IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATORY ENGINES, TO BE WORKED BY STEAM AND OTHER FLUIDS, SUCH ENGINES BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR PUMPING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SWAIN WORTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present Majesty Queen Victoria did, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date the Tenth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-nine, give and grant unto me, the said John Swain Worth, my
exors, adiñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence that I, the said John Swain
Worth, my exors, adiñiors, and assigns, should and lawfully might, during the
term of fourteen years therein mentioned, make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England and Wales and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in consequence
of a communication made to me by a certain foreigner residing abroad, the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATORY ENGINES, TO BE WORKED BY STEAM
AND OTHER FLUIDS, SUCH ENGINES BEING ALSO APPLICABLE FOR PUMPING WATER AND
OTHER LIQUIDS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that if
I, the said John Swain Worth, should not particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and cause the
same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery, within six
calendar months then next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent now in recital, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and

page_text: advantages thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become void,
as in and by the same, reference being, thereunto had, may more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Swain Worth, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the following
explanation thereof (that is to say):-
These improvements in rotatory engines, to be worked by steam and other
fluids, such engines being also applicable for pumping water and other fluids,
consist in a novel and peculiar construction or arrangement of apparatus for
the purpose of being employed either as a steam engine, pumping engine, or
any other machine wherein the rotatory motion of the working parts or valves
of such apparatus is produced by steam, water, air, or any other fluid. The
principal feature of novelty in these improvements is the peculiar formation,
construction, and arrangement of the valves, with their box or channel, and
their manner of working; but the whole of these improvements will be more
readily explained and perfectly understood by reference to the Drawing
attached to these presents, in which I have represented my improved rotatory
engine in various views, complete and in detail, having marked the same with
Figures of reference, similar Figures being placed upon corresponding parts
of the mechanism in all the Figures. I would here remark, that I have
represented in the Drawing my improved rotatory engine as applied to the
purposes of pumping or raising water from three different situations or levels,
which is merely done for the sake of practical illustration, as it will be
evident to every practical mechanic that its supporters or fixings, &c., must be
varied according to circumstances, and be made suitable to the particular pur-
pose for which such rotatory engine may be employed. It may be made of
metal or any other material, as most suitable for the purposes for which
such particular machine is to be employed, and will be constructed in
the following manner (due reference being had to the Drawings and Figures
thereon, which Drawings were made from a model of seven inches dia-
meter across the circumference of the wheel, and are intended to be two
thirds of that size): The box or outside part of this rotatory machine
(marked on the Drawing 1) is made of two circular disks or pieces, and united
closely in the centre, the thickness of the two united, being the distance across
the edge of the machine (as at 2), is for most of its applications about equal
to one third the diameter across the circle. On the outer side of each of the two
side pieces, and around the centre, is formed a circular rise (shewn at 3)-equal

page_text: water or air, having
These apertures.are
in diameter to a little more than half that of the machine; and on the outer
corner of each of the sides a small semi-circular hollow formed; and at the
central part of the circle on each outside piece is formed a prominence (marked
4), to make a bearing for the axle of the machine, and cut or turned through
for that purpose. On the bottom piece of the two sides (the machine lying
horizontally) is formed two tubes (marked 5), of such diameter and cavity as
to suit the machine for receiving and discharging the
screws cut on them to receive the conducting pipes.
distant apart about equal to one third the distance around the circumference
of the machine, and are of a flat form where they are united to the bottom
piece (at 6), but round at the outer end where the screw is cut on them (at 7).
In the cavity of the machine, at the centre, is formed a prominence on each of
the parts (at 8), and a hole cut in each for the axle to run in, and next
around that a cavity (at 9) for the valve arms to move round in, and further
from the centre a rising circle on each of the two side pieces, about one half the
distance from the centre to the outside, rising high enough to form the inside
of the channel (at 10), and to meet the wheel when placed in the centre, and
forming a bearing at each side of the wheel and of a circle raised on each
side of the wheel, making a double bearing, as shewn by a section of the
Drawing (at 19). Next to this rising circle (10) on the bottom piece of the
machine is formed the long ranging bar (marked 11) for the valve arms to
rest on when the valves are in operation. The short ranging bar (at 12) is
cast or formed in the centre cavity of the bottom piece, and united with the
long bar, but nigher the centre, and in length a little more than one third
that of the long one, and of the same height, and the centre of its circle is
exactly in the centre between the two tubes or apertures (marked 5); at its
junction with the long bar each end of it laps a little on to the long one, say,
about half its width, and the inside of it made quite dishing, and the outside
so as to conform to the inside, to give place to the valve arms when passing
over it. The channel is formed equally in each of the two side pieces of the
box (1), and extends quite round the whole circle, and is nearly equal in width
to one quarter the diameter of the whole cavity or distance across the interior
circle of the machine, or as nine is to twenty. The block (marked 13).
(in the channel of the bottom piece) making a partition between the two aper-
tures, is shaped to conform to the tubes (5), and so as to fill that half of the
channel at that point, and to exactly fit the wheel and valves in it, and is
rivited in after the channel is turned out smooth and other work mostly
fitted. The block (marked 14) in the channel of the upper piece is made also
to fill the channel at that point, and fit the wheel and valves in it, but it has

page_text: less bearing on the wheel, and the ends run off to a thin plate, where they
unite to the bottom of the channel to which the block is rivited. Both the
said pieces of the box (1) will be accurately turned in a lathe, and closely fitted
together; meeting in the centre at the edge of the wheel, and the upper part
fits down into the bottom part a distance nearly equal to two thirds the depth
of the channel in that side piece, so that the joint on the outside of the two
pieces (at 15) is quite at the upper part of the edge, so as to leave the tubes
(5) all below the joint. A small groove is made, part in each piece of the
two sides, at the joint (15), to receive a thin strip of metal to be soldered in to
unite the two parts. The two side pieces (1) of large machines for any of
the fore-named applications may be united exactly in the centre on the outside,
and the tubes or apertures formed half on each part, and the two side pieces
be united by screw bolts passing through semicircular pieces formed on the
edge of each of the two parts at the centre. The wheel (marked 16) made to
receive two or more ratary valves, and be placed in the central part of the
machine, and with ratary valves to operate on the water, air, &c., or to be
operated on by them, will be made as follows:-Its diameter is exactly equal
to that in the machine from outside to outside of the channel. On the centre is
formed a nave (at 17) to receive the axle, and there are two (or more) arms
(at 18) attached to the nave and rim. That part of the rim (marked 19) at the
outer ends of the arms (18) will be thin and deep, and fitted against the circle
(10), forming the inside of the channel, and having bearings for the valve
shafts. The part next further out, being a narrow circle (at 20), fills the space
between the two side pieces at the inside of the channel (at 10), and out to
the shoulder of the valves; the rim (marked 21) from that out to the outside
of the channel is quite thin, forming a complete circle (except the width of
each valve, so that when the valves are on, the circle is complete, and surface
smooth all round. The valves (marked 22) are made of one solid piece, and
formed to fit the rim of the wheel in thickness and shape, so far of the length
as they work in the channel, and to exactly fill the channel when turned in
position to bring each edge to the plates forming it. United to the thin part of
the valve is a round shaft, forming at each end a bearing for its support,
and one in the middle, for the valve arm to be rivitted on to the inner end of
the shaft, is fitted into the nave of the wheel, and turns in that and the rim
then at work. The valve arms (marked 23) are cast or otherways made,
forming a cross and circle corresponding with the. ranging bars, and thick
enough to cover the edge of each of the ranging bars, and so formed as to lie
on them when the pump engine, &c. is at work, and which arms, coming in
contact with the ranging bars as the wheel is moved, turn the valves, and

page_text: resting on the ranging bars as they move, keep the valves in a right position
when at work, and turn them down one at a time to pass through between the
blocks, and one of the two is always in an operative position for any of the
afore-named applications. The axle (marked 24) is so formed as to have a
bearing in each of the prominences (4) formed for it on each of the side pieces,
also a turned bearing in the wheel, and a wing (at 25) cast or formed on it, to
take hold of the wheel, and turn it, when worked with a crank or other fixture
on the outer end or ends of it. It may be made long enough to come out each
side of the machine, and receive a crank on each side, or a coupling box,
toothed wheel, or pulley, as a first or driving motion. A cap screw (marked 26)
is affixed to the prominence around the axle, to press the packing closely down,
and prevent leakage. To fit this rotary machine for operation for some of the
applications, and particularly that of a pump, it may be attached to a metal
supporter (shewn at 27), so formed as to make a bearing for the axle to rest on
(at 28), and another bearing for the prominence on the other side of the rotatory
machine or pump (also at 28); and the axle in front and prominence on the back
side of the pump will both be secured to this supporter by a box (marked 29),
over each of them, and screwed on to hold the pump, engine, &c. to its place.
At the junction of the two branches of this supporter is a small tenon, formed to
enter into a notch cut in a little piece cast on the edge of the pump, &c. (at 30)
to hold the pump or other machine from turning round when in use. This
two-branched supporter will be placed on a bracket or wall supporter (marked
31), which is also cast of metal, and forms a cross, and having a projecting flat
circular part for the screw to pass through and base of the two-branched one
to rest on, and which wall supporter will be screwed to wall to sustain the
pump or other machine for use. To fit this machine as a pump for raising
water from three different places with convenience, a three-branched receiving
pipe (marked 32) will be used, and screwed to the receiving aperture of the
pump. It is as follows:-A cylinder of nearly equal length and diameter
(marked 33) forms the central part. On one side of it is formed a short
curved pipe (at 34), on which is a screw sockett (at 85), which turns on the
short curved pipe, and screws on to the aperture of the pump, without turning
over the main part of the treble suction. To the side of the cylinder opposite
the curved pipe, (34) are formed on it three pipes (each marked 36), suitably
distant from each other, all pointing to the centre of the cylinder, and suitably
curved, so that the end of each points directly down when attached to the
pump as it stands in a vertical position. On the end of each branch is
made a screw (marked 37) to receive a coupling to attach the conducting

page_text: pipe. In the cavity of the cylinder is a cylindrical valve (shewn at 38),
having in it two appertures on opposite sides (shewn at 39), of such size as
to equal the cavity of each of the three united branches. In the base of
the valve (38) is cut a circular groove (at 40), extending one third the
way round its circumference, to receive a stop screw (marked 41) affixed in the
bottom of the cylinder to stop the valve at a certain position, to bring the
aperture in the valve exactly even with those in the three united tubes on the
cylinder. At the bottom of this valve (38) is a screw formed (at 42), passing
through the bottom of cylinder and prominence formed on it, and cut out to
receive a washer (shewn at 43), which is secured to the screw by two little
semicircular projections inside of it, which matches into two small grooves cat
in the sides of the screw (42), to prevent the washer from turning on the screw
shaft, and is kept to its place by a nut screwed on over it, by. which the valve is
kept close in the cylinder. The top of the valve rises to a convenient height
in usual form (at 44), and is turned with an attached lever of common shape
(marked 45). When the water is received into one of the branches, it passes
straight through the valve into a protuberance (narked 46) formed on the side
of the cylinder, extending from opposite the branch receiving the water to that
attached to the pump, and so on both sides is formed the same and for the
same purpose. On the top of the cylinder of this treble receiving pipe is a
narrow cap screw (marked 47), so formed as by turning it to press the requisite
packing on the top of the valve and top of the cylinder, and prevent any
leakage. At the bottom of the cylinder, on the central point of the prominence,
over the end of the valve nut and washer, is a cap screw (marked 48), pressing
packing on the edge of the prominence, to prevent breakage. The same kind
of cap screw will be used on any of the valved pipes, and on the stopcocks too,
used as fixtures for the rotary machine in any of its applications. On the pump
is a suitable discharge pipe (marked 49), attached by a socket screw (marked
50) to the apperture of the pump. A winch handle or crank (marked 50) is
attached to the axle by a pin, and kept to its place by a circular nut (52),
screwed on the axle, and covering the end of it and the socket of the crank.
A retaining valve (marked 53) will be used with the pump engine &c., in
raising water or other liquids, and be affixed to the conducting pipe below
the pump engine, &c. The outside part or casement is cast of metal in an
oblong round form, having on the centre of the casement a projecting circle
(at 54) quite round it, and notches (at 55) cut in that circle, by which it is
held with a wrench when the couplings are turned on to it. Near the bottom of
the cavity is a circular base (at 56) for the valve to rest on, and near the top of

page_text: the cavity (of the case part) a stop screw (at 57) passing through one side of
the casement and across the cavity into the other side, to prevent the valve from
rising too high, and on each end of the casement a screw formed (as at 58),
and coupling screw (marked 59) and thimble 60) affixed on each, to be
soldered to leaden or other conducting pipe used for the water or other liquids.
In the casement is a valve (marked 61), made to fill the cavity between the
ranges and retain the water. In the cavity are formed on the sides three or
more projecting ranges, marked (62), extending from the bottom to the top (of
the large part) to guide and keep the valve (61) from the sides of the casement,
and leave room on all sides for the water to pass up when the valve is raised.
On the bottom of the valve (61) is a leather or felt washer, accurately turned
off and kept to its place by a nut (at 63). A strainer, marked (64) made of
thin metal in conical (or other) form, suitably perforated, will be attached to
the bottom of the pipe through which the water is to pass to the pump, fire
engine, &c.
The fixtures specified and exhibited on the Drawings, and referred to by
the annexed figures, are most of them peculiar to the pump for light and
common applications; but other fixtures must be used with this rotary machine
suitable for either of its applications; but the body or main part of this rotary
machine, for all its applications, is represented by the Specification and
Drawings, so far as the Drawings relate to what is called the box (marked 1);
and all the exterior and interior form, parts, and manner of operation,
with those exceptions in regard to the exterior part fully named in the
Specification.
Having now fully described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
of carrying the same into practical effect, I desire it to be distinctly understood
that I do not claim as the Invention any of the separate parts of the mechanism
described, except when used or employed in the aforesaid combination, and for
the peculiar purposes of a rotatory engine; but I claim the novel and particular
arrangement and construction of apparatus forming a rotatory engine, for what-
ever purpose it may be employed, and by whatever power or fluid it is caused
to operate as represented in the Drawings attached, and in the manner and
for the purposes herein particularly set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Swain Worth, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty.
JOHN S. (L.S.) WORTH.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Ninth day of April, in the
year of our Lord 1840, the aforesaid John Swain Worth came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty.