FOR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Werdermann, of Prince's Street, in the County
of Surrey, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of
FOR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."
IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS
Sealed the 18th July 1876, and dated the 20th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Werdermann at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1876.
RICHARD WERDERMANN, of Prince's Street, in the County of Surrey, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS FOR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of locomotive engine
wheels. The object of the said Invention is to obtain a greater adhesion of the
wheels to the rails without increasing the weight of the locomotive, thereby
augmenting the tractive force of the locomotive.
The increase of tractive force is obtained either by increasing the vertical pres ury
on the rails by magnetic attraction or by the resistance opposed to the movement of
the rails by springs.
say
The principal advantages of my said improvements are as follows, that is to
First. Diminution of the weight of the locomotive, increase of adhesion of the
wheels to the rails, and greater effect of the steam power.
Second. Possibility of adopting steep gradients in the construction of railways.
Third. Economy of fuel and other expenses.
Fourth. Economy in the maintenance of the permanent way.
My improved locomotive wheels are either horse-shoe magnet wheels or excentric
feathering wheels.
The horse-shoe magnet wheel is constructed as follows:-The tire of the wheel is
divided into two parts, which are separated from each other by a small disc of
copper, brass, or any other suitable non-magnetic material. On the outside of each
of the two parts of the tire is placed an iron ring provided with a flange. The two
parts of the tire, the copper disc, and the two iron rings are held together by holis
or screws of copper, brass, or other suitable metal. These bolts also support one
end of two iron bars which at the other end are screwed to the spokes. The said
iron rings are coiled with insulated copper wire or ribbon, the bobbins occupying
the whole space between the flanges of the iron rings and the tire.
OJ 1
On the boss of

page_text: the wheel towards the axle are fixed two copper or brass dises insulated from each
other by a disc of ebonite or other suitable insulating material. With each of
these discs is connected one end of the wires of the coils. Against the circumference
of the two discs which revolve with the wheels are pressed two metal springs, which
are connected with the two poles of a galvanic battery or magneto-electric machine
placed on the locomotive or tender. As soon as the electric current flows through
the coils a powerful magnetic attraction takes place between the wheel and the
rail. the two tires, or two parts of the tire, having become the two poles of a
powerful electro-magnet, while the rail forms the armature.
Another arrangement of the parts of the wheel is as follows:-On the outer side
of the two tires around the whole circumference 1 place a series of electro-magnets,
the cores of which are fixed by bolts in the above-described manner. The cores of
the two corresponding coils are connected by a bent bar of iron which crosses the
wheel between two spokes. The wire of the hobbins is wound in such a manner
that when an electric current flows through the same the tire of the wheel becomes
a powerful magnet, one half of the fire assuming positive polarity and the other
half negative polarity.
:-
The two copper dises surrounding the boss may be modified in the following
manner Each one of the two copper dises is composed of as many sections
insulated from each other as there are bobbins on one side of the tire. Each section
is connected with one end of the wire of the corresponding bobbin. The metal
springs which connect the disc with the lattery or magneto-electric machine or
other generator of electricity have three arms so arranged that three sections of the
discs are always in circuit at the same time; or if instead of three contacts one
contact spring only is used the sections of the discs overlap each other so that the
spring is always in contact with three sections. This arrangement is made in order
that at the same moment only three of the electro-magnets will be magnetised, that
is to say, that one which is in contact with the rail and the two immediately
following before or behind this point of contact according as the movement of the
locomotive is forward or backward. By this modification of my Invention a
stronger magnetisation is obtained at the point of contact with the rail than if the
whole series of electro-magnets is in circuit at the same moment.
If in addition to the driving wheel another wheel is converted into an electro-
magnet the two wheels must be coupled. It will be advantageous to give to the
tire double the width of that generally adopted at present.
A modification of the above-described apparatus may be made in locomotives
constructed for a railway line with a centre rail. In this case the wheel running
on the centre rail has no flange, but the copper disc which separates the two tires
or parts of the tire is made of greater diameter than the tires, and represents a
flange itself.
The centre rail has a similar form to those used in tramways, the
flange of the wheel running in a channel in the rail. This construction may be
advantageously used in dockyards for iowing boats for tractive purposes in moun-
tainous districts and other like purposes. In some instances permanent magnets
may be used as well as electro-magnets. I may place an insulating metal ring
between the felloe or rim and the tire of the wheel. Instead of using the above-
described large rings or series of coils the wheel may be constructed with a double
series of spokes. The spokes are coiled with wire or ribbon of copper or brass, or
other good conducting material, and in this case each series of spokes has a separate
felloe insulated from the other by the same copper disc which separates the two
parts of the tire.
I will now describe my excentric feathering wheels. This wheel is composed of
an iron dise provided in the centre with a boss. the radius of the disc being equal
to about of that of the entire wheel. From the circumference towards the
centre are bored holes, as many as the wheel is to have spokes, and large enough to
allow the spokes to move freely in them up and down and laterally. The spokes
are surrounded for half of their length by strong steel springs fitted with india-
rubber tubes, the end of the springs being fixed on the tyre. The india-rubber

page_text: tube covers the spoke on its entire length. At the bottom of each hole of the dise
is placed another spring, occupying one half of the depth of the hole nearest to the
nave, the spoke occupying the other half.
In order to utilize the free space between the spokes other springs may be placed
between the tires and the disc.
When a locomotive is fitted with such driving wheels each wheel will become
excentric by the weight of the locomotive, that is to say, the centre of the wheel
will be displaced and depressed towards the rail, and in consequence the spoke
following next to that between the centre and the rail will be a little longer, and
the wheel cannot slip, that is to say, it cannot turn without useful effect unless the
two springs of the next spoke are compressed and pressed through the spaces between
As a considerable
the centre of the wheel and the line of contact with the rail.
effort is necessary to effect this movement the tractive force of the locomotive is
considerably increased, and as this increase is in direct proportion to the strength of
the springs parallel series or grooves of springs instead of iwo springs only may be
applied.
Instead of covering that part of the spokes which is not surrounded by the
spring with india-rubber may use metal springs. Moreover, the dise may be made
in two parts, in one of which are formed spaces to receive the spokes. the other
part of the disc serving only as a cover, and being holted to the first part. This
arrangement will greatly facilitate the fitting together of the parts of the wheel.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Werdermann in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
July 1876.
RICHARD WERDERMANN, of Prince's Street, in the County of Surrey, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS FOR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of locomotive engine
wheels. The object of the said Invention is to obtain an increased adhesion of the
wheels to the rails without increasing the weight of the locomotive, thereby
augmenting the tractive force of the same.
The increase of adhesion is obtained according to one part of my Invention by
magnetic attraction, and according to another part of my said Invention by the
employment of elastic or spring wheels, which 1 term excentric feathering wheels.
The first part of my Invention is carried into practise by the use of horse-shoe
magnet wheels.
The essential feature of this part of my Invention is the division of the rim or
outer portion of the wheel into two or more separate parts, each of which may be
said to be a separate wheel, and each of which forms one pole of a magnet, whose
armature may be a railroad, rail.or another wheel or roller or other object, according
to the purpose for which the said Invention is applied.
Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying Drawings illustrate various forms in which
my Invention may be embodied. The said Invention may also be carried into
effect in other forms, but in all the forms or modifications thereof the tire or rim
of the wheel must be a magnet, the poles of which attract the armature (that is to
sav, the rail) in the line of contact with the wheel.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a railway locomotive wheel shewing
my Invention applied to the same.
Figure 2 is a fransverse section on the line r. r. Figure 1, shewing a portion of
the axle.
Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section, and Figure 4 is a section of a rail-
way wheel shewing my said Invention in a modified form.
Figure 5 is a transverse section of a portion of a wheel showing still further
modifications of my said Invention.

page_text: My improved wheel, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. is constructed as follows, that
is to say-The wheel is provided with a double series of spokes a. a, and iwo
felloes ., the spokes of one series being placed parallel to those of the other
series, or in other words the said wheel may be considered as two wheels placed
side by side in close proximity to each other and fixed on the same boss or hub e
The spokes a, a', of the wheel are coiled with insulated metal wire or ribbon in such
a manner that when an electric current flows through this circuit one fellow becomes
the north pole and the other felloe the south pole of an electro-magnet. In this and
other cases where the wheel is provided with a tire the latter must also be made in
two parts d, d, insulated from each other as at e, that is to say, each wheel or
division b., of the wheel must have its own fire. Around the boss of the
wheel, or around the axle g. are arranged two dises of copper or other conducting
material insulated from each other and from the said boss or axle. One of these
dises is connected with one end of the wire surrounding the spokes, and the other
dise is connected with the other end of the same wire. Two springs or rollers
which are in contact with the dises are connected with the two poles of a battery
or other generator of electricity arranged in any convenient position, as will be well
understond by all familiar with electro-magnetic apparatus. Now when an electric
current flows through the circuit formed by the coils surrounding the spokes the
whole of the tire or rim becomes a powerful electro-magnet, the two poles of which
are represented by the two parts d., of the tire or rim.
Instead of two poles the magnetic fire or rim may have three or more poles that
is to say, the wheel may have three or more series of spokes and three or more rims
or tires and instead of placing the series of spokes parallel to each other they may
be arranged alternately.
Instead of constructing the wheel with series of spokes I may construct it as
shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which j, j', are circular plates or dises of iron or steel
formed or fitted on the same busse, and that part of the boss lying between the
dises is surrounded by a thin iron cylinder /, on which is coiled the metal wire or
ribbon. The rim, fellne, or outer portion is divided into two parts b, b, each of
which with its dise may be said to form a separate wheel, and it will be observed
that the said two rims or felloes or the tire parts of the rim or felloe are separated
only by a disc of insulating material, as shewn at e, while the two dises in the body
of the wheel are separated from each other other by a considerable space filled by
the said wire or ribbon. This construction of the wheel enables me to obtain a
very powerful electro-magnet without incurring the disadvantage or inconvenienes
of a wide separation of the two rims or two paris of the rim.
Tu Figure 5 my said Invention is carried into effect as follows:-The rim or fire
is divided into two parts d, d, as above described, insulated from each other at e.
these parts d, dt, being magnetized by series of coils 7 placed at suitable distances
apart all around the two paris d, d, of the rim or tire and connected by suitable
wires to the aforesaid discs, or otherwise placed in proper communication with the
generator of electricity. Moreover, the electric circuit may be divided into two or
inore parts, through all of which the electric current may be caused to pass simul-
taneously, or to pass successively through one, two or more of them at the same
time. For this purpose the said dises are divided into as many insulated parts as
there are circuits, and if the current is intended to flow through two or more circuits
or to magnetize two or more spokes at the same time the corresponding parts of the
dises must be overlapped.
I may accomplish the object of my Invention by using permanent magnets
instead of electro-magnets, but the latter will produce the greatest effect.
The insulating material between the two parts of the tire or rim may be made of
greater diameter than the latter to form a flange, which moving in a groove in the
armature, whether the latter is a rail or another pulley or roller, prevents any
lateral displacement of the wheels.
The second part of said Invention relates to my excentric feathering wheel illus-
trated in Figure 6 of the Drawings, which is a section in a plane parallel with the

page_text: sides of the wheel, and which I will now describe. This wheel is composed of an
iron disc provided in the centre with a boss k, the radius of the disc being equal
to about two-thirds of that of the entire wheel. From the circumference towards
the centre are bored holes corresponding in number with the spokes of the wheel,
and large enough as to allow the said spokes to move freely in them up and down
and laterally. The spokes are surrounded for a portion of their length by strong
spiral springs m fitted upon or around india-rubber tubes n, the outer end of the
said springs being fixed to the fire o.
At the bottom of each hole of the disc I sometimes place another spring, and I
may utilize the spaces between the spokes by placing springs therein between the
tire or rim and the disc k.
When a locomotive is fitted with such driving wheels each wheel will become
excentric under the weight of the locomotive, that is to say, the centre of the wheel
will be displaced and pressed towards the rail and the spoke immediately following
or next to that between the centre and the rail will be slightly longer than the
latter, and the wheel cannot slip, that is to say, it cannot turn without useful effect
unless the springs of the next preceding spokes are compressed and pressed through
the space between the centre of the wheel and the line of contact with the rail.
As a considerable effort is necessary to effect this movement the adhesive, force of
the locomotive is considerably increased, and as this increase is in direct proportion
to the strength of the springs parallel series or groups of springs instead of two
springs only may be applied.
The disc may be made in two parts, in one of which are formed spaces to
receive the spokes, the other part of the disc serving only as a cover, and being bolted
to the first part. This construction will greatly facilitate the fitting together of the
parts of the wheel.
Instead of having the spokes fixed to the rim and the centre part of the wheel
moveable the spokes may be fixed to the centre part of the rim of the wheel.
Moreover, the rim may be divided into as many equal parts or sections as the
wheel has spokes; or the rim may be solid and the tire composed of several
movable parts, the rim and tire being separated from each other by suitable elastic
material.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practise, I wish it understood that I
do not limit myself to any particular form or construction of the parts of my
improved wheels so long as the peculiar features herein set forth are embodied
therein, although the forms and modifications of the same which I have shewn in'
the accompanying Drawings are those which I have found to be most advantageous
for carrying the said Invention into effect; and I claim,-
First. The construction of a wheel with its entire rim or the felloe or tire thereof
divided throughout the circumference of the wheel into two or more parts insulated
from each other and provided with suitable conductors, so arranged that each of
the said parts or divisions of the wheel forms one pole of an electro-magnet:
Second. A wheel consisting of two series of spokes and two rims insulated from
each other and attached to a central boss, and provided with coils of insulated wire
or ribbon connected to the discs, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Third. The modification of my Invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 wherein
the spokes are replaced by discs, each of which supports one of the two portions of
the rim, which are insulated from each other and surround the insulated wire, or
ribbon coiled around the hoss or hub of the wheel, as above described and for the
purposes specified.
Fourth. The modification of my Invention illustrated in Figure 5, wherein each
part or division of the rim or its tire is provided with a series of coils of insulated
wire or ribbon, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The application of natural or permanent magnets instead of electro-
magnets in the construction of my improved wheel, for the purpose specified.
Sixth. A locomotive engine wheel so constructed and provided with springs that

page_text: under the weight of the locomotive it becomes excentric in such manner that its
excentricity increases the adhesion of the wheels, and the effect of the tractive force
of the locomotive, as. above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Werdermann, have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
R. WERDERMANN. (L.s.)