An Improved Machine or Apparatus for Utilizing the Buoyant Power of a Float Immersed in Liquid.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1897--Accepted, 25th Sept., 1897
An Improved Machine or Apparatus for Utilizing the Buoyant
Power of a Float Immersed in Liquid.
A communication to me from FRANZ BEIL, of Warnsdorf, Bohemia, in the Empire
of Austria, Foreman Carpenter.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say:
It is aimed to utilize the principle upon which this invention is founded, by
applying it to the solution of a problem, which essentially consists in turning to
profitable use the buoyancy of a floating body, arranged inside a vessel or chamber
containing water or other liquid. This is done by transferring at intervals the
said floating body to a determined depth below the surface of the water or liquid,
and by only freeing it for the purpose of allowing its natural rising by the exercise
of its buoyant power. Thus, the relative position of the float inside the water or
liquid container is only altered during the rising movement of the former.
The problem suggested may be solved in a very simple way by mounting the
water or liquid container upon central horizontal centres and by causing these
centres by the use of a special arrangement-to rotate through an angle of 180
degrees, each time the rising movement of the Hoat has been accomplished, and
thus causing the container to tilt and forcing the floating body again and again
to be transferred to the deepest part of the water or liquid container, thus
perparing it for again rising by its natural buoyancy.
In the accompanying drawings, which are in illustration of the invention, a
specimen of a machine based and constructed on the principle above described
is represented:
Figure 1 being a side view of the machine;
Figure 2 a plan of the machine;
Figure 3 a vertical section through the container.
Figure 4 a horizontal section on the line y-y, Figure 3 through the container.
Figure 5 shows a separate detail in plan, and
Figure 6 a side view of a detail.
The water or liquid container, constructed for the tilting operations, is shewn
at 1. The float arranged inside the container at 2 (see Figures 3 and 4).
In order to prevent the float 2 from being displaced during the tilting operation
of the water or liquid container 1, that is to say, whilst the tilting arrangement,
which will be described below, is set in motion, a stopping contrivance is provided
in such a manner, that the floating body 2 is freed only after the revolution of
the container 1 through an angle of 180 degrees has been completely accom-
plished. The arrangement of such a stopping contrivance is illustrated in
Figures 3 to 5.
Upon the float 2 projections 5 are fixed, engaging with the pawls 4, which are

page_text: actuated by two-arm spring levers 3, as soon as the float comes within the range of
operation of the latter.
Figure 6 shews, on a larger scale, the position of the float 2 when it is stopped
by the automatical dropping in of the pawl 4, when the float is at its highest
point. As soon as the float is detained in this position by the pawl, the tilting
operation of the container takes place. Another position of the float-viz. that
after the tilting operation has been completed, and when it is at its lowest
position, and is just going to rise again, is represented in Figure 3.
To render the rising of the float possible, the described stopping contrivance
must, however, first be disengaged.
This disengagement is by means transverse arms at the lower end of the
connecting rod 6, the upper end of which at the same time serves for transmitting
the buoyant power of the float to other parts of the machinery. The connecting
rod 6 or rather its side arms enter into the water-container in such a manner
that, after the tilting operation has been completed, that part of the two-armed
lever 3, which projects into the range of operation of the transverse arms or the
rod 6, is displaced laterally, and thus causes the pawls 4 to be disengaged or freed,
as distinctly shewn in Figure 3, and on a larger scale in Figure 6.
As an example, double stopping contrivances are here symmetrically arranged
both at the top and at the bottom part of the container.
In order to effectually guide the float, it may be provided on its sides with
friction pulleys 7 (or with sliding pieces) running upon suitable guiding rails
along the side of the water container (see Figure 5).
The present invention includes also the special and peculiar arrangement for
the tilting operation of the water or liquid-container, as indicated generally in
Figures 1 and 2. This arrangement is set in motion by means of a suitable
rotating driving shaft 8 actuated by any convenient power in such a manner,
that during the time in which the tilting of the container through an angle of
180 degrees is to take place, a toothed wheel, or a chain-wheel, or a wheel
carrying a rope, may be connected with it and set in operation. These devices
then effect by means of suitably arranged toothed wheels, chain, or rope gearing
the revolution of the container-axle.
It must, of course, be understood, that the revolutions of the driving shaft 8
are to be so proportioned and adjusted, that the tilting operation of the water
container does not take place before the floating body has reached its extreme
position, that is to say, after its buoyant power has been fully utilized. This
may be effected, for instance, by constructing the machine in such a manner, that
the revolution of the driving shaft 8 is made dependent upon the movements of
the connecting rod 6, suitable transmitting devices of any convenient kind being
made use of.
The tilting arrangement described is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the
drawings.
Upon the shaft 8 is fixed a wheel 9, which is only provided with teeth for a
part of its circumference, sufficient to cause the corresponding toothed wheel 10
to rotate round its axle through an angle of 180 degrees. A lever 11, rigidly
connected to the said toothed wheel 10 communicates its own motion by means
of the rod 12 to a lever 13, which is mounted upon the shaft or axis 23 of the
water or liquid container 1. The latter itself is therefore caused to rotate round
its shaft through an angle of 180 degrees.
Instead of a connecting lever for transmitting the motive motion, an equivalent
device such as a chain, rope, or toothed gear may be made use of for the same
purpose as has already been explained.
In order to enable the water-container to fulfil its double purpose thoroughly,
it is not only necessary that its revolutions should be kept within exact limits,
but that it should also be stopped in the proper positions during a certain space
of time, allowing the float to perform its useful work effect. For the last-
mentioned purpose the following arrangement may be used.

page_text: Upon the driving shaft 8 a second partially toothed, wheel 25 is fixed, engaging
or gearing with a toothed wheel 26, which by its revolution and by means of
the crank 14 and rod 24 causes a toothed sector 15 to oscillate. The latter gears
with the toothed wheel 16, the number of teeth being such, that each oscillation
of the sector 15 causes the toothed wheel 16 to rotate through an angle of
180 degrees.
By this revolution, the small crank lever 17 fixed upon the shaft of the toothed
wheel 16 is also caused to rotate through an angle of 180 degrees, and to compel,
by means of the connecting rod 18, the double-armed lever 19 to rise or fall
according to the lift of the crank lever 17. But the lever 19 serves as disengaging
device for the water or liquid container, its usual position being as shewn, that
at its projecting part 20 when raised supporting the container.
As may be seen in the working position, shewn in Figure 1, the tilting operation
of the water or liquid container may now begin in the direction indicated by
the arrow.
Opposite the disengaging lever 19, a similar lever 22, provided with an additional
projecting piece 21, is arranged in such a manner, that it is enabled by the help
of a spring as shewn in the drawings, to automatically give way or to resist.
The tilting arrangement, as well as that for stopping the water container, must
be so adjusted, that the latter arrangement is always set in motion so as to set
the container free a little before the tilting arrangement is about to begin acting;
that is to say, the disengaging of the container must be effected before its
tilting operation is commenced, and the stopping contrivance must always be
brought into position immediately after the container reaches its position of rest..
This purpose will simply be attained, when the toothed-wheel 26 is set in motion
before the toothed wheel 10 is about to be engaged and when it is stopped slightly
later than the said toothed wheel 10.
Finally, it still remains to show, how the water-container may be kept water-
tight whilst the tilting operation is going on-and in spite of the periodically
entering and passing out of the connecting rod 6 and its transverse arms into
and from the water container. To render the maintenance of this water-tight
closure possible, when the rod 6 and its transverse arms are entirely out of the
container, as shewn in Figure 1, the top and the bottom covers of the container
are provided with longitudinal additions 27 which have (see Figure 2) at their
exterior each a recess corresponding to the size or length of the cross-part or
transverse arms, of the connecting rod 6. In the empty space underneath these
recesses, automatically closing elastic valves 28 are arranged (Figure 3). These
valves, giving way when the connecting rod 6 enters and leaves the container,
are closed watertight during the tilting operation of the latter.
The machine described may be made to impart the power produced, by means
of the connecting rod 6 in various different manners: thus, for instance, into a
rotating motion by means of a rack at the upper end of the rod, and toothed wheel
arrangement gearing with it, or by an oscillating beam and crank, or by means
of any suitable system of the known kinds.
I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement,
which may be varied more or less to suit different circumstances.
The floating body or float is preferably constructed as a hollow vessel, having
thin and light walls and filled either simply with atmospheric air, or with gas
of any desired density.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A. machine for utilizing buoyant power, the essential features of which
consist in the arrangement of the floating body (2) generating the buoyant power
inside a tilting water or liquid container (1), in such a manner, the latter being
made to tilt or revolve end forward round a horizontal shaft (23) every time the

page_text: floating body has risen to the top of its stroke, substantially as described and
illustrated.
2. In a machine for utilizing buoyant power according to Claim 1, a stopping
arrangement, (3, 4), by which the floating body may be retained in its highest
position every time it has risen to the surface of the liquid, and is only freed
after the tilting operation of the water- or liquid-container (1) is completed,
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In the machine described and claimed in Claims 1 and 2, a tilting arrange-
ment, so arranged that the periodical revolution of the shaft (23), that is to say
the axle of the water or liquid-container (1) through an angle of 180 degrees, is
caused by the driving shaft (8), arranged in a parallel position to the said container-
shaft (23), and which gears with and sets in motion, at the right times, a toothed
wheel, a chain wheel, or rope-wheel (10) or equivalent device, by which the
revolution of the container shaft (23) is effected and governed, by means of
toothed-wheel, lever, chain or belt transmitting gear (11, 12, 13), substantially
as described and illustrated.
4. In the machine described and claimed in Claims 1 to 3, a stopping arrange-
ment for the water or liquid container, in order to maintain it in a position of
rest or of disengaging it in order to allow the tilting operation--such stopping
arrangement consisting of two pawls or catch-levers (19 and 22), arranged at the
top and bottom of the water or liquid container, one of them (22) being capable
of yielding automatically in one direction, or holding the container when required,
whilst the other (19) serves as a disengaging lever, which, by the help of toothed-
wheel or lever-gear (26, 14, 24, 15, 16, 17, 18) set in motion by the main shaft (8),
is actuated in such a manner, that it is always disengaged or freed immediately
before the tilting operation commences, and is stopped directly after this operation
has been completed, substantially as described and illustrated.
5. In the machine described and claimed in Claims 1 to 4, the arrangement
for closing the ends of the container watertight, by means of elastic valves, which
allow the passage of the connecting rod (6) corresponding with the size of the
cross-part of the connecting rod (6) and at its interior, valves (28) for automatically
closing the said concavity or sector, the valves being however enabled to give
way, where the connecting rod (6) enters the water or liquid container (1).
D
1
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.