Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1887
Specification Accepted, 6th May, 1887
I, JOSEPH BOYER of the city of St. Louis in the State of Missouri, one of the United
States of North America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my 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 accom-
panying drawings, wherein :-
Figure 1 is a plan view of devices embodying my invention, Figure 2 is a similar
view, the top plate being removed to show the pump, chamber, piston, and in dotted
lines the gearing for actuating the paper rolls.
Figure 3 is a top view, and
Figure 4 a vertical section of a cylinder or chamber J of uniform diameter
throughout, the gradually increasing leak past the piston J¹ being accomplished by a
tapering post 1, and a hole 2 in the piston.
Figure 5 is a top view, and
Figure 6 is a vertical section of a third means of accomplishing the same result,
viz., a cylinder of uniform bore having one or more grooves 3 partially filled by the
wedges 4.
Figure 7 is a side elevation, showing paper drum, paper rolls, the stylus, springs,
gange, etc. Figure 8 is a vertical section through the pump and chamber showing
the ingress and egress ports by which the two are connected.
Figure 9 is a vertical section, and
Figure 10 is a plan view of one of the paper-spools with loose cog wheels, ratchet
and pawl, and slip sleeve.
Figure 11 is an enlarged, detail view of preferred form of shifting bevel gear for
driving the pump in one direction, notwithstanding any change of direction or
reversal of motion of the power shaft or axle.
Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.
My present invention relates to the construction of velocimeters or devices for
measuring velocities, and if desired recording the same such as that of moving
vehicles, the atmosphere, etc.
Heretofore, so far as I am aware, most devices of this character have depended for
their operation on a centrifugal governor, and owing to the practical impossibility of

page_text: adapting the power of the springs to uniform action under widely different speeds, it
has been only possible to measure the variations of speed within limited range, say
from fifteen (15) to forty (40) miles an hour and this approximately, and not
accurately. In some instances, however, clock-work has been used to run the recording
stylus, while the speed of the paper was taken from the power-shaft or axle, but such
devices have proved more or less inaccurate, owing to the well known difficulty
attending the proper adjustment and regulation of clock-work.
The object of my invention is to provide a velocimeter, which will measure the
speed of moving trains, &c., accurately, through a wide range of variations, the
limit being dependent only on the will of the constructor, or size of certain portions
of the device; and to this end I employ a pump, a chamber, and a piston, and a
fluid for causing a pressure on the piston proportionately increasing or decreasing
with the velocity of the pump, said pump and piston chamber being so connected by
passages that the fluid for causing pressure on the piston may circulate from the
pump-well, through the piston-chamber and back into the pump-well; the pump
being operated by the axle or shaft of the moving structure, and the register
denoting the position of the piston, by means of the usual, or any approved gange,
which pump, chamber, piston and gauge, so conjoined in a velocimeter, form the first
novel feature of my invention.
I drive the shaft of the paper-receiving and take-off rolls, by positive gearing, and
as the surface speed of these rolls will gradually increase, as the size of the record
paper increases, I provide the shafts of said rolls with detachable friction sleeves to
permit the rolls to slip on their shafts, so that the paper record strip may not be torn
from undue strain, while the delivering roll or spool is left free to rotate, as the paper is
drawn off therefrom, and said spool may also be readily removed from its driven
shaft, which constructions embody the second feature of my invention.
As the pump must rotate in one and the same direction, independent of the
direction in which the structure is moving, I combine with the velocimeter chamber
and piston, and the rotary pump, coacting therewith, a shafting gearing connected
with the shaft which drives the pump, and this forms a third feature of the invention.
As it is desirable to maintain a smooth and uniform surface for the record strip, I
combine with the paper-drum a series of spring acting gripping rollers, which bear
lightly, but uniformly on the face of the drum, and thus prevent any irregularity,
buckling, &c. in the record strip, and this forms the fourth feature of my invention.
It is also desirable at times to move said gripping rollers and the stylus simul-
taneously from contact with the record strip, as, for instance, when removing or
replacing the strip, and for this purpose, I combine two or more spring gripping
rollers with each other and with the stylus by means of crank-links, and a rod which
engages the stylus arm, and said devices or their equivalents constitute a fifth feature
of my invention.
There are other minor features, which will hereinafter more fully appear.
I will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically, so that others skilled
in the art, to which it appertains, may apply the same.
A indicates a top plate, and H a base or bottom plate, on and between which are
the operative parts of my devices. K indicates a pump, which, in the present
instance, is a rotary pump, composed of the interlocking winged rolls K', K², to one
of which the power is applied.
This pump is connected with a chamber J, by means of two ports or passages, one
of which, E, leads from the pump K into the chamber J, and the other, E', leads from the
chamber back into the pump-well W. Jindicates the piston of the chamber provided
with a piston rod J, which moves in guides or in a standard D, on the chamber or
plate A, and is provided with a tension-spring R, one end of which is connected to a
nut n, through which passes a thumb-screw F, which bears on the end of piston-rod J²,
by which means the resistance or tension of spring R may be controlled or adjusted.
On the end of thumb-screw F is a swivel eye F, which is connected with the.
gauge M. The other end of spring R is secured to the piston, standard D, or other
fixed point. In lieu of the expansion spring R shown, a compression spring might be

page_text: used with the piston, and obtain similar results, But for well known reasons, a
compression spring is not desirable. The function of the spring R is to progressively
counter-weight the piston against the pressure from the pump and to cause the return
of the piston when the pump ceases operating. With the pump, a suitable fluid such
as mercury glycerine or its equivalent fluid is used for translating the velocity of
the pump into pressure on the piston.
A very important feature of the construction of these devices is to preserve such a
relation between the chamber J, and its piston J¹ as that the pressure on the piston
shall increase uniformly, and this may be accomplished by making the piston fit the
chamber snugly at first, and, as it moves up, unclose a gradually increasing port or
passage for the escape past the piston, of the fluid in the cylinder.
I can accomplish this in several ways; for instance, a tapering post secured to the
chamber passes through a hole in the piston, the diameter of the post at one end being
such as to close the hole in the piston during the first part of the piston's stroke or a
series of grooves, of gradually increasing size, may extend from end to end of the
chamber J. I prefer, however, that the chamber he bored out tapering, or with
gradually increasing diameter from end to end, so that the piston, which fits snugly
for the first part of the stroke, will, as it moves, leave a gradually increasing annular
passage between itself and the chamber.
The pump K is driven by means of a driving shaft a¹ with bearings a on plate A
and having a pulley f, from which a belt passes to a car-axle, or to the shaft of a
moving structure in the well known manner of attaching velocimeters for measuring
speed. k, figure 8 indicates a chamber through which the piston-rod J² and pump
spindle, pass and said chamber has a port leading back into the piston chamber J so
that any surplus liquid which may be carried out by the piston-rod or spindle will be
collected and returned to the pump-well.
As the pump must always be driven in the same direction, no matter which way
the car (or power-shaft) is moving, I provide a shifting, bevel-gearing, consisting of
a sleeve having an oblique slot c, which receives a pin c¹ on the shaft a¹ and two
bevel pinions B1, B2 adapted to mesh with the bevel pinion on the shaft of one of
the wheels K¹ K² constituting the rotary pump K. The distance between the two
bevel pinions B1, B2 should be such, that, in shifting one shall engage with the bevel
pinion C of the pump the instant before the other disengages, so that the operation of
the pump will be substantially continuous and in the same direction. This construction
is shown in Figure one while in Figure eleven the wheels B1, B2 are both always
engaged by the wheel C and are provided with teeth to receive teeth on the sleeve
which is separate therefrom but which is connected to the shaft by slot and pin c, c¹
the slot in this case being straight. By shifting the sleeve back and forth it may be
brought into engagement with either wheel B1, B2, the wheels being loose on the
shaft, of course, except when engaged by the sleeve.
The distant end of shaft a' has a worm which engages with worm-wheel b on a
cross-shaft d which has its bearings in the hub d' attached to the standard I and the
shaft d. has a worm which engages with a worm-wheel on the shaft g of the paper-
cylinder or drum S, and thus, through spur-wheel g', with the spools L, M, for carrying
the record paper, the spindles of which are provided with loose pinions g2 and g³.
S indicates the cylinder or drum for presenting the record paper to the stylus or
pencil, said cylinder being provided with a shaft g driven, as before specified, by the
worm-shaft d, and having at its lower end a spur-wheel y¹, which gears with the
pinions g2, 3, of the paper delivering and paper receiving spools L and I.
The paper-spools, M (see figure 1) act or may act, alternately as delivering and
receiving rolls, and both may be positively driven in one direction. I, therefore,
construct them as follows:
The shaft, i, of one spool has a loose pinion g³ and a pawl and ratchet mechanism 2,
by which it may be driven in one direction, while the shaft has also a loose pinion g²
and a pawl and ratchet mechanism by which it can be driven in the reverse
direction; at the same time, each spool is free to rotate at will in the reverse direction
from which it is driven, as it is carried on a friction sleeve S' on the shaft, (see figures 9

page_text: and 10), and this renders the apparatus capable of recording the backing, as well as the
forward movement of the engine, or structure.
As, however, the diameter of the roll of paper is gradually increasing, so would its
surface speed gradually increase; if not provided against, and the paper between the
cylinder or the drum S and the paper-rolls L, M, if drawn too tight, might be torn,
to prevent which, I arrange a friction sleese on the shaft of rolls and thus, while
driving the shaft at uniform speed, its spool is permitted to slip when necessary to
accommodate the speed to that of the paper passing over cylinder S, which latter is
constant and uniform.
The gearing of the record cylinder S is arranged and adapted to move a certain and
predetermined distance, (say 1-2 inch for every mile) in the manner now well known
and commonly adopted in this class of instruments.
The record-paper is first contained on one carrying or delivering spool I, passes
thence around the paper-cylinder S, and is taken up after the speed is recorded thereon,
by the receiving positive driven spool M¹.
y
,, figure 1, indicate gripping rolls carried by arms, u, u¹ on shafts or rods V,
which rods are provided with cranks 2, 3, (see Figure 2) each of which is connected
with an intermediate double lever w, pivoted on the shaft or spindle of the drum S,
by a link or w², and connected to said intermediate double lever is a lever a bý
means of which it may be operated to throw the gripping rollers s¹, s², away or out of
contact with the cylinder or drum S. The gripping rollers s¹, s2, are held up to the
paper-drum S, by the spring, which connects said rollers, or in any other suitable
manner.
Pivotted to an extension or second crank-arm on the rod v¹, (see figure. 1.) is a link
or rod, whose opposite end is pivotted to a short lever, the opposite end of lever y
being pivotted or fulcrumed on the plate A, or other convenient fixed point.
Upon the upper face of the lever y² is a pin y³, which engages in an elongated slot in
the stylus army.
By the above described, or equivalent, mechanism, both the gripping rollers and the
stylus can be moved out of contact with the paper-drum S, when desired.
The stylus or pencily, for recording the speed on the paper, which passes over the
cylinder S, is attached to the piston-rod J2 and adjusted up to the face of of cylinder S.
M. indicates a gauge of the usual or any approved pattern, which is set at zero, and
constructed with the piston-rod J of the velocimeter, through the intermediate thumb-
screw F, as before specified.
The devices being of substantially the character or embodying the principles of
construction herein before specified, and the pump-well having been supplied with
mercury, or its equivalent, will operate as follows.
The motion of the car-axle or power-shaft of the moving structure being transmitted
to the driving shaft in the usual manner, will operate the pump K, in proportion
to the velocity of the car-axle or power-shaft of the structure, and through the worm-
shaft will revolve the paper-cylinder S, at proportionate speed. The pump will draw
the fluid, mercury, or its equivalent, from the well and force it into the chamber, thus
translating the velocity into pressure, which, acting on the piston, causes it to move in
the chamber. As before specified, the piston fits snugly in the initial end of the
chamber, so as to conserve the power when the speed is low, and as the speed pressure
increases, a gradually increasing vent or passage is obtained, which permits the
mercury, or its equivalent, to leak past the piston and escape back into the well.
The piston, in its travel, increases or decreases the power of spring R, and permits
the index of the gauge to follow the motion of the piston and accurately indicate the
extent and variation of the pressure on the piston, and as the pressure on the piston is
the measure of the velocity of the axle, or power-shaft, it follows that the velocity at
any given time must be and is accurately measured, and that the devices must be
constant, both in condition and operation, so that there is no lost power from wear, &c.,
as in the case of a governor to interfere with the accuracy of the devices.
It is also apparent that, as the pump and a fluid are the means for translating the
velocity into pressure there is no appreciable loss of power, while the instrument will

page_text: be very sensitive and will measure the lowest speeds as accurately as the highest
attainable speed.
The power transmitted by worm-shaft d will revolve the cylinder S, which, at the
same time, drives the positive gearod take-off or receiving spool, and thus draws the
paper from the delivering spool, winding it up as the record is made, and as the surface
speed of the spool will increase, as its diameter increases, the friction Sleeve will slip to
accommodate the movement of the spool to the speed of the paper cylinder S, which
latter is geared to move at a predetermined and unvarying surface speed for each and
every mile.
As the pencil or stylus is attached to and moves with the piston rod, and moves over
the paper, it will not only record the speed for any given mile, but every variation in
the speed, even the slightest.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1. In a velocimeter, the combination of a pump, a chamber and a piston, and a
liquid which circulates from the pump-well through the piston chamber and back into
the pump-well, for translating the velocity into pressure, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
2. In a velocimeter, the combination, with a pump, of a chamber and its piston,
and a gradually increasing escape from the pressure side of the piston, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
3. In a velocimeter having a chamber and piston, and a pump, the combination
with the shaft which drives the pump, of shifting gearing: substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
4. In a velocimeter, the combination with the paper cylinder, of a slip-spool, and a
positive driven spool having a friction sleeve on its shaft to enable the driven spool to
accommodate its speed to that of the paper cylinder; substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
5. In velocimeter the combination of a rotary pump, and a chamber and piston,
the chamber and pump-well, having ingress and egress passages, which connect them;
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
6. In a velocimeter, the combination with the paper-drum, of spring acting gripping
rolls, and link and lever mechanism for retracting the rollers, simultaneously:
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
7. In a velocimeter, the combination of a paper-drum, gripping rolls, and stylus,
with intermediate and connecting link and lever mechanism for retracting the gripping-
rolls and stylus; substantially as and for the purposes specified.
8. In a velocimeter, the combination of a pump, a chamber connected with the
pump by ingress and egress ports, and a piston having a suitable piston rod, with a
tension spring substantially as and for the purposes specified.
:
Dated this 1st day of February 1887.