IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY AS A TRANSMITTING AGENT OF MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Achard, of Chatte, near St Marcellin (Isère,
France), and of No. 25, Rue Neuve Coquenard, Paris (France), Pupil
of the Polytechnic School, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Achard at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd
July 1855.
I, AUGUSTE ACHARD, of Chatte, near St Marcellin (Isère, France), and of
25, Rue Neuve Coquenard, Paris (France), Pupil of the Polytechnic School,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY AS A TRANSMITTING AGENT OF MOTIVE POWER" to be
as follows:-
The Invention relates to means of arranging parts in connection with
electrical apparatus by which the communication of power in machinery may
be effected and controlled. The improvements are capable of various applica-
tions, but I have selected as illustrations of their adaption, firstly, means for
retarding and stopping trains on railways; secondly, means by which the
winding of silk may be facilitated.

page_text: Supposing the object be to apply the breaks to the wheels, thereby to
stop the progress of a train, I apply to one of the shafts or axles of appa-
ratus, such as now in use for effecting that object, (say, that shaft or axle
upon which is fitted the crank handle, by which the guard or other atten-
dant brings the break into operation,) a ratchet wheel, having a series of
teeth which are capable of being taken into and driven by a catch or driver,
supported by a suitable arm or other carrier; there is also a supplemental
arm or carrier, which is actuated through suitable links and parts by
an eccentric on one of the axles of the main wheels of the carriage. The
supplemental arm and the carrier to the catch or driver carry, the one an
electric coil, the other its armature; when by a current of electricity being
caused to flow through the coil, this connection takes place, the catch or
driver will follow the supplemental arm or carrier, and by moving with it will
take into fresh teeth of the ratchet wheel to cause that ratchet wheel to rotate
till the required pressure is obtained to the break.
A modification consists in an arrangement by which trains on a line of
railway may be prevented running into each other. A metallic conductor,
interrupted at certain distances, is laid down between the two rails and upon
the whole length of the line. This conductor consists of a thin ribbon-like
band of iron, fixed in brackets of wood or other non-conducting material.
Parallel with and near to this first conductor is another, continuing also the
whole length of the line, and similarly interrupted at intervals; but the
points of interruption in this second conductor do not correspond to those of
the first; they are opposite the middle of each unbroken length of the first
conductor. Every train is furnished with a battery, and every break handle
with a similar apparatus to that already referred to.
The carriage upon which the battery is placed is furnished with two metallic
rubbers, fixed to jointed rods. These rubbers bear constantly, one upon the
two conductors, placed between the rails, and the other upon one of the two
rails or trains. Both are in metallic communication with one of the poles of
the battery. The metallic wire, starting from one of the poles or electrodes,
goes, before joining the corresponding rubber, towards the electro-magnet,
runs successively-over-them, and returns to attach itself to its rubber. The
batteries are disposed in the same manner in all the trains;-the-positive
electrode, for instance, is always to the right of the train in the direction it is
pursuing.
When two trains coming to meet each other find themselves at the same
moment upon the same uninterrupted length of metallic conductor, it is clear
that the electric circuit will be complete, the two batteries being then in

page_text: metallic communication by the rubber bearing upon the same conductor. By
this inverse position of the two trains, the two batteries will have their elec-
trodes or poles placed inversely, and the two currents will act in the same
direction and be added one to the other; consequently all the electro-magnets
will put themselves in activity, all the breaks will be tightened on both sides,
and the trains will thereby be stopped before meeting.
In case of danger at any point of the road, it would be sufficient to put one
of the conductors in electric communication with one of the rails, which would
complete the clectric circuit for all trains coming towards the scene of
danger, and every train coming in any direction would be stopped at a certain
distance. In case of an unexpected inundation, the trains would be stopped
at a certain distance from each other from the point at which the submer-
sion of the road begins, because the current would be re-established between
the conductor and the soil. A considerable land slip covering a part of the
road would produce the same effect. The mechanism could in case of need
set in play a peal of bells at the very moment the breaks begin to approach
the wheels; the enginier of the locomotive would thus be warned, and could
let off the steam or reverse the engine, as he might deem fit. The mechanism
brought into operation to put the break on may also be caused to turn the
steam off the engine, and thus facilitate the stoppage of the train.
Another application of the system I employ is in winding of silk from cocoons.
By the simple rupture of a cocoon thread, the mechanism takes the place of
the workman's hand, and effects instantaneously the replacement of the cocoon.
A new thread of cocoon is then taken, cut, and fixed by its end to that of those
that are winding, brings the new cocoon to the place of the one just broken,
and causes another to advance into such a position as that on a new one
breaking, it is seized, and in its turn cut, attached, and brought to the place of
the one whose thread is broken or used.
The operation is thus effected automatically, and the operator has nothing
to do but to place the cocoons upon an endless chain, and to wind the threads
to a second endless chain. By this new way of proceeding, the industry of
silk winding becomes easy.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Auguste Achard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd January 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTE
ACHARD, of Chatte, near St Marcellin (Isère, France), and of 25, Rue Neuve
Coquenard, Paris (France), Pupil of the Polytechnic School, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Auguste Achard, Her special licence that I, the said Auguste Achard,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Auguste
Achard, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION
OF ELECTRICITY AS A TRANSMITTING AGENT OF MOTIVE POWER," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Auguste Achard, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 Auguste Achard, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
The Invention relates to means of arranging parts in connection with
electrical apparatus, by which the communication of power in machinery may
be effected and controlled. The improvements are capable of various appli
cations, but I have selected-as-illustrations of their adaptation, firstly, means
for retarding and stopping trains in railways; secondly, means by which the
winding of silk may be facilitated.
Supposing the object be to apply the breaks to the wheels, thereby to stop
the progress of a train, I apply to one of the shafts or axles of apparatus, such a
now in use for effecting that object, (say, that shaft or axle upon which is fitted
the crank handle, by which the guard or other attendant brings the break int

page_text: operation,) a ratchet wheel, having a series of teeth which are capable of being
taken into and driven by a catch or driver, supported by a suitable arm or
other carrier; there is also a supplemental arm or carrier, which is actuated
through suitable links and parts by an excentric on one of the axles of the
main wheels of the carriage. The supplemental arm and the carrier to the
catch or driver carry, the one an electric coil, the other its armature; when
by a current of electricity being caused to flow through the coil, this connection
takes place, the catch or driver will follow the supplemental arm or carrier.
and by moving with it will take into fresh teeth of the ratchet wheel, to
cause that ratchet wheel to rotate till the required pressure is obtained to
the break.
A modification consists in an arrangement by which trains on a line of
railway may be prevented running into each other. A metallic conductor,
interrupted at certain distances, is laid down between the two rails, and upon
the whole length of the line. This conductor consists of a thin ribbon-like
band of iron, fixed in brackets of wood or other non-conducting material.
Parallel with and near to this first conductor is another, continuing also the
whole length of the line, and similarly interrupted at intervals; but the points
of interruption in this second conductor do not correspond to those of the
first; they are opposite the middle of each unbroken length of the first con-
ductor. Every train is furnished with a battery, and every break handle
with a similar apparatus to that already referred to.
The carriage upon which the battery is placed is furnished with two
metallic rubbers, fixed to jointed rods. These rubbers bear constantly one
upon the two conductors placed between the rails, and the other upon one of
the two rails or trams. Both are in metallic communication with one of the
poles of the battery. The metallic wire, starting from one of the poles or
electrodes, goes, before joining the corresponding rubber, towards the electro-
magnets, runs successively over them, and returns to attach itself to its rubber.
The batteries are disposed in the same manner in all the trains; the positive
electrode, for instance, is always to the right of the train in the direction it is
pursuing.
When two trains coming to meet each other find themselves at the same
moment upon the same uninterrupted length of metallic conductor, it is
clear that the electric circuit will be complete, the two batteries being then in
metallic communication by the rubber bearing upon the same conductor. By
this inverse position of the two trains, the two batteries will have their elec-
trodes or poles placed inversely, and the two currents will act in the same
direction, and be added one to the other; consequently all the electro-magnets

page_text: will put themselves in activity, all the breaks will be tightened on both sides,
and the trains will thereby be stopped before meeting.
In case of danger at any point of the road, it would be sufficient to put one
of the conductors in electric communication with one of the rails, which would
complete the electric circuit for all trains coming towards the scene of danger,
and every train coming in any direction would be stopped at a certain distance.
In case of an unexpected inundation, the trains would be stopped at a certain
distance from each other from the point at which the submersion of the road
begins, because the current would be re-established between the conductor and
the soil. A considerable land slip covering a part of the road would produce the
same effect. The mechanism could in case of need set in play a peal of bells
at the very moment the breaks begin to approach the wheels; the engineer
of the locomotive would thus be warned, and could let off the steam or reverse
the engine, as he might deem fit. The mechanism brought into operation to
put the break on may also be caused to turn the steam off the engine, and thus
facilitate the stoppage of the train.
Another application of the system I employ is in the winding of silk from
cocoons. By the simple rupture of a cocoon thread, the mechanism takes the
place of the workman's hand, and effects instantaneously the replacement of
the cocoon.
A new thread of cocoon is then taken, cut, and fixed by its end to
that of those that are winding, brings the new cocoon to the place of the one
just broken, and causes another to advance into such a position as that, on
a new one breaking, it is seized, and in its turn cut, attached, and brought to
the place of the one whose thread is broken or used. The operation is thus
effected automatically, and the operator has nothing to do but to place the
cocoons upon an endless chain, and to wind the threads to a second endless
chain. By this new way of proceeding, the industry of silk winding becomes
easy.
But that the nature of my said Invention, and the means which I adopt in
carrying the same into practice, may be fully understood, I will first give a
general description of the system of apparatus by which I employ electricity
as a transmitting agent of motive power.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A.
Figure 1 shows a manner of applying my improvement, suitable to transmit
either a reciprocating rectilinear movement, or a circular continuous or a
circular reciprocating movement produced by a series of actions, but always
in the same direction. A is a fixed shaft, around which the two pieces B and
C can oscillate, if necessary; B is a lever, bearing an electro-magnet D, firmly

page_text: fixed to one of its ends. Between the electro-magnet D) and shaft A a catch
E, articulated or jointed on the lever, is ready to act on ratchet wheel G,
against which it is slightly pressed through spring H. The piece C, capable
of oscillating on shaft A, bears at its end a piece of soft iron L, acting when
necessary as an armature of the electro-magnet. This piece C receives the
action of the motive power, and is intended to effect the interruption of this
same action on the machinery, or to re-establish the connection, according to
the case.
Piece C, moved by the motive power, is consequently always in
movement. In Figure 1, C has an alternative circular movement. The end
of stroke of C comes to contact with the electro-magnet D. Each oscillation
of piece C causes the armature L to come in contact with the two journals of
the electro-magnet, but as soon as the electric current follows the coil the
electro-magnet begins to act. When the soft iron piece L comes in contact
with it, it remains instantaneously fixed to it, but as the soft iron piece L as
well as the electro-magnet d are capable of moving round shaft A, the move-
ment of electro-magnet D becomes the same as the movement of piece L.
During the first oscillation of the electro-magnet (common to piece L), catch E
slides on the clink it holds, and falls behind in the hollow part of the cog, the
arm F advances and pushes rod K, which slides into grooves I. After this
first oscillation, when the armature L goes in a contrary direction it pushes
forward the electro-magnet with the whole strength of the motive power; con-
sequently the catch E causes the ratchet wheel G to move, and the arm F
brings rod K in its former position. These two movements, being independent
of the attractive power of the electro-magnet, can be employed against any
resistance whatever when the motive power is adequated. As seen by Figure 1,
the electric engager produces three movements: first, a rectilinear recipro-
cating movement (that of rod K); second, a circular reciprocating movement
(that of the lever bearing the electro-magnet); third, a circular continuous
movement (that of ratchet wheel G). I use also for the same purpose a con-
tinuous circular engager, as follows:-Figure 2 shews a wheel M moving in
the direction of the arrow. Its outer circumference is of soft iron, cut in a
spiral shape, and having a round flanch N. An electro-magnet O, capable of
moving nearer to the centre of rotation, can also revolve on shaft P, like a
loose pulley, as shewn in Figure 3. The part of spire from N to N¹ strikes
at every revolution against the gudgeons or journals of the electro-magnet.
After that the part N, N', has passed, the electro-magnet has a position like
to that shewn in 0, 0%. When the electricity circulates, the attraction takes
place between N, N', and the electro-magnet, which is afterwards attracted by
the spire, and coming nearer to the centre, assumes the position shewn in

page_text: 0, 0%. After a revolution of the spire the magnet is at O, then the flanch N
comes in contact with a piece Q, fixed to the electro-magnet, and this latter
will continue to move with the whole power of the moving power M until
the electric current be interrupted, then the electro-magnet cedes to the action
of spring R (Figure 3), piece Q leaves flanch N, and the electro-magnet comes
back to its former position O, O', 0, and ceases to move with wheel M.
However, this arrangement would not be applicable in an engine where a
great degree of speed is wanted, on account of the centrifugal power which
would then balance the electric adhesion. In this case I use the following
arrangement, shewn Figure 4:-The lower part of wheel M is cut in the
shape of a helix, the furrow of which is equal to the height given to the
flanch N of Figure 2; its width is equal to that of wheel M (Figure 2);
it ceases suddenly at flanch S, S', where it begins. The electro-magnet T is
moving into two grooves V, so as to have a movement parallel to the axle
of rotation, or perpendicular to the centrifugal power. The lowest part of
the helix or screw N² strikes against the gudgeons of the (electro-magnet).
When electricity is circulating, the electro-magnet is attracted by the screw;
it rises, sliding in its grooves, and attains lastly the flanch S, S¹, as shewn in
O', Figure 2. It receives then the action of the motive power M', and its
action is no more subject to the influence of the centrifugal power. The
electro-magnet of Figure 4 bears a piece similar to piece Q of the electro-
magnet O (Figure 2), but this piece is not shewn in Figure 4 because it
would have concealed the electro-maguet.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE WIRE CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY IN THIS CONTINUOUS
CIRCULAR ENGAGER.
The wire ending in one of the electrodes leans constantly against a
metallic circle isolated from the pulley; if this latter is of metal, this circle
is in metallic communication with wire f of the first coil of the electro-magnet
which follows the line f, d, a. The wire ending in the other electrode leans
also constantly on an isolated circle g', metallically communicating with the
end of the wire of the second coil f', c, b. During the rotation of the
pulley, the two circles g and g¹ rub constantly against the two wires, having
their end at the two electrodes; then the contacts are always kept clear,
which secures the transmission of the electric spark.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS B.
Figure 1 shews one of the axles with a pair of wheels of a railway
with posts anntial to eat therewith accordin
to
the fut

page_text: 'The system is shewn applied to the axis of the breaksman's handle, so as
not to prevent his operating with the breaks himself independently of these
improvements, and yet in such a manner, that when he neglects to do so the
mechanism of itself performs this operation without his co-operation whenever
two trains upon the same line are within a certain limited distance of each
other. Upon the axis A, to which the break handle B is fitted, a ratchet
wheel C, having only eight teeth, is fixed. An excentric D, fitted upon one of
the axle trees N of the waggon, communicates a somewhat pendulous move-
ment to an arm M upon another vertical shaft E, parallel with that to which
the handle B is fixed, and near to it. This alternative movement is com-
municated to this shaft by the rod F of the excentric D, jointed below the
floor of the waggon to the arm N, fixed to the lower part of the shaft E.
Upon this second shaft is fixed a rod G, provided with a catch or driver H, to
act when necessary against the teeth of the ratchet wheel C, to turn it the
space of a tooth or notch at every oscillation of the shaft commanded by the
excentric. By these dispositions it is clear that as soon as the waggon starts,
the catch H would push the ratchet wheel on a tooth at every turn of the
axle, and this would put on the break almost immediately. As, however, this
is not what is desired, it has been necessary to arrange the parts so that the
catch may not act continuously, but simply in the case of two trains being
within a distance previously determined upon, say, of two to four French
kilometres, or one and a half to three miles English. To this purpose I use
the electric apparatus in the following manner-Instead of the rod G which
brings the catch being fixed to the shaft E, it is merely fitted to, and so as to
turn loosely thereon; and I have fixed an electro-magnet I upon this same
rod G, which bears the catch piece. A second rod K is firmly fitted to this
shaft E, and so as to participate in its alternative movement. At its end is
fitted a piece of soft iron L, suitable to act as armature on the electro-magnet
just alluded to. This second rod K, bearer of the armature L, has also a
pendulum-like movement, and the armature strikes at every moment against
the electro-maguet I without this electro-magnet participating in such move-
ment; it is indeed but slightly touched. Suppose for a moment that from any
cause whatever an electric current to be caused to run through the wires of
the electro-magnet I: when the armature L strikes against this latter the
armature would be attracted; there would be an adherence between these two
pieces; and the armature on retiring, by virtue of the movement natural to it,
would draw the electro-magnet with its arm G, to cause it to turn upon the
shaft E. During this first movement the catch II will move to place itself
behind a new tooth or notch in the ratchet wheel C; then the armature, by

page_text: moving in the contrary way will push before it the electro-magnet, and con-
sequently the catch H, which will turn a notch in the ratchet wheel. This
movement will then continue as though the rod G were fixed to the shaft, and
at every movement the ratchet wheel will be moved a distance equal to one
tooth, which makes it perform about an entire revolution in a second and a
third, or about four revolutions in 5 seconds. The breaks will then be
tightened at the end of five seconds, if four revolutions of the handle be
necessary to tighten it completely. This is about the rapidity with which
the breaksman manages to put on the existing breaks in France, the said
breaks being tightened by a screw turning in a moveable nut fitted to the
arm of the lever, which participates in the movement of this nut.
If required
to apply the system to other descriptions of breaks, it will readily be seen that
the same action as that of the breaksman may readily be obtained. It will
readily be understood that the breaks being once tightened, the mechanism
ceases to act, since the axle, which is the motive power, no longer turns, and
that it is not necessary either to employ strong electric currents or large
magnets, as the attractive force of the electro-magnet acts by contact and not
at a distance, and that it has only to overcome the resistance occasioned by
friction.
I will now describe arrangements of my improvements by which to cause
the mechanism to act on the breaks whenever two trains upon the same linc
are only separated from each other by a previously determined distance. A
metallic conductor interrupted at certain distances is laid down between the
two rails and upon the whole length of the line. This conductor consists of
a thin ribbon-like band of iron P, Figure 2, fixed in brackets, fitted to the
sleepers of wood or other non-conducting material, or in such way that may
be most convenient. Parallel with and near to this first conductor is another
P₁, continuing also the whole length of the line, and similarly interrupted at
intervals; but the points of interruption in this second conductor do not corre-
spond to those of the first; they are intermediate of each unbroken length of
the first conductor P. According to my improvements, every train will be
furnished with a battery, and every break's handle with a similar apparatus to
that described. The carriage upon which the battery is placed is furnished
with two metallic rubbers Q, fixed to articulated or jointed rods. These
rubbers Qbear constantly one upon the two conductors P, P, placed between
the rails, and the other upon one of the two rails or trams, and both are in
metallic communication with one of the poles of the battery. The metallic
wire, starting from one of the poles or electrodes, goes, before joining the
corresponding rubber, towards the electro-magnets, runs successively over both,

page_text: effect.
and returns to attach itself to the said rubber. The batteries are disposed in
the same manner in all the trains; the positive electrode, for instance, is always
to the right of the train in the direction it is pursuing. When two trains
coming to meet each other find themselves at the same moment upon the same
uninterrupted length of metallic conductor, it is clear that the electric current
will be complete, the two batteries being then in metallic communication by
the rubbers bearing upon the same conductor. By this inverse position of the
two trains the two batteries will have their electrodes or poles placed inversely,
and the two currents will act in the same direction and be added one to the
other; consequently all the electro-magnets will put themselves in activity, all
the breaks will be tightened on both sides, and the trains will thereby be
stopped before meeting. In case of danger at any point of the road it would
be sufficient to put one of the conductors in electric communication with
one of the rails, which would complete the electric current for all trains
coming towards the scene of danger, and every train coming in any direction
would be stopped at a certain distance therefrom. The road labourers, gate-
men, and employés at the different stations could in case of need produce this
In case of an unexpected inundation, the trains would be stopped at a
certain distance from each other from the point at which the submersion of
the road begins, because the current would be re-established between the con-
ductor and the soil. A considerable land slip covering a part of the road would
produce the same effect. The mechanism could in case of need set in play a
peal of bells at the very moment the breaks begin to approach the wheels;
the engineer of the locomotive would thus be warned, and could let off the
steam or reverse the engine, as he might deem fit. A great facility is
afforded to the service by bringing up the electric wire to the locomotive or
the tender by means of a commutator; the engineer will be allowed to re-
establish the electric circuit on his own train, and thus to act on all the breaks
without the aid of the breaksınan. The contact continues upon the conductors
during the progress of the train, and is effected by means of a rubber Q,
borne by a jointed rod R, fixed behind or before one of the carriages, as shewn
by Figure 2. Close behind the rubber Q is a grease box, leaning constantly
upon the two conductors P, P', and placed similarly to the rubber at the
extremity of the rod R. The bottom of the box is of copper, of a good thick-
ness, and pierced with little holes for giving an outlet to the grease. During
the progress the friction heats the box, the heat liquifies first the lower part,
and so on, successively, upwards. The grease thus filters through the bottom,
and spreads itself upon the entire length of the two conductors P, P¹; there
the contact of the cold metal congeals it, and it becomes an isolating cover for

page_text: the same conductors. It is thus, that in setting this grease box to work as
often as may be deemed necessary, conductors as completely isolated as
possible will be kept at the disposition of the electric fluid. By augmenting
the pressure of the rubber, the fricture will, notwithstanding the pressure of
the grease, become sufficiently powerful to transmit the electric spark to the
conductors, and vice versa.
An inspection of the details of the plan sufficiently indicates the disposition
and working of the system. P, P, show the thickness and the width of the
conductor; Figure 3 gives a birds-eye view of the two bands placed upon
the wooden brackets O. Every band leans against the interior edge of the
notch cut in the bracket by means of a patch of china a provided with two
knobs; only one of these knobs is visible in this Drawing; two wooden, or,
better still, china wedges keep the two bands apart and pressed against
the side of the notch. The bracket to the right indicates the interruption of
one of the bands. Figure 4 shows the brackets and conductors in elevation.
Figure 5 is a front view of one of the brackets. The two china patches a,
with their two knobs, and the inferior borders upon which the two conducting
bands press, are shown in this Figure. Between the two conducting bands is
marked the wooden or china wedge b, which separates them and presses
against the interior edges of the bracket. A. vertical hole, terminating at
another inclined one, so as to give a passage to the water in rainy weather, is
also marked. Qrepresents the rubber, which ought to be fixed either before
or behind one of the carriages. It is seen that the articulation & obliges the
piece to lay on exactly lengthwise, and that the articulation f obliges the same
piece to lay on exactly sideways, so that the contact may take place in a
continued manner. The part of the arm which is cut is that which ought
invariably to be fixed to one of the carriages. The conducting wire is
soldered directly upon the rubber, in order to avoid as much as possible any
discontinuity. S is a balance weight, intended to regulate the pressure of the
rubber C, and consequently the energy of the friction. Figure 6 represents
the rubber alone, in plan and in elevation, perpendicularly to the axis of the
road. The two ends of the rubber are rounded to prevent catching. The
grease-box-close behind the rubber is not represented in the Drawing. It is
constructed similarly to and placed like the-rubber, with the difference of
being hollow, in order to contain quantity of grease, and of being pierced
with little holes, and there is also a balance weight to it in order to vary
its pressure upon the conductor.
I will now describe the application of my improvements by which the
winding of silk may be facilitated.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS C.
The cocoons whilst the silk is being wound from them are plunged into a
pan A, containing water heated to a proper degree by known ways. They are
arranged in a circle around the centre of the pan, which is also round, and they
are all equally distant from this centre. B represents one of these cocoons.
All the particles or threads of cocoon rise vertically, in order to pass through a
drawing iron C, fixed just above the centre of the pan, then through the axle
of a little toothed wheel. It is during their passage through this drawing
iron that the different bits or threads stick to each other so as to form but
a single thread, which when out of the hollow axle, directs itself upon the rods
or sleek stones, where the crossing is effected in the usual manner. Every bit
of cocoon in winding off presses against a little vertical swing D, the position
of which is very close to unstable equilibrium, and the bit of thread forms,
as shewn, a very obtuse angle with the side and centre of the pan. Every
swing D can turn around an horizontal axis F; it can fall in front on moving
away from the centre of the pan, while the lower arm of this same swing falls
backwards on the side of the centre. The cocoons that are to replace those
winding off as soon as their threads break, are placed on an endless horizontal
chain G; every one of their bits or threads is fastened to a hook, making part
of another endless horizontal chain H, which, if necessary, advances at the
same time and in the same quantity as the first.
When one of the cocoon
threads which are winding breaks, the swing piece that it held straight falls
forward in the position D". The little arm D¹ of this swing falls backward, and
goes to press against contact piece I, which establishes an electric circuit, and
sets in play, by means of the electric embrayer or engager, another mechanism,
that I will describe further on. This mechanism causes the advance of rod
K, which bears an arrangement of pieces L for seizing the cocoon thread
twisted to hook M, cutting the same and carrying it against those that are
winding off, putting it in contact by the point, and lastly leaving this thread,
and lastly coming back to their position at L after having stuck this new
thread to the others; (these pieces L will also be more particularly described
hereafter.) I is the position of the same pieces when sticking a new cocoon.
When the rod K after its movement forward comes back to its position of
repose, its extremity K" turns the sixth part of a revolution the ratchet N,
which causes the endless chain II to advance; so that a new hook comes to
take the place of hook M, and brings a fresh cocoon thread; in the meantime
a handle or arm articulated to rod O pushes forward in the same quantity the
chain G, so that another cocoon is suspended by its thread to the hook M and

page_text: steeped in the pan in waiting for a new rupture to take place among the
cocoon threads that are winding off; then it will be seized, cut, carried, and
stuck against the others, as already explained. Another important movement
also takes place at the moment that the rod K accomplishes its backward
movement. The articulated or jointed arm P pushes another rod Q, having a
catch at its extremity Q, which turns by the sixth part of a revolution the
ratchet R, which transmits its movement to the toothed wheel S, which in its
turn causes pinion E to perform a complete revolution, and consequently
the carriage T to draw the newly stuck thread while it is winding off, and let
it loose at the place of the cocoon, the thread of which has just broken.
While rod Q is advancing, and consequently turning the ratchet R, the piece
U fixed to this rod Q pushes the arm V, which causes the catching or toothed
segment X to lower, and consequently to lower the rack Z, and in consequence
the contact piece I, which raises the arm D¹ of the swing or balance, so that
this swing or balance comes back to its position of unstable equilibrium. The
thread of cocoon resting upon the raised swing ought only to produce the force
necessary for keeping this balance or swing in a position very near to that of
unstable equilibrium. The piece U continuing its horizontal movement is not
long before weighing on the armi V' of the catch V", which leaves loose the
rack and allows it to rise; consequently the contact piece which was at I'
goes up to position I, thus all is brought back to their primitive position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ELECTRIC MECHANISM PUT IN PLAY BY THE ELECTRIC
CURRENT AND APPLICATION OF THE ELECTRIC EMBRAYER.
A lever A, O, capable of turning around a fixed stud B², bears at its
lower end A2 an electro-magnet C firmly fixed to it. Around the same
stud B constantly oscillates another piece D2; at its extremity is articulated
or jointed a piece of soft iron E³, corresponding to the bearings of the
electro-magnet, on which it can be used as armature. The circular recipro-
cating movement of piece D² is communicated to this piece by any motive
power whatever, steam, water, men, or animals, &c. The rod G2 through
the articulated bar F transmits to D³ the motive power which may have been
decided on. This transmission-is-effected in a continuous manner, so that at
every moment the armature E comes and strikes against the electro-magnet
placed at one of the extremities of its stroke. As long as electricity does not
circulate in the wires of the electro-magnet, the iron armature E can at
every moment touch without any effect the two bearings of the electro-magnet.
This latter will continue in its position, but as soon as one of the threads of
the cocoons which are winding off' is broken, the swing corresponding to it falls

page_text: down and touches the contact piece I, which re-establishes the electric circuit
of a current circulating through the wire of the electro-magnet; then as
soon as the armature strikes anew, there is immediately adherence between
these two pieces, the armature and the electro-magnet become as one, and as
they can both turn around the same stud B, the armature draws the electro-
magnet as far as the end of its stroke or course. During this first movement,
the arm goes forward, pushing before it rod K by means of the articulated
arm H2; the piece L seizes a new thread of cocoon, cuts it, carries and
sticks it against the other threads in progress of winding off. The iron
armature oscillates a little more than the electro-magnet. This latter, a little
before the end of its oscillation, strikes on the piece I, pushes it against the
fixed piece K. The movement of piece 12 lowers segment X, and cousequently
rack and contact piece I, which will no more touch but a part of the
swing D', isolated by a little piece of ivory, which goes on from point a up to
point b. This circuit is thus interrupted just at the moment when the electro-
magnet is kept by the two pieces I and K, which oppose to it an invincible
resistance. The armature continuing its oscillation will necessarily leave the
electro-magnet, notwithstanding the force of adherence which ordinarily subsists,
after the interruption of the electric current. When the armature has finished
its oscillation behind, it recommences another the contrary way; soon the
electro-magnet which was kept against piece K², and pushes it before it (with
all the force applied to it) up to its position of repose. It is during this
second movement of the electro-magnet that rod K returns to its position of
repose, and that all the movements I have indicated take place, to wit, that
of the two chains, that of the carriage that carries the cocoon to the place of
that one whose thread is broken, that of the rack which causes contact piece I
to lower in order to raise the swing which was fallen. When the armature
has pushed back the electro-magnet as far as its position of repose, this
armature commences a new oscillation, and leaves the electro-magnet in its
place, for there is no longer any adherence between these two pieces, as the
electric current no longer exists.
How THE FALL OF ONE OF THE SWINGS D SUFFICES TO RE-ESTABLISH AN
ELECTRIC CURRENT.
M2 and N2 are the two metallic wires which terminate at the battery, which
may be placed either close at hand or at a distance. The wire M2 is soldered
to a brass round shield fixed to the shaft B2. This round rests upon another,
to which is soldered the extremity of wire 02, terminating at one of the bobbins
of the electro-magnet. The extremity of the wire on leaving the second

page_text: bobbin goes on to a metallic stud Q, placed upon a piece of ivory fitted on the
arın A, follows the wire that terminates at contact piece I, penetrates into
arm D' of the swing piece, runs over the horizontal shaft, then the bearing,
the wire soldered to the same up to point S², where it is in contact with wire N²,
which terminates at the opposite pole of the battery. It is clear that when
spring D is raised, the tension of the thread that is winding off holds it. in a
state of unstable equilibrium, the contact piece I does not touch the arm D',
and the electric current is interrupted between point I and arm D¹. It is also
clear, by the inspection of the part S, U, X, T, that when the silken thread
formed of the whole of the assembled cocoon threads breaks, the swing 12, U³,
based also upon the system of unstable equilibrium, falls back, and its small
arm U puts a stop to the contact between the wire R2, S3, and the wire N³, S³,
and this interrupts the current and prevents the machine from acting, though
all the swings are fallen and rest upon their contacts. This effect continues
until the spinner has reinstated the principal end thread, and set either the
winder or reel to work. This winder is not shown on the plan because it is
constructed like those already known.
I will now explain the mechanism which takes the bit or thread of cocoon,
cuts it, carries it to those that are weaving, and fastens it to the others. At the
end of the iron rod K, which slides into the two grooves a³, and perpendicularly
to the length of this rod, is placed a shaft b (Figure 2). At one of the
extremities of this shaft and outside the rod is solidly adapted a piece of copper,
a part of which of a cylindrical form, represented in L, Figure 1, hollowed like
the groove of a pulley, and a part in the shape of a fork, the angle of which
terminates at the groove of the pulley. In Figure 1 one of the branches of
the fork effaces the other in Figure 2. They are seen above, and are indicated
by the letter c. This cylindrical or forked piece can turn with shaft b, to
which it is firmly fixed. To the shaft is fixed an arm d³, articulated with
another arm, articulated in its turn upon a third f³, capable of turning round
a fixed axis.
The arm ³ comes to engage itself in a curve by means of a little
bearing rivetted or screwed to its extremity. The part of the curve comprised
between 3 and 13 is formed of an arc of a circle described from the centre
93 h is another curve. When rod advances to take the position K',
the little gudgeon of the extremity & commences to run over the curve h³, s.
During this first movement the arm d³ gives a rotatory movement to the fork L,
but as soon as the bearing is engaged in the curve 3, g, this rotatory move-
ment ceases, and the fork continues to advance without turning, this last curve
being constructed to that intent.
It now remains to explain the chaps, which, during the simultaneous move-

page_text: ment of translation and rotation of the fork L, ought to seize the end thread to
cut it, to carry and leave it against those that are spinning. Upon the shaft 6³,
and outside the rod K is fixed a round piece b, capable of sliding longitudinally
upon the shaft while turning with it. This round is pierced with a square hole
to give passage to a square piece K³, which traverses likewise by a square
hole the cylinder of the copper fork L. One of the ends of this square piece is
cut in the form of chaps, slit in the middle, as is seen in Figure 2; the other
end, and is provided with an articulation, opening only during the rotatory
backward movement; during the forward movement it remains shut, and rests
against a fixed excentric, that forces K³, while turning, to advance parallel to
shaft, as far as the middle of the groove of the cylindrical part of piece L.
A spiral spring C², fixed against the interior face of piece L, keeps this first chap
open at a certain distance of the groove when piece L is in its state of repose.
Another chap fs can also advance as far as the middle of the cylinder's groove
on describing the arc of circle around the shaft m³. The inferior branch of this
second chap is jointed or articulated beneath with the round piece traversed by
the square piece K", so that when this latter advances towards the centre of
the groove of piece L, the chap f³ advances also in the same measure, and
both arrive to press exactly in the centre of the groove. The little projecting
piece of the chap f³ advances in the slot of the chap of piece K³, while the
thread is held on both sides, and breaks or cuts in the middle. The square
picce continuing to turn against the excentric n³ leaves it finally, then the two
branches of the chap open simultaneously by the action of the spiral spring C².
When the backward movement of piece L takes place, the articulated point of
piece K³ comes to rest against the exterior face of the excentric, and opens in
front, and thus passes again quite open upon the excentric n³ without causing
the jaws or chap to shut, and places itself again in the position shewn in
Figure 2, where it shuts itself under the action of a little spring O³.
Finally, I will describe how the carriage T carries the cocoon newly stuck to
the other quite round the pan, and puts it in the compartment of the one
whose bit of thread is broken. Figure 3 represents this mechanism in plan,
seen from beneath. 23 is a little lever that a little spring keeps raised. This
lever is bound to another q' by a double articulation or joint; when one leans
upon lever in front it yields, and causes the lowering of the first p³.. When
the carriage begins its rotation the lever p³ draws the cocoon all round the pan.
As soon as it arrives as far as the compartment the thread in which is broken,
and the swing piece turned over, the lever ³ meets this swing and bends itself,
and causing thereby the giving way of the lever p³, which leaves the bit or
particle of cocoon thread which goes into this compartment with the cocoon
B

page_text: while continuing to wind off itself. Lever q³ leaves the swing, continues the
entire rotation, and comes to place itself against the new thread that the
endless chain has brought, the little spring having brought lever p³ to its
position of repose.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the means
which I adopt in carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details shewn so long as the peculiar
character of my improvement be retained; but what I do claim is,-
First, the arranging and combining apparatus to be employed as a trans-
mitting agent of motive power, as explained.
Secondly, the arranging and combining electric apparatus as a transmitting
agent of motive power to be used in retarding and stopping trains on railways.
Thirdly, I claim the arranging and combining apparatus by which electricity
as a motive power is made available to facilitate the winding of silk from
cocoons.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Achard, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
CHARLES HASENFELD,
12, Place de la Bourse, Paris.
Achas
(L.S.)