Improvements in and in connexion with Apparatus for Preventing Water-blows in Steam-engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connexion with Apparatus for Preventing
Water-blows in Steam-engines.
I, ALOIS CEJKA, of Hochstrasse 7, Munich, Germany, Machine Superintendent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Apparatus for preventing water-blows in steam engines that depend on the
shutting of the steam admission valves, are actually conducive to the production
of water-blows by the sudden entry of water into the steam cylinder and increase
of the pressure therein, because the engines continue to run in consequence of
their inertia and the cylinders are thereby filled with water and before the engines
are brought to a standstill this may cause all manner of disarrangement.
In contradistinction to this, apparatus according to this invention brings about,
at the moment when water suddenly enters the steam-cylinder or when the
pressure in the steam-cylinder rises, the simultaneous opening of both exhaust-
valves by the operation of the pistons of two pressure cylinders or of one pres-
sure cylinder which communicate or communicates with the ends of the steam-
cylinder.
In one example the motion of the pistons of two pressure-cylinders, each of
which is in communication with one end of the steam-cylinder, releases weights
by means of which the two exhaust-valves are simultaneously opened.
In another example, in which there is only one pressure-cylinder which com-
municates with the ends of the steam-cylinder by means of two conduits each
provided with a non-return valve, a cock or the like is reversed by the piston of
this pressure-cylinder, in consequence of which the pressure from an air-vessel
passes over into auxiliary pressure-cylinders, the pistons of which open both
exhaust-valves.
In both of these examples the exhaust-valves are opened, through the inter-
mediary of their rods and bent levers engaging therewith, in the well known
way by means of the valve-mechanism and are closed by helical springs located
on the lower parts of the said rods.
In the first-mentioned example bent tubes are connected to junction-pieces
which are each provided with a through passage and are fixed to the ends of the
steam-cylinder. The said bent tubes are each joined by a screw arrangement to
a small pressure-cylinder in which moves a piston, whose rod is guided by the
cover of the pressure-cylinder and has a wedge-shaped end.
To the cover of each of the pressure-cylinders, as well as to the corresponding
piston, there is fastened a helical spring which can easily be exchanged for a
stronger or a weaker one, and which balances the steam-pressure acting on the
nistan

page_text: At a suitable distance from the valve bearers a shaft is mounted to rotate in
two brackets, and keyed on each end of it, exactly opposite to the centre of
the corresponding valve bearer, is a forked lever having a counterweight, the
two counterweights being adapted to lift the exhaust-valves.
At one side of the steam-admission pipe a ratchet-wheel is located, which is
held back by a detent, which is balanced by a counterweight and to the upper
end of which there is jointed a rod having a slot that is entered by the aforesaid
wedge-shaped ends of the piston rods.
As soon as the pressure in the steam-cylinder begins to rise in consequence
of a sudden access of a certain quantity of water caused by the overfeeding of
the boiler, the failure of the air-pump or the like, the piston of the pressure-
cylinder is moved forward, and the wedge-surfaces at the ends of the piston
rods raise the rod attached to the detent and thereby disengage the detent, in
consequence of which the two counterweights drop and the forked levers press
against bolts on the valve-rods and simultaneously open both exhaust-valves;
the latter then remain open until the engine is once more in order.
The quantity of water which may perchance have accumulated in the cylinder
can, without danger, pass out with the steam through both exhaust-valves un-
hindered. The engine stops after a few revolutions, the number of which
depends upon the load, and thus every danger is guarded against when this
apparatus is used.
In order that the engine may be started again without great loss of time, the
stop valve is first closed, the engine and the air-pump gear are closely examined,
and the mechanism is restored to its original position, whereupon the engine can
be started again.
In the secondly mentioned example the junction-pieces at the ends of the
steam-cylinder are connected by tubes with a casing which contains the non-
return valves and carries the main pressure-cylinder. The piston rod of the
piston of this cylinder, which is led through the cover of the cylinder, is some-
what enlarged at the top, and a suring, which is placed between the cover and
the piston and which can be easily exchanged for a stronger or a weaker one,
balances the steam-pressure.
From the compressed-air vessel, which carries on the top a force-pump, which
is partly filled with oil and can be set to any desired pressure visible on a pres-
sure-gauge connected therewith, a pressure-pipe leads to a cock upon the plug
of which is a bent lever, one arm of which lies over the piston-rod of the pres-
sure-cylinder and the other arm of which carries a weight. The cock just men-
tioned. for which another distributing device may be substituted is connected
by a T-shaped pipe and two other pipes with the auxiliary pressure cylinders,
which are supported by brackets and the plungers of which are directly under
the rods of the exhaust-valves.
If the pressure rises in consequence of a sudden entry of water into the
cylinder, the respective non-return valve opens, the bent lever is thrown over
by the piston-rod of the main pressure-cylinder, the cock operated by the bent
lever is opened, and pressure from the air-vessel comes under the pistons or
plungers of the auxiliary pressure-cylinders, in consequence of which both
exhaust-valves are simultaneously opened. The pressure on their rods causes
these valves to remain open until the cock operated by the bent lever is again
closed and the pressure is removed.
Each of the examples described may be easily adapted to be worked by hand
so as to prevent accidents.
Where, for example, several motors are each provided with such an apparatus,
all the motors can in the event of accident, be instantly brought to a stand-
still electrically from a distant point by opening the exhaust-valves.
For this purpose all that is necessary, in the case of the first mentioned
example, is to arrange an electro-magnet to act upon the rod attached to the
detent, or upon the detent itself, in such a manner that the detent will be

page_text: released on the closure of a circuit. In the secondly inentioned example an
electro-magnet is arranged to act upon, and throw over, the cock-operating bent
lent lever when a circuit is closed.
Apparatus according to this invention, may also be used to prevent accidents
from being caused by the stopping of machines in works and the consequent
tendency of the engines to run away.
Apparatus according to this invention may also be connected, by means of
suitable transmitting mechanism, with the governor or the admission valves or
cocks, and also with the injector cock, in such a manner that these valves or
cocks and the injector cock will be closed as soon as the apparatus come into
action. Not only, therefore, will the steam-engine be protected from water-
blows, but at the same time a useless supply of live steam and injection water
will be prevented. Such apparatus may also be connected with brake blocks
arranged at the sides of the fly wheel so that they will bear against it as soon
as the apparatus act and the engine will therefore be stopped at once.
Dated this 17th dor of Lul 1800
F. WISE HOWORTH
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in and in connection with Apparatus for Preventing
Water-blows in Steam-engines.
-
I, ALOIS CEJKA, of Hochstrasse 7, Munich, Germany, Machine Superintendent,
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:-
Apparatus for preventing water blows in steam engines that depend on the
shutting of the steam admission valves, are actually conducive to the production
of water blows by the sudden entry of water into the steam cylinder and increase
of the pressure therein because the engines continue to run in consequence of
their inertia and the cylinders are thereby filled with water, and before the
engines are brought to a standstill this may cause all manner of disarrangement.
In contradistinction to this, apparatus according to this invention brings about,
at the moment when water suddenly enters the steam cylinder or when the
pressure in the steam-cylinder rises, the simultaneous opening of both exhaust
valves by the operation of the pistons of two pressure-cylinders or of one pres-
sure-cylinder which communicate or communicates with the ends of the steam
cylinder.
In one example the motion of the pistons of two pressure cylinders, each of
which is in communication with one end of the steam cylinder, released weights
by means of which the two exhaust valves are simultaneously opened.
In another example in which there is only one pressure cylinder which com-
municates with the ends of the steam evlinder by means of two conduits each
provided with a non-return valve, a cock or the like is reversed by the piston
of this pressure-cylinder, in consequence of which the pressure from an air-
vessel passes over into auxiliary pressure-cylinders the pistons of which open
both exhaust valves.
The first example is illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, of which Fig. 1 is a

page_text: side elevation with the small pressure-cylinders in section, Fig. 2 an end
elevation partly in section according to the line A B of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a plan of
the apparatus without the steam cylinder to the underside of which the apparatus
is fixed, and Fig. 4 a section of one of the small pressure-cylinders and its piston;
the second example is illustrated by Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, of which Fig. 5 is
a side elevation of the apparatus, Fig. 6 a cross section with part in elevation,
Fig. 7 a plan of the apparatus without the steam cylinder, and Fig. 8 a vertical
section of the small pressure-cylinder.
The rods of the exhaust valves of the steam cylinder 2 are marked 1. The
exhaust valves are opened, through the intermediary of the rods 1 and levers 3
engaging therewith, in the well known way by means of the valve mechanism,
and are closed by springs 4 located on the lower parts of the rods 1.
In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, bent tubes are connected to
the junction-pieces a, which are each provided with a through passage and are
fixed to the ends of the steam cylinder 2. The bent tubes are each joined by
a screw arrangements to a small pressure cylinder in which moves a piston d,
whose rod e is guided by the cover f of the cylinder c and has a wedge-shaped end.
To the cover of each of the cylinders c as well as to the corresponding piston d
there is fastened a helical spring g which can easily be exchanged for a stronger
or a weaker one, and which balances the steam pressure acting on the piston d
(Fig. 4).
At a suitable distance from the valve bearers ta shaft h is mounted to rotate in
two brackets i, and keyed on each end of it, exactly opposite to the centre of
the corresponding valve bearer, is a forked lever having a counterweight 1,
the two counterweights being adapted to lift the exhaust valves.
At one side of the steam-admission pipe is located a ratchet-wheel m provided
with a detent which is balanced by a counter-weight and to the upper end of
which there is jointed a rod p having a slot that is entered by the wedge-shaped
ends of the piston-rods e.
As soon as the pressure in the steam cylinder begins to rise in consequence of
a sudden access of a certain quantity of water caused by the overfeeding of the
boiler, the failure of the air pump, or the like, the piston d of the cylinder c is
moved forward, and the wedge-surfaces at the ends of the piston rods e raise
the rod and thereby disengage the detent n, in consequence of which the two
counterweights 7 drop and the forked levers press against the bolts o on the
valve-rods and simultaneously open both exhaust valves; the latter then remain
open until the engine is once more in order.
The quantity of water which may perchance have accumulated in the cylinder
can, without danger pass out with the steam through both exhaust valves un-
hindered. The engine stops after a few revolutions the number of which
depends upon the load, and thus every danger is guarded against when this
apparatus is used.
In order that the engine may be started again without great loss of time, the
stop valve is first closed, the engine and the air-pump gear are closely examined,
and the mechanism is restored to its original position, whereupon the engine can
be started again.
In the example shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive the junction-pieces a at the
ends of the steam-cylinder are connected by tubes with a casing e, which
contains the non-return valves and carries the main pressure-cylinder c. The
piston rode of the piston d of this cylinder, which is led through the cover f,
is somewhat enlarged at the top, and a spring g, which is placed between the
cover and the piston and which can be easily exchanged for a stronger or a
weaker one, balances the steam-pressure.
From the compressed air vessel 7, which carries on the top a force-pump m¹,
which is partly filled with oil and can be set to any desired pressure visible on
the pressure-gauge n¹, a pressure-pipe q¹ leads to a cock upon the plug of which

page_text: is a bent lever h¹, one arm of which lies over the piston rod e and the other arm
of which carries a weight. The cock, for which another distributing device
may be substituted, is connected by a T-shaped pipe p¹ and two pipes of with
the auxiliary pressure cylinders k₁, which are supported by brackets w and the
plungers r of which are directly under the rods of the exhaust valves.
If the pressure rises in consequence of a sudden entry of water into the
cylinder, the respective non-return valve opens, the bent lever is thrown
over by the piston rode of the pressure cylinder c, the cock ¹ is opened, and
pressure from the air vessel comes under the pistons or plungers of the
auxiliary cylinders, in consequence of which both exhaust-valves are simul-
taneously opened. The pressure on their rods causes these valves to remain
open until the cock is again closed and the pressure removed.
The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 as well as that shown in Figs. 5 to 8,
can be easily adapted to be worked by hand, so as to prevent accidents.
Where, for example, several motors are each provided with such an apparatus,
all the motors can, in the event of accident, be instantly. brought to a standstill
electrically from a distant point by opening the exhaust-valves.
For this purpose, all that is necessary in the case of the example shown
in Figs. 1 to 4, is to arrange an electromagnet to act upon the rod or the
detent in such a manner that the detent will be released on the closure of a
circuit. In the example shown in Figs. 5 to 8 an electromagnet is arranged to
act upon, and throw. over, the bent lever h¹ when a circuit is closed.
Apparatus according to this invention may also be used to prevent accidents
from being caused by the stopping of machines in works and the consequent
tendency of the engines to run away.
Apparatus according to this invention may also be connected, by means of
suitable transmitting mechanism, with the governor or the admission valves or
cocks, and also with the injector cock in such a manner that these valves or
cocks and the injector cock will be closed as soon as the apparatus comes into
action. Not only, therefore, will the steam-engine be protected from water-
blows, but at the same time a useless supply of live steam and injection water
will be prevented. Such apparatus may also be connected with brake blocks-
arranged at the sides of the fly-wheel so that they will bear against it as soon
as the apparatus act and the engine will therefore be stopped at once.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. Apparatus for preventing water-blows in steam engines whereby upon a
sudden entry of water into the steam cylinder and rise of pressure therein both
of the exhaust-valves of the steam cylinder are simultaneously opened by means
of the piston or pistons of a pressure cylinder or pressure cylinders communicat-
ing with the ends of the steam-cylinder, either by the release of weights or springs
or by pressure from an air vessel acting on the pistons of small auxiliary pressure
cylinders.
2. Apparatus according to the preceding claim in which there are two pres-
sure-cylinders e each in communication with one end of the steam cylinder and
provided with a piston and in which when a higher pressure arises, one of the
pistons is moved and releases a pawl and thereby causes the fall of two
weights by means of which both exhaust-valves are opened at the same time.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which there is only one pressure
cylinder c that is in communication with the ends of the steam cylinder 2 through
two pipes b, each of which is provided with a non-return valve, and in which
the piston-rod of the pressure-cylinder c reverses a cock when the pressure
rises, whereby pressure from an air vessel is caused to pass into auxiliary pres-
sure-cylinders whose pistons r open both exhaust-valves together.
4. The combination with apparatus according to Claim 1, of suitable trans-

page_text: mitting mechanism for connecting. the apparatus with the governor or the stop
valve or cock and with the injector cock in order to close the same as soon as
the apparatus come into operation.
5. The combination of apparatus according to Claim 1 and brake blocks which
will press on the fly-wheel of the steam engine as soon as the apparatus come
into operation so that the engine will be stopped at once.
6. Apparatus for preventing water-blows 111 steam engines, constructed,
arranged, and operating as herein before described with refrence to and shown
respectively in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, and in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of March 1900
F. WISE HOWORTH
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.