IMPROVE- MENTS IN SLIDE VALVES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William George Beattie, of South Bank, Surbiton,
in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SLIDE VALVES."
Sealed the 22nd May 1869, and dated the 24th November 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William George
Beattie at the Office of the Commissioners of. Patents, with his
Petition, on the 24th November 1868.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE BEATTIE, of South Bank, Surbiton, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDE VALVES," to be as follows:-
My improvements in slide valves consist in constructing them in such.
a manner as to relieve them from or to reduce the pressure of the steam
thereon, and the consequent friction attending their movement, and for
that purpose I form the valve and the interior of the steam chest of a
cylindrical shape, and extend the steam ports partly round its circum-
ference, and I form the steam port bars of loose circular rings of metal
or other suitable material in one or more parts inserted in grooves in the
steam chest and compressed against the cylindrical valve by spiral or

page_text: ther metallic springs, or by an adjusting screw arranged to draw the
ends of the rings together so as to form a steam-tight contact with the
valve, and to compensate for the wear of the valves and rings. The
rings may be either sprung into their places or the steam chest may be
constructed in separate parts for the facility of introducing the rings.
At each part where the rings are cut I make a circular recess in the
steam chest larger in diameter than the width of the rings, and into this
recess I fit a small cylinder grooved across the end to receive the ends of
the ring and shaped to the same radius as the inside of the rings, and in
this manner I prevent the steam from passing through the space between
the ends of the rings. At a suitable distance beyond each end of the
valve, and inside the exhaust port of the valve, I project a ring of metal
forming part of the valve and connected with it and turned to the same
diameter as the body of the valve, so that the packing rings are prevented
from contracting to a less diameter than the valve when the valve is
open for the admission of steam or for the exhaust. The rings are
pressed against the side of the groove nearer to the steam port by
metallic springs, and the steam may be admitted behind them in the
grooves, or one or more suitable rings may be used in the same groove
connected laterally by suitable projections and recesses and fitted with
suitable springs introduced between them to expand them laterally
against the sides of the groove.
By another arrangement the rings may be attached internally at
the ends where cut to suitable rings of more expansible material so
that the heat of the steam may cause the compound ring to be contracted
internally. The body of the valve may be made hollow for the passage
of steam, and there may be a valve at each end of the cylinder. The
valve spindle may pass through the valve, or in some cases it may form
part of and be solid with the valve. I also form a number of small
grooves in the wearing surfaces of the valve to assist the lubrication and
reduce the wear of the valves. By another method I form the valve
with a circular back, and I enclose it in a similarly shaped casing which
may form the steam chest or be attached to the cylinder facing, and I
turn or shape a part of the circular back of the valve to the same radius
as the casing, and fit it into the angle formed by the casing and the
cylinder facing, and the remainder of the back of the valve is shaped
to a slightly less radius than the casing. I also form a groove at each
end of the valve at such distance from the ends that the steam pressure
on the back of the valve shall balance the pressure of the steam in the

page_text: cylinder, and in each groove I place one or more packing rings which
I press endways by spiral or other suitable springs into the angle formed
by-the casing and cylinder facing opposite to that into which the valve
is fitted. The packing rings are also pressed against the casing by
spiral or other suitable springs. The valve between the rings is partly
open to adinit the exhaust steam to the space between the packing
rings at the back of the valve. The valve spindle may pass through
the valve or may be attached to one end of the valve, and the valve may
be formed in one or more parts. By another modification I form the
back of the valve to a smaller radius than the interior of the casing,
and I turn grooves at each end at a suitable distance, and at parts of the
grooves I forin a circular recess rather larger in diameter than the width
of the ring or rings, and I place in the recess a cylindrical hollow bolt
having a groove at one end to receive the packing ring or. rings, and
turned at the end in the direction of the groove to the same radius
as the interior of the casing. At the part where the packing rings pass
through the cylindrical bolt they are cut, and I press them endways
into the angles formed by the casing and the cylinder face and outwards.
against the interior of the casing by spiral or other suitable springs.
The exhaust steam is admitted to the back of the valve, and by these
means I relieve the valve from pressure, and the wear of the valve and
the rings is compensated.
The features of novelty which constitute my Invention are the modes
or methods of packing slide valves, as herein-before mentioned and
described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said William George Beattie in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th May 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
GEORGE BEATTIE, of South Bank, Surbiton; in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, send greeting.
"
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the

page_text: thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William George Beattie, Her special
licence that I, the said William George Beattie, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Georgo
Beattie, 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 SLIDE VALVES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William George Beattie, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 William George Beattie, do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, and by reference to the Sheets of
Drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said improvements consist in constructing slide valves in such a
manner as to relieve them from or to reduce the pressure of the steam
thereon and the consequent friction attending their movement, and for
that purpose I form the valve and the interior of the steam chest of a
cylindrical shape and extend the steam ports partly round its circum-
ference, and I form the steam port bars of loose circular rings of metal
or other suitable material in one or more parts inserted in grooves in the
steam chest and compressed against the cylindrical valve by spiral or
other metallic springs or by an adjusting screw arranged to draw the
ends of the rings together so as to form a steam-tight contact with the
valve and to compensate for the wear of the valves and rings. The
rings may be either sprung into their places or the steam chest may be
constructed in separate parts for the facility of introducing the rings.
At each part where the rings are cut I make a circular recess in the
steam chest larger in diameter than the width of the rings, and into this
recess I fit a small cylinder grooved across the end to receive the ends

page_text: of the ring and shaped to the same radius as the inside of the rings,
and in this manner I prevent the steam passing through the space
between the ends of the rings. At a suitable distance beyond each
end of the valve, and inside the exhaust port of the valve, I project a
ring of metal forming part of the valve and connected with it and
turned to the same diameter as the body of the valve, so that the packing
rings are prevented contracting to a less diameter than the valve when
the valve is open for the admission of steam or for the exhaust. The
rings are pressed against the side of the groove nearer to the steam port
by metallic springs, and the steam may be admitted behind them in
the grooves or one or more suitable rings may be used in the same groove
connected laterally by suitable projections and recesses and fitted with
suitable springs introduced between them to expand them laterally
against the sides of the groove. By another arrangement the rings may
be attached internally at the ends where cut to suitable rings of more
expansible material, so that the heat of the steam may cause the compound
ring to be contracted internally. The body of the valve may be made
hollow for the passage of steam and there may be a valve at each end of
the cylinder. The valve spindle may pass through the valve or in some
cases it may form part of and be solid with the valve. I also form a
number of small grooves in the wearing surfaces of the valve, to assist
the lubrication and reduce the wear of the valve. By another method I
form the valve with a circular back and I enclose it in a similarly shaped
casing which may form the steam chest or be attached to the cylinder
facing, and I turn or shape a part of the circular back of the valve to
the same radius as the casing and fit it into the angle formed by the
casing and the cylinder facing, and the remainder of the back of the valve
is shaped to a slightly less radius than the casing. I also form a groove
at each end of the valve at such distance from the ends that the steam
pressure on the back of the valve shall balance the pressure of the steam
in the cylinder; and in each groove I place one or more packing rings
which I press endways by a spiral or other suitable spring into the angle
formed by the casing and cylinder facing opposite to that into which the
valve is fitted. The packing rings are also pressed against the casing by
spiral or other suitable springs. The valve between the rings is partly
opened to admit the exhaust steam to the space between the packing
rings at the back of the valve. The valve spindle may pass through the
valve or may be attached to one end of the valve, and the valve may be
formed in one or more parts.

page_text: By another modification I form the back of the valve to a smaller
radius than the interior of the casing, and I turn grooves at each end at
a suitable distance, and at parts of the grooves I form a circular recess
rather larger in diameter than the width of the ring or rings, and I place
in the recess a cylindrical hollow bolt having a groove at one end to
receive the packing ring or rings, and turned at the end in the direction
of the the groove to the same radius as the interior of the casing. At the
part where the packing rings pass through the cylindrical bolt they are
cut, and I press them endways into the angles formed by the casing and
the cylinder face and outwards against the interior of the casing by
spiral or other suitable springs. The exhaust steam is admitted to the
back of the valve, and by these means I relieve the valve from pressure,
and the wear of the valve and the rings is compensated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
referred to, and which form part of this my Specification.
Figure 1 (Sheet No. 1) and Figure 2 (Sheet No. 2) shew transverse
and longitudinal sectional views of a cylindrical steam chest A, A, and
valve B, B. The valve B, B, is formed smaller in diameter than the
interior of the steam chest, and is carried by the circular rings C, C,
which form the bars of the steam ports, and are compressed on to the
valve B, B, by the springs at D, D. The packing rings are formed of
the section shewn at C, C, Figure 2 (Sheet No. 1), and are cut at E, E,
as shewn Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet No. 1). At the parts where the rings
are cut the steam is prevented passing between the ends by mears of
the cylindrical bolts F, F, Figures 1, 2, and 3, which are formed to
receive the ends of the rings and to overlap the openings. At suitable
distances from the body of the valve the rings G, G, are formed and
placed so as to prevent the packing rings contracting to a less diameter
than the valve when it passes beyond them.
In Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet No. 1) the rings C, C, are shewn retained
in their position by the rings. H, H, which are not in contact with the
valve and serve only to control the position of the rings C, C, and are
suitably formed for that purpose. In Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet No. 1)
the valve is shewn constructed to allow the passage of steam through
it at I, I.
Figures 4 and 5 (Sheet No.
contracted on to the valve
1) shew the rings designed so as to be
the screws at J, J, acting on the lugs

page_text: K, K, and placed so as to be adjustable from the exterior of the steam
chest.
Figure 5 and Figure 6 shew the packing rings formed of two narrow
rings connected together laterally by suitable projections and recesses
L, L, and expanded against the sides of the grooves which contain
them by the springs M, M. In Figure 5 (Sheet No. 1) the steam
chest is shewn constructed in several parts for the facility of introducing
the packing rings. The packing rings may be contracted inwardly by
the springs N, N, or fitted externally with rings of some more expansible
metal and rivetted together at the ends where cut so that they will be
contracted together inwardly. when warm (See Fig. 7, Sheet No. 2)
At O, O, Figure 5, Sheet No. 1, the outside of the valve is shewn
having grooves formed in it to assist lubrication and reduce the pressure
of the rings if the steam be admitted behind them as at P, P, Figures 5
and 2, Sheet No. 1. The valve shewn at Figure 5 is for the steam
ports of one end of the cylinder and is connected with the valve of the
other end of the cylinder by means of the valve spindle.
Figure 8 (Sheet No. 2) is a transverse sectional view of a valve and
steam chest, and Figure 9 (Sheet No. 2) is a plan of the valve. The
valve Q, Q, is formed to a slightly less radius than the interior of the
cover, but is fitted to the cover, as shewn at R, R, for a short distance of
the curve.
The rings S, S, are pressed into the angles formed by the
cylinder facing and the steam cover. The valve is formed hollow to
allow the passage of steam through it, and the exhaust steam passes out
through the back. The packing rings are pressed against the cover by
springs, as shewn at s, s.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 (Sheet No. 2) are views of a valve adapted to
the common form of steam chest. The cover T, T, is secured to the
cylinder face by the studs U, U, and the valve is shaped to a less
radius than the interior. The packing rings are in two pieces and the
steam is prevented passing the ends where the rings are cut by the
cylindrical cover plate, as before described in Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet
No. 1). The ends of the rings are pressed by the springs at V, V,
into the angles formed by the cylinder facing and the cover. Part of
the back of the valve between the packing rings is removed, as shewn,
to allow the exhaust steam to circulate there, and to reduce the weight
of the valve.
Figure 13 (Sheet No. 2) shews a valve adapted for the inside onlinden

page_text: of locomotive engines, and is similar to the valve shewn in Figures 8
and 9 (Sheet No. 2), with the exception that the valve spindle is
attached to one end only, and the valve is not hollow for the passage of
steam. The steam covers W, W, are pressed to the cylinder facings by
the wedge bolts X, X.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same can be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do
not claim any of the parts taken separately, but that what I claim as
my Invention of improvements in slide valves are, the combinations and
arrangements forming the modes or methods of packing them, sub-
stantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William George Beattie, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of
May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-nine.
WILLIAM GEORGE BEATTIE. (L.S.)