An Improved Governor for Engines Worked by Steam, Compressed Air, or other Expansive Fluid.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Governor for Engines Worked by Steam, Compressed
Air, or other Expansive Fluid.
I, JOSEPH PLATT HALL, of the Firm of J. P. Hall & Co., of Blackriding
Iron Works, Werneth, Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention consists of an improved governor for varying the cut off or period
of admission in motor engines worked by steam, compressed air, or other expansive
fluid, the lead or opening when the crank is on the dead centre remaining
constant.
In order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect I will describe the accompanying sheet of drawings reference being had to
the figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved governor, (partly in section) with the
cover removed. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 a sectional
elevational on the line 6 7, Fig. 1.
In the drawings,-A represents the crankshaft or other shaft upon which the
governor is fixed, B is the eccentric, the inside of which is cored out, so that it can
be adjusted as required without coming into contact with the shaft.as shown in
Fig. 1, C is a disc forming one side of the casing cast with a boss or hub by whicb
it is keyed on the driving shaft, D is a second disc (not shown in Fig. 1) fitted on
the boss of the first which forms the cover or other side of the casing, E. E.
4. 4. are bolts round which are distance ferrules (or distance pillars with screwed
ends and nuts) for fastening the discs together, at the same time keeping them
exactly parallel to each other, 5 5 are india rubber or other elastic ferrules round
the distance ferrules or pillars 44 to prevent the centrifugal force of the weights
by any excessive movement injuring the governor itself. Connected to the
eccentric B, or cast in one piece with it, is a swing or arm F one end of which is
formed into a pivot or pin G fitted into and free to turn in the sides of the casing C
and D; on a stud H also fitted into the discs C and D is pivoted a weight K one
end of which is extended to the other side of the stud H and into which is fitted the
stud or pin O; on another stud L, exactly on the opposite side of the centre of
the shaft to H and at the same distance from that centre, another weight M is
pivoted into which is fitted the stud or pin N. The weights K and M are coupled
together by a flexible metal bar or lifter OP N which is jointed to the studs O
and N. The flexible bar O P N is forged so as to receive a stud or pivot P or a
pivot is forged on it near its centre by which to secure the flexible bar to the
eccentric B. Each weight K and M carries upon studs R and S respectively an
eye bolt T round which is coiled a spiral spring U; these eye bolts pass through
swivel lugs V V pivoted and free to revolve in the sides of the casing or discs C
and D. The compression of the springs U can be adjusted so as to counterpoise
the centrifugal action of the weights K and M within a certain variation of speed
by means of the locknuts T' T' and washers W or by other equally effective
means.

page_text: The action of the governor is as follows:-
The casing (consisting of the discs C and D) being keyed on the shaft A
revolves with it and carries round all connected parts, consequently the swing or
arm F and pivot P carry the eccentric B round the shaft .and the eccentric
transmits its motion to the valve by means of an eccentric clip and rod (not shown
in the drawings) in the usual way. The weights K and M and the other parts are
shown in the drawings in the positions they occupy when the engine is running
below its normal speed. Should the speed of the engine exceed the normal the
weights move outward by centrifugal force causing the stud or pin O to approach
the centre of the shaft and the stud N to recede from it thus moving the pivot or
stud P (fixed in the flexible bar OP N) in the direction indicated by the arrows,
causing the centre ✗ of the eccentric B to approach the crank centre line Y Z,
Fig. 1. thereby reducing the diameter of the eccentric circle or stroke of eccentric
from the maximum and also the angle which the centre ✗ of the eccentric makes
with the centre line Y Z of the crank, or in other words, increasing the angle of
advance. If the centrifugal force of the weights were great enough they would
fly outwards revolving on their studs H and L to the full extent allowed and the
centre X of the eccentric B would be moved to 3 and would be exactly in line
with the crank; the circle described by a revolution of this point would be the
minimum stroke of the eccentric B and would transmit by means of its clip and rod
(not shown on the drawing) the least possible travel to the valve whilst in
consequence of the centre ✗ of the eccentric being now in line with the crank, the
port of admission can open no more than it was open before the commencement of
the stroke of the piston or the amount allowed for lead and in consequence of
the centre of the eccentric having moved from its normal position ✗ to its new
position 3 in a line practically straight and exactly at right angles with the crank
it will be found that at whatever speed over the normal the engine may be running,
the lead remains the same.
It may be pointed out that the governor is so designed that it may be changed
from a right to a left hand or left to right hand governor by simply changing the
studs NŎ together with the eccentric B, arm F, and flexible bar OPN from one
side to the other of the casing and that it is suitable for revolving in the opposite
direction by twisting it bodily round on the shaft if required for the opposite hand
engine and by reversing the parts as above if required the same hand of an engine
but running in the reverse direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In combination, the crank shaft or other rotating shaft, a frame or casing
arranged to revolve therewith, a hollow eccentric surrounding the shaft but carried
independently by a swing or arm pivoted to the revolving frame or casing, and
means such as the weighted levers and the flexible connection described for
adjusting the position and stroke of the eccentric relative to the crank and so
varying the cut off or period of admission as the engine requires to keep the speed
of the engine constant whilst the lead or the point at which the steam enters
the cylinder before the commencement of the stroke of the piston remains the
same.
2. In an automatic expansion flywheel governor connecting the weights and
eccentric together by means of a flexible bar as herein described and in place of
the numerous connecting rods, pins and joints hitherto used.
3. The combination with the pivoted or swing eccentric weights counterpoised
by springs and carried in a casing, of a flexible bar coupling said weights and
jointed to the eccentric for the purpose of adjusting the amount of eccentricity and
regulating the cut off to suit the load as the speed of the engine varies all
substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 4. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved
governor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 20th day of August 1894.
H. B. BARLOW & GILLETT,
17, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for Applicant.