IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY." A
communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste Java Mignon and Stanislas
Henri Rouart, both of Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th August 1881.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC MACHINES OR APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY." A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste
Java Mignon and Stanislas Henri Rouart, both of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to improvements in electric machines or apparatus for
generating electricity, whereby great economy and simplicity of construction are
obtained, as hereinafter more fully described.
Electrical apparatus as ordinarily constructed is composed of two parts or
elements, one serving for the absorption of the electric fluid and consisting, for
example, in the pads or cushions which prepare the surface for absorption in
ordinary electrical machines, the wedges of hardened india rubber in Bertsch's
apparatus and the magnets and electric magnets in magneto electric machines.
The other part or element serves to enable the electric fluid which has been
absorbed to be collected, and consists, for example, in the glass disc in the electrical
machine, the disc of hardened india rubber in Bertsch's apparatus, or the coils of
wire in the different descriptions of magneto electric machines.
Hence it will be perceived that the electrical apparatus usually employed may
be divided into two classes, videlicet:-First, apparatus in which the absorbing
element is stationary and the collecting element moveable; and, secondly,
apparatus in which this arrangement is inverted, that is to say, in which the
absorbing element is moveable, and the collecting element stationary. To these
two systems may now be added a third, which combines both the absorbing and
LD C

page_text: the collecting element in one, and which on this account will probably be found in
practice to be the most simple of all electrical apparatus.
The improved apparatus is constructed on the principle of the apparatus
employed for obtaining what is known as static electricity, as being in general the
most simple.
In the latter class of apparatus the electricity is usually collected on plates or
discs of nonconducting material in liew of in coils of wire, as in the case of dynamo-
electric machines.
In carrying out this Invention as applied to the construction of machines with
stationary collecting elements, the apparatus is constructed with a cylinder
composed of nonconducting materials, such as glass, hardened india rubber, wood,
and the like. This cylinder is stationary and is enclosed, except at its extremities,
in a metal cylinder which forms a support, being provided for this purpose with a
suitable base plate resting upon an insulating substance. A number of pads or
rubbers of ordinary construction are mounted upon a shaft or axis passed through
the centre of the glass cylinder and revolve in contact with the interior of the
latter. This central axis carries a number of hollow radial arms, and the rubbers
are provided with corresponding rods, which slide in the said arms and are pressed
outwards against the internal periphery of the glass cylinder by centrifugal force,
so as to exert a pressure against the said cylinder in proportion to the speed at
which the shaft or axis is caused to revolve. The elasticity of the working is
augmented by the employment of springs arranged between the rods and the
hollow arms.
Suitable bearings mounted on standards, insulated or not from the
ground, serve to support the central shaft or axis which receives its motion from
any suitable motor by the intervention of cranks, pulleys, or other convenient
gear, insulated if necessary according to the force of the motive power employed.
The electricity may be collected upon the axis of the rubbers and upon the
metal cylinder herein before described, or if necessary by the employment of points
or other ordinary collectors arranged between the rubbers and rotating with the
latter, being also placed in communication with one another and insulated from the
axis of rotation.
This apparatus may be readily converted into a magneto-electric machine. For
this purpose it will be simply necessary to employ electro magnets in the place of
the rubbers hereinbefore described, the said electro magnets being likewise caused
to rotate in a similar manner to the said rubbers.
It may be found desirable to increase the effect of induction in these machines
working with electro magnets, and for this purpose the cylinder of glass or other
suitable material may be covered with a thin sheet of tin laid over the whole of
its internal surface.
.
It may also be advantageous in practise to divide this cylinder into an
indefinite number of elements by means of bands or strips of, tin, arranged at a
certain distance from each other and parallel with the axis, being also connected
together by any suitable means at the extremities of the cylinders. A series of
condensers is thus obtained which receive the effects of the action of induction.
Machines with moveable collectors are constructed according to this Invention
by simply converting a machine for producing static electricity, and similar to
what is known as the Bertsch machine into a magnetic electric machine. For this
purpose, in lieu of the segments of hardened india-rubber which in the said Bertsch
machine are caused to absorb a certain amount of electricity it is proposed to
employ a suitable number of stationary electro magnets as absorbers arranged
radiably in front of a rotating disc of nonconducting or metallic material, which if
desired may be covered with tin in the same manner as the cylinder of the machine
hereinbefore described.
The poles of one denomination may be arranged side by side or alternately with
the poles of the opposite denomination; or again, the poles of one denomination
only may be presented to the action of the revolving disc, but in the latter case
the electro magnets are arranged perpendicularly to the said disc. The speed of

page_text: rotation of the disc or collector, the distance of the poles, magnets, or electro magnets
depends on the nature or composition of the disc employed.
When a non-conducting disc is employed the electricity may be collected by
means of points or rubbers suitably arranged, as in the case of the machine herein-
before described, that is to say, arranged between the poles of the magnets, and
attached or fixed in the same manner as the latter.
By employing a metal disc the apparatus is caused to act in the same manner
as an ordinary electric machine; for example, a disc susceptible of magnetic
influence may be arranged with a coil of insulated copper wire placed on its
periphery, the ends of the said wire being brought up to the axis of the disc so as
to enable the currents produced to be collected by means of an ordinary commu-
tator. The electricity may also be collected on the axis of the revolving disc when
the latter is constructed of copper.
According to this Invention electrical machines may also be constructed with
one element only, which performs the same functions as the two elements of
ordinary electrical machines, dynamo electric machines, and the like. This result
is obtained by simply utilising the inductive action of the earth. For this purpose
a series of helices of copper wire is employed, the said helices being attached to a
non-conducting cylinder or axis. The wires are coiled round this axis in the same
manner as the threads of a screw, having a number of threads, and are connected
together upon the said axis in such a manner as to present as many extremities as
there are helices.
These extremities are suitably terminated and insulated from each other, so as to
present a surface either parallel with or perpendicular to the axis, and forming a
series of inclined planes insulated with regard to each other, upon which there may
be applied suitable rubbers operated in any known and convenient manner.
The axis or cylinder herein before referred to is caused to rotate by hand or
power, and works in bearings carried by a suitable base plate, if required, and so
constructed to be capable of adjustment for the purpose of inclining the axis to the
required angle corresponding to the dip of the needle. The apparatus is also
adjusted according to the direction of the magnetic meridian.
A similar result may be obtained by employing straight wires in lieu of coils or
helices. According to this arrangement any suitable number of straight insulated
wires is arranged upon an insulating central cylinder or axis supported by adjustable
bearings, as herein before described, and the electricity is collected at the ends of
the wires, or at the sides in the usual manner.
In case this arrangement is found in practice to necessitate the employment of
inconveniently long wires requiring a cylinder of unwieldly size, the desired result
may be obtained by doubling the wire on itself. By this means a species of coil
is obtained, the elements of which are wound upon a non-conducting body or
cylinder connected to the rotatory axis.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions. of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th February 1882.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC MACHINES OR APPARATUS
FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY." A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste
Java Mignon, and Stanislas Henri Rouart, both of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to improvements in electric machines or apparatus for
generating electricity, whereby great economy and simplicity of construction are
obtained, as hereinafter described.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
The said improvements are based upon the principle that there is only one kind
of electricity and not two, as would appear to be the case from the use of the terms
"static electricity " and " dynamic electricity." There exists only one electricity,
which is stored up in the earth, and under its influence all bodies become more or
less readily charged, according to their nature, and under conditions which have
been ascertained by experiment.
Electrical apparatus as ordinarily constructed is composed of two parts or
elements, one serving for the absorption of the electricity, and consisting, for
example, in the pads or cushions which prepare the surface for absorption in
ordinary electrical machines, the wedges of hardened india rubber in Bertsch's
apparatus, and the magnets and electro magnets in magneto-electric machines. The
other part or element serves to enable the electricity which has been absorbed to
be collected, and consists, for example, in the glass disc in the electrical machine,
the disc of hardened india rubber in Bertsch's apparatus, or the coils of wire in the
different descriptions of magneto-electric machines.
Hence it will be perceived that the electrical apparatus usually employed may be
divided into two classes, videlicit, first, apparatus in which the absorbing element is
stationary, and the collecting element moveable; and, secondly, apparatus in which
this arrangement is inverted, that is to say, in which the absorbing element is
moveable, and the collecting element stationary. To these two systems may now
be added a third, which combines both the absorbing and the collecting element in
one, and which on this account will probably be found in practice to be the most
simple of all electrical apparatus.
The improved apparatus constituting this Invention is constructed on the
principle of the apparatus employed for obtaining what is known as "static
electricity," as being in general the most simple.
In ordinary machines for obtaining static electricity, which are comparatively
simple, the electricity is usually collected on plates or discs of non conducting
material in lieu of in coils of wire, as in the case of dynamo-electric machines. In
practise, as the electricity is not able to pass readily through the disc the latter
retains it for a time and produces the same effect as a coil having an infinite
number of insulated elements. An insulating plate is in any case more simple
than a coil, and by its employment one of the two elements of a dynamo electric
machine is rendered less complex.
In carrying out this Invention, the apparatus is constructed as next hereinafter
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In the said Drawings, Figure 1 represents in longitudinal section and transverse

page_text: section an electrical machine with a stationary collector, constructed according to
this Invention.
Figure 2 shews a modification as hereinafter described.
Figure 3 shews vertical sections taken at right angles to each other of a machine
with a moveable collector, and Figure 4 shews a modification of the same.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a machine constructed with a single element
acting both as collector and absorber, and Figures 6 and 7 are details hereinafter
described.
The improved electrical machine with stationary collecting elements illustrated
in Figure 1, is constructed by the application of modern mechanical principles to
the electrical machine usually employed in the study of physical phenomena.
The said apparatus consists essentially of a cylinder A constructed of non
conducting materials, such as glass, hardened india rubber, wood, and the like.
This cylinder is stationary and is enclosed except at its extremities in a metal
cylinder B which forms a support, being provided for this purpose with a suitable
base plate resting upon an insulating substance C. A number of pads or rubbers
D, D', D", of ordinary construction are mounted upon a shaft or axis H passed
through the centre of the cylinder A, the said pads or rubbers revolving in contact
with the interior of the said cylinder A. The central axis H carries a number of
hollow radial arms g, g¹, gl, and the rubbers are provided with corresponding rods f
ff, which slide in the said arms and are pressed outwards against the internal
periphery of the glass cylinder by centrifugal force so as to exert a pressure against
the said cylinder A, in proportion to the speed at which the shaft or axis H is
caused to revolve. The elasticity of the working is augmented by the employ-
ment of springs, as shewn, arranged between the rods f and the hollow arms g.
Bearings V, V, mounted on standards, insulated or not from the ground, serve to
support the central shaft or axis H, which receives its motion from any suitable
motor by the intervention of cranks, pulleys, or other convenient gear insulated if
necessary, according to the force of the motive power employed.
The electricity may be taken or discharged from the axis H of the rubbers, and
from the metal cylinder B. In case difficulty is experienced (contrary to what
would appear probable from the experiments of Faraday upon the tendency of
electricity to pass to the surfaces of bodies, even through non conducting substances)
in effecting the absorption of the electricity in this manner, the electricity may be
discharged by the employment of points or other ordinary collectors arranged
at m, m. These points may be arranged between the rubbers and rotate with the
latter, being placed in communication with one another, and insulated from the
axis of rotation, as seen clearly in the longitudinal section.
The speed of rotation, the weight and arrangement of the the pads or rubbers D,
D¹, D", relatively to each other must be adjusted in the manner best calculated
to obtain a maximum amount of useful effect from the apparatus.
This apparatus may be readily converted into a magneto electric machine if
required. For this purpose it will be simply necessary to employ electro magnets
instead of the rubbers D, D', D¹, for absorbing the electricity, the said electro-
magnets being likewise caused to rotate in a similar manner to the said rubbers.
Figure 2 is a transverse section illustrating this modification. In case it is
found desirable to increase the inductive action in these machines working with
electro magnets, the cylinder A may be covered with a thin sheet of tin laid over
the whole of its, internal surface. It may also be advantageous in practice to
divide the cylinder A into a number of elements by means of bands or strips of tin
arranged at a certain distance from each other and parallel with the axis, being
also connected together by any suitable means at the extremities of the cylinder.
A series of condensers is thus obtained which receive the effects of the action of
induction.
Machines with moveable collectors are constructed according to this Invention
by simply converting a machine for producing static electricity, and similar to
what is known as the Bertsch machine, into a magneto electric machine. For this

page_text: purpose, in lieu of the segments of hardened india rubber, which in the said Bertsch
machine are caused to absorb a certain amount of electricity, a suitable number of
stationary electro magnets acting as absorbers are employed, as hereinafter
described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. According to the arrangement
illustrated in Figure 3, three magnets are employed, presenting six poles, before
which rotates a disc of insulating or metallic material. The poles of one
denomination may be arranged side by side or alternately with the poles of the
opposite denomination; or, again, the poles of one denomination only may be
presented to the action of the revolving disc, but in the latter case the electro-
magnets are arranged perpendicularly to the said disc, as shown in Figure 4. The
speed of rotation of the disc or collector, the distance of the poles, magnets, or
electro magnets depends on the nature or composition of the disc employed.
When a non conducting disc is employed the electricity may be taken off or
discharged by means of points or rubbers suitably arranged, as in the case of the
machine hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, that is to say,
arranged between the poles of the magnets and attached or fixed in the same
manner as the latter.
By employing a metal disc the apparatus is caused to act in the same manner as
an ordinary magneto electric machine; for example, a disc susceptible of magnetic
influence may be arranged, as shown in Figure 3, with a coil of insulated copper
wire placed at a on its periphery, the ends of the said wire being brought up to
the axis of the disc so as to enable the currents produced to be discharged or
collected by means of an ordinary commutator. The electricity may also be taken
from the axis of the revolving disc when the latter is constructed of copper.
In Figure 4, A to A are the electro magnets for absorbing the electricity;
B is the collecting disc revolving on an axis C which may be supported in bearings
like those shown in Figure 3 and marked D. The details of the construction are
similar to those in the arrangement hereinbefore described, subject generally to the
usual conditions of working electric machines. The points for collecting the
electricity are shewn clearly in this Figure.
Machines constructed as hereinbefore described utilize for the production of
electricity in a practical manner the experiments made by Arago on the deviation
of the magnetic needle by means of a disc of copper simply revolving at a short
distance from the said needle. The arrangement herein before described, consisting
in the employment of tin surfaces for increasing the inductive action is equally
applicable to the machines with discs.
According to the arrangement next hereinafter described, an improved electrical
machine is constructed with one element only which performs the same functions
as the two elements of ordinary electrical machines, dynamo electric machines, and
the like. This result is obtained by simply utilizing the inductive action of the
earth. For this purpose a series of helices of copper wire is employed, the said
helices being attached to a non conducting cylinder or axis. The wires are coiled
round this axis in the same manner as the threads of a screw having a number of
threads, and are connected together upon the said axis in such a manner as to
present as many extremities as there are helices. These extremities are suitably
terminated and insulated from each other so as to present a surface either parallel
with or perpendicular to the axis, and forming a series of inclined planes insulated,
with regard to each other, upon which there may be applied suitable rubbers
operated in any known and convenient manner.
The apparatus constructed according to this arrangement is illustrated in
Figure 5. The axis or cylinder A is rotated by hand or any other suitable power
working in bearings carried by a base plate, as shewn, and so constructed as to be
capable of adjustment for the purpose of inclining the axis to the required angle
corresponding to the dipping needle. The apparatus is also adjusted according to
the direction of the magnetic meridian.
.
The experiment of Faraday, upon the results of which the principle of this
apparatus is based, show that the coiling of the wire in a helix acts simply by

page_text: increasing the length, consequently the same result may be obtained from the ends
of straight wires. In this case the action of each of such wires is doubtless very
small, but the combined effects from all the wires produces the desired result.
Figures 6 illustrates this arrangement, in which a, a, a, are the ends of any
suitable number of insulated wires arranged upon an insulating central cylinder or
axis B of a convenient length and diameter. The electricity is discharged and
collected at the ends of the wires or at the sides in the usual manner, as herein-
before described.
In case this arrangement is found to necessitate in practise the employment of
inconveniently long wires requiring a cylinder of unwieldly size, the desired result
may be obtained by doubling the wire on itself, as shewn at a, a', a", Figure 7.
By this means a species of coil is obtained, the elements of which are wound upon.
a non conducting body or cylinder connected to the rotatory axis B.
The electricity is discharged in the same manner as in the case of the two
machines lastly hereinbefore described, and the adjustment of the direction of the
axis is also similar to that of these two machines.
The apparatus described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 enable discs or cylinders
of materials known as bad conductors to be employed for the purpose of dynamo
electric machines, whereby the construction of the latter is greatly simplified, whilst
the apparatus described with reference to Figures 5 to 7 has for its object reducing
electrical machines to their most simple form by combining their absorbing and
collecting elements in one.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,―
First. In electrical machines or apparatus for generating electricity constructed
with stationary collecting elements and moveable absorbing elements, the
arrangement or combination of the stationary cylinder or collecting element (A), the
metal cylinder (B), and the revolving rubbers, magnets, or absorbing elements,
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
.
Second. In electrical machines or apparatus for generating electricity constructed
with moveable collecting elements and stationary absorbing elements, the arrange-
ment or combination of the revolving disc or collecting element, and the stationary
electro magnets, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 3
and 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The construction and arrangement or combination of parts constituting
the electrical machine or apparatus for generating electricity, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the accompanying
Drawings, wherein the inductive action of the earth is utilised, and the collecting
and absorbing elements are combined in one.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Third day of February, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.