IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM STEERING GEAR"
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Smiles, Engineer, of Stockton on Tees
in the County of Durham for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM STEERING GEAR"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Smiles at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1882.
JOHN HENRY SMILES, Engineer of Stockton-on-Tees, in the County of Durham
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM STEERING GEAR
23
My Invention relates to an improved method of controlling the valves of steam-
steering-engines, whereby the steersman has more complete control over the
admission of the steam into the cylinders, and that, in any and every position of
the rudder
Apparatus constructed according to my invention consists as follows:-A sheave
is so attached to and slung from and round a shaft, (this may be either the engine
crank-shaft or any shaft whose revolutions convey motion to the valves) that its
centre is allowed the freedom of a given radial movement from side to side in the
plane of revolution of the shaft
It is slung, or mounted, on a fulcrum, the centre of which fulcrum must be in
a line with the centre of the shaft and that of the crank-pin, but at the opposite
side of the shaft to the crank-pin. The said fulcrum is so arranged on a radial arm,
(or other suitable centre) attached to the shaft, that it is concentric in its mid-
" backward'
position, and when moved from side to side it becomes respectively, a
or "forward " eccentric
"
"
"
The sheave, as an eccentric, gives motion to the valves through the usual gear,
and when it is concentric the valves are closed and are in mid-gear
Placed by the side of this sheave is a wheel, capable of revolving in either
direction round the shaft, and engaging by meaus of a pin and slot with the sheave,
so as to carry it round with it, thus causing the sheave to become either con-
centric or an "eccentric" sheave in either "backward Οι "forward" position, as
the case may be, when the wheel is moved
"

page_text: This secondary wheel is connected by any suitable gear to the steering wheels, and
it follows that so long as this wheel is caused to revolve by the steersman, in either
direction, the engine will follow it; but when the wheel is stopped the crank-shaft
carries the fulcrum round and causes the then eccentric sheave to become concentric;
thus the valves are thrown into mid-gear and the steam cut off
By preference I combine my gear with a pair of diagonal engines requiring
one eccentric, and such engines I prefer to have so geared that if a heavy sea
strikes the rudder the engines may yield to the blow; whereupon full steam pressure
is automatically admitted to the cylinders to form a cushion and to do battle with
the disturbing force
This results from the movement of the engine carrying the sheave into the
contrary gear.
In such engines as require two eccentrics there may be two sheaves arranged with
the secondary wheel in connection with the steering wheel between them
Where the valves are worked from a valve crank-pin at the end of a shaft the
arrangement takes the form of a pin capable of taking up concentric and eccentric
positions as herein described
From the description here given of the action of the sheave, or valve crank-pin,
it will be seen that if ever the momentum of the engine causes it to over run the
position fixed by the steersman the sheave will be thrown across and so admit
steam to overcome such momentum.
Again by this improved method of controlling the valves the full strength of the
engine can be exerted up to the end of any movement of the rudder, thereby adding
certainty and rapidity to the action.
My invention is adaptable to any form of steering gear

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Smiles in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th February 1883.
JOHN HENRY SMILES Engineer of Stockton on Tees in the County of Durham
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM STEERING GEAR
"
My Invention relates to an improved method of controlling the valves of Steam
Steering engines whereby the Steersman has more complete control over the
admission of the Steam into the Cylinders and that in any and every position of
the rudder.
And my Invention consists of a Sheave so attached to and slung from and
round a shaft (this may be either the engine crank-shaft or any shaft whose
revolutions convey motion to the valves) that its centre is allowed the freedom
of a given radial movement from side to side in the plane of revolution of the
shaft.
It is slung or mounted on a fulcrum, the centre of which fulcrum must be in
a line parallel with the centre line of the shaft and that of the crank pin but
at the opposite side of the shaft to the crank pin-The said fulcrum is so arranged
on a radial arm or other suitable centre attached to the shaft, that the sheave is
concentric in its mid position and when moved from side to side it becomes
respectively a "backward" or "forward" eccentric.
The sheave as an eccentric gives motion to the valves through the usual gear,
and when it is concentric the valves are closed and are in mid-gear.
Placed by the side of this sheave is a wheel capable of revolving in either
direction round the shaft and engaging by means of a pin and slot with the sheave
so as to carry it round with it, thus causing the sheave to become either concentric
or an "eccentric" in either backward or forward positions as the case may be when
the wheel is moved.
This Secondary wheel is connected by any suitable gear to the steering wheels
and it follows that so long as this wheel is caused to revolve by the Steersman
in either direction, the engine will follow it; but when the wheel is stopped the
crank shaft carries the fulcrum round and causes the eccentric Sheave to become
concentric, thus the valves are thrown into mid-position or gear and the Steam
cut off.
By preference I combine my gear with a pair of diagonal Engines requiring
one eccentric and such engines I prefer to have so geared that if a heavy Sea
strikes the rudder, the engines may yield to the blow; whereupon full Steam is
automatically admitted to the cylinders to form a cushion and to counteract the
disturbing force.
This results from the movement of the engine carrying the sheaves into the
contrary gear by means of the fulcrum or radial arm.
In such engines as require two of the aforesaid eccentrics or sheaves the eccentrics
may be arranged with the Secondary wheel between them, the eccentrics being
arranged at any desired angles to suit the angles of the engines.
When the valves are worked from a valve crank pin at the end of a shaft the
arrangement takes the form of a pin capable of taking up a concentric or eccentric
position as hereinbefore described.
From the description here given of the action of the Sheave, or valve crank pin,
it will be seen that if ever the momentum of the engine causes it to over-run tho

page_text: position fixed by the Steersman, the Sheave will be thrown across and so admit
Steam to overcome such momentum.
Again by this improved method of controlling the valves the full strength of the
engine can be exerted up to the end of any movement of the rudder, thereby
adding certainty and rapidity to the action.
My Invention is adaptable to any form of Steering gear.
It is better to arrange the valve rods of the engines to go through the Steam
Chests and have glands at each end.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure A'. shews a view of the sheave F in its concentric position with the
shaft G. The dotted lines shew the "backward" and "forward" positions. His
the fulcrum on which the sheave is hung and I is the slot stud which gears with
the secondary wheel. Figure A2 is a general section in which the slot stud I is
shewn geared up with the secondary wheel L which is shewn as a chain wheel
suitable for coupling up to the steering wheels. K is the crank pin. Figure A³.
shews the secondary wheel arranged with suitable slot holes for working one or
two sheaves as may be desired. Figure B¹. shews an arrangement when the
fulcrum H is situated nearer to the centre of the shaft G in order to give an
increased "angle of advance." Figure B2. is a Section of the same. Figure C¹.
shews an arrangement in which the fulcrum H falls within the Shaft Ğ. The
fulcrum spindle can thus be prolonged to the opposite end of the shaft and any
desired engine bearing or pinion can thus be arranged between the wheel L and the
sheave F. Figure C2 is a Section of the saine shewing the sheave F and fulcrum H.
Figure C³. is a Section through the wheel L and stud pin I. Figure C. shews
the boss of the wheel L; In this case the actual steering wheel. Figure D'. shews an
arrangement by which the greatest "angle of advance" may be given to the
sheave F whilst the throw is kept the same as in figure A'.; Figure D². shews a
Section of the same.
"
"
This arrangement would not be desirable where no great "angle of advance'
was required, as it would not move or "reverse so freely on account of the large
bearing surface of the fulcrum H.
Figure E shews an arrangement of a valve crank-pin, over-hanging a shaft end,
the spindle H can be carried through the shaft to the opposite end; Figure E². is
a Section of the same.
Figures D and E require stops to prevent them passing the desired angle of
advance. All the eccentrics in the drawing are shewn in concentric positions, but
it may be found desirable to give a fixed advance in addition to that given by the
radial position. This can be done by advancing the centre of the sheave towards
the centre of the fulcrum; thus making the sheave slightly eccentric even when
in mid-position, where it is spoken of as being concentric.-Figure M. is a
Skeleton diagram, shewing how, after laying out the "lap" and
lead and
describing the circle representing the "throw" of valve, the points N and P are
found, (equal to the "angle of advance"). If the centre of a circle running
through these points and also through the centre of the Shaft G, be found, this
centre is the centre of the fulcrum H.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention
and the manner in which the same may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that I do not contine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements which I have described or referred to as variations may be made
without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention but what
I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is :
The improvements in Steam steering gear consisting in providing the same with

page_text: means for operating the valves thereof, consisting of a sheave so hung or supported
and operated that it is brought either into a concentric position (or approximately
so) or into such a position as to constitute it an "eccentric" in either "backward"
or "forward" gear substantially as herein before described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Smiles have to this my Specification
set my hand and Seal this seventh day of February One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
JOHN HENRY SMILES (L.S.)