IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN TRANSMITTING MOTIVE POWER FOR SIGNALLING AND INDICATING. OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall Arthur
Wier, both of Elm Lodge, Newton Road, Bayswater, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN TRANSMITTING MOTIVE POWER FOR SIGNALLING AND
INDICATING. OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 19th March 1869, and dated the. 24th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur McNutt Wier
and Marshall Arthur Wier at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 24th September 1868.
We, ARTHUR MONUTT WIER and MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER, both of
Elm Lodge, Newton Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PNEUMATIC APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN TRANSMITTING MOTIVE POWER FOR
SIGNALLING AND INDICATING, OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to pneumatic signalling apparatus in which one
large or compressing air vessel, such as is described in the Specification
of a Patent granted to us on the 29th day of August 1867, No. 2468,
a forcing air pump, or other similar contrivance is employed in the com-

page_text: municating instrument connected with several distinct tubes leading to
smaller air vessels which actuate different indices, pointers, or shutters
in one or more indicator instruments.
One part of our improvements relates to the valves or taps heretofore
employed for opening and closing communication between the tubes
and compressing air vessel, and consists in employing between the
compressing air vessel, chamber, or pump, and the several tubes leading
from the communicator to the indicator, a valve box or a series of valve
boxes of peculiar construction containing a series of valves corresponding
to the number of signal tubes. The several tubes are connected with
the said valve box or boxes, and the valves are so arranged that each is
capable of opening or closing communication between the tube in
-connexion-with it and the compressing air vessel, chamber, or pump.
When the communication is open by means of the valve the external
atmosphere is cut off from the compressing instrument and tube, but
when that communication is closed the tube is open through the valve
to the external atmosphere and the equilibrium is restored.
Also, in employing in connexion with the compressing instrument a
self-acting relief valve, in such manner that after a tube has been used
to give a signal and its communication with the compressing instrument
has been cut off by the valve above mentioned the consequent deficiency
of air in the compressing instrument will be restored from the atmo-
sphere through the said valve. The act of compressing the air vessel at
same time closes the relief valve. By these means the atmospheric air
will be in equilibrium both inside and outside of all parts of the
instruments when a signal is not actually being given. Instead of
distinct movements having to be made by the operator for the purpose
of actuating the compressing instrument, and for opening or closing
the communication between it and any of the tubes as heretofore, we
effect both operations by one movement in the following manner:-Each
valve in the valve box or boxes above referred to is actuated by the move-
ment of a separate lever or key, which also acts either directly or by
the intervention of a second lever upon the compressing instrument;
or instead of a separate lever or key for each valve we employ a single
lever or key, the fulcrum of which has a radial motion round a centre,
which admits of the lever being brought to act on any one of the valves
and at same time on the compressing instrument.
Another part of our improvements consists in the arrangement and

page_text: adaptation of mechanism in connexion with collapsible sided metallic
air vessels or other compressing or exhausting instruments to apparatus
employed in the transmission of motive power for various purposes
besides that of visible signalling, such as sounding one or more signal or
alarm bells, as, for example, between the passengers or guard and driver
of a train, or in other positions firing one or more guns from a distance,
indicating automatically or manually the approach or passage of a train
to or from a given point to one or more stations, and other similar pur-
poses This we effect by causing one or more air vessels connected by
tubes with the compressing instrument, either by means of the valve
box or without, to act directly or by the intervention of levers, connect-
ing rods, or racks and pinions, upon the hammers or other instruments
for discharging one or more guns by percussion or other fuses; or, as in
the case of signalling on railways, to move a signal lamp, semaphore
arm, et cetera by the passage of a train over a given point, the com-
pressing instrument being actuated in each case either by hand or auto-
matically, as may be most convenient for the particular purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Arthur M'Nutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ARTHUR
MONUTT WIER and MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER, of Elm Lodge, Newton
Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Arthur M'Nutt Wier and
Marshall Arthur Wier, Her special licence that we, the said Arthur
M'Nutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Arthur M'Nutt Wier and
Marshall Arthur Wier, our 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

page_text: 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 PNEUMATIC APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN TRANS-
MITTING MOTIVE POWER FOR SIGNALLING AND INDICATING, OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Arthur M'Nutt
Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier, our executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
-said Invention, 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 we, the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall
Arthur Wier, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying
Drawings, that is to say:―
Our Invention relates to pneumatic signalling apparatus in which one
large or compressing air vessel, such as is described in the Specification
of a Patent granted to us on the 29th day of August, 1867, No. 2468; 1
a forcing air pump, or other similar contrivance is employed in the com-
municating instruments connected with several distinct tubes leading to
smaller air vessels which actuate different indices, pointers, or shutters
in one or more indicator instruments.
'
The Invention consists, firstly, in certain improvements in. the valve
boxes, valves, or taps employed, as herein-after more particularly
described, for opening and closing communication between the tubes
and compressing air vessel, or between them and the external atmo-
sphere, for the purpose of maintaining an equilibrium between the
pressure of the air contained in the tubes and that external thereto at
all times when the instruments are not actually in use, and in the means
employed for actuating the said valves or taps.
Also in employing, as herein-after more particularly described, in con-
nexion with the compressing instrument a self-acting relief valve for
purpose of maintaining the pressure of the air contained therein in 3
equilibrium with that of the external atmosphere when signals are not
the

page_text: being sent, so as to obviate any imperfect action of the instrument arising
from deficiency of air or from changes. of temperature.
Also in an improved arrangement of the sending mechanism whereby
one-movement of the handle or key is made to operate upon both the
valve and air chamber at the same time, so as to obviate the necessity of
distinct movements having to be made by the operator for this purpose
as heretofore. We also employ an arrangement whereby one handle or
key is made to operate upon any one of the transmitting valves and
air chamber at pleasure-instead of employing a seperate handle or key
for each.
Also in the arrangement and adaptation of mechanism in connexion
with compressing or exhausting instruments whereby we are enabled to
transmit motion to hammers or other instruments for ringing bells, dis-
charging guns, exhibiting semaphore and other signals, et cetera for a
variety of purposes to which pneumatic signalling apparatus has not
heretofore been applied successfully.
In order that our said improvements and the means whereby we carry
them into effect may be more fully understood, we will now pro;
ceed more particularly to describe them by reference to the Drawings
annexed, wherein―
.
Fig. 1 is a transverse section of an apparatus in which distinct handles
or keys are employed to operate one air vessel for sending different
signals; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same; Fig. 3, a partial section and
elevation of valve box showing valves in position.
A represents the metallic air vessel with collapsible sides or other
compressing instrument; B, a lever working on centre spindle C;
D, D, D, et cetera, a series of lever handles or keys the inner-ends of
which act on the part B' of lever B when the handle end of any one
of them is depressed so as to compress the air vessel A. The lever
handles D-each bear, at the part G. of their length upon a valve H
working in the valve box I, the construction of which is as follows:-
Cylindrical holes are bored out in the box at the parts marked * for the
reception of the cylindrical valves or plugs H. Each cylindrical hole is
terminated at top and bottom by a flat seating 1 and 2. The part 3-of
the valve H fits the cylindrical hole with tolerable accuracy, and slides
freely up and down therein. The upper part or head, which is screwed
to the part 3, is formed-with a seating to fit against the seat 1 of the box,
a leather washer 4 being interposed between the-annular surfaces so as

page_text: to make them perfectly air-tight when pressed together. The lower
part H of the valve is formed in a similar manner to the upper, and has
In the
also a leather washer 5 to bear against the lower seat 2.
cylindrical part 3 of the valve is formed a groove 6, extending nearly or
quite the whole distance between the two valve faces 4 and 5, the said
groove 6 coinciding as to position with a hole 7 made through the body
of the valve box, as shown in dotted lines (Fig. 3). The hole is in com-
munication with a tube 8 leading to the particular apparatus in the
indicator instrument to which the valve belongs. An air reservoir or
chamber K is attached air-tight to the under side of the body of the
valve box, and springs L, L, placed therein act against the under sides
of valves H' to keep them closed against the lower seats 2 when the
levers D are not pressed down, as seen in Fig. 3 at H¹*.
reservoir K is connected by pipe M with the air vessel A.
The air
It will now be understood that when it is desired to send a signal the
handle corresponding thereto, say D', is pressed down, the valve H'
opens communication between the reservoir K. (and consequently the
air vessel A) and the tube 8 leading to the apparatus in the indicator
instrument which is in connection with the particular shutter or pointer
it is desired to move by means of the groove 6, the end of which, as seen
at Fig. 3, is brought below the seating. As the act of depressing lever
handle D' also compresses the air vessel A by means of lever B, et
cetera, the air is forced through the groove 6 into fube 8 and gives
the signal, the external atmosphere being shut off for the time being by
the valve H. As soon as the pressure is removed from the handle D¹,
the spring L acts to close valve H at bottom, returning handle D' to
its place and opening valve H at top; the upper end of groove 6 then
coming above seat 1, the atmospheric air is allowed to circulate through
it and the tube 8 to restore the equilibrium Instead of groove 6 the
cylindrical part 3 of the valve may be made hollow and lateral holes
drilled from the circumference to meet the hollow and to coincide with
the positions of the hole 7 and ends of groove. The communication
between the air vessel A and tube 8 being now cut off by the closing
of valve H', the air forced into the tube in sending the signal could not
return into the air vessel, and when it was desired to send another
signal it would be found not to contain sufficient air to act effectively.
To obviate this inconvenience forms the second part of our Invention.
The stem E is bored out to receive a relief valve F, and a small passage

page_text: E' is formed leading into the body of the air vessel. The valve F
has a groove F formed in it, and a valve seat furnished with a washer
similar to that shown at H and H' presses against the end of stem E
when the air vessel is compressed by lever B; the outer atmosphere
is thus at that time shut off, but when the pressure is removed the
spring E acts to expand the air vessel, and the spring F opens the
valve F sufficiently to bring the end of groove F' above that of stem Ẹ
so as to admit atmospheric air into the vessel A and restore the
equilibrium.
Fig. 4 is a section of an apparatus in which one handle is made to
act upon any one at pleasure of the valves before described and at same
time upon the air vessel, to give different signals in the indicator
instrument; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same; and Figs. 6 and 7 respec-
tively vertical and horizontal sections of one of the valve boxes.
:
In this arrangement the valves are of similar construction to those
before described, and the same letters of reference refer to similar parts,
but for convenience each valve is fitted into a seperate box which has
a distinct air reservoir K beneath The series of valves is arranged
concentrically round a central spindle C, which is free to slide up and
end
down and revolve in a collar, as shown, being guided at its upper
by a bracket C. A lever handle D is pivotted at its inner end to said
spindle C, and at the part G acts'upon the valve H to depress it. When
the valve H has been pressed down to its seat a continuation of the
pressure on handle D causes the latter to move round the point G, where
it rests on valve H as a fulcrum, the valve being held down on its seat,
and the spindle C will be raised. The spindle C being connected with
the bell-crank lever B by the collar C acting on fork B³, the lower end
of bell crank B works the air vessel A and parts E, F, in the same
manner as before described. When desired two or more air vessels A'
may be operated by making the bell crank as shown in plan view,
operating each from an appropriate arm B³. It will be seen that each
of the valve reservoirs K is connected by a pipe L' with a collecting
chamber L which is in connection with the air vessel A by means of
the tube M. The action of the apparatus is the same as that already
described, except that the single handle D is to be moved round with
the spindle C until the friction bowl N mounted in an opening in the
lever D is brought over the valve in communication with the tube
leading to the desired signal shutter or dial in the indicator, the
grooves I in the case guiding the lever, while the notch P cut laterally

page_text: in the bottom of said grooves allows of locking the handle in position
as long as desired, so as to keep the signal in view, the friction bowl N
allowing of the necessary side play without straining the valves or
lever.
Fig. 8 is a partial section and elevation, and Fig. 9 a plan with upper
part of instrument removed of an arrangement for effecting the same
object by means of a sliding and fixed frame in connexion with the
central spindle C of Figs. 4 & 5, instead of the bell-crank lever B;
and the same letters of reference relate to like parts in all the Figs. from
4 to 9.
Qis a frame fixed by brackets Q' to the under side of base. The air
vessels A and A' are attached to the cross bars Q2 of this frame, and
are each provided with relief valves F, as before described.
R is a
moveable frame sliding in guides R', also attached to under side of base.
The spindle C passes loosely through a hole in the upper bar of this
frame, and is free to turn therein; a broad-headed screw S tapped into
its lower end forms a collar which acts on the frame to lift it when the
-spindle C is raised by the handle, as before explained. The middle and
bottom bars of the frame R act against the heads of relief valves F when
it is raised, and after closing them compress each of the air chambers A
and A'; the upper one A being connected by the pipe M with the
collecting chamber L is employed for the transmission of the signals,
and the lower A', by means of pipe X, for ringing the attention bell at
the distant station; or instead of the two air chambers being employed
as here represented, when one is not sufficient for both purposes two or
more may be connected together so as to communicate directly with
each other, and their combined volume employed, as illustrated in Fig
39, hereafter referred to.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 represent one method of applying the relief valve
to the apparatus employed to ring the attention bell at the distant
station, so as to insure a more speedy return of the various parts to
their normal position after having acted 1 is the small air vessel which
is expanded by the action of the column of air contained in the pipe. 2
leading from the corresponding compressing air chamber (as A¹) in the
communicator instrument. This small air vessel acts by means of the
levers 3 and 4 and their. respective triggers-5 and 6 upon the hammer
lever 7 to strike the bell or gong in a manner now. well known in con-
nection with these signalling instruments.
...

page_text: In order to adapt a relief valve to act at the bell end of the pipe 2
we employ the following mechanism.-8 is a bell-crank lever of three
arms centred on a stud 9; one arm of the lever is attached by connecting
rod 10 to the sliding relief valve 11 adapted to the pipe 2 near the air
chamber 1. The structure of this valve will be readily understood by
reference to Fig. 12. When the small air chamber 1 is expanded, and
lever 3 thereby caused to move the hammer, the finger piece 12 attached
to said lever 3 will be brought nearly in contact with arm 13 of lever 8;
at that moment the triggers 5 & 6 pass each other, and the spring acts
on the hammer to strike the bell. This slipping past of the triggers,
and consequent sudden removal of resistance, causes the end 5 of
lever 3 to spring upwards, and the finger 12 then strikes arm 13 of
lever 8, causing the latter to turn on its centre sufficiently to move the
valve 11 so as to bring the hole 14 in it to coincide with the opening 15
in the valve case, and thus open the pipe and air chamber to the
atmosphere. The plenum of air now escaping through the valve from
the chamber allows it to contract, and the lever 3 returns to its normal
position, as shown, more quickly than heretofore; in doing so the finger
piece 12 comes to act on arm 16 of lever 8, and the valve is closed
ready for the next signal. Instead of lever arm 13 being acted upon by
finger 12 to open the valve the arm 8 may be continued, as shown
in dotted lines 8*, so that when the hammer strikes the bell the hammer
lever 7 will strike the end of lever 8*, and thus open the valve, finger 12
closing it as before described.
Fig. 13 represents another method of applying the relief valve to this
purpose. The valve 11 is constructed similarly to the relief valve before
described in connexion with the transmitting air vessel, and is opened
by the lever 4 as the bell is struck through the intervention of lever 8
working on centre 9, the trigger 6 on lever 4 tripping short end of
said lever 8 as lever 4 descends in striking the bell, thus lifting the
valve 11 and admitting the air. A latch 17 is now forced by a spring 18
beneath a pin 19 on lever 8, and the valve is thus held open until the
end 5 of lever 3 descends sufficiently to bring a pin 20 fixed theren to
act upon an arm 21 of latch 17, and so disengage the pin 19.; the
spring 22 then closes the valve, and the apparatus is ready for another
signal.

page_text: purpose. 23 is a short branch or tee piece in the tube leading to the
small air chambers; 24 is a lever fitted at one end with a valve
25, similar to a flute key, furnished with a leather or other soft surface 26,
which is pressed by the weight 27 against the end of tee piece 23,
excluding the atmosphere until a pin 28 fixed in lever 3 is brought by
the lifting thereof to act on weighted end of lever 24, when the valve is
opened and the equilibrium restored. A similar arrangement of latch
may be applied to keep the valve open the requisite time as was
described in reference to Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is another modification of the valve last described. The valve
is formed on the back end of trigger 5, as shown at 29, a short branch
pipe 30 leading to the boss of the lever 3, which is bored out conically
and fitted accurately on a conical stem 31, in which a passage 32 (the
end of which coincides with the end of branch pipe 30 in the boss) is
formed leading to the tube 33, which is connected to the main tube
leading to the air chamber. As the lever 3 rises to move the bell
hammer, trigger 5 meets the resistance of trigger 6 (see Figures 10 or 13)
and the valve 29 is pressed against the end of branch pipe 30 until the
triggers 5 and 6 pass each other, by which time the pressure of air in
the pipes and air chamber will be sufficient to open the valve in
opposition to the light spring 34, so as to partially restore the equili-
brium. The spring 34 is made of just sufficient strength to keep the
valve closed against the pressure of air required to move the lever 3
alone. As soon as the triggers 5 and 6 engage each other the resistance
of the hammer keeps the valve closed against the increased pressure
until they pass each other, as before described.
Figs. 16, 17, and 18 show the application of a self acting relief or
equilibrium valve to one form of apparatus we employ for indicating
automatically to the captain on the bridge the position of the rudder on
board ship, for the purpose of obviating any imperfect action occasioned
by contraction or expansion of the column of air contained in the
pipe and air vessels by change of temperature or other cause.
A is
the compressing air vessel which is compressed or expanded by the
action of the quick-pitched screw B working in a nut C, motion being
communicated to said screw by means of lever D in connexion with
the rudder in a manner well known. The valve consists of a cylindrical
or conical plug F fitted air-tight into a corresponding hole in a casting E
In the plug there is turned an annular recess G which communicates

page_text: at all times by means of a tube H with the air chamber A and
tube X leading to tell-tale instrument. A narrow groove I is formed
at one side of the plug F so as to form a communication between the
annular groove G and the external air by means of a small hole K
whenever the plug is moved round so that the said groove and hole
coincide. The valve plug F is caused to move round a portion of a
revolution whenever the rudder is moved by means of a short lever I.
fixed on the end of said plug, a pin M on the short lever taking into a
slot N in lever D. The hole K and groove I are so disposed in relation
to the levers that when the rudder stands amidships the atmospheric
air can circulate through the valve, air vessel, and pipe, but when the
rudder and consequently lever D are moved slightly to either side the
valve plug is rotated so as to move the groove I from coincidence with
the hole K, and thus cut off communication with the external atmosphere;
the compression or expansion of air chamber A then causes the tell-
tale index to move to the right or left, but when the rudder is returned
to midships the groove I is again brought to coincide with the hole K
and the equilibrium is restored, the tell-tale index at that time pointing
to zero.
Fig. 19 shows another form of valve applicable to the same purpose
in cases where it is desirable that the tell-tale index should begin to
move as soon as possible after the rudder itself has been moved even
slightly either to starboard or port. E is a fixed disc of metal in which
is formed a circular groove g connected with the air chamber by pipe H,
as explained in reference to last-described Figures. F is a second disc
adapted to turn in contact with the first named, being held in contact
with it by means of the shank and nut beneath, as shown; the second
disc is moved by a short lever L from the longer one in a similar manner
to that before described. I is a narrow passage formed in the under
surface of the upper disc which when the rudder stands amidships
coincides with a short passage K formed in the lower disc so as to allow
of the air circulating through those passages and circular groove to
the pipe and chamber. When the upper disc is turned slightly on its
centre, as shown in plan view, the passages I and K no longer coincide,
and the circular groove 9, pipe H, et cetera are shut off from the
atmosphere, the two discs being fitted together air-tight; the tell.
tale then begins to act with less angular movement of the valve than
in the case of the first-described valve, as shown by dotted lines in
Figs. 18 and 19 respectively.
c

page_text: Fig. 20 is a plan view, and Figs. 21 and 22 side and end views
respectively of an improved arrangement of apparatus for indicating
at a distance the direction and number of the revolutions of an enginc.
In order to obviate the jarring action which is sometimes found incon-
venient in the arrangement described in our Specification of a former
Patent herein-before referred to we now employ the following
apparatus: A is the large metallic air vessel capable of compression
or expansion in a manner well known; the stem B of said air vessel
passes through a guide C and has fixed on it a curved piece D. On the
shaft E, the number and direction of revolutions of which are required,
is fixed an inclined finger F of such a shape that as the shaft revolves
in one direction the advanced edge of said inclined finger passes to one
side of curved piece D and by the action of the inclined surface presses
it and the stem B, to which it is attached, to one side, thus compressing
the air vessel A, which returns to its normal state each time after the
finger F has passed the piece D by the action of springs in a manner
well known. When the shaft revolves in the opposite direction the
other edge of inclined finger F passes on the other side of curved piece
D and in a similar manner expands the air vessel; the compression or
expansion of the air vessel is indicated in the tell-tale instrument as
heretofore. A relief valve may also be applied to this apparatus to
preserve the proper density of the air by so placing it as to be acted
upon by a small tappet fixed on the shaft, so that in whichever direction
the shaft may turn the valve shall be held open long enough to
re-establish the equilibrium between each movement of the tell-tale.
Figs. 23 and 24 show the modification of our signalling appa-
ratus which we employ for the purpose of communicating between the
passengers or guard and driver of a train.
Fig. 23 represents a compressing air vessel placed in the partition
between two compartments of a carriage. Knobs or studs projecting
into each compartment are under the command of the passengers;
either knob on being pressed inwards will cause a bell or gong (see
Fig. 24) to sound in the guard's van or a steam whistle to be opened
on the engine. A pipe T leads from each air chamber to a small box U
in connection with a pipe V running from end to end of the carriage,
and coupled by a suitable coupling to the corresponding pipe of the
next carriage. The small box contains a valve U' covering the end
of pipe T leading from the air chamber to prevent the air from any

page_text: other chamber passing, when a signal is given, up into it, and thus
losing its power or escaping by the relief valve attached thereto, which
is always open when the air chamber is not being used. This valve
may be conveniently formed of a thin membrane stretched across the
opening of pipe T, so as to offer very slight resistance to the passage
of air from the air chamber. to which it belongs into the pipe V.
The bell arrangement, shown in Fig. 24 as applied to the guard's van,
is already familiar, but in order to obtain sufficient power to move a
heavy hammer, and to overcome the resistance of a strong spring
employed to move that hammer, we employ two or more small air
chambers W, W, connected together with an air passage between them,
by which means we are enabled to obtain much longer range and more
powerful action than when one is only employed.
Fig. 24 shows the means we employ for calling the attention of the
driver by causing the whistle to be sounded on the engine simulta-
neously with the striking of the bell in the guard's van. a, the whistle;
b, the lever attached to steam tap of same, having a weight fixed at
its end; ' is a trigger supporting lever b; and d a small air vessel in
connexion with it. When a signal is sent the air vessel d expands,
lifting trigger c and liberating weighted lever b, which falls to position
shown in dotted lines and opens steam tap, the whistle continuing to
sound until lever b is returned to position shown, a tap in pipe V
allowing the driver to release the compressed air from air vessel d, and
thereby to readjust the trigger c and lever b.
Figs 25 and 26 show another method of applying our apparatus to
this purpose. The compressing air vessel or vessels are placed in somc
convenient part of the carriage, by preference on the top, as shown in
these Figures, and protected by a wooden casing or cover.
A rod a,
extending the whole length of each carriage, turns on bearings b, b,
fixed to top of carriage (see also Fig. 27); a lever c, placed loosely on
the rod a, extends downwards into each compartment through a sliding
plate d, to be hereafter described. A short lever or tappet e is fixed on
the rod a and acts against the air vessels to compress them whenever the
rod d is partly turned round; each lever c extending into a compartment
being loose on the rod a has a pin f fixed in the side of its boss which
comes to act against a pin g in the rod a, so that whenever any one of
the said levers c is pulled down the rod a is partly rotated and the air
vessels acted upon, while the remaining levers in the other compartments
are not affected.

page_text: In Fig. 27 the plate & through a slot in which lever c passes slides
on a sole plate d', and has formed on it a series of teeth into which
a pawl takes whenever the lever c is drawn down, say, into the
position shown in dotted lines. The lever cannot then be restored to
its place until the pawl is released from the teeth, and the com-
partment from whence the signal was sent is thus indicated At onc
end of the rod a there is fixed a finger (see Fig. 26) which acts
when the rod a is rotated upon one end of a lever i, the other end
of which being raised liberates a semaphore arm j, which falling into
the horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines, indicates the particular
carriage from which the signal has been made
In order to provide an indication to the driver or guard in the event
of a portion of the train breaking away a safety apparatus is applied
thus is a lever fixed to each end of rod a; a chain passing down
from it under a pulley is attached to the coupling of the air pipe
beneath the carriage in such a manner that the loop formed by it and
the corresponding chain from the next carriage shall always be tighter
than the flexible coupling pipe, and thus should the train break in
two the chain will tighten and rotate the rod a, giving the signal before
the coupling pipes have been broken.
Fig. 29 shews a spring clip for supporting the lever handle c when
not in use, but which offers only slight resistance to a downward pull
of the lever handle c.
Fig. 30 shews one form of coupling which we find suitable for
connecting the ends of the pipes in each carriage to the next. A, A,
are the buffer beams of each carriage; B, a modification of a common
gas bracket, the passages in the plug of which are so arranged that
when the bracket arms B are in the position shown in full lines there
is free communication from end to end of the train, but when dropped
into the position shown in dotted lines that communication is shut
off as is necessary, for instance, at the rear end of the last carriage
in the train. C, C, are screw junctions for the attachment of a piece
of india-rubber or other flexible pipe D between the two brackets B, B.
In Fig. 31 ordinary cocks are substituted for the jointed brackets,
and must be opened and closed by hand; a piece of flexible pipe and
screw junction complete the attachment as before.
Figs. 32, 33, 34, and 35 are respectively a side elevation, longitudinal
section, end view at a, b, and same at c, d, with junction removed,

page_text: of a self-acting valve intended to obviate the possibility of leaving the
pipe open to the atmosphere at the rear end of train. 1 is the body
of valve box; 2, a valve therein, similar to those before described, acted
on by a spring 3 to keep it closed when not kept open by force;
4, the liner of the screw union 5 to which the flexible tube D is attached;
the part 4 being pressed against the end of valve 2 is screwed up
by the union 5 until it bears against the leather washer 6 so as to
make an air-tight joint at that part, the valve 2 being now open. When
the junction is unscrewed the spring 3 closes valve 2. It will be
understood that one of these valves is required at each end of every
carriage.
Figs. 36, 37, and 38 are respectively a longitudinal section, plan
view, and partial cross section at line e, f, of a coupling for connecting
two flexible tubes depending from the ends of two contiguous carriages
in cases where it is preferred not to employ loose pieces of flexible
tubes as above described. D and D' are the two ends of tube from
the two carriages each connected with a small casting d, d'; these
castings are of precisely similar shape and such that when placed
together they form a scarph joint; a passage e through them forms a con-
tinuation of the air tube. f and f' are taps in the castings d, d', which
when turned into the position shown open the passage e, and by the
projections g, g', hold the two parts d, ', together. When the
taps are turned one quarter round the projections g, g', aré free to pass
the wings of the taps and the joint. can be separated. The coupling
is made air-tight by means of india-rubber washers h. ', fastened in
the castings d. d', which when pressed together form
tight joint.
a sufficiently.
Figs. 39, 40, and 41 shew the modification of our signalling apparatus
which we employ for the purpose of indicating on a line of railway and
to a distant station or signal box when a train has passed certain given
points.
In Figs. 39 and 40, A, A, represent two of our compressing air
chambers of proportionately large size connected together so as to act
as one air chamber, the two being contained in a covered box C, and
connected by an air passage. Any number of these chambers may be
employed according to the distance to which it is desired to transmit
motion; they are compressed by the passage of a train over the bar B
placed inside the rail D, so that the flanges of the wheels may press it

page_text: downwards, the links E, E, centred on rocking shafts F turning in
bearings fixed to the sleepers or other suitable supports acting after the
manner of a parallel rule; an arm G, also fixed on one of the rocking
shafts, acts on the air chambers as the bar B is depressed. The length
of said bar must always be greater than the maximum distance between
the centres of any two wheels on the same side in the train, in order
that the bar be held down until the whole train has passed. The balance
weight H then serves to restore the bar B and air chambers A, A, to
their original positions. The pipe I from the air chambers A, A, leads
to an instrument (Fig. 41) at the station or signal box, where the passage
of the train is to be recorded, which is shown fitted with a small
semaphore arm; but a needle, shutter, or other indicating medium may
be employed
When a train passes over the apparatus shown in
Figs. 39 and 40, the air chambers A, A, being compressed, the small air
chamber a in instrument Fig. 41 will be distended and the semaphore
arm V raised, indicating the approach of that train, the latch e locking
it in that position until the train having passed on to a given distance
passes over another similar apparatus to that shown in Figs. 39 and 40,
from which a pipe d leads to air chamber a in instrument Fig. 41, which
air chamber being in turn distended liberates latch a from its pin on
lever F, and the semaphore arm falls by its own weight, indicating the
safe passage of the train over that point.
It will be readily understood that apparatus similar to that above
described may be readily applied to a variety of purposes in which it is
desired to transmit motion from one place to another, whether for
signalling or for effecting other operations, such as liberating a hammer
to discharge a cannon; and for this purpose the compressing apparatus
may be made portable and connected by a flexible tube with the smaller
air vessel or vessels, so as to enable the person in charge of a battery to
discharge the gun or guns from a distance.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, we would have it
understood that what we claim as our Invention is,―
1st. The valves for opening and closing communication between the
transmitting tubes and air compressing instrument, constructed and
applied substantially as herein-before described.
2nd. The self-acting relief valve in connexion with the compressing

page_text: instrument, and as applied to the several other purposes, substantially as
herein-before described.
3rd. The method of actuating the compressing instrument simulta-
neously with the transmitting and relief valves, and also of effecting
these operations on any one of a number of valves by means of one key
or lever handle, as herein-before shown and described.
4th. The several combinations of parts arranged in connexion with
compressing or exhausting instruments for transmitting power for
various purposes, forming the respective modifications of our pneumatic
signalling apparatus, constructed as herein-before shown and described.
5th. Connecting together two or more air chambers so as to act as one,
whereby greater power may be transmitted and greater range of motion
obtained, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur M'Nutt Wier, on behalf of
myself and the said Marshall Arthur Wier, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-second day of March One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-nine.
ARTHUR MONUTT WIER. (L.S.)
ARTHUR MONUTT WIER. (L.S.)