IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING DAMPERS FOR STEAM ENGINE FURNACES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Cuthell, of Skerton, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING DAMPERS
FOR STEAM ENGINE FURNACES."
Sealed the 29th August 1863, and dated the 6th March 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Cuthell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 6th March 1863.
I, ALEXANDER CUTHELL, of Skerton, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING
DAMPERS FOR STEAM ENGINE FURNACES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of certain arrangements of mechanism, whereby the
dampers of steam engine furnaces are actuated and regulated in a self-acting
manner; an equilibrium valve, capable of being adjusted to any pressure
required, is placed in a convenient position in connection with the steam pipe
between the boiler and the cylinder, and so as to continue closed until the
pressure in the boiler is above that at which the valve has been adjusted.
The damper is connected with the piston by means of suitable rods or gearing,
and upon the valve being actuated by the pressure of the steam from the boiler,
and the piston consequently rising upon the admission of the steam into the
cylinder, the damper falls. The valve being upon the equilibrium principle is
not affected by the pressure of the steam in the contrary direction after passing

page_text: it, and will act freely under any variation of pressure in the boiler. The
escape of steam from the cylinder may be effected by the action of the valve in
shutting off the communication between the boiler and the cylinder, or by a
small aperture at the bottom of the cylinder, so constructed as to let off the
steam gradually, and which aperture may be kept constantly open.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Cuthell in the Great Seal Patent Office on tho
5th September 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
CUTHELL, formerly of Skerton, in the County of Lancaster, but now residing
in the Town of Lancaster, in the said County, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Cuthell, Her special licence that I, the said Alexander
Cuthell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Alexander Cuthell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time, and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SELF-ACTING DAMPERS FOR STEAM ENGINE FURNACES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Alexander Cuthell, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, 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 six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Cuthell, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
My said Invention consists of certain arrangements of mechanism whereby
the dampers of steam engine furnaces are actuated and regulated in a self-

page_text: acting manner, and constituting an improvement upon what is generally known
as the cylinder and lever principle.
In carrying my Invention into effect, an equilibrium valve is placed in
any convenient position between the boiler and cylinder, the same being in
connection with the steam pipe, and capable of being adjusted to any required
pressure by means of springs or weights. A piston working in a cylinder or
some other analogous contrivance is employed, the valve being placed so as
effectually to close the communication between the boiler and the last-
mentioned cylinder and piston until the pressure of the steam in the boiler is
above that at which the valve has been adjusted. The damper is connected
with the piston by means of suitable rods or gearing, such as will be well
understood by persons conversant with the construction of steam machinery.
Upon the pressure of the steam in the boiler overcoming the resistance of the
valve the latter is actuated, and the steam being allowed to enter the before-
mentioned cylinder the piston consequently rises and the damper is lowered
by the upward motion of the piston. The valve being upon the equilibrium
principle is not affected by the pressure of the steam in the contrary direction
after passing it, and the valve will consequently act freely under any variation
of pressure in the boiler. The escape of steam from the cylinder may be
effected by the action of the valve in shutting off the communication between
the boiler and the cylinder, by a small aperture at the bottom of the cylinder
so constructed as to let off the steam gradually, and which aperture may be
kept constantly open.
My Invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, which represents the valve of the actual size. A is the
opening from the boiler; B is the moving part of the valve and the spindle
combined; C, C, are the weights, through which the spindle passes; D is the
opening to the cylinder; E is the waste steam pipe; G is the feed pipe to the
cylinder. When the steam is of sufficient pressure to lift the valve B it acts
on the piston, which moves the damper, the communication to the waste pipe
being shut at F. When the pressure of the steam is reduced the valve
returns to the under seat, the steam from the cylinder being allowed to escape
to the waste pipe, while the piston is allowed to return to its former position.
It will be observed that the valve is represented as being adjusted by means of
weights, but instead thereof springs may be employed.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and also the manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe
in conclusion, that I do not claim the separate and distinct parts of the
mechanism herein-before described as being my Invention; but what I

page_text: consider as novel and original, and therefore claim as my Invention, is, the
combination and arrangement of apparatus and mechanism herein-before
mentioned, or any mere modifications thereof, as and for the purposes herein-
before substantially set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Cuthell, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
ALEXANDER CUTHELL. (L.S.)