IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS FOR STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNORS FOR STEAM ENGINES.".
A communication from abroad by James Bloomer Duff, of
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 8th March 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GOVERNORS FOR STEAM ENGINES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to
grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal

page_text: with a steam engine, the speed of the engine being increased by
gearing to impart to the piston wheel of the pump a very rapid
revolving motion. The said piston wheel is made in the form of a
double cone (see Figure 1), and it contains (preferably four) projecting
flanges c, which may be parallel with the shaft E, or may be made to
run in an oblique direction. In the cylindrical part of the case B, close
over the junction thereof with its conical part, is firmly secured the
concave" G, which forms the bearing for the upper end of the shaft E,
and the diameter of which is somewhat less than that of the cylinder B,
leaving an annular space d, which forms the channel of communication
between the rotary pump and the governor cylinder.
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The piston D is packed in the most approved manner, so that the
same works in its cylinder with the least possible friction and with as
little leakage as practicable; but the fluid which may leak past the
piston is allowed to flow back into the reservoir A through holes e in
the upper part of the governor cylinder. The rod H of the piston D
connects with a lever I that carries a weight J, and is intended to
connect with the throttle valve of the engine.
The connection between the piston rod H and the lever I is by
preference effected by means of a cap or thimble hung between
screws g (see Figure 4), the said cap being made to rest loosely on the
pointed or rounded end of the piston rod. The object of this connection
is to allow the lever I to swing up and down without causing the piston
rod to bind.
The weight J is adjustable on the lever I, and it serves to open the
throttle valve whenever the speed of the engine decreases; and since the
power exerted by the governor piston is always greater than would be
necessary to close the throttle valve the weight can be readily so
adjusted on the lever that it will open immediately the throttle valve
sinks down. If desired however the connection between the governor
piston and the throttle valve may be so arranged that the said piston
will impart to the throttle valve a positive motion in either direction.
.
The action of this improved governor requires but little explanation.
As soon as the engine is started the fluid contained in the reservoir A is
driven upward into the governor cylinder B, and if the pressure of the
fluid thus driven upward exceeds a certain limit the governor piston is
driven upward and the throttle valve closes; and as soon as the speed.

page_text: "
of the rotary pump decreases the governor piston sinks down, drawing
the fluid back into the reservoir A. The action of the fluid driven
upward by the rotary pump is insured by the " concave G and the
double angle of the piston wheel, the lower part of which drives the
fluid upwards, while the upper part combined with the "concave
"drives
the fluid down, thereby concentrating the same in the annular space d,
and throwing it with increased force against the governor piston.
If desired the said "concave" may be provided with guide flanges, or
the piston wheel of the rotary pump may be constructed simply in the
form of an inverted cone and applied with a stationary top provided
with suitable guide flanges. I do not wish to be confined therefore to
the precise construction of the pump, as shown in the Drawing; but
I reserve the right to make such changes as may hereafter appear
desirable. It must also be remarked that this governor can be used in
a vertical or in a horizontal position.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,--
First. The combination of a rotary pump and a governor piston, the
said pump being connected to a steam engine, and serving to force fluid
against the governor piston which connects with the throttle valve of
the engine, substantially in the maner shown and described.
"
Second. The "concave G in combination with the governor piston
and its cylinder and with the rotary pump, constructed and operating
substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
W. J. Lowe.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)