Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Transmitting Orders or Notifications and the like from one Part or Station of a Navigable Vessel to another and analogous purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Reprinted
as amended in accordance with the decision of the Chief Examiner,
dated the 28th day of April, 1900.
Date of Application, 22nd Jan,, 1890 .
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1890-Accepted, 29th Nov., 1890
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Transmitting
Orders or Notifications and the like from one Part or Station of
a Navigable Vessel to another and analogous purposes.
I, WILLIAM CHADBURN, of 11, Waterloo Road, Liverpool, in the County of Lan-
caster, Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has reference more particularly to apparatus used on board ship for
communicating between one part of a ship and another, and for transmitting speed,
conditions of machinery, and notifications, from the part where such machinery is
located to another part or other parts where it is desired to show or indicate the same;
and the type of such apparatus to which the invention is applicable is that in which
the transmission of orders, conditions or speed is effected by means of rotating shafts
or rods and toothed gearing.
The objects of my invention are mainly to make apparatus of the kind herein
described more efficient and correct than they are at present.
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Firstly, a-telegraphic apparatus such as a "bridge and engine room telegraph,"
"stokehole
'docking telegraph," steering telegraph," "lookout telegraph,'
telegraph or the like, is so adapted and constructed, that to move the pointing or
indicating device from one order or change of notification to another, the operating
device-whether it be a wheel or handle-and the transmitting shaft must be moved
through a considerably greater part of a circle, than that traversed by the pointer;
the amount of this movement of the shaft, before acting upon the pointing devices,
being reduced by suitable gear, such as bevel or spur wheels, or worm gear. By this
means the chances of the pointers in the receiving instrument not being, moved up
to the correct: or: desired point of the dial, through torsion on the shaft; or slack
gearing, or wear,- or straining, or other like cause, or any combination thereof, is
diminished; the diminution being directly as the amount of movement of such
shafting is greater than that of the pointer; and the danger of mistaking orders by
insufficient movement of, and undecided position taken up by, a pointer from this
cause is obviated.
As an example of ships telegraphic apparatus operating and constructed according
to this invention I will describe one such as is commonly used for communicating
It consists as follows: The means of actuating
between the bridge and engine room.
the transmitting-instrument is a wheel, vertically arranged, and mounted on a
suitable shaft or spindle. Motion from this shaft is communicated to the shafting,
connecting the transmitting and receiving instruments, by bevel gearing in the
instrument case. The apparatus is adapted to be operated so that one revolution of
the actuating wheel will move the pointers in both receiving and transmitting

page_text: instruments a distance equalto thepitch of the orders as providedon the dial; or, in other
words, it will move it one order. Hence in the instruments between the main shafting
and the pointers there is provided and interposed a device consisting of bevel, spur-
worm, or equivalent reducing gear, by means of which the movement transmitted to
the pointer shall be only that required, namely one orders distance, for each revolution
of the actuating wheel of the transmitting instrument. It will be seen that the
movement given the main shafting may be equivalent to that imparted to the
actuating wheel for each order or it may be less than it, say one half, or any other
suitable proportion.
It will now be seen how by increasing the movement of the transmitting shafting
and reducing that movement in the instruments again, so that actually required by
the pointers, the faults or defects above mentioned respecting inaccuracy in indication,
are diminished according to the difference of motion imparted to the shafting, and
that required by the pointers.
It is to be understood that although a moving pointer has been above described as
the means of indicating, the converse arrangement may be employed; namely, the
pointer or indicating mark may be fixed and the dial moved.
In applying this invention to the transmission of motion from a revolving shaft say
of a marine engine to a speed indicator, by means of shafting and gearing the
movement imparted to the transmitting shafting is reduced below that of the engine
shaft by reducing gear consisting of bevel, spur, or worm gear, and is again increased
in the indicating instrument by equivalent speed increasing gear so that the original
speed of the main shaft is made up again.
By this means the accuracy of the apparatus is rendered more certain and the wear
materially reduced.
In cases where a plurality of instruments are worked from the same line of shafting,
the shafting between the instruments is connected by sleeves sliding on keyways, so
that is the shafting of one instrument becomes deranged it can be disconnected so as
not to affect the correct working of the other or others.
In conclusion I wish to state that the features or improvements herein described
can be modified in various ways according to special requirements, or conditions of
application, and applied to different kinds of telegraphic apparatus.
Dotad this 21st day of Touuory 1800
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
'Applicant's Agents,, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Transmitting
Orders of Notifications and the like from one Part or Station of
a Navigable Vessel to another and analogous purposes.
I, WILLIAM CHADBURN, of 11, Waterloo Road, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Telegraph Engineer, 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 has reference more particularly to apparatus used on board ship for
communicating between one part of a ship and another. and for transmitting
speed, conditions of machinery, and notifications, from the part where such
machinery is located to another part or other parts where it is desired to shew or
indicate the same; and the type of such apparatus to which the invent .3 parti-
cularly applicable is that in which the transmission of orders, conditions or speed is

page_text: effected by means of rotating shafts or rods and toothed gearing. At the same
time it is as applicable to apparatus wherein the transmission of motion is made by
chains or cords.
The objects of my invention are amongst others to make apparatus of the kind
herein described more efficient and correct than they are at present.
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Firstly, a telegraphic apparatus such as a "bridge and engine room telegraph,"
docking telegraph,' steering telegraph," "lookout telegraph,' "stokehole
telegraph or the like, is so adapted and constructed, that to move the pointing or
indicating device from one order or change of notification to another, the operating
device whether it be a wheel or handle and the transmitting shaft must be moved
through a considerably greater part of a circle, than that traversed by the pointer,
the amount of this movement of the shaft, before acting upon the pointing devices,
being reduced by suitable gear, such as bevel or spur wheels, or worm gear. By this
means the chances of the pointers in the receiving instrument not being moved up
to the correct or desired point of the dial, through torsion on the shaft, or slack
gearing, or wear, or straining, or other like cause, or any combination thereof, is
diminished; the diminution being directly as the amount of movement of such
shafting is greater than that of the pointer; and consequently the danger of mistaking
orders by insufficient movement of, and undecided position taken up by, a pointer
from this cause is obviated.
As an example of ships telegraphic apparatus operating and constructed according
to this invention I will describe one such as is commonly used for communicating
between the bridge and engine room. It consists as follows:-The means of actuating
the transmitting instrument is the wheel, vertically arranged, and mounted on a
suitable shaft or spindle. Motion from this shaft is communicated to the shafting,
connecting the transmitting and receiving instruments, by bevel or worm gearing in
the instrument case. The apparatus is adapted to be operated so that one revolution
of the actuating wheel will move the pointers in both receiving and transmitting
instruments a distance equal to the pitch of the orders as provided on the dial. Or
in other words it will move it one order. Hence in the instruments between the
main shafting and the pointers there is provided and interposed a gear consisting of
bevel, spur, or worm or equivalent reducing gear by means of which the movement
transmitted to the pointer shall be only that required namely one order's distance for
each revolution of the actuating wheel of the transmitting instrument. It will be
seen that the movement given the main shafting may be equivalent to that imparted
to the actuating wheel for each order, or it may be less than it, say one half, or any
other suitable proportion.
It will now be seen how by increasing the movement of the transmitting shafting
and reducing that movement in the instruments again, to that actually required by
the pointers, the faults or defects above mentioned respecting inaccuracy in indication
are diminished according to the difference of motion imparted to the shafting and
that required by the pointers.
It is to be understood that although a moving pointer has been above described as
the means of indicating, the converse arrangement may be employed namely, the
pointer or indicating mark may be fixed and the dial moved.
To clearly explain the nature of my invention I will describe it by the aid of
the drawings which accompany the Specification, and which illustrate examples of
apparatus designed in accordance with and for carrying out the improvements, the
nature of which has been above explained.
Figure 1 illustrates in sectional elevation a transmitting and receiving instrument
and intermediary gear of a "revolution-order telegraphic apparatus for com-
municating between the bridge or deck of a ship and the engine room.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional plan of the apparatus taken through the transmitting
instrument at the lines Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of the transmitting instrument view from above.
Figure 4 illustrates the face or dial of the receiving instrument.

page_text: Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are corresponding views to those illustrated in Figures 1 to 4
shewing the apparatus illustrated in such figures slightly modified.
Figure 9 is a plan of a steering telegraph transmitting instrument according to the
invention, and Figure 10 illustrates a modified form of receiving instrument.
Figure 11 shews in side elevation a modified arrangement of transmitting
instrument, and Figure 12 is a back elevation of same.
Figure 13 is a diagramatic view in side elevation of an apparatus operating
according to the invention wherein the motion is transmitted from the transmitting
to the receiving instrument by chains; and Figure 14 is an end sectional elevation
of same.
The same letters and figures of reference are used to denote the same or equivalent
parts wherever they occur in the drawings.
With reference in the first instance to Figures 1 to 10 of the drawings, A designates
the bridge or deck of a ship; B is the head of the transmitting instrument; B¹ is
a colums on which such head is supported; D is the receiving instrument; a is the
transmitting shaft of the transmitter; a' is a horizontal shaft worked from the
shaft a through the bevel gear a²; a³ is another vertical shaft which transmits motion
from the shaft a through the bevel wheels a to the transmitting instrument I).
Of course it will be seen that between the shaft a and the transmitting instrument,
practically any number and disposition of transmitting shafts and gearing may be
employed.
:
b is a worm wheel mounted on the shaft a; e is a worm gearing with the worm
wheel and mounted on the shaft supported by the head of the instrument B;
and d is a wheel mounted and fixed on the shaft c', and having a handle by which
it is rotated, and by, whose rotation motion is transmitted to the shaft a.
It may for convenience be assumed that for each revolution of the worm c, the
worm wheel b and shaft a will be rotated a quarter of a revolution, and that for the
transmission of each order, one whole revolution of the actuating wheel d is made;
whilst the dials of the transmitting and receiving instruments in Figures 1 to 4 are
divided in numerical order and into spaces each equal to one hundredth of a circle.
That is to say, the transmitting instrument dial is divided into a hundred parts,
starting however from 20, and finishing at 100, and the receiving instrument dial
is similarly divided. Hence as before stated the transmitting shafting being adapted
to be rotated a quarter of a revolution for every revolution of the wheel d, if each
revolution of the wheel d be used for the transmission of a single order, the amount
of the revolution of the pointer spindles of the transmitting and receiving instruments
must, in order to move a hundredth of a circle, be so reduced below that of the
transmitting shafting, that the quarter revolution of such shafting will move the
said pointers such one hundredth of the circle; or in other words, one division only
on the scale of the dial, for each revolution of the wheel d.
9
In the receiving instrument this is effected by working the shaft e, on which the
pointer is mounted and fixed, by worm gearing consisting of the worm wheel and
worm g¹, said worm g being mounted on the driving shaft g2 which is driven from
the transmitting shaft through toothed gearing h h¹, the wheel ¹ being a quarter
of the size of the wheel h. The result then of rotating the transmitting wheel d
one revolution, and the shafting a¹ and a³ a quarter of a revolution, is that the
wheel h¹, shaft g², and worm g¹, will be driven one revolution-and the pitch of the
worm gear g, g being so constructed that each revolution of the worm will rotate
the pointer spindle a hundredth part of a revolution-the pointer, obviously, will
be moved a distance equivalent to one division of the scale of the dial. Thus through
this gearing between the actuating wheel d and the indicating pointer f of the
receiver, for such revolution of the wheel d, it will be seen, the indicating pointer fis
moved a distance equivalent to one division of the scale upon the dial that is, for
every revolution of the transmitting wheel d, an order for an alteration of speed of
With the ordinary
one revolution is transmitted to the receiving instrument.
means heretofore in use for moving the indicating pointer of the receiving instrument
for so small a division as that shewn, it would be impossible to make such movement

page_text: accurately if the transmission shafting of the apparatus were only revolved a degree
equal to that moved by the pointer, on account of the existence of back-lash, torsion,
and other things, which must always render the actuation of the pointer unreliable;
but by moving the transmission shafting a revolution or a considerable portion of
a revolution, as is done in this invention, and the actuating wheel d a whole
revolution for each change of order, the irregularities and deficiency of accuracy of
movement of the pointer f are reduced, such reduction being in the ratio of the
amount of such movement is to the amount of the portion of the revolution moved
by the pointer spindle c.
The dial of the transmitting instrument is, as has been stated, divided similarly
to that of the receiving instrument, and consequently the pointer spindle of this
instrument will have to be moved the same portion of a revolution, for every
revolution of the transmitting wheel d, as the shaft e of the receiving instrument.
This is effected in the present example by the reducing gearing consisting of the
toothed wheels k, k¹, k², k³, k being fixed on the reduced end of the spindle a, k¹ k²
being loose on the spindle j and connected together, and 2 being adapted to drive k³,
which is loose on the end of the spindle a', and to which the pointer is connected.
The action of this gearing is, that as the shaft a is rotated a quarter of a revolution
for every revolution of the wheel d, the pointer 1, will be moved only, a small portion
of such circle, namely, one hundredth (1/100th) thereof.
The modification shewn in Figures 5 to 8 consists in applying the apparatus set
forth with reference to Figures 1 to 4 as a telegraph in which the ordinary word
orders are used in lieu of numerals in the case of revolution-orders. The dials i and
m of the transmitting and receiving instruments, respectively, with their word orders
marked thereon are illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.
In this arrangement the dials are divided into 8 parts and consequently the pointer
spindles of the two instruments will have to move one eighth of a revolution at each
change of an order, and hence the worm gearing g in the receiving instrument is so
arranged to give the pointer f an eighth of a revolution.
The gear in the transmitter for actuating the motion transmitting shafting a, a¹,
a³, in this example, consists of bevel gearing b, c, the driving pinion c being half the
diameter of the driven wheel b, so that the shaft a will be rotated half a revolution
for each revolution of the wheel d; whilst at the receiving instrument the tooth
wheel his twice the diameter of the wheel which is drives, and consequently the
revolution of the actuating
worm is rotated a complete revolution for a
wheel d.
In the above described apparatus the parts are so arranged and placed on board
ship, that for all orders from "full speed astern" to "full speed ahead," the wheel
d is adapted to be turned so that in the upper half revolution of the handle d¹ such
handle moves in the direction of or towards the bow of the vessel, and in the reverse
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to
direction for all orders from "full speed ahead full speed astern."
In the steering telegraphs shewn in Figure 9, the plane in which the wheel / of
the transmitting instrument is placed, lies athwartships, and is so arranged that,
in the upper half revolution of its handle d¹, such handle moves from right to left for
"starboard "
The divisions of
orders, and from left to right for all " port" orders.
the dial in this figure denote degrees of a circle.
The receiving instrument shewn in Figure 10 consists of a screwed spindle g,
which is actuated by the transmitting shafting between it and the transmitting
instrument, and its rotation may be effected directly from such shafting (or through
intermediary gear such as the tooth wheels h h, shewn in Figures 1 and 5). The
scale or dial m in this case is a straight one, and the pointer f is moved up and down
over it by the rotation of the screwed spindle g. the boss f₁ of the pointer being
nut thereon. The scale is marked with
screwed internally and constitutes a
numerals and arranged to serve as a "revolution" telegraphic instrument; at the
same time it is obvious it may be provided with word orders in the ordinary way and
used as an ordinary word-order telegraph. This type of instrument may also be
used in the transmitter as an indicating device therein, if desired.

page_text: The sounding device, such as gongs or bells, which may be used in these telegraphs,
are worked from the motion transmission shafting in lieu of the shaft or spindle of
the pointer as in the ordinary ship's telegraphs. The result of so working the bells,
is, that as the shafting has a large amount of rotation for each order transmitted,
relatively to the amount of movement of the indicating pointer for each order, the
sounding of the gong or bell can be the more easily made to take place at the correct
moment and with exactitude, whereas in the ordinary type of telegraph (and particu-
larly in a revolution telegraph such as herein described), it is extremely difficult to
obtain that accuracy of motion and time of sounding. In Figure 1, I shew diagram-
matically an order gong 2, connected with the receiving instrument, adapted to be
operated by an ordinary star or other wheel q, mounted on the motion transmitting
shafting a³. It will be plain that any known type of sounding devices may be used
and adapted to be operated from the motion transmission shafting as described.
In applying the invention to "tell-tale" or reply "mechanisms in this telegraphic
apparatus, the instrument herein called the transmitter becomes-as far as such
mechanism is concerned-the receiver; and vice versa, the receiver becomes the
transmitter, as will be understood.
The apparatus shewn in Figures 11 and 12 is a transmitting instrument of
generally the same construction as that set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 8,
but has in addition a mechanism by which the pointers can be very rapidly made to
traverse the whole range of orders. This mechanism consists of a small bevel wheel r
fixed on the shaft a in addition to the wheel b; a larger bevel gearing with r and
'mounted in a horizontal shaft mounted on the head B of the instrument; a small
spur wheel also fixed on the shaft 2 outside the head B; a rack 4 being a segment
of a circle and gearing with 3; and a lever 15 connected to said segment wheel and
adapted to work it, said lever having a joint at 76 by which it may be folded into the
position shewn in dotted lines when not wanted. Any suitable known kind of spring
catch or other device may be employed in connection with the joint to make it rigid
when extended as shewn in full lines in the figure, or hold it in its folded position.
In action, when it is desired to actuate the receiving instrument rapidly, and move
the pointer thereof rapidly from one order to an order several places removed, as for
example from "full speed ahead to full speed astern," it is only necessary to move
the lever from one extreme position (such as in Figure 12) to the opposite extreme,
y, which is about two thirds of a circle, or 240 degrees. Of course it is evident, the
occasions when it will be necessary to use the mechanism will not be very frequent
but when they do arise, the means is there to make the rapid movement of change
or.orders.
«
!
This mechanism may be modified in many ways, as for instance, suitable known
types of gear-changing-devices or mechanisms may be adopted in connection with
the wheel d, by which it may be adapted to actuate the receiving instrument as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 8, or more rapidly in the manner last
described..
With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the instruments of the apparatus herein
shewn in diagram, are of the forms commonly used in the Merchant Marine; that is,
the dials of the transmitters are disposed in the vertical plane. In this case the
means of communicating motion from one instrument to another consists of a chain a,
and in the transmitting and receiving instruments it passes over what are known as
sprocket wheels, the teeth of which engage with the links of the chain in the usual
way. The sprocket wheel 1 of the transmitter is mounted on a horizontal shaft a*,
and has fixed or connected to it the bevel wheel b, which is worked by a bevel
wheel through the actuating wheel d and shaft c¹ as in the apparatus described
with reference to Figures 5 to 8; that is to say, the wheel d is rotated one revolution
for transmitting each order, and the wheel b being twice the diameter of c, it will be
rotated half a revolution, and the amount of movement of the chain a will be
equivalent to such movement and proportionate to the diameter of the sprocket 5
wheel. Then if the sprocket wheel of the receiver be the same diameter as 1,
such wheel will be rotated half a revolution, and if the dial of this instrument be

page_text: divided into, say, eight divisions, to move the pointer f an eighth of the circle or one
order, the amount of movement of the sprocket wheel h¹ must be reduced..before it is
transmitted to the pointer to the extent of three fourths thereof. This is done by
the small toothed wheel g¹ (which is connected with the sprocket wheel h¹), the. larger
toothed wheel g* which gears with g', the smaller toothed wheel g' which is coupled
to g, and the larger toothed wheel g which is connected to the pointer f.
To move the pointer of the transmitting instrument the desired amount, namely.
the same amount as the pointer f of the receiving instrument, a similar reducing
gearing to that just specified is used in the transmitter, and consists of the
wheels k, k¹, k, k. Both these reducing gearings are the same as that employed in:
the transmitting instrument described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.
Having now particularly, described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, in conclusion I wish it is to be stated
the various mechanisms for carrying out the modes of operating ships' or analogous
telegraphic apparatus may be modified in various ways without departing from the
main or controlling features thereof, and arranged and constructed in different ways
according to the various requirements or conditions of application, and to meet
special cases, On the other hand, the patentee is and was well aware, that it was
common knowledge at the date of this patent, that in various forms of mere indicating
and direction mechanisms, such as those used in connection with pit cage winding engines,
distance indicators, ships' steering gears, steam engines, and other machinery, the
amount of movement of the shafting or transmitting means by which the pointers or
indicators of the mechanism has been effected, has, incidentally, been greater than that
required actually by such pointers or indicators; and that this amount of excess of
movement has been reduced at the pointer or indicator to give it the actual amount of
movement required. To such mechanisms no claim is made hereunder; and the
invention herein described and claimed in the following claiming clauses is made in
respect of ships' and analogous telegraphic apparatus for directly transmitting or
telegraphing mechanically, distinct orders or notifications, by hand, from and by one
instrument the transmitter--at one part of the ship or place, to another instrument-
the receiver at another part of the ship or place, with the object and effect of
accomplishing the advantageous results and improvements in such types of telegraphic
And it is declared that what is claimed in
apparatus, as are herein set forth.
respect of the herein described invention is:-and I declare that what I claim in
respect of the herein described invention is:-
1. In a ships' or analogous mechanical telegraphic apparatus of the kind herein
referred to, the herein described mode of transmitting motion directly from one instru-
ment to the other, distinct orders or notifications, consisting in causing the trans-
mitting shafting, rods, chains, or the like, to be artificially moved in the manner
described moved, for each change of order, a greater degree than the amount of move-
ment of the receiving instrument's indicating pointer or device, in moving from order
to order; and this artificial movement to be again reduced in the receiving instrument;
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In-a A ships' or analogous mechanical telegraphic apparatus, of the kind herein
referred to, comprising a transmitting instrument in and by which the shafting, rods,
chains, or the like, are actuated and moved, for each change of order, a greater degree
than the amount of movement of the receiving instrument's indicating pointer or
device in moving from order to order; and a receiving instrument in and by which
said excess of movement is reduced and the pointer thereof moved the degree or
and for the purposes set
distance of one order from another; substantially as
forth.
3. The combination of parts of apparatus substantially as set forth with reference
to the drawings (i.e., to Figures 1 to 9, 10, and 13 and 14) by which the transmitting
shafting, rods, chains, or the like, are moved, for each change of order, a greater
degree than the amount of movement of the receiving instrument's indicating pointer

page_text: in moving from order to order, and such excess of movement is reduced at such
receiving instrument; for the purposes set forth.
4. The employment in combination with a ships' or analogous telegraphic
transmitting instrument of apparatus of the kined herein referred to, of an actuating
wheel d, said wheel being adapted to be rotated by hand, and to transmit motion to
the shaft, rods, or chains of the apparatus through gearing such as specified; as
or substantially as set forth.
5. In a ships or analogous telegraphie apparatus in which-the-means-of-trans-
mitting-motion-from one instrument to the other is moved to the-degree-specified,
a-reducing gear in the transmitting instrument interposed between the actuating
wheel thereof,-and-the pointer thereof; for the purposes specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.