IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING THE VELOCITY OF AIR OR OTHER CURRENTS, AND THE SPEED OF VESSELS MOVING THROUGH WATER
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis John Pastorelli, of Piccadilly, in the County of
Middlesex, Scientific Instrument Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING THE VELOCITY
OF AIR OR OTHER CURRENTS, AND THE SPEED OF VESSELS MOVING THROUGH
WATER."
Sealed the 23rd June 1876, and dated the 15th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis John Pastorelli at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th April 1876.
<
FRANCIS JOHN PASTORELLI, of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Scientific
Instrument Maker. IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASUR
ING AND RECORDING THE VELOCITY OF AIR OR OTHER CURRENTS, AND THE SPEED
OF VESSELS MOVING THROUGH WATER."
This Invention relates to instruments or apparatus for measuring and recording
the velocity of air or other currents, and the speed of vessels moving through water.
I proceed to describe an apparatus for registering, recording, or indicating the
velocity at which the air or other currents or dangerous and fatal gases in coal and
other mines are being driven out therefrom, and in which electro-magnetism is
the motive agent employed for the purpose of registering. On a box, case, or
framework is a column or guide through which passes a spindle on which is mounted
a cam studded disc or drum. This spindle is provided at its outer extremity with
hollow hemispherical cups, secured thereto by arms, blades, or rods. Inside the
box is hinged a lever, spring, or pressing surfaces, or a point covered with platinum
or other conducting material, which when contact is to be effected or the passage
of the electric current closed falls upon a corresponding surface or point. This
apparatus is placed in the workings, roads, or shafts of the mine, and is set in
motion by the velocity of the air or other current passing through the mine, which
imparts motion to the hemispherical cups, and as they revolve cause the spindle
carrying the cam or other contrivance to revolve, and as the contact maker is raised
and lowered by such contrivances the make and break of the current is effected; this
is conveyed and indicated upon the receiving or registering instrument placed
above ground.

page_text: At each
My improved receiving instrument is a box on which is a plate carrying a dial
or dials and provided with a pointer or pointers worked by a train of wheels
brought into action by means of an armature and electro-magnets.
revolution of the spindle carrying the cam or other contrivance contact is made,
and the armature being attracted to the magnet imparts motion to a pallet or
ratchet action, which moves a tooth of a wheel and causes the pointer or pointers
to travel over the face of a graduated dial, and to register thereon in feet or other
measurements the velocity of the air or other currents in the mines. This receiving
instrument is in electric connection with the apparatus in the mine by wires and a
battery. A commutator is attached and serves as a means of preventing unnecessary
exhaustion of the battery, or for timing purposes.
My improved apparatus, instrument, or log for measuring the speed of vessels
moving through water may in one arrangement be effected by electro-magnetism.
For this purpose I mount in a framework an axis, the ends of which work in non-
conducting material, and from this axis diverge blades, arms, or rods furnished
with hemispherical cups. One end of the axis is insulated, and in which is inserted
a surface or point of platinum or other conducting material working against
platinum pressers or points in connection with electric wires.
When the apparatus
is to be used it is secured to a line or cable and then thrown overboard. This
cable has the electric wires passing through it, and is attached to the framework.
The wires are in connection with a battery on deck and also with the receiving
instrument herein-before described, so that at each revolution performed by the
hemispherical cups resulting from the force of the water the platinum pieces or
pressers are brought together, and contact being effected the electric current
registers the measurements on the dial. To bring different batteries into action
successively and in turn I connect with the receiving instrument an automatic
connector, which may be worked by clock motion or the motion of the electro-
magnets.
In another modification I dispense with the electro-magnetic agency and employ
mechanical means. The receiving instrument is then placed on the framework of
the measuring apparatus or log, and is in connection with the axis carrying the
cups. A train of wheels actuates the pointer or pointers on the dial, so that at
cach revolution made by the cups the measurement is registered. The cups may
be dispensed with, and fans, vanes, screws, or other similar contrivances or motors
may be employed. Although I have described the apparatus as applicable to mines
and ships, it is obvious that it can be employed for other purposes, as for instance,
for measuring and recording the draught of air through ventilators and chimneys,
also the currents of running water and other liquids and fluids.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Francis John Pastorelli in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
October 1876.
"
FRANCIS JOHN PASTORELLI, of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Scientific
Instrument Maker. IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS FOR MEASUR-
ING AND RECORDING THE VELOCITY OF AIR OR OTHER CURRENTS, AND THE SPEED
OF VESSELS MOVING THROUGH WATER."
This Invention relates to instruments or apparatus for measuring and recording
the velocity of air or other currents, and the speed of vessels moving through water.
I proceed to describe an apparatus for registering, recording, or indicating the
velocity at which the air or other currents or dangerous and fatal gases in coal and
other mines are being driven out therefrom, and in which electro-magnetism is the
motive agent employed for the purposes of registering. On a box, case, or framework
is a column or guide through which passes a spindle, on which is mounted a cam,

page_text: studded disc, or drum. This spindle is provided at its outer extremity with hollow
hemispherical cups secured thereto by arms, blades, or rods. Inside the box is
hinged a lever, spring, or pressing surfaces or a point covered with platinum or other
conducting material, which when contact is to be effected or the passage of the
electric current closed falls upon a corresponding surface or point.
This apparatus is placed in the workings, roads, or shafts of the nine, and is set
in motion by the velocity of the air or other current passing through the mine,
which imparts motion to the hemispherical cups, and as they revolve cause the
spindle carrying the cam or other contrivance to revolve, and as the contact maker
is raised and lowered by such contrivances the make and break of the current is
effected; this is conveyed and indicated upon the receiving or registering instrument
placed above ground.
My improved receiving instrument is a box on which is a plate carrying a dial or
dials and provided with a pointer or pointers worked by a train of wheels brought
into action by means of an armature and electro-magnet. At each revolution of the
spindle carrying the cam or other contrivance contact is made, and the armature
being attracted to the magnet imparts motion to a pallet or ratchet action, which
moves a tooth of a wheel and causes the pointer or pointers to travel over the face
of a graduated dial and to register thereon in feet or other measurements the
velocity of the air or other currents in the mines. This receiving instrument is in
electric connection with the apparatus in the mine by wires and a battery. A
commutator is attached and serves as a means of preventing unnecessary exhaustion
of the battery, or for timing purposes.
My improved apparatus, instrument, or log for measuring the speed of vessels
moving through water may in one arrangement be effected by electro-magnetism.
For this purpose I mount in a framework an axis, the ends of which work in non-
conducting material, and from this axis diverge blades, arms, or rods furnished
with hemispherical cups. One end of the axis is insulated, and in which is inserted
a surface or point of platinum or other conducting material working against platinum
pressers or points in connection with electric wires. When the apparatus is to be
used it is secured to a line or cable and then thrown overboard. This cable has
the electric wires passing through it, and is attached to the framework. The wires.
are in connection with a battery on deck and also with the receiving instrument
herein-before described, so that at each revolution performed by the hemispherical
cups resulting from the force of the water the platinum pieces or pressers are
brought together, and contact being effected the electric current registers the
measurements on the dial. To bring different batteries into action successively
and in turn I connect with the receiving instrument an automatic connector, which
may be worked by clock motion or the motion of the electro-magnets.
In another modification I dispense with the electro-magnetic agency and employ
mechanical means. The receiving instrument is then placed on the framework of
the measuring apparatus or log, and is in connection with the axis carrying the
cups. A train of wheels actuates the pointer or pointers on the dial, so that at each
revolution made by the cups the measurement is registered. The cups may be
dispensed with, and fanes, vanes, screws, or other similar contrivances or motors may
be employed.
Although I have described the apparatus as applicable to mines and ships, it is
obvious that it can be employed for other purposes; as for instance for measuring
and recording the draught of air through ventilators and chimneys, also the
currents of running water and other liquids and fluids.
I now proceed, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, to describe my
instruments or apparatus for carrying the Invention into practical effect, in which
electricity is the motive agent employed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an instrument for recording the velocity of air
or other dangerous or fatal gases in a coal mine. It is fixed in the shafts, air-ways,
roads, or workings.
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قدم

page_text: Figure 3 is a detached view in plan on a larger scale of the metal box or case,
together with the working parts contained therein, and Figure 4 is a section of the
same taken on the line a, 8, of Figure 3.
A. is the metal box, to which is secured a metal column B, through which passes
a spindle or rod b. The inner end of this spindle is stepped in a socket a inside
the box, the outer end projects above the column and is screw-threaded to receive
a boss C. Four arms or blades c diverge from this boss, and are set at right angles
thereto, they are each furnished at their ends with a windmill vane or a hollow
hemispherical cup c*. On the inner side of the boss C is a cap, ferrule, or
cylindrical piece d, which fits over the top of the column and permits the spindle
carrying the arms and cups to revolve when moved by a current of air or other
gas, and at the same time prevents the entry of dust. A knob or button e, tapped
to receive the screwed end of the spindle, is screwed thereon, and prevents the boss
with its arms and cups from becoming detached. D is a support or pillar provided
with a knob and binding screw g, and on which is hinged or centered a lever E, this
pillar D rest on a bed or piece of ebonite or other non-conductor h, and a copper
wire is fitted in it and held in place by the binding screw g above mentioned.
This wire passes through the box A, and is held in brass knobs g*, also furnished
with a binding screw placed on insulators. From this knob is led an electric wire.
F is also a pillar or support, but in this pillar I insert a platinum point f*. A.
copper wire is likewise fitted to this pillar, one such wire being in connection
with the positive, and the other with the negative pole of the electro-magnet. In
the lever E is a platinum point f, and when contact is to be effected, or the passage
for the electric current closed, it drops on to the platinum point fx which is directly
under it in the said pillar F. G is a cam, which is mounted on the axis or
spindle carrying the arms, and over the edge or periphery of this cam the lever E
travels, so that at each revolution made by the cups, caused from the velocity or
currents of air or other gases in the mine, the lever falls and makes contact, and
the electric current passing through the wire registers on a recording instrument
placed in any convenient part above the mine, and in connection with the
apparatus by incans of wires and a battery, the rate at which the air or gases are
being driven out of the mine. Or instead of the cam I sometimes use an excentric
motion, or a pin and spring.
Figure 5 is a front view, and Figure 6 a side view of my recording or receiving
instrument.
Figure 7 is an inverted plan of the plate carrying the dial or dials, and showing
the working parts of this recording, receiving, or registering apparatus.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in section of the commutator which is attached
thereto.
On a box or case with an inclined front or plate Z, I mount a ratchet or escape
wheel J, to which the pointer I, shewn on the dial (Figure 5), is attached.
K is the armature, which on being attracted to the poles of the electro-magnet M,
N, moves the driving pallet m which turns on the axis or spindle m* in connection
with the armature spindle n by means of the crank p. The spindle and driving
pallet axis work in bearings Q and Qx, respectively. As the armature is attracted to
the magnet it imparts motion to the pallet, which moves a tooth of the ratchet
wheel and causes the pointer to travel over the graduated face of the dial, and
to indicate the velocity of air or other gas passing through the mine. This wheel
imparts motion to a series or train of wheels between the dial and plate Z (these
wheels are not seen in the Drawings), which register on the same dial from
10, 100, 1000, and so on up to 10,000,000 feet. o is a spring attached to a project-
ing bar or finger ox in a piece with the pallet, which restores it and the armature
to their normal positions directly contact is broken. At one side of the recording
instrument I place a commutator P, connected by a wire with the magnet M and N.
P, P, are brass knobs provided with binding screws, and receive the electric
wires coming from the knobs g¹, gx. The commutator is furnished with an ivory
handle Px, which serves also as an indicator for preventing unnecessary exhaustion

page_text: of the battery, and points to certain signs such as "off" or "on." A battery or a
series of batteries is connected with this recording or receiving instrument by means
of the ordinary electric wires.
Figure 9 is a front elevation, Figure 10 a side view, and Figures 11 and 12
detailed fragmentary views in section of my improved electrical apparatus or log
for measuring the speed of vessels moving through water, but other forms or
shapes may be used other than that shewn.
A is a bent hollow metal tube, fork, case, or framework, in the ends or horns
of which revolve a horizontal axis B working in ivory bearings in a cylindrical
piece placed at right angles at one end of the tube or case. On this axis I mount
a boss C, from which diverge four strong blades or arms c, furuished at each of their
extremities with a hollow hemispherical cup c* or windmill vanes. On one end of
the horizontal axis B is a ferrule or cylinder of ivory d or other non-conductor,
in which is inserted a narrow plate, point, piece, or bar of platinum or other good
conductor d. C, C, are electric wires which are brought from a battery on board
the ship or elsewhere. Their ends in the bent arms terminate in spring platinum
points or pressers (1². They are in connection with the wires and pass through a
bed of wood y or other insulating material.
When the apparatus is to be used it is thrown overboard, and the wires being
passed through a cable or line are connected to the upper portion of the tube or
framework, and are in connection on deck with the battery and the recording
instrument above described. As the velocity of the current of water causes the
hemispherical cups to revolve, the platinum springs d² and piece or plate dx touch
each other, and effecting contact the electric current passes along the wires to the
recording instrument and registers on it the speed at which the vessel is moving
through the water.
Although I have described my improved apparatus as applicable to the indicating
or measuring the rate or speed at which currents of air or other dangerous and
fatal gases are driven out of coal mines, and also the speed or velocity of ships
moving through water, it is obvious that they can be employed for other purposes,
as for instance for measuring and recording the draught of air through ventilators
and chimneys, also the currents of running water or other waters, liquids, and
fluids.
Sometimes I dispense with the hemispherical cups, and fans, vanes, or other
similar motors may be used instead.
Figures 13 and 14 shew arrangements of apparatus in which the electric agency
is dispensed with and mechanical means employed.
A is the framework, in which an axis B is mounted, and is provided with a boss
on which are fans, vanes, or hemispherical cups c*, cx, and as these are caused to
revolve by the action of the air or water they register on a dial or dials Z placed
on the framework the speed in feet or other measurements.
The escape wheel J, seen in Figure 7, may be worked with or without clockwork,
or a driving action may be obtained with or without an escape wheel, by means of
one or more electro or permanent magnets or armatures, or it may be accomplished
by an arrangement of cells, coils, or spirals by which electricity is conducted to act
upon arms or indicators direct or indirect.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I clain-
First. The apparatus as described and shewn in the Drawings for recording and
registering by means of electricity the velocity of air or other currents or gases in
coal and other mines, also the draught of air through ventilators and chimneys.
Second. The use or employment of hollow hemispherical cups, fans, or vanes in
combination with or fitted to apparatus or instruments for recording and registering
by means of electricity the velocity of air and other currents and gases, and the
speed of vessels moving through water, as described and illustrated in Figures 1 to
12, inclusive, of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Third. The mechanical arrangement of apparatus for recording the speed of
vessels moving through water as described and as shewn in Figures 13 and 14 of
the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis John Pastorelli, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ERNEST DE PASS,
GS, Fleet Street,
London.
FRANCIS JOHN PASTORELLI. (L.S.).