IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING AND INDICATING APPARATUS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur M°Nutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier,
of Elm Lodge, Newton Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING AND INDICATING
APPARATUS."
Sealed the 21st February 1868, and dated the 29th August 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur M°Nutt Wier
and Marshall Arthur Wier at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 29th August 1867.
We, ARTHUR MCNUTT WIER and MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER, of Elm Lodge,
Newton Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING AND
INDICATING APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention of improvements in signalling and indicating 'apparatus
relates to that class of signalling apparatus in which an index, pointer, or
dial is operated by causing a column of air under slight compression to act
upon a flexible diaphragm, the deflexions or motions of which are com-
municated by means of any convenient and suitable gearing to the dial,
index, or pointer, whereby the signals are indicated. Heretofore instruments
constructed on the principle of the aneroid barometer have been used for the

page_text: purpose, but it has been found in practice that these instruments are too
delicate in construction and too liable to get out of order.
Our first improvement therefore has for its object to dispense with the
use of so delicate an instrument, and to employ in place thereof a different
arrangement in which the column of air is confined within a close vessel
made with thin collapsible sides, which are capable of being pressed
inwards so as to slightly compress the air contained in the vessel, and force
it along a tube to another similarly constructed close vessel, but of smaller
capacity, to the central part of which a stem provided with a toothed rack to
act on a pinion on the axle of the indicating pointer or dial is adapted. It
will now be understood that when the air vessel at one end of the apparatus
is collapsed by pushing in one of the sides by means of any suitable plunger
the smaller air vessel at the opposite end will be expanded and made to act
on the index pointer or dial and thus make a visible signal.
The next improvement consists in the use of a revolving dial plate instead
of an index or pointer. On this revolving dial plate are marked the usual
orders required for, say, directing the engineer on board a steam ship, and
above this dial is placed a fixed plate in which is made an opening through
which the signals or orders on the moveable dial plate below may be seen.
The next improvement consists in adapting to the engine shaft a counting
apparatus which will shew the number of revolutions made by the shaft.
This shaft by its rotation acts upon a train of toothed wheels which communicate
motion to an index or pointer mounted in front of a dial, so that the officer in
charge can not only see the number of revolutions made by the engine shaft
but also the direction in which the vessel is going, that is, whether ahead or
.astern.
.
The apparatus to connect the communicator with the engine shaft consists
of an excentric placed upon the shaft of the engine, which in its revolutions
presses upon a lever attached to the air chamber and gives a motion to a
hand, pointer, or shutter on the dial plate, thus indicating the number of
revolutions, as also whether the engine is turning ahead or astern. The
same apparatus will be supplied to the rudder, and will indicate by a hand
or pointer on the dial plate whether the helm has gone to port or starboard
when the order was given.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th February 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ARTHUR
MCNUTT WIER and MARSHALL ARTHUR WIEB, of. Elm Lodge, Newton Road,
Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier, Her special
licence that we, the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall Arthur Wier, our executors, adminis-
trators, 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 SIGNALLING AND INDICATING APPARATUS,
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Arthur McNutt Wier
and Marshall Arthur Wier, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 we, the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall
Arthur Wier, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying Drawings,
that is to say-
Our Invention of improvements in signalling and indicating apparatus
relates to that class of signalling apparatus in which an index, pointer, or dial
is operated by causing a column of air under slight compression to act upon, a
flexible diaphragm, the deflexions or motions of which are communicated by
means of any convenient and suitable gearing to the dial, index, or pointer
whereby the signals are indicated. Instruments constructed on the principle
of the aneroid barometer have been heretofore tried, but have not been

page_text: successful, as they were delicate in construction and liable to be deranged.
In the arrangement of apparatus employed by us the difficulties which have
previously existed are obviated by the employment of the close metallic air
vessel in the manner herein-after more particularly described and shewn in
the Drawings annexed.
In some cases it may be found convenient to use with our apparatus
a revolving dial plate instead of an index or pointer. On the revolving
dial plate may be marked any special orders or messages required to be
frequently transmitted between two or more given places. Above the dial
may be placed a fixed plate, in which an opening is made through which the
signals or orders on the movable dial plate beneath may be seen.
We also employ a modification of our signalling apparatus in connexion
with the shaft of a steam engine to indicate the direction in which it is
working, and the number of revolutions made in a given time. We place an
eccentric upon the shaft of the engine, which in its revolutions presses upon a
lever attached to an air chamber, which gives motion to a hand, pointer, or
shutter on the dial plate, thus indicating the number of revolutions (by
comparison of the number of movements of the index with a timepiece), as
also whether the engine is turning ahead or astern. Similar apparatus may
be applied to the rudder of a vessel, and will indicate by a hand or pointer on
the dial plate whether the helm has gone to port or starboard after the order
is given.
་
One method by which the first part of our Invention may be carried into
effect is illustrated on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, which
represents that kind of instrument which we employ for the purpose of
transmitting signals from one place to another; as, for example, from the
officer in charge of a ship on the bridge to the engineer in the engine room,
or any similar purposes.
Figs. 1 and 2 represent the apparatus as arranged for sending signals in
the instrument which we call the communicator. Figs. 3 and 4 represent
the apparatus as arranged for receiving signals in the instrument which we
call the indicator.
A is a close metallic air vessel or chamber made as shewn in section in
Figure 5, with thin collapsible sides A¹, A¹, formed of thin sheet metal, such as
German silver. The said collapsible sides are attached by soldering or
otherwise to a rigid metal ring or frame A, which may conveniently be made
of brass, by preference of a circular shape, but any other convenient shape
may be employed, so as to form an air-tight vessel or chamber, the two sides
of which are both collapsible and expansible, while the frame or body of said

page_text: vessel is rigid. The close air vessel A is attached on one side to a board B.
by the stem C projecting from its centre. From the other side of the close
air vessel A another stem projects carrying a screw D, to which is attached
by lock nuts E, E, a toothed rack F capable of a sliding motion on, the
guide G, which is attached to the framework of the instrument. A pinion H,
fast upon the rocking shaft I gears into the rack F. The rocking shaft I is
carried in bearings in the framework and casing of the instrument, and has
fixed to it near one end a segmental rack J, shewn detached in Figure 6.
The rack J receives motion from a second pinion K fixed on a second short
shaft L, provided with a cranked handle L' outside the casing of the
instrument; by moving which the close vessel or chamber 'A will be expanded
or contracted at will by means of the pinions and racks. The stem C by
which the close vessel or chamber A is attached to the board B, has a passage
A
formed in it which communicates with the interior of the close air vessel.
pipe M forms a continuation of this passage, shewn detached in Fig. 5; one
branch M¹ of said pipe M communicates by a tube with the indicator at the
distant station to be hereafter described. The other branch M³ of the pipe
communicates with one side of a second and smaller close air vessel N of
similar construction to that marked A, above described, fixed to the frame O.
This smaller close air vessel, which is shewn in section and side elevation at
Fig. 7 to a scale double that of the other Figures, we call the index air
vessel. On a rocking shaft P working on centres in the frame O is fixed a
small segmental rack Q, which receives motion from a rod R connected to it
by a pin at one end, and at the other secured by an adjusting screw to a stem
projecting from that side of the index air vessel N which is opposite to the
side which receives the end of the tube M2. A pinion S gears with segment
rack Q, the axis of said pinion. passes through its bearing, and a dial plate
fixed on the top of the instrument; and it carries an index or pointer T
outside the said dial plate. The segment rack Q has an arm U projecting
on the other side of the rocking shaft, which carries a sliding piece V,
adjustable by a screw W,,as shewn in Figure 2. A slight connecting rod X
is pinned to sliding piece V at one end, and at the other end is acted on by
the steel spring Y, which is adjustable as regards. its tension by the screw Z,
so that by the action of 'the said-spring Y the index is after making a signal
returned to zero. Pins 1, 2, in the segment rack Q come to rest against
stops in the frame so as to prevent too much motion in either direction.
The instrument which acts as the indicator at the place where the required
signal is to be made is represented in Figs. 3 & 4. It is provided with an
index air vessel N', similar to that above described, to which is connected the

page_text: end of tube M' leading from the communicator. This index air vessel is
connected with mechanism similar to that above described for the index air
vessel of the communicator, which mechanism causes the index or pointer T
of the indicator to turn on an axis passing through the centre of a dial plate
fixed upon the indicator, and to make signals corresponding with those made
by the index or pointer T shewn in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shews a detached view of one form of dial plate; and the manner in which
the signals or orders may be marked upon it, and also the pointer, and illus-
trates one purpose to which our improved signalling apparatus may be applied.
It will now be readily understood that ön turning the handle L' so as to
depress the rack F the sides of the close vessel A will be pressed inwards,
the air therein will be slightly compressed, and consequently motion will be
given to the air which is contained in the tubes M & M2, and also that
contained in the index air vessel N of the communicator, and N¹ of the
indicator; the two latter vessels will receive an access to the volume of air
they respectively contain, and will expand in an equal degree, and each will
move by the mechanism above described its index or pointer to the desired
position over its dial plate, and so give at the two places corresponding signals.
The object of applying the small air vessel N to the communicator is to secure
isochronism or unison in the time of the motions of the two indices, so that
both may at all times point to similar signals on the two dial plates, which
are precisely similar to each other. When the pointer T¹ of indicator is
opposite a given signal marked upon the indicator dial plate the pointer T of
the communicator will always be opposite a corresponding signal marked upon
the communicator dial plate. It is sometimes found necessary to make the
length of tube M2 equal or nearly so to that of M' in order to secure still
more perfect unison in the motion of the two pointers. In this case the
tube M² is arranged in a coil inside the casing of the instrument, as shewn at
Min Fig. 1; or instead of tubing a spiral spring may be applied to the
index spindle in such a manner as to offer a constant resistance equivalent to
that of the tube leading to the indicator. This. arrangement is shewn in
Fig. 5, where T is the index spindle, and S the spiral spring attached to it
by one end, and by the other to the framing O..
Figs. 8 and 9, Sheet 2, represent another modification of the first part of
our Invention which renders it applicable to the purpose of transmitting from
one central position simultaneous orders to different points on board war ships,
or in a fort or battery, so that the commanding officer in charge may give bis
orders directly to the various detachments of men engaged in working the
different guns by making signals upon any number of indicator instruments

page_text: connected with the communicator instrument worked by or by direction of the
officer in command. The communicator and indicator instruments employed
are in their construction similar to those above described, but the tubes M'
leading from the large air vessel A in the communicator to the various
indicators are arranged so that each such tube and indicator can be shut off
from the communicator by means of the tap shewn in each, or the whole of
the tubes and indicators may be shut off at one side, leaving those at the other
side in action, or any number of tubes and indicators may be shut off on both
sides, leaving the remainder in action at the will of the operator or the officer
in command.
This modification is of course equally applicable to other purposes besides
that above referred to.
The apparatus as above described and illustrated in Sheet 1 and Sheet 2,
Figs. 8 and 9, is applicable where it is desired to transmit signals in one
direction only, whether it be for issuing orders on board ship, or communicating
from one point to another on land. When it is desired to communicate in
both directions with the modifications just referred to it will be necessary to
have a communicator and an indicator at each station, with a separate
air tube connecting the communicator at each station with the indicator
at the other. In some cases in order to obviate this inconvenience it will be
found preferable to adopt the modification shown on Sheet 2, Fig. 10, in
which it will be seen that one communicator only is employed at each end of
the line of telegraph or signalling distance, one air tube being used to connect
them together, such communicator serving in turn as communicator or
indicator, according as it is used for sending or receiving a message or signal.
Fig. 10 above referred to represents the communicator arranged according to
this modification, and further shews how a bell or other warning instrument
may be caused to sound to draw the attention of the person in attendance.
A is the collapsible close air vessel similar to that before described, the
sides of which are acted upon by similar mechanism. The neck of the air
vessel is fitted with a tap Z which can be opened and shut from the outside of
the apparatus. The branch pipe M¹ leads to the communicator at the other
station (and which communicator is in all respects similar to the one being
described). The branch of the pipe M is fitted with a two-way tap B, which
opens and closes communication between the branch pipes M³ and M* and
the branch M³ alternately as required. The branch pipe M³ leads to a small
index air vessel N³ in connexion with the index or pointer of the instrument,
and the branch pipe M leads to what we term a secondary air vessel or
chamber C of similar construction to the index air vessel N°. A direct thrust

page_text: from the said secondary air vessel C releases trigger D supporting the clapper
of a bell E, the sound of which will call attention. The clapper of the bell is
worked by a simple clockwork arrangement, as is usually employed in
telegraphic instruments. This method of releasing the clapper of an alarm
bell is also applicable to the other modifications of apparatus herein described.
It will now be understood that when the communicator is in its normal.
condition and out of action the tap Z is closed, shutting off the passage from
the air vessel, and the tap B stands so as to open communication between the
pipe M and the tube M¹ leading from the distant communicator, in which
position the secondary air vessel C can be acted upon by the distant instrument
to release the alarum bell. When the operator requires to receive a signal
he moves tap B so as to shut off air vessel C from pipe M2 and open pipe M³
to M2; he will then be able to read off the signal or telegram indicated on
the dial plate by the index which is put in motion from the distant station by
the index air vessel Nº. When the operator requires to send a message or
signal to distant station he opens tap Z in neck of large air vessel A and keeps
open by tap B the passage between pipes M² and M³; then on pressing
inwards the side of air vessel A the index of the communicator may be moved
so as to point to the desired signal, that in the distant instrument moving in
unison with it, and pointing to the corresponding signal on its dial plate. In
this way by having the dial plates marked with the letters of the alphabet or
other conventional signs a conversation may be carried on between two distant
places, as by electric telegraphy.
Fig. 11, Sheet 2, illustrates the second of our improvements, namely, the
use of a revolving dial plate in connexion with a collapsible-sided metallic
air vessel instead of an index or pointer. The upper Diagram shews the fixed
dial plate with an opening therein through which the signal marked on the
revolving dial plate beneath is visible; the lower Diagram shews the revolving
dial plate mounted on the index spindle in the same manner as the index
or pointer and a similar air vessel and other mechanism to give motion to it.
When the revolving dial plate is large and its momentum consequently
considerable it will be preferable to make the zero space thereon in the middle
of that part of its circumference on which the signals are marked, so that in
order to bring any desired signal under the opening the angular movement
of the dial from zero may be the least possible. In this case the index air vessel
will be constructed as shewn in Fig. 13 so as to allow of both contraction and
expansion.
Fig. 12 illustrates the apparatus employed to connect the communicator
with the engine shaft in order to denote the number of revolutions per minute

page_text: thereof. A cam or eccentric A is fixed to the shaft, and by its revolution
therewith acts upon a lever B, which operates upon a collapsible close air
vessel C, to which a tube D is connected and carried to an indicating
apparatus similar to that first described fixed in any desired position, but the
index air vessel of which is.constructed as shewn in Fig. 13 so as to allow
of both expansion and contraction. At every revolution of the shaft the
close air vessel C is acted on by the lever B, and the pointer of the indicator
is caused to move once for each revolution of the shaft, so that the number.
of such revolutions per minute can easily be determined by ascertaining the
number of movements of the index in a given time by means of a timepiece.
The cam or eccentric A causes the lever to expand the close vessel when the
shaft is turning in one direction, and to contract it when turning in the opposite
direction, thus either exhausting or compressing the air, and so, causing the
pointer to move to the right or left of the zero point, in accordance with that
direction, and by that means indicating whether the vessel is going ahead or
astern. This apparatus is equally applicable to the purpose of indicating the
direction of motion, &c. of an engine employed for any
other purpose than
that of moving a vessel, such as the winding engine of a mine, etc.
Fig. 14 shews a similar method of applying the last-mentioned improvement
to steering apparatus, in order that when the rudder is moved in either
direction its position may be indicated at a distance to the captain or other
person in charge of the vessel. B is a lever so connected with the rudder
that it moves in accordance with it; C is a collapsible close air vessel, the side
of which is drawn out or pressed in as the lever B is moved to the right or
left of a centre line. An air tube D connects the close vessel C with the
indicator at a distance, the index or pointer of which moves to the right or
left of the zero point, according as the close vessel is expanded or contracted,
in a similar manner to that last described for indicating the direction of
revolution of the engines.
purpose
Instead of indices, pointers, or movable dials being employed for the
of indicating the signals on the dial plates hinged or other movable shutters
may be employed in connexion with the collapsible-sided air vessels herein
described and actuated by them to cover or uncover signals marked on
the dial plates.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we would have it understood that what
we claim as our Invention is,-
1. The close metallic air vessel, constructed and applied as herein described
to the indicator instrument.

page_text: 2. The application of the close metallic air vessel to move the index
connected with the communicator, so as to act in unison with that of the
indicator, as herein described.
3. The combination of parts forming the apparatus for making, transmitting,
receiving, and indicating signals, constructed and arranged as herein-before
described.
4. The use of the instrument herein termed the communicator, constructed,
arranged, and applied as herein-before described.
5. The use of the instrument herein termed the indicator, constructed,
arranged, and applied as herein-before described.
6. The method herein described of so arranging the communicator
instrument and connecting it with or shutting it off from the transmitting
tubes that it may be used as a communicator, or as an indicator, as illustrated
in Sheet 2, Fig. 10.
7. The use of an attention or alarm signal bell applied in combination with
the close metallic air vessel, as herein described.
8. The use of the close metallic air vessel when applied to steam engines
to indicate the number and direction of revolutions made, and also when
applied to the steering apparatus of vessels, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Arthur McNutt Wier and Marshall
Arthur Wier, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-
seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
SAM. HIGHAM.
ARTHUR M'NUTT WIER.
(L.S.)
MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER. (L.S.)