IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE MOTION OF SUSPENDED
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bessemer, of Queen Street Place, Cannon
Street, in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE MOTION OF SUSPENDED

page_text: the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I am the first and
true Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Bessemer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention to be as follows:-
In the Specification of a Patent granted to me on the Seventeenth day
of June, 1870, No. 1742, for improvements in steam vessels and sailing
vessels, and in the construction and mode of working machinery or
apparatus employed on board such vessels for the purpose of lessening
the motion of certain parts thereof, and for lessening or preventing sea
sickness, have shewn how the axial motion of suspended saloons,
cabins, floors, or platforms may be controlled by means of certain
hydraulic apparatus provided with equilibrium valves, and with a handle
or lever so arranged that an attendant may, by the movement of such
handle or lever, admit water to an hydraulic cylinder or allow it to
escape therefrom at such times and in such quantities as he may in his
judgement deem necessary for the purpose of regulating or controlling
the motion of such saloons, floors, or platforms through the agency of
the hydraulic cylinders and plungers provided for that purpose, hence
with such an arrangement much dexterity and discretion must be con-
stantly excrcised by the operator who opens and shuts the valves to such
an extent as he considers necessary to compensate for the amount of
rolling of the ship.
Now my present improvements consist, firstly, in placing the valve or
valves employed for this purpose in such a position that any movement
upwards or downwards of the floor or platform to which the valve box
may be attached shall, by means of such movement, regulate the amount
of opening or closing of the valves, which will thus be at all times
opened or closed to an extent bearing a certain and known relation to
such upward or downward movement of the floor or platform, the
operator in such case not moving the handle or lever up or down to an
indefinite extent depending on his judgement, but he will simply main-
tain his handle continuously in a horizontal position as indicated by a
spirit level or other equivalent device fixed on the handle or lever for
the purpose of indicating its position, and in order that the several
improvements constituting my present Invention may be fully under-
stood, I have shewn the same on Sheets A. B. C. D. of the Drawings
hereunto annexed.

page_text: The Drawing on Sheet A. shews the way in which the operator may
control the valves by a simple lever or handle when unassisted by any
other mechanism. In this Figure a represents a valve box secured by its
lower flange a to the floor of the saloon or cabin to be controlled, and
which saloon or cabin has its axis coincident or in a line with the axis b
of the handle or lever c; a pair of frames & gives support to this axis as
shewn; a valve rod e passes through a stuffing box formed in the cover
of the valve box a; the internal arrangement of this valve box will be
hereafter more particularly described, and is such that the rising or
lowering of the rod e will effect the requisite supply or discharge of
water to and from the hydraulic cylinders which control the motion of
the floor or platform. At there is placed a short spirit level on the
lever c immediately under the eye of the operator, whose duty it will
simply be to keep his handle or lever constantly in a horizontal position,
as indicated by the bubble of the spirit level; the result of this retention
of the lever in a horizontal division will be to cause the valve rod to
move into or out of the valve box a whenever the floor moves upwards
or downwards, the valve moving through a distance in proportion to the
movement of the floor on which the valve box rests, and not through a
distance dependent on the judgement of the operator, as in the mode
of working valves described in my former Patent and herein-before
referred to.
It will, however, be observed that the friction of the valve and the
force necessary to overcome the movement of the valve rode through
the stuffing box f must be overcome by a force exerted by the operator
on the handle c, and will thus require his constant attention to prevent
the handle from acquiring an upward and downward movement coin-
cident with the movement of the floor or platform on which the valve
box rests, in which case the valve will not operate; hence it is very
desirable that the labor of maintaining the handle in a horizontal
position should be lessened, and as far as possible the action of the valvo
rendered automatic. To meet these requirements I have devised an
almost frictionless equilibrium slide valve, which may be moved by the
exertion of a very small amount of force, and is at the same time
capable of governing the flow of large volumes of water into and out of
the hydraulic cylinders.
In order to randor the notion of the calva annexatun

page_text: maintain the axis of all rapidly revolving bodies continuously in the
same plane, as exemplified by the rotation of a rifled shot, and still
more clearly in the toy instrument known as the gyroscope. This
instrument, if made on a large scale, presents many difficulties in its
construction and application, such as its connection with the driving
power by which its rotation is to be maintained, such connection in
any way influencing its position; also the danger of its bearings
becoming heated, and its liability to excessive wear from rapid rotation.
To meet these difficulties, I have arranged an apparatus in which the
gyroscope and turbine are united, and have but one axis common to
both instruments, whereby I am enabled to impart to the gyroscopic
wheel a very high velocity without in any way influencing.its position,
by connections with a fixed motor. The use of water under pressure
enables me to sustain the weight of the heavy and rapidly revolving
wheel by the pressure exerted upwards upon the lower end of the
vertical axis of the wheel, and thus supporting its weight on a fluid"
media in lieu of a metal step, as usually employed in supporting vertical
spindles. At the same time I allow an escape of water to take place
between the guiding bearings to keep them cool and to act as a lubricant
in lieu of oil..
And in order that the details of this apparatus may be fully under-
stood, I have represented the same on Sheet B. of the annexed
Drawings, where Figure 1 is a vertical section; Figure 2, an elevation;
and Figure 3, a plan of the same.
a is circular gun metal casting or frame having a stout band or
rim a¹ formed around its upper edge, from which the trunnions and c
project and by means of which the apparatus is supported; the
trunnions resting on two pairs of antifriction rollers a, a, the supports
of which are not shewn. The lower part of the casting a is strengthened
by internal webs a²; it has a nearly flat bottom and forms a receptacle
for the water discharged from the turbine orifices. A shoulder is
formed at a³ in the frame a, which receives a shallow circular casting f
the central part of which is formed into a square box, as shewn atƒ*,
into which is fitted two half brasses k, which embrace the steel
spindlé g; these brasses are tightened as required by the screws h. To
the bottom of the frame a a square box i is bolted, in which another
pair of brasses q is also fitted, and in like manner regulated by the
screw j.

page_text: I would here remark that although gun metal may be employed for
these guiding bearings and q, I prefer to make them of an alloy
known as phosphor bronze, as that alloy is peculiarly suitable for
bearings where a high velocity of axle obtains, and where water is
intended to be used as a lubricant. A plate of this alloy n forms the
bottom of the box i, and through which the small lower end of the
spindle passes. A circular box m is also bolted to the square box i, into
which water is admitted at p by the pipe p', which is connected at its
upper end to the trunnion b, which is made hollow for that purpose, and
is provided with a stuffing box to admit of axial motion.
It will be observed that the spindle y is hollow, and that water under
pressure in the box m will press upon the whole area of that part of the
spindle I which enters the box m, water will pass up the centre of the
spindle and through the cross arms g¹, and escaping therefrom in opposite
sides, and in the direction of a tangent to the line of rotation, will cause
the spindle g to rotate, carrying with it the heavy gyroscopic wheel »,
the steadiness of its action being governed by the brasses & and q, the
weight of the wheel and its spindle being sustained by the upward.
pressure of water, there being no sunk journals formed on the spindle g.
to otherwise support it. It will be observed that the spindle g has formed.
upon it a shoulder at g' just above the part where the small lower end of
the spindle passes through the plate n. Now it is desirable that this
shoulder of the spindle should not at any time in consequence of a.
reduced pressure of water run in contact with the plate n, as considerable
friction and wear would result therefrom. It is also desirable that a slight
increase of the usual pressure of water should not lift the spindle g out.
of its seat, as it would do if the entire weight of the wheel and its
spindle were balanced on the lower end of the spindle only.
To avoid these inconveniences arising from variation of pressure I
proceed as follows:-In a case where the weight of the spindle and wheel
is 500 lbs., and a water pressure of 400 lbs. to the square inch is employed,
I make the area of the lower end of the axis g equal to one and one..
eighth square inch, thus sustaining 450 lbs. of the weight on the lower
end of the spindle, which is so loosly fitted into the plate n that water
continually escapes between it and the sides of the orifice through
which it passes; hence the water so escaping will pass between the
upper side of the plate n and the under side of the shoulder g³ of the
spindle. This shoulder has an area of 5 square inches, so that a

page_text: pressure only of 10 lbs. per inch at this part would suffice to sustain the
50 lbs. not supported by direct pressure on the lower end of the
spindle g, and thus the whole weight of 500 lbs. will be supported on
water, which may vary in pressure considerably without lifting the
spindle out of its scat or allowing it to run in contact, metal to metal,
on the shoulder g³ of the spindle. The amount of water thus allowed to
escape from the box m is regulated by two small flat plates t, t, kept by a
spring in close contact with the under side of the plate n.
The trunnions and care above the centre of gravity of those parts
of the apparatus hitherto described, and the movements of the ship.
would tend to give such an apparatus a pendulous or oscillating motion,
to avoid which I screw on to the rim a¹ a casting u, consisting of a
central ring with four curved arms, and into this central ring I fix a
metal ball v, of such weight as will balance the weight below the
trunnions, and thus neutralize the tendancy of the apparatus to oscillate
as a pendulum.
When water under pressure is forced through the pipe p¹ into the
box m it will exert a pressure on the lower end of the axis g, while a
portion escaping through the rings 1, t, and a plate n will exert a
pressure on the shoulder g³ of the spindle, and lift it off its scat, a thin
film or stratam of water constantly occupying the space between these
surfaces will prevent their contact, while the quantity allowed to escape
is too small to lift the spindle to any inconvenient height. Water will
also pass up the central passage of the spindle, and passing along the
arms will escape, and by its reactive force cause the spindle and the
heavy fly wheel to revolve at a very high velocity, depending on the
pressure of the water and the friction of the apparatus. The water
thus projected into the chamber a will find its escape through the pipe w,
which may be connected to an elastic hose to convey it away. The
lower guiding bearings q will thus always be immersed in water, and
the upper guiding bearings will be cooled and lubricated by two small
openings communicating with the hollow spindle, which convey small
streams of water between the rubbing surfaces.
1'
""
The wheel I prefer to make of forged steel, as a rotation of four
thousand or more revolutions per minute would not be safe if it were
made of cast iron owing to centrifugal force tending to burst it open.
When the apparatus is to be stopped I press the handle a upwards

page_text: lifting the rod y and ball z. As soon as this ball gets into the current
flowing up the centre of the spindle it is carried upwards and closes the
orifice in the spindle, with which it rotates. The turbine thus ceases its
functions, but the whole continues to revolve until the great momentum
of the wheel is gradually absorbed by friction; meantime the whole
moving mass continues to be supported by the upward pressure of the
water. When motion has ceased the water supply may be turned off,
when the ball will fall down and leave the apparatus in a condition to
resume its functions whenever the water is again turned on. Thus it
will be seen that the gyroscope wheel r may be sustained in rapid
rotation without the position of its axis of motion being interfered with
by the moter by which it is driven, and will thus be free to retain
undisturbed the axial position in which it is put into operation.
I have shewn the particular mode of driving the wheel which I prefer,
but it will be obvious that other forms of the turbine may be employed
in lieu thereof, and that clastic as well as non-clastic fluids may be used
to produce rotatory motion without departing from the principle of this
combined apparatus and its employment for the purposes set forth.
I will now proceed to describe the form of valve which I prefer to
employ in connection with this apparatus for the supply of water under
pressure to the hydraulic cylinders employed to govern and control the
motions of saloons, cabins, floors or platforms on steam and sailing
vessels This apparatus is a modification of the valve described in the
Specification of a former Patent granted to me, No. 1076, in the
year 1873.
The valve is shewn in section on Sheet C. and in
clevation on Sheet D. of the annexed Drawings. This valve resembles
in its action the common D slide used so much in steam engines,
but to avoid the friction of the surfaces which is caused by the
pressure on the back of the ordinary D slide, I make the slide valve
in this case cylindrical, moving freely, but as closely as may be in
contact with the inner side of a cylinder in which the inlet and
exit ports are formed, the pressure thus acts equally in every direction,
and thic forces thus balanced allows the backward and forward motion of
the slide to be effected by the exertion of a very small force applied to
the end which actuates it; and further, in order to keep up this balance
of pressures, I form a second or outer casing having openings placed on
opposite sides which communicate with the inner annular spaces, so that

page_text: the flow of water into or out of the valve chamber is equalized, and the
slide valve is not drawn to either side by the force of the current as
would be the case if such a division of the flow where not made, and tlie
water were allowed to flow out by a pipe on one side only as usual.
.
.
The large valve casing consists of three principle castings A', A²,
and As, made in gun metal, and secured together by stout flanges a*; a.
pipe B conveys water under pressure into the annular space C which
extends half round the casting A³, and by means of openings D com-
municates with the annular space E which extends half-way round the
casting A¹, and by means of a series of openings F communicates with the
central chamber G of the valve box; there is also a series of openings H
which lead from the space C into the annular space I which extends
half-way round the casting A³, and by means of openings J communicate
also with the central chamber G, so that the pressure on both ends of
the slide valve K may be equalized. This object is further ensured by
forming a cylindrical opening K. through the central part of the valve,.
thus bringing the water in the upper and lower parts of the chamber. G.
in direct communication. The central casting A² has a lining L fitted,
as a cone into it for the facility of repairs by inserting a new piece when
required; the waste ports M extend all around the cylinder having smäll
diagonal bars to connect the parts together: These waste ports M. com-
municate with an annular space N-which extends around the central
casting A, and by means of slots placed at opposite sides communicates
with the annular space p which extends half-way round the casting A²,·
and from thence to the waste pipe Q which conveys the water back
again to the force pumps. Similar arrangements are also made for the
flow and return pipes R and S, which alternately take water from the
valve to the hydraulic apparatus and return it back again to the waste'
or exhaust pipe as in the common D slide. The slide valve K has a
rod U attached to it which passes through a stuffing box V, and is
jointed to a lever W; this lever moves on an axis resting on the
support X bolted to the top of the valve casing. The lever at W* has
several holes formed in it to receive the pin of a small connecting rod Y,
a projecting arm Z firmly attached to the rim a¹ of the gyroscope frame
is also provided with similar holes for attaching the lower end of the
connecting rod Y to it so as in effect to enable the operator to shorten or
lengthen the lever W, and thus regulate the action of the slide, so that a
greater or lesser amount of motion of the floor on which the valve case

page_text: rests may open or shut the slide valve to its required extent. Thus it
will be seen that by the retention of the frame a of the gyroscope in a
horizontal position by the peculiar action of the wheel r the rise and
fall of the valve case a through a very small space will cause the valve K
to move up or down, and so distribute the water passing through it as to
act on the alternate sides of the hydraulic pistons employed to govern
the saloon or platform. Should any slight movement of the level of the
gyroscope frame a¹ take place in the course of its working the attendant
will regulate its position by force applied to the lever 4, which is
provided with a spirit level for this guidance, as shewn on Sheet A. of the
annexed Drawings, and thus the action of the valve and the goverment
of the saloon or platform will become self-acting or nearly so, and a
more efficient action ensured.
Having now described my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim,
-
1. The employment of a lever or handle maintained by an attendant
continuously in a horizontal or other determined position for working
the valve or valves of hydraulic apparatus used for governing the motions
of saloons, cabins, floors, or platforms on board ship.
2. The employment of a rapidly revolving wheel or disc for the
purpose of maintaining or assisting in maintaining continuously the
horizontal or other determined position of apparatus employed to operate
the valve or valves of hydraulic apparatus used for governing the motion
of saloons, cabins, floors, or platforms on board ship.
3. The combination of a turbine or other motor with the axis or
spindle of a gyroscopic wheel or disc.
4. The mode of supporting, cooling, and lubricating the axis of a
gyroscopic wheel or disc. The weight of the wheel or disc and axis being
for the most part supported by the pressure of water against the lower end
of the axis, whilst the remainder is supported by water escaping below a
shoulder upon the axis, substantially as herein described.
5. The combined arrangement of apparatus for controlling the motion
of saloons, cabins, floors, or platforms on board ship, substantially as
herein described and illustrated on Sheet B. of the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
6. The employment of a cylindrical slide valve, arranged substantially

page_text: of assisting in maintaining an equilibrium of pressure on opposite sides
thereof.
7. The employment of gyroscopic apparatus in combination with a
cylindrical slide valve, whem employed to govern or control the motion
of saloons, cabins, floors, or platforms on board ship.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bessemer, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four,