Improvements in Valve Mechanism for Steam Engines and Pumps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th May, 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valve Mechanism for Steam Engines and Pumps.
I, ALFRED COLLMANN, of 18 Beatrixgasse III, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria
Hungary, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
The object of this invention is to render the cut-off and, if required, nearly the entire
stroke of the valve very rapid, and also to so reduce the speed of such valves just before
they reach their seats that they are closed gently and without shock. If for example,
during the piston stroke h, Figure 2, of a steam engine the inlet-valve is lifted
according to the curve c c c that is to say, if the distance of the valve from its seat at
any portion of the piston stroke is represented by the height of the curve c c c above
the stroke line h, then the lines representing the descent of the valve are steep
curves m m m which according to this improvement become nearly horizontal at z z on
the valve closing line o o where the gentle closing of the valve is indicated. Accord-
ing to the present invention this end is attained by means of a cataract CC supplied
with an appropriate liquid such as oil, the piston of this cataract being connected with
the valve rod vv (Figure 1). When the pivot joint B is moved downward by means
of a distributing rod S B actuated by an eccentric, or by an oscillating or rotary
distributing link, then, through the medium of pawls K and K¹ which co-operate
with the lever J, the valve will be lifted at Ve Figure 1 according to the curve cc c
Figure 2. If then, by the action of a regulating device R Figure 3 and of a regulating
cam Q, the pawls K K¹ are released for effecting any predetermined cut off, the valve
closes, under spring or other pressure, controlled by the cataract.
The piston of the cataract C C is mounted on the valve-rod vv, Figure 1, and in
order to avoid the necessity for a stuffing box such as shown in Figure 5 below the
cataract-cylinder the latter is provided with a central tube m m extending upward
above the liquid level t t. The upper part of the cataract piston 00, is adapted to
slide up and down externally upon this central pipe or tube m m while fitting easily
upon it, by this device the friction of a stuffing box is obviated and air efficiently
prevented from entering the space below the cataract piston. The peripheral surface
of this piston 00 is, as shown in Figure 14, provided with a row of holes l, l, l, through
which the liquid passes, entering below the piston when this latter moves upward;
these holes being gradually opened while sliding against an edge ii of the cataract
cylinder. In more rapid-acting engines, it is advisable, in order to ensure the
absolutely reliable operation of the cataract with oil, that small annular valves & s¹ or
the like be provided.
When the raised valve is released and suddenly tends to close by reason of spring
or other suitable pressure, the oil first flows almost without resistance through the
entirely open holes and the valve descends very rapidly. The holes are tapered
at their upper portions so as to form apices, and until the apices of the holes are
covered by the edge ii of the cataract cylinder, the cross-sectional area for the
passage of oil decreases constantly but very rapidly toward the point of cut off, and
the speed of the valves before arriving at their seats is materially reduced by the

page_text: counter-action of the cataract liquid, thus a gentle closing of the valves is ensured.
As, during this operation no air, but a practically non-expansible liquid substance such
as oil is used, this closing is nearly proportional to the area for the passage of the said
liquid, so that the speed of the valve at closing can be exactly fixed by suitably shap-
ing the said openings 4, l, which may take the form shown at m, Figure 5. Instead
of being formed in the piston these holes may be arranged in the cataract-cylinder
itself or in both these parts so as to supplement each other. These holes may also be
constructed without apices, in which case appropriate small holes, which may be
made adjustable, are arranged in the cataract-piston or in the cataract-cylinder, in
place of the aforementioned holes.
Another constructional form of this cataract is shown in Figure 1. In this
example the cataract piston 010 is a dise, and the cataract cylinder is constructed
with a suitably curved wall R R, so that when the piston is in its raised position, a
large annular cross sectional area is provided for the passage of the oil between the
periphery of the piston and the circular wall R R. During the down stroke of the
piston (toward the point of cut off) this area is gradually but very rapidly diminished,
and, finally leaving only a small annular opening between the piston and the wall R R,
secures a gentle closing of the valve. The piston body may in this example also be
curved and the cataract cylinder wall may be straight. Moreover in this con-
structional example the piston may be made so as to exactly fit while the valve speed
is regulated by openings provided in the piston or cylinder which openings may be
made adjustable. The return of the oil to the lower part of the cataract inay again
be ensured by the aid of small valves arranged in the piston or in the cylinder.
The general arrangement of this distributing device is apparent from Figure 3, in
which the inclined rod R, acting through the cam shaft Q upon the pawl device effects
the distribution of the steam. The slight resistance of this distributing device also
permits of the variation in the working effect of the distributing rod upon the cam
shaft Q by means of a movable ring actuated by a simple pendulum-governor P,
Figure 3 which acts through the medium of a rod x, y inclined at an angle of about
45 degrees to the distributor shaft.
If in steam engines, as is illustrated in Figure 4, Sheet 1, the valve V is lifted in
such a manner that the space T T above the piston K, is alternately freed from, and
subjected to the steam pressure in the passage D by means of a pipe r, the nipid
upward travel of the valve requires a gradual check. For this purpose the cataract C
is made double, the constructional arrangement being such that for the up-stroke the
oil is enclosed in the chamber a a and is forced through the notches all
Figure 4 provided on the periphery of the piston, and the gentle termination of the
upward stroke is obtained by means of the pointed portions of these notches a",
sliding over the inner edge of central cylinder wall. When the pipe r is again set
in communication with the steam space at D D., the valve closes very rapidly under
spring or other pressure, while the oil is discharged from the cataract space bb for
example through the free annular space R* R* formed, when the piston o is lifted,
between the piston periphery and the curved wall of the cylinder; thus a reduction in
the cross sectional area of the passage R*, R*, is produced which ensures the gentle
closing of the valve upon its seat. Instead of einploying the arrangement just
described it is of course possible to use a piston with transverse holes opening at the
periphery as in Figure 1 where small valves in the cataract piston as before described
are also shown. These valves may be in the cylinder itself, and are provided to ensure
the return of the oil to the lower part of the cataract.
If in steam engines or in air pumps (Compressors), such as shown in Figure 5, the
valve V V is lifted by pressure from below, and subsequently again closed from above
by an additional counter-pressure the closure can be adjusted quite noiselessly by the
aid of the cataract C C containing the liquid, in co-operation with the double
chamber m and n. In this case the lift of the valve is adjustable by means of the
piston body O2, Figure 5, which can be set by means of an eccentric disc. Thus for
example the said piston 02 can enter the cylindrical space n n in the cataract-piston O.
A large initial, annular space for the passage of the oil is left free between the

page_text: edge and the curved piston body 0%, whilst toward the end of the stroke this
annular space is contracted, thereby ensuring a gentle termination of the stroke.
The closing of the valve is effected gently by the liquid enclosed in the space m m
and flowing through the notches mm, Figure 5, in exactly the same manner,
while the said notches pass the cylinder edge i i.
In pumps for acting upon liquids, the opening of, the valve may, as shown in
Figure 6, be effected in a direction opposite to the thrust of a spring, whilst by
means of the liquid enclosed in the space w w and flowing through the
openings woll, Figure 6', a rapid but gentle valve closure ensured.
This pump valve mechanism may be further improved as shown in Figure 7. The
valve rod vis here connected to a piston K*, which, by means of a spring and by
connecting the space & s' above the piston K with the air pump or with a special
small charging and discharging pump, receives alternately a greater or less pressure
for respectively closing and opening. Again, the cataract-valve space r* * filled with
liquid, owing to the shape of the openings Figure 7, allows of a rapid valve
travel slackened, however, toward the extremity of the stroke, while the liquid
space && placed under higher spring and piston pressure, allows of a rapid closing of
the valve owing to the formation of the openings which, sliding over the cylinder
edge i i produce the variable area for the passage of the liquid, so that the seating of
the valve takes place gently. The valve for a pump for air or other gases shown in
Figure 5 may be operated in a similar manner,
If required, small valves may again ensure the reliable action of the cataract
piston.
It is especially easy to leave the cataract cylinder and piston filled and to arrange
in the piston itself or in the sides of the cataract cylinder, a smaller regulating piston
adapted to move together with the cataract piston; the former is, similarly to the
cataract piston O, constructed with notches, or with a curved periphery, or it moves
against a curved cylinder surface and thus forins the variable area for the passage of
the liquid. Finally these variable cross sectional areas may be formed by suitably
actuated valves, cocks or slides, whereby the same cataract action may be obtained.
In order to provide for the proper operation of outlet valves such as at Va,
Figure 3, in steam engines, a regulating action similarly efficient to that effected by
the oil cataract may be obtained. A cam D is set in oscillating motion by an
eccentric A, and this cam actuates the outlet valve at V by means of the roller R
and the lever R I. As in this operation only the speed of a minimum weight of parts
is to be accelerated and retarded by the action of the cam, this arrangement allows
of obtaining the abrupt valve action diagrammatically shown in Figure 3, a gentle
closing effect of the valves being produced in each stroke h executed by the steam
engine piston. For rapid acting engines it is often necessary that this cam regulating.
device with a minimum number of parts, as shown in Figure 10, be connected with a
distributing device for giving a variable expansion. In this case the eccentric rod
ANO of the eccentric A is located in a guide NK which rests at K upon the
expansion crank, E p p K, Figures 1° and 2°, actuated by the governor. Now
according to the position of this expansion crank between K and K the pivot-point
O, effects a suitable movement which cuts off the steam at any position lying between
zero and the point of maximum admission, which movement is, in an improved and
most distinct manner transmitted to the inlet valve at Ve by the action of the
oscillating cam D through the medium of the roller R, Figure 1° and the lever I.
Instead of using a roller R, a fixed slide G Figure 1 may be employed. Moreover
instead of the cranked-lever R I, Figure 1°, a straight lever, such as shown in.
Figure 10, may be used. The eccentric rod itself may, as shown in Figure 30, also
be so arranged that the expansion guide or link N' K" and the expansion crank E¹ K"
act at the extremity of the eccentric rod and the distributing rod inay be jointed at 0¹
or at the other side of the eccentric at 011. The control of the outlet valve is either
derived from a pivot C Figure 1°, adjustably mounted on the eccentric which
regulates the inlet valve, or by a separate eccentric A" P shown at Figure 30,
The

page_text: improved regulating action of the outlet, valve at Va, is- effected by the oscillating
cain D', the roller R' and the lever, R1 I.
Instead of the guide N K- and the, expansion crank E K, Figures 10 and 20, an
adjustable guide or link X X Figure 40 inay be provided, which when displaced by
the governor rod z z¹, produces such variations in the steam distribution as will suit
all loads. There may be as in Figure. 10 and 20, one such distributing device
arranged for each end of the cylinder, or a more complicated, modification
thereof may, as shown in Figures 4° and 410, be so arranged as to actuate both
inlet-valves.
...The symmetrical distributing motion produced in Y, extending nearly equally up
and down which adjusts the position of the link or guide for all degrees of expansion,
is transmitted to an oscillating cam shaft N N, Figures 4°, 41° by means of a
distributing rod I I. This shaft. N N carries two cams D and D', of which one (see
Figure 4° and Figure 40 is turned npward and the other downward, whereby.the
oscillating shaft alternately operates the two inlet valves at Ve by means of the
roller R and the lever PQ. Instead of using rollers R, fixed slides may be employed as
shown in Figure 46°. Likewise, instead of the sliding guide X X of the eccentric
link a corresponding guide band bil rl Figure 5° may be arranged for the
pivot U.
This guide may also, similarly to the device represented in Figure 3°, be arranged.
at the eccentric rod-extremity I, Figure 5°, in which case one such distributing
device would be always sufficient for both ends of the cylinder. In distributing
devices for the medium or low pressure cylinders of engines with two or three
cylinders, in which a fixed expansion only is required, it is sufficient that the inlet
valves, as indicated in Figure 1, be actuated from an eccentric E e, in such a way
that this simple eccentric motion, is, in the improved manner transmitted to the inlet
valve, arranged at Ve, by means of the oscillating cam D, the roller R and the lever J, J.
In the same way the outlet valves arranged at Va are actuated by a second
eccentric Ea in cooperation with the cam D' and roller lever R' J". This roller lever
may, as shown in Figure 1x also be constructed in the form of an angle lever and
the cam may be arranged so as to engage the roller either from above or from below.
Another modification of this improved oscillating cam mechanism is shown in
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. A spring governor F F, Figures 4 and 5, alters the
position of the distributing crank pin Z, either as shown in Figure 4, by the direct
engagement of the distributing rod R Z, or as shown in Figure 5*, the governor
indirectly alters the position of the distributing crank Y Z by means of the
intermediate lever B B and the tappet C. The distributing crank pin Z, adjustable
between Z and Z will always produce a motion of the valve in two directions suitable
for all degrees of expansion. This valve actuating motion as shown in Figures 2x and 3*
is transmitted from the distributing crank pin Z to the oscillating cam shaft N Ni
by means of the distributing rod Z E, whereby the upwardly and downwardly
directed cains D and D are caused to alternately actuate the inlet valves, arranged at
Ve in an improved manner, through the medium of rollers R and levers PQ. An
eccentric A¹ for operating the outlet valves oscillates the cam shaft M M by means of
the eccentric rod A E¹, which by means of the two cams D and Du and
levers R¹ P Q actuates alternately the two outlet valves, situated at Va. Instead of
the distributing pin Z,for the inlet valves, the distributing eccentric X may, as shown
in Figure 6x, be so moveable about the fixed eccentric X" by the spring actuated
governor rods mo and m o' that the centre of the distributing eccentric X,
oscillating between e and e, will effect the movement for the distribution of steam
for all degrees of expansion in two directions. This construction therefore admits of
the arrangement of the spring actuated governor either, as indicated in Figures 2x
and 3*, on the distributing shaft W, or this distributing device may be arranged on
the fly wheel or on an intermediate shaft such as shown at F" in Figure 7. In
such case the eccentric rod X Y for the distribution actuates the cams D¹ and D" by
means of the intermediate lever H and the connecting rod J J.

page_text: By the aid of the cams D' and D the rollers R and R¹ connected to the valve rods
actuate alternately the two inlet valves at Vel Vell with certainty and efficiency.
Dated this 26th day of September 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
.45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
men
team Engines
imps.
I, ALFRED COLLMANN, of 18 Beatrixgasse III, Vienna, in the Empire of Austria-
Hungary, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to render the cut off and, if required, nearly the
entire stroke of the valve very rapid, and also to so reduce the speed of such valves just
before they reach their seats that they are closed gently and without shock.
In the following description reference will be made to the drawings filed with my
provisional specification.
If, for example, during the piston stroke h, Figure 2, of a steam engine the inlet-
valve is lifted according to the curve ccc that is to say, if the distance of the valve
from its seat at any portion of the piston stroke is represented by the height of the
curve c, c, c above the stroke line h, then the lines representing the descent of the
valve are the steep curves m m m which, according to this improvement become
nearly horizontal at z, zon the valve-closing line o o where the gentle closing of the
valve is indicated. According to the present invention this end is attained by means
of a cataract C C supplied with an appropriate liquid such as oit, the piston of this
cataract being connected with the valve rod v, v (Figure 1). When the pivot joint B
is moved downward by means of a distributing rod S B actuated by an eccentric, or by
an oscillating or rotary distributing link, then, through the medium of
pawls K and K which co-operate with the lever J, the valve will be..lifted at. Ve
Figure 1 according to the curve ccc Figure 2. If then, by the action of a regulating
device R Figure 3 and of a regulating cam Q, the pawls K K1 are released for, effecting
any pre-determined cut off, the valve closes, under spring or other pressure, controlled
by the cataract.
The piston of the cataract C C is mounted on the, valve-rod vv, Figure 1; and,. in
order to avoid the necessity for a stuffing box such as shown in Figure 5 below the
cataract-cylinder the latter is provided with a central tube m m extending upward
above the liquid level t t. The upper part of the cataract piston 00 is adapted to
slide,.up and down externally upon this central pipe or tube m m while fitting, easily
upon it, by this device the friction of a stuffing. box is obviated and any air efficiently
prevented from entering the space below the cataract piston. The peripheral surface
of this piston 0.0. is, as shown in Figure 1, provided with a cone of holes lll,
through which the liquid passes, and entering below the piston when this latter, moves
upward; these holes being gradually.opened while sliding against an., edge ii of..the
cataract cylinder.. In more rapid-acting engines, it is, advisable, in order to ensure
the absolutely reliable operation of the cataract with oil, that small annular valves 8¹ 8¹
or the.like to be provided.
When the raised valve is released and suddenly.tends to close by reason of spring or
other suitable pressure, the oil. first flows almost. without resistance through, the
entirely open holes and the valve descends very rapidly.. The holes, are, tapered
at their upper portions so as to form apices, and until the apices of, the holes. are

page_text: covered by the edge of the cataract cylinder, the cross-sectional area for the
passage of oil decreases constantly but very rapidly toward the point of cut off, and
the speed of the valves before arriving at their seats is materially reduced by the
counter-action of the cataract-liquid, thus a gentle closing of the valves is ensured.
As, during this operation no air, but a practically non-expansible liquid substance
such as oil is used, this closing is nearly proportional to the area for the passage of the
said liquid, so that the speed of the valve at closing can be exactly fixed by suitable
shaping the said openings, which may take the form shown at m. Figure 5.
Instead of being carried by the piston these holes may be arranged in the cataract-
cylinder itself; in both these parts, so as to supplement each other. These holes may
also be constructed without apices, in which case appropriate small holes, which may
be made adjustable, are arranged in the cataract-piston or in the cataract-cylinder, in
place of the aforementioned holes.
Another constructional form of this cataract is shown in Figure 1. In this example
the cataract piston 0 0' is a disc, and the cataract cylinder is constructed with a
suitably curved wall R' R', so that when the piston is in its raised position, a large
annular cross sectional area is provided for the passage of the oil between the periphery of
the piston and the circular wall R¹ R. During the down stroke of the piston (toward
the point of cut off) this area is gradually but very rapidly diminished, and finally
leaving only a small annular opening between the piston and the wall R' R', secures
a gentle closing of the valve. The piston body may in this example also be curved
and the cataract cylinder wall may be straight. Moreover in this constructional
example the piston may be made so as to exactly fit while the valve speed is regulated
by openings provided in the piston or cylinder which openings may be made
adjustable. The return of the oil to the lower part of the cataract may again be
ensured by the aid of small valves arranged in the piston or in the cylinder.
The general arrangement of this distributing device is apparent from Figure 3, in
which the inclined rod S acting through the cain shaft Q upon the pawl device
effects the distribution of the steam. The slight resistance of this distributing device
also permits of the variation in the working effect of the distributing rod upon the
cain shaft. Q1 by means of a movable ring actuated by a governor P, Figure 3,
which acts through the medium of a rod z y inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees
to the distributor shaft.
is
If in steam engines, as is illustrated in Figure 4, Sheet i, the valve Ve is lifted in
such a manner that the space T T" above the piston K, is alternately freed from, and
subjected to the steam pressure in the passage D by means of a pipe r, the rapid
upward travel of the valve requires a gradual check. For this purpose the cataract C
is made double, the constructional arrangement being such that for the up-stroke the
oil is enclosed in the chamber a a and is forced through the notches all all al,
Figure 4 provided on the periphery of the piston and the gentle termination of the
upward stroke is obtained by means of the pointed portions of these notches a",
sliding over the inner edge of the central cylinder wall. When the pipe
again set in communication with the steam space at DD, the valve closes very rapidly
under spring or other pressure, while the oil is discharged from the cataract space bb
for example through the free annular space R* R* formed, when the piston o is lifted,
between the piston-periphery and the curved wall of the cylinder; thus a reduction
in the cross sectional area of the passage Rx Rx is produced which ensures the gentle
closing of the valve upon its seat. Instead of employing the arrangement just
described, it is of course possible to use a piston with transverse holes opening at the
periphery as in Figure 1, where small valves in the cataract piston as before described
are also shown. These valves may be in the cylinder itself, and are provided to ensure
the return of the oil to the lower part of the cataract.
If in steam engines or in air pumps (Compressors), such as shown in Figure 5,
the valve V V is lifted by pressure from below, and subsequently again closed from
above by an additional counter-pressure the closure can be adjusted quite noiselessly
by the aid of the cataract C C containing the liquid, in co-operation with the double
chamber me and n. In this case the lift of the valve is adjustable by means of the

page_text: piston body O, Figure 5, which can be set by means of an eccentric disc. Thus for
example the said piston 0 can enter the cylindrical space n n in the cataract-piston O.
A large initial annular space for the passage of the oil is left free between the edge i³¿¹
and the curved piston body 0', whilst toward the end of the stroke this annular space
is contracted thereby ensuring a gentle termination of the stroke.
The closing of the valve is effected gently by the liquid enclosed in the space mim
and flowing through the notches a" m", Figure 5, in exactly the same manner,
while the said notches pass the cylinder edge i.
In pumps for acting upon liquids, the opening of the valve may, as shown in
Figure 6, be effected in a direction opposite to the thrust of a spring, whilst by means
of the liquid enclosed in the space ww and flowing through the openings w" 2011,
Figure 6', a rapid but gentle valve closure is ensured.
This pump valve mechanism may be further improved as shown in Figure 7. The
valve rode is here connected to a piston K, which, by means of a spring and by
connecting the space 8' 8 above the piston K1 with the said pump or with a special
small charging and discharging pump, receives alternately a greater or less pressure
for respectively closing and opening the valve. Again, the cataract-valve space
filled with liquid,owing to the shape of the openings Figure 7 allows of a rapid
valve travel slackened, however toward the extremity of the stroke, while the liquid
space 8 8 placed under higher spring and piston pressure, allows of a rapid closing of
the valve owing to the formation of the openings which, sliding over the cylinder
edge i i produce to the variable area for the passage of the liquid, so that the seating
of the valve takes place gently. The valve for a pump, for air or other gases shown in
Figure 5 may be operated in a similar manner.
If required, small valves may again ensure the reliable action of the cataract
piston.
It is especially easy to leave the cataract cylinder and piston filled and to 'arrange
in the piston itself or in the sides of the cataract cylinder, a smaller regulating piston
adapted to move together with the cataract (piston; the former is, similarly to the
cataract piston O, constructed with notches, or with a curved periphery, or it moves
against a curved cylinder surface and thus forrns the variable area for the passage of
the liquid. Finally these variable cross sectional areas may be formed by
suitably nctuated valves, cocks or slides, whereby the same cataract action may
be obtained.
In order to provide for the proper operation of outlet valves such as at Va, Figure 3,
in steam engines, a regulating action similarly efficient to that effected by the oil
cataract may be obtained. A cam D is set in oscillating motion by an eccentric A,
and this cam actuates the outlet valve at V by means of the roller R and the lever R J.
As in this operation only the speed of a minimum weight of parts is to be accelerated
and retarded by the action of the cam, this arrangement allows of obtaining the
abrupt valve action diagrammatically shown in Figure 34, a gentle closing effect of
the valves being produced in each stroke A executed by the steam engine piston.
For rapid acting engines it is often necessary that this cam regulating device with 'a
minimum number of parts, as shown in Figure 10, be connected with a distributing
device for giving a variable expansion. In this case the eccentric rod A NO of the
eccentric A is located in a guide N K which rests at K upon the expansion
crank Epp K, Figures 10 and 20, actuated by the governor. Now according to the
position of this expansion crank between K and K the pivot-point 0 effects a suitable
moveinent which cuts off the steam at any position lying between zero and the point
of maximum admission, which movement is, in an improved and most distinct manner
transmitted to the inlet valve at Ve by the action of the oscillating cain D'through.
the medium of the roller R, Figure 10 and the lever J. Instead of using a roller R, a
fixed slide G Figure 1 may be employed. Moreover instead of the cranked-
lever R J, Figure 10, a straight lever, such as shown in Figure 140, may be used. The
eccentric rod itself may, as shown in Figure 30, also be so arranged that the expansion
guide or link N K" and the expansion crank E K act at the extreinity of the
eccentric rod and the 'distributing rod may be jointed at 01 or at the other side

page_text: of the eccentric at 0". The control of the outlet valve is either derived from a
pivot C, Figure 1°, adjustably mounted on the eccentric which regulates the
inlet valve, or by a separate eccentric A" P shown at Figure 30; the improved
regulating action of the outlet valve at V is effected by the oscillating cam D',
the roller R¹ and the lever R¹ J¹.
Instead of the guide N K and the expansion crank E K, Figures 10 and 20, an
adjustable guide or link X X' Figure 40 may be provided, which when displaced by
the governor rod 2,2 produces such variations in the steam distribution as will suit
all loads. There may be as in Figure 10 and 20, one such distributing device arranged
for each end of the cylinder, or a more complicated modification thereof may, as
shown in Figures do and 4'0, be so arranged as to actuate both inlet-valves.
The symmetrical distributing motion produced in y extending nearly equally up
and down, which adjusts the position of the link or guide for all degrees of expansion,
is transmitted to an oscillating cam shaft. N N Figures 40 40 by means of a
distributing rod J J. This shaft N N carries two cams D and D', of which one
(see Figure 40 and Figure 440) is turned upward and the other downward, whereby
the oscillating shaft alternately operates the two inlet valves at Ve by means of the
roller 'R and the lever P Q. Instead of using rollers R, fixed slides may be employed
as shown in Figure 40. Likewise, instead of the sliding guide X X of the eccentric
link a corresponding guide and 6" Figure 50 may be arranged for the
pivot U.
This guide may also, similarly to the device represented in Figure 30, be arranged
at the eccentric rod-extremity J, Figure 50, in which case one such distributing
device would be always sufficient for both ends of the cylinder. In distributing
devices for the medium or low pressure cylinders of engines with two or three
cylinders, in which a fixed expansion only is required, it is sufficient that the. inlet.
valves, as indicated in Figure 1, be actuated from an eccentric E, in such a way that
this simple eccentric motion, is, in the improved manner, transmitted to the inlet
valve, arranged at V, by means of the oscillating cam D, the roller K and the
lever J J. In the same way the outlet valves arranged at. V are actuated by a
This
second eccentric E in co-operation with the cam D' and roller lever R¹ J".
roller lever may, as shown in Figure 1** also be constructed in the form of an angle
lever and the cam may be arranged so as to engage the roller either from above or
from below. Another modification of this improved oscillating cam mechanism is
shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5*. A spring governor F F, Figures 4 and 5, alters
the position of the distributing crank pin Z, either as shown in Fig. 4, by the direct
engagement of, the distributing rod R Z, or as shown in Figure 5, the governor
indirectly alters the position, of the distributing crank 1 by means of the
intermediate lever B B and the tappet C. The distributing crank pin Z, adjustable
between % and 2 will always produce a motion of the valve in two directions suitable
for all degrees of expansion. This valve actuating motion, as shown in Figures 2x
and 3 is transmitted from the distributing crank pin to the oscillating cam
shaft N N by means of the distributing rod Z E, whereby the upwardly and
downwardly directed cams D and D' are caused to alternately actuate the inlet valves,
arranged at Ve in an improved manner through the medium of rollers R and
levers PQ An eccentric A¹ for operating the outlet valves oscillates the cam
shaft M M by means of the eccentric rod A¹ E', which by means of the two cams D
and D, and levers R' 1" Q', actuates alternately the two outlet valves, situated
Instead of the distributing pin % for the inlet valves, the distributing
eccentric X nay, as shown in Figure 6*, be so movable about the fixed eccentric X",
by the spring actuated governor rods m o and mo, that the centre of the distributing
eccentric X, oscillating between e and e¹, will effect the movement for the distribution
of steam for all degrees of expansion in two directions. This construction therefore
admits of the arrangement of the spring actuated governor either, as indicated in
Figures 2 and 3, on the distributing shaft W, or this distributing device may be
arranged on the fly wheel or on an intermediate shaft such as shown at Fi in
Figure 7. In such case the eccentric rod xy for the distribution actuates the

page_text: cams D¹ and D" by means of the intermediate lever H and the connecting rod J J¹.
By the aid of the cams D1 and D the rollers R and R' connected to the valve rods
actuate alternately the two inlet valves at Vel and Vell with certainty and
efficiency.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In valve mechanism for steam engines and pumps the arrangement of a cataract
provided with an appropriate liquid, the piston of the said cataract being directly or
indirectly connected to the valve rod, so that, by means of slots or holes arranged in
the periphery of the piston or upon the wall of the cataract cylinder, or by a suitably
curved piston or cataract cylinder, or by a combination of both these parts, or by
other appropriate distributing devices, a passage variable in cross sectional area is
formed for liquid by means of which the valve closing motion is regulated in a
reliable manner, a rapid closing of the valve being secured while at the same time the
valve gently comes to rest upon its seat.
2. The use of the cataract referred to in the preceding claim with an appropriate
liquid, in all kinds of pawl actuated valve mechanisms for steam engines, such as
indicated in Figure 1, the cataract having a stuffing box arranged below for the valve
rod as shown in Figure 5, or without a stuffing box according to the improved
arrangement shown in Figure 2, the valve rod traversing a pipe m m extending
upwardly above the liquid in the cataract, the bell shaped cataract piston, covering
and sliding upon the said pipe, the friction of a cataract stuffing box being then
avoided and at the same time any air prevented from entering the cataract space below
the piston.
3. The special arrangement of the valve mechanism herein referred to either with
a vertical governor as in Figure 3, or according to the simplified arrangement with a
spring actuated governor mounted on the distributing shaft Figure 3 without wheel
gear for actuating the governor in which case the displacement of the expansion
cam-shaft Q is effected by the obliquely arranged governor-rod xy.
4. The use of the cataract herein referred to with a suitable liquid, for steam
engines such as shown in Figure 4, in which the valve is lifted by the aid of spring
and stearn pressure, and the up-stroke limit as well as the closure of the valve is
regulated in a reliable manner by the action of the liquid within the cataract.
5. The use of the cataract herein referred to in air, water and other fluid pumps, as
indicated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, for regulating the up and down stroke of the valves
in a rapid, but gentle and noiseless manner; further the improvement of this pump
valve mechanism action by the alternate pressure exerted upon the valve rod for
pumps working with liquid or with gas, in combination with the action of the liquid
containing cataract, as indicated in Figure 7.
6. The use of the herein described oscillating cam mechanism, as indicated in
Figure 3 for outlet valves of steam engines; and the combination of this oscillating
cam mechanism with positively actnated distribution gear (Figures 10 and 20) and
with a positive mechanism having an oscillating double cam shaft for both ends of the
cylinder (Figures 40 and 41°).
7. The combination of the simple eccentric and rod with the improved oscillating
cam mechanism for outlet-valves (Figure 3 and Figures 10 and 20) and for inlet and
outlet valves of intermediate and low pressure cylinders, (Figure 1); also the
combination of an eccentric mechanism with the oscillating double cam shaft
(Figures 40 and 410) for outlet valves, and if required, for inlet and outlet valves of
cylinders having a fixed cut off.
8. The combination of a spring controlled governor which so actuates a distributing
pin or a distributing eccentric, that it regulates the herein described improved
distribution of steam by both inlet valves and for all points of cut off by means of the

page_text: double cain shaft (Figures 2 and 3x) or by means of the two coupled cams DIX D "X
(Figure 7), oppositely set relatively to one another.
Dated this 20th day of May 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.