IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE ENGINE GOVERNORS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE ENGINE GOVERNORS." A communication from
abroad by James Sangster and William Shelton Grosvenor, both of Buffalo,
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 4th August 1876, and dated the 12th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lako at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE ENGINE GOVERNORS."
A communication.
"
し
These improvements relate to that class of marine engine governors having their
action controlled by the motion of the vessel. Its object is to provide a sensitive
prompt governor that will act at the right time and properly control the speed of
the engine when required for the purpose of preventing the racing of the wheel or
propeller when raised more or less out of the water by the pitching of the vessel in
a rough sea.
The first part of the said Invention consists in controlling the steam valve of a
marine engine by the combined action of a gasometer-like pneumatic governor
composed of an inverted movable vessel and an annular vessel holding mercury or
other liquid for forming an air-tight and nearly frictionless joint between them
and an air and water tube having a regulating pipe combined with it and an outlet
near the stern or bottom of the vessel, all being so combined and arranged that a
partial immersion of the boat in the water will cause a rise or movement of the
water in the tube to condense the air therein, and move the air holder, thereby
imparting the necessary movement at the proper time, either to an auxiliary valve
or to a valve on the main engine.
The second part of the said Invention consists in a pneumatic governor, and a
wheel arranged to rotate upon an axis by the action of the engine in combination
with a friction brake or clutch having a connection with the steam controlling
valve, and arranged on one side of the centre, near or on the periphery of said whicel,
so that a movement of the governor will cause the valve to be moved in one direc-
[Price 6d.]

page_text: tion, and a similar brake or clutch also having a connection leading to and with
said valve, and arranged to operate on the opposite side of the centre of said wheel,
so that an opposite movement of the governor will reverse the action of the valve
without changing the direction of the rotation of the wheel.
The third part of the said Invention consists in the combination with an air and
water tube of a marine engine governor of an outlet and inlet relief valve for
regulating the pressure or vacuum within the same; also inmaking a portion of the
tube of larger diameter than the part to provide more room for the water and the
means for more readily condensing the air in the smaller tube.
And in a modification of this device wherein a supplementary tube or pipe is
connected to this large tube, and a series of stop-cocks is arranged thereon. This
arrangement regulates the pressure and may be made to regulate the time at which
pressure is applied.
By means of this Invention if required an engine may be operated from a distance
or from any part of the boat to be reversed or stopped by means of connecting wires
leading thereto to be operated like ordinary bell wires.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th December 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine; Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE ENGINE GOVERNORS."
A communication from abroad by James Sangster and William Shelton. Grosvenor
both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
These improvements relate to that class of marine engine governor having their
action controlled by the motion of the vessel. Its object is to provide a sensitive
prompt governor that will act at the right time and properly control the speed of
the engine when required for the purpose of preventing the racing of the wheel
or propeller when raised more or less out of the water by the pitching of the vessel
in a rough sea.
The first part of the said Invention consists in controlling the steam valve of a
marine engine by the combined action of a gasometer-like pneumatic governor
composed of an inverted movable vessel and an annular vessel holding inercury
or other liquid for forming an air-tight and nearly frictionless joint between them
and an air and water tube having a regulating pipe combined with it and an
outlet near the stern or bottom of the vessel, all being so combined and arranged
that a partial immersion of the boat in the water will cause a rise or movement
of the water in the tube to condense the air therein, and move the air holder, there-
by imparting the necessary movement at the proper time either to an auxiliary
valve or a valve on the main engine.
The second part of the said Invention consists in a pneumatic governor and a
wheel arranged to rotate upon an axis by the action of the engine in combination
with a friction brake or clutch having a connection with the steam controlling
valve, and arranged on one side of the centre, near or on the periphery of said
wheel, so that a movement of the governor will cause the valve to be moved in
one direction, and a similar brake or clutch also having a connection leading to
and with said valve, and arranged to operate on the opposite side of the centre of
said wheel, so that an opposite movement of the governor will reverse the action
of the valve without changing the direction of the rotation of the wheel, as will
be more clearly herein-after describel.
The third part of the said Invention consists in the combination with an air
and water tube of a marine engine governor of an outlet and inlet relief valve
for regulating the pressure or vacuum within the same. I use in combination
with the water tube of a marine engine governor an adjustable part so arranged

page_text: that one side of the edge of said tube, behind the direction of the vessel's move-
ment through the water, may be made to project more or less beyond the other
edge. Without such a device experience has shown that when a vessel is moving
through the water the level of the same within the tube is lower than the level of the
water outside (probably caused by the friction of the water as it passes by the end
of said tube), which difference increases in a certain proportion as the speed of the
vessel increases, and perhaps to a certain extent according to the immersion of the
vessel.
The object of this part of the Invention is to overcome the objection above-named
by placing at that side of the tube nearest the stern of the vessel a rim or plate
which may be adjusted more or less beyond the opposite edge, so as to present
more or less obstruction to the passage of the water at that side, and thereby keep
the level of the same within the tube nearly the same as that without while the
boat is in motion.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the governing device complete, showing the
arrangement of the rotating wheel friction brakes, and their connections with the
valve and governor.
Figure 3 is a vertical section through a cylinder illustrating the use of a piston
as lierein-after specified.
Figure 4 shews the water tube as arranged when having an outlet through the
side of the vessel, also a portion of the air tube.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the gasometer-like pneumatic
governor showing also a top view of the same.
Figure 6 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a section through the rotating wheel shown in Figure 2, and also
through a pulley for driving the same.
Figure 8 is a view looking downward toward the opening leading to the air and
water tube.
Figure 9 shows a modified form of water tube, and
Figure 10 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shown in Figures 2 and 6.
Figure 11 represents a device similar to that shown in Figure 8, but having com-
bined therewith means for adjusting the same.
A is the lower part of the air and water tube connecting with the water through
an opening & in the side of the vessel, and with the valve operating device Bat
some point in the vessel convenient to the engine. The portion A of the tube is
made of larger diameter than the part C so as to provide more room for the water
and the means for more readily condensing the air in the smaller tube. It is not
absolutely necessary that one portion of the tube should be smaller than the other,..
but we believe it is best, as the air is elastic and a smaller tube holding less is
more quickly acted on by the rise or motion of the water in the larger one than
it would be if it were of the same diameter throughout. D represents a stop-cock
for regulating the size of the opening leading from the tube A to the tube C,
by which, as will be readily seen, the governor may be regulated so as to be more
or less sensitive. E is the inlet and outlet valve device for controlling the pressure
of air within the tube C. It is composed of two valves c, e¹, arranged at each
end of the case or vessel F, both being held to their seats by a spring f which may
be adjusted to the pressure required. A modification of this device is shown in
Figure 2, in which a supplementary tube or pipe e² is connected to the tube A, and
a series of stop-cocks arranged thereon, as shown by the letters c³.
This arrangement not only regulates the pressure, but may be made to regulate
the time at which the pressure is applied.
It will be seen that if the stop-cocks g are all closed and the lower cock e³ opened
the water will produce no compressing force on the air within the tubes A, C, until

page_text: after it rises past the point g¹, as the air has a free passage through the tube c³ and
the cock; then it begins to compress the air so as to act upon the governing
device. The water flowing through the lower open cock reduces the pressure in
proportion to the amount that escapes. By opening the next cock e above it and
repeating the operation less difference is made in the pressure.
The time at which pressure is applied to the air within the tubes A, C, may be
regulated by opening either of the cocks g.
By opening the lower one and closing all the cocks e³ the air has a free escape
through the said cock g and up through the tube e² until the water rises and passes
it. After that it begins to exert a compressing force on the air. By opening the
next cock g and closing all below it the pressure may be further delayed, and so
on until the uppermost one is opened and all the rest closed. Thus it will be seen
that the action of the governor may be regulated for various immersions or emer-
sions of the vessel.
The device for operating the steam controlling valve is composed of the annular
vessel B and the movable inverted vessel G. The said annular vessel is filled with
mercury or other fluid up to the line X, X, or nearly so, or high enough to counter-
balance a pressure of two or three pounds to the square inch. The vessel G is then
inserted, as shown in Figure 5, the mercury scaling the joint and allowing it to
move easily.
Any other liquid would answer, but mercury is preferred on account of its
weight. H represents a rod rigidly fastened to the vessel G for holding it in line
with the vessel B; it is held in position by supports I, J. In the Drawing I have
shown a connection K made with the valve of an auxiliary cylinder L; but by
increasing the size of the device it can be easily adapted for moving the valve of
a larger engine. M in Figure 8 represents a projecting strip which may be
arranged at the side of the opening a nearest the stern of the vessel for the pur-
pose of directing the water into the said opening if required as the vessel moves in
the direction of the arrow M¹.
It is better to make this device adjustable, as shown in Figure 11, in which a
convenient means is presented for that purpose, when the tube is made to pass
vertically through the bottoin of the boat. If it is made to turn at the lower
portion of the tube to pass through the side of the vessel, as shown in Figure 4, a
slight modification of the adjusting device would be necessary. A², in Figure 11, is
a sleeve or tube arranged to fit closely within the lower part of the tube A; it is
provided with a lip or projecting plate a B2 is a rod rigidly fastened to the
tube A and made to pass through a stuffing box B3; it is provided with a screw and
nuts B for adjusting it vertically up or down. The lip a³ may be made of various
forms and may be curved, as shown by the arrow a³, without changing the nature
of the Invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a modification of the water tubes A, C, the operation of which
is obvious, Y, Y, representing the water line which is changed by the motion of the
boat to operate the inverted vessel G or a piston, Figure 3, by compressing the air
or producing a partial vacuum, the said tube being arranged lengthwise at some
convenient point within the vessel. Thus it will be seen that the action of the
governor may be regulated for various immersions (or degrees of immersion or
emersion of the vessel).
In Figure 2, N represents the rotating wheel made to move in the direction of
the arrows and receiving its motion from the engine by means of a pulley N¹,
Figure 7, or other equivalent device. The periphery of the wheel is grooved, as
shown in Figure 7. The brakes h have corresponding grooves for the purpose of
increasing the friction between the surfaces, but a plain surface between the wheel
and brakes may be used if desired. O represents a framework for supporting the
wheel, the connecting arms P and rods P¹ for holding the brakes h. The arms Pare
so placed at the joints p that the brakes will move nearly in a line with the curve
of the wheel N.
The rods P¹ are jointed together at P2 with a connecting rod R leading to the
valve stem, and another connection R¹ leading to and connected with the governing

page_text: device. It is designed to so regulate the friction of the brakes has to be just
sufficient to move the said valve.
R² represents a stop arm placed on the same centre with one of the arms P for
limiting the forward motion of the brakes h, and consequently the valve; it is made
adjustable by means of the set screws S to regulate the distance the valve is to
be opened. P³ is an extension of the lower vibrating arm P for limiting the
movement of the valve in the opposite direction by means of a projecting piece S¹.
This extension is provided with set screws S2 to adjust the distance of the closing
of the valve. The surfaces may be covered with a softer material or a spring to
prevent jar or the effects of a sudden blow on the parts.
It will be understood that the arrangement shown in the Drawing is adapted
merely for conveniently exhibiting the said Invention. The relative position of the
tubes A, C, and governor with reference to the position of the engine may be
changed according to circumstances to adapt it to the vessel.
In Figure 6 I have shown a modification which may answer the purpose of this
Invention, but its action is not always as prompt as it should be. It consists of a
vibrating arm S³ provided with toes or projections and an oscillating plate or
bar T connected with the valve stem. It swings upon a joint t¹ and is reciprocated
by a connection with the engine. The governor is connected to the plate T by a
rod T¹ and its connections, so that in operating the plate T is made to engage with
either toe t and thereby move the valve in either direction according to the action
of the governor.
One other modification will be readily understood by reference to Figure 10 of
the Drawing.
A movement of the governor downward causes one of the moving teeth to engage
with the tooth in the yoke and move the valve in one direction, while a movement
of the governor upward causes an engagement of the tooth in the opposite side, and
consequently a reverse movement of the valve; or the teeth may be dispensed with
and the rotating wheel made as shown by the dotted lines, the governing device
being connected at U so that the valve would be operated entirely by the friction
between the wheel and yoke, and the action being somewhat similar to that shown
in Figure 2.
The operation of this Invention is as follows:-When the stern of the vessel is
made to dip into the water by the action of the waves the water instantly rises
within the tube A, and compressing the air within the tube C moves the vessel G,
and by its connections the valve, thereby admitting steam to the cylinder of the
engine. When the stern of the vessel rises out of the water a partial vacuum is
formed within the tube Cand vessel or cylinder G by the descent of the water in the
tube A, thereby reversing the movement of the governor and shutting off the steam,
and when necessary through suitable connections it may be made to admit air to the
condenser so as to regulato the vacuum in the engine cylinder at the same time.
The object of the outlet and inlet relief valve E is to provide the means for
regulating the pressure or vacuum within the tube C and vessel G so that the air
cannot at any time force its way through the mercury in the annular vessel B. If
required a light packing of leather, india-rubber, or other suitable material may be
connected with the annular vessel, as shown at V, V₁, Figure 5, to prevent the
liquid from being thrown out by the pitching of the vessel.
By means of this Invention, if required, an engine may be operated from a dis-
tance or from any part of the boat to be reversed or stopped by means of connecting
wires leading thereto to be operated like ordinary bell-wires.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim―!
First. The combination of the water tube, the gasometer-like pneumatic governor
composed of an annular vessel partly filled with mercury or other liquid and a
movable inverted vessel partly immersed in said liquid, and the stean controlling
valve connected with said inverted vessel, as above described and for the purposes
specified.

page_text: Second. The combination of a rotating wheel, brakes, arms, connections, and the
steam controlling valve of a.marine engine, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Third. In a marine engine governor the combination of the tube A, tube e2, and
cocks es and g, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The combination of an outlet and inlet relief valve with the air tube
and vessel or piston of a marine engine governor, as above set forth and for the
purposes specified.
Fifth. In a marine engine governor the combination of the tube A and an adjust-
ing device with its necessary connections, for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
DADT T
W. ROB LAKE. (L.S.)