Improvements in or in connection with Steam Engines
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Steam Engines
We, JAMES MC CARTNEY of Water Works, Engineer, and WILLIAM JACOB LONG,
of 2nd Avenue, Manufacturer, both of Bessemer, in the County of Jefferson, and
State of Alabama, United States of America, 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 improved means for operating the slide valve of a
reversible engine, and is designed to provide a simple slide valve operating device,
and a reversing device combined in one mechanism, the reversing handle placed
in a couvenient position, to be readily accessible to start, stop, or reverse the engine.
Now, by our invention, we provide a reversible oscillating engine occupying a
small floor space having the weight distributed at its lowest position.
The manner in which this is effected we have clearly illustrated in the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a vertical side view of the engine with slide valve operating and
reversing mechanism according to our invention;
Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the same through the centre.
The bed plate and engine frame 1 is made of suitable metallic material formed
in one piece, suitable openings being formed in the frame to permit access to the
interior machinery. The main shaft bearing 2 and the trunnion bearings 3 are
provided on the frame.
The main shaft 4 is formed in the usual manner having a centre crank of any
A balance or band wheel 5 as desired
desired construction in the centre thereof.
is mounted on the shaft.
The cylinder 6 is made of suitable metallic material formed in the usual manner
having trunnions 7 of a circular form extending on two sides, the trunnions
adapted to fit the bearings provided therefor on the frame, the usual form of
cylinder heads 8 and 8¹ are attached to the cylinder in the usual manner, the lower
head is provided with a stuffing box 9, the upper head having a steam chest 10
formed thereon and attached in the usual manner.
A steam pipe leading from a suitable steam supply is connected by a stuffing
box 12 to one of the cylinder trunnions, the usual passage not shown in the drawing
leads from the trunnion to the steam chest, steam ports 13 and 14 from the steam
chest are provided to enter opposite ends of the cylinder. A slide valve 15 of the
usual form covers the steam ports, the slide valve is provided with a valve stem 16
the stem extending through the wall of the steam chest, and provided with a stuffing
box 17 on the outside thereof. An exhaust port 18 is provided between the steam
ports, the usual form of steam passage not shown in the drawing, extends from the
exhaust port to an exhaust pipe 19 connected by a stuffing box 20 to the cylinder
trunnion.
The usual form of piston rod 21 connects the cylinder with the crank on the main
shaft, any desired form of connection can be used, the piston rod is provided with
the usual form of piston head 22, the head connected to the rod in any desired
manner.

page_text: A stand or bracket 23 is attached by suitable means to the top flange of the
frame, a disc 24 is journalled in a suitable bearing provided in the stand, the face
of the disc is provided with a grooved link 25. A handle 26 is mounted on the
end of the disc journal, the handle is provided. with the usual form of catch 27
adapted to engage a notched segment 28, the segment provided with three notches
to lock the handle to place.
A bracket 29 is: secured by suitable means to the cylinder, the bracket carries
a rock lever 30 pivoted thereto, the lower end of the rock lever is provided with
a pin or roller 31 to engage the link 25, the upper end is forked to engage a grooved
collar 32, the collar attached to the valve stem by any suitable means.
In operation, the cylinder, when oscillating, operates the roller at the lower
end of the rock lever in a reciprocating motion in the grooved link 25, the link
being curved in a semi-circle with the centre of the cylinder trunnion as radius.
If the reversing handle is set in the centre, the oscillating of the cylinder would
not move the valve; if set on an incline as shown by dotted lines, it opens one of the
ports to start the engine operating in one direction, and if moved to engage the
notch on the opposite side of the vertical position, it reverses the valve and operates
the engine in the opposite direction.
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
...
The oscillating cylinder and slide' valve having its stem extending from a steam
chest attached to the cylinder head, combined with a bracket secured to the side
of the cylinder, a rock lever pivoted in the bracket, having its upper end forked
to engage with the valve stem, its lower end provided with a pin or roller to engage
a valve operating link pivoted to a stand, and provided with a curved groove, a
handle secured directly to the link and extending in a vertical position, with means
to lock the handle in place, substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this 4th day of August 1807
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.