CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
Year: 1826

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
COSTICIN, of Collon, in the County of Louth, in that part of the United
Kingdom called Ireland, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirteenth day of December, One thousand eight hundred and
twenty-six, in the seventh year of His reign, did, for Himself, His heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said John Costigin, His especial licence
that I, the said John Costigin, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said John Costigin, my exors, adors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
also in all His said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention
of CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM MACHINERY OR APPARATUS;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said John Costigin, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Costigin, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the following
description thereof (that is to say):-
In the following description of my Invention or improvements on steam
engines or parts of steam engines, I shall have occasion to introduce and
describe matters and things, to the invention of which I make no claim, and
which form no part of the subject of my Patent, and these things are men-
tioned in the following description only because I could not otherwise make
the nature and utility of my Invention or improvements clearly understood.
That part of my improved steam machinery or apparatus which is applicable
to and may be used with advantage in certain parts of what I call single
rotatory steam engines, I describe as follows:-.
Fig. 1, A, A, represents a vertical section of the steam cylinder, taken at
right angles with the axis B; C, C, are sections of the bearing part of a
strong cast-iron platform or sleepers which sustain A, A, by means of its
flanches d, d, which are firmly bolted down to C, C; D is an induction pipe
by which steam passes from the boiler or steam generator into that part of
the cylinder which I call the steam chamber K, K, in the direction of the
darts; E is the eduction pipe permitting the steam to escape to a condenser,
to a chimney, or to the open air; F, F, is a section of what I call, the nucleus,
made of cast iron and firmly fixed on the axis B. This axis revolves with the
nucleus, and gives motion to the machinery to be turned by the engine, and
also to the pumps used to raise or inject the necessary feed water for the
same. a, a, a, a, represent the ends or sections of four floats or vanes, which
are hinged into F, F, by joints, on which they can turn freely until they
occupy the present position of a 1 and a 2, in which posture they are firmly
held by the pressure of the steam propelling them through the chamber K, K,
in the direction of the darts, until a 2 proceeds so far as that its edge passes
over a part of the aperture of the.eduction pipe, when the steam escapes; and the
float falls back into its place in a recess formed in the nucleus to receive it in
a like position to that now occupied by a 3 and a 4; whilst this takes place by
the revolving of the nucleus, a 4 has entered the steam chamber and falls into the
position now occupied by a 1, and the pressure of the steam against the floats
continuing the motion of the nucleus, brings a 3 also into the steam chamber,
where all the floats are acted upon in succession, and each in passing the
eduction pipe delivers the steam included between it and its successor, and then
folds down into its. recess in the nucleus and passes under the stop G, not yet

page_text: described. But to effect what I have above described, it is necessary that
the steam should be obliged to exert its force in the direction of the darts,
whereas it would naturally expand or act in all directions. G, G, is a portion
of a circle of cast iron which I call a stop, the interior of which is th of an
inch more in diameter than the exterior of the nucleus with which it is con-
centric, and is fitted steam-tight into its place between the cylinders and the
caps which enclose the ends of the cylinder, see Figure 2, which are omitted
here as they would hide the stop and floats; G, G, is bolted fast to A, A, and
to the caps, and the periphery of the nucleus revolves as close as is practicable
to G, G, without their surfaces coming in contact. On the periphery of the
nucleus near the edges of the floats are seen hemp or steel or brass packings
b. b, b, b, (I prefer the latter); these in passing round press lightly against the
inner surface of G, G, which being concentric with the nucleus, smoothly
polished, and sloped off at the ends, these packings enter and pass from under it
without any shock or considerable friction. The stop G, G, is something more
than a fourth of a circle, by which means there is always at least one of the
packings b, b, b, b, in contact with it, which prevents all escape of steam from
the chamber K, K. in that direction. Hence the whole elastic force of the
steam is exerted in causing the nucleus to revolve by means of one or more of
its floats a, a, a: a, filling constantly in succession across the steam chamber
K, K, and these floats being furnished with steam-tight packings of hemp or
metal round their edges, permit no steam to escape until they pass a part of
the aperture of the eduction pipe, by which time the succeeding float has
extended across the steam chamber where they are; all in succession act as
pistons, and furnish a continuity of propelling force to turn the nucleus and
axis B. In the machine now under consideration the floats a, a, a, a, perform
a most important part, and it will be seen on inspecting the Drawing, Fig. 1,
that the whole force of the steam acting in the chamber K, K, is exerted
against each float individually in succession, consequently they ought to be so
contrived as to have strength and stability suflicient to resist that pressure and
also to turn lightly and with facility on their centres. To answer this purpose
I have invented the method of hinging the floats indicated in the Drawing, by
a careful inspection of which and attention to the following explanation it
will be perceived that each float has a small axis in its center. This axis turns
in holes perforated for that purpose in flanches which are attached to each end
of the nucleus by bolts or rivets, for the reception of which holes are seen
prepared in F, F. These flanges are here omitted to allow the nucleus, &c.
to be seen. The axis of the floats are of small diameter. but are quite suffi-
cient to sustain the float when folded up in its recess in the nucleus, or. whilst

page_text: extending across the steam chamber, but when extended I no longer count on
the axis as furnishing any support or strength to the float which is then held or
jambed in the nucleus itself, by the back of the float pressing against e, and its
short end next the center of the nucleus is stopped by c. Now, it is evident
that whilst in that position (see a 1 and a 2) the more the steam presses
against the floats the less the latter needs the support of its axis; but as soon
as the float progresses so far as to permit the steam which acted on it to escape
by the eduction pipe E, it begins to fold itself into its recess, and is indebted to
its axis for support until again in its turn extended to sustain the pressure of the
steam. Rotatory steam engines have been constructed on various plans, and some
of them in many respects similar to the above described machines; I therefore
claim no exclusive right to rotatory steam engines, cylinders, nucleus, caps, floats,
or packings as such, and confine the subject of this Patent, so far as regards
rotatory steam engines, to my Invention of an improved method of hinging the
floats, so as to unite facility of movement with the great strength required, and
the method, not yet described, of governing their evolutions, and to my improved
method of preventing steam from escaping in one direction from the steam
chamber by the stop G, G, which enables me to place my packings b, b, b, b, on
the periphery of the nucleus, and to make them act on the uniform polished
surface of the stop G, G, avoiding by this means that great breadth of packing
and the excessive friction and wear and tear which has hitherto rendered
unsuccessful former rotative engines.
Fig. 2 represents a section of the nucleus F, F, with its flanches I, I; a flat
view of the flaces I, I, is shewn at 11, 11; b, b, b, b, are notches cut to receive the
packings, indicated by the same letters in Fig. 1 (omitted in Fig. 1); H, H,
are caps screwed to I, I, and which hold a packing of hemp or metal between
them and I, I, similar to the packing of the piston of a common steam
engine, and which revolving in the flanches off, f, and f,f, prevent the escape
of steam from the chamber K, K. A, A, represent a section the lengthway
of the axis B of the steam cylinder, designated in Fig. 1 by the same
letters, and ff, and f, f, are sections of the caps which close the ends of
A, A, (these were omitted in Fig. 1,) and render the chamber K, K,
steam-tight. K is a section of the steam chamber, and the dotted lines
h, h, h, h, indicates some of the different forms that might be given to that
chamber; but as I do not take out my Patent for a steam engine, I shall only
describe so much of it as is necessary to shew how far my improved steam
machinery is applicable and useful in certain parts of steam engines, and set
up no claim to these engines, or any part of them, other than the improvements
herein particularly specified as my Invention. Now, the operations of the

page_text: floats which I have described are not new, nor do I make any claim to them,
farther than my method of hinging them, before described, and some additional
machinery or apparatus, hereafter to be described. I have described the floats"
as self-acting by their own gravity, but as the floats of a rotatory steam engine
are a considerable weight, they fall with such force in opening and shutting as
injures the machinery. To obviate this defect, I make the axes of the floats at
one end pass through the flanch of the nucleus, and through the cap that covers
it, beyond which they project so far as to have fixed on their extremities the
little arms m, m, m, m, see Fig. 3; and in Fig. 2 two of the float axis are
represented by dotted lines crossing F, F; the ends of these axis are seen to
project beyond H, and on their extremities are placed m, m, with their ends
turned out like a short handle; m, n, is a flat view of one of these arms, which
have two ends, and extend like a pair of compasses opened to an angle of 90°
or 100°. Stuffing boxes are placed in the flanches of the nucleus, through
which the four axes of the floats work. The use of these arms is, that in case
of any accidental or improper tightness of the packings or joints, stops pro-
perly disposed, so as to come in contact with the little handles on the ends of
m, m, m, m, will, by acting on them whilst the nuclus revolves, oblige the floats
to open and shut in the proper places; but for a more extended and advanta-
geous use of this contrivance see Figure 3.
Fig. 3, the line A, A, represents the interior of a steam cylinder, designated
by the same letters in Fig. 1. a, a, a, a, mark the centres of the four floats,
designated by the same letters in Fig. 1; and m, m, m, m, represent the arms
or handles fixed outside the cap on the extremities of the axis of these floats;
these axis are marked L in Figs. 2. M and N represent two bars of iron filed
These bars are to be sustained
and polished on the sides next to m, m, m, m.
firmly in their proper positions, and may be supported by stays attached to the
cap ff, or to the platform or sleepers, to which A, A, is bolted. The use of
these bars is, that as the nucleus revolves the little handles which project from
the extremities of the arms m, m, m, m, will come in contact with the curves in
Mand N, and will, by the handles sliding along their smooth surfaces, being
kept properly oiled or greased, produce such motion of the floats which are
fixed in the same axis as will produce the desired evolutions of a, a, a, a, as
before described. I wish to be understood that I use the two bars M and N
for the double purpose of obliging the floats, notwithstanding any tightness of
packing or joints, to open on entering the steam chamber, as a 1, Fig. 1, and
that in doing so it shall not be allowed, however free on its joints or massive in
its construction, to fall with force or dash itself with violence against the sides
or bottom of the steam chamber K, K. A little consideration will make it plain

page_text: how this is effected. The floats are here designated by the same letters as in
Fig. 1, and occupy exactly the same positions as there indicated. a 1 is extended
in the chamber K, and it will be obvious that the nucleus moving in the
direction of the darts will bring the arm 1 of a 4 into contact with the curve o
of the bar N, and that by the time it progresses to the present position of a 1. its
arms 1 and 2 must be directed as those of a 1 are at present, and its float
extended across the chamber K, and this movement will have brought a 1 into
the present position of a 2, without any change of the position of its arms, for
during this space the bars M. and N are curved concentric with the nuclus;
but a 2 having advanced through the same space in the same time, its arm 2
will have come in contact with the part p of the bar M, which being there con-
pressed inwards, it turns the arm 2 in the direction now seen in the same arm
of a 3, and of course folds the float into its recess in the nucleus. It is neces-
sary in adjusting the curvature of the bars M and N to make them concentric
with the nucleus, where no change of position is necessary in the floats, but
where such change is necessary, which will be at entering the steam chamber
and at passing the eduction pipe, the bars must be so curved as to interrupt the
progress of one of the arms, which by its centre progressing turns that arm back,
and either extends the float or folds it up, as the case may be. It is also
necessary so to adjust the curves of M and N that the float in entering the
steam chamber, the arm or handle 1, being interrupted by the curve o of the
bar F, turns the float outward. I say it is then necessary that the handle 2
should be supported on the curve r of the bar M, so that it shall, instead of
dashing down with its whole weight, slide gently and without concussion or
noise into the present position of a 1, Fig. 1. The operation of folding down
the extended float in passing the eduction pipe E is similar to that described; the
curve P of the bar M interrupts the progress of the arm or handle 2, which
inclines the float towards the nucleus, against which it would fall with violence
if the arm was not sustained by sliding along the polished surface of the curves
of the bar N. The above described method of operating the evolutions of the
floats by means of M and N, which I call governor bars, is useful in its
application, as indicated in Figures 1, 2, and 3; but in rotatory steam engines
of some other descriptions it would be indepensably necessary. Suppose the
same nucleus, cylinder, &c., as represented in Fig. 1, to be placed on an
upright shaft, the floats would then have no tendency by their own weight to
extend themselves or to fold up, and would not perform the necessary evolutions
without the governor bars. There is also another variation of the rotatory steam
engine, to which the above described Invention is equally indispensable. I call
this species of machine a double rotatory steam engine, for which see Fig. 4.

page_text: Fig. 4. A, A, represents the interior of a steam cylinder, having two
induction pipes D, D, two eduction pipes E, E, and the two stops G, G,
fitted into it. F, F, is an outline of the section of a nucleus furnished
with eight floats, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and similar to those described in
Fig. 1, and acting in the same way, excepting that each of these floats
must extend itself and fold up twice during each revolution of the nucleus,
there being two steam chambers K, K, and L, L, and it is evident that the
weight of the floats could not contribute to this movement, except in entering
the chamber K, nor even there if the nucleus was placed on an upright shaft.
Therefore in this kind of engine the governor bars are indispensable, and
must be supported as before suggested, or some other way equally firm, and
their curves adjusted as described in Fig. 3, only that the evolution of
extending the float must be perforined by each float on entering each steam
chamber, and the folding up effected on passing each eduction pipe, so as
that the floats shall be folded into their recesses before passing under the stops
G, G. And from the description before given of the use and method of
curving these bars, no good mechanic can be at a loss how to accomplish it.
And the same method of hinging the floats and of making them perform the
necessary evolutions is applicable to a nucleus, as indicated in Fig. 4, when
placed on an upright shaft or when three or more steam chambers with a
proportionate number of floats, &c., are used. The piston of a steam engine
is a ponderous mass of iron or other metal, the weight of which, when
suspended in a vertical cylinder, and counterbalanced by the connecting rod at
the other end of the beam, is not felt as an evil; but when a steam cylinder
is placed horizontally, and the weight of the piston and rod drags constantly
on the lower side, creates excessive friction, wears the cylinder oval, and
destroys the packing at the lower side of the piston, whilst it soon permits
the steam to escape at the upper side, then the weight of this apparatus is
found to be an evil for which no adequate remedy has hitherto been laid
before the public. Now, the remedy for this defect in horizontal reciprocating
steam engines is a part of my improved steam machinery or apparatus, which
I describe as follows:-
Fig. 7, A, represents a vertical section of what I call my buoyant piston,
for I mean nothing less than to render the piston so buoyant that I could
transfer the friction from the lower side to the top of the cylinder, notwith-
standing the weight, however great, of the piston. S is a strong boss of iron
in which the piston rod is fastened, and on each end of which is fixed an iron
plate, at the angle seen in the Drawing, or at such other angle as may be
desired, and these plates are turned so that even in that position they fit the

page_text: cylinder as well as those usually placed in it at right angles. The edges
of these plates are properly formed to receive packings of hemp, steel, or brass,
or any proper mixture of metal (I prefer and use the latter); when so
packed these become two pistons touching at the lower edge but being some
inches apart at the top, which forms the compartment a. I perforate both
pistons by a small hole in the direction of b, c, and place over these holes on
each piston a small hanging valve, seen in the Drawing at b, c.
Suppose the
steam filling the end C of the cylinder in the direction of the dart, it will
shut the valve c, and prevent steam from entering the compartment a, and if,
through any imperfection of the packing, steam did enter the compartment a,
it would escape by the valve b, which would open by the smallest pressure
from the inside. It is scarcely necessary to state that the steam acting at the
other end of the cylinder would have a similar effect; the valve b would
prevent its access to the compartment a, and if, from any cause, steam did
enter that compartment, it would blow out at the valve c. Hence, whether the
steam pressed at the side E or the side C of the piston, the compartment a
always belongs to the exhausted or empty side, consequently the pressure of
the steam acting on the inclined side of the piston not only pushes but also
lifts it upwards in proportion to the inclination given it. And having ascer-
tained the weight of the pistons and rod, and the elastic force of the steani
to be used in the cylinder, the inclination of the pistons should be such as
would render them buoyant by the elastic force of the steam. But as it
may be found difficult to execute the above on account of the inclined
pistons not being circular, I will describe another modification of my method
of making a buoyant piston.
Fig. 8, B, represents a section of a double piston fixed on the rod at right
angles, turned circular in the usual way and forming between the two plates
the compartments f, g. This space is divided into two by an. horizontal
partition, in the ends of which are placed packings, which forms a steam-tight
separation between the lower compartment f, and the upper one g. These
two pistons are perforated with small holes in the lines d, e, and k, l. On
the holes d, e, are placed small hanging valves outside, and on the holes k, l,
the same kind of valves are placed inside. A little consideration will make
it evident that at whichever end of the piston the steam acts it will in its
full force have free access to the compartment f; for the valves being inside,
one of them will yield to the pressure of the steam, admit it to fill the
compartment, and the valve opposite to that by which the steami entered
will, by the pressure, be shut close, and the horizontal partition and the
packings on its ends prevents effectually the steam rising into g. The

page_text: valves d, e, being outside, and shutting when pressed in that direction, the
steam cannot from either side obtain access into the compartment g, excepting
by some imperfection in the packings, but even in that case it would blow out
at the opposite valve. Hence it is evident that the pressure of the steam
acting on the area of the horizontal partition between the pistons, will, if that
area be proportioned to the weight of the piston and elastic force of the steam,
render the apparatus moving in the cylinder, perfectly buoyant.
I do not confine myself to the two methods above described of rendering
pistons buoyant, nor to the kind of valves there indicated. I do not take out
my Patent for the valves or packings as such; they may be made in any of
the various ways known and practised by good workmen; but I consider the
method above mentioned of rendering pistons buoyant by the pressure of the
steam acting in the cylinder however varied or modified, as my exclusive right.
Another method of obviating the defects of the horizontal cylinder steam
engine has for its object to cause the horizontal steam cylinder to revolve slowly
in proper bearings which shall not prevent the passage of the steam into and
out of the cylinder, and by so revolving will present every part of the cylinder
and stuffing box to equal friction and wear. I make this motion of the cylinder
slow and either continual or periodical, and in the latter case, which I prefer,
I cause the motion to be communicated to the cylinder at that almost imper-
ceptable point of time between the steam ceasing to act on one side of the piston
and beginning to act on the other, as the movement of the cylinder will then
be effected with least difficulty. And lastly, I furnish nieaus of turning the
cylinder in its bearings by hand, all which I describe as follows:-
Fig. 1, A, represents a longitudinal section of a horizontal steam cylinder
through its centre. This cylinder is bored in the usual way, and a part of it
at each end turned true on the outside. A 2 represents the same section of
the same cylinder placed in the bearings in which it is to turn; B and C
represent a bird's-eye view of the pedistals or bearings into which A is
accurately fitted, and there are caps omitted here to prevent confusion, which
cover and enclose the necks or journals of A between them and B and C. The
view here given of these latter shews their flanches and bolt holes by which to
fasten them to proper supports. e, e, indicates a space or circular ring or
compartment formed between the neck and flanches of A and the interior of
B, which, communicating with a tube formed between B and its eap, furnishes
a passage for the induction or eduction of steam; the line of this tube is
indicated by the dotted lines g, g. The neck of A at e, e, is perforated with
holes, by which to permit the steam to pass in or out to g, g, and flanches are
formed on the ends of the pedestals B and C, and their caps to which to

page_text: attach the necessary steam communications; but C admits of having these
communications attached to its bottom at F, or at its ends as in B, and as A
does not come quite to the bottom of the aperture formed in C to receive it,
it can admit and emit its steam without any perforations as at e, e. In B the
letters b, b, b, b, indicate plates which are held in their places by nuts and
screws; these plates are rings turned to fit the exterior at A and forms caps
for the stuffing boxes o, o, o, o, which being properly packed and b, b, b, b,
screwed tight on them, render the junction of A with B steam-tight. In C the
same letters designate its one stuffing box as are used for that purpose in B,
but the plates or caps on the box in C and on the inside of B must be in two
or more pieces, being cut after being turned, as in one piece they could not pass
over the flanches of A; c, c, is a section of the caps screwed on the mouth of
the cylinder, and which is furnished with a stuffing box through which the
piston rod works. The end of A next to c, c, should, as far as the dotted line i, i,
be filled with any hard substance that will bear heat, but perforated with a hole
for the piston rod to pass through without touching it; this will prevent the
loss of a portion of steam at each stroke. a, a, is a section of a wheel fas-
tened to the flanch on the end of A. by the same bolts that attach the caps c, c,
to it. This wheel is furnished with teeth on its periphery by which to receive
motion, and may, if preferred, be attached to the flanch D of A, as indicated
by the dotted lines a 2, Fig. 3. B represents an edge view of the pedestal
B covered by its cap E and shewing the circular aperture between them in
which they enclose A and in which it turns, and the dark ring round this
aperture indicates the hollow or groove marked o, o, in Fig. 2, and which
forms the stuffing box there described. B and E are well filed and ground, so
as when united and bolted together they form a steam-tight joint; the same
is the case with C and its cap. Fig. 5, a, a, is a flat view of the wheel a 1,
fastened on the end of A, and the notches in the edge of the aperture in its
center are intended to receive the bolts by which it is attached to the flanch
of A; these bolts, to save room, having no head on the side next A, pass
through these notches and through holes in c, c, and then have their nuts
screwed on. f, f, is an axes properly supported in bearings, and having fixed
on it the endless screw d, which works in teeth in the periphery of wheel a, a.
h, h, is a wheel fixed on the axis f, f, it is of the ratchet kind.
At
Fig. 6 is a flat view of the wheel h, h, which is here divided into thirty-two
teeth, but nothing prevents its containing a lesser or greater number.
the conclusion of each double stroke of the piston, I make a rod or tappet
push against one of the teeth of the wheel h, h, in the direction of the dart,
similar to the movement in shutting or opening a cock or valve, and I adjust

page_text: that push so that it moves the periphery of the wheel just the space of one
tooth. Hence every thirty-two double strokes of the engine produces one
revolution of the wheel h, h, and if a, a, is divided into one hundred and
twenty teeth, the cylinder working at its probable speed will revolve about five
times per day. But by increasing the number of teeth in the wheels, or
adding one or more wheels, the motion of A can be made as slow as may be
desired. Fig. 4 gives the resemblance of a sort of bar or wrench which has
studs or pivots at the extremities of its curved ends and at right angles with
it in its present position. The flanch D of A is perforated on its flat with
holes, into which the pivots of the bar being introduced, furnishes the means
of turning A by hand. And I use the buoyant piston and the revolving
cylinder either jointly or separately; and I sometimes place my cylinder in
bearings, as before described, but omit the wheels altogether, and, working
with a buoyant piston; turn the cylinder by hand occasionally at regular periods,
just to change its position.
In the course of the foregoing descriptions, I have, to avoid frequent repeti-
tions, sometimes omitted to state of what materials the several parts therein
mentioned ought to be composed. Now, I wish it to be understood that where
nothing to the contrary is mentioned, I mean that the said parts should be
made of such materials as are generally used for that purpose by good
workmen or of any fit material.
Fig. 1, Drawing B, represents a longitudinal section of one of my steam
generators A. The ash hole c, c, c, sleepers a, a, fire bars B, fire place C, a
flat vessel constructed by rivoting two plates of iron together, with a bar of
the same metal intervening between them at three sides, and leaving the fourth
side open, but formed with proper flanches to which to bolt securely a steam-
tight cap of plate iron in which may be inserted short tubes with flanches at
their extremities, as seen in Fig. 4 at b, b, b, and as is more clearly explained
by Fig. 8; by which means this vessel can be made to communicate with the
others of which this apparatus is composed, and form with them one steam-
tight vessel or apparatus. The caps are made to take off with facility and
afford means of cleansing the apparatus from any deposit, sediment, or encrus-
tation which may accumulate in it.
Fig. 4 represents a flat view of the vessel C, shewing the intervening bars
on which the plates are connected, and indicating at D the space left open
for a flue, and which space is marked with the same letter in Fig. 1. The
side bars are continued the whole length of the apparatus, and at each end of
them on the outside will be perceived a projection or flanch of their whole
thickness, perforated by a hole to admit a large bolt, the use of which will be

page_text: hereafter explained. The three bars a, a, a, are rivetted between the includ-
ing plates for the purpose of strengthening them by the rivets which act as
stays, and these three bars, if required, can be so disposed as to force the water
to circulate through every part of the vessel. For this purpose a, a, a, may be
placed as seen in the Drawing, or a greater number of bars may be used and
another disposition of them take place; and I sometimes omit these bars alto-
gether, and merely rivet in stays to strengthen the plates. And I sometimes
introduce between the bars a, a, a, similar bars, by which I at once
strengthen and divide any or all of my flat vessels. I say, I introduce between
these bars or other cavities filling pieces of iron or any other fit metal;
these pieces of iron are made of a shape conformable to the cavity in which
they are to be placed, but so much less in dimension that when they occupy
their position they may be surrounded by a thin volume of water at all sides;
and they are to be furnished with studs or claws which will sustain them
without touching any part of the vessel in which they are included; and the
ends of these pieces of iron are to be furnished with eyes or hooks by which
to draw them out when it is necessary to clean the apparatus. And the caps,
nuts, and screws, described in the construction of my apparatus furnish
sufficient facility of withdrawing the filling picces, as these must be open
during the operation of cleaning; and as these are merely solid pieces of iron
or metal the shape of which must be accommodated to the cavity they are to
fill, only allowing for the minute volume of water intended to be presented to
the action of the heat, no Drawings or more particular description of them is
necessary any more than of the implements necessary to be used in detaching
and clearing the sediment or incrustation out of the apparatus. I prefer
surrounding the filling pieces with from 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch thick of
water. The tubes b, b, b, with flanches on their extremities, are inserted
firmly in the cap which closes the outer end of C, and by attaching to their
flanches curved tubes a connection is formed between the different vessels
which compose this apparatus, and allows the water or steam to pervade and
circulate through the whole. In Fig. 1, E is another flat vessel of the same
dimensions, for the same use, and of the same construction as C, and F indi-
cates the part left open for the flue, similar to D, and the same description given
of C is applicable to E. G is an oblong flat vessel of the same construction
as C and E. It has no opening left for a flue, and covers the whole top of
the apparatus. It has both ends flanched and capped, and connecting tubes
can be attached to it, as described in Fig. 4, at b, b, b. It has also the pro-
jections or flanches, with holes to admit bolts, see Fig. 3, marked e, and the
dotted lines x, x, x, shew where bars or stays may be placed to strengthen the

page_text: plates that form the top and bottom of the vessel. The circles in the center
shew the place of the tubes M and N, N, and near the circumference of the
outer circle is seen a strongly dotted circle which shews the place of a circle of
stays which are to connect the bottom and top of the vessel with the flanch of
the pipe, N, N. H is the space between E and C, forming a flue which dis-
charges itself into the chimney through the pipe or case I. M is a pipe fixed
to G, with which it cominunicates, being open at both ends. The steam rises
in this pipe, which ought to be of a sufficient height to allow the water to
subside before it reaches the top, and this will depend upon the quantity of
that liquid kept in the generator; but if G is kept free from water and used
as a steam vessel, five feet high will be sufficient, but if the engine house would
allow of it I would prefer making M seven feet high. And to prevent the
necessity of placing the steam pipe leading to the engine inconveniently high,
I surround M with another pipe N, N, of so much larger diameter as to
leave an interstice between it and M, of an area at least equal to that
of the latter. And N, N, is about half a foot higher than M; its top is to be
closed steam-tight, and a safety valve placed on it. To this outer tube I
connect my steam pipe O, at such heigth as may be convenient, and in the
same way I attach to it my discharge pipe P, for letting off steam into the
chimney or open air; and the small tube W is for the purpose of drawing off
any water which may be produced by condensed steam. The sides of this
generator are composed of six flat vessels, four of which are in construction
similar to those already described, and are flanched and capped at both ends,
and being placed on edge they form the sides of the comparments B and H;
and to obviate any difficulty which might appear in constructing these and the
other vessels of which my generator is composed, I give Fig. 8 at 1 inch to
a foot. This Figure shews an edge view of part of one of these vessels.
A represents the edge of the intermediate bar; f, f, and f, f, shew the edges
of the including iron plates, of which the outsides of the vessel is formed, turned
up at the ends as high as the flanches. c, c, are pieces of wrought iron sufli-
ciently strong to form flanches, for which purpose they are turned outwards
as in the Drawing; they are laid in their places and holes drilled through
them from side to side, through the intermediate bar and iron plates of which
the vessel is formed, and the whole well secured by thorough rivets, as seen in
5 the Drawing. A and f.f, are attached in the same way. The flanched end
of the vessel is then squared and the iron plated fitted to it and well attached by
screw bolts, two of which are seen at h, h. b is a short tube firmly inserted
in d, and having on its extremity the flanch to which to attach the connecting
tube necessary to form a communication with the other vessels of which the

page_text: generator is composed, or to connect with the force pump to receive the neces-
sary supply of feed water. The Drawing shews only the ends of c, c, but their
length is the breadth of the vessel, of which they form the flanches, one end
being rivetted on each of the intermediate bars, which form the edges of the
vessel. The dark spots in the compartment between C and E indicate a
number of tubes or pipes of wrought iron, or other tenacious metal, which
have their ends securely fixed in the plates which former the inner sides of the
two flat vessels that enclose this compartment, which being a flue through
which the flame and heat must pass, the water included in these tubes is
exposed to its action and by its movement keeps up a communication with the
two side vessels L, L, which with the tubes forms one steam-tight apparatus;
and I sometimes use a greater or lesser number of tubes or pipes. When &
great quantity of steam is required to be raised in a small generator, I place
tubes in all the compartments, only leaving unoccupied in the furnace the
space necessary for fuel and feeding; but where room is not an object the
tubes may be omitted altogether, and the apparatus will then be less expensive,
and sometimes the filling pieces also may be omitted.
Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the tube compartiment, and as the vessels
which enclose it differ something in their construction from the others, and
the better to shew the tube fastenings and the method contrived for cleaning
them, it is on a scale of 1 inch to a foot. In the other flat vessels already
described the same rivet goes through the two plates and the intervening bar
and rivets the whole together; but that is not the case in the vessels now
under consideration. In these vessels I rivet the plate on the inside of the
bars, first making the bar broad enough to admit of two rows of holes, one
for the rivets and another for the bolts, and 1 countersink for the heads of
the rivets at the outer side of the bars, preserving a flat surface against which
to joint and screw home the outer plates, which are fastened on with screw
bolts to admit of taking off to get at the tube fastenings; I then fit the ends
of the tubes home to a turned shoulder into the inner plates, through which
they pass far enough to take a nut, which screws the plate steam-tight against
the shoulder of the tube, as indicated by c, c, c, c, in this Figure. I then
secure to the intervening bars the outer plates, bolt on the caps, and the two
side vessels and the tubes form together one steam-tight vessel; but I should
have observed previous to putting on the outer plates, that they are perforated
with the same number of holes as there are tubes, exactly opposite to the ends
of which they must be placed, and each of these holes must be furnished with
a pap, which is represented at full size, Figs. 6 and 7. In each wing of the
pap is seen a small rivet 6, which holds it fast in the plate, and prevents the
-

page_text: screwing on of the nut indicated by the dotted lines e, c, e, from loosening or
disturbing the pap, and which nut being perforated only a part of its thickness
renders the hole c steam-tight, see Fig. 6, and when taken off allows the tube
to be cleansed, which is done by means of an iron instrument introduced into
the tube through the hole C, with a handle like an auger; when this is
accomplished, the nuts are again screwed on the paps, and the apparatus is
ready to recommence its operations.
Fig. 2 is an upright transverse section of Fig. 1. A the ash hole; ciron
or metal sleeper to support the grate; a, a, bars of grate on which the
fuck is laid; B the furnace, the sides of which are composed of the flat vessels
T, T, kept constantly full of water, which is effected by means of a force
pump worked by the engine; the further end of this compartment is built of
brick, or any bad conductor of heat, but I prefer filling the space (seen at
K, K, Fig. 1,) with a vessel of that shape which will fill it exactly, and which
may be made in the same manner as a common boiler, as I only propose to
use it as a receiver for the feed water, which I inject into it by a small force
pump worked by the engine, and the water in this vessel will be at the boiling
point ready for being forced by a second small pump into the flat vessels and
tubes which compose my steam generator; C is a section of the flat vessel,
already described in Figures 1 and 4; and E is another flat vessel to which the
same description is applicable; G is a flat vessel forming the top of the apparatus,
and is already described in Figures 1 and 3. The space between C & E, I
call the tube compartment, and V, V, represent two tubes, with their ends
securely fixed in the plates of the flat vessels L, L. Now, the fire being
lighted in the furnace B, the flame and heat ascend through the space left
open for that purpose, which is marked D, and described in Figures 1 and 4.
By this means the tube compartment becomes a flue through which the smoke,
heat, and flame pass in the direction of the darts, Fig. 1, and again ascend
through a space left for that purpose, and marked F in Fig. 1, and passing
through the compartment H, escapes to the chimney through the pipe or
case I. Hence the tubes V, V, and the others indicated by the dark spots in
the same compartment, Fig. 1, are exposed to the action of the heat, and by
the consequent motion of included fluid keep up a constant communication
with the vessels L, L, and contribute materially to the production of steam.
The tubes V, V, in the present point of view seem placed one over the
other; but their real position will be seen by the dark spots in the tube com-
partment, Figure 1. b, b, and d, d, represent holding-down bolts, the heads
of which should be firmly fastened in the floor; and if on board ship the sides
of the ash hole A should be of metal or plate iron; but if on land, I prefer

page_text: a basement of brickwork; and the sleeper C is formed with bolt holes to
correspond with these before described in the flanches of the three vessels
C, E, and G. The four holding-down bolts being properly and firmly placed
with their points upwards, the sleepers are slipped down on them, the bolts
passing through the holes in the sleepers; the vessels T, T, are then built in, with
their outer plates close against the inside of the bolts, where they are held fast
by dropping in between them the vessel K, K, at one end, and the door frame
of the furnace B at the other. The flat vessel C is then placed on top of the
upper edges of T, T, with the bolts passing through its four flanches, the vessels
L, L, connected by their tubes, are then placed between the bolts, with their edges
resting on C. The flat vessel E is then placed over L, L, the four bolts passing
through its flanches. S, S, are then placed like the other side vessels, and are
held fast in their position at one end by a vessel indicated in Figure 1 by the
letters R, R, and at the other end by the flue frame of I. The covering
vessel G, with its tubes M and N, N, fixed to it, is then laid on, the points of
the four bolts passing far enough through it to take nuts, by the screwing down
of which the whole apparatus is held firmly together; and if all the parts are
previously well fitted, it will require but little time to build it. This construction
of my generator, which affords such facility of building or rebuilding it, is of
great importance, as all the flat vessels not connected by tubes can, if one side
is worn by the effects of the fire, be turned, and will then last as long again.
And if a few spare vessels are kept for the purpose of changing any that may
want repair, the one can be taken out and the other put into the apparatus
without any material delay; and when not in use the form of these vessels
enable them to be stowed in so small a volume that even on boord ship could
not render keeping them inconvenient. I do not confine myself exactly to the
plan of a generator here described, as I can vary it according to the locality
in which it is to be placed. I therefore make it sometimes high and con-
sisting of a greater number of compartments, and at others low and long and
consisting of the same or a lesser number of compartments, and sometimes
make it broad or narrow, round, square, or cylindric, as may be most con-
venient for the place it is to occupy. I inject by a force pump the feed water
in the first instance into the receiver K, where such a vessel is used, (but
when K is not used, I inject into one or both of T, T,) and from K inject it
into one or both of the flat vessels T, T; and as all my vessels have short
flanched tubes projecting from their caps (as described at b, b, b, Fig. 4), I
place on them curved tubes of communication, so as to connect all the vessels
of my generator, and it then forms one vessel or steam-tight apparatus, through
which the water or steam circulates. I keep the whole of my vessels full of

page_text: water, at least as high as the top of the vessels S, S, but sometimes leave G for
a steam vessel, and I regulate the admission of the water by a hollow float
placed in an upright tube connected with one end of one of the vessels S,
which shuts the injection passage when the water rises too high, but leaves it
open at all other times.
Now, as I make no claim to any particular form of force pumps, cocks,
valves, floats, or tubes, but construct them in such way as is known and prac-
tised generally by good workmen, I need not more particularly describe them.
The above-mentioned force pumps are to be worked by the engine.
.
I claim as my Invention or improvement the above described method or
methods of reducing the quantity of water included in my apparatus and
exposed to the action of heat to the most minute quantity desirable in practice,
by the introduction of filling pieces of iron or other metal into the cavities or
compartments of the same, and so constructing the said apparatus as that its
cavities and compartments shall be easy of acess for so introducing or placing
the said filling pieces in their proper positions, and for withdrawing them and
cleansing the apparatus when the accumulation of sediment, encrustation, or
other deposit may render the same necessary. And I also consider it a part
of my Invention or improvements that the form and disposition of the parts
which compose my apparatus render it susceptible of being built, taken down,
and rebuilt, and the vessels of which it is composed, with few exceptions, turned
with either side to the fire, or of being singly repaired or replaced, without any
considerable delay, by which improved apparatus I save fuel, occupy little
space, and can work with impure or sea water, which would be impracticable
when exposed to the heat in minute quantities without the filling pieces, by
means of which I can expose to the action of heat th of an inch thick, or even
less, of water; and when necessary to clean the cavity I can, by withdrawing
the filling piece, enlarge it so at to admit of it being cleaned with facility.
I wish it to be understood that where I describe any part or parts of my
apparatus as made of iron, I mean iron or any suitable metal or compound of
metals; and I omit any description of the jacket or cover with which the
apparatus ought to be surrounded, as I claim nothing new or exclusive in
its construction.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Costigin, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Second day of June, in the
year of our Lord 1827, the aforesaid John Costigin came before our said Lord
the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and
all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of
the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and twenty-seven.