IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC APPARATUS, AND THEIR APPLICATION AS A STATIONARY OR LOCOMOTIVE DRIVING POWER
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC APPARATUS,
AND THEIR APPLICATION AS A STATIONARY OR LOCOMOTIVE DRIVING POWER."
A communication from abroad by Jean Henry Cazal, Civil Engineer, of
29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
Scaled the 18th November 1864, and dated the 3rd June 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patcuts, with his Petition, on the
3rd June 1864.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AND MAGNETO-ELECTRIC APPARATUS,
AND THEIR APPLICATION AS A STATIONARY OR LOCOMOTIVE DRIVING POWER," to be
as follows:
The electric effects of the pile or induction apparatus capable of being
used for the construction of a practical electro-dynamic motor depend on the
following conditions:-1st, on the construction of the electro-magnets;
2ndly, on that of the coils which produce the magnetic effects; and 3rdly, on
the arrangement of the electro-magnetic apparatus.
Up to the present time the question has not been properly studied as to the
most suitable method of making electro-magnetic and magneto-electric
Price 8d.]

page_text: bobbins as regards their surface and dimensions, also the form of the soft iron
relatively to the length, surface, and volume of the circuit of the coil, so as to
obtain the maximum magnetic power with a given source of electricity, and
vice versa, a maximum of electricity with a minimum of power, when it is
desired to produce dry electricity by the aid of magneto-electric apparatus.
Studies in electricity, based on numerous experiments, have led me to adopt
an electro-magnet with cylindrical surface, having multiple poles and a large
magnetic surface, and this Invention consists in its application, 1st, as an
ordinary electro-magnet; 2ndly, as an electro-magnet to be applied in electro-
dynamic motors, which may be either stationary or locomotive engines; 3rdly,
in the construction of artificial magnets and magneto-electric bobbins for
induction apparatus; and, lastly, in all cases where it is of advantage to
substitute bobbins or coils with a large surface instead of the ordinary
bobbins.
The bobbin is composed of an iron reel, on which the copper wire is wound.
On the two ends of the recl are applied two rings, also of iron, in such manner
as to nearly enclose the reel and the wire wound thereon. It will be readily
understood that the electric current in passing produces magnetism in the
iron, and the two magnetic poles will be distributed over the cylindrical surface
of the metal rings above referred to, which are placed in such position that
the poles re-act by their proximity oue on the other and increase their mag-
netic power thereby. A semi-cylindrical iron armature placed in contact with
this electro-maguet is capable of sustaining a much heavier weight for a given
amount of electricity than it would otherwise be capable of. I have found
from experience that in these improved bobbins the action of the electric
current is more direct and better utilized, if the mass of iron presents a
considerable surface for the radiation of the electric current. Instead of the
rings having a plain cylindrical surface, notches or spaces may be made in
them, and thus obtain au electro-magnet with multiple poles (the number
varying with that of the spaces). Further, by applying a shaft with pivots to
the reel, and fitting the whole in bearings on a frame carrying an iron casing,
or it may be wood, furnished with iron armatures, I obtain an apparatus for
producing rotary motion which I will now proceed to describe with reference to
Figs. 2 and 2 of the Drawings.
a, a, represents the reel on which the copper wire is wound; b, b, are the
two rings having eight grooves or indentations on their periphery and lateral
surfaces, which latter grooves need not be more than from one-third to one-
fifth of an inch in depth. These two rings are keyed on the shaft, and
screwed to the end of the reel in such manner that the hollows and plain parts

page_text: are uniformly disposed thereon. c, c, iron shatt; d, copper commutator of
small diameter divided into eight parts equal in number to the groovės;
e, insulating coupling, to which the commutator is keyed; f, metallic key
forming a spring, which is platinized at its extremity, and serves to establish
or break the current by its alternate contact with the hollows and projections
of the commutator. The current enters the reel by the shaft, and leaves it at
the commutator every time contact is effected with the key which is in com-
munication with the second wire of the current. A, A, are iron armatures
arranged concentrically on the bobbin with just the necessary play to prevent
The armatures are made nearly the same width as the spaces.
Thus, if the electro-magnet be actuated by the passage of the current, and the
eight armatures placed near the poles be attracted, two conditions will ensue
if the apparatus is arranged in such manner that the cover bearing the
armature be fixed the electro-magnet will be attracted and acquire a rotary
motion, while if, on the contrary, the electro-magnet be fixed, the cover will
turn on it according to which method is adopted.
contact.
It should be remarked that by reason of the speed acquired by the motor
the dead points at the most are only about one-thirtieth of an inch either
when moving from right to left or from left to right, which, being readily
overcome, and a second attraction taking place, the rotating motion proceeds
under the most favorable conditions, as the armatures (even under the most
unfavorable conditions) are disposed relatively to the poles of the electro-
magnet in such manner that it receives the attraction with the smallest
possible space intervening, having a very considerable surface of attraction.
On the other hand it will be seen that the quantity of wire is very small
relatively to that of the iron, so that the action of the current is at once of the
maximum amount and more direct. Further, the attractive force of the poles
being at the extremity of the radius it is certain that proportionately greater
results may be obtained by increasing the radius according to laws established
by careful experiments; it may however be safely affirmed, 1st, that the
length of the circuit, 2ndly, the large surface of soft iron, and 3rdly, the
lever, furnish materials for the construction of powerful electro-magnets, and
all things being otherwise equal when increasing the radius, and this without
complicating the mechanism, an apparatus for producing direct rotary motion
may be made of much simpler construction and of more power by dispensing
with the armatures of soft iron, as represented in Fig. 4. In this case the
electro-magnetic bobbin is made in two parts, the one fixed and the other
movable, in such manner that the poles are superposed, in which case it is
the other poles which are attracted at each passage of the current.

page_text: Electro-dynamic locomotive engines. This apparatus is represented at
Fig. 3 of the Drawings. r,, are two metal coils through which the electri-
city circulates, positive in the one, negative in the other, and proceeding from
a voltaic or magneto-electric source.
Let V, V, be a vehicle furnished with a rear train of wheels, insulated at
their axles, for example, and having a fore carriage forming the driving wheel.
This wheel, serving as a motor, consists of the cylindrical electro-magnet with
large attracting surface herein-before described, and which can be a lapted to
a locomotive engine by simple and practical means. As regards the bobbin,
it may be furnished with fixed poles regularly arranged, and acting on arma-
tures fixed to the frame of the carriage, or it may be constructed, when
dispensing with the use of armatures, with its poles superposed, one of which
(the north pole for example) turns on a south pole fixed to the framing of the
carriage. c, c, represent two rings of copper oriron applied on the cylindrical
surface of the bobbin, but suitably insulated from the conducting parts of the
bobbin in such manner that the current enters at one wheel and leaves at the
other.
It will be understood that as the carriage rests on the rails the positive
electricity, for example, enters by one wheel into the wire of the electro-
maguet, traverses the circuit, and passes out at the commutator, which is in
communication with the other wheel. The electro-magnet being attracted
by the armatures produces a rotating motion causing the vehicle to move
forwards on the rails at a speed and with a power proportionate to the
intensity of the current.
This novel construction of electro-magnet thus furnishes a means of
doubling, tripling, or still further increasing the power by the simple addition
of one, two, or more similar apparatus on the same driving shaft if for a fixed
engine, or on one or more axles when applied to vehicles. The weight of the
copper wire forming the bobbin of the electro-magnet, far from being pre-
judicial as a dead weight, on the contrary imparts the advantage of a fly wheel
to the driver and increases the adherence of the wheels to the rails.
Magneto-electric apparatus.-The construction of improved magneto-
electric apparatus will naturally ensue from the adoption of the improved
electro-magnetic bobbin herein-before described. Thus, if I replace the eight
armatures of soft iron employed in the motor above described by eight
artificial magnets of horse-shoe form, fixed in such manner as to present
their eight poles to the eight similar poles of the bobbin, and the whole
being suitably arranged by imparting rotatory motion to the bobbin, a direct
current may be obtained in the wire of the latter, which may be utilized according

page_text: to the purpose to which the apparatus is to be applied. Instead of employing
horse-shoe magnets I may obtain a inuch simpler apparatus by constructing a
bobbin similar to the one before described, in which the surrounding rings are
of magnetised steel instead of soft iron, the opposite poles of the two rings
being superposed.
It is evident that the normal condition of the apparatus consists in super-
posing movable poles over fixed ones, consequently if, by imparting a rotating
motion, this attraction is caused to cease, it will produce an electric current in
the wire and a continuous flow of electricity positive and negative will be
obtained at the two ends of the wire. It should be further remarked that the
space between any two poles of opposite natures being the same in the eight
poles of the apparatus described, it follows that for a single revolution of the
wheel there will be eight currents of the same nature and intensity produced
in the same unit of time, thereby producing a powerful direct current of
much greater uniformity and intensity than can be produced by ordinary
apparatus.
Admitting then the possibility of constructing 1st,electro-dynamic receivers
capable of producing a useful amount of work, and, 2ndly, powerful magneto-
electric apparatus of simple and economical construction producing dry
electricity at a great tension, it may be affirmed that electricity will become
of sure, practical, and commercial value, furnishing a solution, 1st, of the
problem of applying electro-dynamic motors, more especially small ones for
example, to the shuttles of looms, sewing machines, bobbins, aud spinning
machines, knitting and netting machines, electric bells, electro-medical appa-
ratus, the production of the electric light machine, and foot lathes, polishing
machines, and other purposes; 2ndly, its application to electric locomotion,
as it would be easy to utilize the natural forces by transmitting them where
required by the aid of wire conductors of the dynamic electricity. Millions of
horse power will thus be at disposal for various purposes.
In the case of locomotion, for example, an immense power will be extended
along railways passing throughvalleys, as the waterfalls and currents of water
and air may be utilized for working magneto-electric apparatus, which would
distribute the electric currents greater or less distances along the rails of the
permanent way. The carriages bearing the propelling apparatus would travel
on the line, receiving each instant its motive power from the rails, which are
suitably insulated.
Trains drawn by electro-magnetic motors would offer immense advantages
over the ordinary system of working railways, where may be seen a heavy
locomotive encumbered with its supply of water and fuel, add to which a train

page_text: of carriages equally heavy, and often without anything to carry for a part of
the time they are in use. They would also possess the enormous advantage
of being capable of carrying both passengers and merchandise, while steam
engines, which are always liable to explosions, only serve for drawing loads
and not carrying them. Lastly, all the weight being borne on the axle
receiving the first impulse, the driving wheels would bite the rails with great
power, and steep inclines might be traversed without difficulty.
If we further examine the economical and financial conditions governing
the construction of railways, it will be seen that the secondary branch lines,
and those traversing mountainous countries, might be made profitable by the
application of electricity, whereas with steam locomotion they may often be
considered impracticable, or are worked on such onerous terins as to be
detrimental to the interests of the main lines.
The Invention thus consists, 1st, in the use and application of an electro-
magnetic bobbin having a large surface, to all kinds of known electrical
apparatus, or employed as a substitute for the bobbins now in use; 2ndly, of
the stationary or locomotive apparatus constructed on the principles. herein
described; 3rdly, of the magneto-electric apparatus also described in the
course of the present Specification, whatever may be the form and arrange-
ment or details of construction of sd apparatus; and lastly, whatever may
be the nature of its application.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the
2nd December 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Herreign,
did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark, my execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the

page_text: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AND MAGNETO-
ELECTRIC APPARATUS, AND THEIR APPLICATION AS A STATIONARY OR LOCOMOTIVE
DRIVING POWER," a coin". to me from abroad by Jean Henry Cazal, Civil
Engineer, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say)
:-
The electric effects of the pile or induction apparatus capable of being used
for the construction of a practical electro-dynamic motor depend on the fol-
lowing conditions, viz., 1st, on the construction of the electro-magnets; 2ndly,
on that of the coils which produce the magnetic effects; 3rdly, on the arrange-
ment of the electro-magnetic apparatus.
Up to the present time the question has not been properly studied as to the
most suitable method of making electro-magnetic and magneto-electric
bobbins as regards their surface dimensions, also the form of the soft iron
relatively to the length, surface, and volume of the circuit of the coil so as to
obtain the maximum magnetic power with a given source of electricity, and
vice versa, a maximum of electricity with a minimum of power when it is
desired to produce dry electricity by the aid of magneto-electric apparatus.
Studies in electricity, based on numerous experiments, have led me to adopt
an electro-magnet with cylindrical surface, having multiple poles and a large
magnetic surface, and this Invention consists in its application, 1st, as an
ordinary electro-magnet, 2ndly, as an electro-magnet to be applied in electro-
dynamic motors which may be either stationary or locomotive, 3rdly, in the
construction of artificial magnets and magneto-electric bobbins for induction
apparatus, and lastly, in all cases where it is of advantage to substitute bobbins
with a large surface instead of the ordinary bobbins.
Asingle bobbin, Fig. 1.-The bobbin is composed of an iron reel on which
the copper wire is wound, on the two ends of the reel are applied two rings
also of iron in such manner as to nearly enclose the reel and the wire wound

page_text: thereon. It will be readily understood that the electric current in passing
produces magnetism in the iron, and the two magnetic poles will be distributed
over the cylindrical surface of the metal rings above referred to, which are
placed in such position that the poles re-act by their proximity one on the
other, and increase their magnetic power thereby. A semi-cylindrical iron
armature placed in contact with this electro-magnet is capable of sustaining
a much heavier weight for a given amount of electricity than it would other-
wise be capable of. I have found from experience that in these improved
bobbins the action of the electric current is more direct and better utilized
if the mass of iron presents a considerable surface for the radiation of the
electric current. Instead of rings having a plain cylindrical surface notches or
spaces may be made in them, and thus obtain an electro-magnet with multiple
poles (the number varying with that of the spaces). Further, by applying a
shaft with pivots to the reel and fitting the whole in bearings on a frame
carrying an iron casing, or it may be of wood furnished with iron armatures,
I obtain an apparatus for producing rotary motion which I will now proceed
to describe.
In Figs. 2 and 2 of the Drawings a, a, represents the reel on which the
copper wire is wound; b, b, are the two rings having eight grooves or indenta-
tions on their periphery and lateral surfaces, which latter grooves need not be
more than from one-third to one-fifth of an inch in depth. These two rings are
keyed on the shaft and screwed to the ends of the reel in such manner that
the hollows and plain parts are symmetrically disposed thereon; c, c, iron
shaft; d, copper commutator of small diameter divided into eight parts equal
in number to the grooves; e insulating coupling to which the commutator is
keyed, metallic key forming a spring which is platinized at its extremity
and serves to establish or break the current by its alternate contact with the
hollows and projections of the commutator. The current enters the reel by
the shaft and leaves it at the commutator every time contact is effected with
the key which is in communication with the second wire of the current. A,
A, are iron armatures arranged concentrically on the bobbin with just the
necessary play to prevent contact. The armatures are made nearly the same
width as the spaces. Thus, if the electro-magnet be actuated by the passage
of the current and the eight armatures placed near the poles be attracted, two
conditions will ensue; thus if the apparatus is arranged in such manner that
the cover bearing the armature be fixed, the electro-magnet will be attracted
and acquire a rotary motion, while if on the contrary, the electro-magnet be
fixed, the cover will turn on it according to which method is adopted.
It should be remarked that by reason of the speed acquired by the motor

page_text: the dead points at the most are only about one-thirtieth part of an inch either
when moving from right to left or from left to right, which being readily over-
come and a second attraction taking place the rotary motion proceeds under
the most favorable conditions, as the armatures (even under the most un-
favorable conditions) are disposed relatively to the poles of the electro-magnet
in such manner that it receives the attraction with the smallest possible space
intervening and having a very considerable surface of attraction. On the other
hand, it will be seen that the quantity of wire is very small relatively to that
of the iron, so that the action of the current is at once of the maximum amount
and more direct. Further, the attractive force of the poles being at the extreme
of the radius, it is certain that proportionately greater results may be obtained
by increasing the radius according to laws established by careful experiments;
it may however be safely affirmed, 1st, that the length of the circuit, 2ndly,
the large surface of soft iron, and 3rdly, the leverage furnish materials for the
construction of powerful electro-magnets, all things being otherwise equal,
when increasing the radius and this without complicating the mechanism,au
apparatus for producing direct rotary motion may be made of much simpler
construction and of more power by dispensing with the armatures of soft
iron as represented in Fig. 4. In this case the electro-magnetic bobbin is
made in two parts, the one fixed and the other movable, in such manner that
the poles are superposed, in which case it is the other poles which are attracted
at each passage of the current.
Electro-dynamic locomotiveengine.-This apparatus is represented at Fig.3
of the Drawings. r, r, are two metal coils, through which the electricity
circulates positive in the one and negative in the other, and proceeding from
a voltaic or magneto-electric source. Let V, V, be a vehicle, furnished with
a rear train of wheels insulated at their axes, for example, and having a fore
carriage forming the driving wheel; this wheel, serving as a motor, consists
of the cylindrical electro-magnet, with large attracting surface herein-before
described, and which can be adapted to a locomotive engine by simple and
practical means; as regards the bobbins, it may be furnished with fixed poles,
regularly arranged and acting on armatures fixed to the frame of the carriage;
or it may be constructed when dispensing with the use of armatures with its
poles superposed, one of which (the north pole for example) turns on a south
pole arrangement fixed to the framing of the carriage. c, c, represents two
rings of copper or iron applied on the cylindrical surface of the bobbin, but
suitably insulated from the conducting parts of the bobbin in such manner that
the current enters at one wheel and leaves at the other.
It will be understood that as the carriage rests on the rails the positive

page_text: electricity, for example, enters by one wheel into the wire of the electro-magnet,
traverses the circuit, and passes out at the commutator which is in com-
munication with the other wheel.
The electro-magnet being attracted by the armatures produces a rotating
motion, which causes the vehicle to move forwards on the rails at a speed and
with a power proportionate to the intensity of the current. This novel
construction of electro-magnet thus furnishes a means of doubling, tripling, or
still further increasing the power by the simple addition of one, two, or more
similar apparatus on the same driving shaft if for a fixed engine, or on one or
more axles when applied to vehicles. The weight of the copper wire forming
the bobbin of the electro-maguet, far from being prejudicial as a dead weight,
on the contrary imparts the advantages of a fly wheel to the driver, and
increases the adherence of the wheels to the rails..
Magneto-electric apparatus.--The construction of improved magneto-electric
apparatus will naturally ensue from the adoption of the improved electro-
magnetic bobbin herein described. Thus, if I replace the eight armatures of
soft iron employed in the motor above described by eight artificial magnets of
horse-sboe form, fixed in such manner as to present their eight poles to the
eight similar poles of the bobbin, and the whole being suitably arranged by
imparting rotary motion to the bobbin, a direct current may be obtained in
the wire of the latter, which may be utilized according to the purpose to which
the apparatus is to be applied. Instead of employing horse-shoe magnets,
I may obtain a much simpler apparatus by constructing a bobbin similar to
the one before described, in which the surrounding rings are of magnetised
steel instead of soft iron, the opposite poles of the two rings being super-
posed.
It is evident that the normal condition of the apparatus consists in super-
posing movable poles over fixed ones; consequently if by imparting a rotating
motion this attraction is caused to cease, it will produce an electric current in
the wire, and a continuous flow of electricity positive and negative will be
obtained at the two ends of the wire. It should be further remarked that the
space between any two poles of opposite natures being the same in the eight
poles in the apparatus described, it follows that for a single revolution of the
wheel there will be eight currents of the same nature and intensity produced in
the same unit of time, thereby producing a powerful direct current of much
greater uniformity and intensity than can be produced by ordinary apparatus.
Admitting then the possibility of constructing, 1st, electro-dynamic receivers
capable of producing a useful amount of work; 2ndly, powerful magneto-
electricapparatusofsimpleandeconomical construction producingdryelectricity

page_text: at a great tension, it may be affirmed that electricity will become of sure,
practical, and commercial value, and furnishing a solution, 1st, of the problem
of applying electro-dynamic motors, more especially small ones, for example,
to the shuttles of looms, sewing machines, bobbins, and spinning machines,
knitting and netting machines, electric belts, electro-medical apparatus, the
production of the electric light, machine and foot lathes, polishing machines,and
other purposes; 2ndly, its application to electric locomotion, as it would be
easy to utilize the natural forces by transmitting them where they may be
required by the aid of wire conductors of the dynamic electricity. Millions
of horse power will thus be at disposal for various purposes. In the case of
locomotion, for example, an immense power will be extended along railways
passing through valleys, as the waterfalls and the currents of water and air may
be utilized for working magneto-electric apparatus, which would distribute the
electric currents greater or less distances along the rails of the perma-
nent way.
The carriages bearing the propelling apparatus would travel on the line
receiving each instant its motive power from the rails, which are suitably
insulated. Trains driven by electro-magnetic motors would offer immense
advantages over the ordinary system of working railways, where may be seen
a heavy locomotive encumbered with its supply of water and fuel, add to which
a train of carriages equally heavy, and often without anything to carry for a
part of the time they are in use. They would also possess the enormous
advantages of being capable of carrying both passengers and merchandize,
while steam engines, which are always liable to explosions, only serve to draw
loads, and not carrying them; lastly, all the weight being borne on the axle
receiving the first impulse, the driving wheels would bite the rails with great
power, and steep inclines might be traversed without difficulty.
If we further examine the economical and financial conditions governing the
construction of railways, it will be seen that the secondary branch lines and
those traversing mountainous countries might be made profitable by the
application of electricity, whereas with steam locomotion they may be often
considered impracticable or worked on such onerous terms as to be detrimental
to the interests of the main lines.
Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same. I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First, the use and application of an electro-magnetic bobbin, having a large
surface, as described, to all kinds of known electrical apparatus, or employed
as a substitute for bobbins now in use.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the stationary motor or locomotive apparatus constructed
on the principles herein described.
Thirdly, I claim the magneto-electric apparatus hereinbefore described,
whatever may be the form and arrangement or details of construction.
And, lastly, whatever may be the nature of its application.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
JAMES DAISHI,
53, Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)