Improvements in Ships' Clinometers.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ships' Clinometers.
1, JAMES BELL, of Russian Drive, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:---
This invention has reference to apparatus generally called clinometers for
indicating the angular rolling movement of ships, whereby the degree to which
a ship is rolling in a sea way or otherwise, and the angle at which a ship stands
in relation to the horizontal plane, for each moment of time are indicated.
According to this invention; the movement of the device or the part for
shewing the angle to be indicated is effected through a pendulous device com-
prising a weight below a point of suspension and oscillation, and above it, a loose
weight, as mercury, the moment of which about the point of oscillation is less
somewhat than that of the other weight. In action, when movement of the ship ·
is such that the pendulous device swings about its point of support, the mercury
which is contained in a vessel only partially filled, can pile up at the end of each
oscillation, or towards the end of it, and reduce the vibration. It consequently
acts as a free weight in this respect.
In one form, a simple construction of device consists of a pendulum having a
major weight below, and a minor weight above the axis or point of support,
and contained within a frame or case, having a face or dial with an are, repre-
senting degrees at the lower part, and a finger or. pointer connected with or
mounted on the axis, and moving over the are as the ship rolls one way or the
other, or the pendulum receives movement. It thus shews, for each and every
instant of time, the angle of the ship in relation to horizontal plane, and also
the maximum degree of roll or vibration both in the port and starboard direction.
of Tul 1899.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
Improvements in Ships' Clinometers.
I, JAMES BELL, of Russian Drive, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
This invention has reference to apparatus generally called clinometers for
indicating the angular rolling movement of ships, whereby the degree to which
a ship is rolling in a sea way or otherwise, and the angle at which a ship stands
in relation to the horizontal plane, for each moment of time are indicated.
According to this invention, the movement of the device or the part for
shewing the angle to be indicated is effected through a pendulous device com-
prising a weight below a point of suspension and oscillation, and above it, a loose
weight, as mercury, the moment of which about the point of oscillation is less

page_text: somewhat than that of the other weight. In action, when movement of the ship
is such that the pendulous device swings about its point of support, the mercury
which is contained in the vessel only partially filled, can pile up at the end of each
oscillation, or towards the end of it, and reduces the vibration. It consequently
acts as a free weight in this respect.
In one form, a simple construction of device consists of a pendulum having a
major weight below, and a minor weight above the axis or point of support,
and contained within a frame or case, having a face or dial with an arc, repre-
senting degrees at the lower part, and a finger or pointer connected with or
mounted on the axis, and moving over the are as the ship rolls one way or the
other, or the pendulum receives movement. It thus shews, for each and every
instant of time, the angle of the ship in relation to horizontal plane, and also
the maximum degree of roll or vibration both in the port and starboard direction.
Drawings illustrative of this construction or form of apparatus are hereto
annexed, Figure 1 being an outside front view; and Figure 2 a view with the
front dial removed, and the upper weight in section.
Referring to these drawings, represents, generally, the pendulous device,
being the lower mass or weight thereof, and the upper loose weight: namely,
a cup, as shewn, on the upper end of the pendulum, partly filled with mercury.
d represents the case of the instrument in which the pendulous device is carried
and works; the support consisting of a spindle e carried in a bearing bracket at
either end, in which it-the device is free to swing. The front of the case dis
enclosed by a dial plate f, the lower edge of which stands some distance from
the bottom of the case; and under this edge a pointer h, carried on the lower
end of the pendulum bar of a, passes and works, its front-end being turned up,
as shewn, to work over the scale on the face of the dial f. The scale is divided
into degrees.
The moment of the weight about the fulcrum c is slightly less than that of b;
and consequently, the whole device a normally assumes the position shewn.
The action of the instrument is as above described; and the effect of the
weighted pendulous device is such, that the action of the indicator is very steady;
and at the end of the roll or movement of the ship, the local vibrations of the
pendulum are small and in consequence, greater accuracy of indication is
afforded, and the reading of the instrument, i.e. the ascertaining of the actual
degree of roll or movement of the ship, is rendered unmistakeable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A clinometer or instrument for indicating the angular rolling or movement
of ships, having a pendulous device comprising a weight on either side of the
fulcrum or point of support, the upper end of which is free or loose; substantially
as set forth.
2. In a clinometer or instrument for indicating the angular rolling or move-
ment of ships, a pendulous device having a fixed weight below the centre of
support or fulcrum, and above the centre, a mercury weight free to move in its
cup or container: substantially as herein set forth.
3. A clinometer or instrument for indicating the angular rolling or movement
of ships, consisting of a pendulous device, indicator or pointer, dial and case, as
set forth with reference to and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of March 1900.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
¨Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.