A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines / containing a clear exposition of their principles and practice

by Andrew Ure

This cylindrical box pulley is made in two parts, k and l, and slipped upon the axle with a toothed wheel m, intervening between them. The box and wheel are shewn detached in [fig. 343.], and partly in section at [fig. 344.] That portion of the box with its pulley marked l, is fixed to the shaft g; but the other part of the box and its pulley k, and the toothed wheel m, slide loosely round upon the shaft g, and when brought in contact and confined by a fixed collar n, as in the machine shewn at [fig. 342.], they constitute two distinct pullies, one being intended to actuate the spindles, and the other the bobbins.

In the web of the wheel m, a small bevel pinion o, is mounted upon an axle standing at right angles to the shaft g, which pinion is intended to take into the two bevel pinions p and q, respectively fixed upon bosses, embracing the shaft in the interior of the boxes k and l. Now it being remembered that the pinion q, and its box l, are fixed to the shaft g, and turn with it, if the loose wheel m be independently turned upon the shaft, with a different velocity, its pinion o, taking into q, will be made to revolve upon its axle, and to drive the pinion p, and pulley box k, in the same direction as the wheel m; and this rotatory movement of the box k and wheel m, may be faster or slower than the shaft g, and box l, according to the velocity with which the wheel m is turned.

Having explained the construction of the box pullies k and l, which are the peculiar features of novelty claimed under this patent, their office and advantage will be seen by describing the general movements of the machine.

The main shaft g, being turned by the band and rigger A, as above said, the train of wheels h, connected with it, drives the shaft i, which at its reverse end has a pinion (not seen in the figure,) that actuates the whole series of drawing rollers a. Upon the shaft i there is a sliding pulley r, carrying a band s, which passes down to a tension pulley t, and is kept distended by a weight. This band s, in its descent, comes in contact with the surface of the cone u, and causes the cone to revolve by the friction of the band running against it. The pulley r is progressively slidden along the shaft i, by means of a rack and weight not shewn, but well understood as common in these kind of machines, and which movement of the pulley is for the purpose of progressively shifting the band s from the smaller to the larger diameter of the cone, in order that the speed of its rotation may gradually diminish as the bobbins fill by the winding-on of the yarns.

At the end of the axle of the cone u a small pinion v is fixed, which takes into the teeth of the loose wheel m, and, as the cone turns, drives the wheel m round upon the shaft g, with a speed dependent always upon the rapidity of the rotation of the cone. Now the box pulley l, being fixed to the main shaft g, turns with one uniform speed, and by cords passing from it over guides to the whorls f, drives all the spindles and flyers, which twist the yarns with one continued uniform velocity; but the box pulley k, being loose upon the shaft, and actuated by the bevel pinions within, as described, is made to revolve by the rotation of the wheel m, independent of the shaft, and with a different speed from the pulley box l; cords passing from this pulley box k, over guides to small pullies under the bobbins, communicate the motion, whatever it may be, of the pulley box k, to the bobbins, and cause them to turn, and to take up or wind the yarn with a speed derived from this source, independent of, and different from, the speed of the spindle and flyer which twist the yarn.

It will now be perceived, that these parts being all adjusted to accommodate the taking up movements to the twisting or spinning of any particular quality of yarn intended to be produced, any variations between the velocities of the spinning and taking up, which another quality of yarn may require, can easily be effected, by merely changing the pinion v, for one with a different number of teeth, which will cause the wheel m, and the pulley box k, to drive the bobbins faster or slower, as would be required in winding-on fine or coarse yarn, the speed of the twisting or spinning being the same.

The rovings or spongy cords, of greater or less tenuity, made on the bobbin and fly, or tube roving frame, are either spun immediately into firm cohesive yarn, or receive a further preparation process in the stretching frame, which is, in fact, merely a mule-jenny, without the second draught and second speed, and therefore need not be described at present, as it will be in its place afterwards.

The finishing machines of a cotton mill, which spin the cohesive yarn, are of two classes; 1. the water-twist or throstle, in which the twisting and winding are performed simultaneously upon progressive portions of the roving; and, 2. the mule, in which the thread is drawn out and stretched, with little twist, till a certain length of about 5 feet is extended, then the torsion is completed, and the finished thread is immediately wound upon the spindles into double conical coils called cops.