IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR MOTIVE- POWER ENGINES, AND TO THE METHOD OF ACTUATING AND CONTROLLING SUCH VALVES; THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO STEAM STEERING APPARATUS, STEAM WINCHES, STEAM CRANES, AND OTHER MACHINERY WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO READILY CONTROL AND REVERSE THE ACTION BY CUTTING OFF OR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF THE MOTIVE FLUID
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hays Wilson, of the Firm of John Hays Wilson and
Company, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR MOTIVE-
POWER ENGINES, AND TO THE METHOD OF ACTUATING AND CONTROLLING SUCH
VALVES; THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO STEAM
STEERING APPARATUS, STEAM WINCHES, STEAM CRANES, AND OTHER MACHINERY
WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO READILY CONTROL AND REVERSE THE ACTION BY
CUTTING OFF OR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF THE MOTIVE FLUID."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hays Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May 1878.
JOHN HAYS WILSON, of the Firm of John Hays Wilson and Company, of Liver-
pool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING
TO VALVES FOR MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND TO THE METHOD OF ACTUATING AND
CONTROLLING SUCH VALVES; THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTICULARLY APPLI-
CABLE TO STEAM STEERING APPARATUS, STEAM WINCHES, STEAM CRANES, AND
OTHER MACHINERY WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO READILY CONTROL AND REVERSE THE
ACTION BY CUTTING OFF OR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF THE MOTIVE FLUID."
My Invention has for its object certain improvements in and appertaining to slide
valves, and apparatus and gear for actuating and controlling such slide valves; the
said improvements being particularly applicable to steain steering apparatus, steain
winches, steam cranes, and other machinery where it is required to readily control
and reverse the action by cutting off or changing the direction of the motive
fluid.
It is well known that the main requirements of steering apparatus, where the
power is obtained by steam or other like agent, are to so arrange the slide or other
supply and exhaust valves that the steam steering apparatus may be self-controlling,
that is to say, when steam is given to the engine which works the apparatus such
ID 11

page_text: apparatus will be actuated only for a given time, and will make only a given
number of revolutions, the required cut-off or means of stopping being automatically
obtained from or produced by the action of the engine or apparatus itself, which by
some mechanical means cuts off or stops the supply of motive fluid which has been
given by the hand. The same principle is applicable to the working of many other
classes of steam motors, such as steam winches, steam cranes.
It is further requisite to have the gear and valves so arranged that the direction
of motion of the apparatus before referred to can be readily reversed, so that such
apparatus will work for a given time and make a given number of revolutions or
strokes in whichever direction may be required.
The valves and gear which constitute my Invention, and by which a steam
steering apparatus or other machine, as before referred to, made to accomplish
the required action, as described in the before-going paragraph, consists of a peculiar
arrangement of supply and cut-off valve, which are auxiliary, and are used inde-
pendently of the main valves of the engine. The supply valve is operated by a
hand lever or its equivalent, and consists of a slide valve, which is provided with a
steam inlet or opening on one side of its upper face to supply steam to the main
cylinders of the engine and steam inlets or openings, and an exhaust port on the
other side of its upper face for actuating a reversing cylinder, herein-after
referred to.
The under face of the supply valve works on the face of a valve chest or box,
which is provided with ports leading respectively to the main cylinders of the
engine, and to the auxiliary reversing cylinder, herein-after referred to. The cut-
off valve works on the upper face of and over the ports or openings of the hand
supply valve, and is controlled or actuated by a worm wheel gear or its equivalent,
driven by or from a convenient portion of the apparatus or engine. Both the hand
supply valve and the cut-off valve are contained within a suitable casing, provided
with stuffing boxes and a steam branch.
The whole portion of this my Invention may be termed the supply valve and cut-
off valve box.
The further carrying out of my Invention consists in providing the main cylinders
of the engine with a peculiar construction of ports and valve face. The ports arc
formed thus: Two steam ports on one side of the cylinder valve face, which supply
the top of the cylinder with steam, and two ports on the other side of the cylinder
valve face, which supply the bottom of the cylinder with steam, and one common
exhaust port running across the cylinder valve face and between the steam ports,
one of the steam passages for the top and one for the bottom being led under the
common exhaust until it joins its fellow passage.
The cylinder valve face, as just described, is provided with a movable false valve
face or reversing plate provided with ports, which are constructed so as to cover or
open the supply through the ports of the cylinder valve face in such a manner as
to alter or change the direction of the supply and exhaust, according to the position
in which such reversing plate is moved or placed. This false face or reversing plate
is worked by a spindle, which is controlled and actuated by a connection to, a lever
and weigh shaft or its equivalent, worked or rocked by means of a small auxiliary
cylinder, which I term the reversing cylinder, herein-before referred to as being
controlled by the supply valve. The main cylinders are worked by an ordinary
slide valve of the D type, non-reversing, and driven by an eccentric or its equi-
valent.
I would mention that the further details of an apparatus to which my Invention
may be applied are of such a various nature and general nature as to need no
description on my part, but that my Invention may be clearly understood the
following may be taken as an example of its application:-
An ordinary pair of horizontal engines may be arranged to work, by means of a
train of wheels or other known parts, the tiller chains of a navigable vessel.
The hand lever or its equivalent which works the supply valve, according to my
Invention, herein-before described, may be arranged to travel over an arc of a

page_text: circle, corresponding with the arc of the circle travelled over by the tiller, the centre
of the are representing amidships; and the ends of the arc, which are provided with
stops, representing respectively port and starboard.
According to the position of the hand lever, whether to port or starboard, so is
the position of the reversing plate or false valve face of the main cylinder, and so
the direction of motion of the engines, the supply of steam being given by the hand
levor to cause the engine to move to port or starboard. Such motion is continued
for a given number of revolutions, which correspond to the number required to
bring the tiller over to a like position to the hand lever, the steam being cut off by
the working of the engines when the desired work has been done.
To reverse the engines the hand lever has to be moved back and the false valve
face reversed, when the reverse action of the engines takes place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Hays Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
November 1878.
JOHN HAYS WILSON, of the Firm of John Hays Wilson and Company, of Liver-
pool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING
TO VALVES FOR MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND TO THE METHOD OF ACTUATING AND
CONTROLLING SUCH VALVES; THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING PARTICULARLY APPLI-
CABLE TO STEAM STEERING APPARATUS, STEAM WINCHES, STEAM CRANES, AND
OTHER MACHINERY WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO READILY CONTROL AND REVERSE THE
ACTION BY CUTTING OFF OR CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF THE MOTIVE FLUID."
My Invention has for its object certain improvements in and appertaining to
slide valves and apparatus and gear for actuating and controlling such slide valves,
the said improvements being particularly applicable to steam steering apparatus,
steam wihches, steam cranes, and other machinery, where it is required to readily
control and reverse the action by cutting off or changing the direction of the motive
fluid.
It is well known that the main requirements of steering apparatus, where power
is obtained by steaua or other like agent, are to so arrange the slide or other supply
and exhaust valves that the steam steering apparatus may be self-controlling, that
is to say, when steam is given to the engine which works the apparatus, such
apparatus will be actuated only for a given time and will make only a given
number of revolutions, the required cut-off, or means of stopping, being automatically
obtained from or produced by the action of the engine or apparatus itself, which by
some mechanical means cuts off or stops the supply of motive fluid which has been
given by the hand. The same principle is applicable to the working of many
other classes of steam motors, such as steam winches, steam cranes.
It is further requisite to have the gear and valves so arranged that the direction
of motion of the apparatus before referred to can be readily reversed, so that such

page_text: apparatus will work for a given time, and make a given number of revolutions or
'strokes in whichever direction may be required.
The valves and gear which constitute my Invention, and by which a steam
steering apparatus or other machine, as before referred to, is made to accomplish the
required action, as described in the 'fore-going paragraph, consists of a peculiar.
arrangement of a supply and cut-off valve, which are auxiliary, and are used
independently of the main valves of the engine. The supply valve is operated by
a land lever, or its equivalent, and consists of a slide valve which is provided with
a steam inlet or opening on one side of its upper face, to supply steam to the main
cylinders of the engine, and steam inlets or openings and an exhaust port on
the other side of its upper face for actuating a reversing cylinder herein-after
* referred to.
The under face of the supply valve works on the face of a valve chest or box,
which is provided with ports leading respectively to the main cylinders of the
engine and to the auxiliary reversing cylinder herein-after referred to. The cut-off
valve works on the upper face of and over the ports or openings of the hand supply
valve, and is controlled or actuated by a worm wheel gear, or its equivalent, driven
by or from a convenient portion of the apparatus or engine. Both the hand supply
valve and the cut-off valve are contained within a suitable casing provided with
stuffing boxes and a steam branch.
The whole portion of this my Invention may be termed the supply valve and
cut-off valve box. I may state that it is immaterial which valve is worked by
hand and which by the engine, as either will answer the purpose of the hand
supply and the engine cut-off.
The further carrying out of my Invention consists of providing the main cylinders
of the engine with a peculiar construction of ports and valve face. The ports are
formed thus: Two steam ports on one side of the cylinder valve face, which supply
the top of the cylinder with steam, and two ports on the other side of the cylinder
valve face, which supply the bottom of the cylinder with steam, and one common
exhaust port running across the cylinder valve face and between the steam ports,
one of the steam passages for the top and one for the bottom being led under
the common exhaust until it joins its fellow passage.
The cylinder valve face, as just described, is provided with a moveable false
valve face or reversing, plate, provided with ports which are constructed so as to
cover or open the supply through the ports of the cylinder valve face, in such a
manner as to alter or change the direction of the supply and exhaust, according
to the position in which such reversing plate is moved or placed. This false face
or reversing plate is worked by a spindle, which is controlled and actuated by a
connection to a lever and weigh shaft or its equivalent, worked or rocked by
means of a small auxiliary cylinder which I term the reversing cylinder, herein-
before referred to as being controlled by the supply valve. The main cylinders
are worked by ordinary slide valves of the D type, non-reversing and driven;
by an eccentric or its equivalent.
I would mention that the further details of an apparatus to which my Invention
may be applied are of such a various nature and general nature as to need no
.description on my part, but that my Invention may be clearly understood the
following may be taken as an example of its application.
An ordinary pair of horizontal engines may be arranged to work, by means of a
train of wheels or other known parts, the tiller chains of a navigable vessel.
The hand lever or its equivalent which works the supply valve, according to my
Invention herein-before described, may be arranged to travel over an acre of a
circle corresponding with the arc of the circle travelled over by the tiller, the centre
of the arc representing amidships, and the ends of the arc, which are provided with
stops, representing respectively port and starboard.
According to the position of the hand lever, whether to port or starboard, so is
the position of the reversing plate or false valve face of the main cylinder, and so
the direction of motion. of the engines, the supply of steam being given by the hand

page_text: by a spindle I, which is controlled and actuated by a connection to a lever and
weigh shaft, or its equivalent gear J, see Figures 1 and 3, the gear J being controlled
and actuated by the piston rod of the auxiliary cylinder C, already referred to as
being controlled by the supply valve A. The main cylinders X of the engines are
worked by an ordinary slide valve K of the D type, non-reversing, and driven by
an eccentric or its equivalent, see K', Figure 3.
I would mention that the further details of my Invention will be readily under-
stood upon reference to the Drawings, and need no explanation on my part, but the
following may be taken as an example of the application of my Invention.
Upon reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, X, X; are the cylinders of a steam steering
gear arranged to work the worm and wheel gear S, S₁, which works the drum T
round which the tiller chains are passed. The hand wheel and gear A¹ works the
supply valve A, herein-before described and shown in detail. The position of the
valve A, which is worked by a screw on the valve spindle, see Figure 6, corresponds
with the arc of the circle travelled over by the tiller, the centre representing amid-
ships, the top and bottom, port and starboard. According to the position of
the valve, top or bottom, so is the position of the reversing plate or false valve
face H, which is operated by the auxiliary cylinder C, and so the direction of
motion of the engines. The supply of steam being given by the hand gear A¹, the
engine runs to port or to starboard, as the case may be. Such motion is continued
for a given number of revolutions, which correspond with the number required to
bring the tiller into a position to correspond with the valve, the steam being cut off
by the working of the engines imparting motion through the gear B' to the cut-off
valve B. V is a tell-tale gear illustrating the position of the tiller. W is a train
of wheels for working the gear by hand if required. The worm wheel S' is pro-
vided with a frictional internal disc to compensate and allow for the sudden shocks
of seas striking the rudder. Z is a stop to prevent overturning.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and shown a system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or
may be used or practically carried into effect, what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction and arrangement of the supply and cut-off valves and
their valve box and passages, and the combination thereof, as herein-before described,
and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 10 inclusive of the accompanying Sheets 2 and 3 of
the Drawings.
Secondly. The construction, arrangement, and employment of an auxiliary
cylinder, such as C, for the purposes set forth, and as herein-before described, and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of the valve face ports and passages
of the main cylinders X, and the construction and arrangement of the reversing
plate or false face H used in combination therewith, and in combination with an
ordinary D slide valve, as herein-before described, and as illustrated at Figures 11
to 14, Sheet 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly. The general arrangement of steam steering engines, substantially as
described, and illustrated at Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hays Wilson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TATT