IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATER; ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cornelius Edward Kelway, of Portsea, in the County of
Hants, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING
THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATER; ALSO
APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS
ARE FLOWING."
Sealed the 2nd June 1876, and dated the 5th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cornelius Edward Kelway at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1876.
CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY, of Portsea, in the County of Hants. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE
PASSING THROUGH THE WATER; ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT
WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING."
My Invention relates especially to apparatus used for ascertaining the rate at
which vessels are passing through the water; and it is also applicable to the pur-
pose of ascertaining the rate at which streams or currents are flowing. It is
applicable more especially to the form of apparatus well known as Massey's Log, in
which a rotator, having blades helically formed upon it, is caused to rotate by being
drawn through the water, and is connected by a revolving rope or shaft to indicating
apparatus, which shows the number of revolutions (and thus the speed of the vessel)
made in any fixed period of time.
My improvements consist more especially in novel methods of making, at regular
intervals, electrical communication between the ends of two insulated metallic wires
contained in or supported by the rope which draws the apparatus through the water,
the other ends of these wires being connected with an indicating apparatus on board
the vessel, a suitable ciectric battery being in connection with the wires at a con-
venient point of their circuit.
The apparatus by which the number of revolutions of the rotator are counted and
indicated in the log, as ordinarily constructed and used, consists of a flat horizontal
plate of brass or other suitable inaterial, to the front end of which is attached the
end of a cable or rope from the vessel, whilst to its rear end is connected the front
end of the revolving bar or cord which draws the rotator through the water. Tho
flat plate described has vertical plates or wings fixed beneath it, which serve to pre-

page_text: vent it from being made itself to revolve in the water by the revolution of the
rotator. Underneath the flat horizontal plate, and preferably between the vertical
wing plates described, is arranged a box or case, having toothed wheels and pinions
suitably proportioned and driven in the usual way by an endless screw upon an
horizontal axis to a universal joint, at the rear end of which is fastened the rope or
bar which draws the rotator. The wheels and pinions described actuate index
hands, which point out upon dial plates upon the upper side of the flat horizontal
plate of the apparatus the number of revolutions, and consequently the number of
miles or other distances passed over in a certain space of time. The index hands
and dial plates are protected from injury by a moveable cover. On the lower side
of the box or case containing the wheelwork described I arrange another box or
case, which contains my improved apparatus for indicating (by means of electricity)
on board the vessel as well as on the dial plates described, the distance passed over
in a given time. I make the lower end of one of the spindles, preferably that of
the "mile" spindle (or that which is so connected to the wheel work that it
revolves once whilst the apparatus is drawn through a space of one mile) project
into the lower box or case, preferably with the intervention of a stuffing box (which,
however, is not essential), by which water is prevented from entering the latter.
This lower box is divided into two parts by a vertical partition through which
passes a horizontal lever or bar insulated from the body of the apparatus, and
turning upon a vertical fixed centre, preferably near its front end and in the front
compartment of the box. And I make the opening in the partition, through which
the lever passes watertight by means of a short piece of flexible watertight tube,
one end of which is attached to a projecting collar upon the partition, whilst its
other cud embraces and is fixed firmly round the lever itself. The front end of the
lever has formed upon it or attached to it, preferably by means of a flexible spring,
a metallic point or projection (preferably of platinum) arranged so as to be nearly
in contact with a corresponding metallic surface (also preferably of platinum), which
is insulated from the body of the apparatus, but it is prevented from touching the
latter by means of a slight spring, preferably of metal. To this metal spring, or to
the metallic end of the lever, is attached, so as to be in permanent electrical con-
munication with it, one end of an insulated metallic wire; and to the metallic
surface with which the point upon the lever is nearly in contact is attached, so as to
be in similar permanent electrical communication with it, one end of another insu-
lated metallic wire. The two insulated metallic wires pass out of the box or case
through an opening made watertight, preferably in the same way as already de-
scribed, that is to say, by a short piece of flexible watertight tube, one end of which
embraces or is attached to a collar upon the end of the box, whilst the other end
embraces and is fastened so as to be watertight round the two insulated wires which
pass through it. The two insulated wires are then conducted to the vessel, either by
being contained in or attached to the cable which draws the apparatus, or indepen-
dently of the cable for the whole or part of their length. Upon the "mile" spindle,
which projects, as described, into the back division of the box, is fixed or formed a
wheel or boss, having one or more projections upon it, so arranged that as it revolves
each projection in turn presses upon the end of the lever and moves it sufficiently to
force its other end into metallic contact against the metallic surface with which it is
nearly in contact, as already described. Electric contact is thus made between the
ends of the two insulated wires, through which a current of electricity can conse-
quently pass, until the projection upon the revolving "mile" spindle releases the
lever, which then returns to its original position and breaks the current. The lower
side of the box or case is closed by a plate or cover, which can be screwed or other-
wise fastened so as to prevent the admission of water, which is further excluded by
the air in the box.
Instead of the arrangement described I sometimes make the lever (instead of
turning upon a centre) fixed at its front end to a suitable insulated block or fulcrum,
but sufficiently flexible and clastic to allow it to be bent by the projections upon
the mile spindle coming in contact with its back end, as already described. Near

page_text: its front end I form or attach a projecting point (preferably of platinum) which is
in metallic communication with one of the insulated wires, and which is pressed
at intervals (by the revolution of the "mile" spindle) against a corresponding
metallic surface or projection which is in metallic communication with the other
insulated wire.
Instead of making the "mile" or other spindle pass through a stuffing box, I
sometimes arrange a wheel or disc having cams or projections as described upon
the end of a horizontal axis connected to such mile or other spindle, and above this
wheel I make an opening into the box or case containing the lever, and I close this
opening with a flexible disc of india-rubber or other water-tight material. To the
centre of this flexible disc I attach a projection or bar, preferably of ivory or other
non-conducting material, one end of which is actuated by the cams or projections
whilst its other end actuates the lever, and thus makes and breaks the electrical
communication between the insulated wires, as already described.
In this arrange-
ment, the arrangement for making water-tight the opening in the partition through
which the lever passes is not required.
Sometimes, instead of the wheel and projections upon the "mile" spindle as
described, I provide the latter with an endless screw which gears into and drives
a worm wheel upon a horizontal axis which passes through a stuffing box in the
partition which divides the box or case. I make the front end of this axis carry
or drive a disc or wheel (of cbonite or other non-conducting material) against the
sides of which are pressed two metallic springs, one of which is in electrical com-
munication with one of the insulated wires, and the other with the other of the
insulated wires. Into the thickness of the disc described I insert one or more
metallic plugs or blocks, so that when one of these plugs passes between the two
springs it establishes electric communication and allows a current to pass between
them and round the insulated wires. I prefer to make the metallic plugs or blocks
of considerable width at one side of the wheel or disc but very narrow at the other
side, so that the contact with one of the springs is of very short duration, and thus
the probability of any shake or vibration of the apparatus causing more than one
electrical contact whilst the plug is passing between the springs is reduced.
My improved apparatus, as above described, may be used either with or without
the ordinary indicating hands and dial plates upon the upper side of the apparatus,
as first described. The ends of the insulated wire after being conducted to the
vessel may be connected (with the intervention of any suitable electrical battery
or batteries) to indicating apparatus of any convenient kind by which the number
of times electrical contact is made between the ends of the insulated wires is indi-
cated, and consequently the number of revolutions of the rotator and the distance
passed over in any given time. I prefer to use an electro-magnet of soft iron,
surrounded by insulated wire, forming part of the circuit through which the current
passes, as above described. This electro-magnet actuates a lever, having connected
to it a plate operating a ratchet wheel, which drives a set of wheels and pinions
carrying index hands, which point out upon dial plates (corresponding with those
already described) the number of revolutions of the rotator, and of miles, or parts
of miles, or other spaces passed over in a given period of time.
I sometimes add to the indicating apparatus a bell, which is sounded at each
movement of the apparatus by any of the methods well understood and practised.
In order to prevent the apparatus, as above described, or other forms of ships'
logs, from being raised out of the water by too quick a speed of the vessel, I some-
times add a weight attached to the towing cable between the vessel and the log.
This weight may either be of sufficient specific gravity to sink when the apparatus
is not in action, or it may be light enough to float upon the surface of the water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Cornelius Edward Kelway in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
October 1876.
CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY, of Portsea, in the County of Hants. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ASCERTAINING THE RATE AT WHICH VESSELS ARE
PASSING THROUGH THE WATER; ALSO APPLICABLE TO ASCERTAINING THE RATE
AT WHICH STREAMS OR CURRENTS ARE FLOWING."
This Invention relates more especially to apparatus used for ascertaining the rate
at which vessels are passing through the water, and it is also applicable to the
purpose of ascertaining the rate at which streams or currents are flowing.
My improvements are applicable more especially to the form of apparatus well
known as Massey's Log, in which a rotator having blades helically arranged upon it
is caused to revolve by being drawn through the water, and is connected by a
revolving rope or shaft to an indicating apparatus which shows the number of
revolutions made in any determined fixed period of time, and thus defines the speed
of the vessel by which it is drawn.
My improvements consist in novel methods of constructing and arranging
apparatus for making, at regular intervals, electrical communication between the
ends of two insulated wires, which are contained in or supported by the rope
which
draws the log through the water, the other ends of these insulated wires being
connected with an indicating apparatus on board the vessel, a suitable electric
battery or batteries being in connection with the wires at convenient points of their
circuit.
The apparatus by which the number of revolutions of the rotator are counted
and indicated in the log, as ordinarily constructed and used, consists of a flat
horizontal plate of brass or other suitable material, to the. front end of which is
attached the end of a cable or rope from the vessel, whilst to its back end is
connected the front end of the revolving bar or cord which draws the rotator
through the water. The flat plate described has vertical plates or wings fixed
beneath it which serve to prevent it from being made itself to revolve in the water
by the revolution of the rotator. Underneath the flat horizontal plate, and preferably.
between the vertical wing plates described, is arranged a box or case containing
toothed wheels and pinions suitably proportioned and driven in the usual way by
an endless screw upon a horizontal axis to a universal joint, at the back end of
which is fastened the revolving rope or bar which draws the rotator. The wheels
and pinions described actuate index hands which point out upon dial plates upon
the upper side of the flat horizontal plate of the apparatus the number of revolutions
of the rotator, and consequently the number of miles or other distances passed over
in a certain definite space of time. The index hands and dial plates are protected
from injury by a moveable cover. On the lower side of the box containing the
wheel work, as described, I arrange another box or case which contains my improved
apparatus for indicating (by means of electricity) on board the vessel, as well as
upon the dial plates described, the distance passed over in a given time. I make
the lower end of one of the spindles, preferably that of the "mile" spindle (that is
to say, the spindle which is so connected to the wheelwork that it revolves once
whilst the apparatus is drawn through a distance of one mile), project into the
lower box or case, with or without the intervention of a stuffing box, by which
water is prevented from entering the said box or case. I divide this lower box or
case into two parts by a vertical partition, through which passes a horizontal lever
or bar insulated from the body of the apparatus and turning upon a transverse
fixed centre, preferably near its front end and in the front compartment of the box.
I make the opening in the partition through which the lever passes watertight, by
means of a short piece of flexible water-tight tube, preferably of india-rubber, one
end of which is screwed or otherwise attached to the partition, whilst its other end
embraces and is fixed firmly round the lever itself.

page_text: In some cases I arrange the centre upon which the lever turns, as described, across
the opening in the partition, or even within the end of the flexible tube where it is
attached to the partition, the said end being made for this purpose of greater
diameter than the remainder of the tube. The front end of the lever (or that part
of it in the front one of the two divisions into which the box or case is divided)
has formed upon it or attached, preferably by means of a somewhat flexible spring,
a metallic point or projection (preferably of platinum, to avoid corrosion) arranged
so as to be nearly in contact with a corresponding metallic surface (also preferably
of platinum), which is insulated from the body of the apparatus, but the metallic
point is prevented from coming into contact with the metallic surface by means of
a slight spring, preferably of metal; to this metal spring, or to the metallic end of
the lever, is attached, so as to be in permanent electrical communication with it, ono
end of an insulated metallic wire, and to the metallic surface, with which tho
metallic point upon the lever is nearly in contact, is attached (so as to be in similar
permanent electrical connection with it) one end of another metallic wire. These
two insulated metallic wires pass out of the box or case through an opening made
water-tight in the same way as already described; that is to say, by a short piece
of flexible water-tight tube (preferably of india-rubber), one end of which embraces
or is otherwise attached to the end of the box or case, whilst the other end embraces
and is fastened, so as to be water-tight, round the two insulated wires which pass
through it. The two insulated wires are then conducted to the vessel, either by
being contained in or attached to the rope or cable which draws the apparatus, or
independently of the cable for the whole or part of their length. Instead of
connecting the ends of the two insulated wires to the metallic contact pieces inside
the box, as described, I sometimes continue each such contact piece forward through
the front end of the box in the form of a cylindrical screw which is screwed tightly
through a piece of ebonite, ivory, or other non-conducting material, which is itself
screwed or otherwise fixed in or upon a larger aperture in the end of the box. The
ends of the two insulated wires are connected to the ends of the cylindrical screws
upon the contact pieces outside the box, the connections being then covered with
any suitable insulating material, such as that well known as Chattcrtin's
compound.
In order to make the electrical insulation of the bar or lever already described
and the other apparatus inside the box more complete, I sometimes make the bar or
lever wholly or partly of ivory or other non-conducting material; or I make that
part of it round which the back end of the flexible tube is fixed of a section of
such non-conducting material, and in this way the electricity is prevented from
escaping into the water in the back part of the box when contact is made by the
lever between the ends of the wires, as herein-after described. Upon the end of
the mile spindle, which projects as described into the back compartment of the box,
is fixed or formed a wheel or boss having one or more projections upon it, so
arranged that as it revolves the projection (or if more than one is used each in
turn presses upon the back end of the lever, and moves it sufficiently to force the
metallic point at its other end into electrical contact with the metallic surface
against which it is nearly in contact, as already described. Electrical communi-
cation is thus made between the ends of the two insulated wires, through which a
current of electricity can consequently pass until the projection upon the spindle
releases the lever, which is then returned to its original position by a spring, and
the current is broken. The lower side of the box or case is closed by a plate or
cover which can be screwed or otherwise fastened so as to prevent the admission of
water, which is moreover excluded by the air in the box.
Instead of the arrangement described I sometimes make the lever (instead of
turning upon a centre) fixed at its front end to a suitable insulated block or fulcrum,
but sufficiently flexible and elastic to allow it to be bent by the projection upon the
revolving spindle operating upon its back end, as already described; and near its
front end I form or attach a projecting point (preferably of platinum), which is in
electrical communication with one of the insulated wires, and which is. pressed at

page_text: i.
intervals (by the revolution of the spindle) against a corresponding metallic surface,
which is in electrical communication with the other insulated wire.
Instead of making the mile or other revolving spindle pass through a stuffing box,
I sometimes arrange a wheel or disc having one or more cams or projections upon
it. Upon the end of an axis connected to such revolving spindle, and near this
wheel, I make an opening into the box or case containing the lever, and I close
such opening with a flexible disc or piece of india-rubber or other sufficiently
flexible water-tight material. To the centre of this flexible disc I attach a pro-
jection or bar.(preferably of ivory or other non-conducting material), the outer end
of which is actuated by the cam or projection upon the wheel or disc, whilst its
other end actuates the lever already described, and thus makes and breaks the
electrical communication between the ends of the two insulated wires, as already
described. In this way the arrangement for making water-tight the opening in
the partition through which the lever passed, as first described, is not required.
Instead of making the bar turn upon a centre I sometimes make it moveable
endways through a stuffing box or with the intervention of a flexible diaphragm, so
that one end of it being pushed by the projections upon the wheel the other end
makes the electrical communication between the ends of the insulated wires.
Sometimes, instead of the wheel with its cams or projections upon the revolving
spindle, I provide the latter with toothed wheels or with an endless screw gearing
into a worm wheel, and driving a horizontal axis which passes through a stuffing box
in the partition which divides the box or case into two compartments. I make the
front end of this horizontal axis carry or drive a disc or wheel (of ebonite or other
non-conducting material), against the opposite sides of which press two metallic
springs, one of which is in electrical communication with one of the insulated wires,
and the other with the other insulated wire, the disc revolving between them. In
the thickness of the disc I insert one or more metallic plugs or blocks, so that
when one of these plugs passes between the two springs it establishes electric
communication, and allows a current to pass between them and through the insu-
lated wires. I make the metallic plugs or blocks of considerable width at one side
of the wheel or disc, but very narrow at its other side, so that the contact with the
spring upon the latter side is of very short duration, and the probability of any shake
or vibration of the apparatus causing more than one electrical contact whilst the
plug is passing between the two springs is thus reduced.
My improved apparatus as above described may be used either with or without
the ordinary indicating hands and dial plates upon the upper side of the apparatus.
The ends of the two insulated wires after being conducted to the vessel may be
.connected (with the intervention of any suitable electrical battery or batteries) to
indicating apparatus of any convenient kind, by which the number of times
electrical contact is made between the ends of the wires is indicated, and conse-
quently the number of revolutions of the rotator and the distance passed over in any
given time. For this purpose I prefer to use an electro-magnet of soft iron sur-
rounded by insulated wire, forming part of the circuit through which the current of
electricity passes, as above described. This electro-magnet actuates a lever having
- connected to it a plate or pallet operating a ratchet wheel, which drives a set of
wheels and pinions carrying index hands, which point out upon dial plates (corres-
ponding with those already described in the log) the number of revolutions of the
rotator and of miles or parts of miles or other spaces passed over in a given period
of time.
Sometimes, instead of making the insulated wires communicate directly with the
electro-magnet actuating the indicating apparatus, I use an intermediate apparatus
(well known as a relay), in which the insulated wires from the log actuate by means
, of an electro-magnet a connector, which when put in operation completes the circuit
of wires connected with a separate electric battery or batteries, and actuating a
second electro-magnet actuating the indicating apparatus.
The accompanying Drawing is in illustration of my Invention.
... Figure 1 is a sectional plan from below of the lower box or case containing my

page_text: improved apparatus. a is the lower end of the mile spindle descending into the
box, which is divided into two compartments b and c by the division d, through
which passes the insulated lever e turning upon the centre f (which may consist of
a pin passing through a socket upon the dividing plate d). The opening in the
division is kept water-tight by the flexible tube g, one end of which is attached
to the division d, and the other embraces the lever e at h. The front end of the
lever e is provided with the spring i and the platinum point, which is nearly in
contact with the insulated contact piece l, but is held back from it by the spring m.
The end of the insulated wire n is connected to the spring m, and the end of the
insulated wire o is connected to the contact piece l. The two insulated wires n
and o pass out through an opening in the front of the box, which is shewn kept
water-tight by the flexible india-rubber tube p, and then pass to the indicating
apparatus on board the vessel, as already described.
Figure 2 shews a plan from below, and Figure 3 a vertical longitudinal section
of a somewhat different arrangement, in which the ends of the insulated wires n
and o are connected to screwed studs upon the contact piece and the piece to
which the spring m is attached, these studs passing through pieces of ebonite 1, 1,
or other non-conducting material, which are screwed into the front end of the box,
the outside connections being covered with insulating material. The end of the
spindle a carries the wheels (the rim of which is insulated from its centre by an
annular ring of ebonite or other non-conducting material, as shewn), upon which
are shewn projections t, which at each revolution of the spindle strike the lever e
and force the platinum point against the contact piece thus completing the
circuit between the ends of the insulated wires and o. The lower side of the
box is closed by the water-tight cover v, Figure 3.
Figure 4 shews the lever c operated by a projection w fixed to the centre of the
flexible diaphragm in the division d which divides the box. The projections t
upon the wheel s strike one end of w, the other end of which operates the lever e.
In Figure 5 the spindle a is shewn provided with an endless screw, which actuates
a wheel upon the spindle e, which passes through a stuffing box in the division d.
The front end of this axis carries the cbonite wheel i, which revolves between the
springs and m, each of which is connected to one of the insulated wires and o.
In the wheel i is inserted a metal plug of the shape shewn, which when it passes
between the springs and m completes the electrical circuit between them.
Figure 6 is a side view, and Figure 7 a plan, shewing the log in use with the
rotator attached. a is the tow rope; b, the log, having my improved apparatus as
above described at its lower part at c. The rotator d is attached by the bar or
rope e to a spindle at the back of the log, which actuates the wheel work as
described.
"
In order to prevent the apparatus as above described, or other forms of ships'
logs, from being raised out of the water by any sudden increase of the speed of tho
vessel, I sometimes add a weight attached to the tow rope between the vessel and
the log. This weight may either be of sufficient specific gravity to sink when the
apparatus is not in action, or it may be light enough to float upon the surface of
the water. By the arrangement described any sudden strain upon the tow ropo
is for the most part expended upon the weight without materially influencing the
log.
Sometimes I attach to the indicating apparatus a bell, which is sounded at
each movement of the apparatus by any of the methods well understood and
practised.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, I claim,-
The general arrangement of apparatus for transmitting the indications of the log
to the vessel by means of electricity.
Also the flexible tube for making the opening through which the lever passes
water-tight, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.

page_text: Also the flexible water-tight diaphragm through which the revolving spindle
actuates the lever, substantially as described and shewn in the Drawing.
Also the non-conducting disc revolving between two springs, and having a
metallic plug inserted of different widths upon its two sides for the purpose of
making contact between the springs, substantially as described and shewn in the
Drawing.
Also the methods of connecting the insulated wires to the contact pieces in the
log by means of metal studs screwed through non-conducting plugs in the end of
the log, and coated with non-conducting.composition, substantially as described and
shewn in the Drawing.
Also the arrangement of a weight attached to the tow rope between the vessel
and the log, substantially as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cornelius Edward Kelway, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
CORNELIUS EDWARD KELWAY. (L.S.)