IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING OR RECORDING VARIATIONS IN PRESSURE, WEIGHT, And Temperature
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING OR
RECORDING VARIATIONS IN PRESSURE, WEIGHT, And Temperature.”—A
communication from abroad by the Firm of Redier and Company,
of Paris, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 23rd October 1874, and dated the 5th May 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 5th May 1874.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND
REGISTERING OR RECORDING VARIATIONS IN PRESSURE, WEIGHT, AND TEMPERATURE,”
a communication to me from abroad by the Firm of Redier and
Company, of Paris, in the Republic of France, to be as follows:
.
This Invention relates to a peculiar arrangement and combination of
apparatus having for its object the indicating and registering or record..
1

page_text: ing of variations in pressure, weight, and temperature on an enlarged
and magnified scale, so as to enable such variations to be indicated, read,
and registered with greater facility than heretofore.
In carrying out this Invention as applied to the indicating and
registering or recording of the variations of barometrical pressure; for
example, it is proposed to employ two spring barrels (the springs being
wound up periodically), which barrels are capable of imparting motion
through the intervention of a train of gearing to two light flyers, the
arms of one or other of which are held or retained by the cross piece of
the T hand or pointer of or attached to an aneroid barometer (when
such is employed), whilst both flyers are stationary when the apparatus
is in equilibrium by reason of a given average pressure being maintained.
These barrels revolve in opposite directions and are connected by a
differential train of gearing with an axis which may be provided with
either a hand or pointer of suitable weight and dimensions for the
purpose of indicating the barometrical variations on a large scale, or
with a pulley carrying a chain which conducts a pencil or marker along
a drum or cylinder set in motion by clockwork in any suitable manner,
or with both in combination. If the barometer falls, the hand or pointer
furnished with a T end recedes and liberates one of the flyers, and the
corresponding barrel is then free to revolve; when on the contrary the
barometer ascends, its hand or pointer advances and releases the other
flyer, thereby enabling its corresponding barrel to revolve whilst the
former is held stationary. These motions of the respective barrels are
transmitted to the hand or pointer on the axis herein-before referred to or
to the pencil or marker, or to both, as the case may be, which is or are
moved in the direction corresponding to the barrel then in operation,
whereby a continuous indication, registration, or record of the variations
in the pressure is obtained.
It should be observed that the rotation of the spring barrel not only
causes the hand or pointer or the pencil or both, as the case may be, to
move in the desired direction, but also effects the partial rotation or
oscillation of the entire barometrical apparatus so as to bring the
T hand or pointer within range of the thin revolving flyer.
When a mercurial barometer is employed a float is provided having
a T rod, which performs similar functions to those of the T hand or
pointer herein-before referred to, and the before-mentioned spring barrels

page_text: cause the entire barometrical apparatus to rise and fall in lieu of
oscillating, in order to bring back the T hand or pointer within range of
the flyers. Or a double syphon barometer may be used with advantage,
when the level changes the float rises in one of the two syphons, but
under the action of the spring barrels and of a special pulley a plunger
is caused to descend in the second syphon so as to maintain a constant
level and to cause the T hand or pointer to remain within range of the
flyers.
In applying this Invention to the indication and registration or
recording of variations in weight or temperature the apparatus may be
modified in various ways. For example, when it is desired to indicate
and register or record the change of density of alcohol produced in a
distillery, an acrometer surmounted by a rod carrying a ▼ piece is
employed, such T piece acting on one or other of the flyers according to
the variations in the density, the equilibrium in the aerometer is re-
established and the T piece is brought back within range of the flyers
by means of a plunger, the line traced being proportional to the motion
of such plunger.
The motions of a scale beam may also be similarly indicated and
registered or recorded, the equilibrium being re-established by means of
a plunger dipping into a liquid which is contained in a vessel placed in
or attached to one of the scales.
For the purpose of indicating and registering or recording changes
of temperature an open mercurial thermometer may be employed; such
thermometer discharging its excess, due to expansion, into one of the
scales of a balance, and the equilibrium being re-established in the
manner herein-before described.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, hearing date the Fifth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
37th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns,. or such others as I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or 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,
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 APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND REGISTERING OR RECORDING
VARIATIONS IN PRESSURE, WEIGHT, and TemperatuRE," a communication to
me from abroad by the Firm of Redier and Company, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, 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 John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates to a peculiar arrangement and combination
of apparatus, having for its object the indicating and registering or
recording of variations in pressure, weight, and temperature on an
enlarged and magnified scale so as to enable such variations to be indi-
cated, read, and registered with greater facility than heretofore.
In constructing apparatus for indicating the variations of atmospheric
weight and pressure it has not hitherto been found practicable to employ
dial barometers of large dimensions, as the small amount of motive
power which the variations in the weight of the atmosphere are capable
of imparting to the apparatus is not sufficient to influence a hand or
pointer if the latter is made to exceed a certain weight however much

page_text: the various parts of the apparatus may be increased in size. The known
constructions arc therefore based upon a state of equilibrium of the
hand or pointer which renders it susceptible of being displaced by the
least wind. A like difficulty also occurs in constructing registering
barometers.
In carrying out the said Invention as applied to the indicating and
registering or recording of the variations of barometrical pressure two
spring barrels are employed (the springs being wound up periodically),
which barrels are capable of imparting motion through the intervention
of a train of gearing to two light flyers, the arms of one or other of
which are held or retained by the cross piece of the T hand or pointer of
or attached to an aneroid barometer (when such is employed), whilst
both flyers are stationary when the apparatus is in equilibrium by reason
of any pressure being maintained without variation. These barrels
revolve in opposite directions and are connected by a differential train of
gearing with an axis which may be provided with either hand or pointer
of suitable weight and dimensions for the purpose of indicating the
barometrical variations on a large dial, or with a pulley carrying a chain
which conducts a pencil or marker along a drum or cylinder set in
motion by clockwork in any suitable manner, or with both in combi-
nation. If the barometer falls the hand or pointer furnished with a
T end recedes and liberates one of the flyers, and the corresponding
barrel is then free to revolve; when on the contrary the barometer
ascends its hand or pointer advances and releases the other flyer, thereby
enabling its corresponding barrel to revolve whilst the former is held
stationary. These motions of the respective barrels are transmitted to
the hand or pointer on the axis herein-before referred to, or to the pencil
or marker, or to both, as the case may be, which is or are moved in the
direction corresponding to the barrel then in operation, whereby a con-
tinuous indication, registration, or record of the variations in the
is obtained.
pressure.
It should be observed that the rotation of the spring barrel not only:
causes the hand or pointer, or the pencil or marker, or both, as the case.
may be, to move in the desired direction, but also effects the partial
rotation or oscillation of the entire barometrical apparatus so as to bring
the T hand or pointer within range of the then revolving flyer.
When a mercurial barometer is employed a float is provided having
a T rod which performs similar functions to those of the T. hand or pointer

page_text: herein-before referred to, and the before-mentioned spring barrels cause
the entire barometrical apparatus to rise and fall in lieu of oscillating in
order to bring back the T hand or pointer within range of the flyers.
Or a double syphon barometer may be used with advantage; when the
level changes the float rises in one of the two syphons, but under the
action of the spring barrels and of a special pulley a plunger is caused
to descend in the second syphon so as to maintain a constant level and
to cause the T hand or pointer to remain within range of the flyers.
In applying this Invention to the indication and registration or re-
cording of variations in weight or temperature the apparatus may be
modified in various ways. For example, when it is desired to indicate
and register or record the change of density of alcohol produced in a
distillery, an areometer surmounted by a rod carrying a T picce is
employed, such T piece acting on one or other of the flyers according to
the variations in the density; the equilibrium in the areometer is re-
established and the T piece is brought back within range of the flyers by
means of a plunger, the line traced being proportional to the motion of
such plunger.
The motions of a scale beam may also be similarly indicated and
registered or recorded, the equilibrium being re-established by means of
a plunger dipping into a liquid which is contained in a vessel placed in
or attached to one of the scales.
For the purpose of indicating and registering or recording changes of
temperature an open mercurial thermometer may be employed, such
thermometer discharging its excess due to expansion into one of the
scales of a balance, and the equilibrium being re-established in the
manner herein-before described.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the a
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the
Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) represents a general plan of a registering baro-
metrical apparatus complete with the large dial and hand or pointer
removed; Figure 2 is a plan on a reduced scale of a portion of the a
apparatus shewing the application of the large dial and of the indicating
hand or pointer for the same; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan of the

page_text: principal working parts; Figure 4 is an end elevation corresponding to
Figure 3, shewing the arrangement of a portion of the gearing.
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) illustrates the application of the Invention to a
mercurial barometer; and Figure 6 shews an apparatus for indicating
and registering the variations in the density of alcohol and other similar
liquids arranged in accordance with this Invention.
In the arrangement Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, A, A', are the
spring barrels, which are capable of imparting motion by means of
gearing 1, 2, and 3, 4, respectively to the two light flyers B, B¹, one or
other of which according as the pressure is rising or falling is held
or retained by the cross piece a formed on or attached to the hand or
pointer C of the aneroid barometer D, whilst both 'flyers B, B', are so
held or retained when the pressure remains stationary. The barrels A, A¹,
revolve in opposite directions and are respectively provided with spur
wheels E, E¹, (Figure 4) which are in gear with a train of differential
gearing F, F, G, so that motion is imparted to the pinion G in the right
or left hand direction, as the case may be, according as the one or the
other of the two barrels A, A', is revolving. The pinion G is carried on
centres a¹ in a frame or support, to which is connected a spindle H
carrying the hand or pointer L (Figure 2) of the large dial M. On the
spindle H is also fixed a spur wheel I, which is in gear with a spur
wheel J fast on a spindle K, on which latter spindle is also carried a
spur wheel N. The spur wheel N engages with the teeth of a segmental
rack O formed on a plate P, on which the aneroid barometer is sup-
ported, such plate being capable of turning upon an axis at b, which
axis also forms the centre of the hand or pointer C.
The apparatus operates in the following manner :-
When the,
barometer remains stationary the cross piece a of the hand or pointer C
arrests the motion of both the flyers B, B'. If however the barometer
falls the hand or pointer C by the act of moving towards the flyer B¹
liberates the flyer B. The spur wheel E then turns under the action of
the spring barrel A and imparts motion through the intervention of the
differential gearing to the pinion G, by which means the hand or
pointer L of the large dial M is moved in the required direction. A
similar effect is obtained if the flyer 'B' is released, which is the case
when the barometer ascends, the motion transmitted to the hand or
pointer L being however necessarily in the reverse direction. One

page_text: or other of the barrels A¹, A, with its respective flyer B¹ or B therefore
rotates according as the barometer, is rising or falling, and by means of
the differential gearing F, F, G, connecting them the hand or pointer L
which is carried on the spindle H is also caused to turn in the same
direction. If however the barometer simply ascended a short distance
and then remained stationary for a length of time, and the barrel B¹ were
allowed to continue turning for an indefinite period, the large indicating
hand or pointer L the reading would be affected thereby. This incon-
venience is obviated in the following manner, videlicit:-Assuming that
the flyer B. is free and is revolving in the direction of the arrow
(Figure 3) the wheel I rotates in the right-hand direction and the
wheels J and N. in the left-hand direction, and the plate P carrying the
aneroid barometer is turned on its axis 6 towards the right hand. The
plate. P by turning in the right-hand direction conducts with it in its
motion the hand or pointer C of the aneroid barometer, the effect of
which is to bring the cross piece a gradually within range of the then
revolving flyer, and ultimately the motion of the barrel A and flyer B is
arrested. A similar effect in the reverse direction is obtained when the
flyer B is liberated.. Immediately therefore one of the two flyers is frec
the large indicating hand or pointer L is set in motion and the aneroid
barometer is simultaneously moved round bodily, the motion of one of
the hands or pointers being proportional to that of the other..
Assuming the extreme stroke of the hand or pointer C on the dial Q
of the aneroid barometer to be equal to one-fifth of the circumference of
the dial it has been found desirable in practice to make the corresponding
stroke of the hand or pointer L of the main dial M equal to about three-
fourths of the circumference of its dial. As therefore the proportion of
the strokes of the two hands or pointers in that case will be as one-fifth,
three-fourths, or say four-fifteenths, the radii of the rack O and of the
wheel N should be in the proportion of fifteen to four in order to
obtain this result. It is obvious that these proportions, which are
merely given as examples, which have been found suitable in practice
may be modified, as found necessary.
If desired one of the flyers may be dispensed with, and a watch or
clock escapement working constantly without stoppages may be sub...
stituted therefor. In this case one half only of the cross piece a on the
end of the hand or pointer C will be required, but the speed of the
barrels of the flyer and of the escapement respectively should be

page_text: arranged in the proportion of at least two to one, and the apparatus will
then operate in a similar manner to that herein-before described.
When it is required to register or record the variations in barometrical
pressure the apparatus is arranged in the following manner:-On the
spindle H is fixed a pulley R, to which is attached one end of the chain S,
the opposite end of such chain being connected to a frame 6', carrying a
pencil or marker T. The frame 6' is capable of sliding along a rod U,
so as to admit of the motion of the pencil or marker T, which rod is
supported by brackets U₁ attached to the plate V carrying the whole of
the apparatus. W is a revolving drum or cylinder, which is covered
with paper or other material suitable for receiving the marks or traces
of the pencil or marker T, which is maintained in contact therewith, and
under the action of the pulley R is conducted along such drum or
cylinder in one or the other direction, according to the variation in the
pressure. The drum or cylinder is driven by clockwork X, and is
arranged to perform a single revolution in a given period, by which
means a diagram to any desired scale illustrative of the variations in the
atmospheric weight and pressure may be obtained.
.
The indicating apparatus and the registering or recording apparatus
may be used separately in conjunction with the spring barrels and flyers
herein-before described, or both the indicating and the registering or
recording apparatus may be employed simultaneously in combination as
desired. It is obvious that other equivalent means of imparting motion
may be substituted for the spring barrels herein-before described.
When a mercurial barometer is employed in substitution for the
ancroid barometer of the arrangement herein-before described the
apparatus may be modified, as shewn in Figure 5. In this case the
rod C, (which takes the place of the hand or pointer C herein-before
referred to) is actuated by means of a float or plunger Y dipping into
the liquid of the barometer D so as to enable the cross piece a to arrest
or liberate one or other of the flyers B, B', or retain both of such flyers,
as the case may be.
The entire barometrical apparatus is caused to rise or fall to suit the
motions of the rod C by means of a rack O in order to maintain such rod
in a horizontal position, and constantly bring it within range of the

page_text: In applying the Invention to the indicating and registering or recording
of the operations of an alcohol distillery the density of the liquid at
every instant may be indicated on a large dial by a hand or pointer, or
registered or recorded on a drum or cylinder, or both simultaneously by
the employment of mechanism arranged in a similar manner to that of
the mercurial apparatus herein-before described, the motion of an
areometer Y¹ being substituted, as shewn in Figure 6, for that of the float
or plunger Y, Figure 5.
The liquid is conducted through a pipe c into a vessel Z, in which
it is maintained at a constant level by means of an overflow pipe d, the
areometer Y', properly balanced, being immersed in such liquid. The
arcometer is provided with a rod e extending upwards therefrom, and
having cellars or flanges f, between which is placed the extremity g of
the rod C, such rod turning on an axis at 6, and carrying at its opposite
extremity a cross piece a for acting upon the flyers in the manner
herein-before described. The spindle H of the differential gearing carries
the large hand or pointer L hercin-before referred to, and also a pulley R¹,
to which pulley there is connected one end of a cord h, which passes
over a guide roller i, and is attached at its opposite extremity to a
plunger dipping into a small vessel / filled with liquid, and secured to
the top of the rode of the areometer Y'. When the density is reduced
the areometer sinks a proportionate distance in the liquid contained in
the vessel Z, and by reason of the collars or flanges f on the rod e the
extremity g of the rod C is caused to partake of the descending motion,
which has the effect of raising the opposite end of such rod carrying the
cross piece a, and so releasing the flyer B¹.
The large indicating hand or pointer L (not shewn in the Figure) is
thus turned in the required direction, and the registering or recording
apparatus (when such is employed) is operated under the action of the
corresponding spring barrel, as herein-before described. The pulley R¹
is also rotated, whereby the plunger jis depressed in the vessel / until
the equilibrium is again re-established, and the cross piece a is brought
within the range of the flyer B¹ as before. A similar effect is also
produced in the opposite direction when the density is increased.
I have not considered it necessary to shew Drawings illustrating use
of a double syphon barometer, or of the application of the Invention to
the indicating and registering or recording of variations in temperature

page_text: and weight, as the modifications of the arrangements herein-before
described which may be necessary to adapt the Invention to any special
purpose will be readily understood by persons accustomed to the particular
kind of apparatus to which it is to be applied. The system is, also
applicable for effecting an indication and registration or record of
hygrometical changes, variations in the intensity of electric currents,
changes of speed, and generally whenever delicate and minute variations
are required to be indicated and registered or recorded on an enlarged or
magnified scale.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and orginal and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the application and
use of revolving arms or flyers actuated by spring barrels or their
equivalents, which also impart motion to indicating and registering or
recording apparatus, such revolving arms or flyers being retained and
released by a I hand or detent, actuated and regulated by the variations
to be indicated and registered or recorded so as to arrest the motion of
and liberate the spring barrels or their equivalents, for the purpose of
indicating and registering or recording on an enlarged or magnified
scale variations in pressure, weight, and temperature, substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Twenty-seventh day
of October One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.