IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING OR REGULATING THE SPEED OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Silver, of Philadelphia, U.S., Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING OR
REGULATING THE SPEED OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Silver at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th December 1861.
I, THOMAS SILVER, of Philadelphia, U.S., Gentleman do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
GOVERNING OR REGULATING THE SPEED OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in taking advantage of pneumatic resistance of the
motion of mechanical apparatus of various forms and arrangements, in
which the reacting force or power may either be a spring or suspended
weight, and also the accumulation of pneumatic force as a power operating
against a reacting spring or counterweight.
One mode in which I prefer to put my present Invention into practice
consists in fixing upon a shaft or spindle a pulley or its equivalent, which is
allowed to turn loosely thereon to a limited extent, and having a boss, upon
which is fixed a pinion or lever-like frame. On a convenient part of the
shaft or spindle I fix upon studs or suitable bearings, or within a yoke, 'two
arms or double levers, which cross each other at their supports, and which
are allowed to vibrate thereon in opposite directions. These cross arms or

page_text: double levers have mounted upon their extremities vanes of any convenient
form for the purpose of offering resistance during their rotation through the
atmosphere, the value of which retardation increases in proportion to the
expansion or separation of the arms and the increased diameter of the circle
formed by the rotation of the said vanes. The crossed arms or double levers
and vanes are drawn near the shaft or spindle by a suitable spring, but on
the other hand, when in motion, they, by a combination of centrifugal force
and inert pneumatic resistance, are thrown from the shaft or spindle at a
distance in proportion to the speed they attain and the resistanceof thespring.
The mode in which I take advantage of the combination of pneumatic and
inert resistance with centrifugal force is by connecting the cross arms or
double levers with links to a crosshead that shall, without being allowed to
turn upon the shaft or spindle have a longitudinal motion from a screw or
spiral fixture or projection from the boss or centre of the loose pulley, the
latter being allowed no longitudinal motion on the shaft or spindle; or the
cross arms or double levers may be linked to two bevel segments of wheels
working or taking into a bevilled pinion upon the boss or centre of the loose
pulley. Motion is communicated to the loose pulley from the main shaft of
an engine in any convenient manner, and motion is communicated to the
throttle valve by a connection with a sliding sleeve, or by any other well known
contrivance, made to move back and forth on the governor shaft or spindle,
such apparatus or contrivance receiving its motion from the expansion or
vibration of the cross arms or double levers; it will thus be seen that when
motion is given to the loose pulley, the tendency will be to expand the vanes,
so that they will offer an increased resistance during their rotation through
the atmosphere, the value of which retardation increases in proportion to the
expansion or separation of the arms and the increased diameter of the circle
formed by the rotation of the said vanes, and in combination with centrifugal
force, causes an increased resistance to the force of the spring, which also,
on the other hand, increases its resistance as it becomes compressed. The
tension of the spring can be adjusted by a moveable collar or washer made to
take the thrust thereof at one end. The vanes may be so fitted as to be
capable of adjustment and inclination on the cross arms.
Another modification or adaptation consists of a shaft or spindle with a
loose pulley, which is allowed to turn to a limited extent thereon,andcarrying
with it, as before described, a pinion or lever-like frame, which latter gives
motion by toothed gearing or a hinged lever to two or more vanes, which are
intended to expand or contract in a lateral direction from the shaft or spindle,
as a variation is given to the pulley in resistance to a suitable spring, as

page_text: before described. These vanes are supported at their extremity by a cross-
head fixed upon the shaft or spindle, which may have in each end friction
rollers, in order to afford the vanes more easy motion in the act of expanding
and contracting. This crosshead may be heavy, or, in order to combine a
greater degree of inertia with the centrifugal action of the vanes, it may be
formed into a fly wheel, which may enclose the vanes; or the vanes may be
mounted externally, and so project beyond the periphery of the fly wheel,
the resisting or contracting spring may in this case act in a line with the
expanding and contracting motion of the vanes, or by a helical spring, one
end of which may be made fast to the boss of the pulley, and the opposite
end to the support which is fast upon the spindle. Motion may be com-
municated to the throttle valve in the manner before described.
Another modification consists in fixing on the opposite sides of a shaft or
spindle a standard which supports vanes on a hinge, but eccentrically, and
in order to combine with them a greater degree of inertness and centrifugal
force they are loaded each with a ball of suitable weight, and maintaining a
relative position to the shaft or spindle, so that they expand or contract their
distance from their centre of motion in proportion to the speed of the spindle
or the resistance of a spring, as described in the last arrangement. Instead of
the centrifugal weights being connected with or forming a part of the vanes,
in this instance they may be suspended on crank levers or their equivalents,
which serve to aid in giving motion to the throttle valve.
Another modification of my Invention consists in arranging all other parts
except the vanes in accordance with each of the previously described arrange-
ments; but the vanes may be so suspended as to expend by unfolding from
their centre of rotation as the combination of inertness, centrifugal force, and
pneumatic resistance overcomes the resistance of the spring. Whenever it is
desired to add an increased degree of inert resistance, in order to start more
promptly into action the centrifugal vanes in either of the previously described
arrangements, a momentum wheel or fly wheel may be added, which may
either be keyed upon the shaft or spindle, or be allowed to work loosely
thereon, and be connected to the vanes by links or other equivalent means.
When either of the previously described arrangements is not required for
marine, locomotive, or portable purposes the shaft or spindle may be placed
in a vertical position, and a fly wheel made to turn loosely thereon, and sus-
pended on a cord or chain, so that the latter when the spindle is driven faster
than the speed of the wheel will wind around the spindle causing the wheel
to rise, and on the other hand as the speed of the spindle slacks the
cord or chain will unwind, and thereby the wheel descend; the wheel in

page_text: this case should be furnished with centrifugal vanes, and the driving pulley
should be keyed fast upon the shaft or spindle. In the latter apparatus the
fly wheel may have its rise and fall produced by suspending it upon links
connecting it with a crosshead working upon a spiral thread or groove, or
upon toothed wheel and pinion gearing, in which case the pinion forms a
part of and is connected to or with the pulley boss, and is intended to work
loosely on the shaft or spindle.
The previously described arrangements of pneumatic governing apparatus
may be employed when in action to give agitation to the atmosphere in
engine rooms; but when it is not desired that such apparatus should be so
employed I propose to take advantage of the pneumatic action and employ
a state of compression, and avoid by a novel connection to the engine to
be governed the necessity for the ordinary driving gear or modes of giving
rotary motion, consisting generally of pulleys, bands, or their equivalents.
One of the modes which I propose to employ for effecting this object
consists of two double-acting air pumps placed near together cr separately, if
more convenient, each of the pistons of which are, however, to receive motion
by a connection with each of the cranks, excentric rods, or other parts of the
machinery, one portion of which follows in motion a greater part of a circle
after the other; the object of which is to obtain an uniform pressure of air (or
a fluid may be used), in a third cylinder or vessel provided with a piston, the
rod of which is connected to the throttle valve, spanner, or lever. The said
third cylinder or vessel is relieved of the air (or fluid) by a small tap or cock,
which is opened by the engineer to any desired extent, according to the
required speed of the engine. In this escape may be fixed a small spring or
trap valve, which on an increased effort of the air to escape from the cylinder
will cause it to close and produce a positive or direct action of the piston
which closes the throttle valve promptly. As this piston, which is connected
with the throttle valve is by the accumulated pressure forced in one direction
only, its reaction is effected by a suitable spring or counterweight. When
a three-cylinder steam engine is to be regulated three pumps should be
employed, but in such case single-acting pumps may suffice.
Another modification of this governor consists in employing a double-acting
pump, but in which case it will be most desirable to use water or other fluid,
but as the piston is to be driven by reciprocating motion from or connection
with some part of the engine moving in that manner there would be an
unevenness of pressure against the throttle valve piston; to correct this
unevenness I connect an air chamber to the cylinder, the piston of which
works the throttle valve, so that elasticity of the air contained therein will

page_text: compensate for the unevenness of the pressure from the force pump. A small
tap or valve opening outward upon the throttle-valve piston cylinder, but con-
fined in its place by a spring, the tension of which is adjustable, will allow
the escape to vary correspondingly with the variation of the speed or pressure
of the the force air pump piston, and will form a substitute for the previously
described air chamber. A spring or counterweight may be employed as the
reacting force. Instead of a cylinder and piston to receive the contents of the
force pumps, and work the throttle valve, expanding discs or diaphragms of
india-rubber or corrugated sheet metals, or, in order to afford a greater throw
or action, a multiplication of the same may be employed. When it is pre-
ferred to obtain motion from the main shaft of the engine to be regulated, or
from any other rotating shaft or portion of the engine, any suitable form of
rotary engine or pump may be employed for supplying the requisite pressure
of air or fluid to the apparatus described for working the throttle valve.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Silver in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
June 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
SILVER, of Philadelphia, U.S., Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas Silver, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Silver, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Thomas Silver, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR GOVERNING OR REGULATING THE SPEED OF STEAM AND OTHER
ENGINES," upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the said Thomas Silver,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be

page_text: performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Silver, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement and accompanying Sheet of Drawings
-
My Invention consists in taking advantage of pneumatic resistance to the
motion of mechanical apparatus of various forms and arrangements in which
the reacting force or power may either be a spring or suspended weight; and
also the accumulation of pneumatic force as a power operating against a
reacting spring or counterweight. The first arrangement refers to rotary
apparatus or instruments, and the second to the accumulation of force within
closed vessels.
One mode in which I prefer to put the first part of my present Invention
into practice consists in fixing upon a shaft or spindle a pulley or its equi
valent, which is allowed to turn loosely thereon to a limited extent, and having
a boss, upon which is fixed a pinion or lever-like frame. On a convenient part
of the shaft or spindle I fix upon studs, or suitable bearings, or within a yoke,
two arms or double levers, which cross each other at their supports, and which
are allowed to vibrate thereon in opposite directions. These cross arms or
double levers have mounted upon their extremities vanes of any convenient
form, for the purpose of offering resistance during their rotation through the
atmosphere, the value of which retardation increases in proportion to the
expansion or separation of the arms and the increased diameter of the circle
formed by the rotation of the said vanes. The crossed arms or double levers
and vanes are drawn near the shaft or spindle by a suitable spring, but on the
other hand, when in motion, they, by a combination of centrifugal force and
inert and pneumatic resistance are thrown for the shaft or spindle at a distance
in proportion to the speed they attain and the resistance of the spring. The
mode in which I prefer to take advantage of the combination of pneumatic and
inert resistance with centrifugul force is by connecting the cross arms or double
levers with links to a crosshead that shall, without being allowed to turn upon
the shaft or spindle, have a longitudinal motion from a screw or spiral fixture
or projection from the boss or centre of the loose pulley; the latter being
allowed partially rotary but nolongitudinal motion on the shaft or spindle; or
the cross arms or double levers may be linked to two bevel segments of wheels
working or taking into a bevilled pinion upon the boss or centre of the loose
pulley. Motion is communicated to the loose pulley from the main shaft or

page_text: other rotary part of an engine in any convenient manner, and motion is com-
municated to the throttle valve by a connection with a sliding sleeve, or by any
other well-known contrivance made to move back and forth on the governor
shaft or spindle; such apparatus or contrivance receiving its motion from the
expansion or vibration of the cross arms or double levers. It will thus be
seen that when motion is given to the loose pulley, and it being caused to
rotate in advance of the body of the instrument, and the spindle upon whichit
is mounted, the tendency will be through the torsional action to expand the
vanes, so that they will offer an increased resistance during their rotation through
the atmosphere, the value of which retardation increases in proportion to the
expansion or separation of the arms and the increased diameter of the circle
formed by the rotation of the said vanes, and in combination with centrifugal
force causes an increased resistance to the force of the spring, which latter also
on the other hand increases its resistance as it becomes compressed. The
tension of the spring can be adjusted by a moveable collar or washer made to
take the thrust thereof at one end. This adjustment may be effected and the
resistance of the spring regulated by means of a screwed rod and hand wheel
or nut extending through the centre, and beyond the spindle of the governor.
The vanes should be so fitted as to be capable of adjustment and inclination
on the cross arms. Instead of the pulley running loosely upon the spindle,
the latter with the pulley and pinion may form one part of the instrument,
the spindle in such case would turn loosely in the centre of the instrument
to a limited extent, forming an equivalent for the loose pulley and pinion
or cross lever before described; and this modification will apply to all
similar arrangements of rotary instruments or apparatus herein-before and
herein-after described.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3 exhibit
views of governors constructed according to the methods just described;
but as the construction of such instruments and their mode of working is
now so well understood by mechanics and others who have to make and
use such instruments, it is unnecessary for me to describe in detail the
several parts of either of these or the following Figures.
Another modification or adaptation consists of a shaft or spindle with a loose
pulley, which is allowed to turn to a limited extent thereon, and carrying with
it as before described a pinion or lever-like frame, which latter gives motion,
by toothed gearing or a hinged lever, to two or more vanes, which are intended
to expand or contract in a lateral direction from the shaft or spindle as a
variation is given to the pulley in resistance to a suitable spring, as before
described. These vanes are supported at their extemity by a crosshead fixed

page_text: upon the shaft or spindle, which may have in each end friction rollers in
order to afford the vanes more easy motion in the act of expanding and con-
tracting. This crosshead may be heavy, or in order to combine a still greater
degree of inertia with the centrifugal action of the vanes, it may be formed
into a fly wheel which may enclose the vanes; or the vanes may be mounted
externally, and so project beyond the periphery of the fly wheel. The resisting
or contracting spring may in this case act in a line with the expanding and
contracting motion of the vaues, or by a helical spring, one end of which
may be made fast to the boss of the pulley and the opposite end to the
support which is fast upon the spindle. Motion may be communicated to
the throttle valve in the manner before described. This arrangement is
illustrated in the accompanying Drawing at Figures 4, 5, and 9.
:
Another modification cousists in fixing on the opposite sides of a shaft or
spindle a standard, stud, or pin, which supports vanes on a hinge or joint, but
eccentrically and in order to combine with them a greater degree of
inertness and centrifugal force, they are loaded each with a ball of suitable
weight, and maintaining a relative position to the shaft or spindle, so that
they expand or contract their distance from their centre of motion in
proportion to the speed of the spindle or the resistance of a spring, as
described in the last arrangement. The spring may be applied in any
convenient manuer, and may be either of helical, spiral, elliptical, or other
form. Instead of the centrifugal weights being fixed upon or forming a
part of the vanes, they may be suspended on crank levers (or their
equivalents), which serve to aid in giving motion to the throttle valve.
These latter modifications are illustrated by Figures 6 and 7 in the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, which, for the reasons herein-before
stated, I have not considered it necessary to describe in detail.
Another modification of my Invention consists in arranging all other
parts except the vanes in accordance with each of the previously described
arrangements, but the vanes may be so suspended as to expand by
unfolding from their centre of rotation, as the combination of inertness,
centrifugal force, and pneumatic resistance overcomes the resistance of the
spring (see Figure 8). In this instrument the application of vanes in the
manuer described is the novel feature thereof.
Whenever it is desired to add an increased degree of inert resistance, in
order to start more promptly into action the centrifugal vanes in either of the
previously described arrangements, a momentum wheel, fly wheel, or its equi-
valent may be added, which may either be keyed upon the shaft or spindle, or
be allowed to work loosely thereou, and be connected to the vanes by links or

page_text: other equivalent means. When the fly wheel is keyed fast to the spindle
the driving pulley, or means of giving rotation, turns loosely to a limited
extent, as a substitute for the loose fly wheel, or vice versa.
When either of the previously described arrangements is not required for
marine, locomotive, or portable purposes, the shaft or spindle may be placed
in a vertical position, and a fly wheel made to turn loosely thereon and
suspended on one or more cords or chains, so that the latter, when the spindle
is driven faster than the speed of the wheel, will wind around the spindle,
causing the wheel to rise, and, on the other hand, as the speed of the spindle
slacks the cord or chain will unwind, and thereby the wheel descend; the
wheel in this case should be furnished with centifugal vanes, and the driving
pulley should be keyed fast upon the shaft or spindle.
This modification is illustrated in outline by Figure 10in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings. In the latter apparatus or modification the fly wheel
may have its rise and fall produced by suspending it upon links connecting it
with a crosshead working upon a spiral thread or groove, or upon toothed
wheel and pinion gearing, in which case the pinion forms a part of, and is
connected to or with the pulley boss, and is intended to work loosely on the
shaft or spindle. A spiral thread or groove may be connected to the fly
wheel, and may bear upon or against, and be guided by a friction roller or
rollers projecting from the side of the spindle.
The previously described arrangements of pneumatic governing apparatus
may be employed when in action to give agitation to the atmosphere in
engine rooms, but when it is not desired that such apparatus should be so
employed, or by reason of any other cause operating against their use, I
propose to take advantage of pneumatic action and the transmission of force
by means of compression within a closed vessel, and for this purpose to avoid,
by a novel connection to the engine to be governed, the necessity for the
ordinary driving gear or means of transmitting motion, which generally con-
sists of pulleys, bands, or their equivalents.
One of the modes which I propose to employ for effecting this object,
consists of two double-acting air pumps placed near together, or separately if
more convenient, each of the pistons of which are, however, to receive motion
by a connection with each of the cranks, excentric rods, or other vibrating or
reciprocating parts of the machinery, one portion of which follows in motion a
part of a circle after the other, the object of which is to obtain an uniform
pressure of air (or a fluid may be used) in a third cylinder or vessel provided
with a piston, the rod of which is connected to the throttle valve, spanner, or
lever. The said third cylinder or lever is relieved of the air (or fluid) by a

page_text: small tap or cock, which is opened by the engineer to any desired extent
according to the required speed of the engine. In this escape is fixed a small
trap or spring valve, which, on an increased effort of the air to escape from
the cylinder, will close, and produce a positive or direct action of the piston,
which closes the throttle valve more promptly. As this piston (of the third
cylinder or receiver) which is connected with the throttle valve, is, by the
accumulated pressure, forced in one direction only, its return or reaction is
effected by a suitable spring or counterweight. When a three-cylinder steam
engine is to be regulated three pumps should be employed, but in such case
single-acting pumps will suffice, being connected, as before described, with
reciprocating parts of the engine to be governed.
Another modification of this governor consists in employing one double-
acting pump only, but in which case it will be most desirable to use water or
other fluid as a medium; but as the piston is to be driven by reciprocating
motion from or connection with some part of the engine moving in that manner,
there would be an unevenness of pressure against the throttle valve piston.
To correct this unevenness, I connect an air chamber to the cylinder, the
piston of which works the throttle valve, so that the elasticity of the air con-
tained therein will compensate for the unevenness of the pressure due to the
motion from the force pump. A small tap or valve opening outward from the
throttle valve piston cylinder, but confined in its place by a spring, the tension
of which is adjustable, will allow the escape to vary correspondingly with the
variation of the speed or pressure of the force pump piston, and will form a
substitute for the previously described air chamber. A spring or a counter-
weight may be employed as the reacting force.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have shown, at Fig. 11, in
outline, the form or trap or spring valve which I prefer to employ for the
purpose herein set forth. Instead of a cylinder and piston to receive the
contents of the force pumps and work the throttle valve, expanding discs or
diaphragms of india-rubber or corrugated sheet metals, or, in order to afford
a greater throw or action, a multiplication of the same may be employed.
When it is preferred to obtain motion from the main shaft of the engine
to be regulated, or from any other rotating shaft or portion of the engine, any
suitable form of rotary engine or pump may be employed for supplying the
requisite pressure of air or fluid to the apparatus described for working the
throttle valve; but I wish it to be understood that I do not claim or recom-
mend the employment of rotary motion for this purpose.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which I prefer to
put the same in practice, and also illustrated by Figures in outline the general

page_text: character thereof, I wish it to be understood, first, that as there are portions
of the instruments herein described which are parts of Inventions previously
patented by me, or are otherwise in use, or are well known, I do not make any
claim for them; but I claim the combination of the movement of the loose
pulley or its equivalent with vis inertia, pneumatic resistance, and centrifugal
force obtained by the arrangements of parts of apparatus herein set forth in
resistance to a spring, a counterweight, or equivalents therefor, in the herein-
before described rotary instruments for governing or regulating steam and
other engines.
Second, I wish it understood that in those forms of governors herein
described, which operate by compression, I do not claim the use or application
of pumps, receivers, or expanding vessels for the purpose of acting upon the
throttle valve; but I claim the mode or method of working or giving motion
to such apparatus in combination with the reacting and trap valves, as herein
described and as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Silver, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
JAMES STEVENSON,
19, Salisbury Street,
Adelphi, W.C.
THOMAS SILVER. (L.S.)