Improvements in and connected with the Governing or Controlling of the Speed of Ships' Steam Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 12th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Governing or Controlling
of the Speed of Ships' Steam Engines.
I, ALEXANDER WILSON, of Cook Street, Liverpool, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The chief object of this invention is to prevent the engines of ships, propelled by
screws, racing at times when the screw becomes raised partly or wholly out of the
water.
According to this invention, the speed of the engines of screw steam ships is
controlled or governed, that is racing is prevented, at times when the screw
becomes partially or wholly uncovered by water, by the depth of water in which
the propeller is covered or immersed. That is to say, whenever the depth to which
the hull and screw of a ship is immersed becomes substantially less than the normal,
due to pitching of the ship, or like cause, either the diminution of draft, or the
diminution of pressure due to such diminution of draft, is caused to act through
means and in the manner hereinafter described and prevents the rate of speed of
the engines and propeller from becoming abnormal. In other words, the actual
depth of immersion of the screw propeller, or the pressure of the water due thereto,
is used to effect this end.
When, in a seaway, a ship pitches and the screw approaches the surface of the
water or becomes partially uncovered, by the diminution of depth of immersion, or
pressure, electrical communication is made with the throttle valve or other
controlling valve of the engine, and such valve or valves is or are operated; and
this is done either through an electrically operated device, such as electro magnets,
or steam, or other fluid pressure operated device.
The action of the diminution of depth of immersion or of pressure, is, that it
causes an electrical contact and circuit to be made, and thereby sets in operation
or actuates, directly or indirectly, the steam controlling valve or valves of the
engine.
In the case of diminution of depth of immersion of the screw due to the lifting of
the vessel's stern out of the water being used to effect the above action, a tube may
be provided inside the vessel near the stern and having free communication with
the sea at its lower end, and the fall of level therein, or a float floating on the water
therein, is used to effect the electrical contact or initiate the action, and directly
or indirectly-causes the controlling valve or valves to be operated, and the steam
to be shut off, or its pressure within the cylinder of the engine to be regulated-or
both.
In the other case wherein the diminution of pressure is used to effect the action
specified, a diaphragm, piston, or equivalent device, may be actuated by the change
of pressure of the water and employed to actuate the electrical apparatus, directly
or indirectly or both. Or, according to another modification, the diminution of
head of water in the tube and of the pressure thereof may be employed in com-
bination to effect this end.
In carrying this invention out according to one modification the operation of
controlling the steam may, in the case of multiple cylinder compound engines, be
applied to the low pressure cylinder-and, if desired, to the intermediate cylinder
or cylinders as well as the high pressure one, or to any of them; and they may be
governed by throwing the top and bottom of two ends thereof into communication
with each other by a valve or valves actuated by the governing device.
In one arrangement or method of governing the whole engine, some electrical or
Auid pressure device may be adapted to actuate and control the throttle or other

page_text: controlling valve, and one to control each other cylinder, so that the supply of steam
to the high pressure cylinder and the means for throwing the top and bottom of
each cylinder, or any of them, into communication with each other, are each
operated and controlled by a separate governor.
In another arrangement a single electrical or fluid power motor device could be
combined with all or any combination of the controlling valves of the cylinders
above specified and arranged to operate them simultaneously, the throttle valve at
the same time being regulated, whereby not only would the flow of steam to the
high pressure cylinder of the engine be regulated, but the opposite ends of say the
low pressure cylinder or other cylinders would be thrown into equilibrium, and only
so much force would be applied to the engine as would be sufficient to work it at
the desired or norinal rate of speed.
The electricity produced by a dynamo and used in the apparatus may be
obtained from the supply used to generate the electric light in the ship, or a
separate dynamo mas be employed for the purpose.
The invention may be arranged and carried out and the parts constructed in
various modified manners without departing from the main of controlling features
thereof.
Dated this 11th day of March 1901
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Governing or Controlling
of the Speed of Ships' Steam Engines.
1, ALEXANDER WILSON, of Cook Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Solicitor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The chief object of this invention is to prevent the engines of ships, pro-
pelled by screws, racing at times when the screw becomes raised partly or wholly
out of the water.
According to this invention, the speed of the engines of screw steam ships is
controlled or governed, that is racing is prevented, at times when the screw
becomes partially or wholly uncovered by water, by the depth of water in which
the propeller is covered or immersed. That is to say, whenever the depth to which
the hull and screw of a ship is immersed becomes substantially less than the normal,
due to pitching of the ship, or like cause, either the diminution of draft, or the
diminution of pressure due to such diminution of draft, is caused to act through
means and in the manner hereinafter described and prevents the rate of speed of
the engines and propeller from becoming abnormal. In other words, the actual depth
of immersion of the screw propeller, or the pressure of the water due thereto, is
used to effect this end.
When, in a seaway, a ship pitches, and the screw approaches the surface of the
water or becomes partially uncovered by the diminution of depth of immersion, or
pressure, electrical communication is made with the throttle valve or other con-
trolling valve of the engine, and such valve or valves is or are operated and this
is done either through an electrically operated device, such as electro magnets, or
steam, or other fluid pressure operated device.
The action of the diminution of depth of immersion or of pressure, is, that
it causes an electrical contact and circuit to be made, and thereby sets in opera-
tion or actuates, directly or indirectly, the steam controlling valve or valves of the
engine.
In the case of diminution of depth of immersion of the screw due to the drifting
of the vessel's stern out of the water being used to effect the above action, a tube

page_text: may be provided inside the vessel near the stern and having free communication
with the sea at its lower end, and the fall of level therein, or a float floating on the
water therein, is used to effect the electrical contact or initiate, the action, and
directly or indirectly-causes the controlling valve or valves to be operated, and
the steam to be shut off, or its pressure within the cylinder of the engine to be
regulated or both.
In the other case wherein the diminution of pressure is used to effect the action
specified, a diaphragm, piston, or equivalent device, may be actuated by the change
of pressure of the water and employed to actuate the electrical apparatus, directly
or indirectly or both. Or, according to another modification, the diminution of
head of water in the tube and of the pressure thereof may be employed in com-
bination to effect this end.
In carrying this invention out according to one modification the operation of
controlling the steam may, in the case of multiple cylinder compound engine, be
applied to the low pressure cylinder-and, if desired, to the intermediate cylinder
or cylinders as well as the high pressure one or to any of them; and they may be
governed by throwing the top and bottom of two ends thereof into communication
with each other by a valve or valves actuated by the governing device.
In one arrangement or method of governing the whole engine, some electrical or
fluid pressure device may be adapted to actuate and control the throttle or other
controlling valve, and one to control each other cylinder so that the supply of steam
to the high pressure cylinder and the means for throwing the top and bottom of
cach cylinder, or any of them, into communication with each other, are each
operated and controlled by a separate governor.
In another arrangement a single electrical or fluid power motor device could be com-
bined with all or any combination of the controlling valves of the cylinders above
specified and arranged to operate them simultaneously, the throttle valve at the same
time being regulated, whereby not only would the flow of steam to the high pressure
cylinder of the engine be regulated, but the opposite ends of say the low pressure
cylinder or other cylinder would be thrown into equilibrium, and only so much
force would be applied to the engine as would be sufficient to work it at the desired
or normal rate of speed.
The electricity produced by a dynamo and used in the apparatus may be obtained
from the supply used to generate the electric light in the ship, or a separate
dynamo may be employed for the purpose.
The invention may be arranged and carried out and the parts constructed
in various modified manners without departing from the main or controlling
features thereof.
The drawings hereto annexed (which form a part of this Specification) illustrate
two examples of apparatus or arrangement of parts by which this invention may
be carried out.
Figure is a longitudinal section; and
Figure 2 a cross section of the stern portion of a screw steamer, shewing the
electrical contact making and breaking mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively cross longitudinal section and side view of a
modification of said apparatus.
Figure 5 is an elevation; and
Figure 6 a plan of the electrically operated governing devices on the engine.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 5 and 6, the apparatus therein shewn
consists of a solenoid a, through the coils of which the electric current is caused
to flow as and in the manner desired (as is well understood by electricians), and
which operates upon a rod b which constitutes the valve rod of a steam distribution
valve working in the valve case c, and controlling the supply of steam to and from
the cylinder d. e represents the throttle valve spindle on the steam supply pipe /,
the said spindle being connected to the piston rod d' of the cylinder d by the
connecting rod and the crank e'. is a valve controlling communication between

page_text: the steam ports at the top and bottom of a low pressure cylinder 3 by way of the
passages, said valve being connected to the piston rod d' through the connecting
rod, bell-crank lever h², and valve spindle ³. is a piston working in the valve
case for equilibrating the valve, and connected with said valve h by the spindle ;
and is a spring whose tension is adjustable by the screw rod k¹, and by which the
valve is normally kept upon its seat. is a pipe making communication between
the top of the piston and the space in the valve case; below h, whereby the
pressure tending to lift h, is equilibrated. 1 is the high pressure cylinder, 2 is
the intermediate, and 3 the low pressure cylinder of the tri-compound engine
shewn.
The contact making device shewn in Figures 1 and 2, consists of a tube m con-
nected with the sea at m¹ and having a valve m² thereon; a floater a with ribs n
thereon; a rod o connected or mounted on the floater n, having a contact making
provision o' thercon at its upper end; a case or chamber o; and contacts ppl in
said case, in connection with which the contact provision o' works.
As the water in the tube m falls or rises, so the floater n is lifted and falls, its
limit of motion being controlled by the stop rings above and below it. At
the upper limit or position of the floater, the provision o¹ on the rod o will be
in contact with the upper contacts p, and this will be the normal position of the
mechanism; and consequently, in this position of parts, the controlling parts set
forth with reference to Figures 5 and 6, will be out of operation, that is, the con-
trolling valves will be in their normal position. Of course, the leads of the
electrical portion will be so arranged as to operate the valve spindle b as required.
On the other hand, when the water about the stern of the ship, and the screw
propeller stands say at the level W.L.1, the floater n will have fallen, and will be
resting upon the lower ring n³, in which condition the contact provision o' will
be in contact with the contacts p'; whereupon the electric current is caused to flow
through the solenoid as to operate the distribution valve of the governor cylinder d
and admit steam to one side of the piston thereof, and shut, or partially shut, the
throttle valve in the steam pipe and open the valve h, throwing the top and
bottom of the low pressure cylinder 3 into communication and equilibrium.
When the water again rises in the tube m and the propeller becomes immersed, this
electric contact is broken and the controlling valves put back to their normal
position.
It will now be seen how by the operation of the governor, prior to the pro-
peller becoming uncovered, racing due from such a cause is anticipated and
prevented.
The electricity used for the operation of this governor, is preferably obtained
from the ship's dynamo electric generator; but it may, of course, be obtained from
any other suitable source.
It will be seen by this invention that communication for governing purposes,
between the stern of the vessel and the engine room, is effected by simple employ-
ment of electric leads or cables, which may be carried through the tunnel, or any
other passage or way.
In this
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the modification therein shown consists in
the employment of a flexible leather or other diaphragm n working in the case in,
and having a spring n³ tending to press it downwards against the pressure of water.
In this instance the contact break-and-make mechanism (which is placed as near
the propeller as convenient) is operated by the pressure of water about those parts,
the pressure of water acting on the diaphragm 'n by way of the pipe m.
case, when the pressure of water upon the underside of the diaphragm n diminishes
to a certain degree, the spring n³ depresses the diaphragm and brings the contact
part o into connection with the lower contacts p³, and electrical communication
with the governing device in the engine room is made, and the controlling valves
operated as before described. And on the other hand, when the diaphragm is
raised by the pressure of water under it, the upper contacts p come into action and

page_text: the governing valves are moved to their normal position. Hence, the effect
of this device is substantially the same as that set forth with reference to
Figures and 2.
Thus the electrical contacts may be made either by the diminution of draft, that
is by the fall of the level of water in relation to the propeller; or, by the diminu-
tion of pressure due to such diminution of draft. In other words, the actual depth
of immersion of the screw propeller, or the pressure of water due thereto, is
employed to make and break the electrical circuit.
One of the chief ends and effects of this invention is, that the communication
from the stern of the vessel to the governor, and so to the engine, of the decrease
of the immersion of the propeller is instantaneous: that is, it requires, practically,
no appreciable time for the governing communication to be transmitted and acted
upon in the engine. All this takes place well before such a state of things can
occur as will cause or allow the racing of the engine; that is to say, racing is pre-
vented by governing the engine in anticipation of the lifting of the propeller
wholly or partially out of the water.
As a modified mode of governing, I may, in lieu of the use of the valve / shewn
in Figures 5 and 6, employ a throttle or equivalent valve in the exhaust pipe
leading to the condenser, and control the pressures in that cylinder by throttling
the exhaust, that is to say, by connecting the governor up to such throttle valve
(or equivalent valve) and closing it when the engine is to be governed.
Or again,
I may employ the herein described mode of governing in connection with the
reversing and starting engine or mechanism of the main engine so as to "link-up
the valves of the engine thereby.
"
In combination with the mode of governing herein described for the prevention
of racing of engines, I may, in some cases, employ any known form of inertia or
centrifugal governor to act upon the valve of the governing cylinder d in case
of breakdown of machinery or the shaft; or such a governor may be used in
connection with any other part of the apparatus to prevent racing in case of
breakdown.
Regarding the construction of the controlling mechanism shewn in Figures 5
and 6, it is of course seen that the solenoid works the valve within the casing (,
which valve may be an ordinary distribution valve, and that the cylinder d is an
ordinary cylinder having a piston within it with a piston rod going through at
either end. As the valve of this cylinder is worked one way or the other by the
solenoid, said valve admits steam to one end of the cylinder or the other, and forces
the piston of said cylinder to one end thereof or the other, operating, that is,
opening or closing, or acting upon the valves herein specified or referred to, in the
manner described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. Effecting the governing or controlling of the speed of steam ships' steam
engines by causing the level of water, or pressure of water, at or near the stern of
a ship, to effect an electrical communication between said portion of the vessel,
and an electrical or electro-mechanical device or mechanism on or in connection
with the controlling valve or controlling mechanism of said engines; for the
purposes set forth.
2. In apparatus for governing or controlling the speed of steam ships' steam
engines, a device or mechanisin disposed at or near the stern of the ship,
actuated by the level or depth of water, or pressure of water, and by which an
electric circuit is made or broken; an electrical device on or in connection with
the ship's engine; steam controlling valves operated directly or indirectly thereby ;
and electrical conductors by which an electric current is conveyed to or from the
stern of the vessel: operating as or substantially as in the manner and for the
purposes herein set forth.

page_text: 3. In apparatus for governing or controlling the speed of steam ships' steam
engines, the combination with electrical governing or controlling apparatus
operating after the manner herein set forth, of an inertia or centrifugal governor
by which the controlling valves of the engine are operated in case of breakdown,
as well as when racing.
4. The governing or controlling apparatus for steam ships' steam engines herein
set forth, and as shewn in the drawings hereto annexed.
Dated this 10th day of December 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.