IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF MOTIVE POWER TO RAILWAYS
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENRY FOX TALBOT, of Lacock Abbey, in the County of Wilts, Esquire, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Third day of March, in the eighth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William
Henry Fox Talbot, my exors, adñiors, and assigns. Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William Henry Fox Talbot,
my exors, admiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Henry Fox
Talbot, my exors, adññors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF MOTIVE
POWER TO RAILWAYS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that
I, the said William Henry Fox Talbot, shall cause a particular description of
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery with
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Henry Fox Talbot, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference

page_text: being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The first part of my Invention is as follows:-In the Specification of my
former Patent for "Improvements in Obtaining Motive Power," which bears
date the First of October, One thousand eight hundred and forty, I have
described a method of obtaining motive power from the expansion of a
liquid by heat, communicated to it internally by means of a wire commu-
nicating with a voltaic battery. My present Invention is similar in principle,
but instead of a liquid I employ carbonic acid in a frozen state resembling
snow. A quantity of this snow is introduced into a vessel whose sides are
bad conductors of heat, in order to prevent the snow from melting too
quickly. One or more metallic wires pass through the vessel containing
the snow and are attached to a voltaic battery, so that each time the voltaic
current passes through the wires these become heated or ignited and melt a
portion of the snow in their vicinity, which assumes immediately the gaseous
form, and, escaping from the vessel through a tube, enters the cylinder of the
engine beneath the piston, and exerts its power to drive up the piston, after
which it is suffered to escape through a valve into the atmosphere. The heating
or ignition of the wires occurs at regular intervals once during each upward
movement of the piston. The method of forming and breaking the voltaic circuit
at the proper time by the action of the engine itself is the same as I have
described in my former Patent. I do not confine myself to the use of carbonic
acid gas, but the other frozen gases may be equally employed.
The next part of my Invention is as follows:-Two strong iron vessels A
and B are placed one above the other, communicating by a strong tube having
a cock at each end, which I will call 1 and 2. These are to be generally
kept closed. Each vessel contains liquid carbonic acid, but the upper vessel
is kept as cool as possible, while the lower vessel is made rather warm. A
pipe goes from each vessel into the cylinder of an engine, in which a piston
moves up and down in the usual manner, giving motion to a crank and fly
wheel. The pipe from the upper vessel A may be called A, A, and it is
closed at intervals by a cock A, C. The pipe from the lower vessel B may
be called B, B, and it is closed at intervals by a cock B, C. These cocks are
all opened and shut at the proper times by the action of the engine itself, by
any of the usual contrivances which are familiar to mechanicians. The
action of the engine is as follows:-The piston being supposed at the bottom
of the cylinder, the cock B, C, is opened, and a jet of warm gas enters the
cylinder and forces up the piston. The cock B, C, then closes and the cock
A, C, opens. The warm gas being thus placed in communication with the

page_text: colder liquid in tho vessel A, is partially condensed by it, its elasticity is dimi-
nished and rendered so small as not materially to impede the piston in its
descent. The cock A, C, then closes, and at the proper time the cock B, C,
opens again, and the same thing is repeated once during each upward move-
ment of the piston. 'But after a certain time the whole or greater portion of
the liquid in the lower vessel will have passed into the upper vessel by this
action of the engine. The cocks 1 and 2 are then opened, and a sufficient
quantity of liquid is suffered to flow down the tube from the upper to the
lower vessel. Practically speaking, there will always be a certain waste
and leakage of the liquid, but, theoretically speaking, the same portion of liquid
is made to serve again as often as required by this construction of the engine.
-I do not confine myself to tlie use of carbonic acid, but any other liquid 'whose
vapours have, great elasticity may be employed instead of it. With respect
to this part of my Invention I claim the general arrangement of the engine
as above described, especially the employing two reservoirs of the carbonic
acid or other liquid made use of, one of which reservoirs is permanently kept
warmer than the other. :
The next part of my Invention is as follows:-Some liquids possess the
property of being very expansible by heat without being liable to rapid
evaporation. In order to make use of this property the expansible liquid
is placed in an upper reservoir, which is kept cool, from which a long vertical
tube descends, the lower part of which is kept hot, and is closed by a
moveable piston, the rod of which is directed downward. At equal intervals
of time by the play of the engine a measured quantity of the liquid is suffered
to fall into the hot end of the tube, and a cock,. No. 1, is immediately shut
behind it to prevent its return. The liquid, therefore, being expanded by
the heat and prevented from returning, is compelled to press the piston down-
ward. When the piston has descended sufficiently, another cock, No. 2,
opens and allows the liquid to flow out into a second lower reservoir, from
whence it is gradually raised again into the upper reservoir by the action of a
pump worked by the engine. And during the upward motion of the piston the
cock No. 1 opens and No. 2 shuts, after which the same things are repeated
in the same order. With respect to this part of my Invention I claim the.
above arrangement for obtaining motive power from the class of expansible
liquids above mentioned, and more particularly the heating the part of the tube
in which the piston works, the letting fall regulated or measured portions of
the liquid, and the closing of the tube.behind it in order to prevent its return.
The next part of my Invention is a method of obtaining motivo power from
electro-magnetism. A flat piece of iron is taken, and several parallel grooves
-

page_text: are cut upon its surface. A copper wire, coated with thread or silk. is passed
along these grooves, backwards and forwards, several times, and the ends of
the wire are connected with a voltaic battery. When the current passes, the
iron becomes a temporary magnet, of the kind which may be called a flat or
surface magnet, which kind of magnets are now well known. I take several
of these surface magnets, of equal size and place them in parallel positions
one above the other, with their flat si es facing each other, each being con-
nected with the one next to it by metal rods or wires, or by any other suitable
connexion, not allowing them to be separated beyond a certain distance from
. each other. All of these magnets being in connection with the same voltaic
battery, when the current is allowed to pass, the magnets will all collapse
together, and consequently the end magnet will be drawn through a con-
siderable space so much the greater as the magnets are more numerous. Thus,
if the magnets are one hundred in number, and their mutual distance, when
non-magnetised, one tenth of an inch, then, when they are magnetised and
attracted together, the total motion of the end magnet will be ten inches.
This cud magnet being attached by a jointed rod to the crank of a fly wheel
will serve to give motion to it. The voltaic current is made and broken, at
proper intervals, by any of the usual methods; for instance, those I have
described in my Patent of the year One thousand eight hundred and forty.
With respect to this part of my Invention. I claim the above method of
employing electro-magnetism as a moving power by connecting several surface
magnets, so that when magnetised they unite together.
Another form of electro-magnetic apparatus is as follows:-Two cylinders or
bars of iron are placed parallel. On each of these a hollow cylinder of wood
traverses, on the outside of which is coiled a helix or coil of copper wire, con-
nected with a voltaic battery. The two wooden cylinders are fastened together
by means of a transverse bar of iron. Whenever the voltaic current passes,
the iron cylinders and the transverse bar become magnetic, and an attraction
ensues between them.
'
Another electro-magnetic engine is constructed as follows:-Two strong
wheels. A and B. of equal size, are mounted side by side on a stout axis,
around which they can revolve freely in one direction, but are prevented from
revolving at all in the opposite direction. The wheel A carries two iron
cogs A and A2 upon its circumference at right angles to its plane, and the
wheel B carries one iron cog B upon its circumference at right angles to its
plane, which lies between the two cogs of the other wheel, so that if one
wheel were to be turned round. the other would follow, by reason of the cogs
catching against each other. The interval between the cogs A and A must

page_text: surpass the thickness of the cog B, by a quantity which may vary from one
tenth to one half of an inch, thus only allowing of that degree of motion
to one of the wheels, supposing the other to be kept at rest. The two
cogs A¹ and A are made into electro-magnetic surface magnets, as previously
described in this Specification; but the cog B may be simply of iron. There
are wires of communication from a voltaic battery to the cogs A' and As,
which are to be magnetised alternately. The action of the machine is as
follows: It has been explained that the wheel A can only revolve in one
direction. Suppose that, when so revolving, the cog A' precedes A. First,
let A be magnetised, then it will attract to itself the cog B of the other
wheel, which will move forward into contact with it; while, on the contrary,
A' cannot move at all towards B, because the wheels are prevented from
moving backwards. Next, let A' be demagnetised, and A³ magnetised, then
A will move forward and into contact with B, whereas B will not move at
all towards A, being prevented from moving backwards. The same things
are then repeated continually. First, B moving forward to A', then A
moving forward to B. Thus, both wheels move forward; and the force which
impels them to revolve exerts a certain mechanical power, which may be
turned to advantage in the usual way.
I have here described the simplest form of the machine with only two
magnetic cogs on the one wheel, and a non-magnetic one on the other wheel;
but it is evident that there may be any larger number of cogs, and that those
on both wheels may be rendered magnetic, which would give an increased
motive power if a strong battery were used.
With respect to this part of my Invention, I claim the contrivance or
arrangement of two wheels urging each other forward alternately by electro-
magnetic power.
The next part of my Invention is a method of constructing a machine upon
the principle of the horizontal windmill. Two fly wheels of the same size, and
revolving in a horizontal direction, are placed at a convenient distance from
each other on the same level. Each of them carries a short upright piece of
metal attached to one of its spokes, and these pieces of metal are connected
together by a horizontal bar, so that if one wheel revolves the connection of
this bar causes the other to revolve also with equal speed. This bar, which
may be called A, B, serves as the foundation or base of a long upright frame,
A, B, C, D, which is strengthened at proper intervals by transverse upright
bars 1, 1, and 2, 2, &c. &c., which divide the frame into compartments. Each
compartment is fitted upon the principle of a Venetian blind; that is, with a
number of parallel narrow pieces of wood or metal capable of turning round

page_text: on their axes simultaneously. The action of this machine is as follows:-
During the revolution of the fly wheels the vertical frame which connects
them moves backwards and forwards, but always remains parallel to itself.
Supposing that the wind blows directly against the frame and that the shutters
are closed, the force of the wind will drive back the frame, and cause the
wheels to perform part of a revolution; the shutters are then to be opened, and
turned edgewise to the wind, in which position they remain while the frame
returns against the wind, so as to offer as little resistance as possible to it.
They are then closed again, and so on. They are of course opened and closed
at the proper times by the action of the machine itself, aided by any suitable
mechanical contrivance. A nearly similar arrangement is available to move a
machine by the action of running water. No provision is made for shifting the
machine according to the direction of the wind, because a wind directly contrary
to the above would be equally effective, only requiring that the times of opening
and closing the shutters should be reversed. A wind at right angles to the
above would, however, produce no effect. The most convenient, and on the
whole the least expensive way, is to have a second frame with its machinery
placed at right angles to the first, so that the one of them may be available
when the other is not. With respect to this part of my Invention, I claim
the general disposition of the horizontal wind machine above described, and
particularly the dispensing with the necessity of having any building con-
structed round it so as to screen part of it from the wind, and the giving to the
frame with shutters a motion always parallel to itself.
The last part of my Invention is an improvement in the application of
atmospheric motive power to railways.
In atmospheric railways it is of great consequence to keep the longitudinal
aperture of the main tube, when exhausted, well closed, in order to preserve
Various modes of effecting this have been suggested; among
the vacuum.
others, the following plan
:-
Two clastic cushions are fastened, one on each side of the longitudinal
aperture, throughout its entire length. These press against each other, and
when a vacuum is made in the tube the atmosphere presses the cushions
together still more forcibly, and thus the air is prevented from entering the
tube. But when the piston is passing through the tube, the connecting bar
which it carries passes between the elastic cushions and separates them, after
which they close together again. I mention this as a method which is now
well known. It is liable to the objection that the great friction of the bar
against the cushions when travelling at a high rate of velocity will speedily"
wear them out and destroy them.

page_text: My Invention consists in certain methods of remedying this inconvenience,
which I accomplish by so arranging the apparatus that the bar passes
between
the elastic cushions without touching them. This is effected by not fixing the
cushions to the main tube itself, but by fixing them to two rows of moveable
metallic plates, one on each side of the aperture, which plates are pushed aside
at the time of the passing of a train, and immediately afterwards are brought
back to their former position by springs, which springs may also serve to
support the plates.
In order to explain this, let Figure 1, A, A, B, B, represent a thin metal
plate of great length, divided into portions of convenient length at 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.;
but the junctions of the portions are to be rendered air-tight by slips of indian
rubber or other suitable elastic substance fastened behind them. P, Q, is a
long and narrow cushion of indian rubber, properly prepared to resist the
weather, or of any other suitable elastic material, running the whole length of
the plate A, A, B, B, and made fast to it; besides which, if necessary, other
similar elastic cushions may be fastened to the plate parallel to the cushion
P, Q, with a little space between them. To the bottom of this metal plate is
attached a long narrow band or piece of some flexible material, impermeable
to air, running the whole length of the metal plate, and marked B, B, C, C,
in the Figure; indian rubber is the most suitable material for this purpose.
The metal plate thus prepared is then to be placed vertically and parallel to
the edge of the long aperture of the main tube, the lower margin C, C, of the
clastic band being fastened close to the edge of the aperture. Another similar
metal plate, carrying a similar elastic cushion P, Q, and having a similar band,
of elastic substance B, B, C, C, attached to its lower part, is to be arranged on
the other side of the aperture of the main tube. The two plates should turn
those sides towards each other on which are the clastic cushions P, Q, and
P, Q, so that these two cushions may come together and be in contact through-
out their length. This being premised, it is evident that the metal plates are
as yet unsupported, their lower part being occupied by an elastic substance
B, B, C, C, insufficient to support them. They are, therefore, to be supported
at suitable intervals by metal springs, whose bases are fastened to the outside
of the tube, and their upper part performs the double office of sustaining cach
of the metal plates and pressing both of them together. The whole extent of
the tube being provided with this apparatus, then, when the tube is exhausted,
the effect will be to withdraw the air also from the space between tho two
metal plates since they are closed above by the cushions P, Q, and P, Q. And
immediately upon this taking place the pressure of the atmosphere outside will
force the two elastic bands marked B, B, C, C, inward, and into contact with

page_text: aper-
cach other, and as they are fastened close to the edges of the aperture they
will be more or less forced downward into the aperture, and serve to close it
thoroughly. Supposing, however, that they should not be in such thorough
contact as to suffice of themselves for the entire closing of the aperture, this
is provided against by the two elastic cushions above them, marked P, Q, and
P, Q, which are also in close contact, and also by the close contact of other
similar cushions which may be added if necessary, as I have already mentioned;
so that if the air penetrates through one of these barriers it will be arrested
by another. It remains to explain how, when a train passes along the line,
contact is avoided between these elastic bands or cushions and the connecting
bar which traverses the aperture frequently at a great velocity. With respect
to the lower elastic band B, B, C, C, which is fastened to the edge of the
ture, since it is only bent inward by the pressure of the atmosphere, the instant
the piston has passed beneath it and the pressure of the atmosphere is removed,
it recovers its natural position, which is outside of the aperture and out of the
way of the bar when it passes. With respect to the metal plates, they require
to be pushed aside to a small extent, in order to give passage to the bar without
allowing it to touch the elastic cushions P, Q. This is effected by a horizontal
arm A, which the bar carries before it, the front part of which is narrower than
the hind part, and which as it passes between the plates opens them gradually;
but in order that this may be done with as little friction as possible, the arm A,
carries on each side some little wheels which roll against the inner surface of
the plates and gradually open them. It is essential to observe that those wheels
roll against the metallic surface of the plates in a parallel line with the clastic
cushions, but without touching them.
In Figure 2, Z represents a section of the main tube; K, K, its aperture;
S, S, the springs supporting the metal plates A, B, and A, B; the dotted lines
B, C, and B, C, represent the elastic bands in their ordinary position; the curved
lines marked B, D, C, represent the same bands when bent inward by the
pressure of the atmosphere.
If
Some variations in the form of this apparatus may be here mentioned.
the breadth A, B, of the metal plate A, A, B, B, is small, the indian rubber
band B, B, C, C, if thick, will be able to support it. The springs will still be
necessary to close the plates together, but not to support them.
Another variation suitable to small tubes is, to fix on each side of the longi-
tudinal aperture, and close to its edge, a band of indian rubber, standing stiff
and nearly upright, which I will call, as before, B, B, C, C, bearing through-
out its length a narrow band of metal M, M, for the wheels of the arm A to
run upon when they open the valve. In this case, also, the springs are an

page_text: advisable addition in order to secure perfect contact, but they will press upon
the outside of the indian rubber bands, and not upon the metal; the mode of
action being, however, quite analogous to that of the method first described.
I have described the arrangements which I consider to be the best, and I
do not confine myself to any particular form of the apparatus, provided that
its general nature and mode of action be similar to what is herein described.
I do not claim generally the employment of elastic cushions to close the
aperture of the tube; nor do I claim the use of any particular elastic sub-
stance, as I am aware that indian rubber prepared to resist the weather has
been employed before for railways, though not in the manner here recom-
mended. But what I claim as my Invention is,---
First, the employing a continuous elastic band fastened close to each edge
of the longitudinal aperture of the main tube, which elastic band is bent
inward by the pressure of the atmosphere so as to aid in keeping the said
aperture air-tight.
Secondly, the employing elastic cushions to aid in keeping the said aperture
air-tight, such cushions not being attached to the main tube itself, but being
attached to moveable plates of metal, wood, or other rigid material, arranged
on each side of the aperture.
Thirdly, the employing springs to aid in keeping the said cushions in contact
by pressing the plates together.
Lastly, I claim as part of my Invention, the contrivance of moving aside the
elastic cushions before the connecting bar reaches them while traversing the
aperture, so that there is no friction between them and the said bar:
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Fox Talbot, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of September, in the year of