Apparatus for Controlling the Speed of Clockwork Mechanism and other Machinery.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 7th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Controlling the Speed of Clockwork Mechanism and
other Machinery.
We, JOSEPH EXALL GREENHILL, of No. 116 Downs Park Road, Clapton,
Middlesex, Schoolmaster and GEORGE EDWARD GOURAUD of Little Menlo
Beulah Hill, in the County of Surrey, late Colonel in the United States Army
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has mainly for its object to control the speed of clockwork
mechanism driven by a spring in such a manner that the speed shall be maintained
practically uniform, notwithstanding considerable variations in the power of the
spring.
It consists in applying at any suitable part of the train of wheels a fly or vane
wheel, the vanes or wings of which are so arranged that when there is any tendency
for the speed to increase beyond or to sink below the normal, the area of such vanes
or wings is automatically increased, or decreased, so as to offer a greater or less
resistance to rotation, and thus to maintain the normal speed.
Various arrangements may be employed for carrying out our said invention;
thus according to one arrangement we provide a horizontal disc or wheel with two
opposite vanes or wings, each of which is composed of a fixed part and a moveable
part placed side by side..
The moveable wing is pivotted to a support at its lower outside edge and is acted
upon by a spring in such a manner that the spring tends to keep it in an inward
position relatively to the axis of rotation, while the centrifugal action tends to
cause the wing to turn outward on its pivot, against the action of the spring. By
thus turning outwards the wing offers a gradually increasing area beyond the edge
of the fixed wing, producing a correspondingly increased resistance to rotation,
whereby the speed is prevented from exceeding the normal to any extent.
The spring is by preference constructed as follows:-A wire is bent into a helical
coil, at the middle of the length of which part of the wire is formed into a projecting
curved looped arm the coil is placed upon the axis on which the wing turns, the
loop of the arm being made to bear against the outer edge of the wing, while the
two ends of the coil are secured in any suitable manner. Thus on the wing turning
outwards owing to increased centrifugal action, the coil, on the one hand, will be
tightened somewhat, thereby increasing its resistance, but on the other hand the
curved looped arm in being bent to a still greater extent, will have its leverage
shortened and will thus act on the wing with decreasing power, so that as the one
variation practically counteracts the other, the action of the spring on the wing
will be practically constant for every position of the latter, and the apparatus will
be equally sensitive to every attempt to increase the speed.
The fixed and pivotted wings are rendered adjustable to and from the axis so as
to enable the apparatus to be regulated to suit any desired normal speed; this may
be effected in various ways; according to the arrangement which we prefer to
employ the fixed and pivotted wings are capable of sliding in slotted or grooved
radial arms aud the fixed wing has lateral eyes through which screws a screw
spindle carried by the arm, so that by turning such screw spindle in one direction
or the other, the wings will be moved in the slot or groove to or from the axis.
The above described construction might also be used without the fixed wings, in
cases where a very accurate regulation is not required, the variation of the resistance
being in this case afforded solely by the variation of the distance of the centre of

page_text: the pivotted wings surface from the spindle; we prefer however to employ the
fixed wings in most cases.
According to another arrangement, instead of controlling the pivotted wings by
springs of the above described construction, we attach to the revolving axis the
ends of two bow shaped springs in such a manner that the centrifugal action tends
to increase the outward bend of the springs, this action being if necessary increased
by fixing small weights to the middle of the springs. The latter are connected at
their middle by a rod to any point of the said pivotted wings, so that as the springs
are bent outwards to an increased extent by centrifugal action owing to a tendency
to increase the speed, they push the pivotted wings outwards to a corresponding
extent, and on the speed tending to decrease, they draw them inwards.
According to another construction, applicable with either of the above arrange-
ments of the springs, instead of using a fixed and a pivotted wing, we employ a
wing that can open out and fold together like a fan, the folding and unfolding being
effected automatically by the combined action of centrifugal and spring force in the
same manner as above described.
According to another construction, applicable with the arrangement of bowed
springs on the rotating axis, we provide on the outer end of the radial arms, or
on the periphery of a horizontal disc, vertical spindles carrying vanes or wings
having an equal area on each side of the axis. The lower end of the spindle has
a crank or arm, connected by a rod to the middle of the bow spring, so that on a
tendency to increased speed occurring, the outward bending of the spring will cause
the vertical vane spindle to be turned so as to bring the vane from a position more
or less oblique to the radius into a position more or less parallel thereto, thus
presenting an increased area to the retarding action of the air.
Or the axis of the vanes may be arranged horizontally so that the vanes are
turned from a more or less horizontal into a more or less vertical position, the
motion of the spring being in this case transmitted through a bell-crank lever or
other suitable device.
As before stated, our above described invention is more particularly applicable
to clock work mechanism requiring the greatest possible uniformity of motion
notwithstanding variations in the power of the spring, but it is also applicable for
maintaining uniform motion in machinery generally in all cases where such motion
can be governed by a fly, and in such cases where a greater resistance to variation
of speed is required than can be afforded by vanes revolving in air, the fly may be
immersed in a suitable liquid or compressed gas contained in a closed vessel.
Instead of having only two sets of vanes or wings, any greater number may be
employed, arranged symmetrically round the axis.
Dated this 8th day of May 1891.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Controlling the Speed of Clockwork Mechanism and
other Machinery.
We, JOSEPH EXALL GREENHILL, of 116, Downs Park Road, Clapton, in the
County of Middlesex, Schoolmaster, and GEORGE EDWARD GOURAUD, of Little
Menlo, Beulah Hill, in the County of Surrey, late Colonel in the United States
Army, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Our invention has mainly for its object to control the speed of clock-work
mechanism in such a manner that the speed shall be maintained practically uniform,
notwithstanding considerable variations in the amount of work to be accomplished
and, when a spring is used, in the power exerted thereby.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings is illustrated the mode in which we prefer to
carry out our invention;
Fig. 1 being a side elevation, Fig. 2 a vertical section, and Fig. 3 a plan (the
bearing bracket being partly broken away).
Fig. 4 is a separate view of the vane-wheel with the pivoted vanes extended;
Fig. 5 being a corresponding plan.
Figs. 6 to 17 represent various modifications of the vane-wheel.
We apply, at any suitable part of the train of wheels, a vane-wheel, the vanes or
wings of which are so arranged that, when there is any tendency for the speed to
increase beyond or to sink below the normal, the effective area of such vanes or
wings is automatically increased or decreased so as to offer a greater or less
resistance to rotation and thus to maintain the normal speed.
Various arrangements may be employed for accomplishing this end.
Thus, according to the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, we provide a
horizontal disc or wheel A with two opposite wings A¹ and A², each of which is
composed of a fixed part or vane a and a movable part or vane a' placed side by
side. The movable part a' is pivoted at a², and is acted upon by a spring in such a
manner that the spring tends to keep it in an inward position, as in Figs. 1 to 3,
relatively to the axis A³, while the centrifugal action tends to cause it to turn
outward on its pivot a against the action of the spring, as in Figs. 4 and 5. By
thus turning outward, the movable part a' offers a gradually-increasing area
beyond the edge of the fixed part a, which produces a correspondingly-increased
resistance to the rotation, whereby the speed is prevented from exceeding the
normal to any appreciable extent.
The spring 66 (Figs. 6 and 7) may be constructed as follows:-A wire is bent
into a helical coil 6; the wire being formed, at the middle of the length of the coil,
into a projecting loop or arm b. The coil is placed upon the axis a² on which the
movable part of the wing turns; the loop being made to bear against the outer
edge of that part, while the two ends of the coil are secured in any suitable
manner. On the part a' turning outward, owing to increased speed and centrifugal
action, the coil is tightened and its resistance increased. The loop or arm & is at
the same time bent, with the result that its bearing on the vane is brought
appreciably nearer to the axis a². Under such circumstances, as the power of the
spring increases, the loop or arm acts on the part a' with decreased leverage, so
that the one variation practically counteracts the other. The action of the spring
may, therefore, in this way be compensated or made constant for any position of
the movable part of the wing.
If preferred, the coil, instead of being placed on the axis ², may be mounted on
a pin situated between that axis and the centre A³. Under such circumstances, when
the effort of the spring is at its maximum, the leverage is shortened according to the
distance the pivot of the coil has been shifted towards the centre A³.
A forked flat spring & made from sheet steel, shewn in Figs 1 to 5, may,
however, be substituted for the spring 6. The base of the spring bears against a
pin a put transversely through the upper end of the vane a'. The base of the
spring snaps over the pin a', which keeps the spring in position.
The wings A¹ and A2 may be rendered adjustable to and from the axis A³ so as
to enable the apparatus to be regulated to suit any desired normal speed. This
may be effected in various ways. According to the arrangement which we prefer
to employ, the wings A¹ and A² are capable of sliding in slotted or grooved radial
arms a³; each fixed part a having a lateral eye a' through which screws a screw-
spindle a carried by the corresponding arm a³, so that, by turning such screw-
spindle in one direction or the other, both parts a and a pertaining to the wing A¹
or A² are moved together in the slot or groove to or from the axis of the wheel A.
Both wings may, however, be operated by one screw-spindle having two threads,
one right and the other left. By this arrangement, uniform adjustment of the two
wings would be secured, and adjustment could be effected in one half the time, as

page_text: there would be only one screw-spindle to turn.
would pass on one side of the axis A³, and the
engage with it.
The right-and-left screw-spindle
eyes a would project laterally to
The above-described construction may also be used without the fixed parts a in
cases where a very accurate regulation is not required; the variation of the.
resistance being, under such circumstances, afforded solely by the variation of the
distance of the centre of the pivoted vane a' from the axis A³.
Each vane a¹ may, however, be mounted on a vertical axis a², Figs. 8 and 9,
instead of on a horizontal axis. In this construction, each vane a or a¹ may
be made crescent-shaped, and a flat spring a" screwed to each vane a¹ may be
used; the free end of the spring all bearing against a pin a¹² on an arm a¹³. The
arm 3 carries two pins a¹³, one for each spring a". In order to vary the tension
of the springs, and thereby regulate the sensitiveness of the device, it is merely
necessary to adjust the relative position of the arm a¹³ with respect to the wheel or
disc A. This may be done by releasing the screws and retightening them after
adjustment has been effected. In the drawings, the arm a¹³ is fixed to the axis A³
by means of the collar a; the wheel A turning on the collar. It is, however,
obvious that the wheel A might be fixed to the axis A³, and the arm a¹³ turn on
the boss of the wheel.
According to another arrangement, illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, instead of
controlling the pivoted parts or vanes a¹ by springs of the above-described
construction, we attach to the axis A3 at a¹ the ends of two bow-shaped springs 63;
the other ends being attached to a sliding collar a. The centrifugal action tends
to increase the outward bend of the springs; this action being, if necessary, aided
by a small weight 4 fixed to the middle of each spring. The vanes a' may be
mounted on vertical pivots as shewn. Each spring is connected at its middle by a
rod 65 to any suitable point of the pivoted vane a¹, so that, as the springs are bent
outward to an increased extent by centrifugal action owing to a slight increase of
speed, they push the pivoted vanes outward to a corresponding extent, and, on the
speed decreasing, they draw them inward.
According to another construction applicable with either of the above arrange-
ments of the springs, instead of using a fixed and a pivoted vane, we employ a
wing that can open out and fold together like a fan ; the folding and unfolding being
effected automatically by the combined action of centrifugal and spring force in
the same manner as above described.
According to another construction (Figs. 12 and 13) applicable with the
arrangement of bowed springs 6³ on the rotating axis A³, we provide on the
periphery of the wheel A two vertical spindles a³, each carrying a vane or wing a* ;
the vanes or wings having an equal area on each side of the axis A³. The lower
end of each spindle as has a crank or arm a connected by a rod a⁰ to the corre-
sponding weight, so that, on a slight increase of speed occurring, the outward
bending of the spring causes the spindle a³ to be turned so as to bring the vane a*
from a position more or less oblique to the radius of the vane wheel or disc into a
position more or less parallel thereto, thus presenting an increased area to the
retarding action of the air.
Or, if the axis of each vane be arranged horizontally, as in the construction first
described, the vanes would be turned from a more or less horizontal into a more
or less vertical position; the motion of the springs being in this case transmitted
through bell-crank levers or other suitable devices.
Instead of using the screw-spindles a shewn in Figs. 4 to 7 for adjusting the
wings A1 and A2, a pair of slotted arms a¹6 (Figs. 14 to 16) pivoted on the boss of
the wheel may be employed. Each pair of vanes a a¹ are mounted on a block a
formed to slide on an arm a¹8, part of which is of dovetail form in cross section
(Fig. 15); the other part being rectangular (Fig. 17) to allow of the block being
put in position. From each block there projects a pin a, which engages with one
of the slotted arms a¹. By varying the position of the slotted arms rotatively, the

page_text: blocks and consequently the wings A' and A² can be readily adjusted; both blocks
being equally affected. The slotted arms are secured by a nut a².
As before stated, our above-described invention is more particularly applicable
to clock-work mechanism requiring the greatest possible uniformity of motion,
notwithstanding variations in the amount of work to be accomplished or in the
power of the spring, but it is also applicable for maintaining uniform motion in
machinery in all cases where such motion can be governed by a fly.
In instances where a greater resistance to variation of speed is required than can
be obtained by the use of adjustable vanes revolving in air, the vane-wheel may be
immersed in a liquid or in compressed gas contained in a closed vessel.
Instead of having only two sets of vanes or wings, any greater number, arranged
symmetrically round the inain axis A³, may be employed.
The worm-wheel C engages with a worm on the axis A³, thus causing the
rotation of the controlling apparatus. D is a lever for actuating a disc-brake E,
which bears against a corresponding disc E' on the upper end of the axis A³. F is
a driving wheel secured on the shaft F, which carries the pinion F2; the latter
being driven by the spur-wheel G keyed on the shaft G¹. H and H' are spring-
barrels which gear with a pinion G2 on the shaft G', thereby driving that shaft.
These barrels are mounted on the shafts K and K', each of which is provided with
a ratchet-wheel L or L' held by a ratchet / pivoted to the framework and actuated
by a spring. The ratchet-wheels L and L' are utilized in winding up the main-
springs; a pinion mounted on the squared shaft M engaging with and driving both
ratchet-wheels.
A clock-work motor fitted with our controlling apparatus is particularly suitable
for driving a phonograph or graphophone.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :—
1. The improved apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism
and other machinery, constructed or operating substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. The improved apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism
and other machinery, constructed substantially as herein described, and comprising
a wheel or disc A furnished with wings A¹ and A2, which, as the speed slightly
increases or decreases, present, under the influence of centrifugal force, an enlarged
or a diminished area to the retarding action of the air.
3. The improved apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism
and other machinery, constructed substantially as herein described, and comprising
a wheel or disc A. furnished with wings A1 and A2, each wing being made up of a
fixed part a and a movable part a.
4. In controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism and other machinery, the
employment of means, such as the spring 6 61 having a loop or arm 6' arranged to
bear against the edge of the pivoted vane a', whereby, as the resistance of the
spring increases, the bearing of the arm against the vane brought nearer to the
axis of the latter and the leverage of the arm reduced, with the result that variation
in the power exerted by the spring is compensated.
5. The improved apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism
and other machinery, constructed substantially as herein described, and comprising
a wheel or disc A. furnished with wings A1 and A2, mounted on blocks which can
be moved toward or away from the axis A3 of the wheel A, so as to enable the
air to act, in retarding the motion of the wings, with more or less leverage; the
apparatus being thereby rendered capable of ready adjustment to suit various
conditions of work.
6. The improved apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism
and other machinery, constructed substantially as herein described, and comprising
a wheel A furnished with vanes a' or a* actuated, through suitable connections,
from bow-shaped springs b³.

page_text: 7. In apparatus for controlling the motion of clock-work mechanism and other
machinery, the combination, with the fixed vane a, of the movable vane a', substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
D
111
J
T
1000
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.