Audible Signals for Land and Water Conveyances.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1887.
Specification Accepted. 20th Sept., 1887.
Audible Signals for Land and Water Conveyances.
I, JOHN SPEIRS, of Jersey City, in the County of Hudson and State of New
Jersey, United States of America, Blacksmith, 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:-
The purpose of this invention is to provide in land and water conveyances, such as
steamboats, sailing vessels or railway trains, audible signals which may be heard
by the engineers etc., on other of such conveyances; and it consists in providing
in such conveyances two audible signals or whistles of great dissimilarity in sound
or pitch, which are adapted to be sounded, the one to indicate a direction to the
right and the other to sound to indicate a direction to the left of the conveyance
bearing the signal.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings,
Figure 1, is a view in diagram, representing two steamboats in a course liable
to bring same into collision, but showing by dotted lines the course they will be warned
to pursue from hearing the proper signal sounded by the other, in accordance
with a signaling system to that effect.
Figure 2, is a view in diagram to illustrate the location of several trains of cars on
a railway, each train provided with a signaling apparatus of the character named.
Figure 3, is a view in plan of a duplex whistle or signal, that is, one adapted for a
sounding of two distinct and dissimilar sounds.
Figure 4, is a vertical sectional view on line 4-4, figure 3.
In the drawings A, and A', represent steam whistle throat device, each at the
extremity of steam pipes, B, B2, and each adapted by the proper operation of a cock, C,
to be in communication with a pipe D, from the steam supply.
Each whistle throat, A, A³, consists of and is formed by an outer hemispherical
shell, a, open at its top edge, b, and an inner hemispherical shell, d, each of the
latter shells being in communication at its lower part with its respective steam

page_text: pipe, B, B2, which latter shell d, is enclosed at its upper side as at f, and between the
top and outer edge of the outer shell, a, and the top edge of the inner shell d,
is an annular opening at throat g.
Communication for steam is formed between the interior of the inner shell d, and
the annular chamber or whistle throat, g, by ports, h.
It will be observed that one of the annular chambers or throats g, is made much
more contracted, or narrower than the. other throat, g.
Frepresents an impinging shell, or bell of bowl shape. This shell F is adapted
by suitable means, as hereinafter described, or otherwise, to be placed and held
in a position directly over and concentric with the annular opening of either one
or the other of the whistle throat devices, A, or A2, and as shown in figures 3 and 4, is
in the position over the most contracted throat device, A, and on a passage of steam
through the pipes D, B, into the inner shell, d, and thence through the ports h, into
and through annular throat chamber y, and impinging upon the lower rim, E, of
the shell, F, a sounding or whistle of comparatively high or shrill tone is produced, as
obvious and usual.
On a shifting of the impinging shell F, to a corresponding concentric position
in relation to the enlarged throat device, A2, to that described in relation to the
contracted throat device A, and on a proper diversion of the steam into and through
the pipe, B2, and the chamber and passage of the throat device, A², the steam issuing
from such enlarged throat device impinging upon the rim E of the same shell F, will
produce a deep or resonant tone.
The shell F is provided with perforations at its upper side to allow the escape
of steam forced within same from the whistle throat. G represents
a vertical
standard located in a lateral line midway of the two whistle throats; and at the
upper end 2, of this standard, G, hung in any suitable form of swivel joint is a
horizontal radius arm, HI, at the outer end of which is rigidly hung the impinging
shell, F and the said pivotal point, 2, is so located as stated that on a swing of the
said radius arm H, sufficiently.in either direction it will bring the impinging ring
concentric with the annular throat opening of either one or the other of the whistle
throat devices, A or A².
K represents a lever arm hung midway of its length by a pivot 1, upon a boss m,
of the vertical standard G. This lever arm K, at its upper end is bifurcated as at n,
and the prongs thereof bear upon the opposite sides of the radius arni, H.
The other or lower end, o, of the lever arm K, engages by a slot P with a stud
on the end of a lever L, that is rigidly attached to the stem r, of the steam cock C.
The steam cock C is provided with passages, s, and t, (see Fig. 4.)
A spiral spring, M, is arranged between the end, o, of the lever K, and a rigid
vertical stud, u, extending downwardly from the boss m, on the standard G, which
tends to hold the lever arm, K,.vertically or substantially so, as its normal position
resulting in placing-(through its engagement by its forked end with the radius
arm, H, said radius arm and with it the impinging shell F, in a position midway
between the two whistle throat devices, A, A³-and also through the connection
by its lower end, o, with the lever, L, attached to the valve stem of the cock-in
placing said cock in such a position that the solid part, v, thereof closes the steam
passage, w, from the pipe D, and thereby shuts off the entrance of steam to either
throat device.
M³ represents an eye upon the end of the radius arun H, to which are attached two
cords or chains, H2, and L², passing thence into opposite directions, over guido
pulleys, hung in brackets, y, ², secured on the outer shells 4, of the throat
devices A, A, and these pull cords, H2, L2, are carried through any suitable guides
to a convenient position in the pilot house, cab, etc., and are there properly disposed
for easy access and manipulation by the pilot, engineer or other attendant.
Z represents a downwardly projecting rigid post on the impinging shell F, in
the axial line thereof, and at its extremity it has opposed flanges; and ; and upon
the top cap-plates of the inner shells, d, are stops or abutments, e, e², in a horizontal
plane coincident with that of the flanges, j, j, on the post Z.

page_text: Assuming that the lever arm, K, under the reaction of its spring M, is in its
normal position--the radius arin with the impingement shell, midway between
the two whistle throats, and the valve of the steam cock with its solid portion, v,
closing the passage, w, from the steam pipe that then in accordance with any signal
system or for other reason it is desired to sound a whistle of high pitch and the
pull cord H2, is pulled for a sufficient distance, the end of the radius arm H, is moved
to the left until the flange, j, on the post, Z, comes to a bearing against the abutment e,
and the impinging shell is over and concentric with the annular whistle throat, A
the valve stem of the steam cock has, (through its connection with the lower end of the
lever K,) been brought into a position to place its angularly arranged openings ts,
the former opposite the passage opening from the steam supply, and the latter opposite
the passage to the whistle throat, A, and the steam following the course it is thereby
permitted by the various parts of this apparatus, produces a sounding of the whistle
of the high tone formed by the combination of the contracted annular throat device
and the impingement plate, and these conditions and relations of parts are illustrated in
the drawings (figures 3, and 4.).
Again, under the same conditions as hereinbefore just assumed, instead of pulling
the cord H2, the cord L³, is pulled upon, it is clearly understood that the impingement
shell is carried for the desired effect over the other, or enlarged annular throat A², the
steam cock is manipulated to allow the steam to enter and pass through the said
enlarged annular throat, and a consequent sounding of a whistle tone of low pitch is
secured, and it is of course well understood that the difference in tone is regulated
and determined by sizes of the annular throat openings g, g².
Under the mechanism described it will be seen that the movement of either pull
cord, effects the placing of the impingement plate in position over the respective
whistle throat, and also opens the steam communication to such throat, and that on a
release of such pull the parts are automatically carried out of position for producing a
whistle tone and the steam communication closed.
While a particular means of changing the position of the impingement shell in its
relation to the two whistle throats has been illustrated and described other means
therefor may be substituted without departing from the present invention, and it is
not intended to limit same to any particular manner of accomplishment.
The practicability and utility of the apparatus described for instance when applied
on steam boats or other vessels sailing in a fog, is apparent, for should vessels be in
proximity and following a course liable to bring them into collision, a sounding of the
whistle of shrill, or high tone by either vessel will be understood to mean that the
vossel is following a course to port, while the sounding of the whistle of low or deep
tone will be understood to indicate that the vessel in following the course to starboard,
or vice versa, according to the fixed code, or signal system among mariners and thus
disaster may be avoided.
And on railroad trains, the same signals are useful, for should it be understood that
all up bound trains should sound the shrill whistle and all down bound trains the deep
whistle, accidents may be avoided due to the fact, that should a down bound train,
for instance, hear a deep whistle, or another train similar in tone to its own deep
whistle, the engineer will know that there is another train in proximity on his track
and modify his speed accordingly.
While in this specification steam has been particularly mentioned as the whistle
producing agent, air is forced in a similar manner as described for the steam, will
produce practical results, and it is understood that air is so far as this invention is
concerned the equivalent of steam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
'
First. The combination with two whistle throats of different areas, substantially as
described, suitably adapted for a passage of steam through them, of a shifting impinging
shell adapted to be placed in a position in relation to either of said whistle throats,
substantially as described for the purpose specified.

page_text: Second, The combination of two whistle throats of different areas, substantially as
described, each placed on a separate branch of a main steam pipe, and a valve at the
junction of said branches, of a shifting impinging shell suitably supported and adapted
to be placed in operative position in relation to either of said whistle throats, and of
an intervening mechanism between the support of the said shell, and the valve that is
actuated by and in conjunction with said support, and is adapted to operate said valve
in a manner to open steam communication to either throat at the time that the
impinging shell is moved in proper position over said throat, substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
Third. The combination with two whistle throats of different areas each placed in
separate branches, B, B', of a main steam pipe D, and a cock C, having passages S,
and t, at the junction of said branches having on its stem a rigidly attached lover L,
of an impinging shell F, hung upon an arm H swiveling in a standard G, adapted to
swing into operative position in relation to either of said throats, and of a lever arm K,
pivoted midway of its length, upon said standard, one end of which engages with the
arm H, and the other with the valve lever L, all arranged for operation, substantially
as described for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with two whistle throats of different areas, each placed on
separate branches B, B3, of a main steam pipe D, and a cock C, having passages sandt,
at the junction of said branches, and having a stem and rigid lever L, thereon, of an
impinging shell F, hung upon a swiveling arm H, on a standard G, which has boss m,
one end
and stud u, a lever arm K, provided midway of its length upon said standard,
of which engages with the arm H, and the other with the valve lever L, and a spring
attached at one end, to the end of said arm H, and by its other to the stud U, and all
arranged for operation substantially as described for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with two whistle throats of different areas, each consisting of
inner casing d, and outer shell a, with annular space between them, the inner shell
having abutments e, e, on the upper side and being in communication with branch
steam pipe, and having ports h, leading to the said annular space, of a shifting imping-
ing shell having post, and flanges 1, hung upon an arm H, swiveling in a standard &,
and adapted to be swung into position in relation to either of said throats, substantially
as described.
Sixth. The combination with two whistle throat devices, A, A², having throats
of different areas, substantially such as described, and on which are located brackets,
pulleys, and abutments, e, e³, of an impinging shell hung upon a swinging radius arm, H,
which shell has a post, z, and flanges,, and pull cords, H2, L, secured to said radius
arm, and all arranged for operation, substantially as described.