AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS. FOR CAUSING FORCE TO ACT AND EFFECT MOTION TO A BODY OR BODIES, AND ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Wilson, of 22, Parliament Street, Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS.
FOR CAUSING FORCE TO ACT AND EFFECT MOTION TO A BODY OR BODIES,
AND ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1881.
GEORGE WILSON, of 22, Parliament Street, Westminster, Civil Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAUSING FORCE TO ACT AND EFFECT
MOTION TO A BODY OR BODIES, AND ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My said Invention consists of an improved method and apparatus by means of
which force is caused to react on a mass of inelastic fluid (such, for example, as
water and mercury), within what I term a tube or tubes, joined at one of its or their
ends to a cylinder or cylinders, and at the other end or ends to what I term a tank
or tanks. The tank or tanks is or are filled with the inelastic fluid to a higher
level than the end or ends of the tube or tubes joined thereto. The full sectional
area of the end or ends of the tube or tubes joined to the tank or tanks and
cylinder or cylinders are all open, in order that the inelastic fluid will flow freely
under pressure or force along the tube or tubes from the tank or tanks into the
cylinder or cylinders, or vice versa. Steam or any other suitable power or
force whatsoever, as hereinafter described, is caused to react on the inertia of
the inelastic fluid within the tube or tubes and cylinder or cylinders, and also to
overcome the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid in the tank
or tanks in order to cause motion to the body or bodies to which motion is to be
effected. The inelastic fluid on which the steam or other power reacts moves with
and constitutes a portion of the mass of the body or bodies to which motion is to be
effected. The tube or tubes herein before described is or are joined to each cylinder
at or near to the middle thereof, and at or near to a right angle to the axis of the

page_text: same.
One piston moves at one end and another piston at the other end of each
cylinder. The end or ends of the tube or tubes joined to the tank or tanks is or
are maintained constantly under the level of the surface of the inelastic fluid
within the tank or tanks, and the latter is or are shaped in such a manner and of
such capacity as to cause the least possible obstruction to the hereinafter described
motion of the inelastic fluid within the tube or tubes. The tank or tanks containing
the inelastic fluid is or are either wholly open at its or their top or tops, or closed;
but in the latter case there is a chamber or are chambers of sufficient capacity of
atmospheric air resting upon the surface of the inelastic fluid, and either perforations
are made in such chamber or chambers, or tubes are fixed to the same in such a
manner that a free communication will exist in order to insure the normal pressure
of the atmosphere acting constantly upon the surface of the inelastic fluid within
the tank or tanks.
I will firstly describe an apparatus consisting of one tube joined at one of its
ends to a tank, and at its other end to the middle of the cylinder at a right angle
to the axis of the same, that is to say, at a right angle to the motion of the piston
at each end within the cylinder. The apparatus is fixed to any body to which motion
is to be effected (such, for example, as a vessel upon water or a body with wheels
moving upon a railway or a road) in such a manner that the axis of the cylinder
will be in line with the direction the body is to be moved. The tank, open at its
top, being full with the inelastic fluid water to and maintained at a higher level
than the end of the tube joined thereto the water will flow into and completely
fill the tube and cylinder. A small pipe fitted with a cock or other suitable
apparatus is fixed to the top of the cylinder for the purpose of causing any air or
other elastic fluid to escape which may exist within the tube or cylinder. In order
that this description may be clearly understood, let it be assumed that the body to
which the apparatus is fixed is to be moved in a direction from south to north.
The axis of the cylinder will consequently be in that direction, and one piston will
be at the north and the other at the south end of the cylinder; and in order to
designate the pistons, I term respectively one the north and the other the south piston.
Each piston being at its respective end of the cylinder, and the tube and cylinder
full with water close up to the pistons, the action of the apparatus is as follows:-
Steam of sufficient force is caused to act on the north piston and move the same
through the length of its stroke southwards. In that movement the inertia of the
water within the cylinder and tube will be overcome by the steam force acting on
the piston, and consequently motion will be effected to the water within the tube,
and a portion of that water equal to the volume swept through by the piston forced
into the water in the tank. During the interval of time which the steam force
acts on the piston in overcoming the inertia of the water within the cylinder and
tube, and also the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water, a component of
that steam force reacts on the north end of the cylinder, and moves or overcomes
resistance opposed to the mass of the body in a northerly direction. The instant.
the forward stroke of the north piston is terminated the steam behind it is caused
to flow into a condensor, thus causing the space within the cylinder behind the
piston to be vacuous. The momentum generated to the water within the tube
will cause that water to move, after the termination of the stroke of the piston,
during a short interval of time until that momentum is overcome by the force of
the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank. The instant that momentum is
overcome and the water within the tube is at rest relatively to the tube, the force
of the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank will then act on the inertia
of the water within the tube and generate momentum to the same in a contrary
direction, that is to say, backwards into and refill the partially vacuous cylinder
between the two pistons with water. The instant the forward stroke of the north
piston is terminated, the steam behind it condensed, and the space within
the cylinder vacuous, as herein before described, that piston is moved back by
suitable mechanism to its initial position, abutting against the north end of the
cylinder; in the mean time the south piston abutting against the south end of the

page_text: The
cylinder is moved by suitable mechanism forward in a northerly direction through
a space equal or nearly equal to the space swept through by the force of the steam
on the north piston. The south piston when moved to its position in the cylinder
hereinbefore described abuts against projections or studs in the cylinder in such a
manner as to prevent that piston moving further in a northerly direction.
instant the south piston is moved forward to its position hereinbefore described,
the space behind it being vacuous within the cylinder, atmospheric air through a
suitable opening or openings effected by mechanism is caused to flow into and fill
that space. These movements of both the pistons in a northerly direction are
performed within the interval of time which the force of the hydrostatical pressure
of the water in the tank overcomes the momentum of the water within the tube,
and generates momentum to the same in a contrary direction, as hereinbefore
described. The last bereinbefore mentioned momentum of the water within the
tube is overcome wholly or partially in moving the south piston back to its initial
position, abutting against the south end of the cylinder, and at the same time in
forcing the air out of the space between that piston and the south end of the
cylinder into the atmosphere. The instant the south piston is forced back to its
initial position at the south end of the cylinder, the opening or openings through
which the air in the cylinder is forced into the atmosphere is or are closed. During
the interval of time which the herein before last mentioned momentum of the water
within the tube is overcome in forcing the air out of the space in the cylinder into
the atmosphere, as hereinbefore described, that force is reacting on the north
piston, abutting against the north end of the cylinder, thereby causing motion in a
northerly direction to the mass of the body or overcoming resistance opposed to
the same. The forward and return strokes of the two pistons being terminated,
steam is again caused to act on the north piston, and the action of the apparatus
continued as herein before described. During the interval of time which a complete
forward and return stroke of the two pistons is performed force reacts during a
part of that interval of time on the mass of the body in moving or overcoming
resistance opposed to the same in a northerly direction; and during the remainder
of that interval of time the unbalanced force of the hydrostatical pressure of the
water in the tank acts on the side of the same in a right angle or nearly right
angle direction to the motion of the mass of the body in a northerly direction.
In order to cause motion to the mass of the body in a contrary or southerly
direction, I either use the same or separate apparatus. In case the same apparatus
is used the hereinbefore described movements of the pistons are reversed, the steam
power then is caused to act on the south piston, abutting against the south end of
the cylinder.
I use one or any desired number of apparatus arranged in any desirable and
suitable manner whatsoever. The pipes may be of any desired sectional area and
shape, but I prefer that they should be uniform in sectional area throughout their
lengths, and they may be straight or curved to suit the body to which the apparatus
is to be fixed. I prefer to arrange the apparatus in such a manner that the herein-
before described unbalanced force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the
tank shall act on the side of the tank at a right angle to the direction the mass of
the body is to be moved. In using more than one apparatus the arrangement may
be such that the unbalanced force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water acting
on the side of the tank as hereinbefore described may be counteracted by an equal
force acting on the side of another tank in a contrary direction, and the pistons of
each apparatus may be caused to move alternatively or consecutively in order to
cause the force to react constantly on the mass of the body in the direction the
same is to be moved.
By preference I cause the strokes of the pistons to be exceedingly short in
length, and performed in short intervals of time in order to economize the steam
or other power. The steam power may be caused to act directly on the piston in
the manner herein before described, provided under that manner the desired short
lengths of the strokes of the pistons can practically be performed, and the proper

page_text: working of the apparatus effected; or the steam or any other suitable power or
force whatsoever may be caused to act and effect the reciprocating motions of the
pistons indirectly by suitable mechanisın.
The intensity of the steam or other power used must in all cases necessarily be
greater than the intensity of the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water
in the tanks, tubes, and cylinders. By preference I cause the intensity of the steam
or other power to be such that the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water
in the tank will overcome the momentum of the water within the tube in an equal,
or nearly equal interval of time, as the interval of time which the steam or other
power acts on the piston in generating that momentum.
•
The sectional area of the cylinder and the tube or tubes is dependent on the
magnitude of the force desired to react on the mass of the body to be moved. The
tubes may be in lengths to suit the body, to which motion is to be effected; but,
by preference, I use them as great in length as may be suitable and practicable to
the proper working of the apparatus in order that the inertia of the water within
the tubes, on which the steam or other power reacts, may be great in magnitude,
and inasmuch as by preference I limit the intensity of the steam or other power
acting on the pistons, as hereinbefore described with regard to the intensity of the
force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank, the desired magnitude
of inertia of the water within the tubes will be dependent on the lengths of the
same.
The mechanical equivalent of heat generated in the water I utilize in any suitable
manner whatsoever, or I cause the same to be lost by radiation. In the latter case
when desirable I use any desirable number of tubes of an aggregate smaller instead
of a less number of large sectional area; and I also fit pipes in a suitable manner
within the tanks containing the water in order to cause atmospheric air or water
to circulate freely and carry away heat.
In the performing of my said Invention for the purpose of raising bodies from
the ground and sustaining the same in the atmosphere the apparatus is arranged
in such a manner that the reaction of the forces, as herein before described, on the
'mass of the body will be in a vertical direction, and to cause movement to such a
body horizontally I prefer to use separate apparatus suitably arranged. But the
apparatus used to effect the raising and sustaining of a body in the atmosphere
may also be arranged to move the body horizontally in causing the power to
react upon the piston in a vertical, and the force of the hydrostatical pressure
of the water at the side of the tank in a horizontal direction, as hereinbefore
described. In the performing of my said Invention for the purpose of raising,
sustaining, and moving bodies in the atmosphere, I have to remark that the weight
of the mass of water within the tubes and cylinders upon which the power reacts,
the weight of the remainder of the apparatus, including the structure and
machinary, and the weight of the useful load to be carried, have all to be proportioned
to an aggregate limited weight determined by the intensity of the reacting force,
which, in a practical sense, is possible to develop. The intensity of the reacting
force is determined, within certain limits, by the force of the hydrostatical pressure
of the water within the tubes and tanks, as hereinbefore described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
January 1882.
GEORGE WILSON, of 22, Parliament Street, Westminster, Civil Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAUSING FORCE TO ACT AND EFFECT
MOTION TO A BODY OR BODIES, AND ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My said Invention consists of an improved method and apparatus by means of
which force is caused to react on a mass of inelastic fluid (such, for example, as
water and mercury) within, what I term, a tube or tubes joined at one of its or
their ends to a cylinder or cylinders, and at the other end or ends to what I term a
tank or tanks, or in place of the tank or tanks the end or ends of the tube or tubes
may be vertical or inclined upwards. The tank or tanks is or are filled with the
inelastic fluid to a higher level than the end or ends of the tube or tubes joined
thereto. The full sectional area of the end or ends of the tube or tubes joined to
the tank or tanks and cylinder or cylinders are all open in order that the inelastic
fluid will flow freely, under pressure or force, along the tube or tubes from the
tank or tanks into the cylinder or cylinders, or vice versa. Steam, or any other
suitable power or force whatsoever, as hereinafter described, is caused to react on
the inertia of the inelastic fluid within the tube or tubes and cylinder or cylinders,
and also to overcome the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid in
the tank or tanks in order to cause motion to the body or bodies to which motion
is to be effected. The inelastic fluid on which the steam or other power reacts
moves with and constitutes a portion of the mass of the body or bodies to which
motion is to be effected. The methods hitherto adopted in effecting motion to a
body or bodies consist in causing force to react on some other body or bodies
external to and constituting no portion of the mass of the body or bodies to be
moved; such, for example, as vessels on water and locomotives on railways, which
are moved, through the mechanism, by the steam power reacting respectively on
the water and the rails. Now my said Invention differs therefrom in causing the
matter inelastic fluid on which (through suitable mechanism) the power reacts to
move with and constitute a portion of the mass of the body or bodies to which
motion is to be effected.
In order that my said Invention may be clearly understood I now proceed to
give general illustrations of the same.
Referring to the hereinbefore description, and to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
Figure 1 shows an arrangement of an apparatus in sectional plan consisting of one
tube joined at one of its ends to a cylinder, and at its other end to a tank. Figure 1ª
shows a vertical section through the line x, x, of Figure 1.
In this and the illustrations hereinafter referred to, the inelastic fluid is supposed
to be water. c, c, is a tank containing water, or in place of the tank the end of
the tube may be vertical or inclined upwards, as shown by the dotted lines c¹, c³,
Figure 14; a, a, is a piston, shown by the solid black line, working within a
cylinder; b. b, is the tube which is joined at one of its ends (if the end is not
vertical or inclined upwards) to the tank, c. c, and at its other end to the
cylinder.
In this and the illustrations hereinafter referred to steam power is supposed to
act directly on the pistons within the cylinders, moving against the inertia of the
water within the tubes.
The tank c. . c, being filled with water nearly to its top the same will flow along
the tube b. b, into the cylinder, and the air or other elastic fluids being caused
to escape through a pipe fitted with a cock to the top of the cylinder or tube, or
•

page_text: in any other suitable manner, the tube and the cylinder will be completely full
with water close up to the piston a, a. The water within the tank, c. c, is
constantly maintained at a higher level than the mouth of the tube joined thereto
in order that no air will have free access to the interior of the tube, b. b. The
tank (or tube with vertical end, or inclined upwards, as the case may be) is open
at its top or covered; but in the latter case, by preference, there is a chamber of
sufficient capacity of atmospheric air resting upon the water, and either perforations
are made in the cover of such chamber, or tubes are fixed thereto in such a manner
that a free communication will exist in order to ensure the normal pressure of the
atmosphere acting constantly upon the surface of the water within the tank.
The apparatus is fixed to the body or bodies to which motion is to be effected
in such a manner that the axis of the cylinder will be in the direction of that
motion.
Steam of sufficient force (which may be admitted into and exhausted from the
cylinder by means of the usual slide valve movements or in any other suitable
manner) being caused to act on the piston a, a, that piston is forced through the
length of its stroke to the position a', a¹, as shown by the dotted line. The
resistance to the motion of that piston is the inertia of the water within the
tube, b.. b, and in addition the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water
within the tank, c. c, including the pressure of the atmosphere. A component of
the force of the steam reacts unbalanced during the time the forward stroke of the
piston is being performed on the end of the cylinder, and consequently on the mass
of the body to which the apparatus is fixed, thus causing motion or overcoming
resistance opposed to the mass of the body in the direction of the arrow d. At
the instant when the forward stroke of the piston a, a, is terminated, the steam
within the cylinder behind that piston is exhausted into a condenser, and then the
force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tank acts during a short
interval of time in, firstly, overcoming the momentum generated by the force of
the steam to the mass of water within the tube, b. b, thus causing that water
gradually to be in a state of rest relatively to the tube; and, secondly, in generating
momentum to the mass of water within the tube in a contrary direction, thus
causing the water to return along the tube and refill the partially vacuous cylinder
with water close up to the piston, which has been moved back to its initial position
at the end of the cylinder, as hereinafter described. During that hereinbefore last
mentioned interval of time, that is to say, during which the force of the hydro-
statical pressure of the water within the tank is overcoming the momentum of the
water within the tube, and generating momentum to the same in a contrary
direction, the intensity of that force acts partially or wholly unbalanced on or in
the direction of the end of the tank at g.. g, over a space equal to the sectional
area of the tube b. . b, and that unbalanced force moves or overcomes resistance
opposed to the mass of the body in the direction of the arrow f, which is parallel
to and in the same direction as the direct force of the reaction of the steam, shown
by the arrow d, hereinbefore described. The instant when the forward stroke of
the piston is terminated, as shown in position a¹, a¹, and the steam behind it
exhausted into the condenser, that piston is rapidly moved back by means of
suitable mechanism through the vacuous space within the cylinder to its initial
position abutting against the end of the cylinder; and, by preference, that piston
is moved back in a less interval of time than the interval of time during which
the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tank is overcoming
the momentum of the water within the tube and generating momentum to the
same in a contrary direction, as herein before described. The instant when the
water is moved back along the tube by the force of the hydrostatical pressure of
the water within the tank, and that the tube and cylinder are full with water
close up to the piston abutting against the end of the cylinder, steam is then again
admitted to the cylinder and caused to act on the piston against the inertia of
the water within the tube, and the movements are repeated, as herein before
described.

page_text: Under the herein before described arrangement of an apparatus, a component of
the steam force reacts unbalanced on the inertia of the water within the tube,
thus causing motion or overcoming resistance opposed to the mass of the body in
the direction of the arrow d during the interval of time which the forward stroke
of the piston is being performed, and during the interval of time which the force of
the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank is overcoming the momentum
of the water within the tube, and generating momentum to the same in a contrary
direction, that hereinbefore last mentioned force is acting partially or wholly
unbalanced, thus causing motion or overcoming resistance opposed to the mass of
the body in the direction shown by the arrow f.
a,
Figure 2 shows another arrangement of an apparatus in sectional plan consisting
of one tube joined at one of its ends to a tank, and at its other end to the middle
part of a cylinder at a right angle to the motion of a piston at each end of the
cylinder. Figure 24 shows a vertical section through the line l, l, of Figure 2.
a. a, is a tank containing water, or in place of the tank the end of the tube may be
vertical or inclined upwards, as shown by the dotted line a¹, a, Figure 24; b.. b,
is the cylinder within which at each end the pistons (shown by the solid black
lines) e and f respectively work; c. . c, is the tube, which is joined at one of its
ends, if the ends be not vertical or inclined upwards, to the tank a.. a, and at its
other end to the middle part of the cylinder at or near a right angle to the axis of
the same.
The tank a.. a, being filled with water nearly to its top, the same will
flow along the tube c. . c, into the cylinder b. b, and the air or other elastic fluids
being caused to escape through a pipe fitted with a cock to the top of the cylinder
or tube, or in any other suitable manner, the tube and the cylinder will be full
with water close up to the pistons e and f. The water within the tank is main-
tained constantly at a higher level than the mouth of the tube in order that no air
will have free access to the interior of the tube. The apparatus is fixed to the
body or bodies to which motion is to be effected in such a manner that the axis of
the cylinder will be in the direction of that motion, as shown by the arrow x. The
steam being caused to act on the piston e, that piston is forced through the length
of its stroke to the position e', as shown by the dotted line. The resistance to the
motion of that piston is the inertia of the water within the tube c. . c, and in
addition the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tank . .
including the pressure of the atmosphere. A component of the force of the steam
reacts unbalanced during the time which the forward stroke of the piston is being
performed on the end of the cylinder, and consequently on the mass of the body or
bodies to which the apparatus is fixed, thus causing motion or overcoming resistance
At the termination of the
opposed to the mass in the direction of the arrow x.
forward stroke of the piston e the steam within the cylinder behind that piston is
exhausted into a condenser, and then the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the
water within the tank acts during a short interval of time in, firstly, overcoming
the momentum generated to the mass of water within the tube by the force of the
steam, thus causing that water gradually to be in a state of rest relatively to the
tube; and, secondly, in generating momentum to the mass of water within the tube
in a contrary direction, thus causing water to return along the tube and refill the
partially vacuous cylinder between the two pistons. During that hereinbefore last
inentioned short interval of time, that is to say, during which the force of the
hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tank is overcoming the momentum
within the tube and generating momentum to the same in a contrary direction, the
piston e by means of suitable mechanism is caused to be moved back from its
position e¹ to its initial position e at the end of the cylinder, and during the same
time the piston f by means of suitable mechanism is caused to be moved forward
from its initial position at the end of the cylinder to the position f¹, as shown by
the dotted line, and in that position it abuts against projections or studs in the
cylinder in such a manner as to prevent further movement forward of that piston,
The instant the forward movement of that piston to its position f' is terminated,
atmospheric air is caused to flow through suitable valves into and fill the vacuous

page_text: space s in the cylinder behind that piston, or atmospheric air may be caused to
flow under any desired pressure (under the normal pressure of the atmosphere)
through the valves, and force that piston through its forward stroke to its
position. The momentum generated to the mass of water within the tube by
the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tank is overcome
partially or wholly in acting on the piston in its position f¹, and forcing the same
to its initial position fat the end of the cylinder, and at the same time in sweeping
before it the air under any desired pressure out of the spaces within the cylinder
through the valves into the atmosphere. That force reacts partially unbalanced on
the piston e, abutting against the end of the cylinder, and thus moves or overcomes
resistance opposed to the mass of the body in the direction shown by the arrow x.
During the interval of time which the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the
water within the tank is overcoming the momentum of the water within the tubé
and generating momentum to the same in a contrary direction, that force is acting
partially or wholly unbalanced on or in the direction of the side of the tank at
m. m, over a space equal to the sectional area of the tube, tending to move the
mass of the body in the direction shown by the arrow y. At the termination of
the return stroke of the piston to its initial position at the end of the cylinder
the first forward and return stroke of the two pistons is performed, and steam is
then again caused to act on the piston e, and the action of the apparatus is continued
in a similar manner as hereinbefore described.
The apparatus may be fixed to the mass of the body in such a manner as that the
end of the tank a..a, Figure 2 (or the tube with its end vertical or inclined
upwards, as the case may be), will be in line with the direction which the body is
to be moved; and in such a case the unbalanced force of the hydrostatical pressure
of the water acting on the side of the tank at m. m, as hereinbefore described, will
move or overcome resistance opposed to the body in the direction of the arrow y,
and consequently the force acting, as herein before described, in the direction of the
arrow x will be lateral or at a right angle to the motion of the mass of the body.
The apparatus may also be fixed to the mass of the body in such a manner as
that the resultant force of the two reacting forces (one of which is in the direction
of the arrow x and the other in the direction of the arrow y) will effect motion or
overcome resistance opposed to the body.
Figure 3 shows an arrangement in sectional plan of an apparatus in which a
cylinder is joined to a tube on each side of it, the latter having its ends vertical or
inclined upwards or joined to tanks h.h, and h¹.h¹; n. n, and n. n', are respectively
the tubes; p and 21 are respectively the pistons (shown by the solid black lines)
working within the cylinder. Referring to the herein before description with
regard to Figures 2 and 24, the force of the steam acts by means of the piston p
on the inertia of the water within the two tubes n. n, and n¹. n', and against the
force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water within the tanks, and a component
of that steam force reacts unbalanced and moves or overcomes resistance opposed
to the mass of the body in the direction shown by the arrow z. The forces of the
unbalanced hydrostatical pressure of the water act in contrary directions on the
side of each tank in the directions of the arrows and 7, and consequently those
forces will be neutral in causing movement to the mass of the body.
Instead of one there may be two cylinders joined together, and the two pistons
of each cylinder caused to move alternately in such a manner as to cause force
(herein before described) to react constantly instead of intermittingly on the mass
of the body in the direction of the arrow z.
Figure 4 shows in sectional plan another arrangement of an apparatus. o is a
piston (shown by the solid black line) working within a cylinder which is joined
to one end of the tube p.p; the other end of that tube is joined to a tank r, r;
8.8, is a pipe along which the water under pressure will flow from the tank r, r,
and surround the cylinder, as shown in Figure 44, which is a vertical section
through the line A, B, of Figure 4. Steam of sufficient force being admitted to
the cylinder the piston moves against the inertia of the water within the tube p.p

page_text: and hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank through its stroke to the
position o' shown by the dotted line, and a component of that steam force reacts
unbalanced on the end of the cylinder, and consequently on the mass of the body
to which the apparatus is fixed, thus causing motion or overcoming resistance
The instant when the
opposed to the body in the direction of the arrow t.
forward stroke of the piston is terminated the steam behind it is caused to flow
into a condenser, and that piston is moved rapidly back to its initial position at
the end of the cylinder. During the short interval of time which that piston is
moved back, water is caused to flow through suitable valves out of the pipes. 8,
(surrounding the cylinder) into the cylinder between and close to the piston and
water within the tube p, and that action is performed in the same interval of time
during which the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water in the tank is
overcoming the momentum of the water within the tube generated by the force
of the steam during the time in which the forward stroke of the piston is performed.
There will thus, under this arrangement of an apparatus, be no return movement
of the water within the tube by the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water
in the tank. The pipe s.s, must be of such capacity as to ensure the water
flowing along it from the tank being plentiful to fill the space between the water
within the tube and the piston during the intervals of time which the latter is
moved through each of its return strokes to the end of the cylinder.
Figure 5 shows in sectional plan another arrangement of an apparatus; Figure 5^
is a vertical section through g.g, of Figure 5; a. a, is a piston (shown by the solid
black line) working within a cylinder. The latter is joined to and at or near to
the middle part of a tube b.. b, with vertical ends. The axis of the cylinder is at a
right angle to the tube on each side. The steam is caused to act on the piston and
force the same through the length of its stroke to the position a¹, as shown by the
dotted line, against the inertia of the water within the tube b. b, and force of the
hydrostatical pressure of that water, and a component of that steam force reacts
unbalanced on the mass of the body to which the apparatus is fixed in the direction
of the arrow c. The instant when the forward stroke of the piston is terminated
the steam behind it is exhausted into a condenser and the piston moved rapidly
back to its initial position abutting against the end of the cylinder as herein before
described. The forces of the hydrostatical pressure of the water overcome the
momenta generated to the water in opposite directions within the tube and
generate momenta to the same in contrary directions, and those forces act partially
or wholly unbalanced on the apparatus in the direction shown by the arrows d
and f. The instant when the return moving water has filled the partially vacuous
cylinder close up to the piston steam is then again caused to act on the latter and
the movements continued in a similar manner as hereinbefore described. In this
illustration the only force which tends to effect motion to the body in the direction
of the arrow c is the reaction of a component of the steam force against the inertia
of the water within the tube.
Figure 6 shows in sectional plan another arrangement of an apparatus; a. a, is
two pistons (shown by the solid black lines) working within a cylinder. The latter
is joined at each of its ends to a tube b.. b, as shown in the Figure; c. c, is the
tank, or in place thereof each end of the tubes may be vertical or inclined upwards.
The steam is caused to act between and on the two pistons and force the same in
contrary directions, as shown by the arrows x.x, through the length of their strokes
against the inertia of the water within the tubes b. b, and force of the hydrostatical
pressure of that water.
The instant when the forward stroke of each piston in a
contrary direction is terminated the steam between the two pistons is exhausted
into a condenser, and each piston is moved rapidly back (towards each other) to
its initial position, either by means of suitable mechanism or by the moving force
of the water forced back along the tubes. Referring to the herein before description
of the Figures 1 to 5, the only forces in this illustration which tend to move the
-mass and overcome resistance opposed to the same are those of the unbalanced

page_text: hydrostatical pressure of the water acting at or in the direction of the end of the
tank in the direction shown by the arrows y.. y.
In the performing of my said Invention to raise bodies and sustain the same in the
atmosphere, the apparatus is arranged in such a manner that the unbalanced
reacting force of the steam or other power on the inertia of the inelastic fluid, and
also the unbalanced force of the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid
herein before described will be vertical, Figure 7 is an illustration which is a
vertical section of the apparatus; g is a piston (shown by the solid black line)
working within a cylinder which is joined to a tube h.. h. Steam of sufficient
force is caused to act within the cylinder upon the piston and move the same
through the length of its stroke to the position shown by the dotted line g¹ against
the inertia of the water within the tube ..h, and force of the hydrostatical
pressure of the water including the pressure of the atmosphere; and a component
of that steam force reacts unbalanced on the end of the cylinder and consequently
on the mass of the body to which the apparatus is fixed in a vertical direction, as
shown by the arrow k. The instant when the forward stroke of the piston is
terminated the steam above it within the cylinder is exhausted into a condenser
and the piston is moved upwards to its initial position at the top end of the
cylinder. The momentum generated to the water within the tube is in this
illustration mainly overcome by the force of the pressure of the atmosphere resting
upon the surface of the water at m, and that force generates momentum to the
water within the tube in a contrary direction. During the short interval of time
in which the momentum of the water within the tube is overcome and momentum
generated to the same in a contrary direction, as herein before described, force acts
unbalanced on the mass in a vertical direction, as shown by the arrow a. The
instant when the water within the tube is moved back in a contrary direction and
its full pressure acts against the piston abutting against the top end of the
cylinder steam is again caused to act upon the piston and the movements are
continued in a similar manner as herein before described.
Figure 8 shows another arrangement in vertical section of an apparatus for
causing force to act on a body in a vertical direction; h is a piston (shown by the
solid black line) working within a cylinder; m, m, is two tubes, one of which is
joined to one side and the other to the opposite side of the cylinder, as shown in
the Figure. Steam of sufficient force is caused to act within the cylinder upon the
piston and move the same through the length of its stroke to the position h³,
shown by the dotted line, against the inertia of the water within the tubes m.. m,
and force of the hydrostatical pressure of the water, including the pressure of the
atmosphere, and a component of that steam force reacts on the end of the cylinder
unbalanced and consequently on the mass of the body, to which the apparatus is
fixed in a vertical direction, as shown by the arrow o. The instant when the
forward stroke of the piston is terminated the steam above it within the cylinder
is exhausted into a condenser, and the piston is moved up to its initial position at
the top end of the cylinder. The momenta generated to the water within the
tubes are overcome by the force of gravitation acting on that water and the
-pressure of the atmosphere resting upon the water at 8. s, and that force generates
momenta to the water within the tubes in a contrary direction. During the short
interval of time in which the momenta of the water within the tubes are overcome
in one direction and momenta generated in a contrary direction unbalanced force
of atmospheric pressure acts on the body tending to move the saune in a vertical
direction, as shown by the arrows p.p. The instant when the water within the
tubes is moved back in a contrary direction and its full pressure acts against the
piston abutting against the top end of the cylinder, steam is again caused to act
upon the piston and the movements are continued in a similar manner, as herein-
before described.
By preference I cause the forward strokes of the pistons moving against the
inertia of the inelastic fluid to be performed in such a manner that the steam or

page_text: other power used will act and cause, so far as may be practicable, a constantly
accelerated motion to the pistons and consequently the same motion to the inelastic
fluid against the inertia of which they move; and I also cause, so far as may be
practicable, the forward motion of the pistons when at their maximum speed to be
instantaneously reversed and those pistons rapidly moved back through their return
strokes.
Instead of condensing the exhaust steam from the cylinders of an apparatus if
desired the same may be exhausted directly into the atmosphere, or through the
blast pipe of the chimney, in causing the steam to act on the piston working within
a cylinder which is separate from that within which a piston works against the
inertia of the water within the tubes. The piston of the steam cylinder and that
of the water cylinder would be fixed to one rod and move together.
The apparatus may be arranged, if desired, in such a manner as that the
atmospheric pressure will not act upon the inelastic fluid within the tanks, tubes,
and cylinders, by inclosing the tops of the tanks or ends of tubes with vertical
ends, or inclined upwards, as the case may be. The interior of the apparatus thus
being rendered air-tight the air is exhausted therefrom. The steam or other power,
under this arrangement, will move the piston against the inertia of the inelastic
fluid within the cylinder and tubes and head of pressure of the inelastic fluid
which may be caused to exist.
The apparatus may also be arranged, if desired, in such a manner as that
atmospheric air, or any other suitable elastic fluid, will act under any desired
pressure (which may be either greater or less than the normal pressure of the
atmosphere) upon the inelastic fluid within the tanks or ends of tubes with vertical
ends, or inclined upwards by inclosing the top ends of the same, thus rendering the
apparatus air-tight, and in forcing or exhausting the elastic fluid into or out of the
interior of the top ends of the tanks or tubes.
I use one or any desired number of apparatus arranged in any desirable and
suitable manner whatsoever, and the inelastic fluid used in each apparatus may be
homogeneous or heterogeneous in specific gravity. The tubes may be of any desired
sectional area and shape, but I prefer that they should be uniform in sectional area
throughout their lengths, and they may be straight or curved to suit the body to
which the apparatus is to be fixed.
By preference I cause the strokes of the pistons within the cylinders to be
exceedingly short in length, and performed in short intervals of time, in order to
economize the steam or other power. The steam power may be caused to act directly
on the pistons in the manner herein before described, provided under that manner
the desired short lengths of the strokes of the pistons can practically be performed
and the proper working of the apparatus effected; or the steam or any other
suitable power or force whatsoever may be caused to act and effect the reciprocating
motions of the pistons indirectly by suitable mechanism.
The steam or other power may be caused to react on the inertia of the inelastic
fluid within the tube or tubes by any other suitable means than the use of pistons
as intermediary mechanism.
The intensity of the steam or other power used must in all cases necessarily be
greater than the intensity of the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic
Huid within the tanks, tubes, and cylinders. By preference I cause the intensity
of the steam or other power to be such that the force of the hydrostatical pressure
of the inelastic fluid in the tank will overcome the momentum of the inelastic fluid
within the tube in an equal or nearly equal interval of time to the interval of time
during which the steam or other power acts on the piston in generating that
momentum.
The sectional area of the cylinders and tube or tubes is dependent on the
magnitude of the force desired to react on the mass of the body to which motion is
to be effected, and resistance against the same overcome. The tubes may be in
lengths to suit the body to which motion is to be effected, but by preference I use
them generally as great in length as may be suitable and practicable to the proper

page_text: :
.
working of the apparatus (excepting apparatus for raising bodies into and moving
the same through the atmosphere), in order that the inertia of the inelastic fluid
within the tubes on which the steam or other power reacts may be of great
magnitude; and inasmuch as by preference I limit the intensity of the steam or
other power acting on the pistons, as herein before described with regard to the
intensity of the force of the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid in the tank,
the desired magnitude of inertia of the inelastic fluid within the tubes will be
dependent on the lengths of the same.
The mechanical equivalent of heat generated in the inelastic fluid I utilize in
any suitable manner whatsoever, or I cause the same to be lost by radiation. In
the latter case, when desirable, I use any desired number of tubes of an aggregate
smaller instead of a less number of large sectional areas; and I also fit pipes in a
suitable manner within the tanks containing the inelastic fluid, in order to cause
atmospheric air or water to circulate freely and carry away heat.
In the performing of my said Invention for the purpose of raising bodies from
the ground and sustaining the same in the atmosphere, the apparatus is arranged
in such a manner that the reaction of the forces, as hereinbefore described, on the
imass of the body will be in a vertical direction, and to cause movement to such a
body horizontally I prefer to use separate apparatus suitably arranged. But the
apparatus used to effect the raising and sustaining of a body in the atmosphere
may also be arranged partially to move the body horizontally in causing the power
to react upon the piston in a vertical, and the force of the unbalanced hydrostatical
pressure of the inelastic fluid at the side of the tank or tube with vertical ends in a
horizontal direction, as herein before described.
In the performing of my said Invention for the purpose of raising, sustaining,
and moving bodies in the atmosphere, I have to remark that the weight of the
mass of the inelastic fluid within the tubes and cylinders upon which the power
reacts, the weight of the remainder of the apparatus including the structure and
machinery, and the weight of the useful load to be carried have all to be pro-
portional to an aggregate limited weight determined by the intensity of the
reacting force which in a practical sense it is possible to develop. The intensity
of the reacting force is determined within certain limits by the force of the
hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid within the tubes and tanks, as herein-
'before described.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it to be understood that a distinctive feature of my said Invention
is that steam or any other suitable power or force whatsoever is caused to react on
the inertia of an inelastic fluid, and to overcome the force of the hydrostatical
pressure of the same, the latter being either inclusive or exclusive of the atmo-
spheric pressure, and the inelastic fluid (on which the steam or other power thus
reacts) moves with and constitutes a portion of the mass of the body or bodies to
which motion is to be effected, and resistance against the same overcome. The
steam or other power thus reacting on the inertia and in overcoming the force of
the hydrostatical pressure of the inelastic fluid effects motion and overcomes
resistance opposed to a body or bodies under the hereinafter described forces
separately or combined, depending on the desired arrangement of an apparatus,
namely,-
1. The force directly or indirectly of the reaction of steam or other power on the
inertia of the inelastic fluid within the tube or tubes and cylinder or cylinders.
2. The force directly or indirectly of the unbalanced hydrostatical pressure of
the inelastic fluid, which is caused to exist during the intervals of time when the
force of the hydrostatical pressure (which is either inclusive or exclusive of the
atmospheric pressure) of the inelastic fluid overcomes the momentum generated by
the steam or other power, to the inelastic fluid within the tube or tubes in one
direction, and generates momentum to the same in a contrary direction.
I claim my improved method of and apparatus for causing force to act and
effect motion to a body or bodies, by which the said motion is obtained, not by

page_text: reaction on external objects as heretofore, but upon a mass of inelastic fluid which
is carried along with the body or bodies moved, substantially as described.
I also claim my improved apparatus for causing force to act and effect motion to
a body or bodies, and also for other purposes, substantially as herein before described
or any mere modification thereof..
In witness whereof, I, the said George Wilson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
GEORGE WILSON. (L.S.)