The following then, describes the effect of this Machine: The Cotton being laid on this feeding cloth near B, is gently drawn under the vibrating cords at g h: for while this takes place by the action of the handle at e, the pulley f by the cord i, gives a slow motion to the cylinder B, and by it to the feeding cloth B A g h. The Cotton then passes under the strings toward B A, and is greatly agitated in the passage; and when arrived at A, it falls into any proper receptacle—whence it is taken to undergo the succeeding operations of the factory. I would just mention, finally, that the axis e f, though here supposed to be turned by the handle e, would, of course, receive it’s motion from a proper power; set on, or stopped by the usual methods.
OF
A HORIZONTAL WIND MACHINE,
For raising Water in large quantities.
This Invention has for it’s object, to make a more abundant use of the wind’s agency, at a given expence, than is usually done: and the means, generally, are to avoid a part of the expence lavished on the foundations or fixtures of wind-mills, and yet to carry more sail than that system admits of. Machines of this nature, are chiefly used in low marshy countries, where there is much water to be raised, and little solid ground to build on. My idea here, is to found the whole on the water, and to make that element the medium, and as it were the centre of every motion.
Let us then suppose already constructed, the long and narrow boat A B, [figs. 4 and 5] of [Plate 35]:—and that there is contained in the middle of it’s width, a cylindrical pipe of iron, (or a square wooden box) of equal length, serving as a pump, by means of a spherical or square piston a or b, drawn from end to end by the means soon to be described. The cost of such a pump-barrel would not be great, though it should be of considerable length—(even 300 feet would not cost so many pounds). Now, at each end of this vessel A B, there would be raised a vertical part of equal size C D, surmounted by a caster, (E F) turning, horizontally, on a hollow centre, through which a rope would pass from the aforesaid piston, (a or b) to the boat or ship S, which is the primum mobile of the System. This boat would further be made to carry as much sail as possible, and to encounter as little resistance as possible from the water. It’s properties of carrying sail, might even be enlarged, by the use of one or more out-riggers, as is done in various eastern countries.
It would be proper, likewise, to give the vessel a rudder at each end, and to reverse her motion by changing the sails, without tacking. This is also represented in the two [figures 4 and 5]: and, in the present case, the vessel is rigged with three masts, and three large sails nearly square, yet somewhat deeper on the lee side than to windward, to make the sails the more governable, though as large as possible. Supposing now, all these things arranged, and the rope N O fastened to or near the middle of the vessel, and to the aforesaid piston over the pullies of the casters E F; then, if the vessel sails in the long ellipsis 1, 2, 3, 4, the sum of the two portions of rope N, O, will be always the same; and, the wind coming from a, in the direction of the arrow, she will sail advantageously from 1 to 4, or the contrary, carrying the piston from end to end of the pump; and thus exhausting it at every passage; and filling it again from the lower water.
To recapitulate—and bring the several parts again to view; S, in [both figures], is the vessel, supposed of the best form for carrying much sail: E F are two casters with their pullies; p q are two pullies at the bottom of the vertical barrels C D, under which the rope passes to the piston at a or b, &c. In fine, q r s are the three sails, and t v the two rudders, by which the vessel is steered in either direction, so as to keep it’s wind without causing too much stress on the rope N O. This consideration involves another, which must now be cleared up: namely, how can this mechanism be made to produce the same effect in every direction of the wind? I answer, the whole System must be moored at one end A, in the strongest manner; while the opposite extremity B, shall have liberty to veer round that point, as a centre, through 90 degrees of a circle; some one position, between which extremes, will suit every wind, on this condition, that the vessel by it’s rudders, keel, &c. be able to keep her ground, although the wind should come from the convex side of the ellipsis; a thing by no means impossible, though less desirable than the state first represented.