Improvements in Obtaining and Applying Motive Power; also Applicable to Timekeepers and Clockwork and for Measuring and Register- ing the Flow of Water and other Fluids and Aeriform Bodies
Year: 1852

page_text: Improvements in Obtaining and Applying Motive
Power; also Applicable to Timekeepers and
Clockwork; and for Measuring and Register-
ing the Flow of Water and other Fluids and
Aeriform Bodies.
LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Kennedy, of Kilmarnock, in the County
of Ayr, North Britain, Gun Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER, WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS OR PARTS THEREOP ARE APPLICABLE TO TIMEKEEPERS
AND CLOCKWORK, AND FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE FLOW OF
WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND AERIFORM BODIES."
Sealed the 8th December 1852, and dated the 4th October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Kennedy
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 4th October 1852.
I, THOMAS KENNEDY, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr, North
Britain, Gun Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OR PARTS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE TO TIMEKEEPERS

page_text: 4
AND CLOCKWORK, AND FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE FLOW OF
WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND AERIFORM BODIES," to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention relates, in the first place, to the obtainment of motive
power from water or other suitable fluid, and to the communication or
application of the power so obtained in such manner and for such pur-
poses as may be required. The apparatus consists of a bored cylinder,
closed at each end, and fitted with a piston working fluid tight, or
nearly so, within it, the rod of the piston being passed through a stuffing
box in the cylinder cover. When placed vertically, a cord or chain
from the piston rod is passed round an overhead drum or pulley and
attached thereto, so as not to slip upon the drum; whilst the other free
end of the cord has hung to it a counterweight sufficient to balance the
weight of the piston and its moving connections. The motive fluid is
conducted to the apparatus by a pipe of suitable bore, which diverges
into two branches, each fitted with a common three-way cock, or valve
of a similar action. From each of these valves a pipe passes to a port at
the upper and lower end-of the cylinder respectively, and these valves are
so geared to work together simultaneously that when one.is opened to.
admit water to the cylinder beneath the piston, the other is closed to shut
off the communication between the supply pipe and the opposite end of
the cylinder above the piston, whilst at the same time the latter. valve
opens up a free discharge for the water above the piston, so that the
contained fluid flows off. Both discharge outlets or pipes from the
valves are combined into a single discharge branch, so that in all con-
ditions of the gearing or setting of the valves water is constantly being
admitted to one end of the cylinder, whilst that already supplied to the
cylinder is passing off from the other end. The drum over which the
piston cord passes has attached to it on one side a catch-pin for
working the valves, and this pin is so set that when the piston arrives
at either end of its stroke it (the pin) elevates a tumbler or weighted
lever which is loose on the drum shaft as a centre. Then as the pin
comes round with the revolution of the drum it comes beneath the
tumbler, which rests horizontally, or nearly so, on a fixed stop, and the
tumbler is thus gradually elevated" until it tumbles over on the other

page_text: side of the vertical line of its centre of motion. The tumbler is in this
way made to fall down to the same angle in the opposite direction,
acting in its fall upon the lever of the two connected valves. By this
means the two valves are simultaneously reversed in an instant at the
very moment of the arrival of the piston at the termination of its stroke
in each direction, and whilst the water, which has already done its
work in moving the piston in one direction, is now discharged through
its corresponding valve, fresh water is admitted to bring back the piston
in the opposite direction. A continuous reciprocatory action of the
piston is thus kept up, the quick action of the tumbler on the valves
being such as to effect the due reversing of the valves so speedily as
barely to interfere with the constant influx of water to the cylinder and
the constant and uniform power derived therefrom. The power so
obtained may be taken off the apparatus in various "ways, either from
the piston rod or the drum, or other moving detail. By attaching an
index to the machine the number of movements of the piston, and the
consequent number of discharges of fluid. from the cylinder, are easily
registered; and the cubical contents of the cylinder being known, the
apparatus at once becomes a fluid meter. The same arrangement, or
a modification thereof, is also applicable for furnishing a continuous
actuating power for timekeepers, and various arrangements of clock-
work, the movements of the piston being communicated to the
winding up mechanism, so as to prevent the possibility of the actuating
weight or spring ever running down or becoming exhausted, without
the slightest extraneous attention. The same apparatus, or modifica-
tions of it, are also suitable for measuring gas or other fluid, or aeriform
bodies. Instead of using a single cylinder and piston, a duplex arrange-
ment may be adopted to produce a similar result, a second cylinder being
made to take the place of the counterweight already described herein.
In such case the cylinders may be open-bottomed, the piston rods of
each being connected by a cord or chain passed over or round the
intermediate drum. The water or gas is then only admitted to one end
of each cylinder, and the two pistons balance each other without a
counterweight, the descent of one piston drawing the other one up.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Kennedy in the Great Seal Patent
Oflice, on the 2nd April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
THOMAS KENNEDY, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr, North Britain,
Gun Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the
-sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and. succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Kennedy, Her
special licence that I, the said Thomas Kennedy, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Kennedy, my executors, administrators, or 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OR PARTS THEREOF ARE APPLICABLE TO TIMEKEEPERS
AND CLOCKWORK, AND FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE FLOW OF
WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS AND AERIFORM BODIES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Kennedy, 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 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 Thomas Kennedy, do hereby
declare the anture 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, reference being had to the Drawing here-
unto attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):

page_text: My said Invention relates, in the first place, to the obtainment of
motive power from water or other suitable 'fluid, and to the communi-
cation or application of the power so obtained in such manner and for
such purposes as may be required. According to one modification, the
apparatus consists of a bored cylinder, closed at each end, and fitted
with a piston working fluid tight, or nearly so, within it, the rod of the
piston being passed through a stuffing box in the cylinder cover.
When placed vertically, a cord or chain from the piston rod is passed
round an overhead drum or pulley and attached thereto, so as not
to slip upon the drum, whilst the other free end of the cord has
hung to it a counterweight sufficient to balance the weight of the
piston and its moving connections. The notive fluid is conducted to
the apparatus by a pipe of suitable bore, which deverges into two
branches, each fitted with a common three-way cock or valve of a
similar action. From each of these valves a pipe passes to a port at
the upper and lower end of the cylinder respectively, and these valves
are so geared to work together simultaneously that when one is open
to admit water to the cylinder beneath the piston, the other is closed to
shut off the communication between the supply pipe and the opposite
end of the cylinder above the piston, whilst at the same time the
latter valve opens up a free discharge for the water above the piston,
so that the contained fluid flows off. Both discharge outlets or pipes
from the valves are combined into a single discharge branch, so that in
all conditions of the gearing or setting of the valves water is constantly
being admitted to one end of the cylinder, whilst that already supplied
to the cylinder is passing off' from the other end. The drum over which
the piston cord passes has attached to it on one side a catch pin for
working the valves, and this pin is so set that when the piston arrives
at either end of its stroke it (the pin) elevates a tumbler or weighted
lever which is loose on the drum shaft as a centre. Then as the pin
comes round with the revolution of the drum it comes beneath the
tumbler, which rests horizontally, or nearly so, on a fixed stop, and the
tumbler is thus gradually elevated until it tumbles over on the other
side of the vertical line of its centre of motion. The tumbler is in
this way made to fall down to the same angle in the opposite direction,

page_text: acting in its fall upon the lever of the two connected valves. By this
means the two valves: are. simultaneously reversed in an instant at the
very moment of the arrival of the piston at the termination of its stroke
in each direction, and whilst the water, which has already done its
work in moving..the piston in one direction, is now discharged through
its corresponding valve, fresh water is admitted to bring back the piston
in the opposite direction; a continuous reciprocatory action of the piston
is thus kept up, the quick action of the tumbler on the valves being
such as to effect the due reversing of the valves so speedily as barely to
interfere with the constant influx of water to the cylinder, and the con-
stant and uniform power derived therefrom: The power so obtained
may be taken off the apparatus in various ways, either from the piston
rod, or the drum, or other moving detail. By attaching an index to
the machine the. number of movements of the piston, and the con-
sequent number of discharges of fluid from the cylinder, are easily
registered; and the cubical content of the cylinder being known, the
apparatus at once becomes a fluid meter. The same arrangement, or
a modification thereof, is also applicable for furnishing a continuous
actuating power. for timekeepers and various arrangements of clock-
work, the movements: of the piston being 'communicated to the winding
up mechanism, so as to prevent the possibility of the actuating weight
or spring ever running down or becoming exhausted, without the
slightest extraneous attention. The same apparatus, or modifications
of it, are also suitable for measuring gas or other fluid or aeriform
bodies; and, instead of using a single cylinder and piston, a duplex
arrangement may be adopted to produce a similar result, a second
cylinder being made to take the place of the counterweight already
described herein. In such case the cylinders may be open-bottomed,
the piston rods of each being connected by a cord or chain passed over
or round the intermediate drum. The water or gas is then only ad-
mitted to one end of eacli cylinder, and the two pistons balance each
other without a counterweight, the descent of one piston drawing the
other one up.
Figure 1; on Sheet 1, of iny Drawings, is a front elevation of
my combined water power machine-and-meter complete; and Figure 2,

page_text: The
is a transverse vertical section of the apparatus; Figure 3, is a front
view of the upper portion of the arrangement, with the front plate
of the case removed; and Figure 4, is a plan of the same, shewing
the internal details of the movement and index apparatus. The main
fluid cylinder. A, into which the water is passed is set vertically on
a suitable base, its open upper end being covered in by a flange or base
plate B, in which is the stuffing box C, for the rod D, of the duplex
cupped piston E, to pass through from the interior of the cylinder, to
which the piston is accurately fitted. The projecting end of this piston
rod is connected to a cord wound upon the pulley E, above, whilst a similar
cord wound the reverse way upon this pulley is passed up and over a
guide pulley F, a weight G, being suspended to the free end of this
cord. The spindle H, of the cord pulley E, is supported in suitable
bearings in the containing case, and its axis coincides with the axial
line of the four-way cock I, the plug or key of which has upon it a
pair of lever arms J, each fitted with angular terminal pieces for
the weighted tumbler K, to fall against in cither" direction.
fluid supply is derived from the pipe L, terminating in the shell of the
four-way cock, from the two opposite ports of which the pipes M, N,
pass down to the upper and lower ends of the cylinder A, respectively,
the access to the lower end of the cylinder being through the port O.
The fourth pipe P, opposite to the ingress pipe, is the discharge passage.
as delineated in the Figures; the piston E, is supposed to have arrived
nearly at the top of its stroke, water being in the act of flowing into the
cylinder beneath the piston to force the latter up, whilst the previous
supply is passing off from above the piston through the discharge pipe.
Then, as the piston rises further up, the consequent revolution of the
cord pulley E', carries round the catch arm Q, and this presses laterally
upon the lever arm of the tumbler K, which works loosely upon the
spindle H. In this way as the piston rises the tumbler is gradually
carried round untill it arrives at the vértical centre line, as in Figure 3,
when it falls over to the other side, and in falling strikes upon the
elevated arm J, of the four-way cock plug, this reversing the water
ways, and allowing the water to pass off from the lower end of the
cylinder, and a fresh supply to flow in above the piston: The sudden

page_text: blow of the tumbler is in this instance taken up by the weight falling
upon the alternate ends of the traversing piece R, slung at each end
by straps or flexible connections S, S. When the piston arrives again
at its bottom position the same action takes place in a reverse direction,
and the tumbler falls the other way to bring the valve to the position
first pointed out. Hence a continuous reciprocatory action is produced,
and the power derivable from the water's pressure-may be taken off the
apparatus in any convenient way, as by the spindle of the pulley E', for
example, the rapidity of the change at the end of each stroke being such
as to obviate serious objections as to intermittent motion. The quantity
of fluid discharged from the cylinder at such movement being known,
the apparatus becomes an indicating meter by attaching a train of
index wheels T, and dial U. Such index is in this example actuated
by a dise piece V, on the shaft of the pulley E', this dise having a cam
piece W, which in coming round presses against the upper end of the
lever X, set on a fixed centre at Y, and connected by detent catches
with the ratchet wheel of the train. Thus the train moves the required
amount at each stroke of the piston, and the measurement is read off' at
the dial front, as in Figure I. Figures 3, and 4, on Sheet 2, of my
Drawings represent another mode of connecting the piston with its
external mechanism. . In this plan the weighted cord arrangement is
superseded, and the piston rod terminates in a toothed rack A, in gear
with a toothed pinion B, carried on a spindle C, and having a cam pro-
jection D, which, as it comes round, lifts the weighted tumbler E, from
side to side, this tumbler being loosely hung on the spindle C, as a
centre. This plan of connection affords a safer and more satisfactory
means of giving off the indications of measurement than when a cord
pulley is used. Thus the spindle C, carries a bevil pinion I, the revolu-
tion of which drives the indicating movement direct, so that the actual
traverse of the measuring piston is at once pointed out by duly propor-
tioning the index gear to suit. The shock of the tumbler is also
obviated by an efficient buffing apparatus, consisting of a piece of wood
F, traversing in the two nipping guides G, and hung from the spindle
C, as a fixed centre. This piece of wood has a buffing piece H, of
india-rubber or other elastic material at each end, so that on the weight

page_text: "
of the tumbler coming smartly down upon either of these buffers the
elasticity of the material primarily softens the blow, which is further
reduced in intensity by the slow traverse of the piece F, along its
frictional nipping guides. Figure 1, on Sheet 2, of my Drawings is a
front clevation of a modification of my apparatus as a gas meter.
The
tank A, is fitted up with the pair of chambers B, B', so as to form
a species of duplex gasometer or gas holder, the joint being of the
usual cup and dip" form, as shown at the dotted portions C. The two
chambers are connected and hung together by the cord or chain D,
passing over the bearing pulleys E, F, so that their motion is simul-
taneous in reverse directions. The gas supply pipe is at G, opening
into the lower section H, of the valve chamber; and in the position
delineated in the Drawings the gas is flowing from this chamber through
the open valve I, and down the pipe J, which passes up into the
measuring chamber B. The gaseous pressure so produced then
gradually elevates the chamber B, and at the same time the opposite
chamber B', descends correspondingly, its supply of gas due to the
previous movement passing off through the valve K, in the upper
section L, of the valve chamber by means of the pipe M, opening into
the chamber B. This discharged gas finally passes off from the upper
section of the chamber by the pipe N. This goes on until the arrival
of the chamber B, at the top of its rise, the other one B', being then at
the bottom of its traverse, and the valves are then reversed by the
action of the pulley F. The spindle 0, of this pulley carries a
toothed pinion P, gearing with a segmental toothed rack or wheel Q,
set on a fixed centre R, and carrying a crank arm S, working between
the prongs of the fork T, fast on the upper tumbler tube U. This tube
oscillates on a fixed centre V, and contains a small quantity of mercury
so as to form a tumbler of quick action by reason of the rapid flow of
the heavy mercury from one end to the other on the slightest deviation
of the tube from the horizontal line. Directly beneath this upper
tumbler is a similar tumbler W, oscillating on the centre X, and
linked at Y, to a connecting piece passing down into the valve chamber
through a simple hydraulic joint Z. The lower end of the connecting
piece is hinged at a, to a double lever oscillating on the centre 6, and

page_text: connected at each end to a duplex valve arrangement so contrived that
there is always a closed and an open valve in each section of the chamber,
the two open valves in the present case being I, K, and the closed ones
c, d. Then, in tracing the action of the apparatus, as already com-
menced, it is to be understood that the adjustment is such that when
the chamber B, is at the top of its rise the revolution of the arm S, on
the segmental-wheel-Q, acting on one of the prongs- of-the-fork T,
causes the upper tumbler U, to fall over to the other side of its horizon-
tal line. The end c, of the tumbler then falls sharply upon the piece f
on, the lower tumbler, and thus that end of the lower tumbler descends
also, and its other end then draws up the valve link, and reverses the
entire set of four valves, so that gas now enters the chamber B', through
the valve c, for a second measurement of that amount, whilst the gas
already in the chamber B, flows off through the valve d.. In this way a
continuous flow and measurement is kept up with great uniformity; the
registration of the amount of gas passed through the meter being
effected by connecting a train of wheels and an index to any convenient
movement of the apparatus as to the segmental wheel action of the
tumblers. When fitted up for use the whole of the mechanism is
covered over by an upper casing, so that the apparatus presents the
appearance of a simple rectangular case. Figure 2, on Sheet 2, of my
Drawings is a vertical section of another modification of meter, wherein
a duplex measuring action is kept up by still simpler means. This
apparatus consists of an open tank A, in which is fitted the long
inverted chamber B, the whole forming a closed receiver, in which a
quantity of water is placed. In this receiver is also an open inverted
moveable chamber C, having a central tube D, passing through it, this
tube being open at its upper end E, but closed and perforated with
a few small apertures only at its lower extremity, where also is
attached the end of a slight spindle F. This tubular arrangement forms
a simple hydraulic joint, and means of connecting of the working
chambers. The spindle F, projects above the top of the chamber C, and
works up through a fixed open-ended tube G, fast at its upper end in
the top of the case B, which tube the open tube D, in the case C, also
surrounds.and works over. The chamber C, is the essential apparatus

page_text: of measurement, and its spindle F, is connected to a cord or chain H; the
end of which is passed over guide pulleys I, J, and has a counter-
weight hung to it, this cord answering also as a means of working the
index apparatus. In my Drawing the gas enters by the pipe, K, which
opens into the hollow of the chamber C, above the interior fluid level.
The discharge takes place through the pipe I, on the top of the case or
chamber B.. This_meter is fitted, with a valvular apparatus like that
already described in reference to Figure 1, on Sheet 2.. As the gas
passes in by the pipe. K, it fills the chamber C, which necessarly rises
to the top of its.travel. At this stage the valvular passages are reversed,
and the pipe L, now becomes the supply pipe, whilst the discharge takes
place through the lower pipe K. In this way the quantity of gas
measured by the content of the chamber C, is discharged therefrom by
the descent of the chamber, and at the same, instant of change a fresh
supply of gas enters the upper part of the case B, so that. when the
chamber B, has reached the bottom of its traverse another measure of
gas will have been determined by the space between the top of the
chamber C, and the case. B. The valves are again reversed at the
bottom of this stroke, and thus goes on a constant succession. of fillings
and emptyings of the chamber C, and the upper part, of the case B,
these measurements being registered and indecated in any convenient
way by an index worked from the cord E, or other moving detail..
'
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of my
Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent, is,-
First. The systems or modes of obtaining and applying motive
power,, as herein-before described.
".
Second. The application and use of a weighted tumbler lever for
obtaining a quick reversing action in motive power engines and meters,
as herein-before described.

page_text: Third. The systems or modes of transmitting motive power, and of
measuring fluids and acriform bodies, with uniformity of action, as
herein-before described.
Fourth. The systems or modes of actuating clockwork, as herein-
before-described.
Fifth. The systems or modes of measuring, registering, or indicating
the flow or passage of water and other fluids and acriform bodies, as
lierein-before described.
Sixth. The application and use of a combined friction and spring
buffer for releiving the shock of the tumbler action, as herein-before
described.
Seventh. The system or mode of measuring and registering fluids
wherein the indicator points out the special and exact distance travelled
by the piston or measuring medium, as herein-before described.
Eighth. The application and use of mercurial tumblers for working
the valvular arrangements, as herein-before described.
Ninth. The application and use in motive power machines and
meters of the combined or quadruple valve as especially described in
reference to Sheet 2, of my Drawings.
Tenth. The system or mode of keeping up a continuous measurement
by means of a combined duplex action chamber, as more particularly
described in reference to Figure 2, on Sheet 2, of my Drawings.
Eleventh. The system or mode of measuring by alternately admitting
the gas to the interior and exterior of a noveable or traversing chamber,
as illustrated in Figure 2, on Sheet 2, of my Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Kennedy, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
THOS KENNEDY. (L.S.)