IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE FACES FOR STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND FOR PUMPS, AND ALSO IN THE METHOD OF ACTUATING MECHANICALLY-MOVED STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER PUMP-VALVES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Evans, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of
Culwell Foundry, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and
General Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND
VALVE FACES FOR STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE POWER ENGINES AND FOR
PUMPS, AND ALSO IN THE METHOD OF ACTUATING MECHANICALLY-MOVED
STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER PUMP-VALVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Evans at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th October 1879.
JOSEPH EVANS, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of Culwell Foundry,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and General Engineers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE FACES FOR STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE
POWER ENGINES AND FOR PUMPS, AND ALSO IN THE METHOD OF ACTUATING
MECHANICALLY-MOVED STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER PUMP-VALVES."
This Invention relates, firstly, to reversible valves for steam and other motive-
power engines and to reversible mechanically-moved valves for pumps, and consists
in making the valve with two faces, one being the same as or similar to a three-
port slide, and the other having a bar across the middle of the face and an exhaust
port on each side thereof. The valve-face is the same as or similar to a three-port
slide-valve-face except that a port is sunk in the face at each end extra to the
ordinary end ports, a bar being formed between each such recess and end port.
The valve and chest may be cylindrical, and the valve slide (in ordinary working)
parallel with its axis. When the first-described face of the valve is working against
the valve face it acts as an ordinary three-port slide, but when the valve is rotated
on its axis sufficiently to bring the other face of the valve to work against the
valve-face the two recesses in the face allow steam (if used for a steam engine) to
flow alternately under each end of the valve and through the corresponding steam
port, and the steam exhausts alternately through one of the exhaust ports of the
valve, and the engine (or direction of the fluid if used as a pump valve) is thus
reversed by simply turning the valve sufficiently on its axis.
The valve may be a flat disc, or may be a cylinder rotating on its axis in ordinary
working instead of sliding endwise; in either case two faces corresponding to the

page_text: two for the first-described valve are formed upon the valve, and the two recesses
corresponding to those described are sunk in the valve-face. The disc valve and
the cylindrical valve, both rotating on their axes, may be reversed by turning
them on their axes independently to their movement in ordinary working, or the
cylindrical valve last named may be reversed by moving it along its axis if the
two faces are formed side by side instead of in different places round the circum-
ference, or the valve may be flat, and work as an ordinary slide-valve, and be
reversed by moving it side-ways so as to bring the proper face of the valve over
the valve-face.
This Invention relates, secondly, to a method of balancing slide valves used for
pumps, and consists in placing a disc at the back of the valve to slide against the
lid, the said disc being connected to the valve by a turned projecting edge let into
a corresponding recess in the back of the valve, and bearing upon soft india-rubber
or other suitable elastic substance at the bottom of the recess. In the case of a
steam valve for a steam pump or other engine being actuated by an auxiliary valve
the auxiliary valve may be reversible in the manner hereinbefore described, and
thus the action of the inain valve also be reversed.
This Invention relates, thirdly, to a method of actuating the mechanically-moved
piston and other slide-valves of steam and other motive-power pumps, and consists
in connecting the steam or other motive power valve, when the saine is itself
actuated by the steam or other prime mover direct with the pump valve, and
actuating the pump valve therefrom. In working a pump valve in this manner I
provide either steain or water, or other cushions or cataracts, as the case may be, to
one or both valves as advisable.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Evans in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th April
1880.
JOSEPH EVANS, of the Firm of Joseph Evans and Sons, of Culwell Foundry,
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Hydraulic and General Engineers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND VALVE FACES FOR STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-
POWER ENGINES AND FOR PUMPS, AND ALSO IN THE METHOD FOR ACTUATING
MECHANICALLY-MOVED STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER PUMP VALVES."
This Invention relates, firstly, to reversible valves for steam and other motive-
power engines and to reversible mechanically-moved valves for pumps, and consists
in making the valve with two faces, one being the same as or similar to a three-
port slide, and the other having a bar across the middle of the face of the valve
and an exhaust opening in the valve on each side of the said bar. The valve-face is
the same as or similar to a three-port slide-valve-face, except that a port is sunk in
the face at each end and extra to the ordinary end ports, a bar being formed
between each such recess and end port. According to one modification the valve
and chest may be cylindrical, and the valve slide (in ordinary working) parallel
with its axis. When the first described face of the valve is working against the
valve-face it acts as an ordinary three-port slide, but when the valve is turned on
its axis sufficiently to bring the other face of the valve to work against the
valve-face the two recesses aforesaid in the face allow steam (if used for a steam
engine) to flow alternately under each end of the valve and through the corre-
sponding steam port, and the steam exhausts alternately through one of the exhaust
ports of the valve, and the engine (or direction of the fluid, if used as a pump
valve) is thus reversed by simply turning the valve on its axis.
This valve is capable of several modifications, which will be presently described
and illustrated.
This Invention relates, secondly, to a method of actuating the piston and other
slide valves of pumps, in the case of pumps worked direct by steam or other
motive-power, and consists in connecting the steam or other motive-power valve,
when the same is itself actuated by the steam or other motive-power, direct with
the pump valve, and actuating the pump valve therefrom. In working a pump
valve in this manner I provide one or both valves with cushions or cataracts, which
may be of steam, or air, or water, according to the valve to which applied, or an air
or other cushion or cataract may be formed between the two valves. Either of the
valves may be reversible in the manner herein before described.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention I will now proceed to more
particularly describe and ascertain the manner of performing the same, and in
doing so will refer to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters of reference
marked thereon.
The first part of my Invention (namely, that relating to reversible valves for
motive-power engines and for pumps) is illustrated by Figures from 1 to 12
inclusive. Five modifications are illustrated, and are all shewn as applied to
reversible valves for steam engines, but after the same have been properly described
the application of the Invention to reversible valves for other motive-power engines
and for pumps will be readily understood, and further modifications will be also
apparent without used for special illustration.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a cross section on line x, x, of
Figure 1, illustrating one modification of the first part of my Invention. A is a
cylindrical valve chest; B, B, a valve sliding longitudinally therein. The valve
has two faces as shewn, one (namely, that shewn in contact with the valve-face)
has a bar C across the middle, a hollow or port D, D, on each side thereof, and a
bar Cat each end thereof. The other face has a hollow or port E in the middle,

page_text: and a bar E at each end, being constructed as a three-port slide-valve. The valve-
face is constructed as a three-port slide-valve face as shewn, with an exhaust port G
and steam ports G', G¹, but has the recesses F, F, sunk therein as shewn. In
Figure 3 the three-port face of the valve is shewn in contact with the valve-face.
The valve is turned on its axis by means of the hand wheel J. The valve spindle H
has a continuous key-way a sunk in the back end thereof, and the boss of the
wheel has a key b fixed therein, so that the spindle may reciprocate freely through
the said boss, and yet be capable of being turned as the wheel is moved. A small
peg c, let half into the frame K, carrying the spindle and half into the boss, serves
to prevent the wheel turning when in its desired position either way. The spindle
is keyed in the valve, and adjusted endways by means of nuts. Of course a
suitable swivel connection is formed where the valve spindle is attached to the
eccentric-rod. Comparing the two faces of the valve it will be seen that in the case
of the face shewn in contact in Figure 1 the steam or motive fluid passes alternately
under each end bar of the valve into one of the hollows D, and thence into one of the
ports G¹ into the cylinder, as the bar passess over the recess F, and that the exhaust
takes place as the bar C slides off the exhaust port G. This is exactly the opposite
of that which would be the case if the other face of the valve were in contact, as
shewn by Figure 3, and thus it will be seen that when one face of the valve is right
and set for driving the engine one way the other face if formed central therewith
will be right for driving the engine the opposite way. L is the steam branch, and
M, M, are passages conveying the steam to each end of the valve chest A; d, d, are
openings to admit steam to the back of the valve so as to ensure sufficient pressure
upon the working face. Only as much of the parts of the cylinder, etc., is shewn as
will suffice to make the Invention clear.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate respectively a section taken transversely of the cylinder
(but longitudinally of the valve) and transversely of the valve of another modifica-
tion of the first part of my Invention. In this modification the valve is moved on
its axis in ordinary working, being actuated by means of the lever H fixed to the
spindle J, the said lever H being itself vibrated by means of the eccentric or other
rod, the end of which is let on to one of the studs a, a, on the ends of the lever H.
To reverse the valve the back end of the eccentric-rod is lifted off the stud on one
end of the lever H, the lever H is then turned half round by means of the handle
shewn, and the eccentric-rod is then dropped on to the other stud. The valve is
keyed fast upon the spindle J. The parts C, D, D, C, C, E, E', E', F, F, G, and
G¹, G', in this illustration correspond to the parts marked by the same letters in
the first illustration. K is the steam branch into the valve chest, and L, L, are
clear passages from end to end of the valve, allowing the steam to pass freely to the
recesses F, F; K' is the exhaust branch. The valve is kept in position longitudinally
by means of suitable fillets b, b, etc. (see Figure 4).
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate respectively a cross section on line x1, xl, of Figure 7
and a longitudinal section (that is a cross section through the cylinder) of another
modification of the first part of my Invention. This modification is similar to that
last described, except that instead of the two faces of the valve being arranged
around the circumference thereof, they are arranged side by side endways of the
valve, and the valve is therefor reversed by moving it endways in the box. In
Figure only the valve and the inside line of the box are shewn, the other parts
are the same as shewn in Figure 5. This section is taken through the corresponding
face of the valve shewn in contact with the valve-face at Figure 5, and the parts
are lettered the same. The other face is shewn by dotted lines in this Figure, but
the two faces are shewn inore clearly side by side in Figure 7, in which E and C
correspond respectively to the parts so marked in Figure 5; J is the valve spindle,
which is vibrated by means of a lever fixed on the outer end thereof. A fast key
is sunk in the spindle J for the distance along which the valve moves, and a
keyway is sunk in the boss of the valve. The valve is moved lengthways in the
box to reverse it by means of the small spindle N screwed through the nut O. A
sluice P allows the valve to vibrate. The nut is screwed up against the collars a, a,

page_text: which fix its proper position at each end, and lock it so as to prevent the
spindle N from unscrewing by the jarring of the work. The spindle N may be
worked by a hand-wheel fixed thereon beyond the end of the spindle J or by any
suitable means. The spindle N may, if preferred, pass out at the opposite end of
the chest, and be operated therefrom. The back face Q of the valve is simply to
relieve the pressure on the working face; K is the steam branch; K¹, the exhaust
branch; and G the exhaust port. The nut O may be put in in halves, or in any
convenient manner.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate respectively an elevation shewing the valve chest
and valve-face, an elevation shewing the back of the valve and a vertical section on
line 3, y, of Figures 8 and 9; the valve in this Figure (Figure 10) being shewn
within the chest, illustrating another modification of the first part of my Invention.
The valve is actuated similarly as the valve iilustrated by Figures 3, 4, and 5, the
arms of the lever being at an angle to one another however instead of opposite, as
will be presently apparent. The valve forms a segment of a disc; J is the spindle.
Referring to the valve face (Figure 8) G, G¹, G', and F, F, correspond respectively
to the parts lettered the same in Figure 1. Referring to the valve (Figure 9) the
dotted parts lettered D, D, and E refer respectively to the parts correspondingly
lettered in Figure 1, and the bars lettered C, C¹, C, E, E, correspond respectively to
the parts lettered the same in Figure 1. The opening lettered M is to allow free
passage of the steam between the two faces of the valve. This valve is reversed
similarly as in the last example; N is the steam branch, and N' the exhaust. The
direction of the steam ports is shewn by dotted lines, Figure 8.
Figures 11 aud 12 are respectively a longitudinal section and a section on
line 2, 2, of Figure 11, illustrating another modification, of the first part of my
Invention. In this modification the valve-face corresponds to the valve-face
shewn by Figure 1 (except that in this modification it is preferably a plane surface
on the face). The parts lettered .C, C', C, D, D, E, and E¹, E¹, correspond
respectively to the parts so lettered in Figure 1. The part lettered M is an
opening to allow free passage of the stearn between the two faces of the valve. The
valve is worked by the reciprocating motion of the valve spindle H as in the usual
manner of working slide valves, and it is reversed by moving the valve endways
sufficiently to bring the other face over the valve-face. For this purpose a nut N
is let into a part formed in the back of the valve to receive it, and a part O of the
spindle His screwed to screw through the nut, as shewn. A wheel corresponding
to that shewn in Figure 1, and connected to the spindle in the same manner, or
other convenient mechanism, is employed for turning the spindle. A collar or stop
b, b, is fixed to the spindle at each end of the screwed part thereof to fix the point
to which the valve is to be moved in either direction. The valve-face of this
modification is shewn as a plane surface, but it may of course be curved in cross
section if desired. The two different faces may also be side by side instead of end
to end, if desired, in which case the valve will of course be moved sideways,
similarly as shewn by Figures 6 and 7, or in any convenient manner, in order to
reverse its action.
The first part of my Invention has been described and illustrated with special
reference to its application to reversible valves for steam engines, but its applica-
bility to other motive-power engines, for instance, to water power and compressed
air engines, will be obvious without need for further description.
This part of my Invention is applicable also to reversible mechanically-moved
valves for pumps, by working the said valves in any manner in which piston and
other slide-valves are now worked for pumps. In the case of unbalanced valves
used as pump valves (for instance as in Figures 8 to 12) provision must be made to
prevent the valves being forced off their faces.
The second part of my Invention is illustrated by Figure 13, which represents
a plan or elevation, as the case may be, of a direct-acting motive-power pumping
engine. A is the motive-power cylinder; B, the pump; C is the motive-power valve-
chest, and D the pump valve-chest. The motive-power valve is supposed to be

page_text: actuated directly by the pressure of steam or other motive-power. The pump valve
is supposed to be either a piston-valve or slide-valve. Both the valves are con-
nected to-gether direct by the valve spindle E, and thus the pump valve is
actuated direct from the motive-power valve. Of course suitable cushions or
cataracts are provided to prevent the valves being moved too far in either direction.
Cushions or cataracts may be applied to the steam or other motive-power valve in
the manner now usual, or water cataracts may be applied to the pump valve, or an
air or other cushion or cataract may be applied in any position along the spindle E,
or any of these arrangements may be combined, or any suitable equivalent used for
the purpose. Either of the valves may be reversed in the manner hereinbefore
described, providing that in the case of a common or unbalanced slide-valve,
used as a pump valve, provision is made to prevent it being forced off its face.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, and particularly described
and ascertained the manner of performing the same, I declare that I do not limit
myself to the exact details described and shewn, but what I claim as my Invention
and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
1st. The recessed ports F, F, in combination with the double faced reversible
slide-valve for steam and other motive-power engines and for pumps, substantially
as herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying
Drawings.
2nd. The combination of the face with three bars C, C¹, C¹, and ports D, D, with
the face as an ordinary three-port-slide (namely with two bars E', E', and port E)
for the reversible slide valve for steam and other motive-power engines, and for
pumps, substantially as herein described and as illustrated by Figures 1 to 12 of the
accompanying Drawings.
3rd. The method of actuating and reversing reversible valves for steam and other
motive-power engines and for pumps, substantially as herein described and
illustrated by Figures 4 to 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
4th. The method of working the mechanically-moved piston and other slide-valves
of the pumps of steam and other motive-power pumps, by connecting the steam or
other motive-power valve direct with the pump valve, and actuating the latter
therefrom, substantially as herein described and illustrated by Figure 13 of the
accompanying Drawings, and also the method of reversing the pump, by reversing
one of the valves, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Evans, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
Witness,
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Assoc. M. Inst. C.E.,
Office for Patents,
Wolverhampton.
JOSH. EVANS. (L.S.)