IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO- MAGNETIC ENGINES AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING THERMO- ELECTRICITY FOR THAT PURPOSE, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Schaub, of Cambridge Terrace, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-
MAGNETIC ENGINES AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING THERMO-
ELECTRICITY FOR THAT PURPOSE, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES."
ealed the 1st May 1877, and dated the 4th November 1876.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Schaub at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th November 1876.
GEORGE SCHAUB, of Cambridge Terrace, Islington, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENGINES AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
GENERATING THERMO-ELECTRICITY FOR THAT PURPOSE, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES."
My Invention relates, first to an improved mode of constructing electro-magnetic
engines for obtaining motive power for driving machinery and other purposes; and,
secondly, to improved means or apparatus for generating thermo-electricity to be
employed for actuating the said engines and for other electrical purposes.
In carrying out the first part of my Invention a balance beam is fixed on an
upright so as to work free upon a pivot. Under one side of the balance beam I
place any suitable number of electro-magnets fixed in uprights of wood, slate, or
other suitable material, in such a manner that one magnet is arranged under the
other at short intervals.
To the balance beam above the magnets Í secure a frame of brass, zinc, or other
suitable material, which frame descends on both sides of the magnets, and carries a
cross bar between and above each magnet. In these cross bars I suspend the
armatures of the magnets by preference by means of brass pins screwed into the
backs of the armature plates, such pins passing through the cross bars and having
nuts at the top of the bars by which they can be regulated to any distance from the
magnets. Assuming for example that a series of eight magnets is employed, and
that the armature plates are regulated so that when the balance beam is in its
horizontal position the top armature plate is 3inch from the magnet, and the
[Price 6d l

page_text: 。
Second armature inch from the second magnet, and so on to the lowest magnet,
whose armature will then be or inch distance from the magnet; if the electric
current be now directed into the top magnet it will attract its armature, and by so
doing pull down the frame and with it the balance beam of an inch. The second
armature plate has by this action been brought within inch of the second magnet
and the current passing now through the second magnet will cause the frame and
balance beam to descend another of an inch, the action continuing to the lowest
magnet, by which time the frame and balance beam will have descended 4 inch. If now
there be fixed at the other side of the balance beam, and at an equal distance from
the centre of the beam, a weight, say equivalent to the power of the magnet,
according to the laws of the lever such weight will be lifted inch, and if the
weight be equal to the power of the magnet, and be placed at four times the
distance, it will be lifted one inch. A. motive power which is represented by the
weight is thus available for use, and for transmission in any required manner.
If it be required to apply the power in a similar manner to the foot on the treadle
of a fly wheel I arrange the action as follows:-On the spindle of the wheel I place
a short tube by preference of brass insulated by a cylinder of ebonite or other
suitable material, but so arranged as to rotate with the spindle, and moreover pro-
vided at, its extremities with two projections for the purposes herein-after explained.
One of these projections terminates in a ring, by preference if iron, which in its
rotation passes through a vessel filled with mercury, which vessel is in connection
with one end of an electric battery, the other end of such battery being in con-
nection with the whole of the ingoing or outgoing spiral ends of the magnets. The
other projection is provided at its extremity with a thin strip of copper, which is
bent and has a spring affixed thereto in such a manner that in its rotation it presses
against a disc or ring by preference of wood arranged opposite to the projection.
In this wooden disc or ring are placed the terminal ends of the spirals of the
magnets in such a manner that the copper strip in passing the same strikes the
whole of them in succession, with this precaution, that it does not leave the first
until it has reached the second and so on throughout the series.
As the terminal ends of the spiral wires occupy only a small space in the disc or
ring, it follows that it is only during the rotation of the copper strip through a small
space that the circuit of the battery is completed, whilst during the greater part of
its rotation the battery and magnets are inoperative. If however I place a number
of series of magnets with their working beams side by side and adjust the terminal
ends under and above the ends of the first series, I am enabled to utilize the battery
for driving, say for example 6, 8, 10, or 12, of such series of magnets and augment
thereby the power which acts on the wheel 6, 8, 10, or 12 times, by increasing
the length of the spindle and the number of cranks arranged in suitable
positions.
It is obvious that in lieu of arranging the magnets the one over the other as
herein-before described, they may be placed side by side, the beam in that case con-
sisting of a frame and a similar effect being obtained.
In carrying out the second part of my Invention the pile is composed of metal
strips or blocks of an S or other convenient shape, soldered or welded together at
their extremities or cast the one into the other, the strips or blocks being alter-
nately positive and negative as is well understood.
I generally prefer to use the metals antimony and bismuth, but do not limit
myself to the same as, according to the purpose for which the pile is intended, I
employ also other metals or metallic compounds. These elements I build up in
straight lines one above the other, packing the same according to the heat they
require either with cardboard, asbestos, or other suitable materials, so that each line
is separated from the line above and beneath, and element from element, and I place
the same on a square or rectangular iron frames, so that they form the outer walls of
a square or rectangular box.
After properly packing the four corners in order to prevent any escape of heat at

page_text: those parts, I place in the said corner pieces of wood or other suitable material
carrying binding screws, to which the terminal ends of each line of elements are
soldered, the connections can then readily be made in any desired manner either for
more or less tension or quantitative electricity.
The bottom and top of the box are formed respectively by two plates, by pre-
ference composed of iron, each of which carries towards the interior (also composed
by preference of iron) frames say about 1 inch less in height than the box, and so
separated that when fitted in their places they form a series of chambers or flues for
the to-and-fro circulation of the heat. Under the bottom I place a gas stove or a
spirit or oil lamp, the flame from which is directed into a space or chamber sur-
rounding its passage and surrounded by the elements built up in the manner before
mentioned, the inner junctions of the elements terminating on the outer side of such
space or chamber.
The heat rises into and circulates through a space formed by projections from the
frame descending from the lid, thence through a following space formed by pro-
jections from the bottom, and so on continuously circulating through a series of
passages until it escapes through an opening provided for the purpose in the centre
of the lid. By closing this opening more or less I concentrate the heat to a greater
or less degree.
As the strength of the electric current in a thermo-pile depends entirely upon the
difference of temperature between the inner and outer junctions of the thermal
elements, I cool the outer junction by placing vessels having a wall of the height of
the pile lined with sponge or other suitable material in such a manner that the
sponge shall be in contact with the outer junctions, and I supply the sponge with
cold water or with freezing mixtures when a greater degree of cold is required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Schaub in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th. May
1877.
GEORGE SCHAUB, of Cambridge Terrace, Islington, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENGINES AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
GENERATING THERMO-ELECTRICITY FOR THAT PURPOSE, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL PURPOSES."
My said Invention relates, first, to an improved mode of constructing electro-
magnetic engines for obtaining motive power for driving machinery and other
purposes; and secondly, to improved means or apparatus for generating thermo-
electricity to be employed for actuating the said engine and for other electrical
purposes.
The first part of my said Invention consists in constructing electro-magnetic
engines of a series of magnets arranged in the manner herein-after described, so as
act upon and impart motion to a rocking beam or lever, the motive power thus
obtained being applied either directly or through the intervention of apparatus for
converting a reciprocating motion into a continuous rotary motion according to the
purpose to which the power is to be applied.
The second part of my said Invention consists of a thermo-electric pile or battery
constructed of a number of series of elements arranged one series above another,
each of which series is composed of united strips or blocks alternately positive and
negative, the whole forming a multilateral box or chamber having sides of a
rectilineal section, and heated on its interior by gases or heating agents which may
be caused to circulate in a zig-zag or circuitous course.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to

page_text: the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a side elevation of my improved electro-
magnetic engine with my improved thermo-electric pile or battery shewn in
sectional elevation combined therewith; Figure 2 is a plan of the contact maker; and
Figure 3 is a sectional end view of the same, and of that portion of the apparatus
by which the power is applied when a continuous rotary motion is required to be
produced.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan of the pile.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 represent a modification of the engine illustrated by
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Figure 5, being a side elevation; Figure 6, a front view
with the contact maker or commutator partly in section; and Figure 7, a detail of
the latter.
In carrying out the first part of my said Invention I may either employ electro-
magnets with ordinary armatures alone or electro-magnets in combination with
permanent magnets, either constituting armatures to the others, according to the
position and arrangement of the respective magnets.
f
In Figures 1, 2, and 3 of my Drawings I have represented an arrangement in
which the motive power is obtained by the aid of electro-magnets provided with
armatures alone, and in Figures 5, 0, and 7, I have shewn a modification in which
permanent magnets are employed in combination and acting as armatures to the
electro-magnets.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, A is a rocking beam or lever which is mounted
on a pivot a in uprights B, so as to be free to turn upon such pivot. Under this
beam I place any suitable number of electro-magnets C, C', C², C3, C4, C5, Cº, C7,
arranged one under another at short intervals apart, and secured by means of cross
pieces to the uprights B, and to other uprights D (the whole of which may be of
wood, slate, or other suitable material), whilst to the beam is attached on one side
of the pivot a a frame E (of brass, zinc, or other suitable material) which descends
on both sides of the magnets, and carries a cross bar F between and above each
magnet, in which cross bars the armatures G of the magnets are suspended. The
attachment of the armatures G of the magnets are suspended. The attachment of
the armatures G to the cross bars F is effected by preference by means of brass
pins c screwed into the backs of the armatures, such pins passing loosely through
the cross bars F, and having nuts d at the top of the bars by which they can be
regulated to any distance from the magnets. Assuming, for example, that a series
of eight magnets is employed, as shewn in the Drawing, Figure 1, and that the
armatures G are regulated so that when the rocking beam A is in its horizontal
position the armature of the top magnet C is 1/2 of an inch from the magnet, and
the armature of the second magnet C¹ is 2/2 of an inch from its magnet, and so on
to the lowest magnet C, whose armature will then be at 8/22 or 1/4 of an inch
distance from the magnet; if the electric current be now directed into the top
magnet C it will attract its armature G, and by so doing pull down the frame È
1/2 of an inch, and with it the side e of the beam to which the frame is attached,
the armature G of the second magnet C has by this action been brought within 1/32nd
of an inch of its magnet, and the current passing now through the second magnet C¹
will cause the frame E to descend another 1/32 of an inch, and with it the side e of
the rocking beam A, the action continuing to the lowest magnet C7 by which time
the frame E will have descended 1/4 of an inch, and the side e at the point at which
the frame E is attached thereto will also have descended 1/4 inch, as shewn in the
Drawing, the opposite side f of the beam being correspondingly elevated.
It will be obvious that by this means by virtue of the laws of the lever a weight
equivalent to or within the power of the magnets suspended from the side f of the
beam, say for example at g, may be elevated to a height equal or proportionate to
the degree of descent of the side e, according to the amount of weight and its distance
from the fulcrum a. When however a continuous rotary motion is required to be

page_text: imparted the reciprocating motion derived from the beam may be converted into a
continuous rotary motion in one direction by a crank or other well known or
suitable means.
In my Drawings in Figure 3 I have represented a crank as employed for this
purpose; being a crank arm of a shaft i to which arm is attached the lower
h
extremity of the connecting rod / (Figure 1), the upper extremity of which is con-
nected at g to the beam A. The shaft i which is mounted in bearings in a frame H
carries a fly wheel I at one end, whilst at its opposite end it is provided with a spur
wheel K (for which a pulley or equivalent device may be substituted) for transmitting
the power.
In order to direct a current into the several magnets in succession at the requisite
periods any convenient arrangement of contact maker may be adopted, but when
the motive power produced is required to be applied in producing continuous rotary
notion in one direction, the contact maker may be arranged, as shewn in the
Drawing Figures 1, 2, and 3, and next herein-after described.
On the shaft I place a short tube L by preference of brass insulated by a
cylinder of ebonite or other suitable material, but so arranged as to rotate with the
shaft, and moreover provided respectively at its opposite extremities with two
flanges m, m', for the purposes herein-after explained. Under the flange m is
placed, so that the flange may dip and revolve therein, a vessel M filled with mercury,
which vessel is in connection by means of a wire n with one pole of an electric
battery N which may be either of my improved construction, as shewn, or of any
other suitable description, the other pole of such battery being in connection by a
wire o and rod O with one extremity, as for example, that, p, of the coils of each of
the magnets.
The flange m¹ is provided at its extremity with a thin strip of copper q which is
bent and may have a spring affixed thereto in such a manner that in its rotation it
presses against the interior surface of a ring or series of rings P, by preference of
wood, surrounding the contact piece q and carried by the frame H. . In the ring or
rings are placed the other extremities p¹ of the coils of the magnets, which are
arranged, as shewn clearly in Figure 2, in such a manner that the contact piece
in passing the same strikes the whole of them in succession, with this precaution,
that it does not leave the first until it has reached the second, and so on throughout
the series. As the extremities of the coils occupy only a small space in the ring or
rings P, it follows that it is only during a fraction of each revolution of the contact
piece that the circuit of the battery is completed, whilst during the greater
portion of each revolution the battery and magnets are inoperative. By placing
however a number of engines with their working beams side by side, and fitting the
terminal ends of the coils of their magnets with those of the first series on the same
ring or rings P; I am enabled to utilize the battery for driving, say for example
6, 8, 10, or 12 of such series of magnets, and augment thereby the power which
acts on the shaft i, say six, eight, ten, or twelve times the length of the shaft being
increased, as also the number of cranks, the same being arranged in suitable positions.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a modification of the preceding arrangement, in
which electro-magnets and permanent magnets are employed in combination.
C, C', represent two of a series of electro-magnets secured to a frame D, and which
in this case are arranged side by side in lieu of being superposed. Above the
electro-magnets are placed permanent magnets G, G₁, to the upper end of which
are jointed a bar R2 having attached thereto the extremity of the rocking beam or
lever A mounted on a pivot or fulcrum at a. P is the ring or rings in which the
terminal ends p, p, of the coils of the electro-magnets are fitted, and q the contact
maker, which in this case consists of four contact picces so arranged in connection
with the ends of the wires that currents alternately positive and negative are
directed into the electro-magnets C, C¹, whereby the electro-magnets will be caused
to alternately attract and repel the permanent magnets G, G¹, the contact maker
being connected to opposite poles of the battery by wires n, o. By these means

page_text: there will be obtained a reciprocating motion of the beam A which may be
transmitted, or converted in the manner herein-before described with reference to
the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1, 2; and 3.
If desired the electro-magnets C, C¹, may be connected to the beam A. and the
permanent magnets attached to the frame H, a similar result being obtained.
The second part of my said Invention, which relates to an improved thermo-
electric pile, is illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 of my Drawings. In carrying out
this part of my said Invention the pile N is composed of metal strips or blocks r, r¹,
of an S or other convenient shape soldered or welded together at their extremities,
or cast the one into the other, the strips or blocks being alternately positive and
negative, that is to say, if a strip or block r is positive, the strips or blocks 71 on
.each side, and to which it is united, will be negative, and vice versa.
I generally prefer to use the metals antimony and bismuth, but do not limit
myself to the same, as according to the purpose for which the pile is intended I
employ also other metals or metallic compounds. These clements I build up in
straight lines one above the other, packing the same with insulating layers s, so that
each series is separated from the series above and beneath. The insulating layers
employed may consist of either cardboard, asbestos, or other suitable material,
according to the heat required. I cover the series of elements arranged in this
manner with a plate S, and place them upon another plate S¹ supported upon a
frame S2, so that they form the outer walls of a square or rectangular box, and
I pack the corners with wood or other suitable material, as shewn at t, t¹, (Figure 4)
in order to prevent any escape of heat at those parts, one of such pieces, videlicit
that t, carrying binding screws u, u, to which the terminal ends of each line
of elements are soldered. The connections with the contact maker and with the
magnets can then be readily made in any desired manner, either for more or less
tension or quantitative electricity.
From the top S and bottom S¹ respectively of the box N extend frames or
rectangular tubes T, T¹, say about one-quarter inch less in height than the box, and so
separated that when fitted in their places they form a series of chambers or flues U for
the circulation of the heat, which in the example shewn in the Drawing is assumed
to be derived from a gas stove V arranged beneath the bottom S¹. The flame from
the stove V passes through openings vand ascends through a chamber W surrounded
by the elements built up in the manner herein-before described, the inner junctions
of the elements terminating on the outer side of such chamber. The heat thence
passes into and circulates in a zig-zag or circuitous course through the chambers or
flues U, as indicated by the arrows, until it escapes through an opening X provided
for the purpose in the centre of the cover S. By closing this opening more or less
by the aid of a valve or damper not shewn in my Drawings, I am enabled to
concentrate the heat to a greater or less degree.
By means of the second part of my said Invention a powerful thermo-electric pile
is economically obtained, the elements being disposed and the heat applied in the
most advantageous manner for the utilization of the caloric to the utmost degree
practicable.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. Constructing electro-magnetic engines of a series of magnets arranged so
as to act upon and impart motion to a rocking beam or lever, the motive power
thus obtained being applied either directly or through the intervention of apparatus
for converting a reciprocating motion into a continuous rotary motion, substantially
as herein-before described.
Secondly. A thermo-electric pile or battery consisting of two or more series of
elements arranged one series above another, each of which series is composed of

page_text: united strips or blocks alternately positive and negative, the whole forming a
multilateral box or chamber having sides of a rectilineal section, and heated on its
interior by gases or heating agents which may be caused to circulate in a zig-zag or
circuitous course, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Schaub, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Third day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
GEORGE SCHAUB. (L.S.)