IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES OR MOTORS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR ROCK DRILLS, STEAM HAMMERS, PUMPS, AND SIMILAR MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
Year: 1877

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES OR MOTORS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR ROCK DRILLS,
STEAM HAMMERS, PUMPS, AND SIMILAR MACHINERY OR APPARATUS." A com-
munication from abroad by Edward Stevens Winchester, Engineer, and
Harvey Klapp Flagler, Merchant, both of Boston, Massachusetts, United States
of America
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th May 1877.
T
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents;
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES OR MOTORS, CHIEFLY
DESIGNED FOR ROCK DRILLS, STEAM HAMMERS, PUMPS, AND SIMILAR MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS." A communication from abroad by Edward Stevens Winchester;
Engineer, and Harvey Klapp Flagler, Merchant, both of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to an engine having its valve carried with the piston and
operated by the momentum imparted thereto by the movement of the piston, which
construction allows the valve levers, stems, rods, and the like usually employed, to
be dispensed with.
The said Invention also relates to providing the piston with passages for the
admission of steam or air to move or sustain the valve.
The said Invention also relates to a cylinder provided on its exterior with a
screw thread fitting into a holder or nut provided with a corresponding thread and
secured to the column or stand which supports the machine, whereby the auxiliary
feed screw heretofore employed is dispensed with, which screw cannot be made of
sufficient strength to resist the shock and wear to which it is subjected without
being excessively heavy, and thus increasing the diameter of the machine.
The said Invention also relates to constructing the nut or holder through which
the cylinder passes, of spherical form, this nut being held within a clamp or socket
of a form adapted to receive it, so that the drill may be turned and held in any
desired position.
.

page_text: Our Invention also relates to rotating the cylinder by a ratchet mechanism
operated by an eccentric on the shaft which rotates the piston.
The said Invention also relates to pivoting the ratchet or pawl to a bar or rod
which slides through the holder or nut through which the cylinder is fed.
The said Invention also relates to introducing the steam or compressed air into
the cylinder through a hollow collar which communicates with steam or air
passages in the cylinder head and moves longitudinally with the cylinder, but does
not rotate therewith, the steam or air passing through suitable passages to the
inside of the cylinder.
It also relates to providing the rear end of the cylinder with a shoulder, against
which the cylinder head is tightly pressed by means of a sleeve screwed into the
front of the cylinder, a series of sleeves and rings being interposed between them,
whereby the cylinder head sleeves and rings are securely held in place; the employ-
ment of small studs, bolts, or nuts, which are continually getting loose from the
effects of vibration or concussion being thus avoided.
The said Invention also. relates to a rock drilling machine. having one or more
buffers located within an extension of the cylinder and outside of the steam
chamber, whereby the material of which the buffer is composed is protected from
the injurious effect of the live steam. And it also relates to a pair of buffers com-
posed of rubber or elastic rings with a metallic partition interposed in combination
with a piston having shoulders thereon arranged to strike the elastic buffers,
'
:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section through a rock drilling.machine con-
structed in accordance with this Invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of the rear
end of the same; Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an elevation of a side of a portion of the said machine hung in its
supporting frame.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the said machine, a portion being shewn in
section.
Figure 6 shows a portion of the said machine detached..
A represents the cylinder having a screw thread a cut on its exterior fitting into
a corresponding thread formed on the interior of a nut or holder C of spherical
form secured within a socket or clamp D adapted to receive it; this clamp is centrally
divided into two portions b, c, held together by bolts and nuts 12, 13, by which
construction the nut C may be moved around in any direction within the clamp D
to give the drill any desired direction. One portion b of this clamp is provided
with two trunnions d, d, diametrically opposite each other and fitting into bearings
in the upper ends of two pair of legs E, which serve as the support or stand of the
rock drilling machine; each pair of legs is provided with a slotted are e and
clamping nut 14, by which the inclination of the legs may be adjusted. as desired.
The inner face of the top of each of the inner legs is provided with an annular
shaped groove 8 for the reception of a corresponding annular projection f at the
inner end of the trunnion; so that when the parts are brought tightly together by
the clamping nut G sufficient friction will be produced to ensure the machine being
held immovably at any desired angle. Within the cylinder A is snugly fitted a
lining or sleeve g, in the outer surface of which are formed a series of parallel
longitudinal grooves h extending throughout its entire length and forming steam
is held
passages, the object of which will be herein-after described. The sleeve
firmly against the rear head' H of the cylinder by a sleeve i, which is screwed into
the front end of the cylinder A, a series of sleeves or rings le, l, m; being interposed
between them; as seen in Figure 1. I is the piston, whose enlarged head n is
made to fit the interior of the sleeve g, the ring m, and a shoulder p on the sleeve
serving as guides for the said piston as it moves in the cylinder, suitable packing
rings, r, r, being placed between the ring m and shoulder p. The rear head H

page_text: of the cylinder is provided with four inlet ports or passages 8 (two only being
shown) which are in constant communication with an annular passage t formed in
a collar K surrounding an extension 15 of the rear head H, on which it is held by
a flange 16; the extension 15 being.free to rotate within the hollow collar K, the
inlet pipe L being connected directly with said collar and communicating with it
pas age t. Projecting from the interior of the rear head H is a flange 17, which
fits snugly into the rear end of the sleeve g, a tight joint being formed between the
two parts; and the portion of the head contiguous thereto is turned down to form
an annular chamber 18 between it and the rear end of the cylinder A; this chamber
is in constant communication with the passages s in the cylinder head and longi-
tudinal passages h in the sleeve g, and the steam from the inlet pipe L is thus
conducted to the front ends of the passages h, and through a series of apertures 19
into the front end of the sleeve g.
The central portion of the piston is made hollow for the reception of a sliding
balance valve M. This valve consists of a hollow metallic plug of such diameter as'
to slide easily back and forth in the bore or cavity of the piston, said valve being
turned down or .reduced in diameter, forming two annular spaces 20, 21, between
the outside of its shell and the interior of the piston. The interior of the valve M
is bored out to receive a rod 22 projecting from a head 23 fitting tightly within the
rear end of the piston. This rod 22 is split to form a spring, which bears against
the inside of the hollow valve M with sufficient friction to hold the valve against
its own weight in any position in which it may be left. The steam after entering
the front of the inside of the sleeve passes through a hole u into the annular
space 20, pressing equally in opposite directions against the ends of the annular
projections v, w, of the valve M, thereby rendering it a balanced valve. From the
annular space 20 the steam passes through a series of passages a¹ in the piston head
into the rear end of the sleeve g behind the piston, which is now carried forward
by the steam to force the drill against the rock.
When the piston has completed its forward stroke a shoulder 9 thereon strikes
one of the elastic buffers (to be herein-after described), by which it is suddenly
stopped, and the momentum imparted to the valve by the piston will cause it to be
thrown to the front end of its chamber, the end of the valve striking against a
cushion 24 of wood placed endwise, which relieves the force of the blow. This'
forward movement of the valve causes its annular projection v to cut off com
munication between the inlets of the passages a' in the piston head and the hole u,
thus cutting off the steam from behind the piston. At the same time the inlets of
the passages a¹ are brought into communication with the annular space, which is
then left between the rear end of the valve M and the head 23 of the guide rod 22;
this space being now brought into communication with a series of longitudinal
exhaust passages 61 formed within the wall of the piston and leading into the
space c enclosed by the sleeve l. The exhaust steam escapes through these
passages a, b, into the space c¹, whence it is discharged through a series of longi-
tudinal perforations d¹ (seen dotted) in the sleeve k, and a series of perforations c¹
in the flange f¹ of the sleeve i in line therewith. The steam now acts upon the
projecting portion or shoulder g¹ of the piston head to produce the return stroke,
just before the termination of which the valve M is shifted to the rear end of its*
chamber by the action of the steam in a manner herein-after to be described; a
cushion h of wood, placed endwise and located within the hollow portion of the
valve being brought into contact with the end of the friction rod 22 to relieve the
concussion produced by the sudden stoppage of the valve. This movement of the
valve causes its projection v to again open the passages a¹ and permit the steam to
pass from the annular space 20 into the rear end of the sleeve g behind the piston
to again carry it forward, as above described. It will be seen that the steam
presses on the entire surface of the piston on the forward stroke, while on the
return stroke the steam operates on the projecting portion 9 only.
For the purpose of moving the valve backward to the rear end of its chamber
and holding it in this position, a small transverse passage is formed extending
;

page_text: from the outside of the piston to a longitudinal passage ¹, within the same, com-
municating with the annular space 21 forming part of the valve chamber; the
outer end of the passage i¹ is so located that it will be brought within the front of
the sleeve or steam chamber g just before the piston has reached the limit of its
backward stroke; this arrangement allows the steam to pass into the space 21 and
act on the annular projection w of the valve M, thus forcing it back as desired. By
thus shifting the valve M immediately before the completion of the backward
stroke of the piston, as described, the steam is admitted to the rear end of the
chamber g, thereby cushioning the piston. Immediately on the commencement of
the forward stroke of the piston the steam is cut off from the passage by its
moving out of the steam chamber g, soon after which another transverse passage ¹
(in communication with the passage and extending to the outside of the piston)
is brought within the space c¹, when the exhaust steam escapes from the portion 21.
of the valve chamber, leaving the valve free to be thrown forward on the completion
of the forward stroke of the piston.
In the Drawings the valve M. and its chamber are represented as circular in cross
section, but it is obvious that they may be rectangular, or, of other form, if desired.
In this manner the parts will continue to operate, the valve shifting its position by
its momentum at the instant the piston is arrested on its forward stroke, while the
valve is shifted just before the completion of the backward stroke of the piston by
the action of the steam, as herein-before described. By this arrangement the weight
of the valve is overcome when the drill is in a vertical position, or nearly so. These
passages i, k, l, also afford a sure means of shifting the valve to start the engine, in
case it should be stopped at the end of its backward stroke, it only being necessary
in such case to let in the steam, which would instantly start the valve, thereby
admitting the steam to the rear end of the sleeve or steam chamber g, which would:
at once force the piston forward, after which the valve would be operated by its
momentum, as before described.
It will be seen that whenever the piston is stopped at any part of either its
forward or backward stroke the said valve will be instantly shifted. This is a very
important feature of the said Invention, as in all other motors the piston must reach
a given point on its forward stroke to operate the valve mechanism, otherwise the
engine will stop. The above described construction is especially advantageous in its
adaptation to rock drills, for the reason that if the drill should be fed forward faster
than the tool cuts it is necessary that the valve should reverse before the piston has
completed its full stroke, or it will stop; and in our improved drill it will be seen
that the movement of the valve takes place after the tool has delivered the blow
and the piston has come to rest, a desideratum heretofore unattained.
Another important result of this construction is that the valve does not move to
open the exhaust port until the tool has struck the rock, the blow being delivered
with a full head of steam on the piston, thus greatly increasing its efficiency.
I will now describe the manner in which the piston I is turned within the
cylinder A to change the position of the point of the drill. Through the centre of
the rear head H of the cylinder and the extension 15 thereof is formed a circular
opening for the reception of a shaft pl carrying at its inner end a circular plate or
disc S provided with two longitudinal rods T diametrically opposite each other;
these rods enter longitudinal openings in the piston which slides thereon, and thus
as the shaft p is turned by means of a handle q' at its outer end the piston is
rotated as desired. The disc S is provided with a pawl 30, which when the
handle q is turned backward engages with a notch in the cylinder head H, and
carries the cylinder back within its nut or holder ready to again be fed forward.
The manner in which the cylinder A is rotated within the nut or holder C to
produce the required feed of the drill will now be described. The portion of the
shaft p outside the extension 15 of the rear cylinder head is provided with an
excentric, which turns within a slotted lever s¹ pivoted at the outer end of a
rod U that slides longitudinally through an aperture in the nut C. To the free end
of the lever 8¹ is pivoted a bent pawl t' which engages with a series of ratchet

page_text: teeth on the rear end of the cylinder A, and thus through the connections
described the cylinder is intermittently turned and caused to advance within the
nut;
each complete revolution of the excentric causing the cylinder to be rotated a
distance equal to that between two of the ratchet teeth. By thus providing the
exterior of the cylinder with a screw thread and feeding it through a nut or holder.
as described, I am enabled to make the machine much more compact as the
auxiliary feed screw heretofore employed is dispensed with, which cannot be made
of sufficient strength to resist the shock and wear to which it is subjected without
being made excessively heavy, and thus increasing the diameter of the machine.
The rear end of the sliding rod' is provided with an arm v', which embraces the
shaft pl between the excentric r¹ and extension 15 of the cylinder head H. By
this connection as the cylinder is fed forward through the nut C the rod U with
its lever s and pawl tare moved longitudinally therewith as required. In this
class of machines much difficulty has been experienced in connecting the drill or
cutting tool with the pistou in such manner that they will stand the severe tests
without breaking, and also in arranging the buffers against which the piston
strikes.
'
According to this Invention the piston is constructed with a solid extension,
which terminates in an enlargement or solid head P made integral with the rest of
the piston instead of being screwed on or otherwise fastened thereto, there being a'
longitudinal hole Q bored in the projecting end for the reception of the drill or tool
(not shown). The buffers for relieving the concussion on the piston consists of two
rubber discs m, n, arranged on opposite sides of the contracted portion of the steel
sleeve k, as shown in Figure 1. As this sleeve k cannot be slipped over the head P
of the piston rod it is made in halves, and is held in place by the screw sleeve'i.
When the piston is carried forward its shoulder 9 comes in contact with 'the inner
buffer m', and on the return stroke the head P of the piston rod strikes against the*
outer buffer n¹. By this construction, while the buffers are protected from 'injury'
by being enclosed within the extension of the cylinder they are at the same time
located outside of the steam chamber; the inner buffer only being exposed to the
exhaust steam.
It will also be seen that the rubber buffers are also located where the oil used to.
lubricate the piston-head does not come in contact with them, and that they are
thus protected from the injurious effect of the live steam, the oil, and particles of
stone.
Furthermore, it will be seen that by this arrangement the shoulders of the
piston, instead of striking any portion of the metal, strike the rubber buffers,
thereby preventing the destructive action that occurs where the metallic parts come
in direct contact. As nearly all the parts of this drill can be made by lathework,
its construction is not costly. But a inore important advantage is its compactness;
it is thereby practicable to produce an effective operating machine so small that it
can be readily handled by a single operator, and used in almost any crevice, cut, or
vein large enough to admit the operator, the entire length of the machine being
about eighteen inches. It is thus especially adapted for use in mining operations,
and in places where the drills ordinarily made cannot be used for want of space.
Another advantage is the absence of valve levers, stems, rods, cans, and similar
parts, the number of wearing parts and the liability of breakage, as well as first
cost, being thus materially reduced.
Although the said improved drilling machine is described as being operated by
steam it will be understood that it may be operated by compressed air, according
to the method usually employed at the present time in mines and similar
places.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
An engine having its valve carried with the piston and operated by the
momentum imparted thereto by the movement of the piston, as above described.

page_text: Also in combination with the cylinder provided with suitable steam passages,
the piston having the valve fitted in a cavity therein, substantially as described,
whereby the said valve is operated wholly or mainly by the momentum imparted
to it by the movement of the piston, as above set forth.
.
Also in combination with a valve arranged to be operated by the momentum
imparted to it by the movement of the piston the passages whereby steam or air is
admitted to move or sustain the valve, and afterward allowed to escape, as above
set forth..
Also a cylinder provided on its exterior with a screw thread fitting into a nut or
holder provided with a corresponding thread, and secured to the column or stand
which supports the machine, as above specified and for the purpose set forth.
Also the nut or holder of spherical form in combination with a clamp or socket
adapted to receive it, as above set forth and for the purpose described.
Also rotating the cylinder by ratchet inechanism operated by an excentric on
the shaft which rotates the piston, as above described.
Also pivoting the ratchet or pawl to a bar or rod which slides through the holder
or nut through which the cylinder is fed, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Also the hollow collar in communication with steam or air passages in the
cylinder head, and moving longitudinally with the cylinder, but not rotating there-
with, in combination with a passage or passages for conducting the steam or air
into the cylinder, as above described.
Also the cylinder having a shoulder at its rear end in combination with the
cylinder head forced against it by means of the screw sleeve, as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Also an engine having one or more buffers located within an extension of the
cylinder and outside of the steam chamber, as above set forth and for the purpose
described.
Also the buffers composed of india-rubber or elastic rings with an interposed
metallic partition in combination with the piston, having shoulders thereon,
arranged to strike against the buffers on opposite sides of the partition, as above set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.