AN. IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE SPEED OF CURRENTS OF AIR AND WATER
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, of 39,
Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 4, South
Street, Finsbury, London, for the Invention of "AN. IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR MEASURING THE SPEED OF CURRENTS OF AIR AND WATER."-A com-
wwnication
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Armand le Comte
de Fontaine Moreau at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 11th April 1856.
I, PETER ARMAND le Comte de FONTAINE MOREAU, of 39, Rue de l'Echi-
quier, Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 4, South Street, Finsbury,
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE SPEED OF CURRENTS OF AIR AND WATER," to be as
follows, that is to say :-
The Invention communicated to me relates to an improved apparatus for
indicating the velocity of currents of air and water, also applicable to indi-
cating the speed of ships.
The apparatus consists of a double conical metallic or other tube A, A¹,
Figure 1. At the part where they are joined together is fixed a small tube
B at right angles to the centre line of the cones. When a current of water
or air is passing through the cones A, A¹, in the direction of the arrow it
Price 8d1

page_text: causes a sucking action or negative pressure to take place in the small tube
B, which being attached to an indicating apparatus or meter will shew at once
the velocity of the current of air or water.
Figures 2 and 3 is a front and side view of the apparatus applied to a
vessel for indicating its speed. A is a wooden support, at the bottom of
which is fixed the double conical tube B. This tube is in this instance
covered with a metallic sheath C: D, E, are the suction tubes. The tube E
communicates with another tube F, which forms at the same time a pivot or
axis secured by a nut to the frame or support A, upon which the latter turns
for the purpose of enabling the double conical tube to be examined. In order
to accomplish this, a link G, with a hole at each end, is fixed to the lower part
of the support A. To each end of the link a chain H is fastened, which
enables the crew to draw the support or frame out of the guide I fast to the
block till the apparatus is on a level with the bulwarks, to which it is
fastened. The conical tubes can now be cleaned, if necessary, as they are
liable to get choked. In order to prevent this, as much as possible, small
holes are made at the junction of the two tubes. And it is likewise fixed to
the vessel, so that the tubes are nearly on a level with the keel, so as to allow
the water to pass freely around it. It is placed horizontally with the small
conc in the direction of the bow of the vessel. To the pivot F is attached
a stop-cock. This pivot tube communicates with the interior of the vessel,
and to which is fixed the indicating apparatus. J is a section of the side
of the ship. If it is desired to ventilate the hold of a ship the indicating
apparatus is removed, and the stop-cock opened. and a flexible tube is
attached, which can be placed in any part of the vessel, when the current
of water passing through the conical tubes will cause the ship to be rapidly
ventilated.
The double
Figure 4 shews the principle applied to an anemometer.
conical tube A is covered with a sheath or tube B for about half its length,
as in the former instance. A vane C is attached to the top of the tubes, so
as to place the tubes in the direction of the wind. It rotates upon the tube
D, which is the suction tube, which works freely in the guide tubes E in
section. This suction tube is attached to an indicator, which will accurately
show the velocity of the wind.
Figure 5 is a view of the apparatus for shewing the velocity of the current
of water in rivers. The double conical tube A is placed at the bottom of the
suction tube B composed of several short tubes screwed together so as to
reach to the desired depth. The tubes are graduated into divisions and sub-
divisions of any required scale. A stop-cock C is fixed to the top of the tube

page_text: to allow the external air to enter the suction tube. An index D is placed on
the top of the apparatus to shew the speed of the current.
Figure 6 represents the apparatus for measuring the quantity of water
A is the double
passing through pipes of all sizes and at all pressures.
conical tube provided with a stop-cock B, where the diameter of the cone is
equal to the diameter of the pipe C, through which passes the water to be
measured. The latter pipe is fixed to a reservoir D, at the bottom is soldered
the cone A. E is the suction tube, bent double, and containing mercury to
Indicate the rate of the current of water. Or, instead of this, an indicator F
furnished with a stop-cock G is substituted. If it is desired to obtain the
estimate of the quantity of water passed through without observing the indi-
cations, I adapt at the part A of the cone a pipe communicating with a gas
meter H; this pipe is fixed on the escape orifice I of the meter; the tube J
remains open, and gives passage to the external air, and of which the quantity
in reference to the rapidity and volume of the current is estimated and shewn
in the dial of the meter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 11th October 1856..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
ARMAND le Comte de FONTAINE MOREAU, of 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in
the Empire of France, and of 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, Her special license that I, the
said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, my executors, administrators, and 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 AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
communicated to me
MEASU ING THE SPEED OF CURRENTS OF AIR AND WATER,

page_text: from a foreigner residing abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine Moreau, 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 Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
annexed Sheet of Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
This Invention, communicated to me, relates to improved apparatus, firstly,
for estimating in a constant manner the speed or steerage way of ships or
vessels, also for ventilating the holds of the same; secondly, for measuring
the velocity of currents of air and water, and consequently the quantities of
liquids run off either freely, as in a river, or confined in pipes.
The apparatus consists, first, in certain improvements, which alone render
practicable the applications (which up to the present have been made), of the
principle of contraction, as in the double cone tube, without referring to the
dimensions of the tube, which may be modified according to the intended
purpose of the apparatus. Secondly, in the means employed to fix the
apparatus to wood or iron vessels of all tonnage, and its application when
intended to be used as an anemometer and ventilator. Thirdly, in the arrange-
ment of the instrument for measuring the velocity of currents of water in
rivers at all depths. Fourthly, in a new application of the instrument for
measuring the quantity of water passing through pipes of all sizes and at all
pressures. Lastly, in the means of indicating the different degrees of speed,
and in the application of indicators.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, Figure 1 represents the double
cone tube in which the suction or vacuum effect is produced, and by which
the indications are obtained. The fluids passing this tube from A to B pro-
duces, as Aubuisson and others have proved, a partial vacuum, and therefore
a downward current of air in the pipe C, which augments in velocity accord-
ing to the rapidity of the current. This tube varies in size according to the
object for which it is intended, or according to the density of the fluids passing
through it. Its aspirating power is in proportion to its dimensions, which
ought always to follow as closely as possible the proportions as represented

page_text: in the Drawings. To suspend or support these tubes in equilibrium, as will
be hereafter described, I give another direction to the communicating tube
than that starting from the point C, Figure 1, which however, I do not
exclude in certain cases; for this reason 1 cover the conical tube either
wholly or in part with a sheet of metal from its anterior orifice to within
about two-thirds of its length, Figure 2, and then place upon the most con-
venient point the tube K, C'. In this case the interior conical tube is pierced
at the point D with several holes, which prevents, in a great measure, the
chances of being clogged. As cleanness of the interior of the conical tube
is indispensable to the correctness of the indications, it is requisite to be able
on all occasions, even while working, to examine it, so as to be certain on
this point. For this purpose the conical tube T is solidly fixed to a wooden
frame A; the tube K, C, or D, C, is inserted in the frame, and reaches
the part C, where a stop-cock is fixed mounted with a plate which slides into
the upper part of the frame. This stop-cock is so disposed as to leave the
frame to move upon its axis, and securing a perfect fitting of the tubes of
communication. The axis fixed to the vessel at the height of the water line
and supporting the apparatus is pierced by a hole, which corresponds at one
side by the tube C, K, or C, D, with the conical tube, and on the other by
the interior of the vessel with the indicator. The frame A is provided with
an iron cross piece E, F, having at its extremities two eyes, to which are
attached two chains G, H, which being secured within reach of the crew
allow them to turn it on its pivot by the chain G. In order to keep the
frame fixed along the decks a clamp J is attached to the vessel, which holds
the frame when drawn in by the chain H, the end of which is firmly secured
on board. It is very essential to the correctness of the indications that the
conical tube should be fixed to the frame, so that in working it is parallel as
possible to the horizon and to the axis of the ship, and that its anterior orifice
L, Figure 3, should not quite touch the keel, so that the water may circulate
freely around it. To employ the apparatus, an anemometer, a tube is taken
of at least a yard in length and proportioned in all its other dimensions. It
is surmounted by a vane, Figure 4; A, acting as a weathercock, intended to
place the anterior orifice B invariably in opposition to the wind. The aspi-
ration or exhaust action which produces the indication come from the bottom
to the top C of the tube and towards the middle of the tube. The tube
turns at the part C according to the influence of the wind, whose velocity is
expressed by the indicator. The double sided tube D, E, F, G, contains a
liquid which intercepts all exterior air.
The ventilation of the holds of vessels is performed by a tube of similar.

page_text: dimensions to the preceding one, but as the density of the water increases the
aspirating power the orifice C should be larger in diameter. In this operation
it ought to be turned from above. The tube is fixed on a frame long enough
to permit of its being immersed in the water. The aspiration is forcibly
produced at the part c, which is furnished with a flexible tube fixed to the
frame, and of which the other extremity enters the space to be ventilated,
which is accomplished in a few minutes.
When it is desired to measure the velocity of river currents, the conical tube,
mounted with an aspirating chamber, is supported by a hollow rod A, B,
Figure 5, which is maintained in a horizontal position by its own weight.
The upper extremity of this rod is surmounted by the indicator. The rod
A, B, is divided into several parts A C, C D, DE, E B, which adjust one to
the other according to the depth which it is wished to attain. They are
graduated into divisions and subdivisions of any required scale.
When the currents of water to be measured are contained in tubes, the said
tube is narrowed at the part F, Figure 6; or, again, a reservoir A is formed,
the height of which is more than twice the diameter of the tubes, and in
breadth and length a little more than the diameter. The tube B is soldered
to the upper part of the reservoir. On either of the other faces is fixed an
aspirating tube of such dimensions that the posterior orifice of this tube C, D,
offers the same section as the tube of which it is wished to measure the
current. At the point E is a tube communicating with a column of mercury
I or with an indicator J, of which the elevation or movement of the needle,
or both together, indicate the rapidity of the current, and consequently, in the
proportion of this rapidity, the quantity of water run off.
When it is wished to obtain estimate of the quantity of water run off with-
out observing the indications, I adapt at the point E of the tube a pipe com-
municating with a gas meter G. This tube is fixed on the escape orifice H
of the meter. The orifice K remains open, and gives passage to the exterior
air, of which the quantity in reference to the rapidity and volume of the current
is estimated and shewn on the dials of the meter.
To this end I add to each of them
It still remains to treat of the indicator.
a stop cock A, Figure 5, and I, Figure 6, producing by this arrangement the
desired effect. It is formed at one of its extremities with an orifice, which
permits the exterior air to pass into the apparatus, or of testing by suction
if it is in working order. With reference to the dial it ought to be made
independently of its divisions equivalent to each centimetre of mercury
aspired) with a circle for shewing the corresponding speed in knots or nautical
miles. This precaution is indispensable, although all the experiments per-

page_text: formed have given identical results, which have permitted me to establish a
regular curve from the origin to its extremity, though no mathematical co-
efficient exists. It is, therefore, always well to check the ship's speed during
the first few days so as to ascertain if the working is so exact as to give
invariably the estimate of knots, or to carry out any necessary rectification
from the escape of air in the apparatus, or from any other similar cause.
If wished under certain circumstances to dispense with the traction chain,
Figure 2, the means represented in Figure 7 may be employed.
These means
consist (all other parts remaining the same) in the employment of a much
longer frame than that of Figures 2 and 3, of which the upper part A might
be within reach of the crew, and counter secured at B by a holdfast or
clamp B placed in opposition to that marked c'. To examine the tube it
would only be necessary to turn the frame on the pivot D and withdraw it
from the water. The examination being performed, the frame should be
brought back to its vertical position determined by the position of the clamps
B and C. The stop-cock C, Figures 2 and 3, may also be replaced by a
simple iron bolt acting as a pivot. The articulation necessary for the turning
of the frame is formed by a piece of caoutchouc or gutta percha tubing, fitted
internally with a copper spiral, and fixed hermetically by the two extremities,
one to the communicating tube of the indicator, the other to the tube fixed
on the frame, which corresponds with the conical tube. When so situated as
to be capable of examining and cleaning the conical tube without having to
raise it above the level of the water, the tube is fixed definitively, as shewn,
Figures 8, 9, and 10, either on a wooden frame, Figure 10, or on a metal plate,
Figure 9, the communicating pipe E being caused to enter to the interior of
the vessel, and the tube A being guaranteed from exterior shocks by covering
with sheet iron B, C, D, Figure 8, double the length of the tube, and being
then secured by its two flanges B and D to the ship. This arrangement
renders the indicator less sensible to the rolling of the vessel. The above-
described apparatus may be constructed of any metal or other suitable
material.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down; but what I claim
is,-
First, the method of constructing the "velocimeter," or improved apparatus
for indicating the velocity of currents of air and water, and for ascertaining
the speed or steerage way of ships or vessels, as herein-before described and
shewn in the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Secondly, the adaptation of the apparatus for ventilating the holds of ships
or vessels, and for measuring the quantity of water passing through pipes
under any pressure, as herein-before described and represented in the annexed
Drawing.
Tn witness whereof, I. the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, have hereunto set my hand and scal, this Third day of
October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six.
L. DE FONTAINE MOREAU. (L.S.)