IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND HAND STEERING ENGINES PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVED ENGINES ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO BE USED FOR STARTING STOPPING REVERSING AND TURNING MARINE AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND AS ENGINES GENERALLY PROVISIONAL SPATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Watson Pattie Engineer and George
Washington Robertson Engineer both of Glasgow in the County of Lanark
North Britain for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND
HAND STEERING ENGINES PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVED ENGINES ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO BE USED FOR STARTING STOPPING REVERSING AND TURNING
MARINE AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND AS ENGINES GENERALLY
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Watson Pattie
and George Washington Robertson at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 23rd May 1882.
"
ALEXANDER WATSON PATTIE Engineer and GEORGE WASHINGTON ROBERTSON
Engineer both of Glasgow in the County of Lanark North Britain, IMPROVE-
MENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND HAND STEERING ENGINES PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVED ENGINES ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO BE USED FOR STARTING, STOPPING,
REVERSING AND TURNING MARINE AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND AS
ENGINES GENERALLY FOR PURPOSES WHERE MOTIVE POWER IS REQUIRED."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in combined steam and hand
steering engines parts of the said improved engines being also applicable to the
starting, stopping, reversing and turning of marine and other motive power engines
and for other purposes where motive power is required, consists of an engine with
three oscillating cylinders arranged and constructed on the principle described in
the Specification filed is pursuance of Letters Patent granted to George Washington
Robertson, one of the present applicants, bearing date the fifth day of April
A.D. 1881 N° 1472. The three oscillating cylinders are supported on trunnions in
a frame through which the crank shaft passes, and on both ends of the crank shaft
a worm screw is fixed. One of these screws gears with a worm wheel carried in a
bracket formed on or secured to the frame and the said wheel is tapped internally
to receive a screw formed or fixed on one end of a spindle, which operates the slide
Prins 21

page_text: valve of the engine. The valve is situated in a valve casing, which communicates
by three pipes or passages, with the three oscillating cylinders and each of these
pipes is divided throughout its length by a diaphragm or web the steam being
distributed through one passage and exhausted through the other. The end of
each pipe, where it is connected to the trunnion of the cylinder, is situated in a
pocket or sleeve and in the interior ends both of the pocket and pipe valve
openings are cut. When the connection is being made, in constructing the
apparatus, the cylinder is put on the centre and the pipe and pocket are inserted
with the valve openings in their closed position which obviates any difficulty in
setting the valves.
The slide valve spindle passes through the valve casing and on the end of it
opposite to the screw a handing wheel is fixed by turning which the worm wheel
is caused to act on the valve spindle as a nut thereby moving the spindle in one
direction and admitting steam to the cylinders, the steam being cut off again by
the crank shaft, which in rotating, reciprocates the valve spindle in the opposite
direction through the intervention of the worm, worm wheel and screw.
The worm screw on the other end of the crank shaft is geared with a worm
wheel centred loosely on a barrel round which the steering chain is wound and the
said wheel is geared to the barrel, when steering by steam, by a clutch which slides
on a feather in the barrel.
At one end of the chain barrel a spur wheel is also firmly secured and geared
with a spur pinion carried loosely on a shaft whereon the wheel for steering by
hand is fixed. The pinion is geared to the handing shaft when desired by a clutch
which is so connected to the clutch herein before referred to that by operating a
hand lever the apparatus for steering by steam is thrown out of gear and
simultaneously the apparatus for steering.by hand is thrown into gear or vice versa.
Under another arrangement for actuating the slide valve of the engine a handing
shaft is carried in the upper part of the framing and on one end of the said shaft a
steering wheel is fixed whilst on its other end a bevil wheel is secured and geared
with another bevil whecl carried in a bracket on the frame. The latter wheel is
geared with a similar bevil wheel on one end of the valve spindle or it may have a
spur wheel formed on or secured to its under side and geared with a similar wheel
secured on the valve spindle the arrangement at the other end of the valve spindle
being similar to that hereinbefore described.
Under another arrangement on the valve end of a handing shaft arranged as last
referred to a worm screw is fixed by a clutch and geared with a worm wheel
carried in a bracket on the frame. In the hub of the said wheel a screw thread is
formed and geared with a similar screw on the valve spindle so that in turning the
handing shaft the worm wheel acts on the spindle as a nut and communicates
reciprocating motion thereto. Under this arrangement a piston valve is employed
to distribute steam to the three passages leading to the cylinders. The other end
of the valve spindle also passes through the hub of a worm wheel carried in a
bracket in the frame the wheel and spindle being geared together by a feather.
The last mentioned worm wheel geared with the worm screw on the valve end
of the crank shaft the effect of which is that the piston valve after being operated
in one direction by the handing wheel is immediately operated in the opposite
direction by the crank shaft.
In lieu of employing a chain barrel with its connections as herein before described
in the combined hand and steam steering engine the train of wheels for actuating
the "gipsy" or chain drum described and shewn in the specification and drawings
filed in pursuance of the aforesaid Letters Patent granted to George Washington
Robertson No 1472 A.D. 1881 may be substituted therefor. In adapting the
improved engine to the starting, stopping and reversing of marine and other motive
power engines the chain barrel or "gipsy" and its actuating mechanism is entirely
dispensed with and another screw is formed or fixed on the crank shaft on which
a crosshead reciprocates. To the crosshead drag links are connected the said links
being also connected to a quadrant which operates the steam distributing valves of

page_text: the marine or other engine in the manner well understood and practised or instead
of a crosshead being situated on the crank shaft the screw of the said shaft may be
geared with a toothed quadrant or with a wheel or it may be otherwise connected
to the valve spindle of the main engine it being understood that we do not restrict
ourselves to the method of connecting the starting, stopping and reversing engine
to the valve spindle of the main engine as such connections may be effected in
many different ways.
In adapting the improved engine to the turning of marine and other motive
power engines the slide valve of the improved engine may be operated by a lever
and need not be automatic in its action, in which case a screw is fitted on the
crank shaft of the improved engine to work a worm wheel on the main shaft of
the ship.
When employed for starting, stopping, reversing and turning the cylinders of the
improved engine inay oscillate on trunnions situated either at the centres or ends
of the cylinders.
The improved engine may also be used for purposes generally where motive
power is required in which case the apparatus for adapting it to the steering of
ships or to the starting, stopping, reversing and turning of marine and other
engines is dispensed with.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Watson Pattie and George Washington Robertson in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd November 1882.
ALEXANDER WATSON PATTIE, Engineer and GEORGE WASHINGTON ROBERTSON,
Engineer, both of Glasgow in the County of Lanark, North Britain IMPROVE-
MENTS IN COMBINED STEAM AND HAND STEERING ENGINES PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVED ENGINES ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO BE USED FOR STARTING STOPPING
REVERSING AND TURNING MARINE AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE MOTIVE POWER IS REQUIRED
Our said Invention relates to improvements in combined steam and hand
steering engines parts of the said improved engines being also applicable to be
used for effecting the starting, stopping reversing and turning of marine and other
motive power engines and for purposes generally where motive power is required.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we now
proceed more particularly to describe the system mode or manner in or under
which the same is or may be used or carried out in practice reference being had to
the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say,
Figure 1 of the drawings is in part a vertical section and in part a side elevation
of one arrangement of our improved combined steam and hand steering engine.
Figure 2 is in part a transverse section and in part an end elevation of figure 1.

page_text: As shewn by these figures the apparatus consists of a sole plate A, bolted to the
ships deck and carrying two vertical frames B, on which an entablature C, is
secured two other vertical frames D, E being bolted to the entablature at and near
one of its ends.
Between the frames D, E three oscillating cylinders F are carried on trunnions,
their pistons being all connected to one crank J.. The cylinders are arranged and
constructed on the principle described in the Specification filed in pursuance of
Letters Patent granted to George Washington Robertson one of the present
applicants bearing date the 5th day of April 1881 No. 1472 that is to say one of
the trunnions of each cylinder is constructed hollow and connected by a steam
pipe G and steam passages H to a valve chest I, wherein a common slide valve is
situated. The steam pipes G are each divided into two channels by a diaphragm
or web extending throughout the entire length of the pipe. The inner end of the
pipe where it is connected to the trunnion closed and under this Invention it is
situated in and so as to bear against the bottom or end of a pocket a, preferably
made of steel, inserted in the hollow trunnion, instead of against a face d, made in
one piece with or inserted and fixed in the hollow trunnion as under the said
previous invention. In the bearing surfaces of the pocket a and pipe G, valve
openings are cut six such openings being preferably made three on each side of the
longitudinal diaphragm of the pipe.
When the connection is being made after the oscillating cylinders are in position
the pipes G and pockets a with their valve openings in the closed position are
inserted at one and the same time into the trunnion after which the pocket is
secured in and so as to oscillate with the trunnion by a pin or key. The difficulty
experienced in setting the pipe and pocket with the valve openings in proper
position relatively with the position of the cylinder and crank under the said
previous invention is by this means obviated.
The other ends of the pipes G are connected with the steam passages H, which
are cast in the frame E, and communicate with the ports of the slide valve chest I.
The passages H are also divided into two channels b, c by a midrib or web d, and
the channel b communicates with the channel on one side of the diaphragm in eacli
pipe G whilst the channel c communicates with the other that is to say whilst the
engine is being operated in one direction steam is admitted to each of the three
cylinders through the channel 6 and exhausted through the channel cand
vice versa.
The slide valve spindle K, passes through both ends of the valve chest I, and
on one end of the spindle a bevil wheel g is secured by a feather or its equivalent
which will permit the spindle to slide through the boss of the wheel whilst a screw
thread x is formed on the opposite end of the spindle. This screw thread works
through the correspondingly screwed hub or boss of a worm wheel e, carried in a
bracket on the frame E, and geared with a worm screw f, formed or secured on the
crank shaft J. Thus when the valve spindle K, is rotated in one direction by the
means hereinafter set forth the internally screwed worm wheel e which is then
stationary acts as a nut on the screwed part x of the valve spindle, thereby
drawing the slide valve in one direction and admitting steam to the cylinders F.
This being effected the steam is immediately cut off again by the worm screw f on
the crank shaft J', which in rotating turns the worm wheel e, and so reciprocates
the spindle K, and its slide valve in the opposite direction. A repetition of these
actions takes place until the helm has been brought into the position desired by
the steersman.
To connect the engine to the steering apparatus another worm screw M, is
secured on the crank shaft J', and geared with a worm wheel N, centred loosely on
a barrel O, which is carried on a shaft P supported in the lower vertical frames B.
The barrel is grooved on each side of the wheel N to receive the chains or ropes
connecting the steering apparatus with the helm (to obviate noise) wire ropes being
preferably used and the wheel N is geared with the barrel when desired by a
clutch N¹, which slides on a feather in the barrel

page_text: To adopt the apparatus for steering also by hand that is to say without
employing steam a spur wheel Q, is keyed upon the barrel O, This wheel is
geared with a pinion R, centred on a shaft S supported in brackets on the
entablature C the said shaft having the handing wheel U secured on one end of
it. The pinion R is connected to the shaft S by a feather and it is thrown into
and out of gear with the wheel Q by the strop or forked lever V which is so
coupled with the pinion R and with the clutch N¹ of the worm wheel N, that by
turning the band wheel i on the shaft or by an equivalent mode of actuating
the lever V the apparatus for steering by steam is thrown out of gear and the
apparatus for hand steering is simultaneously thrown into gear with the barrel O
and vice versa.
To connect the valve spindle K with the handing wheel U, a spur wheel is
fixed on the shaft S, and geared with a similar wheel m, carried loosely on a
stud n fixed in the upper part of the bracket T. The wheel m, is geared with a
wheel p, formed, or secured on the back of the wheel g and when steering by hand
in order to disconnect the spindle K and shaft S, the wheel m is thrown out of
gear with the wheels / and p.
To enable the steam steering engine to be actuated from the bridge a bevil
wheel g¹ situated on the lower end of a vertical shaft h is geared with the wheel g.
The shaft h is made in two portions which when steering from the bridge are
connected together by a sliding collar and feather or equivalent means.
Under another arrangement for actuating the valve spindle K, a handing wheel
may be placed on the end of it behind the wheel g, in which case the wheels l, m, p
are dispensed with. The handing wheel is removable at pleasure and is connected
to the spindle K by a key or pin or equivalent means.
Under another arrangement of the apparatus shewn in end elevation at figure 5
and in vertical section at figure 6 of the drawings and in which the slide valve
chest I, is formed or placed vertically on the frame D the slide valve X therein is
operated so as to admit steam by a handing wheel keyed on a shaft W, carried in
the upper part of the vertical frames the steam being again cut off by the worm f
on the crank shaft J' and the worm wheel e, acting on the screwed lower end x of
the valve spindle K, as herein-before set forth.
To connect the valve spindle K, with the handing shaft W, a bevil wheel m, is
placed loosely on the handing shaft and connected thereto when desired by a
clutch m² sliding on a feather in the shaft. The bevil wheel m is geared with
another bevil wheel n, centred on a stud carried in a bracket in the upper part of
the frame D. The wheel n has a spur wheel o, formed on or secured to the back
of it which wheel is geared with a similar wheel p centred on the slide valve
spindle K. The wheel p, is keyed to the spindle K, by a feather in order that
whilst the spindle rotates with the said wheels it may at the same time be enabled
to reciprocate and communicate a sliding motion to the slide valve through the
action hereinbefore described of the screw and worm wheel e, at the end of
the said spindle.
With the arrangement figures 5 and 6 the worm M, and barrel O, and its
connections shewn on figures 1 and 2 may be employed to communicate motion
to the helm from the crank shaft J¹ when steering by steam and from the handing
shaft W, when steering by hand, or as seen at figure 6 a spur pinion Y, may be
keyed upon the end of the crank shaft and geared with a spur wheel Y', centred
loosely on a sleeve 1, which also loosely surrounds the handing shaft W. On the
sleeve 1, a spur pinion 2 is formed and geared with a spur wheel 3 running loosely
on a sleeve 4 surrounding the crank shaft J¹ and carried stationary in bearings in
the frame E and in a third vertical frame E¹. To the spur wheel 3 a "gipsy or
chain actuating pulley 5 which is the equivalent of the barrel O figures 1 and 2 is
secured.
"
On the handing shaft W, a disc or collar 6 is firmly keyed so as to bear against
the end of the loose sleeve 7. The disc has a projecting part with a recess in it to
receive the clutch lever 8, 9, as is well understood and practised in the class of

page_text: steam steering gear in which the combination of wheels 2, 3 Y Y¹ are used. By
this arrangement when the clutch m' of the bevil wheel m, and the clutch lever 8, 9,
are in the position shewn at figure 6 the steam steering engine is out of gear and
the apparatus is in position for steering by hand that is to say the valve spindle K,
crank shaft J and spur gearing Y'Y' are stationary the wheel Y¹ being loose on
the sleeve 1 whilst the said sleeve is connected to the handing shaft W, by the
clutch lever gearing with it and with the fixed collar or disc 6 such connection
causing the pinion 2, to communicate motion to the wheel 3 and "gipsy" 5 when
the handing shaft is rotated by the steering wheel on the end of it When the
clutch m' is in gear with the pinion m, and the clutch lever 9 is in the position
shewn in dotted lines the apparatus is geared for steering by steam, the spur
wheel Y¹, being then keyed to the sleeve 1 which is loose on the shaft W, and
motion is communicated to the "gipsy " 5 from the crank shaft by the full train
of wheels Y Y¹, 2 and 3
In adapting the improved engine to the starting stopping and reversing of
marine and other motive power engines the barrel O, figures 1 and 2 or the gipsy 5
figure 6 and the apparatus by which these are actuated from the engine when
steering by steam and from the handing wheel when steering by hand are dispensed
with and a screw 10 is formed on the crank shaft J' as seen at figures 7 and 8 of
the drawings. On the screw a nut 20 is placed which is connected to a lever 11,
centred on a weigh shaft 12. On the said shaft another lever 13 is centred to the
lower end of which drag links 14 are connected the said links being also connected
to a quadrant which operates the steam distributing valve of the high pressure
cylinders in the manner well understood and practised, A similar arrangement of
lever and links being also employed to actuate the steam distributing valve of the
low pressed cylinder or as an alternative the screw 10, may be geared with a
toothed quadrant or with a wheel or it may be otherwise connected to the valve
spindles of the main engine it being understood that we do not restrict ourselves
to the method of connecting the starting stopping and reversing engine to the
valve spindles of the main engine as such connection may be effected in many
different ways.
To adapt the improved engine to the turning of marine and other motive power
engines the slide valve X, need not be automatic in its action and it is or may be
operated by a lever 15, as shewn at figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. For this
purpose on the crank shaft J³, a worm screw 16 is loosely placed and geared with
a worm wheel 17, keyed on the main shaft of the marine or other engine. When
it is desired to turn the said main shaft the worm screw 16 is connected to the
crank shaft J¹, by the clutch 18 operated by the lever 19 and the lever 15 is
operated so as to slide the valve X and admit and exhaust steam to and from the
cylinders F.
The engine as illustrated at figures, 9 and 10 may also be used as a motor for
purposes generally where motive power is required by removing the clutch 18 and
worm screw 16 from the crank shaft J' and providing the said shaft with driving
gear suitable to the purpose for which the engine is to be employed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and the system mode or manner in or under which it is or may be
adapted for the various purposes referred to in the title of this specification we
would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and original and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is
First. In an engine with cylinders oscillating as set forth the combination of the
divided pipes G, and pockets a with valve openings in their bearing surfaces whereby
the adjustment of the trunnion valves is facilitated substantially as described with
reference to the drawings hereunto annexed.
Second. The combination of slide valve actuating mechanism herein before
described and shewn at figures 1 and 2 of the drawings by which the slide valve
on the spindle K, on turning a handing wheel on the shaft S or on the spindle K

page_text: itself is caused to admit steam to the cylinders F and also by which through the
rotation of the crank shaft J¹, the slide valve is caused to cut off steam from the
cylinders substantially as set forth.
Third. The combination of slide valve actuating mechanism arranged substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 5 and 6 of the appended
drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the chain barrel O, worm M worm wheel N clutch N'
and strap or lever V, with the spur gearing Q. R, shaft S and hand wheel U,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described with reference to
figures 1 and 2 of the appended drawings.
Fifth. In an engine constructed substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn at figures 1 and 2 and 5 and 6 of the appendended drawings the combination
of the screw 10 on the crank shaft J' together with the nut 20, lever 11, weigh
shaft 12 lever or levers 13 and drag links 14, or their equivalent whereby the said
engine is adapted for starting stopping and reversing marine and other motive
power engines as described with reference to figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.
Sixth. In an engine constructed substantially as set forth the combination of the
hand levers 15 and 19, clutch 18, worm wheel 17 and screw 16, whereby the said
engine is adapted for turning marine and other motive power engines substantially
as herein before described with reference to figures 9 and 10 of the annexed
drawings.
In Witness Whereof I the said George Washington Robertson on behalf of the
said Alexander Watson Pattie and myself have hereunto set my hand and
seal this twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hundred and night two
"
Witness
GEO. M. CRUIKSHANK-
Patent Agent
Glasgow
GEO. W. ROBERTSON (L.S.)