IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Horatio Allen, of the "Novelty Iron Works," New
York, in the United States of America, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
T. CATHED ENGINES"
P
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by tho said IIoratio Allen at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
April 1855.
I, HORATIO ALLEN, of the "Novelty Iron Works," New York, in the United
States of America, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and
operation of valves for steam and other like engines.
The first part of my. Invention consists in the construction of the valve itself;
the second, in the method of operating it; and the third, in a self-operating
governing apparatus working in combination, to vary the cut-off according to
the different circumstances under which the engine may be working. The
valve 1 call a "segment cone valve, and the principal object sought to be
accomplished by it is, great rapidity of operation, together with a diminution of
the friction, and consequently the resistance or power to be overcome to a
minimum.
The valve consists of a longitudinal segment of a cone fitted within a conical
cylindrical chamber having apertures to receive and discharge the steam.
In

page_text: this particular it is similar to a plug valve. A common plug valve or cock, as
is known, has a bearing along its whole surface while turning in its chamber
or seat, and hence is subject both to excessive friction and wear, while
requiring also a great expenditure of power to operate it.
My improvement in this part consists in so constructing the plug or segment
of the cone as to be capable of having an endwise motion given to it just before
turning, whereby it is slightly withdrawn toward the larger end of the conical
chamber. This of course separates the surfaces, and the plug may then be
revolved without friction other than that which is caused by the movement of
its stem or axis.
Figure 1 is a sectional view in the direction of the length of the valve;
Figure 2 is a cross section; Figure 8, an end view. At c is shown the conical
valve chamber, the smaller end being covered by a cap f, having a cavity a, in
which one end of the valve stem or axis a terminates. At o, o, are the passages
for the escape of the steam; at d is a cap covering the larger end of c, and
fitted with a stuffing box to pack the valve stem; at 6 is the valve; this is
the segment of a cone or tapering plug, the edges of which are of sufficient
thickness to cover the steam openings o, as more clearly shewn in Figure 2.
In operation, the valve 6 has both a vibratory motion upon its axis, and a
slight longitudinal motion in the direction of that axis. These motions are
accomplished by mechanism fixed to the head or larger end of the chamber.
Before the steam passages are to be opened by the turning of the valve, the
endwise motion must first bo given. Near the end of the stem a there is a
projection s firmly affixed to it, and immediately beyond there is a cross piece
and an arm p, forming one connected piece.
This latter is centered upon the valve stem a, and can freely vibrate upon it
as an axis for a certain distance, or until the arm p strikes against the pro-
jections, when a continued further motion will turn round the valve. Before
this takes place the valve must have received its endwise motion to withdraw
it out of its scat. This motion of course is very slight, and is accomplished
by means of the cross piece and two curved rails n, n. These latter are fixed
to the head d, and stand above its surface a short distance. The tops of these
rails for a certain portion are level, and for the rest are cut down, to form
inclined planes for the distance from n 1 to 12. The arm p, vibrating back
and forth, brings the end of in contact with these rails, first striking the rails
upon the inclined part. As the ends ascend, the stem a of the valve is with-
drawn, but not rotated, and thus the endwise motion is obtained. As soon as
the top of the rails is reached, the arm p engages with the stud s, and thus the
valve stem receives its revolving or rather its vibrating motion, and accordingly

page_text: the steam passages are opened, the ends of moving along on the level surface
of n. In going back, the valve is restored to its first position by two recoil
springs; one situated at t, pressing against the back of the stud s, forces round
the stem, and the other at v, drawing back the valve to its seat as soon as
permitted by the descent of the arms 1 down the inclined planes 1 and 2. In
order to give ease of motion to 1, two rollers m may be put on the ends, as
shewn. It will now be seen, that before any force is applied to turn or open
the valve, it is first lifted clear of its seat, and hence turns without being in
contact with any metal, and in so far as that part is concerned without
friction.
To operate the valvo by the engine forms the second portion of my Inven-
tion. As already shewn, direct force is only applied in order to open the
valve, the closing being effected by the recoil of the springs. The apparatus
now to be described is for working the valve on the steam side when it is
to effect also the cut-off or expansion. A lift rod, having two motions, viz.,
one vertical and one partly rotative, is brought to act upon the arm p, so
that it will be raised or vibrated until the valve is thrown wide open (which it
is intended it shall do as suddenly as possible), and keep it thus for so much
of the stroke as steam is to be admitted, when the cut-off is to take place
by closing the valve. The lift rod is shewn at z, and upon this there is a
cylinder, situated so as to act upon the valve arm p; when the rod = rises, it
throws up also the arm p and opens the valve. The throw of the rod is so
great as to cause the end of the arm p to slide along the side of the cylinder.
Now, on the opposite side there is a cavity, as at ", so that by rotating the lift
rod this may be brought opposite to the arm p, when, having no longer a
support, it will fall, and thus permit the closing of the valve. The height to
which the rod shall lift, and also the point of turning, may be effected by various
devices; as, for instance, at y is a right-angled lever, one end being free, but the
other resting against a cam y' on the main shaft of an engine. Upon the edge
of y is suspended a rod y" by a roller; the lower end is connected to the lift
rod by another cranked lever to lead the motion off in the right direction by
a connecting rod a'. Now, by drawing the end y" along the army, more or
less motion will be imparted as the point of support is near or distant from the
fulerum, and thus variation in the degree of cut-off will be obtained by sooner
or later turning round the lift rod z.
The third feature consists in a mechanism for self-regulating the cut-off by
the pressure of the steam. This consists in attaching to the rod y" a governor,
which shall be made to move it back and forth by the pressure of the steam.
This I effect by means of a hollow piston inverted, and placed in an annular

page_text: space filled with mercury, the steam being admitted so as to raise or lower the
piston according to its pressure, and thus govern the point of cutting-off by
moving the rod y" along the arm y.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said IIoratio Allen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th October 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HORATIO
ALLEN, of the Novelty Iron Works, New York, in the United States of
America, Civil Engineer, send grecting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by IIer Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, IIer heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Horatio Allen, Ier special licence that I, the said Horatio Allen, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said IIoratio
Allen, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agreo
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VALVES OF
STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Horatio Allen, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Horatio Allen, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say:-
My Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and
operation of valves for steam and other like engines.
The first part of my Invention consists in the construction of the valve
itself; the second, in the method of operating it; and the third, in a self-
operating governing apparatus working in combination, to vary the cut-off

page_text: according to the different circumstances under which the engine may be
working. The valve I call a "segment cone valve," and the principal object
sought to be accomplished by it is, great rapidity of operation, together with a
diminution of the friction, and consequently of the resistance or power to be
overcome to a minimum.
The valve consists of a longitudinal segment of a cone fitted within a
conical chamber having apertures to receive and discharge the steam. In
this particular it is similar to a plug valve. A common plug valve or cock,
as is known, has a bearing along its whole surface while turning in its
chamber or seat, and hence is subject both to excessive friction and wear, while
requiring also a great expenditure of power to operate it.
My improvement in this part consists in so constructing the plug or segment
of the cone that it shall be capable of having an endwise motion given to it
just before being turned, whereby it is slightly withdrawn toward the larger
end of the conical chamber. This of course separates the surfaces, and the plug
may then be revolved without friction other than that which is caused by the
movement of its stem or axis.
Fig. 1 is a sectional view in the direction of the length of the valve; Fig. 2
is a cross section; Fig. 3, an end view. At (c) is shewn the conical valve
chamber, the smaller end being covered by a cap (f), having a cavity (a), in
which ono end of the valve stem or axis (a) terminates. At (o, o,) are the
passages for the escape of the steam. At (d) is a cap covering the larger end
of (c), and fitted with a stuffing box to pack the valve stem. At (b) is the
valve; this is the segment of a cone or tapering plug, the edges of which
are of sufficient thickness to cover the steam openings (o), as more clearly
shown in Fig. 2. In operation, the valve (6) has both a vibratory motion
upon its axis, and a slight longitudinal motion in the direction of that axis.
These motions are accomplished by mechanism fixed to the head or larger end
of the chamber. Beforo the steam passages are to be opened by the turning of
the valve, the endwise motion is to be given. Near the end of the stem (a)
there is a projection (s) firmly affixed to it, and immediately beyond there is a
cross piece (1) and an arm (p), forming one connected piece. This latter is
centered upon the valve stem (a), and can freely vibrate upon it as an axis for
a certain distance, or until the arm (p) strikes against the projection (s), when
a continued further motion will turn round the valve. Before this takes place,
as before stated, the valve must have received its endwise motion to withdraw
it out of its seat. This motion of course is very slight, and is accomplished by
means of the cross piece (l) and two curved rails (n, n.) These latter are fixed
to the head (d), and stand above its surface a short distance. The tops of

page_text: As
these rails are for a certain portion level, and for the rest are cut down, to form
inclined planes for the distance from (n 1) to (n2). The arm (p) vibrating
back and forth brings the ends of (1) in contact with these rails, first striking
the rails upon the inclined part. As the ends ascend, the stem (a) of the valve
is withdrawn, but not rotated, and thus the endwise motion is obtained.
soon as the top of the rails is reached, the arm (p) engages with the stud (s),
and thus the valve stem receives its revolving, or rather, its vibrating motion,
and accordingly the steam passages are opened, the ends of (1) moving along
on the level surface of (n). In going back, the valve is restored to its first
position by two recoil springs; one situated at (t), pressing against the back of
the stud (s), forces round the stem, and the other at (v), drawing back the valve
to its seat as soon as permitted by the descent of the arms (1) down the inclined
planes (1 & 2). In order to give ease of motion to (i), two rollers (m) may
be put on the ends, as shown. It will now be seen, that before any force is
applied to turn or open the valve, it is first lifted clear of its seat, and hence
turns without being in contact with any metal, and in so far as that part is
concerned without friction.
To operate the valve by the engine forms the second portion of my Invention.
As already shown, direct force is only applied in order to open the valve, the
closing being effected by the recoil of the springs. The apparatus now to be
described is for working the valve on the steam side when it is to effect also
the cut-off or expansion. A lift rod, having two motions, viz., one vertical and
one partly rotative, is brought to act upon the arm (p), so that it will be raised
or vibrated until the valve is thrown wide open (which it is intended it shall
effect as suddenly as possible), and keep it thus for so much of the stroke as
steam is to be admitted, when the cut-off is to take place by closing the valve.
The lift rod is shown at (-), Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, and upon this there is a
cylinder () situated so as to act upon the valve arm (p). When the rod (2)
rises, it throws up also the arm (p) and opens the valve. The throw of the
rod is so great as to cause the end of the arm (p) to slide along the side of
the cylinder (). Now, on the opposite side there is a cavity, as at ("),
so that by rotating the lift rod this may be brought opposite to the arm (p),
when having no longer a support it will fall, and thus permit the closing of
the valve. The height to which the rod shall lift and also the point of turning
may be effected by various devices; as, for instance, at (y) is a right-angled
lever, one end being free, but the other resting against a cam (y') on the main
shaft of an engine. Upon the edge of (y) is suspended a rod (y") by a roller;
the lower end is connected to the lift rod (=) by another cranked lever to lead
the motion off in the right direction through the connecting rod (c). Now,

page_text: by drawing the end (y") along the arm (y), more or less motion will be im-
parted, as the point of support is near or distant from the fulcrum, and thus
variation in the degree of cut-off will be obtained by sooner or later turning
round the lift rod (=).
The third feature consists in a mechanism for self-regulating the cut-off by
the pressure of the steam, and which is represented in Fig. 5. This consists
in attaching to the rod (y") a governor, which shall be made to move it back
and forth by the pressure of the steam. This I effect by means of a hollow
piston inverted, and placed in an annular space filled with mercury, the steam
being admitted so as to raise or lower the piston according to its pressure,
and thus govern the point of cutting-off by moving the rod (y") along the
armı (y). It is obvious that a cone valve constructed upon this principle
may be readily applied as a stop-cock for large water ways, and such use I
design also to make of it.
What I claim is, so constructing a cone valve, that in the operations of
opening and closing the same, two motions shall be imparted to it in or nearly
in succession and in directions at a right angle with each other, the first of
said motions effecting the withdrawal of the valve out of contact with its seat,
and retaining it so withdrawn while the second motion shall be given, whereby
it can by that second motion be turned without friction, as described; and this
I claim irrespective of the peculiar mechanism employed, as that may be con-
siderably varied without changing the character of my Invention.
I also claim the method of operating the valve, as herein set forth, and the
mechanism for self-regulating the extent of cut-off, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Horatio Allen, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, at the City of New York, this Twentieth day of August,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
HORATIO ALLEN. (L.s.)
Taken and declared at IIer Britannick Majesty's
Consulate at New York, this Fourth day of
September 1855, before me,
ANTH. BARCLAY,
(L.S.) Her Britannick Majesty's Consul
at New York.