IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES TO BE USED FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRACTION ON COMMON ROADS.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Saint John Vincent Day, of No. 166, Buchanan
Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting
Engincer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINES TO BE USED FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRACTION ON COMMON ROADS.".
A communication from abroad by Alexander Campbell and Robert
Clark, both of Sacramento, in the State of California.
Scaled the 27th October 1871, and dated the 10th May 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Saint John Vincent
Day at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his, Petition,
on the 10th May 1871.
I, SAINT JOHN VINCENT DAY, of 166, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in
the County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-
POWER ENGINES TO BE USED FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRACTION ON COMMON ROADS,"
to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention, which relates to improvements in the arrangement
) or construction of motive-power engines. such as are used for agriculture

page_text: and traction on roads or streets, and whereby such engines are rendered
more efficient than hitherto, consists in attaching the cylinder or
cylinders, crank shaft brackets, and parts of the engine therewith con-
nected, to the boiler shell by bolting or rivetting two strips of metal to
the shell, and to which the cylinders and crank shaft brackets are fitted,
being held by bolts and nuts, the bolts passing through slots formed
in the soles of the cylinder and of the crank shaft brackets to receive
them. At the centre and on each side of the cylinder sole the said sole
is secured to the said pieces or strips of metal by keys driven tightly
into those parts, thereby preventing the bolts from getting loose, and
at the same time allowing the cylinders to freely expand and contract
on either side of the central bolts. The throttle valve connected there-
with is equilibrated, and it also acts as a safety valve to the cylinder
or cylinders when the engine is running down hill, or when at any time
the engine may be quickly reversed. One end of the valve is loose and
placed on a spindle projecting from the body of the valve, and when the
pressure of steam in the cylinder becomes greater than the pressure in
the boiler this end of the valve is forced from its seat and allows the
steam-to blow-off-until the pressure is relieved, after which it falls or is
forced back into its former position by a spring pressing against the
outside of the said end. The packing of the piston rod or rods working
in the said cylinder or cylinders is effected by employing an inner and
outer gland having the packing fitted between their lower extremities,
the packing being metallic and cut into segments so as to lock joint
with each other. When the outer gland is screwed against the packing
pieces the conical part of the inner gland and the conical ring press the
said pieces against the piston rod, thereby making it steam-tight, whilst
the india-rubber ring prevents the packing from being pressed up too
rigidly, and at the same time gives it a certain amount of elasticity.
The slide valve or valves of the engine by which the steam is admitted
to and exhausted from the cylinders is or are arranged so that the steam
is first admitted into a cavity on the back of the valve through openings
or passages formed in the valve face. In the centre of the back of the
valve there is a space in which a reducing plate is situated, and which
has an area slightly greater than the combined area of the admission
and induction ports. The valve is arranged to cover the whole of the
ports, and without the employment of a reducing plate the pressure on
the back of the valve would be greater than the pressure on the valve

page_text: face, owing to the diminished area caused by the openings for the
admission and induction ports. This back pressure is, however, more
than counterbalanced by the reducing plate bearing against the back
of the valve, thereby giving the valve enough downward pressure to
3 maintain it in its position, and at the same time causing as little friction
as possible, and the wear on the valve face of the cylinder and on the
reducing plate being both in one direction the surfaces always remain
in the same relative positions to each other. It is preferred to cover the
valve with a light metallic or other casing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Saint John Vincent Day in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th November 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAINT
JOHN VINCENT DAY, of No. 166, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the 35th year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Saint John Vincent Day, Her special license that
I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES TO BE USED FOR AGRIculture and TRACTION ON COMMON
ROADS," a communication from Alexander Campbell and Robert Clark,
both of Sacramento, in the State of California, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say :-
My said Invention, which relates to improvements in the arrangement
or construction of motive-power engines such as are used for agriculture
and traction on roads, streets, or other surfaces, and whereby such
engines are rendered more efficient than hitherto, consists in attaching
the cylinder or cylinders, crank shaft brackets, and parts of the engine
therewith connected to the boiler shell by bolting or rivetting two strips
of metal to the shell and to which the cylinders and crank shaft brackets
are fitted being held to the strips of metal by bolts and nuts, the bolts
passing througli blocks-placed-in-slots formed.in the soles of the cylinder
and of the crank shaft brackets to receive them. At the centre and
on each side of the cylinder sole and crank shaft brackets the sole and
brackets are secured to the pieces or strips of metal by keys driven
tightly into those parts, thereby preventing the parts from getting loose
and at the same time allowing the cylinders and crank shaft brackets
to freely expand and contract on either side of the central bolts. The
throttle valve connected therewith also acts as a safety valve to the
cylinder or cylinders when the engine is running down hill or when at
any time the engine may be quickly reversed. One end of the valvo
is loose and placed on a spindle projecting from the body of the valve,
and when the pressure of steam in the cylinder becomes increased
beyond a fixed limit the valve is forced from its seat and allows the
steam to blow off until the pressure is relieved, after which it falls or
is forced back into its scat by a spring pressing against the outside of
the valve. The packing of the piston and pump rod or rods, working
in the cylinder or cylinders, pump or pumps, consists of an inner and
outer gland having the packing fitted between their extremities, the
packing being metallic and cut into segments so that the segments
lock joint with each other. When the outer gland is screwed against
.

page_text: the packing picces the conical part of the inner gland and a conical
ring press the pieces against the piston rod, thereby making it steam-
tight, whilst an india-rubber ring prevents the packing from being
pressed up too rigidly and at the same time gives it a certain amount
1 of elasticity. The slide valve or valves of the engine by which
the steam is admitted to and exhausted from the cylinders is or are
arranged so that the steam is first admitted into a cavity on the back of
the valve through openings or passages formed in the valve face. In
the centre of the back of the valve there is a space in which a "reducing
plate" is situated, and which has an area slightly greater than the
combined area of the admission and induction ports. The valve is
arranged to cover the whole of the ports and without the employment
of a "reducing plate" the pressure on the back of the valve would be
considerably greater than the reverse pressure on the valve face owing
to the diminished area caused by the openings for the admission and
induction ports. This back pressure is however more than counter-
balanced by the "reducing plato" bearing against the back of the valve,
thereby giving the valve sufficient downward pressure to maintain it
in its position and at the same time causing as little friction as possible,
and as the wear on the valve face of the cylinder and on the "reducing
plate are both in one direction the surfaces always remain in the
same relative positions to each other. The valve may be covered with
a light metallic or other casing.
"
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood
I now proceed more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or
manner in or under which the same is or may be used or practically
carried into effect, that is to say:-
Upon the Sheet of Drawings hereunto appended that part of this
Invention which relates to the attaching to the shell of the boiler the
cylinder or cylinders, crank shaft brackets, or other parts of the engine
connected therewith is illustrated from Figure 1 to Figure 5, inclusive,
Figure 1 being a transverse section of the upper half of the shell of the
boiler, also shewing attached thereto in end elevation the cylinders and
other parts connected therewith; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,
whilst Figure 3 is a plan of part of a cylinder sole d; Figure 4 is a
plan of a portion of one of the metal strips or plates a; and Figure 5

page_text: is a longitudinal section taken upon the line A, B, Figures 1 and 2,
shewing a portion of one of the said strips of metal or plates a and
cylinder sole and the manner of their adaptation to each other.
=
Under the arrangement shewn my said improvements in the attach-
ment of the cylinder or cylinders and crank shaft brackets and other
parts of the engine connected therewith, consists in rivetting two strips
or plates of metal a to the shell 6 of the boiler, one on either side
'thereof. Upon the upper surface of the strips or plates a a projecting
'rib a¹ is formed which fits into a corresponding recess or groove c formed
in the soles & of the cylinders A. The cylinder soles d on: either side
at or near the centre of the cylinders A in a longitudinal direction are
rigidly secured to the strips or plates a by means of a transverse key e
at either side, as shewn at Figures 2, 4, and 5, fitted tightly into a recess
formed partly in the strips or plates aand partly in the cylinder soles d,
and through which as well as through the cylinder sole d a bolt f
passes, being fastened into the strip or plate a, thus firmly fastening
the cylinder sole d and the key e at the centre of length of the cylinders
to the plates or strips a. The-keys-e prevent the cylinders A from being
moved in a longitudinal direction whilst the fitted bolts f fulfil the
double purpose of holding down the cylinders soles & upon the strips
or plates a and of preventing the keys e from being shaken out of their
scats by the vibration or jolting of the engine when in motion. . This
arrangement of fastening the cylinders in their required position at or
near their centre of length allows of a free expansion of the metal
constituting the same at cither side of the fixed central parts longi-
tudinally in both directions by forming oblong slots g in the cylinder
soles d, in which expansion blocks situated upon the holding down
bolts are placed. The expansion nuts are of the same width as
the oblong slots g and of a thickness slightly greater than that of the
'cylinders' soles d. Over the top of the oblong slots g a washer plate k
is placed and through which the holding down bolts are passed. The
nuts on the bolts being screwed down press the washer plate k
tightly upon each of the expansion blocks h, and which as herein-before
stated being slightly thicker than the cylinder soles prevents the latter
from binding upon the plates, at the same time securing them in
position with sufficient. freedom for movement under the expansion of
'the metal.

page_text: It is further to be understood that although not shewn upon the
Drawings the crank shaft brackets and other parts of the engine con-
nected therewith are or may be secured to the boiler in a manner similar
to that hercin set forth with reference to the cylinders.
The next part of this Invention, which relates to an improved balanced
or equilibrium throttle valve, and which also acts as a safety valve to
the cylinders of the engine, is illustrated from Figure 6 to Figure 8
inclusive. Figure 6 is a section of the valve scat C, and a portion of the
steam pipe B leading to the cylinder, showing the valves in elevation
therein; Figure 7 is a plan of the same, whilst Figure 8 is a detached
sectional view of that valve marked A'. The valves A and A' have
conical seats. The lower valve A is the throttle valve through which
the steam passes and onwards through the pipe B to the cylinders. The
portion of the steam pipe connected at the outer side of the pipe B is not
shewn in the Drawings. The upper valve A³, (which is the safety or
relief valve,) Figure 6, is formed loose upon the spindle a, as more
particularly seen in section at Figure 8, whilst upon the spindle a a flat
bow spring is situated, being kept in position thereon by means of the
jamb nuts c, and having its ends pressing down the valve A¹ to its seat.
When the engine is at any time quickly reversed or stopped with the
steam on, or if from any other cause the pressure in the cylinder
becomes momentarily greater, the steam from the cylinder being forced
back through the steam pipe B immediately lifts the valve A' from off
its seat C, so that an equilibrium of pressure is restored, which being
attained the valve A¹ is pressed back upon its seat by means of the bow
spring b.
Another part of this Invention which relates to an improved packing
for the piston rod or other similar working parts of the engine is
illustrated at Figures 9 and 10 of the Drawings. That side of Figure 9
marked A is in elevation, and the opposite side marked B in longi-
tudinal section, shewing a stuffing box and glands constructed and
arranged in accordance with my improvements, whilst the corre-
spondingly marked sides at Figure 10 are respectively a half plan and a
half transverse section of the same upon the line C, D, Figure 9.
Under the arrangement shewn my improvements consist in inserting
an inner gland a into the stuffing box A', a flange b being formed upon

page_text: the said inner gland a, which is kept in contact with the outer face c of
the stuffing box A' by means of the nuts d upon the studs e, the outer
face c of the stuffing box A² and the adjacent face of the gland a being
fitted together so as to ensure a steam-tight joint at this part. The
inner end of the packing space in the inner gland a terminates conically
with its surface f inclined inwards towards the piston rod g, as shewn.
The packing g', which is metallic and cut into segments so as to lock
joint with each other, rests upon the inclined surface f, whilst imme-
diately behind the said packing g' a loose ring of metal h is placed with
its inner face' formed conically, and bearing upon the packing g'.
Next the conical ring ha ring ¹ of india-rubber is placed, upon the outer
surface of which the inner face k of the outer gland B bears. When the
outer gland B is screwed down the conical part ƒ of the inner gland a
and the conical ring press the packing g' against the surface of the
piston rod g, thereby making it steam-tight, whilst the india-rubber
ring prevents the packing from being pressed up too rigidly, and at
the same time gives it a certain amount of elasticity.
The slide valve constituting part of this Invention is so arranged that
the valve casing or steam chest usually employed may be dispensed
with and a packing gland for the valve spindle is rendered unnecessary. 1
Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, Sheet 1, illustrate the improved slide
valve, of which Figure 11 is a section transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the cylinder, of a valve and cylinder valve face; Figure 12 is a
longitudinal section of the same; whilst Figure 13 is a plan of the
cylinder valve face; and that side of Figure 14 marked A is a plan of
the slide valve face, the opposite side marked B being a plan of the back
of the same. Two admission ports a are formed on the cylinder valve
face which communicate with the steam pipe A, as shown at Figure 13.
The induction ports 6 and eduction ports c are of the usual order, but
are intersected at their centres by a midfeather d, as shewn at Figure 13. a
The slide valve B is of the usual D shape, and is furnished with an outer
casing O, whereby a cavity D is formed which surrounds the back and
sides of the slide valve B, and a port e is formed round the face of the
casing C. The slide valve B is provided with a central bearing surface f
which rests upon the midfeather d upon the cylinder valve face. In the 3
middle of the central bearing surface f an opening is situated, as
shewn at Figure 11, for the purpose of admitting a stand g, which is

page_text: packing tight endwise, and the india-rubber ring imparts the required
amount of elasticity, as herein-before described.
Fourth The arrangement and construction of slide valve hercin-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of November Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Saint John Vincent Day, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of November Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.