Indicating Speed and Direction of Motion of Engines."
Year: 1885

page_text: Indicating Speed and Direction of Motion of Engines."
I, JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT, of Church Wharf, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, a member of the firm of John I. Thornycroft & Co, Steam Yacht and
Launch builders, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
For the purpose of transmitting orders or directions from different parts of a
vessel to those in charge of the engines, it is customary to employ apparatus known
as engine room telegraphs. Similar apparatus are, or may be, used for transmitting
and indicating orders or directions to steersmen.
Engine room telegraphs, as heretofore constructed, require considerable power to
work them, especially when so arranged as to place more than one part of a vessel
in telegraphic communication with the engine room. Consequently, in many
cases, they are dispensed with, it being found preferable to employ a call-boy.
Now, this invention has reference to an arrangement of telegraphic apparatus of
simple construction, and which may be easily worked, so as to convey orders or
directions to and from and indicate them at different parts of a vessel.
For this purpose, according to this invention, pressure of air is used as a means
of communication. Indicators with dials are provided where required and these
are connected to a pipe common to them all in such a manner that by varying the
pressure, or producing a partial vacuum in this common pipe, all the connected
indicators may be caused to give, for the time being, the same indication.. Where
the apparatus is to be operated by the production of a partial vacuum, according
to one arrangement, a pipe is led from a condenser to a special reducing valve
whose seat or bearing is situate within an aperture in an indicator disc. The rod
which carries this valve also carries an abutment or stop against which bears one
end of a spring. A pipe or tube within the aperture surrounds the abutment and
spring and engages with the other end of the spring. A handle with index to pass
over a dial face is employed to impart motion to the pipe or tube to compress or
release the spring to a greater or less extent to regulate the vacuum in the common
pipe. The indicators in communication with the common pipe may be vacuum or
pressure gauges.

page_text: This apparatus is, or may be so constructed as to make and break as required,
an electric circuit for the purpose of producing an audible signal by bell, or other-
wise, to call attention to the change of order or direction whenever the order or
direction on the dial or dials is changed. For this purpose one end of the pipe or
tube may be provided with a projecting rim or flauge arranged to work within a
vessel containing fluid in such a manner that when the pipe or tube is operated to
give a signal, the vessel is caused by suction to move against the action of a
second spring and complete an electric circuit to produce an audible signal. The
fluid in the vessel will then pass to the under surface of the pipe or tube, allowing
of the secondly mentioned spring returning the vessel to its normal position, and
breaking the circuit.
A pump or other exhauster may be used in lieu of a condenser for producing the
partial vacuum in the common pipe.
To prevent the condenser vacuum being greatly impaired by the more or less
opening or closing of the valve, the area of the communication between the condenser
and common pipe is contracted at one point. Plugs or cocks may be employed for
opening or closing communication with the condenser and common pipe.
In arranging apparatus on the above described principle for indicating speed
and direction of motion of engines, indicators for shewing the revolutions are
provided in the engine room, and also in any other required part or parts of the
vessel, and they are connected, as above described, by a common pipe in which air
pressure is used and from which air may be exhausted by a special pump worked
by the engines whose speed is to be indicated, a constant leak being arranged in
the pipe.
The amount of attenuation or pressure may indicate the speed run. The
direction of rotation, namely,-ahead or astern-can be indicated by change from
partial vacuum to pressure, or by a periodic pulse in the pressure.
Apparatus to operate on the principle of my invention above described for the
purposes specified, may be constructed in various forms.

page_text: Orders or Directions on Board ve88018, Appшcable also for
Indicating Speed and Direction of Motion of Engines.
I, JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT, of Church Wharf, Chiswick, in the county of
Middlesex, a member of the firm of John I. Thornycroft & Co Steam Yacht and
Launch Builders, 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: —
For the purpose of transinitting orders or directions from different parts of a
vessel to those in charge of the engines it is customary to employ apparatus known
as engine room telegraphs. Similar apparatus are or may be used for transmitting
and indicating orders or directions to steersmen.
ו'
Engine room telegraphs, as heretofore constructed, require considerable power to
work them especially when so arranged as to place more than one part of a vessel
in telegraphic communication with the engine room. Consequently in many cases
they are dispensed with, it being found preferable to employ a call boy.
Now this invention has reference to an arrangement of telegraphic apparatus of
simple construction and which may be easily worked so as to convey orders or
directions to and from, and indicate them at different parts of a vessel.
For this purpose, according to this invention pressure of air is used as a means
of communication. Indicators with dials are provided where required and these
are connected to a pipe, common to them all, in such a manner that by varying the
pressure or producing a partial vacuum in this common pipe, all the connected
indicators may be caused to give, for the time being, the same indication. Where
the apparatus is to be operated by the production of a partial vacuum, according
to one arrangement a pipe is led from a condenser to a special reducing valve whose
seat or bearing is situate within an aperture or chamber in an indicator disc or
case. The rod which carries this valve also carries an abutment or stop against
which bears one end of a spring. A pipe or tube within the aperture or chamber
surrounds the abutment and spring and engages with the other end of the spring.
A handle, with index to pass over a dial face, is employed to impart motion to the
pipe or tube to compress or release the spring to a greater or less extent in order
to regulate the vacuum in the common pipe. The indicators in communication with
the common pipe may be vacuum or pressure gauges.
This apparatus is or may be so constructed as to make and break, as required, an
electric circuit for the purpose of producing an audible signal, by bell or otherwise,
to call attention to the change of order or direction whenever the order or
direction on the dial or dials changed. For this purpose one end of the pipe or
tube may be provided with a rim or flange arranged to work within a vessel
containing fluid in such a manner that when the pipe or tube is operated to give a
signal the vessel is caused to move against the action of a second spring and
complete an electric circuit to produce an audible signal. The fluid in the vessel
will then pass the bottom flange of the pipe or tube, allowing of the secondly

page_text: mentioned spring returning the vessel to its normal position, and thus breaking the
circuit.
A pump or other exhauster may be used in lieu of a condenser for producing the
partial vacuum in the common pipe.
In order to secure the efficient action of the apparatus the valve should be
capable of impairing the vacuum more rapidly than the condenser or air-pump can
produce it, and in order to retard the action of the latter a contraction, which may
or may not be adjustable, is provided in the pipe leading to the condenser. Plugs
or cocks may be employed for opening or closing communication with the condenser
and common pipe.
In arranging apparatus on the above described principle for indicating speed and
direction of motion of engines, indicators for showing the revolutions are provided
in the engine room and also in any other required part or parts of the vessel, and
they are connected as above described by a common pipe in which air pressure is
used and to or from which air may be pumped by a special pump worked by the
engines whose speed is to be indicated, a constant leak being arranged in the pipe.
The amount of attenuation or pressure may indicate the speed run. The direction
of rotation, namely ahead or astern, can be indicated by change from partial
vacuum to pressure, or by a periodic pulse in the pressure.
Apparatus to operate on the principle of my invention above described for the
purposes specified, may be constructed in various forms.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section, Fig. 2 a
horizontal section and Fig. 3 a front elevation of transmitting apparatus according
to this invention in which a partial vacuum is employed, its connection with a
condenser and with receiving or indicating apparatus being shown diagrammatically
in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification. The
remaining figure is hereinafter described.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3,-1 is an indicator disc or case provided with a
cylindrical chamber 2 in which is situate a reducing valve 3 whose seat or
bearing 3* is secured in place by a removable extension or chamber 4 as shown,
5 is the valve rod provided at its lower end with enlarged head forming an
abutment or stop 6 and encircled by a spring 7 the lower end of which bears
against the said abutment. 8 is a pipe or tube arranged to work within
the cylindrical chamber 2; it surrounds the abutment and spring 7 and is
provided with an inwardly projecting flange or shoulder 9 that bears upon the
upper end of the spring 7. The pipe or tube 8 is provided on its exterior with
ridges or projections 10 serving as teeth whereby vertical motion may be imparted
to the said pipe or tube by a segmental toothed pinion 11 formed on a spindle 12
connected to and operated by a handle 13. This handle is furnished with an index
or finger 14 arranged to work over the dial face 15 of the transmitting indicator
case upon which are marked the orders the apparatus is intended to transmit, as
for example the words "ahead," "stop,"
""astern." 16 is a pipe, in communication
at one end with the upper part of the chamber 4 and at its other end with a
condenser 17 as shown or with an air pump or other apparatus producing a vacuum
or partial vacuum, and with a pipe 18 with which the receiving indicators 19,
(placed at the points to which orders are to be transmitted,) communicate, the said
pipe being common to all such indicators. In the present case, where a vacuum or
partial vacuum is employed as the medium for transmitting the orders, the
receiving indicators may be vacuum gauges marked to correspond with the
transmitting indicator. The area of communication between the condenser and
the pipe 18 is contracted at 17* for the purpose hereinbefore stated. 20 is a handle
provided with a screw threaded extension by which a packing piece may be forced
against the dial face with sufficient force to enable the handle 13 with its index 14
to be fixed for the time being in any desired position.
The hereinabove described transmitting apparatus may be constructed to make
and break an electric circuit and thus produce an audible signal as follows:-The
pipe or tube 8 is provided at its lower end with a rim or flange 21 that works

page_text: loosely within a vessel 22 containing fluid. The rim or flange in the example
shown is formed by recessing the pipe or tube 8, at 23, the recess communicating
with the interior of the pipe or tube 8 by apertures 24. 25 is a screw plug or cover
that closes the lower end of the pipe or tube 8. 26 is a spring secured at one end
to a fixed stud 27 and at its other end to the bottom of the vessel 22. 28 is a
metallic contact piece carried by an insulated spring arm 29 in electrical communi-
cation with one pole of a battery or other source of electricity, the other'
pole of which is in electrical communication with the vessel 22. In lieu of
employing one contact piece 28 as shown, two may be employed so that bells of
different tones may be operated according as the vessel 22 is raised or lowered.
The vessel 22 has a projecting flange 30 which may be faced with platinum; it
comes into contact with the contact piece 28 when the vessel 22 is raised or lowered
from its normal position as hereinafter explained.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-When the several parts are in the
respective positions shown in the drawings the index finger 14 is at its central or
normal position corresponding to the order "stop,"-assuming the orders to be
transmitted to be "ahead," "stop," and "astern "-Under these conditions and
assuming a partial vacuum to exist in the condenser and attached pipes, the
reducing valve 3 will so bear upon its seat 3* that air entering the chamber 2
through a hole or aperture 31 may leak or pass between the valve 3 and its seat,
and impair or reduce the vacuum in the common pipe 18 to such an extent that
all the pointers or index fingers of the receiving indicators also stand at the normal
or "stop" position. If the order "ahead" is to be transmitted the index finger 14
is turned upwards in the direction of the arrow A to the "ahead" position on the
dial face 15 thereby raising the pipe or tube 8 reducing the compression of the
spring 7 and allowing air to pass more freely between the valve 3 and its seat.
This causes a still further reduction of the vacuum in the pipe 18 which in turn
causes the index fingers of the receiving indicators to move to the "ahead" position.
When the order "astern" is to be transmitted, the index finger 14 is moved down-
wards in the direction of the arrow B to the "astern" position on the dial
face 15, thereby depressing the pipe or tube 8, compressing the spring 7, and ·
forcing the valve 3 more closely upon its seat, so that air cannot pass readily
between the valve and its seat, if at all. In this case the vacuum in the common
pipe 18 will be increased by the condenser 17, the receiving indicators moving in
unison to the "astern" position.
When the pipe or tube 8 is raised, it draws up the vessel 22, and when depressed
it forces the said vessel downward, in each case making electrical connection with
the contact piece 28 and operating electric bells near the receiving indicators. The
movements of the vessel 22 in each case depend upon the inability of the fluid
contained in it to pass the rim or flange 21 quickly. The spring 26 returns the
vessel to its normal position, breaking the electric circuit, and restoring the
equilibrium between the fluid on the opposite sides of the rim or flange 21. 22* is
a trough or receptacle at the top of the vessel 22 to receive fluid that.escapes
upward between the said vessel and the pipe or tube 8, when the latter ascends.
In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the disc form of reducing valve 3 described
with reference to Fig. 1 is replaced by a slide valve 31 secured to the rod 5 and
arranged to slide on a valve face provided with ports 32 and 33 that lead respec-
tively to a condenser or exhauster, and to the common pipe 18 to which the
receiving indicators are attached. 34 is a flexible diaphragm connected to the
rod 5 and secured at its edge between a ring 35 and the cap or cover 36. The
space 36* enclosed between the diaphragm and the cover 36 is in communication with
the common pipe 18 by a passage 37. A spring 38 may be employed to keep the
valve 31 against the valve face if necessary. The operation of this arrangement of
valve is as follows:-If the index finger 14 be moved-say to the "astern" position
so as to depress the pipe or tube 8 and compress the spring 7, the valve 31 will be.
drawn down by the spring so as to place the ports 32 and 33 in communication,
thereby producing a partial vacuum in the pipe 18 and also in the space
36*. The air

page_text: pressure on the diaphragm 34 will then cause the valve 31 to rise into the position
shown in the drawing, and the index fingers of the receiving indicators will for
the time being remain at rest and in a position corresponding with that of the
transmitting indicator. If the index finger 14 be moved to the "ahead" position,
the spring 7 will be more or less released, and the pressure of the atmosphere on
the diaphragm 34 will cause it to raise the valve up and place the port 33 in more
or less open communication with the atmosphere and reduce the state of vacuum
in the pipe 18 to the degree necessary to cause the fingers of the receiving indi-
cators to correspond in position with that of the transmitting instrument. The
state of vacuum in the space 36* being also reduced, the spring 7 will be enabled
to return the valve against the pressure of the atmosphere on the diaphragm 34 to
the position shown in the drawing closing the port 32 and preventing further
entrance of air. If air leaks into the pipe 18 when closed by the valve thus
impairing the degree of vacuum for the time being therein, the diaphragm 34
being then pressed upward with less force by the atmosphere, will enable the
spring 7 to lower the valve and place the ports 32 and 33 in communication until
the state of vacuum in the pipe 18 and connected space 36* is made good
when the diaphragm 34 will return the valve to its original position. Instead of
the port 32 being placed in communication with a condenser or exhauster, it may
be placed in connection with apparatus for causing pressure of air greater than
that of the atmosphere, the other parts of the apparatus being then modified in
an obvious manner. Or compressed air may be led to the interior of the dial case
or chamber 1 (Fig. 4) which should be made air-tight, a constant leak being in
this case provided in the common pipe 18. In other respects the apparatus is
similar to that shown in Fig. 4. When pressure of air greater than that of the
atmosphere is used instead of a partial vacuum for transmitting orders, such com-
pressed air may with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, be led to the
chamber 2 and a constant leak be provided in the pipe 16, the remaining parts of
the apparatus remaining as shown, or the compressed air may be led direct to the
pipe 16, in which case the arrangement of the spring 7, abutment or stop 6, and
flange or projection 9 must be such that the valve 3 may open downward, as will
be readily understood.
Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic view partly in section of apparatus according to this
invention for recording the speed of a rotating shaft. 39 is a piston working
within a cylinder 40 and actuated by a rotating disc 41 driven by the shaft, the
speed of which is to be indicated. The cylinder 40 oscillates about a pivot 42, its
interior communicating by a hole or port 43 alternately with the common pipe 18,
and with the atmosphere through holes or ports 44 and 45 respectively formed in
a piece 46 on which the cylinder slides. 47, 47 are compound receiving indicators
for recording the speed at which the disc 41 or shaft is running, and its direction
of rotation. 48 is an adjustable screw plug in the pipe 18; it is so constructed as
to allow of air leaking past it. 49 is a cock or plug for a similar purpose that may
be used in lieu of the screw plug 48. When the disc 41 is rotating in the direction
of the arrow, air will be compressed within the pipe 18, its degree of compression
(depending upon the rate at which the disc is driven) being indicated by the
gauges 47.
If the direction of motion of the disc 41 be reversed, the piston 39
will cause a partial vacuum in the pipe 18, the degree of attenuation depending
upon the rate of rotation of the disc, as will be readily understood. The gauges 47
are made compound so as to record a greater or less pressure than that of the
atmosphere. 49* is an air vessel to reduce the variations or pulsations of pressure
in the common pipe 18.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In apparatus for transmitting orders by variations of pressure in a pipe

page_text: combination with an index lever by which the said valve can be adjusted to give
the required pressure in the pipe for each signal, by the act of moving the index
lever to the order to be transmitted, the arrangement being such that the indica-
tions of the receiving instruments correspond with the order to which the index
lever points, substantially as hereinabove described.
2. In apparatus for transmitting and indicating orders or directions by variations
of pressure in a pipe connected to indicating instruments, the use of a steam
condenser (when a vacuum or partial vacuum is employed) in combination with a
pipe common to the series of receiving instruments, said pipe having its area of
communication with the condenser contracted as and for the purpose specified.
3. In combination with apparatus for transmitting orders by variations of
pressure in a pipe connected to receiving instruments, an electric contact device
acting on the principle of a cataract and which completes a circuit on the trans-
mission of an order, and then breaks it automatically, substantially as described.
4. The improved apparatus for transmitting and indicating orders or directions
constructed arranged and operating substantially as hereinabove described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or Fig. 4 of the drawings, with or without the
electrical contact-making-and-breaking device for calling attention to change in
the orders or directions sent.
5. The peculiar construction and arrangement of apparatus for simultaneously
indicating the speed and direction of motion of engines in combination with an
adjustable leak in the communicating pipe, as herein before described and illustrated
by Fig. 5 of the drawings.
Dated this 4th day of August 1886.
JOHN ISAAC THORNYCROFT.
W. Lloyd Wise,
Agent for the Applicant.