IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR ORGANS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn'
Fields, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR ORGANS."-A communi-
cation from abroad by Thomas Winans, of Baltimore, Maryland,
TI]
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 22nd November 1873, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
'
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gentleman, send greeting.

page_text: grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal
Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that
the said Invention is communicated to me from abroad by Thomas
Winans, of Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
This Invention, which relates to that kind of action for organs known
as pneumatic action, is directed particularly to the construction and
arrangement both of the valves for controlling the pneumatic action and
also of the pneumatic valves which regulate the admission of air to the
pipes or to the wind chests of the several registers or stops.
The objects in view are principally to increase the facility of the
action, rendering it similar in ease of manipulation of the keys to a
piano action; also to permit a very considerable increase of blast or
wind pressure over that to which organs are usually restricted, and also
to so construct the action that its several parts may be made by
machinery, and without requiring the manual labor in making, as well
as in putting it in place and adjusting it, which is one of the chief sources
of expense in the building of organs.
The action of the pneumatic stop valves (which control the entrance
of air to the pipes or to the wind chests under the several registers) is
governed by means of balanced slide valves, arranged so that in their
normal position they will, through suitable air passages with which they
communicate, admit wind to one side of the stop valves at the same
pressure as that at which the wind presses (when admitted to the
register chest) on said pallets or valves from the other side, and they
are made so that under all conditions the pressure of the blast passing
through them will be equally distributed on all of their sides in order
that at every point of their movement they may be entirely balanced.
In this way no matter what the force of the blast may be the slide
valves will operate always in the same way with equal ease and without
requiring the application of increased power in order to move them.

page_text: The movement of the balanced slide valves by the keys or manual or
otherwise is designed to bring them into position to shut off the blast
from their air admission valves, and to bring the latter on one side in
communication with the external atmosphere, so that by thus reducing
the pressure on one side of the stop valves the confined air on the other
side may be free to act to force them back from the openings which
they are designed to close, and thus open a passage for itself into the
register wind chests or the pipes, as the case may be. Balanced slide
valves thus made and operating are of special value when combined
with and arranged to be actuated by the keys or manual, for as the
valves, so far as wind pressure, is concerned, are at all times balanced,
they can be moved by the keys or by stickers connected with the latter
with great facility, their construction being such that they will slightly
overbalance the keys, so that after having been lifted they will return
to their normal position at once when pressure is removed from the
keys.
By properly proportioning the valves and keys a piano-like action can
readily be obtained, no matter what the air pressure may be.
The usual force of blast to which organs are restricted is the equivalent
of a column of water three inches in height, but with an action con-
structed as I propose, the blast may be increased so that its force will
equilibrate a column of water of any desired height, and this without in
any way impairing the facility of the action.
The manner in which this Invention is or may be carried into effect
will be understood by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of part of the sound board of an
organ, and the pneumatic action connected with the same; Figure 2 is
a like section representing additional parts designed to control the
supply of air to the wind chests of the several registers or stops;
Figure 3 is a section on an enlarged scale of the manual valve box or
box which contains the balance slide valves; Figure 4 is an end view
of the slide valve and its plates or "partitions" representing the valve
open; Figure 5 is a like view of the same parts with the valve closed;
Figure 6 is a side clevation of one of the stationary plates or partitions;
Figure 7 is a side clevation of the valve; Figure 8 is a top view of the
valve and its inclosing plates or partitions; Figure 9 is a transverso

page_text: vertical section of a sound board provided with sliders to which my
system is adapted.
This Invention is applicable to organs of usual construction provided
with sliders for different stops, but it is preferred to provide a separate
pneumatic stop valve for each pipe, and this arrangement I shall first
describe.
'
In Figure 1, A is a sound board so called, a box like structure to
openings in the top of which the pipes B are fitted. The box is divided
by partitions C into as many separate chests D, E, as there are registers
or stops. The pipes of each register or stop open into their own chest,
which is distinct and separate from the others. Each pipe is provided
with an air admission valve F, which it is preferred to construct and
arrange as seen in the Figure. It is composed of a stem a terminating
at the lower end in a round base b, and at the upper end in a head c of
corresponding contour, which is supported between guide wires c¹ three,
four, or more in number, extending downwards from the under side of
the top, to which the pipes are secured. The base of the valve fits in a
metallic bearing sleeve d within a cylindrical chamber or socket e formed
in the bottom of the sound board, which socket or chamber it is preferred
to extend all the way through the bottom of the sound board, closing it
at the bottom by a removeable plug held in place by a metallic yoke or
strap g; this enables the valve to be taken out from below. To the head c
is attached the valve proper, consisting of a button-like disc h, flat on its
upper side, which is coated with leather, and convex on its under side,
and attached by a pin or screw to the head c in such manner that it
may be capable of a slight oscillating movement in order to adapt itself
more readily and accurately to the pipe orifice which it closes. The
base is provided with an annular packing ring i of antifriction metal
or other suitable material, which works closely against the bearing
sleeve d; and between the base of the valve and the plug is a spring j
in the chamber e, which overcomes the weight of the valve and presses
it up against the top of the sound board. This spring may be dispensed
with entirely by using a higher pressure of air for the manual valves
than for the sound board of the organ, and in some instances this may
be preferrable. In this case all the valves opening to pipes of the same
note would open and close at each touch of the key, while when the
.springs are used only those move which have the stops open for them.
•

page_text: The valve thus constructed and arranged is capable of working up and
down as far as the tail piece b¹ of the lower end will allow it between.
the guide wires and within the bearing sleeve. Confining attention to
the valve on the left of Figure 1, it will be seen that if wind under
pressure be let into chamber e the valve will be pressed upward both by
the air and by the spring j; but if air at the same pressure be let into
chest D this air acting on the valve from the opposite side and pressing
both up against the valve proper and down on base 6 will neutralize tho
air pressure in chamber e, and the valve will consequently be upheld by
the spring and pressure of the air within the sound board on the valve
at the top of sound board due to the size of the orifice the valve closes.
Now if the confined air be allowed to escape from chamber e there will
remain only the spring below, and the pressure of the valve h closing
the orifice to counteract the downward pressure of the air in the sound
board on that part of the valve that plays in the chamber e, and this air
pressure which must by a proper proportion of the socket or chamber e
exceed that of the spring and valve proper will at once force the valve
down and thus open a passage from chest D into the pipe. If the
chambers of the valve of corresponding pipes in the different registers
be connected so that air may be forced into or exhausted from all
simultaneously, then as many of such valves as have their register
chests supplied with air under pressure can be operated simultaneously
and in unison..
The means by which the stop or air admission valves are thus actuated.
constitutes an important feature of this Invention, and are fully repre-
sented in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. The sound board in Figure 1.
contains but two registers, but it of course may have as many more as
desired. The chambers e of the valves of the corresponding pipes of the
Iseveral registers are connected by a duct or passage k, leading into the
manual valve box G, which contains the balance slide valves herein-
before referred to. There is one such valve for cach key. Each valve
is composed of a thin plate H (Figures 4, 5, and 7), preferably made of
babbitt metal or some antifriction, non-corrosive metallic alloy or
compound, provided in each side with three horizontal ribs, one at
[the top, one m at the bottom, and one n intermediate between the two.
This valve fits closely and snugly between two plates or partitions I
which are formed with similar horizontal ribs ", m¹, n¹, so arranged that.

page_text: at least two of the horizontal ribs on the sides of the valve will always
find a bearing between them. When the valve and valve plates aro
thus fitted together it will be seen that two valve spaces, an upper one o
and lower one p, are produced. The intermediate ribs n¹ of the plates or..
partitions aro about midway between the top and bottom ribs l', m¹.
On the contrary, the rib n of the valve is below the centre of the valvo
plate, so that when the valve is in its lowest position, as seen in Figure 5,
the rib n will be below and out of contact with the ribs n³, thus leaving
free communication between the upper and the lower valve spaces. When;
on the contrary, the valve is clevated so as to lift the upper rib l´above
the ribs, and out from between the partitions, thus throwing the upper
chamber open to communication with the atmosphere, the rib n will
have been raised enough to fit between the ribs n¹, and thus close the
communication between the two spaces. These valves and partitions are
placed vertically on one side of the manual valve box, the valve plates.
or partitions being secured thereto at proper distances apart to receive
the valves, and in the side of the manual valve box are formed two
series of apertures, the one opening into the lower valve space.p, the
other & into the upper valve space o. Separate and distinct apertures in
cach series communicate with the separate valve spaces of the several
valves, and there is no communication between the upper and lower
apertures 8 and r belonging to each valve, except through the spaces o
and p of that valve. One pipe or duct k leads to cach aperture or range
of apertures s belonging to each upper valve space o, and the lower series
of apertures r communicate with the interior of the manual valve box G,
which is filled always with air from the source of air supply by the wind
trunk or pipe J. Each valve is connected with its key K by a sticker t.
By depressing the key the sticker will be caused to raise the valve, and
when the finger is removed from the key the valve will fall of its own
weight.
Under the arrangement described it will be seen that when the slide
valves are in their normal position the compressed air from the manual
valve box will enter and lower valve spaces p through apertures r, thence
pass up between ribs n, n³, into spaces o, as indicated in Figure 5, and
thence through apertures & and pipes k into the valve chambers e, to
press upward the pneumatic pallets or valves F. If however any onc
of the slide valves be lifted by depressing its key then the communication

page_text: between the upper and the lower valve spaces o, p, will be cut off, the blast
of air from the manual valve box will be confined within the lower space,
and the upper space will be open to the atmosphere, thus relieving the
air pressure on the under side of its pneumatic pallet or valve or series
of such valves, and allowing the compressed air in as many of the.
register chests as are open to depress the valves thus relieved, and to
find its way into the pipes previously closed by the same. Tho air thus
expelled from duct exhausts from upper space o into the atmosphere.
The rib n is so placed with relation to ribs n¹ that it will close the lower.
space at or preferably a little before the time the upper space is opened.
to the atmosphere.
It will be noticed that with a valve thus constructed and arranged the
air pressure is at all times the same on all sides of the valve, so as to
maintain it, so far as that pressure is concerned, in equilibrium or
balanced. When the valve is closed, as indicated in Figure 5, the
pressure of the air within the spaces o, p, is the same on both sides of.
the valve, and at its top and bottom. When the valve is open the
conditions are unchanged, the centre rib n taking the place of the upper.
rib, and closing the lower space, so as to cause an equilibrium of
pressure within the only valve space that now contains air under
pressure; thus, no matter how great the pressure of air, the valve action
will always be equable and the same, and no increase of power will bo
needed to depress the key. By properly proportioning therefore the
weight of the valve to the leverage of the key the organ will be rendered
sensitive to the slightest touch, and the action will be as light as that of
a piano.
It is preferred to arrange the ribbed slide valves and their stationary
ribbed plates on a breast plate G¹ attached to the valve box G, which.
plate is provided with a longitudinal partition n² corresponding to the
central ribs n¹ of the stationary plates and is formed below and above
said longitudinal partition with apertures r, s, which as above stated
lead respectively from the lower valve space p of each valve to the wind.
chest of the valve box, and from the upper valve space o to the
pneumatic valve air duct or passage k.
While it is preferred to construct the manual valves flat, as above
decoribed the Inventor does not confina limanlf to that who
'

page_text: may be constructed round or square, or polygonal, by placing them
diagonally or zig-zag, and still be effective and combine the same
principle of action. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 10
and 11, Figure 10 being a vertical transverse section of a manual valve
box provided with cylindrical internally ribbed valve chambers I, each
having a piston rod provided with three pistons or flanges corre-
sponding to the three ribs of the flat valves herein-before described.
Figure 11 is a top view partly in horizontal section of a portion of the
valve box representing a portion of valves. The ribs l', m¹, n¹³, in the
valve chambers, and the ribs, flanges, or pistons l, m, n, of the valves or
piston rods correspond to the like lettered parts in the preceding Figures,
and have the same relative arrangement and principle of operation.
. No matter what the peculiar configuration of the parts, there is the
common feature in all the valve arrangements herein shown of valves
and valve chambers communicating through the spaces formed within
them with the source of wind supply, and the ducts leading to the
pneumatic valves and operating to put said ducts in communication with
the source of air supply or with the external atmosphere, as desired, the
valves being balanced at all points of their movement.
In order to admit air to the several register wind chests substantially,
the same arrangement of valves may be employed, as indicated in
Figure 2. In this Figure L is the main wind chest supplied with wind
from the wind trunk L', and provided with pneumatic stop valves M,
one for cach register wind chest. The construction and arrangement of
these valves is entirely the same as the above described with reference to
the pneumatic pipe -valves, excepting that each valve has a distinct and
separate air passage or duct ¹ which leads to a balanced slide or other
valve, the movement of which is controlled by a stop on the organ. In
other words the same kind of action may be employed to control the
different registers as well as the pipes themselves, the difference being
that in the former case the balanced valves are operated by the stops,
and in the latter case by the keys.
In case sliders are employed, as indicated in Figure 9, then of course
it will not be necessary to provide each pipe with an independent valve.
One valve N only will be needed for each range of corresponding pipes
in the several registers, and the throwing the various registers into

page_text: or out of action will be governed by the sliders in the usual way. The
valves N are of course connected with and controlled by balanced slide
valves in the manual valve box in the manner above described.
It will thus be seen that this Invention is applicable cither to the
slider system or to the system first above described of an independent
pneumatic valve for each pipe.
The ribs on the balanced slide valves are made preferably tapering in
horizontal section, as indicated in Figure 8, and a corresponding taper is
formed on the contiguous sides of the valve partitions or plates, the
object being to obtain a close and snug fit between the valves and the
plates; for the same reason the ribs of the valve and of the plates are
made to taper at their top and bottom, as indicated in Figures 6 and 7.
When the valves and valve plates are screwed or fastened in place on
the box they are held together on the outside edge by a covering plate Ọ
applied to the upright ends of the valve plates and extending the
length of the whole series. The slide valves and plates can be readily
cast and then finished by machinery, and the pneumatic valves also can
be readily made by machinery. The whole action action indeed is
simplified and can be produced at small expense in comparison with that
involved in the manufacture of organ actions as heretofore practised.
Having now described this Invention, and the manner in which the
same is or may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise mechanical details of construction
herein set forth, for the same may be varied considerably without
departure from the principles of the said Invention, but what I claim
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,―
.
First. A pneumatic action for organs comprising the combination
with the pneumatic valves directly regulating the admission of air to the
register chest or the pipes of valves and enclosing valve chambers com-
municating on the one side with the source of compressed air supply,
and on the other side with ducts leading to said pneumatic valves, said
parts being constructed and arranged to operate, substantially as herein
shewn and described, so that whether the valves be open to throw the
said ducts in communication with the source of compressed air supply,
or closed to shut off such communication, and allow the air in the ducts
'

page_text: to exhaust therefrom, the compressed air contained in the valve chambers
will at all times exert equal pressure on all parts of the valves so as to
balance them.
Second. The slide valves provided cach with top, bottom, and inter-
mediate ribs, as described, in combination with their valve chambers pro-.
vided each with a corresponding number of ribs, the same being formed
and arranged with relation to one another, substantially as shown and
described for the purposes set forth.
Third. In combination with the said ribbed slide valves and corrc-
spondingly ribbed valve chambers arranged relatively to each other, as
described, the manual valve box containing a wind chest opening into
one of the valve spaces formed in each valve chamber, and air ducts or
passages leading out of the other valve space in said. chamber to the
pneumatic valves, said parts being arranged for joint operation in the
manner herein set forth.
Fourth. The ribbed slide valves and their stationary ribbed partitions or
plates arranged on and carried by a breast plate on the valve box pro-
vided with a longitudinal partition corresponding to the central ribs of
the stationary plates, and formed below and above said longitudinal
partition with apertures leading respectively from the lower valve space
of each valve to the wind chest of the valve box, and from the upper
valve space to the pneumatic air duct or passage, substantially as and
for the purposes shewn and set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the balanced slide valves, the chambers
for said valves, and the manual valve box arranged together, sub-
stantially as described, of the pneumatic valves, one for each organ pipe,
arranged in the register wind chest to play up and down in valvo
chambers communicating with their respective slide valves by ducts or
passages, which by means of said slide valves may be thrown into com-
munication either with the source of compressed air supply or with the
external atmosphere, substantially as and for the purposes shown and
set forth.
Sixth. The pneumatic valve herein described consisting of a stem
nnovided with a head playing between guides and carrying an oscillating

page_text: or otherwise, as specified, the said valve being arranged within the
register wind chest or the main wind chest, as the case may be, and
operated by the difference between the air pressures in the said chamber
and the wind chest in which said valve is located, substantially as set
forth.
"
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Complete Specification set my hand and scal, this Nine-
teenth day of June One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.