Improved Means of Regulating or Controlling Motion.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th May, 1890-Accepted, 28th June. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Regulating or Controlling Motion.
We WILHELM VAN GALEN and AUGUST TERLINDEN, both of Rees on the Rhine,
Germany, Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
-
This Invention relates to improved means of controlling or regulating motion
applicable in particular to mechanical date-indicating apparatus and also to time-
measurers, to physical apparatus for demonstrating the action of gravity, to toys which
require a rotary motion of certain parts, and to other cognate purposes.
The Invention consists essentially in the combination, with a fluid escapement or
clepsydra, of means of varying or otherwise modifying the action of the fluid escape-
ment in such a way that the same may be applied to control the energy of a weight
or spring and permit the same to act slowly and in accordance with definite rules
for the purpose of producing uniform or variable speeds or movements of the
mechanisin driven by the said weight or spring.
By a fluid escapement or clepsydra is here meant a hollow vessel (usually a
drum) capable of rotary motion and containing a liquid and so constructed internally
that the liquid will be caused to flow through the same in a given or regulated
manner by the revolution of the drum under the influence of opposing forces, the
fluid thus acting as a regulator of motion.
The drum is divided internally into cells or compartments of equal or unequal
capacity which may communicate directly or indirectly with one another by orifices or
by absorbent or capillary media which permit or effect the slow flow or transfer of
the fluid from one compartment to the next. Its axis rests, and is constrained to roll,
upon an adjustable or variable surface under the influence of gravity acting on
the drum opposed by the potential energy of the liquid contained and also opposed,
assisted, or overcome by that of a weight applied to act in various ways upon the
drum or its axis.
The surface upon which the drum axis rosts, directly or through rollers, may
be an inclined plane adjustable to various degrees of inclination upon which it may
be constrained to roll by cords wound round the axis and attached to a fixed point,
or by pinion and rack gearing; this adjustable inclined plane serving as a regulating
device whereby the effect of gravity on the drum and consequently its speed of
rotation may be varied. A weight may be applied to act on the drum so as to
assist or counteract the action of gravity through a cord which may either be
wound up thereon as the drum descends or be unwound therefrom, according as
it is desired that the weight shall retard or accelerate the motion of the drum, or
the weight may be so applied as to cause the drum to roll up, instead of down, the
incline.
In order to compensate for variable flow of the liquid, due to variations of
temperature, the inclination of the path of the drum may be automatically adjusted
by making its supports of two different materials having a different rate of expansion
and contraction.
The surface on which the drum axis rolls, instead of being plane, may be curved
or reverse curved, so as to cause the speed of the drum to be varied; or the said
surface may be plane and horizontal, the rolling motion of the drum being either in a
rectilinear or circular path and being produced by the gravity of the weight alone.
Or the drum, instead of running on a path, may be mounted in fixed bearings and be
ctuated by a weight running on an inclined path which is adjustable for regulating
he speed.
The partitions by which the drum is divided internally, may be so spaced or situated.

page_text: that the liquid may act with variable effect and consequently produce a variation of
speed of the drum at different points of a revolution.
In order to reduce the flow of the liquid and consequently the motion of the drum
to an almost infinite extent, the compartments of the drum, instead of communicating
by orifices, are in communication only by a wick or other capillary medium passing
from one cell to the other in such a way that the downward flow of the liquid raised
by the revolution of the drum can only be effected by capillary action.
n.
1000
WILH. VAN GALEN.
AUGUST TERLINDEN.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Regulating or Controlling Motion.
We, WILHELM VAN GALEN, of Rees on the Rhine, in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, and AUGUST TERLINDEN of the same place Gentleman do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed
to he particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying drawings
Our Invention relates to hydraulic brake or escapement devices, and regulating
mechanism connected therewith, for small mechanical movements in which a power
produced by a weight, spring or other means shall be caused to act slowly under control,
in order to obtain uniform or varying velocities or motions as may be required. In the
improved hydraulic devices a quantity of liquid enclosed in a rotary drum or hollow
body, is compelled by the interior formation of such hollow body to take a definite
course and have a retarding action.
In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 21 represent in detail the improve-
ments in these devices, Figures 1 to 19 illustrating several interior arrangements of
the hollow bodies, and Figures 10 to 21 the mechanism and special arrangements of
the hollow bodies. Figures 1 to 5 represent the varieties in the internal arrangement
of the drums with reference to the formations of the several compartiments in the same
whilst Figures 6 to 9 illustrate special devices for conducting the water from one
compartment to another. Figures 10 to 20 represent drums to which a rolling
motion is imparted, Figure 10 shewing a device having an inclined plane for
regulating the velocity, Figures 11 to 15, a similar regulating device with special
arrangements, Figures 16 and 17 a drum adapted for horizontal planes, Figure 18
an arrangement in which an inclined curved surface is employed for regulating the
velocity, Figure 19 an automatic regulating device wherein an inclined plane is used,
Figure 20 regulating device having an inclined rack, and Figure 21 shews a
regulating device wherein use is made of a weight acting upon a drum having a
stationary axis.
The operation of our improved hydraulic devices is generally as follows:
The drums as shewn in Figures 1 to 5 are provided with a number of compart-
ments separated by partitions a. These compartments are so connected with each
other, as that the liquid contained in one of them can flow slowly into the other. The
communication between the compartments is effected by means of small holes in the
partitions, but other means may be employed, as hereinafter described. If an external
power is caused to act upon a rotary drum so as to turn the same the liquid collected
in its lower compartiments is in the first place raised together with such compartments
until the state of equilibrium is established. The surface of the liquid, as shewn in
Figures 1 to 9 is then higher in one compartment than in the other or in others.
Thereupon the liquid commences to flow slowly from the upper compartments, in
which the level of the liquid is higher, into the lower compartiments. But as soon as
the equilibrium is thereby destroyed the external power will again cause a turning
motion and will raise the liquid until the equilibrium is again established. This action

page_text: is continuously repeated. The external power cannot therefore act unopposed upon
the drum, and therefore cannot set the same in rapid rotation, moreover, the second,
third, fourth, and further revolutions invariably take place exactly in the same manner
as the first.
The drawings hereto illustrate special arrangements and formations of the drum
compartments. Ordinarily the drum is divided into a number of equal compartments,
so that the turning movement of the drum will be regular or will take place at equal
intervals in an entire revolution. Figures 1 to 3 show also drums having compart
ments of different sizes whilst in Figures 4 and 5 is more especially shewn the use of
only one compartment or of two compartments.
When the external power acts upon the drum represented in Figure 4 the liquid will
gradually flow from the higher space b to the lower space of the compartment and the
drum will consequently revolve slowly. This rovolution will however not be uniform,
because the centre of gravity of the drum does not change uniformly. When such
a quantity of the liquid has been finally passed into the compartment that the
excess contained in ceases to equilibrate the external power the drum will suddenly
turn round.
A similar action to that last mentioned is obtained in the other arrangements
wherein the partitions are not regularly arranged around the axis. The motion is not
uniform but at one time is slow and at another time very rapid.
For connecting the several compartments of the drum we in some cases provide
larger passages than the small holes. If in the case of certain given proportions only
those small holes are provided the slowness of the rotary motion is confined to within
narrow limits, for if the holes are made too fine, a stoppage in the flow of the liquid is
liable to occur, being occasioned by the narrowing or complete obstruction of the
holes by the deposition of foreign substances prosent in the liquid or by the formation
of oxide at their edges. In the arrangement which we employ the velocity of the
rotary movement can be retarded to an indefinite extent. The feature of this
arrangement as shewn in Figures 6 to 8, consists in that the several compartments of
the drum are in no direct communication with each other through holes below the
surface of the liquid, and that the liquid is drawn from one compartment to another
by the absorbing power of a wick or other absorbing substance.
Figure 6 represents a transverse section, of such a drum which is closed all around,
a denoting the compartments formed by partitions, and a wick extending through
each of these compartments. If the axis of such a drum partially filled with a liquid
is caused to turn by an external power produced by means of a spring or weight, a
certain quantity of liquid in the compartments on the right hand side is raised until
the state of equilibrium has been established again, whereupon the drum will seemingly
stop. But the wick immediately commences its action drawing the liquid from the
higher compartments over the partitions into those in which the liquid is at a lower
level. In this manner a very slow change will perpetually take place in the position
of the centre of gravity, and as the equilibrium is continually established owing to the
action of the external power, a more or less uniform slow turning movement of the
drum is realised.
Figure 8 shews an arrangement differing somewhat from that above described but
having the same effect.
In the arrangement illustrated in figure 7 the wick is not conducted over the several
partitions a but connects the compartments directly by passing through the openings
in the said partitions.
According to our invention we also employ an arrangement, such as shown in
figure 9, wherein use is made for connecting the compartments of the drum of
partitions made of pervious material through which the liquid can pass slowly from
one compartment to the other.
The mechanism which we use for regulating the velocity of the drums turning at
uniform or varying rates in the described manner comprise inclined planes and
weights in combination or inclined planes or weights alone.
The velocity of the rotary motion of the drum depends mainly upon the size of the

page_text: holes in the partitions provided in the interior of the drum: for the time which the
entire quantity of liquid requires in order to flow through all the chambers is equal to
the time required for one revolution of the drum. It is however extremely difficult to
cause such a drum to rotate at a definite rate of velocity because the slightest deviation
from the normal size of the holes in the said partitions will produce considerable
variations in the velocity.
Figuro 1 shews a device which enables the rotary movement of such a drum to be
conveniently regulated. In this arrangement A denotes the drum and B an inclined
plane.
Upon the axis of the drum are wound cords S, the upper ends of which cords are
secured above in a suitable manner: From these cords is suspended the drum which
by reason of its weight, has the tendency to unwind the cords and to fall down, but is
prevented from doing so, by the liquid contained in the compartments and is compelled
to make a slow rotary movement.
Owing to the fact that the inclined plane B upon which the axis of the drum is
supported compels the latter to pass along the same the velocity of rotation of the
drum can he regulated at will within certain limits for the smaller the angle of
inclination of this plane the less will be the action of the weight upon the drum, and
also the more slowly will the liquid flow from one compartment or receptacle to the
other the more slowly will the unwinding of the cord from the axis take place.
In the arrangement shewn in Figure 12 a counterweight P is used in combination
with the inclined plane for regulating the velocity of the rotary movement of the
drum. This counterweight is suspended from one or two cords which are wound
upon the axis in the same direction as the upwardly extending cords S, and may be
the prolongation of the latter. If the plane upon which the axis of the drum is
mounted be placed vertically the weight does not have a retarding action, for it will
then always remain at the same level irrespective of the downward movement of the
drum, because in the same proportion as the upper cords are wound from the axis the
lower cords will be wound thereon, but when the plane is inclined the counterweight,
at the descent of the drum, is drawn upwards in proportion as the plane is caused to
approach the horizontal position. By thus drawing the weight upwards a decrease in
the effect of the weight of the drum and consequently a retardation of the motion of
this drum will take place. The retarding action of the counterweight is therefore the
greater the more the said plane approaches the horizontal position.
The plane may moreovor be fixed at a definite inclination and the regulation, may
be effected by a counterweight alone, the action of the gravity upon the drum being
regulated by increasing or decreasing the counterweight.
If the counterweight be such that the action of the same is greater than the action
of the weight of the drum, as supposed in the arrangement illustrated by Figure 13,
the drum will roll not downwards but upwards. Otherwise the operation is the same
as in the case of the smaller counterweight.
In the modification represented in Figure 11 the axis of the drum is supported not
directly upon the inclined plane, but indirectly through the media of rollers. The
device shewn in Figure 13 is also provided with two rollers. In Figures 14 and 15
use is made in lieu of the counterweight of a woight for supporting the drum, which
weight effects an acceleration of the movement. Figure 16 shews an arrangement in
which the drum moves upon a horizontal plane. The axis of the drum is in this case
freely supported upon the said plane and the regulation is effected by changing the
weight P.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figure 17 the plane employed is horizontal and
curved.
As shewn in Figure 18 we employ for some purposes a curved plane, so that the
drum is compelled to move at different velocities during the downward rolling.
Figure 19 shews an arrangement in which the position of the plane is automatically
changed by variations of temperature. The two columns A and B which are connected
by pivots with the aforesaid plane are made of two substances having different
coefficients of dilation by heat, so that their length will vary with the changes of

page_text: emperature, thereby producing a change in the inclination of the plane and
uently a change in the action of the weight of the drum.
COILO
In the device illustrated in Figure 20 the plane for the drum is made in the form
f a rack, whilst the drum is provided with a small toothed wheel in order to roll
lown upon the said rack.
Figure 21 shews a stationary drum in combination with a weight adapted to move
If this weight is freely
apon an adjustable plane, for regulating the velocity.
uspended the velocity of the rotary movement is regulated by making the former
greater or smaller.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
clain is :-
1. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements,
characterised by a rotary drum which possesses in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid, and is turned by an external force, the said compart-
ments being made of different sizes, and the liquid being permitted to flow slowly
through small holes from one compartiment to another substantially as described.
1ovements,
2. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanic
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartiments
for the reception of a liquid, this liquid being enabled to pass slowly from one com-
partiment to another through a suitable absorbing material, such for example as a
wick substantially as described.
3. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements
characterised by a rotary drum having in its interior two or more compartments for
the reception of a liquid, the partitions between the compartments consisting of
pervious material through which the liquid can flow from one compartment to another
substantially as described.
4. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid the partitions between the compartments consisting of
pervious material, or being perforated or pervious so that the liquid can pass slowly
from one compartment to another in combination with a regulating mechanism, com-
prising an adjustable inclined plane which has a smooth surface or a surface made
in the form of a rack, the axis of the above mentioned drum being so suspended by
means of cords from the upper part of the inclined plane as that under the action of
the weight of the drum it can roll on the said plane substantially as described.
5. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements,
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartiments
for the reception of a liquid, the partitions between the compartments consisting of
pervious material or being perforated or adapted for the liquid to pass slowly from
one compartment to another through small holes or through a suitable absorbing
material, such for example as cotton wick, in combination with a regulating mechanism
comprising an adjustable inclined plane which has a smooth surface, or a surface
made in the form of a rack, the axis of the above mentioned drum being so suspended
by means of cords from the upper part of the inclined plane as that under the action
of the weight of the drum it can roll upon the said plane, a weight which is suspended
from the axis of the drum being also employed for accelerating or retarding the
movement substantially as described.
6. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid, the partitions between the compartments consisting of
pervious material. or constructed so that the liquid can pass slowly from one compart-
ment to another through small holes or through a suitable absorbing material, as for
example a wick, in combination with a regulating mechanism comprising several
5 weights which are suspended from the axis of the drum which latter under the action

page_text: of the aforesaid weights will turn with the stationary axis, or roll upon a horizontal
straight or curved plane substantially as described.
7. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements
characterised by a rotary drum, which has in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid, and wherein the partitions between the compartments
consist of pervious material, or wherein the liquid can pass slowly from one compart-
ment to another through small holes or through a suitable absorbing material as for
example a wick in combination with a regulating mechanism comprising one or more
weights which are fixed to a roller arranged upon the axis of the drum and supported
upon an adjustable inclined plane, the aforesaid drum being adapted to turn upon its
stationary axis under the action of the weights substantially as described.
8. A bydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid, and wherein the partitions between the compartments
consist of pervious material, or wherein the liquid can pass slowly from one compart-
ment to another through small holes or through a suitable absorbing material as for
example a wick in combination with a regulating mechanism comprising an adjustable
inclined plane which has a smooth surface or a surface made in the form of a rack, the
axis of the aforesaid drum being so supported by means of cords from the upper part
of the inclined plano as that under the action of the weight of the drum it can roll
on the said plane, use being morcover made for accelerating or retarding the move-
ment of a weight which is suspended from the axis of the drum, whilst the inclined
plane may have a curved form in order to cause a varying velocity substantially as
described.
9. A hydraulic brake or escapement device for small mechanical movements,
characterised by a rotary drum which has in its interior two or more compartments
for the reception of a liquid, and wherein the partitions between the compartments
consist of pervious material, or wherein the liquid can pass slowly from one compart-
ment to another through small holes or through a suitable absorbing material, such
for example as a wick in combination with a regulating mechanism comprising an
inclined plane which is adapted to be adjusted by hand or automatically through the
medium of two columns of different coefficients of dilation of the heat, which plane
has either a smooth surface, or a surface made in the form of a rack, the axis of the
above mentioned drum, being so suspended by means of cords from the upper part of
the inclined plane as that under the action of the weight of the drum it can roll on
the said plane substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of May 1890.