IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE PROPELLING AND STEERING APPLIANCES OF VESSELS, AND ALSO ADAPTED FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Powley Alexander of 36 Southampton Buildings
in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE
PROPELLING AND STEERING APPLIANCES OF VESSELS, AND ALSO ADAPTED FOR
OTHER PURPOSES Communicated to him from abroad by John Frazier of
Searcy, White County, State of Arkansas in the United States of America
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Edwin Powley Alexander at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th January 1883.
EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR OPERATING THE PROPELLING AND STEERING APPLIANCES OF VESSELS, AND ALSO
"
ADAPTED FOR OTHER PURPOSES communicated to me from abroad by John
Frazier of Searcy, White County, State of Arkansas in the United States of
America
This Invention relates to apparatus specially designed primarily to facilitate the
handling of vessels and to that end consists of three main parts. First the machine
for controlling the throttle valve of the propelling engine; Second, the engine
whereby the wheels or propeller is moved, and third, the steering apparatus, all
arranged so as to be under control from a central point-as for instance the pilot
house.
Of these various appliances some may also be used separately for other
purposes and this invention is not limited to the sole application hereinafter
described.
The first part of this invention comprises the apparatus for controlling the
throttle valve of the propelling engine from a distant point and is illustrated in
Figures 1 to 19 of the accompanying Drawings.
With the throttle valve X of the main propelling engine is combined a
supplemental engine Figure 1 to move said valve and a device whereby the pilot
may start stop or reverse said supplemental engine at pleasure. This supplemental

page_text: engine is a double cylinder reciprocating engine which gives motion to the double
cra k shaft 1D, the engines being provided with ordinary slide valves, and
with links 2 H, 3 H, Figure 15, for reversing the engine connected to a lever 1 H
Figures 1 and 15 which is connected to the piston rod 6 G of a piston 8 G in an
auxiliary cylinder G 3 that communicates through a central pipe 7 G with the
steam chest 10 G. 4 H 5 H Figures 15 and 16 are extensible yielding connecting
rods each consisting of a rod sliding in a tube with cross or bearing pins and
springs W2, W 3, so arranged as to yield when the rod is drawn out or in thus
maintaining the tension on the rod, but permitting it to extend or contract when
necessary. The operation of the links is the same as in all engines. The position
of the links is controlled by directing the steam to one or other of the pipes 4.D 5.D
so that the piston 8 G. and the lever 1 H are thrown in one direction or another
the steam after setting the piston in either direction flowing into the steam chest
and according to the position in which the links have been set turning the engine
in one direction or the other.
An ordinary two or three way cock could not be used for directing the steam
to the desired pipes 4D 5D because the pilot could not thereby control the number
of revolutions of the engine nor arrest it at any exact or pre determined point
owing to the expansion of steam in the cylinder or pipes after it is cut off
momentum and other causes for these reasons is employed the special device
which will now be described. A figures 1 and 2 is a cylinder, A¹ A² fixed heads;
G, E are two inner revolving discs, F is a sliding disc, 2 F is the inlet steam pipe;
a pipe 3 F permits the escape of any steam that may be exhausted or leak from the
joints. These two pipes 2 F 3 F communicate with annular orifices 9 F 10 F in the
disc E. From annular channels 8D 9 D in the inner face of the head A¹ lead
the pipes 4 D 5 D extending to the cylinder G 3. Through the disc E extend
three segmental slots 7E 8E 9E Figures 2, 3 and 4 the slot 7 E inclining from
near the periphery at the inner side to a point opposite the groove 9 F on the
other side Figures and 4. In the disc Ġ (figures 5 and 6) are two segmental
openings 5 E, 6 E, the latter extending directly and the former obliquely from a
point near the periphery (figures 2 and 5) to a point on the opposite side
corresponding with the position of the groove 9 D.
The disc E can be turned in one direction to bring the outer end of the port 7 E
to coincide with the outer end of the port 5 E of the disc G and in the other
direction until the outer end of the port 7 E coincides fully with the port 6 E in
the disc G. A pin g extending into a curved slot in the disc E prevents further
movement of one dise independently of the other. The turning of the disc E may
be effected by hand by turning the shaft K.
When the disc E is turned in the
direction of the arrow (figure 3) until the port 7 E coincides with the port 5 E of
the disc G (figures 2 to 5) the steam will pass from the pipe 2 F (figure 11) and
annular channel 9 F figures 2 and 3 through the ports 7 E 5 E to the annular
channel 9 D and thence through the pipe 4D figures 2 and 13 to the left hand end
of the cylinder G 3 throwing the piston 6 G and the lever 1 H to the right and
setting the links in such position that the engine will revolve in the direction of its
arrow figure 1. The shaft of the engine is detachably connected to the sleeve J
which carries the disc G which disc therefore turns with the engine shaft the result
being that the port 5 E is carried away from the port 7 E until the blank space
of the disc G (figure 5) closes the port 7 E so that steam cannot pass through it to
the engine which then stops. If the disc E is now again moved to the left the
ports 5 E7E will again coincide and the steam will again be directed to the
engine and the operation will continue until the port 7 E is again closed by
the further motion of the engine turning the disc G. If the disc E is moved to the
right the port 7 E will be brought to coincide with the port 6 E in the disc G (see
figure 5) and the steam will How through the port 6 E and the channel 8 D to the
pije 5 D and to the right hand end of the cylinder G 3 and will reverse the
position of the piston 6 G and of the links and start the engine in the contrary

page_text: direction. The movement of the engine shaft will turn the disc G to the right
until the blank face x is opposite the port 7E when the flow of steam will be cut
off and the engine will stop. Should the momentum of the engine or expansion of
the steam tend to continue the revolution of the shaft 1 D in either direction after
the flow of steam is stopped the continued revolution of the dise G will carry the
face away from opposite the port 7E in one direction or the other until the
following opening 5 E or 6 E (according to the direction of the revolution) coincides
to a slight degree with the port 7 E when the steam will pass to the other pipe 4 D
or 5 D than that just closed, and will throw the links to the opposite side and
reverse the engine; practically bringing it to a full stop. When the steam is
thrown to one end of the cylinder G 3 the steam at the opposite side of the piston
will flow through the other pipe (which now becomes the exhaust) in to the valve
case A when it passes into one of the channels 8 D or 9 D to one of the ports 5 E
or 6 E which is not occupied thence to one of the ports 8 E 9 E in the disc E and
thence to the channel 10 F and out of the pipe 3 F.
By the construction described the pilot can determine the direction in which the
main throttle shall move; by varying the extent of the throw of the valve or
disc E he can determine exactly how far the throttle shall move and when the
throttle is brought to the desired position it is held there. By continuing to turn
the shaft so as to keep the port 7 E of the disc E ahead of the port in the other
dise the latter is prevented from over taking and closing the port 7 E and the
movement of the engine is continued as long as the pilot turns the disc.
A coupling sleeve 2D having two screws 5 J 6 J which connects the sleeve J
with the shaft 1 D the sleeve figures 2 and 12 extending from the disc G through
the head A' of the cylinder. By loosening either screw the connection may be
broken. To continue the rotation of the disc E and the operation of the engine
for a longer time than it would be practicable for the pilot to continuously rotate
the shaft K it is necessary to couple the shaft K with the engine shaft by a clutch
consisting of a conical serrated seat y figure 2 in the end of the sleeve J and a
corresponding conical serrated head b on the end of the shaft K and a sleeve 29
sliding on the sleeve J and having a pin extending through a slot in the sleeve into
an annular groove in the shaft K. By moving the sleeve 29 by means of a
lever 28 the end of the shaft K may be brought into the socket in the sleeve J the
frictional contact causing the shaft K and its disc E to turn with the disc G. To
start the engine in either direction the pilot first rotates the disc E by hand until
the port 7 E is sufficiently uncovered and then couples the shaft K to the shaft 1 D.
To facilitate the latter operation an L shaped pivotted spring treadle 3 D may be
connected to the lever 28 as shown in figure 1 so that by placing the foot upon the
treadle the lever will be swung to bring the end of the shaft K into its socket. To
secure a inultiplying action the multiplying gear shown in figure 1 may be used
the screw 5 J being loosened the pinion 7 J being moved on to a square hub on the
coupling sleeve 2 D and into gear with a pinion 8 J driven by gears 9 J 10 J from
the shaft 1 D. Any other adjustable multiplying or reducing gear may be used.
To facilitate the hand turning of the shaft Ka wheel A4 is secured to the shaft
by a moveable pin Pg and is provided with a handle for turning it and with a
spring catch 2 K which when engaged with the teeth of an annular rack W
secured to the frame of the machine holds the wheel and shaft in position. The
wheel A 4 may be also connected to the shaft through the medium of two
springs 88 (figures 17 and 18) coiled in different directions and each connected at
one end to the shaft and at the other to a case or hollow hub &¹ of the wheel which
can turn freely on the shaft the pin Pg being drawn from the opening in the
shaft K. When the wheel is turned rapidly in either direction to any point and
then fixed one spring is coiled and the other unwound and in resuming their
normal or neutral position the springs impart rotation to the shaft (and cousequently
by moving the disc F continue the motion of the engine) until the power of the
springs is exhausted. The pilot may thus secure a continuance of the rotation of

page_text: the shaft for any predetermined number of revolutions with the cessation of all
movement the instant the said number of revolutions have been effected. A
register 5 K and gear connections with the shaft K enables the pilot in winding up
the springs to set the parts definitely in any position required to produce the
desired effect.
The Second part of this invention relates to the propelling engine which is
illustrated in figures 1 a 2a 3a which show an engine adapted for use in con-
nection with the features already described for propelling vessels and which may
be used for other purposes. A second valve or cock y of said engine is moved by
the adjustment of a cam plate P operated as described hereinafter. The cylinder A
of the engine is provided with the usual piston to which is connected the
piston rod B the connecting rod being attached to the crank of the shaft which
carries the usual eccentric operating the eccentric rod D¹ from which the puppet
valves are moved. The stems a a¹ of the inlet valves extend upward and are
connected to levers E E' as shown. As each lever is raised, the valve is lifted and
steam is admitted to that end of the cylinder. The levers are lifted alternately by
means of a slide F moving in suitable guides upon the top of the valve chest or
cylinder and reciprocated by the oscillation of a reversing link G in the shape of a
figure 8 pivotted at x connected by a rod f to a slide F said link receiving the
pin 1 on the end of the eccentric rod D¹. In the face of the slide F is a groove g
the horizontal central portion 3 being higher than the end portions 4 and
inclines 5, 6, connecting the two portions; and pins e carrying antifriction rollers
extend from the levers E E' into the groove. When the slide moves to the right
the incline 6 immediately after the piston completes its stroke lifts the end of the
lever E and admits steam to the port at the right of the cylinder. The reverse
takes place when the slide moves to the left.
The arrangement of levers and slot above described is duplicated on the opposite
side (Figure 2) to lift and lower exhaust valves which are arranged at the other
side of the cylinder in a manner too well known to need illustration each exhaust
valve being opened immediately after the adjacent inlet valve is closed.
The valves are thus moved positively and held in place until it is time to again
move them.
The engine is stopped by bringing the pin d into the wider portion
of the link G and the direction of the motion is determined by bringing the pin d
either into the notch 7 at the bottom of the link G or into the narrow channel 8
at the centre. To render it impossible to arrest the engine with its crank upon
the dead centre, I combine with the same means whereby when the pin d is at
about the point a valve is opened to admit steam to one or other end of the
cylinder whenever the piston is beyond the centre of its stroko in either direction
but which closes said valve automatically when the the piston is brought to a
central position. Different devices may be used for this as shown a pendulum
bar H vibrating with a shaft y" and which extends through an eye c on the piston
rod and the shaft carries an arm y³ which is connected by a rod I to an arm J
pivotted to the pin d and carrying a pin g. When the pin d is brought opposite
the centre to stop the engine the bar H, if the piston is beyond the centre of its
stroke will be swung to such an extent that the pin y can only enter the channel 8
by tilting the link G the effect of which is to move the slide F and open one of
the valves when the steam will enter the cylinder and move the piston then as the
piston moves toward the centre of the cylinder the link G carries back the slide F
and closes the valve when the piston occupies a central position. To cut off at
the required point of the stroke it is necessary to make the inclines 5, 6, adjust-
able on the slide F. This I do by forming the groove g in two plates / h¹
resting on a rib or shoulder 10 of the slide and bolted to the latter so as to be
longitudinally adjustable by bolts 12. By bringing these plates together the
valves are closed sooner than results when said plates are separated. Into a
vertical slot m in each plate h h¹ enters a pin on a lever K pivotted at 13 to the
side of the slide F and split at the lower end to form a flexible tongue n which

page_text: t
may be set to and from the end of the lever by a screw p. A spring q tends to
keep each lever in a vertical position. In place of or in addition to this spring q
pins 51 on a standard 50 opposite each end of the slide F may enter a slot in an
arm 52 projecting from the plate of the slide so that as the slide reaches the end of
its movement in either direction the pin 51 striking the end of the slot will stop
the movement of the plate and bring it positively to place thus avoiding dependence
on the uncertain action of springs. A vertically adjustable plate L sliding between
guides 14 carries two adjustable tappets M M' so arranged that after the plate is
raised the movement of the slide F will bring the lower ends of the levers K
against the tappets so that said levers will be oscillated-sliding the plates h h¹
alternately and cutting off the steam sooner than would otherwise be the case.
This results as the slide moves from either end toward the centre of the cylinder,
bringing the tongue n against the tappet M or M₁ and by adjusting the tongue by
the screw the exact moment of moving the valve may be determined. As the
slide moves back the contact of the end of the lever K with the tappet sets the
plate h or h¹ to its first position. To lock the piston in place when the slide L is
down and the cut off not working, I use two bolts N N each sliding in guides on
the slide F and having lips 60 at the lower end entering a longitudinal groove 15
in the plate L so that the slide F and bolts can move horizontally without affecting
said plate L. A pin I at the upper end of each bolt enters a notch in the adjacent
plate h or h which notch extends towards the top to form a triangular recess 8 80
that as the bolts are carried down the pins I by contact with the sides of the
recesses will slide the plates h h to their proper places and by entering the notches
at the ends of the recesses will lock the plates in place. When the bolts are lifted
the plates can slide longitudinally without contact with the pins. To raise and
lower the end of the eccentric rod there is a longitudinally sliding plate P moving
in guides on the frame above, below or along side of the cylinder and with a
groove having three horizontal parts 17, 18, 19 and two inclines 20 and 21.
This groove receives an anti-friction roller u upon a lever V having its fulcrum y
and connected to a rod J¹ attached to the pin g. By moving the plate P to the
right the roller u is carried into the groove 17 the eccentric rod is raised and the
engine moves in one direction. By moving the plate to bring the roller u into the
groove 18 the rod D' and pin d are lowered and the engine stopped and by moving
the plate further to the left the roller u is brought into the groove 19 and the
engine started in a reverse direction. The adjustment of the cut-off devices is
affected in like manner by prolonging the movement of the plate P in either
direction when the engine is started. A groove w on the rear face of the plate P
(figure 3 a) receives a pin 24 on an arm w¹ attached to the plate L. The ends of
the groove w are inclined so as to raise the plate L whenever the plate P is moved
after the engine is started. The degree of incline being increased towards the
ends so that the higher the plate L is raised the quicker will be the cut off. To
turn on or cut off the steam according to the position of the other parts I connect the
handle or arm p¹ of the steam cock Y by a rod 40 to a lever pivotted at y' and
carrying an antifriction roller t' that enters a groove 41 in the plate P. Such
groove is formed as shown so as to move the lever k² and cut off the steam when
the engine is to be reversed and to turn on the steam at other times. By forming
the grooves tw 41 with longitudinal portions as described the parts are held in
position after adjustment, and displacement from the jarring of the vessel is
prevented. Where a simpler and cheaper appliance is desirable specially adapted
for reciprocating engines where but little power is needed a small apparatus (as
illustrated in figure 4*) is employed. This apparatus is shown as adapted to shift the
plate P of the main engine-and consists of a cylinder X having the usual inlet
and exhaust ports, a valve chest T and slide valve V the stem 3 of which is
connected to the lower end of a loose hand lever W. The piston rod rocks a bar H
as in the engine figure 1 a and an arm u on this bar is connected by a rod b to a
lever W at one side of which is a stationary rack bar d. If the lever W is set in

page_text: the position shown in the dotted line the valve V will be moved to the left and
uncover the port e and the piston will move in the direction of the arrow. As the
piston moves the lower end of the lever W (bearing on a tooth of the rack as a
fulcrum) will be drawn in the direction of its arrow until the port e is closed and
the lever takes the position shown in full lines and the engine ceases its movement:
Thus by setting the lever W the valve may be shifted so as to set the engine in
motion and the engine arrests itself after moving to any desired extent. The
piston rod may be connected to the plate P so that the engine will shift the
latter.
The object of the third part of this invention is to provide a mechanical arrange-
ment or means whereby to quickly and accurately operate the rudder of a vessel
and secure the same in any position to which it is set; this is effected by combining
with said rudder an operating engine and a peculiar valve device, that may be
operated from the pilot house.
This part of the invention is illustrated in figures 1 6 to 8 b. Z represents the
shaft of the rudder or other device; Y a crank arm on said shaft; Z 2 is the
cylinder of the operating engine; C is the connecting rod between the piston rod
and crank Y, R is the valve case; R¹ the valve spindle; B is the lever by which
the valve R' is oscillated and that may extend into the pilot house; S is a conical
valve turning in the casing R and projecting beyond the smaller end of the casing;
T is a cap covering the projecting end of the valve and secured to the spindle /
mounted in bearings on the engine. On the spindle k is a spirally curved wing k
the edge of which extends between adjustable lips ii on the cross head k 2. The
valve S (see figure 4b) has circumferential grooves 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, longitudinal
channels m, n, p, 9, (figures 4b 5 b6b) respectively communicating at one end with
ports m', n', p q¹ the channels m, n, p, communicating at the other end with
ports efb and the channel q communicates with two radiating ports c, d (figure 5 b)
and channels 5, 6, and 7 to take up leakage. The casing R covers the valve S
nearly as far as the dotted line x figure 4b the inlet port r (figure 3b) is opposite
the groove 3 the exhaust port 8 is opposite the groove 1, the right hand port P of
the cylinder (figure 3b) opens opposite the groove 2 and the left hand port O opens
opposite the groove 4. The steam always fills the groove 3 port p' channel p and
port b which is however closed when it is opposite the blank face y of the cap T. By
turning the valve in one direction or the other the port b may be put in communi-
cation with either of two channels in the casing T (figure 5 b). When adjusted
as in figure 5 b the steam will pass from the port b through the channel to the
port e along the channel mout the port m¹ into the groove 2, and thence along
the cylinder port P to the right hand end of the cylinder throwing the piston to
the left or backward. As the piston moves backward the cross head is carried
back and the lips ii act upon the wing k¹ so as to turn the cap T in the same
direction as the valve was moved; so that the blank face y of the cap is soon
brought again over the port 6 closes the latter and arrests the motion of the engine.
If the valve S is again turned in the same direction the engine will start in the like
direction and carry the cap further around until the port e is again closed.
engine thus after the opening of the port to any extent starts ahead and gradually
closes the port until its action is arrested as in the engine illustrated in figure 4 a.
The same result ensues if the valve is turned to bring the port b into communica-
tion with the channel u the port f, channel n groove 4 and port O to the left hand
end of the cylinder; and the reverse movement of the cross head turning the cap T
in the opposite direction from that described before until the blank face y closes the
port b. As the valve is set to bring the port b into communication with the channel
vand port e the port d is brought opposite the channel u and the steam exhausted
from the left hand end of the cylinder flows through the port O groove 4 port n¹
channel port f channel u port d channel 9 port q¹ and groove 1 to the exhaust
pipe s.
On the reverse motion the exhaust follows the port c, m, to the channel q.
The valve is set in either direction to any desired extent by the pilot who swings
The

page_text: the lever B as may be required to effect the desired result. As the piston moves
forward or back it turns the rudder shaft-and as the pilot can control
absolutely the motion of the piston he can move and set the rudder to
any position. If an engine with an ordinary valve was used to move
the rudder and was set in any position by cutting off the steam the con-
densation of steam in the cylinder would soon draw back the piston and
turn the rudder to a material extent. This is avoided by the apparatus above
described as if the steam condense the drawing back of the piston and its cross
head would turn the cap so as to uncover the ports again to admit steam and
keep the rudder in substantially the same position. As there are no eccentrics and
valve rods on the engine the piston can be moved back against the steam,
compressing the latter so that the rudder can turn if struck by ice snags or other
obstacles but it will always resume its position as any change in the position of
the piston will turn the cap T open the ports and admit steam until the parts are
brought to the same position again. It is not absolutely necessary to set the
engine horizontally nor to connect it directly with the rudder-for instance the
piston rod C may be connected to a lever C¹ pivotted at C 2 to a stationary part
of the frame and the arms of this lever may be connected by cords or chains w
passing round guide pulleys 5 C 6 C to the tiller. The movements of the rod C
will thus turn the rudder. As all cords or cables are liable to stretch or become
slack a limited movement of the lever B is permitted before operation on the
rudder shaft can begin. Thus a lever B (which may be different from the lever B
figure 1b) may extend between set screws on a slide A 2 (Figure 2b) carried on a
curved guide A 3 and provided with a pointer 4 which extends over a graduating
index 5. The set screws may be so adjusted that no motion will be imparted to
the slide and its pointer until the slack is all taken up and the rudder begins to
move. A lever z serves to turn the valve from the engine room the lever B being
first disconnected. The relative arrangement upon a steam vessel of the various
machines or apparatus above described may be understood from the diagram
figure 9b which illustrates the plan of the hull A the pilot house J crank shaft C,
and rudder D. The steering apparatus F illustrated in figures 1 a to 3 a and the
apparatus by which the plate P of the propelling engine is shifted are located
under the pilot house and are attached to and operated (respectively) by the
levers. The apparatus by which the throttle valve is operated illustrated by
figures 1 to 19, is located in the pilot House the power and motion being
transmitted from each to the parts to be moved in the manner set forth in said
illustrations or any suitable means the invention not being limited to any special
connecting devices.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the invention communicated to me by the said John
Frazier is
First. The apparatus herein described and illustrated in figures 1 to 19 for setting
the throttle valve of a main engine and for other purposes and all new and useful
parts and adjuncts thereof.
Second. The apparatus described and illustrated in figures 1ª, 2a, 3a, for operating
the propelling devices of a vessel and for other purposes and all new and useful
parts and adjuncts thereof.
Third. The apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in figure 4ª for
operating the cam plate of the main engine and for other purposes.
Fourth. The apparatus herein described and illustrated in figures 1 b to 8 b for
moving and holding the rudder of a vessel and for other purposes and all new parts
and adjuncts thereof.
Fifth. The combination and arrangement with a vessel of any or all of the
engines and devices herein set forth, in the manner and for the purpose specified,

page_text: Sixth. The combination with a vessel and with the rudder and propelling shaft
thereof of the within described apparatus E, F, G, H, arranged in proximity to
and with the operating levers or parts within the pilot house substantially as set
forth.
In witness whereof I the said Edwin Powley Alexander have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER (L.S.)