CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WESTON, of Portland Town, in the County of Middlesex, Machinist, send
greeting.
year
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day of
February, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the cleventh
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Weston, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Weston,
my exors, adiiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Weston, my
exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Guernsey,
Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND
APPLYING MOTIVE POWER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that I, the said John Weston, should cause a particular description of the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and scal, to be inrolled
in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Weston, do hereby declare, that the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, is fully set forth, described, and
ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and forming part hereof, by the letters and
figures marked thereon and herein referred to, that is 'to say:
.
My Invention consists in, and has reference to, Certain Improvements in
Obtaining and Applying Motive Power, effected through the agency of certain
new or improved mechanical combinations or arrangements hereafter set forth
and described, and illustrated by the said Drawings. In order to the better
exemplification of the said Invention, I have divided it into four parts or
principal divisions,-
The first whereof has relation to the generation of steam to be employed as
a motive power in the manner herein-after set forth and described, and illus-
trated by the said Drawings.
The second part of my said Invention has relation to certain modes of, and
machinery or apparatus for, propelling carriages on railways in the manner
hereafter set forth and described, and illustrated by the said Drawings.
The third part of my said Invention has relation to certain improvements in
the construction of that class of engines known by the names of rotatory or rotary
engines, as hereafter set forth and described, and illustrated by the said Drawings.
The fourth part of my said Invention has relation to certain improvements
in air pumps, applicable for the purposes of exhausting or compressing air for
obtaining and applying motive power.
In each of the Sheets of the said Drawings similar letters of reference are
placed upon and denote corresponding parts in each of the Figures respectively,
in so far as the same are exhibited thereat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1 of the Drawings, Figure 1 exhibits an elevation of an appa-
ratus to be employed for generating high-pressure steam; Figure 2, a
longitudinal and vertical section thereof, taken through the line A, B, at
Figure 3, which is a top plan view of the apparatus; Figures 4, 5, and 6
exhibit detached parts of the apparatus hereafter described and referred to.
A, A, marks a steam boiler set in brickwork; B, a T-shaped pipe passing
through and across the same, one end of the horizontal position B¹ leading
into the chimney C, and the other end communicating with the furnace D.
The lower end of the vertical portion B³ of this T-shaped pipe is furnished with
a valve E for regulating the admission of the compressed air and gases into

page_text: and amongst the water which surrounds the said pipe. The construction aud
arrangement of the furnace D is as follows:-F marks a cylindrical-shaped
casing of iron composing the furnace, which is lined with fire-brick at G, the
said casing being closed at its upper and lower ends by plates H, I, which are
secured thereto in any convenient manner for rendering the same air-tight or
nearly so. K marks a revolving fire-grate (shewn in plan view at Figure 6),
the upper edge whereof is in contact with the under side of the fire-brick G,
and the under edge has teeth L formed upon it, into which a pinion M takes
or gears for imparting rotary motion to the grate through the agency of any
available prime mover. The said fire-grate is maintained in its proper position
by the vertical pipe N, which has a projection O fixed to or formed thereon,
upon which the said fire-grate rests. P, P, mark four retorts shewn in plan
view at Figure 3, the upper ends of which are securely fixed to the plate H
by flanges. It will be seen, upon referring to the Drawing at Figure 2, that
the necks of these retorts have a hollow chamber Q cast or formed around
them, which is rendered air-tight by securing same to the plate H, a com-
munication being established between said chamber and each of the retorts
by openings R, which are furnished with valves (as shewn) for the purpose
hereafter described. S marks an opening in the bottom of the retorts for the
purpose of discharging the contents thereof by means of the door T and
weighted lever T", two of which are shown at Figure 1. U, a door for closing
and rendering air-tight the upper end of the retorts after they are charged with
fuel. V marks a compressed air reservoir, which may be supplied with com-
pressed air, through the pipe a, by any of the known means. W mark a series of
tubes the upper and lower extremities of which are securely fixed in plates W',
so as to leave the space surrounding the tubes perfectly air-tight, and distinct
and separate from the inclosed spaces above and below the reservoir, into
which, and through the pipe X and tubes W, waste or other steam passes
for imparting heat to the compressed air. Y, a condenser composed of a
series of pipes Y*, which are surrounded with cold water through the pipe I,
the heated water passing off by the pipe 2, the water from the condensed
steam passing off by the pipe 3, and it is proposed to employ this water for
feeding the boiler. Z, Z, mark pipes for effecting a communication between
the compressed air chamber V, the furnace D, and boiler A, A, by the pipe N.
The pipes Z, Z, are furnished with cocks 4, 5, for the purpose hereafter
described. Z marks a valve box, shewn at Figures 1, 8, 4, into which the
compressed air and gases pass through the pipes N and Z³, after which they
become mixed before passing into and amongst the water in the boiler, where
they are deprived of their excess of caloric. The construction of this valve

page_text: will be better understood by referring to Figures 4 and 5, where a marks that
portion of the box which communicates with the compressed air chamber, and
6 that portion which communicates with the chamber Q; B³, a portion of the
horizontal T-shaped pipe before mentioned, and exhibited at Figures 2 and 3;
and c, d, are two valves fixed to a cross-shaped piece e, shewn at Figure 5, in
order to ensure their acting simultaneously. These valves fit in seats formed
in the casting, as shewn, and are connected to one end of a rod f, which works
air-tight in a stuffing box, and has a nut and collar upon its opposite ex-
tremity, between which and the stuffing box a helical spring 9 is placed for
returning the valves to their seats when there is no discharge of gas from the
retorts.h, a damper for regulating the quantity of air passing from the
furnace; i, a door or manhole by which access may be had to the interior
of the furnace, as shown at Figure 1, for the purpose of supplying the fire-
grate with bars or other purposes, the said door or manhole being rendered
air-tight by any of the usual.means. The modus operandi of this apparatus
is as follows:-A fire being first lighted in the furnace, the retorts are then
filled with small coal or other suitable fuel, and their lids closed and secured
air-tight in any convenient manner. The damper is then raised, and the at-
mospheric air allowed to pass by a cock through the fire until it is well lighted,
when the cock and damper may be closed, and the compressed air be admitted
by the cock 4 to the fire through openings *, *, in the pipe N. During this
period of time the fuel in the retorts will become heated, and the gases arising
therefrom will pass by one or other of the valves R, R, into the chamber Q;
and when the pressure thereof is in excess of that occasioned by the column of
water in the boiler A, the valve E will be forced down, and the compressed air
and gases, as they pass through the valve box Z³, will enter into and amongst the
water in the boiler, and convert it into steam, and continue to enter until the
pressure in the two are in equilibrio, when the valve E will close. The fire in
the furnace, when required to be replenished with fuel, receives its supply from
one or other of the retorts P, which may be discharged by raising the weighted
lever T. If found necessary, the lid of the retort may be raised, and the
carbonized fuel broken or divided to ensure its passing through the lower
opening S, when the revolving of the fire-grate will cause it to be distributed
uniformly over its surface, after which the lower opening must be closed, and
this retort recharged with coal to be carbonized; and in order that the con-
tents of each retort may not be converted simultaneously, it will be found
necessary to charge and discharge the retorts in succession, the interval of
time between the conversion or carbonizing of the fuel in each depending upon
the judgment of the workman in charge of the apparatus, and the relative

page_text: capacity which each retort bears to the superficial area of the fire-grate.
When it is required to check combustion of the fuel in the fire-grate the same
may be effected by causing the apertures in the pipe N to be throttled or
entirely shut off by turning round a short pipe placed within the pipe N,
having openings therein corresponding to the other openings; or when it is
not required to supply compressed air to the water in the boiler, the communi-
cation may be cut off by shutting the cocks 4, 5. In order that the heated
air and gases may be equally diffused through and amongst the water and
steam in the boiler, I employ a finely perforated metal plate 6, (shewn at
Figure 2, by which they are infinitely divided into small streams or jets.
Another mode of carrying out that part of my Invention which has reference
to improvements in obtaining motive power, relates to the before-mentioned
system of propelling carriages on railways by the means and through the
agency of a collapsible tube, arranged, combined, and actuated in manner
following:-At Sheet 2 of the illustrative Drawings, Figure 1 exhibits a side
elevation in its complete state, and as it would appear when attached to a train
of carriages; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the foremost end of tube, and
parts in connection, shewn partly in section and drawn to a larger scale for
the sake of distinctness, exhibiting also the relative position such tube and parts
would bear to the foremost or boiler carriage or locomotive hereafter referred
to and described; Figure 3, a longitudinal section taken through the line A, B,
at Figure 2 and side elevation of the tube there shewn, and some of the parts in
connection therewith; Figure 4, a transverse and vertical section of a carriage
framing and end elevation of the propelling tube; Figures 5 and 6, transverse
sections of said tube taken through the lines C, D, and E, F, at Figures 1
and 2; Figure 7, a longitudinal and vertical section of the extreme ends of
the propelling tube, taken through the line G, H, at Figures 2 and 4, shewing
the arrangement and disposition of certain parts to be employed in connection
therewith; Figure 8, a transverse and vertical section taken through the line
I, K, at Figures 2 and 3, and drawn to an enlarged scale. A, A, marks the
timber framework of the railway formed of transverse and longitudinal sleepers,
to which are secured rails B, B, for the wheels C, C, of the locomotive and
other carriages D, D, to run upon. E, E, axles upon which the wheels C, C,
are fixed to the axles E, and, depending therefrom by the parts F, there is a
piece or baulk of timber G of the shape exhibited at Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, the
same being composed of several pieces or lengths securely connected together,
and to the vertical sides of which there is affixed, by metal plates E, pieces of
elastic material I, I, prepared by any of the means or processes in known and
common use for rendering same air-tight and impervious to the action of

page_text: steam. K, K, a framing of metal securely fixed to the cross sleepers A, by
bolting or otherwise, and to said framing there are affixed brackets L, L,
employed for maintaining at certain distances asunder the metal rollers M, M,
which revolve upon axes N, N, fixed to or formed thereon, and mounted in
suitable bearings in the brackets L, L, the intention of such rollers being to
press the elastic material into and against the curved sides of the baulk of
timber G, for which purpose the peripheries of the rollers are formed of
similar curvature, and are kept in forced contact therewith by bolts 1 and
screws 2, which admit of said rollers being adjusted to the greatest nicety, as
oxhibited at Figures 2, 8, 4. In connection with these rollers and the brackets
L, L, to which they are attached, there is a casting O, which has two inclined
surfaces 3, 4, formed thereon for the purpose of raising certain mechanism
which is brought into contact therewith, said mechanism being arranged and
combined in the following manner:-At Figures 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, P, P¹, mark
cylinders of inetal which are connected together near their lower ends by pipes
Q, Q'; that marked Q has a foot or flap valve R placed therein, and that
marked Q¹ is furnished with a cock 5, the valve R being for the purpose of
preventing the return of the water or other liquid contained in cylinder P',
after it has passed therefrom into the cylinder P; and the cock 5 is for the
purpose of re-admitting such water or other liquid into the cylinder P¹ by the
pipe Q. The cylinder P, which should be bored perfectly true, is accurately
fitted with a piston S, to which is affixed one end of a piston rod T, the other
end being connected to a cross head U, which carries at its extremity vertical
rods V, to the lower ends whereof rollers W, W, are connected by a pin 6, to
which is also connected one end of the rods X, Y, the other and opposite ends
thereof being secured to the part 7 of the tube (as regards the rod X shewn
at Figure 3), and the rod Y to the cross head Z, shewn at Figure 2. This
last-mentioned rod has a slot 8 formed therein for the purpose hereafter
described, and this arrangement occurs at each of the vertical sides of the
tube G, I, as shewn at Figures 2 and 4. The cross head Z works through
guides 9, and is connected to a slide valve a by the rod b, which works in a
stuffing box formed upon the valve box or steam chest c; d, an inlet pipe for
the admission of steam or other vapour; e, a jointed slide valve situate within
the valve box or steam chest c, and at the bottom thereof, as exhibited at
Figure 7; f, an opening formed in the bottom of the box c, and correspond-
ing with openings g, formed in baulk of timber G, and at each side thereof,
as at Figure 6; h, h¹, levers, having their fulcra upon pins situate in the cast-
ing i. To the upper end of the lever h one end of a rod k is connected, the
opposite end of said rod being connected to the jointed slide e for actuating

page_text: the same, and the lower end of the lever h is connected to a rod l, which
extends throughout the entire length of the tube, a groove m being formed
therein for its reception, as also the rod n situate beneath the rod I, as shewn
at Figures 5, 7, 8. The rod works through a stuffing box formed upon the
valve box o, in which works a slide valve p; attached to the rod 7 beneath the
slide valve p, and immediately under it there is another slide valve q, to which
is connected one end of the rod n. The slide valve p is kept in forced contact
with under side of the valve box o by a forked piece r, which presses against
the valve q near its outer edges and sides, the pressure of this forked piece being
caused by a spring fixed around the spindles, which carries the said forked
piece; and there is another and a similar valve box furnished with slides
situate at the other end of the tube, as shewn at Figure 7, said slides being
connected to the opposite ends of the rods and n before mentioned, as also
the levers h, h'; that marked h at the end A of the tube being connected to a
slide e, which is hinged and works in a corresponding valve box, and is fur-
nished with a slide valve similar in all respects to that marked a, shewn at the
opposite end B of propelling tube. u, a pipe let into a groove *, formed in
the baulk G, as shewn at Figures 2, 5, 7, 8. The opposite extremities of this
pipe are connected to the valve boxes c, c, in which are formed openings for
establishing a communication between said valve boxes. w, w, mark educ-
tion ports or passages formed in the baulk G, communicating with the slide
box o, as shewn at Figure 6, through which the steam passes for exhausting
the tube of steam after it has passed one pair of the rollers M before it enters
between another pair. The modus operandi of this arrangement is as follows:
-Assuming the train of carriages to be moving in the direction denoted by the
arrow's flight at Figure 1, and the end A of the tube to be connected to the
boiler carriage or locomotive, and the communication by the pipe d between
the boiler and the tube shut off by the slide a, in order to impart motion to
the train the tube G, I, must be advanced in any convenient manner between
one pair of rollers until the rollers W, W, have passed the incline 4, which
will have the effect of pushing back the slide a through the agency of the rods
X, Y, when the steam entering into the tube through the ports or passages
f. g, will inflate it, and the pressure of the steam between the front of the rollers.
which serve as the abutment for it to press against, and this end of the tube
will cause the front end of the tube to be forced therefrom, the steam being
prevented from escaping by causing the slides p, q, at this end of the tube to
which be effected by the person in
cover the openings in the valve box o,
charge of the train moving the levers h, h¹, by means of a handle, into the
position there shewn, the effect of which will be to shut off the induction
may

page_text: passage at the opposite end of the tube, and to open the eduction, by which
the air contained in that portion of the tube behind the rollers will be dis-
charged therefrom, and by the time this end of the tube has passed the first
pair of rollers, the steam which occupies the tube will be allowed to escape
and leave it in a condition to enter between another pair of rollers; and in
this manner the tube will be passed successively from one pair of rollers to the
next, and the train of carriages connected therewith be propelled. When it
is desired to back the train or reverse the direction of its motion, the same
may be effected by the attendant moving the lever h into the position exhi-
bited at Figure 7, which will have the effect of shutting off the communica-
tion between the steam chests a and ports f and g, situate at front end A of
tube, and the slide p being simultaneously drawn back, and the eduction ports
or passages w, w, uncovered, the steam occupying this end of the tube will
press down the valve 9 and escape. The steam will now pass from the boiler
along the pipe u, and by its pressure will lift the hinged valve e, which covers
the opening leading through the steam chest into the opposite end of the tube
by the ports f, g, as exhibited at Figure 7, when the pressure of the steam
between the back end B of the tube and the rollers will cause it to move in
an opposite direction, and thereby effect the backing or reversing of the train.
The following means are employed for using the steam expansively in the tube
G, I The cylinder P¹ being filled, or nearly so, with water or other liquid,
and the piston S at its lowest point, as exhibited at Figure 7, it will appear
evident that, as this piston is raised by the means before described, the water
or other liquid will pass from the cylinder P¹, past the valve R, into the cylin-
der P, until said piston has arrived at its highest point, by which time the
slide valve a (at Figure 7) will be forced back, and allow the steam to enter
the tube. The wheels W having now passed the top of the incline 8, being
no longer supported, will descend by their weight, together with the cross head
V and piston S connected thereto; and the water which occupies the space
below the piston S, being unable to return past the valve R into the cylinder
P¹, will be forced by the pressure of the piston thereon along the pipe Q',
through the cock 5, into the cylinder P¹, until the piston has arrived at its
lowest point. There is a spring a passed around that part of the rod b, within
the valve box c, which presses against the slide a for the purpose of shutting
it. This spring, when the valve a is pressed back by the rising of the rods
Y and X, is retained in that position by a catch suitably placed for the pur-
pose. Thus it will be seen, that during the time the piston S is descending,
the valve a will remain fully open, by reason of the slot 8 in the rod Y passing
over the ends of the cross head, without producing any effect thereon; and

page_text: when the end of the slot comes into contact with the ends of the cross head,
the catch, which before held the spring x and slide a, will now be disengaged,
and the pressure of the spring closing the valve will cut off the steam, and the
period of time which the piston occupies to perform its descent will depend
upon the extent to which the cock 5 is opened, and must be adjusted accord-
ing to the extent of expansion to which it is desired to use the steam. When
it is desired to check the progress of the train, the same may be effected by
the attendant moving the lever handle h' (situate at B) of the tube into the
position denoted by the dotted line, which will have the effect of closing the
eduction passage at the opposite end of the tube, and the steam contained
therein being unable to escape until the pressure is in excess of the resistance
will operate as a cushion to retard the passage of the tube between the rollers;
or, instead of entirely closing the eduction passage, the lever h¹ may be moved
to such an extent as will only throttle the steam contained therein; and in
order to render the tube G, H, flexible, to enable it to pass the curves and
crossings with facility, I propose to make incisions or saw cuts through the
upper and lower portions of the vertical sides thereof, as exhibited at Figure 2,
said incisions or cuts being made at equal distances asunder, and of nearly
equal depths, which incisions I propose to fill with vulcanized india rubber, or
other elastic material, to prevent the escape of the steam or other fluid; and
further, I form the plates H, which secure the elastic material I to the baulk
G, of the shape exhibited at Figure 2, and arrange or dispose them as there
shown. It should also be observed, that the distance between one pair of
rollers and the next will depend upon the length of the flexible tube G, I,
which should be something less than the distance between each pair of rollers,
in order that the steam contained in the tube may be discharged before enter-
ing between the next pair of rollers, the impetus of the train being sufficient
to carry from one pair of rollers to the next; and although I have only made
mention of the use of steam for this purpose, I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that I do not intend to limit or confine myself to the exclusive use
thereof as a motive power, as other clastic fluids, such as compressed air, may
be employed with equally beneficial effects, in which case it will only be neces-
sary to substitute, in the place of a steam boiler, a reservoir or reservoirs con-
taining the fluid to be employed as a motive power. I would here remark,
that the tube is rigidly connected to the foremost or boiler carriage only,
the other carriages being free to move backwards or forwards thereon, the
carriages supporting the weight of it.
At Sheet 3 of the Drawings there is exhibited another arrangement and
combination of parts constituting a new system of applying motive power for

page_text: the purpose or propening carriages on railways. Figure I exhibits a trans-
verse and vertical. section of two lines of railway, shewing the arrangement
and combination of such of the parts as can be seen at this Figure. Figure 2
'is a longitudinal and vertical section taken through the line A, B, at Figure 1,
and the Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, are parts of
this arrangement. shewn detached, and drawn upon an enlarged scale at some
of the Figures, for the purpose of rendering the construction of such parts
more distinct. Similar letters of reference are also placed upon and denote
corresponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at each of
the Figures respectively.
At Figures 1 and 2, A, A, marks a tube of copper, or it may be of galvanized
iron, said tube being imbedded in the manner hereafter described, between
the two lines of rails A, B; to each side of this tube, and at certain distances
asunder, B, B, are secured by one end in any convenient manner, and to the
other end of said pipe or pipes there is an elbow pipe fixed to or formed upon
the casting C, which is formed with a flange at D, for connecting thereto the
casting or hollow piston E, the lower part of which at E' is of rectangular form,
and the upper and extended portion thereof, E, is of a cylindrical form, as at
Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; and the ends of this casting, which I call the
piston, are formed upon and furnished with valves F, F, the construction
of which will be better understood by reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
Figure 9 of which exhibits a front elevation or face view of the valve as it
would appear when partially opened; Figure 10, a longitudinal and vertical
section thereof, taken through the line A, B, at Figure 9; Figure 11, a trans-
verse and longitudinal section thereof, taken through the line C, D, at
Figure 9; and Figure 12, an outside view of the packing or cupped leather
hereafter referred to. At Figures 9, 10, 11, F marks a solid plate of metal,
having conical-shaped holes or openings G formed therein, into which the
conical-shaped ends of screws 1 take and fit, said screws passing through
screwed holes formed through the extended portion E of the piston, as exhi-
bited at Figure 11, and are the fulcra for the valve plate F to turn upon. H, an
annular valve of leather, or other suitable clastic and steam-tight material; one
half of this valve is fixed to the end of the piston, and the other and lower portion
to the valve plate F by screws, as shewn at Figure 9, by which it will be seen
that the valve plate has perfect liberty of motion upon its axes or centres 1, 1,
to enable it to be opened, and that when closed it is perfectly steam-tight.
I, a ring of metal, formed conical at its inner surface, for the purpose of
securing the cupped leather or packing K to the end of the piston, which
is likewise formed with a conical projection thereon, against which said cupped

page_text: leather is pressed and securely connected to the end of the piston, as shewn at
Figure 11. At Figures 2 and 10, L marks a rod, one end of which is connected
to the valve plate F by a nut, as shewn, and the other end thereof is formed
curved, and is connected by a short lever M to one end of a spindle N, which
passes through a stuffing box O, fixed to or formed upon the casting E¹; and
there is another and a similarly shaped rod L', and connected to another valve
situate at the opposite end of the piston, said rod being fixed upon a spindle N¹
passing through a stuffing box O' situate at the opposite side of the casting E¹,
as shewn; and upon the outer end of each of the spindles N, N',.there is fixed
a crank or arm P, P¹, to which is connected one end of a vertical rod Q for the
purpose hereafter described. R, a metal tube, which I call a propelling tube;
this tube is somewhat larger in diameter than the piston at Eª; said tube is
divided underneath, in the direction of its length, to enable it to pass over the
part E' of the piston Es; and there are antifriction wheels S mounted upon
spindles or axes in the castings T, which are connected to said piston, as exhi-
bited at Figures 2, 5, 6, 7, for the purpose of distending or opening the tube R,
to enable it to pass freely over the part E' of the piston; and in order that the
divided portion of the tube may not be opened more than is.actually necessary
to ensure its free passage past or over the said part of the piston, as also to
prevent the ingress of atmospheric air to that part of the tube beyond the back
valve, I propose to employ three sets of rollers S, placed at equal distances
asunder, in the direction of the length of the tube, but unequally transversely
to the length; that is to say, I place the centres of the outer rollers S' nearer
together than the centres of the middle rollers S, by which the tube R, as it
passes over the part E¹ of the piston, is distended gradually, as exhibited
at Figure 7; and, as a further security, I form the tube R, which should be of
the length of each carriage, of several parts, or short lengths of tube, and I
connect them together as shewn at Figure 13, where U marks two strips of
metal of the shape there exhibited, one of such strips being securely fixed by
rivetting or otherwise to each end of the short lengths of tubing, and by the
projections of one strip taken into corresponding recesses of the other strip,
it will appear evident that the tubes cannot be disengaged from each other
transversely, and to prevent their disengagement laterally, and to render them
steam-tight but flexible at their points of junction, I pass a broad strip of
vulcanized india rubber, or other suitable elastic material, from edge to edge
of the tube, so as to leave the divided portion free to pass over the part E' of
the piston; and I connect the tube of one carriage to that of the next and
adjoining carriage, so as to admit of each carriage and tube appproaching to or
receding from each other in accordance with the movement of the buffer rods,

page_text: and without destroying or disturbing the integrity of the tube by the arrange-
ment exhibited at Figure 14, where V, V, mark three out of four pieces of
metal placed at equal distances asunder, one end of each such piece being fixed
to the tube at *, and the other and opposite end thereof, which is formed with
a hook, takes into a recess in the piece W. It will also be seen, upon referring
to Figure 14, that the short length of tube R' is formed of two parts, 1 and 2,
one part sliding within the other so as to form a telescope joint, and the tubes
thus connected together are rendered steam-tight by passing and securely fixing
a broad band W of vulcanized india rubber, or other elastic material, around
the tube from edge to edge, and over one of the joints, as at U, Figure 14, the
other joint U! being rendered steam-tight in a similar manner to that before
mentioned with reference to Figure 7; and within the piece W there are
placed pieces of metal +, shewn at Figure 14, into which the hooked end of
the pieces V take; by placing each such piece within these recesses, and in this
manner each separate tube and carriage may be connected to the next and
adjoining one, and assuming the position of the sliding portion 2 of the short
tube R', when the buffers of each carriage are forced nearly home, to be in the
position shewn, it will appear evident that in returning to their original posi-
tion the part 2 of the short tube will be drawn within the part 1, and the
clasticity of the piece W preserve the points of junction steam-tight during
such movement, and the tubes and carriages may be detached from each other
by raising each of the pieces V from or out of the recesses + which they pre-
viously occupied in the piece W, when the sliding part 2 may be withdrawn
from the part 1. The propelling tube R of each carriage is connected thereto
by castings X passing over the axles Y, said castings being secured to the tube
by the T-shaped piece Z, which is fixed along the top of the tube, as exhibited
more clearly at Figure 5, and extends along the entire length thereof, serving
also to strengthen the tube at this part; and the outer end of each of the tubes
which are situato in the front and at the rear of a train of carriages is formed
of a bell-mouth shape, as at Figure 2, for the purpose of facilitating its entrance
upon the piston E², before mentioned; and at a short distance from the outer
end of each of the extreme tubes there are situate vertical slide valves a, which
pass across the entire diameter of the tube R. One of such valves is shewn in
front elevation at Figure 15, where a marks a plate of metal of the shape there
exhibited; b, b, standards or guide pieces for directing the valve a in its proper
course, said standards being securely fixed to the T-shaped piece Z, which is
divided transversely to enable the valve to pass into or across the tube, which
is likewise divided for that purpose; and such divided portions are connected
together by a piece of vulcanized india rubber c, or other suitable elastic

page_text: material, the upper part of which is firmly secured to the under side of the
standard b, b, and to the extreme ends of the divided' portion of the tube in any
convenient manner, and at the points by straps & fixed to the tube, as exhi-
bited at Figures 15 and 16, this latter Figure being a longitudinal and vertical
section of the valve a, and divided portion of the tube R, taken through the
line E, F, at Figure 15.
The means which I employ for actuating this valve, and that in rear of the
engine or boiler, are as follows:-
At Figures 1, 3, 15, 17, e marks a casting formed with two inclined
surfaces f, g, and one horizontal plane surface h, and there is one of such cast-
ings placed at each side of the piston E³, and securely fixed to the transverse
and longitudinal timbers of the railway, as exhibited at Figures 1 and 15; and
the castings e, which should be opposite to each other, should be so disposed
or placed with respect to the piston as that the termination of the horizontal
plane surface h of the casting coincides with the extreme ends of the piston E³,
for the reason hereafter mentioned. At Figures 3 and 8, i, i, mark radius
rods situate at each side of the propelling tube R, and connected theroto by
castings k fixed to the T-shaped piece Z; the opposite end of each of the rods i is
connected to a roller k by a pin l, which also connects thereto one end of a
forked rod m, the upper end of said rod being connected to a cross spindle n,
securely fixed to the valve a. Now assuming the tube R to be moving in the
direction of the arrow's flight at Figures 3 and 17, it will appear evident that
upon the rollers coming into contact with inclined surface f (the bell-mouth
end of the tube having previously entered upon the piston), and passing up its
surface, will have the effect of raising the valve a into the position exhibited
at Figure 2, to enable said tube to pass freely upon the front end of the piston;
and the closing of this valve, after it has passed the opposite end of the piston,
is effected by the rollers k passing down the inclined surface g by the weight of
the valve and parts in connection therewith; and the valve a', shewn at Figure 4,
situate at the rear end of the train, being closed, will remain in that position
until it is brought into contact, by the (means hereafter described, with the
inclined surface f, by which it will be raised, and passing over the piston it will
be closed in the manner before described. The means employed for actuating
the valves in the piston are as follows:-At each side of the first and last tube,
5 and near the bell-mouth end thereof, there are affixed by one end strips of
metal o, said strips being placed at an acute angle with the horizon, so as to
present two inclined surfaces 1 and 2, and the lower end of each of these rods
has a vertical rod connected thereto for the purpose of raising or lowering
them; for example, when the train is moving in the direction denoted by the

page_text: arrow s fight at Figure 4, the rods o, o, at one side of the propelling tube wi
be in the position denoted by blue color, in which position they will produce n
effect upon the rod Q, which is in connection with the valve at the back en
of the piston, such valve being required to be kept closed during the time th
propelling tube is moving in the direction denoted by the arrow's flight, an
the opening and closing of the valve in front of the piston is effected by the
rods o, o', situate at the opposite side of the propelling tube, being in the position
denoted by the dotted lines; and supposing the propelling tube to be moving in
the direction of the arrow's flight at Figure 4, it will appear evident that the
under inclined surface 2, of the rod o, o', coming into contact with the upper
end of the vertical rod Q', will depress it into the position exhibited by the
dotted lines at Figures 2 and 4, and thereby effect the opening of the foremost
valve, the opposite valve remaining closed by reason of the pressure being
uniform over its entire surface; and by the time the last tube at the rear end of
the train has been brought upon the front end of the piston, and before the
valve a' is opened, it is necessary that the valve F¹ in the piston should be
closed, and this is effected by the upper inclined surface 1 of the rod o, situate
at the rear end of train, coming into contact with the under side of a projection
fixed to or formed upon the upper end of the rod Q, by which this rod will be
raised and the valve F' closed, and the rods colored blue will pass the rod Q
without producing any effect thereon. The rods Q, Q', are maintained in a
vertical position by pins being passed through them, and working in slots formed
in the casting e, as at *, Figures 1 and 3. p, p, mark valves for throttling or
entirely shutting off the communication between the condensing tube A and the
pistons, for which purpose there is a rod r connected to the throttle valve by a
crank or arms, and to the opposite end of said rod a lever handlet is attached,
and has its fulcrum at a point u of the casting v; said lever handle being situate
at the side of each line of rails, enables the progress of a train to be checked or
stopped by the officers or servants of the railway at the stations or other parts
of the line of railway where they may be situated.
.
The means employed for imparting motion to the tube and train are as
hereafter stated. At Sheet 4 of the Drawings, Figure 1 exhibits a longi-
tudinal and vertical section of a boiler for generating low-pressure steam.
Figure 2 is a transverse and vertical section of the boiler taken through the
line A, B, at Figure 1. Figure 3, a transverse and vertical section taken
through the line C, D), at Figure 1. Figure 4 is a transverse and vertical
section taken through the line E, F, at Figure 1. Figure 5, a top plan view
of some of the parts hereafter referred to. And this part of my Invention,
which constitutes an improved mode of obtaining motive power, is a modifica-

page_text: tion of that exhibited at Sheet 1, and consists in directing the air which pas
through the fire to support combustion of the fuel, together with the gaseous
vapours evolved therefrom, and causing them to pass into the boiler and
amongst the steam and water contained therein, for the purpose of economising
such of the heat as would otherwise pass off up the chimney and thereby be
lost; and this I effect by the following arrangement and combination of the
parts-A marks the steam chamber, or that part of the boiler in which the
steam is generated, said chamber being separated from the adjoining chamber B
by a plate C; this chamber receives its supply of water from the reservoir De
through the agency of a force pump in connection with the pipe F', said force
pump being worked in any convenient manner; G2, the steam pipe leading
from the steam chamber, said pipe being furnished with a valve H for
shutting off the communication between it and the steam chamber; I³, a pipe
for feeding the part A of the boiler with water; K² a float for regulating the
admission of the water from the feed pump, through the agency of the beam
L', weight M, and rod and valve N'; 0, the fireplace; P, flue leading
from said fireplace to the chimney Q, said chimney being furnished with a
throttle valve or damper R³, to which is connected, by a lever S³, one end of a
rod T, the other end whereof is attached to a lever handle U, whose fulcrum
is at V*; W, mark pipes surrounding the pipes G, G³, to prevent saine from
being destroyed by the action of the fire thercon, for which purpose the water
from the chamber A* is allowed to pass into them; X³, a spring safety valve;
Ye, a valve situate within pipe Z for the passage of the surplus steam from
the chamber A to the part D³ of the boiler through the pipe Z³, which is in
connection therewith; Z' a flap, valve, or door mounted upon hinges, and
situate within the chamber 'A', and employed for the purpose of establishing a
communication between the furnace and the said part by the flue P³, as
denoted by the arrow's flight at Figure 1.
And
And I have exhibited this mode of obtaining power as applied to the pro-
pelling tube before mentioned and described with reference to Sheet 3, and
the mechanical arrangements to be employed in connection therewith.
although I have exhibited the application of this mode of obtaining motive
power as the means by which the tube and carriages connected thereto may
be propelled, I do not intend to limit or confine myself thereto, as a boiler of
the ordinary construction might be employed if desirable, or the waste steam
from the cylinders of the ordinary locomotive engine be introduced into the
tube as an auxiliary power. The modus operandi of the arrangements
exhibited at the several Figures of Sheets 3 and 4 of the Drawings is as
follows:-Immediately behind the valve a, and at the top of the tube R, there

page_text: is a pipe 1, in which is placed a throttle valve 2, mounted upon a spindle 3,
which has a crank or arm 4 fixed upon one end thereof; 5 marks a bell-
crank lever placed loosely upon the axle of the front running wheels, and to
the longer arm of this bell-crank lever there is affixed a roller 6, and to the
shorter arm one end of a rod 7, the opposite end of which has a notch formed
at its under edge for connecting it to the crank or arm 4; 8 marks another
bell-crank lever mounted upon a pin 9, which is the fulcrum thereof. One
arm of this lever is in contact with the under side of the rod 7, and the other
arm is connected to a rod 10,.the opposite end whereof is attached to a lever
handle 11. The lever handle 12 is connected to a rod 18, which passes
through a slot in the vertical arm of the bell-crank lever 8, and is employed
for shutting off or throttling the steam pipe 1. And supposing the parts to be
in the positions shewn at Figure 1 of Sheet 4, it will appear evident that by
moving the tube forward in the direction of the arrow's flight at Figure 1, by
any convenient and available means, at the starting of the train, when in this
position, the wheels k moving up the inclined surfaces g, will have the effect
of raising the valve a through the agency of the parts in connection therewith,
as before mentioned, and the roller 6 being upon the surface h, will keep the
throttle valve 2 closed until it arrives at the inclined surface f, when the
descent of the rollers will cause the rod 7 to open the throttle valve, and
thereby allow the steam from the boiler to pass into the propelling tube R,
and as it passes therefrom.to enter the exhausting pipe A by the valve F',
before described, and exhibited at Figure 2 of Sheet 3, where it is condensed
by reason of the said tube being surrounded by water contained in the inverted
brick culvert or trough 14, which extends through the entire length of the
exhausting tube; and by this means a more perfect vacuum will be obtained
than by the means hitherto employed for that purpose, and the pressure of
the atmosphere acting upon the valve at the back end or rear of the tube,
and the steam between the front valve of tube and the piston, will cause it to
be impelled forward until the back valve arrives at the next incline, when
the communication between the boiler and the exhausting tube will be shut
off, and the valve a' raised to allow this end of the tube to pass over the
piston E, and in this manner the tube and train connected thereto will be
propelled.
And as regards that part of my Invention which has, reference to certain
new mechanical arrangements and combinations of parts constituting rotary
engines, the construction and arrangement of one of such engines is exhibited
at Sheet 5 of the illustrative Drawings, where Figure 1 represents a top
plan view of the engine in its complete state; Figure 2 a longitudinal and

page_text: vertical section thereof, taken through the line A, B, at Figure 1; Figure 3, a
transverse and vertical section taken through the line C, D, at Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4, a top plan view of the engine as it would appear when divided
through the line E, F, at Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5, an end view of the
cylender of the engine, exposing to view a vertical section of some of the parts
hereafter referred to; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, detached portions of the engine.
A, A, marks a cast-iron cylinder formed of two parts, the interior of which,
when brought together as exbibited, should be bored perfectly true; B, B, a
hollow piston securely fixed to the main driving shaft C; which works in
stuffing boxes D, D, formed in the cylinder lids E, E, as exhibited at Figures
2 and 4 of this Drawing, said cylinder lids being securely fixed to the cylinder
and rendered steam-tight in the manner usually practised; F, F, mark two
metal slides employed for the purpose of presenting fixed abutments for the
steam, as hereafter described, said slides. being directed and guided in their
proper course by causing them to move in grooves formed across the inner
surface of each cylinder lid, as also between the extentled portions or flanged
parts A of the cylinder. The arrangement employed for actuating these
slides is as follows:-G, G, marks a framing securely fixed to the flanged
parts A' of the cylinder, as shewn; the parts G of such framing are formed
with stuffing boxes, through which the rods H, H, pass, and work steam-tight
therein; one end of each of such rods is fixed to the slides F, F, and the
opposite end to a cross head I, I, to this cross head there are affixed side
rods K, K, which work through holes L formed in the framing G, G', as
exhibited at Figure 4 and 7, and to the opposite end of the rods K, K, there
are securely fixed pins M, which work through slots formed in the framing
G', as shewn at Figure 6; upon these pins antifriction rollers N are placed,
which take into a grooved piece O, the peculiar construction of which will be
hereafter described. At Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, P marks the induction port or
passage for the admission of steam into the cylinder A, and Q the eduction
port or passage, each of which is formed on the cylinder lids E, E, as shewn.
The construction of the piston, which is as follows, will be better understood
by referring to Figure 8, 8*, which exhibits a vertical section and end view
thereof, detached from the other parts of the engine. a, a, marks the hollow
portions of the piston, which are separated from each other by the cross piece b,
5 through which passes, and is securely fixed therein, the main shaft C; and in
order that the piston may work steam-tight within the cylinder, there are
formed at the ends and top of the piston, into which metallic pack-
ings c, c, are placed, said packings being kept in forced contact with cylinder
by springs d, d, and wedge-shaped pieces e being placed behind them. It will
grooves

page_text: also be seen upon referring to Figures 2, 3, 4, that there are openings e,f
formed in the piston, and at opposite sides, of the portion B' of said piston, and
one of such openings constitutes. the induction passage, and the other the
eduction, both of which are continually open for ingress, and egress of the
steam. R, R, mark fly wheels fixed upon the main shaft C, and to which are
fixed the grooved, pieces 0, 0. I would remark that as the intervals, of time
at which the opening and closing of the slides F should be effected to allow
the piston to pass, and still preserve a fixed abutment for the steam, forms an
important feature in these improvements, it is essential to their proper action
that they should have a peculiar movement imparted to them, for example,
when the piston it at right angles to the slides, they should, both be closed, and
by the time the piston has performed a quarter revolution and comes in a line
with them, one of the slides should be back, as exhibited. at Figures 3 and 4,
and remain quiescent until the piston has, passed, after which this slide begins
to close, and by the time the piston has performed another quarter revolution,
and is at right angles thereto, both slides will be closed, the slide F', which
before was the fixed abutment for the steam to act against, will be withdrawn,
and the piston allowed to pass it by pressure of the steam against the piston
and the slide F, which now becomes the fixed abutment, and thus the piston
will have continuous rotary motion imparted to it, without having to overcome
any null points, the pressure of the steam being exerted uniformly upon the
piston throughout its revolutions.
The construction of the grooved piece for effecting this peculiar movement
is as follows:-At Sheet 6 of the Drawings, Figure 1 exhibits a front eleva-
tion of a machine which I employ for scribing and forming a perfectly true
and geometrical figure, suitable for effecting the before-mentioned movement
of the slides F; F¹. Figure 2 is a back elevation of the machine; Figure 3,
an edge view thereof; Figure 4, a front elevation of the grooved piece pro-
duced by this machine, the same being shewn affixed to the fly wheel R,
before mentioned. At the Figures 1, 2, 3, A, A,, marks a metal standard, to
which is affixed a guide, piece B for maintaining the rod C in a vertical
direction during its movement; D, marks. a toothed wheel fixed upon an
axis E, which passes through the standard A and a slot in the rod C (shewn
at Figure 1), and is secured in that: position by a pin and washer; F marks
a stud wheel of less diameter than the, wheel D into which it takes or gears;
G, a crank or arm, one end of which is fixed to the wheel F, and the other
end to the lower end of the rod H,..which works through guide pieces I fixed
to the framing; the upper end of this rod is connected to the rod C by a pin
and nut K, by which the movement of the two rods is simultaneous; L, a

page_text: face plate mounted upon the axis E, which is formed square at such part
to prevent the face plate from turning thereon; upon this face plate the piece
to be grooved is temporarily fixed, and by moving the face plate from right to
left, or left to right, taking care that the central dotted line a is in a line
with the rod C, as also the crank or arm G, which should be at its greatest
height at the commencement of the operation, it will appear evident that
by imparting motion to the face plate L, the wheel D will be turned, and
impart motion to the rods II and C through the agency of the wheel F and
crank or arm G, and by fixing a point in the hole b, the vertical movement
of said rod and circular movement of the face plate L being simultaneous,
will produce one half of the figure exhibited, the other and similar half of the
figure being produced by moving the face plate in a contrary direction. The
dotted lines c, c, exhibit the precise point at which the circular portions d,
described from the centre E, forms a tangent to the curve, and thus is pro-
duced the desired figure. I would remark that the difference between the
diameters of the wheels D and F will depend upon the lapse of time between
the opening and closing of the slides, and must be arranged accordingly so as
to produce the desired curvature of the grooved piece O, O; the effect of this
curved piece upon the slides is as follows:-Assuming this piece to be in the
position shewn at Figure 4, and the piston to be in a line with the slides,
it will appear evident that the distance passed over by the circular portion d
of the groove will have no effect upon the roller working therein, which is in
connection with the slide F¹ (shewn at Figure 6), until the grooved piece
has performed a quarter revolution, during which time the slide F will have
been advanced to its entire extent, and will remain quiescent during the time
occupied by the grooved piece performing half a revolution, and the with-
drawing and advancing of one of the slides. When the two slides will be
advanced, the rollers occupy the position marked *, *, in the groove, and both
slides will remain closed for a short space of time. I would also remark that
although the Drawing exhibits no arrangement by which the engine may be
reversed, the same may be effected by the application of a slide valve of the
ordinary construction, placed in a steam chest in connection with the induc-
tion and eduction ports before mentioned, in which case, in reversing the
position of the slide, and consequently the movement of the piston, that which
before was the eduction passage or port will now become the induction, and
the induction become the eduction. I have deemed it unnecessary to shew
any Drawing thereof, as the nature of this arrangement must appear evident
to any intelligent workman. And, further, I would remark that as this engine

page_text: loes not admit of steam being used expansively in the cylinder, I will proceed
to describe the difference of construction necessary to effect this.
At Sheet 6 of the Drawings, Figure 5 exhibits a longitudinal and vertical
section of a rotary engine, taken through about the middlo thereof, and in
which it proposed to use steam expansively. Figure 6 is a transverse and
vertical section thereof, taken through the line A, B, at Figure 5. Figure 7
is a vertical section of the steam ports, taken through the line C, D, at
Figure 5. Figure 8, a view of that end of the piston where the steam enters
into the cylinder, the eduction passages being exhibited at Figures 5 and 6;
and Figure 9 is a top edge view of the piston, exposing to view the relative
positions of both these passages. At all these Figures similar letters of
reference to those employed in describing the engine at Sheet 5 are used
to denote corresponding parts in this arrangement. It will be seen upon
referring to the several Figures lastly mentioned, that one of the cylinder
lids A¹ has ports or openings 1, 2, formed therein for the admission of steam
from the boiler into the cylinder, and that only one portion of the piston is
formed hollow, as at 2, the other portion being formed solid, with a recess e
across its edge, which serves as a port or opening for allowing the steam
to pass through it, and one or other of the ports or passages 1, 2, when the
two are coincident, which will occur twice during each entire revolution of
the piston, and thus will the piston serve the office of a slide valve by cutting
the steam off at certain intervals of time during its revolution, the eduction
passages f, Q, being at all times open; and this construction is more parti-
cularly adapted for fixed or stationary engines; in all other respects the
construction and arrangement of this engine, and mode of actuating the other
parts, is the same as that before described with reference to Sheet 5.
At Sheet 7 there is exhibited another arrangement of parts constituting
a rotary engine capable of being worked backwards or forwards with equal
effect for an indefinite period of time; and at the same Drawing there is
exhibited a non-reversing engine constructed upon this principle. Figure 1
exhibits a top plan view of the reversing engine, certain portions whereof are
shewn in section. Figure 2 is a transverse and vertical section, taken through
the line A, B, at Figure 1. Figure 3 is a longitudinal and vertical section
of certain parts hereafter referred to. Figure 4, a partial elevation of that
end of the engine marked A at Figure 1. Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, exhibit
detached portions of the engine. At Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, A, A, marks the
cylinder of the engine, which should be bored perfectly true; B, B, lids con-
nected to ends of said cylinder; C, a piston of peculiar construction, the

page_text: same being enclosed within said cylinder, and in a position eccentric thereto,
as exhibited at Figure 2. The construction of this piston is as follows:-
C, C, marks a hollow cylinder of metal, of equal length, or nearly so, to the
cylinder inside; E, E, semicircular grooves or channels formed in and across
said cylinder; into these grooves one end of curved plates or valves F fits,
and have liberty of circular movement, the opposite end of said plates or
valves having a projecting piece fixed to or formed upon each of them for
securing them to the cylinder C, which is effected in the manner hereafter
described. The Drawing at this Figure exhibits four of these plates or valves
disposed or arranged about the cylinder C at equal distances asunder; the
inner surface of each plate or valve is of the same curvature as the cylinder,
and the outer surfaces thereof form a nearly perfect cylinder, which should 'be
turned true. H marks the main driving shaft working in stuffing boxes I
formed in each cylinder lid, one of such being exhibited at Figure 3.
K, K, wheels securely fixed upon said shaft at their centres, their. outer ends
being fixed to the cylinder C, as shewn at Figures 2, 3, 7. The arrangement
employed for securing or locking the plates or valves F is as follows:-
Around that part of the main shaft 'H, situate within the cylinder there is
placed a hollow shaft L, one end of which has a boss or nave M fixed to or
formed upon it, from which proceeds four arms N, connected together near
their upper ends by a ring 0; the outer end of each arm has a hole or
opening formed therein, as exhibited at Figure 8, through which passes
one end of a rod P, the other and opposite end of said rod being formed of a
wedge shape, as shown at Figure 9, and fits in a hole Q formed in the
recessed portion R of the cylinder C, shewn more clearly. at Figures 3 and 8.
S, a collar fixed upon the rod P after it has been passed through the hole Q;
against this collar one end of a helical spring 2, passed over the rod P, presses,
and is retained between it and the upper end of the arm N by passing the
rod P through the hole * formed therein, and securing it in that position
by nuts, as shewn; and in order that this rod may work steam-tight in the
hole Q, I place therein at 3 packing of any suitable material and a metal
washer 4, and I place a stop 5 in the rod P to prevent the wedge-shaped
portion of the rod from being forced out of the hole Q. There is a notch *
formed in each of the parts G of the plates or valves F, of corresponding shape
to the wedge-shaped end of the rod P, which takes into said notch, and
thereby locks and secures two or all of them to the cylinder C, C. The
mechanical arrangement employed for effecting the locking and unlocking
of these plates is exhibited at Figures 3 and 10, where T marks a rod passing
through a hole formed in the shaft as there shewn.' U; U', pins passing

page_text: through said rod, and capable of being moved backward and forward in slots *
formed through the shaft H; one of these pins U₁' takes into a slot or
opening V formed in and across the hollow shaft L, as shewn at Figure 10.
The ends of the pin U project beyond the diameter of the shaft H, at
which part there is a grooved plate W passed loosely.upon. the shaft, said
piece embracing the ends of the pin U, which is prevented from moving
sideways therein by a plate fixed to the grooved plate W, as shewn; thus
it will be seen that the pin U as it revolves with the shaft will have no effect
upon the piece W, the intention of the said piece being to produce reci-
procating movement of the pins U, U₁, during the revolution of the shaft
for the purpose of locking or unlocking the before-mentioned plates or
valves F. Now, as it is essentially necessary that this operation should be
performed simultaneously with the movement of the slide valve t', which is
only intended to be used for the purpose of stopping and reversing the engine,
I connect such parts together, and actuate them in the following manner:
a marks a bracket fixed to the cylinder lid B, and to this bracket there is
connected, by a pin b, one end of a forked rod or lever c, to the upper
end whereof there is connected a rod d, whose other extremity embraces a
crank e, fixed to or formed upon an upright spindle f, shewn at Figures 2 and 4,
working in suitable bearings; and immediately above this crank, and at right
angles thereto, there is another and a similar crank g, to which is connected by
a link one end of a rod h, the slide t¹ being connected to its opposite end.
The forked part of the rod c is connected to the piece W by pins i, i, fixed to
or formed upon said piece, as shewn at Figure 4. k, marks a bracket or
standard fixed to the cylinder lid B', and has a passing through it for
connecting the vibrating lever m thereto, said pin being the fulcrum thereof.
To each end of this lever there is attached a rod n, which works through a
stuffing box in the valve box s. To the other end of the rod na valve o is
attached, and fits into a seat p, formed in the cylinder lid B', as shewn
at Figures 1 and 2. The vibrating lever m is connected to the rod c by a
short rod q, and there is a lever handler fixed upon upright spindle f, for
imparting motion to these several parts. S¹ marks the steam pipe leading
from the boiler to the slide valve box t, in which are situate the slide
valves X and t, each of which has openings or ports u formed therein for the
admission of steam to the piston through the ports un, the steam passing from
the cylinder by one or other of the eduction ports or passages p, p, and
pipe p³, according to the direction in which the piston is moving. The slide
valve X receives its motion from an excentric r fixed upon the shaft H,
through the agency of the excentric rod w, cranks a, cross rod y, and side rods
J..
pin

page_text: and cross head z, to which is connected the rod, fixed to the slide X, which
moves therewith. ', a metallic packing which is kept in forced contact with
the plates or valves F of the piston C by a spring or springs placed at the back
thereof to prevent the passage of steam from one side of the piston to the
other; in like manner the ends of the piston C and plates or valves F are
rendered steam-tight by rings of metal *, *, placed in grooves +, +, formed in
the ends of the cylinder C, as shewn at Figures 3, 5, and 6. The modus
operandi of this engine is as follows:-Assuming the plates or valves F to be
locked to the cylinder C, and the communication between the valve box t, and
the interior of the cylinder to be cut off by the slide X, covering the part or
passage in the slide t¹, in order to start the engine it is necessary for the
attendant to push the lever handle r, which before was in the position denoted
by the dotted line 2, as shewn at Figure 1, into the position there shewn,
which will have the combined effect of causing the pin U¹ to traverse the
slot V in the hollow shaft L, and thereby cause it to be partly turned, and
unlock or withdraw the rods P from the notches in the plates or valves F,
by which they will be liberated, and the pressure of the steam upon their
concave surfaces will cause them to be forcibly pressed against the inner
periphery of the cylinder A, A, and thereby produce rotary motion of the
piston C, and parts in connection therewith, the packing piece z¹ being the
point against which the pressure of the steam takes its abutment; and
supposing the piston to be moving in the direction denoted by the arrow's
flight at Figure 2, the eduction port P must be closed, and that marked p¹ be
continually open so long as the piston is moving in this direction, and by the
time that one plate or valve has arrived at the eduction port p¹, the steam will
escape, and the opposite plate or valve F will be acted upon by pressure of
the steam from the boiler, and in like manner each plate or valve will be acted
upon, and thereby impart rotary motion to the shaft H, and parts in con-
nection therewith; and when it is desired to stop the motion of the piston the
same may be effected by moving the handler to such an extent as will have
the effect of locking all the plates or valves, when the pressure of steam
surrounding the piston will be balanced and cease to produce any effect
thereon. When the direction of the motion of the piston is required to be
reversed, the same may be effected by moving the handler into its original
position; the port or passage u, which before was the induction will now be
covered and the port or passage u³ uncovered, the position of the valves o, o,
will in like manner simultaneously be reversed by the arrangement before
described, and the two opposite plates or valves F¹ be unlocked, when the
steam entering the port or passage u² will cause the piston to be moved in a
دلاله عمار اقدامال الهدف اسدال ام دادا نادر

page_text: contrary direction. At Figure 11 there is exhibited a transverse and vertical
section of a non-reversing engine, constructed upon the principle of that
lastly above mentioned, and differs therefrom in the following respects :---
According to this arrangement only two plates or valves are required, and the
piston may be formed solid instead of hollow, as in the former arrangement,
and the mechanism there shewn for effecting the reversing of the engine is in
this case entirely dispensed with. a marks a port or passage for the admission
of steam from the boiler into the cylinder. 6, the slide, having a corresponding
port or passage c formed therein, which may be caused to cover or uncover
the port or passage a in any convenient manner.
At Sheet 8 of the Drawings there is exhibited an arrangement and combi-
nation of parts constituting an apparatus which I propose to employ for com-
pressing or exhausting air or other fluid, and which I designate a pump; the
construction whereof is as follows:-Figure 1 exhibits a transverse and vertical
section taken through about the middle thereof of the apparatus, as arranged for
exhausting air or other fluids; and Figure 2 is.a transverse and vertical section of
the apparatus, as arranged for compressing air or other fluids. Similar letters
of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts at both of the Figures.
A, A, marks a cast-iron cylinder, the lower end of which is formed with a flange B
for connecting it to the vessel to be exhausted of air or other fluid; the
upper end
and top of said cylinder is formed with an opening therein, into which a valve
seat C is securely fixed, said valve seat being furnished with a hinged valve B,
opening upwards; surrounding the cylinder A, and at a certain distance there-
from, there is another cylinder D, the lower end of which is open, and the upper
end or top furnished with a valve E opening upwards, similar to that before
mentioned; and there is another and an outer cylinder F, which surrounds the
cylinders A and D, and of such diameter as to have a space around the outer
part of cylinder D; the bottom edge of the cylinder F is connected by a flange
to the flange of cylinder A, and the upper end of F is dished, as shewn, for the
purpose hereafter described. G, G, mark lugs fixed at opposite parts of
cylinder D, to which are connected the lower ends of the side rods H, the
upper ends whereof are connected to a cross head I, which may be in con-
nection with any suitable prime mover. The operations of this apparatus are
as follows:-Assuming the several parts to be in the position shewn, and
mercury poured into the cylinder E, up to the point 1; it will appear evident
that the cylinder D will be hermetically sealed therein, and upon motion being
imparted to the said cylinder in an upward direction the air contained in the
vessel to be exhausted will, by reason of the vacuum between the cylinders
A and D, raise the valve B, and the space between them be partially

page_text: charged with air, and the mercury will rise between these cylinders; the
downward movement of the cylinder D compressing the air contained therein
will cause the valve B to be closed and the valve E opened, and the mercury
will now rise into the dish part 1, and the air passing out of the opening at
the top of cylinder D will discharge the contents thereof and leave the
apparatus in a position to perform another similar operation, and in this
manner vessels may be exhausted of air or other fluids.
The difference between this apparatus and that employed for compressing
air or other fluids is as follows:-Instead of arranging the valves in the cylinders
A and D to open upwards, I cause them to open downwards, and I balance said
valves by weights, as shewn, and I form the cylinder D longer than shewn
at Figure 1, as also the outer cylinder F. to prevent the mercury being forced
out; and the height of these cylinders must be in accordance with the
pressure of the compressed air contained between the cylinders A and D. The
ascent of cylinder D will admit atmospheric air into this cylinder by the
valve E, and the descent thereof forces it past the valve B into the reservoir
intended for its reception, and thereby effect the compression of the air or
other fluid.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, I declare that I
do not claim any of the constituent parts of the mechanical arrangements or
combinations herein-before set forth when considered per se, and apart from
the purposes of my said Invention of Certain Improvements in Obtaining
and Applying Motive Power, but what I claim is, the several combinations
and arrangements of parts herein-before particularly described and illustrated
by the several Sheets of Drawings, numbered 1 to 8 inclusive, hereunto
annexed, and forming part thereof. And I desire it to be distinctly under-
stood, that I do not confine or limit myself to the precise details set forth and
represented so long as the peculiar character and principles of construction of
such several arrangements, constituting this my Invention, as herein-before
set forth is retained, reserving to myself such immaterial variations of forms of
construction and combinations of parts composing these several arrangements
as experience may suggest.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Weston, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty nicht
JOHN (L.B.) WESTON.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of August, in
the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid John Weston came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.