Cavallo’s multiplier
– Cavallo’s machine was described in his 1795 Treatise on Electricity.
– He examined Bennets charge doubler of 1787 and found it lacking in consistent operation and charge retention.
– Cavallo’s machine consisted of four metal plates supported on a wooden board by posts, with three insulating posts and one conducting post.
– The charge to be multiplied was applied to the first plate, which stood on an insulating post.
– A movable insulated metal plate was brought close to the first plate, causing charge separation due to electrostatic induction.
Wilson’s machine
– Wilson’s machine was a development on Cavallo’s concept, described in Nicholson’s Journal in August 1804.
– It operated two Cavallo’s multipliers simultaneously using reciprocating levers.
– The two accumulating plates were connected together by a wire, making Wilson’s machine a true multiplier.
– Wilson’s machine accumulated charge more rapidly than Cavallo’s multiplier and could generate high voltages in a short period of time.
– It was self-exciting and did not require an initial charge to operate.
References
– Gray, John (1890). Electrical Influence Machines. Whittaker. pp.80–81.
– Cavallo, Tiberius (1795). A complete treatise on electricity, in theory and practice. Vol.3 (4th ed.). pp.76–81.
– de Queiroz, A. C. M. Electrostatic Machines. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
– Wilson, W (10 August 1804). Compound Electrical Instrument. Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry & the Arts. IX: 19–24.
– de Queiroz, A. C. M. Wilson’s machine. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
External links
– Video of reproduction Wilson’s machine. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cavallo%27s_multiplier&oldid=1069290371
Categories and hidden categories
– Category: Historical scientific instruments
– Hidden categories: CS1: Julian–Gregorian uncertainty, Articles with short description, Short description matches Wikidata Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavallo_multiplier
Cavallo's multiplier was an early electrostatic influence machine, invented in 1795 by the Anglo-Italian natural philosopher Tiberius Cavallo. Its purpose was to multiply, or amplify, a small electric charge to a level where it was detectable by the insensitive electroscopes of the day. Repeated operation of the device could produce voltages high enough to generate sparks.
