IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS BOR STEAM AND OTHER EXVATUS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of Plumstead, in the County of
Kent, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS
BOR STEAM AND OTHER EXVATUS"
Sealed the 23rd August 1870, and dated the 26th February 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th February 1870.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of Plumstead, in the County of Kent, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GOVERNORS FOR STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object the production of an instantaneous
regulating action upon the throttle valve of a steam or other engine by
means of two combined forces operating against a third force, and
consists mainly in various devices and arrangements of mechanism for
causing these forces to act with the desired effect upon the throttle

page_text: valve, so that its instantaneous action in either direction shall not be
impaired by friction.
In one arrangement of my said Invention I use a double balance
wheel, or wheel made in two halves; one half is fixed on a shaft
running in bearings supported by two brackets. Between the said half
of the balance wheel and the outer bearing is placed a wheel with
internal teeth. This wheel is connected to the engine to be regulated
by a band or strap or other suitable driving means, and turns on a
hollow boss projecting from a bracket. The vane wheel shaft passes
through this boss but is not supported therein, its outer end having
its bearing in an outer bracket which also carries a projecting boss on
the outside whercof a loose arm is fitted to turn freely. This arm
carrics two intermediate pinions fixed on short journals which run in
bearings in the said loose arm. These intermediate pinions are geared
into the internally toothed wheel, and also into a small pinion fixed on
the vane wheel shaft between and clear of the two fixed bosses; this
arm is connected by rods to the throttle valve, and to a spring weight
or other means of resistance.
In this modification of my Invention the second half of the balance
or vane wheel turns on the outside of a boss projecting from a bracket,
the inside of which boss forms the bearing for this end of the shaft,
which carries the other half of the said wheel. Each of these halves
has a separate set of vanes arranged respectively at such a distance
from the centre that one set will rotate freely within the other set.
Motion is communicated to the second half of the wheel or set of vanes
by the driving shaft, which passes through the last-mentioned bracket,
and has on its end a bevil or mitre pinion which through an intermediate
pinion is geared into another pinion formed or fixed on the back of the
vane wheel. The two sets of vanes thus geared together will run in
opposite directions. The air is drawn in at both sides of the vane wheel
and thrown from one set of vanes to the other set in a compressed
condition around the circumference of the wheel, finally escaping
through the ring. To any tendency of the engine to increase its normal
speed there is not only, as in ordinary governors, increased resistance
in proportion to the increase of speed, but there is a compound resistance
so that the throttle valve is sooner acted upon and moves further with
the same change of speed against the force of the spring, weight, o
other device. As the load on the engine is increased the spring or other

page_text: resisting device will cause the arm to return and open the throttle valve.
The speed permitted by the governor can be regulated at pleasure by
adjusting the valve with a coupling screw or other means.
Instead of arranging the two sets of vanes to run one within the other
they may be placed side by side, and the vanes may be inclined in
opposite directions within two small wheels with broad light rings that
The air in this case is drawn in at one side and
cover the said vanes.
escapes at the other.
of differential wheels.
If desired they may be driven by different sets
In one arrangement a wheel is fitted to turn on a liollow boss and is
driven by the engine. This wheel gears into two pinions of rather morc
than double the width of the said wheel; these pinions also gear into
two intermediate pinions, which again gear into a small pinion on the
shaft of the vane wheel.
A similar arrangement of parts can be conveniently placed on a
vertical shaft supported on a stand over the engine shaft, or in any
other convenient position, and it may be provided with a single or
double set of vanes; if the former a compensating link may be used, and
may be driven as herein-before set forth, or by a peculiar arrangement
of driving gear herein-after described.
it
In another modification of my Invention two circular rings are held
together by bolts with collars inside and nuts outside. Between the
rings and at equal distances from the centres are placed four fans which
run in bearings formed in the said rings. The two rings or circular
frames and fans are supported by arms to oscilate freely on two centre
bosses projecting from suitable brackets. The driving shaft passes
through the centre of the said bosses and carries a toothed wheel between
the two rings in close proximity to one of the said rings. The said
wheel is geared into pinions on the fan shafts; the other end of the
driving shaft has a driving pulley or wheel, which may be connected to
the engine in any convenient manner. In this last-described modification
of my Invention the arms of the rings or circular frames are connected
to the throttle valve and resisting spring or other device, and the loose
arms previously described is dispensed with.
I sometimes render the vanes compensating by means of light balls
or weights arranged in such a manner that the action of the balls in
combination with the resistance of the atmosphere on the vanes will

page_text: open and close them according to the speed of the engine; the vanes in
this case must be suspended or jointed at their outer edge or other
convenient part between two rings or light fly wheels which are fixed
on a shaft or spindle and driven by any of my improved arrangements
of differential wheels or other means herein described. The vanes are
connected near their outer extremities by small links to a star wheel
that is capable of turning freely on the centre shaft or spindle. The
said star wheel is connected to one of the arms of the side rings by a
spring which resists the combined forces acting upon the vanes; the
spring therefore through the star wheel controls all the vanes and
-opens-and-closes_them according_to_the_speed_of_the_engine. When
the engine is running slowly the spring keeps the star wheel up to a
stop which is moveable and can be adjusted at pleasure; the vanes will
then be partially closed, as the engine comes to its proper speed the
tendency of the light balls to fall behind the line of motion or expand
and the increased resistance of the air on the vanes which are now half
open will cause the star wheel to leave the stop so that it is held
between the spring, and the combined forces acting upon the vanes
the link is placed in such a position as to equalise the force of the
spring. Any tendency of the engine to increase its regular speed is
prevented not only by the increased resistance upon the area of the
vancs, but also by the increased area of surface presented. If desired
the vanes may be made to expand so that their is more space travelled
through if the engine be subjected to very sudden variations in its
load.
If desired the compensating vanes with the balls, spring, and star
wheel may be placed on a single ring or light fly wheel and driven by
means of the following peculiar arrangements of bands or belts :-A
pulley is made fast on the end of the balance wheel shaft which turns
freely in bearings supported by two brackets. On this bracket at a
convenient distance from the pulley is fixed a stud, on which a vibrating
arm is fitted to oscillate freely. At equal distances from the centre of
this vibrating arm are placed two pulleys fixed on short journals that
run freely in bearings in the vibrating arm; a band is placed over the
centre or driving pulley and over the two pulleys on the vibrating arm
and extended to the engine shaft. Any variation of the engine's speed
lengthens or shortens a corresponding side of the loop in the band, and
thus causes the vibration of the arm in response to such variation

page_text: against the force of a spring, weight, or other resisting device as herein-
before described.
The driving pulley may be fixed to a toothed wheel, both turning on a
stud, the toothed wheel being geared into a pinion on the end of the
balance wheel shaft; or the vibrating arm may be fitted on a hollow
boss with the balance wheel shaft passing through the centre and
having a pinion fixed on the end geared into two toothed wheels fixed
on pulleys or short journals in the vibrating arm. The third pulley
turns on a stud and is only necessary to form the loop in order that the
band may embrace the half of the pulley and be of equal tension.
By my improved method of construction and arrangement of parts
no two moving surfaces come in contact with each other, so that the
instantaneous action of the valves in either direction is not prevented
by friction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 26th August 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of Plumstead, in the County of Kent, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS. Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Clark, Her special licence
that I, the said William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Clark, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS
FOR STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES,” upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-

page_text: vention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing
forming a part of this Specification:―
My Invention has for its object the production of an instantaneous
regulating action upon the throttle valve of a steam or other engine by
the effect of two combined forces operating against a third force. One
of these forces must tend_constantly to keep the throttle valve-fully
open, and this force I derive from a spring, weight, or other suitable
means usually employed for the purpose. Another of these forces is that
which drives the governor, and which acts against the said spring or
other device, and tends to close the throttle valve. The third force,
whose action is herein-after explained, is derived from the resistance of
the atmosphere to the motion of the governor.
The said Invention consists mainly in'various' devices and arrangements
of mechanism for causing these forces to act with the desired effcet and
without loss from friction upon the throttle valve, so that its iustan-
taneous action in either direction shall be insured by the slightest
variation of the speed of the engine.
In the accompanying Drawings I have illustrated various arrangements
or modifications of my said Invention which I will herein-after fully
describe.
In one arrangement of my said Invention I use a balance or vane
wheel, which is double or made in two halves; one-half is fixed on a
shaft running in bearings supported by two brackets. On the outer
bracket is cast or otherwise fixed a long boss in which turns a short
shaft that runs centrally with the balance wheel shaft. On the outer
end of the said shaft is fixed a driving pulley, which is connected to the
engine to be regulated by a band or strap or other suitable driving
means. On the other end and next to the balance wheel is fixed a wheel
with internal teeth. On the side of the aforesaid bracket is fixed an
arm which has a projecting boss; the inside of this boss serves as a
bearing for the end of the balance wheel shaft, which has a small. over-

page_text: hanging toothed pinion. On the outside of the said projecting boss a
loose arm is fitted to turn freely. This arm carries two intermediate
pinions fixed on short journals, which turn in bearings in the said loose
arm. These intermediate pinions gear into the internal wheel and also
into the small pinion fixed on the end of the vane wheel shaft. The
loose arm is connected by rods to the throttle valve and to the spring,
weight, or other means of resistance.
In this modification of my Invention the second half of the balance
or vane wheel turns on the outside of a boss projecting from a bracket
or standard, the inside of which boss forms the bearing for one end of
the shaft that carries the first half of the said wheel. Each of these
halves has a separate set of vanes projecting towards the other half or
side of the wheel, and arranged respectively at such a distance from the
centre that one set will rotate freely within the other set. Motion is
communicated to the second half of the wheel or set of vanes by the
shaft which passes through the last-mentioned bracket, and has on its.
end a bevel or mitre pinion; the latter through an intermediate pinion
is geared into another pinion formed or fixed on the boss of the vane
wheel. The two sets of vancs thus geared together will run in opposite
directions. The air is drawn in at both sides of the vane wheels and
thrown from one set of vanes to the other set in a compressed condition
around the circumference of the wheel, finally escaping at the sides
between the vanes.
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an arrangement of my
improved governor; Figure 2 is an end view of the same. The standards
or brackets a on which the governor is supported may be fixed at any
convenient part of the engine room. a¹ is the long boss on one of the
brackets a, with the short shaft a* fitted to turn freely therein. On the
outer end of this shaft is fixed the driving pulley b; on the other end
of the said short shaft is fixed the wheel c with internal teeth.
a² is a
bent or curved arm fixed on the bracket a. On this arm is formed the
projecting boss a³, on the outside whereof is fitted to turn freely the
loose or vibrating arm d, which carries the intermediate pinions d
gearing into the internal wheel c and into the small pinion & fixed on
the end of the vane wheel shaft e that turns freely inside the boss a³.
One half of the balance wheel is fixed on the shaft e, one end of which
shaft turns freely inside the boss a' formed or fixed on the bracket a.
The second half of the said balance or vane wheel turns on the outside
I

page_text: of the boss a. f¹ and g¹ are the two sets of vanes arranged as aforesaid,
one set within the other. Motion is communicated to the second half g
of the wheel and set of vanes g¹ by a mitre pinion / fixed on the end of
the shaft e, and geared in connection with the pinion / formed or fixed
on the back of the part g of the vane wheel through an intermediate
pinion turning on the stud /*. It will be observed that the rings or
frames f, g, on which the vanes are fixed being open offer no obstruction
to the free entrance and escape of the air.
Instead of arranging the two sets of vanes to run one within the
other they may be placed side by side, and the vanes may be inclined in
opposite directions on the outer periphery of two small wheels with
broad light rings. The air in this case is drawn in at one side and
escapes at the other side. Instead of having all the vanes of each set
inclined in one direction the vanes of each set may be set alternately at
different angles on each wheel. If desired each set may be driven by a
different set of differential wheels. This arrangement is illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4, which are a vertical section and front view of the
same.
The wheels f, g, have the vanes f¹ and g¹ on the periphery, as shewn,
instead of at the side, and the vanes of each set are inclined reversely to
those of the other set; this inclination or angle can be adjusted according
to the resistance required. The wheels f, g, are driven by the differential
spur wheels c, d, d², d³, d¹ and being fixed on short journals &* that run
in bearings in the vibrating arm d, as in the first-described arrangement.
The vanes are caused to run in opposite directions by means of the
reversing bevel pinions h, ', *, above described, and the air is thereby
thrown from one set of vanes to the other set all around the wheel.
In the modification of the arrangement of the differential wheels shewn
in Figures 3 and 4, and more clearly illustrated in Figure 5, which is a
plan or top view, the wheel c fitted to turn on the short shaft a* and 3
driven by the engine has outside teeth. This wheel c gears into the two
pinions d', whose journals turn in bearings in the arm d, and which are
rather more than double the width of the said wheel c. These pinious d¹
gear into two intermediate pinions d³, which again gear into the small
pinion on the end of the vane wheel shaft.
A similar arrangement of parts can be conveniently placed on a
vertical shaft supported on a stand over the engine shaft or in any other
convenient position, and it may be provided with a single or a double

page_text: set of vanes. If the former a compensating link may be used, and it
may be driven as herein-before set forth, or by a peculiar arrangement of
driving belts herein-after more fully described. Any increase of the
speed of the engine causes a corresponding increase in the speed of the
vanes, which therefore overcome the resistance of the spring 1 and
diminish the opening of the throttle valve. As their speed increases the
vancs encounter greater resistance from the atmosphere, and thereby
the balance of the other two forces is kept adjusted to the load of the
diminish the opening of the throttle valve. As their speed increases the
vanes encounter greater resistance from the atmosphere, and thereby
the balance of the other two forces is kept adjusted to the load of the
engine.
In another modification of my said Invention two rings or circular
frames are held together by bolts. Between these rings and at equal
distances apart are placed four fans whose shafts are fitted to turn in
bearings formed in the said rings. These rings or circular frames and
fans are supported by arms, which like the loose arm d oscilate freely on
the outside of bosses projecting from the brackets or standards a. The
driving shaft passes centrally through and has its bearings inside the
said bosses, and carries a toothed wheel between the two rings and in
close proximity to one of them. The said wheel is geared into pinions
on the fan shafts. The other end of the driving shaft has a driving
pulley or wheel, which may be connected to the engine by any con-
venient means.
The arms of the rings or circular frames are connected
to the throttle valve and resisting spring, weight, or other device, and the
separate vibrating arm d herein-before described is dispensed with.
In Figures 6 and 7, d³, d, are the circular frames or rings held
together by the four bolts i, which have collars inside and nuts outside
the rings, as shown. The bosses a¹are cast or otherwise fixed to the
brackets a as herein-before described. The fan blades k are carried by
the rings ¹ fixed on the shafts a² that run in the bearings in the circular
rings d³, d, and are driven from the central driving shaft by the
wheel m and pinions m¹. The said driving shaft runs in the centre of
the herein-before mentioned bosses a', and imparts a rapid rotation to
the fans on their shafts, while the rings or frames a with the fans k
oscilate or vibrate together on the outside of the bosses a', the throttle
valve being thereby acted upon as above described. Any one of the
arms a, a, may be connected to the throttle valve and to the spring weight
or other resisting device. The arrows indicate the direction of motion
of the fans, and it will be seen that the vanes of all the fans at their.

page_text: adjacent portions at four points will turn in contrary directions, and will
offer a great resistance to any change of speed.
I sometimes render the vanes compensating by means of light balls or
weights arranged in such a manner that they will open and close the
vanes according to the speed of the engine; or the said balls or weights
may be arranged to act in combination with the resistance of the
atmosphere to the vanes. The vanes in this arrangement must be
suspended at their centres or other suitable part between two rings or
light fly wheels, which are fixed on a shaft or spindle and driven by any
of my improved arrangements of differential wheels, or by other means
herein after described. The vanes are connected near their inner edge
by small links to a star wheel that is fitted to turn freely on the central
shaft or spindle. The said star wheel is connected to one of the arms of
the side-rings-by-a-spring-which-resists-the-combined-forces-acting-upon-
the vanes.
The said spring therefore through the star wheel controls
all the vanes, and opens and closes them according to the speed of the
engine; but in order to avoid the weight or friction on the joints a
spring may be placed on each of the arms and connected to the arms
that carry the balls. When the engine is running slowly the springs
keep the star wheel up to a stop, which may be adjusted at pleasure.
The vanes will then be partially closed. As the engine comes to its
proper speed the tendency of the light balls to fall behind the line of
motion or expand, and the increased resistance of the air to the vanes,.
which are now half open, will cause the star wheel to to leave the stop,
so that it is held between the spring and the combined forces acting
upon the vanes.
The links are placed in such a position as to equalize
the force of the springs.
In Figures 8, 8ª, I have shown these compensating vanes n suspended
at their centres between the double rings or light fly wheels f, g, fixed
on the shaft, and which are driven by any of my improved arrangements
of driving gearing. The light balls n¹ are carried by the short arms n² of
the vanes n. The said vanes turn on the centre pins o*, and are con-
nected by small links o to the star wheel o¹. 0, 0, are the springs
which are connected to the wheel f, and which resist the centrifugal
action of the balls upon the vanes; o³ is the stop, which is held in the
slot o', and is adjustable therein.
If desired the compensating vancs n with the balls n', springs o², and
star wheel o' may be placed on a single ring or light fly wheel, and

page_text: driven by means of the following peculiar arrangement of devices: -A
pulley is made fast on the end of the balance wheel shaft, which turns
freely in bearings supported by two brackets. On this bracket at a
convenient distance from the said pulley is fixed a stud on which the
vibrating arm d is fitted to oscillate freely; or the vibrating arm may be
fitted on knife edges like the beam of an ordinary weighing machine.
On this vibrating arm and at equal distances from the centre of the
same are placed two pulleys fixed on short journals that turn freely in
bearings in the vibrating arm. A band is placed over the central or
driving pulley and over the two pulleys on the vibrating arm, and the
same or another band to the engine or counter shaft. Any vibration
of the engine's speed lengthens or shortens a corresponding side of the
loop in the band, and thus causes the vibration of the arm in response to
such variation against the force of the spring, weight, or other resisting
device, as herein-before described.
This modification of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10,
which are a front view and sectional side elevation. The compensating
vanes n, light balls n³, springs o³, and star wheel o¹ are fitted on a single
ring or balance wheel f, and driven by the aforesaid peculiar arrange-
ment of bands. The shaft e that carries the wheel fruns in bearings
provided in the brackets or standards a. The vibrating arm d is fitted
to vibrate on the stecl centres or knife edges d*, and is connected to the
throttle valve and to the spring 1 or other means of resistance, as herein-
before described. The pulleys p are fixed on journals that run in
bearings in the vibrating arm d. p' is a pulley fixed on the vane wheel
shaft c.
The band q is placed on the pulley p', and carried over the
pulleys on the vibrating arm d, and extended to the pulley p² on the
counter shaft r. The pulley p* fixed on the other end of the counter
shaft is connected to the engine by another band or belt. Any variation
in the speed of the engine lengthens or shortens a corresponding side of
the loop in the band, and thus causes the vibration of the arm & in
response to such variation against the force of the spring or other device,
as before described. If the load on the engine is increased the cen-
trifugal force of the balls n at a high velocity will no longer counteract
the force of the springs, which will instantaneously turn the vanes and
allow the combined effect of the momentum of the wheel and the action
of the spring or other device to cause the opening of the throttle valve.
In Figures 11 and 12 I have shown one band direct from the engine

page_text: shaft passed over the two carrying pulleys p³ fixed on journals that run
in bearings provided in the movable bracket ", which can be moved up
or down by a bolt in a slot or to either side according to the direction
of the band. By these means of adjustment I can also tighten the band
when necessary. The wheel fis represented with vanes f¹ that are also 5
suspended at their centres and can be turned to any angle as required,
or if desired may be provided with the aforesaid balls, springs, and star
wheel. This arrangement of parts is particularly advantageous for
marine engines.
Figure 10 is a plan of the arm and pulleys shewn in Figure 10, and 1
Figure 11 is a plan of the same parts as shown in Figure 11.
In Figures 13 and 14 the vibrating arm d, pulleys p, and the bands
are geared in connection with a vertical shaft e by a bevel wheel s
-and-pinion This shaft carries a single angular vane wheel ƒ. The
band is passed over the pulley p and also over the pulley p¹ on the 1
shaft of the wheels, and connected with a compensating link s². The
compensation may be regulated by moving the bolts in the slot in the
links, or by lengthening or shortening the rod s connected with the
vibrating arm d.
Figures 15 and 16 shew a balance wheel ƒ with expanding vanes f¹ 2
and springs o³, which may be with or without the balls n'. The said
wheel is driven by a spur wheel t and pinion t. In this arrangement of
parts the band motion is arranged as before described.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shown how the
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, 2
I claim,-
First. Preventing the loss of effect from friction by means of projecting
bosses whose inner and outer surfaces form bearings for the two oppositely
moving parts of the governor, substantially as set forth.
Second. The vane wheel in two parts, the differential gearing, the 30
vibrating arm, the projecting bosses or double bearings, and the bevel
pinions combined together, substantially as shewn in Figures 1 and 2,
for the purpose specified.
Third. The vane wheels, the differential gearing, the vibrating arm,
the bosses or double bearings, and bevelled reversing gearing combined 35
together, substantially as shewn in Figures 3, 4, and 5, for the purposes
specified.

page_text: Fourth. The oscillating frames or rings with the fans mounted on the
bosses and driven by the wheel and pinions form a central shaft passing
through the said bosses, as shewn in Figures 6 and 7, for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. The compensating vanes suspended from their centres between
double rings or upon a single balance wheel in combination with the
light balls, springs, and star wheel, and other parts, as shewn in
Figures 8, 8, or Figures 9 and 10, for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The vibrating arm suspended on steel centres or knife edges
or on round studs, and provided with pulleys from which a band extends
to the pulley on the counter shaft, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10.
Seventh. The band pulleys on the movable bracket with means for
tightening the band when the same is extended direct from the engine
to the vibrating arm, as shewn in Figures 11 and 12, for the purpose
specified.
Eighth. The vibrating arm and band motion in combination with an
angular vane wheel on a vertical shaft and with compensating link, as
shewn in Figures 13 and 14, for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The expanding vanes upon the balance wheel driven by spur
gearing and provided with the aforesaid bands and pulleys in combination
with a vibrating arm, as shewn in Figures 15 and 16, for the purpose
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W. ROBT. LAKE.
WILLIAM CLARK. (L.S.)