Electrostatic Motors

THE description by Van Wyk and Kühn1 of their corona motor reminded me that a number of years ago I made an electrostatic motor, in basic concept not unlike their motor, but fitted with metal electrodes on the moving member, to increase the charge-holding capacity (Fig. 1). This enabled the motor to deliver a perceptible power output at a moderate speed. By the kindness of the Tyneside Society of Model Engineers, the component parts were machined in their Manors premises and the completed motor was demonstrated to the Experimental Section of the Society in the winter of 1949.