An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Governing the Speed of Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Governing
the Speed of Engines.
1, OWEN JONES, of 17, Keppel Street, Russell Square, in the County of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for regulating or
governing the speed of engines.
In the Specification of a former application for Letters Patent dated
6th December 1890, No. 19,961, I have described a method of and apparatus for
regulating or governing the speed of an engine or preventing undue acceleration
or "racing" thereof by confining the steam or other fluid within the cylinder and
putting the two ends of the cylinder in communication with each other through a
suitable pipe or passage, so that the said fluid will be forced from end to end of
the cylinder through the said pipe or passage alternately in either direction. A
resistance to the movement of the engine is thus set up within the engine itself.
In the said former Specification, I have also described suitable means for
varying such resistance in accordance with variations in the speed of the engine.
According to one part of my present invention, I provide improved apparatus for
carrying into effect the method described in the said former Specification.
According to another part of my present invention, I modify the said method as
follows, that is to say, instead of cutting off communication between the cylinder
and both the fluid supply and the exhaust, and at the same time opening communi-
cation between the two ends of the cylinder, I accomplish the desired result by
cutting off communication between the cylinder and the exhaust, and at the same
time putting both ends of the cylinder in communication with the valve-casing, so
that equilibrium of pressure will be established, the fluid acting equally on both
sides of the piston.
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved apparatus for carrying into
effect the method above mentioned wherein the two ends of the cylinder are put in
communication with the valve-casing.
In carrying my said invention into practice, I, in some instances, make the
distributing-valves of the engine somewhat in the form of piston-valves; in other
instances, I employ oscillating distributing-valves; I can, however, employ other
suitable forms of distributing-valves.
For the purpose of cutting off communication between the cylinder and the fluid
supply and exhaust, and simultaneously putting the two ends of the cylinder in
communication with each other, I sometimes provide a kind of piston-valve adapted
for controlling the distribution of the fluid, and arranged to be turned about its
axis through a suitable angle, either directly or indirectly by a governor; this
valve is so constructed that, when thus turned, it will, at all times during its travel,
keep the cylinder closed to the fluid supply and exhaust, whilst maintaining com-
munication between the two ends of the cylinder through a passage in the said
piston-valve. Equilibrium of pressure in both ends of the cylinder will thus be
established, or more or less resistance set up to the flow of the fluid from end to
end of the cylinder, according to the transverse sectional area of the most
contracted part of the said passage through the valve.
To permit the turning of the said valve about its axis, I sometimes provide it
with a hollow or tubular stem and fit it upon the valve-rod in such a manner that,
whilst it is free to be rotated thereon, it must participate in the to-and-fro
movement thereof. The turning of the valve about its axis may be effected by any

page_text: suitable means. In some cases, I fix upon the tubular stem of the said valve a
toothed segment, and I provide a toothed rack, which is geared with the said
segment, and which is connected with the piston of a steam-cylinder controlled by
a governor, or with other suitable means for imparting the required movement to
the said rack. I find it advantageous to provide the rack with projections, one or
the other of which will, when the valve has been turned in one or the other
direction through the required angle, come into contact with a flat surface on the
toothed segment and thus arrest the movement of the rack. The teeth of this rack
or of the segment should be of such width as to permit the required travel of the
valve without liability to disengagement of the toothed segment from the said rack.
In other instances, I use an oscillating distributing-valve arranged within a
governing-valve, which is provided with suitable means for turning it about its axis
through a predetermined angle, and which is so constructed that, when thus turned,
it will cut off communication between the cylinder and the fluid supply and exhaust,
and will simultaneously put the two ends of the cylinder in communication with
each other. This governing valve is provided with ports corresponding to the
admission and exhaust ports of the cylinder, and with another port or passage
which, when the valve is turned as above mentioned, establishes the communication
between the admission-ports of the cylinder. In this modification of my invention,
the distributing-valve is sometimes made solid, and the fluid is admitted to the
interior of the governing-valve; in other cases, the distributing-valve is made
hollow or tubular, and the fluid is admitted into the same at one end thereof.
In this case, the said valve may be slit longitudinally at one side thereof, so that
the fluid pressure will tend to expand the said valve and thus maintain a fluid-
tight joint between the same and the interior of the governing-valve.
It is evident that I can, in a somewhat similar manner, apply my invention to
"Corliss" and like valves.
For varying the resistance to the flow of fluid from end to end of the cylinder
according to variations in the speed of the engine, I sometimes provide a suitable
valve in one or the other of the admission-ports of the cylinder, which valve is
controlled by a governor. I can, if desired, use for this purpose a plug or valve
such as I have described in the said former Specification.
When communication between the cylinder and the exhaust is to be cut off
and the two ends of the cylinder simultaneously put in communication with the
valve-casing, I find it advantageous to employ a kind of piston-valve arranged
to be turned about its axis as above mentioned, and so constructed that, when
thus turned, it will, at all times during its to-and-fro movement, keep the exhaust-
port covered and the admission-ports uncovered.
I sometimes provide additional ports and so construct the said piston-valve
that, when turned as above explained, it will, at all times during its travel, cover
the exhaust-port, whilst leaving communication between the two ends of the
cylinder and the valve-casing open through either the ordinary admission-ports
or the said additional ports.
In some cases in which 1 employ an ordinary slide-valve or an ordinary piston-
valve, provide additional ports whereby the two ends of the cylinder may be
simultaneously put in communication with the valve-casing, and I provide suitable
means for simultaneously closing the admission-ports and opening the said additional
ports, or vice versa. For this purpose, I find it advantageous to arrange at the
junction of the additional ports with the ordinary admission-ports, suitable valves
somewhat similar to those described in my said former Specification. By these
means, the communication between the cylinder and the exhaust can be cut off
and the two ends of the cylinder simultaneously put in communication with the
valve-casing. Equilibrium of pressure will thus be established between both ends
of the cylinder.
Instead of employing a piston-valve arranged to be turned about its axis for
the purpose above specified, I sometimes use an ordinary piston-valve working in
casings provided with the usual openings communicating with and forming the

page_text: apertures of the admission-ports, and I so arrange these casings that they can
be moved longitudinally so as to cut off the communication between the cylinder
and the exhaust and simultaneously put both ends of the cylinder in communi-
cation with the valve-casing. And I provide suitable means, controlled either
directly or indirectly by a governor, for effecting the required longitudinal
movement of the said casings. I find it advantageous, in this case, to provide
the cylinder with additional ports, and to so construct and arrange the said
casings that, under normal conditions, they cover the said additional ports, but,
when moved as aforesaid, they will uncover these additional ports and simul-
taneously close the ordinary admission-ports.
Or I so construct and arrange the parts that the longitudinal movement of
the said casings will close the communication between the cylinder and the fluid
supply and exhaust, and simultaneously put the two ends of the cylinder in
communication with each other through a suitable pipe or passage.
I sometimes connect the two movable casings with each other and with a rod
extending through a stuffing-box in the valve-casing and coupled to a lever
controlled directly or indirectly by a governor.
Deted this 19th day of December 1891.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Governing
the Speed of Engines.
I, OWEN JONES, of 17 Keppel Street, Russell Square, in the County of London,
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:-
My invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for regulating or
governing the speed of engines.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 6th December, 1890,
No. 19,961, I have described a method of and apparatus for regulating or governing
the speed of an engine or preventing undue acceleration or "racing" thereof, by
confining the steam or other fluid within the cylinder and putting the two ends of
the cylinder in communication with each other through a suitable pipe or passage,
so that the said fluid will be forced from end to end of the cylinder through the
said pipe or passage alternately in either direction. A resistance to the movement
of the engine is thus set up within the engine itself. In the said former Specification,
I have also described suitable means for varying such resistance in accordance with
variations in the speed of the engine.
According to one part of my present invention, I provide improved apparatus for
carrying into effect the method described in my said former Specification.
According to another part of my present invention, I modify the said method as
follows, that is to say, instead of cutting off communication between the cylinder
and both the fluid supply and the exhaust and at the same time opening com-
munication between the two ends of the cylinder, I accomplish the desired result
by cutting off communication between the cylinder and the exhaust and at the
same time putting both ends of the cylinder in communication with the valve-
casing; and my said invention also comprises improved apparatus for effecting this
result.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 2 a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line x, x, Figure 1,

page_text: is used.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical central sections showing other arrangements wherein
piston-valves are employed.
Figure 5 is a vertical central section illustrating another form or modification of
my regulating or governing apparatus.
Figures 6 and 7 are vertical longitudinal central sections illustrating further
modifications of my regulating or governing apparatus, and
Figures 8 and 9 are vertical central sections illustrating still further modifications
thereof.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
a is the cylinder; b, are the admission-ports; c is the distributing valve.
For the purpose of cutting off communication between the cylinder and both the
fluid supply and exhaust, and simultaneously putting the two ends of the cylinder
in communication with each other, I sometimes provide a kind of piston-valve
adapted for controlling the distribution of the fluid, and arranged to be turned
about its axis through a suitable angle, either directly or indirectly by a governor,
or by hand, for the purpose of preventing "racing;" the said valve being so con-
structed that, when thus turned, it will, at all times during its travel, keep the
cylinder closed to the fluid supply and exhaust, whilst maintaining communication
between the two ends of the cylinder through a passage formed in the said piston-
valve. Equilibrium of pressure will thus be established in both ends of the
cylinder, or more or less resistance set up to the flow of the fluid from end to end
of the cylinder, according to the transverse sectional area of the most contracted
part of the said passage through the valve.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the distributing valve c is a piston-
valve, which is provided with means for turning it about its axis through an angle
of one hundred and eighty degrees, or thereabouts, for the purpose of governing the
speed or preventing "racing" of the engine. The ports, in this case, must only
extend partially around the valve-chest or casing. It will be seen that the valve c
shown in Figure 1 is so constructed that, when it works in the position shown, it
will operate in the usual manner to distribute the fluid; when, however, the said
valve is turned about its axis, as above described, the part c³ of the said valve will
keep the exhaust-port of the cylinder covered or closed at all times during the
travel of the valve, whilst the admission-ports b, b' will, at all times during such
travel, be in communication with each other through a port or passage c' in the
said valve. There will then be either equilibrium of pressure in both ends of the
cylinder, or more or less resistance to the flow of the steam from end to end of
the cylinder, according to the transverse sectional area of the most contracted part
of the passage (*. To permit the turning of the valve e about its axis, the said
valve is made with a hollow or tubular stem c³, and is fitted upon the valve-rod c
in such a manner that, whilst it is free to be turned about the said rod, it must
participate in the to-and-fro movement thereof. The turning of the valve c about
its axis may be effected by any suitable means. In the arrangement shown in
Figures 1 and 2, the tubular stem of the said valve has fixed upon it a toothed
segment w, which is geared with a rack y connected with the piston of a steam-
cylinder the supply of steam to which is controlled by a governor, or with other
suitable means for imparting end-wise movement to the said rack for the purpose of
turning the segment w and valve c as required. The rack y may, with advantage,
be provided with projections y', y², so that, when the said rack has been moved
through the requisite distance in either direction to effect the turning of the valve
as required, one or other of these projections will come into contact with the flat
surface of the toothed segment w, and the motion of the said rack will thus be
arrested. The rack y is made of sufficient width to permit the required travel of
the valve e without the toothed segment being at any time moved out of gear, with
the said rack.
In Figure 3, I have shown an arrangement wherein the desired result, viz. the

page_text: prevention of “racing," is accomplished by cutting off communication between the
cylinder and the exhaust and simultaneously putting the two ends of the cylinder
in communication with the valve-casing. I find it advantageous to employ, for this
purpose, a kind of piston-valve c arranged to be turned about its axis as above
described with reference to the valve shown in Figure 1, and so constructed that,
when in the position shown, it will operate in the usual manner, but, when turned
as above described, it will, at all times during its to-and-fro movement, keep the
exhaust-port covered and the admission-ports uncovered, that is to say, the part c³
of the said valve will keep the exhaust-port covered, whilst leaving the ports b, b
uncovered at all times during the travel of the said valve. The said ports b, b' are
thus both put in communication with the valve-casing, and equilibrium of pressure
in both ends of the cylinder is established. Or, desired, the part of the valve
may be made of such length that, at each end of the stroke or travel of the valve,
the said part c³ will more or less overlap the corresponding admission-port, and
thus set up a proportionately increased resistance to the movement of the engine by
contracting the passage for the flow of the fluid from the cylinder to the valve
chamber or casing.
I sometimes provide, in addition to the ordinary admission-ports b, b', other
ports,, Figure 4, and I so construct the piston-valve c, that, when it is working
in the position indicated in Figure 4, it will at all times keep the additional
ports, covered, and will operate in the usual manner in connection with the
ordinary admission-ports b, b; but, when the said valve is turned as above
described, the part thereof will, at all times, during the travel of the valve, cover
the exhaust-port, whilst leaving the two ends of the cylinder in communication with
the valve-casing through either the ordinary admission-ports or the said additional
ports or both as the case may be.
In the modification of my invention illustrated in Figure 5, the cylinder a is
provided with additional ports ", ', for the purpose above specified. In this
arrangement, I use an ordinary slide-valve e for the distribution of the fluid, or I
can, if desired, use a piston-valve for this purpose; and I employ rotary valves e, et
for governing the speed of the engine. The additional ports v. are, under
ordinary conditions, closed by the valves e, e¹ which are situated at the junction of
the said additional ports with the admission-ports b, b, the said ports b,
unobstructed by the said valves e, e'. The valves e, e', when turned to close the
ports, b, will simultaneously open communication between the ends of the cylinder
and the valve-casing through the said ports v, r. The two ends of the cylinder
can thus be put in communication with the valve-casing when the ports b, bare
closed, thus establishing equilibrium of pressure in both ends of the cylinder.
being
For varying the resistance to the flow of fluid from end to end of the cylinder, or
for varying the resistance to the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the valve-casing
when the exhaust-port is closed as above described, according to variations in the
speed of the engine, I sometimes provide a suitable valve in one or other or both of
the admission-ports of the cylinder, such valve or valves being controlled by a
governor of any suitable description. I can, if desired, use for this purpose a valve
such as I use in the connecting passage between the admission-ports in the apparatus
described in my said former Specification.
In another form or modification of my regulating or governing apparatus, I use
an oscillating distributing-valve arranged within a governing valve, which governing
valve is provided with suitable means for turning it about its axis through a pre-
determined angle, and which is so constructed that, when thus turned, it will cut
off communication between the cylinder and the fluid supply and exhaust, and will
simultaneously put the two ends of the cylinder in communication with each other,
for the purpose of governing the speed of the engine. This governing valve is
provided with ports corresponding to the admission and exhaust ports of the
cylinder, and with another port or passage, which, when the valve is turned as
above described, establishes communication between the admission-ports of the
cylinder. In this modification of my invention, the distributing-valve is sometimes

page_text: made of D-shape in transverse section, the fluid being admitted to the interior of
the governing-valve; in other cases, the distributing-valve is made hollow or
tubular, and the fluid is admitted to the interior of the said distributing valve at
one end of the same. In this case, the distributing valve may be slit longitudinally
at one side thereof, so that the fluid pressure will tend to expand the said valve
and will thus ensure tightness of the joint between the same and the interior of the
governing-valve.
In Figures 6 and 7, I have shown two arrangements in which the distributing-
valve c is an oscillating valve arranged within a tubular valve which is provided
with suitable means, controlled by a governor, whereby it can be turned about its
axis to prevent "racing" of the engine.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, the distributing valve a is solid and the
steam or other fluid is admitted to the interior of the governing valve z through a
port, and this valve is also provided with ports 2, 3, 1, which, when the said
valve is in the position shown, correspond with the admission and exhaust ports
of the cylinder. Another port or passage is, moreover, formed in the valve for
the purpose of putting the ports, in communication with each other when the
said valve is turned through an angle of about one hundred and twenty degrees.
It will be seen that this valve z, when thus turned, covers the steam-inlet, and
also the cylinder exhaust-port. Communication between the cylinder and the
steam supply and exhaust is thus cut off, and the two ends of the cylinder are, at
the same time, put in communication with each other through the port ³.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 7, the valve c is tubular, and the steam is
admitted at one end to the interior thereof. The valve c is split longitudinally
at c, so that the steam pressure in the said valve will tend to expand it and thus
maintain fluid-tight the joint between this valve and the interior of the valve z.
The valve,
in this arrangement, operates substantially as above described with
reference to Figure 6.
It is evident that I can, in a somewhat similar manner, apply my invention to
"Corliss" and like valves.
Instead of employing a piston-valve arranged to be turned about its axis for the
purpose above specified, I sometimes use an ordinary piston-valve working in liners
or casings provided with the usual openings communicating with and forming the
apertures of the admission-ports, and I so arrange these casings that they can be
moved longitudinally or turned about their axes, so as to cut off the communication
between the cylinder and the exhaust and simultaneously put both ends of the
cylinder in communication with the valve-casing. And I provide suitable means,
controlled either directly or indirectly by a governor, or by hand, for effecting the
required longitudinal movement of the said casings or for turning them about their
axes. I find it advantageous, in this case, to provide the cylinder with additional
ports, and to so construct and arrange the said casings that, under normal
conditions, they cover the said additional ports, but, when moved as aforesaid, they
will uncover these additional ports and simultaneously close the ordinary admission-
ports.
In the form or modification of my apparatus shown in Figure 8, the piston-
valve c works in a liner or casing d having apertures d³, d² corresponding to the
ports b, b, when the liner d is in the position shown, and apertures d³, d, which,
when the liner d is moved longitudinally through a predetermined distance in the
direction indicated by the arrow, will correspond with the additional ports, v.
It will be seen, moreover, that when the ports b, b¹ are uncovered by the liner d,
the ports, are covered thereby, and vice versa.
In the form or modification of my apparatus shown in Figure 9, the liner or
casing d is so constructed and arranged that it can be turned about its axis through
a predetermined angle, and when so turned will close the ordinary admission-
ports b, and the exhaust-port, and at the same time put both ends of the cylinder
în communication with the valve-chest or valve-casing through the additional
ports v, v¹ by means of the apertures d³, d₁.

page_text: One liner or casing d only is shown in the drawings, but, in some instances, I use
two movable liners or casings connected with each other and with a rod extending
through a stuffing-box in the valve-chest or casing and coupled to a lever or other
suitable device for moving the said liners longitudinally or about their axes as, and
for the purpose, above set forth.
I sometimes so construct and arrange the said liners or casings that a longitudinal
or rotary movement of the said casings will close the communication between the
cylinder and the fluid supply and exhaust, and simultaneously put the two ends
of the cylinder in communication with each other through a suitable pipe or
passage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The combination, with an engine-cylinder, of a distributing valve arranged
to be turned about its axis, and so constructed that, under normal conditions, it will
distribute the fluid in the usual manner, but, when turned through a predetermined
angle, it will, at all times during its stroke or travel, keep the exhaust-port of the.
cylinder closed whilst leaving the ends of the cylinder in communication with each
other, or with the valve-casing, for the purposes above specified.
Second. An engine provided with suitable means for preventing undue acceleration
or "racing" thereof, by closing or cutting off communication between the cylinder
and the exhaust-port and simultaneously putting the two ends of the cylinder in
communication with the valve-casing.
Third. In a regulating or governing apparatus such as I have hereinabove
described, the employment of additional cylinder-ports, and distributing or other
valves arranged to close the ordinary admission-ports and simultaneously open the
said additional ports and vice versa, substantially as hereinbefore described, and for
the purposes specified.
Fourth. The use of a valve in one or both of the admission-ports of the cylinder,
for varying the resistance to the flow of the fluid according to variations in the
speed of the engine, substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Fifth. A regulating or governing apparatus such as I have hereinabove described,
wherein the distributing valve is so constructed that, when moved or adjusted to
close the exhaust-port of the cylinder and simultaneously put the two ends of the
cylinder in communication with the valve-casing, the said distributing valve will
partially close the admission-ports alternately and thus set up an increased resistance
to the movement of the engine, substantially as herein before described.
Sixth. A regulating or governing apparatus such as I have hereinabove described,
wherein an oscillating distributing valve is employed, which works within a governing
valve arranged to be turned about its axis, substantially as hereinbefore described,
and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. A regulating or governing apparatus such as I have hereinabove
described, wherein the regulation is effected by the adjustment or movement of the
liner or casing of a piston-valve, substantially as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Eighth. The improved apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as
described with reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the
accompanying drawings, and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated this 16th day of September 1892.
OWEN JONES.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
OWEN JONES.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.