IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID MOTORS FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES AND OTHER SMALL OR LIGHT MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hamilton Ela Towle, of Budge Row, Cannon
Street, in the City of London, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID MOTORS FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES AND
OTHER SMALL OR LIGHT MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."-Partly a communi-
cation from abroad by William C. Dodge, James H. Welch, Edward
P. Welch, and Rosia W. Welch, all of Washington, District of
Columbia, United States of America.
Sealed the 9th May 1873, and dated the 13th November 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hamilton Ela Towle
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th November 1872.
I, HAMILTON ELA Towle, of Budge Row, Cannon Street, in the City
of London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID MOTORS FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES
AND OTHER SMALL OR LIGHT MACHINERY OR APPARATUS," partly a communi-
cation, to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to engines or motors intended to be operated by
water, but which may also be driven by steam or compressed air if

page_text: desired; and the said Invention consists in a novel construction of the
engine whereby the use of independent or separate valves is dispensed
with, and an oscillating cylinder is hung at one end upon a conical
trunnion in which are formed the induction and eduction ports, with
special devices for reversing the motion of the motor.
The object of this Invention is to produce a small and cheap motor
that can be conveniently used for all household and shop purposes, such
as driving sewing machines, washing machines, coffee mills, turning
lathes, and the like.
In constructing this improved motor or engine I make an oscillating
cylinder with a piston like that of an ordinary steam engine. This
cylinder however is made at its lower end with a tubular bearing, which
extends transversely across and through it and for some distance at each
side, so as to afford a long and firm bearing; this bearing forms a tube
at right angles to the body of the cylinder, and constitutes the bottom
or lower end of the cylinder proper. Internally this tube is bored out
conically for the purpose of compensating for wear. The said tube is
so arranged that the walls of the cylinder are connected to it at opposite
points on its sides, thus leaving its upper half to form the bottom of
the cylinder, its lower half forming the inner wall of a passage which
extends up along the outside of the cylinder and communicates with the
upper end of the said cylinder by an opening. A conical trunnion is
inserted in the said tubular bearing or box, on which trunnion the
cylinder oscillates. This trunnion is made hollow in the form of a
pipe, and has a partition which divides it longitudinally into two parts.
Through the walls of this trunnion I cut a series of elongated openings
or slots, one half of these slots which constitute ports being on one side
of the partition and the other half on the opposite side. The trunnion
instead of being hollow with openings through its sides may be made solid
at the centre, and may have grooves or channels formed in its exterior
for the passage of the water or steam, and be made to operate the same.
The said trunnion is inserted in the bearing, the two parts being fitted
accurately so as to be water or steam tight; the trunnion is then
secured by its projecting ends firmly in proper supports in
any suitable
frame or bed piece, the box being kept from moving endwise by rings
or screws, or by any other suitable means. The piston is then inserted
and the upper end of the cylinder closed in the usual manner. The
piston is connected to the crank of the balance or driving wheel as in

page_text: an ordinary oscillating steam engine, and the motor is complete. A
valve or cock is inserted in the supply pipe at any convenient point to
admit and shut off the water, air, or steam, as the case may be. The
water or other fluid being admitted through one end of the trunnion a
continuous reciprocating motion is imparted to the piston.
It will of course be understood that to reverse the engine it is only
required to cause the water to enter at the opposite end of the trunnion,
the trunnion remaining at rest. This purpose may be effected by leading
the fluid in passing from its source to the motor into a four-way cock,
which is so arranged and connected as to communicate with both pro-
jecting ends of the trunnion. By a semi-revolution of this cock the fluid
is admitted into either end of the trunnion, the exhaust taking place at
the other end, thereby reversing the motion of the motor at pleasure.
The reverse motion may also be obtained by either of the two following
devices -The first device for changing the motion from one direction
to the other consists of a reversing lever or handle which can be
operated without stopping the machine, the said lever or handle being
so connected to the trunnion that it may receive a semi-revolution while
the motor is working, whereby the propelling fluid will be reversed in
its order of entering the respective ends of the cylinder. This reversing
lever or handle is attached to the trunnion, and holds it in one
position by means of a pin which enters a hole in a post or stud on one
side, or if reversed enters a similar hole on the opposite side. But a
more compact and convenient device for reversing the motion will be
secured by using instead of the said reversing lever or handle a worm.
wheel and worm, or screw and handle. The worm wheel is made fast
to the trunnion, and is made to rotate with and carry the trunnion
through any desired portion of a revolution either to stop or reverse the
motion of the motor by means of the worm in connection with the
crank handle. A spur wheel and pinion may be substituted for the
worm wheel and worm, but the latter are preferable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Hamilton Ela Towle in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HAMILTON
ELA TOWLE, of Budge Row, Cannon Strect, in the City of London, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Hamilton Ela Towle, Her special licence
that I, the said Hamilton Ela Towle, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Hamilton Ela Towle, my 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 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
FLUID MOTORS FOR DRIVING SEWING MACHINES AND OTHER SMALL OR LIGHT
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS," the result partly of a communication to me
from abroad by William C. Dodge, James H. Welch, Edward P. Welch,
and Rosia W. Welch, all of Washington, District of Columbia, United
States of America, and partly of Invention and discovery made by me,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Hamilton Ela
Towle, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, 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 I, the said Hamilton Ela Towle, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-
This Invention relates to motors or engines for operating machinery
or mechanism of any kind. The motor itself is to be operated either by

page_text: water, steam, or compressed air, as may be desired. The said Invention
consists in the novel construction of the engine and the several details
thereof, as herein-after more fully explained.
It has long been an object to produce a motor adapted to household
uses, and that can be operated with safety by women and children for
the purpose of driving sewing and knitting machines, washing machines,
and the like; and also one adapted to the use of dentists, and for driving
lathes, coffee mills, hatters' brushes, elevators in buildings, and all
similar purposes. It is for such purposes that the present Invention is
designed, though it may also be used with equal facility on a larger scale
where more power is required.
To construct this improved motor I make an oscillating cylinder A
with a piston like that of an ordinary steam engine. This cylinder is made
with a transverse tubular chamber B at its lower end, which extends
entirely across at right angles to its length and shewn in section in
Figure 1, wherein the cylinder is shown in two extreme positions which
it assumes when operating. The cylinder at its bottom is joined on
opposite sides to the walls of the chamber B. Below the chamber B is a
passage E, which extends up along side of the cylinder and commu-
nicates with the interior of the cylinder through an opening I at its top,
as represented in the Drawings. The chamber B is made slightly conical
and its walls are extended laterally beyond the sides of the cylinder to
form trunnions a, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, these trunnions also
being tubular. A conical tubular plug C is provided to fit in the
chamber B, as represented in Figures 1 and 2. This plug is provided
with a partition D, which divides it internally into two chambers, the
partition starting from one side and then being curved to extend longi-
tudinally through the plug C, and having its opposite end connected to
the opposite wall of the plug, as shewn in section in Figure 4. The
plug C terminates at one end in a tube or pipe R, and at the opposite
end in a corresponding tube, each of which projects beyond the
trunnions a for the attachment of the supply and exhaust pipes.
Through the walls of the chamber B is cut a series of elongated openings
or slots, more or less in number, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and in the
walls of the plug a corresponding number of similar openings are made
on opposite sides of the partition D. One half of the openings or ports
in the chamber B lead into the cylinder at its bottom, while the other

page_text: half lead into the passage E below; and in like manner one half of the
ports in the plug communicates with the chamber on one side of the
partition D, while the other half communicates with the chamber of the
plug on the opposite side of the partition. The plug C is to be held
stationary while the cylinder oscillates thereon, hence the ports must be
so located that when the cylinder swings to one side the ports which
open into the cylinder from one side of the partition D will be opened,
while those opening into it from the opposite side of the partition will be
closed. The reverse of this action takes place at the same time with
those ports which open into the passage E. By this arrangement the
water, steam, or air will be admitted alternately to the cylinder on
opposite sides of the piston, being at the same time exhausted from the
side opposite to that at which it is admitted, and thus a constantly
reciprocating motion is imparted to the piston, the same as in the
ordinary double-acting engine. This will be more readily understood by
an examination of Figure 2, where the arrows indicate the entrance and
discharge of the fluid or vapor as there indicated. The water or steam
which enters through the tube R is prevented from passing out through
the tube o by the partition D, and is caused to pass through the ports
which happen to be opened, and thus made to enter the cylinder, while
that being discharged from the cylinder enters the plug on the opposite.
or exhaust side of the partition D, and escapes through the tube o. The
operation will be the same whether the fluid or vapor enter at one or the
other side, the only difference being that the shaft will be rotated in the
opposite direction, and hence to reverse the engine it is only necessary to
so arrange the supply and exhaust pipes with their valves or cocks that
the fluid or vapor can be made to enter at one or the other side. As a
simple and better means, however, of reversing the engine C attach a
lever L with a handle i to the plug C, as represented in Figures 3
and 6, by which the plug can be turned one half of a revolution, thus
causing the supply and exhaust chambers of the plug to exchange or
reverse positions, and thereby reversing the motion of the engine. This
lever L may be made to spring sufficiently to cause the inner projecting
end of the handle i to engage in a recess in the standard a frame J, and
thus lock it securely in position and prevent its being accidentally moved.
Instead of this lever a pinion may be secured to the projecting end of
the plug, and a lever with a segmental rack arranged to operate it if
preferred.

page_text: The trunnions a may be made separate from the cylinder, and either
screwed or bolted fast, whereby their bearing surfaces may be reduced
in size, and still permit the use of a plug much larger in diameter
than the trunnions. This is the more necessary when the motor
is to be operated by water in order to secure larger ports for the
free admission and discharge of the water. When steam or any
expansible power is used as a motive power the ports may be reduced.
in their area.
When used in dwelling houses, offices, or shops, it is desirable that the
oil or drip caused by any leakage or condensation on or about the motor
should not get upon the floor or carpet, and to prevent this the bed or
base plate H is made with an external raised lip or flange as shewn in
Figure 7. It is also made concave and provided with a drip hole or
tube to convey the accumulated oil or water into a vessel placed
underneath, as represented in Figure 6, or the drip tube b may be
extended to and connected with the exhaust pipe whenever the latter
is so located as to permit the drip to flow into it.
The bed plate H may also be cast with legs d and also with the
bearings c for the trunnions a to rest in, the latter being held therein by
caps screwed on in the usual manner. To support the tubular and
projecting ends of the plug c, I provide another set of bearings e as
represented in Figures 3, 6, and 7, though these may be made separately
if preferred in order to adjust them to compensate for the wear of the
trunnions, it being desirable always to prevent the cylinder from bearing
or wearing on the plug C.
The object of making the chamber B and the plug C conical
is to enable the plug to be set up to compensate for any wear
that may occur, packing glands u are provided at each side to make
a tight joint around the tubes R and O at the ends of the trunnions.
To the bed plate H are secured two standards or supports J, in the
upper ends of which the crank shaft W is mounted, and to which
the piston rod is connected. On opposite ends of this shaft are mounted
two wheels N and S of different diameters, one or both of which should
form balance wheels. To prevent oil from being thrown or scattered
about by the rapid rotation of the crank or shaft a thin metallic guard
plate M is bent over the top and secured to the standards J, as shewn in
Figures 3 and 6.

page_text: For small motors, such as are required for driving a sewing machine
the former may consist of a single standard cast or bolted to the bed
plate, it being provided with a longer bearing or box at the top, the
shaft passing straight through with a wheel on each end, and the piston
rod being connected by a wrist pin to one of the wheels, by which the
construction may be simplified and cheapened, this form of construction
being represented in Figure 7. Where the piston is thus connected by
a wrist pin the latter should be made slightly conical, and the hole
through which it fits in the piston rod should also be correspondingly
conical, so that their wear may be compensated for by screwing in the
wrist pin. In Figure 9 a single acting engine is shewn, made and
operating on the same principal, the external passage E being dispensed
with in that case.
In operating sewing machines and the like it is desirable that the
hands of the operator should be left free to control or manipulate the
work and at the same time means must be provided for starting, stopping,
and regulating the speed of the motor. To accomplish these objects a
valve T is arranged in the supply pipe R, as shewn in Figure 3. This
valve has a foot lever U secured to its stem o and extending down to
near the floor or support on which the motor may be located; this lever
U being preferably made so that the toe or foot of the operator may be
inserted between its depending arms, and thus by a simple movement of
the foot sidewise the valve can be opened or closed at will. In order
to properly limit the movement of the valve a slotted guide plate V is
so arranged that the lower end of the lever shall play in the slot
thereof, the ends of the guide V serving as a stop. The guide also acts
to preserve the lever U from being bent or injured.
As it is desirable that a very small movement of the valve shall serve
to open or close the passage, the plug h, Figure 8, instead of having a
hole through it in the usual manner, has one side cut away as repre-
sented in the Drawing, thus forming a large opening for the passage of
the water or steam, especially as at that point the internal opening of
the tube T which forms the seat for the plug h is made under a small
movement of the plug h will suffice to admit all that the pipe will convey,
or cut it off entirely.
When used as a water engine, for which it is admirably adapted, an
air chamber should be connected to the supply side to obviate the shock

page_text: or concussion caused by the momentary arrest of the momentum of the
water, when cut off by the closing of the ports as the cylinder oscillates.
This arrangement of an air chamber is shewn at G, Figure 10. Where
the motor is represented clamped to the legs or frame of a sewing
machine with its piston connected directly to the balance wheel of the
machine. It is, however, preferred to locate the motor underneath the
machine and to connect by a cord or belt as it is thus better adapted for
use with the various styles of machines; it may be set on a transverse
shelf secured to the legs of the machine. And thus so connected to it
as to be readily moved with the machine when desired.
The motor when operated by water can be located at any point in the
building to which the water will rise and operate with equal power,
provided the escape pipe be conveyed downward to as low a point as
possible, and have its lower end so bent as to form a trap to prevent the
entrance of air. The valve T may be located at either side of the
cylinder and work equally well, for the instant the flow of the water
is stopped the motor will cease to operate. If preferred, the valve
instead of being operated by the foot, may be arranged to be operated
by the hand; a rod f, as shewn in Figure 10, is extended to desired
any
point for opening or closing it.
As shewn in Figure 10 a fan may be arranged to be operated at the
same time either by being connected to the machine or to the motor
direct, and the fan may be arranged to rotate or oscillate as may be
most convenient.
The advantages of a water motor of this kind are that it is ex-
ceedingly simple and cheap, and can be operated by any person
who can turn a faucet. It occupies but little room, and can readily
be provided with water from the service pipes of the building by
simply connecting it to them either by a metal pipe or hose, and
a water meter also. It is
by attaching a register it will act as
equally well adapted for use on a larger scale, and is especially
valuable as a substitute for water wheels where the supply of water is
small, as it is obvious that no water can pass without moving the piston,
and hence the power of the water will be more full utilized than it can
be by the best wheels. It is much cheaper than a steam engine and
much safer as no boiler is required, and there is no danger of explosion

page_text: or fire, and furthermore the water can be stored in tanks and utilized
for other purposes after it has operated the motor. The substitution of
it for steam engines will also lessen the rates of insurance, and in cities
these are important advantages. It is equally well adapted for steam
engines especially for the smaller ones usually known as portable
engines. In this application the base plate H would form the top of an
upright boiler having a furnace made in its lower portion, and thus a
very simple, cheap, and compact steam engine can be made. As there
are no slide valves, chest rods, or excentrics the parts are few in number
and their construction is exceedingly simple. The moving parts and
consequently the friction are reduced to the minimum.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. A cylinder for an oscillating engine provided with a transverse
tabular chamber B having ports or passages formed therein substantially
as described.
Second. In combination with the above the tubular plug C with
the induction and eduction ports formed therein substantially as
set forth.
Third. An oscillating engine provided with a conical chamber and a
conical plug whereby the plug can be adjusted to compensate for the
wear as set forth.
Fourth. The oscillating cylinder A provided with the hollow
trunnions a working in boxes or bearings c, when used in com-
bination with the plug C substantially as described whereby the plug
is preserved from strain and wear.
Fifth. The concave base plate H provided with a hole or pipe for
receiving and conveying away the drip from the motor as set forth.
Sixth. The reversible plug C provided with a lever L or its equivalent
device when used in combination with the cylinder A substantially as
described.
Seventh. The valve T arranged to be operated by the foot substantially
as and for the nurnose sut forth

page_text: Eighth. In combination with the valve lever U the guide plate V
arranged to operate substantially as described.
Ninth. The guard plate M or equivalent device arranged to operate
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hamilton Ela Towle, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
HAMILTON E. TOWLE. (L.S.)
Civil Engineer,
20, Budge Row, Cannon St.,
London.
& 30, Cortlandt St.,
New York.