IMPROVE- MENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES, AND IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENGINES
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Walenn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
October 1860.
I, WILLIAM HENRY WALENN, of No. 19, Talbot Road, Camden Road,
Holloway, in the Parish of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES, AND IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENGINES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists in arranging the permanent magnets as well as the
coils, helices, or induced magnets of magneto-electric machines or electro-
magnetic engines, according to the methods herein-after set forth.
. 1st, Magneto-electric Machines.-In the case of magneto-electric machines
all these methods conduce to the production of a continuous or flowing current
of electricity direct from the helices without the use of any commutators,
breaks, or other current-changing apparatus; in each of them also the
mechanical power applied to move the helices is only that which is necessary
to overcome the friction of the working parts, for, according to the general
principle upon which these machines are constructed, the coils, helices, or
induced magnets have no disposition to remain opposite the poles of the
permanent magnets. The polarity of the induced magnets is never changed,
as in the ordinary magneto-electric machines.
The first novel method of applying the above principles is, by mounting an
electro-dynamic coil upon an axis which passes through the centre of its soft

page_text: iron core. This coil is rotated between the opposite poles of a permanent
magnet or magnets whose pole or poles is or are opposite the centres of
rotation of the coil. An improved method of conducting away the current
(for use) from a coil so placed is to construct its core in two balves insulated
from each other, each half being in metallic contact with one end of the wire;
by this means the current is conducted down the uprights or supports of the
centres of rotation to binding screws suitably placed in electric connection with
them. When a large number of coils are required to produce a considerable
amount of electricity, they may be mounted with their axes in one straight
line, or vertically side by side, as the bobbins are in spinning machines, or any
modification or combination of these arrangements, the permanent magnets
being suitably placed.
A second method of arranging the coils and magnets is exactly similar to
the first method, except that the permanent magnets are horse-shoe form, and
embrace the coil, so that each half of its periphery may be influenced by an
opposite magnetic polarity. When a large machine is required, a number of
coils may be arranged in a similar manner to that described in the first method;
the permanent magnets, however, being placed so as to embrace the coils, as
above indicated. These two plans may be advantageously employed in com-
bination with each other in the same magneto-electric machine.
An important modification of these methods consists in keeping the electro-
dynamic coils fixed, and rotating the permanent magnets in proximity to them.
In this case the current is conducted away (for use) from the immovable coils
simply by means of suitably placed binding screws.
A third method consists in mounting a number of permanent magnets upon
an axis which passes through them in the centre, and at right angles to their
length. This axis is rotated in the centre of a fixed electro-dynamic coil, and
induces an electric current in it, which is conducted to any required spot in
the usual manner.
A modification of this plan consists in making the permanent magnets fixed,
and in rotating the coils; in this case the current is conducted away (for use)
by similar means to that indicated in the description of the first method, or by
any other suitable method at present in use.
A fourth method consists in mounting permanent magnets upon the
periphery of a cylinder, and placing the coil or coils within the cylinder.
Employ either the revolution of the coil or coils, or of the permanent magnets,
as may be preferred.
A fifth method consists in mounting permanent magnets so as to radiate
from a centre which coincides with the axis of the coil or coils. The magnets
:

page_text: in this instance may oppose the ends of the coils. Employ either the
revolution of the coil or coils, or of the permanent magnets, as may be pre-
ferred. The fourth and fifth methods may be used in combination in the same
machine.
A sixth method consists either in employing several coils upon the same
bobbin, or in inserting several permanent or induced magnets into the coil
with their opposite poles in juxtaposition, but not in contact; or both these
plans may be used conjointly in the same machine. Employ either the
revolution of the coil or coils, or of the permanent or induced magnets, as may
be preferred. Besides the magnets being in the centre of the coil, they may
surround it.
In all the above methods it will be observed that either the coils rotate
round their own axes, or else the permanent magnets rotate round axes which
are identical with or concentric to the axes of the coils. Instead of the coils
being movable about their axes, they may be placed on the circumference of
a wheel, or in any other suitable mounting at the same distance from the axis
of rotation, and surrounded by permanent magnets suitably placed. Either
the wheel or wheels may rotate, and the permanent magnets remain fixed, or
else the permanent magnets may rotate, and the wheel or wheels remain
fixed.
Lastly, the principal features of this Invention consist, 1st, in revolving the
coils or the permanent magnets about their own axes, or about axes concentric
to the cylinder on which they are placed. 2nd, in never changing the magnetic
polarity of the cores of the coils, therefore in enabling the current always to
traverse the coils in the same direction.
2nd. Electro-magnetic Engines.-All the berein-before mentioned methods
are adapted for use in electro-magnetic engines by simply transmitting a
suitable electric or galvanic current through the coils, and causing them to
produce mechanical motion as a result, instead of using the mechanical motion
of the coils or magnets and causing them to produce electricity as a result.
In all the above methods electro-magnets may be used instead of permanent
magnets.