IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR REGULATING THE SPEED OF MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bristow Hunt, of Serle Street, of Lincoln's Inn, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR REGULATING THE SPEED OF MARINE AND OTHER
STEAM ENGINES." A communication from abroad by Caldwell Culberson
Jenkins, of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America
Sealed the 22nd November 1878, and dated the 24th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bristow Hunt at the Office
of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1878.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Stroet, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR REGULATING THE
SPEED OF MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES.” (A communication from abroad
by Caldwell Culberson Jenkins, of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the
United States of America.)
The object of the first part of this Invention is to regulate the speed of marine
and other steam engines, so that although the duty of the governor is light, there
shall be a prompt action of the heaviest throttle valve in obedience to the
governor.
The improved apparatus is constructed with two cylinders, one of larger diameter
than the other, and fitted with pistons connected by rods to a lever, which is pivotted
to a plate or to any fixed framework. One end of this lever is connected to the
throttle valve of a steam engine, the other end passing between two stops, one of
which may be secured to the said plate or to any fixed object, the other stop forming
part of another plate, which is so secured to the said first plate or other frame as to
be adjustable from or towards the stop on it. Each stop is recessed to receive a
pad of rubber, leather, or other like material, for the lever to strike against during
its operations.

page_text: Two valve chests are secured to and communicate with the larger cylinder above
its piston, one valve chest having an outlet or exhaust pipe, and the other valve
chest communicating through a pipe with the small cylinder above its piston, and
also with a pipe which communicates with a steam boiler.
To bearings forming in the present instance parts of pillars secured to the cover
of the larger cylinder is adapted a rock shaft, one arm of which is connected to the
spindle of the exhaust valve in the one chest, another arm being connected to the
valve spindle of the steam valve in the other chest, and a third arm being under the
control of a governor driven by the engine.
The proper setting of the valves in their chests will be best understood by the
following description of the operation of the regulating apparatus :—
1
Steam from the boiler is always present in the smaller cylinder above its piston,
and as long as the engines are running at uniform speed there is also a supply of
steam under the same pressure in the larger cylinder, the steam valve of the one
chest being open, the exhaust valve of the other chest closed, the lever bearing
against the adjustable stop and the main throttle valve to which the lever is con-
nected being open to an extent sufficient to admit a proper quantity of steam for
driving the engine under ordinary circumstances.
Should there be a tendency of the engines to race, which is always the case with
marine engines when the propeller rises towards the surface or from the water, there
will be an increased speed of the governor corresponding with the increased speed of
the engine, and the rock shaft will be so moved as to operate the valves in both of
the chests, the steam valve in the one chest being closed, and the exhaust valve in
the other chest opened, so that steam will be exhausted from the larger cylinder
above its piston. The result of this will be the sudden depression of the piston of
the smaller cylinder, and the rising of that of the larger cylinder, and simultaneous
with the movement of the two pistons will be that of the lever to a position, causing
the closing of the main throttle valve.
Should the speed of the engines be suddenly diminished, the steam valve will,
owing to the action of the governor, be suddenly opened and the exhaust valve
closed, when the steam acting on the piston of the larger cylinder will restore the
lever to its former position, and the main throttle valve will be opened to the desired
extent.
The above description refers to the action of the regulating apparatus under a
very sudden increase of the speed of the engine and a very sudden decrease of the
speed; a gradual increase of speed will result in the gradual opening of the exhaust
valve, and a gradual depression of the piston of the small cylinder, and conse-
quently the closing of the main throttle valve will be correspondingly gradual.
When the diminution of speed of the engines is gradual, the closing of the
exhaust valve and opening of the steam valve, and the movement of the pistons and
opening of the throttle valve will be accordingly gradual; in fact, the movements
of the pistons and of the throttle valve will be in exact accordance, and almost
simultaneous with the requirements of the engines.
The object of the second part of the Invention is to regulate the speed of com-
pound marine engines by means of any marino governor, through the medium of
apparatus, by which the said governor is caused to regulate the admission of steam
to the small high-pressure cylinder, and to control the piston of the large cylinder,
as described herein-after.
On the steam chest of the small or high-pressure cylinder of the engine is arranged
the casing of a throttle valve by which the admission of steam to the said small
cylinder may be regulated, au arm on the spindle of this valve being connected to a
similar arm on a shaft, a second arm on which is connected to the governor, the
latter being driven by the engine.
A third arm on this shaft is connected to an arm on the spindle of a regulating
valve contained in a chest adjoining the large cylinder of the engine, and this chest
communicates through a pipe with the large cylinder above the piston, and through
another pipe with the same cylinder below the piston.

page_text: Any marine governor may be used in connection with the above appliances and
made to control the shaft.
The throttle valve within the chest may be of the ordinary construction, but it is
preferred to make the regulating valve of the large cylinder as a hollow cylinder
secured to a spindle and adapted to a cylindrical seat, between which and the outer
casing of the chest there are two semi-annular chambers communicating with the
said pipes. There are two ports above, and two similar ports below, in this cylin-
drical valve, and there are similar ports in the valve seat. This valve should be so
set in respect to the throttle valve that the latter may be partially closed before the
ports in the said valve scat are uncovered, for the governing of the engine for
ordinary variations in its speed must be through the medium of the throttle-valve;
it is only when the engine, owing to the undue rising of the propeller in or from
the water, has a tendency to operate at a suddenly increased and dangerous speed,
or as it is technically termed to "race," that the regulating valve is moved to such
an extent that its ports will be open or partly open to those of the seat.
moment this takes place there will be a tendency to equalize the pressure on both
sides of the piston, and if the valve remained open the pressure on both sides would
be finally equalized and the further movement of the piston would cease, but the
opening of the ports of the valve seat due to the excessive speed of the engine will
generally be comparatively small, and will be of brief duration, for the speed of the
engine, and consequently of the governor, will be so quickly reduced that the ports
of the valve seat will be closed before the engine resumes its normal speed.
The
The rapidity with which the arresting influence of the governor will be felt by
the piston of the large engine will depend upon the extent to which the ports of the
valve seat are suddenly opened.
A very sudden increase in the speed of the engine, due to a sudden rising of the
wheel propeller in or from the water, will be counteracted by a sudden and extended
opening of the ports of the valve seat, and an equally sudden arresting action on
the piston, but a less sudden increase of speed in the engine, due to a slower rising
of the propeller in or from the water, will be followed by a comparatively slight
opening of the ports of the valve seat, the opening however being sufficient to have
an instantaneous arresting effect on the piston.
Each of the said pipes leading into the larger cylinder is furnished with a valve,
by which the extent of the communication between the upper and lower portions of
the cylinder may be increased or diminished as circumstances may suggest, and
during calm weather these valves may be entirely closed and the regulating valve
thereby rendered inoperative, for it is only in rough or comparitively rough weather,
when the vessel has such a motion that the propeller is alternately rising from and
being submerged in the water, that the aid of the said valve is necessary for
governing purposes.
It will of course be understood that changes in the disposal of the above-described
parts may be required in different compound engines, for different engine rooms may
require different locations for the governor, and different appliances through which
the governor is caused to act on the two valves may be required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Bristow Hunt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
November 1878.
BRISTOW HUNT, of Serle Strect, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR REGULATING THE
SPEED OF MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES." (A communication from abroad
by Caldwell Culberson Jenkins, of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the
United States of America.
The object of the first part of this Invention is to regulate the speed of marine
and other steam engines through the medium of the apparatus described herein-
after, so that, although the duty of the governor may be light, there shall be a
prompt action of the heaviest throttle valve in obedience to the governor.
This portion of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the
accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 being a front view, partly in section, of the
improved regulating device for steam engines; Figure 2, a plan view of the same;
and Figure 3 a sectional view of the governor proper.
The improved apparatus is constructed with two cylinders A, A', (the former of
larger diameter than the latter), the pistons a, a, of which are connected by
rods b, b¹, to a lever G which is pivotted at d to a plate W, or to any fixed frame-
work. One end c of this lever is connected to the throttle valve of a steam engine,
the other end passing between two stops h, h¹, the former of which may be secured
to the plate W, or to any fixed object, the other stop h' forming part of a plate h²,
which is so secured to the plate W, or other frame, as to be adjustable from or
towards the stop h on it. Each stop is recessed to receive a pad i of rubber, leather,
or other like material, for the lever G to strike against during its operations.
Two valve chests E and F are secured to and communicate with the larger
cylinder A, above its piston a, the valve chest F having an outlet or exhaust pipe k,
and the valve chest E communicating through a pipe m with the small cylinder A¹
above its piston al, and also with a pipe m which communicates with a steam
boiler.
To bearings p, p, forming in the present instance parts of pillars p¹, p³, secured
to the cover of the cylinder A, is adapted a rock shaft B, one arm D of which is
connected to the spindlet of the exhaust valve in the chest F, another arm D¹
being connected to the valve spindle t¹ of the steam valve in the chest E, and a
third arm D being under the control of a governor H driven by the engine.
The proper setting of the valves in the chests E and F will be best understood
by the following description of the operation of the regulating apparatus.
Steam from the boiler is always present in the small cylinder A' above its
piston a', and as long as the engines are running at uniform speed there is also a
supply of steam under the same pressure in the larger cylinder A, the steam valve
in the chest E being open, the exhaust valve in the chest F closed, the lever G
bearing against the adjustable stop h', as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 1, and
the main throttle valve, to which the lever is connected, being open to an extent
sufficient to admit a proper quantity of steam for driving the engine under ordinary
circumstances.
Should there be a tendency of the engines to race, which is always the case with
marine engines when the propeller rises towards the surfaco or from the water,
there will be an increased speed of the governor, corresponding with the increased
speed of the engine, and the rock shaft B will be so moved as to operate the valves
in both of the chests E and F, the steam valve in the chest E being closed and the
exhaust valve in the chest F open, so that steam will be exhausted from the larger
cylinder A above its piston. The result of this will be the sudden depression of

page_text: the piston of the smaller cylinder and the rising of that of the larger cylinder, and
simultaneous with the movement of the two pistons will be that of the lever G to
the position shewn by the plain or full linos, causing the closing of the main
throttle valve.
Should the speed of the engines be suddenly diminished the steam valve will,
owing to the action of the governor, be suddenly opened and the exhaust valve
closed, when the steam acting on the piston of the larger cylinder will restore the
lever G to its former position, as indicated by the dotted lines, and the main throttle
valve will be opened to the desired extent.
The above description refers to the action of the regulating apparatus under a
very sudden increase of the speed of the engine, and a very sudden decroase of the
speed; a gradual increase of speed will result in the gradual opening of the exhaust
valve, and a gradual depression of the piston of the small cylinder, and consequently
the closing of the main throttle valve will be correspondingly gradual.
When the diminution of speed of the engines is gradual the closing of the
exhaust valve and opening of the steam valve, and the movement of the pistons
and opening of the throttle valve will be accordingly gradual, in fact, the movements
of the pistons and of the throttle valve will be in exact accordance and almost
simultaneous with the requirements of the engines.
It has not been deemed necessary to oxhibit the character of the valves used, as
different kinds of valves, even a slide valve might be employed in connection with
the larger cylinder, but it is preferred to use the ordinary cylindrical balanced
valves, as they can be operated at the expense of less exertion by the governor than
any other. The object of the stops h, h², will be apparent.
The object of the second part of the Invention is to regulate the speed of com-
pound marine engines by means of any marine governor, through the medium of
apparatus by which the said governor is caused to regulate the admission of steam
to the small high-pressure cylinder, and to control the piston of the large cylinder,
as described herein-after.
This portion of the Invention is illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the
accompanying Drawings, Figure 4 being a side view of the two cylinders of a
coinpound marine engine, with regulating appliances to be operated by a governor;
Figure 5, a plan view thereof; Figure 6, a sectional view of the large cylinder,
looking in the direction of the arrow, Figure 5; and Figure 7, a transverse section
of the governing valve of the large cylinder.
In these Figures of the accompanying Drawings A represents the small high-
pressure cylinder and B the large cylinder of a compound marine engine, a being
the valve chest of the small cylinder and b the valve chest of the large cylinder.
The Invention having no immediate connection with the valve and the valve
gearing it will not be necessary to refer to these parts of the engine.
On the steam chest of the cylinder A is arranged the casing D of a throttle valve,
by which the admission of steam to this cylinder may be regulated, an arın 1 on
the spindle. of this valve being connected to a similar arm 2 on a shaft G, a
second arm 3 on which is connected to the governor, the latter being driven by the
engine.
A third arm 4 on this shaft is connected to an arm 5 on the spindle of a regu-
lating valve K, contained in a chest H, adjoining the large cylinder B, and this
chest communicates through a pipe I with the large cylinder above the piston, and
through another pipe I' with the same cylinder below the piston.
It has not been deemed necessary to illustrate or describe a governor, as any
marino governor may be used in connection with the above appliances, and made
to control the shaft G.
The throttle valve within the chest D may be of the ordinary construction, but
it is preferred to make the regulating valve of the large cylinder in the manner
shewn in the transverse section, Figure 7, on reference to which it will be observed
that the valve K is a hollow cylinder secured to a spindle m, and adapted to a:

page_text: cylindrical scat 2, between which and the outer casing of the chest H there are
two semi-annular chambers p, p', respectively communicating with the pipes I, 1.
There are two ports i, i, above, and two similar ports i, i, below in the cylindrical
valve K, and there are similar ports in the valve seat n. This valve K should be
so set in respect to the throttle valve D that the latter may be partially closed
before the ports in the valve seat n are uncovered for the governing of the engine,
for ordinary variations in its speed must be through the mediumn of the throttle
valve; it is only when the engine, owing to the undue rising of the propeller in or
from the water, has a tendency to operate at a suddenly increased and dangerous
speed, or as it is technically termed to "race," that the valve K is moved to such
an extent that its ports will be open, or partly open, to those of the seat. The
moment this takes place there will be a tendency to equalize the pressure on both
sides of the piston, and if the valve remained open the pressure on both sides
would be finally equalized, and the further movement of the piston would cease;
but the opening of the ports of the valve seat due to the excessive speed of the
engines will generally be comparatively small, and will be of brief duration for the
speed of the engine, and consequently of the governor, will be so quickly reduced
that the ports of the valve seat will be closed before the engine resumes its normal
speed.
The rapidity with which the arresting influence of the governor will be felt by 1
the piston of the large engine will depend upon the extent to which the ports of
the valve seat are suddenly opened.
A very sudden increase in the speed of the engine, due to a sudden rising of the
wheel propeller in or from the water, will be counteracted by a sudden and
extended opening of the ports of the valve seat, and an equally sudden arresting 1
action on the piston, but a less sudden increase of speed in the engine, due to a
slower rising of the propeller in or from the water, will be followed by a com-
paratively slight opening of the ports of the valve scat, the opening however being
sufficient to have an instantaneous arresting effect on the piston.
Each of the pipes I, I, is furnished with a valve W, by which the extent of the
communication between the upper and lower portions of the cylinder may be
increased or diminished as circumstances may suggest, and during calm weather
these valves may be entirely closed, and the valve K thereby rendered inoperative,
for it is only in rough, or comparatively rough weather when the vessel has such a
motion that the propeller is alternately rising from and being submerged in the 3
water that the aid of the valve K is necessary for governing purposes.
It will of course be understood that changes in the disposal of the above-
described parts may be required in different compound engines, for different engine-
rooms may require different locations for the governor, and different appliances
through which the governor is caused to act on the two valves may be required.
Having now described the nature and object of the said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as the Invention communicated to
me by the above-named Caldwell Culberson Jenkins,-
Firstly. A regulating device, in which a cylinder having steam and exhaust 4
valves under the control of a governor for admitting steam to and exhausting it
from the cylinder on one side of its piston is combined with a smaller cylinder
having a provision for maintaining a constant supply of steam on one side of its
piston, and with devices by which the simultaneous movement of the two pistons
is communicated to the main throttle valve of an engine, all substantially as set 5
forth in reference to the first part of the above-described Invention.
Secondly. The combination of the large cylinder and its piston, and the small
cylinder and its piston, with the lever G, as described, and as shewn in Figure 1 on
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Thirdly. The combination of the cylinders, pistons, and lever G with the stops h, h', 5
as described, and as shown in Fig. 1.

page_text: And, Fourthly. The combination of a compound marine engine and its governor,
and a throttle valve for regulating the supply of steam to the steam chest of the
small cylinder, with a valve and pipes, or passages, for opening and cutting off
communication between the upper and lower portions of the large cylinder, and
devices substantially as above described, whereby both valves are placed under the
control of the governor.
In witness whereof, I, the said Bristow Hunt, have hereunto set my hand
and scal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
BRISTOW HUNT. (L.S.)