IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTSBLE
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Dominique Jobin, of South Island Place,
Clapham Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
Sealed the 27th May 1862, and dated the 12th December 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Dominique Jobin.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th December 1861.
I, JOSEPH DOMINIQUE JOBIN, of South Island Place, Clapham Road, in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO MARINE AND STATIONARY ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
My Invention of improvements in locomotive engines relates, first, to a
novel mode of transmitting motion from the pistons or piston rods of thesteam
cylinders to the driving wheels. The object of this improvement is to connect
the piston rod to the driving wheel, or to attach the latter to its axle, in such
a manner that the driving wheel may be allowed to run loose on the axle
when-desired, as, for instance, when the steam-is-cut-off, from-the-working
cylinders. This object is effected by means of a self-acting lever clutch, which
Price 17

page_text: is adapted to the nave of the wheel, and when it is desired to transmit motion
from the piston of the working cylinder to the driving wheel this lever
clutch is made to bind on the axle and nave, and thereby attach them for the
time being firmly together; but upon cutting off the steam from the working
cylinders, and thereby stopping the action of the pistons, the lever clutch will
be drawn back, and the driving wheel left free to move on the axle without
the latter rotating and keeping in motion the whole of the driving gear of
the engine, as is now the case.
My next improvement relates to an improved mode of constructing the
pistons of the working cylinders. The piston consists of a top and bottom
disc or plate, the former of which may be permanently attached to the piston
rod and the other secured in its place by screw bolts or otherwise. Recesses
are made in the inner surfaces of these plates or discs to receive coiled or
convolute springs, like clock or watch springs, which are made to act on the
back of wedge-shaped pieces or blocks. Segmental packing pieces form the
packing of the piston, and are kept thrust outwards by means of the wedge-
shaped pieces, which by bearing against the clock springs behind, will give a
considerable amount of elasticity to the packing. The top and bottom plates
or discs of the piston are secured together, with the springs and segmental
packing pieces between them, by means of screw bolts, which may pass
through the springs.
My next improvement relates to the slide valves of steam engines, and
consists in adapting to the backs of these valves segmental or other suitably
formed packing pieces, which are kept up to the working face of the top
plate of the valve by means of coiled, convolute, or clock or watch springs,
as in the piston above referred to under the second head of the Invention.
My last improvement consists in adapting to the lever of the safety valve
a convolute spring of the same construction as that employed under the
second and third leads of my
Invention.
It will be evident that, although-I-have-described-my-several-improvements
as intended to be applied more particularly to locomotive engines, yet that the
second, third, and fourth improvements are equally applicable to other kinds
of engines, such as marine and stationary engines; I, therefore, reserve to
myself the right to apply the several parts of my Invention to any other
engines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Dominique Jobin in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 12th June 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
DOMINIQUE JOBIN; of South Island Place, Clapham Road, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me.
the said Joseph Dominique Jobin, Her special license that I, the said Joseph
Dominique Jobin, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as 1, the said Joseph Dominique Jobin, my executors, administrators, 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 LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO MARINE AND STATIONARY ENGINES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Dominique Jobin, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal,.should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention 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 Joseph Dominique Jobin, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention of improvements in locomotive engines relates, first, to a
novel mode of transmitting motion from the pistons or piston rods of the
steam cylinders to the driving wheels. The object of this improvement is to
connect the piston rod to the driving wheel, or to attach the latter to its axle
in such a manner that the driving wheel may be allowed to run loose on the
axle when desired, as, for instance, when the steam is cut off from the work-
ing cylinders. This object is effected by means of a self-acting lever clutch,
which is adapted to the nave of the wheel, and when it it desired to transmit

page_text: motion from the piston of the working cylinder to the driving wheel, this
lever clutch is made to bind on the axle and nave, and thereby attach them for
the time being firmly together; but upon cutting off the steam from the work-
ing cylinders, and thereby stopping the action of the pistons, the lever clutch
will be drawn back, and, the driving wheel left free to move on the axle
without the latter rotating and keeping in motion the whole of the driving
gear of the engine, as is now the case.
My next improvement relates to an inproved mode of constructing the
pistous of the working cylinders. The piston consists of a top and bottom
disc or plate, the former, of which may be permanently attached to the piston
rod, and the other secured in its place by screw bolts or otherwise. Recesses
are made in the inner surfaces of these plates or discs to receive coiled or
convolute springs, like clock or watch springs, which are made to act on the
back of wedge shaped pieces or blocks. Segmental packing pieces form the
packing of the piston, and are kept thrust outwards by means of the wedge
shaped pieces, which by bearing against the clock springs behind, will give
a considerable amount of elasticity to the packing. The top and bottom
plates or discs of the piston are secured together, with the springs and
segmental packing pieces between them, by means of screw bolts, which may
pass through the springs.
My next improvement relates to the slide valves of steam engines, and
consists in adapting to the backs of these valves segmental or other suitably
formed packing pieces, which are kept up to the working face of the top
plate of the valve by means of coiled, convolute, or clock or watch springs
as in the piston above referred to under the second head of the Invention.
My last improvement consists in adapting to the lever of the safety valve a
convolute spring of the same construction as that employed under the second
and third heads of my Invention. It will be evident that, although I have
described myseveral-improvements as intended to be applied more particularly
to locomotive engines, the second, third, and fourth improvements are
equally applicable to other kinds of engines, such as marine and stationary,
engines, I therefore reserve to myself the right to apply the several parts
of my Invention to any kind of engines to which they may be adapted with
advantage.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 represents in transverse section
the component parts of a driving wheel; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of
the same.
The driving shaft or axle A consists of a cylindrical steel shaft,
on which are mounted two discs or rollers B, B, these discs are cut away
or hollowed out at each side, so as to form a double flange, as shown at

page_text: B, B, (Fig. 1). At the ends of the shaft or axle are fixed two cranks; set at
right angles to each other, to which the connecting rods of the cylinders
are jointed. D is a brass frame, which supports an iron ring E, this ring
being shrunk on to the frame D while hot. This frame D serves also,
in conjunction with the frame G, to support the levers H, which are monnted
upon
axles F, and bind upon the rollers B, as may be seen in Fig. 2. The
levers or clutches H, H, are disposed in such manner that one of them shall
producea forward and the other a backward motion. In order to effect this it
is only necessary to move an inclined plane I, which puts one or the other of
the levers H, H, out of action. This inclined plane I is adapted to a hollow
shaft, which slides upon a socket on the frame G. Each wheel is provided
with one of these hollow shafts, and these two hollow shafts are connected
together, and are worked by means of the reversing supply valve lever. The
mathematical point, which produces the bite upon the roller B, (which is
at the part K of the piece H,) has its point of support under the flange of
the roller B. Not only is the adherence rendered perfect by this mechanical
principle, but the roller is always even, smooth, and polished, and it cannot
by any possibility be put out of shape. To the sides of the wheel are adjusted
two strong iron plates L, L, which give to the wheel all the solidity desired.
These iron plates are fixed at each side of the wheel on to the pieces D, E,
and G. The space N is to be filled up with wood, and this principle of con-
struction may be employed whenever the engines are not required to ascend
inclines; but when an iucline of 15 in 1000 has to be surmounted, this space
N must be filled up with spiral springs, and between each two springs is
placed a jointed pin, which passes through the tire of the wheel, and by the
pressure put upon the driving wheels these pins will project through the tiro
and produce a bite upon any ground or upon any pieces of wood set at
the sides of the rails.
Since the existence of steam engines numerous experiments have been made
for the purpose of obtaining a piston which should entirely close the walls of
the cylinders, and only require the least possible power from the engine, and
especially for the purpose of avoiding the necessity for frequent inspections;
but all pistons have not been found to answer the purpose with sufficient
accuracy. I have therefore adopted to my locomotive a piston which fully
obviates all objections, as will be seen in practice, and will be apparent to
practical engineers.
.
Fig. 5 represents my improved pist 'n in sectional view, taken through
its centre, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same.; it may be-made-of
wrought or cast iron, according to the degree of wear it has to undergo. When

page_text: the pistons are made of wrought iron, one of the plates is to be welded on to
the rod, as shewn in the Drawing, a groove being left round it for the recep-
tion of a ring C, which is divided into three portions or segments, and at the
junction of each portion of the circle is a triangular piece D, acted upon by a
volute or clock spring G, set in a recess E. By the employment of these
springs a constant pressure is obtained, and the liability of their getting out
of order or being broken is avoided; they also offer a large pressing surface to
the triangular pieces D, and effect an equal pressure; also, should any steam
get into the recesses containing the springs, these latter will not suffer any
injury, as the steam would press equally upon the whole surface of the
spring. The two plates are bolted together at F, thereby rendering the
piston as solid as if it were made in one piece. I would remark, that
should the segments C work loose, this piston possesses the advantage of
easily counteracting this inconvenience.
It will also be seen on referring to the Drawings, that although this piston
be simple and easy of construction, it differs entirely from all others. It is
constructed mathematically true in the lathe and planing machine, and made
to fit the sides of the cylinder sufficiently tight to prevent the passage of steam,
and as the surfaces are reduced by one half, the friction will be much dimi-
nished. This piston will be found to work a long time without requiring
inspection or repairs, by reason of its suppleness, solidity, and simplicity.
APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF THE PISTONS TO THE SLIDE VALVES OF
STEAM ENGINES GENERALLY.
Equilibrium slide valves without pressure, which have been applied in
various ways to both stationary and locomotive engines, have not in practice
been found to answer the purpose so efficiently as was anticipated. In my
first equilibrium slide valve, experience shewed me that after working well for
several months, the surfaces, when they have become well polished, are apt to
stick together. The slide valves work in boxes in which they are perfectly
adjusted, and which are fixed to the cylinder plates, and-a-vacuum-will-be-
formed after some hours' stoppage between the polished parts, so that when it
is desired to start the engine, the slide valve becomes fixed in its fittings, and
might occasion the breakage of some of the moving parts appertaining to the
valve gear. It is found in practice that two polished surfaces which fit well
against one another cannot-work well-without being constantly lubricated.
Now, the object of this improvement, is to avoid these evils, and for that
purpose I apply my piston arrangement. to slide valves, i.e., I construct them
with moveable segments, as shewn in Figs. 5 and 6. By this means the

page_text: working of the slide valve will be equal to that of the best pistons, as it
has two segments situate at its extremities and acted upon by volute
springs, in such manner that they cannot get out of order.
The employ-.
ment of this valve does not necessitate any alteration in the engines as at
present constructed, the cylinders and valve gear being constructed and
worked in the ordinary manner, two lips sliding over the induction steam
ports, and the steam escaping by a way in the middle. Fig. 5 is a longi-
tudinal vertical section of the valve taken through the middle, and Fig. 6
is a transverse vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 5.
It will be seen that the ordinary form of arched valve is retained, the
following modifications being made in order to do away with the pressure,
which in locomotives causes a waste of steam power.
It will be seen on referring to the Figures that the valve is provided with
an additional shell or casing, which converts it into a half cylinder. A
cover or guide B is held against the table E; the valve is hollow inside, to
allow the steam to circulate longitudinálly, ready to be supplied to the
cylinder. At the extremities of the valve two square slots are cut or turned
out for the reception of the segmental pieces C, which prevent the steam
from pressing upon the shell. Each simicircle is cut or divided, and at the
junction is a triangular piece D, acted upon by a clock spring H. Each
quarter circle is acted upon at the two extremities by the same means.
The springs are set in recesses, and the segments C are held in place by
an iron plate at each end by means of screw bolts and nuts.
I have found, as regards the weighted levers adapted to safety valves of
locomotives, that helical springs do not always possess the elasticity required
to indicate accurately the degrees of pressure, for which reason I haveapplied
to this apparatus clock or volute springs, as in the driving wheels, pistons,
and slide valves, as will be seen on referring to Figs. 7 and 8. By this
arrangement, when the pressure has reached the required degree, the steam
will be immediately allowed to escape from the boiler. The spring B, in
Figs. 7 and 8, is enclosed in a box A, and is wound up to proper tension.
To the spring are attached two rods C and D, one sliding inside the other,
the hollow rod D being affixed to the boiler, and the rod C being connected
with the weighted lever which retains the valve in its seat. On the rod C
is fixed an index or pointer, which indicates upon the rod D the degree of
pressure. These springs possess the advantage of acting with the precision
of a scale beam, provided good steel be employed in their construction.
The Figures in the Drawings which are not lettered represent-detached-
parts of the various sections of apparatus above described.

page_text: Having now described my Invention of improvements in locomotive
engines, and having explained the manner of carrying the same into effect,
I would observe, that parts of the above described improvements are also
applicable to marine and stationary engines; I therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid,―
First, the mode herein set forth of connecting the piston rods of the steam
cylinders to the running wheels of the locomotive, so that when required the
piston rod may either be disconnected, in order that the wheels may be
allowed to rotate without necessarily causing the piston to work in the
cylinder, or the connection of the piston rod of the engine with the running
wheel may be reversed if desired.
Second, I claim the mode herein set forth of constructing the pistons of
engines.
Third, I claim the mode herein set forth of constructing the slide valves
of engines.
Fourth, I claim the mode herein set forth of constructing the spring
balances of the safety valves of boilers.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Dominique Jobin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
J. JOBIN. (L.S.)