Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Sept., 1888
CHARLES STOUT of 57 Bell Road Seacombe Cheshire, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to show on the bridge or other convenient place of a
steamer the direction the engines are going.
For this purpose I make a vane and secure it to a spindle by one edge, this spindle
is fitted into bearers and free to move, the vane is enclosed in a case of the form of
the segment of circle prefered, at one side of such case a pipe is fitted connecting it
to the hollow plug of a three way cock the other side is open to the air, the other two
ways of said cock are connected to the high press valve caseing and condenser
respectively, or to top or bottom of low press cylinder on main engine, in the event of
the latter arrangement it will be necessary to fit check valves one to open vacuum and
the other to open pressure, this three way cock is influenced by the reversing arrang-
ments of such engine and, say when it is going ahead the vacuum in low press
cylinder is in direct communication with vane and draws it over and the reverse action
with the pressure when the cock is moved in the opposite direction upon spindle of
said vane a pointer is fixed and influenced by the movements of said vane, a dial plate
may he fitted having ahead on one side and astern on the other and stop in the centre,
the pointer is balanced to bring it to stop when the vane is not otherwise influenced.
Dated this 11th day of November 1887.

page_text: Improvements in Direction Indicators for Marine Engines.
CHARLES STOUT Engineer of 57 Bell Road Seacombe in the County of Cheshire
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 :-
The object of this invention is to show on the bridge of a steamship or other
convenient place the way the engines are going.
For this purpose I make a vane A and secure it at one side to a spindle B. This
spindle is fitted into bearers and free to move.
The vane A. is enclosed in a case C. of the form of a segment of a circle prefered,
the back of such case forms one of bearers, and the cover D forms tho other bearer
which carries spindle B.
At one side of case a pipe E is fitted connecting it to the hollow plug of a three
way cock or valve F which is preferable, the other side of case is open to the air.
The other two ways H in valve Fig. 2 are connected to the top or bottom of low
pressure cylinder, or a seperate cylinder with piston and connecting rod, operated
by engines having alternately a pressure above and below that of the atmosphere may
be substituted for the main cylinder.
The valve Fig. 2. is fitted with plug or piston I. and actuated by the reversing gear,
two valves a. and b. are also fitted a is operated by pressure and b. by vacuum, in
cylinder. A lever K. is fitted as a means of connecting piston I to the reversing
gear.
The mode of operation is as follows,
The Indicator Fig. 1 is fitted on bridge and the three way valve Fig. 2. is fitted on
engine frame and connected to starting gear by lever K. and convenient connecting
rod, so that when the engines are put in ahead gear the piston I is moved into such a
position that the air is drawn into the cylinder through the valve b. causing
atmospheric pressure on the side of vane A and forcing it out of its vertical position
and when the engines are put into astern the piston I is moved into such a position (as
shewn in Fig. 2.) that the pressure in cylinder forces the vane A. in the opposite
direction, when the vane A. is not otherwise influenced its gravity causes it to occupy
a vertical position. A pointer L is secured to spindle B. and indicates on the dial M.
the direction the engines are moveing.
Having now fully described my invention and the mode of operation I make the
following claims
First. An Indicator with vane A. spindle B. pointer L. and dial M. as described, and
shewn in Fig. 1.
.
Second. The arrangement of the three way valve Fig. 2. connected to low pressure
cylinder, and to Indicator as described and for the purpose described.
Dated this 7th day of August 1888.