Improvements in and relating to Multiple Expansive Steam Engines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th June, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Multiple Expansive Steam
Engines.
I, EDWIN CHARLES URRY, Engineer, and GUILLERMO ANTONIO FARINI,
Gentleman, both of 232 Goswell Road in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in multiple expansive steam engines,
and appliances in connection therewith, and has for its objects primarily, the
utilisation as useful work of a greater percentage of the thermo-dynamic value
of the fuel consumed, than is the case with other engines in which the elasticity
of steam under pressure is used as a medium of transference, as hitherto con-
structed. Secondly. We are enabled to reduce the number of parts in such
engines, and generally to simplify the construction thereof.
In carrying our invention into effect we dispense with one or more of the
cylinders and the valves and valve gear appertaining thereto, as ordinarily
employed to produce a multiple expansive effect, and although we do not limit
the number of expansions the following description of a triple expansive engine
constructed according to my said invention will suffice to express the nature
thereof :-
In combination
We employ a single-acting high pressure cylinder, into which the steam is
admitted at the highest pressure, directly from the generator. The action takes
place upon one side of the piston only, the other side being neutral throughout
the cycle, being opened to the condenser or to the atmosphere.
with the aforesaid high pressure cylinder we employ a double acting cylinder
preferably arranged in the manner known as "tandem." One side of the piston
of the second cylinder serves to utilise the intermediate pressure or expansion
derived from the exhaust of the single acting cylinder first described, and the
other side of said piston is acted upon by the least pressure, or the expansion
of the cycle, derived from the exhaust of the intermediate side, and, of course
is alternatively open to pressure and to the condenser during each stroke of the
piston. In order to maintain the ratio of the areas acted upon in the double
acting cylinder relatively to the degree of expansion and also for the purpose
of simplifying the general construction of the engine, we employ a sleeve or
trunk, attached to the side of the piston, preferably the front end. Said trunk
is of a predetermined diameter, so as to diminish the capacity of the cylinder
upon one side of the piston, and may be effectively utilised as a guide, the con-
necting rod being directly attached thereto.
It is evident from the foregoing description that we are, according to our
invention enabled to produce a triple expansive effect by the use of two cylinders
instead of three as heretofore, and by extending the series in tandem, super-
imposed, one set upon the other, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally arranged
we may carry out multiple expansive working to any practicable extent.
In order to procure the admission and emission of steam to and from the
cylinders during the cycle we employ piston valves, one set operating the inlet,
and another set the exhaust, or we may so arrange said valves that one set may
serve both purposes, in either case, however, employing but one eccentric to move
them. Said valves are also arranged and constructed so that the final exhausting
point, whether open to the atmosphere or to the partial vacuum maintained within
a condenser, is kept open during the whole of the return stroke of the piston,
the neutral side of both of said pistons being operated independently of each other.
Thus we are enabled to effect the objects of our said invention by the method

page_text: of construction herein set forth, since the value of the steam at a high initial
pressure, as a means for transferring and converting the energy derived from the
combustion of fuel, is thereby utilised to the greatest practicable extent, and the
elimination of one cylinder in a triple expansive effect considerably reduces
the parts of the engine, and the space occupied relatively to other engines as
hitherto constructed. Another point of novelty and utility is in the use of a single
eccentric for operating the valves of the multiple expansive effect, irrespective of
the degree to which this may be extended.
Dated this 19th day of September 1890.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Multiple Expansive Steam
Engines.
We EDWIN CHARLES URRY Engineer and GUILLERMO ANTONIO FARINI
Gentleman both of 232 Groswell Road Islington in the County of Middlesex 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in multiple expansive steam engines and
appliances in connection therewith, and has for its objects primarily, the utilisation
as useful work of a greater percentage of the thermo dynamic value of the fuel
consumed than is the case with other engines in which the elasticity of steam under
pressure is used as a medium of transference as hitherto constructed. Secondly we
are enabled to reduce the number of parts in such engines and generally to simplify
the construction thereof.
In order that our invention may be clearly understood, we have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings, representing a longitudinal section of the
operative parts of an engine constructed according to our said invention.
The principle adopted by us consists in dispensing with one or more cylinders
and the valve gear appertaining thereto as ordinarily employed to produce a
multiple expansive effect, and although we do not limit the number of expansions
the following description of a triple expansive engine with reference to the
appended drawing will suffice to explain the nature thereof.
We employ a single acting high pressure cylinder A, into which the steam is
admitted at a, at the highest pressure directly from the generator. The action
takes place upon one side only of the piston B, the other side being neutral
throughout the cycle, by means of an opening c which communicates either with
the condenser or the atmosphere. In combination with the aforesaid high pressure
cylinder A we employ a double acting cylinder D with a piston E preferably
arranged in the manner generally known as "tandem." A series of valves V V₁ Vu
preferably of the piston type are arranged upon, or are operated by one rod, and a
cam eccentric, crank or other device upon the crank shaft. The valve V regulates
the admission and exhaust in the cylinder A and in the position as shown by the
drawing, is cutting off the inlet at half stroke. A continuation of the backward
movement of said valve opens the port p on the exhaust side, and the cylinder is
exhausted through b¹ which may be a pipe, or a suitable channel formed in the
castings. From thence the exhaust steam is conducted to the steam side of the
valve V¹ which at this period uncovers the port p', and allows the pressure to act
upon the side e of the piston E which acts as an intermediate expansive effect.
The continuation of the respective movements of the connected pistons and valves
eventually opens the port p upon the exhaust side of the valve V₁, and enables the
exhaust from e to pass to e¹ by means of the pipe or channel 1. At this period the
valve V has uncovered the port p" and the final expansive effect is carried out
in el upon the piston E. Upon the completion of this part of the stroke, the
+

page_text: valve V by its return movement uncovers the port p₁ upon the exhaust side, and
the final attenuated pressure passes through a channel or pipe C to the condenser,
or to the atmosphere. In this manner and by these means we are enabled to
procure a triple expansive effect by the employment of two cylinders only the first
expansion taking place in A the second in the side e of the cylinder D and the
third and final in e¹.
In order to maintain the proper ratio of the areas acted upon in the double acting
cylinder D, relatively to the degree of expansion and also for the purpose of
simplifying the general_construction of the engine we employ a sleeve or trunk F
attached to the piston E said trunk is of predetermined diameter so as to diminish
the capacity of the side e of the cylinder D and may be effectively utilized as an
auxiliary or primary guide, and a suitable gland and stuffing box G is provided to
enable said trunk to work freely and render it steam tight.
It is evident from the foregoing description that we are according to our
invention enabled to produce a triple expansive effect in an extremely simple and
effective manner, and by extending the series as described and shewn by the
drawings so that other sets of cylinders, pistons, and valves, similar thereto may be
superimposed, one set upon the other, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
arranged we may carry out a multiple expansive effect to any extent within the
limits of practicability.
We have described and shewn one set of piston valves V V₁ V" for controlling
admission and emission of steam to and from the cylinders during the cycle of the
operation but in certain cases we may employ two separate sets of such valves, one
set arranged to regulate the inlets or admissions and the other set the exhaust
or emissions, but both sets to be operated by one eccentric, cam, crank, or the
like. In the latter case the exhausting valves are so arranged that the final
exhausting point of e', whether open to the atmosphere or communicating with
a condenser, is kept open during the whole of the return stroke of the pistons
the neutral sides of said pistons being operated independently of each other.
Thus we are enabled to effect the objects of our said invention as herein set forth,
since the value of steam at a high initial pressure as a means for transferring and
converting the energy derived from the combustion of fuel, is thereby utilized to
the greatest practicable extent and the elimination of one cylinder in a triple
expansive effect considerably reduces the number of working parts and the space
occupied relatively to other engines as hitherto constructed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
:
First In a multiple expansive steam engine the combination of two cylinders A
and D, pistons B and E, trunk F and valves V VI V₁, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth and shewn by the appended drawings.
:
Second In a multiple expansive engine, the combination of two sets of valves
for operating admission and exhaust respectively worked by a single eccentric or
the like, with a single acting cylinder A and double acting cylinder D substantially
as described.
:
:
Third In a multiple expansive engine the combination of one or more sets of
cylinders suitably arranged to act in unison, substantially as herein described.
Fourth In a multiple expansive engine the arrangement herein described and
shewn by the drawings hereto appended, which admits steam at high pressure to
one side of the piston B and thereby renders the employment of resilient packing
unnecessary under said high pressure.
FREDK.
WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.