COMBINA- TIONS OF APPARATUS FOR GAINING POWER, PART OF WHICH ARE IMPROVEMENTS ON A PATENT ALREADY OBTAINED BY HIM FOR A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OR METHODS OF GAINING POWER BY NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINATIONS OF APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1823

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
COPLAND, of Wilmington Square, in the Parish of Clerkenwell, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, did, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day of January, One
thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, in the fourth year of His reign, give
and grant unto me, the said Robert Copland, my exors, adññiors, and assigns,
His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Robert Copland, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, during the term of years
therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in
all His Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "COMBINA-
TIONS OF APPARATUS FOR GAINING POWER, PART OF WHICH ARE IMPROVEMENTS ON A
PATENT ALREADY OBTAINED BY HIM FOR A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OR METHODS
OF GAINING POWER BY NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINATIONS OF APPARATUS APPLICABLE
TO VARIOUS PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso that if I, the said Robert Copland, shall not particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, by an instrument in writing, under my hand and seal,
and cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within fifteen calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties

page_text: and advantages whatsoever thereby granted shall utterly cease, determine, and
become void, as in and by the same, relation being thereunt had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with said proviso, I, the said
Robert Copland, do hereby declare that my said Invention is described and
ascertained in the plans hereunto annexed and the following explanations,
that is to say-
Figures 1 and 2 represent a double machine with the connecting pipes or
hollow tubes, in the parts of which most convenient for opening and shutting
occasionally are placed cocks, valves, or slides No. 1 to 8, and lower valves
11 and 12, or other substitutes for these, which may be shut or opened when
required by any of the well-known methods, from the motion of the beams, or
by the hand, or any other method; these,-as-well as the parallel motions for
the rods, being well known to practical men I do not think it necessary
to describe. C¹ and C are hollow iron cylinders of equal contents connecting
together at bottom, where valve 11 opens or closes the communication; they
have close air-tight covers or tops, with stuffing boxes for the rods to pass
through, and the pipes being connected by air-tight joints. D' and D are
also hollow cylinders, having pistons working in them and very truly bored.
The bottoms are connected perfectly air-tight to these cylinders, and the
pipes inserted through these bottoms are joined by air-tight joints also; the
top of D' and D are open, but have a communication at top by an open
trough or waterway joined on the top of these cylinders in the form of an
open cup to the flanches, of sufficient height to prevent any of the liquid used
being thrown over and joined tight enough to prevent its leaking through. The
trough or communication between these must be as wide as practicable to
enable the fluid more readily to pass from one piston to another alternately
as they ascend and descend, and retain its level as far as consistent with
the velocity required. C and C, and D and D, must be exactly the same
as C' and C, and D' and D², already described. S' to S' are four vessels or
weights of equal proportions, which move freely in the four cylinders C¹ to C.
S¹ and S being suspended by rods passing through stuffing boxes in the close
tops of C and C³, from the opposite sides of the centre or fulcrum of, the
beam B¹, and at equal distances from it, and S and S, in like manner
from B²; the water in C¹ and C³ rises and falls alternately in each with the stroke
of the pistons in D³ and D*, D* discharging the air it contains to C³, as the
piston of D' descends, and D³ receiving the air from C' as the piston of D
ascends, each returning the air to the vessel from which it received it upon the
motion of the same beam and pistons being reversed. In like manuer the air is

page_text: discharged backwards and forwards between D² and C, and D' and C', the
water in C³ and Crising and falling, as in C' and C, by the effect of the
varying pressure or elasticity of the columns of air exchanged with D¹ and D².
The pistons in D' to D' are connected by rods to their respective beams
at equal distances from the centre axis or fulcrum of each. The rods D may
pass through a collar a little above the greatest ascent of the pistons, and all
the rods to have the necessary parallel motions. It is evident that if the com-
imunicating columns of water in C' and C, or C and C, are required to rise
and fall alternately to unequal heights that the clastic force or pressure of the
air acting on the surface of these columns of water from the respective con-
necting, cylinders D' to D* must also vary in proportion to the difference
in the altitudes of the columns of water they are intended to support and put
into motion. The elastic force of the air, not very different from its natural
state, being inversely as the space occupied by it by proportioning C and D,
so that the air discharged from C may occupy a larger space in D when
transferred to it. The elastic force of the air may thus in its transfer be made
to vary so as to balance the rise and fall of the water in C, while the varying
columns of water and the external pressure of the atmosphere on the pistons
of D (which work with the columns of water in C of the other beam) are also
kept in such a state of equilibrium by the varying elasticity under each, that a
part of the preponderating force of the vessel S, which descends in air with
those pistons, while its corresponding one (S) rises in water, will be sufficient
to give motion to the pistons, and by doing so cause au extra compression of
the air from the descending piston to act on the surface of the descending
column of water in C, while the air under the rising piston being allowed to
expand and reduce its elasticity, they permit the fall and rise of the columns
of water in C, C, connected with them which are always under the other beam.
It is evident that if things are in the state of Figure 2, and anything near an
equilibrium is obtained on the pistons D and D, that S would preponderate
in its effect on the beam over S³, and if so motion would be given by the rods
to pistons in D and D³, which compressing the air from D* on the top of the
water in C² at the same time that the air from C' is allowed to expand under
piston in D³ would so far break the equilibrium of the columns of air and
water in Cand C³, as to cause the column in C³ to descend, and that in C¹to
ascend at the same time that piston of D* descends, and that of D³ ascends.
By opening the proper cocks, valves, slides, or other substitute, the end 6% of
the other beam will be prepared for making the next stroke, and so each beam
proceeds alternately. In constructing a machine after having fixed upon the
dimensions of S and C, as well as the length of stroke of S, and the rise and

page_text: fall of the water in C, before fixing the size of D, it is necessary to consider
whether S is to fill when up and discharge when down, as S¹ and S³, in
Figure 1, and also whether the cylinder C¹ is to discharge through pipe and
cock, or valve No. 1, a quantity of air into C3 in proportion to the contents
of S¹ discharged into C, which air from C¹ takes the place of the water
in C as it fills S, the air from S3 being allowed by opening cocks 2 and 1 to
pass from S into S¹, while S2 fills and $' discharges its water, as the contents
of D must always be proportioned to the air it is actually to receive from C,
and the rise and fall of the water in C; but before cock No. 1 is opened the
sliding valve 11 must be shut, to stop the communication of the water in
C and C at bottom, and prevent the columns finding their common level in
C' and C, cocks 1 and 2 being first shut. After the change in S¹ and Ss has
taken place the bottom valve 11 may then be opened; S' and S* must in
this case be enabled to communicate by means of the sliding tubes inserted
air-tight into the tops of S¹ and S, S³ and S, and always moving with them,
the other ends of these tubes moving up and down air-tight in the upright
parts of the pipes of cocks 2 and 4, by having packings or collars of leather,
or in any other manner. The bottoms of S' and S, &c., must be opened, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, for the egress and regress of the water, or if found
more advantageous in practice they may have valves to open and shut as
wanted, by means of rods passing up through stuffing boxes in tops of C,
either from the motion of the beams, by hand, or any other method. If
S' and S did not empty and fill, there would be no necessity for these valves
or rods, or the sliding tubes or pipes and cocks No. 1 and 2, 3 and 4. The
vessels of Figures 1 and 2 being alike in every respect, what is said of one
Figure refers to the other in the same part of the operation. In either case
the cylinders D must be proportioned to the air they are to receive from
cylinders C, so as to permit the expansion or rarefaction of the air when in D,
and cause a decrease in its elastic force (from what it possessed when all
in C) equal to the rise and fall of the columns of water in C, or the pressure
necessary to support one of these at its greatest altitude above the lowest
column. If S', S, &c., are intended to fill and empty they must not rise
higher in C than will leave water enough in C above them to fill them without
its falling below their tops, nor to fall with their bottoms nearer the lowest
descent of water in C than will permit them (S) to be discharged without
raising the water in C above the bottoms of S. If S does not discharge and
fill they may be close vessels, or solids made of such a weight as to be at least
equal to the water they displace in rising in it, and their tops may be shaped like
a wedge; they always descend in air and rise in water or other liquid used. If

page_text: water is used the proper capacity for D or space required to be occupied with the
decreased elasticity of the air when transferred from C to D, will be readily found
by the following methods:-In the first place I generally consider the air when
contained in C, and the water at its lowest level, as nearly equal to the mean
pressure of the atmosphere, or=30,07 inches of mercury, or=34 feet column
of water. But I do not limit myself to this state of elasticity for the air used.
Then the elasticity of the air being inversely as the space occupied by it,
let the height in inches of mercury in the barometer=the weight of
atmosphere; B, the height in feet of water corresponding with the above,
or 13.563B-N-the quantity of air of same tenor as atmosphere before
the change contained in C, and to be contained in S, having the elasticity E
(in cubic inches); E, the elastic force of air in S, after change or height in
feet of column of water which it would support, calculated from vacuum, or 0
upwards; S the space occupied by the air after change, having the elasticity=E
(in cubic inches. Then S the space occupied in D, or contents in
&
cubic inches (or BxN÷E=S); also
natural state in C, in cubic inches;
column of water in feet;
=N=the quantity of air in its
-E the elastic force of the air=
B, the height in feet of water=the mercury in
the barometer;
=b, the height in inches of mercury in the barometer.
The most convenient way of placing the machine will, I think, be to have the
cylinders D' and D³ opposite each other, and D' opposite D', so that the
centres of the beams are brought directly opposite to each other, being only
represented in the Figures 1 and 2, with the beams end to end, to shew the
whole better; sliding valves 11 and 12 may then have a beam across between
Figures 1 and 2, to connect at each end with the joints on top of the valves,
and be opened and shut if required by bars and pins or catches attached to the
beams, acting as required on the cross pieces t, t, or in any other manner most
convenient. Before the machine can begin to work, it must have the proper
quantities of water in C¹ & C³, C³ and C, as well as on pistons of D¹ and D²,
and communicating through open trough at top, and same on pistons D³ and
D; C' to C may have proper apertures to open when wanted, through the
close tops to regulate the quantity of water in each; D' to D' may each be
supplied with a guage as 9 to D', to shew the elasticity of the air, and before
it is set to work, the air must be regulated by an air-pump connected with the
bottoms of the cylinders D, of which the pistons are at top, or in any other
manner preferred; and it will be an advantage to have a small cock or valvo
to open below the bottom of each cylinder D, as the piston comes to the bottom
each stroke to regulate the elasticity of the air within; in case of leakage
during the strokes by opening it to the atmosphere, a suitable vessel may also
be found necessary below the lowest part of the pipes to bottoms of D, to

page_text: draw off any water that may pass the pistons or come from C, and when the
communication with the pipe to D is closed, and the air let into this vessel,
the water may be pumped up or extracted as most convenient; mercury, or
any other ponderous fluid, may be used instead of water in all the vessels, or
mercury or some fluid heavier than water may be used on the pistons and
cylinders D, while water is used in those of C; and the stroke of the pistons in
D will be shorter in proportion, but the areas must increase in the same
degree. The comparative frictions of the pistons will thus offer less resistance to
the motion of the beams, because they will act nearer the centre of the beam,
as the stroke is shorter in proportion to the increased area, but the frictions
only increase as the diameter or the length of lever at which the friction acts
is reduced in a greater ratio than the friction is increased, which difference will
depend upon the difference in the specific gravities of the liquids used in the
vessels D & C. If S', S2, S3, and S are to empty and fill, they must do so at
the end of the stroke of the beam with which they move, and before the stroke
of the other beam commences, as already described to have taken place in S¹
and S³, by shutting valve No. 11, and opening cocks 1 and 2, after which cock
1 and 2 are again shut, and after that valve No. 11 opened, everything
still remaining as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, except this discharge of S¹ and
filling of S³, and all the cocks, valves, &c., shut, except valve No. 11 before
mentioned. The machine may then be set to work by opening cocks 5 and 6,
when St, by its weight, will cause the descent of end 6 of beam of Figure 2;
cocks 5 and 6 then shut, and S discharges, and S fills (if calculated for doing
so) by opening cocks 3 and 4, valve 12 being already shut; when done, cocks
3 and 4 are again shut, and then valve 11 shuts and valve 12 opens, cocks 7
and 8 being then also opened, another stroke takes place (by the descent
of S), and the end 62 of beam of Figure 1; cocks 7 and 8 then shut, and S
discharges, and S¹ fills by opening cocks 1 and 2; which done, cocks 1 and 2
again shut, valve 12 then shuts, and valve 11 opens; cocks 5 and 6 being
then opened, a third stroke takes place by the descent of S, and end 6" of beam,
Fig. 2; cocks 5 and 6 then shut, and S discharges, and S* fills by opening cocks
3 and 4; when done, cocks 3 and 4 again shut, and valve 11 shut and valve 12
opened; cocks 7 and 8 being then opened, a fourth strokes takes place by the
descent of S', and end 6' of beam, Figure 1; cocks 7 and 8 then shut, and S'
discharges and S* fills by opening cocks 1 and 2; which done, cocks 1 and 2
are again shut, and valve 12 shut, and valve 11 opened. The beams now
stand as they did at the commencement, Figures i and 2, and by opening
cocks 5 and 6, the first stroke will be again repeated by the descent of 'S', and
end of beam, Figure 2, and proceed as before over again, & so on. The
motion of the machine must never be too quick, or an unnecessary resistance

page_text: would be thereby created from the great velocity required to be given to the
water in the changes, and from the vessel S, which rises in it each stroke; the
bottoms of the 4 cylinders marked C, instead of being connected in pairs, as
Figures 1 and 2, may be separate, and by being made rather longer, and a
little bell-mouthed at the bottoms, as shewn by the dotted lines at bottom of C',
may have their lower ends immersed some distance in an open reservoir and
filled with water at first, either by having valve shut at bottom, or open, and
by an air-pump at top reducing the elasticity within, allow the pressure of the
atmosphere acting upon the reservoir to fill those necessary; thus the weight of
the atmosphere balances the elastic force within, and the column of fluid.
These parts I consider are improvements of the feeding pipes of my former
Patent, as well as the use of the vessels S, by which power can be derived from
the rise and fall of the fluid, by the weight and elasticity of the atmosphere.
What I claim as my Invention in this Patent is not any separate part, but
the general arrangement and combination of the whole, and the various modi-
fications of the same that are obvious, and to all such modifications of it as
effect the changes in the elastic pressure of the air on the columns or water in
the cylinders C, either by the use of pistons, vessels rising and falling in or out
of water, and either discharging to each other or to an open reservoir or to
other vessels, and balanced in any convenient manner, or is effected by obtaining
a state of balance or equilibrium for the purpose in any other manner.
In which parts I claim the right of making such alterations and modi-
fications, or adopting such as may be found most beneficial in practice.
In witness whercof, I, the said Robert Copland, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-four.