CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ENGINES
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEAN
BAPTISTE GEORGES LAUDET, of Paris, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Queen Victoria did, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the
Twenty-fourth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in
the sixteenth year of Her reign, give and grant unto me, the said Jean
Baptiste Georges Laudet, Her especial license, that I, the said Jean Baptiste
Georges Laudet, during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark,
and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad,
my Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ENGINES;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso that I, the said Jean Baptiste Georges
Laudet, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that, in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Jean Baptiste Georges Laudet do hereby declare that the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particu-

page_text: larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the Figures
and Letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention consists,-
First, of a new kind of locomotive furnished with a boiler of a new system,
either with vertical tubes or with horizontal tubes, and dispensing with a
detached tender.
Second, of a new system of grease boxes.
Third, of a new system of water level to ascertain the level of the water in
the boiler.
Fourth, of a new mode of distributing the steam in the cylinders.
Fifth, of two new systems of manometers to ascertain the pressure of the
steam in the boiler.
Sixth, of a new system of valve or manometrical valve to regulate the
strength of the steam.
Seventh, of a new system for the escape of the steam into the funnel.
Eighth, of a new kind of meter to ascertain the distance gone over by the
locomotive engine.
Ninth, of an apparatus to replace the gauge cocks in the water boxes of
tenders.
Tenth, of the application of pieces of tempered cast iron to the construction
of locomotives.
A
First. The general view of the locomotive, having a boiler with vertical
It has a
tubes, is represented in elevation and plan, Figure 1, Sheet 1.
framework similar to that of ordinary locomotives, and is of the same length.
On the framework is placed and made fast a boiler of a new construction.
drying apparatus for the pipes to free the steam from the water it contains on
issuing from the boiler to act on the pistons, and with a box for supplies similar
to the tenders now in use. This new kind of locomotive has its framework
of the same length as the ordinary framework, but by this arrangement the
tender is suppressed. The framework A, A', has a boiler A2, only occupying
on its length a quarter of the space occupied by other boilers, and has a direct
heating surface of about three hundred feet. This boiler has vertical tubes,
and is composed of a first part A³ placed in the lower part. This first part or
fire grate is of a circular form, and should be constructed about three feet
eight inches high, and have a diameter of about four feet eight inches. The
part A', which is the top of the fire-place, is pierced with four hundred holes,
about an inch and a half in diameter (Figure 3). At the upper part of the

page_text: boiler, and at the extremity of the tubes, is fixed a second tubular plate A",
similar to the top of the fire box, in which are also pierced four hundred holes
of a diameter of about an inch and a half, into which the other ends of the
tubes are inserted. A third part a, a¹ envelopes the fire box or grate, and is
fixed to the latter by an iron frame or circle, and the upper part to the upper
tubular plate A, by cross pieces, but leaving between the latter and the
envelope of the fire box sufficient space for the passage of the steam. This
third part is terminated by a rim rounded inwardly so as to avoid the spirting
of the water into the steam reservoir. A fourth part serves as an exterior
envelope, and is made fast to the lower part by rivets to the interior envelope
of the fire box, and at the upper extremities a", a¹¹ to the tubular upper plate
by a rim, and fixed with this latter. The fire box of this boiler can be con-
structed of a cylindrical form if the distance between the extreme wheels
permit it; but if, on the contrary, the distance between the latter be short, the
fire box may then be made of a rectangular shape, so as to enter with ease
between the trailing wheels. In such a case the driving wheels are placed
under the box of supplies. The upper part of this boiler is terminated by two
doors, having a horizontal motion, so that it is easy to inspect and cleanse out
and repair the tubes. At the upper part of the boiler are fixed large pipes
(A, A', Figures 1 and 2), which are for the purpose of drying the steam and
serving as steam-conducting pipes. The steam enters these pipes at the
middle point As, goes round the upper parts of the boiler, and afterwards
escapes to act on the pistons. These pipes are made of cast iron, and are
exposed to the direct action of the heat emitted from the tubes. The boiler is
covered with sheet iron, leaving between a sufficient space for the passage of
warm air. This space corresponds with a rectangular pipe (A°, A"), and from
there to the chimney (A"), fixed on the middle of a supply box for water and
fuel. This box (B) is of the same size as those of ordinary tenders. The
sides (B5, B6,) and behind (B) contain water, and the middle part (B³) is
arranged to receive the coke.
The same kind of engine, having a boiler with horizontal tubes, is repre-
sented in elevation and in plan, Sheet 2, Figures 1 and 3, and has a frame-
work of the same length on which are placed a boiler and a supply box. The
boiler is composed of a first part (A), comprising the fire box and its enve-
lope A. This first part is only connected with the cylindrical (A³, Figure 2)
by three tubular stays (a, a¹, a¹¹), similar to such as are used for fixing the
boiler tubes to the cylindrical body in the boiler of a fixed steam engine.
The upper portion of the fire box is vaulted. See As, Figure 2. The door of
the grate (A) serving for the introduction of coke, is placed above the lower

page_text: part (A) of the cylindrical body. This door serves to allow the fuel to be
placed on the grate or in the interior of the fire box. Above the small door
(A') two great doors are placed which close the great opening (B) of a
diameter equal to the width of the tubes. The second part of this boiler,
comprising the cylindrical body furnished with tubes, consists of a cylinder
(A2 and A³), which is attached to the fire box only by the rivets of the copper
stays (a, a, a), and can be taken out for putting in new stays when required.
The cylindrical body (A2) is nearly entirely placed in the fire box, so as to
expose a greater heating surface to the action of the caloric. The space
C, D, is calculated so as only to let pass the quantity of heat necessary to
produce the greatest possible effect in the tubes, which are short and numerous.
This boiler, of the same dimensions as the first, is also surrounded by an
envelope (A), conducting the hot air emitted from the boiler into the
chimney (A'), placed in the midst of the supply box B, as shown in Figure 1.
The boiler being very short, is placed behind the framework, and only projects
about six feet beyond the axle. This longitudinal section (as in Sheet 1) is
made on the scale of one-twentieth. The sides B4, B5, and the middle (B)
contain water, and the part of the middle (B') is arranged to receive the coke.
This engine has a total length of about twenty-four feet, and its width is of
about seven feet and a half, the heating surface of the fire box is of about
forty-five feet, and that of the tubes of about two hundred and fifty-eight feet;
total, three hundred and three feet. The length of the tubes is of about eight
feet and three quarters, and their number three hundred and fifty. The
diameter of the wheels is about eight feet and a half, and the system allows
to employ wheels of a greater diameter without any alteration of the
mechanism. The engine driver is placed in the middle of the engine, and
can work from the point M to the point M¹. The distance between the
extreme wheels is about twelve feet and three quarters, and may, if desirable,
be less than that. The whole of the locomotive, with the kind of boiler just
described, may have another form.
In Sheet 3 is represented the general view of a passenger engine of ordinary
power, and where the boiler A, Figure 1, and A', Figure 2, is placed between.
the hind wheels and the driving wheels. The engine driver is placed at the
point A and As, Figures 1 and 2, behind the engine. The cylinders F, F,
are placed under the foot board of the engine driver, in such manner as
to render it easy to inspect and repair them. The fuel or coke is placed in
the middle of the engine, and fills the three parts D¹, D2, D³. See Sheet 3,
Figure 2, and Sheet 4, Figure 1, which is the section of the machine repre-
sented in Sheet 3. As there shown, the coke is placed at D, on a flooring

page_text: of sheet iron slightly inclined, so that the coke placed at the point D³,
represented in Sheet 3 of the Drawings, may easily slide by the motion of
the machine at the two points E, E'. The water is placed in a box D³,
Sheet 3, and shown in section D, Sheet 4, Figure 1. This engine is also
represented on the scale of one twentieth. The heating surface of the fire
box is about thirty-one feet and a half, and that of the tubes about one.
hundred and ninety-two feet; the number of the tubes is two hundred and
eighty, and their length about four feet and three quarters. The supplies
occupy about nineteen and three quarter cubic feet of water and thirteen
feet & a half of coke.
Figure 3, Sheet 3, represents one of the side views of the engine ; the
lower opening B of the boiler is the door for the introduction of coke in the
fire box, and the great upper opening B', of which one door is represented
closed and the other open, serves for the inspection, cleansing, and repairing.
of the tubes. The coke being placed on the grate E, Figures 1 and 2 of
the Sheet 4, the heat or warm air goes in the direction of the arrow,
Figure 1, passes round the cylindrical body, Figure 2, following the arrows
and communicating with the series of horizontal tubes E', E², surrounded by
water, as well as the fire box, crosses the tubes to reach the chimney A. E³.
placed at the centre of the engine and resting against the water box. The
upper part (E) of the boiler, which forms a reservoir of steam, communicates
with a pipe (E) which draws the steam to carry it to the cylinders. In this
last arrangement, as well as the first two already herein described, the escape
of hot gas and of steam is effected in a more direct manner, sec Sheet 4,
Figures 3 and 4. Between the cylindrical bodies and the envelope of the
outer fire box, a space is left about six or seven inches wide and about twenty
or twenty-four deep (see F, F¹); this space exists between the exterior
envelope G and the part G¹ of the cylindrical body, which extends beyond the
fire box. The heat emitted from the tubes E', E", is forced to escape by the
openings H, H; placed at the lower part of the smoke box. The escape pipes
J, J, all open in the interior of this space. This new arrangement for the
passage and escape of hot gases makes the fire draw better.
Second. A new system of bearings for grease boxes, consisting of a
bearing E. (See Figure 3, Sheet 1.)-The bearing E is of steel or tempered
iron, or of cast iron moulded and tempered to the same degree of hardness as
the axle ends. This bearing E is placed so as to be in contact with the axle
ends only on three points e, e¹, e¹¹, so as to leave a space on each side of the
upper point c¹. The greasing apertures (e³ and e³) are directed in the two empty

page_text: spaces, so that the axle end in turning may not fill by its friction the greasing
apertures. By this arrangement the heating of the axle end and bearing is
avoided, and consequently their deterioration.
Third. Of a new system of water level to ascertain the height of the water
in the boiler. It is composed of a cylindrical body of bronze a, Figure 2,
Sheet 5, hollow and conical, in the shape of a cock, in the interior of which is
adjusted a second part (a¹), also hollow and serving as a cock. This second
part is furnished at its upper extremity with a handle a¹¹, serving to make it
turn in the cylindrical body a, with gentle friction. In front of this cylindrical
body is fixed a crystal plate (a³), rectangular, and fixed in a cylindrical groove;
this (crystal plate is maintained by a second copper plate (a³, a'), fixed by
screws b, b, &c. The steam passes in the interior of the cylindrical body,
and afterwards in the second part (a¹), by the two openings (B, B¹), com-
municating with the interior of the boiler. At the upper opening (B) the
steam enters, and by the opening B¹, the water. In this position the
cylindrical body (a) and the interior part (a¹) are pierced with two openings
(B and B³), corresponding with the under part of the rectangular crystal
plate. In this position the level of the water may be ascertained by looking
at the crystal plate; and to ascertain if the steam and water continue to come
by the apertures B, B, and if these two openings be not stopped up by
incrustations, it is sufficient to give the cylinder a quarter of a turn for the
two small openings (c, c',) to be placed in communication with the interior of
the part a', and consequently of the boiler, and to let the water and steam
proceeding from the boiler escape. And if by accident the crystal plate a²,
which serves to show the level of the water, should happen to break, it
would be sufficient to make the handle describe another quarter of a circle,
always in the same direction, so that the two openings B³ and B³, corre-
sponding to the crystal plate are closed, and by turning the handle a little to
the right and left, the level of the water may be ascertained by the three small
openings c², c³, c, opening them alternately. In this new system of water
gauge a single cock and handle replace the six cocks now usually-employed,
and which for comparison is shown in Figure 1, Sheet 5.
Fourth. Of two new methods of distributing the steam in the cylinders.-The
first represented, Sheet 4, Figure 5, is composed of a circular part, in the
interior of which are two longitudinal grooves (L, L¹), about one foot long, and
about an inch and a half wide; they are extended, one to the right to commu-
nicate with the bottom of the pistons, the other to the left to communicate

page_text: with the other side of the piston. In the interior of this circular box is fixed
a second box (L), turning with friction in the lever L. This second box L³ is
divided in its length by an iron plate L³ so as to leave under and above an
empty space (L, L.) This second box (L) is furnished with four grooves
,,,, about one foot long, and about an inch and a half wide. The
steam comes into this box by one of the ends, and by the lower compartment
(L 5), crosses one of the grooves (1 and A), and after having caused its effect,
returns; but in this motion of the piston the box L has moved, and instead of
facing the groove l is now facing the groove. The box has made a rotary
motion, and the steam is forced to pass by the groove ', which communicates
with the escape pipe. The second distribution represented, Sheet 4, Figure 6,
is composed of a circular box O. The steam penetrates into the box O¹, and
surrounds on all sides the part 0º, moveable round an axis placed at the centre
of the box O. This part, at the drawer of rotary distribution, is grooved in
the middle. At P and P¹ are two rectangular orifices opening in the interior
of the box O, at a cylindrical surface which bears the rotary drawer of distri-
bution. This rotary drawer, as the one herein-before described, is connected
with a crank handle, which is for the purpose of giving to it a to and fro
motion. It is enclosed in the box O, fixed to the cylinders. This box is made
to communicate with the boiler. At the extremity of the rotary drawer is a
larger opening (P2), which terminates at an escape pipe, of which the extremity
projects in the chimney. This arrangement, as well as the first, is to avoid the
enormous pressure acting on the drawers of the system, represented at m,
Figure 7; which wears out the latter and the tables of the cylinders with
extraordinary rapidity.
Fifth. Of two new systems of manometers to verify the pressure of the steam
in the boiler. The first, (Figure 6), Sheet 5, is simply composed of two plates
slightly stamped, taking the form of the two zones of a sphere, or better, of two
dinner plates, placed in such manner that the rims or edges may perfectly close
the interior hollow parts (see d, d', two metal plates represented in section, to
show the shape and interior). The plate placed at the lower part of the
box of the manometer, is fixed to the latter by a small washer (c); and a copper
serew (c), with a large head pierced at the centre, fixes firmly the lower plate
to this box, closing hermetically the passage that might exist between the part
d and the bottom of the box. The second part or zone d is fixed to the first
by a double bridle B, composed of two circles entering one in the other in such'
manner as to press tightly together the two edges of the two stamped plates d, d¹.
The two circles are fixed one against the other by screws. The water or the

page_text: steam arrives by the opening D of the box, and as the pressure is increased it
acts in the two stamped plates, and tends to separate them. The stamping of
the two plates is calculated in such manner as to give them at the maximum
pressure but the slightest motion which is sufficient to move the hand turning
on the dial, and at the same time to leave them their elasticity, so as not to
deteriorate the metal of which they are composed. At the centre of the
upper stamped plate d rests a small moveable rod (b), which can move up and
down; the end (6¹) of this small rod works in the worm of a kind of screw (6"),
at the extremity of which is fixed a hand. The working of the dial hand is
but an accessary to the system. It can be set in motion by other means; thus
a single little rack resting against the stamped plates and gearing, with a
small pinion, at the end of which a dial hand would be placed, would be
sufficient to make the latter turn. Figure 7 represents the face of the dial.
The upper portion at the point of starting is 0, and the dial, divided into ten
parts, marks nine atmospheres. This new kind of motion has the advantage
of allowing a transformation of a manometer marking nine atmospheres into
one marking twenty, thirty, or forty, & soon, without changing in any way
the proportions of the box or the size of the stamped plates; it is sufficient
merely to change the plates for thicker ones, and to put on a dial with a
greater number of divisions. The plates should be made of cast tempered
steel; this metal has the property of preserving its elasticity under any trial.
Care must be taken to fix at the interior of the two steel plates two india
rubber discs, which will prevent the steel plates coming into contact with the water.
The second system is composed (Figure 8, Sheet 5) of a small cylindrical body
(a), furnished with a small india rubber tube (a¹), and of a small steel shaft
(a), on which is fixed a small steel curved rod, the two extremities of which
rest against the ends of a similar rod which is fixed at the point e. The small
steel shaft a¹ is cut at one of its extremities into a rack, which causes a small
pinion (G) to turn, on which there is fixed a dial hand. The small steel rod, in
ascending and descending, turns a small pinion furnished with a dial hand
marking the atmospheres on the dial.
-
Sixth. Of a new system of valve, or manometrical valve, to ascertain
and limit the power of steam. It consists of a circular copper box,
about an inch and a half thick, and about nine inches in diameter
(vide Figure 4, Sheet 2). The centre of this box is occupied by a small
manometer, the mechanism of which is represented, Figure 5, Sheet 3.
This small manometer consists of a small brass cylindrical body (f) in

page_text: f crosses the cylindrical body f in a perpendicular direction, and rests against
the india rubber pipes. The other extremity of this shaft is jointed by a bolt
to a small ring (f), and this ring acts on a small lever (f+) and makes it
move in turning on an axis (f). Another lever (f) is jointed to a small
box (7), in which is fixed a small sheet spring, resting against the lever f*.
The small spring of the box, f, is bent to a necessary force to make equi-
librium to one atmosphere at the point of starting, and of contact of the two
levers, and following the surface of the small shaft f". As the great end of
the lever (*) rises, it will rest more against the second lever (f), and will
have a greater resistance to overcome. At the other extremity of the shaft
(f) is fixed a small connecting rod, cut as a rack and gearing, with a small
pinion at the extremity of which is fixed a dial hand. The parts f, f, of the
box called manometrical valve (Sheet 2) are occupied by springs made of
sheet steel, similar to the springs of a clock. In each of the sides of this box
are placed three springs, each furnished with an iron shaft (f, f³, f), and
each shaft with a pinion that gears on a toothed wheel (f). This wheel (ƒ³)
is only divided on the two thirds of its circumference, so that, in turning, it
only gears to the pinions one after the other. Thus the first is bent at the
point of starting to make equilibriums, but at one atmosphere, and the third at
seven atmospheres or more. The motion of this wheel is obtained by a rod of
flat iron (f) cut as a rack. This rod gears with the great toothed wheel,
and by the motion or the force of the steam which rests against the valves and
raises the levers; the latter being jointed to the rods of the manometrical
valve, ascend and descend by the motion or force of the steam which presses
against the valves and raises the levers, and cause the toothed wheels to turn,
and consequently the dial hands.
Seventh. Of a new system of escape for the steam in the chimney.―This
apparatus is composed of two spheres (Figure 8, Sheet 4,) placed one in the
other, and arranged so as to ascend or descend in the interior of the larger
one, in such manner as to approach or recede from the opening c, made in its
upper part. The steam, issuing from the cylinders, passes through the pipes
(c, c) fixed to the great sphere, and escapes more or less fast as the interior
sphere is more or less raised in the exterior.
Eighth. Of a new system of meter to ascertain the number of miles gone
over by the locomotive.-It is composed of eight small cylinders (see Figure
4, Sheet 1,) placed side by side, and in a vertical position. The small cylinders
are divided into ten numbered parts, from 1 to 9, and 0.
A small connecting

page_text: rod (i) makes the first cylinder turn; the screw fixed at its upper part catches
the second and makes it go one tenth of a turn; the first continues to turn by
the motion of the connecting rod, and every time it goes a turn it makes the
second go one tenth of a turn, and when this latter has gone its circumference
it communicates to the third the impulsion of one tenth of a turn, and so on
till the last or eighth small cylinder, representing tens of millions. At starting,
the apparatus, or all the small cylinders, have 0 at the openings (see Figure 5),
and as it works each 0 disappears, and other figures replace them. If, for
instance, when this apparatus is at the end of its course, the series of figures
represent number 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9; to make the apparatus the same as at
starting, it is sufficient to turn the buttons 1, 1, 111.
Ninth. Of an apparatus to replace the guage cocks in water boxes in
ordinary tenders. It consists of a brass tube I, in which passes a rod I¹ of
iron fixed to a cock placed at the lower part of the tube (see Figure 4,
Sheet 5). The brass tube I is furnished with a certain number of small
openings, pierced, and communicating with the interior; a handle is fixed to
the upper part of the pipe, and it is sufficient to turn the handle a quarter of
a turn to open the cock placed at the lower part, and for the water in the
tender to take immediately its level in the tube, and to issue by the small
openings placed under the level of the water. The lower cock may be con-
structed as represented in Figure 5, that is, two washers turning one on the
other, and unstopping by its motion openings made for the passage of the
water. The lower part, I, of the iron rod is moved upwards by an india-
rubber tampion Is, having the action of a spring. This apparatus is to replace
the cocks represented in Figure 3.
Tenth. Of the application, to my system of locomotive, of pieces of tem-
pered 'cast iron, to replace the bearings of the grease boxes, the drawers of
distribution, and slides, by similar pieces of tempered cast iron the tempered
cast iron is hardened by the cooling process, or by chemical means, and thus
gains a powerful resistance against friction.
I claim,
First, the application to locomotives of boilers with vertical or horizontal
tubes of the herein described construction, and of the herein described box of
supplies for the water and coke.

page_text: Fifth, the two herein described manometers for ascertaining the degree of
pressure of the steam of the boilers.
Sixth, the herein described valves, called manometrical valves, for ascer-
taining and regulating the power of the steam.
Seventh, the herein described system of escape of the steam in the chimney.
Eighth, the herein described improved meter for ascertaining the distance
the locomotive has travelled.
Ninth, the herein described apparatus for replacing gauge cocks in the
water boxes of tenders.
Tenth, the application to the construction of locomotive engines of pieces
of cast iron tempered by chemical means.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Baptiste Georges Laudet, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of December,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Taken and acknowledged by Jean Bap-
tiste Georges Laudet (party hereto),
at Paris, in the Empire of France,
this Sixteenth day of December,
1852, before me,
J. B. G. (L.B.) LAUDET.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the oath of Auguste Edouard
Loradoux Bellford, the Specification aforesaid was enrolled word for word as
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.