Improvements in Steam Engines used for Driving Auxiliary Machinery.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Engines used for Driving Auxiliary
Machinery.
We, HENRY BURNETT WATSON, Engineer, High Bridge Works, City and County
of Newcastle on Tyne, and JoHN STANLEY WATSON, Engineer, High Bridge Works,
City and County of Newcastle on Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
Our said invention relates to improvements in the construction of various parts
of small high speed auxiliary engines for driving pumps, fans, and dynamos, com-
pressors and for other purposes. One improvement we effect as follows,-In two
engines which work on one crank at right angles to each other or thereabouts,
we make the tail piston-rods in such a manner that they act as piston valves, and
each of the engines controls the steam distribution of the other. The valves are
without lap or lead, and the steam passages which may be made with short pipes
can be crossed in the case of the engine which is leading, or this engine valve
may be made an inside valve, the other engine having an outside valve.
By this
arrangement we dispense with all valve gear, and the engines will start in any
position. We also provide for an arrangement, by which we have four engines
working on two cranks placed at 180°. The two engines being placed opposite
to each other in line with the cranks. The other two engines also opposite to each
other but at right angles to the cranks. Each one engine controlling the steam
distribution of the leading or following engine as described above.
By this
arrangement we balance all the reciprocating and rotating parts effectively.
We also provide for an arrangement by which valve, piston, piston rod and
guide are in one with a view of reducing the number and total weight of parts,
and occupying the smallest possible space. We also provide a special arrange-
ment for combining such an engine with pumps or fans in such a manner that
the engine is placed alongside one or between two pumps or fans. Fan impellers
may be made of the single inlet type in one with the engine crank shaft, or
separately fixed to same. The shaft bearings may be entirely dispensed with or
replaced by specially constructed glands in the pump cases where such are com-
bined with this arrangement. The side thrust is entirely eliminated by such an
arrangement of two single inlet impellers, and by providing for attachment
between cylinders and pump or fan cases, both bedplates and columns are dispensed
with, and an extra light and compact arrangement is obtained. We also provide
for lubricating the few working parts with oil distributed through displacement
or other positive acting lubricators. The lubricants may be introduced through
the hollow piston and connecting rods, or by other usual means, provided for open
or closed engines.
HENRY BURNETT WATSON.
JOHN STANLEY WATSON.

page_text: Improvements in Steam Engines used for Driving Auxiliary
Machinery.
We, HENRY BURNETT WATSON, Engineer, High Bridge Works, City and County
of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and JOHN STANLEY WATSON, Engineer, High Bridge Works,
City and County of Newcastle-on-Tyne, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 that class of high speed multiple cylinder engines
commonly used for driving pumps, fans, dynamos, compressors, and like purposes,
and its object is to so improve the construction and arrangement of the various
parts that a compact, simple and efficient balanced motor is produced.
The invention consists in arranging the pistons of double, quadruple, or multiple
cylinder engines to perform the additional function of steam distribution valves,
the piston in each cylinder preferably controlling the induction and eduction of
the steam in the cylinder immediately adjacent to it, or as an alternative device,
valves driven from the tail rods of the pistons may be employed to distribute the
steam in a similar manner. This construction of engine reduces the number and
the total weight of the constituent parts. A further portion of the present
invention consists in the symmetrical arrangement of these multiple cylinders and
valves round a common crank shaft combined with simple means for reversing
and lubricating, thereby providing an engine that occupies a relatively small space
and in which both rotating and reciprocating parts are effectively balanced, thus
enabling such an engine to be driven at a very high speed with a minimum of
vibration.
The different methods of carrying the invention into effect are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and as follows:-
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are respectively, side elevation partly in section, front eleva-
tion, and part sectional plan of a four cylinder high speed engine in which the
pistons act as distributing valves and in which our improvements are embodied.
Figures 4 and 5 respectively illustrate sufficient of the mechanism to show the
variation preferably adopted when three cranks and four cylinders and two cranks
and four cylinders are employed.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respectively, longitudinal section, elevation, and sectional
plan, of one cylinder illustrating a modification in which the distribution valve
is operated by a tail rod upon the piston.
Figures 9 and 10 are respectively longitudinal and horizontal sections through
a cylinder illustrating a modification in which double distributing valves are used
and operated from a cross head upon the piston tail rod.
Figures 11 and 12 are respectively part side and front elevation of a four
cylinder engine illustrating the method of lubricating by a centrifugal pump.
Figures 13 and 14 are respectively side and front elevation of a four cylinder
engine embodying our improvements combined with air compressors.
Figure 15 is a side elevation illustrating the application of the improved four
cylinder engine to a centrifugal pump.
Figures 16 and 17 are respectively side and front elevations illustrating com-
pound sets of the improved engine for application to launch pinnaces, motor cars
and the like.
Figure 18 is a side elevation of the improved engine coupled to an air propeller
or fan.
Figure 19 is a side elevation of one of the improved engines mounted upon the
same bed plate with and driving a dynamo.

page_text: Figures 20 and 21 are respectively sectional and side elevations of the reversing
cock employed.
The leading features of the present invention as embodied in a high speed four
cylinder engine are illustrated at Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the engine
being constructed and operated as follows:-Four cylinders A, B, C, D, are
arranged radially round a crank shaft E, and each oppositely placed pair have
a common axis as shown. The four pistons F', of each of the cylinders have piston
guides G, and connecting rods H, coupled to liametrically opposed cranks or
eccentrics I, and by this arrangement the reciprocating portions of the cylinders A
and B and C and D move simultaneously towards each other or apart from each
other in the same plane. As the two opposed eccentrics are at an angle of 180°
and the other two are at right angles thereto, it is evident that an equal turning
effort in all positions of the crank shaft is obtained, and also an equal balance of the
rotating parts in any position of the engine. The pistons F, are so arranged that
they act as piston valves for distributing the steam, and the construction is clearly
shown in Figures 1 and 3. Four chambered spaces J, K, L, M, are formed by
the diaphragms N and O in the piston, the diaphragm O being longitudinal and Ň
transverse.
The top edge of the diaphragm N in the chamber J and the bottom edge of the
diaphragm N in the chamber M are steam or exhaust edges as the case may be,
while the top edge of the diaphragm N in the chamber K, and the bottom edge of
the diaphragm N in the chamber L, are also steam or exhaust edges of an
opposite nature to the former ones, accordingly as the engine may be operated.
A spiral receiver or container P is formed integral with, and has ports at either
end opening into the cylinder, and communicates with the chambered spaces J, M,
as the piston travels in a manner to be hereinafter described; and similarly a
second spiral chamber or container Q is also formed integral with the cylinder and
has ports at either end also opening into the cylinder in the position shown and
communicates with chambered spaces K, L, as the piston travels. The ports R
and S communicate with the top and bottom of the other cylinder which is leading
or following as the case may be, and the steam passages may be formed by pipes T
and U leading from these ports to the other cylinder. The cylinders A, B, C, D,
may be so arranged in relation to each other and to the eccentrics as to give any
required cut-off and slide quantity. The spiral receivers or containers P and Q
are connected on their outer sides by pipes V and W, which lead to a steam and
exhaust change valve or cock X on which are branches Y and Z for connection to
the boiler and condenser or waste pipe, this valve X being so constructed that
the pipes and W may either of them be connected to steam or exhaust, thus
rendering possib₁he simple reversal of the engine by manipulating the valve X
as later on described in relation to Figures 20 and 21.
In this modification the framework of the engine consists of two four-armed
side plates a a upon which the cylinders are mounted by suitable brackets, while
these said plates have also formed integral with them, the bearing brackets b b in
which the shaft revolves. It is preferred to arrange the side plates and cylinder
brackets in such a manner that a case or chamber enclosing the eccentrics and
working parts of the engine is thereby formed, while attached to the outermost
portion of this case is an oil reservoir e from which the oil is pumped up in the
following manner. A small force-pump d is actuated by a worm wheel e driven
in turn from a screw f upon the crank shaft E and this pump forces the oil by a
connecting pipe g illustrated in the drawings through the bearings b into a
central channel or hole bored in the crank shaft. This channel h
passes right through the crank shaft and comes opposite corresponding
hannels or perforations i bored in the eccentrics and connecting rods, and from
there a small pipe j leads to a central perforation k in the cross-head pin, thus by
suitable cross passages radiating from these channels at different points, the main
bearings, the eccentric straps, the cross-head pin, and the guides, can all be
ubricated from a single force-pump, and it is to be understood that the oil may

page_text: be circulated in this manner by the pump as shown, or by a natural head or
pressure according to the circumstances of the case.
The operation of the herein before described combined steam piston and valve
is as follows: The piston F as shewn in Figure 1 is at the top end of its stroke
in cylinder D, and the diaphragm N is leaving the steam and exhaust ports P and Q
full open, thus allowing cylinder A to exhaust on one side and receive steam on
the other side of its piston F which in this case is moving out, towards its back
cover. The piston F in cylinder A is in such a position that its steam admission
port has been uncovered so as to gain the necessary lead while its exhaust port is
also open to the under and exhaust chamber space of the piston F in the cylinder D.
The cylinders B and C form a second set in which the respective pistons operate
as piston valves to each other, thus B acts as piston valve for C, while C acts as
piston valve for B and all in a precisely similar manner to cylinders A and D.
Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate modifications of the previously described
arrangement, and these modifications are as follows. In Figure 4, four cylinders
are arranged radially around the crank shaft E and they are constructed on two
separate planes of intersection with the crank shaft in a similar manner to the
modification herein before described. In this modification however a three throw
crank, m, n, instead of the eccentrics I, is employed, and the central crank m
has a wide pin which receives the connecting rods H1, H2, while the other two
cranks have narrow pins and each receive the remaining two connecting rods H³, H*,
These connecting rods are coupled as shown to one side of their respective cross
head guides G so that each two opposing cylinders may be in alignment and yet allow
for the disposition of the three throw crank, and the proper coupling thereto of
the connecting rods. The lubrication in this case is by way of the channel h
centrally arranged in the crank shaft E, and suitable perforations lead therefrom
throughout the entire moving portions of the mechanism, with cross channels at
the necessary points to distribute the oil to the rubbing surfaces.
In Figure 5 a two throw crank op is formed on the shaft E, and it has disposed
radially round it four cylinders in a similar manner to the modification herein-
before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings.
Each of
the pins of the crank o, p, are broad enough to receive upon their ends the heads
of the connecting rods H³, H, H7 and H8, and these connecting rods are also
coupled to one side of the respective guides G so that the necessary alignment
between the opposing cylinders may not be interfered with. The lubrication in
this case is precisely similar to that of the hereinbefore described modification,
similar letters indicating similar parts.
At Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings there is illustrated an alternative device
to that of the combined piston and piston valve. The cylinder A¹ carries within it
a piston F and this piston F1 has a tail rod F2 which passes through into a
casing formed integral with the outer cylinder cover and the said tail rod forms
an external piston valve. The exhaust and live steam ports P¹, Q are arranged
and coupled to pipes leading to a reversing valve such as X herein before described
with reference to Figure 2. The connections R¹, S₁, are coupled by pipes to the
adjacent cylinder, and the operation of this external piston valve is precisely
similar to the operation of the combined piston and valve herein before described.
That is to say, one valve placed externally distributes the steam for the cylinder
adjacent, while in turn that cylinder has a similar external valve which distributes
the steam for the first mentioned.
Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate a variation of the external piston
valve last described. The piston tail rod r passes through a suitable stuffing
box in the cylinder cover and has attached to it at its upper end a cross head s.
At either side of the cross head, spindles t and are attached; and these spindles
are extensions of two piston valves placed in suitable casings and won either
side of the cylinder B¹. These external piston valves and u are arranged to
control the admission and exhaust in the adjacent cylinder, one valve to each

page_text: end of that cylinder, and a similar arrangement of valves placed on this adjacent
cylinder control the admission and exhaust in the cylinder B¹ now under
consideration.
A small
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the application to a four cylinder engine embodying
the improvements of a second method of circulating the lubricating on.
centrifugal pump a¹ is attached directly to one end of the crank shaft and
operated by the engine. The oil is drawn up from a reservoir through the tube b¹
into the centre of the pump casing and forced out at its periphery through the
tube d¹ into the main bearing e¹ and from this main bearing by suitable channels
and perforations the oil is led throughout the whole of the reciprocating and rotating
mechanism all in a manner similar to the modifications herein before described.
Where such an arrangement for lubrication is adopted in connection with engines
of the reversible type two small non return valves fare fitted in the discharge.
On Figures 13 and 14 an arrangement of the improved quadruple cylinder
engine A, B, C, D, with the internal combined piston and piston valves is shewn
coupled directly to and driving air compressing cylinders A2, B2, C⁹, D². The
valve arrangement in these air compressers may be of any suitable type, and it
is to be understood that this portion of the invention consists in the combination of
the improved engine with air compressing cylinders driven directly from the engine
pistons in the manner described and illustrated.
Figure 15 illustrates the direct driving of a large centrifugal pump by one of
the improved four cylinder engines. In this arrangement both the engine A B C D
and the fan Z are mounted upon separate bearings, but it is evident that the
engine and fan could be so combined that one set of bearings would suffice, and
all without departing from the object of the present invention.
On Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings the application of the present type of
motor for launch pinnaces motor cars and the like is clearly shown in this par-
ticular construction. Two sets Nos. 1 and 2 of quadruple cylinder engines are
arranged side by side, and these two sets form respectively the high pressure, and
low pressure cylinders, the steam passing through them in this order and finally
out to a suitable condenser. By similar arrangement a third set can be added,
each set forming respectively high pressure, intermediate, and low pressure,
cylinders. For reversing an engine of this type a valve X is employed constructed
and operating in a similar manner to that herein before described with reference
to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
Figure 18 illustrates the direct coupling of a ventilating or air impelling fan g¹
to one of the improved quadruple engines A B C D), while Figure 21 is a similar
view of a dynamo h¹ coupled to and driven directly by a similar engine, in this
case the dynamo and engine being arranged on the same bed plate ¹.
Figures 20 and 21 illustrate the construction and arrangement of reversing
cock X. Branch Y is connected to the steam supply from the boilers.
Branches Y and Y are coupled to pipes V and W as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
The plug T¹ is fitted with diaphragm U¹ dividing off the ports V₁ and W.
The position of the plug as in Figure 20 shews the branch Y' coupled to the
steam inlet Y and the branch Y2 to the exhaust outlet Z.
By turning the plug through an angle of 180° the branch Y2 is coupled to steam
inlet Y and branch Y coupled to exhaust outlet Z, by which means the reversal
of the engine takes place.
By turning the plug through 90° only the steam and exhaust are both closed
and the engines stopped.
It is to be clearly understood that although all the modifications herein described
have reference to the application of double-acting steam engines for various pur-
poses, that the invention is not limited to one working fluid, and engines of
double-acting type, but may be suitably employed with other fluids such as water,
gas or air, and also engines of the single acting type with the pressure on one
side only of the piston.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In steam or fluid pressure engines with quadruple cylinders radially disposed
and actuating one crank shaft, the provision of each piston and the cylinder in
which it moves with suitable chambers and ports so arranged that the piston
performs the additional function of an ordinary steam distributing valve for the
cylinder adjacent to it, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
2. In steam or fluid pressure engines with quadruple cylinders radially disposed
and actuating one crank shaft the provision of externally placed steam distributing
piston or like valves driven directly by a tail rod on the piston of each cylinder
to control the induction and eduction of the steam in the cylinder immediately
adjacent substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
3. In steam or fluid pressure engines controlled by distributing valves as claimed
in the preceding claims the provision in combination of four cylinders radially
disposed upon a common crank shaft and arranged in pairs, connecting and
operating the engine shaft by cranks or eccentric sheaves, steam supply and
exhaust pipes connected to one common valve arranged with ports so that
the passage of the fluid may be reversed at one operation, the whole as a means
for ready reversal of the engine substantially as described.
4. In steam or fluid pressure engines, as specified in Claims 1 and 2, the lateral
arrangement of sets of multiple cylinder engines and compounding the same sub-
stantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 16 and 17 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. The combination of steam or fluid pressure engines constructed as claimed in
the preceding Claims Nos. 1 and 2, with air compressors, fans, dynamos or like
machinery substantially as herein before described with reference to l'igures 15
13, 16, 14, 15, 18 and 19, of the accompanying drawings.
6. The improvements in steam or fluid pressure engines used for driving
auxiliary machinery substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
lay
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.