IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES TO BE ACTUATED BY STEAM, AIR, OR OTHER FLUID, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR RAISING AND FORCING LIQUIDS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Payton, of Shelgate Road, in the County
of Surrey, Mechanical Engineer, and Joseph Ellicott Holmes, of
Newton Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
and Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ENGINES TO BE ACTUATED BY STEAM, AIR, OR OTHER FLUID, ALSO APPLICABLE
FOR RAISING AND FORCING LIQUIDS.”
Sealed the 28th September 1875, and dated the 29th April 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Payton and
Joseph Ellicott Holmes at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 29th April 1875.
We, WALTER PAYTON, of Shelgate Road, in the County of Surrey,
Mechanical Engineer, and JOSEPH ELLICOTT HOLMES, of Newton
Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, Civil and Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN ENGINES TO BE ACTUATED BY STEAM, AIR, OR OTHER FLUID, ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR RAISING AND FORCING LIQUIDS," to be as follows:
-
Our Invention relates to engines constructed in a novel and peculiar

page_text: manner, and which are designed for use under all circumstances and
for all purposes wherein compactness, simplicity, and the attainment
of a high speed are necessary or desirable.
The said engines may be actuated by water or other fluid, but as
they are chiefly designed to be worked with either steam or compressed
air we will herein-after more particularly refer to their adaptation to
these purposes.
Our improved engine has a series of cylinders containing pistons
arranged around a central shaft or axis, to which shaft motion is
imparted by the pistons of the said cylinders through the medium
of the devices herein-after described. We prefer to use four or more
cylinders, as we can thereby obtain a greater range of expansion. The
said cylinders are closed at their outer ends, but have their inner ends
open, and the pistons working within them are actuated by the fluid
on their outer ends only.
The said cylinders may be made separately, but we prefer that they
should form part of one casting with a central portion or casc which
forms a chamber from which the said cylinders extend radially. And
this chamber encloses a crank formed or fixed on the said central shaft,
and to which crank the pistons are connected. We prefer to use a
double crank so that the shaft may be supported by bearings formed
in the case on both sides of the said crank, and the crank shaft
may be extended through both the said bearings, in which case
cach end of the said shaft may be used for driving machinery, or
for other purposes.
In one modification of our Invention we place four cylinders radially
in the same plane and at equal distances around the above-mentioned
central chamber, and in such a manner that each cylinder has another
cylinder corresponding to and opposite to it, and each pair of cylinders
is at right angles to the other pair, and we effect the connection of the
pistons with the central crank in the following manner, that is to say,
the pistons of each pair of cylinders thus arranged opposite to each
other are rigidly connected by a cross head. In the said cross head
is a long aperture or slot extending across the same at a right angle
to the centre or axis of the pistons, and the slot of each cross head
lies at a right angle to that of the other cross head. The crank pin
or wrist is passed through both of these slots, and therefore as the said

page_text: pistons work to and fro in the cylinders their combined action upon the
crank will give to it the required rotary motion.
The said pistons may be connected to the said cross heads by rods,
but we prefer to form them with extensions or half trunks which
at the end nearest the crank have sockets for the reception of short
projections or bosses formed on the said cross heads, which cross heads
are secured to the said pistons by screw bolts passed through the pistons
and screwed into the said bosses.
To ensure the free working of the cross heads upon the crank pin
we provide the latter either with rollers or sliding blocks accurately
fitted within the said slots, and the crank pin or wrist is made long
enough to permit the two cross heads to work side by side thereon
between the crank arms.
In this modification of our Invention, and also when other than four
cylinders are used, instead of making the connection between the said
pistons and crank by means of the slotted cross heads we may use
push rods. For this purpose we provide the crank pin with a bush
or sleeve of brass or other suitable metal divided longitudinally into
two halves or portions, each of which is secured to two opposite push
rods by screws passed from the inside of the sleeve, through the same,
and screwed into the heads of the said push rods. The said sleeve has
a hook or clip ring at one end, and a groove at the other end, and the
other two push rods have screwed to them segmental plates which fit
and work in the said groove; each of the push rods is also provided
with a clip or projection engaging in the clip ring formed on the said
bush, and the two rods secured to the two parts of the bush work on
the pin or wrist of the crank, the other two rods working on the outside
of the said bush. The object of the clips and segmental plates in this
device is to confine the four push rods to the crank pin, and at the
same time permit them to freely assume all the angular positions due
to the rotation of the said crank. Or we may further modify the
aforesaid connecting device by providing the said crank pin with a
bushing formed with recesses or cavities in which the ends or heads
of the said rods are inserted, the said ends being made convex so that
they will work freely in these recesses. The said bushing is formed
with a flange or collar, and is fitted with a separate ring or collar at
he other side, Pins are passed through the said flange or collar and

page_text: the heads of the rods; these pins are shouldered at the end which is
inserted in the said flange, and are made flush with the side of the head
at their other end, being kept in place by the said ring or collar which
is secured to the bushing by suitable screws.
The bushing and the separate ring or collar are both divided into two
portions or halves but in different planes, and each half of the ring or
collar is screwed to the two halves of the bush in order to secure the
bush upon the pin of the crank.
The aforesaid engines when driven by belts or otherwise will serve as
pumps for raising or forcing liquids.
In another modification of our Invention we combine with the said
series of cylinders and central chamber a hollow frame. This frame
encloses a bar or beam which is connected to two central cranks, and
two other double cranks are connected by suitable bearings to the ends
of the said bar or beam. The shafts of the latter cranks extend through
the top and bottom of the frame, working in suitable bearings secured
thereto, and the shafts of the two centre cranks extend through the top
and bottom of the centre chamber, which are also provided with suitable
bearings for the shafts to work in. The aforesaid bar or beam enclosed
in the frame is preferably constructed of two parallel plates, bolted or
otherwise secured together with distance pieces between them. The
pistons are connected by push rods to the beams, and the heads of the
rods are fitted to studs secured in and between the said plates. The
pistons are made of cast iron or other suitable metal, and are connected
to the push rods by a pin-joint or by any other suitable means. In this
modification of our Invention rotary motion is not only given to the
centre crank shafts and the bar or beam by the combined movements of
the pistons, but rotary motion is imparted by the beam to the two crank
shafts connected to its two ends and any or all of the said crank shafts
may be used for driving machinery or for other purposes.
By attaching eccentrics or crank pins to two of the ends of the crank
shafts, operated by the bar or beam, and connecting a saw to such
additional cranks or eccentrics, a peculiar motion may be given to such
saw, such motion being very advantageous for the cutting of coal, stone,
and for similar purposes. The construction and operation of this saw
are described in the Specification of our former Letters Patent, dated
January 29th, A.D. 1875, No. 343. When used for this purpose one of the
:

page_text: central crank shafts is made to give motion to the device used for feeding
the saw up to its work, and the other centre crank shaft is made to
operate the valve by which the fluid is admitted to and exhausted from
the cylinders.
The valve whereby the admission and exhaust of steam, air, or other
fluid are regulated is substantially the same in all the modifications, and
consists of a disc or plate fitted upon the said central shaft and against a
flat surface which forms the port face or valve seat. The ports or
passages extend from this face to the outer ends of the cylinders which
are provided with suitable covers. The steam or other fluid is admitted
to the back or outer end only of the said cylinders, their outer ends
opening into the said central chamber or space. The said valve is
formed on the back with a lug or projection, and the shaft has fixed on
it a dog or carrier which acts on this lug or projection and thereby
causes the valve to rotate with the shaft. This device permits the
engine to be reversed, suitable means being provided for turning the
valve round on the shaft in either direction till the said lug comes in
contact with the dog. The said valve lies in a chamber of such diameter
as to leave an annular space around the valve, into which space the
steam or other fluid is admitted by the inlet pipe or passage, and the
valve has a cavity which is open to this annular space, and which by
passing successively over the said ports admits the steam or other fluid
successively to all the cylinders. This cavity may be of such dimensions
as to give any desired expansion to the steam or other fluid. The said
valve also has an exhaust aperture formed through it to make communi-
cation between the said ports or passages and an exhaust chamber at
the back of the said valve. Communication between the said exhaust
chamber and the admission chamber or space surrounding the valve is
prevented by a packing which is fitted in the said exhaust chamber;
this packing ring also serves to relieve the valve from back pressure and
the consequent friction and wear, and enables us to use a larger valve
and larger ports than we could otherwise do.
The said packing ring may be a part of or be connected to the valve
and may be permitted to rotate with it, or it may be prevented rotating
by any suitable stop screwed into or formed in the cover of the valve
chamber.
The packing ring may also be kept down upon tlie valve, or the valve
may be kept down upon its seat by a spring, or the fluid pressure may

page_text: be used for this purpose by making the area of the packing ring some-
what less than the area of the valve.
When the end of the crank shaft passing through the valve is also
required to pass through the cover of the valve a suitable stuffing box is
provided to prevent leakage of fluid at that part.
When the engine is to be worked expansively and to be reversed the
packing ring is provided with a projection which serves to cover the
ports and which is formed with an extent of lap according to the degree
of expansion desired.
In some instances instead of a plate or disc we use a conical valve
fitted into a conical bush and formed with suitable apertures communi-
cating with the cylinders.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Walter Payton and Joseph Ellicott Holmes in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th October 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WALTER
PAYTON, of Shelgate Road, in the County of Surrey, Mechanical
Engineer, and JOSEPH ELLICOTT HOLMES, of Newton Terrace, Bays-
water, in the County of Middlesex, Civil and Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Walter Payton and Joseph
Ellicott Holmes, Her special licence that we, the said Walter Payton
and Joseph Ellicott Holmes, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Walter Payton and Joseph Ellicott
Holmes, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an In-

page_text: machinery.
Figures 13, 14, 15, illustrate a form of valve to be used when no ex-
pansion of the motive fluid is required.
Figures 16, 17, 18, show a form of valve to be used whon expansion is
required.
↑
Figures 19, 20, 21, shew a valve which will allow of expansion when
the engine is made reversible, such expansion being the same when the
engine is running in either direction.
Figure 22 is a plan of one form of the packing ring used to equili-
brate this valve.
Figures 23, 24, 25, illustrate another form of packing ring used when
the engine is made reversible.
Figures 26, 27, and part of Figure 8 illustrate a conical form of valve
with packing ring in one piece fitted into a conical bush, such valve
being adapted for hydraulic engines and pumps.
Our improved engine, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3, has a series
of cylinders a containing pistons 6 arranged around a central shaft or
axis c, to which shaft motion is imparted by the pistons of the said
cylinders through the medium of the devices herein-after described.
We prefer to use four or more cylinders, as we can thereby obtain a
greater range of expansion, and à more uniform application of power to
the crank pin. The said cylinders a are closed at their outer ends, but
have their inner ends open, and the pistons b working within them are
actuated by the steam or other fluid on their outer ends only.
The said cylinders a may be made separately, but we prefer that they
should form part of one casting, with a central portion or case A, which
forms a chamber from which the said cylinders a extend radially, and this
chamber encloses a crank d formed or fixed on the said central shaft c,
and to which crank d the pistons are connected. We prefer to use a
double crank, so that the shaft c may be supported by bearings c¹ formed
in the case A on both sides of the said crank d, and the crank shaft c
may be extended through both the said bearings c¹, in which case each
end of the said shaft c may be used for driving machinery or for other
purposes; or we may make the crank shaft with a long bearing on the
valve side only.

page_text: In one modification of our Invention we place the four cylinders a
radially in the same plane, and at equal distances around the above-
mentioned central chamber A, and in such a manner that each cylinder
has another cylinder corresponding to and opposite to it, and each pair
of cylinders is at right angles to the other pair. And we effect the
connection of the pistons with the central crank d in the following
manner, that is to say:-The pistons 6 of each pair of cylinders a thus
arranged opposite to each other are rigidly connected by a cross head e.
In the said cross head is a long aperture or slot e¹, extending across the
same at a right angle to the centre or axis of the pistons b, and the
slot e¹ of each cross head e lies at a right angle to that of the other
cross head.
The crank pin or wrist d' is passed through both of these
slots e, and therefore as the said pistons work to and fro in the
cylinders a, their combined action upon the crank d will give to it the
required rotary motion.
The said pistons & may be connected to the said cross heads e by rods,
but we prefer to form them with extensions or half trunks ', which at
the end nearest the crank d have sockets for the reception of short
projections or bosses f formed on the said cross heads e, which cross
heads are secured to the said pistons by screw bolts passed through the
pistons and screwed into the said bosses f.
To ensure the free working of the cross heads upon the crank pin d¹
we provide the latter either with rollers or sliding blocks accurately
fitted within the said slots, and the crank pin or wrist d' is made long
enough to permit the two cross heads e to work side by side thereon
between the crank arms. The square sleeves or blocks on the crank pin
may be made round and act as rollers, and when a crank is used having
a bearing on both sides, the said blocks or rollers must be made in
halves, and the halves of the rollers must be fastened together by
screws.
In this modification of our Invention and also except when four
cylinders are used, instead of making the connection between the
said pistons and crank by means of these slotted cross heads we may use
push rods connected to the pistons by suitable pin or other joints, as
illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 7, S. For this purpose, as shewn in Figures
7, 8, we provide the crank pin, with a bush or sleeve d² of brass or
other suitable metal divided longitudinally into two halves or portions,

page_text: .
each of which is secured to two opposite push rods by screws d³ passed
from the inside of the sleeve d² through the same, and screwed into the
heads of the said push rods. The said sleeve d has a hook or clip
ring dat one end and a groove d' at the other end, and the other two
push rods have screwed to them segmental plates do which fit and work
in the said groove d³, each of the push rods is also provided with a clip
or projection engaging in the clip ring d' formed on the said bush, and
the two rods secured to the two parts of the bush work on the pin or
wrist d' of the crank d, the other two rods working on the outside of the
said bush. The object of the clips d and segmental plates in this
device is to confine the four push rods to the crank pin d', and at the
same time permit them to freely assume all the angular positions due to
the rotation of the said crank. Or we may further modify the aforesaid
connecting device, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, by providing the
said crank pin d¹ with a bushing & formed with recesses or cavities in
which the ends or heads i of the said rods are inserted, the said ends
being made convex so that they will work freely in these recesses.
said bushing is formed with or has fitted to it a flange or collar j, and is
also fitted with a ring or collar k at the other side. Pins are passed
through the said flange or collar and the heads of the rods; these pins
are shouldered at the end which is inserted in the said flange, and are
made flush with the side of the head at their other end, being kept in
place by the said flange or collar; and collar / secured to the bushing /
The

page_text: The aforesaid engines having their pistons suitably packed and being
provided with any of the usual forms of suction and delivery valves, or
with the conical valve and conical bushing, illustrated in Figures 8,
26, 27, may be driven by belting gearing, or otherwise, to serve as
pumps for raising or forcing liquids.
In another modification of our Invention, as illustrated in Figures 10,
11, and 12, we combine with the said series of cylinders a and central
chambers A hollow frame o. This frame encloses a bar or beam n,
which is connected to two central cranks d, and two other single or
double cranks d* are connected by suitable bearings to the ends of the
said bar or beam n. The shafts p of the latter cranks extend through
the frame o working in suitable bearings secured thereto, and the shafts c
of the two centre cranks extend through the top and bottom of the centre
chamber A which is also provided with suitable bearings for the shafts c
to work in. The aforesaid bar or beam n enclosed in the frame o is
preferably constructed of two parallel plates bolted or otherwise secured
together with distance pieces n¹ between them. The pistons bare con-
nected by push rods, to the beam, and the heads of the rods are fitted to
studs secured in and between the said plates. The pistons are made of
cast iron or other suitable metal, and are connected to the push rods by
a pin joint or by any other suitable means. In this modification of our
Invention rotary motion is not only given to the pins d' of the centre
crank shafts c and the bar or beam n by the combined movements of
the pistons b, but rotary motion is imparted by the beam to the two
crank shafts p connected to its two ends, and any or all of the said
crank shafts may be used for driving machinery or for other purposes.
By attaching eccentrics or crank pins to two of the ends of the crank
shaft p operated by the bar or beam n, and connecting a saw to such
additional crank or eccentrics, a peculiar motion may be given to such
saw, such motion being very advantageous for the cutting of coal, stone,
and for similar purposes. The construction and operation of this saw
are described in the Specification of our former Letters Patent, dated
January 29th, A.D., 1875, No. 343. When used for this purpose one
of the central crank shaft is made to give motion to the device used
for feeding the saw up to its work, and the other centre crank shaft is
made to operate the valve by which the fluid is admitted to and
exhausted from the cylinders.

page_text: The valve whereby the admission and exhaust of steam, air, or other
fluid are regulated is substantially the same in all the modifications
shewn; it consists of a disc or plate s fitted upon the said central shaft
c, and against a flat surface s¹ which forms the port face or valve seat.
The ports or passages s² extend from this face to the outer ends of the
cylinders a, which are provided with suitable covers. The steam or
other fluid is admitted to the back or outer end only of the said cylinders
a, their inner end opening into the said central chamber or space A.
The said valve s is formed on the back with a lug or projection 8”, and
the shaft c has fixed on it a dog or carrier & which acts on this lug or
projections, and thereby causes the valve s to rotate with the shaft c.
This device permits the engine to be reversed, suitable means such as
the hand wheel being provided for turning the valve round on the
shaft c a portion of a revolution. The said valves lies in a chamber of
such diameter as to leave an annular space v¹ around the valve, into
which space the steam or other fluid is admitted by the inlet pipe or
passage v. And the valve has a cavity & which is open to this annular
space v¹, and which by passing successively over the said ports &², admits
the steam or other fluid successively to all the cylinders. This cavity
may be of such dimensions as to give by means of lap any desired
expansion to the steam or other fluid. The said valve s also has an
exhaust aperture s formed through it to make communication between
the said ports or passages and an exhaust chamber wat the back of
the said valve; communication between the said exhaust chamber w and
the admission chamber or space v₁ surrounding the valve s is prevented
by a packing ring x, which is fitted in the said exhaust chamber w; this
packing ring & also serves to relieve the valve s from back pressure and
the consequent friction and wear, and enables us to use a larger valve
and larger ports than we could otherwise do.
8
bc
The said packing ring x may be connected to the valves and may
permitted to rotate with it, or it may be prevented rotating by any
suitable stop screwed into or formed in the cover of the valve chamber.
'
When the engine is required to be operated by a liquid, we prefer to
use the conical valve and conical bush constructed as shewn in Figures
8. 26. 27. as in such engines great accuracy is required in forming the

page_text: Whatever form of valve is used in all cases, the inlet space must be
somewhat greater than the distance between any two adjacent ports, as
unless some one of the ports be at all times open to the valve chest the
engine would not start, and the exhaust chamber w is made to com-
municate with the central portion of the case A by means of suitable
passages formed in the valve cover and the body of the case A, and the
exhaust fluid is conveyed away from such case A by a passage provided
in any part of such case as may be convenient.
27, may be
When no expansion of the motive fluid is required, the valve shewn
in Figures 13, 14, 15, and the conical valve Figures 8, 26,
used in both of which the inlet space &* and the exhaust space 8 are about
equal, but when expansion is to be used, the inlet space must be reduced
below the exhaust space, so as to give as much lap to the valve as the
intended degree of expansion may require. This form of valve is shewn
in Figures 16, 17, 18.
When the engine is to be made reversible means must be provided for
giving the valve a half turn upon its scating, such a means, though
others may be used, is shewn in Figures 5, 6, in which the packing
ring is operated by a hand wheel z.
When a reversing engine is not required to act expansively the
valves shewn in Figures 13, 14, 15, 8, 26, 27, may be used, they being
connected with the packing ring x and hand wheel z, so that they may
rotate with them, and a portion of their lugs & being cut away to allow
of their being moved by the hand wheel z a half turn round, the driving
dog upon the shaft c or the crank arm d, but when expansion of the
motive fluid is required in a reversible engine, the packing ring x and
valves are made as shown in Figures 5, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25. In this
modification the inlet space & in the valve s is reduced by means of a
movable block x¹. This block is attached to the packing ring x and
acts as a cut-off, and also as a driver to the valve when the valve is
being reversed. When the engine is running the valve s is driven by
the dog upon the shaft c, acting upon the lug 83 on the valves, and
the packing ring is carried round by the said valve by means of the
block x. By turning the hand wheel z attached to the packing ring x,
the expansion block is first shifted to the other end of the inlet space s*,
and the valve is then carried round by it till stopped by contact with
the dog on the shaft c, the valve and expansion block are then in

page_text: Seventh. The combination of parts comprising the distributing valve
with lugs formed thereon, and a dog fixed upon the shaft, arranged and
operating as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The peculiar formation of the conical valve and its seating as
illustrated in Figure 8, for the purpose, specified.
Ninth. In an engine of the class to which this Invention relates,
the reversing valve constructed as herein described in Figures 5 and 6,
and 19 to 25, and its operating or adjusting mechanism in com-
bination with the cylinders and passages of the said engine, as hercin set
forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Walter Payton and Joseph
Ellicott Holmes, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
WALTER PAYTON.
(L.S.)
JOSEPH ELLICOTT HOLMES. (L.S.)
Witness,
JA. EDWARDS,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.