IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING MOTIVE POWER TO POTTERS' MACHINERY
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Ross Walker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th February 1868.
I, EDWARD Ross WALKER, of Fenton, Stoke-upon-Trent, in the
County of Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING MOTIVE POWER TO POTTERS'
MACHINERY," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in driving jiggers, throwing wheels, lathes,
and other revolving machines used in forming articles of earthenware,
by means of reciprocating or rotatory engines actuated by water under
considerable pressure; also in using water under pressure for actuating
presses or reciprocating machines for stamping articles of earthenware,
or for expressing the surplus moisture in slip or clay in a liquid state.
Whereas at present the jiggers or throwing wheels are principally
worked by the hand or foot of a workman, I purpose applying small
motive-power engines actuated by water under pressure direct to each
machine, or one engine may drive two or three contiguous machines.
I purpose carrying the motive power by means of pipes into the different
workshops, and where it is found desirable returning the water after

page_text: it has actuated the machines to the source from whence it came, so
that it may be used over and over again. I purpose in some cases
mixing soap with the water, which shall both lubricate the working
parts in passing and prevent the water or mixture from freezing, except
at a lower temperature than 32 degrees of Fahrenheit. I purpose in
instances where the work required to be done by the machines varies,
when a crank or similar contrivance is used, lengthening or shortening
the stroke of the machine or engine so as to economize the quantity
of water. I purpose using a natural or artificial head of water, or I
place the water under pressure by forcing it into an air vessel or
accumulator, or other well-known means. In driving jiggers or similar
machines I place a small engine having the inlet valve arranged so
that the workman may stop, vary the speed, or reverse the motion by
opening or closing the valve with his foot by means of suitable levers
or rods.
When the motion is continuously in one direction it will be
sufficient to connect the spindle of the slide valve or stop-cock or stop
valve by a rod or rods and levers to a "treddle" fixed close to the
natural position of the workman's foot, so that without ceasing to work
or mould the clay he may stop, vary the speed, or start the machine.
When the machine is required to revolve in both directions alternately
the engine will have slotted levers or links fitted to it with rods, so
that the workman may change the position of the slide or working
valve of the engine, or change the current of the water by pressing his
foot upon a "treddle" similar to the one before mentioned. The move-
iment of the slide or working valve will alter the relative period of
admission of the water, so that the engine will revolve in the contrary
direction. Where several machines are contiguous I place an engine
in any convenient position, and cause it to drive an endless band; on
each machine Ì fix a pulley or pulleys, and arrange so that the workman
may cause the band to rub against the pulley and so drive the machine
in either direction at will. In driving stamping machinery I bring
the water in pipes under pressure to the machines, 'and I fix a slide
valve or stop-cock or stop valve, so that the water will pass through
it to the machine. I 'fasten a lever or levers with connecting rods to
the valve, so that the workman may move it or open or shut it with
his hand or foot while superintending the operation. In other cases I
attach the levers and rods to a. reciprocating part of the machine itself,
so that when set in motion it will continue to actaiate the admission
valve and be what is called "self-acting." I cause the water to enter

page_text: a cylinder, and so communicate motion to a ram or piston having a die
or plunger connected with it. Where the "slip" or liquid clay is to
be consolidated or have the surplus moisture separated from it, I use
a pump having a cylinder and ram actuated by another ram against
which the water acts, the two rams being so proportioned that any
desirable pressure may be put upon the slip so as to force it into the
separating apparatus continuously.