IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO ENGINES FOR RAISING AND FORCING FLUIDS
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ELIJAH
GALLOWAY, of Manchester Street, Gray's Inn Road, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-third day of April, in the third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Elijah Galloway, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Elijah Galloway, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Elijah Galloway, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, WHICH ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO ENGINES FOR RAISING AND FORCING FLUIDS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Elijah Galloway, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Elijah Galloway, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and

page_text: ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon (that is to say):
My Invention relates to that description of steam engines and machines for
raising and forcing fluids known as rotatory engines; and in order to give the
best information in my power I will proceed to describe the Drawings here-
unto annexed, first remarking that the same letters of reference are used to
indicate similar parts in each of the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents what may be termed a double steam engine in horizon-
tal section, constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a transverse
section in elevation thereof; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of some of the
working parts shown separately; and Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, shew transverse
sections of the cylindric portions of the working parts, shewn as diagrams, but
in each of the four last-mentioned figures the parts assume a different relative
position to each other, as would be the case in the rotation of the interior
moving parts. a, a, is an external case, which, being affixed to framing
(shewn in Figure 2), is made secure from movement. Within this steam case
or cylinder a, a, the moving parts revolve, as will be hereafter explained. On
one end of the cylinder a is affixed the cover a', having an opening and stuffing
box, through which the shaft or axis 6 passes, and is retained steam-tight, as
is clearly shewn in the Drawing. On the other end of the cylinder a is affixed
a cover a², which is a double cover, having a hollow space between the two sur-
faces of which the cover is formed, there being circular openings around the
axis in each surface of a³, the outer surface carrying a stuffing box a³, for
the passage of the axis or shaft b, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing, the
inner opening of the cover a² being for the passage of the steam from the
interior working parts into the double cover a², and thence to a condenser or
to the open air, by an eduction pipe a', according as the engine is to be worked
by high-pressure steam or by condensation; and it will be seen that the opening
through the inner surface a² of the cover a² should be packed by means of
gasket and metallic ring a', so as to prevent the passage of steam from the
steam case a, except through the interior working parts, all which will become
more clear when I have described the various parts, and the mode of their
working together. To illustrate the form and connection of these working
parts I will refer more particularly to Figure 3, where they are shewn as sepa-
rated, instead of being in close contact as they really work, and as shewn in
the other Figures. c and d are two cylinders flanged and bolted together at x,

page_text: and firmly keyed to the shaft or axis b, which passes through and is fitted into
the boss or centre q, q. The inner cylinder d is truly turned, and the outer
one c is accurately bored, both being concentric with the axis b. The inside
surface of the end at f is firmly turned, so as to constitute a flat or plane sur-
face, the space between the cylindric parts c and d, enclosed at one end by the
flat end f, forming a hollow cylindric cavity or channel, clearly shewn by a
careful inspection of the Figures. g is the piston (shewn separately at Figure 8),
which is accurately fitted and firmly fixed into grooves cut for its recep-
tion in the cylindric parts c, d, and also in the flat end f. This piston 9, there-
fore, forms a permanent, and as regards these parts an immoveable, partition,
shutting completely across the channel formed by c and d, and its end at z is in
the plane formed by the ends of c and d, or flush therewith. The part c¹ and d¹
is in every respect a duplicate of c, d, both as regards the cylinders and pis-
ton g, except at the double end f', f, which is differently formed, for a purpose
hereafter described, but instead of c', d', being fixed to the axis it is capable of
a longitudinal motion thereon, by means of keys or feathers, which compel its
rotation with the shaft, but allow it to approach to or diverge from c, d, by
sliding upon the axis. i, j, i, k, is what I call the abutment cylinder; it is cast
in one piece, being cylindric in the portions i, i, j, and i, i, k, while j, j, j, j,
are flat surfaces and on the same plane, being in this respect exactly
like the surfaces k, k, k, k; in fact, on each side of the vertical dotted
line, Figure 3, the parts of the abutment cylinder are of precisely the
same form, so that if it were divided through the dotted line, the two
portions would be perfect duplicates of each other. Every part of the cylin-
der and flat surfaces, both of the abutment cylinder and the other working
surfaces, must be truly bored and turned, as much in this engine depends upon
the accuracy of the workmanship. There are slits or mortices cut through the
cylindric parts i, i, (bevilled at their edges as shown in the Figures), the whole
of their length, wide enough for the pistons g, g, to move freely through them,
as shown in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Now, it must be obvious that if the
abutment cylinder be pressed against c, d, (so as to be in close contact endwise
as shown in Figure 1,) since the cylindric parts c, d, and i are of equal lengths,
the edge of i of the abutment cylinder is in contact with the flat surface f,
when the ends of c and d are in contact with the flat surfaces j, j, as will also
be the case with respect to the end of the piston g, and if the said ends and
surfaces be accurately turned and ground they will form a steam-tight junction
without any packing being inserted in their edges. In like manner if c¹, d', be
pressed against the abutment cylinder i, i, the whole of the corresponding ends
and surfaces will also be steam-tight. Now, referring to Figure 1, if the steam

page_text: case a, a, be charged with steam of greater density than that within the interior
working parts I have been describing, then such excess of pressure will cause
the respective surfaces to remain in contact with the respective edges, notwith-
standing the wear which must arise in consequence of working, for as these
surfaces become worn the motion allowed to the part c¹, d', on the axis 6 will
enable it by end pressure to approach the part c, d, and thus continue the
contact in the parts referred to. This power of approaching is in addition to
the action of the steam surrounding the working parts, further secured by the
arrangement of the brass bush at a³, which, by screwing up that stuffing box,
is pressed against the ring y, which forces c¹, d', towards c, d, as will readily be
understood by examining these parts in Figure 1. It is now necessary to
explain that the respective diameters of c, d, and i, and their duplicate parts
c', d', and i, are such that when (as in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7), the exterior
cylindric surface of the abutment cylinder i is in contact with the inner surface
of c, the inner cylindric surface of i is in contact with the convex surface of d,
all which is clearly shewn in the five Figures last referred to. In the abutment
cylinder there are two circular apertures 1, 1, (Figures 1, 2, and 3), large
enough to avoid touching the shaft 6 in any of its relative positions. These
apertures are also necessary for the passage of the steam, as hereafter described."
m, m, (Figures 1 and 2) are two rollers capable of revolving freely upon the
steel axes n, n, and covered by the bonnets or caps o, o, which are fitted to
flanges surrounding mortices, which are large enough to admit the rollers m, m,
the bonnets being made steam-tight by well-known means. These rollers touch
at their peripheries the cylindric part p, p, of the abutment cylinder, which
part is also truly turned so as to allow it to revolve freely between the rollers.
The abutment cylinder therefore has no connection with the axis b, and when
the latter revolves the two pistons 9, 9, by pressing against one side of each of
the mortices or slits in the abutment cylinder carry it round with them, so that
the whole of the working parts must necessarily rotate together, but as the
abutment cylinder is confined between the rollers m, m, its gravity will endure
a downward vertical pressure so as to secure a contact at every part of the
revolution at opposite points between d, i, and i, c, such contact being in a
vertical line passing through the axis b, as is clearly shewn in Figures 2, 4, 5,
6, and 7. Thus it will be evident that all the working surfaces in this engine,
that is to say, the ends and flat surfaces and the cylindric surfaces, will continue
to maintain a steam-tight union by external pressure, as it regards the end
surfaces, and by the gravity of the abutment cylinder as regards the cylindric
surfaces, notwithstanding the wear of the respective parts. Before proceeding
to describe the manner of working this engine it is desirable to specify how the

page_text: steam is admitted to and escapes from the working parts. s, Figure 2, is a
steam pipe, not shewn in Figure 1 (which being a plan would not shew the
pipe (s), which admits the steam from the boiler into the steam case a, so that
the working parts are completely surrounded by steam. r, r, are two apertures
or passages close to and on the same side of the pistons g, g, proportioned to
the power of the engine and of the usual areas of steam passages. Through
those passages the steam can at all times freely flow into the interior space.
There are also similar apertures t, t, on the other side of the piston, which
allows the steam to flow into the hollow spaces within d and d¹. There are
circular apertures shewn at u, u, u, u, Figures 1, 2, and 3, through which, by
means of the apertures 1, 1, in the abutment cylinder, the steam may freely
pass from thence, flowing through passages shewn by dotted lines v, v, Figures
1 and 3, into the double end f, f, thence through the passage numbered 8, 8,
into the double end a³ of the steam case a, and so out at the eduction pipe a¹
into the condenser or open air. Hence it will be evident that by the inter-
vention of the packing a³, there is no communication between the steam in the
case a and the double end a², except through the apertures and passages in the
working parts I have just described. And further, it may be stated respecting
the pistons g, g, that they have recesses in each of their faces between the
diagonal ribs, shewn in Figures 1, 3, and 8, the forms and dimensions of which
recesses are clearly shewn in the Drawing, Figure 8. They are thus formed
that the steam may have a free passage past the sides of the mortices in the
abutment cylinder, except when the pistons are at or near the highest and
lowest points of the revolution, at which points the solid parts of the pistons
fill the slits or mortices; and in order to prevent the steam passing the sides of
the slits or mortices at their points there are tongues of metallic packing fitted
into grooves at w, and pressed outward by springs so as to force the said
tongues of packing against the surfaces of the pistons (the ribs of which are
made diagonal to insure a more uniform wear on the sides of the slits or
mortices), the other edge of the mortices being kept close to the pistons by the
latter pushing against them in overcoming the resistance of the abutment
cylinder when turning it round.
Having thus described the nature of the various parts, and in some degree
having pointed out the manner of their relative action, I shall proceed to trace
the working of the engine when steam is applied. In doing so I will suppose
the engine at starting to be in the position shewn at Figures 2 and 5, when
the steam, entering from the boiler into the steam case a, and thence through
the passages r, r, into the interior, flows past the sides of the mortices, as
indicated by an arrow, but cannot pass the point of junction at i, d, it is also

page_text: stopped at the point of junction i, e. The abutment cylinder, therefore, is
pressed horizontally by the steam against the left-hand roller m (shewn by
dotted circles in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, and, being thereby incapable of receding
from the pressure, has so far the properties of a fixed abutment. The pistons,
therefore, will necessary recede from the pressure in the direction of the
arrows, and will carry with them the abutment cylinder, and of course the
axis b, which will communicate the power to the machinery. The supply of
steam being kept up, the pistons will continue to move until they reach the
position shewn at Figure 6, when for an instant the steam is shut off by the
abutment cylinder closing the apertures r, r, and the motion is continued by
the elasticity of the steam till the passage is re-opened. Immediately after the
pistons have passed the lowest point the steam which has done its work escapes
through the apertures t, t, into the interior of d and d', and so through the
passages described and shewn by arrows (Figure 1), and out by the eduction
pipe a. Simultaneously with the steam being able to pass the side of the
slits or mortices through the recesses in the pistons g, the interior of the abut-
ment cylinder on the left-hand side of Figure 6 (by the steam between c and i,
having escaped past the slits, and so out at t), becomes the abutment, the
steam still pressing it against the left-hand roller m; the motion will then
be continued until the parts arrive at the position shewn at Figure 7, so
on to Figure 4, where the eduction passages are momentarily closed; after
having passed which point, the external surface of the abutment cylinder
on the right hand of the Diagram again becomes the abutment, and thus
the motion will be continued until it reaches the starting point, as shewn at
Figures 2 and 5.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of com-
bining the parts, I would remark that the same may be varied so long as the
mode of working of the parts be retained; and I would further remark that I
am aware that the engine above described in several particulars resembles an
Invention for which John Trotter, of Soho Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Esquire, obtained Letters Patent, on or about the Fourteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and five, and described
in various works treating of steam engines. And I mention this circumstance
in order to state that I do not claim the whole construction of the engine,
above described as new, but confine myself to certain improvements herein
explained, whereby an engine of this description will be found to work more
efficiently than heretofore. And I have only further to remark that it will be
evident, when it is desired to employ such an engine for the purpose of raising
and forcing fluids, that, if power be applied to the axis or shaft 6, and the end

page_text: of the eduction pipe be immersed in a fluid, the working of the engine will
cause the fluid to be forced out of the induction pipes (Figure 2).
In conclusion, I would have it understood that what I claim as my Inven-
tion is,
First, the mode of forming the parts that the same may be kept steam-tight
by pressure, as above described;
Secondly, I claim the form, construction, and manner of suspending the
abutment cylinder, by which, whilst its rotation with the piston is insured, the
contact of the cylindric surfaces is effected by its own gravity;
Thirdly, I claim the form of the pistons 9, and of the mortices and
packing w, and the method of their working, for the purposes I have
specified;
Fourthly, I claim the application of the steam case a, and its covers a', a²,
as above described;
And, fifthly, I claim the mode of constructing the cylinder c, c', with their
ends f and f, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elijah Galloway, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and