US1164772A - Bell-buoy. - Google Patents

Description

R. L. WILLIAMS.

BELL BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1909.

1,164,772. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEl-If 1.

cuLumB'u PLANOGRAPH co, WASHINGTON, n, c.

R. L. WILLIAMS.

BELL BUOY.

APPUCATION FILED NOV.29,1909.

1,164,772. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5 m mm A). mum

I m M4.

CDLUMBIA PLANOURAPH CO.,WASHINGTDN, D4 c.

R. L. W|LLIAMS.

BELL BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED Nov, 29, 1909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WITHEEa-EEE:

460. 64% qlou COLUMBIA PLANDORAPH co., WASHINGTON, Dv cv R. L. WILLIAMS.

BELL BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, I909.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

Ul l

ROBERT L. winnin an'r or" Nnwro'it, Massachusetts, nssienon so SUBMABINE FEQE.

BELL-Buoy.

'ilppilicatio'n filed iiovember T 7112 whom c'Z may co /morn: K I

- [Be-it knownv that 1, ROBERT VILLIAMS, of Newton in the county of Middlesex State of Massachusetts, v a citizen of the United States, have inyented a new and useful Improvementin Bell-Buoys, of which the following is a specification. I

The problem in bell buoys, especially thosewhich is connected with. the .buoy in the still water at some depth below the surface, but is movable with relation to the buoy and is detained by its hold on the water as the buoy moves in either direction.

The present invention relates to improvements in bell buoys of this class and it is embodided in a mechanism shown .in the drawings so constructed that the bell clapper is operatedby the releasing of a coinpressed spring, so that the clapper will al= ways be operated by a blow of given strength. I

The invention will-be understood by reference to the drawings, in ;which v Figure l is an elevation partly in section of a buoy embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a yert-ical section oii the bell and bell operating mechanism taken on line .2'2 of Fig. 3.; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on a plane at right angles to Fig. 2, and Fig. '3 is a section on. an enlarged scale showing one of the stuffing bones-on the main shaft; Fig. i .is a horizontal section taken on line Mot Fig". .2.

A is the float which may be of ordinary construction and is mounted upon a tube A to the lower end of which is attached the bell operating mechanism and bell B. 'C is the case containing the operating rnech anisin. To its lower end is attached the bail A? by which the anchor chain A is attached to the buoy. The lower end of the tube A is'reinforced by the cap Atwhich sets into it and is riveted thereto, the cap being provided with a flange A which is "Specification of Letters Iatent.

29, 1909. "Seria1No.'530,292.

bolted to the flange C surrounding the upper edge of the case C. The case containing the operating mechanism is intended to be filled with oil or other lubricant and for that reason is so put together that there shall be no leakage. Openings closed by screw plugs 0 are provided through which it may be filled. The case O is closed at its upper end as at C and at its lower end is closed by the plate C bolted thereto. This plate C containsa central opening through which the operating mechanism is connect-- ed .to the clapper as will be below described. Dowel pins 0 assist in. assembling the plate and case.

B is the clapper, the rod 5 of which passes upinto a recess in the plate C and is keyed and pinned to arock shaft B to turn therewith. The rock shaftis mounted in bearings located one on each side of the clapper rod. The lower half 0 of each bearing forms part of the upper side of the plate C A cap-shaped yoke piece 0 forms the top of the bearings and is bolted to the plate Q These parts are provided with a suitable packing to prevent leakage.

As shown the packing comprises rubber washers 72 mounted on the rock shaft B to rotate therewith one on each side of the clapper rod and engaging the bearings. Elastic gaskets I) also or rubber lie between the washers b and the sides of the upper end of the clapper rod which is recessed for the purpose. This construction is very desirable because the bearings are thus protected from corrosion and the interior of the case from leakage. A rubber gasket C set into a groove in the upper surface of the plate C packs'the joint between the plate C and the lower end'ofthe case To each end of the rock shaft B is also attached a Patented nee. 21, 1915.

rocker arm 13 the plate C being recessed for the purpose. One of these rocker arms is shown in Fig. 3 and both are shown in Fig. 2. Together they form a yoke-like piece. These rocker arms are within the case and are connected by a pin (Z which passes through a crosshead (Z attached to a rod D, the upper end of which sets into a socket piece D in which it has slight play. T he socket piece is carried by a 'c'rankpin Esupported between two ratchets F, G, operated'by the pawls f, To the yoke piece 0 is attached an annular plate H to receive the lower end of the spring J, this plate 1 be seen thatthe turning of the ratchets F, G,

being also supported on uprights c caston j the plate C The upper end; of the spring, is confined in a four-arm spider H which is screwed onto a threaded section of'the rod D so that the spring is held under some compression. The spring tends in expanding to throw the clapper 13 against the bell B.

Between the lower end of the socket D and the spider H are a number of washers (P so as to adjust the motion of therod D and socket D, with relation to each other. There should be a certain amount of play between i the two however-as will bebelow described. Perforations (Z are provided to allow for I the draining of the chamber between the closesin to the socket. v From the description so. far glven it will socket and the end of the rod when the rod will, through the action of the crank pin E in moving from itsuppermost to its lowest position, depress the rod D so as to throw the clapper-away from the'bow of the bell and at the same time compress the spring.

After the crank pin has passed its'lower dead center the spring inexpanding will cause the'clapper as shown in Fig; 3 to strike the bell'with a blow of uniform strength due to the force ofthe spring, the clapper being'free to rebound after the blow owing to the yielding character of the connection between therod D and socket D f The expansion of the spring willdrivethe crank pin and the ratchets F,-G, forward,

the crank pin being perhaps thrown by mocrank pin has passed its lower dead center [it will give a quick throw to ethe socket- --piece and crank pm and as there 18 1100011- nection between the socket and the rod the crank pin will be free to turn asfar as its momentum will carry it.

The pawls'f,'g, are four 1n number. Two

are mounted on the plate F and two on the plate G -The ratchet F has a shaft f which turns in a bushing f The pawl plate F also turns on this bushing f and is pinned to a pinion F also on the bushing f and in mesh with a gear F on shaft M.

The plate F andpinion F are free to turn on the bushing. The bushing f? in which is the shaft 7 is forced into a hub F in the support N attached to plate C by bolts 0. 'In like manner the ratchet G has a shaft 9? turning in the bushing 9 The pawl plate G free to turn thereon is pinned to the pinion- Gr which is somewhat smaller than m of soft rubber.

the pinion F and is in meshiwith an idler pinion g on a stu d'mounted in thehub 9* on the support N fastened to the plate 0*. 'This idler g is in meshwith the gear G" on the shaft M, The bushing g is forced into a hub G on the support N also bolted by bolts c to the plateC 7 By inserting the-idler 9? between the gears G and G it' will be noted that the movement of the shaft M with its gears F and G in a given direction will cause the,

pawl plates F G 'torotatein opposite di- 7 rections so that-one of the pairs of pawls will act to drive tits ratchetwhile the other I pair of pawls is ridingfover its-.ratchets teeth to a position where itwill engage them and drive*;tl1'eratchet when the shaft M 1 changes its direction of rotation; d

The bearings M for the shaft M project from the opposite'sidesof the case C and to prevent leakage stuffing boxes M fgof peculiar construction are provided through which the shaft Mp'rojectsr As shownthese stuffing boxes areconstructed as follows. vEach bearingtM is recessed at its endas at m to'receive aball bearing-which comprises an inner raceway m on theshaft M to receive the balls, andfanother raceway m which sets into the recess and is held therein against a suitable shoulder by an annular plug m which is pinned to the bearing by so i pins-m Against the plug m sets a hard 7 rubber washer m The contacting surfaces. of these two'parts are smooth sothat the washer m may move easily with relation to the plug mi Against the-washer-m is a soft rubber gasket or ring m which isicompressed between the washer m and a'washer A pin m connects the hard rubber ,washer'm 'with a lipped plate m passing-through the soft rubber washer m in so doing. The diameter of'the 0pening in thefiplate m is somewhat larger than that of the shaft M and is threaded on its interior to'receive the ring mm which screws into it and'is pinned to the shaft M. The

plate m has anumber of sockets m inits face andthe ring ml has a-lugxcarryinga screw m to fit whichevenof these openings it'canregister with when this part of the apparatus is assembled. ln setting up this vpacking, the ring m being fixed to the. shaft M, pressure is'secured'by turning the plate m which advances to compress the various members and is locked by bringing one of the sockets m into registry with the screw m which is then "screwed into it; The hole in t the washer "m -"forthe pin m is' 'sufiiciently deep to" allow this adjustment without crowding the end of the pin m Motive power is providedlfor, the opera:

tion of thestriker by counterbalanced vanes.

For this purposethe shaft carries at eachend a sleeve Pwhich is preferably-keyed. thereto by a key'p; aswellas fastenedkby a.

bolt 19 Each sleeve has two sets 9, 1", of

arms projecting therefrom, one set 9 having attached to them the vanes Q which may be of any desired shape and the other set carrying-counterbalances R of sufficient weight to hold-the vanes normally in horizontal limit, their movement with great violence.

Such action soon breaks'or Wears the mechanism so that it becomes useless. Such buoys therefore require constant watching and repair. In the buoy shown, the vanes may rise into the plane of the axis of the buoy or even in extreme cases may pass through a complete circle without in any way disarranging the striking mechanism. On the contrary during all this movement the vanes will be performing their ordinary function. This is due not only to the absence of stops but to the use of a gear connection between the shaft and the operating mechanism. The counter-weights serve to bring the vanes back to a normal operative position as opportunity offers.

The bell B is preferably attached to the bottom plate 0 of the case by means of holders S which are semicircular in shape and are held to the bottom of the case by screws 8. The upper part of the bell is provided with 'a projecting flange s which lies in the groove formed by the lip s of the holder. A rubber washer 8* lies between, the

top of the bell flange and the bottom of the plate C A rubber ring 8 encircles the edge of the flange s and a rubber washer 3 lies between the bell flange and the holder lip 8 These rubber packings serve to provide an elastic or yielding mounting for the bell so that its vibration will not be deadened and also so that it will yield slightly when struck by the clapper so thatthe clapper will not tend to crack it.

The clapper rod Z) has a peripheral groove Z2 and the clapper proper is attached there to by a pin Zr which passes through a hole in the clapper and engages the rod at the groove. The bell is thus rotatable with rela- I tion to the case so that if its bow becomes worn the bell may be turned slightly to offer a new surface to the clapper. In the same way the clapper is rotatable with relation to its rod so that as one face of the clapper becomes worn it may be turned slightly to offer a new striking face with which to strike the bell. These features are desirable in View of the Wear which both bell and clapper receive.

The bell mechanism is operated by wave motion. I The buoy A rises and falls with the motion of the waves while the vanes Q, because of their position and area'serve as a drag and as the buoy rises hold back assuming an angular position with relation to the axis of the buoy, thus causing the shaft M to turn. As the buoy falls again the vanes assisted by the counterweights R tend to resume their horizontal position and if the movement of the buoy is sufficiently great they may pass their horizontal position so as to point upward, perhaps even passing a vertical position, turning the shaft M in an opposite direction. In a heavy sea however these motions may be exaggerated so that the shaft may be given a complete revolution, though of course this is not necessary to the practical operation of the mechanism, nor is it usual in practice.

Each movement of the shaft M cause an advancing movement to be given to one of the pairs of pawls, j, g, and consequently to the ratchets F, G, and the crank pin E when the crank pin is passingfrom its upper to its lower dead center; the spring J being compressed during this time and the clapperbeing forced into striking position. When the lower dead center is passed the spring not only lifts the rod D thus causing the clapper to strike the bell, but gives the ratchets an impetus which, as they are free to turn as far as they will go on account of the sliding connection between the socket piece and the end of the rod D, lifts the crank pin and carries it by momentum perhaps over its dead center, when the pawls immediately catch the ratchet teeth and the wave motionimmediately becomes effective again to cause the operation of the clapper.

It will thus be seen that the value of this apparatus depends largely upon the fact that its vanes are free to move in either direction as far as the particularimpulse given by the waves to the float may require without danger of breakage or undue wear in contrast to an apparatus in which the moving part has a limit of movement, the result of the use of stops, whether such stops be protected by bluffers and dashpots or not. Moreover, when a so-called sea anchor is used as a drag, it must be made heavy and cumbersome to do its work. The van-es de scribed above are not heavy and are both,

filled with a lubricant so that the parts are kept from the corrosive action of water and are always in good operating condition.

, This invention is not limited to the precise construction shown as it maybe otherwise embodied'in its various details. -Moreover certain of its details may be used in connection with other buoys. The mechanism 18 shown in connection with a bell but other forms of signaling mechanism may besub- SbltlltGCl therefor.

The location of a plurality of. vanes pro- -jecting from the same side of-ashaft is also new in a mechanism of this general class.

/Vhat I claim as my invention is: I 1. In a signaling mechanism adapted to be operated by wave motion, in combination, a

floating support, a signaling mechanism, a '.l 1OI'lZOIll3Ll' shaft capable ofrotation in either direction and means for mounting it below said floating support, one or more vanes mounted on one side of said shaft and capable of movement by wave motion imparted to said floating support, connections betweensaid-I shaft and said signaling mechanism 7 horizontalfshaft, means for mounting it on said'shaft and said signaling mechanism whereby said shaft will cause the operation whereby, upon the rise and fall of the floatingsupport signalswill' be given.

2. .In a signaling mechanism adapted to be operated by wave motion, incoinbination, a floating support, a signaling mechanism, a

said floating support, vanes rigidlyattached to said shaftto "lie normally in a substan-. tially horizontal plane whereby said shaft will be. oscillated as said support rises'and falls .with the waves and means connectin 3 b of said signaling mechanism. a V

8. In combination, a floating support, a

horizontal rotatable shaft supported there-,

by, one or more vanes attached to said shaft, weights also attached to'said shaft whereby said vanes willbe maintained normally in a horizontal'position, and signaling means and connections between said shaft and' said signalingmeans whereby said signaling means 1 'Wlll' be operated upon the rise and fall of Y said'fioating support.

' 4. In combination with a buoy, a wave shaft suspended below said buoy,.. one orv 7 more vanes PIOJGCtlIlg from one side of said actuated mechanism comprising a horizontal shaft whereby said shaft will be turned by the rising and falling of said buoy, a signaling means connected to said shaft and adaptsha ft 18.

ed to be operated thereby as said turned-in either direction.

5. In combination with a buoy, a hori-' zontal shaft, vanes mounted on'said shaft,

nism connected to Said shaft nals will be given.

means. adapted to maintain said vanes nor-;

mally in a horizontal plane, said-vanes beiiig 'adapted'to rotate said shaft upon the rising and falling of the buoy, and mecha- 6. A signaling buoy comprising a float, a

liquid tight cashigsuspended therefrom, a-

whereby sigsignaling -=mea'ns, mechanism located within said'casingconnected to said signaling mechanism to, operate'it,-- and mechanismlocated outside said casing connected to themech'a'inisin Within said casing andoperable by the tionof said signaling means.

rise and fall'of said float to cause the opera-:-

7. In a buoy for signaling operable by wave motion, a float, a signal operating mechanism suspended from said float, a horizontalsha'ft also suspended below'said float and connected to said signal-operating'mechanism, submerged vanes located onsaid shaft, and counter-balancing means adapted to maintain s'aidv'anes normally in a hori zontalplane, whereby said vanes will act as a drag in the dead water "as the'float rises and falls and the shaft'will be turned to operate-said signaleoperating mechanism; Y

8. In a buoy for signalingo'perable by wave motion, a -float,.- a signal-operating mechanism com-p'rising'a spring, a crank pin connected to said spring to compress and reg lease it, supporting means for said crank pin adaptedto be turned by the reaction of the spring and means connected to said'float may be compressed, acrank 'pin'coiinecte'd to said spring means to' compress and-release said, spring, meansconnected tojsaid float and said crank p n wherebysaid crankpin Pathby' the will be operatedby the rise, and fallxof the float, and means connecting saidcr'ank' pin and said signa-lingmechanism whereby upon, the release of said spring said crankpin may" have a movement independent of the movement of said spring. I

10. Asubmarine signaling device comprisiiig afloat, a casing suspended therefrom, a

bell suspended from said casing and having a clapper, a shaftlsupportingsaid clapper,

mechanism partially located within said casmg comprising a horizontal shaft the ends of which eXtend'outside said casing, vanes located on said ends, connections between said clapper, shaft and'said vane-carrying shaft located within said casing, whereby v 7 the movementof said'vane-carr' in shaft will cause movements of said clapper, bearlugs for said shafts, and'means adapted to,

pack the bearings of said shaftsin saidcas 1 ing, whereby the flow of liquid there'through" will be prevented.

11. In a buoy for submarinesignalinga' float, a bell and bell clapper-operating mechanism suspended below said float, a horizontal shaft connected 'to said bell clapper-op-Q eratingmechanism, submerged vanes located on said shaft to move it, and counterbalanca iso ing means adapted to maintain said vanes normally in a horizontal plane, whereby said vanes will act as a drag in the dead water as the float rises and falls and the shaft will be operated to operate said bell connected to said bell clapper-operating mechanism and vanes mounted on said shaft and provided with a counterbalance where; by they will normally lie in horizontal position and act as a drag in the dead water asthe float rises and falls and will turn the shaft to operate the bell clapper mechanism.

13. A submarine signaling buoy comp-rising a float, a bell and bell clapper-operating mechanism suspended from said float, a horizontal shaft, means for connecting said shaft to said bell clapper-operating mechanism whereby said shaft is rendered capable of a complete revolution, submerged, vanes located on said shaft, and means adapted to maintain said vanes normally in a horizontal plane, said vanes being adapted to act as a drag as the float rises andfalls whereby said shaft will be operated to operate said bell clapper mechanism.

l l. A submarine signaling buoy comprising a float, a bell and bell clapper-operating mechanism suspended from said float, a horizontal shaft, means for connecting said shaft to said bell clapper-operating mechanism whereby said shaft is rendered capable of a complete revolution, submerged vanes mounted on said shaft to have a free revolution therewith, and means adapted to main tain said vanes normally in a horizontal plane, said vanes acting as a drag as the float rises and falls, to turn said shaft.

15. In a buoy for submarine signaling, a float, a liquid-tight casing, and a bell and bell clapper suspended therefrom, a shaft passing through said casing, mechanism located in said casing adapted to be operated by said shaft and to operate the bell clapper,

bearings for said shaft projecting from said casing, stuffing boxes located to close the ends of said bearings, and vanes mounted on said shaft and adapted to oscillate it as the float rises and falls.

16. In combination, a floating support, a horizontal rotatable shaft supported therefrom, one or more vanes mounted thereon to turn said shaft operable by the rise and fall of the floating support, a sound producer and means connecting said shaft and said-sound producer comprising a spring, a

. rod controlled by said spring and positlve means for compressing and releasing said spring comprising a'crank pin and means for supporting it whereby upon the release of said spring, said spring-compressing means will be advanced, and connections between said crank pin support and said shaft.

17. In a buoy for submarine signaling, a float, a bell and a bell clapper, a crank pin, rotary supports therefor and means connecting said crank pin and said clapper whereby said clapper will be operated by the movements of said crank pin and means for operating said crank pin supports comprising a shaft, pawl plates connected thereto to be rotated thereby, and carrying pawls, said crank pin supports comp-rising ratehets adapted to be engaged by said pawls and rotated thereby, and means for rotating said shaft.

18. In a buoy for sub-marine signaling, a float, a bell and a bell clapper, a crank pin, rotary supports therefor and means connecting said crank pin and said clapper whereby said clapper will be operated by the movements of said crank pin and means for operating said crank pin supports comprising a shaft carrying gears, pawl plates connected to said gears to be rotated thereby, and carrying pawls, said crank pin supports comprising ratchets adapted to be engaged by said pawls and rotated thereby, and means for rotating said shaft comprising vanes mounted on said shaft on one side thereof and counterweights mounted on the other side of said shaft to hold said vanes normally in horizontal position.

' 19. A buoy for sub-marine signaling comprising a casing, a clapper-operating mechanism located therein, a bell suspended from said casing, said bell having a central opening in its upper portion, a clapper arm connected to said clapper-operating mechanism and passing down through said central opening, said bell having a flange projecting outwardly around said central opening and said casing having holders provided with lips engaging the under side of said flange whereby the bell may be turned on said flange as a guideway.

20. A buoy for submarine signaling com-' prising a casing, a clapper-operating mech anism located therein, a bell suspended from said casing, said bell having a central opening. in its upper portion, a clapper arm connected to said clappei operating mechanism and passing down through said central opening, said bell having a flange projecting outwardly around said central opening and Said casing having holders provided with lips engaging the under side of said flange whereby the bell may be turned on said flange as a guideway, said holders, their lips and the lower surface of said casing being provided with an elastic cushion to engage and support said bell whereby said bell may have a slight rocking motion when struck by said clapper.

21. In a submerged signaling apparatus, a liquid tight casing and a bell and clapper suspended therefrom, the lower end of said casing having a recess for the end of said clapper, bearings for said clapper forming the sides and top of said recess, a shaft pass ing through said recess and forming a support for said clapper and operating mechanism located in said casing and connected to said shaft. I a v 22. Inv a submerged signaling apparatus, an operating mechanism in a casing, a bell andclapper suspended therefrom, the lower end of said casing having. a recess adapted to receive an end of said clapper and furnish bearings for the fulcrum of said clapper.v

23; In a submerged signaling apparatus, a liquid tight'casing, an operating mechanism located therein, a bell andclapper suspended therefrom, the lower end of said casing having a recess adapted to receive an end of said clapperand furnishbearings for thefulcrum of sald clapper, and means for excluding liquid outside'of said casing from said bearings.

24'. In a signaling buoy, a float, a drag mechanism suspended beneath said float in substantially dead water and comprising a horizontal shaft free to rotate in either direction, a sounder, devices for operating said operating devices with said shaft whereby the movement ofthe shaft in either direction will actuate said devices."

25., In a signaling buoy, a float, a sounder suspended therefrom and submerged means for operating said sounder comprising a hOIlZOIltEl-l counterbalanced shaft suspended below said float and carried thereby, a mechanism mounted on said shaft and adapted to f support, a horizontal actuating'counterbalanced. shaft supported below said floating support andcarrying vanes whereby said shaftwill be turned in either direction by the rising and falling of said support, in 'COIIlblIlltlQIl with a sounder, and means conneeting said shaft and said sounder comprising two ratchet and pawl mechanisms, both operable in the same directionirrespective ofthe direction of rotation of said shaft,

and means adapted to be operated by said ratchet and pawlmechanisms in turn whereg ve out zontal shaft carried by said float, mechanism mounted on said shaft whereby said shaft will be rotated by therising and falling of said float, and mechanism" connecting said shaft with said sounder comprisinga crank pin and means for giving it a rotary movement, a socket connected to said crank-pin, a rod oneend of which is connected to said sounder, the other endvmovably mounted in said socket, a spring and means connecting said springandsaid rod whereby the movement of said socket in one direction will cause .a-oorresponding movement of said rod and the compression of said spring, and the release of said, spring will cause a reverse movement of said rod, and the operation of rsaid sounder.

28. In a signaling apparatus, in co1nb1na-' tlon, a float,- a sounder supported therefrom,

a horizontal shaft also suspended-from said float and means operable bythe rising an'd. falling of the float whereby the shaftwill be rotated, and submerged means connected to sald 1 shaft for actuating Sttlflsounder comprls ng a gearlng system, a, crank pin carried thereby and rotatable therewith, a red I connected with said crank pin,- a spring and means operated by said rod whereby said spring is compressed and released as the crank pin revolves.

29. In a' signaling device, in combination,

afloat, a sounder supported therefrom, a

horizontal shaftsuspended from said float and means located in the dead water operable by the rising and falling ofithe float whereby said shaft will be rotated, and means for actuating said sounder operable by said shaft, comprising ratchets, a crank pin carried thereby and rotatable therewith, a rod connected with 531d, crankpin, a spring and means connecting sald spring withsaid rod whereby said spring will be compressed and released by said rod as-the crank pin revolves. V ROBERT-L. WILLIAMS-1 Witnesses: Y i I v M. E. FLAHE TY," I

, GEORGE'LANGTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C.

Images