Patent GB-190221301-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Telegraphic Apparatus for Engines on Ship Board.
Inventor: KAY JOHN CHARLES
Filed: 1902-09-30
Granted: 1903-09-10
Abstract: 21,301. Kay, J. C., and Kay, J. G. Sept. 30. Signals, ship.-Mechanical telegraphs for transmitting orders from the bridge &c. to the engine room of a ship are provided with electrical interlocking-devices for preventing the engineer from running the engine in a contrary direction to that ordered, and also for closing an auxiliary throttlevalve in the main steam pipe after an order involving reversal of direction has been given, until the engineer has reversed his gear. Fig. 1 shows the apparatus in the engine room, and Fig. 4 the transmitting-instrument on the bridge. The reversing-lever A, when in the mid-position, is locked between two spring catches C, C<1> controlled by electromagnets F, Figs. 1 and 3. When the handle D of the transmitting-instrument is moved to one side or the other, the contact-strip J moves on to one of the segments I, I', and one of the electromagnets F is energized, thus enabling the reversing-lever A to be moved in the direction signalled. To prevent waste of battery power, the circuit may be completed through a contact made by the lever A when it is in the mid-position. A hand-lever K enables the engineer to depress both catches in case of emergency, its use being signalled by a bell to the bridge. In addition to the contact-strip J, the handle D bears two contact-arms 2 adapted to make contact with the two ends of a sliding bar 3 faced with insulating-material 4, and bevelled, as shown. When the handle D is moved in either the " ahead " or "astern" direction, contact is made momentarily between the arm 2 and the bar 3, and the battery circuit is completed through an electromagnet U, but owing to the slight projection of the insulating- material 4 beyond the bar 3 no further contact is made, whatever may be the movements of the arm D, until the arm is thrown over in the reverse direction so as to make contact with the other end of the bar 3. Consequently, the electromagnet U is only energized when a signal to reverse direction is given. The electromagnet U actuates a catch T, which releases a trigger S and allows the T- piece Q to fall, rocking the lever 0 and closing a throttle valve M in the main steam pipe. Steam remains cut off until the reversing-lever A is thrown over, thus rocking the arm 10 and lifting the T- piece Q by means of an antifriction roller 11. Pneumatic or other means may be employed in place of the electromagnets. In cases where there is no reversing lever, as in the all-round gear, the apparatus is arranged as shown in Fig. 8. The lever A' takes the place of the reversing-lever, and the electromagnets F<1> take the place of the electromagnets F. The bar 3 and electromagnet U are not used. The electromagnets F<1> actuate the slide valve of a small steam cylinder 14, and, when an order is given, the lever A<1> assumes such a position that if the order is obeyed and the link motion moved in the proper manner, the cam 12 on the shaft 13 will shift the lever A into the vertical position (against the pressure of the steam in the cylinder 14), and open the throttle valve M. If, however, the link motion is moved incorrectly, the cam 12 will move :idly between the curved arms 15, and the throttle valve will remain closed.