Improvements in and connected with Valves of Engines Operated by Expansible Fluids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1896-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Valves of Engines Operated
by Expansible Fluids.
We, WILLIAM DUNDAS WIGHT of Pentre in the County of Glamorgan,
Engineer, MATTHEW BROWN WILD of 52 Copester Hill, Oldham in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, and THOMAS RYDER of 826 Oldham Road, Newton
Heath in the County of Lancaster, 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 :-
The principal object of this invention which is hereinafter described with reference
to the appended drawings, is to ensure more perfect and economical working in
engines operated by expansible fluids.
Figure 1 represents in side elevation, the valves and valve chest of such an
engine, the valve-chest cover being removed. Figure 2 represents a horizontal
longitudinal section of the same, the valve-chest cover being in place. Figures 3
and 4 respectively represent vertical cross sections along the lines x-x, and y-y,
Figure 1.
M is the main valve, and C C the cut-off valves, one of which is arranged at
about each end of the main valve. The cut-off valves may be actuated by an
excentric in the known manner or by other known appliances, but we prefer to
operate it from the main valve spindle as described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 12496 dated the 28th day of June A.D. 1895. B is a balance plute
which is preferably adjustable. The main valve projects considerably beyond its
seating at each end, and the steam passages are formed in the projecting parts.
The entrance to the steam passage S is in this case, on opposite faces, by a through
openings, the passage itself opening out on the valve seating side so as to come
into communication with the cylinder ports P. At or near the end of each passage S,
a small opening or openings, is or are made, placing the passage in communication
with the face of the balance plate and thus providing for putting the valve in
equilibrium, apart from its weight, when in use.
It is preferred to construct the contiguous faces of the main valve M, and of the
balance plate B, at an angle to the perpendicular, as indicated by Figures 3 and 4,
so as to get a better bearing surface for the maiu valve, and for the additional
purpose of enabling a recess m to be formed in the bottom of the main valve, equal
in area to the space m' at the top of the valve. Steam, having access to the space m
will balance the pressure of steam at the top of the valve and further aid the
equilibrium. Wear between the main valve and the balance plate may be taken
up by means of the longitudinal wedges or inclined planes W, which may be
adjusted. by the external screw and wing nuts w or internally as may be preferred.
After adjustment, the nuts w on the screwed rods extending from the ends of the
wedges W to and through the end of the valve chest, may be tightened. The
nuts w may be employed on suitable screws for adjusting the balance plate from
the back.
The cut-off valves C are constructed to embrace the main valve as indicated,
so as to open and close both ends of the opening s simultaneously.
In the modified construction and arrangement represented in side elevation in
Figure 5, in horizontal longitudinal section by Figure 6, and in cross sectiou along
the line 2-2 in Figure 7, the main valve M is constructed in two portions connected

page_text: hy the spindle E, so as to bring the cylinder ports as near as practicable to the
ends of the cylinder. This division of the main valve and position of the cylinder
ports is already well known. In this case, the balance plate is similarly and
correspondingly divided if desired. In other respects, the valves are constructed
and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1-1.
In the modification illustrated in side elevation by Figure 6, in horizontal section
by Figure 9, and in cross section by Figure 10, the main valve is divided and
connected by a spindle as in the modification last described, but the steam passages
therein and the cut-off valve differ and the balance plates are omitted. The steam
passages S and the exhaust passages O go right through the main valve, and the
cut-off valves work upon the back of the plates 6. A port is formed through each
plate opposite to the cylinder port, and this is opened and closed at the appro-
priate times by the cut-off valve at that end. An extension from the back of ench
cut-off valve works upon the inside of the valve chest cover.
&'
The modification represented in vertical section by Figure 11, in sectional plan
by Figure 12, and in sectional elevation by Figure 13, represents our improve-
ments as applied to a single acting vertical engine, or to one end of a double
acting engine.
The excentric rod E has a loop e to enable it to avoid the stuffing box. The
main valve, balance plate, and cut-off valve are constructed and arranged
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5-7 save that
the position of the exhaust is reversed. The valves and their accessories may
be similarly arranged for other engines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The construction combination and arrangement in engines operated by fluid
pressure, of a single or divided main valve, a cut-off valve, or cut-off valves,
and a balance plate or balance plates, substantially as hereinbefore described and
as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. The construction combination and arrangement in engines operated by fluid
pressure, of a single or divided main valve, a back plate or back plates having
a port or ports therein, and a cut-off valve or cut-off valves adapted to work upon
and open and close the back plate port or ports, substantially as hereinbefore
described and as illustrated by Figures 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of February A.D. 1896.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.