Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Direction, Pressure, and Velocity of the Wind.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Direction, Pressure,
and Velocity of the Wind.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM HIGHAM of 8 Atterbury Road, Harringay in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to improved means for indicating the direction, pressure,
and velocity of the wind, whereby the friction between the vane or other device
operated by the wind and its support may be reduced to a minimum, and readings
easily and accurately obtained and recorded, even in calm weather, when readings
are difficult to obtain with ordinary apparatus, owing to the friction between the
parts overcoming the force of the wind.
The apparatus for shewing the direction of the wind consists of :-
:-
1. A vane and commutator fixed on the top of a pole situated in a suitable
position to catch the winds.
2. An indicator fixed in the building in which the readings of the vane are to be
indicated.
The commutator and the indicator are connected by insulated wires in small
cable form, with battery in circuit. The vane and commutator are made as
follows: a round metal upright, about 8 or 9 inches long, is screwed into, or by
other means secured to the pole on which the vane is to be erected, and it is turned
to a point at its top. On this metal upright, about 1 inch from top of pole, an
insulated bush is fitted round it, and to this bush are screwed 4 or more metal
plates, thus forming the commutator, these plates being separated from one another
by thin vertical sawcuts. Over this metal upright, a metal sleeve is placed, having
at its top end a plug with a cone turned inside similar to the point at top of
upright, so that the sleeve pivots on its plug on top of the point of metal upright.
The sleeve is of sufficient internal diameter to leave a clearance between itself,
the upright, and the commutator. The vane is rigidly attached to this metal
sleeve.
A slot is cut in the metal sleeve, and through it is fixed, directly under the tail
of the vane, a small piece of metal with 2 contact points distant apart half the
width of a commutator plate. When the vane moves, the tail being slightly
heavier than the arrow head, the points of this piece of metal rub against and turn
on the commutator plates. These contact points and the pivot before mentioned,
are the only points of friction, consequently the vane is very free to rotate, even
under the influence of the lightest winds.
The indicator consists of a simple wooden or other case in which are enclosed 4
(or more) electro-magnets, corresponding to the number of plates on the com-
mutator. Opposite cach magnet, a hinged armature is placed, and on a current pass-
ing through any one of the magnets, its armature is attracted towards the magnet,
and this movement is indicated through a hole in the front of case, a hole being
provided for each armature. On the current being cut off, the armature falls back
against a stop pin by its own weight. A push in inserted in the circuit to switch
the current on or off.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The pole is erected so that one of the
commutator plates is facing the north, and consequently the others, being equally
divided, face respectively the points of the compass. A wire is taken from each
commutator plate to its magnet in the indicator case, and the "return
wire having
the push and battery in circuit, is taken to the upright on pole.
"

page_text: Assuming that the vane is in such a position that the 2 points of the "rubber'
are in contact with the north plate, on pressing the push, the current passes from
the north plate to its magnet in the indicator case, through the push and battery,
along the return wire, up the metal upright, down the sleeve, and through the points
of "rubber to the north plate, thus completing the circuit.
Supposing the vane to have moved slightly round, so that one point of the
rubber is bearing on the north plate, and the other point, say, on the east plate,
then similar circuits take place, only through both plates, and consequently the
indicator shows north east, the north and east magnets having both attracted their
armatures. It will now be seen that by increasing the number of commutator plates
and magnets, the readings may likewise be increased.
The apparatus for indicating the pressure and velocity of the wind, consists of
a similar arrangement to the above. On the same or a similar pole, a commutator,
consisting of several horizontal metal plates, is fixed on a metal upright, and over
this commutator a metal sleeve and circular box are pivoted on the upright, but
instead of the vane, as in the case above, 4 horizontal arms of same length are
rigidly fixed to the sleeve, and a metal cup at the end of each arm, similar to an
ordinary anemometer. According to the strength of the wind, the cups revolve
with sleeve at a faster or slower degree of speed, and thus cause to rise or fall a
small governor fitted inside the circular box (similar to a very small steam engine
governor). This governor has a single "rubber" attached to it, which gently
bears against the commutator, and rises and falls with the governor over the
commutator plates. The commutator plates are connected by wires to an indicator,
push, and battery, as described above, in connection with the direction of the wind
indication.
It will thus be seen that by completing the electric circuit, the current will pass
through whichever plate of the commutator in contact with the rubber of the
governor, and thus attract the armature of that particular plate, thereby indicating
the force and velocity of the wind, as indicated by the position of the governor.
The holes in the indicator face are numbered as to the velocity of the wind, these
numbers being the average for the terms from calm to hurricane, and these terms
are also printed over their corresponding holes of average velocity, so that the
pressure and velocity are read at the same indicator hole at the same time.
In a similar manner, a simple contact maker may be placed on top of pole
without a commutator, and by this means the number of revolutions of the cups
may be recorded at an indicator by a similar make and break contact, the
revolutions being reduced at top of pole by a small gear wheel or other device
working a ratchet or other device by magnetism in the indicator.
Dated this 9th day of Fehmiary 1891
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Direction, Pressure,
and Velocity of the Wind.
I GEORGE WILLIAM HIGHAM of 8 Atterbury Road, Harringay, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to improved means for indicating the direction, pressure,
and velocity of the wind, whereby the friction between the vane, or other device,
operated by the wind, and its support, may be reduced to a minimum, and readings
easily and accurately obtained and recorded, even in calm weather, when readings
are difficult to obtain with ordinary apparatus, owing to the friction between the
parts overcoming the force of the wind.

page_text: The apparatus for shewing the direction of the wind consists of :-
1. A vane and a series of electrical contact plates which I term a commutator,
fixed on the top of a pole situated in a suitable position to catch the winds.
2. An indicator fixed in the building in which the readings of the vane are to be
indicated.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is a half elevation, and half sectional elevation, of the vane and
commutator, and Fig. 2, Sheet 1, a sectional plan taken on a line (x-x, Fig. 1)
just above the commutator plates.
Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is an elevation of the indicator, one half of the drawing having
the glass front and dial removed, to shew the magnet movements.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the indicator in section through the centre line, only one
of the magnet movements being shown.
Figs. 5 and 6 shew the arrangement for indicating the pressure and velocity of
the wind.
In Figures 1 and 2, A is the round steel upright, pointed at its top, and driven
into the top of a pole at its lower end. The brass plate B, Figs. 1 and 2, is securely
fixed to the upright A by being screwed against a shoulder, as shewn. The three
wood screws C, C, C, Figs. 1 and 2, are screwed through the plate B into the pole,
and so secure and prevent the upright from turning.
On this upright A, about one inch above the plate B, is fitted a bush D, Figs. 1
and 2, made of some good insulating material (vulcanite or fibre), and round this
bush, the eight commutator plates E, E, E, E, E, E, E, E, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1,
are fitted, being made of nickel, copper, white metal, or any suitable metal. Tho
small countersunk screws shew the method of attaching the commutator plates to
the bush D. These plates E are separated only by thin vertical saw cuts, as shewn
at FF, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1, the cut being filled with a thin slip of vulcanite, or
insulating composition.-G, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1, is a circular disc of insulating
material, to prevent local contact with the plates E E. Over the upright A,
Figs. 1 and 2, a metal sleeve is placed, H, Figs. 1 and 2, having fitted at its top a
white metal plug J, Figure 1, the whole being turned to a female cone inside, so as
to pivot on the point of the steel upright A. The vane K, Fig. 1, made of two
thicknesses of zinc or copper, and of any suitable or ornamental pattern, is soldered
or screwed to the metal sleeve H, the sleeve passing between the two thicknesses
of K.-L, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1, is the contact maker, shewn also in detail. Its two
points M M are half the width of one of the commutator plates E apart, and these
points form the rubbing contact round the eight plates E E.
The 8-wire cable N, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet I, is stapled up the pole, and clamped
under the clamp O, Figs. 1 and 2, on top plate. The 8 insulated wires of the
cable are separated and passed up through the 8 holes in the circular disc G, each
wire being clamped to its commutator plate E by the clamp screws P. P. The
insulated wires are bound round the upright A with yarn Q, as shewn in Fig. 1,
Sheet 1, and the whole well coated with Brunswick black or any good weatherproof
insulation.
A
R, Figs. 1 and 2, is the lightning conductor. It is clamped under one of the
screws C, and is led direct to earth. This conductor is used as the earth wire.
small separate wire clamped or soldered to the plate B, and brought direct to the
battery, is generally used independently of the conductor.
Fig. 3 shows the form of indicator used, but the type may be altered to the
needle, or other pattern, to suit individual requirements. The case, consisting of a
back board and cover marked A, Figures 3 and 4, may be made in various woods,
to suit surroundings. In this case are mounted 8 electromagnet movements, 4 of
them being shewn in the half elevation, where the dial is removed. B in Figs. 3
and 4 are the wound magnets, C the armatures, pivotted on the screws D, or
mounted on knife edges, and E the cardboard discs attached to the armatures by
the bent brackets. F Figure 4. G' is a glass dial having opaque paper with
lithographed index letters thereon, stuck at its back.

page_text: On a current passing through any of the electro-magnets B, the armature C is
attracted towards it, and consequently lifts the cardboard disc E, till the shaded
part of the card shews behind one of the holes in the paper on the dial. (This
shaded portion is painted red or any distinctive color). When the current ceases,
the armature falls back by its own weight and the weight of the card disc against
the stop pin H.
.11'
One wire of each magnet B is led to its terminal plate J, and a return wire from
each magnet B is led to the push K, shewn by the thick dotted lines for the wires
from magnets to terminal plates J J, and by chain dotted lines for the return wires
to the push K; the push connects its second plate to the terminal L.
The action of the direction indicating apparatus is as follows:-
The 8 cable wires are of different colors, so that if the red wire is coupled to
the north plate E, that same wire (red) will be coupled to the north terminal
plate J. and magnet of the indicator case. In this way, the 8 cable wires are
brought direct from the commutator to the indicator; the return wire is taken from
the plate B to earth; a wire is taken from the terminal L of indicator case to one
pole of a Leclanché battery, the other pole of the battery being taken to earth.
It will now be seen that on pressing the button of the push K, and thus completing
the circuit, the current passes through the battery to earth, and from earth again
up the return wire to the plate B, and on through the upright A, through its
point, to the sleeve H, and on through the points M M of contact maker L, to
whichever plate E is in contact with the points M M, down through its cable
wire to the corresponding magnet, and through this magnet, by the return wire, to
the push, thereby attracting the armature of the excited magnet, and causing the
disc in connection therewith to shew through the dial. As described above, the
2 points M M of contact maker are exactly half the width of one of the com-
mutator plates E apart, orth of the circumference of commutator. If one of
the points M is in contact with one plate, and the other with another, 2 of the
magnets will be in circuit, and cause their respective discs to show. For instance,
the south and south west discs would appear and indicate the wind as S.S.W.;
thus, 16 readings are obtained with 8 magnets, and this division is generally
considered enough on shore, but by increasing the number of commutator plates
& magnets, the readings may be increased; thus, 16 magnets give 32 accurate
readings. The foregoing description and drawings are for a 16-point indicator.
It will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, that the contact maker L is fitted
to the sleeve H directly under the tail of the vane K, and thus the tail being
heavier than the point, sufficient friction is set up at the points M M to form a
good contact, and the continual movement keeps the contacts bright. It will also
be seen that the only points of friction are at the point of A and the two
points M M. The diameter of the commutator is kept as small as practicable, so
that the friction is reduced to a minimum. A small hole is made at the back of
the tail of vane, for the purpose of inserting small shot between the 2 thicknesses of
zinc, in order to weight the tail to a nicety, and give the points M M only just
sufficient friction to form a good electrical contact on the plates E.
In setting the commutator plates, it is necessary to remember that the tail of the
vane makes the contact; the south plate must be placed towards the north, and the
north to the south, and the other plates to correspond.
The commutator being in one with the upright or plate B, a centre line is
marked on this plate B true with the south plate, so that the setting of the com-
mutator is simply achieved by merely turning the plate B on the pole, till the
centre line points due north, and then fixing it by putting in the 3 screws C, C, C.
For indicating the pressure and velocity of the wind, 4 arms A, Figs. 5 and 6,
having cups
B B at their extremities, similar to an ordinary anemometer, are
substituted for the vane above described. These arms are mounted on a metal
sleeve C, which is supported by, and turns on the point of the upright D, the speed
of rotation being greater or less according to the velocity and pressure of the wind.
Inside the sleeve is mounted a small governor, the arms E being attached to the

page_text: governor balls F, and at the top to the lugs G G, and at the bottom to sleeve H.
This sleeve H is made of some insulating material, such as fibre or vulcanite. At
the bottom there is attached to the sleeve a metal contact plate J. A commutator
of 12 thin horizontal plates K (shaded black), separated by insulating material, is
mounted on the steel upright, but insulated from it. The metal plate J is held in
guides L L on the sleeve C. A cable exactly similar to the one above described
for the wind direction apparatus, but having 12 wires, is brought up the pole, and
clamped, as before described, to the plate M, each insulated wire being taken by
vertical holes in the commutator to the several plates K thereof, and soldered
thereto. The indicator consists of a case containing 12 magnet movements, the
same, or similar to those described above, only placed in a vertical line over one
another, the case being long and narrow in consequence. The top magnet is called
the hurricane magnet, and the bottom one the calm magnet, and the intermediate
ones according to the recognized grades of advance from calin to hurricane.
Each hole in the dial has its title of hurricane or calm marked over it, and ou
one side its average pressure, and on the other its average velocity. A push is
inserted in the circuit in the same way as before. The action of the apparatus is
as follows:-
If it is quite calm, and the cups are still, or only just revolving, the governor
balls will then be in the position shewn in Fig. 5, and the plate J will form contact
with the bottom commutator plate, and so complete the circuit through the "calm"
magnet, but if the wind is high, the cups will necessarily revolve at a high speed,
and the governor balls being extended, the sleeve H and the plate J will be raised
to form contact with a higher plate, and complete the circuit. In the case of a
hurricane, the top plate of commutator will be reached, the balls assuming the
position shewn by the dotted lines. To regulate the action of the apparatus, a
spiral spring or a series of weights may be arranged round the upright D, to control
the rise of the sleeve H and plate J, or springs, or a series of weights, are connected
to the extremities of the plate J about the guides. These springs or weights are
not however shewn in the drawings. In this manner the apparatus can be
accurately adjusted. The plate J does not fit tightly round the commutator, but
just "free," the pressure of wind against the cups being sufficient to form a
contact.
From the above description it will be seen, that both in the wind direction
indicator and in the velocity or pressure indicator, the frictional contact between
the vane or its equivalent is reduced to a minimum, and consequently by my
apparatus readings are obtainable, especially with the direction indicator, where
the movement of the atmosphere would not be sufficient to operate such apparatus
as has hitherto been produced.
The friction between the rotating vane or radial arms and the support, is
moreover so light, that the wear is almost imperceptible, even without lubrications;
consequently, when once fixed, the apparatus requires but little attention to keep it
in order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for indicating the direction of the wind, the employment of a
vane or its equivalent, mounted and operating substantially as described with
reference to Sheet 1 of the drawings.
2. In apparatus for indicating the pressure and velocity of the wind, the employ-
ment of the rotating device mounted and operating substantially as described with
reference to Sheet 3 of the drawings.
3. The apparatus for indicating and recording the direction or the pressure and
velocity of the wind, comprising a vane or rotating device mounted and operating
in connection with a commutator substantially as described with reference to
Sheets 1 and 3 of the drawings, and a recorder or indicator substantially as

page_text: described and illustrated in Sheet 2 of the drawings, in electrical connection with
the commutator, as herein before explained.
ונים
out
N
11001
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.