IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Moy, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the City of
London, Engineering Draughtsman, and Richard Edmund Shill, of
Mile End, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES.”
Sealed the 12th December 1871, and dated the 18th October 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Moy and
Richard Edmund Shill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 18th October 1871.
WE, THOMAS Mor, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the Oity of London,
Engineering Draughtsman, and RICHARD EDMUND SHILL, of Mile End,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
Our Invention relates to engines of smaller weight than usual,
adapted for use on street tramways, for omnibuses, and for other
purposes for which light engines are required, and has for its object

page_text: economy and simplicity of construction, with a capability of using steam
of high expansion without superheating, and consequent economy in
working, also increased safety.
"
And our Invention consists in combining in one body one or more
cylinders with a steam generator which surrounds the cylinder or
cylinders. One or more sides of the chamber surrounding the cylinder
or cylinders is or are formed by tube plates, in which are inserted the
ends of tubes bent into the form of an elongated U, into which tubes,
suitably encased in brickwork or iron, water is admitted, and round
which tubes the heat of a furnace or heat produced by other means is
applied.
•
By this arrangement the whole body of the cylinder or cylinders except
one or both covers thereof is enclosed in the water and steam of the
said chamber, thereby maintaining the temperature in the cylinder or
cylinders, and facilitating the working of the engine expansively. This
arrangement also enables us to dispense with much of the ordinary
framing of steam engines. The cylinder or cylinders is or are cast or
formed with such additions thereto that the cylinders, valve chests, and
tube plates form the body of the steam generator as well as of the engine.
In engines with only one cylinder, we prefer to use two pistons which
nearly meet in the middle of the cylinder, and are worked in opposite
directions simultaneously. The piston rod or rods nearest to the axle is
or are connected to the crank thercof by one of the well-known steeplo
.arrangements, and the piston rod farthest from the axle is provided with
a crosshead and a pair of connecting rods leading to and actuating two
cranks at suitable distances from the central crank on the axle, the
outer cranks being set opposite to the central crank. By this balanced'
arrangement of the parts the action of the engine is equalised, and tho
smoothness of its working increased.
In engines with three cylinders we sometimes make the middle
cylinder work one crank in one direction while the two outer cylinders
work two other cranks on the samo axle in an opposite direction, the
steam passing from the middle cylinder to the two outer cylinders
through short passages at each end of the same, and expanding from the
central cylinders to the outer ones.
In engines with two or more cylinders, we sometimes arrange the
cranks at other suitable angles, so as to equalize the rotative power

page_text: obtained, and cause the steam to be expanded in each cylinder
independently, cutting it off at such portion of the stroke as may be
necessary.
The valves are sometimes what are called piston valves, placed in
the steam generator, or they may be ordinary slide valves suitably
arranged.
The combination of a cylinder or cylinders with its or their appendages
above referred to, also facilitates their use on the principle of "compound
engines," the usual superheater not being required for the outgoing
) steam.
In marine engines we sometimes use surface condensers somewhat
similar in form to the steam generator, but having an air pump instead
of a steam cylinder and the tubes surrounded by cold water instead of
heat.
In some cases we use a condenser without an air pump, and expose
the tubes to the atmosphere only, and reduce the outgoing steam to
water by keeping the pressure above that of the atmosphere when
necessary.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th April 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
Mox, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the Oity of London, Engineering Draughts-
man, and RICHARD EDMUND SHILL, of Mile End, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in' the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund
Shill, Her special licence that we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard
Edmund Shill, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no

page_text: others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, usc, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the 5
said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill, our exccutors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within 1
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that wo, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund
Shill, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and 1
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the Drawings hercunto annexed and to the letters and figures
marked thereon (that is to say)
Our Invention of "Improvements in Steam Engines," relates to engines
of smaller weight than usual, adapted for use on street tramways, for 2
omnibuses, and for other purposes for which light engines are required,
and has for its object economy and simplicity of construction, with a
capability of using steam of high expansion without superheating, and
consequent economy in working, also increased safety.
And our Invention consists in combining in one body one or morċ 2
cylinders with a steam generator which surrounds the cylinder or
cylinders. One or more sides of the chamber surrounding the cylinder
or cylinders is or are formed by tube plates, in which are inserted the
ends of tubes bent into the form of an elongated U, into which tubes,
suitably encased in brickwork or iron, water is admitted and round a
which tubes the heat of a furnace or heat produced by other means is
applied.
By this arrangement the whole body of the cylinder or cylinders,
except in some cases one or both covers thereof, is enclosed in the water
and steam of the said chamber, thereby maintaining the temperature in a
the cylinder or cylinders, and facilitating the working of the engine

page_text: expansively. This arrangement also enables us to dispense with much
of the ordinary framing of steam engines.
The cylinder or cylinders is or are cast or formed with such additions
thereto that the cylinders, valve chests, and tube plates form the body of
the steam generator as well as of the engine.
In engines with only one cylinder, we sometimes make use of two
pistons which nearly meet in the middle of the cylinder, and are worked
in opposite directions simultaneously.
When two pistons are used the piston rod or rods nearest to the axle
is or are connected to the crank thereof by one of the well-known steeple
or double piston rod arrangements, and the piston rod farthest from the
axle is provided with a crosshead and a pair of connecting rods, leading
to and actuating two cranks at suitable distances from the central crank
on the axle, the outer cranks being set at opposite angles to the central
crank. By this balanced arrangement of the parts, the action of the
engine is equalized, and the smoothness of its working increased.
In engines with three cylinders we sometimes make the middle
cylinder work one crank in one direction, while the two outer cylinders
work two other cranks on the same axle in an opposite direction, the
steam passing from the middle cylinder to the two outer cylinders
through short passages at each end of the same, and expanding from the
central cylinder to the outer ones.
In engines with two or more cylinders we sometimes arrange the
cranks at other suitable angles so as to equalize the rotative power
obtained, and cause the steam to be expanded in each cylinder inde-
pendently, cutting it off at such portion of the stroke as may be
necessary.
.
The valves are sometimes what are called piston valves, placed in the
steam generator, or they may be ordinary slide valves suitably arranged.
The combination of a cylinder or cylinders with its or their appendages
above referred to also facilitates their use on the principle of "compound
engines," the usual superheater not being required for the outgoing
steam.
In marine engines we sometimes use surface condensers. somewhat

page_text: of a steam cylinder, and the tube surrounded by cold water instead of
licat.
In some cases we use a condenser without an air pump, and expose
the tubes to the atmosphere only, and reduce the outgoing steam to
water by keeping the pressure above that of the atmosphere when t
necessary.
-
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention we will proceed
to describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, in which aro
represented engines and parts thereof constructed in the manner or
manners above referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of an engine, shewing its combination or
incorporation with a steam generator, both set in brickwork; Fig. 2 is a
section of the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical section, shewing the engine only
without the steam generator, the section being taken at right angles to
that in Fig. 2. In Figures 4 to 10, both inclusive, are shewn detached
parts which will be herein-after described; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of
the engine without the steam generator; and Fig. 12 is a similar view,
but with one tube plate removed. In all these Figures the same letters
of reference indicate corresponding parts..
A, A, (Figures 1 and 2) is the brickwork in which are enclosed the
engine, surrounded by the steam generator with the furnace or furnaces
for applying the requisite heat; B, B, are two furnaces or two portions
of the furnace, one on each side of the engine; O is a chamber contain-
ing water and steam and surrounding the cylinder D, both of which,
together with the valve chest E, are or may be formed in one casting;
F, F, are tube plates bolted to this casting and forming the sides of the
chamber C, in which plates are inscrted the ends of the tubes G, G, into
which water is admitted and round which the heat from the furnace or
firc-places B, B, is applied. At the inner end of each fire-place B is
fixed an iron plate or baffler H, the smoke and gascous products of
combustion passing out through the flues I, I, as shewn by the arrows
in Fig. 2.
It will be seen on reference to Figures 2 and 3 that the cylinder D

page_text: water in the steam generator, through the side plates F, F, of which the
water circulates through the return tubes G, G, around which are
applied the heat from the furnaces or fireplaces B, B. And it is to be
observed that this combination or incorporation of a steam and water
chamber and return tubes with a cylinder or cylinders and valve chest,
so that the cylinder and valve chest may be enclosed in and surrounded
by the steam generator.to the greatest practical extent, constitutes the
main feature of our Invention.
The mode or modes of combining these essential parts together, and
with other working parts of the engine, also the mode or means of
supplying the water and applying heat to the steam generator, and other
matters of detail, may be varied so long as the above described combina-
tion or incorporation of the engine and steam generator is maintained.
The cylinder and casing or chamber being thus combined, admits of
framing being almost entirely dispensed with, while the guides are
arranged at one end of the cylinder, and the crank shaft with the usual
valve gear at the other end thereof.
Fig. 4 shews an elevation of the casting with tube plates and other
gearing removed, and embodying the cylinder D and the valve chest E
in one piece with the steam and water chamber. Or the cylinder may
be formed by the insertion of a steel tube in the casting prepared to
receive it. This casting may be in gun metal or cast iron or other
suitable metal. It may also be forged in steel under the hammer in a
block, and afterwards cut away by machine tools to the required shape
and bored. In this Figure one end of the cylinder is shewn in one piece
with the forging or casting. The space above the cylinder may be used
as a steam chest or separator.
•
Fig. 6 is an inside view of one of the tube plates F with tubes G, G,
in their places. The tubes are fitted in conical holes and expanded in
such holes. In some cases shoulders are wrought on the tubes to abut
upon
the outside of the tubo plates.

page_text: Fig. 8 is a plan view of the top of the said casting or forging, and
Fig. 9 shews the bottom of the same. Fig. 10 is a section of the casting
or forging taken through the line 1, 2, of Fig. 5 to show the steam and
water separator, and through the line 3, 4, of the same Figure to show
the feeding apparatus.
The water supply to the boiler or steam generator is or may be
regulated either by an ordinary feed pump or by means of an injector
or by a slide valve of the form and arrangement shewn in Fig. 10. This
slide valve K is placed at about the height of the water level, as shown
in Fig. 3.
When the water in the generator becomes low, the valve fills with
steam; when it is moved to the supply port, the steam escapes and
water takes its place, and on the valve sliding back, so as to open to
the generator, the water falls and steam takes its place, and so on until
the water in the generator is level with the top of the slide valvo 1
opening, when the valve moves to and fro without further filling the
generator, and cannot supply any more until the level of the water in the
generator has become lower than the slide valve opening.
The steam separator shewn in Fig. 10 has in it two feathers dividing
it internally into three separate parts. The steam enters by the 2
valve L (when open) passes downwards in the first division or
chamber M, then under the first feather out of M into N, the water
being thrown down and passing back into the boiler by the small
pipe O. The steam passes up the division N and over the feather into
P, from whence it reaches the valve chest E by means of the pipe Q. 2
More feathers may be added with additional pipes to carry off the
water.
.
In Fig. 3 is shown in the valve chest E a piston valve R for
admitting steam into the cylinder D, such valve being worked by the
excentric S on the crank shaft T, the crank U and the fly wheel V on 3
which are respectively connected by connecting rods at W, W, with the
crosshead Y, which works on the fixed vertical guides Z, Z.
Fig. 11 is an elevation of the engine with the walls of the furnace re-
moved; Fig. 12 is a similar clevation, but with the tube plate F removed.
The foregoing description relates to the application of our Invention 3
to engines with a single cylinder; wo will now describe its application to

page_text: compound engines or engines with two or more cylinders. The following
description also relates to valves, condensers, and other parts of engines
that may be used under our Invention :—
Fig. 13 is a horizontal section intended to represent an engine with
three cylinders, and Fig. 14 is an elevation of the same.
The cranks of the two outer cylinders in these Figures are set opposite
to the centre one; the steam enters the middle cylinder, and is cut off
as required; and by means of the valve shewn in Figures 15 to 20
(herein-after described) goes direct out of the middle cylinder into the
two outer ones, and afterwards escapes from the two outer cylinders
into the eduction ports.
In Fig. 14 are shewn the outsides of the tube plates and tubes, except
that from one plate the tubes are shown removed, and a plate is removed
from the valve chest to shew the ports.
Fig. 16 is a view of the back of a valve for working engines of tho
kind described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Fig. 16 is a view
of the face of the valve. Fig. 17 is a top view of the same. Fig. 18 is
a section of the valve on the line a, b, of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a side
view, and Fig. 20 is a section of the same on the line c, d, of Fig. 16.
Figures 21, 22, and 23 are respectively face view, back view, and
section on the line e, f, of valve where two cylinders only are used
working at one hundred and eighty degrees.
Fig. 24 represents the ports for working three cylinders as described
in Figures 13 and 14. a, b, are the induction ports to the centre or
high-pressure cylinder c, c; d, d, are the induction ports to the two low-
pressure cylinders; e, e, are the eduction ports; f is the steam port
leading from the separator at the other side of the cylinder.
Figures 25, 26, 27, 28, are sectional views of the ports and valves in
four positions.
In Fig. 25 steam is entering through the port g to the upper side of
the high-pressure piston. The steam is escaping from the lower port
of the high-pressure cylinder to the lower ports of the two low-pressure
cylinders, and the steam from the upper ports of the low-pressure
cylinders is escaping through the eduction passages e, e.

page_text: This form of engine may have the valves and passages arranged in
any convenient manner, and the crank either close to or at a distance
from the cover or in other positions.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, we hereby declare that we do not
claim as of our Invention any of the parts of engines herein-before
described separately or otherwise than as forming parts of the combined
engine and steam generator described; but what we do claim as of our
Invention is, the embodiment of the cylinder or cylinders and steam
generator or generators as herein-before described, whereby ordinary
boilers as commonly used separately from engines are dispensed with,
whereby also lightness and compactness are combined with adaptability
to work steam of high pressure expansively, economically, and safely.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund
Shill, have hereunto set our hands and seals, tho Sixteenth day
of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-two.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane,
Patent Agent.
THOS.- MOY.
R. E. SHILL.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
"