IMPROVE- MENTS IN ROCK BORING MACHINES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES IN WHICH A RECIPROCATING MOTION IS EMPLOYED
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Bernoulli Barlow, of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROCK BORING MACHINES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO STEAM AND OTHER
ENGINES IN WHICH A RECIPROCATING MOTION IS EMPLOYED."-A communi-
cation from abroad by Theodore Benedict Edouard Turrettini and
Daniel Colladon both of Paris France
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Bernouilli
Barlow at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 4th September 1874..
I, HENRY BERNOULLI BARLOW, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCK BORING MACHINES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO
STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES IN WHICH A RECIPROCATING MOTION IS EMPLOYED,” a
communication to me from abroad by Theodore Benedict Edouard
Turrettini and Daniel Colladon, both of Paris, France, to be as follows:-
The boring apparatus is actuated by compressed air, or steam, or other.

page_text: elastic fluid, and the position of the boring apparatus is governed by a
piston and cylinder, the piston being moved by water or other liquid.
The boring apparatus consists of a cylinder with an annular piston,
the rod of which is detached from the piston; there is also a second
cylinder and piston connected to the first cylinder.
The compressed air or steam is admitted to the annular space between
the inside of the cylinder and the bush of the piston; there are also two
passages between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. One of
these passages is wider than the annular piston, and allows the air or
steam to pass from the front to the back of the flange on the piston rod,
thereby reversing the motion. This part of the Invention is applicable
to steam and other engines.
The piston rod has a flange fitting against the end of the annular
piston, and to the outer end of the piston rod is attached the boring tool.
The other end of the piston rod is bored out, and has side passages to
admit air to the end of the cylinder. As the piston rod moves to and fro
the boring tool is turned partly round by two ratchet wheels and catches,
or other equivalents.
The cylinder of the boring apparatus is connected to the piston rod
of the piston working in the cylinder of the apparatus, by which the
position of the boring tool is governed. As the boring tool penetrates
into the rock a tappet at the end of the piston rod acts on a valve, which
admits water under pressure at the back of the piston in the water
cylinder, thereby forcing the boring cylinder forward to the required
extent.
.
The above machinery is particularly simple, and not liable to get out

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry Bernoulli Barlow,
Her special licence, that I, the said Henry Bernoulli Barlow, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Henry Bernoulli Barlow, my executors, administrators, and assigns,,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
O 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCK BORING MACHINES,
PARTLY APPLICABLE TO STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES IN WHICH A RECIPROTATING
MOTION IS EMPLOYED," being a communication to me from abroad by
Theodore Benedict Edouard Turrettini and Daniel Colladon, both of
Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Henry Bernoulli Barlow, my executors or administrators, by an instru-,
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,.
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 Henry Bernoulli Barlow,
do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner.
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the,
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal.
section of the improved rock boring machine; Fig. 2, a plan of the same
partly in section; Fig. 3, a transverse section through the line 1, 2, on-
Fig. 1; and Fig. 4, a section through the line 3, 4.
The boring apparatus consists of a cylinder A, with an annular
piston B, also the piston rod C, which serves to hold the tool, and of a'
vertical supplementary cylinder D, with its piston E.
In the cylinder A is the supply pipe a for the compressed air, steam,
or other elastic fluid. This pipe is placed at a certain distance from the,

page_text: b
end of the cylinder to cushion the fluid and to prevent the piston
striking against the end of the cylinder. There are also two passages
and c in the cylinder A; the latter must be rather longer than the
thickness of the piston f. The end of the cylinder A is closed by the
lid d, in which is a stuffing box for the rod i, forming a continuation of
the piston rod C.
The annular piston B has a bush e and piston f, the whole being open
throughout.
The piston rod C consists of three parts, namely, first, the part g, the
end of which carries the tool holder or the tool; secondly, the flange or
disc h, fitting accurately the end of the piston f; and thirdly, the pro-
longation i, in which is the hole or tube o, closed towards the disc / but
open at the other end. In this tube are the slots S; these slots are so
placed that they enter into the cylinder A when the boring tool penc-
trates too far.
The vertical cylinder D is placed above the passage c in the
cylinder A; this cylinder terminates in a chamber 7, which forms the
communication between the passages b and c. The chamber / ter-
minates below in the orifice m. The piston E moves up and down in
the cylinder D, and is pressed by the spring n or by compressed air
against the orifice m, which is thus securely closed. At the end of the
prolongation is the screw nut F, the object of which will be explained
hereafter.
The mode of operation is as follows:-When the apparatus is in
motion without striking the rock the clastic fluid entering at a fills the
annular space in the cylinder A, and acts on the back of the piston f,
and forces it back with the disc h and piston rod C. The air at the
pressure of the atmosphere, which was confined at the end of the
cylinder A, becomes partially compressed by the back motion of the
piston and disc h. During this motion the piston f passes beyond
the passage c. At this moment the compressed air or other fluid passes-
from one side of the piston to the other, and fills the back part of the
cylinder A, then it acts with all its force on the back part of the piston f
and the disc h, and as this surface is greater than the annular surface of
the piston f, this piston and the piston rod C will be stopped in their
back motion, and will be forced forward by the force due to the
difference in the area. At the same time the compressed air or other

page_text: .
fluid in passing through c acts at m under the piston E, and raises it.
At this moment the fluid which is in front of the cylinder A can escape
through the passage b and chamber of the cylinder D and the passage c
to supply the back part of the cylinder A. The piston f and the piston
rod C will thus be pushed forward by all the available force until the
circumference of the piston f covers the passage b. From this point the
compressed air or other fluid expands in the back part of the cylinder A,.
and continues to push the piston and the rod C forward until the
slots S of the prolongation i enter the back part of the cylinder A. At
this time the compressed air or other fluid can escape into the atmo-
sphere through the opening o, and the counterpressure on the inner
face of the piston f will bring the said piston and the rod C back until
the piston again passes the passage c, which reproduces the advance of
the cutter, as before described, and so the blows are repeated. At the
moment that the slots S enter the cylinder A. and have allowed the com-
pressed air or other fluid to escape, the pressure that had held up the
small piston E having ceased to act, allows it to fall on the orifice m,
and closes it by the spring n or by compressed air.
When the apparatus is at work the back motion of the piston f and
piston rod C is effected, as above described, by the entrance of the com-
pressed air or other fluid at a; then the fluid passes to the other side of
the piston by the opening .c and chamber 1, and forces forward the
piston and the rod C until the cutting tool strikes against the rock.
At this moment the piston rod C, which is connected to the cutting tool,
is suddenly stopped, and may even rebound, but the piston f and tube.e
are independant of the rod C, and continue to move until their inertia
is expended. The result is that the piston fis detached from the disc h,
leaving an annular space between them, through which the compressed
air or other fluid at the back of the cylinder A escapes into the atmo-
sphere. The pressure on the back of the piston f being thus suddenly
removed causes the said piston to be stopped by the pressure of the air
or fluid on the front of the piston, which pressure then carries the piston
back, and with it the rod C, and when the piston again passes the
opening c it is again pressed forward to give the next blow.
Hydraulic Apparatus for Fixing the Boring Cylinder G in any
Position. This apparatus consists of the cylinder G, in which is the
piston H, fixed to the piston rod I, which is keyed to the lid of the
cylinder A; also of the valve apparatus K, and tap box L. At the back

page_text: the
of the cylinder G is the passage p, which is in communication with tho
tap s. At the front of the cylinder G is the opening q, connected by
passage t to the tap r. The piston H traverses the whole length of
the cylinder G, and the piston rod I is provided with a hole u, one end
of which communicates through the hole v with the cylinder, and the
other end with the valve box K, fixed outside the cylinder. The valve
box contains the small valve a, which shuts from inside, and is held up
by a spring, also of a lever y, pressing upon the valve spindle. The
taps and s in the box L have each a three-way plug to produce the
following results :-
•
8
First. To bring the water under pressure to the front or back of the
cylinder G.
Second. To put the front or back of the cylinder G in communication
with the atmosphere."
Third. To shut off the front or back of the cylinder from water
or air.
The mode of operation is as follows:-Water (or other liquid) under
pressure is employed to fix the position of the boring cylinder, because
it is almost incompressible, and therefore gives a rigid resistance to the
piston H, the rod of which determines the position of the boring cylinder A.
During the advance of the boring apparatus, when the same is not
operating, water under pressure being supplied to the box L the tap s
is turned to admit water to the hind part of the cylinder G, and the tap r
is turned to put the front end of the cylinder in communication with the
atmosphere. The pressure of the water pushes forward the piston H,
which displaces the water by the passage t and tap r.
During the back motion of the boring cylinder the tap r is turned to
convey the water under pressure to the front part of the cylinder G and
the taps to connect the hind part of the cylinder with the atmosphere;
the piston His thus pushed back and takes with it the rod I and the
cylinder of the boring apparatus.
During the self-acting advance of the boring apparatus, when at work,
the tap r is closed, and the tap s forms the communication for the water
under pressure to the back of the cylinder G. As soon as the boring
apparatus begins to work if the tool does not strike the rock the traverse
of the piston rod C is too long, and the nut F on the continuation i

page_text: comes in contact at each blow with the end of the lever y of the valve.
box K, this depression of the lever y opens the valve x to allow a small.
quantity of the water in the front part of the cylinder G to escape; the
piston H will thus advance a little, the amount being regulated by the
shape of the lever y and the position of the nut F until the length of the
traverse of the boring piston has attained its original length and the,
cutter acts on the rock. From this point the lever y will only be
lowered in proportion to the advance of the cutting tool, and by this
self-acting means the cutter is always kept in the proper working
position.
I wish to remark that the self-acting advancing motion, and the
retrogression of the boring apparatus may be obtained by the reaction'
produced by the compressed air in the contrary direction to the action
of the piston.
If the boring cylinder were loose on its frame it would, when com-
pressed air is introduced, move. to and fro in the contrary direction to
that of the piston. It is therefore only necessary to effect the advance
of the cylinder to secure it by any means to the frame during the
forward motion of the piston, and to release it at the moment when
the direction of motion is changed.
To produce the backward motion the liberation of the cylinder during
'the forward motion of the piston f and securing it at the recoil will;
produce the desired effect.
The apparatus for arresting and liberating the cylinder on its frame,
may be constructed in various ways, but they are all modifications of
this Invention, for instance, ratchets or teeth fixed to the frame into
which take catches connected to the boring cylinder, when the traverse
is too great the catch is raised by the piston and the cylinder cạn
advance one tooth.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent a convenient mode of performing this part of
the Invention, the stop cylinder P is put into communication at pleasure.
with the advancing or receding boring cylinder by the forked pipe p,
and the two-way cock q, also of the piston Q working in the cylinder P,
which can communicate by the forked channel and the two-way tap s.
with the valves R, S, placed under the prolongation of the boring
piston rod. The valves R, S, are opened by the levers T, U, acted upon-

page_text: by the nut X on the prolongation of the boring piston rod. The
piston Q acts on the forked lever V jointed to the fulcrum t under the
boring cylinder. The short end of the lever V rests against the frame
and binds the boring cylinder against the frame when the piston Q
presses down the long arm of the lever V. The arrangement of the
cylinder P and lever V may be modified.
When the boring cylinder is pushed forward the stop cylinder P is in
communication with the front part of the boring cylinder by the tap q
and with the valve R by the tap s. The boring piston being in operation,
if the traverse is too long the nut X depresses the lever T and opens the
valve R. The air contained in the cylinder P then escapes into the
atmosphere, and the piston Q ceases to bear on the lever V. The boring
cylinder can then slide forward on its frame at the return stroke of the
boring piston. The nut X then passes beyond the lever T and the
valve R closes; the air pressure is then again brought on the cylinder P,
and the boring cylinder is again secured to the frame.
During the backward motion the cylinder P communicates with the
back part of the boring cylinder by the valve S, the nut X opens the
valve S and the compressed air from the cylinder P escapes, thereby
releasing the lever V and allowing the boring cylinder to retrograde.
Similar results can be obtained in substituting for the pipe p and tap q
a narrow conical channel, which communicates with the cylinder P
when one of the valves R, S, is opened. This system of actuating the
boring cylinder either forwards or backwards forms an essential part of
the Invention.
I wish to remark that water under pressure may be used in the stop
cylinder P instead of compressed air.
The boring tool can be turned partly round after each cut by any of
the well known means or in the following manner :-In the piston rod
C are two grooves, one straight, and the other spiral, and on the piston
rod are two ratchet wheels, one of which has a straight key taking into
the straight groove, and the other a curved key taking into the spiral
groove; the ratchet wheels can only move round in one direction, the
motion in the other direction being prevented by differential catches.
The amount of rotation imparted to the boring tool can be regulated
by varying the angle of the spiral groove and the differential catches.

page_text: The principal novelties of this Invention are in the boring apparatus.
First. The mode of constructing the boring piston with its rods com-
posed of separate parts that are sometimes united, and at other times
separate. A first part which carries the boring instrument and which
alone receives a rotary motion when boring, and a second part, namely,
the annular piston f which is sometimes in contact with the disc h and
separated from it at the moment the blow is given.
Secondly. The application of the principle of inertia to one of the parts
of the boring apparatus, which continues it progress by the momentum
acquired when the blow is given, without being subject to the injurious
vibration of the tool holder.
Thirdly. Utilising the separation of the two parts above referred to to
remove the pressure which causes the piston to advance and to produce
the recoil. This arrangement possesses the following advantages:-It
reduces the shocks against the cylinder, the piston f, and the bearings of
the boring apparatus, thus rendering the whole more durable. It also
allows the blow against the rock to be given with the maximum degree
of force, as the escape of the compressed air is the result of the blow
itself.
In all other sliding rock drills the blow must be given at the same
time as the valve is moved, from this it frequently happens that the
counterpressure reduces the force of the blow, this is particularly the
case owing to the variations in the length of the traverse of the boring
tool. The action of the additional piston rod i with its hollow end o
and slots S communicating with o, prevents in a simple and efficient
manner the boring piston and rod C being traversed too far by the
pressure on the back of the disc h, because as soon as the slots S enter
the end of the cylinder A, the compressed air which was driving the
piston escapes into the atmosphere.
The position of the slots S can be varied with respect to the disc / to
increase or reduce its traverse.
The mode of guiding the compressed air to the front and back of the
boring piston by the openings and c, and the piston E, and cylinder D,
as above described, may be employed not only in rock boring or drilling
machines, but for all other purposes where a rectilineal to-and-fro motion
is required, such as in steam engines, steam hammers, and others,

page_text: The action of the apparatus D, E, is important as it maintains the
supply of compressed air into the space behind the piston at a time
which can be definitely fixed, according to the position of the opening b
thus enabling the force of the blow to be governed and the most
effective action of the blow to be obtained. If the apparatus D, E, were
dispensed with and the opening c made longer, the alternate to-and-fro
motion would be obtained, but the impulse of the cutting tool would be
greatly reduced, as the full force of the propelling power can be kept up
to the extent required. Air under a less pressure can then be used
without reducing the force of the blow or the speed at which the work
is done, thus economising motive power.
The principle of inertia above described might also be applied to effect
the escape of the air when the blow is given, by placing either in the
hollow rod i or in the hollow rod C which is provided with a side orifice,
a movable cover which is kept in its place by a spring sufficiently
flexible to uncover the slots S by its inertia when the blow is given.
In the automatic hydraulic apparatus for varying the positon of the
boring cylinder, the following are the principal novel features:―
The principle of the incompressibility of liquids is applied for two
purposes.
The first is to answer as a rigid stand point to hold the boring
cylinder A in the desired position but capable of being changed. When
the tap prevents the escape of the water in front of the cylinder G,
and the hydraulic pressure is transmitted freely through the taps to the
back of the cylinder G, the piston H is held in position with sufficient a
force to resist the recoil of the boring apparatus.
The second advantage obtained is the extreme simplicity of the
apparatus for causing the boring tool to advance and recede, namely, by
the use of the two taps 7 and 8, also the self-acting arrangement of the
lever y and valve x for regulating automatically the position of the a
cylinder A. By thus employing water to resist the force of the blow of
the cutting tool the injurious effects of vibration are avoided and the
parts can be made lighter.
The simplicity of the machinery makes it particularly suitable for
the class of men employed in such work as in general they are 3
ineznerienced

page_text: Having thus stated the nature and particulars of the Invention
communicated to me by the within named Theodore Benedict Edouard
Turrettina and Daniel Colladon, I declare that I claim the various
improvements in rock boring machines, and in the mode of obtaining
reciprocating motion applicable to the same, and to steam and other
engines, as shewn in the Drawings and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Bernoulli Barlow, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Third day of March, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
H. B. BARLOW. (L.S.)