Improvements in or connected with Compound Steam Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept.. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Compound Steam Engines.
I, JAMES RICHARDSON, of Holdforth Street, New Wortley, Leeds, in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct compound engines so that they may
be converted into simple or single pressure engines at the will of the driver and
thus according to circumstances the cylinders are worked at compound pressures, or
at a single pressure direct from the boiler as desired.
Hitherto in compound engines disadvantage is experienced in starting heavy
machinery; and my invention is particularly applicable to locomotives, which are
enabled thereby to start a heavy load much more quickly, and to ascend steep
gradients with greater ease.
According to my invention I provide a cock or valve in the passage between the
high and low pressure cylinders, whereby the connection between the two cylinders
may be cut off, thus making them independent of each other. An exhaust tube
fitted with a suitable cock or valve is connected to the high pressure cylinder, and
a steam pipe, also fitted with a suitable cock or valve connects the boiler with the
low pressure cylinder. The valves or cocks are connected together in such a
manner that the direct exhaust from the high pressure cylinder is opened, the
connection between the two cylinders is closed, and the connection between the low
pressure cylinder and boiler is opened, all at one and the same time, by the move-
ment of a lever or other actuating part, thus admitting live steam to each cylinder
direct from the boiler, and giving a free exhaust to each cylinder, thereby causing
the engine to work at a single pressure. The reverse action of the three cocks or
valves is effected by an opposite movement of the said lever or other actuating
part, thus reconnecting the two cylinders, cutting off the direct exhaust from the
high pressure cylinder, and closing the direct steam supply to the low-pressure
cylinder, and again converting it into a compound engine.
Dated this 31st day of January 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with compound Steam Engines.
1, JAMES RICHARDSON of Holdforth Street, New Wortley, Leeds, in the
County of York, 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 my invention is to construct compound engines so that they may
be converted into simple or single pressure engines at the will of the driver and
thus according to circumstances the cylinders are worked at compound pressures, or
at a single pressure direct from the boiler as desired.
Hitherto in compound engines, disadvantage is experienced in starting heavy

page_text: machinery, and my invention is particularly applicable to locomotives, which are
enabled thereby to start a heavy load much more quickly, and to ascend steep
gradients with greater ease.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe
same with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which similar letters refer to
like parts in both figures.
Fig. 1 is a front sectional view showing my invention applied to a locomotive,
and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same arrangement.
According to my invention I provide a passage A between the high pressure
cylinder B and the low pressure cylinder C, and a cock or valve D is situated in
the passage A for the purpose of disconnecting the cylinders when required, thus
making them independent from each other.
E is the exhaust tube from the high pressure cylinder B, and a cock or valve F
is provided in same to shut off or open the tube E as required.
G is the exhaust tube from the low pressure cylinder C, the said tube G joining
the tube E at a blast orifice H.
Steam is conveyed to the cylinder B through the steam pipe J, and another
branch K is connected with the cylinder C, a valve L being provided in the pipe K
for cutting off the supply when required, and a reducing valve M being employed
to equalize the pressure of the steam. A lever N is attached to the cock D, and
is connected by means of a connecting rod N¹ to a lever P which is mounted
on a shaft R which actuates the valve F. A lever S is mounted on the
shaft R, and by means of a connecting rod T the lever S is connected to the
lever V which actuates the valve L in the steam pipe K. An arm W is connected
to the outside of the valve L, and a suitable connecting rod may be attached
to the end of same to enable it to be worked from a suitable part of the
locomotive.
When the locomotive is working as a compound engine, the valves L and F
are closed, and the valve D is open. The steam thus passes direct from the boiler
through the tube J to the high pressure cylinder B, the exhaust from the said
cylinder B passing to the low pressure cylinder C, from whence it is exhausted
through the tube G and blast H. In this manner the locomotive is working
under normal conditions, and in a similar manner to that of locomotives as hitherto
constructed.
When it is desired to work the locomotive as a simple engine, the arm W is
actuated by the driver, thereby turning the valve L and opening sarne. This
action rocks the lever V, which through the medium of the connecting rod T,
rocks the lever S, which turns the shaft R, thereby opening the valve F. The
turning of the shaft R rocks the lever P which by means of the connecting rod N¹
rocks the lever N and closes the valve D. By thus operating the various valves,
a direct steam supply is given to the two cylinders B and C through the pipes J
and K, and direct exhausts are also given to both cylinders B and C through the
pipes E and G, whilst at the same time the connection between the two cylinders B
and C through the passage A is cut off. The two cylinders are thus enabled to
work with steam supplied direct from the boiler, the reducing valve M regulating
the pressure of the steam which is being supplied to the large cylinder B, so as to
equalize the work performed by both cylinders B and C.
It will thus be seen that by actuating the arm W, the locomotive may be
converted from a compound engine into a simple engine, or vice versa as desired,
and whilst the locomotive is in motion; and the advantage of this will be readily
understood as, in starting a heavy load or when ascending a steep gradient, the full
power of the engine can be exerted by driving it as a simple engine, and then
when the momentum is attained the locomotive can be readily converted into a
compound engine, thus economizing steam.
Should one of the cylinders break down, the locomotive could be run with a
single cylinder by disconnecting the valve levers from each other, and by setting
the valves in such a position as to supply steam to the uninjured cylinder only.

page_text: By the addition of suitable exhausts and steam inlets my invention could easily
be applied to triple or quadruple expansion engines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In compound steam engines, the employment of a passage between the nigh
and low pressure cylinders, having a cock or valve in same for cutting off the
connection between the said cylinders, all substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
2. In compound steam engines, the arrangement of tubes and valves for discou-
necting the cylinders from each other, and for supplying them with steam direct
from the boiler, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In compound steam engines, the valve D, valve F and valve L, connected
together by suitable connecting rods and levers, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
4. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts
forming improvements in or connected with compound steam engines, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
11004
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.