Improvements in Means for Counting the Revolutions of Axles, Ascertaining the Speed of Machinery, and for similar purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1896-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Counting the Revolutions of Axles,
Ascertaining the Speed of Machinery, and for similar
purposes.
1, GEORGE ALBERT BOLTON, Mechanical Engineer, of 118 Holborn, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in means for counting the revolutions of
axles ascertaining the speed of machinery and for similar purposes.
It is applicable to cyclometers tachometers, ships-logs and a variety of uses that
will be readily understood.
It is carried into effect as follows: The moving part the speed whereof is to be
ascertained is placed in contact with a slide or lever and each revolution of the
axle (if the number of rotations is to be ascertained) causes the slide to move once.
The movement of the slide or lever closes an electric circuit which sends a current
through the apparatus hereinafter described or the circuit may be otherwise
closed.
An electro magnet is placed in the path of the current and each time the circuit
is closed, as stated, the armature of the electro magnet is attracted. The
armature may be connected with a train of clockwork and each movement of the
armature allows the clockwork to advance one step so that counting mechanism,
actuated by the clockwork indicates the number of revolutions or movements in a
given time.
I prefer however to cause the armature to operate the counting mechanism by
positive motion, dispensing with the clockwork that would require winding up
from time to time. To this end the armature has a pawl at its end which pulls a
toothed wheel forward the distance of one tooth every time the armature moves.
A counter pawl serves to give greater regularity to the movement of the toothed
wheel.
This toothed wheel by a suitable pinion acts on the main driving wheel of the
counting mechanism.
The main wheel carries a gathering snail having a double action. By a suitable
lever it acts on a signal bell of suitable form, whilst it also serves to move the unit
wheel of the counting mechanism.
Any suitable counting mechanism may be employed but I prefer to construct it
as follows:
Each figure-wheel is a cylinder the periphery of which is marked with
numerals.
The first by a pinion actuated off the gathering snail. The first figure wheel
carries a toothed wheel engaging a pinion having teeth of unequal width so that
during the greater part of its revolution it moves idly with respect to the second
figure wheel, but once in every revolution causes the latter to move one division.
The second figure wheel drives the next in a similar manner, and any number of
figure wheels may be used.
Dated this 29th day of August 1895.

page_text: Improvements in Means for Counting the Revolutions of Axles,
Ascertaining the Speed of Machinery, and for similar
purposes.
I, GEORGE ALBERT BOLTON Mechanical Engineer of 118 Holborn in the
City of London 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 relates to improvements in means for counting the revolution of
axles, ascertaining the speed of machinery, and for similar purposes and is illustrated
in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows that part of the mechanism
which is directly underneath the dial plate. Fig. 2 the parts below or behind the
plate a.
The said invention is applicable to cyclometers, tachometers, ships logs and a
variety of uses that will be readily understood.
It is carried into effect as follows:-The moving part the speed whereof is to be
ascertained is placed in contact with a slide or lever and each revolution of the
axle (if the number of rotations is to be ascertained) causes the slide to move
once. The movement of the slide or lever closes an electric circuit which sends a
current through the apparatus (hereinafter described) or the circuit may be
otherwise closed.
An electro magnet A is placed in the path of the current and each time the
circuit is closed, as stated, the armature B of the electro magnet is attracted.
The armature may be connected with a train of clockwork and each movement
of the armature allows the clockwork. to advance one step so that the counting
mechanism actuated by the clockwork indicates the number of revolutions or
movements in a given time.
I prefer however to cause the armature B to operate the counting mechanism by
positive motion, dispensing with the clockwork that would require winding up from
time to time. To this end the armature B has a pawl b at its end which pulls a
toothed wheel C forward the distance of one tooth every time the armature moves.
A counter pawl 61 serves to give greater regularity to the movement of the toothed
wheel.
This toothed wheel by a suitable pinion c acts on the main driving wheel D of
the counting mechanism not shown in the drawings.
The main wheel D carries a gathering snail E having a double action by a
suitable lever F it acts on a signal bell G of suitable form (shown in dotted lines
in Fig. 1) whilst it also serves to move the unit wheel of the counting mechanism,
the counting mechanism being operated by the same lever, or the spindle of the
snail may actuate the counting mechanism.
Any suitable counting mechanism may be employed but I prefer to construct it
as follows:-
Each figure wheel is a cylinder the periphery of which is marked with
numerals.
The first is actuated off the gathering snail or its spindle as stated. The first
figure wheel carries a toothed wheel engaging, a pinion having teeth of unequal
width so that during the greater part of its revolution it moves idly with respect
to the second figure wheel, but once in every revolution causes the latter to move
one division.
The second figure wheel drives the next in a similar manner, and any number of
figure wheels may be used.
This construction being well known, the counting mechanism and dial are not

page_text: shown only so much of the apparatus being illustrated in the drawings as is
requisite to render the novel features of this invention clear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
I claim.
1. An apparatus for ascertaining the number of revolutions of axles, the speed
of machinery and the like consisting of an electromagnet co-operating with an
armature B having the pawls b b¹ which by the intervention of suitable gearing
operate a signal bell and counting mechanism, all arranged as described and shown
in the drawings.
2. In an electric cyclometer or the like the combination with the armature and
gearing of the double-acting gathering snail E so that the bell and counting
mechanism are synchronously operated as described and illustrated in the
drawings.
London 29th of May 1896.
BERNHARD DUKES,
226 High Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.