IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES, MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS FOR EXHAUSTING, FORCING. AND LIFTING, FOR PROPELLING ON LAND AND WATER
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Fischer Alexander Wilson, of Adelphi Chambers.
London Gentleman, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES,
MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS FOR EXHAUSTING, FORCING. AND LIFTING, FOR
PROPELLING ON LAND AND WATER."
Sealed the 9th May 1856, and dated the 13th November 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fischer Alexander
Wilson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Peti-
tion, on the 13th November 1855.
1, FISCHER ALEXANDER WILSON, of Adelphi Chambers, London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES, MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS FOR EXHAUSTING, FORCING,
AND LIFTING. FOR PROPELLING ON LAND AND WATER, to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to obtaining a propelling power by means of
water, air, and a vacuum, in fixed or moveable cylinders or pipes and
travelling pistons for propulsion on land, and a travelling piston, beam,
or rod, with fins, blades, or paddles for propelling on water; and
comprises,―
1st. A series of cylinders or pipes which are alternately charged with
water and air, or steam, so as to exhaust a chamber or chambers for the
purpose of forming a vacuum or vacuo therein.
2ndly. An engine or engines with cylinders and pistons actuated by
the pressure of the atmosphere, the said cylinders having a constant
communication (opened and closed at pleasure) with the exhausted
chamber or chambers, before mentioned, through a continuous pipe.
3rdly. A continuous cylinder or pipe carrying a piston with a lateral
arm, the said cylinder or pipe having a longitudinal groove covered and

page_text: entirely closed by an elastic apron or cover fastened down on both sides,
so as to make the groove at all times air-tight, one end of the said
cylinder being in communication with the exhausted chamber or
chambers and the other end open to the atmosphere; the piston is forced
along thereby, and the motion from the piston effected by its action upon
the elastic apron without any opening or valve therein.
4thly. A similar cylinder or pipe with a double piston working therein,
the connecting arm of which works through a longitudinal groove, opened
and closed by elastic pipes, or pipes and a tongue, cover, or cork passing
through an aperture in the connecting arm of the said double piston,
and moved out of and into the groove thereby, but without absolutely
opening the pipe as the piston moves; one end of the pipe is open to the
air and the other in connection with the vacuum, as before mentioned.
5thly. For propulsion by water, a propeller actuated by one of the
pistons and cylinders, as above described, or by other suitable machinery,
the said propellers being double on each side of the vessels, and formed
with a beam, piston, or rod carrying one or more fins, blades, or paddles,
self-closing as they advance, and feathering with a compound horizontal
and vertical motion by the action of the back stroke of the piston rod
or beam, which causes the fins, blades, or paddles to expand, and gives
the necessary motion thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Fischer Alexander Wilson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th May 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FISCHER
ALEXANDER WILSON, of Adelphi Chambers, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of Nov", in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, Her special licence
that I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN ENGINES, MACHINERY, AND APPARATUS FOR EXHAUSTING, FORCING, AND LIFTING,
FOR PROPELLING ON LAND AND WATE3, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that 1, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement and description thereof, together with
the Drawings hereto appended, and the explanation thereof herein con-
tained (that is to say:-
My Invention relates to obtaining a propelling power by means of
water, air, and a vacuum, and consists of various apparatus for raising
water or other fluids, for containing water or other fluids, air, or steam,
for exhausting or causing a vacuum in parts of the said apparatus, or
in cylinders, chambers, pipes, and vessels attached thereto or in connec-
tion therewith, alternately charged with water and air, or water and
steam, or air and steam; it also comprises certain engines and machinery
for utilising the power thus obtained for the general purposes of propul-
sion on land, and for propelling through or upon water.
The apparatus for raising water consists of upper and lower cisterns,
rising and falling pistons, and fixed & moveable, cylinders and pipes,
rising and falling caissons, and a water wheel, according to the circum-
stances of locality, quantity of water, and fall or power required.
The cylindrical apparatus is adapted for raising water in large quan-
tities through great altitudes, and consists of a single lift or number of
lifts. The single lift is to be employed where the altitude does not
exceed the height of a column of water capable of being supported by
the atmospheric pressure in vacuo. The double lift is intended to be
applied where the weight of the column of water to be raised
exceeds the weight of the column of the atmosphere. The
number of sectional lifts is to be regulated by the altitude
the lower one.. A single
the upper cistern above
of
or
sectional lift consists of 2 cylinders or pipes placed one within the

page_text: other, the outer one being moveable upon the inner one. The sectional
area of the former must be a little more than twice the area of the latter,
so that the quantity of water contained between the two in any given
length shall be equal to that contained within the inner one, which is
fixed, and open at the bottom end, where it must be turned true inside
and out for a length equal to the stroke of the piston and the distance
the outer cylinder is intended to rise and fall. The piston must work
air-tight within the inner cylinder, is suspended upon the outer one by
a double chain, wire or other rope, cord, or band passing over a double
wheel fixed above the upper cistern; one end of each chain, &c. is
attached to a cross head at the top of the aforesaid piston rod, and the
other end of each to the opposite sides of the outer cylinder, so that as
the latter ascends the former descends, and vice versa. At the bottom
of the outer cylinder, and attached thereto, there is a cup fitted with a
stuffing box for working air-tight upon the turned portion of the inner
cylinder, and a valve for allowing the water to ascend between the two
cylinders in the up stroke, and for preventing its return during the down
stroke. The diameter of the cup must be such that the area thereof,
minus the area of the outer cylinder, shall be equal to the area of the
inner one, and its depth equal to the length of the stroke within two or
three inches, so that at the termination of the down stroke its mouth may
be completely submerged, and thus be refilled at each immersion. At
the top of the outer cylinder there is a rising and falling valve, which
allows the water to pass upwards and prevents its return, and in this
valve there is a stuffing box, thro' which the rod to which the piston is
suspended works air-tight. The weight of the outer cylinder, cup,
valves, &c. must be ascertained when filled with water, and the weight
of the piston rod, piston, and contents of the inner cylinder having been
also ascertained, when both are at the half stroke the difference must
be added to the piston in dead weight, so that in the same position an
equilibrium may be constantly maintained in order to economise the
lifting power, which will thus be reduced to the difference between the
weights of the inner and outer column, plus the friction of the parts of
the apparatus. In adjusting the balance between the piston, &c. and
cylinder, &c. the weight of the chain must be allowed for. When the
apparatus is intended to be portable the upper and lower cisterns may
be dispensed with. The required motion of the apparatus may be
effected by manual labour, or horse or other power.
When the altitude is such that a number of lifts are required, a double

page_text: cup is formed at the top of each outer cylinder, fitted with a step or
double-acting valve, or two separate valves, one of which allows the
water to pass into the outer cup and prevents it from returning, while
the other acts as before described, and allows the water to ascend
between the cylinders but prevents its descent. In the upper lifts both
cylinders ascend and descend, and the piston rods are made hollow. This
is not, however, absolutely necessary, as provision for the escape of the
air may be made through the cylinders; but in all cases the weight of
the pistons must be equal, the weight of the moving cylinders and the
weight of the inner and outer columns equal, so that the entire apparatus
may be in equilibrio at the half stroke.
For raising water out of mines, or where the altitude is great, addi-
tional duplicate lengths of the apparatus only are necessary, and as the
weight of the column is divided the pressure of the water is equalized,
and additional strength of pipes with increasing depth is unnecessary.
It is preferable to work the apparatus vertically, but it may be used in
an inclined position if required.
For producing a power or vacuum by the gravitation of water thus
raised, or where the required quantity and fall are supplied by nature
(whether the difference of level or fall between the upper and lower
reservoirs or pools is greater or less than the height of the hydraulic
column capable of being supported by the atmospheric pressure in
vacuo), I construct a number of chambers or cylinders, and fit each
chamber or cylinder with two supplying and two discharging pipes,
having separate valves for opening and closing the same; the whole of
the valves in ca. cylinder being actuated simultaneously by the motion
of a float or piston rising and falling therein.
These chambers or cylinders, which may be constructed in any
suit!
able form, and fixed in an inclined, vertical, or horizontal position, I'
place a little below the surface of the water in the upper cistern or
reservoir. The air is supplied and discharged at the top and the water
at the bottom. To each valve a weighted arm is fixed or attached, and
when raised a little over its centre or radius of motion it falls to the right
or left, and by its weight keeps the valve open or shut, as required. In
this apparatus, supposing the cylinder to have been first filled with water
from the upper reservoir, and the valves reversed (the air valve being
closed), and the fall to exceed the hydraulic column supported in vacuo,
then the water in the chamber will descend and exhaust the same without
opening the air valve; and if the air valve be opened simultaneously with

page_text: the water-discharging valve, and between this valve and the external
atmosphere properly-constructed piston be fitted within a cylinder,
it will be impelled with a force equal to the weight of the column of the
atmosphere, or 15 lbs. to the sq. inch nearly; and if the fall be less than
the hydraulic column supported. in vacuo, then with with a force equal
to the weight of the column of water descending.
Where the circumstances of position, fall, and quantity of water render
it desirable that a wheel should be employed, I construct the same with
flexible divisions or bucket plates, which accommodate themselves to the
form required for retaining the water as the wheel turns; or I enclose the
periphery of that portion of the wheel where the water descends by a
shield fitting close thereto, so as to confine the water therein, and to
discharge the same at any given depth, and I place the division plates,
which in the latter case I make straight, in such a position and inclina-
tion to the sole of the wheel that the water may fall into and out of each
division without obstruction, and I effect this by setting the plates at
an angle of 85° with the horizon, inclining from the wheel. Where the
quantity of the water is small and the fall great, I also use an apparatus,
which consists of two caissons, suspended over a wheel or wheels by a
chain, rope, or band, each caisson being fitted with a supplying and
discharging valve, made so as to be self-opening and self-closing. Each
caisson is filled at the top of the fall, and emptied at the bottom by the
action of the valves. The descent may be either in a vertical line or
inclined plane. At the bottom of the fall the caisson strikes a lever,
by which the valve thro' which the water is discharged is opened. The
caisson descending full elevates the empty one to the top of the fall,
where a trap platform is formed, which allows it to pass but prevents its
return, and supports it until it has acquired a sufficient weight of water,
when it overbalances the trap, and at the same time shuts off the supply
and descends, and vice versa. When necessary, the caissons can be
mounted upon wheels, and ascend and descend upon a tramway.
For utilizing the hydro-pneumatic power obtained by the apparatus
before described for the general purposes of propulsion on land, I con-
struct an engine with a fixed cylinder, having a short stroke and large
diameter, and in which I obtain a direct action of the piston rod upon
the crank by means of a slide upon the outer side of the lid of the
cylinder, moved by the action of an eccentric upon the crank shaft, inde-
pendently of the piston rod, and carrying an oscillating stuffing box.
Under the slide in the cylinder lid I insert a packing of prepared lignum

page_text: vitea, or other hard or compressed wood, with the fibre thereof at right
angles to the rubbing surface; under this wood packing I put a sleeper
of vulcanized india-rubber. The slide thus fitted runs free of the lid,
which is perforated with a slot or groove of just sufficient size for the
passage of the piston rod; the slide runs under 4 wheels at the sides, or
it may run under a cat at each end. In all bearings, bushes, and other
wearing surfaces, where it has hitherto been customry to use brass or
other metal, I use in lieu thereof wood compressed, saturated with oil,
cut into sections, and placed with the fibre endways to the wearing
surface.
By the application of the hydro-pneumatic principle, in combination
with the engines and apparatus herein described, I obtain a stationary
power for driving machinery, or any other purpose to which a steam
engine is generally applied.
For propelling a train of passenger or other carriages, I construct a
locomotive engine as herein described, and I form a tramway or single
or double line of rails for the transit of the said engine and carriages at
and in such level and direction as are required. In the centre, or at
the side of the said tram or railway, and under the ground at any
required depth, I lay a line or lines of common socket or flanged
pipes, so as to form a continuous air-tight communication with
the hydro-pneumatic exhausting apparatus and engines (as herein-
before described), which are placed at certain intervals or dis-
tances along the line of road. In the centre of each line of trams or
rails 1 fix a continuous valve box, with the top thereof a little below the
upper surfaces of the rails. This valve box is divided into sections of
one, two, or three hundred feet (more or less) by transverse plates
between each division of the valve box; and the continuous vacuum
separate junction pipes, each of which is fitted with a valve, are laid,
connecting the same therewith, the said connection being opened and
closed by the passage of the engine and train, so that, except when the
train is passing, there is no possible communication between the atmo-
sphere and the continuous vacuum, the entire length thereof being
closed by means of the valves upon the junction pipes. The valve box
consists of two sides, a bottom, and division plate, and fitted with a
rising and falling flexible lid in one or two parts, having two vertical
flanges with lips of vulcanised india-rubber. When the lid is down
these lips are pressed against each other and close the space above the
lid; the lid is also formed so as to shut air-tight without the lips. At
a few inches above the bottom of the valve box there is a division plate,

page_text: which divides it into upper and lower compartments.
In this division
a series of holes are formed, and covered with drop valves, attached to
the under side of the lid, so as to rise and fall therewith, and thus open
and close the communication with the junction pipe.
The hydro-pneumatic locomotive engine consists of a travelling
vacuum, cylinders, pistons, and driving wheels of various diameters,
and a rising and falling eduction box, with an elongated mouth closed
by a tongue. This engine is also fitted with levers and screw lifts for
raising and lowering the eduction box, so that the mouth thereof may
enter the valve box below between the rails and be lifted out at pleasure.
When the eduction pipe is connected with the continuous vacuum, the
air is admitted into the cylinders, and by its pressure upon the pistons
-propells the engine & train. Each locomotive is fitted with 2, 4, or 6
cylinders, with oscillating piston rods, as herein-before described, 1, 2,
or 3 on each side, according to the power required. Two cylinders are
attached to each pair of driving wheels, and so fitted that the piston rods
can be disconnected at pleasure by the engine driver. The object of
the extra cylinders, and attaching a cylinder to each wheel, is to obtain
a greater range of power, when required, and a more direct application
of the power expended. The travelling vacuum is provided for
cases of accident or injury to the valve box by this vacuum, which can
be renewed at all times by connecting it with the continuous exhaust,
possesses a power within itself for propelling a train independently of
the continuous vacuum for crossing from one line to another, or for pro-
pelling a train along or across an ordinary line of railway; when it is
required to stop the H.P train suddenly, by reversing the direction of
the atmospheric pressure, a powerful break is obtained. In descending
an incline, where the gravitation of the train is more than sufficient for
maintaining the required speed, the reverse action of the atmosphere
will produce its own vacuum. Where it is desirable to have a continuous
working cylinder and travelling piston, I construct the said cylinder with
a groove in the top, into which I insert a longitudinal tongue of suitable
material, and in the cylinder I place a double piston, divided by a long
arm, in the head of which there is an opening for the tongue to pass
through as the piston moves, and immediately under the head a counter
tongue is formed, so that when the flexible tongue is lifted out of the
groove it is still closed by the counter tongue, and the cylinder is thus
always closed. A broad wheel, attached to the head of the piston arm,
presses the tongue home as the pistons move. By making use of the
same valve, groove, and tonge, and terminating the eduction pipe in a

page_text: head, similar to that just described, but made hollow transversely, the
same cylinder might be used with the locomotive. When necessary,
steam or other power may be used for producing the vacuum at the
exhausting stations.
For propelling in or through water, in the sides of the vessel, or in or
проп
the same,
I form cylinders or pipes, two on each side, one above
the other; I then fit a piston, similar to that last described, and upon the
arm thereof, which is worked backwards and forwards by the pressure
of the atmosphere being caused to act thercon thro' the pistons, by
alternately connecting each end of the cylinder with an exhausted
chamber, produced by condensed steam heat or otherwise, I fix a number
of blades or fins by an universal joint, so as to admit of their being opened
by the back stroke of the piston, and closed with a compound horizonta!
and vertical feathering motion by the forward stroke of the piston arm.
In lieu of mounting the arm to which the propelling blades are attached
upon pistons in a cylinder, I form grooves in the sides of the vessel in
which the arms are actuated by levers or other suitable media for giving
the necessary rectilicar motion thereto, while the compound feathering
motion of the blades or fins is produced by studs or dead pins, which
project from the arm and deflect the blades as the close with the motion
above described. These blades when closed lie close to the sides of the
vessels, and are retained then, when required, by drop bolts, or other
contrivance suitable for the purpose.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The Drawings are laid down to a scale of two feet to an inch, and are
numbered 1 & 2. Figs. 1 & 2, Drawing No. 1, show a single and double
cylindrical lift in section; and Figs. 3 and 4, an elevation and section of
the hydro-pneumatic exhausting apparatus. Drawing No. 2, Fig. 1 shows
a side elevation of the locomotive, and rising and falling eduction box;
Fig. 2 shows a back elevation, and Fig. 3 a front elevation, of the engine;
and Fig. 4, a plan of a single line of railway with the continuous exhaust
valve box and junction pipes complete.
I have now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be carried out; but I do not confine
myself to the precise form and dimensions shown upon the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this the 13th day of May, A.D.
HORD