IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC ENGINES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, of New-
castle-upon-Tyne, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HYDRAULIC ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Percy Graham Buchanan
Westmacott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 9th July 1863.
I, PERCY GRAHAM BUCHANAN WESTMACOTT, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN HYDRAULIC ENGINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in bydraulic engines. For
these purposes it is preferred to employ oscillating cylinders, but this is not
essential, as fixed cylinders may be used. Each of the cylinders has its piston
or plunger. The piston or plunger rod of each cylinder is constructed of such
diameter in respect to the diameter of the plunger or piston as may be desired,
depending in each case on the extent of area of the plunger or piston it is
wished should be subjected to the pressure of the fluid on the side where the
rod is applied. In some cases the plungers may be made to work. one within
another in order to obtain a different area to be acted on by the pressure of
the fluid at one time to what is acted on at another. The valves of each
cylinder are arranged in such manner that both the larger and smaller areas
of the piston may be opened to the exhaust and to the pressure, so that when

page_text: .
the pressure is on the one side of the piston the other side may be open to the
exhaust; hence, when any number of cylinders are used in combination to
give rotatory motion to a shaft, such shaft is driven by either of three powers
thus: When the pressure of the fluid is acting only on the smaller area of each'
plunger or piston, whilst the larger area of each plunger or piston remains
open to the exhaust, the lowest power of the engine will be afforded. When
the pressure for any length of time is applied to the larger area only of
each plunger or piston, whilst the smaller area is open to the exhaust, the
second power of the engine will be obtained. When the pressure is applied
alternately to the two areas of each plunger or piston, and the exhaust is
alternately opened to the larger and smaller areas of each plunger or piston, the
largest power of the engine will be obtained; or when the larger and smaller
areas of each piston are open conjointly to the pressure and exhaust, the
lowest power of the engine is afforded. When the smaller area of the piston
is open constantly to the pressure, whilst the pressure and exhaust are applied
to the larger area, the second power of the engine will be obtained. It is
preferred that each engine should consist of three oscillating cylinders, having
their plunger or piston rods coupled to three crank pins set at equal distances.
apart around the circle.
arca.
The arrangement and form of the valves used in order to work the plungers
or pistons in the manner above explained may be varied, but in all cases the
valves, whatever be their construction and arrangement, should be in con-
nection with a lever or with a hand wheel or otherwise, in such manner that
the valves of all the cylinders may be simultaneously set so as to obtain, as
required, the one or other of the three powers above mentioned. It is pre-
ferred to use slide valves to each cylinder arranged in the following manner :—
One slide communicates with the passage of the larger area of the piston, and
also with the exhaust passage, and covers the passages leading to the smaller
This valve is on a valve rod which passes through both ends of the
valve box, and works through stuffing, boxes by which this valve rod will be
in equilibrium. The rod of this valve when the engine is at work constantly
receives motion. There is a second valve which works in the same valve box
on the back of the above-mentioned valve, and covers two passages formed in
the first-mentioned valve; these two passages communicate respectively with
the exhaust passage and with the passage to the smaller area of the piston.
This second valve travels through twice the space of the first-mentioned valve
when the highest power is on; for the lowest power this valve remains
stationary, and for the second or medium power it travels conjointly with the
first-mentioned valve. The valve rod only passes through one end of the

page_text: valve box, so that the pressure in the box at all times tends to force it for-
wards, and will do so against a dead, stop when for the lowest power; but it is
forced against a stop of the first-mentioned valve rod or spindle when in gear
for the second or medium power. The rod of the second valve is arranged to
be readily disconnected and connected. The valves of all the cylinders are
arranged to be simultaneously set for working with either of the three powers;
as above mentioned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott in the Great Seal.
Patent Office on the 7th January 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PERCY
GRAHAM BUCHANAN WESTMACOTT, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, Her special licence that I, the
said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC
ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Percy Graham
Buchanan Westmacott, 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 Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
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 thereof, that is to say :-
.

page_text: This Invention has for its object improvements in hydraulic engines. For
these purposes it is preferred to employ oscillating cylinders, but this is not
essential, as fixed cylinders may be used. Each of the cylinders has its piston
or plunger. The piston or plunger rod of each cylinder is constructed of such
diameter in respect to the diameter of the plunger or piston as may be desired,
depending in each case on the extent of area of the plunger or piston it is
wished should be subjected to the pressure of the fluid on the side where the
rod is applied. In some cases the plungers may be made to work one within
another in order to obtain a different area to be acted on by the pressure of
the fluid at one time to what is acted on at another. The valves of each
cylinder are arranged in such manner that both the larger and smaller areas
of the piston may be opened to the exhaust and to the pressure, so that when
the pressure is on the one side of the piston the other side may be open to the
exhaust; hence, when any number of cylinders are used in combination to give
rotatory motion to a shaft, such shaft is driven by either of three powers thus :―
When the pressure of the fluid is acting only on the smaller area of each
plunger or piston, whilst the larger area of each plunger or piston remains
open to the exhaust, the lowest power of the engine will be afforded. When
the pressure for any length of time is applied to the larger area only of each
plunger or piston, whilst the smaller area is open to the exhaust, the second
power of the engine will be obtained. When the pressure is applied alter-
nately to the two areas of each plunger or piston, and the exhaust is alternately
opened to the larger and smaller areas of each plunger or piston, the largest power
of the engine will be obtained; or when the larger and smaller areas of each
piston are open conjointly to the pressure and exhaust, the lowest power of the
engine is afforded. When the smaller area of the piston is open constantly to
the pressure, whilst the pressure and exhaust are applied to the larger area, the
second power of the engine will be obtained. It is preferred that each engine
should consist of three oscillating cylinders, having their plunger or piston
rods coupled to three crank pins set at equal distances apart around the circle.
The arrangement and form of the valves used in order to work the plunger
or pistons in the manner above explained may be varied, but in all cases the
valves, whatever be their construction and arrangement, should be in con-
nection with a lever or with a hand wheel or otherwise, in such manner that
the valves of all the cylinders may be simultaneously set so as to obtain (as
required) the one or other of the three powers above mentioned. It is
preferred to use slide valves to each cylinder.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will proceed more fully to
describe the manner of performing the same.

page_text: Figure 1 shows a plan, and Figure 2 a side elevation, of a hydraulic engine
consisting of the three oscillating hydraulic cylinders with their piston or
plunger rods in connection with three crank pins at equal distances, apart.
The number of hydraulic cylinders used in constructing a hydraulic engine.
may, however, according to my Invention, be varied, depending on the
purposes for which the engines are intended. Although it is preferred to use
oscillating cylinders, this is not essential, as other cylinders may be employed.
Figure 3 shows a side elevation partly in. section, and. Figure 4 a plan partly.
in section, of one of the hydraulic cylinders, together with the valves and some.
of the other parts used therewith, on a larger scale than the previous Figures;.
and Figures 5. and 6 show sections.of the valves in positions different from the
position shown in Figure 3. S, S, are the hydraulic cylinders; T, T, are the.
piston.or plunger rods connected with three crank pins; U, U, are the pistons.
or plungers. The trunnions of the cylinders S turn in suitable bearings; the,
trunnions of the cylinders S are hollow, and have attached thereto pipes which
connect them with the valve boxes or cases A. The pipes to each bydraulic
cylinder are connected fluid-tight to the trunnions in such manner that the
joints will admit of the trunnions turning in their bearings. One of the slides.
of the valve of each hydraulic cylinder is put in motion continually by an
arm or crank on one of the trunnions of its bydraulic cylinder. R, R, is the
bed plate which carries the engine; Y is the main or crank shaft, which receives.
a rotating motion from the working of the pistons or plungers in the three
hydraulic cylinders; Z.is the valve box on. the pipe.Q for supplying the water
or other fluid used to the hydraulic cylinders; P is the exhaust passage in the
bed plate in connection with each of the valve boxes or cases A. There are
two pipes to each hydraulic cylinder communicating with the valve. box at one
of their ends and with the trunnions at their other ends... The pipe W con-
nected with tho trunnion O of each cylinder conveys the water or other fluid to
and from the smaller area of the piston or plunger. The pipe V, which con-
nects the other hollow trunnion of each cylinder with its valve box or case A,.
conveys the water or other fluid to and from the larger area of the piston or
plunger; K, K, are the rods which connect the spindles E of the slides F of
the valves with the arms N on the trunnions O. The slides F when the
engine is at work are in constant motion. .G, G, are slides which are only
moved from time to time a short distance in order to vary or change the
power at which the engine is to work, as hereafter explained; I are plates of
steel or, it may be, of other suitable bard metal, which are placed between the

page_text: slides F and G; these plates are prevented moving endways, and consequently
they have no movement, but they are free to be pressed by the fluid down on
to the slides G. The rod E of each valve passes through two stuffing boxes,
one at each of the two ends of the valve case or box A; such rod therefore is
in equilibrium, and moves to and fro readily by the rods K. The rod H
of each valve passes through only one stuffing box at one end of its valve box
or case, and is consequently constantly pressed outwards, and is therefore to be
retained in each of its positions by suitable stops. The rods H are connected
by rods L with lever arms on the rocking shaft M, and this shaft M is moved
by a hand lever M, which by suitable catches or stops is retained in either of
the three positions hereafter described. At the bottom of each of the valve
boxes or cases there is a waterway B, leading by its pipe to the larger
area of the piston or plunger of its hydraulic cylinder. There is also another
waterway C leading by its pipe to the smaller area of the piston or plunger of
its hydraulic cylinder; D is the exhaust waterway from the valve; b, c, d,
are ports or passages in the plates I corresponding with the waterways
B, C, D, in the valve boxes or cases; 6', c. d, are waterways in the
slides & corresponding with the waterways B, C, D, in the valve cases
or boxes. The water or other fluid is constantly supplied to the valve
box or case by the pipe Q, and according to the position in which the
slides G, G, are placed and retained by the handle M¹, so will be the
power for the time in force. When the slides G are in the position shown
in Figure 5, the larger area of each piston or plunger will be constantly
open to the exhaust, whilst the pressure will only act. on the smaller area of
each piston or plunger, and the engine will then be working at its first or least
power. When the slides G are in the position shown in Figure 6, the smaller
area of each piston or plunger will be constantly open to the exhaust, and the
pressure will only act on the larger area of each of the pistons or plungers,
and the engine will be working at its second or larger power. When the
slides G are in the position shown at Figure 3, both the larger and smaller
areas of the pistons or plungers will be alternately in communication with the
exhaust, and they will also alternately be subjected to the pressure, at which
time the engine will be working at its third or largest power. When using a
hydraulic engine constructed as herein described, it may be worked in such
manner as to aid in lowering a load without wasting water, and which forms a
part, of the improvements for which other Letters Patent have been granted to
me, bearing even date herewith, and numbered 1710. The arrangement of
the valves shown in Figures 7 and 8 is such, that on shutting off the supply of
water to the cylinders, the water previously therein may be caused to pass

page_text: alternately to and from both sides of each piston or plunger, and the speed at
which the water shall thus circulate between the two sides of each piston or
plunger may be regulated by the handle Z¹ and slide valve Z within the valve
box; this slide is acted on, when desired, by the handle Z', which moves.on
an axis or fulcrum at Z, on the bracket Z³, fixed to the valve box Z. The
outer end of the valve spindle Z' is attached to the lower end of the lever
handle Z. The water or other fluid is supplied to the valve box by the pipe
Q', and the water or other fluid passes to the hydraulic cylinders by the pipe Q
when allowed to do so by the slide valve Z being placed in the position
Figure 8; but when the slide valve is in the position shown by red lines, the
supply from the pipe Q¹ will be shut off from the pipe Q. Z' is a hard metal
seat on which the slide valve works; P is the exhaust passage. By this
arrangement it will be understood that when the slide valve is drawn over by
the handle and covers the port leading to the pipe Q, the supply thereto will
be cut off, and by pressing the handle further over in the same direction, as is
indicated by the red lines, the port leading to the pipe Q will be put in com-
munication with the exhaust, whilst the supply from the pipe Q¹ to the pipe Q
will remain cut off from the hydraulic cylinders; hence the engine may be
worked.when lowering a load, by the water passing from one side to the other
of the piston and plunger of each hydraulic cylinder.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I make no claim to any
of the mechanical parts separately; but what I claim is, the combined arrange-
ment herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of January,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
DEBOYD WESTMACOTT
PERCY C. B. WESTMACOTT. (L.S.)