Improvements in or relating to Ships' Telegraph Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1896
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DOLL ne
1007
Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1896
ومسام بجد والحب يحجبهس جحيث يوجب وحامين 1000 بحججام بدم 100 100 100
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Ships' Telegraph Apparatus.
We, PETER DOUGLAS, of 32, Strand Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Manufacturer, HARRY JOHN BESWICK, of 15, Lucerne Road, Seacombe, in the
County of Chester, Engineer, and HERBERT MIDDLETON RITSON MADDICK, of GS
Verdi Street, Seaforth, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to ships' telegraph apparatus, and has for its object
certain improvements in the mechanism for transmitting to the bridge, or other
position on a vessel, the telltale communications, whereby the speed at which the
engines are running, or are set to run, and the direction of the movement thereof
(whether ahead or astern) are automatically indicated. The invention has been
designed primarily to be used in conjunction with telegraphic apparatus, to
indicate automatically that orders given to the engineer in charge of the engines
have been properly carried out.
For the purpose of indicating the speed at which the engines are set to run,
we prefer to utilize the steam supply, throttle or stop valve, or other valve which
supplies or controls the supply of steam to the engine and for the purpose of
indicating whether the engines are set to run ahead or astern we prefer to utilize
a suitable part of the reversing gear such as the weigh shaft.
In carrying the invention into effect, our improved mechanism or gear by
which the telegraphic apparatus is operated by the movement of the steam valve
or by the movement of the reversing gear, comprises a slotted bar or link forming
the arc of a circle. This link is formed in two segments hinged or pivoted'
together at or about the middle by a stationary pivot, so that the two segments can
form a concentric arc having one common centre, or can be moved to form two
arcs of equal radii but having different centres or axes. Each segment of the
link is so connected or coupled by means of suitable gearing to the actuating
shaft of the steam valve or other valve, which controls the supply of steam to the
engine, that when the valve is closed the two segments will form one concentric
are having one common centre or axis, while if the valve be opened to run the
engine at full speed, half speed, slow, or otherwise, so will the two segments be
moved accordingly and in corresponding proportion. In the slot in the link is
a sliding block or pin, which is adapted to move from end to end of the slot for
the purpose hereafter described, and the movements of the sliding block are trans-
mitted to the pointer of the engine room telegraph by connecting rod and crank
or in any other suitable manner and so by suitable means to the instrument at
the bridge or in other desired position, and thus every movement of the valve
will be communicated and indicated on the dials. To indicate whether these
movements are ahead or astern, the movements of the weigh shaft or other suitable
part of the reversing gear are transmitted to the sliding block in the link by any
suitable mechanism, so as to operate the apparatus in one direction or other. To
this end the parts are so arranged that when the engine is set to run in one

page_text: direction, the sliding block will be at the extreme end of one segment of the
slotted link, or when the engine is set to run in the reverse direction the block
will be moved to the extreme end of the other segment of the link, and thus the
slide block is brought under the domination of the individual segment whose end
it occupies. If the reversing gear be in the mid position, the block will lie exactly
in the middle of the link in proximity to the stationary pivot, where there is no
movement at all, these movements of the sliding block being effected by the gear
which transmits the movements of the weigh shaft or other suitable part of the
reversing gear to the sliding block.
Now assuming for example that the engine is set to run in the ahead direction
by the reversing gear, the sliding block will thereby be thrown or carried over
to the end of the corresponding segment of the link and be held there. It is
therefore under the domination of that individual segment for the time being.
However so long as the steam valve remains closed, the pointer will not be actuated
but will indicate stop, because the slotted link, forming, as it does when the
valve is closed, a concentric curve with one common centre, will enable the block
to slide along it from end to end without actuating the pointer at all. If now
the steam valve be opened by the movement of the actuating shaft to run the
engine at say full speed, so will the segments of the link according to the amount
ei opening of the valve, be moved on their pivot more or less in proportion, and
that segment to which the block is for the time being located, acting as a lever
will move the pointer over the face of the dial of the instruments and show or
indicate upon their face the rate of speed at which the engines are set to run, and
that they are running in the ahead direction, or if the steam valve be opened to
admit only so much steam as will propel the engines half-speed, then the segments
will move the pointer over the dial just so far as will indicate half speed on the
dial. On the other hand, if the engine is set to run in the astern direction, the
block will be pulled over into and will be brought under the domination of the
other segment of the link, and move the pointer (as soon as the steam valve is
opened) over the face of the dial accordingly, and thus according to which direction
the engine is set to run so will the sliding block slide into one section or the other
in the slotted link, and the pointers will be moved over the faces of the dials of
the transmitting and engine room instruments, and show or indicate upon theni
the direction of motion of the engine, whether ahead or astern, and the speed at
which the engine is set to run. The instrument to which this invention is applied,
may be adapted for chain or wire connections, or to work with bevel wheels and
hollow shafting or otherwise.
We have described the above way of carrying the invention into effect but it.
must be understood that we do not restrict ourselves to détails as these can be
altered without departing from the nature of the invention. Thus for example
we do not wish to confine ourselves to utilizing the movements of the actuating
shaft of the valve which controls the supply of steam to the engine, for moving
the segments of the link, as other parts of the engine or devices might be utilized.
Dated this 16th day of December 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in or relating to Ships' Telegraph Apparatus.
We, PETER DOUGLAS, of 32, Strand Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster
Manufacturer, HARRY JOHN BESWICK, of 15, Lucerne Road, Seacombe, in th

page_text: engine is set to run full speed in one direction, the sliding block E will be at the
extreme end of one segment of the slotted link A, or when the engine is set to
run full speed in the reverse direction the block will be moved to the extreme end
of the other segment of the link, and thus the slide block is brought under the
demination of the individual segment it occupies. If the reversing gear be in
the mid position, the block E will lie exactly in the middle of the link in
proximity to the stationary pivot B, where there is no movement at all, these
movements of the sliding block being effected by the gear IJ which transmits
the movements of the weigh shafi or other suitable part of the reversing gear to
the sliding block E.
Now assuming for example that the engine is set to run full speed in the ahead
direction by the reversing gear, the sliding block will thereby be thrown or
carried over to the end of the corresponding segment namely the segment of the
link A and be held there. It is therefore under the domination of that individual
segment for the time being. However so long as the steam valve remains closed,
the pointer F will not be actuated but will indicate stop, because the slotted
link A forming, as it does when the valve is closed, a concentric curve with one
common centre, will enable the block to slide along 'it from end to end without
actuating the pointer at all. If now the steam valve be opened by the movement
of the actuating shaft to run the engine at say full speed, so will the segments a a
of the link according to the amount of opening of the valve, be moved on their
pivot B more or less in proportion, and that segment in which the block E is for
the time being located, namely segment a, acting as a lever will move the
pointer F by means of G and H over the face of the dial of the instruments and
show or indicate upon their face the rate of speed at which the engines are set to
run, and that they are running in the ahead direction, as shown in Figure 2, or
if the steam valve be opened to admit only so much steam as will propel the engines
half speed, then the segments will move the pointer over the dial just so far as
will indicate half speed or slow on the dial see Figure 3. On the other hand, if
the engine is set to run in the astern direction, the block E will be pulled over
into and will be brought under the domination of the other segment al of the link,
and move the pointer F (as soon as the steam valve is opened) over the face of
the dial accordingly (Figure 4), and thus according to which direction the engine
is set to run so will the sliding block slide into one segment or the other in the
slotted link, and the pointers will be moved over the faces of the dials of the
transmitting and engine room instruments, and show or indicate upon them the
direction of motion of the engine, whether ahead or astern, and the speed at which
the engine is set to run. The instrument to which this invention is applied may
be adapted for chain or wire connections or to work with bevel wheels and hollow
shafting or otherwise.
We have described the above way of carrying the invention into effect but it
must be understood that we do not restrict ourselves to details as these can be
altered without departing from the nature of the invention. Thus for example
we do not wish to confine ourselves to utilizing the movements of the actuating
shaft of the valve, which controls the supply of steam to the engine, for moving
the segments of the link, as other parts of the engine or devices might be utilized.
Referring to Figure 6, K are concave ended stays, attached rigidly to the
segments a a¹. These when their concave ends are closed against the crank
pin Hnet as stays for the pointer and hold the latter rigid and in central position
en the dial when the steam valve is closed.
It will thus be seen that by this invention the mere movement of the weigh
shaft alone will not give any indication on the dial, and that in order to obtain
an indication, it is essential that the engines be actually in motion, thus rendering
it impossible for the apparatus under ordinary working conditions to indicate
a direction of rotation when the engines are stationary, a defect not uncommon in
telltale instruments.
In the figures we have shown the pin E thrown over by the reversing gear

page_text: County of Chester, Engineer, and HERBERT MIDDLETON RITSON MADDICK, of 68
Verdi Street, Seaforth, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to ships' telegraph apparatus, and has for its object
certain improvements in the mechanism for transmitting to the bridge, or other
position on a vessel, the telltale communications, whereby the speed at which the
engines are running, or are set to run, and the direction of the movement thereof
(whether ahead or astern) are automatically indicated. The invention has been
designed primarily to be used in conjunction with telegraphic apparatus, to
indicate automatically that orders given to the engineer in charge of the engines
have heen properly carried out.
For the purpose of indicating the speed at which the engines are set to run,
we prefer to utilise the steam supply, throttle or stop valve, or other valve which
supplies or controls the supply of steam to the engine and for the purpose of
indicating whether the engines are set to run ahead or astern we prefer to utilise
suitable part of the reversing gear such as the weigh shaft. The utilisation of
these individual parts of an engine for effecting the purposes mentioned forms in
itself go part of this invention, the improved mechanism or gear by which their
movements are transmitted to the indicator being the main feature we desire to
secure by Letters Patent.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in
which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing our apparatus probably its best and simplest
form when the engines are at rest;
Figure 2 when the engines are full speed ahead;
Figure 3 slow speed ahead;
Figure 4 slow astern;
Figure 5 full speed astern; and
Figure 6 a view showing an addition we prefer to make to the device to ensure
the proper working of the link
Our improved mechanism or gear by which the telegraphic apparatus is operated
by the movement of the steam valve or by the movement of the reversing gear,
comprises a slotted bar or link A' forming the are of a circle. This link is formesk
in two segments a a hinged or pivoted together at or about the middle by a
stationary pivot B, so that the two segments can form a concentric are having
one common centre, or can be moved to form two arcs of equal radii but having
different centres or axes. Each segment of the link is so connected or coupled
by means of suitable gearing to the actuating shaft of the steam valve or other
valve, which controls the supply of steam to the engine, that when the valve is
closed the two segments will form one concentric arc having one common centre
cr axis, while if the valve ue opened to run the engine at full speed, half speed,
slow, or otherwise, so will the two segments be moved accordingly and in cor
responding proportion. This gearing comprises a lever C actuated by the shaft
of the valve which controls the steam supply and connecting rods D D¹ coupling
the ends of the slotted segment a al to the lever C. In the slot in the link A is
a sliding block or pin E which is adapted to move from end to end of the slot for
the purpose hereafter described, and the movements of the sliding block are
transmitted to the pointer F of the engine room telegraph by connecting rod G
and crank H or in any other suitable manner and so by suitable means such as
chain connections or bevel gearing to the instrument at the bridge or in other
desired position, and thus every movement of the valve will be communicated and
indicated on the dials. To indicate whether these movements are ahead or astern,
the movements of the weigh shaft or other suitable part of the reversing gear are
transmitted to the sliding block E in the link A by any suitable mechanism such
as levers I and connecting rod J coupled to the rod G so as to operate the apparatus
in one direction or other. To this end the parts are so arranged that when the

page_text: either to one extreme end of the link or to the other, but it is obvious that in those
instances where the steam valve is left permanently open to admit the full steam
supply; and the reversing gear is relied on to regulate the speed of the engines,
then in such case the pin or block E would occupy a position intermediate between
the extreme end of the link and the centre pivot when the reversing gear is
thrown over to slow speed or half speed. The apparatus therefore provides for
the correct telltale indications being depicted on the dials whether the speed of
the engines is regulated by the steam valve, or by the reversing gear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The improvement in or relating to ships' telegraph apparatus, in which a
block or sliding pin on or in a link pivotted in the middle is connected with the
indicating apparatus, one of them (the link or pin) being connected with the
reversing gear and the other with the steam supplying mechanism in such
manner that there is no movement in the indicating apparatus as long as the steam
is shut off or the reversing apparatus at mid gear but when these are actuated in
such manner as to give forward or stern movement to the engines this movement
is indicated on the indicating apparatus.
2. Connecting the indicating apparatus by a lever with a block sliding in a
link, pivotting that link at the centre so that its parts can oscillate on that
centre and connecting the lever and the ends of the link the one with the reversing
gear and the other with the steam control, in such manner that when the steam is
off the block can slide freely in the link in its normal position without moving the
indicator, but when the steam is turned on, the angles of the ends of the link shall
be altered so as to increase or lessen the distance between centres, and thus move
the indicator in the required direction when the reversing gear and consequently
the block, is thrown over in either direction substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for transmitting from an engine room to the bridge or other
suitable position on a vessel, telltale indications of the speed at which the engines
ore running and the direction of their movement, the employment in connection
with the reversing gear of a block, sliding or working in a slotted pivotted link,
se coupled to the actuating rod of the steam valve or other convenient part or
device connected therewith that when the link is moved on its axis by the move-
ment of the steam valve or other part that may be utilised for the purpose, it will
cause to be imparted to the sliding block, when the reversing gear is in other
than its mid position, a movement which is conveyed by means such as specified
to the indicating apparatus at the bridge or other part for the purpose described
4. The general arrangement and construction of ships' telegraph apparatus
substantially as described and illustrated..
WM. P THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London, Patent Agents.