IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Lees, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO STEAM
ENGINES
"'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Lees at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1876.
WALTER LEES, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York, Engineer. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO STEAM ENGINES."
This Invention relates to apparatus for the purpose of automatically regulating
the slide valves and stop valves of steam engines. To the spindles of such valves I
apply toothed wheels capable of being actuated through the medium of either
worm wheel or other toothed wheels by a ratchet wheel and catch.
The catch for working the ratchet wheel is attached to a lever, to which a con-
tinuous oscillatory motion is given by suitable connexion with some part of the
engine. A pin is inserted into the catch, which pin rests upon a hinged quadrant
when the apparatus is not required to work, but should the speed of the engine be
suddenly increased a rod in connexion with the governor removes the quadrant and
allows the pin to fall into the ratchet wheel, which it gradually turns until the
engine is entirely stopped, unless prevented by the attendant lifting the catch out
of the ratchet and returning the quadrant to its original position.
The quadrant may also be removed by means of suitable connexions from other
sources than the governor, and may be used as a means of stopping the engine by
a person situated at some distance from the engine house.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Walter Lees in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th June 1877.
"IM-
WALTER LEES, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO STEAM ENGINES."
.
This Invention relates to apparatus for the purpose of automatically regulating
the slide valves and stop valves of steam engines. To the spindles of such valves I
apply toothed wheels capable of being actuated through the medium of either
worm wheel or other toothed wheels by a ratchet wheel and catch
The catch for working the ratchet wheel is attached to a lever, to which a con-
tinuous oscillatory motion is given by suitable connexion with some part of the
engine. A pin is inserted into the catch, which pin rests upon a hinged quadrant
when the apparatus is not required to work; but should the speed of the engine be
suddenly increased a rod in connexion with the governor removes the quadrant and
allows the catch to fall into the ratchet wheel, which it gradually turns until the
engine is entirely stopped, unless prevented by the attendant lifting the catch out
of the ratchet and returning the quadrant to its original position.
The quadrant may also be removed by means of suitable connexions from other
sources than the governor, and may be used as a means of stopping the engine by
a person situated at some distance from the engine house.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I herein give reference
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate my Invention as applied to the stop valve of a steam
engine. A is the stop valve spindle, the hand wheel B of which is connected by
pin a with the disc C which is fast on the stud of the bevil wheel D. The bevil
wheel D gears with the bevil wheel E, on the stud of which is the ratchet wheel F.
Two catches G, G¹, are attached to a cross head H at the end of the lever arins J,
to which a continuous oscillatory motion is imparted by connexion from the valve
rod, beam, or other suitable moving part of the engine. The catch G₁ is provided
with a ping resting on a quadrant K, which is connected by rod L to the governor
in such manner that if the speed of the engine should be suddenly increased the
rod in connection with the governor removes the quadrant and allows the catch to
fall into the ratchet wheel which it gradually turns, and imparting rotation to the
bevil wheels and stop valve spindle will shut off the steam unless prevented by the
attendant replacing the catch in its former position. The catch G is supported by
a quadrant M, which is kept upright by means of a pin c passing through the lug
d into the boss f. This pin may be removed by suitable connection with cord or
wire from distant parts of the mill, and when this is effected the quadrant falls and
allows the catch to drop into the ratchet, and the result is the same as in the former
case.
The apparatus is shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 as being attached to the flange of the
stop valve. In Figs. 3 and 4 is shewn its adaptation for regulating expansion or
slide valves. Two ratchet wheels and catches are here employed, so arranged as to
act in opposite directions on the shaft N. The catches are kept out of gear by the
double quadrant O, which has an oscillatory motion imparted to it as before
described. According as the speed of the engine varies from the average or normal
speed either one or other of the catches is caused by the action of the governor
upon the quadrant to fall into gear with its ratchet wheel, and the motion of the
spindle or shaft N is communicated by worm and wheel or other mechanical means
to the valve spindle, which is turned thereby in the required direction.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein set forth and illustrated,
as the same may be varied without departing from the principle thereof, but I
claim as my Invention,―
Firstly. The use of apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2 for operating the stop valves of steam engines.

page_text: Secondly. The use of the apparatus as shewn is Figs. 3 and 4 for operating the
expansion or slide valves of steam engines, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Walter Lees, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
A. B. CROSSLEY,
J. W. Tasker's,
Patent Office,
Halifax.
WALTER LEES. (L.S.)