IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE POWER, AND IN PROPULSION
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GUSTAV
ADOLPH BUCHHOLZ, of Norfolk Street, Strand, in the county of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date Westminster, the Seventeenth day of February
(One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one), in the fourteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Gustav Adolph Buchholz, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her especial license
full power, sole privilege, and authority, that I, the said Gustav Adolph Buch-
holz, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Gustav Adolph
Buchholz, my exors, adiňors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE POWER, AND IN PROPULSION;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said Gustav Adolph Buchholz,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear."

page_text: Buchholz's Improvements in Machinery for Transmitting Motive Power, &c.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Gustav Adolph Buchholz, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by this present instrument in writing, reference being had
to the seventeen accompanying sheets of Drawings, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention consists,
Firstly, in constructing cogged or toothed wheels or rollers, in such manner
that they shall have a plain or even surface or periphery on one or both sides
of the toothed portion, which said plain portion shall be of the same diameter
as the pitch circle of the teeth, whereby, when such wheels are made to work
together, the toothed portions shall gear properly together, and the plain
portions shall roll evenly against each other.
Secondly, in constructing bearings for the purpose of diminishing friction by
a combination of antifriction rollers or wheels of the description firstly sct
forth.
Thirdly, in a machine constructed of such mechanical parts that constant
pressure being applied at two or more points, and so that the lines of pressure
shall give rotary motion to one or more axes, the pressure shall remain
stationary in position.
Fourthly, in submerged propelling apparatus, whereby one or more pro-
pellers may be worked so as to drive the vessel in any required direction with
or without the aid of a rudder. And in order to explain my said Invention as
completely as possible, I will now proceed to describe how its several parts
may best be practically carried out.
The Drawing No. 1 illustrates the first division of my Invention, and shews
views of several wheels or rollers intended to gear with each other, as herein-
after mentioned. Figures 1 and 2 are a side view and tranverse section of
one of the said wheels. a marks the toothed portion, and 6 the smooth
periphery, which corresponds in diameter with that of the pitch circle of the
teeth. In order to prevent a pair of wheels which gear together from shifting
laterally, I construct one with one or two raised or projecting rims, and the
other with corresponding grooves or recesses, into which the rims fit, and
I make the height of these rims about equal to that of the teeth. Figure 3
shows a side view of another wheel, and Figure 4 two sections, one shewing
such a wheel as constructed with projecting rims c, and the other as constructed
with corresponding grooves d. Figures 5 and 6, a side view and section of a
wheel, having teeth on its interior as well as the exterior circle, and plain
portions likewise, the plain portions of both inner and outer circles being of the

page_text: same diameter as the pitch circles of their respective toothed portions. Figures
7 and 8, similar views of a wheel with a single row of teeth on its outer circle
and two rows on its inner circle, the even surfaced periphery of the latter lying
between them. This wheel is so constructed that it may gear with the inner
circle of the wheel represented at Figures 5 and 6, as also the wheel repre-
sented at Figures 9 and 10. Figures 11 and 12, similar views of a pinion or
wheel constructed to gear with the inner periphery of the wheel represented
at Figures 7 and 8; and Figures 13 and 14, similar views of a wheel or
pinion constructed to gear with the pinion represented at Figures 11 and 12.
From an inspection of the above-mentioned Figures, it will be evident that the
plain portions may be of any suitable breadth, but must be made of the same
diameter as the pitch circles of the teeth, and the said plain portions should be
made perfectly true. The figures in the Drawing No. 1 shew examples of
spur gear only, but it is evident that bevilled wheels may be constructed in a
similar manner; that is to say, with plain or smooth conical portions, the size
and taper being regulated according to the pitch lines of the toothed portions
as before set forth.
The second division of my Invention is illustrated by the Drawings Nos. 2,
3, and 4. No. 3, shows an improved bearing for horizontal shafts, constructed
with spur wheels or rollers of the description above set forth, employed as
antifriction rollers or wheels, for the purpose of reducing friction. Figure 13,
is a side view, with one of the outer plates of the framework removed in order
to shew the construction. Figure 14 is a tranverse section through the line
Z, Z, in Figure 13. Figure 15 is an end or edge view; e is the framework
of the bearing, to which is keyed or fixed the wheel f, having teeth on its
interior; is the shaft to be supported, and on this the wheel h is keyed.
These latter I place concentric with the former, and between the internal
wheel and the external wheel h I dispose a number of pinions i, i, which
gear with both of them at equal distances from each other. All the wheels
and pinions have smooth portions of the same diameter as their respective
pitch circles; and when the shaft is caused to revolve, these surfaces roll
against each other, while the teeth maintain the pinions at their proper distances
from each other, and consequently keep the shaft in its proper position.
And in this position the shaft will be enabled to revolve with but with
very little friction, because there is no friction on the axes of the antifriction
rollers i, i, as is the case when antifriction rollers of the ordinary construction
are employed to support a shaft. The Drawing No. 3 shews an improved
bearing for vertical shafts, constructed with bevil gear of the description firstly
set forth.
The Figure 16 is a vertical section (the shaft and one of the

page_text: "
"
bevilled wheels or rollers being represented in exterior view); k, is a "step"
or famework, the upper surface of the bottom of which is formed into a wheel;
Z is the shaft to be supported, and on this the bevilled wheel m is keyed.
These latter I place concentric with the "step or wheel k, and between this
wheel and the wheel m I dispose a number of bevilled pinions n, n, which
gear with both of them (only two of these pinions can be seen in the Figure),
but I employ as many as the size and other circumstances will conveniently
allow. All the wheels and pinions have smooth surfaces, as before explained,
which will roll against each other when the shaft revolves, while the teeth will
maintain the pinions at their proper distances from each other, and consequently
the shaft will be kept in proper position, and be enabled to revolve with but
very little friction. In my improved bearings, both horizontal and vertical, the
wheels and pinions are formed some with projecting rims and others with
recesses or grooves (as herein-before explained), in order to prevent them
shifting out of gear with each other. The Drawing No. 4, is introduced to
shew the adaptation of my improved horizontal bearing to an eccentric, such
as is ordinarily employed for working the valves of a steam engine. Figure 17
is a side view of such an improved eccentric. The parts corresponding with
the Figure 13 (Drawing No. 2) are marked with similar letters of reference.
The shaft g is necessarily placed eccentric from the wheel h, for the purpose
of this adaptation. Figure 18 is tranverse section through the line Y, Y, in
Figure 17. This figure is represented in two portions for the convenience of
space on the
paper.
The third division of my Invention is illustrated by the Drawings Nos. 5 to
16. The Drawings Nos. 5 to 8 illustrate what I designate my simple machines
or motions; and the Drawings Nos. 9 to 16 what I designate my compound
machines or motions. For the purposes of my Invention, I define simple
motion as motion around an axis, and compound motion as motion not only
around an axis, but also the axis itself having a rotation around another axis.
I produce my improved simple motion by means of two eccentrics or series of
eccentrics working in contrary directions, as illustrated by the Drawing No. 5.
Figure 19 is a diagram respresenting the pitch circles of several wheels, those
in blue belonging to one eccentric or series of eccentrics, and those in red
belonging to another eccentric or series of eccentrics. The arrows, y, x, and
; denote the directions in which constant forces are employed againgst each
eccentric. The mode of applying this force is hereafter described. The other
arrows denote the direction in which the several wheels turn, and also, whenever
they are placed at the point of contact of two circles, that the wheels these circles
represent gear with each other. The wheels represented by circles which touch

page_text: cach other, but not having arrows placed at the point of contact, do not gear with
each other. Figure 20 is a section of the apparatus, taken as denoted by the
line v, v, in Figure 19. In the Figure 19 each letter refers to all wheels of
the same series: A, is the shaft, which is to be turned by the motion of the
two series of eccentric wheels B and C. There are four in each series, and
the eight eccentrics are respectively marked B', B, C, C, C, C, B, and B³.
The shaft A is supported in a series of my improved horizontal bearings,
constructed similarly to that represented in Drawing No. 2, excepting that the
outer ring or framework (e) is a wheel having teeth both internally and
externally; and the said wheel, which is here marked D, is free to revolve
loosely around but concentric with the shaft A. There are eight of these
bearings in the series, the outer wheels of which are marked respectively D¹ to
Ds. Each wheel of this series gears with the interior circle of one of the
eight eccentrics, and each respectively according to the serial order before
mentioned. The antifriction rollers of the bearings are marked i, i. 'E, E, are
two corresponding shafts, and F a third shaft, all of which run lengthways
right through the apparatus and carry the wheels hereafter mentioned, which
are keyed or fixed upon them. G, G, and H are three other similar shafts.
Each of the shafts E carries a pair of wheels marked I', and a pair marked Is,
and each of the shafts G carries a pair of similar wheels marked 13, and a pair
marked I. The eccentric B' gears with the wheels I'; the eccentric B8 with
the wheels 18; the eccentric C³ with the wheels 13; and the eccentric C with
the wheels Iº. The shaft F carries the wheels K and K, which gear with
the eccentrics B and B respectively, and the shaft H carries the wheels K'
and K which gear with the eccentrics C and C³ respectively. L', L, L°, and
Is, are four pinions which gear with their corresponding wheels D and I, and
serve to keep the shafts of the said wheels and all other wheels upon them in
their proper relative positions. The shafts E carry each of them a pair of
wheels M and a pair M, and the shafts G carry each of them a pair M' and
a pair M. The shaft F carries a pair of wheels Ne and N, and the shaft H
a pair N and N. The wheels M and N gear together in their proper serial
order, and consequently keep the shafts A, F, and A, H, in their proper relative
positions. The shafts E also carry each of them a pair of wheels, 0° and a
pair 07, and the shafts G carry each of them a pair O* and a pair 05. The
bearings or wheels D³, D', D, and D7, carry also each of them a pair of
wheels P, P, Ps, and P, and the wheels O and P gear together respectively,
according to their series, and serve to render the motion uniform, and assist in
keeping the shafts in their proper relative positions. But in order that they
may gear and work together, it is necessary that their diam: should be in

page_text: the same proportion to each other as the diameters of the wheel I and the
outer circle of the wheel D. The shafts E and G also carry each of them
three wheels Q, Q, and Q", and the shafts F and I each of them three
wheels R, R, and R". The wheels Q and R gear respectively together and
connect the motion of the eccentrics together, and the wheels Q also gear with
the wheels S, S10, and S", respectively, which are keyed or fixed upon the
shaft A, and transmit the united motion of all the eccentrics thereto.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-By applying a constant force to
the eccentrics B¹ and BS in the direction directed by the arrow Z, and to the
eccentrics C and C, in the direction denoted by the arrow y and to the
eccentrics C3 and C in the direction denoted by the arrow a, and to the
eccentrics B and B', in the direction denoted by the arrow w, all the eccentrics
will communicate their motion (by means of the gearing already described) to
the shaft A, which is desired to be turned.
I will now proceed to describe certain modes of applying constant force or
pressure to the excentrics to produce the desired motion. In Drawing No. 6,
Figure 21, is a side elevation (with certain parts in section) of a complete single
or simple machine, constructed according to my Invention; Figure 22, an end
elevation; and Figure 23, a plan view of the same, being partly a mere diagram.
In Drawing No. 7, Figure 24, is also a plan view on a larger scale with the parts
properly drawn. A is the framework of the machine, which is securely bolted
and fixed together. B* a "bush" in a part of the said framework through
which the screw C* works for compressing the spring D*. The ends of this
spring press upon the rods E*, E*, which pass through a portion of the frame-
work, and are connected to the ends of the vertical rod or axis. F, G, is
another vertical rod or axis, which is supported in bearings in the framework
as shown. The rods E and F* communicate with the plungers or eccentric
rods II, and these terminate in bearings I, which are constructed similarly
to that shewn in the Drawing No. 2. Each of these bearings encloses an
eccentric, and each eccentric is furnished with certain other wheels on which it
acts, in the same manner as in the systems of wheels shewn in Drawing No. 5,
and as there are two series of eccentrics marked B and C respectively, which
by this combination of parts will be pressed in the requisite opposite directions
a continuous rotary motion of the shaft A, to which they are eccentric, will be
produced from the constant and uniform force exerted by the spring. It is to
be observed that the outer ends of this shaft rest in bearings *, K*, (of my
improved construction) the framing of which slides upon the rods A**, A**,
of the framework of the machine. This machine will be found to work more
advantageously when the forces are applied to the eccentrics in a direction as

page_text: nearly as possible at right angles to a line passing through the centres of the
two systems of eccentrics. And I have shewn in the Figure 24, in red lines,
a slight modification of the apparatus for the purpose of gaining this advantage.
It consists simply in employing two rods F* and two rods G*, one of each being
immediately opposite to the centres of the two systems of eccentrics respectively.
The Drawing No. 8 shews another single or simple machine constructed
according to my Invention. Figure 25 is a side elevation, with some of the
parts represented in section, some broken away or removed to shew others,
and some of the working parts similar to what have been before described
being represented simply as a diagram. Figure 26 is a plan view partially
in section; A is the frame work of the machine securely fixed and bolted
together; La pinion on an axis fixed to the framing, which may be turned
by the winch handle M*; N*, N*, two wheels which gear with the pinion L*,
and are keyed on the shafts O*, Ox, which rest in bearings in the framework.
These shafts are formed with right-handed screws near to one end, and with
left-handed screws near to the other end, the screwed portions being marked
0**, 0** P* and Q* are bars with screwed holes in them, through which
the said screwed portions of the shafts pass; R*, a plate attached to the bar;
P* and S* a carriage for one of the wheels or bearings, V*, hereafter men-
tioned; T is a carriage for the other of the said wheels or bearings, the said
carriage being fixed to the bar Q*; U* is a spring which works between the
rod R and the carriage S*, and which when compressed gives the desired
constant clastic force. The wheels or bearings V*, V*, are supported by the
carriages S and Tx, and these wheels gear with those marked W*, W*, and
these latter also with the eccentrics B and C. There are several wheels and
eccentrics on each of their respective shafts, and the arrangement of the
gearing with each other is represented most distinctly in the Figure 26.
The action of this machine is as follows:-By turning the winch handle M*
the bars P and Q will be brought towards each other, and consequently
a constant clastic force will be produced by the spring which presses upon the
eccentrics, the said force being transmitted to them by the carriages S* and
Tx, and the wheels V* and W*. This pressure upon the eccentrics will
produce a continuous rotary motion of the shaft A, in the manner before
described. It is to be observed the outer ends of the shaft A and of the
wheels W* and V* are kept in position by bearings K*, which are free to
slide upon the rods X*, X*. The several eccentrics, wheels, and bearings are
constructed in the manner before described.
I would here remark that although I have represented only two methods of
applying a constant force for producing simple motions from my eccentrics, the

page_text: same may be effected in any other convenient manner. I produce my
improved double or compound motion by a combination of three or more of my
apparatus for producing single or simple motion, arranged so as to give motion
to a central shaft or axis around which they are disposed..
In the Drawings Numbers 9 to 16, I have represented several views of a
machine for producing such compound motion from the combination of three
simple motions. In Drawing No. 9, Figure 27, is a diagram or theoretical
plan view of the machine generally, but shewing the apparatus for producing
the constant force properly drawn. In Drawing No. 10, Figure 28, is a side
view of this apparatus. In Drawing No. 11, Figure 29, is a plan view, with
the upper plate of the machine removed, and half in section through line u, u,
in Figure 31, hereafter mentioned. In Drawing No. 12, Figure 30,, is an
entire sectional plan through the said line u, u. In Drawing No. 13, Figure
31, is a side elevation of the machine. In Drawing No. 14, Figure 32, is a
vertical section taken through the line t, t, in Figure 29 (Drawing No. 11).
In Drawing No. 15, Figure 33, is an elevation of the three several simple
motions developed from their triangular disposition into a straight line for the
purpose of exhibiting the construction of the apparatus the more clearly.
Figure 34 is a theoretical edge view of the Figure 33; and Figure 35 a
transverse section thereof taken through the line s, s, in the said Figure. In
Drawing Number 16, Figure 36, is a detail plan view on a larger scale, shewing
how the three several simple motions are held together in a triangular form.
In some of the Figures lastly above mentioned, arrows are drawn upon
several of the shafts and wheels to show the direction of their motion, some of
the said wheels necessarily revolving loose upon and in contrary directions to
their shafts. A is the frame work of the machine, which support three
simple apparatus similar (in respect of the arrangement of their working parts)
to the apparatus shown in Drawing No. 8. The shafts V and W correspond
with those of the wheels marked V* and W* in the said Drawing. The
eccentrics and the shafts turned by them are likewise denoted by similar
letters of reference, namely, B, C, and A, respectively. All the shafts A, W,
and V, are supported in bearings which slide upon the rods X*, X*, as shown
most distinctly in Drawings, Nos. 11 and 16. These and other Drawings will
also show that I arrange these simple motions into a compound motion by
disposing the rods with the shafts and wheels which they carry into a general
triangular form. I produce the required constant force upon the cach simple
apparatus by bands, straps, or chains, which passes tightly round pullies upon
the corner shafts. V of the triangle, as hereafter more fully explained. This
will tend to compress the sides of the triangle together, and consequently it is

page_text: necessary that certain of the rods X* should slide through others of them as
represented at X**, in the Drawings Nos. 11 and 16. The shafts A are
the principal shafts of each simple motion, and upon each of them are fixed
three pinions or wheels Y, which gear respectively with three wheels Z, which
are keyed or fixed upon the principal or central shaft of the entire compound
machine. This central shaft is supported at both ends by my improved
vertical and horizontal bearings attached to the framework, and the said shaft
projects through the said bearings for communicating the power of the
machine. By this arrangement the machine may be used in any position.
The apparatus for producing the constant pressure is illustrated most clearly
by the Drawings Nos. 9 and 10. a is the framing of this apparatus ;
b and c,
two springs connected together at their ends; d and e are two straps or frames
within which the springs work. The former is connected to or fixed upon the
screw f. The latter rests upon the middle of the lever or cross head g. h is
a worm, and i, a worm wheel, the middle of which forms a threaded bush or
nut which works upon the screw f. Three straps or bands marked k pass
from the apparatus, one of them from the frame e, and the others from the
ends of the lever g, and thus the constant elastic force effected by the com-
pression of the spring is transmitted to the machine. Each of the three straps
k is made double at one end and single at the other, so that the single end
may pass between the double portion as the strap lies or is disposed round the
pullies m on the corner shafts V. One end of each of these straps is fixed to
the apparatus as already described, and the other ends to ratchet wheels n for
the purpose of adjusting their length. o, o, are guide pullies over which the
said straps pass.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The straps & being kept of an
uniform length, and the constant force applied as already described, the motion
of shafts V will cause the pullies m, which are fixed upon them, to traverse
along the said straps and thus cause all the working parts of the machine to
rotate around its central shaft, while at the same time the said shaft will
receive motion from each of the principal shafts A, of each of the three simple
apparatus or machines by means of the wheels Y and Z as before described.
I would here remark that any number of eccentrics, not less than four, may
be employed for my simple motions or machines, and any number of simple
motions, not less than three, may be employed in combination around a central
shaft, to form a double or compound motion or machine.
Figure 27 a shows a modification of an eccentricum, in which the wheels
b and c are added which gear alternately into the eccentrics at their interior
circumference and into the wheels S. By this arrangement. the eccentrics

page_text: will have a greater tendency to revolve in the direction as before described
and it will materially assist the proper working of the machine. Should these
additional wheels b, c, be made to gear with the bearings D instead of the wheels
S, they must be placed in the series in such a manner as to gear alternately
into a bearing and an eccentricum as they revolve in opposite directions.
I now come to the fourth division of my Invention, which refers to improve-
ments in propellers, reference being had to No. 17 of the accompanying
Drawings where my improvements are exhibited in three views. Figure 37
is a side elevation of the propellers, partly in section; Figure 38 a plan; and
Figure 39 a back view; the outline of the ship at which the propellers are
applied being shown in dotted lines in order more clearly to show their
respective position. A, A1, A2, are three screw propellers as in common use;
B, B', B, are iron rings in a perpendicular position, having pins projecting at
the upper and lower part, which form centres around which they may revolve
freely; C, C, C, are toothed rings placed horizontally, and are secured to the
the rings B, B', B²; D is a cog wheel, which gears into the three toothed
rings C, C, C; this wheel is keyed upon a hollow shaft d, at the upper end
of which is fixed a chain wheel E, which is connected with the machine by
means of the chain in order that it may be worked by the machine or motive
power; to the nave of the screw is secured a bevilled wheel F, which gears
into a bevilled wheel G, and is by the intermediate wheels H and I, and K
and L, and the chain wheel M, also in connexion with the machine.
From this arrangement it is evident that when the chain wheel M is put
in motion by the machine, the wheel L gearing into the wheels K, and the
latter being connected with the screws A, A', A2, the latter receive a rotatory
motion. From the arrangement of the rings B, B', B, and toothed rings
C, C, C, in connection with the cog wheel D and the chain wheel E, it
follows that when the latter is put in motion by the machine the three screws
may at one and the same time be shifted in any desired angle, and thereby
propel as well as steer the vessel without the necessity of a rudder.
I must here observe, that in order to reduce the very considerable friction
I mean to employ bearings with friction rollers, as described in the former part
of my Specification wherever it may be practicable to do so.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to its precise details so long as its peculiar features are retained,
which I declare to consist in, and I claim :-
Firstly, the constructing cogged or toothed wheels or rollers as hereinbefore
firstly set forth and described;

page_text: Secondly, the constructing bearings as herein-before secondly set forth and
described;
Thirdly, the constructing both simple and compound machines which work
by constant pressure as herein-before thirdly set forth and described; and
Fourthly, the submerged propelling apparatus whereby one or more pro-
pellers may be worked so as to drive the vessel in any required direction
with or without the aid of a rudder.
In witness whereof, I, the said Gustav Adolph Buchholz, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
GUSTAV ADOLPH (L.S.) BUCHHOLZ.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Gustav Adolph Buchholz came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.