H. E.

, WARREN,
SELF STARTING SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR.
APPLICATION FLED SEPT. 19, 1918,

1,283,435. Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

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 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
HENRY E. WARREN, OF ASHLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO wARREN CLOCK
COMPANY, OFASH LAND, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.
SELF-STARTING SYNCHRONoUs MoToR.
Specification of Letters Patent, Patented Oct. 29, 1918.
1,283,435. Application filed September 19, 1918. Serial No. 254,701.
To all whom it may concern. affects thetorotor
tendency set 23,
up which
local stray inlinesthehave
poles a
rotor
Be it known that I, HENRY E. WARREN, a
citizen of the United States, residing in distinct from the main poles produced by
Ashland, in the county of Middlesex and around therotating
the pure
rotor,
field. The wide air gap 60
however, is not the sole
State of Massachusetts, have invented an factor controlling the
Improvement in Self-Starting Synchronous cal poles but is also duetendency in part
to set up lo
to the narrow
Motors, of which the following description, air gap between the opposing poles of the
in connection with the accompanying draw field 20 and 21, and I have found from ex 65
ings, is a specification, like characters on the periment that either one of these variables
O drawings representing like parts. may be considerably altered and the effect
This invention relates to a synchronous neutralized
motor for alternating current and has for its of the otherby a corresponding modification
variable in the proper direction.
object to provide a self-starting motor of the That is to say, the gap between 20 and 21 70
character described, which is capable of be may be increased if the air gap around the
5 ing produced and operated at a minimum rotor is also fairly wide or vice versa.
expense.
The particular features of this invention resultsThe hardened steel disk 23 is for the best
will be pointed out in the claims at the end is free provided with a circumference
or substantially free from interrupt which
of this specification. tions and therefore is free or substantially 75
Figure 1 is a plan view of one construc
20 tion of self-starting synchronous motor em free from geographical poles.
The hardened steel disk 23 on the other
bodying this invention. hand, has induced within it by the rotating
Fig. 2, a front elevation of the motor magnetic field, poles which are located at 80
shown in Fig. 1, and the opposite ends of any diameter through
25 Fig. 3, a side elevation of the motor shown the said disk and are capable of shifting
in Fig. 1.
In the present instance, the invention is through
the disk
the mass of hardened steel of which
is composed, but which have a very
shown as embodied in a preferred form of strong tendency to remain in fixed position 85
self-starting synchronous motor for alter in said mass under the influence of the ro
30 nating current, which comprises essentially tating magnetic field.
a bipolar field magnet 10 provided with op The high starting torque and strong tend
posite poles 12, 13, which are divided so as ency to run at synchronous speed are due
to produce a rotating magnetic field by in large measure to the high remanence 90
means of the shading coils 14, 15, which coils value of the hardened steel in the rotor, and
35 cause the magnetism in the curved pole faces I find that the remanence value of soft steel
16, 17, to lag somewhat behind the magnet
ism in the curved pole faces, 18, 19. The isrunnotsynchronously,
sufficient to compel a smooth disk to
poles 12, 13, are constructed and arranged magnetic poles in for soft
the reason that the
steel will revolve 95
so that the opposing ends 20, 21, of the said easily about the axis of the rotor, which of
40 poles are in substantially close proximity to course is a condition that absolutely pre
each other, whereby the said poles are sep vents synchronous running,
arated by substantially narrow spaces and I am aware that synchronous motors have
the rotor is substantially encircled by the been made heretofore in which remanence 00
curved pole faces. or the tendency of magnetism to persist in
45 In the space inclosed by the curved pole magnetizable material, has served as a fac
faces 16, 17, 18, 19, wherein the magnetic
field revolves, there is a rotor, preferably tor in holding a rotor in synchronism in an
alternating field, but all such motors have
made as a circular disk 23 of hardened steel, utilized rotors
which is of such diameter as to leave a rela polarized, so that which the
are geometrically 05
magnetic reluctance or
50 tively large air gap 24 between its circum resistance to the passage of magnetic lines
ference and the curved faces of the poles 12, has been much greater through certain diam
13, whereby stray lines of force which bridge eters of the rotor than through other diam
across the gap between the pole ends.20 and
21. do not extend into and interfere with that eters. By reason of this fact, it is very dif
ficult or almost impossible for the magnetic 10
55 portion of the rotating magnetic field which
 1283,435

poles to rotate around the axis of the rotor but slightly so, in order to have Synchronous
entirely apart from the remanence effect running characteristics in accordance with
and consequently such rotors may be and my invention. For instance, a rotor of
usually are made from soft steel having low given diameter in a given field and a given
remanence value. The real factor which quality of steel must have an axial thick 70
holds these rotors in synchronism is not the ness whose ratio to the thickness of the pole
remanence of the steel but the great varia faces lies between certain definite values, or
tions in reluctance through different diam to cite a numerical example, if the diameter
eters. However in consequence of the varia of the pole faces of the field magnet is ''
0 tions in reluctance through different diam and the air-gap across the opposing poles 75
eters, rotors with marked geometrical poles is '' and the width of pole face is 3', the
have a strong tendency to remain at rest copper shading coils i' thick, 3' wide and
and can only be started even in a rotating
field by some special means.
strength of field provided by 4800 turns of
it36 copper wire, supplied at a potential
15 In the case of the motor embodying this of 110 volts on a 60 cycle alternating cur 80
invention, the reluctance which the hardened rent; a rotor disk of hardened tool steel .494
steel disk 23 offers to the passage of the inches diameter, .040 inch thick will start
magnetic lines of force, is the same in all from rest and run synchronously with much
positions of the said disk, and therefore themore than sufficient power to drive an
20 rotor has no dead positions where the ordinary office clock. 85
reluctance is less than in any other posi
tion, consequently the rotor has a positive
A rotor of the same diameter but only
.008' thick in the same field, will run almost
starting torque, and while the rotor is com synchronously but will slip slowly, doubtless
ing up to synchronism, the magnetic polari owing to the greater concentration of mag
netic flux through the rotor which is conse 90
zation of the rotor is able to shift around its
axis, although with some difficulty, until quently unable to maintain its own polarity
synchronous speed is reached, whereupon in passing through portions of its Zone
the shifting of the magnetic polarization in where the flux distribution is irregular.
the rotor ceases, and the latter then acts as The rotor first mentioned which is .040'
30 a definitely polarized mass. in thickness will not be able to maintain syn 95
chronism in the same field if the strength of
It will therefore be seen, that in the rotor
herein shown and described, there is a sub magnetizing current is increased materially
stantially uniform reluctance to the passage because then the density of the magnetic flux
of magnetic lines of force in all positions in combination with the somewhat irregular
35 of the rotor, consequently when the rotor distribution of this flux will prevent the ro OO
is at rest in any position, it offers practically
tor from maintaining the fixed position of its
the same resistance or reluctance to the pas poles. The effect of increasing the diameter
sage of magnetic lines from one pole as 12 of the rotor without changing its thickness
to the other pole as 13 of the magnet 10, is obviously to reduce the air-gap around the
40 and therefore it possesses self-starting char rotor, thus bringing its edge nearer to the 05
acteristics, because the magnetic field Sur pole faces where the flux distribution is lo
rounding the rotor is rotating and drags cally very irregular, and such an increase of
the rotor around with it. the diameter of the rotor will speedily result
In practice of my invention I employ a in preventing it from maintaining synchro
45 rotor of magnetizable material which is free nism. O
or substantially free from geographical The effect of weakening the magnetic field
poles in a rotating magnetic field which is in which the rotor is revolving, will not
substantially free from stray lines of flux, throw it out of synchronism until the power
but I do not wish to be limited to the use output is less than the load. The effect of
50 of a circular disk, as a rotor of magnetizableincreasing the thickness of the rotor in the 15
material which is slightly polarized geomet same field to as much as '' for instance,
rically can be usel to run synchronously results in nullification of its synchronous
in a rotating magnetic field such as I have operation. This may be due in part to the
described, provided its tendency to remain great increase in inertia of the rotor and also
55 at rest (due in part to the moment causing to the presence of Foucault currents in the 20
the rotor to seek a position where the vari mass of the rotor which tend to prevent
able angular reluctance across Some diameter magnetic flux from passing through freely
with respect to the poles is least, and in part
and probably prevent any considerable de
to the moment of inertia), is less than the gree of initial permanent magnetization.
60 tendency to rotate due to remanent mag So also the proportions and relations of 25
netism. the rotor and the magnet may be varied so
I am aware, however, that there are cer that a rotor which will not run synchro
tain definite limits in the size and propor nously in a rotating magnetic field produced
tion of parts to which a rotor must con by an alternating current of a given fre
85 form, whether geographically non-polar or quency, will run synchronously in a mag 80
 1288,435
netic field produced by an alternating cur used If an ordinary synchronous motor were
rent of a different frequency. for this purpose that had any consider
To illustrate: I have above stated certain able fly wheel effect in its rotor, even if it
proportions of the rotor, magnet, and cur were self-starting, the time required to 70
rent to produce a self-starting rotor which flowsynchronism
reach after the current began
will run synchronously, to wit: a rotor .494' to and more particularly the time re
quired to come to rest after an interruption
in diameter and .040' thick which will start of the current would be so great and indeter
and run synchronously in a rotating mag minate
netic field produced by an alternating cur pensatedthat for
it could not be accurately com 75
by an auxiliary driving mech
O rent whose frequency is 60, at 110 volts, and
that a rotor of the same diameter but only The motor described is bipolar but obvi
S. w

.008 thick will slip slowly, whereas such ously would operate properly with any mul
slipping of the rotor can be counteracted by
weakening the strength of the field by means tiple of two poles.
of a reduction in the voltage supplied across I have herein shown and described one 80
the terminals of the 4800 turn magnetizing construction of self-starting synchronous
5
coil, and I have demonstrated that the rotor ismotor, which may be preferred by me, but it
not desired to limit the invention to the
:008' thick will run synchronously when the particular construction shown.
voltage is reduced to about 40 volts by rea The present application is a continuation 85
20 son of the corresponding reduction in the in part of application Serial Number 134260
strength of the field.
It will therefore be seen that the propor filed December 1, 1916, as a division of appli
tions and relations of the parts of the rotor, 21, 1916.Serial Number 115955 filed August
cation
magnet and current may be varied in one or Claims: 90
25 more directions so as to convert a motor hav 1. A self-starting synchronous motor for
ing a rotor which is self-starting by reason alternating
of the magnetic remanence therein but which producing acurrent, consisting of means for
. will not run synchronously, into a motor rotor located therein, magnetic
rotating
said rotor
field and a
and said 95
whose rotor is self-starting and will run means being arranged and proportioned to
30 synchronously, and consequently I do not enable the rotor to start from rest by reason
desire to limit the invention to the par of magnetic remanence therein and also to
ticular proportions of the rotor, magnet and run synchronously.
strength of rotating field herein set forth 2. A self-starting synchronous motor for 100
A self-starting synchronous motor such as alternating current, comprising means for
35 above described, has a wide field of useful producing an elliptic rotating magnetic
ness and is especially adapted among other field and a substantially geographical non
uses for driving a clock mechanism after the polar rotor located therein, said rotor and
manner illustrated in another application Se said
rial Number 115955 filed by me August 21, tionedmeans to
being constructed and propor 05
coöperate to enable the rotor to
40 1916, and in the present instance the rotor start from rest by reason of magnetic rema
shaft 31 is shown as provided with a worm nence therein, and also to nullify progressive
33 located in the casing 34. Special atten shifting of the rotor magnetism when the
tion is called to the following great advan rotor
tages of this motor for operating timing de 3. Ais self-starting
rotating synchronously.
synchronous motor for O
45 vices. The rotor is extremely small and alternating current, comprising a stator hav
light, therefore its fly wheel effect is extraor ing means for producing an elliptic rotating
dinarily slight and consequently it will go magnetic field, and a rotor whose tendency
from rest to synchronous speed when the to
current is turned on and will stop when the is start greater
from rest due to magnetic remanence 115
than the tendency to seek a posi
50 current is turned off almost instantaneously. tion of rest where the magnetic reluctance
The rapidity in stopping after the current across a diameter is least, said rotor being
has been turned off is greatly increased, be so proportioned with respect to said mag
cause the rotor having become permanently netic field as to run synchronously without
magnetized reacts strongly upon the Sur slipping of the rotor magnetism. 120
55 rounding iron in the field and also the rotor 4. A self-starting synchronous motor for
shaft drops and rubs at its lower end. Con alternating
sequently, when used to drive a clock, any composed ofcurrent, consisting of a rotor
a thin substantially circular
interruption in current supply produces a disk of hardened
corresponding definite stoppage of the hands have a tendency tosteel whose magnetic poles 25
shift progressively, and
60 for substantially the same number of sec a magnet provided with means for produc
onds which can be exactly compensated for ing a rotating magnetic field in which said
by an auxiliary driving mechanism with rotor is located and EE E. whose op
no-voltage release as described in my appli
cation Serial Number 150876 filed February Es y
ends are separated from each other 30
substantially narrow spaces and whose
26, 1917.
85
 1,288,485
curved faces substantially encircle the said the tendency of the remanent magnetism to 20
rotor and are separated from the latter by
, a substantially wide air gap, and which co
operate with said rotor to enable the rotor
to start from rest by reason of magnetic
remanence therein and also to nullify pro
gressive shifting of the rotor magnetism
when the rotor is rotating synchronously.
5. A self-starting synchronous motor for
10 alternating current, consisting of a rotor
possessing remanent magnetism and whose
tendency to remain at rest is less than the
tendency to rotate, and a magnet for pro
ducing a rotating magnetic field in which
said rotor is located, said rotor and said
15 magnet being arranged and proportioned
with respect to each other so as to enable the
rotor to start from rest by reason of the
magnetic remanence therein and to offset
be shifted by the rotating magnetic field
when the rotor is running synchronously.
6. A self-starting synchronous motor for
alternating current, consisting of a rotor
possessing magnetic remanence and having a 25
substantially uniform reluctance to the pas
sage of magnetic lines of force in all posi
tions of the rotor, and means for producin
a rotating magnetic field of definite strengt
and frequency in which said rotor is located 30
said rotor and said means being arranged
and proportioned with relation to each other
to enable the rotor to start from rest by rea
son of the magnetic remanence therein and
to run synchronously. S5
In testimony whereof, I have signed my
name to this specification.
HENRY E. WARREN.