The fourth quarter of a turn of the axis will move forward one division
all the dials marked (*); and the arrangement will finally assume the
form exhibited in fig. 5, in which the calculation is completed. The
first row T in this expresses the fifth power of 7; and the second
expresses the number which must be added to the first row, in order to
produce the fifth power of 8; the numbers in each row being prepared for
the change which they must undergo, in order to enable them to continue
the computation according to the method of alternate addition here
adopted.
Fig. 5.
Having thus explained what it is that the mechanism is required to do,
we shall now attempt to convey at least a general notion of some of the
mechanical contrivances by which the desired ends are attained. To
simplify the explanation, let us first take one particular
instance--the dials B and B^1, fig. 1, for example. Behind the dial B^1
is a bolt, which, at the commencement of the process, is shot between
the teeth of a wheel which drives the dial B: during the first quarter
of a turn this bolt is made to revolve, and if it continued to be
engaged in the teeth of the said wheel, it would cause the dial B to
make a complete revolution; but it is necessary that the dial B should
only move through three divisions, and, therefore, when three divisions
of this dial have passed under its index, the aforesaid bolt must be
withdrawn: this is accomplished by a small wedge, which is placed in a
fixed position on the wheel behind the dial B^1, and that position is
such that this wedge will press upon the bolt in such a manner, that at
the moment when three divisions of the dial B have passed under the
index, it shall withdraw the bolt from the teeth of the wheel which it
drives. The bolt will continue to revolve during the remainder of the
first quarter of a turn of the axis, but it will no longer drive the
dial B, which will remain quiescent. Had the figure at the index of the
dial B^1 been any other, the wedge which withdraws the bolt would have
assumed a different position, and would have withdrawn the bolt at a
different time, but at a time always corresponding with the number under
the index of the dial B^1: thus, if 5 had been under the index of the
dial B^1, then the bolt would have been withdrawn from between the teeth
of the wheel which it drives, when five divisions of the dial B had
passed under the index, and so on. Behind each dial in the row D^1 there
is a similar bolt and a similar withdrawing wedge, and the action upon
the dial above is transmitted and suspended in precisely the same
manner. Like observations will be applicable to all the dials in the
scheme here referred to, in reference to their adding actions upon those
above them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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