IMPROVEMENTS. IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS. IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS." A communication from
abroad by Auguste Desgoffe and Achille Ollivier, Engineers, both of
29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
-
Sealed the 12th February 1864, and dated the 1st September 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
September 1863.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
Sterbydraulic apparatus serve for multiplying a given power to such an.
extent that such power is always sufficient in its various applications.
The object of this Invention is as follows:-I take a pump barrel com-
pletely filled with liquid, which is hermetically enclosed, and then produce
compression of said liquid by forcibly introducing any solid body, this pressure
being utilized for working apparatus of various kinds.
"The principles on which the sterhydraulic system is based are the same as
that of the hydraulic press, 1st, equal distribution of pressures in a single body
of liquid, or in communicating vessels; 2ndly, proportioning the pressure to
the piston surface acted on by the liquid. On these principles it will be
readily understood that by the forced introduction of a metal wire, for example,
into a pump barrel containing liquid hermetically enclosed there will result
from this introduction a pressure on the piston proportionate to the surface of

page_text: the piston, and volume of the compressing wire, but this proportion, and
consequently the power of the apparatus, may be greatly increased as the
diameter of the wire may be diminished, or that of the piston augmented, until
the greatest pressures utilizable in practice may be obtained, which results
may be, however, produced with apparatus of very limited dimensions, as the
diameter of the piston, which serves as the basis for calculating the thickness
of the pump barrel, may be in all cases regulated to a breaking strain.
The sterbydraulic apparatus which is represented in the accompanying
Drawing consists of a piston P working in a pump barrel C, C, Fig. 1,
hermetically enclosing a liquid L. Two reels, or a series of reels B, B', serve
for winding any solid body, a wire or cord for example, for producing the
compression of the liquid. These two reels may be placed direct on the pump
barrel, one inside, and the other outside, so as to wind up the wire vertically
or horizontally as in Fig. 2, the reels being placed on the same axis on which
they turn in opposite directions, or they may be placed in a separate receptacle
as at Fig. 3, and conducted to the pump by a pipe; I may also place the two
reels in two separate compartments, as at Fig. 4, in order to utilize the winding
motion of the wire of each series of reels for working both apparatus simul-
taneously. These mechanical arrangements for winding the compressing wire
may be replaced according to the nature of the applications of the apparatus
by any other arrangement for effecting the forced introduction of any
solid body.
The chief advantages of hydraulic apparatus as compared with hydraulic
presses are,
1st, dispensing with the small pump barrel valves, water reservoirs, and
cocks, which are the cause of frequent derangements.
2ndly, the substitution of a continuous circular motion for an alternate
to-and-fro movement, and the consequent increase of speed in working the
apparatus.
3rdly, for same diameter of piston in the large pump barrel I obtain much
greater power in the machine, the diameter of the compressing wires not being
Jimited, as is the case with the small piston of hydraulic presses.
4thly, the ready variation in the power of a single press, which by simply
employing a wire of different diameter, may become ten or a hundred times
more powerful.
Lastly, the immediate result of these mechanical combinations is to obtain
a considerable diminution of the size of these machines, and also effect economy
in the price.
It will be unnecessary here to mention all the purposes to which sterbydraulic

page_text: apparatus may be applied, I will only remark that for purposes of pressure,
torsion, traction, and leverage of all kinds it will be found of great advantage;
and realize the best results..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
February 1864.
•
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William Clark,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Clark, 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, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HYDRAULIC APPARATUS," a com" to me from abroad by Auguste Desgoffe
and Achille Ollivier, Engineers, both of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Clark, 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 per-
formed, 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 I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto 'annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
Sterhydraulic apparatus serve for multiplying a given power to such an
extent that such power is always sufficient in its various applications.

page_text: The object of this Invention is as follows:-I take a pump barrel, com-
pletely filled with liquid, which is hermetically enclosed, and then produce
compression of said liquid by forcibly introducing any solid body, this pressure
being utilized for working apparatus of various kinds.
The principles on which this sterhydraulic system is based are the same as
that of the hydraulic press, 1st, equal distribution of pressures in a single mass
of liquid or in communicating vessels; 2ndly, proportioning the pressure to the
piston surface acted on by the liquid. Acting on these principles it will be
readily understood that by the forced introduction' of a metal wire, for
example, into a pump barrel containing liquid hermetically enclosed, there
will result from this introduction a pressure on the piston proportionate to the
surfaces of the piston and volume or area occupied by the compressing wire,
but this proportion and consequently the power of the apparatus may be
greatly increased as the diameter of the wire may be diminished, or that of
the piston augmented until the greatest pressures utilizable in practice may be
obtained, which results can be produced with apparatus of very limited
dimensions, as the diameter of the piston; which serves as a basis for calcu-
lating the thickness of the pump or barrel, may be in all cases regulated
according to a breaking strain.
The sterhydraulic apparatus which is represented in the accompanying
Drawing consists of a piston P working in a barrel or cylinder C, C, Fig. 1,
hermetically enclosing a liquid L; two reels, or a series of reels, B, B',.serve
for winding any solid body, a wire or cord, for example, for producing the
compression of the liquid. These two recls may be placed either direct on
the cylinder C, one inside and the other outside, so as to wind up the wire
vertically or horizontally as in Fig. 2, the reels being placed on the same axis
on which they turn in opposite directions, or they may be placed in a separate
receptacle, as at Fig. 3, and conducted to the cylinder C by a pipe. I may
also place the two reels in two separate compartments, as at Fig. 4, in order
to utilize the winding motion of the wire of each series of reels for working
both apparatus simultaneously. These mechanical arrangements for winding
the compressing wire may be varied according to the nature of the applications
of the apparatus by any other arrangement for effecting the forced introduction
of any solid body.
The chief advantages of this hydraulic apparatus as compared with hydraulic
presses are,
1st, dispensing with the small pump. barrel, valves, water reservoirs, and
cocks, which are the cause of such frequent derangements..
2ndly, the substitution of a continuous circular motion for an alternate to-

page_text: .
and-fro movement, and the consequent increase of speed in working the
apparatus.
3rdly, with the same diameter of piston in the large pump barrel I obtain
much greater power in the machine, the diameter of the compressing wires
not being limited, as is the case with the small piston of hydraulic presses.
4thly, the ready variation in the power of single presses, which by simply
employing a wire of different diameter, may be made ten or a hundred times
more powerful.
Lastly, the immediate result of these mechanical combinations is to obtain a
considerable diminution in the size of these machines, and also effect economy
in the price.
I will now proceed to describe some of the applications of the Invention,
first, however, giving a general idea of its fundamental principle. Under the
name of pump barrel or cylinder is comprised any chamber, the capacity of
which varies according to the motion of one or more of its contents which are
rendered movable, and this, whatever may be the form, nature, capacity, or
material of which it is formed.
The object of the Invention is to obviate the inconveniences existing in
hydraulic presses. 1st, by substituting a solid body for the liquid usually
injected into these presses. 2ndly, by creating a continuous circular motion
instead of an alternate to-and-fro motion, I thus obtain a more uniform and
constant pressure and a consequent saving of time and power. The term
piston may be applied to the movable body, but as it is intended to employ
elastic materials, if found suitable, I would prefer to designate it as a capacity
of variable volume. This general definition includes other arrangements in
which there are two movable parts or two pistons acting in a line with each
other in opposite directions, or at right angles, there may also be three or more
movable parts; or lastly I can employ an entirely elastic chamber such as a
sphere of india-rubber.
It will thus be understood that the arrangement shown in the Drawings is
only one example of the practical application of the Invention intended to
illustrate the general idea of introducing any solid body, including cords of
suitable nature, such as hemp, gut, or metal, or it may be a metallic or other
rod, plate, chain, or strand of hemp or metal, passing these media of pressure
either through a stuffing box, cylinder, or tube, on which metallic pressure is
exerted by friction rollers or springs, or in a chamber furnished with india-
rubber, vulcanized or not, and other means of preventing escape of the liquid
such as employed in similar cases. Taking the example herein specified it
will be seen that internal pressure is produced by winding up a cord or wire
.

page_text: and that this pressure can be removed by withdrawing the wire or cord which
causes a loss of power and time, which may however be obviated by employing
two, three, or a greater number of machines acting in succession, two-and-two,
in such manner that the cord wound on the one is unwound from the other,
consequently producing pressure on the one hand and removing it on the
other. By connecting the two chambers by a pipe with a reservoir containing
one or more movable bodies, and by mounting one or more cocks on said tube
communicating only with the chamber having the movable body under
pressure, while the other chamber from which the pressure is withdrawn
becomes filled with liquid by reason of the vacuum produced, a continuous
motion is obtained, causing neither loss of time nor power, at same time
employing but a limited length of cord or wire. All the chambers, whether
two-and-two, or in greater number, may have various numbers of movable
surfaces so that two or more chambers may act on the same piston. As
above shown the movable body need not necessarily be in the chamber
itself, in which the wire is wound, as it may form part of another chamber
connected to the first by a pipe, and may be in any position or distance from
the latter..
This arrangement permits of the immediate application of this Invention to
existing hydraulic presses by substituting this improved apparatus for the
pumps now used. I have hitherto spoken of one interior reel, but it will be
understood that two, three, or more may be used. It will be readily under-
stood that the inner bobbin incessantly varies in diameter according to the
quantity of cord or wire wound on, while the power expended, and also the
speed may require to be constant; to effect this, the pulley or reel may be
made of spiral or helical form, or of a double cone placed end to end, while if
it is only necessary to lessen this difference in the speed, the cord may be
wound on two reels placed at a greater or less distance apart, according to
the length of cord to be wound up. If, on the contrary, it is desired to vary
the speed, reels or cords of different diameters may be used.
I will now proceed to mention some of the applications of the apparatus.
The applications of sterhydraulic apparatus may be divided into three principal
categories, viz., 1st, apparatus for producing compression; 2ndly, lifting
apparatus; 3rdly, cutting apparatus, each of which heads may be subdivided
as follows:-
1st. Apparatus for producing pressure. -Such as presses used in the
manufacture of stearine, paper, sugar, oils, vermicelli, perfumery, chocolate, and
confectionery, in distilling and refining; also presses for compressing fodder,
balls of cotton, cloths, and other fabrics, alimentary substances, goffering and

page_text: stamping, for keying up and dismounting wheels from shafts, piercing tunnels,
and for testing all kinds of building materials, such as ground concrete, iron
steel rails, springs, and others; also presses used in the manufacture of hard
woods, bricks, gunpowder, and for moulding purposes in general, coining
presses, copying, stamping, and pharmaceutical presses; as also for expressing
purposes.
2ndly. Lifting or hoisting apparatus.-Such as for the various kinds of cranes,
shears, masting machines, crabs, jacks, or cranes used in the construction of
bridges, the removal and demolition of buildings, for distributing the weight of
a locomotive or carriage on different points in the marine service, windlasses
used in building, and other purposes.
3rdly. Apparatus for cutting or dividing substances."-Such as shears,
stampers for working metal, wood, pasteboard; or used in the manufacture of
artificial flowers; or, lastly, for actuating machinery for piercing or perforating
different materials.
Having described the nature of this Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is the following principle, viz.,―
1st, to take a pump, barrel, or other suitable chamber completely filled with
water, which is hermetically enclosed, and produce compression of said liquid
by forcibly introducing any suitable solid body, such compression being utilized
in actuating all kinds of apparatus as before described.
2ndly, I claim the improved apparatus herein described and represented in
the Drawing; and its various modifications, which I term sterhydraulic appa-
ratus, the Drawings serving as practical illustrations of the above principle.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
53; Chancery Lane,
London.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)