IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS For DRIVING SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES BY ELECTRO-MAGNETISM
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Melhado, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS For
DRIVING SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES BY ELECTRO-MAGNETISM."
Sealed the 28th February 1879, and dated the 19th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Melhado at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1878.
ALFRED MELHADO, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF. AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES BY
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM."
My Invention consists in constructing an electro-magnetic engine capable of
being fixed and working direct on the main shaft or spindle of a sewing or other
machine.
According to my Invention to a hub fixed to a revolving spindle working, say,
horizontally, I provide a suitable number of radial arms or armatures formed, by
preference, with an extended surface or rim in the direction of the axis, each of said
armatures being separate, and having no metallic connection with any other; the
said armatures, as also the hub, are entirely insulated, with the exception of the
outer surface of the armatures, and I thus utilize the electric force fully, and there
can be no deviation of the current. I make the armatures of a weight in proportion
to the machine they are required to drive. The hub provided with the armatures
insulated as aforesaid is keyed on to the main shaft or spindle of the machine that
it is desired to drive, or in cases where such shaft or spindle is not long enough for
this purpose the hub must be provided with a separate shaft, and connected to the

page_text: main shaft or spindle in any suitable manner. I prefer to cast the armatures in one
piece with the hub, so as to simplify the motor.
I prefer to make the cores of the electro magnets of a circular shape. According
to this Invention I insulate all the metallic portions of the magnets, so that only
those portions for attraction and conveying the current are magnetized, thereby
increasing the magnetic power.
The commutator is arranged at one end of the enclosing box around the shaft or
spindle; there are three metallic rollers (or more according to the number of
magnets) for consecutively forming current connection with six netallic parts on
the central spindle boss; opposite them is placed the contact roller for the wire
line.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Melbado in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th May
1879.
Alfred MELHADO, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING SEWING AND OTHER MACHINES BY
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM."
My Invention consists in constructing an electro magnetic engine capable of
being fixed and working direct on the main shaft or spindle of a sewing or other
machine.
According to my Invention to a hub fixed to a revolving spindle working, say,
horizontally, I provide a suitable number of radial arms or armatures formed, by
preference, with an extended surface or rim in the direction of the axis, each of said
armatures being separate, and having no metallic connection with any other, the
said armatures, as also the hub, are entirely insulated, with the exception of the
outer surface of the armatures, and I thus utilize the electric force fully, and there
can be no deviation of the current. I make the armatures of a weight in proportion
to the machine they are required to drive. The hub provided with the armatures
insulated as aforesaid is keyed on to the main driving shaft or spindle of the
machine that it is desired to drive; or in cases where such shaft or spindle is not
long enough for this purpose the hub must be provided with a separate shaft, and
connected to the main shaft or spindle in any suitable manner; I prefer to cast the
armatures in one piece with the hub so as to simplify the motor.
According to this Invention I insulate all the metallic portions of the magnets,
so that only those portions for traction and conveying the current are magnetized,
thereby increasing the magnetic power.
The commutator is arranged at one end of the enclosing box around the shaft or
spindle; there are three or more metallic rollers, according to the number of
magnets, for consecutively forming current connection with six or more metallic
parts on the central spindle boss, opposite them is placed the contact roller for the
wire line.
And in order to explain my Invention more fully I will now proceed to describe
the same with reference to the accompanying Drawing.
Figure 1 shews an out side view of the case containing the motor ready
for use.
Figure 2 shews a side view thereof.
Figure 3 shews a view with one side of the case taken off in order to shew the
motor.
Figure 4 shews a section of one of the armatures, also one set of magnets.
Figure 5 shews the motor complete and attached to two sewing machines, and as
it would appear ready for work; A is the case containing the motor; B is the
centre boss of the commutator constructed according to this Invention; b are three
metallic rollers, forming consecutively connection with six corresponding metallic
parts on the periphery of the central boss B; b¹ is the contact roller for the
line wire.
Figure 6 shews another way of keeping the metallic rollers 6 in contact with the
centre boss of the commutator B by means of the spiral springs enclosed in the
tubes d.
C, C, are the armatures entirely insulated, excepting at those parts marked a ;
D are the magnets, of which in this case there are three, but I do not propose to
limit myself to this number; E is the hub, which is also insulated; e is the main
shaft of the machine to be driven, and on to which the hub E is keyed, the hub
and armatures act also as a fly wheel for the machine; f, f, are the wires. The
motor may either be worked by any ordinary battery, or from the wires from a

page_text: machine similar to those employed for producing the electric light. My improved
motor would work two sewing machines at once if arranged as shewn in Figure 5.
I claim,―
Istly. Forming the driving shaft of an electro motor constructed substantially, as
described in one, with or coupled directly to the driving shaft of one or more
sewing or other machines to be driven thereby.
2ndly. Entirely insulating all metallic portions of the motor, with the exception
of those parts required for magnetic attraction and conveying the electric current.
3rdly. The commutator, substantially as described and represented.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Melhado, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
ALFRED MELHADO.
(L.S.)