IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robertson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd October 1872.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists in transmitting motive force by fluids in
motion through or by a new and improved form of impact turbine,
and of a new and improved regulator or governor for regulating fluid
currents applicable to these new and improved turbines, and also to
other forms of motive force engines actuated by fluids under pressure
or in motion, such as ordinary steam engines and water wheels.

page_text: My new and improved turbine under the first part of my Invention
consists of a disc formed with an internal annular cavity set on an axis,
and adapted to revolve concentrically with the said internal annular
cavity. These discs are by preference constructed of iron or other
suitable material to withstand high velocities and great force. The
central boss is joined to the internal annular cavity or rim by a web,
plate, or by arms, the diameters generally ranging from about one to
twenty feet, the breadth about one-seventh part of the diameters, and
the depths of the internal annular cavities about a tenth part of the
diameters.
The surface of the internal annular cavity is preferably made smooth,
but for slow motions and under some conditions it may be serrated or
otherwise roughened to make the fluids in motion more readily act on
the internal annular cavity surface.
When steam from an ordinary steam boiler or generator is employed
to actuate one of my said turbines or motive-power engines, the steam
is led into the internal annular cavity by a bent steam pipe terminating
in a flat or round tapering orifice or nozzle narrowed to give the issuing
jet the full force due to the pressure in the boiler, and bent round to
make the issuing jet act in a direction tangential or nearly tangential
to the internal surface of the annular cavity. The said cavity is also
provided with a waste-water scoop pipe to take off the water condensed
from the steam, this pipe has a sharp edged end orifice and an ex-
panding throat, it is set tangentially, but in the opposite direction to
the steam pipe. For the full and effective force or impact of the
steam or actuating fluid it is important that a portion of the water
should be left in the internal annular cavity, and that the orifice of
the outlet of the waste-water pipe be placed a small distance from the
surface of the revolving disc to allow a quantity of water to revolve
in an annular ring in the cavity. The motive force thus transmitted
to the said turbines can be transmitted from their axes by toothed
or frictional wheels or straps or other means, and applied to mill and
other gearing.
The waste steam may be allowed to flow off and out freely from the
internal space of the disc, or be carried away by a scoop pipe also
entered into the annular cavity (in the same way as the waste-water|
eduction pipe), but set somewhat nearer to the centre of the disc and

page_text: led to a condenser, or the waste steam allowed to escape, or the turbine
disc can be enclosed in a case provided with suitable steam and water
inlets and outlets.
The waste steam is condensed by leading it on to the surface of a
ring of water contained in an annular disc keyed on the same spindle
or formed in one piece with the said disc turbine, the water being
set in motion and retained in the annular cavity by centrifugal force.
In discs of large diameter however very little waste steam will escape
the surface of the disc, and hot water contained in it adhering to its
surface is so exhaustive to the force of the steam that it gets condensed
into water. These disc turbines are also suitable for being actuated
by air or gases under pressure. The air or gases are made to issue
from a jet or a number of jets and water, or other liquid may be used
in the disc to receive the impact of the said air or gases described as
being used where steam is the actuating fluid. When the pressure
force or motion of the issuing jet is very great it will be an advantage
to use a heavier liquid than water, mercury for some purposes, and
some actuating fluids is suitable. The same general form of these
internal annular disc turbines is also suitable for being actuated by
water, the body of the water allowed to revolve in the cavity may
be with advantage several times greater than the body or mass passing
in and out from the inlet and exhaust pipes, and for great pressures it
will be an advantage to cause the exhaust water to pass into a second
ring of less diameter than the first the better to expand its force.
Large size annular cavities and expanding outlet throat pipes are
expedients that tend to exhaust the force of the water or other actuating
fluid.
Similar turbine discs with large annular cavities are also suitable
for being actuated by air or the gases set in motion by a flame or
jet or jets of carbonetted hydrogen or like gas, by preference to be
used with a mixture of air in a similar manner to the contrivance
known as a Bunsen burner. For this motive agent the disc should
be formed of light plates, the axis small to avoid friction, and the
diameter large. The inlet gas pipe may with advantage terminate
in several jets, and have a short tube around each burner which lies
concentrically to the axis of the turbine, and is expanded at the ends.
An inlet pipe should also be provided to each burner to convey air

page_text: from the outside of the discs by the inductive action of the mixture
of air and gases revolving in the cavity. The entering air by expansion
accellerates motion and thereby acts by impact on the surface of the
disc or liquid placed in it. Water is very suitable in this case as it
tends to extinguish the unpleasant odour arising from the waste gases
produced from the combustion of ordinary illuminating gas. Any gas
that will ignite and produce rarifying effect may be used in this way
in these turbines. The axes of these turbines may be placed horizontally,
vertically, or otherwise, and applied for transmitting power to all kinds
of mills and machines.
Under my Invention I ccombine the said disc turbines with similar
discs or apparatus for raising and forcing water.
The jets mouths are by preference made oblong; they may be
expanded and contracted by a governor to the requirements of the
machinery to be driven, so as to give the full impact due to the pressure
of the actuating fluid.
When used as a governor under the second part of my Invention
either for the disc turbines above described, or for other forms of
steam, water, or gas engines, I employ a small disc of a similar form
to the disc turbines described. This is set on a vertical axis, and
partially filled with a liquid, by preference, mercury, the disc being
made to revolve by a band or other gear driven by the turbine or
other engine it is employed to regulate. When this disc is at rest
or working at a slow motion, the mercury is caused to rest or revolve
in an annular space formed in the bottom of the disc. When the
engine is up to its proper speed the mercury will rise partially in the
disc, and when the speed of the engine and disc is over high the
mercury will rise higher and flow out into the internal cavity of the
disc. Into this mercury I place a small toothed wheel fixed on an
axis, and communicating with suitable gear to a throttle valve in the
ordinary way; when the motion is slow the mercury comes in contret
with this toothed wheel on its lower periphery, and gives motion in the
direction to open the throttle valve. When the motion is too great
the mercury rises in the disc, leaves the lower periphery of the pinion,
and rises into contact with or at the opposite front of the periphery of
the axis of this toothed wheel, and receives motion from the mercury
in the opposite direction, and actuates the gear to shut the throttle

page_text: valve. When the mercury is in a mid-position it is wholly out of
contact with the wheel, and allows the throttle valve to remain at rest
and in the position required to give the requisite motion to the turbine
or engine. In this form of governor the throttle valves are theoretically
kept to the proper amount of opening for any pressure of the steam or
other actuating fluid.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd April 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Robertson, Her special licence
that I, the said James Robertson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said James Robertson, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CON-
NECTED WITH MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said James Robertson, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.

page_text: performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the two Sheets of Drawings
herewith, and to the arrows, figures, and letters marked thereon, that is
to say :-
My Invention consists in transmitting motive force by fluids in
motion through or by a new and improved form of impact turbine, and
of a new and improved regulator or governor for regulating fluid currents,
applicable to these new and improved turbines, and also to other forms
of motive force engines actuated by fluids under pressure or in motion,
such as ordinary steam engines and water wheels.
The first I shall describe is the new and improved form of impact
turbine, which consists of a disc formed with an internal annular cavity,
set on an axis, and adapted to revolve concentrically with the said
annular cavity. These discs are by preference constructed of iron,
or other suitable material to withstand high velocities and great
force, the central boss is joined to the internal annular cavity by a web
plate or by arms. The diameters generally mange from about one to
twenty feet, the breadth about one-seventh part of the diameter, and
the depth of the internal annular cavity about a tenth-part of the
diameter.
Throughout the Figs. on the two Sheets of Drawings appended hereto,
to illustrate this Invention I shall use black arrows to indicate the
direction of the motion of the turbines and moving parts; blue arrows to
indicate the direction of the actuating fluids in the inlet channels,
whether steam, water, or gases be used; and red arrows to indicate the
exhaust
flow of exhaust steam, water, gas, or other fluid in the
channels. I shall use the same reference letters for like parts to
avoid as far as possible descriptive repitition.
On Sheet I. of my Drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in
section, and Fig. 2 a plan also partly in section of one modification of a
turbine, adapted to be actuated by steam from an ordinary steam engine
boiler, which is also shown; the boiler having the ordinary fire-grate,
safety valve, and other mountings, as used for an ordinary steam engine,
and a steam pipe to lead the steam to the turbine. The turbine A in
this example is shown constructed mainly of malleable iron, baving a
malleable iron annular ring forming the cavity A' rivetted to a web plate

page_text: which is bolted to a central boss, and keyed on an axis B. This axis is
set in the axis bracket bearings C and C¹ which are bolted on the sole
plate D, forming thereby a rigid supporting structure, in which the disc
turbine A is left free to revolve on its axis without retarding influences;
but the friction on the bearing and the atmospheric resistance to the
motion of the disc turbine itself, which when all the parts are truly
turned and equally balanced are very small. The form of the annular
cavity A' is seen in section in Fig. 2, portion of the outer ledge of the
annular cavity A' is shown broken off, and the bush bracket C¹ is taken
away in Fig. 1, to show the form and position of the steam jet pipe E,
and its nozzle E', from which the steam in this example is made to issue
into the annular cavity A' in a tangential direction. The form of the
nozzle is here shown oblong, and narrowed to cause the steam to flow in
to the annular cavity A of the turbine with the full force due to the
pressure in the steam boiler. The steam jet pipe E is shown assuming a
round form as it extends backwards from the flat pointed terminal nozzle
E', and is bent round and provided with a turned neck E² which is carried
in the bush bracket G, a spigot end Es being further extended back, and
placed in the stuffing box E. The lower surface of the jet pipe E is
placed near to the internal surface of the annular cavity A¹, of the disc
turbine A, and at the same time leaves the jet pipe E free to oscillato
upwards when any force is exerted on it in an upward direction. The
stuffing box E is connected to the steam pipe E', which is shown con-
nected to the boiler F, at the branch of the safety valve chest F', in the
ordinary way. Into the annular cavity A' of the disc turbine A is also
placed the small scoop pipe H, shown in Fig. 1, terminating in a small
inlet nozzle H placed a little nearer to the centre of the turbine than the
nozzle E of the steam jet pipe E, and is set in a tangential direction in
the opposite position to the direction of the steam pipe E, to take water
out of the annular cavity A' when the turbine is in motion, in the
method explained in the Specification of an Invention, for which I
obtained British Letters Patent under the serial number 1675, and
bearing date Third of June, 1872.
The scoop pipe H is shown provided with a three-way cock H, and an
ordinary check valve H³ which is shown fixed in the outer shell of tho
boiler F. The three-way cock H is also shown provided with a waste-
water pipe H', through which the water forced through the pipe H
may be wholly or partially diverted by the cock 1:42 from the bailes 11

page_text: which is provided with a regulating cock I', and is bent round into the
. internal cavity A' of the disc turbine A so as to allow a small flow of
water to be regulated by the cock I at pleasure to the requirements of
the turbine.
In a turbine arranged as above-described, on steam being admitted
from the boiler through the jet pipe E, it issues in a tangential
direction from the nozzle E', impinges on the internal surface of
the internal annular cavity A', and causes the turbine A to move
in the direction of the black arrow a shown placed on it, a large
portion of the steam condensing the water from it accumulates and
assumes by centrifugal force the ring shown by the blue lines A³. The
said ring raises up and carries the jet pipe E by its lateral action on its
slanting nozzle end. The ring of water A" is prevented from increasing
beyond the height or depth shown in the cavity A' by the scoop pipe H;
the nozzle H' entering into the water while the water is in swift motion
causes the said water to pass with great force through the pipe H and
cock H³, and a great portion of the steam from the boiler F condensed
and again returned thereto in the form of hot water through the pipe H
without the use of either piston or valves other than the check valve H'
connected to the boiler, which check valve is not necessary so long as
the turbine is kept in motion.
The ring of water A³ in the cavity A' is where the issuing jet of steam
strikes it pressed up in a constantly receding wave, which like a vane
receives the impact of the jet of steam. The quantity of water in the
cavity A' is made large enough to give frictional hold on the surface of
the turbine sufficient to impart thereto the force of the jet of steam with
very little slip or loss from friction.
To more effectually condense the steam a small flow of water may
be admitted into the cavity A' of the turbine A by the small inlet.
pipe I. The quantity must be small otherwise the water ring A³ in
the cavity A' gets cooled down too low in temperature, and causes loss
of power from too great condensation of steam. When the quantity
of water from condensation and ingress through the pipe I becomes
too great for the requirements of the boiler, it is by regulating the
cock I partially allowed to flow off through the waste water pipe H.

page_text: Motion is communicated from the turbine by a belt applied to the
belt pulley J. Toothed, frictional, or other gear is also suitable for
transmitting motion from the turbine to mills or machines.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation, shown partially in section, and Fig. 4 a
sectional side elevation of a turbine having the nozzles of the jet
pipe E and scoop pipe H placed in the annular cavity A', as described
in Figs. 1 and 2. This turbine is provided with a large scoop pipe K,
placed tangentially in the same direction as the water scoop pipe
H, the said scoop pipe K has its nozzle K' placed somewhat nearer to
the centre off the turbine than the nozzle H of the pipe H. This
scoop pipe K carries off the waste steam from the annular cavity A¹ of
the turbine, and serves the same end as the exhaust steam pipe of au
ordinary steam engine; steam, air, or other gases can be forced through
pipes in this way, the same as liquids. The direction of the motion of
the turbine A, and of the currents are as indicated by the arrows.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partly in section, and Fig 6 is a side
elevation, also partly in section, of a similar turbine A to those
described and is also actuated by steam or other gases, but is enclosed
in a close case. B the axis of the turbine A is supported in the axis
bush in the case and bracket bearing c, both fixed on the sole
plate D. Secured to the case to keep it steam tight is the stuffing
box 4, through which the axis B passes; a waste steam pipe I is also
provided. In all other respects, except those above mentioned, the
turbine A is the same as that described in connection with Figs. 1 and
2, and need not be described. Tthe direction of its motion and that of.
the steam and water currents are as indicated by the arrows.
Fig. 7 is a front elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 8 is a side
clevation, also partly in section, of a similar disc turbine to that
described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, but is provided with a
double oscillating steam jet pipe E, having two jet nozzles E' and E³
for producing reversing action. The oscillating neck part E is formed
with a diaphragm E' cast up its centre, and has two small puts e, e',
entering through the rim of the hollow neck, one for each side of the
diaphragm, forming thereby a sort of two-way cock, so that the steam
can be directed to either of the nozzles E' or E' by oscillating the
double jet pipe E. The end of the cock, key, or neck part of the pipe
E is carried through the cock pipe casting E³, and has fixed upon it

page_text: the handle M for oscillating the jet pipe E. The nozzle E' is shown
in action with the small put e' in the cock E² open. The consequent
motion of the turbine is as indicated by the arrow a'. When the jet
pipe E is oscillated to the position indicated by the dotted lines the
small put e in the cock is opened, and the put e' closed, the direction
of the motion of the turbine being as indicated by the arrow a. Tho
motion of the steam in the steam pipe E is as indicated by the blue
arrow.
Fig. 9 is a front elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 10 a side
clevation, also partly in section, of a flat jet nozzle pipe E drawn to
an enlarged scale. The nozzle E has an adjustable arrangement to
work by hand, or be regulated by a common clutch or other governor
for controlling rotary motion; it is adapted to be regulated by the
governor herein-after described. Portion of the rim of the turbine
A, also on an enlarged scale, is shown broken off so as to exhibit the
position of the jet pipe E, and its adjustable nozzle E' in the internal
cavity A¹.
The pipe E is of the same general shape as that described in con-
nection with Figs. 1 and 2, but is provided with a nozzle flap E',
accurately fitted and jointed, to which is jointed the screw N, which
works in a nut placed in a bush bracket E³; the said nut being
similar to the nut of the feed screw of a vertical boring machine.
This nut is actuated by the worm wheel N' and worm N', which latter
is keyed on the small axis N' set in the bearing bracket E', shown
in Fig. 10, but broken off in Fig. 9. To the boss of this axis spindle 1
N' is attached the hand regulating wheel, or a coupler may be
connected to a small shaft actuated by a governor.
Motion is communicated to the gear to close the flap E' when the
speed of the turbine becomes too high, or to open it when the speed
becomes too slow. The speed of these turbines may be regulated by 3
an ordinary throttle valve placed in any part of the actuating fluid
current pipe in the manner of the ordinary steam engine, but the most
economical method of regulating the speed is by closing the nozzle
of the jet pipes, this may be done in various ways. The nozzle of the
jet pipe E may be made round or of other shape, and may be regulated 3
like the nozzle of a Giffard's ejector, or in any other well known
means for regulating the nozzles of jets of fluids.

page_text: Fig. 11 is a front elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 12, a plan also
partly in section, of a turbine with a method of more effectually con-
densing the waste or exhaust steam, and of more effectively forcing
water. At the outer edge of the annular cavity A¹ the smaller and
separate annular cavity A' is formed somewhat greater in internal
diameter than that of the cavity A'. The waste water from the con-
densed steam is when the turbine is in action allowed to flow over the
central edge A into the outer annular cavity A*, into which cavity the
inlet cold water pipe I discharges through its nozzle I', and into which
the scoop pipe H also enters in the same relative position as explained
in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. The water in the internal annular
cavity A¹ is retained at a high temperature, and thereby prevents loss of
power of the steam jet by condensation, the waste steam being trapped
and condensed by the cold water revolving in the cavity A'. By this
arrangement the raising and forcing of a greater quantity of water is
practicable than when the nozzles E¹ of the steam jet pipe H' of the
scoop pipe and I' of the inlet pipe are arranged as shown in connection
with Figs. 1 and 2. Simple turbines and pumping apparatus con-
structed in this way can force water to great heights in a continuous
flow, and have few wearing parts to get out of order.
Fig. 13 is a sectional side elevation of another form of turbine with a
compound annular rim having a central web plate. The cavity A' on
one side of the web plate is for the actuating fluid, and the cavity A* on
the other side is used for forcing water or other fluid. This kind of
turbine may be variously modified, and the pumping side made greater
or less in diameter according to the force or height required.
Fig. 14 is an elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 15, a plan, also
partly in section, of a turbine A somewhat different in construction to
those just described; it is placed horizontally on a vertical axis, and is
) enclosed in a case generally similar to that described in connection with
Figs. 5 and 6. The inlet pipe I, steam jet pipe E, and scoop pipe H arc
inserted into the periphery of the case L. The manner of fixing the
steam and water pipes, and the elasticity due to their form, provides
simple means of accommodating their inner surface to the surface of the
5 water ring A³. This modification is specially adapted to heat the water
it forces by waste steam from a steam engine or elsewhere, and is
suitable for feeding boilers. The case L has connected to it the exhaust
steam pipe O from a steam engine, which steam heats the water from

page_text: the inlet pipe I, thus preventing loss of the actuating steam by con-
densation while heating the feed water carried away by the scoop
pipe H. The boiler thereby has the advantage of being fed with hot
water. It is also necessary for the economical action of these turbines
when actuated by steam or heated fluids that they should be kept at a
high temperature, which in the arrangement above described is provided
for at small expense.
When the turbine is at rest the ring of water is contained in the
annular cavity A', as shown by the horizontal blue lines; when in
action the water rises up to the nozzle 1 of the scoop pipe, which
carries off the waste water. In other respects the action of this turbine
is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, and the
motion of the currents and direction of motion of the turbine is as shown
by the arrows.
Instead of only one issuing impact jet, as shown in my Drawings, any
convenient number may be used, and in turbines of large diameter two
or more may be provided with advantage. Water or other liquid is
used to receive the impact of the issuing steam or gases, as mentioned,
and the internal surfaces of the annular cavities may be roughened or
serrated, or have pegs or light vanes placed therein to receive the impact
of the issuing jets of the motive fluid, and to increase the frictional hold
of the liquid ring Aª. It will, however, be less expensive, and answer
the end as well generally to increase the quantity of fluid carried round
in the cavity A' until it has sufficient frictional hold to transmit all the
force of the impact jet or jets issuing into the turbine, as the larger
the mass of the fluid ring the less loss from slip will take place. The
said internal annular disc turbines are also suitable for being actuated
by water as hereafter described. The body of the water allowed to
revolve in the cavity may be with advantage several times greater than
the body or mass which passes in and out of the inlet and outlet pipes, a
and for great pressures it will be an advantage to cause the outlet water
to pass into a second ring of less diameter than the first, the better to
expend the force of the water. Expanding throat outlet pipes also tend
to exhaust the force of the water.
On Sheet II. of my Drawings Fig. 16 is a side clevation, partly in a
section, and Fig. 17 a plan, also partly in section, of a turbine keyed and
11

page_text: outlet scoop pipe H being in the same relative positions as those
described under Figs. 1 and 2 on Sheet I. of my Drawings, but here
made of larger size on account of the greater mass and weight of the
actuating fluid. When the turbine is at rest the ring of water A³
assumes the position shown by the blue colour, but when in motion it
assumes the position shown by the blue dotted lines. The motions of
the turbine and currents in the pipes are as indicated by the arrows.
A bevel toothed pinion P and a corresponding toothed wheel Q are
shown, arranged to transmit power from the axis B to a horizontal
shaft R.
Fig. 18 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 19 a plan, also
partly in section, of a turbine adapted to be impelled by water under
pressure. This turbine is similar to that described under Figs. 16
and 17, but is keyed to the vertical axis B in an inverted position. The
inlet pipe E and jet nozzle E¹ are shown bent round underneath the
turbine. The water in the cavity A' when at rest assumes the position
shown by the blue colour; and when in motion the position shown by
the blue dotted lines.
There is no scoop pipe or outlet pipe used in modification Fig. 18; the
water after it has expended its force on and in the annular ring of water
flows over the ledge A³ of the cavity A' round its circumference and
passes away. The direction of motion of the turbine and of the current
of water in the pipe E are as indicated by the arrows.
Turbines on a vertical axis have the advantage both when steam and
water are used of being more easily started than those on a horizontal
axis, but turbines fixed on a horizontal axis will usually be the most
convenient.
Disc turbines with large annular cavities are also suitable for being
actuated by air or gases set in motion by a flame or jet, or jets of
carburetted hydrogen gas, by preference a mixture of gas and air in a
similar manner to that produced by the contrivance known as a
Bunsen's burner.
Fig. 20 is a front elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 21 is a side
elevation, also partly in section, of a turbine constructed of light plates
5 and carried by a light shaft B, and suitable for being actuated by the
means above described.

page_text: A series of short thin jet pipes E, E, E, E, of equal diameter through-
out, bent to the same curve as the annular cavity A', and disposed
concentrically to the centre of the turbine, are placed endways to the
current of air carried round in the annular cavity A¹ of the turbine,
they thereby offer little obstruction to the said current. Into each of
these segmental short jet pipes is inserted a small pipe T, T, T, T, termi-
nating in a jet burner. The four pipes T, T, T, T, are united to the
large gas pipe T, and supplied with inflammable gas. To keep the
surface of the annular cavity cool as well as to receive the impact of
the issuing gases, a small quantity of water, which when in motion forms
the ring A³, is introduced into the annular cavity A'. When the jets of
gas T', T", T', T', are ignited the flame rarifies and accelerates the
current of air and gas in the jet pipes E, E, E, E, and causes it to
escape in impelling jets as shown, and carry round the turbine by
impact in the same way as described in the foregoing Figures. The
motion of the turbine and currents are as indicated by the arrows.
When used as a governor under the second part of my Invention,
cither for the disc turbines above described or for other forms of steam,
water, or gas engines, I employ a small disc of similar form to the disc
turbines described. This disc is set on a vertical axis and partially filled
with liquid, by preference mercury, and made to revolve by a band or
other gear, driven by the turbine or other engine it is employed to
regulate. When this disc is working at a slow speed the mercury is
caused to revolve in the annular space formed in the bottom of the disc.
When the engine is up to its proper speed the mercury will rise partially
in the disc, and when the speed of the engine and disc is over high the
mercury will rise higher and flow out into the internal cavity of the
disc. Into this mercury I place a small toothed wheel fixed on an axis,
and communicating with suitable gear to a throttle valve in the ordinary
way. When the motion is slow the mercury comes in contact with this
toothed wheel on its lower periphery and gives motion in the direction
to open the throttle valve. When the motion is too great the mercury
rises in the disc, leaves the lower periphery of the pinion, and rises into
contact with the opposite front of the periphery of this toothed wheel,
which receives motion from the mercury in the opposite direction and
actuates the gear to shut the throttle valve. When the mercury is in a
mid-position it is wholly out of contact with the wheel, and allows the
throttle valve to remain at rest, and in the position required to give the

page_text: requisite motion to the turbine or engine. In this form of governor the
throttle valves are theoretically kept to the proper amount of opening
for any pressure of the steam or other actuating fluid.
Fig. 22 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 23 a front
elevation, partly in section, of a governor constructed in accordance with
my Invention. The disc A is set on a vertical axis B, and has formed
on it a grooved pulley Aº, so that it can be rotated at a high speed by a
band, rope, or chain. The axis B is supported in the bearing U formed
in one piece with the throttle valve chest U₁. The valve is of the
ordinary double beat form, and need not be described. A small toothed
pinion X shown placed in the annular cavity A¹ of the disc is carried on a
small axis spindle X', which has at its other end the small bevel pinion W
The
gearing into a corresponding wheel Y keyed upon the nut Z.
nut Z revolves and moves the valve spindle 2 up or down so as to open
or close the valve. This gear is carried on the bush bracket 3. On
motion being given to the disc at the proper or normal speed of the
engine the mercury assumes the form shown by the blue mass in the
cup, and is out of gear with the wheel X. When the speed decreases
the mercury approaches the position of the horizontal blue line, comes
as shown into contact with the teeth of the pinion X, and opens the
throttle valve by the connecting gear, as explained. When the speed
increases beyond what is required the mercury approaches the form of
ring indicated by the red lines, comes into contact with the pinion X on
its opposite periphery, and closes the throttle valve until the mercury
again assumes the form indicated by the blue mass.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and particu-
larized the same by various modifications of great value, I claim obtaining
and applying motive power by the methods, means, and appliances
substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robertson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
JAMES ROBERTSON. (L.S.)