Improvements in Surface Condensing Steam Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1894
Improvements in Surface Condensing Steam Engines.
I, JAMES WEIR, of Holm Foundry, Cathcart, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows,
that is to say :-
..
My said invention has for its object to construct in an improved manner the
condenser, the air and feed pump, and relative parts of a surface condensing steam
engine, which deal with the exhaust steam until it is returned to the boiler as feed
water, so as to render such parts more efficient and economical in action.
The condenser used in carrying out my present invention is, by preference of the
kind referred to in the Patent Specification No. 6817 of 1891, and when applied to
a steam engine and constructed with the improvements hereinafter described the
water of condensation will be obtained of a temperature nearer that of the exhaust
steam even when the engines are working below their maximum power.
According to one modification the compartment at the side or end of the condenser
into which the exhaust steam enters may be divided into two or more spaces and
the exhaust steam may be led by valves or equivalents into any one or more of such
spaces. The number of spaces used being according to the power developed by the
engines. These spaces may be formed in the main condenser or separate vessels
may be used connected by pipes or passages with the main condenser.
According to a second modification, stop valves or their equivalents are fitted on
the outlets from the spaces for the air or gas and condensed water and when there
is more than one condenser used, as for example, in very large engines and engines
driving twin screws, the outlet connections are arranged so that the air and water
pumps can act either on any one or on all of the condensers and any of the air or
water pumps can be shut off and overhauled without stopping the main engines.
cases where the condenser is sometimes worked at atmospheric pressure, as is the
case in most auxiliary condensers, the outlet for the air or gases is fitted with a
valve opening to the atmosphere.
In
The pump for removing the air or gases from the condenser may be driven by the
main engines or by an auxiliary engine; and according to my present invention
openings are formed in the chamber of the pump which openings communicate with
the condenser and are uncovered by the air pump bucket or piston at certain parts
of its stroke and allow a free flow of air into the pump chamber. The bucket or
piston is made to fit closely to the discharge valve or valves and seats and to obtain
as complete a discharge as possible an improved suction or bucket valve is used on
the bucket. In pumps where one suction valve is sufficient the valve and seat
combined form the bucket and the lift or opening of the valve is determined or
regulated. by stoppers between the valve portion and seat portion of the bucket or
by rings formed on the valve and on the seat, which rings overlap each other when
in position. To permit of the parts being placed in position these rings are cut
away at corresponding parts in each to allow them to pass each other and when
passed through they are turned and form a kind of bayonet joint stopper. A space.
is left between the rings which determines the lift or opening. The valves are
prevented from turning by stopper pins or plates. In large pumps where a number
of valves are required each valve may be made as hereinbefore described. When
desired springs may be fitted for closing the valves. In small pumps one discharge
valve will be sufficient the valve face being on the top of the pump chamber and
the discharge valve being guided either by the pump rod, or, if the rod does not

page_text: come through, by a central spindle or socket, or the valve may be guided round the
sides. Spiral springs are applied to insure rapid closing of the discharge valve or
the valve may be made sufficiently heavy. When a number of small discharge
valves are used the valve seats may either be jointed to the pump chamber or held
down by strong springs. This pump may be either single or double acting.
The pumping of the water from the condenser to the boilers may be done either
directly or in separate stages, for example, first from the condenser to the hot well
or feed heater when there is one fitted, or directly from the condenser to the boilers
or from the feed heater to the boilers. In the two latter cases it is more satis-
factorily accomplished by direct acting steam pumps as the water to be pumped
being near the boiling point due to the pressure the strains on the pumps and con-
nections especially the valves are excessive. Where the water is pumped first to
the hot well or feed tank the pump may be driven by the main or auxiliary
engine.
According to my present invention I make the pump valves out of solid bars of
metal and fix the guide spindles in a hole bored in the top of the valve, and further
to diminish the strains in direct-acting feed-water pumps I use an improved steam
slide valve.. This slide valve is of the ordinary three-ported type driven by gear
from the piston rod and fitted to work in a cylindrical casing having a liner in
which the steam and exhaust ports are cast or cut, and also auxiliary ports and
passages (for throwing the slide valve) and cut-off and by-pass ports for expansive
working. The slide valve is round and has the exhaust cavity formed at its middle
and the steam cavities at each end. The steam cavities communicate with the by-
pass valves and expansion ports, the latter being so placed as to give the required
cut-off. The valve spindle passes through the slide valve and a piston is fitted to
each of its ends, the distance between the two pistons being greater than the length
of the valve by the amount of the travel of the valve and cushioning space. The
auxiliary ports and passages connect the exhaust cavity with the spaces between
the pistons and the ends of the valves so that, when the slide valve is moved to
pearly mid stroke it first closes the expansion port, and then the exhaust cavity
communicates with the space between one of the pistons and the valve end. In
this position the steam. bas access to the other end of the valve; and moves it
rapidly along until it is stopped by closing the auxiliary port. On the return
stroke of the piston the actions herein before described are repeated at the other
end of the valve. Adjustable by-pass valves are fitted to regulate the amount
of expansion. The auxiliary port is, by preference, placed over the exhaust cavity.
being formed in a separate piece which has also exhaust cavities formed in it.
Dated this Sixth day of January 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
.Improvements in Surface Condensing Steam Engines.
1, JAMES WEIR, of Holm Foundry, Cathcart, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, 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, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to construct, in an improved manner, the
condenser, the air pump, and feed pumps, and parts connected therewith, of a.
surface-condensing steam engine, that is the various parts which deal with the
exhaust steam until it is returned to the boiler as feed water, so as to render such
parts more efficient and economical in action. I

page_text: The condenser used in carrying out my present invention is by preference to
some extent of the kind described in the Patent Specification No. 6817 of 1891,
and when applied to a steam engine, and constructed with the improvements herein-
after described the water of condensation will be obtained of a temperature nearer
that of the exhaust steam even when the engines are working below their maximum
power.
The space for the condensation of the steam is made to consist of two or more
compartments, which are by preference in one main condenser, but which may be
formed in two or more separate vessels when more convenient, passages and valves
being provided for causing the exhaust steam of the engine to be acted on in one
or more compartments accordingly as the maximum or any less power is to be
developed in the engines. Provision is made for withdrawing air and gas from the
condenser separately from the withdrawal of the water, pipes and valves for such
air and gas being fitted to one or more compartments of a condenser, and serve
for, to a considerable extent, controlling the condensing action in the several
compartments.
The pump for removing the air or gas may be driven from the main engine or
by an auxiliary engine. Openings are formed through the sides of the pump
chamber or cylinder, through which openings the air or gas enters when they are
uncovered by the pump bucket or piston at a certain part of its stroke; and the
bucket with its valves and the discharge valves from the end of the chamber or
cylinder are made relatively to each other in such manner, that the space between
the bucket and the end is completely closed when the bucket is at the end of its
stroke, and the air or gas is completely expelled.
The pumping of the water from the condenser to the boiler may be done either
directly or by separate stages:-for example, first from the condenser to the hot
well or feed heater when one is employed, or directly from the condenser to the .
boiler,-
-or from the feed heater to the boiler. In the latter case it is more
satisfactorily accomplished by direct-acting steam pumps, as the water to be
pumped being near the boiling point corresponding to the boiler pressure, the
strains on the pumps and connections, especially the valves are excessive.. Where
the water is pumped firstly to the hot well or feed tank, the pump may be driven
by the main or auxiliary engine. I make the pump valves out of solid bars of
metal; shaping each by means of turning or rotating cutters and cutting it off, the
bar when shaped, each valve subsequently having a spindle fixed in a socket bored
in its top. And to diminish strains and obtain satisfactory action with a direct
non-rotative steam pump I use an improved distribution valve, hereinafter fully
described, for the steam cylinder of the pump.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append twelve sheets of explanatory
drawings to be hereinafter referred to and representing my improved arrangements
and constructions.
Figures, 1, and, 2, on Sheets, 1, and, 2, of the drawings are longitudinal and
transverse vertical sections of an improved surface condenser having horizontal
longitudinal tubes through which the cooling water is passed. The condensing
space is divided into three compartments, A, B, C, by transverse plates through
which the tubes pass, and the inlet, D, for the exhaust steam from the engine is at
the upper part of the largest compartment, A. There is a side passage, E, having
a valve, E1, at the top of it for leading steam from the exhaust inlet, D, to the
bottom of the compartment, A; and there is a communication fitted with a
valve, F, between the top of the compartment, A, and the top of the next
compartment, B, whilst all three compartments communicate with each other at
the bottom. The bottom of the condenser is provided with an outlet, G, for the
water of condensation which is withdrawn by a pump or pumps separate from that
or those used for withdrawing air or gas. For full power the entire condenser is
made fully effective, the exhaust steam being all passed into the largest com-
partment, A, the valves, E 1, and, F, being closed, and air being withdrawn from

page_text: the tops of the two compartments, B, C, through stopcocks, H1, H2. Or the
valve, F, may be opened to allow steam to pass from the inlet, D, into the second
compartment, B, the air stopcock, H 2, of that compartment being closed. For a
low power the valve, E 1, is set to direct all or most of the steam by the side
passage, E, to the space below the tubes, air being then withdrawn through both
stopcocks, H1, H2. For intermediate powers the valves, E1, F, and stop-
cocks, H1, H2, are adjusted to suit the pressure desired in the condenser,
the stopcocks, H1, H2, being adjusted so that the air outlet pipe, H, may be
cooler than the water outlet pipe, G, and in order that the air pump may not draw
off steam, the doing which would require increased power to work it without
improving the vacuum.
Figure, 3, Sheet, 2, is a vertical section of an improved surface condenser made
with a single main condensing space, A, but with a side passage, E, with valve, E 1,
for leading more or less of the steam from the inlet, D, to the space beneath the
tubes. A baffling plate, A 1, is placed above the tubes to distribute the entering
streams of steam towards the sides; and at some little distance below the highest
tubes an air outlet pipe, H, is made to project inwards from one side of the
condenser.
Figure, 4, Sheet, 3, is a longitudinal vertical section of an improved surface
condenser having long tubes and the condensing space divided into four compart-
ments, A, B, C, C1, the division plates being made with openings at bottom and
top alternately. A siphon pipe, J, is provided at the middle partition which is
closed at the bottom, to lead water from one compartment to the other. The
condenser is provided with air outlet pipe, H, and adjusting stopcock, H 1, and
with water outlet pipe, G, also having an adjusting stopcock, G 1.
Figure 5, Sheet, 4, and Figure, 6, Sheet, 5, are longitudinal and transverse
vertical sections of an improved surface condenser, the condensing space of which
is divided into three compartments, B, A, B 1, the steam inlet, D, communicating
directly with the lower part of the middle compartment, A, and this compartment
communicating with the other two, B, B 1, by openings at the bottoms of the
partitions. Every compartment communicates at the top through adjusting stop-
cocks, H1, H2, H 3, with an air outlet pipe, H. The action in the several
compartments can be regulated to suit different conditions and requirements by
adjusting the air-outlet stopcocks, H1, H2, H3, the temperatures of the several
branch pipes serving as a sufficient guide.
Figure, 7, Sheet, 5, is a longitudinal vertical section of an improved surface
condenser as made with a single condensing space. The steam inlet, D, is at the
lower part, and an air outlet pipe, H, with adjusting stopcock, H 1, is connected
to the top of the condenser. A well, G 2, is formed in the bottom to receive the
water of condensation the water outlet, G, with its adjusting valve, G 1, being
connected to the bottom thereof. A float, G3, is placed within the well, G 2,
being attached to arms on a rocking shaft, G 4, which extends through the side of
the vessel and has a weighted lever, G 5, fixed on it externally. This float and its
connections are for controlling the action of the water pumps.
Figure, 8, Sheet, 6, is a partly sectioned elevation showing an improved air
pump, K, (in section) and a feed or water pump, L, both worked by one piston
rod, M, which is moved from the main engine by a lever, M 1, (shown in section)
connected to the rod by links, M 2. The air-pump piston or bucket, K1, is
shown in its lowest position when it uncovers to its upper side a number of
openings, K 2, in the sides of the cylinder, K 3. The air enters by a pipe, H, into
a space between the outer shell, K, and the cylinder, K3; and when the piston
is at the bottom of its stroke as shown, fills the cylinder space above the piston
without any diminution of pressure due to lifting valves in the bucket. Air also
passes to the upper side of the piston before the openings are uncovered, the piston
being fitted with a ring, N, (shown black for clearness) having a small inward
flange at its upper edge which closes down on the disk of the piston in the upward
stroke but lifts in the downward stroke, the air then getting up between the ring

page_text: and the edge of the piston disk. The ring, N, is retained and its movement limited..
by an inward flange on its lower edge, this flange having projecting over it
segmental pieces, N 1, bolted to the piston disk after the ring, N, is placed in
position. The cylinder cover, K4, is fitted with a number of small check
valves, P, which when closed have their bottom surfaces flush with the bottom of
the cover, K4. The valves, P, are guided and their extent of lift limited by
spindles, P 1, on their upper sides working in sockets in a frame, P2, which
is held down by a screw pin, P3, the valves being pressed down by helical
springs not shown in Figure, 8, but arranged as in Figure, 20, hereinafter
described.
Figure, 9, Sheet, 6, is a similar view to Figure, 8, but showing the cylinder, K.3,
without side ports, (K 2), and with the inlet air pipe, H, communicating with the
bottom.
On Sheets, 7, to 10, are shown on an enlarged scale various modifications of the
valve details of my improved air pumps, the even-numbered Figures 10, to 24,
being vertical sections each of half a piston or bucket and parts, and the odd
numbered Figures, 11, to 25, being inverted plans each showing a quarter.
Figures 10, to 19, show modifications with single top discharge valves, Q, pressed.
down by adjustable helical springs, Q 1, the bucket valves being different in each
case.
In Figures, 10, and 11, the bucket or piston is shown as made with two
disks, K 1, K 5, the top disk, K 1, being of a dished form an exact counterpart of a
large part of the top discharge valve, Q, whilst this valve also covers a flanged
ring, N, acting as the bucket valve. The bucket disk, K 1, is made with a number
of segmental projections, R, extending outwards and the ring, N, is made with
segmental projections, N 2, extending inwards, arranged so that when putting the
parts together, the projections, N 2, pass down between the projections, R, and are
then turned under the latter, securing the ring as by a bayonet joint. After the
ring, N, is got into position it is prevented from turning back by pins, R 1, screwed
through lugs formed on the disk, K1, for the purpose. When the piston descends
the ring, N, lifts from the disk; K 1, to allow air to pass to the upper side of the
disk the air entering between the disks, K 1, K 5, through the side openings, K 2,
when the piston is lowered to the position in which the openings, K 2, are between
the disks. The lower disk, K 5, may be fitted with a valve ring, N, and so as to be
an inverted copy of the upper disk, K 1, the pump, being double-acting and having
an inverted discharge valve (Q) at its lower end. Or both disks of the piston may
be made. like the lower one, K5, without valve rings (N).
The arrangement shown in Figures, 12 and 13, is for a double-acting pump, each
disk, K1, K 5, being fitted with a valve ring, N, N 3, inverted relatively to each
other. The two valve rings are connected by pins, № 4, made with right and left
screw threads, and which whilst adjustable to limit the amount of opening serve to
retain the rings in proper position's.
Figures, 14, and 15, show a bucket disk, K 1, with valve ring, N, differing
little from what is shown in Figures, 10, and 11. The ring and disk are made with
segmental projections, N 2, R, forming a bayonet joint, the pins, RI, to prevent
turning being screwed through the projections, N 2 into notches in the projections, R,
the extent of lift of the valve ring being the distance between the undersides of the
projections, R, and the upper sides of the projections, N 2.
In the modification shown in Figures 16 and 17, the discharge valve, Q, occupies
only the central part of the cylinder cover, K 4, which is made partly conical, the
bucket disk, K1, being shaped to be in close contact with the valve, Q, and
cover, K1, when at the top of its stroke. The valve ring, N, of the bucket is the
same as those shown in Figures, 8, and, 9, herein before described.
As shown in Figures, 18, and 19, the discharge valve, Q, is a disk completely
covering the end of the cylinder, K 3. The bucket disk, K1, has connected to it
by radial ribs and formed in one piece with it a cylindrical flange or rim, K 6,
between which rim and the disk body there is formed an annular opening for the

page_text: passage of air to the upper side. This annular opening is covered by a light
annular valve, N 5, which lifts to allow the air to pass, and which is retained and.
has its movement limited by a vertical flange on its underside and extending down
through the annular opening. The flange of the annular valve, N 5, is made with
segmental projections, N 2, which engage under segmental projections, R, formed
in the sides of the annular opening of the bucket disk, K 1, and one or more screw
pins, R1, are provided to prevent the annular valve from turning after being
placed in position.
In Figures, 20, and 21, a number of small discharge valves, P, are shown, as in
Figures, 8, and, 9, hereinbefore described, these valves being pressed down by
helical springs, P4. In this modification the bucket disk, K 1, is also fitted with
a number of small valves, S, which are retained by segmental projections, S 1, on
the valves engaging with segmental projections, R, in the sides of the ports, the
valves being prevented from turning after being placed in position by projections
on a number of annular segments, S 2, bolted to the disk, K 1.
In the modification shown in Figures, 22, and 23, there is a single large discharge
valve, Q, and a number of small bucket valves, S, each of the latter having applied
to it a helical spring, S4, for closing it. Each spring, S4, acts between the
bucket disk, K1, and a disk, S 5, adjustably fixed by screw nuts on the spindle with
which the valve is made.
In the modification shown in Figures, 24, and 25, a number of small discharge
valves, Pare provided, these being of a cup-like form and guided externally, the
springs, P 4, for closing them being placed in the cups. The bucket disk, K1, is
fitted with a valve ring N, such as is shown in Figures, 8, 9, and 16, hereinbefore
described. The disk, K 1, is made with a cylindrical rim having on it ribs, K 7,
and the lower inward flange of the valve, N, is made with notches which can pass
down over the ribs, K 7.
When the ring, N, has been placed in position it is prevented from turning by
a piece, K 8, formed with a tooth to engage in one of the notches, and bolted to
the disk, K 1.
In Figures 26, to 29, Sheet, 11, are shown examples of small valves formed
according to my invention from round bars such as are indicated by dotted lines,
the valves being shown as made with guide feathers on their undersides and also as
with spindles fitted to sockets bored into their upper ends.
As hereinbefore stated my improved arrangement of pumps for separately
withdrawing, air and water from a steam-engine condenser may be worked by
the main engine or by a separate or auxiliary engine; and when the latter is used
I prefer to employ a directly acting non-rotative pump the steam cylinder of which
is provided with an improved slide valve of the kind shown on Sheet, 12, of the
drawings.
Figures, 30, and, 31, are a longitudinal and a transverse section, and Figure, 32,
is a transverse section showing a variation of certain parts. The valve, V, is
shaped to work in a cylindrical chamber formed in a liner or shell, U, fixed within
the valve chest, T, and communicating through ports, U 1,. U 2, U 3, with the
cylinder passages and exhaust port, T1, T2, T3. The valve, V, is loose on a
sleeve on a rod, W, which receives a positive motion in an ordinary way from the
piston rod which communicates the motion from the steam cylinder to the pump.
The valve rod, W, has fixed on it disks or pistons, W 1, W 2, and the positive
motion of the rod is such as to move the valve, V, into its middle position as
shown, one end piston, W 1, being then in contact with the valve. The valve, V,
is made with an exhaust cavity, V 1, acting like that of an ordinary slide yalve;
and- it is also made with an internal space, V 2, into which steam has access
through one or other of two ports, V 3, in its upper side when either of these
ports coincides with a steam inlet port, V 4, in the shell, U. Ports in the
opposite ports of the valve allow the steam to pass through the ports, U 1, U 2,
and thence into the cylinder passages, T1, T2, accordingly as the valve is
moved in either direction from its middle position. When the parts are in the

page_text: This
position shown in Figure, 30, a notch in a covering flange, ✗, at the side of the
exhaust cavity, V 1, allows communication between that cavity and the space
between the end of the valve, V, and the piston, W 2, then furthest from it by
a passage, X 1, partly indicated by dotted lines in Figure, .30. At the same
time steam has access from the end of the valve chamber through a port, X2,
into the space between the piston, W 1, then close to the valve, V, with the
result of moving the valve over into contact with the other piston, W 2.
puts the valve into position to admit steam for the next stroke of the cylinder
piston, at the end of which stroke the actions just described take place in the
opposite direction, passages or ports Y 1, Y 2, then serving as has been described
for the passages or ports, X 1, X 2. The steam inlet ports, V 3, V 4, are
proportioned to cut off the steam at something less than full stroke, the proportion
being determined in each case by the pressure of steam to be employed and other
circumstances. It may however happen that in some circumstances the expansion
of the cut-off steam may be insufficient to carry the piston to the end of the stroke.
To provide for such cases a by-passage, V 5, Figure 31, is formed to admit steam
into the valve independently of the cut-off action, this by-pass passage being
controlled by a screw plug valve, V 6, the spindle of which passes through a
stuffing box and can be adjusted by means of an external handle. In this modification
the inlet, V 7, from the steam pipe is at the top.
In the modification shown in Figure, 32, the steam inlet, V 7, is at the side, the
ports by which it commuuicates with the interior of the valve, V, being also at the
side. A part of the top of the valve, V, is as it were cut away between its end
flanges and a stationary piece, Z, is inserted this piece which is held stationary by
a pin, Z 1, screwed through the shell, U, being shorter than the space between the
flanges of the valve so as not to interfere with the movement of the valve. The
underside of the piece, Z, is made with ports or recesses indicated by dotted lines,
and communicating by passages indicated by dotted lines with passages such
as (X1, Y 1,) of the first modification or their equivalents. The top of the
altered valve, V, is made with steam ports communicating with the steam space
within the valve and with an exhaust port, Z2, communicating with the exhaust
cavity, V 1, of the valve. The movement of the valve, V, relative to the stationary
piece, Z, is like that of an ordinary distribution valve, and it causes the spaces
between the ends of the valve, V, and the pistons, W 1, W 2, to communicate
alternately with steam and exhaust.
In this improved arrangement the valve (V) is moved to a certain extent by
the steam piston through connections of a usual kind, and the movement not
completed by the piston because of it ceasing to act is completed by the action of
steam on the end of the valve.
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. In a surface condenser, making the condensing space to consist of two or
more compartments, passages or ports with valves being provided for distributing
the steam variously to the compartments, and separate air outlet pipes with
regulating stopcocks being fitted to the upper parts of all or some of the com-
partments, and an outlet pipe fitted with a stopcock for leading the water of
condensation to a pump or pumps separate from the air pump or pumps substan-
tially as herein before described.
2. In a surface condenser making the condensing space to consist of two or
more compartments, passages or ports with valves being provided for distributing
the steam variously to the compartments, substantially as herein before described.
3. In a surface condenser the condensing space of which consists of one or
more compartments providing a passage with a valve for directing the steam into
the top or into the bottom of the condenser or a compartment thereof substantially
as hereinbefore described.

page_text: 4. Providing a surface condenser made with one or more compartments with
one or more air outlets fitted with regulating stopcocks and with a water outlet
fitted with a stopcock and leading the water of condensation to a pump or pumps
separate from the air pump or pumps, substantially as hereinbefore described."
5. Making air pumps with their bucket valves and discharge valves according
to any of the improved modifications herein before described and shown in
Figures, 8, to 25, of the accompanying drawings, an essential feature being the
conformation of the parts whereby the air is expelled as completely as possible.
6. The constructions of the air-pump bucket valves shown in Figures, 8 to 25,
of the accompanying drawings with the devices for retaining them and limiting
their movements substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. The improved slide valve for the steam cylinder of a directly acting non-
rotative steam pump for returning water of condensation to a boiler, as
herein before described and as shown in Figures, 30, 31, and, 32, of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this Fourth day of November 1893.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.