Institute of Electrical Engineers
Feb 1888
Tesla Discusses AC Motors
Experiment alone can determine its value, and one properly conducted and
interpreted set of experiments should enable us to judge both the merit of the
invention and its best possible form. I cannot see, however, how, in the form
described in the last issue of this journal the motor can work under conditions
of a suddenly varying load as satisfactorily as continuous current motors."
To the above Mr. Tesla replied on June 2 as follows:
"I find in your issue of last week a note of Mr. Duncan referring to my
system of alternate current motors.
"As I see that Dr. Duncan has not as yet been made acquainted with the real
character of my invention, I cannot consider his article in the light of a
serious criticism, and would think it unnecessary to respond; but desiring to
express my consideration for him and the importance which I attach to his
opinion, I will point out here briefly the characteristic features of my
invention, inasmuch as they have a direct bearing on the article above referred
to.
"The principle of action of my motor will be well understood from the
following: By passing alternate currents in proper manner through independent
energising circuits in the motor, a progressive shifting or rotation of the
poles of the same is effected. This shifting is more or less continuous
according to the construction of the motor and the character and relative phase
of the currents which should exist in order to secure the most perfect action.
"Now compare this system with a continuous current system. In the latter we have alternate currents in the generator and motor coils, and intervening devices for commutating the currents, which on the motor besides effect automatically a progressive shifting or rotation of the poles of the armature; here we have the same elements and identically the same operation, but without the commutating devices. In view of the fact that these devices are entirely unessential to the operation, such alternate current system will - at least in many respects - show a complete similarity with a continuous current system, and the motor will act precisely like a continuous current motor. If the load is augmented, the speed is diminished and the rotary effort correspondingly increased, as more current is made to pass through the energising circuits; load being taken off, the speed increases, and the current, and consequently the effort, is lessened. The effort, of course, is greatest when the armature is in the state of rest.
"But, since the analogy is complete, how about the maximum efficiency and current passing through the circuits when the motor is running without any load? one will naturally inquire. It must be remembered that we have to deal with alternate currents. In this form the motor simply represents a transformer, in which currents are induced by a dynamic action instead of by reversals, and, as it might be expected, the efficiency will be maximum at full load. As regards the current, there will be - at least, under proper conditions - as wide a variation in its strength as in a transformer, and, by observing proper rules, it may be reduced to any desired quantity. Moreover, the current passing through the motor when running free, is no measure for the energy absorbed, since the instruments indicate only the numerical sum of the direct and induced electromotive forces and currents instead of showing their difference.
"Regarding the other class of these motors, designed for constant speed, the objections of Dr. Duncan are, in a measure applicable to certain constructions, but it should be considered that such motors are not expected to run without any, or with a very light load; and, if so, they do not, when properly constructed, present in this respect any more disadvantage than transformers under similar conditions. Besides, both features, rotary effort and tendency to constant speed, may be combined in a motor, and any desired preponderance may be given to either one, and in this manner a motor may be obtained possessing any desired character and capable of satisfying any possible demand in practice.
"In conclusion, I will remark, with all respect to Dr. Duncan, that the advantages claimed for my system are not mere assumptions, but results actually obtained, and that for this purpose experiments have been conducted through a long period, and with an assiduity such as only a deep interest in the invention could inspire; nevertheless, although my motor is the fruit of long labour and careful investigation, I do not wish to claim any other merit beyond that of having invented it, and I leave it to men more competent than myself to determine the true laws of
the principle and the best mode of its application. What the result of these investigations will be the future will tell; but whatever they may be, and to whatever this principle may lead, I shall be sufficiently recompensed if later it will be admitted that I have contributed a share, however small, to the advancement of science."