IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS, PLOUGHS, AND HARROWS; IN STEAM BOILERS, AND MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
FRANCIS CAMPBELL, of Great Plumstead, in the County of Norfolk, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twentieth day of June,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs, and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Francis Campbell, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Alexander
Francis, Campbell, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alexander Francis Campbell, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed,
my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS, PLOUGHS, AND HARROWS; IN STEAM
BOILERS, AND MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso that I, the said Alexander Francis Campbell should
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: and screws or otherwise; e is a grooved ring of india rubber, wood, or gutta
percha, to receive the hollow hoop or ring b. The hollow hoop or ring b is to
be filled with water at a suitable opening, which is then to be closed water-
tight. I would remark that I am aware that a hollow flexible tube or ring
has been fixed round a wheel, and filled with air; I do not, therefore, claim the
use of a hollow flexible tube generally, but only when combined with the use
of water or other liquid, and applied to carriage wheels.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, which relates to
ploughs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED B.
Figure 1 shews a side view; Figure 2, a plan; and Figure 3, a front end
view of a plough on three wheels; and it will be seen that with the use of
three wheels there is no sole or sledge for these ploughs to move or slide on
the earth; a is the fore axle to which is affixed a steering bar or lever handle b,
and the fore axle has two wheels on it. The object of thus directly applying
the bar or lower handle 6 to the fore axle of a plough is to simplify the con-
struction, and to render the steering of a plough more easy by the ploughman,
and to make the plough independent of the direction which the power of
draught may be in at any moment. The draught is through the upper part of
the plough beam, and I prefer it to be in the form shewn.
Another improvement consists in the construction of the plough beam,
which is made of two parts c and d, they being connected together by a pin
joint d and the upright bars d', forming a slot for the movement of the
plough beam. By this arrangement, and the combination of the parts of
the beam, the depth of the plough and share is regulated vertically. The
plough is affixed to the lower part c of the beam, the after end of which is
carried by a hind wheel e, and the fore end of the part c of the beam will be
raised or lowered, and fixed, according to the depth at which it is required to
plough. The fore end of the upper bean d rests on the fore axle, and it is
retained near the middle thereof by means of the triangular stop f, fixed to
the fore axle by the set screw f. This stop prevents the beam moving towards
either wheel, but it allows the axle to incline and be steered directly by the
lever handle, and yet permits of the plough beam to retain its upright posi-
tion on the fore axle, and the fore ends of the parts c and d of the beam are
retained in position by the upright d¹ affixed to the fore end of the part c of the
beam, through which upright & there is a long opening or slot, in which the
fore end of the part d of the beam can move; and d is a screw passing
through the top of the upright d', so as to bear against the part d of the

page_text: beam, such screw regulating the distance at which the fore end of the parts c, d,
shall be kept separate so that the depth of ploughing will be regulated by the
screw d.
On to the lower beam c is fixed the arm i, which carries the hookj,
the stem of which is capable of adjustment by means of a screw and nut, as
shown, so that the lower part.c the beam, and with it the plough, may be
caused to be supported sideways by the fore wheel axle at a distance from
where the fore end of the part d of the beam is carried; and this is accom-
plished by means of the sliding bar or stay k, which is affixed at the pin
joint d to the part c of the beam by a screw bolt and nut, but the screw bolt
is not screwed up tight, but allows the bar or stay a slight play between the
screw head and the beam, to admit of adjustment of the hook j, the fore end
of the sliding bar resting on the fore wheel axle at a distance from the fore
end of the beam d, by which this fore axle may lock under it. By the arrange-
ments shewn the ploughshare is carried horizontally, notwithstanding the
inclination and the locking of the fore axle.
Figure 7 shews a side view; Figure 8, a plan; Figure 9, a back view;
and Figure 10 a front view of a plough, having only one fore wheel and
one hind wheel e in the furrow; also a third wheel. w standing off by its
axle at a distance from the plough beam on the land side, which will
keep the plough upright when at work; the axle of such third wheel w
being capable of adjustment, so as to allow of the ploughing to be more
or less deep, as is shewn by the Drawings. In this plough there is a
similar steering bar or lever, to steer the plough by the fore axle and its
wheel, the steering bar or lever b being fixed directly to the fore axle, which
is turned upwards, as is shewn; and it works in bearings p, p, carried by the
upper beam d, as shewn; the beam in this plough being of two parts, having
joint at d+ similar to that of the plough before described, and the means of
adjusting the depth of ploughing is similar in this plough to that before
8
described.
Figure 11 shews a side view; Figure 12, a plan; and Figure 13,, an end
view of a fore and aft plough on three wheels, to turn the land on one side
successively, and showing how the improvements above described may be com-
bined with a plough having two shares back to back, so that it may be drawn
alternately at either end. I am aware that ploughs with two shares are used,
back to back, having a sole or sledge on which to move, but this plough has
no sole or sledge.
My improvements, as herein explained, are applied to a fore and aft plough,
with two moveable mould irons, one right hand and the other left, so that one
will be taken off when the other is used, whilst the two tension shares and
coulters remain fixed.

page_text: This plough has a third wheel w running on the land side, and standing
by its axle off and at a distance from the land side of the plough, and the
-axle of this side wheel is capable of adjustment, so as to support the plough
in an upright position when at work, whilst the depth of ploughing is regu-
lated by the double beam c, d, the part d of which turns on the centre d³.
Another improvement on this class of ploughs is the use of a long bar or
lever handle b, which is attached directly to the fore wheel axle, and as this
plough has two wheel axles which alternately become the fore axle, the steering
lever or bar is capable of being affixed to either alternately, and is removed
from one to the other as they respectively become the fore axle, and the one
for the time being acting as the hinder wheel is to have its axle fixed by a
short bar d', to prevent it locking. The two wheel axles of this plough are
each similiar to the fore one described in respect to the plough above secondly
explained.
Another improvement in this class of ploughs is the making the beam
of two parts, c, d, and adjustable, as before explained, for the depth of
ploughing; in this arrangement, in place of only one end of the beams c, d,
being in action at a time, as the fore end, both ends of each part c and d, are
similarly arranged, and hence they are each capable of being used alternately
as the fore part of the beam turning on the centre joint d³. Figures 4, 5,
and 6 shew the mode of affixing my former patent tension shares, when the
the fore point is laid over the share, and in the previous figures of these
Drawings is shewn a mode of affixing my patent tension coulter direct to the
plough beam, and it will be seen thereby that the coulter is strained from the
point of the share, and helps to support it in the land; and some of these
improvements may be applied to other ploughs, and also to ploughs on wheels
having more than one share.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED C.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention, which relates to harrows
These improvements consist of suspending the frame c, which carries the teeth
or tynes, forming a harrow, by means of rods from the carriage frame on wheels
in such manner that the harrow or frame carrying the teeth shall at all times
move parallel to the carriage frame a, and, consequently, the teeth caused to
penetrate into or recede from the earth. Figure 14 is a plan, and Figure 15
is a side view of a harrow; a, a, is the frame carried by the wheels 6, 6; from this
frame is suspended the lower frame c, c, with the teeth; and I would state that
although I have shewn only one form of tooth or tyne, yet others may be used
change the framinos a and c may be varied. The

page_text: frame c, c, is suspended by double bars d, d, which maintain a constant state of
parallelism between the upper and lower frames, and it is the combining
frames a and c with parallel bars or rods, so as to produce this effect uncon-
nected with the axles of the wheels, which constitutes the peculiarity of this
part of my Invention. The position to which the harrow frame shall be
brought and held may be varied and retained by means of the chain e and
rollers f, f, and according as the chain is wound or unwound and retained by
the ratchet wheel and catch g, so will the harrow work at the lowest or other
point of its range, as will be readily understood on referring to the Drawing;
and it will be seen that by loosing the chain e on the rollers, that as the
carriage proceeds, the harrow will be withdrawn from the earth, as shewn by
dotted lines.
DRAWING D.
I will now describe the fourth part of my Invention, which relates to steam
boilers. Figure 16 shews a longitudinal section, and Figure 17 a transverse
section of a boiler constructed according to this part of my Invention; a, a, are
the fire-bars, which I prefer to be hollow, so that the feed water to the boiler
inay be through such tubular bars a, but this may be varied, and I make no
claim to so feeding boilers; by the use of hollow fire-bars the water passes
through the bars from and to the water sides of the furnace, or to the hori-
zontal cylindrical boiler b, b, over the fire; c, c, are two water sides attached to
and of the full width and length of the cylindrical boiler b, having openings for
the free passage of the water, which sides enclose the fire or furnace, they
having water spaces connecting them with the part b, and it is into these
parts c that the feed water comes through the pipe p before passing through
the hollow bars, and it is the applying of these two water sides to cylindrical
boilers, when they are combined with means of obtaining a circulation of water
to and from the main cylindrical boiler, which constitutes one of my improve-
ments in steam boilers. d, d, are numerous openings into the two sides, so that
there will be a free passage for the water from or to the main cylindrical
boiler and water sides c, c; and it will be seen that the fire burns under the
cylindrical part of the boiler, and then passes through it by the tubes to the
chimney. And in order that a free circulation of water may take place
between these parts over the fire, I apply pipes e, e, open at the ends, so that
there will be a passage of water from the sides c, c, into the boiler b over the
fire; and another improvement consists of using tubes to obtain a circulation
of the water in the main part b of the cylindrical boiler; for this purpose
w, w, w, are water tubes over the fire, opening into the boiler; b and h are
ascending tubes, so that there will be a circulation from the boiler b through

page_text: pipes h, or vice versa. And these improvements in the water sides and water
tubes, whereby a circulation of the water to and from the cylindrical boiler,
constitute another part of my Invention in steam boilers. At the end of the
furnace or smoke box are two door plates », forming a narrow passage for air
upwards, wherein the air will become hot before entering the fire tubes and
chimney. The air so heated will promote the combustion of the products of
the fuel. And I claim the said passage for heating the air, as shewn.
DRAWING E.
I will now describe the fifth part of my Invention, for propelling vessels.
Figure 18 shews a side view, and Figure 19 an end view of a propellor. a, d,
is the centre line of the propeller shaft; the triangle d, a, b, in side view, is
equal to the triangle d, a, c. The line b, a, c, is perpendicular to the line a, d;
the angles at b and c are equal, the angles at d are equal, the distance b, a, is
equal to the distance a, c. The straight line d, b, is equal to the straight
line d, c. All lines drawn from d to the curved edges b, a, a, c, are straight lines,
and this improvement depends on the form of the two opposite hollow vanes
or fins a, b, da, c, d; these propellers are fixed to the axis or shaft a, d; the
after edge a, c, is hollow on one side and convex on the other, and the after
edge a, b, is also hollow on one side and convex on the other side. And I prefer
that the said propeller shall be cast in one piece of gun metal, and it is the so
forming of the triangular vanes by straight lines from the angles d to the
concave and convex edges a, b, a, c, of a propeller, which constitutes one of the
improvements in my Invention for propelling vessels.
DRAWING F.
Figure 20 shews another of my improvements in propelling vessels, when air
is used as a means of propelling; and I would here state that I am aware that
hot air and air with steam have before been used for propelling vessels; I do
not, therefore, claim the same; this improvement consisting of combining the
piston of the air pump used with the piston of the steam cylinder, so as to get
a direct action of machinery which shall be compact and near to the keel. a is
the steam cylinder; b the horizontal piston rod, which is long enough to receive
the piston d of the air pump, and as the steam cylinder and air pump have an
equal length of stroke, the two will work together. I have shewn the air pump
cylinder to be of the same diameter as the steam cylinder, but this may be
varied, and the air may either be driven out at a point below the line of floata-
tion of the vessel direct from the pump, or be first passed into a suitable air

page_text: I would state
receiver, and then out of the pipe against the external water.
that it is not new to cause the piston rod of a steam cylinder to work the piston
of an air pump direct; I do not, therefore, claim the same when not arranged
in a ship or vessel, so as to be the means of propelling air against the water to
give motion to a ship or vessel.
Another improvement to facilitate the propelling of vessels is shown at
Figures 21 and 22, Drawing E, and consists of a new arrangement of lee
boards..these boards at all times rise or fall parallel, as is shewn by the
Drawing, they being controlled at both ends; and in some cases I apply a
rudder to such lee boards, to come into use should the stern rudder be lost
or injured, but the same may be used with the ordinary rudder. The Drawing
shows this, part of my Invention applied to a vessel having a stern propeller,
.but the same may be applied to sailing vessels.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the details, as herein described, so long as the peculiar
But what I claim is,
.character of any part of my Invention be retained.
first, the making of carriage wheels with tie bars between the spokes, as
described in respect to Drawing A, and also the employment of water in
flexible hollow rings around carriage wheels, as described in respect to
Drawing A.
Secondly, I claim the application of a steering bar or handle to the fore
wheel axle of a plough; first, when there are two fore wheels; secondly,
Also the mode of con-
when there is only one fore wheel, as described.
structing the plough beam of two parts, c, d, in such manner that the fore end
of the upper part may rest on the fore axle, and the depth of ploughing be
regulated by the rise or fall of the lower beam, as explained. Also the mode
of keeping the ploughshare horizontal by means of a side bar or stay, resting
on the fore axle, having two wheels with liberty for steering or locking; also
the use or application of a wheel on the land side of a plough for the support
thereof. And I also claim the improvements in tension shares and coulters
herein described.
Thirdly, my Invention consists of the mode of raising and lowering the
frames of harrows to or from the carriage frame on wheels by the combined
.use of suspension rods and straight axles, so that such harrow frame may at all
times be moved to positions in or out of the land parallel to the carriage frame
on wheels.
Fourthly, I claim the improvements herein described in respect to steam

page_text: And, fifthly, I claim the mode of constructing revolving propellers for vessels,
as herein described. Also the mode of forcing air to propel vessels by the
direct action of the piston rod of the steam cylinder in a line with the piston
rod of the air pump, and also the mode of constructing and applying lee
boards having two or more arms or joints for attachment to the vessel, and
with or without a rudder thereto to facilitate the propelling of vessels.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Francis Campbell, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the
vear of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.