IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE GEAR FOR DIRECT-ACTING ENGINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Baird Handyside, of the Crown Iron Works,
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE GEAR FOR DIRECT-ACTING
ENGINES." A communication from abroad by George H. Reynolds and
Thomas J. Rider, of New York, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James Baird Handyside at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th December 1880.
JAMES BAIRD HANDYSIDE, of the Crown Iron Works, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE GEAR
FOR DIRECT-ACTING ENGINES." A communication from abroad by George H.
Reynolds and Thomas J. Rider, of New York, United States of America.
The said Invention relates to direct-acting engines, which are most commonly
used for steam pumps, in which the main valve is moved by an auxiliary piston or
pistons, and in which is employed an auxiliary valve operated by the movement of
the piston rod for admitting steam or other motive agent to act upon the auxiliary
piston or pistons.
The Invention comprises the combination in a direct acting engine of a main
valve, an auxiliary cylinder, auxiliary pistons for moving the main valve, and an
auxiliary valve adapted to be turned to admit steam to act upon the auxiliary
pistons, and preferably arranged in line with the auxiliary pistons. The chest of
the auxiliary valve may be constructed to form a cover to the auxiliary cylinder,
thus dispensing with a separate cover therefor.
The Invention also comprises the combination with the above named main valve,
auxiliary cylinder, auxiliary pistons, and auxiliary valve of novel arrangements, of
ports for admitting steam to the auxiliary cylinder to act upon the auxiliary pistons
and for exhausting the steam from such cylinder.
The Invention also comprises a novel arrangement of ports for cushioning the
auxiliary pistons as they approach the ends of the auxiliary cylinder to prevent
any violent shock or jar by the pistons striking the cylinder heads.
The Invention also comprises novel means for regulating the exhaust of steam

page_text: from the auxiliary cylinder, so that the cushioning may be regulated or graduated
to a nicety.
The Invention also comprises the combination with an auxiliary valve, a
reciprocating piston rod, and an auxiliary valve stem, of an arm fixed to and
projecting from such piston rod, and a bar attached to the valve rod and having in
it a slot of novel form, by means of which the arm turns the valve rod as the
piston rod approaches the end of its stroke.
The Invention also comprises the combination with a reciprocating piston rod of
a stationary rack and a hand power lever adapted to engage with the piston rod,
and comprising a toothed sector for engagement with the rack, whereby a very
convenient means is afforded for working the piston rod by hand power.
The Invention also comprises various novel details of construction and combi-
nations of parts which are hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a
steam pump embodying the Invention, the water end of the pump being omitted;
Figure 2 is an end view thereof; Figure 3 is a transverse section of the auxiliary
valve chest, as at the dotted line x-x, Figure 1; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section
of the auxiliary valve chest; Figure is a side view of the auxiliary valve
detached from other parts; Figure 6 is a transverse section of the valve, as at the
dotted line y-y, Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan of the slotted bar which is attached
to the auxiliary valve stem; Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the main valve
and auxiliary pistons upon a larger scale; Figure 9 is an end view of an auxiliary
piston; Figure 10 is a plan of the auxiliary cylinder, with the auxiliary valve
chest arranged at right angles thereto, and a modified arrangement of mechanism
for turning or oscillating the auxiliary valve; Figure 11 is a vertical section
through the auxiliary valve chest, shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 is a section of
the auxiliary valve chest, as at the dotted line z-z, Figure 11; Figure 13 is a
horizontal section of the auxiliary valve chest; Figure 14 is a detail side view of
the modification of valve gear shown in Figure 10; Figure 15 is a detail side view
of another modification of valve gear applicable to the arrangement of auxiliary
valve shown in Figure 10, and Figure 16 is a plan of a main cylinder, an auxiliary
cylinder arranged transversely thereto, and an auxiliary valve with its axis at right
angles to the axis of the auxiliary cylinder, but parallel with the axis of the main
cylinder. The same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
The part 17, the main steam cylinder of a direct acting steam pump having a
piston 18, and a piston rod 19. The cylinder 17 is to be connected by a brace or
trunk 20 with a water cylinder and valves, not shown, but which may be of any
desirable construction and arrangement. An auxiliary cylinder 21 is arranged
above, and preferably cast in the same piece with the main cylinder 17. The
auxiliary cylinder 21 is supplied with live steam by means of a pipe 22, which may
be inserted in either side thereof, and it communicates by means of ports 23 with
the main cylinder 17, and by means of a port 24 with the exhaust opening 25, as
seen in Figure 1. The auxiliary cylinder 21 is closed at the back end by a
cover 26, but at the front end it is closed in a novel manner, as hereinafter fully
explained.
The main valve 27, as here represented, is cast in one piece with two auxiliary
pistons 28 which are fitted to reciprocate in the auxiliary cylinder 21. The main
valve 27 controls the entrance of steam into the cylinder 17, through the ports 23,
and the exhaust of steam therefrom through the ports 23 and the ports 24 to the
exhaust opening 25. The main valve 27 has in its upper side an opening 29, and
a rock shaft 30 projects through the auxiliary cylinder 21, and carries at its inner
end an arm 31 which enters the opening 29 in the main valve. At its outer end
the shaft 30 is provided with a hand lever 32, by means of which the rock shaft
may be rocked and the main valve shifted. The auxiliary cylinder has in its sides
opposite openings, in either of which the steam pipe 22 may be inserted to suit

page_text: the circumstances of the case, and the rock shaft 30 may be inserted through the
opposite opening.
of
The auxiliary pistons 28 may be provided with suitable ring packing, which
may be prevented from turning thereon by means of screws 33 inserted at the
meeting edges of the rings, as shown in Figure 8. There is an auxiliary valve
chest 34, and an auxiliary valve 35 is adapted to turn therein for the purpose
admitting steam to the auxiliary cylinder 21 to act upon the auxiliary pistons 28.
As here represented the auxiliary valve 35 is arranged in line with the auxiliary
pistons 28, and the auxiliary valve chest 34 forms a front cover to the auxiliary
cylinder 21. In the auxiliary valve chest 34 are two chambers, one a steam
chamber 36, which is supplied with steam by a port 37 from the auxiliary
cylinder 21, and the other an exhaust chamber 38 communicating by a port 39 with
the exhaust opening 25 of the main cylinder.
In order to provide for renewing the valve seat in the auxiliary valve chest 34,
as well as to insure the proper position of the several ports, there is driven or forced
into the auxiliary chest a brass or other metal lining or bush 40, in which is a
hole or aperture 41 for admitting steam from the steam chamber 36, a hole or
aperture 42 communicating with the exhaust chamber 38, two holes or apertures
43, 44, in one transverse plane, and two holes or apertures 45, 46, in another
transverse plane (Figure 4). The holes or apertures 43, 44, 45, 46, open into
chambers or cavities 47, which are cored in the auxiliary chest, and from these
chambers or cavities the steam and exhaust ports extend to each end of the auxiliary
cylinder 21. From the chambers or cavities of the holes or apertures 43, 44,
extend ports 48, 49, one to each end of the cylinder 21, and from the chambers or
cavities of the holes or apertures 45, 46, extend exhaust ports 50, 51, which also
communicate one with each end of the cylinder. The ports 48, 50, which commu-
nicate with the left hand end of the auxiliary cylinder have to be drilled in the
auxiliary chest from the inner end into the cavities 47, and the latter part some-
what into the cylinder, while the ports 49, 51, which communicate with the right
hand end of the cylinder 21 must be drilled both through the chest 34 and the
auxiliary cylinder.
The auxiliary valve 35, which is shown in Figures 5 and 6, is of somewhat
peculiar form, and has connected with it a stem 52 passing through a stuffing
box 53 in the auxiliary chest, and fitting in a guide 54 projecting from the water
end of the pump.
The top of the valve 35 has an opening 55 throughout the whole or a greater part
of its length, so that the steam entering through the hole or aperture 41 will be
conducted to a transverse peripheral annular groove or recess 56, and by the oscil-
lation of the valve the steam will be supplied alternately to each of the ports 48, 49,
and thence to each end of the auxiliary cylinder, the ports entering that cylinder
close to the ends thereof so as to permit steam to act upon the pistons whether the
latter are close to the cylinder ends or not.
In the bottom of the valve 35 is a cavity 57, which is always in communication
with the hole or aperture 42, and which by the oscillation of the valve brings alter-
nately the holes or apertures 45, 46, in communication with the hole or aperture 42,
and permits the exhaust from the two ends of the auxiliary cylinder into the
exhaust chamber 38, and thence through a port 39 into the exhaust opening 24.
It will be observed that the ports 50, 51, communicate with the auxiliary cylinder
at some little distance from the end, and a novel and simple device is provided for
cushioning the auxiliary pistons upon the steam at the ends of their strokes. As
clearly shown there is in each piston 28 near the end thereof an annular groove 58
which communicates by means of an irregular port or passage 59 with the end of
the pistons 28. In the ends of the two pistons 27 are circular recesses, in which
are fitted washers or plates 60, which each have in them a hole or aperture 61
corresponding with the port 59, and which are secured in place by screws 62,
upon which they may be adjusted to bring the holes 58 in coincidence or more or
less out of coincidence with the ports 59, and by which they may be securely locked

page_text: in place after adjustment. The plates 60 might have several holes of different
sizes. When the pistons 28 move towards the right or left hand of the cylinder
the steam in front of them is freely exhausted through the port 51 until the front
edge of the piston cuts of the port. As soon as the annular groove 58 in the
piston comes opposite the port the steam is exhausted through the irregular port 59
until the inner edge of the groove passes the port 51, whereupon the steam is
trapped in the auxiliary cylinder and the pistons properly cushioned.
washers 60 by first loosening the screws 62 may be adjusted to effect the cushioning
to a nicety, and by tightening the screws are held when so adjusted. In a steam
pump the proper cushioning of the valve at the end of its stroke is very important,
and as this feature of the Invention enables this to be done and the cushioning to be
easily adjusted it is of great importance.
The
I will proceed now to a description of the means whereby the auxiliary valve 35
may be turned, premising however that other suitable means may be employed
for the same purpose. On reference to the several Figures it will be understood
that all the valve openings are below the centre of the auxiliary pistons 28 and
the auxiliary valve 35, and that therefore there is little liability of leakage
resulting from wear. A slotted bar 63 having at each end a lug 64 by which it
may be adjusted upon the valve stem, and a set screw whereby it may be secured
in proper place when so adjusted. The slot 65 is slightly longer than the stroke
of the piston rod of the pump, and near each end has a cam shaped portion 66.
An arm 67 is rigidly fixed upon the piston rod 19, having at its outer end an eye
adapted to work freely upon the valve stem 52, and also having at its outer end
a neck 68 which is received in the slot 65, and is free to move longitudinally
therein. As the arm 67 approaches one end of the slot 65 it engages with the
cam shaped portion 66 of the slot and causes a partial turning of the valve stem
and valve in one direction, admitting steam to one end of the auxiliary cylinder
and opening the exhaust to the opposite end. When the arm 67 approaches the
other end of the slot 65 it engages with the other cam shaped portion 66 and
causes a partial turning or rocking of the valve stem and valve in the opposite
direction, admitting steam and opening the exhaust to the other ends of the
auxiliary cylinder.
The ordinary hand power levers which are employed to work direct acting
steam pumps of small size by hand power have a fixed fulcrum in the trunk or
brace connecting the steam and pump cylinders, and a sliding connection with the
piston rod to enable the lever to be moved in either direction from a vertical
position. A lever having a fixed connection with the piston rod is much more
effective and mechanical, and to enable this to be done a hand power lever 69 is
employed, having a fixed connection with the piston rod through a pin or stud
projecting outwards from the arm 67, and comprising a toothed sector 71 which is
adapted to engage with a stationary toothed rack 72. Though the connection of
the lever 69 with the piston rod may be of any suitable character a simple form of
connection is here shown.
The lever has in it a large opening 73, the upper part of which is fitted to the
pin 70, and after the lever has been placed over the pin and pushed down to put
its sector 71 in engagement with the rack 72, a pin 74 may be inserted transversely
across the opening 73, as shown, thus preventing the lever from accidentally rising
and disengaging its sector from the rack 72.
The foregoing description is all confined to that modification of the Invention in
which the axis of the auxiliary valve is in line with the auxiliary cylinder 21 and
pistons 28, but if desirable the auxiliary valve might be arranged with its axis at
right angles to the cylinder and pistons, as shown in Figures 10 to 15. In this
example of the Invention the same reference numerals are used to designate the
various ports and openings as are used in the previous description, hence a detailed
description thereof is unnecessary, the operation being as previously described.
When the auxiliary valve is arranged with its axis at right angles to the main
piston, a longitudinal movement imparted from the piston rod is needed to turn

page_text: the valve, and one arrangement of mechanism for this purpose is shown in
Figures 10 and 14, while another arrangement is shown in Figure 15.
Referring first to Figures 10 and 14, 75 designates a bar arranged to reciprocate
in a bearing or support 76, and receiving a longitudinal reciprocating movement
by a suitable connection with the piston rod of the pump, the connection not being
here shown. Upon the stem of the auxiliary valve 35 are secured arms 77, 78,
projecting at opposite angles, and provided with pins or studs 79 which extend
over the bar 75 from opposite sides, as shown clearly in Figure 14. The bar 75
is formed with, or has attached to its opposite sides, inclines 80, 81, which, as the
bar is reciprocated, act upon the studs 79 of the arms 77, 78, to shift or turn the
auxiliary valve first in one direction and then in the other. When the bar 75
moves towards the right the incline 80 acts upon the stud 79 projecting from the
arm 77 and turns the valve towards the right, but when the bar is moved towards
the left the incline 81 acts upon the stud 79 projecting from the arm 78 and turns
the valve towards the left.
In the modification, shown in Figure 15, the stem of the auxiliary valve has
fixed upon it a single arm 82 carrying a roller 83 which engages with a slot 86
in a reciprocating bar 84, arranged to be moved like the bar 75 (Figures 10 and 14)
in a support or bearing 85. At the middle of the length of the slot 86 are two
opposite inclines 87, and near each end is a single incline 88. When the bar 84
completes half its stroke one of the inclines 87 acts upon the roller 83, shifting the
arm 82 into the central position, shown in Figure 15, and when the bar approaches
the end of its stroke one of the inclines 88 acts upon the roller and moves the arm
the remaining distance.
If desirable for any reason, the auxiliary cylinder 21 might be arranged
transversely of the main cylinder 17, as shown in Figure 16, with the auxiliary
valve arranged with its axis at right angles to the auxiliary cylinder and parallel
with the piston rod. In this modification the arrangement of ports would be the
same as previously described, and the mechanism for turning the auxiliary valve
might be the same as shown in Figure 1.
Although two pistons 27, 28, are described for moving the main valve they may
be considered as two heads of a single piston.
It will be observed that in all the examples of the Invention here shown, are the
reciprocating auxiliary pistons, and the oscillating auxiliary valve, and that the
arrangement of ports is substantially the same in all cases.
Having thus particularly described the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention for which I desire to secure Letters
Patent, is,-
1. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder, auxiliary pistons for moving the main valve, and an auxiliary valve
adapted to be turned to admit steam to act upon the auxiliary pistons, substantially
as herein before described.
. 2. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder, auxiliary pistons for moving the main valve, and an auxiliary valve
adapted to be turned to admit steam to act upon the auxiliary pistons, and arranged
with its axis in line with the pistons, substantially as herein before described.
3. The combination in a a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder, auxiliary pistons for moving the main valve, an auxiliary valve to admit
steam to act upon the auxiliary pistons, and an auxiliary valve chest arranged at
the end of the cylinder and forming a cover therefor, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder, auxiliary pistons for moving the main valve, an auxiliary valve adapted
to be turned to admit steam to act upon the auxiliary pistons, and supply and

page_text: exhaust ports from the auxiliary valve to the pistons, all arranged below the axis
of the auxiliary valve and pistons, substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination of an auxiliary cylinder (21), a main valve (27), auxiliary
pistons (28), an oscillating auxiliary valve (35), an auxiliary valve chest (34),
comprising steam and exhaust chambers (36, 38), and the ports (37, 39, 48, 49,
50, 51), all arranged substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder having an exhaust port at some distance from its end, and an auxiliary
piston constructed with an annular groove near its end and with a port or passage
leading from the annular groove through the end of the piston, substantially as and
for the purpose herein before described.
7. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a main valve, an auxiliary
cylinder having an exhaust port at some distance from its end, an auxiliary piston
constructed with an annular groove near its end, and with a port or passage leading
from the annular groove through the end of the piston, and a plate or washer
having a hole or aperture corresponding to the port or passage, and adapted to be
adjusted to more or less close the port or passage, substantially as and for the
purpose herein before described.
8. The combination in a direct acting engine, of an auxiliary valve, a valve
stem, a reciprocating piston rod, a bar attached to the valve stem, and constructed
with a slot having a cam-like face at each end, and an arm fixed to the piston rod
and engaging with the slot in the bar, substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described.
9. The combination in a direct acting engine, of a piston rod, a stationary rack
and a lever adapted to be connected with said piston rod, and comprising a toothed
sector for engaging with the rack, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
10. The combination of a piston rod (19) having a projecting pin or stud (70),
a stationary rack (72), and a lever (69), comprising a toothed sector (71), and
having an opening (73), and a pin (74), inserted transversely across the opening,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Baird Handyside, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES B. HANDYSIDE. (L.S.)