IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO- MAGNETIC APPARATUS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical
Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-
MAGNETIC APPARATUS."-A communication from abroad by Laban
Clarke Stuart, of Mamaroneck, in the State of New York, and
United States of America.
Sealed the 15th April 1868, and dated the 26th February 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 26th February 1868.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-
MAGNETIC APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of a series of rotatory
electro-magnets, which move in close proximity to a series of stationary
electro-magnets arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the rotating
clectro-magnets. Into these rotating and stationary electro-magnets

page_text: the electric current is alternately introduced and cut off in such manner
that each double pair or series of moving and stationary magnets shall
operate only at the time when their magnetic force can be rendered
fully available, as will be more fully explained hereafter.
The Invention further relates to a means of maintaining a continuous
communication or connection between the poles of the battery while
imparting electric currents alternately to magnets (as above alluded to).
It is well known that when a current of electricity is cut off from a
conductor the electricity in the latter runs backward or in the opposite
direction, making what is called a "secondary" or induced current,
which is very intense.
The object of the third part of the Invention is to utilize this secondary
or induced current by directing it from the wire of one series of magnets
which have just given their best force (and at the instant of cutting
off) into the wire of another series of magnets (with the battery current),
which at that instant are in a position to give their greatest power.
Lastly, the Invention relates to certain means of varying or regulating
the times of applying to and cutting off from the magnets the electric
currents for the purpose of governing and changing the speed and
draught of the engine. Midway between the two parallel lines of fixed
electro-magnets is mounted a central shaft, around which are set radially
at varying angles the rotating magnets. Concentric with this shaft is
mounted on fixed supports a disc, to which two studs are attached for
carrying each two elastic metallic conductors, say 1, 2, 3, 4. These
conductors bear upon two compound wheels keyed to the central shaft,
and their point of contact is made adjustable thereon by giving the disc
a slight axial motion in its fixed supports. Each of these compound
wheels is made of three distinct parts, and so put together that each
part is insulated from the others, and from each of these parts passes
an insulated wire, each supplying one pair of the rotating magnets ;
those passing from the several parts of the first wheel connect with the
first three electro-magnets, and those running from the second wheel
supply the second three electro-magnets. The returning wire from each
of these magnets connects with one of a series of insulated collars (also
secured to the central shaft), and in contact with these collars rests a
series of conductors, through which the electric currents are conveyed
to wires which supply the stationary magnets. The several magnets
of each set of stationary magnets are connected by a wire which passes

page_text: along under the machine. The return wires from the stationary magnets
all connect with one pair of elastic conductors. I have said that each
of the compound wheels supplied three of the double rotatory magnets,
and that the return wires of stationary magnets connect with two elastic
conductors 3, 4. The other pair of conductors 1, 2, convey the current
from the battery to the several series of magnets, while the conductors
3,4, act as a cut-off. The relative positions of these conductors determine
when any series of magnets shall be demagnetized, and they also serve
to convey the return or secondary or induced current from either serics
of magnets which may have been just cut off into the scries of magnets
which at that instant are already under the full action of the battery,
and in a position to give their best power, and this secondary current
goes
in the same direction and with the current from the battery, adding
a momentary intensity to its action and a corresponding impulse to the
engine. Connection being made by a wire with one of the poles of
a battery, a current of electricity: passes through the conductor 1 to
that one of the three parts of the first wheel which happens to be
immediately under and in contact with the lower end of that con-
ductor, and energizes the particular pair of rotatory magnets connected
with said part of the wheel; the current passing around these magnets
returns to a particular one of the collars on the central shaft, and
thence to the set of stationary magnets which operate in conjunction
with said rotatory magnets, and thence back through one of the wires
passing to conductor 3. Supposing now that the first double magnet
and its mates are in operation by this current as the magnets vibrate
toward their dead centre turning the shaft and all its appendages;
that portion of the first wheel which was in contact with the con-
ductor 1 runs out of contact, and another comes under that conductor
and carries off the current to another set of movable magnets; but as the
first double magnet is moving and the current which energizes it is
travelling, as just explained, to conductor 3, the current passes (in lieu
of back to the battery) to the conductor 2, and thence to one of the
parts of the second wheel, which connects with the second set of
rotating magnets which are just now coming into position to be effective,
and thence through a conductor and wire to the battery. Before the
magnets of the first series have arrived at their dead centre, but when
they have so far completed their movement towards that point as to
cease to be very effective in their action in the line of motion, the
second series of magucts will have arrived at the position to give their

page_text: most effective power. At that instant the cut-off 3 comes into action,
the conductors 1 and 3, both bearing upon the same flange of one
section of the first compound wheel, permits the current to run from
conductor 1 directly to conductor 3, and from thence to conductor 2,
without going around the first series of magnets, giving time to demag-
netize this series before it arrives at its dead centre, so that it may be
free to pass on; and the moment the current is thus cut off from the
first series of magnets the secondary or induced current from this series
of magnets returns to the segment of the compound wheel, from which
it received its current from the battery; conductor 3 at that instant
being in contact with that section conveys the secondary current to
conductor 2 with which it is connected, and thus the induced current
running with the battery current serves to give increased vigour to the
second series of magnets at the moment when they are in a position to
give their most effective force. This action is repeated with each series
of magnets as the compound wheels with their appendages rotate under
the conductors, each series of magnets being magnetized and demag-
netized in succession to keep the machine in continued motion. The
several parts of each compound wheel are so formed that they come
together at a line running obliquely across the periphery or face of the
wheel, and the bearing or line of contact of the end of each conductor
being straight across the periphery, the conductors will be in contact
really with two parts at once of the wheels at the moment the joints
between the parts pass along under the conductor. In this way the
current is transferred through the conductor 1 into two different parts
of the first wheel in succession without breaking the connection.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th August 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-

page_text: first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special licence
that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, 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 ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS," being a communication
to me from abroad by Laban Clarke Stuart, of Mamaroneck, in the
State of New York, United States, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors or adminis-
trators, 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 Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
This Invention relates to the obtaining of motive power from
electricity, and has for its main object to produce a practically
successful machine, by means of which electricity may be utilized
and employed as an economic and reliable motor for driving
machinery, &c., as will be herein-after more fully explained.
It has long been well known that the attractive force of magnets
is very great, although this force diminishes in a very rapid ratio as
their surfaces are moved away from each other, and also that the sum
of attractive force exerted by magnets during the act of coming
together is the same, whether the magnets approach each other
directly or swing tangentially or at an angle toward each other. It
has also been well known that if a stationary and a moveable magnet
of opposite polarity be arranged so that the opposite outer edges

page_text: of their poles are about opposite, and they be energized by a current
of electricity, the moveable magnet will at once swing or vibrate on
its centre of motion until it comes to a central position, that is, with
its entire pole immediately opposite to the entire pole of the stationary
magnet. And it is well known that the force or tendency with which
the vibratory magnet moves is greatest when the opposite outer edges
of their poles are nearly in contact, and decreases as it assumes this
central position or moves to bring its pole all opposite to the pole of
the stationary magnet. And magnetic engines have been constructed
upon these principles, consisting of moveable or vibrating (or rotating)
magnets brought successively into operation, so as to induce motion
in the machine by a series of magnetic impulses; since, however, the
power of a moveable magnet (its pole moving on a tangential line
in close proximity to the opposite pole of a stationary magnet) decreases
as it approaches its central position or dead centre, and at that point
both magnets tend to prevent any further motion of the moveable
magnet, it follows that, in order to maintain continued motion with
perpetual draught, it is necessary to employ several series of magnets, and
to demagnetize each series by the time the moveable magnets arrive at
their dead centre. In order that they may freely pass, and since some
portion of magnetic power remains in the iron for a short time after
the electric current is taken away, it is necessary, in order that the
moveable magnets may freely move past their dead centre, that the
electric current be cut off before the moveable magnets reach their
central position, and it is therefore desirable to employ several series
of magnets, and to transfer the magnetic current from one series of
magnets to another in such a manner or at such times that each series
of magnets will in succession operate only during the time or positions
in which their magnetic influence will be most efficacious in inducing
to a continuous and reliable movement of the whole of the series of
magnets and their attendant machinery, and to carry out this principle
or mode of operation in a successful manner is the object of the first
part of this Invention, which consists in the employment of several
series of rotatory electric magnets arranged to move in close proximity
to several series of stationary electro-magnets in pairs, into which the
electric current is alternately introduced and cut off in such manner
that each double pair or series of moving and stationary magnets shall
operate only at the time when their magnetic force can be rendered
fully available, as will be more fully explained herein-after.

page_text: Previous to this Invention it was well known that on communication
between the poles of a battery being broken a spark is produced at
the point where contact is broken, a particle of metal is burned at
that point (at each interruption of the current), and in the event of
the use of a battery of sufficient capacity or strength a blaze of fire
induced, and the melting of the metallic conductor effected.
And
it is also well known that when communication between the poles
of a battery is interrupted chemical action in the battery nearly.
ceases, and that the full power of the battery cannot be instantly
obtained on resuming the connection. It is therefore necessary while
imparting electric currents alternately to magnets (as before alluded
to) to maintain a continuous communication or connection between the
poles, of the battery, and to carry out in practice this principle is the
object of the second part of the Invention, which consists in so
introducing and cutting off the current of electricity to and from the
several series of magnets that, while. the magnets are successively
energized at the proper times, communication between the poles of the
battery is not interrupted, as will be herein-after more fully explained.
It is well known that when a current of electricity is cut off from a
conductor the electricity in the latter runs backward or in the opposite
direction, making what is called a "secondary" or induced current,
and it is well known that this "secondary" current (which gives the
"shock" experienced by a person touching the conductors of a magnetic
machine when the current is broken) is very intense.
The object of the third part of the Invention is to utilize this
secondary or induced current by directing it from the wire of one
series of magnets which have just given their best force (and at the
instant of cutting off) into the wire of another series of magnets (with
the battery current), which at that instant are in a position to give
their greatest powers. And to this end the Invention consists in
conveying the secondary current derived from withdrawing the electric
current from the wire of one set of magnets into the current supplying
another set of magnets, as will be presently more fully explained.
The fourth part of the Invention consists in a novel means of varying
or regulating the times of applying to and cutting off from the magnets
the electric currents for the purpose of governing and changing the
speed and draught of the engine, as will be presently more fully
described.

page_text: To enable those skilled in the art to practice the Invention, I will
proceed to describe the construction and operation of a magnetic engine,
such as have been built and successfully operated, embodying the several
features of the Invention, referring by letters to the accompanying
Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top view of the engine; Fig. 2, a vertical
cross section at line x, x, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a similar section at the line y, y,
Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a longitudinal section at 2, z, Fig. 1; Fig. 5, an end view;
and Fig. 6, detail views. In the several Figures like parts will be found
designated by similar letters of reference.
A is the frame of the machine, which may be rectangular in shape,
as shown, of suitable strength and designed to sustain the other parts
of the machine (as shown). The sides of wrought iron and the ends
may be of cast iron or other suitable material. To the inner faces of
the opposite sides of the frame A of the machines are secured in
pairs opposite to each other a series of electro-magnets B, B, C, C, &c.,
and on a central rotatory shaft H, which is mounted to turn freely
in suitable bearings in the frame A, are mounted (also in pairs) a
serios of radially arranged magnets I, I, J, J, &c. The electro-
magnets are all made up in the usual manner after the fashion of
horse-shoe electro-magnets, and their coils are all supplied with the
electric current (from a battery) through the medium of two wheels a, b,
mounted on the shaft H (and turning with it), the faces of which run
in contact with the conductors e, f, g, h. Each of those wheels a, b,
is made of three distinct parts 1, 2, 3, as shewn at Fig. 6, and so
put together that each part is insulated from the others, and from each
of these parts passes an insulated wire (i, k, l, &c.), each supplying
one pair of the rotating magnets; those passing from the several parts
of the compound wheel a connecting with magnets I, J, and K, and
those running from the compound wheel 6 supplying magnets L, M, N.
The returning wire p, q, r, &c., from each of the said magnets,
connects with one of a series of insulated collars 10, w³, w², &c. (also
secured on the shaft H), and in contact with these collars rests a series
of conductors x, x¹, x², &c., through which the electric currents
are conveyed to the wires y, y¹, y³, &c., which supply the stationary
magnets. The several magnets of each set of said stationary magnets
are connected by a wire o (see Fig. 2), which passes along under the
machine as illustrated. c¹, c, c³, &c. are the return wires from the
stationary magnets, which all connect with two conductors and h in

page_text: a manner to operate as I shall presently explain. I have said that
each of the wheels a, b, supplied three of the double rotatory magnets
I, I, J, J, &c., and that the return wires of stationary magnets
connected with two different conductors and h. The conductors e
and f (Fig. 3) convey the current from the battery to the several
series of magnets. The conductors g and h act as a cut-off; their
relative positions to the other conductors determine when any series
of magnets shall be demagnetized, and they also serve to convey the
return or secondary or induced current from either serics of magnets
which may have been just cut off into the series of magnets which at
that instant are already under the full action of the battery, and in a
position to give their best power, and this secondary current goes in
the same direction, and with the current from the battery adding a
momentary intensity to its action and a corresponding impulse to the
engine. These conductors e, f, and g, h, are secured by set screws
in studs o, o, projecting from an adjustable disc B³, which is arranged
to turn (concentrically with the shaft H) in its bearings at 8, 8; (see
Fig. 5); and these studs o³, o³, are adjustable, so that the distance
between the ends of the two sets of conductors may be varied for
purposes to be presently explained.
In connection with what I have already said relative to the several
parts of the machine or apparatus and their arrangement together, I
think the following explanation will suffice to impart a complete
knowledge of the operation of the engine and working of the several
features of my Invention. Connection being made between the wire T
and one of the poles of a battery, a current of electricity passes through
the conductor e to that one of the three parts composing the wheel a
which happens to be immediately under and in contact with the lower
end of that conductor, and energizes the particular pair of rotatory
magnets connected with said part of the wheel a; the current passing
around these magnets returns to a particular one of the collars on
the shaft H, and thence to the set of stationary magnets which
operate in conjunction with the rotatory magnets, and thence back
through one of the wires, passing to the conductor g. Supposing
now that the first double magnet I and its mates are in operation by
this current as the magnets vibrate toward their dead centre turning
the shaft H and all its appendages, that portion of the wheel a which
was in contact with the conductor e runs out of contact and another
comes under that conductor to carry off the current to another set of

page_text: moveable magnets. But as the magnets I are moving and the current
which energizes them is travelling as just explained to conductor I,
it
passes on (in lieu of back to the battery) to the conductor f, and
thence to one of the parts of the wheel b, which connects with the
magnets L and their mates, which are just now coming into position
to be effective, and thence through conductor and wire V to the
battery. Before the series of magnets I have arrived at their dead
centre, but have so far completed their movement towards that point
as to cease to be very effective in their action in the line of motion, the
series of magnets L will have arrived at the position to give their
most effective power.
At that instant the cut-off g comes into action,
the conductors e and g both bearing upon the same flange of one
section of the compound wheel a permits the current to run from
conductor e directly to conductor g, and from thence to conductor f,
without going around the scries of magnets I, giving time to demagnetize
this series before it arrives at its dead centre so that it may be free
to pass on. And the moment the current is thus cut off from the
series of magnets I, the secondary or induced current from this series
of magnets returns to the segment of the compound wheel a from
which it received its current from the battery conductor g, at that
instant being in contact with that section conveys the secondary
current to conductor f with which it is connected, and thus the
induced current running with the battery current serves to give
increased vigor to the series of magnets L at the moment when
they are in a position to give their most effective force. And this
with each series of magnets as the wheels a and b with their appendages
rotate under the conductors each series of magnets is magnetized
and demagnetized in succession to keep the machine in continued
motion. I have colored the parts which are in connection with each
other when the current is supplied to any given part of either of
the wheels a, b, the same in the Drawings, in order that the courses
of the currents may be more readily traced. With the magnets
arranged as shown they would be energized in the following order :-
First those marked I (and their stationary mates), then L, then J,
then M, then K, then N, and so on in the same order over and over
again. If the conductor e were taken out of contact with one part
of wheel a and then put in contact with another the circuit would of
course be broken, no matter how rapidly the transition from one
contact to the other might be effected, but I make the several parts

page_text: of each wheel so that they come together at a line running obliquely
across the periphery or face of the wheel, and I make the bearing
or line of contact of the end of cach conductor e, f, &c. straight
across the periphery, so that the conductors will be in contact really
with two parts at once of the wheels as the joints between the parts
pass along under a conductor. In this way I am enabled to transfer
the current through the conductor e into two different parts of the
wheel a in succession without breaking the connection. It will be
seen from this mode of operation that upon the relative position of the
two sets of conductors, that is, their distance apart where they touch
the faces of wheels a, b, will depend the length of time that each set
of magnets will be energized, and consequently the draught and
velocity of the machine to a certain extent, for if the current be
withdrawn soon after the poles begin to approach each other, and
when the magnets are capable of excrting their greatest force, and
another set then come into operation, it is evident that the machine
will run rapidly, but the velocity and draught of the machine depends
also on the regulation of the point or time at which the magnets
shall be energized, and this is accomplished by the adjustment of the
disc B³, whereby the relative position of the conductors (supplying
the currents) with the wheels a, b, is determined, and consequently the
time of energizing the magnets. If the magnets be energized before
their poles begin to get opposite each other, and at the time when
they are most effective, of course the speed and draught of the machine
will be very different from what they will be if the magnets be
energized at other points of time during their motions toward each
other.
Having explained the Invention communicated to me from abroad so
that those skilled in the art can make and use the said Invention, I wish
it to be understood that I claim,―
Firstly. The employment of a series of rotatory magnets in com-
bination with a series of stationary magnets arranged to operate
in the manner substantially as herein-before described for the purpose
set forth.
Secondly. Alternately energizing and demagnetizing the electro-
magnets without breaking the connection between the poles of the
battery, substantially as set forth.
Thirdly. Conveying the induced or secondary current from the

page_text: magnets as they are demagnetized along with the current running to
supply another set of magnets, substantially as herein described for the
purpose set forth.
Fourthly. The employment of a series of adjustable conductors,
substantially as described, whereby the speed and draught of the engine
may be governed at pleasure, as herein-before set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of
August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-eight.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S. )