IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVES AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, SURFACE CONDENSERS, AND WATER TANKS FOR CON- DENSING
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Turnbull, of 7, Hobury St., Chelsea, Middlesex,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVES AND OTHER
STEAM ENGINES, SURFACE CONDENSERS, AND WATER TANKS FOR CON-
DENSING."
Scaled the 12th February, 1878, and dated the 15th August 1877:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Turnbull at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th August 1877..
WILLIAM TURNBULL, of 7, Hobury Street, Chelsea, Middlesex, Engineer. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVES AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, SURFACE CONDENSERS,
AND WATER TANKS FOR CONDENSING."
To increase the power and economy of steam in locomotive and other steam'
engines by expanding and condensing the steam :-
To effect these advantages I employ in locomotive and other steam engines an
improved surface condenser, in which the same condensing water is constantly
cooled and circulated in the condenser tank, by pumping and forcing, it through
perforated pipes and plates against a current of cold air passing through air spaces,
in the condenser tank, the current of cold air being caused in locomotives by the
speed of the engine. I thus effectually condense the exhaust steam and obtain a
vacuum, returning the condensed water constantly back to the boiler.
The condenser consists of a tank containing the condensing water. At each end
is attached a chamber, one receiving the exaust steam, the other condensed water.
Into the tube plate of each chamber are fitted a number of small metallic tubes,
forming the communication between the chambers.
At each end are openings for the passage of air through the air spaces in tank,
above the level of the water covering the tubes.
At the openings are fitted valves to regulate the current of air according to the
direction in which the engine is moving.

page_text: In locomotive steam engines, when I exaust a part of the stean into the tender
or water tanks to render more effective the condensation of the exaust steam, I
reduce the temperature of the condensing water by inserting; when required, a
number of metallic tubes, through which the air passes to cool the water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Turnbull in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
February 1878.
WILLIAM TURNBULL, of Chelsea, Middlesex, England, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, SURFACE CONDENSERS, AND WATER
TANKS FOR CONDENSATION."
To increase the power and economy of steam in locomotive and other steam
engines by expanding and condensing the steam :-
To effect these advantages I employ in locomotive and other steam engines an
improved surface condenser or other suitable condensers, in which the same con-
densing water is constantly cooled and circulated in the condenser tanks by
pumping and forcing it through perforated pipes or plates against a current of cold
air on to pipes or plates, with or without perforations, the pipes or plates being
made of any suitable metal. The current of cold air for cooling the condensing
water is caused in locomotives by the speed of the engine, and by this means cooling
the water, and effectually condensing the exhaust steam and obtaining a vacuum.
The condensing water is constantly returned to the cooling tank and boiler.
The improved surface condensers consists of a tank containing a series of small
metallic tubes fitting into chambers at each end for the reception of the exhaust
steam and condensed water, the water contained in the tank wholly or partly
covering the small metallic tubes. In the upper part of the tank are fitted a
number of pipes or plates with or without perforations, through which the air
passes for cooling the condensing water, and over which the condensing water is
constantly pumped, and distributed through a perforated pipe or pipes.
At each end of the tank are fitted flat valves, when required, to regulate the
current of air, according to the direction in which the engine is moving.
In locomotive and other steam engines I insert, when required, in the lower
part of the condensing tank, a number of tubes, through which the air passes for
cooling the water which cover them.
In stationary or traction engines I employ a blowing fan or steam jet to produce
a current of cold air through the cooling tubes contained in the upper part of the
condenser tank, the water being circulated by a pump or pumps through perforated
pipe or pipes, as before described.
In locomotive steam engines, running at a considerable speed, the resistance of
the air will be sufficient to propel a fan for working a centrifugal pump or other
suitable pumps for distributing the condensing water through a perforated pipe or
pipes over the cooling pipes contained in the upper part of condensing tanks.
When the resistance of the air is insufficient to propel a fan or fans, a small
steam engine or other suitable method may be employed for distributing the
condensing water through a perforated pipe or pipes, as before described.

page_text: To effectually expand the steam in the cylinders of locomotive and other steam
engines, I employ suitable valves by which the steam is cut off at any required
part of the stroke, and continued on to the piston until the stroke is nearly
completed.
In locomotive and other steam engines I likewise condense the exhaust steam by
a series of jets or nozzles placed concentrically within each other, inserted in the
side of the exhaust steam and cold water condensing pipe. The exhaust steam,
brought into contact with the cold water issuing from the nozzles in the cold water
pipe, is effectually condensed.
The condensing water is pumped and distributed by a perforated pipe or pipes
over the cooling pipes contained in the upper part of the condensing tank, as before
described.
Fig. 1, Plate 1, is a longitudinal section of a locomotive tank engine. A, con-
denser; A, A, condensing tank; B, tubes in condenser; B, B, tubes in condensing
tank; C, exhaust water chamber; D, chamber for condensed water; E, centrifugal
pump; F, fan for working pump; F, F, small engine for working the same; G,.
exhaust steam pipe to condenser; G, G, exhaust steam pipe to condensing tank;
G1, chamber for equilibrium valves T'; H, perforated plates for cooling condensing
water; I, hanging valves for changing the direction of the air through the condenser;
J, valves for the escape of air from upper part of condensing tank; K, main steam
pipe K and K2, steam pipe and chest for supplying steam to expel air from.
condenser to produce a vacuum; L, valve for escape of air from condenser in
forming vacuum; M and MI, lever and rods for working the hanging valves I ;
N, pipe to supply water from tank to centrifugal pump; O, perforated pipe for
distributing water in condenser tank; P, feed water pipe to pump R, to supply
boiler with condensed water; Q, feed pipe to pump R, R, from water tank A, A;
S, cylinder steam chest and ports for double exhaust valves; T, equilibrium valves
to regulate exhaust steam to condensing tank; T, T, valve to regulate the exhaust
steam to condenser; W, wheel and valve rod to shut valve T, T, to prevent steam
passing into cylinders when blowing through condenser to form vacuum; U, plato
valve in exhaust pipe U1 to increase draught in fire-box when required; V, lever
for working the same; W1, lever for connecting equilibrium valves T and T, T, to
work together.
Fig. 2, Plate 1, half transverse section and end elevation of Figure 1, letters
having the same reference.
Fig. 3, plan of tank engine with the improvements, letters having the same
reference.
Fig. 4, half elevation of tubular water tanks. A, A, condensing tank; B, tubes in
tank; G, G, exhaust steam pipe.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through part of condenser and engine tender,
shewing the mode of connecting exhaust steam pipe between engine tender and the
condenser. A, condenser; A 1, water tender; B, steam chamber, to which exhaust
steam pipe G, G, is fixed; D, space in which exhaust steam pipe G, G, between
engine and tender are coupled.
Fig. 6 is a plan of Figure 5, the letters having the same reference.
Fig. 7 is a transverse section of a double exhaust steam valve.
Fig. 8 is a plan of the bottom face of valve A.
Fig. 9 is a plan of the bottom face of valve B; Fig. 10 is a plan of top face of the
same. Valve B rests against valve A, having suitable parts to work in unison with
it, through which part of the exhaust steam passes to the condenser. The valve B
is stationary. Valve A is worked by a link motion in the usual manner, and is
formed with lap on the steam and exhaust side for continuing the steam on piston
till the stroke is nearly finished. The double exhaust, is to compensate for the
diminished opening of the ports through the lap on the exhaust side of the valve.
Fig. 11 is a transverse section of valves A and B, with steam port in centre,
through which steam is transmitted to the cylinder. The exhaust steam passes into
the steam chest. The valve A is worked from an exentric at the extreme throw

page_text: when the engine is on either centre, suitable for back or fore gear, or fixed on a pin
in the centre of the link. The valve B is worked from the link in the usual way,
and by increasing or diminishing the throw regulates the amount of steam required
in the cylinders. The expansion valve A is fitted with steam-tight rings to compensate
the upward pressure on the slide valve B, greatly reducing the friction and the
power to work the valves; or two variable expansion blocks can be worked on the
back of slide valve B to regulate the steam required, as shown in Figures 17
and 18.
.
Fig. 12, plan of top face of valve A, fitted with steam-tight rings.
Fig. 13, plan of bottom face of valve B.
Fig. 14 is a transverse section of valve A and B.
Figs. 15 and 16, plans of the top and bottom faces of valves A and B.
Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section of slide A and expansive blocks B, which are
worked on valve A by an excentric at the extreme throw when the engine is on
centre, or from a fixed pin on the centre of the link, as shown in Fig. 19. The slide 1
spindle D is so connected to the excentric rod E that it can be turned either way
by the lever F, which is fixed on it. The valve spindle is made with projecting
pieces on the end with fitted movable blocks that work in angular grooves, shown
in Figure 18 and 20. By moving the lever F backward and forward the blocks B
advance or recede from the steam ports on the back of slide valve A, and increase 2
or diminish the steam required in the cylinder.
Fig. 18, elevation of excentric and plan of expansion blocks.
Fig. 19, plan and elevation of links.
Fig. 20, section of an expansion block.
Fig. 1, Plate 2, is a side elevation of the tender of a locomotive engine to which are 2
fitted an injection and tubular condenser circulating pump, and pipes for cooling the
condensing water. The pump is worked from an excentric on one of the tender axles.
A, side of tender; B, pipes for cooling condensing water; C, condenser; C, C, condensing
pipes; D, escape valve; F, injection pipe and cock; F¹, rod for working the same;
E, exhaust steam pipe; G, pump for circulating the condensing water; H, excentric 3
for working pump; I, hot water pipes; J, discharge pipe; K, perforated pipe for
distributing the condensing water over cooling pipes B; L, wire mesh for supporting
and regulating the position and distance of cooling pipes.
Fig. 2, a plan of tender fitted with cooling apparatus, the letters having the same
reference as before.
Fig. 3, A, an end elevation of tender, the letters having the same reference as
before.
3
Fig. 4, a side elevation of tank for locomotive tank engine, the letters having the
same reference as before. A, tank to which are fitted condenser circulating pump,
and pipes for cooling the condensing water; B, pipes for cooling condensing water; 4
C, condenser; D, escape valve; E, exhaust pipe; F, injecter pipe and cock; F¹, rod
for working the same; G, pump for circulating the condensing water; H, excentric
for working pump; I, hot water pipes; J, discharge pipe; K, perforated pipes for
distributing the condensing water over cooling pipes.
Fig. 5, plan of tank, the letters refering to the same.
Fig. 6, an elevation of the tank, letters refering to the same parts.
4
Fig. 7, side elevation of tank fitted with condensing and cooling apparatus. The
water is circulated by a pump, as before described. A, side of tank; B, cooling
tubes; C, cold water pipes for receiving condensing water, cooled by pipes B, into
condenser pipe C; B¹, cold water nozzles for discharging condensing water into the 5
exhaust steam nozzles F¹; E, exhaust steam pipe; F, exhaust steam nozzles; I, hot
water pipe to circulating pump; J, discharge pipe from circulating pump; K, per-
forated pipe for distributing the condensing water over cooling pipes B; M, valve
for regulating the flow of condensing water; M³, rod for working valve.
Fig. 8, an end elevation of tank, the letters having the same reference as before. 5
L, wire mesh for regulating the distance and position of cooling tubes.
Having now described my Invention of improvements in locomotive and other

page_text: steam engines, surface condensers, and water tanks for condensation, and illustrated
the same by the several Figures in the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, I wish it
to be understood that I claim,-
First. The continuous cooling of condensing water for locomotive and other steam
engines.
Second. The arrangement of surface and other condensers as fitted with pipes and
plates in the cooling tank for locomotive and other steam engines.
Third. The cooling of condensing water by means of a current of air passing
through and over pipes and plates in the cooling tanks of locomotive and other
steam engines.
Fourth. The use of pipes and plates with or without perforations for cooling the
condensing water in locomotive and other steam engines:
Fifth. I claim the arrangement of condensing the exhaust steam by means of a
series of small steam and water nozzles fitted into the sides of exhaust steam and
injection pipes in locomotive and other steam engines.
Sixth. The use of wire meshes for supporting and regulating the position and
distance of pipes in tanks for cooling the condensing water in locomotive and other
steam engines.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Turnbull, as hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.