IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, STEAM BOILERS, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Price and William
Dawes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 2nd September 1858.
We, GEORGE PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Iron
Safe Manufacturer, and WILLIAM DAWES, of Wolverhampton, aforesaid,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, STEAM BOILERS, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists, 1st, of an improved arrangement of boiler for
generating steam and consuming the smoke from the fuel used in working the
boiler, and which may be thus described:-The outer shell or body of the
boiler may be of the ordinary cylindrical form, with flat, convex, or hemi-
spherical ends, and having one or more cylindrical longitudinal tubes inside
from end to end of the boiler, between which tube or tubes and the lower
part of the circumference of the shell or body of the boiler we insert any
convenient number of oblique cylindrical tubes, either parallel or taper, as may

page_text: be preferred, being open at each end, and constituting the flues or means of
exit for the hot air and smoke from the fires into the main longitudinal tube
or tubes, into which they open and convey the hot air and smoke on their
passage to the chimney, and thus, by alternate firing and causing the smoke
from one fire or one side of a single fire to meet the hot air and gas from the
other side in the said main tube or tubes, to consume the smoke from both
fires where two are used, and from both sides where one fire only is used;
and we prefer using two fires, with a fire-brick division wall between them.
And it must be understood that the final and only means of exit to the
chimney is from one or both ends of the main tube or tubes, thus causing the
whole of the smoke and gas to pass through the oblique tubes into the main
tubes, and thence to the chimney. And where extreme economy of fuel is
necessary, we use, in addition to the before-named arrangement of parts, a
number of tubes placed vertically across the main longitudinal tube or tubes,
the water being inside of them, and the hot air circulating outside and amongst
them; and for assisting the ignition and consumption of the smoke, we allow
an admission of air either through the nine-inch division wall or into the main
longitudinal tubes, as may be desired. What we claim in this part of our
Invention is the use, application, and arrangement of the boiler, with either
parallel or taper oblique and vertical tubes, and the admission of air as
before described.
2nd, of an improved safety apparatus for steam boilers, wherein safety
and economy are combined to a greater degree than heretofore, and which
may be thus described :-Through the centre of an iron pipe, which reaches
about fifteen inches inside and fifteen inches outside of the boiler (according
to its size), passes a tube of iron or other metal, having at the bottom end
a float to rest upon the water in the boiler, and at the upper end (above the
packing box and therefore outside the boiler) a nut or a collar and set
screws, which being above the lever of the ordinary safety valve, and
through a hole or eye in the said lever, is so adjusted as to press upon the
lever and open the valve by its weight whenever the water in the boiler
becomes lower than a safe and proper level to protect the boiler and
generate
steam safely. The tube which passes from the float to the nut or collar above
the lever may be perforated with two or more holes above and below the
packing box, with a stop between each set of holes, so arranged as to form
whistles for indicating whenever the water level in the boiler falls or rises to
too great a degree, or, in other words, whenever there is too little or too much
water in the boiler. An index may also be placed upon the top of the outer
pipe, and a pointer upon the inside tube, to indicate the true level of the water

page_text: open
in the boiler. It must be understood that the weight of the float and the
length of the long end of the lever must be sufficient to keep the safety valve
if the boiler should be so neglected as to boil dry; it will thus prevent
explosions from that cause or from turning in the feed water upon the hot
5 plates. This apparatus may be fitted and used entire or complete, as
described, or in part only to fulfil all or any of the above duties. Claim, the
general arrangement of parts, as before described.
3rd, an improved "governor" or "regulator" and "baffler valve" combined,
and which may be described as follows:-Into an iron vessel of any convenient
o form the steam is admitted on its way to the engine, entering at one end and
escaping at the other, and being forced to pass through a circular portion,
which is bored out true and smooth. Inside this vessel is a loose heavy ring
of metal, turned and fitted outside to the exact size of the inside circular
portion or collar, and also fitting upon a globe or sphere, and by means of a
pin or spindle passing through them; this ring is made to hinge or swing round
and upon the said globe, and is in appearance like the planet Saturn and his
belt. This globe being upon or forming part of a turned spindle or shaft
which passes through packing boxes upon the covers or bonnets of the iron
vessel in such a way that when the ring is perpendicular to the shaft (or as
the rim of a wheel would be), this ring fills and is concentric with the bored
collar of the vessel, and consequently forms with the globe or sphere a stop or
impediment to the steam in its passage to the engine; but by the application
of springs or weights, as the case may require, to this ring, it is induced to
hinge round upon its pin and rest with its opposite sides against the shaft, and
produce an opening for the passage of the steam; and it is only by giving this
shaft with the globe and ring a revolving motion by a band and pulley or by
toothed wheels outside that it can be thrown (by its centrifugal power over-
coming the springs or weights) into the stop or closed, position first named;
and it follows that the extent of the opening and the quantity of steam allowed
to pass to the engine will be inversely in proportion to the speed given to it,
(that is to say,) the faster it revolves the less will be the quantity, and vice
versa. Claim, the general arrangements of the parts, as before described.
4th, an improved arrangement of expansive gear for steam engines, being
applicable to those nozzles wherein the plate or rising valves (either equi-
librium or not) are used, the cutting-off action being produced by rule or
knuckle joints in the lifting rods, or by a catcher action in the gears, the time
of cutting off being regulated by projecting arms coming in contact with
eccentric cams or tumblers, and which cams or tumblers may be moved by the
ordinary pendulous governors or by hand, as may be desired.

page_text: We do not confine ourselves to any specific arrangement of parts in carrying
out this part of our Invention, but we claim the use and application of the
rule or knuckle joint, or the catcher action, in combination with the tumbler
stop action, to cause the knuckle joint action or the catcher action (whichever
be adopted) to allow the steam valves to close at the proper part of the
stroke of the engine.
may
5th, an improved lifting lever for opening the rising valves of steam engines.
The object of this part of our Invention being to give a greater power at the
commencement of the movement or when the full pressure is upon the valve,
and it may be described as follows:-The lever is curved on its under side, and
works with a rocking action upon a level bed or plane, and thus possesses a
moving fulcrum. Both the lever and bed are provided with teeth or a rack
to prevent slipping; the lever may be double or single, and may be modified
to suit any particular application, but we claim its use (however modified) to
the above purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Price and William Dawes in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Iron Safe Manufacturer,
and WILLIAM DAWES, of the same Place, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unte
us, the said George Price and William Dawes, Her special licence that
we, the said George Price and William Dawes, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said George Price and
William Dawes, our 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, STEAM BOILERS, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said George
Price and William Dawes, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
99

page_text: in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particu-
larly 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 we, the said George Price and William Dawes,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
Our Invention consists, firstly, of a new or improved boiler for generating
steam and consuming the smoke from the fuel used in working the boiler,
and which may be constructed in the manner herein-after particularly
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, (Sheet 1,) wherein
Figures 1, 2, and 3, are vertical transverse sections; Figure 4, front end
elevation; Figure 5, longitudinal vertical section; and Figure 6, a plan; the
five first Figures showing the boiler and setting, and the sixth the setting and
fire bars without the boiler. The same letters indicate the same parts in the
several Figures. The outer shell or body a, a, of the boiler may be of the
ordinary cylindrical form and construction, with flat, convex, or hemispherical
ends, and having one or more cylindrical longitudinal tubes b, b, inside, from
end to end of the boiler, between which tube or tubes and the lower half of
the circumference of the shell or body of the boiler, we insert any convenient
number of oblique taper tubes c, c, being open at each end, the larger ends
joining with the shell or body a, a, and the smaller ends joining and opening
into the main longitudinal tube or tubes b, b; and we prefer making the tubes
c, c, of boiler plate, welded, and flanged, and rivetted to the boiler and main
tubes; and where extreme economy of fuel is necessary, we use, in addition to
the before named arrangement of parts, a number of parallel tubes d, d, place
vertically, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, or diagonally across the main longi
tudinal tube or tubes, the water being inside of them, and the hot air and gase
from the fires circulating outside and amongst them on their passage to th
chimney. The tubes d, d, (when used) may be flanged and rivetted simila
to the tubes c, c, or they may be "ferruled," as in railway engine boilers;
they may be "ground" in with taper ends, as may be preferred. We pref
using two sets of fire bars e, e, and two fires underneath the boiler, with
nine-inch fire-brick division wall i, i, between them; and the termination
the "invert" j, j, being built close up to the back end of the boiler, it will
understood that the final and only means of exit for the gases, &c., to t
chimney, will be from the main longitudinal tube or tubes, thus causing

page_text: whole of the products from the fires (or fire where only one is used) to pass
through the oblique taper tubes c, c, into the main tube b, b, where they unite,
and whence only they escape to the damper flue h, h, and to the chimney.
By the before-mentioned arrangement of parts and "alternate firing," thus
causing the products of the "green" fire to meet the products of the "bright"
fire in the main tube, we purpose consuming the greater part of the smoke
made by the fires, and for assisting the ignition and consumption of the smoke
we allow an admission of air to the fires, through the apertures 2, 2, in the
division wall. Of the parts not named in the foregoing, f, f, is the bridge or
"take up ;" g, g, the "invert;" k, k, a pillar for supporting dead plate and
front end of division wall; l, l, dead plate; m, m, fire doors; n, n, additional
door with peep hole for observing the action of the fires; o, o, mud pipe and
blow-off cock; p, p, steam dome with safety valve on top; q, q, alarm whistle
for high and low water; r, r, plain brick setting; 8, s, collar upon the pipe or
tube of the alarm whistle; 2, 2, air passages in central division wall.
Secondly, of an improved "safety apparatus" for steam boilers, which may
be constructed in the manner herein-after described, and set forth in the
accompanying Drawings. Sheet 1, Figures 5, 7, and 8, which are vertical
sections of the apparatus, t, t, being a bored cast-iron or brass pipe, reaching
about fifteen inches inside and fifteen inches outside of the boiler (according
to the diameter of the boiler), through the centre of which pipe passes a tube
of iron or other metal u, u, having a float v, v, at the bottom end to rest
upon the water in the boiler, and at the upper end (outside of the boiler) a
whistle w, w, for calling attention to high or low water (see Figures 7 and 8),
the currents or action of the steam for actuating the whistle being controlled
by holes or perforations in the pipes or tubes t, t, and u, u, and by four
metallic pistons a, a, a, a, of brass or other metal fitted upon the inner tube
(u, u,) and working freely in the outer pipe (t, t.) A graduated plate may be
attached to the outer pipe t, t, and a finger or pointer fixed upon the inner
tube u, u, for showing the height of the water in the boiler, and for preventing
explosions from "shortness of water," and turning the feed water into the
boiler upon the hot plates; the tube u, u, passes through the back end of the
ordinary safety valve lever, and by means of the collar s, s, (which is fixed
upon u, u,) and the weight of the float in the boiler, the valve is opened and
the steam "blown off" whenever the water is allowed to sink below the level
of safety; and it must be understood that the length of the lever and the
weight of the float must be sufficient to retain the safety valve open, after the
pressure of the steam is removed until the water is restored to its proper level,
when the valve will of course be closed again, and allow the steam to be raised

page_text: to its usual pressure. This apparatus may be applied complete and entire, as
described, or in part only, to fulfil all or any of the above duties.
) same.
Thirdly, of a new and improved governor or regulator for steam engines,
which may be constructed in the manner herein-after described and set forth
5 in the accompanying Drawings, Sheet 2, wherein Figures 1, 2, and 3 are
sections, and 4, 5, and 6 are external and internal representations of the
governor, not in section; a, a, being a cast-iron cylinder or vessel of any con-
venient form, through which the steam passes on its way from the boiler to the
engine, being also forced to pass through a circular bored neck or collar in the
Inside this vessel is a heavy ring of metal e, e, turned and fitted outside
to the size of the neck or collar in the cylinder, and also fitting accurately the
globe or sphere d, d, upon which, by means of a pin f,f, passing through them,
this ring (e) is made to hinge or swing round and upon the globe d, and is in
appearance not unlike the planet Saturn and his belt. The globe d is upon
or forms part of a revolving shaft or spindle (also marked d, d), which passes
through a packing-box in the bonnet or cover c, c, of the cylinder, the inside
end of the spindle running in, and the thrust of the steam being borne by, a
cup in the opposite end of the cylinder, (or the shaft may pass through the
cylinder, as shewn in the Drawing,) the shaft d being placed in the cylinder a
in such a way that, when the ring e is perpendicular to the shaft d, (or as
the rim of a wheel would be,) it (the ring e) fills, and is concentric with the
bored neck or collar in the cylinder a, and consequently forms with the globe
or sphere d, d, a stop or impediment to the steam in its passage to the engine;
but by the application of a spring or springs 9, 9, (or weights when not applied
to marine engines,) the ring e is induced to hinge round upon its pin f, f, and
rest with its opposite sides near to the shaft d, and produce an opening for the
passage of the steam to the engine (see Figures 1 and 6); and it is only by
giving this shaft (d), with the globe and the ring e, a revolving motion by band
and pulleys or by toothed wheels, that it can be thrown (by its centrifugal
power overcoming the springs or weights), into the stop or closed position first
named (see Figure 2); and it follows that the extent of the opening, and the
quantity of steam allowed to pass to the engine, will be inversely in proportion
to the speed given to the governor, that is to say, the faster it revolves, the
less will be the quantity, and vice versa.
Fourthly, of new and improved arrangements of gearing for closing the
steam valves of engines working expansively, and which are especially
applicable to those engines wherein "chest-nozzles" and lifting valves are
employed; the "cutting-off" action being produced in one case by telescopi
lifters having a rule or "knuckle joint," or a catcher action gearing appended

page_text: for closing the steam valves; or in the other case the same being effected by a
catcher action applied with the ordinary "gearing" without the telescopic
action, as the case may require, and which improved arrangements may be
constructed as herein-after described and set forth in the accompanying
Drawings (Sheet 3), in which Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent the
telescopic and rule or knuckle-joint actions combined. Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and
14 represent the telescopic and catcher or detent action combined; and
Figures 12 and 13 represent the catcher or detent action only; the time or
part of the stroke of the engine at which the "cutting off" the steam or the
closing of the valve takes place, being regulated in all or any of the arrange-
ments set forth, either by hand with adjusting screws, or by the ordinary
pendulous governor, as the case may require. a, a, is a cast-iron nozzle, bored
and fitted in the usual manner, and in which are fixed the steam valves b, b,
and 61, 61, and the exhaust valves c, c, and c', c', and which in Figures 1 to 7
are actuated by the telescopic lifters d, d, and the rule or knuckle-joint
action g, g; Figures 1, 2, and 4, being vertical sections, showing the valves
all closed; Figures 3 and 5 being also sections showing the steam valves
closed; whilst in each case the exhaust valves remain open to complete the
stroke of the engine; h, h, being the tumbler stop or cam, and the shaft,
which, by the action of the governor, both produces and regulates the before-
named action of the various parts described. In Figures 8 to 14 the same
effect is produced, (videlicet, that of allowing the steam valves to close at any
desired part of the stroke of the engine,) but it is effected by the catcher
or detent action (2, 2,) instead of the rule or knuckle-joint action before
described.
Fifthly, of a new and improved lever for opening the plate or lifting valves
of large steam engines, and which is also applicable to such valves wherever
and for whatever purpose they may be employed; the object of this part of
our Invention being to produce by means of a changing or travelling fulcrum,
a greater amount of power at the commencement of the action, or when the
valve is closed and the full pressure is upon it, and then afterwards for the
power to diminish, as less is required; and thus (in the case of steam engines)
to obtain a light and easy action without the use of "bell" or equilibrium
valves, and also a stop when open without the use of "check straps." This
lever may be constructed in the manner herein-after described and set forth in
the accompanying Drawings (Sheet 3), Figures 2 and 4, wherein f. f, is the
lever and bed as applied to our telescopic expansive movement. The lever, as
will be seen from the Drawing, is curved on its under edge, and rests and
works upon a stationary level bed or plane, and is prevented from "roving"

page_text: upon
or being misplaced by the teeth or rack which run in a longitudinal direction
along the under side of the lever and the upper side of the bed. This rack
might be either single or double; but in any case the bearings for the lever
the bed or plane should consist of two or more plain surfaces, curved in
5 accordance with the "pitch line" of the teeth in the racks, and running
longitudinally along the outside edges of the under side of the lever and the
side of the bed. The lever and bed may be made of cast or wrought
iron, as the case may require.
upper
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, we wish it to be understood that we do not
limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and represented, as the
same may be varied without departing from the nature of our said Invention;
but we claim as our Invention,-
First, the new or improved boiler for generating steam, herein-before
described and represented in the accompanying Drawings (Sheet 1), Figures 1
to 6, and also where two longitudinal main tubes are used (Figure 9); and
we claim the use and application of taper tubes, having the water outside of
them, and the current of hot air from the fires passing through them, however
they may be placed or arranged in the boiler, as in one of the arrangements
of boiler we claim as our Invention (Figure 10), we dispense with the main
longitudinal tubes and use the taper tubes only.
Secondly, the new or improved alarm whistle or safety apparatus, herein-
before described and represented in the accompanying Drawings, Sheet 1,
Figures 5, 7, and 8.
Thirdly, the new or improved "governor" or "regulator" for steam engines,
herein-before described and represented in the accompanying Drawings
(Sheet 2), that is to say, the governor having a revolving shaft carrying a ring
of metal in the current of the steam, so arranged that its centrifugal power,
acting in opposition to springs or weights, may regulate by the speed the
quantity of steam admitted to the engine.
Fourthly, the new or improved arrangements of expansive gear for steam
engines, herein-before described and represented in the accompanying Drawings
(Sheet 3), that is to say, the use and application of the rule or knuckle-join
action, and the catcher or detent action (however they may be modified), t
the purpose of working steam engines expansively according to the usua
acceptation of the term.
Fifthly, the new or improved lever, herein-before described and represente
in the accompanying Drawings (Sheet 3), Figures 2 and 4, that is to say, w
claim the use and application of a lever with a moving or travelling fulcrur

page_text: for the purpose of overcoming the pressure upon and for lifting plate or
rising valves.
ovo In witness whereof, we, the said George Price and William Dawes,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-eighth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-nine.
Witness,
is coltsval blo
BENJ. T. BECK.
GEORGE PRICE.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM DAWES. (L.S.)