A New or Improved Method of and Means for Utilizing Sound Waves for Obtaining Motive Power.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Means for Utilizing Sound Waves
for Obtaining Motive Power.
I, FREDERIC HADEN PURCHAS, of 6 Westfield Terrace, Wakefield, Yorkshire,
Journalist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to a new or improved method of and means for utilizing the
sound waves or impulses, communicated to the atmosphere, or other gaseous vibrating
medium, by the human voice, or other sonorous body, for the purpose of obtaining
motive power.
In order to carry out my invention I employ a diaphragm composed of any suitable
substance or material which will respond to the vibrations or pulses of the atmosphere
or other gases employed as a medium for conveying sound to the said diaphragm.
This diaphragın is suitably supported or distended in a case or frame and to the
centre of such diaphragin is attached a needle or pointer. which extends to the
periphery of a disc or wheel mounted on an axis supported in bearings connected with
the before-mentioned case or frame.
The periphery or outer edge of the disc is milled, or otherwise roughened cr
serrated, in order that, when sound is emitted in close proximity to the diaphragm, or
transmitted thereto through a tube, such diaphragm is caused to vibrate by the sound
waves or pulses, thus created in the atinosphere, or its equivalent medium, coming
into contact with or impinging upon the surface thereof, and consequently the needle
is also vibrated in such manner that at each movement in one direction it strikes
against the periphery of the disc and impels or propels it around, the speed attained
varying with the intensity or degree of sound, length of sound wave, and the number,
extent, and time of the vibrations of the diaphragm and needle.
On the axis carrying the disc may be mounted a suitable wheel or pulley, so that
by means of cord or train of gearing, the rotary motion given to the said disc and its
axis may be cominunicated to a nechanical figure or toy, or to any other mechanical
contrivance which it is capable of operating.
In addition to the parts mentioned, I may employ a second and larger diaphragm,
distended across a funnel shaped cavity or pipe, which will afford a large surface for
the sound waves or pulses to act upon and serves as a collector or receiver of the said
sound waves, the vibrations thereof being communicated to the first nained diaphragm
by fine cords or springs or by other means. By employing a concave surface or
surfaces to reflect and concentrate sound waves, they inay thus be increased in
intensity for acting upon the diaphragm and needle.
Instead of connecting the needle to a diaphragin, it may be connected to one or a
number of springs, which would be caused to vibrate in a similar manner to the
diaphragm, by the contact of sound waves thereon.
The sound waves or pulses, by which motive power is to be obtained, may be
produced by the human voice or by artificial or mechanical means, and it will be
understood that the number of revolutions given to the disc and the power to drive or
rotate any separate contrivance or machine by the means and in the manner herein
set forth, will depend entirely upon the intensity of sound, or its power of producing
greater or lesser number of vibrations in a given time, together with the extent of
such vibrations.
This invention, in addition to many other purposes and objects for which it may be
applied, may be used as a scientific toy, or as an instrument for use in tuning musical
nstruments, such as organs, as, by means of a graduated scale giving the number of
evolutions of the disc per second or ninute of time for each note, the number of
evolutions made by the disc when the sound waves of any such note are communicated

page_text: to the diaphragm, will, if corresponding to the number on the scale or differing
therefrom, shew whether the note is in correct tune, or out of tune respectively; or
such invention may be used in conjunction with the phonograph for operating the
same.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Means for Utilizing Sound Waves
for Obtaining Motive Power.
I, FREDERIC HADEN PURCHAS, of 6 Westfield Terrace, Wakefield, Yorkshire,
Journalist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention refers to a new or improved method of and means for utilizing the
sound waves or impulses cominunicated to the atmosphere or other vibrating medium
by the human voice or other sounding bodies, natural, artificial, or mechanical, for the
purpose of obtaining motive power therefrom.
In order to carry out my invention I employ a diaphragm, composed of any suitable
substance or material. which will respond to the vibrations or pulses of the atmosphere
or other gaseous media, through which sound waves or undulatory motion. com-
municated thereto by the emission of sound, can be propagated to the said
diaphragm. This diaphragm is suitably supported or discended in a case or fraine,
and to the centre of such diaphragm is attached a needle or pointer which extends to
near the periphery of a disc or wheel mounted on an axis supported in bearings
connected with the before mentioned case or frane. The periphery or outer edge of
the disc is milled, or otherwise roughened or serrated, in order that, when sound is
emitted, and the waves or pulses created thereby are propagated through the
atmosphere or its equivalent medium, and come into contact with or impinge upon
the diaphragm, so as to vibrate it, and consequently the needle attached thereto,
the said needle, at every movement in one direction, strikes against the periphery of
the disc and impels or propels it around, the speed attained varying with the intensity
or degree of sound, length of sound waves, and the consequent number, extent, and
amplitude of the vibrations of the diapragin and needle. On the axis carrying the
disc may be mounted a suitable wheel or pulley, so that by means of cord or train of
gearing, the rotary motion given to the said disc and its axis may be communicated
to a mechanical figure or toy, or to any other mechanical contrivance which is capable
of being operated thereby.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I herein make reference
to the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein Fig. 1 is cross section of box or
case shewing one method of and means for utilizing sound waves or pulses for
obtaining motive power therefrom, and Fig. 2 is plan of same. Fig. 3 is a section
illustrating one method of increasing the vibrations of the diaphragin carrying the
needle or pointer for propelling or imparting rotary or other notion to a disc, by
communicating or transmitting thereto the vibrations of a larger diaphragm, upon
which the sound waves or pulses first act; Fig. 4 shews the diaphragm distended
across over a bell mouthed opening wherein the undulatory sound waves are concentrated
or focussed; Figs. 5 and 6 shew the application of my invention to mechanical toys,
for giving motion to same; and Figs. 7 and 8 are modifications of the means for
carrying out my invention.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a represents a box or case within which is a division or
shelf b having a central opening c therein across or over the top of which is distended
a piece of parchment, skin, or other suitable material forming the diaphragm d which
is sensitive or responsive to the vibrations or pulses of the atmosphere or other
vibrating medium, caused by the emission of sound by the human voice, or other

page_text: sounding bodies, natural, artificial, or mechanical. To the centre of said diaphragm
is affixed, by glue or other means, a piece of india-rubber or other suitable materiale,
carrying a fine needle or point f, of any desired length, which is attached and made
secure to the india rubber by means of liquid rubber or compound possessing strong
adhesive qualities, or affinity for uniting or holding the two together. Mounted on a
shaft g, placed at right angles to the needle f, and a little to one side thereof, and
supported in bearings h, secured to the top of the box, is a disc i whose periphery is
milled or otherwise roughened or serrated. In the opening c of the division 6 is
inserted one end of a short elbow or other form of pipe j, whose opposite end passes
through the side of the box and is made to receive a mouthpiece k. The emission
of sound by singing or speaking (or by other means) into the mouthpiece k creates a
rapid succession of waves or pulses in the atmosphere or vibrating media, which sound
waves or pulses are propagated through the pipe j to the opening c where they coine
into contact with or impinge upon the diaphragm d, and cause it, and likewise the
needle f, to rapidly vibrate, whereby the said needle, at every upward movement, will
strike against the periphery of the milled disc i, which, as will be seen from the
drawings, is placed in such a position with respect to the said needle that it will
receive each upward movement thereof and at the same time offer the least resistance,
by which means the disc is impelled or propelled around, and after a few revolutions
the momentum imparted thereto will assist in the acceleration of speed; and, if
further assistance be required, a fly or balance wheel may be mounted on shaft g.
A pulley or a toothed wheel is also mounted on the said shaft g so that by means of
cord or gearing the rotary motion obtained as above set forth may be communicated
or transmitted to mechanical toys or other mechanical contrivances which are capable
of being set in motion by the motive power acquired. In addition to the diaphragm
above described, I may employ a second and larger diaphragm a (Fig. 3) minus the
needle or pointer, which I distend across a funnel shaped pipe o thereby affording a
larger surface for the sound waves to act upon, and which serves as a collector or
receiver of sound waves, the vibrations of the said diaphragın being communicated
to the smaller diaphragin by ineans of fine cords p or by springs which are
connected at each end to said diaphragms; or vibrations may be produced or
propagated by means of the natural resistance of the air within the enclosed space
between the two diaphragms. By this combined arrangement, a volume of sound
too great or too widely dispersed for the whole thereof to act upon the diaphragin dis
Inade to act on a surface large enough to accommodate such volume of sound, the
vibrations being communicated to the smaller diaphragın or to two or more
diaphragms. A concave surface or surfaces, or a number of reeds, or springs, or
other surfaces, may be employed for reflecting the sound waves, to concentrate and
exalt them in intensity; and for the purpose of focussing the sound waves or pulses
on the diaphragm d, the opening c inay be made bell-mouthed or conical and the
diaphragm distended over the mouth thereof as shewn in Fig. 4.
The sound waves or pulses by which motive power is to be obtained may be
produced by the human voice or by artificial or mechanical means, the length and
amplitude of the undulating waves and the rapidity with which they successively act
upon the diaphragm & determining the speed at which the disc or driving wheel shall
be driven,
Instead of connecting the needle to a diaphragin, it may be connected to one or
a number of springs forming an equivalent to the diaphragm and vibrated in a similar
manner by the action of sound waves thereon.
In Fig. 5 I shew my invention as applied to a mechanical toy, for operating same.
The toy consists of a circular plate s having a number of figures or objects thereon
representing a circus or other form of amusement. This plate is carried on the upper
end of a vertical shaft t supported in a bearing in the interior of a box (shewii in
section) which said shaft carries a pulley . Secured to the top of the opposite end
of the box is a toy or ininiature drum u, having one end cut away, and the opening
left thereby closed up or covered by the top of the box, or by a circular piece of
wood v, having three or more holes made therein, over which are distended the

page_text: diaphragms d,, d², provided with needles f, f, f, capable of acting (as above set
forth) upon the peripheries of their respective discs i, i¹, 12, carried by a shaft, g
supported in bearings n'; a pulley m also being mounted on said shaft and communi-
cating by cord w with the pulley t¹ on vertical shaft t. When the drum is beaten,
the vibrations or pulses set up by the concussion thereof, are propagated, by means of
the vibrating medium within the druin, to the second diaphrams di, d, and d², whose
vibrations cause the needles f, f, and f, to act upon the peripheries of the
dises i, ', and 2, and rotate the same, the rotary motion being communicated by the
cord w to the vertical shaft t, thereby causing the circular plates with the figures
thereon to inove around, the motion continuing as long as the drum is beaten.
Instead of the drum being mounted as shewn in Fig. 5, it may be left whole and
placed on its side at one end of the box, a portion of the surface of the drum being
cut away
and holes made in the end of the box opposite thereto, over which said holes
are distended the diaphragms d, d'and d in the same manner as previously described.
By this arrangement the drum can be beaten at both ends after the manner of a large
drum. In addition to the vibrations or pulses produced by beating the drum, the
vibration of the skin or parchment of the drum-head is also propagated through the
drum and combines with the former in acting upon the diaphragms.
In Fig. 6 I shew my improvements applied to another mechanical toy representing
a cobbler. In this case the arina is loose or separate from the picture, and is pivotted
on a pin extending through the partition of the box, a collar being secured to the
extremity thereof. Connected to the collar is a bent wire y resting on a finger y',
which, at every revolution of the disc i, is successively elevated by two or more
projections z attached to the face of the disc i, causing the pin on which the arin x is
pivotted to turn partially round, whereby the arina is raised and then allowed to fall,
as though preparing for and then giving the stroke with the hammer. The
diaphragm and needle ƒ are caused to vibrate as before set forth, by singing,
speaking, or otherwise causing sound waves to be produced in the mouthpiece k. By
forming a worm on the vertical shaft t in Fig. 5, or on the shaft carrying the disc
in Fig. 6, and placing the toothed wheel on the end of the pin cylinder of a musical
box, in gear therewith, the said cylinder will be rotated and will act upon the teeth of
the comb employed in this class of musical instrument, thus causing a tune or tunes
to be played in addition to the movement of the figures; the vibrations or pulses set,
up by the music being capable of acting upon the diaphragm operating the toy, or
upon another and separate diaphragm for obtaining the movement of a separate figure.
Instead of the sound waves and other vibrations acting upon several separate
diaphragins as just previously described, I may employ only one large diaphragın d
(see Fig. 7) which is intersected by thin laths of wood or pieces of wire placed at
right angles to each other as shewn in said Fig. 7. the needles f being attached to the
pieces of india-rubber e in the centre of each section, whereby the power will be
distributed. The discs i are or may be mounted in convenient order for transmitting
the motion received. Although I have shewn the large diaphragm just set forth as
attached to a drum, it will be understood that it may be applied to any other article
or in any other manner for the purposes of this invention.
In Fig. 8I shew a modification in the means for intensifying the vibrations of the
needle, which consists in the attachment of a thin sensitive spring d² to the frame
carrying the diaphragin in such manner that the vibrations of the diaphragm d are
received by the portion of the spring in contact therewith and transmitted throughout
its length to the needle f, which in turn acts upon the driving wheel. By this means
the length and strength of the blows given by the needle are increased.
It is obvious that the mechanical toys illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, are only a few of
a large number which are equally capable of being operated by the motive power
produced by the action of sound waves and mechanical vibrations in the manner
hereinbefore described,and that various combinations and arrangementsofmechanical
toys or figures can be driven from one source; and it is further obvious that two,
three, or other number of diaphragins can be employed to work in unison so as to
increase the motive power, especially where a greater volume of sound is obtainable,

page_text: In addition to being used as a scientific toy, as in Figs. 1 and 2, or for operating
mechanical toys as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, or for other similar purposes or
objects; the said invention may be used in tuning musical instruments, such as
organs, as, by means of a graduated scale giving the number of revolutions of the disc
per second or minute of time for each note, the number of revolutions made by the
disc when the sound waves of any such note are communicated to the diaphragm,
will, if corresponding to the number on the scale or differing therefrom, shew whether
the note is in correct tune or out of tune respectively; or such invention may be used
in conjunction with the phonograph for operating the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
Firstly. The utilization of sound waves, pulses or mechanical vibrations for
obtaining rotary motion therefrom, in the manner and by the ineans substantially as
herein shewn and described.
Secondly. For utilizing sound waves, pulses, or mechanical vibrations to obtain
motive power therefrom, the use of a diaphragm or diaphragms such as d, and needle
or needles such as f, vibrated by the action of sound waves, pulses, or undulatory
motions thereon,and by means of a disc or discs converting such vibrating movements
into rotary motion in manner substantially as described and shewn.
Thirdly. The combination with a diaphragm or diaphragins, such as d, and needle
or needles such as f, of a disc or discs having inilled or roughened surface or surfaces,
and arranged, with respect to said needle, somewhat as herein shewn and described
for receiving and being propelled by the successive impulses of the vibrated needle,
whereby such disc is rotated and motive power obtained therefrom, all in manner as
described and shewn.
Fourthly. The combination with a diaphragm or diaphragıns d and needle or
needles f, of a diaphragm n affording a larger surface for the sound waves or pulses to
act upon, and fine cords p or springs 7 for communicating the vibrations of the said
diaphragm n to the diaphragm or diaphragms d, in the manner and for the purposes
substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 3.
Fifthly. For utilizing sound waves or pulses to obtain motive power therefrom, the
use of springs for intensifying the vibrations of the needles f substantially as
described and shewn.