Mr. Tesla's Personal Exhibit at the World's Fair

A smaller ring, shown at B (Fig 297), was arranged like the one exhibited at A but designed especially to exhibit the rotation of an armature in a rotating field. In connection with these two rings there was an interesting exhibit shown by Mr. Tesla which consisted of a magnet with a coil, the magnet being arranged to rotate in bearings. With this magnet he first demonstrated the identity between a rotating field and a rotating magnet; the latter, when rotated, exhibited the same phenomena as the rings when they were energized by currents of differing phase. Another prominent exhibit was a model illustrated at C which was a two-phase motor, as well as an induction motor and transformer. It consists of a large outer ring of laminated iron wound with two superimposed, separated windings which can be connected in a variety of ways. This is one of the first models used by Mr. Tesla as an induction motor and rotating transformer. The armature was either a steel or wrought iron disc with a closed coil. When the motor was operated from a two-phase generator the windings were connected in two groups, as usual. When used as an induction motor, the current induced in one of the windings of the ring was passed through the other winding of the ring and so the motor operated with only two wires. When used as a transformer the outer winding served, for instance, as the secondary and the inner as the primary. The model shown at - D is one of the earliest rotating field motors, consisting of a thin iron ring wound with two sets of coils and an armature consisting of a series of steel discs partly cut away and arranged on a small arbor.

At E is shown one of the first rotating field or induction motors used for the regulation of an arc-lamp and for other purposes. It comprises a ring of discs with two sets of coils having different self-inductions, one set being of German silver and the other of copper wire. The armature is wound with two closed-circuited coils at right angles to each other. To the armature shaft are fastened levers and other devices to effect the regulation.

At F is shown a model of a magnetic lag motor; this embodies a casting with pole projections protruding from two coils between which is arranged to rotate a smooth iron body. When an alternating current is sent through the two coils the pole projections of the field and armature are similarly magnetized, and upon the cessation or reversal of the current the armature and field repel each other and rotation is produced this way.

Another interesting exhibit, shown at G , is an early model of a two field motor energized by currents of different phase. There are two independent fields of laminated iron joined by brass bolts; in each field is mounted an armature, both armatures being on the same shaft. The armatures were originally so arranged as to be placed in any position relatively to each other, and the fields also were arranged to be connected in a number of ways. The motor has served for the exhibition of a number of features; among other things it has been used as a dynamo for the production of currents of any frequency between wide limits. In this case the field, instead of being energized by direct current, was energized by currents differing in phase, which produced a rotation of the field; the armature was then rotated in the same or in opposite direction to the movement of the field; and so any number of alternations of the currents induced in the armature, from a small to a high number, determined by the frequency of the energizing coils and speed of the armature was obtained.

Fig 298

Fig 298a - See US Patent 390,721 - This motor/generator (it was used for both) is photographed above with the armature type shown in Fig 305 below, and later applied in the Niagara Falls generators.

The models H I J represent a variety of rotating field, synchronous motors which are of special value in long distance transmission work. The principal embodied in these motors was enunciated by Mr. Tesla in his lecture before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, in May, 1888. It involves the production of the rotating field in one of the elements of the motor by currents differing in phase and energizing the other element by direct currents. The armatures are of the two and three phase type.

K is a model of a motor shown in an enlarged view in Fig 298. This machine, together with that shown in Fig 299, was exhibited at the same lecture, in May, 1888. They were the first rotating field motors which were independently tested, having for that purpose been placed in the hands of Prof. Anthony in the winter of 1887-88. From these tests it was shown that the efficiency and output of these motors was quite satisfactory in every respect..

Fig 299

It was intended to exhibit the model shown in Fig 299, but it was unavailable for that purpose owing to the fact that it was some time ago handed over to the care of Prof. Ayrton in England. This model was originally provided with twelve independent coils; this number, as Mr. Tesla pointed out in his first lecture, being divisible by two and three, was selected in order to make various connections for two and three-phase operations, and during Mr. Tesla's experiments was used in many ways with from two to six phases. The model, Fig 298, consists of a magnetic frame of laminated iron with four polar projections between which an armature is supported on brass bolts passing through the frame. A great variety of armatures was used in connection with these two and other fields. Some of the armatures are shown in front on the table, Fig 297, and several are shown enlarged in Figs 300-310. An interesting exhibit is that shown at L, Fig 297. This is an armature of hardened steel which was used in a demonstration before the Society of Arts in Boston, by Prof. Anthony. Another curious exhibit is shown enlarged in Fig 301. This consists of thick discs of wrought iron placed lengthwise, with a mass of copper cast around them. The discs were arranged longitudinally to afford an easier starting by reason of the induced current formed in the iron discs, which differed in phase from those in the copper. This armature would start with a single circuit and run in synchronism, and represents one of the earliest types of such an armature.

Fig 305 is another striking exhibit. This is one of the earliest types of an armature with holes beneath the periphery, in which copper conductors are imbedded. The armature has eight closed circuits and was used in many different ways. Fig 304 is a type of synchronous armature consisting of a block of soft steel wound with a coil closed upon itself. This armature was used in connection with the field shown in Fig 298 and gave excellent results.

Fig 302 represents a synchronous armature with a large coil around a body of iron. There is another very small coil at angles to the first. This small coil was used for the purpose of increasing the starting torque and was found very effective in this connection. Figs 306 and 308 show a favorite construction of armature; the iron body is made up of two sets of discs cut away and placed at right angles to each other, the interstices being wound with coils. The one shown in Fig 308 is provided with an additional groove on each of the projections formed by the discs, for the purpose of increasing the starting torque by a wire wound in these projections. Fig 307 is a form of armature similarly constructed, but with four independent coils wound upon the four projections. This armature was used to reduce the speed of the motor in reference to that of the generator. Fig 300 is still another armature with a great number of independent circuits closed upon themselves, so that all the dead points on the armature are done away with, and the armature has a large starting torque. Fig 303 is another type of armature for a four-pole motor but with coils wound upon a smooth surface. A number of these armatures have hollow shafts, as they have been used in many ways. Figs 309 and 310 represent armatures to which either alternating or direct current was conveyed by means of sliding rings. Fig 309 consists of a soft iron body with a single coil wound around it, the ends of the coil being connected to two sliding rings to which, usually, direct current was conveyed. The armature shown in Fig 310 has three insulated rings on a shaft and was used in connection with two or three phase circuits.

All these models shown represent early work, and the enlarged engravings are made from photographs taken early in 1888. There is a great number of other models which were exhibited, but which were not brought out sharply in the engraving, Fig 297. For example at M is a model of a motor comprising an armature with a hollow shaft wound with two or three coils for two or three-phase circuits; the armature was arranged to be stationary and circuits were connected directly to the generator. Around the armature was arranged to rotate on its shaft a casting forming six closed circuits. On the outside of this casting was turned smooth and the belt was placed on it for driving any desired appliance. This also is a very early model.

405,858

On the left side of the table there are seen a large variety of models, N, O, P etc., with fields of various shapes. Each of these models involves some distinct idea and they all represent gradual development chiefly interesting as showing Mr. Tesla's efforts to adapt his system to the existing high frequencies.

On the right side of the table, at S, T, are shown, on separate supports, larger and more perfected armatures of commercial motors, and in the space around the table a variety of motors and generators supplying currents to them was exhibited.

The high frequency exhibit embraced Mr. Tesla's first original apparatus used in his investigations. There was exhibited a glass tube with one layer of silk covered wire wound at the top and a copper ribbon on the inside. This was the first disruptive discharge coil constructed by him. At U is shown the disruptive discharge coil exhibited by him in his lecture before the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, in May, 1891. At V and W are shown some of the first high frequency transformers. A number of various fields and armatures of small models of high frequency apparatus as shown at X and Y, and others not visible in the picture, were exhibited. In the annexed space the dynamo then used by Mr. Tesla at Columbia College was exhibited; also another form of high frequency dynamo used.

Fig 311

In this space also was arranged a battery of Leyden jars and his large disruptive discharge coil which was used for exhibiting the light phenomena in the adjoining dark room. The coil was operated at only a small fraction of it's capacity, as the necessary condensers and transformers could not be had and as Mr. Tesla's stay was limited to one week; notwithstanding, the phenomena were of a striking character. In the room were arranged two large plates placed at a distance of about eighteen feet from each other. Between them were placed two long tables with all sorts of phosphorescent bulbs and tubes; many of these were prepared with great care and marked legibly with the names which would shine with phosphorescent glow. Among them were some with the names of Helmholtz, Faraday, Maxwell, Henry, Franklin, etc. Mr. Tesla had also not forgotten the greatest living poet of his own country, Zmaj Jovan; two or three were prepared with inscriptions like "Welcome Electricians" and produced a beautiful effect. Each represented some phase of his work and stood for some individual experiment of importance. Outside the room was the small battery seen in Fig 311, for exhibition of some of the impedance and other phenomena of interest. Thus, for instance, a thick copper bar bent in arched form was provided with clamps for the attachment of lamps, and a number of lamps were kept at incandescence on the bar; there was also a little motor shown on the table operated by disruptive discharge.

514,169 - Reciprocating Engine - Photographed at Tesla's World's Fair Exhibit

As will be remembered by those who visited the Exposition, the Westinghouse Company made a fine exhibit of the various commerical motors of the Tesla system, while the twelve generators in Machinery Hall were of the two-phase type constructed for distributing light and power. Mr. Tesla also exhibited some models of his oscillators.

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* - Editor's Bold

Machinery Hall - Chicago World's Fair - Columbian Exposition - 1893

Click for higher resolution image courtesy of the Paul V. Gavin Library

THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER - A weekly magazine published in the 1890's, ran a short article on the Westinghouse power plant installation: Lighting the White City. They have poor quality images in the Google scan from the University of Michigan Library, but the text absolutely gives reference to the scope and scale. Sections of the completed installation are imaged above, the poor quality images in the article are of the construction phase.

LIGHTING THE WHITE CITY

The Electrical Engineer - Vol. XV. - April 26, 1893

Westinghouse Work at the Fair

The Electrical Engineer, August 16, 1893, Vol. XVI

Tesla's Laboratory Power

Boiler, Steam Engine, Line-Shaft, Belts & Pulleys

A NEW SYSTEM OF ALTERNATE CURRENT MOTORS AND TRANSFORMERS

Paper by Nikola Tesla read to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers on May 16, 1888

Tesla's Cymatic Research

Steam Powered Isochronous Acoustic Oscillators & Generators

Nikola Tesla on Mechanical and Electrical Oscillators

Chapter XLIII - The Martin Book

To the Archive Page Discussion on Tesla's Technology

Lab-Tesla disclosures on the technology just presented