IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES AND PUMPS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VALVES AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Evans, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of
Culwell Foundry, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and
General Engineers and Iron Founders, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM PUMPS AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES AND PUMPS, APPLICABLE
ALSO TO VALVES AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 9th August 1878, and dated the 29th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Evans at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1878.
JOSEPH EVANS, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of Culwell Foundry,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and General Engineers and
Iron Founders. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINES AND PUMPS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VALVES FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
I will first describe my improvements as they relate to a steam-pumping
engine. The piston is constructed in two parts, forming the ends thereof (either
formed in one piece or fixed together), the said ends being distanced apart from each
other at somewhat more than the length of the stroke. The hollow place thus
formed between the two ends of the piston, and within the cylinder is the steam
chest, and contains a slide valve working over ports in the inner face of the
cylinder. The said slide valve has three bars and two exhaust openings in its face,
and works over two ordinary steam ports, passing one to each end of the cylinder, one
central exhaust port, and two recessed ports in the inner face of the cylinder. The
recessed ports allow the steam to flow from the steam chest alternately under each
end bar of the valve and into the corresponding steam port to the end of the
cylinder. The said valve is actuated by being moved alternately by the inner ends
of the hollow piston. The said valve is provided with two pistons working in
cylindrical parts, one at each end of the valve. The pistons are upon the same rod
or axis (and parallel with the axis of the cylinder); so that as one piston is pushed
inwards, the other moves outwards.

page_text: Motion is given to the valve through the medium of one of the pistons alternately,
and the steam within the cylindrical parts acts as a cushion to the blow given by
the main piston. The pistons are recessed in front to still further lessen the
shock.
Any suitable modification of cataract or other arrangement may be used as a
cushion to the blow caused by the main piston.
The pump cylinder and valve are constructed similarly as the steam piston and
valve, but that the valve is similar to an ordinary three-port slide, as it works over
one centre (suction) port and two end ports passing, one to each end of the pump
cylinder. The fluid under pressure is forced into the hollow between the ends of
the piston, and passes from thence to the air vessel or into the delivery pipes.
One or more rings may be formed solid to the pump valve and be split, so as to
spring out to fit the cylinder, and thus tend to keep the valve in equilibrium.
These rings may be used also for the steam valve when desired, and this arrange-
ment of rings is applicable also to other slide valves arranged to work within
cylindrical chests.
The arrangement of steam piston and valve is applicable also for other motive-
power engines requiring a reciprocating motion.
The arrangement of pump piston and valve is applicable also for hand and other
pumps, and the pump may be actuated, if desired, by means of a lever, cam, or crank
between the ends of the piston.
The arrangement of steam piston and valve is applicable also to engines for
working pumps having clack or other valves.
My improvements consist further in applying expanding rings to the collars of
piston valves for engines and pumps, and other purposes, so as to take up the wear, the
open part of the said rings being closed by a V'd tongue piece pressed out by the
pressure of the fluid acting within a recess in which the shank of the tongue piece
is carried, or by a spring or other suitable means. The nose of the tongue piece
runs in a groove in the cylinder in which the valve works, and thus keeps the valve
from turning round and the tongue from passing over any of the openings forming
the port.
In the case of a horizontal piston valve a faced part runs the whole distance of the
valve between the collars on the bottom side, so as to give more wearing surface to
carry the weight of the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Evans in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th October
1878.
JOSEPH EVANS, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of Culwell Foundry,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and General Engineers and
Iron Founders. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINES AND PUMPS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VALVES FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
I will first describe my improvements as they relate to a steam-pumping engine.
The steam piston is constructed in two parts, forming the ends thereof (either
formed in one piece or fixed together), the said ends being distanced apart from each
other at somewhat more than, the. length of the stroke. The hollow space thus
formed between the two ends of the piston is the steam chest, and contains a slide:
valve working over points in the inner face of the cylinder. The said slide valve
has three bars and two openings in its face, and works over two ordinary steam
ports passing one to each end of the cylinder, one central exhaust port, and two
ports recessed into the inner face of the cylinder. The recessed ports allow the
Isteam to flow from the steam chest alternately under each end bar of the valve and
into the corresponding steam port to the end of the cylinder. The said valve is
actuated by being moved alternately by the inner ends of the hollow piston, either
in the manner presently described for the pump valve, or else, and preferably, the
said steam valve is constructed as a small steam cylinder, the piston of which is
fixed so that the cylinder only moves. The small cylinder is provided with a
valve actuated by the main piston as it approaches each end of the stroke.
The pump piston and valve are constructed similarly as the steam piston and
valve, except that the valve is a three-port slide, as it works over one centre
(suction) port and two end ports, passing one to each end of the pump cylinder. The
fluid under pressure is forced into the hollow space between the ends of the piston,
and passes from thence to the air vessel or into the delivery pipes. The pump
valve is provided with two pistons working in cylindrical parts, one at each end
of the valve. These pistons are upon the same rod or axis (and parallel with the
axis of the pump cylinder), so that as one piston is pushed inwards the other moves
outwards.
Motion is given to the valve through the medium of one of the pistons alternately;
and the fluid within the cylindrical parts acts as a cushion to the blows given by
the main piston. The pistons are recessed in front to still further lessen the.
shock.
Any suitable modification of cataract or other arrangement may be used as a
cushion tothe blows caused by the pump piston.
One or more rings may be formed solid to the pump valve and be split, so as to
spring out to fit the cylinder, and thus tend to keep the valve in equilibrium.
These rings may be used also for the steam valve when desired, and this arrange-
ment of rings is applicable also to other slide valves arranged to work within
cylindrical chests.
The arrangement of steam-cylinder ports and piston and valve is applicable also
for other motive-power engines requiring a reciprocating motion.
The arrangement of pump-cylinder ports and piston and valve is applicable also
for hand and other pumps, and the pump may be actuated if desired by means of a
lever, cam, or crank between the ends of the piston.
The arrangement of steam-cylinder ports and piston and valve is applicable also
to engines for working pumps having clack and other valves.
My improvements consist further in applying expanding rings to the collars of.
piston valves for engines and pumps, and for other purposes, so as to take up the
wear, the open part of each ring being closed by a V'd tongue piece pressed out by
the pressure of the fluid, acting within a recess in which the shank of the tongue

page_text: piece is carried, or by spring or other suitable means. The nose of the tongue piece
runs in a groove in the cylinder or case in which the valve works, and thus keeps the
valve from turning on its axis, and the tongue piece from passing over any of the
port openings.
In the case of a horizontal piston valve a faced part runs the whole distance of
the valve between the collar on the botton side, so as to give more wearing surface
to carry the weight of the valve.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to describe
the manner of carrying out the same in practice, with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon.
I will first refer to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which illustrate my improved
direct-acting steam pump.
The Figures are to a scale of three inches to a foot.
The same letters of reference occurring upon any of the said Figures indicate cor-
responding parts.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through the centre of the steam
pump excepting that the small valve for actuating the main steam valve is shewn,
for convenience, in section though its true position (seo Figure 2) is somewhat out
of the centre of the cylinder.
Figure 2 is a section on line x, x, of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on line x1, x¹, of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan; Figure 5 a side elevation of the middle portion of the steam
cylinder, shewing the starting handle; and Figure 6, a side elevation of the middle
portion of the pump cylinder.
..A, A, are the two ends of the steam piston which are distanced apart by the part
B and held tightly thereto by the rod C. The rod C is extended through the front.
end of the steam cylinder, and forms also the pump rod.
The hollow space between the ends A, A, of the steam piston is permanently
supplied with steam through the steam pipe E, and is in fact the steam chest to the
engine.
D is the main steam valve, and consists of a cylinder having steam and exhaust
ports, as shown at its upper side.
The ports communicate with a cylindrical steam chest a, in which works a cylin-
drical valve, as shewn. This last-mentioned valve I will term herein-after the
"auxiliary" valve. b, b, are the steam ports to each end of the steam cylinder;
d is the exhaust port; and c, c, are recesses in the inner face of the cylinder. The
face of the valve D (that is, where it bears upon the inner face of the steam cylinder)
is provided with three bars and two openings, as.shewn.
F is the piston of the valve D, and is permanently held fixed by the bar G.
Instead therefor of the piston F being moved by the steam, the piston remains fixed
and the valve D is moved. One side of the valve D is slotted (as shewn by dotted
lines, Figure 1) to allow for its stroke where the bar G enters the side of the cylin-
der D. The auxiliary valve is provided with enlarged heads, as shewn, to act as
stops at each end of its stroke.
: One of the said heads is of course detachable. The parts e, e, of the auxiliary
valve are grooves turned therein, and the parts f, f, are flats cut on the bottom side
only; h, h, are ports formed by cutting away the upper half of the cylindrical steam
chest a; and g is an opening formed in the same manner, the said opening g allowing
for drilling out the ports to the cylinder D.
It will be seen by Figure 1 that the auxiliary valve is in the position to allow
the steam to flow through the front end port h around the corresponding groove e
and under the corresponding flat f, and thus through the front steam port into the
cylinder D, forcing it into its forward position from the piston F, as shewn.
It will also be seen that the other end of the cylinder D is open to the exhaust
port i, which latter communicates with the main exhaust (see Figure 2). The
inain valve D is shewn in such a position upon the face of the main steam cylinder
that the steam in the hollow space between the pistons A, A, Hows through the

page_text: front end recess c and through the front steam port b to the front end of the main
cylinder.
The other end of the main cylinder is open to the exhaust port, as shewn. The
piston A, A, is thus forced backwards until the front end A strikes the projecting
front end of the auxiliary valve, thus admitting steam to the other side of the piston
F, and the valve D is thus reversed and steam admitted to the back end of the main
cylinder, the front end being open to the exhaust. The piston A, A, is thus forced
forwards until the back end A strikes the projecting back end of the auxiliary valve,
when the parts again take the position, as illustrated.
m (see Figure 2) is the starting handle, and is connected to the lever k which
hangs down between two snugs n, n, (one only being shewn) at the side of the
valve D. The smugs n, n, are sufficiently far apart to allow of the ordinary
working of the valve D without moving the lever k.
Referring now to the pump cylinder, the piston is shewn constructed in a similar
manner to the steam piston. The hollow space between the two ends of the piston
forms part of the delivery passage.
H is the valve which is constructed as a three-port slide. The pump piston
is shewn about to commence its stroke towards the steam cylinder and the
port ɩ, l, l, will act as a delivery passage immediately the pump piston begins
to move.
The other end of the pump cylinder is shewn in communication with the suction
port o. As the pump piston advances towards the end of its stroke, the back end
thereof strikes the small piston p, forcing it into the cylindrical part q at one end of
the valve H.
The fluid in the part q acts as a cushion to some extent to the blow upon the
piston as the part 7 is provided with an orifice 7, as shewn, which on account
of its shape allows the fluid to be expelled from the part p with a decreasing velo-
city. Motion is thus imparted to the valve H, which is pushed by the pump piston
into the reverse position to that shewn, so as to be right for the return stroke of
the pump. Upon the return stroke of the pump, the valve H is forced back again
into the position as illustrated.
2'
It will be seen that the small pistons p and p¹ are connected together by a rod,
and that as one piston is pushed in, the other moves out. One of the said small pistons
is of course detachable. The outer ends of the pistons p and p¹ are recessed to still
further reduce the shock of the blow. The bars act as a strap in preventing the valvo
H from being pushed too far in either direction; and serves also in preventing the
valve H from turning on its axis. t, t, are rings formed solid to the valve H. The
said rings t, t, have parts curved in, as shewn, so as not to pass under the exhaust
branch I, and are cut open at the points u, u, so as to spring out and fit the pump
cylinder, and thus tend to keep the valve H in equilibrium.
My improved expanding rings and horizontal wearing part for piston valves are
illustrated by Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, which are drawn half full size.
The same letters of reference occurring upon any of the views 7, 8, 9, and 10,
indicate corresponding parts.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through a horizontal piston valve and case
as applied to my "reliable" steam pump, for which Letters Patent were granted
to me on the Sixteenth day of November, A.D. 1874, No. 3938.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 are sections taken on the lines y, y, y', y', and y³, y³,
respectively.
K is the piston valve; L, the valve case; M, M, the expanding rings, and N, N,
the V'd tongue pieces. The tongue pieces N, N, have shanks O, O, fitting into
cylindrical recesses in the collars of the valve; P, P, are passages to allow the fluid
under pressure to pass up to the back ends of the shanks O, Ŏ.
The V'd tongue
pieces are thus forced out, and the rings M, M, tightened up, as wear takes place.
If the fluid pressure were on the other side of the valve collars, the passages P, P,
would be drilled from the outside, instead of from the inside, as shewn.

page_text: Spiral or other springs may be used, if desired, instead of the fluid pressure to
force out the V'd tongue pieces. The V'd tongue pieces pass through corresponding
V's in the rings M, M, (see Figure 8), and also into a V'd groove Q, which latter
prevents the valve from turning on its axis, and thus prevents the split part of
the rings, and the V'd tongue pieces from passing over any of the ports in the
case L.
The valve K being horizontal, is provided with a faced bar R running the whole
length of the valve between the collars, so as to give more wearing surface to carry
the weight of the valve.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, and described the method
of carrying out the same in practice, I declare that I do not limit myself to the
exact details illustrated, as such may be varied without departing from the nature
of my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,-
1st. The improved construction of steam-pumping engine, substantially as herein
described and illustrated by the Drawings, or with the pump piston and valve or
valves of any ordinary type.
2nd. The improved construction of motive-power cylinder ports and piston and
valve for steam-pumping engine, and for other engines (worked by steam or other
motive power) requiring a reciprocating motion, substantially as herein described,
and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2.
3rd. The improved construction of pump cylinder ports and piston and valve for
steam, hand, and other pumps, substantially as herein described, and illustrated by
Figures 1 and 3.
4th. The application of rings cast or formed solid or fixed to slide valves for
engines, pumps, and other purposes, arranged to work within cylindrical chests, tho
said rings being cut through, preferably at a point farthest away from the body of
the valve, substantially as and for the purpose herein described, and illustrated by
the Drawings as applied to a pump valve.
5th. The application of expanding rings to piston valves for engines, pumps, and
other purposes, having the nose ends of the V'd tongue pieces sliding in a groove
along the cylinder or case, substantially as and for the purpose herein described, and
illustrated by the Drawings.
6th. The application of a faced bar along the bottom of horizontal piston valves,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described, and illustrated by the
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Evans, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Assoc. Inst. C.E.,
Patent Office,
Wolverhampton.
JOSH. EVANS. (1.S.)