Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Electrically Controlling Mechanical Movements.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Electrically
Controlling Mechanical Movements.
We, PIERRE EMMmanuel Emile RAVEROT, Electrician, of 15, Rue de Madrid, and
PIERRE FREDERIC LEON BELLY, Mechanician, of 71, Quai d'Orsay, both of Paris, in
the Republic of France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to work, at a distance and at will, any device or
apparatus employed for controlling mechanical motion; this being effected through
the intermediary of electric conductors instead of using a mechanical connection or
joint; the operation being such, that the electromagnetic transmission exerts upon
a fly wheel, lever, sector or analogous mechanism the effort which would be required,
if the controlling were to be effected directly.
The principle of this electric telemotor system which we have invented essentially
consists in the operation of an electromagnetic mechanism working with continuous
currents of variable strengths and with a compound-magnetic-field turning as
required.
The arrangement of the whole device and the general method of construction of
this essential mechanism, represented in Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, of the drawing, are
those of an electric motor, deprived of the commutator, its induced ring or field is
arranged externally, and is fixed, whilst the inductor or armature A is movable. The
armature A operates like every armature of a continuous current machine and gene-
rates its ordinary magnetic field. The stationary ring I, while fulfilling with regard
to the armature the function of the ordinary field of a continuous current machine,
possesses no collector and works in a special manner. Its windings are of a complex
type and produce a magnetic field, the direction of which changes according to the
variable strengths of the different continuous currents, supplied thereto. The ring
is in fact constructed in the manner of the rings used in alternating machines with
rotary field (multiple phases), the winding of the rings represented in Figures 1, 6
and 8 is supposed to be analogous to the star-winding type of a three-phase alter-
nating machine; the rings represented in Figure 4 have a kind of two-phase
winding.
The electro magnetic movement of the mechanism will be readily understood upon
observing that if the ring 1 of Figure'l were traversed by a three-phase alternating
current, whilst a continuous current were energizing the armature A, the same would
revolve at the speed corresponding to the period of the current (the rotary field gen-
erated in the field magnet reacting unon that of the armature). Hence, in order to obtain
no longer a periodical speed, but, a will, to obtain the movement of the armature, it
is only necessary to feed the complex windings of the field magnet I with continuous
currents capable of taking up, according to requirement; and successively, those

page_text: strengths of current which corresponds to the instantaneous values of the three-phase
alternating current. The continuous currents in the relation indicated are directly
obtained from any continuous current dynamo machine (generating machine or
motor) by the aid of three additional brushes simultaneously movable and turning
freely about the commutator of the machine.
The diagram shown in Figure 1, represents in a similar form the electromagnetic
transmission of movement:
C is the commutator of a continuous current dynamo-machine in action.
B and D are the two ordinary, fixed brushes of the dynamo (which latter for the sake
of simplicity is not represented in the drawing).
a*b* c* are the additional brushes movable simultaneously with the crank M and
connected by means of the conductors f g h to the star windings F G H of the field
magnet I of the receiving mechanism.
b, A, d is the exciter-circuit for the armature A; the same is connected in shunt
upon the stationary brushes B and D.
The dynamo C feeds, on the one hand by means of B and D, the armature A, and
on the other hand by the aid of a*b* c* the windings F, G, H, of the rotary field of
the receiving mechanism (IA); the current is divided according to the sinusoidal
distribution of the potential around the commutator of every continuous current
machine and generated under conditions of an effectual electric yield. The receiving
mechanism is constructed and fed so as to produce a torque of work analogous to that
of a dynamo electric machine.
The rim connecting the crank M and the movable auxiliary brushes a* b* c* is
provided with an electro-magnetic band or analogous brake;
The operation is as follows:
The movement of the crank M (in one direction or the other) alters the position of
the auxiliary brushes a* 6* c* upon the commutator C in operation, and thereby
causes the respective strength of the currents in fF, g G, h H, and consequently
also the direction of the rotary component of the receiving mechanism (I A) to be
varied. The armature A moves in proportion to the resultant variation of the com-
pound magnetic field, in the same direction as the crank M and in its movement
carries along the loose wheel V, through the intermediary of the spring coupling RR.
The tension of the springs RR is adjusted to correspond to a given fraction of the
stress or effort of actuation which the electromagnetic transmission of movement is
to produce under normal conditions, so that the transmission of movement repeats
the movement of the crank M at a given angular distance (limited for example to
60 degrees).
If owing to any cause (too abrupt a movement of the crank M or an accidental
resistance to the working of the loose wheel V) the stress or effort exceeds the given
limit, the contact finger t comes against an abutment o and closes the circuit of a
brake that retards the controlling wheel M (by means of the conductor j, the
electromagnet e, band brake g*, grip, or other brake). until the loose wheel V has
been able to follow the movement within the given limit of distance. This arrange-
ment ensures the reliability of movement of the loose wheel V and of the controlling
wheel M; it constitutes as a whole the proper regulating mechanism of the electro-
magnetic transmission of torque.
This form of electromagnetic transmission of movement, is susceptible of various
modifications.
Figure 2 is an exemplification thereof; the same is a transmission device for
twelve positions per revolution; the movement which is obtained by substituting for
the commutator C in action two stationary sectors B and D as the poles of any
source of continuous current (system of distribution, accumulator batteries or
elements).
In the case of the dynamo the current conducted to the windings F G H was
varying in every position and took a number of different values as great as desired.
According to the arrangement of Figure 2, the relative values of the current dis-

page_text: tributed over the windings F G H, limited (for each revolution) to twelve values
corresponding to the twelve different portions which follow the three movable
brushes a be around the sectors B and D are, on the contrary as follows:
Position 12 is that of the figure.
In this transmission device the total amount of the current conveyed to the sector
B (or D) is transmitted to the rotary field; the transmission is effected either by
causing a c to turn around B and D which are stationary, as represented in
Figure 2, or on the contrary by leaving a*b* c* stationary and causing B and D to
freely turn.
According to Figure 2 the source of the positive and negative current feeds in
shunt the armature A and the sectors B and D; the feed may as well be effected in
tension.
A larger fractioning per revolution than that of Figure 2 would, if required be
obtained with any larger odd number of brushes and a corresponding multiple
winding.
Regarding the proper regulating mechanism of the electromagnetic transmission
of movement, it is shown in Figure 3 that the movement to the right and the
movement to the left admit of being separately braked by a distinct stop work; each
of the two abutments 0 of the receiving mechanism then communicates separately by
a different conducting wire j and with an electromagnet e and e¹.
Figure 4 shows a different example of the system of magnetic transmission utilized
for the angular operation at a distance, of a controlling lever or sector.
The transmission mechanism proper operates by a variation of two shunt currents,
the effect of which is indicated by a similar mechanism (I¹ A¹). The rings of the
fields I and I carry each a kind of two-phase winding, the components of which,
acting alone, would each direct the corresponding armatures (A or A¹) in a different
azimuth. The movement of the armatures I and I in their respective magnetic
fields is determined by the operation of the resistance p pl with crank M, controlling
the proportion of shunt of the current, according to the variable position of the
contact d; owing to the construction the displacement of the point d* from one
extremity to the other of the resistance produces a variation in size and sign between
the current strength at P and that at P which is greater than that required to turn
the armature A within the angular limits of its displacement.
As the armature A is displaced, it carries along with it the sector K through the
intermediary of locally used parts, as will be hereinafter indicated. It is however,
preferable to first describe the method of regulating from a distance the electro
magnetic transmission device itself; If the angular displacement of the armature A
(in one direction or the other) is not followed by that of the sector K, the contact
will strike against one of the abutments o and will, by the closing of the
circuit b, t, o, j, e, d and the action of the brake g*, hold the initial controlling
mechanism M out of operation until the displacement of the sector K has caught up

page_text: with that of the armature A within the limit of the distance provided according to
the construction.
The local actuation of the sector K by the armature A may be effected by any
local auxiliary device; the one represented is an electric auxiliary or controlling
device, which offers certain particular features only.
The springs * and *** carried by the armature A close respectively by means of
contacts in connection with the corresponding abutment screws, fixed to the sector K,
the circuit of the relay Y and of the relay Z; these two relays close each in a
different direction the local circuit, which by the intermediary of " and y* feed the
armature of the electric motor Q. They act simultaneously as long as the positions
of the sector K and of the armature A exactly coincide and the armature w of the
motor is short circuited; (a device of automatic resistance X S in circuit renders this
organization possible). As soon as the armature A of the transmission device
commences to displace itself, one of the contacts * or ** is broken, one of the
relays Y or Z becomes inactive, while the other remains closed, a current of a given
direction passes through * and y* in the armature w of the dynamo-motor Q and
actuates the same: the movement of the latter, transmitted by gearings and endless
screws causes the sector K to move until it again coincides with the position of A and
re-establishes the normal simultaneous closing of the contacts in * and ***.
The local feed circuit of the motor includes in series its field W and the special
mechanism of automatio resistance above referred to.
This special mechanism consists of an electro magnet X with double winding and
of a resistance S which is either left in series or short-circuited by the operation of
the armature A. The current passing through b¹ qux determines the attraction
of the armature for the allowed maximum strength I (with a number of Ampere
revolutions n I) n being, the number of turns of the windings of u to ¹ when the
armature is once attracted, the resistance S is in series, as are the two coils of the
electromagnet comprising (n and n¹) turns, the current passes through b¹ qux,
the attraction is kept up with a number of Ampere revolutions (n and n¹) i, until
one has attained: (n and n¹) i<n 1. The total apparent resistance of the circuit
containing the device would have for example the value R corresponding to the
strength of current I; when the resistance S and the second winding of the electro-
magnet are short-circuited, the apparent resistance becomes (R+ p), and the current i
when the resistance 3 and the second winding of the electro magnet are also in
circuit. Thus we have RI =
(R+p) as the relation between I, 2, and p on a given
circuit, if the particular value of R does not permit a large enough regulation with a
single device. A number of "automatic resistances" inserted in form of cascades
into the circuit of one another, may be used, but the one represented, evidently
suffices for the purpose of specifying in general the arrangement of the device.
The system covered by this Specification constitutes a method of transmission of
an effort serving for distance operations of all kinds; its general application is
expressly specified with the variations of detail arrangements within reach of persons
skilled in the art.
Moreover, and by way of exemplifying a particular application, Figures 5 and 6
represent in separate diagrams a simple system for the transmission of the controlling
motion of a steering wheel (or of an auxiliary motor) of a vessel.
At M will be seen the controlling wheel, carrying an internally-toothed rim working
the gearing N: the latter in its movement actuates the brushes a* b* c* which are
simultaneously inovable around the stationary sectors B and D.
AI and AI are two electro magnetic transmission devices formed like those of
Figure 1; T is the steering wheel (or the wheel of the auxiliary motor) to be actuated;
its movement is dependent on that of the motor Q.
Land I are double axis-meters indicating the movements controlled, transmitted
and effected in the conventional way the diagram supposes the index m to be
dependent on the movement of M, the index v to be dependent on the movement
of V, the index i (by means of an endless screw, the shaft of which turns in unison
with A¹) dependent on the movement of A¹: Y and Z are the relaye, Q the electric

page_text: and
-
motor, while the "automatic resistance" fulfils the local function described with
reference to Figure 4; at the top and at the left hand side of Figure 5 the signs +
indicate the origin of the current which feeds the electro magnetic
transmission device (taken from a distributing system, from accumulators or elements:
the same signs at the bottom of Figure 6 refer to the local source of energy at the
receiving post as regards the wires, one and the same letter designates the same
conductor all along its extent.
The operation of the application represented by the diagram Figures 5 and 6
conforms in detail to that which has already been explained and operates in its whole
arrangement as follows :—
The movement of the wheel M displacing, through the medium of N the brushes a
6* c* upon the stationary sectors B and D changes the distribution between f g h;
the displacement of the armatures A and A¹ then follows: the displacement of A
causes at the receiving post a movement of the corresponding wheel of L and causes
the breaking of one of the contacts at * or **; by the operation of the relays Y
and Z the armature w of the motor Q is supplied and causes the wheel V to turn,
until the index v of its axiometer catches up with the movement of t.
The advance of the movement of A (and consequently of M) relatively to V is
limited to a fixed value, according to construction, the contact of t with one or the
other of the abutments at once brakes the initial driving operation of M by closing
the circuit 1, t, o, j, e, d¹¹ and throwing into gear the gripping brake which is
actuated by the electro magnet e. This arrangement constitutes the proper device
of the distance-transmission mechanism. The simultaneous operation at the starting
post of the second transmission mechanism A¹ I¹ enables the operator to have proper
control over the reliable electric operation of the transmission mechanism by simply
inspecting the movement of i catching up with the movement of m.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. A receiving mechanism executing at a distance an effort transmitted, at will,
from a distance and consisting of a field magnet with rotary field excited by continuous
currents of variable strengths, of an armature excited by a continuous current and of
an elastic coupling with an electric contact abutment.
2. In combination with such receiving mechanism, the process of supplying from
a distance its rotary multiple-phase field by means of brushes turning simultaneously
around the collector of a dynamo machine at work (Figure 1).
3. In combination with such receiving mechanism or receiver, the process of supply-
ing from a distance, its rotary field by a simultaneous relative movement of multiple
brushes around two pole sectors of an aggregate amount of continuous current
(Figure 2).
4. In combination with such receiver, (which is then a two phased one) the process
of limited direction of its rotary field by relative variation of the strength of two
shunt currents according to the similar movement of a repeating mechanism of the
start (Figure 5).
5. In combination with each receiver, the application of the transmitted effort to
the local actuation of a local auxiliary motor of any kind and power.
6. In the electric-distance transmission of movement between a transmitter and a
receiver, the general method of regulating motion from a distance, by the aid of the
automatic braking of the driving or controlling mechanism, as soon as the slackening
in the working of the jointly acting mechanism has reached a given value.
7. In an automatic braking device of this kind, the combination of a receiver with
elastic coupling and with electric contact abutments; and of a transmitter with
electro-magnetic engagement (simple or double) with electric connecting circuit.
8. The particular feature of the device termed "automatic resistance," consisting
of an electro magnet with double windings, and a resistance now in series, now short

page_text: circuited (by the automatic control of the armature of the electromagnet) for the
purpose of controlling the strength of current in a given circuit between particular
limits.
Dated this 10th day of January 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.