IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES
Year: 1876

page_text: A
LETTERS PATENT to George Whight, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk,
Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES."
communication from abroad by Christopher McKiernan, of Paterson, New
Jersey, United States of America.
Scaled the Sth August 1876, and dated the 14th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Whight at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1876.
GEORGE WHIGHT, of Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, Machinist.
MENTS IN STEAM WHISTLES." A communication.
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to an improved whistle for locomotive and other steam
engines, and applicable in all cases where steam or other fluid under pressure is
available for blowing the same.
The object of the said Invention is the production at a greatly reduced cost of a
whistle, which will be as powerful as an ordinary steam whistle of similar
capacity, and which will be less liable to derangement than such ordinary steam
whistles.
The body of this improved whistle, which may be of cast iron or other suitable
metal, is of a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical form, that is to say, it is in the form
of a drum or cylinder whose longitudinal axis extends transversely across the whistle,
and which extends from and above a flat portion forming a steam passage or throat.
This throat has a tube at whose lower end is a screw thread, which is fitted in a
socket provided with a valve or cock, whereby steam is admitted to the whistle. In
one side of the cylindrical body, and just above the said throat of the whistle, is a
long aperture or slot. At the lower edge of this aperture is a slit or orifice, through
which the steam issues, and this slit is so arranged in relation to the upper edge of
the said aperture that the steam or other fluid in issuing from the said slit strikes
the said upper edge, thereby producing the sound.
This orifice may be formed between an inner and outer fixed plate of the throat,
or if desired the throat may be provided with an inclined gauge arranged in com-
bination with the upper orifice or passage of the throat, and made adjustable by
means of a set screw, or otherwise, for governing the passage of the steam or other
Drica 671

page_text: fluid. The aforesaid aperture or slot in the cylindrical portion of the whistle forms
the exit aperture for the steam.
The aforesaid outer plate of the throat is made detachable, so that the said
gauge may be readily inserted into and removed from the said throat when
required.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a whistle constructed according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a tranverse section of the same on the line a, a, Figure 1; Figures 3
and 4 are similar views, illustrating slight modifications of the said whistle.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing,
The body or upper part a of this improved whistle, which may be made of cast
iron or other suitable metal, is of a nearly cylindrical form, as clearly shewn in the
Drawing, that is to say, it is a cylindrical or nearly cylindrical enlargement of the
steam passage or throat b, and extends across the top of the same, its ends being
preferably flat, as shewn. The said throat has extending from it a pipe or tube c,
whose lower extremity is furnished with a screw thread, whereby it is attached to
a socket piece d. The latter, in the whistle shewn in Figures 1 and 2, has its
lower end provided with a screw thread for attachment to a steam pipe. This
socket piece d is furnished with a valve e, so arranged and fitted to its seat
in the said socket piece that the upward pressure of the steam tends to keep it
closed, so that no steam passes up the pipe c to the whistle. The valve e is con-
nected with a lever pivoted or fulcrummed at g, whereby the valve may be
opened, or the said socket piece may be provided with any other suitable valve or
cock for opening and closing the steam pipe or passage. In the said body or upper
part a of the whistle I form an aperture or slot a¹, which extends across or nearly
across the front of the whistle, as clearly shewn in Figures 1 and 3. At the lower
edge of this aperture a¹ is a slit or orifice, through which the steam issues, and
this slit is so arranged in relation to the upper edge of the said aperture that the
steam in issuing from the said slit strikes the upper edge, thereby producing the
sound, and escaping through the said aperture or slot.
.
This orifice in the whistle, shewn in Figures 1 and 2, is between the front and
back plates a², a³. The front plate a² is preferably dovetailed in the body of the
whistle, as shewn in Figure 2; but if desired I may modify this part of the said
whistle, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4, that is to say, I may provide the throat with
an inclined gauge arranged in combination with the upper orifice or passage of
the throat, and made adjustable by means of a set screw i, or otherwise, for
governing the passage of the steam.
h
The aforesaid outer plate of the throat is made detachable, so that the afore-
said gauge may be readily inserted into and removed from the said throat when
required.

page_text: This improved whistle is attached by its socket piece d to a pipe, tube, or nozzle
connected with a steam boiler in the usual manner; or the said socket piece may be
dispensed with, and the whistle screwed directly into a valve, socket, or box
attached to the boiler. The whistle is blown or sounded by lifting the lever or
trigger, or otherwise opening the valve or cock which controls the steam pipe or
passage. The said whistle when blown with an adequate pressure will produce a
very loud or strong sound, which will be audible at a great distance. It will be
found very durable, and not liable to clogging or choking, or other derangement
or breakage; its construction is very simple and its cost very low, in comparison
with that of the steam whistles ordinarily employed.
I have in the above description called my Invention a steam whistle, but it is
obvious that it may be employed in cases where the fluid under pressure, and by
which its sound is to be produced, is air or gas.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. A whistle constructed with an upper portion or body of or nearly of the
shape shown and connected with a narrow passage or throat, and with an orifice
within the said throat and an aperture or slot above the said orifice, as above set
forth.
Second. The modification of my Invention, consisting of the adjustable gauge
within the said throat and a removable plate, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Whight, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
GEORGE WHIGHT. (L.S.)