An Improved Appliance for Indicating Direction and Rate of Motion of Machinery.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 6th June, 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for Indicating Direction and Rate of Motion
of Machinery.
I JOHN BONE, Merchant of The Parade Liskeard Cornwall do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The machine, or engine, whose motion it is desired to observe (at a place, or
places, not in its vicinity ;) is caused to actuate a small pump, which circulates
water, or other suitable fluid; through two pipes, in such a manner, that the flow
of the fluid, causes vibration of a pointer, to the right hand or the left in agreement
with the direction, and rate of motion, of the machine or engine. The manner in
which the flow of water is regulated and the method, by which the pipes, are made
to supply fluid to, and return it from, the indicator itself; form special claims, for
improvements in appliances, for the purpose named. The indicator consists of a
cylinder, with piston and rod to the latter is attached a rack, that gears into a
sector, fixed to spindle or pointer, before mentioned.
Indicator cylinder connects by two pipes, to a valve box, placed near the
machine, or engine, whose motion is to be indicated water or other suitable fluid,
drawn from a tank, by small pump, (actuated as before stated), is delivered to the
valve box, and passing through it, enters one of the connecting pipes; flows to the
indicator cylinder, from which, (after moving the indicator piston), it returns by
the other pipe, to valve box; thence to supply tank.
The flow of fluid is regulated, by the valve box; which contains a hollow valve,
having two fixed positions; in one of which, it directs fluid onward, through right
hand pipe, and permits its return through left hand pipe; in the second position,
the valve directs fluid onward, through left hand pipe, and permits its return
through right hand pipe.
The two fixed positions of valve, are controlled automatically, by screw
mechanism, and tappets; a portion of pump shaft, carries a screw sleeve, to which
the valve is attached. This sleeve revolves with the pump shaft unless reversal of
the machine, or engine, takes place; when one or other of the tappets, engages the
sleeve, causing it to move in the direction of its axis, and the valve, to assume
necessary position, for new direction of rotation.
Indicator cylinder has two orifices for supply of fluid, and two for discharge of
the same; the orifices are connected diagonally, in pairs, by channels exterior to
cylinder, in such a manner, that fluid entering either supply orifice, after passing
through the cylinder, returns to the other supply orifice, and is conveyed thence by
pipe, to valve box, and supply tank.
The arrangement may be considered as an endless pipe, filled with fluid, which
fluid is caused to circulate, in either direction, according to the motion of the
actuating machine or engine; the impulse communicated to the indicator piston, at
each stroke of the pump, being shown, by the pointer.
Dated this 28th day of March 1804

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for Indicating Direction and Rate of Motion
of Machinery.
I JOHN BONE Merchant of The Parade Liskeard Cornwall 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 :-
The machine, or engine, whose motion it is desired to observe (at a place, or
places, not in its vicinity); is caused to actuate a small pump, which circulates
water, or other suitable fluid; through two pipes, in such a manner, that the flow
of the fluid, causes vibration of a pointer, to the right hand, or the left; in
agreement with the direction, and rate of motion, of the machine, or engine.
The manner in which the flow of water is regulated, and the method, by which
the pipes, are made to supply fluid to, and return it from, the indicator itself; form
special claims, for improvements in appliances; for the purpose named.
The indicator consists of a cylinder, with piston and rod; to the latter is
attached a rack, that gears into a sector, fixed to spindle of pointer, before
mentioned.
Indicator cylinder connects by two pipes, to a valve box, placed near the
machine, or engine, whose motion is to be indicated; water or other suitable fluid,
drawn from a tank by small pump, (actuated as before stated) is delivered to the
valve box, and passing through it, enters one of the connecting pipes, flows to the
indicator cylinder, from which, (after moving the indicator piston), it returns by
the other pipe to valve box, thence to supply tank.
The flow of fluid is regulated by the valve box; which contains a hollow valve,
having two fixed positions; in one of which, it directs fluid onward, through right
hand pipe, and permits its return through left hand pipe; in the second position,
the valve directs fluid onward, through left hand pipe, and permits its return
through right hand pipe.
The two fixed positions of valve, are controlled automatically, by screw
mechanism and tappets; a portion of pump shaft, carries a screwed sleeve, to which
the valve is attached.
This sleeve revolves with the pump shaft; unless reversal of the machine or
engine, takes place, when one or other of the tappets engages the sleeve causing it
to move, in the direction of its axis, and the valve to assume necessary position,
for new direction of rotation.
Indicator cylinder has two orifices, for supply of fluid, and two, for discharge of
the same: the orifices are connected diagonally; in pairs, by channels exterior to
cylinder in such a manner, that fluid entering either supply orifice, after passing
through the cylinder, returns to the other supply orifice, and is conveyed thence,
by pipe, to valve box, and supply tank.
The arrangement may be considered as an endless pipe, filled with fluid, which
fluid is caused to circulate, in either direction, according to the motion of the
actuating machine, or engine; the impulse communicated to the indicator piston at
each stroke of the pump, being shown by the pointer.
Three sheets of drawings in explanation of the appliance, accompany this
application.
Figures 1 and 2 are an elevation and sectional plan of that portion of the
appliance, to be fixed on, or near the machine or engine.
Figures 3 and 4 show an elevation and sectional plan of the indicator which may
be placed at any desired distance, from the machine or engine.
Figures 5 to 9 are for the purpose of clearly illustrating, the details of
Figures 1 to 4.
The valve box (Figures 1 and 2) and indicator cylinder (Figures 3 and 4) are
connected by necessary lengths of pipes.

page_text: Valve box (Figures 1 and 2) has an orifice at A, for the entry of fluid, others
at B and C, for the supply of fluid to the indicator cylinder, and its return there-
from. The orifice D is in direct communication with tank; that, at A with pump
delivery pipe.
Valve a is hollow, to allow the fluid returning through B to pass through its
centre to D. Valve a has two fixed positions: one, as shown the second is at
such a distance to the right, as will fully open the orifice C to supply, and
that at B to exhaust. The continuauce of valve a, in either of these positions
is regulated by sleeve G.
Bearings d, d, and valve box are secured to a base plate.
Shaft H runs in bearings d, d, being driven by wheel W, which is pinned
to H the wheel is driven by worm X: the latter obtaining its motion by
means of suitable belting, or bevel gear, from the machine or engine, to which
the indicator is applied.
Crank e fattaches to a rod, which works the pump plunger; one stroke of
the latter, for each revolution of the machine, or engine, or at any other speed
desired, by varying the dimensions of wheel W worm X or other portions of
the driving gear giving motion thereto.
On portion of shaft H, is a rectangular screw to this is fitted sleeve G
having projecting stop J: also a groove at S carrying a band: to the band S,
are attached rods R R, that pass through holes in d, the rods connect to arm T,
this to rod b, and valve, a.
K and I are tappets (see also Figures 6 and 7) adjusted at correct distances
from brackets Z, Z; tappets are pivoted on screw, held by Z Z.
In Fig. 1, when shaft H revolves "toward" the observer, no alteration takes
place in the position of sleeve G: the projecting stop J, pushes down the end I of
tappet K as it passes over, and the preponderance of long end K brings back the
tappet to horizontal, after each passage of J (see also Fig. 6).
If shaft H, moves "from" the observer, stop J encounters end I of tappet K;
the movement of H in that direction, causes sleeve G, to slide to the right, until it
is clear of tappet K, and free to revolve with shaft H: but the sliding movement
alluded to, has caused valve, a, to assume its second fixed position.
The effect of tappet I on sleeve G, is similar to that of K: but in reverse
direction.
Figures 3 and 4-indicator cylinder has solid piston P, and piston rod
P, PP,
supported by bearings r, 1 on rod between those bearings, is small rack, with
teeth, to suit sector; the latter pivots on spindle v, which also carries a pointer,
capable of movement as shown by arrows in front of a dial.
Springs, h, acting on either side of bearing r, cause the piston, rod, and
pointer, to resume central position, after each vibration: nuts k, k₁ are to regulate
tension of h, h₁.
Indicator cylinder, bearings and dial, are secured to suitable metal, or wooden
base.
Figures 3, 4, 5: 8 and 9-L and M are orifices for admission of fluid to cylinder:
N and O allow fluid to escape, when piston P has moved to uncover these partially,
or wholly.
Froin L is channel passing around the outside and top of cylinder to O. From M
is channel passing outside and beneath cylinder to N. M connects by pipe to
valve box at B and L, similarly to valve box at C.
l'arts not shown by diagrams are supply tank and pump.
An efficient single acting pump of small dimensions will suffice to circulate fluid
through the pipes, and to work the indicator: as but a small pressure is necessary.
The size of tank depends on the dimensions of pipes used.
To ensure immediate action of the indicator, on a reversal of the machine, or
engine; it is essential the pipe service be kept fully charged with fluid, it may
therefore be desirable to shape pipe D similar to an inverted U, or to place a

page_text: self-acting valve in that pipe; in the event of tardy action of the indicator, on change
of direction taking place.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:
Assuming that the machine or engine, is set in motion, in "forward" direction:
the worm X drives wheel W and this revolves shaft H "toward" observer: the
crank arm, e, f, works pump plunger, through medium of a connecting rod.
Valve a assumes position shewn (Fig. 2).
Fluid drawn from supply tank, and delivered by pump, enters valve box at A,
passes around, a, and leaves at B: whence it is conveyed by pipe, to indicator
-cylinder, which it enters at M.
The pressure exerted by fluid, (on down stroke of pump), pushes piston P to the
right, until orifice O is uncovered; when exhaust is effected, by exterior channel,
to L thence by pipe to valve box at C, and through D to tank.
For this motion it will be seen that the pipe connection from B to M, is the
supply, and that from C to L, the return, for fluid.
On the machine, or engine, being set in motion in " backward" direction
shaft H revolves "from observer valve a, assumes "second" position, as
regulated by sleeve G, stop J, and tappet K.
Fluid entering valve box at A leaves at C; enters indicator cylinder at L
leaves at N thence, by exterior channel to M; through pipe to B, whence it
passes through hollow valve a, to pipe D and tank.
In this case the pipe connection C to L is supply and B to M the return for
:fluid.
Fluid entering indicator cylinder at M (as previously described) pushes piston P
to the right, until pressure is relieved, when spring, causes piston to return to
-central position.
one
This action taking place, for each stroke of the pump piston rod, p P, P,
moves sector, this vibrates pointer in the direction of arrow FORWARD:
vibration to each stroke of pump that being for one revolution of the machine or
-engine.
It is thus possible to observe the approximate rate, as well as the actual direction
of motion, and to ascertain the exact speed, by counting vibrations of pointer, for a
given time.
By the use of flexible tubing connected next the indicator cylinder the latter
may be moved to various convenient positions; the number of indicators attached
to any
machine or engine, may be increased, as desired by effecting junctions with
principal pipes.
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
1. Improved apparatus for indicating direction and rate of motion of machinery,
by means of fluid pressure, automatically regulated as described in foregoing.
2. An arrangement of indicator cylinder and pipes; by which fluid is conveyed
to, or returned from, the apparatus, by either of two pipes.
3. A ready means of employing several indicators (which may be portable) in
connexion with one pair of pipes.
Dated this 5th day of June 1801