Steam, Compressed Air, or Water.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1886.
Complete Left,. 17th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted. 18th Feb., .1887.
Steam, Compressed Air, or
Water.
We JOHN NICHOLAS FLOYD of Cornwall Cottage Murdock Road Handsworth in
the County of Stafford Mechanical Engineer and GEORGE TANGYE of Cornwall
Works Sofio in the County of Stafford Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of
this Invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of a motive power engine constructed as hereinafter
described to be worked by steam compressed air or water. Our invention is especially
suited to be worked by high pressure steam and we will therefore describe it as a
steam engine.
In constructing a steam engine according to our invention we supply the steam to
the main steam cylinder by means of a slide valve worked automatically in the
following manner. Upon the case of the slide valve is a steam cylinder having a
piston this piston has an arm or projection which works in a slot in the case of the
slide valve and is connected to the slide valve so that the slide valve travels to and
fro with the said piston. We will call the said cylinder the valve cylinder.
Near each end of the valve cylinder is a port or passage the said passages com-
In each of the
municating respectively with the main cylinder at opposite ends.
These throttle valves are connected with the
said passages is a throttle valve.
governor of the engine and by the action of the governor on these throttle valves
the speed of the engine is regulated. Or a governor applied in the usual way to the
steam inlet may be used.
At that end of each of the said passages which opens into the steam-cylinder a
valve is situated which valve is pressed to its seat by the steam in the valve cylinder.
These valves are so operated upon by the piston of the main cylinder either directly
or indirectly that when the said piston has nearly reached the end of its stroke the
valve at that end of the main cylinder which the piston is approaching is opened.
Steam from the valve cylinder passes through the opened valve into the main cylinder
where it operates on the piston of the said main cylinder.
+

page_text: By the escape of steam from one side of the piston of the valve cylinder the said
piston is caused to move by the pressure of the steam on its other side and in its
imotion carries the slide valve with it. The actions described are now repeated at the
other end of the main cylinder and so on the reciprocating motion of the piston of
the main cylinder being made to give rotary motion to the principal shaft of the
engine in the manner hereinafter described. In case the engine runs at a higher
speed than the arranged normal speed it is checked by the action of the governor on
the throttle valves in the passages between the valve cylinder and the main cylinder
or upon the steam inlet when using the ordinary governor. The partial closing of
the throttle valves reduces the amount of steam passing from the valve cylinder to
the main cylinder. The stroke of the piston of the valve cylinder will be shortened
and the slide yalye actuated by it will not admit so much steam and the speed of the
engine will be reduced.
The main steam cylinder has a chamber or recess at its middle. In this recess a
crank or crank plate and pin terminating the principal shaft of the engine are
situated. The piston is hollow and of a length sufficient for the working within it of
the crank described and the crank rod which is jointed to the piston. A slotted crank
plate with a suitable slipper may be employed.
For the purpose of starting or reversing the engine we employ a handle and shaft
on the end of which is, a lever which actuates the piston of the valve cylinder from
one side to the other and for the purpose of stopping reversing and starting the
engine we also employ two stopcocks actuated by a lever. By opening both or only
one of the said stopcocks steam is exhausted from one or both ends of the valve
cylinder thus carrying the slide valve to one side or the other and reversing the
motion of the engine. We do not however limit ourselves to this method of reversing
the engine as it may be effected in other ways. For example we may employ steam
lifted valves for exhausting the valve cylinder the said valves being placed at any
convenient points of the main cylinder and actuated from the interior of the main
cylinder.
In order to preserve the accurate working of that part of the piston which covers
the ports near the ends of the cylinder we form tliose parts of the piston of brass
and we so connect them with the piston that when worn they can be readily adjusted.
In order to preserve the accurate working of that part of the valve piston which
covers the ports near the end of the cylinder and to make up for the wearing of the
piston we attach an adjustment.
In order to preserve the required lift of the valves situated at the ends of the main
steam cylinder we attach an adjustment.

page_text: JUMI D
A New or Improved Motive Power Engine to be Worked by
Steam, Compressed Air, or Water.
We JOHN NICHOLAS FLOYD of Cornwall Cottage, Murdock Road, Handsworth in
the County of Stafford, Mechanical Engineer and GEORGE TANGYE of Cornwall
Works, Soho, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature
of our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Our invention consists of a motive power engine constructed as hereinafter
described to be worked by steam, compressed air or water. Our invention is
especially suited to be worked by high pressure steam and we will therefore describe
it as a steam engine.
In constructing a steam engine according to our invention we supply the steam to
the main steam cylinder by means of a slide valve worked automatically in the
following manner. Upon the case of the slide valve is a steam cylinder having a
piston; this piston has an arm or projection which works in a slot in the case of the
slide valve and is connected to the slide valve so that the slide valve travels to and fro
with the said piston. We will call the said cylinder the valve cylinder.
Near each end of the valve cylinder is a port or passage the said passages com
municating respectively with the main cylinder at opposite ends. In each of the said
passages is a throttle valve. These throttle valves are connected with the governor of
the engine and by the action of the governor on these throttle valves the speed of the
engine is regulated. Or a governor applied in the usual way to the steam inlet may
be used.
At that end of each of the said passages which opens into the steam cylinder a
valve is situated which valve is pressed to its seat by the steam in the valve cylinder.
These valves are so operated upon by the piston of the main cylinder, either directly
or indirectly, that when the said piston has nearly reached the end of its stroke the
valve at that end of the main cylinder which the piston is approaching is opened.
Steam from the valve cylinder passes through the opened valve into the main cylinder
where it operates on the piston of the said main cylinder.
By the escape of steam from one side of the piston of the valve cylinder the said
piston is caused to move by the pressure of the steam on its other side and in its
motion carries the slide valve with it. The actions described are now repeated at the
other end of the main cylinder and so on the reciprocating motion of the piston of the
main cylinder being made to give rotary motion to the principal shaft of the engine.
in the manner herein after described. In case the engine runs at a higher speed than
the arranged normal speed it is checked by the action of the governor on the throttle
valves in the passages between the valve cylinder and the main cylinder or upon the
steam inlet when using the ordinary governor. The partial closing of the throttle
valves reduces the amount of steam passing from the valve cylinder to the main
cylinder. The stroke of the piston of the valve cylinder will be shortened and the
slide valve actuated by it will not admit so much steam and the speed of the engine
will be reduced.
The main steam cylinder has a chamber or recess at its middle. In this recess a

page_text: crank or crank plate and pin terminating the principal shaft of the engine are situated.
The piston is hollow and of a length sufficient for the working within it of the crank
described and the crank rod which is jointed to the piston. A slotted crank plate
with a suitable slipper may be employed.
.
For the purpose of starting or reversing the engine we employ a handle and shaft
on the end of which is a lever which actuates the piston of the valve cylinder from
one side to the other and for the purpose of stopping, reversing and starting the
engine, two stopcocks actuated by, a lover may be employed. By opening both or
only one of the said stopcocks, steam is exhausted from one or both ends of the valve
cylinder thus carrying the slide valve to one side or the other and reversing the
motion of the engine. We do not however limit ourselves to this method of reversing
the engine as it may be effected in other ways. For example we may employ steam
lifted valves for exhausting the valve cylinder, the said valves being placed at any
convenient points of the main cylinder, and actuated from the interior of the main
cylinder.
In order to preserve the accurate working of that part of the piston which covers
the ports near the ends of the piston valve cylinder we form those parts of the piston
of brass and we so connect them with the piston that when worn they can be readily
adjusted and in order to preserve the required lift of the reversing valves situated at
the ends of the main steam cylinder we attach an adjustment.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings
the manner in which our invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation and
Figure 2 partly in cross section and partly in end .elevation, a high speed steam
engine constructed according to our invention. The other Figures represent modi-
fications and details of our invention as hereinafter described. The same letters of
reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1 and 2.
A is the steam cylinder having an enlargement or recess R as its middle and B, B
is the main steam piston working in the said cylinder A. The said piston is divided
or made in two parts but the said parts virtually constitute a single piston as they
inove together; but a single piston or two pistons connected together at their inner
ends may be employed. The two parts B, B of the piston are connected by the
jointed connecting rods C, C and brasses 02, 02 to the crank 1) on the principal
shaft D₁ of the engine. The crank shaft D, D crosses the middle of the cylinder A
at right angles and the crank D works in the chamber, enlargement or recess R at the
said middle of the cylinder (see Figure 1). The shaft D' works in the bearings E, E
fixed on opposite sides of the said cylinder; X X are oil chambers for lubricating
the crank shaft and W is a centrifugal lubricator for oiling the crank D.
Instead of the crank D on the principal shaft D', a crank plate and pin may be
used. In this case the connecting rods C, C connected respectively. to the ends of the
piston B, B are jointed to the crank pin of the crank plate. In case a single piston
or a piston in which the two parts are joined together at the middle is used, a single
connecting rod may be jointed to the pin on the crank plate.
F is the valve cylinder in the ends of which the piston valves G, G¹ respectively
work; His the main slide valve connected to and working with the piston valves GG:
I, I are small channels passing through the ends of the piston valves G, G. By
means of the said small channels I, I a connection is established between the interior
of the steam chest in which the main slide valve H works and the outer ends of the
piston valve cylinder F so that the piston valves are in equilibrium excepting just before
the reversal of the slide valve is automatically effected as herein after described. The
piston valves G G₁ and slide valve H are connected and move together; J is a lever
worked by hand for starting or reversing or stopping the engine by giving the
requisite motion to the slide valve and piston valves. The said lever J is fixed on the
shaft K and works between cheeks on the slide valve and by striking one or other of
the said cheeks reverses the said slide valve. The shaft K works in the stuffing box
gland M'and is actuated by the hand wheel L on the outer end of the said shaft (sec
Figure 2). Or the stopping, reversing and starting of the engine may be effected by

page_text: placing a stopcock provided with a lever near each end of the piston valve cylinder F.
By opening one or both of the stopcocks, steam is, exhausted from one or both ends of
the valve cylinder F, thus carrying the slide valve H to one or other side and
reversing the motion of the engine; S, S₁ are the main ports or passages leading from
the piston valve cylinder F to the ends of the main steam piston cylinder A and T is
the exhaust port or passage: U is the main steam pipe or passage from the boiler
opening into the piston valve cylinder FV is the exhaust pipe in communication
with the exhaust port T. At the ends of the piston valve cylinder F are passages or
pipes N and N. These passages or pipes are connected with opposite ends of the
main steam cylinder A through the valve boxes 0,0 crossing the main steam
passages S, S The pipes N N are capable of ready connection with and discon-
In the said
nection from the piston valve cylinder F and main steam cylinder A.
valve boxes 0, 0 are reversing valves P P by which the motion of the piston
valves, G, Gand main slide valve H is reversed. The said reversing valves PP are
pressed to their seats by steam in the passages N N in connection with the piston
valve cylinder F. The bottoms of the said reversing valves P P are inclined and
the said valves are lifted at the proper times by the inclines Y on the ends of the
pistons B B acting against the said inclined bottoms. The bottoms of the valve
boxes 0, 0 are open and of an oblong figure and the valves P, P when in their
lowered positions occupy the middles of the said bottoms so that the reversing valves
do not obstruct the passage of the steam into or the exhaust from the ends of the
cylinder A.
The action of the parts of the steam engine is as follows:-The engine is represented
stationary. To start the engine the slide valve H is operated upon by the lever J in
the direction proper to cause the piston G G₁ to move in the direction indicated by
the arrow, steam being admitted into the right hand end of the cylinder A by the
port or passage S and the left hand end of the cylinder A. being in communication
with the exhaust through the port or passage S. As the part B of the piston
approaches the end of its stroke its incline Y acting upon the bottom of the reversing
valve P at that end of the cylinder, lifts the said valve from its seat and thereby opens
communication between the pipe or passage N and the steam cylinder A. "Steam
from the left hand end of the piston valve cylinder now passes down the pipe N
As the
and through the open reversing valve P into the main steam cylinder A.
steam is thus exhausted from the left hand end of the piston valve cylinder F, the
valves G G in the said cylinder being no longer in equilibrium, the said valves are
As the piston
moved over by the pressure of steam on the right hand piston G¹.
valves are thus reversed, the slide valve H is carried with them thereby reversing the
steam and exhaust ports in the ordinary way. The direction of the motion of the
steam piston B B is now reversed and on the said piston approaching the end of its
stroke the incline Y at the right hand end of the piston lifts the reversing valve Pat
that end and the actions described are repeated.
As the steam piston G G¹ makes its reciprocating motion it gives a rotatory motion
to the principal shaft D by means of the connecting rods C, C jointed to the crank D
at the middle of the said shaft D¹.
In order to check or control the speed of the engine, throttle valves may be placed
in the pipes N and N. These throttle valves, which are not represented in the
drawing, are connected with the governor. When the engine runs at a higher speed
than the arranged normal speed, the governor acting on the throttle valves partially
closes them so as to reduce the amount of steam passing from the valve cylinder F
through the pipes N, N₁ to the main cylinder A. The stroke of the piston valves G, G²
in the valve cylinder F will in consequence be shortened and the slide valve H will
not admit so much steam to the main cylinder A and the speed of the engine will be
reduced.
Or instead of using throttle valves in the pipes N N for the purpose described the
governor may operate upon a throttle valve in the pipe U conveying steam to the
steam chest or cylinder F.
For the purpose of compensating the wear of the reversing valves and for adjusting

page_text: them an incline of the kind represented in Figure 3 and marked Y2 may be employed
for acting upon the said valves. The incline Y2 is fitted to the cover of the main
steam cylinder A and is jointed to the screwed stem Y³ and by means of the screw
nut screwing on the said screwed stem the incline can be adjusted.
Or the adjustable incline for acting on the reversing valve may be carried by the
steam piston as represented in Figure 4.. In this case the jointed incline Y2 has an
arm at right angles to it upon which the screw Y' acis for adjusting the position of
the incline.
We do not limit ourselves to any particular arrangements for adjusting the inclines
of the reversing valves as their adjustment may be effected in various ways; for
example, the bottom end of the valve upon which the incline acts may be screwed and
provided with an adjustable bearing piece as represented in Figure 5 and marked B.
By screwing off the piece B to the required extent the valve may be lengthened and
its wear thereby compensated. In order to preserve the accurate working of that
part of the piston valve which covers the pipe or passage N or N near the end of the
piston valve cylinder F we form the piston valve with a block of brass as represented
in Figure 6 and marked G³ and we so connect it with the piston valve that when worn
it can be readily adjusted.
Instead of reversing the motion of the slide valve by inclines on the steam piston B, B¹
lifting the reversing valves as it approaches the end of its stroke steam lifted reversing
valves may be employed as illustrated in Figure 7.
In this arrangement the steam lifted reversing valve A works in a cylindrical box B
at each end of the steam cylinder and is pressed down to its seat by a spring. The
valve A has two diameters, the head or large part having below it a stem or stalk.
The valve box B2 is in communication with the interior of the valve cylinder H. at its
end. A passage E is also formed under the stalk of the valve A² the said passage É
communicating with the main steam passage I. Opening into each end of the main steam
cylinder is a passage or pipe F which communicates with that part of the box B in which
the large end of the steam lifted reversing valve A works. In the axis of the valve A is a
hole or passage G for permitting steam to pass to the upper side of the valve A² for putting
it into equilibrium for the purpose hereinafter pointed out. When the main-piston in
the steam cylinder approaches the end of its stroke it passes and uncovers the pipe F
and live steam from the main piston cylinder enters the said pipe F and passes to the
underside of the steam lifted valve A and thereby raises its stem from its seat in the
passage E as illustrated in the Drawing. By this means the piston valve cylinder H
is put into communication with the main steam passage I through which passage I the
steam from the valve cylinder H is exhausted and the motion of the said valve and the
slide valve carried by it reversed as herein before described with respect to Figures 1
and 2. As soon as the slide valve is reversed live steam now entering the left hand
steam passage.I on its way to the steam cylinder A passes through the pipe or passage E
and up the axial opening G to the upper side of the head of the valve A and the said
valve being thus put into equilibrium it is pressed to its seat by the spring and the
passage E closed.
Our improvements may be applied to compound engines. In this case we make
one half of the steam cylinder of larger diameter than the other half and modify the
ports in connection with the slide valve in the manner illustrated in Figure 8.
In the said Figure 8, A is the high pressure steam cylinder and B the low pressure
cylinder A is the passage from the high pressure cylinder A and B is the passage
to the low pressure cylinder B; D is the slide valve and C the exhaust passage to the
atmosphere or condenser. The slide valve D is actuated in precisely the same way as
that of the high pressure single acting steam engine herein before described. When
the slide valve D is in the position represented in the drawing the high pressure steam
cylinder A is receiving steam direct from the boiler through the passage A², the said
steam acting upon the piston E. When the piston E has completed its stroke the
position of the slide valve D will be changed by the action of the reversing valve and
the steam in the cylinder A will pass back through the passage A and under the slide.
valve D into the passage B2 and act upon the low pressure piston G.. As the area of

page_text: the low pressure piston G is about three times that of the piston E the action of the
low pressure steam upon the said piston G will propel it backwards and a continuous
rotary motion will thereby be given to the crank shaft in the manner herein before
described. As the piston G approaches the end of its back stroke the slide valve D is
again reversed, the cylinder B is now open to the exhaust passage C through the
passage B and high pressure steam enters the cylinder A through the slide valve D
and passage A2.
By thus arranging the parts the working of the high speed steam engine is effected
with great economy.
When we employ compressed air or water under pressure in place of steam for
working our improved motive power engine the parts are arranged, combined and
used substantially in the manner herein before described and illustrated with respect
to a steam engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our invention and
the manner in which the same is to be performed we declare that we claim as
our invention of "A new or improved motive power engine to be worked by steam
compressed air or water
=
First The combination with such of the said motive power engines as have their
slide valves operated by pistons actuated by the pressure of the motive fluid of a shaft
carrying either a crank or crank plate situated between the two parts of the piston
or at the middle of the piston in the main cylinder, the crank or the pin of the crank
plate of the shaft being connected to the piston by a connecting rod or rods substan-
tially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly-The combination with a motive power engine of the kind claimed in claim 1
of reversing valves interposed between the piston valve cylinder and the main piston
cylinder the said reversing valves being opened at the proper times by the action upon
then either directly or indirectly of the piston in the main cylinder, or the motive
fluid from the main cylinder, the said reversing valves being combined with the other
parts of the engine and operating substantially as herein before described and illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly Regulating the speed of an engine of the kind claimed in claims 1 and 2
by means of throttle valves in the pipes or passages N, N¹, the said throttle valves
being connected with the governor of the engine substantially as herein before
described.
Fourthly The combination with an engine of the kind claimed in claims 1 and 2 of
the lever J, shaft K and hand wheel L, (or its equivalent) herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings for starting, reversing or stopping the engine.
Fifthly Stopping, reversing or starting an engine of the kind claimed in
claims 1 and 2 by exhausting the motive fluid from one or both ends of the piston
valve cylinder by means of stop cocks opening into the said ends as herein before*
described.
Sixthly The combination with an engine of the kind claimed in claims 1 and 2, of
the external detachable pipes or passages N and N and valve boxes O, O connecting
the ends of the piston valve cylinder with the ends of the main steam cylinder
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
. Lastly The adaptation to or combination with compound engines of the kind
represented in Figure 8 of the accompanying Drawings of the arrangement of parts
claimed in claim 1 for giving rotary motion to the principal shaft and the reversing
valves claimed in claim 2.