Year: 1877

page_text: We JOHN ROWAN and ROBERT ROWAN Engineers, and MARY ROWAN, Spinster,
all of Belfast in the County of Antrim, Ireland, the Executors of William Rowan
of Belfast, aforesaid Engineer, deceased seekyleave to amend the specification of
Letters Patent, No. 2013 of 1877, as shown in red ink in the copy of the original
5 specification hereunto annexed :-

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Rowan, of 96, York Street, Belfast, in the County
of Antrim, Ireland, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES, AND IN PISTONS FOR the Same and oTHER ENGINES."
Sealed the 20th November 1877, and dated the 23rd May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Rowan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd May 1877.
WILLIAM ROWAN of 96 York Street Belfast in the County of Antrim Ireland
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND IN PISTONS FOR THE SAME
AND OTHER ENGINES."
My improvements relate to the adaptation of a small cylinder and a large
cylinder in combination with the pistons, of each upon the same rod, the valves for
both cylinders being also upon one rod by which economy in the use of the steam
employed in producing motive power is obtained.
:
According to my arrangement the steam enters a small steam cylinder as now in
general use (for example locomotive engines) when the steam leaves at the exhaust
pipe of the small cylinder, by the arrangement of the steam passages and valves
which are upon the same valve rod, the exhaust steam from the small cylinder is
conducted into a much larger cylinder placed at the outer end of the small cylinder,
and by a prolongation of the piston rod through the outer end of the small cylinder
it enters the large cylinder, thereby connecting the piston of the small eylinder and
the piston of the larger cylinder to the same piston rod through which the power of
both cylinders is communicated to the crank.
My improvement in pistons in connection with these arrangements and for other
engines is as follows: I introduce between the two packing rings a spring ring of
steel (or other metal) in form like a large washer, the diameter of said ring being
equal to the diameter of the cylinder. On the one side of this ring a number of
projections are made divided at equal distances around the ring and of such
thickness as to give the range of spring required. On other side of ring are the
same number of projections and placed central between the projections on the
opposite side, therefore the packing rings are held between the flange of piston head
and the junk ring with such pressure as may be required.
This improvement can be adapted in connection with any form of spring in use
for distending the packing rings to the sides of cylinder.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Rowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
November 1877.
WILLIAM ROWAN of 96 York Street Belfast in the County of Antrim Ireland
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND-IN PISTONS FOR THE SAME
STEAM ENGINES AND OTHER ENGINES."
This Invention relates to improvements in steam engines and in pistons for the
same steam engines and other engines.
>
Q
My improvements in engines are especially to effect economy in the use of steam
employed-in-producing motive power.
I illustrate my improvements as applied to what is known as a direct neting
engine with inverted cylinders: the small cylinder-rests-upon-the-upper-end of the
large-cylinder and is supplied with-a-short slide valve, the large cylinder-likewise
has-a-slide-valve and of the same travel as the slide valve of the small-eylinder, both
valves-being-connected-to-and-actuated-by-the-same-valve-rod.
The slide-valves of both eylinders have an arrangement whereby one valve ean
be-so-adjusted-to-open-a-little-in-advance-of-the-other-as-in-practice may be found
best.
By-an-arrangement in the steam--passages or ports the steam is conducted from
the exhaust port-of-the-small-eylinder into the valve-box of the large cylinder the
slide-valve of the latter being open to admit the steam to the upper side of the large
piston. At the same time the slide valve of the small cylinder is open to admit
steam to the upper side of small piston thereby moving both pistons downwards.
Both pistons are connected to the-same-red-and-the-power-is-communicated-direct
from the piston rod to the crank-through-the-connecting rod. As a means of main-
taining the temperature of large cylinder it will have an annular chamber-around
the outside through which the steam from the boiler to supply the small cylinder
will pass, by this the temperature will be maintained-to-an-effective-degree.
Furthermore it is important to have the upper end of the large cylinder and the
lower-end-of-the-small-eylinder as close to each other as possible leaving-sufficient
space-for-packing the piston rod of both cylinders. I-effect this by a screw thread
being out open the edges of the glands; the glands gearing into a screw-rack-on
each side of a-liner which will be more fully described hereafter.
This first part of my Invention is hereafter fully understood by reference to the
annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a direct-acting
engine; Figure 2-0 similar view at right-angles-thereto. Figure 9-is-a-transverse
section-across-small-eylinder and Figure-4-a-section through x, y, of Figure 1.
A is the foundation or bed plate of the engine. B the-upright frame or standard.
upon which the large cylinder rests. On the standard are placed guides II which
form the parallel-motion.--C the large cylinder.-D the small cylinder.--E the crank
shaft. F the crank. G the connecting rod. I the-fly wheel.
The Minor Parts or Details.--a the piston of the small eylinder, b-the piston of the
large-cylinder, c-the piston rod to which rod both pistons are connected. The piston
rod-c-passes through the lower end of the small cylinder and continues through the
upper end of the large cylinder and also through the lower end of the same where
the piston rod-passes through to-the-cross head.-Between the two-steam-eylinders
C D are segmental uprights-e-e within which are stuffing, boxes and glands it.
being-essential to have these bones and glands placed as close to each-other-as

page_text: necessary. Fo-accomplish this 1-form a screw-j-on the outside edge of the
glands which gear into two screw racks of the uprights opposite to each other.
When-the-packing-requires tightening to prevent the leakage of steam the glands
ean-be-moved-round-and-by the sorew-racks be pressed upon the packing thereby
compressing it. This arrangement enables the glands to be kept perfectly true-and
free from twist upon the piston rod.
For small engines small cylinder with the valve chests and steam passages or
ports also the cover for the large cylinder are east together as shewn in the
Drawings. But for convenience in large engines the cover of the large cylinder
would be cast separate and the small cylinder jointed to it with bolts.-g-is-the
valve-chest-containing the slide valve of the small cylinder and h the valve-chest
dontaining the slide valve of the large cylinder. The slide valves o-and-k-are-con-
nected-to-and-actuated by the same-valve rod.-61-is-a-partition through which the
valve-red-v-v-passes-and-separates the valve chest of the small cylinder from the
valve chest of the large cylinder is the eccentric red, m-the eccentric on the
erank-shaft; n is the pipe through which the steam is conducted to supply the
small cylinder D-with steam-which is admitted by the double, beat Cornish valve-k
to-the valve-chest-g, the slide valve o being open to the upper end of the small
eylinder D, the steam-is-then-conducted to the upper side of the small piston-a-by
the steam port-b, the piston then descends and the steam used in the up stroke
escapes by the port-n-through-the-exhaust port-x, the steam is then conducted by
a-side-port-y-into the valve-chest-h of the large cylinder the slide valve-k-being
open to the upper end of the large cylinder for that purpose. The steam-then
passes by the port-p-p to the upper side of the piston which moves in the same
direction-as-the-piston of the small-oylinder the steam from the under side of large
eylinder-eseaping by the port y-y-through the exhaust pipe w. On the slide valves
being reversed by the action of-the-eccentric-on-the-erank-shaft, the steam-passages
or-ports-are-open to admit the steam-to-the-under-side of both-pistons-thereby-pro-
ducing a reciprocating motion to the pistons by their connection with the crank.
Through the piston rod and connecting-rod-a-rotary motion is produced to govern
the speed of the engine. I-adopt the double-beat-Cornish valve. On the upright
shaft-k-of-the-governor-a-taper-wiper-g2-is-connected direct with the clutch-c²-of-the
governor-;-when-the-speed of the engine is decreased the governors recede towards
the upright-shaft-k-moving-the-taper-wiper down the shaft. The large end of the
taper-wiper-g² is brought into contact with a roller-s, at the end of the lever-gr-and
at-the-other-end-of-this-lever there is a bell-orank-R-the-other-end-of the bell erank
being in connection with a-connecting rod-a-which rod is connected direct-with-the
spindle-of-the-double-beat-valve.
When the large end of the wiper is brought into contact with the-rollers-at-the
end-of-the-lever-q-the-double-beat valve is held open for a longer period thereby
admitting-more-steam-to-supply-the-small-eylinder, therefore when the speed of the
engine-increases the governor balls are thrown out moving the taper-wiper-upwards
on-the-governor-shaft until the narrow end of the wiper is brought-under the roller
at-the-end-of-the-lever q the valve then being held open for a shorter period thereby
admitting less steam to the cylinder, the speed of the engine then decreases-and
the governor oscillates backwards-and-forward-until-the-proper-measure of steam is
My improvements in pistons in connection with steam engines are as follows.
I introduce between the two packing rings a spring of steel or other metal in form
like a large washer, the diameter of said ring being equal to the diameter of cylinder.
On one side of the ring a number of projections are made at equal distances around
the ring and of such thickness or depth as to give the range of spring required. On
other side of ring are the same number of projections in alternate order. By this
arrangement of spring the packing rings are held between the flange of piston head
and the junk ring with a degree of pressure that may be required. This improve-
ment can be adopted in connection with any form of spring in use for distending
admitted to give-a-regular-motion-to-the-engine.
_

page_text: the packing rings to the side of cylinder. I also introduce internal spring rings to
distend the packing rings to the side of cylinder. On the inside of the packing
rings are projections similar to the teeth of an internal spur wheel and of such
height and distance apart so as to give the range and power of spring required. The
springs in the shape of rings are of steel or other metal, their outside.diameters are
equal to the inside diameters of the packing rings. When the springs are being put
into their places they are compressed until their outside diameters are equal to the
diameters of the projections on the inside of the packing rings then they become.
seated in their places.
My improvements in pistons are shown in Figure 5 of the annexed Drawings.
D is a spring ring of steel in form like a large washer introduced between the
packing rings B B. On one side of this ring D are a number of projections co o
arranged at equal distances around the ring and rise above the plane of the ring to
such a height as to give the range of spring required. On the other side of the ring
are an equal number of like projections. By this arrangement the packing rings
BB are kept in close contact and steam tight between the flange G of the piston
and the junk ring H. When the junk ring is screwed down to the body of the
piston the packing rings B B are held with the requisite degree of pressure the
power of the spring being regulated by the strength of the ring or by the distance
apart that the projections are placed around the ring. The projections which cause
the extended or undulated form of the spring ring may be upon the packing rings
if desired.
My internal spring ring can be by a modified arrangement used to distend packing
rings of pistons to the side of a cylinder as is shown in Figure 6 of the Drawings.
On the inside of the packing, rings are projections k k k similar to the teeth of an
internal spur wheel and of such height and distance apart so as to give the range
and power of spring required.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I-elaim:
Firstly. As my improvements in engines two cylinders with a piston-in-ench
connected by the same red to the--cross--head-or other like attachment two-valves
connected to same-rod-working in unison-the-whole-arranged-combined and acting
in the manner described and substantially shown in the annexed Drawings.
Secondly. I claim:--the-combination of two-steam-cylinders as shown with inter-
mediate-appliances to enable the stuffing box-packings of both cylinders-to--be
tightened-up-from the outside as described.
Thirdly. I claim as my improvement in pistons: the intermediate spring ring and.
projections for producing sinuosity thereof for maintaining pressure against the
packing ring or rings as described and substantially as shown in the annexed
Drawings.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Rowan, of 96, York Street, Belfast, in the County
of Antrim, Ireland, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM:
.ENGINES, AND IN PISTONS FOR THE SAME AND OTHER ENGINES."
Sealed the 20th November 1877, and dated the 23rd May 1877.
:.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Rowan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd May 1877.
.
WILLIAM ROWAN, of 96, York Street, Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES; AND IN PISTONS FOR THE SAME
AND OTHER ENGINES."
My 'improvements relate to the adaptation of a small cylinder and a large
cylinder in combination with the pistons of each upon the same rod, the valves for
both cylinders being also upon one rod, by which economy in the use of the steam
employed in producing motive power is obtained.
According to my arrangement the steam enters a small steam cylinder as now in
general use (for example, locomotive engines); when the steam leaves at the exhaust
pipe of the small cylinder, by the arrangement of the steam passages and valves
which are upon the same valve rod, the exhaust steam from the small cylinder is
conducted into a much larger cylinder placed at the outer end of the small cylinder,
and by a prolongation of the piston rod through the outer end of the small cylinder
it enters the large cylinder, thereby connecting the piston of the small cylinder and
the piston of the larger cylinder to the same piston rod through which the power of
both cylinders is communicated to the crank.
My improvement in pistons in connection with these arrangements and for other
engines is as follows:-I introduce between the two packing rings a spring ring of
steel (or other metal, in form like a large washer, the diameter of said ring being
equal to the diameter of the cylinder. On the one side of this ring a number of
projections are made, divided at equal distances around the ring, and of such
thickness as to give the range of spring required. On other side of ring are the
same number of projections, and placed central between the projections on the
IPrice 6d.1

page_text: opposite side, therefore the packing rings are held between the flange of piston head
and the junk ring with such pressure as may be required.
This improvement can be adapted in connection with any form of spring in use
for distending the packing rings to the sides of cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Rowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
November 1877.
WILLIAM ROWAN, of 96, York Street, Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, AND IN PISTONS FOR THE SAME
AND OTHER ENGINES."
This Invention relates to improvements in steam engines and in pistons for the
same and other engines.
My improvements in engines are especially to effect economy in the use of steam
employed in producing motive power.
I illustrate my improvements as applied to what is known as a direct acting
engine with inverted cylinders; the small cylinder rests upon the upper end of the
large cylinder, and is supplied with a short slide valve; the large cylinder likewise
bas a slide valve, and of the same travel as the slide valve of the small cylinder, both
valves being connected to and actuated by the same valve rod.
The slide valves of both cylinders have an arrangement whereby one valve can
be so adjusted to open a little in advance of the other, as in practice may be found
best.
By an arrangement in the steam passages, or ports, the steam is conducted from
the exhaust port of the small cylinder into the valve box of the large cylinder, the
slide valve of the latter being open to admit the steam to the upper side of the large
piston. At the same time the slide valve of the small cylinder is open to admit
steam to the upper side of small piston, thereby moving both pistons downwards.
Both pistons are connected to the same rod, and the power is communicated direct
from the piston rod to the crank through the connecting rod. As a means of main-
taining the temperature of large cylinder it will have an annular chamber around
the outside, through which the steam from the boiler to supply the small cylinder
will pass; by this the temperature will be maintained to an effective degree.
_ Furthermore, it is important to have the upper end of the large cylinder and the
lower end of the small cylinder as close to each other as possible, leaving sufficient
space for packing the piston rod of both cylinders. I effect this by a screw thread
being cut opon the edges of the glands, the glands gearing into a screw rack on
each side of a liner, which will be more fully described hereafter.
This first part of my Invention is hereafter fully understood by reference to the
annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a direct acting
engine; Figure 2 a similar view at right angles thereto; Figure 3 is a transverse
section across small cylinder, and Figure 4 a section through x, y, of Figure 1.
A is the foundation or bed plate of the engine, B the upright frame or standard
upon which the large cylinder, rests. On the standard are placed guides I, I, which
form the parallel motion., C, the large cylinder; D, the small cylinder; E, the crank
shaft; F, the crank; G, the connecting rod; H, the fly wheel.

page_text: The Minor Parts or Details.-a, the piston of the small cylinder; b, the piston of the
large cylinder; c, the piston rod to which rod both pistons are connected. The piston
rod c passes through the lower end of the small cylinder and continues through the
upper end of the large cylinder, and also through the lower end of the same, where
the piston rod passes through to the cross head. Between the two steam cylinders.
C, D, are segmental uprights e, e, within which are stuffing boxes and glands, it
being essential to have these boxes and glands placed as close to each other as
possible to leave sufficient space to draw back the glands to pack the stuffing boxes
when necessary. To accomplish this I form a screw on the outside edge of the
glands, which gear into two screw racks of the uprights opposite to each other.
When the packing requires tightening to prevent the leakage of steam, the glands
can be moved round, and by the screw racks be pressed upon the packing, thereby
compressing it. This arrangement enables the glands to be kept perfectly true and
free from twist upon the piston rod.
For small engines, small cylinder with the valve chests and steam passages, or
ports, also the cover for the large cylinder, are cast together, as shewn in the
Drawings. But for convenience in large engines the cover of the large cylinder
would be cast separate, and the small cylinder jointed to it with bolts. g is the
valve chest containing the slide valve of the small cylinder, and h the valve chest
containing the slide valve of the large cylinder. The slide valves ó and k are con-
nected to and actuated by the same valve rod; b¹ is a partition through which the
valve rod v, v, passes and separates the valve chest of the small cylinder from the
valve chest of the large cylinder; vis the eccentric rod; m, the eccentric on the
crank shaft; n is the pipe through which the steam is conducted to supply the
small cylinder D with steam, which is admitted by the double-beat Cornish valve k
to the valve chest g, the slide valve o being open to the upper end of the small
cylinder D; the steam is then conducted to the upper side of the small piston α by
the steam port b, the piston then descends, and the steam used in the up stroke
escapes by the port n through the exhaust port ; the steam is then conducted by
a side port y into the valve chest h of the large cylinder, the slide valve k being
open to the upper end of the large cylinder for that purpose. The steam then
passes by the port p, p, to the upper side of the piston, which moves in the same
direction as the piston of the small cylinder, the steam from the under side of large
cylinder escaping by the port y, y, through the exhaust pipe w. On the slide valves
being reversed by the action of the eccentric on the crank shaft, the steam passages
or ports are open to admit the steam to the under side of both pistons, thereby pro-
ducing a reciprocating motion to the pistons by their connection with the crank.
Through the piston rod and connecting rod a rotary motion is produced to govern
the speed of the engine. I adopt the double beat Cornish valve.
On the upright
shaft of the governor, a taper wiper g² is connected direct with the clutch c² of the
governor when the speed of the engine is decreased the governors recede towards
the upright shaft k, moving the taper wiper down the shaft. The large end of the
taper wiper g² is brought into contact with a roller s at the end of the lever q, and
at the other end of this lever there is a bell crank R, the other end of the bell crank
being in connection with a connecting rod a², which rod is connected direct with the
spindle of the double-beat valve.
.
When the large end of the wiper is brought into contact with the rollers at the
end of the lever q, the double-beat valve is held open for a longer period, thereby
admitting more steam to supply the small cylinder; therefore when the speed of the
engine increases the governor balls are thrown out, moving the taper wiper upwards
on the governor, shaft until the narrow end of the wiper is brought under the roller
at the end of the lever q, the valve then being held open for a shorter period, thereby
admitting less steam to the cylinder; the speed of the engine then decreases, and
the governor oscillates backwards and forward until the proper measure of steam is
admitted to give a regular motion to the engine.
My improvements in pistons in connection with steam engines are as follows:-
I introduce between the two packing rings a spring of steel or other metal, in form

page_text: like a large washer, the diameter of said ring being equal to the diameter of cylinder.
On one side of the ring a number of projections are made at equal distances around
the ring, and of such thickness or depth as to give the range of spring required. On
other side of ring are the same number of projections in alternate order. By this
arrangement of spring the packing rings are held between the flange of piston head
and the junk ring with a degree of pressure that may be required. This improve-
ment can be adopted in connection with any form of spring in use for distending
the packing rings to the side of cylinder. I also introduce internal spring rings to
distend the packing rings to the side of cylinder. On the inside of the packing
rings are projections similar to the teeth of an internal spur wheel, and of such
height and distance apart so as to give the range and power of spring required. The
springs in the shape of rings are of steel or other metal, their outside diameters are,
equal to the inside diameters of the packing rings. When the springs are being put,
into their places they are compressed until their outside diameters are equal to the
diameters of the projections on the inside of the packing rings, then they become
seated in their places.
:
My improvements in pistons are shown in Figure 5 of the annexed Drawings.
D is a spring ring of steel, in form like a large washer, introduced between the
packing rings B, B. On one side of this ring D are a number of projections c, c, c,
arranged at equal distances around the ring, and rise above the plane of the ring to
such a height as to give the range of spring required. On the other side of the ring
are an equal number of like projections. By this arrangement the packing rings
B, B, are kept in close contact, and steam tight between the flange G of the piston
and the junk ring H. When the junk ring is screwed down to the body of the
piston, the packing rings B, B, are held with the requisite degree of pressure, the
power of the spring being regulated by the strength of the ring or by the distance
apart that the projections are placed around the ring. The projections which cause
the extended or undulated form of the spring ring may be upon the packing rings
if desired.
My internal spring ring can be by a modified arrangement used to distend packing
rings of pistons to the side of a cylinder, as is shown in Figure 6 of the Drawings.
On the inside of the packing rings are projections k, k, k, similar to the teeth of an
internal spur wheel, and of such height and distance apart so as to give the range
and power of spring required.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. As my improvements in engines, two cylinders, with a piston in each,
connected by the same rod to the cross head or other like attachment, two valves
connected to same rod working in unison, the whole arranged, combined, and acting
in the manner described, and substantially shown in the annexed Drawings.
Secondly. I claim the combination of two steam cylinders, as shown, with inter-
mediate appliances to enable the stuffing box packings of both cylinders to be
tightened up from the outside, as described.
Thirdly. I claim as my improvement in pistons the intermediate spring ring and
projections for producing sinuosity thereof, for maintaining pressure against the
packing ring or rings, as described, and substantially as shown in the annexed
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Rowan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of November, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.