Improvements applicable in connection with the Valves of Steering and like Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
'
Improvements applicable in connection with the Valves of Steering
and like Engines.
I, ANDREW BETTS BROWN, of Rosebank Iron Works, Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows, that is to say:-
My said invention relates to steering, and like engines, the distribution valves
of which receive steam and exhaust through passages controlled by a valve the
position of which determines the direction and extent of motion, and which
after each action is automatically brought to its middle or neutral position in
any of various well known ways.
The controlling valve when of the piston type, as it is in many cases, is as
hitherto arranged constantly subjected to the full steam pressure and consider-
able leakage is unavoidable when the valve pistons are fitted with sufficient freedom
of movement.
The object of my invention is to prevent or considerably diminish the leakage
of steam herein before referred to; and for this purpose I fit a double-beat valve
in a passage or casing through which the steam enters the controlling-valve
casing. One of the disks of the valve is made a little larger than the other so
that the steam pressure tends to keep the valve closed. The stem or spindle of
the double-beat valve has formed or fixed on it a block made with two oppositely
inclined surfaces; and a block with counterpart inclines is fixed on the spindle
of the controlling valve. The parts are arranged with the spindle of the double-
beat valve at right angles to the spindle of the controlling valve; and when the
latter is in its middle position the double-beat valve is closed, shutting off the
steam, and its block is midway between the counterpart inclines of the controlling
valve spindle. When the controlling valve is moved in either direction one
counterpart incline or the other acts on the block of the double-beat valve and
opens that valve to admit steam.
When the controlling valve is of the rotating type, diametrically opposite
projections each made with two opposite inclines, are formed on the under side
of the double-beat valve and counterpart recesses are formed on a ring formed
on or turned by the rotating controlling valve. The double-beat valve is guided
so as not to rotate; and when the controlling valve is turned in either direction,
counterpart inclines on or moved by it act on the projections on the double-beat
valve thereby opening it and admitting steam. When the controlling valve is
in its middle position the steam is shut off.
Dated this Fifteenth day of December 1897.

page_text: Improvements applicable in connection with the Valves of Steering
and like Engines.
I, ANDREW BETTS BROWN, of Rosebank Iron Works, Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid Lothian, North Britain, 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, that is to say:-
My said invention relates to steering and like engines, the distribution valves
of which receive steam and exhaust through passages controlled by a valve the
position of which determines the direction and extent of motion, and which
after each action is automatically brought to its middle or neutral position in
any of various well known ways.
The controlling valve when of the piston type, is as hitherto arranged con-
stantly subjected to the full steam pressure and considerable leakage is unavoidable
when the valve pistons are fitted with sufficient freedom of movement.
The object of my invention is to prevent or considerably diminish the leakage
of steam hereinbefore referred to; and for this purpose I fit in a passage or casing
through which the steam enters the controlling valve casing a double-beat valve
which has formed or fixed on it oppositely inclined surfaces which are acted on
by counterpart inclines fitted in connection with the controlling valve, so that on
the movement of the controlling valve it acts through the inclined surfaces to open
the double-beat valve and admits steam.
My improvements are also applicable to controlling valves of the rotating type.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append three sheets of explanatory draw-
ings to be hereinafter referred to in describing my improvements.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings is a longitudinal vertical section; and
Figure, 2, on Sheet, 2, a transverse vertical section showing a modification of my
improvements as applied to a controlling valve of the piston type. Figure, 3,
on Sheet, 3, is an elevation, and Figure, 4, a vertical section showing a modifica-
tion of my improvements as applied to a controlling valve of the rotating type,
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
As shown in Figures, 1, and 2, I fit a double-beat valve, A, in a passage or
casing, B, through which the steam enters the controlling valve casing, C. The
lower one, D, of the two disks, D, E, of the valve, A, is made a little larger than
the other, so that the steam pressure tends to keep the valve closed. The stem or
spindle of the double-beat valve, A, has formed or fixed on it a block, F, made.
with two oppositely inclined surfaces, G ; and a part or block, H, moving with
the valve pistons, J, fixed on the spindle, K, is made with counterpart inclines, L.
The parts are arranged with the spindle of the double-beat valve, A, at right
angles to the spindle, K, of the controlling valve, J, and when the latter is in its
middle position the double-beat valve is closed, as shown, shutting off the steam,
and its block, F, is midway between the counterpart inclines, L, of the controlling-
valve block, H. When the controlling valve, J, is moved in either direction one
or other of the counterpart inclines, L, acts on the block, F, of the double-beat
valve, A, and opens that valve to admit steam to the controlling valve, which in
its turn admits steam to one or other of two passages, M, leading to the distribution
valves (not shown). The controlling valve, J, also at the same time puts one or
other of the passages, M, in communication with the exhaust, N.

page_text: In the modification shown in Figures, 3, and 4, the controlling valve, P is
of the rotating type and the double-beat valve, A, is fitted in a passage or casing, B,
fixed to the top of the controlling valve casing, C. The steam enters the con-
trolling valve, P, through the casing, B. Diametrically opposite projections, F,
(one of which is shown in Figure, 4) each made with two opposite inclines, G,
are formed on the underside of the double beat-valve,. A, and counterpart
inclines, L, are formed on a ring, Q, fixed to the top of the controlling valve, P,
so as to turn with that valve. The double-beat valve, A, is guided by a squared
spindle, R, working in a recess so as not to rotate; and when the controlling
valve, P, is turned in either direction, by the lever, S, one or other of each pair
of counterpart inclines, L, act on the corresponding inclines, G, on the projec-
tions, F, on the double-beat valve, A, thereby opening that valve and admitting
steam, which passes through holes, T, to the interior of the controlling valve, P.
This valve is made in the usual manner with two pairs of opposite ports, U, in
its circumference and is internally divided by a partition, V, one of each pair
of ports being shown in Figure, 4. The turning of the controlling valve, P,
puts one or other of either pair of ports, U, in communication with one or other
of two passages, W, leading to the distribution valves (not shown) the opposite
port of the other pair being at the same time put in communication with
the exhaust, N. When the controlling valve, P, is in its middle position as
shown the steam is shut off.
Instead of the equilibrium valve, A, any equivalent device may be used. For
example the inclines may be on the stem of a small valve which opening first
admits the steam under a larger valve opened by the further movement of the
small valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
In connection with the valves of steering and like engines, fitting in a passage
or casing through which the steam enters the controlling-valve casing, a double-
beat or equivalent valve having opposite inclines acted on by counterpart inclines
moving with the controlling valve, the parts being arranged and operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
Dated this Fourteenth day of September 1898.