IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th June 1853.-A communication.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING
MOTIVE POWER," being a communication from Messieurs Guichené and
Burgalat, foreigners resident abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar arrangement of mechanism, con-
sisting of a combination of levers, springs, and pulleys, so combined and
connected as to produce, when set in motion, a motive power or prime
mover. The machine consists of a revolving disc fitted with a series of
levers working horizontally. These levers are graduated in length, the
shorter ones being situated near the centre of the machine, and the
long ones towards the circumference of the disc; they are each con-
nected by a series of rods which transmit the movement from one lever
to another throughout the series. This movement or force is obtained
from two helical springs in connection with the first levers of the series,

page_text: and is transmitted through the series of levers before described to-four
pulleys which are caused to press against the internal surface of a fixed
ring surrounding the disc. These pulleys are of unequal sizes, and are
situated at different angles from the centre line of the revolving disc
which carries them. The pressure of the smaller pulleys is greater
than that of the large ones, and as they press against the fixed ring in
a direction approaching a tangent, or at a considerable angle with its
radius, this ring forms a continuous incline along which the pulleys
tend to roll, thereby carrying the disc round with them. By a modifi-
cation of the same principle the pressure of the pulleys against the
fixed ring is obtained by hydrostatic pressure. The main centre of the
disc has an opening formed in it, in which opening or cylinder so formed
is fitted a piston which is pressed down by a screw over-head. This
opening or cylinder is connected by tubes to two large horizontal
cylinders placed on the disc towards its circumference. These cylinders
are of two diameters, that is to say, one end is greatly contracted; in
each end is fitted a piston, which pistons are in direct communication
with the bearings of the pulleys. The difference of diameter of the
pistons will give the difference of pressure to the pulleys herein-before
mentioned. To start the machine the cylinders and pipes are filled
with liquid or compressed air, and the small piston in the main centre
of the disc is pressed down by the screw for that purpose; this exerts a
corresponding pressure against the pistons in the large cylinders, and
the pulleys are thereby pressed against the fixed ring, producing the
movement required in the manner before described. It will be obvious
that various mechanical means may be adopted for producing the
pressure required in both modifications, such as screws, racks, gearing,
&c., and the machines may be arranged to work either horizontally or
vertically.