A WHEEL OR WHEELS TO BE MOVED BY WATER, STEAM, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE FLUIDS OR GASES, AND MAY BE APPLICABLE TO MECHANIC OR OTHER PURPOSES WHERE A MOVING FORCE IS REQUIRED
Year: 1810

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CHAPMAN, of the Town and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third. by Eis
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Ninth day of May,
in the fiftieth year of His reign, did give and grant unto me, the said
William Chapman, His special licence, that I, the said William Chapman,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Chapman, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, during the term of years therein mentioned,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, the
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also all His said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "A WHEEL OR
WHEELS TO BE MOVED BY WATER, STEAM, OR ANY OTHER SUITABLE FLUIDS OR GASES,
AND MAY BE APPLICABLE TO MECHANIC OR OTHER PURPOSES WHERE A MOVING FORCE
IS REQUIRED;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging
ine, the said William Chapman, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be perforined, to be inrolled in His said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar months next after the
date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Chapman, do hereby declare that my said Invention is to be performed
and carried into effect by using a wheel with a grooved channel on its rim or
exterior face closely surrounded by a cylinder, or a wheel with a cylindric
surface, surrounded by a case containing a concentric grooved channel closed
up by the face of the cylinder. In both instances the surrounding case is
stationary, and has two apertures into the channel, which is of a uniform
transverse section, on of these apertures is for the admission of water, steam
of gas, and the other for its emission, and between these apertures there must
be attached or affixed to the interior of the surrounding case, which must be
strong enough to resist its inequality of pressure, a block or stop of any
suitable substance or substances, filling up the channel for a due length, so as
to prevent a communication between the apertures or holes of admission and
emission, excepting in the direction in which the wheel is to move, by the
propelling force of the motive fluid acting upon opening and closing leaves
affixed to that part of the wheel which forms the interior boundary of the
concentric channel. These leaves, when open, must fill up the channel and
continue so until arrived at or past the hole of emission, when they must begin
to close and fall into their cavities, in which position the back of the leaves
will form a regular portion of the channel, so as to pass under the stop block
which fills up its section. Then after passing the hole of admission of the
propelling fluid, it again opens to receive its action and proceeds as before.
As one or more of these leaves must necessarily be in a position to be acted
upon, it follows that there cannot be less than two such leaves; there may,
however, be more. Three may probably be the most eligible number, because
time sufficient may then be allowed for the opening and shutting of the leaves,
and the incumbrance of having more than useful be at the same time avoided.
It is obvious that the extremity of the rim of each side of the grooved channel
of the first described wheel, although ever so correctly_ground_to_fit_the-sur-
rounding cylinder, must in a little time wear away so as not to be air-tight or
steam-tight, to remedy which I form each face of the wheel like the upper
face of the piston of a steam cylinder, and pack it in the same way, conse-
quently the only difference in the action of the packing (of gasket, hemp, or
whatever it may be) is, that it revolves within its cylindric case in place of
alternately moving upwards and downwards. Likewise to keep the leaves
steam-tight, without unnecessary friction, I lay on the underside of them one
or more folds of coarse cotton or other cloth, or of platted matting projecting
sufficiently beyond the sides and end, and held in its place by a plate screwed
down upon them, but extending a little short of their edges. I do the same by

page_text: more.
the stop block between the steam pipe and eduction pipe, as may be seen in
Figure A I. and A IV., in the former of which it is shewn that the folds of
cloth or matting extend a little over the sides and bottom of the grooved
channel of the wheel, and consequently trail over it. These folds are fixed to
each end of the stop block, so as to form two separate stops to the steam or
other fluid at a distance sufficient to include the space occupied by a closed
leaf, which will prevent the steam escaping by any vacancy there may be
between the sides of the closed leaf and the recess it lies in. The cloth or
matting should be well impregnated with tallow and pounded black lead,
which will add much to its duration, likewise thin plates of sheet copper may
be used either by themselves or combined with folds of cloth or matting, both
on the stop block and on the under side of the opening and shutting leaves, in
which case it will be adviseable to slit the copper or other thin metallic plates
in their angles to admit of their bending. It is obvious that the stop block
may be formed and stuffed in a different manner, and also that the sides and
end of the opening and closing leaves may be grooved and packed with hemp
or cotton, or when requisite with cloth of asbestos, but the method I have
described being sufficient to answer the desired end, it is unnecessary to add
With the two faces of the wheel well packed there ought to be no
leakage, but to prevent the inconvenience attendant upon air leaks where
steam is the moving power and an air pump made use of, I close the
ends of the containing cylinder in the same way as the upper end of one
of Messieurs Bolton and Watt's steam cylinders, and let the axis of the wheel
pass through stuffing boxes similarly to the piston rod of their steam engine;
upon one or both extremities of the axis toothed wheels, cranks, or any other
machinery may be fixed, suitable to the purpose designed. Where steam is
the moving power and condensing machinery used, it is unnecessary for me to
detail the methods by which the necessary motion may be given to them from
either end of the axis of the steam wheel. In the shafts of mines where there
is a level for the conveyance of water at any proportionate depth, the described
wheel may be placed there, and pipes of due magnitude being carried upwards
from the hole of admission to such level as a supply of higher water can be
obtained, the latter will act with the full gravitation of its column, baving the
transverse section of the grooved channel for its base, consequently this wheel
may be advantageously employed to the raising of water from mines up to the
discharging adit or level, and likewise for the raising of the minerals themselves.
This wheel may also be applied to any use where water can be brought by pipes
from any considerable and adjacent height. In these instances bend leather
may be substituted for folds of cloth or platted matting, and also the aperture

page_text: of emission should be sufficiently large to admit the water to pass freely off. In
those few cases where rarified air or gases, whether extricated by the explosion
of gunpowder, the inflammation of essential oils, or other means may be the
moving power, the application of the close wheel with all its distinctive parts,
is sufficiently apparent. The leaves against which the motive fluid must act
close themselves after entering upon the opening of the eduction pipe, either
by their own gravity or by coming in contact with anything opposed to them,
and after passing the steam pipe or admission pipe they may be opened by an
arm or spanner fixed on one end of the axis of each leaf coming in contact
with a pin projecting from any suitable part of the machine.
may
After this general description of the wheels, I proceed to their further
explanation by reference to the annexed Drawings.
Explanation of Figures A I., II., III., IV., and V., namely, that description
of the wheel which has a concentric grooved channel closely surrounded by a
fixed cylindric case.-Figure. A I. is a section of the wheel transverse to its axis,
shewing the internal part of its channel, and is likewise a section of the surround-
ing cylindric case, to distinguish which more clearly the wheel or revolving part
of the latter is washed with carmine, which in all the subsequent Figures
will shew the revolving parts. Likewise the same figures and letters of reference
will be common to all the Figures so far as they are similar. Figure A II., is
an end view of the steam wheel and case, with its end cover off to shew the face
or end of the wheel, for which purpose also the bridging or support of the axis
of the wheel is omitted, as likewise the piston ring to screw down the stuffing,
but the holes for the screw bolts to hold the ring are shewn. Figure A III.,
exhibits one of the ends or covers of the inclosing cylinder with its
stuffing box for the axis of the wheel to pass through. There will be some
convenience by dividing the cylinder cover into two parts immediately above the
stuffing box, as it will admit the packing, et cetera, to be examined and ad-
justed with less trouble. Figure A IV. is a longitudinal_section_of_the_wheel
and its cylindric case. Figure A V. is a side view of the external case, in
which nothing more of the revolving part is seen than the projection of the
axis. In the subsequent reference to all the Figures I shall in general use
such terms as would be applicable if steam were the only motive power that
could be used. 1 is the steam pipe opening into the steam case or surrounding
cylinder opposite to the grooved channel of the steam wheel, which channel I
shall call the steam channel. 2 is the cduction pipe placed similarly to the a
steam pipe, but leaving sufficient space between them for 3, the stop block,
which may be a cast iron box (as shewn in Figure 3, et caetera), closed at the
ends, sides, and bottom, and nearly but not quite filling up the section of the

page_text: steam channel for rather more than the portion of the circle occupied by a close
leaf. This block may be fixed by screw bolts (v, v, Figure A V.) to the inside
of the cylinder, immediately below the steam pipe, and a due distance above the
eduction pipe. At each end of the stop block the folds of cloth already de-
scribed are to be placed, extending through the section of the channel, and
resting against the bottom and sides of the wheel, in which position they are
to be retained by 4, 4, plates of iron or other metal, secured by screw bolts
through the ends of the stop block. The stop block may be put into its place
by putting it through the opening 12, through the side of the cylinder into the
steam channel. The two plates 4, 4, may then be screwed on with the folds of
cloth within them, and the block be passed to its true position, where, by
means of the small opening a, the screw bolts may be put through and fixed.
m is a bracket placed between the stop block and eduction pipe, against which
bracket the leaves close themselves. It is fixed inside of the cylinder or steam
case, either by any other means or by screw bolts, the holes for which are shewn
at n, n, Figure A V. and C 1 and 11; 5, 5, are the opening and shutting
leaves, which, when shut, nearly fill up the section of the steam channel, and
when closed form a continuation of 6, 6, the inner circle of the steam channel.
These leaves, which henceforward I shall in general call propelling leaves, as
being a more concise name, may be kept from opening too far either by being
so long as to press against the steam case, or by a tongue or other projection
on the under side, limited in its movement. 7, 7, are brackets or snugs, by
which the steam case may be screwed down upon the condensing cistern or
any other fixed base. 8, 8, are projecting rims on each external side of the
5 steam channel, between which rims and the steam case the packing of hemp,
et cætera, is to be placed, and screwed tight by forcing down 9, 9, the piston rings,
each of which, for conveniency, will be best in two segments. 10, 10, the
bridging or supports for the axis, which here are placed within the steam case,
for the purpose of correct adjustment to its centre. 11, 11, places to receive
the ends of the bridgings in which they may be adjusted, both laterally and
vertically. 12, an opening into the steam case opposite the steam channel,
but rather narrower, to prevent interference with the packing. This opening
is of course to be covered with a door. 13, 13, are bonnets covering openings
in the steam channel immediately under the site of the leaves when closed.
5 By means of these openings, and that through the steam case, the leaves and
stop block may always be come at and adjusted. 14, 14, spanners or project-
ing arms fixed at one end of the axis of the propelling leaves. 15, a fixed pin
by which the leaves are opened by its action against the spanners. v, a plate
or spur projecting from the lower side of the axis of the propelling leaves

page_text: which move through a cavity in the bonnet 13, and by coming in contact with
it stops the leaf in its proper position for intercepting the passage of the steam.
If the sides of the steam channel, in place of forming a part of the wheel, be
made a part of the surrounding case, and be closed on the inside by a cylindric
wheel containing the opening and shutting leaves opposite the grooved concen-
tric channel, the chief alteration will be, that the packing will be best affixed
to the standing part of the machine, and rub against the wheel itself in place of
against its surrounding case, which may be sufficiently understood without an
additional Drawing.
But to explain that part of it more fully I have sketched it in Figure B 1,
which is a longitudinal section similar to Figure A IV., and has the same
figures of reference. To distinguish it more clearly from the other, the
wheel itself is not shewn in section, but as a cylinder. B II., similarly to
B I., is a cylindric steam wheel, without ledges on itself, to bound the steam
channel, and is inclosed in a steam case, but differs from both the precedingly
described wheels by the sides of the steam channel, neither forming part of
the wheel nor of the cylindric case, but formed of circular plates of cast
iron or of any metal, flat on their inside surface, and bounded by two concen-
tric circles, the outer circle fitting correctly within the cylindric case so as
to be air-tight or easily made so, and the inner circle approaching so far
towards the centre as to cover the edges of the recesses of the propelling leaves
(as shown by the circle d, d, in Figure B III., which is an end elevation of the
wheel and steam case when opened on one face). By these means, as the two
plates forming the sides of the steam channel are capable of being either
drawn together or separated, so as to be correctly adjusted, it is clear that
when the cylindric drum which forms the bottom of the steam channel has its
ends correctly ground square with its axis and the junction between it, and the
side plates lubricated with any proper oily substance, that in this instance a
packing with rope, hemp, or any similar substance-may-be dispensed with. It
will of course be adviseable that one or both the rubbing surfaces should be
of brass. The general references of B II. and B III. are, unless where other-
wise mentioned, the same as in the preceding Figures. a, a, and y, y, B II., are the
two side plates of the steam case shewn in section, which are separately ad-
justed by screw bolts passing through correspondent snugs or projections upon
the cylindric case, and on each respective side plate. When one of these sides
plates is properly adjusted, it may remain so as long as expedient, and the
adjustment as to due compressure may be assigned to the other; both of these
plates must necessarily be steam tight in their line of junction with the steam
cylinder. 6, 6, in B II. and III., shew the brass plates at the extremities of

page_text: the drum, and of its recesses for the propelling leaves. The ends of the axis.
of the propelling leaves are inserted through the the brass plates or end linings
of the drum of the wheel 6, 6, and within this brass plate, immediately under
the axis of the leaves, a groove or channel must be cut through the shell of
the drum, to admit through it on one side the arm or spanner 14, which opens
the leaves; this groove, if no other efficient means be used, must be limited in
its extent, so as to cause the spanner to stop the leaf when it is opened to its
limits, which may comprize about eighty degrees of a circle, and in the con-
trary motion it must admit the leaf to close. For the purpose of preventing
air leaks between the drum and the side plates, the circular openings between
a, a, and y, y, which are principally left to examine the state of compression
against the drum and its freedom from steam leaks, may be closed by circular
bonnets sliding along the axis and secured over these apertures, as shewn in
17, Figure C 1II., or, as in the same Figure, one such bonnet may be sufficient,
and the other end of the axis fixed as at 9, Figures C III. and C I., or even
both ends may be circular plates, with the axis fixed as last mentioned. The
openings through the steam case to come at the stop block may be the same
as shewn at 12 and x in Figures A I. and V., as also such other parts as it must
necessarily have in common with the other wheels described in this Specifica-
tion. I have only further to remark that it is nearly indispensable that the
spokes of this last described wheel 18, Figure B III., should be of pliable
plates of steel, to prevent unnecessary friction against the sides of the steam
channel a, y, B II. Nearly on the same principle of those wheels I have
described I form one after the following manner-The basis of it is a small
fly wheel, with a deep rim forming on each sido a plane; on each of these
planes two or more cavities are made to receive so many closing and opening
leaves of a uniform shape and distance from the centre of the wheel, which
leaves when closed are level with its side faces, and when expanded occupy the
These cases are
section of a grooved channel in a case on each side.
concentric to the axis of the fly wheel, and are by their exterior flanches or
other projections beyond the rim of the fly wheel to be screwed so far
together as to abut against each face of it, which consequently extends
a proper distance within and without the seats of the closing and opening
leaves. One of these cases is to be fixed or screwed down to a plat-
form, or to its condensing cistern, and have a hole of admission and
another of emission, or a steam pipe and eduction pipe, as in the before
described instances, and each of these cases must have a block or stop filling
up the cross section of a portion of the length of its respective channel opposite,
or nearly opposite, to each other, that the fluid or vapour entering the hole or

page_text: holes of admission may react from these stops against the open leaves, and
propel the fly wheel forward. The propelling leaves on each side will be best
placed opposite to each other with apertures through their seats, and likewise
with small openings through the wheel behind the recesses for the leaves,
which passages will supersede the necessity of steam and eduction pipes to the
removeable case. To lessen the friction between the cases and the fly-wheel
the portion of the latter which rubs against the opposing part of the cases may
be lined with circular plates of brass, and the parts passing in contact must be
properly ground to each other, so as to be sufficiently tight when lubricated
with tallow or any other suitable substance. To guard with greater effect
against air leaks and steam leaks, it is requisite that one case should fit into
the other in their adjoining rims, inclosing the fly wheel containing the pro-
pelling leaves, and that this junction be made steam-tight by caulking or any
other means. The rubbing part of the wheel may, if thought expedient, be
extended sideways so as to form a portion of that part of the steam channel.
The Drawings. C I., II., III, and IV., will describe this machine more
minutely, and the following is their explanation:-C I. is an end elevation of
the machine on the side of the fixed case. CII., an end elevation on the side of
the moveable case; both these may be called steam cases. CIII., a transverse
section, shewing the two cases (one on each side of the fly wheel), with
their fitting into each other and their means of adjustment. That part of the
axis which passes through the face of the fixed steam case is tapered from
within, and fitted into a brass socket suitably tapered on the inside, but cylindric
on the outside so as to fit a similar seat for it in the fixed steam case, and be
capable. both of being turned round and driven forward as it may wear. The
other end of the axis is in this Drawing (although not absolutely requisite)
made to rest on an external support at some distance, so as to allow of the
central part of the face of the moveable steam case being removed to examine
how far the compression of the two cases of the flywheel-may-be-more or less
than necessary, and for other useful purposes. This moveable part or bonnet,
when shoved into its place may be secured by two cross barrs inserted under
the staples 16, 16, 16, in Figure C II., in which they are shewn in sec-.
tion, as cut off, therefore the top or covering part of them is not seen.
This bonnet 17 contains in itself a stuffing box to prevent steam or air.
passing by the axis. C IV. is a section of the fixed steam case, shewing
the fly-wheel-propelling-leaves, et cætera. In these Figures, as in the pre-
ceding, the revolving parts are washed with carmine,; and, tho, figures of
reference the same so far as similar; but I will here, recapitulate them:
1, the steam pipe. 2, the eduction pipe. 3 in C. IV., the stop block,
i

page_text: 4, 4, the covering plates of the ends of the stop blocks in both steam case.
x, the hole through the steam case to come at the screw bolts of the stop block.
5, 5, the opening and shutting leaves which receive the action of the propelling
fluid. 6, 6, the inner circle of the steam channel. 7, 7, brackets to screw
down the fixed steam case to the condensing cistern or any other proper
fixture. 9, the tapered brass socket to receive the end of the axis which passes
through the fixed case. 10, the bridging or support of the other end of the
axis. 8, holes through the fly wheel to admit the steam to pass from the fixed
to the moveable steam case; the steam passing through these openings will
open the leaves in the moveable steam case, the leaves in the moveable case
being opened by a pin acting on a spanner, as described in the explanation of
the Figures A. 11, holes through the fly wheels in front of the leaves to give
a passage to the eduction pipe for the steam from the moveable case in its way
to the condenser. 12, 12, openings in the steam case opposite to each other,
and a little above the stop blocks, by which means the linings of cloth or
matting to the stop blocks and opening and shutting leaves may be taken
away and renewed. When the machine is at work the doors are of course
fixed and made air tight. A method of securing the door is shewn in C II.
18, 18, in C III. and IV., are spokes of the fly wheel, which contains the
opening and shutting leaves. The spokes are broad in this direction, and thin
in the other, to prevent unnecessary friction against the rims of the inclosing
steam cases, for which purpose the spokes may be plates of steel.
In this Invention I have endeavoured to acquire a combination of the following
requisites, namely, to have a perpetual action of the moving force to be steam
tight and air tight, with as little friction as can be attained, also to obtain easy
means of adjusting and repairing the wearing parts, and to make a machine both
very portable and of moderate cost, consequently, in the combination of all or
most of the separato means for attaining them will consist its principal difference
from other steam wheels; and so far only do I claim my Invention to extend
as there is a peculiar application of any of the constituent parts of the
described wheels, or a novel and useful combination of a greater or less
number of the component parts. From the small space they occupy they will
be peculiarly applicable to cranes for warehouses; and from the quickness of
their revolutions, they may be advantageously used to move the machinery of
threshing mills. The first and second description of these wheels may be
made of great magnitude, and be used with steam for raising water from mines
very conveniently, by applying as many cranks as there are sets of pumps.
That the steam wheel may move with sufficient velocity to keep the requisite
section of the steam channel within moderate bounds, it will in most instances

page_text: be advisable to place the cranks on a second axis moving slower than the
wheel, but receiving its motion from it.
The steam wheels I have described admit of some variety, in strict conso-
nance with their principle; and with a partial deviation, a portion of their
advantages may be acquired from a retention of their remaining essential
parts, as for instance, the wheels described under the Figures A and B are each
of them capable of being used with the block or stop affixed to the moving
part in place of the closing and opening leaves, in which case such a leaf would
have to be placed on the fixed part of the steam channel between the steam
and eduction pipes, but the consequence of so doing would be that the steam
must be shut off previously to the raising of the leaf to admit the block to pass,
and until it had passed the steam pipe, from which cause the action of the
steam would not be perpetual; also my method of having a steam channel on
each face of the fly wheel in separate cases, one on each face capable of being
adjusted to and from the wheel, so as both to keep it steam tight and give it
greater freedom to move from the pressure on its opposing surfaces, being
equally balanced, is capable of being used with revolving blocks, in the manner
just described, and with the same inconveniences. The advantage of a case on
each side of a wheel or plate containing the leaves or blocks, to be acted on by'
the steam are, that double the steam channel may be had upon the same
diameter with less friction against the wheels or revolutionary plates, whichever
it may be, and also that the machine will be more portable and occupy less
space. It is also obvious that leaves on one face only of the fly wheel may be
used, the requisite difference being, that in place of the moveable steam case,
a plane plate somewhat like a cylinder cover, should be substituted for it, and
adjusted and kept tight, similar to the moveable case, both to prevent the
admission of external air, and to regulate the pressure against the fly wheel,
from which it should be separated by a ring of brass or other metal, or any
part of the back of the fly wheel, or on the opposite part of the plate; the fly
must of course have no apertures through it opposite the steam channel, but
only have cavities to receive the closed leaves, so as they may lie fair with the
face of the wheel. This method will be accompanied with greater friction
because of the inequalities of the pressure on the different faces of the wheel;
one part on the side of the steam channel having the full pressure of the
steam and the other part on the same side communicating with the condenser,
having no pressure but what arises from the imperfection of the vacuum, whilst
the opposite face of the wheel or revolving plate will, through its whole extent,
be pressed uniformly.
The power of those described machines which are impelled by the continual

page_text: action of the steam must obviously depend on the area of the transverse
section of the steam channel, combined with the mean rate of motion of the
leaf, which act (similarly to the piston of a steam cylinder), and with the
intensity of the pressure of the steam, or with its preponderating power over
the pressure on the advancing side of the leaf (from which has to be educted
the friction of its parts), therefore easily determinable by those who are
versant in steam engines. The wheels I have described are not limited to the
position they are drawn in, but may be placed horizontally, vertically, or
obliquely, as circumstances may require.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Chapman, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and ten.
Sworn at Newcastle-upon-Tyne afore-
said, the Sixteenth day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and ten, be-
GEO. AYRE.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Sixteenth day of June, in
the year above mentioned, the aforesaid William Chapman came before our
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written. And also
the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute
in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the Twenty-second day of June, in the year above written.