IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN WESLEY HACKWORTH, of Victoria Road, Darlington, in the County of
Durham, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES" to be as follows:-
These improvements-which I designate "Hackworth's steam and vacuum
repeating engines "-may be stated broadly to consist in obtaining a succession of
distinct forces from one charge of steam.
First. By two or more applications of the steam's expansive force, so applied that
each succeeding operation causes no diminution of the power derived from the
former. Hence differing essentially from the present "compound engine" in which
the piston first acted upon is retarded by becoming the abutment for the steam's
second action.
Second. By repeated vacuums produced in the cylinder spaces where the steam
has previously exerted its power.
The mode of carrying the above into effect may be ascertained from the following
description.
First. High pressure steam is taken from the boiler and applied in the usual
way-more or less expansively-to propel a piston in the working cylinder of a
steam engine and when the piston arrives at the point of the stroke-which may
be varied predetermined for discharge, the steam is thrown into an "expanding
receiver " this may take the form of an ordinary cylinder fitted with covers and
piston. The receiver piston is loaded on one side with a suitable pressure of
atmospheric air or other aëriform fluids-while the opposite side is subjected to
the superior force-for example 40 and 80 lbs. respectively, or any other proportion
or pressure of the exit steam-from the working cylinder-which being suddenly
injected through special valves-into the "expanding receiver," instant and rapid
motion is imparted to the receiver piston, when by the combined force of the
momentum and steam, the air resisting the piston's movement is compressed until
two thirds, or three fourths-or any other proportion of the exit steam from the
working cylinder has been inspired into the "expanding receiver," which is retained
by the admission valves closing, with the rebound of the piston the pressure of the
steam is increased, simultaneously the regular exhaust opens into the condenser,
when a vacuum is produced in the working cylinder thus adding its equivalent
force to the steam in the return stroke.

page_text: Second. The operation above described can be repeated in any number of
cylinders working in unison so long as the steam keeps up to atmospheric
pressure each successive cylinder-after the first-takes its supply of steam from
an "expanding receiver "-as from a boiler-the steam being ejected therefrom by
the pressure and expansion of the air upon the receiver piston.
Third. My said invention will also apply to a single cylinder engine (such as the
Timothy Hackworth "Trunk Engine") wherein the area of the respective sides of
the piston-adjustable by the size of the trunk-can be proportioned to the
respective pressures of the steam from the boiler and steam from the "expanding
receiver," so as to produce equality of power in the back and forward strokes of the
piston.
By regulating and adjusting the pressure of air on the piston of the "expanding
receiver" the maximum effect derivable from the steam may be obtained. A self
regulating air pump is used to keep the air pressure uniform at any required
pressure. The steam may be regulated and interchanged into and out of the
working cylinder by any class of valve or valve gear, but I purpose using my
'ne plus ultra" valve patented in 1882 N° 87. The piston of the working cylinder
may be used as a valve to discharge the steam therefrom into the "expanding
receiver," with "drop "- or any other-valves for retaining the steam therein.
grid iron valves" actuated by the engine may be used to perform these functions.
The working cylinder and expanding receiver may be steam jacketed either the
one or both.
Or

page_text: I, JOHN WESLEY HACKWORTH, of Victoria Road, Darlington, in the County of
Durham, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
These improvements-which I designate "Ḥackworth's steam and vacuum
repeating engines "-relate to the further perfecting of the principal comprised in
my pass-over valvo patented December 15th 1849, and numbered 12,892, whereby
a portion of the steam first used direct from the boiler, is applied a second time-
and may be stated broadly to consist in obtaining a succession of distinct forces
from one charge of steam.
First. By two or more applications of the steam's expansive force, so applied that
each successive operation causes no diminution of the power derived from tho
former. Hence differing essentially from the present "compound engine," in which
the piston first acted upon is retarded by becoming the abutment for the steam's
second action.
Second. By repeated vacuums produced in the cylinder spaces where the steam
has previously exerted its power.
The mode of carrying the above into effect may be ascertained from the following
description.
"
First. High pressure steam is taken from the boiler and applied in the usual
way-more or less expansively-to propel a piston in the working cylinder of a
steam engine, and on the piston arriving at the point of the stroke-which may be
varied predetermined for discharge, the steam is thrown into an "expanding
receiver - this may take the form of an ordinary cylinder fitted with covers and
piston. The receiver piston being loaded on one side with a suitable pressure of
atmospheric air-or other aëriform fluid, or steam from the boiler at reduced
pressure whilst the opposite side of the said piston is subjected to the superior
force of the exit steam from the working cylinder-for example 40 and 80 lbs.
respectively, or any other proportion or pressure-which being suddenly injected
through special valves of large area into the " expanding receiver" instant and
rapid motion is imparted to the receiver piston, when by, the combined forces of
the momentum and steam, the air or other elastic fluid-resisting the piston's
movement, is compressed until two-thirds, or three-fourths or any other
proportion of the exit steam from the working cylinder, has been inspired into
the "expanding receiver," where-by the admission valves closing-it is retained
and the pressure increased by the rebound of the piston ready for repeating its
action. Simultaneously the regular exhaust opens to the atmosphere or condenser,
when a vacuum is produced in the working cylinder, thus adding its equivalent
force to the steam in the return stroke, and so reciprocal action is kept up
continuously.
Second. The operation above described can be repeated in any number of
cylinders working in unison-so long as the steam keeps up to atmospheric
pressure--each successive cylinder-after the first-taking its supply of steam

page_text: "
from an ' expanding receiver -as from a boiler-the steam being ejected
therefrom hy the pressure and expansion of the air-or its substitute-upon the
receiver piston.
"
Third. My said invention is also applicable to a single cylinder engine, such as
the Timothy Hackworth Trunk Engine "—wherein the area of the respective
sides of the piston can be adjusted-by varying the size of the trunk-and can
easily be proportioned to the respective pressures of steam from the boiler and
steam from the "expanding receiver," so as to produce equality of power in the
backward and forward strokes of the piston.
By regulating and adjusting the pressure of air-or other elastic fluid-on the
piston of the "expanding receiver," the maximum effect derivable from the steam
may be obtained.
A self regulating air pump is used to keep the air pressure on the "expanding
receiver" piston uniform at any required pressure, or when steam is taken from
the boiler a reducing valve is used.
The steam may be regulated and interchanged into and out of the working
cylinder by any class of valve, or valve gear, but I purpose using my "Ne plus
ultra" valve patented in 1882, N° 87, in my repenting engine with two or more
cylinders, and its use with a specially improved adaptation of cylinder to my single
cylinder repeating engine, whereby the steam at two distinctly different pressures
can be worked into and out of the respective ends of the working cylinder with
one steam chest and a single valve, as hereinafter illustrated and described.
The working piston is used as a valve for discharging the steam-to be
re-applied-from the working cylinder into the "expanding receiver," through
special ports of large area out of the cylinder side at any point of the stroke
calculated to give the maximum effect. For admitting and retaining the steam in
the "expanding receiver," two or more "drop valves" automatically worked by the
steam are used having ring openings and ring covers affording enlarged area on
the inside and outside of the rings with little lift; the said valves being formed in
a tray, or fixed in a honey comb plate, are rendered easily changeable and
renowable, as hereinafter illustrated and described..
Gridiron valves worked automatically by the engine may be used to perform the
above functions.
The working cylinder and "expanding receiver" may be steam jacketed; cither
the one or both.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed
further to explain and describe how the same is to be practically carried into effect,
by the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein the several Figures are
correspondingly lettered and consecutively numbered for reference to like parts, or
parts performing similar functions.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a single cylinder "Trunk Engine,” and Fig. 2 is
a sectional plan view of same.
A is the cylinder; B the slide valve, which on being opened at the bottom
admits the steam from the chest through the port b, into the lower end of the
cylinder A, and forces the piston P upwards. Before the piston arrives at the
port D, the valve B closes and cuts the steam off. When the piston P passes the
port D, a large portion of the steam is suddenly discharged from the cylinder A
through the port D, valves E, and port f, into the "expanding receiver" F,
imparting rapid motion to the piston G, and--through the momentum-compressing
the air above and attenuating the steam below the said piston, which on its recoil
compresses the steam ready for repeated use, while the residue of the steam passes
through the regular exhaust M into the atmosphere or condenser. On the slide
valve B opening at the top, the steam from the "expanding receiver" F, passes
through the port g and the port b¹, to the top side of the piston P, which having
enlarged area proportioned to the reduced pressure acting thereon, the up and
down strokes of the piston P are performed with practical uniformity and thus the
reciprocal action is kept up.

page_text: Two modes of terminating the stroko of the receiver piston G are represented
in Fig. 1. First. In the cylinder cover is formed a cylindrical recess x, and on the
piston G a counterpart y. These coming together lock the steam between, which
acts as an elastic cushion and arrests the descent of the piston G. Second. On the
top of the "expanding receiver" F is an open-topped cylinder H fitted with the
piston p, which at the top of its range-passes out of the cylinder H, but on its
descent shuts the air therein and causes it to act as an elastic cushion for arresting
the descent of the piston G. These appliances can be easily made more or less
powerful, by increasing or diminishing their areas and depths. The cylinder H and
piston p are made adjustable by graduation, as is illustrated in Fig. 10, where by
turning the case Z round with the handle Z¹, respectively one way or the other, a
greater or less depth of air cushioning is secured.
88
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a vertical cylinder and "expanding receiver
applicable to a series of cylinders. F is a section of the "expanding receiver" with
its piston G. A the cylinder sectioned through the valve tray E. The other side
shows the cylinder face and ports by which the steam is inducted and exhausted in
the usual way, whilst what is herein termed the "discharged steam" is at each
half-stroke on the piston P passing the port D-thrown into the "expanding
cylinder" through the port D, valves E, and port f, ready for repeated application
in the next cylinder.
Fig. 4 is a plan section of the above, through the cylinder, steam chest, and valvo
tray E.
Fig. 5 represents a series of three vertical cylinders of the latter kind working
in unison and reversible.
F1, F2 and F3 show the top of the " expanding receivers" with the working
cylinders A1, A2 and A³ beneath. The steam from the boiler enters the pipe a, the
throttle valve W admitting the steam from the boiler into cylinder A¹ or A³-
according to the way round the engine is wanted to go. When the steam is
admitted into the cylinder A¹, through the pipes J and J, after propelling the
piston P the predetermined distance, on passing the port D the steam is discharged
through port D, valves E¹, into the receiver F¹, thence through the pipe L, the
valve K and pipe L³, into cylinder A³, and after performing its office therein, passes
the port D, valves E³, valve K¹, pipe J¹, into the cylinder A³, and as the receiver F³
is shut off from the circuit by the valve K, and is inoperative for the time being,
the whole of the steam from the cylinder A³ is exhausted in the usual way out of
pipe M³, as also the residue of the steam from cylinders A¹ and A², by pipes M¹
and M³, into the atmosphere or condenser.
When the engine is reversed and runs the other way round, the valves K and K¹,
also require reversal, i.e. to be opened and shut the opposite ways, and the throttle
valve W opened to admit the steam from the boiler through the pipes J and J¹,
into cylinder A³, and on the steam propelling the piston P the prescribed distance,
passes through the port D, valves E3, into the "expanding receiver" F³, thence
through the pipe L', valve K and pipe L², into cylinder A, and on doing its office
therein passes through valve K¹, pipe J, into cylinder A', and is then exhausted in
the usual way, as also the residue of the steam from cylinders A² and A³, into the
atmosphere or condenser, the "expanding receiver" F1 being shut off by valve K
and inoperative, as F³ was when the engine ran the reverse way round.
Fig. 6 is an end elevation of a series of three horizontal cylinders working in
unison and reversible, and Fig. 7 a plan of the same. A', A and Aº are the
cylinders; F, F and F the " expanding receivers." The steam from the boiler
enters the pipe a, and for one way round-passes the throttle cock W, and
through the pipes J and J, into the cylinder A, after propelling the piston P the
prescribed distance and on passing port D and valves E, into the receiver F, thence
through the pipe L, cock K³, into the cylinder A, and after performing its office
therein, passes through the port D, valves E, cock K' and pipe J¹, into cylinder Aº,
and as the receiver F is shut off by cock K³ from the circuit and is inoperative for
the time being, the whole of the steam from cylinder Aº, as also the residue of the

page_text: E
steam from cylinders A' and A³, is exhausted in the usual way into the atmosphere
or condenser.
When the engine is reversed and runs the other way round, the cocks K³ and K³
also require reversal, i.e. to be opened and shut the opposite ways, as indicated by
the direction of the handles, and the throttle cock W opened to admit the steam
from the boiler through pipes J1 and J', into the cylinder A6, and on the steam
propelling the piston P the prescribed distance, passes through the port D, valves Eº,
into the "expanding receiver" F", thence through the pipe L³, cock K³, into
cylinder A, and on doing its office therein passes through the port D, valves E5,
into receiver F³, thence through cock K³, pipe J, into the cylinder A', and as the
receiver F is shut off by cock K' from the circuit and is inoperative for the time
being, the whole of the steam from the cylinder A, and also the residue of the
steam from cylinders A³ and A6, is exhausted in the usual way into the atmosphere
or condenser.
Fig. 8 is a plan of a horizontal cylinder A of the above class, showing the valve
tray E at the foot of the "expanding receiver "F; L is the outlet pipe for repeating
the application of the steam in the succeeding cylinders; and J the steam pipe.
Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the above cylinder A, with the valve tray E and
expanding receiver " F.
Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevation showing the mode of discharging the steam at
one-fourth of the stroke, with section of the "expanding receiver" F, valve tray E,
also the air cylinder H, piston p, and case Z and handle Z, for graduating the air
cushioning and arresting the descent of the piston G at the proper point. The
case Z has a vertical slot or groove which can be turned so as to correspond with
any one of a series of holes pierced through the air cylinder H in an oblique or
slanting direction, as shown; or instead of the slot or groove in the case Z, the
latter may be provided with a row of holes arranged at an opposite angle to those
in air cylinder H.
66
Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation showing the mode of discharging the steam
at half-stroke.
Fig. 12 is a sectional side elevation showing the mode of discharging the steam
at three-fourths of the stroke.
Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of an air pump for loading the "expanding
receiver" piston G, and maintaining the air pressure uniform at any required
pressure. N is the working barrel; O the bucket; O¹ and Os the valves; T is an
open-topped cylinder, fitted with piston R, which has a rod V entering the pump
barrel below valve 0¹. The piston R is held down by the spiral spring U, the
pressure being adjusted by the nut Q on the foot of the pump barrel. On the
expanding receiver" (as in Fig. 1) being connected to the pump with pipes
attached at 8 and 8', and S and S¹, the air is pumped into the "expanding receiver
loading the piston G until the pressure of air lifts the piston R and its rod V, and
thus prevents the valve O¹ closing, when the pump ceases to operate; and vice
vers, when the air pressure in the "expanding receiver" acting upon piston G,
sinks below the regular working pressure, the spiral spring U depresses piston R
and its rod V, and the valve O' is allowed to shut, when the pump again performs
its functions.
"
Fig. 14 represents a full sized sectional part of the valve tray E, and two
different descriptions of valves with ring openings and ring covers e.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim in the steam engines set forth and described herein, is
1. The mode of admitting steam into a single cylinder engine direct from the
boiler at one end of the cylinder only, and by repeating its action in the other end
after passing through an "expanding receiver," propelling the piston backward
and forward with practical uniformity, resulting from proportioning, the area of
each side of the piston to the respective pressures acting thereon, substantially as

page_text: hereinbefore illustrated and described, thus producing a one cylinder repeating,
high pressure, expansion engine.
2. A repeating, high pressure, expansion engine of the above class, with two or
more cylinders, as hereinbefore illustrated and described.
3. Producing a vacuum to act alternately with the steam at opposite sides of
the piston in a single cylinder engine, and so constitute it a repeating, high
pressure, expansion condensing engine, and in like manner in an engine with
two or more cylinders, substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and described.
4. Inspiring a large portion of the discharged steam from the working cylinder
into the "expanding receiver," by the momentum imparted to the receiver piston
attenuating the steam, and with the recoil of the piston compressing the steam
ready for repeated action, as hereinbefore described.
5. The use of special steam ports of large area out of the cylinder side, with the
main or working piston acting as a valve for discharging the steam suddenly
therefrom into the "expanding receiver," at any point of the stroke best calculated
to produce the maximum effect in applying, retaining and compressing the steam
ready for repeated use, substantially as herein before illustrated and described.
"
6. The use of two or more "drop valves" worked automatically by the steam,
for admitting into and retaining the steam in the "expanding receiver as herein-
before illustrated and described.
7. The "drop valves" made as a tray or fixed into a honey comb plate, the
said valves having ring openings and covers affording enlarged area with little
lift, and rendered easily changeable and renewable, as herein before described and
illustrated.
8. The speciality of having one steam chest and single valve for working steam
at two distinct pressures into and out of the working cylinder of a steam engine,
as hereinbefore set forth, illustrated and described.
9. The two modes of determining the stroke of the "expanding receiver"
piston G, by the graduation of air or steam cushioning by the use of one or both
such modes, substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and described.
10. The use of the air pump for loading and automatically maintaining the
air pressure uniform at any required pressure upon the piston of the "expanding
receiver,” substantially as hereinbefore illustrated and described.
Dand 42: 1712 N
100