Improvements in and relating to Governors for Engines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 28th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 31st May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Governors for Engines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY KNOWLES of 108, Springfield Road, Burnley in the County
of Lancaster, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to high speed centrifugal governors applicable for motive
power engines, and is designed to dispense with the revolving pendulous arms and the
balls at their extremities.
In substitution of such pendulous arms, I employ a semi-circular track, the ends of
which project upwards. This track is provided with a sleeve projecting downwards,
and is driven by a pair of bevel wheels and countershaft at the lower extremity of the
sleeve; and through the centre of the track and sleeve is a vertical spindle, to which
is fixed longitudinally over the track and sleeve is a vertical spindle, to which is
fixed longitudinally over the track a horizontal bracket. A roll or bowl is inserted
on each side of the vertical spindle between the bracket and the semicircular track.
The centrifugal force imparted to the rolls or bowls by the revolving action of the
track compells the rolls or bowls to ascend the inclination of the semicircular track, so
as to raise the longitudinal bracket and the vertical spindle communicating with the
valve spindle. The vertical spindle may be weighted down by an adjustable spring or
weight to resist or partially resist the centrifugal action of the rolls or bowls to govern
the speed of the engine as may be required.
Dated this 26th day of July 1889.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Governors for Engines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY KNOWLES of 108, Springfield Road, Burnley, in the County
of Lancaster, Mechanic, 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 to high speed centrifugal governors, applicable for motive
power engines, and is designed to dispense with the revolving pendulous arms and the
balls at their extremities.
In substitution of such pendulous arms I employ a semi-circular track, the ends of
which project upwards. This track is provided with a sleeve projecting downwards,
and is driven by a pair of bevel-wheels and countershaft at the lower extremity of the
sleeve; and through the centre of the track and sleeve is a vertical spindle, to which
is fixed longitudinally over the track a horizontal bracket. A roll or ball is inserted
on each side of the vertical spindle between the bracket and the semi-circular track.
The centrifugal force imparted to the rolls or balls by the revolving action of the
tracks compels the rolls or balls to ascend the inclination of the semi-circular or
inclined tracks, so as to raise the horizontal bracket and the vertical spindle com-
municating with the valve. The vertical spindle may be weighted by an adjustable
spring or weight to resist or partially resist the centrifugal action of the rolls or balls
to govern the speed of the engine. And in order that my invention may be properly
understood and readily carried into practical effect I have hereunto attached the
accompanying sheet of drawings marked with figures and letters of reference; the same
letters referring to the same parts in the various figures.
Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section of a centrifugal governor constructed in
accordance with my invention.

page_text: Fig. 2 is an elevation in section transverse to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents parts of mechanism for joining the upper spindle with the lower
or valve spindle.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of a throttle or steam valve.
A A represents semi-circular or inclined tracks, from which projects downwards,
through the framing B, sleeve C, having at its lower extremity bevel wheel D, in
gear with a similar wheel E on the counter shaft F which is caused to revolve and
actuate the governor or driving pulley G.
The semicircular or inclined tracks or provided with rolls or balls H, which are
inserted between the bracket J and the tracks A. I, however, prefer balls instead of
rolls, as the guideway or tracks not only tend to warp the rolls, thus affecting the
freedom of their movement and entailing additional friction, but also intercept or
prevent the delicate and instant response to any acceleration or retardation of speed.
The rolls or balls, under the increment or decrement of speed, are compelled to
ascend the inclination of the tracks in accordance with the centrifugal force, which may
be imparted to them and so raise or lower as the case may be the horizontal bracket J,
attached to vertical spindle I, projecting through the sleeve (and communicating with
the valve spindle K. For the purpose of connecting the two spindles 1 and K
together, fix to the lower spindle K, bracket L, to which is attached fork arm M,
which projects into an annular space or recess in the boss N, secured to the upper
spindle I. Both spindles are thus connected and will rise and fall together; and to
prevent the valve spindle K from turning round in the stuffing gland during the
revolving motion of the vertical spindle I the fork arm is made to slide upon
the vertical stud O fixed to the framing B.
I will now describe the combination of my improved governor with the throttle
valve arrangement seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The spindle K projects through the stuffing
gland P and is provided with piston having vertical holes R. extending through it,
as seen in horizontal section, Fig. 4. When the governor is unaffected with the speed,
the valve is open, whilst the steam, entering the valve at S will rise through the
vertical openings R when it then takes a transverse direction over the upper surface of
the piston to the outlets S¹, into side-passages T and T¹, and out by the exit-pipe U
leading to the slide-valve of the engine. When, however, the governor is in action,
the piston will rise and close or partially close the outlets SI in response to the
increment of speed imparted to the governor.
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 :-
f
.
.
1. The employment of rolls or balls moving in tracks and operating substantially in
the manner described.
2. The combination of parts of a throttle-valve, acting in conjunction with the ball
and track arrangement of a governor, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of April 1890.
THOS. RICHMOND;
Agent.