Improvements in Expansion Valves and connected Mechanism, applicable to Steam and other Fluid Pressure Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left. 11th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Expansion Valves and connected Mechanism,
applicable to Steam and other Fluid Pressure Engines.
GEORGE SELLERS, of 70, Clovelley Villa, Bowyer Road, Saltley, Birmingham,
Consulting Engineer, and SAMUEL JOHN PEGG, of 23, Kirby Road, Leicester,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in automatic cut-off or expansion valves,
and the mechanism for actuating the same, the said improved valve and mechanism
being applicable to steam, air, and other similar fluid pressure engines.
The object of this invention is the production of an automatic cut off or expan-
sion. valve and connected mechanism which is positive in its action, simple in
construction, and which has a minimum number of working parts.
According to this invention the main valve and the expansion valve are so
arranged that the main valve actuates the expansion valve when the former is
moved to open the port or passage to the cylinder, and means are provided by
which the motion of the expansion valve can be stopped at any position, and means
by which, the expansion valve can be held in the position at which it is
stopped. The expansion valve is released from its holding mechanism by à cam or
other similar means, or by the governors, or the governors may be used to regulate
the time of action of other actuating mechanism, and after being released the
expansion valve is closed by a spring, dash-pot or other means.
The valve may be arranged to slide, rotate, or be of any other known type, and
may with its connected mechanism be so modfied that it can be applied to
horizontal, vertical or other kinds of engine.
W. H. POTTER,
Patent Agent, Nottingham.
Improvements in Expansion Valves and connected Mechanism,
applicable to Steam and other Fluid Pressure Engines.
GEORGE SELLERS, of 70, Clovelley Villa, Bowyer Road, Saltley, Birmingham,
Consulting Engineer, and SAMUEL JOHN PEGG, of 23, Kirkby Street, Leicester,
Engineer, 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:-
"This invention relates to improvements in automatic cut off or expansion valves

page_text: and the mechanism for actuating the same, the said improved valves and mechanism
being applicable to steam, air, and other similar fluid pressure engines.
The object of this invention is the production of an automatic cut off or expan-
sion valve and connected mechanism which is positive in action simple in con-
struction and which is constructed with a minimum number of working parts.
According to this invention the main valve is so arranged in conjunction with
the expansion valve that the latter is moved by the main valve when this valve
moves to open the ports or passages to the cylinder, and when the expansion valve
has been so moved it is held in that position by a catch from which it is released
by a cam or governor mechanism and is returned to close the ports by means of
a spring or other convenient means.
The valves may be arranged to slide, rotate or be of any other known type,
and may be applied to horizontal, vertical, or other kinds of engines.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate various methods of carrying out
this invention.
Fig. 1, is an elevation, partly in section of an arrangement of valve mechanism
for valves of the Corliss type.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing a detail connected with the governors.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the main valve showing the expansion valve
in position.
Fig. 4 is an end elevation and Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are transverse sections of the
main and expansion valves referred to in explanation of the method of working.
Fig. 8 is a transverse section of an alternative arrangement of valves of the Corliss
type.
Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are details of the valve gearing shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of a piston valve with an equilibrium expansion
valve arranged according to this invention.
Fig. 14 is a plan of the valves shown in Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of an arrangement having piston main and
expansion valves.
Fig. 16 is a plan of the arrangement shown in Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a section of one form of main and expansion valves of the piston type.
Fig. 18 is a plan of the main valve shown in Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a plan of the expansion valve shown in Fig. 17.
Fig. 20 is an elevation of governor mechanism for use in connection with the
piston valves shown in Fig. 15 and 16.
Figs. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 are details of the governor mechanism shown
in Fig. 20.
Fig. 28 is an alternate valve catch arrangement suitable for use in connection
with the governor mechanism shown in Fig. 20.
Fig. 29 is an alternative arrangement of Corliss valve gear and driving
mechanism.
Figs. 30, 31, and 32 are details of the valves and mechanisms used in the
ment shown in Fig. 29.
arrange-
Fig. 33 is a longitudonal section of a clylinder showing the application of an
oscellating main valve with expansion valves hinged thereto and connected
mechanisms.
Fig. 34 is a transverse section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 33.
Fig. 35 is a longitudional section of a steam chest showing sliding main and
expansion valves with connected mechanism and
Fig. 36 is a transverse section of the arrangement shown in Fig. 35.
In the arrangement shown on Sheets 1 and 2 the main valve 1 is made with
a hollow spindle 10 which passes through a gland in the valve chest cover 2 and
is fitted with a lever 3 which is coupled by a ball joint to an eccentric 4 on a shaft 5
which is driven from the engine crank shaft. The valve 1 which
is of the section shown in Fig. 5 is thus driven with a positive
motion and may be disigned to give any desired lap and lead. The cut

page_text: off valve 6 of the section shown in Fig. 5 is arranged to oscillate in the main valve
chest 7 and its spindle 8 passes through a gland 9 in the hollow spindle 10 of the
main valve. On the end of the valve spindle 8 there is a crank lever 11 which is
connected by the link 12 to a spring in the box 13, which spring is so arranged
that it tends to keep the expansion valve 6 in contact with the face 11 of the main
valve 1. When however the main valve is moved in the direction of the arrow 14
Fig. 7 it also moves the expansion valve 6 with it to the position shown in Fig. 7.
and in this position it is held by a catch lever 15 pivotted to the lever 11 and a fixed
catch 16. For releasing the expansion valve the governors 17 through the lever 18
control the position of the spiral tappet 19 which is fitted to rotate with and slide
upon the spindle 20. On opposite sides of the tappet 19 there are spindles 21
which are alternately pushed back by the tappet, and when so moved they turn
the lever 15 on its fulcrum on the lever 11 and the expansion valve being then.
released from the catch 16 is moved to close the port or passage to the cylinder by
the spring on the box 13.
The governors in the arrangement shown are driven from the shaft 5 through
wheels 22 and 23, and the spindle 20 is driven from the governor spindle 24 through.
wheels 25. The lever 18 is coupled to the tappet 19 by a link 26 which has a
swivel joint at 27, while the spindle 20 is slotted to allow of the sliding of a con-.
necting cotter 28 between the link 26 and tappet 19.
The size of the main valve and the amount of motion given to the same is
designed and arranged in the same manner as an ordinary valve of the same descrip-
tion, and the expansion valve and its motion are so arranged that it can move from
the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 5 so as to completely close
the port 29. The valve 6 is also so arranged that it can be moved by the main
valve to the limit of the motion of the latter when moving in the direction of the
arrow 14, while the catch arrangement 15, 16, may be arranged to hold the valve 6
in any disired position which is with advantage the position shown in Fig. 6 and
Fig. 7.
In Fig. 8 an alternative arrangement of main and expansion valves is shown.
The main valve 1 is made with a port 30 and the expansion valve 6 is fitted to
turn in the main valve being moved against the connected spring by means of a
pin or driving piece 31. The connected mechanism for actuating holding and
releasing the valves may be of the character herein described with reference to
Fig. 1. In Figs. 13 and 14, a piston valve arrangement is shown. The main
valve 31 is made with ports 32, an inlet passage 33 which is fitted with an
equilibrium valve 34, and a cam or incline 35. Passing through a gland in the
steam chest there is a shaft 37, fitted inside the steam chest with a lever 36 and
outside the steam chest with a catch arrangement which is under the control of the
governors. When the main valve is moved to open the cylinder ports to the
exhaust, the incline 35 acts upon the lever 36 and opens the equilibrium valve 34
which is then held open by the catch arrangement outside the steam chest. At
the return travel of the main valve steam is admitted to the cylinder until the
equilibrium valve is closed by its spring 38 and this takes place when the shaft 37
is released by the governors from its catch. The diameter of the equilibrium valve
is designed according to the travel of the main valve, and so that the lever 36 can
always act upon the under face of the same.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 15 16 and in Figs.. 20 to 27 the main piston
valves 39 are arranged and actuated in the ordinary manner, steam being admitted
from the chest 40 to the cylinder 41 through ports 42 in the sleeves 43 and cylinder
ports 44. The expansion valves 45 are fitted to slide on the main valve spindle 46,
and are moved to open the ports 42 by the main valves 39. The valves.45 are made
with collars which are embraced by levers 47 on a shaft which corresponds in its
action with the shaft 8 Fig. 1, and has the same reference number. The shaft 8
Fig. 20 is arranged in connection with the catch and releasing mechanism in the
same way as the corresponding parts in Fig. 1, and such parts are similarly lettered
as is Fig. 1: On the lever 15 Fig. 20 there is shown a weight 15* which may be

page_text: applied to the lever 15 Fig. 1 or springs may be applied instead of weights in
both arrangements.
T
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:
An alternative catch arrangement is shown in Fig. 28 the parts are numbered
to correspond with the catch arrangements already described..
In the piston valves shown in Figs. 17, 18, and 19, the main valve 48 is provided
with ports which are closed by the expansion valve 50. This arrangement of valves
is worked in the same way as the valves previously described.
"
In the arrangement of valve actuating mechanism shown in Figs. 29 to 32 the
valves are of the Corliss type and as shown in Figs. 31 and 32 are arranged as
described with reference to Fig. 8, but valves of the kind described with reference
to:Figs. 5, 6, and 7 may be used. As shown in. Fig. 30 the hollow spindles 10 of
the main valves are fitted with levers 51 and coupled together by. a link 52. These
valves are actuated by an eccentric 53. on a shaft:54 which is driven from the
crank shaft, and actuates the governors 17. The shaft 54 also drives the double
spiral toppet 55 which is fitted to slide on the said shaft and its position is con-
trolled by the governors 17 through a lever 56;: link. 57, and .lever 158. In this
arrangement the catch 16 is carried. by a disc which is turned with the spindle 8,
and the catch lever 15sis mounted on a fixed fulcrum. The levers.15 are provided
with springs or weights and the expansion valves are moved to close the ports by
springs in the boxes 13.
12:
In Figs. 33 and: 34 there is shown an oscillating main valve with a pair of
expansion valves. In this arrangement the main valve 59 is mounted on a shaft 60
carrying a crank 61-and-is actuated by an eccentric, or the like on the main. shaft.
The expansion valves 62 are pivotted on the shaft 60.and they are moved alternately
by the main valve 59 'against the power of springs 63. The valves 62 are con-
nected by spindles 64 to the slotted bars 65 and to each one there is a catch 66
which supports the valves as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 33 and is moved
to allow of the valve closing the ports by a spiral tappet 67, and lever 68.; The
tappet 67 is rotated through gearing from the governor spindle or by other suitable
gearing, and its position on its driving spindle 69 is controlled by the governors 17
through a sliding spindle 70 and lever. 71. ..
.1
1.
In Figs. 35 and 36 the application of this invention to slide valves is shown.
The main valve 72 is fitted and actuated by any of the usual means and is made
with a gridiron back 73 and a passage from the openings in the same to the inlet
ports. At the back of the main valve there is a gridiron expansion, valve 74 which
moves longitudinally with the main valve and is also capable of being moved trans-
versley independently of the main valve. At the back of the expansion valve there
is a rib. 75 which moves longitudinally in a guide 76 and transversely with such
guide, this latter being connected to guiding spindles 77; and 78. The main valve is
-fitted with a cam piece 79 and as the valve.72 moves, this piece comes into contact with
.a truck 80 on the guide .76 and raises the valve 74; in which position the valve
is held by a catch 81 and catch lever 82 until, released by a tappet 83 which is
mounted and actuated similarly to the tappet described; with reference to Fig. 34.
In this arrangement the valve 74 after being released from the catch lever 82 is
moved to close the opening at the back of the main valve by means of a piston 84'
and the pressure of the steam in the chest 86 but a spring or weight may be used
if disired.
T7
:
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In the various types of arrangements herein described the mechanisms for hold-
ing and releasing the expansion valve may be considerably varied and instead of
the valves being relased by governor mechanism, toppet cams or the like may be
used, and such means may be movable by hand to vary the point of cut-off.
"↓
Having now particularly described and. ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
"
$
1. In steam, air, and other fluid pressure engines the use of an expansion valve
which is moved in one direction by the main valve, is held in such position by a

page_text: catch from which the expansion valve is released by governor or controlling
mechanism, and is moved to close the ports or passages to the cylinder by a spring,
weight, piston, or equivalent means, substantially as herein described.
2. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 15 to 28 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 29 to 32 of the accompanying drawings.
6. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 33 and 34 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The general arrangement and construction of expansion valve mechanism
herein described with reference to Figs. 35 and 36 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of October 1898.
W. H. POTTER,
Patent Agent, Brougham Chambers, Nottingham.
W. H. POTTER,
Patent Agent, Brougham Chambers, Nottingham.