IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL
WHOM THESE PRESEN SHALL COME, 1, WILLIAM
FRANCIS FERNIHOUGH, of London, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Tenth day of
October (One thousand eight hundred and fifty), in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Francis Fernihough, my exors, adññors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William
Francis Fernihough, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Francis Fernihough, my exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES, AND
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said William Francis Fernibough, shall
cause a particular description of 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, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Francis Fernihough, do hereby declare that the nature of my said

page_text: Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say:-
First, a peculiar method of warming the feed water by a portion of the
waste steam; second, a peculiar method of diminishing the back pressure on
the pistons of locomotive, and such other steam engines as produce the
draught in the chimney by the waste steam.
In Figure 1, A represents a cylindrical air-tight chamber, from which the
feed pump draws the heated water at B; the other branch C being connected
by the ordinary suction pipe and regulating valve with the water cistern. The
pipe D is connected to the exhausting steam pipe of the engine at any con-
venient point, and a cock E in this pipe regulates the-flow of the steam, which
then passes up through the clack valve F, and ascends through the small holes
in the grating G up through the feed water, the steam being sucked through
the pipe D by the partial vacuum generated in the chamber A at each stroke
of the pump. The quantity of steam admitted is regulated by the fireman' by
means of the lever and rack H, H, and he gives that amount of opening to the
cock E which he finds to admit the proper quantity of steam to warm the
water sufficiently. I do not claim the warming of feed water by means of waste
steam condensed in the water, but I claim the peculiar method of warming
the feed water by causing it to pass through a vessel in which a partial vacuum
is formed by the action of the pump, so that a portion of the waste steam
is drawn from the exhausting pipe into the vessel and condensed in the
water.
i
In Figures 2 and 3, A represents a cylindrical cast iron case; turned smooth
inside, and having two branches B, B, to which are attached the respective
exhausting pipes from the two cylinders. The branches form rectangular
ports C, C, where they enter the case. The upper end of the case is conical,
open at the top D, D; the lower end has a loose cover E bolted on to admit
the brass valve F, which is cast in one solid piece, and keyed fast on to the
vertical spindle G. This spindle receives a reciprocating rotary motion by a
lever fixed on its lower end, and connected to the rod of an excentric fixed on
the crank shaft. The bottom of the valve F consists of a circular disc H,
which being turned smooth works upon the smooth upper surface of the lid.
This disc has an upright pipe I, formed at the top into a short blast pipe K,
which projects the steam up the chimney whenever one of the wing passages
L, M, N, may be opposite either of the ports C, C, whilst, when not opposite,
the steam from either port has a free escape at D, D. In the position shown

page_text: in the Drawing the left-hand cylinder is exhausting up the blast pipe K, its
crank being near to the dead point, whilst the right-hand cylinder is exhausting
freely up the space O, its piston being about the middle of the stroke. Thus
the wing passages M, N, are alternately brought, opposite to the right-hand
port C, at the moment when the right-hand cylinder commences to exhaust,
and also the single. wing passage L. always passes opposite the left-band
port at the moment the left-hand cylinder commences to exhaust. Thus the
pistons exhaust freely into the partial vacuum of the smoke box during the
most rapid and valuable part of the stroke. The brass valve F is turned in a
lathc, so as to fit the case A somewhat slack, in order to diminish the friction,
as the consequent leakage will be quite insignificant during the momentary
blasts through the ports and wing passages.. By using only one wing passage
a continuous revolving motion may be given to the valve F, but in this case it
must revolve twice during each revolution of the crank shaft. I do not claim
the allowing of a portion of the waste steam to pass up the blast pipe whilst
the remainder escapes freely, but I claim the application of a revolving valve
to the blast pipe as described, in such manner that the steam is allowed free
escape from the cylinder during a portion of the stroke, and the expansive
force of the steam at the conclusion of the stroke. produces the blast.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER.
First, using the products of combustion from a close furnace and the steam
produced within the furnace to produce power in an impulsive rotary engine,
that which I prefer consisting of two or more arms, revolving in a close fitting
circular case, the aeriform bodies entering by a jet in a tangential direction at
the circumference of the case, and making their exit as near as convenient to
the centre of the case. In some instances I prefer to cause the rush of the
jet to carry air with it or water in the form of spray, which acts on a turbine,
and I sometimes use ordinary steam in the rotary engine above described.
Secondly, forcing air into the ash box of the close furnace by means of a fan,
which delivers its air all round the circumference of the case through a narrow
port, thereby increasing the pressure obtained by means of the centrifugal
force of the air revolving in the port; in some cases I apply a steam jet to
the ash box.
Thirdly, using the aeriform bodies to produce power in a chamber similar to
a gasometer, provided with a stuffing box to retain the water, also sealing the
exit valve by the affusion of water at the time of closing.
Figure 4 represents a cylindrical close furnace A, made of plate iron and
lined with fire clay on the sides and roof to protect the metal; B are the fire

page_text: bars on which the fuel is burnt as usual. The doors for access to the fire box
and ash box arc shewn by dotted circles C, D, and must be air-tight when
closed. A higher pressure than the atmosphere is produced in the furnace by
forcing air through the pipe E into the ash box F by means of a blowing
machine. The products of combustion heat the metal or fire clay bars G, G,
which are intended to vaporize the water injected upon them through the
nozzle H, by a force pump, and the steam produced by this process being
mixed with more or less dust I call it crude steam (no water is to fall on the
ignited fuel, and the upward current between the bars G, G, prevents the
spray dropping); then the products of combustion, together with the crude
steam, issue through the jet pipe I into the circular case K. in a tangential
direction, and give motion to the arms L, L, and their spindle M, M, and then
escape through the annular openings N, N, round about the spindle into the
atmosphere through the chimneys O, O. The engine drives its load by means
of the belts P, P, passing round the spindle itself or round pulleys fixed upon
the spindle. These belts pass round large drums which give motion to the
machinery to be driven or to the wheels of a locomotive or boat, and in some
cases the speed is still further reduced by additional pulleys, belts, and drums,
in a well understood manner, so as to suit the speed of the machinery to be
driven. The best effect will be produced by so proportioning the engine
that the velocity of the acriform bodies issuing from the jet pipe I shall
but slightly exceed the velocity of the ends of the arms L, L; in which
case, if the pressure in the furnace A be about eight pounds per square incli,
the centrifugal force of the rotating acriform bodies in the case K will balance
about four pounds per square inch, the remaining four pounds per square
inch giving the velocity to the acriform bodies issuing from the jet pipe I.
Figure 5 is a section through the centre of the case K, showing the
arms L, L, and the spindle M, M, which are made in one piece of wrought
iron, and very true, and in balance, in order to revolve steadily at the high
speed at which they revolve. I prefer wrought iron for the arms as it gains
strength when warmed. The arms are tapered from the spindle to the tips in
order to diminish the centrifugal force which tends to tear them from the
spindle. Sideways (see Figure 5) the arms L, L, are made to fit the case as
near as may be, leaving just sufficient clearance to prevent actual contact
arising from vibration or tremor, or from any slight slackness in the bearings
Q, Q. The case K. is turned true and smooth inside, and has a loose cover
R, R, bolted on, by means of which the arms and spindle may be put in or
removed for repair. The bearings Q, Q, run in suitable brasses and pedestals,
as well understood by engineers. The friction of the aeriform bodies against

page_text: the sides of the case K. diminishes the slip or leakage past, the edges of the
arms L, L. The revolving part may be made in many different ways, and
with any number of arms; for instance, the arms may be tubular or may be
fixed between two circular discs revolving with them, or made in any manner
which conducts the contents of the case quietly with an uniform angular
velocity from the circumference to the centre of motion.
I have shown in Figures 4 and 5 one of the simplest constructions for
revolving part, two arms being used, made in one piece with the spindle. The
arms may be made in one piece, with a central boss keyed on to the spindle.
I prefer to make the jet pipe round, as shown at I, in Figure 5, to avoid choking.
Any dust which passes into the case K will be wafted round its inner circum-
ference and find its way through the round hole S into the air-tight chamber T,
whence it may be removed after the day's work, by the air-tight door, shewn by
the dotted circle U, which may be made similar to the fire box and ash box doors.
When the engine is used, as in Figure 4, with products of combustion and
crude steam, the power may be regulated by a throttle valve in the pipe which
feeds the ash box with air. The engine may be started by first warming the
contents of the fire box by lighting the fire with the fire box and ash box doors
open, then closing them as well as the valve in the air pipe, and injecting the
first dose of water by hand, the feed pump being made so as to be readily
disconnected for this purpose. When the steam jet is used, as described
further on, the regulating valve may be in the pipe supplying it. Safety valves
may be applied to the close furnace, as usual in boilers. It is desirable the
doors C of the fire box should be capable of being opened to feed the fire and
shut and secured again quickly, the blast being meanwhile shut off from the
ash box, whilst the great speed of the arms L, L, may cause the momentum to
keep up the motion in the interim. The temperature of the aeriform products
is regulated by the quantity of water injected at H, and the temperature must
not be so great as to injure the rotary engine. I do not claim the working of
a vane wheel in a case by a jet of ordinary steam. But-
I claim, first, causing the products of combustion from a close furnace, and
the steam generated within the close furnace, or ordinary steam, to issue into
one or more jets tangentially into a case in which they operate upon revolving
parts, and make their exit as near as convenient to the centre or axis about
which the parts revolve.
I claim, second, tapering the arms from the spindle to the extremities.
I claim, third, causing the products of combustion from a closo furnace,
and the steam generated within it, to work an impulsive rotary engine by a
jet or jets.

page_text: I claim, fourth, clearing the case of dust by a hole in the circumference.
I claim, fifth, proportioning the engine and its connections with the load, so
that the centrifugal force of the aeriform contents of the case shall be equal to
half the pressure in the close furnace or boiler, or nearly so.
Figures 6 and 7 represent a peculiar kind of fan for the purpose of forcing
air into the ash box of the close furnace. It is driven by the engine itself,
either by bands, passing round pulleys fixed on the spindle in the usual manner,
or by making the spindle continuous with the spindle of the rotary engine
shown in Figures 4 and 5. The arms A, A, and spindle B, are similar to
those of the rotary engine, Figures 4 and 5, being tapered to the tips and
fitting the case laterally without contact. The air enters round the shaft
at C, C, C, C, as usual, in fans, but it is delivered all round the circumference
through the annular port D, D, D, D, into the annular pipe E, E, E, E, which
it leaves by the branch F, and passes through a pipe and valve to the ash box
of the close furnace. The case G, G, G, G, is made in two halves bolted
together at the flange joint H, H, H, H. This case is turned smooth inside,
also the annular port D, D, D, D, and the joint faces of the flanges H, H, H, H.
The air being delivered by the arms into the annular port with consider
able rotary velocity, the pressure obtained in the pipe E, E, E, E, and in
the ash box is thereby much increased. The arms A, A, may be made with
a central boss, keyed on to the spindle, and I do not confine myself to the use
of any particular number or kind of arms; also, the arms may be tubular, the
air passing through them in the same manner as the water in the arms of a
centrifugal pump.
I claim, first, the use of a fan delivering its air all round the circumference
to force air into a furnace of which the products of combustion are used to
work an engine.
I claim, second, giving taper to the arms of fans used to force air into a
furnace of which the products of combustion are used to work an engine.
I claim, third, placing the arms of the fan upon the same spindle as the
revolving parts of a rotary engine driven by the products of combustion, and
by steam generated within the close furnace.
The air may be forced into the ash box of the close furnace by a steam
jet V, Figure 4, in which instance this steam passes up through the fire with
the air. This steam may be crude steam, generated in a similar furnace to A,
Figure 4, or it may be generated in the ordinary manner in a water space
surrounding the close furnace instead of fire clay.
I claim, forcing air and steam by a steam jet into the ash box of a close
furnace of which the products of combustion work a rotary engine.

page_text: Figure 8 represents a close furnace, similar to Figure 4, the aeriform
products from which rush in a current through the annular opening A, A, and
by the pipe B draw hot water in the form of spray from the cistern C, and
drive the spray against the curved vanes.of the turbine wheel D. The hot
water then drops down at E and circulates back to the cistern C by suitable
pipes. The engine is regulated by the handle F and screw G, which move the
pipe endways through the stuffing box' H, giving the required contraction
round about the conical end I of the pipe B.
Figure 9 is a section of the turbine wheel D.
Figure 10 represents another method of carrying in the spray, A. being the
jet pipe from the close furnace, and B, a cistern containing water which enters
at C, C. If Figure 10 be used without water, cold air will be carried to the
rotary engine or turbine along the pipe D, which may be useful to prevent burning
the engine when the products of combustion alone are used without steam.
I claim the causing the products of combustion and steam to draw with
them in the manner shewn either air or water in the form of spray into a
rotary engine or turbine.
Figure 11 represents a method of using very hot aeriform bodies at a high
pressure to produce power. A is a cylindric chamber containing hot water,
having a stuffing box B, B, in which the brass gasometer chamber C moves
up and down.
Water is thrown in at D by a pump, and the surplus water
keeps running over the lips E of the pipe F, thus maintaining the level, of the
water. The hot gases generated at the proper time, in any suitable manner,
enter at G, and after giving the up-stroke to the chamber C, pass away during
the down-stroke with the surplus water by the pipe F and valve I. At the
instant of closing the exit valve I, a small quantity of water is thrown upon it
by a pump through the pipe K, and passage L, thus sealing it, as but little
water will pass however imperfect the valve face may become. The rod M
gives motion to a crank as usual in steam engines.
I claim the use of hot aeriform bodies to produce power in the gasometer
chamber C, the water being retained by a stuffing box, as shewn.
I claim sealing the valves of engines driven by hot aeriform bodies by the
affusion of water at the time of closing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Francis Fernihough, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
WILLIAM FRANCIS (L.S.) FERNIHOUGH.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Tenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid William Francis Fernihough came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.