Improvements in Combined Motive Power and Electric Generating and Storing Apparatus for the Propulsion of Movable Conveyances and analogous Power Purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 25th Jan.,
1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Motive Power and Electric Generating
and Storing Apparatus for the Propulsion of Movable Conveyances
and analogous Power Purposes.
I, GEORGE ARTHUR WASHBURN, of 104 Superior Street, Cleveland, in the
County of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, United States of America Electrician,
do hereby declare the nature of my 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 relates to an improvement in combined motive power and electric
generating and storing apparatus for the propulsion of movable conveyances and
analogous power purposes.
The object of my invention is to provide a system of propulsion in which may be
employed an engine or prime mover of minimum weight and capacity, which will
serve to rotate or assist in rotating the driving shaft or axle, and also and at the
same time serve to operate a dynamo electric machine and generate electric energy,
which is stored in an accumulator, the parts to be so combined and arranged that
the energy thus stored in the accumulator will be drawn upon and utilized in
rotating or assisting in rotating the driving shaft or axle by the automatic trans-
formation of the dynamo into an electric motor whenever the E.M.F. of the
accumulator exceeds the opposing E.M F. of the dynamo.
As one embodiment of my invention I employ a gas engine of any suitable
motive power as the prime-mover and connect it mechanically with a dynamo-
motor to operate the same. So long as the demand for power does not reach the
maximum capacity of the engine, the dynamo-motor operates and serves as an
electric generator and generates and delivers more or less current to an electric
accumulator. Whenever the demand for power exceeds the maximum capacity of
the prime-mover the dynamo-motor ceases to operate as an electric generator and
the electric energy stored in the accumulator automatically operates the dynamo-
motor as an electric-motor which latter then assists the prime-mover, the current
delivered by the accumulator to the dynamo-motor being automatically propor-
tioued to the demand for power in excess of the capacity of the prime-mover.
Any suitable reversing switch and controller are employed in connection with the
dynamo-motor and accumulator for the purpose of operating the dynamo-motor
in opposite directions and for controlling the dynamo-motor for emergencies.
However under normal conditions the relation of parts are such that the entire
system is automatic.
The term dynamo-motor is used to designate a machine which may serve the
two fold purpose of an electric-generator and an electric-motor.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section of a vehicle provided with
the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the car-truck and power connections.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the several controlling levers, and
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections.
Upon any suitable truck or movable conveyance is suitably mounted a dynamo-
motor A, the armature shaft of which is connected to the car-axle a, through
suitable intervening gearing and the shaft c. A clutch B, or similar connecting

page_text: and disconnecting mechanism is placed on the shaft c, between the dynamo-motor A,
and the car-axle a, and is actuated and controlled by a hand lever a¹, and connecting
rod a², whereby the car may be started or stopped at will.
The dynamo-motor A, is mechanically connected to a gas or other engine C,
through a shaft c', which may be kept in constant rotation under normaĺ
conditions of operation. The shaft c', is provided with a friction clutch F¹, for
connecting and disconnecting the prime-mover and dynamo-motor. An electric
accumulator D, is electrically connected through suitable rheostats or controllers H,
and H, and reversing switch a, with the dynamo-motor A. The adjustable
rheostat H', which is controlled by a handle a³, and stop a', and included in the
charging circuit of the accumulator, may be adjusted so as to regulate and pre-
determine the amount of current that shall be delivered to the accumulator under
varying conditions of charging by regulating the strength of the current flowing
in the field circuit of the dynamo-motor.
An emergency lever a³, and connecting rods a', and a³, are provided for
simultaneously closing the throttle valve of the prime mover C and actuating the
reversing switch as, to quickly stop and reverse the direction of the car or other
conveyance. The air compression in the cylinder of the prime mover_assists very
materially in quickly stopping the car, for reversing its movement. In the event
the car is to be propelled to any distance rearwardly, then the relief valves of the
prime mover should be opened, provided the prime-mover is not disconnected
through the medium of the clutch F.
Water tanks F, may be placed upon the roof of the car and connected with a
water jacket encircling the cylinder of the prime-mover to cool it as is done in
ordinary practice.
The car body may be of any desired design, sufficient space being allowed at the
front end to form a vestibule for the motorman, and also to provide a space as
at b, sufficient in size to accommodate the cylinder of the prime-mover without
encroaching upon the seating capacity of the car.
A suitable fuel tank C', may be provided as a receptacle for gasoline, compressed
gas, or other available fuel.
The operation of my improvement is as follows:
In starting the prime-mover, the accumulator D, being charged and open circuited,
the rheostat H, which is included in the charging circuit is first moved into the
position of highest resistance, as in ordinary electric-motor practice, and then by
means of the switch a', or any ordinary means, the dynamo-motor is switched into
the circuit of the accumulator, and is operated as an electric motor by the current
supplied thereto by the accumulator, which results in putting the prime-mover into
action, upon moving the clutch F1, so as to connect the prime-mover and dynamo-
motor. It will thus be observed that the dynamo-motor is utilized in starting the
prime-mover, which is then in condition, in the event a gas engine is employed,
for imparting power by the explosion of the charges in the cylinder which have
been compressed therein by the action of the dynamo-motor.
When the prime-mover has been started, as above set forth the car is started
and its movement is controlled through the medium of the friction clutch B, which
on being "set up" solid will cause the car to be propelled at its maximum speed,
while the clutch on being slightly loosened will operate to reduce the speed of the
car and when entirely disengaged, the car can be stopped by suitable brake
mechanism. When the car slows up or stops the prime-mover ordinarily continues
in motion and its entire available power is then utilized in generating and storing
electric energy.
Upon starting the car in the same direction by means of the friction clutch B,
the speed of the prime-mover will be reduced owing to the increased load imposed
upon it. Consequently the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo motor falls below
the E.M.F. of the accumulator D, thereby causing the latter to discharge its
current into the dynamo-motor and operate it as an electric-motor to assist the
prime-mover in operating the car.

page_text: If for any reason the combined power of the prime-mover and electric-motor is
insufficient to move the car, the rheostat H' in the field circuit of the dynatno-
motor is adjusted so as to strengthen the field of the dynamo-motor so as to cause
it to impart its maximum power in assisting the prime-mover.
As soon as the car has attained sufficient headway, the rheostat lever, as it is
released is moved back to its normal position by the spring a As the speed of
the car increases the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-motor rises and hence the
current flowing through it from the accumulator is correspondingly diminished.
When the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-motor is the same or is equal to
the E.M.F. of the accumulator then no current will flow in either direction between
the accumulator and the dynamo-motor, and the latter then is in readiness at any
instant to store any surplus power of the engine in the form of electrical energy
in the accumulator, and to utilize such stored energy as it may be needed in
assisting the prime-mover.
As has been explained my improved system is inherently automatic in its
operation, surplus power being automatically stored and then utilized whenever
and to the extent that it may be needed to operate the driving shaft or axle with
the variable loads that may be imposed thereon. Ordinarily the prime-mover must
be sufficiently large and powerful to supply power sufficient to operate the driving
shaft or axle when subjected to its maximum load, but in my system I am enabled
to employ a prime-mover only slightly larger and more powerful than is needed to
operate the driving axle or shaft when its average load is imposed thereon,
because of the fact that the reserve power in the form of stored energy, very
largely increases the available power that the system is capable of supplying. In
descending grades the dynamo-motor may serve the two fold purpose of retarding
the speed of the car or train and also of utilizing the momentum of the car or
train in operating it and thereby storing the power resulting from the momentum
of the car.
While my invention is primarily intended for use in connection with movable
conveyances, it will be clearly evident that it is well adapted for use in connection
with stationary power installations in which the available power is variable, or in
which the load is variable and is sometimes in excess of and at other times is less
than the maximum load which can be operated by the available power.
Hence
I do not restrict my invention to its application to movable conveyances.
It is evident that the type, construction, and relative arrangement of the prime-
mover-dynamo-motor-accumulator-controller and the other parts of my system
might be widely varied without departing from the spirit and scope of my
invention and hence I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the
particular construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but;
Having now particularly described' and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination with a driving axle or shaft and a prime-mover for rotating
the same, of a dynamo-motor connected with and adapted to be driven by the
prime-mover, means for connecting and disconnecting the dynamo-motor and
driving axle or shaft independent of the prime-mover, an electric accumulator
arranged and adapted to have electric energy stored therein by the dynamo-motor
and means for automatically actuating the dynamo-motor as an electric motor by
the energy stored in the accumulator to independently rotate or to assist in rotating
the driving axle or shaft, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a driving shaft or axle and a prime-mover for rotating
or assisting in rotating the same, of a dynamo-motor, connected with the prime-
mover and with the driving axle or shaft, means for connecting and disconnecting
the dynamo-motor and driving shaft and an electric-accumulator connected with
the dynamo-motor so as to be charged thereby, the electrical connections being
such that when the E.M.F. of the accumulator is greater than the E.M.F. of the

page_text: dynamo-motor the latter will be automatically transformed into an electric motor
and will be adapted either alone or in conjunction with the prime-mover to rotate
the driving shaft, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with a driving axle or shaft and a prime-mover for rotating
or assisting in rotating the same, of a dynamo-motor connected with and adapted
to be driven by the prime-mover and also connected with and adapted to rotate the
driving axle independently of the prime mover or in conjunction therewith, and an
electric-accumulator adapted to have electric energy stored therein by the dynamo-
motor while operating as an electric generator, and to expend such stored energy
in operating the dynamo-motor as an electric-motor to rotate or assist in rotating
the driving axle or shaft, the transformation of the dynamo-motor into a generator
or a motor being solely due to and automatically effected by the relative E.M.F.
of the accumulator and the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-motor, substantially as
set forth.
4. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance, of
a prime-mover, a dynamo-motor and means for connecting the prime-mover and
dynamo-motor, with and disconnecting them from the driving shaft or axle, and an
electric-accumulator connected with the dynamo-motor so that the dynamo-motor
is automatically transformed into and serves either as an electric generator or
electric motor according as the E.M.F. of the accumulator is less or greater than
the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-motor, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance, of
a prime mover, a dynamo-motor and means for connecting the prime-mover with
the driving shaft or axle and for connecting and disconnecting the dynamo-motor
and driving axle or shaft so that the prime mover may simultaneously actuate the
dy nano-motor and driving shaft, and also so that the prime mover and dynamo-
motor may simultaneously actuate the diving shaft or axle, and an electric
accumulator connected with the dynamo-motor, the connections and arrangement
being such that the transformation of the dynamo-motor into a generator or motor
is automatically effected by and is due to the relative E.M.F. of the accumulator
and opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-metor, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance, of
a prime mover the speed of which varies with the load imposed upon the driving
shaft or axle, a dynamo-motor means for connecting and disconnecting the dynamo-
motor and driving axle or shaft and means for simultaneously transmitting the
power of the prime mover to the driving shaft or axle and the dynamo-motor, of an
electric accumulator, and means for transmitting the energy stored therein through
the dynamo-motor to the driving axle or shaft, the connections and arrangement of
parts being such that the dynamo-motor is automatically transformed into either a
generator or motor solely by the relative E.M.F. of the accumulator as compared
with the opposing E.M.F. of the dynamo-motor, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance, of
a dynamo-motor, a prime mover, the latter being arranged and connected to
simultaneously actuate both the dynamo-motor and the driving shaft, means for
connecting and disconnecting the dynamo-motor and driving axle or shaft of an
electric accumulator, and suitable mechanism and connections whereby the energy
stored in the accumulator may be utilized in actuating the driving shaft directly
by the dynamo-motor and independently of the prime-mover, substantially as set
forth.
8. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance and
a prime mover, of a dynamo-motor adapted to operate in opposite directions either
as a generator or as a motor, an electric accumulator and reversing switch, the
connections and arrangement of parts being such that the prime mover may rotate
the driving shaft or axle and also the dynamo-motor in either direction and cause
the latter to store electrical energy in the accumulator, which energy may be
utilized in operating the dynamo-motor in either direction as a motor, substantially
as set forth.

page_text: 9. The combination with the driving shaft or axle of a movable conveyance, of
a prime-mover, a dynamo-motor, and means for connecting and disconnecting the
prime-mover and dynamo-motor and means for throwing the prime-mover and
dynamo-motor into or out of engagement with the driving shaft or axle, sub-
stantially as set forth.
10. The combination of a prime-mover and a dynamo-motor, an electric
accumulator, electric connections between said dynamo-motor and the accumulator,
with a circuit controlling device interposed in such circuit, a valve or other means
for controlling the fuel supply to the prime-mover, and means for simultaneously
reversing the current supply to the said dynamo-motor and closing the fuel supply
to the prime mover, substantially as set forth.
11. The combination with the driving axle or shaft of a movable conveyance, a
prime-mover, a dynamo-motor, means for throwing the prime-mover and dynamo-
motor into and out of engagement with the driving axle or shaft, an electric
accumulator and suitable switch and controlling devices in circuit therewith
whereby the dynamo-motor may be actuated to operate the prime-mover, sub-
stantially as set forth.
12. The combination with an axle or shaft to be driven, of a dynamo-motor, a
prime-mover, and means whereby the power of the prime-mover may be transmitted
to the dynamo motor alone, or simultaneously to the dynamo-motor and the driving
axle or shaft, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 10th day of Novemba 1905
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents for Applicant.