Improvements in and relating to Compound Steam Engines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 29th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Compound Steam Engines.
I, ROBERT MCCANDLASS BECK, residing at number 542 North Second Street, in
the City of Chambersburgh, County of Franklin and State of Pennsylvania, one of the
United States of America, Superintendent, Taylor Manufacturing Company of
Chambersburgb, 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 an improvement in Compound Steam Engines, the object
thereof being to simplify and perfect the construction of engines of this class. It
consists essentially of two cylinders, a high pressure and a low pressure, placed side
by side, their piston rods being attached to one cross-head and their valves operated
by one governor and through one rocker arm arrangement; also in that arrangement
of the cylinders and valves whereby the valve of the low pressure cylinder is moved
independently of that of the high pressure cylinder, the valve of the latter being
under the control of the governor ; also it embraces a steam space or chamber
between the two valve chambers which space subserves very useful purposes as will
be fully explained, and further, the invention comprises certain details in the con-
struction, arrangement and combination of parts substantially as will be hereinafter
described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention:
Figure 1, is a sectional side elevation of my improved compound steam engine;
Figure 2, is a sectional plan view of the same;
Figure 3, is an end view of the two cylinders and their valve chambers;
Figure 4, is a transverse section of the same;
Figure 5, is an enlarged transverse section on the line, x-x, of Figure 2;
Figures 6, 7 and 8, represent details of a modified construction of the cross-head;
Figure 9, is a sectional side elevation of a modification of my improved compound
steam engine wherein the valves of the two cylinders are operated independently of
each other;
Figure 10, is a sectional plan view of the same;
Figure 11, is a cross section of the same;
Figure 12, is a horizontal section of the two valves showing the interior construction
of their chambers and the arrangement of the valves therein and indicating the course
of the steam;
Figure 13, is a longitudinal section of one of the valves showing the packing
rings, and
Figure 14, is a detail view of one of the packing rings.
The frame of my improved engine is constructed after any desirable pattern to
permit the convenient arrangement therewith of the mechanical parts.
A, denotes the base of the frame, B, the upright longitudinal portion, B', the rear
part connected to the latter and, C, the curved and partially cylindrical portion
within which the cross-head slides. These parts are given for illustration merely and
may be modified and changed as desired.
At the left end of the frame are the two horizontal steam cylinders, D, denoting
the larger or low pressure cylinder, and, E, the smaller or high pressure. The low
pressure cylinder, B, contains a piston, D¹, having a piston rod, D. The high pressure
cylinder contains a piston, E', having a piston rod, E. The ends of the piston
rods, D, and, E, are connected to the single cross-head, F, which slides between
suitable guides in the curved part, 0, of the frame. The connecting rod, G, connects
the cross-head. F. with the crank disk. J. on the engine-shaft, H, which is journaled

page_text: carries the drive-pulley, II, to which belts are applied for the transmission of power.
On the shaft, H, is also the engine governor preferably of the kind shown in my
previous patent of the United States of America, numbered 359,006 and dated
March 8th, 1887, consisting of a governor wheel, K, keyed to the shaft and carrying
weighed levers pivoted within the wheel rim, said levers being connected by links to
the arms of the vibratory sleeve mounted on the hub of the governor wheel and
connected with a shifting eccentric, L, having an arm pivoted to said wheel to which
eccentric is fastened a connecting rod, M, whereby the valve or valves of the cylinders
are automatically actuated through certain connections to be hereinafter explained.
It is needless to further explain here the detailed construction of the governor, more-
over it will be understood that I am not confined to the special form of governor
herein mentioned, but may use other forms if I wish.
Below each cylinder is the valve and valve chamber belonging thereto. In Figure 3,
the two cylin lers and also the two valve boxes are seen in end view and also the
steam supply pipe, N, with the valve, a, is clearly represented. In Figure 4, I have
shown a cross-sectional view of the cylinders and valve chambers, and in Figure 12,
1 bave a horizontal section of the valves and valve boxes. O, denotes the valve
chamber, belonging to cylinder, E, and, 0, that belonging to cylinder, D. Valve
chamber, O, contains the piston valve, 01; valve chamber, O', contains the piston
valve, O. To the piston valve, 0, is connected the valve rod, P¹; to the piston
valve, 03, is connected the valve rod, P. Steam enters the valve chamber, O, from
supply pipe, N, in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 12.
Supposing now that valve, 0, is in the position shown in Figure 12, the steam
will pass into the steam channel or passage, b, near one end of the chamber and be
conducted thereby up into the cylinder, E, where it will act upon the piston, E¹,
therein. The steam which is exhausting from cylinder, E, will pass back into the
chamber, O, from said cylinder, through passage, c', between the end of the valve, O*,
and the end of valve chamber, O, and pursue the direction of the arrow into
the central chamber, T. Of course, when the piston, O, has been shifted and the
piston, E¹, is being driven in an opposite direction, the supply steam will be carried
into cylinder, E, through passage, c', and the exhaust through passage, b, which
exhaust will likewise be carried around in the direction of the arrow, into the inter-
mediate chamber between the two valve boxes.
The central or intermediate chamber, T, is one of the important features of my
present invention. It is of suitable size and shape and is situated between the valve
chambers, O, and, 0', which as we have observed are placed closely side by side. The
exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder is discharged into the chamber, T,
from which the steam is then furnished to the low pressure cylinder. This location of
chamber, T, is of great advantage as it has its side or wall, T, next to the high
pressure cylinder (see Figure 12), it is in contact at all times with the live steam from
the boiler. Consequently this chamber has the same temperature as the live steam
and so loss of heat or condensation from the exhaust steam that enters the chamber,
is avoided. Then again, the passage for the steam is direct and short, thus making
it possible to retain the same pressure of the exhaust steam, when admitted to the low
pressure cylinder as when discharged from the high. It is usual in tandem engines
and in other types of compound engines, to discharge the exhaust steam from the
high pressure cylinder through a receiver or pipe which connects said cylinder with
the low pressure, said pipe being long and exposed to the atmosphere, an arrangement
which causes loss of heat and a reduction of the steam pressure so that when the
steam reaches the low pressure cylinder it has lost much of its effective power. By
providing the central chamber located as I have described, and operating as set forth,
I gain great advantage over the other forms of engines now in use and obviate the
loss of power referred to.
From the chamber, T, the steam passes into the valve box, O¹, and if the piston
valve, O, be in the position indicated in Figures 1 and 12, the steam will pass
through the channel, d', up into cylinder, D, while the exhaust from cylinder, D, will
be conducted into box, 0¹, through passage, e³, where it will pass out into the

page_text: exhaust, O³, through an exhaust pipe provided for the purpose, (see Figure 1). When
the piston valve has been shifted the supply steam to the cylinder will pass through
channel, e, and the exhaust through channel, d¹.
The valve, 0, (see Figure 1), within valve chamber, O¹, is as we have seen,
attached to a valve rod, P, the other end of which is loosely connected to the end of
the horizontal spindle, 6', carried by the rocker arm, c, that swings on its journal, d,
which has a bearing in the frame and carries at one end the crank, e, to which is
pivotally connected the eccentric rod, M, above mentioned and described. (See
Figure 5.) The rocker arm spindle, 6, operates within a slot, f, in the part, B, of
the main frame. It has just been stated that valve rod, P, is pivotally connected to
one end of the spindle ¹. To the other end thereof, the valve rod, P', is connected,
which rod is attached to the valve within the valve chamber, O. In this
way it will
be observed that the valves of both the cylinders are operated by one governor and
through one rocker arm connection with the valve rod. This reduces the mechanism
for accomplishing the intended results to the simplest form without any loss of
advantage. Not only is the mechanism simplified but excellence in operation and
accuracy of movement are achieved.
In Figures 9, 10 and 11, I have shown modifications in the mechanism for opera-
ting the valves. In this mechanism these valves are actuated independently instead
of together by the same governor, as in the other figures. A second eccentric, Q, is
placed on the hub of the crank disk or on the engine shaft, H, and a connecting
rod, M, attached to this eccentric is pivotally connected to the pin, g, located in a
slot, f, in the frame and fastened in the slide bar, h, which moves in suitable guides
on the frame, (see Figure 9) the other end of the said pin, g, which projects from the
other side of the slide bar, being pivotally attached to the valve rod, P, which is
fastened to the piston valve of the low pressure cylinder and which operates the same.
The eccentric rod, M, connected to the governor eccentric and which serves in the
mechanism illustrated in the other figures of the drawings to operate both valves by
oscillating the rocker arm, now serves to operate only the valve of the high pressure
cylinder, its end being connected to the crank, e, fastened on journal, d, (see
Figure 11), which parts are the same as those illustrated in Figure 5, but the arm, c,
of Figure 5, is in Figure 11, replaced by a different arm, el, to which is loosely con-
nected the valve rod, P', that actuates the piston valve, 04, in the chamber, O, (see
Figure 10). Thus it will be seen that the two valves are operated independently
instead of jointly by having two eccentrics upon the engine shaft and providing the
proper connections as herein stated. It will be found serviceable to actuate the valves
separately.
In Figures 6, 7 and 8, is shown a modification in the construction and arrangement
of the cross-head. Reference to Figures 1 and 2, will show the cross-head, F, which
has an upper and lower slide whereby it is enabled to reciprocate in suitable guides in
the curved frame, C, and said cross-head, F, is provided with opposite horizontally-
projecting lugs, k, k, to which the two piston rods are respectively connected. In the
modification of Figures 6, 7 and 8, however, the cross-head is widened to provide
slides on each side at, 1, 1, in lieu of the centre slide. This enables the piston rods of
the two cylinders to be connected to the cross-head near the centre line of each slide.
Observe in Figure 7, the two piston rods, D³, and, E, and in Figure 8, we see how
they are connected to the centre lines of the slide.
In Figures 13 and 14, I have shown self-adjusting packing rings and their arrange-
ment with the piston valves. Many advantages are to be gained by this use of the
packing rings and their combination with a piston valve constitutes one of the
features of my invention. U, denotes one of these rings. It is L-shaped; it is
expansible under the action of the steam in such a manner as not to produce any
special wear in the valve-chamber and yet will at the same time, make a perfectly
steam-tight packing. The rings are arranged in connection with the piston valve, as
shown in Figure 13. The piston is provided at each end with two rings, U. The
piston is properly grooved to receive said rings. As they are L-shaped, one flange
fits into the groove while the other flange projects toward the point where the steam

page_text: supply enters the box, said latter flange being slightly beveled as shown. These rings
pack the piston tightly. Between the members of each pair of rings, at either end of
the piston is a loose ring, V, slipped on the end or head of the valve after the inner
ring has been put in place and said rings, V, V, are held in place by suitable
bolts, u, u. These loose rings are necessary to serve as backings for the inner
packing rings.
The mode of using the rings will be evident from the statement of their arrange
ment.
The innermost ring, U, at the right hand end of the piston, for instance, is
intended to hold the steam until it reaches the adjacent port or passage arm then
the outermost ring will act to prevent steam from passing. This is the reason for
having two rings at each end, so that one is over the port, and the other may do the
work.
I reserve the liberty of varying from the precise construction and arrangement
herein described without departing from the principles of the invention.
My improved compound engine thus explained will be found to possess numerous
advantages over those in common use by reason of its simplicity, cheapness, durability
and ease and accuracy of movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is-
First. In a compound steam engine, a high pressure and a low pressure cylinder,
the valves for said cylinders, the governor on the engine shaft and the intermediate
connections between the governor and valves whereby they are jointly operated, sub-
stantially as described.
Second. In a compound steam engine, the combination of a high pressure cylinder,
a low pressure cylinder, the valves for said cylinders, the governor on the engine
shaft and the valve rods for said valves, the rocker arm to which they are connected
and the eccentric rod connecting the governor and rocker arm, substantially as
described.
Third. In a compound steam engine, the combination of the high pressure cylinder,
the low pressure cylinder, their pistons and piston rods, the cross-head to which the
latter are connected, the valves for the cylinders, and the governor for jointly
operating said valves, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination of the high pressure cylinder, E, a
low pressure
cylinder, D, the cross-head, F, to which the piston rods of said cylinders are con-
nected, the engine shaft, H, crank disk, J, thereon and connecting rod, G, together
with the valve chambers, valves and valve rods, all substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of the high and low pressure cylinders, the valves there-
for, the engine shaft, the wheel governor on said shaft having eccentric, L, the
valve rods, P, and, P₁, connected to the valves of the cylinders, the rocker arm
journaled in the main frame and having said valve rods connected thereto and the
eccentric rod connected to said eccentric and to the rocker arm, all substantially
as described.
Sixth. The combination of the two steam cylinders located side by side, the valves
for said cylinders, the governor eccentric connected to one of the valve rods through
a rocker arm and the second eccentric connected to the other valve rod so that the
valves will operate independently, substantially as-described.
Seventh. The combination of the high and low pressure steam cylinders placed
side by side, the valves therefor having valve rods, the engine shaft, the governor
thereon having an eccentric, the eccentric rod connected to said eccentric and also to
the rocker arm with which one of the valve rods is connected, and the second
eccentric on the engine shaft with its eccentric rod connected to the other valve rod,
substantially as specified.
Eighth. The combination with the high and low pressure steam cylinders placed
side by side, the two valve chambers likewise placed side by side and adjacent to the

page_text: cylinders, the hollow piston valves within said chambers and the intermediate steam
chamber between the valve chambers, said intermediate chamber having its wall
exposed to the live steam, substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination of the high and low pressure cylinders placed side by side,
the two valve chambers likewise placed side by side and adjacent to the cylinders and
having suitable interior steam passages communicating with said cylinders, the hollow
piston valves within the valve chambers, the steam supply pipe entering the high
pressure valve chamber and the intermediate chamber between the valve chambers
having its wall next the high pressure valve chamber exposed to the live steam, sub-
stantially as described.
Tenth. The combination of the high pressure cylinder, E, and low pressure
cylinder, D, placed side by side, the valve chamber, O, for cylinder, E, containing
the hollow piston valve, D, and having steam passages, b, and, c', the valve
chamber, O, for the cylinder, D, containing piston valve, O', and having steam
passages, d', and, e, the steam supply pipe, N, entering the high pressure valve
chamber and the intermediate chamber, T, between the valve chambers having its
wall, T, exposed to the live steam, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination with the steam cylinders, the valve boxes and their
hollow piston valves, the steam supply pipe entering the high pressure valve chamber
and the central chamber having its wall next the high pressure valve chamber
exposed to the live steam, together with the ports and passages as specified.
Twelfth. The combination of the steam cylinders, the valves therefor having valve
rods, P, and, P¹, the governor on the engine shaft having eccentric, L, the eccentric
rod, M, with its rocker arm connections for operating valve rod, P¹, and the second
eccentric, Q, and eccentric rod, M', with its connections for operating the valve
rod, P, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The combination with the valve chamber and the piston valve therein,
of self-adjusting L-shaped packing rings arranged in connection with the said piston
valve, as specified.
Dated this 25th day of F-1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.