Improvements in Engines for Controlling the Engines of Rolling Mills and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1888
Specification Accepted, 21st Sept., 1888
Improvements in Engines for Controlling the Engines of Rolling
Mills and the like.
I, FREDRICK WILLIAM STOKER, of Bowling Iron Works, Bowling, Bradford,
in the County of York, 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 for its object improvements in apparatus for controlling steam
engines which have their valves actuated through the medium of links, and to so
arrange the apparatus that it may be applied either to reversing or non-reversing
engines.
The general arrangement will be readily understood on reference to the accompany-
ing drawings, in which Fig. 1. represents a side elevation of an engine constructed
according to my invention; Fig. 2. being a plan of the same partly in section, and
Figs. 3 and 4 details of the lever and short shaft with eccentric mounted thereon for
operating the steam slide valve.
The steam cylinder is indicated by the letter A, and the oil or water cylinder by B,
the piston rod P, of the former is coupled to the piston rod P¹, of the latter
cylinder by the crosshead C, in which provision is made for a sliding block.
Mounted in suitable journals formed by preference in the frame or bed plate of
the engine, is a shaft C, which in the case of reversing engines, carries the usual
reversing levers attached to the, links by means of draw bars; and on the shaft is
secured a lever G, the upper portion being prepared with two arms forming a jaw as
per detail Fig. 3. Between these arms is a cross head C, and the before mentioned
sliding block is coupled to the arms of the lever G, by a pin R passing through the
block and arms.
On the shaft C¹, is also keyed a boss or lever having a stud K, secured thereto, and
is coupled by the connecting link L, to a stud F, on an arm or lever F', secured
to, or forming part of a short shaft D, mounted in a suitable bracket.
On the opposite end of the shaft is formed a pin E, the centre of which is some
distance from the centre of the shaft D, somewhat similar to a crank pin, on which is

page_text: mounted an eccentric block J, the straps of which are coupled to the valve spindle N,
attached to the slide valve for the admission and emission of steam to and from
the cylinder.
Each end of the oil or water cylinder B, is coupled together by pipes M, and
regulating valve or tap ☐, for admitting and controlling the flow of oil or water from
one side of the piston to the other, consequently regulating the speed at which the
engine or gear works.
To the eccentric block J, is bolted a lever H, by the operation of which in either
direction and afterwards securing the lever by a well known arrangement such as a
notch quadrant used on locomotives for regulating the stroke of the slide valves;
the eccentric block J, is moved either nearer to, or further from the steam cylinder A,
the motion being communicated through the eccentric straps and valve spindle
to the slide valve, thereby admitting steam to either end of the cylinder A, as may
be desired.
The pistons in each cylinder immediately commence to move, the speed being
controlled by the extent to which the tap or valve ☐ is open.
The motion of the piston is conveyed to the reversing shaft C', through the lever G,
but in moving it communicates a partial rotation to the short shaft D, through the
connecting link L; and the forward or backward motion of the apparatus continues,
until by the partial rotation of shaft D, the eccentric or before named crank pin E,
upon which the eccentric J, is mounted has been moved either nearer to or further
from the steam cylinder A, to such an extent, as to bring the valve upon the spindle N,
back into mid gear, to the position shown on drawing, i.e. until the motion given
to the spindle N, by the movement of the lever H, has been neutralized by the
opposite motion conveyed to it by the movement of shaft D, and the eccentric or
crank pin E.
It will be evident to persons conversent with this class of engines, that the greater
the motion given to the valve spindle N, through the lever H, the greater will be the
partial rotation of the shaft C¹, before the apparatus comes to a state of rest.
In the case of non-reversing engines the apparatus is applied as a controlling gear
only, the lever H, being coupled to and actuated by the governor; the action of the
valves of such engines being varied by the partial rotation of the shaft C¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The means employed for operating the steam slide valve by combining the short
shaft D with the pin E, eccentric J, and valve spindle, and the connecting link L,
with the lever G, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Dated this 9th day of July 1888