CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, AND MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH, SOME PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1829

page_text: PUMPHREY'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JULIUS
PUMPHREY, of Tally ill, in the County of Worcester, Glover, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Scal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Third day of February, in the tenth year of His reign, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Julius
Pumphrey, my executors, administrators, and assigns, His especial licence that
I, the said Julius Pumphrey, ny executors, administrators, and assigns, and
every of them, by myself and themselves, or by my and their deputy or
deputies, servants or agents, or such others as I, the said Julius Pumphrey,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
of fourteen years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES,
AND MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH, SOME PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," within that part of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, His said Majesty's Dominions of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His said Majesty's Colonies

page_text: and Plantations abroad; in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso, obliging me, the said Julius Pumphrey, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and
cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within two calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the said Letters Patent, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I; the said
Julius Pumphrey, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inventions,
and the manner in which the same are to be performed, are described and
ascertained by the Plans or Drawings hereunto annexed, and the descriptions,
as follows:-
My first Invention is an improved rotatory engine or pump, which I call a
reciprocal rotatory engine, and is shewn by Figures 1, 2, and 3. A, Figure 3.
the cylinder, with six grooves b, b, b, b, b, b, by which the slides d, Figure 4, the
pistons F, F, Figure 3, and the above cylinder, are packed, for the said pistons
to revolve steam-tight. The grooves should taper in depth from one lid of the
cylinder to the other a quarter of an inch or more, according to the length of
the cylinder, and should form a dovetail in section, as B, B, Figure 4; and
sides & should be formed of brass, or other suitable metal, to fit in these grooves,
and have a groove e to receive a packing of hemp, or other suitable material,
to render them steam-tight. The slides may be packed on the sides or bottom,
or the inner groove may be in the cylinder, or the section of the groove may
vary from a dovetail. I therefore claim the patent right to a tapered slide or
slides, one or both of which must be tapered, packed either way; but I think
a dovetail packed on the side the best. The pistons F, F, Figures 3, 4, and 9,
revolve against each other, the larger semicircle of the one against the smaller
of the other alternately, and also against the lids, steam-tight. The pistons
are acted upon alternately by the steam, and reciprocally move each other by
two pinions G, Figure 1, 2, 5, and 9, which are flattened on three sides,
approaching the shape of a triangle; one of the longest points should stand
equidistant from the points of the piston, as shewn, Figure 5. The lids H, H, H,
Figure 6, must be to the shape of the ends of the cylinder, with holes i, i, for the
axle of the pistons to revolve in; one of the holes in the lids should be square
or oblong, fitted with a sliding center box k, to move up to the other piston
when found needful, and with holes 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, for the slides to pass through,
fitted with plates to keep in the packing, needful to render the slides steam-

page_text: tight in the lid; the center box k should be fitted to its place with a plate m,
of soft metal, as lead, or with wood, millboard, or other substance, with cement,
with a wedge n of iron or other hard metal to force it up tight to its place,
and both nicely finished to face with the lid. After the pistons are ground
together to work steam-tight, one or more additional thickness of paper or
muslin, or the like, according to the size of the engine, should be added to the
plate m, to allow for the expansion of the pistons on being heated by the
steam; and for the same reason I grind the slides with a thin strip of sheet
iron behind them, which, when the slides are finally packed, by ramming the
hemp or the like into the groove, I draw out, which allows the slides to yield
to the expansion of the pistons. The square hole in the lead should be made
taper on the two sides smallest to the outside, straight towards the round hole,
and the other end tapered to receive a wedge n from the outside, the center box
shaped accordingly. There should also be four keys or plugs 0, 0, 0, 0, Figures
2 and 6, to hold it steady to its place, and the insides nicely finished to a true
face. The axles are made steam-tight, partly by grinding to the lids, but after
by what I call a compensating axis, which is a metal ring, (brass is perhaps
the best material, but other metal may do,) rather conical on the outside; the
socket i, which the axle is to revolve in, must be turned about to the section k,
Figure 7, and the axle ground to fit the small end of the socket; the
remainder of the axle must be nearly or quite a cylinder, on which the metal
ring must be fitted steam-tight by cement or packing, and then turned and
ground to work steam-tight in the socket. This ring or axis should have two
notches or slots cut in its thick end, and a hole to correspond in or through the
axle, in which a pin or linch should be fitted, to keep the axis from turning on
its axle, and to force it up to its bearing as often as it may wear so as to lose
steam. The shaded part in the section i, Figure 8, is the compensating axis.
I harden the sockets by heating and chilling, after having ground them with
the axle and axis to fit, by which the wear is thrown on the compensating
axis. I claim the exclusive use of the conical ring or axis fixed to revolve
with the axle and to move forward to its bearing, but do not limit my claim
to the particular node of fixing it or forcing it forward, as that may be done
in a variety of ways; but I have described what I think most simple. I prefer
the steam valve to open as soon as the edges of the pistons have passed the
lower slides, and it may be shut off, according to the judgment of the owner, at
any proportion of their reaching the upper slides, or the steam may remain
always on the engine; but I consider this a waste of power. I therefore employ
the following valve box and levers:-Figure 6, c, an arm on the shaft of the

page_text: piston, with a friction roller to open the valve, by striking the projection on
the ring of the first lever q; p, a shorter arm, which closes the valve by
bringing the lever to the center of its movement; 7, the second lever, which
immediately moves the valve; s, the rod from the governor, which regulates
the extent to which the valve opens, by receiving and communicating the
motion of the levers at a greater or less distance from the fulcrum by the rise
and fall of the governor; u, the steam pipe from the boiler; v, v, steam pipes
to the engine; w, the valve box; , a pin to take out in order to open the
valves to start the engine by raising the rod over the lever r. I claim in this
a rod from the governor regulating the extent to which the valve or valves
shall open, by receiving or communicating the motion of one or two levers at
a greater or less distance from the fulcrum. Figure 10 shews the lower plate of
the valve box; t, the openings (shaded) for the steam to pass into the engine; y,
(in dotted lines) the slide valve, which opens and closes the admission of steam,
by vacillating over the openings t, by the action of the lever r, Figure 6, with
which it is connected through a cock joint; it will be best to have a spring on
the back of the slide valve to keep it close on the face of the openings.
Figure 11, an edge view of the lid, valve box, and levers, the same letters
referring to like parts.
My next improvement, by which I strengthen my cylinder pistons, and
the inner or fire cylinder or fire tube of my boiler, consists of a system of
ribs and wales. The dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 shew the situation of
the ribs and wales of the cylinder, which must be outside. The ribs and
wales of the pistons must be inside, formed in the core, and shewn by dotted
lines in Figure 3. The ribs and wales of the fire tube must be outside, next
the water, and are shewn by Figures 12 and 13. I consider it best to give
the interstice between the ribs a curved line, but in the cylinder and pistons it
can be but a slight curvature, as they must be even on the opposite side to the
ribs, but in the fire tube the curve may be greater. Figure 12 shews a length
section of part of the tube, and Figure 13 a cross section. My claim is for a
system of ribs and wales on or in the aforesaid three parts of a steam engine,
and the character that they be at least as deep as they are broad; but I prefer
them double or treble the width.
My improvements in propelling steam vessels consist in an improved mode
of using spirals or screws. First, in cases where there is sea room, and
when there is occasion to tack, and sometimes to employ the wind and
sails, I use two spirals at the stern, one on each side the rudder, in the
line of the ship's length, wholly under water, so that the rudder may

page_text: act freely between the shafts of the spirals; and cutting the shafts off
opposite the stern post or hangings of the rudder, I connect them again by
Hooke's universal joint, and carry the spirals with a strong frame, which is
hung to turn in concert with the rudder. The spirals are to have a rotatory
motion given them by a steam engine, the shafts of the spirals passing through
a water-tight packing into the vessel; I form also one of the cross bars of the
universal joint hollow, for a pin and nut to connect the spiral to the shaft,
which being removed I can when the wind serves take the spirals on board,
and sail without using the engine. Second, where it is needful to protect the
banks from the effect of the spirals, I place the spirals as before, but employ a
common joint or splice instead of the universal joint; I also cover the spirals
with a case of sheet or plate iron, or copper, or other material, in which they
can revolve freely, to protect them from injury, and confine the surge fron
destroying the banks. The case and spirals must be supported with a frame,
which must all be made to take off where room is wanted to turn the boat
round, or occasionally to pass a lock. Third, where I have to pass locks
frequently, I use one or two spirals in a waterproof case inside the boat in tho
line of its length, and introduce the water by large openings at the sides of
the boat into the case; the water is thrown out at the stern of the boat by the
revolution of the spirals. I hang the rudder in the center of the opening at
the stern; it may be round, square, or almost any regular figure, but I hang
it at or near its vertical centre, and give it both front and back a sharp cutting
edge. I also occasionally use this rudder in the second case.
REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS.
Figure One, an elevation of the reciprocal engine: A, the cylinder; G, the
pinion; 0, 0, 0, 0, keys to secure the center box in the lid; x, x, x, x, cans
to hold oil to lubricate the engine; the dotted lines shew the situation of the
ribs and wales. Figure Two, a bird's-eye view of the above; same letters for
like parts. I use screws, nuts, and steady pins, as shewn, to attach the lids to
the cylinder. Figure Three, an end sketch of the above, with the lid off, to
shew the pistons: A, A, the cylinder; the dotted lines shew the wales and
thickness of the cylinder; F, F, the pistons; b, b, b, b, b, b, the grooves for the
slides; the rib in the pistons are also shewn by the dotted lines, and in the
cylinder they are as deep as the flanch is wide. Figure Four, a full-sized
section of the groove and slide: B, B, part of the cylinder, shewing the groove
about its proper size; d, section of the slide; e, the groove in the slide f; the
dotted line shews the taper of the slide from one end to the other; h, part of

page_text: the piston. Figure Five, an end view of the piston, with the pinion in its
proper position: G, the pinion; F, the piston. Figure 7, a section of the
center box: k, the socket for the axle and axis to revolve in. Figure Eight, a
section (on
an enlarged scale) of the compensating axis: F, part of the piston
and its axle; H, H, part of the lid; I, I, the compensating axis, shaded; k,
an oil can to supply oil to the axle; o, a hole or slot to receive a pin or linch
to hold the axis from turning on the axle and force it up to its bearing.
Figure Nine, a length sketch of the piston, shewing the situation of the pinion
and the compensating axis: G, the pinion; F, the piston; the dotted lines
shew the compensating axis. Figure Six, the lid, shewing the situation of the
valve box and levers: H, H, H, the lid; k, the square or oblong hole for
the moveable center box, with the box wedged in its place; i, i, the holes or
sockets for the axle of the pistons to work in the unshaded hole, shewing the
axle in its place with the arms c and p for giving motion to the valves;
1,1,1,1,1,1, the holes for the slides to pass into the grooves in the cylinder; m,
a plate of lead, wood, or other suitable material, not too hard to hold the box
at its proper distance from the other piston; n, a wedge to force the box up
to its place; 0, 0, 0, 0, four keys to hold the center box in its placo; c, the arm
which moves the first lever to open the steam valve; p, a shorter arm which
closes the valve; q, the first lever which receives the movement for the valve;
r, the second lover which moves the valve; s, the rod from the governor, which
regulates the extent of opening the valve; w, the valve box; u, the steam
pipe from the boiler; v, v, steam pipes to the engine; z, a pin to take out in
order to open the valve to start the engine by hand. Figure Ten, the lower
plate of the valve box, shewing the inside: t, t, the openings for the steam to
pass into the engine; y, the slide valve, in dotted lines; a, a groove between
the openings to supply oil to the valve. Figure Eleven, an edge view of the
lid, valve, box, and levers; the same letters refer to the same parts as Figure 6.
Figure Twelve, a length section of the fire tube of the boiler; the several
letters c denote the ribs; the wales are in dotted lines. Figure Thirteen, a
cross section of the above, at the dotted lines in Figure Twelve: D, D, D, D,
the wales; the dotted circle shews one of the ribs.
The nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the same are
performed, I have clearly set forth in the foregoing Specification, and in so
doing I have mentioned several things which are not new; I would therefore
remark, I make claim to patent right only for those things which are new, and
for a new arrangement or combination of the others, either of themselves or
with the new, by which a new or improved effect is produced; and as the same

page_text: effect or principle may be produced by a trifling alteration, as a cock for a
valve, a chain for a rod, or one joint or material for another, or such like,
claim such latitude for my description as to include varieties of material or
instrument where the same principle or effect is produced.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julius Pumphrey, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Thirtieth day of the third month (called March),
One thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine.
JULIUS (L.S.) PUMPHREY.
Signed, scaled, and delivered by the within-named
Julius Pumphrey, in the presence of
JOHN SATCHELL, JOHN JOHNSON,
TFT
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Thirtieth day of March,
in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Julius Pumphrey came before our
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written. And
also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Thirtieth day of March, in the year above written.