than fifty per cent.
Instead of the arrangement described, the bobbins of the receiving machines or
engines are wound so that when driven at the same speed as the generators or
transmitters their counter electro motive force shall be only one half, or even less,
that of the transmitters. Unloaded then, as their tendency is to run at the rate
which shall develop the same electro-motive force, they rotate at twice the speed
of the generators. Now, if they are so loaded with work as to reduce their speed
to the same as that of the transmitter, they develop only half their unloaded
counter electro motive force, turning fifty per cent. into power at that rate. It is
preferable to load the engine with work only to that point which permits of a
speed not less than that of the generator, and usually somewhat greater, so that
the counter electro motive force developed shall be about seventy-five per cent. of

page_text: the prime electro motive force, at about which point is the greatest economical
conversion into force. In connecting up the generators and engines the same
plan may be followed in both. As stated previously, but a small current is
required to keep up to the point of magnetic saturation field magnets once brought
to that point. Where all the current generated is taken through the coils of the
field of force magnets, there is many times as much current as needed for the
purpose, and the resistance of the field coils is uselessly added to the circuit of the
current, consequently it is preferred to use only part of the current, arranging a
shunt circuit to the bobbin of one or all the machines, which shunt passes around and
energizes the field of the whole series. The resistance of the fields is proportioned
to the electro motive force of the bobbin, so that only the proper proportion of
current will pass through the shunt, that is, just enough to keep the field magnets
up to the point of economical magnetic saturation. In Figure 10 of the Drawings
is shown this arrangement described, so far as may be shown in Drawings.
E is a battery of generators, which may be of any desired number, six A, A, A,
A, A, A¹, being shown, their rotating armatures or bobbins and commutators being
upon a shaft e¹ common to them all, which is driven from any suitable prime
motor, represented arbitrarily by x. In this case the bobbins of the entire battery
are connected in a series by wires 3, 3, extending from the commutator brush of
one generator to that of the next, conductors 2, 4, attached to the terminal binders
of the battery leading to and from the battery G of engines or translating devices.
From the commutator connections of A¹ a shunt circuit is formed 5, 5, which
passes from P through the coils of all the field of force magnets of the series
returning to P. G is a battery of engines or receivers having bobbins wound as
explained, so as to have, when doing no work, a speed of twice that of the bobbins
of the generators in order to develop a counter electro motive force equal to the
electro motive force of the generators. The bobbins and commutators are placed
on a shaft c common to them all, which shaft is suitably connected to the
machinery to be driven, which connection is represented in this instance by
pulley Ps on shaft c, belt D and pulley P* on shaft 8, which conveys the power
to the driven machines. The current comes from the generators, say, by wire 2,
passes to the commutator of the first engine c, thence by wires 1, 1, through the
commutators of the remainder in series, and by wire 13 and 4 back to the generators.
A shunt circuit 14 to the commutator of C¹ leads through the coils of all the field
of force magnets, the resistances of the shunts in both instances being proportioned
as herein before explained. Instead of the generators and engines being arranged
in series as shown, they may if deemed desirable be arranged, either or both, on
the multiple are system, in which cases the relative resistances of the parts must
be adjusted to compensate for the difference in resistance of a circuit inherent upon
arrangement of devices in series or in derived circuits. The engine of the
battery G need not be located at one place as shown, but may be distributed, as, for
instance, through a village which is remote from the source of supply, or station
where E is located. In such case a small dynamo may be placed in the circuit 2
at the village or locality, and the current therefrom used to excite the field magnets
of the engines, a local circuit leading from and to the dynamo through all the field
coils of the engines there located Instead of the bobbius being wound differently
so as to require different speeds for the same electro motive forces, the number of
engines or receiving machines used may be less than that of the generators, for
instance, as shown in Figure 10, with six generators four engines may be used,
with the result, in order to give the same electro motive force, that the receivers
run with much greater speed than the generators. The common type of armature
used at present is one composed of a number of coils wound longitudinally over a
single core, the coils crossing each other at the ends, where there is a large and
cumbersome mass of wires. If by any chance, one or more coils are injured or
destroyed, the repairment is a difficult and tedious process. If such coils were
among the first put on, those which overlap at the ends must be removed before the
injured ones can be reached.

page_text: It seems desirable that such provision be made that any coil can be removed or
repaired without disturbance of the remainder.
Another portion of this Invention, therefore, relates to a construction for
attaining this object. This is accomplished by making of wire only that portion of
the coil which is upon the operative face, the wires of a coil being connected at the
ends by metallic plates fastened to an insulating base, and insulated from each
other. These plates are made so as to project at the proper points above the
general surface of the core, at which points the wires are secured to them by
soldering, brazing, or clamping devices. At one end each plate is suitably
connected to the proper commutator block. In case of necessity of removal of any
coil it is unloosed from its plates at each end without disturbance of other coils.
In fact, by such construction, it is possible to remove, repair, and replace any coil
without taking the armature out of the machine, and with a slight stoppage of the
machine.
This part of the Invention may be carried into effect by means substantially
such as shown in Figure 11 of the Drawings, wherein C is the commutating end,
and A the other end of the armature.
Upon suitable insulating bases circular in form, the radial metal plates numbered
1 to 18, in A and C, are secured, insulated from each other, as indicated by the
black space between them.
Upon A the circular plate or bar a connects 1 and 10; b, 2 and 11; c, 3 and 12;
d, 4 and 13; c, 5 and 14; g, 6 and 15; h, 7 and 10; i, 8 and 17; k, 9 and 18.
Each of these bars is insulated from the other, and from all the plates excepting
those which it is designed to connect. It will be noticed that upon this end the
circular bars connect exactly opposite coils, as would the wires ordinarily used.
Upon the commutating end C the arrangement is somewhat different. Upon it
I and 12 are connected by m, 2 and 9 by n, 3 and 14 by o, 4 and 11 by p, 5 and 16
by q, 6 and 13 by 7, 7 and 18 by 8, 8 and 15 by t, 10 and 17 by u. These bars
are insulated, as before stated in the case of A.
Upon the commutating end the odd numbered radial bars are bent outwardly at
a right angle at their inner end, the bent portions v, v, being secured to a hub and
forming the commutator.
To these end disks, thus constructed, are secured wires, ribbons, or bars, in any
suitable manner, forming with the radial and circular plates the coils. For large
machines it is preferred to use naked bars of copper B', B', which are secured in
the recesses shown in the outer edges of the radial plates. They will be sufficiently
insulated from each other by the air space between them. If bars are used not
sufficiently rigid to preserve their relative distances from each other throughout
their length, stays or blocks of insulating material, such as mica, may be placed
between them at proper intervals.
By the arrangement of connections and the commutator as shown in C all the
coils are constantly in circuit, the generated current having the electro motive
force of a coil of the total length of all the coils, while the internal resistance is
kept low by the lessening of resistance in the ends, due to the much larger mass of
conductor in section of the plates and bars over that of the wires ordinarily used,
while the resistance of the active parts, when bars are used, as described, is also
greatly lessened.
Supposing the parts are in such position that the commutator brushes are in
connection with 5 and 15, the path of the generated currents will be as follows:-
Starting, say, at the brush ou 5, the path in the machine to 15 would be for one
portion of the current, via 5. e. 14. o. 3. c. 12. m. 1. a. 10. u. 17. i. 8. t. 15.
and for the other portion via 5.q. 16. h. 7.8. 18. k. 9. n. 2. b. 11. p. 4. d. 13.
7.6.g. 15. thus including every coil.
While the term magneto or dynamo electric machines is used herein, both in
description and claims, it is evident that these improvements are equally applicable
to electric engines or motors, and that the claims herein are to be construed and
taken as covering such application.

page_text: What is claimed is,–
First. The combination with the brush holder of a magneto or dynamo electric
machine, of means for giving an adjustable pressure of the brush upon the
commutator, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with a commutator of a series of brushes each mounted
independently upon a common supporting shaft or bar, and independently adjusted,
substantially as set forth.
Third. The combination with a commutator of a series of brushes and holders
each mounted independently upon a common bar or shaft, and arranged so that
each brush takes obliquely upon the commutator, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. A brush holder formed of two parts, the one for fixed seating upon a
proper support, the other connected thereto by an adjustable spring union, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Fifth. A. magneto or dynamo electric machine consisting of a series (two or more)
of independent field of force magnets and a single armature or bobbin common to
them all, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination of a magneto or dynamo electric machine, a steam engine
connected thereto by a counter balanced connection, a governor, and variable cut
off automatically controlled thereby, and an armature or bobbin serving both as an
armature or bobbin and as a fly or balance wheel, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The combination with a common base of an automatically controlled
engine, a magneto or dynamo electric machine, and non magnetic supports placed
between the generator and the base, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the polar extensions of a series of independent
electro magnets forming, with a bobbin common to them all, a generator of a non-
magnetic plate or brace uniting and supporting the polar extensions, substantially
as set forth.
Ninth. The combination of a generator, a high speed steam engine, and a variable
cut-off and governor, so that the speed of the engine and the power or pressure of
the current are automatically regulated, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. A governor for an electric engine arranged to break the circuit at regular
definite intervals, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. A governor for an electric engine arranged to break the circuit once in
every revolution of the governor at a point and for a fraction of the revolution
dependent upon the speed of the engine or amount of load, substantially as set
forth.
Twelfth. The method of reducing speed between an electric engine and the
machinery driven thereby, by first converting the rotary motion of the armature
into oscillatory motion, and then reconverting the oscillatory motion into rotary
motion, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with the rotary armature of an electric engine of an
oscillating pawl carrier and a friction wheel actuated thereby, substantially as set
forth.
Fourteenth. The combination of a rotating armature, an oscillating pawl carrier, a
pitman, and an adjustable connection, so that the throw and speed of the pawl
carrier may be varied, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth. The combination of a rotating arinature, an adjustable double pawl
carrier, an adjustable connection between them, and means for determining which
pawl shall be kept in operation at any one time, substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination of an electric engine, a machine driven thereby, and a
pitman for connecting the two directly without the intervention of gearing or belts,
substantially as set forth.
Seventeenth. The combination of a magneto or dynamo electric machine and an
electric engine constructed relatively to each other, so that the engine must run at a
much greater speed than the magneto or dynamo electric machine to produce a counter
electro-motive force equalling the electro motive force of the dynamo or magneto.
electric machine, substantially as set forth.

page_text: Eighteenth. The combination of a battery of magneto or dynamo electric machines
and a battery of electric motors or engines arranged differently relatively to each
other, as described, substantially as set forth.
Nineteenth. The method of transferring power into electricity and reconverting the
electricity into power, consisting in generating the current in dynamo or magneto
electric machines, or in a battery thereof giving a certain speed, a certain electro
motive force transmitting the current to an electric engine or motor or series
thereof arranged to give the same electro-motive force only at a much higher rate
of speed, substantially as set forth.
Twentieth. The combination with the main circuit of a series or battery of
magneto or dynamo electric machines used either as generators or receiving machines,
of a shunt circuit to the bobbin or armature of one of the machines, which shunt
passes around and energizes all the field of force magnets of the battery, substantially
as set forth.
Twenty first. The method of generating currents by the use of a water wheel as a
prime motor, consisting in using two wheels, the first and larger pumping water to
a hight, then using the water so pumped with its greater head to actuate a smaller
wheel at a greater rate of speed, the second wheel being connected to the generator,
substantially as set forth.
Twenty second. A revolving armature for magneto or dynamo electric machines,
having its ends formed of radial plates suitably connected, substantially as set forth.
Twenty third. The combination in an armature for magneto or dynamo electric
machines, of radial plates and circular connecting plates, substantially as set forth.
Twenty fourth. The combination with the armature of a magneto or dynamo
electric machine provided with a series of coils or bars, of a commutator and
connections arranged to retain all the coils constantly in the circuit, substantially
as set forth.
Twenty fifth. An armature for dynamo or magneto electric machines having
its active or generative portions made of naked bars or ribbons of metal, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Twenty sixth. An armature for dynamo or magneto electric machines in which
the active or generative portions may be removed without disturbance of the end
or inert portions, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Jensen, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty second day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
PETER JENSEN. (L.S.)