Improvements in Electro-mechanical Accumulators.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electro-mechanical Accumulators.
We, HENRY WILHELM SCHLOMANN, of No. 105, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, in
the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, Merchant, and ANGEL DE CASTRO, in
the same house, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:- -
It is a frequent problem how to obtain during a given short period a con-
siderable development of power from a source of power which is only capable of
exerting a much smaller amount of force. Such cases arise for instance at the
starting of vehicles where the frictional resistance is much greater than when the
cars are already in motion.
Another example is in the discharge of a mobile torpedo where during the
short time of discharging the torpedo great energy is required to be transmitted
to it which energy is subsequently developed as mechanical work. Similar
problems occur with rock drills or in cases where a considerable heat or
temperature has to be produced for a short time.
The apparatuses used hitherto for this purpose have only fulfilled it imperfectly
as they were not capable of working at sufficiently short intervals of time. It is
possible to obtain a very advantageous arrangement according to the present
invention by employing electricity. The operation consists essentially in con-
verting the electric energy of a source of electricity by passing it into a motor
into kinetic energy which, as there is no load, increases. Now as soon as the
kinetic energy has reached a given amount, the motor is electrically disconnected
from the primary source and another electric circuit established in which a
dynamo impelled by the accumulated active power, again transforms this into
electrical energy. The ratios can be so adjusted that the period of accumulation
may be as long and that of discharge as short as may be desired.
The source of energy may be a battery but may equally well consist of a
dynamo driven by a motor. A wire leads from the battery to the motor which
rotates by means of a gearing the axle of the electro-mechanical accumulator.
This latter consists of a fly-wheel to the outer rim of which is placed a winding
which is supplied with current by means of the brushes and the conductors from
the brushes of the motor, or from the wires which come from the battery. The
fly-wheel rotates within a ring of coils and consequently becomes an alternating
current generator of a well known type.
A small dynamo is located on the axle of the motor, the current of which only
serves for exciting the electro-magnet which operates a switch as well as an
electro-magnet and a cut-out, the switch being connected with the armatures of
the electro-magnets.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows;-
con-
The source of current starts the motor, which thereon revolves with
tinuously increasing speed and at the same time starts the fly-wheel by means of
the gearing. Although the coil field is excited no current is generated because
in the armature the connection for the coils of it is interrupted.

page_text: If now the speed be increased to a predetermined point, the small dynamo as
mentioned above will begin to be operative and will deliver current to the electro-
magnets. When this current becomes sufficiently strong the switch belonging to
the electro-magnet will be reversed and the circuit of the battery thereby inter-
rupted whilst that of the armature of the fly-wheel is closed.
The current, which is produced in the coils for the main-conductor flows into
another motor. This can be made considerably larger than the first motor as the
period of the development of current is relatively short. In this manner it is
possible by means of relatively small source of current to drive a relatively large
motor in an intermittent manner.
The speed of the fly-wheel becomes under the given conditions, that is, when
the electricity is being generated therefrom, slower and slower until the production
of current by the small dynamo becomes so reduced that the electro-magnet
releases its armature and consequently the switch returns to its first position.
The operation then begins over again, the fly-wheel has lost its active force
collects it afresh from the source of electricity in order in its 'turn to be again
capable, as a source of current, of driving the motor.
The invention is capable of many variations without departing from its prin-
ciple. For instance, alternating current dynamo or continuous. current may be
used; further the switching may be altered in various ways.
This
Another modification is, to arrange only one instead of the two motors.
may be done by proper arranging the circuits. In this case the same motor
receives energy during a long period and stores it up, and develops it in a relative
short time. This modification may be used for starting cars and so on.
The inventive idea however throughout is to transform the electrical energy of
a source of electricity into active power, as soon as this energy has reached a
certain amount, and to effect a change of the connections, in consequence of
which the active power accumulated is given off as electrical energy to an electro-
motor which is considerably more powerful than if it received a direct supply
from the original source of electricity.
Dated the 08th
T
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.
We, HENRY WILHELM SCHLOMANN, of 105, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, in
the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, Merchant, and ANGEL DE CASTRO, in
the same house, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to apparatus for accumulating or storing up energy
derived through the relatively prolonged operation of a comparatively small
motor or source of power, preparatory to utilization of the stored energy for a
brief period in a motor of greater power, to perform work which the smaller
motor would be incapable of performing directly.
The invention contemplates the use of the familiar fly-wheel as a means of
storing up energy; but introduces in connection therewith novel means for

page_text: building up, transforming, applying, and controlling the stored energy, whereby
it may be utilized to the best advantage.
The accompanying drawings represent apparatus embodying our invention.
Figure 1 being an elevation, partly in section, and of a diagrammatic character,
showing the apparatus in its simplest form.
Figure 2 a similar elevation, but not in section, shewing a modified arrange-
ment of the apparatus.
Figure 3 a view illustrating the invention embodied in apparatus adapted to
progressively build up the accumulated power to a point beyond that practicable
with the single apparatus of Figures 1, and 2.
It is of course well understood that the energy exerted by a relatively small
motor operating for a comparatively long time, may be stored up either in a
heavy fly-wheel or in other ways, and recovered or used to impart motion to other
apparatus; and that in this way a force greater than that which the first motor is
capable of exerting at any given moment, may be obtained, and utilized for a
brief period of time.
There are many situations in which it is desirable to exert for relatively short
periods, a great force, but where it is impracticable for one or another reason to
employ and keep in operation, a motor capable of giving constantly such
relatively great power. It is to meet this requirement that the present invention
is designed. Instances of this character are presented in the case of vehicles,
which at starting require the application of relatively great power, but which
once under way may be kept in motion and at proper speed by the expenditure of
relatively little power. Other fields in which this requirement is presented are
offered in self-propelling torpedoes, rolling machinery, and the like.
Briefly stated, our invention consists essentially in converting the electric
energy of any convenient source of electricity into kinetic energy by delivering it
into a motor, which, being at the time without load, gradually increases its speed
until the maximum attainable with a given electric energy, or until a predeter-
mined speed, is reached. When such kinetic energy is attained, the motor is
electrically disconnected from its source of supply, and another electric circuit is
established in which is included a dynamo electric generator impelled by the
energy stored up through the action of the first motor, and which dynamo trans-
forms the stored energy into electric energy, and delivers the same to the trans-
lating device requiring for a brief period the relatively high power or energy.
This translating device may be another motor, a heating coil, a sparking device
or other.
By properly proportioning the parts or adjusting their ratios, the period of
accumulation may be made as long, and the period of discharge or reconversion
as short as desired for any given application.
Referring first to Figure 1, A indicates a source of electrical energy, which is
here conventionally represented as a primary battery, but which may equally well
be a storage battery, a dynamo electric generator driven by any suitable prime
motor, or other source of electric supply.
The terminals of the source A are connected by conductors a, b with the
brushes c, d, of an electric motor B of any suitable type. C indicates what, for
convenience, we designate an electromechanical-accumulator, comprising a heavy
fly-wheel e, rotating within the coils k of a fixed encircling armature, said fly-
wheel being wound in any well known way with pole-producing coils, as f which
are supplied at proper times with an electrical current through conductors g, h,
and brushes i, j, the latter bearing upon a commutator for producing an alter-
nating or fluctuating current in the coils f, said commutator being carried by the
shaft of the electromechanical-accumulator C, the conductors g and h being in
turn connected with the brushes c and d of the motor B as shown
It will be readily understood that if the coils k be properly closed and the
winding f be electrically excited, the apparatus C will, when the fly-wheel e is
rapidly rotated, become an alternating current generator. So long, however, as

page_text: :
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the coils are open, that is to say, so long as there is no complete circuit through
them and back, the fly-wheel e will rotate without retardation by the armature,
and without generating any current in said coils.
Connection is made between the fly-wheel c and the shaft of the motor B by
gears l, m, the larger of which is secured upon the shaft of the motor B as in-
dicated. As a consequence of this arrangement, the shaft n of the fly-wheel e
will make more turns than will the shaft of the motor B, and the wheel e will con-
sequently be driven at relatively high speed, the peripheral speed being enhanced
by reason of the relatively large diameter of said wheel.
D indicates a switch or circuit closer designed to open or break the circuit
comprising the source A, conductors a, b, and motor B, and to simultaneously
close a second circuit comprising or including conductors o, p, armature coils k
of the electromechanical accumulator C, and a motor or other translating device G.
This switch is represented as a simple lever pivoted at a point between its ends
and carrying at one end a conducting plate or bar q to bridge two separated
contacts, and at the opposite end an armaturer of soft iron adapted to be
attracted by an electro magnet E when the latter is energized. A small spring s
serves to hold the armature away from the pole of the magnet, when the latter is
de-energized, and to maintain the switch or circuit closer in the position shown
in Fig. 1, where it is represented as closing or completing the supply circuit of
the motor B.
F indicates a small dynamo electric generator, the armature of which is carried
by the shaft n of the electro-mechanical-accumulator C, and the current supplied
by which is delivered to a circuit formed by the conductors t, u and the winding
of the electro-magnet E.
The purpose of the generator F is to energize the magnet E, but as it is not
desirable to bring said magnet into action or to cause it to break the supply
circuit of the motor B until the fly-wheel e attains a predetermined and very high
speed, a resistance is introduced into the conductor t. Said resistance is in the
form of a coil wound about a soft iron rod or bar having a free pole, which upon
the passage of the predetermined current, serves to attract a short-circuiting
armature w, which is adapted to bridge two contacts of the resistance and to short
circuit a section thereof. The armature having, however, been brought by the
full strength of the magnet close to the magnet pole, and being within the strong
field of attraction thereof, will be held by the magnet after such short-circuiting,
until the energizing current itself is appreciably weakened.
The armature wis normally held away from the magnet pole by a light
spring, or in any other convenient way.
The apparatus being constructed as above described and the parts being
adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the operation will be as follows:-
Current being supplied to the motor B from the source A, will put said motor
in motion, and it, acting through the gearing l, m, will impart motion to the
fly-wheel e. This wheel being free to turn without other resistance than that of
friction, will, after a time acquire a high velocity. During this speeding of the
wheel e. the coils k of the fixed encircling armature are open by reason of the
switch D being moved away from the contact of the conductors o, p, and
bridging those of the conductors a, b. As the wheel e attains a predetermined or
maximum speed, the armature of the generator F likewise attains its predeter-
mined or maximum speed, and sufficiently energizes the electro-magnet, of which
resistance constitutes the energizing coil, to attract the short-circuiting arma-
ture w. and thereby to cut out a portion of the resistance, and to throw a greater
current into the coil of electric magnet E. This action causes the armature of
switch D to be strongly attracted and to open the supply circuit of motor B, and
to close the circuit o, p in which are included the armature coils of the electro-
mechanical-accumulator.
The motor B being now without an operating or propelling current, but being
driven by reason of its gear connection with the rapidly rotating fly-wheel e,

page_text: becomes an electric generator, the current from which is led by the brushes c, d,
conductors g, h, and brushes i, j, to and through the coils f of the fly-wheel_e.
The rotation of this wheel with its coils. f, energized by the current of the
motor B now running as a generator, and said coils travelling within the coils or
windings k, of the fixed armature, causes the apparatus to become as a whole a
generator of electric current, which is delivered through the conductors o, p, to
the motor or other translating device G, in whole or in part.
The rapid rotation of the wheel e with the parts constructed and arranged as
described, enables it to afford for a brief period, a large output of electrical
energy the winding of course determining the electro motive force, current
strength &c. If the purpose be to produce great heating capacity, then the
winding will be, according to well known formula, for large current and
relatively low electro motive force; but by proper and well understood construc-
tion of the armature, the windings &c., high electro motive force and small
current may be secured.
It is of course well understood that if the full current be instantaneously
thrown into a translating device, or at least into some forms of translating device,
a burning out of the latter is likely to result. To guard against such contin-
gency, I may introduce into the circuit o, p, a rheostat or variable resistance
device H of any suitable form, adapted to be gradually withdrawn from the
circuit and consequently permitting the full current to be applied only pro-
gressively or gradually. In the drawing this resistance device is represented as
comprising a series of resistance coils with separate contacts at different points in
the series, and a short-circuiting plate or bridge carried by the movable core y
of the electro-magnet, and adapted to bridge the space between any of said
contacts and the winding of the magnet, a terminal of such winding being left
exposed or bare for the purpose. Any suitable form of variable resistance may,
however be employed. The movement of the core of the magnet is naturally
somewhat gradual, and may be retarded as required by any of the usual
appliances to that end, such as dash-pots, governors, and the like.
Where the current supplied by the accumulator acting as a génerator is in
excess of that required for the particular translating device, the surplus may be
utilized for other purposes, for instance, to aid in maintaining for a longer time, -
the speed of the wheel e.
It will be understood of course that the section of the accumulator C as a
generator will necessarily be for a comparatively short time, and that as the
speed of the fly-wheel decreases, the out-put of generator F will correspondingly
decrease until a point is reached where the bridging armature w will no longer be
held by its attracting pole, and will move away from the short-circuiting contacts
of the resistance v. This will so far reduce the current delivered to electro-
magnet E as to render the latter incapable of longer holding the switch D in
position to close the circuit o, p, said switch thereupon opens said circuit and
closes the supply circuit of the motor B, which through the change of connections,
immediately becomes again a motor.
All the parts in turn resume their normal positions or those indicated in Fig. 1,
and the whole series or cycle of operations is repeated. In this manner we are
enabled with a comparatively small motor and relatively feeble source of supply,
to build up and apply for a brief period a relatively great energy, capable of
performing for an instant or for a short period of time, work which the motor
or the original supply of electric energy would be incapable of performing.
In Fig. 2, we have represented a different embodiment of the same general
plan. In this the motor B is employed both to impart the necessary speed to the
fly-wheel in the first instance, and to propel or give motion to the device requir-
ing to have imparted to it for a brief period higher speed than could be given
it by the motor when supplied from the primary source direct In this con-
struction B represents the motor as before, the shaft of which is provided with
two electro-magnetic couplings 1 and 2, by which the shaft may be coupled or

page_text: connected either with the gearing l, m, through which motion is imparted to the
shaft n of fly-wheel e and consequently to said wheel, or to a shaft 3 of a trans-
lating device L.
A indicates the battery or other primary source of electric energy, 4 and 5
conductors leading from one pole of the battery or source A to and from the
electro-magnetic clutch 1, and thence to a contact stud 6. The other pole of the
battery or source is connected by a conductor 7 with a terminal 8. Alternating
in location or arrangement with the contacts 6 and 8, are other contacts 9 and 10.
11 and 12 are conductors leading to the respective brushes 13 and 14 of the
motor B, and having attached to their other ends movable contact members 15
and 16, which are connected to move in unison, and are designed to connect the
brushes 13 and 14 of the motor with the contacts 6 and 8, or the contacts 9
and 10, the former when it is desired to supply the motor with current from the
primary source A, and the latter when it is desired to supply it with current from
the electro-mechanical accumulator C. The connected contact members 15
and 16 are moved in one direction by an armature 17, subject to the influence of
an electro-magnet 18, and in the opposite direction by a spring 19, the electro-
magnet being in a circuit derived from the outer circuit, 20, 21, of the electro-
mechanical accumulator C when the latter is acting as a generator.
The drawing Fig. 2, shows the contacts 9 and 10 connected with the brushes of
the motor, this being the connection established when the primary supply A is
cut off and the motor is to be run by the electro-mechanical-accumulator. At
this time the circuit will be from the upper brush of the accumulator C, by
conductor 20, through the electro magnetic clutch 2, thence to contact 10, by
movable member 16 and conductor 12 to brush 14 into the motor, and from the
motor, by brush 13 conductor 11, movable member 15, contact 9, and conduc-
tor 21, to the lower brush of the accumulator generator. In this way the current
furnished by the electro-mechanical-accumulator is delivered to the clutch 2,
thereby causing the same to couple the shaft 3 of the translating device L to the
motor shaft, and it is also delivered to the motor to cause the actuation of the
latter.
So long as the current delivered by the accumulator actuating as a generator
is sufficient to energize the magnet 18 adequately to hold the movable members 15
and 16 upon the contacts 9 and 10, the operation will continue as described, and
the translating device will be put in motion. When, however, as will happen in
a short time, the speed of the fly-wheel e is so far reduced and the current output
of the electro-mechanical-accumulator falls so low that the magnet 18 can no
longer hold the members 15 and 16 in contact with the studs 9 and 10, the
spring 19 will move said members to the contacts 6 and 8. When this new
circuit is established and the circuit 20, 21 is broken, the wheel e will rotate
without load and without resistance other than that of friction, but the clutch 2
being de-energized, will disconnect the motor from the translating device L.
The new connection formed will establish a circuit from the battery or primary
source A by conductor 4, through clutch 1, conductor 5, contact 6, movable
member 15, conductor 11, and brush 13, to the motor, thence by brush 14, con-
ductor 12, movable contact 16, contact 8, and conductor 7, back to the source A.
This circuit, including the source A of electric energy serves not only to deliver
the actuating current to the motor, but also to energize the electro-magnetic
clutch 1, and to couple thereby the motor with the electro-mechanical accumu-
lator C, whereupon the same cycle of operations explained will again take place.
In Fig. 3, I have represented the same general plan of operation as first above
described, except that I have introduced a second electro-mechanical-accumu-
lator C with its speeding motor B¹, the parts and the circuits being so arranged
that when the fly-wheel of the first electro-mechanical accumulator C attains its
predetermined velocity and the circuits are so changed as to convert it into a
generator, its output of current is delivered to the motor B₁ which speeds the
fly-wheel of the second electro-mechanical accumulator C₁, which wheel runs free

page_text: until its given speed is attained, whereupon the current is switched from the
second motor B₁, and the accumulator operating as a generator, delivers
current to the translating device. By this arrangement the first motor which
possesses relatively little power, stores up, through prolonged use, a comparatively
greater power in the first electro-mechanical-accumulator, which, converting this
stored power during a short period into electrical energy, supplies and gives
motion to the second motor B', which, operating for a given period of time, stores
up in the fly-wheel of the second accumulator, a still higher degree of power than
was stored in the first, and subsequently converts this for a brief period into
electric energy greater than could be produced directly by the first or the second
motor acting for a like period of time.
The circuits, switches, contacts, and the like, which in Figure 3, are the same
as in Fig. 1 are lettered the same for convenience, the same parts in the second
section of Figure 3 being marked with an exponent to prevent confusion with
those of the first section.
While we have described the apparatus in a form which seems most convenient
for ready explanation, and in a form which we deem well adapted to the purpose,
it is to be understood that we do not restrict ourselves to such embodiment, nor
is it essential that the fly-wheel e be provided with coils or windings f, since we
make the same a permanent magnet.
As before stated, the character of the translating device is immaterial, and the
motor G and apparatus L of Figs. 1 and 2 are merely illustrative or indicative of
translating devices in general.
It is to be understood that the current is to be employed for any purpose for
which it may be found suitable.
It is further to be understood that the employment of an electric motor for
speeding the electro-mechanical accumulator, though advantageous, is not
essential, and that motion may be imparted to said wheel by any suitable means,
manually or otherwise. The construction shown and described, however, is
thoroughly automatic in its action, and is deemed in every way preferable to such
manually operated or to a manually controlled system, and is hence more than
the mere equivalent thereof.
The fly-wheel of the electro-mechanical-accumulator C is heavier than that of
the accumulator C, and motor B₁, is larger or more powerful than the motor B.
It is of course to be understood that the winding f represented in the drawings
for producing poles in the wheel e is merely indicative of any suitable winding,
and may be varied at will.
The term "fly-wheel" is used in a broad or general sense to indicate and to
include any form of rotating body having a reasonable mass or weight, and
The form
adapted to maintain for a considerable time motion imparted to it.
may be that of a wheel, disk, cylinder, sphere, or other shape.
Although toothed gearing is indicated as the means of connecting the motor
and the accumulator, it is obvious that any well known or common means of
connection or transmission, such as friction-gear, belting, sprocket wheels and
chain, or the like may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In an apparatus for storing up and applying energy, the combination of a
fly-wheel; means for imparting rotary movement to said wheel; an armature
encircling said wheel; and means for opening and closing the armature circuit,
whereby the wheel is enabled to run free with-in the armature and without load
during the operation of speeding it to a predetermined velocity, and is thereafter
caused to co-operate with the armature in the generation of an electric current.
2. In an apparatus for storing and accumulating energy, the combination of a
fly-wheel adapted to form one member of an electric generator an armature pro-

page_text: .
vided with coils or windings and encircling said wheel; conductors connected
with the terminals of the armature winding; a translating device connected with
said conductors; an electric motor connected with and serving to rotate said
wheel; a small electric generator rotatable with said wheel; a source of electric
energy serving to supply the motor; a switch adapted to close the supply circuit
of said motor and to open the circuit in which are included the fixed armature
coils or windings or to close the latter and to open the former; and an electro-
magnet included in the outer circuit of the small electric generator and serving
to actuate said switch.
3. In an apparatus for storing and accumulating energy, the combination of a
source of electric energy; a motor in circuit with said source; a fly-wheel geared
to said motor and adapted to be speeded thereby; coils or windings carried by
said fly-wheel and having their terminals connected with a commutator; brushes
bearing upon said commutator and electrically connected with the motor
brushes; a fixed armature encircling the fly-wheel; a small generator having its
armature carried by the shaft of said fly-wheel; a switch or circuit closer adapted
to complete the supply circuit of the motor and to interrupt the circuit including
the coils of the fixed armature, or to close the latter circuit and open the motor
supply circuit; an electric magnet for actuating said switch or circuit of closer,
said electro-magnet included in the circuit of said small generator; a resistance
and electro-magnet likewise included in said generator circuit; a short circuiting
bar or member located within the field of said electro magnet and serving when
attracted to short circuit a portion of said resistance; and a translating device
in circuit with the fixed armature coils.
4. In combination with an electric motor adapted to operate alternately as a
motor and a generator, a fly-wheel connected with said motor and adapted alter-
nately to be driven by and to drive the same; windings carried by said fly-
wheel; an armature encircling said wheel and serving when its windings are
closed in circuit to co-act with said wheel to produce an electric generator, and
means for alternately closing the motor supply circuit and opening the armature
coil circuit and for closing the armature coils circuit and opening the motor
supply circuit.
5. In an apparatus for accumulating and storing energy, the combination of a
primary source of electric energy; a motor; an electro-mechanical-accumulator
comprising a fly-wheel and encircling armature with appropriate wind-
ings; means for simultaneously closing the motor supply circuit
and opening the armature coil circuit, or closing the armature coil circuit and
opening the supply circuit and thereby converting the motor and the electro-
mechanical-accumulator both into electric generators; and a second apparatus
such as just described in circuit with the armature coils of the first apparatus,
whereby energy may be progressively accumulated, first in the first electro-
mechanical-accumulator, and thereafter in the second electro-mechanical-accumu-
lator, substantially as described.
6. In combination with a rotatable body and with means for imparting rotary
motion thereto; oils adapted to be brought into and thrown out of electric
generating relation with said body, and means controlled by said rotatable body,
adapted to bring said coils into generating relation when the body attains its
predetermined or maximum speed.
7. In combination with a rotatable body and with means for imparting rotary
motion thereto; coils adapted to be brought into and thrown out of electric
generating relation with said body, and means adapted to bring said coils into
generating relation when the body attains its predetermined or maximum speed.
Dated the 12th day of September 1900.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham.