Improvements in Machines for Weighing Coal into the Bunkers of Ships and for other purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Weighing Coal into the Bunkers of
Ships and for other purposes.
I WILLIAM JOSEPH COTTON of 153 Euston Road London Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An improved machine for weighing coal into the bunkers of ships and for other
purposes.
In carrying out my invention I provide a receptacle having a sloping bottom and
a door on one side through which the coal &c. is allowed to pass when desired.
I next provide a frame the two sides of which form the scale beams and are
supported on V centres in a manner similar to that of other weighing machines
which in their turn (the V centres) are supported by suitable means.
&
To one end of the frame is attached the receptacle, at the other end a frame is
provided for weights.
Near the centre of one of the beams I suspend a bar which is connected with
other bars which form levers one of which is graduated into divisions and figured
as on the ordinary weighing machines, small weights being attached which represent
the greater weight of coal &c. placed within the receptacle.
The weighing can be accomplished by the graduated lever or ordinary weights
and also by hydraulic or ordinary spring balance and if desired worked auto-
matically.
By the use of this machine the exact weight of coal put into the ship is
ascertained, a great saving of time and labour effected, communication with the man
working the machine and the trimmers is not interrupted and provision is made for
the trimmers to proceed in and out of the bunkers or holds without stopping either
the work or the ventilation.
Dated this Thirteenth day of October 1892.
WILLIAM JOSEPH COTTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Weighing Coal into the Bunkers of
Ships and for other purposes.
WILLIAM JOSEPH COTTON, 153 Euston Road London, 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:-
It is a weighing scale with two parallel horizontal beams suitably supported by
columns on a platform, and carrying a receptacle or hopper for holding 5. 10. or
20 cwts. respectively. Same constructed with sloping bottom sides, & a door on
one side through which the coal passes automatically into the bunker, on the
completion of the requisite weight being introduced into the hopper.
The door is held in position whilst filling, by clutches and levers are attached to
the hopper which work in rests on the columns supporting the beams. They on the
turn of the scale lift the clutches & release the door. The coal by its own gravity
passing into the bunker. The door is also fitted with springs or counterbalances to
suit the formation of bunker hatch or plate, which return it to the closed position
after the coal has left the hopper.
The scale is fitted with a platform for the requisite weights (if used) and a duplex

page_text: set of levers, one of which is graduated into divisions and constituting a weighing
machine.
It is also fitted with a counting machine, adjusted to count one for every turn of
the scale.
Figure 1 Sheet 2 is an end elevation shewing platform B on wheels, carrying
columns CC, supporting by means of V centres Z Z the shaft Q carrying the
parallel beams D D. On columns C C are fixed 2 plates R R carrying levers T T,
the top one being graduated and marked as the levers of ordinary machines. These
levers are connected to each other and the beam D by means of rods P P. The
levers T T are kept in position on centres & plates Y Y. On graduated lever, is a 1
sliding weight S at end of same are the loose weights to represent the greater
weight, also marked S.
Figure 2 Sheet 2. is the front end of the hopper. The dotted lines X X are the
The door of
form of back of hopper, shewing gradual taper to front of same.
hopper V being two thirds of front, the remaining one third U being a fixed portion
of the hopper to which are secured the hinges M M which are bored out, to contain
coil springs for closing the door automatically when emptied of its charge. A
plate W is fixed across door V. on the ends of which are segment pieces J J. to fit
into the clutches of the side levers I. I. on Figure 3.
Figure 3 Sheet 1 is a side elevation of the machine & hopper, also the end of a
hatch coamings A shewing hopper G in position. Platform B on wheels. The
columns C supporting by means of centre Z the beam D.
One end of beam D is centre H carrying the hopper G. At the other end of
beam D is carriage E for standard weights, and suspended to beams F centred on
shaft (f). On each side of hopper G is attached a lever I at one end of which is a
clutch the other resting on a friction wheel N. the bent form of this lever giving
a sufficient radius to release the segment piece J on door K when hopper is on
bottom centre.
Between column C and hopper G there is a radius bar L fitted on each side to
hold hopper in vertical position whilst ascending and descending. Behind columns C
are rods previously described.
The top side of column C. is the counting machine O registering the number of
times the machine is on its bottom centre.
In describing the working of this machine. In Fig. 3 the hopper is empty, & the
machine is at rest. On the required weight being put into the hopper, it naturally
descends six inches, which motion communicates itself to the side levers and releases
the clutch, allowing the door to open (see dotted line K) and the coal to escape into
the bunker. After which the coil springs referred to in Fig. 2 M. by their
action, immediately close the door and the side levers lock the same on the ascent
of the hopper for the purpose of refilling. This operation going on steadily and
automatically as fast as the coal can be supplied to the machine.
The system of duplex weighing by either standard weights or graduated levers is
that in ships requiring a number of these machines for either receiving or discharging
coals, require only one set of standard weights for the whole set of machines, to be
used as a test in case of dispute as to the accuracy of the lever system.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is-
1st. An improved machine for weighing coal into the bunkers of ships & for
other purposes by which a great saving of time & labour is effected. Com-
munication with the deck and coal trimmers is not interrupted.
2nd. The sloping sides of the hopper which prevent the choking of coal in egress
see dotted lines X Fig. 2 Sheet 2.
3rd. The automatic appliance for the opening of the door when the weight in the
hopper is complete.
:

page_text: 4th. The automatic appliance for the closing of the door, when the coal has left
the hopper.
5th. The duplex system of weighing by either levers or weights, thereby
counteracting disputes with coal merchants in foreign or home ports.
Dated this 30th day of June 1893.
WILLIAM JOSEPH COTTON.