IMPROVE- MENTS IN "SIREN FOG SIGNAL APPARATUS, to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, CHARLES INGREY, of Oak House Elysium Row, Fulham, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN "SIREN FOG SIGNAL APPARATUS, to be as follows:-
"
My invention relates to apparatus to be used in connexion with horns such as
are known as "Siren" Fog Horns for producing at Lighthouses and Signal
Stations suitable audible signals to warn vessels of their positions when it is
foggy or dark. One object of my invention is to enable the necessary sounds to
be produced at a considerable distance from the engines and machinery employed
to compress air for blowing the horn or horns so that either single or multiple noto
signals may be given at any desired intervals of time with "Siren" fog Horns
erected for example on rocks or in other situations where engines and machinery
for compressing the air and the houses and buildings necessary to accommodate
the same and attendants could not be placed advantageously if at all, the motive
fluid being according to my invention conveyed to the distant horns by suitable
air-tight pipes or conduits.
The air is compressed by means of a pump or pumps worked by any suitable
motor, and is conveyed by a pipe or pipes to a recess or recesses, occupying an
appropriate site or sites upon rocks or elsewhere according to the requirements of
the case.
I will assume there is one receiver. With it I connect the "Siren" apparatus
and trumpet or horn causing the same to be automatically operated at the desired
times and with the desired durations of sound and silence respectively, and
according to whether the signal is to consist of one note only or of a combination
of high and low notes. To accomplish this I provide near to the Receiver, two
chain wheels (which I will call respectively the the first chain wheel and the second
chain wheel) over which is passed an endless chain carrying a wheel and weight.
The first chain wheel is prevented from running back by a pawl and ratchet and
the second chain wheel by a bolt or catch. In connection with the air receiver
and with a weighted lever a diaphragm and piston are so arranged that when
compressed air is admitted to the diaphragm an excess of pressure can overcome
the resistance of the weighted lever. One end of this lever is provided with a
toothed quadrant or sector that gears into a pinion wheel situated on the same axis
as the first chain wheel. The pinion is so arranged with a ratchet and pawl that

page_text: it is free to be rotated on its axis in one direction, but when turned in the contrary
direction will give motion to the first chain wheel and by means of the chain will
raise the suspended weight.
When the lever by its toothed quadrant or sector has caused the first chain
wheel to make a partial rotation, a pawl falls into a ratchet and prevents its being
run back by the weight and the lever end carrying the quadrant or sector con-
tinues its motion until it has released a bolt or catch whereby the second chain
wheel has been prevented from turning. The weight is now free to descend, and
in doing so causes the second chain wheel to be partially rotated, until arrested by
its bolt or catch. In connection with the second chain wheel is arranged a series of
wheels that gives motion to an adjustable vane or flyer so that the time occupied
by the weight in descending can be regulated. I apply to, or in connection with
the second chain wheel a series of cams or projections so arranged as to operate one
or more small valve or valves, which, when so moved allow a supply of compressed
air to be delivered to diaphragm valves for starting the "Siren."
The arrangement is such that so long as a small valve is kept open by a cam or
projection the "Siren" is sounded, but directly the valve is released the sound
ccases, therefore according to the speed at which the vane or flyer allows the
second chain wheel to rotate and according to the length and position of the cams.
or projections so is the "Siren " operated.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will assume for the sake
of illustration that a signal is required to consist of the following arrangement that
is to say :-
2 Seconds High note, 1 Second silence
2 Seconds Low note, 1 Second silence
2 Seconds High Note, 112 Seconds of Silence
or, in other words, that a signal consisting of three sounds is to be given every two
minutes. For this purpose I arrange that the diaphragm and piston shall be raised
by suitable means (such as those to be presently described) every two minutes.
When the diaphragm is raised the chain is wound up a certain distance thereby
raising the weight, the first chain wheel is retained by the ratchet, and the second
chain wheel is partially rotated by the descent of the weight, as mentioned
above. For the purpose of sounding the order of signal mentioned above as an
example I arrange that threo cams or projections shall operate the small valves
above referred to. Two of the cams operate the small valve communicating with
the high note of the "Siren," the other operating the small valve communicating
with the low note of the "Siren." The vane or flyer is arranged and adjusted so
that eight seconds shall be occupied from the time when the first projection moves
the high note valve to the time when the last projection releases it-the necessary
intervals of 1 second each between the notes being caused by spaces between tho
projections or cams.
In some cases I regulate the time at which the diaphragm shall be raised by the
pressure of air within the receiver, that is to say, I take the amount of pressure the
air pumps will produce in the receiver, and so adjust the weighted lever that after
the "Siren" l.as been sounded, the pumps will in two minutes (or any other desired
period) have raised the pressure to a sufficient degree to overbalance the weight.
When this plan is adopted I apply in connexion with the diaphragin a three way
cock or valve operated by a rod or lever and arranged so that whilst the second chain
wheel is rotating, and after the "Siren" has been sounded the said cock or valve
shall close communication between the receiver and the diaphragm, and allow air
from the diaphragm to escape to the atmosphere thus leaving the weighted lover
free to descend and depress the diaphragm and piston to their normal positions.
Before the second chain wheel has ceased its motion the cock or valve is returned
to a position for opening communication between the diaphragm and the receiver,
but the "Siren" having been sounded the pressure of air is reduced and the
diaphragm cannot again rise until the pumps have compressed the air to the
requisite extent to overcome the resistance of the weighted lever.

page_text: When it is required to operate the Signal at the given periods irrespective of the
pressure, the weight of the weighted lever is reduced so that the diaphragm and
piston should be free to rise at any determined minimum pressure, and in place
of the three way cock or valve a small valve is used which in its normal position
closes communication with the receiver and leaves the diaphragm open to the
atmosphere.
In connexion with the said valve I apply an electro magnet, and connect the same
by a wire conductor or cable with a battery in the Engine House, wherein
I arrange a revolving contact maker operated by the Engine or Machinery or by
a clock. When contact is made an electric circuit is established, the Electro
Magnet attracts its armature and thereby operates the small valve, whereupon
communication between the receiver and diaphragm is opened and the chain
wheels and cams are set in motion as before described. When the electric circuit
is broken, the valve again closes communication between the receiver and the
diaphragın and allows the air from the latter to escape, so that the weighted end of
the lever falls to its normal position ready for its next movement.
15
1 2004
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: I CHARLES INGREY of Oak House, Elysium Row, Fulham, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN "SIREN" FOG SIGNAL APPARATUS and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
"
My invention relates to apparatus to be used in connection with horns such as
are known as Siren" Fog Horns for producing at Lighthouses and Signal
.Stations suitable audible signals to warn vessels of their positions when it is foggy
or dark.
One object of my invention is to enable the necessary sounds to be
produced at a considerable distance from the Engines and machinery employed to
compress air for blowing the horn or horns so that either single or multiple note
signals may be given at any desired intervals of time with "Siren" fog horns
erected for example on rocks or in other situations where engines and machinery
for compressing the air, and the houses and buildings necessary to accommodate
the same and attendants could not be placed advantageously if at all, the motive
fluid being according to my invention conveyed to the distant horns by suitable
air-tight pipes or conduits.
The air is compressed by means of a pump or pumps worked by any suitable
motor, and is conveyed by a pipe or pipes to a receiver or receivers occupying an
appropriate site or sites upon rocks or elsewhere according to the requirements of
the case.
I will assume there is one receiver. With it I connect the "Siren" apparatus
and trumpet or horn causing the same to be automatically operated at the desired
times and with the desired durations of sound and silence respectively, and
according to whether the signal is to consist of one note only or of a combination
of high and low notes.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will proceed to more
particularly describe the same reference being had to the accompanying drawings
of which
Fig 1 represents an elevation of my improved apparatus for automatically
operating the fog signals.
Fig: 2. A plan of same.
Fig: 3. An extension of the arrangement shown in Fig: 1. representing the over
balancing lever hereafter described.
Fig 4. Shows an elevation of my improved apparatus arranged to be operated
by electrical devices.
Fig: 5. A sectional elevation of my improved valve used in connection there-
with.
Fig 6. An elevation showing generally the application of my invention and its
connection with the "Siren" fog horn apparatus.
Referring to fig: 1. I provide near the air receiver A two chain wheels b, b¹,
over which is passed an endless pitched chain c carrying a wheel & and weight d¹,
the first chain wheel is prevented from running back by a pawle and ratchet el
and the second chain wheel b' is retained in its normal position by one or other of
the pins or projections f which rest upon the end of a bolt or catch g-In con-
nection with the air receiver A I arrange a diaphragm h and piston to which by
means of a knife edge i motion can be communicated to the weighted levér j, so
that when compressed air is admitted by the pipe k beneath the diaphragm h the

page_text: piston h¹ will be forced upwards when an excess of pressure overcomes the resis-
tance of the weighted lever j. One end of this lever is provided with a toothed
quadrant or sector which gears into a pinion wheel situated on the same axis
as the chain wheel b. The pinion l' is so arranged with a ratchet and pawl m that
it is free to be rotated on its axis in one direction, but when turned in the contrary
direction will give motion to the chain wheel b, and by means of the pitched chain c
will raise the suspended weight d. When the lever by its quadrant or sector
has caused the chain wheel b to make a partial rotation the pawl m falls into the
ratchet m¹ and prevents its being run back by the weight. The quadrant or
sector carries a curved bar or striker n so arranged that when the motion of the
quadrant is continued it will come in contact with a bell crank lever p by which
means the bolt or catch g is withdrawn from contact with a pin or projection f
The weight d¹ is now free to descend and in doing so causes the chain wheel ¹
to be partially rotated until arrested by the next pin or projection f (the bolt or
catch g having previously been returned to its normal position by means of the
weight g). In connection with the chain wheel b¹ I arrange a series, or train of
wheels r,,, 11, which give motion to an adjustable vane or flyer & by which
means the time occupied by the weight in descending can be regulated. In
connection with the chain wheel b¹ I also apply a series of cams or projections t so
arranged as to operate or move one or more small valves t¹ t¹¹ which when so
moved allow a supply of compressed air from the receiver A to be delivered through
the pipe or pipes to the diaphragm starting valve or valves connected with the
"Siren
as will be more readily understood by reference to fig: 6 of the drawings.
The arrangement is such that so long as one of the valves t¹, t", is kept open by a
cam or projection the "Siren" is sounded, but directly the valve is released the
sound censes, therefore according to the speed at which the vane or flyer 8 allows
the second chain wheel b¹ to rotate, and according to the length and position of
the cams or projections t so is the period of duration of the sounding or silence of
the "Siren." For the purpose of more clearly illustrating the operation of my
invention I will assume, as an example, that a Signal is required to consist of the
following arrangement, videlicit ;—
or in other words that a signal consisting of three sounds, or blasts, is to be given
every two minutes. For this purpose I arrange that the diaphragm h and piston h¹
shall be raised (by means such as those to be presently described) every two
minutes. When the said diaphragm is raised the chain c is wound up a certain
distance thereby raising the weight d', the first chain wheel b is retained by the.
ratchet and the second chain wheel b¹ is partially rotated by the descent of the
weight as before mentioned. In the order of sounding above referred to I arrange
three cams or projections t, two of which operate the valve t", which commu-
nicates with the high note of the "Siren," the other or central one operating the
valve which communicates with the low note of the "Siren," The vane or
flyers is arranged so that eight seconds shall be occupied from the time when
the first projection t'moves the high note valve to the time when the last pro-
jection releases it, the necessary intervals of one second of silence each being caused
by the spaces between the projections or cams t.
In the arrangement above described the diaphragm his raised by the pressure of
air from the receiver A every two minutes to ensure which I take the amount

page_text: of pressure the air pumps will produce in that time and regulate the weight on
the lever accordingly. When this plan is adopted I apply in connection with
the diaphragm, a three way cock or valve u operated by a rod or lever u¹ and
arranged so that whilst the second chain wheel 61 is rotating the said cock or
valve shall close communication with the receiver A and the diaphragm, and
allow the air from the diaphragm to escape to the atmosphere, as indicated by
the arrow, thus leaving the weighted lever j free to descend, and to depress the
diaphragm to its normal position. Before the second chain wheel b' has ceased
its motion, the cock or valvo u is returned to a position for opening communi-
cation, (by means of the pipes k, k¹) with the receiver A. but the "Siren" having
been sounded the pressure of air has become reduced and the diaphragm cannot
again rise until the pumps have compressed air to the requisite extent to overcome
the resistance of the weighted lever.
It will be seen that the diaphragm has not only to resist the weighted lever j
but has also to overcome a resistance equal to one half of the weight d', but the
pinion being free to revolve in the reverse direction, and the pawle being in
gear with the ratchet e¹, the weight will have no effect in assisting the descent
of the lever j.
It will also be understood that the diaphragm (which may be of india rubber
or other suitable material) will, as it rises, somewhat reduce the available area of
the cylinder in which the piston ¹ works, so that the power would be propor-
tionately decreased. To overcome this I apply a ball or weighted lever v which
normally is in about the position shown in fig. 3., a portion of the weight of
which has first to be overcome by the diaphragm, but the weight of which becomes
reduced as it ascends towards a vertical position, after which the weight instead of
offering a resistance, acts as a power to assist in the raising of the lever j.
:
is
When it is required to operate the Signals at the given periods irrespective of
the pressure contained in the receiver A, I reduce the weight on the lever j so that
the diaphragm h and piston are free to rise at any determined minimum
pressure and I dispense with the three way cock or valve above referred to, and
substitute a valve B of the kind shown in figs: 4 and 5 of the drawings. In tho
normal position of the said valve, communication with the receiver A (through
the pipe C) is closed and the pipe D which communicates with the diaphragm
open to the atmosphere. In connection with the said valve B I apply an electro
magnet E (or may be a solenoid) and I connect the same, by a wire conductor,
with a battery, so that when a current of electricity is passed around the said
magnet the armature or keeper F is drawn towards it and the valve B is operated.
Fig 5 shows to larger scale the position the valve assumes when pressed by the
action of the keeper F. The air from the receiver A passes through the pipe C
thence through the flutes or grooves G of the valve spindle to the pipe D whence
it proceeds to the diaphragin h, the direction being indicated by black arrows.
When the keeper releases the valve it rises to the position shown by dotted lines
and the air from the diaphragin returns through the pipe D and escapes to the
atmosphere as shown by the dotted arrows. In some cases where the "Siren'
apparatus is situated at a very considerable distance from the engines and
machinery used for compressing the air I employ a local battery and relay near to
the "Siren" apparatus and connect it with the electro magnet E and an electro
contact maker or relay H substantially as shown in figs: 4 and 6 of the drawings.
then I connect the said electro contact maker by means of suitable conductors to
a battery or batteries contained in the engine house or other suitable building,
wherein I arrange a cam J which is caused to revolve at any required speed, and to
operate a contact maker K at any determined interval of time.
"
When electric circuit is made the armature or keeper F operates the valve B
and puts in motion the weighted lever and apparatus for automatically sounding
the "Sirens " as before described. When electric circuit is broken the armature or
keeper F allows the air to escape from the diaphragm ½ through the valve B

page_text: whereupon the weighted lever descends and remains at rest until electric circuit
is again established.
When the Signals are being operated, a Governor Apparatus such as L is kept in
motion, and the weighted balls acting by centrifugal force upon a connecting rod M,
cause a contact maker N to be kept in a position of contact. In fig: 6 the
governor is shown in its stationary position and the contact broken. The object of
this arrangement is to provide against the possibility of the cam J being left in
such a position (when the Engines have stopped) that the contact maker K is in
position of contact, in which case electric circuit would be completed and the
armature or keeper F would not allow the air from the diaphragm h to escape, and
the automatic apparatus would continue to work until its weight d¹ had completely
run down.
It will however be understood that when the Engines are stopped and the cam J
ceases to move the governor L will also be stopped, and will assume the position
shewn in Fig 6, and that should the cam J be left in the position above referred to,
the electric circuit will be broken by the contact maker N.
In the general arrangement shewn in Fig 6 I place in or near the Engine House
a suitable Air Receiver P into which compressed air from the air pumps is forced,
and from which the compressed air is conveyed, by suitable pipes Q, to the Air
Receiver A which is situated at a distance.
The electric conducting wires may be for convenience laid with the said pipes Q
or the pipes themselves may be made the medium through which the return current
may pass for the purpose of completing the circuit.
Although I have shown and particularly described how the method and arrange-
inent can be applied, and have, for the purpose of example, referred to one
particular order of signals, it will be understood that my invention is applicable to
other arrangements of sounds and silence of the signals, and that more than one
"Siren "Apparatus could be worked at various distances from the motive power
Engines and machinery.
I would also have it understood that with that part of my invention which
applies to the use of Electricity for operating the Signals, I do not confine myself
to the use of the said Electric devices for opening the Valve or Valves for actuating
the automatic Apparatus referred to, as in some cases I can dispense with the said
Automatic Apparatus, and actuate a valve or valves directly in communication
with the starting Valves of the "Siren," without departing from the nature of my
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,
1. Causing a valve or valves used for starting the sound producing apparatus to
be operated by the descent of a weight previously raised by mechanism actuated
by fluid pressure, substantially as described.
2. The use in connexion with a siren or sirens for fog signalling of an endless
chain and a weight and mechanism actuated by fluid pressure for raising the said
chain and weight the arrangement being such that they are permitte! to subse-
quently descend and in so doing give motion to apparatus whereby the siren or
sirens is or are automatically operated or started substantially as described.
3. The automatic apparatus shewn in and described with reference to Figs 1 2
and 3 of the drawings for the purpose mentioned.
4. In a siren fog signal apparatus situated at a distance from the machinery
whereby it is supplied with Huid to produce the required sounds, controlling the
supply of such fluid to the sound producing apparatus by a valve or valves operated
by electricity substantially as described.
5. In a siren fog signal apparatus, the use of a governor and an electric contact
maker and breaker, so applied as to cause the electric circuit to be broken, when
the motive power engine or engines and machinery stop, substantially as described
for the purpose specified.

page_text: 6. The use in siren fog signal apparatus of a revolving cam (or cams) such as J
in combination with one or more electric contact makers for sending a current or
currents of electricity at proper intervals, for the purpose of operating sound
producing apparatus situated at a distance from the engine or engines and
imachinery substantially as described.
CHARLES INGREY.