CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HARTLEY, of Bury, 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 Twenty-eighth day of March, in the twelfth year of Her reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine,
did, for Herself, Hor heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Hartley, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and autho-
rity, that I, the said William Hartley, my exors, admors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said William Hartley, my exors, admors, 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, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said
William Hartley, 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 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 Hartley, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly

page_text: described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the
following explanation thereof (that is to say) :-
My Improvements in Steam Engines relate to the working the valves of
steam engines; and in order more fully to explain the nature and object of my
Invention I would here remark that in working steam engines upon the
expansive principle, by means of what are called cornish, equilibrium, or com-
mon disc valves, it has hitherto been a desideratum, by any convenient, simple,
and adequate means, so to regulate the admission of steam that, when the
pressure of steam increases or machinery is disconnected, the amount of
expansion shall increase, and when the pressure of steam diminishes or
machinery is added the amount of expansion shall decrease, such adjustment
being accomplished whilst the engine is at work, and without the intervention
of manual labour. Now, my Invention relates to improved means of effecting
these objects, and also to working steam engines having D or slide valves, in
such a manner that the amount of expansion may be increased or diminished,
and at the same time (by the peculiar motion of the valves) the vacuum
improved, without commencing to discharge the steam from the cylinder on
the driving side of the piston before the stroke of the piston is completed.
Such being the object of my improvements I will proceed to describe the
method of carrying the same into practical effect, which will be readily under-
stood upon referring to the Drawings accompanying these presents, and the
following explanation thereof. The Drawings are marked with figures and
letters of reference corresponding with those in the description thereof; and in
order distinctly to point out my Invention, the parts constituting my improve-
ments, and those more immediately connected with them, are represented as
shaded with color, whilst the other parts of the engine are drawn in outline
only.
T
In Sheet 1 of the Drawings the first part of my Invention is exhibited
reprenting the application of my Invention to a steam cylinder with cornish
valves, Fig. 1 being an elevation of the cylinder of a steam engine, shewing
the valve casing and side pipes in section, and the tappet shaft and tappets for
working the same. The steam valves A a are worked by two oscillating cams
Bb, the form of the acting surface of which is determined by the amount of
lift required. It will be seen, upon referring to Fig. 2 (which is a plan view
of this part of the apparatus), that the cam B, which works the bottom valve
A, is keyed fast upon the tappet shaft C upon which the weighted lever D is
fixed, and the cam 6, which works the top valve a, is fixed upon a long boss
or tube c, which works outside the shaft C, and to which the weighted lever d
is also fixed. I would here observe, that these tappet shafts or this compound

page_text: tappet shaft (as it may be called) and cams are entirely disconnected from
and independent of the ordinary tappet shaft Z, and are intended to work the
steam valves only, the exhaust valves being worked in the usual way. Tho
weighted levers D d are caused to vibrate by means of the rods Ee, and bell-
crank lever Ff, which are worked by means of a compound tappet G
g, see
a worm i, at the
Fig. 3, which is a side elevation of this part of the apparatus. This com-
pound tappet is capable of adjustment, so as to increase or diminish the
amount of expansion as may be required. The tappet G is keyed fast upon
the fly-wheel shaft H, or, if more convenient, may be fixed upon a separate
shaft revolving at the same speed. The tappet G (see sectional view, Fig. 4)
is furnished with a recess concentric with the shaft II, so as to admit a plate h
to which the part g of the tappet is fixed, thus forming a groove in which
studs or friction rollers, at the ends of the levers Ff, work. The periphery of
the plate his formed as a worm wheel, and by means of
back of the tappet G, can be made to move concentric with the tappet back-
wards or forwards, thus causing a variation in the groove, and regulating the
admission of steam accordingly. In order to effect this variation of the com-
pound tappet G 9, it is connected to the governor of the steam engine in the
following manner:-At the back of the tappet G is a pulley k, which is either
corrugated upon its periphery or covered with leather (see also plan view,
Fig. 5. This pulley is fixed upon a stud or shaft connected to the worm i by
the bevil wheels 1, l. m is a bracket in which are fitted two slides N n, to
which, at the end next the tappet, are fixed two segments Oo, the interior
surfaces of which, or those next each other, are corrugated or covered with
leather, in order to give the necessary friction when required. These segments
are so placed that, as the tappet G revolves, the pulley ke passes between them.
The slides N n are connected at the other end to horned or forked levers Pp,
the levers P being attached to the shaft Q, and the levers p attached to the
boss or tube q. r is a shaft which is caused (by any convenient means) to
revolve slowly, and has upon it a cam s, which revolves with it, but slides
upon a feather or key and groove. The cams is connected to the governor
of the steam engine by a simple arrangement of rods and levers (not shewn
in the Drawing, but as is well understood) in such a manner that, as the
governor balls expand or contract by the increased or decreased speed of the
engine, the cam s is slidden along the shaft r, and as it comes into contact
with either of the levers P p, the slides N n are moved backwards or forwards,
and one of the segments 0 o is brought into contact with the pulley k, as the
tappet G revolves; and, thus imparting to it a rotative motion either back-
wards or forwards, will cause it, by means of the worm, and plate h cut as a

page_text: worin wheel, to move the internal part g of the tappet, and by means of the
rods and levers to adjust the quantity of steam to be admitted. The segments
Oo are held up to their work by means of balance weights and levers Tt.
A modification of this method is shewn in side elevation at Fig. 6. m is the
bracket in which is fitted only one slide N, having both segments O o attached
to it, and being connected to the shaft Q by means of a lever M, the end of
which works between two studs, or in a slot in the end of the slide N. The
slide N is actuated by means of the sliding cams & and levers P above
Pi
described.
The method of applying my Invention to steam engines wrought by D, or
slide valves is exhibited in Sheet 2 of the Drawings. Fig. 1 shews an eleva-
tion of the cylinder of a steam engine, the valves, casings, and passages shewn
in section. In this arrangement the bottom and top valves A a, are worked
independently of each other, and in such manner as that they can move either
in the same or opposite directions at one and the same time. The exhaust
ports at bottom and top are below the steam ports, allowing the steam and any
water which may exist in the cylinder to pass freely to the condenser without
obstruction, as is generally the case. The valves A a are worked by means of
levers Bb, to which they are connected
rods and links. The levers B are
fixed upon the shaft C, and the levers 6 are attached to the boss or tube c (see
plan view, Fig. 2,) or they may be placed upon separate tappet shafts. Motion
is imparted to the levers B 6 by means of the rods Dd and bell-crank levers
Ee, being actuated by means of a compound tappet Ff (see elevation, Fig. 3),
which is keyed fast upon the fly-wheel shaft G of the engine, or (if preferred)
upon a separate shaft revolving at the same speed. The part F of the tappet is
furnished with a recess concentric with the shaft G (see section, Fig. 4), which
admits a plate h, upon which the part f of the tappet is fixed. The periphery
of the plate his formed as a worm wheel, and, by means of a worm i at the
back of the tappet (see plan view, Fig. 5), can be caused to move either back-
wards or forwards concentric with the tappet, thus causing a variation in the
groove, and regulating the action of the rods and levers upon the valves accord-
ingly. In order to connect the variation of the tappet with the governor there
is a spur wheel k fixed upon a shaft at the back of the tappet, and connected
to the worm i by means of a pair of bevil wheels 1, 1. Upon the boss of the
tappet F is placed loosely an external spur wheel M, and upon the boss of
this wheel M are placed two pullies Nn, the pulley N being keyed fast
thereon, and the pulley n being loose, and having an internal ring of spur
teeth m cast to it, the pinion k being in gear with both wheels M m. Upon
the periphery of each of the pullies N n is placed a friction belt or break Oo,

page_text: which are connected to the horned or forked levers Pp, by means' of the
shaft Q, tubes or bosses q, and levers Rr. s is a .sliding cam revolving
slowly upon the shaft t, which may be driven. in any convenient manner: The
cam s is to be connected to the governor, and the levers Pp are so arranged
that as the cam s is slidden along the shaft t by the expansion or contraction
of the balls of the governor, the levers Pp, will cause the friction bolts O o to
be engaged to or disengaged from the respective pullies N n. When both
breaks are disengaged the tappet Ff, the pinion k, and the wheels M and m,
all revolve in one direction and at one uniform speed; but as soon as either
of the breaks Oo are engaged the revolution of its corresponding wheels M
or m is stayed, and as the tappet Ff and pinion k still keep revolving, a
rotary motion round its own axis is imparted to the pinion k, which, by means
of the bevil wheels 1, 2, and worm i, will move the plate h, and the part f of
the tappet, either forwards or backwards concentric with the shaft G, thus
effecting the requisite variation of the tappet, and, by means of the rods and
levers connected to the valves, the amount of steam admitted is regulated
accordingly.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I am aware that in
working steam engines having cornish, equilibrium, or disc valves, a com-
pound tappet shaft has been used to work the steam and exhaust valves in
connection; and I am also aware that cams or tappets moveable on an axis
have been employed for regulating the admission of steam to engines; and I
am also aware that steam engines having D or slide valves have been worked,
the steam being admitted on the top side of one of the D or slide valves;
and I wish it to be understood that I do not claim the exclusive use of such
apparatus or admission of the steam, except as herein-after mentioned. Now
I hereby declare that I claim as my Invention,-
First, the working the steam valves of steam engines having cornish, equi-
librium, or disc valves, by means of a compound tappet shaft, with oscillating
cams in addition to, but separate from and independent of, the ordinary tappet
shaft, as above described.
Secondly, I claim the working the steam valves of steam engines having
cornish, equilibrium, ar disc valves, by means of a compound tappet fixed on
the fly-wheel shaft, or on a separate shaft concentric therewith having two
lifts for the admission and cutting off the steam, and variable internal guides,
as above described.
Thirdly, I claim the working of steam valves of steam engines having
cornish, equilibrium, or disc valves, by means of two distinct sets of rods and

page_text: levers, one set for each valve, in combination with the compound tappet, as
above described.
Fourthly, I claim the working D and slide valves of steam engines inde-
pendently of each other, and so as to move in the same or opposite directions
at the same time.
Fifthly, I claim the admitting the steam into the cylinder at the top side of
both the D or slide valves and exhausting the steam, the ports being open on
the lower side of both the D or slide valves, as above described.
Sixthly, I claim the working the steam valves of steam engines having D or
slide valves, by means of a compound tappet fixed on the fly-wheel shaft or on
a separate shaft concentric therewith having three lifts for admitting, cutting
off, and exhausting the steam and variable internal guides, as above described.
Seventhly, I claim the working the steam valves of steam engines having D
or slide valves, by means of two distinct sets of rods and levers, one set for
each valve, in combination with the compound variable tappet and compound
tappet shaft or two separate tappet shafts, as above described.
Eighthly, I claim as an improvement in steam engines the connecting the
variable motion of the compound tappet with the governor, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hartley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of September, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-nine.