AN IMPROVED ELECTRIC APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Davies, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn
in the County of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the'
City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Inven-
tion of "AN IMPROVED ELECTRIC APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL
PURPOSES," A communication from abroad by Francois Ferdinand
Auguste Achard, of Paris, Engineer.
Sealed the 10th October 1862, and dated the 30th April 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th April 1862.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County
of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow,
Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED ELECTRIC APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS
USEFUL PURPOSES," (a communication to me from abroad by Francois
Ferdinand Auguste Achard, of Paris, Engineer), to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the application of electric apparatus or gear-
ing to various useful purposes. Firstly, to the working of breaks,
signals, and other apparatus on railways; secondly, to feeding steam
boilers, and to water gauges, pressure gauges, and safety valves; thirdly,
to regulating the temperature of gas, and of hot or cold air and fluids in
general. These results are obtained by the action of an electric pile,
with optional intermittent contact, acting either manually or automati-
cally upon appropriate gearing or apparatus. The gearing in its turn

page_text: directs and determines the movement to be obtained, either in apply-
ing power to wheels for railway breaks, for instance, or acts upon the
first movers or organs themselves, which the said gearing may either
actuate or regulate. The means by which the electric gear is connected to
the mechanism to be actuated or regulated will necessarily vary with
_each separate application of the Invention, but for the sake of illustration
I will describe the apparatus as applied to a railway break. In this
arrangement the motive or rotative power of the wheel is employed to
act upon the break. On one of the axles of the carriage an excentric
cam is firmly fixed on which cam rests a lever, which vibrates on an axis or
shaft carrying a ratchet wheel, the lever being provided with a ratchet
or click acting on the latter. To the shorter arm of the lever are jointed
two flat pieces or slides of iron, which embrace the four poles of a
double electro-magnet, so as to be always in contact with these poles,
and form the armatures of the magnet. These two slides are connected
at their upper part by a bolt to a spring fixed on the frame of the
carriage.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Each time that the wheel
of the carriage revolves the excentric cam above named revolves also,
and lifts the lever, causing the click to take up a tooth of the ratchet
wheel, at the same time the slides or armatures descend and compress
the spring, which forces the lever to bear constantly against the excen-
tric cam; and thus a tooth of the ratchet wheel is taken up at each
revolution of the carriage wheel. On the axis of the ratchet wheel is
mounted a pulley or cylinder, round which is coiled a chain, which is
connected to the lever of the ordinary break, so as to apply the breaks to
the tires of the wheels with an increasing pressure till the wheels cease
to turn. When the break is not required to act, the electric current is
caused to circulate through a battery or pile (placed in the train), and
the magnet which is connected therewith, the consequence of which is,
that the slides or armatures are seized forcibly and prevent the spring
from pressing down the lever, which remains with its longer arm sus-.
pended and out of contact with the cam, which no longer acts upon it..
When it is desired to apply the break, all that is required is to interrupt
or break the electric current, on which the magnetic attraction ceases,
the armatures are released, the spring presses the lever into contact
with the excentric cam, and the break immediately comes into opera-
tion as above described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th October 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middle-
sex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, 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 George Davies, Her special licence that I, the said
George Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as 1, the said George Davies, 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 law-
fully 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 AN IMPROVED ELECTRIC APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS USEFUL
PURPOSES," (a communication to me from abroad by Francois Ferdinand
Auguste Achard, of Paris, Engineer, upon the condition, amongst others,
that I, the said George Davies, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 George Davies, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-.
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Draw-
ings, that is to say:―
This Invention relates to the application of electric apparatus or
gearing to various useful purposes. Firstly, to the working of breaks,
signals, and other apparatus on railways; secondly, to feeding steam
boilers, and to water guages, pressure guages, and safety valves; thirdly,
to regulating the temperature of gas, and of hot or cold air and fluids in
general. These results are obtained by the action of an electric pile,
with optional intermittent contact, acting either manually or automati-

page_text: cally upon appropriate gearing or apparatus. The gearing in its turn
directs and determines the movement to be obtained, either in applying
power to wheels for railway breaks, for instance, or acts upon the first
movers or organs themselves, which the said gearing may either actuate
or regulate. The means by which the electric gear is connected to the
mechanism to be actuated or regulated will necessarily vary with each
separate application of the Invention, but for the sake of illustration I
will describe the apparatus as applied to a railway break.
In this
arrangement the motive or rotative power of the wheel is employed to
act upon the break. On one of the axles of the carriage an excentric
cam is firmly fixed, on which cam rests a lever, which vibrates on an
axis or shaft carrying a ratchet wheel, the lever being provided with a
ratchet or click acting on the latter. To the shorter arm of the lever are
jointed two flat pieces or slides of iron, which embrace the four poles of
a double electro-magnet, so as to be always in contact with these poles,
and form the armatures of the magnet. These two slides are connected
at their upper part by a bolt to a spring fixed on the frame of the
carriage. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Each time that
the wheel of the carriage revolves the excentric cam above named
revolves also, and lifts the lever, causing the click to take up a tooth of
the ratchet wheel. At the same time the slides or armatures descend
and compress the spring, which forces the lever to bear constantly
against the excentric cam, and thus a tooth of the ratchet wheel is taken
up at each revolution of the carriage wheel. On the axis of the ratchet
wheel is mounted a pulley or cylinder, round which is coiled a chain,
which is connected to the lever of the ordinary break, so as to apply
the breaks to the tires of the wheels with an increasing pressure till
the wheels cease to turn. When the break is not required to act, the
electric current is caused to circulate through a battery or pile (placed
in the train), and the magnet which is connected therewith, the con-
sequence of which is, that the slides or armatures are seized forcibly
and prevent the spring from pressing down the lever, which remains
with its longer arm suspended and out of contact with the cam, which
no longer acts upon it. When it is desired to apply the break, all that
is required is to interrupt or break the electric current, on which the
magnetic attraction attraction ceases, the armatures are released, the
spring presses the lever into contact with the excentric cam, and the
break immediately comes into operation as above described.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention for "An
Improved Electric Apparatus applicable to various useful Purposes,"
I will now proceed to describe more in detail the manner in which the
same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect. And

page_text: in order that the same may be distinctly understood, I have annexed
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked the
same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in
the following explanation thereof, that is to say:-
In the annexed Drawings Figure 1 represents a side elevation, and
Figure 2 a plan view, as seen from above, of the improved apparatus or
gearing employed as an electric and automatic regulator. This regu-
lator is suitable, firstly, for keeping the water of steam boilers at a
constant level, with novel means of security; secondly, for maintaining
a constant pressure in closed vessels containing gas or steam; thirdly,
for maintaining a constant temperature, more or less dry or humid, in
rooms or stoves of manufactories, &c.
In Figures 1 and 2, A represents a ratchet toothed wheel keyed upon
a shaft B, which is capable of turning in the plummer blocks C; at the
right and left of this wheel are mounted loosely on this shaft two levers
D, connected together by cross-pieces. The two-armed click E, sup-
ported by the levers D, turns freely round the axis F. This double
click E acts upon the wheel A, which is provided with two sets of teeth
turned in different directions, and separated by a blank interval G
The same click E is also armed with a tail-piece I in the form of a fork,
the two parts of which are connected together by a cross-piece K. In
this fork I is mounted the armature O, which has an opening through
it for the passage and play of the cross-piece K. This armature is made
of brass, and furnished with a plate of soft iron M, fitted in so as to be
flush with the surface of the brass armature. Opposite to this arma-
ture is placed a horizontal electro-magnet N, the poles of which abut
against the armature O in such a manner that the latter can only slide
against the poles without ceasing to be in intimate contact therewith.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Firstly, when the electric
current is broken off from the electro-magnet N, the steam engine or
other motive power imparts by any convenient means a continuous
reciprocating movement to the levers D, which carry the click E. The
latter participates in this movement, together with the armature O,
which, by acting on the cross-piece K, presses down the tail-piece I.
The click rises by reason of the greater weight on the tail-piece, and acts
with its lower arm upon the toothed wheel A, which it causes to turn in
the direction of the black arrow from left to right one tooth at each
oscillation of the levers D, until the blank part G presents itself, that
is to say, till the wheel has made one-fourth of a revolution.
Secondly, when the electric current circulates through the electro-
magnet N, the armature O, in sliding against the poles of the electro-
magnet, brings the plate of soft iron M into contact with the said poles,

page_text: which then hold it firmly and prevent the armature from descending
with the click during the descending oscillation of the levers, and the
tail-piece I is thus relieved, and does not support any weight, when the
latter rocks in a contrary direction in consequence of the weight of the
two arms E exceeding that of the tail-piece, and it follows that the
upper arm then acts upon the ratchet wheel, and causes it to turn in
the reverse direction, that is to say, from right to left, as represented
by the red arrow. It is evident that by this arrangement the two-armed
click E will act upon the ratchet wheel A in two ways, and cause it to
turn in two different directions, according to whether the electric
current traverses the electro-magnet or not. This is the characteristic
feature of the electric regulating apparatus. When it is desired to be
applied for feeding steam boilers to a constant level, it is the rising or
falling of the float which causes the electric current to circulate, or to
be interrupted at the proper time. For this purpose the electric wires
proceeding from the pile or battery, instead of being connected directly
to the electro-magnet N, pass first to the float, as represented at Figure 3.
The electric wire from one of the poles of the battery is fixed to the
copper plate 3, which is attached to a piece of wood mounted on the
lever of the index, the other end of the wire is fixed to the copper plate 1,
and after traversing the electro-magnet N is attached to the other pole
of the battery. The plate 1 is fixed to a wooden lever, which is move-
able on a fixed axis 4 (Figure 3). In order that the current may cir-
culate, it is requisite that the copper plate 3 should touch the copper
plate 1, and it will be seen that from the peculiar arrangement of the
two metallic plates, they will always be in contact when the index is at
zero (the normal feeding point), or above the same, but this contact will
cease as soon as the index falls below zero.
Referring to the previous explanation, and supposing that the feed
cock of the force pump (or other apparatus, which supplies the water to
the boiler) is connected by mechanism to the shaft B of the ratchet
wheel, it follows that this cock must partake of the movement of the
wheel, and that it will make a quarter of a turn in one direction when
the electric current circulates, and a quarter of a turn in the reverse
direction when the said current is interrupted; and the whole is so
arranged that the apparatus opens the feed cock when the electric
current is interrupted by the falling of the index of the water gauge
below the normal line marked zero, and that the same apparatus closes
the feed cock whenever the index rises to or above the normal line.
Thus, the apparatus maintains the water in the boiler at a constant
level

page_text: As regards the novel means of security before alluded to, they depend
on the same principle and upon analogous arrangements.
To one of the levers D and on the side thereof is fixed a cap R (Figure
2), with a gudgeon S in the centre; an armature O', similar to that
already described, is carried by this cap and bears on the gudgeon S.
In connection with this armature is placed a second electro-magnet N',
against which it slides, constantly pressing against the poles.
It is still the index of the water gauge which causes the electric
current to circulate or be interrupted, as represented at Figure 3. The
same electric pile or battery, composed of a single element, or a Daniel's
pair, suffices to put in action the two electro-magnets. The electric
wire which proceeds from one of the poles of the battery, and is fixed
to the copper plate 3, serves for the two electro-magnets, but the return
wire corresponding with the second electro-magnet N¹ is fixed on the
copper plate 2, and after traversing the electro-magnet N' is attached
to the second pole of the battery. It will be seen that the copper plate
2 (which is shown raised, though in reality it presses almost always on
the plate 3) is arranged in such a manner as to establish a metallic con-
tact, which permits the electric current to pass notwithstanding the
variation of the level, for about an inch above or below, but if the varia-
tion exceed either of these limits, the current is forcibly broken, the
plate 3 only touching the wooden lever, which is an insulating material.
When the electric current circulates, that is to say, when the index
does not exceed either the upper or lower limit, the armature O' is held
up by the adhesion of the second electro-magnet N', and it remains
indefinitely in this position notwithstanding the movement of the two
levers D. But if the level rises or falls beyond these limits, the metallic
contact ceases, the current is broken, and immediately the armature O!
falls. The small tappet, (Figure 1) fixed to the armature O' is placed
below a gudgeon y, and in rising it raises this gudgeon, which is fixed
to the bell or alarm lever z, and allows it to fall again a certain height,
and thus, when the level rises or falls beyond certain limits, the bell
is sounded.
It is essential to remark that the opening of the feed cock and the
sounding of the bell are effected when the electric current is broken,
and hence result practical consequences which furnish an absolute
security. When the apparatus is required to maintain a constant
pressure in a closed vessel, it is the index of the manometer which
governs the current and which interrupts and re-establishes it at the
proper time.
The regulating apparatus is the same, and is adapted to the cock
which admits the steam or gas that produces the pressure. When it is

page_text: used to maintain the temperature to a constant degree, it is the
thermometer which governs. the current in the same manner. Also
for maintaining a constant degree of humidity it is the hygrometer
which acts.
Figures 4 and 5 show an elevation and plan view, as seen from above,
of the application of the electric apparatus or gearing to railway
purposes. It is the force which is developed by the rotation of the
wheels which is utilized to put in action the breaks themselves, and
this force is applied either by means of electricity or by means purely
mechanical.
On one of the axles A is a cam B in the form of an excentric. A
horizontal lever C, which turns freely on a shaft D, presses constantly
against this cam by means of a spring E. This lever C is composed of
two parts united by two cross-pieces, and embracing a ratchet wheel F,
which is actuated by a click G fixed on the horizontal lever. At the
extremity of this lever, on the opposite side to the axle, are jointed two
soft iron plates or slides H,.which in sliding press constantly against
the four poles of two electric coils I. A battery placed on the train
furnishes, by means of metallic wires connecting the carriages to each
other, a current capable of putting these two coils in action.
On the shaft which carries the ratchet wheel is fitted a loose socket
or boss K (Figure 5), forming a clutch box capable of engaging itself to
the right or left by means of teeth, which lock in the ordinary manner,
with this essential difference, that when the clutch unlocks itself at one
side, it necessarily gears or locks itself on the other, and is hence conse-
quently always in gear on one side or the other. A strong chain L
attached to the boss of this clutch is also fastened to the longer arm
of the lever M on the ordinary break shaft.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows.-When the electric
current from the battery traverses the wires of the two coils I, it
establishes a forcible adhesion between the four poles and the two
slides H. If the carriage is in motion, the cam B raises the longer
arm of the lever C, and forces the two slides H to move downwards, not-
withstanding the great resistance which the adhesion offers. As soon
as the lever has arrived at its extreme position, the cam B no longer
acts upon it, the spring E only tends to press the lever against the cam B,
but the adhesion between the four poles and the two slides is suffi-
ciently strong to annul the effect of the spring E, hence it follows that
the two coils I, which form an electro-magnet, hold the horizontal lever
C suspended above the highest point of the stroke of the cam B, and
consequently the wheels and the cam B can turn without imparting
any movement to the lever C. All the mechanism remains then at rest
so long as the electric current circulates through the electro-magnet I.

page_text: When it is required to apply the breaks, the electric current must be.
broken, the adhesion of the slides H ceases immediately, the spring
presses the lever against the cam, which imparts to it at each revolution:
an alternative reciprocating motion. In consequence of this movement
the driving click G. turns the toothed wheel F, and with it the long boss
or clutch box K. The chain L winding on to the said boss acts on the
break lever M, and forces the ordinary break blocks N to press more
and more against the circumference of the wheels, until the latter cease
to turn. Thus the complete locking of the wheels is effected by the
simple fact of the breaking or interruption of the electric current. To.
effect the unlocking of the same it is only necessary to disengage the
clutch K on one side and engage it on the other by means of the handle O
and excentric P acting upon the forked lever Q which embraces the
clutch. As the spaces on the sliding clutch K and fixed pieces R are
about three times the width of the teeth, it follows that there is a recoil
movement at each movement of the clutch from right to left, or from
left to right, and hence the chain L is unwound in a similar degree, so
that in three or four strokes the chain is completely slackened, and
consequently the break blocks cease to press on the tires and the wheels
can turn freely.
It will be seen that the unlocking is performed by hand, and the
locking is effected by electricity at any required distance, and hence
it may be called a compound break; it may also be used without the
aid of electricity. By means of the quick-threaded screw S pressure may
be applied to the spring E, so as to prevent it from pressing the lever C
on to the excentric B, and thus this lever is held out of the reach of the
cam B, and all the mechanism remains at rest. When the breaks are
to be applied, the screw S is turned backwards, and the spring E
becoming again free presses the lever C against the cam B, which, giving
motion to it, produces the pressure of the break blocks against the
wheels until they are completely locked. The break should be placed.
(by preference) upon the last carriage at the end of the train, and in
this position answers at the same time as an ordinary break and a self-
acting break in case of accident. The electric pile, composed of three
or four "Daniel" pairs, may be placed upon this last carriage, which
is ordinarily a luggage wagon. Two small ropes or wires, of copper or
zinc, a, are fixed under the wooden frame of each carriage composing
the train, and the extremities of these wires are furnished with hooks
and eyes or spring swivels. These small metallic cords or wires, con-
nected together end to end like the safety chains, allow the electric
current to circulate from one end of the train to the other; they are

page_text: represented at Figure 8, which also shows the alarm signal. Contact
breakers" are placed in every carriage where the railway officials are,
and especially on the tender within reach of the hand of the engineer,
who can, by breaking the current, apply the breaks with the greatest
desirable rapidity, because he acts on them directly. The unlocking
is performed by means of the ordinary break handle, which is placed
on the last carriage. From its very nature this break becomes automatic
in case of accident. It will be evident that, should any of the draw-gear
break, the conducting wires will be broken, the electric current can
no longer circulate, and immediately the break on the last carriage will
be automatically put in action, and the detached portion of the train
arrested; the same would occur if a fire should burn the wires of any
carriage; the break would apply itself, and for this reason it may be
called an "accident break."
Figures 6 and 7 represent, in plan view and section, the electric break
apparatus properly so called. This break only differs from the preceding
in that the unlocking is also effected by electricity, instead of being
performed manually by purely mechanical means. On the shaft D is
firmly fixed a circular support composed of two discs of copper T bolted
thereto, and carrying the four coils of the electro-magnet V. The four
poles P, P¹, project beyond the two supporting discs. Four wooden
cross pieces B, placed on the exterior circumferences of the two discs T,
support in their turn two copper rings C, which are thus insulated from
all metallic contact. To one of the two copper rings are soldered the
ends of the wires which envelop the four electro-magnets. Two springs
(which are not shown in the Drawing) press constantly on the two
copper rings, and it is by these springs that the electric current, which
puts the coils in action, arrives and departs. Opposite to this magnetic
disc, on the right and on the left, are placed on the shaft D two long
bosses or sockets M, M', similar to each other. On the side of the
electro-magnets they present two circular armatures in soft iron A, A',
in contact with and fitting exactly on each side against the four poles of
the electro-magnets. At the extremity of the bosses M, M', are fixed
the two ends of a chain, which extends to the longer arm of the ordinary
break lever. When the electric current circulates through the electro-
magnets of the magnetic disc the two armatures A, A', adhere very
strongly to the poles P, P', and this force of adhesion renders the two
bosses M, M', solid with the shaft D, so that when the latter turns, the
bosses turn also, and the two ends of the chain are coiled thereon, which
causes the breaks to be applied to the tires of the wheels with a pressure
increasing till the wheels are completely locked. When it is desired
to unlock them, the electric current is broken, the adhesion of the bosses

page_text: to the magnetic disc ceases instantaneously, and the chains uncoil them-
selves, and the break blocks are consequently removed from the wheels.
It will be seen that with this arrangement the engineer on the loco-
motive, with the electric wires placed within reach, can lock or unlock
the wheels without the assistance of any one.
Figure 8 shows the application of an electric alarm on a carriage, as
well as the mode of joining the wires a. This alarm, as well as the
preceeding mechanism, only acts in the event of the interruption of the.
electric current. In the ordinary course the excentric B keyed on the
axle A displaces the lever C, which oscillates on the point D, and gives
motion to the slide H; but if the electric current circulates, the
electricity which passes through the coils I holds the slide E, so that
the excentric can no longer act upon the lever, and at the same time
the spring E is compressed. When by the aid of a "contact breaker "
the current is interrupted, the spring E presses back the slide H, and
consequently the lever C against the excentric, which causes it immedi-
ately to put the alarm in action, the hammer m striking upon the bell
(shewn in red circles in the Drawing). The alarm acts thus so long as
the current is not re-established, and calls the attention of some com-
petent person in case of fire, running off the rails, breakage of the draw-
gear, &c. A handle or "contact breaker" placed in each compartment
of the passenger carriages allows the passengers to put the alarm in
action by the interruption of the electric current in case of any accident.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention for
"An Improved Electric Apparatus applicable to various Useful Pur-
poses," together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark, in conclusion,
that I claim as the Invention communicated to me by the aforesaid
Francois Ferdinand Auguste Achard,--
Firstly, the application of the electric gearing or apparatus above
described for feeding boilers to a constant level, and to regulating the
heat of gases, or of hot or cold air and fluids in general.
Secondly, I claim the application of the same to the general service
on railways, either to apply the breaks, or to put in action an alarm of
any kind to call attention in case of danger.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Davies, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
GEORGE DAVIES. (L.S.)