Improvements in Electric Motors.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1896
[Communicated from abroad by EDWARD BENJAMIN PARKHURST, of 19, Green Street,
Woburn, Massachusetts, United States of America, Engineer.]
Improvements in Electric Motors.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings.in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates more especially to electric motors, and has for its object to
increase the efficiency of such machines, and to apply the power developed uniformly
in such manner that the maximum power of the machine will practically be applied
constantly at all points of revolution or movement of the shaft or armature.
In general outline the invention comprises multiple magnets or coils in the field and
armature one or both of which are revolved and groups of magnets or coils in the
armature are successively caused to act in conjunction with groups of magnets or coils
in the field when the respective poles of the groups of magnets or coils are so related
to each other as to produce a maximum result from the current employed. Each
group of armature magnets acts two or more times in connection with similar groups
in the field during each revolution, and except at such times as the comniutator
brushes may bridge from one bar to another, during the time that one set of magnets
in the armature and field are acting all the other magnets are out of action. By such
an organization I am enabled to utilize the full power of the current to the greatest
advantage by causing it to energize at one time those magnets or coils only which
sustain the most favourable relation to each other, the groups of magnets in field and
armature being successively thrown into action as they come into the most advantageous
position. The magnets of each of the several groups are located at equi-distant points
in the series of armature and field poles so that torsion and unequal strain on the
armature or frame are avoided. All the coils or magnets in the field successively pass
in front of all the armature coils; that is to say, the field and armature coils are in
two concentric series and all the movable coils are revolved in front of all the stationary
coils, or both might revolve as is well understood.
In this case the invention is shown applied to pulley wheels and travelling vehicle
or car wheels, the rim of the wheel in each case constituting part of the revolving or
moving frame of the motor. The arrangement of electric motor and travelling or
traction wheel and pulley is however not my invention and is not claimed by me.
In the accompanying drawings
:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor-pulley, the rotating magnets projecting
radially inwardly from the rim of the pulley and the stationary magnets projecting
outwardly from the fixed centre or hub.
Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal section illustrating the same matter.
Figure 3 a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the invention
applied to a car or other traction wheel.
Figure 4 a vertical longitudinal section showing the same matter.
Figure 5 is a diagram view showing circuit connections, and
Figures 6 and 7 similar diagrams showing others ways of connecting the motor in
circuit.
Figure 8 is a side elevation, and
Figure 9 a longitudinal section showing a modification of a motor-pulley organized
according to my invention, and
Figure 10 is a diagram view illustrating the various circuit connections.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A indicates a pulley hanger and A' the shafting. B
is the hub revolving with the shaft and carrying the pulley rim B. The revolving

page_text: magnets M which may be called the armature magnets, are here shown as double-pole
or horse-shoe magnets, the poles of each magnet being arranged transversely to the
pulley rim. They are carried upon magnetically insulated iron sector plates 6, secured
to the inner face of the rim of the pulley. Stationary or field magnets M' are mounted
upon similar sector plates secured upon the outer face of the stationary hub B'. The
revolving hub B has a commutator C, upon which a stationary brush c, carried by the
fixed part B' of the pulley, bears. There is also a stationary commutator (₁ carried
by some part of the structure, in this instance by the hanger, and a revolving brush c¹
carried by the shaft bears upon it. Current may be led to the latter brush by a
rubber bearing upon the insulated ring that carries the brush holder.
In Figs. 3 and 4 a similar construction is shown. In these figures A represents a
car axle; B, B¹ the revolving hub and rim or tread of a car wheel running upon a
rail R. B² the non-rotating hub mounted on the car axle and held against rotation
by an arm D extending from it and embracing an adjoining axle d. The stationary
and moving commutators and brushes are marked by the saine letters as in Figures 1
and 2.
These two constructions illustrate two purposes to which the invention may be
applied. Where it is desired to apply the power of the motor in the ordinary way,
the interior magnets or coils may be made to revolve while the outer ones remain
stationary and of course the power may be taken from either series of magnets by
means of any suitable construction; and the field and armature magnets instead of
being arranged in the same plane may be arranged in parallel planes as indicated in
Figure 5, facing each other as is common.
Diagram view Figure 5 shows clearly the operation of the invention. The revolving
or armature magnets or coils M are numbered consecutively 1, 2, 3, 4 in four series,
sixteen magnets being shown. The metallic commutator strips, 48 being shown, are
similarly numbered, and all the magnets or coils of like number are connected with
all the commutator bars bearing the same number. The commutator C revolves
with the armature as indicated by the arrow and the brush c is stationary.
There are twelve stationary field magnets or coils M¹, and these are consecutively
numbered 1, 2, 3, in four series. The stationary commutator (3¹ has 48 strips which
are correspondingly numbered and all the magnets of like number are connected with
all the correspondingly numbered strips in the commutator. c¹ is the revolving brush
for this commutator.
In this diagram the revolving and stationary coils are connected in parallel, the
current enters at X, where the circuit is divided into parallel branches. The branch a
includes the counmutator brush c, and the metallic strips of the commutator C, the
various revolving or armature coils in multiple, and wire a leading to the conductor X'.
The other branch y includes the brush c', the metallic strips of the commutator C, the
various stationary or field coils in multiple and wire y', to the conductor X'. The coils
or magnets in the revolving armature are greater in number than those in the field. Both
commutator brushes being upon strips numbered 1, the groups of coils 1, 1, in field and
armature which are, as shown, in a more advantageous relation to each other than those
bearing any of the other numbers, attract each other, the armature being rotated in the
direction of the arrow. As the armature moves forward the coils or magnets in
the groups 1, 1, approach each other and the commutators transfer the circuits to the
groups 2, 2, preferably before the axes of the groups numbered 1 become coincident';
the groups 2, 2 will then have assumed about the relation that the groups 1, 1, occupy
in the drawing, that is the groups 2, 2 are now in a more advantageous position, and
they alone are active. In like manner, as will be plain from the diagram, the
groups 3, 3 act; then group 4 in the revolving armature and group 1 in the field;
then group 1 in the revolving armature and group 2 in the field, and so on con-
tinuously. Each group of coils is active when it is in a position with reference to
another group to produce a maximum result or power or nearly so, from the current
employed, and each maximum result thus produced acts through a comparatively small
portion of the revolution of the revolving armature.
The ends of the brushes may be cut on an angle, as is common, or be sufficiently.

page_text: wide as shown to bridge from strip to strip. As the commutator brushes bridge from
one strip to another two groups of coils in each series will, during that time be in
circuit, and I prefer to arrange the time during which this takes place in the following
manner: As the axes of the poles or coils of an active group approach closely a posi-
tion in which they are nearly coincident with the axis of an opposite active pole or
coil, the power of attraction between them decreases; and at this time each brush
bridges to the succeeding commutator strip, throwing the next group of coils into
action. The attraction between the coils of these latter groups is thus, at the start
and while they are more removed from each other, supplemented by the pull between
the preceding groups of coils and as the second groups come into more effective
proximity the first groups are cut entirely out. Thus a practically uniform pull,
equal, or nearly so, to the maximum effect the current is capable of producing is con-
stantly applied to the driven part of the machine. This is the arrangement that I
prefer. The brushes may, however, be so constructed that they will not bridge from
one commutator strip to its neighbour but will at times rest solely upon the inter-
vening insulation. There are no dend points. It will be seen that, during each
revolution, the several groups of coils are repeatedly active.
I have devised means for stopping and reversing the direction of motion of this
motor, but as that device does not form necessarily a part of the invention claimed in
this application I do not show or describe it here.
Any suitable number of magnets or coils may be used in the field and armature,
provided they are in such number and so arranged, substantially as described and
shown, that they will operate in the manner described.
With this invention there is an application of power at a number of points nearly
equidistant from each other around the centre of rotation and the power of attraction
being exerted at points, relatively far distant from the centre of motion as compared
with ordinary forms of motors, a long leverage is obtained. Practically the motor
gives its maximum power for all speeds and I am enabled to apply its power direct
and thus dispense with the ordinary reducing gear.
In either the stationary or revolving series, instead of coils we may employ unwound
armatures, permanent magnets or merely bars of iron in place of the electro-magnets
herein before described, and in that event but a single commutator and brush will
be required.
Instead of connecting the coils of each group in multiple between their commutator
strips and the line X¹ they may of course be connected in series, substantially as shown
in Figures 6 and 7. And instead of connecting the revolving coils in multiple with
the stationary coils as in Figure 7, they can be connected in series, substantially as
shown in Figure 6, that is, the coils of a revolving group connected either in series or
multiple may be connected in series with the coils of a stationary group which are
either in series or multiple. Such connections and the manner of making them will
by reference to these figures be thoroughly understood by those skilled in the art and
specific description is unnecessary.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, it has not been thought necessary to show the circuit
connections since several ways of arranging them are clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6
and 7. In Figures 1 and 2, one branch of the circuit may enter at the rubber c² the
other at the stationary brush c, and both branches of the circuit x, y (Fig. 5) after
passing through their respective series of coils may terminate in the frame of the
pulley and thence out through the hanger. In Figures 3 and 4 the current derived
from an overhead conductor, or any other conductor or a source of electric energy on
the vehicle may enter at the rubber c², and at the brush c, thence through the commu-
tators and series of coils to the revolving rim or frame of the wheel and non-rotary
hub and out by the rail R, or in any other manner. Such matters are merely
questions of electrical engineering and capable of variation.
In the motor above described there are multiple magnets or coils in the field and
armature and groups of magnets in the armature are successively caused to act in
conjunction with groups of magnets in the field when the respective poles of the
groups of magnets are so related to each other.as to produce a maximum effect from

page_text: the current each group of armature magnets acting two or more times in connection
with similar groups in the field during each revolution. By such an organization I
am enabled to utilize the full power of the current to the greatest advantage by
causing it to energize at one time those magnets or coils only which sustain the
most favorable relation to each other, the groups of magnets in field and armature
being successively thrown into action as they come into the most advantageous
position.
The modification of my invention shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 contemplates a like
organization but I utilize to produce rotation not only the attraction of approaching
poles but also the repulsion of receding poles.
In the present instance the rotating or armature magnets are shown as revolving
around the stationary or field magnets. The armature magnets M are mounted upon
the interior of a revolving pulley rim B' carried by a hub B on a rotating shaft A¹
supported in bearings in a frame A. The magnets shown are double pole or horse
shoe magnets and have their poles arranged at right angles to the wheel rim, 18 such
magnets being shown. Similar stationary or field magnets M' are carried upon and
project radially from the hub B' secured upon the frame A. The revolving hub and
wheel rim B, B₁ carry two commutators H and I. Each commutator has double
rows of insulated commutator strips, there being thirty-six strips, in the present
instance, in each row. A brush mounted upon the frame A bears upon the com-
mutator I and is broad enough to make contact with both rows of strips; and
a brush mounted upon the interior of the stationary hub B' bears upon the
commutator H and is likewise of sufficient width to make contact with both rows of
strips. A third commutator K, a stationary one, having a single row of thirty-six
insulated strips is carried by the frame A, and a brush carried by the rotating
axle A¹ travels upon it. The stationary magnets M₁ are connected in two groups,
each group comprising alternate magnets in the series, the magnets of one group
being numbered 1, and the magnets of the other group numbered 2. The connections
appear more plainly from the diagram where the magnets of each group are brought
together for convenience of illustration, but Figure 1 shows the alternate arrangement
of the magnets composing the groups. All the magnets of the stationary field
marked 1 are connected with the alternate strips of the commutator K, said strips
being correspondingly marked 1. All the magnets of group 2 are connected with
the remaining alternate commutator strips of commutator K, the strips being
marked 2. Current from the line X enters the revolving brush by a rubber k
(Figs. 1 and 2) and passes through either group 1 or group 2 of the stationary field
magnet accordingly as the commutator brush k is resting upon a strip numbered 1
or a strip numbered 2, and from thence the current passes by wire to the main
conductor X. A branch wire x' from the line X leads currents to the brush h of the
commutator H. The magnets of the revolving field are numbered consecutively 1,2,3,
in six consecutive series; all the magnets numbered 1 constitute one group, those
marked 2 another group and those marked 3 another group; and the magnets of
each group are connected to correspondingly numbered and selected commutator
strips in the row of strips h¹ of the commutator H. This connection between each
group of magnets and its commutator strips is such that the current entering
at the brush is led to or enters the magnet coils in a sense or direction to
produce polarities the reverse of the polarities produced in the stationary or field
magnets. The groups of magnets 1, 2, 3, of the revolving armature are severally
connected on their opposite sides with correspondingly numbered and selected
commutator strips in the row of strips of the commutator I, the circuit being
completed through the brush i and by wire y to the line X. With the circuit
connections thus far described if the commutator brushes are resting upon strips
numbered 1 the group 1 of stationary field magnets, and the group 1 of magnets
in the revolving armature will be energized and attract each other, producing rotation
of the pulley rim in the direction indicated by the arrow. As the commutator brushes
are transferred to the strips numbered 2, the groups 2, are active and attract each
other. Continued motion transfers the brush k to a strip numbered 1 and brushes h

page_text: and i to strips numbered 3, consequently groups 1 in the field and 3 in the armature
are active. In like manner group 2 in the field and 1 in the armature act, and so on.
The winding, of course, for the circuit connections above described is such that the
magnets in the groups are polarized in a sense to attract each other as above
suggested. The groups 1, 2, 3, of the revolving armature are however connected with
the commutator strip in the rows of strip in such a manner as to be reversely
polarized at certain times, or, in other words, to be polarized in a sense to repel the
groups 1, 2 of the stationary field. The commutator strips in the rows and i are
numbered consecutively in series 11, 21, 31, corresponding with the armature
magnets 1, 2, 3; but in the commutator H strip 2' is opposite strip 1 of the row h¹,
strip 3' opposite strip 2, and strip 1' opposite strip 3. The arrangement is the same
in the commutator I. All the magets of group 1 in the armature are connected on
one side with the strips 1' in the commutator H, and on the other side with strips 11
in the commutator I. The armature groups 2 and 3 are similarly connected and
the direction of the circuit from the brush h to the brush i is such as to polarize
the group 1, 2, 2, in an opposite sense to that in which they are polarized when the
current passes through them as already described from the strips 1, 2, 3.
The result of this arrangement as will be plain from the diagram is that when
the groups 1, 1, in field and armature are attracting each other, group 2 in the
arinature will be repelling group 1 in the field and thus adding to the force
tending to produce rotation. In like manner when groups 2, 2, are attracting
each other group 3 in the armature is repelling group 2 in the field, and when
group 1 in the field and group 3 in the armature are attracting each other group 1
in the armature is repelling group 1 in the field, and so on. This will be plain from
the diagram where the circuit connections may be traced as follows: Current
entering at X passes by brush k and commutator strip 1 through the group 1 of field
coils and by wire to the main line X. At the same time current also passes by
line to brush h, strip 1 of commutator H through the group of coils numbered 1 in
a direction to produce attraction between the groups 1, 1, thence by commutator
strip 1 of commutator I, brush i and wire y to the line X. At the same time current
passes from the brush h through commutator strip 2' to the group of armature
magnets 2 in a direction to produce polarities therein that will repel the group 1 in
the stationary field, and from thence to commutator strip 2' of commutator I and by
brush i and wirey to the line X'. These conditions are also shown in Figure 1 where
the magnets are marked to indicate the operation. A similar result takes place as the
brushes are transferred to succeeding strips of the commutators K, H, I. The above
is sufficient to illustrate the invention. I do not of course limit myself to magnets or
coils of any particular form or any particular number of magnets or to the special
arrangement of commutators and circuit connections shown and described.
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, substantially as herein before set forth, of a series of groups of
armature magnets, and a corresponding series of groups of field magnets, arranged
concentrically and circumferentially around an axis, about which either or both revolve
with commutators, and circuit connections so organized that each movable group acts
successively during a single revolution of each group of the opposite series, so as to
develop and utilize the maximum efficiency of the apparatus.
2. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a series of groups
of radial armature magnets rotating in a common plane, about a common axis, and a
corresponding series of groups of radial field magnets concentrically and circum-
ferentially arranged about the same axis, with commutators and circuit connections
by which each corresponding set of armature and field magnets are arranged in
parallel, and so that each group of armatures acts successively in each revolution on
every group of field magnets.
3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of symmetrical

page_text: groups of armature magnets, and a corresponding series of smaller symmetrical groups
of field magnets, both arranged concentrically around a common axis, about which
at least one set of magnets revolves past and co-operates with all the groups of the
other set, in succession, during each rotation, with circuit connections and commutators"
which so excite the corresponding magnets of each set as to produce the maximum
working effect through each set of groups, during the short successive periods of
passing each other.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of symmetrical
groups of armature magnets a corresponding series of groups of field magnets
arranged concentrically around a common axis, about which at least one set of
magnets revolves past and co-operates with all the groups of the other set, in
succession, during each rotation, with circuit connections and commutators, whereby
each alternate group in each set is arranged in separate series, bridged by the
commutators in such manner as to cause two successive sets of groups in each series
to act with gradually varying force, to exert a continuous pull on each armature
during its entire revolution.
5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of symmetrical
groups of armature magnets, and a corresponding series of groups of field magnets,
arranged concentrically in parallel planes, with their poles end to end, around a
common axis, about which at least one set of magnets revolves past, and co-operates
successively with all the groups of the other set in each revolution, the groups of each
set being arranged in alternate series, and provided with circuit connections, a divided
commutator, and a brush bridging each set of commutators, so as to cause two
successive sets of groups in each series to co-act for a short period, as their poles pass,
with a continuous pull of gradually varying strength, to obtain the maximum
efficiency of result.
J
6. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of groups of
armmature magnets and a corresponding series of groups of field magnets, both
arranged concentrically and circumferentially around a common axis, about which at
least one set of magnets revolves past and co-operates with all the groups of the other
set, in succession, in each revolution, with circuit connections and commutators so
organized as to automatically shift the current successively through the corresponding
magnets of each group and to utilize both their attractive and repulsive effects
to produce a continuous pull on the magnets in the direction of their rotation.
7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of groups of
radial armature magnets, and corresponding series of groups of radial field magnets,
both arranged concentrically in parallel planes, with their poles end to end, around
a common axis, about which at least one set of magnets revolves past, and successively
co-operates with, all the groups of the opposed set, with circuit connections, commu-
tators, and automatic mechanism for shifting the current through the appropriate
corresponding magnets of the opposed set of groups, to produce a continuous pull on
the magnets, both by attraction and repulsion.
Dated this 14th day of February 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, Ĺondon, Agents for the Applicant.