Improvements in and relating to Motive-power Engine Recorders.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 10th May, 1890-Accented. 14th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Motive-power Engine Recorders.
I, HENRY WILKIE, of Huntingtownfield in the City and County of Perth,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved mode of, and
means or arrangement and combination of mechanism for continuously recording the
forward or backward speed of marine or other motive power engines, and the time
during which they stopped, on a long or endless band of paper or other web material
ruled by divisional lines longitudinally and transversely, and traversed by the motion
of a time piece, and also for indicating on said paper the pressure the engine was
working at during the said times both below and above the pressure of the atmosphere.
This improved mechanism will be more simple and efficient than any heretofore in use
for keeping a record and enabling the engineers to ascertain or make approximate or
general calculations of the speed their engines were working at or during any give
space of time, and is susceptible of considerable modification, without departing from
the new or improved method or mode of recording the said working state or
indications of the engines.
The new
or improved mechanism under one arrangement would consist as
follows-In erecting the whole mechanism in a portable form on a stand preferably
covered in by a glass case to show the working of the mechanism and the indications
being made on the paper, and the time on the dial of a timepiece, and capable of
being secured by the stand near the engine to have the first motion shaft of its
mechanisin driven by a tight band which would not slip, or by positive gearing-such
as a pitch chain or screw and wheel motion at a slow speed as will hereinafter be
described. One part of the mechanism consists of a timepiece, preferably a spring
timepiece with escapement, which would keep accurate time and have its dial shown
in front through the glass case, or upwards through the top of the case, such as in
chronometer timepieces. The arbor or spindle of the timepiece which makes one
revolution each hour would be so geared to a horizontal drum or time barrel by a
pinion and large wheel on the drum, as to make the drum rotate one revolution every
twelve hours, that is at the same speed as the spindle of the usual hour hand. This
drum or time barrel would have the ruled band of paper, as say from two to three
inches wide, passed over a turned circumferential part of it at one end, preferably the
outer end near the front and upper part of the case, up from a supply giving off rolled
drum below on the one side with a light pacing spring on the giving off barrel, and
down on to a rolling up drun or barrel on the other side, preferably actuated by a
light scroll or clock spring, only sufficient to traverse and wind up the paper as stated
and keep it tight on the travelling time barrel, which would traverse the paper by its
friction on the barrel at its own time speed actuated by the clock. The paper would
be ruled longitudinally with divisions and spaces transversely, which would be
numbered to indicate pressure as from zero at the inner and outer lines, indicating
the pressure of the atmosphere, the one set of divisions as say from the outer zero
line being made to indicate inches or pounds of vacuum towards the inner line below
the atmosphere, as say three inches or pounds for each space, and the other to indicate
pounds of pressure towards the outer line above the atmosphere as say twenty pounds
for each space according to the strength of springs in the indicators, and having a
pointer or pen on the end of spring rods connected to the pistons in the cylinders of
vacuum and steam pressure gauges, working in connection with the engines, the
pointers reciprocating parallel to the axis of the time barrel and tracing a line
circumferentially on the paper as the time barrel turned, the lateral motions of the
pointers across the paper indicating the pressure as will hereinafter be described.

page_text: The time barrel would be divided circumferentially into twelve main divisions, and
have an angled grooved cam cut in or through its periphery on the one side pre-
ferably the inside of the paper and angling towards the outer edge of the paper, and
towards the inner edge alternately, thus forming a succession of zig-zag grooves
round the periphery of the barrel. Into these grooves a small radial antifriction
roller would work carried on a light rod reciprocating in guides over the centre of the
barrel, with a spring end and pointer on the outer end of this rod resting gently on
the paper, tracing a V zig-zag time live on the paper, as say from the outer zero line
inwards across the longitudinal lines, as say across four of the lines indicating the
pressures, and this time pointer is reciprocated parallel to the axis of the time barrel, on
the top between the reciprocating pointers indicating the pressures below and above the
atmosphere. Each of these twelve groove divisions of the time-barrel which would
indicate hours, would have the paper opposite same subdivided into six spaces, so that
the angled line traced positively by this pointer and continuous groove across these
spaces between the hour apex points of the angles, would give every ten minutes;
and every twelfth angle or hour, the cam might be made to make the pointer give a
flat or other mark at the apex, as say at twelve o'clock at night, and twelve o'clock
noon, to correspond with the hand and dial of the timepiece, and which would show
that the time barrel with its paper was keeping proper time with the timepiece
without slipping or other defect; and the hours might be figured on the end of this
time barrel corresponding to the hours on the timepiece, and show through a recess in
it when the dial of the timepiece was placed vertically in front of the time barrel.
Another pointer which I terin the speed pointer, is fitted to reciprocate in guides
parallel to and alongside the time pointer, by antifriction rollers working on each side
of and embracing the upper edge of a wheel rimmed cain, (but it might be a zig-zag
grooved cam similar to the before mentioned cam on the time barrel), carried on a
bollow spindle below on a stud or other equivalent centre behind the clockwork and
barrel, so as to reciprocate this pointer to trace a corresponding reverse angled or
V-like groove on the paper each revolution of the cam wheel, nearly similar and
parallel to that of the time pointer, when it was turned at the same speed as the time
barrel, at which slow speed it is preferred to be turned by the engine, when the
engine was working at its normal speed. To effect this the spindle of this speed cam
wheel would preferably be turned by a screw wheel mounted on it actuated by a screw
on a lateral spindle mounted in bearings on the frame or sole plate below, with a
corresponding screw wheel on its outer end gearing into a corresponding screw on
the first motion longitudinal spindle before mentioned of the mechanism carried in
bearing blocks in the sole-plate, and having its outer end projecting out through the
back frame of the glass case carrying the pressure indicator cylinders. The outer
end of this spindle would be actuated by the engine as before described, by a band,
chain, or screw gearing, to drive the said cam wheel of the speed pointer at nearly
the same speed as the barrel when the engine was going at its normal speed. In this
way it will be seen that when the engine either goes slower or faster than its normal
speed or the speed of the clock, it will cause the speed pointer to draw its undulating
line at an angle in advance of or behind the undulating line of the time pointer, that
is making more acute undulations or angled lines when going faster, and more obtuse
angled lines when going slower, than the time barrel; and when the engine stops for
any time draw a straight line parallel to the traverse of the paper, and when the
engine reverses draw a back angled line in the reverse direction to the forward
angled line.
And the transverse divisions on the band of paper will show the time of
the hour during which the engine was making these quick or slow angled line speeds
either forward or backward, or longitudinal lines while the engine was stopped. The
ends of these several pressure, time, and speed pointers which act over the band of
paper, would be made in the form of light springs beyond their guides to yield freely
and press radially to and from the paper and barrel, but have no motion laterally in
their guides, so that they would trace straight lines only parallel to the axis of the
barrel when it was not moved by the clock mechanism; and they would be fitted on
their outer ends with portable or removable hollow or box pens, preferably of a

page_text: triangular hollow shape with split spring points for containing various coloured inks
in the various pens, and letting it down on to the surface of the paper where they
would be tapered conoidally to a point at the splits to make fine ink lines, and have
lateral sockets for shipping onto the spring ends of the rods, and small hinged lids
above with india-rubber covers or other equivalent to prevent dust getting into the
ink. Two different colours would be used for the time and speed pointers, tracing
the said undulating time and speed lines, as red and blue or mauve; and different
colours might be used for the pressure pointers, or the same colours as these would
draw different shaped lines from the opposite border lines of the paper for the
pressures below and above the pressure of the atmosphere, and so could not be
mistaken for the high undulating time and speed lines. Instead of pens, coloured
metallic or other pencils might be used.
In some cases when desired, the band of paper might be traversed by the clock
mechanism over the barrel, or over a flat plate between two drawing rollers actuated
by the clock or barrel and drawing the paper over said table under the said recipro-
cating rods and pointers or pens from bobbins on to spring winding barrels mounted
down below, so that these indicating papers might be inserted and removed in rolls
or long strips from time to time as desired.
Dated 1.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Motive-power Engine Recorders.
I, HENRY WILKIE, of Huntingtowerfield, near the City and in the County of
Perth, Mechanic, 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 in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved mode of, and.
ineans of arrangement and combination of mechanism for continuously recording the
forward or backward speed of marine or other motive power engines, and the time
during which they stopped, on a long or endless band of paper or other web material
ruled by divisional lines longitudinally and transversely, and traversed by the motion
of a time-piece, and also for indicating on said paper the pressure the engine was
working at during the said times both below and above the pressure of the atmosphere.
This improved mechanism will be more simple and efficient than any heretofore in
use for keeping a record and enabling engineers to ascertain or make approximate or
general calculations of the speed their engines were working at or during any given
space of time, and is susceptible of considerable modification, without departing
from the new or improved method or mode of recording the said working state or
indications of the engines.
And in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
an explanatory Sheet of Drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown. Figure 1 is a side
elevation, and Figure 2 a corresponding plan showing one arrangement of my new
or improved mechanism for indicating or recording the speed and variations of
inotion and pressure of marine and other engines.
Referring to these Drawings:-The new or improved mechanism under one
arrangement shown in these Drawings consists all as follows:-In erecting the whole
mechanism in a portable formn on a soleplate A, and metallic standards A1, A2, A3, A4,
secured by bolts and snugs at A", to the soleplate A, and having the timepiece and
gearing all preferably covered in by a wooden case B, B1, B2, and having the glass
at B in front door B and top door B but only shown as dotted in in Figures 1 and 2,
to show the working of the inechanism and the indications being made on the paper,

page_text: and the time on the dial D¹ of a timepiece D, and capable of being secured by its
soleplate A near the engine to have the first motion spindle C, of its mechanism
carried on hearing standards C2, bolted to the soleplate A, and driven by a tight band
which would not slip passed over a pully C, secured on the outer end of this
spindle C and driven from the engine, or by positive gearing such as a pitch chain
or screw and wheel motion at a slow speed, in either case to actuate the mechanism,
as will hereinafter he described. One part of the mechanism consists of a vertical
timepiece D, preferably a spring timepiece with escapement, and shown in the
Drawings as fitted all within a horizontal circular metal standard case A¹ secured by
snugs A to the soleplate A, and which would keep accurate time and have its dial Di
shown in front through the glass B in the door B, or it might be upwards through
the top of the case such as for horizontal timepieces. The arbor or spindle at 12 of
the minute hand D1 of the timepiece D, and which makes one revolution each hour
would be geared to a horizontal drum or main time barrel E by a spur pinion D³ and
two intermediate spur wheels D* carried on a bracket D, and large spur wheels D
on the spindle E¹ of the drum E, so as to make the drum E rotate one revolution
every twelve hours, as indicated by the arrows, that is at the same speed as the spindle
of the usual hour hand D. The spindle E' of the diagram drum or time barrel E
is carried in journal bearings in the bracket El, secured on the upper front part of
the clock case A¹, and the upper part of the standard A2, secured together by upper
and lower screw studs or bolts at A5, and the drum or barrel E bas the ruled band of
paper for forming the indicating diagrams on it as say from two to three inches
wide, a part of which is shown detached in Figure 3, passed over a turned cylindrical
part of it at one end, preferably the outer end near the front and upper hinged glass
lii part B B of the case B, up from a supply giving off roll drum on the one side,
the spindle of which is carried on the outer extremity of the bracket E", and
another bracket E on the opposite side, both projecting up from the case A¹ of the
clock, with a light pacing or pressing spring G on the giving off barrel F, secured
below ou the bed frame A, and it might be down over the barrel E, on to a rolling
up drum or barrel on the other side, which might be actuated by a light scroll or
clock spring, only sufficient to traverse and wind up the paper as stated and keep it
tight on the travelling time barrel E, which would traverse the paper by its friction
on the barrel at its own time speed actuated by the clock D and kept in tension on
the barrel E by a weighted roller F, resting on the depressed loop of the paper
between the barrels Fand E. and having its spindle F1 carried in vertical slots in
the said brackets E. E While the paper a is pressed on the delivery side of the
barrel E, to cause friction by the weight of two rough surface pulleys G¹ and
spindle G carried in angled slots in the other ends of the brackets En Em
paper a, as shown detached in Figure 3 is ruled longitudinally with long lines a¹ with
divisions and spaces transversely, and numbered to indicate pressure below and above
the atmosphere, as from zero at the outer and inner lines, indicating the pressure of
the atmosphere, the one set of divisions as say from zero on the outer line being made
to indicate inches of mercury or it might be pounds of vacuum towards the inner line
below the atmosphere, as say three inches or pounds for each space or division,
cominencing at zero on the outer line, and the other to indicate pounds of pressure
towards the outer line above the atmosphere as say twenty pounds for each space
from zero on the inner line according to the strength of the springs ", in the vacuum
gauge cylinders 6, and the spring in the steam pressure gauge cylinder c, which
are shown in sectional plan view in Figure 4, corresponding to Figure 2, and having
pens b, c, or pointer pencils fitted on the free ends of their spring rods b, c, connected
to the pistons in the cylinders 62, c², the pointers and c reciprocating parallel to the
axis of the time barrel E and across the longitudinal lines a¹, and tracing a line
circumferentially on the paper as the time harrel turned, the lateral motion of the
pointers bc across the paper a indicating the pressure, these pointers being guided at
their outer ends in slots and guides at el in the upper end of the standard A2 and
at el at the outer ends of the cylinders b² c². The vacuum and steam pressure piston
cylinders b, c, are screwed at their inner ends 63, e³, through the upper part of the
The

page_text: standard A³, and have couplings and copper or other pipes attached to thei
from the vacuum chamber of the condenser, and from the steam chest supplying
the cylinder of the engine, so that these cylinders and pistons 1, c², would
indicate the vacuum and pressure under which the engine
while the indications were being taken.
was working,
The inner end of the time barrel E is
divided circumferentially into twelve main divisions, and has an angled grooved
cam E³ cut in or through its periphery on the one side preferably the inside
of the paper a and angling towards the outer edge of the paper a and drum E, and
towards the inner edge of the drum alternately, thus forming a succession of zigzag
grooves round the periphery of the barrel E, every two hours. Into these grooves E³
of the cain a small radial antifriction roller e works carried on another light rod e¹
reciprocating in guides at el, el,'in the top of the standard A2, and the outer ends
of the cylinders b², c², over the centre of the barrel E, with a pen e or pointer pencil
on the outer end of this rod e', resting gently on the paper a and tracing a V zigzag
time line on the paper, as say from the outer zero line inwards across the longitudinal
lines as say across four of the lines indicating the pressures, and this time pen e is
reciprocated, as hereinafter described, by the cam E³ parallel to the axis of the time
barrel E, across the lines a¹ on the top between the reciprocating pens b, c, indicating
the pressure below and above the atmosphere. Each of these twelve groove divisions
or angled undulations E3 of the time-barrel E which would indicate hours, has
the paper a opposite same subdivided into six spaces, so that the angled line
traced positively by this pen and continuous groove across these spaces between the
hour apex points of the angles, would give every ten minutes, as indicated by
the transverse lines a², on the paper a Figure 3; and every twelfth angle or hour,
the cam E might be made to make the pen e give a flat or other mark at the
apex, as say at twelve o'clock at night, and twelve o'clock noon, every revolution of
the cain Es, to correspond with the small hand D³ and dial of the timepiece D and
which would show that the time-barrel E with its paper a was keeping proper time
with the timepiece. D, without slipping or other defect; and the hours might be
figured on the end of this time-barrel E corresponding to the hours on the time-
piece D, and show through a recess in it when the dial of the timepiece was placed
vertically in front of the time-barrel E. The barrel E is made to rotate loose on its
spindle and rim of its driving wheel for taking off or putting on the paper, but is
tightened up by the outer knarled rim E, screwed on its spindle to grip the
barrel, and turn the paper when it is rendy for being set in motion by the clock D
and its driving wheel. Another pen & or pointer which I term the speed pointer
is fitted on its rod to reciprocate in the same guides ell, el, as the rod e¹, of the
pen e by antifriction rollers guided in the slotted bracket and working on ench
side of and embracing the upper edge of a wheel rimined cain d, (but it might be n
zigzag grooved can similar to the before mentioned cain E³, on the time-barrel E),
carried on a hollow spindle d below on a stud do or other equivalent centre secured
at to the standard A, behind the clockwork D, and barrel E. so as to reciprocate
this pen or pointer d to trace a corresponding reverse angled or V-like groove on the
paper a each half revolution of the cain wheel d*, nearly similar and parallel to that of
the time pen or pointer e when the cain d was turned at a proportional speed to the
imme barrel E at which slow speed it is turned by the engine, when the engine is
working at its normal speed. To effect this the spindle d of this cam wheel is
referably turned by a screw wheel nounted on it actuated by a screw fl on a
ransverse spindle mounted in bearing blocks at /11 formed and fitted on the central
onck part of the standard A secured on the frame or sole plate A below, and having
corresponding screw wheel on its outer end gearing into a corresponding screw f
on the first motion longitudinal spindle C before inentioned of the mechanism carried
n bearing blocks C" secured to the sole-plate A, and having its outer end projecting
nt through the back end B₁ of the case B B₁ and sole-plate A and standard A*
arrying the pressure indicator cylinders b² at the top. The outer end of this
pindle C is netunted by the engine as before described, by a band and the pulley C¹, or
y chain, or screw gearing, to drive the said cam wheel of the speed pen or

page_text: pointer & at a speed proportional to that of the barrel E or say six revolutions for one
of the barrel E actuated by the clock D when the engine was going at its norinal
speed. In this way it will be seen that when the engine either goes slower or
faster than its normal speed or the speed of the clock D, it will cause the speed
pen or pointer to draw its undulating line at an angle in advance of or behind
the undulating line of the time pen or pointer e, that is, making more acute
undulations or angled lines when going faster, and more obtuse angled lines when
going slower, than those made by the pen e on the paper a passing over the
time barrel E; and when the engine stops for any time draw a straight line
parallel to the traverse, of the paper a, and when the engine reverses draw a
And the
back angled line in the reverse direction to the forward angled line.
transverse divisions a² on the band of paper a will show the time of the hour
during which the engine was inaking these quick or slow angled line speeds either
forward or backward, or longitudinal straight lines while the engine was stopped.
The ends of these several pressure, time, and speed pens b, c, and e and d which
act over the band of paper a, are preferably made as shown detached in sectional
elevation and plan in Figure 5 in the form of tubular cups with filler above, and
a capilliary open conical point for the colouring ink to pass out, and mark the
coloured lines on the paper, and with spring arms to grip on pins on the outer ends,
so as to rest by their own weight with the point on the paper, but other equivalent
spring pens, pencils or pointers might be used. Two different colours would be used
for the time and speed pens e d and fed into their point tubes, for tracing the said
undulating time and speed lines, as red and blue or mauve; and different colours
might be used for the pressure pens b and c or the same colours as these would draw
different shaped lines from the opposite border lines of the paper for the pressures
below and above the pressure of the atmosphere, and so could not be mistaken
for the high undulating time and speed lines and as severally indicated by different
forms of dotted lines in Figure 3 at b, c, d, and e.
In some
cases when desired, the band of paper a might be traversed by the
clock mechanism D over the barrel E, or over a flat plate between two drawing
rollers actuated by the clock or barrel, and draw the paper over said table under the
said reciprocating rods and pens from bobbins on to spring winding barrels mounted
down below, so that these indicating papers might be inserted and removed in rolls or
long strips from time to time as desired.
Other forms of cams than those shown at E3 and D may be employed, or cranks
and levers worked by the time piece and engine may also be used instead of cams to
And different arrangements of the wheels and
actuate the pens d and e as described.
gearing for actuating these cams or levers might be employed without departing from
the main or essential features of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is.
First. The construction, or arrangement and combination of the parts of mechanism
for indicating or recording the speed, and variations of motion and pressure of
marine and other engines by reciprocating pens or pointers for each purpose over
time traversed divided ruled paper, substantially as herein described, in reference to
and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. In a time engine recorder, the combination of vacuum and pressure
spring indicating cylinders for reciprocating pens or pointers over divided ruled
paper traversed by a time piece to indicate the variations of pressure in the engine
below and above that of the atmosphere, substantially as herein described, in reference
to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In an engine recorder, the construction and use of a time barrel actuated by
a clock and having an alternating angled or V cam cut in its periphery on the on
side angling towards opposite edges, and divided into time divisions of the barrel, fo
reciprocating a rod and pen or pointer over divided ruled paper, in combination with

page_text: a cain and pen actuated by the engine to produce corresponding undulating angled
or V lines on the paper, so as to show the difference and compare the times of these
V lines with that of the time lines on the paper, all substantially as herein described,
in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. In an engine recorder, the actuating of an undulating cam by a time piece
to reciprocate a pen or pointer over divided ruled paper traversed by said time piece,
or record true tine, in combination with an equivalent can for reciprocating a pen
to pointer over said time traversed ruled paper by gearing from the engine
to record the time speed of the engine, substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Dated the 0th Nov 1800