(No Moclel.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

N. TESL.A..

ALTERNATING ELEOTRIO OURRENT GENERATOR.

No. 447,921. Patented Mar. 10,189l.

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THE NORRIS PETEUSCO., PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTO~, D. C.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

N. TESLA.

ALTERNATING ELECTRIO CURRENT GENERATOR.

No. 447,921. Patented Mar. 10,1891.

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THE. "OARIS PETr..nS co., 'PHOTO-LITHO., W"'SHI~GTON, o. C

UNITED

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NIKOLA TESLA, OF NEW YORI\, N. Y.

AL TERNATING-ELECTRIC-CU RRENT GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 447,921, dated March 10, 1891.

Applioation filed November 15, 1890. Serial No. 371,554. (No model.)

To all iohom. it may concern: other. Between the faces so formed I mount

Be it known that I, NIKOLA TESLA, a sub- or support the armature coil or coils and project of the Emperor of Austria.from Smiljan, vide either for rotating the field-magnet or 55 Lika, border country of Austria-Hungary, re- the armature, or both, and I arrange the said

5 siding at. New York, in the county and State armature-coil or conductor so that it will be

of New York, have invented certain new and I symmetrically dispos.ed with respect to the useful Improvements in Alternating-Current field-that is to say, so that when one portion Machines, of which the following is a specifi- i of the conductor is passing through the 60 cation, reference being had to the aeeompa- strongest portion of the field the other por-

10 nying drawings. tion, which forms the return for the former,

In the systems of distribution of electrical is passing through the weakest points or energy from alternating-current generators parts of the field. The strongest points of

in present use the generators give ordinarily the field, it will be understood, are those be- 65 from one to three hundred alternations of cur- tween the projections or points on the polar

IS rent per second. I have recognized and dem- faces, while the weakest points lie midway onstrated in practice that it is of great ad- between them.

vantage, on many accounts, to employ in such A field-magnet, when constructed as above

systems generators capable of producing a described, produces, when the energizing-coil 70 very much greater number of alternations is traversed by a continuous current, a field

20 pel' second-say fifteen thousand per second of great strength, and one which may be made

or many more. To produce such a high rate to vary greatly in intensity at points not far-

of alternation, it is necessary to construct a. ther distant from one another than the eighth machine with a great number of poles or polar of an inch. In a machine th us constructed 75 projections; but such construction, on this there is comparatively little of that effect

25 account, in order to be efficient, is rendered which is known as "magnetic leakage," and difficult. IE an armature without polar pro- I there is also but a slight armature reaction. jections be used, it is not easy to obtain the I Either the armature-conductor or the fieldnecessary strength of field, mainly in eonse- magnet may be stationary while the other 1'0- 30 quence of the comparatively great leakage of tates, and as it is often desirable to maintain

30 the lines of force from pole to pole. If, on the conductors stationary and to rotate the the contrary, an armature-core formed 01' pro- field-magnet I have made a special modiflcavided with polar projections be employed, it tion of the construction of the machine for

is evident that it limit is soon reached at this purpose, and with a view in such case of 85 which the iron is not economically utilized, still further simplifying the machine and ren-

35 being incapable of following without consid- de ring it more easy to maintain in operation erable loss the rapid reversals of polarity. I arrange the armature-conductors and the

To obviate these and other difficulties, I have frame or supports therefor so as to support devised a form of machine embodying the also a fixed coil or coils for energizing the 1'0- 90

following general features of construction. tating field-magnet, thus obviating the em-

40 I provide a field-magnet core made up of ployment of all sliding contacts.

two independent parts formed with grooves In the accompanying drawings I have illus-. for the reception of one or more energizing- trated the two typical forms of my machine

coils. The energizing coil, or coils, is com- above referred to. 95

pletely surrounded by the iron core, except Figure 1 is a vertical central section of the

45 on one side, where occurs the opening be- machine, taken on lines x x of Fig. 2; and tween the polar faces of the core, which open- Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line y y or ing is made as narrow as the conditions of Fig. 1. The machine in these two figures is

the machine will permit. The polar faces of one in which the armatnre-conductor and the roo the core of the field are not smooth, but formed field-coil are stationary while the field-mag-

50 with a great many projections or serrations, net core revolves. Fig. 3 is a vertical central the points of which in one side or polar face section of a machine embodying the same plan are preferably exactly opposite those in the of construction, but having a stationary field-

magnet and. H:ittit1rig ai;mi:thih3; Fig. 4: 1s [1 space betwgell liiijr two adjacent pOInts on th~ diagram illtisti'aHng' the peculiar configura- same factl niM 1:i,e extremely small, there will tion of the polar faces and the relation of the be no leakage of We magnetic lines betwel:ii1 70

armature conductor or conductors thereto. any two points of the same name; but the

5 111 Figs; i and 2, A A designate two cylin- lines of force will pass across from One set of

drical castings provided with bracket-arms B points to the other. The construction fol-

B, in which latter are bushings C for the 1'0- lowed obviates to a great degree the distortaring shaft. The conductor in which the tion of the magnetic lines by the action of the 75 currents are induced may be constructed or current in the conductor D, in which it will

10 arranged in various ways; but I prefer to be observed the current is flowing at any form it in the following manner: I take an given time from the center toward the peannular plate of copper D and by means of a riphery in one set of radial parts a and in the saw or other cutting-tool cut in it radial slots opposite direction in the adjacent parts a'. 80

from one edge nearly through to the other, In order to connect the energizing· coil G

[5 beginning alternately from opposite edges. with a source of continuous current, I have In this way a continuous zigzag conductor is found it convenient to utilize two adjacent raformed. To the inner edge of this plate are dial portions of the conductor D for connect ..

. secured two rings of non-magnetic metal E, ing the terminals. of the coil G with two bind- 85 which are insulated from the copper con- ing-posts 1\'1. For this purpose the plate Dis

ao ductor, but held firmly thereto, as by means cut entirely through, as shown, and the break of bolts F. Within the rings E is then placed thus made is bridged over by a short conan annular coil G, which is the energizing- ductor c.

coil for the field-magnet. The conductor D At any convenient point the plate D is cut 90

and the parts attached thereto are supported through to form two terminals el, which are

25 by means of the cylindrical shell or casting connected to binding-posts N.

AA, the two parts of which are brought to- The core HH, when rotated by the drivinggether and clamped by holts F' to the outer pulley P, generates in the conductors D an edge of the condnctor D. The conductor D alternating current, which is taken off from 95

is also insulated from the shell A. the binding - posts N. It will be observed

30 The core for the field-magnet is built up of that from the nature of the construction detwo circular parts H II, formed with annular scribed this machine is capable of producing grooves I, which, when the two parts are an alternating current of an enormously high

brought together, form a space for the recep- rate of alternations. 100

tion of the energizing-coil G. The central When it is desired to rotate the conductor

35 parts or hubs of the cores II II are trued off, between the faces of a stationary field-mag-

so as to fit closely against one another, while net" I adopt the construction shown in Fig. 3.

the outer. portions or flanges which form the The conductor D in this case is or may be polar facesJ J are reduced somewhat in thick- made in substantially the same manner as r05 ness to make room for the conductor D, and above described by slotting an annular con-

40 are serrated on their faces or provided in any ducting-plate and supporting it between two other convenient way with polar projections. heads 0, held together by bolts 0 and fixed The two parts of the core H II are mounted to the driving-shaft K. The inner edge of

on and fixed to the shaft K, and are bound the plate or eond uctor D is preferably flanged I 10 together by bolts L. The number of serra- to secure a firmer union between it and the

~5 tions in the polar faces is arbitrary; but there heads 0. It is insulated from said head. must exist between them and the radial por- The field-magnet in this case consists of two tions of the conductor D a certain relation, annular parts II H, provided with annular which will be understood by reference to Fig. grooves I for the reception of the coils. The lIS 4, in which N N represent the projections or flanges or faces surrounding the annular

50 points on one face of the core of the field, groove are brought together, while the inner and S S the points of the other face. The flanges are serrated, as in the previous case, conductor D is shown in this figure in sec- and form the polar faces. The two parts II tion, a a' designating the radial portions of I H are formed With. a base R, upon which the 120 the conductor, and b the insulating-divisions machine rests.

55 between the same. The relative width of the S S are non-magnetic bushings secured or

parts a a' and the space between any two set in the central opening of the cores.

adjacent points N Nor S S is such that when. The conductor D is cut entirely through at

the radial portions a of the conductor are one point to form terminals, from which in- 125 passing between the opposite points N S, sulated conductors T are led through the

60 where the field is strongest; the intermediate shaft to collecting-rings V.' .

radial portions et' are passing through the 'What I claim is-

widest spaces midway between such points 1. The combination, in an annular field of

and where the field is weakest. Since the force formed by opposing polar faces with 130 core on one side is of opposite polarity to the radial grooves or serrations and with said

65 part facing it., all the points or.prOjections of I poles, of a connected series of radial eouductone polar face will be of opposite polarity to ors so disposed with relation to the serrations those of the otherface. Hence, although the that while one portion of the radial conduct-

447,921

3

ors is passing between the strongest parts of polar faces being placed with their grooves the field, or the points where the two poles opposite to each other, and a conductor 01' coil most nearly approach, the adjacent or inter- mounted between said faces with the eapamediate conductors will pass through the bility of movement across the lines of force

5 weakest parts of the field, or the points where in a direction at right angles to that of the 45

the two poles are most remote, as set forth. grooves or serrations, as set forth.

2. The combination, with a connected se- 6. In a magneto-electric machine, the com-

ries of radial conductors forming an annular' bination of a sectional frame, a field-magnet coil, of a stationary two-part supporting-frame core composed of two connected parts, a rotat-

10 clamped to and insulated from the outer ing shaft on which said core is mounted, a 50 ends of said conductors, a ring formed in two conductor in which currents are to be inparts clamped to the inner ends of the same, I duced, the convolutions of which are radially

an energizing-coil contained in said ring, and I disposed- between the polar faces of the field-

a field-core made in two parts and inclosing I core and secured to and supported by the

IS said energizing-coil and presenting annular frame, and an energizing-coil for the field- 55 polar faces to the series of radial conductors, core supported by the induced-current coil

as described. and contained in an annular recess formed

3. 'I'he combination, with the annular con- by grooves in the faces of the two sections of ducting-plate slotted to form a connected se- the field-core.

20 ries of radial conductors, a sectional support- 7. The combination, with opposing field- 60

ing-frame secured to and insulated from the magnet poles formed with projections or serouter edge of the slotted plate, a sectional rations in their faces, the highest parts or ring secured to and insulated from the inner prominences of one face being opposite to edge of said plate, a hollow energizing-coil those of the other, of a conductor the convo-

25 contained in said ring, and a field-core com- lutions of which are adapted to pass at right 65 posed of two parts bolted together and recessed angles through the magnetic lines between

to inclose the energizing-coil, said cores being the opposing prominences, as set forth.

mounted in a rotating shaft, as set forth. 8. The combination, with a rotating field-

4. The combination, "with two annular po- magnet core having two opposing and annu-

30 lar faces of opposite magnetic polarity and lar polar faces with radial grooves or serra- 70 formed with opposite points, projections, or tions therein systematically disposed, so that serrations, of a conductor turned back upon the highest parts or prominences of one face itself in Sll bstant ially radial con volutions and lie opposite to those of the other, of a stationmounted in the an n u lar field, whereby a rota- ary conductor with radial convolutions and

35 tion of the field or said conductor will develop mounted between the polar faces, as set forth. 75

therein an alternating current, as set forth. NIYOL \ TESL 1\

5. The combination, with a polar face of r ~ f ~ .

given polarity formed with grooves or serra- Witnessese

tions, of a polar face of opposite polarity with I ROBT. F. GAYLORD,

-1-0 corresponding grooves or serrations, the two PARKER N. PAGE.