An Automatic Valve for Use in Starting Compound Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Valve for Use in Starting Compound Engines.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD WORRALL, of Ferreria de la Pradera, near Bogotá, in
the Republic of Columbia, South America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction, and employment in the
passage-way between the high pressure cylinder of a compound steam engine and
the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, or between a low pressure cylinder of
a compound engine and the steam chest of a lower pressure cylinder of the same
engine, of a valve which when the engine is standing or at rest, and for a short
period from the time it commences to start, will if the steam is turned on from the
boiler, admit steam direct from the boiler into the steam chest of such low pressure
cylinder or lower pressure cylinder, as the case may be, and will shut off the
communication between such steam chest and the high pressure cylinder or low
pressure cylinder, as the case may be, but which as the exhaust steam from the high
pressure cylinder or from the low pressure cylinder, as the case may be, approaches
(as the engine is being started) its normal pressure, automatically shuts off steam
direct from the boiler into the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, or into the
steam chest of the lower pressure cylinder, as the case may be, and opens the
passage-way for the passage of the exhaust steam thereto from the high pressure
cylinder, or low pressure cylinder, as the case may be.
In proceeding to describe the invention I will, for the sake of clearness, describe
its application in the case of the automatic valve being placed in the passage-way
between the high pressure cylinder and low pressure cylinder of a compound
engine.
A valve constructed according to this invention, for the purpose described,
comprises a moving portion or valve proper which is formed for a portion of its
length of a larger diameter and for the remaining portion of its length of a smaller
diameter.
A hollow cylindrical mounting is fixed in place within the passage-way from the
high pressure cylinder to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, and this
cylindrical mounting is formed with a portion of its length of a larger interior
diameter and with a portion of its length of a smaller interior diameter. The
portion of larger diameter is open at one end and closed at the other except to the
extent hereinafter described; and the portion of smaller interior diameter is carried
out from the back of the portion of larger diameter, aud is open for its full area
through the back or closed end of the portion of larger diameter, and is closed at
its other end except for the communication therewith of a small pipe through which
live steam is supplied from the boiler. Openings are forined through the cylindrical
wall of the portion of smaller diameter of the cylindrical mounting, but do not extend
as far as the back or closed end of such portion. The portion of larger diameter of
the valve is fitted to be capable of sliding within the portion of larger diameter of
the mounting, and the portion of smaller diameter of the valve is fitted to be capable
of sliding within the portion of smaller diameter of the mounting. The mounting,
any exhaust
aforesaid, is fixed in position opposite to a valve-seating through which
steam from the high-pressure cylinder must flow on its passage to the steam chest of
the low pressure cylinder, and at such distance therefrom that when the portion of

page_text: larger diameter of the valve is back against the closed end of the portion of larger
diameter of the mounting ample area is left between the seating and the valve for
the passage of the exhaust steam. The outer end of the portion of larger diameter
of the valve is formed with a bevel or mitre face, and the seating with a corresponding
face; or such portion of the valve may be of a plain cylindrical form right up to its
outer end and be a sliding fit within the seating.
When the engine is standing or at rest, and steam is allowed to flow from the
boiler through the pipe which communicates with the back end of the portion of
smaller diameter of the mounting, the pressure of the live steam against the area of
the portion of smaller diameter of the valve pushes the valve outwards and uncovers
the openings through the cylindrical wall of the portion of smaller diameter of the
mounting, and presses the bevel or mitre face formed around the portion of larger
diameter of the valve against the corresponding face of the seating, or moves the
forward end of such portion of the valve somewhat into the end of the seating, as
the case may be, so as in either case to close the passage-way and prevent the live
steam from flowing backwards therealong. The live steam thus flows out through
the openings in the wall of the portion of smaller diameter of the mounting, and
thence forwards along the passage-way to the steam chest of the low pressure
cylinder; and continues to do so after the engine has started until the engine has
moved sufficiently for the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder to have
attained, or nearly so, its normal pressure. When such is the case, the pressure of
the exhaust steam (though less in intensity per square inch than that of the live
steam) acting against the area of the portion of larger diameter of the valve, forces
back the valve against the pressure of the live steam exerted against the area only
of the portion of smaller diameter, and thus the passage-way through the seating is
opened wide and the openings through the wall of the portion of smaller diameter
of the mounting are closed, and the live steam is thereby completely cut off from
the low pressure cylinder, and the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder
is allowed free passage to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder.
A small passage or passages is or are formed which places or place that part of
the interior of the portion of larger diameter of the mounting which is at any time
behind the portion of larger diameter of the valve in communication with the
atmosphere, and such passage or passages may be of a sufficiently restricted area to
cause the air or vapour at the back of the valve to act as a cushion to some extent
and prevent the valve striking suddenly against the back end of the portion of
larger diameter of the mounting.
It is convenient to form the mounting in one piece with a part which forms the
cover to the opening into the passage-way through which the valve seating, the
valve, and the mounting are put into position.
It will now be obvious that the application of the invention, in the case of an
automatic valve for the purpose above described applied in the passage-way between
the low pressure cylinder and a lower pressure cylinder of a compound engine, is
exactly the same as in the case above described.
The valve seating above described may, if preferred, be formed as a cylindrical
projection within the passage-way, having openings formed in the wall thereof
which are closed by the portion of larger diameter of the valve when the force
exerted by the live steam exceeds that exerted by the exhaust steam, but which are
automatically opened by the valve when the same is moved back by the pressure of
the exhaust steam. In this case, the seating may be continuous with the wall of the
portion of larger diameter of the mounting.
Dated this 29th day of October 1894.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: An Automatic valve for use in Starting Compo
1, WILLIAM EDWARD WORRALL, of 1 Alexandra Park Gardens, Glasgow
(late of Ferreria de la Pradera, near Bogata, in the Republic of Columbia, South.
America), Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object the construction, and employment in the
passage-way between the high pressure cylinder of a compound steam engine and
the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, or between a low pressure cylinder of
a compound engine and the steam chest of a lower pressure cylinder of the same
engine, of a valve which when the engine is standing or at rest, and for a short
period from the time it commences to start will, if the steam is turned on from the
boiler, admit steam direct from the boiler into the steam chest of such low pressure
cylinder or lower pressure cylinder, as the case may be, and will shut off the
communication between such steam chest and the high pressure cylinder or low
pressure cylinder, as the case may be, but which as the exhaust steam from the
high pressure cylinder or from the low pressure cylinder, as the case may be,
approaches (as the engine is being started) its normal pressure, automatically shuts
off steam direct from the boiler into the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder,
or into the steam chest of the lower pressure cylinder, as the case may be, and
opens the passage-way for the passage of the exhaust steam thereto from the high
pressure cylinder, or low pressure cylinder, as the case may be.
A valve constructed according to this invention, for the purpose described,
comprises a moving portion, or valve proper, fitted to be capable of sliding within
a fixed portion. One end of the moving portion is subject to the pressure of the
live steam from the boiler and the other end to the pressure of the exhaust steam
from the high pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be).
As the engine is being started, and until the exhaust steam has attained a sufficient
pressure to move the valve and open the passage-way for such exhaust steam to
the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder (or lower pressure cylinder, as the case
may be), the valve is pressed by the live steam into position to close such passage-
way and open a passage-way for live steam to the steam chest of the low pressure
cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be), but as the exhaust steam
approaches its normal pressure the pressure of the live steam against the opposite
end of the valve is over balanced and the valve is moved back against such pressure
and opens the passage-way for the exhaust steam and closes the passage-way for
the live steam. If the valve is placed in a vertical position it will usually fall, as
the engine is being stopped, into position to open the passage-way for live steam
to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, or lower pressure cylinder, and
close the passage-way for the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder, or
intermediate cylinder, to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, or lower
pressure cylinder; and, in such case, as the engine is being started, the live steam
will maintain the valve in such position until the exhaust steam from the high
pressure cylinder, or intermediate cylinder, approaches its normal pressure.
In proceeding to further describe the invention I will, for the sake of shortness,
describe its application in the case of the automatic valve being placed in the
passage-way between the high pressure cylinder and low pressure cylinder of a
two-cylinder compound engine.
A valve constructed according to this invention, for the purpose described, is
illustrated by Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings herewith, of which Figure 1 is
a section taken through the central axis of the valve; Figure 2 is a section taken
through the passage-way in the plaue indicated by the linear of Figure 1, aud

page_text: through the valve and mounting hereinafter described in the plane indicated by
line of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section of the mounting hereinafter
described taken in the plane indicated by line y y of Figure 2. The moving
portion A of the valve (or valve proper) is formed with a part A¹ of larger
diameter and with a part A' of smaller diameter. A hollow cylindrical
mounting B is fixed in place within the passage-way C from the high pressure
cylinder to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder, and this cylindrical
mounting is formed with a part B' of larger interior diameter and with a part B'
of smaller interior diameter. The part B' is open at one end, as shewn, and is
closed at its other end except to the extent hereinafter described; and the part B
is open for its full area through the back or closed end of the part B', and is
closed at its other end except for the communication therewith of a pipe D
through which live steam passes from the boiler into the part B2. Openings a are
formed through the cylindrical wall of the part B of the mounting, but do not
extend as far as the back or outer end thereof. The part A' of the valve A is
fitted to be capable of sliding within the part B¹ of the mounting, and the part A*
of the valve is fitted to be capable of sliding within the part B2 of the mounting.
The mounting is fixed in position opposite to a valve seating E through which any
exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder must flow on its passage to the
steam chest of the low pressure cylinder. The part A' of the valve A is formed
with a bevel or mitre face b, and the seating E with a corresponding face.
When the engine is at rest, and steam is allowed to flow from the boiler
through the pipe D, the pressure of the live steam against the area of the part A'
of the valve A pushes such valve outwards and uncovers the openings a through
the wall of the part B2 of the mounting, and presses the valve against the face of
the seating E and thus closes the passage-way from the high pressure cylinder
and prevents the live steam from flowing through such passage way towards such
cylinder; or, if the valve has previously dropped on to the seat E, the live steam
maintains it in such position. The live steam thus flows out through the openings a
and thence along the passage-way C to the steam chest of the low pressure
cylinder; and continues to do so after the engine has started until the engine has
moved sufficiently for the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder to have
attained, or nearly so, its normal pressure. When such is the case, the pressure of
the exhaust steam (though less in intensity per square inch than that of the live
steam) acting against the area of the part A¹ of larger diameter of the valve A,
forces back the valve against the pressure of the live steam exerted against the
area only of the part A2 of smaller diameter of the valve A, and thus the passage-
way through the seating E is opened and the openings a are closed, and the live
steam is thereby completely cut off from the low pressure cylinder, and the exhaust
steam from the high pressure cylinder is allowed free passage to the steam chest
of the low pressure cylinder. The mounting B may be conveniently formed in one
casting with the lid F which closes in the opening through which such mounting
and the valve A and seat E are put into position. Small passages c are formed
from the interior of the part B of the mounting which communicate with the
atmosphere. As the valve is opened by the pressure of the exhaust steam from
the high pressure cylinder the part A' thereof of course drives out the air or
vapour from the interior of the part B' of the mounting through the passages c,
and the area of such passages may be sufficiently restricted to cause the air or
vapour to act as a cushion to some extent and prevent the part A¹ of the valve
striking suddenly against the inner end of the part B' of the mounting. The edge
or rim of the part B¹ is, of course, a sufficient distance back from the face of
the seat E to allow of the free passage of the exhaust steam from the high
pressure cylinder between itself and the seat, when the valve is fully open.
A single air-way or passage only from the interior of the part B₁ of the
mounting may be used, if preferred, and such passage, or each passage, may be
fitted with a tap or other means for adjusting the rate of outflow.
The passage-way C is shewn as passing away in opposite directions from the

page_text: alve, and such an arrangement is or may be adopted when the exhaust steam from
he high pressure cylinder is to pass to opposite ends of a steam chest, as when
iston valves are employed in such chest; but when the steam is to pass to a
chest formed with a single steam chamber only the passage-way need pass in
one direction only from the valve, as will be obvious.
Figure 4 is a corresponding view to Figure 1, shewing a modification of the
invention in which a spindle d, fixed to the valve A, passes out through a packing-
box G in order that the valve A may be capable of being moved by hand, if
desired, such as through the medium of a handle-lever or the like. In this case,
the pipe D is shewn to communicate sideways with a passage-way H which
communicates direct with the part B of the mounting.
A further modification of the invention is illustrated by Figures 5, 6 and 7, of
which Figures 5 and 7 are views corresponding, respectively, to Figures 1 and 3;
and Figure 6 is a section taken through the passage-way in a plane indicated by
line, and through the valve and mounting in a plane indicated by line z z. In
this modification, the circular wall of the part B₁ of the mounting B is carried
down to the passage-way J through which the exhaust steam from the high
pressure cylinder passes to the passage-way C to the low pressure cylinder. Än
annular projection is shewn to stand up in the passage-way C, and is accurately
turned to fit tightly within the lower end of the circular wall of the part B. The
part B is formed with a number of holes f through the wall thereof in such
position, as shewn, that when the valve is pressed against the projection e the
openings fare closed, but when the valve is moved back by the pressure of the
exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder, the openings fare uncovered.
The steam then passes from the high pressure cylinder to the steam chest of the
low pressure cylinder through the openings f. In this modification the shape of
the valve and mounting is shewn to be somewhat different to that of the valve and
mounting shewn by Figures 1 and 2; but of course in either modification the
shape may be varied considerably without departing from the nature of the
invention.
It will be obvious that the application of the invention, in the case of an
automatic valve, for the purpose above described, applied in the passage-way
between the low pressure cylinder and a lower pressure cylinder of a compound
engine, is the same as when the valve is placed as above described between the
high and low pressure cylinders of a two cylinder compound engine.
In lieu of forming the valve A, and portion of the mounting B within which it
works, each of two different diameters, the portion of the mounting within which
the valve works may be of the same internal diameter throughout, and the valve be
made to correspond and be weighted against the pressure of the live steam, so
that when the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder (or intermediate
cylinder, as the case may be) approaches its normal density, its pressure, assisted by
the counter weight, will move the valve against the pressure of the live steam and
thus open the passage-way between the high and low pressure cylinder (or between
an intermediate cylinder and a lower pressure cylinder) and shut off the live steam
from the low pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be).
The counter-weighting of the valve may be effected by carrying a spindle through
the lid of the opening through which the valve is put into position, and engaging
the outer end thereof with a weighted lever, as will be readily understood. This
modification of the invention, however, is not considered so good as that in which a
O valve made in two different diameters is used.
5
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A valve for use with a compound engine, which automatically admits live
steam direct from the boiler or steam generator to the steam chest of the low

page_text: pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be) as the engine is
being started, and automatically shuts off such live steam from such steam chest
as the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder (or from an intermediate
cylinder) approaches its normal pressure, substantially as described.
2. A valve, for use with a compound engine, which automatically admits live
steam direct from the boiler or steam generator to the steam chest of the low
pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be) and closes or
maintains closed the passage-way between the high and low pressure cylinders
(or between au intermediate cylinder and a lower pressure cylinder, as the case
may be) as the engine is being started, and automatically shuts off such live
steam from the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder
as the case may be) and opens the passage-way for the exhaust steam from the
high pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be) as the
exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder) approaches
its normal pressure, substantially as described.
3. A valve, for use with a compound engine, which comprises a moving portion,
or valve proper, fitted to be capable of sliding within a fixed portion, one end
of the moving portion being subject to the pressure of the live steam from the
boiler or steam generator and the other end to the pressure of the exhaust steam
from the high pressure cylinder (or intermediate cylinder, as the case may be) in
combination with means by which, as the engine is being started, and until the
exhaust steam bas attained a sufficient pressure to move the valve and open the
passage-way for such exhaust steam to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder
(or lower pressure cylinder, as the case may be), the valve is pressed by the live
steam in position in which such passage-way is closed and a passage-way is open
for live steam to the steam chest of the low pressure cylinder (or intermediate
cylinder, as the case may be), and as the exhaust steam approaches its normal
pressure the pressure of the live steam against the opposite end of the valve is
over-balanced and the valve moved back against such pressure and the passage-
way for the exhaust steam opened and the passage-way for the live steam
closed, substantially as described.
4. A valve, for use with a compound engine, having a portion of smaller
diameter against which live steam direct from the boiler or steam generator
constantly presses, and a portion of larger diameter against which the exhaust
steam from the high pressure cylinder (or from an intermediate cylinder) presses,
substantially as described for the purpose set forth.
5. A valve for use with a compound engine, having a portion of smaller
diameter (such as A2) fitted to slide within a corresponding portion (such as B³)
of a fixed mounting through the wall of which openings (such as a) are formed,
and a portion of larger diameter (such as A') fitted to slide within a corresponding
portion (such as B¹) of such mounting, the outer end of the portion of smaller
diameter of the mounting being in direct communication with the boiler or steam
generator, and the outer face or end of the portion of larger diameter of the valve
being exposed to the pressure of the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder
(or an intermediate cylinder, as the case may be), substantially as described for
the purpose set forth.
6. A valve, for use with a compound engine, having a portion of smaller diameter
fitted to slide within a corresponding portion of a fixed mounting, and a portion of
larger diameter fitted to slide within a corresponding portion of such mounting, the
outer end of the portion of smaller diameter of the mounting being in direct
communication with the boiler or steam generator, and the back or inner end of
the portion of larger diameter of the mounting being in direct communication with
the atmosphere through a suitable passage, or passages, and the outer face or end
of the portion of larger diameter of the valve being exposed to the pressure of the
exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder (or an intermediate cylinder, as the
case may be), substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 7. An automatic valve for use in starting compound engines, constructed and
operating substantially as described, and shewn by the drawings herewith.
Dated thie 29th dex of July 1895
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.