Improvements in or relating to Electrically Propelled Motor Road Vehicles."
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1896.
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
[Cominunicated from abroad by JULIEN DULAIT of Charleroi in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Engineer.]
"Improvements in or relating to Electrically Propelled Motor Road
Vehicles."
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements consist essentially in certain devices for regulating the mode
of progression and the speed of electrically propelled motor road vehicles of various
kinds, and their attachments both voluntarily at the desire of the person operating
them, as also automatically independently of the will of the operator, the object in
view in each case being attained by the interposition of resistances in the main
current circuits.
The applications of this principle are obviously very numerous and the nature of
the invention is hereinafter set forth by way of example in one application in each.
case respectively, but without limiting the same to the details described.
By means of the first voluntary mode of regulation, it is possible to give a mount
of any kind, representing a riding animal the various motions of walking, trotting,
or galloping, by means of the traction of the reins or the pressure imparted by the
knees of the rider.
The motor apparatus comprises two distinct parts first the riding animal and
secondly the vehicle carrying it and containing the electromagnetic organs which
determine its various motions. The animal is supported by two supports which may
both of them move vertically within certain limits. The horse is pivoted to these
supports so that they can impart to it a motion somewhat resembling that of a horse
when walking trotting or galloping respectively.
The lower ends of the supports, provided with rollers, rest upon the cams or cones
fixed on the main shaft of the motor. These cams or cones are so shaped that the
motions of the horse correspond to the speed of progression of the motor, and as
the same increases or diminishes, the gait of the horse will correspondingly and
successively alter. The succession of separate or simultaneous motions of the said
horse may be regulated at will both for the positions named as also of intermediate
ones by means of the shape given to each of the cams and to their position paralle!
to the main shaft or placed at an angle the one with regard to the other. The
proportion between the various successive paces of the horse and its speed along the
line of progression of the machine is determined in the following manner. The
main shaft is capable of motion along its axial line in its bearings. The armature
of the motor being fixed to the shaft, follows its motion. The shaft and armature
are pushed as far as possible towards the right by means of an opposing spring and the
armature and the electric motor are so arranged that the armature may pass into
the magnetic field of the motor whilst obeying the rotation created by this. field.
It should be noted that the mass of iron of the armature when the field of the motor

page_text: is developed is attracted along the line of the axis of the shaft and tends to penetrate
more deeply into the said field, and that in consequence of this the motion of rotation
increases the speed of the vehicle quickly. The brush holders held by their supports
as far as the rotary motion is concerned are displaced along with the armature; the
opposing spring is stretched in such a manner that joining its force to the resistance
of the sloping surfaces of the cums the various positions which the armature takes in
the interior of the magnetic field will correspond also to the paces desired.
Motion is imparted to the wheels of the vehicle from the main shaft preferably by
means of a worm sliding on the shaft by means of a slot and feather and kept in its
place by ball bearings, gearing into a worm-wheel keyed on one of the car axles.
It follows that the rotation of the armature causes the rotation of the car axle at a
speed proportional to the number of turns which the armature makes in a unit of
time. The motor receives an electric current of any kind suitable to cause it to effect
the necessary work. The motor is preferably calculated for the purpose of giving a
maximum effect at the desired speed and in the conditions requisite according to the
nature of the current of the feed and of the work to be done, and is provided with
rheostats for the purpose of regulation arranged as follows and controllable by the
rider himself seated upon the horse. The control of these rheostats is effected either
by the bridle acting upon the bit or by the pressure of the knees acting upon the
sides of the saddle bearer.
By pulling at the bridle against the pressure of an opposing spring the resistance
of the rheostat is varied by aid of a rack and pinion or other suitable mechanism
and more or less resistance is thereby interposed in the circuit, consequently varying
the speed of the electric motor.
Or pressure by the knees of the rider may act on pivoted spring plates or levers
similarly connected to resistances, or the two methods may he combined. The
resistances may be arranged either in the interior of the horse or on the car.
The device for automatically regulating the speed of an electric motor by varying
the resistances is preferably carried out as follows:-
At the upper part of the apparatus is placed a vessel having for its object to limit
the movement of one or more balls propelled by centrifugal force against its walls,
and arranged so as to always return those balls towards the centre as soon as the
actuating force of the balls become sufficiently diminished. At the centre of this
vessel is placed a movable plate of special form. At its periphery the said plate is
terminated by a circle of sockets of sufficient size to contain easily a ball. These
sockets correspond by means of channels movable with the plate to orifices which
are fixed, and form part of the fixed portion of the apparatus. Each orifice
communicates with two small channels. The first slopes downwards, directing itself
radially towards the exterior of the apparatus, the second is vertical and of variable
length. At the point of the intersection of these two channels is placed a hinged
double flap formed of two wings at a right angle to each other having a surface
approximately equal to that of the channels. The two wings of the moving piece
are not equal in length; one is longer and fixes itself slightly in the vertical channel
the other is considerably shorter. A little lever on the outside of the channels is in
one piece with the axis of the moving part aforesaid and communicates with the end
of the apparatus by means of a string. The movement of the moving piece following
the pull of the string is limited by a stop for this purpose placed at the point
of coincidence.
The channel which is vertical is continued up to a chamber. Its lower orifice is
stopped by a spherical plug having a stem sliding with easy friction and guided in a
sleeve. The end of the stem is terminated by a cone of compressed carbon plunging
more or less into a liquid or a solution which is a good conductor of electricity, such
as mercury, bi-carbonate of soda or other liquid. The stem by means of its sleeve is
insulated electrically from the liquid as is also the cone of carbon. One end of a slack
cable connects them to the terminal which itself by means of conducting cables
receives a current of any kind from outside.
Let us suppose the plate excited by a movement of rapid rotation, and if one then

page_text: introduces a ball by the central orifice this ball following the conicity of the plate
directs itself towards the periphery of the same where it encounters the projections
of the sockets which cause it to receive the rotating movement of the plate, and
throw it by centrifugal force into the race exactly as in the wellknown gaine called
"Roulette." When the force stored up in the ball and the speed of rotation of the
plate are sufficiently diminished the ball will pass into the channel and fall into the
vertical channel through the orifice. In its fall it strikes the wing of the moving
piece which turning round its point carries with it the wing which then blocks the
vertical channel just as the other wing did but without permitting that any ball come
down it again and giving at the same time access to the other channel. Consequently
a falling ball will direct itself towards the outside radially through the sloping channel.
The ball falling down the vertical channel strikes the plug which it forces down
against the resistance of the spring which holds it up. Once driven down a certain
amount by reason of the weight of the ball the plug is fixed by a rack and catch
engaging the one in the other. Consequently the cone plunges more or less in the
conducting liquid determining a surface contact with this corresponding to the depth
of this immersion, the special resistance of the circuit for this momentary position
of the cone is consequently due to the weight of the ball and to the height of its
fall. When the ball has fixed the plug at a given point of the rack it rolls off this
plug on account of its conical surface and falls into the chamber and rolls away
towards the outside of the apparatus. If several balls are made use of they will place
themselves successively in each of the chambers provided and act upon the plugs
corresponding to each of the rheostats thus controlling in a manner independent of
the will of the operator the resistance of the feed circuits in which are interposed the
resisting liquids themselves. It results then that after one or more operations
the plugs in whole or part are forced down to different positions. When it is desired
that these should resume their original position it is only necessary to draw up a pull
which disengages the rack. The number and dimensions of the working parts can
be increased as may be requisite.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.
Patent Agents for the Applicant, 322, High Holborn, London, W.C.
DI PUITT
"Improvements in or relating to Electrically Propelled Motor Road
Vehicles."
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, 6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and
Lower Temple Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
perforined to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement.
The improvements consist. essentially on certain devices for regulating the mode of
progression, and the speed of electric motors of various kinds, and their attachments
both voluntarily at the desire of the person operating them, as also automatically
independently of the will of the operator, the object in view in each case being
attained by the interposition of resistances in the main current circuits.
The applications of this principle are obviously very numerous and the nature of
the invention is hereinafter set. forth by way of example in one application in each
case respectively, but without limiting the same to the details described.

page_text: By means of the first voluntary mode of regulation, it is possible to give a mount
of any kind, representing a riding animal the various motions of walking, trotting, or
galloping, by means of the traction of the reins or the pressure imparted by the
knees of the rider.
In its complete form the apparatus comprises two distinct parts, first the riding
animal represented by the straight line A. B of the Figure 1, of the drawings
attached, and secondly the vehicle containing the electromagnetic organs which
determine its various notions. The line A B is accordingly supported by the two
supports these supports may both of them move vertically following their axis
within certain limits. These supports are connected to the line A B by pivots ¹
enabling this line not only to he raised by either of them separately or together, but
also to possesss an oscillating movement around each of the pivots . The lower
ends of the bars are provided with rollers g' g² the axis of rotation of which is
arranged in such a manner that their rolling upon the cams G' G2 causes little
friction.
The section shewn in Figure 1 represents the cams GG2 and shews that on the
rotation of the axle X with which they are connected the rollers follow the windings
of the said cams raising and lowering the barst according to the respective
distance between the points of contact of the cams and the axle X. The axle X can
also be moved in addition to its rotary motion in the bearings d¹ d. The rollers g¹ g²
of the bars which they support are arranged as shewn in Figure 1. The roller gl
possesses by the rotation of the axle X an eccentric motion rising and falling very
slightly at each revolution of X; the roller g2 has the same action but altuust imper-
ceptibly; from this the line A B or the saddle bearing animal receives a very small
up and down motion corresponding to the walking pace of the saddle bearer A B, if
it he moved in the direction of the arrow Y¹ Z. Let us now suppose that the axle X.
for a reason which we will ascertain later has moved the cams G1 G2 in such a manner
that the roller gl be at p ql and the roller g' at p² q² then g¹ will experience an
eccentric motion up and down of considerable extent whereas g2 will only possess a
relatively small motion. The undulations which the line A B or saddle bearer will
then receive correspond to those of the riding animal at the trot, if at the same time
the speed of the saddle bearer in the direction Y' Z be proportionately increased.
Finally if the axle X is so adjusted in the direction of the arrow that the rollers take
the position R S and R S for instance, the motion of the eccentric which is
transmitted to the bar in its last position will become suddenly less, whilst the rising
and falling motion of the bar will on the contrary be considerably increased. The
totality of these two motions caused simultaneously and combined with an increasing
and proportionately quickened speed of the whole apparatus in the direction Y¹ Zi
imitates the motion of the gallop in A B (or the saddle bearer). If the axle X whilst
continuing to revolve, but with a progressive reduction of speed, resumes its position
as shewn in the drawing, the rollers, the supports, and consequently the saddle
bearer will also resume their original walking speed pussing through the intermediate
speed of the trot. The succession of separate or simultaneous motions of the said
saddle bearer may be regulated at will both for the positions named as also for inter-
mediate ones by means of the shape given to each cam and to its position parallel to
the axle X or placed in an angle with regard to one another. The proportion
between the various successive paces of the saddle bearer and its speed in the
direction of the arrow Y¹¹ is determined thus. The shaft X can move along its
axial line in the bearings d¹ d² carrying with it the armature I (Fig. 3) fixed to it.
In the position shewn in the drawing the piece I and the shaft X are pushed as far
as possible towards the right by means of the opposing spring (Fig. 1) and the
armature I and the dynamo D are so arranged that I can enter the magnetic field of
the dynamo D and be rotated thereby. It should be noted that the armature I is
attracted (when the magnetic field of the dynamo D is developed) in the direction
of the arrow Y¹ and tends to penetrate more deeply into the said field, and that in
consequence of this the rotary motion quickly increases and the speed of the vehicle
likewise. It is obvious that the current collector held by the supports e is moved

page_text: along concurrently with the armature as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. The spring is
so placed that joining its force to the resistance of the sloping surfaces of the cams,
the various positions which the armature I takes within the magnetic field will
correspond both to the paces determined by the positions of g¹ g2 on the cams as also
to the speed appropriate to each of these paces. For the purpose of assisting the
adjustment of the armature I in the direction of the arrow Y¹ Z as well as its return
movement the bar t¹ bears a stop at in one piece with it. The guide v¹ is so placed
that when the roller g is on the point of reaching its lowest position the atop a
supports upon v¹ the roller g¹ which follows the cam. At this moment the armature I is
released from the influence of the roller g¹. If needful the same arrangement may
be applied to the bar . The shaft X bears the worm V keyed on it and revolving
with it, but the worm VI nevertheless permits the gradual displacement of the axle X
within itself in the direction Y Z and back again. The roller bearings B B retain
the worm in place thus preventing it from following the axial motion of the shaft in
either direction. The worm V₁ gears into the worm wheel 0° rigidly attached to the
shaft c which is itself rigidly attached to the wheels f. It follows that the rotation
of the armature I causes the propulsion of H at a speed directly proportional to the
number of turns which I makes in a unit of time. The motor or the intermediate
dynamo D receives an electric current of any kind suitable to cause it to effect the
necessary work. The motor is preferably calculated for the purpose of giving a
maximum effect at the desired speed and in the conditions requisite according to the
nature of the current of the feed and of the work to be done, and is provided with
rheostats for the purpose of regulation arranged as follows, and controllable by the
rider himself seated upon the saddle. The control of these rheostats is effected
either by the bridle acting upon the bit or by the pressure of the knees acting upon
the sides of the saddle bearer. The Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent the rheostat
actuated by the bit. The bit is pivoted at i and is supposed to be taken between the
teeth of the saddle bearer. At the end thereof a of the branch i a of the bit is fixed
the bridle. The end a¹ of the branch i a¹ of the same bit is therefore drawn along in
the direction of the arrows a by every pull at the bridle. The point a¹ when moved
carries with it the cord a B CD E which follows the windings of the neck of the
saddle bearer guided by pulleys B CD (and others if necessary) and is attached by
its end E to the rack M. This latter is normally held back in the direetion of the
arrow B by the counter spring . The rack M gears with the pinion p fixed to
the arm D¹ which effects contact with the keys T¹ T2 T3 and so forth of a graduated
rheostat. Consequently every pull at the bridle will readjust the contact of the
arm D¹ with the said keys, interposing more or less resistance in the circuit of the
motor consequently regulating the speed and the power of the machine. The Key of
the Rheostat is suitably placed with respect to the arm D¹.
Figures 6 and 7 represent the control, by means of the knees of a regulating
rheostat for the motor. P P Figure 7 are small plates forming levers and pivoted
at 01 02 respectively. These plates press against the movable sides of the saddle
bearer against which they are held by the double spring R which tends always to
separate them. Racks in the shape of an arc of a circle n¹n engage with the
pinion plo. This controls the arm D' which passes a contact over the keys of the
rheostat H2 as in the movement controlled by the bridle. It results from this
arrangement that if pressure be applied to the little plates overcoming the spring R
the resistance of the feed circuit of the motor is varied, consequently its power and its
speed. In the same way as before described the key of the rheostat can be at the
beginning or at the end of the movement of the small plates. These two rheostats
may be interposed in series or otherwise in the feed circuit of the motor according to
the results to be obtained. Other resistances may be placed either in the interior of
the saddle-bearer or in the car itself.
The device for automatically regulating the speed of an electric motor by varying
the resistances is preferably carried out as follows, and the apparatus is represented
open for action, half in section and half in elevation in Fig. 9 of the accompanying
drawing. At its upper part and horizontally there is placed a vessel C (Figure 9) of

page_text: the form shewn or any other, having for its object to limit the course of the balls Bu
propelled by centrifugal force against its walls, said vessel being arranged so as always
to return these balls towards the centre as soon as the momentum of the balls becomes
sufficiently reduced. At the centre of this vessel is placed the movable plate P cut
out in its various parts as shewn in Figure 9. At its periphery the plate P is
terminated by a circle of sockets L Fig. 10 of sufficient size each to hold easily one of
the balls B. These sockets connect by means of chaunels N movable with the
plate P to orifices O" which are fixed, and form part of the fixed portion of the
apparatus. Each orifice communicates with two small channels the one A" A"
and the other A Figure 9. The first slopes downwards, directing itself radially
towards the exterior of the apparatus, the second is vertical and of variable length.
At the point forming the intersection of these two channels is placed a hinged double
flap m formed of two wings at a right angle to each other having a surface approxi-
mately equal to that of the channels. The two wings of the moving piece m are, not
quite equal in length, one is longer and fixes itself slightly on in the vertical
channel the other is considerably shorter than l. A little lever von the outside of
the channels A1 A12 is rigidly attached to the axle of the moving part m and
communicates with the end of the apparatus by means of a string d. The movement
of the part m following the pull of the string d is limited by a stop for this purpose
placed at the point of coincidence
The channel A¹ which is vertical is continued down to a chamber H: its lower
orifice is stopped by a spherical plug T. This plug T is in one piece with its stem t
sliding with easy friction and guided in the plug 6 of the vessel U. The end of the
stein is terminated by a cone of compressed carbon n plunging more or less deeply
into a liquid or a solution Q which is a good conductor of electricity, such as Mercury,
Bi-carbonate of soda or other liquid. The stem t insulated by means of its sleeve b
is connected electrically with the liquid Q as is also the cone of carbon. One end of
a slack cable connects them to the terminal which itself by means of conducting
cables receives an electric current from outside.
Let us suppose the plate P excited by a movement of rapid rotation, and if one
then introduces a ball B" into the central orifice this ball following the shape of the
plate P directs itself towards the periphery of the same where it encounters
the projections of the sockets L which cause, it to receive the rotating movement of
the plate and throw it by centrifugal force into the race C exactly as in the wellknown
game called "Roulette." When the actuating force stored up in the ball B and the
speed of rotation of the plate P are sufficiently diminished the ball B₁ will pass into
the channel N and fall into the vertical channel A" through the orifice O". In its
fall it strikes the pallet of the moving piece which turning on its hinge carries with
it the pallet which then blocks the channel A just as the pallet & did but without
permitting that any ball come upon 'it again and giving at the same time access to
the channel A, Consequently a following falling ball penetrating through O will
direct itself towards the outside radially through the channel A", The first ball B
acquires a certain impetus by reason of its bulk and its weight in the course of its
vertical fall down the channel A". Arrived at the bottom of this channel it strikes
the plug T which it forces down against the resistance of the spring which holds it
up. Once driven down a certain distance by reason of the impact of the ball the
plug T is fixed by the rack and catch Z engaging the one in the other to effect this
result as shewn in the drawing. Consequently the cone a plunges more or less in
the conducting liquid determining a surface contact therewith corresponding to the
depth of the immersion. The special resistance of the circuit for this momentary
position of the cone n is consequently proportionate to the weight of the ball B" and
to the height of its fall. When the ball B has fixed the plug T at a given point of
the rack Z it rolls off this plug on account of its conical surface and falls into the
chamber H and rolls away towards the outside of the apparatus by the channel V.
If several balls and a multiple apparatus are made use of the said balls will place
themselves successively in further chambers corresponding to H (not. shewn on the
drawing) after having acted upon the plugs corresponding to each of the rheostats Q

page_text: thus controlling in a manner independent from the will of the operator the resistance
of the feed circuits in which are interposed the resisting liquids themselves. It
results then that after one or more operation the plugs in whole or part are forced
down to different positions. When it is desired that these should resume their
original position it is only necessary to draw out the pull d¹ compressing the spring y
in order to release the rack Z. The number of the chambers H can be regulated as
necessary varying the respective dimensions of the various parts of the apparatus
according to the diameter of the plates and the number of the vessels U. These may
be separated more or less from the axis of the apparatus so as to encounter a larger
circumference and the orifices 011 may be multiplied correspondingly. It is evident that
one may vary as desired the density or the conductivity of the liquid in the vessels U
and also that the balls B may vary in weight, in dimensions, or in both at the same
time. Finally the apparatus may be constructed in such a manner that the balls can
re-enter the same and again pass down through 011 and thus cause variation of
the resistances of the feed circuits of the motors independently of the will of the
operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. An improved electro mechanical apparatus preferably in the form of a saddle-
bearing animal propelled by electricity, substantially as described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In electrically actuated mechanisms adapted to carry a rider or riders, the means
for effecting various motions corresponding to the movements of an animal at various
paces variable at the will of the rider, substantially as described.
3. In electrically actuated mechanisms the method of regulating the speed of
progression independently of the will of the rider by the descent of revolving
bodies of given weight impinging on apparatus controlling resistances, substantially
as described.
4. The apparatus for regulating the speed of progression of electrically actuated
mechanisms independently of the will of the rider in the manner set forth in
claim 3, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 1st day of
1007
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
Patent Agents for the Applicant.