IMPROVE- MENTS IN OSTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Weems, of Johnstone, in the County of
Renfrew, North Britain, Tinsmith, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OSTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER." -
Sealed the 8th December 1852, and dated the 2nd October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Weems
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd October 1852.
J, JOHN WEEMS, of Johnstone, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Tinsmith, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER" to be as
follows, that is to say:
This Invention relates, first, to various mechanical arrangements to
be used for the obtainment of motive power by more direct means and
at a cheaper rate than can be accomplished by the ordinary steam
engine, or by most other prime movers at present in use, whilst the
movement so obtained is of a very direct and simple nature, and is
capable of application for actuating machinery through the intervention
of very simple gearing or connections. According to one modification

page_text: of my machinery, it consists of an annular chamber arranged to revolve
in a vertical plane upon a horizontal tubular shaft, to which it is
connected by six tubular spokes arranged in pairs at equal distances
asunder. Between the individual spokes of each pair is a sliding
abutment or cock arranged to divide the annular chamber into three
sections at pleasure, and connected with a valve or cock governing the
thoroughfare through each of the spokes, the three sets of abutments
and valves being worked by a central eccentric action, or by other
convenient means. These details are so arranged that whenever the
radial abutments are traversed outwards to shut off a section of the
annular chamber, the corresponding valve fitted to the abutment is
opened to permit of a free communication between the tubular shaft
and the chamber through the pair of tubular spokes. About one half,
more or less, of the annular chamber is filled with some heavy material
in such a form as to be capable of freely traversing along the chamber
when the latter revolves, or when the heavy matter is pressed upon by
any motive agent. A convenient form of this weight is that of a series
of metal rollers or balls fitting loosely to the sides of the annular
chamber, each end roller or ball having attached to it a piston fitted to
work accurately along the chamber all round. Steam, compressed air,
water, or gases may be used as the actuating power, the supply
being effected by means of a rotatory stuffing box connected to the
revolving tubular shaft. The individual spokes in each pair act
respectively as inlet and outlet passages, the three inlet passages
being made to open into the tubular shaft on that side of a trans-
verse division in the pipe which is next the pipe from the boiler
or supply reservoir, whilst the three outlets similarly communicate
with the hollow shaft on the opposite side of its fixed division. The
traversing weights naturally tend to occupy the lowest side for the
time being of the revolving annular chamber, filling up the greater
portion of the space between the first and third of the three abut-
ments, one intermediate abutment being always open to allow of a
free passage along the chamber. Then on steam being admitted
between one (for example, the first,) abutment, its pressure, acting
between the two opposite surfaces of the abutment and the piston

page_text: terminating that end of the series of weights, causes the annular
chamber to revolve with its shaft by the effect, on the one hand, of the
steam pressure in forcing the opposite end of the chain or series of
weights up above its natural level, so as to give an unbalanced leverage
to that side of the revolving chamber, whilst, on the other, it presses up
against the under side of the abutment, thús acting to turn the chamber
in the same direction. In this way a continuous rotatory motion is
given to the chamber, which, with its tubular spokes, constitutes a wheel,
and the power so derived is taken directly off the tubular shaft.
As
each abutment and valvular arrangement comes round during revolution
the eccentric action actuates the abutments and valves to admit of the
influx and efflux of steam and the passage of the weights. In each
case, as a single valve covers both the inlet and' outlet passages, both
these passages are obviously opened and closed at once, so that whilst
steam is entering beneath one abutment to urge round the wheel, the
steam, which has been already used, is escaping from above the abutment
into its section of the tubular shaft, whence it may either blow off or
be condensed in the usual way, and aid the movement by the resulting
vacuum. Instead of loose weights a mass of mercury, water, or other
heavy matter, or metal fusible at or below the working steam heat, may
be used. The same species of engine may also be adapted to work as
a rotatory condensing engine by admitting a rush of cold water amongst
the steam in the chamber, the motive power being in this case derived
from the vacuum, which, other details being similar and equal, acts in a
directly opposite direction to the steam pressure, as previously described.
When worked on this principle the machine is at once a motive power
engine and a condenser, that is, the motive apparatus and the condenser
and air pump are one and the same. Such machine may therefore
either be used as a direct motive power in itself, or as an air pump and
condenser for an ordinary engine, to which it will obviously add the
power derivable from the revolution caused by the condensing action
itself, whilst it will at the same time act as an air pump to keep the
condenser free.
Another form of direct motive power engine on this principle, and
wherein the same advantage is taken of the density of any suitable

page_text: fluid, as water, mercury, or easily fusible metal, consists of a hollow
drum with closed ends, and formed with a series of differential or plain
screw division blades resembling differentially oblique paddle floats.
These divisions form spiral passages or chambers across the periphery
of the drumm, one end being open to the atmosphere through the
respective drum ends. The drum is fast on a horizontal tubular shaft,
and it is immersed to about half its diameter in mercury or other fluid.
Suitable provision is made for the entrance and exit of steam or other
motive matter through this shaft, so that it may successively enter and
be discharged from each of the spiral passages. Then, as the drum
revolves, the fluid in which it is placed (somewhat as in the arrangement
of a gas meter) penetrates to each division as the latter comes down,
and the steam pressing on the surface of the fluid reacts upon the
blades and impels the drum round. This engine may also be used
either as a high pressure or condensing engine. When used for
locomotive purposes, engines of this class may be conveniently placed
inside the boiler, the horizontal driving shaft being brought out on each
side of the boiler by stufling boxes. The same general arrangement
is also serviceable for actuating pumping machinery, or for other
purposes where a reciprocatory motion is required, the valves and
abutments being so arranged that the steam action is continually
reversed from side to side, so that whilst steam is acting on one side
the vacuum is acting on the other, and a reciprocatory rotatory motion
is produced.
Second, to arrangements of machinery for blowing or transmitting
air or other matter by means of a rotatory or partially rotatory drum or
cylinder. Blowing machinery of this kind is fitted up on the principle
already described, the actuating power being communicated to the
horizontal drum shaft. The lower portion (at any given period)
of the drum contains mercury or other heavy matter capable of easy
transmission along the drum. The latter is fitted with suitable valves
and abutments, and as it is caused either to revolve continuously
or partially back and forward, the arrangement is such that air
obtains admission on one side, whilst the descending pressure of the
heavy material is expelling air from the other. By this means a

page_text: continuous blast is kept up. Instead of being loose in the drums or
chambers of any of these arrangements, the weighting matter may be
contained in flexible bags.
Third, to peculiar arrangements of apparatus for measuring water,
gas, or other matter. A drum or chamber is fitted, as described under
the second head, with any heavy fluid or moveable matter, and as the
water or gas is passed into each compartment successively by means
of the hollow shaft, (or when the drum rotates back and forward) by a
flexible tube, the measured matter presses on the surface of the heavy
flexible material, and reacting on the drum blades or livisions causes the
drum to revolve either wholly or partially, and the contents of the
sectional chamber being known, an indicating apparatus attached to
the shaft will point out the quantity of measured fluid.
According to one modification of my Invention I construct an
annular chamber with a single fixed diaphragm or abutment radiating
from the centre, and being half filled with water or other matter, fluid
or solid, to act as a piston. There is an opening for steam on cach side
of the diaphragm. By a suitable valve or cock the steam is made to
enter between the diaphragm and water on one side, whilst it escapes
from the other to the condenser or to the atmosphere. By the action
of the steam the diaphragm is impelled over to the other side, carrying
the annular chamber or wheel with it, the steam is then made to enter
at the other opening and to escape at the former one, by which means
the diaphragm is brought back, when the same thing is repeated, and
thus a reciprocating motion is produced, which may be taken off by a
crank or other known means. The steam may also be condensed in
the annular chamber on each side of the diaphragm, as more particularly
described in reference to my further modifications. By a further modifi-
cation I place three or more four-way cocks in the annular chamber
instead of the abutments. These cocks are so constructed that when
turned to one position there will be a free passage for the fluid or
other piston; when turned to another position the steam will have
entrance from a hollow spoke to one side of the cock and escape at
the other, whilst the cock acts as a steam-tight abutment; the cock
is to be worked by an eccentric or other convenient movement. The

page_text: The essential object of this Invention, as far as it relates to the obtain-
ing an applying motive power, is the simplification of the mechanism,
and the peculiarly direct action of the steam or other operating power.
The required rotatory action of the driven shaft is secured by simply
admitting the operating power to press upon some dense flexible
material on one side, and on the abutments or steps of the machine on
the other, so that the power is applied direct without loss from change
of movement, complication of parts, ill directed dynamical effort, or
injurious friction. It is obvious that the apparatus is capable of
extensive modification for the obtaininent of movements of a similar
nature. Again, as regards the transmission or measurement of fluid
matters, the same essential advantages are secured, the only important
difference being that the apparatus acts in the reverse manner when
transmitting matter, being a driven and not a driving machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Weems in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 2nd April 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM. THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN WEEMS, of Johnstone, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
Tinsmith, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Weems, Her special licence that
J, the said John Weems, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Weems, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to

page_text: time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING
AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Weems, by an instrument in writing under
my hand an 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 John Weems, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 Drawing here-
unto attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):
My said Invention relates generally to various mechanical arrange-
ments to be used for the obtainment of motive power by more direct
means and at a cheaper rate than can be accomplished by the ordinary
steam engine, or by most other prime movers at present in use, whilst
the movement so obtained is of a very direct and simple nature, and is
capable of application for actuating machinery through the intervention
of very simple gearing or connections. According to one modification of
my Invention, I construct an annular chamber with a single fixed
diaphragm or abutment radiating from the centre, and being half filled
with water or other matter, fluid or solid, to act as a piston. There is
an opening for steam on each side of the diaphragm. By a suitable
valve or cock, the steam is made to enter between the diaphragm and
water on one side, whilst it escapes from the other to the condenser
or to the atmosphere. By the action of the steam the diaphragm is
impelled over to the other side, carrying the annular chamber or wheel
with it, the steam is then made to enter at the other opening and to
escape at the former one, by which means the diaphragm is brought
back, when the same thing is repeated, and thus a reciprocating motion

page_text: is produced, which may be taken off by a crank or other known means.
The steam may also be condensed in the annular chamber on cach
side of the diaphragm, as more particularly described in reference to
my further modifications. According to another modification of my
machinery, it consists of an annular chamber arranged to revolve in a
vertical plane upon a horizontal tubular shaft, to which it is connected
by six tubular spokes arranged in pairs at equal distances, asunder.
Between the individual spokes of each pair is a sliding abutment or
cock arranged to divide the annular chamber into three sections at
pleasure, and connected with a valve or cock governing the thorough-
fares through each of the spokes, the three sets of abutments and valves
being worked by a central eccentric action, or by other convenient
means. These details are so arranged that whenever the radial abut-
ments are traversed outwards to shut off a section of the annular
chamber, the corresponding valve fitted to the abutment is opened to
permit of a free communication between the tubular shaft and the
chamber through the pair of tubular spokes. About one half, more or
less, of the annular chamber is filled with some heavy material in such
form as to be capable of freely traversing along the chamber when
the latter revolves, or when the heavy matter is pressed upon by any
motive agent; a convenient form of this weight is that of a series of
metal rollers or balls fitting loosely to the sides of the annular chamber,
each end roller or ball having attached to it a piston fitted to work
accurately along the chamber all round. Steam, compressed air, water,
or gases may be used as the actuating power, the supply being effected
by means of a rotatory stulling box connected to the revolving tubular
shaft. The individual spokes in each pair act respectively as inlet and
outlet passages, the three inlet passages being made to open into the
tubular shaft on that side of a transverse division in the pipe which is
next the pipe from the boiler or supply reservour, whilst the three
outlets similarly communicate with the hollow shaft on the opposite side
of its fixed division. The traversing weights naturally tend to occupy
the lowest side for the time being of the revolving annular chamber,
filling up the greater portion of the space between the first and third of
the three abutments, one intermediate.abutment being always open to
il

page_text: allow of a free passage along the chamber. Then on steam being
admitted between one (for example, the first,) abutment, its pressure,
acting between the two opposite surfaces of the abutment and the piston
terminating that end of the series of weights, causes the annular
chamber to revolve with its shaft by the effect, on the one hand, of the
steam pressure in forcing the opposite end of the chain or series of
weights up above its natural level, so as to give an unbalanced leverage
to that side of the revolving chamber, whilst, on the other, it presses
up against the under side of the abutment, thus acting to turn the
chamber in the same direction. In this way a continuous rotatory
motion is given to the chamber, which, with its tubular spokes, consti-
tutes a wheel, and the power so derived is taken directly off the
tubular shaft. As each abutment and valvular arrangement comes
round during revolution, the eccentric action actuates the abutments
and valves to admit of the influx and efflux of steam and the passage
of the weights. In cach case, as a single valve covers both the inlet
and outlet passages, both these passages are obviously opened and
closed at once, so that whilst steam is entering beneath one abutment
to urge round the wheel, the steam, which has been already used, is
escaping from above the abutment into its section of the tubular
shaft, whence it may either blow off or be condensed in the usual way,
and aid the movement by the resulting vacuum. Instead of loose
weights a mass of mercury, water, or other heavy matter, or metal
fusible at or below the working steam heat, may be used. By a
further modification I place three or more four-way cocks in the
annular chamber instead of the abutments. These cocks are so
constructed that when turned to one position there will be a free
passage for the fluid or other piston; when turned to another position
the steam will have entrance from a hollow spoke to one side of the
cock and escape at the other, whilst the cock acts as a steam-tight
abutment; the cock is to be worked by an eccentric or other convenient
movement. The action is in other respects similar to that described in
my other modifications. The same species of engine may also be
adapted to work as a rotatory condensing engine by admitting a rush of
cold water.or other fluid amongst the steam in the chamber, the motive
power being in this case derived from the vacuum, which, other details

page_text: being similar and equal, acts in a directly opposite direction to the
steam pressure, as previously described. When worked on this principle
the machine is at once a motive power engine and a condenser, that is,
the motive apparatus and the condenser and air pump are one and the
Such a machine may therefore either be used as a direct motive
power in itself, or as an air pump and condenser for an ordinary engine,
to which it will obviously add the power derivable from the revolution.
caused by the condensing action itself, whilst it will at the same time
act as an air pump to keep the condenser free.
same.
Another form of direct motive power engines on this principle,
and wherein the same advantage is taken of the density of any
suitable fluid, as water, mercury, or easily fusible metal, consists of
a hollow drum with closed ends, and formed, with a series of diffe-
rential or plain screw division blades resembling differentially oblique
paddle, floats.
These divisions form spiral passages or chambers
across the periphery of the druim, one end being open to the atmo-
sphere through the respective drum ends. The drum is fast on
a horizontal tubular shaft, and it is immersed to about half its
diameter in mercury or other fluid. Suitable provision is made
for the entrance and exit of steam or other motive matter through
this shaft, so that it may successively enter and be discharged from
cach of the spiral passages. Then, as the drum revolves, the fluid in
which it is placed (sonicwhat as in the arrangement of a gas meter)
penetrates to each division as the latter comes down, and the steam
pressing on the surface of the fluid reacts upon the blades and impels
the drum round. This engine may also be used either as a high pressure
or condensing engine. When used for locomotive purposes, engines
of this class may be conveniently placed inside the boiler, the hori-
zontal driving shaft being brought out on each side of the boiler by
stuffing boxes. The same general arrangement is also serviceable
for actuating pumping machinery, or for other purposes where a
reciprocatory niotion is required, the valves and abutments being so
arranged that the steam action is continually reversed from side to
side, so that whilst steam is acting on one side the vacuum is acting
on the other, and a reciprocatory rotatory motion is produced.
My improvements also relate to arrangements of machinery for

page_text: blowing or transmitting air or other matter by means of a rotatory
or partially rotatory drum or cylinder. Blowing machinery of this
kind is fitted up on the principle already described, the actuating
power being communicated to the horizontal drum shaft. The
lower portion (at any given period) of the drum contains mercury
or other heavy matter capable of easy transmission along the drum.
The latter is fitted with suitable valves and abutments, and as it is
caused either to revolve continuously or partially back and forward, the
arrangement is such that air obtains admission on one side whilst the
descending pressure of the heavy material is expelling air from the
other. By this means a continuous blast is kept up. Instead of being
loose in the drums or chambers of any of these arrangements, the
weighting matter nay be contained in flexible bags.
.
When a drum or chamber is fitted, as described under my second
general modification, with any heavy fluid or moveable matter, and
water or gas is passed into each compartment, successively by means
of the hollow shaft, (or where the drum rotates back and forward)
by a flexible tube, the apparatus measures the passing current, and
the measured matter presses on the surface of the heavy flexible
material, and reacting on the drum blades or divisions causes the drum
to revolve cither wholly or partially, and the contents of the sectional
chambers being known, an indicating apparatus attaclied. to the shaft
will point out the quantity of measured fluid.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1, of my Drawings, is a front elevation, par-
tially in section, of one form of my motive power, machine. Figure
2, is a corresponding transverse vertical section of the machine. It
consists mainly of a pair of vertical standards A, having journals B, on
their tops to carry the tubular shaft C, of the hollow wheel D. The
pipe E, is the inlet passage for the steam or other motive medium,
being fitted steam-tight into the shaft C. by means of a stuffing box F.
The steam passes in as indicated by the arrows, and being stoped
by the central division G, it passes up through the port H, into the
section I, of the valve box above. This valve box has also a central
division J, and each section contains a pair of valves K, L. The
two valves in each section are on the ends of the same spindle, each

page_text: spindle having an open frame M, embracing an eccentric N, set
on a spindle carrying a pair of weighted tumbling levers O, as deli-
neated in the Figures; the steam current passes through the open
valve L, in Figure 1, and ascends the pipe P, passing into the hollow
wheel at Q, close to the fixed abutment R, so as to act upon the end S,
of the solid curved weight T, which is fitted at each end with running
wheels and piston pieces S; U. This pressure tends to elevate the
weight T, towards the left side, and the wheel consequently makes an
oscillatory movement in the reverse way as indicated by the arrow on
the right. Whilst this is going on the steam which has previously
entered the hollow wheel on the other side of its abutment R, is being
discharged either to the atmosphere or into a condenser through the
port V, and pipe W, and through the open valve L, in the section X,
of the valve box. Thence the discharged steam passes through the port
V, into the tubular shaft at Z, and finally escapes through the pipe a.
Then when the wheel has oscillated to the intended extent the tumblers
O, fall over, reversing the set of four valves. The steam from the side
of the wheel Q, S, then escapes by the port Q, whilst that portion of
the wheel on the other side of the abutment R, is supplied with fresh
steam for the reverse action, when the wheel oscillates back, and this
oscillatory movement is then conveyed to the machinery to be driven
by the crank pin b, in the disc c, on the main tubular shaft. The side
view, Figure 2, shews more clearly the arrangement of the four steam
and exhaust pipes between the valve box I, X, and the hollow wheel,
there being two steam pipes, as d, d, crossing each other, on one face or
side of the wheel, and two similar exhaust pipes, as c, on the opposite
face. When the engine is made to act as a condenser in itself the
pipes drawn in red are fitted up in it. Cold water enters by the small
pipes at f, one on each side of the engine, and passes through the
tubular main shaft, and thence up the inlet pipes g, which open into
the hollow wheel. These two pipes are each fitted with a regulating
valve worked from the engine, so that cold water is constantly flowing
in either through one pipe f, or the other. In this way, after the hollow
wheel has received its due supply of steam, cold water is allowed to flow
into the contained steam through one of the inlet roses, as at h, h;

page_text: this condenses the steam on that side, whilst fresh steam is being
admitted on the other side of the abutment. Hence the atmospheric
pressure acts in forcing round the wheel just as already described
in reference to the non-condensing steam engine. The condensing
water is discharged from the hollow wheel at the proper time by means
of a valve i, opening externally, set one on each side of the abutment.
These valves are kept closed by slight springs, and they only open when
the internal pressure upon the discharging valve becomes strong
enough for the purpose, or the discharge of the steam and condensing
water may be effected through the opposite pipe f, on the side at which
the steam escapes, when worked as a non-condensing engine.
Figure 1, on Sheet 2, of my Drawings, is a front elevation of one ar
rangement of my rotatory wheel. Figure 2, is a corresponding vertical
section of the same; and Figure 3, is a horizontal section corresponding
to Figure 1, or through the line a, b. Figure 4, is a longitudinal section
of one of the valves in the hollow wheel through the line c, d. Figure
5, is a view of the plug of the valve or cock detached; and Figure 6,
is a similar view at right angles to Figure 5. The wheel is carried on
the base frame A, on which are a pair of brackets B, carrying two
supporting pulleys or rollers C, on which the main tubular shaft D,
rests, being kept down by the pair of bracket saddle pieces E, which
also carry the cross picces F, to support the end of the steam and
exhaust pipes G, H. The steam enters the pipe or tubular shaft G,
and thence passes through the port I, and along the pipe J, as indicated
by the arrows, into the hollow wheel at K, on the right through the
valve L, of which there are three in the wheel. These valves are so
arranged that the steam passes into them from the two branches M, N,
and enters into the two opposite ports O, P, of the fixed shell of the
valve at each end of the passage from these end ports being along the
shallow recess Q, in the plug. In this way the weighted piston R, is
elevated towards the left, as shewn in Figure 2, on Sheet 2, and the
wheel consequently begins to move round in the direction of the arrow.
In this position the valves S, T, are both full open, with their inside
thoroughfares U, in the direct line of traverse of the piston, so that
the latter can pass through; the end V, of the piston R, has now liberty
to enter and pass through the wide port U, of the valve S; whilst the.

page_text: steam first employed passes off at the valve L, through the two branches
W, of the pipe X, and escapes into the tubular main shaft at Y: The
valve L, then takes the position indicated at S, and both the steam and
exhaust ports are closed, the weighted piston having liberty to pass
through it. This gives one third of a revolution, and the remainder
is accomplished by a repetition. of the-same movements. In the
Drawing, Figure 2, the two valves S, T, are closed both to the
steam and exhaust, and this always occurs when the piston is
passing through them. Each valve has two steam ways and two
exliaust ducts, and each side of the valve plug has a shallow recess,
one for the steam and one for the exhaust, as shewn in Figure 4,
so that whenever steam enters on one side of a valve, as at O, P, Q,
in Figure 4, the reverse ports, a, b, similarly allow of the exhaust
on the other side, the central piston passage U, being simultaneously
closed as the steam and exhaust passages open. The requisite valve
actions are obtained from the differential stationary cam or scroll disc
c, having the pulley ends d, of the link picces e, fitting into the
groove f. Thus, as the wheel rotates, the cam groove works the
links e, longitudinally in their guides g, and these links being connected
at h, with the levers'i, set on stud centres j, on the wheel arms, are
made to oscillate as required. The opposite ends of the levers carry
toothed segments K, gearing with toothed pinions 7, fast on the plugs
of the valves, so that the plugs are made to revolve at the right times.
The details, Figures 4, 5, and 6, represent the actual construction and
arrangement of the valves, each of the three on the wheel, together
with their connecting pipes, being exactly the same. By the arrange-
ment and system of working which I have explained a continuous
rotatory movement of the wheel is secured, the weighted piston having
a clear passage through the valves, at the proper intervals, 'at the
periods when both the steam and exhaust thoroughfares are closed.
Such rotatory motion is obviously applicable for all ordinary purposes
of motive power, but my oscillating wheel is more especially adapted for
such work as requires a reciprocatory action. As, for example, in
working pumps the oscillating or vibrating crank pin being jointed
directly to the pump rods. Instead of working my wheels by means
of steam, I intend to employ heated air, water, or gases. The heated

page_text: air enters the hollow shaft in the same manner as the steam, and cold
water being afterwards admitted, the air, which is at a very high
temperature, is cooled down and condensed, so as to produce a partial
vacuum, and turn round the wheel in the maimer I have already ex-
plained; whatever air and water remains in the wheel is discharged by
a valve opening outwards in the same general way as I have already
mentioned. If hydraulic pressure is conveniently at hand, the wheels
may be worked directly by it, just as in the case of using high
pressure steam without condensing. And instead of working the
wheels by means of stop cocks, as herein-before described, I also con-
struct such wheels with two or more diametrically opposed slides,
having a weight or weights hung to the wheel by levers or crank
arms in such manner that the weights will fall over at the required
periods of the wheels revolution, and so close the valve or slide on one
side and open that on the other.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
had occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of my
Invention; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery, ap-
paratus, or means for obtaining and applying motive power, as herein-
before described.
:
Second, the system or mode of obtaining motive power by elevating
ponderous matter in the interior of a hollow annular chamber or wheel,
so as to cause the rotation of such wheel by steam, air, water, or gaseous
pressure.
Third, the system or mode of working motive power wheels by
direct pressure and condensation in the interior thereof, as herein-
before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of closing or adjusting the valvular pas-

page_text: sages or ports in the line of the passage of the ponderous matter or
piston.
Fifth, the system or mode of condensing air, steam, or gases in the
interior of the motive wheel by the admission therein of cold water
or other condensing medium, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the system or mode of working motive wheels by means of
expanding and condensing air, as liercin-before describeil.
Seventh, the application and use of stop-cocks or valves contrived
with inlet and outlet passages, and a piston thoroughfare combined.
Eight, the application and use of my motive power wheel for
measuring purposes.
Ninth, the application and use of flexible communicating or con-
veying pipes, so that such pipes may twist and admit of the motion of
the apparatus.
Tenth, the system or mode of working diametrically opposed slides
or valves by means of pendant weights, as herein-before described.
Eleventh, the system or mode of applying motive power for blowing
purposes by the transmission of air through my motive wheels.
Twelfth, the system or mode of obtaining motive power by the direct
action of steam, water, or air upon the blades of wheels immersed or
partially immersed in mercury or other ponderous fluid.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Weems, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
TOTIN