Ernest Harrison
Ernest Harrison (1885-1947) of 56, Clara-street, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Born on March 22, 1885, in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England.
'Make and Break' Magneto patentee[1]
Associated with Combination Metallic Packing Co.
1920 "Dear Mr. Harrison, I have tested your combined magneto lighting set, and find that the model works in a very satisfactory manner. The make & break is excellent in the nature of the Ignition spark formed, and is in my opinion likely to prove a valuable improvement in magneto design. The direct current lighting circuit as arranged for currents up to 2 amperes at 6 volts is quite satisfactory. The voltage does not rise to an excessive amount if one of the head lamp filament breaks. The lighting current is suitable for charging storage cells. The lighting & ignition circuits are quite distinct and a complete break or short circuit on the lighting circuit does not affect the efficiency of the ignition circuit. The small size of the present model makes it more suitable for motor cycles than cars but the principle is sound & can be extended to lighting circuits of any size. Yours very truly W. M. Thornton"[2]
NEW IGNITION-CUM-LIGHTING GENERATOR.[3]
TERMED by its 'designer the “Combination 'Super-magneto,” the latest ignition and lighting ’generator has several claims to novelty. It is very little larger than the ordinary high-tension magneto, and is driven from the engine in the usual way. It generates, however, both current for (ignition and a continuous supply of 6 volts for lighting and accumulator charging purposes.
Its Internal Construction,
A good idea of the appearance of the machine may be obtained from the photographs, whilst the diagram indicates its internal economy. -The armature, as will be seen, ^rotates ' between the poles of a 'permanent magnetin'the orthodox maifn'ST', Hbiic there Wire two entirely separate commutators. One of these, on the driving end of rihe armature, as for the collection of the direct low-tension current : at the opposite end is the contact (breaker and high-tension distributor. The.condenser is< located above- the armature.
The armature windings for high and low-tension currents are-independent of each other, and it is claimed that the lighting current is so steady at all speeds above the 500 armature r.p.ni. at which the rated output is attained, that the lamps may he connected directly to ft he generator without the interposition of an accumulator. If, however, a battery is desired (it is, of course, necessary if the lights are to remain burning when the engine stops), the “Super-magneto ” will supply it with charging current.
Entirely Separate Circuits.
Despite ’ the fact that both ignition and lighting (circuits are generated from the one armature, a “short” on the lighting system does not intany way affect the ignition. No provision is made for -advancing or retarding the spark, it being claimed that the internal arrangement of the^ magneto portions of the instrument causes the.spark to “ accommodate itself to the engine’s speed.” Apart from the extra winding and commutator, t here-is does not appear to be very much difference in the general construction of the “ Super-magneto ” and the orthodox magneto; such parts- as contact breaker, high-tension collector brush (or* brushes), and condenser all being entirely enclosed.
The “ Super-magneto ” is the design of (Mr. E. Harrison, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and we understand that it is to be manufactured by the Combination Metallic Packing Co. (2921), Ltd,, "of.. Gates head-on-Tyne. The, machine has been submitted to Professor Thornton, of Durham University, who states in his report that “it is likely to prove a valuable improvement in, magnet design. The direct-current lighting circuit as arranged for current up to 2 amps, at 6 volts is quite satisfactory. The voltage does not rise excessively if the headlamp filament breaks. A complete break or short circuit on the lighting circuit does not affect the efficiency of the ignition circuit.” The “ Supermagneto ’ * is quoted at £22 10s. The overall dimensions are: length 7J ins., width 5 ins., height 4g ins. The instrument fits any magneto platform, and weighs complete 15 lb. It is stated that full ignition current is generated at anything over 50 armature revs, per minute, which means easy starting."
Date of Death October 15, 1947.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Engineer 1920/02/27
- ↑ Patent documents provided by family member (Feb 2018).
- ↑ Motor Cycling January 11th 1922