Improvements in Vertical Direct Acting Engines.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 7th Jan., 1887:
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHINGTON, of Irvington, in
the State of New York, United States of America, Engineer.]
Improvements in Vertical Direct Acting Engines.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates generally to that class of engines which are known as direct
acting engines, but more particularly to a duplex engine of this class, which is
arranged to act vertically, and is provided with compound cylinders.
In carrying out this invention, the steam end of the engine consists of four steam
cylinders, which are arranged in pairs, and to operate upon the compound principle.
The cylinders for each side of the engine are arranged vertically, and one above the
other, the larger, or expansion cylinders, being provided with projections by which
they are supported upon suitable beams above a pit, while the smaller or high pressure
cylinders are supported upon, and a short distance from, the upper heads of the larger
cylinders. The cylinders are provided with the usual steam chests, containing ordinary
slide valves for controlling the admission and exhaust of the steam to and from the
cylinders. The two valves for each side of the engine are connected to a single valve
rod, and these rods are provided with the usual connections, consisting of arms, rock
shafts, and link rods, and the latter are connected to arms extending from the main
piston rods, these connections being so arranged that the valves for each side of the
engine are operated by the other in the manner common in duplex engines. The
pistons of the two cylinders forming each side of the engine are attached to a single
rod, and these rods pass downward through the lower heads of the larger cylinders,
and enter the pit, where they are connected directly to the plungers or pistons of the
water end of the engine, which may be of any of the ordinary constructions, and is
also, of course, arranged vertically.
The arms for operating the valve rods are connected to the rods between the steam
chests respectively, instead of to extensions of the rods passing through the lower ends

page_text: of the chests, as is common. By reason of this-arrangement of the connections, only
one stuffing box is required in each of the steam chesis, which not only simplifies the
construction, but reduces the friction upon the valve rods.
The arms to which the rods for operating the valves are connected, may be secured
to the piston rods below the larger cylinders. This arrangement requires the smaller
cylinders to be raised only a short distance above the larger cylinders, and as a
consequence, the cylinders can be connected by tubular bearings through which the
piston rods pass, thus avoiding the necessity of employing stuffing boxes.
The valve rod arms, instead of being located below the larger cylinders, may be
located between the pairs of cylinders, and the link rods are correspondingly shortened.
This arrangement makes it necessary to raise the smaller cylinders a greater distance
from the larger cylinders.
"
The steam is admitted to the steam chests through an induction pipe, and after
performing its work in the small cylinders, is exhausted through pipes into the chests
of the larger or expansion cylinders, in which it acts expansively, and is then exhausted
through suitable pipes, and passes to the condenser or to the open air. This manner
of using the steam is common in compound engines, and will be readily understood
by those familiar with this class of engines.
In a direct acting engine in which there is no fly wheel or other heavy moving part
provided for the purpose of storing up and equalizing the power, it is necessary, in
order to prevent the engine from acting spasmodically, not only that the power
developed by the engine should be uniform, or nearly so, through the entire length of
the stroke, but also that it should be the same upon the strokes in each direction. It
is, therefore, necessary in the case of a vertical engine of this class, to provide means
for balancing or counteracting the weight of the steam pistons, the piston rods, and
the
pump plungers, as otherwise the power developed by the engine would be greater
upon the down strokes than upon the up strokes. That is to say, upon the down
strokes the power developed would be equal to the pressure of the steam, plus the
weight of the steam piston or pistons, the piston rod, and the pump plunger, while
upon the up strokes, the power developed would be equal to the pressure of the steam,
minus the weight of these parts, and this would cause the engine to act spasmodically.
To overcome this, the piston rods are each provided, below their larger cylinders, with
one or more auxiliary pistons or plungers, which work in auxiliary cylinders, and
arranged to act in opposition to the main steam pistons during their down strokes.
Each of the piston rods may be provided with two of the auxiliary pistons or plungers,
which are located upon opposite sides of the rods, and are connected thereto by cross-
heads, from which crossheads also extend the link rod arms.
The auxiliary cylinders are supported upon beams which extend across the pit below
the steam cylinders, and are connected at their lower ends by a pipe and branches with
a tank or reservoir which is partly filled with a liquid, such as water or oil, which
liquid also fills the pipes and the cylinders below the plungers. The liquid in the tank
is maintained at the proper pressure in any suitable or convenient manner.
This may
be accomplished in several ways; thus the tank may be connected with the steam pipe
so that the liquid in the tank is subjected to the steam pressure. The tank may,
however, communicate with the air chamber of the pump, or the tank itself may
the air chamber of the pump, or it may be supplied with air_under-pressure by a
suitable air compressor operated by the engine or otherwise. In any of these cases,
the pressure upon the surface of the liquid in the tank simply amounts to so much
weight, and from this it follows that the tank may be in the form of a cylinder, and
be provided with a plunger or piston which rests upon the surface of the liquid. In
this case, the plunger will be provided with suitable weights, and will form an
accumulator for maintaining the liquid under the proper pressure.
The piston rod plungers, or pistons, are of such size, that when the normal pressure
exists in the tank; or upon the liquid which acts upon the plungers; the upward
pressure upon the plungers will be sufficient, or about sufficient, to overcome the
weight of the steam pistons, the piston rods, and the plungers or pistons of the 'pump.
From this it results; that upon the downward strokes, the resistance foffered by tlie

page_text: plungers equals the weight of the steam pistons &c., and reduces the power developed
by the engine, while upon the upward strokes the assistance afforded by these plungers
equals the weight of the steam pistons &c., and increases the power developed by the
engine, thus making the power developed by the engine upon the up and down strokes
equal, or practically equal.
It will of course be understood that it is not necessary that there should be two of
the cylinders and plungers for each piston rod. When only one cylinder and plunger
is employed for each piston, the single plungers are formed by an enlargement of the
piston rods.
When the pressure in the tank is direct steam pressure, there will of course be more
or less condensation in the tank, which will add to the water in the tank. In such
case, therefore, it will be desirable to provide the tank with an overflow pipe which
communicates with a steam trap, and by which the water, when it rises above a certain
height in the tank, is drawn off and discharged. In order to regulate the pressure in
the tank, the steam pipe may be provided with a cock or valve, which is controlled by
an ordinary pressure regulator. By this means, the pressure in tlie tank can readily
be maintained at any desired point below that in the main steam pipe. When an
accumulator is employed, the pressure upon the pistons or plungers can readily be
varied and regulated by adding or removing one or more of the weights.
The compensating cylinders and plungers may also perform another important
function in connection with an engine organized in the manner described in the
present case. It will readily be understood that in an engine thus organized, the only
practical way to obtain access to the lower or larger cylinders, is by removing the
lower heads of the cylinders, and it will readily be understood that this, particularly in
the case of a large engine, would be an extremely difficult operation.
The cross heads of the auxiliary plungers are secured to the rods by keys, which
can, when desired, be removed, so as to allow the cross heads to slide freely along the
rods. The plungers and their cylinders are of such length, that when the cross heads
are allowed to slide freely along the piston rods, they, the cross heads, can be allowed
to move upward until they are arrested by the stuffing boxes on the cylinder heads.
When, therefore, it is desired to remove a cylinder head, the key is removed. The
pressure in the tank will then move the plungers upward until the cross head rests
against the stuffing box in the cylinder head. A valve is then closed so as to hold the
plungers and cross head in this position. The bolts of the cylinder head can then be
removed without danger of the head falling from its place. The liquid will be drawn
slowly out of the cylinders, thus allowing the plungers to move slowly downward, and
lower the head away from the cylinder, and give access to its interior. When the
head is to be replaced in position, a valve is opened, and the pressure in the tank will
raise the plungers, and carry the head back to position to be bolted to the cylinder.
The proper amount of liquid can be maintained in the tank by means of a small
force pump, or in any other suitable manner.
Although the improvements constituting the present invention are herein described
as embodied in a duplex engine, it will readily be understood that they are, for the most
part, equally applicable to simple engines.
20
,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: BULETUALIUN
Improvements in Vertical Direct Acting Engines.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6, Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil 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 :-
This invention relates generally to that class of engines which are known as direct-
acting engines, but more particularly to a duplex engine of this class which is arranged
to act vertically, and is provided with compound cylinders.
As a full understanding of the invention can be best imparted by a detailed
description of the organization and operation of an engine embodying the same, all
preliminary description will be omitted, and a full description given, reference being
had to the acccompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, certain parts being shown in section, of the steam end of
a vertical compound duplex pumping-engine embodying the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, taken on the line X X of Fig. 1, certain
parts being shown in section.
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, certain of the other parts being, however, in
section, showing a modified organization of certain of the parts; and
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate other modifications which will be hereinafter explained.
Referring to said drawings, it is to be understood that the steam end of the engine
therein shown consists of four sicam cylinders A B C D, which are arranged in pairs,
and to operate upon the compound principle, the pair A B forming one side, and the
pair CD the other side of the duplex engine. The cylinders for each side of the
engine are arranged vertically, and one above the other, the larger or expansion
cylinders B D being provided with projections 10, by which they are supported upon
suitable beams 30 above a pit, while the smaller or high pressure cylinders A Care
supported upon, and a short distance from, the upper heads of the larger cylinders.
The cylinders A B and C D are provided with the usual steam chests a banded,
containing ordinary slide valves (not shown) for controlling the admission and exhaust
of the steam to and from the cylinders. The two valves for each side of the engine
are, in the case shown, connected to a single valve rod, and these rods 13, 14 are
provided with the usual connections, consisting of arms 11, 12, rock shafts 17, 18,
arms 15, 16, and rods 20, 21, which latter are connected to arms 22, 23, extending
from the main piston rods 24, 25, these connections being so arranged that the valves
for each side of the engine are operated by the other in the manner common in duplex
engines. The valve rod for each side of the engine may, if preferred, be made in two
parts. The pistons of the two cylinders forming each side of the engine are attached
to a single rod, and these rods 24, 25 pass downward through the lower heads of the
larger cylinders B D, and enter the pit, where they are connected directly to the
plungers or pistons of the water end of the engine, which is not shown, but may be of
any of the ordinary constructions, and is also arranged vertically..
It will be observed from the foregoing, that the arms 11, 12 for operating the
valve rods 13, 14, are connected to these rods between the steam chests a band ed

page_text: respectively, instead of to extensions of the rods passing through the lower ends of
the chests d, as is common. By reason of this arrangement of the connections, only
one stuffing box is required in each of the steam chests, which not only simplifies the
construction, but reduces the friction upon the valve rods.
In the organization shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arms 22, 23, to which the rods 20, 21
for operating the valves are connected, are secured to the piston rods below the
cylinders B D, the rods 20, 21 being arranged to extend between the cylinders. This
arrangement requires the cylinders A C to he raised only a short distance above the
cylinders BD, and, as a consequence, the cylinders are connected by tubular
bearings 26, through which the piston rods 24, 25 pass, thus avoiding the necessity of
employing stuffing boxes.
In the organization shown in Fig. 3, the arms 22, 23, instead of being located below
the cylinders B D, are located between the cylinders A and B D, and the rods 20, 21
are correspondingly shortened. This arrangement makes it necessary to raise the
cylinders A Ca greater distance from the cylinders B D. Except in these particulars,
the organization shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that shown in
Figs. 1 and 2.
The steam is admitted to the steam chests ac through the induction pipe 50, and
after performing its work in cylinders A C, is exhausted through the pipes 51, and
passes either directly, or through a tank, into the steam chests bd, from which it
passes to the cylinders B D, in which it acts expansively, after which it is exhausted
through the pipes 52, and passes to the condenser or to the open air. This manner of
using the steam is common in compound engines, and will be readily understood by
those familiar with this class of engines.
In a direct-acting engine in which there is no fly wheel or other heavy moving part
provided for the purpose of storing up and equalizing the power, it is necessary, in
order to prevent the engine from acting spasmodically, not only that the power
developed by the engine should be uniform, or nearly so, through the entire length of
the stroke, but also that it should be the same upon the strokes in each direction. It
is therefore necessary, in the case of a vertical engine of this class, to provide means
for balancing or counteracting the weight of the steam pistons, the piston rods, and the
pump plungers, as otherwise the power developed by the engine would be greater upon
the down strokes than upon the up strokes. That is to say, upon the down strokes the
power developed would be equal to the pressure of the steam, plus the weight of the
steam piston or pistons, the piston-rod, and the pump plunger, while upon the up strokes,
the power developed would be equal to the pressure of the steam, minus the weight of
these parts, and this would cause the engine to act spasmodically. To overcome this,
the piston-rods 24, 25 are each provided, below their cylinders B D, with one or more
auxiliary pistons or plungers 48. 49, which work in auxiliary cylinders 46, 47, and are
arranged to act in opposition to the main steam pistons during their down strokes, and
in conjunction with them during their up strokes. As shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, each
of the piston rods 24, 25 is provided with two of the auxiliary pistons or plungers,
which are located upon opposite sides of the rods, and are connected to the rods by
cross heads 44, 45, from which cross-heads also extend the arms 22, 23, which operate
the rods 20, 21.
The auxiliary cylinders 46, 47 are supported upon beams 43, which extend across the
pit below the steam cylinders, and are connected at their lower ends by a pipe 42 and
branches 41, with a tank or reservoir 53, which is partly filled with a liquid such as
water or oil, which liquid also fills the pipes 42, 41, and the cylinders 46, 47 below the
plungers. The liquid in the tank 53 is maintained at the proper pressure in any
suitable or convenient manner. This may be accomplished in several ways. As shown
in Figs. 1 and 3, the tank 53 is connected by a pipe 40 with the steam pipe 50, so that
the liquid in the tank 53 is subjected to the steam pressure.
The tank 53 may,
however, communicate with the air chamber of the pump, or the tank 53 may be
supplied with air under pressure by a suitable air compressor operated by the engine
or otherwise. In any of these cases, the pressure upon the surface of the liquid in the
tank 53 simply amounts to so much weight, and from this it follows that the tank may

page_text: •
be in the form of a cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5, and be provided with a plunger or
piston, as 54, which acts upon the surface of the liquid. In this case, the plunger 54
may be acted on by liquid or fluid pressure, or may be provided with suitable weights,
as 55, and will form an accumulator for maintaining the liquid under the proper
pressure.
The plungers or pistons 48, 49 are of such size that when the normal pressure exists
in the tank 53, or upon the liquid which acts upon the plungers, the upward pressure
upon the plungers will be sufficient, or about sufficient, to overcome the weight of the
steam pistons, the piston rods, and the plungers or pistons of the pump. From this it
results that upon the downward strokes the resistance offered by the plungers equals
the weight of the steam pistons &c., and reduces the power developed by the engine,
while upon the upward strokes, the assistance afforded by these plungers equals the
weight of the steam pistons &c., and increases the power developed by the engine, thus
making the power developed by the engine upon the up and down strokes equal, or
practically equal.
It will of course be seen that it is not necessary that there should be two of the
cylinders 46, 47 and plungers 48, 49 for each side of the engine. In Fig. 4, an
arrangement is shown in which only one cylinder and plunger is employed. In this
case the single plungers are formed by an enlargement of the piston rods 24, 25.
When the pressure in the tank 53 is direct steam pressure, there will of course be
more or less condensation in the tank, which will add to the water in the tank. In
such case, therefore, it will be desirable to provide the tank with an overflow pipe,
as 39, which communicates with a steam trap 56, and by which the water, when it rises
above a certain height in the tank, is drawn off and discharged. In order to regulate
the pressure in the tank 53, the pipe 40 may be provided with a cock or valve, as 38,
which is controlled by an ordinary pressure regulator, as 57. By this means, the
pressure in the tank can readily be maintained at any desired point below that in
the pipe 50. When the accumulator is employed, as in Fig. 5, the pressure upon the
pistons or plungers 48, 49 can readily be varied and regulated, by adding or removing
one or more of the weights 55.
In the organization shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the cylinders 46, 47 and plungers 48,
49 also perform another important function in connection with an engine organized in
the manner shown in the present case. It will readily be seen that in an engine thus
organized, the only practical way to obtain access to the cylinders B D is by removing
the lower heads of the cylinders, and it will readily be understood that this, particularly
in the case of a large engine, would be an extremely difficult operation. It will be
observed that the cross heads 44, 45 are secured to the rods 24, 25 hy keys 19, which
can, when desired, be removed, so as to allow the cross heads to slide freely along the
rods. It will also be observed that the plungers 48, 49, and cylinders 46. 47, are of
such length that when the cross heads are allowed to slide freely along the piston rods,
they, the cross heads, can be allowed to move upward until they are arrested by the
stuffing boxes on the cylinder heads. When, therefore, it is desired to remove a
cylinder head, the key' 19 is removed. The pressure in the tank 53 will then move the
plungers upward until the cross head 44 or 45 rests against the stuffing box in the
cylinder head. The valve or gate 31 is then closed, so as to hold the plungers and
crosshead in this position. The bolts of the cylinder head can then be removed
without danger of the head falling from its place. By then opening the cock or
valve 29, the liquid will be drawn slowly out of the cylinders, thus allowing the
plungers to move slowly downward, and lower the head away from the cylinder, and
give access to its interior. When the head is to be restored to position, the cock or
valve 29 is closed, and the valve or gate 31 opened.-The pressure in the tank 53 will
then raise the plungers, and carry the head back to position to be bolted to the
cylinder.
The proper amount of liquid can be maintained in the tank 53 by means of a small
force pump, or in any other suitable manner.
Although the improvements constituting the present invention are herein shown as
embodied in a duplex engine, it will readily be seen that they are for the most part

page_text: equally applicable to single engines, and also that certain of the improvements are
equally applicable to engines which do not use compound cylinders.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with the two cylinders, steam chests, and valves of a compound
engine, of connections for operating said valves, which are connected to the main
piston rod between said cylinders, and to the valve rod or rods between said steam
chests, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the cylinders, steam chests, and valves of a compound
duplex engine, of the rock shafts 17. 18, each connected to the valve rod of one side of
the engine between the steam chests, and to the main piston rod of the opposite side
of the engine, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a vertical engine of one or more cylinders, as 46, 47, and
pistons or plungers, as 48, 49, which are supplied with a liquid under pressure, and
are arranged to act in opposition to the main piston or pistons during the down stroke
of the latter, and in conjunction therewith during the up siroke, substantially as
described.
4. The combination with a pumping engine, in which the pump rod or rods is or are
vertical, or substantially vertical, of one or more auxiliary cylinders and pistons or
plungers as 46, 47, 48, 49, which are supplied with a liquid under the pressure of a gas,
and are arranged to act in opposition to the main piston or pistons, or plunger or
plungers, during the down stroke of the latter, and in conjunction therewith during the
up stroke, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a vertical direct acting engine, of one or more auxiliary
cylinders, which are located below the main cylinder or cylinders, and have a piston or
pistons, or plunger or plungers, which is or are connected to a cross-head, which is
letachably connected to the main piston rod, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
-
6. The combination with the main piston rod of a vertical engine, of one or more
auxiliary cylinders and pistons or plungers, the pipe 42 and tank 53 containing a
liquid, connections between said tank and a steam supply, and a steam trap for
withdrawing the surplus liquid from the tank, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a vertical direct-acting engine, of one or more auxiliary
cylinders located below the main steam cylinder or cylinders, and having a piston or
pistons or plunger or plungers, which is or are connected to a cross-head, which is
detachably connected to the main piston rod and the cocks or valves 31, 29, substantially
as described.
8. The combination with a vertical engine, of one or more auxiliary cylinders; as 46
or 47, having a piston or pistons, or plunger or plungers, which is or are arranged to
act in opposition to the main piston or pistons during the down stroke of the latter, and
in conjunction therewith during the up stroke, and an automatic pressure regulator 57
for regulating the power exerted by the auxiliary piston or pistons, or plunger or
plungers, substantially as described.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.