METHODS OF MAKING OR CONSTRUCTING A STEAM ENGINE COMMONLY CALLED A FIRE ENGINE, FOR THE VARIOUS PURPOSES TO WHICH STEAM ENGINES OR FIRE ENGINES ARE OR MAY BE APPLICABLE
Year: 1784

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, ROBERT
CAMERON, of the Parish of Saint James Clerkenwell, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, sends greeting.
WHEREAS the said Robert Cameron did, by his petition, humbly represent
unto His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, that he had invented
"CERTAIN METHODS OF MAKING OR CONSTRUCTING A STEAM ENGINE COMMONLY CALLED
A FIRE ENGINE, FOR THE VARIOUS PURPOSES TO WHICH STEAM ENGINES OR FIRE
ENGINES ARE OR MAY BE APPLICABLE," which constructions are intirely new and
will, as the petitioner conceives, be of great public utility, the said petitioner
thereby prayed His said Majesty to grant unto him, the said Robert Cameron,
his exors, admors, and assigns, His Majesty's Royal Letters Patent, for the
sole making and vending of the said steam engines in that part of His said
Majesty's Kingdom of Great Britain called England, His Dominion of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in His said Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, for the term of fourteen years, according to the Statute in
that case made and provided; and His said Majesty being graciously pleased
to condescend to the said petitioner's request, did, by His Royal Letters Patent,
bearing date at Westminster, the Seventeenth day of January, in the twenty-
fourth year of His said Majesty's reign, give and grant unto the said Robert
Cameron, his exors, admors, and assigns, especial licence, full power, sole privi-
lege and authority, that he, the said Robert Cameron, his exors, admors, and
assigns, and every of them, by himself and themselves, or by his and their
deputy or deputies, servants, or agents, or such others as he, the said Robert
Cameron, his exors, adñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend

page_text: his said Invention within that part of His said Majesty's Kingdom of Great
Britain called England, His Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and also in His said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, in
such manner as to him, the said Robert Cameron, his exors, admors, and
assigns, or any of them, should, in his or their discretions, seem meet, and that
he, the said Robert Cameron, his exors, admors, and -assigns, should and law-
fully might have and enjoy the whole profit, benefit, commodity, and advantage
from time to time coming, growing, accruing, and arising by reason of the said
Invention, for and during the term of years therein mentioned, to have, hold,
exercise, and enjoy the said licence, powers, privileges, and advantages therein-
before granted, or mentioned to be granted, unto the said Robert Cameron,
his exors, admors, and assigns, for and during and unto the full end and term
of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent next and immediately
ensuing, and fully to be compleat and ended according to the Statute in such
case made and provided; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that if the said Robert Cameron should not particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of his said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, by an instrument in writing under his hand and seal, and cause the
same to be inrolled in the High Court of Chancery within four calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, that
then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever
thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become void, anything
therein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding, as
in and by the said Letters Patent, relation being thereunto had, may appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said Robert Cameron, in pursuance of the said
recited proviso, doth, by this instrument in writing under his hand and seal,
particularly described and ascertain the nature of his said Inventions, and the
manner in which the same are to be performed, in manner and form following
(that is to say):-
Explanation of the terms used in this Specification :-
1st. The cylinder or steam vessel is that vessel in which the powers of
steam or air are employed to work the engine, of whatever form it
be made.
2d. The piston is a diaphrame moveable in the steam vessel, and fitted
to it exactly, on which the powers of steam or air are immediately
exerted.
3d. The term vacuum is used in this Specification to express a medium
less dense than the surrounding atmosphere or than the steam
employed in the engine whilst in its acting state.

page_text: The principles of my first new methods of constructing steam engines con-
sist, 1st, in making steam act on a spiral or helical surface or surfaces winding
round an axis; 2dly, in pressing a circular vessel round a piston, or in press-
ing a piston not fixed to an axis round in a circular vessel or regular channel
returning into itself by steam; and, 3dly, in my new methods of discharging
the condensed steam, condensing water, and air from the said engines.
A particular example of the first sort of these machines is given in the
Drawing, Figures 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th. Figure 1st represents a helical
figure which rises lengthways of the axis whilst it makes one half of a revolu-
tion, and descends again to where it began at while it makes the other half
revolution. Figure 2d represents this helical figure placed in a cylindrical
vessel B. Its axis at one or both ends of the vessel passes through boxes C, C,
and is made steam and air tight. In these boxes the helical figure is likewise
made steam and air tight to the sides and ends of the cylindric vessel, yet so
as to be moveable freely therein. A sliding frame D, D, which embraces one
or both sides of the helical figure, is moved up and down in a grove or box by
the revolution of the figure. This sliding frame makes good or closes upon
the helical figure and the sides of the steam vessel, so as to be tight when there
is steam on one side, and a vacuum on the other side of it. Figure 3d repre-
sents an end view of the machine, with one end of it off, where A, A, is the
helical figure placed in the cylindric vessel B, B, in which it revolves; D is
the sliding frame. When steam is admitted between the frame D and the top
part of the helical figure a, a vacuum being supposed on the other side of the
frame D, the steam acts equally upon both; but the frame D not giving way
in the direction in which it is pressed by the steam, the helical figure is
turned round its axis; when the helical figure has made an intire revolution,
and the upper part a of the helical figure has passed the frame D, (the com-
munication with the boiler being previously shut,) all the steam which has acted
on this side of the helix is condensed, steam is again admitted, the helical
figure revolves, and so the operation continues. The steam which has been
employed on one side of the helical figure may be condensed on the other side
of it, and the water and air discharged by the motion of the helical figure, or
it may be condensed in the box which the frame D slides in, or in any con-
venient place constantly communicating with the steam vessel, and the water
and air discharged by the motion of the sliding frame, or by being collected
into a vessel, exhausted by the condensation of the steam hereafter described.
When steam is used on both sides of the helix, the operation on each side is
similar, the power on the one side being greatest when the other is least, and
contrarywise. Figure 4th is a representation of this machine as it appears

page_text: from the front of the box in which the sliding frame moves, the cover of the
box being taken off, and the sliding frame taken out, the helical figure appears
at A; B is the steam pipe; C is the injection pipe, with its cock; D, D, valves
through which the water and air are discharged from the engine by the motion
of the sliding frame.
My second new methods of constructing steam engines consist in the mode
of constructing the piston of the reciprocating steam engine, the modes of
condensing the steam, and the modes of discharging the condensed steam, con-
densing water and air from the engine. My method of constructing the piston
consists in making it of a much greater length or depth in the direction of its
motion than what is commonly used. On one surface of the piston the steam
acts by its elasticity, thereby raising a weight which may be the atmosphere,
or exerting its force in giving motion to matter with a view to produce mecha-
nical effects therefrom. The steam thus exerting its elastic force moves the
piston towards one end of the cylinder, and (the communication with the boiler
being previously shut,) the steam which has entered the steam vessel passes
between the extreme surfaces of the piston, and is condensed; thus, a vacuum
being formed in the steam vessel, the weight of the atmosphere passes on the
piston, which being joined to one end of a lever, raises water in pumps by the
other end, or the piston may be in any convenient manner connected with
the effect to be produced, or whilst the steam acts by its elasticity upon one
surface of the piston, the other presses on the water to be raised.
My first method of discharging the condensed steam, condensing water and
air from the said engines, is by the descent or motion of the piston. In the
instance of the lengthened piston, by making the intermediate part of it of a
cylindric or other convenient form, and making good or filling up the space
between the intermediate part of the piston and the sides of the steam vessel,
at a convenient part of the steam vessel, in such a manner that the condensed
steam, condensing water and air may have liberty to pass on that side of the
space so filled up next to that surface of the piston which is acted on by the
atmosphere, but not to return on that side of the space so filled up towards
that surface which is acted on by the steam, and then by the descent or motion
of the piston, when there is an equilibrium between the external air and the
air and vapour in the engine, the water runs off through a pipe with a valve to
it, and by the admission of a small quantity of steam the air is snifted out
through a pipe with a valve to it, or the water, air, &c. are discharged, by the
motion of the piston, through a valve or valves anyhow conveniently placed
and properly adapted to the purpose.
My second method of discharging the condensed steam, &c. from the engine

page_text: is by collecting them into a vessel exhausted by the condensation of steam.
When by that means a vacuum is made in this vessel, the water and air from
the engine rush into it, the passage from the engine into this vessel being
free; but the water and air not being permitted to return into the engine,
upon the readmission of steam into the vessel, the water and air are discharged
through a valve or valves adapted to the purpose; or when by the same means
a vacuum is made in this vessel, the water and air rush into it, and the pres-
sure of the atmosphere or other weight forces into this vessel a body fitted to
it, which discharges the water and air collected from the engine. I likewise
condense the steam employed to work the engine in one end or other con-
venient part of the steam vessel, by causing it to rush towards a vacuum, and
by the application of cold substances, such as the injection of cold water into
the steam vessel, which is directed against a dish-like surface, or otherwise pre-
vented from spreading promiscuously in the steam vessel, as in the common
method of condensing. I likewise cause heated air to press upon the piston in
place of the surrounding atmosphere, with the views of restoring heat taken from
the cylinder in the operation of condensing, and of preventing the vessel from
being cooled by the external air. The steam which has been employed in one
steam vessel may, by its expansive powers, be made to exert itself again in other
vessels by means of proper communications being formed between them; but
the effects of the steam not being increased thereby, I have not thought it
necessary to give a particular description of such compound engines con-
structed according to my new methods, although, according the second method
of discharging condensed steam, &c. herein-before mentioned, the vessel
exhausted by the condensation of steam may be originally made larger than
what is sufficient to the effect of discharging the engine, and the additional
power applied to any other purpose.
In the description of the reciprocating engine herein-before mentioned the
piston is supposed to reciprocate in a cylindric vessel in the direction of the
axis; but the same description may be applied to a piston reciprocating in
the direction of the circumference or round the axis in any cylindric or other
circular figure. The methods of making and constructing steam engines, and
the several matters and things relating thereto herein-before mentioned, and the
method of regulating the engine, and of applying the power of the reciprocating
engine to give a circular motion to wheel-work hereafter described, are the
principles of the new methods of constructing steam engines according to my
said Invention herein-before mentioned, a particular example of each of which
methods I have explained by the Drawing and description, with the scale in
the margin of these presents. But the mechanism or contrivance of the parts

page_text: may be very much varied according to the purposes to which they are to be
employed, or at the pleasure of the engineer. In the annexed Drawing,
Figure 5th represents an engine with the new method of constructing the
piston before described, where A, A, is the cylinder or steam vessel, B is the
steam pipe, with its valve for admitting steam; C, C, is the piston; D is
the injection pipe and its valve; E is a pipe through which the condensed
steam, &c. are discharged from the engine. The operation of the engine in
this instance is as follows:-The piston being supposed at the bottom, the
steam cock is opened, and upon the admission of steam the piston rises to
the top. The steam valve is then shut, and the steam which has entered
the steam vessel passes between the extreme surfaces of the piston, and is
condensed by the injection of cold water through the pipe D. The atmosphere
then pressing upon the piston, it descends, and the power of the engine is in
any convenient manner applied to the intended purpose. The water and air
are discharged through the pipe E by either of the following methods: First,
by making good or filling up the space between the intermediate parts of the
piston and the sides of the steam vessel, as represented in the Figure at F,
and by a pipe G with the valves H and I. When by the descent of the piston
there is an equilibrium between the external air and the air and vapour in the
engine, the water runs off through the valve H, and by the further descent of
the piston the air is snifted out through the valve I, or it may be snifted out
by the admission of steam.
The second method of discharging the condensed steam, &c., is by collecting
the condensed steam, &c., into a vessel exhausted by the condensation of
steam, represented at K, Figure 6. Its operation in this instance is as
follows: When steam is admitted into this vessel through the pipe L, it
depresses the piston M, and raises the water in the pipe N, the steam is then
shut off, and cold water injected into it through the pipe O, which con-
denses the steam and forms a vacuum in the vessel; the water and air from
the engine then rush into the vessel K, and the atmosphere pressing upon the
water in the pipe N forces the piston M to rise, and drive before it the water
and air collected from the engine through the valve P; steam is again admitted,
the piston is depressed, the steam is condensed, and the water and air
being again collected from the engine are thus discharged as often as it is
necessary.
Figure 7th represents a particular application of the engine to the raising of
water, where A, A, is the steam vessel; B is the steam pipe; C, C, is the
piston; D, a pipe through which the condensed steam, &c., are discharged
from the engine; E, E, is a pipe with a valve F in it. One end of this pipe

page_text: is immersed in the water to be raised, the other communicates with the
bottom of the steam vessel; G, G, a pipe with a valve H in it, through which
the water is raised to its intended height. The operation of the engine in this
instance is as follows:-When steam is admitted through the pipe B, the
piston descends, driving before it part of the air contained in the pipes
E and G, through the valve H; when the piston has finished its stroke
downwards (the communication with the boiler being previously shut) the
steam which has entered the steam vessel passes between the extreme surfaces
of the piston and is condensed, the piston is then raised and the water rises to
a small height in the pipe E. When the piston comes to the top the steam is
again admitted, the piston descends, and this operation is repeated until the
water follows the piston, and is forced through the pipe G to the intended
height.
Figure 8th represents a particular example of the method of condensing
in one end of the steam vessel, and of the method of bringing heated air to
press upon the piston. A, A, is the steam vessel; B is the steam pipe; C.is
the piston; D is the injection pipe; E, a valve through which the steam, &c.,
are discharged from the engine; F, a valve in the piston through which like-
wise air, &c., are discharged from the engine; G, a vessel with a valve
occasionally opening the communication between itself and the steam vessel A,
which vessel G in this instance is exhausted by the motion of the piston;
H is a pipe with a valve opening towards the engine, through which heated
air is introduced; I, a pipe with a valve opening from the cylinder, through
which the air that has acted upon the piston is discharged by the ascent of the
piston; K is a box fitted to the cover of the cylinder, through which a rod
slides which connects the piston with the leaver or other means of applying the
power of the engine. The operation is as follows:-When steam is admitted
the piston rises; when it has come to the top the steam is shut off; the injection
and the communication with the vessel G are opened and the steam by its "elas-
ticity rushing towards the vacuum, comes into contact with the injection water,
and is condensed when the piston descends, the heated air through the pipe H
follows, and the power of the engine is in any convenient manner applied to
the intended purpose.
When steam is again admitted the piston rises, and
the air which has entered the engine through the pipe H is driven out
through the pipe I, the steam is again condensed, the piston is pressed
downwards by the heated air through the pipe H, and in this manner the
operation continues.
Figure 9th represents a piece of mechanism of my Invention, by which the
power of a reciprocating steam engine is applied to give a circular motion-to

page_text: wheel-work, or to regulate the power of the engine, when required for any
purpose. It consists of three or any convenient greater number of plain or
curve surfaces, equally disposed round an axis, and a rod or spear with pins or
pulleys, which as the rod is reciprocally pulled and pushed in a straight
direction through the center of the axis, causes the figure to revolve round its
axis, and gives motion to wheels, &c., as any particular purposo may require;
and to make the motion uniform or regular, where the other parts of the
machine are not adequate to that purpose, a heavy fly is applied. The
Drawing does sufficiently exemplify the construction of the Figure, where
A, B, C, represent the surfaces acted on by the pulleys; D is the axis about
which they revolve; E, E, is the rod or spear connected with the beam or
leaver of the engine, to which rod or spear are fastened the pulleys F and G,
represented by dotted lines. When the rod is pulled up the pulley Facts
upon the surface A, which being inclined to the direction in which the rod is
pulled causes the Figure A, B, C, to turn round its axis until the surface C
has come into such a situation as by the return of the rod to be acted upon in
a similar manner by the pulley G, then the surface B, having come into the
situation where the surface A was at the beginning, it is in like manner
acted upon by the pulley F, and so the motion continues. This Figure A, B, C,
may be fastened to a wheel, as H, which it will turn round its axis and give
motion to the wheel I, or such other wheels, &c., as may be required, and
a heavy fly may be applied, as represented at K, to regulate the motion.
A particular example of an engine where a circular vessel is pressed round
a piston not fixed to an axis is represented at Figure 10th, 11th, and 12th.
Figure 10th is an end view of the machine with one end off. A, A, is the
steam vessel; B is the piston; C, D, two valves which slide in groves, and
are occasionally drawn out and in these groves; when drawn out, as at C, they
close or stop the passage round the channel. When drawn back into the
groves the channel is free to move round the piston. Figure 11th is a section
of the machine through the diameter A, A, of Figure 10th. In this
Figure 11th, A, A, is the steam vessel; B is the piston fixed to the ring E,
which ring is fitted into a grove in one end of the steam vessel so as to be
steam and air-tight, and yet be freely moveable in the grove. The ring E is
fixed to the immoveable frame F; G represents the steam pipe screwed to the
ring through which the steam is admitted. The operation is as follows:-
Figure 10th, when steam is admitted between the fixed piston B and the
valve C, a vacuum being supposed on the other side of the piston, the steam
acts equally upon both, but the piston not giving way in the direction in which
it is pressed, the circular vessel is turned round its axis. When the vessel has

page_text: moved so far round that the valve in the grove D has passed the piston B,
that valve is drawn out and closes the passage round the channel, the valve C
is then drawn back, and the steam between the valves is all condensed. The
steam now operates upon the valve D, the vessel revolves, and in this manner
the operation continues. The condensed steam, condensing water and air are
discharged from this engine by the motion of the sliding valves, or by being
collected into a vessel exhausted by the condensation of steam. Figure 12th
is an outside end view of the machine, where A, A, is the circular vessel;
E, E, is the ring fitted into a grove in the end of the vessel; G is the steam
pipe; H, a pipe communicating with the groves in which the valves slide, or
with the vessel exhausted by the condensation of steam.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Cameron, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand seven hundred and eighty-four.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of
ROBERT CAMERON.
(L.B.)
ROBT BOLGER,
Bernard's Inn,
JAMES GODDARD,
Ser to Mr. Bolger.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifteenth day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1784, the aforesaid Robert Cameron came before our
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stampt according
to the tenor of the Statutes made for that purpose.