IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOWING AND PUMP- ING ENGINES; PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER DIRECT-ACTING STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOWING AND PUMP-
ING ENGINES; PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER
DIRECT-ACTING STEAM ENGINES."-A communication from abroad by
Adam Scott Cameron, of the City and State of New York, United
States of America.
Sealed the 24th August 1869, and dated the 21st June 1869..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st June 1869.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOWING
AND PUMPING ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER
DIRECT-ACTING STEAM ENGINES," a communication, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates partly to certain improvements in the valve
motion of the steam cylinder of a direct-acting blowing engine or of a

page_text: 46
direct-acting steam pump, said valve motion being of that class which
is described in the Specification of an Invention for which Letters Patent
have been obtained, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March.
A.D. 1866, No. 853, as follows:-The slide valve is changed at the
end of each stroke of the piston by the action of parts which are
arranged in the interior of the cylinder and operated by the piston or
parts attached to the same. This object is effected by connecting the
slide valve to a rod which connects with two pistons working in
cylinders that are formed by the ends of the valve chest. These
cylinders connect by suitable channels which are situated in the
cylinder heads and communicate freely with the cylinder, and from
"the outer ends of which suitable channels lead to the steam space of
"the valve chest. Said chambers are bored out to receive small piston
"
"
"
"
"
valves, the stems or rods of which extend out into the main cylinder,
and whenever the main piston approaches one of the ends of its stroke
" it strikes the stem of one of said piston valves and throws open the
" communication between the appropriate supplementary cylinder and
"the exhaust port. By these means the equilibrium of the supple-
mentary pistons which connect with the slide valve is disturbed, and
the slide valve is changed automatically."
44
"
The improvements which form the subject-matter of the present
Invention consist partly in the arrangement of levers hinged to the
ends of the steam cylinder, and connected to the stems of the piston
valves or of a secondary slide valve or slide valves in combination
with screw rods tapped into nuts secured in the said levers, and
extending throngh suitable stuffing boxes into the interior of the steam
cylinder in such a manner that by adjusting the said screw, rods the
time when the valves are opened by the action of the steam piston
can be regulated and adapted to the speed at which the steam piston
moves.
The said Invention consists also in the arrangement of compensating
mechanism in combiuation with an auxiliary cylinder or cylinders in
which the steam is changed by the action of the main piston on a rod
or rods extending into the main cylinder, the piston of the said auxiliary
cylinder serving to operate the slide valve of the main cylinder so
that the valve motion can be adapted to the speed of the main
piston.

page_text: The said Invention consists further in the arrangement of springs,
weights, or additional supplementary steam cylinders in combination,
with the levers connected to the piston valves or secondary slide valve.
or slide valves for the purpose of closing the said valves as soon as the
same are relieved from the action of the main stcam piston.
Also in the arrangement of air cushions in combination with the
levers connected to the piston valves or secondary slide valve or slide
valves so as to ease the said valves to their faces.
The said Invention consists further in the arrangement of an air
cushion cylinder to be controlled by suitable stop-cocks or valves in
combination with the supplementary pistons controlling the motion of
the main slide valve of the steam cylinder in such a manner that the
slide valve can be moved at any desired velocity without slamming.
Also in the arrangement of an additional large steam cylinder, the
piston of which is secured to a rod which forms a continuation of the
piston rod of the main steam cylinder while its slide valve is attached to
a rod which forms a continuation of the piston rod of the supplementary
steam pistons of the main cylinder, and steam is supplied to it from the
exhaust of the main cylinder in such a manner that a double cylinder
direct-acting steam pump or blowing engine is obtained, which works.
with great economy in fuel and steam, and gives a powerful effect.
The said Invention consists further in a direct-acting blowing engine
or a blowing engine in which the steam piston and the piston or
plunger of the air cylinder are secured to one and the same rod or to
rods, being situated in the same right line and rigidly connected together,
and in the steam cylinder of which the steam is changed automatically
by the action of the piston or parts connected directly to the piston or
its rod.
The said Invention consists also in the arrangement of elastic cushions
on the blowing cylinder in such a manner that in case of an accidental
derangement in the working parts of the valve motion of the steam
cylinder the piston or plunger of the blowing cylinder is prevented from
slamming against its heads.
I employ an ordinary steam cylinder provided with a piston. Steam is
admitted to this piston and exhausted through ports which are opened
and closed by the action of the slide valve, which is of the ordinary
construction and which may be so arranged as to admit steam under the

page_text: valve.
This slide valve is seated on the bottom of the steam chest, the
ends of which form small cylinders bored out to receive small pistons
which are connected to each other by a rod, and this rod is provided with
two collars to fit over a standard which rises from the back of the valve.
Small channels passing through the pistons form a communication between
the interior of the steam chest and the outer ends of the supplementary
cylinders, so that the said small pistons are exposed to a uniform pressure.
from all sides, but if the small pistons are made without packing so that
the steam will leak past the same the small channels can be omitted.
The supplementary cylinders communicate through channels with
chambers which are formed in the cylinder heads, or in projections
cast to the said cylinder heads, or to the ends of the steam chest, or
to any other convenient part of the cylinder or chest. These chambers.
are bored out to receive the piston valves, and they communicate by
means of channels with the interior of the steam chest, said channels
being so situated that the outer ends or heads of the piston valves,
are continually exposed to the pressure. The said piston valves.
are forced up against their seats, and held in such a position
that they close the channels leading from the chambers to the
supplementary cylinders. The area of the transverse section of these
channels is such that when one of the channels is opened the steam.
from the appropriate supplementary cylinder rushes out more rapidly
than it can be supplied through the said channel, and consequently the
equilibrium of the small pistons is disturbed and the said pistons are
caused to move towards that end in which the channel has been opened.
The stems of the piston valves extend through stuffing boxes in the
outer ends of the chambers and connect to levers which are hinged to,
standards secured in the flanges of the cylinder heads or in any other
part of the heads or of the valve chest. In the levers are secured
screw thimbles, which are tapped to receive the screw rods, and which are
so arranged by pins moving in slots or by any other suitable means that
they can accommodate themselves to the oscillating motion of their
levers. The said screw rods are adjusted by hand wheels, and extend
through stuffing boxes into the interior of the first-mentioned steam
cylinder. Springs are arranged to act on the lever to assist in carrying
back the valve. Theso springs may be replaced by a weight suspended
from a cord running over a pulley or by a supplementary steam cylinder
and piston, or by any other suitable device. With the above described
levers are connected air pistons which work in chambers or cylinders

page_text: secured to the heads of the main cylinder, and which serve to prevent
the slamming of the piston valves against their seats. Instead of
connecting the said levers to the piston valves they might be connected
to secondary slide valves connected together and operated so that they
would be compelled to move simultaneously, one port being closed while
the other is opened. By means of the screw rods the action of the
main piston in opening the piston valves can be regulated. This object
may also be obtained by reversing the stems of the piston valves so that
the same extend into the cylinder, the said stems being screwed through
their valves and provided with hand wheels. In this case the valves must
be provided with feather keys to prevent their turning round with their
stems. The rod of the small supplementary pistons extends through a
stuffing box in the end of the steam chest and connects with an air piston
working in a cylinder which is provided with induction valves and with
escape channels. By this piston and cylinder an air cushion is formed,
which keeps the slide valve from slamming when the same is worked
rapidly, and the force of the air cushion is regulated according to the
speed of the engine by enlarging or decreasing the area of the escape
channels by means of stop valves. The rod of the main piston extends
through stuffing boxes in both heads of the cylinder, and it connects at
one end with a piston working in an additional large cylinder, and at its
opposite end with the piston or plunger working in the blowing
cylinder. The area of the piston of this additional cylinder is about
twice as large as that of the main piston, and power is imparted to the
said piston by the exhaust steam from the main cylinder, such exhaust
steam being conducted through a pipe to the steam chest of the additional
large cylinder. In this steam chest works a slide valve, which is secured
to a prolongation of the rod of the supplementary pistons, so that its
motion is controlled by the said supplementary pistons. The blowing
cylinder is provided with a series of suction and escape valves, and to the
inner surfaces of its heads are secured elastic cushions composed of
india-rubber or other suitable elastic material, and fastened to the
cylinder heads by screw bolts in such a manner that in case the valve
motion of the steam cylinder should become accidentally deranged the
piston or plunger will be kept from slamming against the beads of the
blowing cylinder, and injury to the working parts will be prevented.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great. Seal Patent
Office on the 20th December 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Iler most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her
special licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Robert Lake, 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 Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOWING AND PUMPING ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER DIRECT-ACTING STEAM ENGINES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert
Lake, 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 Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
This Invention relates partly to certain improvements in the valve
motion of the steam cylinder of a direct-acting blowing engine or of a
direct-acting steam pump, said valve motion being of that class which is
described in the Specification of an Invention for which Letters Patent
have been obtained, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March,

page_text: €6
A.D. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, No. 853, as follows:---
"The slide valve is changed at the end of each stroke of the piston by
"the action of parts which are arranged in the interior of the cylinder
"and operated by the piston or parts attached to the same. This object
"is effected by connecting the slide valve to a rod which connects with
"two pistons working in cylinders that are formed by the ends of
"the valve chest. These cylinders connect by suitable channels which
"are situated in the cylinder heads and communicate freely with the
cylinder and from the outer ends of which suitable channels lead to
"the steam space of the valve chest. Said chambers are bored out
"to receive small piston valves, the stems or rods of which extend out
"into the main cylinder, and whenever the main piston approaches one
"of the ends of its stroke it strikes the stem of one of said piston
"valves and throws open the communication between the appropriate
supplementary cylinder and the exhaust port. By these means the
equilibrium of the supplementary pistons which connect with the slide
"valve is disturbed and the slide valve is changed automatically."
"
The improvements which form the subject-matter of the present
Invention consists partly in the arrangement of levers hinged to the
ends of the steam cylinder, and connected to the stems of the piston
valves or of a secondary slide valve or slide valves in combination with
screw rods tapped into nuts secured in the said levers, and extending
through suitable stuffing boxes into the interior of the steam cylinder
in such a manner that by adjusting the said screw rods the time when
the valves are opened by the action of the steam piston can be regulated
and adapted to the speed at which the steam piston moves.
The said Invention consists also in the arrangement of compensating
mechanism in combination with an auxillary cylinder or cylinders in
which the steam is changed by the action of the main piston on a rod or
rods extending into the main cylinder, the piston of the said auxilliary
cylinder serving to operate the slide valves of the main cylinder, so that
the valve motion can be adapted to the speed of the main piston.
The said Invention consists further in the arrangement of springs,
weights, or additional supplementary steam cylinders in combination
with the levers connected to the piston valves or secondary slide valve or
slide valves for the purpose of closing the said valves as soon as the same
are relieved from the action of the main steam piston.

page_text: Also in the arrangement of air cushions in combination with the
levers connected to the piston valves or secondary slide valve or slide
valves so as to ease the said valves to their faces.
The said Invention consists further in the arrangement of an air
cushion cylinder to be controlled by suitable stop-cocks or valves in com-
bination with the supplementary pistons controlling the motion of the
main slide valve of the steam cylinder in such a manner that the slide
valve can be moved at any desired velocity without slamming.
Also in the arrangement of an additional large steam cylinder, the piston
of which is secured to a rod which forms a continuation of the piston rod
of the main steam cylinder, while its slide valve is attached to a rod
which forms a continuation of the piston rod of the supplementary
steam pisions of the main cylinder, and steam is supplied to it from the
exhaust of the main cylinder in such a manner that a double cylinder
direct-acting steam pump or blowing engine is obtained, which works
economy in fuel and steam, and gives a powerful effect.
The said Invention consists also in the arrangement of elastic cushions
on the blowing cylinder in such a manner that in case of an accidental
derangement in the working parts of the valve motion of the steam
cylinder the piston or plunger of the blowing cylinder is prevented from

page_text: which rises from the back of the valve. Small channels d, d', passing
through the pistons F, F, form a communication between the interior
of the steam chest and the outer ends of the supplementary cylinders
E, E, so that said small pistons are exposed to a uniform pressure
from all sides, but if the pistons F, F, are made without packing, so
that the steam will leak past the same, the channels d, d', can be
omitted. The supplementary cylinders E, E', communicate through
channels e, e', with chambers H, H', which are formed in the cylinder
heads or in projections cast to said cylinder heads, or to the ends of
the steam chest, or to any other convenient part of the cylinder or chest.
These chambers are bored out to receive the piston valves I, I', and they
communicate by means of channels h, h', with the interior of the steam
chest D, said channels being so situated that the outer ends or heads of
the piston valves I, I', are continually exposed to the pressure of the steam
which fill the valve chest, and by the action of the steam, which may be
assisted by other forces, as will be presently explained said piston valves
are forced up against their seats, and held in such a position that they
close the channels e, e¹, leading from the chambers I, II', to the supple-
mentary cylinders F, F, as shown in the Drawing. The area of the
transverse section of these channels e, e¹, is much larger than that of the
channels d, d', passing through the pistons, so that when one of the channels
e or e' is opened the steam from the appropriate supplementary cylinder
E or E' rushes out more rapidly than it can be supplied through the
channel d or d', and consequently the equilibrium of the pistons F, F',
is disturbed, and said pistons are caused to move towards that end
in which the channel e or e', has been opened. The stems f,f, of the
piston valves I, I', extend through stuffing boxes in the outer ends of
the chambers H, H', and connect to levers J, J', which are hinged to
standards i, i, secured in the flanges of the cylinder heads, or in any
other part of said heads or of the valve chest. In the levers J, J', are
secured screw thimbles j, j, which are tapped to receive the screw
rods h, k, and which are so arranged by pins moving in slots, or by
any other suitable means, that they can accommodate themselves to
the oscillating motion of their levers. The screw rods k,, are
adjusted by hand wheels 1, 1, and they extend through stufling boxes
m, m, into the interior of the steam cylinder A. As the piston
B moving in said cylinder approaches either end of its stroke it
comes in contact with the inner end of one of the screw rods k, k', and
as this rod is forced back the appropriate channel e or e¹ is opened,

page_text: the equilibrium of the supplementary pistons F, F, is disturbed, and the
slide valve is changed. The motion of the main piston is thereby reversed,
and as soon as it ceases to act on the screw rod or the appropriate
piston valve I or is carried back to its seat by the action of the
live steam passing from the steam chest. through the channels h, ', into
the chamber EI, II, and by the action of a spring or me, which
acts on the lever or J. The springs n or m might however be
replaced by a weight suspended from a cord running over a pulley and
attached to the lever, or by a supplementary steam cylinder and piston,
or by any other suitable device or mechanism capable of performing the
desired object. With the levers J, J', are connected the air pistons
n, n', which work in chambers or cylinders o, o', secured to the heads
of the main cylinder, and which serve to prevent the piston valves I, l',
being slammed against their seats. Instead of connecting the levers
J, J', to the piston valves I, 1', they might be connected to a secondary
slide valve or slide valves controlling the ports e, e', and connected
together by a valve rod operated by the levers and compensating
mechanism, so that they would be compelled to move simultaneously,
one port being closed while the other is opened, and vice versa. By
means of the screw rods k, k, the action of the main piston in opening
the piston valves can be regulated according to the speed with which
said main piston moves, for it is obvious that when the engine moves
rapidly the increased momentum of the piston makes it indispensable
to commence at a considerable distanco from the end of the stroke in
order to be able to arrest said piston before it strikes the cylinder head,
and the screw rods k, k', are in this case screwed in, but if the engine
runs slowly a considerable quantity of steam would be wasted if the
rodsk, k, could not be screwed back or adjusted to compensate for the
difference in the speed of the piston. This object may however be also
obtained by reversing the stems of the piston valves, so that the same
extend into the cylinder A, as shown in Figure 2 of the Drawing, said
stems being screwed through their valves and provided with hand wheels,
so that they can be screwed in or out to compensate for the difference in
the speed of the engine. In this case the valves must be provided with
feather keys to prevent them from turning round with their stems. The
rod G of the supplementary pistons F, F', extends through a stuffing box
in the end of the steam chest, and connects with an air piston K working
in a cylinder L, which is provided with induction valves p and with
escape channels 7. By this piston and cylinder an air cushion is formed,

page_text: which prevents the slide valve from slamming when the same is worked.
rapidly, and the force of the air cushion is regulated according to the
speed of the engine by enlarging or decreasing the area of the escape
channels by means of stop valves r. The rod of the main piston B
extends through stuffing boxes in both heads of the cylinder A, and it
connects at one end with a piston M working in an additional large
cylinder N, and at its opposite end with the piston or plunger O working
in the blowing cylinder P. The area of the piston M is about twice as
large as that of the main piston B, and power is imparted to said piston
by the exhaust steam from the cylinder A, said exhaust steam being
conducted through a pipe Q to the steam chest R of the additional
largo cylinder N. In this steam chest works a side valve S, which is
secured to a prolongation of the rod G of the supplementary pistons
F, F, so that its motion is controlled by said supplementary pistons.
By these means a direct-acting engine is obtained in which the steam
is used to the best possible advantage. The blowing cylinder P is
provided with a series of suction and escape valves, and to the inner
surfaces of its heads are secured the elastic oushions & composed of india-
rubber or other suitable elastic material, and fastened to the cylinder
heads by screw bolts in such a manner that in case the valve motion
of the steam cylinder should become accidentally deranged the piston
or plunger will be prevented from slamming against the heads of the
blowing cylinder, and injury to the working parts will be prevented.
By these means a direct-acting blowing engine is obtained, which can be
operated with great economy and with a very good effect.
Having thus fully described the nature of the said Invention, and the
manner of performing the same as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, I claim,-
First. The arrangement of hinged levers connected to the stems of
the piston valves I, I', or to a secondary slide valve or slide valves, and
carrying screw rods which extend through the heads of the cylinders
A, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Second. The arrangement of a compensating mechanism in combina-
tion with an auxiliary cylinder or cylinders in which the steam is
changed by the action of the main piston on a rod or rods extending
into the main cylinder, the piston of the said auxilliary cylinder serving
to operate the slide valve of the main cylinder, so that the valve motion
can be adapted to the speed of the main piston, as set forth.

page_text: Third. The arrangement of springs or their equivalents in combin-
ation with the levers J, J', and piston valves T, T', substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Fourth. The arrangement of an air cushion in combination with the
levers J, , and piston valves I, l', or secondary slide valve or slide
valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The arrangement of an air cushion cylinder in combination with
the supplementary pistons. F, F', and slide valve C, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose described.
Sixth. A direct-acting blowing or pumping engine composed of a
blowing or pumping cylinder, a main steam cylinder, and an additional
large steam cylinder, being supplied with steam from the exhaust of the
main steam cylinder, the pistons of all three cylinders being secured to
one and the same rod, or to a series of rods situated in a right line, and
rigidly connected together, as set forth.
Seventh. The arrangement of clastic cushions on the heads of the
blowing cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof; I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
H. J. GEDGE,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
S, Southampton Buildings,
London.