Improvements in Steam Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
Improvements in Steam Engines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM REEVES, of No. 2815 4th Street S.E., Minneapolis,
County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, United States of America, Machinist,
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 to steam engines, and consists in the construction, com-
bination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter shown and described, and
specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and
Fig. 2 is an end elevation, of a reciprocating rotary steam engine, with my
improved valve arranged therein.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation in section on the line "XX" of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the cylinder, detached, illustrating the location of the
steam ports.
Fig. 5 is a view of the drum and cylinder and connections, detached, illustrating
a modification in the manner of connecting the cylinder and drum.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section of the cylinder and valve and its
connections, illustrating the construction and mode of operation.
Fig. 7 is a view of the face of the valve chamber with the valve in place therein,
and the steam admission disc removed.
Fig. 8 is a view of the perforated steam admitting disc removed.
Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line "Y Y" of Fig. 6, looking inward.
Fig. 10 is a side view of a reciprocating engine illustrating the manner of
applying my improved valve to engines of that class.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the engine as shown in Fig. 10, with the cylinder,
steam chest, and valves, in horizontal section.
Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, illustrating the arrangement when the engine
is inade reversible.
Fig. 13 is a cross section on the line "W W" of Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is a detail of the cylinder and part of the frame, illustrating the manner
of arranging and applying the governor, and-
Fig. 15 is a cross section through the governor shaft, illustrating more fully its
construction and mode of operation.
Fig. 16 is a cross section on the line "ZZ" of Fig. 10.
Fig. 17 is a side view of the cylinder, with the, steam chest cover and valve
removed.
Fig. 18 is a view of the perforated steam admission disc employed on reciprocating
engines.
Fig. 19 is a side view of the cylinder with the steam chest cover removed,
illustrating the modifications necessary to be made to make the engine reversible.
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the rear side, and-
Figs. 21 and 22 are perspective views of the face side, of the valve, as employed
on reversing engines.
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the loose "cut-off block," employed in the valve
when employed on reversing engines.

page_text: construction.
VIEW SIMar to Fig. mustrating another modification in the
Fig. 25 is a cross section on the line "V V" of Fig. 24.
A represents the base frame having the main driving shaft A² journalled
thereon by bearings A* A³ and provided on its inner end with a band wheel or
drum A³.
The drum A³ has an extended hub A fitting into the bearing A', as shown in
Fig. 25, to secure greater stability to the drum.
B' is the cylinder having a tubular chamber B2 attached thereto, and mounted
to be revolved in bearings B³ B* upon the base A', the center line of the tubular
chamber B2 being in line with the center of the cylinder and parallel to the center
line of the shaft A2, but off to one side a distance equal to one-half the stroke of
the piston head B' in the cylinder B¹, as shown.
The piston rod Pe is pivoted by its outer free end centrally to a yoke frame B',
the latter in turn coupled by its ends B8 B, at opposite points to the interior of
the rim of the drum A³, as shown.
By this means when steam is admitted to the cylinder and the piston head
reciprocated, the drum A* will be revolved.
Attached to the interior of the rim of the drum A³ at two opposite points, are
studs CC, the studs being spherical in form and adapted to be enclasped by
clamp plates C3 C4, the clamp plates having internal cavities corresponding to the
spherical studs C₁ C2, so that when the two halves of the clamps are secured in
place they will have free play in all directions upon the studs.
Attached by their ends to the sides of the clamp plates C³ C are the two
bars B', bent as shown, to cause their central points to come near the rim of the
drum, and provided at their central points by two clamp plates C7 C³, similar to
the clamp plates C3 C4, and having semi-spherical cavities adapted to fit over the
spherical head B10 on the outer end of the piston rod B6.
By the manner shown of connecting the yoke frames B' to the cylinder B¹ and
to the drum A³, with the ball and socket joints, any slight irregularity of adjustment
or lack of perfect alignment is compensated for, and is not transmitted to the other
working parts.
By this simple arrangement of the cylinder and drum, when steam is admitted to
the cylinder its action upon the piston B' causes the piston rod B to exert a leverage
force upon the drum A³ through the yoke bars B', equal in length to one half the
stroke of the engine, or to the off-set of the shaft A
The end of the tubular chamber B2, next to the cylinder, is enlarged to form a
chamber for the valve D' which is held from turning in the chamber and while the
latter is revolved about it with the cylinder to which it is attached, as shown.
D2 is a tube flexibly connected to the back of the valve D', so that while the
valve is held from turning by the tube, the valve is left free, to a limited extent,
to be held close upon its seat by the steam pressure from the rear.
In Fig. 6 one manner of forming this flexible connection is shown, consisting of
a globular collar a', fast upon the tube D2, and fitting a corresponding concave
recess in the rear face of the valve, and held in place by a concave sleeve a².
One or more pins a³ will be inserted through the side of the walls of the concave
socket for the globular collar, and projecting into cavities in the globular collar, so
that while the valve is left free to oscillate in all directions around the tube D³, it
will be held from turning upon the tube.
Thus the valve is free to adapt itself to any inequality of the surface of its seat, or
any variance between the seat and tube or valve.
A perfect steam tight joint is thus insured at all times.
The steam ports are shown in Figs. 4, 17, 19 and 24, of segmental form,
and the valve is formed with two segmental cavities 636 adapted to pass over these
ports when the cylinder is revolved.
The cavities are divided by "lands” 6′ 6º, which separate the two cavities,
and form "cut-offs" to the steamı.

page_text: The cavity is formed entirely through the valve so as to admit the steam
freely to the port b', or 62, while the cavity 6 is closed by the back of the valve,
and with a passage 67 leading into the tube D2, the latter thus forming the exhaust
passage.
Attached to the face of the valve D¹ is a plate D³, preferably of steel, with a
segmental cavity d' corresponding to the exhaust cavity b, and with a series of
radiating perforations d' opposite about one-half of the steam cavity 63, so that all
the steam which enters the steam port b¹ or 62 must pass through these radiating
perforations.
By this arrangement, as the cylinder revolves the steam is alternately admitted
to the ports b¹³ and cut off by the dividing lands 6 66, and exhausted through the
tube D2.
The rear end of the tubular chamber B2 is supported by a shorter tube E',
whose rear end is secured rigidly in a hollow head E, the latter in turn supported
slidably in a bracket E³ from the frame A', so that while free to move end wise, it
will not revolve.
The steam feed pipe Et leads into the head E2, as shown.
The tube E' slides through a stuffing box g in the tubular chamber B³, so. that
while the tube E' can move end wise within the tubular chamber, the steam will not
escape at their point of juncture.
The tube D' extends backward into the head E³, and is rigidly fixed in the rear
part of the head from which the exhaust outlet E5 leads, as shown.
By this means the steam entering the "head" E2 passes through the tube E¹
into the tubular chamber B2, and thence through the valve into the cylinder, and
exhausts through the tube D2 and through the rear of the head E³.
F is the governor rod which passes inward through a stuffing box F2 in the rear
of the head E2, and thence through the tube D³, and thence through the wall e
between the exhaust cavity and steam cavity in the valve D¹.
The rod F¹ is provided with a "head" F3 with a ground surface next to the
wall e, so that the steam pressure which will always be exerted against it, will
keep it pressed steam tight against the wall and prevent any leakage of steam at
that point.
F is a pin projecting from the head F³ into the steam cavity 63 and arranged
to engage with the governor valve G which is in the form of a segmental plate
fitting the steam cavity 63, and adapted to cover and uncover the radiating
perforations in the plate D³.
The pin F while acting to move the governor valve laterally when the rod F' is
Oscillated by the governor, leaves the valve free to be pressed by the steam
pressure against the rear of the plate D³ and thus insure a steam tight joint between
their surfaces.
By this simple arrangement when the speed of the engine increases, the governor
balls F by being extended by the increased centrifugal force, will rock the rod F¹
and cause the pin F to move the governor valve forward and cut off a portion of
the radiating perforations, and thus reduce the point of cut off of the piston stroke.
The radiating perforations do not extend quite to the walls of the steam cavity,
leaving a portion of the solid surface of the plate D³ to support the governor valve.
The separate plate D³ may be dispensed with, and the perforations d' formed
integral with the valve, but the separate plate possesses many advantages, and will
generally be employed.
This valve may be applied to many different forms of steam engines, but for the
purpose of illustration I have shown it in the drawings applied to a reciprocating
rotary steam engine, and also to an ordinary reciprocating steam engine.
Substantially the only difference between the valves in the two forms of engine
is that in the reciprocating rotary engine the valve is held stationary while the
cylinder revolves, while in the reciprocating engine the valve revolves and the
cylinder remains stationary.
When applied to ordinary reciprocating engines the valve will be arranged to be

page_text: revolved, but the construction and mode of operation will be substantially the
same, the slight modifications necessary to be made being illustrated in
Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23.
In these figs. H' represents the engine frame, H2 the cylinder, H³ the 'piston
head, H' the piston rod, H³ the cross head, He the connecting rod, H7 the main
shaft, and Hs the face plate to which the connecting rod is coupled, all these parts
being constructed in the usual manner.
As the valve and its connections in this arrangement are constructed
substantially in the same manner as in the reciprocating rotary engine, like letters
of reference are used to denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
The valve D' in the reciprocating engine is enclosed in a steam chest K'
which corresponds to the tubular chamber B², and is provided with a cover K³, as
shown.
K³ is a shaft or valve stem connected to the center of the valve, and passing
outward through the valve cover and supported by a bracket L' from the
frame H, and adapted to be revolved by gearing L L L L and shaft Le from
the shaft H7, as shown.
The coupling between the stem K³ and the valve is formed by a pin ¹ passing
through the stem and fitting beneath staples 2 h³ on the valve, leaving the valve
free to be held against its seat by the pressure of the steam, while at the same
time revolvable by the revolution of the stem.
.
In the reciprocating engine, the exhaust port i is in the ordinary form, hence
the exhaust port 2 of the valve leads into this exhaust port, as shown, instead of
out through the tube D2, as in the reciprocating rotary engine.
The governor valve G is arranged in just the same manner in the reciprocating
as in the reciprocating rotary engine, and adapted to be actuated in the same
manner by the rod Fi, the only difference being that the rod instead of passing
backward through the tube D2, passes back through a cavity in the center of the
stem K³ for a short distance, and is then turned outward at right angles through a
slot m¹ in the stem and into a collar m² encircling the stem loosely so that the
oscillation of the collar about the stem will correspondingly oscillate the rod and
carry the governor valve back and forth over the radiating perforations in the
plate D³.
Attached rigidly to the stem K³ close to the collar m² is another collar m³, having
oppositely set spring arms m' m' attached thereto, and with balls me m' on the outer
ends of the spring arms.
The collar m² is provided with oppositely branching arms or lugs m8 m³, each lug
connected respectively by a rod m and m to one of the balls ne² m².
By this arrangement when the engine is running slowly and the spring arms
and balls revolving at a correspondingly slow speed, the spring arms mm will
hold the balls inward closer to the stem, which position will cause the rods mom
to hold the collar m² in its backward position, and hold the governor valve also in
its backward position, and leave the radiating ports d' uncovered.
.
At any increase of speed the balls m m will be distended by the centrifugal
force, and correspondingly move the governor valve forward and cutting off the
stroke at an earlier period.
The cover K2 of the steam chest K' is provided with a disc M' fitting steam
tight through the cover by a gland M², and through which the stem K³ is fitted
steam tight by a gland M³.
M is a collar held fast upon the stem K³ just outside of and in contact with the
gland M³.
፡፡
دو
This gland M³ is secured adjustably to the disc M' by standards n'n and
adjusting nuts n³, so that while the gland may be set to the proper degree
to adjust the packing, it will not be moved by its pressure against the collar M.
By this means a perfect "balance" is secured to the valve D, as the back
pressure of the steam upon the disc M exerts a back pressure upon the valve

page_text: by the co-action of the disc M' and its gland against the collar M* upon the
stem K
When used as a reversing engine, the valve D¹ will be constructed as shown in
Figs. 12, 19, 20 and 21, 22 and 23, with the steam cavity 65 closed at the rear
and provided with two perforations t¹ t2 opposite the ends of the cavity, and with
a sliding block 3 fitting into the steam cavity and adapted to alternately cover
and uncover the perforations tt2 as the block is moved from side to side.
The shaft L which connects the gearing L2 L3 and L L is made in two parts
when employed in a reversing engine, the two parts being indicated at N' N² in
Fig. 12.
The divided shaft N¹ N2 is encircled by a sleeve N³, which is adapted to be
moved laterally thereon by a grooved collar N actuated in the ordinary manner
by a lever, the lever not being shown, as its construction and mode of operation
are so well known.
The sleeve N³ is provided
through which the ends of a
while the sleeve is free to
shaft.
with two grooves v v², parallel to the shaft, and
pin v3 in the part N2, project, as shown, so that
slide along the shaft it will be revolved with the
The sleeve N³ is also provided with another groove in a curved line encircling
one-half of the part N2 of the shaft.
A pin projects from the part N2 out through this diagonal groove, so that as
the sleeve is moved along the shaft, the diagonal groove will revolve the part N2
one-half a revolution and thus reverse the position of the valve D', this action
causing the block to leave its seat and admit steam through the other perforation t¹
or t2 and thus reversing the engine and causing it to thereafter run in the opposite
direction.
In Figs. 2, 24 and 25, I have shown a slight modification in the construction,
consisting in attaching across the piston rod B, just beneath the end Bio, a cross-
bar B, and coupling the outer ends of this bar to side rods B12 B13, the latter
passing down alongside of and adapted to run in contact with the sides of the
cylinder, and connected at their lower ends by a cross bar B¹.
This construction serves to support the piston rod, and renders it possible to
employ a lighter piston rod, than when the side bars are not used.
In Figs. 24 and 25 the side rods B¹² B¹³ are shown with the adjusting nuts B1
arranged to enable the side rods to be adjusted with relation to the cylinder, to
"take up" for the wearing of the parts.
In these views also the side bars are shown concave to receive the convex bearing
lugs B on the sides of the cylinder.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what 1
claim is
1st. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod, a valve within
said steam chamber and held from turning and adapted to alternately admit and
exhaust the steam to and from said cylinder, a shaft journalled out of line with but
parallel to the axial line of said steam chamber and carrying a drum concentric to
said shaft, and means for connecting said piston rod to the rim of said drum,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2nd. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and'
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod, 'a valve adapted
to alternately admit and exhaust the steam to and from said cylinder, a shaft
journalled out of line with but parallel to the axial line of said cylinder and
carrying a drum concentric to said shaft, an angular connecting bar connected by.
its ends to opposite sides of the rim of said drum and at its central point to the;
free end of said piston rod, substantially as herein before set forth.

page_text: 3rd. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod and with steam
ports opening into said steam chamber and segmentally arranged with relation to
the center of said chamber, a valve fitting said chamber and held from turning
therein and with recesses in its face communicating with said ports with the steam
inlet entering one of said recesses and the exhaust port leading from the other of
said recesses, said valve being free to move lengthwise of said steam chamber,
whereby the steam pressure is utilized to keep the valve upon its seat, substantially
as set forth.
4th. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod and with steam
ports opening into said steam chamber and segmentally arranged with relation to
the center of said chamber, a valve fitting said chamber and with a tubular journal
connected into the rear thereof and leading out through said chamber and held
from turning therein but movable lengthwise thereof, said valve having recesses in
its face communicating with said ports, a steam inlet connecting one of said recesses
with said steam chamber, and an exhaust port connecting the other of said recesses
with said tubular journal, substantially as herein before set forth.
5th. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod and with steam
ports opening into said steam chamber and segmentally arranged with relation to
the center of said chamber, a valve fitting said chamber and with a tubular journal
connected into the rear thereof and leading out through said chamber and connected
into a sliding head having two chambers, from one of which the exhaust pipe
leads, and into the other of which the steam pipe leads, a tube connected into said
sliding head and enclosing said tubular journal and fitting steam tight into the rear
of said steam chamber, said valve having recesses in its face communicating with
said steam ports, a steam port connecting one of said recesses with said steam
chamber, and an exhaust port connecting the other of said recesses with said tubular
journal, substantially as herein before set forth.
6th. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod, and with steam
ports opening into said steam chamber, and segmentally arranged with relation to
the center of said chamber, a valve fitting said chamber and held from turning
therein, and with recesses in its face communicating with said ports, with the steam
inlet entering one of said recesses, and the exhaust port leading from the other of
said recesses, said valve being free to move lengthwise of said steam chamber,
whereby the steam pressure is utilized to keep the valve upon its seat, a segmental
plate fitting into said steam inlet recess, and a governor connected to oscillate said
valve, whereby said plate is automatically adjusted to reduce or increase the area
of said steam inlet recess, as the speed is increased or decreased, substantially as
herein before set forth.
7th. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head, a piston rod connected to said
piston head and, having a ball upon its outer end, a valve adapted to alternately
admit and exhaust the steam to and from said cylinder, a shaft journalled out of
line with but parallel to the axial line of said cylinder and carrying a drum
concentric to said shaft, and having studs with balls upon their outer ends attached to
the interior of the rim of said drum at opposite points, a ball upon the outer end
of said piston rod, clamps fitting each of said balls, and yoke bars connecting said
clamps, substantially as herein before set forth.
8th. In a steam engine, a steam.cylinder attached to a steam chamber and
revolvable therewith and provided with piston head and piston rod, a valve adapted
to alternately admit and exhaust the steam to and from said cylinder, a shaft
journalled out of line with but parallel to the axial line of said cylinder and
carrying a drum concentric to said shaft, an angular connecting bar connected by
its ends to opposite sides of the rim of said drum, and at its central point to the

page_text: free end of said piston rod, side bars coupled by one end to said piston rod and to
each other at their other ends, and adapted to run in contact with the sides of said
cylinder and assist in supporting it, substantially as herein before set forth.
9th. In a steam engine, a cylinder having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, one or more steam admission perforations leading
from the steam cavity of said valve, a governor valve within said steam cavity and
adapted to cover said steam admission perforations when moved in one direction,
and a governor connected to actuate said governor valve, substantially as herein-
before described and shown.
10th. In a steam engine, a cylinder having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, a stem connected flexibly to said valve, whereby
the valve will be free to be held to its seat by the steam independently of its stem,
substantially as shown and described.
11th. In a steam engine, a cylinder having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, one or more steam admission perforations leading
from the steam cavity of said valve, a governor valve within said steam cavity and
adapted to cover said steam admission perforations when moved in one direction,
a governor rod adapted to be actuated by a governor and passing centrally through
said valve, a head upon said rod within said valve and adapted to be held to its
seat by the steam pressure, and a pin leading from said head and connected flexibly
to said governer valve, substantially as shown and described.
12th. In a steam engine, a cylinder having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, a disc fitting steam tight through the cover of the
steam chest of said valve and through which the valve stem fits steam tight, and
means by which said stem is held from outward movement with relation to said
disc, whereby the back pressure within said steam chest is utilized to relieve the
pressure upon said valve and balance it, substantially as shown and described.
13th. In a steam engine, a cylinder having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, a disc fitting steam tight through the cover of
the steam chest of said valve and through which the valve stem fits steam tight,
and a collar fixed upon said stem outside said disc, as and for the purpose set
forth.
14th. In a steam engine, a cylinder, having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, one or more steam admission perforations leading
from the steam cavity of said valve, a governor valve within said steam cavity and
adapted to cover said steam admission perforations when moved in one direction, a
stem connected flexibly to said valve, a governor rod adapted to be actuated by a
governor and passing outward through said stem and with a head upon the rod
within said valve and adapted to be held upon its seat by the steam pressure, and
means for connecting said governor rod to said governor valve, substantially as
shown and described.
15th. In a steam engine, a cylinder, having ports leading to opposite ends of its
interior, a valve in constant revolvable relations to said cylinder and with an
exhaust cavity and a steam cavity adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the
steam to and from said cylinder, a plate interposed between said valve and its

page_text: seat and provided with a perforation opposite said exhaust cavity, and with one or
more perforations opposite said steam cavity, and a governor valve within said
steam cavity and held to its seat upon the projecting edges of the perforations
through said plate by the steam pressure, substantially as shown and described.
16th. In a steam engine, a steam cylinder attached to and adapted to be revolved
with a steam chamber and having steam ports leading from said steam chamber to
the interior of said cylinder and with a piston head and piston rod connected to
transmit motion to a drum and shaft, a hollow head into which the live steam is
fed and from which the exhaust steam leads, a tube connected into said hollow head
and fitting steam tight into the rear of said steam chamber, a valve within said
steam chamber and adapted to alternately admit and exhaust the steam to and
from said cylinder, a hollow stem connected into said valve by one end and into
said hollow head by the other end, and means whereby said hollow head is held
from turning and left free to move towards and away from said steam' chamber,
whereby the steam pressure is utilized to hold the valve against its seat, and also
to balance the valve by the back pressure within the hollow head, substantially as
hereinbefore set forth.
T
TOL 1 of human 1907
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.