te f 321 J 
LXIX. Improvement in the Axts of large Water-Wheels, to 
prevent the Gudgeon from getting loose in the Shaft, or to 
repair it when damaged. By Mr, Ropert Huaeues, of 
Ruaton, Denbighshire*. 
on Ot prc leave to observe to you, that from the common 
mode in which the gudgeons, for cranes or water-wheels, are 
now fixed, they are liable to heat in working, and soon become 
loose ; and by attempting to secure them with wedges, the shaft 
gets split, injured, and rendered useless. “ 
To obviate such inconveniences, and even to repair an mjured 
shaft, I have invented and practised a plan, which has perfectly 
succeeded, and of which I have sent a model to the Society. 
Upon this plan, more firmness and security is given, without 
weakening the shaft by the deep mortices usually cut therein for 
fixing the gudgeons. My invention is also cheaper than the old 
method, in which the hoops alone cost about four guineas, and 
the cast-iron gudgeon 2/. 12s.; whereas on my plan the expense 
of the whole will only be 4/. 165. If necessary, | will furnish ‘cer- 
tificates from persons who have made trial of my invention. 
I am, sir, 
Your-humble servant, 
Ruabon, Feb. 12, 1812. ‘ Rozgert HuGHs&s. 
To C. Taylor, M.D. Sec. ; 
¢ 
Certificates. 
On the 14th of June, 1811, Robert Hughes, of Ruabon, in- - 
structed me in making a cast-hoop gudgeon, for a tumbling shaft 
of a large and powerful water-wheel for grinding clay for bricks, 
tiles, &c. which I have found to be ‘a great improvement, as 
witness my hand this 3d day of October 1812. 
Trefynant, Ruabon, Denbighshire. Tuomas EVANS. 
This is to certify, that Robert Hughes, of Ruabon, formed a 
new construction of gudgeons, for the shaft of a water-wheel he 
built for me, in the year 1806, which wheel is 28 feet diameter. 
These gudgeons took in the whole body of the shaft, and wedged 
the outside. I have not been put to amy expense since the 
making thereof, nor am likely so to be until the shaft decays by 
time. In short, I cannot speak too much in his praise, with re-" 
gard to his ingenuity and workmanship. Witness my hand, at 
the Pant Mill, August 20, 1812. 
‘ dont Tuomas MANLEY. 
* From Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. for 
1813.—The Society’s silver medal was voted to Mr. Hughes for this com- 
munication. 
Vol. 43. No. 193. May 1814. x The 
