IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND IN HEATING STEAM
Year: 1851

page_text: WHEREAS Her present Most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day of
July. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, in the lifteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Richard. Lloyd, any exors, admors, and assigns. Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority. that 1. the said Richard Lloyd, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as . the said Richard Lloyd, my
exors, admors, 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, the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND IN HEATING STEAM," communicated to me by a
certain Foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Richard Lloyd, shall cause a particular description
of the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, 1, the said
Richard Lloyd, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
The proposed object of the improvements in steam engines and steam
boilers is, by certain new means hereafter described, to take advantage of the
general well known fact that substances experience an enlargement of their
volume by an increase of temperature. The enquiries of Dr. Dalton and
Gay Lussac, on dilatation, proved that all gases and vapors, whatever be
their density, when heated in a reservoir separate from liquid, undergo the
same dilatation by the same changes of temperature, and that the augmentation
of volume in regard to the vapor of water from the point of temperature of melt-
ing ice to that of boiling water is equal to 6* of the initial volume at zero
(for the centigrade thermometer). Therefore the actual cubic dilatation due to
one degree centigrade equals the volume at melting ice multiplied by 000375;
but it is necessary to observe that the application of this law of dilitation
by the addition of heat or caloric cannot be considered in reference to steam
when in contact with water, but applies to steam entirely separate from water,
so that a great difference may exist between the temperature of the water in
the boiler and that of the steam which has passed from the boiler into
the reservoir and heated therein, and which is generally termed surcharged or
super-heated steam. For the purpose of effecting the necessary and entire
separation of the steam to be super-heated from that in contact with the water
in the boiler, I place a reservoir of a convenient capacity in contact with the
flame, or heated air and gases, developed by the combustion of the fuel on the
grate of any ordinary existing boiler or of boilers to be constructed, and
between this reservoir and the induction steam pipe 1 place self-acting valves,
which open towards the heated steam reservoir, so that when the engine is at
work, each time the stroke of the piston is made and a corresponding volume
of steam is taken from the heated reservoir. This volume is immediately
replaced by the superior pressure of the ordinary steam in the boiler opening
the before-mentioned valves and supplying the place of the super-heated steam
consumed by the working of the piston; but the instant the dilatation of the
vapor or steam commences by the action of the highly heated surface of the
reservoir, the valves immediately close and prevent the return of the super-
heated and dilated steam to the boiler. consequently the contact of the
super-heated or surcharged steam with the water. is prevented.
It is a peculiarity of my Invention that the steam surcharger is so arranged

page_text: and worked as to admit of the heat of the steam in the surcharger being
brought to the desired point of temperature by the action of the same fire
which is used to generate the steam, and at the same time so as to prevent
the steam being thereby raised to too great a temperature, and also in such
manner as to prevent the surcharger being heated to a high degree of tem-
perature before there has been suflicient steam generated in the boiler to
commence working the engine. The reservoir or surcharger for containing
the super-heated steam is to be furnished with a common safety valve. It
will be apparent that the action of the separating or self-acting valves depends
on the difference of pressure between the dilated and super-heated steam in
the reservoir and that of the ordinary steam in the boiler, so that when
a certain volume of super-heated steam is taken from the reservoir or sur-
charger for working an engine, or for any mechanical, chemical, or manufac
turing purpose, and the pressure be diminished in consequence, then should
the pressure in the ordinary boiler exceed that of the super-heated steam in
the reservoir or surcharger, the valves will open and admit a certain volume
of ordinary steam to the reservoir; and in case this volume should remain too
long in contact with the heated surface, thereby causing too great a dilatation
and pressure, as this heated volume cannot return to the boiler, it is allowed
to escape by means of the safety valve..
Jt has hitherto been found that in all attempts to employ highly surcharged
steam, the packings of the piston, piston rod, stuffing boxes, and all other packed
joints are much injured by the superior heat of the steam. To remedy this
inconvenience I spin or mat together asbestos, with or without, as the case
may require, steel wire or springs, and ordinary tallow. I find the asbestos
alone to perfectly resist the most intense heat; and when spun into thread and
a sort of cloth is made, it is very serviceable for making all sorts of steam
joints, stufling boxes, and packings of pistons, where highly heated.. or sur-
charged steam is employed.
The first application of the improvements is shewn in Figures 1 and 2, where
A, A, A, represents an ordinary stationary boiler with the fireplace B. and flues
C, C, as usual; but instead of the flame and heated air and gases following
the direct ordinary course of the flues C. C, they are. when steam is passing
from the boiler to the surcharger, diverted and made to descend and envelope
nearly the whole of the circumference of the surcharger or reservoir...D, D.
The flame and heated gases are made to descend by turning or interposing
the door or damper E. E. into the position shewn in the Drawing at Figures
1. and 2 and more or less of the heat from the furnace is caused to act on the
surcharger as may be required, to keep the steam to the degree of heat

page_text: desired, and this is accomplished by regulating the position of a damper, as is
indicated by the dotted lines F, F. And it is by such means that the passage
of the flame around the circumference of the reservoir or surcharger can be
closed, and the ordinary direct passage of the flame restored when commencing
to generate steam, so as to cause the products to pass above the surface
of the reservoir, which being protected by a double plate G, G. G, and a
certain thickness of brick and fire-clay, will prevent the surcharging reservoir
from being too highly heated. It will be readily seen that by varying the
position of the damper or door (E, E.) the current of flamé and heat may be
varied so as to pass partly around the reservoir and partly in a direct and
ordinary course, and underneath the boiler through the ordinary flue; and thus
may the quantity of heat applied from the same furnace be regulated in its
use in generating steam in the boiler and in surcharging the steam in
the surcharger, and the temperature of the surface of the reservoir or sur-
charger, and consequently the temperature of the steam may be regulated to
any required and convenient degree. The steam is made to enter the reservoir
or surcharger by placing the induction steam pipe in the ordinary position in
which it is placed in existing steam boilers; but instead of conveying the
steam direct to the working cylinder of the steam engine, it conveys the steam
to the heated reservoir by opening the valves H, H, I, which are so disposed
so as to admit the steam from the ordinary boiler to the reservoir or surcharger,
and to prevent any return of heated steam back to the boiler.
The enlarged section of these valves is shewn, Figure 3. The induction
pipe, in 'passing from the separating valve chest I, I, I, enters the reservoir
(D, D.) and runs along near the under surface of the reservoir, and is either
split or slightly opened, or is pierced with small holes on its under surface i, i.
The purpose of this arrangement is to distribute the steam and scatter the
water that is contained in the ordinary steam over the most highly heated
part of the surcharging reservoir. The steam, after having been heated, is
taken from the reservoir by a pipe shewn at (K, K, K.), direct to the working
cylinder of the steam engine, or to any other use to which it is to be applied.
The stuffing boxes and steam joints are made as before described.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, show another application of the improvements, with parts
similar to the first mentioned arrangements in Figures 1, 2, and 3, except that
the position of the reservoir by the side of the flues, instead of underneath, neces-
sitates another arrangement of the pipes for conveying the steam to and from
the heated reservoir. The induction pipe, after leaving the separating valves,
enters into the reservoir within a short distance of the bottom, and the flame,
instead of being diverted directly downwards, may be diverted sideways, for the

page_text: purpose of heating the surface of the reservoir, provision being made, as before
explained, for shutting off and for regulating the quantity of heat which shall
act on the surcharging reservoir or vessel.
Figures 7 and 8 show an application of the improvements to a stationary
boiler with one internal flue, but with all similar parts and arrangements to
the before mentioned.
Figures 9 and 10 represent an application of the improvements to steam
boat boilers, where, in place of the flame following the direction of the flue, it
may be diverted either partially or wholly through the steam chamber or
reservoir attached to the side of the boiler. The steam may be admitted to
the surcharging reservoir by means of a number of self-acting or separating
valves H, H. H. acting as before described.
Figures 11, 12, and 13, show the application of the system of surcharging
sieam applied to locomotive engines, where the cylindrical part of the boiler
is shewn as divided. by any convenient means, into two or more compartments.
the one to be used as in all existing locomotive engines for generating the ordi-
nary steam, and the other for a surcharging reservoir. The flues or tubes are
made so as to pass through the water first to prevent the action of the fire
being too violeni in the steam chamber nearest to the fire box. after which
they traverse the steam chamber or surcharging reservoir and communicate
the heat of the fire direct to the steam, by which means all the water contained
in the steam (or what is generally called priming) is converted into steam,
and the steam dilated according to the known law of the dilatation of gases.
The steam is conveyed from the dome or ordinary steam space of the boiler to
the reservoir by means of a pipe or pipes, upon which are placed the self-
acting valves H, H. the action of which has been before described.
In any
convenient position a damper or door E, E. for regulating the heat of the
steam may be applied so as to shut or open the passage for the flame and heat
through the steam chamber. On the under side of the reservoir I attach
a cock S. by means of which any quantity of water that may find its way into
the reservoir or surcharger may be blown off through the pipe T into the
tender. In fact this cock is intended to serve the purpose of the ordinary
warming cocks, which are always applied to locomotive engines to allow the
waste steam and hot water to pass into the tender for the purpose of elevating
the temperature of the water before being pumped into the boiler.
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, shew other forms and manners of
making surcharging reservoirs and applications, and different forms of self-
acting separating valves, and the other improvements.
Figure 20 is an enlarged section of a flue or tube for passing through the
eservoir for the purpose of super-heating steam. The space between the

page_text: plates X, Y, is supposed to represent the water in the boiler, and the space
between Y and Z. the surcharging reservoir. On inspecting the Drawing the
construction of this flue will be readily understood. I prefer to have the part
W of the flue or iube (which is in contact with the water) made of brass.
and that in contact with the steam to be surcharged or super-heated io be. of
wrought or cast iron.
The thermometer particularly applicable to this system for indicating a
temperature of the super-heated steam. is composed of several series of rods of
brass and iron disposed similarly to the rods, as is well understood, and these
rods are to be enclosed in a tube pierced with holes so as to allow the steam
to circulate around to them. The entire apparatus is fixed upon a plate
of cast iron, which serves to fasten the thermometer to the surcharging
reservoir. In the centre of this plate there is a small asbestos stulling box to
allow the passage of a central rod, the end of which acts upon a finger which
points out the degrees of temperature, which are marked on a face or dial
fixed to the main cast-iron plate.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the details herein shewn and described, so long as the peculiar character of
the Invention be retained, nor do I claim the mechanical parts shown and
described, when separately considered. But what I claim is, the combined
means, herein described, for heating and employing steam in steam engines.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Lloyd, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 24th day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.