IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
"
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES.”
-A communication from abroad by Albert Hamilton Emery, of
LL
V
Tinited State
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 7th February 1872.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING
MACHINES," to be as follows:-

page_text: Secondly. To the method of receiving the pressure from the load to
be weighed upon hydraulic supports and transmitting a fractional portion
thereof to the scale beam.
And, thirdly. To the construction and arrangement of the levors and
their connections composing the scale beam, also to the construction of
the weights employed and the method of connecting them to the scale
beam.
The platforms of weighing machines intended for heavy loads are
formed of planks carried upon joists bolted to two or more supporting
beams; the under side of these beams is provided with three or more
bearing pieces or feet, made of cast steel, resting upon the hydraulic
supports therein-after more particularly described. Around the outer
edge of the platform is a frame of wood, to which is firmly secured by
screws or otherwise at each of the angles or sides thin plates of metal
near or opposite to the supports. The inner ends of these plates of metal
are inserted between the bearing feet of the platform and the beams and
are securely bolted thereto, thus holding the platform secure against any
.horizontal movements while they offer little or no resistance to the small
vertical movement required in weighing.
Another method of securing the platform against horizontal movement
is to attach strips of sheet metal to the bearing pieces on one side of the
platform, and connect these by strips of wood to the foundation plate at
the opposite side of the well or pit in which the platform rises and falls.
The platforms, of weighing machines (thus secured against horizontal
movement) rest upon hydraulic supports, the number of which will be
arranged according to the size of the platform, small scales requiring but
one, and large ones three or more. These supports consist of a .bed
plate, containing a shallow chamber covered with a diaphragm of thin
sheet metal soldered to their upper edge; the chamber thus formed is to
be filled with oil or glycerine, or any non-compressible liquid, which
will not freeze or corrode. Suitable openings are provided for filling the
chambers, and these openings are afterwards closed with screws or
otherwise.
On to the top of the diaphragm and concentric therewith is attached
the foot of a conical pillar, its foot being nearly of the same diameter as
the diaphragm. This pillar receives the weight of the load (or a portion
thereof) from a siccl pin at its upper end, on which rests one of the

page_text: bearing feet of the platform, and transmits the pressure to the non-
compressible liquid contained in the chamber of the support. Surrounding
this pillar is a cast-iron boss or cover firmly secured to the bed plate..
The top of this case may serve as a guide to the pillar, or the opening at
the top may be covered with a diaphragm of thin metal (which may be
flanged or cup-shaped in some cases); it carries at its centre a boss,.
through which may project the hardened or steel point interposed
between the pillar and the bearing feet of the platform, by which means,
the pillar will be secured against horizontal or rotatory motion without
interference with its upward and downward vibrations.
The pressure received by the hydraulic supports as above described
is transmitted to and received by the scale beam in the following
manner: The scale beams are carried upon a hollow cast-iron frame,
the base or bed plate of which has a large circular chamber formed
therein, and at the bottom of which are other smaller chambers in
number equal to the number of hydraulic supports under the platform
of the weighing machine. These small chambers are hermetically sealed
by diaphragms in the manner before described (with reference to the
chamber below the hydraulic supports) and are filled with oil or glycerine,
and are severally connected by iron pipes with their respective hydraulic
supports beneath the platform of the weighing machine, each support
being connected with but one chamber. To the top of the diaphragms
of these chambers are attached by solder pressure blocks or pistons, less
in diameter than the chambers which are secured by screws to the under
side of the flat circular foot of a pressure column. Between the foot of
the pressure column and the pressure blocks a thin plate of metal
covering the larger chamber is nipped and held fast, and is also soldered
round the edge of the large chamber, thus closing it hermetically. The
cylindrical portion of the pressure column extends up the hollow frame,
and is secured to a thin diaphragm of metal securely attached to the
flanged top of the exterior case or frame, and thus prevented from hori-
zontal movement, but is free to move a short distance in a vertical
direction. On the upper side of the diaphragm is secured the pressure
point, which transmitts the pressure direct to the knife edge of the
balance or scale beam. The pressure of the weight placed on the
platform will therefore be transmitted by the non-compressible liquid
to the diaphragm of the small chambers and through the piston blocks
to the foot of the pressure column, and by its bearing point or knife
edge to the balance.

page_text: "
· In some cases it is necessary to reduce the pressure to be transmitted
to the scale beam, for which purpose an additional chamber provided
with a diaphragm and plunger is interposed between the hydraulic
support and the pressure column, the receiving end of this additional
chamber and plunger being of smaller diameter than the chamber to
which the pressure is transmitted. Any relative proportion of pressure
may be obtained between the liquid acting on the diaphragm of the first
and last chamber. This reducing arrangement may be introduced
between the pressure column and the scale beam, either in addition to
or substitution for the above.
In place of constructing the pressure column as above described, it
may consist of a frame free to rise and fall, and carrying a series of
plungers or pressure blocks one.above the other secured to diaphragms
covering a series of chambers carried on the cross bars of another frame
bolted to the floor, each of these chambers being connected with one of
the pressure supports. The aggregate pressure below the diaphragms
of these plungers will raise the frame vertically without any tendency
to horizontal or rotatory movement.
One mode of mounting the main beam of the scale upon the frame
of the pressure column is to mount the fulcrum or knife edge upon a
bridge piece or staple bolted to the top of the frame, and the pressing
point being constructed and mounted in a similar manner on the top of
the pressure column. Or the end of the scale beam may be widened
out so that a a sheet of thin metal may be firmly secured to it (at right
angles to the beam), the lower part of which is also secured to a lug cast
on the top of the frame, and in place of a knife edge for the point of
resistance. A thin sheet of metal may be set vertically and firmly
secured to a projection on the pressure column and to a lug on the sides
of the beam. Or a knife edge resting on the squared edge of a vertical
bar bolted to the top of the pressure column may be used by making
the two faces which form the working edge at right angles to each other.
This scale beam or balance consists of three levers, one of the first and
two of the third order, arranged horizontally one above the other, their
axes or fulcra and bearings or points of resistance being formed of thin
plates of steel or other metal. The fulcrum of the main beam of the
series may be formed in any of the before-mentioned ways. The end
opposite to the axis of this beam has a thin plate of metal firmly secured
to it at right angles to the beam, and the lower end of this thin plate is

page_text: slotted and secured to lugs formed one on each side of the lower beam
near its end. The fulcrum of this beam is also formed by a thin plate,
and in a similar manner attached to the outside edge of the frame and
to the end of the lever. The fulcrum of the top lever is carried from a
bracket or staple, and consists of a thin plate of metal mounted as before
described, the widened end of this lever also having a thin strip of metal.
(slotted as before) firmly secured to it and to lugs formed on the sides
of the main or middle beam. The levers will in this manner be rigid
as against sideway movement but very sensitive to vertical movement.
The top beam carrics at its end an adjustable weight which is to be
used to balance the platform.
The main or middle beam is provided with three weights and the lower
beam with one, which weights are intended to indicate the thousands,
hundreds, tens, and units of pounds weight on the platform. These
weights are made capable of sliding along the bar, and have a spring
point which is pressed by a lever into a hole in the beam at each point
of graduation, and thus secures the weight in its exact position.
:
1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th July 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself; Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward
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

page_text: In Sheet I., Fig. 1 shews a side elevation partly in section of the scale
or weighing beams, with their weights and connections complete; and
Figures 2, 3, and 4, the connections of the weighing beams and the
pressure column which transmits the pressure from the receiving pressure
supports to the weighing beams, drawn on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 5
is a detailed view of the weights employed.
The Figures in Sheet II. shew the platform and hydraulic supports,
and the means employed for preventing horizontal movement in the
platform of weighing machines, Figures 6 and 8 being partial sectional
elevations of the pressure column and platform on the lines a, a, and
b, b, of the plan Fig. 7 respectively, and looking in the direction of the
arrows.
Sheets III., IV., and V. shew details of various parts of the machinery,
and modifications in the construction and arrangement of weighing
machines, herein-after described.
A is the platform of the weighing machine on which the load is to
be weighed. It is formed of planks 1, 1, carried upon joists 2, 2, which
are supported by being bolted or screwed to cross beams 3 by bolts or
screws 6. The platform A thus formed is suitable for large machines,
but in small machines it may be composed of a single plate of cast iron.
Secured to the under side of the beams 3 are bearing pieces 4, which are
made of cast steel or chilled iron, and are bolted to the beams 3 by the
bolts 5. These bearing pieces 4 rest upon the hydraulic pressure sup-
ports 7, of which there may be any number from one upwards according
to the size of the platform. In small scales, where the platform is made
in one piece of cast iron, these bearing points may be simply lugs cast
on the platform. In a very small weighing scales there need only be
a single one of these hydraulic pressure supports 7, in which case the
platform will be attached firmly to it, as shewn in Fig. 22, Sheet V.,
where 39 is the platform; but in all cases of large scales I make use of
not less than three of these hydraulic supports, or more commonly four;
and for very large scales, or those having long platforms, intended for
weighing locomotives and tenders, or whole trains, I may find it necessary
to use several pairs of these supports, placed under the platform at
suitable distances from each other. These hydraulic pressure supports 7
rest upon and all bolted to a foundation frame of wood planks or iron
castings 8 and 9, having sides formed of beams 12 and 13 surrounding

page_text: the platform A; this frame is bolted together by vertical and horizontal
bolts 11 and 14. Thin rectangular-shaped plates of sheet metal 10 of
brass or copper are secured to the side frames between the beams 12 and
13 by the vertical bolts 11. These plates have soldered to their outer
ends a thick plate or washer, through which passes the bolts, and their
inner ends, or corner angle is inserted between the bearing pieces 4 and
the beams 3, being securely held there by the bolts 5, or they may be
soldered to the bearing pieces 4. And when thus attached to the plat-
form they will securely hold it against any horizontal movements while
they offer little or no resistance to the small vertical movement required
in weighing.
Another similar method of securing the platform against horizontal
movement is to secure firmly pieces of sheet metal 15 and 16 respectively
to the top of the bearing pieces 4, and to the under side of the hydraulic
supports 7, as shewn best in the Drawings at Figures 6 and 7, and then
connect these pieces of sheet metal 15 and 16 by strips or rods 17, 17.
If the foundation frame 8 and 9 is made of iron then these rods or bars
should be also of iron, in order to secure equal expansion of the whole.
When this method of connecting the platform with the surrounding
frame is adopted the whole of the bearing pieces 4 and hydraulic
supports 7 are to be connected together similar to the two shewn in the
Drawing so as to prevent movement in any horizontal direction. When
the platform is secured in this manner the framing 12 surrounding the
platform may be dispensed with, and a light wall of stone or brick
employed to support the framing 13, and keep the dirt from falling in
the pit. By supporting the platform from the beams 3, and placing the
hydraulic pressure supports 7 between the joists 2, 2, instead of below
them, as seen. best at Fig. 8, the depth of the pit in which to set the
platform is greatly lessened.
The hydraulic pressure supports 7, whose position has been described
with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8, Sheet II., are made in various
ways, as shewn in Figures 16 and 17, Sheet III., Figures 18 and 19, 20,
and 21, Sheet IV., and Figures 22 and 23, Sheet V. These hydraulic
supports consist of a bottom plate 26 of cast iron, in the top of which is
turned a shallow circular chamber covered with a diaphragm of thin
sheet metal (brass or copper). In Figures 16, 18, and 22 this thin
diaphragm 27 is soldered directly to the top edge of the chamber in the
bottom plate 26, but in Fig. 20 it is soldered to a brass ring 183, which

page_text: is then placed in the chamber and soldered therein. By the use of this
ring the danger that capillary attraction will cause the solder to fill up
the sharp corner of the chamber between diaphragm 27 and casting 26
is avoided. On the top of the diaphragm 27, and secured thereto by
solder, is a solid cone forming the pressure column or plunger 28, which
may be soldered to the diaphragm before the latter is secured to or in
the chamber, a solder being used that melts at a lower temperature than
that used to solder the diaphragm, cone, or ring together. A templet
should be used in soldering to ensure the cone or plunger 28 being con-
centric with the case. 31 is a cast-iron hollow case or cover forming a
chamber considerably larger than the cone 28, which it covers. The
interior cylindrical portion of this chamber, turned accurately to a
suitable diameter, is placed over the cone 28 upon the bottom plate 26
and adjusted exactly concentric therewith. In order to secure accuracy
of position a flange is formed on the lower edge which will fit over the
outer edge of the bottom plate 26, both of which parts are faced or
turned for that purpose, and may be bolted together by the screws 32.
The upper end of the pressure column or plunger 28 is provided with a
steel pin 35 tempered and rounded at the top. This pin receives the
pressure of the load from the bearing pieces attached to the platforṁ A;
it is rounded on the top for the purpose of reducing any tendency to
rotate when the pressure of the load is not on the line of its axis. In
order to assist in maintaining an exact vertical position to the pin 35,
and cone or column 28, a ring of brass or other suitable material is
placed around the pin 35, the upper end of the solid cone being made
cylindrical for a short distance for that purpose. This ring 36 is soldered
to a thin diaphragm of sheet metal 37, which covers over the chamber
formed by the cylinder case or cover 31, to which it may be bolted or
soldered as most convenient. The chamber formed in the hollow plate
under the diaphragm 27 is now to be filled with oil or glycerine, or any
non-compressible liquid which will not freeze or corrode.
:
For the purpose of filling the chamber two openings are provided, one
on each side close to the edge of the chamber. When filling the
hydraulic support is turned horizontal so as to bring the diaphragm
vertical, then the liquid to be used is forced into the chamber at the
lower opening until it comes out at the other entirely free from air.
The chamber is then sealed by one or more sealing screws 29, shewn
detached at Fig. 11, and used in the hydraulic supports shewn in

page_text: Figures 18 and 19, 20 and 21, Sheets III., and IV., and 22 and 23,
Sheet V.; in Fig. 23 the two sealing screws are shewn in plan on
line a, a, and are revolved out of their true position to shew their
elevation in Fig. 22. After the instrument has been adjusted these
screws 29 are (to prevent any possible leak) soldered around their
head.
A modification in the form of the hydraulic support is seen in
Figures 20 and 21; a metallic screw or collar 33 is screwed into the
cover or case 31, passing loosely through which is the steel pin 34, both
ends of which are rounded, its lower end resting on the cone 28, so that
when the pressure comes on it from the load on the platform it will rest
wholly on the centre of the pressure column 28, and not tend to tip it
either way. The solid cone 28 being kept from rotation by the above
described means may be moved up and down by springing these
diaphragms which are made very thin so as to move a short distance
very easily. There is an annular space left between the outer edge of
the foot of the solid cone 28 and the inner edge of the case 31, and the
wider this space the more free will be the vertical movement of the
diaphragms, but this space must not be so wide that the diaphragm cannot
stand the pressure of the liquid under it in the chamber, which pressure
will be determined by the size of the diaphragm exposed to the liquid,
and by the pressure on the liquid from the load transmitted from the
platform in the manner described.
-
In Figures 16 and 17, Sheet III., the diaphragm 38 forms a cup over
the cover or case 31 to prevent water from running into the hole a of
the case.
This cup form of diaphragm is only necessary when water is
liable to come around and over the hydraulic supports. The hole a in
the case or cover 31 is made to equalize the pressure of the air on inside
and outside.
The casting 20 shewn in Figures 1 and 4, Sheet I., forming the bed a
plate of the pillar of the scale beams is faced in a lathe on the upper
face and on the sides; and has a large chamber turned out of the upper
face or top, and in the bottom of the chamber are turned out as many
small chambers as there are hydraulic pressure supports under the
platform of the weighing machine, and the lower part of these small
chambers is made smaller than the upper part. Very thin diaphragms 44

page_text: have soldered on their upper side the short metal cylinders or plungers 45,
and their edges are also soldered to brass rings 137, after which these
rings are placed within the small chambers in the bed plate and soldered
by a solder which melts at a lower temperature, thus making as many
circular chambers between these thin diaphragms 44 and the bed plate 20
as there are pressure supports. The pipes 30 connect each one of these
small chambers with the chambers of the pressure supports, one pressure
support being connected with but one chamber. The pressure in the
chamber in the pressure supports will then be exactly equal to the
pressure in the chamber of the bed plate 20, and every weight placed
on the platform A will give pressure in the pressure supports under it,'
and these will through the pipes 30 communicate an equal pressure to
the liquid in the small chambers in the bed plate 20, when the
diaphragms covering these will be pressed against the plungers 45, and
they will communicate their pressure to the pillar or pressure column 47
to which the plungers 45 are securely fastened by the nuts 46. The
diaphragms will keep the pressure column 47 from moving horizontally
at the bottom, but they are very thin, and for this reason and in order to
prevent. undue strain upon them, I provide an additional diaphragm of
thin metal 48, which is securely attached to the pressure column 47 by
the screws 46, the outer edge being securely held between the bed
plate 20 and the base of the frame or cover 22 by the holding down
bolts 23. Holding down bolts 24 and 21 are also employed to secure
the frame 22 and bed plate 20 to the foundation on which they are
erected, while wedges 25 serve to level the work properly.
When one pressure support only is used, as in Fig. 22, Sheet V., to
support the platform 39, there may be but one chamber in the bed plate
20, and the diaphragm covering that may be soldered directly to the
pressure column 47, being placed concentric with it and its chamber.
The connection between the pressure column and the scale beams is
formed in the following manner :-On the upper end of the pressure
column 47 is placed the thin diaphragm of metal, shewn at 49, (Fig. 2,
Sheet I., and 74, Fig. 9, Sheet III.) soldered to the cast-iron flanged.
ring 52 and the brass washer 50, in Fig. 2 (or 75 in Fig. 9); the ring 52
and diaphragm is held concentric by the flange on its lower edge and by
the screws 53 and 54, in Figures 1 and 2 (and 60 in Fig. 9), which also
hold the upper cast-iron ring 55 in Fig. 2 (or 56 in Fig 9) to their place.
The frame 22 is of cast iron and is provided with a hollow cone at. one

page_text: side which surrounds the pressure column 47. This frame or cover also
supports the weighing beams, the outer end being carried by the bracket
152, and the inner end fixed and secured upon the iron ring 55. The
washer 50 is bolted to the pressure column 47 by the screw 51, and the
outer edge of the diaphragm being secured in the manner described, the
pressure column 47 is kept from horizontal movement at both ends, but
is free to move a short distance in a vertical direction to the extent of
the resistance to vertical movement of the diaphragms, which are made
very thin that the column may move in this direction verily easily.
When therefore pressure is put upon the platform A either by weight or
otherwise, such pressure will give pressure to the liquid in the pressure
supports 7, and be transmitted through the pipes No. 30 to the liquid in
the chamber formed in the bed plate 20, and through the diaphragm of
the chambers to the pressure column 47, and to the screw head 51 on
which stands the steel piece 77, which transmits the pressure directly to
the knife edge 89 of the scale beam 80. Should the platform A be very
long, the pipes 30 leading from the pressure supports 7 to the chambers
in the bed plate 20 should be so arranged that those leading from
supports on opposite sides of the platform in pairs should be connected
with chambers opposite to each other under the pressure column 47, as
the pressure of the liquid in these pairs will be nearly equal in each, and
when equal there is no tendency to throw a rotating strain upon the
pressure column 47. In making a set of pressure supports, great care
should be taken to make the cylindrical parts or foot of their solid cone's
or pressure columns 28 all exactly alike in diameter, and the cylindrical
part of the interior of the case 31 surrounding it, all exactly of the same
diameter. The chambers in the bed plate 20 must have their rings 137
all of equal interior diameters, and the short cylinders 45 also of equal
diameters. When this is the case, and at the same time the diameter of the
several diaphragms of the two series 27 and 44 are exact and respectively
alike the weighing may be efficiently performed whether the weight is
evenly or unevenly distributed upon the platform A.
i

page_text: upward pressure to each of the cylinders 45; it will then be of no im-
portance in what part of the platform A the load is placed.
It is not desirable to bring a very heavy pressure upon the bottom of
pressure column 47, Fig. 4. I determine therefore, in the first instance,
upon a suitable size for the small chambers in bottom plate 20 and the
diameter of the cylinders or plungers 45, and assume the aggregate
amount of pressure that should be received thereon, then divide the
maximum load to be weighed by this, and the quotient will give the
relative size of the chambers in the pressure supports 7 to the chambers
in the bottom plate 20.
T
It often happens that the rule gives a larger chamber for the pressure
supports than I wish to provide. In such cases I make use of what
I term a reducer, that is, I employ a pressure support of the kind shown
in Figures 16 and 17, Sheet III., and Figures 22 and 23, Sheet V.
The pressure in these arrangements is not transmitted direct to the
pressure column, but acts upon the diaphragm 40 of a small additional
chamber, and through the plunger 41, which is soldered to the diaphragms
40 and 42 above and below a chamber. The chamber a is filled with liquid
which acts through the pipes 30 on one of the diaphragms of the
chambers in the bottom plate 20.
In these modifications the diaphragm 40 is soldered to the ring 44,
which is also soldered to the casting 26, and diaphragm 42 in Fig. 16
is soldered over a chamber formed in the cap piece 43, but in Fig. 22
this diaphragm 42 is soldered to either the under side of the ring 44,
or over the chamber in the bottom plate 26. The cylindrical part
of the plunger 41 which rests against the diaphragm 40 is made much
smaller than the cylindrical part of the other end which rests. against
diaphragms 42, consequently a correspondingly small pressure of liquid
acting through the diaphragms 42, and against one end of plungers 41,
will balance the pressure of the liquid acting through the diaphragms 40
against the opposite end of plunger 41; any relative pressure desired
between the liquids acting on diaphragms 27 and 42 may be thus
obtained and transmitted. The size of the chamber formed in the
hollow plate 26 of the pressure supports may be determined according
5 to requirements, and afterwards the proportion of the two ends of the
plunger 41 and its chamber so regulated as to transmit the maximum
pressure desired to the pressure column 47, when the maximum load to
be weighed is placed on the platform A.

page_text: These thin diaphragms above described which have liquid acting
upon them may be made quite flat when it is desired they should
assist in preventing the horizontal movement of their plungers, but as
there is but little tendency to this movement in the plungers 41 and
in the pressure column 47 it is otherwise provided against. These
diaphragms may be made as shewn in Fig. 24, Sheet V., where the
diaphragm 27 is shewn curved out from the liquid between the
plunger 28 and case 31; it is also shewn detached at Fig. 24ª, 24b.
By curving up the diaphragm as here shewn into the annular space
the diaphragm will bear much greater loads than if flat, and also
permit a much greater movement of the flanges resting upon it.
The plunger 28 moves such an extremely short distance that the
diaphragm 27 may be flat with a narrow space next thereto between
the plunger and case, but the diaphragms 40, 42, and 44 should be
corrugated as shewn in Figures 24, 24, 24, Sheet V. The thickness
and diameter of the diaphragms being fixed, the space between the
flanges and their cases should be as large as possible without endangering
the safety of the diaphragm, because the strain on the latter is increased
directly with the increase in width of this annular space.
Owing to the fact that loads to be weighed are never or seldom dis-
tributed over the platform A, and therefore give unequal pressures on
the short cylinders or plungers 45, under the pressure column 47, there
is a tendency in the plungers and pressure column to rotate around a
horizontal axis as before stated. A modification in the means before
described for preventing this difficulty is shewn and described with
reference to Figures 25, 26, 27, and 28, Sheet V.
In place of constructing the pressure column as before described it is
here shewn as formed by the frame 121, which is free to rise and fall, and
_carries a series of plungers 117 (see Fig. 25) fixed to cross bars 120 by bolts
and nuts 118 are attached to diaphragms 116, covering chambers carried by :
the cross bars 119 (see Fig. 28) in the fixed frame or standard 122, which
is bolted to the floor; each of the chambers in the bars 119 are connected
to the pressure supports by pipes 30 as above described. By arranging
these plungers 117 all in one vertical line, acting against the frame 120,
121, 124, there is no tendency of the frame to rotate, no matter how
many plungers there are, or how unequal their loads may be, and
additional diaphragms to give steadiness to the column are rendered
unnecessary.

page_text: In mounting the main beam of the scale upon the frame of the
pressure column, and in transmitting the pressure of the load thereto,
several different methods are employed as shewn and described in the
Drawings; 77, Fig. 2, Sheet I., 69, Fig. 14 and 71, Fig: 12, Sheet III.,
are similar pressing points, serving in each case to transmit the reduced
pressure from the hydraulic pressure supports to the weighing beams
80, 89, and 97, of Figures 1, 12, and 14, Sheets I. and III.
In heavy scales the pressure brought against the under side of the
column 47 is often more than it is desirable to transmit to the scale or
weighing beam, unless the before-described reducers are employed.
However the same end may be attained and the simple supports shewn
in Figures 18 and 20 employed in heavy scales by making use of a
reducer on the upper end of column 47, as shewn in Figures 12, 13, and
14, 15, Sheet III. These reducers are made by placing a brass cap 62
on the upper end of the column 47 as shewn. This cap has a thin
diaphragm 63 soldered to it, and soldered also to the casting 58 as in
Fig. 12, or to the ring 68 as in Fig. 14.
soldered to the ring 68, as in Fig.
the ring 73, as in Fig. 12, where the
outer case 58. A sealed chamber is thus formed in both of the said
views, which is to be filled with liquid through holes stopped by the
filling screws 29. To the diaphragms 64 or 66 are soldered respectively
the columns 65 or 67; thin diaphragms 72 are fastened to the upper end
of the columns 65 and 67 by the pressing point 71 and 69, which are
screwed to the columns by the screws 70. These diaphragms keep their
plungers or columns from moving in a horizontal direction, but allow of
a comparatively free movement in a vertical direction.
Another diaphragm 66 is also
14, or the diaphragm 64 to
ring 73 is also soldered to the
By making the diameters of the plungers 67 or 65 small in proportion
to the diameter of cap of the pressure column 62, the pressure may be
reduced to any extent desired. The parts 57 and 58 are firmly secured
to the frame or case 22 by the screws 61 and 59, and receive all
the upward pressure except the part transmitted to the plungers
67 and 65.
Where the machine is designed to weigh very great loads, both the
reducing supports shewn in Figures 16 or 22, and also the reducers
shewn in Figures 12 or 14, are employed to still further reduce the
pressure before it acts on the scale beam.

page_text: In Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, is shewn one way of connecting the
pressure column with the scale beam. A bracket or bridge piece 93 is
secured by screws 100 to ring castings 58 and 57, the screw 101 with
lock nut 92 screws in the bridge piece or bracket 93, and makes a seat
These edges bear against the
opposite edges 87 and 95, which are set in the levers 89 and 97. This
lever receives the pressure of the load through the column 47, the
pressing points 69 and 71, and the knife edges 88 and 96. In the
bottom of the holes made for screws 101 in the bridge piece 93 is a small
piece of cork 91, which serves to keep the upper end of the fulcra 90 and
94 in their proper places; tightening screws 98 and 99 are provided to
fix the position of the steel bearings 96 and 95, and secure them in their
places.
for the knife edges or fulcrum 90 and 91.
Figures 9 and 10, Sheet III., shew a different way of connecting the
pressure column 47 to the scale beam 102, which at its end is made with
a double flange 110, 110, that is T shaped as seen in the plan view. A
piece of thin sheet metal 111 of brass, copper, or steel, is soldered to a
bar or strip of metal 112 and 114, the strip of metal 114 being fastened
by screws 45 to a lug cast on the cap 56 of the case or frame, and the
strip 112 being fastened to the end 110 of the lever 102 by the
screws 113. The thin sheet of metal 111 then holds down the end of
the lever 102 at its extremity, and forms one of its fulcrums. The strips
108 are fastened by screws 109 to a vertical forked standard attached by
a screw to the top of the column 47; 103 are lugs extending out of the
sides of the lever; 102, 105, 105, are thin sheets of metal soldered to the
strips of metal 104 and 108, the bar or strip of metal 104 being fastened
to the lugs 103 of the lever 102 by the screws 106. The thin sheets of
.metal 105 then connect the lever 102 to the pressure column 47, and
serve as a fulcrum over which the lever acts, the load on this fulcrum
being equal to the vertical pressure on 47, less the weight of the
column 47, and as the column 47 rises the lever 102 rises.
In Figures 1 and 2 the pressure column 47 is differently connected
with the scale beam 80, which widens out into a double flange, and is
made thicker at the end as before, but on the upper side only where it
receives the knife edge or bearing of hardened steel 89 which rests on the
bearing or pressing piece. The bearing or pressing point 77 is made
perfectly plane on the top (after hardening), is ground to shape, and the
knife edge 89 has its edge made true in the same way by grinding after

page_text: it is hardened. By making the two faces which form the working edge
of 89 at right angles to each other no difficulty is experienced in getting
this edge true and parallel, the thin plate of steel 81 which is soldered to
the bars or strips of metal 85 and 82; 84 is a lug or vertical standard
carried from or forming part of the ring 55 to which the bar or strip 85
is attached by screws 86; 82 is fastened to lever 80 by screws 83, so that
the thin plate of steel 81 then forms the outer fulcrum of the lever 80
connecting it with the fixed frame.
The fulcrum or knife edge 89 is first set, and then the side of the lugs
towards the bar 82 (on the end of the lever 80) is made parallel with
the knife edge of 89, when the plate of steel 81 may be put in its place,
and two fulcrums will always remain parallel. At the opposite end of
the frame 22 is a bracket 152 attached by the screws 153, see Fig. 3,
Sheet I., and to the upper end of this bracket is fixed the bar 149 by the
screws 150. Soldered to the bar 149 is the very thin steel plate 146,
which is kept from undue extension in its most exposed part by the thin
plate 147 which is soldered to it. The very thin plate 146 is also
soldered to the bar 185, which is fastened to the lugs 145 by the screws
186; these lugs 145 are fastened to or cast on the end of the brass
lever 151, which is supported by the fulcrum or thin plate 146. The
outer and inner faces of the lugs 145 on the end of the lever 151 are
made parallel, and a thin plate of metal 141 is soldered to the bar 143,
which is screwed to the outer face of the upper part of the lug by
screws 144; the lower end of this plate 141 is soldered to the bar 139,
which is attached by screws 140 to lugs 138 of the scale beam 80, and
so connect the levers 151 and 80. 142 is a metal plate soldered to the
thin plate 141 to prevent extension and stiffen the latter. A thin metal
plate 161 is soldered to bars 166 and 163, and with them fastened to the
lugs 138 of the lever 80 and 160 of the lever 165 by the screw 167 and
164. This thin metal plate 161 is kept from undue expansion when
under strain by being soldered to the strengthening plate 162. The face
of the lugs 138 against which the thin plates 161 and 141 are secured,
'should be quite parallel, as should also be those of the lugs 160 against
the thin plates 161 and 154, the latter being soldered to bars 155 and
159, and further strengthened or stiffened by a thin plate 157, shewn
in Fig. 1, which keeps it from undue extension under heavy strains.
The bars 159 and 155 are fastened respectively to the lugs 160 and the
bars 155, 156, by the screws 158 and 157 to the brackets. By suspend-
R

page_text: ing and connecting the levers 151, 80, and 165 by the thin plates 146,.
141, 161, and 154, they are held firmly against any horizontal movement
at their end, and by making these plates very thin and not extending
the stiffening plates 147, 142, 162, and 157 too near to the lugs on the
levers the levers are made very sensitive to pressures causing vertical
.
at their end, and by making these plates very unm and not CATCHING
the stiffening plates 147, 142, 162, and 157 too near to the lugs on the
levers the levers are made very sensitive to pressures causing vertical 5
movements.
The lever 151 is provided with a moveable weight 178, which (fastened:
in any position by the screw 179) serves to balance the platform A,
and to make this balancing very accurate and quick a small screw
weight 180 is provided which moves along on the lever as it is turned 1
round.
There is a slotted guide 181 at the right hand of the levers 165 and
151, which serves also to shew by the pointer which is placed upon its
lower end the relative movement of these two levers. There is a
graduated scale on the lever 165 at the end to shew the exact amount of 1
this motion. The guide 181 is secured to 151. by the nut 182, and
through the slot formed in it passes the lever 80, and thus this guide.
assists in keeping the three levers from any relative lateral movement,
although the lever 80 is fully secured against such movement by the
suspending plates at its ends. These three levers 165, 80, and 151
forming the system of scale beams above described may be connected
by ordinary rings or loops and knife edges in the usual way, but the
method. here shewn is preferred, although the plates 146 and 141 may.
sometimes be thus advantageously replaced on account of the great
vertical motion of lever 151, when compared with the others.
The weights 168, 173; 175, and 177 are used respectively to weigh
the 1000ds, 100, 10'; and units of pounds put upon the platform. In
commencing to weigh it is desirable to first place all the weights at zero:
on each lever, then to balance the beams by placing the weights respec-.
tively in their proper positions necessary to balance the load. One of
the weights 168, 173, and 175 is shewn in detail at. Fig. 5, Sheet 1,
where 168 is the weight, 165 the lever to which it belongs, and 171 a
small pin with conical point passing into a hole made in the weight.
This pin is pressed by the lever 169 pivotted to the weight at 170, and
acted upon by a spring 172 into a hole made in the lever at each point
of graduation. The weights are by this means secured in their exact.

page_text: and described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 9, Sheets I. and III.,
of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-fourth day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.