IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM, AND ELECTRO-MAGNETISM
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Barclay, of Kilmarnock, in the County of
Ayr, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM, AND
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM."
Sealed the 10th June 1859, and dated the 10th December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Barclay at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
December 1858.
I, ANDREW BARCLAY, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM, AND
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the obtainment of motive power upon what may
be described as the galvanometrical principle. Any simple or other form of
galvanometer may be used for this purpose, and one or more bars or magnets
may be used to work on the same centre of motion. The needle, bar, or.
apparatus of this galvanometer is surrounded by one or a series of stationary
or galvanometrical coils, between which and the galvanometer needle or bar
there are disposed suitable "make-and-break" contact apparatus to put the
poles of the galvanometer into and out of electrical or magnical contact with

page_text: the source of electrical or magnical power passing through the galvanometrical
coils; with this apparatus a continuous and effective rotatory action may be
secured.
The machinery is preferred to be all inclosed in a suitable chamber, from
which the air may or may not be exhausted, so as to prevent the external
atmosphere from retarding the rotation.
It is also intended to place rotatory electrical or magnetical apparatus in
the interior of an inclosed chamber for the purpose herein-before described,
the air being exhausted from such chamber, or not.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Andrew Barclay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANDREW
BARCLAY, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr, North Britain, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Andrew Barclay, Her special license that I, the said Andrew Barclay,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Andrew Barclay, my executors, administrators, or 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
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY MEANS OF ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM, AND ELECTRO-
MAGNETISM," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Andrew
Barclay, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, 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 imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Andrew Barclay, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.

page_text: statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates to the obtainment of motive power upon what
may be described as the galvanometrical principle. Any simple or other form
of galvanometer may be used for this purpose, and one or more bars or
magnets may be used to work on the same centre of motion. The needle,
bar, or apparatus of this galvanometer is surrounded by one or a series of
stationary galvanometrical coils, between which and the galvanometer needle
or bar there are disposed suitable "make-and-break" contact apparatus to put
the poles of the galvanometer into and out of electrical or magnetical contact
with the source of electrical or magnetical power passing through the galvano-
metrical coils; with this apparatus a continuous and effective rotatory action
may be secured.-
The machinery is preferred to be all enclosed in a suitable chamber, from
which the air may or may not be exhausted, so as to prevent the external
atmosphere from retarding the rotation.
It is also intended to place rotatory electrical or magnetical apparatus in
the interior of an enclosed chamber for the purpose herein-before described,
the air being exhausted from such chamber or not.
And in order that my said Invention of improvements in obtaining motive
power by means of electricity, magnetism, and electro-magnetism may be
properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the several illustrative
Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto
appended, for the purpose of showing certain modifications under which my.
improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice, that is to say,-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is an elevation or side
view of one modification of my improved electro-magnetic engine; Figure 2
is an end view partially in section; Figure 3 is an elevation having the side
standard of the machine removed to show the arrangement of the parts; and
Figure 4 is a plan of the engine corresponding to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus for making and breaking
contact, and Figure 6 is a plan of the same; both these views are drawn to a
larger scale than the corresponding parts in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 7 is an
elevation of another modification or arrangement of apparatus for obtaining
motive power by means of electro or permanent magnetism, and Figure 8 is a
corresponding end view.
As delineated in Figures 1 to 6 on the accompanying Drawings, the framing
of my improved electro-magnetic engine consists of a pair of open standards.
or side frames A, by preference formed of oak or other suitable material.

page_text: These side standards consist of a strong frame of a circular figure, having a
horizontal rail or rib B; extending across the central part of the ring the
lower part of the frame diverges outwards in a lateral direction on each side
where it joins the base or sole plate C. The segmental parts which form the
circular frame are connected with each other by means of scarf joints, as shown
in Figure 2, and each frame is further strengthened by the brass ring D,
which is let into the face of the frame, and is riveted thereto. The two side
frames are arranged parallel to each other, and are united by means of the
transverse stays E, the ends of which pass through the side frames, and are
fastened by nuts F. A circular aperture is made in the centre of each of the
cross rails B, in which a brass bush is fitted and let into the face of the rail;
within these bushes are fitted the adjustable bearings G, in which the tapered
journals of the horizontal shaft H work. Both extremities of the shaft H
work out beyond the side frames A, and to one of these projecting ends is
fitted the pulley I, which imparts motion to the machinery to be driven. The
other extremity of the shaft H carries the commutator or "make-and-break".
contact apparatus, which will be referred to after describing the electro-
magnetic arrangement in connection with the shaft.
The
Each of the transverse stays E has three circular equidistant holes in it, a
swell or lateral projection of the metal being formed round each hole, as is
shown more particularly in the Plan, Figure 4, on the accompanying Drawings.
There are six of these transverse stays arranged equidistantly around the
circular frame A, the holes in each stay being made to receive the ends of the
round iron rods J, which are firmly secured thereto by means of nuts.
rods J form the cores of a series of stationary electro-magnets; the rods are
flattened at the central part so as to lie closely together, and at this part the
metal extends out laterally to admit of a hole being formed in the rod of
somewhat larger diameter than that of the shaft H, the central parts being
coated with gutta percha or other insulating material. The three rods J are
arranged crossing each other, and a nut K is fitted to pass through the central
apertures of the three; one end of the nut is made with a flange, which presses
against the outer rod J, and the other has a thread cut in it, to which is
adapted a nut L. By screwing up the nut L the rods J are firmly compressed
against each other, each set of three rods thus forming a single electro-magnet
or series of electro-magnets; a brass bush is fitted inside the nut K, through
which the shaft H passes and revolves therein. In this manner the three rods.
or electro magnets J extend outwards in a radial direction to the six transverse
stays E; and in the modification delineated in the accompanying Drawings,
there are three series of these radial electro-magnets, but the number may be

page_text: increased according to the power required from the engine. A brass ring M
is slipped over each rod J down to the central part, and a corresponding ring
N is fitted at the upper end of the rod or core close up to the transverse
stay E. These rings M and N form flanges, between which a continuous
length of wire is wound upon the rods, the diameter of the coil of wire being
wound on to correspond to the size of the flanges. Copper or other suitable
wire, properly insulated by means of silk or other non-conducting material, is
wound upon
the rods in a continuous length, and is carried from one rod to
another so as to connect the whole series together. The winding on of the
wire is commenced at the outer end of one of the bars J, which is to be
connected to the north pole of the exciting battery, from which the electricity
is supplied to the engine.
In Figure 3 I have supposed the horizontal core Number One to be the one
selected for connection with the battery. At the extremity marked N, the
wire O is wound round the bar along to the centre; it is then carried over the
shaft H, and is wound along the opposite half of the core until it reaches the
opposite extremity or south pole of the electro-magnet, which is indicated by
the letter S. The wire is then carried backwards, winding it in a coil over
the first layer to the north pole and back again to the south pole, this winding
being repeated layer upon layer, until the required thickness or predetermined
length has been wound on, care being taken to bring the wire off at the south
pole. From the south pole of the first electro-magnet the wire is carried to
the north pole of the second core, marked Number 2, and is carried to and fro
from north to south or end to end, as in the arrangement Number 1. The
wire passing off from the Number 2 electro-magnet is wound on to the
Number 3 in manner precisely similar to that observed in winding the coils
upon Numbers 1 and 2. From the first series of electro-magnets the wire O is
carried to the north pole of the contiguous and parallel rod or core J, and after
the predetermined quantity of wire has been wound. upon. this core, it is
carried to the next core, until the series of the three cores is in all respects
similar to the first triple electro-magnet. The wire now passes from the
second compound electro-magnet to the third series of rods or cores J, which
are completed in like manner to the other two series, and so on through any
greater number of these compound electro-magnets comprised in the engine.
The extremities or poles of the electro-magnetic coils are connected to the
commutator or contact break apparatus, in the manner herein-after described.
Another mode of winding the wire O upon the cores J consists in winding
the wire upon one half of the core, and so carrying it backwards and forwards
between the north pole and the centre until the predetermined diameter is

page_text: obtained between the first pair of flanges. The wire is then carried round the
shaft to the other half of the rod or core, and is wound from the inner
flange out to the south pole of the rod to and fro, until a thickness corresponding
to the first half of the rod is obtained. The wire O is carried away from the
south pole of the rod or core, which extremity is marked with the letter S, on to
the north pole of the rod or core Number 2. The wire is wound upon this
rod in manner similar to Number 1, and it passes off from the south pole and is
carried to the north pole of Number 3. This rod or core is filled in like manner
with a corresponding quantity of wire, which is carried off at the south pole,
the three cores with their respective coils thus forming a connected series of
stationary electro-magnets. From the first series of electro-magnets, the wire
O is carried to and wound upon the contiguous rods J, these rods being in like
manner covered with coils of wire, commencing at the north pole and passing
off at the south. The wire O passes from the second series of electro-magnets
on to the third series of cores J, round which it is wound to correspond to the
two contiguous sets of electro-magnets. Instead of continuing onwards from
one core to another, throughout the series, the coil on each core J may be
separately connected to the battery, or each coil may have a battery appro-
priated to it; and where it is desired to increase still further the power of the
engine, the ends of the coil on each half of the cores J may be separately
connected to a powerful battery; in this manner an enormous quantity of
electricity may be caused to pass through the several coils of the engine, a
corresponding amount of mechanical force being evolved. The three series of
stationary electro-magnets J being arranged equidistantly upon the shaft II,
the intervening spaces are occupied by two series of rotatory magnets P. In
this arrangement the magnets P consist of flat bars of magnetized steel, each
magnet consisting of six or other number of these bars laid together, the
central part of each bar being enlarged laterally to allow of au aperture for
passing them on to the shaft H. Three sets of the bars P are passed on to
the shaft H, to form one rotatory magnet, and they are tightened up and made
to revolve with the shaft by means of the right and left handed nuts Q, which
fit corresponding threads cut on the shaft. The rotatory maguets are arranged
with their arms diverging equidistantly from the centre, and the stationary
magnets J are placed at such a distance apart that there is just sufficient space
for the magnets P to rotate freely between them. The power of the engine
may be increased, if desired, by arranging two other rotatory magnets between
the electro-magnets and the outer frames A, these magnets serving to
economise the magnetic force that may be given off from the outer surfaces of
the contiguous electro-magnets. The arrangement of the stationary electro-

page_text: magnets; and the rotatory magnets may be further modified by making the
former permanent magnets and the latter the electro-magnets. In this modi-
fication the rods or cores J are made of magnetized steel, arranged either with
or without coils, the bars of the rotatory electro-magnets being formed of soft
iron, covered with coils of wire. The ends of these coils are brought down on:
to two brass rings fixed on the shaft H and revolving with it, these rings are
arranged so as not to touch one another, and the wires from the north poles
are kept in contact with one of the rings, and those from the south poles with
the other. The corresponding poles of the battery wires are in like manner
caused to rub on the surface of these rings, so that the current performs a
complete circuit from the battery through the coils and back again to the
battery.
:
My improved electro-magnetic engine may also be arranged so that both the
stationary and the rotatory magnets are electro-magnets, the terminal wires
from the several coils being put in connection with suitable battery power.
The wires R and S proceeding from the positive and negative poles of the
battery are connected to the springs T and U, these springs are secured to
the cross rail B of the side frame. The wire R is connected to the upper
spring T, which is in metallic contact with the inner part V of the contact
breaker or commutator. The lower spring U, to which is attached the wire S,
presses against the outer part W of the commutator, the current of electricity
passing into the machine from the battery through the wire R, and returning
by the wire S. The commutator for rapidly breaking and renewing the con-
tact, is shown separately in the enlarged views, Figures 5 and 6, on the accom-
panying Drawings; it consists of a ring of brass, which is divided into two
separate rings V and W, the inner edges of which are cut in a notched or
zig-zag form, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. These two rings are mounted, and
set at a little distance asunder, upon a small wooden cylinder X, which is
fitted on to the shaft H, so as to rotate therewith. The commutator rings
V and W are put in connection with the coils of the series of electro-magnets
by means of the pulleys Y and Z; these pulleys are carried in the forked ends
of the spindles a, which are supported in the laterally projecting brackets b.
These brackets are bolted to the cross rail B of the side frame, and each has
fast to one arm a small helical spring c, which presses against a shoulder on
the spindle A, and serves to keep the pulleys in constant contact with the rings
V and W. A hole is made in the end of each of the spindles a, and the wire
proceeding from the north pole of the series of electro-magnetic coils is
attached to the spindle a of the pulley Y, whilst the wire from the south pole
of the coils is similarly attached to the spindle of the pulley Z. The current

page_text: from the battery passes along the wire R to the ring V from this surface to
the pulley Y, and thence by the wire O to the north pole of Number 1 electro-
magnet throughout the coils of this magnet, and. passes off by the south pole.
The current now enters by the north pole of the Number 2 electro-magnet,
and after traversing. it, goes to Number 3, in all cases entering at the north
pole and passing off by the south, as indicated by the arrows on the accom-
panying Drawings. From the first series of electro-magnets the current passes
by the wire to the second series arranged parallel to it, and traverses its coil
in like manner to the first. After leaving the south pole of the second series
of electro-magnets, the wire conducts the stream of electricity to the third
series, whence the wire O carries it to the spindle a of the pulley Z, and by
means of it to the ring W. This ring being in metallic connection with the
wire S, the électricity flows back to the battery, thus completing the circuit.
As the current flows through the coil or coils of the electro-magnets, a powerful
attractive and repulsive force is alternately exerted upon the rotatory magnets
P; the north pole of each electro-magnet attracting the contiguous magnet P
towards it, whilst the south pole of tlie electro-magnet behind it is repelling
it. This powerful attractive force it will be observed is exerted along the
whole length of the electro-magnets, being greatest at the extremity of each
electro-magnet, and decreasing gradually towards the centre, where its absence
is of no material importance. The rotatory magnets P being thus attracted
towards the north poles of the electro-magnets, if now these poles be reversed
a contrary effect takes place, and the north poles being now south, they
repel the magnets P, whilst the electro-magnets in advance, being also changed
in polarity, attract them. In this manner the magnets P are successively
drawn towards the electro-magnets in advance, and as soon as they reach
them they are repelled and attracted by the next in advance. By this means
a continuous and very rapid rotation of the magnets P is obtained, and these
being fast to the shaft H, it causes the pulley I to rotate at the same velocity,
the motion of which is conveyed to the machinery to be driven, or. for other
purpose for which the power is required. The rapid changing of the poles of
the electro-magnets is effected by the arrangement of the rings V and W, the
interlocking serrations of which cause the pulleys Y and Z to be alternately
in connection with the positive and negative poles of the battery. Thus, as
delineated in Figure 4, the pulley Y is pressing against the ring V, and the
current is flowing in through the pulley Y to the north poles of the electro-
magnets, the pulley Z meanwhile resting upon the ring W through which the
current is passing off. The attraction of the north poles of the electro-magnets
draws the magnets P' partially round, so that the pulley Y now presses against

page_text: the ring W, and the pulley Z against the ring V. The current now flows in by
the ring V and pulley Z, and out by the pulley Y and ring W, thus reversing.
the current every instant as the rings V and W are carried round with the
shaft H. The rings V and W are arranged a short distance asunder, so as to
secure an effectual break of contact at the same time, whilst the peripheries of
the pulleys Y and Z are clear of the surface of one of the rings V or W, the
interval or space between the rings is so short, that the pulleys are again in
metallic connection with the other ring before any variation or irregularity of
the rotatory motion of the engine can take place. In order to reverse the
motion of the engine, so as to cause the rotatory magnets or electro-magnets
to move in the opposite direction, it is only necessary to reverse the positions
of the wires R and S which are connected with the battery, so as to cause the
wire R to touch the ring W, and the wire S the ring V. The magnetic forces,
are now exerted in the opposite direction, and the full power of the engine is
counteracting the momentum of the moving parts, and then causes them to
turn in the opposite way. Precisely the same effect is produced if the wires
connected to the pulleys Y and Z are reversed, and this reversal of either pair
of wires may be effected by means of any simple mechanical contrivance
adapted to the purpose. In order that the engine may move with as little
external obstruction as possible, it is enclosed in an air-tight case.
This
casing consists of a closed cylinder d, made of zinc or other suitable material;
the two end discs of the casing are fitted to or just inside the side frames A.
The edges of the discs are turned inwards, and to the surface thus formed the
enclosing band or cylinder is soldered, or otherwise fastened thereto. An air
pump is arranged in connection with the interior of the casing d, so that the
air contained within the chamber and surrounding the working parts of the
engine may be readily and conveniently exhausted therefrom. The air is
pumped from the chamber d, so that the engine works in a vacuum and free
from any atmospheric obstruction. But if air is allowed to remain within the
casing, the communication is shut off externally, and the quantity of air thus
confined is speedily put in motion by and moves in unison with the rotatory
magnets or electro-magnets. Instead of arranging the engine vertically, as
shown in the accompanying Drawings, it may be disposed horizontally, and
arranged to work on a hardened steel pivot carried in a footstep bearing, the
upper part of the central spindle being supported in a collar bearing, and
having fast to its extremity a bevel wheel, or other, means for imparting its
rotatory movement to the machinery to be driven.
In Figures 7 and 8 on the accompanying Drawings is delineated another
modification of my improved magnetic engine. In this arrangement the side

page_text: standards or frames e are made cither of wood or metal, and through their
centres passes the horizontal shaft f. The shaft has fitted to it the magnets g,
which are arranged as herein-before described, each scries consisting of three
magnets diverging radially from the shaft, and rotating with it. Parallel to
and extending beyond the magnets g is a metal frame h, which is carried upon
but does not revolve with the shaft f. This frame is made with three radial
arms extending outwards on each side of the shaft, like the magnets g; the
edges of the radial arms are turned up, so that each arm forms a recess to
receive the wire i which forms the electric coil. The wire is wound longitu-
dinally over the arms of the frame h,, and is commenced at the north pole of
each electric coil, and passes off at the south, and so carried from one arm to
another throughout the series, as herein-before described. The wire i on both
the frames h may form either one or two coils, or the quantity wound on each
arm may constitute a separate and distinct coil connected with its particular
battery power. The wires i forming the north and south poles of the electric
coils are connected to the pulleys j and of the commutator / in the same way
as herein-before described. In this modification, however, the pulleys j and k
are arranged in a vertical position, but the action of the apparatus is in all
respects identical with that already described. So also the attractive and
repulsive force of the electric coils i causes the magnets g, which are arranged
like the needle of a vertical galvanometer, to be alternately drawn towards
them, and repelled as the poles of the electric coils are changed from north to
south. The engine is enclosed in an air-tight casing, as before described,
from which the air may be exhausted or not at pleasure. By means of these
arrangements of electro-magnetic or electric engines, a rapid and powerful
rotatory motion which may be continuously kept up is readily obtainable, and
may be applied with advantage to the propulsion of vessels and machinery,
and also to a great variety of purposes in the arts and sciences.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,--
First, the general arrangement and construction of electro-magnetic and
electric engines, for obtaining motive power therefrom, as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Second, the system or mode of arranging electro-magnetic and electric
engines, in such manner that the attractive and repulsive forces of the electro-
magnets, or permanent magnets, or electric coils are made use of in a lateral
direction, to put in motion a moveable permanent magnet or electro-magnet,
as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Third, the system or mode of obtaining motive power from a combination of
permanent and electro-magnets, or electro-magnets alone, or electric coils, in
which the moveable permanent magnets, or electro-magnets, or electric coils
are arranged parallel to the stationary permanent magnets or electro-magnets,
and move between the said stationary magnets. The motion of the rotatory
magnets being obtained by the magnetic forces exerted in a lateral direction,
and extending from the extremities of the stationary magnets towards their
centres, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of arranging the stationary and moveable
magnets or electric coils of electro-magnetic engines in an air-tight casing, so
that the limited quantity of air contained within the casing moves in unison
with the rotatory magnets, and the retardation of the moving parts arising
from the atmospheric influence is prevented, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of arranging electro-magnetic or electric engines
in air-tight casings or chambers, so that the air may be exhausted therefrom
by means of a pump, and the engine worked in a vacuum, in order to avoid
all atmospheric resistance, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of obtaining motive power by means of electricity,
magnetism, and electro-magnetism, operating upon the galvanometrical
principle.
Seventh, the application and use of two or more electric coils crossing each
other at suitable angles, for the obtainment of motive power on the galvano-
metrical principle.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Barclay, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
ANDREW BARCLAY. (L.S.)