IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY ELECTRO MAGNETS
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Filmore Kingston, of Carrol County,
Maryland, in the United States of America, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY
ELECTRO MAGNETS."
Sealed the 17th June 1853, and dated the 22nd December 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Filmore
Kingston at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 22nd December 1852.
I, JOHN FILMORE KINGSTON, of Carrol County, Maryland, in the
United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
BY ELECTRO MAGNETS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, first, of an improved construction and
arrangement of the parts of electro magnets; and, secondly, in
arranging two series of electro magnets and keepers in two rotatory
engines in such manner that the electric current, when acting on
the series of magnets of one engine, shall be cut off from the series
of magnets of the other engine.

page_text: The electro magnets consist each of several plates of soft iron (or
nickel), each bent so that the two parts become parallel. These
plates are arranged and secured by bolts or rods of brass on a bed
plate duly insulated; also bolts or rods of brass duly secured at
either end, are passed through the ends of the bent plates near their
poles; and the poles of cach magnet, and the poles of the neigh-
bouring magnets, are kept apart by means of gutta percha; and I,
by preference, wrap parallel wires round and amongst the limbs of
the several magnets in place of using single wires, the several wires
being made into bundles, the wires of each bundle being in contact
with each other, but each bundle being insulated by the ordinary
means used for single wires.
A number of these compound magnets are applied to a rotatory
wheel moving freely on an axis; and on another part or wheel of
the engine (affixed to the axis), there are as many keepers ns
magnets applied; so that when an electric current converts the
iron plates into electro magnets, their keepers are attracted, and
motion is given to the axis and to the other parts in such manner
that the keepers of a corresponding rotatory engine on a different
axis are removed a distance from their magnets equal to the distance
through which the other keepers are attracted. The gearing is
arranged to cause the two rotatory engines to revolve in the same
or in opposite directions; and by means of discs formed alternately
with conducting and nonconducting surfaces, the electric current is
passed alternately to the two engines in such manner that the
magnets of one will be simultaneously made when the magnets of
the other are unmade.
By these means great power may be obtained by electro magnets
by reason of the separate and independent circular movements of
the wheels or frames of magnets and keepers; also by reason of
there being duplicate or twin engines used and acting alternately.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said John Filmore Kingston in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 22nd June 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN FILMORE KINGSTON, of Carrol County, Maryland, in the
United States of America, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two,
in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said John Filmore Kingston,
Her special licence that I, the said John Filmore Kingston, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Filmore Kingston, 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, the Islc
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
BY ELECTRO MAGNETS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Filmore Kingston, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per..
formed, 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 John Filmore Kingston, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
This Invention consists, first, of an improved construction and
arrangement of the parts of electro magnets; and, secondly, in
arranging two series of electro magnets and keepers in two rotatory
engines in such manner that the electric current, when acting on

page_text: the series of magnets of one engine, shall be cut off from the series
of magnets of the other engine.
The electro magnets consist each of several plates of soft iron (or
nickel), each bent so that the two parts become parallel. These
plates are arranged and secured by bolts or rods of brass on a bed
plate duly insulated; also bolts or rods of brass, duly secured at
either end, are passed through the ends of the bent plates near their
poles; and the poles of each magnet, and the poles of the neigh-
bouring magnets, are kept apart by means of gutta percha;
and I,
by preference, wrap parallel wires round and amongst the limbs of
the several magnets in place of using single wires, the several wires
being made into bundles, the wires of each bundle being in contact
with each other, but each bundle being insulated by the ordinary
means used for single wires.
A number of these compound magnets are applied to a rotary
wheel moving freely on an axis; and on another part or wheel of
the engine (affixed to the axis), there are as many keepers as
magnets applied; so that, when an electric current converts the
iron plates into electro magnets, their keepers are attracted, and
motion is given to the axis and to the other parts in such manner
that the keepers of a corresponding rotatory engine on a different axis
are removed a distance from their magnets equal to the distance
through which the other keepers are attracted.
The gearing is arranged to cause the two rotatory engines to
revolve in the same or in opposite directions; and by means of
discs formed alternately with conducting and nonconducting sur-
faces, the clectric current is passed alternately to the two engines in
such manner that the magnets of one will be simultaneously made
when the magnets of the other are unmade. By these means great
power may be obtained by electro magnets, by reason of the separate
and independent circular movements of the wheels or frames of
magnets and keepers; also by reason of there being duplicate or
twin engines used and acting alternately. And in order that my
Invention may be more fully understood and readily carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, shows a longitudinal section; Figure 2, a transverse sec-
tion; and Figure 3, a plan in section, of an electro magnet constructed
according to this part of my Invention. Figure 4, shews the form of
bolt I employ, and the mode of keying or securing the parts of the
magnet together; a, a, is a bed plate or cradle of cast iron, having
holes at the sides for the reception of the brass bolts c¹, c'. This
cradle is lined with gutta percha about an eight of an inch thick ;
b, b, are brass bolts, which pass through the series of plates or
bars c, c, to combine the whole together; c, c, are plates or bars
of soft iron bent to the form shewn; and c¹, c', are brass bolts,
which pass through the channels or openings formned by the bent
plates c, c. The bolts c', c, are bent up at right angles at cach
end; and when passed through the plates c, c, arc turned partly
round, to bring their bent ends into a straight line with each other.
A long brass loop d, is then placed over them on each side, so as to
secure the whole firmly together. e, e, are bundles of fine copper
wire, cach bundle being insulated and wound in a zig-zag form
about and between the magnets or bent plates c, c, from one end to
the other in distinct lengths, or from one end to the other and back
in distinct lengths; or the length may be sufficient to preserve its
continuity, and be wound to and fro, layer above layer, till the whole
of the spaces between the plates c, c, are filled within a short distance
from the ends of the bent plates, the remaining spaces being filled
with strips of gutta percha, as shewn; or the winding on of the
bundle of wires may be commenced near the centre of a scries of
plates or magnets, and wound onward to one end, then back again
through the entire length of a series of plates, then back on the
opposite side of the plate to the place first started from. This
arrangement I have found most suitable when applied to the purpose
hereafter described. Having wound the several bundles of wire on to
or between the bent plates or magnets c, c, I collect all the positive
ends into one bundle, and all the negative ends into another bundle,
side by side. And it will be seen that, by cither of the modes of

page_text: winding or combining the bundles of wires with the bent plates c, c,
that the current passes in the same direction from end to end on
one side of each plate, and in the opposite direction on the other
side of each plate. The bundles of wires which I have found to
answer the purpose, consist of thirty fine wires about twelve feet
long, laid parallel to each other, and insulated by a double binding
of fine linen, tape, or gutta percha, or other nonconducting material
may be employed for this purpose, and other numbers of wires may
be used; but a smaller number of wires in each bundle will cause a
proportionate reduction in the power of the electro magnet pro-
duced thereby. I would here remark, that when the electri
current is short, and the poles of the magnet near each other, the
magnetism ceases instantaneously, the circuit is broken; but when
the circuit is of great length, there is some retaining power after the
circuit is broken in proportion to that length, even when the softest
iron is used. This circumstance should be borne in mind, and the
lengths and arrangements of the wires should be adapted to the
particular purpose for which the magnet is intended to be used.
I will now describe the arrangement of apparatus, where two series
of electro magnets and keepers are employed to obtain rotatory ino-
tion. Figure 5, shews a side view; Figure 6, a longitudinal section;
Figure 7, a transverse section through the line a, a; Figure 8, shews
a plan; and Figures 9, and 10, shew detached views of some of the
parts of an engine constructed according to this part of
my In-
vention. a, a¹, are electro magnets, which I prefer to consist of a
series of bent plates of soft iron coiled with bundles of wires, as
previously described. The electro magnets a, a¹, are affixed to the
inner sides of the circular discs b, b¹, which revolve freely on the
axes c, c', carried by bearings on the side framings of the machine;
d, d', are the keepers of the electro magnets let into brass plates
carried by the drums d², da; fixed on the axes c, c¹, e, e¹, are discs
fixed on the axes c, c¹; and the discs e, e', have spring catches
e, e, let into them, one end of each being rivetted to the discs e, e¹,
their other ends being formed with projections, which pass through
openings in the discs e, e¹, and take into the teeth formed on the

page_text: inner sides of the ratchet wheels f, f', carried by the hollow
axes ff, which turn freely on the axes c, c¹; and it is by means
of the spring catches e, e, that motion is communicated from the
axes c, c¹ (when the keepers are attracted towards the magnet), to
the ratchet wheels f, f¹, and to the hollow axes f, f, which, by
means of the cog wheels g, g', give motion to the cog wheels h, h¹,
fixed on the axis ², carried by bearings on the side framings, as
shewn from the axis 2. Motion may be transmitted by cranks,
pulleys, or wheels, to any arrangement of mechanism to which
power is to be employed; b, b, are lever catches attached by pin
joints to the circumference of the discs b, 61. The ends of the
catches b, b, fall into the ratchet teeth on the peripheries of the
wheels f, f, and are the means of separating the magnets from the
keepers of one series, whilst the other series are being attracted;
and the spring catches are lifted alternately out of their respective
ratchet wheels by inclines on the peripheries of the discs e, e¹, at the
time the keepers are attracted to their respective magnets; and the
catches again fall into a position to be acted upon in succession by
the teeth of the wheels f, f. i, i, are four rings of copper around the
circumference of the wood blocks carried by the disc b, b₁; their
being two copper rings i, i¹, to each cylinder connected with the
positive and negative poles of a galvanic battery, as hereafter
described. The copper rings i, i¹, are connected to the ends of the
wires of the electro magnets; all the positive ends of one series to
one of the rings, and all the negative ends to the other ring in each
series. The rings i, ¹, revolve in contact with the hollow copper
rings, j; let into the circumference of the drum j², fixed on
the axis 2; and the copper rings j, j' are each connected with one
of the projecting arms j³, which are provided with small copper
friction rollers, which, in the revolution of the axis h², travel over
the face of the fixed discs k, l, which are composed of alternate sur-
faces of copper and ivory, as is well understood; the surfaces of
copper being placed in metallic contact with the positive and negative
wires of a galvanic battery in any convenient manner. By this
arrangement, the negative and positive wires of each set of magnets

page_text: are all connected by the two external rings i, i¹, of copper wire in
cach series; all the negative wires to one ring, and all the positive
to the other ring, in each series; and the rings i, i, are in constant
and uniform contact with the smaller rings on the drum j, a portion
of the wire of which the latter is formed passing by means of
channels in the said drum, and terminating in the rollers j³. These
terminating points being and remaining, under all circumstances,
in connection with the corresponding wires of each set of magnets,
the negative points with all the negative wires of one set, and the
positive point with the positive wires of that set; the positive
points of each set being arranged to terminate at one end of the
drum, and the negative at the other end; cach pair being there
brought into contact with the circular discs of copper and ivory
previously described. The copper rings of each of these discs being
connected with wires of any convenient length, furnished with
binding screws to connect with, or disengage from, the corresponding
wires of a galvanic battery, supposing them thus connected with an
active battery; the wire of the positive disc with the positive
ends; that of the negative disc with the other end. The termi-
nating points being arranged as previously shewn, so that the positive
and negative of one set shall both be in contact with the copper of
their respective discs, and those of the other set in contact with the
ivory portions of the same, the magnets of the former sets will
thus be rendered attracted, and will draw their corresponding
keepers towards them, turning, of course, the main shaft ², to
which the drum is keyed with them. The degree of force thus
exerted is the measure of the working power from that portion of
the engine; but whilst the keepers of one set are being thus drawn
towards their corresponding magnets, the small intermediate drum
and the toothed wheels are being also moved through a certain pro-
portionate space; so that the points of the set in contact with the
copper portion of the discs are gradually moving over and off the
copper to the ivory portion of it; and those of the other set are in
like manner moving from the ivory to the copper, thereby discn-
gaging the former set of magnets from the battery, and bringing

page_text: the other in contact with it; at the same time, the keepers of the
latter set will have been withdrawn to a certain distance from their
respective magnets; and when again drawn towards them by
contact of their points with the copper portion of the discs, the
keepers of the other set will at the same time be drawn to a like
distance from their respective magnets, which during this period are
inactive; and so on alternately and interchangeably during the
whole period of connection with an active battery. m, m³, are
ratchet wheels fixed on the axis c, c¹; and m, m, are palls to
prevent the axes c, c¹, turning backwards.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the
manner of performing the same, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the exact details herein shown and de-
scribed, so long as the peculiar character of any part of my Invention
be retained. But what I claim is, the construction and arrangement
of electro magnets as herein described, and also the mode herein
described of arranging two series of electro magnets and keepers in
two rotatory engines in such manner that the electro current, when
acting on the series of magnets of one engine, shall be cut off from
the series of magnets of the other engine.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Filmore Kingston, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of
June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-threc.
5
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE.
JOHN F. KINGSTON. (L.s.)