Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Stopping Steam or other Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1898
[Communicated from abroad by GILMAN WELD BROWN, of West Newbury, Essex
County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Stopping
Steam or other Engines.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
a
This invention relates to apparatus for stopping steam or other engines, said
apparatus including a casing adapted to form a part of the steam-conduit which
supplies the engine, and provided with a steam-outlet and with a cylinder having
vent, an outlet-closing valve within the casing adapted to be held in its closed position
by the steam pressure, a valve-operating piston movable in said cylinder and
connected with the outlet-valve, a vent-controlling valve adapted to close said vent,
a vent-valve operating device or actuator adapted to be set for action, and an
actuator-arresting trigger or trip, the arrangement being such that upon the release
of said actuator the vent will be opened, thus permitting the escape of steam from
the cylinder at one side of the valve-operating piston, so that the steam pressure in
said casing will displace the piston and close the steam-conduit, thus shutting off
the steam from the engine and at the same time opening the steam-outlet to the
atmosphere. In one form of such apparatus, electrically controlled means have been
employed, adapted to be operated by an attendant, for releasing or unlocking the
vent-valve actuator.
It is the object of my present invention to provide means for automatically
unlocking the actuator by speed-controlled mechanical means, under such an
arrangement that when the speed of the engine is unduly increased or exceeds a
predetermined rate, the actuator will be allowed to act. The invention also has for
its object to provide means for giving an alarm prior to the release of the actuator
by the electrically controlled trigger-operating means employed, the apparatus being
equipped with both electrical and mechanical means for releasing the actuator.
object of said alarm is to reduce to the minimum the liability of unnecessary
tampering with the apparatus, particularly by mischievously disposed persons. To
these ends, the invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to
describe.
The
In carrying out the invention, I provide a casing which forms a part of the conduit
supplying steam to a steam engine. Said casing has a suitable outlet, connecting
it with the external air, said outlet having at its inner end an annular valve-seat.
An outlet-closing valve is formed to be seated upon the annular valve-seat, and is
adapted to be held upon said seat by the steam pressure in the casing, under normal
conditions. A valve operating piston is connected by a rod or stem within the
outlet-valve, and is located in a cylinder which forms a part of the casing, said
cylinder opening at one end, which I term the mouth of the cylinder, into the casing,
and having at its other end a vent, which is preferably a pipe extending from said

page_text: cymuer and provided with a valve whereby it may be opened and closed. The pistor
fits the interior of the cylinder somewhat loosely, so that steam can pass around i
into the cylinder, steam being thus caused to balance the piston so long as the
cylinder-vent remains closed. So long as the piston is thus balanced, the shut-of
valves hereinafter described are held open, and the outlet-valve of the casing is
closed, the latter being subjected to steam pressure upon one side only. The piston
is of greater area than the outlet-valve, so that when the vent of the cylinder is
opened, as hereinafter described, it releases the pressure from the cylinder, and
thereby unbalances the piston, the steam pressure exerted on the inner side of the
piston displacing the latter, forcing it into the cylinder, and removing the outlet-
valve from its seat, thus opening the steam outlet, and permitting a discharge of the
steam into the atmosphere. This operation relieves the pressure in the casing and
in the conduit between the casing and the engine, sufficiently to prevent the pressure
of the steam between the casing and the engine from continuing the operation of the
engine.
Between the steam-inlet end and the steam-outlet end of the casing are offset
partitions, which project from the inlet end of the casing across the central portion
thereof, and are provided with two ports through which steam passes from the inlet
to the discharge side of the casing, the valve-stem passing through said ports.
Between the outlet-closing valve and the piston is located a shut-off valve also
affixed to the stem. When the outlet-valve is closed upon its seat it is separated
from the other port, both of said ports being unobstructed, so that the steam passes
through them. When the piston is unbalanced and displaced, the outlet-valve closes
the first-named port, and the shut-off valve closes the other port, so that when the
steam outlet is opened, the passage of steam through the casing is at the same
time shut off.
The valve which opens and closes the vent of the cylinder is opened by an
actuator, which is preferably a weight fitted to slide upon a vertical guide, such as
the vent-pipe of the cylinder, said weight having an inclined face upon its lower
portion formed to engage a lever which is pivoted to the valve-casing and bears upon
the stem of the said valve. When the weight dropped from its elevated position,
it moves the lever above described, and causes the latter to open the valve. The
weight is provided with a flange at its upper end, which is engaged by a trigger or
trip pivoted to a fixed standard, which may be supported in any suitable way. Said
trigger has an elongated arm, which projects downwardly and is provided at its lower
end with a stud. Another lever or detent is pivoted to a casing and formed at its
outer end to engage said stud and thus lock the trigger. An armature is attached
to the lever or detent, said armature being arranged in suitable proximity to the
poles of an electro-magnet supported in the said casing and included in an electric
circuit. When the circuit is broken and the armature is released, the lever or
detent is held by gravitation, and is engaged with the stud on the trigger-arm,
the trigger being therefore caused to hold the weight in its raised position. When
the circuit is closed, the armature is attracted and raises the lever or detent,
causing it to release the elongated arm and the trigger. The weight is thus released,
and allowed to drop and open the valve in the vent of the cylinder.
4
My present improvements relate chiefly to the let-off mechanism whereby the
weight or actuator may be released and allowed to act, and they comprise speed-
controlled means operated by the engine for releasing the weight automatically when
the speed of the engine rises above a predetermined point, thus preventing the
engine from "running away." To this end, I provide a shaft which is journalled 5
in suitable bearings in or contiguous to the casing which holds the electro-magnet.
To said shaft is affixed a projection which supports a weighted arm, the latter being
pivoted to the projection. The weighted arm normally stands inclined inwardly
from the pivot toward the shaft, and is supported by an adjustable stop-screw, the
weight of the arm holding it in said position under normal conditions. The shaft 5
is connected with a moving part of the engine, so that it is continuously rotated
while the engine is in operation. The connecting, means may be, a pulley on the

page_text: shaft and a belt running from said pulley to the main shaft of the engine. The
said arm is so weighted and arranged, and the shaft is so connected with the engine.
that when the engine is running at a normal or safe rate, the weighted arm will
remain at rest on the stop. When, however, the speed of the engine exceeds a
predetermined limit, the weighted arın is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, and
assumes a position which causes it to strike the described lever or detent and raise
the latter out of engagement with the trigger-arm, the latter being thus released
and the weight allowed to act.
It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided a speed-controlled let-off, which is
adapted to automatically cause the operation of the engine-stopping apparatus,
without interfering with the electrically controlled means for accomplishing the
same result, and is made operative by an increase in the speed of the engine. I
believe this to be broadly new, and I therefore do not limit myself to the details
of mechanism here shown and described, and may variously modify the same without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
The electro-magnet is included in a suitable electric circuit, comprising circuit-
wires and a push-button or manually-operated circuit-closing device adapted to be
moved to close the circuit and energize the magnet, thus causing the operation of the
above-described apparatus. In order to prevent the needless operation of said
apparatus by mischievously disposed persons, I provide means for giving an alarm
prior to the closing of the circuit, so that the intention of any person to close the
circuit will be made manifest. To this end I enclose the circuit-closer in a casing
having a cover which must be opened before access can be had to the circuit-closer.
In the casing are two separable terminals, which with the connecting wires constitute
a branch of the main circuit, which includes the electro-magnet and the main
wires. The branch circuit includes an electric bell operated by an electro-magnet
of much higher resistance than the electro-magnet in the main circuit. When the
cover is opened, the two terminals of the branch circuit come in contact, and thus
close the circuit. Owing to the high resistance of the electric bell and the low
resistance of the trigger-operating electro-magnet, the bell will be operated, but the
trigger will not be released until the circuit-closer is operated, thus cutting out the
branch circuit and the bell, whereupon the magnet will operate to release the trigger.
It will be seen, therefore, that no one can operate the apparatus electrically, without
first giving an alarm.
Dated this 18th day of Town 1007
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Stopping
Steam or other Engines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for stopping steam or other engines, said
apparatus including a casing adapted to form a part of the steam-conduit which
supplies the engine, and provided with a steam-outlet and with a cylinder having a
vent, an outlet-closing valve within the casing adapted to be held in its closed
position by the steam pressure, a valve-operating piston movable in said cylinder and

page_text: connected with the outlet-valve, a vent-controlling valve adapted to close said vent, a
vent-valve operating device or actuator adapted to be set for action, and an actuator-
arresting trigger or trip, the arrangement being such that upon the release of said
actuator the vent will be opened, thus permitting the escape of steam from the
cylinder at one side of the valve-operating piston, so that the steam pressure in said
casing will displace the piston and close the steam-conduit, thus shutting off the
steam from the engine and at the same time opening the steam-outlet to the
atmosphere. In one form of such apparatus, electrically controlled means have been
employed, adapted to be operated by an attendant, for releasing or unlocking the
vent-valve actuator.
It is the object of my present invention to provide means for automatically
unlocking the actuator by speed-controlled mechanical means, under such an
arrangement that when the speed of the engine is unduly increased, or exceeds a
predetermined rate, the actuator will be allowed to act. 'The invention also has for
its object to provide means for giving an alarm prior to the release of the actuator
by the electrically controlled trigger-operating means employed, the apparatus being
equipped with both electrical and mechanical means for releasing the actuator.
object of said alarm is to reduce to the minimum the liability of unnecessary
tampering with the apparatus, particularly by mischievously disposed persons. To
these ends, the invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to
describe and claim.
Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,―
The
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of that portion of the apparatus which
includes my improved mechanical or speed-controlled actuator-releasing means.
Figure 2 represents an elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1, from a
different point of view.
Figure 3 represents an elevation from the side opposite that shown in Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 represent vertical sections of a portion of the apparatus.
Figure 6 represents a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 represents a section on line 7-7 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 represents an elevation showing an engine provided with my improve-
ments.
Figure 9 represents a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 represents a section similar to Figure 9, showing the parts in a different
position.
Figure 11 represents a section on line 11-11 of Figure 8.
Figure 12 represents a top view of the shell or casing which contains the circuit-
closing device hereinafter referred to.
Figure 13 represents a section on line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 represents a section on line 14-14 of Figure 12.
Figure 15 represents a section on line 15-15 of Figure 9.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
In the drawings,―
a represents a casing which forms a part of the conduit a supplying steam to a
steam-engine a². a represents an outlet connecting said casing with the external
air, said outlet having at its inner end an annular valve-seat a³. b represents the
outlet-closing valve, which is formed to be seated upon the seat as and is adapted to
be held upon said seat by the steam pressure in the casing, under normal conditions.
c represents the valve-operating piston, which is connected by the rod or stem d of
the outlet-valve b and is located in a cylinder a which forms a part of the casing,
said cylinder opening at one end, which I term the mouth of the cylinder, into the
casing, and having at its other end a vent a7, which is preferably a pipe extending
from said cylinder and provided with a valve as whereby it may be opened and closed.
The piston c fits the interior of the cylinder a somewhat loosely, so that steam can
pass around it into the cylinder, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 9, steam being
thus caused to balance the piston so long as the vent remains closed. So long as
the piston is thus balanced, the shut-off valves hereinafter described are held open,

page_text: and the outlet-valve b is closed, the latter being subjected to steam pressure upon
one side only. The piston c is of greater area than the outlet-valve, so that when
the vent of the cylinder is opened, as hereinafter described, it releases the pressure
from the cylinder and thereby unbalances the piston, the steam pressure exerted on
the inner side of the piston displacing the latter, forcing it into the cylinder, and
removing the outlet-valve from its seat, thus opening the outlet at, as shown in
Figure 10, and permitting a discharge of the steam into the atmosphere.
operation relieves the pressure in the casing and in the conduit between the casing
and the engine, sufficiently to prevent the pressure of the steam between the
casing and the engine from continuing the operation of the engine.
This
Between the steam-inlet end and the steam-outlet end of the casing are offset
partitions a³, which project from the inlet end of the casing across the central portion
thereof and are provided with two ports a10 a12, through which steam passes from the
inlet to the discharge side of the casing, the valve-stem d passing through said ports,
as shown in Figure 9. Between the valve b and piston c is located a shut-off valve e
also affixed to the stem d. When the outlet-valve is closed upon its seat a², it is
separated from the port a10, and the shut-off valve e is separated from the port 12,
both of said ports being unobstructed, so that the steam passes through them, as
indicated in Figure 9. When the piston is unbalanced and displaced, as shown in
Figure 10, the outlet-valve closes the port a¹0, and the shut-off valve e closes the
port a¹², so that when the outlet at is opened the passage of steam through the casing
is at the same time shut off.
9
The valve as which opens and closes the vent of the cylinder is opened by an
actuator, which is preferably a weight f fitted to slide upon a vertical guide, such as
the vent-pipe a', said weight having an inclined face f¹ upon its lower portion formed
to engage a lever g, which is pivoted at g¹ to the valve-casing and hears upon the
stem g2 of the valve. When the weight f is dropped from the elevated position
shown in Figure 2, it moves the lever and causes the latter to open the valve. The
weight is provided with a flange f2 at its upper end, which is engaged by a trigger
or trip h pivoted at h¹ to a fixed standard i¹, which may be supported in any suitable
way. Said trigger has an elongated arm h² which projects downwardly and is
provided at its lower end with a stud h³. h represents a lever or detent pivoted at h
to the casing and formed at its outer end to engage said stud h³ and thus lock the
trigger. An armature 12 is attached to the lever or detent h', said armature being
arranged in suitable proximity to the poles of an electro-magnet 1 supported in the
casing i and included in an electric circuit. When the circuit is broken and the
armature is released, the detent + is held in the position shown in Figure 4, by
gravitation, and is engaged with the stud /³ on the trigger-arm, the trigger being
therefore caused to hold the weight f in its raised position. When the circuit is
closed, the armature is attracted and raises the detent h4, causing it to release the
arm h² and the trigger h. The weight f is thus released and allowed to drop and
open the valve in the vent of the cylinder.
My present improvements relate chiefly to the let-off mechanism whereby the
weight or actuator f may be released and allowed to act, and they comprise speed-
controlled means operated by the engine, for releasing the weight automatically
when the speed of the engine rises above a predetermined point, thus preventing
the engine from "running away." To this end, I provide a shaft m, which is
journalled in suitable bearings in or contiguous to the casing i. To said shaft is
affixed a projection m³, which supports a weighted arm m³, the latter being pivoted
at m² to the projection m³. The weighted arm normally stands inclined inwardly
from the pivot m² toward the shaft, as shown in Figure 4, and is supported by an
adjustable stop-screw m³, the weight of the arm holding it in said position under
norinal conditions. The shaft m is connected with a moving part of the engine, so
that it is continuously rotated while the engine is in operation, the connecting means
here shown being a pulley me on the shaft, and a belt m³ running from said pulley
to the main shaft m³ of the engine (Figure 11). The arm m³ is so weighted and
arranged, and the shaft m is so connected with the engine, that when the engine is

page_text: running at a normal or safe rate, the weighted arm will remain at rest on the
stop m³. When, however, the speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined limit,
the arm m³ is thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, as shown in Figure 5 and by
dotted lines in Figure 4, and assumes a position which causes it to strike the
detent hand raise the latter out of engagement with the trigger-arm h², the latter
being thus released and the weight f allowed to act.
It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided a speed-controlled let-off, which is
adapted to automatically cause the operation of the engine-stopping apparatus,
without interfering with the electrically controlled means for accomplishing the
same result, and is made operative by an increase in the speed of the engine. I
believe this to be broadly new, and I therefore do not limit myself to the details of
mechanism here shown and described, and may variously modify the same without
leparting from the spirit of my invention.
The electro-magnet h¹3 is included in a suitable electric circuit, comprising the
circuit-wires w w¹ and a push-button or manually operated circuit-closing device t
(Figures 12 and 13) adapted to be moved to close the circuit and energize the magnet,
thus causing the operation of the above-described apparatus. In order to prevent
the needless operation of said apparatus by mischievously disposed persons, I provide
means for giving an alarm prior to the closing of the circuit, so that the intention
of any person to close the circuit will be made manifest. To this end, I enclose the
circuit-closer t in a shield or casing a having a cover u¹ which must be opened before
access can be had to the circuit-closer. In the casing are two contacts v, v kept
apart by means of the pin u² passing through the cover u' Fig 14, which together
with the wires constitute a branch of the main circuit, which includes the
electro-magnet. 18 and the wires ww. The branch circuit includes an electric
bell operated by an electro-magnet v³ of much higher resistance than the electro-
magnet ¹³ When the cover u¹ is opened, and the pin u² raised the contact ¹ comes
in contact with the contact v, and thus closes the circuit. Owing to the high
resistance of the electric bell and the low resistance of the trigger-operating electro-
magnet 13, the bell will be operated, but the trigger will not be released until the
circuit-closer t is operated, thus cutting out the branch circuit and the bell,
whereupon the magnet h¹³ will operate to release the trigger. It will be seen,
therefore, that no one can operate the apparatus electrically, without first giving an
alarm.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination with a vent-
controlling valve, of an actuator therefor, an armature serving as a detent normally
restraining said actuator, and speed-controlled means actuated by the power of the
engine to displace said detent by centrifugal force, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
2. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination with a vent-
controlling valve, of an actuator therefor, a detent normally restraining said actuator,
and speed-controlled ineans actuated by the power of the engine to displace said
detent by centrifugal force, substantially as described.
3. An apparatus of the character specified, comprising a vent-controlling valve, an
actuator therefor, an actuator-arresting trigger or trip, a locking arm or detent
normally standing in position to lock the said trigger, and speed-controlled means
actuated by the power of the engine to displace said detent by centrifugal force and
thereby release the trigger and actuator, substantially as described.
4. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination with a vent-
controlling valve, of an actuator therefor, an electro-magnet, a centrifugal speed-
controlled device, and a detent or trigger normally restraining the valve-actuator and
located between the electro-magnet and the centrifugal speed-controlled device and
adapted to be actuated by either.

page_text: 5. An apparatus of the character specified, comprising a vent-controlling valve,
an actuator therefor, an actuator-arresting trigger or trip, a locking arm or detent
which norinally stands in position to lock said trigger, a shaft contiguous to said
detent adapted to be driven by the engine, and a weighted arm pivotally connected
with said shaft and adapted to be moved centrifugally into position to release said
trigger.
6. An apparatus of the character specified, comprising a vent-controlling valve, an
actuator therefor, an actuator-arresting trigger or trip, a locking arm or detent which
normally stands in position to lock said trigger, an electro-magnet arranged to
displace said detent when energized, a shaft contiguous to said detent adapted to
be driven by the engine, and a weighted arm pivotally connected with said shaft
and adapted to be moved centrifugally into position to release said trigger.
7. In an apparatus of the character specified, the combination of a vent-
controlling valve, an actuator therefor, electrically operated actuator-controlling
means including an electric circuit and a circuit-closing device therein, a shield or
casing adapted to normally prevent the operation of said circuit-closing device, a
branch circuit which is broken by the cover of said shield when said cover is closed,
and is closed automatically when said cover is opened, and an aların included in said
branch circuit and adapted to be made operative by the opening of the casing.
Dated thin 10th da
f
1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.