Improved Air Controlling Appliances for Pneumatic Levers for Organs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th May, 1892-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Air Controlling Appliances for Pneumatic Levers for
Organs.
I, VINCENT WILLIS of 9 Rochester Terrace, Camden Town in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder, do hereby.declare the nature of this invention to he as
follows:-
The object of the present invention is to provide, for organs or other purposes,
a means of automatically cutting off or controlling the passage of compressed air
or attenuated air, at such times, and in such a manner, as may be required in
pneumatic appliances under the control of the performer or operator, without his
interfering with such control.
To effect this, I interpose valves controlled or operated by pneumatic levers,
either between the source of the compressed or attenuated air and the valves
directly controlled by the performer or operator, or, in some cases, beyond the
valves controlled by the performer, the pneumatic levers being so proportioned and
located, as to automatically operate at the required instant, either by the varying
pressure of air, or direct mechanical connections.
In an organ operated by the energy of compressed air, the mechanism under the
hands and feet of the performer is connected with "supply" and "escape" valves,
which control the passage of compressed air to and from tubes which transmit the
impulses to the various pneumatic appliances.
These valves should operate alternately, and should never be open at the same
time, for reasons explained in the Specification of Patent 15,114 of 1889, in which
the requisite alternate action is obtained in organs mechanically operated.
Again, in the Specification of Patent 15,182 of 1889, alternate action is obtained,
but only in the pneumatic apparatus at the remote end of the tubes.
Mechanical arrangements giving this alternate action to the valves moved by the
performer, depend on an exactitude of travel not obtainable in practice.
To secure instantaneousness of attack, it is necessary that the "escape" valve be
(normally) closed, and that the "supply" valve be opened by the first movement
of the mechanism operated by the performer, and, in order that the true legato
organ "touch" may be retained, that this "supply" valve remain open till the
"key" (in the case of manual or pedal keys) has very nearly regained its normal
quiescent position, the "escape" valve operating during the last small portion of
the return travel.
In organs operated by compressed or attenuated air, or electrically, this result
has not hitherto been obtained practically, and it has, therefore been customary to
arrange the "escape" valve normally open, to be closed by a small portion of the
travel of the key, the "supply" valve being open during the whole travel. In
organs electrically operated, a small amount of "false" touch is necessary, at a
sacrifice of instantaneousness.
Arrangements are known in which the " escape "valve (normally open) is closed
before the "supply" valve is opened, and vice versa, but at a loss of instantaneity also.
This invention, applied to the ordinary "escape "valve of a manual or pedal
key, closes the escape vent independently of the escape valve controlled by the
performer, thus permitting the supply valve to act with perfect efficiency, and
synchronously with the first movement of the key, and, so soon as the escape valve
closes under the finger or foot of the performer, automatically rises, and leaves the
escape vent controlled by the escape valve, remaining inoperative till the escape
valve has operated, when it automatically resets itself and closes the escape vent.
Thus the escape vent is controlled by two valves, one automatic, and one under

page_text: the control of the performer, which together secure theoretically perfect action at
that vent.
Similarly, this invention, slightly modified, can be applied to the supply valve,
enabling the escape valve to act unretarded by an open supply valve. But
practically the escape valve only requires this invention for ordinary distances, for
the pneumatic arrangement under Patent 15,182 of 1889 is so perfect as to satisfy
all other requirements.
This invention is applicable to every pneumatic appliance in any part of the
organ, and when mechanically operated, can be applied to "combination" movements
with great advantage.
Taking, for example, the case of a thumb key or piston, which, being pressed by
the performer, can "draw" any combination of "stops."
The thumb key should be pressed home, and immediately released, and before
another is operated, time to permit the resetting of the mechanism must be allowed.
Nervous performers press a key home, and hold it there, and if it should happen
to be the wrong key, they instantly leave it and press the right one, throwing
reverse mechanisms into almost simultaneous operation, and preventing the second
performing its office.
This invention, suitably modified, can be actuated mechanically just before the
pneumatic mechanism has completed its office, allowing the pneumatic train to reset
itself immediately, and notwithstanding the key being retained in the operative
position by the performer. Thus, it will be seen, that any inadvertent misuse of
thumb keys or pistons is neutralised the instant the mechanical operation is
completed.
Dated this 17th day of August 1891
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Air Controlling Appliances for Pneumatic Levers for
Organs,
I VINCENT WILLIS of 9 Rochester Terrace, Camden Town in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder do hereby declare the nature of this 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 relates to means for automatically cutting off or controlling the
passage of compressed or attenuated air at such times as may be required in
pneumatic appliances under the control of the performer or operator.
To effect this, I interpose valves controlled or operated by pneumatic levers
between the source of compressed or attenuated air, and the valves directly
controlled by the performer or operator, or in some cases beyond the valves
controlled by the performer, the pneumatic levers of the interposed valves being
proportioned and located as to automatically operate at the required. instant, either
by the varying pressure of air, or direct mechanical connections.
SO
In an organ operated by the energy of compressed air, the mechanism under the
hands and feet of the performer is connected with "supply" and "escape" valves,
which control the passage of compressed air to and from tubes which transmit the
impulses to the various pneumatic appliances.
These valves should operate alternately, and should never be open at the same
time..
Mechanical arrangements giving this alternate action to the valves moved by
the performer, depend on an exactitude of travel not obtainable in practice.
To secure instantaneous attack, it is necessary that the "escape"
"valve be
(normally) closed, and that the "supply" valve be opened by the first movement
of the mechanism operated by the performer, and in order that the true legato

page_text: 6
organ "touch" may be retained, that this "supply" valve remain open till the
"key" (in the case of manual or pedal keys) has very nearly regained its normal
or quiescent position,' the ". escape valve operating during the last small portion
of the return travel.
"
In organs operated by compresse? or attenuated air, or electrically, this result
has not hitherto been obtained practically, and it has therefore been customary to
arrange the normal position of the escape valve as open, and to ensure its closure
during a small portion of the travel of the key, while the supply valve remains
open during the whole travel. In organs electrically operated, a small amount of
"false" touch is necessary, which is acquired at a sacrifice of promt action.
Arrangements are known in which the "escape" valve (normally open) is closed
before the "supply" valve is opened, and rice versa, but at a loss of instaneousness also.
The present invention applied to the ordinary escape valve of a manual or pedal
key, closes the escape vent independently of the escape valve controlled by the
performer, thus permitting the supply valve to act with perfect efficiency, and
synchronously with the first movement of the key, and so soon as the escape valve
closes under the finger or foot of the performer, the automatically-acting valve rises,
and leaves the escape vent, controlled by the escape valve, remaining inoperative till
the escape valve has operated, when it automatically resets itself, and closes the
escape vent
Thus, the escape vent is controlled by two valves, one automatic, and one under
the control of the performer, which together secure theoretically perfect action at
that vent.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 shews, in vertical section, an arrangement of apparatus designed to impart
an impulse to pneumatic levers through the mechanism described in the Specification
of my Patent dated 26th September 1889, No. 15182, and start them into instant
action. This apparatus consists in an arrangement of valves for ensuring the
cutting off of the supply of compressed air and the opening of the escape valve
simultaneously, and thus preventing waste of power through the escape of unutilised
air, and the retardation of the action of the pneumatic levers in connection
therewith, consequent on the supply and escape valves being at the same time
open.
A is a wind chest, in the top of which, a recess A' is made, for the reception of a
flexible diaphragm a. B is an air channel situate below the wind chest A, and
communicating, by a channel B', with the recess A' at the back of the diaphragm a.
Pendent from the centre of this diaphragm, is a rod a', which carries a valve a²,
that overlies a seat made in the valve chest. This valve, and the diaphragm from
which it depends, must be so proportioned relatively to each other, that the lifting
power of the diaphragm under the pressure of the air, shall not exceed one half the
air resistance of the valve. The seat covered by the valve a² leads to a chamber A*
below the wind chest, and in communication with the channel B through an opening
in the bottom of the chamber. This opening forms the seat for a valve c, which-is
carried by a rod c attached to the rock lever C.
This rock lever receives its motion from the finger key or pedal of the organ,
and to it is also connected, through a rod c², a valve e, which serves to close (on
the depression of the key or pedal) the outer end of the escape vent D. The inner
end of this escape vent is covered by a valve, which is carried by a rod pendent
from a flexible disc 61, that covers an opening made through the top of the
channel B. The relative proportions of this valve band the flexible disc from
which it depends, are such, that the effective action of the flexible disc, under the
pressure of the air in the channel B, should be nearly equal to the resistance of the
air on the valve b.
Leading from the channel B, is a pipe E, which connects with one or more closed
chambers, such as that marked A. in my above mentioned Specification, and fitted
with disc pneumatic levers which operate supply and exhaust valves.
The rod a' projects through the valve a², and carries a buttoh, and immediately

page_text: below this rod stands the rod c' (of the valve c), which is also furnished with a
button.
The normal state of the valve chest A is to be charged with air, which, pressing
upon the diaphragm a, holds the valve a² off its seat, and, admitting pressure to the
chamber A*, holds the valve c close to its seat. When, by the depression of the 5
key or pedal, the valve c is raised, air will be admitted to the channel B, for
the purpose of imparting an impulse to the pneumatic levers in connection there-
with. Concurrently with the opening of this supply valve c, the valve will be
raised, and caused to close the outer end of the vent D, which was before that
moment closed at its inner end by the valve b. Simultaneously with the valve c³
coming into action, the valve b will be raised from its seat by the pressure of the
air in the channel B upon the flexible disc ', thus leaving the vent D open to
the air channel. It will now be seen, that all the pressure of air admitted to the
channel B is made available for starting the pneumatic levers in connection
therewith.
C,
the
On the admission of air to the channel B, by the lifting of the valve
recess A will be filled with air through the channel B', and the valve a² will
consequently drop; the rise, however, of the valve c will bring the buttons of the
two valve rods cand a into contact, and the valve a² will thereby be raised,
maintaining the connection of the wind chest with the air channel B, until the
lever C of the key or pedal is released.
On this release taking place, the descent of the valve c will commence, for the
purpose of cutting off the supply to the air channel, but immediately before this
occurs, the valve a² will seat itself by its own weight, and momentarily effect the
same object. So soon, however, as the valve c is seated, and the vent Ď is opened,
the valve a will, by reason of the unbalanced pressure of air upon the
diaphragm a, be lifted from its seat, and put the chamber A* again into com-
munication with the wind chest A, while at the same time the valve c³ will retire,
and leave open the vent D for the escape of the air from the channel B. On the
completion of the discharge, the valve b will drop by its own weight, and close the
vent D, as before. It is by the automatic action of this interposed valve b, that
the rush of unused compressed air is avoided, and the instantaneous answer of the
pneumatic levers to the action of the player is secured.
Fig. 2 shews, in sectional elevation, the apparatus modified to adapt my invention
to organs in which attenuated air or vacuum is used for operating the pneumatic
levers, instead of compressed air.
In this figure, the parts corresponding to the like parts in Fig. 1, are indicated
by the same reference letters.
A A2 are attenuated-air chambers connected together, and acting the part of the
wind chest A, Fig. 1, and communicating by a chamber A* with the exhaust
passage B, which communicates, through the tube E, with the closed chamber, as
before mentioned. The arrangement and fitting of the valves a and c are precisely
the same as in the first described arrangement, the valve c closing the vacuum
chamber A, and the valve a², which is held up from its seat by the diaphragm a,
being held open by the stem of the valve c, so long as the depression of the lever C
is maintained. D is a passage (corresponding with the vent D) opening from the
atmosphere to the channel B, and serving to admit air thereto for destroying
the vacuum therein. This passage is closed at its inner end by the valve c, when the
lever is depressed, and the vacuum in the chamber B is thereby maintained. The
automatic valve b, pendent, as in the former arrangement, from a flexible disc or
diaphragm b', serves to close the outer end of this passage D, when the valve c³.is
opened. So soon, however, as the valve c³ is raised by the depression of the lever C,
and vacuum is established in the channel B, the valve o will be raised from its seat.
This is effected by mounting the diaphragm in a box G, which is connected with
the channel B, and thus allowing of the exhaustion of the air from behind the
diaphragm.
It will thus be obvious that so long as that exhaustion is maintained, the valve b

page_text: will be in suspension, but immediately the channel B is cut off from communication
with the vacuum chamber A, air will rush in by the open passage D to the
channel B, and destroy the vacuum therein, and the valve will drop onto its seat.
Another feature of my invention consists in an automatic arrangement for
restoring, to its normal position, the pneumatic arrangements used in drawing organ
stops and effecting like movements wherever required in the organ. In operating
thrust keys or pistons for drawing organ stops, it is not unusual for a nervous.
player to press the wrong button, and then, finding his mistake, to press the
corresponding button which closes the stop, before the mechanism first put in action
has had time to reset itself.
In order to prevent this result, I now provide that the pneumatic lever, when it
has done its work, shall cut off the supply of wind thereto, and open a vent for the
compressed air, thereby relieving the performer from the possibility of throwing
the apparatus into confusion by an over-hasty movement on his part.
Fig. 3 shews in sectional elevation a valve box H through which the compressed
air for starting the pneumatic lever is led, one such being connected with every
pneumatic lever requiring automatic re-adjustment.
In the box, h is an air chamber, in the upper part of which is fitted a flexible
diaphragm, and above this diaphragm is a chamber 2, closed by a removable
cover ³. is an air chamber below the chamber h, and fitted at top and bottom
with valve seats to receive respectively valves i and carried by a valve stem I,
which connects at top with the diaphragm, and projects out at the bottom of the
box H. These valves are so situated on their stem I, that when one is seated, the
other is open, and vice versa.
Air is admitted to the chamber h of the box H, for starting the pneumatic levers
in connection therewith, by means of a pipe k, and it passes out from the chamber *,
by a pipe k, to the closed chamber A before referred to in connection with my
above mentioned Specification, to give the required impulse to the valves connected
with the chamber. k2 is an air passage leading from the chamber to the
chamber h², for the purpose of admitting air above the diaphragm h', and equalising
the pressure thereon. The drawing shows the valve spindle I connected with the
pneumatic lever K through a lever K', which, as the pneumatic lever is raised, is
caused to lift the valve spindle I, thereby cutting off the air supply from the
chamber, and opening an escape from that chamber by the rise of the valve i¹
from its seat.
it will now be understood, that when, by the thrust of a button or piston, air is
admitted to the valve box H, and transmitted to the valves controlling the
pneumatic lever in connection therewith, (the valves i and being then in the
position indicated in the drawing), the pneumatic lever, by the act of expanding to
do the work for which it is intended, will, irrespective of the player's movements,
cut off the supply of air to the chamber h, and open a passage to the atmosphere,
thereby neutralising the impulse given to the valves in connection with the closed
chamber A before mentioned.
In adapting attenuated air or vacuum, in place of compressed air, to the working
of this apparatus, a slight modification will be requisite in the arrangement of the
valves. The manner of effecting this will be evident to any mechanic capable of
tracing the changes introduced in Fig. 2 to provide for the like change of
circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The arrangement of apparatus described with reference to Fig. 1 of the
drawings, for automatically preventing the escape of wind during the exchange of
positions of the supply and exhaust valves.
2. The modified arrangement of apparatus described with reference to Fig. 2 of
the drawings, and designed for use with attenuated air or vacuum, for automatically

page_text: preventing the admission of air to the apparatus during the exchange of positions
of the valves c and c³.
3. The means above described with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, for
automatically neutralising the impulse imparted to the controlling tubes of
pneumatic levers.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.