Improvements in the Method and Construction of Throttle Valve Rods, and in Apparatus for Actuating them, as an Auxiliary to Governors for Controlling Steam Engines so Uniform Set Speeds.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in the Method and Construction of Throttle Valve
Rods, and in Apparatus for Actuating them, as an Auxiliary to
Governors for Controlling Steam Engines so
Uniform Set Speeds.
as to
Ensure
THOMAS WOOD, Draughtsman & Engineer, No. 35, Todmorden Road, Burnley, in
the County of Lancaster and JONAS LOWCOCK, Engine Tenter, 16, Hull Street, Burnley,
in the County of Lancaster, 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:-
The object of our invention and apparatus when acting in conjunction with the
Governors' is to check, control, intercept and prevent their erratic tendencys
from being communicated to the Throttle Valves' and thereby to control and
regulate the opening and closing of said valves so as to essentially increase their
sensitiveness and instantly to check all fluctuations of speed caused by the sudden
throwing off and on of portions of the engine's load, also by the breaking of driving
belts, ropes wheels and shafts &c., and also by the irregular actions of Governors
caused by variations of steam pressures in the boilers, therefore by the accomplish-
ment of these objects, our improved auxiliary apparatus working in conjunction with
the Governors will maintain the working of steam engines at a more effective
uniform, set speed and that without any necessity for the application of the usual
Knock off Tackle' for preventing steam engines from what is generally termed
Running away.
These objects we effect by constructing and arrangeing the throttle valve rods in
several parts and coupling them together as hereinafter described. so by having
Three Bevil or Mitre wheels geared together, cis--the driving wheels 6, being fixed
on at one end of the horizontal driving shaft 17, of our auxiliary appa.atus, and the
Two driven wheels and 6 fixed on to the throttle valve rods in such manner
as to allow to rotate in opposite directions and to continue so rotating all the time that
the steam engines are in motion, as is hereinafter described, also by having Two
Pairs of Friction Dishes or Pans' 4, 5 and 6, 7, attached to the throttle valve ⚫
rods in such manner as to allow each pair of friction dishes or pans to rotate
alternately by impact, in opposite directions as influenced by the least upward and
downward traverse of the said valve rods being actuated by the slightest impulsion of
the Governors and by these means to actuate the bottom or fourth length of
throttle valve rods by lengthening and shortening the said fourth length of valve rods,
by the alternate rotating action of the friction dishes or pans being communicated to
:

page_text: the spiral threads at the top end of the bottom length and at the bottom
third length of valve rods as hereinafter more fully described.
In order to make the following description of our invention more clearly understood
we append to specification, Drawings of our improved apparatus. Fig. 1, represents
the Plan View and Horizontal Section of driving shaft, wheels and valve rods &c., 5
Fig. 2, represents the Front Elevation and Vertical Section of Valve rods, wheels,
friction pans and driving shaft &c., to which we refer by means of Numerals in
the description corresponding with the numerals on the drawings.
In the further carrying out of our said invention we effect our object in the
following way, viz. the Top end of the First or top length of throttle valve rods is
forked or jawed and is attached to the end of lever on the overhead governor shaft in
the usual manner, the bottom end of ditto is screwed and fitted with a turned, fast
brass collar marked 1.
The top end. of the second length of throttle valve rods is formed as a flanged
socket 2 with a loose turned cap 3, bored and bolted to the flange with all necessary
nuts and screws, the said socket to be bored out for the brass collar 1, at the bottom
end of first length of valve rods to fit into, so as to allow the second length of valve
rods to rotate round the brass collar 1. and also to move upward or downward with
the top length of valve rods at one and the same time, the top internal friction dish or
pan 4, cast on at the bottom end of this second length of valve rol, the edge and out-
side of rim to be turned and covered over with leather pegged on, so as to fit the
inside of the top external friction or pan 5, the bottom end of this second rod to
be bored out for the top end of the third length of throttle valve rods
fit into, all the exterior portions of this rod to be turned and polished.
to
A portion of the length at the top end of the third length of throttle valve rods'
to be turned to fit and pass through the bosses of both driven bevil or mitre wheels 5
and 6, and into the bottom end of the second length of valve rods and made fast
thereto by means of set screws, at a suitable distance from the top end of this length
of valve rod is cast on, the bottom internal friction dish or pan 7, the edge and out-
side of rim to be turned and covered over with leather, pegged on so as to fit the
inside of the bottom external friction dish or pan 6, the bottom end of this length of
throttle valve rods is formed as a socket 8, with an internal spiral thread tapped in
ditto, a brass bush 9. turned, tapped and screwed with corresponding spiral threads to
fit into, in the usual manner, the exterior surface of the entire length of this rod to be
turned and polished.
The Top end of the fourth and last length of throttle valve rods is screwed to fi
the internal spiral thread of brass bush 9, at the bottom end of the third length o
valve rods, the bottom end of this fourth length of valve rods is forked or jawed
terned bored and fitted with turned wrot-iron centre or pin and fitted with.
vibrating link and coupled to throttle valve lever complete.
The inside of the rims of the two driven bevil or mitre wheels 5 and 6 to be turne
so as to answer as the external friction dishes or pans for the two internal frictio
dishes or pans 4 and 7. to fit into, the top driven wheel 5, to have a boss cast on at th
underside of ditto, the inside of boss to be bored out to fit the top portion of the thir
length of valve rods, the outside of ditto to be turned and the bottom end screwed an
fitted with a turned fast brass collar 9. the bottom driven wheel 6, also to have a bo
cast on at the top side of ditio, the inside of boss to be bored out to fit the top portic
of the third length of valve rods, the outside of ditto to be turned and the top end
the boss formed as a flanged socket 10, turned and bored for the brass collar 9, on t
boss of top driven wheel 5 to fit and rotate into, a loose wrot-iron cap 11, turne
bored and bolted to socket flange with all necessary set screws and wash
complete.
Two cast iron guard fixtures 12 and 13. for staying the second and third lengths
throttle valve rods each guard to be fitted with double brasses turned and bored
fit the valve rods, with loose caps fitted to brasses and bolted to guard fixtures w
nuts and bolts for ditto complete, the sole of each guard fixture to be planed on
bottom side, fitted and bolted to planed preparations cast on the top of entablature

page_text: and on the underside of base plate 15, (these latter being portions of the metal
framing of the auxiliary apparatus to be hereinafter further described) with all nuts,
bolts and washers for the same.
The driver or third bevil or mitre wheel 16, of suitable diameter is placed between
the two driven bevil wheels 5 and 6, heretofore described, to have a boss east on to
project on one side of wheel, to be bored, faced and two keyways cut through ditto
for two keys to fit into so that the wheel can be slided in and out of gear with the
driven wheels 5 and 6, at one and the same time that it is rotating with the shaft 17.
a groove to be turned and sunk in the boss on the outside of wheel 16, for two
wrot-iron pins or studs at one end of the horizontal lever 27 to fit into.
One short horizontal shaft 17, of suitable length and diameter with a fast collar 18,
and swoll at one end of ditto, the shaft, swell and collar to be turned all over, two brass
bushes 19 and 20, turned and bored to fit the shaft and the two cast iron fillbows 21
and 22, for supporting ditto.
One cast iron base plate 15, with two fillbows 21 and 22, and one lug or car 23, cast
to ditto, bored out and faced to receive brass bushes 19 and 20, for shaft, and a wrot-
iron pin through the lug or ear 23 for the bottom end of the vertical lever 24, to
swivel on to, the base plate 15, to be faced and planed for the bottom ends of the four
pilasters 25, and one of the two guard fixtures 13 to bolt to, with all necessary, nuts,
washers and bolts for the same, with preparations also on the base plate for bolting.
ditto to a light cast iron bracket projecting from engine house side wall with four
bolts nuts and washers for ditto complete, or if preferred the base plate 15 with its
superstructure of light ornamental metal framing can be fitted and bolted to a light
ornamental cast iron pillar or stand fixed and bolted to the engine house floor as may
be found most convenient.
The superstructure of metal framing comprises four light cast iron ornamental,
panelled Pilasters 25, the bottom and top ends of which are planed and bolted to the
base plate 15, and to a light cast iron ornamental entablature 14, prepared and planed
for the top guard fixture 12 (for valve rods) to bolt to, with all bolts nuts and washers
for the same.
One brass bush 26, of suitable length with a small hand wheel 26, cast on ditto,
turned all over and bored out to fit and slide to and from on the horizontal shaft 17,
a spiral thread of suitable length and pitch to be screwed on to the outside of this
bush on one side of the hand wheel.
One short, bright wrot-iron forked horizontal lever 27, of suitable dimensions,
turned, bored and tapped with spiral thread inside the boss at one end of lever, to
fit the corresponding spiral thread on the brass bush 26, the forked ends of lever 27,
to be bored out and fitted with fast wrot-iron pins or studs, to fit into the sunk groove
in the boss of the driving bevil or mitre wheel 16, as heretofore described.
One grooved driven rope pulley 28 of suitable diameter, turned, bored, fitted and
keyed fast on to the short horizontal shaft 17, at the opposite end of ditto to that on
which the driving bevil wheel is fixed.
On one side of the boss of the driven rope pulley is placed the bottom or lower
wrot-iron vertical lever 24, of suitable length the bottom end of ditto is forked to
stride the horizontal shaft 17, and bored out to receive a pin or centre (fitted into the.
bored hole of the lug or car 23. under the shaft as heretofore described,) for the
bottom lever 24, to swivel on to, two projecting pins or studs forged fast to the lever,
viz. one on each side of shaft, the ends of ditto to be just clear of the inside face
of the driven rope pulley boss 28, so that the latter can rotate along with
the shaft and the said lever remain stationary, the stem part of this lever 24 to be
single between the two forked ends of ditto and slightly bent forward at the top
forked end, so as to overhang the centre on which it swivels, the top forked end to be
bored out and fitted with a wrot-iron centre or pin for the top triangular or shaped
lever 29, to swivel on to, a tongue or lip to be forged on near to the top end of bottom
lever 24, to project out from the front edge of ditto just below the forked end,
for the top arm of L shaped lever 29, to strike against in its descent (when the
rope breaks).

page_text: The top lever 29, to be shaped, having two arms forming an obtuse angie,
boss in the centre at the junction of the two arms, bored out to fit and swivel on the
centre or pin fixed in the top jaw of the bottom lever 24, the bottom arm of this
lever 29, extends out parallel with the longitudinal centre of horizontal shaft 17 at a
suitable height above it, the end of this arm is placed in the jaw or fork at the top end 5
of a vertical, rod 30, working through a guard cast to entablature the forked end of
rod 30 to be bored and fitted with a turned centre on which is fixed a small brass
pulley for the end of bottom arm of lever 29, to lift at in its ascent (when the rope
breaks), to the bottom end of said vertical rod 30, is fitted a gag or catch 31, 31,
which radiates around about one half the diameter of horizontal shaft 17, and rests i
thereon so that the shaft can rotate, but so that the gag 31, holds it from working
backwards or forwards, keeping the three wheels in proper depth of gear, until
the gag is drawn up by the arm of the shaped lever 29. (when the driving rope breaks).
The other arm of the shaped lever 29, extends in an upward direction to a
suitable height and the top end of ditto is formed to receive an adjustable balance
weight 32 to assist the lever to descend, when the driving rope breaks, an oblong slot
or opening is formed in the said arm of lever 29, at about half way up its length.
and two brass socket fixtures 33, are fixed and bolted viz.-one on each side of lever
through the said slot, each socket fixture bored to receive the turned stem of a fork
ended rod 34, so that it can be lengthened or shortened by the stem being pushed in
or drawn out of the socket fixtures 33, and to which they are secured with set screws,
the fork ends 34, of ditto to be bored, turned and fitted with a wrot-iron centre or
pin, on which is fixed a small, grooved, guide pulley, on which the pulley revolves at
a proper distance apart for the driving rope 35, to pass over each guide pulley as it
travels to and from the driven rope pulley 28, on the short horizontal shaft 17, the top
end of this arm of L lever 29, is fixed so as to slightly overbalance its own centre of
gravity, and is sustained in its overbalanced position solely by the driving rope 28
passing over the two small guide pulleys heretofore describeil.
:
One, grooved cast iron driving rope pulley, cast in halves, turned, bored and fixed
on to the most convenient, reciprocatory part of steam engines, preferably to the
shaft that actuates the Governors, or if preferred, the apparatus is so constructed
that the rope driving tackle can be dispensed with and positive or toothed gear applied
in its stead.
:
The manner in which our auxiliary apparatus in conjunction with the governors
performs is as follows,-
The short horizontal shaft 17, along with the driven rope pulley 28, and th
driving bevil or initre wheel 16 as heretofore described are all actuated simultaneousl
with the 'steam engine to which the apparatus is attached, and it is therefore
motion separate and altogether apart from any action of the
governors.
Now supposing the bottom length of throttle valve rods to have been set for th
engines to work at a certain given speed, then so long as that speed is maintained wi
the two pairs of friction dishes or pans and the rod on which they are fixed, remai
in-operative, the two exterior friction dishes or pans 5 and 6, rotating in opposi
directions all the while at a suitable speed and with no more clearence space betwee
them and the two interior friction dishes or pans 4 and 7, than is absolute
necessary, so that by the slightest impulse from the governors' actuating the val
rods, will instantly bring either the top or bottom pairs of friction dishes or pan
together and by their impact to actuate the second and third lengths of throttle val
rods either to the right or left hand, and by so doing to lengthen or shorten t
bottom length of said valve rods' and thereby open or close the throttle valve'mo
or less according as the speed of the engines was less or more than the set or giv
speed, these actions by means of our 'automatic apparatus acting in conjunction w
the governors' as heretofore described, will be performed in a more rapid and posit
manner, correcting the irregular actions of governors by reducing their length
dwell on the throttle valve rods to a minimum, and thereby to dispense with
vacillating actions of the throttle valve caused by the dwell of the actuations of
said governors on the said valve rods being too prolonged.
f

page_text: By rotating the small hand wheel 26, and bush 26, on the short horizontal
shaft 17, the horizontal lever 27, will be actuated so as to move the driving bevil
or mitre wheel 16, in and out of gear, when the latter is out of gear, the driven
wheels 5 and 6 or friction pans can be used as handles by which to rotate the middle
lengths of throttle valve rods' either to the right or left hand and thereby to
alter the speed of the Engines whilst in the act of working, whenever it is requisite
to do so.
Supposing the driving rope 28, was to break, then the top arm of L shaped
lever 29, being slightly overbalanced, would instantly drop, and one arm of ditto
would ascend and lift up the vertical rod 30, and Gag 31, and liberate the horizontal
shaft 17, the other arm of said lever would be descending until it struck the
projecting tongue or lip (at the top end of bottom vertical lever 24, heretofore
described) causing the bottom lever to fall forward, both levers then descending
together causing the two projecting pins or studs in the bottom lever to impinge
on the boss of the driven rope pulley 28, and to push it, together with the bush,
horizontal lever, driving bevil or mitre wheel and the horizontal shaft &c., all back
and out of gear in such manner as to leave the throttle valve rods' perfectly free
and at liberty to resume their upward and downward motion by the actuation of
the governors alone and in exactly the same manner that they performed before
the improved auxiliary apparatus was applied, and to continue so working, until
the broken driving rope 3 is repaired and the apparatus is again set to work.
The apparatus as heretofore described is light in weight, simple in construction,
consisting of few parts, is easily applied at a small cost, to all existing stationary
Steam Engines.'
'
"
Having now particularly, described and ascertained the nature and object of our
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we desire it to be
clearly understood, that we do not claim the whole Modus Operandi, neither do
we claim all the pieces of mechanism of which our apparatus is composed, and which
in a disintegrated state we call old.
We now proceed to declare and define what it is that we do claim and call new :-
Firstly. The application and mechanism of Friction dishes or Pans' to 'Throttle
valve rods combined with the special arrangement in parts of the said valve rods
and method of coupling them together, making the middle lengths to rotate by means
of Three Mitre or bevil wheels working together, substantially as set forth.
Secondly. The application and mechanism of the horizontal lever, combined with
the hand wheel, bush and screw, for sliding the driving bevil or mitre wheel in and out
gear, substantially as set forth.
of
Thirdly. The application and mechanism of the overbalanced lever at the top and
the vertical lever at the bottom, combined with the balance weight, socket fixtures,
forked rods, small guide pulleys for rope, vertical fork ended rod and gag for the
purpose of dragging the driving bevil wheel, horizontal lever, bush and hand wheel,
driven rope pulley and shaft all back out of gear, substantially as set forth.
Lastly. The method and particular combination of the various pieces of mechanism
into one integral, automatic, apparatus combined with its particular form and
application as a whole, as an auxiliary suppletive to Pendulous Governors' for
preventing the irregular actions of the governors from being conveyed to 'throttle
valves thereby maintaining Steam Engines at, more safe, uniform set speeds,
substantially as set forth.
: