A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR UTILIZATION OF POWER DERIVED FROM THE TIDE AND APPLICABLE TO PROPULSION OF RAILWAY TRAINS, TRAMS AND OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Griffith Brewer at the Office
Communicated
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th December 1883.
THE
to him from abroad by Luigi Mose Giustina of Milan Italy.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex
"A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR
UTILIZATION OF POWER DERIVED FROM THE TIDE AND APPLICABLE TO
PROPULSION OF RAILWAY TRAINS, TRAMS AND OTHER VEHICLES." (A communi-
cation to me from abroad by Luigi Mose Giustina of Milan, Italy)
THE
According to this invention the inventor utilizes the tide as the agency for
producing a motive power to propel trains, tram-cars and other vehicles. A.
convenient way of carrying the invention into effect is as follows;-a case or
receptacle made of any suitable material but without a cover is provided having
say a height about equal to that of the difference of the level between the base and
the tidal height and relatively of great superficial extent and in proportion to the
effect required to be obtained in each special case.
When the tide is low the receptacle is placed at the level of the sea with the
bottom horizontal and turned upside down and the open end at bottom so that
the lower ends of the vertical sides just coincide with the sea level.
When this large receptacle is well fixed or secured by weights or in any other
suitable manner, as the tide rises the level of the water in the interior of the case
or receptacle is the same as the exterior and the case cannot rise out of the water.
At the top of the case there is a hole in which a bent tube is inserted which rises
vertically to the height to which the tide rises, then it goes horizontally and rests
on the ground. This elbow is provided with a watertight stop-valve, after which
there is a quadrangular pipe resting on the ground in the direction in which it is
desired to drive the train which it is intended to put in motion, the length of the
tube being in accordance with the distance it is desired or required to drive the
carriages or waggons.
The train of carriages travels inside this tube which carries, on its lower side or
base, the rails on which the wheels of the carriages run. The end of the train
next to the stop-valve is provided with a tight piston having the same section as

page_text: the pipe or tube. The pipe or tube is also provided with windows and doors so
as not to impair the tight fit of the piston.
The operation is as follows:-
When the tide is low the cut-off valve is closed and the train is close to the
piston. As the tide rises so the air is compressed in the tube which is above
the case or receptacle, if then the valve is opened the piston and with it the train
is propelled through the tube or pipe.
As the tide ebbs the external atmospheric pressure propels the train into its first
position where a renewed compression of air again propels it in the contrary
direction.
Air compressed in the manner described may be stored up in a receptacle,
available for use when required.