IMPROVEMENTS IN DUPLEX PUMPING ENGINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
DUPLEX PUMPING ENGINES." A communication from abroad by George F.
Blake. of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DUPLEX PUMPING ENGINES." A communication from
abroad by George F. Blake, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Where large quantities of water have to be supplied continuously by pumping,
as for waterworks of towns or cities, or have to be raised, as for clearing mines, it is
usual to employ duplex pumps, which by the alternation of their strokes compel a
continuous flow of water through the pipes, thereby obviating destructive con-
cussions and shocks which would occur with but a single pump.
With ordinary duplex engines, if either engine or pump meets with obstruction or
accident, the other is stopped, thereby completely cutting off the flow of water,
which the pumping engine should make continuous.
The object of this Invention is such a coupling or mechanical connection between
the two engines that so long as one engine and one pump remain in working order
the flow of water may be continued.
The Invention consists in the combination, with two pumping engines capable of
being worked as independent engines, of a system of links or connections between
the two engines, whereby each engine may be made to actuate the valves of the
opposite engine, or may operate its own valves and those of the opposite engine.
Also in the combination with the auxiliary valve of moveable valve seats at the
side thereof.
Also in a piston composed of a threaded hub, and cone, and segments, and ex-
pansion ring, all placed inside the packing.

page_text: The expansion ring which sets out the packing is moved uniformly from the
centre of the piston, and consequently gives the same increment of diameter
simultaneously to all parts of the packing, and expanding the packing equally from
the centre of the piston rod; the bearing of the latter in the gland of the cylinder
head is made even.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DUPLEX PUMPING ENGINES." A communication from
abroad by George F. Blake, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Where large quantities of water have to be supplied continuously by pumping, as
for waterworks of towns or cities, or have to be raised, as for clearing mines, it is
usual to employ duplex pumps, which by the alternation of their strokes compel a
continuous flow of water through the pipes, thereby obviating destructive con-
cussions and shocks, which would occur with but a single pump.
With ordinary duplex engines, if either engine or pump meets with obstruction or
accident, the other is stopped, thereby completely cutting off the flow of water which
the pumping engine should make continuous.
The object of this Invention is such a coupling or mechanical connection between
the two engines that so long as one engine and one pump remain in working order
the flow of water may be continued.
The Invention consists in the combination, with two pumping engines capable
of being worked as independent engines, of a system of links or connections
between the two engines whereby each engine may be made to actuate the
valves of the opposite engine, or may operate its own valves and those of the
opposite engine.
Also in the combination with the auxiliary valve of moveable valve seats at the
side thereof.
Also in a piston composed of a threaded hub, and cone, and segments, and ex-
pansion ring, all placed inside the packing.
The expansion ring which sets out the packing is moved uniformly from the
centre of the piston, and consequently gives the same increment of diameter simul-
taneously to all parts of the packing, and expanding the packing equally from the
centre of the piston rod; the bearing of the latter in the gland of the cylinder head
is made even.
Figure 1 represents one of these improved duplex pumping engines in per-
spective.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the main and auxiliary cylinders and valves.
Figure 3, a section on line x, x, Figure 2, looking upward.
Figure 4 is a top view of the seat of the main engine.
Figure 5, a perspective view of the auxiliary valve and moveable seat.
Figure 6, an inverted view of main valve.
Figure 7, a vertical section of the expanding piston.
Figure 8, a horizontal section on line x, x, Figure 7.
Figure 9, a perspective view of expansion ring.
Figure 10, a view of the wrench.
Figure 11, one of the segments separated.
On Sheets 2 and 3, Figure 12, an enlarged section of main and auxiliary pistons,
with a modified form of valve and ports, and a device to regulate the amount of
lost motion between the valve rod and its lever.
Figure 13, a section detail showing auxiliary piston exhausting.
Figure 14, a sectional detail showing auxiliary piston receiving live steam.

page_text: Figure 15, a longitudinal section in a plane passing through the axis of both
cylinders; Figure 16, an end view of Figure 15, and Figure 17 a bottom view
thereof.
Figure 18, a plan view of the main cylinder and its valve seat; Figure 19, a
section on lines 2, 2; Figure 20, a section on lines 3, 3; Figure 21, a section on
lines 4, 4.
Figure 22, an end view of the main cylinder.
Figures 23, 24, 25, and 26, top, side, bottom, and end views of combined auxiliary
valve and moveable seat.
Figure 27, elevation and end view of the auxiliary piston.
Figure 28, different views of the main valve.
Figure 29, a detail, in section, of the exhaust steam passages in auxiliary cylinder
taken on line E, and Figure 30, a similar detail of live steam port taken on line F.
Referring to Sheet 1, Figure 1 represents two direct-acting pumping engines,
marked No. 1, and No. 2. Each engine is a duplicate of the other. Engine No. 1
has an auxiliary cylinder A, in which reciprocates an auxiliary piston or plunger D
which operates the main valve V. The inlet and exhaust of this auxiliary cylinder A
are controlled by valves operated by a slide rod b moved by a lever 1, receiving
notion from a tappet rod T'impelled in one direction by the piston P of the main
cylinder B, and in the opposite direction by a tappet arm n on a cross head C
attached to and moving with the piston rod R. A bracket E attached to the
head H of engine No. 1 serves to support the fulcrum of lever r, and affords a
bearing for two rocker shafts S, S'. A bracket E' attached to the head of engine
No. 2 supports the opposite ends of the shafts. The rock shaft S has on one end an
arm & attached by a link L to the valve rod b, and near its other end it has an
arm O¹, which is vibrated from a pin p' attached to the cross head C¹ of the piston
rod R¹ of engine No. 2.
The reciprocation of cross head C₁ vibrates the rock shaft S, and operates the
valves which control the movements of engine No. 1. The rock shaft S₁ has an
arm d' attached by link L' to rod b', controlling the movement of the valves of
engine No. 2.
The shaft S is rocked to move the rod b' through an arm O con-
nected with the pin p of the cross head C of the piston rod of engine No. 1.
When the engines are coupled each to operate the valve of the other, the tappet
bars T, T', are removed, and the holes in which they work are covered by screw
caps, and the levers 7, rl, are disconnected, or the tappet arms n, n', may be mado
removable, so as not to strike the levers.
When it is desired that one engine, as No. 1, work its own valves and also the
valves of engine No. 2, the link L of No. 1 may be disconnected from the rock
shaft S and the tappet T be inserted, or the lever O' may be disconnected from the
pin p¹ of the cross head C¹. If desired both the lever and the link may be dis-
connected. Engine No. 1 will then operate its own valves by means of tappet T
and tappet arm n, they moving the lever and rod b, and also the valves of engine
No. 2 by means of the arm O, rock shaft S', and connections d', L¹, b¹. A con-
verse arrangement enables engine No. 2 to operate its own valves and those of
engine No. 1.
When it is desired that each or either engine act independently, the links L, L',
are disconnected from the rocker shafts S, S¹, respectively; or, if preferred, the
levers O, O', may be disconnected from the pins p, p'. In either case the tappet
rods are to be replaced ready to co-operate with the tappet arms. The tappet rods
are moved outward by the main pistons as they approach the ends of their forward
strokes.
Above the main cylinder, see Figure 2, is the auxiliary cylinder, in which works
an auxiliary piston D, which, driven by steam, moves the main valve V in the usual
way. This valve rests on the moveable seat F, adapted to slide over the fixed
valve seat G.
The cylinder A, in Figure 2, takes steam and exhausts through ports and steam-

page_text: ways controlled by the auxiliary valves J, K, placed in side recesses in the moveable
seat F, the steamways being shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.
In Figure 3 the cylinder A is shown as adapted to take steam at first through
ports o, p, and then through q, t, when piston D passes port t, and as exhausting
through ports u, v, w. The port 62 is nearer the end of cylinder A, than the port u,
and as the valve K closes port a¹, a portion of the steam is trapped between port u
and the head next to it. The reverse throw of the valve produces a converse con-
dition of the ports and steamways; the cylinder A then takes steam through
ports v, u, a, b, and exhausts through ports t, q, w, the auxiliary piston cushioning
on steam trapped between the port t and the head near it, the port o being closed by
valve K.
The main valve V controls the ports in the movable seat F and valve seat G, so
that the main cylinder B, in the position shown is Figure 2, takes steam through
the ports S¹, S2, and after a slight movement of the piston P, the steam thereafter
passes through the ports k, h, h, and it exhausts through ports j¹, j, m, a, l, i, and
the piston at each end of its stroke cushions on steam trapped between port j¹ and
head H, or in the reverse direction between port h¹ and head H³, by reason of u¹
and S¹ being alternately covered by the plain portion of the under surface of the
main valve, shown in Figure 6.
In my former English Patent the auxiliary valve and movable seat were made
in one piece, but by separating the valves J, K, it is possible to cast or drill the
ports of the auxiliary cylinder entirely within the cylinder, with the exception of
the main exhaust port w of the auxiliary cylinder, which enters the exhaust port of
the main engine.
When the pump is connected with a condenser, the main exhaust port w is not
drilled into the exhaust of the main engine, but is drilled through the outside of the
auxiliary cylinder, and is piped separately into the atmosphere. This is done in
order to allow the steam to be trapped in the auxiliary cylinder for cushioning,
which could not be done without contracting the passages; were the auxiliary
cylinder connected with the condenser. Contracting the passages would prevent the
pump being run at high speed.
Instead of making the auxiliary valve and moveable seat, as shown in Figure 5,
or as shown in other pumps, it may be made as shown on Sheets 2 and 3, wherein
the ports in the auxiliary cylinder are continued in the main cylinder.
In the Figures on Sheets 2 and 3, the main steam and exhaust ports are sub-
stantially, as in the other Figures before described, but instead of dividing the
steam passages in the seat G and in the auxiliary valve and moveable seat F, the
partitions are removed, leaving the passages of full size. When the parts are in the
position in Figure 12, the port us, Figure 18, will be uncovered to permit the live
steam to start the piston past the mouth of passage j, which will complete its
movement.
The passages u³, 8³, and q, w, v, correspond in function and operation with
passages having like letters, and described in the other Figures. The passages a, b*,
Figure 19, communicating with the steam passages u², s³, supply live steam to
passages in the auxiliary cylinder to operate the auxiliary piston. One of such
passages is shown at 62, Figures 16 and 30. The exhaust passages for the auxiliary
cylinder are shown at t, u, Figures 12 and 29.
In Figures 23 to 26, showing the auxiliary valve and movable seat, the passages
or ports c, d, e, correspond in action with the passages in valves J, K, before
described.
To regulate the throw of the moveable seat so as to permit the auxiliary piston to
move sooner or later with relation to the stroke of the main piston, an adjustable
connection is employed to afford a certain amount of lost motion when desired
between the valve rod and its lever. This connection is composed of an outer sleeve
provided with an internal screw thread to fit a screw thread upon a fixed portion g*.
Within the sleeve is a threaded nut provided with arms i fitting loosely in slots
in the sleeve, and embracing screw threads on the end of rod b. The outer sleeve

page_text: is provided with suitable openings to receive a pin to turn it, and with a suitable
set nut to hold it in position. The screw thread uniting the outer sleeve and the
part g is twice as steep as that between the nut and rod b, and consequently as the
sleeve is turned the nut does not move as much. By turning the sleeve more or less
equal space may be left between the nut h' and the shoulder within the sleeve and
the end of the part g', such space determining the amount of lost motion. The
length of the stroke increases with the amount of lost motion, and the lost motion is
diminished as the speed is increased to prevent pounding.
As to the pump piston, the rod R near its end receives the hub H*, and is threaded
to take the nut N. The hub has a wide flange, and the sleeve-like portion of the
hub is provided with a screw thread to receive the conical expander Ò³, adapted to
be moved along the thread by means of a wrench W².
The segments S³, cylindrical externally and conoidal internally, are arranged out-
side the conical expander, and are guided so as to move only in radial lines by
pins på which enter radial slots in the segments. One segment is preferably secured
to the slotted expansion ring E², the others being placed loosely within it. The
packing ring or material is placed outside the expansion ring and between the
hub H and the follower F. The cone may be moved longitudinally by the wrench
to move the segments out or in, and consequently expand or contract the packing.
Spiral springs & act to prevent the cone riding up, the hub. By fixing one of the
segments to the ring, the ring will be so held as to cause its ends to lap upon the
middle of one of the other segments, so that as the ring is expanded or contracted
its ends will not be caught or made to interfere.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim is,―
First. The combination with two pumping engines capable of being worked as
independent engines of a system of mechanical connections between the two engines,
whereby each engine may be made to actuate the valves of the opposite engine, or
may operate its own valves and those of the opposite engine, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Second. The combination with two pumping engines, each capable of independent
action, of connecting mechanism to operate the valve rods, such mechanism con-
sisting of pins p, p¹, levers 0, 0¹, rocker shafts S, S₁, arms d, d', and links L, L¹.
Third. The combination with the moveable valve seat of the side valves J, K,
and the system of ports controlled by them to operate the auxiliary piston, the com-
bination operating substantially as described.
Fourth. The threaded hub and the cone in combination with the segments, ex-
pansion ring, and packing, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Fifth. The hub. and expansion ring in combination with the guided segments,
one of which is attached to the ring to operate, all substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)