NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND RECORDING THE SPEED OF LOCOMOTIVES, TRAINS, AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES AND MACHINERY.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Petri, of the Bavarian State Railways, and Max
Koelbl, Merchant, both of the City of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, for
the Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND
RECORDING THE SPEED OF LOCOMOTIVES, TRAINS, AND OTHER VEHICLES,
AND OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES AND MACHINERY.'
Sealed the 12th July 1878, and dated the 17th January 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Petri and Max
Koelbl at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January
1878.
16
FRIEDERICH PETRI, of the Bavarian State Railways, and MAX KOELBL, Merchant
both of the City of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. NEW OR IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND RECORDING THE SPEED OF LOCOMOTIVES, TRAINS,
AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES AND MACHINERY."
The objects of the Invention are,-
Firstly. The measurement of the speed at which locomotives, trains, or other
vehicles are travelling, or at which steam and other engines and machinery may
be working.
Secondly. The prevention of accidents arising from want of knowledge of the
speed by the employment of an indicating apparatus, which shews instantly the
actual speed attained, and gives warning by means of an alarm bell when a certain
prescribed speed is exceeded.
Thirdly. The registration of the maximum speed whilst traversing a given distance
or during a given time.
And, Fourthly. The production of legible graphic records of speeds attained whilst
traversing given distances, or during given periods of time.
Our apparatus is based upon the principle of measuring the speeds in equal
intervals of time by counting the number of revolutions of the wheel or of strokes
of the piston during the said equal intervals of time, and then reducing these
measurements to the corresponding speed per hour or other unit of time. It is this
017

page_text: faculty of measuring intermittantly without the aid of centrifugal, hydraulic,
electro-magnetic, or other force or power which distinguishes this indicator from all
other apparatus of this kind heretofore known, which only count continuously the
total number of revolutions of the wheel or strokes of the piston inade whilst the
train, engine, or other machinery remains in motion.
We have devised several modifications of apparatus to suit various purposes; they
all shew upon a dial or scale the actual speed by means of an index hand or pointer,
register the maximum speed by means of a rotating dial or index, and indicate by
the ringing of a bell when a pre-arranged speed has been exceeded. In some cases
they also shew a legible graphic indication of the various speeds in relation to the
corresponding train, miles, or times occupied.
By these arrangements it becomes possible to supervise the speeds of trains and
other vehicles and machinery during the whole time they are in motion.
:-
The general arrangements of mechanism for effecting these objects are as follows:-
The revolution of a wheel or axle of the locomotive, or the stroke of a piston or
other moving part of the machinery of which the speed is to be indicated is caused
to impart by suitable mechanical instruments a reciprocating motion to a lever or
rod carrying a ratchet which acts upon a ratchet wheel in the indicating instrument,
turning the said ratchet wheel round one tooth for each reciprocating movement.
The step-by-step motion thus given to the ratchet wheel imparts by gearing or
otherwise a similar step-by-step motion to an index or other indicating instrument
moving over the dial face or scale. The said index or other indicating instrument
is thus kept in motion, so long as the ratchet wheel remains connected with it by
the said gearing or other mechanism. This mechanism is, however, provided with
engaging and disengaging apparatus connected with clockwork which at certain
intervals of time acts upon the said engaging and disengaging apparatus, so as to
disconnect the index from the ratchet wheel, and thereby allows a spring to act upon
the said index, returning it to zero. The clockwork then reconnects the index with
the ratchet wheel, and it recommences its step-by-step novements at the beginning
of the next interval of time, to be again liberated and returned to zero at its end.
Thus the index or other indicating instrument will indicate on the dial or scale the
number of step-by-step movements made by it, and consequently the corresponding
number of revolutions or strokes of the piston during each interval of time. The
clockwork is wound up by the action of the mechanism which imparts motion to the
ratchet wheel.
In some arrangements of the apparatus as applied to trains, the speed is given for
each kilometre or mile traversed, as in the galvanic apparatuses employed on the
Gaisslingen incline in Wurtemburg, upon the line of Forèt Noire, and upon the
Hardtdamın, near Zurich, which have been heretofore considered as the best adapted
for measuring the speed of trains, but which have the great defect of being placed
at the stations and giving no indication of the speed attained to those in charge of
the train.
In some arrangements the measurements take place after a certain number of
strokes of the piston, for example 300; in others at certain intervals of time, as for
example at each 30 seconds; and besides the speed for each kilometre (or mile)
indicates and registers the time occupied, say, in minutes for the transit from
station to station and the time of stoppage at each station.
The dial or scale is divided according to the purpose to which the apparatus is
applied, so as to indicate distances passed over, or the number of revolutions or
strokes made in a given time, as the case may be.
The apparatus for registering the maximum speed attained in a given distance or
time is applicable to any of the aforesaid modifications of the apparatus, and is so
arranged that the pointer or index for indicating the maximum speed is pushed
forward so as to shew on an appropriate dial face or scale the said maximum speed
attained, and is prevented from returning to zero by suitable stops, which can only
be released by opening the case or introducing a key.
The apparatus is also provided with an alarm bell, the hammer of which is put in

page_text: motion by projections or teeth which are adjustable to positions on a scale(connected
to certain parts of the mechanism which give motion to the pointer or index) corre-
sponding to predetermined maximum speeds, so that when such speed is attained
or exceeded, and the index or pointer is moved round on its dial or scale to or
beyond the position corresponding to such speed, the bell is sounded so long as the
said speed is maintained or exceeded, or according to another arrangement a single
projection adjustable on the pointer or index axis is made to impart motion to a
wheel which in its turn gives motion to the hammer of the bell when the prescribed
speed is reached or exceeded.
The graphic registration of the speeds attained is effected by marking the speeds
on a paper ribbon or disc moved by clockwork, either by means of a marking disc
supplied with colour, by the impression of a pin at the end of each interval of time,
or by means of projecting points on the periphery of a steel wheel
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Friedrich Petri and Max Koelbl in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th July 1878.
FRIEDERICH PETRI, of the Bavarian State Railways, and Max KOELBL, Merchant
both of the City of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. "NEW OR IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND RECORDING THE SPEED OF LOCOMOTIVES, TRAINS,
AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES AND MACHINERY."
The objects of the Invention are,-
Firstly. The measurement of the speed at which locomotives, trains, or other
vehicles are travelling, or at which stoam and other engines and machinery may be
working.
Secondly. The prevention of accidents arising from want of knowledge of the
speed by the employment of an indicating apparatus, which shows instantly the
actual speed attained, and gives warning by means of an alarm bell, when a certain
prescribed speed is exceeded.
Thirdly. The registration of the maximum speed whilst traversing a given
distance or during a given time.
And, Fourthly. The production of legible graphic records of speeds attained whilst
traversing given distances or during given periods of time.
Our apparatus is based upon the principle of measuring speeds in equal intervals
of time by counting the number of the revolutions of the wheel, or of the strokes of
the piston during the said equal intervals of time, and then reducing these ineasure-
ments to a corresponding speed per hour, or other unit of time. It is this faculty of
measuring intermittently without the aid of centrifugal, hydraulic, electro-magnetic,
or other force or power which distinguishes this indicator from all other apparatus
of this kind heretofore known, which only count continuously the total number of
revolutions of the wheel or strokes of the piston made whilst the train, engine, or
other machinery remains in notion

page_text: We have devised several modifications of apparatus to suit various purposes; they
all show upon a dial or scale the actual speed by means of an index hand or pointer,
register the maximum speed by means of a rotating dial or index, and indicate by
the ringing of a bell when a pre-arranged speed has been exceeded. In some cases
they also shew a legible graphic indication of the various speeds in relation to the
corresponding train, miles, or times occupied.
By these arrangements it becomes possible to supervise the speeds of trains and
other vehicles and machinery during the whole time they are in motion.
The general arrangements of mechanism for effecting these objects are as follows:-
The revolution of a wheel or axle of the locomotive, or the stroke of a piston or
other moving part of the machinery of which the speed is to be indicated is caused
to impart by suitable mechanical instruments a reciprocating motion to a lever or
rod carrying a pawl which acts upon a ratchet wheel in the indicating instrument
turning the said ratchet wheel round one tooth for each reciprocating movement.
The step-by-step motion thus given to the ratchet wheel imparts by gearing or
otherwise a similar step-by-step motion to an index or other indicating instrument
moving over the dial face or scale. The said index or other indicating instrument
is thus kept in motion as long as the ratchet wheel remains connected with it by
the said gearing or other mechanism. This mechanism is, however, provided with
engaging and disengaging apparatus connected with clockwork, which at certain
intervals of time acts upon the said engaging and disengaging apparatus so as to
disconnect the index from the ratchet wheel, and thereby allows a spring to act
upon the said index, returning it to zero. The clockwork then reconnects the index
with the ratchet wheel, and it recommences its step-by-step movements at the
beginning of the next interval of time, to be again liberated and returned to zero
at its end. Thus the index or other indicating instrument will indicate on the
dial or scale the number of step-by-step novements made by it, and consequently
the corresponding number of revolutions or strokes of the piston during each
interval of time. The clockwork is wound up by the action of the mechanisın
which imparts motion to the ratchet wheel.
In some arrangements of the apparatus as applied to trains the speed is given
for each kilometre or mile traversed, as in the galvanic apparatus employed on certain
railways, which, though they measure the speed of trains, have the great defect of
being placed at the stations and giving no indication of the speed attained to those
in charge of the train.
In some arrangements the measurement takes place after a certain number of
strokes of the piston, for example 300; in others at certain intervals of time, as for
example at each 15 or 30 seconds; and besides the speed for each kilometre (or
mile) indicates and registers the time occupied, say in minutes, for the transit from
station to station, and the time of stoppage at each station.
The dial or scale is divided according to the purpose to which the apparatus is
applied so as to indicate distances passed over, or the number of revolutions or
strokes made in a given time, as the case may be.
The apparatus for registering the maximum speed attained in a given distance or
time is applicable to any of the aforesaid modifications of the apparatus, and is so
arranged that the pointer or index for indicating the maximum speed is pushed
forward so as to show on an appropriate dial face or scale the said maximum speed
attained, and is prevented from returning to zero by suitable stops, which can only
be released by opening the case or introducing a key.
The apparatus is also provided with an aların bell, the hammer of which is put
in notion by projections or teeth which are adjustable to positions on a scale
(connected to certain parts of the mechanismn which give motion to the pointer or
index) corresponding to predetermined maximum speeds, so that when such speed
is attained or exceeded, and the index or pointer is inoved round on its dial or scale
to or beyond the position corresponding to such speed, the bell is sounded so long as
the said speed is maintained or exceeded; or, according to another arrangement, a
single projection adjustable on the pointer or index axis is made to impart motion

page_text: to a wheel which in its turn gives notion to the hammer of the bell when the pre-
scribed speed is reached or exceeded.
The graphic registration of the speeds attained is effected by marking the speeds
on a paper ribbon or disc moved by clockwork either by means of a marking disc
supplied with colour, by the impression of a pin at the end of each interval of time,
or by means of projecting points on the periphery of a steel wheel.
To attain the results above set forth the apparatus is composed of clockwork,
indicating and aların apparatus, recording and driving gear.
The clockwork and indicating apparatus are shewn in front view at Fig. 1, end
view at Fig. 2, and plan at Fig. 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
The clockwork consists of a spring and train of wheels 3, 81, 'scape wheel, lever,
and balance of usual construction. The spring barrel is fixed on the arbor of a
wheel 3 for winding up the clockwork by the mechanism which imparts motion to
the apparatus, from the running wheel of which the revolutions are to be counted.
For this purpose a lever h², fastened to an arm h¹, which is loose on the arbor x,
is put in oscillating motion through the action of the driving apparatus. At the
upper end of the lever h² is a roller, which works against a spring fa, carrying a
pawl ' engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel 3, which is prevented from moving
back by another pawl k².
The spring f being strong enough to overcome the mainspring f³, the clockwork
is wound up by the oscillations of the lever h².
If the clock work is entirely wound up the spring remains out of range of the
roller of h² until winding up is again possible. A weight might be substituted for
the spring f
On the main wheel arbor is a stop gear shewn in front view at Fig. 10, and in
section at Fig. 11. It consists of two loose discs a and b, and a nose piece h fixed
at the end of the arbor x. In winding up the spring f³ the ratchet wheel 3, and
with it the pinc is turned round. As soon as the pin c reaches the pin d it moves
the disc b, and the pin e fastened to b at the other side. The pin e, after another
revolution made together by 3 and 6, turns the disc a by catching the pin f. Both
the discs and the main ratchet wheel 3 now make another revolution together, after
which the ping, fastened to the other side of the disc a, touches the nose h, and
stops the winding up of the spring. When the clockwork moves the same operation
takes place in a reverse direction until the pin d touches the other side of the pin c,
and consequently stops the uncoiling of the spring.
Stop gear of ordinary construction might be used in lieu of the gear above
described, which has the advantage of being simple, durable, and reliable.
The part of the apparatus for indicating the number of revolutions or the distance
passed over in a certain unit of time (such as revolutions per ininute, metres per
second, kilometres per hour, and the like) consists principally of a wheel 1, having
ratchet teeth, in which engages the pawl ³, worked by the lever h². The wheel
is therefore turned in the direction of the arrow by the oscillations which are trans-
mitted to h' from the running wheel, and turns quickly or slowly, according to
the rapidity with which these oscillations succeed each other, so that the motion of
the wheel 1 is in direct proportion to the velocity of the axle or vehicle to which the
apparatus is attached. is a pawl to prevent the wheel 1 from turning back-
wards. After a certain time, which may be 15 seconds, the pawls A³ and are
disengaged by the action of a disc s¹ (forming, part of the clockwork) and the
lever h. The wheel 1 thereupon is caused by a spring f* to move rapidly back
to its original position, and the pawls and again engage with it, and the action
is repeated; thus, the distance passed over during the 15 seconds is expressed by
the notion of the wheel 1, which is advanced one tooth for each revolution of the
running wheel.
To shew the different positions of the wheel there is a dial at the front of the
apparatus, over which moves an index hand fastened to a wheel 2, which is caused
to follow the motion of wheel 1 by a pin a fastened to the wheel 2 catching the
carrier . The wheel 2 and its index remain in the position which they reach

page_text: during the 15 seconds when the wheel I moved them. The hand therefore shews
on the dial the velocity prevailing during that period, and remains in this position
till just before the wheel 1 reaches its farthest position after another similar interval.
The pawl is then for a moment disengaged from the wheel 2, which, if the
velocity decreases, is caused by the spring to fall back against the carrier of the
wheel 1, but if the velocity increases, is advanced by the carrier to a position
farther forward. Thus the apparatus shews the velocity prevailing during each
preceding period of 15 seconds, and continues to shew the last velocity during the
succeeding like period.
To ascertain when a certain velocity has been exceeded the apparatus is provided
with a maximum index and alarum which indicates automatically when the highest
velocity to which the instrument has been set is reached. A disc S is for this
purpose connected to the hand, being set and fixed by a screw to the required
velocity, so that a tooth of the disc presses against the lever h* when this velocity
is reached. This causes an arm having a spring pawl to turn on its pivot 6, 80
that catches in the teeth of the wheel 4, whereupon the pawl, which moves
with the oscillating piece ho, turns the wheel 4. On the wheel 4 is a thumb piece,
which, acting on the spindle of the bell hammer, causes the bell to sound twice in
each revolution of the wheel 4 until the velocity returns to the limit assigned.
The maximum index nounted on the front glass of the apparatus is moved by a
pin on the hand, and can only be set back by opening the dial, which is kept
focked.
The apparatus can be combined, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, with a recorder
which registers results graphically in equal distances, corresponding to the equal
intervals of time during which the index is acted on. For this purpose a wide
paper strip is wound on to a bobbin, and passes from the bobbin under a pin p¹,
and between two rollers y and y¹. The pin p³ projects from an arm q which slides
along a rod 8 transversely across the width of the paper strip. To give this motion
a forked rod w attached to q carries a rack w gearing with a wheel t on the
arbor of the wheel 1, which, as previously described, receives notion from the
running wheel. The slide q and the pin p' being thus moved in accord with the
wheel 1, the pin p¹ is prèssed into the paper at the moment when the index reaches
its furthest position so as to mark this position, and the paper is advanced to receive
the next mark, these two operations being executed together by the same mechanism,
which is as follows:-On the wheels are 3 pins p³, p*, (see Fig. 6), which
act on a lever h' connected by a rod w³ to a piece (Fig. 7), so that he is lifted
up slowly by the pins på, and falls suddenly from the highest point. A pawl 19,
during the ascent of h* catching in the paper roller y, advances this roller, and at
the same time a haminer m is raised. When the lever he drops from one of the
pins på the hammer m strikes on to the edge of g, causing the pin p¹ to perforate
the paper. The pin p' being then raised by a spring v, the paper advances, and so
on repeatedly. The paper strip is thus marked by points representing the different
velocities attained.
A number of successive points at the zero of velocity indicates the time of a
stoppage, the clockwork being arranged to go on for half an hour or more without
fresh winding up. Fig. 12 represents a portion of a paper strip thus marked.
For communicating motion from a running wheel to the apparatus, as, for
example, when it is applied to a railway train, a piece v (Figs. 4 and 5) is attached
to the axle box q. In the piece v is mounted a spindle having at its one end a
notched disc driven by a pin x inserted eccentrically in the end of the axle, and at
the other end a crank w linked at y to a slide which is connected in any convenient
manner to the piece (Fig. 1).
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we claim,-
First. The use, for shewing at certain intervals of time the number of revolutions
of a spindle or wheel, and thereby indicating the varying velocity of a vehicle of
apparatus, wherein an index is moved forwards in accord with the revolving spindle

page_text: or wheel during a period determined by clockwork and then retrogrades, substan-
tially as herein described.
Second. In the apparatus referred to in the preceding claim applying the
movement which works the index of velocity to wind up the clockwork by means
of the ratchet and stop gear herein described.
Third. Combining with the apparatus referred to in the first claim an index of
maximum velocity, substantially as described.
Fourth. Combining with the apparatus referred to in the first claim alarum gear,
whereby a bell is sounded when a predetermined velocity is attained, and continues
to sound while the said velocity is maintained, substantially as herein described.
Fifth. Combining with the apparatus referred to in the first claim mechanism for
advancing and puncturing paper, so as to register the varying velocities, substan-
tially as berein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Friederich Petri, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
FRIEDRICH PETRI. (L.S.)