called _m_: then must the number of teeth in the small wheel _A_, be
likewise _m_: when the number in the wheel _B_, will come out uniformly
_m_ + (_m_ ± 1)/2; in which formula every case of practice is included.
For suppose, any uneven number to be required, say 11: Then will the
cylinder-wheel _A_, have 11 teeth; and that of the _porte-outil_ (_B_)
11 + 12/2 = 17, or 11 + 10/2 = 16: either of which numbers, working with
the 11 teeth of the cylinder-wheel _A_, will divide the latter into 11
parts, as was before stated.
It must, however, be observed, that, as expressing a set of teeth
actually working, these numbers are fictitious; because the teeth would
be too coarse to work well. The numbers thus found, must, therefore, be
multiplied by 2, 3, or more, so as to bring the teeth to a _reasonable_
size, say 1/8 of an inch thick, according to circumstances.
As another example, take the following: suppose it were required to
engrave a cylinder of 4 inches diameter--or 12.56 in circumference, and
to put twenty-five figures round it, giving very nearly half an inch for
each figure. Then the cylinder wheel (_A_) must have 25 teeth; and the
porte-outil wheel 25 + 26/2 = 38: or, doubling both numbers to give the
teeth a proper strength, the cylinder-wheel would have 50 teeth, and the
porte-outil wheel 76.
To proceed now, in stating the principles of this Machine, it is evident
(in this System of geering) that the diameters of the wheels must be in
exact proportion with the number of their teeth, _taken at the pitch
lines_; and that these pitch lines must be of the same diameters,
respectively, as the cylinder to be engraven, and the porte-outil taken
at the surface of the punch: which is saying, in other words, that the
length of the punch must be regulated _after_ the diameter of the
porte-outil wheel has been determined from it’s number of teeth,
compared with those of the cylinder-wheel. But we shall return to this
topic after having described more fully the principal parts of the
Machine.
In fig. 5, (which is a kind of transparent view of one end of the
Machine), _A B C_ is one of the stands or legs on which it rests; _a b_
is a section of the frame or bench, which supports the _headstock_ _C
D_, one of which is bolted down at each end of the frame, (see also _C
D_ in fig. 3.) This figure shews the transverse form of the headstock,
with the centre (_c_) of the porte-outil; and _e d_ are the _two_ wedges
that go through the headstock to support the step of the cylinder, of
which the mandrel appears at _f_. This mandrel-centre is also covered
with a second step, over _f_, by which it is kept down by means of a
regulating screw _A_, (fig. 3) which finally determines the degree of
nearness of the cylinder to the porte-outil, and thus the depth of the
engraving:--that is to say, this regulating screw influences this depth
as far as the wedges (_e d_) permit: for by the screw _d_, these wedges
slide on each other so as to raise or let fall the steps _f_, by small
degrees; the position thus given being _confirmed_ by the said
regulating screw. It is needless to say that this operation takes place
at both ends of the Machine, (_C_ and _D_) and thus places the surface
of the cylinder in a line exactly parallel to the slide _n q_ of the
porte-outil.
In fig. 3, all the parts thus adverted to, are given in a front
view--where we may observe, that the rope marked by dots at _R_, is a
loaded friction-drag, used to prevent the porte-outil from
_over-running_ the cylinder, when the punch is just emerging from
between them.
The same figure 3, shews also the position of the frog _x_, in the
triangular slide of the porte-outil; the latter, as well as the
cylinder, borne by the headstocks _C D_. Moreover, the rack _w_, which
gives the end-motion to the punch, is here shewn, as going through the
frog, and connected with it in one direction by the catch _o_: and at
_n_, there is a spring, formed like a horse-shoe, the use of which is to
push the frog, by the catch _o_, _to the right_, whenever the rack is
_suffered_ to go that way, by the mechanism hereafter to be described.
The _frog_, then, (so called because it seems to leap when the Machine
works) must now be adverted to: it consists of an under mass, formed
prismatically to fit exactly the slide _n q_, cut out of the porte-outil
_N_. This mass is capped by a thickness of steel, which completes the
passage for the rack _n w_, and offers, besides, a compartment for the
punch-clams _o_, and another (_x_) for a wooden or steel _bridge_,
being a portion of a cylinder, so formed, as to support the engraved
cylinder after the stress of the impression is passed, and thus to
equalize the depth of the engraving. The compartment for the punch-clams
at _o_, is terminated to the right hand by an obtuse angle near _x_,
which serves as a centre, when, by proper fixing screws in the rim near
_o_, it is found necessary to place the punch a little awry. The other
properties of this _frog_ will easily be supposed by my mechanical
readers.
We come, then, to it’s motion in the slide. _p r_ shews a wheel, running
loosely on the axis of the porte-outil; and having fixed to it a
concentric rim _r_, with _three or four waves_ in it’s circumference.
Further, above _s_, is seen a lever, turning on a pin in the stud _s_,
and pressing against the right-hand end of the rack _w_, when driven to
the left by the waves _p r_, &c. This rack is cut into ratchet teeth as
at _w_, in which enters the catch _o_, as impelled by a proper spring
acting on it, (but not seen in the figure.) As long then, as the waved
wheel _p r_ can _turn_, with the porte-outil _N_, this last described
mechanism does nothing: but when _p r_ is _stopped_, it begins to work
usefully; for the lever _s_ then rides on the waves _p r_, and presses
the rack _w_ against the spring _n_, so that the catch _o_, takes into
some new tooth; by which means, when the spring _n_ unbends (by the
sinking of the lever _s_ into any wave _p_) the frog is itself carried
_toward the right hand_--which is the effect intended. But, in fine,
_how_ is this wheel _p r_ stopped and set agoing _a propos?_ Fig. 5
will shew this, with the aid of a little imagination--since our fig. 5
is a kind of transparency rather than a regular view. The wheel _m_, is
a crown wheel, near which the wheel _p r_ (fig. 3) turns, having a
spiral _g_ on it’s hither surface, which runs between the teeth of the
wheel _m_ and turns it one tooth, in each of it’s own revolutions: But
when, after a given number of these turns, the end of the spiral _g_
meets with a _large_ tooth on _m_, it _lodges_ on it, and stops the
motion of the wheel _p_, and then the aforesaid waves _r_ perform the
task of driving the rack _w_ _backward_; after which the spring _n_
changes the place of the frog, so as to make another line of impressions
round the cylinder. It remains then, only to be explained, how this
stoppage is itself stopped; which is thus: to the porte-outil is
fastened, near _g_, a small arm, which turns with it, and which in fig.
5 the dot _t_ represents. This arm, therefore, drives back the beak _t_,
(connected with the spring _v_) at every revolution of the porte-outil,
thereby working the small catch that hangs to that beak. This catch,
therefore, _slides_ on the edge of the crown wheel _m_, _but produces no
effect_, until it finds there, one small notch, so placed as to be acted
on by the catch _when this disengagement is wanted_--and, _then_, this
motion jogs forward the crown wheel _m_ just enough to take the large
tooth out of the way--when the spiral _g_ begins to move through the
common teeth of _m_, and thus ceases to act on the rack till the large
tooth again comes to stop the wheel _p_, and recommence the rack’s
motions. And thus is the place of action of the punch changed after
_any_ number of it’s contacts with the cylinder--that number being
doubled or trebled--or more--when necessary, by increasing accordingly
the number of _common_ teeth in the crown wheel _m_, before a _large_
tooth occurs.
A few practical remarks on this mode of engraving may here be added with
advantage. Theoretically speaking, the _punch_ should form a portion of
a cylinder, of equal radius with the porte-outil wheel, taken at it’s
pitch line. But through the _relative_ weakness of some mandrels, a
certain spring takes place, which requires the punches to be more curved
than that wheel, and even considerably so. This also depends on the size
of the punch, and the fullness of the pattern. In a word, it depends
likewise on the method of employing the Machine--whether with _few_
passages, and _considerable_ pressure, or with _light_ pressure, and
_many_ swift passages:--The latter System is in my opinion much the
best; since it brings the practice nearer to the theory of this Machine.
If, indeed, the cylinders and mandrels of Calico Printers, had been
originally made _thicker_, and thus strong enough to bear the pressure
without sensible deflexion, this would have been, from the first, a
perfect process: and the nearer these objects are brought to this state
of inflexibility, the nearer will it’s effects approach to perfection;
for in all other respects it works with admirable precision.
I may just add, that the facility with which the revolutions of this
Machine are _counted_, has induced some persons to dispense with the
rack movement: but for small patterns with numerous impressions, it is
doubtless better to use it--especially when employing the rapid and
light pressures just alluded to; and these will become additionally
interesting when the punches themselves acquire a more exact form--which
is the object of the _third_ Punch Machine, still remaining to be
described.
It is not superfluous to add, that this Engraving Machine is dangerous
to the persons employed--and should therefore be guarded behind, _by a
fence-bar_, to prevent the hands or clothes from being drawn in.
OF
A HORIZONTAL WATER WHEEL,
_Probably the best of the impulsive kind_.
In this title, I have repeated _that_ given in the prospectus: nor do I
think I have assumed too much in so doing. It will be seen in the course
of this description, on _what_ I found my opinion; which indeed, was
substantiated by the fact as soon as formed: the execution having
speedily followed the invention. The Machine, in it’s different parts,
is represented in figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Plate 40. Fig. 1 is a plan of
the floor, _on_ which the upper water flows, to it’s whole depth, when
the flood gates are opened: this floor being close over the wheel, as
seen in fig. 4, at _c d_. Further, _a b_, in both figures, is a circular
slit of the whole diameter, through which the water rushes at once on
_all_ the floats of the wheel; whose axis goes up into the building
through a kind of barrel, that prevents the water from escaping in any
other part than the aforesaid circular aperture. The wheel itself is
represented at _e f_, fig. 2; and fig. 4 is an elevation of it, with
it’s shaft, and a few of the _floats_, to shew the manner of their
receiving the stroke of the water. A section of the ring-formed slit is
also given at _a b_, with two floats receiving the flowing water: and in
that elevation is also shewn two of the _swan-necks_ by which the
central part of the floor is supported on the framing, _without_
stopping the watercourse.
Finally, the slit or aperture _a b_, figs. 1 and 4, is fitted with a set
of cast iron curves, of which _six_ are shewn in the Plate, between _c_
and _d_, and whose use is to turn aside the falling water to any desired
inclination; these instruments being moved at will by a proper chain of
bars, reaching from one to the other, and connected with eight or more
levers at proper intervals on the floor of the water chamber.
Thus then, it appears that this Machine has two or three very important
properties: 1st. _all_ the water escapes in the _same_ direction,
(relatively to the motion of these wheels) and that direction concurs
with _that_ in which the wheel is made to turn. 2d. Every one of those
fluid prisms into which the stream is divided, is urged with the _same_
velocity, because impelled by the same _head of water_. 3d. The velocity
of these jets is the greatest possible, because the water is carried as
low as possible before it is emitted; and falls as little as possible
after it has struck the wheel. 4th. In fine, the inclination of the
floats _may_ be made most perfect; and their form, being that of a
_boat_ slightly curved, is among the best forms possible for receiving
the utmost impulse from flowing water.
Although by these means much is done in favour of the impulsive system,
it is allowed, that, in general, a wheel acting by impulse, is less
effective than a bucket-wheel acting by the weight of the water. But the
higher the fall is made, the more similar these effects become. Hence, a
_very_ high fall may be made to produce, by impulse, an effect equal to
that of the bucket-wheel. To meet, therefore, such a contingency as
this, I have given, in fig. 3, a cover to the water chamber of fig. 4,
intended to close it upward, and thus adapt it to a fall of _any_
height; the water entering into this chamber from a large pipe _A_, of
the required length: and being compressed accordingly, the result is
forcible in proportion.
A few _facts_ on the above subject will not be uninteresting. When this
wheel, fifteen or sixteen years _ago_, (for I have forgotten it’s exact
date) was about to be put in motion at La Ferté in France, several
knowing ones took upon them to say “that it would not turn at all.” But
who so astonished as they, when, at twelve feet diameter, and with less
than five feet fall, they saw it make fifty-four turns in the first
minute! I acknowledge, with pleasure, that these men soon expressed
their approbation with unsophisticated candour; for although an honest
prejudice had beset them, it was un-poisoned by that envy, I have more
than once had to deal with in a country we are accustomed to call
_better_! I therefore take leave, on this occasion, to say to my beloved
countrymen, “Go and do likewise.”
OF
A NEW SPINNING MACHINE,
_Called, and being the_ PATENT _Eagle_.
The Machine commonly used for continued Spinning, in low numbers, is
named a Throstle: and as my Invention acts in a similar manner, I have
presumed to call it an _Eagle_. My motive is no mystery. The Machine
spins more and better than a throstle: and reaches, especially, to a
fineness unknown in throstle spinning. It could not, therefore, justly
receive a meaner name, nor even an equal one.
The present Machine then, is a superior kind of throstle, the
construction of which will be understood, by spinners, from the annexed
figures, 5 and 6 of Plate 40. As the principal difference between the
former machines and this, resides in the toothed wheel by which it’s
spindles are turned, we shall begin this description by adverting to it:
_A B_ is that wheel, cut, at present, into 800 inclined teeth, and
working with pinions of 11 teeth, one of which, with it’s spindle, is
shewn at _a b_, fig. 6. The revolutions, therefore, of these spindles to
_one_ of the wheel, are 72.7272, &c.; and since the latter, in spinning,
makes from 60 to 70 turns per minute, the spindles run at the rate of
5000 turns in that time, and _might_ do more if desired by the spinner.
In a word, the useful speed depends on the size and weight of the
spindles, the flyers, &c.
Immediately above and below the wheel _A B_, are two rings of cast iron,
to which are screwed rims, either of wood or metal, destined to hold the
steps and bolsters of the spindles, as is usual in a throstle, with the
difference of the circular form, which the wheel of course requires; and
the relation of which, to the rollers, is shewn at _a b_, fig. 5, being
a plan of this Machine. Returning to fig. 6, the next object upward is
the _roller-beam_, (cast hollow for lightness) the form of which is that
of an octagon, with two brackets _c d_, by which it is fastened to the
pillars _E F_: these, in their turn, being connected with the top and
bottom cross-pieces (_G H_, _I K_) so as to make up the frame, properly
so called. All these parts are placed (in section) similarly to those
usually composing the throstle; and the copping motion is produced by
the curve _f_, driven by an endless screw on the shaft _h f_, and acting
on the slide _f g_, and through it on the ring of which the square _i_
is a section: and on whose iron plate, in fine, the bobbins _drag_, as
they do in the throstle. In the Machine before us, the rollers are
driven by _two_ side-shafts _h f_, which take their motion either from a
train of spur wheels placed above the traverse _G H_, or by bevil wheels
from two small shafts, coming under that traverse from the central shaft
_L M_, to those _h f_, and acting on the rollers by means of the bevil
wheels _f m_, seen in the figures. Now, the rollers are contained in
eight heads--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, each of which has it’s _speed
wheels_ in the angles _n o_, &c. and receive their motion from six sets
of bevil wheels _q_, &c. which propagate the motion round each _half_ of
the Machine, from the points _m_ and _p_ respectively.
Above this roller-beam, is the creel-ring _N O_, which (either in one or
_two_ rows) receives the sixty roving bobbins that supply the sixty
spindles, of which the Machine is composed: and whose threads pass under
the eight sets of rollers--one thread being suppressed in each of the
heads--1, 4, 5, 8, on account of the columns. (This, at least, is the
arrangement I prefer; but some of the Machines have been made with eight
threads in _all_ the compartments.) Finally, in this frame _G H_, _I K_,
is placed a ring _P Q_, (of glass or bright metal) over which the
rovings are thrown before they are put in the guides behind the rollers;
so that the _route_ of a thread in the act of being spun, is shewn in
fig. 5, by the line _P R_, _S b_, where it meets the bobbin on the
spindle _a b_, before mentioned.
It may be observed here, to prevent ambiguity, that the guide-boards,
with their hooks, are placed below the octagon roller-beam _q n o_, &c.
_as they are in the common throstle_; being, each, 1/8 of the whole
circumference, and of a circular form on the outside, reaching, by these
hooks, to the point _S_, so as to hold the thread just over the centre
of the spindles as at _a b_, fig. 6. Considering this as a commonplace
subject, I have not attempted to _draw_ these boards, since their form
and position would occur to every constructor: and this is the reason
also, why I have given only the section of the copping ring _i_, fig. 6:
nor at all shewn the _top rollers_--nor the detail of the creel--on all
which topics, opinions vary considerably, while the things themselves
are really of minor importance.
There is, however, in my Patent System, something which I think
important, and which, therefore, I have sketched near _Q_, fig. 6. If _w
x_ be there considered as _the second_ communication shaft, a wheel _z_
is put on it, of that kind which is calculated to work in a certain
geering chain, called in French _chaine de Vaucanson_, (from the name of
it’s inventor); and further, similar wheels (_y_) are connected with
_all_ the pins on the creel, round which the chain is carried from the
wheel _z_, till it comes to it again. The consequence is, that all the
wheels (_y_) are turned by that chain, so as to _untwist the roving_
while the spinning rollers draw it off the bobbins: and this is so,
because, in my Patent System, the rovings are _over-twisted_, in order
to admit their being made _very fast_, without the danger of breaking.
This then, completes my Patent Eagle, formed, on the _right hand of the
figure_ so as to use _over-twisted roving_; and _on the left hand_, so
as to spin common roving in the usual manner. In both cases, the motion
of the spindles by geering, ensures a mathematical twist, and thus
produces yarn better than common; whence also it’s fineness can be
carried _much_ farther than on a common throstle. It need hardly be
added, that these spindles are stopped and set in motion by the
mechanism described in my second Part, at fig. 1, Plate 19: and there
mentioned as “a Machine to set-on and suspend rapid motions.”
OF
A SECOND SPINNING MACHINE,
_Adapted principally to Wool_.
This Machine, represented in Plate 41, figures 1 and 2, may be called a
Spinning-card: whose use, however, I shall now suppose confined to
spinning coarse yarn, or rather rovings, to be re-spun on the common
machines, or on machines similar to my Eagle just described. It
consists, in reality, of an horizontal card _A B_, having it’s flyer,
&c. adapted to perform, in a perpendicular position, what those several
parts do, in an horizontal one, on the common carding engine. All this
is so well known, that I have not thought it necessary to draw it in
these figures; but merely to say, that in this Machine, those operations
are performed on the left hand, as at _A_, where is introduced a broad
flat ribbon of wool, duly made on a preparing card, and laid on edge in
a box at _C_, from whence it is drawn by the feeding rollers, &c. _so as
to cover the whole of the central card_ _A B_. Now, round this central
card, are placed, _ten_ or more small fillet cards, 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.
being at different heights on the central one; by which arrangement, the
whole surface of the latter is stripped by these cards, and as much
filament collected on each, as is sufficient to form a thread or roving,
as before mentioned. But, further, these small cards have to be stripped
in their turn: and that is done by the circular combs _a b_, which
being placed _obliquely_ to the cards, receive motion from them, and
gather a regular mass of filament of a size fitted to become the yarn or
roving in question. Nor need this roving be re-drawn, by rollers, before
it is twisted: for it is the property of the bobbins _D E_, fig. 2, to
_draw mathematically_: and with _any_ speed that shall have been
determined. If we examine how this is done, we shall see at bottom,
_two_ wheels _F G_, (toothed on the patent principle) one of which
drives the spindles and flies, and the other the bobbins _D E_: the
wheel that drives the bobbin having a few teeth _more_ than that which
drives the spindles--whose pinion is the same in number as that of the
bobbin. Thus, therefore, the bobbin goes as much faster than the spindle
as is necessary to _take up_ all the wool furnished by the comb, and
_to_ the comb by the small card, which receives it from the central card
_A B_; where note--that the draught, by this difference of motion is
_not_ variable, but determined: since the heads of the bobbins _E D_,
are a hollow inverted truncated cone, on which the yarn cannot
remain--for in _winding_, it drives downward that which is already
wound, so as to fill the whole bobbin _from the head_--a reason for the
conical shape of the latter object.
It will appear by the upper figure, (which is a plan of the central
card, and the small cards, 1 2, &c.) that the latter receive their
motion from the chain _H I_, by means of the train of wheels _K L_,
turning on studs in the upper cross-piece. Suffice it to add, that the
centres of these cards, of the combs, &c. are fixed to the rings by
proper cramps, as will be easily conceived. I have offered to sight,
_only_ the essential parts, to avoid confusion: and I presume to hope
every thing important will be thus seen without difficulty.
In my present view of this Invention as a _preparing Machine_, I would
observe, that the central card is only considered as a _distributor_,
and that I should, _now_, add to it a System of machinery to make it a
_forced_ distributor. I had, indeed, prepared this very System to be
patentized many years ago: but the delays that occurred then, followed
by the _Restoration_, (which gave me an opportunity of coming to
England;) made me suspend this intention--respecting a method, perhaps,
the only thing wanted to make this Machine in all respects excellent.