Furnaces, Flues, and Apparatus for the Generation of Steam Engine and Machinery for Propelling Car- riages and Canal Boats; Construction of Boats, Ships, &c.
Year: 1848

page_text: Furnaces, Flues, and Apparatus for the Generation of
Steam Engine and Machinery for Propelling Car-
riages and Canal Boats; Construction of Boats,
Ships, &c.
TO. ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SAGER, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Wool Dealer, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing, date at
Westminster, the Fifteenth day of September, in the twelfth 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 Sager, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said William Sager, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said William Sager, my exors, adiñors, 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 IMPROVED. MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EPPECTING THE
TRANSIT OR CONVEYANCE OF GOODS, PASSENGERS, AND CORRESPONDENCE BY LAND OR
WATER, AND FOR OTHER SUCH PURPOSES; "PART OR PARTS OF WHICH MEANS AND

page_text: APPARATUS CONSTITUTE A NEW AND IMPROVED METHOD OF GENERATING STEAM,
WHICH IMPROVEMENT IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES TO WHICH STEAM IS GENE-
RALLY APPLIED AS A MOTIVE POWER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said William Sager, 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 Sager, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the following
explanation thereof, (that is to say):-
My Invention consists, first, in a certain novel and peculiar method of and
apparatus for generating steam, to be used as a motive power for propelling
carriages on land and vessels on water, and for other purposes to which steam
is usually employed. Secondly, my Invention consists in certain novel methods
of propelling, drawing, and steering carriages upon common roads. Thirdly,
in certain improved methods of propelling or impelling boats and other vessels
upon water, and also in the formation or construction of boats, ships, or other
vessels. In order distinctly to illustrate the several applications and adapta-
tions of my Invention, and the method of carrying the same into practical
effect, I have attached to these presents five Sheets of Drawings, representing
different modifications thereof, and have marked the same with figures and
letters of reference corresponding with those in the following description
thereof. In Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Fig. 1 is a transverse section, and
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of my improved steam generator. a, a, a, are the
fire-bars or grates, and b, b, b, are tubes of an oval or elliptical form, extending.
the whole length of the generator or boiler, and closed at each end by means
of flanges, or in any other suitable way; c, c, are smaller tubes of a similar
form; d, d, d, are vessels of the same length, formed concave on the under side,
and placed over the tubes b, b, b, but at such a distance as to allow of the heat,
flame, and smoke, &c. passing between them, and thence upwards through the
vertical flues e, c, c; f,f, a are covers placed over the smaller tubes c, c, which
may be either solid or hollow, and may be made of either iron, fire-clay, or
other suitable material, and are for the purpose of preventing the upper part.
of the said tubes from becoming red-hot; g, g, are the fire doors, and h, h, are
openings or apertures in the front of the generator, to be fitted also with doors,

page_text: to admit atmospheric air, for the purpose of promoting the combustion of the
fuel; are flat iron plates, placed longitudinally betwixt the upper vessels
d, d, d, and extending the entire length of the generator, for the purpose of
confining the passage of the smoke and atmospheric draught to the flues e, c, 6;
i, i, is a vessel placed above the main body of the generator, formed concave
on the under side, and provided with several vertical flues, k, k, k, passing
through it, and leading to the chamber 1, 1, which forms a connection between
the said flues and the chimney m; n, n, n, are perpendicular grids or grates,
for the purpose of preventing the fuel from coming into contact with the top
of the upper row of tubes b, b;' 0, 0, are cisterns, one on each side of the
generator, for containing the reserve or feeding water, which, being partially
heated by its adjacent position to the fire, is injected, by means of a force pump
(placed in any convenient situation, and having branches to each steam
generating tube and vessel), into the several tubes or vessels b, c, d, and i,
through the injection tubes or pipes p, p, p; these pipes p, p, p, extend the
whole length of the tubes or vessels b, c, d, and i, and are pierced or perforated,
on the lower side with small orifices, so that the water will gush out in small
jets or streams, spreading itself over the whole of the lower interior surface of
the tubes or vessels b, c, d, and i. Thus it will be perceived that the generators
or vessels may either be kept partially filled with water, or the water may be
cast upon the red-hot surface of the vessel, as represented in the upper row
of tubes, and thus any given amount of steam may be produced by injecting a
specified quantity of water; but I do not claim this particular mode of
injecting the water in jets or streams. It will be seen that the lower portion
of all the elliptical tubes, b and c, is in actual contact with and embedded in
the ignited fuel, as shewn by the red color in the Drawing, by which means
the steam is generated much quicker than by the ordinary method. The steam
produced in the several generators is conveyed away direct to the steam
engine (or, if preferred, to a general intermediate steam receiver or reservoir
of any kind, and placed in any convenient situation), by means of the steam
pipes q. 79. These steam pipes q, q, q, extend inside the tubes and riders
b, b, b, c, c, d, d, d, about midway (see Fig. 2), so that should the water in these
generators at any time be displaced from an exact level it cannot flow into the
steam pipes. It will be observed that the injection pipes p, p, and the steam
pipes q, q, are each fitted with common stop cocks or valves 1, 2, so that in
case of accident the connection of any one of the steam generators or vessels
may be cut off without at all interfering with the working of the remaindor,
and the supply of injection water to any of the vessels may be lessened or
entirely cut off at pleasure. If it should be found desirable, the smaller tubes

page_text: c, c, may be dispensed with, and their place be occupied with partitions, as
represented by the dotted lines s, s. These partitions may be either solid
or hollow, and made of iron, fire-clay, or other suitable material, and are for
the purpose of keeping the ignited fuel in close contact with the lower portion
or semi-circumference of the tubes b, b, b, and will also serve to economize the
consumption of fuel. I may also remark, that safety valves of any kind may
be placed in convenient situations, and that it will be necessary to have water
guages fixed at the end of each steam generating vessel, so that the exact
height of water in said vessels may at all times be seen. In Sheet 2 of the
Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation, Fig. 2 a plan view, and Fig. 3
a front elevation of my improved construction and arrangement of a loco-
motive engine and propelling apparatus adapted to run or travel upon
ordinary roads. a, a, is the framing or carriage; b, b, the steam generator or
boiler, which may be placed in any convenient situation; and c, c, are ordinary
running wheels; the driving or impelling wheel d, d, d, d, is composed of four
parts, the two inner parts having their peripheries partly square and partly
bevelled, as at d¹, d', and the two outer parts d", ", being bevelled outwards.
This driving or impelling wheel is keyed securely upon the transverse shaft é, c,
which is connected by means of cranks f, f, and connecting rods g, g, to the
pistons of the steam engine in the usual way. h, h, are excèntrics for working
the slide valves of the steam engines. It will be seen, upon referring to the
plan view, Fig. 2, that the cylinders i, i, of the steam engine, are secured by
means of iron bands to a frame j, j, which frame is fixed by means of a long
boss upon the longitudinal shaft k, k, which is mounted and turns in bearings
attached to the carriage frame a, a. It will also be seen that the crank shaft
e, e, passes through a boss in the longitudinal shaft k, k, so that the whole of
the engine and the impelling wheel swings or oscillates upon the said shaft k, k.
Now it will be evident that when the impelling wheel d, d, d, d, is caused by
the steam engines to revolve, the engines being in an horizontal position, and
the impelling wheel consequently vertical, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) then the wheel
will run upon the square or parallel portions d, d, of its periphery, and the
machine will consequently proceed in a direct line; but supposing the shaft h, k,
to be turned partly round by means of the hand wheel 7, 7, until the engine
and impelling wheel assume the position shewn in Fig. 3, thus bringing one
of the bevelled peripheries d', into even contact with the ground, the carriage
will then describe a curve proportioned to the bevil of the periphery of the
wheel. Thus it will be evident that the machine may be steered in any
direction with great facility by means of the hand wheel 1, l. The longitudinal
shaft k, k, must be made hollow or tubular at that end nearest to the steam

page_text: generator, and the pipe conveying steam must pass through the same from the
generator to the cylinders, and have a telescope joint in it. Passengers and
goods carriages and other such conveyances are to be attached to this
propelling carriage by means of an ordinary pole and swivel, or by means of
the bolts and eyes. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of
another construction and arrangement of locomotive engine and propelling
apparatus intended to run or travel upon ordinary roads. a, a, is the carriage
framing; b, b, the steani generator or boiler, which may be placed in any con-
venient situation; and 'c, c, the ordinary running or carriage wheels; d, d, is
the driving or impelling wheel, mounted upon a transverse shaft e, e, which
revolves in suitable bearings; f, f, are the steam cylinders; 9, 9, the piston
rods, and h, h, the cranks; each of these cranks h, h, is connected to a spur
pinion i, i, which drives a spur wheel h, k, keyed upon the driving shaft e, e.
Upon referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the whole of the steam engine,
and the driving or impelling wheel d, d, is mounted upon an horizontal circular
frame 1, 1, part of the periphery of which is furnished with spur teeth m, m.
The circular frame 1, 1, runs in a groove in the carriage framing, and may be
turned partly round, either in one direction or the other, by turning the pinion
n, by means of the hand wheel o, so as to direct or steer the course of the
machine whilst travelling along the road, The passenger or goods carriages
may either be attached by hook's to the staples m in Fig. 2, or to the swivel
bar p in Fig. 5. The steam in this case must be supplied by a pipe having
a telescope joint exactly over the highest point of the periphery of the
driving wheel, and thence running perpendicularly down one or both sides
5 of the wheel to a point just above the axle. Figure 6 represents
side view and Figure 7 a plan view of a modification of the above, in
which the impelling wheel is placed behind and the steam cylinders are
stationary. a, a, is the carriage framing; b, b, the steam generators or boilers,
which may be placed in any convenient situation; and 'c, c, are ordinary carriage
running wheels; d, d, is the drawing or impelling wheel mounted upon the
crank shaft e, e; f, f, are the cranks connected to the piston rods g, g, by the
connecting rods h, h; i, i, are the steam cylinders; and k, k, are the excentrics
for working the slide valves. The method of steering or altering the course of
this machine is as follows: 1, 1, are two small ordinary carriage wheels,
5 mounted upon an axle m, m, attached to a swivelling frame n, n, which turns
upon a pin in a similar manner to the fore wheels of an ordinary coach. To
the frame which carries the axle m, m, a spur wheel o, o, is attached; and this
spur wheel may be actuated by means of the spur pinion p. keyed upon the
vertical shaft q, at the upper end of which is a winch handle by means of
a

page_text: which the conductor of the carriage may alter the position of the axle m, m,
and wheels 1, 1, so as to direct the course of the carriage, either in one direc-
tion or the other, as required. In this case, the driving wheel and passengers
carriage are separate, and must be connected by the swivel and bar y.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a locomotive apparatus or machine intended to
run upon ordinary roads, and to be impelled by means of rods or levers
pushing against the ground. a, a, is the carriage frame; b, b, is the steam
generator or boiler, which may be placed in any convenient situation; and c, c,
are ordinary running carriage wheels; d, d, is the steering or conducting wheel,
which may be turned horizontally by means of the hand wheel c, e, in the
manner shewn and described with reference to Figure 5. ff, are the steam
cylinders; and g, g, the piston rods. To the extreme end of each piston rod g,
is attached an impelling rod h, h. The reciprocating action of the pistons of
the steam engine causes these rods to advance alternately, and their lower
extremities pushing against the road will have a tendency to impel the whole
carriage or machine forward in the opposite direction. These impelling rods or
levers h, h, are raised off the ground whilst receding by means of inclined
planes i, i, acting against friction rollers k, k, attached to the said impelling
rods. In this instance the passengers and goods carriages must be connected
by a swivelling bar or connecting links. Figure 9 represents a side elevation
of a modification of the above, shewing another method of connecting the
impelling rods to the steam engine. a, a, is the carriage framing; b, b, the
steam generator or boiler, which may be placed in any convenient situation;
and c, c, are ordinary carriage wheels; d, is the steering or conducting
wheel turned or guided by means of the hand wheel c, e; f, f, are the steam
cylinders; and g, g, the piston rods which are connected with the crank
shaft i, i, by connecting rods k, k. Upon the crank shaft i, i, are fixed two
excentrics 7, 1, the rings or clips of which are connected with the upper extre-
mities of the impelling rods h, h, by means of links m, m, the upper ends of
the rods h, h, are also connected to levers n, n, which have their fulcra at o. 3
It will be evident that the alternate raising and depressing of the links m, m,
effected by the motion of the excentrics 7, 1, will cause the propelling rods h, h,
to push alternately against the ground, and thus impel the machine forward;
the rods h, h, must be raised off the ground whilst receding by means of in-
clined planes and friction rollers, similar to those marked i, i, in the preceding 3
Figure, but which are omitted in Figure 9, in order to shew the other parts
more clearly. I would also here remark, that for the same reason none but
the main elementary parts of the steam engine are shewn in the Drawings,
such only being necessary to illustrate the application of my Invention.

page_text: Figure 10, (Sheet 4,) is a plan view of Figure 9, shewing the position of the
excentrics p, p, for working the slide valves of the steam engine. In Sheet 3
of the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of part of a canal boat,
shewing the application of my Invention thereto. a, a, is the framing of the
steam engines; and b, b, the cylinders; c, c, are the piston rods, and d, d, the
steam generator or boiler, which may be placed in any convenient situation;
c, c, the propelling rods which are connected with the ends of the piston rods
by means of V slides, or any other kind of slide, fixed in or upon the gunnel or
side of the vessel, and are intended to propel the boat by pushing against the
bottom or bed of the canal when the piston rods c, c, are forced outwards by
the pressure of the steam against the pistons. Each of the propelling rods e, e,
is furnished at its lower extremity with a roller f,f, which on the return stroke
is dragged along and revolves upon the bottom or bed of the canal or river,
but is prevented from revolving in the opposite direction during the outward
stroke of the piston by the catch g acting against the teeth of the ratchet
wheel h. Figure 2 is a plan view of the same. Figure 3 is a side clevation
of part of a canal boat, shewing a modification of the above, in which the pro-
pelling rods are wrought by means of excentrics in a similar manner to those
for propelling carriages on land, shewn and described with reference to
Figure 9, in Sheet 2. a, a, is the framing of the engine, and 6, the steam
generator or boiler; c, c, are the steam cylinders; and d, d, the piston rods
connected with the cranks c, e, by the connecting rods f, f. Upon the crank
shaft
9, 9, are keyed two excentrics h, h, the clips or rings of which are con-
nected with the upper extremities of the impelling rods i, i, by the links k, k.
The upper ends of the rods i, i, are also connected to the radius rods 1, 1, whose
fulcrum is at m. Figure 4 is an elevation of part of a canal boat, showing
another method of working the impelling rods by means of excentrics a, a, the
clips b, b, of which work in slides, the impelling rods c, c, being attached
thereto. I would here remark, that this plan is also applicable to propelling
carriages on land, and also that, if preferred, the rollers may be attached to the
lower ends of the impelling rods by a swivel joint, as shewn in the detached
view Figure 4. Figure 5 is a plan view of a boat, shewing a further modi-
fication of Figure 1, to which the same letters of reference and description will
apply, excepting that the propelling rods e, e, are connected together under-
neath the bottom of the boat, the rollers f, f, working on each side of the keel,
and cach having a ratchet wheel and catch, as previously described. It will
also be seen, that this arrangement may be wrought either by one or two
steam cylinders, as may be preferred. Figure 6 is an elevation of part of a
canal boat, showing the application of another method of propelling. In this

page_text: arrangement the propelling rods a, a, are wrought direct from the pistons of
the steam engine, as in Figure 1, (Sheet 3,) and are pointed at their. lower
extremities, instead of carrying rollers. The points of the propelling rods are
raised off the bottom or bed of the canal or river on the return stroke of the
engine, by means of inclined planes c, c, attached to the side of the boat and
friction rollers, both already described in reference to Figure 8, Sheet 2. It
will be evident that the whole of the above arrangements in reference to canal
boats may also be applied with equal effect to propelling boats upon rivers or
other waters of shallow depth and unequal bottom, merely by adjusting the
length of the propelling rod to the purposes required. And also that the
engine and propelling apparatus may be placed in any other suitable position
than at the head of the boat. In Sheet 4 of the Drawings, Figure 1 is a
transverse section of a vessel, exhibiting my improved form or model for boats,
ships, and other vessels. In Sheet 5, Figure 1 is a longitudinal side elevation,
shewn partly in section; and Figure 2 is a plan or horizontal view of the same,
in which a suitable arrangement of the steam engines are exhibited in the
narrowed hold. The hold of the vessel A is made narrow and deep, and is
tapered off to a sharp extremity at the bow, so as to oppose a much smaller
body to the resistance of the water than is presented by vessels of the ordinary
sectional form; and the deck part or hull B of the vessel is moulded or formed
so as to converge inwards from about the water line, and to sit almost flat upon
the surface of water. I would here remark, that this narrowing of the hold is
for the purpose of enabling the ship to pass through the water with increased
speed, which is very essential, as it is intended principally for the conveyance
of passengers. Figure 2, Sheet 4, shews a method of applying an ordinary
ship's sail to a vessel, without the aid of masts. The sail a is to be attached.
to the yards b, b', in the usual manner, and to the upper yard 6' are to be con-
nected one or more ærial balloons c, c, inflated with coal gas, or other gas
ordinarily employed for such purposes, and of sufficient buoyancy to sustain
the sail, &c., in the air. The yards and spars b, b, are attached to the vessel
by the ropes d, d, and fastened in any convenient manner. The balloons
should be kept always inflated, and when not in use as above described may be
stowed between the decks of the vessel, as shewn by the dotted lines in
Figure 1.
Having now described the nature and object of my said improvements,
together with the method of carrying the same into practical effect, I desire it
to be particularly understood that I claim as my Invention:-
First, the novel and peculiar method of generating steam by means of the
general construction and arrangement of the tubes and other vessels contain-

page_text: ing water, and of the particular application of the heated fuel, as exhibited in
Sheet 1 of the Drawings, and above described.
Secondly, I claim the several novel methods shewn and described, of propel-
ling, drawing, and steering carriages on land.
Thirdly, I claim the methods shewn and described in these presents, of pro-
pelling boats or vessels upon canals and other shallow waters by means of rods
wrought by a steam engine or engines, and acting or pressing against the
bottom or bed of the canal or river.
Fourthly, I claim the peculiar form, shape, or model of boats, ships, and
other vessels exhibited in Figure 1, Sheet 4, of the Drawings, and in Figure 1
and 2, Sheet 5; that is, in contradistinction to the form, shape, or model of
ordinary ships and boats.
Lastly, I claim the application or employment of an ordinary ship's sail or sails
supported in the air by means of suitable balloons, and used for the
purpose of
transporting ships and other vessels, and thereby conjointly effecting the
transit and conveyance of goods, passengers, and correspondence.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Sager, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, One thousand eight hundred
year
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
5. written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord. One