Part 19

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.