IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the International Patent Office,.
No. 12, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES." A communication from abroad by James Atkins Woodbury,.of.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 28th October 1864, and dated the 5th May 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Haseltine at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
May 1864.
I, GEORGE HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 12, South-
ampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engieeer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM ENGINES," a communication, to be as follows -
These improvements relate to slide and cut off valves for steam engines,
and the said Invention consists chiefly, first, in so constructing and arranging
the slide valve as to obtain a very nearly equal pressure of steam upon oppo
site sides of said valve, thereby obtaining a "balance valve," which bears
slightly upon its seat, and causes little friction or wear by its movements; second,
in a variable apparatus for operating the cut-off valves of steam engines,
whereby the flow of steam from the steam pipe to the steam chest is so regu-
lated as to equalize the action, whatever the variation of the pressure. In place
of an ordinary flat slide valve is substituted one of an inverted, trough shape with

page_text: a horizontal top. The sides are made inclined for the purpose of permitting the
valve to settle as the sides and top thereof wear, thereby preventing leakage. The
valve seat, which is provided with steam port and exhaust, has upon its upper
surface an open space which is always filled with steam of the same density as
that in the steam chest. The steam in this space will consequently press upwards
against the valve with as much force as the steam in the chest presses down-
wards, thereby producing a balance. The larger the area of the space in the
upper surface of the valve seat, in proportion to the area of the valve, the more
nearly is the pressure upon the latter counteracted, a part of the vertical
pressure is also sustained by the inclined sides of the valve seat, and the lateral
pressure of the steam upon the sides of the valve is not transferred to the
valve seat, the sides of said valves being constructed of sufficient stiffness to
prevent their yielding. The cut-off valve, to which the variable apparatus is
applied, is formed of two cylinders placed within the valve case, the outer one
being stationary and having a steam chamber formed around it, the inner one
which fits loosely within the outer turning with a shaft to which it is attached.
Both cylinders are provided with ports through which the steam enters, and
these ports are so arranged relatively that those of the inner cylinder pass
those of the outer, at each direct and reverse stroke of whatever length.
The regulation of the flow of steam is accomplished not by the length of the
stroke, or extent of movement of the inner cylinder, but by the quickness or
slowness of the stroke, whereby the ports are a greater or less time in passing
each other. To the shaft which passes through both ends of the valve case
and with which the inner cylinder revolves, is attached the variable apparatus.
A crank of suitable length is rigidly secured to the end of the said shaft, said
crank having at its end a pivot joint which connects with a rock lever, the
latter being actuated by a rod at the end opposite the connection, which rod
receives its 'motion from the eccentric of the engine. The rock lever is pro-
vided with a slot near its center, in which is placed an adjustable fulcrum slide
connected with and turning freely on a wrist pin connecting in a similar
manner with a sliding block, this block slides up and down in guides, and is
operated by means of a rod which connects it in any suitable manner with
the ordinary governor or regulator. As the governor balls rise or fall, this
connecting rod, the sliding block, and consequently the fulcrum slide, rise or
fall in a corresponding degree. The rock lever turns upon said fulcrum slide,
and accordingly as the upper or lower arm is shortened the motion of the
shaft and the valve cylinder attached thereto is retarded or accelerated; when
the upper arm of the rock lever is shortest, the motion of this cylinder is the'
"greatest, and consequently the ports pass each other quickest, so as to allow

page_text: the least time for the passage of the steam; but when the lower arm of the
rock lever is the shortest, the motion of the cylinder is the slowest, so as to
give the greatest time for the passage of the steam. This arrangement for a
cut-off valve is simple, durable, and effective. The valve is nearly balanced,
and is therefore easily operated, and by regulating the flow of the steam by
a variation in the motion of the valve, instead of opening a greater or less space
of the ports, the action is much more regular, there is less jar and strain to the
machinery, and a large saving is effected in the cost of running an engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed.
by the said George Haseltine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
November 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 12, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year.
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said George Haseltine, Her special license that I, the said
George Haseltine, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said George Haseltine, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and 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 STEAM ENGINES," (a communication,) upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Haseltine, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under the
hand and seal of one of them, 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 George Haseltine, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-

page_text: statement:-
ascertamed in and by the rowing
These improvements relate to slide and cut-off valves for steam engines,
and the said Invention consists chiefly, first, in so constructing and arranging
the slide valve as to obtain a nearly equal pressure of steam upon opposite
sides of said valve, thereby obtaining a "balance valve which bears slightly
upon its seat and causes little friction or wear by its movements; second, in
a variable apparatus for operating the cut-off valves of steam engines, whereby
the flow of steam from the steam pipe to the steam chest is so regulated as to
equalize the action of the engine whatever the variation of power used. In
place of an ordinary flat slide valve is substituted one of an inverted trough
shape with a horizontal top. The sides are made inclined for the purpose of
permitting the valve to settle, as the sides and top thereof wear, thereby pre-
venting leakage. The valve seat, which is provided with steam port and
exhaust, has upon its upper surface an open space which is always filled with
steam of the same density as that in the steam chest. The steam in this space
will consequently press upwards against the valve with as much force as the
steam in the chest presses downwards, thereby producing a balance. The larger
the area of the space in the upper surface of the valve seat, in proportion to
the area of the valves, the more nearly is the pressure upon the latter counter-
acted. A part of the vertical pressure is also sustained by the inclined sides
of the valve seat, and the lateral pressure of the steam upon the sides of the
valve is not transferred to the valve seat, the sides of said valves being con-
structed of sufficient stiffness to prevent yielding. The cut-off valve, to which
the variable apparatus is applied, is formed of two cylinders placed within the
valve case, the outer one being stationary and having a steam chamber formed
around it, the inner one, which fits loosely within the outer, turning with a
shaft to which it is attached; both cylinders are provided with ports through
which the steam enters, and these ports are so arranged relatively that those
of the inner cylinder pass those of the outer at each direct and reverse stroke
of whatever length. The regulation of the flow of steam is accomplished not
by the length of the stroke, or extent of movement of the inner cylinder; but
by the quickness or slowness of the stroke, whereby the ports are a greater or
less time in passing each other; to the shaft, which passes through both ends
of the valve case, and with which the inner cylinder revolves, is attached the
variable apparatus.. A crank of suitable length is rigidly secured to the end
of said shaft, said crank having at its end a pivot joint which connects with a
rock lever, the latter being actuated by a rod at the end opposite the connec-
tion, which rod receives its motion from the eccentric of the engine. The rock

page_text: lever, is provided with a slot near its centre, in which is placed an adjustable
fulcrum slide, connected with and turning freely on a wrist pin connecting in
a similar manner with a sliding block; this block slides up and down in
guides and is operated by means of a rod which connects it in any suitable
manner with the ordinary governor or regulator. As the governor balls rise
or fall, the connecting rod, the sliding block, and consequently the fulcrum
slide, rise or fall in a corresponding degree. The rock lever turns upon said
fulcrum: slide, and accordingly as the upper or lower arm is shortened, the
motion of the shaft and the valve cylinder attached thereto is retarded or
accelerated. When the upper arm of the rock lever is shortest, the motion
of this cylinder is the greatest, and consequently the ports pass each other
quickest so as to allow the least time for the passage of the steam; but, when
the lower arm of the rock lever is the longest, the motion of the cylinder is
the slowest, so, as to give the greatest time for the passage of the
steam: This
arrangement for a cut-off valve is simple, durable,, and effective. The valve
is nearly balanced and is therefore easily operated, and by regulating the flow
of the steam by a variation in the motion of the valve, instead of opening a
greater or less space of the ports, the action is much more regular, there is
less jar and strain to the machinery, and a large saving is effected in the
cost of running an engine..
:
1
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use the said Invention, I
will now describe its construction, and operation, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings forming a part of this Specification, in which Fig. 1
is a central longitudinal vertical section of the variable cut-off valve, the
devices for operating the same being shown in elevation; Fig. 2 an end eleva-
tion thereof; Fig. 3 a transverse vertical section of the cut-off valve and case
in the plane of a, a, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the operating parts
of the cut-off valve detached; Fig. 5. an elevation of the rock lever and slide
that operates the cut-off valve; Fig. 6 a transverse horizontal section of the
operating parts of the cut-off valve in the plane y, y, Fig: 1; Fig. 7. is a
diminished side elevation of an engine provided with both the cut-off: and
balanced valves; Fig. 8 a longitudinal vertical section through the steam
chest and cylinder; Fig. 9 a vertical transverse section through the same;
Fig. 10 a side elevation of a series of ports; Fig. 11 an end view of a pair of
elevated ports; & Fig. 12 an end view of a different arrangement or shape
of the balanced valve and seat, the end of the steam chest being cut away...
Like parts are indicated by the same letters in all the Drawings.
The first six Figures, of the Drawings relate to the cut-off, in which A is
the valve case, whose induction opening a receives the steam from the steam

page_text: pipe, and whose eduction outlet 6 discharges it into the steam chest, whence
it passes to the piston cylinder through the slide valves. In the case A are
situated two cylinders B and C, which form the valve proper, the outer one
being stationary and having a steam chamber c around it; and the inner one
turning with a shaft D, and fitting closely within the outer. Both cylinders
are provided with ports through which the steam enters, six being represented
in each in the Drawings, and so relatively arranged that those of the inner
cylinder pass those of the outer at each direct and reverse stroke. The
regulation of the flow of steam is accomplished not by the length of stroke
or extent of movement of the inner cylinder, but by the quickness or slowness
of the stroke, whereby the ports are a less or greater time in passing each
other. The shaft D extends through both ends of the case, being adjusted,
if desired, at the rear extremity by means of a screw thread and nut, while
with the opposite extremity is connected the variable apparatus by which the
valve is operated. To the end of the shaft D is rigidly secured a crank E
of suitable length, having at its bottom a pivot joint d, which connects with
a rock lever G actuated by means of a rod H at the opposite end that receives
motion from the eccentric of the engine. This rock lever is provided with: a
slot f, or its equivalent, of suitable length, in which plays up and down a ful-
crum slide 9 connected with and turning freely on a wrist h, (Fig. 6) con-
necting in a similar manner with a sliding block I; this block I slides up and
down in suitable heads or guides K, K, at the proper position in front of
the case, and is operated by means of the rod L which connects it in any
suitable manner with the ordinary governor or regulator above or below, as
the case may be. The operation of the cut-off valve is obvious from the
description already given. As the governor balls rise or fall, the rod L, the
sliding block I, and consequently the fulcrum slide 9, rise or fall in a corre-
sponding degree, as indicated by the red lines Figs. 2 and 5. The slide g
forms the fulcrum on which the rock lever G turns, and as the upper and
lower arms are lengthened or shortened, it is apparent that the motion of the
shaft D and valve cylinder C are correspondingly retarded or accelerated.
Thus, when the upper arm of the lever, or that above the fulcrum 9 is the
shortest (by reason of the rising of the fulcrum in the slot f) the motion of
the cylinder C is the greatest produced by the same length of stroke, and
consequently the passage of the ports past each other the quickest, so as to
allow a shorter time for the passage of the steam; but when the lower arm of
the lever is the shortest (by reason of the fall of the fulcrum) the motion of the
cylinder is the slowest so as to give the longest time for the passage of the steam.
This arrangement is very simple, and not liable to get out of order, and very

page_text: effective, in accomplishing the object for which it is designed. The valve
is nearly balanced by the pressure of the steam all round it, and therefore
very little force is necessary in operating it; again as the steam is introduced
entirely around the cylindrical valve seat, the latter will be equally, expanded
on the introduction of steam, and thus prevented from binding on the valve.
By regulating the flow of the steam by a variation in the motion of the valve
instead of opening a greater or less space of the ports simply, the action is
much more regular, while there is less jar and strain to the machinery, and
a great saving in the expense of running an engine. It is not intended to
limit the application of this improvement to the particular kind of valve shown
in the Drawings, as it is evident that it is applicable to many kinds of valves
used for a similar purpose.
"
Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 relate to the balanced slide valve. In wall or
vertical ports for steam engine valves, as heretofore used, several serious
objections arise which render them of very doubtful utility. In the first place
where one set or even two sets of ports are used in order to get sufficient area
of opening the steam chest must have great vertical height. And this pro-
duces other bad results, viz., it makes too much distance between the steani
chest and the cylinder for the steam to travel through; it requires the valve
to be'so high vertically as to make its sides spring or yield, and thereby causes
a great amount of friction and uneven wearing, it also (particularly in the
larger class of engines) raises the valve rod inconveniently high to gear to.
Where a single valve straddles, the vertical ports, besides the difficulty arising
from the height, as stated above, there also arises another difficulty in finding
a suitable place for a central attachment of the valve rod.
The design of this Invention, therefore, is to overcome these heretofore
serious objections; and its nature consists in the employment of four or more
sets of inlet and exhaust ports with one valve, whereby abundant port area is
obtained, the steam chest is brought down close to the cylinder; a better
steam way between the chest and cylinder is made, and the valves or their
sides are ensured against springing or yielding, while the valve rod need not
be any further from the steam cylinder than in ordinary cases.
A represents a steam cylinder, and B' the steam chest attached thereto.
On top of the cylinder are raised two walls C', .C', in which are. made the
inlet ports a', a", and exhaust port 6, the inlet ports communicating with the
interior of the steam cylinder by or through the steam passages c, c", and the
passage d' communicating with the exhaust b' as in ordinary, steam engines.
The valve D', as more clearly shown in Fig. 9, has a central space. e' divided
by a partition to keep the ports in the separate.walls C¹, C', distinct and

page_text: =
without communication with each other. It has moreover sides g', 9', which
work steam-tight against the inner sides, ports, or openings. The ports or
openings are made clear through the walls or elevations C1, C', so that the
steam may pass in and out from both sides of each wall, thus making abun:
dant port area. The top of the walls C', C, are formed into ways h¹, h',
(Fig. 11) having less area than the tops of the walls themselves, to reduce the
friction of the valve thereon, but wide enough to make a firm support and
prevent undue wearing away. The valve is ground to its seat, but its sides
9', as well, as its central portion e¹, do not or need not touch the cylinder, or
the portion thereof underneath them, as it rests solely upon the ways or eleva-
tion h, and when arranged within the chest it works with a uniform or
nearly uniform pressure of steam all around it, and becomes thus what is
termed a "balanced valve.". Steam may be introduced to the steam chest
from the boiler at E. and the exhaust steam may pass off through F¹. The
valve opposite to the ports is recessed or chambered as shown at j', j', (Fig. 9)
so as to cause it to open and close the ports, as the case may be, and if found
desirable it may be ribbed on the back to give it additional strength, and
instead of a single valve and series of ports arranged upon the centre portion
of the cylinder, the arrangement may be duplicated by placing a separate set
of valves and ports at or near each end of the cylinder (as in Fig. 7) and
working both by the same. rod or connection, or it may be cast all in one.
The ports and sides of the valve. have been described as vertical, or nearly so,
they may however incline slightly for the purpose of grinding the valve to its
seat or bearing, or they may be. arranged as represented in Fig. 12. The
cylinder is also shown as being horizontal, it may however be vertical, having
the steam chest on the side instead of top, in which latter case the sides
of the valve seat might be inclined enough to give sufficient pressure to the
valve to keep it on its seat.
Having thus fully described my Invention as communicated to me from
abroad I claim,-
First, regulating the flow of steam into the steam chest by causing the
valve ports to pass. the valve seat ports at each direct and reverse stroke
with greater or less velocity, or to a greater or less distance, whereby said
ports are kept open for the admission of steam a longer or shorter period of
time, according to the speed or position of the regulator balls, substantially
as described,
Second, introducing steam entirely round a cylindrical valve seat so that the
latter may be equally expanded, and thus prevented from binding on the valve,
substantially as described.

page_text: Third, passing the steam from the outside of a cylindrical valve seat through
the valve into its centre, substantially as described.
Fourth, a balanced or nearly balanced slide valve, constructed and opera-
ting in combination with the ports, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose described.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth
day of Oatcher & D 1961