IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS FOR THE VALVES AND CYLINDERS OF STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Colgan, of the City of Brooklyn, in the State of
New York and United States of America Manufacturer for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS FOR THE VALVES AND
CYLINDERS OF STEAM ENGINES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Colgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1883.
THOMAS COLGAN, of the. City of Brooklyn, in the State of New York and
United States of America, Manufacturer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING
COMPOUNDS FOR THE VALVES AND CYLINDERS OF STEAM ENGINES"
My invention relates to a lubricant, specially adapted for the valves and
cylinders of steam engines, as an improved substitute for the cylinder oils now in
The object of said invention is to obtain a durable lubricant in solid form,
entirely free from gum, and which shall possess such cleansing qualities as that
it will render and keep the bearings constantly bright and clean.
UBC.
It consists in the addition of beeswax, to a compound of petroleum, paraffine and
plumbago prepared substantially in the following manner and proportions. The
petroleum is first condensed by heating and agitating it for two or three hours
more or less, until its more volatile constituents are evaporated therefrom. In this
process the oil may be heated to the boiling point. To this condensed petroleum,
while yet hot, I add Beeswax, Paraffine and finely pulverized Plumbago, in about
the proportions of sixteen (16) ounces of Petroleum; one (1) to three (3) ounces of
Beeswax; one (1) to eight (8) ounces of Paraffine; and one (1) to eight (8) ounces
of Plumbago, the proportions being varied according to the density required in the
product, and which is determined to some extent by the market in which it is to
be sold, whether in a hot or cold climate. The compound is kept hot and
thoroughly agitated during the process of admixture to insure an intimate
combination of its elements, and is then poured into molds, preferably spherical in

page_text: forin and of various sizes, and allowed to solidify therein. When cold, the
lubricating compound becomes hard and solid, and for use the solid balls or blocks
are dropped into the lubricating cups of the engine where the heat will melt them
as required.
•
I have heretofore manufactured and used a lubricating compound composed
simply of Petroleum, Paraffine and Plumbago, but said compound, whilst very
useful for general purposes, has not sufficient body for use in steam valves and
cylinders. This defective quality of my former compound is overcome in my
present invention by the addition of beeswax, and the resultant product constitutes
a more perfect, efficient and durable lubricating compound for use in connection
with steam engines than any heretofore known.
A

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Colgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th October
-1883.
THOMAS COLGAN, of the City of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, and
United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING COMPOUNDS FOR
THE VALVES AND CYLINDERS OF STEAM ENGINES."
My invention relates to a lubricant, specially adapted for the valves and
cylinders of Steam engines, as an improved substitute for the cylinder oils now in
use. The object of said invention is to obtain a durable lubricant in solid form,
entirely free from gum, and which shall possess such cleansing qualities as that it
will render and keep the bearings constantly bright and clean.
It consists in the addition of beeswax, to a compound of petroleum, paraffine and
plumbago prepared substantially in the following manner and proportions. The
petroleum is first condensed by heating and agitating it for two or three hours
more or less, until its more volatile constituents are evaporated therefrom. In this
process the oil may be heated to the boiling point. To this condensed petroleum,
while yet hot, I add Beeswax, Paraffino and finely pulverized Plumbago, in about
the proportions of sixteen (16) ounces of Petroleum; one (1) to three (3) ounces of
Beeswax; one (1) to eight (8) ounces of Paraffine; and one (1) to eight (8) ounces
of Plumbago, the proportions being varied according to the density required in the
product, and which is determined to some extent by the market in which it is to
be sold, whether in a hot or cold climate. The compound is kept hot and
thoroughly agitated during the process of admixture to insure an intimate combi-
nation of its clements, and is then poured into molds, preferably spherical in form
and of various sizes, and allowed to solidify therein. When cold, the lubricating
compound becomes hard and solid, and for use the solid balls or blocks are
dropped into the lubricating cups of the engine where the heat will melt them as
required.
I have heretofore manufactured and used a lubricating compound composed
simply of Petroleum, Paraffine and Plumbago, but said compound, whilst very
useful for general purposes, has not sufficient body for use in steam valves and
cylinders. This defective quality of my former compound is overcome in my
present invention by the addition of beeswax, and the resultant product constitutes
a more perfect, efficient and durable lubricating compound for use in connection
with steam engines than any heretofore known
I claim as my invention :-
A lubricating compound in solid form for use in the valves and cylinders of
Steam Engines, composed of Petroleum, Beeswax, Paraffine and Plumbago, admixed
in substantially the proportions set forth.
In witness whereof I, the said Thomas Colgan have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight
hundred and eighty three.
THOMAS COLGAN (L.S.)