IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, CHARLES AUBREY DAY of 321 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS, (a communication to me from abroad
by William Benjamin Mason of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America)
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a governor of that class in which a liquid is forced by
a small pump connected with and actuated by the engine to be governed, the said
pumped liquid controlling the throttle or other value of the engine to govern the
amount of steam or other fluid pressure or motor force supplied to the engine.
The invention consists partly in a governor composed essentially of a main
casting or case constituting the reservoir for the pump fluid and containing the
working parts, the said case being provided with pockets or chambers at opposite
sides cooperating with a plunger extending into each of the said chambers and with
ducts and valves, making essentially two single-acting pumps operated by the to
and fro movement of the said plunger.
A transverse partition in the main case separates the upper from the lower part,
forming in the upper part a receiving chamber into which the oil or fluid is forced
by the governors pumps from the lower chamber or reservoir, the said oil returning
through a suitable passage from the receiving chamber.
A piston or diaphragm in the receiving chamber is acted upon by the fluid forced.
into the same its position being varied with variations in the quantity of fluid at
each moment in the chamber or, in other words, as the proportion of the fluid at
each moment forced by the said governor pump varies with relation to the space of
fluid from the chamber, the rate of escape being practically constant.
This piston or diaphragm is connected by suitable mechanism with the valve or
device controlling the admission of steam or actuating power to the engine to be
governed, and the governor pump or plunger is connected with and actuated by
some moving part of the engine to be governed, preferably as nearly or directly as
[Prins 1

page_text: possible to the piston or part to which the power is directly applied, so that the
quantity forced at each moment by the governor pump depends directly on the
speed of the engine to be governed, and by its action on the valve or controlling
device of the engine retains the speed almost constant.
A governor of this kind is especially advantageous in connection with direct
acting engines or steampumps, as the governor pump plunger may be made to
move proportionally to the engine piston at each moment throughout its entire
stroke and thus retains the said engine under control at every instant of every
stroke, governing the said engine perfectly under every change of condition of its
load, however sudden and great such change may be.
The invention also consists partly in an arrangement of the ducts or passages
for the fluid of the governor, whereby only a portion of the pumped fluid, capable
of being varied and regulated, acts upon the diaphragm or piston in the receiving
chamber, the movement of which diaphragm or piston controls the engine valve,
the pressure of the said fluid on the said diaphragm or piston being varied by the
slightest change in the speed of the governor pump or engine to thereby regulate
the movement of the latter with extreme delicacy.
This result is accomplished by connecting the chambers of two single acting
pumps of the governer so that a portion of the fluid forced from one pump will be
received into the other, each of the said pumps however having an independant
passage leading to the valve actuating diaphragm or piston, which is thus always
affected by a force proportional to that in the discharge passage of the pump that
is then making its forward or forcing stroke.
The movement of the valve operating diaphragm or piston is preferably steadied
by a dash post which is shown as contained within the main casing, and means are
provided by which the effect of the said dash pot may be varied and adjusted while
the apparatus is in operation.
When the apparatus is to be used in connection with a duplex pumping engine
in which the strokes of one engine alternate with those of the other, if the
governor pump were actuated by only one of the said engines, the interruption in
its operation at the end of each stroke would produce too large fluctuations in the
valve controlling mechanisin unless some means were devised to prevent such
fluctuations.
The invention also consists in means for preventing such fluctuations, consisting
essentially of a valve by which the out flow of the pumped fluid from the receiving
chamber is stopped at the moment that its inflow ceases, so that while the governor
pump is making a stroke, it produces a circulation of the oil by which the engine
valve is controlled in accordance with relation between the inflow and outflow of
the fluid to and from the said chamber; or in other words, in proportion to the
amount at each moment within the said chamber, but the moment that the inflow
ceases, the out flow also is stopped, so that the amount within the chamber and
consequently the condition of the engine controlling valve remains unchanged until
the next stroke of the governor pump takes place.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a governor embodying this invention.
Fig. 2 a vertical section there of.
Fig. 3 & 4 details in vertical section on a plane at right angles to that of
fig 2 and
'
Fig. 5 a side elevation on a smaller scale of a portion of a steam pump having a
governor embodying this invention, applied thereto.
The main body A of the governor is composed of a single casting having a
bottom plate b and a cover or bonnet c bolted or fastened thereto in any suitable
manner.
The main portion A has near its lower end, two opposite extensions or
chambers a, a, the inner ends a² of which are bored accurately in line with one
another to fit the pump plunger d which is thus adapted to reciprocate back and
forth in the chambers a, a¹ the ends of which, when finished, are closed by
suitable caps a³, a*.

page_text: The main casting or reservoir A is provided with a transverse partition A5
separating it into upper and lower chambers.
The interior of the lower portion of the main casting below the partition
constitutes the reservoir and is provided with projections a bored to forin
passages e, e¹ the former connecting the chambers a, a¹ with the lower portion of
the main reservoir and the latter leading from the said chambers a, a to the
chamber fabove the partition a³.
The passages e, e are enlarged at their ends to receive the valve seats and
valves g, gl, so that when the plunger d is reciprocated, it causes oil or other
liquid contained in the reservoir, to be forced up through the passages c, and e¹
and valves g and g¹ which latter prevent its return through the said passages e
and c'.
As thus far described, it will be seen that the chambers a, a' with the plunger d.
and valves g, g¹, constitute two connected single acting pumps by which fluid is
alternately forced into the receiving chamber f, where it acts on a piston h provided
with a rod h¹ passing out through the bonnet c of the governor and operating, as
will be described, to control the valve of the engine.
The governor shown in this instance is adapted to control a duplex pumping
engine or apparatus consisting of two complete engines and pumps, so arranged
that each engine controls the valves of the other and the engines cugines make
their strokes alternately, each remaining stationary at the end of each stroke, while
the other is making a stroke.
When the governor is actuated by one only of the said engines, the liquid forced
by the governor pump, instead of passing directly into the chamber f, so as to act
on the piston h therein, enters a passage i formed by grooving the partition a
beneath a plate k fitted within the chamber f.
The liquid passes from the passage into a passage i¹ in the plate and acts on
the underside of a plug m which, when in its lowest position, closes a passage
leading from the one i into the chamber f.
When the liquid is forced up through one or the other of the valves g¹ by the
plunger d, it enters the passage i, il and raises the plug, thus opening the passage i
thro' which it enters the chamber f, tending to lift the piston h.
The passage above the cylindrical portion of the plug m communicates with
the interior of the chamber f and the upper portion m¹ of the said plug m
constitutes a valve which, when in its lowest position, closes the upper end of the
said passage, preventing the escape of the liquid from the chamber finto the said
passage, this being the normal condition while no liquid is entering the lower end
of the said passage, so as to raise the plug m. When however the liquid is being
forced upward by the plunger d raising the plug m and entering the chamber f
through the passage 2, the valve m¹ is raised and the upper end of the passage
communicates with the interior of the chamber f and also with an outlet passage f¹,
see figure 3, leading through the partition as into a boss or projection a' at the
under side thereof, provided with a valve or controlling device f governing the
outflow of liquid from the chamber f through the passage f' from which it falls
back into the reservoir, from which it is again pumped by the plunger d.
The valve f2 is shown as consisting of a screw entering a threaded passage in
the boss a forming a continuation of the passage f, the said screw being longi-
tudinally slotted as shown in figure 3, and regulating the escape of liquid in
accordance with the distance that the slotted portion projects outside of the
threaded passage, the liquid passing longitudinally through the slot and then
laterally out through the sides thereof, where the slotted portion projects from the
threaded passage.
The passage is grooved at its under side, as shown at fig. 3, to afford a
slight connection between the passages i and 2 when the plug m is in its lowest
position, so that the said plug will not entrap the liquid in the passage i¹ below it,
and thus prevent the valve from seating in the upper end of the said passage i¹.

page_text: The plunger d is provided with a pin d' forming a guide for a ring d² connected
with a forked arm ³ on a rock shaft actuated by a suitable arm or lever d³ at
the outside of the main reservoir connected, for example, as shown in figure 5, by
a rod with an arm or other part of the engine E. connected with the piston
rod and having a movement exactly proportional to that of the piston.
The piston h, inade hollow at its lower side, to constitute an air chamber
cushioning the effect of the liquid beneath it, is connected with a rod h¹ acting on a
lever pivoted on an arm or bracket h³ and provided with a weight h*, the arm h³
of the said lever being connected by a suitable rod or link h with the throttle
valve of the engine or other device controlling the application of power to the
n:otor to be governed.
The bracket h³ together with the lever h² may be turned about the bonnet c in
any desired direction for greater convenience in the connection of the rod he with
the proper parts of the engine, the said bracket being held, when properly adjusted,
by a check nut c¹.
In order to prevent too sudden movements of the valve actuating mechanism, a
dash pot is provided consisting of a cylinder n supported within the chamber fas
shown in fig. 2, the stem h¹ being continued below the piston h and provided with
a secondary or controlling piston n' fitting within the said cylinder n which will
be filled with a liquid.
The stem h¹ is made tubular and provided with a lateral opening n² above the
piston n, so that the liquid may pass through the said stem and opening, as the
piston n moves, in conjunction with the one h, the controlling effect of the liquid
in the dash pot depending on the size of the said passage n2 which is regulated by
a threaded rod n³ which may be operated by a suitable key, wrench or screw
driver, applied at the upper end of the rod h¹, the adjustment being affected, if
desired, while the apparatus is in operation.
The rod is provided with another lateral opening n above the piston h, so
that the liquid, which may be forced up through the rod, will escape into the space
above the piston hand together with the liquid which may leak around the
piston h from the chamber will be returned to the lower portion of the case or
reservoir through a suitable passage 40, see fig, 3, provided for this purpose.
The upper portion of the stem h¹ passes through an opening in the lever h
which rests on a shoulder or collar h' on the said rod.
The speed of the engine may be varied and regulated by the device f³, as by
increasing the size of the return passage, the governor pumps will have to run
faster, in order to produce sufficient pressure in the chamber f to raise the piston h
and close the engine valve.
If desired, further control may be afforded by regulating the quantity of liquid
forced into the chamber fat each stroke of the plunger d and to effect this, the
pump chambers a are connected with one another by a duct or passage o provided
with a controlling valve o' through which any desired portion of the liquid may be
forced directly from one chamber to the other, the said valve o' however obstructing
the flow and thus causing a pressure in the chamber a or a¹ towards and into
which the plunger is moving so that a portion of the liquid will be forced through
the passage el into the chamber f tending to raise the piston h.
As shown in fig 2, the connecting passage o between the pump chambers a, a¹ is
within the plunger d and the valve o' controlling the flow of liquid through the
said passage is operated by a stem provided with a threaded hub of having grooves
or passages o sufficient for the maximum flow of fluid that is to pass between the
chambers, and operating by its rotation to move the valve o¹ towards or from its
seat, so as to increase or decrease the flow of fluid through the passage.
In order to enable the said valve to be operated at any time without opening the
chamber a¹ or stopping the operation of the governor, the valve stem is squared as
shown at o and enters a square socket in a key piece of that is free to rotate in
the cap a of the chamber a¹, it being surrounded with suitable packing and having

page_text: a squared end o° adapted to be engaged by a socket wrench or key inserted through
an opening in the end of the cap a
The squared end.o' is enclosed within the cap, so as to prevent tampering with
the valve o and if desired, the key used to engage and rotate the key piece o³, in
order to adjust the valve may be controlled by tumblers or any of the usual devices
employed in locks to prevent operation, except by the proper key.
When there is no fear of the governor being tampered with, the connecting
passage may be made as a tube either within or outside of the body of the
governor, shown as in fig. 1 and the valve o¹ may be an ordinary plug cock or
globe valve.
In the construction shown in figure 2, the stem os has a loose fit in the key
piece of or the latter is provided with small passages around the stem, as shown, to
prevent the entrapment of the fluid within the said key piece, as the stem reci-
procates therein, and it is obvious that instead of squaring the stem, it may be
connected with the key piece by a spline, the essential point being that it is free to
reciprocate in the said key piece, but compelled to accompany the said key piece in
its rotary movement.
In operation, when the governor is running uniformly, the larger part of the
liquid is merely pumped back and forth through the passage o, a small portion
passing through the valves g' into the chamber fand returning therefrom through
the passage f¹.
Any sudden acceleration of the plunger d will immediately increase the pressure
in the chamber a or a¹ towards which it is moving and will cause more fluid to
enter the chamber f, thus raising the piston hand at once checking the engine, the
effect of the acceleration being immediately transmitted to the piston hand to the
engine and thus preventing any injury in case of a sudden reduction of the load; as
by the breakage of the delivery pipe of a pump or the main belt of an engine or in
case of a marine engine, by the propeller rising out of the water.
When the speed of the plunger & diminishes, the amount of the liquid that is
caused to enter the chamber f is reduced, and the fluid, flowing out from the
passage f more rapidly than it is forced in, permits the piston h to descend, the
power of the engine being usually increased by the governor somewhat more
slowly and gradually than it is diminished, the latter effect being practically
instantaneous.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
First. In a governor, the case A constituting a reservoir, provided with opposite
chambers a,
a and an upper chamber f, and ducts connecting the said chambers. a,
a¹
with the one f, combined with the plunger adapted to operate in both the said
chambers a, a, the valves in the said ducts and actuating mechanism for the said
plunger, substantially as described.
Second In a governor, the pump comprising two chambers from which the fluid
is alternately forced, combined with a duct or passage connecting the said
chambers and a chamber to receive a portion of the fluid forced by the said
pump, and mechanism actuated by the said fluid entering the said chamber for
controling the admission of steam to the engine, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Third the reciprocating pump adapted to be actuated by the engine to be
governed, and comprising two chambers from which the pumped fluid is alternately
forced, combined with a duct connecting the said chambers, and controlling valve
in the said duct, and the receiving chamber connected with the said pump chambers,
having an escape passage and controlling valve, and mechanism actuated by the
pumped liquid for governing the valve of the engine, substantially as described.
Fourth the reciprocating pump comprising the chambers from which the pumped
fluid is alternately forced, combined with the plunger working in both the said
chambers and provided with a passage connecting the said chambers, and a valve
controlling the flow of fluid through the said passage, substantially as described.

page_text: Fifth The reciprocating pump comprising two chambers from which the pumped
fluid is alternately forced, combined with the plunger operating in both the said
chambers and provided with a passage connecting them, and a valve controlling
the flow of fluid through the said passage, and its key piece adapted to be operated
from the outside of the chamber, substantially as described.
Sixth in a governor, the pump adapted to be operated by the engine to be
governed, combined with a cylindrical chamber to receive the pumped fluid, and a
piston therein having a chamber in its underside, containing air, by which its
movements are cushioned, the said piston being adapted to control by its movements
the valve of the engine to be governed, substantially as described.
Seventh the main case constituting a reservoir provided with pump chambers a a¹
in line with one another, combined with the plunger operating in both the said
chambers, the crank connected with the said plunger and enclosed within the main
case, and the rock shaft extending from the interior to the exterior of the said case,
adapted to be connected with the moving parts of the engine or motor to be
governed, substantially as described.
Eighth. The main case constituting a reservoir provided with pump chambers a, a¹,
in line with one another, combined with the plunger operating in both the said
chambers, provided with a guide pin, the ring having a sliding movement thereon,
and the crank pivotally connected with the said ring, and a rock shaft connected
with said crank and actuated from the exterior of the case, substantially as
described.
Ninth in a governor, a reservoir and receiving chamber, and pump actuated by
the motor to be governed, producing a circulation of fluid from the said reservoir
to the said chamber, combined with a valve whereby the outflow of fluid from the
chamber is stopped when the inflow ceases, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Tenth in a governor, a reservoir and chamber provided with connecting passages;
combined with a pump actuated by the motor to be governed, for forcing fluid from
the said reservoir into the said chamber, a return passage from the chamber to the
reservoir and a valve controlling the flow of fluid through the said return passage,
operated by the fluid forced by the pump in its passage into the chamber,
substantially as described.
Eleventh in a governor, a reservoir, and chamber and pump for forcing fluid
from the former into the latter, combined with a piston in the said chamber actuated
by the fluid therein and a secondary piston and cooperating dash-pot cylinder
enclosed within the said chamber, substantially as described.
Twelfth the main case with a partition separating it into a lower reservoir and
upper chamber, and a pump for forcing liquid from the said reservoir to the said
chamber combined with the plate k in the said chamber having passages i¹ and i
for the inflowing fluid and a passage for the outflowing fluid, and the plug and
valve actuated by the inflowing fluid and controlling the outflowing fluid,
substantially as described.
Thirteenth the reservoir, chamber and pump, and the piston in the said chamber
operated by the pumped fluid combined with the piston rod adapted to actuate the
motor controlling valve or device, the secondary piston connected with the said rod
and the dash-pot cylinder cooperating there with inclosed within the said chamber,
substantially as described.
Fourteenth the reservoir, chamber and pump, and the piston in the said chamber
operated by the pumped fluid, combined with the piston and hollow piston rod
provided with a lateral passage and the secondary piston and dash pot cylinder, and
device controlling the flow of liquid in the dash pot cylinder through the said piston
rod, substantially as described.
Fifteenth the main case divided by a partition into a lower reservoir and upper
chainber, and the pump causing a circulation of fluid from the former to the latter,
combined with the piston in the said chamber operated by the pumped fluid beneath

page_text: it and a return passage from the chamber above the piston to the reservoir for the
liquid leaking around or passing by the said piston, substantially as described.
Sixteenth the main case divided by a partition into a lower reservoir and upper
chamber, and the pump causing a circulation of fluid from the former to the latter,
combined with the piston in the said chamber operated by the pumped fluid beneath
it, and a return passage from the chamber below the piston, and valve f therein
consisting of a longitudinally slotted screw operating in a threaded passage and
governing the flow of liquid in proportion to the length of the slotted portion
outside the said passage, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th
1005
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.