IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Waddell, of Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM ENGINES."
Sealed the 4th May 1853, and dated the 2d March 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Waddell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2d March 1853.
I, ROBERT WADDELL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES" to be as follows:-
The first part of the Invention relates to a self-acting method for
preventing water from overflowing the condensers of steam engines,
and entering the cylinders of the same. This object is effected by
means of a slide valve placed on the outside of the condenser, having
attached to it a lever carrying a float, which rises as the water accumu-
lates in the condenser, and opens the valve, thereby allowing the water
to rush out, or the air to rush in, and destroy the vacuum: at the

page_text: same time this action takes place the injection water is shut off by
means of a valve, worked by suitable levers, connected with the float
above mentioned. There is also an arrangement, consisting of a lever,
worked by hand, which, by the aid of a connecting rod attached to
the float, enables the engineer, at his own option, to open or shut the 5
valve which discharges the surplus water from the condenser.
The second part of the Invention relates to various methods for
obtaining an equilibrium of pressure on the back and face of steam
slide valves, as well as those constructed on the expansion principle by
the agency of steam.
of steam. One mode of removing the pressure from the
back of slide valves consists in fixing to the cylinder between the
ports a projecting rectangular plate, equal in length to the distance
between the cylinder ports; this plate has projecting strips attached to
its ends and sides, which the valve back bears against (forming a
chamber between the back of the valve and that of the plate) at the
same time the face of the valve bears upon the cylinder faces: there
are openings in the back of the valve, to allow steam to enter between
the back and face of the plate, by which means an equality of pressure
is established on that part of the back situated between the projecting
strips above named.
The claim is for introducing the plate above described between the
cylinder face and back of the valve, in order that the plate may
partake of the pressure instead of the back of the valve.
There is also an arrangement, principally intended for large marine
engines, whereby the valve just described, with merely the addition of
suitable packing, acted on by pinching screws passing through the
valve casing, and bearing upon the valve back, prevents the steam
acting on the part opposite the cylinder ports; an equality of pressure
opposite the latter being accomplished by means of an open passage
leading from each of the ports to the back of the valve, so that what-
ever pressure is on the valve face, the valve back partakes of the
same.
The claim, in this instance, is the establishing an equilibrium of
pressure on the back of the valve opposite the cylinder ports.
In expansion slide valves an equality of pressure on the back and

page_text: face of the valve is thus effected:-The expansion valve, with its casing,
is attached to the valve casing, and has four ports for admitting steam
into the steam casing. There are openings through the expansion
valve to the back of the casing, so as to establish an equilibrium of
5 pressure on the valve when the steam is shut off; and two pinching
screws, acting on suitable packing and metallic rings, bearing upon the
back of the valve, pass through the back of the valve casing, in order
to render the pressure equal on both faces of the valve.
The claim is for establishing an equilibrium of pressure on the back
0 and face of expansion valves, in the manner above described.
An arrangement for equalizing the pressure in expansion valves
possessing a rocking or circular motion, worked by connecting rods or
other suitable means, I will now describe.
4
The casing of the expansion valve is fixed to the valve casing in the
5 usual manner. The valve is composed of two discs, fixed on the
opposite ends of a spindle, placed in separate compartments, and
working in bearings, one of which is attached to the back of the
expansion-valve casing, and the other to the valve casing itself. These
discs have flanges projecting from their peripheries, to bear upon the
interior of the casing, and are so constructed as to allow steam to act
on the opposite sides of each of them, the large disc containing a series
of radial slots or openings for that purpose, and presenting a surface
equal in area to the smaller disc, which is made solid.
The spindle that carries the discs is hollow throughout, in order to
allow the steam to pass between the back of the casing and that of the
smaller disc, so as to balance the pressure between the face of the
larger disc and the back of the valve casing, while, at the same time,
an equality of pressure between the back of the larger disc and the
face of the smaller one is obtained through holes or openings formed
in the casing, whereby steam is allowed to enter the chamber contain-
ing the smaller disc. By this arrangement the pressure on the valve
is equalized, on account of the surfaces of the discs acted on by the
steam being equal.
The principle contained in the above arrangement for obtaining
an equilibrium of pressure is also applicable to expansion valves pos-
sessing a vertical instead of a circular motion. to od foods on blood

page_text: The third part of the Invention refers to the application of a
governor for regulating the speed of engines in steam vessels, propelled
either by the screw or by paddle wheels. It frequently happens at
sea, in rough weather, when the vessel is pitching, that the screw or
paddle wheels are entirely out of the water: when this occurs, the
engines are liable to what is termed "to race; " that is, the moment
the propellers are emerged the engines acquire a greatly accelerated
velocity, through there being no pressure of water on either the screw
or paddles: this result is attended with an unnecessary waste of steam
and power, as well as a considerably additional strain on the
machinery itself.
The apparatus now proposed to remedy these deficiencies, in the
case of screw steamers, consists of a small cylinder (open at one end)
placed in the stern of the vessel, which has holes formed in it to allow
the water to enter the cylinder, the same being furnished with a piston
and piston rod, the latter containing an adjustable spiral spring, and
carrying a connecting rod attached to the throttle valve of the engine.
When the whole of the screw is immersed, the pressure of water
forces the piston up to the end of the cylinder, and overcomes the
force exerted by the spring in the contrary direction, thereby causing
the throttle valve, through the medium of the piston and connecting
rods, to be opened. Should the screw be only partly or altogether
emerged, the pressure on the piston will be reduced in proportion as
the water leaves the screw, so as to become less than the power or
resistance of the spring, which, acting against the piston rod, forces the
piston outward towards the opposite extremity of the cylinder, thereby
causing the steam to be shut off through the motion communicated to
the throttle valve.
The governor above described may be also applied with equal
advantage to vessels propelled by paddle wheels, in order to prevent
racing" when the floats are out of the water.
ment, in this case, consists of a cylinder placed on each side of
The arrange-
the vessel, a little below the lower floats of the paddle. In double
engines, when connected together, the pistons of the regulators attached
to the levers for working the throttle valves are coupled; so that
should one wheel be out of the water, and the other at the same time

page_text: immersed, the engines will not "race," nor will the throttle valves be
closed, or the steam shut off, unless both wheels leave the water; for
when the pressure of the latter acts on either of the pistons, the motion
communicated to one of the throttle valves will open the other; but
this is not the case when the steam is shut off, unless the water, to a
certain extent, has left the wheels. Each cylinder is furnished with a
slide valve, to shut off the water from the piston, should any repairs be
required.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to improvements in pumps,
and consists in attaching two or more valves to the bucket and lower
box. Should either of the valves in the bucket become gagged or
destroyed, the other will work: the bottom box is of the same con-
struction as the bucket.
There is no particular description of valve claimed, but merely the
application of two or more valves to the buckets, as well as the lower
boxes of pumps.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Waddell, in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 2d September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
ROBERT WADDELL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Robert Waddell, Her special licence that I, the said
Robert Waddell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Robert Waddell, 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

page_text: of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert Waddell, by an in-
strument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 Robert Waddell, 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):
The first part of the Invention relates to a self-acting method for
preventing water from overflowing the condensers of steam engines and
entering the cylinders of the same. This object is effected by means of
a slide valve placed on the outside of the condenser, having attached
to it a lever carrying a float, which rises as the water accumulates in
the condenser, and opens the valve, thereby allowing the water to rush
out, or the air to rush in and destroy the vacuum: at the same time
this action takes place the injection water is shut off by means of a
valve worked by suitable levers connected with the float above men-
tioned. There is also an arrangement consisting of a lever worked by
hand, which, by the aid of a connecting rod attached to the float,
enables the engineer, at his own option, to open or shut the valve which
discharges the surplus water from the condenser.
The second part of the Invention relates to various methods for
obtaining an equilibrium of pressure on the back and face of steam
slide valves, as well as those constructed on the expansion principle, by
the agency of steam.
of steam. One mode of removing the pressure from the
back of the slide valves consists in fixing to the cylinder, between
the ports, a projecting rectangular plate, equal in length to the distance
between the cylinder ports. This plate has projecting strips attached
to its end and sides, which the valve back bears against, forming a
chamber between the back of the valve and that of the plate; at the
same time the face of the valve bears upon the cylinder faces. There
are openings in the back of the valve to allow steam to enter between

page_text: the back and the face of the plate, by which means an equality of
pressure is established on that part of the back situated between the
projecting strips above named.
The claim is for introducing the plate above described between the
cylinder face and back of the valve, in order that the plate may partake
of the pressure instead of the back of the valve.
There is also an arrangement, principally intended for large marine
engines, whereby the valve just described, with merely the addition of
suitable packing acted on by pinching screws passing through the
valve casing and bearing upon the valve back, prevents the steam
acting on the part opposite the cylinder ports; an equality of pressure
opposite the latter being accomplished by means of an open passage
leading from each of the ports to the back of the valve, so that whatever
pressure is on the valve face, the valve back partakes of the same.
The claim in this instance is the establishing an equilibrium of
pressure on the back of the valve opposite the cylinder ports.
In expansion slide valves an equality of pressure on the back and
face of the valve is thus effected:-The expansion valve, with its casing,
is attached to the valve casing, and has four ports for admitting steam
into the steam casing. There are openings through the expansion
valve to the back of the casing, so as to establish an equilibrium of
pressure on the valve when the steam is shut off, and two pinching
screws, acting on suitable packing and metallic rings, bearing upon
back of the valve, pass through the back of the valve casing, in order
to render the pressure equal on both faces of the valve.
the
The claim is for establishing an equilibrium of pressure on the back
and face of expansion valves in the manner above described.
An arrangement for equalizing the pressure in expansion valves
possessing a rocking or circular motion, worked by connecting rods or
other suitable means, I will now describe.
The casing of the expansion valve is fixed to the valve casing in the
usual manner. The valve is composed of two discs fixed on the oppo-
site ends of a spindle, placed in separate compartments and working in
bearings, one of which is attached to the back of the expansion-valve
i case, and the other to the valve casing itself. These discs have flange

page_text: projecting from their peripheries to bear upon the interior of the casing,
and are so constructed as to allow steam to act on the opposite sides
of each of them, the large disc containing a series of radial slots or
openings for that purpose, and presenting a surface equal in area to
the smaller disc, which is made solid.
The spindle that carries the discs is hollow throughout, in order to
allow the steam to pass between the back of the casing and that of the
smaller disc, so as to balance the pressure between the face of the larger
disc and the back of the valve casing, while at the same time an equality
of pressure between the back of the larger disc and the face of the
smaller one is obtained through holes or openings formed in the casing,
whereby steam is allowed to enter the chamber containing the smaller
disc. By this arrangement the pressure on the valve is equalized, on
account of the surfaces of the disc acted on by the steam being equal.
The principle contained in the above arrangement for obtaining an
equilibrium of pressure, is also applicable to expansion valves possessing
a vertical instead of a circular motion.
The third part of the Invention refers to the application of a governor
for regulating the speed of engines in steam vessels, propelled either by
the screw or by paddle wheels. It frequently happens at sea, in rough
weather, when the vessel is pitching, that the screw or paddle wheels
are entirely out of the water: when this occurs the engines are liable
to what is termed "to race;" that is, the moment the propellers are
emerged the engines acquire a greatly accelerated velocity through
there being no pressure of water on either the screw or paddles. This
result is attended with an unnecessary waste of steam and power, as
well as a considerably additional strain on the machinery itself. The
apparatus now proposed to remedy these deficiencies, in the case of
crew steamers, consists of a small cylinder (open at one end), placed
n the stern of the vessel, which has holes formed in it to allow the
vater to enter the cylinder, the same being furnished with a piston and
iston rod, the latter containing an adjustable spiral spring, and carrying
connecting rod attached to the throttle valve of the engine. When
he whole of the screw is immersed, the pressure of water forces
he piston up to the end of the cylinder, and overcomes the force

page_text: exerted by the spring in the contrary direction, thereby causing the
throttle valve, through the medium of the piston and connecting rods,
to be opened. Should the screw be only partly or altogether emerged,
the pressure on the piston will be reduced in proportion as the water
5 leaves the screw, so as to become less than the power or resistance of
the spring, which, acting against the piston rod, forces the piston out-
ward towards the opposite extremity of the cylinder, thereby causing
the steam to be shut off through the motion communicated to the
throttle valve.
66
The governor above described may be also applied with equal
advantage to vessels propelled by paddle wheels, in order to prevent
racing" when the floats are out of the water. The arrangement, in
this case, consists of a cylinder placed on each side of the vessel, a
little below the lower floats of the paddle. In double engines, when
connected together, the pistons of the regulators attached to the levers
for working the throttle valves are coupled, so that should one wheel
be out of the water and the other at the same time immersed, the
engines will not "race," nor will the throttle valves be closed or the
steam shut off, unless both wheels leave the water; for when the pres-
sure of the latter acts on either of the pistons, the motion communicated
to one of the throttle valves will open the other; but this is not the case
when the steam is shut off, unless the water to a certain extent has left
the wheels. Each cylinder is furnished with a slide valve to shut off
the water from the piston should any repairs be required.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to improvements in pumps,
and consists in attaching two or more valves to the bucket and lower
box: should either of the valves in the bucket become gagged or
destroyed, the other will work. The bottom box is of the same con
struction as the bucket.
There is no particular description of valve claimed, but merely the
application of two or more valves to the buckets as well as the lowe
boxes of pumps. And in order that my Invention may be most full
understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describ
the means pursued by me.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF
DRAWING
Sheet No. 1. A, represents a longitudinal vertical section of a marine
condenser; C, the air pump; V, the cylinder port; D, the cylinder;
S a portion of the valve casting. My improvement consists of a self-
acting method for preventing water from accumulating in the condenser
and getting into the cylinder. G, is a slide valve placed on the outside
of the condenser, so that the water will escape should it rise above it.
X, is a lever, with a float L, attached to it. Should the water accumu-
late, the float will be raised, and open the valve G, which will allow the
water to rush out, or air to rush in and destroy the vacuum; at the same
time shutting off the injection water with the valve N, being connected
to the float L, by the lever M. B, is a rod and lever attached to the
stud on the valve G, outside the condenser, so that it may be opened
or shut at the option of the engineer. Fig. 1, is a horizontal section
of the side of condenser and valve G. The rod B, is attached to the
stud O, outside, and the lever X, to the stud P, inside. I do not claim
any particular form of valve, cork or float, as a solid float will answer
the same as a hollow float, if balanced.
Sheet No. 2, represents my improvement in the steam slide valve,
which consists in removing the pressure from the back of the valve.
Fig. 1: L, is the valve; V, V, cylinder ports; A, A, valve faces; C,
the valve casing; N, a plate fixed on the cylinder at G, G; Y, the valve
back, bearing upon the plate N, at P, P, at the same time that the face
of the valve A, A, bears on the cylinder faces B, B. 0, 0, are open-
ings in the valve back, to allow steam to enter between the back and
face of the plate N, which will establish an equilibrium on that part
of the back from P, to P: the whole pressure will be taken off between
the cylinder ports: the length of the plate N, is the distance between
them. In the drawing the valve is represented as shut. When open,
the steam enters the ports at A, A. The arrows show the course of
the exhaust into D. Fig. 2, shews the face of the plate
steam acts between it and the valve back. Fig. 3, is a horizontal
section of the plate G, G, where it is attached to the cylinder. I claim
N: the

page_text: introducing the plate N, between the cylinder face and back of the
valve, so that the plate bears the pressure instead of the back of the
valve. Fig. 4, represents the same form of valve as Fig. 1, with the
addition of taking the pressure off the back of the valve opposite
the ports P, P; X, X, represents packing acting on the valve back.
Figure 4*, is a horizontal section, shewing S, the cylinder; P, the
cylinder port; L, the valve; C, the casing. O, is an open passage from
the cylinder port, by which steam is admitted to the back of the valve
0, 0; and whatever pressure of steam is on the valve face, the valve
back partakes of the same, thereby establishing an equilibrium opposite
the ports. I claim establishing an equilibrium on the back of the
valve opposite the cylinder ports.
Sheet No. 3, represents a vertical section of an expansion valve and
casing attached to the valve casing. P, the expansion valve, with four
ports for admitting steam into the steam casing. N, N, are openings
through the expansion valve to the back of the casing Y, to allow
steam to act between the back of the valve and casing, so as to
establish an equilibrium of pressure on the valve when the steam is
shut off, as shewn in the Drawing. O, O, are pinching screws, acting
on the packing and rings. Fig. 2, shews a back view of the rings 0,0;
and G, G, the back of the valve P, upon which the rings act. Fig. 3,
is a face view of the valve: 0, 0, are the openings through which the
steam passes to the back of the valve, as shewn in Fig. 1. E, E, are
bars crossing the back to strengthen it. I claim establishing an
equilibrium of pressure in the manner described on the back and face
of the valve. Fig. 4, represents a horizontal view of an expansion
valve of different construction. B, B, is the valve casing, to which
the expansion-valve casing N, N, is fixed; C, C, is the valve; A, the
back of valve; G, a spindle, binding the back and face of the valve
together; O, an opening through the spindle to allow steam to pass into
the back A, so as to establish an equal pressure between F, and the
back P; m, m, are holes in the casing to allow steam to act on the
face of the valve at S, which will equalize the pressure between the
face of S, and the back of C. The spindle G, of the valve has a

page_text: valve.
circular motion in the journals Y, Y. In Fig. 5: B, is a view of the
face of Fig. 4, shewing the openings; L, is the rod for working the
In Fig. 6: O, is a face view of the valve in Fig. 4. By the
above method the pressure is removed from the face of the valve being
balanced. Fig. 7, represents a vertical section of a portion of a
The
eylinder A, A, with the valve casings P, P, attached to it.
valves work on the same principle as the valve described in Fig. 4,
with this difference, that the valve in Fig. 4, has a circular motion;
this valve has a vertical motion. The valves B, B, are attached to
each port, at top and bottom of the cylinder, and can be wrought with a
cam motion if required; so they will answer both as a steam valve,
and cut off at the same time. O, O, is the opening through the valve
into the back C.
Sheet No. 4. Fig. 1, represents a vertical section of a screw
steamer; Fig. 2, a horizontal section. My improvement consists in
applying a governor to regulate the speed of the engines when the
water leaves the screw S. A, is a small cylinder placed in the stern of
the ship. 0, 0, are holes in the stern of the ship to allow the water
to enter the cylinder and act on the piston P, as shown in Fig. 2.
When the screw remains covered with water, the pressure of water
acting on the piston will cause it to remain in the position as shewn.
Should the water leave the screw S, as it does at sea in rough weather,
when the vessel is pitching, the pressure on the piston will be reduced
in proportion as the screw leaves the water, and the spiral spring V,
will cause the piston to move towards O. The rod L, is carried
forward, and attached to a throttle valve in the steam pipe of the
engine. When the screw leaves the water the steam will be shut off
to prevent the engines from racing; and when the screw becomes
covered with water the throttle valve will be opened by the piston
moving towards N. The cover piston and stuffing box do not require
to be tight, as there is an opening in the bottom side of the cover to
carry off any water that may accumulate between the piston and
cover. C, is a stop on the piston rod to regulate the spring V. R, is
a stud, placed in the ship to act as a guide for the piston-rod; and the

page_text: 5
spring acts against it to force the piston forwards whenever the pres-
sure on the piston becomes less than on the spring V; so that, by the
rising and falling of the water, the regulator is wrought which works
the throttle valve of the engine.
Sheet No. 5, represents a midship section of a paddle-wheel steamer,
with the same governor applied to the paddle wheel as to the screw, to
prevent the engines from racing when the water leaves the wheels.
A, is a cylinder, placed on the ship's side a little lower than the
float F. In double engines, and when connected, although one wheel
) is out of the water if the other is immersed, the engines will not race;
therefore the pistons of the regulators require to be connected, so that
that they will not shut the throttle valves N, E, until both wheels begin
to leave the water. The lever G, is shown when the wheels have
enough of hold in the water. Should the water leave one of the
wheels, the regulators will remain, as shown by the lever G, as the
one piston has little control over the other. The dotted lines show
the position of the lever when the steam is shut off, the throttle valves
being attached to the piston rods. When the pressure of the water
acts on either of the pistons, the one will open the other; but not so
in shutting off the steam, as shown, unless the water has left both
wheels to a certain extent. B, is a slide valve for shutting off
the water from the piston C, should any repairs be required in the
cylinder. A weight M, is attached to the lever from the throttle valve
in the steam pipe, if preferred to the spring, both answering for the
same purpose. S, is a stop on the piston rod to regulate the travel of
the piston. O, is the opening in the cover to take off any water that
may pass the piston. L, L, show the steam pipes.
Sheet No. 6. My improvement in pumps consists in attaching two or
more valves to the bucket and lower box. Should either of the valves in
the bucket become gagged or destroyed, the other will work, which
will be shewn by referring to the drawing. Fig. 1, is a vertical
section of pump chamber and valves: A, is the top valve of the bucket;
the screw answers likewise for tightening the packing of the bucket.
The bottom box D, is of the same construction as the bucket and

page_text: valves. Fig. 2, is a plan of the bucket.
form of valve.
I do not claim any particular
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Waddell, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of July, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
ROBERT WADDELL. (L.S.)
Witness, J. G. TONGUE.