IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTOR ENGINES TO BE DRIVEN BY WATER OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTOR ENGINES TO BE DRIVEN BY WATER OR OTHER
FLUID PRESSURE. A communication from abroad by Charles Philippe Jules
de Pezerat, Civil Engineer, and Theodore Louis Joseph Guilleminot, Merchant,
bath of Paris France
Sealod the 12th November 1878, and dated the 18th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm. of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTOR ENGINES TO BE
DRIVEN BY WATER OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE." [A communication from abroad
by Charles Philippe Jules de Pezerat, Civil Engineer, and Theodore Louis Josephi
Guilleminot, Merchant, both of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to a motor of novel construction designed to be employed
in small workshops and other places where it is desirable to have such a power to
take the place of manual labor for actuating a crank or handle.
In many places steam is not suitable. The danger of the steam engine placed in
the hands of persons often incapable of properly controlling it, the dangers of fire,
of explosion, the continual care required for the maintenance of the furnace, aud
lastly, the comparatively great expense, more especially for small engines; all these
inconveniences render steam engines unsuitable for use in small workshops requiring
only a small amount of motive power.
According to the present Invention I make use of the pressure of water existing
in the pipes which supply towns and cities, this water being applicable in any
building connected with the mains, and even in the highest stories.
The pressure in the mains is in proportion to the altitude of the houses in con-
nection with the supply reservoirs, and the pressure is often so great that it has to

page_text: be diminished in the leaden pipes in the interiors by the use of cocks and regula-
tors in order not to burst the service pipes.
Admitting that the pressure existing in the main pipes is diminished in part by
bends, cocks, meters, or otherwise, the water in nearly all the districts rises as far
as the fifth or sixth story of the houses, even in the most elevated parts of a
town.
As for the purposes of this Invention a pressure of 15 metres of height, or 1/
atmosphere only is required. By placing on the most elevated part of the house
small reservoirs, it will be easy to cause the water to ascend into these reservoirs
and to conduct it by a pipe directly to the machine. In this case I obtain the
pressure of the column of water resulting from the difference of the level of the
reservoir above the machine.
For a given force the expenditure of water will be in an inverse ratio to the
pressure; the more the pressure is increased the more the expenditure will be
reduced; the loss pressure there is the greater will be the expenditure of the
water,
In some cases the pressure in the main pipes can be made to act directly on the
machine with little loss, except that of the difference of level between the machine
and the mains, thus avoiding the necessity of having to provide reservoirs at the
top of the houses. It is this pressure which I cause to act on the piston of the
machine whether this pressure arises directly or indirectly.
A machine constructed according to this Invention may also be actuated by
steam, compressed air, or even by rain water, which latter may be caught in tho
gutters of the houses and directed to the machine which would be worked thereby
on rainy days, saving during these days the expenditure of the town water paid a
for by measure, which would reduce the cost considerably.
With a machine constructed according to this Invention there is not the least
danger; explosions and damage by fire are avoided, immediate starting and stop-
ping can be effected by turning a handle, the machine occupies very little room in
the workshop, and can be easily removed. Finally, by merely changing the piston 3
or the pressure its force can be augmented or diminished by augmenting or
diminishing the stroke of the piston; by changing the place of a button fastening
the connecting rod to the fly wheel the speed can be augmented or diminished; and
by augmenting or diminishing the time occupied by the entry of the water into
the cylinders by means of the slide valve, the force is augmented or diminished, g
that is to say, the useful work of the pressure on the piston during a longer or
shorter part of its stroke.
The force produced under a given pressure will be in proportion to the surface of
the section of the piston, deducting for the friction of the wheels. The expenditure
of water will be double the cube of the piston multiplied by the length of its stroke
for one revolution.
In order that this expenditure shall only comprise this cube the outlet pipe will
be syphon shaped, rising from the level to the slide valve, or from any lower point up
to a level a little higher than that of the upper tangent of the cylinder in such a
manner as to always keep filled the two inlet and outlet pipes which communicato 4
between the cylinders and the slide valve. There will be, moreover, a small
expenditure of water arising from the expansion of the air cushion in the
receivers.
A machine embodying the principles of this Invention may be constructed in
three methods.
(1st.) With more than one cylinder and a single piston, as herein-after described,
and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
(2nd.) With a single horizontal or vertical cylinder working alternately like the
cylinder and piston of a steam engine.
5
(3rd.) With a cylinder having a piston upon which the pressure of the column 5
.of water will act in the direction of the descent, the rising of which will be pro-
duced by a counterweight.

page_text: I am aware that machines working by a column of water have already been
constructed particularly for pumping out mines, but such machines heretofore used
have been constructed in a different manner to those to which this Invention relates,
and have been intended only to work pumps.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 shows a plan of a machine constructed according to this Invention;
Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the same; Figure 3 shows a transverse
Bection.
Figure 4 shows a horizontal section of the part of the water pipes under the slide
valve.
The same letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
A, A, are two cylinders of cast iron, each carrying at the head two ears, in which
are formed the holes to receive the bolts of the stuffing box C and four cramp irons
D,D, which connect the cylinders to the frame on which they will be bolted. A
semi-cylindrical opening E will be reserved for the entrance of the water into the
cylinder; the same opening serves also for the exit of the liquid. The level of this
opening will be so arranged that it will not allow the water to escape from the
cylinder except as driven out by the expansion of air, and by the piston when the
latter shall have nearly arrived at the end of its stroke.
Above or below these cylinders will be provided receivers F constructed of
cast iron, and which are intended to store up a certain quantity of air which will
form an air cushion, deaden the strokes of the water ram, and will allow the piston
to complete its stroke, when the orifices are closed by the slide valve. In the
interior of the receivers are arranged two tubes of iron, screwed into the walls of
the cylinders, and rising up to the level of the receivers in proportion to the pressure
in such a manner as to produce an expansion, without however presenting any
obstacle to the working of the piston. These receivers bolted on the cylinders will
be provided at their apex with a hole closed by a bolt in order to allow the air to
be renewed from time to time.
B is a piston constructed of rolled iron turned and polished, and may be either
solid or hollow, and in this latter case, which is the most practicable, closed at its
two extremities. This piston will penetrate alternately into the cylinders, and will
be actuated by the pressure of the column of water, which will act in turn upon its
extremities, driving it from the cylinder as long as the pressure of the column of
water shall be preserved in communication with the interior of the cylinder; the
other extremity will penetrate, on the contrary, into the cylinder opposite, driving
the water which it contains, which will be discharged in the outlet pipe.
In the axis of the piston is a collar carrying a shaft of forged iron G square on
the piston; it is upon one of the extremities of this shaft that the connecting rod is
attached controlling the fly wheel.
In order to prevent any rotating movement of the piston in its stuffing boxes,
there will be provided on this shaft two rectangular parts, which will slide on bands
of sheet iron H, H, screwed on the wooden framing, which arrangement will main-
tain the shaft in the horizontal direction.
C is a large stuffing box in bronze of the piston B. I is a connecting rod con-
trolling the fly wheel, and consequently a pulley which is carried by the shaft of
the fly wheel. J represents a fly wheel of cast iron, the spokes being of rolled iron.
Some of the spokes of the fly wheel will be provided with holes, which will receive
the button of the connecting rod; these holes, situated at different distances from
the axis of the fly wheel, will increase or diminish the velocity of the machine,
according as the button of the connecting rod shall be fixed in the nearest or the
furthest hole of the axis of the fly wheel.
K is a pulley made of wood transmitting the power to the tools to be operated.
Lis the casing of the slide valve made in cast iron, and carried on the cast-iron
platform M, to which it is fastened by means of bolts. At each extremity of tho
said casing will be provided two tubes intended to receive the stuffing boxes N, N,
for the slide valve rods; these stuffing boxes are constructed of bronze. M. is the

page_text: platform of the slide valve, and is made of cast iron; the upper face is planed and
polished, and it is upon this that the slide valve slides. In the interior will be
arranged the entry and discharge pipes of the cylinders, and the discharge pipe from
the slide valve. The latter is placed in the axis of the casing; it is placed verti-
cally, and unites with the lead or zinc discharge pipe O, which latter rises in
syphon form as far as the level of the upper tangent of the cylinders.
The pipes communicating from the slide valve to the cylinders are arranged in
an inverse direction to that of the cylinders which they serve, as shewn in the
Drawings.
P is the slide valve of cast iron, armed with wrought iron like that of a steam
engine. Qis an inlet pipe for the water into the slide valve casing, to which it is
fastened by bolts; this pipe is made of copper as far as the part where there is a
bronze cock, by means of which the introduction of the column of water into the
machine, and consequently its advance and its stoppage, is regulated. The remainder
of this feed pipe is of lead, and it leads as directly as possible either to the reservoir
placed at the most elevated part of the house or to the public water main.
R, R, are pipes of copper or any other suitable metal attached by stays to the
casing of the slide valve and to the cylinders, causing them to communicate with
each other.
The discharge pipe O, conducting the water to the drain of the house or to the
public road, should be syphon-shaped, rising up to the level of the upper tangent of
the cylinders A, A, in order to keep the pipes R, R, always full. S is a rod of
round rolled iron turned and polished, and fastened to the piston by a claw S' by
means of a bolt passed into the lower ears of the collar of the piston; this rod slides
in two collars T, T, of forged iron, carried by cross bars, also of forged iron, fixed in
the wooden framing; this rod will carry two abutments U, U, of forged iron, kept
in their respective places by pressure bolts, which will allow them to advance or
recede, according as it is wished to give the slide valve a longer or shorter course,
and cousequently to introduce into the cylinders a larger or smaller quantity of
water, that is to say, to produce upon the piston a more or less prolonged useful
action.
These abutments carry two small bars of round iron a, a, designed to drive before
them the fork levers V. V.
The rod S following the alternate movement of the piston which controls it will
strike in turn the levers V, V, which control the rod of the slide valve, thus alter-
nately opening and closing the entry of the column of water into the cylinders.
The levers V, V, of sheet iron are designed to actuate the slide valve by con-
trolling the rods of the latter, which they lead forward while they are theinselves
drawn by the rod U. These levers are pivoted on cross bars of round iron fixed
upon shoes placed on the longitudinal cross bars of the wooden framing. They
produce the forward movement of the slide valve by beating against the small cross
bars b, b, of round iron. It is by means of these same abutments b, b, that the
levers are brought backward, when the one which is opposite will be itself drawn
forward by the stroke of the rod U.
The course of the slide valve should be produced after the greatest part of the
useful stroke of the piston is terminated; the abutment of the cross bar a against
the lever should not be produced until after this moment, and as the course of
the rod U after this moment is longer than that which the slide valve should
have, this difference of stroke is compensated for by the lever V, which has no
other use.
The rods X, X, of the slide valve, made of round iron, turned and polished, are
screwed into the collar of forged iron of the slide valve; they pass through the
stuffing boxes N, N, and finally into the guide collars c, c, in which they slide.
The useful stroke, as well as that without action, of the piston is regulated
by the arrangement of the slide valve. When the rod of the slide valve X is
drawn forward by the lever V the orifice d for the introduction of the column of
water into..the right-baud cylinder is closed, leaving to the pressure time to.

page_text: moderate or to be produced without violent shock, the opening and closing being
effected gradually; whilst the outlet orifice e of the water of the left-hand cylinder
will not be closed till later, the slide valve not advancing to close the orifice e until
after having traversed a part of its stroke, it will give before and after this move-
ment every facility to the water to be discharged by the outlet pipe.
In order that this effect shall be produced, and that the water contained in the
cylinder being emptied shall not oppose the introduction of the rest of the piston
during the moment when the slide valve shuts the outlet orifice e, it is necessary
that the pipes R, R, and O should be of a slightly larger section than that of the
introduction pipe Q.
The air cushion of the receiver F, and which is expanded during the moment of
the emptying of the cylinder, will produce the expansion in order to allow the
piston to determine its stroke, diminishing at the same time the expenditure of
water, because the pressure in the receiver will be in part re-established by the
driving back of the piston.
In order to obviate the complete discharge of the pipes R, R, at the exit I make
the discharge pipe O syphon-shaped, so as to prevent useless expenditure of water
and a more rapid action of the column of water.
The small cross bars g, g, are intended only to keep the levers V, V, in their
stopping position, and to prevent them from striking the slide valve casing.
They may be two small bars of round iron, bent and fixed in the girders of the
framing.
The slide valve which I have adopted may be replaced by a cork, or by regu-
lating valve pistons known as Reichem bach's.
It is understood that the stuffing boxes may be made of cast iron, forged iron, or
of any other metal.
Z is the wooden framing upon which the machine is fixed.
In order to prevent stoppage during times of frost there may be constructed at
some part of the introduction pipe a small reservoir hermetically closed, which may
be heated by means of a small fire, or by petroleumn or gas.
The starting of this machine is effected easily and rapidly, it being only necossary
to operate the cock provided for letting the water into the cylinders, and to give
an impulse to the fly wheel in the direction which it is desired to give it ; when
once the pressure is established the machine continues to work.
In order to stop the machine it is only necessary to turn off the same cock.
Figure 5 shews a front elevation, partly in section, of an oscillating vertical
machine constructed according to this Invention, actuating directly the crank shaft
of the fly wheel, and of which the water power is produced by a distributing cock.
arranged on one of the trunnions.
Figure 6 shows on a larger scale a longitudinal section of this distributing cock.
a is the framing; b is a crank shaft bearing in the plummer blocks c supported
by the framing a; d is a cylinder; e is a piston; f, a rod; g, an orifice terminating
the rod f, and into which engages the crank shaft b; h, h, are guides; i is one of
the trunnions turning in the plummer block j; k is a plug fixed on the trunnion i.
This plug has two holes, one, l, for the admission of the water, and the other, m,
for the discharge thereof; n is a fixed shell or barrel, in which turns the plug k.
This shell has also two holes or openings o, p, which respectively coincide with the
holes l, m, of the plug in order to effect the admission and the discharge at the
required moments by means of the oscillation of the cylinder; is an inlet pipe
provided with a cock 8; t, a syphon-shaped outlet pipe; u is a receiver forming
an air cushion.
As will be understood by reference to the Drawing the application of an orifice g
at the extremity of the piston rod allows this rod to act on the angle of the shaft
during only a part of the revolution of the latter, and consequently to have a
crank radius which is higher than the half stroke of the piston.
I further modify this arrangement by suppressing the guides h, and fixing in the

page_text: bottom of the cylinder a central rod upon which the piston slides, which for this
purpose will be hollow and provided with a stuffing-box gland.
Figure 7 shows modifications of the arrangement shewn in Figures 5 and 6,
designed to reduce the size of the machine, to ensure effective working, and to
provide for greater facility in its construction.
These modifications consist,-
(1st.) In the employment of a straight shaft b in place of a crooked or bent
shaft, it having been found difficult to turn the button of the angle, this angle being
replaced by a winch 1 fixed to one of the extremities of the shaft.
(2nd.) In the employment of a winch button 2, which slides in a radial hole in
the body of the winch 1, allowing its position to be perfectly regulated in relation
to the stroke of the piston.
(3rd.) In the employment, for greater simplicity, of a fly-wheel pulley, replacing
the distinct By wheel and pulley.
(4th.) In replacing the guides h of the piston rod by a slide bar 4, in which plays
the prolongation of the button of the winch 2, thus permitting a diminution in the
length of the piston rod ƒ screwed to the bottom of the cylinder e in order to allow
a slight rocking, which compensates for the imperfect mounting of the parts by
preventing the wear which might result therefrom. It is by this slide bar 4 fixed
upon the cylinder d that the latter is oscillated.
(5th.) In replacing the stuffing box gland by a leather 5, which presses the
piston e during the ascent of this latter under the action of the water itself, and
which ceases its pressure at the end of the piston's stroke in order to allow it to
fall freely by its own weight, the machine being a single acting ono.
(6th.) In the employment in place of a cylinder of cast iron with trunnions of an
iron cylinder d, to which is connected a coupling box 6, presenting the two
trunnions i, i, which arrangement gives greater facility for the turning of the
latter. The iron cylinder & is closed at its lower part by a screw stopper 7.
(7th.) In the employment of stops 9, of cork, leather, wood, or like material at
the bottom of the cylinder d and of the frame g in order to deaden the blows.
(8th.) In the arrangements of the joints 10 of the circular trench 11 in the plug k
of the empty space 12, and of the grooves or notches 13 in the shell n, in order to
avoid the leaking at the exterior by allowing the water, which by reason of the
pressure might pass between the plug and the shell, to flow freely to the escape
pipe t.
(9th.) In the arrangement of multiple orifices 7, 1, and m, m, in the plug and the
shell in order to allew the rapid entry and discharge of the water, the stroke of the
plug being very short.
(10th.) In the employment of a basin 14 to receive the water which might escape
from the cylinder at its upner part.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
November 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTOR ENGINES TO BE
DRIVEN BY WATER OR OTHER FLUID PRESSURE." A communication from abroad
by Charles Philippe Jules de Pezerat, Civil Engineer, and Theodore Louis Joseph
Guilleminot, Merchant, both of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to an economical motor of novel construction designed to
be employed in place of the ordinary hand power crank or handle usually employed
in small workshops and other places where it is desirable to have such a motor.
In many cases the use of steam is not conveniently practicable, the danger of
placing a steam engine in the charge of persons often incapable of properly con-
trolling it, the risk of fire or explosion, the continual care required for the main-
tenance of the furnace, and the comparatively great expense, more especially for
small engines, render steam engines unsuitable for use in small workshops requiring
only a small amount of motive power.
According to the present Invention I make use of the pressure of water existing
in the pipes which supply towns and cities, this water supply being usually avail-
able in any building connected with the mains, even on the upper floors.
The pressure in the main is in proportion to the altitude of the houses in con-
nection with the supply reservoirs, and this pressure is often so great that it has to
be diminished in the interior supply service pipes by the use of cocks and regulators
to avoid the danger of bursting the same.
Admitting that the pressure existing in the main pipes is diminished in part by
bends, cocks, meters, or otherwise, the water in nearly all districts connected with
the water supply rises to the fifth or sixth story of the houses even in the most
elevated parts of the town or city.
As for the purposes of this Invention a pressure of 15 metres of height or 1/
atmosphere only is required. It will be obvious that by placing on the most elevated
part of the house small reservoirs it will be easy to cause the water to ascend into
these reservoirs, and to conduct it by a pipe directly to the machine to be operated.
In this case I obtain the pressure of the column of water resulting from the
difference of the level of the reservoir above the machine.
For a given force the expenditure of water will be in an inverse ratio to the pres-
sure; the more the pressure is increased the more the expenditure will be reduced;
the less pressure there is the greater will be the expenditure of the water.
In some cases the pressure in the main pipes can be made to act directly on the
machine without loss except that due to the difference of level between the machine
and the mains, thus avoiding the necessity of providing reservoirs at the house-
tops. It is this pressure which is caused to act on the piston of the machine whether
this pressure arises directly or indirectly.
A machine constructed according to this Invention may also be actuated by
steam, compressed air, or even by rain water, which latter may be caught in
the gutters of the houses and directed to the machine, which would be worked
thereby on rainy days, saving during these days the expenditure of the town
water, which is paid for by measurement, the cost of working being thus con-
siderably diminished.
With a machine constructed according to this Invention there is not the least
danger, explosions and injury by fire are rendered impossible, and the machine can
be started and stopped instantaneously by turning a handle; the said machine
occupies very little room in the workshop, and can be easily removed; moreover, the
force of the machine can be augmented or diminished by augmenting or diminishing.
the pressure or the stroke of the piston; by changing the place of a button fastening
the connecting rod to the fly wheel the speed can be augmented or diminished, and

page_text: by augmenting or diminishing the time occupied by the entry of the water into the
cylinders by means of the slide valve, the force, that is to say, the useful effect of the
pressure on the piston during a longer or shorter part of its stroke may be increased
or diminished.
The force produced under a given pressure will be in proportion to the surface of
the area of the piston, due allowance being made for the friction of the wheels. The
expenditure of water will equal a volume double the cube of the piston multiplied by
the length of its stroke in one revolution.
In order that the expenditure shall not exceed this quantity the outlet pipe is
syphon shaped, rising from the level of the slide valve or from any lower point up
to a level slightly higher than that of the upper tangent of the cylinder in such a
manner as to always keep filled the two inlet and outlet pipes which form communi-
cation between the cylinders and the slide valve; moreover there will be a small
expenditure of water due to the expansion of the air cushion in the receivers.
A machine embodying the principles of this Invention may be constructed in
three forms.
(1st.) With more than one cylinder and a single piston, as herein-after described,
and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
(2nd.) With a single horizontal or vertical cylinder working alternately like the
cylinder and piston of a steam engine.
(3rd.) With a cylinder having a piston upon which the pressure of the column of
water will act to produce its descent, and which will be raised by a counter-weight.
I am aware that machines worked by a column of water have already been con-
structed, particularly for pumping out mines, but such machines heretofore used
have been constructed in a different manner to those to which this Invention
relates, and have been intended only to work pumps.
In the accompanying Drawings,—
Figure 1 is a plan of a machine constructed according to this Invention ; Figure 2
is a longitudinal section; and Figure 3 is a transverse section of the same.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the part of the water pipes under the slide
valve.
The remaining Figures are herein-after described.
A, A, are two cylinders of cast iron, each carrying at the head two cars, in which
are formed the holes to receive the bolts of the stuffing box C and four cramp
irons D, D, which connect the cylinders to the frame whereon they are to be bolted. A
semi-cylindrical opening E serves for the entrance of the water into the cylinder; the
same opening serves also for the exit of the liquid. The lovel of this opening must
be so arranged that it will not allow the water to escape from the cylinder
except as driven out by the expansion of air and by the piston when the latter
shall have nearly arrived at the end of its stroke.
Above or below these cylinders will be provided receivers F, constructed of cast
iron, and intended to store up a quantity of air which will form an air cushion, will
deaden the strokes of the water ram, and will allow the piston to complete its stroke
when the outlet orifices are closed by the slide valve. In the interior of the said
receivers are arranged two tubes of iron, screwed into the walls of the cylinder, and
rising to the level of the receivers in proportion to the pressure in such a manner as
to produce an expansion, without however presenting any obstacle to the working
of the piston. These receivers bolted on the cylinders will be provided at their
apex with a hole, closed by a bolt to allow the air to be renewed from time to time.
B is a piston, constructed of rolled iron, turned, and polished, and may be either
solid or hollow, the latter form, which is the most practicable, being closed at its
two extremities. This piston will work alternately into the cylinders, and will be
actuated by the pressure of the column of water, which will act in turn upon each
of its extremities, driving it outward from one cylinder as long as the pressure of
the column of water is in communication with the interior of the said cylinder;
the other extremity will on the contrary work into the opposite cylinder, driving
out the water which will be discharged into the outlet pipe.

page_text: In the centre of the said piston is a collar carrying a wrought-iron cross bar or
shaft G. From one of the extremities of this shaft a connecting rod I extends to
the fly wheel J, as shewn.
To prevent any turning of the said piston in its stuffing boxes there are provided
on this shaft two rectangular parts, which slide on strips or pieces of sheet iron H, H,
screwed on the wooden framing, which are so arranged as to keep the said shaft in
a horizontal position.
C, C, are bronze stuffing boxes for the piston B.
The connecting rod I controls the fly wheel, and consequently the pulloy K which
is carried by the fly wheel shaft.
The fly wheel J is of cast iron except the spokes, which are of rolled iron. Some
of the spokes of the fly wheel are provided with holes to receive the stud or pin of
the connecting rod. These holes are situated at different distances from the axis of
the fly wheel, and the velocity of the machine will be increased or diminished
according as the stud of the connecting rod is fixed in a hole nearer to or further
from the axis of the fly wheel. The pulley K, which is preferably of wood, serves
for transmitting the power to the implements or apparatus to be operated.
Lis the slide valve casing, formed of cast iron, and mounted on the cast-iron
block. M, to which it is secured by bolts. At each oxtremity of the said casing will
be provided two tubes included to receive the stuffing boxes N for the slide valve
rods; these stuffing boxes are constructed of bronze. The block M of the slide
valve has its upper or port face planed and polished so that the slide valve will
work properly thereon. In the interior of this block are arranged the supply and
dischargo passages of the cylinders, and the discharge pipe from the slide valve;
the latter is placed in the axis of the case and extends down vertically and unites
with the lead or zinc discharge pipe O, which latter rises in the form of a syphon
to the level of the upper tangent of the cylinders.
The pipes whereby communication is made between the slide valve and tho
cylinders aro arranged in an inverse direction to that of the cylinders which they
supply, as shewn in the Drawings.
The slide valve P is of cast iron armed with wrought iron, like that of a steam
engine. Qis an inlet pipe for admitting water into the slide valve casing. It is
secured to the said casing by bolts or screws. The part of this pipe above the
bronze cock Q' is formed of copper. By means of this cock the introduction of the
column of water into the machine, and consequently its advance and its stoppage,
is regulated. The remainder of this feed pipe is of lead, and it extends as directly
as possible either to the reservoir placed at the most elevated part of the house, or
to the public water main.
R, R, are pipes of copper or other suitable metal, attached by stays to the slide
valve casing and to the cylinders, which thereby communicate with each other.
The discharge pipe O conducting the water to the house drain or to the public
road should be syphon shaped, rising to the level of the upper tangent of the
cylinders A, A, as above described, to keep the pipes R, R, always full.
S is a rod of round rolled iron, turned and polished, and secured to the piston by
an arm S¹ through the medium of a bolt passed into the lugs projecting down
from the aforesaid collar of the piston. This rod S slides in two collars T, T, of
wrought iron, carried by cross bars, also of wrought iron, fixed in the wooden
framing, as shewn. This rod has two tappets U, U, kept in their respective places
by pinching screws, which will allow them to be adjusted end wise on the rod,
according as it is desired to give the slide valve a longer or shorter stroke, and
consequently to introduce into the cylinders a larger or smaller quantity of water,
that is to say, to produce upon the piston a more or less prolonged effective move-
ment or action. These tappets have two small round iron bars or fingers a arranged
to actuate or drive the forked levers V, V.
The rod S following the alternate movements of the piston which controls it will
by these tappets strike in turn each lever V. These levers actuate the slide valve
and thereby alternately open and close the passages for the entry of the column of

page_text: water into the cylinder as follows, that is to say:-The levers V actuate the said
slide valve by controlling the valve rods, which they move to and fro as they them-
selves are moved by the tappets U. These levers are pivotted on cross bars or
shafts of round iron fixed upon shoes placed on the longitudinal cross bars of the
wooden framing. They produce the to-and-fro movement of the slide valve by
acting against the small pins or studs b, b, and these studs b, b, re-act on the levers
so that each one of the latter is moved back when the opposite one is moved for-
ward by the stroke of the rod carrying the tappets U.
The movement of the slide valve should be produced after the greatest part of the
effective stroke of the piston is accomplished. The action of the tappet fingers a
against the lever V should not take place until after this moment, and as the stroke
of the rod S after this moment is longer than that which the slide valve should
have, this difference of stroke is obtained by the lever V, which has no other uso.
The rods X, X, of the slide valve are formed of round iron, turned and polished;
they are screwed into the collar of forged iron of the slide valve, and pass through
the stuffing boxes N, N, into the guide collars c, c, through which they slide.
The effective and ineffective parts of this stroke of the piston are regulated by
the arrangement of the slide valve. When the rod X of the slide valve is drawn
forward by the lever V the orifice d for the admission of the column of water into
the left-hand cylinder is closed, leaving time for the pressure to moderate itself, or to!
be produced without violent shock, the opening and closing being effected gradually,
whilst the outlet orifice e of the water of the right-hand cylinder will not be closed
till later, the slide valve not advancing to close the orifice e until after having
traversed a part of its stroke; it will give before and after this movement every
facility to the water to be discharged by the outlet pipe.
In order that this effect shall be produced, and that the water contained in the
cylinder being emptied shall not oppose the entrance of the piston during the
moment when the slide valve shuts the outlet orifice e, it is necessary that the pipes
R, R, and O should be of a slightly larger section than that of the admission pipe Q.
The expansion of the air cushion of the receiver F during the movement of the
emptying of the cylinder will allow the piston to determine its stroke, at the same
time diminishing the discharge of water, because the pressure in the receiver will
be in part restored by the driving back of the piston.
In order to prevent the complete emptying of the pipes R, R, at the exit, I make
the discharge pipe O syphon shaped, so as to prevent useless expenditure of water
and a too rapid action of the column of water.
The small cross bars g, g, are intended to act as stops for the lovers V, V, to
prevent their striking the slide valve casing. They may be two small bars of
round iron bent and fixed in the girders of the framing.
The slido valve which I have adopted may be replaced by a cock, or by the so-
called Reichembach's regulating valve piston.
It will be understood that the stuffing boxes may be made of cast iron, wrought
iron, or other metal.
Z is the wooden framing upon which the machine is fixed.
In order to prevent stoppage during frosty weather, the admission pipe may be
provided with a small reservoir hermetically closed, which may be heated by a
small fire, or by petroleum or gas.
The starting of this machine is effected casily and rapidly, it being only necessary
to operate the cock provided for admitting water into the cylinders, and to give an
impulse to the fly wheel in the direction in which it is desired it shall move.
When once the pressure is established the machine continues to work. In order to
stop the machine it is only necessary to turn off the said cock.
It is herein-above stated that this machine may be constructed in various forms,
that is to say, with two cylinders or a single cylinder fixed or oscillating, and
working vertically, horizontally, or obliquely.
Figure 5 is a front elevation, partly in section, of an oscillating vertical machine
constructed according to this Invention, actuating directly the crank shaft of the

page_text: fly wheel, wherein the water power is controlled by a distributing cock arranged
on one of the trunnions.
Figure 6 shews on a larger scale a longitudinal section of this distributing cock.
a is the framing; b is a crank shaft bearing in the plumber blocks c, supported by
the framing a; d is a cylinder; e is a piston; f, a rod; g, an orifice terminating
the rod f, and in which engages the crank shaft b; h, h, are guides; i is one of
the trunnions turning in the plumber block j; & is a plug fixed on the trunnion i;
this plug has two holes, one for the admission of the water, and the other m for the
discharge of the same; n is a fixed shell or barrel, in which turns the plug ; this
shell has two holes or openings o, p, which coincide with the holes l, m, of the
plug, so that the admission and the discharge may be effected at the required
moments by the oscillation of the cylinder; r is an inlet pipe provided with a cock 8;
t is a syphon-shaped outlet pipe; u is a receiver forming an air cushion.
As will be understood by reference to the Drawings, the application of an orifice g
at the extremity of the piston rod allows this rod to act on the angle of the shaft
during only a part of the revolution of this latter, and consequently to have a crank
radius greater than the half stroke of the piston.
I further modify this arrangement by dispensing with the guides h, and fixing
in the bottom of the cylinder a central rod, whereon slides the piston, which for
this purpose will be made hollow, and provided with a stuffing box gland.
Figure 7 shows modifications of the arrangement shewn in Figures 5 and 6,
designed to reduce the size of the machine, to ensure effective working, and to
provide for greater facility in its construction.
These modifications consist,-
1st. In the employment of a straight shaft b in place of a crooked or bent shaft,
it having been found difficult to turn the pin at the angle, this angle, being replaced
by a crank 1 fixed to one of the extremities of the shaft.
2nd. In the employment of a crank pin 2 which slides in a radial slot in the
body of the crank 1, allowing its position to be perfectly regulated in relation to the
stroke of the piston.
3rd. In the employment for greater simplicity of a fly wheel pulley 3 replacing
the distinct fly wheel and pulley.
4th. In replacing the guides h of the piston rod by a slide bar 4 in which the
prolongation of the crank pin 2 works, thus permitting a diminution in the length
of the piston rod f screwed to the bottom of the cylinder e in order to allow a slight
rocking which compensates for the imperfect mounting of the parts by preventing
the wear which might result therefrom. This slide bar 4 attached to the cylinder d
serves to oscillate the said cylinder.
5th. In replacing the stuffing box gland by a leather 5 which presses upon the
piston e during the ascent of the latter under the action of the water itself, and
which ceases its pressure at the end of the piston's stroke, in order to allow it to fall
freeely by its own weight, the machine being a single acting one.
6th. In the employment in place of a cylinder of cast iron with trunnions of an
iron cylinder d, to which is connected a trunnion piece 6 forming the two trunnions
,, which arrangement gives greater facility for the turning of the latter. The
iron cylinder d is closed at its lower part by a screw stopper 7.
7th. In the employment of stops 8, 9, of cork, leather, wood, or like material at
the bottom of the cylinder & and of the frame g in order to deaden the blows.
8th. In the arrangement of the joints 10 of the circular trench 11 in the plug k
of the empty space 12, and of the grooves or notches 13 in the shell n, in order to
avoid the leaking at the exterior, by allowing the water, which by reason of
the pressure might pass between the plug and the shell, to flow freely to the
escape pipe t.
9th. In the arrangement of multiple orifices 7, 1, and m, m, in the plug and
the shell, in order to allow the rapid entry and discharge of the water, the
stroke of the plug being very short.

page_text: 10th. In the employment of a reservoir or basin 14 to receive the water which
might escape from the cylinder at its upper part.
Figure 8 shews in central vertical section another modified arrangement of this
Invention. In this arrangement the framing is formed of cast iron. It consists of
a base A, beneath which are the pipes B, C. The base supports a cast-iron column D
securely attached to it by screws, the said column serving as an air reservoir or
cushion. The water inlet pipe B enters directly below the said column, which is
filled continually, thus obviating the necessity of forming the pipes as strong as
when the water acts directly upon the piston, since the feed takes place without
interruption, whilst the machine being single acting, does not discharge the water
during half the time of feeding. The pipe C, which is made stronger than the other
pipes, effects a direct communication between the column and the cock. By these
means the column of water acts with all its force.
To control the admission of the water the opening formed in the base of the
column and which effects the communication with the said cock is closed by means
of a metal plate E working on an excentric pivot. This plate is operated by an
iron stem Farranged vertically in the interior of the column, and passing through
a small stuffing box in its upper extremity or cover, the said stuffing box preventing
the escape of air from the column. The aforesaid stem is controlled by a handle H
by which the orifice communicating with the pipe O may be more or less opened or
closed. The top of the column D carries the bearings I, I, for the shaft of the fly
wheel and crank. A boss J on the front of the column forms a socket or bearing for
the cylinder trunnions. In large machines in order to renew the air in the receiving
column a small air pump is sometimes placed on the fly wheel shaft at the side of
the regulator stuffing box; this pump compresses the air in the column D and
renews the same continually.
The aforesaid cock is in some instances modified, as represented in longitudinal
section in Figure 9. In this arrangement the plug of the cock is provided
with leather packing which effectually prevents any escape of water without
the necessity of employing pressure on the plug; that is to say, no pressure is
applied by means of a screw on the pivot (which is dispensed with), but is now
effected by means of two lugs on the valve caso or shell through which bolts pass
into two lugs formed on the cylinder flange. These bolts hold the valve case or
shell in place, and by the said bolts the clamping of the said case upon its plug is
effected. K is the plug of the cock. L is the case or shell provided with three or
four apertures for the entrance, and four or five apertures for the discharge. Mis a
plate bolted on the end of the shell or case and provided with lugs which unite the
shell to the plate. N is a cover bolted to the flange of the shell, and pressing tightly
upon the leather which forms a hermetically tight packing; this ring or cover N is
provided with lugs through which the bolts are passed for fastening it to the cylin-
der flange.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim, in the construction of water motors the improvements above
described, and which are embodied in the various forms or modifications thereof,
as shewn in the accompanying Drawings, and arranged to operate as and for the
purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.