Improvements in Slide Valves for Steam Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Slide Valves for Steam Engines.
We, EMIL LOUIS SAUER, of 2291, Randolph Street, Chicago, County of Cook, and
State of Illinois, Artisan, and ALBERT COLEMAN, of 189, North Springfield Avenue,
Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, Artisan, both of the United States of
America, 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 slide-valves for steam-engines, and more
especially locomotive engines; and has for its object to improve certain constructional
features to relieve the back pressure and compression on the piston, and proportionately
lessen the consumption of fuel.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a broken-away longitudinal section of an engine-cylinder and steam-
chest, showing an ordinary slide-valve embodying the improved features in a working
position; the piston and rod being shown in elevation.
Figure 2, a similar view; the valve-parts and piston being shown in a different
relative position.
Figure 3, an end elevation of the slide-valve and yoke; the valve-stem being shown
broken-away.
Figure 4, a plan of the same; the yoke being omitted.
Figure 5, a bottom plan.
Figure 6, a part elevation and part section on line 6, Fig. 1, looking in the direction
indicated by the arrow; and
Figure 7, a vertical section on line 7, Fig. 1.
A may represent the slide-valve; A¹, the valve-yoke; A², the valve-rod; A³, the
steam-chest; B, the cylinder; B¹, the piston; and B2, the piston-rod.
As the cylinder, piston and steam-chest are of the usual ordinary construction, the
detailed description will be limited to the improved features.
The side walls of the main valve are provided with a number of apertures, a,
opening horizontally therethrough into the exhaust-chamber. In each of these
apertures, from the outer side, is inserted a cap-plug, a³, of a cylindrical form. The
inner side of these caps is provided with a stem, a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The
caps al are provided, on their outer face, with an annular recess, a³, forming a steam-
space on the inner side of the valve-yoke so that steam may enter in and escape back
through an orifice, at, extending clear through the cap and its stem-part; the
valve-yoke bearing against the raised edge, a³, and leaving the orifice a' open.
The piston-valves, 6 b, are seated in the inner side of the aperture, a, and are
connected by a rod, d, common to each pair of valves, and extending across the
exhaust-chamber, C, of the main valve. The ends of the piston-valves are bored out
D871

page_text: to provide a recess, d³, for the reception of the stems a² of the caps a¹. The piston-
valves have a limited reciprocating endwise movement, but always remain in
engagement with the plug-part of the caps. The caps are provided, on their inner
face, with an annular stop-shoulder, d², which prevents the adjacent surfaces from
coming together, and provides for the annular space, ds, when the piston-valves are
in their closed position on one side, so that the pressure can enter and force the
valves over to their opposite position at the proper time with reference to
the movement of the piston and main valve.
The shoulders, d², also prevent the recess-bottom from striking and upsetting the
adjacent ends of the stems a². These stems also form a guide or bearing for the
piston-valves in their movement and retain the same in the exact center, so that
the wear is distributed evenly.
The stop-shoulder, d², may be formed on the respective ends of the piston-valves
instead of on the inner sides of the caps, as shown.
The main valve is provided, on opposite sides, with steam-ports, g, (Fig. 5) starting
in from the underside and which open in back of the piston-valves. The exhaust-
ports, gl open into the steam-ports g, as indicated by dotted oblique lines, g².
D D¹, are the usual steam-passages connecting the steam-chest and cylinder.
The operation is as follows: Suppose the piston (Fig. 1) to be moving in the
direction indicated by the arrow and has just closed the steam-passage D' and opened:
the ports g which admit steam back of the piston-valves and force the same over to the
position shown, that is, in the direction in which the piston is moving. This opens
the exhaust or relief-ports, g³, on that side into the exhaust-chamber of the main
valve, and, for a part of the stroke, communicates with the steam-passage leading
into the cylinder, thus affording a double relief. Now, when the piston is near the
end of its stroke (Fig. 2) the pressure at that end will be in excess of the pressure on
the opposite ends of the piston-valves, and they will be forced over to their opposite
position, and so on alternately.
When the piston-valves are closed on one side the steam enters the orifice in the
caps and fills the recess in the valves. Now, when forced over to the opposite side,
the excess of pressure overcomes this volume of steam and is expelled through the
same passage back into the steam-chamber of the steam-chest. It will be noted
that the orifice is contracted at its outer end so as to provide for a gradual escape of
the steam. This arrangement forms a cushion for the action of the piston-valves,
and not only imparts a nicely balanced action but also prevents any noise or jar; thus
lessening the wear, and causing a smooth and uniform movement.
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. A steam-engine-valve, provided in its respective side walls with a number of
apertures opening therethrough into the exhaust-chamber, the cap-plugs, inserted in
said apertures from the outside and provided on their innerside with stem-ends
stopping short in said apertures, piston-valves, seated in said apertures from the
exhaust-chamber and having recessed ends loosely engaging with the stem-ends of
the cap-plugs, said piston valves being connected by a rod common to each pair and
adapted to have a reciprocating movement, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the main valve, provided with apertures in its walls on
opposite sides which open clear through into the exhaust-chamber, of the cap-plugs,
inserted in and closing said apertures from the outerside but stopping short therein,
the piston-valves, loosely inserted in said apertures from the inner side and having a
reciprocating movement with reference to the movement of the main valve and
piston, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the piston-valves, of the cap-plugs, provided on their
innerside with an annular stop-shoulder, against which said valves stop, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with the piston-valves, provided with recesses in the ends, of

page_text: the cap-plugs, having steam-orifices therethrough which open into the recesses in
said pistons, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of January 1898.
EMIL LOUIS SAUER.
ALBERT COLEMAN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, EMIL LOUIS SAUER, of 2291, Randolph Street, Chicago, County of Cook, and
State of Illinois, Artisan, and ALBERT COLEMAN, of 189, North Springfield Avenue,
Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, Artisan, both of the United States of
America, 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 slide-valves for steam-engines, and more
especially locomotive engines; and has for its object to improve certain constructional
features to relieve the back pressure and compression on the piston, and proportionately
lessen the consumption of fuel.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a broken-away longitudinal section of an engine-cylinder and steam-
chest, showing an ordinary slide-valve embodying the improved features in a working
position; the piston and rod being shown in elevation.
Figure 2, a similar view; the valve-parts and piston being shown in a different
relative position.
Figure 3, an end elevation of the slide-valve and yoke; the valve-stem being shown
broken-away.
Figure 4, a plan of the same; the yoke being omitted.
Figure 5, a bottom plan.
Figure 6, a part elevation and part section on line 6, Fig. 1, looking in the direction
indicated by the arrow; and
Figure 7, a vertical section on line 7, Fig. 1.
A may represent the slide-valve; A¹, the valve-yoke; A2, the valve-rod; A³, the
steam-chest; B, the cylinder; B¹, the piston; and B2, the piston-rod.
As the cylinder, piston and steam-chest are of the usual ordinary construction, the
detailed description will be limited to the improved features.
The side walls of the main valve are provided with a number of apertures, a,
opening horizontally therethrough into the exhaust-chamber. In each of these
apertures, from the outer side, is inserted a cap-plug, a¹, of a cylindrical form. The
inner side of these caps is provided with a stem, a, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The
caps a¹ are provided, on their outer face, with an annular recess, a³, forming a steam-
space on the inner side of the valve-yoke so that steam may enter in and escape back
through an orifice, at, extending clear through the cap and its stem-part; the
valve-yoke bearing against the raised edge, as, and leaving the orifice a* open.
The piston-valves, 6 b, are seated in the inner side of the aperture, a, and are
connected by a rod, d, common to each pair of valves, and extending across the
exhaust-chamber, C, of the main valve. The ends of the piston-valves are bored out
071

page_text: to provide a recess, d³, for the reception of the stems a² of the caps a¹. The piston-
valves have a limited reciprocating endwise movement, but always remain in
engagement with the plug-part of the caps. The caps are provided, on their inner
face, with an annular stop-shoulder, d², which prevents the adjacent surfaces from
coming together, and provides for the annular space, d³, when the piston-valves are
in their closed position on one side, so that the pressure can enter and force the
valves over to their opposite position at the proper time with reference to
the movement of the piston and main valve.
The shoulders, d², also prevent the recess-bottom from striking and upsetting the
adjacent ends of the stems a². These stems also form a guide or bearing for the
piston-valves in their movement and retain the same in the exact center, so that
the wear is distributed evenly.
The stop-shoulder, d², may be formed on the respective ends of the piston-valves
instead of on the inner sides of the caps, as shown.
The main valve is provided, on opposite sides, with steam-ports, g, (Fig. 5) starting
in from the underside and which open in back of the piston-valves. The exhaust-
ports, g¹ open into the steam-ports g, as indicated by dotted oblique lines, g².
D D³, are the usual steam-passages connecting the steam-chest and cylinder.
The operation is as follows: Suppose the piston (Fig. 1) to be moving in the
direction indicated by the arrow and has just closed the steam-passage D¹ and opened
the ports g which admit steam back of the piston-valves and force the same over to the
position shown, that is, in the direction in which the piston is moving. This opens
the exhaust or relief-ports, g¹, on that side into the exhaust-chamber of the main
valve, and, for a part of the stroke, communicates with the steam-passage leading
into the cylinder, thus affording a double relief. Now, when the piston is near the
end of its stroke (Fig. 2) the pressure at that end will be in excess of the pressure on
the opposite ends of the piston-valves, and they will be forced over to their opposite
position, and so on alternately.
When the piston-valves are closed on one side the steam enters the orifice in the
caps and fills the recess in the valves. Now, when forced over to the opposite side,
the excess of pressure overcomes this volume of steam and is expelled through the
same passage back into the steam-chamber of the steam-chest. It will be noted
that the orifice is contracted at its outer end so as to provide for a gradual escape of
the steam. This arrangement forms a cushion for the action of the piston-valves,
and not only imparts a nicely balanced action but also prevents any noise or jar; thus
lessening the wear, and causing a smooth and uniform movement.
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. A steam-engine-valve, provided in its respective side walls with a number of
apertures opening therethrough into the exhaust-chamber, the cap-plugs, inserted in
said apertures from the outside and provided on their innerside with stem-ends
stopping short in said apertures, piston-valves, seated in said apertures from the
exhaust-chamber and having recessed ends loosely engaging with the stem-ends of
the cap-plugs, said piston valves being connected by a rod common to each pair and
adapted to have a reciprocating movement, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the main valve, provided with apertures in its walls on
opposite sides which open clear through into the exhaust-chamber, of the cap-plugs,
inserted in and closing said apertures from the outerside but stopping short therein,
the piston-valves, loosely inserted in said apertures from the inner side and having a
reciprocating movement with reference to the movement of the main valve and
piston, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the piston-valves, of the cap-plugs, provided on their
innerside with an annular stop-shoulder, against which said valves stop, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with the piston-valves, provided with recesses in the ends, of

page_text: the cap-plugs, having steam-orifices therethrough which open into the recesses in
said pistons, substantially as described.
Dated this 25th day of January 1898.
EMIL LOUIS SAUER.
ALBERT COLEMAN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.