AN IMPROVED 2 S
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Léandre Mégy, Josc de Echeverria, and Felix
Bazan, of No. 15, Boulevart des Batignolles, Paris, in the Republic
of France, Civil Engincers, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
2
S
J
Scaled the 25th March 1875, and dated the 23rd October 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Léandro Mógy, Jose
de Echeverria, and Felix Bazan at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 23rd October 1874.
We, LÉANDRE MÉGY, JOSE DE ECHEVERRIA, and FELIX BAZAN, of
No. 15, Boulevart des Batignolles, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Civil Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED REGULATOR OF THE SPEED OF MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
1
The object of our Invention is the regulation of the speed of a prime
mover or moving machine, so that it shall not exceed a fixed limit. This
result is obtained by combining the effect of the centrifugal force

page_text: 4
developed by the rotary motion with the tension of springs so arranged
that the limits of speed may be varied at pleasure during the motion
by a simple movement.
An apparatus embodying our Invention is represented by several
sections in the annexed Sheet of Drawing. It is composed,-1st. Of
a cast iron drum T keyed fast on the shaft A, and carrying in its interior
four levers L, L, L, L, and four springs r, r, r, r, connected with the
external collar C. 2d. Of a pulley P, cast together with the support
of the shaft, and within which are lodged four metallic sectors S, S¹,
S", S, surrounded with two concentric circular springs R, R, the 1
exterior of which is provided with leather. The shaft A is driven by
the prime mover or machine, which is to be regulated by means of cog
wheels e, E, pulleys, or by any other mode of transmitting motion. The
drum T is ended on the pulley side by a plate or crown p carrying a
projecting piece m, which penetrates between the sectors S, S¹.
The levers L, L, L, L, cach having an end engaged in one of the
sectors S, S¹, S", Su, may vibrate or work on the axles or spindles
a, a, a, a, and receive the pressure of the springs r, r, 1, 1º, which tho
collar C may remove by causing them to slide on to the outer face of
the levers L, L, L, L. This collar keyed on the drum can only move
longitudinally, and is carried along with the springs r, r, r, r, the levers
and the other pieces in the rotary motion of the drum T.
The springs, R, R, of a curving radii smaller than that of the
pulley Penvelop cach other and keep the sectors S, S₁ S", S₁, in their
concentric position around the nave of the drum T by their concentrating
force.
We will now explain the action of the apparatus :-When the machine
is working, and the collar occupying the position shown, C, Fig. 1, the
shaft A and drum T will rotate with a speed corresponding to that of
the cog wheels E, e, or other driving gear, and will carry along with
them the sectors S, S¹, S", S", and springs R, R. The contrifugal force
generated by this rotary motion will drive the sectors S, S¹, Su,
towards the interior periphery of the pulley P, whilst the resistance of
the springs R, R, combined with the pressure of the springs r; "", "", "", on
the levers L, L, L, L, prevent the sectors moving from the nave.
long as the speed of the rotary motion is small the centrifugal force
will be counterbalanced by the said resistances, and the springs with the
So
1

page_text: sectors will rotate freely within the pulley P without any hindrance to
the increase of the speed; but as the speed increases the centrifugal
force, which increases in ratio of the square of the speed, will shortly
be able to overcome the resistance of the springs, the sectors S, S¹,
S", S, will move away from the center and cause the springs R, R,
to come against the interior cylindrical periphery of the pulley P,
generating against the said periphery a friction proportionate to the
pressure opposing their sliding, and consequently to the rotary motion
of the drum T. It is evident that equilibrium will soon thus be
established between the power which causes the drum to rotate and the
increasing resistance of this friction caused by the contrifugal force,
and that consequently the speed of the machine cannot exceed a
limit resulting from the relative intensity of these forces, which may
be determined by calculation, à priori, to fix size of the springs, sectors,
and other pieces.
If the collar C is now made to slido along the drum the action of the
springs on the lovers L, L, L, L, will decrease in proportion to their
approach to the fulcrums a, a, a, a, of the said levers, the resistance
opposed by these said springs to the centrifugal force will likewise
decrease, and consequently the pressure of the said force on the springs
R, R, will be greater, as also the friction resulting therefrom. The
rotary speed will thus be compelled to slacken in order that its equi-
librium may be restored.
:
When the collar C has arrived at the position O₁ opposite to the
fulcrums a, a, (as shown in dotted lines) the action of the springs
,,,, upon the levers, and the pressure produced by the centrifugal
force on the springs R, R, which determine the friction against the
pulley P, will be lessened only by the concentrating force of these
springs precisely as if the levers and other springs did not exist. The
springs R, R, and sectors S, S³, S", S", may be calculated, so that the
speed corresponding to this position of collar C may be the normal speed
of the machine, and that the shifting of this collar towards the pulleys,
or in the contrary direction, will give the more or less difference
required.
If now the shifting of the collar towards the end of the drum con-
tinues the spring r, ", "', 1', will act inversely upon the levers L L, LL,
and their pressure will be added to the centrifugal force to increase the

page_text: friction of the springs R, R, against the pulley P. The rotary motion
will therefore continue decreasing until the collar C has arrived at its
furthest position C", where the action of the springs r, 1, 1, 1, will be the
greatest, and consequently the speed the slowest that can be obtained.
Force can be given to the springs sufficient to produce on the pulley P
a pressure capable of entirely preventing the rotary motion of the
drum T, and consequently of stopping the machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Léandrc Mégy, Jose de Echeverria, and Felix 1
Bazan in the Great Scal Patent Office on the 19th April 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, LÉANDRE
MÉGY, JOSE DE ECHEVERRIA, and FELIX BAZAN, of No. 15, Boulevart
dles Batignolles, Paris, in the Republic of France, Civil Engineers, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in
the Thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Léandro Mégy, Jose de
Echeverria, and Felix Bazan, Her special licence that we, the said
Léandre Mégy, Jose de Echeverria, and Felix Bazan, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Léandré
Mégy, Jose de Echeverria, and Felix Bazan, our executors, admini-
strators, 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, usc, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED REGULATOR
OF THE SPEED OF MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said Léandre Mégy, Jose de Echeverria, and Felix Bazan, our exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or
one of our, their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Léandre Mégy, Jose de Echeverria,
and Felix Bazan, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawing and to the figures
and letters of reference placed thereon:
-
The object of our Invention is to regulate the speed of a motive-power
engine or machino in motion, so that it shall not exceed a fixed limit.
This result is obtained by combining the effect of the centrifugal force,
developed by the rotary motion, with the tension or pressure of springs,
so arranged that the limits of speed may be varied during the working
by a simple movement.
The apparatus represented, Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the Drawings, is
composed, 1°. Of a cast iron drum T keyed on the shaft A and having
within it four levers L, L, L, L, and four springs 1, 1, 1, 1, connected
to an.outer collar C. 2°. Of a pulley P, cast with the bearing of the
shaft, and in the interior of which are set four metal sectors S, S',
S", S, surrounded with one or several circular concentric springs R, R,
covered exteriorly with leather. The drum T ends, on the side towards
the pulley, by a plate or ring p carrying a projecting catch m, which
penetrates between the sectors S, S. The shaft A. receives motion from
the motive power engine or machine, the speed of which is to he
regulated, by means of the toothed gearing E, e, by band and pulley,
or any other suitable driving gear.
The levers L, L, which have one of their ends engaged in the sectors
S, S', S", S¹¹, may rock or pivot on their axles a, a, and receive the
pressure of the springs 7, 7, which the collar C may displace by causing
them to slide on the outer face of the levers L, L. This collar keyed
on the drum can only move longitudinally and together with the
springs r, r, the levers and the other pieces follows the rotary movement
of the drum T.
The springs R, R, the curving radii of the manufacture of which are
smaller than that of the pulley P, envelop the sectors S, S', S", S", and
keep them in their concentric position around the nave of the drum T
by their concentrating force.
We will now describe the action of the apparatus :-When the motive-
meaking in woulins and the collar ovcunies the nnsition.

page_text: indicated by C, Fig. 1. The shaft A and drum T will turn at a relative
speed corresponding with that of the toothed gearing E, e, or other
connecting gear from the engine, and will carry with them-the sectors.
S, S¹, S", S, and the springs R, R. The centrifugal force developed.
by this movement will push the sectors S, S¹, S", S, towards the
circumference of the pulley P, while the resistance to opening of the
springs R, R, and the spressure of the springs 7, 7, upon the levers L, L,
added thereto, will oppose any movement of these sectors away from
the centre. So long as the rotary motion is slow the centrifugal force
will be counterbalanced by these resistances, and the springs together
with the sectors will turn freely within the pulley P without any
hinderance to the increase of speed; but as the speed increases the
centrifugal force which increases proportionately to the square of tho
speed will soon be in a condition to overcome the resistance of the
springs. The sectors S, S, S", S¹¹, will move away from the centre,
cause the springs R, R, to come against the cylindrical surface of the
pulley P, and produce against this surface a friction in proportion to
the pressure opposing their sliding, and therefore the rotation of the
drum T. It is evident that equilibrium must soon be established
between the power which causes the drum to turn, and the increasing
resistance of this friction due to the centrifugal force, and consequently
that the speed of the machine cannot exceed a limit resulting from the
relative intensity of these forces, and which may be fixed à priori
by calculation to determin the dimensions of the springs, sectors, and
other pieces.
If now the collar C be made to slide along the drum the action of
the springs on the levers L, L, will lessen in proportion as they near the
fulcrums a, a, of these levers. The resistance opposed by these springs
to the centrifugal force will likewise decrease, and consequently the
pressure from this force upon the springs R, R, will be greater, as also
the friction resulting therefrom. The rotary speed must therefore
necessarily slacken to permit re-establishment of the equilibrium.
When the collar C has arrived at the position C¹ shown in dotted
lines, Fig. 1, immediately facing the axles or fulcrums a, a, the action
of the springs ", r, upon the levers will be null, and the pressure
produced by the centrifugal force upon the springs R, R, which causes
the friction against the pulley P will be lessened simply by the con-
centrating power of these springs as if the levers and the other springs:

page_text: ,, did not exist. The springs R, R, and the sectors S, S₁, S", S1,
may be so calculated that the speed corresponding to this position of
the collar C may be the normal speed of the machine, and that the
shifting of this collar towards the pulley or in opposite direction gives
the more or less difference desired.
If the movement of the collar C towards the end of the drum is
continued the springs ", ", will act upon the levers L, L, in an opposite
direction, and their pressure will be added to the centrifugal force to
increase the friction of the springs R, R, against the pulley P. The
rotary speed will therefore continue to decrease until the collar reaclics
its furthest point C", Fig. 1, where the action of the springs ", ", will
be greatest, and therefore the speed the slowest that can be obtained.
Power may be given to these springs to produce upon the pulley P
a pressure capable of preventing the rotation of the drum T, and
consequently of stopping the machine when they are at this furthest
point of their traverse.
It will be seen that our regulator permits the obtaining of rates of
speed varying between very extended limits, from zero up to the greatest
desired speed, by proportioning the power of the springs and the
dimensions of the parts, fixed by calculation. It will further be
observed that to pass from the greatest speed to repose, and vice.
versa, all the intermediate speeds are successively traversed, so that
the stoppage as well as the starting is effected gradually.
As will have been observed there is a position at which the springs "", "",
having no action on the levers the speed is moderated by the sole action
of the centrifugal force. If therefore variations of the rates of speed
were unccessary these levers, the springs r, r, with their collar, and
even the drum might be dispensed with, retaining only the plate p,
sectors S, S¹, S", S, and springs R, R', set in the interior of the pulley P.
The centrifugal force acting on the sectors will cause the application of
the springs as we have set forth, and the speed would not go beyond a
corresponding limit, which would be the same in every case, and be fixed.
beforehand by suitably calculating the parts.. Thus reduced the regulator
becomes very simple and suffices in many cases.
The arrangements of our apparatus may vary with its applications,
while however retaining the essential parts and producing the effects
above set forth, and we do not deem it necessary to enter here into long

page_text: details respecting these various arrangements, all of which finally result
in combinations of known mechanical parts with our springs to attain
in each case in the simplest and most practical manner the regulation
and moderation of the speed of the pieces in motion.
It would take too long to enumerate the numerous applications of our
regulator of speed to machinery and the important services which it
may render, we will therefore content ourselves by briefly describing a
few shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
The first (Fig. 4) is its application to self-acting inclined planes"
if used in working mines, quarries, and other analogous work. A
regulator, such as we have above described, worked by a lever and put
in direct communication with the pulley over which passes the cable,
would permit regulating at will the speed of the descent of the laden
trucks, slackening this speed as they near the bottom of the inclined
plano, or at any moment, for hooking on empty trucks or for any other
purpose, and completely stopping them, either at the end of the journey,
necessary
at any
desired point. The regulator would serve here
not only to moderate the speed and keep it constant during any desired
length of time, but also as a break, at the same time powerful and casily
controlled, capable of stopping the motion by the simple movement of a
lever to the position corresponding with nullity of speed. It will
advantageously replace the breaks in ordinary use, which are far
from giving proper security, and leave much to be desired as regards
their working.
or if
Having already described the action of the regulator it is not necessary
that we should enter into longer explanations; the way in which it
would act will be at once understood, as well as the emportant services
which it may render in this special case.
In Figure 5 the regulator is shown applied to a windlass to moderate
the speed of the descent of the load, and its arrangement is not
absolutely the same as above described. The springs ", ", instead of
being connected to an outer collar worked by hand, are set on a nut
moved to and fro by the rotation of the screw which passes through it.
By turning the screw in one direction or the other by means of a key
the springs are brought to the position corresponding to the desired
speed, which may
be marked on a scale on the outside of the drum; the
load could not exceed this speed so long as the springs are not shifted

page_text: by means of the screw. The speed of the descent of the load is thus
regulated at will and beforehand. In the apparatus shown in this
Figure the drum, carrying within it the spring coupling brake, for
which we obtained Letters Patent June 22d, 1870, under tho No. 1777,
turns alone when the load descends, and the motion of this drum is
transmitted to the regulator by means of a cable wound upon pulleys of
different diameters, so as to give to the regulator a rotary speed much
greater than that of the drum, and thus obtain a very powerful action
of the centrifugal force to moderate the action of the load and prevent
any acceleration of speed. But the regulator might equally well be
applied to an ordinary windlass, and receive motion by means of toothed
gearing.
In hoists or lifting apparatuses a single rate of lowering speed is
generally sufficient, and the regulator may then be simplified as pre-
viously described, reducing it to the sectors S,' S₁, S","S", a spring R
which surrounds them, a fixed pulley, and a plate carrying the catch m,"
set in motion by means of a toothed wheel by one of the shafts turning
in the lowering. The application of this regulator is very simple, and
the action of the centrifugal force, obtained by a suitable rotary speed,
moderates the descending movement of the load, preventing its ac-
celeration.
Returning to the complete regulator with variable speeds, shown in
Figure 5, we would observe that the central screw turns with the drum
as well as the pieces which it carrics, and that if the apparatus is
arranged so that at any moment the movement of this screw may be
stopped by an outer brake for example, the nut, which is obliged to
turn, will shift and carry the springs to the position corresponding with
nullity of speed, so that the stoppage of the load will take place auto-
matically and without the slightest shock. The same effect may be
obtained in the case of the inclined plane where the changes of speed
are operated by the exterior lever by bringing this back to the position
of nullity of speed by means of a counterweight or other suitably
arranged mechanism.
Figure 6 represents our regulator applied to regulate the working of a
motive power engine driven by steam, a very important and at the same
time very simple application of our system, which we will describe some-
what in detail to explain the working. The regulator properly so called.

page_text: Should the speed lessen too much, so as to destroy the equilibrium
between the action of the centrifugal force upon the sectors S, S1, S1, S¹¹¹
and the concentrating effort of the spring R and the sectors which it
has again brought back to the centre, the inner face of these sectors
will rub against the disc D and actuate it in its turn, producing the
opposite effect, that is to say, the opening of the steam inlet by-the-aid
of the bevel wheel E, e'.
The regulation speed of the machine corresponds, as will be seen, with
the state of equilibrium between the action of the centrifugal force
upon the sectors S, S¹, S", S, and the concentrating. power of the
spring R; forces which may be fixed by calculation for any desired
speed, in order to give to the spring and to the sectors the requisite
dimensions, which however may in practice be regulated experimentally
with great precision.
The spring and the sectors may fit rather closely in the
space between
the disc D and the pulley P, in order that the action upon the one or
the other may take place almost without displacement, and it will be
understood that the speed cannot oscillate excepting within very restricted
limits, in relation to the regulation speed, and that the regulator will
necessarily possess great sensibility.
The explanation which we have given of the play of the mechanism
shows, that when the machine stops, the speed in slackening opens the
steam inlet more and more, and that consequently the complete opening,
really corresponds with the state of repose, as above stated.
But
The application which we have described as example: will suffi-
ciently demonstrate all the importance and utility of our Invention,
and we must refrain from indicating many others casy to foresce.
before concluding it is desirable to draw attention to another application
of a totally different kind, in which our regulator may play a very
important part; we refer to the use of our regulator as a coupling to
transmit power from one shaft to another with variable speeds.
•
If the pulley P (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) instead of being fixed could turn
freely in the shaft, it would be carried along with the drum directly the
springs R, R, were brought against its inner ring by the action of the
centrifugal force, and it would turn more or less rapidly, according to-
the more or less pressure given by the position of the inner springs r, r ;-
its speed would be the same as that of the shaft if these springs

page_text: occupied the extreme position C", which, as previously stated, corre-
sponds with stoppage, and in the present case to a kind of keying or
wedging, uniting the drum and the pulley; so that this latter could act
as intermediary to transmit to another shaft the action of the motive-
power engine, and in this case the regulator becomes an actual
coupling.
.
The position of the collar corresponds on the contrary, as previously
explained, with repose of the pulley P or to uncoupling, because the
centrifugal force developed by the speed of rotation is incapable of
applying the springs R, R, which should actuate it.
In all the other intermediate positions of the collar, the movement of
the shaft will be partially transmitted to the pulley, and there will be a
kind of partial coupling causing this pulley and the picces in connection
with it to turn at rates of speed varying between zero and that of the drum.
Thus the coupling and uncoupling may not only be operated gradually,
but further, the motion may be maintained at any desired rate of
speed in relation to that of the motive-power engine, as long as may be
required.
We will not here enumerate the various mechanical means which
may be used to run the collar in the one direction and in the other, and
to keep it in an intermediate position required to produce a partial
coupling, because these mechanical arrangements will vary to suit the
circumstances of particular cases, and the most suitable arrangement will
be readily seen when the function of the regulator has been thoroughly
understood; neither need we indicate the numerous applications of this
apparatus as coupling; we will simply mention hydro-etractors,
callenders, and other analogous machines in which the starting must be
gradual, and the working be continued for some time at rates of speed
less than the normal working.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of our said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is or may be performed, what we
claim as secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the use of circular springs, alone or in combination with other
springs, as hercin-before explained, to obtain by means of the centrifugal
force a system of regulator capable of moderating the speed of motive-
power engines and other machines, between fixed or variable limits, as
well as the application of this regulator, complete or simplified, to sṭeam,

page_text: hydraulic, and other engines to hoisting and other apparatuses, and
generally to all kinds of machinery to obtain regularity of motion,
moderate the speed, or produce the coupling of parts.
In witness whereof, we, the said Léandro Megy, Jose de Echeverria,
and Felix Bazan, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this
Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five.
Witness,
LEANDRE MÉGY.
(L.S.)
JOSÉ DE ECHEVERRIA. (L.S.)
FELIX BAZAN.
(L.S.)
EDOUARD D'AUBRÉVILLE, fils.,
Ing. Civil.