IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM MOTORS FOR TRAMWAYS OR RAILWAYS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Rowan of Hamburg in the German
Empire, but at present of No. 28 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex, for an invention of k IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM MOTORS FOR
TRAMWAYS OR RAILWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Rowan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT ROWAN of Hamburg in the German Empire, but at present of
No. 28 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM MOTORS FOR TRAMWAYS OR RAILWAYS"
My invention relates to an arrangement of a steam engine and boiler so as to
form a steam motor combining great stability with a complete protection of all the
working parts from mud, and to apparatus for condensing the steam and mingling
with the water of condensation fresh water for feed.
In order to describe more clearly the construction and arrangement of the
motor, I will suppose it to be employed as the steam bogie of a tram car,
it being
understood that it might be employed as a detached motor for cars or rolling stock
of other kinds.
The whole of the machinery is placed in a flat open iron box of oblong form
somewhat narrower than the gauge of the line for which it is to be used, this box
forming the framing of the motor and the base for the boilers. Through this box
a little above the floor the two axles of the motor run working in bearings in the
sides of the box, the wheels being outside. Midway between the axles and resting
on the floor of the box stands the twin boiler which is in the form of the letter H
consisting of two upright barrels each with an internal firebox, and both connected
by a cross tube at such height as to form free communication for water and steam,
so that the water level and steam pressure are always equal in both barrels. On
the floor of the box and between the upright barrels of the boiler on each side and
between the two axles at each end are placed the two cylinders and working parts
of the engine itself. The cylinders are so placed that the one piston acts on a

page_text: crank on one of the axles and the other piston acts on a crank on the other axle,
so that both axles are driven thus utilizing the adhesion of all four wheels.
The valve gear of both cylinders is worked from one axle only and the whole
engine is mounted on a bedplate so that it can be removed in one piece
and easily replaced by another when repairs are needed. When the adhesion
of only a single pair of wheels is required both pistons may act on cranks on the
one axle.
The steam is led from the cylinders into a surface condensing apparatus on the
roof of the car, which apparatus consists of a number of metal chambers running
length ways of the car and branching from a cross chamber placed above the engine.
From this latter chamber the water of condensation is led to the hot water com-
partment of the feed water tank and such steam as may not be condensed can pass
weighted valves into the fire box under the grate. The longitudinal condensing
chambers are formed of strips of thin metal secured together at the edges and
bulged away from one another with one or more corrugations so as to provide
steam space between them. Either or both edges can be extended so as to give
greater depth for strength, and enlarged cooling surface. Each of the longitudinal
chambers has at its end a branch pipe which is connected by a screw union to the
transverse chamber so that it can, in case of repairs bring needed, be quickly
removed and replaced by a reserve chamber. In uniting the plates to form
the condensing chamber between them the edge of the one may be made with
tongues projecting at right angles and inserted as tenons and rivetted into slits
made in the other plate.
I supply the feed water tank from two compartments one of which receives the
water of condensation and the other contains fresh water. In the feed tank there
is a float which works two valves one for each of the two supply compartments. By
regulating the relative sizes of these valves any desired proportion of fresh and
distilled water can be maintained in the feed tank.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Rowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th September 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT ROWAN of Hamburg in the German Empire, but at present of
No. 28 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM MOTORS FOR TRAMWAYS OR RAILWAYS"
My invention relates to an arrangement of steam engine and boiler so as to form
a steam motor combining great stability with complete protection of all the working
parts from mud, and to apparatus for condensing the steam and mingling with the
water of condensation fresh water for feed.
In order to describe more clearly the construction and arrangement of the motor
I will suppose it to be employed as the steam bogie of a tram car, it being
understood that it might be employed as a detached motor for cars or rolling stock
of other kinds.
The whole of the machinery is placed in a flat open iron box of oblong form
somewhat narrower than the gauge of the line for which it is to be used, this
box forming the framing of the motor and the base for the boilers. Through this
box a little above the floor the two axles of the motor run working in bearings
in the sides of the box, the wheels being outside. Midway between the axles
and resting on the floor of the box' stands the twin boiler which is in the form
of the letter H consisting of two upright barrels each with an internal fire box,
and both connected by a cross tube at such height as to form free communication
for water and steam, so that the water level and steam pressure are always equal
in both barrels. On the floor of the box and between the upright barrels of the
boiler on each side and between the two axles at each end are placed the two
cylinders and working parts of the engine itself. The cylinders are so placed that
the one piston acts on a crank on one of the axles and the other piston acts on a
crank on the other axle, so that both axles are driven, thus utilising the adhesion
of all four wheels. The valve gear of both cylinders may be worked from one
axle only and the whole engine is mounted on a bed plate so that it can be removed
in one piece and easily replaced by another when repairs are needed. When the
adhesion of only a single pair of wheels is required both pistons may act on
cranks on the one axle and both axles may be connected by a band or chain passing
over suitable pulleys or chain wheels.
The steam is led from the cylinders into a surface condensing apparatus on the
roof of the car, which apparatus consists of a number of metal chambers running
lengthways of the car and branching from a cross chamber placed above the engine.
From this latter chamber the water of condensation is led to the hot water
compartment of the feed water tank and such steam as may not be condensed can
pass weighted valves into the fire box under the grate. The longitudinal condensing
chambers are formed of strips of thin metal secured together at the edges and
bulged away from one another with one or more corrugations so as to provide steam
space between them. Either or both edges can be extended so as to give greater
depth for strength and enlarged cooling surface.
Each of the longitudinal chambers has at its end a branch pipe which is connected
by a screw union to the transverse chamber so that it can, in case of repairs being
needed, be quickly removed and replaced by a reserve chamber. In uniting the
plates to form the condensing chamber between them the edge of the one may be
made with tongues projecting at right angles and inserted as tenons and rivetted
into slits made in the other plate.
I supply the feed water tank from two compartments one of which receives the

page_text: water of condensation and the other contains fresh water. In the feed tank there
is a float which works two valves one for each of the two supply compartments.
By regulating the relative sizes of these valves any desired proportion of fresh and
distilled water can be maintained in the feed tank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is a longitudinal section and Fig 2 a plan of so much of a steam motor as
is necessary to illustrate one arrangement according to my invention, wherein the
two engines drive cranks, on the two running axles. Fig 3 is a longitudinal section,
Fig 4 a plan and Fig 5 a transverse section shewing an arrangement wherein the
two engines drive cranks on the one running axle. In these figures the parts that'
are similar are indicated by similar letters of reference.
A is the oblong box in the floor of which or on a platform elevated a little abovo
the floor are placed the two vertical boilers B B which are connected by the cross
tube C forming free communication for water and steam. D are the steam cylinders,
the pistons of which in the arrangement shewn in Figs 1 and 2 are connected to
the cranks E on the two axles F these cranks being also connected by a connecting
rod G. In the arrangement shown in Figs 3, 4 and 5 both pistons are connected to
cranks E on one axle F, from which when great traction power is required the
other axle H may be driven by a band or chain passing over drums or chain wheels
on the two axles. Fig 6 is a side view and Fig 7 an end view of part of the car
with the surface condenser on the roof: Fig 8 is a plan shewing the arrangement
of the connections for the several sections of the condenser, a vertical section of one
of which is shewn to an enlarged scale by Fig 9. It consists of two corrugated
plates secured together, the plates being extended up or down or both ways as
shewn in Fig 9 so as to present extended surface to the cooling influence of the air.
A number of these sections L are fixed side by side a little distance above the roof
of the car so that there is free access of air to circulate between them, and either
the sections as a whole or the lines of their corrugations are somewhat sloped
down towards one end so that the water of condensation may flow in that
direction. The exhaust steam pipe M is connected to a transverse pipe Non-
the upper face of which are provided a number of screw unions each making a
connection to one of the sections L of the condenser. From the ends of the cross
pipe N which slopes down both ways, pipes O lead the water of.condensation to
the feed tank. At P P are lightly loaded valves which if the pressure in the
condenser should rise, open and allow uncondensed steam to pass by pipes Q to the
ash pits of the boilers.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and in what manner the-
same is to be performed, I claim in respect. of steam motors for tramways or
railways-
-
First. Arranging the boilers and engines in a box through the sides of which
pass the axles, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth with. reference
to Figs 1. 2. 3. 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and arrangement of surface condenser and its connections
substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 6. 7. 8 and 9.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Rowan have hereunto set
my hand and seal this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord
.. One thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.