In- PRODUTO ORTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Gregson Banner, of Cranham Hall,
in the County of Essex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "In-
PRODUTO ORTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER."
Saaled the 28th April 1854, and dated the 31st October 1853.
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Gregson
Banner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 31st October 1858.
I, EDWARD GREGSON BANNER, do hereby declare the. nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE
POWER" to be as follows:-
The nature of the Invention consists in the application of spring
power, taking effect on certain moveable projections or appendages
turning on swivels or otherwise round an axis, for the purpose of lifting
the respective centres of gravity of the said appendages by the said
spring power at certain angles only, thereby so altering the resultant of
the resolution of forces as to create a rotatory motion in the first
instance, and afterwards so using, distributing, or economizing the said
spring power in combination with the other aforesaid parts as to create
5 a constantly increasing force by acceleration, regulated 'when necessary

page_text: by a compensation or common fly or other wheel, or other suitable
means for equalizing and regulating the amount of force collected
for application to mechanical or other useful objects of practical
utility.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edward Gregson Banner in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 28th April 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EDWARD GREGSON BANNER, of Cranham Hall, in the County of Essex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent-Majesty-Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
seventeenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Edward Gregson Banner,
Her especial license that I, the said Edward Gregson Banner, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Edward Gregson Banner, 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 King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING
MOTIVE POWER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Edward Gregson Banner, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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 he 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--I, the said Edward Gregson Banner, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-

page_text: tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Sheet of illustrative Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
My Invention is restricted to such mechanical arrangements working
upon proper bearings as proceed round, from, and upon, or work on a
centre or axle, and where the power thereof is obtained or produced at
the centre and axle by a rotatory motion of the whole mass or body
caused by the application of weight, whether of solids or fluids, or semi-
fluid, all, any, or either, jointly or severally, at the periphery or between
the extreme outer line of the periphery and the centres on which any
of the said weights shall or may turn, or between the extreme outer
line of the periphery and the common centre or axle of the entire
circle or space of motion of the whole, and is with modifications, more
or less connected with all cases in, with, or by which power is obtained
by means of a rotatory motion on and round an axle or centré, whether
the motion or power be originated or obtained by, or- from the elasticity
or other inherent property of a spring or springs acting upon a solid or
solids, or other bodies or weights, at any angle or angles whatsoever, or
from the weight of solid fluids or liquids themselves, or seini-liquids
themselves, steam, air, or other gasses themselves, or solid liquid, steain;
air, or gasses, all, any, or either, jointly or separately, or from the re-
action or impact" caused by the motion of gravitating fluids them-
or other fluids, or by them in
selves, as in the case of mercury, water,
or on solids, or from the elasticity or expansive force of elastic fluid,"
such as steam, air, or other gases, or by the re-action of ascending
fluid or gasses of a comparatively lesser specific gravity than that of the
surrounding medium. What, therefore, 1 confine the several improve-
ments of my Invention to are, the improved means by, with, or from
which I obtain, sustain, and continue motion, and increase, accelerate,
and economize power by the elastic force or other inherent properties
of springs, or other solid and fluid, steami, air, or other gases, whether
by or with any two or more thereof conjointly, or by each or either
seperately, and whether by direct action or impact, as applicable to
rotatory motion.
The nature of my improvements are divided into two classes the

page_text: first relating to all such improvements in obtaining and economizing the
power or powers employed, whether derived solids, liquid, fluid, steam,
air, gasses, or any other bodies or sources whatsoever; and the second,
to the means of still further increasing these already economized means
by taking advantage of the increased and increasing force caused by
acceleration or otherwise, by means of a compensation or improved
accumulator, fly or other wheel or wheels, applicable to the same
axle, for the purpose of further increasing, economising, equalizing,
and regulating the whole amount of force collected.
Having thus made apparent the purpose or object of my said
improvements, I now proceed to detail the nature of the several
improvements, as follows:-Figure 1, represents a wheel and axle in
which no other materials than solids are employed, and which depends
on the application of spring power for the primary means of originating
and sustaining the motive power.
In order more fully to understand the principle of action by means
of which I take advantage of the "inherent" elastic power of springs
for the purpose of overcoming the effect of gravity, reference must
be had, in the first place, to the diagram Figure 2, in which the
point a is a fulcrum on which a solid body of any shape or cubic
contents must be supposed to turn freely. Let e be the centre of
gravity of the mass, and e, f, the line of direction representing the
vertical line on which the weight or solid body b, c, d, has to be
supported in order to be kept in the horizontal position shown in the
diagram; let a spring be soapplied, and be of such proper strength
relatively to the bulk and weight of the solid body, as to keep it in the
horizontal position shown at b, d, when the spring is securely fastened
at s, the versed sine or deflection of the "natural" curve of the spring
will thereby be altered and lessened proportionally according to the
strength or force of the weight or gravity of the solid body to be sup-
ported, the temper of the spring, as well as by the proportional sizes
and forces and relative positions of the same; let v be the. versed sine
of the natural curve, and the change effected by the weight or
gravity of the solid b, c, d; then will the versed sine of the curve under
deflection be represented by v, a, and the quantity will be unaltered so

page_text: long as the condition remain the same, and so long as the spring retains
its original elasticity. Now let us suppose that both the solid body
and the spring be made to turn on the fulcrum b, from the relative
position shown, until they reach the position b, c, d'; the centre of
gravity will then have reached the point c', and the line of direction
will fall vertically in the direction e, f, parallel with the first line of
direction e, f, but nearer the centre of the circle of motion. The pres-
sure on the spring will thus be shifted to a point nearer its point of
supports, and the consequence will be a change or increase in the versed
sine of the curve represented by v, xy, where y will be equal to
the effect produced by the reduction caused in the amount of pressure
on the spring by the alteration of the position of the solid body and of
the line of direction of its centre of gravity. In the same manner it
may be shown that any position between that shown at b, c, d, and the
vertical line g, b, the versed sine would increase to v, xyx, where
would be equal to the further increase of deflection in the spring,
caused by the removal of the line of direction of the centre of gravity
still more towards the fulcrum b, the horizontal position b, c, d, showing
the maximum amount of deflection or minimum versed sine, and the
vertical position b, c, d, the maximum or natural versed sine of the
curve, the whole pressure of the weight being removed to the centre of
motion or fulcrum. From this it follows that if the spring be so regu-
lated as to strength, position, and in all other respects as to support
only the solid body or weight in the horizontal position, after a given.
deflection of its natural versed sine, that when the weight or pressure
of the solid body or weight is sufficiently lessened upon the spring,
the power or force of the spring thereupon will so increase that
at some intermediate point between the horizontal and vertical
positions it will acquire or exert sufficient power to overcome the
decreasing force or weight of the solid or mass it supported, and
will continue to move it until it shall have assumed or acquired
its natural versed sine at the vertical position s", s. During the
passage from the horizontal to the vertical position, the two forces
change as regards their relative intensity, the greater one, or that
of the weight of the solid body or moving mass, becoming, from its

page_text: altered position and altering gradually, lighter on the spring, and thus
the lever, or that of the spring, is gradually acquiring and exerting its
own inherent power until at length the originally lesser or weaker force
overcomes the greater or heavier one.
In order to explain how advantage is taken of the change thereby
effected in the intensity of the two forces, I must now refer to
Figure 1, in which a, instead of representing a fulcrum as is the
case in Figure 2, shews an axle working freely upon proper bearings,
and having a boss or plate c, c, c, the circumference of which is
divided into equi-distant spaces d, d', d, at their several points turn
the extremities of the solids, such for instance as the one alluded
to when describing Figure 2. It will be evident that in such a system
the requisite centres of gravity of the moveable parts when in a state of
equilibrium will form a polygon of forces, and provided that the pro-
portions of the moveable and the fixed portion are so regulated as to
allow of the centre of gravity of the mass to be at the centre of motion
of the entire system, that the solids will equilibrate with but very little
force, and the application of the spring power already described will
afford more than ample force to disturb that equilibrium and cause
rotation round the axis. It must be evident that, mathematically
speaking, and leaving the resistance of the atmosphere and friction out
of the question, that "after" the equilibration of such a system as that
we have described, the lease possible amount of power from the springs
must be sufficient to disturb the system and cause a change in position.
Practically, some portion of the force of the action of the springs will
first have to be expended in overcoming the friction of the axle on its
bearings, and the inertia of the mass, as well as in lifting the centre of
gravity of the entire system sufficient to cause the whole to rotate
through the fractional part of the circumference into which the circle
is divided. I do not confine myself to the number of divisions shown
in the Drawing, as these may be varied, nor to the proportional areas
of parts, which are merely given as an example of one of the arrange-
ments I propose to adopt. The manner in which the force which
cause rotation round an axis can be increased by acceleration belongs
o the second part of my subject, and will be described herein-after. 3

page_text: When instead of employing solid bodies as above described the rotation
is caused by the gravity of falling water, as in the case of the overshot
wheel, I increase the power by keeping a maximum weight round the
maximum portion of the half of the periphery of the wheel on its:
falling side, by, in the first place, substituting curved instead of straight
or polygonal buckets, so as to allow the line of direction a, b, Figure 3,:
to fall at all inclinations at right angles to the horizontal tangent c, d,
to the curve; and secondly, by keeping a constant pressure of water
on very nearly the whole of the loaded or falling side of the wheel, as
shewn in the general vertical section Figure 4, where a is the axis of.
motion; b, b, b, and c, c, c, the external and internal peripheries of the
bucket spaces. The supply is allowed to flow in at d, and to escape at e;.
and waste is prevented by the solid retaining wall, buttress, or any other
more convenient or practical means or support f, f, the lower part of
the curve of which g, g, is brought near to the working parts of the
wheel without being sufficiently so to touch or impede in any way its
action, the upper part of the curve g, h, or that immediately above the-
horizontal line, being allowed to curve off with a greater radius or by
means of a hyperbolic or parabolic or other proper curve towards the
vertical line g, i, thus allowing of the direct action of a body of water:
pressing vertically on the tangential parts of the curves of the buckets
already described, and thereby economising the original supply, and
obtaining by the reserve pressure the maximum weight. or leverage
capable of being supported by the periphery of the wheel. It is.
necessary I should here call attention to the fact that since the ex-
periment of Smeaton on the power of water wheels, the chief improve-
ments that have been introduced by mechanicians and engineers.
consist principally in changing the inclination of the division plates
of the buckets, by making it polygonal, viz', approaching as much as
The precise curve:
possible the curvilineal form now introduced.
best suited for each particular case will have to be regulated ac
cording to the radius of the wheel, the depth of the buckets, which
themselves will be regulated according to the cubic flow allowed in a
certain time for a part revolution, and the equation of the curve of the:
vertical inner line of the retaining wall or buttress will change with the

page_text: velocity necessary to insure the continuation of the rotation under the
given supply. The curvilineal divisions for the bucket spaces also
economise power in the case of "breast and under shot" wheels,
and are equally applicable in all cases where direct action of the power
should be transmitted, as far as circumstances allow, at right angles to
the resistance.
The second part of my Invention relates to the means by which
original force or motive power of any kind, when constant, can be
economised and made to yield a maximum amount of mechanical
useful effect. The ordinary fly wheel is used principally to equalize
and regulate more evenly the speed of the machinery to which it is
affixed; but a great amount of the power that might be realized with
the same prime mover is lost in consequence of the fly wheel being
kept permanently of the same weight; thus the original power
necessary to overcome the inertia of the mass is no longer required.
When a certain velocity has been acquired, and in order to utilize that
portion of the power which, were it allowed to continue, would cause
"acceleration," I propose to add to the weight of the original fly
wheel, by adding, at such time as a proper momentum shall have been
acquired, a secondary fly wheel or secondary fly wheels, which would be
geared on to the same axis by means of a thread or threads cut on the
same, to work in a female screw on the boss of the wheel. These bosses
would be brought into contact with the thread of the main, shaft by
means of a stage working on edge or other rails laid for the purpose, or
by any other convenient mechanical means, for keeping the axis of the
shaft and the centre of the boss or bosses of the supplementary wheel
or wheels in the same horizontal line. This arrangement utilises the
original power of the prime mover, taking for granted that it is a con-
stant power while in use to the maximum. I need scarcely observe
that this is not the case in the steam engine, or in any of the combina-
tions of machinery worked by other means, but which have the velocities
of their main shafts regulated by fly wheels; more power is required to
overcome the inertia of the masses in the first instance than is used
afterwards when power has been realized by the momentum acquired
at the working velocity of the machinery by the fly wheel appended

page_text: thereto, to equalize" that velocity. As at present constructed, the fly
wheel bears certain proportions, according to certain formule received
and acted upon by practical men, which are perfectly correct, provided
it be thought sufficient to obtain, under certain given conditions, power
to a limited extent only, considering the means provided; but in all
cases, such as small steamers for instance, where it is advisable that the
maximum amount of power should be realized, it must be évident that
a single fly wheel, or one that will not allow of its being uniformly
loaded after it has acquired its maximum velocity and momentum, is
adequate to the requirement of a case where the whole of the force of
the original prime mover has to be utilized. The means herein above
described by which I economize the original power of the prime mover,
by adding to the momentum of the original fly wheel of the machinery,
is applicable in each and every case where the velocities are equalised
by ordinary fly wheels, and will, moreover, be beneficial in all cases
where continued motion is required with the minimum expenditure of
original power. It would be useless to enter into the particular in-
stances of application; they are endless, and I deem that the improve-
ment is not only applicable to stationary machinery, but may be found
of use in connexion with improved means of propulsion.
I claim, firstly, the application of a spring or springs acting at a given
angle only, for the purpose of disturbing the equilibrium of a system
capable of rotation round an axis, in the manner herein-before described.
Secondly, I claim the introduction of curvilineal buckets, when rotation
is caused by means of water or other fluids, such that the line of pres-
sure is at right angles to the horizontal tangent of the curve. Thirdly,
I claim the prevention of waste in water wheels, by the introduction of
a wall, buttress, or casing, for the purpose of keeping the buckets full
for nearly the entire height of the vertical diameter. Fourth, I claim
the increasing the weight of the fly wheel or wheels of all arrangements
rotating on an axle after the machinery has been set in motion by the
original prime mover for the purpose of obtaining increased momentum.
Fifthly, I claim cach and all of the several means described for changing
the increase of velocity or "acceleration" caused in a rotating system,

page_text: constantly acted upon by a uniform prime mover into a means of
economizing and increasing power reduced to a "uniform" velocity.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Edward Gregson Banner, have
hereunto affixed my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-four.
Witness,
JOHN GEDGE,
Patent Agent,
EDW. G. BANNER. (L.S.)
4, Wellington Street South,
Strand, London.