A New Century of Inventions / Being Designs & Descriptions of One Hundred Machines, Relating to Arts, Manufactures, & Domestic Life

Figures 1 & 2 of Plate 47, exhibit this Machine. It is, merely, an attempt to effect, by power and a rotatory motion, what is done by hand and a vibrating one. To understand this latter, my readers (who have not seen chocolate made) will suppose a metallic rolling-pin, but cylindrical held in both hands, and moved parallel to itself, over a slab of marble, to and from the person employed; who holds the instrument fast when pushing it from him, and suffers it to turn a little every time he draws it towards him. He thus presents, sometime or other, every particle of the chocolate to every part of the slab and the roller: and this is also done by the Machine shewn in Plate 47. In figs. 1 and 2, A represents a cylinder of stone or metal, used instead of the aforesaid slab; and B a cylinder answering to the roller in question. The latter is placed, by it’s axis, on two forks a b, so as to lean, by it’s weight, obliquely against the cylinder A, which it does less or more heavily as the forks, or stands a b, are placed nearer or farther off from the general centre. Further, the motions of these two rollers A and B, are connected by two equal (or nearly equal) wheels c d, by which, when A is turned, B turns also; but so as to give the surface of the latter much less velocity than that of A, though in the same direction. By these means, all the matter adhering to both cylinders (for chocolate is made in an unctuous state) is at one time or another, brought into intimate union, and ground together; and thus is the usual problem resolved, on rotatory principles: nor need we mention the several scrapers, &c. that would be applied to gather up the paste to the middle of the rollers, when spread abroad by the grinding process.

It may not be useless, just to say here, that this is likewise a good mill for grinding paint or oil colours.

OF
A ROTATORY MANGLE.

I have insisted, often, on the propriety, mechanically speaking, of doing every thing by rotatory motion; and thus of avoiding oscillation wherever it is possible. The present Mangle is another attempt to employ that principle. In Plate 47, figs. 3 and 4, is an under cylinder, turned as usual by any convenient power. B is a small cylinder not connected with it, nor touching it, being intended merely to receive the weight of the mangle-cylinder D, with the goods rolled on it. C is an upper cylinder as heavy as necessary, or loaden through it’s journals or centres, with sufficient weights to make it so. Again, the motions of the two cylinders A and C, take place in such a direction, that any round body placed and pressed between them, would receive from them the same motion; and thus, a roller of goods, there introduced, will be mangled. This process is so performed, because the cylinders have toothed wheels a, b, on their axes, but which do not geer together: These wheels being connected by an intermediate wheel c, which makes them concur in producing the rolling effect above mentioned. But, one thing remains to be observed: the wheels a b, though drawn apparently equal, are not equal. The upper one a, has a tooth or two more than the under—so that the motion to the right hand of the under surface of that cylinder, is not equal to the opposite motion of the cylinder A. And hence, the cloth roller D, progresses from D towards x, between the cylinders A C, and finally falls out at x, after as many turns of the whole, as the wheels A C have been calculated to give; and this, is according to the degree of mangling required.

OF
A MACHINE,
For driving the Shuttle of Power Looms.

In fig. 1 of Plate 48, A is a wheel or pulley of about six inches in diameter, from which two cords proceed in opposite directions (B C) to the pickers, which drive the shuttles D E in the usual method. This pulley runs on an axis going through the bottom of the lathe, (or beater) and it might have a crank, behind, of a radius equal to a b: but to shew the whole in one figure, I suppose the following mechanism to be placed in the front of the lathe, and just before the face of this wheel or pulley A. c d is a bar turning on the centre c, and receiving at it’s other end the pressure of a spring e d, which in it’s turn, is susceptible of different degrees of springiness, as regulated by the screw f. On a stud i in the wheel A, is put the small bar i d, which forms also a turning joint in the bar c d: and thus communicates the effort of the spring to the stud i, and thence to the wheel A. Finally, this wheel has either under it, on the front side of the lathe, or on it’s axis, at the back, a pulley, by which it can be turned, by means of one or other of the cords brought from the breast beam of the loom, round the pullies x and y, to this wheel a b i, according to the dotted lines. Supposing then, one of these cords to be tightened by the backward motion of the lathe, it will draw the wheel A about half round: when the stud i will rise to the point b, straining the spring to get over the centre: and as soon as it is over, the spring will act, and drive the picker and the shuttle with the desired speed, independently of any other mover. And it is evident, that now the opposite cord x or y, will be tightened so that when the lathe shall be again pushed backward to form the opening for the shuttle the slide will be carried back over the centre a, and re-produce another impulse in a contrary direction.

OF
AN AIR PUMP,
Or Essay towards completing the Vacuum.

Thus, in fig. 2 of Plate 48, A is a receiver, B is a large vessel that can be filled with water from the tub C below; and D is the pump, worked by the handle E. It is a common water pump, (so much the readier adopted, as requiring little care in the execution.) The question was to make this pump alternately fill and empty the vessel B. Adverting first to the filling, a c are two cocks, having each a side-passage for the water; and these passages are now so placed, as by working the pump we suck water out of the tub C, and throw it into the vessel B, through the valve b;—by which means all its air is driven out through the lateral valve e. When this is done, the cocks c d (which are so made as to be worked by the same mover) are turned into a new position, which opens the pipe p to the pump D, and that q to the returning spout r; by which means the water is drawn from the vessel B, and thrown into the tub C: so that the air is again drawn out of the receiver A, through the inverted valve s, into the vessel B, and another degree of exhaustion occasioned. This being done, the cocks are again put into their present position; the air expelled by the water through the valve e as before, and a new stroke prepared. It is scarcely needful to add, that if the vessel B contained ten times as much volume as the receiver A, the exhaustion of the latter at each emptying of the vessel B would follow this ratio—¹⁄₁₁, ¹⁄₁₂₁, ¹⁄₁₃₃₁, &c. thus approaching by rapid degrees to a perfect vacuum. The water, or liquid, used for this purpose would of course be as perfectly purged of air, as possible.

OF
AN INCLINED WATER WHEEL.

Plate 48 fig. 3, A B is the section of the wheel, and C D a small portion of it’s circumference—which shews the form and position of the floats a b c, &c. E is a floor on which the upper water flows, and from which it falls thinly on to the wheel—whose motion is purposely made as slow as possible. The water then, occupies one half of the wheel’s circumference, falls by a gentle slope and finally leaves the wheel at d, whether it there touches the lower water, or not. This wheel is allowed to be incapable of using to advantage a large stream of water—but is doubtless fit to employ a small stream, in the best manner.

OF
A VESSEL,
To assist in taking Medicine, &c.

Fig. 4 of Plate 48, shews this cup, composed of an inner and an outer vessel: the first to hold the medicine, and the latter a little tea, or other proper liquid to wash it down. The cups have a spout common to both; but the outer cup retains it’s contents as long as the small funnel a, is stopped with the thumb or finger. Thus then, the medicine is first taken, while the liquid is retained in the outer vessel—but the thumb being removed, the liquid also flows into the mouth, and in a good measure removes the taste it was wished to disguise.

OF
AN AERO-HYDRAULIC MACHINE,
For raising Water in large quantities.

This Machine (see Plate 49, fig. 1,) is capable of great results merely because it employs, at a small expence, a great mass of air in motion; whether ill or well, is not the question: for as this source of power is almost indefinite, methinks we may draw from it without reserve. The present method of so doing, consists in using a very large sail, (A B) both to receive the impulse of the wind, and to raise the water. This figure is a section of the Machine in it’s length:—and it’s width (not represented) is as great as the occasion may require. The sail is here shewn as placed over a lake or other sheet of water which it might be wished to drain, (or which may serve as a mill pond to drive any required Machines, by the water thus raised.) C D is the water in it’s lower bed: and E, is a canal on a higher level, into which a large quantity is thrown at each manœuvre of the Machine, a is the bank of the upper canal, to which is affixed the edge of the canvass, of which a B A d, is a section; and which might be large to immensity. At 1 2 3, &c. is a row of stakes as long as the Machine; and they are capped transversely with round poles, on which the sail rests when in it’s lowest position. In this state, also, the part b of the sail, plunges into the water, which rises above it in the prismatic form, b r s; a row of valves or clacks, (b) permitting it to rise through them, but preventing it from again falling that way. Thus, at every change, this prism of water, is sure to be replenished; and if we suppose the triangle b r s to have an area of ten square feet, and the prism to be one hundred feet long, the water there contained will be a thousand cubic feet—capable, however, of being augmented or diminished at pleasure, by slackening or tightening the sail towards A. At d, is the weather-end of this sail, which is supported when at rest, on the surface of the water, by the posts and caps before mentioned. This end d, of the sail is connected with a row of posts C F, placed more or less closely, as the prevailing strength of the wind and the size of the sail may require. The sail is held to these posts by rolling pulley frames, of which one is seen at g, and is drawn up and down by the rope g h, acting at one end directly on the rolling pulley-frame g, and the other on the sail d, after having passed over a pulley (F) in the post itself: where note, that this effect can be communicated by proper machinery, from any one of these posts (C F) to all collateral ones; so as to make the manœuvres general, across the sail, whatever be it’s magnitude.

The following then, is the operation. The wind blows (by supposition) in the direction of the arrows in the figure: and the rolling pulley-frame g is quickly drawn up to g, where the hook i holds it fast. By a necessary consequence the wind fills the sail d c r, and stretches it into the figure d A B a: in doing which it lifts the water r s, and pours it, in all the width of the sail, into the canal E; thus raising a thousand cubic feet of water at each stroke. As soon as the water is turned into the canal E, the hook i is pulled outward, and the rolling pulley g is forced down, by the wind itself, to the position k, when the wind blowing over the sail, will give it a bent form, (k c a) and soon bring the sail into it’s present position on the posts 1 2, &c.—when water will be again admitted by the valves at b, and another stroke of the Machine be prepared.

The above contains the basis of this idea. I do not expect it will obtain at once universal assent: But if I knew the several grounds of objection, I am persuaded the greatest number of them could be removed. The first I anticipate, is the difficulty of turning this Machine to the several winds that may blow over it. To this objection I would reply, that in such a case, the canal E, should surround an area made large enough for the sail, of some polygonal form, say an octagon, to different sides of which the stretching cords of the sail should be carried, so as to catch the prevailing winds—but the direction of which need not be followed to a nicety; since an obliquity of a few degrees would not prevent the effect.

It might be added, that it is not indispensable that the canal E should be stationary. Made of wood, or metal, it might turn round a fixed centre, and be braced into the necessary positions with ropes—when the posts only (C F) would have to be removed, or quitted for others duly placed. These ideas are connected with immense effects; and cannot, therefore, be lightly disposed of: they both deserve and require serious attention.

OF
ANOTHER WIND MACHINE,
Furnishing immense Powers.

This is the last of those conceptions I shall now bring forward, for making more than a common use of the WIND as a first-mover of Machinery. Horizontal windmills are well known; and this is a horizontal windmill—yet not like those already in use: for, here, the sails, very large and numerous, are placed on a boat in the form of a ring, which thus moves through the water without any other resistance than that arising from the asperities of it’s surface.

In Plate 49, fig. 3, B B is a section of the Vessel, placed in a circular canal D, into which the lower water flows through proper arches (C C) in the banks. The vessel is rigged with several narrow horizontal sails, stretched on ropes between the oblique masts a b, c d; and so placed, that the sails (being a little wider than the interval between the ropes) can open in one direction, but not in the other; and they are shewn open at c d, and shut at a b, in the figure. This, therefore, is a mill, that takes all winds; and although it’s uses might be various, we shall finish it’s description as adapted to raise water by the centrifugal force. As before hinted, the canal D D is circular; and has a bank, sloping outward, with a canal (E) on it’s top. When, therefore, the wind blows, the ring boat B (held to the centre by the ropes f g) revolves around it; and by one or more water drags (h) which it carries, collects the water on and up the bank, and finally drives it into the canal E, from which it flows in any destined direction. If for draining watery lands, it will be done rapidly; if for irrigating, it will be done abundantly: if, in fine, for driving any mill with the water thus raised, the machinery will be very efficient, as working with ten or twenty times as much sail, as any other windmill can carry. I add, merely on this occasion, that the sails here mentioned, might be placed obliquely, instead of straight across the ring vessel; (see the plan in fig. 2 of this Plate at E F) from which disposition, nearly all the advantages of the vertical mill might be transferred to the horizontal; and with this remark I leave the present interesting subject to the studious and candid reader.

OF
A CENTRIFUGAL MIRROR,
To collect Solar heat.

My fiftieth and last Plate contains this idea: It is not intended to vie with the usual mirror, in correctness of form, or intensity of local effect—but to offer, by the largeness of it’s dimensions, some properties which better mirrors cannot present. It is intended to pave the way for the use of the Sun’s rays in Engines of Power. For this purpose, however, it must probably be transported to some tropical climate, where “a cloudless sun” diffuses it’s rays more constantly, and less obliquely, than in our northern climes.

This is the more necessary here, because this Mirror can only be used in a horizontal position, and is in fact a fluid Mirror. Fig. 1, shews it mounted on a steady frame A B, and having a strong axis on which it can be turned, faster or slower, according to it’s dimensions; and it may or may not be floated on water, to lessen the stress on the axis. The Mirror, properly speaking, is composed of mercury—contained in the revolving vessel C D, whose motion should be given by proper machinery in the most uniform manner possible. The mercury, thus turned, acquires a concave surface, a, b, c; and receiving the parallel rays d c, e b, and, f a, collects them into the focus F; in, or near which, is placed the vessel where the effect is to become useful, and which of course is moveable so as to follow the sun’s motion. Those of my readers who have seen the machines used for fixing the sun’s image in the solar microscope, will be at no loss to conceive how our present focal station must be moved to adapt it to a fixed mirror. I shall only add further, that it is not necessarily an exact movement that is here wanted; since the vessel to be heated would have dimensions somewhat large, and the focus itself be only brought to a moderate degree of precision. In a word, the utmost heat wanted would be, what could be usefully employed in heating water. It remains then to be observed, that the source of power, in this Machine, is magnitude of parts, more than precision of form: yet it may be mentioned, that the form we thus procure in the revolving mercury, is a solid of revolution, having the logarithmic curve (a, b c) for it’s section—a curve, which in fact, comes indefinitely near to the parabolic figure which would be required, if greater precision were attempted. We finish then, by observing, that the bottom itself of the revolving vessel might be made concave, (like the dotted line under that a b c) in order to avoid the necessity of using a large quantity of mercury, to form the reflecting surface.

OF
A SECOND MIRROR,
For collecting the Sun’s rays.

This Mirror seems superior to the former, as depending on fixed materials. It likewise, produces the desired effect, by offering a very large surface to the sun, and directing the rays to a focus, nearly enough to give the heat required for water, as before mentioned.

To do this, a frame A (Plate 50, fig. 2) holds the Mirror; and this frame has a horizontal motion round the post B, something like a common windmill. In this frame and on two horizontal trunnions, turns the Mirror C D: and one or both these trunnions are hollow, to admit of a process we shall shortly mention. This Mirror itself is composed of an air-tight ring C D, of a width proportionate to the diameter adopted; and on which are fixed two heads, much like those of a tambourine, (or the under head might be made of some metallic substance). The head a b c, is made of a fine texture, duly prepared and varnished till it becomes air tight, and then there are stuck to it, a number of small hexagonal looking-glasses or mirrors of any kind, (see fig. 7) which thus fill up the whole space, and prepare the Mirror for the intended change of form. The method of giving this form, consists in exhausting, more or less, this tambourine of air, when, by the pressure of the atmosphere, the heads will take the form a b c, that is a spherically concave form—fit to reflect the sun’s rays as correctly as this our object requires; and thus may some thousand small images of the sun be brought to fall on the same spot, and an immense heat be occasioned. The accounts we have of the destruction of the Roman fleet by the united mirrors of Archimedes, make this process appear the more feasible—as whatever were the methods of uniting the foci of his mirrors, a similar effect may be expected from this simple process.

My readers will perceive that this Machine has the advantages of the universal joint, by which it can be directed to the sun in every position; and even made to fix his ardours on any immoveable spot for a good length of time. The persons to whom I particularly address these ideas, will require no further details to conceive the less obvious circumstances of this Invention. In general, we want no effect that requires optical precision: but if we did, it could be obtained to a good degree, by methods similar to these.

I shall only add here, that this fig. 2 is given as a section—because intended to represent a parallelogram, as well as a solid of revolution: and thus (with proper mirrors) to make what now appears a spherical focus, a linear one—fit to heat a cylindrical vessel with it’s contents; and thereby draw power from the sun’s heat, without running expense. I am serious when I say, that we can thus, practically, collect the solar rays which fall on many hundred square feet of surface; and produce by them, at any desired distance, effects to which those obtained from modern burning mirrors, are but as sparks to a blaze.

OF
AN ENGRAVING MACHINE,
For large Patterns.

This Machine supposes at once a new kind of engraving, and admits of patterns of very large dimensions. This kind of engraving will be best understood by persons acquainted with figure-weaving; and especially with the manner of mounting the looms for that purpose. In that System, (see Plate 50, fig. 8) the patterns are drawn on ruled paper divided into squares; and each of these squares represents a point in the texture, composed of one or more threads each way; insomuch that whenever that square has any desired colour in it on the pattern, it’s threads are taken by the person who prepares the loom; and they are missed in every case where nothing appears in that square, or a colour not then wanted. Now, whatever be the dimensions of these elementary points on the loom, they may be represented by squares of any convenient size on the pattern: only remembering that the smaller they are, in reality, the better will be the delineation. Thus in carpeting, for example, an element of this kind may be a square of one tenth of an inch and more; while one on a ribbon or a piece of silk, is often not the hundredth part. And therefore, the perfection of this engraving depends on the fineness of the points of which the figures are composed. For, in a word, this System proceeds on the same principle. When any part of a line requires a dot or mark to be made, the Machine strikes a blow there; and when no impression is to be made, the Machine (by means that will be shewn) suffers the cylinder to pass that place without striking. The means of regulating this is committed to workmen who merely know how to read off the pattern in it’s length, as it is now read off in it’s width by the weaver. To describe the construction of the Machine, (as exhibited in figs. 3 and 4 of Plate 50) A is the cylinder to be engraved; and B is a worm-wheel fixed to it’s mandril, and destined to turn it. This it does, slowly, by the endless screw a, as turned by proper straps on the fast and loose pullies b c, (figs. 3 and 4). C shews a second wheel, concentric with that B, but running loose on it’s axis, which is a pin fitted into the end of the mandril. This wheel, when the threads of the screw a are fine, requires a motion more rapid than the wheel B—to give which motion by means of the latter, we use a pair of multiplying wheels d, which geer, one in the larger bevil wheel cut near the edge of the wheel B; and the other in a smaller bevil wheel cut or fixed on the inner face of the wheel C—and whence this latter wheel receives a velocity of about ten times the speed of B. The use of this wheel C, is to carry, across the Machine, certain bars, of wood or metal, shewn in figs. 5 and 6, whose function is to carry short pins or studs 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. for the purpose of determining the places where the punch is to act, and where it is not. To this end, g h is a frame, which is raised by a cam or tappet i, fixed in the endless screw a, once every turn; and that through the medium of the little tumbler i e f, by which is finally determined whether the stroke shall take place or not—for m being a section of the stud bar of figs. 5 and 6, it’s pins, when they occur, raise the end f of the bent lever f e i; and when there is no pin or stud in m, this lever is not raised, and the point i, does not come near enough to the cam to be laid hold of, in which case no stroke is given. This then, is so whenever the studs fail in the bar m; and these fail whenever the pattern-reader has said to the stud-setter, miss: and they occur whenever he has said take—both which cases happen more or less often according to the state of the squares in the pattern.

To be a little more particular: in fig. 5 we see a part of the wheel C of fig. 3, and also a part of the stud bars m m, which geer in the wheel C, and which being conducted by the guides n, follow the motion of that wheel, presenting at f, (fig. 3) a stud to raise the lever f e, whenever the pattern requires it. It may be mentioned, that these studs act obliquely on the wing f of this lever, and thus raise it as they pass under it. And further, these stud bars are made and fitted to each other in the manner shewn at fig. 6. There is a geering tooth under every stud hole, and the last stud hole of a given bar has, fixed in it, a thin tube a, into which the stud enters the same way as in any other place: but this tube whether studded or not serves to lay hold of the succeeding bar b, by it’s first hole—so, in fine, as to make the bars endless; the attendant having nothing else to do than to hook them to each other as the wheel C draws them in.

Thus then, are the strokes of the hammer frame, g h, conformed to the pattern: for these bars have been studded before hand by one or more readers and setters; and it is a merely mechanical process to put them in while the Machine moves: from which, by the bye, they fall out after the passage into a proper box, and the studs out of them, to be composed again from the succeeding figures of the pattern. A dozen or two of these bars might be prepared at any time and place, and to any pattern, which they will thus transfer to a cylinder at any desired moment, without the further preparation of dies, punches, mills, &c.—as used in other Machines. N. B. The strength of the blows thus given by the hammer frame g h, is lessened or augmented by the position of the point i fixed to the bent lever i e f, and which makes that lift higher or lower as required—which is a mean of shading offered by this Machine. But to mention it’s other properties, the endless screw a, (figs. 3 and 4) carries another endless screw o, more or less fine, which turns at the same time the wheel p, and, by that, the long screw s s, whose office it is to shift, slowly, the punch carriers k l, along the Machine, from k by l, towards s. And here an observation occurs: this can only be so, when the pattern permits the action of the punches k or l, to take place spirally on the cylinder; that is, when the sketches are distinct enough not to shew the anomaly that would occur were a straight pattern thus transferred to a set of spiral lines. But should it be desirable to engrave patterns so correct as to require an exact parallel motion round the cylinder, then the motion of this screw must not be continual—but must intermit and be resumed, at every beginning of a new line round the cylinder. I hope, I make myself understood: a pattern drawn on squares, produces lines all parallel to the first; while the spiral motion of the punch causes a slight deviation—which, in a word, can either be suffered or avoided. At all events, this deviation is so much the smaller as the punch motion is slower in both directions; and, in fine patterns, must be very small. One remark will close this part of the subject: although a fine pattern, requires a great number of blows, and thus a certain expence of time, each blow can be so much the lighter and more frequent; so as to compensate, in some degree, for this cause of delay. I add, that the levers shewn above and around fig. 6, are intended to lift the hammer frame g h, equally at both ends: while the screw Z regulates the depth to which it is permitted to fall.

I observe, finally, that, according to the size of the intended pattern, there are more or fewer of the punch bearers k l, connected, by their nuts, with the screw s s; each of which thus engraves it’s sketch, similar to the collateral ones; and that were it wished to make one pattern of the whole length and circumference of the cylinder, a single punch bearer would be required—since nothing else limits the extent of a pattern engraved by this Machine.

Thus have I gone through my proposed “Century of Inventions,” for every imperfection in which I beg the indulgence of my numerous readers. And here I can truly say I have neglected nothing—although the precarious state of my health may have sometimes veiled the evidence of my descriptions. On the other hand, I did not even attempt many of the lesser details of execution; as I wrote for those to whom they would have been superfluous: but as to the objects themselves, I believe there is not one that is without the pale of practical utility. In a word, many of the subjects have been frequently executed, and are in daily use: and as to those which remain to be tried, I engage, if called on, to give them useful existence. And the better to convince candid minds of the serious attention I have paid to these subjects, I shall add the scales on which they have been executed, or to which they are drawn—those scales expressed by a fraction, shewing what proportion the figures bear to the reality. Thus the scale of one inch to a foot will be expressed by the fraction ¹⁄₁₂; that of two inches to a foot, by ¹⁄₆, &c. that is, the figures, in these cases, will be (nearly) ¹⁄₁₂ or ¹⁄₆ of the size of the Machines. This premised—and also that we shall observe the alphabetical order, the following is the

TABLE OF CONTENTS.