Year: 1886

page_text: I, GILMAN WELD BROWN, of West Newbury, in the County of Essex, and Stato
of Massachusetts, United States of America do hereby declare the nature of my
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object to provide an improved apparatus for use on
steam vessels, to automatically operate a whistle and give a series of blasts
indicating the direction in which the vessel is moving, a suitable code or series of
signals being employed, each signal indicating a given general direction of move-
ment, so that in fog or darkness neighbouring vessels can avoid each other by the
information imparted by the signals.
The invention consists in a series of wheels or discs rotated at a continuous rate
by a suitable time movement, each adapted to close and break an electric circuit a
given number of times during a complete rotation, each closure of the circuit
causing a blast of a whistle included in said circuit; a laterally movable contact
arm included in said circuit and adapted to be moved to make contact with either
of said discs; a dial or plate marked to indicate the cardinal points of the compass
and the principal intermediate points; and devices for moving said contact arm
controlled by a combined handle and pointer which is adapted to revolve over said-
dial, the arrangement being such that when the handle points to a given sub-
division of the dial the contact arm is in position to cooperate with the circuit
closing and breaking disc, which is formed to give the signals belonging to that
subdivision; so that by keeping said handle or pointer over that part of the
handle that indicates the course of the vessel the proper signals will be automati-
cally given, all of which I will now proceed to describe.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the case, dial and hand or pointer, of
my improved signalling apparatus.
Figure 2 represents a similar elevation with the dial removed.
Figure 3 represents a top view of the mechanism removed from the case.
Figures 4 to 10 inclusive represent side views of the circuit breaking and closing
AL

page_text: Figure 12 is a sectional view of a steam whistle and devices for operating the
same by the electrical current.
Figure 13 represents a side elevation thereof, and
Figure 14 a section on line a, a Figure 13.
.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
a represents a casing preferably of circular form. Within the casing is a suitable
time movement or train driven by a spring on a winding post or arbor b; c repre-
sents an arbor which is an extension of, and is rotated continuously by, one of the
arbors of the time movement. To said arbors are affixed a series of discs d, e, f, g,
,,,, each having a series of teeth or projections 2 on its periphery, the series
on each plate differing from those on the other plates, as shewn in Figures 4 to 10.
1 represents an arm pivotted to a stud on the frame of the time movement, and
supporting a metallic contact spring or finger n, which is insulated from the arm
by a piece of insulating material. The contact spring projects over the series of
discs d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k and may be moved to coincide with the periphery of either
disc by means of a spiral groove o, in a sleeve or collar p journalled on a fixed stud
projecting from the movement frame, and a pin g on the lever projecting into
said spiral groove. The rotation of said sleeve causes the arm to turn laterally
on its pivot and move the contact spring to any desired point over the series
of discs. When the said spring coincides with a disc only the projections 2 of the
disc make contact with the spring as the disc rotates. The contact arm is
provided with a wire t leading to a screw-cap u, inserted in the case a.
A wire v
extends from another screw cap win the case to a spring, which bears against
the disc d and is therefore in electrical connection with all the discs of the series.
Said wires form parts of an electric circuit which includes a battery and device
adapted to be operated by the closure of the circuit to open the valve of a steam
whistle.
It will be seen therefore that the contact of the spring n with the projections 2
upon one of the discs will cause a series of whistle blasts, which are governed in
number and duration by the number length and arrangement of said projections.
The case a is provided with a dial a¹ having a central opening through which
the spirally grooved sleeve p or an extension thereof projects. To the outer end
of said sleeve is attached a hand or pointer b', which projects over the dial like one
of the hands of a clock and constitutes a handle to rotate the sleeve p and thus
adjust the contact point. The face of the dial is divided and marked to indicate
the cardinal points of the compass and the principal intermediate points as shewn
in Figure 1, there being eight subdivisions, one for each of the circuit making and
breaking discs.
In the signal code now in general use (known as the Barker code) eight different
signals or series of whistle blasts are used to designate the course of a vessel, one
series indicating movements in a northerly direction, another in a north-westerly
direction, another in a westerly direction, and so on. The north signal consists of
four short blasts at regular intervals produced by the contact of the projections
of the disck with the contact spring; the north west signal consists of a short,
then a long, and then another short whistle and is produced by the disc j. The
disc i is formed to give three short whistles and a longer one indicating west; the
disc h two short whistles, and a longer one indicating south west; the disc ga
long whistle, two shorter ones and another longer one indicating south; the disc f
two longer whistles with a shorter one between indicating south east; the disc e
a longer and three shorter whistles indicating east ; and the discd a longer and two
shorter whistles indicating north east. The arrangement of the hand b¹, grooved
collar p, and arm is such that the movement of the hand to any subdivision of the
dial moves the contact spring into coincidence with the disc which gives the signal
for the direction indicated by that subdivision, so that if the hand be kept with
the course of the vessel the proper signals will be automatically given, the only
attention required being the changing of the hand whenever the vessel's course is
changed. The danger of accident from carelessness or lack of judgment or knowledge

page_text: is therefore greatly reduced, as no mistake can readily occur in the operation of
changing the hand from one part of the marked dial to another.
I prefer to place a key to the code in dots and dashes, or shorter and longer
marks on the dial, as shewn in Figure 1, for the guidance of all concerned.
I do not limit myself to the specific devices described for converting the
revolving movement of the hand into the lateral movement of the contact spring,
it being obvious that said devices may be variously modified without departing
from the spirit of my invention.
In Figure 2 I have shewn a diagram of the electric circuit, which includes a
battery at c¹ and whistle valve operating mechanism at ɗ. 0
In Figure 12, I have shewn a steam whistle having a main steam passage A,
and a valve B, of the form used as a stop valve etc. Said valve is adapted to
stand in a horizontal position, and the stem or spindle of the same extends into a
hollow cylinder D attached to or forming a part of the whistle casting. The
valve-stem C is secured to a piston Q which fits closely in said cylinder D,
The steam passage from the boiler to the whistle is divided by a partition E,
having an aperture which constitutes the seat of the valve, and admits of a
constant pressure in the steam passage on the outer or upper side of the valve B.
F represents a cylinder secured to the cylinder D, and provided with a
chamber G, and a steam passage H connecting said chamber with the cylinder D.
I represents an exhaust passage leading from the induction passage. H, and is.
adapted to carry off the steam from the cylinder D after it has opened the valve,
as hereinafter described. K. represents a cylindrical piece of metal having enlarge-
ments L, L' fitting closely in the chamber G in the cylinder F. Said piece K
constitutes, with its enlargements, a balance valve, for the purpose of controlling
the admission of steam to the cylinders F and D, for the purpose of operating the
valve B, of the whistle as explained hereinafter. Said balance valve is connected
to an armature M which is controlled by a magnet N, attached to the cylinder F.
O represents a chamber in the cylinder F surrounding the balance valve K, L.
Said chamber is filled with steam, and the pressure continuously maintained
through a pipe P passing from the main steam chamber of the whistle to the said
chamber O, as shewn in Figure 14.
•
When the whistle is to be operated the armature M is attracted to the magnet N,
and the valve is moved sufficiently to withdraw the enlarged portion L' from the
cavity 0; the steam flows into the chamber D¹, and, through the induction
passage H, into the cylinder D, moving the piston Q so as to lift the valve B from
its seat. This movement allows the steam in the outer passage A to enter and
sound the whistle in the usual manner.
When the auxiliary or balance valve is opened to admit steam to the cylinder D,
the enlargement L covers the exhaust passage I, so that the said port is inoperative
until the circuit is closed, and the pressure of steam in the chamber O, causes the.
valve to close quickly the passage from the said chamber to the cavity D¹; this
movement causes the enlargement L to open the exhaust passage I, and relieves the.
cylinder D, and induction passage H from steam pressure.
It will be observed that the piston Q in the cylinder D is of larger area than the
whistle operating valve B, the object being to more readily overcome the resistance
of said valve due to the pressure of steam exerted on its outer surface, the increase
of area of the valve Q overbalancing the pressure upon the valve B. I have shewn
a spiral spring S, to readily close the valve whenever the pressure on the piston Q
ceases; I do not limit myself to the described means of conducting the steam from
the main passage to the cavity O, as said steam may be conducted through passages
cored out in the castings composing the device.
It will be seen that by the above described form of auxiliary valve, the pressure
of steam is uniform on all parts of the same, and the valve is perfectly balanced.
Moreover when the armature is released from the magnet, the pressure of steam
on the enlargement L' serves to close the valve readily, and without the aid of
springs or other mechanism,
Myto

page_text: I am aware that it has been proposed to make a signal transmitter embodying
a motor and a series of signalling surfaces simultaneously moved thereby, combined
with a series of cooperating contact pieces and a movable signal selecting cylinder
provided with a pointer and cooperating with the contact pieces for throwing any
one of the latter into engagement with the corresponding signal surface, and I do
not claim such combination as my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
First. A circuit closing and breaking apparatus for signalling purposes consisting
of a series of discs having circuit closing projections, a time movement whereby
said discs are continuously rotated, a movable contact arm or spring adapted to be
brought into coincidence with either disc and to make contact with the projections
thereof, conducting wires whereby said contact arm and discs may be included in
an electric circuit, a plate or dial suitably subdivided and marked, a hand or
pointer adapted to move over the dial, and intermediate devices operated by said
hand whereby the contact arm may be set to coincide with either disc of the
series, the arrangement being such that the position of the hand with reference to
the marks upon the dial indicates the disc with which the contact arm coincides,
as set forth.
Second. The combination of a steam whistle; a valve B, controlling the admission
of steam to the whistle, and having on its prolonged stem a piston Q; a cylinder D
in which said piston is fitted; a casing having a chamber to a portion of which
steam is continuously admitted; a passage H for the admission of steam from
said chamber to the cylinder D; an exhaust passage I communicating with the
passage H; a balanced slide valve in said chainber, which valve is normally held
by the steam pressure in the chamber to shut off the steam from the cylinder D
and to open the exhaust passage I; and an electro-nagnet having an armature
which is connected to said balance valve, and when attracted by the magnet moves
said valve and thereby opens the passage H and closes the exhaust I, steam being
thus admitted to the cylinder D for the purpose of opening the whistle valve, as
set forth.
Third. The combination of the series of discs having projections as described, a
time movement whereby said discs are continuously rotated, a contact arm or
spring adapted to coincide with either disc and make contact with its projections,
means substantially as described whereby the contact arm may be set to coincide
with either disc of the series, an electro magnet included in an electric circuit with
said arm and discs, a steam whistle, a valve therefor, and an armature arranged
to be operated by said electro-magnet and to operate the whistle valve, as set
forth.
Fourth. The combination of the series of discs having projections as described,
a time movement whereby said discs are continuously rotated, a steam whistle, a
valve therefor, an electro-magnet included in an electric circuit with said discs, an
armature arranged to be operated by said electro magnet and to operate the whistle
valve, a circuit closer whereby the electric current may be closed through either of
said discs, and indicating operating devices substantially as described, whereby the
circuit closer may be operated and its position indicated, as set forth.