Automatic Quick-acting Governor for Controlling the Supply of Actuating Fluids or Electric Current to Motors.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 14th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
An Automatic Quick-acting Governor for Controlling the Supply of
Actuating Fluids or Electric Current to Motors.
I, EDWARD THUNDERBOLT of Drummond Street, Carlton, in the Colony of
Victoria, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has been devised for the purpose of affording employers of
machinery with an improved governor which automatically controls the supply
of whatever fluid is employed to work the engine, or motor, and it may be also
employed as a regulator of speed in some instances in connection with machinery
and may be described as follows.
I place an air pump in some firm and convenient position, preferably, but not
arbitrarily, of a horizontal type and about the top and at the front of steam
cylinder, when steam is being used as a motive power. This pump contains a
piston rod and piston said rod being placed in communication with the moving
mechanism of the engine and so arranged as to work backwards and forwards in
the cylinder when the engine is in motion, the whole closely resembling in many
respects a horizontal air pump.
The method of driving the pump may be varied to suit the local peculiarities of
the engine on which my air pump is to be mounted. Preferably, but not arbitrarily,
I employ a pump with a short stroke and large diameter in preference to a large
stroke and small diameter. If a small diameter and long stroke be preferred the
piston rod of the air pump may be directly attached to the cross-head pin of the
engine but if a shorter stroke be required the piston may be driven either by an
eccentric placed upon the main shaft; by duplicate crank, or any approved centred
lever action or its equivalent. This pump is provided with inlet and outlet valves,
preferably at both ends; the outlet valves being arranged so as to lead into one
common passage or pipe and from thence the air, coming through such outlet valves
from the pump, may flow into a smaller cylinder. This I would term the governing
cylinder in order to distinguish it from either the cylinder of the engine or air
pump. In this said governing cylinder a small piston is employed at the rear of
which the piston rod is encircled by a wire spring under compression, said spring
being arranged in such a manner as to keep forward the piston in the said governing
cylinder, until its pressure is overcome by the force of air acting on the front of
the piston. The piston rod, around which is encircled the said spring may, if
the design of the engine permit, enter into the packing gland of a cut off slide
valve placed in the steam pipe of the engine and so arranged that when the piston
in the governing cylinder and its rod moves backwards or forwards the steam in
the pipe leading to the engine cylinder is proportionately cut off or supplied
synchronously with the working of the piston in the governing cylinder.
If my improved mechanism, constituting a governor, has owing to a local
peculiarity to be placed at any considerable distance from the steam pipe the piston
in the governing cylinder may have attached to it connecting links and a crank
action to operate any suitable kind of throttle valve placed in the steam pipe. One
end of the governing cylinder is preferably left open whilst the other is specially
constructed both to admit air under pressure coming from the hereinbefore described
air pump and provided with an oil cup for lubrication of the piston and a specially
constructed and arranged outlet valve and operating mechanism. This mechanism
consists of any suitable escape valve placed in an open escape pipe, the opening
and closing motion of the valve being controlled by a bifurcated rod working on

page_text: the piston rod, of the governing cylinder hereinbefore described, and so arranged
that as the governing cylinder piston moves backwards and forwards the small
escape valve will be proportionately opened or closed. A thumb screw is provided
for the adjustment of such escape. In some cases the bifurcated rod and its parts
for adjusting the valve may be dispensed with. Towards the rear end of the small
governing cylinder is a free outlet vent so placed that when the piston goes past the
predetermined point for shutting off the steam the air pressure in front of it may
partially or wholly escape at such vent.
The modus operandi of the invention is as follows.→
Presume that the governor is employed on a steam engine-the air pump piston
is moving backwards and forwards in its cylinder taking in a supply of air at each
stroke through the inlet valves and discharging such air through the small adjustable
escape valve before referred to. This valve being adjusted to allow the escape of
an equivalent quantity of air to that generated by the air pump when working with
the engine at the predetermined maximum speed. Should however the engine
increase beyond such speed more air will be immediately generated by the air
pump than the escape of the adjusted valve will permit and the air that cannot
escape produces a pressure on the face of the piston in the governing cylinder and
pushes said piston backwards, thus closing the steam throttle valve, and if the
engine still maintains the undesirable high speed the piston in the governing
cylinder will be forced right back in such a manner as to close completely the
throttle valve in the steam pipe, and the piston will have arrived at the open vent
through which the air under pressure, or a portion of it, may escape. The speed
of the engine would in this case immediately decrease and as a matter of course
less air will be generated by the air pump and the small piston in the governing
cylinder will, by reason of the spring pressure behind same hereinbefore referred
to, be enabled to return in the cylinder and synchronously and proportionately
re-open the throttle valve.
In lieu of the spring last referred to a weighted rod may be employed and
arranged in such a manner as to produce an equivalent pressure forward on the
small piston in the governing cylinder, the weight on such rod-being sufficient to
overcome the tightness of the steam gland piston, and contiguous moving parts.
I would here point out that were my governor to be attached to motors other
than those worked by steam the small governing piston would fulfil an analogous
function in turning on or off the supply of motive power-For instance with an
electric motor the small piston rod in the governing cylinder would actuate a switch
action.
I do not confine myself to the employment of air in the said governor, as water,
or other liquid, may be used in lieu thereof, but I prefer the air on account of its
quickness in action.
Dated this Fifteenth day of August 1893.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Quick-acting Governor for Controlling the Supply of
Actuating Fluids or Electric Current to Motors.
I, EDWARD THUNDERBOLT of Drummond Street, Carlton, in the Colony of
Victoria, 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 :—
This invention has been devised for the purpose of affording employers of
machinery with an improved adjustable governor for controlling the speed of
engines and motors on land and sea, which automatically controls the supply

page_text: of whatever fluid is employed to work the engine or motor, and it may also be
employed as a regulator of speed by operating a break gear in some instances in
connection with machinery. I place an air pump or duplicate air pumps preferably
of a horizontal type in some firm and convenient position. These pumps contain
pistons and piston rods, such rods being placed in communication with the moving
mechanism of the engine and so arranged as to work backwards and forwards in
the pump or pumps when the engine is in motion for creating continuous pressure of
air. These pumps are provided with inlet and outlet valves, preferably at both
ends of their cylinders, the outlet valves being arranged so as to lead into one
common passage or pipe and thence the air coming through such outlet valves from
the pump may flow into the adjustable governing cylinder.
In this governing cylinder a piston is employed, at the rear of which the piston
rod is encircled by a spring under compression, the said spring being adjustable
and arranged in such a manner as to keep forward the piston in the said cylinder
until its pressure is overcome by the force of air acting on the area at the back of
the piston. The outlet of air from the governing cylinder is controlled by an
adjustable valve which can be adjusted at will whilst the machinery is in motion,
so as to control any desired speed. The piston rod is arranged to operate a valve
placed in the steam pipe of the engine so that as it moves with the piston the steam
in the pipe leading to the engine cylinder is proportionately cut off or supplied
synchronously in accordance with requirements for a predetermined speed.
I will now refer to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 shews a horizontal section of the duplicate air pumps.
Figure 2 a vertical section of the governing cylinder, and
Figure 3 a plan shewing the T pieces which enclose the outlet valves from the
pump cylinders.
Figure 4 is a plan of a detail shewn in section in Figure 2.
In these drawings A and B represent duplicate air pumps, which contain
pistons CC, having their piston rods C' connected to cross-heads C² mounted upon
slipping blocks C³ so as to slide in the frame D of the pumps. These cross-heads
are connected by rods C³ to cranks C which are operated by a pulley E set on the
crank shaft and placed in communication with a moving shaft on the engine so as
to transmit motion from the engine to the pump piston.
The method of driving the pump or motor in use may be varied to suit the local
peculiarities of the engine. Preferably I employ pumps with short strokes and
large diameters in preference to long strokes and small diameters. If a small
diameter and long stroke be preferred the piston rods of the air pumps may be
directly attached to the cross-head pin of the engine or motor, but if a shorter
stroke be required it may be driven by an eccentric placed upon the main shaft or
any approved centred lever action or its equivalent.
F, F and F, F are inlet valves which are provided at both ends of the supply
cylinders A and B, and are free to open and close agreeably with the movements
of their respective pistons C C. These valves have rods F extending outside of
the cylinders which are encircled by spiral springs and stop collars F. These
valves when drawn from their seats (or in their open position) are stopped by the
spring F against perforated plates F®.
G, H, G and H' are outlet valves which are enclosed within T pieces J, which
latter form a passage from the ends of the cylinders into a common pipe or
passage K. These valves are preferably arranged as shewn in pairs at each end of
the cylinders A and B, and each pair is connected together by spiral springs H'
which keep the valves close in their seats until overcome by the force of air entering
the pipe K from the cylinders A and B.
Small adjustable bars H' are set within the Tjunction to form. limitation stops
for the outlet valves. These valves are arranged in such a manner that whilst
one is open and allowing a passage of air from the cylinder to the passage K, its
opposite valve (connected thereto by spiral spring) will be closed against its seat.

page_text: The covers of the cylinders A' B' may be unscrewed when required for repairs
or adjustment.
The air coming through the outlet valves from the pumps flows by the pipe K
into a governing cylinder L. In this governing cylinder a piston M is employed,
at the rear of which a piston rod M¹ is encircled by a wire spring N under com-
pression, said spring being arranged so as to keep forward the piston in the said
cylinder L until its pressure is overcome by the force of air, entering by the
pipe K, acting on the front area of the piston M. The. piston rod M' may, if the
design of the engine permit, enter into the packing glands of a shut-off valve
placed in the steam pipe of the engine; or if the governor has, owing to local
peculiarities, to be placed at any considerable distance from the steam pipe, the
piston rod M of the governing cylinder may have attached to it connecting links
and a crank action to operate any suitable kind of throttle valve placed in the
steam pipe, or for operating and actuating break gear.
The inlet end of this cylinder L has also an outlet pipe or passage O, which
has an outlet port P, the outlet of air through the port P being regulated by
a slide valve Q. The port P is constructed preferably of triangular or V shape
(see Fig. 4) so that as the spring R₁ becomes more and more compressed a
correspondingly decreasing escape and increased pressure of air takes place
against the piston M to counterbalance the increased resistance of the spring N,
when compressed. This valve Q has small openings Q', and is connected by a
valve rod Q to a small piston R, set within a continuation of the pipe O, and
which forms a small cylinder-R'. The piston rod R' within this small cylinder
is-encircled by an adjustable spring in compression R', and the rod projects
and terminates in a screw thread by which the valve Qmay be adjusted by
means of thumb screws R³. This rod R* and the position of the valve Q may
be adjusted by thumb screws R³, so as to allow a certain amount of play for
the small piston R in cylinder R¹ and valve Q, so as to act sensitively to the
least variation of air pressure automatically so that if for any reason the
piston M does not operate quickly when the air pressure on same is sufficient
to move it, the air pressure will be strong enough (after passing through the
openings Q of the valve Q) to force the piston R forward, which movement
will draw the valve Q with it, so as to close or partially close the outlet port P
as adjusted, which would, on every such occasion, instantly become of insufficient
area to allow of the escape of the air supplied by the cylinders A and B when
working above their normal or desired speed, and the air now having a reduced
outlet will force the piston M backward, so as to operate the valve of the
steam pipe preferably connected to the bifurcation M³, to check and reduce
the speed. At the same time as the pressure of air is being released from the
small piston R the spring R will cause said small piston to return to its
normal position, at the same time forcing the valve Q back, 30 as to open the
self-acting port P.
If desired, in addition to the valve Q for controlling the outlet of air from the
cylinder L, I employ a throttle valve T. In this case the piston rod M' of the
governing cylinder L (where it projects outside of same) is connected with a rod S,
which is adjustable along its length by milled screws U. This rod is linked to a
ring S, which encircles the cylinder L, and is centred on the upper surface of same
and above which centre it is connected by an adjustable link S to a rod S³, the
connection of such link with the rod being also adjustable by thumb screws S
The rod S is arranged to operate a throttle valve T within the throat or air
passage O, leading to the outlet port P, so as to open or close same. The motion
of the throttle valve is controlled by the motion of the piston rod M². The
position of this valve may be accurately set by the several adjustments described.
Towards the rear of the governing cylinder is a free outlet vent Y, so placed that
when the piston has passed the predetermined point for shutting off the steam the
air pressure in front of it may partially or wholly escape at such vent.

page_text: Holes Yare provided in the back adjustable cover of the governing cylinder to
obviate any pressure forming in front of piston M when moving backward. W (see
Figure 2) is a pressure gauge to denote to the operator the amount of pressare in
pipe K and behind the piston M, so as to assist him in adjusting the governor with
regularity. Lubrication is provided throughout the machine preferably by cups
such as V, whilst a drip cock Z may be placed as shown at the bottom of cylinder L
or cylinders A and B, to permit an escape of refuse or drainage.
It should be noted that the pipe K may be of any length, so that the pumps A
aud B may be fixed in the most convenient place for operation, whilst the governing
cylinder L may be placed in any approved position to allow an operator to adjust it
at will whilst the engine is in motion.
The modus operandi of my invention is as follows:-
Presume that my governor is employed on a steam engine. The air pump
pistons CC moving in the direction shown by arrows and the cylinders A and B
taking in a supply of air through the valves F and F and discharging air through
the valve G and H into the pipe or passage K, thence to the governing cylinder L,
the slide valve Q having been previously adjusted by means of the thumb screws R',
to allow the escape of an equivalent quantity of air through the port P to that
generated by the air pumps when working with the engine at the predetermined
maximum speed. Should the engine increase beyond such speed more air will be
immediately generated by the air pumps than the escape at the port P of the
adjusted valve Q will allow, so that the air that cannot escape produces a
pressure on the face of the piston M in the governing cylinder L and pushes said
piston backwards, thus partially closing the steam throttle valve controlled by the
piston rod M², and on every occasion, if the engine still maintains the undesirable
high speed, the piston M in the governing cylinder will be quickly forced right
back in such a manner as to close completely the throttle valve in the steam pipe
when the piston will have arrived at the open vent Y, through which the air under
pressure, or a portion of it, may escape. The speed of the engine would, in this
case, immediately decrease and less air consequently be generated by the air pump,
and the piston in the governing cylinder will, by reason of the spring pressure
behind same, be enabled to return in the cylinder and synchronously, and
proportionately re-open the throttled valve of the steam engine.
As the piston M moves backward, the nuts U carry with them the rod S, which
motion brings S³ to an altered position, to still further partially or wholly close the
escape of pressure air through passage O in the manner shewn by dotted lines on
Figure 2.
In lieu of the spring N operating the piston M within the governing. cylinder a
weighted rod may be employed and arranged in such a manner as to produce an
equivalent pressure forward on the piston in the governing cylinder, the weight on
such rod being sufficient to overcome the tightness of the steam gland, piston, and
contiguous moving parts. In this case the governing cylinder might be placed in
a vertical instead of horizontal position. would here point out that were my
governor to be attached to motors, other than those worked by steam, the
bifurcation M at end of piston rod M' would fulfil an analogous function in
turning on or off the source of motive power; for instance, with an electric motor
the bifurcated piston rod M' of the governing cylinder would control a switch
action, or the movement of the bifurcation M2 could be used to instantly operate
break gear for stopping machinery.
I do not confine myself to the employment of air in the said governor, as water
or any other liquid or fluid may be used in lieu thereof, but I prefer the air on
account of its quickness and softness in action.
It will be readily understood by every engineer that my invention can be easily
attached to or removed from every kind of land or marine engines without causing
any alteration or damage to the machinery.
Further, that its merits must prove of special service on both marine and electric
lighting engines, as a powerful and sensitive governor, which can be adjusted any

page_text: time at will while such engines are in motion so as to regulate any desired unifor:.
speed, and prevent the racing of engines owing to the variations of loads.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
-claim is :-
:
ว
1. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery.-One or more pumps
as A and B for supplying compressed air or other fluid into a governing cylinder
as L, said governing cylinder being provided with a piston as M for controlling,
actuating, and regulating the speed of, or the supply of steam or other source of
power to a motor or other machine, substantially as and for the purposes
.described.
2. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery.-Air pumps as A and B
having inlet and outlet valves, which latter open into a passage as K leading to a
governing cylinder as L, such cylinder having a piston and rod connected with a
throttle valve in the steam pipe, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery. A cylinder as L
having piston as M and piston rod as M' encircled by a spring as N, such
cylinder being provided with inlet pipe as K and outlet passage as O and port as P,
which said port is regulated by an adjustable valve as Q, as and for the purposes
.described.
4. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery-The combination with a
cylinder as L, having an outlet passage as O and port as P, with a slide valve as Q,
provided with openings as Q¹ and valve rod as Q2 secured to piston as R, piston
having rod as R2, encircled by a spring and terminating in a screw thread
-adjustment, as and for the purposes described.
5. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery. The combination of a
throttle valve as T operated by an arrangement of adjustable rods as S to S³, which
are controlled by the movements of a piston rod as M' with a cylinder as L,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. In governors for controlling the speed of machinery.-The mechanical
construction, combination and arrangement of the whole of the parts illustrated on
the accompanying drawings, as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 27th day of March 1894.
EDWARD THUNDERBOLT,
115, Cannon Street, London.