Improvements in or relating to Valve Gear for Steam and other Fluid Pressure Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 5th July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Valve Gear for Steam and other
Fluid Pressure Engines.
I, ANDREAS RADOVANOVIC, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Distribution gear as heretofore arranged usually produces a certain reaction upon
the controlling device by means of which the quantity of steam or motive fluid to
be admitted into the cylinder is determined and also consequently upon the governor
or the reversing lever directly operating such controlling device.
This reaction affects in a considerable degree the free operation of the governor
or controlling device and the capacity of the same to set or adjust the distribution
valves precisely to the predetermined degree.
Now this invention has reference to controlling or adjusting mechanism designed
to enable the governor or the reversing lever to control the distribution gear with
ease and precision, notwithstanding the reaction above referred to, and without
having to perform any special operation for the purpose, the said reaction being
itself utilized for adjusting the distribution gear in a manner corresponding to the
position which the governor or reversing lever happens to occupy at the time.
For this purpose there is interposed between the distribution gear and the
governor or the reversing lever a piston or plunger arranged to work in a cylinder
or chamber filled with liquid; there being arranged in connection with this piston
a sliding or rotating valve which serves to open or close ports or passages pro-
vided in the piston and in the said valve itself. By the opening of certain of
these ports the piston is allowed to move in a corresponding direction, displacing
the liquid and causing it to pass from one side of the piston to the other; while
by the closing of all of the said ports any movement of the piston is prevented.
The distribution gear is thus not directly connected with the governor or reversing
lever, but only with the piston just mentioned, the effect of the reaction of the
distributing valve is absorbed by the said piston or plunger, and therefore does
not interfere with the operation of the governor or of the valve operated
thereby.
As it is necessary that the reaction above referred to should cause the piston to
move always in the direction corresponding to the proper adjustment of the slide
valve; or in other words that the piston should precisely follow the movements of
the piston valve produced by the governor or reversing lever, valves are arranged
in the ports mentioned above, in such a manner that liquid can only pass from one
side of the piston to the other when the piston is displaced so as to correspond to
the movement of the piston valve.
The main parts of the apparatus may be adapted for reciprocating or for
swinging motion or for a combination of both.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a movable or adjustable piston and piston
valve with conrected parts according to this invention shown in positions
corresponding to their being at rest.
Fig. 2 illustrates the position of the movable parts of the mechanism when in
motion.
is a cylinder filled with suitable liquid (glycerine oil or the like) in which is
Within this hollow
adapted to move a piston k attached to a hollow piston rod k'.
piston rod there is provided a piston valve s recessed at s¹ s² the rod så of this valve
passing through the packing or stuffing box of the piston rod. The piston k has

page_text: ports m n and m¹ n' formed in it. Within the ports n n', valves v are so arranged
that when through the recess s¹ of the piston slide valve s communication is
established with the ports m n the piston may move downwardly, the liquid below
the piston raising the valve seated in the port at this time and passing from
the lower to the upper side of the piston; whereas when the communication is
established, through the recess of the slide valve s, with the ports m³ n³, the
piston is enabled to move upwardly.
The spaces at each end of the hollow piston rod k¹ are filled with liquid, and
communicate through a channel or perforations in the valve s. To avoid too
considerable a displacement of the piston valves within the piston, the valve rod
is provided with projections or stops p which also serve to adjust the distributing
gear when the machine is set in operation, as the slide s operated by the governor
or reversing lever, as soon as the projection p meets the piston rod k¹, carries the
piston with it; such motion being only resisted by the frictional resistance of the
parts, seeing that the ports m n are at the time connected by the recess s¹, or
the ports m n¹ by the recess s².
The governor or reversing lever is arranged to act at R upon the rods of the
piston valves while the pins or journals which the piston rod ' carries at its
lower end are connected with the distributing or reversing gear of the machine.
When the valves of the piston k assumes its intermediate position, the ports n n¹
are both closed as in Fig..1 and. therefore the piston k cannot be displaced through
the reaction of the distributing valve. When, the slide valves of the piston is
moved downwards by the governor or reversing lever (see Fig. 2) the recess sl
connects the ports m and n within the piston k, thereby permitting the said piston,
in consequence of the reaction to move downwardly, while preventing any upward
motion thereof. The piston k follows the slide valve s and in its movement closes
the port n whereby the said piston is again arrested.
S
A displacement of the piston k. taking place in the opposite direction, as a result
of a reaction of the distributing gear in the upward direction, may take place when
the slide is raised by the governor or the reversing lever sufficiently for con-
nection to be established through the aperture 2 between the ports m³ n¹ within the
piston k. The same operation as above described will take place in the opposite
direction.
If the ports m n and m¹ n' be sufficiently wide the piston k will follow the piston
slides to its new position as soon as one reaction of the distributing valve.takes
place. If the ports be small, ar if the stroke of the valve v be reduced, the piston
will not follow its slide s. until several reactions of the distributing gear have
taken place, owing to the increased resistance opposed to the passage of the
liquid. The speed of motion of the regulating devices may thus. be either
increased or diminished.
So long as the engine is not in operation, no reaction of the distributing gear
can take place; the required motion must therefore be first imparted to the dis-
tributing gear by the governor or the reversing lever. But when the engine is in
motion the reaction of the distributing gear performs the operations necessary
for the displacement of the piston. It only remains therefore for the governor
or the reversing lever to move the slide valves, in the direction required in the
given case.
From Fig. 2 it will be seen that the ports m n and m n¹ together with the
valves may also be arranged within the piston slide valves if preferred; while
through the apertures s¹s in the piston k, or in the piston rod k¹, the said ports
may be connected with the cylinder.
Fig. 3. shows diagrammatically an arrangement for governor adjusting, or
controlling gear according to this invention such an arrangement may be applied
to one of Hackworth's distributing valves. The cylinder z (described with reference
to Fig. 1.) is secured to the governor support. The governor engages with the
upper end R of the piston slide valve, while the distributing gear engages with the
lower end of the piston rod k³.

page_text: If the distributing valve moves in one direction only, as it does in all engines
provided with separate distributing gear for each cylinder, the reaction in the
other direction is provided for by a weight g which must be about equal to one
half of the reacting power.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the apparatus arranged horizontally and in con-
junction with a reversing lever. The distributing gear may also be of the
Hackworth type as in the former case.
Fig. 5 is a similar arrangement of the controlling device to Fig. 4, but in
connection with Stevenson's distributing mechanism or link motion in which the
piston slide valve is operated by the reversing lever.
In the form shown in Figs. 6, 7, & 8 the movable piston k is replaced by a
rotary plug or piston (hereinafter termed pistons) having a coaxial valve s pro-
vided with the requisite ports m n m¹ n¹ s¹ s² and valves v. The crank of the
piston k is operated by the distributing gear and the crank c of the valves by
the governor or the reversing lever.
Fig. 9 shows how two rotary segment-shaped pistons k k may be utilized if
required. The method of operation of the rotary pistons and piston rods is
precisely the same as that of the pistou and rod reciprocating in rectilinear
directions.
Fig. 10 illustrates the employment of an improved controlling mechanism,
provided with swinging pistons in connection with a reversing gear on Stevenson's
system.
From Figs. 11 and 12 it will be seen that instead of a piston & being employed,
the cylinder may if preferred be adapted to reciprocate upon a stationary piston
rod k, and that instead of the reciprocating piston slide valve s a rotary valve s
somewhat resembling those shown in Fig. 6 may be employed which valve may be
arranged independently of the piston k and provided with the necessary passages
or ports ss. In this instance also the cylinder z is operated by the reaction
of the distributing gear, and the swinging, valves by the governor or the
reversing lever.
Dated this 5th day of July 1893.
ANDREAS KADOVANUVIU,
By L. W., per F. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Valve Gear for Steam and other
Fluid Pressure Engines.
I, ANDREAS RADOVANOVIC, of Pilsen, Bohemia, Austria, 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:-
All constrained valve gears exert, during the operation of the engine, a reaction
upon the adjusting mechanism used to adjust or set the valve gear for a determined
amount of steam admission, and consequently also upon the governor or reversing
lever that directly actuates the adjusting mechanism, the said reaction, which is
due to the movements of the eccentric rod, changing its direction twice during one
revolution of the crank shaft, and acting alternately in a positive and in a
negative direction.
This reaction affects, to a considerable degree, the free operation of the governor
and the ability of the same to set or adjust the distributing valves precisely to the
predetermined degree or required point of cut off.
Now this invention has reference to controlling or adjusting mechanism, herein-
after referred to as a controlling device, designed to enable the governor, or the
reversing lever, as the case may be, to control the distributing gear of an engine

page_text: with ease and precision, notwithstanding the reaction above referred to, and without
having to perform any special operation for the purpose, the said reaction being
itself utilized for adjusting the distributing gear in a manner corresponding to the
position which the governor or reversing lever happens to occupy at the time.
For this purpose there is interposed between the distributing valve gear and the
governor, or the reversing lever, as the case may be, a piston or plunger that is
connected with the said gear and is arranged to work in a cylinder or chamber
filled with liquid, and in connection with this piston there is provided a sliding or
oscillating valve which is operated by the governor or reversing lever and serves,
as it moves from one position to another, to open or close ports or passages
provided in the piston, and in the said valve itself. By the opening of certain of
these ports, the piston is allowed to move in a corresponding direction, so as to
displace the liquid and cause it to pass from one side of the piston to the other,
while by the closing of all of the said ports, all movement of the piston is pre-
vented. The distributing gear is thus not directly connected with the governor,
or reversing lever, but only with the piston just mentioned, so that the effect of the
reaction of the said gear is absorbed by the said piston or plunger, and therefore
does not interfere with the operation of the governor, or of the valve operated
directly thereby, and herein sometimes called, for distinction, the controlling valve.
As it is necessary that the reaction above referred to, should cause the piston
of the said controlling device to move always in the direction corresponding to
the proper adjustment of the controlling valve, or in other words, so that the
piston should precisely follow the movements of the controlling valve produced by
the governor, or reversing lever, valves are arranged in the aforesaid ports, in such
a manner that liquid can only pass from one side of the piston to the other, when
the piston is displaced in the proper direction to correspond to the movement of
the controlling valve.
The main parts of the controlling device may be adapted for reciprocating, or
for swinging or rocking motion, or for a combination of both.
In the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
a
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a hydraulic controlling device having
reciprocating piston and controlling valve according to this invention, the various
parts being shown in positions corresponding to their being at rest.
Fig. 2 illustrates the position of the several parts of the device when in action.
z is a cylinder filled with suitable liquid such for example as glycerine, oil or the
like, in which is adapted to move a piston k attached to a hollow piston rod k'.
Within this hollow piston rod there is provided a piston valves (herein called the
controlling valve), which is recessed at s¹³, and the rods of which passes at each
end, through a packing or stuffing box carried by the hollow piston rod k¹. The
piston k has ports m n and m² n¹ formed in it. Within the ports n n', valves v are
so arranged that when communication is established between the ports m n through
the recess s¹ in the controlling valve s, the piston k can move downwardly, the
liquid below the piston raising the valve seated in the port n at this time, and
passing from the lower to the upper side of the piston, whereas when the com-
munication is established, between the ports m¹ n' through the recess of the
controlling valve s, the piston is enabled to move upwardly.
The governor, or reversing lever, as the case may be, is arranged to act at R
upon the rod 3 of the valve s, and the pins or journals ² secured to the lower
end of the piston rod k¹, are connected with the distributing gear of the engine.
When the valve s of the piston k assumes its intermediate position, the ports n n
are both closed, as in. Fig. 1, and therefore the piston cannot be displaced
through the reaction of the distributing valve gear. When the valve s is moved
downwards by the governor, or reversing lever (see Fig. 2), the recess s¹ therein
connects the ports m and n within the piston k, thereby permitting the said
piston, in consequence of the said reaction, to move downwardly, while preventing
any upward motion thereof. The piston k follows the valves and as soon as the
port n is closed the said piston is again arrested.
〃

page_text: A displacement of the piston k in the opposite direction, as a result of a
reaction of the distributing gear in the upward direction, may take place when
the valve is raised by the governor or the reversing lever sufficiently to
establish connection between the ports m¹ n¹ through the recess. The same
operation as above described will then take place in the opposite direction.
If the ports m n and m² n' be sufficiently wide, the piston will follow the
slides to its new position as soon as a reaction of the distributing gear takes
place. If the ports be small, or if the stroke of each valve v be reduced, the
piston will not follow the valve s until several reactions of the distributing
gear have taken place, owing to the increased resistance opposed to the passage
of the liquid through the piston. The speed of motion of the controlling device
may thus be either increased or diminished.
The spaces within the ends of the hollow piston rod k are filled with liquid, and
communicate through a channel or perforations, in the valve s as shown by dotted
lines. To avoid a too considerable displacement of the said valves within the
piston k, the valve rod s³ is provided with projections or stops p, which also serve to
adjust the distributing gear when the engine is set in operation, as the valve s,.
operated by the governor or reversing lever carries the piston with it as soon as
the projection p meets the piston rod k¹ such motion being only resisted by the
frictional resistance of the parts, because at such times, either the ports m n are
connected by the recess s¹, or the ports m¹ n³ are connected by the recess s³ of the
said valve s.
So long as the engine is not in operation, no reaction of the distributing gear can
take place; the required motion must therefore be first imparted to the distributing
gear by the governor or the reversing lever.
When the engine is in motion, the reaction of the distributing gear performs the
operations necessary for the displacement of the piston. It only remains therefore
for the governor, or the reversing lever, to move the valve s, which is entirely
relieved from any load at the time, in the direction required in the given case.
Fig. 2 shows a modified construction in which it will be seen that the ports m n
and m¹ n' together with the valves may be arranged within the piston slide valve s
if preferred; while through the apertures s¹s in the piston k, or in the piston
rod k, the said ports may be placed in communication with the cylinder .
Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically a controlling device such as hereinbefore described
combined with a pendulum governor and suitable for use in connection with
Hackworth's distributing gear. The cylinder is secured to the governor support.
The governor engages with the upper end R of the piston slide valve while the
distributing gear engages with the lower end 2 of the piston rod k¹.
If the distributing gear produces a reaction in one direction only, as it does in
all engines provided with separate distributing gear for each end of the motor
cylinder, the reaction in the other direction is provided for by a weight g which
should be equal to about one half of the reacting force.
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the said controlling device arranged horizontally and
in conjunction with a reversing lever, and with a distributing gear of the Bremme
or Marshall type.
Fig. 5 shows a similar arrangement of the controlling device to that shown in.
Fig. 4, but in connection with Stevenson's distributing mechanism or link motion,.
the controlling valve being operated by a reversing lever.
In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 the reciprocating piston k
and slide valve s shown in the previous arrangement, are replaced by oscillating
plugs or pistons k of sector shape provided with the requisite ports m n and m¹ n'
and valves r, and having an internal valve s with recesses s¹ s². The crank b of the
piston k is operated by the distributing gear, and the crank c of the internal valve s
by the governor, or the reversing lever.
Fig. 9 shows how two oscillating sector-shaped pistons k k may be utilized, if
required.
The method of operation of each oscillating piston k, piston rod k³, and valve a

page_text: shown in these modified arrangements is similar to that of the reciprocating piston,.
piston rod, and valve of the arrangements shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2ª.
Fig. 10 illustrates the application of a controlling device provided with an
oscillating piston such as shown in Figs. 6 to 9, to reversing gear on Stevenson's
system.
2
Figs. 11 and 12 show a further modified arrangement in which, instead of using a
stationary cylinder and movable piston k, the cylinder is mounted to reciprocate
upon a stationary piston rod k³, and instead of a reciprocating piston slide valves,
an oscillating valve s, somewhat resembling that shown in Fig. 6 is employed.
This valve, which is shown separately, and to a larger scale, in cross-section and
sectional plan in Figs. 11 and 12 respectively of the accompanying drawings, is
carried by the cylinder so as to be independent of the piston k, and is provided
with the necessary passages or ports ss2, and valves v. In this arrangement the
cylinder z is operated by the reaction of the distributing valve gear, and the
oscillating valves by the governor, or by the reversing lever.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In valve gear for steam or other fluid pressure engines, an automatic hydraulic
controlling device arranged between the governor, or reversing lever, and the
distributing valve gear of the engine and comprising a piston connected with the
said distributing valve gear and formed with independent sets of ports and passages
therethrough, a cylinder filled with liquid and in which the piston is adapted to
move, and a valve adapted to be moved by the governor or reversing lever, and
which when in motion opens or connects one or other of the sets of ports and
passages in the piston so as to enable the liquid to pass from one side of the piston
to the other, the arrangement being such that when the said valve is moved by
the governor, or reversing lever, the said piston in consequence of the reaction of
the distributing valve gear, will be moved into a position in which it will cause the
passages therethrough to become closed so that the distributing valve gear will be
retained in the position corresponding to the position occupied for the time being,
by the governor, or the reversing lever, substantially as herein described.
2. For use in connection with the valve gear of fluid pressure engines, bydraulic
controlling devices constructed arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference respectively to and shown in Figs. 1 and 2; in Fig. 2
in Figs. 6, 7 and 8; or modified according to Fig. 9; and in Figs. 11 and 12 of the
drawings.
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Dated this 7th day of March 1891.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.