AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE SPEED OF ROTATING SHAFTS OR AXLES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE SPEED OF ROTATING SHAFTS
OR AXLES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by
Richard Harkort, of Hagen, Westphalia, Prussia.
Sealed the 19th July 1878, and dated the 23rd January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd January 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE SPEED OF ROTATING SHAFTS OR AXLES AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." [A
communication from abroad by Richard Harkort, of Hagen, Westphalia, Prussia.]
This Invention relates to an improved apparatus for automatically indicating the
speed of rotation of axles or shafts, and the variations which occur in such rotation
within a given time.
In carrying the said Invention into practice, I provide a box or case, within
which is placed clockwork of ordinary construction. This clockwork turns an axle
(which projects upwards out of the said box or case) say, once in three hours. On
the upper end of the said axle is a round thin disc of wood or metal, which con-
sequently revolves, once in three hours. On this disc is a pointed card or dial plate
placed in an exactly central position, which card, by the pressure of a flat spring
by the aid of a nut, is held fast to the said disc.
Upon the rotating axle or shaft, whose motion or speed is to be measured, I
attach a pulley in two halves. I also attach to the said indicating apparatus a
similar pulley, which, by means of an india-rubber band passed over both the said
pulleys, is caused to rotate at the same speed as the axle or shaft under test. On
Prins bl

page_text: the axle of the pulley attached to the indicating apparatus is fastened a forked
bolt, which, by the rotation of the pulley; catches the forked T shaped end of a
shaft, and moves the latter as quickly as the pulley rotates.
The said shaft is part of the mechanism provided for communicating speed by
means of two shafts with three worms, and three worm wheels of ten teeth each,
fastened thereon, so that by the revolution of a worm, the worm wheel gearing
with it is turned one tooth further, and consequently the last worm wheel of the
series only after one thousand revolutions of the pulley is once moved around its
vertical axle. This axle, which like the said clockwork axle, projects out of the
said case or box carries on its upper end firmly wedged to the same a heart wheel,
which works excentrically, and is constructed of two symmetrical curves. The
said heart wheel, by its revolution, presses against the end of a guide, which rests
in two bearings, and through the resistance of a spiral spring is guided backwards
and forwards respectively, and one end will be in contact with the circumference of
the said heart wheel. On the opposite end of the said guide is fixed a marker
with a pencil inserted therein, which, as the heart wheel revolves, is moved back-
wards and forwards.
The two symmetrical circumferential curves of the said excentric heart wheel
are so constructed that by similar angles of revolution of the pulley the said
marker also advances and retires a similar distance, whether the speed of the same
is great or small, or varying. The said heart wheel has five concentric circles
intersecting ten radii, which are at like angles of 380=36 degrees from each other.
The excentricity of the said heart wheel is exactly as great as the distance of
the innermost from the outermost circle on the said card. This distance is also
divided into five parts, and circles are drawn, and if, by the revolution of the
heart wheel, the points of the curves successively arrive at the end of the said
guide, the marker stops at the corresponding points on the said card both in the
forward and backward motions. Hence, it is obvious that because the excentric
curves are constantly by the forward and back ward motion of the said marker
exactly proportional, the number of the revolutions of the pulley are taken as
revolutions of the shaft being tested; and further, that in a moving rotating axle,
as for instance, the axle of a railway carriage, with which the apparatus is con-
nected, the distance run is by the wheels fixed on the same rendered by the
forward and backward motion of the marker exactly proportional in a reduced
scale.
After one revolution of the heart wheel the pulley attached to the indicating
apparatus has, in consequence of the transmitting mechanism, made one thousand
revolutions, and accordingly by a single advance of the said marker five hundred
revolutions (the other five hundred are indicated by the backward motion).
As there is exactly proportional movement in the number of revolutions of the
last-named pulley, so the fifth part of the distance from the inner to the outer
circle on the said card exactly corresponds to one hundred revolutions, the 50th part
to ten revolutions, the 100th part to five revolutions, and soon, so that the number
of the revolutions can, by means of compasses and a scale, be exactly ascertained.
In cases when a travelling axle has to be dealt with, it will be seen from the
foregoing description that the distance run by its wheels is given in an exactly
proportional manner by the said marker, consequently, if a railway carriage wheel,
for example, is three metres in circumference, then the backward and forward
motion of the said marker exactly corresponds to three kilometres, the backward
motion 15 kilometres, the half of the backward motion 0.75 kilometre, the 5th
part of the same 0.3 kilometre, and so on.
At the same time it is to be here observed that in a railway carriage wheel it is
not absolutely necessary to know its circumference for the purpose of ascertaining
the speed.
The distance of two stations apart being really known, the exact quantity. of a
kilometre in the path of the maker may be ascertained, whereupon there may
then be obtained a scale for the journey, in the same manner, moreover, the cir-
;

page_text: cumference of the wheel may be ascertained from the number of revolutions of the
axle and the distance run between the two stations.
The said disc noves slowly and at an equal rate under the said marker, with
the dial plate card attached, which latter is divided into spaces representing
minutes, or, if desired, any other division may be used. A diagram is therefore
produced on this card, in which the speed, according to the journey and time, is
quite distinctly given, and in which also the time of rest or standstill of the axle
or shaft by the excentric interruptions in the diagram for each time of day is
distinctly marked. From this distinct figure may be seen exactly the number of
rotations of an axle or shaft, that is to say, what distance a travelling axle has
passed in a given time; also from the shape of the diagram line whether the speed
was uniform, increased, diminished, or slightly changed.
There are also shewn all the little forward and backward motions, according to
directions, extent, and time; for example, in a railway carriage axle, all the
shunting operations in which the axle has taken part.
As the time of day is at the same time given, and the card can be set ac-
cordingly, the said card, by the application of the said apparatus to railway
purposes, will give a truthful graphic indication of the arrival, detention, time of
departure, time of shunting, speed, and the like.
The graphic table is moreover very distinct and clear, and resembles the
graphic journey plans of the railways, with which therefore an easy comparison is
possible.
By the arrangement of other means of transmission from the axle or shaft, or
modifications in the worm and worm wheels, the representation of the speed in
any
other scale may be effected according to desire; also the clockwork, instead of
going for three hours, may be regulated for twelve or six hours, or otherwise, so
that the card need not be soon changed.
Modifications of this nature may, under the same general principle of this
method of representation, be adopted according to pleasure.
If desired the graphical figure instead of being made on a card may be shown
on a continuous strip of paper, if the clockwork is arranged, so that it draws
forward the strip of paper in question regularly every minute around a fixed piece
under the marker.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
July 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE SPEED OF ROTATING SHAFTS OR AXLES, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A
communication from abroad by Richard Harkort, of Hagen, Westphalia, Prussia..
This Invention relates to improved apparatus for automatically indicating the
speed of rotation of axles or shafts, and variations of such rotation within any
given time.
The manner in which the said Invention is carried into practice is illustrated in
the accompanying Drawing, which I will now proceed to describe.
a case,
Figure 2 shews an iron box A, in the part A¹ of which is a spring clock fitted in
and whose parts are well known, and will not be further herein described.
This clock turns a spindle b, shewn in Figures 2 and 3 (which protrudes above the
clock case) once around its own axis in 3 hours. On the upper end of this spindle
is centrally fixed a thin, round, metal or wood plate or disc c, Figure 3, which
consequently is caused to revolve round its own axis once within 3 hours by the
clock. On this disc is placed centrally a card p, Figures 1 and 3, with figures
printed or marked thereon, and which is fixed on the same by a flat spring 2 and a,
nut M for tightening the said spring.
On the revolving spindle or shaft, whose motion or speed is to be measured, is
fixed a pulley made in two halves, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5. On the apparatus
itself is fixed a pulley R of the same size as shewn in Figures 2, 3, and 5, which
will revolve with the same speed as the shaft which is to be examined, a gutta
percha or other suitable belt or strap being passed around both of the said pulleys.
On the end of the spindle of the pulley R on the apparatus is fixed a forked
carrier m, which, when the pulley revolves, will take hold of the forked and
Tshaped end of the shaft i and turn the latter just as rapidly as the pulley.
The shaft i belongs to a speed "translating" machine, shewn in Figures 2 and 3,
which is provided with the spindles and i", and with three worms and wheels,
each with 10 teeth, so fixed that by each revolution of a worm its corresponding
wheel is turned one tooth further round, in consequence of which the last tooth
wheel will only revolve once on its vertical spindle to every 1000 revolutions
of the aforesaid pulley. This spindle , which like the clock spindle b projects
from the case A, has keyed to its upper end the heart-shaped disc n, Figures 1 and
3, which working excentrically, and describing two symmetrical curves in its
revolution, presses against the end of a slide o, Figures 1 and 3, which resting in
the guides v, v, is constantly held up against the circumference of the heart-shaped
disc by the pressure of a spiral spring q, Figure 1, and is moved forward and back-
ward alternately. In the opposite end of the slide o is fixed a marker S, Figures 1
and 3, fitted with a pencil point, and which is moved forward and backward in a
straight line in the direction of the centre line.e, n, by the revolution of the afore-
said heart-shaped disc.
Both the symmetrical and circumferential curves of the excentric heart-shaped
disc n, the construction of which is more particularly illustrated in Figure 1, are
so arranged, that with equal angles of revolution of the pulley the marker S will
move forward and backward equal distances, whether the speed of the same be
quick, slow, or varying. The consecutive points in the circumferential curves I.,
II., III., IV., V., VI., are the result of the respective intersection of equidistant
and concentric circles w, w¹, 2011, 20111, 201111, w, and the 10 radii 7, 01, 2011, 111,
, which latter are drawn at equal angular
>
distances, namely, 300-36 degrees.
The excentricity of the heart-shaped disc n (shown by the line a*, b*) is just as
great as the distance c*, *, of the innermost from the outermost of the concentric

page_text: circles on the paper card p, Figure 1. This distance is also divided into 5 equal
parts, and through the points of division 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, circles are described.
Consequently, when, by the revolution of the heart-shaped disc, the successive"
points. I., II., III., IV., V., VI., arrive at the end of the slide o, the marker S will
be at the points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, on the card p in its forward and backward
movements.
From the above description it will be evident that because the excentric curves
are constant, the number of revolutions of the pulley will be measured with exact-
ness proportionally, with regard to the shaft to be examined by the forward and
backward movement of the slide o; and furthermore, in the case of a travelling
revolving spindle, as for instance, a railway axle connected with the said apparatus,
any distance travelled by the wheels on the axle will be recorded in the exact
proportion on a reduced scale by the forward and backward movement of the
slide o.
After a single revolution of the heart-shaped disc n, the pulley R, according to
the speed translating machine, will have made 1000 revolutions, that is to say, by
a single movement of the slide o 500 revolutions, the other 500 being made during
the return movement of the said slide.
As the movement follows the number of the revolutions of the pulley R in exact
proportion, the 5th part of the distance c*, d*, will represent exactly 100 revo-
lutions, the 50th part 10 revolutions, the 100th part 5 revolutions, and so on, so
that the number of revolutions can be exactly ascertained by the circle and
scale.
In the case of a travelling axle or spindle, as in Figure 5, it will be clear from
the preceding description that the distance travelled by the wheel will, in the
same manner, be shown in exact proportion by the marker S. If, for instance, the
wheel of a railway carriage is 3 metres in circumference, the forward and backward
movements of the marker S will represent exactly 3 kilometers, the forward move-
ment 15 km, half the forward movement 075 km, the fifth part of the saine
03 km, and so on. But it is not absolutely necessary in the case of railway
carriage wheels to know their circumference in order to find their velocity, but it
is necessary to obtain the exact length of a kilometer in the movement of the
marker by the distance between two stations, which is known, and then a scale
for the way can be produced. Moreover, by the number of revolutions of the axle
and the distance travelled between two stations, the circumference of the wheel
may be found by working backward.
Under the marker S moves slowly and regularly, by means of the aforesaid
clock, the disc c, Figure 1, having the printed card p affixed to it, shewing the
minutes, and if desired there may be a further division of the same.
By the movement of the marker S there will be produced a diagram on this card,
as shewn in Figure 1, in which the speed is given graphically and exactly, according
to the distance and time, and in which the duration of stoppages is also distinctly
marked; that is to say, the stopping of the rotation of the said axle or spindle for
any time of the day is shewn by the concentric interruptions in the diagram y, Y,
Figure 1. This graphic representation shews exactly how many revolutions an
axle or spindle has made, that is to say, what distance a travelling axle has passed
over in a given time. Moreover, the shape of the lines of the diagram will shew
whether the speed has been regular, increasing, decreasing, or but slightly varying.
In the stoppages, all slight forward and backward movements will be graphically
and accurately represented, according to direction, distance, and time, as for
instance, in the case of the axle of a railway carriage all the shunting movements
of the vehicle will be shewn.
As the time of the day is given at the same time, and the cards can be arranged
accordingly, the apparatus when used on a railway will afford, by means of the
cards p, a truthful and graphic record, with a direct notification of the arrival,
stoppage, starting, shunting, speed, and other particulars.
The graphic representation may be clearly seen at a glance, as in the case of

page_text: graphic or pictorial railway routes, with which an easy comparison is thus rendered
possible.
The diagram may also be taken to any desired scale by arranging other means
for "translating" the motion from the axle or spindle, or by using different worms
and wheels for reducing the speed.
Moreover, the clock, if desired, may be arranged for 12 hours, 6 hours, or other-
wise, instead of for 3 hours, so that the card need not be so frequently changed.
And other modifications of this nature, on the same general principle of repre-
sentation, may be adopted if desired.
The application and working of the said apparatus requires in practice to be
arranged according to the circumstances under which it is to be used, but its
arrangement will not affect the principle of the same. For example, the graphic
illustration might be represented on a continuous strip of paper instead of on a
card, if the clockwork is arranged for such a movement, so that it will move the
strip of paper forward a certain distance for every minute under the marker S.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim the above-described apparatus for measuring and indicating the move-
ments and speed of revolving axles, shafts, or spindles, and comprising the heart-
shaped disc or heart-shaped cam for moving the pencil by the revolving axle shaft
or spindle through the medium of grooved pulleys in connection with a circular
diagram, disc, or a strip of paper operated by clockwork, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WM RORT LAKE (LS)