IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO REGULATING AND GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OF INJECTION WATER TO JET CONDENSERS OF CONDENSING STEAM ENGINES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Griffiths, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, and of Mill Butt House, Higher Bebington, in the
County of Chester, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO REGULATING AND GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OF INJECTION
WATER TO JET CONDENSERS OF CONDENSING STEAM ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Griffiths at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November 1880.
JOHN GRIFFITHS, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
and of Mill Butt House, Higher Bebington, in the County of Chester, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO REGULATING AND GOVERNING THE
SUPPLY OF INJECTION WATER TO JET CONDENSERS OF CONDENSING STEAM
ENGINES."
My Invention has for its object to regulate and govern the supply of injection
water to jet condensers by the action of some moving part of the engines in like
manner to expansion gear used in cutting off steam, that is to say, in carrying out my
Invention I regulate the supply of injection water in condensing engines in propor-
tion to the quantity of steam used by means of cocks or valves worked by the main
engines.
According to one method, which may be cited as a means of performing the
object of my Invention, I use an ordinary grid iron or sluice valve on the con-
denser, and I attach the spindle of this valve to a quadrant or equivalent
mechanical appliance, which is worked by an eccentric cam, lover, or equivalent
appliance on the main engine, the gear being arranged so that the stroke of the
valve and thereby the amount of injection water can be set and regulated. The
quadrants can be marked with grades corresponding with the steam expansion
grades, so that the engines can be set to work the injection valve to correspond
with the amount of steam being used, so that only the amount of water requisite
to condense the steam used is given to the engine, and no unnecessary work is
thrown on the air pumps of discharging more water than required, as is now often
the case where unlimited supply of injection water is used.

page_text: therefore it follows that the supply of injection water through the valve A is
regulated according to the quantity of steam used in the cylinder. The injection
cut off valve A is on the grid iron slide principle, and is fixed onto the ordinary
injection cock B on the condenser Y. The cock B can be opened or closed inde-
pendently of the cut off valve A, and is used as a regulator when the expansion
valve is out of gear, and consequently when the cut off valve A is likewise out of
gear, or when the engines are working disconnected, as sometimes the case in
paddle engines.
The gear for working the valve A consists of the slotted lever C attached to the
expansion weigh shaft. The slot is introduced so that the pin in it may be made
to lengthen or shorten the stroke of the cut off valve A as may be required. Dis
the coupling rod, transmitting motion from the lever C to the cut off valve A; E is
the supply pipe, through which the sea injection water passes from the ship's side
to the casing or chest of the cut off valve A, which pipe should be led as direct as
possible to obtain a free flow of water, which should enter the valve chest directly
in front of the ports of the valve A; F is the usual internal injection pipe,
perforated with holes, as customary, to spread the injection water in the
condenser Y.
Having thus shown an example of the practice of my Invention, I would have it
understood that the system of applying the injection cut off valve and its working
gear can be arranged to suit the conditions and the requirements of all condensing
engines, whether fitted with tho ordinary jet or surface condensers. The plan
shown on the accompanying Drawing is as fitted to the engines of a paddle steamer
having a common jet condenser.
The advantages of my Invention are that by the use of this injection cut off
valve and gear less injection water will be required, and a high degree of tempera-
ture in the feed water will be obtained, which will effect a great saving in fuel.
By the regulation of the injection water a large proportion of the ingredients,
such as lime, magnesia, and all other sediment that would form deposit or scale in
the boiler is very much diminished, and a temperature ranging from 135° to 145°
or thereabouts is attained in the hot well for boiler feeding, so that there is a saving
of fuel, and also in boiler cleaning.
Having described the naturo of my said Invention, and explained in what
manner it is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I wish it to
be understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as
secured to me under the Letters Patent hereinbefore in part recited is,—¸-
First. Controlling or governing the supply of injection water to condensers of
condensing steam engines by a cut off valve such as A, which is operated by gear
in unison with the gear which operates the expansion or steam supply valves of the
main engines, as herein described and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second. Regulating the supply of injection water to condensers of condensing
steam engines by a valve, such as A, capable of adjustment and being operated from
any. suitable moving part of the main engines, so as to automatically apportion the
injection water to the amount of steam being used, as herein described.
Third. The construction and arrangement of injection valve, cock, and gear used
for carrying the system of controlling the supply of injection water to condensers.
of condensing steam engines into operation, substantially as herein described and
shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Griffiths, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
JOHN GRIFFITHS. (L.s.)