On the Quantitative Theory of the Wimshurst Static Machine. I Available to Purchase

Following the general method of previous papers on the theory of static machines the quantitative theory of an eight carrier (per disk), birotational Wimshurst static machine is developed in detail. From the equations connecting the charges on the elements of the machine after any number of eighth turns, the equations connecting the corresponding voltages are deduced, and from these finally the general formulas for the potentials after any number of eighth turns. Provided the original potentials are in proper relation, the voltages increase by a constant factor (per eighth turn), and this factor is the same for all of the conductors of the machine. If the original potentials are not regularly distributed, the machine tends continually toward a state in which they are, and the corresponding formulae contain transient terms. The theory is extended to polysymmetric static machines of the same general type. A trisymmetric Wimshurst machine is treated in detail. It is shown that in general Wimshurst machines with an even number of symmetries are direct‐current machines, while those with an odd number are electrostatic alternators.