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REMARKS ON THE LE BLANC-SOUNDING MACHINE AXD ITS USE. 



Description of the machine. 



Referring to the illustrations (Fig. 7, 8, 9) it will be seen that the machine consists of 

 two vertical frame plates firmly connected together by staybolts and angle irons and fixed on 

 the deck. The vertical frameplates carry a shaft B on which is keyed the winding drum C. 

 The shaft projects on the left-side and carries the pawl wheel E and the wire drum D. The 

 wire drum is fixed on a separate boss in such a marmer that it can easily be withdrawn and 

 replaced by another. The pawl wheel E and the wire drum D are both free to revolve on 

 the shaft. The external diameter of the wire drum without the line is slightly larger than that 

 of the capstan. 



The extreme end of the shaft B carries a coiled spring G which can be compressed 

 by the adjusting wheel F against the loose boss that carries the wire-drum D. By means of 

 the spring this boss is pressed against the pawl disc E, which in its turn is pressed against 

 the flange ff, both sides of the pawl disc E being fitted with leather rings to increase the 

 friction. A pawl, which is carried on the frame plate works into the pawl teeth of the disc E 

 and prevents it from revolving when the line is being payed out. 



By this arrangement it will be seen that owing to the friction coupling the winding 

 drum and the wire drum, although revolving in the direction, will not necessary revolve at the 

 same speed. 



When winding in the line the difference in speed is in direct proportion to the diameters 

 of the drums. The speed at the periphery being kept equal by the line passing over both 

 drums. This has the result of keeping the line taught between the one drum and the other 

 to the extent of the force required to cause the wire drum to slip between the leather collars. 

 The wire drum is fitted with a portable handle K to work it by hand when required. 



Below the winding drum the guide pulley L is slung between two links M. These links 

 allow it a certain amount of vertical motion, which is resisted by the two springs coiled round 

 the vertical rods S. These rods pass through the crosspiece O and are connected together by 

 a crosshead to which the brakeband A is attached. The other end of the brakeband is held 

 by the nut O adjustable by the handwheel N and the screw P. The brake-band consists of 

 a steel strip lined with wood. In front of the winding drum there is another pulley V which 

 drives the counter T. The pointer of this counter is adjustable. 



At the front of the machine there is a vertical erection LI carrying at the top the 

 dmible pulley Z in which is suspended the ballast-scale IV fitted with guide rollers óó, working 

 in two suitable channels. The upper part of the scale, carrying the pulley Z, is connected by 

 mcans of a dynamometer d with the lower part, which in its turn is connected to the baseplate 

 by mcans of a coiled spring working in the cylinder a. 



A number of cast-iron dises is supplied wherewith the weight in the scale can be adjusted. 



