Improvements in Valve Operating Devices for Steam or other Motive Power Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 16th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valve Operating Devices for Steam or other
Motive Power Engines.
I DAVID JOY of 17 Victoria Street in the City of Westminster, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
My invention has for its object the improvement and simplification of the valve
operating devices of steam and other motive power engines. According to my
invention I use an excentric whose position on the shaft can be altered for moving
the valve for either headway or astern the said excentric being mounted on a
square or flattened part of the crank-shaft the flattened surfaces being preferably
at right angles to the centre line of the crank and 'the excentric being mounted
thereon by a slotted hole which will allow of its being moved laterally to either
side of the centre line of the crank. I set the centre of the eccentric a little above
or below the transverse centre line of the crank-axle accordingly as I wish to use
inside or outside lap for admission of the motive fluid and in amount according to
the amount of lap and lead I propose to employ. Thus when the eccentric is set at
its extreme to the one side of the centre line of the crank (say at an angle of 60°
from it) it will be in position to move the valve for full throw for forward going
and if placed at an equal distance on the other side it will be in position to move
the valve for back going and any position intermediate between these points will
give the movement required for various degrees of expansion whilst the central.
position will be mid-gear. In order to move the excentric as described I may
employ any suitable device for example I form a cylinder at each side of the
excentric with corresponding pistons attached to the shaft to push over the
excentric in either direction according to which cylinder motive fluid or semi-fluid
or a plastic medium is admitted, which by its pressure will force the excentric to
either side and by its retention will also serve to hold the excentric in any desired
position. I may utilize the spaces between the squared part of the crank shaft
and the sides of the slot in the excentric as such cylinders by suitably closing them in.
Or I may employ a disc or discs between two or more excentrics such discs carrying
pins engaging in slides or slots in the excentrics such excentrics being moved over by
the fluid or other like pressure the discs and pins serving only to connect the motions
of the excentrics and to keep them in unison. I may employ a pump or accumulator
or other source of pressure to force the fluid or the like along pipes or passages
and through holes in the crank shaft and cranks to the cylinders of the excentrics.
I prefer to run the engine in the direction that the excentric is always being
driven by the crank shaft and not following it so that in case of failure of the
reversing gear proper, pumps, pipes or other parts, the excentric will naturally
fall into the position for full gear forward and there will thus be no break-down.
If back gear be required it will only be necessary to pull over the excentric to
the reverse position and the engine will be in condition to run backwards.
Dated this 17th den of Sontember 1891

page_text: Improvements in Valve Operating Devices for Steam or other
Motive Power Engines.
I DAVID JOY of 17 Victoria Street in the City of Westminster 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:—
I
My invention has for its object the improvement and simplification of the valve
operating devices of steam and other motive power engines. According to my
invention I use an eccentric whose position on the shaft can be altered and adjusted
so as to provide for moving the valve for either headway or'astern 'motion the
said eccentric being mounted on a square or Hattened part of the crankshaft.
The Hattened surfaces should be made at or about right angles to the centreline
of the crank and the eccentric is mounted thereon by means of a slotted' hole formed
for the purpose which will allow of the eccentric 'being moved by pressure con-
veyed thereto, through the medium of a fluid or plastic substance as hereinafter
described. I set the centre of the eccentric a little above or below the transverse
centre line of the crank axle accordingly as I wish to use inside or outside lap for
admission of the motive fluid and in amount proportional to the amount of lap and
lead'l propose to employ. Thus when the eccentric is set at its extreme to the
one side of the centre line of the crank (say at an angle of about 60° from it) the
eccentric will be in position 'to move the valve for 'full'throw for forward going
and if placed at an equal distance on the other side it will be in position' to move
the valve for 'full throw 'for back going and any position intermediate between
these points will give the movement required for various degrees of expansion
whilst the central position will be mid-gear. In order to move the eccentric by
pressure applied as described I employ various devices to effect my object for
example I form a cylinder at each side of the eccentric with corresponding pistons
attached to the shaft to push over the eccentric in either direction 'according to
which cylinder the fluid or semi-fluid or a plastic medium is admitted in the
manner hereinafter indicated the admitted 'fluid or plastic material will by its
pressure-force the eccentric to either side and by its retention will also serve to
hold the eccentric in any desired position. '1 'in some cases utilise the spaces
between 'the squared part of the crank shaft and the sides of the slot in the
eccentric as such cylinders by suitably closing them'in. 'In some cases: I employ a
disc or discs between two or more eccentrics such discs carrying pins engaging in
slides or slots in the eccentrics such eccentrics 'being moved over by the pressure
of the fluid or like medium the 'discs and pins serving only to connect the motions
off the eccentrics and to keep them in unison. 'In practice I find it advantageous
to employ a pump or accumulátor or other source of pressure to 'force' the fluid or
the like along pipes or passages and through holes which are formed in the crank
shaft and cranks to the cylinders of the eccentrics. I preferito run the engine in
the direction that the eccentric is always being driven by the crank shaft and not
following it so that in case of failure of the reversing gear proper, pumps, pipes or
other parts, the eccentric will naturally fall into the position for full gear forward
and there will thus be no break down. If back gear be required it will only be
necessary to pull over the eccentric to the reverse position and the engine will be
in condition to run backward.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood I will describe, with
reference to the accompanying drawings what I consider the best manners in which
the same may be carried into practical effect.
Figures 1 to 8 illustrate typical forms.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side view of the eccentric mounted on the

page_text: shaft; a view of the shaft at right angles to that, of Figure: 1; and a view of, one
half of the eccentric at right angles to Figure 1.
The crank shaft B is provided with a squared part at b, which may, be either
forged, or tooled, or be constructed by a casting mounted on the shaft, or, in any
other convenient way.
On this squared part b the eccentric: A is mounted it. being.
preferably formed in two parts, as shewn, bolted together by, bolts passed through
the holes a*. It has a long slot in it so that: its flanges at can slide along, the
squared part b. On the squared partib are formed or fixed two pistons or rams.b² b³
which work in corresponding cylinders at a formed on, or secured to, the eccentric A.,
The main crank shaft B is made hollow (as is frequently the case in engines.
built for-war ships) the hollow being shewn at C and communication between this
space and the two cylinders a² a is established by the passages c³ ³ (passing.
through the shaft the squared part band: the pistons or rams. and ³), which
passages are separated from each other by a plug e forced tightly into the hollow
space C in the shaft as shewn in Figure 2: Thus the eccentric A is. free to.be
moved on the squared part 6 till its centre passes from D to D' it, being set in the
one extreme position correctly for forward going and in the other extreme position
correctly for backwards going the intermediate positions being those for giving
various points of "cut off" the centre position between. D. and D being "mid-
gear."
When oil, or other fluid, or semi-fluid, or plastic material is injected by any
suitable means into one end of the crank shaft (say in the direction shewn by. the
arrow E in Figure 2) it passes through the channel and enters the cylinder a so
forcing the eccentric in the direction from D to D and holding it in the position to
which it has been brought. Of course on reversing the direction of the inlet of the
fluid or the like as shewn by the arrow at E' so that it passes by the channel. c² into
the cylinder a the position of the eccentric will be reversed. The position of the
eccentric may be arrested and held so that its centre is at any point between
D and D by checking the inlet of the motive fluid or the like.
Figures 4 and 5 shew in views at right angles to each other (one half of the
eccentric being removed from Figure 5) a. modification of the arrangement
according to my invention wherein the positions. of the cylinders and pistons are
reversed the cylinder a a³ being formed in the body of the crank shaft which has a
boss formed, or secured; on it, for the purpose, and the pistons or rams are
formed on, or secured to, the eccentric. The sliding surfaces for the flanges a¹ of
the eccentric are formed by flattening the boss b. The operation is the same as in
the arrangement Figures 1, 2 and 3 and will be readily traced as the same letters
of reference are used to denote similar parts.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 shew a further modification according to my invention
operating in substantially the same manner as do the preceding arrangements.
Figure 6 is a side view of the eccentric with one of the discs. (F) removed and
Figures 7 and 8 are sections both being taken transversely to Figure 6 but at right
angles to each other. In this arrangement the shaft, B. is made square at the part
where the eccentric is situated by mounting or forming on it the squared part 6 on
which the eccentric A slides but in this case the eccentric is closed in by discs F F',
one on each side, and the closed in spaces, so formed.at: G G between the faces at
the ends of the slot in the eccentric and the faces of the square bon-the shaft,
constitute the cylinders the square on the shaft constituting in effect the piston.
Here again the operation is the same as in the other examples and the parts not
described here are marked with the same letters of reference as those used to denote
corresponding parts in the other examples and their functions.will be well understood
from the preceding description.
In carrying into effect the preceding arrangements it should be noted that, if the
shaft be not already made hollow then a small hole should be drilled, up its.centre
and through the crank pins and webs for. the transmission of the operating fluid, or
the like. It will be understood that when two,.or more eccentrics are employed the
channels to and from the cylinders will be made through the shaft so that the fluid,

page_text: or the like, expelled from the cylinders of the first eccentric or eccentrics will pass
to the cylinder of the next eccentric or eccentrics to move it or them also in the
required direction.
To provide that on reversing all the eccentrics of an engine each eccentric shall
be forced over to its full extent without regard to the position for cut off which it
may have occupied there is a small channel c" (Figures 6 and 7) connecting both
ends of the spaces G and G2 in such wise that when the first eccentric has been
moved fully over by the main supply if there has not been sufficient fluid or the
like before it to move over the next following eccentric fully then this small
channel e passes over a sufficiency of fluid or the like from the main supply to
complete the movement and the same action takes place with regard to the next
eccentric if there be one, so that whatever position any eccentric shall have
occupied each will on reversing be forced over into full gear.
Figures 6 and 6B are sections of the eccentric at right angles to each other and
through the channels c shewing their arrangement more clearly.
In the examples Figures 1 to 8 I have shewn the pistons or rams and the spaces
or cylinders to which the fluid or semi-fluid or plastic material is applied as being
formed within the eccentric but I do not limit myself to this as the said pistons or
rams and the said spaces or cylinders in communication with the passages in the
shaft may be outside the eccentric the one or the other being connected to the
eccentric by a pin or in any convenient way. Figure 44 shews an arrangement
wherein the cylinders a² a³ are secured to the shaft and are in communication with
the passage C therethrough by the passages and c.
The pistons which move in the said cylinders are attached to the
eccentric by the lugs a so as to move it in either direction substantially as herein-
before explained.
Figure 4 shews an arrangement wherein the pistons 63 63 are mounted on the
shaft B and have passages ces through them for the fluid or the like from the
passage C in the shaft. The cylinders a a' are cast with, or connected to,
the eccentric and slide over the pistons b³ 63.
Figures 9 and 10 are elevations at right angles to each other shewing the appli-
cation of my invention to an ordinary overhead triple marine engine the high
pressure cylinder alone being shewn. Figure 9A is a sectional view of a small part
of the main shaft shewing convenient means for passing the operating fluid or the
like into or out of the hollow in the shaft at the after end.
The construction of the eccentrics here shewn is the same as that shewn in
Figures 1, 2 and 3 and the same parts are marked with the sanie letters as in the
said figures but I have here shewn means which may conveniently be used for
injecting the operative fluid or the like. It consists of a steam cylinder H with a
slide or piston valve h which is moved by the haud lever h³ and which may or may
not be controlled by a hunting lever as at ³ or by a false valve face. In line with
this is placed the cylinder K for the fluid or the like used to actuate the eccentric
(say oil) with its inlet for oil at the pipe k this may be connected to an accumulator
or reservoir of oil under pressure the object of it being to keep the oil cylinder K
always full and the supply is controlled and its passage to the top or bottom of the
cylinder regulated through the lever and hand lever ³. The oil is conducted
from the top or bottom of this cylinder or returned to either respectively by the
pipes m m for the top of the cylinder, and the forward end of the shaft, and by the
pipes n, n for the bottom of the cylinder, and the after end of the shaft. The
pipes m and n
are in connection with the shaft as shewn so that the pipes
can be rigid as they do not have to follow the motion of the shaft. On steam
being admitted to the cylinder H to raise its piston the piston of the oil
cylinder K is also raised forcing the oil in its upper part along the pipe mm
into the forward end of the crank shaft at m² through the hollow space C of which
it will pass and through the channel c² into the cylinder a carried in the eccentric
(see also Figures 1 and 2) which will be moved over so that its centre is in the
position D. Meanwhile the oil in the cylinder a³ has been caused to pass through

page_text: the channel and the hollow C in the shaft to perform the like operations for the
next following eccentric (if more than one be used in the engine as is presumed to
be the case in the example illustrated) and so on till the moving body of oil is passed
along to the channel C in the shaft out therefrom through the hole c into the
hollow collar n³ and therefrom by the pipe n back to the lower end of the oil
cylinder K.
In this position the eccentric or eccentrics will stand for say forward going and
by reversing the position of the piston in the steam cylinder H the whole of the
positions will be reversed or in passing from one position to the other may be
arrested and kept in any desired intermediate position. In this arrangement the
passage of the operating fluid may be automatically regulated as hereinafter
explained with reference to Figures 11 to 15.
Figure 9B is a section to further illustrate this arrangement shewing how.two
eccentrics (or more) may be worked by one fluid pressure cylinder. Thus by raising
the piston of the fluid pressure cylinder K the fluid is forced along the pipe m and
into the forward end of the shaft at m² which being plugged at c' passes by the
passage to the space between the shaft and the eccentric and forces the eccentric
in the direction of the arrow thus expressing, the fluid from the space at the other.
side of the eccentric by the small passage into the hollow in the shaft through
which it passes on to the next eccentric where again the hollow in the shaft is
plugged at c causing the fluid to pass through the passage c² where it acts upon the
eccentric in a similar manner the fluid at the other side passing on by the passage c
through the hollow shaft and by the passage n' and pipe n to the other end of the
fluid pressure cylinder K or so on for any number of eccentrics the reverse action
of this cylinder producing of course the reverse passage of the fluid and consequently
the reverse movement of the eccentrics.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the application of my invention to an ordinary
inside cylinder locomotive engine. Figure 11 being a partial longitudinal sectional
clevation and Figure 12 a partial sectional plan. Figures 13 and 14 are details as
hereinafter described. The parts here shewn which correspond to like parts in
the previous figures are marked with the same letters of reference as those
employed in the previous figures. The arrangement corresponds to that shewn in
Figures 6, 7 and 8. The motive fluid in the cylinder K for the operating fluid or
semi-fluid (say oil) is set in motion by a screw in the piston rod actuated by a
hand wheel K (similar to the hand wheel frequently employed on locomotives for
reversing) and the oil passes as in the former case along the pipes m or n to either
end of the crank shaft B, which is perforated at C and c to carry the oil through
to the chambers G G, where it effects the movement of the eccentrics A in either
direction as required. In this case the oil passes from one side of the engine
directly into the chambers of both eccentrics acting simultaneously on both by
passing from the one through to the other by the small channels formed in the
shaft, and in the corners of the square b.
Figures 11 11 and 11° illustrate more clearly the passages. Beginning on
the right hand, the full arrows indicate the passage of fluid from that side for going
in one direction and beginning from the left hand the dotted arrows indicate the
course of the fluid from that side for going in the other direction. The two
eccentrics are also coupled together by the pins P P shewn more clearly in the
details Figures 12ª 12 and 12 which pins are set fast at right angles in the central
dividing ring Q which itself is free to revolve on a circular part at the centre of
the block b. These pins P P engage respectively in sliding blocks P³ in each
eccentric, so coupling and maintaining their positions always relatively at right
angles.
In order to provide for any loss of the operative fluid which may take place by
leakage or otherwise I find it advantageous to provide in some cases what I may
call a recuperative valve as shewn in Figures 13 and 14 and also in Figure 11
at L. This valve is supplied with fluid under pressure, which may be the boiler.
pressure from the small reservoir R and pipes r, and is connected to the two ends

page_text: of the cylinder K. by ports t't: The valve proper is moved through a very short
stroke by gear L' (see Figure 11). connected' with the valve spindle as shewn, and
its motion always bears the same relation to the stroke of the valve, this motion.
causes it to traverse the port of admission from the pipe and this, port is
formed in an adjustable shell u, in which the valve moves and which contains also.
ports communicating with ports t t for passing the motive fluid to either end
of the cylinder K. This valve shell u is connected to the piston of the cylinder K
by the rod and lever (see Figure 11) so that the shell' u will follow the
motions of the said piston in the cylinder K, and the ports in the shell' u are so
proportioned with reference to the movement of the valve 'that at whatever-
position the piston of the cylinder K is set (and therefore the eccentric on the
block b) it follows that the effective stroke of the main valve will correspond with
the positions of the piston in K and the eccentric A and so the point of cut
off will be maintained as any alteration in the length of the valve stroke
caused by leakage which must be in the direction of lengthening it (as the oil
drives the valve) will lengthen: also the stroke of the valve l, and admit oil to
make up the loss and so bring-back the length of stroke to the amount for which
it is set.
A recuperating cylinder such as is shewn Figures 13 and 14 may with advantage
be also applied to compound triple or multiple cylinder marine or other engines and
in this position, it will also serve the function of an adjusting valve by connecting
it to the oil supply between any two cylinders which it is intended to recuperate or
differentiate and so adjust the powers of the cylinders one against the other. In
Figure 15 is shewn such application and here it is convenient to add a non-return
valve v connecting with the supply in the crank shaft and this may be passed
through a cheese head coupling w or any other available part of the shaft. The
recuperative valve chest is shewn at L and its valve is worked through the valve
gear Las already described the inner adjusting shell u, being set by a special
hand lever . Thus the eccentric of each cylinder of a multiple engine may be
separately adjusted, and being so adjusted, is maintained in its adjusted position by
the lever arrangement L2 and valve. The oil is passed through the pipe n and
cap X which is held firmly in its position on the cheese-head w by the spring .x.
It is preferable to set the non-return valve (or point of inlet) in such position in
the revolution as to be opposite the opening in the cap X at the moment that the
valve opens to pass oil. This valve is connected as hereinbefore described
through the pipe r, to the special supply reservoir, or this valve may be made to
take the form of a small pump forcibly to inject oil. It will be evident that
instead of performing the adjustment by forcing in oil, it may be effected by
withdrawing oil between any two of the cylinders. But if it is preferred to
run an engine with a fixed and unaltered point of cut off in each cylinder and
for simplicity to do without any of the adjusting or recuperating arrangements
it is only necessary to insert in the driving end of the oil space of the eccentric
say at G, Figures 6 and 6* a fine thread screw 9 by which to adjust the
fullest travel of the eccentric, and the revolving motion of the engine together
with the motive oil will then keep the eccentric steadily pressed up against
this screw g.
In Figure 12 I have shewn the way of supplying; the operative fluid semi-
fluid or plastic material to a shaft which has a crank at the end. The end 1 of
the arm remains in line with the shaft as it rotates, so I can connect the
pipe m (or n) to this arm at the point thereof in line with the axial line of the
shaft B, and make passages c through the arm and crank as explained with regard
to the main cranks. I am aware that it has been before proposed to actuate by
fluid pressure a valve operating crank placed at the extreme end of a shaft, but so
far as I am aware no arrangement has before my invention been provided which
renders such operation capable of application to eccentrics situated upon a shaft as
herein before explained.
I have in the foregoing description more especially described the eccentrics as

page_text: being on the crank shaft but in some cases I find it advantageous to employ a
modification of that arrangement in which the eccentrics are placed upon a special
shaft geared from the crank shaft in which case the passages for the operative fluid
or the like should be made through the shaft which carries the eccentrics as
would be well understood by persons acquainted with machinery of the kind
in question.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what.
1 claim is
1. In valve operating devices for steam or other motive power engines an eccentric
or eccentrics arranged and mounted in the manner hereinbefore explained and moved.
by pressures applied thereto by means of a fluid or semi-fluid or plastic material,
substantially as herein before described.
2. In valve operating devices for steam or other motive power engines the
employment of an eccentric or eccentrics arranged as hereinbefore explained in.
combination with means for the admission of fluid semi-fluid or plastic material
through the shaft, from one end thereof so as to operate the eccentric or eccentrics
in one direction and from the other end thereof so as to operate the eccentric or
eccentrics in the other direction, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The combinations of parts herein before described and respectively illustrated
by Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6, 7 and 8 and Figures 4 and 4B.
of the accompanying drawings for the purpose hereinbefore described and
claimed.
4. The arrangement and combination of parts consisting of an eccentric or
eccentrics and means for operating it or them, as hereinbefore described and
claimed and means for controlling the supply of motive fluid or semi-fluid, or
plastic material thereto, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figures 9, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The arrangement and combination of parts consisting of an eccentric or-
eccentrics operated as hereinbefore described and claimed and means for controlling
the supply of motive fluid or semi-fluid, or plastic material thereto, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, or in Figure 15 of the-
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of June 1892
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.