IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE PRESENCE, POSITION, OR ACCUMULATION OF LIQUIDS, GASES, OR VAPOURS, AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DANGER OR DAMAGE CONSEQUENT THEREON
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Moore, of Cannon Street West, in the City of
London, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE PRESENCE, POSITION, OR ACCUMULATION OF LIQUIDS, GASES, OR VAPOURS,
AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DANGER OR DAMAGE CONSEQUENT THEREON."
Sealed the 7th November 1862, and dated the 10th May 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Moore at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
: May 1862.
I, ROBERT-MOORE, of Cannon Street West, in the City of London, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR INDICATING THE PRESENCE, POSITION, OR ACCUMULATION OF LIQUIDS, Gases,
OB VAPOURS, AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DANGER OR DAMAGE CONSEQUENT
THEREON," to be as follows:-
The object of the apparatus is to transmit from mines, holds of ships, tanks,
and other enclosed, confined, or open places, signals indicating the presence,
position, accumulation, or increase of liquid gas or vapour, mainly with a view
to the adoption of timely measures for the exhaustion, circulation, deversion,
exclusion, or removal thereof, to prevent or diminish danger or loss, and
in some cases to put in action self-acting contrivances for effecting such
exhaustion, circulation, diversion, exclusion, or removal.
The means of transmission which I employ, and which I call "transmitting
medium," consist of electric, electro-galvanic, or electro-magnetic currents of
liquid, mercurial, or atmospheric pressure of rods, wires, cords, or levers, or
any combination of two or more of them, acting on indicating dials, plates, or

page_text: scales, or on bells, tympans, springs, detonating or explosive contrivances, or
other alarms, whether registering or otherwise.
In one arrangement, chiefly adapted for indicating the presence, rise, or
subsidence of water, or other fluid, a box or case is used, which may be
portable or stationary, and encloses a buoyant float or other body, which, if
hollow
may
be exhausted or contain atmospheric air or gas of less spécific
gravity than the fluid, and either moving free or attached to guides or rods,
whereby it may act on the transmitting medium, so that there is sufficient
play for it to float. Above this buoyant body is placed a balance spring, lever,
or other contrivance for transferring the contact of the buoyant body to the
transmitting medium, which acting free, rises and falls with the level of the
fluid, and by a series of such springs; levers, or contrivances, indicates various
stages at which the level of the fluid may stand.. I use other arrangements
for the same purpose, namely, barometric pressure upon the metallic or other
means of contact, to complete the action of the transmitting medium, which
may be made applicable to all modifications of the Invention. And further,
the transmitting medium may also be made to act directly as 'the agent of
indication, as for instance with water brought in contact with positive and
negative voltaic elements, as the negative and positive, poles of an electro-
galvanic or electric-magnetic circuit, which will thus be completed, and set in
motion an alarm, or operate with any other signal.
"
A further arrangement relates more especially to hydrogen and its com-
pounds, which are of less specific gravity than atmospheric air. For this
purpose an instrument similar to that last described may be used, but with
this difference, that the float or body regulating contact with the transmitting
medium should be depressed with the action of the atmosphere (so that it
reverses the action of that in the preceding apparatus), or a chamber with
perforations or openings, similar in principle to a Davy lamp 'may be used,
in which two electrodes are placed, so as to give a permanent periodical or
intermittent incandescence. The hydrogen, in an explosive combination being
admitted to the chamber by the apertures, will be therein exploded by the
incandescent electrodes without exterior ignition. The internal action of the
explosion, expansion, or dilation will set in motion a balance spring, lever,
diaphragm, or other contrivance suitable for completing the contact with the
transmitting medium, and giving the signal where required'; or an instrument
(supplementary or independent) may be used for the indication of escapes of
gas from tubes or other conduits, consisting of a rotary disc or series, of arms,,
or other revolving appliance, set on a spindle or, axis attached to- the gas
meter or other contrivance, capable of conveying to the disc or arms the

page_text: motion resulting from variations in the current of gas. This disc or revolving
appliance is connected with the transmitting medium, and its periphery
is contrived to prevent partial interruption to the point of connexion, so that
the connecting balance spring, rod, lever, or other contrivance being placed
at one of the spaces of interruption will convey no signal until an escape takos
place, which will be intimated by the meter or other gauge, and thereupon
the disc will revolve and complete the connexion, which will convey the
appropriate signal; and if the escape continue, an arm attached to the disc or.
axis will. bear on a lever contrived to close a valve, shutting off.the gas before
it can reach a proportion' which would render it explosive, in combination with
the atmospheric air.
Another arrangement consists of a combination of some of the preceding
arrangements, which. communicates by the transmitting medium with a
contrivance placed on or in connexion with the meter, or at any other
convenient point of the circulation of gas. When the former indicates, an
escape of gas, the transmitting medium acts on. an.electro-magnet, or other
means of disengagement, which may be contrived to hold a lever weighted, or
any contrivance otherwise adapted to the purpose, and operating by detent,
stop, trigger, or other action on a valve or trap in such a position as to leave
the passage of the gas free, whereby the valve or trap will be closed by the
lever or other means used, and the supply of gas shut off (with or without a
signal), until the escape is remedied or the instrument restored to its normal
state.
For the case of carbonic acid and its compounds of greater specific
gravity than atmospheric air, a modification of one of the preceding arrange-
ments may be used, the buoyant body being so contrived as to rise, on the
surface of the gas. Or another arrangement, especially useful for the foregoing
purpose, consists of a cup or scale, or any hollow or flatted surface, into or
upon which the gas s will act from openings in the casing, and which, suspended
to one arm of a balance, will descend with the gas, and thereby, or by the
corresponding ascent of the opposite arm, complete. the contact necessary for
conveying the signal to the transmitting medium.
For applying the Invention to steam or other vapour, one of the preceding
arrangements, namely, that for hydrogen test, may be used, except that where
it is desired to indicate one or more grades of pressure, the steam is admitted
to the chamber by means of valves, weighted or acted on by springs, by which
means, with or without the float, contact will ensue with the transmitting
medium, and give the appropriate signal. Thus an indicator placed before
the head of an establishment where steam is used, or in the cabin of the

page_text: commander of a steamer, may show by means of these arrangements the state
of water and steam in the boilers, and dangerous vapour or gases in tanks or
reservoirs may be signalled.
In cases where a balance is used to complete the contact with the trans-
mitting medium, the balance may sometimes be hollow or grooved to allow of
the play of a bead or ball of quicksilver or other substance to pass from the
ascending arm to or towards the extremity of the descending arm to prolong
the contact. For this may be substituted a magnet or, electro-magnet so
contrived as to retain the:contact until the instrument is restored to its normal
state, and also this shifting weight may be made to slide or roll to and fro..
At the same time that the signal is communicated as herein-before
mentioned, and on the like principle as that of the contrivance for the pre-
vention of escapes of gas, an electro-maguet or other available contrivance may
be added in all other cases in which the Invention is applicable, and made to
bring into action the necessary appliances for the exhaustion, circulation,
diversion, restoration, exclusion, or removal of the, water, gas, or vapour.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Moore in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL. COME, I, ROBERT.
MOORE, of Cannon Street West, in the City of London, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent. Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Robert Moore, Her special licence that I, the said Robert
Moore, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Robert Moore, 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
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE PRESENCE, POSITION, OR ACCUMULATION
OF LIQUIDS, GASES, OR VAPOURS, AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING DANGER OR
DAMAGE CONSEQUENT THEREON," upon the condition (amongst others), that I, the
said Robert Moore, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in

page_text: 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 Robert Moore, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-.
The object of my improved apparatus is to transmit from mines, holds of
ships, tanks, and other enclosed, confined, or open places, signals indicating
the presence, position, accumulation, or increase of liquid; gas, or vapour, mainly
with a view to the adoption of timely measures for the exhaustion, circulation,
diversion, exclusion, or removal thereof, to prevent or diminish danger or loss,
and in some cases to put in action self-acting contrivances for effecting such
exhaustion, circulation, diversion, exclusion, or removal.
The means of transmission which I employ for the purpose, and which I
call "transmitting media," consist of electric, electro-galvanic, or electro-
magnetic currents of liquid, mercurial, or atmospheric pressure, of rods, wires,
cords, or levers, or any combination of two or more of them acting on signal-
ling contrivances, that is to say, on indicating dials, plates, or scales, or on
bells, tympans, springs, detonating, or explosive contrivances, or other alarms,
whether registering or otherwise.
In one arrangement, which I call my first apparatus, and which is chiefly.
adapted for indicating the presence, rise, or subsidence of water or other, fluid,
a box or case is used, which may be portable or stationary, and enloses,a
buoyant float or other body, which, if hollow, may be exhausted or contain
atmospheric air or gas of less specific gravity than the fluid; the said float
moves free or is attached to guides or rods, whereby it may act on the trans-
mitting medium, so that there is sufficient play for it to float. Above this
buoyant body is placed. a balance spring, lever, or other contrivance for trans-
ferring the contact of the buoyant body to the transmitting medium, which,
acting free, rises and falls with the level of the fluid, and by a series of such
springs, levers, or contrivances may be made to indicate various stages at
which the level of the.fluid may stand.
In another arrangement for the same purpose, which I call my second
apparatus, I use barometric pressure, which I adopt for acting on the
metallic or other means of contact to complete the action. of the transmitting

page_text: medium. This pressure may be made. applicable to all modifications of the
Invention.
X-3
...In a third arrangement for the same purpose, which I call my third appa-
ratus, the transmitting medium. may be made to act directly as the agent of
indication; as, for instance, in the case of liquid.brought in contact. with
positive and negative voltaic elements, as the negative and positive poles of an
electro-galvanic or electro-magnetic circuit, which will thus be completed by
the rising of the liquid, and set in motion an alarm or operate with any other.
signal.
My next arrangement, which I call my fourth, apparatus, relates more
especially to hydrogen and its compounds, which are of less specific gravity
than atmospheric air. For this purpose I use an instrument similar to that
first described, but with this difference, that the float or body regulating.
contact should be depressed with the action of the atmosphere, so that it
reverses the action of that in the first preceding apparatus.
In another arrangement for the same purpose, and which I call my fifth.
apparatus, I use a chamber with perforations or openings, similar in principle
to a Davy lamp, in which two electrodes are placed so as to give a permanent,
periodical, or intermittent incandescence. The hydrogen, in an explosive.com-.
bination, being admitted to the chamber by the apertures, will be therein
exploded by the incandescent electrodes without exterior ignition. The
internal action of the explosion, expansion, or dilatation will set in motion a
balance spring, lever, diaphragm, or other contrivance suitable for completing
the contact with the transmitting medium and giving the signal where
required:
.
1
In another arrangement, which I call my sixth apparatus, I use an instru-
ment, supplementary or independent, for the escape of gas from tubes or other
conduits, consisting of a rotating disc or series, of arms or other revolving
appliance set on a spindle or axis attached to the gas meter or other contri-
vance capable of conveying to the disc or arms the motion resulting from
variations in the current of gas. This disc or revolving appliance is connected
with the transmitting medium, and its periphery is contrived to present partial
interruptions to the point of connexion, so that the connecting balance spring,
rod, lever, or other contrivance being placed at one of the spaces of inter-
ruption will convey no signal until an escape takes place, which will be
indicated by the meter or other guage, and thereupon the disc will revolve and
complete, the connexion, which will convey the appropriate signal; and if the
escape continue an- arm attached to the disc or axis will bear on a lever or
trigger contrived to. close a valve, thereby shutting off the gas before it cau

page_text: reach a proportion, which would render it explosive in combination with the
atmospheric air.
"
My next arrangement, which I call my seventh apparatus, is intended to be
used, when desirable, in combination with my fourth or fifth apparatus, which.
communicates by the transmitting mediam with a contrivance placed on or in.
connexion with the meter or at any other convenient point of the circulation
of gas. When the former indicates an escape of gas the transmitting medium
acts on an electro-magnet or other means, of disengagement whch may be
contrived to hold a lever weighted, or any contrivance otherwise adapted to.
the purpose and operating by detent, stop, trigger, or other contrivance set on
a valve or trap in such a position as to leave the passage of the gas free,
whereby the valve or trap will be closed by the lever or other means used and
the supply of gas shut off, with or without a signal, until the escape is remedied
or the instrument restored to its normal state.
For the case of carbonic acid and its compounds of greater specific gravity
than atmospheric air, my first and second apparatus may be used, the buoyant
-body of the first being so contrived, as to rise to the surface of the gas.
:
Another arrangement, which I call my eighth apparatus, and which is
especially useful for the foregoing purpose, consists of a cup or scale, or any
hollow or flatted surface, into or upon which the gas will act from openings in
the casing,, and which, suspended to one arm of a balance, will descend with
the gas, and thereby or by the corresponding ascent of the opposite arm,
complete the contact necessary. for conveying the signal to the transmitting
medium.
For applying the Invention to steam or other vapour, or to liquid, air, or
gas, under or subject to abnormal pressure, for this purpose I sometimes use
my second and fourth apparatus, namely, that for hydrogen test. When it is
destined to indicate one or more grades of pressure I modify it as follows:-
The steam or other vapour, or liquid, air, or gas, is admitted to the chamber.
by means of valves weighted or acted on by springs,, by which means, with or
without the float, contact will ensue with, the transmitting medium and give,
the appropriate signal. I call this modification my ninth apparatus. Thus,,
an indicator placed before the head of an establishment where steam is used,
or in the cabin of a commander of a steamer, may shew, by means of these
5. arrangements, the state of water and steam in the boilers, and dangerous
vapour or gases, as well as liquids or air in tanks or reservoirs, and subject to
abnormal pressure, may be signalled.
In cases where a balance is used to complete the contact with the trans-
mitting medium, the balance may sometimes be hollow or grooved to allow. of

page_text: the play of a bead or ball of quicksilver or other substance to pass from the
ascending arm to or towards the extremity of the descending arm to prolong
the contact. For this may be substituted a magnet or electro-magnet so
contrived as to retain the contact until the instrument is restored to its normal
state, and also this shifting weight may be made to slide or roll to and fro.
An apparatus on a like principle to my seventh apparatus, or that for the
prevention of tho escapes of gas, with an electro-magnet or other analogous
contrivance, may be added in all other cases in which the Invention is appli-
cable for bringing into action the necessary appliances for the exhaustion,
circulation, diversion, restriction, exclusion, or removal of the liquid, gas, or
vapour.
Having thus set forth the nature of my Invention, I proceed, in order that
the same, and the mode of performing it, may be fully understood, to describe
the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 à sectional plan, exemplifying
my first apparatus. a, a, is a cylinder or box covered at both ends with wire gauze;
b, the float here shewn is a hollow sphere filled with air; c, the balance, on one
arm of which the float acts, and suspended in metallic contact with the terminal e;
d is a metallic arm attached to the terminale; e, e, the negative and positive
terminals of a battery having an alarm within its circuit. The float rising with
the action of the liquid, gas, or vapour of greater specific gravity than the dis-
placement of the float depresses the opposite arm of the balance, and brings it
into contact with d, which completes the circuit, and sets the alarm in action.
Figure 2, 2, exemplifies the second apparatus. a, a, are glass tubes, with
mercury; b, b, b, b, metallic studs connected with conductors to a battery
having the alarm in its circuit; the mercury rising completes the contact.
Figure 2, shewing the studs in the free end of the tube, is for indicating the
liquid, gas, or vapour of less specific gravity than atmosphere, and the latter
the reverse.
•
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, exemplifying my third apparatus. A box"
a, a, with either or both ends as at Figure 1, with two galvanic elements b, b,
suspended to terminals c, c, which is applicable to liquids acting as conductors,
which rising in the box will complete the circuit, and, give the appropriate
signal. .
•
Figure 4 exemplifies my fourth apparatus. The float 6, depressing with the
gravitation of its weight and that of the air within completes the circuit by.
contact with the arm d, and so gives a signal as desired.
- Figure 5 is a section exemplifying my fifth apparatus. a, a, is a cylindrical
chamber of wire gauze,
with closed ends; b, a metallic disc hinged to a strip

page_text: connecting the ends; c, c, the electrodes; 'd, a spring arm to retain the disc
after the explosion, expansion, or dilatation; e, e, the terminals of the main
battery; f, the terminal of a battery having the alarm in its circuit, and using
one wire of the other conductors for its return current.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 6ª, a plan exemplifying my sixth
apparatus.; a is a disc or wheel rotating on a spindle or axle geared to the index
work of a gas meter A, shewn in part. This wheel has metallic points, and the.
rest of its periphery is formed by any insulating substance. These points are in
communication with one conductor of a battery, having the alarm in its circuit.;
e is a spring constituting the point or pole of the other wire of the conductor.;
c is a projecting bar or arm, and a trigger acting on the tap, as stated. The
wheel, revolving with the passage or escape of gas from the pipes within the
meter's action, will sound the alarm at each time that the points come in
contact. with the pole e, and the arm c, which may be set at any part of the
wheel according to the quantity of gas, (which may may be allowed to escape
with impunity,) will strike the trigger d and release the detent, which closes
the tap and shuts off the gas.
"
Figures 7 and 7° exemplify my seventh apparatus. a is an electro-magnet
and coil attached to a gas meter A, a part only of which is shewn. The coil is
within the circuit of the conductor of an instrument, as mentioned, say that
shewn by Figure 4, indicating the presence of the gas escaped; b, the spring
bar attached to the coil; c, the detent; and d, the. weighted lever. When the
instrument (Figure 4) indicates the gas in its chamber, the spring bar is
attracted to the magnet and lets loose the detent and allows the weighted
lever to fall, which shuts the tap..
1
Figure 8 is a sectional view exemplifying my eighth apparatus. a, a, is a
box or chamber closed at the bottom; b, a saucer; c, balance, showing in
section a groove, with cups at either end for the play of a globule of mercury,
or other shifting weight, as after described; d, the arm attached to the ter-
minale; the whole acting as described.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation exemplifying the modification referred to
in my ninth apparatus. a is a cylindrical-steam or vapour chamber attached
to a cylindrical boiler or tank A, shewn in part; 6 is a valve, with piston rod
passing through a stuffing box on top, which rod is in connection with one of
the conductors of a battery, within whose. circuit is the indicator; c'is an
extra weight; e, e, e,. terminals, of which e,.e, are of conductors in connection
with the opposite pole of the battery e"; f, f, are. projecting spring bars
so arranged as to come successively.in contact with a tooth or projecting
point i-of the piston. The steam or vapour- raised above its normal pressure.

page_text: 'will bring the tooth in contact with the spring bar, complete the circuit, and
give the required indication, and so in succession at each interval of the weights.
The samo result may be obtained with any of the ordinary guages. or
indicators, as well for steam or other vapour, water, or vacuum to which
dials or indices can be attached by 'any, known contrivance or otherwise.
Figure 10 shews in front elevation an ordinary guage A of the kind adapted
to this part of my Invention. 6 is the index or hand in connexion with one
conductor; c, c, the arc, which may be graduated as desired; d, d, d, d, d,
metallic points in connexion with the conductors attached to opposite poles of
the battery, and intercepted by any insulating substance. The index moving
on the well-known principles which govern the internal arrangements of such
guage, will pass from point to point, indicating the pressure, water, or vapour,
if any. At each of the points the circuit will be completed, and the corre-
sponding indication given at any distance required. This system may be
employed in connexion with details of a telegraphic instrument, so as to repeat
on another dial, placed at any desired distance, the identical movements of the
guage or indicator. It is manifest that by the combination of this system
with the vacuum chamber of the instrument called an aneroid barometer, it
can be employed to indicate the pressure, if any, of gases, vapours, or liquids.
This arrangement may be modified by inverting it, as might be plainly
understood by any competent mechanic, so as to adapt it for indicating the
diminution of pressure and tendency within an enclosed chamber to a more-or
less perfect condition of vacuum. The balance used to complete the contact
.with the transmitting medium and allow the play of a bead or ball of quick-
silver, or other substance to pass from the ascending arm to or towards
the extremity of the descending arm to prolong the contact, is exemplified by
Figure 8.
1
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same may be performed, I declare that I claim;+
First, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my first
apparatus, herein-before described.
Second, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my second
apparatus, herein-before described.
Third, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my third
apparatus, herein-before described.
Fourth, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my fourth
apparatus, herein-before described.
.
Fifth, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my. fifth
annaratus herein before described

page_text: Sixth, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my sixth
apparatus, herein-before described.
Seventh, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my seventh
apparatus, herein-before described.
Eighth, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my eighth
apparatus, herein-before described.
Ninth, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting my ninth
apparatus, herein-before described.
Tentb, the arrangement and combination of parts constituting the appa-
ratus represented in Figure 10, and herein-before described.
Eleventh, the employment of what I call transmitting media, combined
with and acting on indicating dials, plates, or scales, or bells, tympans, springs,
or other signals or alarms, and combined with and acted on by any one of
each of the ten apparatuses claimed in the foregoing claims for the purpose
set forth.
Twelfth, the use and application of shifting weights and automatic appli-
ances for retaining the instruments indicating by means of a balance or poised
beam, as described.
Thirteenth, the adaptation of the vacuum chamber of an aneroid barometer,
or other barometric instrument, to the purposes and in the manner described.
Fourteenth, the use of platinum in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described, and the application of galvanic coating or covering to the
platinum for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Moore, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
JOHN PICKERING.
ROBERT MOORE. (L.s.)