IMPROVEMENTS IN IMPARTING MOTION TO LIQUIDS, IN TRANSMITTING MOTION THEREFROM AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
IN
Lanark, Scotland, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
IMPARTING MOTION TO LIQUIDS, IN TRANSMITTING MOTION THEREFROM AND
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 29th November 1872, and dated the 3rd June 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robertson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 3rd June 1872.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Scotland,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN IMPARTING MOTION TO LIQUIDS, IN TRANSMITTING MOTION THERE-
FROM, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
My Invention mainly consists in imparting motion to liquids in an
entirely novel manner. The motion is communicated through rapidly
revolving discs formed with an internal annular cavity into which the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: liquid is admitted and contained. Motion is communicated to the liquid
by its contact with the internal surface of the annular cavity, and it is
retained and carried round in the said annular cavity by centrifugal force
in a solid annular ring, with very little slip or loss of power from friction.
Liquids having the above motion transmitted to them can be variously
and usefully applied in producing mechanical effects in the arts. Here-
after I will describe three applications of great value :-
First. This consists in employing the said solid annular ring of water,
set in motion as above described, for condensing the exhaust steam from
a steam engine. A disc formed with an internal annular cavity of about
one-twentieth part of its diameter in depth and about one-sixth part of
its diameter in width, is caused to revolve at a high speed. Water is
caused to flow through a pipe or by other means into the said cavity, the
water supply pipe by preference being placed tangentially to the rim of
the disc, the inflowing water debouching in the direction of the rotation
of the disc. An outlet pipe placed tangentially and formed with an end
orifice, dips into the cavity somewhat lower than the end of the supply
pipe, but with its end opening or orifice presented to the advancing
water. The said end opening or orifice is made sharp at the edges to
obstruct the water as little as possible, and so as to receive and conduct
away the water through the pipe at a swift motion or with a force due to
the speed at which the disc is moved. The annular cavity in the disc is
in this way kept constantly full, notwithstanding that there is a changing
supply of water.
The exhaust pipe from a steam engine being led to the surface of the
water in motion and provided with a long opening nearly the width of
the annular cavity, dips a short distance into the water. The steam is
thereby presented in a chamber or opening in the pipe to a stream of
water at a high speed sealing it against the air, thereby condensing the
steam from the engine and causing a vacuum on the exhaust side of the
piston in the steam cylinder, in the manner of an ordinary condensing
vessel of a steam engine. In large sizes the steam opening may advan-
tageously be provided with a series of louvre boards whose slanting sides
are presented to the water in motion.
In a similar way the water supply pipe may be provided with a long,
thin, slanting opening, to dip into the water in the cavity in the disc.

page_text: The orifice of the said water supply pipe is preferably slightly higher or
nearer the centre of the disc than the water recipient of the discharge
pipe. In large sizes the said water supply pipe is provided with louvre
boards which cause the water in the cavity, by its lateral action, to pro-
duce an exhausting action, and thereby draw air or water from the pipe
into the annular cavity in the disc; in this way drawing water from a
well or from a lower level than the disc, in the manner of a suction
pump.
The induction or inlet water pipe may also be led into the disc, through
the axis or by the front and open side of the disc, and be sealed against
the surrounding air by a diaphragm of nearly the same internal diameter
as the disc. The said diaphragm dips into the water in motion and thereby
seals the suction pipe or channel hermetically against the surrounding
air. The disc may be keyed on the crank shaft of a steam engine and
thereby made to serve the purposes of a condenser, air pump, and fly
wheel.
Second. The second application is for raising and forcing water or
other liquids. The arrangement and general features of the disc and the
inlet and outlet water pipes are the same as that above described, but
without the appliances for the condensation of steam. Motion is com-
municated to the disc to suit or correspond to the height the liquid is
required to be raised, and a receiving pipe with an expanding throat
with thin sharp edges is presented tangentially to take off a portion of
the water in the cavity as it revolves. This will force the liquid to a
height corresponding to the velocity with which the liquid is moved.
The form and proportions of the discharge recipient and pipe for the
various heights and quantities of water or other liquid to be raised will
generally be the same as allows the same quantity of water or liquid
from the same height to descend with the least waste of force; the pro-
portioning of the orifice and recipient being an important matter to
attend to in, a well designed pump of this description.
For raising water or other liquids short distances a convenient arrange-
inent will be to have the diameter of these discs somewhat greater than
the height the liquid is required to be lifted, in which case the carrying
shaft is placed horizontally, the lower part of the cavity being below the
level of the water to be lifted, and provided with an inlet pipe or channel

page_text: to allow the liquid to flow in, and a receiving or outlet pipe or channel
placed at or nearly at the top side of its internal cavity to convey away
the water.
Instead of one suction or inlet pipe and one receiving outlet pipe, as
herein-before described, two or more of each can be used to each disc.
i may point out that the driving friction of the cavity of the disc can
be increased by serrating or roughening the internal surface or by insert-
ing pegs or their equivalents, in this way increasing the power of com-
municating motion to the water.
At high speeds very little slip or loss of power will take place. It is
not very important what the form of the cross section of the annular
cavity is, so long as it is suited to contain the requisite quantity of liquid,
and is readily accessible to the inlet and outlet pipes.
Pumps constructed as above described are generally suitable for pur-
poses for which lift and force pumps are used; they will raise semi-liquid
and viscuous matter, such as solutions of sugar, freely.
The discs may be driven by a hand-crank handle, or by any well-
known multiplying gear for increasing speed, such as toothed and fric-
tional wheels and straps; they may also be driven direct by steam or by
water turbines, or be keyed on the crank shaft of a steam engine.
The third application relates to the transmission of motion from the
rings of liquid in motion to toothed wheels, frictional pinions, and
pullies set on axis bearings. The peripheries of these wheels, pinions,
or pullies are made to dip a short distance into the fluid, and to rotate
at the same speed in the same manner as toothed wheels, frictional
pinions, or pullies geared together.
For the transmission of a great amount of force pinions or wheels
formed with teeth or vanes to dip into the fluid in motion to a con-
siderable depth will be most suitable, and for very high speeds and small
force a plain frictional surface or wedge and grooved frictional surfaced
pulley or pinion in contact with or dipping into the fluid a short distance
will be most suitable. In this application liquid-rotating discs only
require such a fresh supply of liquid as will make up for the loss caused
chiefly by evaporation or wear, and the cavities may be constructed of

page_text: such a depth as to contain the quantity required when the discs are at.
rest, or they may be filled up when in motion.
Various automatic methods may also be used for supplying the waste,
and where water is used a small constant supply to make up for the loss
will be convenient. The greater the specific gravity of the liquid or
semi-liquid matter used the more effective will be the transmitting
power. Some acids and metals, mercury for instance, will be greatly
superior to water in this respect; water however will generally be the
most suitable motive force transmitting agent from its fluidity and the
ease with which it can be obtained. The quantity of water running round
in the cavity of the disc can be readily increased in volume, so as to
transmit any required amount of power.
Spur, bevel, skew, and screw pinions can be geared into the liquids
set in motion in this way, and several pinions of one or other of these
forms, or all of these forms, can be geared with one disc at the same
time.
Where a variety of operations have to be effected, and it is incon-
venient to apply the wheels, pinions, or pullies in one disc, or to have
separate discs, it will be an advantage to take off a portion or portions
of the liquid through a pipe or pipes, and thereby impart motion to
wheels, pinions, or pullies located at a distance. The water so led away
is conducted back to the disc.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd December 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JAMES
ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Scotland, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-fifth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said James Robertson, Her special licence that I, the

page_text: said James Robertson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said James Robertson, 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
IMPARTING MOTION TO LIQUIDS, IN TRANSMITTING MOTION THEREFROM. AND IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN." upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said James Robertson, 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 Inven-
tion, 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 James Robertson 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, reference being had to the accompanying
two Sheets of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
that is to say:
-
My Invention mainly consists in imparting motion to liquids in an
entirely novel manner. The motion is communicated through rapidly
revolving discs formed with an internal annular cavity, into which the
liquid is admitted and contained. Motion is communicated to the liquid
by its contact with the internal surface of the annular cavity, and it is
retained and carried round in the said annular cavity by centrifugal
force in a solid annular ring with very little slip or loss of power from
friction. Liquids having motion communicated to them in this way can
be advantageously employed in various ways and mechanical and useful
effects produced.
The first I shall describe consists in employing the said annular ring of
a liquid set in motion as above described, in which water is employed for
condensing the exhaust steam from a steam engine, together with the
operations necessary for that purpose, usually performed in a steam
engine by an air pump and a circulating or water supply pump, and

page_text: causing a vacuum on the exhaust side of the piston in the steam cylinder,
in the manner of an ordinary condensing vessel of a steam engine.
Throughout the 31 Figs. on the two sheets of Drawings to illustrate
this Invention, I shall use black arrows to indicate the direction of the
motion of the discs and moving parts, blue arrows to indicate the direc-
tion of the water or liquid currents, and red arrows to indicate the direc-
tion of the flow or currents of exhaust steam. I shall also use the same
reference letters for like parts to avoid as far as possible descriptive
repetition.
On Sheet 1 of my Drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in sec-
tion; Fig. 2 a side elevation partly in section; and Fig. 3 a plan also
partly in section. The disc A in this example is shown keyed on a crank
shaft B of a steam engine, and is adapted to answer the purpose of a
fly wheel. The crank shaft B is shown broken off short in order to shew
without interruption the internal form of the disc and the positions and
nozzles of the steam and water pipes. A bush bracket c is shown sup-
porting the outer end of the crank shaft; the crank not being necessary
to show the operation of the condensation of steam, or of pumping water
or other liquids by this Invention, is not shown. The pipe E shown
broken off is intended to be conducted to the exhaust port of the steam
cylinder of a steam engine, the flat opening slit or nozzle E¹ being bent
round and terminating in the internal cavity of the disc A. The said
cpening, slit, or nozzle being shown by longitudinal section in Fig. 1,
and cross section in Fig. 2; the inlet condensing water pipe F, seen in
longitudinal section Fig. 1, and cross section at the nozzle F in Fig. 2.
is connected to the source of the water supply, and terminates in the
internal annular cavity of the disc A; the inner surfaces and openings
of these nozzles of the pipes E and F are shown terminating at about like
distances from the centre of the disc A.
The eduction water pipe G, shown partly in section in Fig. 1, and
broken off in Fig. 2, has in this example a round opening or nozzle dip-
ping somewhat deeper into the annular cavity A', or terminating some-
what farther from the centre of the disc A than those of the nozzles E'
and F of the pipes E and F. The nozzle G' of this pipe G is made
sharp on the edges, and has a round expanding throat, seen in section
in Fig. 1.

page_text: On motion being communicated to the crank shaft B and disc A keyed
upon it, water in requisite quantity being admitted through the pipe F
and nozzle F¹ into the cavity A', the said motion is communicated to the
water thus admitted into this annular cavity by contact with the internal
surface thereof, and causes the water to move round with the disc in a
solid annular ring, indicated by the blue color in the cavity A'.
The depth of the water indicated by the concentrical line A*, A³, being
regulated by the position and size of the exhausting nozzle G', and the
quantity of water admitted through the inlet water pipe F. In this way
the internal surface of the ring of water in the cavity A' (its mass being
indicated by the blue color therein) is retained at the depth indicated
by the line A, A, and is made to revolve in contact with the inner sur-
faces of the nozzles E¹ and F2 of the pipes E and F, which thereby do
not materially obstruct the motion of the water ring. This ring of water,
by its motion, being made to overlap and envelop the nozzle G' of the
eduction pipe G, as shown, a portion of the water is forced in a constant
stream through the pipe G, maintaining thereby a continuous flow of
water through the pipes F and G and annular cavity of the ring, causing
thereby a constantly changing surface of cold water to pass in contact
with the nozzle E' of the steam exhaust pipe, thereby condensing the
steam and causing a vacuum to be created on the exhaust side of the
piston of the steam engine cylinder, to the exhaust of which, as explained,
this pipe F is attached.
The motions of the disc A and ring A², A², of water are indicated by
the black arrows placed thereon; the influx of water is indicated by the
blue arrows placed on the water supply pipe F, and the motion of the
exhaust steam in the pipe E is indicated by the red arrows placed thereon.
The ring of water A², A, in the annular cavity A' of the disc A, flow-
ing constantly over the nozzle F* of the water inlet pipe F, has by its
swift motion an exhausting effect; and should the source of the water
supply be lower down than the nozzle F³ this exhausting action will draw
the air out of the pipe and thereafter the water, the supply being regu-
lated by a valve or tap to the requisite quantity, as hereinbefore
explained.

page_text: one or more louvre boards, as shown by F3, F3, on which at short intervals.
the motion or flow of water in the ring is made to impinge.
In like manner in large sizes it will be an advantage to fit with similar
louvre boards the nozzle E¹ of the steam exhaust pipe to aid the exhaust-
6 ing effect, especially when the motion of the disc is slow. The water
is retained in the cavity A¹ of the disc by a circumferential motion of
about 800 feet per minute; and the higher its circumferential speed the
more perfect becomes the solidity of the water ring; as also that of the
condensing and pumping action explained.
For the purpose of causing a vacuum on the exhaust side of a steam
engine piston, as explained, a circumferential motion on the surface
A2, A3, of the annular ring of water of about 1,500 feet per minute will
generally be the most suitable, as higher speeds will tend to cause need-
less loss of power from friction.* .
Instead of one inlet nozzle for the steam and one for the water two or
more for each can be placed in the disc, and also two or more outlet
nozzles, can be used, and can be of various shapes or forms, but for most
cases one of each, as shewn in the Figs. just described, will be the most
effective.
In the case of condensing steam from a steam engine, as explained,
where the speed of the ring of water is sufficiently high to cause the
requisite force or pressure of water in the eduction pipe E to feed the
steam engine boiler it will be an advantage to insert a small additional
eduction pipe, and conduct it to the boiler for this purpose.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation partly in section, and Fig. 5, a side elevation
partly in section of a modification of this condenser and air pump, in
which the disc A is keyed on a spindle B set in the bearings C and C',
and adapted to be driven by a belt pulley H, and enclosed in a case J.
The case J and outside end bearing bracket C being shown fitted down
on a sole plate K, the condenser being made thereby a complete and
compact machine. The spindle B works through a steam-tight stuffing
box L shown fixed on the case. In this example the exhaust steam pipe
E from the steam engine is shown led to and fixed by a flange to the
case J containing the disc A. The nozzle of the eduction pipe G is
shown placed in the internal annular cavity of the disc A, as explained
in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3; but the nozzle Fe of the water supply
.

page_text: pipe F is not placed in contact with the surface of the ring of water
A2, A3, as shown in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but terminates in
a short round nozzle or opening, and is only adapted to allow water to
flow in from a pressure or higher level. The exhaust steam in this
example also enters the case and comes into contact with the water
throughout the entire area of the surface A2, A3, of the annular ring of
water, the case J serving the purpose of an ordinary condensing vessel
of a steam engine, and the disc A by impelling the water through the
eduction pipe G serving the purpose of an ordinary steam engine air
pump. This modification when used as a pump alone without the steam
pipe is adapted when driven at a very high speed to throw water to a
great height, or to give it great pressure.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation shown partly in section, and Fig. 7 a side
elevation of a condensing disc and pump A, similar in form to that shown
in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but keyed on a spindle B, and set
in a bearing bracket C, and adapted to be driven by a belt pulley H.
The disc A in this example is also left unenclosed, and free access
obtained for the steam exhaust pipe E from the steam engine, the educ-
tion water pipe G being similar in form and position to that shown in
connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The water inlet pipe F however is
differently formed, and is shown in section in order to show the manner
in which the influx of water takes place into the annular cavity A' of
the disc A. The induction or water supply pipe F has cast on its nozzle
or outlet end a disc plate F³, somewhat smaller in diameter than the
internal diameter of the annular cavity A' of the disc A, and is bent
downwards and made to terminate in a flange F', which is bolted to the
sole plate K, and the said pipe F with its large disc F³ securely fixed in
the centre of the annular cavity A' in the disc A. A small annular
space is left between the periphery of the terminal disc F³ and the
annular internal surface of the cavity A¹ in the disc A to allow the water
to flow into the cavity outside the disc F³ to the nozzles of the steam
pipe E and the nozzle of the eduction pipe G. On this water pump
being placed in a similar way to that required by a rotatory pump, and
motion communicated to the disc A, the water will be impelled through
the discharge pipe G, and exhausted or sucked through the inlet water
pipe F from a well or other source to which it may be connected. The
disc F, formed on the termination of the water inlet pipe F, sealing the

page_text: water inlet pipe effectually against access to the atmosphere by dipping
into the solid annular ring of water A³ in the annular cavity of the
disc A, the enclosing annular ring of the cavity in the disc A being
shown broken off to show how this is accomplished. The steam exhaust
pipe E from the engine is entered into the annular ring of water in
motion in the disc by a nozzle in a similar way to that described in con-
nection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this way water is admitted by the
centre of the disc A in an air-tight manner without the use of stuffing
When used as a pump to throw water several hundred feet high, or
at several hundred pounds pressure, the speed of these discs requires to
be high. The use of stuffing boxes is therefore very injurious.
Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 9 in part a sectional plan of a
form of this condensing disc and air and feed water pump, with its
spindle set vertically and enclosed in a steam-tight case J, the con-
densing water being in part allowed to flow through small holes in the
periphery of the annular cavity of the disc A into the case J, seen by
two small jets A³, A³, in Fig. 8; the portion of the water falling down
over the internal periphery of the case J escapes by the outlet pipe M,
as indicated by the blue arrow placed on it. The inlet pipe F for the
condensing water, seen in section in Fig. 8, is placed so as to allow the
water to flow into the centre of the disc A, which has cast on it a
diaphragm A, somewhat similar to the impellers of some forms of cen-
trifugal pumps, and may also like them have vanes cast on it internally.
Water is shown issuing through between this vane A and the central
plate of the disc A into the annular cavity A', the annular ring of water
being shown by the blue color and internal surface line A³, A. Motion
is communicated to the disc in this example by the impact of exhaust
steam on the internal annular surface of the ring of water A³, A³.
The eductive pipe G has formed on it a thin flat slit or nozzle con-
structed to take only a portion of the water such as might be necessary
to feed a boiler. In this arrangement only the hottest portion of the
water will (on account of its reduced specific gravity) ascend to the
position of the recipient nozzle G¹, and consequently only the hottest por-
tion of the condensing water is obtained for feeding the boiler.

page_text: When salt water or water containing any other impurity, such as mud,
is used, the impurities will be thrown out of the disc A through the
small holes A³, on account of the increased heat and consequently reduced
specific gravity of the water at the surface of the annular ring of water
'A2, A3, and comparatively pure water will be skimmed off by the thin
flat nozzle G¹. In pumping water by these pumps when no condensation
of steam is required, a similar arrangement can be used to filter or
extract impurities from water whilst it is being pumped or moved from
one place to another.
In the 5 foregoing Figs. each of the modifications of these discs are
adapted for pumping liquids without other alteration than the with-
drawal of the steam exhaust pipe F, and need not be described for pump-
ing purposes alone. They can also, as described, be used as steam pumps
coupled to any ordinary steam engine.
On Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings Fig. 10 is a front elevation
partly in section and Fig. 11 a side elevation also partly in section of onc
of these pumps adapted to work by hand. In this modification' the inlet
or supply water from the well or reservoir passes up through the pillar c
into the conical recess contained therein, into which recess a correspond-
ingly conical key piece N attached to one end of the inlet water pipe F
is truly fitted. The said conical key piece which is similar in form to
an ordinary stop cock is left free to oscillate, and is retained in its seat
in the same way. The inlet water pipe thus hinged on key piece N
has its nozzle end left free to fall down or be raised any required degree
in the internal annular cavity A', and is in action borne up by the ring
of water in motion, its weight causing only a slight friction on the surface
thereof. The brass key piece N has formed in it a slit or opening similar
to the put in a stop cock, so placed that should the inlet pipe and nozzle
Fº be borne up too high by reason of the water filling the internal annular
cavity A' too full the slit, opening, or put N³ is closed or partly closed
by the key piece N, and thus prevents the annular cavity from getting
full to overflowing, and also prevents retardation by unnecessary friction
of passing water on the slanting nozzle F. Various arrangements of
hinged nozzles can with advantage be made both for the inlet and outlet
of water, and also for inlet steam pipes from condensers. In small sizes
a slight elasticity on the inlet pipes answers this purpose very well. The

page_text: remaining parts and letters of reference being the same as those of Figs.
1, 2, and 3, no further description is needed.
For raising water or other liquids or semi-liquids short distances a
convenient arrangement is to have the diameter of the disc somewhat
5 greater than the height to which the liquid has to be lifted, the said disc
being provided with an inlet channel to let the liquid flow in, and an
outlet pipe to scoop off the water or other liquid or semi-liquid at nearly
the highest part of the internal surface of the annular ring of water.
Pumps of this description keyed on the crank shaft of a steam engine
can easily be constructed to lift several tons of water per second, and
will do the work with very little loss from friction.
Fig. 12 is a back elevation and Fig. 13 a side elevation of one of these
discs keyed on the crank shaft of a steam engine, its axis B being placed
in the centre of a large carrying cylinder o. In this example the annular
cavity A' of the disc A is formed V shape, and is shown lifting mud and
discharging it by the nozzle G' and pipe G along the top of the carrying
cylinder o. For canal cutting as here applied this form of disc will lift
mud very expeditiously and with little loss from friction and wear and
tear. The discharge pipe G is shown carried on two wheeled bogies
which change the position of the discharge pipe as the cylinder o is
rolled along from time to time to allow a fresh part of the canal to be
excavated.
The same letters of reference are used and the action is the same as in
the pumps heretofore described.
The third part of this Invention relates to the transmission of motion
from rings of liquid in motion to toothed wheels, frictional pinions, and
pullies set on axis bearings. The peripheries of these wheels, pinions,
and pullies are made to dip a short distance into the fluid in motion and
rotate at the same speeds and in the same manner as toothed wheels,
frictional wheels, or pullies geared together.
For the transmission of a great amount of power pinions or wheels
formed with teeth or vanes to dip into the fluid in motion to a con-
siderable depth will be most suitable, and for very high speeds and small
powers a plane frictional surface or wedge and grooved frictional pulley
will be most suitable.
In this part of this Invention the rotating discs only require such a
fresh supply of liquid as will make up for the loss caused chiefly by

page_text: evaporation, and the annular cavities may be constructed of such a depth
as to contain the quantity required when the discs are at rest, or they
may be filled up when in motion. Various automatic methods may also
be used for supplying the waste, and where water is used a small and
constant supply to make up for the waste will be convenient.
The greater the specific gravity of the liquid or semi-liquid matter
used the more effective will be the transmitting power. Some acids and
metals such as mercury will be greatly superior to water in this respect.
Water however will generally be the most suitable motive power trans-
mitting agent from its fluidity and the ease with which it can be obtained.
The quantity of water in the cavity of the disc can be readily increased
in volume, so as to transmit any required amount of centrifugal power.
Bevel and skew pinions can be geared into the liquids set in motion in
this way, and several pinions of one, or other, or all of these forms can
be geared into one disc at the same time.
On Sheet 2 of the Drawings hereunto appended, Fig. 14 is a front
elevation partly in section, and Fig. 15 a plan also partly in section of a
disc A, similar in form to that illustrated and described in Figs. 1, 2, 3,
of Sheet 1. Here the disc is shown in a state of motion, as indicated by
the arrows, and has its annular cavity A filled to the required depth
with water A² as the motive-power agent, a spur, toothed, or vaned pinion
P is geared into the said water. Thin sharp vanes made as smooth as
possible are the most suitable.
Fig. 16 is a stepped spur pinion, suitable for the same purposes as the
pinion in Figs. 14 and 15.
Fig. 17 is a pinion to be used in a similar manner, and has angularly
set vanes with a space between them. This arrangement is of much
advantage in starting, the water being prevented from spurting past the
side of the disc by being made to advance on the periphery past the
centre ends of the vanes or teeth."
Fig. 18 is a plan, and Fig. 19 an end elevation of a plane surfaced
frictional pulley or pinion, and Figs. 20 and 21 are plan and end eleva-
tion of a wedge and grooved frictional pinion proportioned and adapted
to gear into the disc A, shown in Figs. 14 and 15.
Fig. 22 is a sectional plan of a disc A with bevel pinion P gearing
therein, the teeth or vanes of which are formed similar to the teeth of

page_text: an ordinary mitre bevel pinion, only thinner and sharper, it being advan-
tageous that these pinions should displace as little of the water as
possible, yet at the same time take a good hold thereof.
Fig. 23 is an end view of the pinion P, showing the form of the vanes
or teeth.
Fig. 24 is a sectional elevation of a disc A and friction pulley P
gearing therein. When the axis of the disc as in this example is placed
in a vertical position, it, the said disc, retains the actuating fluid when
at rest much more conveniently, as indicated by the blue lines, which
show the fluid resting on the internal bottom surface of the disc. The
said water when the disc is set in motion rises into gear with the pinion.
Fig. 25 is a sectional elevation of a disc A also set on a vertical axis,
but having its fall downwards, and is formed with a retaining cavity A7,
A', for retaining the actuating fluid when at rest; it is also shown with
two spur pinions P, P, gearing in it. The axes of these spindles may be
placed in any position, but the horizontal or vertical positions will
generally be found the most satisfactory.
Fig. 26 is an end elevation of a spur pinion P with curved or hooked
teeth here shown placed in portion of a rim of a disc; smoothness of
action and reduced risk of breakage are amongst the advantages of this
description of gearing. There is also considerable advantage from there
being little pressure exerted on the bearings, and this may be reduced
to nothing or made to exert a pressure from the centres by means of
these curved or hooked teeth.
Fig. 27 is an end elevation partly in section of a disc A, and Fig. 28
is a plan also partly in section showing a skew toothed pinion gearing
into the liquid in motion; the direction of the motion is indicated by
the arrows.
Fig. 29 is an end view of the toothed skew pinion P. Any rate of
speed can be given to pinions of this form, whatever the speed of the
motive fluid A in the disc A may be, by proportioning the bevel of the
teeth against the advancing fluid to the speed required.
Where a variety of operations have to be effected, and it is incon-
venient to apply the wheels, pinions, or pulleys in one disc, or to have
separate discs, it will be an advantage to take off a portion or portions
of the liquid through a pipe or pipes, and thereby impart motion to

page_text: wheels, pinions, or pulleys located at a distance. The water so led away
is conducted back to the disc.
Fig. 30 is a side elevation partly in section, and Fig. 31 is a plan of
a pinion P situated at a distance from the disc A, to which motion
is communicated. The pinion P is shown in section in Fig. 31, and is
enclosed in a suitable case Q with bearings R and S formed in it, the
teeth of the said pinion dipping into a channel Q. The water is led off
by the pipe G, having its nozzle G₁ placed into the actuating fluid and
led into the pinion case Q, made to pass through the channel Q³, thereby
transmitting motion to the pinion P, and is led back again by the pipe T
to the disc. In this way pinions placed at a short distance from these
discs may have motion communicated to them in any posture or position.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and parti-
cularized the same is such manner that others will be enabled to carry
my improvements into effect, as well as to extend their use for purposes
not specifically mentioned, I claim, imparting motion to and transmitting
motion from liquids, substantially in the manner and by the means or
apparatus described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robertson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twerty-ninth day of November, in the
year of our Lord. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
JAMES ROBERTSON. (L.S.)