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Here is a vintage device that may have been used in a University physics or corporate lab to illustrate properties of static electricity or a generator, well at least that’s what I surmise, its something along the lines of a giant capacitor I think, but is it? And how does it work? It appears to date to the 1950s through the mid 1960s, This beast is incredibly well made with custom made parts of the highest quality and all metal that measures about four feet in length and the inside of the cylinder you see is ceramic like an over sized capacitor. Five lengths of fine wire travel through the stainless steel tubes at each end driven by motorized pulleys, one of which has a metal feed tray for a material that may create a static charge I believe. If anyone knows what this instrument is please let me know so I can determine what to do with it.
Each end of the cylinder has a porcelain terminal and thumbscrew for connecting leads which can be seen in one of the pictures below. The pulleys have sealed ball bearings and narrow slots lathed into them to separate the wires at each end as well as an elaborate three spring tension-or for loosening and tightening the strands. On the opposite end of the wooden base is a 'Microamperes" meter made of black Here is a vintage device that may have been used in a University physics or corporate lab to illustrate properties of static electricity or a generator. This beast is incredibly well made with skilled machining and all metal that measures about four feet in length and the inside of the cylinder you see is layers of thick ceramic like an over sized capacitor. Each end of the cylinder has a porcelain terminal and thumbscrew for connecting positive and negative leads which can be seen in one of the pictures below. The pulleys have sealed ball bearings and narrow slots lathed into them to separate the wires at each end as well as an elaborate three spring tension-or for loosening and tightening the strands. On the opposite end is a 'Microamperes" meter made of black bakelite. The meter has wires that run to a sensor midway and close to the botto```
Here is a vintage device that may have been used in a University physics or corporate lab to illustrate properties of static electricity or a generator, well at least that’s what I surmise, Its like a giant capacitor and I am hoping someone here can tell me what it is and how it works, I would be very grateful. It appears to date to the 1950s through the mid 1960s. This beast is incredibly well made with skilled machining and all metal that measures about four feet in length and the inside of the cylinder you see is layers of thick ceramic like an over sized capacitor. Five lengths of fine wire travel through the stainless steel tubes at each end driven by motorized pulleys, one of which has a metal feed tray for a material that helps create a static charge I believe. Each end of the cylinder has a porcelain terminal and thumbscrew for connecting positive and negative leads which can be seen in one of the pictures below. The pulleys have sealed ball bearings and narrow slots lathed into them to separate the wires at each end as well as an elaborate three spring tension-or for loosening and tightening the strands. A synchronization motor drives this unit by way of belt that engages a set of solid brass gears and the wires move very slowly and extremely precise. On the opposite end is a 'Microamperes" meter made of black bakelite. The meter has wires that run to a sensor midway and close to the bottom of the tube in the middle of said cylinder. Thanks! Vaughn
