IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH TRAMWAY AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Hughes, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH TRAMWAY AND
OTHER LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
ealed the 24th July 1877, and dated the 15th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Hughes at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1877.
HENRY HUGHES, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OR CONNECTED WITH TRAMWAY AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to apparatus for starting, and stopping, and regulating, and
indicating the speed of locomotive engines, especially those employed on tramways
or common roads, and for controlling the discharge of the mixture of the water
from the condensation of the exhaust steam and the water employed in condensing
such steam on to the wheels or road, and it consists of improvements upon Inven-
tions in respect of which certain former Letters Patent have been granted to me as
herein-after mentioned, whereby increased facility for the manipulation of the
apparatus, certainty in its action, efficiency in its operation, and other advantages
are obtained.
In engines for use on tramways, the following conditions are indispensable or
desirable:
+
1st. That the engine should be capable of being started and stopped by admitting
and cutting off the steam by the aid of apparatus operated by hand in a ready and
rapid manner.
2nd. That means should be employed for condensing the exhaust steam and
controlling the discharge of the condensing water and water of condensation.
3rd. That a powerful brake should be provided capable of being applied by the
act of operating suitable gear by hand and also automatically on a given maximum
speed being exceeded.
4th. That the steam should be cut off simultaneously with the application of the
brake.

page_text: 5th. That means should be provided for indicating the speed at which the engine
is travelling.
-
According to my Invention these several conditions are fulfilled in the following
manner For controlling the supply of steam from the steam dome of the boiler
to the steam pipe leading to the distributing valves of the cylinders I employ a
regulator or stop valve, consisting of a slide which is provided with a rack on its
exterior and is actuated by a toothed segment or quadrant mounted on a horizontal
shaft passing through stuffing boxes in the sides of the steam dome. This shaft
carries on a portion or portions of its length at the exterior of the steam dome a
continuous rod or two rods extending to opposite ends of the engine so as to enable
the driver or other attendant in either position to operate the shaft, and through
it the valve by the act of drawing down one end of the rod or rods.
For the purpose of condensing the exhaust steam I employ the means described
in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date respectively the
31st January 1876, No. 390, and the 28th August 1876, No. 3393, and I regulate
the discharge of the mixture of condensing water and water of condensation by
means of a valve, as described in the last-mentioned former Specification, by pre-
ference a rotary valve or cock which I connect through the intervention of links,
rods, and bell crank or other levers with the horizontal shaft before mentioned, in
such a manner that when the regulator or stop valve of the steam pipe is in its
central or neutral position and the steam cut off, the water outlet valve will be also
closed so as to prevent the discharge of water when the engine is at rest.
I employ a steam brake, constructed by preference substantially in the manner
described in the Provisional Specification filed by me the 24th January 1877,
No. 311, and brought into action by the driver or other attendant operating by
hand suitable gear, and also capable of being operated automatically under the
action of a governor when a given maximum speed is exceeded, as described in the
said Provisional Specification.
According to my present Invention I cause the steam to be cut off as and when
the brakes are applied to the wheels by means of a rod extending upwards from
one of the moveable links or rods of the brake, and provided with a flat or other
suitably shaped extremity which acts upon a tappet of a corresponding or other
suitable form so as to partially rotate the horizontal shaft and thereby move the
steam regulator or stop valve into its central, neutral, or closed position, such rod
descending again as soon as the brakes are removed from the wheels, and leaving
the steam regulator or stop valve free to be operated upon by the driver or other
attendant by the aid of the actuating rod or rods in the manner herein-before
described.
In order to enable the varying speed at which the engine travels to be ascertained,
I interpose between the double sliding valve or piston and the governor referred to
in my last-mentioned former Provisional Specification, or place at the opposite side
of such valve or piston the following media and apparatus. To a fixed part of the
engine I attach a box or receptacle containing mercury or other suitable fluid, and
open at one side, where it is closed by a diaphragm of india-rubber or other yielding
material. This box (which is provided with a suitable tube leading therefrom, and
which the mercury or other fluid also partially fills) I enclose, according to one
modification, in a skeleton or other frame, one side of which, vizt., that opposite the
diaphragm, is by preference made of a bow shape and is acted upon by a rod
forming part of or partaking of the motion of the governor, such motion being
transmitted to the double sliding valve or piston through the intervention of the
frame. As the frame reciprocates under the action of the varying velocity of the
governor, due to the variations in the speed of the engine, the diaphragm is more or
Jess compressed whereby corresponding variations are produced in the level of the
mercury or other fluid contained in the tube, and such tube being suitably graduated,
the speed at which the engine is travelling may be ascertained by observing the
position of the level of the fluid in the tube. Or the mercury or other fluid may
be caused to put in motion, either directly or through the medium of air, water, or

page_text: other suitable fluid, a hand or pointer for indicating on a suitable dial the speed at
which the engine is travelling.
According to another modification of this part of my Invention, I arrange the
box containing the mercury or other fluid at the opposite side of the double valve
or piston to that at which the governor is situate, in which case the mercurial or
other fluid ehamber may consist of an annular cup covered with a diaphragm of
india-rubber or other yielding material which is acted upon by an annular or other
suitably shaped projection carried by a rod extending from the valve or piston.
Or, if desired, an additional governor may be employed for acting upon the mercury
or other fluid in order to indicate the variations in the speed of the engine.
The mercury or other fluid in combination with the diaphragm also constitutes a
spring for returning or assisting in returning the governor to its normal position
when the speed has been reduced.
My improved apparatus for indicating speed may also be applied to other vehicles,
as also to engines and machinery generally, in combination with any suitable
governor wherever the velocity of a moving body is required to be ascertained.
:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
August 1877.
HENRY HUGHES, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OR CONNECTED WITH TRAMWAY AND OTHER LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My said Invention relates to apparatus for starting, and stopping, and regulating,
and indicating the speed of locomotive engines, especially those employed on tram-
ways or common roads, and for controlling the discharge of the mixture of the
water from the condensation of the exhaust steam and the water employed in con-
densing such steam on to the wheels or roads, and it consists of the improvements
herein-after described upon Inventions in respect of which certain former Letters
Patent have been granted to me, as herein-after mentioned, whereby increased
facility for the manipulation of the apparatus, certainty in its action, efficiency in
its operation, and other advantages are obtained.
In engines for use on tramways, the following conditions are indispensable or
desirable:-
First. That the engine should be capable of being started and stopped by
admitting and cutting off steam by the aid of apparatus operated by hand in a
ready and rapid manner.
Second. That means should be employed for condensing the exhaust steam and
controlling the discharge of the condensing water and water of condensation.
Third. That a powerful brake should be provided capable of being applied by the
act of operating suitable gear by hand, and also automatically on a given maximum
speed being exceeded.
Fourth. That the steam should be cut off simultaneously with the application of
the brake.
Fifth. That means should be provided for indicating the speed at which the
engine is travelling.
According to my said Invention these several conditions are fulfilled in the
manner herein-after described, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
Figure 1-of-the accompanying Drawings represents a sectional elevation of a
tram locomotive engine constructed according to my Invention, and Figures 1ª, 2,
3, 4, and 5 are details and modifications to be herein-after referred. to.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.

page_text: The engine is provided with a boiler A, fire box B, smoke box C, and with
cylinders and their appurtenances, the whole being mounted on wheels D, D¹, and
constructed and arranged in any ordinary or suitable manner, but with my improve-
ments applied thereto, as herein-after described.
For controlling the supply of steam from the steam dome E of the boiler A to
the steam pipe F leading to the distributing valves of the cylinders, I employ a
regulator or stop valve consisting of a slide G, which is provided with a rack a on
its exterior (see Figure 1) and is actuated by a toothed segment or quadrant H
mounted on a horizontal shaft I passing through stuffing boxes b in the sides of the
steam dome E. This shaft is extended beyond the steam dome E to opposite ends of
the engine so as to enable the driver or other attendant in either position to operate
the shaft and through it the valve G. For this purpose handles K, K¹, are provided
which may either be fast on the shaft I, as shewn in the case of the handle K¹, or
mounted on a stud centre c and provided with a toothed segment or quadrant d,
engaging with a toothed segment or quadrant & fast on the shaft I, as represented
in the case of the handle K³, the shaft I being operated and the valve opened to
any desired degree, or fully closed by the act of turning one or other of the
handles K, K¹, to the requisite extent.
For the purpose of condensing the exhaust steam, and controlling the discharge
of the condensing water and the water of condensation, I employ the means
described in the Specification of Letters Patent, granted to me bearing date res-
pectively the 31st January, 1876, No. 390, and the 28th August, 1876, No. 3393.
In applying the same in combination with my present improvements, the apparatus
is arranged in the following manner:-L is a tank containing cold water, M is a
valve chamber communicating at its upper end by means of the pipe M with the cold
water tank L, and at its lower end with suitable pipes or conduits (one of which,
marked N, is shewn in my Drawing) for conducting the exhaust steam from the
cylinders, and with a passage N¹ leading to a condensing or mixing chamber P.
The communications between the valve chamber M and the cold water tank L and
exhaust pipes or conduits N are controlled conjointly and simultaneously by means
of two valves e, f, arranged in such manner that the valve e of the exhaust pipe N
shall be lifted or opened by the pressure of the exhaust steam, and that when this
action takes place the valve f of the cold water tank L shall also be lifted or opened,
whereby the cold water tank L shall also be lifted or opened, whereby the cold
water from the tank will be brought into intimate contact with the exhaust steam
simultaneously admitted into the valve chamber M, the water with the exhaust
steam partially condensed passing together into the condensing or mixing chamber P,
where their intimate mixture and the complete condensation of the exhaust steam
are effected.
I provide in the mixing chamber P a valve g (which may either consist of a
piston valve, as shewn, or a rotary valve or cock, or a valve of any other suitable
description), connected by a rod h with a slotted arm i of the handle K of the
regulator valve G, which controls the supply of steam to the distributing valves of
the cylinders so that the regulator valve and the water valve g work in unison. The
valve g may either be arranged in the mixing chamber P itself, or (as shewn on the
Drawings), in the pipe N¹ which enters the mixing chamber, an outlet pipe Q is pro-
vided for conducting the water either to a receiving tank or to a spreader for
distributing the water on to the road or rails. The connection of the valve g with
the regulator handle K is so adjusted that the valve g shall be closed when the
steam is shut off, the two operations being performed conjointly and simultaneously
by one and the same movement of the regulator handle, so that the discharge of the
water is suspended when the engine is at rest.
If desired the valve chamber M may constitute the mixing or condensing
chamber by being made of sufficient capacity for that purpose, the chamber P being
in that case dispensed with.
I employ a steam brake constructed substantially in the manner described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date the Twenty-fourth

page_text: January, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, No. 311, such brake being
brought into action by the driver or other attendant operating by hand suitable
gear, and also being operated automatically under the action of a governer when a
given maximum speed is exceeded.
The apparatus is arranged in the following manner, videlicet:-R, R, are the brake
blocks; S is the brake cylinder, and T its piston, the rod a¹ of which latter is con-
nected by any suitable arrangement of levers and links r¹, k, l, to the brake
blocks R, R. The cylinder S is fitted with pipes U, V, for admitting steam to the
opposite sides m, n, respectively of the piston T, the area of which piston is so
arranged that when the steam is on both sides the brake blocks R, R, are off, as
shewn in the Drawing (by reason of the less area of the side m), but that when the
steam is exhausted from the side n the brake blocks R, R, shall be applied by the
pressure of the steam acting upon the opposite side m. For this purpose the pipe U
is connected with the boiler A, so that a pressure of steam is constantly maintained
on the side m of the piston, whilst the pipe V is in communication with the
tube V of the apparatus, shewn in Figure 3, and herein-after described, by means
of which steam is admitted to or exhausted from the side, n, according as it is
necessary that the brake blocks R, R, shall be removed from or applied to the
wheels D, D.
The apparatus for controlling the brake cylinder S is illustrated by the sectional
elevation, Figure 3 of my Drawings; it consists of a double sliding valve or
piston W, W, fitted in a box or cylinder X, and which may be operated either by
the hand of the driver or other attendant from either end of the engine through
the intervention of a bell crank o, and other connections, or automatically by the
action of a governor ✗¹ pressing through the intervention of a rod Y upon an
extension rod Y¹ from the valve or piston W, WI; this governor is driven through
the medium of gearing Z, Z, from the axle p of the wheels D.
The box or cylinder X is provided with three tubular offsets marked
respectively V¹, q, r, for the attachment of pipes, and also with parts v, ql, r³, corres-
ponding thereto. The tube V₁ is in connection with the pipe V, Figure 1, as before
mentioned, and the tube q is in communication with the steam space of the boiler,
whilst the tube is connected with an exhaust pipe leading either into the
atmosphere or into a condenser.
In the position in which the valve or piston W, W₁, is represented in the Drawing,
steam from the boiler is being admitted through the pipe q into the chamber s
between the two heads W, WI, whence it passes through the tube V₁ to the pipe V,
Figure 1, the brake blocks R, R, being then held out of contact with the
wheels D, D¹. When, however, the valve or piston W, W¹, is moved in the direction
of the arrow, Figure 3, either by hand or automatically under the action of the
governor X¹, as before mentioned, the head W' will be caused to cover and close the
port q and the head W to simultaneously uncover and open the port, the steam
supply from the boiler through the pipe q will then be intercepted and the pipe V¹
will be placed in communication with the exhaust. The steam will thus be
exhausted from the side n of the piston T in the brake cylinder S, Figure 1, and
the brake blocks R, R, will thereby be applied to the wheels D, D¹.
I also cause the steam to be simultaneously cut off from the engine cylinders as and
when the brakes are applied to the wheels D, D¹, by means of apparatus arranged
in the following manner, reference being bad to Figure 1, and to the sectional end
view, Figure 2-t is a jointed rod extending upwards from a lever u fast on the
brake shaft v¹, the upper end of which rod engages with a dent win a slotted arm x
mounted on a fixed centre y. In the slot z of the arm x is adjustably fitted a
stud 1, which when the arm is turned upon its centre y by the motion of the rod t
due to the partial rotation of the brake shaft when the brakes are-applied acts
upon-a tappet 2 fast on the horizontal shaft I, so as to partially rotate such shaft,
and thereby move the steam regulator or stop valve G into its closed position, after
which as soon as the brakes are removed from the wheels the rod t with the arm x
and its stud 1 return to their normal position, leaving the steam regulator or stop

page_text: valve G free to be operated upon by the driver or other attendant by the aid of one
of the handles K, K¹, in the manner herein-before described.
In my Drawings the rod t is shewn enclosed in a tube 3 passing through the
tank L, which arrangement is adopted for the convenience of the location of the
relative parts.
In order to enable the varying speed at which the engine travels to be ascertained
I interpose between the double sliding valve or piston W, W¹, and the governor X¹
or place at the opposite side of such valve or piston the following media and
apparatus.
According to one modification, which is illustrated by the sectional elevation,
Figure 4, I attach to a fixed part of the engine a box or receptacle 4 containing
Inercury or other suitable fluid, and open at one side, where it is closed by a
diaphragm 5 of india-rubber or other yielding material. This box, (which is
provided with a suitable tube 6 leading therefrom,) and which the mercury or other
fluid also partially fills, I enclose in a skeleton or other frame 7, one side of which,
videlicet, that 8, opposite the diaphragın 5, is by preference made of a bow shape, as
shewn, and is connected to the rod Y partaking of the motion of the governor, such
motion being transmitted to the double sliding valve or piston W, W₁, through the
intervention of the frame 7. As the frame reciprocates under the action of the
varying velocity of the governor, due to the variations in the speed of the engine,
the diaphragm 5 is more or less compressed, whereby corresponding variations are
produced in the level of the mercury or other fluid contained in the tube 6, and
such tube being suitably graduated; the speed at which the engine, is travelling
may be ascertained by observing the position of the level of the fluid in the tube,
or the mercury or other fluid may be caused to put in motion, either directly or
through the medium of air, water, or other suitable fluid, a hand or pointer 9 for
indicating on a suitable dial 10 the speed at which the engine is travelling.
According to another modification of this part of my Invention, which is
illustrated in Figure 5, I arrange the box 4 containing the mercury or other fluid
at the opposite side of the double valve or piston W, W¹, to that at which the
governor ✗¹ is situate, in which case the mercurial or other fluid chamber may
consist, as shewn, of an annular cup covered with a diaphragm 5 of india-rubber or
other yielding material, which is acted upon by an annular or other suitably shaped
projection 11 carried by a rod 12 extending from the valve or piston W, W¹. If
desired an additional governor may be employed for acting upon the mercury or
other fluid, in order to indicate the variations in the speed of the engine.
The mercury or other fluid in combination with the diaphragm 5 also constitutes
a spring for returning or assisting in returning the governor X¹ and the valve or
piston W, W1, to their normal position when the speed has been reduced; but if
desired, a helical spring, such for example as those shewn at 13, Figures 3 and 4,
for a like purpose may be employed in conjunction with the mercury or other fluid
and the diaphragm.
It is obvious that other suitable apparatus may be employed in substitution for
the peculiar construction of apparatus for indicating speed herein-before described,
whilst retaining the other features of my Invention.
My improved apparatus for indicating speed may also be applied to other vehicles,
as also to engines and machinery generally in combination with any suitable governor,
wherever the velocity of a moving body is required to be ascertained.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I do consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. Controlling the supply of steam to the distributing valves of the engine
cylinders by the employment of a sliding regulator or stop valve operated by a rack

page_text: and toothed segment or quadrant, substantially in the manner herein-before described
and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The combination with a regulator or stop valve and brake mechanism,
constructed and operating substantially as herein set forth, of tappet apparatus for
closing such regulator or stop valve, in order to cut off the steam simultaneously
with and by the act of putting on the brakes, substantially as herein-before described
and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The employment for ascertaining and indicating speed of a fluid or
combination of fluids set in movement by a governor, through the intervention of
apparatus for transmitting motion, substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
Fourthly. An apparatus for ascertaining and indicating speed, in which an
increment is indicated by the movement of a fluid or combination of fluids in
conjunction with a yielding diaphragm under the action of a governor, and in which
a decrement is indicated by the return of such fluid or fluids when the speed is
reduced, the said fluid or fluids in conjunction with the diaphragm acting as a spring
for returning or assisting in returning the governor and brake valve to their normal
position, substantially as herein-before described.
Fifthly. The combination in a locomotive engine of a regulator or stop for con-
trolling the supply of steam to the distributing valves of the engine cylinders, of
means for condensing the exhaust steam and controlling the discharge of the
condensing water and water of condensation, such means being employed in
connection with the said regulator or stop valve and of brake mechanism, operated
by hand and automatically, and gear for closing the regulator or stop valve when
the brakes are applied in conjunction or not with means for indicating the speed at
which the engine is travelling, the whole arranged and operating substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, and as illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Hughes, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
HENRY HUGHES. (L.S.)