IM- PROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Michel Lombard, of Paris, in the
Empire of France, Barrister-at-Law, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER."
Sealed the 27th August 1853, and dated the 30th March 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Michel
Lombard at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 30th March 1853.
I, LOUIS MICHEL LOMBARD, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER" to be as follows:-
I arrange levers, bars, and pulleys; I combine them and work them
by means of cords, bands, or straps, so that a weight is made to lift a
like weight at the other end of my apparatus.
PAPER A. IN EXPLANATION.
First Part.
Motive Power by the self-renewing Effect of a Weight.
This motive power arises from the action of three weights acting
alternately upon one another, in such a manner that two of these
weights cause a third to rise at a speed equal to double of that of the

page_text: descending weights, and also through a distance equal to double of
that through which the descending weights pass. This result is
obtained thus:-The ascending weight is so disposed of as to balance
itself, and consequently its effective gravitating force is reduced, the
remainder of which is then readily overcome by the other two weights,
whose excess of power above the first becomes motive power. The
inspection of the drawing, and the calculation of the powers acting in
opposite directions, are sufficient to point this out.
A, C, A', represents a lever or moveable bar, which is supported at
the point C, by a bar C, E', which is perpendicular to it. This lever
or moveable bar is kept in its position by two other bars E, E, F, F',
which turn about their extremities E, F, so that they may rise and fall
vertically; the one, E, E', being lengthened, and having a weight
suspended at its now extremity, in order to bring it back to its original
position when it has completed its first passage. It is upon the move-
able bar A, C, A', that both the superior and inferior forces must bear
and balance.
Below the bar A, C, A', is the great lever R, V, R¹; the side V, R',
of which is double V, R, and which carries at its extremity R', the
lever J, J; the side J', of which is equal to three times the side J, J, J.
At its extremity, J, carries another lever P, P', whose side P, is double
of the side P¹, and which has a pulley attached to its extremity P'.
On the other side of the lever R, V, R', at the point R, is placed
another lever L, L', with equal arms. Above L, L', again is another
lever H, N, II', connected with L', at the point N, and turning about
the point H, H; N, being equal to one fourth, and consequently
N, H', to three fourths, of the whole length II, H'.
Again, above the lever A, C, A', is another great lever S, S', with
equal arms, and carrying at its extremity S', another level I, I',
whose side I', is equal to three times the opposite one I, and which
carries at its extremity I, another lever B, B', whose arms are equal.
Abovo the lover S, S', is another, L, L', with equal arms. bearing a
well-made pulley at each end. Above this again is another great lever
. m, m', with equal arms bearing on the side M', a sector of a circle,
which sector might also be placed at the other extremity. Moveable

page_text: pulleys are placed both above and below the bar A, C, A¹, and are
arranged as is shown in the drawing.
:
The different parts of the machine are connected by means of ropes,
chains, or iron rods, turning at their extremities, in the following
manner: One rod extends from Z, and bears upon A¹; another
unites J, and J', similarly. B, is united to A; A, to H¹; N, to L';
L, to S; and F, to P. Again, a rope or chain extends from the
point A', and, passing round the pulley at B', leads to the voveable
one O another passes from A', round O, and O', and is fixed at Y;
another extends from O', round O", and leads to A¹. Two ropes are
tied under the pulley O"; one passes under the pulley P¹, and returns
round the inferior part of the pulley O, O, and is attached to J, J¹,
so as to keep it horizontal; the other passes round the superior part
of the double pulley O, O, and leads to the pulley O¹¹¹; another rope
leads from A', round the pulleys O and O", and returns to point A¹;
another joins the pulleys O, and O. Again, from a hook placed
above the pulley Ot, a rope leads round the inferior part of the double
moveable pulley 0, 0¹, returns round the pulley Ot, passes up over
puller O, and, descending, passes round the superior part of pulley O, O';
then round the pulley O, and, descending, passes round the superior
part of the pulley O, 0, 0, and round the pulley O, and bears at its
extremity a hook to receive another rope. The drawing must be
adhered to in placing the ropes.
The above system may be modified by suppressing the levers J, J',
F, F, and replacing them by the levers B, B, and P, P', with the
ropes attached to them. Other alterations may also be obtained, but
they would be unimportant. They must always allow the balance of
power to subsist, both above and below the bar A, C, A', or any other
bar that is used instead of it; this being the essential part of the system.
The power to be disposed of may be progressively increased by leading
one or more ropes from the pulley O, to that next above it, each of
which ropes would return about a pulley placed at the extremity of the
one which precedes, the last being passed round the sector applied to
the notched wheels. To avoid, as much as possible, the loss arising
from the lowering of the levers and the slackening of the ropes, a

page_text: of the lever Z, Z, which supports the motive weight.
Mechanical Motion.
To apply the system to an alternate and continued motion, it is
necessary to connect three equal weights in such a manner that two of
them together shall cause the third to oscillate continually with double
their own velocity, at the same time producing a surplus power, which
becomes motive power.
This alternate and continuous power is produced by means of an
apparatus with notched wheels and denticulated parts. fitting within
each other, with an escapement of the same kind as that of a thrashing
machine, in three parts.
This apparatus is composed, 1st, of a row of three vertical notched
picces; 2nd, of a row of 3 denticulated wheels, fitting on one side
into the three notched pieces before mentioned, and on the other into
three denticulated levers. These levers carry a sector of the same
dimensions as the former, having a grooved circumference to receive a
rope or chain for raising the motive weight with a progressively increas-
ing force. The sector is placed on one side of the notched wheels, and
under the denticulated parts. 3d, a row of three denticulated levers,
turning upon centres, and having both sides equal. Care must be
taken to ease the escapement, to have only the necessary number of
notches. As the beating motion thus obtained may be readily under-
stood by an inspection of the drawing, it would be useless to enter here
into further details.
When the machinery for performing the alternate and continued
motion is properly prepared it is only necessary to connect it with the
machinery for producing motive power. To that end, the apparatus of
motive power must be repeated three times to correspond to the three
parts composing the apparatus for producing the beating motion, and
they are disposed in such a manner that the straight denticulated parts
are placed on the side of the lever M, M, and below its extremity M'.

page_text: The extremities of the largest sides of the denticulated levers are thus
placed beneath the point Z, of the lever Z, Z, at the end of which each
denticulated part fits in. On the other side a perpendicular bar rises from
the extremities of the denticulated levers, and terminates at the ex-
tremity Z, of the lever Z, Z. At a little distance below the point of
junction of these last, another horizontal bar is placed, having the centre
on which it turns at one of its extremities, and bearing at the other the
motive weight. In the middle of this horizontal bar the rope which
crosses the lever Z, Z', is fastened, to cause the weight to pass through
a double distance. At the same point is fastened another rope or chain,
the other extremity of which is fixed at the point M, of the lever M, M'.
The rope or chain which crosses Z, Z', descends, and passes round each
circular part attached to each notched wheel, and is there fixed to its
extremity. When everything is thus disposed, and each part occupies
its respective position, the motive weight, lowered by the rope passing
over the circular sector, being now supported only by the rope which
crosses Z, Z, submits to the effect of the machinery for producing motive
power, and offers no resistance to its elevation. This motion takes
place with double speed, since the lever T, T', turns about its other
extremity, while the point of application of the acting power is only
half the distance of the motive weight from the centre. When the
motion is completed the notched wheel continues its rotation, and an
escapement takes place through want of notches on the wheel. By
means of this escapement the perpendicular bar is lowered, and the
denticulated lever of the third series descends, and retakes its original
place. In a similar manner the rest of the same part of the beating
machinery, and the machinery for motive power, travel to their first
positions. This motion may, moreover, be determined either by a
weight or by any other suitable means; and more particularly by a
straight part placed between the notched wheels, which straight part
in lowering might cause the machinery to resume its former position.
At the same moment the weight which has been raised, and which
occupies the first position, being no longer borne up by the lever M, M',
acts in its turn through the rope which is fastened to the denticulated
straight part to which it corresponds, and uniting its power to that of

page_text: the other weight, which has only performed half its passage, raises the
weight which has descended to the lowest point of its path. The motion
is thus performed alternately for each weight continuously.
To give more regularity to the motion, a wing may be adapted to
one part of the machinery, and the pulleys may be replaced by levers,
producing the same effect. Double length might also be given to the
denticulated lever, in the part opposed to the notches, by also giving
double length to the side Z, of the lever Z, Z. The mass of matter
must be placed either directly at the extremity of the lever, or upon a
bar, supported in the middle by a rope descending from the lever, this
bar being moveable about a centre at its other extremity. Should the
motive power be sufficient, two weights instead of three may be used
by inaking in the different parts the alterations which necessarily follow.
The rope which crosses the lever Z, Z, may also be suppressed by
preserving the motion of the rope at the extremity Z, placing a pulley at
that point. These pulleys, levers, and ropes are maintained in their
respective positions by the ordinary methods. The motive power may
be employed, without continued motion, to raise weights, as are cranes
and other machines of the same description.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Louis Michel Lombard, in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 16th September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
LOUIS MICHEL LOMBARD, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Barrister-
at-Law, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent. Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors.
give and grant unto me, the said Louis Michel Lombard, Her special
licence that I, the said Louis Michel Lombard, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Louis Michel

page_text: Lombard, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER," upon the con-.
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Louis Michel Lombard, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Louis Michel Lombard, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
drawings annexed, that is to say:
My new motive power results from the effect of equal weights acting
one upon the other, and is obtained principally by means of one of the
weights losing all or a part of its force by dividing its action, and by
causing it to balance itself, in consequence of which it can be easily
raised by another opposite weight, which possesses all its force. The
excess of the force of one of the weights above that of the other is
then susceptible of becoming motive power. This result will be
realized by constructing a machine according to the following descrip-
tion:-
Figure 1, A, G, A', represents a lever or moveable bar, carrying
at the point G, a bar G, F', which is perpendicular to it. This
lever or moveable bar is held in its horizontal position by two other
bars E, E, F, F', which turn at their extremities in such manner
that the moveable bar may be raised or depressed vertically. E, E',
carries a prolongation, on the end of which a weight may be hung,
which will represent the effect of gravity of the machine upon the
moveable bar. It is upon this moveable bar that the superior and
inferior forces are supported and balanced. Beneath the moveable

page_text: bar is the great lever R, V, R', of which the side V, R', is double
the side V, R; this bar carries at R', the lever J, J', of which the
side J', is triple of the side J, and which has placed at its extremity J
another lever P, P', of which the arm P, is double of the opposite
arm P. A pulley is placed at the extremity P. On the other side
of the lever R, V, R', another lever is placed, at the point R, having
equal arms L, L'. Above this is the other lever H, N, H', having
its point of support at the point II, about which it turns, and divided
in such manner that the part H, N, forms one fourth, and N, H',
the other three fourths of its length. Above the moveable bar is
another great lever S, S', having equal arms, and carrying at its
extremity S', another lever I, I', of which the arm I', is triple of
the opposite; and at the extremity I, it carries another lever B, B,
having equal sides, and carrying a pulley at the point B. Above the
lever S, S, is another Z, Z', having the side Z, double of the side Z
and carrying at each extremity a fixed pulley (that shewn in the draw-
ing has its point of support at one-third of its length, by which tho con-
tinuous motion hereafter spoken of is brought about). Besides these.
other moveable pulleys are to be placed above and below the moveable
bar, as shewn in the drawing. The different parts of the machine are
connected at their extremities in the following manner :-A rod extend-
ing from the point 2, is supported at the point A', upon the moveable
bar; and another rod descends from the same point Z', to the point S',
and again other rods or cords unite the point I', to the point J'; the
point S, to the point L; the point N, to the point L'; and the point E',
to the point A. A cord or chain passes from the point A', round the
pulley B, descends round the moveable pulley O', and is attached to a
fixed point a little above it. From the moveable pulley O', another
cord descends, passes round the moveable pulley O", and, ascending, is
fixed to the point F. The pulley O", is attached by a cord to the
point P. Three cords are connected to the lower side of the lever
A, G, A, under the point A'; the first passes round the pulley P
ascends round the inferior part of the double moveable pulley 0 0,
and is fastened near to the point R'; the second descends round the
superior part of the double pulley 00, passes round the inferior part of

page_text: the double pulley 00¹, and is fastened above the preceding one; finally,
the third passes round the superior part of the double moveable
pulley 00, goes up above the moveable bar, round the moveable
pulley 00, and, descending, is fixed to the moveable bar at the
point A. Above the pulley 00", is the pulley O, to which it is
attached by a cord. Another cord passes from the upper part of O",
ascends and passes round the pulley O", then descends, and after pass-
ing round O, again ascends and becomes fixed to the point Z', as
shewn in Figure 8. The overplus of the motion of the cord in this part
is applied to the continuous force, as will be hereafter shewn in reference
to Figure 7. Above the pulley O", is a cord sliding over the
pulleys Z, Z, and carrying at its extremity X, the weight to be raised.
When all is thus disposed, and each part occupies its proper place, if
any weight whatever be suspended from the point X, all the parts of
the machine remain at rest; but if an equal weight be now suspended
at the point Z', this arm becomes depressed, whilst the arm Z, of
the same lever is lifted in the same proportion, and with it the weight
placed at X. It is evident that this result is produced chiefly by the
action of the weight X, dividing itself above and below the moveable
bar, whereby it may be easily raised by another equal weight placed at
the extremity Z. The same experiment may be applied to the various
modifications following. The preceding method may be variously
modified, as is shewn in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, of the drawings.
We shall only point out here how these several modifications differ
from the first mode. In the arrangement shewn at Figure 4, the
rod I, J, is suppressed, and the lever I, I', is replaced by the
lever B, B', having equal arms, and a rod extending from the point B,
to the point A. A-cord starting from the point A' passes round the
pulley B', and carries at its lower extremity another pulley O. A
second cord starts from the same point A', passes round this pulley O,
descends round the pulley O', and, ascending, is fixed to a point placed
above. The rest of the arrangement is the same as in Figure 1, with
the following exceptions:-The cord descending from the double
pulley O, O", is fixed to the extremity J₁, of the lever J, J, and the
cord passing round the pulley O, ascends and goes round the

page_text: pulley O", then descends, and after passing round the superior part of
the double pulley 00, goes up and is fixed to the lower part of the
pulley O Finally, another cord, extending from the upper part of
the pulley 00, ascends round the inferior part of the double
pulley 00, and descends for the purpose of communicating the motive
force. This applies to Figures 1, 4, and 5.
.
Figure 5. This arrangement is similar to te preceding one, with
the exception that it has two stops. This involves the employment of a
third cord, starting from the point A', passing round the inferior part
of the double moveable pulley 00', then descending round the move-
able pulley O, and becoming attached ultimately to a superior point.
A pulley may always be replaced by a lever, producing the same effect.
The pulley at B', is accordingly here replaced by a small lever D, D',
having equal arms. The second cord descends from the point A', and
after having passed round the superior part of the double pulley 00",
is fixed to the lower part of the pulley 00¹¹
Figure 6. The motive force will be progressively augmented by
passing a cord, one end of which is fixed to a hook near the point Z'
round the pulley O"; and after having passed it also round the
pulley O, fixing at its extremity, and a little below O, another
pulley O. Other cords shall pass from the pulley O, the first of
which, after passing round the pulley just mentioned, shall descend
round the superior part of the double pulley 00, and again ascend
and be fixed to a hook below the point Z'; the second of them shall
pass round the inferior part of the double pulley 00, and carry below
it the pulley O, round which should pass a third cord coming from the
pulley O; and this is repeated for each cord that comes from the
pulley O In order to produce the progressive force, the cords and
pulleys employed for this purpose may be replaced by a single lever,
centred at one of its extremities, in which case the cord descending
from the point Z, which is to communicate the motive power, should
be attached above the lever to a point near the same extremity, whilst
another cord, representing the progressive force, attached below to the
other extremity, goes down, and is fixed to the toothed lever near to
the toothed part. The progressive force will be greater as the point of

page_text: attachment of the last cord is proportionably more distant from the
first than this is from the centre of the lever.
Figure 7. In this figure the lever B, B', is suppressed, and a cord
or bar joins the point S', of the lever S, S', to the point G, of the
moveable bar. A cord descends from the point F', and is attached to
the inferior part of the portion of a circle that terminates the lever
G', G", which is supported at and turns about its opposite extremity,
and carries, at the middle of its length, another portion of a circle,
round which passes a cord, which cord descends to and is fixed at
the point P, of the lever P, P. The cords starting from the point A',
and passing under the moveable bar, and the remainder, are arranged
similarly to those in Figure 5, of which this is but a simplification.
Figure 8. The description previously given of Figure 1, will suffi-
ciently explain this arrangement.
Figure 9. This is similar to the lower portion of Figure 4, with the
exception that the first cord descends from the point A'; and after
having passed round the inferior part of the double moveable pulley
00", is fixed above the point R'. The second cord passes round the
superior part of the double moveable pulley 00", and, after ascend-
ing and passing round the inferior part of the double pulley 0, 0,
descends, and is fixed to the point J'. The remainder is the same as
in Figure 4.
Figure 10. It will not be necessary, in the arrangement shewn in
this Figure, as in that shewn in Figure 5, that the cord starting from
the double pulley 00", shall pass round the pulley O, in order to
be fixed above the moveable bar. It will be sufficient that this cord
leads directly to and is fixed at a point under this last pulley, and then
the cord which crosses the lever Z', Z, may be suppressed. From
below the point Z', a cord will descend, pass round the pulley Q¹¹¹,
ascend round the pulley at Z', and carry, at its end, another pulley O.
From the pulley O, another cord starts, and, passing round the
pulley O, carries another at its extremity. The same disposition must
be repeated as often as is necessary for the progressive force. As the
cord which traversed Z, Z1, is suppressed, a chain may be led from Z,
and attached to X. This motive power can be employed for all the

page_text: To apply the system to an alternate and continuous motion, it is
necessary to connect three equal weights in such manner that two of
them together shall cause the third to oscillate continually with double
their own velocity; at the same time producing a surplus power which
becomes "motive power."
This alternate and continuous power is produced by means of an
apparatus with notched wheels and denticulated parts fitting into each
other, with an escapement of the kind employed in a threshing machine,
in three parts. This apparatus is shewn in Figure 11. and is composed,
first, of a row of three vertical notched pieces A, A', A". Secondly, of
a row of three denticulated wheels B, B', B", fitting on one side into
the three notched picces A, A', A", before mentioned; and on the other
into three denticulated levers C, C. C". These levers carry a sector,
having a grooved circumference to receive a rope or chain for raising
the motive weight with a progressively increasing force. This sector
is placed on one side of the notched wheels and under the denticulated
parts. Third, of the row of three denticulated levers C, C, C", before
referred to, turning upon centres, and having both sides equal. Care
must be taken to ease the escapemont to have only the necessary
notches. As the beating motion thus obtained may be readily under-
stood by an inspection of the drawings, it would be useless to enter
here into further details.
When the machinery for performing the al rnate and continuous
motion is properly prepared, it is only necessary to connect it with the
machinery for producing motive power. To that end the apparatus
of motive power must he repeated three times to correspond to the
three parts composing the apparatus for producing the beating motion;
and they are disposed in such manner that the straight denticulated

page_text: parts are placed at the sides of the lever M, M', Figure 1, and below
its extremity M. The extremities of the largest sides of the denticu-
lated levers are thus placed beneath the point Z', of the lever Z, Z',
Figure 1. On the other side a perpendicular bar rises from the ex-
tremities of the denticulated levers, and terminates at the extremity Z,
of the lever Z, Z. At a little distance below the point of junction of
these last another horizontal bar is placed, having the centre on which
it turns at one of its extremities, and bearing at the other the motive
weight. In the middle of this horizontal bar, at the point X, the rope
which crosses the lever Z, Z, is fastened; at the same point is fastened
also another rope or chain, the other extremity of which is fixed at the
point M, of the lever M, M. The rope crossing Z, Z, descends
and passes round each circular part attached to each notched wheel,
and is there fixed to its extremity. When every thing is thus dis-
posed, and each part occupies its respective position, the motive weight,
lowered by the rope passing over the circular sector, being now sup-
ported only by the rope which crosses Z, Z', submits to the action
of the machinery for producing motive power, and offers no resist-
ance to its clevation, and its motion takes place with double speed, since
the lever Z, Z', has the side Z, double of the side 2, and the denticu-
lated lever has its corresponding sides in the same proportion. When
the motion in the first direction is completed, the notched wheels con-
tinue their rotation, and an escapement takes place in consequence of
a deficiency of notches on the wheel. By means of this escapement
the perpendicular bar is lowered, and the denticulated lever of the
third series descends and retakes its original place. In a similar
manner the other parts, both of the beating machinery and the
machinery for obtaining motive power, return to their first positions.
The motion may, moreover, be determined either by a weight or by
any other suitable means, and particularly by a straight part adapted.
to each denticulated wheel in such manner that, by lowering and
leaning itself on the inferior extremity of a rod which reacts upon a
superior lever, it obliges the mechanism to return to its primitive
position, as shewn in Figure 2. At the same moment, the weight
which has been raised, and which occupies its first position, being no

page_text: longer borne up by the lover M, M, acts in its turn on the rope which
is fastened to the denticulated straight part, to which it corresponds,
and uniting its power to that of the other weight, which has performed
only half its passage with it, raises the weight, which has already
reached the lowest point of its path. The motion is thus alternately
produced by the different weights, and is thus made continuous.
To give more regularity to the motion, a wing may be adapted to one
part of the machinery, and the pulleys may be replaced by levers
producing the saine effects, as has before been stated. The motive
weight, instead of being placed at the point T, of the lever T. T, may
be placed at the point X. Tubes or pipes, fitted with air-tight pistons,
as shewn at Figure 3, and having the air removed from them by the
pneumatic pump, may, by receiving the pressure of the superior
atmosphere upon their pistons, be made to give motion to the superior
part of the machine, instead of the weights before referred to.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is,-
First, the method or methods herein-before described of obtaining a
motive power which may be applied to all the purposes to which other
motive powers are applicable; and,
Second, the method or methods herein-before described of applying
the said motive power to the production of an oscillatory or beating
and continuous motion.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Michel Lombard, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
August, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
LOMBARD. (L.S.)