IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY AND ROAD LOCOMOTIVES
Year: 1884

page_text: JOSEPH ARMSTRONG of 30 Wellington St New Swindon in the County of
Wilts Engineer do hereby declare the nature of his Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN RAILWAY AND ROAD LOCOMOTIVES to be as follows:-
:-
On ordinary locomotives, the steam is usually admitted directly from the
cylinders to the blast pipe, and from thence into the atmosphere.
The vacuum obtained in the smoke box is therefore variable, owing to the steam
at the beginning of the exhaust being at a higher pressure than at the finish of the
exhaust. The high vacuum has a detrimental action on the fire, as sparks and
unburnt particles of fuel are drawn through the tubes. I place in any convenient
position on a locomotive, by preference near the cylinders and forming a partial
jacket, a reservoir connected with the exhaust ports, so that when an exhaust port
is open to the Cylinders, the steam flows into the reservoir and there expands,
until the steam pressure in the blast pipe falls low enough to allow its escape to
the atmosphere.
I place a check valve or valves between the ports and reservoir or reservoirs,
so constructed that the steam can enter the reservoirs from the exhaust ports but
can not flow back, this steam, I conduct directly to the mouth of the blast pipe,
which is so constructed as to allow the reservoir steam to flow, when steam may
not be flowing from the main blast pipe.
This arrangement is desirable 80 as to obtain a more continuous blast.
Sometimes, in the aforementioned check valves, I cut a hole to a convenient
size so that the steam can enter the reservoirs from the exhaust port or blast pipe
through the full opening, but can only return through the small hole or passage
which can be regulated at will.
I construct the blast pipe so as to obtain a large amount of contact surface
between the steam issuing from the blast pipe & the gases in the smoke box, in
order that a sufficient vacuum can be obtained in the smoke box when the steam
is flowing from the blast pipe at a slow speed. Occasionally, I form the blast pipe
in a long rectangular shape, but I prefer to construct it with an annular opening
so that the gases come in contact, not only with the outside, but also with the
inside of the hollow cylinder of escaping steam. I sometimes prefer to connect the
inside space of the annular blast pipe, with tubes or pipes, which I lead towards
the lower part of the smoke box, in order that the vacuum obtained at the bottom
of the smoke box may be as great if not greater, than the vacuum at the top, for
it is sometimes the case that the bottom rows of tubes require a higher vacuum
owing to their being baffled, in the fire box by the customary brick arch or pocket.
I frequently arrange at the end of these blast pipes an auxillary top, that is smaller
in area than the main top, in order that when necessary, a higher vacuum may be
obtained in the smoke box though the steam being let out at a greater pressure;
this top I fix with a lever or slide. I often arrange an automatic valve on the top,

page_text: or inside the blast pipe, so that the escape area may be better proportioned to that
of the pressure in the blast pipe.
I prefer to work this valve with a piston diaphragm, or its equivalent or by the
friction of the steam on a cone, disc, or any moveable surface which I place in
contact with the escaping steam. The piston diaphragm or its equivalent and the
frictional moving surface, I load with a weight or spring or, by a portion of the
steam acting in the opposite direction Sometimes, I regulate the valve or valves
by a piston diaphragm or its equivalent, weighted to the degree of vacuum
necessary, worked by the low vacuum in the smoke box. It is often convenient
to connect the regulating valve to the reversing lever, screw, or bridle rod, so
that the area is increased or decreased as the Engineman moves them forward or
backward.
It is sometimes desirable that the pet cocks on the Cylinders or Steam Chests make
no noise. On this account I connect the reservoir underneath the cylinders with the
pet cocks placed inside it or between it & the cylinders. The reservoir or reservoirs
I connect direct to the bottom part of the exhaust ports, so that when any water
or steam is delivered by the pet cocks into the reservoir the steam escapes through
the exhaust port and chimney to the atmosphere, & the water collected in the
reservoir. I often place on the reservoir or reservoirs automatic valves, so arranged,
that when steam is shut off from the steam chest or cylinders, the automatic valve
or valves open and the water flows away to any desired spot. These valves are
kept open by a spring when the steam is shut off but directly steam is admitted to
the steam chest the pressure on the valve overcomes the pressure of the spring
and the valve closes. I sometimes arrange an automatic valve so constructed that
when a certain quantity of water has accumulated in the reservoir from the
draining of the cylinders, condensation, or other causes, a valve opens automatically
& allows the water to flow away. This I arrange with an ordinary ball cock, the
ball of which floats on the top of the water and opens the cocks.
If it be necessary to prevent the water flowing on to the ground, I lead a small
pipe from the reservoir into the top of the tender or tank, the diameter of which
can be adjusted by a valve so that the pressure of steam in the reservoir forces the
collected water into the tender or tank, or to any desired position. It is sometimes
desirable that the noises caused by the steam escaping by the use of brake ejectors
should be reduced as much as possible. When this is the case I prefer to lead the
steam issuing from the mouth of the Ejector, or Ejectors, into the afore-mentioned
reservoir or reservoirs in order that it may be expanded considerably before
reaching the Atmosphere through the Chimney. Inside the reservoir I place
a tube into which a large number of small boles are drilled, the total area of
these holes to be equal, or greater than the area of the mouth of the ejector or
ejectors.
w
Between the ejector and the reservoir I place a check valve or valves so arrange l
as to prevent the steam entering the ejector or ejectors from the reservoir. I often
arrange the steam escaping from the safety valves to be led to the reservoir and
expanded in a similar way in order to reduce the noise. I sometinies arrange for
the waste water or steam from the injectors to be led into the reservoir or
reservoirs & forced back into the tank or tender or to any convenient position
by the pressure of steam through a convient pipe. A check valve, I sometimes
have to place between the injectors and the reservoir to prevent the steam reaching
the injector.
On Locomotives that condense the steam into tanks & do not eject it from their
blast pipes, I place the reservoir or reservoirs in any convient position, and connect
it in the usual way with the condensing pipe, a considerable saving in back pressure
is thus obtained.
n
7

page_text: I JOSEPH ARMSTRONG of 30 Wellington St New Swindon, in the county of
Wilts, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN RAILWAY AND ROAD LOCOMOTIVES, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
On ordinary locomotives, the steam is usually admitted directly from the
Cylinders to the blast pipe, and from thence into the atmosphere. The vacuum
obtained in the smoke box is therefore variable, owing to the steam at the beginning
of the exhaust being at a higher pressure than at the finish of the exhaust. The
high vacuum has a detrimental action on the fire, as sparks and unburnt particles
of fuel are drawn through the tubes. I place in any convenient position on a
locomotive, by preference near the Cylinders, and forming a partial jacket,
a reservoir connected with the exhaust ports so that when an exhaust port is open
to the Cylinders, the steam flows into the reservoir & there expands, until the
steam pressure in the blast pipe falls low enough to allow its escape to the
atmosphere.
I place a check valve or valves between the ports and reservoir or reservoirs, so
constructed that the steam can enter the reservoirs from the exhaust ports, but can
not flow back, this steam, I sometimes conduct directly to the mouth of the blast
pipe, which is so constructed as to allow the reservoir steam to flow, when steam
may not be flowing from the main blast pipe.
This arrangement is sometimes desirable so as to obtain a more continuous blast.
In the aforementioned check valves, I cut a hole to a convenient size, so that the
steam can enter the reservoirs from the exhaust port or blast pipe through the full
opening, but can only return through the small hole or passage which can be
regulated at will,
I construct the blast pipe so as to obtain a large amount of contact surface
between the steam issuing from the blast pipe & the gases in the smoke box, in
order that a sufficient vacuum can be obtained in the smoke box, when the steam
is flowing from the blast pipe at a slow speed. Occasionally, I form the blast pipe
in a long rectangular shape, but I prefer to construct it with an annular opening so
that the gases come in contact, not only with the outside, but also with the inside
of the hollow cylinder of escaping steam. I sometimes prefer to connect the inside
space of the annular blast pipe, with tubes or pipes, which I lead towards the
lower part of the smoke box, in order that the vacuum obtained at the bottom of
the smoke box may be as great if not greater, than the vacuum at the top, for it is
sometimes the case that the bottom rows of tubes require a higher vacuum owing
to their being baffled, in the firebox by the customary brick arch or pocket.
I frequently arrange at the end of these blast pipes an auxillary top, that is
smaller in area than the main top, in order that when necessary, a higher vacuum
may be obtained in the smoke box through the steam being let out at a greater
pressure; this top I work with a lever or slide. I sometimes arrange an automatic
valve on the top, or inside the blast pipe, so that the escape area may be better
proportioned, to that of the pressure in the blast pipe.
I sometimes work this valve with a piston diaphragm, or their equivalent or by
the friction of the steam on a cone, disc, or any movable surface which I place in
contact with the escaping steam. The piston diaphragm or their equivalent and
the frictional moving surfaces I load with a weight or spring or by a portion of the
steam acting in the opposite direction. Sometimes, I regulate the valve or valves
by a piston diaphragm or their equivalent, weighted to the degree of vacuum

page_text: necessary worked by the low vacuum in the smoke box. Sometimes, I connect the
regulating valve to the reversing lever, screw, or bridle rod, so that the area is
increased or decreased as the Engineman moves them forward or backward.
It is sometimes desirable that the pet cocks on the Cylinders or Steam Chests
make no noise. On this account I arrange the reservoir underneath the cylinders
with the pet cocks placed inside it or between it & the Cylinders. The reservoir
or reservoirs I connect directly to the bottom part of the exhaust ports, so that
when any water or steam is delivered by the pet cocks into the reservoir the steam
escapes through the exhaust port and chimney to the atmosphere, and the water
collects in the reservoir. I often place on the reservoir or reservoirs automatic
valves, so arranged, that when steam is shut off from the steam chest or cylinders,
the automatic valve or valves open and the water flows away to any desired spot.
shut off but directly
These valves are kept open by a spring when the steam
steam is admitted to the steam chest the pressure on the valve overcomes the
pressure of the spring and the valve closes.
I sometimes arrange an automatic valve so constructed that when a certain
quantity of water has accumulated in the reservoir from the draining of the
cylinder condensation, or other causes, a valve opens automatically & allows the
water to flow away. This I arrange with an ordinary ball cock the ball of which
floats on the top of the water and opens the cock. If it be necessary to prevent
the water flowing on to the ground, I lead a small pipe from the reservoir into the
top of the tender or tank the diameter of which can be adjusted by a valve so that
the pressure of steam in the reservoir forces the collected water into the tender or
tank, or to any desired position. It is sometimes desirable that the noise caused
by the steam escaping through the use of brake ejectors should be reduced as much
as possible. When this is the case I prefer to lead the steam issuing from the
mouth of the Ejector, or Ejectors, into the aforementioned reservoir or reservoirs in
order that it may be expanded considerably before reaching the Atmosphere
through the Chimney.
Between the ejector and the reservoir I place a check valve or valves so
arranged as to prevent the steam entering the ejector or ejectors from the reservoir.
On Locomotives that condense the steam into tanks and do not eject it from
their blast pipes, I place the reservoir or reservoirs in any convenient position,
& connect it in the usual way, with the condensing pipe; a considerable saving in
back pressure is thus obtained. And in order that my invention may be fully
understood and readily carried into operation, I will proceed to describe the
accompanying Sheet of Drawing reference being made to the figures & letters
marked thereon.
In Figure 1 is illustrated a longitudinal section through the smoke box, steam
chest & reservoir of a locomotive engine. Inside the chimney I place a double
curved cone D. C. C. below this I place an annular blast pipe X the inside air
space T is in direct communication with the pipes L and L¹ leading towards the
bottom of the smoke box S. M. Underneath the cylinders and connected directly
with the exhaust ports E. P. and E. P. is the reservoir R into which the cylinder
cocks Z and steam chest cock Z¹ are conducted. W. P. is a waste pipe leading the
accumulated water to any desired spot. Underneath the annular blast pipe top X
I attach a bolt on the bottom end of which the spring S. S. in compression bears
the top part of the spring rests on a cross plate which forms the sealing of what is
commonly known as a butterfly valve. R. R. is a rod which is worked by the
Engineman or Fireman to regulate the amount of steam passing through the
butterfly valve in order that the pressure of the steam issuing from the blast pipe
may be regulated at will.
In Figure 2. S. M. is the smoke box, E. P. and E. P. are the exhaust ports,
S. V. and S. V¹ are the slide valves, H and H¹ are the cylinders, A and B¹ are
eduction ports leading from the exhaust ports to the aforementioned reservoir R,
E is a Brake Ejector with a valve V swung on the orifice to prevent steam or
water flowing back to the Ejector.

page_text: In Figure 3. is illustrated the eduction ports A and B¹ protected by the valves V
and V as previously described to prevent the steam returning to the exhaust ports
as quickly as it entered the reservoir.
In Fig. 4. R is the aforementioned reservoir, E V is an exhaust valve which is
opened by the spring S. P. when there is no steam pressure in the reservoir, but
directly steam is allowed to enter the reservoir it acts upon the large area of the
valve and closes it preventing any water from escaping through the pipe P until
steam is shut off. B is an ordinary ball float so arranged that when the water rises
to any desired position the valve B. V. opens & allows the water to flow through
the pipe P¹.
Fig. 5 illustrates a plan of the top of the blast pipe proper around which the
auxilliary top with the two tubes aforementioned revolves by the action of a handle
or rod worked by the Engineman from the footplate when he requires a higher or
lesser degree of steam pressure in the blast pipe. This he arranges by moving a
handle or rod which I prefer to carry through a tube reaching from the firebox
front to the smokebox, this rod is jointed on to a lever connected to the revolving
top. It will be seen from the foregoing description of the accompanying drawings
that when the pressure of steam in the bottom portion of the blast pipe is greater
on the underside of the auxilliary top than that at which the spring S. S. in
Fig. 1 is set, the auxilliary top lifts from off the face of the butterfly valve and
allows more steam to pass through the annular opening thus acting as a reducing
pressure valve & more equally regulating the flow of the exhaust steam &
consequently obtaining a more regular vacuum in the smokebox.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
Firstly. In combination with a Railway Locomotive a reservoir or reservoirs
in direct communication with the exhaust ports of the cylinders for the purpose of
draining the cylinders of condensed steam and also for the better expansion &
regulation of the steam flowing from the mouth of the blast pipe as described in
Figs 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Secondly. In combination with a reservoir or reservoirs connected with the
exhaust ports & blast pipo of Railway Locomotive Engines an Air Brake Ejector
with a check valve on its orifice.
Thirdly. In combination with the blast pipe of Railway Locomotive Engines
an auxilliary revolving top capable of being revolved by hand at will from the
footplate by the men in charge of the Engine or acting as a reducing pressure valve
as shewn & described.
Fourthly. In combination with the aforementioned reservoir or reservoirs,
automatic valves for the better regulation of the flow of steam from the reservoir
or reservoirs a shewn in Fig 3.
Fifthly. In combination with a reservoir or reservoirs automatic valves for the
release of accumulated water substantially as described & illustrated in Fig. 4.
DL: 1 of Navambon 1001