Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
A communication from abroad by PARDON ARMINGTON, of Providence, Rhode
Island, one of the United States of America, Manufacturer.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent 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:-
"
This invention relates principally to what are known as " tandem engines,
usually single acting, wherein receivers are interposed between the several
cylinders and are in open communication with the cylinders at one of their ends,
and are separated from and by the heads of the cylinders at their opposite ends,
the valves being arranged within the limits of the said receivers or the cylinders
adjacent thereto.
These engines are designed to run at high speeds with comparatively low piston
speed, and their chief merit lies in their high efficiency, due to the very short ports
or passages connecting the cylinders with the receivers, and vice versa, which is
owing to the arrangement of the valves within the limits of the receivers or the
cylinders adjacent thereto.
Prior to this invention, engines of this type have been constructed having the
piston or pistons mounted upon a single piston rod, common to all, and made hollow
to constitute a conducting chamber in which the valves are arranged, the said
conducting chamber also constituting a valve chamber, the reciprocations of the
piston-rod conducting chamber by and with the pistons, necessitating the operation
of the valves within the same, from some part, usually the crank-pin, connected
and moveable with the pistons.
The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of
engines of the type referred to, in a manner to increase the efficiency of the same.
In the improved engine my correspondent employs preferably a series of
cylinders arranged tandem with interposed receivers, each in open communication
with the cylinders at one of their ends and separated from and by the heads of the
cylinders at their opposite ends, pistons in the cylinders and fixed valve-seats at
the closed ends of the respective cylinders, as distinguished from the moveable
valve seats in the piston-rod conducting chamber in prior engines as above
referred to.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the valve or valves move within a
central conducting chamber surrounded by a ring-like piston much as in prior
engines above referred to, but in the present invention the central conducting
chamber instead of being connected and movable with the piston, is independent
thereof, and preferably holds a fixed position relatively to the cylinder, thereby
enabling the valve or valves to be operated from the crank-shaft in usual manner;
and by the use of a fixed conducting chamber as above referred to, within which
the valves are operated, my correspondent is enabled to shorten the steam passages
and reduce the clearance, thereby increasing the efficiency of the engine.
By the use of a fixed or stationary conducting chamber with which the valves
co-operate, my correspondent is also enabled to more easily apply an automatic
cut-off necessary for close and economical regulation of the engine under varying
loads

page_text: The above with other features of the invention will be hereinafter described and
pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1, in side elevation, partial section, shows a double engine embodying the
invention, one vertical series of cylinders and valve chambers and valves therefor
being shown in section to enable the construction and operation of the engine to be
understood.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the topmost or high pressure cylinder, the
section being taken on the dotted line -.
Fig. 3 is a similar section through the low-pressure cylinder, the section being
taken on the dotted line a¹-x¹.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged detail of the valves for the high pressure cylinder.
Figs. 5 and 6, sectional details illustrating modified automatic cut-off mechanisms,
to be described.
Figs. 7 and 8, horizontal and vertical sections illustrating a modified form of the
invention, in which the admission of steam is controlled by horizontal sliding
valves, and the exhaust by a vertically moving piston-valve within the conducting
chamber.
Fig. 9, is a vertical sectional detail illustrating yet another modification of the
invention in which both the admission and exhaust are controlled by a horizontally
sliding piston valve; and Fig. 10 a vertical section showing a steam engine
embodying yet another modification of the invention.
I shall hereinafter describe the invention as embodied in a single-acting engine
such as illustrated in the drawings, but it should be understood that the invention
is not limited to the particular engine or construction herein shown, for the
invention is capable of embodiment in other forms and constructions without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the engine shown in
the drawings Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, A, is a suitable hollow base containing
bearings a for the usual crank-shaft a*, shown as provided with two cranks a', a',
standing 180° one from the other.
Upon the base A, are placed two cylinders a², a², each of which constitutes a
guide for a piston-like cross-head as having suitable bearings for the wrist pin a'
joined by a suitable connecting-rod a with and to actuate the crauk a'.
Upon the guide cylinders a², a², described are erected two series of cylinders B, B',
each series, in the present instance, comprising three cylinders b, c and d, of varying
or graduated diameters with the smallest cylinder b at the top, and constituting a
triple-expansion engine.
The cylinders in each series, as shown, are similar, hence a description of the
cylinders of the series B will be sufficient, and as the construction of the several
cylinders of the series B are identical except as to size or diameter, a detailed
description of one cylinder, as for instance, the high-pressure b with its valves
and actuating mechanism will be sufficient for all, it being understood that corre-
spondingly indexed letters applied to the several cylinders indicate corresponding
parts.
6.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the cylinder b is provided with a usual head b' at
its upper end, the said head as hefein shown having formed as an integral part
of it, a central tube or casing 62, the interior of which constitutes what is termed a
conducting chamber," the said tube extending downwardly within the cylinder b,
in the present instance, to the lower end of the latter, and also vertically above
the cylinder head into and forming a part of the inlet chamber *, surmounting
the cylinder b.
The ring-like piston 63 in the cylinder b, surrounds the conducting chamber, as
shown, and is connected, in the present instance by diametrically opposite piston-
rods, with the piston c in the next below or intermediate cylinder, said piston
rods passing through suitable stuffing-boxes in the head of the said intermediate
cylinder.
The conducting chamber 6 is provided, preferably close to the underside of the

page_text: cylinder head b¹, with a series of steam ports or passages 6³, connecting the said
chamber with the interior of the cylinder above the piston therein, and the said
valve chamber within the inlet chamber b* is also provided with a series of lateral
ports, which permit the steam or power fluid from the pipe to enter the
conducting chamber.
. The flow of the steam or power fluid to or from the cylinder b through the
passages b, is in Figs. 1 to 3, controlled by a cup-shaped valve 6 mounted upon a
tubular valve stem 6, said valve being provided with a series of lateral ports 610
adapted during the movements of the valve to uncover and close the said
passages
Upon the valve stem above the valve 68, and also above the lateral ports * in
the conducting chamber, is arranged a piston 61, which balances the valve 68.
The cylinder b, near its lower end, is provided with two sets of lateral ports or
passages 12, 13, the former opening into the conducting chamber below the
valve 8, and the latter opening into the receiver 64 formed by an enlargement of
the cylinder casting below the cylinder proper, the conducting chamber also
opening into this receiver.
The conducting chambers of the cylinders c and d open at their upper ends into
the receivers at the bottoms of the cylinders next above in the series, and the
tubular valve stem 6, herein shown in lengths or sections, is, in effect, common to
and carries the valves 68, c and d for the three cylinders of the series, the said
valve stem at its lower end in the receiver d of the low-pressure cylinder being
suitably connected to an arm e on the inner end of a shaft e journaled in a
suitable bearing-block standing inwardly from the wall of the low-pressure
cylinder d.
The shaft protrudes through a suitable stuffing-box to the outside of the
cylinder, and has applied to its outer end an arm e³ to which is jointed the
eccentric-rod et of an eccentric e on the crank shaft.
The operation of the engine is as follows, viz. :-Steam admitted to the inlet
chamber through the pipe & passes through the ports 66 to the upper ends of the
conducting chamber 2, thence to the interior of the cup-shaped valve 68 and
through the ports 610 therein and the passages 6, into the cylinder b above the
piston therein, forcing the piston downwardly to the end of its stroke.
The valve movements are so timed that the valve is raised at the desired
point in the stroke of the piston to cut off the steam and permit the final movement
of the piston to take place by reason of the expansion of the steam already admitted
to the cylinder.
68
Just before reaching the end of its down stroke, the piston passes and uncovers
the ports 12, 13, and permits a partial exhaust of the steam into the receiver 614,
the valve 68 in the meantime having been raised sufficiently to place the passages
in communication with the conducting chamber below the valve, to thereby permit
the remainder of the steam contained in the cylinder to be exhausted during the
return or up stroke of the piston through the said passages into the conducting
chamber below the valve 68, thence downwardly through said conducting chamber
into the receiver.
At the second down stroke of the piston as before, the steam previously discharged
into the receiver 14, is, by the movement of the valve c8 permitted to expand into
the cylinder c and act upon and force the piston therein to the limit of its down
stroke, exhausting as described into the receiver c14, from which, at the third down-
stroke of the pistons, it expands into the cylinder d to act upon the piston therein,
the steam exhausted into the receiver d¹ being conducted or exhausted to a suitable
condenser.
The steam admitted to one cylinder, after performing its work therein, is con-
ducted to the receiver connected with that cylinder, without further expansion, and
thereafter expands successively into the remaining cylinders of the series, the valves
and pistons of all the cylinders moving in unison.

page_text: In the present instance of the invention, the valve stem is made tubular (see
Fig. 4) to receive the cut off valve stem f which works within the said valve
stein, and within each of the main valves b, c and d is provided with laterally
extended arms, which protrude through slots in the valve stem and support
within the said valves the cut-off valves 2, one for each of the main valves
referred to, the cut-off valves having ports which are cut to normally register with
the ports or passages in the main valves, but which are moved in suitable manner
to vary the area of the valve openings for varying loads under which the engine
operates.
In the present instance the stems f carrying the cut-off valves for the two series
of cylinders B, B1, are joined by links f³ to bell-crank levers f pivoted in suitable
brackets on the engine and connected by links f with a bell-crank lever f in turn
connected by a rod f' with a suitable shaft governor F mounted upon the crank
shaft of the engine.
The stem for the cut-off valves is herein shown as passing through suitable
stuffing-boxes f* at each of the main valves, and while my correspondent prefers
to use a cut-off valve, yet the invention is not limited to the use of the same, and
while I have herein shown each cylinder of the series provided with its cut-off
valve, yet the use of the said cut-off valve may be restricted to the first two or any
number of cylinders of the series.
While I have shown the invention embodied in a triple expansion engine, it is
evident that the number of cylinders may be varied as desired, and while I have
herein shown a double engine with the cranks set 180° apart, an engine may be
used having three cylinders or series of cylinders and three cranks set each
120° apart, or any other number of cylinders or series of cylinders and cranks.
The engine is preferably operated by steam, yet it is evident any other actuating
or power fluid may be employed.
In Fig. 5, I have shown a cut-off valve h arranged upon the outside of the tube
forming the conducting chamber, it regulating the engine by varying the area of
the opening through which the steam enters the conducting chamber before passing
to the first cylinder of the series, and in Fig. 6 the cut-off valve m while regulating
the engine as in Fig. 5 by varying the opening of the ports through which the
steam enters the conducting chamber, is, nevertheless constructed differently, the
said cut-off valve being cup-shaped and inverted, it operating within the conducting
chamber instead of upon the exterior as in Fig. 5.
It is evident the cut-off mechanism may be otherwise arranged if desired.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the central conducting chamber is shown at 9, it
containing, however, an exhaust valve only, controlling its ports, the steam
adinission valves g2 of which there are, as herein shown, two for each cylinder-
being arranged at opposite sides the axis of the cylinders, and having a horizontal
sliding movement within suitable valve-casings formed upon and preferably
integral with the cylinder head, the valve stems exhausting laterally through
suitable stuffing-boxes to the outside of the cylinder, where they are actuated in
suitable manner.
In Fig. 9 the central conducting chamber has no direct communication with
the cylinder surrounding it between the piston therein and the cylinder head, but
communicates through a port with the interior of a valve-casing h² in which
moves the piston valve ³ controlling the steam port * opening directly from the
valve-chamber forming a part of the receiver into the cylinder, it being, in effect,
a simple D slide valve in piston form.
In Fig. 10, the conducting chamber is not central but is removed to one side
the cylinder and shown at m, m, the working of the engine being controlled by a
series of piston valves n arranged at the ends of the respective cylinders, and
having a horizontal sliding movement actuated in suitable manner from and by
suitable mechanism at the exterior of the cylinders.
In Fig. 10 the steam enters the cylinders from the receivers next above, through

page_text: the ports n', and is, after movement of the valves, exhausted through the said ports,.
and through the conducting chambers into the receivers arranged between the
cylinders, as in the construction shown in the previous figures.
All these constructions as shown embody a series of tandem cylinders with
interposed receivers in open communication with the cylinders at one of their ends.
and separated from the cylinders at their opposite ends by the cylinder heads,.
with fixed valve seats at the ends of the respective cylinders, and valves.
co-operating therewith.
The engine described is simple in its construction; it may be easily taken apart
in sections for repair, and it is particularly efficient because of the very small
clearance, all the ports and passages being short and direct.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A single acting engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-
A series of cylinders arranged tandem, and pistons therein; receivers interposed
between the several cylinders and in open communication with the cylinders at
one of their ends and separated from and by the heads of the cylinders at their
opposite ends; fixed valve seats for and at the closed ends of the respective
cylinders, ports leading therefrom to the respective cylinders, and to the receivers
in open communication therewith, and a valve co-operating with said valve seat,
substantially as described.
2. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder, an
interiorily arranged conducting chamber, a piston having a relative movement to.
said chamber, one or more passages connecting said conducting chamber and
cylinder, and a valve or valves and means to operate the same, substantially as
described.
3. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder, an
interiorily arranged conducting chamber, a surrounding ring-like piston having a
relative movement to said conducting chamber, one or more passages connecting
said conducting chamber and cylinder, and a valve or valves working within said
conducting chamber and controlling said passages, substantially as described.
4. A single acting engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A
series of cylinders arranged tandem, interposed receivers, each in open communica-
tion with the cylinder at one end and separated from and by the head of the
cylinder at its opposite end; passages in the said cylinders, fixed valve seats for
and at the closed ends of the respective cylinders, ports leading therefrom to the
respective cylinders and to the receivers in open communication therewith, valves
co-operating with said valve seats, a crank-shaft, its crank connected with a piston
and operated by steam or power fluid through said passages, and means on the
crank shaft connected with and to operate said valve or valves, substantially as
described.
5. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder; an
interiorily arranged conducting chamber in fixed relative position thereto; a
surrounding ring-like piston; one or more passages connecting said conducting
chamber and cylinder; a valve or valves in said chamber; a crank shaft, its crank
connected with said piston, and means on the crank shaft connected with and to.
operate said valve or valves, substantially as described.
6. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder; an
interiorily arranged conducting chamber in fixed relative position thereto; a
surrounding ring-like piston; passages connecting said valve chamber and cylinder;
the main and cut-off valves controlling the flow of steam to and from said cylinder,
substantially as described.
7. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A series of
cylinders arranged axially in line; conducting chambers concentrically arranged in
the respective cylinders; passages connecting said conducting chambers and

page_text: cylinders; valves; a common actuator for the same and pistons in the said cylinders
surrounding and having a relative movement to said conducting chambers, sub-
stantially as described.
8. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :—A cylinder closed
at one end; a conducting chamber concentrically arranged within the same; a
receiver at the open end of and in open communication with the said cylinder and
conducting chambers; steam passages adjacent the closed end of the steam
cylinder; a valve or valves controlling said passages; a piston surrounding said
conducting chamber and having a relative movement thereto, substantially as
described.
9. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder; its
head; a conducting chamber depending from said head; and connecting passages
leading to said cylinder; a valve or valves in said conducting chamber and
controlling said passages; and a piston in said cylinder surrounding said chamber,
substantially as described.
10. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :-A cylinder; a
conducting chamber extended both above and below the cylinder head; steam
passages leading from said chamber to said cylinder; steam inlet ports leading to
said conducting chamber above said cylinder head; a main valve in said chamber
controlling the passage of steam through said passages and a balancing valve
arranged at the opposite side said ports and movable by and with said main valve;
and a piston surrounding said conducting chamber and having a relative movement
thereto, substantially as described.
11. An engine containing the following instrumentalities, viz. :- -A series of
cylinders arranged axially in line; concentrically arranged conducting chambers in
the respective cylinders; connected valves working in said conducting chambers;
pistons in the respective cylinders surrounding said conducting chambers, and a
plurality of piston-rods, connecting one piston with another whereby all move in
unison, substantially as described.
M
1 1922
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.