Chapter XIV: Introduction (7)

I have said, and shall still say, much on the desirableness of making use of a greater portion of that gigantic agent--WIND, than has yet been customary. This article is another attempt to urge it’s propriety. But it will be of no use to those who cannot extend their views beyond the present state of things, to that possible state which every successive mechanical improvement appears to anticipate or promise. These speculations of mine, suppose extensive means and extensive necessities: and they promise results still more extensive. In a neighbouring kingdom, where the country is, as it were, redeemed yearly from the ocean’s grasp, what would not it’s inhabitants give for a security against the encroaching tide? or the means of saving several months to agriculture, by the speedy disembarrassment of it’s fields from the common destroyer of health and produce? It is even said, that in the last winter, some _dykes_ in Holland were broken, and many lives lost by inundation: and in our own country there is many a submerged spot, over which there blows wind enough to drink up, or throw out, it’s last particle. I submit then, the present means, as capable, with proper modifications, of forwarding every analogous purpose; and thus as worthy to occupy the attention of every friend to rational improvement.

If my 38th. Plate were considered as a _corner_ of any inundated country, whose boundary were a dyke contiguous to this chosen spot, I would propose building a long curvilinear canal _A B_, of which the middle space should receive and contain the lower water; and the two outside spaces the upper: especially the outer circle, which should communicate with a few branches _C D_, leading to and through the dyke before mentioned. In the two outside canals should float a pair of boats (long and light) _E F_, joined together by one or more cross-beams _G_, which would produce the double effect of connecting the boats so as to make them _bear much sail, without oversetting_; and of carrying along in the middle or lower canal a kind of _water-drag_ _H_, that should take with it the under water, and raise it’s level nearly to that of the upper canals--into one of which it would enter through it’s lateral valves, and thence flow into the eduction canals _C D_ as before stated. My idea will be better understood by referring to the small figs. 2 and 3, at the bottom of the Plate: for they are, _one_, the transverse section of the canals with the boats, and the other a longitudinal view of one of the vessels in it’s canal, with the water-drag _H_ in the act of making (what is technically called) a _boar_, of the lower water; and raising it above the level of the valves _I K_, which open into the canal.

To recapitulate, _E F_ in fig. 2, are the two vessels seen sternwise, with their sails _supposed_ very large: _G_ the beam that connects them; _H_ the water-drag; and _O_ one of several valves which open _from_ the lower water, and close when the drag is going over them. In fig. 3, _H_ is the same water-drag, whose distance from the bottom is regulated by the brace _b_: it’s beam or shaft, being fixed to the crossbeam _G_, of figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Thus then, at _one_ passage of this double vessel along the curved canal _A B_, all the water in it’s middle compartment will be raised into it’s outer one: and be thrown into _the sea_ through the canals _C D_, &c. It appears, near _E F_ in this fig. 1, that the vessels _E F_, have friction pullies or wheels placed horizontally on their decks, to act against the sides of the canal and prevent the lee-way: thus converting the whole effort of the wind to a useful purpose. And here I observe, that if the wind blows in, or nearly in the direction of the diagonal, then, the vessel would go almost from one end to the other of the main canal without tacking, and thus do an abundance of _work_ at each return: for it is a common thing for ships to sail nine or ten knots an hour! And here note, that the present curvilinear form is given to the canal in order to take all winds, (tacking more or less often) whether coming from the inside of the curve or from the outside. I cannot but add that in this Machine--in that I have already given--or in those I may yet give, there is much to be found that promises useful application in many an important position. An example now strikes me. The reservoir at the Manchester Water Works might furnish room for a floating Machine, capable, on windy days, to do all the work of the steam engine, and thus economize a good portion of the fuel it consumes.

OF
A PORTABLE ENGINE,
_For extinguishing Fires_.

This Machine (see Plate 38, fig. 4) is intended to be carried or conveyed in a small cart, to the place where an incipient _fire_ may be preluding to it’s fearful horrors! It is, as to form, a common lifting pump, inclosed in a vessel of air, whose spring perpetuates the _jet_ in the usual manner. When used, it is held on two men’s shoulders, by means of a bar going through the ring _A_. Further, a rope is fastened to each of the extreme rings _B C_: and a stick put through each of the second rings _b c_. Two rows of men are then marshalled along the ropes; one set to _hold-on_, and the other to pull in regular time, the piston _c_ along it’s pump, thereby sucking water through the pipe _D_, and forcing it through the valve _v_ into the air vessel: from which it is forcibly expelled through the directing pipe _E F_. Here it is clear, that this small Machine is capable of an effect almost indefinite: since the rows of men may be very numerous; there being always people enough at a fire. To work the Engine by pulling, is nothing more than to repeat many a nautical manœuvre: and if only one man in the company should have learn’t to _sing the sailors’ song_, they would soon produce--“a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.” To be serious, a hundred men may as well work at this Machine, as ten; and the effect will keep pace with the cause. In a word, there is scarcely any limit to the abundance of water, that might be thrown on a fire by such an Engine as this; of which I shall say nothing more, save that the bar of the piston rod at _c_, is intended to be used for drawing it inward, by the efforts of two men, at each interval in the effort of the working-men. A mere inspection of fig. 4 will fully shew what here remains unsaid.

OF
A WIND MILL,
_With double Power_.

This Mill produces a double power, merely because it uses two pair of _sweeps_ or sails, both of which (though turning opposite ways) concur in giving the same motion to the vertical shaft of the mill. _A B_ fig. 5, (Plate 38) is the shaft in question. It has on it two bevil wheels or pinions _o_, _b_; bearing the same proportion to their respective wheels: one of which (_o_) works in the wheel _C_, fixed to the _outer_ shaft _a c_, and the other (_b_) in the second wheel _D_, which takes it’s motion from the inner shaft _E D_. This latter, then, is turned by the front sweeps _F G_; which revolve, as usual, “_against the sun_,” while the other sweeps _H I_, are braced round the large shaft _a c_, and turn _with the sun_--being sloped and _clothed_ for that purpose. Now, lest any doubt should arise, whether these two sets of sails would not injure each other’s motion--I would remark, that one principal effect of the front sail _on the wind_ would only be to turn it aside, and _thus_ make it the _more fit_ to turn the other sails, which _require_ to go the other way; and which, therefore, will rather be favoured than otherwise, by the aforesaid effect on the direction of the airy current. It may be useful to observe, that the two sets of arms can be put, circularly, into any given position, by means of the wheels _C D_, and will _retain_ that position if the proportions of the wheels to the pinions _o b_, are the same for each pair--a result which it is easy to insure.

I shall dwell no longer on this subject, convinced as I am that nobody will question the propriety of enlarging the scope of these operations. It is a subject I especially recommend to our Batavian neighbours--the more, as, without presuming to dictate on a subject they may think I have not experience enough to judge of--I have only a hint to give to their _Moolen Maakers_, to insure their attention to a subject so intimately connected with the welfare of their never-forgotten _Vaderland_.

OF
A WATCH ENGINE,
_To extinguish incipient Fires_.

It is well known, that many ruinous _fires_ have originated so _slowly_, that they might have been put out in a minute, had a _little_ water been at hand--especially with the power of _throwing_ it to a short distance. This fact makes it more desirable than it would at first appear, to have small vessels full of water, furnished, in themselves, with the power of forming _a jet_, without a moment’s delay! and this is the purpose of the _Watch Engine_, represented in fig. 6 of Plate 39.

In that figure, _A B_ is a cylindrical vessel, with spherical ends, made strong enough to bear (without danger) a pressure of several atmospheres: and into which is introduced, by a _condenser_, (which might be the very system _C p r_) a quantity of water sufficient to occasion the aforesaid pressure. The valve _C_ being water-tight, retains entirely this water; and the Machine is placed on it’s three feet, in a corner of the apartment it is wished to secure. It is seen in the figure, that the valve-pipe _C p_, opens into the ejection pipe _p q_, while the valve stem _p_ passes through a collar of leather, and comes in contact with the lever _p R_ while in it’s present position. If, now, any part of the house or apartment should be found to be on fire, this Instrument can be carried there instantaneously, by the pipe _p q_, _as a handle_; and the jet be levelled at the point desired: when, by taking the lever _p R_ in his hand, _with_ the pipe _p q_, the bearer will open the valve _C_, and thus have an immediate supply of water, in a state of impulse sufficient to quell a fire that might else have become so violent as to mock every attempt to extinguish it! This, then, is the object of the present simple tribute to public safety.

OF
A MACHINE
_For Engraving the Cylinders of Calico Printers by_ POWER.

The principle of this Machine is as follows: When two equal toothed wheels _a b_ (see Plate 39, fig. 1,) geer together, a given tooth of either wheel _visits_ a given tooth of the other, once every revolution: and will continue to do so as long as the wheels continue to revolve. But, when the wheels are _unequal_, as _A B_ fig. 2, then _different_ teeth in one wheel, visit the same tooth in the other, until, after a certain number of turns, the revolutions of both wheels have a common divisor. My System of equable Geering (see Part 2d. of this Work,) justified me in applying this principle to Engraving; and is the chief foundation of the Machine now to be described: for this System, as we have seen, communicates the very same kind of motion that two touching cylindrical surfaces would impart to each other by mere contact. The punch, therefore, will not _scrape_ the cylinder, when brought into the desired places of contact by the aforesaid process. Let us suppose then, (fig. 2) that the wheels _A B_, are to each other in diameter and teeth, as the numbers 2 to 3; and that a given tooth in the wheel _A_, (which we have pointed out by a dot) now touches a certain spot on the wheel _B_, marked by a dot like the former. When, now, this spot on the wheel _B_ has made _one_ revolution, the wheel _A_ will have made 3/2, or 1-1/2 revolution: and the tooth first mentioned, will be found diametrically opposite to the place where it touched the spot first adverted to. And if, further, we give the wheel _B_ another turn, the wheel _A_ will again have made 1-1/2 turn; and the tooth first mentioned will again visit the spot with which it coincided at the beginning.

To recapitulate--The 1st. turn of _B_ gave 1.5 turns of _A_, and
The 2d. turn of _B_ gave 1.5 turns of _A_:
---
Sum. 2 turns of _B_ & 3.0 turns of _A_:--

which numbers are thus in the inverse ratio of the number of teeth in the wheels respectively.

Referring again to fig. 3, there we see a cylinder to be engraven, (_M_) and a _porte-outil_ (or tool-bearer) _N_, connected by the wheels _A B_; whose teeth are singly inclined, like those that were considered in Part 2d. It can hardly ever occur, that the circumference of a cylinder can require to be divided into two parts only: but most often into a greater number, as 9, 11, &c. and it so happens, (from these initial diameters 2 and 3) that we must take _uneven_ numbers for our basis, in order to reduce the System to any thing like regularity. And, this admitted, the theory of this division will be as follows:

Let the chosen (uneven) number of figures required round the cylinder be called _m_: then must the number of teeth in the small wheel _A_, be likewise _m_: when the number in the wheel _B_, will come out uniformly _m_ + (_m_ ± 1)/2; in which formula every case of practice is included. For suppose, any uneven number to be required, say 11: Then will the cylinder-wheel _A_, have 11 teeth; and that of the _porte-outil_ (_B_) 11 + 12/2 = 17, or 11 + 10/2 = 16: either of which numbers, working with the 11 teeth of the cylinder-wheel _A_, will divide the latter into 11 parts, as was before stated.

It must, however, be observed, that, as expressing a set of teeth actually working, these numbers are fictitious; because the teeth would be too coarse to work well. The numbers thus found, must, therefore, be multiplied by 2, 3, or more, so as to bring the teeth to a _reasonable_ size, say 1/8 of an inch thick, according to circumstances.

As another example, take the following: suppose it were required to engrave a cylinder of 4 inches diameter--or 12.56 in circumference, and to put twenty-five figures round it, giving very nearly half an inch for each figure. Then the cylinder wheel (_A_) must have 25 teeth; and the porte-outil wheel 25 + 26/2 = 38: or, doubling both numbers to give the teeth a proper strength, the cylinder-wheel would have 50 teeth, and the porte-outil wheel 76.

To proceed now, in stating the principles of this Machine, it is evident (in this System of geering) that the diameters of the wheels must be in exact proportion with the number of their teeth, _taken at the pitch lines_; and that these pitch lines must be of the same diameters, respectively, as the cylinder to be engraven, and the porte-outil taken at the surface of the punch: which is saying, in other words, that the length of the punch must be regulated _after_ the diameter of the porte-outil wheel has been determined from it’s number of teeth, compared with those of the cylinder-wheel. But we shall return to this topic after having described more fully the principal parts of the Machine.

In fig. 5, (which is a kind of transparent view of one end of the Machine), _A B C_ is one of the stands or legs on which it rests; _a b_ is a section of the frame or bench, which supports the _headstock_ _C D_, one of which is bolted down at each end of the frame, (see also _C D_ in fig. 3.) This figure shews the transverse form of the headstock, with the centre (_c_) of the porte-outil; and _e d_ are the _two_ wedges that go through the headstock to support the step of the cylinder, of which the mandrel appears at _f_. This mandrel-centre is also covered with a second step, over _f_, by which it is kept down by means of a regulating screw _A_, (fig. 3) which finally determines the degree of nearness of the cylinder to the porte-outil, and thus the depth of the engraving:--that is to say, this regulating screw influences this depth as far as the wedges (_e d_) permit: for by the screw _d_, these wedges slide on each other so as to raise or let fall the steps _f_, by small degrees; the position thus given being _confirmed_ by the said regulating screw. It is needless to say that this operation takes place at both ends of the Machine, (_C_ and _D_) and thus places the surface of the cylinder in a line exactly parallel to the slide _n q_ of the porte-outil.

In fig. 3, all the parts thus adverted to, are given in a front view--where we may observe, that the rope marked by dots at _R_, is a loaded friction-drag, used to prevent the porte-outil from _over-running_ the cylinder, when the punch is just emerging from between them.

The same figure 3, shews also the position of the frog _x_, in the triangular slide of the porte-outil; the latter, as well as the cylinder, borne by the headstocks _C D_. Moreover, the rack _w_, which gives the end-motion to the punch, is here shewn, as going through the frog, and connected with it in one direction by the catch _o_: and at _n_, there is a spring, formed like a horse-shoe, the use of which is to push the frog, by the catch _o_, _to the right_, whenever the rack is _suffered_ to go that way, by the mechanism hereafter to be described.

The _frog_, then, (so called because it seems to leap when the Machine works) must now be adverted to: it consists of an under mass, formed prismatically to fit exactly the slide _n q_, cut out of the porte-outil _N_. This mass is capped by a thickness of steel, which completes the passage for the rack _n w_, and offers, besides, a compartment for the punch-clams _o_, and another (_x_) for a wooden or steel _bridge_, being a portion of a cylinder, so formed, as to support the engraved cylinder after the stress of the impression is passed, and thus to equalize the depth of the engraving. The compartment for the punch-clams at _o_, is terminated to the right hand by an obtuse angle near _x_, which serves as a centre, when, by proper fixing screws in the rim near _o_, it is found necessary to place the punch a little awry. The other properties of this _frog_ will easily be supposed by my mechanical readers.

We come, then, to it’s motion in the slide. _p r_ shews a wheel, running loosely on the axis of the porte-outil; and having fixed to it a concentric rim _r_, with _three or four waves_ in it’s circumference. Further, above _s_, is seen a lever, turning on a pin in the stud _s_, and pressing against the right-hand end of the rack _w_, when driven to the left by the waves _p r_, &c. This rack is cut into ratchet teeth as at _w_, in which enters the catch _o_, as impelled by a proper spring acting on it, (but not seen in the figure.) As long then, as the waved wheel _p r_ can _turn_, with the porte-outil _N_, this last described mechanism does nothing: but when _p r_ is _stopped_, it begins to work usefully; for the lever _s_ then rides on the waves _p r_, and presses the rack _w_ against the spring _n_, so that the catch _o_, takes into some new tooth; by which means, when the spring _n_ unbends (by the sinking of the lever _s_ into any wave _p_) the frog is itself carried _toward the right hand_--which is the effect intended. But, in fine, _how_ is this wheel _p r_ stopped and set agoing _a propos?_ Fig. 5 will shew this, with the aid of a little imagination--since our fig. 5 is a kind of transparency rather than a regular view. The wheel _m_, is a crown wheel, near which the wheel _p r_ (fig. 3) turns, having a spiral _g_ on it’s hither surface, which runs between the teeth of the wheel _m_ and turns it one tooth, in each of it’s own revolutions: But when, after a given number of these turns, the end of the spiral _g_ meets with a _large_ tooth on _m_, it _lodges_ on it, and stops the motion of the wheel _p_, and then the aforesaid waves _r_ perform the task of driving the rack _w_ _backward_; after which the spring _n_ changes the place of the frog, so as to make another line of impressions round the cylinder. It remains then, only to be explained, how this stoppage is itself stopped; which is thus: to the porte-outil is fastened, near _g_, a small arm, which turns with it, and which in fig. 5 the dot _t_ represents. This arm, therefore, drives back the beak _t_, (connected with the spring _v_) at every revolution of the porte-outil, thereby working the small catch that hangs to that beak. This catch, therefore, _slides_ on the edge of the crown wheel _m_, _but produces no effect_, until it finds there, one small notch, so placed as to be acted on by the catch _when this disengagement is wanted_--and, _then_, this motion jogs forward the crown wheel _m_ just enough to take the large tooth out of the way--when the spiral _g_ begins to move through the common teeth of _m_, and thus ceases to act on the rack till the large tooth again comes to stop the wheel _p_, and recommence the rack’s motions. And thus is the place of action of the punch changed after _any_ number of it’s contacts with the cylinder--that number being doubled or trebled--or more--when necessary, by increasing accordingly the number of _common_ teeth in the crown wheel _m_, before a _large_ tooth occurs.

A few practical remarks on this mode of engraving may here be added with advantage. Theoretically speaking, the _punch_ should form a portion of a cylinder, of equal radius with the porte-outil wheel, taken at it’s pitch line. But through the _relative_ weakness of some mandrels, a certain spring takes place, which requires the punches to be more curved than that wheel, and even considerably so. This also depends on the size of the punch, and the fullness of the pattern. In a word, it depends likewise on the method of employing the Machine--whether with _few_ passages, and _considerable_ pressure, or with _light_ pressure, and _many_ swift passages:--The latter System is in my opinion much the best; since it brings the practice nearer to the theory of this Machine. If, indeed, the cylinders and mandrels of Calico Printers, had been originally made _thicker_, and thus strong enough to bear the pressure without sensible deflexion, this would have been, from the first, a perfect process: and the nearer these objects are brought to this state of inflexibility, the nearer will it’s effects approach to perfection; for in all other respects it works with admirable precision.

I may just add, that the facility with which the revolutions of this Machine are _counted_, has induced some persons to dispense with the rack movement: but for small patterns with numerous impressions, it is doubtless better to use it--especially when employing the rapid and light pressures just alluded to; and these will become additionally interesting when the punches themselves acquire a more exact form--which is the object of the _third_ Punch Machine, still remaining to be described.

It is not superfluous to add, that this Engraving Machine is dangerous to the persons employed--and should therefore be guarded behind, _by a fence-bar_, to prevent the hands or clothes from being drawn in.

OF
A HORIZONTAL WATER WHEEL,
_Probably the best of the impulsive kind_.

In this title, I have repeated _that_ given in the prospectus: nor do I think I have assumed too much in so doing. It will be seen in the course of this description, on _what_ I found my opinion; which indeed, was substantiated by the fact as soon as formed: the execution having speedily followed the invention. The Machine, in it’s different parts, is represented in figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Plate 40. Fig. 1 is a plan of the floor, _on_ which the upper water flows, to it’s whole depth, when the flood gates are opened: this floor being close over the wheel, as seen in fig. 4, at _c d_. Further, _a b_, in both figures, is a circular slit of the whole diameter, through which the water rushes at once on _all_ the floats of the wheel; whose axis goes up into the building through a kind of barrel, that prevents the water from escaping in any other part than the aforesaid circular aperture. The wheel itself is represented at _e f_, fig. 2; and fig. 4 is an elevation of it, with it’s shaft, and a few of the _floats_, to shew the manner of their receiving the stroke of the water. A section of the ring-formed slit is also given at _a b_, with two floats receiving the flowing water: and in that elevation is also shewn two of the _swan-necks_ by which the central part of the floor is supported on the framing, _without_ stopping the watercourse.

Finally, the slit or aperture _a b_, figs. 1 and 4, is fitted with a set of cast iron curves, of which _six_ are shewn in the Plate, between _c_ and _d_, and whose use is to turn aside the falling water to any desired inclination; these instruments being moved at will by a proper chain of bars, reaching from one to the other, and connected with eight or more levers at proper intervals on the floor of the water chamber.

Thus then, it appears that this Machine has two or three very important properties: 1st. _all_ the water escapes in the _same_ direction, (relatively to the motion of these wheels) and that direction concurs with _that_ in which the wheel is made to turn. 2d. Every one of those fluid prisms into which the stream is divided, is urged with the _same_ velocity, because impelled by the same _head of water_. 3d. The velocity of these jets is the greatest possible, because the water is carried as low as possible before it is emitted; and falls as little as possible after it has struck the wheel. 4th. In fine, the inclination of the floats _may_ be made most perfect; and their form, being that of a _boat_ slightly curved, is among the best forms possible for receiving the utmost impulse from flowing water.

Although by these means much is done in favour of the impulsive system, it is allowed, that, in general, a wheel acting by impulse, is less effective than a bucket-wheel acting by the weight of the water. But the higher the fall is made, the more similar these effects become. Hence, a _very_ high fall may be made to produce, by impulse, an effect equal to that of the bucket-wheel. To meet, therefore, such a contingency as this, I have given, in fig. 3, a cover to the water chamber of fig. 4, intended to close it upward, and thus adapt it to a fall of _any_ height; the water entering into this chamber from a large pipe _A_, of the required length: and being compressed accordingly, the result is forcible in proportion.

A few _facts_ on the above subject will not be uninteresting. When this wheel, fifteen or sixteen years _ago_, (for I have forgotten it’s exact date) was about to be put in motion at La Ferté in France, several knowing ones took upon them to say “that it would not turn at all.” But who so astonished as they, when, at twelve feet diameter, and with less than five feet fall, they saw it make fifty-four turns in the first minute! I acknowledge, with pleasure, that these men soon expressed their approbation with unsophisticated candour; for although an honest prejudice had beset them, it was un-poisoned by that envy, I have more than once had to deal with in a country we are accustomed to call _better_! I therefore take leave, on this occasion, to say to my beloved countrymen, “Go and do likewise.”

OF
A NEW SPINNING MACHINE,
_Called, and being the_ PATENT _Eagle_.

The Machine commonly used for continued Spinning, in low numbers, is named a Throstle: and as my Invention acts in a similar manner, I have presumed to call it an _Eagle_. My motive is no mystery. The Machine spins more and better than a throstle: and reaches, especially, to a fineness unknown in throstle spinning. It could not, therefore, justly receive a meaner name, nor even an equal one.

The present Machine then, is a superior kind of throstle, the construction of which will be understood, by spinners, from the annexed figures, 5 and 6 of Plate 40. As the principal difference between the former machines and this, resides in the toothed wheel by which it’s spindles are turned, we shall begin this description by adverting to it: _A B_ is that wheel, cut, at present, into 800 inclined teeth, and working with pinions of 11 teeth, one of which, with it’s spindle, is shewn at _a b_, fig. 6. The revolutions, therefore, of these spindles to _one_ of the wheel, are 72.7272, &c.; and since the latter, in spinning, makes from 60 to 70 turns per minute, the spindles run at the rate of 5000 turns in that time, and _might_ do more if desired by the spinner. In a word, the useful speed depends on the size and weight of the spindles, the flyers, &c.

Immediately above and below the wheel _A B_, are two rings of cast iron, to which are screwed rims, either of wood or metal, destined to hold the steps and bolsters of the spindles, as is usual in a throstle, with the difference of the circular form, which the wheel of course requires; and the relation of which, to the rollers, is shewn at _a b_, fig. 5, being a plan of this Machine. Returning to fig. 6, the next object upward is the _roller-beam_, (cast hollow for lightness) the form of which is that of an octagon, with two brackets _c d_, by which it is fastened to the pillars _E F_: these, in their turn, being connected with the top and bottom cross-pieces (_G H_, _I K_) so as to make up the frame, properly so called. All these parts are placed (in section) similarly to those usually composing the throstle; and the copping motion is produced by the curve _f_, driven by an endless screw on the shaft _h f_, and acting on the slide _f g_, and through it on the ring of which the square _i_ is a section: and on whose iron plate, in fine, the bobbins _drag_, as they do in the throstle. In the Machine before us, the rollers are driven by _two_ side-shafts _h f_, which take their motion either from a train of spur wheels placed above the traverse _G H_, or by bevil wheels from two small shafts, coming under that traverse from the central shaft _L M_, to those _h f_, and acting on the rollers by means of the bevil wheels _f m_, seen in the figures. Now, the rollers are contained in eight heads--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, each of which has it’s _speed wheels_ in the angles _n o_, &c. and receive their motion from six sets of bevil wheels _q_, &c. which propagate the motion round each _half_ of the Machine, from the points _m_ and _p_ respectively.

Above this roller-beam, is the creel-ring _N O_, which (either in one or _two_ rows) receives the sixty roving bobbins that supply the sixty spindles, of which the Machine is composed: and whose threads pass under the eight sets of rollers--one thread being suppressed in each of the heads--1, 4, 5, 8, on account of the columns. (This, at least, is the arrangement I prefer; but some of the Machines have been made with eight threads in _all_ the compartments.) Finally, in this frame _G H_, _I K_, is placed a ring _P Q_, (of glass or bright metal) over which the rovings are thrown before they are put in the guides behind the rollers; so that the _route_ of a thread in the act of being spun, is shewn in fig. 5, by the line _P R_, _S b_, where it meets the bobbin on the spindle _a b_, before mentioned.

It may be observed here, to prevent ambiguity, that the guide-boards, with their hooks, are placed below the octagon roller-beam _q n o_, &c. _as they are in the common throstle_; being, each, 1/8 of the whole circumference, and of a circular form on the outside, reaching, by these hooks, to the point _S_, so as to hold the thread just over the centre of the spindles as at _a b_, fig. 6. Considering this as a commonplace subject, I have not attempted to _draw_ these boards, since their form and position would occur to every constructor: and this is the reason also, why I have given only the section of the copping ring _i_, fig. 6: nor at all shewn the _top rollers_--nor the detail of the creel--on all which topics, opinions vary considerably, while the things themselves are really of minor importance.

There is, however, in my Patent System, something which I think important, and which, therefore, I have sketched near _Q_, fig. 6. If _w x_ be there considered as _the second_ communication shaft, a wheel _z_ is put on it, of that kind which is calculated to work in a certain geering chain, called in French _chaine de Vaucanson_, (from the name of it’s inventor); and further, similar wheels (_y_) are connected with _all_ the pins on the creel, round which the chain is carried from the wheel _z_, till it comes to it again. The consequence is, that all the wheels (_y_) are turned by that chain, so as to _untwist the roving_ while the spinning rollers draw it off the bobbins: and this is so, because, in my Patent System, the rovings are _over-twisted_, in order to admit their being made _very fast_, without the danger of breaking. This then, completes my Patent Eagle, formed, on the _right hand of the figure_ so as to use _over-twisted roving_; and _on the left hand_, so as to spin common roving in the usual manner. In both cases, the motion of the spindles by geering, ensures a mathematical twist, and thus produces yarn better than common; whence also it’s fineness can be carried _much_ farther than on a common throstle. It need hardly be added, that these spindles are stopped and set in motion by the mechanism described in my second Part, at fig. 1, Plate 19: and there mentioned as “a Machine to set-on and suspend rapid motions.”

OF
A SECOND SPINNING MACHINE,
_Adapted principally to Wool_.

This Machine, represented in Plate 41, figures 1 and 2, may be called a Spinning-card: whose use, however, I shall now suppose confined to spinning coarse yarn, or rather rovings, to be re-spun on the common machines, or on machines similar to my Eagle just described. It consists, in reality, of an horizontal card _A B_, having it’s flyer, &c. adapted to perform, in a perpendicular position, what those several parts do, in an horizontal one, on the common carding engine. All this is so well known, that I have not thought it necessary to draw it in these figures; but merely to say, that in this Machine, those operations are performed on the left hand, as at _A_, where is introduced a broad flat ribbon of wool, duly made on a preparing card, and laid on edge in a box at _C_, from whence it is drawn by the feeding rollers, &c. _so as to cover the whole of the central card_ _A B_. Now, round this central card, are placed, _ten_ or more small fillet cards, 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. being at different heights on the central one; by which arrangement, the whole surface of the latter is stripped by these cards, and as much filament collected on each, as is sufficient to form a thread or roving, as before mentioned. But, further, these small cards have to be stripped in their turn: and that is done by the circular combs _a b_, which being placed _obliquely_ to the cards, receive motion from them, and gather a regular mass of filament of a size fitted to become the yarn or roving in question. Nor need this roving be re-drawn, by rollers, before it is twisted: for it is the property of the bobbins _D E_, fig. 2, to _draw mathematically_: and with _any_ speed that shall have been determined. If we examine how this is done, we shall see at bottom, _two_ wheels _F G_, (toothed on the patent principle) one of which drives the spindles and flies, and the other the bobbins _D E_: the wheel that drives the bobbin having a few teeth _more_ than that which drives the spindles--whose pinion is the same in number as that of the bobbin. Thus, therefore, the bobbin goes as much faster than the spindle as is necessary to _take up_ all the wool furnished by the comb, and _to_ the comb by the small card, which receives it from the central card _A B_; where note--that the draught, by this difference of motion is _not_ variable, but determined: since the heads of the bobbins _E D_, are a hollow inverted truncated cone, on which the yarn cannot remain--for in _winding_, it drives downward that which is already wound, so as to fill the whole bobbin _from the head_--a reason for the conical shape of the latter object.

It will appear by the upper figure, (which is a plan of the central card, and the small cards, 1 2, &c.) that the latter receive their motion from the chain _H I_, by means of the train of wheels _K L_, turning on studs in the upper cross-piece. Suffice it to add, that the centres of these cards, of the combs, &c. are fixed to the rings by proper cramps, as will be easily conceived. I have offered to sight, _only_ the essential parts, to avoid confusion: and I presume to hope every thing important will be thus seen without difficulty.

In my present view of this Invention as a _preparing Machine_, I would observe, that the central card is only considered as a _distributor_, and that I should, _now_, add to it a System of machinery to make it a _forced_ distributor. I had, indeed, prepared this very System to be patentized many years ago: but the delays that occurred then, followed by the _Restoration_, (which gave me an opportunity of coming to England;) made me suspend this intention--respecting a method, perhaps, the only thing wanted to make this Machine in all respects excellent.

In the small figure 5, (Plate 41) _x y_ is supposed to be the section of a central card, such as _A B_, fig. 2; and the horizontal lines between _x_ and _y_, shew the height of the card teeth. Of these, I take out a portion in several perpendicular lines round the card--say, at an inch distance from each other: the intervals thus stripped, being about 1/16 of an inch in width: and in all these upright slits, I introduce a blade _x y_, (whose transverse section is like that of a card wire) and whose edge is undulated as at _a b_. Finally, to these blades is given, (by a proper Machine) a slow up-and-down motion, which makes them push off the filament from the card wires at the highest points of the waves, and suffer the wires to retain these filaments at the lowest points; whence it follows, from the motion just mentioned, that these points of reception and exclusion of filament, are constantly changing on the surface of the whole card, and that, therefore, the card will never be totally clogged with wool--as it is in the common process. It will be seen that the use of this System need not interrupt _that_ of the common _flyer_, (or stripping card) whose use is to keep the teeth in working order, and to discharge a part of the obtruding filament.

In terminating this article, I cannot resist the desire of recommending this whole subject to any opulent English Manufacturer, whose zeal and public spirit, are commensurate with the scope which these hints embrace, and to which they tend, if duly appreciated.

OF
MY PARALLEL MOTION,
_As applied to_ HEAVY _Steam Engines._

While this Invention, as described in page 30 of the first Part, is allowed to possess curious properties, and to be a _pretty_ thing, opinions do not all concur in declaring it, essentially and generally, a _good_ thing. Nor could I be unjust enough to insist that it is so, in every kind and magnitude of application. I have, however, convinced myself that it is susceptible of practical excellence, as a _first motion_ to steam engines, whatever be their dimensions; and have, therefore, presumed to re-produce it, with those modifications which are required to make it so. In thus acting, I have again preferred the _useful_ to the _agreeable_, and in some measure inverted the order of my subjects. But I trust this deviation will be excused, in favour of the motive and the result; on both which I feel a good degree of confidence.

To obviate the point of mechanical _weakness_ in this Parallel Motion, (see Plate 41, fig. 3,) I have _doubled_ it’s parts; and brought the piston rod _a b_, to act, at once, on _two_ of the circulating wheels _c d_, placed exactly opposite each other, and rolling, as before, on the inside of the fixed wheels _f e_, so as to produce the rectilinear motion, by the action of the piston rod _on them both_. And to make their respective motions one, (as connected with the fly _B A_) this latter is fixed to a shaft common to the two wheels _g h_, and by which, therefore, the two other wheels _i k_, fixed to the crank shafts _m n_, are kept in due position. Thus, then, is all winding or twisting motion done away: and, therefore, can this System be employed in engines of every required power. Nor need I add, (what will be generally allowed) that much of the expence, and of the retardation, which a given engine suffers from the beam, the connecting rod, &c. will thus be completely obviated.

I must, however, stop every gainsaying mouth, on the circumstance of using _geering_ between the engine and the fly--a system which I acknowledge to have been hitherto an evil; though, perhaps, a _necessary_ evil--as giving (by a simple method) a _double_ speed to the fly from a _single_ motion of the piston. At all events, in this shape, I submit only to a very common difficulty--and might there rest my apology.

But I should have hesitated to go thus far, had I not foreseen that _all_ the evil arising from _this_ use of wheels, can easily be avoided by my geering:--by means of which I am bold to say, every vestige of shake or _backlash_ may be destroyed; and this method of working a steam engine be made as _silent_ as when a beam is used: in which case, considerable advantages must accrue from this method.

To come to the point:--the small figure 4, in Plate 41, relates to this subject. My geering is there seen in three forms or applications--each one intended to bring the above property into play. The part _n o_, represents the manner in which two wheels with singly-inclined teeth, work together when one of them is furnished with a cheek, as directed in fig. 3 of Plate 14. But here, in addition to that, the teeth of both wheels are sloped _more_ on one side than on the other, so as to assume _a wedge-like form_: insomuch, that in beginning to work, (if not _perfectly_ formed) the wheels would not occupy the same plane. For, in fact, the _cheek screws_ press home the cheek _o_ against a number of thin washers all round the wheel, and thus only draw the wedge-formed teeth into each other as they become _bedded_, and successive washers are taken away. Hence, a good degree of precision is obtained--accompanied with little friction, and thus with great durability.

But we stop not here. The part _p q_ of this figure, shews a pair of wheels doubly inclined--one of them only, being made in two halves, which are connected together by screws and washers, like that just described. Here then, _another_ degree of friction is got rid of--namely, that of the cheek _o_: but still, a small degree remains, (dependent on the double versed sine of the angle formed on the wheel’s circumference, by the _thickness_ of a tooth). This quantity, is indeed, very minute; and brings, perhaps, the whole near enough to perfection. To do, however, completely away with all _friction_, (see my preceding statement)--as well in the wheel acting _backward_, as in that acting _forward_, we must do what is shewn in the parts _r_ or _s_ of fig. 4: we must have a _pair_ of V wheels on the same shaft, with the power of turning one of them in reference to the other; and then connecting them by proper screws, &c. to preserve the position thus given: by which means, in a word, all shake or _backlash_ will be completely annulled.

PART FIFTH.
A NEW CENTURY OF
Inventions.

OF
AN ADDING MACHINE,
_Or Machine to Cast up large Columns of Figures_.

This Machine is not, generally, an _arithmetical Machine_. It points _lower_: and therefore promises more general utility. Though less comprehensive than machines which perform all the _rules_ of arithmetic, it is thought capable of taking a prominent place in the counting-house, and there of effecting two useful purposes--to secure correctness; and thus, in many cases, to banish contention. It is represented in figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Plate 42, and in figs. 3 and 4 of Plate 43.

There are two distinct classes of operations which may be noticed in this Machine: the one that does the _addition_, properly speaking; and the other that records it by figures, in the very terms of common arithmetic. The first operation is the adding: which is performed by means of an endless geering chain, stretched round the wheels _A B C D_, (fig. 1) and _over_ the two rows of smaller pulleys _a b c d e f g h i_; where, observe, that the chain is bent round the pulley _A_, merely to shorten the Machine, as otherwise the keys 1 2 3, &c. to 9, might have been placed in a straight line, and thus the bending of the chain have been avoided.

The chain, as before observed, _geers_ in the wheels _B_ and _D_, which both have ratchets to make them turn one way only. Now, the keys 1 2, &c. have pulleys at their lower ends, which press on the aforesaid chain more or less according to the _number it is to produce_, and the depth to which it is suffered to go by the bed on which the keys rest, when pressed down with the fingers. Thus, if the _key_ 1 be pressed, as low as it can go, it will bend the chain enough to draw the wheel _B_ round _one tooth_--which the catch _E_ will _secure_, and which the wheel _C_ will permit it to do by the spring _F_ giving way. But when the key 1 is suffered to rise again, this spring _F_ will tighten the chain by drawing it round the pulleys _A_ and _D_, thus giving it a circulating motion, more or less rapid, according to the number of the _key_ pressed. Thus, the key 5 would carry _five_ teeth of the wheel _B_ to the left; and the catch _E_ would fix the wheel _B_ in this new position: after which the spring _T_ would tighten the chain in the same direction and manner as before. It is thus evident, that which-ever key is pressed down, a given number of teeth in the wheel _B_, will be _taken_ and secured by the catch _E_; and, afterwards, the chain be again stretched by the spring _F_. It may be remarked, that, in the figure, _all_ the keys are supposed _pressed down_: so as to turn the wheel _B_, a number of teeth equal to the sum of the digits 1, 2, 3--to 9. But this is merely supposed to shew the increasing deflexion of the chain, as the digits increase: for the fact can hardly ever occur. We draw from it, however, one piece of knowledge--which is, that should the eye, in computing, catch several numbers at once on the page, the fingers may impress them at once on the keys and chain; when the result will be the same as though performed in due succession.

Thus then, the process of _adding_, is reduced to that of touching (and pressing as low as possible) a series of keys, which are _marked_ with the names of the several digits, and each of which is sure to affect the result according to it’s real value: And this seems all that need be observed in the description of this process. It remains, however, to describe the 5th. figure, which is an elevation of the _edge_ of the keyboard, intended to shew the manner in which the two rows of keys are combined and brought to a convenient distance, for the purpose of being easily _fingered_.

We now come to the other part of the subject--that of recording the several effects before-mentioned. The principle feature in this part, is the System of _carrying_, or transferring to a new _place of figures_, the results obtained at any given one. This operation depends on the effect we can produce by one wheel on another, placed near it, on the same pin; and on the possibility of affecting the second, _much_ less than the first is affected: Thus, in fig. 3 and 4, (Plate 42,) if _A_ be any tooth of one such wheel, placed _out_ of the plane of the pinion _B_, it will, in turning, produce no effect upon that pinion: but if we drive a pin (_a_) into the tooth _A_, that pin will move the pinion _B_ one tooth (and no more) every time this pin passes from _a_ to _b_. And if we now place a second wheel (_F_) similar to _A_, at a small distance from it, so as to _geer_ in _all_ the teeth of the pinion _B_, this latter wheel will be turned a space equal to _one_ tooth, every time the pin _a_ passes the line of the centres of the wheel and pinion _A B_, (say from _a_ to _b_.) It may be added, likewise, that this motion, _of one tooth_, is assured by the instrument shewn at _E D_, which is called in French _a tout ou rien_, (signifying all or nothing) and which, as soon as the given motion is _half_ performed, is sure to effect the rest: and thus does this part of the process acquire, likewise, a great degree of certainty--if indeed, certainty admits of comparison.

It is then, easy to perceive, how this effect on the different _places_ of figures is produced: and it is clear, that with the chain motion just described, it forms the basis of the whole Machine. There is, however, one other process to be mentioned, and as the 2d. figure is before us, we shall now advert to it. In adding up large sums, we have sometimes to _work_ on the _tens_, sometimes on the _hundreds_; which mutations are thus performed: The wheel _B_, (fig. 2) is the same as that _B_, fig. 1; and it turns the square shaft _B G_, on which the wheels _k l_ slide. The wheel _l_ is to our present purpose. It is _now_ opposite the place of shillings; but by the slide _m_, it can be successively placed opposite _pounds_, tens, hundreds, &c. at pleasure: on either of which columns, therefore, we can operate by the chain first described--the wheel _B_ being the common mover.