IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS, AND IN THE LIQUID TO BE USED THEREWITH, AND WHICH LIQUID NOT BEING SUBJECT TO CONGELATION MAY BE USED AS A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNICATING. POWER
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Esplen, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, and James John Briggs Bland, of the same Place,
Architect, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS,
AND IN THE LIQUID TO BE USED THEREWITH, AND WHICH LIQUID NOT BEING
SUBJECT TO CONGELATION MAY BE USED AS A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNICATING.
POWER."
Sealed the 10th September 1867, and dated the 13th March 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Esplen and James
John Briggs Bland at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with.
their Petition, on the 13th March 1867.
I, WILLIAM ESPLEN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
and JAMES JOHN BRIGGS BLAND, of the same Place, Architect, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING
APPARATUS, AND IN THE LIQUID TO BE USED THEREWITH, AND WHICH LIQUID NOT
BEING SUBJECT TO CONGELATION MAY BE USED AS A VEHICLE FOR COMMUNICATING
POWER," to be as follows (that is to say):-
This Invention has for its object, first, certain improvements in the class
of apparatus known as hydraulic signalling apparatus, which will be found

page_text: peculiarly well adapted for use on board ship; and, secondly, in the use of a
fluid which is not liable to freeze or otherwise congeal, and which fluid will
be found useful as a vehicle to communicate motion for working semaphore
telegraphic apparatus, railway switches, and other like machinery. With the
improved signalling apparatus water, oil, or other fluid may be used, but it is
much preferred to use the liquid solution herein-after described.
To apply this improved signalling apparatus to, say, a steam vessel for
communicating from, say, the bridge of the vessel to the engine room, the
same may be constructed as follows:-On the head of a suitable hollow pillar
or stand on the top of the bridge there is mounted a small closed cylinder
in which works a piston and piston rod which passes through a gland at one
end, and which piston rod is provided with a cross head with side rods which
work through guides, each of which are provided with a stud on the side
thereof which take into slots formed through the horns of the forked lever,
and which vertical forked lever is jointed at its lower ends to stationary axles
which form the fulcrum of the lever; the shank of the lever is actuated back-
wards and forwards by a handle on the top thereof, and immediately below
which there is a segmental plate of metal suitably engraved to indicate what
signal has been conveyed to the engine room. The small cylinder on the head
of the pillar on the bridge is fitted with a pipe at each end, which pipes are
carried down through the hollow pillar or standard,and thence into the engine
room, where they are connected to a second small horizontal cylinder, which
is also provided with a piston and a piston rod which extends beyond the works
through glands in the cylinder covers; each end of the expiston rod is provided
with small cross heads which are connected together at their outer end by the
rods which work in guides. One of the tie rods is formed with or has attached
to it a short toothed rack into which a pinion works; this pinion is keyed on to
a small horizontal shaft, the outer end of which carries a vertical disc on which
are painted, engraved, or otherwise marked the requisite signals; this short hori-
zontal shaft, which works in suitable stationary bearings, also carries a striking
wheel in connection with a signal bell and striker for sounding the bell; the
whole is enclosed in a suitable casing, and the disc on which the required,
signals are written is also enclosed, except where a portion of the cover is cut
away or left open near the top, so that the signalled order can be read off
distinctly, and that only. In the case of signals for engine rooms it is pro-
posed to use a second or repeating apparatus of the same kind, but of smaller
dimensions, to be worked from the engine rooms, and to communicate with a
second cylinder, and so forth, which is fitted within a case enclosing the first-

page_text: described cylinder and actuating piston; but in place of making the dial
vertical in this case it is preferred to place it horizontally in some convenient
position on top of the case. Now it will be seen from this arrangement the
large dial in the engine room is only actuated from the bridge, and the
repeating portion of the apparatus which is of smaller dimensions can only
be actuated from the engine rooni. The cylinders and pipes of the several
parts of the apparatus are filled with water, oil, or other fluid, but it is much
preferred to use the liquid solution herein-after described.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-By taking hold of the lever on
the bridge and drawing it to one side the piston to which it is connected' is
caused to move to one side, which forces the fluid from the cylinder through
the pipe
on the side it is advancing towards, and which is forced into the
cylinder in the engine room and causes it to recede in the opposite direction,
and the fluid on the reverse side of the piston is forced out thereof and out
through the pipe connecting it with the opposite end of the piston of the
cylinder on the bridge. The moving of the cylinder in the engine room
causes the toothed rack on the side rod thereof to move forwards or backwards,
as the case may be, and which through the pinion or small toothed wheel on
the axle of the moving dial plate causes the same to revolve the desired
distance and present the sentence representing the required signal immedi-
ately in rear of the opening in the case, through which it can be instantly
read off, when it is proposed the engineer should repeat the signal from the
engine room; that the officer in command on looking at the dial on the
bridge will se that the order has been distinctly understood.
The fluid which it is preferred to use in our improved signalling apparatus,
and which may be used as a vehicle for communicating power for working
semaphoresignals and hydraulic apparatus in general, is prepared as follows:-
To commercial muriatic or hydrochloric acid of the specific gravity 120 add
an equal or other volume of water, to the mixture in a suitable vessel and
gradually chalk or other carbonate in pieces and in excess until effervessence
ceases, after standing some hours apply a moderate heat to bring the mixture
up to a temperature of 200° Far. for 2 hours; the mixture is next to be
filtered and the filtrate evaporated by the heat of a sand bath until of the
specific gravity of 1270 at 60° Farh. For uses this fluid is to be diluted
with three, four, or five times its volume of water, according to climate and
other circumstances. When the signal apparatus is applied for communicating
between the bridge and the helmsman of the ship it will not be necessary to
use the repeating or answering portion of the apparatus, as it would be incon-

page_text: venient for the steersman to work the same. The several cylinders with their
fittings may be arranged vertically or obliquely in place of horizontally, and
in lieu of the revolving dial plate herein-before described a pointer may be
used working on the face of a dial having the necessary characters marked
thereon. This arrangement may be readily carried out by jointing the lower
end of the pointer to the stationary case or frame of the apparatus and using
a stud piece on one of the reciprocating side rods taking into or working in a
longitudinal slot cut in the pointer or finger, by which arrangement the pointer
may be directed to the desired signal by the action of the apparatus, or in
lieu of the revolving dial and pointer a long slip or dial rod on which the
requisite signals are engraved or otherwise marked can be used behind
a screen or casing in which an opening is formed of the required dimensions
through which the desired signal can be read off; this longitudinal dial slip
or plate may be actuated through one of the side rods, or in any other con-
venient manner. When the cylinder containing the working pistons are
arranged vertically the siguals may be engraved or marked on a plate attached
to the head of the piston rod, so that it can be elevated and depressed behind a
screen and the signals read off through an opening therein.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed.
by the said William Esplen and James John Briggs Bland in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th September 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
ESPLEN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and JAMES
JOHN BRIGGS BLAND, of the same Place, Architect, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said William Esplen and James John Briggs Bland, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William Esplen and
James John Briggs Bland, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention of "IMPROVE-

page_text: MENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS, LD IN THE LIQUID TO BE USED THEREWITH, AND
WHICH LIQUID NOT BEING SUBJECT TO CONGELATION MAY BE USED AS A VEHICLE FOR
COMMUNICATING POWER," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
William Esplen and James John Briggs Bland, our executors or administrators,.
by an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Esplen and James John
Briggs Bland, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and iu
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement (that is to say):-
•
g
This our said Invention has for its object, first, certain improvements in the
class of apparatus known as hydraulic signalling apparatus, which will be
found peculiarly well adapted for use on board ship; and, secondly, in the
use of a fluid which is not liable to freeze or otherwise congeal, and which
fluid will be found useful as a vehicle to communicate motion for working.
semaphore telegraphic apparatus,railway switches, and other like machinery;
with the improved signalling apparatus water, oil, or other fluid may be used,
but it is much preferred to use the liquid solution herein-after described. To
apply this our improved signalling apparatus to, say, a steam vessel for
communicating from, say, the bridge of the vessel to the engine room,
the same may be constructed as follows:-On the head of a
suitable
hollow pillar or stand on the top of the bridge there is mounted a small
closed cylinder, in which works a piston and piston rod, which passes
through a gland at one end, and which piston rod is provided with a cross
head, with side rods, which work through guides, each of which are provided;
with a stud on the side thereof, which takes into slots formed through the
horns of a forked lever, and which vertical forked lever is jointed at its
lower ends to stationary axles which form the fulcrum of the lever.
shank of the lever is actuated backwards and forwards by a handle on the
thereof, and immediately below which there is a segmental plate of metal
suitably engraved to indicate what signal has been conveyed to the engine
room. The small cylinder on the head of the pillar on the bridge is fitted
with a pipe at each end, which pipes are carried down through the hollow,
pillar or standard, and theuce into the engine room, where they are connected
to a second small horizontal cylinder, which is also provided with a piston and
23 17
the
1
1910
The
jj
top
31
118

page_text: a piston rod, which extends beyond and works through glands in the cylinder
covers. Each end of the piston rod is provided with small cross heads, which
are connected together at their outer ends by the rods which work in guides.
One of the rods is formed with or has attached to it a short toothed rack,
into which a pinion works; this pinion is keyed on to a small horizontal shaft,
the outer end of which carries a vertical disc on which are painted, engraved,
or otherwise marked the requisite signals; this short horizontal shaft which
works in suitable stationary bearings also carries a striking wheel in con-
nection with a signal bell and striker for sounding the bell. The whole is
enclosed in a suitable casing, and the disc on which the required signals are
written is also enclosed, except where a portion of the cover is cut away or
left open near the top, so that the signalled order can be read off distinctly,
and that only. In the case of signals for engine rooms we propose to use a
second or repeating apparatus of the same kind, but of smaller dimensions, to
be worked from the engine room and to communicate with a second cylinder,
and so forth, which is fitted within a case enclosing the first-described
cylinder and actuating piston; but in place of making the dial vertical in this
case we prefer to place it horizontally in some convenient position on top of
the case. Now it will be seen from this arrangement the large dial in the
engine room is only actuated from the bridge, and the repeating portion ofthe
apparatus, which is of smaller dimensions, can only be actuated from the
engine room. The cylinders and pipes of the several parts of the apparatus
are filled with water, oil, or other fluid, but it is much preferred to use the
liquid solution herein-after described. The action of this our improved
apparatus is as follows:--By taking hold of the lever on the bridge and
drawingit to one side the piston to which it is connected is caused to move to
one side, which forces the fluid from the cylinder through the pipe on the side
it is advancing towards, and which is forced into the cylinder in the engine
room and causes it to recede in the opposite direction, and the fluid on the
reverse side of the piston is forced out thereof and out through the pipe con-
necting it with the opposite end of the piston of the cylinder on the bridge;
the moving piston of the cylinder in the engine room causes the toothed rack
on the side rod thereof to move forwards or backwards, as the case may be,
and which, through the pinion or sinall toothed wheel on the axle of the
moving dial plate causes the same to revolve the required distance and present
the sentence representing the required signal immediately in rear of the
opening in the case, through which it can be instantly read off, when it is
proposed the engineer should immediately repeat the signal from the engine

page_text: room, so that the officer in command on looking at the dial on the bridge
will see that the order has been distinctly understood. The fluid which it
is preferred to use in our improved signalling apparatus and which may be
used as a vehicle for communicating power for working semaphore signals
and hydraulic apparatus in general is prepared as follows:-To commercial
muriatic or hydrochloric acid of the specific gravity 1.20 add an equal or
other volume of water to the mixture in a suitable vessel, add gradually
chalk or other carbonate in pieces and in excess until effervescence ceases;
- after standing some hours apply a moderate heat to bring the mixture up
to a temperature of 200° Far. for 2 hours; the mixture is next to be
filtered and the filtrate evaporated by the heat of a sand bath until of the
specific gravity of 1270 at 60° Farh. For uses this fluid is to be diluted
with three, four, or five times its volume of water, according to climate
and other circumstances.
1.
When the signal apparatus is applied for communicating between the
bridge and the helmsman of the ship it will not be necessary to use the
repeating or answering portion of the apparatus, as it would be inconvenient
for the steersman to work the same.
The several cylinders with their fittings may be arranged vertically or
obliquely in place of horizontally, and in lieu of the revolving dial plate,
herein-before described, a pointer may be used working on the face of a
dial having the necessary characters marked thereon. This arrangement
may be readily carried out by jointing the lower end of the pointer to the
stationary case or frame of the apparatus, and using a stud piece on one
of the reciprocating side rods taking into or working in a longitudinal slot
cut in the pointer or finger, by which arrangement the pointer may be
directed to the desired sigual by the action of the apparatus, or in lieu of
the revolving dial and pointer a long slip or dial rod on which the requisite
signals are engraved or otherwise marked can be used behind a screen or
casing in which an opening is formed of the required dimensions through
which the desired signals can be read off; this longitudinal dial slip or
plate may be actuated through one of the side rods, or in any other con-
Venient manner. When the cylinder containing the working pistons are
arranged vertically the signals may be engraved or marked on a plate attached
to the head of the piston rod, so that it can be elevated and depressed
behind a screen and the signals read off through an opening therein.
That this our said Invention may be the more readily seen and understood,
we have hereunto annexed Drawings in illustration of so much of one of our

page_text: improved signalling apparatus as will enable the same to be readily under-
stood; like letters and Figures marked thereon are used to denote similar
parts.
Figure 1 is a partial sectional side elevation, and Figure 2 a partial
sectional elevation of one end of that portion of the apparatus placed on the
bridge, and Figure 3 is a plan of the same; Figure 4 is a front elevation of
that part of the apparatus fixed in the engine room, and Figure 5 is a top
view or plan of the same; and Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional
elevation of the same; and Figure 7 is a transverse section of the like.
A, a fixed hollow standard or pillow, on the top of which is B, a fixed box
or casing enclosing C an bydraulic cylinder fitted with D a piston and
piston rod; E, a cross head, the ends of which are fitted with rods which are
jointed to F a forked lever which has its fulcrum at fand f'; G, a stationary
quadrant or segment on which the several orders are engraved; H and H',
pipes by which the cylinder C, Figures 1 and 2, are connected with J, a
cylinder in the engine room, seen in section at Figures 6 and 7; K, small
cylinder having fittings similar to the cylinder C which actuate a small dia!
and pointer, as herein-before described, the same being actuated from the
engine room by the engineer or other person in charge by L a small forked
lever having its fulcrum at m, and connected to N, side rods, which are con-
nected together at their extreme ends by cross heads, and to which is attached
P double-headed piston rod working through glands in the ends of Q a small
hydraulic cylinder, which is connected with the small cylinder K by means
of two pipes similar to those connecting the larger cylinder C on the bridge
and the cylinder J in the engine room; R, a small toothed wheel keyed
on to the axle of the dial or pointer which works into one side of S a
ratchet bar on T and T" side rods attached to U and U₁ cross heads con-
nected to V a double-ended piston rod connected to W a piston working
in the cylinder J; X, signal bell; Y, striking wheel; Z, dial plate; a, face
plate on front of dial.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this our said
Invention, and the best means we are acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine our-
selves to the relative proportions or dimensions of the several parts of the
apparatus, as it will be readily seen that the same may be considerably varied
without departing from the Invention; but what we claim is,―
First, the signalling apparatus, operated substantially in the manner and
for the purposes as herein-before described and set forth.

page_text: And, lastly, the use of the fluid composition, herein-before described and
et forth for the purposes herein-before stated.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Esplen and James John Briggs
Bland, have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals, this Eleventh
day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-seven.
Witness,
0
WILLIAM WALKER,
WILLIAM
(L.S.) ESPLEN.
JAMES JOHN BRIGGS (L.S.) BLAND.
of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.