IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS, CARRIAGES, AND MACHINERY, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE RAISING OF WATER
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL
WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL OME, 1, PETER
TAYLOR, of Birchen Bower within Chadderton, in the County of Lancaster, Rope
Maker and Slate Merchant, send greeting.
⚫ WHEREAS Her present most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Let-
ters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the First day of December, in the second year of Her reign, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Peter Taylor, Her
especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Peter
Taylor, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Peter
Taylor, my exors, adiñiors, 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, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS, CARRIAGES, AND MACHINERY,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE RAISING OF WATER;" in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Peter Taylor,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately 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 Peter
Taylor, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and

page_text: by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon; that is to say:-
My Invention relates, first, to certain combination of machinery or apparatus
for propelling vessels.
Secondly, to improvements in rotatory steam engines, which are suitable for
driving such machinery for propelling vessels, and also for propelling the wheels
of locomotive engines, and generally to actuating machinery.
And, thirdly, the improvements in rotatory steam engines are equally appli
cable to rotatory pumps for raising water.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
on
Figure 1 represents a side view of a canal boat, barge, or vessel, having my
improvements applied thereto; the red lines indicating the general outlines
of the barge, and also the additional framing applied to the stem and stern in
order to receive the machinery or apparatus for propelling the same. The blue
line indicates the water line; and I would remark that the steam engine shewn
as the means of actuating the machinery or apparatus on board is of a con
struction according to the second part of my Invention, but it will be evident
that the machinery for propelling is independent of such steam engine, and may
be used with any other good steam engine. The machinery or apparatus for
propelling relates to a mode of using continuous vanes or screws, or portions of
screws, or portions of oblique or curved vanes or blades, on two axes; and the
Drawing shows a suitable arrangement of axes both at the stem and stern
of the vessel for receiving the proper propellers according to my Invention; at
the same time I would remark that it is not necessary at all times so to arrange
such propelling machinery, for it may be applied to either end of the vessel
only, or in other convenient position, so long as the mode of combination
constituting my Invention is retained. Figure 2 shew's a boss and two oblique
curved vanes or portions of screws or blades separately on a larger scale, by
which the nature of my propellers will readily be understood. They consist
each of an oblique vane or projecting surface or curved blade affixed on an
axis, Figure 2 shewing two such oblique vanes or curved blades affixed to the
same boss, and Figure 3 shews a boss separate; these bosses are to be keyed,
or otherwise firmly affixed to the axes, and each axes may have one or
more such bosses depending on the power of the engine, and on the extent
of surface of such vanes or blades. I would here remark, that I am aware
that similar vanes or portions of screws, as well as entire screws, have

page_text: been before employed for propelling vessels; my Invention does not, there-
fore, relate to the application of such vanes or screws generally, but only to a
novel combination of such propellers, which consists in having two shafts
or axes so arranged in respect to each other that the screws, or portions of
screws, or curved vanes, or oblique surface, or blades of the one can enter
between the screws, or portions of screws, or vanes, or blades on the other
shaft or axis, and thus enable me to obtain a very considerable extent of pro-
pelling surface within a given space. Figure 4 shows an end view of the
barge or vessel, wherein it will be seen that the portions of screws, or oblique
vanes, or curved propellers of one shaft or axis come nearly up to the other
shaft or axis, thereby obtaining a great extent of propelling surface within the
space of the stern of such vessel. And I would remark, that, although the axes
are shown as above the water line, it is not essential to the well working of my
improvement of this mode of propelling, for the axes or shafts may be below
the water line, and indeed the whole of the propellers surfaces may be below
the water line. And although I have described the working of the vanes or
screws one between the other, yet I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself thereto when the shafts are kept above the water line, as the
shafts may be put at a greater distance apart (when using portions of screws
or vanes), and relatively placed though even the vessel should intervene, so as
not to permit the vanes to work between each other; but I am of opinion that
such placing will not be found so useful as the arrangement above described;
and I wish it to be distinctly understood that in all cases when using entire
screws I do confine myself to the working of them as between each other,
whether above or below the water line.
In the Drawing a, a, represent the oblique vanes, or portions of screws, or
curved blades affixed on the shafts or axes b, b, and they are set or affixed on
the shafts or axes in opposite directions; that is, the oblique vanes or pro-
pellers a, a, are affixed on one shaft or axis in such manner that they may be
said to form parts of a right-handed screw, and the oblique vanes or
propellers a, a, are so affixed on the other shaft or axis that they may be said
to form parts of a left-handed screw, & when using entire screws they must also
be right hand & left hand, and the shafts are placed so near together that the
vanes a, a, work nearly up to the shaft on which they are not placed, as will
readily be understood on examining the Drawing, and this is invariably the case
when using entire screws or continuous vanes. The shafts b turn in suitable
bearings at c, c, and they pass through tubes d, and enter a well or enclosure of
the vessel, as is shown at e (from which no water can flow into the vessel,
and have cog wheels f affixed, as shown at g; these wheels receive motion from

page_text: other cog wheels h affixed on the axis i, which turns in suitable bearings at j;
this axis receives motion from the cog wheel affixed on the main shaft or
axis of the rotatory steam engine, the nature of which will be hereafter
described; such wheel k taking into and driving the wheel affixed on the
axis i, all which is clearly shown in the Drawing, and will readily be understood
examining Figure 1. m is a drum or pulley affixed on the axis i, which,
by means of a band or strap, drives the axis n, on which is affixed a fan wheel,
which is applied to produce a quick draft to the boiler, which is of similar con-
struction to what are now commonly used in locomotive engines; o is the steering
wheel, connected with the rudder by suitable gearing, as shown; and p is a
wheel on the axis q for reversing the engine when required, as will be hereafter
explained in reference to my improvements on steam engines. By this arrange-
ment the steersman can, when it is desirable, reverse the direction of the steam
engine, and by such means have the power of controlling the progress and
direction of the barge or vessel according to his desire. Figure 5 shows another
arrangement of gearing for propelling two shafts with propellers. is a cog
wheel which is affixed to the axis of a rotatory or other steam engine;
and s, s, are two cogs wheels or pinions which are affixed to the shafts carrying
the propellers; and it will be seen that the wheel r has two sets of cogs, an
that the wheels s have like number of teeth to each other, consequently will
be driven at like speed. This arrangement offers considerable advantage where
space is an object, and a saving of gearing will be obtained in communicating
quick motion to the propellers; by which arrangement, also, the propellers are
driven in contrary directions by merely reversing the engine. It will be seen
that the vessel may be propelled backwards or forwards. It will further be
seen that by exchanging the axes and propellers into the contrary bearings, the
water will be moved to or from the centre as may be most desirable, but in
that case the engine or moving power must be reversed.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention. Figure 6
is a vertical section of a steam engine constructed according to my Invention,
the secton being taken transversley across the main axis or shaft. Figure 7
is another section of the same engine, taken lengthwise of the shaft or axis; and
Figures 8 is an end view of the engine. In each of these Figures the same
letters indicate similar parts, and such is the case in respect of the various
other Figures shewn in the Drawing, wherein many of the parts are shown
separately and in various views. The nature of this engine is such that there is an
external or fixed cylinder, which may be called the steam cylinder, within which
works another cylinder, leaving between the two cylinders an annular space
in which the pistons work, such pistons sliding into and from the inner cylinder.

page_text: I would remark, that so far there is no. novelty in the construction of my engine
over others previously constructed. A is the outer cylinder, which is securely
held by suitable framing; B is the inner cylinder, which may be made in one
or in two or more parts securely affixed to the main axis C by keys or other-
wise; D, D, are the ends of the cylinder B, and they are so formed as to
receive the parallel guides E, E, as is shown in the Drawing; these guides are
aflixed by screws and nuts to the ends D of the cylinder B, and the guides
are accurately made in order to their controlling the movement of the pistons
as hereafter explained, and to compel them to move in correct radial lines
from and to the centre of the cylinder B, as they are caused to move by means
of the excentric guides, hereafter explained. F, F, are the pistons, there being
two, though other numbers may be used, proper variations of the parts on the
principles hereafter explained being made, my Invention not relating to the
number of pistons employed, but to the apparatus used for controlling and
aiding their well working; these pistons slide into and project from the
cylinder B, as hereafter explained. On the pistons are projecting axes G,
which have each two wheels or pulleys moving thereon; one of these
wheels G' working in the guides E, E, at each end of the cylinder B, and
consequently constraining the piston to move correctly. And I would
remark, that it is important that these parts should be truly and accurately
made, in order to their working well together. The pistons work through slits
or openings formed in the cylinder B, which are packed by metallic packing,
as shown in the Drawing. The pistons are caused to move into and from the
cylinder B by means of excentric guides H, H, affixed to or formed on the end
covers of the cylinder A; and it is important here to remark that the guides H, H,
are so applied that the pistons should not be withdrawn out of action till they'
have passed the eduction way, and consequently are no longer acted or pressed
on by the steam, and therefore allow of the piston being drawn in towards the
centre of the cylinder B with case, and such drawing in of the pistons and
moving of them out is performed by the wheels G³ moving between the guides
H, H; and further, the pistons are projected into the annular steam way in such
manner as not to be pressed on forcibly till the piston is completely out, by
which arrangement the pistons are moved with facility, all which will readily
be traced by a careful examination of the Drawings; and it will be seen that
the edges of the pistons are grooved out in order to receive metallic packing a, a,
which is at all times pressed out by spiral springs, which are placed in suitable
recesses formed in the pistons. I, I, is a steam abutment, which consists of two
plates I affixed to the cylinder A by screws or bolts with nuts, as is shown; J
being a metallic packing, which is capable of being adjusted by means of screws

page_text: K, as is clearly shown in the Drawing; these screws passing to the outside of
the cylinder A, and consequently allowing of adjusting from the outside, as
will readily be undersood on examining the various Figures of the Drawing.
It should be stated that the ends of the cylinder B are packed by metallic pack-
ings L, L, from the rings L' attached to each end of the outer cylinder, and
pressing on the surface of the inner cylinder at each end, by which means
the annular space between the two cylinders A, B, is kept steam-tight, as
is clearly shown in the Drawing. M, M, are the steam ways, which respec-
tively open into the steam cylinder A, and also into the steam box N, (the
steam from the boiler entering at the point O, and the steam, after having
acted on the pistons, passes away at the point or eduction way P, and it
will be seen that by means of the slide valves Q the direction of the steam
may be varied as occasion may require; and the slide valve Q moves in
parallel guides Q', and is moved by means of a pinion R working in the
rack Q³ formed in the upper part of the valve Q, as is shown in the Draw-
ing, such pinion being affixed on the axis R', which passes through a proper
stuffing box to the outside of the steam box, as is shewn in the Drawing.
Now, although a somewhat similar reversing motion may have been
applied to other engines of a different construction, yet I claim the com-
bination which I have described as applied to all rotatory steam engines
having pistons sliding into and from the inner cylinder. It will, however,
be evident that the slide may be worked by other means, such as a rod
passing through a stuffing box, in like manner to that resorted to for moving
the slides of reciprocating steam engines. Figure 9 shows another arrange-
ment for moving the pistons out from the inner cylinder, and of drawing
them out of action. In this Figure the same letters are used to indicate
similar parts; the only difference from what has been above described is in
respect to the excentric guides, which are on the end covers of the outer
cylinder, being dispensed with, and in place thereof there are springs X affixed
to the outer cylinder, or they may be affixed to the annular wall of the steam
chamber, one at each end, which springs X offer elastic guides to the wheels
on the axes of the pistons as they require to be withdrawn, but presents a
fixed resistance at its centre, thereby ensuring the entire withdrawing of the
pistons when passing the steam abutment. In this case only one wheel G is
used on each axis of the pistons, and there are wheels or pulleys carried by the
inner cylinder which serve as guides to the pistons in order to keep them
to their radial. It will be seen that the moving of the inner cylinder will
cause the frame or casting X' to slide over the main axes C when the wheels
of the pistons come in contact with the fixed spring X. In each end of the

page_text: frame or casting X2 is a slot in which the necks of the pistons F move towards
and from the centre of the axes C as they are operated upon by the spiral
springs X³, which spiral springs are recessed at that part of each of the bearings
which carries the pistons, as will be clearly seen in the Drawing referred to.
X is one of four sliding racks, one of which is affixed to and slides upon each
side of the frame or casting X, and there is a similar arrangement at each end
of the engine; ✗³ is one of four pinions, one of which revolves upon each
end of a shaft which runs in suitable bearings, and carried by the inner
cylinder b, the sliding racks X 4 working into and driving the pinions X 5.
Each sliding rack is connected by a rod to the piston, and consequently assists
the parallel motion of the pistons. ✗6 is a washer or ring, which is affixed by a
pinching screw to the axes C of the cylinder B, or it may remain loosely upon
it; one of which washers or rings is placed on each side of the frame or
casting X2 as guides. Figures 10 shows another arrangement of excentric
guides for forcing out the pistons, and for withdrawing them again out of action.
In this instance, in place of having the excentric guides fast to the end covers
of the outer cylinder, the guides are affixed to a frameing or division betwixt
the ends of the inner cylinder B and the covers of the outer cylinder A; in
this case I employ spring guides X, which have play at their ends and sides, so
as to give way when the wheels or pulleys of the pistons first strike against
them. It will be seen that the centre of the spring X offers a fixed resistance,
thereby ensuring the entire withdrawing of the pistons when passing the steam
abutment. The object of this arrangement is, that the guides may be more
readily got at and examined than when the guides are fixed on the inner
surfaces of the covers of the outer cylinder. The excentric guide shewn in
Figure 10 would be suitable for three pistons, the radial guides of which to
consist of wheels or pulleys bearing upon each end of the piston, and carried
by the inner cylinder, as shewn in Figures 12 & 13. Figure 11 shews three
pistons on a small scale, two of them projected out and the third withdrawn
for the purpose of passing the steam abutment; and with respect to the
steam ways, any engineer or machinist would be competent to vary them to
suit the alteration in the number of pistons employed without departing from
my principle of putting them out and of withdrawing them in a position not
to be forcibly acted upon by the steam. Figure 12 shows a transverse section,
and Figure 13 shows a longitudinal section of a rotatory engine, differing in
some degree from those above described, and relates to a mode of obtaining
the requisite radial slidings of the pistons in substitution of the modes above
described; in this case there are two wheels on the axes of each of the pistons,
which are guided by the excentrics Y affixed on the fixed shaft Y', the shaft or
axis of the engine being hollow, and turning on the fixed shaft, and in the

page_text: bearings at each end, the outer wheels on the piston axes working against
the spring guides X, and it is by working between the excentric spring guides X
and the cams or excentrics Y that the pistons are caused to be forced out of
and drawn into the inner cylinder, and the pistons are caused to move in correct
radial directions by means of friction wheels or pulleys Z, the axes of which are
carried by suitable bearings attached to the inner surface of the inner cylinder.
It will be seen, however, that by attaching the spring guide X to the fixed
cams or excentrics Y within the inner cylinder, see Figures 16 & 17, that the
outer wheels or pulleys, as well as the axes on each end of the pistons, may be
dispensed with.
It will further be seen by reference to Figures 18 & 19 that a fixed
guide or excentric, similar to that which is shewn in the Drawing, may be
substituted for the cams shewn in Figure 12 and 13, thereby dispensing
entirely both with the springs X and the axes and wheels on each end of the
pistons; both these modes of controlling the pistons I also claim as of my Inven-
tion. In other respects the parts are the same as heretofore explained, and are
marked with the same letters of reference.
In order to the affixing any of the cams or excentrics Y on the fixed shaft
within the hollow shaft, see Figs. 12 & 13, it will be obvious that the
inner cylinder must consist of at least 3 separate parts bolted firmly together.
Figure 14 shows another mode of acting on the pistons, and consists in having
a projecting excentric guide W affixed or formed on a framing or division at
each end, bewixt the end cover of the outer cylinder and the end of the inner
cylinder, or it may be affixed upon the inner side of the end cover at each end
of the engine, and in this case at each end of the piston there are two axes,
each having a wheel or pulley; by this means there is one wheel of cach
piston or one side, and one on the other of the excentric guide, and in the
revolution of the axis will cause the pistons to move properly. Figure 20
shews a naked end view of the outer cylinder A, and which is bored at each
end a little wider than the steam chamber, in order to form an abutment or
shoulder for the ring, as shown in Figure 21, which ring forms the wall
at each end for the annular steam chamber, and which is bolted to the outer
cylinder, as is shown in Figure 21, and entirely fills up the space at each end
betwixt the inner and the outer cylinder, and is packed by metallic packing as
before described. Figure 22 shows a framing to be placed betwixt Figure 21
and the end cover or lid of the outer cylinder, within which it is received and
bolted to it, or it may be bolted to the wall of the steam chamber; this
framing is for the purpose solely of carrying the guides which regulate
the pistons, instead of affixing them either to the end covers or to the fixed
axes or shaft within the hollow shaft as described. By this arrangement the

page_text: working parts may all be adjusted, and seen at work, before the end plates or
covers are affixed, which end plates or covers in that case have no other use
than merely to serve as a casing or enclosure. Figure 23 shows a section of
the three preceding Figures, viz, 20, 21, & 22, combined.
It now only remains for me to remark that in employing the engine above
explained as a pump for raising water that there is to be a proper suction way
or pipe to be attached to the engine in place of the steam pipe; and there is also
to be an eduction pipe for conveying off the water to the position required in
place of having the steam valve and parts shown, all which will readily be
applied and arranged by an engineer or machinist capable of making the
other parts.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would have it under-
stood that I make no claim to any of the parts separately, and some of the
parts may be varied without departing from my Invention, so long as the
principle or combinations be retained.
I would remark that it is evident that, by having wheels affixed to the axis
of the steam engines suitable for railway locomotive carriages, the engine may
be applied to propel carriages; and also it will be evident that by having any
machinery properly geered to the axis of the steam engine the same may be
applied for driving such machinery.
And I would have it understood that what I claim as my Invention is,―
First, the mode of applying a series of oblique propellers, vanes, or curved
blades or screws, or portions of screws, on two shafts or axes at a distance from
each other, however such shafts are driven, where the propellers, or vanes, or
screws work between each other, whether above or below the water line,
and when using portions of screws or curved blades only, instead of entire
screws. I claim the using of them as well not only where the vanes or pro-
pellers work between each other, but I claim them also even if so otherwise
relatively placed that the water acted on by one set is driven or drawn to or
from the other set, and acted on thereby.
Secondly, I claim the mode of driving two shafts or axis having curved
or oblique vanes, or propellers, or screws, or portions of screws, as before
described, by means of one wheel driving two shafts, as above described; sce
Fig. 5.
Thirdly, I claim the various modes of combining the parts of a rotatory
steam engine, as shewn and described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of moving the pistons of rotatory steam engines
into and out of the inner cylinder by means of having two wheels on each of
the axes, one of which wheels moving in guides similar to E, carried by the

page_text: ends of the inner cylinder; and the other wheel G2 working in the guides
similar to H, as described in Figure 7, whether the arrangement of engines be
similar to that above described, or materially varied in some parts of the
combination.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of placing the steam ways in respect to the with-
drawing and projecting out of the pistons, that they shall not have to be with-
drawn or projected out when strongly pressed on by steam on one side, as above
described.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of constructing and combining the end plates and
end covers of the cylinder A, see Figures 7 and 8, whereby great facility is
obtained for removing either end cover and parts to which it is connected, in
order to get to the inside of the cylinder A, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing.
Seventhly, in addition to my fourth claim in respect to a mode of moving
the pistons into and out of the inner cylinder, I further claim all and every
of the other modes which I have described (however varied or inter-
changed the same may be) of moving the pistons and of controlling and
regulating the movement of them as the same are variously described and seen
in the various Figures.
Eighthly, in addition to my sixth claim in respect of my mode of construct-
ing and combining the end plates of the cylinder A, I further claim the mode
of constructing and combining the end rings or plates and framing of the
engine also before, described, and shewn by reference to Figures 20, 21, 22, and
23, by which arrangement the working parts may be adjusted and seen at work
by merely removing the outer cover or lid.
Ninthly, I claim the combination which I have described and modes of
reversing the steam as applied to any rotatory steam engine having pistons
sliding into and from the inner cylinder.
Tenthly, I claim the steam abutment as described and shewn in the various
Drawings as combined with the mode of adjusting the metallic packing from
the outside of the outer cylinder by means of the screws K.
Lastly, I claim the mode of constructing a like engine for the purpose of
raising water as above explained.
And I make each and every of the above claims, whether the arrangement
of engines be similar to what I have described, or materially varied in some
parts of the combination.
2
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Taylor, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
PETER (L.B.) TAYLOR.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirty-first day of May, in
the year of our Lord 1839, the aforesaid Peter Taylor came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.