Improvements in Steam Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1895
Improvements in Steam Engines.
The Honourable CHARLES ALGERNON PARSONS, of Heaton Works, Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, in the County of Durham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a combination of a reciprocating steam engine with a
steam turbine and its object is to increase the power obtainable by the expansion
of steam beyond the limits possible in reciprocating engines.
I have discovered that pressures much too low to be utilizable in the low pressure
cylinder of a reciprocating condensing engine may be made to develop very
considerable power in a steam turbine of simple construction specially designed
for low pressures. My invention consists in combining together an expansive
reciprocating steam engine and a low pressure steam turbine in such manner that
when the high pressure steam has acted in the reciprocating engine and has been
expanded as much as possible in the low pressure cylinder it passes to the low
pressure steam turbine and thence after further expansion to the condenser.
The work done by the steam in the cylinders of the reciprocating engine is thus
supplemented by the work done by the steam turbine and so the power obtained
from a given weight of steam is largely increased.
In carrying into effect my invention according to one method or arrangement,
I utilize high pressure steam in an economical expansive, compound or triple
expansion cylinder and piston engine, and I exhaust the steam from the low
pressure cylinder into a turbine case in which runs one or more sets of rotating
blades preferably arranged on each face of a large disc and having fixed guide
blades set between the different rows of moving blades in a manner well understood
in connection with steam turbines.
When I adopt the disc turbine I pass the steam through the successive sets of
moving and fixed blades on both sides of the disc simultaneously, from the centre
to the circumference so that the steam acts on the blades in series and then
discharges into the condenser.
I prefer to operate the air pumps in the usual manner from the reciprocating
engine, and I gear together the reciprocating engine and the steam turbine in any
convenient manner, but preferably by friction or helical gearing. When the power
is required for generating electricity I do not gear the turbine to the reciprocating
engine but drive a dynamo directly from the turbine spindle.
The work done by the turbine may be varied by passing only a portion of the
main steam through it, if it be desired to decrease its performance and by taking
steam from the high or intermediate cylinder or even from the boiler if it is desired
to increase it. Such arrangements are also useful for keeping the turbine at work
when the main engine is standing.
My invention may be applied in various ways and by placing a low pressure
turbine between the low pressure cylinder and the condenser of a mill engine for
example, I sometimes obtain sufficient power for the electric lighting of the mill
without adding to the expense for power.
I may also use my combination of reciprocating engine and steam turbine for
marine purposes, preferably by causing the steam turbine operated by the steam
flowing from the low pressure cylinder to the condenser to couple to a separate

page_text: propeller shaft arranged with a suitable high speed propeller, or I may utilize a
steam turbine 60 operated to produce electric light and to drive centrifugal
circulating, bilge and feed pumps so obtaining power for all auxiliary purposes by
means of steam not utilized in the main engines. The turbines may be used to
drive the ship and reciprocating engines may be adopted for auxiliary purpose.
The turbine may also be caused to operate independent air pumps and also steering
gear.
D
1 Lanun 1904
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Steam Engines.
I, The Honourable CHARLES ALGERNON PARSONS, of Heaton Works,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the County of Durham, 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 :-
My invention relates to a combination of a reciprocating steam engine with a
steam turbine, and its object is to increase the power obtainable by the expansion
of steam beyond the limits possible in reciprocating engines. I have discovered
that pressures much too low to be utilizable in the low pressure cylinder of a
reciprocating condensing engine may be made to develop very considerable power
in a steam turbine of simple construction specially designed for low pressures. My
invention consists in combining together an expansive reciprocating steam engine
and a low pressure steam turbine in such manner that when the high pressure steam
has acted in the reciprocating engine and has been expanded as much as possible
in the low pressure cylinder, it passes to the low pressure steam turbine and thence
after further expansion to the condenser.
The work done by the steam in the cylinders of the reciprocating engine is thus
supplemented by the work done by the steam turbine, and so the power obtained
from a given weight of steam is largely increased. It will thus be seen that the
turbine forms the last element in the series of apparatus for utilizing the energy of
the steam on its way from the boiler to the condenser, thus substantially increasing
the efficiency of the engine by reason of the matter so discovered by me.
Referring to the five accompanying sheets of drawings,-
Figure 1 shows in side elevation a reciprocating condensing mill engine combined
with a steam turbine in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a low pressure steam turbine and dynamo
suitable for my invention. Figure 2 is a similar section showing a turbine of the
parallel flow type.
Figure 3 shows in plan a reciprocating compound condensing steam engine
connected to my low pressure turbine by helical gearing.
Figure 4 shows in plan a reciprocating compound condensing marine engine
combined with my low pressure turbine; the turbine being utilized for the electric
lighting of the ship.
Figure 5 shows in plan a reciprocating compound condensing steam engine,
coupled to a dynamo and combined with my low pressure steam turbine also coupled
to a dynamo.
Figure 6 shows in plan a reciprocating compound condensing marine engine
driving a screw shaft combined with a low pressure turbine also coupled to a screw
shaft.
In carrying into effect my invention according to one method or arrangement,
I utilize high pressure steam in an economical expansive, compound or triple

page_text: expansion cylinder and piston engine, and I exhaust the steam from the low pressure
cylinder into a turbine case in which runs one or more sets of rotating blades of
large capacity arranged on each face of a large disc or cylinder and having fixed
guide blades also of large capacity set between the different rows of moving blades
in a manner well understood in connection with steam turbines. When I adopt the
disc turbine I pass the steam through the successive sets of moving and fixed
blades preferably on both sides of the disc simultaneously, from the centre to the
circumference so that the steam acts on the blades in series and then discharges
into the condenser.
When I adopt the parallel flow type I preferably pass the steam through two
sets of turbines lying right and left of the inlet as in Figure 2 but I may also use
only one set of turbines and balance by a dummy pistou.
In Figure 24 the low pressure steam enters at B' as sl.wn by the arrow, passes
through the two sets of blades B B from the boiler outwards and discharges into
the condenser B' as indicated by the arrows.
D is the dynamo,
I prefer to operate the air pumps in the usual manner from the reciprocating
engine, and I gear together the reciprocating engine and the steam turbine in any
convenient manner, but preferably by friction or helical or worm gearing. When
the power is required for generating electricity I preferably do not gear the
turbine to the reciprocating engine, but drive a dynamo directly from the turbine
spindle.
The work done by the turbine may be varied by passing only a portion of the
main steam through it, if it be desired to decrease its performance and by taking
steam from the high or intermediate cylinder or even from the boiler if it is desired
to increase it. Such arrangements are also useful for keeping the turbine at work
when the main engine is standing and generally for enabling the work done by the
turbine to be regulated independently of the work which at the time is being done
by the main engine.
My invention may be applied in various ways and by placing a low pressure
turbine between the low pressure cylinder and the condenser of a mill engine for
example, I sometimes obtain sufficient power for the electric lighting of the mill
without adding to the expense for power.
Or I may assist the main mill engine by rope gearing from the turbine with or
without intermediate gearing.
I may also use my combination of reciprocating engine and steam turbine for
marine purposes, preferably by causing the steam turbine operated by the steam
flowing from the low pressure cylinder to the condenser to couple to a separate
propeller shaft arranged with a suitable high speed propeller. Or I may utilize a
steam turbine so operated to produce electric light and to drive centrifugal
circulating, bilge, and feed pumps so obtaining power for all auxiliary purposes by
means of steam not utilized in the main engines. The turbines may be used to
drive the ship and reciprocating engines may be adopted for auxiliary purposes.
The turbine may also be caused to operate independent air pumps and also steering
gear.
The first of these arrangements of my invention is clearly shown at Figure 1 of
the drawings, where A is a reciprocating expansive condensing mill engine driving
the shaft C by rope or belting, and my low pressure steam turbine is shown at B.
The exhaust steam from the engine A on its way to the condenser passes through
the turbine B, and the pressure at which the turbine operates is so low that no
proportionate loss is caused by the back pressure put upon the reciprocating engine.
The power obtained from the turbine B is utilized by means of belting to assist
the main engine in driving the shaft C. The turbine B may, however, drive a
dynamo and produce electricity to light the mill, or be used for working centrifugal
pumps or fans for forced blast, urging the fires or any other purpose.
A section of the turbine B is shown at Figure 2 coupled directly to a dynamo.
B is the low pressure turbine having a large disc B₁ carrying rings of blades B

page_text: on both sides of it; these rings of blades alternate with rings of fixed blades in
the turbine case. The exhaust steam from the condensing engine enters the
turbine by the passage B2 as indicated by the arrow; it passes radially outwards
through the rings of blades on both sides of the disc B₁ as shown by the
arrows 1, 2, 3, 4. The disc is perforated at the centre to allow the steam to pass
through. From the disc the steam passes to the condenser B' as shown by
the arrow 5. D is a dynamo coupled directly to the turbine spindle.
Figure 2 shows the parallel flow type adapted for low pressures.
In Figure 3 the reciprocating compound condensing engine E is shown in plan
as coupled to the low pressure turbine B by a helical wheel E' on the reciprocating
engine shaft and a helical pinion F on the turbine shaft.
In Figure 4 the reciprocating compound condensing engine E is shown in plan
as driving the propeller shaft H. It is supplied with high pressure steam by the
pipe E and the exhaust steam passes by the pipes E' to the condenser G, a pipe E³
from the exhaust pipe E2 supplies low pressure steam to the low pressure turbine B
and the exhaust from the turbine passes by way of the pipe E to the condenser G.
In this case the turbine B is utilized for the electric lighting of the ship, and it
actuates the dynamo D coupled directly to its spindle.
Instead of or in conjunction with the dynamo the turbine may drive fans for
ventilating or forced draught purposes, or pumps for circulating water or
discharging water from the ship.
Stop valves are provided to enable exhaust steam to be supplied to the turbine
so that the whole of the exhaust steam from the main engines may be passed
through the turbine if required, or part passed to the turbine and part to the
condenser direct.
In Figure 5 the reciprocating compound condensing engine E is shown in plau
as coupled directly to a dynamo D' and the exhaust steam from it passes to the
low pressure turbine B coupled to the dynamo D.
This arrangement is suitable for an electric lighting station.
The high pressure engine Ę is supplied with high pressure steam by the pipes E
and the exhaust steam passes by way of the pipes E' and a pipe E³ to the turbine B
whence it discharges by the pipe E to the condenser G. The pipe E' serves as a
bye pass to discharge the exhaust from the reciprocating engine directly to the
condenser G by way of the pipe E without passing through the turbine. Suitable
stop valves are provided to either pass the exhaust steam through the turbine or
direct to the condenser. The high pressure pipe I, direct from the boilers is also
arranged together with stop valves to enable the turbine to be operated by high
pressure steam without actuating the reciprocating engine E.
In the event of break down of one engine the arrangement permits the other to
be operated independently.
In Figure 6 the high pressure reciprocating engine E is shown in plan as
operating the propeller shaft H and the low pressure turbine B operates the
propeller shaft H. The shaft H carries a screw suited for the comparatively low
speed of the reciprocating engine, while the shaft H¹ carries a screw suited for
the comparatively high speed of the turbine. The reciprocating engine shaft may
rotate at about 400 revolutions per minute, while the turbine shaft may rotate at
about 2000 revolutions per minute. I thus arrange a twin screw vessel with
propellers arranged to give approximately equal thrust but rotating at very
different speeds.
The boiler K supplies high pressure steam to the engine E by the pipes E¹; the
exhaust passes by the pipes E' E, to the turbine B whence by the pipe E to the
condenser G. The bye pass E' is arranged as described with reference to Figure 5
for the same purpose.
I may also combine my low pressure turbines with a reciprocating engine and
without a condenser, and this combination is especially useful when the reciprocating
engine has not the power of expanding the steam fully down to atmospheric
DISQuvo

page_text: 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 I
claim is :-
1. The method of obtaining work from expanding steam by combining together
a reciprocating steam engine and a steam turbine, the turbine being operated
wholly or partially by the exhaust steam from the reciprocating engine substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. The method of obtaining work from expanding steam by combining together
a compound triple or other expansion steam engine with a steam turbine and
condenser the turbine being the last of the series of apparatus for utilizing the
expansion of the steam which passes into the cylinders of the reciprocating engine
on its way to the condenser, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The use of a turbine in combination with a reciprocating engine for the
purpose of utilizing the energy of exhaust steam at too low a pressure to be
available for expansion by a piston in a cylinder, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The combination of a reciprocating steam engine and a steam turbine sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
5. The combination of a reciprocating steam engine and a steam turbine
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings.
6. The combination of a reciprocating marine steam engine with an exhaust
operated steam turbine for electric lighting or other purposes, substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the drawings.
7. The combination of a reciprocating steam engine driving a dynamo with an
exhaust operated turbine, also driving a dynamo for an electric light or power
station, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the
drawings.
8. The combination of a reciprocating marine steam engine driving a screw
propeller shaft with an exhaust operated turbine also driving a screw propeller
shaft for a twin screw vessel, substantially as herein before described with reference
to Figure 6 of the drawings.
9. In an apparatus consisting of a reciprocating engine and a turbine through
which the exhaust steam can pass on its way to the condenser the independent
regulation of the work of the turbine by the admission of other than exhaust steam
into the turbine or by the use of a bye pass to the condenser substantially as herein
described.
Dated this
3
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicant.