CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORGING, STAMPING, AND CUTTING IRON AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we JAMES
NASMYTH and HOLBROOK GASKELL, both of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-third day of February, in the eleventh year of Her
reign, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-
eight, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said James Nasmyth and Holbrook Gaskell, Her especial license, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said James Nasmyth and
Holbrook Gaskell, our executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others
as we, the said James Nasmyth and Holbrook Gaskell, our executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed;
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England and
Wales and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR FORGING, STAMPING, AND CUTTING
IRON AND OTHER SUBSTANCES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that we, the said James Nasmyth and Holbrook. Gaskell, shall cause
a particular description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the

page_text: date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
James Nasmyth and Holbrook Gaskell, do hereby declare that the nature
of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed,
is particularly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto
annexed, and the following explanation thereof, (that is to say):-
Our Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Forging, Stamping, and
Cutting Iron and other Substances, relate to the "Direct Action Steam Hammer,"
for which Letters Patent were granted by Her present Majesty to James
Nasmyth, dated respectively January Ninth, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-two, July Twenty-fourth, One thousand eight hundred and forty-three;
and a modification of which is dated December Second, One thousand eight
hundred and forty-four, the Specifications of which several Letters Patent
were duly enrolled in the Petty Bag Office, and consist of a novel system or
systems, or arrangements of apparatus for rendering the "steam hammer, &c."
self-acting. In order that our present improvements may be more clearly
detailed, we have attached to these Presents a sheet of Drawings, in which the
several Figures illustrate the novel application of such improvements, and have
marked the same with corresponding letters of reference upon similar parts
of the apparatus referring to the following description thereof.
In the Drawing, Fig. 1 represents one form of the proposed arrangements.
A' is a cylinder whose piston A is attached direct by means of the piston rod B
to the main slide valve C. Motion is given to the main slide valve C in the
following manner:-The cylinder A' is provided with three steam passages,
D, E, F, and a small side valve G, as usual in high-pressure engines. This
slide valve G receives its motion from the piston H, with which it is connected,
in the manner described in reference to the main valve C and piston A. A
steam pipe I communicates at its lower end with the main steam chest, or
other suitable part; it also communicates near it's upper end with the small
steam chest K, and at its top end with the chamber of the valve S. It will
be seen that according as the small slide valve G is moved upwards or down-
wards so will the main slide valve C be moved upwards and downwards by
means of the piston rod B, thus giving the steam ingress into and egress out of
the main cylinder, whereby the main piston M is caused to rise and fall, and
corresponding motion is given to the hammer block N, Fig. 1, which is
attached to it. The means by which motion is conveyed to the small slide
valve G are as follows, referring to Fig. 2-Steam, on entering the cylinder
by the passage O, raises the piston M until its under side has passed one

page_text: of the apertures P, P¹, P". As soon as the piston M passes (say) the
lowest aperature P, steam passes through that aperture along the pipe or
passage into the cylinder H* below the piston H, thereby moving the
piston H and small slide valve G into the position shewn in Fig. 2. The
result of this movement is, that steam being admitted below the piston A, it
moves the piston and the main slide valve C upwards into the position shewn
in Fig. 2, thus allowing the steam to escape from underneath the main piston
M, which, consequently, falls along with the hammer block attached to it. In
order to readmit steam below the main piston M the following means are
employed:-On reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that when the piston H is
raised as previously described, its upper rod R is brought into contact with the
tail of the valve S, which is thus lifted from its seat, thereby allowing steam to
pass out of the pipe I and through the passage R' above the small piston H.
The immediate result of the admission of steam above the piston H is, to bring
that piston and the small side valve G into the position shewn in Fig. 1. When
the valve G is brought into this position steam passes into the cylinder A¹
above the piston A, thereby causing the main slide valve C to be moved down
into the position shewn in Fig. 1, and thereby allow steam to enter the main
cylinder by the passage O, whereby the hammer block N is lifted upwards.
As it is necessary to secure a sufficient interval of time between the upward
and downward motions of the main slide valve C to allow of the falling hammer
block to reach the anvil, the inside of the vessel W is connected by means of
a pipe with the space above the piston H. It will be evident that the
steam passing along the pipe I and through the passage R' cannot move
down the piston H until it has accumulated in the vessel W with sufficient
density to overcome the resistance of the piston H. The time required
for this accumulation of steam may be prolonged or diminished by allowing
it to escape out of the vessel W along the passage V in larger or
smaller quantities. The size of the aperture or passage V can be varied
at pleasure by means of the screw plug V'. As it is useful to have the
means of quickly varying the extent of the fall of the hammer, we
pierce the sides of the cylinder with a series of holes P, P¹, Pu
Now
it is clear if we close the aperture P by means of the cocks or valves
a, a, a, (which are worked by the handles b, b, bu, see Fig. 1,) and open one
of the other apertures, say P', the piston M will rise in the cylinder until it
has passed the open aperture P¹, and on passing this aperture it will fall as
already described.. One of the many modes by which these cocks or valves
may be brought under the control of the attendant is shewn in Fig. 1'. (The
connexions of the cocks or valves are colored in the accompanying Drawing

page_text: When the hinge valve X is
green, red, and blue,, for the sake of clearness and distinction). In this way
we can quickly change:from a long stroke to a short stroke, or vice versa, at
pleasure. We now proceed to describe another mode of actuating the main
slide valve C in its downward direction, the means of moving the main
valve C upwards remaining as already described and shewn in Figs. 1, 1',
and 2, is repeated in Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen than we
place a hinged or other suitable valve X in the escape aperture X' of the main
cylinder. This valve X is connected by means of the levers and rods y, y, y,
with the small valve Z, as shewn in Fig. 4. The steam pipe I in Fig. 4 is
continued to the chamber of the small valve Z.
closed, as seen in Fig. 4, the small valve Z is open for the passage of steam
from the pipe I, the hammer having just fallen. The steam thus acting on to
the upper surface of the piston H' moves the small slide valve G into the
position shewn in Fig. 4, thereby causing the main slide valve C: to open the
steam passage O, and thus raise the hammer, as previously described. The
hammer having thus been raised up to the required height, say P¹, and the
main slide valve C being reversed, see Fig. 3, by the action of the steam which
escapes through the aperture P¹, as already described, the steam escapes from
under the main piston through; the escape aperture X, opens the hinge valve X
into the position shewn in Fig. 3. When the hinge valve X is thus moved it
shuts the valve Z, which is connected with it by means of the rods and levers
y, y, y. This position of the apparatus continues throughout the descent of
the hammer. When the hammer has fallen the hinge valve X closes and the
valve Z opens, as shewn in Fig. 4. The object of this arrangement is to
obtain an interval of time sufficient to allow the hammer block to fall and
strike a blow upon the anvil. It will be seen, on referring to Fig. 4, that the
upper side of the piston H. is made considerably smaller than the under
surface. This difference in the two areas is for the purpose of enabling the
steam acting under the piston H to overcome the resistance of the steam acting
on the upper surface of the piston H' in the contrary direction. Fig. 5 repre-
sents an arrangement by which the hinge valve X, being attached to the
piston H by means of the rods and levers y, y, y, is made to move it and its
valve G downwards,, so. as to obviate the necessity of using steam for that
purpose. Fig. 6 is a certain modification of the above-described means of
moving up and down the main slide valve C. This modification consists in
another mode of dispensing with the employment of steam, as the downward
moving agent of the piston H and its attached valve G. (The means of
moving the valve G in the upward direction remains the same as before
described in reference to Fig. 2).. The means we employ to move the valve G
.

page_text: in the downward direction consists of a bar or latch R, which is attached to
the hammer block N by the pin R', on which it is free to move. When the
apparatus is in the position seen in Fig. 8, the steam is permitted to escape
from under the main piston M, and the hammer block N is allowed to fall on
to the anvil. The jerk which this occasions causes the end R of the latch to
move towards the stop Y, as seen in Fig. 6, which action in like manner causes
the other end R" of the latch to press back the parallel bar U into the position
seen in Fig. 6; and as this bar U is connected with the small slide valve G
by means of the system of rods and levers o, o, o, the. required downward
motion of the small slide valve G, and consequently that of the main valvo C,
is thereby obtained. The spring d, seen under the latch R, serves to cause it
to reassume the position seen in Figure 8. The system of apertures P, P!, P",
and cocks, as described in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, serves to give the requisite upward
motion to the main slide valve C. Figs. 7 and 9 represent another arrange-
ment of apparatus by which we obtain all requisite variety in the distance of
height of fall of the hammer N, the main slide valve C being actuated in
the upward and downward motion by means of a small steam cylinder A, as
before described in reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3. The peculiarity of the arrange-
ment in question consists in the means which we employ for giving motion to
the small slide valve G, which, as before said, controuls the motion of the main
slide valve C. These means consist in the first place of a certain cam R*,
Figs. 8 and 9, which, being attached to the hammer block N as the hammer
rises comes in contact with the roller on the end of the lever L, and brings it
from the position seen in Fig. 9 to that shewn in Fig. 7. The result of this is,
that the pin S is brought in contact with the back of the bar U, which it
forces forward, and so causes the system of levers and rods o, o, o, to convey
an upward motion to the small slide valve G, thereby causing the main slide
valve C in like manner to move or slide up. into the position seen in Fig. 7.
The steam under the main piston M is permitted to escape, and the hammer
allowed to fall by means of the employment of the same kind of latch
motion R, R¹, R", as described in reference to Figs. 6 and 8. The fall of the
hammer causes this latch to jerk back the parallel bar U into the position seen
in Fig. 9, the result of which is the return of the main slide valve C into the
position seen in Fig. 9, and which immediately causes the re-ascent of the
hammer.. When it is desired to arrest the downward motion of the hammer so
as it may either strike the object on the anvil with a modified blow, or scarcely
touch it (as the requirements of the works in progress may render desirable),
all that is required to attain this object is, to communicate to the small slide
valve Ga tendency to move downward independent of the jerk action of the

page_text: latch R. This object we attain by having a spring e, or other suitable elastic
agent, so arranged in respect to the apparatus in connection with the valve G
as that the instant the cam R* falls away from the lever L, the parallel bar v
may reassume the position as seen in Figure 9. With respect to the means
which we employ for the modification of the height of fall of the hammer
block, we employ a screw f of quick pitch or thread, or otherwise by rack or
slide and lever (either may be employed, as may be found most convenient),
so that the distance or interval between the lever L and the cam R. may be
increased or reduced at pleasure at a moment's notice to any required extent,
thereby proportionably modifying the height of fall as well as the intensity or
force of the blow.
Having now described the nature of our said improvements, and the manner
of carrying the same into practical effect, we would remark, in conclusion, that
we claim as our Invention,-
First, the application, employment, and use of an additional slide valve C,
piston H and H', and cylinder H*, or any of these parts separately, for the
purpose of working the piston A and main slide valve C.
Secondly, the employment or use of apertures such as described at P, P', P¹,
in the main cylinder for the purpose of working the piston A and main slide
valve C to effect the motion of the hammer and regulate its length of stroke,
as seen in Figures 1, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Thirdly, we also claim the use and employment of a vessel W and plug or
cock V for the purpose of securing and regulating the interval of time
necessary for the fall of the hammer.
Fourthly, we further claim the application, employment, or use of a valve X,
placed in connection with the escape aperture of the main cylinder, for the
purpose of actuating the valve Z, or otherwise the piston H, so as to work the
piston A and main slide valve C, thereby putting the hammer in motion, and
also for the purpose of securing such an interval of time as is requisite for the
falling of the hammer. See Figs. 3 and 4.
Fifthly, we claim the application, use, and employment of the latch motion
R, U, O, to move the small slide valve G in one direction. See Figs. 6,
7, 8, 9.
Sixthly, we claim the combination of the above-named latch motion
R, U, O, with the pin S on the lever L for the purpose of moving the small
slide valve G in the opposite direction.
Seventhly, we claim the application, use, or employment of a rack, slide,
and lever, and the screw f, as shewn in Figs. 7 and 9, for the purpose of
regulating the stroke of the hammer; and,

page_text: Lastly, we claim the moving of the main slide valve C direct from the
piston A by means above described, and without the intervention of the small
slido valve G.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Nasmyth and Holbrook Gaskell,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-second day of
August, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
JAMES (L.S.) NASMYTH.
HOLBROOK (L.s.) GASKELL.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Twenty-second day of
August, in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid James Nasmyth and
Holbrook Gaskell cane before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein con-
tained, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the Twenty-third day of August, in the year above written.