An Improved Combination of Portable Engine, capable of being Worked either as a Traction Engine, Steam Fire Engine, Steam Pump, or as a Steam Plough, or like or similar Purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1890-Accèpted, 4th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combination of Portable Engine, capable of being
Worked either as a Traction Engine, Steam Fire Engine, Steam
Pump, or as a Steam Plough, or like or similar Purposes.
I, WILLIAM HARVEY of High Street Slough Bucks Brass Finisher 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:-
39
By this invention I propose to form a carriage or frame either of iron or steel
and to which a horizontal multitubular or other form of boiler would be framed and
supported by angle irons and brackets or other means and having two or more
horizontal cylinders framed or Gxed to the body of the boiler, or the said cylinders,
connections and working parts may be otherwise disposed and of a type or class so
formed, disposed and arranged to work either expansively as "combined high and low
pressure or otherwise; the piston rods and connections working in the same plane,
having cross-heads working in guides towards and coupled to the cranks, working a
cross shaft at right angles to the cylinders and carriage frame. The said cross shaft
would work in suitable bearings provided and be supported by means of either
brackets or side frames rivetted or bolted to the outer shell or body of the boiler, and
to the said connecting rods or cross heads working the cranks as on the main cross
driving shaft, further connecting rods are attached to same having forked or
coupled ends. These said forked ends are intended to be coupled to and work the
plungers of two horizontal force or hydraulic pumps fitted with the usual valve
connections, and having a vertical air chamber between same, and the said force or
direct action pumps are fed through the suction attachments, either from the direct
water main or from other sources that may be at hand in the usual manner. The
necessary and ordinary modern equipments are fully provided for and due provision
made, and the lengths of leather hose are snugly esconced, ready for instant attach-
ment (as under the foot plate of the engine). The two delivery tubes or nozzles are
disposed close to and in front of the hydraulic force pamps for connecting the hose,
to, and is quite clear and free from all working surrounding parts and available for
rapid connection. So that in case of an outbreak of fire, the traction or portable
engine and combined surroundings, can be self propelled from any distance on to the
scene; and the forked connecting ends, working direct from the connecting rods of
the steam piston rods are then by a suitable provision connected by steel bolts or pins
to the connection ends of each pump plunger or plungers, and whenever required
a very powerful, effective and efficient steam fire engine provided.
In agricultural or other districts the said steam engine and hydraulic force or
pressure, suction and delivery pumps are when geared or connected to same, capable of
being likewise used for drainage or other like or suitable purposes.
The entire carriage or frame to which the said engine, boiler and steam cylinders,
hydraulic pumps, steam plough working apparatus and other effective surroundings
for individual and separate uses and purposes as hereafter more fully described are
securely bracketted and supported by same, which acts as a foundation for the
respective parts to work upon. The fore or leading portion of the combined machine
or apparatus, would be mounted upon two wheels, the axle of which would be
connected to a collar or yoke onto and forming part of a pivot or body centrally
disposed between the two fore or leading wheels upon and secured to the axle upon
which the said fore wheels are mounted; and the entire apparatus and connections
would be steered through a lever and rod having a worm attachment at the end
thereof, gearing into a pinion or toothed wheel fixed on the end of a lower cross shaft

page_text: which is supported by and works in bearings at the lower or under portion of the
machine. The said lever handle working the steering apparatus would be handily
placed at the rear or driving portion of the apparatus and engine and boiler.
At the after part of the engine and boiler, two larger and broader faced wheels
than those of the fore wheels, are mounted and supported on their axle and at their
outer broad surfaces radial tangential or diagonal grip ribs or studs are secured,
although other like or similar devices may be used, to hold or grip the road surface
so as to give tractive power and progress when impelled, and to enable the machine
not only to propel itself but to be capable whenever required of hauling or pulling
other waggons, a suitable coupling with slip or release attachment being provided at
the rear of the machine.
The larger broad faced ribbed hind wheels are driven direct from off the main cross
or driving shaft by means of a linked flat chain working over a grooved rib, wheel
or one having studs or projections thereon, fitted at the outer end of the main cross
shaft; or upon a lower short cross shaft coupled to the main shaft by means of
toothed wheels gearing into one another, by which the said lower shaft would be
driven, but when it is required the driving or propelling gear is quickly put into and
out of action by means of a clutch and forked connection taking into a collar or
sleeve loose upon the shaft, which when acted upon places the chain wheel out of
work this would be worked from the foot plate under the control of the driver.
The main cross driving shaft would have a balance or fly wheel at one end and
counter weight or drum at the other to assist in giving equal and steady motion or
impulse. A driving belt or band may be coupled on to the outer or flat surface of
the drum so as to be able when coupled to a further drum or wheel to work any
ordinary class of agricultural machine or other purpose as occasion may require.
As further in combination and for a particular special purpose, I propose to key onto
the main cross shaft a cogged wheel into which a bevil wheel fitted onto a vertical
spindle or shaft would take and work, and to the lower part of the said vertical
spindle or. shaft a spur or mitred wheel would be fitted and made to gear into a
larger spur or mitred wheel upon a further shaft held in position by angle iron
supports or bracings and bearings from the frame of the under carriage or shell of the
boiler, and upon the said second vertical shaft and against the under side of the larger
spur or mitred wheel just referred to, I fix and provide a drum or sheave thereto
and upon the said vertical shaft at its lower portion also. Provision would be made
for putting into and out of gear the bevil wheel on the vertical shaft or spindle from
the bevil wheel keyed onto the main shaft which would be effected by means of
lever connections worked from the foot plate at the rear of the engine, and when the
said bevil wheel on the vertical shaft or spindle is acted upon by means of a fork or
clutch lever on the collar connected to same, having a stud working in a slotted way
or groove on the said vertical shaft or spindle it is easily got out of gear from the
main shaft and at the same time stays the rotation and action of the drum or sheave
on the lower part of the second vertical spindle before referred to. The said drum or
sheave is intended for working a wire cable, rope, or otherwise and by the usual well
known intermediaries work and act as a steam plough and to work same; and the
entire apparatus is capable of being self propelled as required from point to point or
place to place.
Due provision is made for reversing the action of the steam pistons by a simple
form of lever action and reversing gear, or link motion, which is also worked direct
from the foot plate and the starting lever in like manner.
Special attention is given so that all pumps, regulating and other valves and
other accessories can be worked easily, and capable of examination and repair
without difficulty or hindrance to other parts or connections and for the renewal
of parts.
When the steam has done its duty in the cylinders it caused to enter into two
(or more) pipes, one on either side of the boiler and led into the cold feed tank or
tanks, where it becomes condensed and so heats the feed water, and by its passage

page_text: over the surface it is kept at very nearly boiling point. The feed for the boiler is
pumped direct into the boiler from the said side tank or tanks. Any superfluous
exhaust steam may be diverted, for which, provision is made as under the boiler and
led away to the open air.
.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 (sheet 1) exhibits a side elevational view of my improved portable combina-
tion engine and surroundings, being capable of acting either as a steam fire engine,
steam pump steam plough, or other uses, such as an ordinary portable engine is
capable of.
Figure 2, is a plan of same (sheet 2).
Figures 3 and 4 respectively (sheet 3) are front and end views of same.
Figure 5 (sheet 3) is a detached view to a slightly enlarged scale of the method
proposed to connect and utilize the engine power, so as to form a steam plough.
The following letters of reference in the several figures referred to as in sheets, 1, 2,
and 3. refer to like or corresponding parts viz. :-A, A, are two horizontal steam
cylinders fixed in position and bolted, rivetted or otherwise secured to saddle and
angle frames on the rear or fire box end of the horizontal boiler B; C, C, are the
connecting or coupling rods to the piston rods of the steam cylinders A, A; and
connected to the crank pins D, D of the cranks E, E. F, is the main cross shaft,
and G, the fly wheel keyed thereon. The connecting or coupling rods C, C, to the
crank pins D, D, are extended as at C¹, C¹, and have forked terminations H, H, into
which and coupled with same the connecting rods J, J, are linked therein each of
the same being truly bored throughout to receive a bolt or pin J', which is inserted
therein and coupling same together; so that whenever the steam fire pump may
be required in use (in which case) each plunger of same is driven direct by the
connecting rods J, which are keyed onto the said plungers of the pumps K, K. Lis
the air chamber centrally placed between the force pumps K, K. M, M, are the
delivery nozzles to which the leather hose attachments are screwed or secured to same.
N, is the steam pipe from the boiler leading to the valve chest N¹. M, is the lever
handle or starting gear for the admission of steam to the valves, and cylinders, A, A.
0, 0, are pipes or tubes for leading the exhaust steam into the cold water or feed
tank O'. P, P are pipes or tubes for leading the heated feed water from the tank or
tanks 0, which is pumped or injected into the boiler. P', is a lever handle and rod,
having a spring catch to engage into an opening or openings in a radial segment,
to keep the spur wheel engaged to the one on the main shaft just above when the
machine is on the move, but when it is desired to stop the machine, it is put out of
gear. Qis a drum on which a belt may be run to connect with and work any
agricultural or other machine. R is a hand wheel or lever having a spindle connec-
tion, angularly disposed towards a bearing, supported by a bracket plate on either side
and rivetted to the feed water tank O¹, at the end of the hand wheel spindle R',
supported by the aforesaid brackets on each side of the feed water tank. R', is a
double steering chain which is passed around the said cross spindle R', and attached to
the hooks R on each side of the pivot or yoke S, connected to the axle of the front
wheels (and by which they are steered or guided) and supports the entire weight of
the fore body of the boiler steam fire engine and other accessories.
When it is required to employ the combined engine as a steam plough as before
described and referred to, wherein T, is the vertical spindle as shewn in the drawing
and being in a direct line with the fly wheel centre, and supported in bearings,
having a bevil wheel T', fitted onto its upper part, so that it may take into a bevil
wheel T keyed onto the main cross driving shaft, externally to the face of the fly
wheel G. U is a spur wheel to gear into a larger spur wheel U¹, worked upon another
shaft. V, is the drum or sheave upon the said short second shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
I declare that what I claim is :-
"An improved combination of portable engine or machine capable of being used or

page_text: employed as occasion requires either as a steam fire engine, steam pump or as steam
plough or being used as a motor for giving power to and work agricultural
machinery or such like or similar purposes substantially in manner as herein described
and set forth."
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.