IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES TO BE EMPLOYED AS DANGER SIGNALS, FOG ALARMS, FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND STATIONARY BOILERS, AND AS SIGNALS FOR INDICATING THE COURSE OF OCEAN OR RIVER STEAMERS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Miller and Isaac Smith, both of the Firm of Smith,
Brothers, and Company, of Hyson Green Works, Hyson Green, in the County
of Nottingham, Brass Founders and Steam Guage Manufacturers, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES TO BE EMPLOYED AS
DANGER SIGNALS, FOG ALARMS, FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND STATIONARY BOILERS,
AND AS SIGNALS FOR INDICATING THE COURSE OF OCEAN OR RIVER
STEAMERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Miller and Isaac
Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th July 1880.
JOHN MILLER and ISAAC SMITH, both of the Firm of Smith, Brothers, and
Company, of Hyson Green Works, Hyson Green, in the County of Nottingham,
Brass Founders and Steam Guage Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
WHISTLES TO BE EMPLOYED AS DANGER SIGNALS, FOG ALARMS, FOR LOCOMOTIVES
AND STATIONARY BOILERS, AND AS SIGNALS FOR INDICATING THE COURSE OF
OCEAN OR RIVER STEAMERS."
Our improved whistles consist of several modifications; in one modification we
employ a brass or other metal cylinder, divided vertically into two or more
chambers, a cap is screwed on one end of the cylinder, and the side of the cylinder
has two or more unequal perforations through it, one or more of the chambers are
each provided with a metal stop, which serves to regulate the tone or pitch of the
sound required, a cylinder so constructed is connected to a cock, or valve, or valves
operated by a lever or screw and attached to a steam boiler. Upon steam being
admitted through the cock, or valve, or valves, it strikes the edges of each division,
which will, by the action of the lever or screw regulating the cock, or valve, or
valves, produce two or more distinct sounds which may be blended together, so as
to produce one peculiar harmonious sound.
The second modification consists of a brass or other metal cylinder perforated at
the side, and of a globular form at the bottom; through the centre of the globular
part is fixed a case hardened steel shaft, to which is connected by means of a brass

page_text: or steel rod a semi-spherical ball of wood, bone, brass, or other metal or material;
such apparatus is then connected to a cock, or valve, or valves operated as described
in the first modification, through which steam being admitted, will come in contact
with the semi-spherical ball, and cause it rotate on the steel shaft, and produce
a warbling sound.
A third modification consists in employing a loose ball instead of the semi-
spherical ball described in the second modification. Upon steam coming in contact
with such loose ball it will rise and fall, and give out a warbling or throbbing
sound.
Other modifications consist in making the cylinder above described ring shaped,
or of other forms, and employing combinations of the other parts above described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Millor and Isaac Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 6th January 1881.
JOHN MILLER and ISAAC SMITH, both of the Firm of Smith, Brothers, and Co.,
of Hyson Green Works, Hyson Green, in the County of Nottingham, Brass
Founders and Steam Gauge Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES
TO BE EMPLOYED AS DANGER SIGNALS, FOG ALARMS, FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND
STATIONARY BOILERS, AND AS SIGNALS FOR INDICATING THE COURSE OF OCEAN
OR RIVER STEAMERS."
Our improved whistles consist of several modifications, in one modification wo
employ a brass or other metal cylinder, divided vertically into two or more
chambers, a cap is screwed on one end of the cylinder, and the side of the cylinder
has two or more unequal perforations through it, one or more of the chambers are
each provided with a metal stop which serves to regulate the tone or pitch of the
sound required; a cylinder so constructed is connected to a cock, or valve, or valves
operated by a lever or screw, and attached to a steam boiler. Upon steam being
admitted through the cock, or valve, or valves, it strikes the edges of each division,
which will, by the action of the lever or scrow regulating the cock, or valve, or
valves, produce two or more distinct sounds, which may be blended together so as
to produce one peculiar harmonious sound.
The second modification consists of a brass or other metal cylinder perforated at
the side, and of a globular form at the bottom. Through the centro of the globular
part is fixed a case hardened steel shaft, to which is connected by means of a brass
or steel rod a semi-spherical ball of wood, bone, brass, or other metal or material,
such apparatus is then connected to a cock, or valve, or valves, operated as described
in the first modification, through which steam being admitted will come in contact
with the semi spherical ball, and cause it to rotate on the steel shaft and produce a
warbling sound.
A third modification consists in employing a loose ball instead of the semi-
spherical ball described in the second modification. Upon steam coming in contact
with such loose ball it will rise and fall, and give out a warbling or throbbing
sound. Other modifications consist in making the cylinder above described ring
shaped, or of other forms, and employing combinations of the other parts above
described.
The object of our Invention is to give better security against accidents on
railways and collisions at sea, by producing a variety of distinct signals by distinct
sounds.
In the new regulations introduced into the rule of the roads at sea, article 19, it
gives to steamers the option of indicating their course to any vessel they can see by
whistle signals, one short blast indicates the course to starboard, two short blasts to
port, and three short blasts full speed astern. Now the object of our Invention is
to determine this by a variety of distinct sounds which will be at once understood,
not only by vessels in sight, but during the existence of a fog or other cause which
prevents the lights of the vessel being seen, say, on a dark or foggy night. This
we accomplish in several ways as follows:-A whistle is so constructed that it will
give out from one cylindrical bell three or more distinct sounds.

page_text: Figure 2 a sectional view of the same through the centre of right and
valves.
Figure 3 is a plan of the valve chambers shewing the front chamber in section.
Figure 4 is a front view of a second modification of whistle having two valves.
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side view and sectional view of a third
modification of whistle with one valve.
Figures 7 and 8 a front view and vertical sectional view of a fourth modification.
Figure 9, a vertical section of a fifth modification, and Figure 10 a sectional plan
A seventh
of a sixth modification with the cap of the cylinder removed.
modification, shewn at Figuro 11, which is a vertical sectional view of a cylindrical
-ring-shaped, bell or whistle. The corresponding parts in each Figure are indicated
by the same letters where necessary:
A steam whistle constructed according to our first modification consists-of-the.
following parts:-A is a brass or other metal cylindrical bell divided vertically into
two chambers shewn at Figure 2, one chamber is provided with a metal stop B
capable of adjustment, which serves to regulate the tone or pitch of the sound
produced by the chamber in which the stop is placed; the upper end of the
cylindrical bell has a cap C screwed on it, and near the lower end of the cylindrical
bell the sides are pierced by two unequal perforations, one to each chamber, and
the central partition terminates at its lower end in a disc, the circumference of
which, with the interior circumference of the cylindrical bell, forms two nearly
semicircular slits level with the bottom edges of the unequal perforations. À
cylinder.so constructed is screwed interiorly at its lower end to connect it to a
three way valve cock D, made expressly for the purpose, provided with three
screw threaded valve plugs D', D³, D³. The valve chamber D is shewn in section.
at Figure 2, with the plugs D1, D2, closed, and in plan at Figure 3, with the part
carrying the plug D³ shewn in section.
The dotted circular line Ds at Figure 2 indicates the position of the valve seat
for the plug D³, with relation to the plugs D1, D2, cach provided with a handle at
its outer end. The dotted curved lines in the plain Figure 3, show the ways
through which steam is admitted simultaneously to both chambers in the cylinder
upon the plug Ds being opened. This whistle when attached to a steam boiler
will produce either two separate tones or a combination of the two tones in the
following manner :-Upon the plug D₁ being opened, steam will pass through the
valve in the direction of the arrow, shown at Figure 2, and strike the edge of the
chamber to the right, producing the tone peculiar to it; and upon the valve being
closed and the valve D being opened, the chamber to the left will produce its tone;
and the valve D³ being closed, upon the valve D³ being opened, both tones will bo
blended together, and produce one peculiar harmonious sound.
The adjustable metal stop plates B in the chamber enables us to adjust each tone
to the greatest nicety. The lower the stop is adjusted the higher the note will be,
and the higher the stop is placed, the lower the note will be.
A front view of a second modification of a two chambered whistle is shewn at
Figure 4, but it has only two valves, one to each chamber, so that either note may
be sounded alone, or both notes may be sounded at the same time. When opened,
the adjustable stop plate B, shewn by dotted lines being lower, a shriller note will
be produced; a sectional view of this whistle would be the same as Figure 2, but
without the valve seat and steam ways D³.
A third modification of a two chambered whistle is shewn at Figures 5 and 6,
provided with only one valve which supplies steain to both chambers, at the same
timo producing a combination of both notes. The valve is kept closed up by a
coiled spring on the enclosed end of the valve spindle D', and is opened by a lever E
operated by hand or by a rod attached to the upper end of the lever.
A fourth modification shewn at Figures 7 and 8, consists of a metal cylinder
without a vertical division; the cylinder is perforated on one side, the opposite
being of a globular form; the bottom of the cylinder is screw threaded to attach it
to a one valved steam chamber, the same as employed in the third modification;

page_text: the disc only forms a slit extending from one side to the other of the perforation
on the front above the slit. Within the globular part is a case hardened steel
shaft F, the ends of which are free to revolve in screw threaded bearings F', carried
by the sides of the cylinder. The shaft is shaped, and carries a spherical or
scini-spherical ball F of brass or other metal; upon steam being admitted, it will
cause the shaft to rotate in its bearings, and produce a warbling sound.
A fifth modification, shewn in section in Figuro 9, consists of a metal cylinder
containing a loose ball G kept within the cylinder by a vertical bar G' secured to
the cylinder by scrows, such cylinder being attached by its screw to a valve
chamber (same as employed in the third modification). Upon steam being
admitted and coming in contact with the loose ball, it will rise and fall, and give
out a warbling or throbbing sound.
A sixth modification of steam whistle is shewn at Figuro 10, which represents a
three chambored cylinder in section attached to a three valved steam chamber D.
One or more of the chambers of the cylinder is provided with an adjustable metal
stop to regulate the pitch of the note required. Each valve is fitted with a screw
threaded valve spindle, as described in the first modification, cach being oporated
by a handle or lever. Upon steam boing admitted through the several valves, one,
two, or three soparate and distinctly different notes may be sounded alone or in
combination.
A seventh modification is shewn at Figure 11, and consists of a cylindrical ring
shaped bell A, screw threaded interiorly at its lower end to connect it to a one
valve tap D, as shown at Figure 5. A loose ball is placed within the ring shaped
bell, and kept within by a vertical bar G' secured to the cylinder by screws. Upon
steam being admitted to the ball, it will revolve within the bell in the direction of
tho arrows, and give out a sound similar to that described in the fifth modification.
Upon the modifications of whistles shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10, we place
the words "port," "starboard," and "astern," or their equivalent, according to the
language employed, such words may be stamped, engraved, or otherwise formed
upon the handles or levers, or on the valve chamber or cylinder opposite the handles
or levers.
Our improved whistles are applicable to locomotivo signals, alarms, or fog
whistles.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, wo declare that we claim,―
First. The construction and employment of a metal cylinder divided into two or
more chambers by vertical partitions.
Second. The adjustable stop plates for regulating the tone or pitch of the sound
required.
Third. For the construction and employment of a three valved steam tap in
conjunction with a two or three chambered cylinder to produce three separate
sounds.
Fourth. For a spherical or semi-spherical ball carried by a revolving steel shaft.
Fifth. For a loose ball to rise and fall, or revolve in a metal cylinder, as above
set forth, for the purpose specified or illustrated in the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Miller and Isaac Smith, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Sixteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Vitness,
H. W. GOUGH, C.E.,
Nottingham.
JOHN MILLER. (L.S.)
ISAAC SMITH.
(L.S.)