Improvements in Apparatus for Counting Revolutions and for Registering and Indicating the Speed and Direction of Vehicles and Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, Ofst Mar., 1807
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1897-Accepted, 26th Feb. 1898
ναι οι πρμιναλιστ στον π
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1897-Accepted, 26th Feb. 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Counting Revolutions and for
Registering and Indicating the Speed and Direction of Vehicles
and Machines.
I, PHILIPPE DUMAS, of 7, Rue Gambetta, St. Etienne, Loire, in the Republic
of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object an apparatus designed to ascertain and to register
in a graphic form the phases of the various modes of motion of a body, a stationary
machine or vehicle, carriage, locomotive or the like, applicable in a general manner
to any parts or combinations of parts in motion, in respect of which it is useful
to learn
(1) The number of revolutions or the distance traversed;
(2) The direction of the motion;
(3) The rates of speed at any moment; the whole in function of time.
The apparatus hereinafter set forth has been constructed especially with a view
to its application to vehicles in motion, but it will be understood that I reserve the
right to apply the same to stationary machines.
The apparatus is substantially composed:
(1) Of a strip of paper to which a regular movement is imparted by a system of
cylinders driven with the aid of a clockwork. This strip is designed to receive the
several lines.
(2) Of a first style, in connection, directly or indirectly with one of the wheels
of the vehicle and in describing upon the strip a line representing the number of
revolutions, or the distances if the strip of paper has been graduated with the object
of obtaining this latter indication.
(3) Of a second style likewise in connection with a wheel of the vehicle and
describing a line representing the direction of the motion.
(4) Of a third style also in connection with a wheel of the vehicle and inscribing
a line representing variations of speed.
(5) Lastly and optionally a hand or index in connection with the mechanism
for registering speeds and indicating at any moment upon the dial plate the speed
at which the vehicle is moving.
In carrying out my said invention the apparatus is usually enclosed in a box
designed to protect it, only the dial plate for indicating the speeds being visible;
(1) Mechanism relating to the strip receiving the inscriptions and registration of
the number of revolutions or of the distances.
Upon a delivering cylinder adapted to turn freely about a shaft is wound the strip
designed to receive the lines; this strip it next passes around a second cylinder,
then around a third cylinder which is the time cylinder regulating the feed of the
strip and the rotation of which is regulated by an escapement; which may be of
the well known kind. The strip is then wound upon a receiving cylinder operated
by a clockwork, and which I usually construct for a period of operation of a week;

page_text: the strip is therefore made of a suitable length; such mechanism may also be of
the well known type.
The receiving cylinder submitted to the action of the clockwork serves as a
driving cylinder and effects the movement of the strip of paper which is unwound
from the delivery cylinder; the third cylinder which is moved by the strip and
which is regulated by an escapement serves for regulating the motion. The strip
of paper bears three graduations, that is to say:
(1) A general transverse graduation indicating the divisions of the time and
its several fractions. .
(2) Upon one part of the strip a longitudinal graduation determined in
function of the circumference of the wheel of the vehicle to which the apparatus
is connected and indicating either a certain number of revolutions or a certain
number of kilometers with the fractions if such may be necessary.
(3) Upon the other part of the strip a similar graduation indicating the speeds
comprised between zero and the maximum speed at which the vehicle may move.
Between these latter two graduations there is an interval in which is described
the line representing the direction of the motion.
The second cylinder is mounted upon a shaft forming part of an arm capable of
oscillating about a pivotal shaft; springs force this cylinder against the third
cylinder, and hold the strip; an elastic rod serves for the same purpose, the strip,
is therefore perfectly applied against the said cylinder.
I will now describe the parts which operate the stylo for indicating the distances
traversed.
A transmitting shaft is set in connection by any suitable means with one of the
wheels of the vehicle and thus takes part in its movement; this shaft carries
an eccentric which causes the oscillations of a fork forming part of an arm mounted
upon a shaft on which is arranged a ratchet wheel fitted to turn freely upon this
shaft; the said forked arm is furnished with a pawl which, by reason of the
oscillations of the forked arm causes the rotary movement of the ratchet wheel in
one direction; the rotary movement of the ratchet in the opposite direction is
prevented by a pawl; this ratchet wheel is connected with a pinion which gears
with a toothed wheel which by a pinion actuates a cylinder through the intervention
of a toothed wheel which is connected therewith.
This cylinder has a helicoidal path or projection thus forming a kind of cam
cylinder. A rod may be displaced freely in the direction of the length; it is guided
in a suitable manner by two rods; at one of its extremities it carries a part bearing
upon the helicoidal projection, and at the other extremity it is provided with a
tracing stylo. The helicoidal projection is such that when the cylinder turns and
when the part which bears on said projection is raised it arrives at the end of this
path at the same time as the stylo reaches the limit of the strip. The vehicle being
in motion either forwards or backwards, the cam cylinder will turn and always
in the same direction by reason of the ratchet wheel and pawl placed in the parts
which connect it to the driving shaft; the part connected to the rod carrying the
stylo for the distances and bearing upon the helicoidal path is therefore raised
more or less rapidly according to the variations in the motion at the top of the
helicoidal path, precisely at the same moment when the stylo reaches the limit of
the strip; having arrived at this point, encountering the space it escapes abruptly
and falls to the bottom at the commencement of the helicoidal path in order to
recommence a fresh upward movement; the time necessary for the fall is of such
short duration that it may of course be neglected in practice.
Accordingly when the vehicle is stopped the stylo inscribes a straight line; if
the speed were infinite it would trace a vertical line; in motion the line is therefore
constituted by a series of partial lines approaching the vertical line in proportion
as the speed is greater.
2. Inscribing the direction of the motion.
A rod similar to the beforementioned rod may be displaced like the latter and
parallel to it; at its upper extremity it carries a stylo, and at its lower part it is

page_text: articulated to an arm adapted to oscillate about a shaft and which, at its other
extremity can engage with the thread of a screw provided upon a sleeve; this screw
is mounted upon the transmitting shaft at its upper part and bears against the
support in which the shaft is journalled by a spring; the thread of this screw is
of short length, for instance two convolutions and carries two tappets between
which can oscillate the extremity of the arm which engages with the screw; this
construction enables the screw threaded sleeve to turn with the shaft when the
resistance is small, for example when the arm is in the middle between the two
tappets; but the rotary movement of the transmitting shaft and of the screw
threaded sleeve moving the arm in one or the other direction of the rotary move-
ment, the arm will butt against one or the other of the stop tappets, the sleeve being
then prevented from turning remains immovable, while the shaft continues to turn,
the force being of course more than sufficient for overcoming the resistance due to
the spring; if the direction of the movement changes, the sleeve is then moved
in the opposite direction, it can turn because at the same time its screw thread
causes the arm to return towards the other tappet, and when the arm has reached its
other position it will again remain immovable; it is therefore seen that the stylo
may occupy two positions according as the movement takes place in one or the
other direction; accordingly it draws a straight line irrespective of the speed, and
the position of which indicates the direction of the motion; it will be observed
that in the stoppage the stylo remains in the position which it occupied at the time
of the motion which preceded the stoppage and thus occupies the front or rear
position even at the stoppage; but that is of no importance, because at the moment
of this stoppage the stylo inscribing the distances has ceased to operate.
(3) Registration of the different variations of speed. The transmitting shaft
carries a toothed wheel gearing with another toothed wheel keyed upon a shaft and
actuating a centrifugal governor whose weights being fitted to turn about the axes
cause the upward movement of the sleeve as they separate by reason of the centri-
fugal force with the aid of the arms; in its upward movement the sleeve effects
the movement of the stylo inscribing the speeds through the medium of a finger
fixed to the periphery of a small crown adapted to turn about an axis and furnished
with an arm connected by another arm to a long lever turning about an axis and
whose other extremity is jointed to the rod jointed in turn to the bottom of the
part carrying the stylo and capable of being displaced upon the rod which serves
to guide the other two stylos; with the aid of this device a displacement of the
weights through a small distance is transformed into a great displacement of the
stylo. A rod is provided for guiding the stylos in their movement.
The disc is furnished with a finger connected to a spring strip which always tends
to bring the stylo back to the bottom of its path.
The weights separate more or less according to the speed and the stylo traces a
curve which faithfully reproduces in a graphic form the several variations of the
motion; the graduation of the strip will naturally be determined by preliminary
experiments.
At the same time as the stylo inscribes the line of the speeds, a hand or index
fitted to be displaced upon a graduated dial plate indicates at each moment the
speed of the motion; this latter device need not of course exist, but it is preferable
to connect the same to the apparatus.
A hand or index turning about an axis can be displaced before a graduated dial
plate a spring always tends to bring the hand or index back to zero of the gradua-
tion; the axis of the hand or index carries a small toothed wheel actuated by a
toothed sector mounted upon a lever at the point where it turns about the axis..
By this means the driver may at any moment ascertain the speed at which he
travels.
It will be understood that my apparatus may be made of any size or dimensions,
and that the parts may consist of any suitable materials. I inay also modify the
dimensions forms or position of the various parts which may be required by the
special applications to which my apparatus may give rise, without in any way

page_text: interfering with the indications given or registered, or with the result; thus I may
replace the helicoidal path or projection on the cylinder by a cam or any other
means, for example a toothed pinion gearing with a rack fixed upon the shaft of
the stylo; a portion of the teeth of the said pinion would be dispensed with in order
to enable the rod to return to the point of departure under the action of its spring.
I do not include as part of my invention the parts which are well known and
constitute public property. Thus the centrifugal governor may be of any kind;
in like manner the spring causing the return of the lever may be of any suitable
form and so on.
As my invention I regard the combination and arrangement of these various
parts constituting three distinct apparatus having each their definite and particular
function, and the grouping of these three apparatus to form a single instrument
enabling me to obtain at the same time the lines representing three points of
function which they can register.
T
LTL
011
1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Counting Revolutions and for 2
Registering and Indicating the Speed and Direction of Vehicles
and Machines.
I, PHILIPPE DUMAS, of 7, Rue Gambetta, St. Etienne, Loire, in the Republic
of France, 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 2
in and by the following statement:―
My invention has for its object an apparatus designed to ascertain and to register
in a graphic form the phases of the various modes of motion of a body, a stationary
machine or vehicle, carriage, locomotive or the like, applicable in a general manner
to any parts of combinations of parts in motion, in respect of which it is desired 3
to ascertain :
(1) The number of revolutions or the distance traversed.
The direction of the motion;
(3) The rates of speed at any moment; the whole in function of time.
The apparatus hereinafter set forth has been constructed especially with a view
to its application to vehicles in motion, but it will be understood that I may apply
the same to stationary machines.
The apparatus substantially comprises
(1) Means for imparting a regular movement to a strip of paper, this being
This strip
effected by a system of cylinders driven with the aid of a clockwork.
is designed to receive the several lines.
(2) Of a first style, in connection, directly or indirectly with one of the wheels
of the vehicle and inscribing upon the strip a line representing the number of
revolutions, or the distances if the strip of paper has been graduated with the object
of obtaining this latter indication.
(3) Of a second style likewise in connection with a wheel of the vehicle and
inscribing a line representing the direction of the motion.
(4) Of a third style also in connection with a wheel of the vehicle and inscribing
a line representing variations of speed.
(5) Lastly and optionally a hand or index in connection with the mechanism

page_text: the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a view from below.
Figure 3 is a view from above.
Figure 4 is a view from the right hand side of the apparatus as represented in
Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a view from the left hand side, the cylinder and its clockwork being
removed in order to show the centrifugal governor hereinafter referred to.
Figure 6 represents the dial plate indicating the speed.
Figure 7 is a view showing the mechanism by which the hand or index is
displaced on the said dial plate, and
Figure 8 represents the strip designed to receive the various lines, showing a
facsimile of these lines.
In carrying out my said invention the apparatus is usually enclosed in a box
designed to protect it, only the dial plate for indicating the speeds being visible;
in the drawing this box is of course supposed to have been removed.
The mechanism relating to the strip receiving the inscriptions and registration
of the number of revolutions or of the distances comprises a cylinder A adapted
to turn freely about a shaft. Upon this cylinder is wound the strip B designed
to receive the lines; the said strip passing around a cylinder C, then around a
cylinder D which is the time cylinder regulating the feed of the strip and the
rotation of which is regulated by an escapement; some of the wheels depending
on this escapement are shown at d d ; this latter mechanism may be of the
kind which is well known. The strip is then wound upon a receiving cylinder E
operated by a clockwork the several parts of which are shown at e e e e e e e and
which I usually construct for a period of operation of a week; the strip is therefore
made of a suitable length; such mechanism may also be of the well known type.
The receiving cylinder E submitted to the action of the clockwork serves as a
driving cylinder and effects the movement of the strip of paper which is unwound
from the cylinder A; the cylinder D which is moved by the strip and which is
regulated by an escapement serves for regulating the motion. The strip of paper
bears three graduations, that is to say:
(1) A general transverse graduation indicating the divisions of the time and its
several fractions.
(2) Upon a part 6 61 a longitudinal graduation determined in function of the
circumference of the wheel of the vehicle to which the apparatus is connected and
indicating either a certain number of revolutions or a certain number of kilometers
with the fractions if such may be necessary.
(3) Upon the other part 63 63 a similar graduation indicating the speeds comprised
between zero and the maximum speed at which the vehicle may move.
Between these latter two graduations there
the line representing the direction of the motion.
an interval in which is described
The cylinder C is mounted upon a shaft c forming part of an arm c¹ capable of
oscillating about a pivotal shaft ; springs force this cylinder against the
cylinder D and hold the strip; an elastic rod c* serves for the same purpose; the
strip is therefore perfectly applied against the said cylinder.
I will now describe the parts which operate the style for indicating the distances
traversed.
A shaft F is set in connection by any suitable means with one of the wheels of
the vehicle and thus takes part in its movements; this shaft carries an eccentric f
which causes the oscillations of a fork g forming part of an arm G mounted upon
a shaft g¹ on which is arranged a ratchet wheel fitted to turn freely upon this
shaft; the said forked arm G is furnished with a pawl g³ which, by reason of the
oscillations of the arm G causes the rotary movement of the ratchet wheel g³ in

page_text: one direction; the rotary movement of the ratchet in the opposite direction is
prevented by a pawl g; this ratchet wheel is connected with a pinion gb which
gears with a toothed wheel H which by a pinion h actuates a cylinder I through
the intervention of a toothed wheel i which is connected therewith.
This cylinder I has a helicoidal path or projection thus forming a kind of
cam cylinder. A rod J may be displaced freely in the direction of the length;
it is guided in a suitable manner by two rods and j; at one of its extremities
it carries a part bearing upon the helicoidal projection, and at the other
extremity it is provided with a tracing style. The helicoidal projection is such
that when the cylinder I turns and when the part is raised it arrives at the end
of this path at the same time as the style reaches the limit b¹ of the strip. The
vehicle being in motion either forwards or backwards, the cam cylinder I will
turn and always in the same direction by reason of the ratchet wheel and pawl
placed in the parts which connect it to the driving shaft; the part connected to
the rod carrying the style for the distances and bearing upon the helicoidal path
is therefore raised more or less rapidly according to the variations in the motion
at the top of the helicoidal path, precisely at the same moment when the style
reaches the limit of the strip; having arrived at this point, encountering the space
it escapes abruptly and falls to the bottom at the commencement of the helicoidal
path in order to recommence a fresh upward movement; the time necessary for
the fall is of such short duration that it may of course be neglected in practice.
Accordingly when the vehicle is stopped the style inscribes a straight line; if
the speed were infinite it would trace a vertical line; in motion the line is therefore
constituted by a series of partial lines approaching the vertical line in proportion as
the speed is greater.
The mechanism for inscribing the direction of the motion is as follows:
A rod K similar to the rod J may be displaced like the latter and parallel to it;
at its upper extremity it carries a style k, and at its lower part it is articulated to
an arm adapted to oscillate about a shaft and which, at its other extremity
can engage with the thread of a screw f² provided upon a sleeve ³; this screw f³ is
mounted upon the shaft F at its upper part and bears against the support fin
which the shaft is journalled by a spring f³; the thread of this screw is of short
length, for instance two convolutions, and carries two tappets between which can
oscillate the extremity of the arm k¹ which engages with the screw; this construction
enables the screw threaded sleeve to turn with the shaft F when the resistance is
small, for example when the arm is in the middle between the two tappets; but
the rotary movement of the shaft F and of the screw threaded sleeve moving the
arm k¹ in one or the other direction of the rotary movement, the arm kl will butt
against one or the other of the stop tappets, the sleeve being then prevented from
turning remains immovable, while the shaft F continues to turn, the force being
of course more than sufficient for overcoming the resistance due to the spring;
if the direction of the movement changes, the sleeve is then moved in the opposite
direction, it can turn because at the same time its screw thread causes the arm kl
to return towards the other tappet 1, and when the arm has reached its other position
it will again remain immovable; it is therefore seen that the style may occupy
two positions according as the movement takes place in one or the other direction;
accordingly it draws a straight line irrespective of the speed, the position of which
indicates the direction of the motion; it will be observed that in the stoppage the
style remains in the position which it occupied at the time of the motion which
preceded the stoppage and thus occupies the front or rear position even at the
stoppage; but that is of no importance, because at the moment of this stoppage
the style inscribing the distances has ceased to operate.
For the registration of the different variations of speed, I provide mechanism
as follows:-
The shaft F carries a toothed wheel gearing with another toothed wheel
keyed upon a shaft L and actuating a centrifugal governor M whose weights m m
being fitted to turn about the axes m¹ cause the upward movement of the sleeve m³

page_text: as they separate by reason of the centrifugal force with the aid of the arms m³ m²;
in its upward movement the sleeve m³ effects the movement of the style N inscribing
the speeds through the medium of a finger n fixed to the periphery of a small
crown n adapted to turn about an axis and furnished with an arm n³ connected
by another arm n to a long lever n turning about an axis n6 and whose other
extremity is jointed to the rod n connected in turn to the bottom of the part
carrying the style N and capable of being displaced upon the rod j¹ which serves
to guide the other two styles; with the aid of this device a displacement of the
weights through a small distance is transformed into a great displacement of the
style. A rod is provided for guiding the styles in their movement.
The disc n¹ is furnished with a finger 8 connected to a spring strip n⁹ which
always tends to bring the style back to the bottom of its path.
The weights m m separate more or less according to the speed and the style
traces a ourve which faithfully reproduces in a graphic form the several variations
of the motion; the graduation of the strip will naturally be determined by pre-
liminary experiments.
At the same time as the style inscribes the line of the speeds, a hand or index
fitted to be displaced upon a graduated dial plate indicates at each moment the
speed of the motion; this latter device need not of course exist, but it is preferable
to connect the same to the apparatus.
A hand or index O turning about an axis o can be displaced before a graduated
dial plate o¹ a spring o always tends to bring the hand or index back to zero of
the graduation; the axis of the hand or index carries a small toothed wheel 0³
actuated by a toothed sector o' mounted upon a lever n³ at the point where it turns
about the axis nº.
By this means the driver may at any moment ascertain the speed at which he
travels.
It will be understood that my apparatus may be made of any size or dimensions,
and that the parts may consist of any suitable materials. I may also modify the
dimensions, forms or position of the various parts which may be required by the
special applications to which my apparatus may give rise, without in any way
interfering with the indications given or registered, or with the result; thus I may
replace the helicoidal path or projection on the cylinder by a cam or any other
means, for example a toothed pinion gearing with a rack fixed upon the shaft of
the style; a portion of the said pinion would be dispensed with in order to enable
the rod to return to the point of departure under the action of its spring.
I do not include as part of my invention the parts which are well known and
constitute public property. Thus the centrifugal governor M may be of any kind;
in like manner the spring nº causing the return of the lever n5 may be of any
suitable form, and so on.
As my invention I regard the combination and arrangement of these various
parts constituting three distinct apparatus having each their definite and particular
function, and the grouping of these three apparatus to form a single instrument
enabling me to obtain at the same time the lines representing three points of
function which they can register.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The apparatus for counting, registering and indicating the number of revolutions
or distances traversed, the direction of the motion and the variations in the speed,
the said apparatus being characterized in its entirety, in its essential devices
and their parts by a strip which is unwound by a uniform motion and receives the
lines of three stylos acting simultaneously under the influence of the three essential
devices of my apparatus, the said devices being driven by the same transmitting
mechanism as the part in respect of which it is desired to know the conditions of

page_text: its motion, as set forth in the detailed description hereinbefore given of the same
with reference to the accompanying drawing."
Deted this 31st day of December 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.