CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTIVE, STATIONARY, AND MARINE STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BECKETT JOHNSON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Eighth day of March, in the eleventh year of Her reign, and in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Beckett
Johnson, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said William Beckett Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said William Beckett Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England and
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also within all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO LOCOMOTIVE, STATIONARY, AND MARINE STEAM ENGINES;"
in which said Letters Patent is 'contained a proviso, that I, the said William
Beckett Johnson, shall cause a particular description of-the nature of my said
Invention, and in. what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in

page_text: Her 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
William Beckett Johnson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and
the following explanation thereof (that is to say) :-
My Invention consists, first, in certain improvements which are applicable
solely to locomotive steam engines.
'
Secondly, in certain improvements which are applicable to locomotive,
stationary, and marine steam-engines.
The improvements in locomotive steam engines relate, first, to certain forms
or constructions of the fire_box_and_parts_connected therewith, whereby the
driving or coupled axles may be placed in such positions as will bring down
the centre of weight nearer to the line of road, and also facilitate the supply
of fuel.
...
Secondly, to certain forms or additions to the fire. box; by which the heating
surface, is increased; and the choking of the boiler. tubes in a great measure
prevented.
Thirdly, to certain forms. or.constructions of the boiler, so that the space or
room for tubes is considerably enlarged....
.
Fourthly, to certain arrangements of wheels, in order to reduce the velocity
of, the steam piston, and at; the same time to increase the speed of the engine.
upon the line of road.
:
Fifthly, to the general: arrangements, or constructions of certain of the.
working parts of locomotive engines....
And, sixthly, to certain arrangements. of: the boiler tubes, whereby a freer
circulation of the water is obtained, and the liability to "prime" is considerably
lessened..
The improvements applicable to locomotive, stationary, and marine steam
engines relate, first, to certain forms or constructions of valves and apparatus
connected therewith, for the purpose of admitting steam more freely into and
out of the steam cylinder, and also for reversing the motion of the engines;
and, secondly, to certain methods of applying steam, so as to obtain a direct
rotary motion.
In order that my several improvements may be clearly understood, I have
attached to these presents two Sheets of Drawings; in which, Sheet 1, Fig. 1,

page_text: represents a longitudinal section of the fire box, which is so constructed that
the driving-or coupled axle may be placed across the top of the same. a is the
fire box, the upper part of which is placed at such an angle as will allow of
the free escape of the steam generated by that part of the fire box marked b, b,
into the steam chamber c. The outer casing d, d, is. made to follow the form
of the inner fire box for any desirable extent, and is then continued so as to
form the end of the steam chamber c. The driving or coupled axle is placed
in the angle formed by the upper casing of the fire box d and the end of the
steam-chamberc; the fire door. f, or doors, may be constructed in the upper
part of the fire box, thereby facilitating the supply of fuel.
Fig. 2. represents a longitudinal section of another form or construction of
the fire box, which is so arranged that driving wheels of less diameter can
be, applied than in the last described arrangement. a is the fire box, the
upper part. of which is curved downwards; and the driving or coupled axle b
is placed in the angle or recess formed by the end of the steam chamber d
and upper side of the fire box a; a connecting pipe is placed over the axle,
allowing the free escape of steam into the chamber d; f is the fire door.
Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal section of another arrangement or con-
struction: of the fire box, in which the driving or coupled axle a is passed
through a recess formed in the under side of the fire box, but having more
particularly for its object the facilitating the supply of fuel to that part of the
fire box 6 next to the tubes, which is accomplished by forming the upper part
of the fire box and outer casing so as to admit of the fire door c being placed
nearly over the centre of the bridge or recess d, care being taken that the
angle of the water space will admit of a free escape of steam into the
chamber 6.
:
Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal section of the fire box, into which is intro-
duced one or more transverse rows of vertical or diagonal tubes or water
spaces a at any required distance from the ordinary boiler. tubes b, which
transverse row or rows of vertical or diagonal tubes or water spaces are
placed at such distances from each other as to prevent coke or fuel from
passing between them to choke the tubes b. If desired, the transverse row
or rows of tubes a, a, may be used to form a connection between the usual
bridge or water space and the upper part of the fire box, increasing the heating
surface and circulation of the water, and acting as a guard to the longitudinal
tubes.
:
Fig. 5 represents a transverse section of a boiler, which is so constructed as
to give increased capacity for tubes. The lower part of the boiler a to the
points-b, b, is constructed of the usual.diameter, on the upper part of which

page_text: is connected another portion c, of smaller diameter.; the. points b, b, are firmly
attached to each other by the stays d... The tubes may occupy the whole of
the lower portion of the boiler; the upper part may be partially filled with
tubes, or wholly reserved.for.water and steam space; if desirable, the parts a
and c may be made elliptical.
.
Fig. 6.represents a transverse section of another form of boiler, giving a
still greater capacity for tubes. The bottom part a is constructed of the usual
diameter as far as the points b, b, to which is attached the centre part c, to
which is connected at d, d, the top part e; the opposite points b; b, and d, d,
are firmly connected by the stays f,f; the three parts of the boiler, a, c, e, may
be made elliptical; the proportions of tube, water, and steam spaces may be
such as will be found most effective.
In Sheet 2, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a locomotive engine, ini
which is shewn an arrangement of wheels in order to reduce the velocity of
the steam piston, and at the same time give an increased speed to the engine
upon the line of road. a is the steam cylinder; b, the piston. rod; c, the
connecting rod; e, the axle of the wheel d; the periphery. of the wheel
d bears upon two smaller friction wheels f.f, and imparts to them a
circular motion; the wheels ff. are firmly attached to the wheels 9, 9,
travelling from the line of road. The decrease in the velocity of the
piston for any given speed of the engine upon the line of road being in
the same ratio as the velocity of the periphery of the wheel d is less
than that of the periphery of the wheels g, g. The weight of the engine
due upon this position of the shaft e is imparted to it in the usual method,
and by the action of the wheels herein described is transmitted to the
driving wheels g, g'. The guides for the axle boxes may be made at any con-
venient angle with each other, as may be found most effective. If desired, the
axle of the wheel & may be placed in other positions, and made to act upon
one pair of wheels only, in which case one of the axles should be placed above
the other:
· Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of a locomotive engine, shewing a
general arrangement of the working parts, whereby the steam, cylinders are
attached to the outside of the framing between four coupled wheels.
a is the
steam cylinder, attached to the framing.6; and through the piston. rod c¹ and
connecting rod d, a rotary motion is imparted to the crank pin'e, and conse-
quently to the wheels and axle f, f; either inside or outside of the connecting
rod'd, is attached to the crank pin e'one end of the coupling. rod g, the other
end of which is connected to the lever h by the pin i, thereby communicating
to the lever h a vibrating motion. The shaft l'may pass through à récess' or

page_text: pipe formed in the boiler and so secured to both side frames, upon the extre-
mities of which shaft the lever h for both engines vibrate to the pin n, secured
in the opposite end of the löver." To the pin iis attached one end of the
coupling rod m, the other "end taking hold of the crank pin o, and conse
quently imparting to the wheel and axle p, p, a circular motion, corre-
sponding or equal to that of the wheel f, and thereby effecting the coupling
required.
And the last improvements, relating in particular to locomotive engines, is a
certain arrangement of the tubes leading from the fire to the smoke box and
other apparatus, having for its object a greater circulation of the water and less
liability to "priming," which may be accomplished by increasing the breadth
of the vertical water spaces; as the tubes approach nearer to the surface of the
water, the lower tubes may be brought nearer to each other than usual, and
the other tubes placed proportionably more distant; and further, to alleviate
the tendency to "priming." there is attached to the crown or upper part
of the boiler for r any required length a semi-cylindrical pipe, with the open part
secured to the crown of the boiler, and the portion of the boiler therein
contained is perforated with a number of small holes, and thereby extracting
the steam more uniformly from the boiler. To this pipe is attached the usual
throttle valve or steam pipes for communicating with the steam cylinder.
part
A certain arrangement of one of my improvements, relating to locomotive,
stationary, and marine steam engines, having for its object the admitting of
steam more freely into and out of steam cylinders, and also reversing the
motion of engines, is represented by Figures or Diagrams 7, 8, 9, 10, and
11, contained in Sheet 1. Fig. 7 represents a longitudinal section of
of a steam cylinder, having its valve box and passages constructed in such a
manner, that, in connection with other apparatus, to be hereafter described,
shall effect the results desired. a is the steam pipe conveying steam into the
circular valve box b. The surface, contained within the valve box has formed in
it certain openings c, d, e, f, the openings c, d, communicating with the passage
leading to one end of the cylinder 9, and the openings e, f, communicating
with the passage leading to the other end of the cylinder h. These passages
are separated from each other 'by a rib or partition, as shewn in Fig. 7.
Fig. 8 represents the reversing valve, which is a circular plate of metal,
ground or fitted so as to work perfectly steam-tight upon the surface con-
tained within the valve box. This reversing valve has formed in it two
openings m, n, corresponding with either two of the opposite openings in the
valve box just described; motion may be given to the reversing valve by attach-
ing to it a hollow spindle o, passing through the centre of the valve box. Upon

page_text: this spindle outside of the valve box is attached the lever p, to which the desired
motion may be given in any convenient method. The valve s, see Figs. 9 and
10, revolves upon the outer surface of the reversing plate; Fig. 9 shewing the
under side or that part revolving upon the reversing plate; and Fig. 10, a
section, taken at the dotted line 1, 2. In Figs., 9 and 10, the lines v, v, v,
represent the recess formed in the under side of the valve, which allows the
steam to escape from the exhaust side of the piston through the pipe r, and by.
proper connection to the atmosphere or condensor the piper passes through
and works in a suitable gland or stuffing box formed in the valve box, lid, or
cover. A circular motion is communicated to the valve s by the shaft t,
precisely similar to that of the main engine shaft or axle, which, may be.
accomplished by those means most suitable to the application of this valve to
the various kinds or classes of. engines. Fig. 11 represents the valve box,
containing the reversing plate and valve, the valves having the upper part
removed, or represented in section for the purpose of more plainly exhibiting
the combined action of the reversing plate and valve, steam being admitted
into the valve box, and the reversing plate placed in the position here shewn,
leaving exposed to the action of the valves the two opposite passages or
openings e, f. It will then be evident that the end 9 of the cylinder is open to,
the action of the steam, and the opposite end h of the cylinder open to the
atmosphere or condensor, and on a circular motion being, given to the valve s
in the direction shewn by the arrow, each opening will alternately become
exposed to the action of the steam and the atmosphere or condensor, and will.
allow the steam to pass much more freely into and out of the cylinder than
has hitherto been accomplished. To reverse the motion of the engine or action.
of the steam upon the piston, it is necessary that the reversing lever p should
be moved in the direction of the arrow, until the openings m, n, in, the revers-
ing plate are opposite to the openings e, d, formed in the surface contained in
the valve box; that being done, the motion of the engine or action of the
steam upon the piston will be reversed, the motion of the valve s also partaking
of the motion of the main engine shaft, which would then be contrary to that
shewn by the arrow. The openings c, d, e, f, may be made to occupy other
proportions of the area than is here represented, care being taken that the
openings m, n, in the reversing, plate. are made as described, and also that the
exhaust and steam "lap" and "lead" are such as will ensure the perfect
action of the valve and its apparatus. The exhaust steam may be, made to
pass through openings constructed either in the centre of the face contained in
the valve box, or outside of the openings or passages, in either case being
formed of a circular or annular construction. The same operations of admitting.

page_text: steam into and out of the steam cylinder, and reversing, may also be effected
by conducting the reversing valve in the form of a hollow cylinder or frustrum
of a cone working in a suitable seat, and into which cylinder or frustrum of a.
cone is introduced the valve, also made of a similar form, the circumference of
each having openings constructed in them, thereby producing the effects
referred to.
Pi
or
And, lastly, my improvements relate to that class, of engines known by...the
name of rotary engines, and consists in certain arrangements of the valves and
apparatus connected thereof, whereby, the working parts are made to. act more
uniformly, the manner of accomplishing which is represented in Figs. 12, 18,
and 14. Fig. 12. represents a transverse section through that part of the
engine in which the passages are constructed for supplying steam to the engine:
a is the main engine shaft or axle, upon which is firmly secured the cam or
piston b. The shape. of this cam or piston may either be elliptical, circular,
any other convenient form....In the extremity of the cam or piston is fitted.the.
packing block c, which is made to act upon the interior surface of the engine
cylinder d by, a suitable. spring contained within the cam or piston, and thereby,
preventing the steam from passing from one side of the cam to the other:: In
the cylinder & is constructed a segmental recess e, e, for the purpose of receiving,
the valve n, which valve oscillates upon the centres, o, formed in the end, plates
the valve is kept in its seat by suitable springs acting, upon the centres o by
the constant action of the expanding spring s, (see Fig. 14, which represents a
side elevation,) which spring acts against the end t of the. double lever r,
keyed upon the valve centre. The horn or extremity 9 of the valve n is kept.
in constant contact with the surface of the cam or piston. Steam is admitted
into the cylinder from the boiler through the steam pipe 1, see Fig., 12, and
passages 2, 3, and, acting upon that part of the cam or piston contained between
the horn g of the valve and the packing block c in the cam, imparts. to the cam
and shaft the rotary motion required; the passages for forming a connection.
between the condensor or, atmosphere are shewn in Fig. 18. 4 is the exhaust
pipe, by which the steam escapes to the condensor or atmosphere from the cylin-
der by the openings 5, 6, 7, constructed in the valve n. The engine is shewn
as working in, the direction of the arrow; to reverse its-motion the stud to which,
the springs is attached must be removed to the opposite end of the lever r,
and thereby causing the horn hof-the valve to come in contact with the, cam.
The end plates p' of the cylinder being made accurately to fit the inside of the
cylinder, are maintained in uniform contact with the ends of the cam and valve
by suitable springs contained between the fixed and loose end plates pand pl
The steam may be admitted into and out of the valve n by having tubular
}

page_text: centres upon which it oscillates admitting by the one and exhausting through
the other, and the passages here represented as the exhaust and steam passages
may be reversed, as the engine may be made to work by both methods. The
valve n may be worked either by spring balance weights or by any other con-
venient method, care being taken that the horn of the valve is kept in contact
with the surface of the cam or piston. In applying this description of rotary
engine, it is desirable that two engines or cylinders should be employed, the
cam in one engine being keyed or secured to the shaft in an opposite direction
to that in the other; and further, if any greater number are applied or con-
nected with the same shaft, similar care must be taken.
Having described my several improvements applicable to locomotive, sta-
tionary, and marine steam engines, and the manner of carrying the same into
practical operation, I desire it to be understood that I claim,―
First, the form or construction of a fire box, steam chamber, and fire door,
arranged as described with reference to Fig. 1, Sheet 1.
Secondly, I claim the use or employment of a driving or coupled axle placed
over the top of the fire box as described, and exhibited at Fig 1, Sheet 1.
Thirdly, I claim the form or construction of a fire box and steam chamber
arranged as described, and exhibited at Fig. 2, Sheet 1.
Fourthly, I claim the use or employment of a driving or coupled axle:
revolving in a recess or angle formed as described, and exhibited at Fig. 2,
Sheet 1.
Fifthly, I claim the form or construction of a fire box, steam chamber, and
fire door arranged as described, and exhibited at Fig. 3, Sheet 1.
Sixthly, I claim vertical or diagonal tubes or water spaces placed or employed
in the fire box, for the purposes herein described, and as exhibited at Fig. 4,
Sheet 1.
Seventhly, I claim the novel and peculiar form or construction of boiler as
herein described, and exhibited at Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 1.
Eighthly, I claim the use or employment of friction wheels for the purposes
herein described, and as exhibited at Fig. 1, Sheet 2.
Ninthly, I claim the method or methods of coupling four wheels having
outside cylinders placed between them as described, and exhibited at Fig. 2,
Sheet 2.
Tenthly, I claim the use or employment of steam cylinders attached to the 3
outside of the framing between four coupled wheels.
Eleventhly, I claim the methods herein described for increasing the circula-
tion of the water about the tubes.
Twelfthly, I claim the novel and peculiar form and arrangement of the