IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM FOG HORNS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Kesseler, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the
Empire of Germany, Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM FOG HORNS."
A com-
munication from Captain Adolph Jaeger, of Bremerhaven, in the Empire of
Germany
Sealed the 20th February 1880, and dated the 11th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Kesseler at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1879.
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany,
Civil Engineer and Patent Solicitor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH
STEAM FOG HORNS." (A communication from Captain Adolph Jaeger, of Bremer-
haven, in the Empire of Germany.)
Heretofore steam ships have had it in their power to make powerful and far
Bounding fog signals by means of large steam whistles, while sailing ships have
been obliged to use fog horns which are blown by the mouth, and which are not
of sufficient power.
The object of this Invention is to construct a strong and far sounding fog horn
which is blown by steam of low pressure conveniently produced on board any
sailing vessel, or without connection with a steam boiler.
The
The apparatus consists of a strong metallic closed steam tight vessel similar to a
large cooking vessel, and which can also be placed on the stove in the cook's
cooking place. This vessel is fitted with pressure gauge, safety valve, and gauge
cock, and with steam outlet pipe and cock; this latter is mado with an aperture
to the outer air of sufficient size so that the accumulation of steam may be
prevented, and so that boiling takes place; it may also be turned so that the steam
in the vessel may be shut off or led into the outlet pipe to the fog horn.
sound of the latter is produced by a spring reed fixed over a slit, and by a spoon
or saucer shaped sound board or receiver over the reed, and with its concave side
towards the latter. The form of horn and mouth of same is similar to a speaking
trumpet. A feed vessel may be fixed on the side of the steam producing vessel,
and be of a size suitable for one hour's water supply. It is fitted with a filling
funnel and tap, and has a tap at top and bottom, or it may be fed by a pump or
reservoir placed high above it.
Although this apparatus has special value by being used in connection with
the cook's cooking stove, it may, if desired, be heated by any other or special
stove.
The steam producing vessel may also be used for producing distilled water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Carl Kesseler in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th May
1880.
CARL KESSELER, of 63, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, W., in the Empire of Germany, Civil
Engineer and Patent Solicitor. " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM
FOG-HORNS." (A communication from Captain Adolph Jaeger, of Bremerhaven, in
the Empire of Germany.)
The application and use of steam fog-horns has heretofore been restricted to
steamers where the power for operating them is always at hand, while sailing
vessels have been deprived of this powerful and important signalling apparatus.
The object of this Invention is to devise means whereby steam fog horns can be
used on sailing vessels as well as on steamers, and for that purpose the Invention
consists: First. In combining with the galley range or stove of a sailing vessel a
steam generator to generate the steam for operating the foghorn.
Secondly. In certain improvements in the sound producing devices of the fog
horn whereby the sound is greatly increased; and, lastly, in the arrangement of
means for feeding the generator and for using the latter for culinary purposes
when not employed for generating steam to operate the fog horn, all as described
hereinafter and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
A represents an ordinary strong sheet metal boiler or closed steam tight vessel
similar to a large cooking vessel of any suitable shape adapted to be set into one
of the holes of the galley range or stove; it is for this purpose provided with a
flange a to rest on; it is further provided with a safety valve and a pressure guage
not shown in the Drawings, and a guage or pet cock b, which may also be
employed for drawing off hot water for any purpose when the boiler is not
employed for generating steam to operate the fog horn; c is a blow off cock in the
pipe a² so arranged that under ordinary circumstances the steam is allowed to
escape into the atmosphere or into the galley, but when turned in a given position
the steam will be shut off, while when said cock is further turned communication
is established between the generator A and the fog-horn C, as will be readily
understood by those conversant with the construction of three way cocks.
B is a feed vessel or a water reservoir of a capacity sufficient to hold water to
feed the generator for one hour; it is in communication with the generator
through the connecting pipes d, d', each pipe at or near its top and bottom being
provided with a stop cock or tap d², d³, respectively.
The reservoir is fed by means of the filling funnel e, the connecting pipe of
which is also provided with a stop cock, and when it is to be supplied with water
the latter stop cock is opened, while the stop cocks d², d³, are closed, and when
the generator is to be fed the stop cocks d² and d³ are opened, so that the water
from the feed reservoir B will be forced into the generator A by the pressure of
the steam entering into said reservoir through pipe d, the stop cock of the funnel e
being closed.
C is the foghorn constructed somewhat upon the principle of speaking trumpets
so far as the sound duct is concerned, while the sound itself is produced in the same
manner as in wind or tongue instruments, by means of a tongue or strong vibrating
metallic reed or spring f, nicely fitted over a slit or opening of the same width as
the reed f, the sound being produced by the action of the steam upon said reed, as
will be readily understood.
In order to greatly increase the sound emitted I employ a sound or resonant
board or receiver, consisting essentially of a vibrating metallic spoon or bowl shape
cap or diaphragm g applied a little above the sound reed f, with its concave or
hollow side towards said reed; the vibrations of this cap 7 increase the sound
considerably, and it may be termed a sound catcher.

page_text: Although one of the main features of the Invention consists in the combination
of the steam generator A with a galley range or stove it is evident that said
generator may be heated by a stove independently of the galley range or cooking
stove.
It is also evident that the apparatus may be modified considerably according to
circumstances; for instance, instead of the three way cock a separate blow off cock
may be employed, or a steam pipe may be connected to the generator, and the
steam when not employed for signalling purposes may be employed for culinary or
heating purposes, or other desired purposes. The feed reservoir instead of being
located at the side of the generator may be located at any other suitable or conve-
nient point; modifications which are governed by the dimensions or tonnage of
the vessel upon which the fog horn is applied, and the dimensions of the galley and
its cooking apparatus.
Having now described this Invention communicated to me, what I claim and
desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. A fog horn operated by means of steam generated by the heat of a
galley stove or other stove or range, substantially as described.
Secondly. In a fog horn the resonant board or diaphragm g, in combination with
the reed or sound producing device f, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Thirdly. The steam generator A, in combination with the feed reservoir B,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Kesseler, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
CARL KESSELER. (L.S.)