Improvements in Valves for Steam and other Engines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Steam and other Engines.
We, JOHN C. WOOD of 518 Esplanade Street, Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
of America, Machinist, and CALEB F. HOUSTON of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County,
New Mexico, United States of America, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this
nvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
lescribed and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention relates to oscillating valves for steam and other engines; and its
object is to provide a valve which is simple, of durable construction, very effective in
operation, and which permits an easy reversing of the engine.
The Invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing,
forming part of this specification, in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the valve, and part of the cylinder.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the cylinder, with the valve and chest removed.
Figure 3 is an inverted plan view of the valve and steam chest.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the valve.
Figure 5 is a section, shewing the valve packing.
Figure 6 is a plan view of a slotted lever, through which the valve is operated.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A is the engine cylinder, a b the cylinder inlet ports, and c c¹ the exhaust ports
placed opposite each other and at right angles to the ports a b. The ports c c
lead to a common exhaust pipe d. Over the ports a, b, c, and c¹, operates the
valve B in the steam chest C bolted to cylinder A.
In the valve B are formed, at angles to each other, the ports ef, adapted to
connect alternately with the ports a b respectively, passing through to the side of the
valve B so as to lead into a circular steam space D in the steam chest C con-
nected with the steam supply. In the under side of the valve C is also formed the
exhaust cavity 9, adapted to alternately connect ports ab with one of the exhaust
ports c or c¹, according to the direction in which the engine is running.
The valve C is provided with the central spindle E carrying a slotted link F
pivotally connected with a rod G connected by suitable mechanism with the engine
driving shaft and serving to impart an oscillating motion to the valve C. The pivot
of the rod G on the link F is adjustable so as to turn the valve a greater or lesser
distance in order to cut-off sooner or later. The motion of valve C can be reversed
by connecting the rod G to the other end of the said link.
In the top of the valve C is formed an annular groove H in which fit a number of
split rings I pressed with their top edges against the inside of the steam chest cover by
means of a series of springs J placed in the bottom of the groove H and on which the
said split rings rest. The split rings thus form a packing to prevent the steam from
passing from the space D to and through the bearing of the spindle E.
b
The operation is as follows;-An oscillating motion is imparted to the valve B
from the main driving shaft, so that the ports ef connect the annular space D alter-
nately with the ports a 6 whereby the steam in the steam space can pass alternately
to the ends of the cylinder A to operate the piston. At the same time the exhaust
cavity 9 in the valve B connects alternately the ports b and a with one of the
ports c or c¹ according to the direction in which the valve B is running, so that the
exhaust steam passes from the respective port b or a through the cavity g into
the respective port c or c' and from the latter to the exhaust pipe d. Thus it will be
seen that a very simple and effective valve is provided which can be easily adapted to
all kinds of steam engines.
..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to-be performed, we declare that what we
claim is;
÷
1. The combination, with a steam chest provided with an annular steam space, of a
circular valve mounted to turn in the said steam chest, split rings held in an annular
groove in the said valve and 'butting against the steam chest cover, and springs held
in the bottom of the said annular groove and pressing the said split rings against the
steam chest cover, substantially as shewn and described.
-
.
2. The combination, with a steam chest provided with an annular steam space, of a
valve fitted to oscillate in the said steam-chest and provided with inlet ports placed at
angles to each other and adapted to connect the cylinder inlet ports alternately with
the said steam space, the said valve being,also provided on its underside with an
exhaust cavity adapted to alternately connect the cylinder ports with the cylinder
exhaust port, a central spindle extending from the said valve, a slotted link: held on
the said spindle,, and a rod held adjustably on the said, link to regulate the cut-off
and the reversing of the valve, substantially as shewn and described.
T1 11.000
J. C. WOOD.
C.-F. HOUSTON.
By A. M. & Win. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.