CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND RENDERING MORE EPPECTIVE THE USE OF KNOWN AGENTS OF MOTION
Year: 1841

page_text: BERRY'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MILES
BERRY, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of August, in the fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Miles Berry, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Miles Berry, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Miles Berry, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plan-
tations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and
Man, an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS AND APPARATUS
FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND RENDERING MORE EPPECTIVE THE USE OF KNOWN
AGENTS OF MOTION," being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad;
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said
Miles Berry, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, parti-
cularly to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to
be enrolled in Iler Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and inmediately 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Miles Berry, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say).
These improvements relate to certain means and apparatus intended for the
production of motive power, and consists principally in the employment of
water or any fluid, such as air, which is introduced as an agent between the
prime mover which acts upon it and the object against which the force or
power ought to act, and by means of the novel arrangement of parts a better
application of motive power is obtained. Experiments in locomotion have
demonstrated that one pound weight will, upon a horizontal railroad, draw
two hundred and forty pounds weight, and, upon ordinary roads about forty
pounds. By this calculation we find that if we can apply to a heavy wheel a
flexible pipe in which water or any other fluid may be introduced in such a
manner that the water would be forcibly expelled therefrom by the weight of
the wheel, we shall have at, the orifice from whence the water or other. fluid
issues a power equivalent to the weight of the wheel, and acting with a speed
equivalent to the speed with which the wheel advances upon the flexible pipe.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet.I., represent different views of the apparatus employed
for carrying out this principal. A, A, A, A, is a horizontal circular immoveable
plate or wheel, made of iron, wood, stone, or other suitable material. This
plate is furnished on its upper surface, and not far from its periphery, with a
groove, or channel B, B, either square or round, and in this groove or channel
is placed a flexible pipe or tube c, c, c, c. The plate B, B, is furnished with
holes a, a, a, a, a, a, pierced at equal distances through the bottom of the
groove, and to the underside of these holes are adapted certain supply pipes or
tubes D, D, D, D, which are furnished with suitable, valves b, b, b, b, opening
inwards. The water or other fluid ought to be supplied to the flexible
pipe C, C, from above; it should, also be made to enter the pipes D, D, with
such a velocity as will enable it to fill the flexible pipe C, C, as quickly as
possible. The flexible pipe C, C, is made of waterproof fabric, leather, or any
other flexible material, or it may be constructed of a number of boxes or
drawers having only, one bottom, which is uppermost, and two of the sides
open, these boxes being ranged round in the annular groove of the plate A, A,
the open part being downwards, and presenting their open sides to one
another. These boxes may be made of wood or iron, and are connected
together by a flexible framework, and are furnished internally with a flexible

page_text: waterproof material. The flexible tube or pipe, constructed according to
either of the methods above described, is supplied with water by all the pipes
D, D, D, D, and it is expelled by means of the weight wheel G, G, from the.
flexible pipe through the opening E, from whence it is conveyed to act upon
any object or machine for the purpose of communicating motion or otherwise.
In order to make the Invention more easily understood I have connected to
Fig. 2 the apparatus Fig. 4, which represents a spiral revolving wheel or
apparatus constructed on the Barker's mill principle, which receives the water
by the pipe F, F, when it is forced from the flexible pipe C, C, C, C, by the
action of the weight wheel G, G, which is actuated by 'any suitable mechanism.
The weight wheel G, G, is mounted on a horizontal axle M, M, one end of
which is connected to an upright shaft L; this shaft has at its lower end a
horizontal bevil wheel K, K, which gears into another wheel H, H, on the
shaft J, and upon motion being communicated to the shaft J, by means of
the water wheel I, or in any other manner, the upright shaft L is made to
revolve, and thereby cause the weight wheel G to travel round the annular
groove B; which contains the flexible pipe C; and the water contained therein
is thereby pressed out with a force corresponding to the weight of the wheel G."
The advantages of this system are now evident, for the application of the power
which is obtained by it allows such power, whatever it may be, to be multiplied
ad infinitum, as it has been ascertained that in order to propel a weight of three
thousand pounds weight (supposing the resistance that the water in the flexible
tube' offers to its progress is equal to that which motive power encounters on
paved roads) it will be necessary to expend seventy-five pounds of power;
therefore, for seventy-five pounds of power expended in propelling the
wheel G, G, a disposable power of three thousand pounds weight will be
obtained at the exit E of the water, which acting, for example, upon the
spiral wheel Fig: 4, will allow the latter to propel one or more wheels of one
hundred and twenty thousand pounds weight, which wheels acting upon one
or more flexible pipes will generate power by consecutive series ad infinitum.
The Barker's mill has been taken as an example, as it is considered as giving
the greatest useful effect, but the water or fluid issuing from the orifice E may
be employed for whatever purpose may be required or considered desirable,
either for forge bellows if it be air that is thus expelled, or for fire engines if
it be water, or for any other purpose in which a jet or column of liquid
expelled with considerable force may be required. If it be thought desirable
to employ the column of water issuing from the flexible pipe to actuate any
other wheel than the spiral, such a wheel as that shewn in Fig. VI. might be
employed. This wheel is composed of two plates a, a, b, b, Fig. VI., which

page_text: represents a vertical section of this wheel. On these two plates grooves c, c, C, C,,
(Fig. VI.) are made, in which iron plates d, d, slide. These iron plates are
pressed or forced towards the periphery of the wheel by springs or other
convenient means which push them from the centre. The water enters at e, e,.
and acts against the plate d*, d*, which communicates the motion thereby.
received to the whole wheel, which in its revolution brings the other plates
forward towards the point where the water enters, where, being acted upon in
like manner, they are propelled forward; upon coming round to the point e
they come into contact with the slope or inclined plane e, f, which overcomes
the power of the springs of the plates d, d, and forces them back towards the
centre until as they advance they consecutively arrive at the point f, where
they escape from the incline, and the spring is allowed to act again and push
the plate towards the circumference of the wheel, and assume its place so as to
be acted upon by the water, as before. A strong curved plate of iron 2, 2, is
adapted to the water passage. This plate forms a sort of felloe, and is held
against the periphery of the wheel by iron arms 3, 3, connected to the axle.
The curved iron plate 2 is stationary, and the side plates a, a, b, b, of the
wheel, and the sliding plate d and d*, revolve against it in close contact..
After the water has produced its effect it escapes at the point g, from whence
it may be conveyed, if necessary, into any suitable receiver. The other.
Figures of Sheet I. are intended to make the system better understood, and.
to shew different methods of constructing and applying the apparatus. Figures
VII., VIII., IX., VII*., VIII., IX*., represent different methods of actuating
the axle j, j, upon which the toothed wheel H, H, is mounted. In Figures
VII. and VII*. it is a stream of water which causes the axle to revolve.
Figures VIII. and VIII*. the wheel is moved by living beings, such as.
horses, who, in walking inside thereof, actuate the wheel. In Fig. IX. it is a,
crank and crank shaft actuated by a steam engine. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6,.
represent different methods of constructing the flexible pipe C, C. The
construction of this flexible pipe may be varied, but it should be observed that
this pipe or tube must always be made perfectly impervious to any liquid or
fluid, but, nevertheless, be sufficiently strong to resist the immense pressure
which it will have to sustain. If, therefore, a pipe (in which all the materials
composing it are pliable or flexible, such as cloth, Icather, or other similar,
materials,) is used, it may be constructed or composed of two pipes, one inside
the other, the inside one being waterproof, and the outside "one strong enough
to prevent any rupture. To attain this end the inside pipe should be of
greater diameter than the other, so that it may never be stretched or
submitted to a tension beyond its capability of resisting, the necessary resist
In

page_text: ance being offered by the external pipe. The second general observation is
that the flexible pipe should not be made too elevated, as when made lower or
flatter it will offer less resistance to the progress of the weight wheel. To
obtain this object, especially when a considerable quantity of water is required,
it will be found desirable to divide the flexible pipe into severable small pipes, as
seen in Figures 2 and 3, or to cover the pipe with a series of iron plates upon
which the weight wheel may revolve. To these plates sliding bolts d, d, Figures
4 und 5, should be fixed, which bolts pass through holes made in the
plate A, A, upon which the flexible pipe rests. The bolts, besides being fixed
or not to the small upper iron plates z, z, should also be furnished at their
other extremity under the plate A, A, with screw nuts or cross bolts y, y,
for the purpose of preventing them from rising further than they ought, so that
the flexible pipe, instead of taking a round from which it would tend to do
when full of water, should be made to assume a flattened form, and thereby
offer less resistance to the progress of the weight wheel as it revolves round
the circular groove. In addition to these two observations it may be as well
to remark, that in constructing and applying the flexible pipe care should be
taken to do so in such a manner that the flexible material, such as cloth.
or leather, of which it is composed, should not be exposed to the liability of
injury by being pressed. immediately between two hard substances, like iron,
stone, or other material, of which the circular groove and weight wheel.is
constructed, and for this purpose cork, flannel, sponge, or other soft substance
conveniently applied, either internally or externally, will prevent the flexible
pipe from being easily injured. It is necessary also to take care that the sides
of the flexible pipe do not stick together or collapse too much (when the
weight wheel has passed over it) so as to prevent the flow of water from the
supply pipe, which is intended to take the place of that body of water which
has been expelled from the flexible pipe by the weight wheel. It is for this
reason that the supply of water ought always to be arranged in such a
manner that it may have sufficient power to enter the flexible pipe C with
considerable force and velocity. It is for this purpose a portion of the
power obtained may be employed either through the agency of a force pump,
or by pressure exercised upon a feeding pipe, similar in form to the flexible
pipe; but although these means may be always practicable, it is as well
that a portion of the water which is forced forward by the advance of
the weight wheel should be forced behind, merely to prevent the sides of the
flexible pipe from adhering together.' Other means, such as the use of
springs, may, also be devised to answer the purpose. Fig. 6 represents a form
of flexible pipe, which may be advantageously employed. This is a pipe in

page_text: which the upper part only 2, z, is subject to tension; it should be. fixed
in or upon the plate A, A, by its two edges, as at g, g. The Figure represents
a.vertical section of the plate A, A. Fig. 7 represents the flexible--pipe
detached in order to shew. its construction. more clearly. It is circular, and
the line a, b, is the point where it is closed, so that, the water has no other
exit than by the passage E; therefore, when the water enters at a* nearest the
partition or stop, it is pressed forward by the weight wheel all. round the
flexible pipe in the direction of the arrows until it finally escapes through
the pipe E. The line a, b, represents a seam or join, but a plate of iron may
be applied to it and adjusted perpendicularly, so that when the weight wheel
passes over it the iron plate may descend into an oblong hole. made for, this
purpose in the groove of the plate A, A, before mentioned. Fig. 8 represents a
method of constructing the flexible pipe of a number or series of boxes or drawers
placed bottom uppermost, the two sides of which boxes: successively enter or
descend into grooves or recesses made in the plate A, A, when the weight
wheel passes over them. In constructing the apparatus it may be as well to
observe, that to prevent any interruptions in the pressure of, the water on its
escape at E, it ought to enter the flexible pipe when the weight wheel. has
passed over the point a, b, more rapidly on the side it has just left, as it has a
greater space to fill, and for this end the holes a, a, by which the water is
supplied, are placed nearer together, than in the other parts of the flexible pipe.
After having thus described the principles upon which the apparatus is
constructed, I will now proceed to explain different methods of applying the
same. For water pumps, either for ordinary use or in urgent cases of fire or
otherwise, there is no occasion to add anything to what has been already
described. It is evident that water may be projected with a force which
depends upon the weight which is made to roll over or revolve on the flexible
pipe, and with a speed equal (except the friction) to the speed with which the
weight advances. For fire engines or pumps' an apparatus constructed in the
manner above described, and placed under ground near cach public building
or other edifice which it is desirable to preserve from fire; and being supplied
with a sufficiency of water, would allow one man who could turn a crank to
project a column of water with a greater force and more regularity of action
than can be obtained with any of the pumps known or employed at present.
The lower under ground the apparatus is placed the more uniform will be its
action, as the water has by its gravity a greater tendency to enter' and supply
the flexible pipe.
I will now proceed to point out the advantages which may be obtained
by applying the Invention to navigation. Notwithstanding the improvements

page_text: already made, or rather in consequence of these improvements, the incon
venience resulting from the use of paddle wheels is generally admitted:
They are always troublesome, and in. the way in naval combats, and very
dangerous in tempestuous weather. They destroy the banks of canals, and
are liable to injure vessels moored at the banks of rivers: All this may,
however, be avoided by the employment of this improved system, as the use of
paddles striking the water with a rapid succession of blows is replaced by a
column of water continuously and forcibly impelled or projected against the
water upon or in which the vessel floats. In Sheet II: Figures 1 and 2
represent a plan and sectional view of a boat propelled in this manner. "In
both these Figures the weight wheels G, G; preess or impel the water, and act
in a reciprocating manner, so that the water is projected sometimes at the
points A, A, and sometimes at the points B, B. In Figures 3 and 4 the
weight wheels G, G, act in the rotatory manner already explained in reference
to Sheet I. The only difference is, that instead of only one weight wheel G,-two
are employed, G and G. These two weight wheels may either revolve on the
same flexible pipe or upon separate ones, but the water expelled from each
should unite before its escape from the vessel or boat. This peculiar arrange-
ment is proposed in order to prevent the rocking motion to which the boat
would be liable if there were only one weight wheel. This modification may
be employed in boats or vessels which require a great draught of water; and
when two wheels are thus employed one of them should be nearer the centre
than the other, so that both of them may revolve round the same centre. The
wheel G, G, which revolves nearest the vertical shaft placed at the centre L.,
should also be of less diameter, but; nevertheless, as much heavier than the
second wheel G*, G*, as is necessary to maintain the equilibrium between
them. The other parts of the arrangement are easily understood. In both
boats the water enters at the opening q, which is placed in the stem or front
part of the vessel; and proceeds along the supply pipes, into the flexible
pipe c, c, c, c, Figures 1 and 2, from whence it is expelled or projected
either at the sides at A, A, B, B, or at the stern at P, in Figures 3 and 4:
The appertures for admitting the water may be more numerous, if required,
and placed in any situation thought most desirable. The water ought to be
inclosed within tubes or pipes so as not to allow it to enter any other part of the
vessel but the flexible pipe, and prevent any risk from' damp or otherwise.
It ought also to pass through a grating of some kind, so as to prevent the
introduction of any extraneous matters.
Having sufficiently described the manner of actuating the apparatus in
reference to Sheet I., it will not be necessary to point out any precise mechanical
,

page_text: arrangements that may be employed. I have, therefore, only marked the place
which such mechanism may occupy (see the squares 4, 4, 4, 4). In order to
assist the action of the weight wheel when the reciprocating motion is employed
the following improvement is recommended (see Sheet II., Fig. 5), as all that
is required of the weight wheel G, G, is the pressure of its weight at the point 2,
for the purpose of impelling or projecting the water. This object is effected
by constructing the wheel G, G, and applying weights thereto, in the manner
shewn in Fig. 5. To the axle M, around which the wheel G, G, revolves, a
double steel yard is adapted, and at the ends of these steel yards or levers are
suspended certain weights, which by their distance from the point of sup-
port M multiply their weight, so that if the wheel G, G, be required to act on
the point 2 with an effective weight of eight thousand, and if the axle
wheel and other appurtenances weigh two thousand, and a weight of one
thousand is attached to the end of each of the levers, we shall have for a
weight of two thousand an effective weight of six thousand if the levers from
the centre M to their extremity are three times the length of the radius of the
wheel. In Sheet III. Fig. 1 represents a front view; Fig. 2 a side view;
and Fig. 3 a plan view of an apparatus with a reciprocating motion. The
stoam engine or other power which may be employed must be placed between
or opposite the two standards A, A, and turns the shaft B, B, by means of a
crank.. The cranks B on the shaft B, B, communicate a reciprocating motion
to the vibratory lever C, C, by means of the slot D, D, as seen in Fig. 2. As
the vibrating lever C, C, reciprocates it draws the roller G, and causes it to
revolve on the flexible pipe or chamber m, m, and in fact act like the weight
wheel G in the other Figures. The different mechanical arrangements which
may be employed to obtain a reciprocating motion are too well known to need
any further description. The support upon which the flexible pipe m rests
may be either horizontal or concave, provided in the latter case the part m, m,
of the flexible pipe is always lower than the feeding aperture. The rod or
rods to which the roller G is attached lengthen and shorten during each
vibration, either by allowing the pin or bolt e, e, Fig. 2, to recede into a
corresponding hole made in the end of the rod or lever, or by allowing the rod
itself to slide in its bearings at the point X.
After having explained and shewn what power may be obtained by means
of the weight wheel, I will now, in reference to Sheet IV., describe the
effect which may be obtained by employing steam as the power to press upon
water or other fluid. Fig. 1, Sheet IV., represents an apparatus consisting
of the cylinder of a steam engine, which, instead of acting by means of a
crank, acts by means of its piston rod upon another piston in a second

page_text: cylinder B, B, which presses the water in the cylinder B, B, and forces it out at
the point a when the piston advances, and by the point 6 when it recedes. By
this means a more uniform rotary motion may be obtained, the dead points
avoided, and also the necessity of imparting to the pistons a speed which might be
injurious to the engine, as a cubic yard of water is sufficient when acting with
a pressure of ten atmosphers to obtain (by means of the mechanism hereafter
described) from four hundred to five hundred revolutions of the wheel, (that is
to say,) instead of making the piston make two hundred, or even, as is sometimes
the case, three hundred strokes per minute, the arrangement of the mechanism
hereafter described is such as to give only twelve or fifteen strokes per minute.
In Sheet IV., at Fig. 1, A, A, is a cylinder of the ordinary construction, only
stronger, and capable of sustaining a greater pressure of steam. B, B, is the
water cylinder. C, C, is a reservoir into which the water or other fluid comes
after it has passed round the axle j. E, E, are valve pipes by which the water
or other fluid enters the cylinder to fill it. The piston F, when pushing the water
forward, leaves that part of the cylinder which is behind it empty; the liquid
therefore enters and fills up the vacuum. Then, when this portion of liquid
is acted upon in in its turn, the valves shut of themselves, and those on the
opposite side of the piston open, and the liquid which, when the piston advanced,
escaped up the tube G, escapes by the tube G* when the piston returns. The
water enters the tube H, H, and causes the axle j,j, to revolve either by means
of a vertical wheel, such as the one described in Sheet I. at Figures VI. and.
VI., or by conducting it into the jacket or cylindrical vessel K, K, which
contains two curved float wheels, the floats of one wheel being curved in a
contrary direction to the other. One is used when the engine is required to
go forward, and the other when required to back. The float wheels are fixed
upon the axle J, and revolve with it. The jacket or case, as well as that part
of the pipe which is on the same side of the cock L, is shown detached at Fig. 4,
and is divided lengthwise by a strong plate of iron s, s, which surrounds the
axle at right angles thereto in such a manner as to allow it to turn easily, but
at the same time sufficiently packed to prevent the water in the right hand
chamber from getting into the left, and vice versa. The management of this
apparatus is very simple, as the conductor or engineer has only to turn the cock
L, and allow the water to enter the right hand, chamber, and act upon the
water wheel contained therein, and the train or boat will advance, or by
turning the cock in the contrary direction the water is made to enter the
left hand chamber, and act upon the other wheel, and the boat or train
will recede with the same speed. The water escapes from the jacket or
chamber K, K, at the points M, M, M, M. As many holes as may be
'

page_text: thought fit may be made in order to allow the water to escape freely.
These holes M, M, are covered with a semi-circular hollow passage in
the shape of a ring, which is accurately fitted to the jacket K in such a
manner that the water can only escape by one aperture situated at N;
from whence it proceeds through a tube or pipe into the reservoir C, C, and from
thence into the cylinder B, B, to pass through the apparatus a second. time.
The apperture N. may be placed in any convenient situation, but care must
be taken that it is more elevated than the highest point of the cylinder B, B,
so that the water in finding its level may always fill the cylinder by raising
the valves E, E, E. This continual return of the same water, which, after
exerting its power, comes back again into the cylinder to undergo a second
pressure, shews how easy it is to prepare the water or other liquid so as to
prevent a great deal of the friction which it exercises against the sides. There-
fore, instead of water, a greasy or fatty fluid may be employed as oil, or by
dissolving some soap in the water the friction would be diminished. 0, 0, is
a reservoir containing water, which is supplied to the apparatus when any is
lost or escapes by leakage or any other cause. P is a knee joint (seen detached
at Fig. 7), composed of parts of two globes, one working inside the other. This
universal or spherical joint allows the apparatus to turn either to the right or
to the left, or to rise or fall without stopping the pressure of the water, which
must always have a regular and uniform entrance and exit to the globe P, in
order to work without the least interruption. For this reason the opening 7, 7,
ought always to be large enough to allow the joint to be turned in any direction
without passing the points 8, 8, of the external globe, so as always to leave a
clear opening equal to the diameter of the tube H, H, on which the joint P is
placed. At the point 10, that is to say, at the junction of the two pipes G and
G*, and within the tube H, is placed 'a clack valve. It must be adjusted in
such a manner that when it is pressed by the water issuing from the pipe G it
should close the aperture of the pipe G*, and vice versa. The situation of the
furnace and boiler is shewn in the Drawing at Z. It is placed there in order
that the stoker may act at the same time as conductor, and be nearer the
cock L, which he can turn as required by means of an iron rod. The piston
rod acting in the two cylinders would then pass through the steam boiler, but
this arrangement may be altered by placing the steam boiler behind the steam
cylinder A, A, which might then be placed much nearer the water cylinder B, B.
I will here observe that certain arrangements of different parts are necessary
in order to obtain the full advantage of this Invention; and one is an alteration
which must be made in the action of the slide valves, which allow the steani to
enter the cylinder first at one part and, then at another, in order to make the

page_text: piston advance or recede from one end of the cylinder to the other: In the
ordinary construction of engines this motion is connected with that of the
wheel of the locomotive carriage; that is to say, at each revolution of the wheel
the slide valve is moved, and opens an exit for the steam, which exit: opening
is closed when the wheel finishes its revolution, and so on alternately; but
as by this system from fifty to one hundred, or even two hundred or threo
hundred, revolutions of the running wheels are required for every stroke of the
piston, some 'other arrangement must be adopted to regulate the action of these
valves! Several different methods may be devised, but the following is proposed
as being the most simple. Near the points a and 6 of the water 'cylinder B
are made two holes, to which tubes 3, 3, 3, 3, see Fig: 6, are adapted. These
tubes are connected at their upper ends to a double horizontal lever 4 and 4*,
which acts by connecting rods upon either á cock or simply a strong plate. of
iron placed horizontally' above the point X of the steam cylinder A, A. This
plate is pierced with two holes, which answer to two openings communicating
one with one end of the cylinder, and the other with the opposite end, so as to
conduct' the' steamy and make it act in the same manner as in ordinary cylinders..
The holes are inade in the iron plate in such a manner that when one of them
coincides with one hole in the cylinder; and allows the steam (which presses
upon the plate) to enter the cylinder, the other hole will be situated above a
solid part of the cylinder, and the steam will. therefore be prevented from
entering; and that part of the plate which is not pierced will be situated abovo
the other hole in the cylinder, so as to prevent the steam from entering but at
one place at a time, as is well understood.. In order to actuate the horizontal
lever 4 and 4 pistons are introduced into the tubes .3, 3, 3, 3, the upper
parts of which are jointed to the lever 4, 4*, These pistons" work freely
in the tubes 3, 3, but in such a manner that when one of them is raised
by a force acting in one of the tubes 'the other piston is depressed; and
vice versa. The iron plate in the steam cylinder works upon a fixed pivot
placed in the upper part of the cylinder at the centre point of tlie lever to
which it is connected. It is evident that water being pumped into the water
cylinder will act at the same time and with the same pressure alternately in
tlie tubes 3, 3 it is therefore only necessary to proportionate the diameter of
the opening for the water in 'the tubes 3, 3, to the number of revolutions the
wlieels are required to make for each stroke of the piston. The tubes 3, 3,
should be placed in such a manner that when the pressure of the water in
their part of the cylinder ceases, the water contained in them may be run 'back
into the cylinder B, B. It is for this purpose that they are placed at the
ends or near the points d'and of the cylinder. No particular scale has been

page_text: given for the construction of the apparatus, as the dimensions and proportions
may be varied. The Inventor merely advises that the running wheels should
be made much larger than they are at present, and that the piston of the
steam cylinder should be of greater diameter than that in the water cylinder
It would be very easy to construct a locomotive engine to be actuated by
water pressed by a weight wheel, as has been described in reference to Sheets
I. and III., but it is considered that this arrangement could not be easily adopted
for rapid motion, although it is applicable to the slow motion of carts, waggons,
ploughs, &c. For the latter object this arrangement is particularly applicable,
as the axle upon which the toothed wheel H, H, Sheet I., Figures I., II.,
and III., is mounted may have a rotary motion given to it by means of a
wheel, inside which living animals, such as sheep and goats, might walk. The
rest of the construction is so simple that it is not necessary to give a separate
Drawing of it after what has been above said of the methods of employing
pressed water; but when it is required for propelling carriages or for tilling
land it is better to have four wheels instead of two for supporting the appa-
ratus, in order to keep it in as horizontal a position as possible. For ploughs the
..most simple method that could be employed for turning round would be to place
either a horse or a bullock in front of the plough, which animal would be suffi-
cient to direct a plough of the largest size, as the power of the animal would
not be required to draw the plough to cut the ground, but merely to turn it
either to the right or to the left. The plough may have five, six, ten, or even
more shares adapted to it, according to the power that is applied to it.
In Sheet V. Fig. 1 represents a plan view of two iron rails A, A, A, A,
such as are generally employed on railways. Fig. II. is a side view of the
same. Between these two rails is placed the tube or pipe B, B, which is
firmly fixed to the ground. This tube is hollow, and has a cut, slit, or
groove a, a, a, a, made throughout the upper part of its whole length. Inside
this tube is a piston b, b,,which should slide easily therein, but at the same
time fit accurately, in the same manner as the piston of a steam cylinder.
This piston may be of any convenient length. In the Drawings it is represented
as about twelve inches long, and to it is fixed a strong plate of iron c, c, c, c,
of the thickness of the slit or groove a, a, in which it is intended to slide. To
the upper part of this plate the carriage which is to be propelled, is attached
or connected. It is therefore evident that if the piston b, b, is propelled from
the point 2 it will draw the train or carriage with it towards the point X;
therefore if a column of water be introduced into the tube B, B, at the point C,
and made to press or act against the piston at 2, the whole train will advance
with the same force and speed as is given to the water. And as by means of

page_text: the apparatus before described water can be acted upon by pressure with a
power and speed almost infinite, the train or carriage will advance with an
equal speed, allowing something for friction. It is necessary, however, to
prevent the water or other fluid which is forced into the tube B,. B, from
escaping therefrom by the groove a, a; and to effect this object a long flexible
pipe d, d, is employed, and supported by the band of iron f, f, which extends
along the side of the groove a, a, and is firmly fixed to the tube B, B. The
flexible pipe being empty, it yields to the pressure of the plate c, c, as it passes.
This pressure ought to be enough to flatten it and prevent it from inflating, but
at the same time it ought to be so arranged as to exercise as little friction as
possible upon the flexible pipe so as not to injure it. A column of water at
the saine pressure as that which enters the tube B, B, is introduced into the
flexible pipe d, d, so that as soon as the pressure of the plate c, c, in travelling
along ceases, the flexible pipe may be filled with water, and by its inflation
hermetically close the groove a, a. A little attention is necessary in construct-
ing and applying this flexible pipe, and also the band of iron f, f, but it is
easily managed by any intelligent mechanic. Another band f, f, opposite to
the one already mentioned, may be applied, and by preventing the flexible pipe
from assuming a perfectly round form will oblige it to enter the upper part of
the groove so as to close it more perfectly. A long strip of cork, or a pad
filled with any soft substance, such as sponge, and placed under the flexible pipe,.
which by its expansion or inflation by the water adapts itself to the groove, may
also be employed. The bands or strips of iron f, f, which run along the sides
of the groove may be rounded internally, thereby presenting a concave recess
to the flexible pipe, by which means the latter is prevented from expanding
towards the upper part, but is obliged to exercise its principal pressure against
the groove. Other means for closing this groove may also be employed. A
long strip of leather applied to the inside of the pipe B, B, but in such a
manner as not to interrupt the motion of the piston, and always tending to
close the groove, but which is pressed back by the plate c, c, c, c, in its
passage, may also be used.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that carriages may be
propelled along railways as well as common roads; and also, by adapting
similar tubes and apparatus to the sides of rivers and canals, boats or other
vessels may be propelled at the saine speed and power as is employed in
introducing the water into the tube B, B. By this system also trains may
be propelled up hills, and allowed to descend also, with any required speed.
In order to descend, the train may be allowed to go by itself, and the
piston then, instead of requiring to be propelled by the water, will force

page_text: out the water which it finds before it in the tube B, B. The speed will there-
fore depend upon the man at the bottom of the hill to open; one, two,. or more
cocks situated on the. pipe B, B, to allow more or less water to flow out,
which, by presenting more or less resistance, will regulate the descent of the
train. By this column of water regulating the downward speed of the train
great security on railways is obtained, as the piston b, b, may be constructed
in such a manner that the plate c, c, or a portion thereof, acting as a bolt, may
be mde so as to be able by. means of a lever to draw it upwards. A part of
the end 2 of the piston. (which we will suppose to be hollow like a tube), may
then be raised, so that the bolts (part of the plate c) being drawn up, the part
of the piston held by the bolt, will open, and the column, of water will act more
feebly upon the other part of the piston, but passing through it will go in front,
and form in the tube B, B, a. column of water, which, supposing two trains.are
meeting, will prevent a shock, which is sometimes so dangerous. If the train
be required to traverse.curves, that is. to say, to change from one line to another,
the piston which is to work in tubes of this kind should be jointed. In order
to stop the train. when it is required the following means are adopted:-First,
certain cocks are placed on the tube B, B, which.cocks, being opened by a
man at the place..where the train is to stop, turn off the water which propels
the piston. Secondly, the conductor can raise the bolt of the plate c, c, so as
to open the end of the piston at the point 2, and allow the water to pass
through the piston, as above described. Thirdly, a clamp or vice, which em-
braces the tube B, B, may be applied to the apparatus in such a manner that
being open during the progress of the carriage it inay, by means of a screw
under the command of the conductor, be closed and held against the tube B, B,
thereby stopping the train: It is as well to observe that in order to avoid
a shock or sudden stop it would be prudent to draw the bolt of the plate c; c,
and allow the water to pass through the piston before screwing up the clamps
or vice. Safety valves,.similar to those used in steam engines, ought also to
be employed wherever great pressure is exercised, according as they may be
considered necessary. From what has been said it will be seen that by means
of a weight moved by some given power this power may be augmented through
agency of water. The power of a man or of a horse' may be increased thirty
times, and this thirty may be multiplied by a second thirty; so as to give-nine
hundred, which may also, without increasing the prime mover; be again
multiplied by thirty, and so on, with merely the action of one prime mover.
In the different applications of this power water is always employed as the
agent between the acting power and the object against which the said power
is to act, as it is a body susceptible of motion in the state in which it is found
the

page_text: without the necessity of reducing or compressing it, and not so liable to escape
by accidental apertures in the apparatus. It is for these reasons. particu-
larly applicable; but considering the immense continuous power which may .be
obtained by this means..it is quite possible to obtain another fluid less liable
to friction, more prompt in the moment of action, and therefore very often more
useful than water. For instance, without any extra expence, air compressed
to. any degree that may be required may be employed for any continuous
work whatever. In fact, if an apparatus similar to the one described in
Figures I., II., and III., Sheet I., be employed, and if, for example, the power
of one horse be applied, we shall have at the orifice E, as above mentioned,
the power of six thousand pounds; and supposing that the water flowing from
this orifice is employed to actuate a water wheel, the wheel will work with the
power of thirty horses, which may be used to put in motion as many shafts
and axles as may be required. If then, instead of flexible pipes containing
water, pipes containing air be used, a current of compressed air would be
obtained at the orifice E by the same mechanism of a rolling weight acting on
or sliding over or upon a flexible pipe, as seen in Fig. II., Sheet I., the only
difference of construction, between the flexible pipe intended to contain air
and that intended to contain water..is, that instead of having several aper--
tures for the admission of water, the one for containing air requires only one;
which ought to be placed near the line a, b, Fig. 7; Sheet I... If a disposable
power of thirty horses is applied at the aperture E in order to actuate several
apparatuses, similar to those above mentioned in reference to Figures 1, 2, and
3, we shall be able (by making the compressed air of one flexible pipe enter
another apparatus, and submit to further compression, and so on,) to obtain as
great a pressure as may be required with great facility. It may be as well to
remark, that the felloes of the weight wheels should be as wide as possible,
and it is of the greatest consequence that a flexible pipe of large diameter
should be placed within one of a smaller diameter. The flexible air pipe will
cost very little, and is very easily made, as an air-tight fabric may be easily
obtained; and when the air-tight flexible pipe is inserted into a narrower and
stronger one, and slightly inflated, it should be covered with a strong cloth as
many times as may be required. Whenever air compressed several times,
as above described, is used; a very simple calculation is necessary to arrange
the apparatus.. Knowing the power that is required, (that is to say,) the
diameter or square surface against which the air must act, this surface must
have some comparison or proportion with the diameter of the flexible pipe,
into which the air enters in its natural state before being compressed, (that
is to say,) if, for example, a pressure of ten atmosphers on a square inch
is required; then the diameter of the flexible pipe must be ten inches. It is

page_text: 25...
then evident that when once master of a quantity of air in its natural state
it is made to act by means of this apparatus with whatever power and speed:
may be deemed desirable. The essential point is to make the air enter the
flexible pipe as quickly as possible, and its elasticity, and its tendency to fill a
vacuum, is of great assistance in this particular. But if for the purpose
of supplying the flexible pipe with air a certain portion of the power obtained
is required, it is necessary to construct the flexible pipe in such a manner that
the air in its natural state may enter by its elasticity, the pipe being opened
by means of springs, (that is to say,) it should expand immediately after the
weight wheel has passed over it. Air thus compressed may, as is well
known, be increased in power by heat; if, therefore, it is desired to employ this
invention for propelling, as has been described in Sheet V., the tube B, B,
containing air may be heated by placing it in a chamber into which the heat
is allowed to enter. This mode of heating the tube may be advantageously
employed when water is used in those countries where it is liable to freeze
easily, or if air is employed it may be heated when the carriage is going up
hills, or when an increased power is required.
Having now described the Invention that has been communicated to me,
I wish it to be understood, in conclusion, that the novel features of this Inven-
tion are the following:-
First, the employment of a weight wheel revolving and pressing upon a
flexible pipe or chamber full of either water, air, or other fluid, for the purpose
of obtaining a continuous and forcible flow or jet of water or air, also the
manner in which the said fluids are brought under the pressure of the weight
wheel, although it is effected through the agency of valves similar to those used in
pumps, I consider as novel, as well as the way of constructing the flexible pipe.
Secondly, I claim imparting a pressure to water by means of two cylinders,
one containing steam and the other water, as above described, as well as the
employment of water wheels mounted on an axle, for the purpose of propelling
locomotive carriages or boats.
Thirdly, the motion given by the water to the slide valves which direct the
steam, and an application of this to any other purposes will be considered as
an infringement of this part of the Invention,
Fourthly, I claim the tubes, through the agency of which the machinery
is propelled, either upon land or water, by introducing into them either water
under considerable pressure or compressed air.
In witness whereof, I, the said Miles Berry, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
MILES (L.S.)...BERRY..

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-first day of February,
in the fifth year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said Miles
Berry came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained
and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute; made in the fifty-fifth-year of
the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Twenty-sixth day of February, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-two.