A New Century of Inventions. James White
are two intermediate wheels (thus placed to balance each other on the common centre T) whose axes turn on proper steps in the frame I K; and which by their teeth connect the motion of this frame with that of both the wheels R N, and C D.
Such are the parts of the Dynamometer properly so called; and they are shewn as in their places in Plate 1, where the parts above described, as far as visible, are marked with the same letters. Moreover, this figure shews a scale-bason P, to receive the weights used to measure equable powers, as will be seen hereafter.
Plate 4 contains some of the auxiliary parts of this Machine. But before we proceed to describe them, it may be proper to observe that the measuring power, by the action of which at K, (Plate 1) the energy of the force is transmitted to the resistance, must, to meet every case, be susceptible of change, according as the resistance or force to be measured is uniform or convulsive. For example, in a mill grinding corn, driven by a fall of water, the whole process is sensibly uniform, and a weight at P is the proper measurer. But if it were desired to measure the effect of a pump driven by water, or of a tilt hammer worked by a Steam Engine, then the measuring power at P must be a spring: for in these cases the vis inertiæ of a weight would add to its force of gravity when suddenly raised, or detract from it when the resistance should suddenly give way. Whenever therefore, the force and resistance are both equable, a weight will best measure them; and when either is convulsive, a spring: but a spring so equalized as to offer the same resistance at every degree of tension it may have to sustain.
In the 6th. and 7th. Figures, (Plate 4) these demands are fulfilled. The first represents a barrel-spring, similar to that of a watch, but surrounded by a fusee, the increasing radii of which compensate for the increased tension of the spring in the barrel G; so that the action of the system on the chain is always the same.
The 7th. Figure exhibits a spring adapted to heavier purposes. It is a cylinder nicely bored and hermetically closed at bottom; in which works a Piston P plunged in oil, which when forcibly drawn up forms a vacuum in the cylinder, into which the atmosphere endeavouring to enter, acts like a spring on the Piston; and preserves the same stress whatever be the height of this Piston in the cylinder.
This then, is also an equalized Spring, such as these experiments require; but it is not my invention. I first saw a vacuum used, as a spring, by my noble Patron, the late Earl Stanhope: to whose mechanical attainments, I owe this tribute of applause on the present occasion.
In the three Figures of this Plate, 8, 9, 10, are shewn two of the means I use for creating those factitious resistances that are sometimes wanted in the process of measuring power. In Fig. 8, E H F, is a gripe or brake, such as millers use to stop their wind-mills with; fixed under L, it surrounds the wheel E H, and is then fastened to the end F of the lever K L. The brake is thus pressed with greater or less force against the wheel, as the weight I is placed more or less distant from the fulcrum L of the lever. By these means a resistance of the equable kind is produced, capable of being adapted to any power it may be wished to measure; which makes this Dynamometer a real tribometer or measurer of friction.
The second kind of resistance brought forward in this Plate, is a Pendulum P (Fig. 9 and 10,) set a vibrating by a pallet-wheel A B, connected with the axis of resistance; and working in the pallets N. It appears besides, in the Figure, that the times of vibration can be changed by the mechanism T N R, which raises or lowers the ball P. This then, is another resistance, such as we sometimes want: but it is also a mean of finding the quantity of resistance that a vibrating body opposes to motion, when oscillating in times not those due to its length as a pendulum. In other words it is a mean of measuring vis inertiæ itself—which an astounding modern writer declares does not exist!
I hasten to give a description of certain other parts relating to the measuring system: and some methods of connecting with the Dynamometer the several kinds of forces it may be desirable to examine.
In Plate 5, Fig. 12, A X represents a Crank or Handle with a variable radius, the intent of which is to adapt a man’s strength to the velocity and intensity of any resistance he may have to overcome. The manner is this: B is a Screw pressing on the quadrant, and fixing the arm C X to any required angle with the part A C: thus determining the virtual radius of the handle.
Fig. 14, shews a method of applying to the Machine the force of a man pumping: for the catch N permits the handle O to rise alone, but carries round the wheel R, at every downward stroke, while the fixed catch C secures all the forward motion thus given. The same Figure shews, at B, the force of a man in the act of rowing: for the catch M permits the lever V M to recede when the man fetches his stroke, and carries the wheel round when he takes it. An operation, by the bye, which I think the best mode of employing human strength, if every possible advantage is taken of the method.
The 13th. Figure shews the last method I shall now offer of adapting power to the Dynamometer. T S represents the Piston of a Steam Engine, the rod of which is formed of two bars, including between them the chains F G and F D, the first of which is single, merely to carry back the acting wheel; and the last double, to draw round the ratchet wheel E, by the catch O, at every stroke of the Piston.
I must obviate here an objection that may strike some readers. This Piston T S, acts only one way, like that of an atmospheric engine, a thing now quite out of date! I answer that this figure is chiefly intended to give the idea; and shew a rotatory Steam Engine that might act without a fly. I will add, that it is my intention some day to bring forward a method of using these suspended actions, better than by a mere ratchet wheel: and especially without incurring danger from the length of the ratchet teeth, or the blow they suffer at the beginning of the strokes. But of this more hereafter.
A short description will suffice for the mechanism of the 18th. figure (Plate 6), which is intended to convert the alternate pressure of a man’s