Electro-magnetism; History of Davenport's invention of the application of electro-magnetism to machinery also, extracts from other public journals - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1837 Excerpt: ... EXTRACTS FROM THE NEWSPAPERS. From the Saratoga Sentinel, January 3, 1837. HIGHLY IMPORTANT INVENTION. ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ENGINE. In company with Dr. Steel and several other gentlemen, we called upon Messrs. Davenport and Cook of this village, on Saturday, with a view of examining the Electro-Magnetic Engine, invented by the senior partner. The ingenuity, yet simplicity of its construction, the rapidity of its motion, together with the grandeur of the thought that we are witnessing the operations of machinery propelled by that subtle and all-pervading principle electricity, combine to render it the most interesting exhibition we have ever witnessed. Although we shall say something on the subject, it is perhaps impossible to describe this machine by words alone, so as to give more than a faint idea of it to the reader. It consists of a stationary magnetic circle, formed of disconnected segments. These segments are permanently charged magnets, the repelling poles of which are placed contiguous to each other. Within the circle stands the motive wheel, having the projecting galvanic magnets, which revolve as near the circle as they can be brought without actual contact. The galvanic magnets are charged by a battery, and when so charged, magnetic attraction and repulsion are brought into requisition in giving motion to the wheel--the poles of the galvanic magnets being changed more than a thousand times per minute. Having in its construction but one wheel, revolving with no friction except from its own shaft, and from the wires connecting it with the galvanic battery, the latter of which can scarcely be said to impede the motion in any degree, the durability of this engine must be almost without limit. There is no danger to be apprehended from fire or explosions; ...