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

The effects intended to be obtained from this Press, are to introduce two distinct powers; the one to raise and lower the pressing cap with convenient speed; the other to press with very great force. In Plate 10, A B is a frame, the under part of which contains the goods to be pressed. The toothed wheel C D turns the screw S, and that E F turns the nut G H, both the same way. The long pinions I K, turn both these wheels C D, and E F; and occasionally one only, as will be seen presently. L M are two bevil wheels on the axes of the long pinions I K; and N O, are two similar ones, on the power shaft P Q. This latter shaft runs in two boxes R T, the stems of which fit and turn in the gudgeons of the long pinions, or rather suffer these to revolve round them: being pinned on through a circular groove which connects them in the perpendicular direction only. Finally, the rope and pulleys indicated at X Y Z, serve to raise both shaft and pinions; thus disengaging the latter from the wheel E F, when the nut G H, is not to be turned. We may remark, that the parts M T O are doubled in this machinery, at L R N; merely to take away the side tendency from the screw S: as otherwise one half of this mechanism would produce the very same effect, and leave the Machine the more simple. Supposing now, this Press charged with goods in it’s present position,

The thread of the screw S, 1 inch; and in fine, the crank V Q, having a radius of 18 inches.

In this state of things, the motion of the pressing cap W, is to the motion of the handle V, as 1 to 52164; and, the power gained bears the same proportion to the strength exerted: for when the handle has made one revolution, the wheel C D has made ¹⁰⁄₆₉ of a revolution, and the screw would have gone down ¹⁰⁄₆₉ of a thread, or ¹⁰⁄₆₉ of an inch: but in the same time the wheel E F has turned the nut ¹⁰⁄₇₀ of a revolution in the same direction; so that the latter has only gone down ¹⁰⁄₆₉ less ¹⁰⁄₇₀ of an inch; that is, (reducing to a common denominator) ⁷⁰⁰⁄₄₈₃₀ - ⁶⁹⁰⁄₄₈₃₀ = ¹⁰⁄₄₈₃₀ = ¹⁄₄₈₃ of an inch: Now to do this, the handle Q V has described a circle of three feet in diameter, or in round numbers 9 feet, or 108 inches; and to complete a descent of the screw of one thread, (or one inch) the handle must move through a space 483 times as great; that is, a space of 108 inches multiplied by 483 = 52164 inches: whence we see that the power gained is, as 52164 to 1: and reckoning a man’s strength at 150lbs. (exclusive of friction) that strength exhibits a pressure of five millions two hundred and sixteen thousand four hundred pounds; or upwards of two thousand three hundred tons: a result not unworthy to be mentioned with those of the hydraulic press; to which it might be still further assimilated by other proportions in the screw and nut wheels C D, E F. Adverting now, to the second property of this Machine: namely the simple power intended to act when the press is to be laden or discharged, the handle V should first be turned backward, until the cap W has slackened upon the goods; and the long pinions I K be raised by the mechanism X Y Z, which pinions, then geering only in the wheel C D, will raise the cap 1 inch for every turn of that wheel; or for every ⁶⁹⁄₁₀ turns of the handle V, say in round numbers for every seven turns: here then is a power of 756 to 1; very different from the former; yet produced by only a few inches motion of the long pinions I K.

We remark further, that the figure shews at G H two of a system of friction rollers, destined to lessen the resistance which the turning-nut would otherwise oppose to the motion of the Machine. As to the friction between the screw itself and the nut—see a future article, in this part, tending to lessen or take away the friction of screws in general.

OF
A PERISTALTIC MACHINE,
For raising much Water to small heights.

Physicians will soonest understand the nature of this Machine, from the name I have given it. It is perhaps the most simple of Water-Machines; and certainly not the least efficient where it applies. It’s name is taken from the similarity of its action to the creeping of a worm, and to some of the functions of animal life. Yet it might be explained to the most unlettered housewife, when in the act of converting certain long vessels into chitterlings; or making room for the materials of a sausage or black pudding. To be serious: this Machine, in it’s simplest form, (see Plate 11) consists of a flexible tube C D, fig. 2, nailed to the ground, and connected with a short tube of metal containing two valves, A B, itself affixed to a box D, filled with water, or into which water flows. This water runs through the valve A, and distends the tube C D, on which rolls the body F, similar in form to a land roller. The Machine acts in the following manner: When the roller is drawn to the end D of the tube, the water fills the latter through the valve A; and on the roller’s return, this water is forced into the rising tube through the valve B.

The above is the simplest form of this mechanical trifle: But it has the disadvantage of an inconstant vibratory motion, not only of the water but the roller: which latter being heavy, would absorb considerable power. To remedy this evil, I have given the principle a rotatory form in fig. 1; where A B C is a spiral tube, duly fastened to the bottom of a shallow tub D E. At B is seen a conical roller, having the middle of the bottom of the tub for its summit and centre of gyration. The tube A B C, occupies rather more than one circumference; so that the cone presses during a small part of it’s revolution on both spires at once: by which means the Machine would act without even one valve; though it is better to place one, under the opening A. Now, observe the operation: as the cone rolls over the tube and round the common centre, in the direction of the arrow R the water enters behind it, through the opening A, (for the tub is plunged a few inches into the water) and is forced by it’s pressure into the ascending tube, which is a continuation of that, A B C. It would be superfluous to add, that these tubes are shewn in the figures as cut open, and presenting their inside to view; which representation is adopted in order to shew more completely the valves A and B of the 2d. figure.

An objection may occur to some, at sight of this Machine: namely, that the roller or cone B, would soon destroy the flexible tubes, by pressing too hard on their puckered texture. But to obviate this difficulty I have added, in fig. 3, a form of the tube (supposed of leather) which insures a proper position of the leather under these rollers; accompanied by ledges A B, on which their surplus weight would bear, so as to annul every excess of pressure on the tube.

In many of the subjects I shall have to lay before my readers, the forms are so numerous as to leave some difficulty in judging where the actual descriptions ought to end. This article itself, small as it is, offers an example of this: for I could draw several corollaries from the foregoing, that would offer new degrees of interest: but I am withheld by the apprehended want of room in the plates. I must at least defer my first intention, of multiplying examples and shewing the influence of FORM on mechanical results in general. It will, however, always be open to me, to resume this subject when the principal object has been achieved—that of making known the principles of these inventions, with their most useful forms and properties. I observe, however, what has just occurred to me, that this Machine would be somewhat more durable, if the water-tube was pressed between two rollers, instead of being contracted from one side, by the action of a single one.

OF
A DRAYMAN’S CANTER,
Or inclined Plane with increased Power.

This Machine presents a simple method of increasing the power of the inclined plane, as used by carters or draymen for loading their carts; and called by them (in some counties) Canters. It admits of a gentle declivity in those planes: and thus considerably increases their power. The means consist in the transfer of the declivity from one end of the Machine to the other. Thus (plate 11, fig. 4) when the cask is rolled up from A to B, it is wedged in that position by the wedge F; when so much of its weight is supported by the feet C, (for all the feet are in pairs) that the end D of the Canter can be raised with ease to E, so as to re-form the plane, in the direction of C E; at which time the feet D G drop into an upright position, and secure this new state of the plane. The cask is now rolled back from B to E, where it is found twice as high as it was at B; and this manœuvre may be repeated several times according to the number of feet provided, and their length respectively. The power of an inclined plane, is as its length to its height: and that power is doubled when the force is applied at the circumference of a cask or other rolling body. So that, here, the power being as 16 to 1, if a man can exert an energy of 200lb. the cask may weigh 3200lb. and still be raised with ease on this Canter, which therefore is three times as powerful as though the weight was raised directly from A to F in the usual method.

Should it be suggested, or thought, that this Machine applies only to rolling bodies, I would just say that it might apply, cæteris paribus, as well to bodies sliding up the plane; or (using a small truck on the Machine) it might serve in a cotton warehouse, for piling the bags, &c. This System is doubtless susceptible of discussion, and may require to be modified for different purposes: but it is by no means devoid of practical capabilities.

OF
A PERPETUAL WEDGE MACHINE,
Being a simple Method of gaining Power.

In Plate 12, fig. 5, let A B represent a wheel and axle, of which the wheel A is divided into 100 teeth; (more or less) and let C represent a second wheel with one tooth (or several) less than those of the first wheel A. These two wheels are concentric, for the axis of the wheel A, turns in the hollow centre of the wheel C; which latter wheel is fixed to the frame of the Machine, not here represented. D is a pinion that circulates round the wheel A and C in and along with the frame E as impelled by the hand acting on the handle F. Thus the circulating pinion is constantly occupied by means of its wedge formed teeth (of which one is shewn at D), in bringing the unequal teeth a b of the wheels A and C abreast of each other: whence arises a slow revolution of the wheel A, and of the axis B round the common centre. For if the number of the teeth on these wheels (A and C) differ only by unity or one, then must the handle D revolve one turn about that common centre to occasion ¹⁄₁₀₀ part of a revolution of the wheel A, and of course 100 turns to move the axis B once round that centre. And if further the wheel A be three times the diameter of the axis B, the power gained there would be as 300 to 1, that is a power of 1lb. at a distance from the centre, only equal to the radius of the wheel A, would countervail a weight of 300lb. suspended on the axis B: and supposing a man’s strength to be 100lb. he would raise (exclusive of friction) 30000lb. by this simple machine.

To shew more fully the essential properties of this Machine, I have represented only three teeth in all: one b in the fixed wheel C; one a little smaller a, in the wheel A, (since this wheel has more teeth than the former) and one D in the circulating pinion, whose form and manner of acting justifies in my apprehension, the name I have given to the Machine—a perpetual wedge Machine. I shall only add that there would equally be motion if the teeth of the wheel A instead of being more numerous than those of the wheel C were less numerous: but the manner of action would be different and I think less perfect.

This Machine is among the first inventions I carried into real practice on coming to manhood. It must be about 40 years ago, and was first constructed as a Crane at the request of the late Doctor Bliss, of Paddington. It may offer some difficulty as a Power Engine from the small diameters and the friction thence resulting: but for any Machine where great slowness is desirable, whether to express slow motion, or to count high numbers, &c., it still appears to me a very good Machine.

OF
A DROPPING-WEIGHT-MOVER;
Or Machine for lengthening the Time of going of a Clock, Jack, or other Weight-Machine.

Suppose A B (plate 12, fig. 4) to be the first wheel of a Clock or other Machine required to go a long time without winding up. This wheel works into the two pinions c d, both of which are connected by ratchets with the axis E F of the wheel G H, in one direction only; insomuch that whether the wheel A B turn forward or backward, the wheel G H will always turn the same way. This process is well known in the mechanical world; and I have merely adapted it to my present invention. F and G are two tubes, or square vessels, of equal size, containing a number of balls—the tubes so balanced against each other, that one of them is always heaviest by the weight of half a ball. Suppose for example that the tube F contains six balls and the tube G five; and that the tube G is so much heavier than F as only to be outweighed by half a ball: That half will then be the moving power; and the vessel F will turn the wheel A B backward, raising the tube G at the same time. But arriving at the bottom the mechanism m will let go the lowest ball in F, and then the tube G which is at the top will preponderate and turn the clock till it also gets to the bottom; when a similar mechanism at n, will disengage one ball from it, by which subtraction the tube F will resume the ascendency and perpetuate the motion. Thus may the going of any clock, jack, &c. be protracted to a period almost indefinite. Nor need it, strictly speaking, be wound up at all. It is only taking care to drop at proper intervals, an equal number of balls into each tube, and this reciprocation of movement will become perpetual. The figure of this little Machine is unfortunately small: and the scapement is but imperfectly shewn; It has however, only one property that it is essential to notice; which is that the detent o, shall suffer the cross m to turn only one quarter round at each discharge: and this is insured by the spiral ledge of the four ratchet teeth m, which by a pin fixed to the side of the detent, draw the latter down into the succeeding tooth as soon as the tube F begins to rise, so that there is only one ball discharged at each descent of that tube.

OF
A MACHINE,
To promote Evaporation, with or without Heat.

The vessel containing the liquid to be evaporated, (see Plate 12, fig. 6,) is long and shallow, and the liquid rises nearly to it’s brim. In this vessel is placed a long hollow drum A B, covered with open wire-work, or any kind of cloth of a very loose texture. This drum turns slowly, on the hollow centre C, to which is fitted a stuffing box and tube, connecting the drum A B, with the pump P; the latter worked by any convenient power. The pump then, drives air, either hot or cold into the drum, and thence through the interstices of it’s texture; where it comes in contact with the liquid at an indefinite number of points, breaks the films formed by the liquid, and, saturated thereby, passes into the open air; thus occasioning a rapid evaporation, which might be increased either by heating the liquid or the injected air, or both, ad libitum. The whole idea consists in the multitude of points of contact between the liquid and the drying medium.

OF
A CUTTING OR GRATING MACHINE,
For Green Roots, Tobacco, &c.

This Machine is composed of a perpendicular axis A B, fig. 7, driven with considerable velocity by any proper geering. C D is a vessel formed something like a shoe with the toe cut off: its entrance D is concentric with the shaft A B, and a weight m, fastened to it’s side, equilibrizes the weight of the eccentric part C. Around this vessel, and concentrically with it, is placed a cylindrical rasp or grater E F, consisting, here, of a number of blades so grooved on one surface as that by grinding them obliquely on the edge, each one shall form a line of sharp teeth, which, combined with those of the other blades, constitute a rasp similar to that used for powdering dye-woods; with this difference however, that these blades have interstices between them, through which the pulp escapes outwards, and thus the rasp is kept clean at all times. When this Machine is used the roots are merely thrown into the vessel D as into the hopper of a mill, and they are pressed against the rasp by their own centrifugal force; which is made as strong or weak as desired, by the greater or less velocity of the Machine.

This Machine owes its origin to the decree of the French Emperor, for encouraging the making of sugar from beet-root. With the other mechanicians of Paris I was called upon, by a house engaged in that trade, to try my hand upon it; and this Machine was the result. It acts fast and well; and from being less liable to clog, than most of the others, is I believe superior; though this was never proved by any comparative experiment. If it were desired to cut any substance with this machine, the blades would be sharp knives, instead of being toothed; and they would be placed obliquely to the circumference: but the process of grating is that for which it was exclusively designed.

OF
A SCREW,
With greatly diminished Friction.

In Plate 12, fig. 8, A is the screw, and B C the nut, bored large enough to receive the screw, bodily, without any penetration of their threads. Nevertheless, these threads are made to occupy the same length, in both screw and nut, as though they did enter each other: so that the two parts running parallel to each other, leave a square interstice b, all along both nut and screw: into which balls of brass, or soft iron are introduced, which at once restore the screw-property without it’s friction: a friction so considerable in the common screw, that it always surpasses the effective power, since it remains closed, (in a vice for example) while holding any object squeezed with all the force a man can apply. I have mentioned the use of soft balls: it is in order that they may all act together, and work themselves to a common bearing. It will appear by fig. 9, that the acting balls might, or perhaps ought to be, separated from each other by a set of smaller ones; since in this case, the surface of the touching balls move the same way, avoiding all friction between them; and leaving the friction only between those surfaces that are exempt from heavy pressure. These circumstances will be understood by consulting the direction of the arrows in fig. 9; and I have added two other sketches, to shew the principle in it’s application to square threaded screws, as at fig. 10; or to oblong threaded screws, whose threads penetrate each other, in fig. 12. I have further, in fig. 8, sketched one of the methods I propose for supporting the weight of the descending balls, and returning them again into the nut. Considering the balls as a fluid, I have provided a rising column of them, which the working of the screw downward will fill: and the weight of the balls themselves will return them into the nut, when the screw is drawn upward.

OF
A SIMPLE AND POWERFUL
MICROMETER.

This interesting Machine, see Plate 12, fig. 11, consists of a screw divided into three parts, a, b, c; the first, a, is a mere cylinder to centre the screw at that end: c is a screw of (suppose) 20 threads to the inch; and b another screw of 21 to the inch. D E represents the frame of the Machine, the part E being the fixed nut of the screw C, while the piece f g, forms the moveable nut of the screw C, carrying a finger g, along the graduated bar, E g D. If now, the screw be turned once round by the button H, it will have moved to the left ¹⁄₂₀ of an inch; while the nut and it’s finger g will have progressed on it’s screw ¹⁄₂₁ of an inch to the right: and the difference ¹⁄₂₀ - ¹⁄₂₁ = ¹⁄₄₂₀ of an inch is what the nut f has really moved to the left, along the bar E g D. If therefore, the rim of the button be divided into 100 parts, one of these will represent ¹⁄₄₂₀₀₀ part of an inch by this Micrometer: and I need not add, that this minute portion may be rendered still more minute at pleasure. The means of doing this are evident: It is only making the screws b and c nearer alike in fineness, or number of threads per inch; as 29 and 30, 30 and 31, &c.

I hope it will be understood, that I do not give any of these Machines as the only examples I could furnish of the application of the principles on which they are founded. This very Machine is not a Micrometer only; it might be (if made in proper forms and dimensions) a vice, a press, or other power Machine. It has been already hinted, that change of form must remain to be considered hereafter.

I have chosen to bring forward this Machine at an early stage of the work, because it has, inadvertently perhaps, been ascribed to another person. I refer to an article in the celebrated programme of M. Hachette, of Paris; with which is combined an essay on the composition of Machines, by Messrs. Lanz and Betancourt. In the article D 3, at page 10 of that work, are the following words:

“M. de Prony a trouvé une maniere de transformer le mouvement circulaire, en un autre rectiligne dont la vitesse soit aussi petite que l’on voudra;” and further on—“l’idée en est extremement simple, heureuse; elle est d’ailleurs susceptible de plusieurs applications utiles aux arts.” And in page 11, are these words—“C’est ainsi que M. de Prony est parvenu à une solution aussi simple qu’ingenieuse du probleme qu’il s’etoit proposé.”

For the sake of my English readers, I subjoin a translation of these passages: “Mr. de Prony has found (or invented) a manner of transforming a circular movement into a rectilinear one, of which the velocity shall be as small as may be desired;” and further on “This idea is extremely simple and happy: and is besides, susceptible of several useful applications to the arts.” And in page 11, are these words—“Thus has Mr. de Prony given a solution as simple as it is ingenious, of the problem which he had proposed to himself.”

The above account appears in 1808, and M. de Prony does not prevent or disavow it. Perhaps he had forgotten the circumstance: and perhaps he did not know of this publication: but I solemnly declare that I shewed HIM this Micrometer, executed, fourteen years before! that is, while he and M. Molard were making their report on the Machines proposed for the Water-works at Marly. I certainly wish to accuse no body in this affair: but if I did not state the fact as it is, I should, myself, be stigmatized as a plagiary! I am forced, therefore, to take my stand on the adage—“Fiat justitia ruat cœlum.”

In closing the first Part of this Work, I cannot but express my gratitude for the unexpected degree of support, with which my numerous Subscribers have honoured me. I presume to offer these pages as a fair Specimen of what they may expect in the four succeeding Parts,—namely, as it regards the execution: for the materials of what remains, include objects of greater importance than those preceding. If I have been fortunate enough to raise any favourable expectations in the minds of my present readers, I hope they will express those feelings; and thus induce others to join in bringing to a useful close, a work which is at least intended to produce unmixed public utility. From criticism, I expect candour: and should my intentions, though pure, be misrepresented—should envious tongues or pens assail my labours, or asperse my character, I will defend both, after I can use my Book as my shield—that is, after I have fulfilled my Engagements with my Subscribers: of whom (in expectation of meeting them again within three months) I now respectfully take leave.

J. W.

No. 5, Bedford-street,
Chorlton Row.

SYNOPSIS,
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
OF THE
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS
COMPOSING THIS WORK.

Note. The objects with Numbers after them are those contained in the present PART: and the Numbers shew the Pages where they stand.

ERRATA.