IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES KNOWN UNDER THE NAME OF MAGNETO-ELECTRIC MACHINES
Year: 1856

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Hale Holmes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th March 1856.
I FREDERICK HALE HOLMES of London in the Kingdom of Great Britain
Analytical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES KNOWN UNDER THE NAME OF MAGNETO-ELECTRIC
MACHINES to be as follows:-
These improvements have for their object the obtaining powerful uniform,
and continuous currents of electricity always flowing or passing in the same
direction so that the current obtained may be used for all purposes in place
of that obtained from the more expensive "galvanic battery."
My Invention relates firstly to a novel arrangement of the helices and
magnets of magneto-electric machines and secondly to an improved com-
mutator and conductors, and means of adjusting the conductors on the same.
The magnets are so arranged that their poles occur at regular intervals
around the circumference of the wheels which carry the helices, and the helices
are also arranged so, on any one wheel that the centres of all the helices are
always in a similar position with respect to the corresponding poles of the
magnets, at every part of their revolution. When a machine has several
92628.

page_text: The first,
wheels of helices, whatever the number, it should be an even one.
third, fifth &c. must be placed on their axle in such a manner, relatively to
the second, fourth, sixth &c. wheels, that when the centres of the ends of the
helices of the first series, in revolving have arrived at a given point, the helices
of the other series will have their centres opposite a point a little in the rear
thereof. By this arrangement of the helices and magnets it will be under-
stood that all the helices of each wheel shall be at all parts of their
revolution in the same relative position, with respect to all the corresponding
poles of the magnets.
The currents of electricity induced in the several helices are collected by
the apparatus which forms the second head of my Invention, and which is
intended to act so as to avoid the generation of sparks, and the consequent
loss of electricity arising from the variation in the speed of rotation of the
commutator.
The commutator consists of two brass or copper insulated bands or rings
mounted on the axle of the helix wheels and revolving therewith. Pro-
iecting laterally from these rings, and filling nearly the intermediate space
are a series of plates of the same metal, the plates of the one ring occupying
the spaces between the plates of the other so as to present a metal track to the
metal surfaces for conducting off the electricity. The electric currents generated
by the rotation of the helices over the poles of the fixed magnets are conducted
by wires in the usual way to the commutator and they thence pass off through
two conductors which simultaneously bear alternately upon the parts of the
commutator which are respectively transmitting the induction and eduction
currents. The conductors may either be rollers or springs pressing on the
compound or divisional surface of the commutator. These conductors I attach
to opposite ends of an arched or segment frame which I support by rollers in
such a manner as will admit of the frame moving axially and advancing or
retiring the conductors so as to present them at the right moment to the
breaks or divisions in the metallic track upon which they bear. To effect this
object I connect the segment frame with a governor which receives motion
from the motive power engine employed to drive the helix wheels, and thus
as the speed increases or diminishes, an adjustment of the conductors will be
effected, so as to ensure their contact with the breaks or divisions at the
moment that the centres of the helices are opposite a point situate from the
edge of the magnets a distance equal to about a third of the breadth of
the poles thereof. The generation of sparks and the consequent destruction
of the commutators will thus be effectually avoided.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Frederick Hale Holmes in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 6th September 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I FREDERICK
HALE HOLMES of London in the Kingdom of Great Britain Analytical
Chemist send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Seventh day of March in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six in the nineteenth year of Her
reign did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto me
the said Frederick Hale Holmes Her special license that I the said
Frederick Hale Holmes my executors administrators and assigns or such
others as I the said Frederick Hale Holmes 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 MACHINES KNOWN UNDER THE NAME OF MAGNETO-
ELECTRIC MACHINES " upon the condition (amongst others) that I the said
Frederick Hale Holmes by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion 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 Frederick Hale Holmes do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 Drawings hereunto annexed
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say)-
These improvements have for their object the obtaining from magneto-
electric machines powerful uniform and continuous currents of electricity
always flowing or passing in the same direction so that the current obtained
may be used for all purposes in place of that obtained from the more expensive
galvanic battery.
In describing the nature of these improvements there is no necessity for
going into the general principles of these machines as they are well known I
shall therefore confine myself to my improvements which consist in the first
place in the symmetrical arrangement of certain parts of the machines viz

page_text: the helices and magnets and secondly in an improved commutator and con-
ductors, and means of adjusting the conductors on the same. For the greater
facility of explaining these improvements I will at once proceed to a description
of the accompanying Drawings.
a
In Sheet I. Fig 1 represents in front elevation and Fig: 2 in side elevation,
machine carrying six wheels of helices. A. A are the magnets set radially
around the driving shaft C. of the machine and fixed to the main framing
B. B are the wheels keyed to the driving shaft and carrying the helices a.
d
...
metal
In Sheet II. Fig: 3 represents the same arrangements with the magnets of
another form. Fig 4 is a partial side elevation shewing the arrangement for
collecting the currents of electricity-and Fig: 5 is an end elevation of the
same. In all the Figures the same letters of reference refer to the like parts.
C is the axle of the machine-D the commutator, the two parts of which are
insulated one from the other and marked 1 and 2 (see the enlarged views
Figs. 6) E is a cylinder of wood surrounding the axle C, to insulate the
commutator from it and through which the wires leading from the helices to
the different parts of the commutator pass-F is a moveable segment frame
for supporting the conductors-It is suspended between three antifriction
rollers b. b. b. G G are pieces of wood or ivory carried by the segment fraine
on to which are fastened the conductors H. H, consisting each of a
roller c, and spring & and fastened to the blocks G by the binding screws c.
I is a roller with a projecting tooth f. which takes into a notch formed in the
segment frame F. The axle g. of this roller is carried by a bracket bearing
attached to the main framing and on the end of this axle is an arm j. which
is jointed to a rod k. in connection with the governor K.
conveying the currents of electricity from the helices
parts 1 and 2 of which are shewn separated at Fig. 6.
Now it will be seen on referring to the general views that the magnets are
so arranged that their poles occur at regular intervals around the circumference
of the wheels which carry the helices and the helices are also arranged so, on
any one wheel that the centres of all the helices are always in a similar
position with respect to the corresponding poles of the magnets at every part
of their revolution-When a machine has several wheels of helices whatever
the number, it should be an even one and the first third fifth &c. should be
placed on their axle in such a manner relatively to the second fourth sixth S
&c. wheels that when the centres of the ends of the helices of the first series
in revolving have arrived at a given point the helices of the other series will
have their centres opposite a point a little in the rear thereof. The current
of electricity induced in each helix is collected as shewn by the Diagram
1
"
2
יוני.
are the wires for
the commutator-the
10:
...
1:31.
1.1 400
W

page_text: marked S in Sheet I. the blue lines in which indicate whether the exterior or
interior ends of the wires forming the helices are connected.
The second part of these improvements consists in an improved commutator
and improved conductors and in the manner of mounting these conductors so
as to do without any kind of lubrication on the commutator and at the same
time to avoid creating the series of sparks on the passing of the conductors over
the divisions of the commutator which sparks cause so great a loss of electricity
and destroy the commutator when powerful currents are being collected.
The conductors H H' are so adjusted on the commutator D that when the
centres of the helices are opposite a point distant about one-third from the side
on the breadth of the pole of a magnet in the direction in which the machine
turns (this point will vary a little with the different magnets according to
their force) the rollers of the conductors should be on the divisions of the
commutator so that one roller of a pair will be just on the point of passing
from No. 1 to 2 and the other from 2. to 1. (see Figures 5 and 6). When
the machine is started it. will be found that at low velocities there will now be
no spark on the passing of the conductors over the divisions, but as the speed
increases beyond a certain point a spark will appear and gradually augment
till on a high speed being attained it will become a real combustion of con-
ductors and commutator. To obviate this the point of contact of the conductors
with the commutator is varied as the speed increases or diminishes by the
speed itself by means of the governor K which by the augmentation of
velocity flies open and lifts the rod . which acting on the arm j. turns the
roller I which in its turn acting by means of the tooth or projection f, in the
notch of the segment frame F. causes that frame to advance more or less
according to the speed of the machine-thus no matter how the speed may
vary from time to time no electricity will be lost or spark produced. Rotary
motion is imparted to the machine from any prime mover through a strap on
the driving pulley of the axle C and rotary motion is transmitted from this
shaft to the governor K by means of the arrangement of bands and pulleys
shewn at Fig: 1.
The result of these various improvements is à constant powerful uniform
and continuous current of electricity obtained at a very small expense of
motive power and requiring no acids or other chemical agents for its pro-
duction-Currents of electricity thus produced I propose to employ First for
the purpose of producing (in combination with a proper apparatus) what is
well known as the "electric light" for light houses ships and signals Secondly.
In the manufacture of iron and steel for the purpose of obtaining a better
product and in less than the ordinary time. Thirdly. In the separation of metals

page_text: agency
of
from their ores in any of the ways already proposed for applying the a
electric currents. And Fourthly. In the process of making coke for the purpose
of separating the sulphur..
Having now set forth the nature and object of my Invention of "Improve-
ments in machines known under the name of Magneto-electric Machines "
and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the number of magnets or helices
herein represented as surrounding any one wheel or to the distance between
the poles of the magnets-But what I claim under the First head of this Inven-
tion and by the above in part recited Letters Patent is the arrangement of the
helices and magnets in such a manner on and around each wheel that all the
helices of each wheel shall be at all parts of its revolution in the same relative
position with respect to all the corresponding poles of the magnets. I also
claim the employment of an even number of wheels carrying helices arranged
with regard to the two series as herein described.
Under the Second head of the Invention I claim the arrangement of
commutators and conductors as herein described And particularly I claim the
means herein described or any mere modification thereof for ensuring the self-
adjustment of the conductors for the purpose above set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Hale Holmes have hereunto
set my hand and seal the Second day of September in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
FREDERICK HALE HOLMES. (L.S.)