Improved Means of Transmitting Power at Varying Speeds.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification loft 15th Oct 1000 Accouted 11th Dan
1000
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Transmitting Power at Varying Speeds.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of 47, Victoria Street, Westminster, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
The object of this invention is to improve the means of transmitting power
from one shaft to another at varying ratios of speed, and relates more particularly
to cases where cone pulleys are employed.
In transmitting movement from one cone pulley to another, if a fine cord or
wire were employed the transmission of speed would be theoretically correct;
but a fine wire or cord would cut into the pulley; and power of any practical
value could not be so transmitted, belts are therefore used, but the two edges of
the belt being on different diameters of the cone they try to run at different
velocities and slip" or drag" must inevitably take place, causing wear of the
belt, and considerable frictional loss in transmission, attempts have been made
to overcome this "slip" or "drag by giving a full twist to the belt ou both
sides. Other evils then arise.
"
"
By my invention the theoretical correctness of a single wire is secured to-
gether with the practical advantage of a wide belt, and it may be described as a
single wire upon which is threaded a number of transverse strips or pads free
to rock upon the wire, these pads when in contact with the pulley accommodate
themselves to the slope of the cone. Such an arrangement is applicable to small
powers.
Ropes of hemp, gut, or stranded steel wire could be used, and the pads or trans-
verse strips can be spaced by interposing washers or collars or by forming bosses
on the pads, the washers or collars can be pinned or otherwise secured to the wire
rope or strand.
A strong thick, but narrow leather belt solid or built up can be used for the
centre pull and the strips or pads can be secured thereto in any suitable way.
For the transmission of larger powers I preferably employ a centre chain to
which the transverse strips or pads are attached. Each pad being free to swivel
or turn on the chain through an angle equivalent to the slope of the cone.
The pads may be so devised as to be attachable to an ordinary chain, but I
preferably employ a special form of chain which may be conveniently described
as a series of knuckle joints, the pads turning on the smooth part between each
joint, and by making the flat of the pad engage with the knuckle joint the angle
of tilt or rock can be limited. A belt so constructed may be used to transmit
power from one cone pulley to another, though the pulleys are nearer together
than is usual in ordinary practice.
For moving the belt along the cone pulleys, and so varying the rate of trans-
mission of speed, I cause rollers, rods, or other equivalent device, to press against
the edge of the chain or other central projection upon the rocking pads.
When cone pulleys are a considerable distance apart, sufficiently far to permit
of the belt having a full twist on both sides, then I construct the belt of a series
of taper pads, spaced a slight distance apart, and string them upon two wires,

page_text: strands, or chains one at, or near, either edge of the belt. In this case the taper
of the pads must coincide with the slope of the cone pulley. By this means a
uniform tension of the belt is secured and "slip" or drag" avoided.
The belts above described though devised specially for working on cone pulleys,
can be employed in conjunction with ordinary pulleys.
Improved Means of Transmitting Power at Varying Speeds.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Albany Buildings, 47, Victoria Street, West-
minster, Consulting Engineer, 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 improve the means of transmitting power
from one shaft to another at varying ratios of speed, and relates more particularly
to cases where cone pulleys are employed.
In transmitting movement from one cone pulley to another, if a fine cord or
wire were employed, the transmission of speed would be theoretically correct.
But a fine wire or cord would cut into the pulley, or break, and power of any
practical value could not be so transmitted.
Belts are therefore employed but the two edges of the belt, being on different
diameters of the cone, try to run at different velocities, and, amongst other evils
slip" or drag must inevitably take place, causing wear of the belt and con-
siderable frictional loss in transmission.
By my invention the theoretical correctness of a single wire is secured together
with the practical advantage of a wide belt.
It may be described as a single wire or cord, upon which is threaded a number
of transverse strips or pads free to rock upon the wire or cord. These pads when
in contact with the pulley accommodating themselves to the slope of the cone.
Such an arrangement is applicable to small powers. Ropes of hemp-gut, or
stranded steel wire, could be used, and the pads or transverse strips could be
spaced by interposing washers or collars, or by forming bosses on the pads, the
washers or collars could be pinned or otherwise secured to the wire or cord, and
the pads could be so interlocked as to limit their movement.
For larger powers other modifications are desirable, and numerous ones are
possible, all based on the principle of an ideal central line, and wide rocking
contact making pads, and in order that the construction of belts in accordance
with this invention may be better understood, and how the position and move-
ment of the same can be controlled, reference is made to the accompanying draw-
ings in which.
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a pair of cone pulleys, with a belt partly in
section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation partly in section.
Figs. 4 to 15 show various methods of constructing the articulated belts.
An articulated belt forming part of my invention, is shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.
A chain consisting of a series of links 1. 1, 1, is built to the required length and
has free bending movement in one plane, like the chain of a bicycle. Between
the head 2 and tail 3 of each link is a round portion 4 upon which turns the

page_text: pad or shoe, 5. The chain therefore wraps round the cone pulleys forming the
ideal line, and the pads 5 turn upon the round portion 4 accommodating them-
selves to the slope of the pulley. The metal portions of these paus are channel
shaped and are filled with leather, 6, or other suitable material for obtaining
adhesion on the smooth surface of the cones. When this kind of chain is used
the striking gear acts against the central chain which stands above the pads.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show a chain belt made of a series of metal links 7, 7, 7
attached to each other by the pins 8, 8, 8 the underside of each link is of trough
or channel form through the centre of which passes a pin 9, 9, 9 upon which
rocks the pad 10, in either direction, to accommodate itself to the top or bottom
cone. The striking gear presses against the edges 11, 11, of the links forming
the chain belt. In this case the pads consist of a number of strips of raw hide or
other suitable material 12, 12, 12 pressed tightly together and held between
the metal plates 13 by suitable rivets. A belt of this description is shown upon
the cone pulleys in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Figs. 1 and 2 the belt is partially cut
away for the sake of clearness.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a modification of Figs. 7, 8 and 9. A leather band 14
being used in lieu of the link belt. The troughs or channels, 15, being rivetted
and clinched to the leather band in any suitable manner.
The pads are also strengthened by having a foundation of metal. The cross
mid-section, 16, being of T form. Through the T head passes the retaining
pin 17 and against the leg of the T the leather strips are held by rivets. Fig. 11,
shows one of the shoes or pads in section.
Figs. 12 and 13 show another modification in which the pad 18 similar to
that shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is provided with lugs 19, 19, which pass through
holes punched in the leather belt and a retaining washer, and rivetted in position.
The flexibility of the leather being partly relied upon for permitting the tilt of
the pads. The belt is kept from buckling by the cross ribs 20. Studs could be
used instead of the lugs 19, screwed down through the leather into the head
of the pad.
Another modification is shown in Figs. 14 and 15 in which a metal shoe 21,
hinges upon the stud or bolt 22, which passes through the belt; and the stiffen-
ing bridge 23. The shoes or pads 21 may be covered with leather or other
suitable material in the manner shown.
In Fig. 15 part of the belt and a pad are shown in section.
As only a slight movement is required between each pad, they may be strung
together by passing, slackly, a wire or cord through the holes, 24, or by any other
suitable means.
From the above examples it will be seen that belts in accordance with this in-
vention can be constructed in many and various ways.
For moving belts up and down on cone pulleys more care is required than
for shifting belts to and fro on parallel pulleys, especially when the two shafts,
the driver, and the driven, are near together (an arrangement that is desirable
for motor cars, and frequently for other uses,) then it becomes necessary that the
belt should be controlled where it runs off and where it runs on to, both the driver
and the driven pulley; and for this purpose the guide must follow the varying
slope of the belt as it travels from one end to the other of the two pulleys. This
result may be accomplished in various ways, but I preferably employ the
arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in which it will be seen that two screws
25, 25, are placed one on either side, suitably held by the framework that carries
the pulleys. These screws, 25, operate nuts 26 to which are bolted the
guides, 27. The rocking movement of the guides is controlled by the rods 28
fixed to the framework at the requisite angle as shown. A sleeve 29 slides upon
each guide rod, and is provided with a stud which is free to turn and lift in
the hole in the lug, 30, forming part of the nut 26. It will be seen that as the
screws, 25, draw the nuts along, the guide rods 28 will deflect the belt guides, 27,
causing them to conform to the varying slope of the belt. The guides are shown

page_text: with plain sides against which the edges of the belt slide or rub, rollers can be
placed at the top and bottom of the guides when required.
The screws 25 can be operated by an arrangement of bevel wheels as shown
(or otherwise).
The screws can be made one right-hand and one left-hand thread.
When it is desired to employ the belt not only for transmitting power but also
for stopping and starting the driven shaft by slacking or tightening the belt;
then the driven pulley can be held in a fender 31 and operated substantially in
the manner for which Letters Patent were granted me No. 138279 and a like
arrangement can be used for obtaining a reverse rotation of the driven pulley as
therein shown and described, and repeated in the accompanying drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. For transmitting power from one cone pulley to another, the combination
of a cord, wire belt or chain, with rocking or tilting pads that accommodate them-
selves to the slope of the cones.
2. For transmitting power at varying speeds from one shaft to another the
employment of cone pulleys and a wire, cord, belt or chain fitted with rocking
or tilting pads that accommodate themselves to the slope of the cones.
3. The combination of parts forming an articulated belt or chain substantially
as illustrated and described, for the purpose of transmitting power from one cone
pulley to another.
4. The combination of parts such as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for controlling
and guiding the belt or chain as specified in Claims 1, 2 & 3, running on cone
pulleys whereby the guides are made to follow the varying slope of the belt as it
travels from one end to the other of the cone pulleys.
5. When cone pullevs are used and it is desired to employ belt or chains such
as specified in Claims 1, 2 & 3, not only for transmitting power at varying speeds,
but also for stopping and starting the lifting of the driven pulley to release the
belt and the lowering of the pulley to tighten the belt.
6. When cone pulleys and articulated belts such as specified in in Claims 1, 2 & 3
are employed for transmitting power and it is required to produce a rotation
in a reverse direction the employment of friction wheels that can be brought
together when the driven pulley is lifted and the belt is slackened.
Dated this 12th day of October 1900.
M. HOLROYD SMITH.