IMPROVEMENTS IN FOG HORNS
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOHN BRYCESON of Charlton Works Islington Green in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN FOG HORNS to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a simple and effective machine to be
worked by manual power whereby a powerful continuous blast may be given when
required either as a warning in case of fog or for signalling from ships Pier heads
Lighthouses or in any other required position.
In carrying out my invention I employ a series of cylinders say four which
I arrange radially in a suitable framework round a central shaft. This shaft
carries at one end a crank and at the other a handle by which it is turned.
The cylinders contain pistons which are suitably connected by connecting rods
with the crank pin. Each cylinder is provided with suitable inlet and exit valves
for the admission and exit of air. The exit valves are connected by suitable pipes
with a wind chest in which are inserted one two or more reeds and trumpet tubes
which project beyond the framing and on to which are fitted so that they may be
turned in any direction, removable trumpet mouths. The pistons are provided
with suitable packing to make them air tight and with the cylinders will constitute
a series of air pumps which when worked by turning the handle in either direction
will pump a continuous supply of air into the wind chest and thus ensure a
continuous blast of the horn for any length of time short or long.
The apparatus which is compact in form may be enclosed in a case in which
space will be left to receive the bell of the trumpet and also the winch haudle
when the apparatus is not required for use.
By the use of my improved fog horn signalling may under ordinary circum-
stances and according to the Morse code be carried on with greater facility than
with flags as at present.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOHN BRYCESON of Charlton Works, Islington Green in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN FOG HORNS and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to produce a simple and effective machine to be
worked by manual power whereby a powerful continuous or intermittent blast as
required may be given either as a warning in case of fog or for signalling from
ships, pier heads light houses or in any other required position.
In carrying out my invention I arrange a series of cylinders say four radially
round a central shaft which carries at one end a crank and at the other a winch
.handle.
The cylinders contain pistons which are connected by connecting rods with the
crank pin and each cylinder is provided with an inlet and exit valve for the
admission and exit of air. The exit valves are connected by pipes with a wind
chest containing one two or more reeds in connection with trumpet tubes which
project above the frame to receive trumpet mouths which may be turned in any
direction.
The pistons are provided with asbestos or other packing to make them air tight
and with the cylinders constitute a series of air pumps which when worked by
turning the handle in either direction will pump a continuous supply of air into
the wind chest and thus ensure a continuous blast of the born for any longth of
time.
•
In the accompanying drawing Fig: 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved fog
horn taken on the line x, x, Fig: 2, and Fig 2 is a transverse section on the
line y, y, of Fig 1, Fig 3. is a diagram plan view on the line 2, 2, Figs 1 and 2.
A is a frame which is provided with cast iron feet by which it may be bolted to
the deck of the vessel or in any other convenient position and is enclosed in a
casing preferably of light sheet metal. B are four metal cylinders which are
rigidly supported in any convenient manner in the frame A. Care pistons of any
suitable construction which are connected by means of the connecting rods C¹ with
the crank D one one end of, the shaft D. The other end of this shaft carries a
hand wheel D' or winch handle by which the shaft is turned. At the bottom of
each cylinder C is an inlet opening a in connection with the external air and
closed by an ordinary flap valve, and an air outlet b connected by a pipe b' with a
wind chest or reed box E. The inlet to the wind chest is also closed by a flap
valve. F is a reed which is connected with a trumpet tube G on the top of which
is fitted the trumpet mouth G¹ which may be turned in any desired direction.
The tube G I form with a bend or coil G' which will prevent the water entering
the mouth G¹ or arising from the condensation of fog in the tube, passing to the
reed and in order to get rid of such water from the coil I provide a small pipe c
which may be provided with a cock or not as desired From experiments I have
made I find that this pipe may be left always open without having the least effect
upon the sound produced either in volume or tone.

page_text: The wind chest or reed box I prefer to construct so that the front may be
readily removed to allow for replacing a damaged reed or valve.
The packing for the pistons which I prefer is a disc of asbestos fabric the edges
of which are turned down as shown at Fig 2 so that as the piston descends the
pressure of the air shall cause the fabric to distend and securely pack the cylinder.
Although I have shown, a fly wheel D° I do not intend it to be used except
when a continuous blast of some duration is required. The wheel may be fitted on
a round part of the shaft and fixed with a movable clutch so that when short or
intermittent blasts are required the clutch could be released and the shaft turned
without the wheel the employment of which would be detrimental to starting and
stopping suddenly, and thus spoil the distinctness of the signal When a prolonged
blast is required the clutch would be thrown into gear and the wheel by its
inomentum would ensure regularity in the working of the apparatus and the
steadiness of the blast.
When not in use the trumpet mouth G₁ and the hand or fly wheel D2 will be
removed and placed inside the casing and the tube G may be closed by a plug or
covered with a cap.
By the use of my improved fog horn signalling may even under ordinary
circumstances and according to the Morse or any other similar code, be carried on
with greater facility than with flags as at present.
The number of cylinders I prefer to employ is four which will permit me to have
practically two always at work that is to say one commencing, and one finishing its
stroke while the other two are drawing in air. I thereby am enabled to obtain a
continuous blast when required for any length of time.
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
1. The arrangement of apparatus substantially as herein shown and described
and constituting my improved fog-horn whereby I am enabled to obtain a con-
tinuous or an intermittent blast as required.
2. In a fog horn, the combination of the multiple air pumps as B, crank as D, or
its equivalent, and air pas-ages as b¹ with a wind chest or reed box as E containing
a reed or reeds and fitted with a trumpet tube or tubes as G.
3rd In combination with fog horns such as herein before described and claimed
the means described for arresting in the foghorn the water of condensation or sea
spray and preventing its gaining access to the free reed.
D1-
amb 100%
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.