IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM CYLINDERS FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY AND STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cemer Thomas Colebrook, of Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM CYLINDERS FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY AND STEAM
ENGINES."
Sealed the 19th August 1873, and dated the 20th June 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 20th June 1873.
I, CEMER THOMAS COLEBROOK, of Islington, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM CYLINDERS FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY AND
STEAM ENGINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in steam cylinders for steam
pumping machinery and steam engines, and is designed as a simple and
useful substitution for tappets, auxiliary valves, or other equivalent
appliances or means hitherto in use for shifting the main valve, so as to

page_text: :
direct the flow of steam to alternate ends of the main cylinder, and cause
the desired reciprocation of the piston and rod therein.
According to one modification of carrying the Invention into effect I
employ only the usual main valve or D slide, and fit it between discs
(enclosing a main steam chamber) which (together with a rod by which
they are connected) have in addition to the usual simple reciprocating
motion in the direction of the length of its cylinder the D slide has as
hitherto constructed and worked a rotating, change, or a reciprocating
motion in a rotary direction at both ends for the purpose hereafter
specified; the Invention firstly having especial reference to the improved
means hereafter described or referred to for causing the said change.
In addition to the usual main steam passages and to the discs above
mentioned, I provide two ports running from the main cylinder (onc
near the termination of cach stroke of the piston), and which admit
steam at certain times between projections secured to the discs, and other
projections secured to the valve cylinder or its covers. Other ports run
from the main steam chamber, and admit steam at other times between
the first-mentioned projections and the said covers, from between which
a third pair of ports runs to the main exhaust. It is immaterial at what
parts the projections are secured, so long as one of them at each end is
secured to the discs (according to the above described arrangement),
whilst the other is mado a fixture. The application of these projections
(or their equivalent), one of each pair of which is fixed to the valve
cylinder or its cover (or their equivalent), whilst the other is secured to
the valve (or its equivalent), for the purposes described, forms the
distinguishing feature of my Invention.
The action of the above-described arrangement is as follows:-If the
piston were moving in its cylinder from left to right when it passes the
right one of the first-mentioned additional ports the steam from the
cylinder passes through the same and between the projections on the disc
and on the valve cylinder, or its cover at the right end, and acting
between them necessarily causes the discs and rod to rotate to any degree
which may be desired (the limit of which however is obtained by the
play given the projections secured thereto between the others, or by any
other equivalent means), but it is only necessary to do so to a degree
sufficient to change the positions of the additional ports above mentioned,

page_text: that is, to open the exhaust from the left end (the end towards which
the stroke of the discs, rod, and valve is to be made), and to place the
steam from the main steam chamber in communication with the right
end by means of the respective ports described. It will therefore be seen
that steam from the main chamber will then complete the rotating
movement of the discs and rod, fully opening all the ports, and continuing
its action between the cylinder cover and the projection on the disc will
cause the latter, together with the valve, to shift to the left end of their
cylinder, and thus change the direction of the steam to the main
cylinder.
Any tendency of the valve to rotate in the rotating movement of the
discs and rod is prevented by a pin or set screw inserted through or into
its cylinder.
The action at the other end is precisely similar, save that the discs
and rod are rotated in the reverse direction. Pin holes (leading to the
exhaust) are provided between the opposing faces of cach pair of pro-
jections for preventing equilibrium of pressure at the opposite sides of
the disc projections.
According to another modification I make the valve of an elongated
cylindrical form, and divide it longitudinally into two chambers, the
lower one of which is closed at each end, and place that part of it which
is between its two discs within a tube (provided with projections on its
ends), which I secure in the valve cylinder by set screws or otherwise.
The object of thus forming the valve is to prevent the loss of steam
which occurs in valves of the usual construction at the termination of
cach stroke of the piston between the valve and cylinder, and which
steam on the return strokes of the piston escapes to the exhaust without
having exerted any power. The steam is admitted by the usual main
steam port to the lower compartment of the valve, and finds exit through
two ports placed at opposite ends thercof, or in the opposite discs, and
through two corresponding short main steam passages to the cylinder.
In passing through the port and passage at (say) the left end, it drives
the piston to the right, and, as above described, causes the partial
rotation of the discs, together with the valve, to the inside faces of the
former of which the projections are secured (the steam from the cylinder
acting between these projections and these secured to or forming part of
the tube above mentioned), which opens corresponding ports to those.

page_text: described in the first modification, and admits steam from the valve
chamber, which completes the rotating movement, and continuing its
action between the disc projections and the face of the tube carrying the.
fixed projections causes the discs and valve to shift to the left end of
their cylinder, and thus change the direction of the steam to the main
cylinder. The exhaust from the cylinder passes up the main stcam
passages between the outer faces of the discs and the interior of the
cylinder covers enclosing them, and through the upper chamber of the
valve to the air.
In some cases, such as wherein the valve has become slightly worn
through constant use, I cut a groove in the valve of the shape which
would necessarily cause it to keep the required motions, and fasten a pin
in the cylinder which works in the said groove.
According to a further modification I cause the valve to have the
rotating changes only, that is, to reciprocate in a rotary direction instead:
of in the direction of the length of its cylinder, as hitherto, the necessary
ports being placed in a radial direction instead of longitudinally in the
cylinder.
The projections may be arranged as in the previous modifications. I
elongate the discs, and provide them with ports, or divide them into
chambers (as hercafter more particularly described in reference to the
last-described modification), which communicate respectively with the
main chamber and the cylinder, and with the main exhaust and the
cylinder. The valve receives its first movement at cach time by steam
from the cylinder, as described above, which opens a communication and
admits steam from one of the main steam passages (as hereafter described)
to between the projections which completes cach rotation (the limit of
which is obtained as in the previous modifications), which thus changes
the direction of the steam to the main cylinder.
The Invention secondly has reference to an improved arrangement for
causing the usual reciprocation of the slide valvo in lieu of the rotating
movements lastly described. In this arrangement also I form the valve
(as above referred to) with three compartments (or more, if thought
desirable), one forming the main stcam chamber, and the others leading
the exhaust steam from the cylinder to between the valve cylinder covers.
and the end of the valve or its discs, which I provide. with broad.

page_text: annular rims encircling correspondingly shaped projections on the valve
cylinder covers.
When the piston passing (say) from left to right passes the right one
of the above first-mentioned additional ports steam from the cylinder
passes through the same (the one at the opposite end being closed), and
between the annular rim and the valve cylinder cover at the same end,
and causes a partial shifting of the valve to the left, which places one of
the exhaust compartments (the one which leads from the left end of the
cylinder to the right end of the valve) in communication with the
main steam passage leading to the left end of the cylinder, and at the
same time cuts off the steam from the main chamber thereto. The
steam from the left end of the cylinder then passes back through
the same main steam passage and the exhaust compartment in commu-
nication therewith to the right end of the valve, and completes the
shifting, which opens the exhaust to the air from the left end of the
cylinder, and from between the disc and the cover projection at the
right end of the valve cylinder. The return action is caused by steam
from the right side of the piston.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 17th September 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CEMER
THOMAS COLEBROOK, of Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook,
Her special licence that I, the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook, my
exccutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Cemer Thomas Colebrook, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United

page_text: Kingdom of Great Britain and Ircland, the Channel Islands, and Islo
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM CYLINDERS FOR STEAM
PUMPING MACHINERY AND STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement in writing, and on reference being had.
to the accompanying Drawings, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to improvements in steam cylinders for steam
pumping machinery and steam engines, and is designed as a simple and
useful substitution for tappets, auxiliary valves, or other equivalent
appliances or means hitherto in use for shifting the main valve or
D slide in order to direct the flow of steam to the alternate ends of the
main cylinder to cause therein the desired reciprocation of the piston and
rod which actuates the pump or engine.
I would here state that the principle of the Invention consists mainly
in the application of projections (or their equivalents) variously adapted
or applied to the valve and valve cylinder (or their equivalents) of a
steam cylinder for engines or pumping machinery in combination with
the herein-after described arrangements and combinations of ports for
the purpose of causing by steam pressure, variously derived and applied
as hereafter stated, the shifting of the main valve or slide or its inter-
mediate attachments or connections in either a combined reciprocating
and rotary motion, or in a rotary or reciprocating motion alone for the
purpose above described.
I will now proceed to describe various methods or modifications in
which I have found it practicable to carry my Invention into effect.
According to a modification illustrated on the accompanying Drawings
in Figures 1 to 3 I fit the usual main slide valve 1 between two

page_text: discs 2, 2, (connected by a rod 4 or equivalent connection) which
enclose between themselves and the surrounding valve cylinder 5 a
main steam chamber 3. In this modification I cause the valve to have
the usual reciprocating motion only, but the discs and rod to have in
addition thereto a rotating change or a reciprocating motion in a rotary
direction at each end of their reciprocating traverse.
two
I also provide in addition to the usual main steam passages 6, 6*,
ports 7, 7*, running from the main cylinder 8 (one near the termination
of each stroke of the piston), and which admit steam at certain times
through ports x, x³, between projections 10, 10%, (secured to or forming
part of the discs 2, 2*, respectively) and other projections 11, 11*,
secured to or forming part of the cylinder 5 or its covers 12, 12*.
I also provide two other ports 13, 13*, running from the chamber 3,
and which admit steam at other times through the same ports x, x¹;
between 10, 11, 10, 11*, and subsequently between 10, 12, 10*, 12*,
respectively, from which latter spaces a third pair of ports 14, 14*, run
to the main exhaust 15.
I would here remark that it is immaterial in any modification at what
parts the said projections are attached or secured so long as one of them
at each end is secured to the discs, valve, or other equivalent, whilst the
other is secured to the valve cylinder or its cover, or otherwise made a
fixture, so as to give a resisting area for the steam to act against.
.
The action of this modification is as follows:-If the piston were
moving in its cylinder in the direction of the arrow 16 as it passes and
uncovers the port 7*, the steam passes therethrough and through x¹ to
between 10*, 11*, and thus causes the discs and rod to move in a rotary
direction sufficient to change the communications of the ports (7), 7*,
(x), x¹, (13), 13*, and (14), 14*, as it shuts off and 7* x¹, and brings the
latter opposite 13*, through which steam from 3 then passes to between
10* and 11*, and subsequently to between 10 and 12*, opposing a
larger resisting area in a different direction, it also opens the exhaust 14
from between 10, 11, and 12, at the end 17, towards which the stroke of
the discs, rod, and valve is to be made. Steam from 3 thus completes
the rotating movement of the discs and rod, and acting subsequently
between the larger area between 10%, and 12*, which opposes a resisting
area in a different direction causes the discs, rod, and valve, to shift to

page_text: the end 17 of their cylinder, and change the direction of the steam
through 6 to the cylinder 8.
The degree of the rotating movement (in any modification) may be
limited by the amount of play given the projectious 10, 10*, between
the opposing faces of those 11, 11*, respectively (sec. Figures 2, 12, 13,)
or by any other equivalent means.
Any tendency of the valve to rotate in the rotating movements of the
discs and rod is prevented by a pin or set screw 19 inserted through the
cylinder 5.
The action at the end 17 and the shifting towards the end 18 is 1
precisely similar to that described at the last mentioned end, except that
the discs and rod arc rotated in the reverse direction by steam from 8
passing through 7 and x to between 10 and 11, and subsequently by
steam from 3 passing through 13 and x to between 10 and 11 and then 10
and 12. Pin holes 20 (leading to the exhaust 15) are provided between 1
the opposing faces 18* of cach pair of projections 10, 11, 10*, 11*, for
preventing equilibrium of pressure at the opposite sides of the pro-
jections 10, 10*.
In the modification illustrated in Figures 4 to 7 in which the valve 1
is of an elongated cylindrical form I divide it longitudinally into two
chambers 3, 22, 3 being closed at each end and 22 partitioned at 21
into compartments. In this modification the valve partakes of all the
movements, and the projections 10, 10*, are placed or secured within
the discs 2, 2*, which are formed with or secured to the valve, that part
of which between the discs is placed within a tube 23 (secured in the
cylinder 5 by set screws or otherwise), to which the projections 11, 11*,
are fixed on its outer ends.
I may here remark that the elongated form of valve. here illustrated
is of a well-known construction, the primary object in forming it thus
being to prevent the loss of steam which occurs in valves of the usual
construction at the termination of each stroke of the piston in the main
passages between the valve and the piston's cylinder, and which steam
on the return strokes of the piston otherwise escapes to the exhaust.
without exerting any power. The fixtures 4 to 7 are therefore intended
more particularly to illustrate the application of my Invention to valves

page_text: of this or of a similar construction, and to illustrate the various positions
in which the projections may be placed or situated, as above referred to.
The steam is admitted by the main steam port 24 to the compart-
ment 3, and has exit through two straight ports 25, 25*, placed at
opposite ends of the valve or in the discs, and through two corre-
sponding short main steam passages 6, 6*, to the cylinder 8. The
ports 7, 7*, x, x1, 13, 13*, and 14, 14*, are provided as in the previous
modification.
7
The action as regards the first movement of the rotation is the same
as that described in reference to the previous modification, but the
second movement thereof is caused by steam admitted as above from 3
to below 10 and 11*, and subsequently to the larger area between 10*
and 23, which as above opposes a resisting arca in a different direction,
which steam thus completes the rotating movement and subsequently
causes the shifting of the discs and valve to the end 18 of their cylinder,
and change the direction of the steam through 25*, 6*, to the cylinder 8.
The exhaust from each end of the cylinder retraverses the passages 6, 6*,
between the outer faces of the discs and the interior of the cylinder
covers, enclosing them, and passes through. the compartments 22 to
the air.
In some cases, such as wherein the valve has become slightly worn
through constant use, I cut a groove in the valve of the shape which
would necessarily cause it to keep the required motions, and fasten a pin
in the cylinder which works in the said groove, but since the filing of
my Provisional Specification I have found that this provision is not of
such practical use as I then thought, and I therefore lay no claim
thereto.
According to a modification illustrated in Figure 8 to 13, in which
the valve and its attachments have rotating changes only (that is,
reciprocate in a rotary direction, instead of in the direction of the length
of the valve's cylinder, as hitherto), the ports 6, 6, 7, 7*, are placed in
a radial direction, instead of longitudinally in the cylinder as above.
The projections are arranged as in the previous modifications, but are
modified in shape so as to cause only the rotating movements, as pre-
viously described, being formed as shewn in Figures 12 and 13, with
different leverage resistances acting in the same direction instead of
different arca resistances acting in different directions, as in the previous

page_text: modifications. Projections having combined different leverage resist-
ances and area resistances acting in different directions may, however
(and to some advantage in some cases), be applied to the above modi-
fications. I elongate the discs 2, 2*, and provide them with ports
26, 26, 27, 27, and divide them into chambers 28, 28, 29, 29*. The
steam chambers and ports 28, 28*, 26, 26*, communicate respectively
with the chamber 3 (through 6, 6*), and the cylinder 8, and the exhaust
chambers and ports 29, 29, 27, 27*, respectively with the exhaust 15
(through 6, 6x), and the cylinder 8. The valve is suitably prevented
from having longitudinal motion, and receives the first movement of
each rotation by steam from the cylinder 8, as described in the previous
modifications, which acts between the smaller leverage of the
projections. This first movement being caused by the steam passing
(say) through the port 7* to between the smaller leverage ¹ between
10 and 11, Figure 12, is sufficient to shut the communication to the
cylinder 8, between 3, 28, 26, and 6, and to bring 27 in communication
with 6, so as to allow the exhaust to retraverse 6 and 27 to between the
projections 10, 11, at the greater leverage & thercof, but opposing a
resisting area in the same direction, which completes the rotation and
changes the direction of the steam through 28*, 26*, and G*, to the
cylinder 8.
I would here remark that a special feature of my Invention consists in
causing the second part of the movement of the valve by exhaust steam
from the cylinder 8 in combination with the modified form of projections
shewn in Figures 12 and 13, which gives a greater leverage x for the
exhaust to act upon, to that x¹ previously acted upon by the full
pressure of steam from the cylinder 8 which gives the first part of the
movement. The object in thus forming the projections is to allow of the
resistance passing through 7, and acting between the smaller arca of
10*, 11*, in a contrary direction, being overcome by the exhaust.
In the modifications hereafter described the valve and its immediate
connections or attachments receive only a longitudinal reciprocating
motion in lieu of the rotating movements lastly described.
In the modification illustrated in Figures 14 to 17 I form the valve 1
with three compartments 3, 29, 29* (or more if thought desirable),
3 forming the main steam chamber, and 29, 29*, communicating

page_text: with 6, 6*, respectively, and leading the exhaust steam from the
cylinder 8 to between the covers 12*, 12, and the projections 10*, 10,
which I secure to the discs and form as broad annular rims encircling
projections 11*, 11, secured to or forming part of the covers 12*, 12.
As in all the previous modifications when the piston passes (say) the
port 7 (the port 7 at the same time being closed) steam passes there--
through and through x¹ to between the disc 2* or the end of the valve
and the projection 11* on 12*, and causes a partial shifting of the valve
towards 17, which places the exhaust compartment 29 (leading the exhaust
from the end 17 of the cylinder 8 to the end 18.of the valve) in commu-
nication with the passage 6, and cuts off the steam from the chamber 3
thereto. The exhaust steam from the end 17 of the cylinder 8 then
retraverses passage 6, and passes to the larger area between 10* and 12*,.
which however oppose a resisting area in the same direction, and com-
pletes the shifting which opens the exhaust 15 to the air from the end 17
of the cylinder and from between 2*, 11*; 30, 30*, are provided for
starting the valve in the event of its stopping on its centre.
u Figures 18 to 21 illustrate another arrangement of this modification, in
which the ports 7, 7*, are crossed which obviates crossing 29 and 29*, as
in the last described Figures, so that the exhaust is taken from one end
of the cylinder 8 to the corresponding end of the cylinder 5, but the
steam for causing the first movement is taken from one end of the
cylinder 8 to the reverse end of the cylinder 5, a reversion of the method
lastly described.
Figures 22 to 24 illustrate another modification in which steam from 8,
acting through 7* and ¹ between 2 and 23, first moves the valve and
opens the exhaust from the end 17 of the cylinder 8, which passes between
the larger area between 2 and 12, opposing a resisting area in the same
direction however, and completes the movement; the fixtures otherwise
explain themselves; 23 is made a fixture as in Figure 4.
Figures 25 to 28 illustrate another modification in which 23 is also a
fixture, but encircled by the valve, and in which steam from 8 acting
through 7* and a³, between 23 and 11*, causes a partial movement of
the valve towards 18, and as above opens the exhaust from the end 17.
of 8 through 6 and 29 to between 10, 11, and 12, at the end 18 of the
valve which completes is stroke.

page_text: These Figures also otherwise explain themselves. In all the previous
the steam can be worked expansively by simply adding the requisite
ports in a manner well understood, and leading them from the desired
parts of the cylinder at which the steam is required to be cut off.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for
"Improvements in Steam Cylinders for Steam Pumping Machinery and
Steam Engines," together with the manner in which the same is to be
or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in
conclusion that I claim as my Invention,-
. The application of projections of the various forms shown (or of other
modified forms acting as their equivalents) and in the various methods
shewn (or in obvious modifications thereof) to the valve and valve
cylinder (or to their equivalents) of a steam cylinder for engines or
pumping machinery, in combination with the herein-before described
arrangements and combinations of ports, for causing by steam pressure
variously derived and applied, as herein-before stated, the shifting of the
main valve or slide, or its immediate attachments or connections (or
either of their equivalents) in either a combined reciprocating and rotary
motion, or in a rotary or reciprocating motion alone, for the purpose
of changing the flow or direction of the steam from the main steam
chamber to the alternate ends of the main cylinder to cause therein the
desired reciprocation of the piston and rod, which actuates the pump.
or engine. Not limiting myself as herein-before mentioned to any par-
ticular form of projections, nor method of application, nor to what parts
they may be attached or secured, so long as one of them is made a
fixture, to give a resisting area for steam to act against, whilst the
other is so applied as to be acted upon by the said steam obtaining its
power from the resistance obtained against the first mentioned projection
so as to cause the desired movement of the valve, or of its immediate
attachments or connections (or cither of their equivalents) in any of the
movements or directions above described; and especially I claim the
particular arrangements and combinations hercin-before described and
illustrated on the accompanying Drawings; and the utilization of the
exhaust steam from the main cylinder for causing any part of the said
movements of a valve or of its immediate attachments or connections,
(or either of their equivalents), and particularly when such exhaust
steam is caused partially or wholly to retraverse the main steam passage

page_text: through which it first passed to the cylinder, when the latter is provided
with an ordinary piston, as shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cemer Thomas Colebrook, have here-
unto set my hand and scal, this Sixth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-
three.
Witness,
BRISTOW HUNT,
Solicitor and Patent Agent,
Serle Street,
Lincoln's Inn.
C. T. COLEBROOK. (L.S.)