Chapter IV: Pneumatic, Siphon and Hydro-Pneumatic Devices

The Hydrostatical Paradox

Next to the wheel with levers and weights, we believe this simple Hydrostatical Paradox has more frequently occurred to mechanical and scientific tyros as a means whereby it was hoped to attain Perpetual Motion. There is no record that we know of of the name of anyone who has ever attempted it, and, yet, the instances are doubtless myriads.

The author believes he has heard dozens of young persons mention it as a means of obtaining a continuous flow of water.

In 1828, Niel Arnott, M. D., published the third edition of his "Elements of Physics, or Natural Philosophy." At page 141 under the subject of "Mechanics" he comments generally on the subject of Perpetual Motion, and says:

What an infinity of vain schemes--some of them displaying great
ingenuity--for perpetual motions, and new mechanical engines
of power, etc., would have been checked at once, had the great
truth been generally understood, that no form or combination of
machinery ever did or ever can increase, in the slightest degree,
the quantity of power applied. Ignorance of this is the hinge on
which most of the dreams of mechanical projectors have turned. No
year passes, even now, in which many patents are not taken out
for such supposed discoveries; and the deluded individuals, after
selling perhaps even their household goods to obtain the means
of securing the supposed advantages, often sink in despair, when
their attempts, instead of bringing riches and happiness to their
families, end in disappointment and utter ruin. The frequency and
eagerness and obstinacy with which even talented individuals,
owing to their imperfect knowledge of this part of natural
philosophy, have engaged in such undertakings, is a remarkable
phenomenon in human nature.

At page 270 in treating on "Hydrostatics," he says:

A projector thought that the vessel of his contrivance,
represented here, was to solve the renowned problem of the
perpetual motion. It was goblet-shaped, lessening gradually
towards the bottom until it became a tube, bent upwards at _c_,
and pointing with an open extremity into the goblet again. He
reasoned thus: A pint of water in the goblet _a_ must more than
counterbalance an ounce which the tube _b_ will contain, and must
therefore be constantly pushing the ounce forward into the vessel
again at _a_, and keeping up a stream or circulation, which will
cease only when the water dries up. He was confounded when a
trial showed him the same level in _a_ and in _b_.

Pickering's Device

In 1858, Peter Pickering, Landed Proprietor of Danzig, Prussia, applied for a British patent on

"An Atmospheric Engine."

It may be described as follows:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, are cylinders 18 feet long or high and 3 feet
diameter, so that the surface of each piston has 1,296 square
inches acting with an atmospheric pressure of 15 lbs. to the
square inch, causes a pressure of 19,440 lbs. to each cylinder
(saying nothing of friction, which will be accounted for later);
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, pistons of each cylinder, as they must be placed
when the engine begins to work; 6, 7, 8, 9, causing a vacuum
under each piston (as they have for the first time been brought
into their present situation by main force), afterwards, when the
engine is permitted to start, they will regulate themselves; No.
10 lies flat on the bottom of the cylinder; 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
piston rods acting on shaft No. 16; 17, wheel to communicate the
engine's power to the machinery of the engine itself; 18, wheel
to communicate the engine's power to the wheel or propelling
screw of a ship, manufactory, locomotive, etc.

Stuckey's Device

In 1842, William Henry Stuckey, Esquire, of St. Petersburgh, applied for a British patent on

"A Pneumatic Engine for Producing Motive Power."

His specifications describe his alleged invention as follows:

Fig. 1 is a front view of my said pneumatic engine, partly in
section. A¹ and B¹ two horizontal cylinders, united at their
inner extremities a, a, which rotate on gudgeons that have
their bearings C, C, in the upright standards D, D; A² and B²
two pistons which work to and fro in these cylinders; E¹ and E³
two hollow arms or tubes which radiate from the cylinder A¹,
and E², E⁴, two similar arms or tubes which radiate in opposite
directions from the cylinder B¹, each cylinder having an open
communication with the arms or tubes attached to it. F¹, F²,
F³, and F⁴, four other cylinders, affixed to a circular ring
R, R, open at top to the atmosphere, and open at bottom to the
radial tubes E¹, E², E³, E⁴, connected with them at their outer
extremities. G¹, G², G³, G⁴, pistons working in the cylinders F¹,
F², F³, and F⁴, and H¹, H², H³, and H⁴, caps screwed on to the
flanges of the cylinders. The different parts described form a
wheel, which, on being set in motion, rotates on the gudgeons in
the bearing C, C. The motion is produced as follows:--I adjust
the wheel so that the tubes E¹ and E³ shall be in a vertical
position; and pour into the tube E¹, through the cylinder F¹,
withdrawing the piston G¹, as much mercury or other suitable
fluid body (previously determined by calculation) as will fill
the tube from the point of its connection with the inner cylinder
A¹ up to the bottom (_a_, _a_,) of the outer cylinder F¹. The
mercury thus introduced flows into the cylinder A¹ at the back of
the piston A², and presses that piston forward to the extremity
of its range, the piston G¹ being then restored to its place in
the cylinder F¹, and pressed close down on the mercury in the
tube E¹. I next turn the wheel till the tubes E² and E⁴ are in a
vertical position, by which turning the mercury therein is forced
into the tube E³, flowing down which it drives the piston G³ of
the cylinder F³ forward to the extremity of its range, leaving a
vacuum in the cylinder A¹ at O, equal to the difference between
the heights from which the mercury descends in the tubes E¹ and
E³. I then fill the tube E² and cylinder B² with mercury, to the
same extent and in the same way as I previously filled the tube
E¹ and cylinder A¹, after which I turn the wheel till the tubes
E¹ and E³ are once more in a vertical position, whereby I produce
a vacuum in each pair of tubes, and their intermediate cylinder,
to the degree of the difference before explained. To the four
tubes there are attached four cocks K¹, K², K³, K⁴, which, after
the vacua have been obtained, are closed; and to the four rods
of the pistons of the outer cylinders F¹, F², F³, F⁴, there are
attached four hanging or balance weights L¹, L², L³, L⁴, in such
manner that they shall co-operate with the atmospheric pressure
on the said vacua in giving rotation to the wheel. M¹, M², M³,
M⁴, are jointed levers, by which these weights are connected at
one end with the pistons G¹, G², G³, G⁴; and N¹, N², are cords
or bands, by which they are suspended at the other end from
standards P, P, projecting from the ring R, and bearing pulleys,
over which the cords or bands pass, each cord or band serving to
suspend the two weights which are opposite to each other, for
which purpose it is passed internally across the wheel and over
the exterior of one of the cylinders A¹ or B¹. The cords or bands
are attached to the weights at the lower ends thereof, and pass
over small pulleys close to the points of connection, so that
the cords or bands, when pulled, may act the more effectually on
the weights. It will be readily understood that when any two of
the tubes are in a vertical position, and the mercury or other
suitable fluid has descended to the bottom of the lower tube,
its pressure on the piston of the outer cylinder G¹, or G², or
G³, or G⁴, will cause the weight connected with that piston to
turn inwards towards the centre of the wheel, by which movement
a strain is exerted on the connecting cord or band N¹ or N²,
which throws up the opposite weight at top, and causes it to
force down the piston of the top cylinder, or the surface of the
mercury in the upper tube, whereby any excess of pressure at
the bottom of the lower tube is transferred to the top piston,
where it acts in aid of the atmospheric pressure on the vacua
obtained in manner aforesaid. The four cocks K, have regulating
rods connected to them in the way common in steam and other
engines, so that as each tube comes into a vertical position
the cock attached to it is opened, and as it passes from that
position towards the horizontal, is shut, so that the mercury
always retains its proper position in the tubes or cylinders, and
is acted on by the pressure of the atmosphere at those points
only where such pressure can be of service. The power of this
wheel will be, of course, in proportion to the vacua produced in
manner aforesaid, and to the altitude of the columns of mercury
employed. The inner cylinders might be dispensed with, and the
tubes be made to communicate directly with each other, but I
prefer, for most purposes, the arrangement which I have before
described, with the two intermediate cylinders A¹, B¹; where the
inner cylinders are dispensed with, I make use of eccentrics
instead of the joined levers before described, to enable the
weights to turn to the extent of about half a circle. The number
of tubes also need not be limited to four, but increased to any
convenient extent.

Prof. George Sinclair's Device

This device was invented by George Sinclair, who was a professor of philosophy at Glasgow University. He died in 1696. In 1669 he published a work on Pneumatics, and in that work claimed to have discovered Perpetual Motion. Explanations of his device consumed eighteen pages of a Latin work on Pneumatics. It very absurdly depended for its operation upon the delivery of water from the short leg of a siphon, instead of the long leg. The figure illustrates the contemplated operation.

Jacob Brazill's Device

In 1839 Jacob Brazill, of Deptford, Kent, Governor of Trinity Ground, applied for a British patent on

"Improvements in Obtaining Motive Power."

In his application he describes his alleged invention as follows:

My invention consists in a certain arrangement or combination
of mechanism wherein the atmospheric air is employed as the
impelling agent, being brought to bear in such a manner as by
exerting a constant urging pressure, to produce a continuous
rotary motion, and applies to all the purposes where a prime
mover is required.

Fig. 1 is an end view of the apparatus _a_, _a_, are the
bearings, top and bottom, for the vertical shaft _b_, which
bearings are to be so constructed as to produce the least
possible amount of friction. _c_ is a large drum furnished with
radial plates or fans, some of the plates being so arranged as to
slope down towards the bottom plate, thus forming, as it were,
a series of boxes decreasing in their transverse dimensions as
they approach the boss. This drum is to be put in motion by means
of a current of air directed through the pipes _d_ and _e_,
from the two pairs of double bellows _f_ and _g_. _h_ is a worm
fixed on the vertical shaft by means of a tightening screw, or
in any other convenient way, taking into the worm wheel _i_ on
the horizontal crankshaft _j_, supported in bearings _k_, _k_.
The cranks _l_, _l_, work the bellows by connecting rods _m_,
_m_; _n_ is a spur wheel taking into a pinion _o_, on the axle of
which is a winch handle _p_, for starting the apparatus.

What I claim as my peculiar right is, the impulsion of a current
of air against the fans of a drum (as that at _c_) through
pipes, as at _d_ and _e_, for the purposes of a motive power,
together with a certain arrangement of mechanism, by means of
which the action first induced shall be kept up.

Läserson's Device

In 1860 Marc Antoine F. Mennons, of Paris, applied on behalf of Louis Diodor Läserson of Moscow, Russia, for, and obtained, a British patent on

"Certain Improvements in the Production of Motive Power, and in the Apparatus Connected Therewith."

He described the essentials of his device as follows:

The invention consists in the application of the ascensional
force of air or gases developed under water to the generation
of motive power, and in the combination of apparatus, by means
of which the power thus produced is accumulated, transmitted
and applied. The principal element of this combination is a
wheel or disc (shown in plan and section, Figs. 1, 2), the
dimensions of which are proportioned to the power required. On
the circumference of this wheel are fixed at equal distances
a given number (say sixteen) of flexible air reservoirs _a_,
communicating with an equal number of tubular passages _b_,
which open in the nave _c_. In the length of the fixed shaft
_d_, on which this wheel is mounted, are formed two cylindrical
cells E by which the air is admitted to and discharged from
the flexible reservoirs _a_ by the tubular passages _b_, with
which they correspond. The hydro-atmospheric wheel thus mounted
and immersed to the required depth in a suitable reservoir as
in _f_, is placed in communication by its hollow shaft with an
air-compressing apparatus of any convenient form, which in its
turn is connected with the shaft of an ordinary hydraulic wheel.
The latter being set in motion acts on the forcing apparatus, by
which a jet of compressed air is thrown into the hollow shaft
of the hydro-atmospheric wheel by the entry cell corresponding
with the orifices of the fourth quadrant or lowest immersed
section of the latter. The air injected following the tubular
passages within its range enters and inflates the corresponding
flexible reservoirs, which thus acquiring an ascensional
force proportioned to their displacing capacity and degree of
immersion, carry forward the wheel in their movement towards
the surface. On reaching the water line the tubular passage
come into communication by the nave orifices with the discharge
cell of the fixed shaft, and give egress to the air compressed
in the flexible reservoirs, which collapse simultaneously with
the inflation of the succeeding series by which they have in
the meantime been replaced in the fourth quadrant. The latter
following the ascensional movement of their predecessors give
place to a third series, and collapse in the same way on passing
the surface, so that each air reservoir on re-entering the water
in the continued revolution of the wheel presents comparatively
little resistance until it arrives at the turning point, when
the communication with the entry cell of the axle being again
established the movements above described are reproduced. The
force thus developed by the hydro-atmospheric wheel, which
represents about three times that of the prime motor, may be at
this stage applied to the required transmissions of movement.
When natural watercourses are not to be had within a reasonable
distance of the locality in which the force is to be applied, it
becomes necessary to replace them by an artificial fall.

Von Rathen and Ellis's Device

In 1866 Anthony Bernhard Baron Von Rathen and George Henry Ellis, both of London, applied for and obtained British patent on

"A New or Improved Mode of Constructing a Motive-power Wheel Whereby to Obtain Permanent Motion by the Application of Compressed Air or any other Elastic Fluid."

In the specifications for patent the essentials of their invention are described as follows:

This invention may be considered supplementary to an invention
of the Baron Von Rathen of an elementary motive-power engine,
for which a patent has been granted to him, No. 818, and dated
March 23, 1865, and consisting in a newly-discovered plan for the
construction of a motive-power wheel or engine, on the principle
that the motor, consisting of compressed air or other elastic
fluid, is maintained in permanent activity and without removal
or renewal, and the useful resistance of the air in the chambers
is on the surface of a fixed cylinder, the motion is regular and
direct, the wheel rotating on its fixed central axis.

The nature of our present invention consists principally in our
providing, instead of that a motive-power wheel having its axis
upon fixed bearings in an eccentric position and turning in an
oscillating cylinder. The motor being brought through a hollow
shaft, or any convenient channel, is introduced into one or more
closed chambers formed upon the longest arm of the power wheel
for the purpose of driving it round; by this means, according to
the uniform pressure of the elastic fluid upon all surfaces, we
obtain not only a continuous but an additional degree of driving
power from the leverage given by the position of the wheel. There
is, as shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing, a fixed arm
or driving rod fixed upon the cylinder by which to impart motion
to a crank, piston, or other apparatus. We propose to obtain
the motor by pumps worked by or in connection with the power
wheel, and having other suitable and necessary appliances for
regulating, storing, transmitting, and manipulating the force
supplied to or communicated by the power wheel, as have been
described, to be applied with the plan for working the elementary
motive-power engine hereinbefore referred to.

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the power wheel revolving inside
and moving the oscillating cylinder.

A¹ and A² are air-tight chambers, the former being the driving
chamber and the latter intended to check or counterbalance its
wedging or binding effect upon the cylinder, owing to the extra
leverage obtained and the pressure upon the surface of the rod
B, the wheel will revolve in that direction by the action of the
elastic force which finds its useful resistance on the internal
surface of the cylinder C. D¹, D², D³, D⁴, are packings to render
the two chambers air-tight and to afford bearings for the four
arms of the wheel upon the cylinder; E, E, are two tubes for
conducting the motor into the chambers, and F is the axle, upon
which the wheel is firmly fixed and driven round with it.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the power wheel. F is the hollow
shaft or axle through which the motor passes from the pumps or
reservoir in connection therewith, and upon which the wheel
rotates; G is the rod or arm fixed at one end to the cylinder C,
and attached at the other end by a joint or coupling H to the rod
I, acting within a cylinder to give motion to the piston K; L is
one of the side covers of the power wheel, and N the support or
framework for the wheel.

Richard Varley's Device

In 1797 Richard Varley, of Damside, Lancashire, England, a merchant, applied for and obtained a British patent on

"A New Perpetual Moving Power."

His device is explained by the following excerpt from his application:

"My invention consists of a method of applying the weight of the
atmosphere upon a wheel in any other fluid, and by that means
destroying its spring or reaction, the manner of doing which I
describe as follows, agreeable to the drawing (Fig. 6) annexed:

"A is a circular vessel, made of copper or any other substance,
capable of containing water, and covered with a top part so as
to be perfectly air-tight. B is a wheel placed in the inside of
the vessel, with its axle perpendicular, the uppermost part of
which comes through the top of the vessel, and is made to work
air-tight; the lower end runs in a step within the vessel, and
no part of the wheel is to touch the vessel but its axis. C is a
cylinder placed firmly upon the wheel. D is the piston, suspended
by a chain to a strong spring fixed on the wheel. This spring
is to be made of such strength as that when the whole weight
of the atmosphere is upon the piston the air will only move it
about one inch down. E is the tube leading from the axle, which
is hollow from the top to the level of the wheel, so as to admit
the external air by this tube to the piston D, which piston is a
circular vessel, made air-tight, and exactly fits the cylinder.
There is a joint in the tube E at F, which is made air-tight by
leathers, so that when the piston descends the tube may give way
to it. G is a small tube leading from the bottom of the cylinder
to the center of the axle, and from thence brought out at the
end of it, and by which the air is extracted from the cylinder
by means of an air pump and a vacuum formed in it. On the top
part or any other convenient place of the vessel, are fixed two
cylinders or tubes of a proportional size to the cylinders on
the wheel, one of which is a condensing cylinder, by means of a
screw and piston, and by which the water in the vessel may be
compressed; the other has its piston suspended at the bottom,
and the top part of the cylinder being filled with air as the
other piston is screwed down this rises, and condenses the air in
the cylinder, the spring of which keeps the water in the vessel
pressed to all parts alike; and when the air is extracted from
the cylinder C and the piston D is forced down by the external
atmosphere into the cylinder, this pressure is continued, and the
condensed air expands in proportion and prevents any tendency
to a vacuum being formed, which would cause a cohesion of all
the parts. By this means the external air is suspended upon the
wheel by the chain, the same as a weight, and the spring of the
atmosphere being taken from the cylinder there is nothing to
oppose this weight, there being no spring in water; and this
power may be increased in proportion to the size and number of
cylinders on the wheel and its diameter."

Siphon and Funnel Device

This was the work of an Englishman whose name is unknown. An account of it appeared in "Mechanics' Magazine," 1828, in the following language:

_a_ is a circular glass vessel 1 foot 6 inches diameter; _b b_ a
tube fixed thereunto; _c c_ are funnels containing valves; _d_,
a float of hollow copper, or any light substance; _e_, an open
mouth; _f_, an open vessel filled with mercury as high as the
dotted line.

It is well known that several experiments were made by M.
Venturi, Sir Isaac Newton, etc., demonstrating that a vessel
shaped thus--

will emit water with a much greater rapidity than a vessel shaped
thus--

say, with more than a third as much speed. I propose, then, to
have the mouth of the vessel _a_ of the former shape, being the
natural form of flowing water. The vessel _a_, and tube _b_,
must be completely filled with mercury, by means of the funnels
_c c_, which will also contain mercury. In order to set the fluid
in motion, the valve in the large vessel _c_ is to be raised;
the mercury (which was hitherto held up by a greater weight of
atmosphere) will instantly run out of the mouth _e_, and must
be suffered to do so till the mercury in _c_ is level with the
dotted line; by this time the mercury in _a_ will have obtained
a momentum which will be more than equivalent to the pressure of
the atmosphere: consequently, the mercury will run out of the
large vessel _a_, till it falls as low as the dotted line; the
float _d_, resting on the mercury, of course, falls with it,
opens the valve, and admits a proportionable quantity of mercury
through the tube _b_, driven by the pressure of the atmosphere
(the height from the mercury in _f_, to the top of the tube
_b_, being only 26 inches, which is 2 inches less than what the
atmosphere will at all times raise mercury in a vacuum).

By this means will there not be a continual circulation of
mercury?

Orchard's Vacuum Engine

In 1826 there was published in "Mechanics' Magazine," London, a communication from a Mr. Orchard, concerning an invention he considered himself as having made. The account is published in his own words, and is as follows:

A is an iron reservoir nearly filled with mercury; B, a tube
twenty-four inches long, having its lower end inserted in that
reservoir; and C and D, two cocks for the convenience of filling
the tube B. From this another tube M proceeds at right angles, to
the vessel G. In this latter tube is the cock F, to admit of, or
shut off, a communication between the tube and the vessel G. This
communication being closed, the tube B is carefully filled with
mercury; after which the cock D is closed and the cap E screwed
on.

The vessel G is to be filled with mercury through the cock H,
the pipe I being open to allow of the escape of air. When this
vessel has been filled, the cock H should be closed and its cap
screwed on; and the pipe I be also closed by a valve, which is
to be pressed tight by the cap on the head of the pipe. I is a
vent-pipe, open at the top. The space represented by the double
lines is a panel of thick plate glass having two horizontal lines
described on its surface, whereby the attendant may observe the
quantity of mercury within the vessel.

The cock F being closed, a quantity of mercury must be allowed
to run out of the vessel G, equal to the space 1, 2, 3, 4,
which space will become a vacuum. If, therefore, the cock L be
then opened, to allow of the discharge of a certain quantity of
mercury on the wheel, and the cocks C and L also opened, the
mercury will continually rise from the reservoir A into the
vessel G, and thence be discharged on the wheel, whence it will
again fall into the vessel A, to keep up the supply. The cock F
must be so adjusted as to admit into the vessel G a quantity of
mercury equal to that which is discharged by the cock L. This can
be ascertained and regulated by means of the panel of glass above
described.

The specific gravity of mercury being 7½ ounces, it is evident
that but a small quantity of it is required to turn the wheel,
which has no friction but that of the axis on which it turns.

Robert Copland's Device

In 1819 Robert Copland applied for a British patent on

"A New or Improved Method or Methods of Gaining Power by New or Improved Combinations of Apparatus, Applicable to Various Purposes."

His specifications describe in great detail his invention in the following language:

Figure 1 is a view of a machine by which I purpose to derive a
disposable force or power from the action, weight or pressure
of the atmosphere, through the medium of the column of water
or other heavy liquid descending on one side of the enclosed
vertical wheel, and from thence through the centrifugal wheel,
being returned into the same reservoir from which the pressure
of the atmosphere raises it to be again delivered on the top of
the vertical wheel to supply the discharge on the descending
side, arising from the centrifugal force communicated to it by
the rotary velocity of the centrifugal wheel, and the pressure of
the descending column overbalancing the reaction or resistance of
the atmosphere at the discharging apertures of the centrifugal
wheel. Thus a small quantity of water or other liquid (according
to the size of the machine required) being continually returned
onto the top of the vertical wheel by the pressure or action of
the atmosphere, and acting by its unbalanced gravity or impetus
in its descent, will produce a disposable force or power of
any required magnitude, by increasing the size or number of
the machines, provided the height the fluid is required to be
raised is not quite so high as the column which the atmosphere,
when lightest, will raise of that fluid, and allowing for the
requisite velocity on the vertical wheel. In Fig. 1, A is the
feeding pipe through which the fluid is raised by the pressure
or action of the atmosphere on the fluid in the lowest reservoir
in which the lower end of the pipe is immersed, closed by a
cock, sliding plate, valve or shutter, to allow the machine
to be filled at the commencement, and which may be under the
surface of the fluid, also to keep it air-tight. The other end
is inserted air-tight into the top reservoir, or by a curve, as
shown by the dotted line _a_, joined to pipe C, and delivering
upon the vertical wheel, without any top reservoir. In this case,
if water is used, the highest part of the bend or curve inside
should not exceed thirty feet above the level of the water in
lowest reservoir. B is the top reservoir, the lowest internal
part of which should never exceed twenty-nine or thirty feet
above the water in lowest reservoir, but it will admit the top
of the reservoir, if wished, to be rather higher than when the
curved tube _a_ only is used. It must be quite air-tight, and
supported as convenient. C is a pipe, joined air-tight to top
reservoir, or forming part of A, _a_, C. C is a movable flap
of strong leather, or other substance, which may be joined to
the lowest part of C, where the water is delivered so high on
the wheel and where floats with hinges are used on the wheel to
prevent its going down on the ascending side; but not necessary
when water is delivered lower on the wheel. D, D, D, D, is the
fixed and immovable waterway, and the fixed case or cover (of
the vertical wheel), of which it is a part, joining also the
stuffing boxes, through which the axle of the vertical wheel
moves air-tight, thus entirely enclosing and surrounding every
part of the wheel but the projections of the axle, and allowing
the float boards and wheel just to turn freely in it without
touching in any part except the axle in turning in the packing
of the stuffing boxes; the float boards are fastened on to the
iron rim or sole of the vertical wheel by very strong hinges or
movable joints just within the fixed waterway D. E is a pipe or
pipes joined air-tight to the fixed cover or case enclosing the
vertical wheel where the water is to be taken off it, having
their lower ends inserted air-tight also into the bottom of
the fixed and immovable top of the centrifugal wheel in such
a direction that they may deliver the water into the moveable
waterway of the centrifugal wheel as near as possible in the
same direction as the water circulates in the wheel. F, F, is
the centrifugal wheel, of any diameter convenient, according to
the size of the machine, placed horizontally above the fluid
in the lowest reservoir, so as to move on its axis as near as
possible to the surface of the fluid without touching it, having
an immovable cover or top, leaving a hollow waterway round the
rim, into which the fluid is discharged from E in the direction
of the wheels' motion. G, G, are the discharging apertures of the
centrifugal wheel. H, H, is the surface of the fluid in I, I,
the lowest reservoir, containing a sufficient quantity of water
when the machine is put to work, to allow the bottom of feeding
pipe A to be immersed in it at least two feet below the surface,
or a greater depth may be given to that part of the reservoir
under the mouth of pipe A, forming a sort of well in which A may
be inserted any required depth, better to exclude any particles
of air or bubbles mixed with the water nearer its surface from
ascending in pipe A. This reservoir should be large enough to
contain the whole of the water used before the machine is filled.
K, K, are the ends of the axle of vertical wheel outside of the
stuffing boxes of the fixed case, and are the only parts of the
vertical wheel seen, and turning air-tight through the packing
or stuffing boxes, or in any other manner the external air is
entirely excluded from the vertical wheel when at work; _e_ is
an air-tight cock to discharge the air out of the machine when
filling. L is an aperture into top reservoir, or into highest
part of pipe A, _a_ when no top reservoir, closed air-tight by
a screw cap; by this the whole machine is filled in every part
with the fluid used before it can be set to work, the bottom of
pipe A and apertures G (as well as cock to bottom of pipe E
when required) being previously closed. P is part of the axle on
which the centrifugal wheel revolves. Before the machine can be
put to work everything being previously arranged as directed, the
apertures at G and bottom of A (and at E if required also), must
be closed by sliding plates, valves, cocks, or other methods, as
most convenient, and every part of the machine must be filled
with the water or fluid used by the aperture L, or any other
convenient method by which the highest parts may be filled, the
air allowed to discharge by opening E and O, the latter to be
shut as soon as the centrifugal wheel is filled, and the cock at
E closed where required, when the water is above it a little, _e_
continuing open so as to allow the air to be entirely discharged
from every part, which being done, and the machine entirely
filled with water, this cock and aperture L must be carefully
closed; having then fixed upon the most convenient method for
giving the required assistance to set the machine to work, by
giving the centrifugal wheel motion, and assisting it till
arrived at the velocity fixed, it must be put in motion and the
apertures G opened; after it has got a little into motion, and as
soon as the velocity of the wheel has given a centrifugal force
to the water sufficient to overbalance the slight difference in
the height of the feeding and descending columns, the pipe A must
be opened; a discharge from the apertures G will now take place,
which is supplied from top reservoir B over the loaded side of
vertical wheel, where, by its gravity and impetus acting on
the float boards, it causes the wheel to turn till it descends,
so as to be discharged through E, on the rim or waterway W, of
the centrifugal wheel, which it strikes with the velocity of
its descent in nearly the direction of the wheel's motion, and
is discharged through apertures G into the water contained at
commencement in lower reservoir I, from whence this discharge
is again supplied by the pressure of the atmosphere, returning
it through pipe A into top reservoir, or through _a_, C, and
the part intended of the vertical wheel. As the velocity of the
centrifugal wheel is accelerated, the velocity of the descending
column over the vertical wheel will also be accelerated, and,
consequently, the vertical wheels, when having arrived at their
respective fixed velocities, the assisting force being no longer
necessary, may be withdrawn, and the centrifugal wheel may now
receive what assistance is required to support its velocity from
the vertical wheel through the connecting shafts and wheelwork,
or in any other manner.

Eaton's Perpetual Siphon. London. 1850

The account of this is taken from Dircks's great work, mentioned in the preface, and is as follows:

This is a plan proposed by Mr. Eaton in 1850, and consists in
providing two water cisterns A, B; the short leg of a siphon C
enters the upper cistern, and terminates in three escape pipes,
capable of being rotated by the pulley _a_, connected by a
band with the pulley _b_, affixed to the vertical shaft _c_,
rotated by the inverted Barker's mill D, constructed on the short
leg of the inverted siphon E, supplied from the bottom of the
upper water cistern. By this means it was expected to keep up a
continual flow down the pipes C and up E, as shown by the arrows.

Legge's Hydro-Pneumatic Power Device. 1850

This is an English production, and the inventor claims that it is the result of fourteen years' study. We take the description from Dircks. It is as follows:

It is a dome-shaped vessel; its upper part A filled with air,
and the lower half with water, as at B. This vessel contains two
apparatus for returning the water which is worked through C D,
apparently like pump barrels. The air is to be at from 250 to 500
pounds pressure on the square inch. When once started it will (it
is stated) go on as long as it is oiled. The inventor estimates a
one thirty-second share at one thousand pounds value.

Waterblowing Machine

In 1827 "Mechanics' Magazine," London, published an account of an invention which was furnished to it by some correspondent. The invention, it seems from the communication, had previously been described in an appendix by Dr. Brewster to a volume of Ferguson's lectures, and it also seems that the description furnished "Mechanics' Magazine" was copied from such appendix. The following is the article as it appeared in "Mechanics' Magazine":

I am encouraged to send you the following attempt at perpetual
motion, because I think it is upon a principle that has not yet
been examined in your pages.

In Dr. Brewster's appendix to Ferguson's lectures, the following
description is given of what is called a "Water Blowing Machine":
"Let A B (see Fig.) be a cistern of water, with the bottom of
which is connected the bended leaden pipe B C H. The lower
extremity H, of the pipe is inserted into the top of a cask or
vessel, D E, called the condensing vessel, having the pedestal P
fitted to its bottom, which is perforated with two openings, M N.
When the water which comes from the cistern A is falling through
the part, C H of the pipe, it is supplied by the openings or
tubes, _m_ _n_ _o_ _p_, with a quantity of air which it carries
along with it. This mixture of air and water, issuing from the
aperture H, and impinging upon the surface of the stone pedestal
P, is driven back and dispersed in various directions. The air
being thus separated from the water, ascends into the upper part
of the vessel, and rushes through the opening F, whence it is
conveyed to the fire, while the water falls to the lower part
of the vessel, and runs out by the openings M N." The author
then goes on to describe the construction of the pipe B C H,
in the curve of which some nicety is required, and to explain
some atmospherical phenomena upon the principle of this machine,
adding that "Franciscus Tertius de Lanis observes that he has
seen a greater wind generated by a blowing machine of this kind
than could be produced by bellows ten or twelve feet long."

Now, if, instead of the pedestal P, a wheel were placed in the
condensing vessel, as in the figure, would not the water, in
falling upon the wheel, be sufficiently dispersed to disengage
the air at the same time that it drove the wheel, and would
not the motion of the wheel be retarded by the density of the
internal air?

I do not apprehend that any considerable resistance would be
offered by the internal air, and the motion of the wheel can be
regulated by its load, so as to offer a sufficient resistance to
the descending stream of water; and I, therefore, assume that
the water, in its descent, would produce by means of the wheel,
a power capable of raising a part of the water expended back
again to the cistern; and this is the extent of the power of
most of those machines which have been mistaken for perpetual
motions by their projectors. But I have a blast of wind which
is described as being of great force. Can this blast be in any
way applied to raise the surplus water? I think I see the smile
which the proposal will produce in those who deny the possibility
of a perpetual motion. "A mere puff of wind!" is doubtless
ejaculated from all sides. But let me tell these gentlemen
that, though I may not know any method by which such blast can
produce that effect, it does not, by any means, follow that the
impossibility of the thing is thence to be presumed. Far from
it; for such a conclusion rests upon the supposition that the
powers and application of a blast of wind are fully known, and
that no research or experience can add to our knowledge on that
subject--assumptions which appear to me somewhat ridiculous.
Allow me, for the sake of argument, to suppose that this blast
instead of wind, had been a blast of steam. Time was when wise
men would have smiled and said, "A puff of steam--a mere puff of
steam!"--and had some one, more sanguine than the rest, attempted
by its application to produce a motion, he would have applied it
to the floatboards of a wheel, as in Branca's engine, and have
been disappointed. It is not given to man to know when the powers
of any great agent have been fully developed; and those who act
upon such presumptions throw the greatest obstacles in the way of
inquiry. But, to show the anti-perpetualists that within their
own time since the commencement of the "Mechanics' Magazine," an
addition has been made to our knowledge of the powers of a blast
of wind, I have added a tube, G, to my figure, the proposed use
of which I shall now describe.

In a part of the "Mechanics' Magazine," published some time ago,
there was described a novel mode of raising water in a tube by
directing a stream of air over its mouth, thereby destroying the
pressure of the atmosphere.

I do not suppose it will rise to the height of the cistern as I
have figured it; but it may still be a question whether it may
not be accomplished by a series of short tubes, the bottom of
the one being placed in the cistern into which the next below
discharges its water, each being constructed with a blast and two
valves, in the same manner as the single tube--namely, the valves
_x_ (under water) and _y_, worked in such a manner by the arms
K L, that the one may shut when the other opens. Presuming that
the water will rise to the top of the tube when the blast is in
action (_x_ open and _y_ shut), the water in the part of the tube
between the blast and _y_ will be discharged into the cistern at
the next motion of the valves--namely, when _x_ is shut and _y_
opened, the blast, at the same time, being discontinued.

Device by Means of Buoyancy Through Media of Different Densities

An account of this appeared in "Mechanics' Magazine," 1825. The author apparently had no great faith in the accomplishment of Perpetual Motion, and yet it is manifest that he had not abandoned hope of accomplishing it, and is still thinking along some line of attaining it. It goes without saying that the device failed. The account furnished, however, is as follows:

The unsuccessful (but far from fruitless) search made to discover
the "philosopher's stone," and the "elixir vitæ," were productive
of most important and beneficial results in the kingdom of
chemistry; so, by a parity of consequence, I am disposed to
believe that from inquiry after the "perpetual motion" (though
equally unsuccessful), a similar good will result to the
mechanical world. * * I beg leave to offer the prefixed device.
The point at which, like all the rest, it fails, I confess I
did not (as I do now) plainly perceive at once, although it is
certainly very obvious. The original idea was this--to enable a
body which would float in a heavy medium and sink in a lighter
one, to pass successively through the one to the other, the
continuation of which would be the end in view. To say that
valves cannot be made to act as proposed will not be to show the
_rationale_ (if I may so say) upon which the idea is fallacious.

The figure is supposed to be tubular, and made of glass, for the
purpose of seeing the action of the balls inside, which float or
fall as they travel from air through water and from water through
air. The foot is supposed to be placed in water, but it would
answer the same purpose if the bottom were closed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENGRAVING.--No. 1, the left leg, filled with
water from B to A. 2 and 3, valves, having in their centers very
small projecting valves; they all open upwards. 4, the right
leg, containing air from A to F. 5 and 6, valves, having very
small ones in their centers; they all open downwards. The whole
apparatus supposed to be air- and water-tight. The round figures
represent hollow balls, which will sink one-fourth of their bulk
in water (of course will fall in air); the weight, therefore, of
three balls resting upon one ball in water, as at E, will just
bring this top even with the water's edge; the weight of four
balls will sink it under the surface until the ball immediately
over it is one-fourth its bulk in water, when the under ball will
escape round the corner at C, and begin to ascend.

The machine is supposed (in the figure) to be in action, and
No. 8 (one of the balls) to have just escaped round the corner
at C, and to be, by its buoyancy, rising up to valve No. 3,
striking first the small projecting valve in the center, which,
when opened, the large one will be raised by the buoyancy of the
ball; because the moment the small valve in the center is opened
(although only the size of a pin's head), No. 2 valve will have
taken upon itself to sustain the whole column of water from A to
B. The said ball (No. 8) having passed through the valve No. 3,
will, by appropriate weights or springs, close; the ball will
proceed upwards to the next valve (No. 2), and perform the same
operation there. Having arrived at A, it will float upon the
surface three-fourths of its bulk out of water. Upon another
ball in due course arriving under it, it will be lifted quite
out of the water and fall over the point D, pass into the right
leg (containing air), and fall to valve No. 5, strike and open
the small valve in its center, then open the large one and pass
through; this valve will then, by appropriate weights or springs,
close, the ball will roll on through the bent tube (which is made
in that form to gain time as well as to exhibit motion) to the
next valve (No. 6), where it will perform the same operation,
and then, falling upon the four balls at E, force the bottom one
round the corner at C. This ball will proceed as did No. 8, and
the rest in the same manner successively.

Device by Compressible and Distensible Bags in Liquid

In the year 1823, an account of a Perpetual Motion device was sent to "Mechanics' Magazine" by some correspondent. This appears to have considerable claim to ingenuity, though the correspondent states that "it failed from friction." The figure and account furnished are as follows:

A A A A is a cistern of water, filled as high as B B. C C C C C C
are six bladders, communicating by the tubes D D D D D D with
the hollow axle E, which axle is connected with the bellows F by
the pipe G. H is a crank connected with the crank I by the rod
K. L is a saucer-wheel, M a pinion, N its shaft. O is a crank
attached to the bellows F by the rod P. Q Q Q Q Q Q are valves
with a projecting lever. R and S are two projecting knobs. T
is a hole in the axle E, forming a communication with it and
the lowermost bladder. The axle B being put in motion carried
round the bladders and tables, and by the cranks H and I, and
the connecting-rod K, caused the wheel L to revolve, which
communicating a similar but accelerated motion to the pinion M,
shaft N, and crank O, worked or blew the bellows F by the rod P;
the air entered the axle E by the tube G, and passing through the
hole in it at T, entered the lower bladder C by the tube D; this
bladder being thus rendered lighter than the space it occupied,
ascended, bringing the bladder behind it over the hole in the
axle T in like manner, and which thereby gained an ascending
power, producing a similar effect on the one behind it. When one
of the bladders arrived at the knob S, the lever of the valve Q
struck against it and opened the valve; when the bladder arrived
at U and began to descend, its pressure on the water drove out
the air and gave it a descending power; the knob R then closed
the valve Q and prevented the entrance of any water into the
bladder; by this contrivance three of the bladders were full and
empty, according as they passed over the hole T or the knob S.

George Cunningham's Mercurial Pneumatic Device. Ireland. 1729

Among the papers in the British Museum is one which purports to relate to the Royal Society, and in that Royal Society volume it is number 32. It is quite amusing. The author explains that he is withholding many precise details and measurements "such as workmen should follow in making the engine. Intending no more here than the endeavor to satisfy some others as well as myself, that there is really such a thing to be found as that long-sought for Perpetual Motion, which is looked upon by every one to be the true parent of the Longitude.--Description of the Perpetual Motion":

A, a cup nearly full of mercury.

B, the height the mercury will rise by its own weight in--

K, the main pipe, when--

C, the lower cock is open.

E, a hollow globe which must be capable of a greater quantity
than the whole pipe K.

F, the upper cock by which the mercury is filled into the engine
and about 27 inches higher than the line B.

D, the middle cock which, when open, lets the mercury fall upon
the buckets of the wheel--

G, and then passing down--

I, a funnel which contracts itself at

L, into a pipe which directs the mercury into the cup A.

H, a case which entirely covers the wheel (being of the same
metal, and of a piece with the pipe), through which the axis
of the wheel passes to set another wheel agoing; so becom [ing]
the principal mover in the clock or engine to be contrived.

_The Manner of Setting It to Work_

Stop the cock at C and fill mercury into the cup A, higher than the line B; then stop the cock at D and turn in mercury at the cock F, till K and E are full; stop the cock at F, very close, open C, first, and then D, out of which the mercury will fall upon the buckets of the wheel G, down the funnel I, L, into the cup A, and be pressed up K, by the weight of the air, as in the barometer.

Why the Devices Described in this Chapter Failed to Work

The devices explained in the preceding chapter are of such complicated and ridiculous structure that it is impossible to explain anything from them. It is better to abandon them all and to discuss in a general way why Perpetual Motion has not been, and cannot be, attained by devices constructed on similar plans. An examination of the preceding devices in this chapter shows that they depended ultimately upon the fact:

1. That air or some other gas is to be compressed by work done upon it and that upon expanding it will do a greater amount of work than was required for the compression, or

2. That a bag empty, or partially filled with air, or other gas, can be easily immersed, and that if blown full of gas while immersed it will, in its tendency to float, do more work than was required to immerse it, or

3. That the weight of the atmosphere and its consequent pressure upon vacua can be utilized to drive a piston, or compress a bag and by some sort of means at the same time produce another vacua ready for a similar operation, the loss of the driven piston, or the compressed bag being utilized to drive machinery, if desired.

It is now believed by all scientific men that none of these things are possible. In the first place, it is well known that compressed air will do exactly the same work in regaining its former volume that was expended upon it to compress it, and this with absolute exactness. In compressing the gas with a piston the force exerted upon the rod to drive the piston must be sufficient not only to compress the gas but also to overcome the friction of the tight fitting piston, and further, if the pressure on the rod be removed, the expanding gas will deliver against the face of the piston exactly the force and energy required to drive the piston for the compression, but not all of this can be returned to any machinery driven by the piston-rod, for a part will be lost in the friction of the tight-fitting parts. Thus here, as elsewhere, there is an exact equivalent of energy a part of which is consumed in friction, and only a part available for returned motion. The same thing is true in compressing a bag, except that possibly the bending of the fabric is less resistance than the friction of the tight-fitting piston. Still, the bending of the fabric is some resistance, and consequently the bag so expanding cannot return all the energy required for its compression, the difference being the loss, however slight, in the bending of the fabric of which the bag is made.

Again, let us admit that a dilated bag is easily immersed in water, and that if inflated with air there will be considerable tendency to rise, but how much energy is required for the inflation? It is manifest that if it is immersed the weight of the water and its consequent pressure will resist the attempted inflation, and must be overcome before the inflation is complete. The deeper the immersion the more the compression, and consequently the more work required for the inflation. If a bag having a contents of one cubic foot were immersed a mile in fresh water, and if it should be attempted to inflate it, the reader will perhaps be surprised to know that the inflation would have to be done against a pressure of substantially 2,400 pounds to the square inch. It is simple that the deeper the bag is immersed the more work it will do in rising to the surface, but it is equally plain that the deeper it is immersed the more energy is required for its inflation. In each case the work of inflating is exactly equal to the work returned in rising to the surface, and there is not one whit to spare for running machinery of any kind.

The third classes of devices above mentioned assume atmospheric pressure, and a piston driven by atmospheric pressure. This is easily attained, but in order for atmospheric pressure to drive a piston it must only be on one side of the piston, and when the piston has been driven what force and energy will be required to put it in a position again such that there will be atmosphere on only one side, and a vacuum into which it can retire, on the other side? It is easily answered. The same work must be done, and the same work exactly, to put the piston again in the position with the vacuum with equal dimensions into which it can be driven by atmospheric pressure, that first drove it to occupy the vacuum--exactly the same work, and no less and no more, except that the amount lost by friction must be supplied in addition.