IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE RAISING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING AIR AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND PARTLY TO THE KNEADING OP. WORKING OF DOUGH OR OTHER PASTES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE RAISING, FORCING, AND
EXHAUSTING AIR AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND PARTLY TO THE KNEADING OP.
WORKING OF DOUGH OR OTHER PASTES."-A communication from Andre
Koechlin, Napoléon Joseph Vicomte Duchatet. and Joseph Antoine
Auguste de Perpigna.
Sealed the 28th December 1855, and dated the 20th July 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th July 1855.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE RAISING, FORCING, AND
EXHAUSTING AIR AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND PARTLY TO THE KNEADING OR WORKING
OF DOUGH OR OTHER PASTES," a communication from Andre Koechlin, Napoléon
Joseph Vicomte Duchatet, and Joseph Antoine Auguste de Perpigna,
foreigners resident abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrangements
of machinery or apparatus to be worked by steam, air, water, or other fluids, and

page_text: applicable either to the obtainment of motive power, raising, forcing, and
exhausting air and other fluids, and partly to the kneading or working of
dough or other pastes. The improvements consist of certain modifications
and arrangement of rotatory apparatus, composed of two revolving cylinders,
fitted each with spirals, which spirals are wound in contrary directions and
gear together; they may either both be made projecting from the cylinders
surface, or one only may project, whilst the other spiral is simply a groove in
which the projecting spiral works. These cylinders rotate in a suitable
chamber, fitted close thereto, and the spirals may be packed at their periphery
with any suitable packing. The steam, air, water, or other fluid is admitted
at one end of the chamber, and allowed to pass off at the other after having
acted upon the spirals by its pressure. These spirals in some cases may be
toothed and geared together accordingly. The spindles of the two revolving
cylinders are geared together by suitable gearing, and when the apparatus is
to be used for lifting, forcing, or exhausting air, water, or other fluids, it may
be put into action by hand or suitable driving mechanism.
In some cases the spirals may be made half right and half left handed, the
actuating medium entering at the centre of the casing and escaping at the
ends, or vice versa, and the exhausting or forcing action carried on in like
manner if the apparatus be used for that purpose.
Another arrangement consists of two cylinders working in a closed casing,
and fitted each with longitudinal teeth on diametrically opposite sides of the
cylinders, and made to gear into each other as they rotate. This last-described
apparatus may be used for all the kneading or working of dough or other
pastes by imparting a reciprocating motion thereto by means of a winch
handle or other suitable contrivance.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 19th January 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN 3
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,-
and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her 8
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the

page_text: said John Henry Johnson, Ier special license that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, APPLICABLE
ALSO TO THE RAISING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING AIR AND OTHER FLUIDS, AND
PARTLY TO THE KNEADING OR WORKING OF DOUGH OR OTHER PASTES," a communi-
cation from Andre Koechlin and Company, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
The said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of machinery or apparatus to be worked by steam, air, water, or other
fluids, applicable to the obtainment of motive power, raising, forcing, and
exhausting air, and other fluids, and partly to the kneading or working of
dough or other pastes. The improvements consist of certain modifications and
arrangements of rotatory apparatus, composed of two revolving cylinders, fitted
each with spiral grooves and projections which gear together; they may
either both be made projecting from the cylindrical surface on which they are
formed, or one only may project, whilst the other spiral is simply a groove,
in which the projecting spiral works. These cylinders rotate in a suitable
chamber fitted close thereto, and the spirals may be packed at their periphery
with any suitable packing. The steam, air, water, or other fluid is admitted
at one end of the chamber, and allowed to pass off at the other after having
acted upon
the spirals by its pressure. These spirals in some cases may be
toothed and geared together accordingly. The spindles of the two revolving
cylinders are geared together by suitable gearing, and when the apparatus is
to be used for lifting, forcing, or exhausting air, water, or other fluids, it may

page_text: be put
into action by band or suitable driving mechanism. In some cases the
spirals may be made half right handed and half left handed, the actuating
medium entering at the centre of the casing and escaping at the ends, or vice
versa, and the exhausting or forcing action may be carried on in like manner
if the apparatus be used for that purpose.
Another arrangement consists of two cylinders working in a closed casing,
and fitted each with longitudinal teeth on diametrically opposite sides of
the cylinders, and made to gear into each other as they rotate. This last-
described apparatus may be used for the kneading or working of dough or
other pastes by imparting a reciprocating motion thereto by means of a winch
handle or other suitable contrivance.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall refer to
the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of the Drawings represents a sectional elevation of
the helicoidal pressure turbine; Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of the same
with the cover removed; Figures 3 and 4 represent enlarged views of the
outside of the screws; and Figures 5 and 6 represent respectively, in section
and plan, another modification of the apparatus applicable as a steam
engine.
It will be seen, on referring to these Figures, that the apparatus is com-
posed of two spirals A and B, mounted upon their respective axes a and b.
An external casing C, which follows precisely the cylindrical form of the
two spirals, encloses them, so as to leave as small a space as possible between
the spirals and the inner surface of the casing, thus preventing the water or
steam which enters by the orifice D from leaving the casing by the orifice E
without first acting upon the threads of the screws or spirals, and forcing them
to turn in different directions.
The two axes of the two spirals are furnished either outside or inside the
casing with two spur wheels or pinions, gearing together and serving to insure
the proper and regular motion of the spirals, and prevent under wear and
tear of the threads. One of the axes, as shewn at a, is prolonged beyond
the external casing, in order to communicate the power required when the
machine is used as a motive power engine, or to receive the power when it is
used as a pump or blowing machine.
The edge or periphery of the spiral threads may be packed, in order to
ensure perfect contact with the cylinder or casing C with a strip of leather or
other suitable material c, (represented in detail at Figures 7 and 8,) which is
introduced into a groove cut along the outer edge of the thread. The metallic

page_text: packing in use for pumps and other similar purposes may also be employed
for this purpose.
The spirals are made both hollow or grooved, and in relief, or projecting,
and may be made in the form of a series of teeth, gearing together, and
arranged spirally round the axes a and b, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4. In
this case the curve of the teeth should be carefully drawn. For that purpose
the circles d, e, f, and d¹, e¹, f', should be taken as primitive circles, and rolled
one over the other, so as to describe at the point Y, Figure 3, the curve of
the hollow or recess for the tooth to work in, and at the point X the curve
of the projecting tooth.
The object of giving this particular form to the teeth, as shewn in Fig. 4, is
to prevent the extremity of one tooth from leaving the other until they have
described the proper circle. Thus, the curve Z, Z, of the hollow or recess is
described by the point Z of the corresponding tooth, and the point 2 of the
hollow or recess describes the curve Z of the other side of the tooth. The
form of the teeth also gives the form of the section of the threads or spirals,
which may be regarded as continuous teeth. The object of this peculiar form
is simply to prevent any escape between the threads and the casing enclosing
them.
In order to balance or neutralize the longitudinal pressure exerted by the
water or steam on the axes of the two spirals, a second pair of spirals may be
used above, and similar to those just described, and enclosed in the same
casing. In this arrangement the water or steam would enter at both ends of
the cylinder, and after acting upon the spirals would find an exit at an orifice
in the centre.
The action of this apparatus when used as a hydraulic turbine is as
follows: The water entering the casing C by the orifice D, with the pressure
due to the amount of its fall, fills the space left by the casing and the spirals
A and B, and then, in endeavouring to find an exit, it presses against the
inclined planes of the spirals, and forces itself between the threads of each,
in the manner of a wedge, turning the spirals, which thus receive both power
and velocity. When used as a pump or exhausting engine, or as a blowing
machine, a rotatory motion is imparted to the two spirals by any external
power acting upon the axis a, in an opposite direction to that denoted for the
turbine; the water then rises instead of descending, entering by the orifice E,
and making its exit by that at D. If air be allowed to pass through the
machine instead of water, a blowing machine is at once obtained.
When used as a steam engine, the steam arriving from the boiler into the
casing by the orifice D (Figure 5) acts with all its expansive force against the

page_text: thread of the spiral A, as on the piston of an ordinary steam engine. The
steam, after having thus acted upon the first thread g, turns the spiral and
passes to the second thread h, then from that to that at i, and so on to the last
at j. The distance or pitch of these threads should gradually increase from
the point where the steam first enters, in order to allow for its expansion,
as in double cylinder engines.
The steam on leaving the last thread ; passes by the openings k, k, into the
space F, which serves as a condenser, into which space a stream of cold water
is introduced by the orifice G, where it is mixed with the steam by the
assistance of a rotatory pump, similar in construction either to the one just
described, or constructed in the manner indicated at H, I. This pump,
which forms a part of my Invention, is composed of two cylinders of the
same diameter revolving together in a common external casing C. The first
cylinder H is formed with two flanges 7 and m, which form a perfect joint
with the casing, and enclose the cavity o, into which the water is introduced
from the condenser by means of the opening o at the side of the small plate
or tooth p, Figure 6; another similar opening o', but placed at the other side
of the plate p, communicates with the space E', from which the water escapes
by the orifice E. This pump is applicable to the helicoidal pressure turbine,
as herein-before described.
Figure 9 is a vertical external elevation of a rotatory machine, which may
be applied to either or any of the purposes herein-before referred to; Figure 11
is a transverse section, taken along the line 1, 2, in Figure 1; and Figure 12
is a plan of one of the screws or spirals. This machine, although the same in
principle as that herein-before described, is considerably modified in form.
Thus, the casing C is made in two pieces secured by the bolts s. The entrance
and exit pipes D and E are also secured by bolts, and serve at the same time
to carry stuffing boxes for the axes a and b of the spirals A and B. Copper
covers are adjusted upon the pipes, leaving a space between them for
receiving the lubricating material, and are supported by the screwed glands v.
On this socket is fitted the pinion & for transmitting the movement.
Two springs L, fixed to the pinion K by the bolts l', press constantly against
the pin m² in such a manner as to maintain the socket v constantly pressed
against the projecting part of the-cap-t.In this example the spirals are made
in compartments; these compartments, to the number of three, are formed of
three flanges M, N, O, placed one above the other, and adjusted upon their
respective shafts so as to gear with the corresponding flange of the neigh-
bouring shaft, thereby avoiding all escape of steam. Each of the flanges
carries a long tooth, which receives the action of the steam, which turns

page_text: it round either to the right or to the left, according to circumstances, pro-
ducing the same effect as in the continuous belix, herein-before described.
The flanges should be toothed along their entire length, so as to avoid
escapes at the points of contact, & prevent the wear of the large teeth; or,
if preferred, the axes a and b may be furnished with spur wheels of equal
diameters and numbers of teeth placed outside the casing.
Figures 13 and 14, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, represent, in elevation
and plan, another of the modifications of which my Invention is susceptible.
In this example I suppose my machine to be used as a blowing engine; in
this case a rotatory movement is given to the shaft a by the assistance of the
pulleys J, or by suitable gearing.
The two spirals A and B, by the action of the helices, draw in the air
through the two large openings at D and D', compress it, and then expel it
through the pipe E. The same arrangement might be adopted for a steam
engine, the steam being admitted by the pipe E, and allowed to exhaust by the
orifices D and D¹ of the casing C. This arrangement may also be employed
as a hydraulic turbine, by making the water enter by the pipe E and depart
by the large orifices D, D', or vice versa. The pipes for this purpose may be
constructed on a larger scale, and the two spirals may be separated in the
middle. This arrangement would avoid the longitudinal pressure against the
screws, and thus establish a sort of compensation.
The apparatus shewn at Figures 15 and 16, in vertical section and
horizontal plan, may be employed similarly to those previously described for
steam, water, air, gases, electricity, and other purposes where applicable. This
apparatus is composed of two cylinders A and B, each fitted or formed with
long teeth q and r, gearing together and revolving in a common casing C,
with which they form a perfect joint at all parts round the interior. A con-
tinuous rotatory motion having been given to the axes a, the machine will work
as a pump or blowing engine, the air or water entering by the orifice D and
making its exit by that at E. By making the steam enter and escape by
these same orifices the machine is converted into a rotatory steam engine, the
power of which is transmitted by means of the pinion K.
By arranging the apparatus so that the entrance port is momentarily covered
by the pinion A as it revolves, the engine will work expansively until the
steam is again admitted. The expansion of the steam may also be utilised by
passing it to a larger apparatus after it has performed its work in a smaller
one.
This arrangement is also applicable as a kneading mill by fitting a handle
in the place of the pinion K, with the assistance of which the cylinders can be

page_text: turned either to the right or to the left, and thus knead the dough, by causing
it to pass over the long teeth q and r, and through the external casing C.
When the apparatus is applied to this purpose, so tight a fitting is no longer
necessary, nor need the cylinders be furnished with teeth, two spur wheels
outside the casing causing them to revolve.
A simple examination of Figures 17 and 18 will enable the various parts
of the machine to be readily understood, the apparatus being shewn as adapted
for a steam engine. The steam arrives from the boiler along the pipe D', by
which it enters the cylinder or casing C, where it acts upon the helices, as in
the preceding arrangements, turning the one round to the right, the other to
the left, the steam escaping by the exhaust pipe E¹. This action continues
indefinitely while the steam is supplied; but it is to be remarked, that at the
commencement of each revolution the helices present only a small surface to
the action of the steam, which surface gradually increases until it is at a
maximum at the termination or completion of the revolution. It will thus be
obvious, that the steam, which is sufficient to fill the space at the com-
mencement of the revolution, will not do so when that revolution is partly
accomplished, the engine being thus worked expansively.
The cylinders, on which the helices A and B are formed, may have teeth
formed along their entire surface, in order to prevent leakage at the points of
contact, to regulate their motion, and to obviate the wear and tear of the
threads or spirals one against the other.
The various apparatus which have been herein-before described may serve
indiscriminately as blowing machines or air pumps, by employing water or
any liquid as a secondary agent in forming the vacuum or in compressing the
air. In this case the apparatus would be placed either below or between two
reservoirs of water, with which it is connected and communicates, emptying
one and filling the other alternately; the motive power causing the two spirals
to rotate first to the right, and then to the left. Each of these reservoirs
is furnished with a valve similar to that of a piston blowing machine, so that
the air enters the reservoir that is being emptied whilst it is expelled from
that which is being filled.
The casings of these various apparatus may be constructed of one, two, or
a greater number of parts, and may or may not be fitted with packing. They
may also be enclosed in an external casing or jacket, kept filled with steam, so
as to maintain it at an unvarying temperature, as is well known with regard
to ordinary cylinder steam engines.
As I have herein-before observed, my apparatus may be employed as a
motive power, and may derive their motion either from water, air (whether

page_text: compressed or rarified), and from steam, gases, vapours generally, or electricity.
By actuating the machine by any convenient power, it is converted into
a lifting or forcing pump for air or water, a fire engine, blowing machine, or
ventilator.
The machines may also be made to perform the work directly, being used as
steam engines or turbines, and may be applied directly to the driving of
pumps, or other apparatus capable of being driven by steam or other power.
As marine engines they will be found particularly applicable, as they are
casy of application, occupying little space, and are not heavy. Applied to
locomotives, they present the advantage of much greater simplicity than
ordinary piston engines. Applied to atmospheric railways, they will serve
both as stationary engines & as engines for rarifying the air in the tubes.
Finally, in consequence of their simplicity of construction and the ease with
which they can be worked, they increase the number of applications of steam
as a prime mover; and from the various dimensions to which they may be
constructed when used as turbines, they may be worked from the smallest falls
of water.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of the said Invention; but
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general constructions and arrangements of machinery or appa-
ratus for obtaining motive power for raising, forcing, and exhausting air,
water, and other fluids, and for working or kneading pastes, as herein-before
described.
Second, the application and use of apparatus to be worked by steam, air,
water, or other power, such apparatus consisting of two cylinders or axes,
fitted each with a projecting spiral thread, or respectively with a projecting
spiral thread and a corresponding spiral groove, gearing or working together
steam or water tight within a suitable casing, to and for the various purposes
herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of apparatus to be worked by steam, air,
water, or other power, such apparatus consisting of two cylinders or axes,
fitted respectively with projecting spiral teeth and corresponding recesses,

page_text: gearing together and working steam or water tight within a suitable casing, to
and for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of January, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-six.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)