IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Hale Holmes, of Black wall, in the County
of Middlesex, Analytical Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES."
Sealed the 6th April 1858, and dated the 14th October 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Hale Holmes.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th October 1857.
FREDERICK HALE HOLMES, of Blackwall, in the County of Middlesex,
5 Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of
rotatory magneto-electric machines, whereby a maximum amount of electricity
can be obtained at a low speed of working, thus avoiding the injurious
0 consequences attendant on working at a high velocity.
In this machine the helices are made to revolve whilst the magnets are
stationary, and the numbers of the poles of the helices are double the number
of poles of the magnets. The magnets are arranged in circles, and each
circle is mounted on an independant metal frame, which is fixed to or
5 suspended from the main standards of the machine by any convenient
arrangement of brackets or arms.
The helices, which may be arranged in one or more wheels or circles, are

page_text: retained in their places by their centres or cores being screwed on to or
through the hollow rim of the wheel which carries them, the centre core
of the helix forming the screw.
A projecting guard rim is also formed on the rim of each wheel, to avoid
the possibility (in case of derangement of the machine) of the ends of the cores
of the helices coming in contact with the magnets. The circles of magnets
and helices are so disposed that the latter revolve between the opposite poles
of opposite fixed magnets.
In order further to prevent accident from the cores of the helices coming
in contact with the magnets whilst revolving, it is proposed to bevil off slightly
the ends of such cores, by which means they may be safely worked in the
closest proximity to the magnets.
The journals of the main axle carrying the helices are formed with double
cone bearings, so as to form a good bearing surface, and keep the axle
accurately in its place, whilst the brasses form a reservoir for the lubricating
material.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick Hale Holmes in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 14th April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
HALE HOLMES, of Black wall, in the County of Middlesex, Analytical Chemist,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Frederick Hale Holmes, Her special license that I, the said
Frederick Hale Holmes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Frederick Hale Holmes, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Frederick Hale Holmes, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe

page_text: and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick Hale Holmes, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
:
17
My Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of rotatory
magneto-electric machines, whereby a maximum amount of electricity can be
obtained at a low speed of working, thus avoiding the injurious consequences
attendant on working at a high velocity.
In this machine the helices are made to revolve whilst the magnets are
5 stationary, and the numbers of the poles of the helices are double the number
of poles of the magnets. The magnets are arranged in circles, 'and each
circle is mounted on an independant metal frame, which is fixed to or
suspended from the main standards of the machine by any convenient
arrangement of brackets or arms.
The helices, which may be arranged in one or more wheels or circles, are
their places by their centres or cores being screwed on to or
hollow rim of the wheel which carries them, the centre or core
ming the screw.
thro
of the
A projec..
the possibility
gd rim is also formed on the rim of each wheel, to avoid
se of disarrangement of the machine) of the ends of the
cores of the helices coming in contact with the magnets. The circles of
magnets and helices are so disposed that the latter revolve between the opposite
poles of opposite fixed magnets.
In order further to prevent accident from the cores of the helices coming in
contact with. the magnets whilest revolving, it is proposed to bevil off slightly
the ends of such cores, by which means they may be safely worked in the
closest proximity to the magnets.
The journals of the main axle carrying the helices are formed with double
cone bearings, so as to form a good bearing surface, and keep the axle
5 accurately in its place, whilst the brasses form a reservoir for the lubricating
material.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of

page_text: showing certain modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously
carried out in practice.
Figure 1 on my Sheet of Drawings is a front view or elevation of one
modification of my improvements in magneto-electric machines; Figure 2 is
an end view of the same; Figure 3 is a partially sectional elevation of the
machine, showing one of the wheels in which the helices are arranged, with
the rim partly removed therefrom; Figure 4 is a vertical section, corresponding
to Figure 2; in this Figure the central or main shaft is shewn, with a portion
only of it drawn in section; Figure 5 is a plan corresponding to Figures 1
and 2 of my Drawing; and Figure 6 is an elevation of one of the stationary
frames, in which the magnets are arranged.
In the modification of my Invention, as delineated in my illustrative
Drawings,, the framing of the machine consists of a rectangular frame A,
forming the base of the magneto-electric arrangement; this frame is
strengthened at its central part by a transverse base plate B, which serves
to support the lower columnar standards of the series of fixed magnets.
On
either side of the rectangular frame A are five gothic columns, from the
capitals of which spring a corresponding number of arches. These support an
entablature C, the style of which is made to accord with the lower part of
the framing. Upon one side of the framing and equidistant from its ends
is fitted a small direct-action steam-engine, the cylinder D of which is
arranged with its slide valve between it and the framing of the magneto-
electric machine. The piston rod of the engine is connected by means of
the slings E to the pin of the crank F, which is fitted to the overhanging
extremity of the shaft G. The shaft G is carried in pedestal bearings, which
are bolted to the upper part of the entablature C of the framing. The
journals of the shaft G are made of a duplex conical form, in order to avoid
any lateral traverse or shifting of the shaft; and these conical services are
made to fit accurately to the brasses in which they rotate. The central part
of the shaft G has fast to it two wheels H, the inner portion of each wheel
consists of six strong radial arms, terminating in a broad feathered rim.
This portion of the wheel is by preference made of cast iron. The rim of
the cast-iron wheel H has fitted to it a ring of brass or bronze, which is
firmly bolted or otherwise secured to the periphery of the wheel H. This
ring has projecting from it strong radial arms I, which connect the inner
ring to the outer rim J, in which are arranged the cores K of a series of
helices L. The brass rim J is made of a trough-like form, '(that is to say,) it
forms three sides of a rectangular figure, as shewn in Figure 4 of my Drawings,
and it is within this recess that the helices are fixed. The helices consist in

page_text: each case of a hollow core of soft iron, around which the wire is wound, and
through which the solid cores K pass. Each helix is secured to the rim J,
by passing the solid core through the sides of the rim and hollow core, the
core thus forming a retaining bolt, which is firmly secured by screwing into
the metal into which it is inserted. The extremities of the solid cores K are
made to project slightly beyond the rim J, and so as to be in close proximity
to the series of stationary magnets arranged upon either side of the helices.
The edges of the extremities of the cores K are bevilled or rounded off, in
order to lessen the liability of their coming in contact with the contiguous
magnets; and, as a still further precaution against an accident of this kind,
the rim J is made with a slightly projecting fillet upon either side, which
projecting part extends about one thirty-second part of an inch beyond the
extremities of the cores K. The wires which form the coils L may be
connected one to the other in the usual manner, and the terminal wires
are carried down one of the arms of the wheels H, and through the tubular
passage M, which is made in the shaft G, to the commutators.
In the Specification of British Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing
date on or about the twentieth day of July, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven, there is described any arrangement of a break or commutator,
which I prefer to use in combination with this my present Invention. As
applied to this magneto-electric machine, the commutators consist each of
two wheels N, which are fast to the tubular end of the shaft G, though insulated
from it. Each of these wheels is made in two parts, which are put together
parallel to each other, and thus form a single wheel or disc. The periphery
of each disc is cut or otherwise formed into a series of toothlike projections,
to which an indented, curved, or diagonal form is given. These horizontal
projections interlock with each other, as shewn in Figure 2 of my Drawings.;
the spaces left between the teeth prevent contact being established between
the parts requiring to be insulated, and also the deposition of dust or other
matters which would form a conducting medium, and thereby impair the
efficient action of the machine. There are in this modification of my
Invention two of these commutators N keyed upon the shaft G, and each
of them is in metallic connection by means of terminal wires, which are
carried through the tubular passage M of the shaft G with each series of
helices, that is to say, with that series which are shewn opposite the poles
of the magnets and the series which intervene or are opposite the spaces
between the limbs. On either side of the commutators N a bracket (
projects outwards from the entablature of the framing; upon the upper surface
of each bracket is fixed a slab of wood or other nonconducting material P.

page_text: To each of the slabs of wood P is fixed two short vertical standard Q, the
upper surfaces of which incline downwards towards the end of the machine.
The lower end of each of the angular faces of the standards Q carries a
socked R, in which is received the square portion of a forked rod S; the square
portion of this rod S passes through the socket R, and the rod is adjustable
to and fro in its socket by means of an adjusting nut T. The free extremity
of the rod S. is forked or divided into two parallel checks, in which is fitted the
spindle of a brass pulley or roller U, the periphery of which rests upon that of
its contiguous commutator. A pin V is fixed in the upper ends of each of the
standards Q; this pin passes through a slot made in the rod S, just behind the
part where its forked ends diverge. The pin V is furnished with a nut and india-
rubber washer, which is screwed down on to the spindle for the purpose of
keeping its roller U in constant contact with the periphery of the commutator,
thus allowing for wear. Each of the commutators N is furnished with a pair
of these conductors U, the perepheries of which are separated a short distance
from cach other, and rest upon the surface of the commutator N beneath;
W, W, are pivots or journals of the duplex conical form shewn on the shaft
G, and serve to enable the rod S to be elevated or depressed, forming as they
do hinges to the sockets R; they, at the same time prevent any lateral
motion of the rods with the rollers U. The wires which serve to convey the
electricity away from the machine, are passed through holes in the rods S,
made for that purpose, and secured in the ordinary inanner by binding screws.
As this is well known, I have not considered it necessary to illustrate it by
Drawings. In this modification of my Invention there are three series of
stationary magnets used, from which the current of electricity is obtained, but
if found desirable, the magnets may rotate whilst the helices remain stationary,
in which case four additional rollers will be required for bringing the current
on to the commutators. The detached detail view, Figure 6. of my Drawing,
serves to illustrate the means I prefer to adopt in arranging the different
series of magnets; A columnar standard X is bolted to the central base plate
B, and to each end of the entablature upon its upper surface is bolted a corre-
sponding horizontal stay Y. To the supports X and Y is attached an annular
plate of iron Z; the periphery of this plate is made with deep curved inden-
tations a, the width of which correspond to the space between the U or "horse
shoe" shaped magnets to be fitted thereto. To the margin of each of the
openings a is fitted a magnet b, which is secured to the frame Z by means of
bolts or other suitable attachments. The free ends or poles of the magnets
project beyond the periphery of the frame Z, as shewn in Figure 6 of my
Drawing. Each series of magnets 6 is arranged upon its respective plate or

page_text: frame Z in like manner, and the three series are disposed parallel to each
other, as shewn in the end view plan and vertical section of my Drawing; the
poles of the magnets are so disposed, that opposite poles of opposite magnets will
face each other, and shall in each ring or series be alternately north and south.
The central magnet frame is arranged between the two series of helices, and
the two others upon either side of the helices; in these two series the magnets
are arranged so as to be in immediate proximity to the poles of the cores K of
the helices L. The upper parts of the magnet frames Z are connected to each
other by the standards c and cross head d, thus making the whole of the
stationary parts of the machine exceedingly firm and not liable to tremor.
The magnet frames, with their magnets, and the wheels H carrying the
several series of helices are arranged with great nicety, so that the wheels and
helices may rotate as closely as possible to the poles of the magnets, but
without coming in contact. Any liability to accident from this cause is
specially guarded against by the peculiar construction of the rims J, the fillets
of which project slightly beyond the cores K, and thereby effectually prevent
the magnets from coming in contact with them; at the same time the double
cone bearings of the shaft G keeps the wheels H working accurately in the
same planes, and prevent any tendency to lateral traverse.
In magneto-
electric machines as hitherto constructed it has been necessary to cause the
helices or magnets to make a great number of revolutions in a given time,
that is to say, from two hundred to one thousand revolutions per minute.
This excessive speed of working has been found to be highly detrimental'to
the useful application of the machine, inasmuch as the tremor thereby pro-
duced endangered the machine, and necessitated the helices being placed so
far from the magnets, that a large portion of the induced current was lost.
In my present Invention the wheels H, carrying the helices L, are caused to
rotate regularly at a low working speed by the direct action of the engine,
thus dispensing with the use of driving straps, and the consequent slips or
irregularity of driving attendant thereon. A maximum speed of about eighty-
five revolutions per minute is sufficient with my improved machine to obtain a
powerful and continuous current of electricity. This reduction in the number
of revolutions in a given time is compensated for by the increased diameter of
the helix wheels and the great number of magnets employed. I prefer to use
from twelve up to twenty-four magnets, making the number of helices a
multiple of the poles of the magnets, that is, using two, three, or more times
the number of helices that there are poles of magnets. The number of com-
mutators must, however, be equal to such multiple of the magnets; thus,
when the number of helices is double, the number of magnets, (or a multiple

page_text: of two), two commutators are to be used, as shewn in my Drawings, where a
multiple of three, or three times the number, three commutators are to be
used, and so on. In the modification I have shewn in my Drawing, there are
twenty magnets in each series, and there are eighty helices in each of the
rims J, being twice the number, (or the multiple two), of the magnetic poles.
Hence, although a slower rotatory speed is used, the helices pass as many poles
of the magnets in one revolution of this machine, as they would in several
rotations of the machines hitherto used.. I am, therefore, enabled to avoid
the injurious tremor and centrifugal force arising from high speed, and
.thereby obtain a more powerful current of electricity, because the vibration
being avoided, the helices and the magnets may be safely brought into much
closer proximity than has hitherto been practicable. In constructing the
machine, particular care is taken to arrange the magnets 6 in their frames in
a true plane, so that all the poles of the magnets are equidistant from the
cores of the helices. To this end the surfaces of the frames or annular plates
Z are turned perfectly true in a lathe, and the magnets, before fixing, are
adjusted in regard to thickness by grinding or otherwise, or the same result
may be obtained by shoeing the poles with soft iron and then bolting them to
their respective frames; the whole being afterwards turned true in a lathe.
The object of shoeing with soft iron is to enable the cutters of the lathe to
bite, as they would not be able to turn off the steel portions of the magnets.
The attachment of the magnet frames to the standards X and the stays Y
also admits of the magnets being adjusted with the utmost nicety as regards
their parallelism with and distance from the cores of the helices. With these
several arrangements or mere modifications thereof, constant and powerful
currents of electricity may be economically obtained and used for the various
purposes to which this peculiar agent is applicable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as variations may be made therefrom without deviating
from the principles or main features of my said Invention; but what I con-
sider to be novel novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is, -
First, the general construction, arrangement, and combination of machinery
or apparatus for obtaining currents of electricity from series of stationery or
revolving magnets, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of arranging and constructing the wheels which

page_text: carry the revolving helices or magnets (where such magnets are caused to
revolve) of magneto-electric machines, so that the maximum amount of
electricity made be obtained with a greatly decreased speed of working, as
herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of arranging and securing the helices of magneto-
electric machines within the hollow rim of a carrying wheel, and the use and
application of a fillet or guard to the exterior of the hollow rim, for the
purpose of protecting the extremities of the fixed cores, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the use and application of duplex conical bearings to the main
shaft and other working parts of magneto-electric machines, for the purpose of
preventing any tendency to lateral slip, thereby keeping the helix wheels and
other working parts exactly in their proper planes, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the application and use of a direct-acting steam engine in conjunction
with magneto-electric machines, for the purpose of driving or imparting a
rotatory movement to the wheels carrying the helices or magnets, as herein-
before described.
Sixth, the arrangement and construction of the annular plates or frames
upon which the magnets are fixed, together with the system or mode of
mounting the said magnets, so that they may form a true plane, as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Hale Holmes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Fourteenth day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.
F. H. HOLMES. (L.S.)