Improved Means and Apparatus for Controlling the Action of Steam Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 1st Oct.,
1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means and Apparatus for Controlling the Action of Steam
Engines.
I, GEORGE WARSOP of 13 Claydon Street, Queen's Walk, Nottingham, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to cut off the supply of steam from a steam engine
in case of accident such as the bursting of a steam pipe or the forcing off of a
cylinder cover; also to check the supply of steam when the speed of the engine
becomes excessive in consequence of load being removed; also to maintain
uniformity of speed notwithstanding variations in the boiler pressure.
I employ for these purposes a cylindrical valve working in a casing of corre-
sponding form. The cylindrical valve is closed at the end but has side ports for
the entrance of the steam. A rod is attached to the valve and a spring normally
holds the valve in such a position that steam sufficient for the supply of the engine
passes; the spring with the aid of the steam pressure on the further side of the
valve then balancing the steam pressure upon the closed end of the valve. An
accident such as the bursting of a steam pipe would relieve the pressure beyond
the valve and the steam pressure on the closed end of the valve would then cause
the valve to move forward into the cylindrical casing until the ports became
covered and the passage closed against the flow of the steam. In like manner a
partial closing of the valve ports would take place whenever by the too rapid
working of the engine or otherwise the pressure on the further side of the valve
was reduced. Similarly an increase in the boiler pressure will cause a partial
closing of the valve ports. The valve is not fitted steam tight into the casing and
a small passage may be provided through the valve so that when the engine is at
rest the valve stands open notwithstanding condensation of steam taking place in
the pipes. It is so arranged that the valve does not commence to close until the
engine has attained a certain speed. In place of providing ports in the cylindrical
valve the same result may be attained by forming ports and passages in the
valve casc.
Deted this 2nd dox of December 1891
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means and Apparatus for Controlling the Action of Steam
Engines.
I, GEORGE WARSOP of 13 Clayton Street, Queen's Walk, Nottingham 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 :-
The object of this invention is to cut off the supply of steam from a steam engine
in case of accident such as the bursting of a steam pipe or the forcing off of a
cylinder cover, also to check the supply of steam when the speed of the engine
becomes excessive in consequence of load being removed; also to maintain
uniformity of speed notwithstanding variations in the boiler pressure.
I employ for these purposes a cylindrical valve working in a casing of corre-
sponding form. The cylindrical valve is closed at the end, but has side ports for
the entrance of the steam.

page_text: A rod is attached to the valve and a spring normally holds the valve in such a
position that steam sufficient for the supply of the engine passes; the spring with
the aid of the steam pressure on the further side of the valve then balancing the
steam pressure upon the closed end of the valve. An accident such as the bursting
of a steam pipe would relieve the pressure beyond the valve, and the steam on the
closed end of the valve would then cause the valve to move forward into the
cylindrical casing until the ports become covered, and the passage closed against
the flow of steam. In like manner a partial closing of the valve ports would take
place whenever, by the too rapid working of the engine or otherwise, the pressure
on the further side of the valve was reduced. Similarly an increase in the boiler
pressure will cause a partial closing of the valve ports. The valve is not fitted
steam tight into the casing and a small passage may be provided through the valve
so that when the engine is at rest the valve stands open notwithstanding
condensation of steam taking place in the pipes.
It is so arranged that the valve does not commence to close until the engine has
attained a certain speed.
In place of providing ports in the cylindrical valve, the same results may be
attained by forming ports and passages in the valve casing.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
out and into effect, I will proceed more fully to describe the same; and for that
purpose shall refer to the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved controlling apparatus.
Figure 2 is an outside clevation of the same apparatus.
Figure 3 is a half sectional plan of the apparatus on line 1-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a half plan of the outside of the apparatus.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of my improved controlling apparatus, combined
with an adjustable spring balance.
Figure 6 is a plan of the apparatus as shewn in Figure 5.
In all these views A is the cylindrical valve working loosely in a casing C of
corresponding form. The valve A is closed at its upper end, and has two or more
side ports B. B formed in it for the entrance of steam. A rod D is attached to
the valve A, and the spring E bearing against the bracket L normally holds the
valve A in such a position that steam sufficient for the engine passes through
the ports B B, and down the interior of the cylindrical valve A, as indicated by the
arrows. The bracket L is bolted to the cover M of the upper part of casing C¹,
in which is formed a branch F for the admission of steam to the apparatus. K is
a gland formed in the cover M, so that the rod D may slide steam tight and freely
through the cover M. H. H are two nuts locking one against the other for
adjusting the tension on the spring E against the bracket L, so as to regulate the
apparatus for any desired speed of the engine to which it may be attached.
In the form of apparatus shown in Figures 5 and 6, I have a double-ended
lever N fulcrummed from the casing C by the bracket P; with one end bearing
with a knife edge R against a suitable socket S attached to the upper end of the
rod D; and the other end of the lever fitted with an adjustable spring balance T,
attached to the casing C in the manner shown on the drawing, or by other suitable
means. The tension of the rod D is in this case adjusted by the screw nut on the
spring balance T, the pointer & scale on which more readily indicating the tension
put upon the rod D.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Should a steam pipe or cylinder cover
burst beyond the valve A, or the engine turn too rapid so as to cause a more rapid
flow of steam & consequent reduction of steam pressure beyond the valve A.; then
the pressure of steam on the top of the closed end of the valve A would
momentarily overcome the tension of the spring E, and would cause the valve A to
move forward in the casing C, thus partially closing the ports B. B against the
flow of steam which is thus automatically controlled thereby.
Similarly, an increase of the boiler pressure above the valve A will also cause a

page_text: partial closing of the valve ports B. B. The tension put upon the rod D by
spring E or spring balance I is such that the valve A does not begin to close until
the engine has exceeded its normal speed. In some cases I may use a weight in
place of the spring E & spring balance 1.
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 :-
1. In apparatus for controlling the action of steam engines, the cylindrical
valve A having ports B. B in same, rod D and tension spring E or a weight in
combination with the cylindrical casing C, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth and shewn upon the drawings by Figures 1-2-3 and 4.
2. In apparatus for controlling the flow of steam to engines, the cylindrical
casing C, cut off valve A working in it, in combination with the rod D and tension
spring E or a weight, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and
shewn upon the drawings by Figures 1-2-3 & 4.
3. In controlling apparatus for steam engines, the spring balance T or a weight
lever N, rod D and valve A in combination with the cylindrical casing A,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and shewn upon the drawings
by Figures 5 and 6.
4. The steam controlling apparatus substantially as described herein and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings, Figures 1-2-3-4-5 and 6.
Dated this 26th day of August 1892.
H. WALKER HILL,
47, Hampden Street, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.