Improvements in Instruments for Measuring the Units of Work Done by or through a Machine...
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
:
Improvements in Instruments for Measuring the Units of Work
Done by or through a Machine...
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of!
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Hans Charles Béhr, of-San
Francisco, State of California, United States of America, Engineer); 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 apparatus whereby the units of work done by or trans-
mitted through a machine, are continuously counted, added up or integrated, and
the result indicated in numbers or counted on a dial at the end of any period of -
application; so the rate of counting must bear, at any instant, a constant relation
to the product of the force acting at that instant. through the machine, and of
the velocity at which the force moves at the same instant, so that if the 'force, or the
velocity, or both of these vary, the rate of counting will vary with them, and the
result of the counting will be the sum of all the rates of counting, and as also
the work done is the sum of all the forces acting through an instant of time
multiplied by the velocity of the force at that instant; therefore, the indicated
result will bear the same constant relation to the work done as the rate of counting
at any instant bears to the product of velocity and, force acting at that instant:-*
The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus to measure and register
the amount of work, done by or through a machine in foot pounds, or other units of
work during the time of application of said apparatus, and in such a manner that it
shall perform all the functions otherwise requiring extensive observations, measure-
ments and calculations, giving only the final result in numbers so that anyone
unskilled in such measureinents can read off the results at once.
In order to render the construction and operation of my apparatus clear, it will
be necessary to employ diagrams to illustrate various mechanical movements
embodied in instruments already in use, as well as my own improvements, and to
this end are presented the following drawings forming part of this Specification, in
which
11
Fig. 1 illustrates frictional discs for transmitting rotation, one to the 'other, in
varying relations, as their relative position may determine..
Fig. 2 shows two frictional discs, similar to the preceding ones, acted upon by a
force tending to alter their relative position and rate of rotation, and also mechanism
to count and indicate the amount of rotation of the driven disc, the initial position
of the latter being at the center of the driving disc when the face is zero ör
nothing.
Fig. 3 shows another apparatus with one driving disc and two driven discs, one of
the latter being kept at a constant distance 2, from the center of the driving disc,'
while the position of the other is variable. Each of the driven discs operates a
counter upon its axis and the difference of the readings of these counters gives the '
units of work done.
:.
Fig. 4 shows a simpler construction of the same apparatus, in which the one disc
is omitted and its counter transposed so as to connect with the axis of the driving...
disc. Here also the difference of the readings of the two counters gives the units
of work done.
Fig. 5 shows an apparatus the same in principle as that shown in Fig. 4, but with
an arrangement of the frictional surfaces to counteract more completely slipping
thereof.
Fig. 6 shows the application of the apparatus explained in previous figures, to a
rotating shaft for measuring and recording the units of work transmitted..

page_text: Fig. 8 is a plan of Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is the same as Fig. 6, but showing the registering mechanism under tension
and in the position of registering work being transmitted.
Fig. 10 shows my invention applied to a band pulley for measuring and registering
the units of work transmitted from the pulley to a shaft, or from the shaft to the
pulley, and the registering mechanism with which it revolves.
Fig. 11 is a plan of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 shows my invention applied to a band pulley in such a manner as permits
the registering mechanism to remain stationary so as to be read at any time.
Fig. 13 is a side view of Fig. 12.
These various figures lead up by progressive stages from the simple elements to
my complete apparatus, which I now proceed to explain by the aid of the drawings
and letters of reference marked thereon.
:
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, let F represent a rigid standard with journal a,
for disc A, and journals b, b, for disc B. Let disc B be in frictional contact with
disc A, so that any rotation of disc A. about its axis will cause rotation of disc B
about its axis, excepting when the point of contact is at the central point of disc A.
The motion of which these discs are capable relatively to the standard F, are as
follows Disc A may be rotated about its axis C, c. Disc B about its axis c, y, and
also translated in the direction of its axis cy. Suppose the disc A to be revolved
about its axis; then, for any given position of disc B, the amount of its rotation
will be a fixed multiple or fraction of the amount of rotation of the disc A.
varying the position of B, this multiple or fraction will be changed with reference
to A, but it will bear a constant relation to the distance between the point of contact
between the two discs and the center of the disc A. It follows, therefore, that the
amount of rotation of disc B, is at all times a fixed multiple of the product of the
amount of rotation of A, and of the distance between the point of contact and
the center of disc A.
In
In order to apply the device just described to the measurement and registering of
work in a machine it becomes necessary,
First. To cause the distance, 1, Fig. 2, between the center of disc A, and the
point of contact with disc B with A, always to bear a constant relation to magnitude
of the force transmitted.
Second. To cause disc A to rotate at a rate bearing a constant relation to the
rate of motion of the force transmitting elements of the machine.
Third. To connect the axis of B, with some counting mechanism to register the
amount of its rotation, which necessarily, from what has been said, is proportional
to the amount of work transmitted through the machine.
The distance, 1, between the center of disc A and the point of contact of disc B
with A, can best be made proportional to the force, either as a whole, or only
a constant fractional part of the whole, as in the case of a steam engine indicator,
through a spring whose deflection bears a constant relation to its load or resistance
upon it. Fig. 2 illustrates the principle involved. A force here acts upon the end
of the axis of the disc B, in the direction of the arrow at 3. The spring H, inter-
posed between the collar n, and the bearing, b, is compressed by the force at 3, until
it balances the latter, and if the spring so constructed that its change of length is
proportional to the force acting upon it, the disc B will be translated axially until
its point of contact is at a distance, 1, from the center of A, which distance 1 is
proportional to the force at 3, if the initial point of contact is at the center of A.
The disc A, is rotated by means of pulley D, at a rate bearing a constant
relation to the rate of motion of the force through the machine. B being rotated
by contact with A, the total amount of its rotation is due and proportional to two
causes:
First. To the distance 1, or to the force at 3, causing that amount of deflection
of the spring H.
Second. To the rate of rotation of A. or to the velocity. The amount of

page_text: rotation of B is therefore proportional to the force multiplied by the distance through
which it has acted, or to the work done. The rotation of B is counted or added up
by means of a simple arrangement of counter dial, z, driven from the axis c, y, of B.
In Fig. 2 the counter is shown suspended upon the axis and is translated with it,
but is prevented from rotating with it by the peg u.
The disc B, Fig. 1, is liable to slip upon A, when the point of contact is near the
center of A, where the are described upon A, has a very sharp curvation at
right angles to the plane of B, so that a kind of boring action is produced, which
rapidly destroys the face of A and the edge of B.
The preceding diagrams and explanations refer mainly to apparatus heretofore
known and in use.
Proceeding now to describe my own improvements, I choose the initial point of
contact of the disc B, Fig. 3, with the disc A, so that the point of contact, when the
force transmitted is zero, will be at some distance from the center of A; thus the
degree of curvature of the path relatively to the plane of B, is not so great. 2, in
Fig. 3 is the initial distance for which the force is zero. Since, however, the
disc B will be rotated by contact with A, at the distance 2, the amount of
This
rotation due to 2 must be deducted from the total registration of counter z.
can be accomplished by using a second driven disc B', which is kept with its point
of contact upon A, at the same distance 2, from the center of A, and which moves
a counter Z, indicating in numbers upon a dial, the same amount as the dial: would
register if the disc B were kept at the constant distance 2, from the center of A.
It will be observed that the amount of rotation of disc B' will depend only upon
the amount of rotation of disc A, which rotation is proportional to the velocity with
which the force-element of the work done is transmitted, while the amount of rotation
of disc B will depend both upon the amount of rotation of A, and also upon the distance
of its point of contact with A from the axis of A, which distance is inade to depend
upon the magnitude of the force transmitted. If now the disc B, is translated in the
direction of its axis c, y, so that its point of contact with A. is at a different
distance, 1, from the center of A, then the counter z will register an amount propor-
tional to the distance 1, while the counter Z still registers proportionally to 2.
is evident also, that the difference of the registrations of the counters and Z, is
proportional to the difference of the radii 2 and 1. By arranging the device as in
Fig. 3, with a spring H, which, when not under strain, or when the force 3 is zero,
shall just bring the disc B, to the distance 2, from the center of A and by giving
the discs A and B', rotation which is proportional to the space passed over by the
force-transmitting machinery, all the elements of registration of the work done are
obtained as in Figures 1 and 2, only that in my apparatus shown in Fig. 3, it is
necessary to take the difference of the readings of the two counters in order to
arrive at the amount of work done.
It
The mechanism shown in Fig. 3, serves merely to explain more clearly the
principles involved in my
invention. To simplify the apparatus I omit the disc B¹
and operate counter Z, from the axis u, of the disc A, as shown in Fig. 4.
In my improvements, to avoid entirely the curvature of the path relative to the
plane of the disc B, I employ, wherever possible, a hollow truncated cone A',
Fig. 5, to take the place of the disc A, Fig. 4. The axis of cone A' is parallel,
or nearly so, to the axis of disc B2, so that the plane of rotation of both the driving
and driven elements are the same. The employment of a surface curved so as to
surround the disc B², also secures the important advantage that the curvatures of
the driving and driven elements are more nearly coincident, and slipping is less liable
to occur. While the axis of the disc B2, is preferably parallel to that of the cone,
the relative motion of translation must be parallel to a generating line of the conical
surface. This can be accomplished by carrying the counter z in the guide. When
no force is acting upon the spring H, the latter just keeps the disc B³, at the end of
the truncated cone, and if the machine moves the registration of the counter z,
proportional to 2, and Z is made to coincide with 2 for this point, showing that no
work is transmitted.
is

page_text: But when force is transmitted; the 'dise B2 is brought to a point corresponding to
a different radius 1, while the counter, still registers proportional to 2. By taking
the difference of the two readings, the work done is obtained as 'in the 'apparatus
shown in Fig. 4.
It is evident that forms differing from the disc or cone may be used to attain the
same object, or that discs B or B2, could be used as the element: driven at the rate
proportional to the speed of the force, and 'driving the other disc ' or 'cone A, by
contact. The initial point, or-point at which no force was' transmitted would then be
at the outer edge of A'.
Coming now to the application of my improvements :-
In Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 is shown a registering dynamometer coupling connecting
the ends of two shafts O and O. The ends of the shafts are supported in the
journals. The arm J is secured by the hub V, upon the shaft O'. The
arm K, K is secured by the hub V2 upon the shaft O. The arrow
shows the direction of rotation when O' is the driving shaft.
In this case
the.arm J, upon O', drags the arm K after it in rotation through the medium of
the bolt k, and the spring H. The tension of H is adjusted to be zero when the
levers J and K are just touching together with their ends R and R2. The spring H
is so constructed, that when work is done and force transmitted it will be com-
pressed by an amount proportional to the force. The lug or arm J, formed
with J, rotates with the latter relatively to K and K when force is transmitted,
and in so doing it carries with it, by means of the stud I, the end of counter z, and
slides the disc 13 away from its initial position upon the driving surface of cone A2,
thereby causing a greater amount of rotation of B, and therefore, its registration
upon the dials of, while the counter Z, connected to the axis of cone A2, registers
the same amount as does when B2 is in its initial position. The disc B* is pressed
against the driving surface of A2, by the spring, connected to the counter, by
the link . The arrangement of cone A2, disc B2, with counter 2, is in principle
the same as shown in Fig. 5.
The graduation and rate of rotation of the counter is so proportioned, that they
will represent units.of work for a spring H, of given deflection under a given
tension. By taking the difference of the readings of the two counters and Z, the
work done is obtained. The cone A³ can be rotated as in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 by
a worm wheel w, shown in Fig. 8, which is fixed upon the axis of A2 and is driven
by a worm connected with a pulley D, driven by a belt P. In order to rotate the
pulley D, relatively to the rotating arms, the pulley p is made stationary, being
here connected to one of the bearings j. In order to prevent the spring H from
being deflected outward by centrifugal force, the strap is provided, connecting
the cap d, to the arm K. That the apparatus may not be used for forces beyond
the capacity of the spring H, a bent lug S is formed on K, in such a way as to
limit the distance that J can recede from K.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the application of my invention to a pulley. In
this case the pulley D is mounted loosely upon the shaft, being only confined
axially by the set collar and the hub Y, of the arm K, K, which latter is
secured firmly upon the shaft and with its end R2, bears against the end of spring H,
and collar d on bolt k adjusted thereon by nuts on the screw-threaded end of said
bolt k, the bolt k having its hinged shank Q, fixed in the lug R, on the pulley
arm J. The arms K, K' are rigidly connected together on the same hub, the
arm K³ serving to support the pulley D, cone A2 and counter Z, the counter z
with disc B³, being held by the pin I over a part of the pulley. The springs,
through the link i serves to press the disc B2 against the driving surface of the
cone A. The pulley D is rotated by the belt P from a small pulley p; mounted
loosely upon the shaft and prevented from rotating with it by the arm N, the end
of which is held in position by a rod T; secured to some stationary object.
It may often be desirable to have the recording apparatus of the dynamometer 5
detached from the rotating parts; so that it can be observed during the operation
of the machinery. In such cases the device illustrated, in Figures 12 and 13 can"

page_text: be employed. Here the distance apart of R and R³, which measures the tension
of the spring, is transmitted axially to the sleeve l, moving upon the hub Y, of the
arm K, and carried around with it by the feather m. The axial motion of is
obtained by a toothed segment » fastened inside of the pulley rim and engaging a
pinion g, secured upon a shaft t, the other end of which also carries a pinion p²,
which engages with the rack n³, formed on the sleevel. The sleeve has a hub,
around which fits a collar M, inside of which is free to rotate. M is held in
place axially upon, by the set collar. The collar M is formed with a lug h,
connecting through the pin 2, to the triangular lever E, hinged upon the frame F
at X and connected at 12, to the counter casings. The springs connects to the
other end of the counter by means of link i, and serves to hold the disc B' against
the driving surface of cone A2, which latter is driven by means of pulley D,
driven by belt P, from shaft O, or from a small pulley secured to the same.
To recapitulate, my improvements refer to a registering dynamometer, or work-
meter, having a driving surface of revolution rotating with an angular velocity
bearing a fixed ratio to the speed element of the work to be measured; which
driving surface rotates by frictional contact a disc, the position of which along and
upon a radius of the driving surface is controlled by a spring through which the
force element of the work to be measured, or a fixed fractional part thereof, is
transmitted, the deflection of the spring bearing a fixed ratio to the force acting
through it, so that a constant ratio is maintained between the change of position
and consequently of rotation of the driven disc, which latter moves a counter to
indicate the units of work done.
A single counter only is employed so far as I know, in methods hitherto proposed
or in use, and the initial point of contact of the disc on the driving surface of such
instrument has been at the center of the driving surface, but in my improved
dynamometer, or work-meter, I choose the point at which no work is transmitted,
or the initial point of contact of the driven disc with the driving surface, at some
point not at the center of the latter.
My improvement also includes the employment of two counters; one of which
is operated by the axis of the driving surface or other part rotating proportionally
to it, and the other from the axis of the driven disc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In an instrument for measuring units of work done by a machine, the
combination with a hollow, truncated cone carried by a shaft which actuates it, of
a registering disc located within the same and having its periphery in frictional
contact with the inner surface of the said hollow cone, said disc being adjustable
so that it may be driven at various speeds in different positions, substantially as
specified.
Second. The combination with a driving shaft having a counter connected
therewith, of a hollow, truncated cone actuated by said shaft, and a registering
disk within the hollow cone having its periphery in frictional contact with the
inner surface of the cone, the shaft of said registering disk being preferably
parallel to the axis of the cone and being provided with a counter, substantially as
described.
Third. In a dynamometer, or work-meter, the two counters and Z, the regis
tration of one being proportional to the velocity with which force is transmitted
through a machine to which the counters are attached, and the other counter
depending on the intensity of the force transmitted as well as its velocity, so that
the difference of registration between the two counters will indicate the work done,
substantially in the manner and for the objects specified.
Fourth. In a registering dynamometer, the hollow, truncated, conical driving
surface A' in combination with a registering disc B³ inside of the cone, and driven

page_text: by frictional contact at various speeds as the relative positions may determine,
operating substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
1
Fifth: In a dynamometer, or work-meter, the two counters and Z, the
one Z being connected positively to the rotating parts of the machine, and the
other counter actuated by frictional connection with some rotating part of
the machine in such a manner that its rate of registration will be, at any
instant of time, dependent upon the intensity and also the velocity of the force
transmitted through the machine, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
set forth.
Sixth. In a registering dynamometer, the combination with two shafts O and O',
of an arm J, J', secured by the hub V upon shaft O, and arm K, spring H, sur-
rounding bolt k having thereon cap d, connecting with arm K by strap ; the
driving cone A², driven dise B, counterconnected to stud I, and the counter Z
connected to the axis of cone A2, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a registering dynamometer, the combination of two shafts whose
ends are intended to be coupled thereby, an arm J, J³, on hub V on one of these
shafts, the arm K, K², said levers J and K having their ends R and R2 located
in close proximity to each other, the spring H surrounding the bolt k, the cap d,
on said bolt together with the nuts adjacent, the strap connecting cap d with
arm K, the driving cone A2, dial and disc B2, which is pressed against the
driving surface of cone A by springs connected to the counter z by link i, and
the counter Z connected to the axis of the cone B2, on which axis or shaft is a
worm wheel w driven by a worm connected with a pulley D driven by a belt P,
substantially as described.
Eighth. In a dynamometer, or work-meter, the two counters z and Z, so con-
nected and arranged in one instrument, and so graduated on their counter dials that
the difference in their readings will be a correct measure of the work transmitted
through a machine to which they are applied, substantially in the manner and for
the objects specified.
•
Ninth. In a dynamometer, or work-meter, the counters and Z, the one
having a projecting spindle and a rotating disc B2, driven by frictional contact with
the interior of a truncated cone A2, rotating relatively to the counter z, substantially
in the manner and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. In a registering dynamometer, the combination, with a pulley loose on
the shaft, of the arm J, J³, the arm K, K³, said arms J and K having their ends R
and R2, located in close proximity to each other, the spring H surrounding the
bolt k, the cap d on said bolt, the strip connecting the cap d with arm K, the
driving cone A, dial and disk B2, which is pressed against the driving surface of
cone A by springs connected to the counter by link i, and the counter Z con-
nected to the axis of the cone A' on which axis or shaft is a worm wheel w,
substantially as described.
ご
Dated this 18th day of Sentember 1801
t
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.