AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINATION STEAM GAUGE
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINATION STEAM
GAUGE." A communication from abroad by E. G. Allen, of Boston, in
the United States of America.
Sealed the 15th June 1860, and dated the 4th February 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th February 1860.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINATION
STEAM GAUGE," to be as follows:-
With large steam engines, and especially marine engines, there have here-
tofore been employed pressure gauges for indicating the pressure of steam in
the boiler vacuum gauges, by which the amount of condensing power applied
to the cylinder is regulated; a counter for registering the number of
revolutions of the propelling wheel or wheels, and a clock for indicating the
exact time; these all being inserted in separate cases independent of each
other, supported by separate standards, and each furnished with its own set of
cocks, couplings, and pipes. The expense of these different indicators which
are indispensable to the engineor, and the cost of putting them up, and

page_text: especially the large space which they occupy offer serious objections to then
use. Now, this Invention relates to the combination in one instrument,
having but one case and one dial plate, of a pressure gauge, one or more
vacuum gauges, a counter for registering the number of revolutions of the
paddle wheel or propeller shaft, and a clock for indicating the exact time.
By this arrangement but one set of couplings, standards, and pipes is required,
thereby affording increased convenience for reference to the engineer, as he
has to inspect but one instrument instead of several in different localities.
The pressure gauge consists of a volute spring placed in two box couplings,
which are firmly screwed together; one of the couplings is furnished with a
shoulder to receive the pressure of the 'outer coil of the spring, and prevent
any play or friction between the spring and the box couplings, but the
remaining portion of the spring is left free to act. The volute spring has an
increasing taper from its centre to its outer circumference, by which means it
will receive at all times very nearly the same degree of play or movement
from a stated number of pounds pressure at whatever degree of compression
of the spring the addition of the said number of pounds pressure be applied.
Steam being admitted to the box coupling, it will act on the spring through
the medium of a disc or diaphragm of india-rubber, or other suitable elastic
material inserted between and held by the two box couplings, in such a
manner as to entirely cover the rear surface of the spring. The movements
of the spring produced by the pressure of the steam are communicated to the
indicator by means of a connecting rod jointed to a short arm attached to a
sector rack by an adjusting screw. Into this sector rack a pinion on the
indicator arbor takes, and the indicator is thus caused to traverse over the dial
against the counteracting tendency of a coiled spring, which returns to its
normal position when the steam pressure is removed. The vacuum gauges
are constructed in a manner precisely similar, with the exception that the
volute spring and rubber disc or diaphragm are necessarily reversed in
position. The recording of the revolutions of the propelling wheels is effected
by means of a "counter" actuated by a ratchet and click movement, set in
operation by the rotation of the propeller shaft. It should be remarked, that
the volute spring used for the gauges in order to admit of exact counter parts
being made to ensure correct indications on uniformly graduated dial plates, is
formed of a bar of steel of uniform thickness throughout, and tapering in
width on one side only. One end of the bar of steel of which the spring is
composed maintains a uniform width for a short distance, and then commences
gradually to taper on one side only, as above stated, to the requisite or desired
width at the other end, the part of the bar of uniform width being so con

page_text: structed as to obtain a true bearing surface in the box couplings which hold
the spring in place, as before described, the tapering part only acting as
a spring.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 4th August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might mako
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF COMBINATION STEAM GAUGE," being a communication
from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Lotters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
With large steam engines, and especially marine engines, there have hereto-
fore been employed pressure gauges for indicating the pressure of steam in
the boiler vacuum gauges by which the amount of condensing power applied
to the cylinder is regulated, a counter for registering the number of revolutions

page_text: of the propelling wheel or wheels, and a clock for indicating the exact time,
these all being inserted in separate cases independent of each other, supported
by separate standards, and each furnished with its own set of cocks, cuplings,
and pipes. The expense of these different indicators which are indispensable
to the engineer, the cost of putting them up, and the large space which they
occupy offer serious objections to their use. Now, this Invention, as com-
municated to me by my foreign correspondent, relates to the combination in one
instrument (having but one case and one dial plate) of a pressure gauge, one
or more vacuum gauges, a counter for registering the number of the revolutions
of the paddle wheel or propeller shaft, and a clock for indicating the exact
time. By this arrangement but one set of couplings, standards, and pipes is
required, and the cost of manufacture is diminished nearly fifty per cent.,
while the saving of space is a great item; and, moreover, increased con-
venience for reference is afforded to the engineer, as he has to inspect but
one instrument, instead of, as heretofore, several in different localities.
I will now proceed to describe in detail the construction of the pressure and
vacuum gauges, and counter.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a view of the face of the "new
combination gauge; " Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, representing the dial
plate removed; Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the "counter" cylinder;
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of same; Fig. 5 is a section taken in
the plane of the line A, B, (Fig. 2;) Fig. 6 is a sectional view, showing the
spiral spring and rubber disc of the vacuum gauge; Fig. 7 is a similar view of
the pressure gauge.
A, A, represents the case or box in which the pressure gauge B, vacuum
gauges C and D, counter E, and the clock F, are placed. G represents the
top plate or main dial or face upon which the graduated circles or dial plates
of the respective gauges B, C, and D, are marked or secured in any proper
manner, and also the face or dial of the clock F. The top plate G has also
openings H, H, by which the figures of the counter cylinder can be read at
pleasure.
The pressure gauge B is constructed in the following manner :-b, b, is a
volute spring (Fig. 7) placed in two box couplings c and d. These couplings
are firmly screwed together, a shoulder e of the coupling d being thus brought
to bear upon the outer coil of the spring and holding it rigidly, so as to
prevent any play or friction between the spring and the box couplings, while
at the same time the remaining portions of the spring are left perfectly free to
act. The volute spring b, b, is of peculiar shape, as it has an increasing taper
from its centre to its outer circumference. By giving the spring this peculiar

page_text: shape it will receive at all times very nearly the same degree of play or
movement from a stated number of pounds pressure at whatever degree of
compression of the spring the addition of the said number of pounds pressure
be applied. The outer coil of the spring 6 is held by the shoulder e of the
box coupling &; the innermost or smallest coil is fastened to a central short
shaft or piston f. From the foregoing description it will be seen that by
holding the spring in place by its outer coil by means of the two box couplings
screwed together there is no possibility of any play or friction between the
spring and the devices by which it is held in place, while at the same time
the remaining portion of the spring is left perfectly free to act. The
importance of these results will be apparent from the statements herein-
before made. Steam being admitted to the box coupling c by the tube g, it
will exert its pressure equally upon all parts of the spring b, b, a disc or
diaphram of india-rubber h, or other suitable elastic material being inserted
between and held by the two box couplings c and d in such a manner as
entirely to cover the rear surface of the spring.
The movements of the spring produced by the pressure of the steam are
communicated to the indicator by the following means:-To the short shaft
or piston f is attached a connecting rod i, i, which rod is attached by a pivot
joint j to a short arm m attached to the sector-shaped arm n (see Fig. 2,) by.
means of a slot p and set-screw which admit of lengthening or shortening
the connecting rod i, i, and thereby increasing or diminishing the lever power
brought to bear upon the indicator r; Fig. 1. The end of the sector-shaped
arm n terminates in a geared arcs that engages with a pinion t, retracted by
a coil spring ; the pinion t is attached to the spindle w, upon which is
fastened tho indicator r. It will be seen from this description that the
movement of the volute spring b, b, is imparted to the indicator 2, through
the levers i and n, thereby indicating the exact pressure of steam upon the
spring b, b. The vacuum gauges C and D are constructed in a manner pre-
cisely similar, with the exception that the volute spring and rubber disc or
diaphragm are necessarily reversed in position, the pipes x and y being the
connections.
The recording of the revolutions of the propelling wheels is effected by
means of a "counter," the operation of which will now be explained. a', a', is
a longitudinal shaft upon which the sectional discs b, c, d, e, f, and g¹, turn
with an intermittent rotary motion. These sectional discs are divided into
ten equal parts, indicated by Figures from 0 to 9 inclusive. The disc 6', upon
each revolution of the paddle wheel, is moved one notch at a time by means

page_text: of a pawl h, which engages with the teeth ¹ of the disc j¹, the pawl h
having attached to it a friction roller k¹ that moves over a circular plate 11.
The pawl h¹ has a reciprocating rotary motion given to it by devices connected
with the shaft, which connects with the paddle wheel the friction roller k¹
being kept up to the circular plate l¹ by means of a spring m³, which also
causes the pawl h¹ to spring back when the sectional disc 6' has revolved one
notch, so that it may be ready again to engage with the teeth i of the disc j',
and to revolve the disc one more notch upon the next revolution of the
paddle or propelling wheels. This operation takes place with the sectional
disc until it has turned nine of the notches, when one end of a shaft n¹ is
made to engage with a tooth p¹ of the next disc c³, by means of a wheel q¹
attached to the other end of the shaft n', which, when the sectional disc b¹ has
revolved the nine notches as above stated, travels over the projection
attached to the bottom plate s' of the stand of the counter gauge. Upon the
next revolution of the paddle wheel the sectional disc c¹ is revolved one notch
in conjunction with the disc 1, by means of the rod n', which is interlocked
with it, as above described; the rod n¹ is then disengaged from the disc c¹ by
means of a spring u³, e, attached to the rod n¹, n, which then causes the
rod n¹ to be so disengaged from the tooth p¹ of the disc c', when the wheel q¹
has passed over the projection of the bottom plate s¹. The disc 6¹ only is
then revolved nine notches, when the same operation takes place with regard
to the disc c as has been above described, and causes it to move one more
notch. These operations will take place with regard to the two discs b¹ and c
until the sectional disc c¹ has itself revolved nine notches, when the next
disc d' is revolved in conjunction with the two discs 61 and c one notch by
means of similar devices, as have been herein-before described. It will be
evident without further explanation, that the same movements will be suc-
cessively received by the remaining discs e, f, and g¹.
The spiral spring attached to a standard w¹, in conjunction with the
wheel a¹, having its axis in the standard w³, and the circular opening y¹ in
the periphery of one side of the sectional discs b, c, d, e, f, and g¹, serve to
retain and to hold the said discs firmly in their places when they are not in
motion. The working parts of the clock F need not be particularly described,
as they are precisely similar to those of ordinary clocks in use.
In the construction of steam gauges, the spacing or graduating of the dial
plate constitutes a very expensive part of the manufacture, as each dial has to
be marked differently from the others. This difficulty arises from the fact,
that it has been found impossible to manufacture any number of the

page_text: springs which communicate the pressure of the steam to the index hand
exactly alike, and so that they shall all possess the same amount of tensile
power.
The nearest approach to accuracy has heretofore been attained by the use
of a volute spring tapering both [in width and thickness, as herein-above
described; but I have found, in practise, that it is difficult to so make these
springs that they shall be all exactly alike, owing partly to their form, they
being too thin to admit of their being planed down from the bar of steel of
which they are made to the required shape, or so as to taper two ways, and con-
sequently are constructed entirely by forging, which is not only an expensive
operation, but one which precludes the possibility of obtaining perfect accuracy
in the spring, as the steel so forged cannot be uniform throughout, being
thicker or thinner, or harder or softer in some parts than in others.
The Inst improvement consists in constructing the volute spring of a bar of
steel of uniform thickness throughout, and tapering in width on one side only,
which form of spring has been found, by repeated tests, to produce the most
accurate results, as the bar of steel which, when coiled, constitutes the
spring, can as it is of uniform thickness, be reduced to the required shape by
planing, thereby avoiding the imperfections and great expense of forging.
Morcover, this form of spring, without difficulty or great cost, allows for the
manufacture of springs so exactly alike, that instead of its being necessary to
mark each dial plate by accurate and actual experiments so as to correspond
with its spring, as has heretofore been necessary, the dial plate may be
prepared by electrotyping, as any spring will answer for any dial, and vice
versa, a result which, in the manufacture of steam gauges, has never before
been attained, and one which produces a very great saving in the cost of con-
struction.
I will now proceed to describe, in detail, the construction of the improved
steam gauge. Fig. 8 is a plan or top view of this gauge with the dial plate
removed; Fig. 9 is a view of the dial plate; Fig. 10 is a section in detail
taken in the plane of the line A, B, Fig. 8; and Figures 11 and 12 are
views, showing the shape of the bar of steel of which the spring is made.
I, I, represent the box in which the devices for transmitting the movement of
the spring to the indicator are placed; J, J, is a volute spring placed in two
box couplings K and L, firmly screwed together, a shoulder M of the
coupling L being thus brought to bear upon the outer coil of the spring, and
holding it rigidly so as to prevent any play or friction between the spring and
the box couplings, while at the same time the remaining portion of the spring
is left perfectly free to act. The volute spring J, J, is of peculiar shape,

page_text: being formed of a bar of steel of uniform thickness throughout, and tapering
in width on one side only, as shewn at Figures 11 and 12.
It will be seen, by inspection of Fig. 11, that one end of the bar of steel of
which the spring is composed maintains a uniform width for a short distance,
and then commences gradually to taper on one side only, as above stated, to
the requisite or desired width at the other end, the part of the bar of uniform
width being so constructed for the purpose of obtaining a true bearing surface
upon, and to be held by the box couplings K and L, which hold the spring in
its place, the tapering part acting only as a spring.
Steam is admitted to the spring J, J, through the short tube N, forming a
part of the box coupling K; and in order that the pressure of the steam may
be exerted equally upon all parts or portions of the spring J, J, a diaphragm
of rubber O, or other suitable elastic material, Fig. 10, is inserted between,
and held by the two box cylinder couplings K and L in such a manner as to
entirely cover the rear surface of the spring.
I will next proceed to describe the devices which form the medium for
communicating the movement of the spring produced by the pressure of the
steam to the indicator. To the short shaft or piston P, which is fastened to
the inner and smallest coil of the spring J, is attached a connecting rod
Q, Q. The rod Q, Q, is attached by a pivot joint R to a short arm S attached
to the sector-shaped arm T turning upon a bearing at U. Thus the end T' of
the sector-shaped arm T and the arm S form the short arm of a lever, of
which the sector-shaped arm T is the long arm and U the fulcrum. The
arm S can be set at any desired angle with the sector-shaped arm T by means
of a slot V and set screw W, lengthening or shortening the connecting rod
Q, Q, and thereby increasing or diminishing the lever power brought to bear
upon the indicator Y. The end of the sector-shaped arm T terminates in a
geared are Z that engages with a pinion A', retracted by a coil spring B'. The
pinion A is attached to the spindle C', upon which is fastened the indicator Y.
It will be seen, from this description, that the movement of the spring J, J, is
imparted to the indicator Y through the rod Q and lever T, thereby indi-
cating the exact pressure of the steam upon the spring J, J.
It will be observed, by the foregoing description, that from the fact of being
enabled to make the spring of one uniform thickness throughout, fewer coils
will be necessary to constitute the spring, and that these coils will be nearer
together than would be possible if the spring varied in thickness as well as in
width, and thus a greater bearing surface is afforded to the rubber diaphragm,
which is a very important advantage, as the rubber diaphragm cannot be
forced between the coils as would otherwise happen.

page_text: Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "An Improved
Construction of Combination Steam Gauge," as communicated to me from
abroad, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it
to be understood that, under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I claim
the means herein described for effecting the several objects of the Invention
as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, the Fourth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)