This Machine offers, I think, a valuable application of a well known Instrument: or rather of the principle on which it is founded. I allude to that parallel ruler which, by means of an additional joint, keeps it’s members not only parallel, but directly opposite each other. In my Machine for moulding Nails, I wanted to give motions to the two plates different, yet dependent on each other. Supposing then, (Plate 24 fig. 1, 2, 3, 4,) the upper plate a b, to be moved up and down by a lever, a screw-press, or any other first mover, I connect the under plate c d, with it by two (or four) strong parallel rulers e f, in such a manner, that when the plate a b is drawn upward it shall extend the arms of the ruler almost to a straight line, as represented in fig. 4; and then carry the under plate with it: and when it comes down again (see fig. 3) it shall not carry down the said under plate, until the same arms are bent into the position f g; that is, till the two plates touch each other: the use of which arrangement I will now explain.

The under side of the upper plate a b, is ground perfectly flat, and bored at proper distances with holes to receive and hold the punches which represent the shanks of the nails that are to be moulded. The lower plate c d is ground true both on it’s upper and under surfaces; the first to fit the under surface of the upper plate, and the under surface to impress a perfect plane on the sand below it. This under surface, shewn in an inverted position at fig. 2, is moreover covered with proper prints 1, 2, 3, &c. to form the heads of the nails in question, and with proper gets (jets?) 3, 5, 6, &c. for conducting the metal to every part of the surface. I mean models in relief of those gets; and the under plate is further pierced with holes, placed exactly like those in the upper plate, bored indeed from that (and through the aforesaid prints of the nail-heads) after the parallel joints e f have been affixed. Now on another level plate with proper ledges, the sand boxes or flasks, fig. 5 and 6, have been prepared; and have received an obtuse pyramidical form at one stroke from a competent press, the construction of which is easily conceived: or this might be done by hand, if preferred. These boxes, in-fine, are successively brought under the before described mechanism while in the state represented in fig. 3, in which all the nail models are protruded through the under plate as at 1, 2, 3. The moulder now gives a stroke under the following circumstances:—Both the plates drop together and the nail models pierce the sand while the under plate makes it’s surface perfectly level: but when that motion is reversed, it is not the under plate which first rises, but the upper—by which the nail models are drawn out of their holes without disturbing the sand, for this is kept to it’s place by the under plate: and when, by the continued motion upward of the upper plate, the parallel joints are duly extended, and the nail models quite extracted; then, and not till then, the under plate leaves the compressed sand, in which are moulded as many scores of nails as the mould has been made for—and that, in a space of time almost imperceptible.

I shall conclude the subject by observing, that the counter flask or box for closing this mould is made in the same way, by a smooth plate prepared in the same manner; and which must fit the former, because they are both perfectly level surfaces.

OF
A FIRE ENGINE
Giving Power, while heating Rooms, Liquids, &c.

It consists, then, of two cylinders, lying horizontally, of nearly equal length, but of unequal capacity:—one of which A B, (Plate 24, fig. 7) is an air pump with a valve in it’s end a, and another in it’s piston, both opening to the left. The second cylinder C D, is the working cylinder, as much larger than the former, as may belong to the principle of motion already announced. This cylinder receives the piston E, which fits it nicely, but is not stuffed in the present case. (It may perhaps be made tight by some of the methods, used to close metallic pistons.) At all events, this piston is connected with that c, by a frame F G H I, which embraces the whole Machine, in a horizontal position, though here shewn in a vertical. These two cylinders are cast in one piece, together with an upright cylinder, not bored K; the use of which is to receive the earthen chafing dish L M, with it’s fire, made (according to my present views) with coak or charcoal, and lighted before it is introduced. It is needless to say, that this vessel is let down into the cylinder K, by a kind of bucket handle entering any pair of holes in the dish. The top of this latter cylinder is ground to fit the flanch A N: It swings open on one of the bolts and falls to again in a moment, to prevent loss of time in firing. The means of doing this I do not much insist on, from their extreme facility. Nor do I make it a condition to use this method at all. The coak, (or perhaps the coal, or the wood) might be introduced through an upright tube furnished with two slides, one placed close above the top A N, and the other at a proper distance above; so as for one to be always shut. This is nothing more than the System used for feeding high pressure Steam Engines—only this application is to dry substances, which forms no insuperable obstacle.

When now the Machine is fired, the pistons E, and c, are pushed towards b and B respectively; the valve d having been previously opened, and the valve c opening by this very motion—which thus clears the large cylinder of it’s included air, while the air in the pump A B, is brought into contact with the fire; whence a considerable expansion ensues, and a pressure is created tending at the same time to drive the piston c to the right hand, and that E to the left: but acting in the latter case on a larger area, the whole system moves that way, and all the air in the pump A B is driven through the fire: where, being much heated, it acquires great elasticity and developes considerable power—which, by any of the known methods, may be applied to any of the known purposes.

I hope my readers will conclude here, that I allow for the disappearance of the oxigen in this conflagration: but I expect the expansion of the residue (together with what new vapour may be developed) will more than compensate for that loss of volume. By this motion then, the pump A B is again filled with cold air through the valve a; and the piston E flying out of the cylinder C D, the hot air it contained rushes into the pipe o, and thence goes to perform any heating operation that may be desired. But further, this same recession of the piston E strikes the stem of the valve d against the cover e, and opens that valve; by which means the large piston is at liberty to reach again it’s inner position b: where the bar b closes it’s valve d and prepares the Machine for a new stroke. For, as before, the pump or cylinder A B, is full of cold air, and by the backward motion of it’s piston exposes that air to the fire in K: whence arises the renewal of all the former phenomena.

Many ideas, and doubtless some objections, will present themselves to the readers of these pages; of which I shall probably anticipate some, by noticing a few less important particulars.

And first, is it not to be feared that the vertical cylinder K, and the whole system K C D E will become too hot—nay acquire a red heat, and thus introduce danger? The answer, I think, is that the fire must be lessened, or the Machine enlarged, until this danger disappears: for by heating air to any thing like a red heat (without attaining it) the expansion will be immense: and probably beyond our wants or wishes. The chaffing dish then (if that is used) must be lessened, that the air from A B may partly circulate round it, instead of going wholly through the fire: thus cooling the vertical cylinder K, and diminishing the intensity of the heat in the working cylinder. Further, the two cylinders C D and K, might be inserted in the bottom of a boiler, and surrounded with water; through which also, may be conducted the pipe O, so as to concur in the same effect of heating that water, while the steam thus accruing from the double use of this heat, may be made to drive an engine, heat a room, or fulfil any common purpose.

In a word, all our difficulties on this branch of the subject, seem to lie in excess of action: and we need only mitigate the general effect, to render this Machine useful, safe, and commodious.

There is another objection that must be met, on pain of direct censure, which is this: what will become of the ashes? (for smoke is as yet out of the question) my answer is—a recess, or several, must be found for them beyond o; to do which will not be more difficult than to lodge any other residue. But if this Machine fulfils my views in respect of power, this residue will be no burden. For example, if ever a farmer should hereafter drive his plough by such an engine as this, he will manure his land furrow by furrow with the ashes—an idea which I must not yet indulge, lest I should be thought fanciful beyond the due proportion.

But my mechanical impetus is not to be thus instantly checked. If what I hope, can be realized, there are properties in this invention, for locomotive engines, superior to any the steam engine itself can boast. A light Machine: a light combustible: no water to carry; no steam to condense, &c. &c. As however I have never tried this felicitous creation, I assert nothing.

But again, this seems to be a really good method of distributing heat in any useful direction: for there is an impulsive force which not only requires no draught to make the fire burn, but will drive heat to any distance through pipes of any form, and placed in any position. There is therefore, a certain utility attached to this Machine, whatever may be it’s merits as a power engine. Our present methods—of destroying coals—are excellent! but our methods of making them useful are defective in the extreme. If you have no draught in your chimneys you are stifled with smoke. If you have much draught, you have little heat—for the chimney swallows it, and half your room is in Norway. Use then an impulsive system, (of some kind) and you may send your caloric down into the cellar to be drawn from thence as wanted, for the upper apartments.

But my subject pullulates as I proceed. This idea is by no means exhausted. It is not an indispensable feature of it, to heat rooms with the same air that fed the fire. For instance, if a fire were made under the vertical cylinder K, and led into and through it by a proper pipe, almost filling it—then the cold air of the pump A B would pass round that pipe to the working cylinder C D, and there impel it’s piston E as before. Not perhaps so strongly; but with an air uncontaminated by burning, or by ashes—and therefore more congenial with some uses of the Machine. In fact, air thus introduced might be perfectly fit for breathing, and still get elasticity enough from this passage, to force heat to the bottom of any room we wished to have warmed; whereas, by using only the levity of heated air to give it motion, we scorch the tops of rooms and factories, and unmercifully freeze the bottoms. I must beg leave to be a little severe on this point:—since for a thinking people, as strangers call us, we have been extremely thoughtless in this respect: so that as much seems now to do by way of introducing comfort into our saloons, as was done about the year 1200, when those chimneys were introduced that are now become a kind of nuisance. In a word, and I am serious when I say it, the present arrangement of our chimneys, is in my humble opinion, essentially unphilosophical; and as such ought to be speedily discontinued or greatly modified.

In the above pages I have laid myself open to much animadversion, by a kind of cast for much honest fame. I have let the public into my secret—I have thought aloud: And if the greater part of these cogitations should prove to be imaginary, I shall only plead, that they are drawn from the same source as the many useful Machines I am known to have devoted to public utility.

OF
A ROTATO-GYRATORY CHURN.

The principal shaft A B, fig. 8 and 9 of Plate 24, is the general centre of rotation; and a b are two lighter shafts carried round that centre, and turning at the same time on their own centres by means of the wheels e f geering in the fixed wheel c d, (of which one half only is drawn) and which forms part of the top of the churn. Each of the shafts a b, carries four leaves or wings (better seen in fig. 9) reaching from the top, nearly to the bottom of the vessel; and they run in proper steps in the cross piece m, and also in proper collars in the upper cross piece g h. In fine their wheels e f, and the fixed wheel c d, which turns them, are furnished with teeth on my patent principle; and therefore work without noise or commotion. Now, the principal shaft A B, rests on the step B at the bottom of the vessel; and runs, at top, in a collar formed in the metallic bridge i k, which, fixed to the outside rim of the cover, passes directly over the centre of the Machine. When therefore, the cream is put into the churn, (to do which the above mechanism is taken out) the mechanism is re-placed as now represented; and the main shaft set in motion by any convenient power: when the side shafts a b, turned by the fixed wheel c d, give a backward motion to the wings a b, and create a great agitation of the cream—for, it should be remarked, that this is not a circular motion: but each fly produces a kind of vortex round it’s own centre, while progressing round the common centre. The consequence of which, as above intimated, is, an unceasing agitation of the liquid, and, I believe, the best of churning. This however, I state as a mechanician, not having been initiated into the secrets of the dairy properly so called.

It may finally be observed, that the leaves or partitions l n, fixed to the sides of the churn, (beyond the reach of the moveable wings a b) are destined to prevent still further any general motion of the butyraceous matter; and thus to accelerate the churning process: and further these leaves, both fixed and moveable may be pierced with holes, like the analogous parts of other utensils of this nature.

OF
A HELICO-CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE,
For raising Water in great quantities.

In Plate 25 fig. 1, A B are two screws, perfectly like those used in exhausting watery foundations; and named of Archimedes. They are placed perpendicularly in the frame C D, so as to turn in the cross bars a b, c d, fixed horizontally on the main shaft E F of the Machine. At the bottom of this shaft, E F, (which turns in a step on the sill G D) is a low cylindrical vessel, shewn by a section only at e f, which dips into the under water nearly to the brim. It is used to carry, in proper steps, the centres of the screws A B, and, being pierced with many holes, to feed them amply, without exposing their motion to any resistance from the stagnant water. These cylinders A B are merely indicated as screws by the threads, dotted between h and d and e and g, and their upper mouths are seen near a b, just under the cross piece marked with these letters. These screws then, are turned by the wheels i k, as actuated by the fixed wheel m n, in the same manner as those of the churn before described; which in fact, is a corollary from this Machine, but of much later date. To return to the Helico-centrifugal Machine—the screws A B are terminated above by circular plates o p (marked with the same letters in fig. 2 and 3) intended to receive the water from the mouths of the screw-threads a b, and carry it on to the plate q q, which insures it’s further progress into the ring canal r s, also shewn by a section only, to prevent confusion in the figure. Now what raises the water in these upright screws, is, it’s own centrifugal force, combined with the revolution of the screws: for while this central force is urging the water outward, the screws are bringing their sloping threads like wedges, against that tendency; and the consequence is, that the water actually rises perpendicularly till it flows over the ledges or rings o p, on the plate q q, and thence into the ring canal r s, from which it is conveyed to any place desired.

The figures 2 and 3, are two views of the upper part of the Machine. They shew, and mark with the same letters, the cross bar a b, the inside of the screws, and the circular plates o p, together with the circular conducting plate of which q q, fig. 1, is the section. Fig. 3 shews the fixed wheel m n, the two screw-wheels i k, the cross piece a b, and under them the plates o p of the 1st. and 2d. figure.

One other object claims our attention: The threads of the screws (whether more or less numerous) should each be furnished with a valve at bottom: that the water may not run out when the Machine ceases working.

OF
A FORGING MACHINE,
For Bar Iron, Steel, &c. square or figured.

This Machine acts by pressure instead of percussion. But this pressure is so instantaneous as to resemble a blow, and so often repeated as to produce a considerable effect in a short time. The means are represented in fig. 4 of Plate 25.

There, A is a mass of metal answering the purpose of an anvil, but having two surfaces, situated at or nearly at right angles to each other, on which the metal is alternately struck or compressed. The two sides of this mass A, are perforated by two holes, properly bushed, in which turn the crank shafts B, C: the latter furnished with the bevil wheels D, E, which geer into and receive motion from two equal bevil wheels F, G, fixed on the main shaft H I, and to which the power is applied. It is thus evident that the two crank shafts B, C, will make the same number of revolutions; and that if one of the rollers K, L, is placed on the excentric arm of one shaft, and the other roller on the other (their position being as in the figure) that then the rollers K L will impinge alternately on any bar, held in the angle M, and forge or extend it, and finally leave it reduced to the same dimensions, in it’s whole length, if, by hand or proper machinery, the bar has been drawn or pushed along the angle M, in a manner analogous to this motion at the tilt hammer. It is also clear, that the size of the bar will be determined on a given Machine, by the diameters of the rollers K L, compared with the distance of the shafts from the angle M of the anvil.

It may be of use to observe, that the effect of this Machine is not confined to square bars: since with unequal rollers K L, it will produce flat bars; and with rollers properly grooved, (the piece M being formed accordingly) it will produce round iron or steel of better texture (I presume) than when taken from the slitting-mill, and merely passed through grooved rollers. I expect, at all events, a rapid effect, from four or five hundred turns of the cranks per minute.

It will occur to every mechanical reader, that the mass M, which is tempered and adjusted to the principal anvil A, may be still more varied in form, so as to give other results besides those above anticipated. Nor need it be said, that the shafts B C might run in steps capable of being screwed up to their work, even during the process, should any such motion be expedient. These are details I do not wish to dwell on in these descriptions—where I endeavour to make known general and essential properties, leaving particular views and cases to my reflecting readers.

OF
A RECIPROCATING HORSE WHEEL,
For Mines, Mangles, &c.

I believe there is no better floor for a working horse to tread on, than a plane of wood—on condition, of the horse being rough shod: I speak however, on recollection of many years’ standing. I then felt persuaded that a horse wastes less effort by travelling on this floor than on any other; which is one of my reasons for the adoption of the present Machine. It consists (Plate 26, fig. 1,) of a wheel A B, on which the horse walks, as indicated by the sketch of him given in the figure. Besides this, he is placed between two shafts C D, affixed to the lever E F, the latter carrying round with it, at intervals, the drum G, whose office it is to raise the weight I, whatever kind of resistance that weight represents. This lever runs by means of it’s cannon L, on a round part of the shaft common to it and to the drum G. Moreover, there is a second drum H, destined to raise the weight K, whatever kind of resistance that represents. Both the drums, G and H, turn on round parts of the main shaft M, but are alternately connected with it—first, the drum G, by the rising of the bolt a into it; and secondly, the drum H, by the falling of the cross piece b c, between the studs e d affixed to it. Now, this cross piece b c, is part of a T-formed bar, that penetrates the centre of the shaft as low as f, where it rests on a transverse lever f g, connected to the right with the bolt a above mentioned, and forming a branch of the bent lever f g h, which works the bolt h i under the wheel. In the present state of things, if the horse steps forward, he draws the shafts C D, round the common centre; for the wheel is immoveable by means of the bolt i, which takes against some fixed object at k: and thus will the weight I be raised. And when this motion is achieved, the handle o is raised a few inches, which brings it into contact with the obstacle p, and puts a stop to that motion of the lever E F. At the same time the bolt a, is drawn out of the drum G, and the cross piece b c is let down between the studs of the drum H, while, by the bent lever f g h, the bolt h i, which held the wheel, is drawn back, and then the horse, instead of progressing round the centre of the wheel, is himself brought locally, to a stand; and without even knowing it, (for he is blinded) he now treads round the wheel in a backward direction, and raises the weight K, while the drum G permits the weight I to descend by the uncoiling of the rope, till this operation has likewise produced the desired effect—when things are again placed in the state first observed. One thing remains to be noticed: It is, that both these motions might have been produced by acting from a fixed point on the central bar b c f, through the upper gudgeon of the shaft, instead of using the handle o, as before directed. It is even easy to conceive how the Machine may itself be made to perform these changes, and thus to produce the whole effect without any personal care or attendance.

OF
AN EXPANDING VESSEL,
For Steam Engines, Pumps, Blowing Machines, &c.

It is one of the simplest and most perfect operations of the mechanic art, to form a flat surface: witness the process of grinding looking glasses, and forming one plane from another. Nor is it, necessarily, more difficult to place two surfaces parallel to each other, by means of three or more pillars with proper shoulders, or counternuts against which to screw the plates from behind. It is therefore easy to compose an expanding and contracting vessel, that shall become a mover by the force of any fluid, elastic or not, or shall act as a water or air pump, when driven by a convenient power; or both together, when this combination may be desirable. Thus, in Plate 26, fig. 2 and 3, A B C D is a box with four sides and four jointed angles—which, if one of it’s sides, D A, be fixed to a given position in the cage or frame E F G H, will expand or contract according as the sides A B and D C shall rise toward the perpendicular, or fall toward the horizontal position. The dotted lines A 2, A 4, A 6, &c. shew that the successive capacities included in the vessel, are respectively as the sines of the angles which those sides A B and D C make with the horizon; so that, although this device furnishes an unequable power, yet it is equable enough for many purposes in the first few divisions D 3, D 5, &c. and might be altogether equalized in it’s effect if necessary. Let us suppose then, that the aperture 8, brings steam into this vessel: The lid B C will rise to 6, 7, when, if the pipe 9, communicating with a condenser, be opened, the steam in the vessel will rush thither and be destroyed: when the atmosphere will press on the lid B C, and cause the vessel to collapse with a power proportionate to that area; for the sloping and parallel sides A B and C D counterpoise each other; where note, on occasion of the pressure which I am now speaking of, that the ribs or bars L M, are used to strengthen the sides of the vessel, and thus prevent it’s fracture under this pressure.

From this manner of making these expanding vessels, it follows among other things, that if the frame E F G H were surrounded with wood or any non-conducting substance, and made to communicate with a warm close room, the atmosphere thus acting on the vessel would not cool it, and that therefore, an atmospheric engine, would, in this respect, be as good as a steam-acting one. But steam might be introduced into this outer case, and act as a spring to reciprocate the internal effect of the same agent.

The third figure of Plate 26, offers an end view of this cage or frame, shewing the expanding vessel at B C A D, where the strengthening ribs of fig. 2 are seen endwise at 1, 3, 5, 7, &c. and moreover, F G and H are the pillars or cross bars by which the parallelism of the two end plates is effected and secured.

There remains an important subject to be considered: How to make the corner joints D C, and the end joints steam or water-tight as required. The small figure 4 answers the question as far as water is concerned. A is a strip of leather screwed more or less near to the edges of two contiguous sides of the vessel, so as to cover the joint or hinge, and make it water tight whether the pressure come from within or without. This figure also shews the grooves which receive the stuffing to close the ends of the vessel, by sliding against the plates or cheeks E F, &c. fig. 2. The several members of the corner joints themselves should be well fitted into each other: so indeed as almost to close the vessel without any stuffing. Nor need we in all cases be anxious about this stuffing; for I think it very possible to make this joint close enough for pumping or blowing without any such provision. I observe, however, that the leather A, fig. 4, might give place to a strip of thin metal, bent into the same form, (or nearly so) the elasticity of which would leave play enough for the joints, on the supposition of working only with a moderate degree of motion in the said joints.

I should not have given this idea so much attention, had I merely wished to use it where the cylinder-motion now applies: But my present views go further. I foresee the use of this Machine for very low pressures—and in very large dimensions; and I can conceive a proportion between it’s length and height, that shall as it were annul the effects of friction and leakage, compared with those of the cylinder-formed piston. But I do not undertake, or hardly wish now, to exhaust this subject: being more anxious to deliver the idea to my readers, than to announce all I intend to undertake by it’s means. I shall, therefore, merely finish the description of the other figures 5 and 6 of this Plate. The first, is a small hand pump on this principle, having a suction pipe A, and a rising pipe B, both having proper valves and opening into the expanding vessel, as worked by the handle C, much in the manner of a common pump. It will therefore act by it’s expansive and contractile properties; and have one good quality we should seek in vain elsewhere—It will begin the motion of the water with a softness unknown in the use of pumps in general.

In fine, the sixth figure shews a System of this kind applied to the two objects, of giving power, and using it. The vessel A B, receives the power from steam or any other agent; and the vessel C blows a fire, raises water, or does any analogous work, without requiring any other parts than those here displayed.

OF
A GOVERNOR, OR REGULATOR,
For Wind-Mills, Water Mills, Steam Engines, &c.

This Governor, is represented in fig. 1 of Plate 27—the ground work of which is the same as that of the third figure in Plate 3: for in reality the present Machine claims the precedence of the Dynamometer; and may therefore, well borrow a figure from it’s description. A is the power-axis, receiving motion from any proper shaft of the mill. It is turned backward by that shaft, and therefore tends to raise the ball B—an operation equivalent to bringing the mill-stones nearer together. At the same time, the axis of resistance C, carries round a pallet-wheel D E, and by the pallet D, sets the pendulum F G a vibrating, which therefore, by every stroke, lets down the ball B, and thus raises the upper mill-stone. A proper position of the latter depends on the similarity of the motion of the power-axis A, which winds up the ball B, and that of the axis C, which lets it down. While these are equal, the weight B remains stationary, and the work goes on well. But if a gust of wind increases the speed of the mover A, (the pendulum F G confining the axis C to it’s usual speed) the ball B is immediately raised and the stones brought closer—which is what the grinding process requires: And should that gust increase in violence and become a hurricane, the intermediate cylinder M, while producing that effect, carries also with it the cord H I, and thereby raises the bob G of the pendulum, and thus fits this movement to the increased speed of the mill: raising, sometimes, the bob to the very centre F of it’s vibration, where it’s oscillations become rapid enough to unwind all the excess of motion which the hurricane had occasioned; until, the wind subsiding, the pendulum acquires a medium length, and things go on moderately as before.

It may be observed, that the present form of this Machine is not quite so simple as it might have been made; nor is it so simple as it first was. The required motions being much shorter than those of a Dynamometer, the cylinder M, among other things, might be dispensed with; and one of the intermediate wheels be likewise suppressed. And if we advert to the retarding principle which resides in the pendulum, the well known conical pendulum might be substituted for the present one; since from it would arise a regular or equable resistance, opposed to an equable effort. Some however, might then consider the conical pendulum as an ordinary centrifugal governor; and, as a mere retarding principle, it may be thought too complex for the occasion: but I think on the contrary, that it’s use in this connection, would make this Machine one of the best of regulators, as well for steam engines as for water and wind-mills of every description: especially if fitted up with my Patent Geering.

OF
A MACHINE
For Forging Nails.

There is a strong analogy between this Instrument for forging Nails, and the Machine heretofore given for forging Bar Iron, Steel, &c. The process of kneading the softened metal, by means of a pair of alternating cranks, is the very same: but the acting bars or stampers A, B, are an addition to the former method. Plate 27, at figs. 2 and 3, gives a representation of the present Machine; which forms the nail almost instantaneously, by many contacts of the stampers a b, (fig. 3) on one of which the figure of the nail is engraven—or rather filed across that stamper, for no hollow figure is required by this System.