Mlund Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 (edited) There have already been several recent threads on the Amet Spring motor. I hope that I am not being too repetitive by posting a new thread, but I believe this will show the evolution of the Amet Spring motor which was definitely a work in progress. I have always been intrigued with the history and early development of the phonograph. In the late 1800’s technology progressed from hand powered, treadle powered, electric powered motor and finally the spring powered motor. Edward Amet was certainly one of the early pioneers and inventors of the spring phonograph motor. His 1891 patents represent the earliest patents for a spring phonograph motor. Inventor and entrepreneur Leon Douglas was quick to adopt Edward Amet’s spring motor design which he offered for sale in custom made cabinets through his Chicago Talking Machine Company starting in 1894. You could purchase a custom cabinet with Amet designed spring motor for a price of $25, to which you could transfer the top works from your own Edison Class M Phonograph or Bell Tainter Graphophone. This would give you the first ever available spring powered phonograph/ graphophone, freeing you from the heavy electric motor with it’s cumbersome batteries required to power it. One thing that is very clear is that the early Amet spring motor was a work in progress. The original design featured an underpowered single spring motor with a very unique and cleverly designed centrifugal governor. While the centrifugal governor was very efficient (perhaps one of the most efficient governor designs of it’s day), it was also likely fairly costly to produce. The design of the Amet spring motors offered through the Chicago Talking Machine Company changed significantly over the few years that it was offered for sale. Gradually more springs were added to improve it’s power, and the governor design changed significantly, most likely in an attempt to balance production cost with efficiency. Below are examples showing the 7 variations of the Amet spring motor that I am aware of. If anyone knows of any other variation I would love to see it. Edward Amer’s first patent dated November 3, 1891 for his spring phonograph motor with unique centrifugal governor design Close up view of the Amet centrifugal governor described in his 1891 patent 1. Amet’s first spring motor featuring an underpowered single spring motor with early Centrifugal Governor 2. Amet’s more powerful 2 spring motor with early Centrifugal Governor 3. Amet 2 spring motor with a unique transitional Centrifugal Governor employing a hybrid - ball weight and centrifugal design 4. Amet 2 spring motor with 2 cylindrical governor weights 5. Amet 2 Spring motor with 2 spherical governor ball weights 6. Amet 2 spring motor with 3 spherical governor ball weights 7. Amet 4 spring motor with Centrifugal Governor Collection of Amet spring motors as shown above. Edited February 20, 2022 by Mlund 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phonogfp Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Mike, that's a spectacular display of Amet's spring motor evolution! Thanks for posting these excellent pictures. George P. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinfoilphono Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 What an amazing collection of the various designs. I'd love to see that in person. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phonogfp Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 It's interesting how the fiber gear driving the governor pinion seemed to come and go with successive versions of the motor. George P. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Amazing collection demonstrating the evolution of Amet motors. Thanks for sharing Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlund Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) 7 hours ago, Tinfoilphono said: What an amazing collection of the various designs. I'd love to see that in person. Renè, You are always more than welcome to visit any time if you ever find yourself near Charlotte, NC Edited February 20, 2022 by Mlund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlund Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 George, I am not sure of the exact chronology of the different Amet spring motor variations. I assume it went from the early Centrifugal Governor design with increasing number of springs, then the transitional Ball/ centrifugal governor, then the 2 cylindrical weight governor, then the 2 spherical weight governor, and lastly the 3 spherical weight governor. But that is largely speculation on my part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phonogfp Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 2 hours ago, Mlund said: George, I am not sure of the exact chronology of the different Amet spring motor variations. I assume it went from the early Centrifugal Governor design with increasing number of springs, then the transitional Ball/ centrifugal governor, then the 2 cylindrical weight governor, then the 2 spherical weight governor, and lastly the 3 spherical weight governor. But that is largely speculation on my part. Mike, your chronology makes sense, and I believe Tim and I followed a similar line in our books (especially the Compendium). George P. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran604g Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thanks for sharing your amazing collection of Amet powered machines, Mike. Very informative. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenL Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 Out of curiosity is this all the variations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlund Posted February 25, 2022 Author Share Posted February 25, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 11:18 PM, BenL said: Out of curiosity is this all the variations? That is all of the motor variations that I am aware of, but is is entirely possible that other variations exist. Of course each motor variation could be paired with either a Class M or Bell Tainter top works, essentially doubling the possible variations. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudioAntique Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) Mike has an amazing collection and well thought out presentation of Amet machine motors and governor assemblies. We are delighted that he has maintained this Amet collection and Howard Hazelcorn’s research. It seems that no two Amet machines are alike, from the motors to cases. As George observed, it is curious to see the governor drive gear change back and forth from fiber to brass. The casting of the governor support arm changes with each motor as does the braking method. Aside from the motors, the class M top works appear to be about ¼” too long for the cover to fit unless the end gate latch is in the un-locked position. Here is an exception to the familiar Edison top works. This machine has a highly decorated top works and Chicago Talking Machine Co. tagged case. It came with the (37”x 20-1/2”) aluminum horn, and the polished nickel over brass (5.5lbs) (22”x 12”) funnel horn. An early floor crane supports the horns. We have no information regarding the early history of this machine or its significance. Rob & Joan Edited February 25, 2022 by AudioAntique 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran604g Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) Stunning Rob and Joan, thank you for sharing your wonderful machine with us! Fran Edited February 25, 2022 by Fran604g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phonogfp Posted February 26, 2022 Share Posted February 26, 2022 That's a beautiful Amet machine, Rob & Joan. The decoration on the Edison upper casting is quite striking! George P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valecnik Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 Mike, Robin & Joan, Thanks for sharing the excellent photos and narrative on the various Amet motors. Really an interesting topic. Fantastic pieces you both have too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted February 28, 2022 Share Posted February 28, 2022 Robin and Joan, I thought you'd appreciate this picture. It is your top, but on an Eastern Motor. It is from the Chicago Talking Machine Company adding to your already solid provenance. Shawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudioAntique Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 Shawn, you are AMAZING! Thanks for finding this information. We had thought that it might be some exhibition outfit. It's been very well cared for. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andersun Posted Sunday at 10:35 PM Share Posted Sunday at 10:35 PM I know this thread is a little dated but thought I would add some pics of a double spring centrifugal governor design with the speed control inside the cabinet rather than on top of the lower bedplate. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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