US1336090A - Water stage and discharge recorder - Google Patents

Description

E. SCHAUB.

WATER STAGE AND DISCHARGE RECORDER.

v APPLICATION FILED JULY 26,19I6. 1 1,336,090. nted Apr. 6, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- E. SCHAUB.

WATER STAGE AND DISCHARGE RECORDER.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2 APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1916.

UNTTED STATES PATENT QFFTGEQ I EUGENE SCHAUB, OF LOGAN, UTAH.

WATER STAGE AND DISCHARGE RECORDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1o2o.

Application filed July 26, 1916. Serial No. 111,378.

tion in the height and volumes of natural bodies of water at various periods of time, and to produce a permanent record of such variations.

The objects of the invention are, first, to produce a simple mechanism which is efficient in operation so as to produce automatically a continuous record of the variations in the height or discharge of a fluid during the hours of the day and night; sec- 0nd, to minimize the friction and wear on the working parts by dispensing with gears and belts and making provision for the adjustment of parts to compensate for wear; to provide means adapted by adjustment to obtain an indefinite number of scales; and to produce a record sheet which is free from atmospheric influences and is adapted for treatment in a manner to obtain an inefiaceable or unalterable and permanent record, free from the uncertainties and defects inherent in the use of pencils and fluidink pens ordinarily employed in 'hydrographic and recording instruments generallv.

A salient feature of the invention is a st vluscarrying member controllable by the rise and fall of a float and mounted for traveling and rotative movement relatively to a record sheet, the latter being under the action of a clock train so as to be movable constantly and at definite speed, the plane of movement of the stylus-carrying element being at a right angle to the direction of movement of the record sheet. A further feature of the invention consists of a special moisture-proof record sheet treated with hot wax, or equivalent material, containing a certain percentage of rosin, or its equivalent. combined with a transfersubstance carrying member, such as a spool, and a stylus positioned to inscribe the surface of the prepared sheet in such manner that the transfer substance will be applied to the prepared record sheet and thus result in a chart or diagram without the use of a pencil or fluid-ink pen, which chart or diagram may, by subsequent treatment, be converted into a permanent record, such subsequent treatment consisting in heating the prepared sheet so as to incorporate the lines of the transfer substance with the wax, whereby the lines of the chart or diagram are rendered ineffaceable and unalterable in the preservation of the record for an indefinite time.

The mechanism which it is preferred to use in connection with the waxed record sheet and the transfer substance comprises a control spool around which is wrapped a sheet of carbon or other transfer paper, a feed spool on which the waxed paper is coiled and from which said waxed paper is conducted so as to contact with the transfer surface of the control spool, a take up spool for coiling the waxed paper after the latter shall have been inscribed to produce the chart or diagram, and a clock train for driving the control spool at a certain predetermined speed. 4

The stylus-carrying element is embodied in a double cone the apices of which face in opposite directions, combined with suitable supporting rails, and suitable contact rails carried by the supporting rails, the surfaces of said double cone being in direct frictional contact with convex surfaces of the contact rails, whereby the double cone is mounted for rotative movement upon and between the contact rails in a manner to minimize the friction and wear. The angularity of the surfaces of the double cone may vary as required, and said rails are adapted to be shifted relatively to the double cone so that an indefinite number of scales may be obtained.

Said double cone carries a stylus positioned at the axis of rotation and free to move in the direction of said axis. The stylus forms a part of a spindle which slides in a bushing, the latter being in an axial bore provided in the hub of the double cone, and against this bushing is seated an incased spring. the tension of which is applied to impel the stylus into contact with the waxed record sheet with sufiicient force to produce the lines adapted to form the chart or diagram.

In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an instrument embodying this invention for recording the stage and volume of water in natural bodies, irrigating ditches, etc.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken in the plane of the dotted line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the instrument shown in Figs. 1 and 2. v

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale il'l'ustratin a part of the controlling spool, the trave ing double conical member which carries the stylus adapted for cooperation with said controlling spool, and the means for mounting said traveling member, whereby it is adapted for rotative and.

traversing movement in a direction parallel to the axis of rotatlon of the controlling spool,- and Fig. 5 is a detail view of the recording stylus,illustrating one construction whereby said stylus'is adapted to be shifted out of contact with the record sheet.

A designates a controlling spool carried by a horizontal shaft a which is mounted in suitable bearings a of a frame B, consisting of side lates fastened rigidly to a suitable base f3. The controlling spool is mounted loosely on shaft (1, and this spool is driven at a constant predetermined speed by a time train of any suitable construction, the same being contained within a casing C suitably attached to the base B.

The time train is provided with an arbor 0 to which is fixed a gear pinion 0', the teeth of which are in mesh wlth the teeth of a gear fixed to an end portion of the shaft a, whereby the time tram is adapted to impart rotative movement to the controlling spool. This spool carries a transfer medium or substance, the same being herein shown as a sheet D of carbon paper, but it is apparent that the spool may carry other forms of transfer material than the carbon sheet D. 1

The shaft-a of the control spool extends beyond the bearing a provided'for the end portion of the shaft opposite to the gear 0 whereby the shaft a is adapted to extend for a suitable distance beyond one of the frame plates. On this extended .end of the shaft is-mounted a drum E, the latter being loose on the shaft so as to rotate in one direction independently of the shaft when winding up the gravity weight E, paid gravity weight L having a cord or cable e-which is coiled on the drum E. The weight drum E is provided with a ratchet hub f, the ratchet teeth of which are adapted for interlocking engagement with the teeth provided on a face of a ratchet F, the hub f of said ratchet being connected by a spline f with the spool shaft (1-. The ratchet F is retained in interlocking engagement with the ratchet hub f of the weight drum by a coiled spring F which is fitted loosely upon the protruding end of the spool shaft a, whereby the spring presses the ratchet F into'engagement with the weight drum E so as to make said weight drum fast with the shaft a for imparting rotative movement to the spool A, the speed of said spool being under the control of the time train. The spring F is held from displacement on the shaft by a collar F, or its equivalent.

In my instrument it is preferred to employ a moisture-proof record sheet G, the same consisting of a sheet or web of paper coated or impregnated with paraflin, wax, or the like, the said sheet being prepared by running the fibrous material through a bath of melted wax, or equivalent material, containing about ten per cent. of rosin, after which the sheet is positioned for the excess material to drain off and is then dried in order to place it in condition suitable for use in the machine. It is evident that other means of preparing the wax moisture-proof sheet may be employed without departing from the invention. A supply of the record sheet is coiled upon a feed spool G, the shaft 9 of which is mounted in open-ended slots or other bearings rovided in the frame plates B. The recor sheet is conducted from the feed spool beneath the control spool A so as to have direct contact with the transfer sheet D carried by said control spool. The record sheet is wound as re- -quired upon a take-up spool H, the latter being supported by shifting bearings so that the take-up spool will have frictional contact with the control spool suflicient to impart rotative movement to the take-up spool, whereby traveling movement is imparted to the record sheet by the positively driven control spool, the latter acting to impart rotative movement to the take-up spool by reason of the frictional contact between the two spools A, H. The frictionally driven take-up spool H is on a shaft whichjis fitted in open end bearings onslots h of swinging arms H having pivotal connection at 71 with the frame. plates, said arms H, being inclined toward the control spool in order that the take-up spool may contact by the weight thereof with said control spool.,

' I designate the traveling and rotatable stylus-carrying member adapted for cooperation with the control spool, said member I being controlled by a counter-weighted float J. The member I is, in practice, a double cone, the surfaces 1', i" of which face in opposite directions,and the apices of said conesbein in the planeof the axis of a .hub i. The periphery of the double cone member is provided with an annular groove j in which is fitted the cord or cable 7" I 'of the float,'one end of said cable being,at-

. whereby the rise and fall of the float imparts rotative movement to the marking cone I.

axial bore or passage is, adaptedto accommodate a sleeve K which is slidable within the hub The sleeve acts as a guide for a stylus spindle L, one end portion of which normally protrudes beyond the sleeve so that the stylus Z is in frictional contact with the record sheet G. The sleeve K and the stylus spindle L are normally projected an operating distance beyond the hub of the double cone by a spring M incased within the hub and seated against one part of the. cone, said spring acting against a follower m which is in contact with the inner end portion of. the tube K and the stylus spindle L, see Fig. l. The back thrust of the stylus on the spindle and the spring is taken up by an anti-friction ball N, the latter being rotatably fitted. in a recess of the cone 1. This thrust ball rides against the flange n of a rail N, so that the action of the spring upon the cone I will not detract from the free rotation of the cone in its traversing movement with respect to the control spool A. It is preferredto divide the stylus spindle L so as to form a pivoted section L, adapted to be held in fixed relation to the sleeve K by a pin 0 which fits in a bayonet groove 0 provided in the sleeve K. It is apparent that the pivoted section L of the stylus may be adjusted by withdrawing the stud 0 from the slot 0", thus allowing the pivoted section and the stylus to be shifted into and out-of-service position relatively to the record sheet and the control spool, thus making provision for the adjustment of the record sheet or the replacement of said sheet as desired, but when the instrument is in service the. pivoted sectioncarrying the stylus locked to the sleeve K by adjusting the stud 0 in the bayonet slot of said sleeve.

The carrying member I is mounted for traversing movement by means which minimizes the frictional engagementof said marking member with its supporting means. To thisend I provide supporting rails P, P

.which are attached in a suitable way to downwardly converging ,standards 7), the latter being suitably fastened to the base B. The rails P, P are'recessed to accommodate contact rails Q, Q, shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Each contact rail consists of a length or bar of metal circular in cross section, or having any other desired cross.

sectional form with a curved surface positioned for frictional contact with the conical surfaces 2', i of the member I. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 2 and 4 that the member I is positioned between the rails .P, P for the conical surfaces of said mem-.

her to have frictional contact with the rails Q, Q, the convex surfaces of which afford as follows A sheet of carbon paper, preferably of good quality, is wound upon the control spool, the stylus being adjusted out of the. way and the take-up spool bein shifted away from the control spool. The prepared record sheet is wound upon the feed spool, and is conducted into contact with the transfer surface on the control spool and then wound. upon the take-up spool, the latter being'restored into contact with the control spool. The stylus having been readjusted into contact with the record sheet, the recorder is in condition for operation. Assuming the float does not rise or fall, it is apparent that the. rotation of the control spool, the consequent feed of the record sheet and the operation of the stylus will result in a mark extending in a straight line along the record sheet. As the float rises or falls, the cable imparts rotative movement to the drum, and the frictional contact of said drum with the rails, causes a traversing movement to be given to the drum and the stylus, hence the conjoint action of the moving record sheet and the. traveling stylus will produce on the record sheet a chart or diagram indicative of. the condition of the water.

It is apparent that the diagram produced upon the record sheet is due to the pressure of the stylus against said sheet and the contact of the latter with the transfer surface. The record sheet is removed at the proper time and subjected to heat and pressure, so that the transfer material will become in-, corporated with the wax or paraffin on the record sheet, thus resulting in a permanent record.

It will be noted that the time train operates independently of the marking drum so that the time train continues in operation while adjusting the paper for time. The center of the conical marking drum does not change in elevation with respect to the central longitudinal axis of said drum, hence the pointer describes a straight line in its may be produced simultaneously on the same sheet.

As shown, spreaders T are used between the carrying rails to maintain the latter in fixed relation. Said rails are parallel, as

whereby a' low condition may be graphically depicted, the same being very desirable in some cases.

All the working parts may obviouslybe incased to exclude moisture and dust. The

stylus may be an alloy of nickel steel or any other suitable material. The instrument operates with very little friction, and with no apparent lost motion or cramping in any of its parts. It is sensitive to changes in the fluid level. By reason of the absence of gears and belts, the energy required to operate the marking spool is minimized, hence the translation in the rise and fall of the fluid is obtained in a most direct manner. The ratchet mechanism is a simple and effective contrivance for the time "train Weight. Apparently, the angularity of the conical drum can be varied as required, for the reason that slight changes in the angle may be demanded by practical service in order to secure good results. Said drum may be composed of metal, such as an alloy of steel, and any wear on the surface of said drum? is compensated for by shifting the standard which forms a part of the drum guide.

In the drawings I have shown the double cone marking member I as having smooth surfaces 95 i, but it is apparent that said surfaces z i may be grooved or stepped in an obvious manner and for an apparent purpose.

Having thus fullydescribed the invention, what I claim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a recorder of the class described, a bearing surface, a marking drum positioned for frictional contact'with said bearing surface, and means for rotating said drum and to impart, by frictional contact with said bearing surface, a traversing movement to said drum relatively to the bearing surface, in combination with the record sheet, means for moving the same, and astylus movable with said marking drum. v

2. -Ina recorder-of the class described, a bearing surface, a markingdrum mounted in frictional contact'with said bearing surface, and means for rotating said drum whereby the frictional contact of the rotatable drum with said bearing surface results in a traversing movementof'the drum with respect to the bearing surface, in combination with a record sheet, means for feeding the same, a' stylus movable with the markingdrum, and means for impelling said stylus into vforcible contact with said record sheet.

- 3. In a recorder of thebclass described, a bearing surface, a marking, drum positioned for direct frictional contact with said bearing surface, and means for rotating said drum whereby the frictional contact of the drum with the bearing'surface results in a traversing movement of the drum with re-' spect to said bearing surface, in combination with a rotative member the axis of which is parallel to the line of traversing movement imparted to the marking drum, a transfer surface on said rotatable member, a time train for driving therotatable member, a

record sheet in contact with the transfer surface of the rotatable member, and a stylus carried by the marking drum for contact under pressure with the record sheet.

4. In a recorder of the class described, the combination of a rotatable member, a transfer surface thereon, a time train for driving the rotatable member, a record sheet in direct contact with the transfer surface and adapted to be fed by the movement thereof,

a bearing surface parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, a marking drum mounted for direct frictional contact with said bearing surface, means for rotating the marking drum so that the frictional contact of said drum with the bearing surface will result in a traversing movement of the drum in a path parallel to the plane of the record sheet, and a yieldably mounted stylus movable with the marking drum and positioned for direct frictional contact with the record sheet.

5. In a recorder of the class described, a marking drum comprising tapering parts positioned to face in opposite directions, and a plurality of rails constituting a bearing surface with which the tapering parts of the drum, are in direct frictional contact, in

combination with means for rotating said drum so as to impart thereto a traversing movement relatively to the rails, a record. sheet, means for feeding said record sheet,

a stylus mounted in said marking drum for a traversing movement with respect to the rails, a record sheet, means for feeding it, and a stylus mounted directly in the marking drum at the axis of rotation thereof, said stylus being movable into direct frictional contact with said record sheet.

7. In a recorder of the class described, a plurality of rails constituting a bearing surface, a marking drum in frictional contact with said rails, and a spring actuated stylus mounted directly in the marking drum in the plane of the axis of rotation thereof,

- in combination with means for rotating said drum and by reason of its frictional contact with the rails imparting a traversing movement thereto, a rotatable member, a transfer surface thereon, a record sheet in contact with said transfer surface, and, means for feeding the record sheet.

8. In a device of the class described, the

combination with means for carrying a' transfer surface, and means for presenting a fibrous sheet in contact therewith, of a track parallel to the surfaces of the transfer surface carrier and the fibrous sheet, a rotatable and traveling member supported by the track and movable along to the paper sheet and the transfer surface, a stylus slidably mounted on said rotatable and traveling member in the plane of the axis of rotation thereof, and means exerting pressure for rotating said drum whereby the frictional contact of the drum with the bearing surface imparts atraversing motion to the drum wit-h respect to the bearing surface and in a path substantially parallel to the surface ofthe record sheet, a stylus slidable with respect to the rotatable and traveling drum, and means for applying pressure continuously to said stylus so as to retain it in forcible and direct contact with the record sheet, whereby said stylus coacts with the record sheet for effecting the transfer to the surface of said sheet of material from the transfer surface.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with means for carrying a transfer surface, of separate means for feeding a fibrous sheet into contact with said transfer surface, a rotatable member mounted for traversing movement in a path sub stantially parallel to the surface of said fibrous sheet, a float and connections whereby rotative and traversing movement is imparted directly to said member, a stylus carried by said member and movable in the plane of the axis of rotation of said member, and pressure means cooperating with said stylus for exciting pressure constantly thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

' EUGENE SCHAUB.

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