IMPROVEMENTS ON THE METHODS OF RAISING COALS, ORES, AND WATER, AND LIKEWISE CERTAIN NEW MACHINERY FOR THE WORKING OF COAL MINES
Year: 1789

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, ROBERT
CAMERON, of Green Dragon Wharf, Narrow Wall, in the Parish of Lambeth,
in the County of Surry, Engineer, sends greeting.
WHEREAS the King's most Excellent Majesty, by Letters Patent under
the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the Fifth day of September,
in the twenty-ninth year of His reign, gave and granted unto the said
Robert Cameron, his exors, adññors, and assigns, His Majesty's special licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, for the said Robert Cameron, his
exors, admors, and assigns, and every of them, by himself or themselves,
or by his or their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such other as he,
the said Robert Cameron, his exors, adññors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term of years therein expressed, to make, use, exercise, and vend his new
invented "IMPROVEMENTS ON THE METHODS OF RAISING COALS, ORES, AND WATER,
AND LIKEWISE CERTAIN NEW MACHINERY FOR THE WORKING OF COAL MINES," within
that part of Great Britain called England, the Dominion of Wales, and Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner as to him, his exors, admors, and
assigns, or any of them, in his or their discretion, should seem meet, to have
and to hold, exercise and enjoy, the said licence, powers, privileges, and advan-
tages to the said Robert Cameron, his exors, adñors, and assigns, for the term
of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent next and immediately
ensuing, and fully to be compleat and ended, according to the Statute in that

page_text: case made and provided; in which said Letters Patent is contained a provisoe
that if the said Robert Cameron should not particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of his said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an Instrument in writing under his hand and seal, and cause the
same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within one
calendar month next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent,
that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever
thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become void, as by the
said Letters Patent, relation being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said Robert Cameron, in pursuance of and in
compliance with the said proviso in the said Letters Patent contained, and
the purport, true intent, and meaning thereof, and of His Majesty's said most
gracious intention, doth by this instrument in writing under his hand and seal,
duly executed, particularly describe and ascertain the nature of his said
Inventions, and the manner in which the same are to be performed, in manner
and form following (that is to say) :-
My first improvement on machines for raising coals, ores, &c., from mines,
is a new method of counterpoising or balancing the ropes or chains by which
the coals, ores, &c., are raised, which consists of a weight raised round a center
in such a manner as to operate, with different degrees of leverage, on the drum
or rope wheel, in opposition to the varying weights of the ropes or chains.
Fig. 1st, in the annexed Drawing, is an example of this new method of
ballancing the rope, where A, A, represents a box filled with any heavy
materials, fixed on an arm or stem B, B, and turning round the axis C; D, D,
is a sector of a circle or wheel fixed round the same axis C, and which is
worked by the pinion or small wheel E, fixed on the gudgeon or axis of
the rope wheel F, F.
When the box A, A, is in the perpendicular position,
or in the lowest place in the circle, it ceases to act on the drum or rope wheel;
and the baskets, in that position of the box, being in the middle of the pit, the
ropes counterpoise each other; but as the rope wheel is turned either way
round, one basket ascends and the other descends, the box is turned from the
perpendicular towards the horizontal disposition, and thereby serves
counterpoise to the unequal weights of the ropes in the pit.
as a
My second improvement is in such machines as are worked directly by the
steam engine without the intervention of a water wheel, and consists in stop-
ping the machine at the latter end of each operation of winding up a parcel of
coals by means of friction, or what is commonly called a brake, to be applied.
by human strength. This is explained in the profile and plan of the machine
in the annexed Drawing.

page_text: My third improvement is in such machines as are worked directly by the
steam engine, where the moving power, or the crank and fly, or the wheel first
put in motion by the steam engine, moves first in one direction round an axis
in winding up one parcel of coals, ores, &c., and then in the contrary direction
in winding up the next parcel, and so on alternately in the different directions,
and consists in applying certain machinery to produce that change of motion
with expedition and certainty, so as to begin its motion with readiness in a
direction opposite to that which it had last moved in. This is illustrated by
the profile and plan annexed.
Fig. 2d is a side view of this machine for raising coals. A represents the
cylinder of the steam engine, communicating occasionally with the boiler B by
means of the pipe C; the piston of the steam engine communicates with the
crank D, and fly E, E, by means of the rods at G; the lever F, and the rod
or spear H, by the motion of the piston in the cylinder. A circular motion
is thus communicated to the fly E, E, which, by means of the pinion I and the
wheel K, gives motion to the rope wheel L, and this, by the pinion and sector,
as described at Fig. Ist, gives motion to the ballance M, M. Towards the
latter end of each. operation, a man placed near the mouth of the pit at N, by
moving the lever O, shuts off the communication between the boiler and the
cylinder; and by moving the roller P, applied by means of teeth or otherwise
to the rod Q, and communicating with the levers R, S, by means of the
arms T, U, and X, fixed on the axis Y and the rods Z, Z, he applies the
circular pieces W, W, to the circumference of the fly E, E, and so stops
the motion of the machine with safety and expedition, in the proper place for
taking of the loaded basket from the rope. This exhibits an example of the
method of stopping the machine by friction applied by human strength. In
taking the basket off the rope, a man at the mouth of the pit takes hold of it
at a, and whilst he pulls it towards him the man at N disengages the
levers R, S, and circular pieces W, W, from the circumference of the fly, and
the piston of the engine being stopped in a position where it is disposed to
descend, the fly and rope wheel turn round in a contrary direction to that which
they last moved in, by which means the loaded basket is placed on the sledge
at b, and drawn away from the mouth of the pit; an empty basket is hooked
on the rope, and the machine commences another operation to wind up
the
loaded basket from the bottom.
The following mechanism is applied to make the machine operate alternately
in the different directions with expedition and certainty:-1, 1, 1, 1, Fig. 1st,
represent two boxes placed one on each side of the ballance, to which are fitted
stems ff, with pieces 9, 9, at right angles to the stems. As the ballance box

page_text: is turned round from the perpendicular towards the horizontal position, near
the end of the operation, it raises one of the boxes C, C, and thereby adds to
the weight of the ballance box the weight of one of the boxes C, C, the action
of which together are made greater than the action of the long rope on the
drum or rope wheel; consequently, when the loaded basket is taken off at the
pit's mouth, and the empty one put on, the rope wheel is acted on by a superior
force in opposition to the action of the long rope; and by means of the spurr
wheel L, L, on the drum axis, and the small wheel M on the axis of the
crank N, O, (by which the rotary motion is in this instance represented to be
produced from the steam engine) the crank is inclined from the perpendicular
position, which it naturally seeks, to that represented at N, and is so placed
as to begin its motion with expedition and certainty in a direction opposite to
that which it had last moved in; the position of the crank at N is alternately
on the different sides of the perpendicular, according to the side which the
ballance box is raised to at the time. To give warning to the man at N when
each basket comes near the top of the pit, a bell at C is rung by the weights d, d,
fastened to lines which are moved by a sector fixed on the axis of the ballance.
The scale E, E, divided into fathoms, shews the depth of the pit; and the places
of the weights in the scale shews the places of the baskets in the pit during the
operation.
The machine, in the above description, is supposed to be worked by the
reciprocating steam engine of my Invention, which is described at Fig. 5th of
the Specification of my Patent, inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chan-
cery in the twenty-fourth year of His Majesty's reign.
Fig. 3d is a plan of the machine, where the same letters refer to the same
parts as in Fig. 2d.
My fourth Invention is a new method of raising coals, ores, &c. from mines by
means of an endless chain or rope, or by double endless chains or ropes, which
turn on a wheel at the top and bottom of the pit. One of these wheels being
put in motion by any convenient power, gives motion to the endless chains or
ropes, by which means the loaded basket being hooked on to the ascending
side is raised from the bottom to the top, and the empty basket being hooked
on to the descending side is carried from the top to the bottom of the pit.
Fig. 4th is a profile of this new method of raising coals, &c. A, A, is a
wheel placed at the top of the pit; B, B, a wheel placed at the bottom of the
pit; C, C, C, C, an endless chain going round these wheels, one of which, as
A, A, being put in motion, carries round with it the chain C, C, C, C, by pro-
minancies or teeth on the chain, which fall between teeth or into notches on the
wheel; the chain in like manner carries round with it the wheel B, B, &c. The

page_text: Ioaded baskets are hooked on the ascending side of the chain, the empty
ones to the descending side, and any convenient number may be rising at the
same time. When the loaded basket is to be taken off from the chain, and
the empty one put on to it, the motion of the chain is either sufficiently slow,
so as to admit of the basket being taken off by some convenient contrivance,
such as the crane represented at F, F, Fig. 4th, or by diminishing the power,
or applying friction to some convenient part of the machine, the motion is
reduced to a degree of slowness convenient for taking off the loaded baskett,
and putting on the empty one.
Fig. 5th is a front view of
this machinery, where the same letters refer to
the same parts as in Fig. 4th. In this example two chains are used, and the
cowers are hooked on the bars a, which go across between the chains, and serve
to keep the chains from twisting.
My fifth Invention, relating to the working of coal mines, is of certain
machinery for bringing coals from the interior parts of the mine to the bottom
of the pit, consisting of waggon ways fixed on the bottom or floor of the mine,
whereon are placed carriages for conveying the coals, which carriages are
brought from and returned again to the interior parts of the mine by means of
endless chains or ropes, or by chains or ropes moved alternately backward and
forward, the carriages being occasionally hooked or fastened to the chains,
which are put in motion by any convenient power.
Fig. 6th is a plan of the new machinery for bringing coals, &c. from the
interior parts of the mine to the bottom of the pit. A, A, &c. are waggon
ways of wood fixed on the bottom or floor of the mine. B, B, &c. are car-
riages for conveying the coals, and which are occasionally hooked to the end-
less chain C, C, C, C, &c., going round the wheel D, D, placed near the bottom
of the pit, and likewise round the wheel E, E, placed at the end of the
passage F, F. The wheel D, D, being put in motion by any convenient
power, carries round with it the chain C, C, &c., and the other wheel E, E, in
a manner similar to that last described for raising coals. The carriages
loaded with coals marked † being hooked to the chain, are drawn to the
bottom pit, where they are disengaged from the chain, and removed to a
situation convenient for being raised to the top of the pit. The carriages with
the empty baskets marked are in like manner returned from the bottom of
the pit to the interior part of the mine, and are there disengaged from the chain.
This machinery is extended to the drawing of the coals along the passage G, G,
at right angles to the passage F, F, by placing a wheel H, H, at the extremity
of this passage, round which and the wheel E, E, another endless chain I, I, &c.
is placed, which is moved by the motion of the wheel E, E; and the loaded

page_text: and empty baskets are brought and returned in a manner similar to that
above described. The carriages are transposed from the waggon ways in the
passage G, G, to those in the passage E, E, by the contrivances K, L, M, N,
which are parts of the waggon ways so contrived as to admit of being
turned into convenient directions for that purpose whilst the chains con-
tinue in motion, the parts at K and L being turned at right angles to the
waggon ways in the passage G, G, as represented by the red lines. The
loaded carriage is moved from K to L. The parts L, M, are then turned
into the position represented in the Drawing, and the carriage moved from L
to M. The parts M, N, are next turned at right angles to the waggon ways
in the passage F, F, as represented by the red lines, and the carriage moved
from M to N; and N being turned into its proper position, forming part of the
waggon way A, A, the carriage is hooked to the chain, and drawn to the
bottom of the pit. The carriage with the empty baskets are in like manner
transposed from one set of waggon ways to the other, and going round the end
of the passage G, G, are stopped and taken into the passage O, O, where they
are to be filled. This machinery may likewise be extended to draw the coals
along the passages 0, 0, &c. by a communication of motion from either of the
wheels E, E, or H, H, to an endless chain in each passage. A similar appa-
ratus to that in the passage G, G, may likewise be used in the opposite
passage P, P, or in any other direction.
Fig. 7th is a side view of this machinery, where the same letters refer to
the same parts as in Fig.
Figs. 8th, 9th, & 10th are different views of one of the contrivances for
changing the carriages from one set of waggon ways to another. The Figs.
shew how the rails forming part of the waggon way are contrived so as to
allow the chain to pass under them when they are turned at right angles to
the direction of the waggon ways. This machinery may be put in motion
by means of the chains described at Figs. 4th and 5th for raising coals, or by
a rod coming from the top of the pit, (which is made to reciprocate by a steam
engine or other convenient power,) and which is applied to produce a circular
motion at the bottom of the pit, or as steam engine may be placed at the
bottom of the pit to give motion to this machinery.
Figs. 11th & 12th shew how this machinery may be worked by a rod coming
from the top of the pit. A, A, Fig. 11th, are two teeth wheels between which
the rod B, B, (coming from the top of the pit,) furnished with teeth on each
side, is placed, and engaged in the teeth of the wheel. The wheels are move-
able on their axis, like the wheels of a common carriage; but, being furnished
with ketches, as represented at a, a, and the axis of each with a ratchet b, b,

page_text: when either wheel is turned round in one direction it carries its axis round
with it, but when turned in the contrary direction the ketches slip over the
teeth of the ratchet wheel, and allow its axis to move through it. On the
axis of the wheels A, A, are fixed the wheels C, C, Fig. 12th, which are
engaged in the opposite extremities of the wheels D, D, fixed on the axis E, E.
When the rod B, B, is moved in either direction, being engaged in the
opposite extremeties of the wheels A, A, it carries them in opposite directions.
round their axis, by which means one of them carries its axis round with it,
and the other allows its axis to turn round within it, the axis which is.
carried round by the ketches of its wheel A, operating by means of its
wheel C on the wheel, D, D, and turning it round its axis. When the
rod B, B, moves in the contrary direction it changes this motion of the wheels,.
the ketches of that which before carried round its axis now slipping over the
teeth of its ratchet wheel, whilst the ketches of the other wheel carry its axis
round with it in the same direction which the last moved in, and in its turn, by
means of its wheel C, turns round the wheel D, D. A wheel F, fixed on the:
axis of E, E, works into the wheel G, G, which corresponds to the wheel D, D,.
Fig. 6th, and thereby communicates motion to the machinery above described for.
drawing the coals from the interior parts of the mine to the bottom of the pit.
My sixth Invention or improvement is of new methods of constructing
valves to be used in the pistons of steam engines, which, when the steam
passes thro' the piston after they have been opened, are by these .new.contri-
vances prevented from being shut, by the action of the steam upon them in
rushing through the piston. This, is, done, 1st, by means of a ketch or
ketches applied to the valve when opened, which hinder it from being shut by
the action of the steam against it; 2d, by pressing the valve when opened in
a cup or hole in the piston, which is covered at that end from which the steam'
is to pass, and letting the steam thro' the sides of this cup or hole, so as to
pass beyond the valve in rushing thro' the piston, or by means of a plate fixed
to the piston to guard the valve from the direct action of the steam when
rushing thro' the piston; 3d, by means of what I call an equilibrium, which
is preserved from the effects of a vacuum on one side when opened by being
so contrived as to have steam acting upon it in the direction in which it is
opened, as was in that which it is shut; 4th, by means of a valve made to
slide on a flat surface, or to turn round on an axis, so as to cover an apper-
ture in the piston in one position, and in another to leave that apperture open
so as to allow the steam to pass through it..
Fig. 13th is an example of the first method, where a, a, represents the
valve; b, b, a projection on its stem which the ketches c, c, take hold of when

page_text: the valve is opened. d, d, is a hollow socket with a projection on it at e, e,
which is put on to the cylindrical part ff, of the stem of the valve, and which
slides thro' a hole in the guard g,g. As the piston moves towards the end of the
cylinder, the sockett d, d, strikes it first, and disengages the ketches by the
projection e, e, after which the valve is pressed home to the seat h, h.
Fig. 14th is a side view of the same, where the same letters refer to the
same parts as in Fig. 13th.
Fig. 15th is an example of the 2d method, where a, a, a, a, is a cylindrical
hole in the piston; b, 6, the valve which shuts against the seat c, c; d, d, d, d,
a plate and stuffing box, which covers one end of the cylindrical hole a, a, a, a,
and thro' which the stem of the valve passes; e, e, e, e, two openings into the
side of the cylindrical hole which communicate with that surface of the piston
from which the steam is to pass. The valve is surrounded at f, f, with some
elastic matter, so as to occasion a little friction on the sides of the hole. The
valve is opened and shut as the piston moves each way in the cylinder. When
the valve is opened it is pressed below the openings e, e, e, e, thro' which the
steam escapes, and is thus guarded from the action of the steam as it passes:
thro' the piston. 9, 9, are two small holes, which allows the steam that is
contained in the lower part of the cylindrical hole a, a, a, a, to escape when
the valve is pressed down.
Fig. 16th is a side view of this contrivance, where the same letters refer to
the same parts as in Fig. 15th.
An example of the 3d method is shewn at Fig. 17th, where a, a, a, a,
represents a cylindrical hole in the piston, which are fitted the small pistons
b, b, on the spindle c, c, c. d, d, is a stuffing box to prevent the steam from
entering in at the cylindrical hole a, a, a, a. e, e, is a channel communicating
with that surface of the piston from which the steam is to pass and the cylin-
drical hole a, a, a, a; f, an apperture communicating with the cylindrical hole
and the other surfaces of the piston. When it is opened it is pressed into the
position represented in the Drawing, where the openings into the cylindrical
hole from each surface of the piston communicate with one another, and the
steam has liberty to escape. When the valve is shut it is pressed into the
position represented by the red lines, where the communication between the
appertures from each side of the piston is shut off by one of the small pistons b.
Fig. 18th is another example of this sort of valve, where a, a, represents a
valve fitted to a seat b, b. On the stem c, c, c, of this valve is fixed the small
piston d, d, which is fitted to a cylindrical hole e, e. The channel f, f, com-
municates with the surface of the piston, from which the steam is to pass, and
the end of the cylindrical hole e, e. A stuffing box g, 9, is fitted to the end of

page_text: this cylindrical hole, thro' which the stem c, c, of the valve passes. When the
valve is shut, as is shewn in the Drawing, the steam acts both on the small
piston d, d, and the valve a, a; but the valve a, a, being bigger in diameter
than the small piston, the superior pressure upon it keeps tight. When the
valve is opened, as is shewn by the red lines, the steam continues to act on the
piston as well as the valve, and counteracts the effect of the steam to shut the
valve in rushing thro' it.
Fig. 19th is an example of the 4th method, where a, a, represents a section
of a cylindrical or conical piece of metal perforated at b, b, and fitted to a
cavity in the piston. When it is turned into the position represented in the
Drawing it covers the apperture d, d, in the piston, and when opened the
apperture in the valve corresponds to that in the piston, and the steam escapes.
Fig. 20th shews a method of opening and shutting such a valve. The
stem a, a, goes thro' the stuffing box b, b, and is alternately pressed up and
down by the motion of the piston. On the projection c, c, of the stem is fixed
a circular nob, which, going between the finger d, d, fixed on the valve, opens
and shuts it as the stem is pressed up and down.
In witness whereof, the said Robert Cameron, hath hereunto set his
hand and seal, the Second day of October, in the twenty-ninth year of
the reign of His Majesty King George the Third, and in the year of
our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
Inrolled the Second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.