The regulator, Fig. 11, consists of a strong bellows supporting a weight of 370 pounds, partly counterpoised by 80 pounds in order to prevent the bellows from sagging. When the pressure of air from the blower exceeds the weight, the bellows commences to rise, and, in so doing, closes the valve V.
This arrangement was found in practice to be insufficient, and the following addition was made: A valve was placed at P, and the pipe was tapped a little farther on, and a rubber tube led to a water-gauge, Fig 12. The column of water in the smaller tube is depressed, and, when it reaches the horizontal part of the tube, the slightest variation of pressure sends the column from one end to the other. This is checked by an assistant at the valve; so that the column of water is kept at about the same place, and the pressure thus rendered very nearly constant. The result was satisfactory, though not in the degree anticipated. It was possible to keep the mirror at a constant speed for three or four seconds at a time, and this was sufficient for an observation. Still it would have been more convenient to keep it so for a longer time.
I am inclined to think that the variations were due to changes in the friction of the pivots rather than to changes of pressure of the blast of air.
It may be mentioned that the test of uniformity was very delicate, as a change of speed of one or two hundredths of a turn per second could easily be detected.
Method Followed in Experiment.
It was found that the only time during the day when the atmosphere was sufficiently quiet to get a distinct image was during the hour after sunrise, or during the hour before sunset. At other times the image was "boiling" so as not to be recognizable. In one experiment the electric light was used at night, but the image was no more distinct than at sunset, and the light was not steady.
The method followed in experiment was as follows: The fire was started half an hour before, and by the time everything was ready the gauge would show 40 or 50 pounds of steam. The mirror was adjusted by signals, as before described. The heliostat was placed and adjusted. The revolving mirror was inclined to the right or left, so that the direct reflection of light from the slit, which otherwise would flash into the eye-piece at every revolution, fell either above or below the eye-piece.[[2]]