Part 12

Plate 23, gives in fig. 3 and 4, a representation of this Machine; _A B_ and _C D_, are two _slides_, having wedge-formed ends above _A_ and below _D_, well made, well steeled, and well tempered. One of these slides contains the _die_ and the other the steel prepared for the punch (see _B C_). These wedge-ended slides are _embraced_ by two levers _E F_, _G H_, which are themselves connected by two stirrups _I K_ and _L M_, better shewn at fig. 3. These latter are supposed in fig. 4 to be broken at _L M_, to leave the levers _E F_ and _G H_ more visible. They are formed, at the turning below, into wedge-like edges _a b_; well hardened, that clip the _nicks_ _c d_ of the lower lever: and at the top of the Machine their arms _e f_, pass through the caps _m n_, above which they are _nutted_ like a common bolt, and made to press strongly on the main lever _E F_. The stirrup placed to the right hand, presses in particular, by it’s cap _n_, on the moveable _step_ _o_, exactly in the notch _q_: this step having a backward and forward motion communicated by the regulating screw _p_. Before beginning to use this Machine, I make all it’s arms _A E_, _A g_, _D e_, _D d_, equal, when it’s power (see page 162) is infinite; and to put it in a working state, I turn the screw _p_ backward, say one half round: which motion (if the screw has 20 threads to the inch) makes a difference in the two arms _A r_ and _A q_ of 1/40 of an inch, and the virtual centre of the Machine is therefore 1/80 of an inch from the former point _A_, that is from the _edge_ of the slide _A_ in this fig. 3. Supposing now, the whole working lever _E F_ to be 3 feet, and the workman’s force to be 100lbs. in each arm, then by displacing the lever to any proper distance from _F_ towards _f_, he will produce a pressure between the die and the punch of 200lbs. multiplied by 1440, the number of times that 1/80 of an inch is contained in 18 inches.--That is, a pressure of two hundred and eighty-eight thousand pounds!

I have been seduced, by the anticipated brilliancy of this result, from the regular course of description,--and the plate _w x_, _y z_, which forms the base or frame of this whole Machine has not yet been spoken of. But that plate is supposed screwed down to a horizontal bench, at or near the height of a man’s breast; the slides or cases are fastened to it, and the man is supposed to _work_ the Machine nearly as he would a die-stock in tapping a screw. This however is not indispensable; the Machine might be placed vertically, and these motions given by any proper mover; or a weight may be suspended to the arm _F_, so as to add continuity to pressure. It is however important, that the position should comport with the frequent extraction of the punch in order to examine the progress of the work, or cut away any redundant metal. I have before given it as my opinion that _much_ could not be expected from mere pressure: but _this_ is a pressure of a peculiar kind, consisting of immense powers with _very_ short motions. In this respect it is _just_ what was wanted, as it can be renewed and repeated frequently, without loss of time. And the more to facilitate this delicate operation, the hollow slides or cases _B C_, are made slightly pyramidical, to be furnished with _set-screws_ on the four sides, by which to change the place of bearing; and thus to meet the case of a flat punch with the advantage of impressing it by _portions_, so as to have only to _finish_ it by brute pressure.

The foregoing application of the principle of the differential Steel-yard, is, I think, important, and founded on unobjectionable principles; for although by changing alone the place of the step _o_, we disturb a _little_ the parallelism of the stirrups _I K_, and _L M_; we do it not enough to produce, any material change in the theoretical result. With respect then to the lesser properties of this Machine, I leave them with confidence in the hands of those whom they most concern--who doubtless, will treat them with greater practical utility than I could myself hope to do.

OF A MACHINE _For Moulding Nails._

This Machine offers, I think, a valuable application of a well known Instrument: or rather of the principle on which it is founded. I allude to _that_ parallel ruler which, by means of an additional joint, keeps it’s members not only parallel, but directly opposite each other. In my Machine for moulding Nails, I wanted to give motions to the two plates different, yet dependent on each other. Supposing then, (Plate 24 fig. 1, 2, 3, 4,) the upper plate _a b_, to be moved up and down by a lever, a screw-press, or any other _first mover_, I connect the under plate _c d_, with it by two (or four) _strong_ parallel rulers _e f_, in such a manner, that when the plate _a b_ is drawn upward it shall extend the arms of the ruler _almost_ to a straight line, as represented in fig. 4; and then carry the under plate with it: and when it comes down again (see fig. 3) it shall _not_ carry down the said under plate, until the same arms are bent into the position _f g_; that is, till the two plates touch each other: the use of which arrangement I will now explain.

The under side of the upper plate _a b_, is _ground_ perfectly flat, and bored at proper distances with holes to receive and hold the punches which represent the shanks of the nails that are to be moulded. The lower plate _c d_ is ground _true_ both on it’s upper and under surfaces; the first to fit the under surface of the upper plate, and the under surface to impress a perfect plane on the sand below it. This under surface, shewn in an inverted position at fig. 2, is moreover covered with proper _prints_ 1, 2, 3, &c. to form the heads of the nails in question, and with proper _gets_ (jets?) 3, 5, 6, &c. for conducting the metal to every part of the surface. I mean models in relief of those gets; and the under plate is further pierced with holes, placed exactly like those in the upper plate, bored indeed from that (and through the aforesaid _prints_ of the nail-heads) _after_ the parallel joints _e f_ have been affixed. Now on another level plate with proper ledges, the sand boxes or flasks, fig. 5 and 6, have been prepared; and have received an obtuse pyramidical form at one stroke from a competent press, the construction of which is easily conceived: or this might be done by hand, if preferred. These boxes, in-fine, are successively brought under the before described mechanism while in the state represented in fig. 3, in which all the nail models are protruded through the under plate as at 1, 2, 3. The moulder now gives a stroke under the following circumstances:--Both the plates drop together and the nail models pierce the sand while the under plate makes it’s surface perfectly level: but when _that_ motion is reversed, it is _not_ the under plate which first rises, but the upper--by which the nail models are drawn out of their holes _without disturbing the sand_, for this is kept to it’s place by the under plate: and when, by the continued motion upward of the upper plate, the parallel joints are duly extended, and the nail models quite extracted; then, and not till then, the under plate leaves the compressed sand, in which are moulded as many _scores_ of nails as the mould has been made for--and that, in a space of time almost imperceptible.

I shall conclude the subject by observing, that the counter flask or box for closing this mould is made in the same way, by a smooth plate prepared in the same manner; and which _must_ fit the former, because they are both perfectly level surfaces.

OF A FIRE ENGINE _Giving_ POWER, _while heating Rooms, Liquids, &c._

This Machine, though conceived many years ago, can hardly yet be called an invention--if material existence is necessary to justify that appellation: _for I have never seen it in action_. It _may_ possibly be one of those fascinating conceptions of which my noble friend the late Earl Stanhope used to say--“’tis a _beautiful_ invention--but ’twill not do;” yet I give it with some confidence, because of the great utility it _would_ present, if it’s chief properties should fulfil my expectations.

The principal idea on which it is founded, is this: _to use, as power, the expansion of that air which feeds the fire_; and _again_ to employ it’s heat heating liquids or rooms, or any similar purpose. The form I have given to the Machine is by no means the only one it admits; nor perhaps the best: but it was indispensable to give the idea (which I hope is not an “airy nothing”) “a local habitation and a name.”

It consists, then, of two cylinders, lying horizontally, of nearly equal length, but of unequal capacity:--one of which _A B_, (Plate 24, fig. 7) is an air pump with a valve in it’s end _a_, and another in it’s piston, both opening _to the left_. The second cylinder _C D_, is the working cylinder, as much larger than the former, as may belong to the principle of motion already announced. This cylinder receives the piston _E_, which fits it nicely, but is not stuffed in the present case. (It may perhaps be made tight by some of the methods, used to _close_ metallic pistons.) At all events, this piston is connected with that _c_, by a frame _F G H I_, which embraces the whole Machine, in a horizontal position, though here shewn in a vertical. These two cylinders are cast in one piece, together with an upright cylinder, not bored _K_; the use of which is to receive the _earthen_ chafing dish _L M_, with it’s fire, made (according to my present views) with _coak or charcoal_, and lighted before it is introduced. It is needless to say, that this vessel is let down into the cylinder _K_, by a kind of bucket handle entering any _pair_ of holes in the dish. The top of this latter cylinder is _ground_ to fit the flanch _A N_: It swings open on one of the bolts and falls to again in a moment, to prevent loss of time in _firing_. The _means_ of doing this I do not much insist on, from their extreme facility. Nor do I make it a _condition_ to use this method at all. The coak, (or perhaps the coal, or the wood) _might_ be introduced through an upright tube furnished with two slides, one placed close above the top _A N_, and the other at a proper distance above; so as for _one_ to be always shut. This is nothing more than the System used for feeding high pressure Steam Engines--only _this_ application is to dry substances, which forms no insuperable obstacle.

When now the Machine is _fired_, the pistons _E_, and _c_, are pushed towards _b_ and _B_ respectively; the valve _d_ having been previously opened, and the valve _c_ opening by this very motion--which thus clears the large cylinder of it’s included air, while the air in the pump _A B_, is brought into contact with the fire; whence a _considerable expansion_ ensues, and a _pressure_ is created tending at the same time to drive the piston _c_ to the _right hand_, and that _E_ to the _left_: but acting in the latter case on a larger area, the whole system moves that way, and _all_ the air in the pump _A B_ is driven through the fire: where, being much heated, it acquires great elasticity and developes considerable _power_--which, by any of the known methods, may be applied to any of the known purposes.

I hope my readers will conclude here, that I allow for the disappearance of the oxigen in this conflagration: but I expect the expansion of the residue (together with what _new_ vapour may be developed) will more than compensate for that loss of volume. By this motion then, the pump _A B_ is again filled with cold air through the valve _a_; and the piston _E_ flying _out_ of the cylinder _C D_, the hot air it contained _rushes_ into the pipe _o_, and thence goes to perform _any heating operation_ that may be desired. But further, this same recession of the piston _E_ strikes the stem of the valve _d_ against the cover _e_, and opens that valve; by which means the large piston is at liberty to reach again it’s _inner_ position _b_: where the bar _b_ closes it’s valve _d_ and prepares the Machine for a new stroke. For, as before, the pump or cylinder _A B_, is full of cold air, and by the backward motion of it’s piston exposes that air to the fire in _K_: whence arises the renewal of all the former phenomena.

Many ideas, and doubtless some objections, will present themselves to the readers of these pages; of which I shall probably anticipate _some_, by noticing a few less important particulars.

And first, is it not to be feared that the vertical cylinder _K_, and the whole system _K C D E_ will become too hot--nay acquire a red heat, and thus introduce danger? The answer, I think, is that the fire must be _lessened_, or the Machine enlarged, until this danger disappears: for by heating _air_ to any thing like a _red_ heat (without attaining it) the expansion will be _immense_: and probably beyond our wants or wishes. The chaffing dish then (if that is used) must be lessened, that the air from _A B_ may partly circulate _round_ it, instead of going wholly through the fire: thus cooling the vertical cylinder _K_, and diminishing the intensity of the heat in the working cylinder. Further, the two cylinders _C D_ and _K_, might be inserted in the bottom of a boiler, and surrounded with water; through which also, may be conducted the pipe _O_, so as to concur in the same effect of heating _that_ water, while the steam thus accruing from the _double use_ of this heat, may be made to drive an engine, heat a room, or fulfil any common purpose.

In a word, all our difficulties on this branch of the subject, seem to lie in _excess of action_: and we need only mitigate the general effect, to render this Machine useful, safe, and commodious.

There is another objection that must be met, on pain of direct censure, which is this: what will become of the ashes? (for _smoke_ is as yet out of the question) my answer is--a recess, or several, must be found for them beyond _o_; to do which will not be more difficult than to lodge any other residue. But if this Machine fulfils my views in respect of _power_, _this_ residue will be no burden. For example, if ever a farmer should hereafter drive his _plough_ by such an engine as this, he will manure his land furrow by furrow with the ashes--an idea which I must not yet indulge, lest I should be thought fanciful beyond the due proportion.

But my mechanical impetus is not to be thus instantly checked. If what I _hope_, can be realized, there are properties in this invention, for locomotive engines, superior to any the steam engine itself can boast. A light Machine: a light combustible: no water to carry; no steam to condense, &c. &c. As however I have never _tried_ this felicitous creation, I assert nothing.

But again, this seems to be a really good method of distributing heat in any useful direction: for there is an _impulsive force_ which not only requires no _draught_ to make the fire burn, but will drive heat to _any_ distance through pipes of _any_ form, and placed in _any_ position. There is therefore, a certain utility attached to this Machine, whatever may be it’s merits as a _power engine_. Our present methods--of destroying coals--are excellent! but our methods of making them useful are defective in the extreme. If you have no draught in your chimneys you are stifled with smoke. If you have much draught, you have _little_ heat--for the chimney swallows it, and half your room is _in Norway_. Use then an impulsive system, (of some kind) and you may _send_ your caloric down into the cellar to be _drawn_ from thence as wanted, for the upper apartments.

But my subject pullulates as I proceed. This idea is by no means exhausted. It is _not_ an indispensable feature of it, to heat rooms with _the same air_ that fed the fire. For instance, if a fire were made _under_ the vertical cylinder _K_, and led into and through it by a proper pipe, _almost_ filling it--then the cold air of the pump _A B_ would _pass round that pipe_ to the working cylinder _C D_, and there impel it’s piston _E_ as before. Not perhaps so strongly; but with an air uncontaminated by burning, or by ashes--and therefore more congenial with some uses of the Machine. In fact, air thus introduced might be _perfectly fit for breathing_, and still get elasticity enough from this passage, to _force_ heat to the bottom of any room we wished to have warmed; whereas, by using only the levity of heated air to give it motion, we scorch the tops of rooms and factories, and unmercifully freeze the bottoms. I must beg leave to be a _little_ severe on this point:--since for a thinking people, as strangers call us, we have been extremely thoughtless in this respect: so that as much seems now to do by way of introducing _comfort_ into our saloons, as was done about the year 1200, when those chimneys were introduced that are now become a kind of nuisance. In a word, and I am serious when I say it, the present arrangement of our chimneys, is in my humble opinion, essentially unphilosophical; and as such ought to be speedily discontinued or greatly modified.

In the above pages I have laid myself open to much animadversion, by a kind of _cast_ for much honest fame. I have let the public into my secret--_I have thought aloud_: And if the greater part of these cogitations should prove to be imaginary, I shall only plead, that they are drawn from the same source as the many useful Machines I am known to have devoted to public utility.

OF A ROTATO-GYRATORY CHURN.

This title I confess, seems very ambitious, as applied to an utensil for the dairy: but I had to express the combination of it’s own axis, and those of the leaves or wings about their respective axes, while gyrating round the common centre.

The principal shaft _A B_, fig. 8 and 9 of Plate 24, is the general centre of rotation; and _a b_ are two lighter shafts carried round that centre, and turning at the same time on their own centres by means of the wheels _e f_ geering in the fixed wheel _c d_, (of which one half only is drawn) and which forms part of the top of the churn. Each of the shafts _a b_, carries four leaves or wings (better seen in fig. 9) reaching from the top, nearly to the bottom of the vessel; and they run in proper steps in the cross piece _m_, and also in proper collars in the upper cross piece _g h_. In fine their wheels _e f_, and the fixed wheel _c d_, which turns them, are furnished with teeth on my patent principle; and therefore work without noise or commotion. Now, the principal shaft _A B_, rests on the step _B_ at the bottom of the vessel; and runs, at top, in a collar formed in the metallic bridge _i k_, which, fixed to the outside rim of the cover, passes directly over the centre of the Machine. When therefore, the cream is put into the churn, (to do which the above mechanism is taken out) the mechanism is re-placed as now represented; and the main shaft set in motion by _any convenient power_: when the side shafts _a b_, turned by the fixed wheel _c d_, give a backward motion to the wings _a b_, and create a great agitation of the cream--for, it should be remarked, that this is not a circular motion: but each fly produces a kind of vortex round it’s own centre, while progressing round the common centre. The consequence of which, as above intimated, is, an unceasing agitation of the liquid, and, I believe, the best of churning. This however, I state as a mechanician, not having been initiated into the secrets of the dairy properly so called.

It may finally be observed, that the leaves or partitions _l n_, _fixed_ to the sides of the churn, (beyond the reach of the moveable wings _a b_) are destined to prevent still further any _general_ motion of the butyraceous matter; and thus to accelerate the churning process: and further these leaves, both fixed and moveable may be pierced with holes, like the analogous parts of other utensils of this nature.

OF A HELICO-CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE, _For raising Water in great quantities_.

The screw of Archimedes, is well known. When used to raise water it is placed obliquely, in such a position as that it’s _hollow threads_ become _more_ oblique to the horizon than the axis of the screw itself: observing which practice, some have said of this Machine, that it raises water by letting it run down: But this cannot be true. The threads of the screw merely _wedge_ themselves under the water, and make it _rise_ in a direction parallel to the axis of the screw; at the highest end of which it falls into the upper reservoir.

I once placed a screw of this kind _upright_, and said (in thought) is it then impossible to raise water by means of this screw thus placed? The answer in a few minutes was--“not at all; there is a force would make it easy: namely, the centrifugal force:” and this mental soliloquy was the origin of this Invention, which, some thirty years ago, I shewed to a public man, whom the lovers of the mechanical arts will long remember.

In Plate 25 fig. 1, _A B_ are two screws, perfectly like those used in exhausting watery foundations; and named of Archimedes. They are placed perpendicularly in the frame _C D_, so as to turn in the cross bars _a b_, _c d_, fixed horizontally on the main shaft _E F_ of the Machine. At the bottom of this shaft, _E F_, (which turns in a step on the _sill_ _G D_) is a low cylindrical vessel, shewn by a section only at _e f_, which dips into the under water nearly to the brim. It is used to carry, in proper _steps_, the centres of the screws _A B_, and, being pierced with many holes, to feed them amply, without exposing their motion to any resistance from the stagnant water. These cylinders _A B_ are merely indicated as screws by the _threads_, dotted between _h_ and _d_ and _e_ and _g_, and their upper mouths are seen near _a b_, just under the cross piece marked with these letters. These screws then, are turned by the wheels _i k_, as actuated by the fixed wheel _m n_, in the same manner as those of the churn before described; which in fact, is a corollary from _this_ Machine, but of much later date. To return to the Helico-centrifugal Machine--the screws _A B_ are terminated above by circular plates _o p_ (marked with the same letters in fig. 2 and 3) intended to receive the water from the mouths of the screw-threads _a b_, and carry it _on_ to the plate _q q_, which insures it’s further progress into the _ring canal_ _r s_, also shewn by a section only, to prevent confusion in the figure. Now what raises the water in these upright screws, is, it’s own _centrifugal force_, combined with the revolution of the screws: for while this central force is urging the water outward, the screws are bringing their sloping threads like _wedges_, _against_ that tendency; and the consequence is, that the water actually rises perpendicularly till it flows over the ledges or rings _o p_, _on_ the plate _q q_, and thence into the ring canal _r s_, from which it is conveyed to any place desired.

If this Machine is well made and proportioned, I think it is one of the best that can be used, to do much work by a given _power_: It gives no _shock_ to the water; which, when once in motion, continues to rise, and escapes when arrived at it’s proper height: and, being spread over a large surface, no part of it is raised higher than enough. The perfection of the Machine depends on a due relation between the centrifugal force, and the sine of the angle, which the threads of the screw make with the horizon; and this may be modified by the diameter of the wheels _i k_, as compared with that of the screws _A B_.