IMPROVEMENTS IN DOUBLE ACTING STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 31st Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 31st Jan., 1889
I, GEORGE RICHARDS of Altrincham, in the County of Chester, Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN DOUBLE ACTING STEAM
ENGINES to be as follows:-
"
By the term "double acting engines" I mean engines which take steam alternately
on each side of the piston: The first part of my invention relates to that class of
double acting engines which has the steam cut off at different points by the automatic
action of the governor operating to vary the length of throw of the eccentric and the
consequent motion of the slide valves, a system which is generally known among
engineers as the automatic cut off. This part of my invention consists in the
following combinations and arrangement of parts of such engines, and has for its
object simplicity and economy of construction and working, continuous lubrication,
and protection from dust. The governor is arranged on a disk fastened to the crank
shaft and rotating with it, (preferably on the back of a crank disk) and so as to be
between the crank and a main bearing. The crank, crank disks, crank shaft, governor,
eccentric, connecting rods, valve rods and their bearings, slides and appurtenances
are contained in a close chamber which may form part of the frame of the engine,
and may preferably be cast with the cylinder.
This chamber is kept partly filled with oil and water which are splashed about by
the moving parts so that all the rubbing surfaces therein are kept constantly lubricated
and at a uniform moderate temperature.
Suitable openings with moveable covers are arranged in this chamber so as to
allow of inspection and adjustment of the contained machinery. In ordinary running
the chamber is kept closed, only the ends of the shafts and rods projecting from it,
and its contents are thus protected from dust, and the engine is suitable for use in
exposed situations, foundries &c. The slide valve is balanced, and the valve casing
is preferably a cylinder longer than the main cylinder so that the steam passages are
short and direct.

page_text: In the valve casing the two pistons slide which regulate the inlet and outlet of the
steam. A third piston closes the end of the valve casing which opens into the closed
chamber containing the oil and water, thus dispensing with a gland, providing
lubrication, and admitting of a simple connection with the eccentric. The valve
casing is enclosed in a steam chamber into which the steam pipe enters on the top
and near the middle of its length, and then passes into the valve casing through
holes on, its top and near the ends of its length. Any water present in the
steam tends to settle in the bottom of this chamber and can be drawn off by a drain
pipe.
The second part of my invention relates to double acting engines which either
have no governors, or have governors which cut off the steam by operating on a
throttle valve. In regard to such engines my invention consists in the following
combinations and arrangements of parts. The crank, crank shaft, crank disks,
eccentric, connecting rods, valve rods and their bearings slides and appurtenances
are placed in a close chamber partly filled with oil and water, so that the rubbing
parts may be lubricated and protected as before described. The governor, if any, is
placed outside of the close chamber. The valve may be of the common D type, or
may be balanced and with a cylindrical casing as before described.
The frame and close chamber may preferably be cast in one piece with the main
cylinder. The general arrangements and combination of parts of such engines are
the same as those described in reference to the first part of the invention, except as
relates to the governor.
T.... 1000

page_text: Improvements in Double Acting Steam Engines.
I, GEO. RICHARDS of Altrincham in the County of Chester Engineer 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:
My invention relates to that class of double acting engines which have the steam
cut off at different points by the automatic action of the governor operating to vary
the length of throw of the eccentric and the consequent motion of the slide valve, a
system which is generally known among engineers as the "Automatic Cut off."
My invention consists in the following combinations and arrangements of parts of
such engines and has for its object simplicity and economy of construction and working
continuous lubrication and protection from dust.
The governor is arranged on a disk fastened to the crank shaft and rotating with
it (preferably on the back of a crank disk) so as to be between the crank and a main
bearing. The Crank, Crank disks, Crank shaft, Governor, eccentric connecting rods,
valve rods, and their bearings Slides and appurtenances,.
..are contained in a close
chamber which may form part of the frame of the engine, and may preferably be
cast with the cylinder. This chamber is kept parily filled with oil and water which
are splashed about by the moving parts so that all the rubbing surfaces therein. are
kept constantly lubricated and at a uniform moderate temperature.
Suitable openings with moveable covers are arranged in this chamber so as to
allow of the adjustment and inspection of the contained machinery.
In ordinary running the chamber is kept closed only the ends of the shafts and
rods projecting from it and its contents thus protected from dust and the engine is
peculiarly adapted for use in exposed situations, Foundries &c.
The slide valve is balanced, and the valve casing is preferably a cylinder longer
than the main cylinder so that the steam passages are short and direct.
In the valve casing the two pistons slide which regulate the inlet and outlet of the
steam.
A third piston closes the end of the valve casing which opens into the closed
chamber containing the oil & water, thus dispensing with a gland providing lubrica-
tion and admitting a simple connection with the eccentric. The valve casing is
enclosed in a steam chamber into which the steam pipe enters on the top and near the
middle of its length and then passes into the valve casing through holes in its top
and near the ends of its length.
Any water present in the steam tends to settle in the bottom of this chamber and
can be drawn off by a drain pipe.
Fig. 1 is a side view and Fig. 2 is a plan of the Engine with all covers on, and
shewing the oil separating tank A attached to crank end of case.
Fig. 3 3 a is a horizontal section through the engine shewing the valves in position :
steam enters first into the chamber A and presses equally on the two faces of the

page_text: valves B B which is thereby balanced. The valves B B travel backwards and forward
in the valve tubes CC which are preferably made separate from the cylinder
casting, B' is an annular belt in the valve, into which holes B2 are drilled from
the steam side of valve, the belt thus being continually filled with live steam.
B3 B3 B B are ports in the valve tubes CC through which steam is admitted to
the passages C¹ C¹ and thence to the cylinder, as clearly indicated by the arrows.
The exhaust from the port end of cylinder escapes in à reverse manner through
ports C²² and passages C C through ports B4, B₁ into the body of the valve and
also past exhaust edge of valve itself direct to the exhaust pipe.
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section through cylinder and valve chest, showing steam
chamber A the steam holes B2 exhaust ports B₁ and exhaust passage K. The valve
is moved by the connecting rod (Fig. 3) which is coupled to the plunger. M by the
knuckle joint N. The plunger M is lubricated from the oil and water in Engine
frame, at the opposite end of valve spindle is a dash piston ○ of same diameter as
plunger M thereby balancing the pressure due to the exhaust.
Outside the dash piston Ŏ is a bonnet or cover P secured to the cylinder cover
which collects any vapour escaping past said Piston O and is connected with blow.
through pipes, Fig. 3 also shows a section of the piston gland in which is a sleeve
of white metal, phosphor bronze or any other suitable material. Gland has a
spherical seat formed upon it near the centre, and bears upon a bell-mouthed
ring Q. The gland is kept in position upon its scat by a spiral spring Q³. The
object of this arrangement is to allow the gland to adapt itself to any irregularity in
the alignment of the bores of the cylinder and crosshead guides. The spring also
admits of the escape of any excess of water which may collect in the cylinder, and
thereby act as a relief valve. The piston is constructed of special section as shewn to
allow the piston gland to extend into it at the forward stroke.
-
Fig. 5 is a back elevation and Fig. 6 a plan of the crank disc, and shows the
arrangement of the weights which by their centrifugal force control the movement
of the eccentric and thereby the valve. The weight A is pivotted at the point B and
has cast with it an eccentric sleeve C. The weight D is pivotted at the point E and
moves equally and simultaneously with weight A by means of the link F each weight
is attached by the eyebolt G G to the springs H. H. and which are compressed as the
weights move out from the centre. The nuts K K are used to compress the springs
according to the resistence required to control the centrifugal force of the weights at.
different speeds. The centre of the eccentric sleeve when the weights are stationary
is in such a position as to give the valve its longest travel and the angular advance
is such as to ordinarily cut off the steam at the stroke of the piston. It will be seen
that as the weights A and D are moved from the centre, the angular advance of the
centre X is altered with relation to the movement of the piston, when the weight
is at the extreme outward position the centre X is at the point marked Y and at this
position the travel of the valve is the shortest and admits no steam to the cylinder.
Fig. 6 and 7 are respectively horizontal and vertical sections through the main
bearing of crank shaft, shewing the adjustment of the various parts. R. R. are the
brasses in which the crank shaft rotates and which are constructed with bevel faces,
coinciding with the bevelled faces of the wedges R'R¹. These wedges R R are moved
together or apart by means of the right and left hand screw R². It will be apparent
that as arranged each of the wedges is free to advance, taking up the wear indepen-
dently of the other. The crank shaft is held in position by means of the collar R³
secured on the shaft in a suitable manner. R is the cap securing the bearings in
position, and constructed so as to form a hollow receptacle for the oil and water
dashed into it by the rotating of the crank and moving parts of the Engine, in the
cap are drilled holes to admit the lubricant to the brasses, and crank bearing thence
flowing down the channel marked R' into the main frame. The bevelled collar R
for the purpose of preventing the oil from leaking or flying out of the space R and
by its centrifugal action throwing it into the chamber.
At S Fig. 3 is shown a sectional view of the connecting rod head in which S¹ is a
conical bush of brass, white metal or other suitable material split on one side, so that

page_text: it can be forced into the shell S2 by turning the nut S³. The lock nuts SS maintain
the connecting rod in position with the crank disk. The connecting rod S is attached
to the connecting rod head by means of the tongue S and bolts SS' for the purpose
of being able to remove it from the engine frame.
The crosshead T is of well known construction and does not call for any special
description.
Fig. 8 is a section through the engine frame at crosshead guides and shows.the
manner of attaching the cover A to the engine frame.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
1. A double acting engine arranged substantially as shown and described in the
accompanying drawings.
2. A double acting engine with a frame having one or more covers, so arranged as
to expose the crank disks and shoes when removed in combination with a centrifugal
governor placed between the crank disks and the main bearing substantially as shown
and described.
3. The combination is a double acting engine of a frame arranged to contain oil and
water for lubricating the parts with a main bearing having a cap made hollow as
shewn so that the motion of the engine parts will cause the oil to be circulated through
the main bearing substantially as shewn and described.
4. The combination in a double acting engine with a frame as arranged and
described with a metallic packing for the piston constructed as shewn and described.
5. The combination is a double acting engine of the balanced piston valve with a
guide in the valve casing so that the valve rod end opens into the closed casing of the
engine, forming the engine frame containing the oil and water as shewn and described.
6. A centrifugal governor arranged on the back of the crank disc by which the
automatic regulation of the engine is controlled by means of a shifting eccentric
attached to or forming part of one of the weights which are connected together to
move equally, substantially as set forth and described.
Dated this (30th) Thirtieth day of October 1888.