Talk:Metadyne

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See also Booster (electric power). More information needed. Biscuittin 11:08, 18 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

We really need to establish whether the Metadyne used as an amplifier is the same as the Metadyne used on electric trains. It seems rather improbable, but I think both were made by Metropolitan-Vickers so why would they use the same name for two different machines? Biscuittin 19:50, 18 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

They are the same type of machine. I will expand the article in the near future. Biscuittin 09:24, 19 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The amplidyne and the metadyne work in a very similar way. They are both cross field machines. Basically metadyne converts a small input voltage signal to a proportional large current output. (Excellent for electric welders) The amplidyne converts a small input voltage signal to a large power voltage with the output voltage roughly proportional to the input signal. The basic difference is in the aamount of 'Compensation' used in the cross field winding.

Any one wanting to see real technical detail should read 'Electrical Machines' by Fitzgerald and Kingsley. Take the edtions around 1950, not sure if the section on amplidyne is in the current updates as it is an out of date technology. The basic concept comes form the constant current generator by Rosenberg that was widely used for lighting on early trains. Met Vick used the concept for both Diesel electric trains and for Gun turret control around the 1940 and 50's.

Tustin was the key worker. The patents belonged to GE (USA) and Macfarlane engineering (Scotland) Filed on the same day and quite independantly. Someday when I have some time I will write a technical description of both. I used to work for Macfarlane eng. I am a motor designer. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.41.197.111 (talk) 21:50, 23 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Text removed

I have removed the following text from the article:

The concept and original patents were issued to the Macfarlane engineering company of Cathcart, Scotland. They were licensed to Metropolitan-Vickers and there was a cross licence or some form of agreement with GE USA who patented almost to the day the 'Amplidyne' which works the same way (the difference is simply in the amount of compensation that is made for armature reaction). Macfarlane used the concept in two main applications: constant current for electric welders and, in Amplidyne form, for alternator voltage and current control.

which had the following hidden comment:

(I am a former employee as an apprentice. My details are sketchy. There is nothing wrong with the original form. I am just adding two other and actually more important players in the development.)

They are unsourced, and according to Tustin (1952), Macfarlane developed the Magnicon, which was different in construction to the Metadyne, as it had four poles on the armature, and GE obtained their own patents because the Amplidyne was different to the Metadyne. If anyone has sources for the text as stated, feel free to restore it. Bob1960evens (talk) 23:56, 20 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]