Improvements in Generating Electricity or Magnetism by the Application of Heat.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept.,
1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Generating Electricity or Magnetism by the
Application of Heat.
A communication from abroad by EDWARD G. ACHESON, Electrician, of Pittsburgh,
in the County of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of
America.
I, PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
My Invention has for its object the generation of electricity from heat, or the
conversion of heat energy into electric or magnetic energy, or the adding of electric
energy to a current already existing and independently generated; and my Invention
consists in the new method and apparatus for carrying out this object substantially as
hereinafter set forth.
Under my Patent No. 17,837 dated the 28th December 1887, I described and
claimed a method of converting heat energy into electric energy consisting in causing
heat lines to traverse an electric conductor and produce a magnetic whirl cutting
said heat lines, and thereby converting the heat energy into electric energy; and
my present Invention is an improvement upon the broad idea therein set forth,
and the carrying forward of that Invention in another method and by means of
other apparatus.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a diagram representing one form of the improved means I have adopted
for carrying out my Invention.
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of another construction.
Figure 3 is plan view showing one embodiment of apparatus made in accordance
with said diagram, and
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively cross sections of the same through the lines a-x
and z-z.
In the diagram Figure 1, T represents a transformer or other source of an
alternating, interrupted or varying current of electricity. M represents a mass of
magnetic material, in this instance shown formed in the shape of a ring to make
a closed magnetic circuit, although I do not limit myself to this particular form.
P is a coil surrounding a portion of the mass of magnetic material, and connected
in circuit with the variable current transformer. S is a secondary coil arranged
in proper or inductive relation to the magnetic mass (in this case surrounding a
portion of the ring) and included in the circuit in which the work to be performed
by the current is carried on. X, is a translating device which may be of any of
the various well known forms as electric lights &c., and in the present instance is
shown as a coil arranged about the bulb of a thermometer or other heat measure,
and L is a source of heat, shown in this diagram as a lamp and arranged in relation
to the mass of magnetic material so as to heat the same.
With an apparatus arranged as above indicated and having a given current at T,
with the source of heat removed, I find indicated in the translating device, X a
certain value representing the electric energy traversing the coil S. and its circuit,
and this may be measured and determined by various apparatus. Now, when the
source of heat L is arranged in the proper position to cause the heat currents
therefrom to impinge upon the mass of magnetic material with the source of energy
at T the same, I find that the translating device X shows an increased value for
electric energy in the coil S and its connections. and it is evident that the difference

page_text: between the two readings is the true measurement of the increased energy in the
circuit caused by the heat.
In the diagram Figure 2, D is an alternating current dynamo or other suitable
source of electricity, T is a transformer and P is the circuit closing the terminals of
the transformer, a portion of which circuit is in inductive relation and adjacent to
the two elements A. B, forming a thermo-couple. Arranged in proper relation to this
couple is a source of heat L and in the circuit of the couple is a translating device G
which may be of any suitable kind, being represented, in the present instance, as a
galvanometer.
I find that if the source of heat L is removed and an alternating current is caused
to pass through the circuit P by means of the generator D and transformer T, the
translating device G in the circuit of the thermo-couple will show that the current or
currents of a certain definite value are circulating in said circuit composed of
elements A. B, and the conducting wire. Again, I find that when the generator D
and the transformer T are removed electrically and no alternating currents are used
in the circuit P, upon approaching the point of junction J of the thermo-elements with
a source of heat, as a lamp, a current of another certain definite value is generated
and is indicated upon the translating device G. Now, when both of these functions
are produced together, that is when the generator D is run and the transformer T is
operated and alternating currents are produced thereby in the circuit P and the heat
is at the same time applied at the point of junction J of the thermo-couple, a
much larger amount of energy is exhibited in the translating device and circulates
through the circuit thereof than would be produced as the sum of the two former
values.
In the remaining Figures, M represents a core of iron solid or built up of plates or
wire as may be desired. P. P¹ are coils of wire corresponding to the circuit P of
Figures 1 and 2, through which the currents from the transformer are sent and which
are used to magnetize the core M. In the present instance, these coils P P are shown
connected in series although they may be otherwise connected as is well known.
Arranged upon this core and preferably upon opposite sides thereof are the
elements A. B forming the thermo-couples and these are placed so as to embrace the
core and have their points of junction adjacent to each other within the limits of the core.
These couples are shown as connected in series in order to get the strongest effects, the
positive clement of one couple being connected to the negative element of the next
couple. The source of heat L is arranged between the sets of couples so as to direct
the heat upon the points of junction of the couples. I have found it convenient
to use partitions O of non-heat absorbing material to aid in directing the heat
currents to the thermo-couples. The translating device G is connected in circuit
with the therino-elements.
It will be understood that in this arrangement when an alternating or intermitting
current is caused to traverse the coils P P there will be produced reversals or variations
in the magnetism of the core M, and this will cause lines of magnetic force to cut
the elements A. B of the thermo-couples, and therefore the currents of heat flowing
through them.
I have heretofore attributed the increased electric energy in the translating devices
under these conditions, to be the result of a conversion of a portion of the heat energy
applied to the apparatus into electric energy, and this may be the mode of operation
in the present instance. If, however, heat can be converted directly into electricity, it
would appear also to be possible to produce magnetism from heat energy, and if this
is the case the application of the heat energy to the magnetic material may result in
an increased magnetic condition of the magnetic mass; and this may re-act upon the
coil of wire surrounding the mass as shown in Figure 1. or upon the thermo-couples as
shown in Figure 2 and produce therein an electric current which will represent a part
of the energy of the heat. Whatever may be the mode of conversion I have clearly
demonstrated by practical experiments that the application of heat, in the manner
described, does produce a material increase in the current flowing through the

page_text: circuit S and its connections, and whether it is the result of one conversion or another
is immaterial and I do not confine myself to any particular theory.
I have made many and various experiments of the operativeness of the apparatus
embracing the general features described, but embodied in different specific forms, many
of which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and 1 do not confine
my Invention to those indicated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by.
my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination of an electric conductor conveying a current of changing value,
a mass of material magnetized thereby and a source of heat arranged to influence said
mass, substantially as described.
2. The combination of an electric conductor conveying a current of changing value,
a mass of magnetic material magnetized by said current, a source of heat arranged
to influence said mass, and a second electric conductor, including a translating device
and arranged within the influence of the magnetic mass, substantially as described.
3. The combination with an electric conductor through which varying electric currents
are passed, of a thermo-couple arranged in inductive relation to said conductor and a
source of heat, substantially as described.
4. The combination with an electric conductor, of a magnetic core energized
thereby, thermo-couples arranged in inductive relation to said core, a source of heat
for said couples and a circuit including the couples and a translating device, sub-
tantially as described.
5. The method of converting heat energy into electric energy, which consists in
causing heat energy to traverse the elements of a thermo couple and subjecting said
currents to the influence of changing lines of magnetic force, substantially as
described.
Dated the 31st day of July 1889.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.