IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."—A
communication from abroad by Peter Hlubek, of Simmering, near-
Vianne
in the Timing of Anatrio Tinaincon
Sealed the 3rd August 1875, and dated the 14th June 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 14th June 1875.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER
ENGINES," a communication, to be as follows :-
These improvements specially relate to steam engines and other prime
movers intended to work at very high rates of expansion; and they
have been found to result in a considerable increase of useful effect,

page_text: a diminution in comparative weight of the prime mover, and in a
very regular motion requiring but slight, if any, foundations for the
engine.
The said improvements mainly consist in a peculiar combination of
two pistons working in one cylinder, in such wise that two sets of
cranks 60° apart can be actuated, each single revolution being accom-
plished by the use of three volumes of steam. They further consist in
a novel form of inlet and exhaust valves worked by cams, and in a
peculiar form of variable cut off regulated directly by the governor.
The horizontal arrangement of engine is employed by preference,
though the said Invention can also be adapted to other constructions of
engines.
The cylinder of the engine is fitted with two pistons, one of the
pistons acts in the usual way on a crank by means of a connecting rod;
the rod of the other piston works out of the opposite end of the cylinder.
It is connected by a cross piece with two other rods or bars which pass
through guides. Each of these rods is koyed or otherwise fixed to a
separate cross head working between slide bars in the usual way, and
each coupled by a connecting rod with a crank on the main shaft.
These two necessarily parallel cranks are set at an angle of 60° with
the first-named crank, which is impelled by the rod passing out of the
front end of the cylinder. The steam ports, preferably three in number,
are arranged at both ends and at the centre of the cylinder, and both
pistons are made sufficiently deep to be able to reciprocate alternately
for a portion of their depth over the central port.
'The steam inlet and exhaust valves are preferably arranged in the
case of a horizontal ongine on the bottom of the same, so that any
condensed water has a free escape.
Each cylindrical valve which is necessarily balanced, serves not merely
for the supply but also for the exhaust of the steam, and for this
purpose it is divided into two parts by a longitudinal diaphragm.
Each valve is caused to oscillate to and fro by means its of central
spindle, on one end of which is a short crank set between the faces of
a pair of rotating cam discs, the inclined planes on which acting alter-
nately on the crank produce the oscillating motion. The inclined plane
or cam for the inlet of the steam is connected directly with a spur

page_text: wheel which is loose on the cam shaft, while the inclined plane itself
can adjust itself on its disc. Parallel with the shaft for rotating the
cams is another shaft with toothed wheels keyed thereon, and gearing
into the wheels connected with the cams.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th December 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES," a communication to me
from abroad by Peter Hlubek, of Simmering, near Vienna, in the
Empire of Austria, Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-
These improvements specially relate to steam engines and other prime
movers intended to work at very ‘high rates of expansion, and they
have been found to result in a considerable increase of useful effect,
a diminution in comparative weight of the prime mover, and in a
very regular motion requiring but slight, if any, foundations for the
engine.
The said improvements mainly consist in a peculiar combination of
two pistons working in one cylinder, in such wise that cranks sixty
degrees apart can be actuated, each single revolution being accom-
plished by the use of three volumes of steam. They further consist in
a novel form of inlet and exhaust valves worked by cams and in a
peculiar form of variable cut-off regulated directly by the governor.
The horizontal arrangement of engine is employed by preference,
though the system can also be adapted to other constructions of
engines.
The cylinder of the engine is fitted with two pistons, one of the
pistons acts in the usual way on a crank by means of a connecting
rod; the rod of the other piston works out of the opposite end of the
cylinder. It is connected by a cross piece with two other rods or bars
which pass through guides. Each of these rods is keyed or otherwise
fixed to a separate cross head working between slide bars in the usual
way, and each coupled by a connecting rod with a crank on the main
shaft. These two necessarily parallel cranks are set at an angle of 60
degrees with the first-named crank, which is impelled by the rod passing
out of the front end of the cylinder. The steam ports, preferably three in
number, are arranged at both ends and at the centre of the cylinder,
and both pistons are made sufficiently deep to be able to reciprocate
alternately for a portion of their depth over the central port.
The steam inlet and exhaust valves are preferably arranged in the
case of a horizontal engine on the bottom of the same, so that any
condensed water has a free escape.

page_text: Each cylindrical valve which is necessarily balanced serves not merely
for the supply but also for the exhaust of the steam, and for this
purpose it is divided into two parts by a longitudinal diaphragm.
Each valve is caused to oscillate to and fro by means of its central
spindle, on one end of which is a short crank set between the faces of a
pair of rotating cam discs, the inclined planes on which acting alter-
nately on the crank produce the oscillating motion. The inclined plane
or cam for the inlet of the steam is connected with a spur wheel which
is loose on the cam shaft, while the inclined plano can adjust itself
on its disc. Parallel with the shaft for rotating the cams is another
shaft with toothed wheels keyed thereon and gearing into the wheels
connected with the cams.
An apparatus to be more particularly described by means of Drawings
can vary the speeds to be given to this shaft according to the speed
of the governor itself, thereby acting by means of the cam discs on the
valves.
I will now proceed to describe more particularly by the aid of the
Drawings the mode of carrying the said Invention into practise.
In these Drawings, Figures 1 and 3, Sheet 1, are respectively a
longitudinal elevation, and a plan of this construction of engine in
its entirety.
Figures 2 and 4, Sheet 2, indicate the end elevation and cross section;
Figures 5 and 6, Sheet 3, the side elevation and plan of the expansion
valve gear.
In Sheet 4 Figure 7 shows a front elevation of the expansion gear;,
Figure 8, a cross section of the valve gear and one of the valves;
Figure 9 is a cross section of what I term the expansion drum; and
Figures 10, 11, 12, and 13, are separate details of the said drum; and
Figures 14 and 15, Sheet 3, are separate views of (the expansion discs
) and cams.
The pressures on the two pistons 1 and 2, in the cylinder 3,
are conveyed, sec Sheets 1 and 2, to the main shaft 4 by means of a
piston rod in front 5, a piston rod at back 6, ordinary cross head 7, a
cross piece 8, sliding rods 9, and connecting rods 10. The front piston
rod conveys the motion to the main shaft 4 in the ordinary way. The
cross heads 7 and the slide bars 11 are so arranged as to allow reversing,
an operation easily carried out with this description of engine. The

page_text: slide bars 11 are preferably shaped to a triangular cross section, and the
slides 12 are so made as to be easily set after wear.
The cross piece 8 is not directly carried, but the rods 9 are taken by
guides 13 on the cylinders.
The bed plate of the engine is in two castings, the valve chest portion
14 to which the cylinder is bolted, and a second piece to which are fixed
the slide bars 11 and the bearings 16 for the main shaft. They are held
together by means of bolts.
The main shaft is forged with three cranks, on which are fitted the
ends of the connecting rods 10, and is also shown with a fourth crank 1
for driving the feed pump 18. It rests in four bearings 16, of which
three are bolted to the bed plate while the fourth rests upon brick
or stone work 19. The comparatively light fly wheel 20 is keyed on the
shaft.
The cylinder 3 bolted on the valve chest portion of the bed plate is 1
not fitted with the usual mud cocks, as any condensed steam is
conducted away out of the exhaust passage 21. The conveyance away
of the condensed water out of the cylinder 3, through the steam
valves 22, into the exhaust passage 21, has the advantage of absolutely
preventing any damage to the engine on its being started through the 2
accumulation of water in the cylinder.
The engine is worked by means of three piston valves 22 contained
within the valve chest 14, of which one cylindrical valve 22 is under
the centre of the cylinder and the two others are at its two opposite
ends.
2
The steam inlet passago 23 which communicates with the three valves
22; lies to one side of the outer crank of the main shaft. The exhaust
passage is set in the middle of the valve chest 14 under the cylindrical
valves 22, opening out at back under the cross picco 8. It can if
required be placed in direct communication with a condenser, or in 3
another case the exhaust steam can be led sideways into an exhaust
pipe 24.
The steam inlet passage 23 passes divided into two halves to one end
of the central valve 22 upwards to both its ends, uniting into onc
passage cast on the cylinder, and opening above in the middle of the 3

page_text: cylinder into the regulator or steam valve 25. This regulator preferably
consists of a slide valve the exact opening of which can easily be told
from the position of its external hand lever.
Each of the three cylindrical steam valve effects not merely the inlet,
but also the outlet of the steam. In order that the steam passage 26
may not be blocked up by the temporary passing of the piston the
central portion of the cylinder is suitably cut away to the right and left
of the middle of the steam passage, and in such wise that when the
given piston is at the end of its stroke at the dead point a narrow
slit 27 still remains in front of the same. On the other hand the outer
piston ring 28 is so set as to be still in front of the cut away portion of
the metal of the cylinder, stopping the communication with the other
part of the same. The pistons 1 and 2 are hence made suitably deeper,
the steam cylinder itself also necessarily partaking of this increase of
length.
The cylindrical steam valves 22 differ from similar apparatus of the
kind in so far as they not merely serve to let in the steam, but also to
exhaust the same, combining the two functions. Each cylindrical valve
is hence made with two spaces 29 and 30 formed by a diaphragm 31
passing along its longitudinal axis. The space for the exhaust 30 of the
valve 22 is further closed at its two transverse ends. The cylindrical valve
is pressed upwards by means of small springs, by which the tightening
of the two spaces in the valve 29 and 30 is effected, seo Figuro 5. These
springs rest on a longitudinal wedge 33 held in two side pieces 34, and
thereby press the same upwards and sideways. When, however, steam
is present in the valve passage it presses the valve upwards, as the
steam is allowed a free passage into the space for the springs.
The packing of the ends of the cylindrical valves 22 takes place by
means of cast-iron rings 35, which are pressed by means of a plate 36
and a spring 37 behind it against the ends of the casing. The motion
for determining the inlet and outlet of the steam valves is oscillatory.
For this purpose each chamber 29 and 30 has two opposite openings 38.
In the steam or inlet chamber the bottom opening only serves to
equilibrate the pressures, while in the chamber for the exhaust the
upper and the bottom openings 38 produce the communication with the
exhaust passage 21.
As already explained both the upper slits or openings 38 of both
portions of the valve are separated by the central partition or diaphragm.

page_text: there is set behind each disc 42 of the appertaining cam a spur wheel 45,
which is fixed to the cam 41, but is loose on the shaft, sec Sheet 3,
Figures 14 and 15. As shewn, the said spur wheel is fixed to the cam
by means of a bolt, which passes through a concentric slot in the disc 42,
and holds the cam 41 against the face of the same. On these loose spur
wheels being set in motion they change their position, carrying with
them the cams connected therewith, thereby cutting off the inlet of the
steam sooner or later.
In order to communicate the action of the governor to the expansion
cams by means of the spur wheels 45 loose upon the cam shaft 43 there
is fitted at right angles to the expansion cams another shaft 46, termed
the expansion shaft, and which by means of the spur wheels 47 keyed
thereon gears into the cam shaft 43 parallel with and below it, upon
which are fixed the expansion cam discs.
The expansion shaft 46 is further coupled with a driving shaft 48 set
in motion off the main shaft 4 by means of a pair of bevilled wheels 49,
and by which the cam shaft 43 and the expansion shaft 46 are driven.
The cam shaft underneath the expansion shaft 43 is also driven by means
of a pair of bevilled wheels 50.
The expansion shaft 46, which lies in the line of prolongation of tho
shaft 18, is driven in connection with a special mechanism. The end of
expansion shaft 46 towards the driving shaft 48 is let into the boss of
the wheel 50, which drives the cam shaft 43, and flush with the top of
this wheel the expansion shaft has keyed on it a worm wheel 51, see
Figure 13. Into this gears an endless screw 52 carried in bearings 53,
and by which the driving shaft 48 is connected with the expansion shaft.
If the endless screw 52 be turned in either direction by any action, then
the expansion shaft 46 undergoes a rotation relatively to the driving
shaft 48, and a shifting of the expansion cams 44 consequently results.
In order that this rotation should occur under the action of the governor
there is further keyed on the end of the worm or screw 52, a worm
wheel 54, into which gears another worm or screw 55, on the end of
the spindle of which is keyed a pinion wheel 56. This spur wheel 56,
by which the required revolutions of the expansion shaft 46 take place
by means of the worm wheels 51 and 54, revolves outside the centre of
the two coupled shafts 48 and 46 around the same, the whole arrange-
ment being contained within a drum 57, see Figure 9.

page_text: -
The drum 57, which revolves with its cover 58 loose on the expansion
shaft 46, contains the mechanism of the worm wheels 51 and 51, and the
two endless screws 52 and 55, and covers them up from the outside.
The other end of the drum 57 is fitted with a disc 59, which is in one
piece with the driving wheel 50, in the boss of which bears the end of
the expansion shaft 46, and over, which the inner end of the drum 57
can slide.
In order that the drum 57 may not revolvo with the expansion
shaft 46, but that merely a reciprocating motion may be given to the
same, the drum is suitably held from the outside by means of an arm 00:
held to the bed plate of the engine.
To the bolted-on cover 58, see Figures 9, 10, and 11 of the drum 57,
by which it is fixed on the expansion shaft, there is cast inside toothed
gearing 61. Also cast with this cover 58 is a spur wheel 62 of smaller
diameter. This wheel 62, the cover 58, and the drum 57 are held
together in one piece.
Both the toothed gear wheels 61 and 62 inside the drum 57 and in the
centre of the expansion shaft 46 are at such a distance apart that the
wheel 56 of the endless screw 55 revolving out of the centre of the
drum 57 can turn without touching the toothed gearing 61 and 62. But if 2
the drum 57 be moved in a parallel direction with the longitudinal axis of
the expansion shaft 40, then the spur wheel 50 is caused to gear into the
teeth of either the wheel 61 or the spur wheel 62, according as the drum
is shifted backward or forward. As, however, the drum 57 with its two
sets of gearing 61 and 62 cannot turn, being kept from the outside from 2
rotating, the pinion 56 on the spindle of the worm wheel 55 is set in
motion, the expansion shaft 16 set in motion, and this movement com-
municated to the expansion cams 11.
In order to cause the drum 57 to slide along the longitudinal axis of
the expansion shaft 16 the governor is connected with the drum 57 by 8
means of appropriate links 63. That the governor may act upon the
expansion cams 11 the proportion of the worm wheel 51 to the endless
screw 52 is determined in such wise that when either of the two furthest
extremes is reached either one is thrown out of gear. They are again
thrown into gear by means of two spiral springs 64, which are fitted 3
against the two ends of the one endless screw 52, either one or the other
of these two springs being compressed by the action of throwing-out

page_text: Third. The mode of working valves as described, or other forms of
oscillating balanced valves, by means of the variable cut-off acted upon
by the governor; substantially as described.
In witness whereof I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in §
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five
Witness,
HY. JA. NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)