IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR 4 STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Harrison, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR
4
STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES."
Sealed the 7th March 1879, and dated the 10th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Harrison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th September 1878.
JOHN HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINES."
This Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of parts of rotary
valves, so called in distinction to reciprocating slide valves, and consists,—
Firstly. Of an arrangement by which one valve is used to supply motive fluid,
such as steam, to two or more cylinders.
Secondly. In a novel equilibrium arrangement, whereby the valve is balanced
and the friction reduced to a minimum.
Thirdly. In certain improvements on a former Invention for which Letters'
Patent were granted to me on 15th December 1877, No. 4782.
Fourthly. In a novel form of expansion gear as applied to rotary valves:
Fifthly. In a novel form of reversing gear as applied to rotary valves."
In carrying out the first part of this Invention, a valve face is made which serves
for both cylinders, of say, a pair of engines that is to supply steam or motive fluid
through suitable ports or passages to the top or bottom of both cylinders, and
exhaust such steam or motive fluid from the top and bottom of such cylinders, as
and when required during the performance of their work or duty. In construction,
the valve face is of circular form, with four ports for steam and exhaust, and one
central port or passage for exhaust only. The steam ports are arranged concen-
trically at an angle of forty-five degrees, the two outer ports being the ports for
Prins 71

page_text: the top and bottom of one cylinder, and the two inner ports being the ports for tho
top and bottom of the other cylinder. On this valve face there is fitted and works
a rotary circular valve provided with two steam ports and two exhaust ports.
These ports are placed on a common centre line and concentric in the valve. The
outer ports being the steam and exhaust for alternately the top and bottom of one
cylinder, and the inner ports being the steam and exhaust for alternately the top
and bottom of the other cylinder, the alternate action,being caused by the rotation
of the valve. The valve is provided with a central exhaust passage which com-
municates with the exhaust passage of the cylinder valve face, and with the exhaust
ports of the valve. This arrangement of valve can be rotated by any suitable
mechanical arrangement, such as spur gear or toothed wheels, and greatly reduces
the working parts of the valves of a pair of engines, inasmuch as one valve and its
attendant parts serves to supply steam to both engines.
'
In carrying out the second part of this Invention, the rotary valve is balanced by
providing an equilibrium arrangement, which consists of a loosé steel rod which
passes through the valve spindle, and supports the valve in its centre. The other
end of the rod works on a gun metal or other suitable socket piece, which is
supported by a copper or other suitable expansion chamber, of bellows or like
construction, into which steam is admitted at equal pressure with the steam on the
back of the valve, and which can be proportioned to balance or relieve the valve as
required.
The former Invention referred to under the third before recited head consisted in
the introduction of a rotary disc which was used as an automatic cut-off, and
especially applicable for steam-steering engines, the main valve being worked by
hand, and the automatic cut-off by and following the action of the engines. The
improvement on this said former Invention embraced in the present Invention,
consists in the adaptation of one valve to work two cylinders of a steam-steering
apparatus, which is accomplished by using one valve face with double ports of
concentric-position, the outer ports leading to one cylinder, and the inner ports to
the other cylinder. The intermediate disc and-valve are likewise provided with
double ports to correspond, one central exhaust passage being used common to both
cylinders. The equilibrium arrangement described under the second head of this
Invention is also applicable to this arrangement.
In carrying out the fourth part of this Invention, an expansion valve is applied
by using a rotating disc with concentric ports applied on the back of the main
rotating valve, and provided with requisite gear for adjusting the grade of expansion.
The ports of the expansion valve will of course vary with the ports of the main
valve and grade of expansion required.
+
In carrying out the fifth part of this Invention, the requisite alteration for
reversing the action of the compound rotary valve may consist of an adaptation of
a worm slot and key, or pin connecting the valve to the valve spindle, so that the
valve can be brought over by hand to admit the steam, or exhaust the same from
the top and bottom of the cylinder as required for reversing the action of the
engine. By the peculiar arrangement of concentric ports, the reverse action can be
given to both cylinders by one set of gear.
It will be evident that this Invention is applicable to engines having two, three,
or more cylinders, the necessary addition to the valve being the addition of extra
ports to correspond with the number of cylinders.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Harrison in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 10th March
1879.
JOHN HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
IN AND APPERTAINING TO VALVES FOR STEAM AND OTHER
ENGINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
MOTIVE-POWER
This Invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of parts of rotary
disc valves, so called in distinction to reciprocating slide valves, and consists,-
Firstly. Of an arrangement by which one valve is used to supply motive fluid,
such as steam, to two or more cylinders.
Secondly. In a novel equilibrium arrangement whereby the valve is balanced,
and the friction reduced to a minimum.
Thirdly. In certain improvements on a former Invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to me on 15th December 1877, No. 4782.
Fourthly. In a novel form of expansion gear as applied to rotary valves.
Fifthly. In a novel form of reversing gear as applied to rotary valves.
In carrying out the first part of this Invention, a valve face is made which serves
for both cylinders of, say, a pair of engines that is to supply steam or motive fluid
through suitable ports or passages to the top or bottom of both cylinders, and
exhaust such steam or motive fluid from the top and bottom of such cylinders, as
and when required during the performance of their work or duty. In construction,
the valve face is of circular forin, with four ports for steam and exhaust, and one
central port or passage for exhaust only. The steam ports are arranged concen-
trically, and may be at an angle of forty-five degrees, the two outer ports being the
ports for the top and bottom of one cylinder, and the two inner ports being the
ports for the top and bottom of the other cylinder. On this valve face there is
fitted and works a rotary circular disc valve provided with two stean ports and
two exhaust ports. These ports may be placed on a common centre line, and are
concentric in the valve. The outer ports being the steam and exhaust for
alternately the top and bottom of one cylinder, and the inner ports being the steam
and exhaust for alternately the top and bottom of the other cylinder, the alternate
action being caused by the rotation of the valve. The valve is provided with a
central exhaust passage which communicates with the exhaust passage of the
cylinder valve face, and with the exhaust ports of the valve. This arrangement of
valve can be rotated by any suitable mechanical arrangement, such as spur gear or
toothed wheels, and greatly reduces the working parts of the valves of a pair of
engines, inasmuch as one valve and its attendant parts serves to supply steam to
both engines.
In carrying out the second part of my Invention, the rotary valve is balanced by
providing an equilibrium arrangement, which consists of a loose steel rod which
passes through the valve spindle and supports the valve in its centre. The other
end of the rod works on a gun metal or other suitable socket piece which is
supported by a copper or other suitable expansion chamber, of bellows or like con-
struction, into which steain is admitted at equal pressure with the steam on the
back of the valve, and which can be proportioned to balance or relieve the valve as
required, or the rod may be supported by a piston in a small cylinder.
The former Invention referred to under the third before recited head consisted in
the introduction of a rotary disc which was used as an automatic cut-off, and
especially applicable for steam-steering engines, the main valve being worked by
hand, and the automatic cut-off by and following the action of the engines. The
improvement on this said former Invention, embraced in the present Invention,
consists in the adaptation of one valve to work two cylinders of a steam-steering
apparatus, which is accomplished by using one valve face with double ports of
concentric position, the outer ports leading to one cylinder, and the inner ports to

page_text: the other cylinder. The intermediate disc and valve are likewise provided with
double ports to correspond, one central exhaust passage being used common to both
cylinders. The equilibrium arrangement described under the second head of this
Invention is also applicable to this arrangement.
In carrying out the fourth part of this Invention, an expansion valve is applied
by using a moveable disc with concentric ports applied on the back of the main
rotating valve, and provided with requisite gear for adjusting the grade of ex-
pansion. The ports of the expansion valve will of course vary with the ports of
the main valve and grade of expansion required.
In carrying out the fifth part of this Invention, the requisite alteration for
reversing the action of the compound rotary valve may consist of an adaptation of
a worm slot and 'key, or pin, connecting the valve to the valve spindle, so that the
valve can be brought over by hand to admit the steam, or exhaust the same from
the top and bottom of the cylinder, as required for reversing the action of the
engines. By the peculiar arrangement of concentric ports, the reverse action can
be given to both cylinders by one set of gear.
+
It will be evident that this Invention is applicable to engines having two, three,
or more cylinders, the necessary addition to the valve being the addition of extra
ports to correspond with the number of cylinders.
The before-going being the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to illustrate how my Invention may be practically applied, and describe
suitable forms and arrangement of valves for carrying my Invention into practice,
and for that purpose I have hereunto attached four Sheets of Drawings illustrative
thereof, which are marked with letters and figures of reference corresponding with
those in the following explanation, like letters and figures being used to denote
the same or corresponding parts throughout the various views and Figures.
Figure 1 is a plan of a valve constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is a section through A, B, Figure 1.
Figure 3-is a section through C, D, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of cut-off valve constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 5 is a section through E, F, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a section through H, I, Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a section through K, L, Figure 1.
Figure 8 is an outside elevation of Figures 1 and 4, showing the stop for limiting
travel of the main valve, Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a plan of cylinder valve face, with ports arranged to suit the valve,
shown at Figure 1, and the cut-off disc shown at Figure 4.
.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation showing cylinder valve face, valve and cut-off
disc, constructed according to my Invention.
Figures 11 and 12 are details of Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a plan of another arrangement of valve constructed according to my
Invention.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of Figure 13, shown through the line Z, Figure 15.
Figure 15 is a section through the line X, Figure 13.
Figure 16 is a plan of cylinder valve face arranged to suit the valve, shown at
Figure 13.
Figure 17 is a side elevation of a steam-steering gear, provided with a valve
constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 18 is an end view of Figure 17.
Figure 19 is a plan of Figure 17.
Upon reference to the Drawings, it will be seen that my Invention consists in
using one valve face A, such as shown at Figures 9 and 10, or at Figure 16. The
valve face A (see Figure 16), serves as a valve face for both cylinders of, say, a pair
of engines, and is provided with four steam or supply ports. The ports B, B',
being the ports for supplying the top and bottom of one cylinder, and the ports
C, C', being the ports for supplying the top and bottom of the other cylinder with
steam. Dis the exhaust port common to the top and bottom of both cylinders.

page_text: D¹ is the exhaust outlet passage; E is the steam inlet passage to the valve. On
the valve face A there is fitted and works a rotary circular valve F (see Figures 13,
14, 15, and 16). The valve F is provided with two steam ports G, G!, and two
exhaust ports H, H'. These ports are placed concentrically in the valve, as shown
at Figures 13, 14, and 15: The outer ports G, H, being the steam and exhaust for
the top and bottom of one cylinder, and the inner ports G', H', being the steam and
exhaust for the top and bottom of the other cylinder, the alternate action being
caused by the rotation of the valve F on the cylinder valve face A. The valve F is
provided with a central exhaust passage H", which communicates with the exhaust
port D of the cylinder valve face A. The valve F can be rotated on the cylinder
valve face A by any suitable mechanical arrangement, such as spur gear or toothed
wheels.
The carrying out of the second part of my Invention is illustrated at Figure 10.
Upon reference it will be seen that the valve F is balanced by providing an
equilibrium arrangement, which consists of a spindle or rod Z, which passes through
the valve spindle Y, and supports the valve F in its centre. The other end of the.
rod Z is supported by the piston X of the small cylinder W, into which steam is
admitted through the port a. In practice, the steam condenses in the cylinder W,
which thus becomes a hydraulic cylinder, the power to support the rod Z being
obtained by the steam pressure.
The improvements which may be said to come under the third head of this
Invention, and which are spoken of as improvements on a former Invention of
mine, for which I obtained Letters Patent on 15th December 1877, No. 4782, will
be understood upon reference to Figures 1 to 12. The former Invention referred
to consisted in the introduction of a rotary disc valve, being a cut-off valve placed
between a rotary disc supply valve and the cylinder valve face, such arrangement
being especially applicable as an automatic cut-off for steam-steering or other
engines. The present improvements, or the improvements embraced in this
Invention, consist in the adaptation of one main disc valve, and one disc cut-off
valve to work two cylinders of, say, a steam-steering apparatus. This is accom-
plished by using one valve face A (see Figures 9, 10, 17, 18, and 19), with double
ports B, B, C, C', having concentric position, the outer ports B, B', leading to the
top and bottom of one cylinder, and the inner ports C, C, leading to the top and
bottom of the other cylinder. The main valve F will be understood upon reference
to Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10. The valve it will be seen, is provided with two
steam ports G, G', and two exhaust ports H, H, placed concentrically to correspond
with the ports B, B, and C, C₁, of the cylinder valve face A. The intermediate
disc or cut-off valve which is indicated by the letter J will be understood upon
reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 10. It will be seen that the intermediate disc or
cut-off valve J is provided with four ports K, K', and L, L', the ports K, K', and
L, L, being positioned concentrically, and corresponding with the ports B, B¹, and
C, C, of the cylinder valve face A. M is the exhaust port of the intermediate disc
or cut-off valve J, corresponding with the exhaust D of the cylinder valve face A,
and the exhaust H" of the main valve F. The cut-off valve J is provided with
lugs d, e, which act as stops to the lug f on the valve F, to regulate and control the
travel of the valve F. The arrangement of the cylinder valve face A, the cut-off
valve J, and the main valve F, will be understood upon reference to Figure 10. It
will be seen that the valves F, J, are contained in the casing N. The main valve
F is driven or rotated by the spindle O and the bevel wheel P. For detail of
attachment, see Figure 11. The cut-off valve J is driven or rotated by the spindle
Y, and the toothed wheel U. For detail of attachment, see Figures 12 and 6. The
fork Y, shown at Figure 12, takes into the holes Y" (Figure 6).
In Figures 17, 18, and 19, g, g, are the cylinders of a steam-steering gear supplied
with steam by one valve h, such as shown at Figure 10, and common to both
cylinders. The main valve F is actuated by the bevel wheel i, the shaft it, and the
hand-steering wheel k. The cut-off valve J is actuated by the bevel wheel gear m,

page_text: which receives motion from the crank shaft of the engines. S is the pulley or
drum carrying the rudder chains, and is driven by the worm and wheel T.
In applying an expansion valve according to my Invention, I use a plate or disc
placed over the valve F, and arranged with ports corresponding with the steam
ports of the valve F, and so fixed that it can be moved to any desired position to
give any required degree or grade of expansion to the steam passing through the
valve F.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my Invention, and shown
how the same may be carried out into practical effect, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details and arrangement of parts, as
illustrated in the Drawings accompanying this Specification, as it will be evident
that such details and arrangement of parts can be varied without departing from
my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly: Constructing and arranging valves of the rotating disc type with con-
centric supply and exhaust ports, so that one valve can be used for supplying and
exhausting steam or other motive fluid to or from the top and bottom of both ends
of two or more cylinders, substantially as herein described, and as illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings, or any modification thereof.
Secondly. Constructing and arranging an equilibrium or compensating apparatus
ór gear, as herein-before described, and in manner such as illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings (Figure 10), or any modification thereof.
Thirdly. Constructing and arranging a cut-off valve in manner such as shown in
the accompanying Drawings, and indicated by the letter J, or any modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Harrison, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN (L.S.) HARRISON.