CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, STEAM BOILERS, AND SAFETY VALVES, AND IN APPARATUS AND MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
HANSON, of Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Ier Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Nineteenth day of June, in the thirteenth year of Her reign, did give and
grant unto me, the said Charles Hanson, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles
Hanson, my exors, adñññors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles
Hanson, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times hereafter during the term of
years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
called England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Ma-
jesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, STEAM BOILERS, AND SAFETY VALVES, AND IN APPARATUS
AND MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS;" in which said Letters Patent there
is contained a proviso that I, the said Charles Hanson, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her 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, 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
Charles Hanson, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, is ascertained in and by the
following description, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in certain improvements of various parts of
steam engines, but most particularly those known by the name of direct action,
which improvements constitute simplifications and modifications in their arrange-
ments and application, whereby the steam used in working such steam engines
is considerably economised and capable of being brought under great control
than bas hitherto been done. My first of these improvenients in steam engines
is in the internal arrangement of the steam valve, the pistons and piston rods of
which being so constructed that the two pistons may at any time be brought
closer together or placed further apart from each other, whereby the steam
may be worked expansively at pleasure. My second improvement in steam
engines relates to the peculiar construction of regulator to be used as a sub-
stitute for the eccentric hitherto used, which I denominate as "Hanson's
Valve Regulator," whereby the friction of the strap consequent on the old
system of eccentrics is totally removed. My third improvement in steam
engines relates to the construction of an expansion gear by which the con-
necting rod of the valve cylinder may be either shortened or lengthened at
pleasure, and which can be applied to the ordinary eccentric as well as the
valve regulator before described. My fourth improvement in steam engines
relates to the condensor, and consists of a steam-tight trough or tank which
is divided into a series of cells or chambers by finely perforated metal parti-
tions. At one end of this series is placed a clack valve attached to the induc-
tion pipe, and at the other end of the series is placed a similar clack valve
attached to the eduction pipe. These cells or chambers have no communica-
tion with each other, except through the perforation in the partitions. This
trough or tank is fixed or submersed in another tank of larger dimensions,
into which the cold sea or other water is continually passing. The steam on
leaving the working cylinder being conveyed by the induction pipe into the
inner trough or tank is forced through the perforated partitions in the inner
tank, and before arriving at the last cell or chamber of the series, becomes
condensed, and the gases evolved from the condensation, together with the
condensed water and all other vapours, are forced out through the eduction
pipe and conveyed into the hot-water tank.
The second part of my Invention relates to an improvement in the con-
struction of steam boilers, by which construction I am enabled to consume the

page_text: smoke which is created in the furnace of such boiler in conjunction and with
the co-operation of the fourth part of my improvement in steam engines above
referred to, or by the use and assistance of fans, blowers, or an air pump.
The third part of my Invention relates to improvements in the construction
of safety valves, which safety valves I denominate "Hanson's Compound Indi-
cating Safety Valve," whereby I am enabled at once to ascertain the exact
pressure in the boiler by the index attached thereto. If I apply the improved
indicating safety valve to a steam boiler, to which is attached a safety valve of
any of the ordinary construction at present known and used, the action and
pressure of the same can be entirely brought under the control of my improved
safety valve.
The fourth and last part of my Invention relates to the peculiar construction
and arrangement of apparatus and machinery for propelling vessels, and which
consists of a frame fixed to and in the dead wood of the stern or in some other
part of the vessel, which frame contains a set of suitable slides, guides, or
grooves fixed along the top and along the bottom thereof. In these slides,
guides, or grooves is placed another frame moving backwards and forwards,
and at right angles to the said slides, guides, or grooves. This frame, which
I will denominate hereafter as "the moveable frame," is securely fixed to the
end of the shaft, which is a continuation of the piston rod, and which passes
out to the fixed frame through a stuffing box fixed in the dead wood. The
moveable frame may be furnished with one, two, or more peculiarly con-
structed blades, which are fixed to and move on centres in the moveable frame,
and which are kept and retained in a certain fixed position during the back-
ward or forward motion of the moveable frame; that is to say, the blades
which are attached, as I have before mentioned, to the moveable frame, all
move from one end of the slides, guides, or grooves to the other end in the
same angular position with each other till they arrive at the opposite end of
the slides, guides, or grooves; and as soon as the moveable frame to which
the blades are attached reverses its motion back again, then the blades imme-
diately and simultaneously change their first angular position and assume a
different angular position, and retain the same until the moveable frame again
arrives at its first or original position, when again, by the reverse action of
the moveable frame, the blades immediately and simultaneously assume the
first angular position till they arrive at the opposite end of the frame, and so
on; they will change their angular position and assume a different one at every
reverse action of the moveable frame which is fixed to the shaft, whether back-
wards or backwards. But in order that the nature of my Invention may be
better understood and more readily carried into effect, I will now proceed to

page_text: describe the Drawings hereunto annexed which are marked from Sheet A
to Sheet E inclusive.
Figure 1, Sheet, A., represents the longitudinal section of the steam valve cylin-
der taken through the valve pistons and piston rods. a, a, represents the cylinder,
which is securely fixed parallel to the working cylinder communicating thereto
by the two steam ports and b. c, c, is a piston rod fixed to the piston d,
the end of which passes through the cylinder cover e and the stuffing box or
gland f, and is attached to the eccentric gearing or valve regulator. On the
other end of the piston rod c is cut a male screw fitting into a corresponding
female screw formed in the valve piston g. h is a short rod passing through
the other cylinder cover i and stuffing box or gland j, and of sufficient length
to leave a few inches projecting outside of the stuffing box or gland; when
the piston y is at its greatest distance from the stulling box and gland j. kis
a cap of metal which is fixed to the rod h, by which the piston g is screwed or
unscrewed. It is evident that the piston g, being fixed into the rod c by a
screw, it may be brought closer together or further apart from the other
piston d, which is effected simply by turning the cap which is fixed to the
rod h. These pistons & and g have hitherto been fixed to the rod at a given
distance, and therefore the entry of the steam could not be regulated at plea-
sure. It will be impossible for me to convey a clear idea of the efficacy and
value of this improvement without repeatedly referring to and calling in ques-
tion my next improvements in steam engines, which relate to valve regulators
and expansion gearing, as these are worked in connection with the valve
cylinder a, a, the proper working of which cannot be understood without pre-
viously describing the valve regulators and expansion gearing. I will therefore
at once proceed to describe my second improvement in steam engines, which
relates to the construction and arrangement of a valve regulator to act as a
substitute to the eccentric, and which is placed where the eccentric is fixed
under the existing practice.
Figure 2, Sheet A, represents a plan view of the valve regulator. m repre-
o is a
sents a portion of the valve regulator rod with an open frame n, n.
guide piece with a slot p cut or otherwise formed therein, into which the guide
pin passes, to keep the frame n, n, straight. r, r, are two long screws
screwed in the two parallel sides of the frame n, n. 8, 8, are two buttons fixel
to the screws 1, 2, for turning the sanie. t and t' are two jaws or tappets
moving in the side of the frame n, n, and through which the screws r, 1, pass.
By unscrewing either of the screws r, r, the jaws or tappets t and are brought
closer to the regulator rod m, and by the reverse action of the screw 1, 7, the
jaws or tappets and tare made to come nearer to the guide piece o, the

page_text: utility of which will be readily explained when I describe the action and work-
ing of the valve cylinder above described. is a circular disc which is fixed
to the shaft v, carrying the fly wheel, as in the caso of the ordinary eccentric.
,, are two regulating teeth or notches which are cut or otherwise formed
in the periphery of the disc u, and which are brought in contact with the jaws
or tappets and th every time that the fly wheel W carries it round.
I will now proceed to describe my third improvement in steam engines,
which relates to the peculiar description of expansion gearing seen detached
and enlarged at Figure 3, Sheet A. y is a plate of iron or other metal moving
on a pin or centro a, which is fixed to the bracket and frame a', a', of the
engine, as seen more readily at Figure 5. 6, 61, is a slot cut out in the widest
part of the plate y. c' is a screw fixed and working in the slot b', 6', one end
of which, b, penetrates the head of the plate y, and is furnished with a
small cap or bution b. is a traversing nut through which the screw c¹
passes. To this traversing nut is fixed the valve-regulating rod m, which
may be brought towards either end of the slot b', ', as seen by the dotted
fines is a lever which imparts motion to the force-pump rod d³, which
is in connexion with the force pump. By referring to Figure 4, Sheet A,
which represents an elevation of a steam engine, with the improvements.
attached thereto, and Figure 5, Sheet A, which represents the plan view of
the same, in which Figures the same parts are represented by the same letters
of reference, it will be secu that the whole disposition of the parts of the valve
cylinder seen separating at Figure 1, the valve regulator seen separately at
Figure 2, and the expansion gearing seen separately at Figure 3, are arranged
so as to be fully understood by referring to the following description. I will
therefore proceed to show and make clear the advantages derived from the
combination and working of the various improvements in the steam engine
just described; but as the same parts are shewn in the Figures 4 and 5,
Sheet A., with the same letters of reference, I will only refer to those two
Figures. In the combination of these improvements the steam can be cut off*
at either port bor b', Figure 1, Sheet A, without waste of steam. By the
arrangement at Figure 3 the valve regulator rod m may be lengthened or
shortened at pleasure, by screwing it either towards the centre pin z or from
the said centre z. It is evident that if the rod m is screwed from the centre
pin 2, that the stroke of the valve piston rod c will be shorter, and if screwed
towards the centre pin it will be longer. I must here observe, that this
arrangement of expansion gearing may also be applied to the ordinary eccentric
rod with equally good results. In order to make the nature of my first improve-
ment in steam engines well understood and not confound it with the second

page_text: part of a Patent granted to Etham Campbell, of the City of New York, in the
United States of America, dated in England, October Eighteenth, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-nine, and enrolled April Eighteenth, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty, I wish it to be perfectly understood that I do not claim cylindrical
valves with pistons fixed to the piston rod as new, but I assert that the means of
shortening or elongating the distance between the two pistons is entirely new
and original. If I shorten the distance between the regulator rod m and the
centre pin z, then the stroke of the rod c would be greater. In that case I
might turn the cap K and rod h, seen in Figures 1, 4, and 5, Sheet A, thereby
sending the two pistons & and g further apart from each other, which operation
would regulate the expansion of steam in the cylinder. The further the
pistons d and g are kept apart the less the expansion, and the less the distance
they are apart the greater the expansion.
I will now describe the combined use of the valve regulator, and the
The circular
expansion gearing, seen at Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet A.
disc u being fixed to the shaft and revolving in the direction of the arrow's
flight, and being furnished with two notches x, x, which, on coming in
contact with the tappet or jaw t, would drive the connecting valve rod m in
the direction of the arrow's flight, seen at Figure 5; and on the notches a, a,
coming in contact with the tappet t', it would actuate the valve piston in a
contrary direction, but the motion of the valve would be sudden and not a slow
continuous motion, as that derived from the eccentric now in use, by which
sudden motion the steam would be instantaneously cut off at any part of the
stroke of the engine and not by slow degrees, as in the ordinary means
employed. It is evident that by changing either of the screw caps s, s, and
changing the position of the tappets or jaws t and t', that the length of the
valve regulator rod may be adjusted to suit the particular work to be done by
it. e, Figure 5, Sheet A, is the steam pipe leading from the boiler to the
throttle valve f', which is open or shut by the lever handle g'; h', h', are two
exhaust or blast pipes communicating to the condenser, or as otherwise.
I will now proceed to describe my fourth improvement in steam engines, which
relates to the construction of a steam condenser. Figure 1, Sheet B, repre-
sents the side view; Figure 2, the end view; Figure 3, a longitudinal vertical
section taken through the line 1, 2, in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a transverso vertical
section taken through the line 3, 4, in Figure 3; and Figure 5 shews a plan
view of a steam condenser, the same letters of reference denoting similar
corresponding parts in all these Figures. a, a, a, a, represents a tank, which
may be constructed of iron or copper, and put together in the ordinary way
of constructing metal tanks. I prefer constructing them of the shape shewn

page_text: in Sheet B, as the same may be more advantageously introduced in the bottom
of the vessel, the bottom part of the tank being made to assume the shape of
the bilge of the vessel; but the shape may be varied according to locality and
circumstances, the shape thereof being of no import to the action and working
of the condenser. b is a cover closely fitted to the tank a, a, by bolts and
nuts and luting, or any other suitable means; c, c, are the inlet pipes into the
tanks which penetrate the body or bottom of the vessel, and communicate into
the sea or other water; d, d, are the outlet pipes of the tank, also penetrating
the side of the vessel and communicating into the sea or other water.
I may
place cocks or valves at the end of these pipes c, c, and d, d, so that they may
be closed and opened as circumstances may require. I wish it to be understood
that my object in placing the inlet pipes c, c, in the bottom of the vessel, and
the outlet pipes d, d, on the sides thereof, is to obtain a continual current
and flow of cold water into the tank. e, e, e, is another tank or trough of much
smaller dimensions than the tank a, a, a, a, and which may be constructed of
iron or copper, but perfectly steam-tight; ff, are girders or joists having their
bearings upon the angle brackets of iron 9,9,9,9, which are shewn as being
bolted to the sides of the tank a, a, a, a. As many means of supporting the
steam-tight tank may be employed, it would be superfluous to describe more
than the present, but for large condensers I would prefer using the one shewn
in the Drawing over any other means. In condensers of a small capacity the
tank e, e, e, could be suspended on straps either bolted or rivetted to the side
or top of the cold water-tank a, a, a, a, or by any other suitable means.
h, h, h, h, h, are a number of finely perforated metal partitions, which are
secured to the top and bottom and the two sides of the tank e, è, e, and
parallel to each other, and at right angles to the sides of the tank e, e, e.
I must here remark that the only communication from one cell or chamber
to another must be entirely through the fine perforations in the partitions
h, h, h, h, h, h, and they should be perfectly steam-tight at the sides or angles
where they are secured to the sides of the tank e, e, e. The metal I prefer
employing in these partitions is that known in the trade by the name of German
silver perforated by machinery, which was secured under a Patent in England
granted to Marc la Riviere, of Hackney.
In Figure 6, Sheet B, (which represents two diagrams,) are shewn two
pieces of metal plates of the actual size and closeness of perforation, which are
known in the trade as No. 3 and No. 5. I must here observe that I do not
confine myself in employing only those numbers of perforated plate, as a
number higher than No. 5 or lower than No. 3 may be employed with as good
result; but I have found by practice that either Nos. 3, 4, and 5 are best cal-

page_text: culated for fully carrying out the intention of this apparatus. I must also remark
that these partitions may be fixed rather closer or further apart, according to the
length and size of the tank e, e, e, and they may be placed in the tank at any
angle, as shewn in the line, Drawing Figure 7. Sheet B, by which a greater
perforated surface of metal partition is obtained, which would in some cases
greatly diminish the capacity and bulk of the tank c, e, e, and a, a, a. In
large condensers where the partitions would be required larger than the sheets
of perforated metal will admit of, or where they would require strength, I
should construct a frame of the required size of the partition, either of copper
or other metal (but I prefer copper), similar in all respects to a window sash
with cross bars and rabbits; then I cut the perforated metal to suit the size of
the compartments, and fix it in with packing, or by any other suitable means.
It is evident that partitions of large surface so constructed would be very
strong and solid, and would remove all doubt and liability of their being put
out of order, as might be the case if the perforated metal plates alone were
used without frames or cross bars. i, is the induction reception cell or chamber
where the steam pipe j communicates with the working cylinders of the steam
engine; k is a clack valve fixed to the end of the steam pipe j, the object
and use of which being to prevent any action resulting from the inside p
pressure.
Figures 8, 9, 10, Sheet B, which are drawn to an enlarged scale, repre-
sent side, front, and back views of the clack valve k, when it will be scon that
the seat of the valve is ground at an angle against which the cover fits
closely. This clack valve k is fixed to the steam pipe j, as seen in these
Figures, with the hinge or joint m on the top, so that the vessel may pitch and
roll considerably before the cover would leave the seat of the valve K, as seen
by the dotted lines, Figure 8, Sheet B. n is another pipe which I denomi-
nate the outlet or condensed water chamber, and which must be placed at the
opposite end, and in immediate connexion with the last of the series of perfo-
rated cells or chambers h, h, h, h, h, h, whatever may be the form and con-
struction; o is the condensed water pipe leading from the tank e, e, e, to the
hot-water tank, but which pipe I would recommend to be of much larger
dimensions than the inlet steam pipe j. This pipe o penetrates the outside
cold-water tank e, e, c, through a water-tight joint p. Inside of this pipe o,
(which is soon partly in section -) is scen another clack valve q, precisely
similar in shape and action as the one described in reference to the steam inlet
pipe j, but much larger. The object of placing the clack valve 7 inside of the
pipe o, penetrating the tank a, a, a, will be evident on consulting the Drawing,
for it will be there seen that if such was not the case the condensed water and
vapour would be liable to be driven back into the condenser, and thus

page_text: destroy any vacuum created therein. It will also be seen that the two clack
valves and q are both placed with their seats facing the same way, and their
mechanical action will be similar. The use of the clack valve 9 being to cut
off the pressure of the hot-water tank from the condensing tank e, e, e, e, and
to prevent the return of the condensed water in the tank e, e, e, various means
may be used with equally good results; but I have found this arrangement by
practice to be the least complicated and costly, and most efficacious in its action.
Figure 11, Sheet B, represents a longitudinal vertical section of the con-
lensing tanks, so constructed as to obviate the necessity of placing it within
an outer cold-water tank, as the one referred to in the foregoing description
marked a, a, a; e, e, o, represent the tank furnished with cells or chambers
formed similar to that above described, and shewn in Figures 3, 4, and 5 in
the same Sheet; 2, 1, 7, shews a copper or other metal pipe, passing through
the whole length of the condensing tank e, c, c. Should the tank a, a, a, be
of greater length than that which pipes are made, then two, three, or more
lengths can be placed together, end to end, by flanges or other means, as
shewn in the Drawing, Figure 11. The ends of the pipe r, r, r, must be open,
and communicate direct into the sea or other water, so as always to keep a
constant flow and circulation of the same passing through, in order to condense
the steam which is forced through the perforated partition of the cells or
chambers h, h, h, h. The apertures on each side of the vessel should be
covered over with perforated caps, to prevent them from being choked up at
any time by any object or matter which may be floating about in the water,
and be forced therein. The perforated partitions h, h, h, h, will be made per-
fectly secure by the pipe r, r, r, passing through them, whereby they will
acquire additional strength.
Fig. 12, Sheet B, represents an enlarged view of a portion of the pipe 7, 1, 7,
and perforated partitions h, h, h, and the manner of fixing thereto the
pipe r, r, r; and Figure 13 represcuts the section of Figure 12. r, r, r,
represents the cold-water pipe, fitting closely, and passing through holes made
in the perforated partion h, h, h, h. 8, s, s, s, s, are picces of copper or other
metal pipe cut exactly of the width of each cell or chamber; and when the
perforated plates are placed on the pipes r, r, r, one of these pieces of pipe s
must be slipped over the pipe r, r, r, and well pressed against the perforated
partition h before another perforated partition h is again placed, and so on in
rotation until the tank is finished with its required number of cells or
chambers. It is evident that there are other modes of admitting sea water,
but which are too familiar to require explanation.
Having now given the mode of constructing the condenser, I will proceed briefly

page_text: to give its action with reference to all the Figures in Sheet D. The steam on
leaving the cylinder or the steam jacket is forced through the induction pipe j,
and the clack valve , into the first cell or chamber of the series, and would be
passed through the perforated partition to the next adjoining cell, and so on
until it would become condensed, which operation of condensation would be
gradually effected in the passage of the steam through the partitions and cells
by reason of the constant flow and circulation of cold water, which would be
constantly passing in and out by the inlet and outlet pipes c, c, and d, d.
At Figure 5, Sheet B, it will be seen that I have made provision for
blowing off the steam, should at any time the condenser require repairing; and
I, therefore, place a steam-tight cock in the induction pipe j in conjunction
with a small blow-off pipe and cock j. In order to guard against any
accident of the tank a, a, a, being forced inwards, a ridge or other suitable
piece of iron or other metal may be introduced all along the centre of the two
covers of the two tanks. The condensation of any small portion of steam that
that
vapours
may escape through the eduction pipe with the
arise during
the process of the condensation will be completed in the hot-water tank. I
provide manholes and traps in the bottom of the inner tank to clean out and
remove any sand or other impurities that may be brought in by the sea or be
driven out of the cells by the steam.
may
I will now describe a few particulars as to the construction of a hot-water
tank which I think are of importance, and which will assist the condenser and
render it perfect in all its details.
At Figure 5, Shect E, is the elevation of the hot-water tank. a, a, re-
presents the tank, which is made of iron or other suitable metal, to which is
attached a hot-air and vapour shaft b, the lower end communicating to the
interior of the tank, and the other into the atmosphere. c, c, is an outside
casing surrounding the shaft b, and fixed to the tank cover by bolts and nuts
or other suitable means. d, d, are perforations, serving as air-holes, by which
the cold air is brought in contact against the shaft b, in order to create a more
speedy condensation of the gases and vapours.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention, which
relates to an arrangement of smoke or fire tubes in the construction of steam
boilers, by which arrangement and construction of steam boilers I am enabled,
with the assistance of a vacuum, to consume the smoke which is created in
the furnace of such boiler.
Figure Sheet E, shews a steam boiler with the smoke or fire tubes a, a, a,
and Figure 7 a front end view of Figure 6. b, b, are elbows returning the tubes
back again through the boiler; c, c, are other elbows connecting the tubes or

page_text: smoke chambers d, d, d, to larger tubes e, e, e, which are situated at the
bottom of the boiler, as seen more clearly in the end view, Figure 7. The
large tubes are in communication with the condenser of the steam engine,
or they may be in direct communication with a fan or fans for causing a
draft, or with an air pump. The smoke, being evolved from the coals
in the furnace, would be drawn with all impurities by the force of the
vacuum or exhaust fans, and would be deprived of those impurities in passing
the elbows and chambers d, d, d, which, being in the furnace, would be always
to a red heat. Various other modifications of this arrangement may be
brought into requisition, but they would in nowise alter the principle of the
same, which is causing the smoke to pass once through the boiler, and return
back again through an elbow leading to another pipe inside the boiler, and
then to meet with a red-hot elbow and chamber, through which it must pass
before it is again drawn, for the third and last time, through the boiler a', a',
and admitted into the flue.
I will now proceed to describe the third part of my Invention, which
relates to the safety valve.
Figure 1, Sheet C, represents a longitudinal section of a vessel shewing the
steam boiler, to which is attached my compound indicating safety valve.
Figure 2 and 3, in the same Sheet, represent an enlarged elevation of the
apparatus and a vertical section of the case and adjusting buffer. a, a, is a
metal casc furnished at bottom with a suitable flange b, fitting closely on the
steam chest C, Figure 1, and affixed thereto by bolts and nuts or otherwise;
d is a metallic plunger or piston fitting perfectly steam-tight in the case a, a,
and which is furnished with a rod e, which passes up through the screwed
cover or cap f, and terminates with a male screw g, on which the buffer / fits
and screws up or down; i is a spiral spring with an expansive force forcing
against the plunger d and the cover or cap f; j is an inlet for the steam. If I
apply the compound indicating safety valve in conjunction with the other
ordinary safety valve, it must be placed immediately under the graduated scale
lever k, Figure 1, to which lever k is fixed a corresponding buffer 1 to the
buffer h. m is an index, against which an indicator needle, which is fixed to
rod e, moves either up or down through the slot n. The pressure in the boiler
can be so nicely adjusted by the buffers h and 1, and ascertained by the index,
that so soon as any pressure arises it acts immediately on the plunger d, and
presses the two buffers together; and should the pressure increase above that
to what the valve was adjusted, then the force in the case a, a, causes the
plunger d to rise and lift up the lever k, when the ordinary valve o would be
liberated and blow off the extra pressure of steam in the boiler. If the valve

page_text: happens to fix itself, then my compound indicating safety valve will supply the
deficiency by a hole o' above the plunger being passed by the plunger. The
buffers may be brought closer or drawn further apart from each other, either
by screwing or unscrewing the buffer h, or the buffer p, which is fixed to the
end of the lever. When the compound indicating safety valve is applied to
steam boilers only by itself, it serves the double purpose of safety valve and
steam pressure indicator, as in the case of the valve fixing as just referred to.
I will now proceed to describe the fourth and last part of my Invention,
which relates to the peculiar construction and arrangement of apparatus and
machinery for propelling vessels either on the sea or on the inland waters, and
consist in a set of one or more blades moving backwards or forwards in a suit-
able frame containing slides, guides, or grooves let in or cut out in the dead wood
of the stern of the vessel. By referring to Figure 1, Sheet C, which shows the
arrangement of engine and boiler, the position and part of the vessel in which
-they can be placed to act to the best advantage will be seen.
Figure 4, Sheet C, represents the back view of a propeller composed of a
number of blades a, a, a, a, fixed to the two sides of the moveable frame
b, c, d, e. Figure 5 represents the top view of the side c, e. Figure 6 repre-
sents the views taken on the inside of c, e, taken through the line 1, 2, Figure 4.
Figures 7 and 8 represent two views of the inside of the side of the move-
able frame b, d, taken through the line 3, 4.
Figure 6, Sheet A, represents the outside view of the side b, d, of the
moveable frame b, c, d, c, Figure 4; and Figure 7, Sheet A, represents the
side view of the moveable frame and blades a, a, a, a, with the side b, c, repre-
sented at Figure 4, Sheet C, upwards, and marked b, d, in Figure 7,
Sheet A. represents a cross head securing the sides b, d, and c, e, of the
moveable frame together. This cross head is represented in section and dotted
lines at Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet C, and Figure 6, Sheet A. g is the
collar through which the shaft h, which is a direct communication from the
piston rod, passes, and is secured to the frame by the nut and screw i. j,j, aro
two projecting slides fixed in the centre and crossways to the sides b, d, and
c, e, as clearly shewn in Figure 5, Sheet C, and Figure 6, Sheet A. These
slides j, j, fit into corresponding guides, which are fixed at the top k and the
bottom 6 of the opening of the dead wood, which are seen on referring to the
stern of the section shewn in Figure 1, Sheet C.
In Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet C, and Figures 6 and 7, Sheet A, aro
connecting slides of a peculiar forn, on the proper adjudgment and workman-
ship of which greatly depends the carrying out of this mode of propulsion.
Figure 8, Sheet A, represents one of the blades a detached, presenting to

page_text: view its flat surface. n, n, are two small pivots or centres fixed in the centre
of each end of the blade, on which the blade is allowed to turn to the given
angle required. o is a small pivot fixed on one end of the blade a, which pivot
fits into a hole made to receive it in the connecting slides m.
It will be seen in the Drawing, Figure 6. Sheet C, that the blades a¹, a¹, a¹,
which are at right angles or nearly so with the connecting slide m, are only
furnished with a centre piece at the end coming into contact with the side c, e,
the hole to receive the centre or pivot end being shown by the dotted circles n,
Figure 6. If, on the other hand, the blades a, a, a, a, which are to an angle
to the blades a', are expanded, it is easy to perceive that that angular posi-
tion has been obtained by moving the connecting slide m, to which the
blades a, a, a, a, are attached, by a pivot o fitting therein in the direction of
the arrow, Figure 6.
In Figure 8, Sheet C, by moving the connecting slide m in the direction of
the arrow's flight, then the blades a', a', a', a', will change their angular
position shewn and become parrelled with the blades a, a, a, a, as seen at
Figure 7, by reason of the blades a, a, being fixed on the centre in the
plate b, d, and having a pivot o in the connecting slide m by which motion is
imparted to them. p, Figures 6, 7, and 8, Sheet C, are the cross-head flanges,
to which the moveable frame b, d, and c, e, are secured by the screws q. It
is useless to describe the action of the blades a, a, a, as regards the varions
Figures in which they are seen, as, after the description I have just given with
reference to the means shewn in the Figures 7 and 8, Sheet C, that is, with
connecting slides and pivots, as they will be seen to be similar in all respects
to those just described. 1, Figures 6, Sheet A, and 4, Sheet C, is a projecting
stud fixed to the blade.
I must now refer to Figures 1 and 2, Sheet F', in order to explain more
fully the action of the blades.
Figure 1 represents the frame open on the dead wood of the vessel, and
Figure 2 the plan of the bottom part of the same. By referring to Figure 6,
Sheet A, it will be seen that r and are two studs fixed to the connecting
slide, and penetrating through the frame through the holes s, s. These studs,
which project some distance through the plate c, c, of the framework, and
slide backwards and forwards, as the case may be, in the slides a and a',
Figure 2; and, in order that the action may be better understood, I
will proceed to describe the same, placing at the same time circles o°
and o³ in the slides a and a¹ of Figure 2, in order to be better able to show
the means of throwing either of the circles out of the slide. It will be evident

page_text: that one of the blades being furnished with studs r and r, and that blade
being secured to the communicating slide m, to which there may be other blades
also attached, that the moment one of the studs, either r or r², comes in contact
with some fixed point, it will either retard its progress, or, if at all moveable,
it will change its position. But for the better illustration I will refer at
once to the Drawing Figure 2, Sheet F. The circle o and o representing
the studs are propelled towards the end of the guides a and a', and they will
continue to travel in that direction until the circle o³ will come in contact
with the jaw o', when meeting with an incline it drives the circle or outside
the frame by the aperture, and in returning the circle o³ will travel inside the
slide, and the circle o³ will travel outside the frame until it comes in contact
with the jaw os, which will immediately replace it in the same position that
it occupied before starting. It is also evident that so long as the jaws o
and o were to remain in the same position, so long would the same above
described action take place, but if the jaws were changed, that is, that they
would move in the position seen by the dotted lines in Figure 2, then the
action of the circles o and o³ would be diametrically opposite, for, in returning
towards the end of the slides, then it would travel within the slides and the
circle o would travel outside. Now that I have shewn that one of the
circles of or o³ can be thrown out on one side of the frame in moving in one
direction, and that the other can be thrown out on the opposite side of the
frame on its return motion, let me now state that if the circles o and o
which represent the studs r and move from one side to the other, that
motion may be communicated to the connecting slide m, to which is attached
one of the pivots o of the blades a, a, by which as often as the studs 1 and 2
change their position so will the blades change and vary their angular position.
s is a lever moving on the centre hinge s', and having one end introduced
into the brackets by which the jaws o' and o³ are reversed. The other end
of the lever is continued up through an aperture made in the deck of the
vessel, and furnished with a suitable handle for reversing the position of the
jaws o' and o, by which the position of the blades is also altered. By referring
to k and 1, Figure 1, Sheet C, the arrangement will at once be understood.
In the different views seen in and with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
Sheet C, and Figures 6 and 7, Sheet A, it will be seen that the blades are
only permitted (by the peculiar arrangement of the different parts thereof
to change from a position parallel to each other to that of an angular position
of about 45°; but I have found by experience that when the blades are closed,
as shewn by the dotted lines at Figure 5, Sheet C, that the best angle is from

page_text: 40° to 60°, to effect which angle they would each revolve on their centres one
half of the angle they would form when closed; that is, the two blades meeting
their edges together, thereby forming an angle of 60°, would each have to
move on their respective centres 30°, or, in other words, they would move
on their centres just one half of the angle to be formed. In order to convey
a better idea of the principle of propelling, I call in the aid of Sheet D,
shewing the different views from Figures 1 to 10 inclusive. Figure 1 represents
the back view of a set of blades a, a, a, when closed. Figure 2 represents
the same in a side view; and Figure 3 represents a section taken through
the lines 1, 2, Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 4, which represents the same view
as Figure 1, the blades a, a, a, are there seen open, and only present to view
their edges. Figure 5 represents the side view of Figure 4; and Figure 6
shews a section taken through the lines 3 and 4, Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7
represents the view of the top part of the frame b, b, Figure 1; and Figure 8
a view of the upper surface of the bottom part of the frame c, c.
The top
plate d is furnished with a slide e which slides in the slide which is formed in
the frame in the dead wood in the vessel; d, d, are two studs, which are fixed
to the double frame e, e, which is close against the top plate d. The middle
blade a is furnished with a bent stud e, e, which is secured to the moveable
plate ff, which is close to the top plate d. It will be easily perceived,
in reference to Figures 7 and 8, that the studs describe a portion of a circle
in the openings 9, 9, whereby the studs are brought close together, and the
position of the blades a, a, a, which are attached to the plate carrying the
studs by the pivots, are caused to change their angular position. Figures 9
and 10 are the same views as Figures 7 and 8, but it will be seen therein
that the studs in the openings g, g, are one at the top and the other at the
bottom of the openings, instead of one at the bottom and the other half
the distance up, as seen at Fig. 7. It will be seen at Fig. 3 that the
blades a, a, a, are in a direct line with each other, and if fixed at the end
of a shaft and sliding frame, and propelled in direction of the arrow, they would
propel the vessel to which they would be attached in a different direction. Fig. 6
represents the same blades a, a, a, returning back to their original-position, by
which it will be shewn that the same is being drawn back towards the stuffing
box which is in the same direction as the arrow. They offer no resistance to
the water as they cut through the water until they arrive at the end of the
guide frame, then they immediately (by the various mechanical contrivances
above referred to) exhibit an angle of 90°, and assume the form seen at Fig. 3.
Fig. 1, Sheet E, represents the stern view of a vessel with a set of blades fitted

page_text: thereto, and with the blades closed, thereby presenting a surface equal to the
square of the frame and blades to the resistance of the water. Fig. 2, Sheet E,
represents the top view of the reversing motion, and at Fig. 3 a view of the
underneath part thereof, and at Fig. 4 a side view of the same. a, a, Fig. 2,
represents a plate moving on the centre pin 6; c is an opening through which
the lever & passes. At the extremety of this plate is a rivet or bolt which
unites the plate a with the cross traversing piece e, which moves from one
side to the other according to the action of the lever d in the guides f, f;
the other side of the traversing picce e is furnished with peculiarly shape
projections, which are marked g, h, i, aud j, Fig. 8. k is a guide slide
groove running the whole length, and into which the guide slide of the
Figs. 1, 2, 7, 4, 5, and 9, slide. By a motion of the lever handle those
pieces g, h, i, and j, may be brought in contact with the groove, thereby
changing the course of the studs of the blades at the time they passed that
point, and reversing the action. Various modifications of these different
arrangements may be brought in practise, but those I have here described
in reference to my Invention of propelling I have found to answer best.
Although I have only shewn in the Drawing and described in the Specification
fixing these blades and frames at the stern, I can also with advantage place
them to any part of the vessel; and I may also place one on each side of the
keel sliding in sister keels, whereby I do away with the necessity of the dead
wood of the vessel. It is also obvious that on the withdrawal of the shaft
which is connected to the cross head of a set or sets of blades, they can be
readily unshipped and raised upon the deck by the usual tackle for repairs
or examination.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed and effected, and that although I have
been most particular in describing and shewing in the Drawings all the details
of the means at present known to me to which I prefer putting them into
practise, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself thereto,
provided the peculiar mode of action of the different parts and the principle
of the different parts of my Invention be retained. But what is claimed is,-
Firstly, as my improvement in steam engines, the constructing of valve
pistons and piston rods in such a manner that the pistons may be brought
either closer together or further apart from each other at pleasure, the object
of which being to work the steam expansively, as above described.
Secondly, I claim as my improvement in steam engines the constructing
valve regulators to be used as a substitute to the eccentrics, whereby I

page_text: entirely remove the strap fiction consequent on the latter, and am enabled
to move the piston in the valve cylinders or slide valves of other steam engines
suddenly, and regulate their passage over the steam ports, as above described.
Thirdly, I claim as my improvement in steam engines the constructing
expansion gearing whereby I am enabled to regulate the length of motion
given to the valve piston or slide valves of direct action engines, as well
as all other engines to which such expansion gearing can or may be applied,
as above described.
Fourthly, I claim as my improvement in steam engines the construction
of steam condensers with any number of cells or chambers having finely
perforated metal partitions and clack valves in tanks placed in outer tanks
containing cold water, or by pipes running as well through the tanks con-
taining the perforated cells or chambers, through which pipes cold water
would flow, as well as surrounding the tanks, as above described.
Fifthly, I claim as my improvement in steam boilers the constructing the
same with one or more smoke tubes passing through the body of the boiler
and returning again through the box of the boiler by an elbow, and another
pipe leading to a red hot chamber which is in the furnace, and then returning
from the red hot chamber through the boiler into the vapour tube, which
is also in the boiler, as above described.
Sixthly, I claim as my improvement in safety valves the construction of a
tube or case with a metal or other plunger connected to a rod with a spiral
spring, which is furnished with a regulating buffer, which case or tube is secured
to the steain cliest and immediately under the valve lever, as above described.
Lastly, I claim as my improvement in apparatus and machinery for
propelling vessels, the constructing and arranging of one or more blades
moving on centres in plates or frames, which plates or frames are caused
by the direct action of the engine to move backwards and forwards in guides
or slides in the frame fixed in the dead wood of the vessel or any other part;
and also the means employed in giving to such blades during their motion
from one end of the guides or slides to the other end of the guides or slides
any required fixed angular position; and also the machinery for reversing
or changing the angular position of the blades into another different angular
position during the return motion of the frame to which are fixed the blades,
as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Hanson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
CHARLES (L.S.) HANSON
B

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of December,
in the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Charles Hanson came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification .aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.