Tesla and the AC Motor: Matthew Harrison

After reading empires of light it became apparent to me that Tesla was able to create a better and more reliable machine then what Thomas Edison was able to create. One of his major design changes was that there where no commutators which made the machine have less ware and tare, and ultimately gave it a better life span. Tesla was able to change the whole machine around and actually convert it back to direct current when it was needed and then to AC current when it was needed. This ability to change electric flow really gave Tesla the upper hand. Tesla was able to use different sets of current which would he could controll. He was able to make one set of currents go lower while the other worked stronger. 

Tesla First lecture of the AC generator was done at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, which is where he would describe how the AC motor worked and what improvements he has made over the past years. But these designs where so far ahead of their time it was had for other engineers to work with him and commercialize this product.  With the help of Westinghouse Tesla was able to option patens which would help further his design to make it more practical for everyday use. Tesla still at this time was viewed as a visionary and his ideas although abstract are still in use today.

Tesla and the AC Motor Chris Cook

After a short introduction crediting benefactors and warning the audience of the short notice and preperation for the presentation Tesla began to explain how his system of electrical distibution through alternate currents would prove to be superior in the transmission of power and provide practical results that were unattainable and desired at the time through the use of present electriacal systems.  Polyphase AC was necessary because it replaced the need for a commutator instead using a simple order of currents to provide power to the induction motor he had developed.  With one of his motors next to him he demonstrated it’s action and explained every detail involving the use of the polyphase AC and the magnetic fields used to rotate the motor.  This was a highly efficient system with no direct connections to the motor, the only pieces that would wear being two bearings.  Westinghouse bought the patents with Tesla’s system because he realized they would cover the entire domain of Alternating Current systems.  This had a few drawbacks, however, because Westinghouse had crews that were already working on developing an AC motor and were working off designs introduced by Galileo Ferraris.  Using Tesla’s electrical system would involve redoing a lot of the work they had already completed before moving even a bit forward, a very costly problem.

Tesla and the AC Motor – Jonathan A

One of the biggest improvements of Tesla’s AC system was that there were no commutators. Because there were no commutators, there was a lot less wear and tear, thus making a more reliable machine. Tesla was able to change alternating current into direct current without the use of brushes or comutators (Jonnes 157). Tesla’s polyphase AC motor used two alternating currents that were out of step with each other, which caused magnetic fields to work to push the rotating shaft of the motor around. By using these different sets of currents, Tesla was able to ensure that there was always a strong current available to power the motor. One current would die down, and another would continue to power the motor. Tesla simply explained how his motor worked, and stopped and pointed at his motor to help with his explanations.

Tesla’s first lecture to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers was labeled, “A New System of Alternate Current Motors and Transformers.” This lecture basically described his new AC motor and system. The reason why it was so difficult to work with other engineers and to commercialize Tesla’s designs was that Tesla’s designs were far ahead of their time. Engineers would be amazed but still a little confused on his designs. The reason why Westinghouse needed Tesla’s patents on his AC system was that Tesla was coming out with so many patnents, that if Westinghouse did not own them, he would not be able to make an AC system that was efficient. Also, Tesla made the first efficient AC motor which was needed to power this system. If Tesla owned all the patents, nothing Westinghouse could do would allow him to be involved in the “battle of the currents” because he would not be able to use the essential designs needed to finish his system.

Tesla and AC Motor- Keya Z.

Tesla first started his lecture by thanking his benefacotrs, Professor Anthony and Mr. Martin and Mr. Pope, men any ambitious electrician would wish as patrons. Then he exused his state of prescence, as he was very ill and looked weary. Tesla said he had a short notice of this lecture. He would be very happy if whatever he does meets their approval. Standing next to his AC induction motors, Tesla began his lecture and made his point by starting and stoping the machines and showing through drawings and diagrams also how they worked. He explained that others before him found that the magnetic fields produced by alternating current entered motors and just churned about, not turning the motor. What Tesla did differently was use two alternating currents that were out of step with each other, which is the polyphase. The magnetic fields worked together to push the rotating shaft of the motor around. By using more than one set of currents, Telsa could ensure that there was always a strong current available to power the motor. As one of the currents died away, the other would continue to move the motor round with it, and it did so without using any electrical connectinos to the rotating shaft. Westinghouse needed to buy the patents for the AC motor to complete his design. Tesla and his partners knew they needed such a fearless fighter if they were ever to see more than three years of royalties. Tesla very much admired Westinghouse’s qualities as a business man. Tesla said that Westinghouse was the only man that could take his alternating system under the circumstances then existing and win the battle agasint prejudice and money power. So Tesla sold his patents to Westinghouse, and the two starting working together and got wealthy fast.

AC motor~Desire’

                 Tesla’s alternating current induction motor was unlike any other at this time. His motor did not need the commutator brushes to transform alternating current into direct current. His motor used two alternating currents instead of one. Think of when you walk and your legs move back and forth opposite of each other. That’s how this works. A magnetic field is created from the current by that, which then pushes the rotating shaft of the motor around. Because he used more than one current there was always a strong current that the motor could use. When one of the currents would lose power the other one would continue to move the motor around because it was going the other way. This is the importance of the polyphase alternating current. It allows Tesla to have those two currents out of step with one another so when one dies the other one can continue on.

                Westinghouse was at first going to buy the patents to Ferraris alternating current motor to use as leverage. He thought Ferraris patent would overrule Tesla’s because his were still being processed by the US patent office. Westinghouse started thinking about the problem and knew Tesla had very many patents being processed at the patent office that would be able to cover the motors that his other engineers were experimenting with and Ferraris (so buying the patent from Ferraris would not be a smart option). He figured Tesla’s patents would be broad enough to cover everything AC. So he knew that it would be a much better investment to just take Peck and Browns offer on the Tesla patents.

                Tesla was used to working by himself and not with a lot of people. The reasons why Westinghouse engineers didn’t like Tesla was for one; Tesla told them all that all their AC stations would have to be redone, because the way they did them wasn’t right. They resented Tesla because he came in and basically said that everything they knew about producing electricity and running motors was irrelevant. Another reason for the dislike was because Tesla came from nowhere. He had suddenly arisen to fame and was now giving out orders. The difficulties that Tesla had with commercializing his motors were because the frequency was 60 cycles. Westinghouse engineers had designed all their AC stations to operate at more than twice that frequency.

15-Tesla lecture & AC Motor

For Mon Nov 10th, read Empires of Light, pp.  141-163 and 179-183 (Edison Declares War; Constant Danger).  Then review carefully pp. 153-163 and post an account of Tesla’s lecture to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1888.  Make sure you explain the importance of polyphase AC in Tesla’s induction motor.  Also indicate why Westinghouse purchased Tesla’s patents and difficulties Tesla had working with Westinghouse Engineers and commercializing his design.  

During class you will use the blog’s comment function to vote on:  1) which account is the most technically correct and comprehensive; 2) which account is the most accessible and understandable to non-engineers; and 3) which account is the best mix of the two.