IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM VALVES FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY, AND THE MANNER OF WORKING THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Benson, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM VALVES FOR STEAM PUMPING
MACHINERY, AND THE MANNER OF WORKING THE SAME." A communication
from abroad by Ezra Cope and James Riley Maxwell, of Hamilton, Ohio,
United States of North America.
Sealed the 28th April 1876, and dated the 16th February 1876..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Martin Benson at the Office
"IMPROVEMENTS
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February 1876.
MARTIN BENSON, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London.
IN STEAM VALVES FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY, AND THE MANNER OF WORKING
THE SAME." A communication to me from abroad by Ezra Cope and James Riley
Maxwell, of Hamilton, Ohio, United States of North America.
The main part of my Invention consists in the manner of working the valves of
steam pumping engines for producing a positive motion of the valves at all times,
and for regulating the motion of the main piston under all circumstances to which
pumping machines are subject by suddenly increasing or diminishing the load on
the pump, and thereby render the engine safe under variable loads by varying the
pressure of steam in the main steam cylinder or cylinders according to the load or
resistance against which the piston works. This is accomplished by actuating the
main slide valves of the engine by the combined motion of a valve moving
cylinder and a valve moving piston. The valve moving cylinder receives its
motion from the main piston of the engine by means of suitable connections, and
consequently has a motion which varys with the velocity of the main piston.
The valve moving piston is moved by the direct pressure of steam, and has its
motion controled and rendered constant by a cataract or similar device.
The valve moving cylinder and valve moving piston move in opposite directions,
the one acting upon the main valve to cause it to open the port which admits
steam to and from the main cylinder, and the other acting upon the main valve to
cause it to shut off the admission of steam. The resultant of these two motions is
to cause a motion of the main valve, which varys with every minute increase or
decrease of the resistance of load upon the main piston.
The accompanying Drawings (Sheet 1), Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section
Posing La 423

page_text: of a main cylinder, valve chest, valve cylinder, and cataract cylinder, showing one
Numerous modifications of
manner of constructing and working the valves.
constructing, applying, and working the valve can be made without in the least
departing from the principle of the Invention or improvement, which consists
mainly in the combined motion imparted to the valve moving and cataract
cylinders.
A represents the main steam cylinder provided with the usual steam ports and
passages; B, the main piston; C, the valve chest; D is the main slide valve of the
D form, attached by a hollow stem to a valve moving piston D¹. The valve moving
piston operates in a valve moving cylinder C, C, and carries an auxiliary slide
valve F, as represented, which admits and exhausts steam to and from the valve
moving cylinder C to move the valve moving piston D¹. The main slide valve
D being attached to the valve moving piston D₁ moves with it. The valve moving
cylinder C moves the main slide valve by being in contact with the valve moving
piston D¹. The valve moving cylinder Ċ is attached by a trunk or hollow stem to
the cataract cylinder H, as represented, and the valve moving piston to the cataract
piston G. An arin J is attached to the main piston rod, and operates the levers I
and M. The former is attached by a link I to the cataract cylinder, and hence the
valve moving and cataract cylinders have a motion coincident with (but in an
opposite direction) to the main steam piston B. The auxiliary valve F is furnished
with a rod K, which extends through the rod or tube connecting the valve moving
and cataract pistons, and is provided with tappets k, k, with which the second
lever M comes in contact for reversing the auxiliary valve F.
The operation is as follows:-In the Drawings, Fig. 1 (Sheet 1), the main piston
has just reached the end of its stroke to the right, the valve moving cylinder C,
and with it the main slide valve D, has been moved to the left, shutting off the
admission of steam to the main cylinder through the passage A" on the left. Just
before the main piston reaches this point the lever M comes in contact with the
tappet upon the valve rod K and moves the auxiliary valve to the left, admitting
steam to the right-hand end of the valve moving cylinder C through the passage e,
and exhausting from its left-hand end through the passages e and f to the main
exhaust. The valve moving piston D¹ now moves to left at a velocity per-
mitted by the flow of liquid in the cataract cylinder H. As soon as the main
valve, by reason of the valve moving piston just described, begins to uncover the
admission port A¹ on the right the main piston will comence its stroke to the left.
The lever I at once begins to move the valve moving cylinder, and consequently
the main slide valve to the right. Now if the pressure on the steam piston
continues uniform the motion of the valve moving cylinder C will be uniform, and
hence the position of the main valve with relation to the steam ports will not be
changed, and a constant quantity of steam to perform the work and give the main
piston its proper velocity is admitted to the main cylinder until the piston has
nearly completed its stroke.
After the piston has been started as shown and described should the load upon it
be increased the main piston will advance proportionally slower than the valve
moving piston D', which travels at a uniform velocity, and consequently the steam
admission port will be opened wider and a greater quantity of steam admitted to
the main cylinder. On the other hand should the load be lessened, as might
happen in the case of pumping engines from loss of or failure. to take water, tho
main piston would travel more rapidly in proportion than the valve moving piston,
and hence the steam admission port will be nearly or quite closed.
piston will then come to rest until the valve moving piston D' which continues to
advance has again carried the main valve off the admission port, when the proper
quantity of steam will be admitted to carry the main piston to the end of its
stroke at its proper working velocity.
The main
A single lever may be made to work the auxiliary valve F and move the valve
moving and cataract cylinders C and H in Fig. 1. This may be accomplished by
connecting the lever M and cataract cylinder H, and consequently valve cylinder

page_text: C, by an elongation of the link I, and thereby dispense with the lever I and short
link I¹¹.
Fig. 2 (Sheet 1) shows another modification of this arrangement, in which the
valve moving cylinder C is placed in front of the main valve D sliding upon the
same valve seat or plane. The valve moving piston D₁ is a. piston of ordinary
construction. Its rod extends through the valve moving cylinder, and is attached
to the main slide valve D. The auxiliary valve F is placed upon the valve moving
cylinder C, the exhaust passage f passing around the cylinder C to the main
exhaust. The valve rod K moves the auxiliary valve F through a lever of the first
order, therefore the valve is moved in an opposite direction to that in which it
would move if the rod were attached directly to it. The valve F must be of the
B form, as shown. The valve moving and cataract cylinders C and H are connected
by a large trunk or stem, through which passes the auxiliary valve rod K and
the valve moving piston rod, the latter being attached to the cataract piston as
in the arrangement before described. A single lever is used attached to the
cataract cylinder by the link I, and extended to move the auxiliary valve rod K, as
shown. The operation and the result produced are precisly the same as in the
previous arrangements, Fig. 1, and therefore requires no further description.
Fig. 3 (Sheet 2) shows a second modification, which differs from Fig. 1 only in
two respects, nainely, a single lever I is used operating both the auxiliary valve F
and valve moving cylinder C, as in Fig. 2, and second, the cataract cylinder H is
placed at the left of the main steain chest. In every other respect, both in construc-
tion and operation, the arrangements are the same as shown in Fig. 1 (Sheet 1.)
Fig. 4 (Sheet 2) shows a third modification which differs but little from the pre-
vious ones.
The auxiliary valve F is placed upon the valve moving cylinder C,
and its rod extending through a tube working through the end of the end of the
steam chest, and attached to the valve moving cylinder C as represented. The
cataract cylinder is placed at the right sliding upon a seat provided for it upon the
connection for joining the main steam cylinder A to the pump barrel (not shown).
Instead of working the auxiliary valves F, as represented in the several Drawings
on Sheets 1 and 2, before described, in the valve moving piston D¹, or on the valve
Imoving cylinder C, through the medium of levers, tappets, and rods, by motion
taken from the piston rod of the engine, they may be constructed for moving by
the direct pressure of steam, as in my Patent dated September 15th, 1868, or by
steam taken from the cylinder through suitable steam ports and passages leading
from behind the main piston, when it is about terminating its stroke at each end of
the cylinder, according to any of the plans of steam ports and passages for working
the auxiliary steam moved valves shown in my Patents dated October 1rst, 1874,
and October 16th, 1875. For such arrangements the face of the main slide valve D
is made sufficient wide to serve as valves for alternately opening and closing the
steam ports and passages leading to the auxiliary valve chambers.
Another modification of the improvement (not represented by the Drawings) is
to place the valve moving cylinder C on the outside of the steam chest, and arrange
it and the cataract cylinder H on a movable bed, to be worked from the piston
rods, similar to any of the plans shown and described. In an arrangement of this
kind the valve moving cylinder would be provided with an independent steam
chest and valve, and worked by motion taken from the main piston rod. In this
case the piston of the valve moving cylinder would be connected to the main steam
valve of the engine and cataract piston by an ordinary piston rod, thereby dis-
pensing with the hollow trunks or rods for connecting the valve moving and cataract
cylinder and piston, as shown in some of the other modifications; steam would be
supplied to the chest of the valve moving cylinder by a pipe, provided with a movable
joint from the main valve chest, or in any other manner that would suggest itself.
The said improvement for working and regulating the valve motion may be
applied to cylinders working in a vertical position; for such cases the requisite
mechanism for moving the valve moving and cataract cylinder by motion from the
piston rod would readily suggest itself to persons versed in the art.

page_text: The combined movement imparted to the valve moving and cataract cylinders C
and H, shown in the several Drawings before described, for regulating the admission
of steam to the main cylinder, may be applied for working the valves of compound
pumping engines. For such cases the steam valve of the expanding cylinder is
moved by the valve moving piston D', through the medium of a connecting rod
made to pass through suitable stuffing boxes in the ends of the steam chest on the
high and low pressure cylinders, and thereby subject the valves of the high and low
pressure cylinders to the regulating motion of the cataract, and also to the govern-
ing motion of the valve moving cylinder C. When the improvement is thus applied
for working the valves of compound engines an independent exhaust should be
provided for the auxiliary valve F, to prevent back pressure in the valve moving
cylinder C, which would take place if it was connected with the exhaust from the
high to the low pressure cylinder by reason of the pressure of steam always exist-
ing more or less between the two cylinders.
Other modifications of my improvement consists in dispensing with the cataract
for controlling the motion of the valve, and only useing the valve moving cylinder.
These modifications may be made to suit any conditions of work required to be
done, but are only intended for the smaller class of engines, and not so much for
safety as to give a positive motion to the valve, and shut off the steam by the valve
moving cylinder when the main piston is about terminating its stroke, for causing
a slight pause in its motion to give the pump valves time to seat to prevent undue
wear or shock. Two of these modifications are represented by Drawings on Sheet
3, but may be extended and varied in form of structure without departing from the
principle of the improvement, which is the motion given to the valve moving
cylinder.
Instead of moving the valve moving cylinder to govern the admission of steam
to the main cylinder the piston in the valve moving cylinder may be moved by
motion taken from the main piston, for cutting off or regulating the supply of steam
to the main cylinder; for such cases as these the main and auxiliary valves are
usually attached to the valve moving cylinder.
Fig. 5 (Sheet 3) is a longitudinal section of a cylinder and valve arrangement;
the cylinder A is provided with the usual steam ports and passages. The auxiliary
valve F is stationary. It is a flat valve with its ends extended to the ends of
the steam chest. Its position may be regulated by the screws g, g. The communi-
cation of the ports are changed by the valve moving cylinder C passing under the
auxiliary valve F. The exhaust from the valve moving cylinder in this and
similar arrangements passes around the valve moving cylinder to the main exhaust.
A regulating cock or valve may be placed in the exhaust to control or govern the
motion of the valve moving piston D¹. The Drawings are sufficient plain to show
the action of the valve to persons versed in the art without further specifying.
The valve moving cylinder is worked the same as in some of the plans before
described.
Fig. 6 (Sheet 3) is a longitudinal section of a cylinder and valve arrangement,
showing another modification of the improvement. The main valve and valve
moving cylinder are united, and are steam moved, while the valve moving piston is
attached and moved by the lever I. The cylinder C has a central partition, its
end being open. Pistons D¹ are united by the stem D", and operates in the valve
moving cylinder. The valve moving pistons are cushioned by overrunning their
exhaust ports, and are started by steam being suddenly exhausted from the opposite
end upon the negative plan to move it off the cushion. The auxiliary valve F is
upon the back of the valve moving cylinder C, and is moved by the lever I coming
in contact with its rod: A stationary auxiliary valve, previously shown, may be
used if prefered.
Another modification (not shown in the Drawings) consists in imparting motion
to the valve moving piston or cylinder from the main piston rod by an arm, con-
necting rod, lever, aud rock shaft; the rock shaft is made to pass through an open-
ing in the side of the steam chest under the valve seat, and into the exhaust

page_text: passage; the opening through which it passes is provided with a stuffing box; the
inner end of the rock shaft is furnished with a finger for taking hold and moving
the valve moving piston or cylinder, as the case may be. The auxiliary valve in
this and similar modifications for supplying and exhausting steam to the valve
moving cylinder are usually held stationary to the side or top of the steam chest.
The cataract may be applied to this arrangement of valve, and the cataract and
valve moving cylinders may be moved from the lever employed for giving motion
to the valve moving piston or cylinder, similar to some of the arrangements before
described. Numerous other nodifications will readily suggest themselves to persons
skilled in the art, in which the principle of the separate or combined movement of
the valve moving and cataract cylinder may be employed, as described and shown,
which constitutes the main part of the improvement, as before stated.
The combined motion imparted to the valve moving cylinders C, and cataract
cylinder H, may be employed for working and governing the motion or movement
of other forms of valves besides the D and B shaped, as shown, for admitting steam
to and from the main steam cylinders; for instance, any of the ordinary balance
slide or poppet steam valves may be arranged for working or having their motion.
governed by the combined motion of the valve moving and cataract cylinders, or
by singally moving the valve moving cylinder or cataract cylinder by motion taken
from the main piston of the engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Martin Benson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th June
1876.
MARTIN BENSON, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM VALVES FOR STEAM PUMPING MACHINERY, AND THE MANNER OF WORKING
THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Ezra Cope and James Riley
Maxwell, of Hamilton, Ohio, United States of North America.
The main part of my Invention consists in the manner of working the valves of
steam pumping engines for producing a positve motion of the valves at all times,
and for regulating the motion of the main piston under all circumstances to which
pumping machines are subject by suddenly increasing or diminishing the load on
the pump, and thereby render the engine safe under variable loads by varying the
pressure of steam in the main steam cylinder or cylinders according to the load or
resistance against which the piston works. This is accomplished by actuating the
main slide valves of the engine by the combined motion of a valve moving cylinder
and a valve moving piston; the valve moving cylinder recives its motion from the
main piston of the engine by means of suitable connections, and consequently has a
motion which varies with the velocity of the main piston. The valve moving piston
is moved by the direct pressure of steam, and has its motion controlled and rendered
constant by a cataract or similar device.
The valve moving cylinder and valve moving piston move in opposite directions,
the one acting upon the main valve to cause it to open the port which admits steam
too and from the main cylinder, and the other acting upon the main valve to cause
it to shut off the admission of steam. The resultant of these two motions is to cause
a motion of the main valve, which varys with every minute increase or decrease of
the resistance of load upon the main piston.
The accompanying Drawing (Sheet 11), Fig. 1, represents a longitudinal section
of a main cylinder, valve chest, valve cylinder, and cataract cylinder, showing one
manner of constructing and working the valves. Numerous modifications of con-
structing, applying, and working the valve can be made without in the least
departing from the principle of the Invention or improvement, which consists
mainly in the combined motion imparted to the valve moving and cataract
cylinder.

page_text: A represents the main steain cylinder provided with the usual steam ports and
passages; B, the main piston; C, the valve chest; D, is the main slide valve of the
D form, attached by a hollow stem to a valve moving piston D₁. The valve moving
piston operates in a valve moving cylinder C, C, and carries an auxiliary slide
valve F, as represented, which adinits and exhausts steam too and from the valve
moving cylinder C to move the valve moving piston D'. The main slide valve D
being attached to the valve moving piston D₁ is moved by and with it. The valve
moving cylinder C inoves the main slide valve by reason of being in connection or
contact with the valve moving piston D: The valve moving cylinder C is attache:
by a trunk or hollow stem to the cataract cylinder H, as represented, and the valve
moving piston to the cataract piston G. An arm Jis attached to the main piston
rod, and operates two levers I and M. The foriner is attached by a link 111 to the
cataract cylinder and hence the valve moving and cataract cylinders have a motion
coincident with (but in an opposite direction) to the main steain piston B. The
auxiliary valve F is furnished with a rod K, which extends through the rod or tube
connecting the valve moving and cataract pistons, and is provided with tappets k, l,
with which the second lever M. comes in contact for reversing the auxiliary
valve F.
lo
The operation is as follows:-In the Drawings, Fig. 1 (Sheet 1¹), the main piston
has just reached the end of its stroke to the right the valve moving cylinder C,
and with it the main slide valve D has been moved to the left, shutting off the
admission of steam to the main cylinder through the passage A¹ on the left. Just
before the main piston reaches this point the lever M comes in contact with the
tappet upon the rod K, and moves the auxiliary valve F to the left, adinitting
steain to the right hand end of the valve moving cylinder through the passage e,
and exhausting from its left-hand end through the passages e and f to tlie main
exhaust. The valve moving piston D¹ now moves to the left at a velocity permitted
by the flow of liquid in the cataract cylinder H. As soon as the main valve, by
reason of the valve moving piston just described, begins to uncover the admission
port A on the right the main piston will commence its stroke to the left. The
lever I at once begins to move the valve moving cylinder, and consequently the
main slide valve to the right. Now if the pressure on the steam piston continues
uniform the motion of the valve moving cylinder will be uniform, and hence the
position of the main valve with relation to the steam ports will not be changed,
and a constant quantity of steam to perform the work and give the main piston its
proper velocity is admitted to the main cylinder until the piston has nearly com-
pleted its stroke.
After the piston has been started, as shown and described, should the load upon it
be increased, the main piston will advance proportionally slower than the valve
moving piston D¹, which travels at a uniform velocity, and consequently the steam
admission port will be opened wider, and a greater quantity of steam admitted to
the main cylinder. On the other hand, should the load be lessened, as might happen
in the case of pumping engines, from loss of or failure to take water, the main
piston will travel more rapidly in proportion than the valve moving piston, and
hence the steam admission port will be nearly or quite closed. The main piston
will then cone to rest until the valve moving piston D¹, which continues to advance,
has again carried the main valve off the adinission port, when the proper quantity
of steam will be admitted to carry the main piston to the end of its stroke at the
proper working velocity.
A single lever may be made to work the auxiliary valve F, and move the valve
moving arid cataract cylinders C and H; this may be accomplished by connecting
the lever M and cataract cylinder H and consequently valve cylinder C by an
elongation of the link I, and thereby dispence with the lever I and short
link I
Fig. 2 shows another modification of this arrangement, in which the valve moving
cylinder C is placed in front of the main valve D sliding upon the same valve seat
or plain. The valve moving piston D¹ is a piston of ordinary construction; its röd

page_text: extends through the valve moving cylinder, and is attached to the main slide
valve D. The auxiliary valve F is placed upon the valve moving cylinder C, the
exhaust passage f passing around the cylinder C to the main exhaust. The valve
rod K moves the auxiliary valve F through a lever of the first order; therefore the
valve is moved in an opposite direction to that in which it would move if the rod
was attached directly to it. The valve F must be of the B form, as shown. The
valve moving and cataract cylinders C and H are connected by an enlarged trunk
or stein, through which passes an auxiliary valve rod K. and the valve moving piston
rod, the latter being attached to the cataract piston as in the arrangement before
described. A single lever is used attached to the cataract cylinder by the link I,
and extended to move the auxiliary valve rod K, as shown. The operation and the
result produced are precisely the same as in the previous arrangements, Fig. 1, and
therefore requires no further description.
Fig. 3 shows a second modification, which differs from Fig. 1 only in two respects,
namely, a single lever I is used, operating both the auxiliary valve F and valve
moving cylinder C, as in Fig. 2; and, second, the cataract cylinder H is placed at
the left of the main steam chest. In every other respect, both in construction and
operation, the arrangements are the same as shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows a third modification, which differs but little to the previous ones.
The auxiliary valve F is placed upon the valve moving cylinder C, and its rod
extending through a tube working through the end of the steam chest and attached
to the valve moving cylinder C, as represented. The cataract cylinder is placed at
the right, sliding upon a seat provided for it upon a connection for joining the
main steam cylinder A to the pump barrel (not shown).
Other inodications of my improvement consists in dispensing with the cataract
for controlling the motion of the valve, and only using the valve moving cylinder.
These modifications inay be made to suit any conditions of work required to be
done; but are only intended for the smaller class of engines, and not so much for
safty as to give a positive motion to the valve, and shut off the steam by the
valve moving cylinder when the main piston is about terminating its stroke for
causing a slight pause in, its motion to give the pump valves time to seat to prevent
undue wear or shock. Two of these inodifications are represented by Figs. 5 and 6
they may be extended and varied in form of structure without departing from the
principle of the improvement, which is the motion given to the valve moving cylinder
by the piston of the engine.
;
Instead of moving the valve moving cylinder to govern the admission of steam
to the main cylinder, the piston in the valve moving cylinder may be moved by
motion taken from the main piston, for cutting off or regulating the supply of
steam to the main cylinder; for such cases as these the main and auxiliary valves
are usually attached to the valve moving cylinder.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a cylinder and valve arrangement dispensing
with the cataract, the cylinder A is provided with the usual steam ports and
passages. The auxiliary valve F is stationary, it is a flat B valve with its ends
extended to the ends of the steam chest. Its position may be regulated by the
screws g, g. The communication of the ports are changed by the valve moving
cylinder C passing under the auxiliary valve F. The exhaust from the valve
moving cylinder in this and similar arrangements pass around the valve moving
cylinder to the main exhaust. A regulating valve or cock may be placed in the
exhaust to control or govern the motion of the valve moving piston D. The
Drawings are sufficient plain to show the action of the valve to persons versed
in the art without further specifying. The valve moving cylinder is worked the
same as in some of the plans before described.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a cylinder and valve arrangement showing
another modification of the improvement.
The main valve and valve moving
cylinder are united and are stean moved, while the valve moving piston is attached
to and moved by the lever I. The cylinder C has a central partition, its end being
open: Pistons D are united by the stem D and operates in the valve moving

page_text: cylinder C. The valve moving pistons are cushioned by overruning their exhaust
ports, and are started by steam being suddenly exhausted from the opposite end
upon the negative plan to move it off the cushion. The auxiliary valve F is upon
the back of the valve moving cylinder C, and is moved by the lever I coming in
contact with the tappets k, k, on its rod. A stationary auxiliary valve previously
shown in Fig. 5 may be used if preferred.
The Drawings to be herein-after described are only modifications of the manner
of giving the requisite motion to the movable valve moving cylinder or valve
moving pistons, as the case may be, from the main piston of the engine, and also
imparting motion to the cataract cylinder for governing the admission of steam to
the main cylinder for the purposes and in the manner herein-before described;
similar letters refer to corresponding parts of the improvement.
Sheet 2¹ represents a modification of the improvement in which the valve moving
cylinder is placed on the outside and independent of the main steam chest, and is
permanently connected to the cataract cylinder by rods for moving them together
through the medium of levers, by motion taken from the piston rod of the engine as
represented.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of an engine and pump with the improvement attached;
Fig. 8 is a top view of the same.
Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sections of the machine showing different views of
the lever arrangement for working the valve moving and cataract cylinders and
showing attachments thereto.
Fig. 11 is a separate and enlarged longitudinal section of the valve moving and
cataract cylinders and plate M on which they are worked, and Fig. 12 is a top
view of the same. A is the main cylinder; B, bed plate on which it and the pump
barrels L, L, are mounted as represented in Figs. 7 and 8; M is a plate for carrying
the auxiliary valve moving and cataract cylinders on which they slide, and serve
for connecting the main cylinder A and pump barrel L for adding strength to the
main frame. The auxiliary steam valve moving cylinder C as before stated is
outside and independent of the main steam chest, and is connected to the cataract
cylinder H by rods a, a, and are made to move together by motion taken from the
piston rod through the medium of the arm J, levers I, I, and links d, d, one on each
side of the cataract cylinder; the levers I, I, work on a fulcrum in the plate M, and
extend up on each side for moving the auxiliary valve F through the medium of
the tappets h, k, as shown. The valve moving cylinder C is furnished with steam
from the main steam chest C through the pipe g, one end of which is perma-
nently attached to the cylinder and moves with it, and the other end through a
stuffing box on the end of the steam chest, as more fully shown in Fig. 8. Tie
steam exhaust from the valve moving cylinder C through the pipe which is
made to communicate with the main exhaust by an opening through the steam
chest, the exhaust pipe is attached to the valve moving cylinder and made to
work through a stuffing box on the end of the main steam chest, similar to the
steam pipe g. The auxiliary valve F is worked and controlled by hand when
required by the lever fattached to the end of the valve rod, as represented in
the various Figures. The motion of the main valve will be regulated by the flow
of liquid in the cataract cylinder H, which is adjusted by means of a plug valve m
or its equivalent.
The action of the valve arrangement on Sheet 21 for controlling the motion of the
main piston is identical in principle to the plans shown on Sheet 11; for instance, it
is the same as the plan shown by Fig. (Shee 1), excepting the valve moving
cylinder is placed on the outside of the main steam chest as before stated; the
auxiliary piston D, shown in Fig. 11, moves the main valve (not shown) to admit
steam to the cylinder A, and is controlled in its notion by the cataract H, while
the motion imparted to the valve moving and cataract cylinders from the piston of
the engine shut off the admission of steam to the main cylinder should the piston
move faster than its required speed, by the pump failing to take or lose its water,
or by any other cause that might disturb the required velocity of the main piston,

page_text: which is regulated by the flow of liquid in the cataract. The adjustable collars or
tappets i, i, on the rods a, a, are used for cutting off the steam from the main
cylinder by the motion imparted to the valve moving and cataract cylinders
C and H. This is effected by the cut-off collars striking against the cross bar b
attached to the piston rod n of the valve moving and cataract cylinders, and made
to work over the connecting rods a, a. The collars i, i, by their motion from the
main piston are made to arrest and reverse the motion of the main valve, and
thereby cut off the steam at any point of the stroke of the piston desired.
cut-off arrangement may be used in connection with single cylinders or compound
engines, and may be thrown out of gear at any time by moving the collars i, i,
back on the rods a, a, sufficient so as not to strike the cross bar b. The cut-off
devices are not shown in Figs. 11 and 12.
The
The main steam cylinder, valve chest, and valve on Sheet 2¹ are not shown in
section, as such views are fully shown on Sheet 1' in section.
The modification of the improvement shown on Sheet 21 is more particulary
intended for large size and compound engines. The main piston and valve rods
may be extended, as shown on Fig. 7, for working an expanding cylinder, and
thereby form a compound engine; for such cases any known suitable arrangement
will be employed for taking the steam from the high to the low pressure cylinders,
and for connecting the piston rods together for carrying the power to the pump.
The Drawings on Sheet 2¹ will be found sufficient full and plane to give an under-
standing of the working of the improvement without further specifying them.
The improvement for working and regulating the valve motion may be applied to
single or compound cylinders working in a vertical position, for such cases the
requisite mechanism for moving the valve, moving and cataract cylinders by motion
from the piston rod, would readily suggest itself to persons versed in the art.
The
The Drawings on Sheet 31, illustrates modifications of the valve motion controlled
by a cataract, in which the valve moving or auxiliary cylinder is stationary.
movable cataract cylinder is therefore not attached to the auxiliary cylinder, and
lience must effect the main valve without its intervention.
The main piston or piston rod by means of a lever as in the previous arrange-
ments or other mechanical connections, imparts a motion to the cataract cylinder
coincident with its own motion. The liquid with which the cataract cylinder is
filled being practically incompressable this motion of the cataract cylinder acts
through the liquid upon the cataract piston, and therefore effects or moves the main
valve, to which the piston is attached. Thus if the motion of the cataract cylinder
is faster than that imparted to the cataract piston by the valve moving auxiliary
piston, the former will carry the latter with it, moving the main valve in a direction
to cut off the admission of steam to the main cylinder. But if the cataract piston
should be moved faster than the cataract cylinder the main valve will be carried
in a direction to open the steam admission ports wider. If both where moved at
the same velocity the main valve would remain stationary. In the first case, when
the cataract cylinder moves the cataract piston, the auxiliarly piston (or valve-
moving piston) will be forced in a direction contrary to that in which it is being
moved by steam, by compressing the steam in the auxiliary cylinder or forcing
it back towards the boiler.
Figs. 13, 14, and 15 (Sheet 3) show different modifications of the action of a
moving cataract cylinder for governing or regulating the motion of the main.valve,
and consequently the velocity of the main piston, as before described, while the
auxiliary valve moving cylinder is stationary.
I will first describe the improvement as represented by Fig. 13. A is the
main steam cylinder provided with the usual steam and exhaust passages A¹, A',
B¹; B, is the main piston; C, the steam chest; D, the main slide valve; C is the
stationary auxiliary valve moving cylinder, in which the auxiliary piston D₁ works.
The auxiliary valve F is placed in a chest on the top of the auxiliary cylinder. The
auxiliary piston rod D is attached to the main valve D, and to the cataract piston

page_text: G. The cataract cylinder H is moved from the main piston rod by an arm J,
and lever I.
The operation is as follows:-As shown in Fig. 13, the main piston has about
reached the end of its stroke to the right, and the main valve has been carried to
the left, shutting off the admission of steam to the left band of the main cylinder.
The lever I has struck the tappet k upon the valve rod F¹ to the left, admitting steam
to the right end of the auxiliary cylinder through the passage e¹, and exhausting
from its left end through the passages e and f. The auxiliary piston D¹ now moves
to the left at the velocity permitted by the flow of liquid in the cataract cylinder H,
carrying with it the main valve D. As soon as the main valve begins to uncover
the steam admission port A¹ on the right the main piston will commence its stroke
to the left. The lever I at once begins to move the cataract cylinder to the right:
Now if the pressure on the steam piston continues uniform the velocity of the
cataract cylinder will be uniform and the cataract piston will continue to move just
in advance of it. Hence the position of the main valve with relation to the steam
ports will not be changed, and a constant quantity of steam, just sufficient to
perform the work and maintain the proper velocity of the piston is admitted to
the main cylinder until the piston has completed its stroke.
After the main piston has commenced its stroke should the load upon it be
increased, its velocity, and consequently that of the cataract cylinder will be re-
tarded, while the auxiliary piston D¹, which moves independently of the main piston,
and at a constant velocity, will carry the main valve further to the left, opening the
steam admission port wider, until a quantity of steam sufficient to overcome the
increased resistance has been admitted. The main piston thence moves on to the
end of its stroke. On the other hand should the load on the main piston be lessened,
its velocity will be accelerated. The velocity of the cataract cylinder will also be
accelerated, and pressing against the liquid intervening between it and the cataract
piston it will force the latter and with it the auxiliary piston and main valve to the
right, nearly or quite cutting off the admission of steam to the main cylinder. The
main piston will then move on slowly to the end of its stroke, or will come to rest
until the auxiliary piston which continues to advance has again carried the main
valve to the left, opening the port so as to admit steam sufficient to complete its
stroke.
The auxiliary piston completes its stroke a little in advance of the main piston,
hence when the main piston approaches the end of its stroke the cataract cylinder
will force the cataract piston G, and with it the auxiliary piston D¹ and main
cylinder D to the right, cutting off the admission of steam to the right end of the
main cylinder; at the same time the lever I will strike the tappet moving the
auxiliary valve F to the right, admitting steam to the left of the auxiliary piston D¹,
hence the main valve will be carried to the right opening port A¹, admitting
steam to the left end of the main cylinder, and again reversing the stroke of the
main piston.
Fig. 14 is another modification of the valve motion shown by Fig. 13. The
main valve D being a plain slide valve placed in an independent chest C¹ and the
auxiliary valve moving cylinder C is stationary, the cataract cylinder H is moved
by the main piston by means of the arm J, the spiral grooved bar I, and the screw I².
Upon the end of the grooved bar I is a collar I" which is held by a bridle to the
cataract cylinder so that the bar may rotate freely. The arm J is attached to the
main piston rod; at its end is a bos provided with feathers through which the
spiral bar I passes. As the arm J advances the bar I is forced to accommo-
date itself to the feather in the bos and thus the bar is twisted or rotated, and
its twisting or rotating turns the screw I¹ causing the cataract cylinder to
advance or recede, as the case may be. As the main piston advances faster or
slower the grooved bar will be turned, relatively causing the cataract cylinder to
advance at the same velocity in a direction opposite to the auxiliary and cataract
pistons, and thus influencing the main valve in the same manner as shown and

page_text: described in the plan represented by Fig. 13. The Drawing, Fig. 14, is sufficient
plain and full to give an understanding of the working of the improvement without
further describing it.
Fig. 15 is another modification and differs from the one shown in Fig. 14 only
in the manner of operating the auxiliary valve F. In that case it is operated
positively by the contact of a projecting arm on the cataract cylinder with tappets
upon the auxiliary valve rod Fu, in this case by means of a lever by the combined
motion of the auxiliary piston and cataract cylinder. The auxiliary valve rod is
connected by the link F to the lever M, one end of which is attached to the
auxiliary piston rod D", and the other to the rod N which is bolted to an upright
from the cataract cylinder H. The motion imparted to one end of the lever M by
the auxiliary piston D' is opposite to that imparted to the other end of it by the
cataract cylinder; hence the fulcrum varys according to which end is the slower,
and the auxiliary valve F is moved accordingly, regulating the amount of steam
admitted to the auxiliary cylinder C. If the auxiliary piston moves more rapidly
than the cataract cylinder the end of the lever M becomes the fulcrum, and the
valve F will be nearly or quite closed. If the cataract cylinder moves more rapidly
the end M becomes the fulcrum and the auxiliary valve F is opened wider, admit-
ting an additional supply of steam to the auxiliary cylinder. This method of
operating the auxiliary valve may be applied to any of the modifications of the
valve motion.
Fig. 16 (Sheet 4) is another modification of the improvement when the auxiliary
valve moving cylinder is stationary. The cataract cylinder H in this case is
carried at the end of the arm J without the intervention of a lever, and hence has
the same stroke and travels in the same direction as the main piston. The motion
of the cataract cylinder H being in the same direction as the main piston, and
not in an opposite direction, as in previous described modifications of this class,
the form of the main valve is B shaped, being required in order that the proper
ports may communicate at the proper time. The auxiliary valve F is moved by
the contact of an arm upon the cataract cylinder H with the tappets k, l, upon the
rod F The cataract cylinder acting through the liquid with which it is filled
upon the cataract piston G, and influences the main valve D in the manner before
stated in the plan shown by Fig. 13 on Sheet 3.
Instead of working the auxiliary valves F as represented in the several modifica-
tions through the medium of levers, and tappets, and rods, by motion taken from the
piston rod of the engine, as before described, they may be constructed for working
by the direct pressure of steam taken from the cylinder through suitable steam
ports and passages, leading from behind the piston when it is about terminating its
stroke at each end of the cylinder, however I prefer working the said auxiliary
valves through the medium of tappets by motion taken from the main piston or
piston rod of the engine, for being more positive in their action, less complicated,
and under the control of the operator at all times.
Fig. 17 (Sheet 4) represents a modification of the improvement for working the
auxiliary valve F by steam pressure, similar to one of the plans represented in my
Patent dated 16th October 1875, instead of using levers and, tappets. Since the
valve moving cylinder C moves by the pressure of steam at a velocity permitted by
the flow of liquid in the cataract cylinder H, while the valve moving piston D¹ is
moved in an opposite direction by the lever I attached to the main piston rod at a
velocity which may vary, the position of the valve moving cylinder and piston may
constantly vary with relation to each other. When the main piston B has nearly
reached the end of its stroke the valve moving piston D' moved by the lever will
come in contact with the valve moving cylinder C, and carry it and the main
valve D over the steam admission port, at the same time establishing communication
between the initial ports ready to admit steam to reverse the auxiliary valve F.
To make the communication between passages c and b and c and b₁ respectively
certain, the passages c and c¹ in the valve moving piston may terminate in a channel,
with which the passages b and b¹ respectively will be in communication.
When

page_text: the cataract is used the tubular cocks or valves T for governing the points of
reversing the auxiliary valve should also be used; the use of these cocks are shown
and described in my Patent dated 17th April 1873.
Fig. 19 (Sheet 5) represents another modification of the improvement in which
the auxiliary valve F is steam moved, combined with the movable cataract cylinder,
for giving the regulating motion to the main valve D. The cataract cylinder H is
moved by the lever I attached to the main piston rod through the arm J. The
cataract cylinder has no direct connection with the valves, but acts through the
liquid with which it is filled upon the cataract piston G, and through the rod Du
on the main piston valve D, similar to the plan before described and represented by
Fig. 13, Sheet 3. The auxiliary valve F is actuated the same as that before
described and represented by Fig. 17. Similar letters refer to corresponding parts
in both cases.
Fig. 20 (Sheet 5) represents another modification of the improvement, with a
stationary cataract and valve moving cylinder furnished with a valve moving seat.
The movable seat has a cylinder cast with it, in which the auxiliary or valve
moving piston D¹ operates. The auxiliary valve F is a separate and independent
valve placed upon the back of the valve moving cylinder C, and carried through
part of its travel with it. The ports leading to and from the valve moving cylinder
are opened by the passage of the cylinder under the auxiliary valve. Two studs or
pins F, F, are provided for regulating the amount of lost motion of the auxiliary
valve F. The main valve is a flat D valve, sliding upon the movable seat
cast to the movable cylinder C, and operated by the auxiliary piston D¹. The
valves are wholly covered by a steam chest C, guarding them from frequent
changes of temperature. The lever I, operated by the arm J attached to the main
piston rod, is connected by a link to a stem or tube extending from the valve
moving cylinder through the steam chest, as represented. The motion of the valve
moving cylinder and movable seat C is therefore constant, being coincident with
and in the same direction as the main piston. The necessity of moving the valve
moving cylinder in the same direction as the main piston is occasioned by the use
of the movable valve seat, as will be seen from the description of its operation.
The lever I is fulcrumed at I", and the valve moving cylinder is attached to the
lever I between the fulcrum and the arm J.
The
The valve moving piston D₁ is attached to the cataract piston G. The cataract
cylinder is stationary. The operation of this modification is as follows:-The main
piston has just completed its stroke to the right, carrying the valve moving cylinder
and movable seat also to the right under the main valve D), so cutting off the
admission of steam to the left end of the main cylinder. In its motion to the right
the valve moving cylinder C has carried the auxiliary valve F also to the right, until
it comes in contact with the stud F¹. The valve moving cylinder then moves on
under the auxiliary valve changing the communication of the ports and passages
leading to the valve moving cylinder. Hence steam is admitted to its right end
through the passage e¹, and exhausted from its left end through the passages e, f,
causing the auxiliary piston and with it the main valve D to move to the left
at the velocity permitted by the flow of liquid in the cataract cylinder.
main valve D is thus started to the left, moving off the port a' in the movable seat,
which communicates with the steam passage A leading to the right end of the main
cylinder. The main piston now commences its stroke to the left and the lever I
begins immediately to move the valve moving cylinder C in the same direction to
the left. Now if the main piston continues to move at the same speed with which
it started the relative position of the auxiliary piston and valve moving cylinder
will remain constant, hence the position of the main valve with relation to the
stean ports will remain unchanged, and a uniform quantity of steam will be
admitted to the main piston during the entire stroke. But if the speed of the
main cylinder should be accellerated, the valve moving cylinder would gain upon the
auxiliary piston which travels allways at a constant velocity carrying the movable
seat under the main valve, so that the steam admission port will be nearly or quite

page_text: closed. The main piston will then move on to the left at the proper working speed,
or will come to rest until the auxiliary piston has again carried the main valve to
the left of the steam admission port. The main piston will then again move on
until it has finished its stroke. On the other hand should the speed of the main
piston be retarded, the valve moving cylinder will move much more slowly than
the auxiliary piston, hence the latter will carry the main valve further off the
port a, admitting a greater quantity of steam to the main cylinder, thus enabling
the main piston to overcome the increased resistance. The main piston has a little
clearance at each end of the cylinder. If its speed should become so rapid that the
auxiliary piston would not have time to change the main valve before it the main
piston reaches the cylinder end the movable seat will be carried under the main
valve, admitting steam to the main cylinder in advance of the main piston to
cushion and reverse it. Under ordinary conditions the movable seat will have
been carried under the main valve, and cut off the admission of steam just before
the main piston has reached the end of the cylinder. The main valve is shown
in the Drawings without lap. In some cases it will be found necessary to mako
the valve with lap on the steam side, and in some cases on both sides. Other forms
of valves may be used for the auxiliary valve, and it may be placed in any other
convenient position.
Fig. 18 (Sheet 4) is an arrangement provided with a valve moving cylinder, and
is identical with the one represented in Fig. 3 (Sheet 1), excepting the cataract
cylinder is omitted; the description relating to Fig. 3 will serve to describe the
action of Fig. 18, minus the cataract cylinder.
Figs. 21 and 22 (Sheet 6) is another modification of a valve moving cylinder and
piston with the cataract omitted, but which may be used if desired in this or a
similar arrangement. In this arrangement the valve moving cylinder C has a flat
base which forms the main slide valve. The valve moving piston D¹ is moved by
the lever I attached to the main piston rod. The auxiliary valve F is placed upon
the back of the valve moving cylinder C. The valve F has a short travel caused
by friction upon the valve moving cylinder, and the cylinder C passes under it to
open the ports, as in some of the previous arrangements. The auxiliary valve F
may be made stationary or be moved by tappets, as in previous modifications. The
exhaust from the valve moving cylinder is throttled by a cock or valve, as
represented for controlling the valve moving piston.
Figs. 23 and 24 (Sheet 6) is another modification of the improvement, in which
case motion is imparted to the valve moving piston D¹ by means of the levers I, 1',
and J, the rock shaft M¹, and finger M. The latter is placed in the main exhaust
moving the valve moving piston by a fork below. The valve moving cylinder C is
steam moved, and the auxiliary valve F is stationary. Two independent valve
moving cylinders are used, opening outwardly, and supported upon the valve moving
piston.
The valve moving piston is formed of two pistons united in the centre by a key K;
and constructed similar to the differential tappet pistons in my Patent, dated 16th
October 1875.
The main valve is a flat D valve held between the ends of the valve moving
cylinder C, and therefore moving with them. A sleeve F surrounds a reduced
portion of the valve moving piston D', and sliding on the back of the valve D,
and has a fork in which the finger M works to move the valve moving piston;
it also forms a seat for the auxiliary valve F.
The collars which surround the smaller port of the valve moving pistons
overrun the exhaust ports e and c¹ before the valve moving cylinders reaches the
end of their travel, and thus they are cushioned; they are started again by the
sudden exhaust of steam from the opposite end, as shown and described in my
Patent of October 16th 1875.
The principle object of Figs. 23 and 24 is to show the modification or arrange-
ment of parts for working the valve moving piston D by the levers and rods before
described.
:

page_text: The motion imparted to the valve moving cylinders C and cataract cylinders H
by the main piston may be employed for working and governing the motion of
other forms of valves besides the B and D shaped slide valves, as shown, for
admitting steam too and from the main steam cylinders, for instance any of the
ordinary balance slide or poppet steam valves may be arranged for working or
having their motion governed by the combined motion of the valve moving and
cataract cylinders, or by singly moving the valve moving cylinder or cataract
cylinder by motion taken from the main piston of the engine.
Numerous other modifications of parts will readily suggest themselves to persons
skilled in the art, by which a separate combined motion may be imparted to the
valve moving cylinder C, valve moving piston D', and cataract cylinders H by
motion taken from and coincident with that of the main piston for working the
main valve to regulate the admission of steam to the main cylinder, as represented
in the various plans and in the manner herein-before described.
Having described the manner of constructing and working my said Invention in
various modified forms, which may be extended to suit the condition and size of
pumping engines, to which they may be applied without departing from the principle
of my improvement; in the meantime I am aware that cataracts have been used for
regulating the motion of steam valves, and also that auxiliary steam cylinders and
pistons have been employed for moving steam valves of pumping engines, neither
of which I claim separatly and of themselves; but what I do claim as my
improvement is,-
irst. The movable valve moving cylinder C and movable cataract cylinder H,
having motion imparted to them combined or imparting motion to either of them
separately by mechanical means froin and coincident to that of the main
piston B, as shown, or in any other equivalent manner for purposes herein-before
described.
2rd. Combining or attaching the main slide valve D either to the valve moving
cylinder C, or to the valve moving piston D¹, as shown and described.
3rd. Imparting a continuous or intermittent motion to the valve moving
piston D¹, or to the valve moving cylinder C, as shown and described for working
the main valve D for regulating the flow of steam to the main cylinder for the
purposes herein-before stated.
4th. The combination of the valve moving cylinder C and the valve moving
piston D' with the main slide valve D, wherein either one or the other of them has
a continuous or intermittent motion by and coincident with the motion of the
main piston, as shown and described.
5th. The combination of the valve moving cylinder C, valve moving piston D¹,
and auxiliary valve F, whether the auxiliary valve F is movable or stationary, as
before shown and described.
6th. Operating the valve D by the combination of a valve moving cylinder C
and piston D moving in opposite directions at the same time, each to the right and
left alternately, one at a constant velocity, and the other at a variable velocity,
coincident with the motion of the main piston for actuating and causing the main
valve D to perform the function of a regulating and cut-off valve in the manner
and for the purposes before described.
7th. The combination of the valve moving cylinder C, auxiliary valve F, valve
moving piston D1, and main slide valve D, with the main cylinder and piston
arranged, constructed, and operated substantially as shown and described.
8th. The combination of the valve moving cylinder C, auxiliary valve F, valve
moving piston D¹, main slide valve D, moving cataract cylinder H, and its piston G
with the main steam cylinder and piston arranged, constructed, and operated sub-
stantially as shown and described.
Oth. The cataract cylinder H, having a motion imparted to it by mechanical
means from and coincident with that of the main piston when the auxiliary steam
cylinder C is stationary, as shown by Sheet 3, and for purposes herein-before
described.

page_text: 10th. The combination of the moving cataract cylinder H, its piston G, piston
rod D, stationary auxiliary steam cylinder C, piston D, auxiliary valve F, and
main valve D combined with the main cylinder A and piston B, as shown by
Sheet 3, and for purposes herein-before described.
11th. The valve moving cylinder C, having a motion imparted to it by
mechanical means from and coincident with that of the main piston when the
cataract cylinder H is stationary, as represented in Fig. 20, and for purposes
herein-before described.
12th. The combination of the movable valve moving cylinder C, piston D¹,
piston rod D, stationary cataract cylinder H, its piston G, auxiliary valve F, and
main slide valve D combined with the main cylinder A and piston B, as repre-
sented in Fig. 20, and for purposes herein-before described.
In witness whercof I, the said Martin Benson, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
MARTIN BENSON. (L.S.)