AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, WHICH APPARATUS MAY ALSO SERVE AS AN ELECTRO-MOTOR
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
.:
and Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings London for an Invention of
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC
CURRENTS, WHICH APPARATUS MAY ALSO SERVE AS AN ELECTRO-MOTOR."
Communicated to him from abroad by Royal Edward Ball, of the City and
State of New York, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1883.
"
•
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, WHICH APPARATUS MAY ALSO SERVE AS AN
ELECTRO-MOTOR communicated to me from abroad by Royal Edward Ball of
the City and State of New York, United States of America
"
One part of this invention relates principally to dynamo electrical generators
and has for its primary object to mechanically simplify the same; to reduce the
amount of copper used in their construction; to obtain increased efficiency in
working effect; and to augment their electrical capacity.
It is well known that the dynamo electrical machine as a producer of electrical
energy has a high efficiency, but its actual and practical efficiency in the production
of light is low and probably in the most efficient plant, does not exceed sixty per
cent of the mechanical energy expended in its production.
:
While a dynamo machine may convert say ninety per-cent of the mechanical
energy transmitted to it into electrical energy, not much more than two-thirds of
that energy is utilized in the arc, the remainder being given off as heat and
dissipated in the machine itself, which, in a great measure; is due to the large
ratio of the resistance of the machine to the whole circuit
Then again the capacity of the machine is to à certain extent limited, and to
obtain large currents, it must be driven at a high rate of speed

page_text: If the diameter of the armature be increased the size of the pole pieces of the
field magnets must be enlarged; consequently their magnetic intensity for currents
of equal magnitude is diminished, thereby requiring a proportionately stronger
field. If the amount of wire on the armature be increased or wrapped to a greater
thickness around its core, the latter or induced body is thereby moved farther
away from the field of magnetic influence which decreases the electrical effect and
increases the resistance in the armature. To avoid such defects I employ two or
more armatures or generating elements which are arranged in proximity to one
another, one or all of them revolving, so that the magnetic polarity of one forms
the inducing agent for the other and vice versa, or in other words I dispense with
the usual magnetic field of force and use only two or more armatures which have a
mutual inductive action upon each other so as to generate continuous currents in
each other. The armatures or generating elements may be revolved in opposite
directions, or in the same direction, or one or more of them may be stationary
while the remainder revolve, but in all cases they are so arranged that their
inducing and induced parts move in opposite directions when in proximity to or
passing one another. The armatures or elements may be placed one within the
other, or face to face, or aide by side or be otherwise arranged as desired. The
provision of two or more armatures or elements which act and react on each other
mutually, to generate electric currents or energy, permits of their extension to any
desired size for the purpose of increasing their capacity for generating such energy.
To augment the working efficiency of such current or energy it is necessary to
decrease the resistance which the said armatures or elements offer to the passage
of the currents through them; hence, I bring the induced iron cores of the
armatures or elements as close together as possible. To do so I cover them with
but one or two layers of copper wire.
By such construction, therefore I not only effect a saving in the amount of copper
used, thereby decreasing the resistance in the armature or internal circuit of the
dynamo; but also give the core of each armature or element, the benefit of the
electrical inductive force of the wire on the core of the other opposing armature or
element.
This part of the said invention has for its further object to provide an armature
or element of very low resistance without materially decreasing its electrical
capacity. To accomplish such result the armature or element is divided into a
number of parallel circuits with corresponding polarity points by connecting each
commutator block to the armature or element, at two or more places
Another part of the said invention relates to dynamo electric machines having
field magnets and has for its object to provide a dynamo machine of great capacity
and electro motive force and having an increased efficiency in practical effect.
To this end this part of the said invention accordingly consists of the novel
construction combination and arrangement of parts having reference to the following
points, that is to say (1) to the provision of two sources for the generation of
electric energy, viz; the mutual or reciprocal inductive action and re-action of two
or more armatures on each other and of the inductive action of the field magnets
on the armatures whereby the capacity of the machine is greatly increased (2) to
the provision of armatures whose points of polarity are brought closer to the pole
pieces of the field magnets than has heretofore been the case whereby an increase
of electro-motive force is obtained, and (3) to the provision of means for reducing
the resistance of the armatures and diminishing the heating of the same whereby
an increased efficiency in practical effect is provided
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a dynamo electric machine
constructed according to this invention
Figure 2, is an elevation of the armatures or generating elements drawn to an
enlarged scale and showing the position of the brushes.
Figure 3 is an elevation of armatures or generating elements showing the

page_text: connection between
the commutator blocks and armatures for producing low
resistance armatures.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the same.
Figure 5 is a diagram of an armature or element and commutator further
illustrating such connection
Figures 6, 7, 8. and 9 are views illustrating a modified construction and
arrangement of armatures or generating elements, and
Figure 10 is an elevation of the generating elements combined with a field of
magnetic force
A Figure 1 indicates the base plate or frame of a dynamo electric generator
having standards A' A' with elongated bearings A2 A3 for separate shafts BB'
respectively, which are hollow or grooved and provided with driving pulleys B³. B³,
commutators C C' and armatures or generating elements E E. Each of the latter
is securely mounted upon its respective shaft and they are shown as being placed
one within the other; E being the external and E¹ the internal armature or
element.
Each of the said armatures is composed of an annular core piece or iron ring
which is entirely wound with endless coils of insulated wire in a manner similar to
the "Pachinotti " armature so that they will mutually induce in each other
continuous currents of electricity
In using the "Pachinotti or other similar armatures or elements I prefer to
so wind the coils or helices thereof that the core pieces C³ will be brought as near
to each other as is possible, consequently but one or two layers of wire are coiled
around the cores.
The ends of the coils or helices of the armature E are brought out through the
shaft B¹ to the commutator C' and those from the armature E¹ through the shaft B
to the commutator C
D D' indicate brushes for the commutators, designed to be secured in suitable
frames or standards not shown in the drawing
The armatures E E' are preferably revolved in opposite directions, hence it will
be seen from Figure 2, that the points of opposite polarity are always receding from
each other, while the points of same polarity are approaching one another
The current forces do not, therefore, interfere with each other, as the direction
of the current in the wire or coil on the inner side of the armature E is the same
as the direction of the current in the wire or coil on the outer side of armature E¹,
as indicated by the arrows x x Figure 1.
The armatures or elements above described are constructed and arranged to
generate tension currents, but they may also be made of low or decreased
resistance or have operating circuits parallel without impairing their capacity
Hence I may construct the armatures as shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein a a¹ a³,
b, b', b, and so on indicate the coils or wires thereof, wound in sections the ends of
which are located at the points or division lines between such sections. As shown
there are forty eight of the sections in each armature or element and the latter are
provided with sixteen copper or metal rings or sections of rings H.
When the armatures or elements are placed one within the other as shown in
Figure 4 the rings H for the armature E¹ are located upon its inner periphery,
while those for the armature E are situated on the exterior thereof as illustrated
Each ring is connected to its respective armature at two or more points or
sections so as to divide it into a series of parallel circuits with appropriate polarity
points, in order to obtain an armature or element of a low resistance
As the manner of making connection or circuits between the rings H their
armatures and commutators is the same for both armatures or elements, I will
only describe such connection for the armature or element E', and in order to
more plainly show the same, the rings H are represented in the form of triangles,
Figure 5 the angles of each triangle indicating the points of connection between
the said rings and the armature or element. Each ring is, therefore, connected to
the wires coming from three sections and is also in circuit with a commutator

page_text: block as shown. Hence each commutátor is composed of sixteen blocks 1, 2, 3, 4,
and so on or there are as many blocks in the commutator as there are rings H on
the armature.
In Figure 5 a brush (not shown) is supposed to be in contact with the
commutator block 1 and another like brush in contact with the block 9 the current
entering the former passes from thence as indicated by the arrow y to the
connections or sections a, a¹, a² of the armature to make six parallel circuits
through or in the same to sections i, ¹, 2, of its ring H connected, to the
commutator block 9 and the brush in contact therewith. As the armature
advances the blocks 8 and 10 are respectively brought in contact with the said
brushes whereupon the current enters and leaves the same by means of the next
set of rings H and their armature connections, and so on for the entire sixteen
rings and commutator blocks. An armature or element so constructed has six
polarity points as indicated by the letters N. S in Figures 3 and 5.
"
"Pachinotti'
Such construction gives an armature of one-ninth the resistance of a
armature of corresponding size or capacity, and theoretically would have but one
third of the capacity of the latter. But in practice the capacity of the improved
armature is eight or nine tenths of that of a corresponding "Pachinotti," and with
but one ninth of the resistance, for the reason that, in the last named machine or
armature the soft iron core must be of a size sufficient to carry the magnetism from
the whole coil of the semi circle to the polarity points; while in the said improved
armature or element the core does not require so large an amount of material as it
has only to carry the magnetism from each shunt or ring connection to the polarity
point for that section.
I am therefore able to reduce the amount of metal used in the core of the
improved armature or element, and thereby place the centres of the magnetic field
nearer together, and so increase the magnetic action or influence in a larger ratio.
I have shown and described armatures having forty eight sections or helices and
sixteen rings H therefor, each making three connections therewith but it is not
to be understood that I limit myself to such number, as a more or less number of
sections or helices may be used and the rings H may have more or less than three
points of connection with the armatures
The said rings may be segmental sections joined together or they may be split
or divided at one or more points as desired.
In Figures 6 and 7 the armatures or elements are arranged side by side or end
to end, while in Figures 8 and 9 they are face to face and placed upon parallel
shafts, the brushes being so located as to produce polarity points as represented in
the said Figures.
In all the above described arrangement of armatures or elements a small
permanent or electro-magnetic field must be used to initiate or prime the magnetic
action in the armatures.
By reversing the position of the brushes and including the armatures in the
circuit of an electric generator the device may be used as a motor
Referring to Figure 10 which illustrates another part of the said invention
R. R indicate two armatures of any suitable or desired construction mounted on
separate driving shafts respectively which are designed to have bearings in a
frame, not shown. The said armatures are provided with commutators ²³ and
brushes 5 therefor as illustrated.
The said armatures revolve contiguous to one another being slightly separated so
that they will not impinge or come in contact as they rotate. S. S¹ indicate the
field magnets arranged as shown, or they may be otherwise suitably disposed,
8, 8' are the pole pieces thereof so arranged as to form common pole pieces for both
armatures R R¹. But I prefer to curve the said pole pieces around the armatures
as illustrated, as such arrangement brings the field of magnetic action more nearly
between the contiguous portions of the armatures while their opposite or outer
sides are beyond or free from such influence
In addition to the usual commutator brushes 74, a common brush T is employed

page_text: for the said commutators as shown. As the brushes determine the polarity points
in the armatures each one of the latter, therefore, has three points of polarity as
indicated
In one armature two of the points are of north polarity and the remaining point
thereof, is of south polarity while in the other armature two points are of south
polarity and the remaining point of north polarity.
The electric connections or circuits between such parts are substantially as follows
that is to say, 1, 1, indicates the external circuit, from the binding post 2 a wire
leads to the magnets S, S, and from the latter proceeds a wire 3 which divides into
two branches which connect with the brushes 7 of the commutator 2, the circuit
is then into and out of the armature R, and thence by way of the brush T to the
commutator thence into and out of the armature R' to the brushes 7 of the
commutator thence by way of branches of the divided wire 4 to the magnets
S', S¹, and thence by the wire 5 and the binding post 6 to the external circuit, the
place of starting.
It will be noticed that a split circuit is connected to the usual brushes of the
commutator, so that the current will equally divide itself therebetween, for the
reason that the resistance between the said brushes and the brush common to both
the armatures are equal.
By such arrangement of brushes and circuits the points of polarity of the
armatures are brought close up to the pole pieces as indicated, thereby increasing
the magnetic intensity of the currents generated, and leaving the exterior sides R³
of the armatures free of inductive action or current influences. Hence, as the
armatures pass through that part of their revolution from z, z their coils will be
cooling, and the heating of the armatures for this reason is also diminished.
Again the use of the said split circuit or current to the brushes of like polarity
permits the diminution of the length of the pole pieces of the field magnets, and
thereby increasing their magnetic intensity, and correspondingly affecting the
electro-motive force of the machine and the efficiency in practical effect of the
current generated.
As the armatures R and R¹ pass each other at the point ¹ the magnetic polarity
point of each armature induces a current in the opposing armature. Hence the
reciprocal action and reaction of the armature produces a source of electric energy
in addition to that effected by the action of the field magnets on the said
armatures, consequently there are two sources for the generation of such energy,
so that the capacity of the machine is therefore greatly increased and such result
is obtained without adding to the external resistance, while on the other hand,
although the resistance in the armatures is decreased, there is obtained an increase
in the efficiency of the dynamo in practical effect and a diminution in the heating
of the armatures.
I have shown this part of the said invention applied to or provided with two
armatures but more than that number may be used if desired.
So, too, instead of employing a brush T common to both commutators, it may be
divided into two brushes; one for each commutator, the said divided brushes being
electrically connected together or in circuit with one another.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First A dynamo-electric generator composed of two elements which act and
react on each other to mutually induce continuous electric currents in one another,
substantially as shown and described.
Second-In a dynamo-electric machine or generator, the combination of two or
more "Pachinotti " armatures or similar elements, combined and arranged to
mutually induce continuous electric currents in each other, substantially as shown
and described.
Third In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of two or more armatures
or elements; each of which is composed of an annular core-piece wound with

page_text: endless coils or helices of insulated wire, which are, at regular intervals around
the circumferences of the armatures, connected to corresponding blocks of the
commutators, substantially as shown and described.
Fourth In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of two or more
armatures with their respective commutators, each armature being connected, at
two or more points around its periphery, with each block of its commutator,
substantially as shown and described.
Fifth In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of two or more elements
having helices or bobbins and which are arranged and operated to mutually induce
continuous currents in each other, driving shafts, commutators and circuit
connections therefor, substantially as shown and described.
Sixth In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of two or more iron
rings each entirely wound with an endless coil or coils of insulated wire, driving
shafts and commutators therefor, substantially as shown and described.
Seventh-In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of of two or more
revolving armatures and a series of copper or metal rings for the said armatures,
each of the said rings having two or more points of connection with its respective
armature and being connected to a block of the commutator therefor, substantially
as shown and described.
Eighth The combination of two or more inducing elements or armatures which
mutually react upon and generate continuous currents in each other, a common
circuit therefor with commutators and brushes, substantially as shown and
described.
Ninth In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of two or more iron
rings or core pieces, each of which is covered with endless coils of insulated wire,
and means for revolving them in proximity to one another to form inducing
agents for, and generate continuous currents in, each other, substantially as shown
and described.
Tenth The method herein described for generating continuous currents of
electricity without the employment of a diffusive magnet field, which method
consists in rotating a generating element in proximity to another like element, so
that they will mutually induce a continuous current in each other, substantially as
Betforth.
Eleventh-The combination of two or more armatures, a common circuit therefor,
commutators, brushes, and driving shafts, substantially as setforth, to form an
electric motor as described.
Twelfth In a dynamo-electric machine, the combination of field magnets
having pole pieces common to two or more armatures located and revolving upon
separate shafts, the said armatures mutually inducing currents in each other of the
same direction as that of those induced in them by the field magnets, substantially
as shown and described.
Thirteenth The combination, with two or more armatures having separate
shafts, commutators and brushes, of electro-magnets whose pole-pieces are common
to the said armatures, and a common circuit therefor, whereby the armatures
mutually induce each other and are induced by the field magnets, substantially as
shown and described.
Fourteenth-The combination, with two or more armatures having separate
shafts, commutators and brushes, of a brush common to both, or two or more, of
the said commutators, and field magnets having pole-pieces common to all of the
said armatures, substantially as shown and described.
Fifteenth A dynamo-electric machine having two or more armatures mounted
on separate shafts, commutators, brushes, and a common circuit therefor, and a
split circuit, between the field magnets and brushes, of like polarity, substantially
as shown and described.
Sixteenth-A dynamo-electric machine having a series of armatures each of
which is composed of an iron ring or core piece and endless coils or sections of

page_text: insulated wire in a common circuit, and which mutually react upon one another,
in combination with field magnets, substantially as shown and described.
Seventeenth-A dynamo-electric machine composed of two or more armatures
in common circuit, and a field of magnetic force having a centrally located field of
action, the opposite sides of the said armatures being free from such action, so as
to provide for the successive cooling of the coils of the armatures, substantially as
shown and described.
Eighteenth-In a dynamo-electric machine, a split or divided circuit connected
to commutator brushes of like polarity, whereby the polarity points of the
armatures are brought close up to the pole-pieces of the field magnets, substantially
as shown and described.
Nineteenth-The combination, in a dynamo-electric machine, of armatures, field
magnets, pole-pieces therefor, commutators, and brushes arranged in a common
circuit, whereby the armatures mutually induce each other and are induced by the
field magnets for producing electrical energy in like direction, as set forth.
In witness whereof the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
HENRY H. LAKE (L.S.)