IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Clarence Shepard, of Jermyn Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Esquire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES."
Sealed the 5th February 1858, and dated the 2nd December 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Clarence Shepard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd December 1857.
I, EDWARD CLARENCE SHEPARD, of London, in the County of Middlesex,
Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES," to be as follows:-
In the peculiar means and combination of apparatus herein-after described
for uniting and forming a circuit or circuits, and producing and concentrating
or aggregating electric currents or power, which act with greater advantage
than by any mode heretofore known for the several purposes to which such
currents or power are applicable.
My magneto-electric apparatus is composed of several permanent magnets-
N, S, with their ends placed in the planes of several vertical circles, and
between every two of which circles is mounted a wheel E, having a series of
helices or coils of insulated wire fixed on its periphery, so that when the wheel
revolves it shall cause the helices to pass between the sides of the ends of the
magnets composing the circles for the purpose of creating induced electric
currents.

page_text: All the magnets in each circle must be so arranged that their north and
south poles shall follow each other in regular order, and so that in each circlo
of the magnets (whether they be horse-shoe magnets or magnets of any other
form) thero shall be a north pole and south pole alternately around it. In the
circles of magnets of which my machine is composed, the poles in adjoining
circles must follow in reverse order to each other, so that a north pole shall
always have a south pole opposite to it in the circle of magnets on each side
of it, or, in other words, every helix must at any given moment pass between
and be acted upon by the north pole of the magnet at one end of it and the
south pole of a magnet at the other end of it.
The several wheels E of helices aro secured to a shaft B, supported by a
suitable frame A, so as to turn in bearings bolted thereto by power applied to
a pulley D keyed to the said shaft, which shaft should be of a size suited to
the size of the machine.
The wheels E to which the helices are secured may be made of any suitable
material (I prefer brass or gun metal), and may consist of any number from
one upwards; each of these wheels is mounted between two circles of magnets
N, S, or poles, so that each circle of magnets or poles may be enabled to act
simultaneously upon two circles of revolving helices or coils. These wheels
are to be securely keyed to the shaft B. The rim or flange of each of these
wheels is cut with recesses for the reception of the helices.
In the Drawings eight helices are shown, but any number may be used from
eight, twelve, sixteen, or more on each wheel; the thickness of each wheel at
its periphery is to be somewhat less than the length of the helices between the
outsides of their discs, so as to admit of the helices being shifted slightly end-
wise for adjustment; the helices are fastened to the wheels by bands or bindery
of brass, or any suitable material. The cores of the helices must be made
of very soft iron and be well annealed, about four inches in length and nearly
two inches diameter at the core. Each helix is composed of about six hundred
feet of copper wire, covered with cotton or any other insulating substance, and
wound on iron tubes either in one strand or in several strands; but this, as
well as the size of the coils, may be varied to suit the requirements of the
machine. By making the connections with the proper ends of the wire
forming the helices or coils, all the currents of the helices for the time being in
action may be united together in the machine, forming one grand current.
There must be seperate break pieces and commutators for some purposes,
because the reversions cannot take place at the same time. Fixed to one
side of the wheels E, but insulated from it, are two conducting rings of metal

page_text: p, n, serving as collecting bands or points for the currents generated in the
helices; for instance, in Figure 3 the two conducting rings receive each two.
exteriors, that is, what is termed the exterior wires of the helices; thus the
connections between these exteriors and the conducting bands or rings and
between the intervening helices themselves are formed in the following manner,
to wit: You connect the exterior wire of the helix a with the with the con-
ducting ring p, then the interior wire of a with the interior wire of helix b,
the exterior wire of helix 6 with the exterior of helix c, the interior wire of
helix c with the interior of belix d, the exterior wire of helix d being connected
with the conducting band or ring n, and so on, bringing every fourth exterior
wire into the conducting ring n, and bringing every first exterior wire into
the conducting ring p. And as shewn in Figure 4, bringing every first interior
wire into the centre conducting ring n, and every fourth interior wire into
the conducting ring p, and so on, in sets; one wheel of helices being connected
by their exterior wires with the conducting rings p, n, and the next wheel of
helices being connected by their interior wires with the conducting rings p, n,
so connecting them in setts to any extent that may be required; or they may
be connected in twos or pairs, as seen in Figure 5. Thus you connect the
exterior wire of the helix a with the conducting ring n, then the interior wire
of a with the interior wire of the helix 6, the exterior wire of the helix b being.
connected with the conducting ring or band p, and so on, bringing every
second exterior wire into the conducting ring p, and bringing every first
exterior wire into the conducting ring n, and arranging the interior wires in the
next wheel in a similar manner by bringing every first interior wire into the
centre conducting ring p, and every second interior wire into the centre con-
ducting ring n; they may also be connected in eighths or sixteenths in a
similar manner. Two or more metallic rods pass through the conducting
rings, one or more rods connecting all the rings marked p together, and
the other rod or rods connecting all the rings marked n together; thus each
rod transmitting the currents of all the rings which it connects together in a
single current to the frotteurs P, P, by which direction is given to the aggregate
current.
The frotteurs P, P, seen in Figure 2, consists of two metallic discs or wheels
made in a manner well known to all acquainted with the subject, which are
secured or cemented on a cylinder of hard wood or ivory to insulate them from
the axle, and are insulated from each other by thin discs of wood or any non-
conducting material. All of the rods connecting the rings p are then fastened
into one frotteur, and all of the rods connecting the rings n are fastened into
the other frotteur.

page_text: There are two springs F and G pressing on each of the frotteur plates, one
receiving the aggregate currents of all the rings n, and the other the aggre-
gate current from all the rings p, and so adjusted that as one plate leaves one
of the springs, the other plato is leaving the other spring, and thus in the
revolution of the shaft B these springs are made to change alternately from
one frotteur plate to the other, thus giving the desired direction to the
aggregate current.
For many purposes another frotteur may be used, formed entirely of a
copper or other metallic ring, to which may be attached an eccentric H, HI, of
copper or other metal, as shown in Figure 2, by this means having a con-
tinued current. If desired, there may be two, four, or more of the frotteurs
for each machine, depending on the number of wheels of helices used. I would
hero state that in the machine figured in the Drawings I have made use of
four magnets in each magnetic circle, but eight or any other number may be
used, each magnet composed of five (there may be more) plates, of very hard
tempered cast steel, about two inches wide and from one-half to six-eighths
of an inch thick, or more, and from ten to twenty inches or more in length
when bent, the distance between the poles being about two inches or more.
The currents of electricity herein-above described may be conducted to any
apparatus, and for any purpose to which such currents may be applied to pro-
duce any of the desired results which are to be obtained by the application of
electrical currents.
-
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of con-
structing the same, I would have it understood that I do not restrict my claim
to machines made of such dimensions as berein-before mentioned, nor to any
machine or machines composed of any precise number of magnets or of helices;
but what I claim as my Invention, and desire to be secure by Letters Patent,
arc,-
First, the eccentrics E, I, as arranged and used with the frotteurs P, P.
Second, I claim the frotteurs P, P, as used with the eccentrics or bands
HI, H.
Third, I claim the conducting bands or rings p, n, when these are combined
with helices in sets of two, four, or more, said helices being united amongst
themselves, and by their terminal wires with the rings p, n, or their mechanical
equivalents, so as to collect and aggregate in one current the several currents
generated in the said helices when rovolved between the magnetic poles, as
herein-before described and set forth.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Clarence Shepard in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd June 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
CLARENCE SHEPARD, of Jermyn Street, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edward Clarence Shepard, Her special licence
that I, the said Edward Clarence Shepard, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Clarence Shepard, 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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MAGNETO ELECTRIC MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Edward Clarence Shepard, 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 Edward Clarence Shepard, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and the accompanying Drawings:-
In the peculiar means and combination of apparatus herein-after described
for uniting and forming a circuit or circuits, and producing and concentrating
or aggregating electric currents or power, which act with greater advantage
than by any mode heretofore known for the several purposes to which such
currents or power are applicable.
My magneto-electric apparatus is composed of several permanent magnets
N, S, with their ends placed in the planes of several vertical circles, and
between every two of which circles is mounted a wheel E, having a series of
helices or coils of insulated wire fixed on its periphery, so that when the wheel

page_text: revolves it shall cause the helices to pass between the sides of the ends of the
magnets composing the circles, for the purpose of creating induced electric
currents.
All the magnets in each circle must be so arranged that their north and
south poles shall follow each other in regular order, and so that in each circle
of magnets (whether they be horse-shoc magnets or magnets of any other
form) there shall be a north pole and south pole alternately around it. In
the circle of magnets of which my machine is composed, the poles in adjoining
circles must follow in reverse order to each other, so that a north pole shall
always have a south pole opposite to it in the circle of magnets on each side of
it, or, in other words, every helix must at any given moment pass between and
be acted upon by the north pole of the magnet at one end of it and the south
pole of a magnet at the other end of it.
The several wheels E of helices are secured to a shaft B supported by a
suitable frame A, so as to turn in bearings (bolted thereto) by power applied
to a pulley D, keyed to the said shaft, which shaft should be of a size suited
to the size of the machine.
The wheels E to which the helices are secured may be made of any suitable
material (I prefer brass or gun metal), and may consist of any number from
two upwards; each of these wheels is mounted between two circles of magnets
N, S, or poles, so that each circle of magnets or poles may be enabled to act
simultaneously upon two circles of revolving helices or coils. These wheels are
to be securely keyed to the shaft B; the rim or flange of each of these wheels
is cut with recesses for the reception of the helices.
In the Drawings eight helices are shown, but any number may be used,
twelve, sixteen, or more on each wheel; the thickness of each wheel at its
periphery is to be somewhat less than the length of the helices between the
outsides of their discs, so as to admit of the helices being shifted slightly end-
wise for adjustment; the helices are fastened to the wheels by bands or bind-
ing of brass, or any suitable material. The cores of the helices must be made
of very soft iron and be well annealed, about four inches in length and nearly
two inches diameter at the core. Each helix is composed of about six hundred
feet of copper wire, covered with cotton or any other insulating substance, and
wound on iron tubes either in one strand or in several strands; but this, as
well as the size of the coils, may be varied to suit the requirements of the
machine. By making the connections with the proper ends of the wire forming
the helices or coils, all the currents of the helices for the time being in action
may be united together in the machine, forming one grand current.
There must be separate break pieces and. commutators for some purposes,

page_text: because the reversions do not take place at the same time. Fixed to one side
of the wheels E, but insulated from it, are two conducting rings of metal p, n,
serving as collecting bands or points for the currents generated in the helices;
for instance, in Fig. 3, the two conducting rings receive each two exteriors,
that is, what is termed the exterior wires of the helices; thus the connections.
between these exteriors and the conducting bands or rings and between the
intervening helices themselves, are formed in the following manner, to wit:-
You connect the exterior wire of the helix a with the conducting ring p, then
the interior wire of a with the interior wire of helix b, the exterior wire b with
the exterior of helix c, the interior wire of helix c with the interior of helix d,
the exterior wire of helix d being connected with the conducting band or ring
n, and so on, bringing every fourth exterior wire into the conducting ring n,
and bringing every first exterior wire into the conducting ring p; and as
shewn in Figure 4, bringing every first interior wire into the centre conducting
ring n, and every fourth interior wire into the conducting ring p, and so on, in
setts; one wheel of belices being connected by their exterior wires with the
conducting rings p, n, and the next wheel of helices being connected by their
interior wires with the conducting rings p, n, so connecting them in sets to any
extent that may be required, or they may be connected in twos or pairs,
instead of fours, as seen in Figure 5. Thus you connect the exterior wire of
the helix a with the conducting ring h, then the interior wire of a with the
interior wire of the helix b, the exterior wire of the helix 6 being connected
with the conducting ring or band p, and so on, bringing every second exterior.
wire into the conducting ring p, and bringing every first exterior wire into the
conducting ring n, and arranging the interior wires in the next wheel in a similar
manner, by bringing every first interior wire into the centre conducting ring
n and every second interior wire into the centre conducting ring p; they may
also be connected in eighths or sixteenths in a similar manner. Two or more
metallic rods pass through the conducting rings, one rod connecting all the
rings marked p together, and the other rod connecting all the rings marked n
together; thus each rod transmitting the currents of all the rings which it
connects together in a single current to the frotteurs P, by which direction is
given to the aggregate current,
The frotteur P, seen in Fig. 2, consists of two metallic discs or wheels,
made in a manner well known to all acquainted with the subject, which are
screwed or cemented on a cylinder of hard wood or ivory to insulate them
from the axle, and are insulated from each other by thin discs of wood or any.
nonconducting inaterial; one or more of the rods passing through the con-
ducting rings connecting the rings p is then fastened into one frotteur, and

page_text: the other wires connecting the rings n is then passed through the other
frotteur, and fastened.
There are two springs F and G pressing on each of the frotteur plates, ono
receiving the aggregato currents of all the rings n, and the other the aggre-
gate current from all the rings p, and so adjusted that as one plate leaves one
of the springs the other plate is leaving the other spring, and thus in the revo
lution of the shaft B these springs are made to change alternately from one
frotteur plate to the other, thus giving the desired direction to the aggregate
current.
For the purpose of a continued current for the electric light and for other
purposes I use a frotteur formed entirely of a copper or other metallic ring, to
which is attached an eccentric or ring of copper or other metal, as shewn in
Figure 2, by this means having a continued current, the wires connecting tho
rings p, n, being fastened into the frotteurs, as before stated. If desired, there may
be a set of these frotteurs for each wheel, which is an advantago for collecting
all the currents generated, particularly when there are many helices on a wheel.
I would here state that in the machine figured in the Drawings I have mado
use of four magnets in each magnetic circle, but eight, twelve, sixteen, or any
other number may be used, each magnet composed of five (there may be more)
plates, of very hard tempered cast steel, about two inches wide and from one-
half to five-eighths of an inch think, or more, and from ten to twenty inches
or more in length; when bent, the distance between the poles being about
two inches or more.
The currents of electricity herein-above described may be conducted to any
apparatus and for any purpose to which such currents may be applied, to
produce any of the desired results which are to be obtained by the application
of electrical currents.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
constructing the same, I would have it understood that I do not restrict
my claim to machines made of such dimensions as herein-before mentioned,
nor to say machino or machines composed of any precise number of magnets
or of helices; but what I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent, are,-
First, the frotteurs P, P, formed of a copper or other metallic ring, as
arranged and used with the eccentrics H, H, or rings of copper H, II.
Second, I claim the eccentrics H, H, as arranged and used with the
frotteurs P, P.
Third, I claim the connecting rods and the conducting bands or rings p, n;
when these are combined with helices in sets of two, four, or more, said helices

page_text: being united amongst themselves and by their terminal wires with the rings
p, n, or their mechanical equivalents, so as to collect and aggregate in one
current the several currents generated in the said helices when revolved
between the magnetic poles, as herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Clarence Shepard, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
EDWARD CLARENCE SHEPARD. (L.S.)