IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SPINNING AND WINDING
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Fleeming Jenkin of No 3 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh
Civil Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
SPINNING AND WINDING" The result partly of communication made to me
by James Alfred Ewing of Tokio in the Empire of Japan and partly of
invention and discovery made by myself
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fleeming Jenkin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd January 1883.
FLEEMING JENKIN of No. 3 Great Stuart Street Edinburgh, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SPINNING AND WINDING." [The result partly
of communication made to me by James Alfred Ewing of Tokio in the Empire of
Japan and partly of invention and discovery made by myself]
In throstle frames and other machines for the purpose of spinning and winding
textile fabrics, it is required to maintain a large number of spindles in a state of
rapid rotation, and this has been heretofore accomplished by connecting them by
belts or other mechanical means to a revolving part of the machine which receives
its motion by mechanical connection with the prime mover. This method of
driving the spindles causes a very large part of the energy communicated to the
machine to be wasted through friction, For example when belts are used, the
tension of each belt forces the corresponding spindle against its bearings and so
causes a loss of energy in overcoming friction which is very large compared with
the energy which would be needed to turn the spindle if it were not so pressed
against its bearings. Moreover the tension of the belt tends to bend the spindle,
which must therefore be made of larger diameter than would otherwise be
necessary, whereby the frictional resistance to its motion is indirectly increased.
The object of the present invention is to reduce this waste of power by com-
municating energy from the prime mover to the spindles in a more efficient
manner.
To effect this object we propose that each spindle or a portion of each spindle
shall be the revolving armature of a magneto electric or dynamo electric motor,
and that permanent or electro magnets shall be placed in its neighborhood in

page_text: such a manner that by causing an electric current to pass through the coil or coils
of the armature, or of the magnets or both, the spindle is caused to rotate.
By this means the energy of the electric current, which may be supplied by a
dynamo electric machine actuated by any suitable prime mover, or by any other
means, is transmitted to the spindles without intermediate mechanism.
Preferably the armature coils of several spindles are connected in multiple arc,
in order that the stoppage or failure of contacts of one may not materially affect
the current in other spindles of the same or of other groups. If desired, two or
more groups may be connected in series.
To prevent the speed of rotation of the spindles from varying through more
than a permissible range, we employ one or other of two general methods. Of
these one is to connect a sufficient number of spindles together by a band or bands,
or other form of mechanical gearing, so as to preserve their relative velocity constant
or nearly constant, while at the same time each spindle forms a separate electro
motor as already described. Then should any one spindle receive by means of the
electric current an amount of driving power in excess of its requirements instead
of becoming individually accelerated it will distribute this surplus power amongst
the other spindles of group in mechanical connection with it, and thereby cause no
more than a small increase of speed in all of these. On the other hand, should any
spindle receive too little driving power, by means of the electric current, it will
receive through its mechanical connection with the other members of the group
enough additional power to maintain its speed equal or nearly equal with theirs,
and the whole group will be no more than slightly retarded. The mechanical
connection between the several spindles of one group will not in general be required
to transmit much force and it need not therefore give rise to much waste of energy.
If many spindles be mechanically connected to each other, it will be highly
improbable that the sum of the resistances to motion of the members of the group
will vary largely, and therefore the common speed produced by a given rate of
supply of energy will in general be nearly constant The speed of the group may
however be adjusted if necessary, by adjusting the electric current which flows in
the armatures or in the magnets, or both, either automatically or by hand according
to methods well understood by electrical engineers.
The other method by which we regulate the speed of the spindle is to apply to
each a centrifugal governor by which the effectiveness of the armature as an
electro motor is diminished or increased when any considerable increase or
diminution of the speed of that spindle takes place.
To effect this the governor may cause either the commutator by which currents
enter and leave the coil or coils of the armature or the contact springs or brushes,
or both, to move in such a manner that an increase of speed beyond a certain value
shall cause the contacts to be made during a less effective part or during a shorter
part of the revolution of the armature. One method of effecting this is to use in
combination with a pair of fixed contact springs or brushes a commutator in which
the contact pieces are set spirally, and which is capable of sliding longitudinally
on the spindle, and to connect the same to a centrifugal governor in such a manner
that the cominutator shall begin to slide along the spindle in one or other direction
according as the speed exceeds or falls short of a certain value, and shall thereby
cause the current to pass through the armature coil or coils during a portion of
their revolution when they are moving respectively less or more nearly at right
angles to the lines of magnetic force. Or instead of being spiral, the contact pieces
in the commutator may be taper shaped so that when the commutator is displaced
longitudinally the angle or fraction of the whole revolution throughout which they
are in electrical contact with the fixed brushes is reduced or increased when the
speed increases or fails short of its normal value, respectively. Or otherwise the
centrifugal governor may cause the commutator to be angularly displaced round the
axis; or instead of moving the commutator, the governor may cause the brushes to
be displaced angularly or longitudinally or radially with the same result as before,
namely, that too rapid rotation will shorten or otherwise render less effective the

page_text: electrical contacts, while the slow rotation will lengthen the same, or otherwise
render them more effective.
One method whereby the invention may be carried out is shown in Figures 1
and 2. Figure 1 gives a partial elevation of two spindles which are supposed to
form part of a long row. A portion a, of the length of each forms an electro motor
armature of the type known as Siemens armature, consisting of an I shaped iron
core wound longitudinally with insulated wire. The ends of this wire are con-
nected to the spiral commutator c, which revolves with the spindle and rubs
against two fixed contact springs or brushes (not shown in the figuro) between
which a suitable difference of electric potentials is maintained-M. M. M aro the
field magnets consisting of a series of iron plates wound so as to form one
continuous electro magnetic solenoid except where their continuity is interrupted
by the presence of the spindle armatures. Figure 2 shews a horizontal section
through the magnets and armatures. The commutator c. is free to slide up and
down on the spindle and is jointed to a centrifugal governor consisting of a
balls b. b. hung by links from a collar or T piece on the spindle. The centrifugal
tendency pulls the commutator upwards and this notion is resisted by a spiral
spring. When the speed exceeds a certain value, determined by the initial state
of compression of the spring, the commutator begins to rise, whereby the electrical
contacts between the coil of the armature and the fixed brushes take place in a
less effective manner than before. By this means the speed is controlled, and it is
easy by a suitable construction of the governor to make the action as nearly
isochronous as may be required. This form of governor is useful in other than
spinning machinery.
We further employ an arrangement by which when a thread breaks in spinning
or any analogous operation the current is cut off from the motor driving the
particular spindle or it may be group of spindles-when tho thread is mended and
tightened the contact is again made.
In some cases we attach to each spindle a mechanical governor of special
construction by which a uniform speed is maintained notwithstanding con-
siderable variations in driving power or resistance-When the desired speed is
exceeded a smooth pulley is brought into gear with the rotating spindle by the
divergence of the governor weights this pulley actuates a screw by which a brake
is applied the resistance due to which is steadily increased so long as the speed
continues excessive-when the speed is reduced to the desired liinit the smooth
pulley left out of gear and the brake is left in action. If the speed falls below the
desired limit the other side of the smooth pulley comes into gear into the rotating
spindle and is turned so as to reduce the action of the brake-when the proper
speed is reached the pulley is left out of gear with the brake freshly adjusted.
Moreover the governor is so arranged that while the mere action of putting tho
pulley into gear by an excess of speed increases the resistance to motion-tho
similar action due to a decrease of speed tends to relieve the spindle from
resistance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Fleeming Jenkin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd July
1883.
FLEEMING JENKIN of N° 3 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, Civil Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SPINNING AND WINDING" the same is the
result partly of communication made to me by James Alfred Ewing of Tokio in
the Empire of Japan and partly of invention and discovery made by myself
In throstle-frames and other machines for the purpose of spinning and winding
textile fabrics, it is required to maintain a large number of spindles in a state of
rapid rotation, and this has been heretofore accomplished by connecting them by
belts or other mechanical means to a revolving part of the machine which receives
its motion by mechanical connection with the prime-mover. This method of
driving the spindles causes a very large part of the energy communicated to the
machine to be wasted through friction. For example, when belts are used, the
tension of each belt forces the corresponding spindle against its bearings and so
causes a loss of energy in overcoming friction which is very large compared with
the energy which would be needed to turn tho spindle if it were not so pressed
against its bearings. Moreover, the tension of the belt tends to bend the spindle,
which must therefore be made of larger diameter than would otherwise be necessary,
whereby the frictional resistance to its motion is indirectly increased. Moreover
the uncertain slipping due to different tensions on different belts tends to produce
inequality in the manufacture. The object of the present invention is to reduce
this waste of power by communicating energy from the prime mover to the
spindles in a more efficient and regular manner.
To effect this object we propose that each spindle or a portion of each spindlo
shall be the revolving armature of a magneto-electro or dynamo-electric motor, and
that permanent or electro-magnets shall be placed in its neighbourhood in such a
manner that by causing an electric current to pass through the coil or coils of the
armature, or of the magnets, or both, the spindle is caused to rotate. By this
means the energy of the electric current, which may be supplied by a dynamo-
electric machine actuated by any suitable prime mover, or by any other means, is
transmitted to the spindles without intermediate mechanism.
Preferably the armaturo coils of several spindles are connected in multiple arc,
in order that the stoppage or failure of contacts of one may not materially affect
the current in other spindles of the same or of other groups. If desired, two or
more groups may be connected in series.
To prevent the speed of rotation of the spindles from varying through more
than a permissible range we employ one or other of two general methods. Of
these, one is to connect a sufficient number of spindles together by a band or
bands, or other form of mechanical gearing, so as to preserve their relative velocity
constant or nearly constant while at the same timo each spindle forms a separato
electro-motor as already described. Then should any one spindle receive by means
of the electric current an amount of driving power in excess of its requirements,
instead of becoming individually accelerated it will distribute this surplus power
amongst the other spindles of the group in mechanical connection with it, and thereby
cause no more than a small increase of speed in all of these. On the other hand,
should any spindle receive too little driving power by means of the electric current,
it will receive through its mechanical connection with the other members of the
group enough additional power to maintain its speed equal or nearly equal with
theirs, and the whole group will be no more than slightly retarded. The mechanical

page_text: connection between the several spindles of one group will not in general be
required to transmit much force and it need not therefore give rise to much waste
of energy. If many spindles be mechanically connected to each other, it will be
highly improbable that the sum of the resistances to motion of the members of
the group will vary largely, and therefore the common speed produced by a given
rate of supply of energy will in general be nearly constant. The speed of the
group may however be adjusted, if necessary, by adjusting the electric current
which flows in the armatures or in the magnets, or both, either automatically or by
hand according to methods well understood by electrical engineers.
The other method by which we regulate the speed of the spindles is to apply to
each a centrifugal governor by which the effectiveness of the arinature as an electro-
motor is diminished or increased when any considerable increase or diminution of
the speed of that spindle takes place.
To effect this the governor may cause either the commutator by which currents
enter and leave the coil or coils of the arinature, or the contact springs or brusbes,
or both, to move in such a manner that an increase of speed beyond a certain
value shall cause the contacts to be made during a less effective part or during a
shorter part of the revolution of the armature. One method of effecting this is
to use in combination with a pair of fixed contact springs or brushes a commutator
in which the contact pieces are set spirally, and which is capable of sliding
longitudinally on the spindle, and to connect the same to a centrifugal governor in
such a manner that the commutator shall begin to slide along the spindle in one
or other direction according as the speed exceeds or falls short of a certain value,
and shall thereby cause the current to pass through the armature coil or coils
during a portion of their revolution when they are moving respectively less or
more nearly at right angles to the lines of magnetic force.-Or, instead of being
spiral, the contact pieces in the commutator may be taper-shaped so that when the
commutator is displaced longitudinally the angle or fraction of the whole revolution
throughout which they are in electrical contact with the fixed brushes is reduced
or increased when the speed increases or falls short of its normal value, respectively.
Or, otherwise, the centrifugal governor may cause the commutator to be angularly
displaced round the axis; or instead of moving the commutator, the governor may
cause the brushes to be displaced angularly or longitudinally or radially, with the
same result as before, namely, that too rapid rotation will shorten or otherwise
render less effective the electrical contacts, while too slow rotation will lengthen the
same, or otherwise render them more effective. In this or in other ways the
centrifugal governor may be simply used to cut off the current from the motor
for varying percentages of time.
One method whereby the invention may be carried out is shown in Figures 1
and 2. Figure 1 gives a partial elevation of two spindles, which are supposed to
form part of a long row. A portion u of the length of each forins an electro-motor
armature of the type known as Siemen's armature, consisting of an I-shaped iron
core wound longitudinally with insulated wire. The ends of this wire are con-
nected to the spiral commutator c which revolves with the spindle, and rubs against
two fixed contact springs or brushes (not shown in the figure) between which a
suitable difference of electric potentials is maintained. M M M are the field
magnets consisting of a series of iron plates wound so as to form one continuous
electro-magnetic solenoid except where their continuity is interrupted by the
presence of the spindle armatures. Figure 2 shows a horizontal section through
the magnets and aricatures. The commutator c is free to slide up and down on
the spindle and is jointed to a centrifugal governor consisting of a pair of balls b b
bung by links from a collar or T piece on the spindle. The centrifugal tendency.
pulls the commutator upwards and this motion is resisted by a spiral spring.
When the speed exceeds a certain value, determined by the initial stato of com-
pression of the spring, the commutator begins to rise, whereby the electrical
contacts between the coil of the armature and the fixed brushes take place in a
less effective manner than before. By this means the speed is controlled; and it is.

page_text: easy by a suitable construction of the governor to make the action as nearly
isochronous as may be required. This form of governor is useful in other than
spinning machinery.
We further employ an arrangement by which when a thread breaks in spinning
or any analogous operation the current is cut off from the motor driving the
particular spindle or it may be group of spindles-when the thread is mended and
tightened the contact is again made.
In some cases we attach to ench spindle a mechanical governor of special
construction by which a uniform speed is maintained notwithstanding considerable
variations in driving power or resistance. When the desired speed is exceeded a
smooth pulley is brought into gear with the rotating spindle by the divergence of
the governor weights-this pulley actuates a screw by which a break is applied
the resistance due to which is steadily increased so long as the speed continues
excessive. When the speed is reduced to the desired limit the smooth pulley is left
out of gear and the break is left in action. If the speed falls below the desired
limit the other side of the smooth pulley comes into gear with the rotating spindle
and is turned so as to reduce the action of the break when the proper speed is
reached the pulley is left out of gear with the break freshly adjusted.
Moreover the governor is so arranged that while the mere action of putting the
pulley into gear by an excess of speed increases the resistance to motion the similar
action due to a decrease of speed tends to relieve the spindle from resistance.
Figures 3 and 4 in the annexed drawings are clevations (both partly in section)
in which our invention is shown more in detail applied to the driving of the
spindles of a flier spinning frame. Figure 5 is an horizontal section of the same-
a a are the spindles, bb the fliers, c and d are the fixed rails in which the upper
and lower bearings for the spindles are carried, e is a rail on which the bobbins are
Bupported and which rises and falls in order to cause a regular winding of the
thread upon the bobbins. All these parts are arranged in the usual way. is a
serving of soft iron wire around the spindle, gg are four armed rings of brass
slipped over the spindle and abutting upon the ends of the serving f. Silk covered
copper wire is wound over the horns parallel to the spindle passing up on one side
of the spindle crossing over the top of the serving on the opposite side. In this
way two separate coils of insulated wire are formed upon the spindle. The
serving provides a soft iron core while the central part, of steel gives the needful
strength and rigidity.
The iron wire form, too, prevents wasteful currents from being generated in the
core, especially if the wire be varnished to prevent conduction between contiguous
layers.
The two coils are wound alternately in parts-first a portion of one then a
portion of the other crossing above it, then a portion of the first again and so on.
The whole forms a Siemen's armature with two coils, of which generally one only is
in action at a time.
his a commutator consisting of a cylindrical box of vulcanite fixed upon the
spindle, it has three metallic strips fixed upon it as is shown by the figures 6,
which show the commutator separately. One of these strips passes half around the
cylinder h and the other two strips occupy the other quadrants. The vulcanite
serves to insulate these strips the one from the other and from the spindle. Each
coil is connected at one end to the semi-circular strip and at the other to one or
other of the two quadrants and as these strips pass beneath the metallic brushes i¹ i
they are placed in communication with the electric source. These two brushes
bear against the band of the commutator on diametrically opposite points-¹³ are
two main insulated conductors connected with the dynamo-electric machine or
other electric source and to these the brushes ¹,, are permanently. connected
each to each. It will be seen that in the rotation of the commutator a circuit is
completed by the brushes first through one of the coils upon the spindle, then the
rotation continues through a quarter revolution and the circuit through this coil is
opened and a circuit through the other coil is closed. At the end of half a

page_text: revolution the first coil again comes in replacing the second coil but the current
then flows in the coil in a reverse direction. On three quarters of the rotation
being completed the second coil receives the reversed current, and so matters
proceed in every revolution. kk are the field magnets they may either be
permanent magnets or electro magnets if the latter they should be excited by an
independent circuit which will maintain a constant field for each spindle. In
either case whether electro magnets or permanent magnets be employed we arrange
them in a complete ring ns is shewn diagrammatically in Figure 7, so that no
exposed magnet poles are left at the ends of the series. This adds much to the
efficiency of the magnets. 11 are pulleys upon the spindles, these pulleys are in
the position of those by which the spindles are usually driven but they are smaller
and lighter as they are now not required to drive but to control the speed. A
light endless band passes from each pulley to a drum which receives all the bands
and so uniformity in the speed of the spindles is ensured and the drum being also
in gear with the other parts of the mechanism, a due relation of the speed of one
part to that of every other is ensured.
Figure 8 shows another arrangement where in place of the pulleys & coupling the
spindles mechanically with other parts each spindle is provided with an electrical
governor. The governor consists of a spring arm m electrically connected at one
end with the semi-circular strip of the commutator h and its other end presses upon
an insulated metal stud fixed in a vulcanite block mounted upon the spindle at n.
The stud is connected with the ends of the insulated coils upon the spindle
which previously were connected direct with the semi-circular strip upon the
commutator.
The coil circuits are therefore now completed through the spring arm m. The
arm m has a weight at its lower end or the arm itself is suitably proportioned so
that when the speed of the spindle is sufficiently high centrifugal force causes the
arm m to leave the contact stud n. When this takes place the current is no longer
transmitted and the speed is checked.
In place of checking the speed by opening the circuit the same end_may_be
attained as already explained by the application of a friction break. Figure 9
shows an arrangement in which this is the case. oo are springs attached to the
spindle at o' o' and carry small weights o² o². The divergence of these weights by
centrifugal action draws down the disc p which can slide longitudinally upon the
spindle but is compelled to rotate with it.
When the speed of the spindle is accurately adjusted the disc p is out of contact
with the little wheel q but any deviation from this speed causes the wheel q to be
rotated by friction in one direction or the other. The wheel is mounted upon a
screw stem on which is a nut 8. t is a bell crank lever with its fulcrum at t¹; it
has jointed to it at one of its ends the nuts and at the other it carries a spring
which bears on the periphery of the disc u fixed on the spindle. The rotation of
the wheel traverses the nuts and varies the frictional pressure on the disc u until
the speed to which the apparatus is set is attained.
Where the spindles are independent the one of the other an automatic electric
device is applied to stop the spindle on the breakage of the thread. Between one
of the main conductors and the brush of the commutator a small contact lever is
interposed, by its own weight or by a spring it keeps the circuit closed. The thread
wben entire supports a roller carried by an arm and this falls when the thread
breaks, lifts tho contact lever and opens the circuit. When the current is thus
withdrawn the spindle stops.
The spindle motors are best arranged all in parallel arc between the two main
conductors and these should be maintained at a proper difference of potential
preferably by a governed dynamo such as that patented by Messra Ayrton and
Perry.
The special suitability of electro-motors to spinning and winding depends on the
ollowing facts.
1° the efficiency is greater the higher the speed of the notor whereas in the

page_text: ordinary machinery with power transmitted by gearing the efficiency diminishes
with the speed.
2° Only so much power is used as is required by the spindles actually in use
whereas in gearing shafting gearing and belting absorbing much power is running
for all the spindles.
.
3° That the natural arrangement of the spindles allows an extremely powerful
field to be produced for each armature by the use of what may be called one field
magnet common to all and therefore massive; a point of great importance.
4° The case with which the speed is governed forms a great advantage and will
render the thread produced much more uniform than can be made when belts which
slip unequally are used to drive each spindle.
5° The case with which, with independently governed spindles, the spindle is
stopped by the withdrawal of the current when the thread breaks.
What we claim as improvements in machinery for spinning and winding is :-
First. Forming electro-motor armatures upon and around the spinning or
winding spindles and providing in the machine magnets and other parts by which
the said spindles are made to rotato under automatic control and without the
necessity for power to be transmitted to them by bands or mechanical gearing as
heretofore.
Second. The combination with spinning or winding spindles of armatures,
governors and other parts by which each spindle is made to rotate at an uniform
speed independently of any mechanical connection with the other spindles or other
parts of the machinery.
Third. The combination with spinning or winding spindles of armatures and
other parts by which the said spindles are made to rotate, and pulleys and bands or
equivalent mechanical connections by which the rotation of the spindles is controlled
by their mutual action.
Fourth. The combination with such spindles and armatures of magnets placed
between the spindles so that the several electro motors have their field magnets in
Beries.
Fifth. The combination with spindles and armatures thereon driven by electricity
of a make and break piece interrupting the driving current when a thread breaks.
In witness whereof I the said Fleeming Jenkin have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
FLEEMING JENKIN (20)