IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING CURRENTS OF ELECTRICITY
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Laker Voice of 1 Francis Street, Torrington
Square in the County of Middlesex, for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING CURRENTS OF ELECTRICITY
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Laker Voice at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th April 1882.
EDWARD LAKER VOICE of 1 Francis Street, Torrington Square, in the County of
Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING
CURRENTS OF ELECTRICITY
12
It is well known that when a core of soft iron coiled with wire is made to
approach the pole of a magnet, currents of electricity are generated in the wire in
an inverse direction to those which circulate, or are supposed to circulate-
according to Ampere's hypothesis-around the magnet, and these currents have a
mutual repulsion, consequently a force is set up tending to repel the coil from the
magnet. When however, the coil recedes from the magnet, direct currents, or
currents circulating in the same direction as those of the magnet, are generated.
The production of these alternately opposite currents offers a great resistance to
the revolving armature in existing machines for the mechanical generation of
electricity.
It is also well known that if a number of permanent magnets be placed side by
side with their like poles adjoining, thereby forming a battery of magnets with a
plane surface, and if a piece of soft iron coiled with wire constituting a small
bobbin of such dimensions that the length of the polar field of the magnets is
practically infinite with regard to the bobbin be moved so as to cut the lines of
force in the magnetic field, currents of electricity will be generated in the wire, the
direction of which currents will depend on the direction of the movement of the
bobbin. These currents however are of little intensity. Now in machines
according to my invention a pole of the opposite name to the pole to which the
bobbin as just referred to is already subjected is brought into contact with each
end of the bobbin and moved with the bobbin, and in this way currents are
generated of considerable intensity without change of polarity of the core of the
bobbin, the core itself forming an extension of, and joining two poles of like name.
Price 1071

page_text: Thus in carrying out my invention in inngneto-electric, electro-magnetic and
dynamo-electric machines 1 arrange a permanent or electro-magnet or magnets in
such a manner that the armature or armatures or exciter or exciters shall form
part of or be under the direct inductive influence of permanent or electro-magnets
so that the core or cores of the said armature or armatures may be made to be of
opposite polarity to those magnets which surround it or them, and before whose
poles it or they is, or are, made to revolve.
Referring to the accompanying three sheets of drawings in which like letters of
reference indiente similar parts and which are appended by way of illustration to
facilitate the explanation of the nature of my invention. Fig 1 is a diagrammatic
view explanatory of the general principle upon which my invention is based-N S,
NS, NS, are a number of bar magnets laid side by side, and serving to create n
magnetic field which the coil, (in this case, shewn above the south field) never
len ves. This coil is wound upon an iron bobbin in contact with the two north
poles of two other bar magnets. When the coil with its accompanying two
imagnets is moved so as to cut the lines of magnetic force, a current is generated
in the convolutions which may be demonstrated by a galvanometer included in the
circuit as shewn.
Fig 2 shews a side elevation partly in section and Fig 3 a cross section of one
form of apparatus according to my invention. N. S. is a horse shoe magnet firmly
fixed by standardis H, H, to the base Z. E is an iron plate forming a polar
extension of one pole. A is an armature the shape of which when denuded of
wire is seen at Fig 4. Fig 5 shews the method of coiling which I prefer. It is
evident that the armature by induction forms a polar extension of the pole S
thereby causing the core of the armature to be of S polarity and of opposite name
to the plate or polar extension N. and vice verad if the magnet is turned the other
way upwards.
I do not confine myself to any particular sectional shape of armaturo, as it is
evident that various forms may be used as well as different systems of coiling the
wire, without departing from the nature of my invention. I prefer however to
coil the arinature as a continuous helix and connect the ends of the wire to metallic
bands surrounding but insulated from the driving shaft, allowing the electricity
to be taken off by suitable collecters pressing against the said metallic banda.
It will be seen that so long as the armature (Fig 2) is made to rotate in one or
the other direction, a continuous current of electricity will be generated, and
currents of an opposite direction if the motion is reversed, according to the law
demonstrated by Faraday in subjecting a revolving copper disc to the action of a
ningnet. Fig is a modified form of apparatus according to my invention con-
sisting of four horse Shoe magnets arranged radially with their N poles acting by
induction on the armaturo A. A greater or lesser number of magnets can be used.
Fig. 7 shews section in line W of Fig. 6 Another modification of my invention is
shewn in Fig. 8. NS, N¹ S', are two electro magnets which by means of polar
extensions surround the armatures A A. The armatures in this case are extensions
of electro magnet B which revolves with the armatures and may be traversed by
the same current. The electricity generated passes off al collectors CC, and then,
in the case of dynamo machines, circulates through the wires encircling magnets
NS, N¹, S', N", S". Although only two magnets are shewn (Fig. 9) it is evident
a greater or lesser number may be used. Instead of the electro inagnet B Fig. 8,
being coiled with wire, the wire might be dispensed with and a rod or shaft of iron
used in its stend thereby developing a magnet solely by the inductive effect of
magnets S N, S' N'.
In some cases it is convenient that the electro magnet B should be fixed and
the armature or armatures detached from it, which latter would then be acted on
by the inductive effect of the said magnet B in a similar manner to the armature
shewn in fig. 6
Fig 10 is another modification of my invention whereby electro magnets SN
are joined by a pole connector P and made to envelope, or partially so, an

page_text: armature or armatures as illustrated in longitudinal section by way of example
in Fig. 11.
It will be seen that the core of an armature so enveloped or partially enveloped
will have a tendency to be of an opposite polarity to the magnet which surrounds
it; this polarity may be furthermore increased by coiling the said armature with
wire as at M. The driving pulley D which is shewn in section, can, if necessary
be fixed to the shaft beyond the magnets instead of being between them as shewn.
Instead of joining the magnets by the pole connector P both ends of the electro
magnets might be used by arranging another armature in place of P which
armature could be a reproduction of the armature shown at the opposite end and
connected with it by suitable gearing or other mechanical device. Fig 12 is a
section of one of the electro magnets through line 2 Fig 10.
Fig 13 is a cross section of another modification of my invention In this case
I use an iron ring or band R having electro or permanent magnets E E E E fixed
to it or in contact with it. S N are polar extensions forming suitable cavities of
any desired shape for the reception of a revolving armature A. A. This armature
is formed of a series of bobbins or electro magnets with their ends projecting into
the cavities in the aforesaid polar extensions. These bobbing or inaguets may be
connected by a bar or by passing bundles of iron wire through them so as to form
a ring armature. In the cavities between the bobbins or magnets of the said
armature wires for generating the current (see Fig. 15) are wound
Fig 14 is part elevation and part section of the last mentioned modification.
SS are the ends of the electro magnets or bobbins constituting the armature,
and N N is the plate or polar extension. The bobbins or electro magnets forming
the armature might be replaced by plain rods of iron when they would be
magnetized by the inductive action of the polar extensions S N, or the electro
magnets E E might be replaced by iron rods in which case there must be magnets
in the armature as shewn
Fig 16 is a cross section of another modification of my invention and Fig 17
a longitudinal section of same SNS N are permanent or electro magnets and so
arranged and fixed to ring R as to provide a space for a circular armature A,
consisting of four or more or less arms arranged radially and magnetized in order
that their poles shall be of an opposite name to those constituting the magnetic
field as shewn or vice versa. Upon these radial arins are fixed suitable cores
which are concentric with the circular cavity formed by the particular arrange-
ment of magnets constituting the field of force; and this core is coiled with wire
as shewn.
Fig 18 shews the kind of commutator that I prefer to use when it is desirable
to have continuous currents only. I is an insulating substance fixed to the
driving shaft and surrounded by a metallic band B to which is a suitable
collector C in frictional contact. It is evident that alternating circuits might be
obtained from all the before mentioned machines by having suitable commutators
fixed to the driving shaft.
Although I have spoken of coiling the armatures with wire in every case yet it
is to be understood that I may employ any known system of coiling such as
insulated copper bands or strips or other suitable conductors and the cores of the
armatures may be composed of bundles of iron wires insulated or otherwise in a
manner well known to experts.
Any one or more of the machines herein-before explained may be made to excite
other machines or I may cause the said machines to be first excited by galvanic,
thermo, or otherwise generated electricity.
Machines to operate upon the principle of my invention as above set forth may
be constructed in various other forms than those above described and illustrated
by way of examples.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Laker Voice in the Great Seal Patent Office on tho
14th October 1882.
EDWARD LAKER VOICE of 1 Francis Street Torrington Square in the county
of Middlesex IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING
CURRENTS OF ELECTRICITY
It is well known that when a core of soft iron coiled with wire is made to
approach the pole of a magnet, currents of electricity are generated in the wire in
an inverse direction to those currents which circulate or are supposed to circulate―
nccording to Ampere's hypothesis-around the magnet and these currents have a
mutual repulsion, consequently a force is set up tending to repel the coil from the
magnet. When however the coil recedes from the magnet, direct currents, or
currents circulating in the same direction as those of the magnet are generated.
The production of these currents offers a great resistance to the revolving armature
in existing machines for the mechanical generation of electricity. It is known
that if a number of permanent magnets be placed side by side with like poles
joining thereby forming a battery of magnets with a plane surface and if a piece
of soft iron coiled with wire constuting a sinall bobbin of such dimensions that
the length of the polar field of the magnets is practically infinite with regard to
the bobbin to be moved so as to cuts the lines of force in the magnetic field,
currents of electricity will be generated in the wire, the direction of which currents
will depend on the direction of the movement of the bobbin. Theso currents are
however of little intensity. Now in machines according to my invention a pole
of the opposite name to the pole to which the bobbin as just referred is already
subjected is brought into contact with each end of the bobbin and moved with the
bobbin and in this way currents are generated of considerable intensity without
change of polarity of the core of the bobbin, the core itself forming an extension
of and joining two poles of like name. Thus in carrying out my invention in
magneto-electric and dynamo-electric machines I arrange a permanent or electro-
magnet in such a manner that the armature or armatures may be made to be of
opposite polarity to those magnets which surround it or them, and before whose
poles it or they, is, or are, made to revolve. Referring to the accompanying
drawings in which like letters of referonce indicate similar parts and which are
appended by way of illustration Fig 1 is a diagramatic view explanatory of the
general principle of my invention N. S. N. S. are a number of bar magnets laid side
by side, and serving to create a magnetic field which the coil (in this case shewn
above the south field) never leaves. This coil is wound upon an iron bobbin in
contact with the two north poles of two other bar magnets.
When the coil with its accompanying two magnets is moved so as to cut the
lines of force a current is generated in the convolutions which may be demonstrated
by a galvanometer included in the circuit as shewn. Fig 2 shews a side elevation
partly in section and Fig 3 n cross section of one form of apparatus nccording to
my invention N. S. is a horse shoe magnet firmly fixed by standards EL, E, to the
base Z. E is an iron plate forming a polar extension of one pole. A is an armature
the shape of which when denuded of wire is seen at Fig 4. Fig 5 shews the
method of coiling which may be adopted. The armature by induction forms a
polar extension of the pole S thereby causing the core of the armature to be of S
polarity and of opposite name to the plate or polar extension N or vice versa
do not confine myself to any particular sectional shape of armature as various
forms may be used and the colling may consists of a series of helices, connected in
I

page_text: series or one continous helice may be used, instead of which copper plates or
strips may be used in series or otherwise; the ends of the wires or the conductors
leading from the said plates are connected to metallic bands insulated from but
fixed to the driving shaft and from thence the current is taken off by suitable
collectors. It will be seen that so long as the armature (Fig 2) is made to rotate
in one or the other direction, a continous current will be generated, and currents of
an opposite direction if the motion is reversed. Fig 6 is a modified form of apparatus
according to my invention consisting of four horse-shoe magnets arranged radially
with their N poles acting by induction on the armature A. A greater or lesser
number of magnets can be used, Fig. 7 shews section in line W of Fig. 6. Another
modification of my invention is shewn in Fig 8. N' S¹. N' S¹ are two electro-
magnets which by means of polar extensions surround the armatures A, A. The
armatures in this case are an extension of electro magnet B. which revolves with
the armatures and may be traversed by the same current. The electricity generated
passes off at collectors C. C. and then in the case of dynamo machines circulates
through the wires encircling the magnets N. S N'. S₁. N", S" Although two
magnets are shewn more of them may be used. Instead of the electro magnet B
Fig 8 being coiled with wire the wire may be dispensed with and a rod or shaft of
iron used in its stead thereby developing a magnet solely by the inductive effect
of magnets S. N. S' N¹. In some cases it is convenient that the electro magnet B
should be fixed and the armature or armatures (letached from it which latter would
then be noted on by the inductive effect of the said magnet B in a similar manner
to the armature shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is another modification of my invention
whereby electro magnets S. N. are joined by a pole connector P. and made to
envelope or partially so, an armature or armatures as illustrated in longitudinal
section by way of example in Fig 11. The core of an armature so enveloped will
have a tendency to be of an opposite polarity to the magnet which surrounds it:
this polarity may be furthermore increased by coiling the said armature with wire
as at M. The driving pulley D which is shewn in section can, if necessary he fixed
to the shaft beyond the magnets instead of being between them as shewn. Instead
of joining the magnets by the pole connector P both ends of the electro-magnets
might be used by arranging another armaturo in place of P. which armature could
be a reproduction of the arinature shewn at the opposite end and connected with it
by suitable gearing or other mechanical device. Fig 12 is a section of one of the
electro-magnets through line 2 Fig 10. Fig 13 is a cross section of another
modification of my invention. In this case I use an iron ring or band R having
electro or permanent magnets E. E. E. fixed to it or in contact with it. S. N are
polar extensions forming suitable cavities of any desired shape for the reception of
a revolving armature A A. This armature is formed of a series of bobbins or electro-
magnets with their ends projecting into cavities in the aforesaid polar extensions.
These bobbins or magnets may be connected by a bar or by passing bundles of iron
wire through them so as to form a ring armature. In the cavities between the
bobbins or magnets of the said armature wires (see Fig 15) are wound. Fig 14 is
part elevation and part section of the last mentioned modification. SS are the
ends of the electro-imagnets or bobbins constituting the armature, and N N is
the plate or polar extension. The bobbins or electro magnets forming the armature
might be replaced by plain rods of iron and so act as magnets by induction, or the
electro magnets E, E, might be replaced by iron rods in which case there must be
magnets in the armature as shewn. Fig. 16 is a cross section of another modifica-
tion of my invention, and Fig. 17 a lougitudinal section of saine. S N, S N, are
permanent or electro magnets and so arranged and fixed to ring R as to provide a
space for a circular armature A, consisting of four or more or less arms arranged
radially and magnetized in order that their poles shall be of an opposite name to
those constituting the magnetic field as shewn or vice versa. Upon these radial
arms are fixed suitable cores which are concentric with the circular cavity formed
by the particular arrangment of magnets constituting the field of force, and this
cure is coiled with wire as shewn. Fig. 18 shews the kind of commutator that I

page_text: prefer to use, consisting of an insulated metallic band fixed to the driving shaft
and from thence taken off by collectors C. In all of the machines herein mentioned
the wire on the armatures may be dispensed with and armatures used consisting of a
number of concentric rings of iron extending but revolving freely in annular recesses
formed by concentric rings of iron in the magnetic field. A plate or platos of
coppor or other electrical conducting substance is or are bent or otherwise fitted on
the said rings and in the said annular recesses, and can be fixed either to the
revolving armatures or to the concentric rings and recesses of the field magnets.
The said plates of copper are or may be divided into sections and insulated from
each other and the currents emanating from one plate of one armature are directed
to another plate on the opposite armature and so arranged in series; conducting
substances, one leading to a first plate, another leading from a last plate of coppor
are connected to insulated metallic rings fixed to the shaft and the electricity
taken off in a manner herein before described. Fig 19 is a longitudinal section and
Fig 20 a tranverse view of this armature. AA are the concentric rings forming
the core.
B. B are the copper plates, the way for connecting up is indicated by
arrows. I may employ any known system of coiling such as insulated copper bands
or strips or other suitable conductors and the cores of the arinatures may be composed
of bundles of iron wires insulated or otherwise in a manner well known to experts.
Having now explained the nature of my invention and the manner in which it
may be carried into effect 1 should like it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to any precise form of machine as the field inagnets and other parts may be
arranged in a variety of ways to utilise my invention But what I claim is:-
Firstly The construction of ring armatures of magneto-electric or dynamo-
electric inachines so as to form part of permanent or electro-magnets whose polarity
is of opposite name to the field magnets to which the armature or armatures aro
subjected and before which they revolve in the manner herein before set forth.
Secondly-The construction of ring armatures of magneto-electric or dyanmo
electric machines causing them to be under the direct inductive influence of
permanent or electro-magnets whose polarity is of opposite name to the field
imagnet or magnets before which the said armature or armatures revolve
substantially as herein before set forth.
Thirdly The combination of permanent or electro-magnets with annular
grooved ring armatures in the mauner herein before described with reference to
accompanying drawings Figures 19 and 20 Sheet 2.
Fourthly The general arrangement and construction of machines substantially
as set forth with reference to accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Edward Laker Voice, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourteenth day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.