IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OF APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND WORKING OF IRON AND OTHER METALS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Charles Pearce, of the Bowling Iron Works, in
the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OF APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND WORKING OF IRON
AND OTHER METALS."
Scaled the 1st June 1855, and dated the 13th January 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charles Pearce
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th January 1855.
I, JOHN CHARLES PEARCE, of the Bowling Iron Works, in the County
of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND
WORKING OF IRON AND OTHER METALS to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to various mechanical arrangements to be used
in the manufacture and working of iron and other metals, so as to'
secure superior efficiency in the general routine of such manufacture.
One of these mechanical arrangements consists in a novel form of steam
hammer, the framing of which is composed of a pair of vertical standards
of the usual kind, with the working steam cylinder firmly bolted
7/1

page_text: between the parallel cheeks of such frames. The steam cylinder is
disposed low down in the framing and alongside the hammer block,
instead of being above it, as is usually the case. The hammer block,
which is of considerable length, is retained in its proper line of vertical
traverse by adjustable V plates, attached to the main standards, and
fitting into corresponding grooves in the opposite sides of the hammer
block. The latter has an upper projecting arm standing horizontally
forward over the cylinder to receive the upper end of the working
piston, and in this way the piston works the hammer block side by side
with and close to the steam cylinder; the self-acting steam valve as well
as a hand valve are situated at the lower part of the back of the steam
cylinder, the working connections of the valve spindles being carried
round to the front of the hammer block by suitable levers and rods.
The steam and exhaust pipes spring up vertically at the back of the
cylinder, a connecting branch being added near the top of the cylinder
for the purpose of equalising the pressure on each side of the piston
when the hammer descends. By the adoption of these modifications,
the hammer possesses superior stability and firmness, whilst the absolute
height of the machine is reduced, and a superior length of guide is given
to the hammer block. This arrangement of hammer answers well for
the general purposes of the iron maker, but for puddling and shingling
work the same arrangement of cylinder and hammer block is fitted up
in a one-sided overhanging standard frame, so that working access can
be had to three clear sides of the hammer. The cylinder and hammer
block are disposed between the projecting portions of the standards,
the cylinders being thus capable of coming very near the floor level. To
reduce the height of the hammer and secure stability, instead of one
steam cylinder, two may be used in this way for one hammer block.
Another branch of the Invention relates to a feed pump, for feeding
the boilers of steam hammers, as well as for other purposes. In this
contrivance, three working pump cylinders are used, all set in one line,
side by side. The centre barrel or cylinder is for steam, and the two
external ones for water, each being fitted with a solid working plunger,
all three of which plungers are connected by an over-head ornamental
box, so as to work together. At the base of the pump is a long box or
chest, on which the three pump cylinders stand, and to this base chest
is attached a valve for admitting steam to and from the central plunger.
This valve is actuated by means of mechanical connections passing
up to a tappet set on a suitable part of the plunger's head box.
water plungers are fitted with clack valves, as in ordinary pumps, such
clacks being placed either in the base box or in a separate box, and
connected with the pump by a branch pipe. The pump is worked
The

page_text: entirely by the steam of the central plunger. The action of this steam
lifts all three plungers together, until, at the required height, the tappet
reverses the valve, and allows. the steam to escape; the plungers then
descend by their own weight, aided by that of the head box. Instead
of two water plungers to one steam plunger, a single water plunger only
may be applied in this way. The true vertical traverse may be secured
by a cross head and guides in the usual manner. With such a form of
pump, any available length of working stroke may be secured, together
with the very desirable feature of a slow motion, whilst the plan is
suitable for any size and purpose. Το get rid of the very great objection
due to the presence of the water of condensation in the steam pipes of
steam hammers when the pipes descend at any part to a lower level than
that of the steam boiler and hammer cylinder, a valved reservoir box is
fitted up in connection with the steam pipes. This reservoir or chamber has
an upper inlet and a low inlet thoroughfare for the water. Over the
latter in the interior of the chamber is an equilibrium valve, or a common
valve, with a vertical spindle attached at the top. This spindle passes
up and works freely through a cross bar guide in a small narrow chamber
surmounting the reservoir's cover. Upon this valve spindle, between
the valve and its spindle guide, is a large float, of fire brick or other
suitable material; the weight of this float being taken from the valve by
the effect of a helical spring on the upper end of the spindle, and resting
by its lower end upon the cross bar. The float may be allowed to press
down the valve to any required extent by adjusting the spring accord-
ingly, the latter having a pair of lock nuts for the purpose; as the water
of condensation flows along the supplying steam pipe of the steam
hammer, it gradually accumulates in the reservoir until it elevates the
float, and thus raises the discharge valve. This apparatus is automatic
under all fluctuations of pressure, is applicable to a variety of
and is especially well suited for discharging the large quantities of water
constantly accumulating on starting the steam hammer.
purposes,
As the pressure of steam required for steam hammers is considerably
higher than that necessary for other purposes, for which steam from
the same boiler is frequently supplied, a regulating apparatus is em-
ployed for the purpose of reducing the pressure of the steam required
for ordinary purposes. This apparatus consists of a double-beat or
equilibrium valve, placed vertically in any convenient part of the steam
pipe. The spindle of this valve passes through a stuffing box, and is
attached to one end of a lever, the other end of which is attached to
a plunger, also working through a stuffing box into the steam pipe, the
fulcrum of the lever being situated between the valve and the plunger,
so that when the latter ascends, by the force of the steam beneath it,

page_text: the former descends, and by partially closing the aperture of the steam
pipe prevents the free passage of steam from the boiler. The amount
of steam pressure on the plunger side of the valve is regulated as re-
quired by means of a weight or spring balance attached to the lever.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Charles Pearce in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 4th July 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Jons
CHARLES PEARCE, of the Bowling Iron Works, in the County of York,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said John Charles Pearce, Her special license that I, the
said John Charles Pearce, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said John Charles Pearce, my executors, ad-
ministrators, or 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
Jslands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND WORKING OF IRON AND OTHER
METALS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Charles
Pearce, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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 John Charles Pearce, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention; and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say-
My said Invention relates to various mechanical arrangements to be
used in the manufacture and working of iron and other metals, so as
to secure superior efficiency in the general routine of such manufacture.
One of these mechanical arrangements consists in a novel form of steam

page_text: hammer, the framing of which is composed of a pair of vertical standards
of the usual kind, with the working steam cylinder firmly bolted between
the parallel cheeks of such frames.
The steam cylinder is disposed low down in the framing and alongside
of the hammer block, instead of being above it, as is usually the case.
The hammer block, which is of considerable length, is retained in its
proper line of vertical traverse by adjustable V plates, attached to the
main standards, and fitting into corresponding grooves in the opposite..
sides of the hammer block. The latter has an upper projecting arm,
standing horizontally forward over the cylinder to receive the upper
end of the working piston, and in this way the piston works the hammer
block, side by side with and close to the steam cylinder.
The self-acting steam valve as well as a hand valve are situated at
the lower part of the back of the steam cylinder, the working connections
of the valve spindles being carried round to the front of the hammer
block by suitable levers and rods. The steam and exhaust pipes spring-
ing up vertically at the back of the cylinder, a connecting branch being
added near the top of the cylinder for the purpose of equalizing the
pressure on cach side of the piston when the hammer descends. By the
adoption of these modifications, the hammer possesses superior stability
and firmness, whilst the absolute height of the machine is reduced, and a
superior length of guide is given to the hammer block. This arrange-
ment of hammer answers well for the general purposes of the iron
maker, but for puddling and shingling work the same arrangement of
cylinder and hammer block may be fitted up in a one-sided overhanging
standard frame, so that working access can be had to the three clear
sides of the hammer, the cylinder and hammer block being disposed be-
tween the projection portions of the standards, the cylinder being thus
capable of coming very near the floor level. To reduce the height of the
hammer and secure stability, instead of one steam cylinder two may be
used in this way for one hammer block.
Another branch of the Invention relates to a feed pump, for feeding
the boilers of steam hammers, as well as for other purposes. In this
contrivance, three working pump cylinders are used, all set in one line,
side by side. The centre barrel or cylinder is for steam, and the two
external ones for water, each being fitted with a working plunger or
piston, all three of which are connected by an over-head box or cross
head, so as to work together. At the base of the pump is a long box or
plate, on which the three pump cylinders stand, and to this base plate
is attached the valve for admitting steam to and from the central
plunger. This valve is actuated by means of mechanical connections
passing up to a tappet set on a suitable part of the cross head. The

page_text: water plungers are fitted with clack valves, as in ordinary pumps, such
clacks being placed either in the base box or in a separate box, and con-
nected with the pump by a pipe. The pump is worked entirely by the
steam of the central cylinder. The action of this steam lifts all three
plungers together, until, at the required height, the tappet reverses the
valve, and allows the steam to escape; the plungers then descend by
their own weight, aided by that of the head box. Instead of two water
plungers to one steam plunger, a single water plunger only may be
applied in this way. The true vertical traverse may be secured by
guides in the usual manner. With such a form of pump any available
length of working stroke may be secured, together with the very desir-
able feauture of a slow motion, whilst the plan is suitable for any size
and purpose. To get rid of the very great objection due to the presence
of the water of condensation in the steam pipes of steam hammers when
the pipes descend at any part to a lower level than that of the steam
boiler and hammer cylinder, a valved reservoir box is fitted up in con-
nection with the steam pipes. This reservoir or chamber has an upper
inlet and a lower outlet thoroughfare for the water. Over the latter
in the interior of the chamber is an equilibrium valve, or a common
valve, with a verticle spindle attached at the top. This spindle passes
up and works freely through a cross bar guide into a small narrow
chamber surmounting the reservoir's cover. Upon this valve spindle,
between the valve and its spindle guide, is a large float, of fire brick
or other suitable material; the weight of this float being taken from the
valve by the effect of a helical spring on the upper end of the spindle,
and resting by its lower end upon the cross bar. The float may be
allowed to press down the valve to any required extent by adjusting
the spring accordingly, the latter having a pair of lock nuts for the
purpose. As the water of condensation flows along the supplying steam
pipe of the steam hammer, it gradually accumulates in the reservoir until
it elevates the float, and thus raises the discharge valve. This apparatus
is automatic under all fluctuations of pressure, is applicable to a variety
of purposes, and is especially well suited for discharging the large
quantities of water constantly accumulating on starting the steam
hammer. As the pressure of steam required for steam hammers is con-
siderably higher than that necessary for other purposes for which
steam from the same boiler is frequently supplied, a regulating apparatus
is employed, for the purpose of reducing the pressure of the steam re-
quired for ordinary purposes. This apparatus consists of a double beat
or equilibrium valve, placed vertically in any convenient part of the
steam pipe. The spindle of this valve passes through a stuffing box, and
is attached to one end of a lever, the other end of which is attached to

page_text: a plunger, also working through a stufling box into the steam pipe, the
fulcrum of the lever being situated between the valve and the plunger,
so that when the latter ascends, by the power of the steam beneath it,
the former descends, and by partially closing the appertures of the
steam pipe, prevents the free passage of steam from the boiler. The
amount of steam pressure on the plunger side of the valve is regulated
as required by means of a weight or spring balance attached to the
Jever.
In order that my said Invention may be perfectly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the three Sheets of
Drawings hereunto attached.
Sheet of the Drawings contains five views of one of my improved
steam hammers. Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2 is a side eleva-
tion; Figure 3 is a side sectional elevation through the centre of the
cylinder and hammer block; Figure 4 is a plan or top view, showing in
horizontal section the parts through A, B, in Figure 1; and Figure 5
is a vertical section through the centre of the valves, shewing also some
of the valve connections on an enlarged scale, as seen from behind the
hammer. C, C, are the main standards, firmly bolted down to the
base plate in the ordinary way; D is the steam cylinder, bolted vertically
between the parallel checks of the main standards; E is the hammer
block, with the ordinary provision at the bottom for wedging in the
hammer face or swage block; F, F, are the parallel guide plates, fitting
into the V grooves in the sides of the hammer block, and firmly secured
to the main framing by the strong bolts G, G. H, H, are wedge bolts
for adjusting the guide plates: I is the piston, attached to the lower
end of the piston rod, which rod works through the stuffing box on the
cylinder cover, and is firmly connected at its uppermost end to the
strong projecting arm of the hammer block by means of the collar J
and screw nut K, the latter being kept from shaking loose by the cotter
1. Beneath the tightning nut R are a few thicknesses of leather, vul-
canized india-rubber, cork, or other suitable substance, for the purpose
of diminishing the effects of concussion. M is the valve chest, bolted
to a suitable branch or facing on the lower part of the cylinder, and
contains two piston valves. N is the steam pipe, and O is the exhaust-
ing pipe; the latter communicating with the upper part of the cylinder
by the branch thoroughfare P. The man in charge of the hammer
stands on the platform Q, which he ascends by the ladder R, and by
means of the lever handle S, connected by the shaft U and lever V
with the hand valve T, which is provided, with steam and exhaust
passages, he has the perfect command of the hammer, and is thus
enabled to regulate the force of its blow, the length of its stroke, and

page_text: the rapidity of its motion with ease and precision. When the nature
of the work under the treatment of the hammer requires a succession
of similar blows, a self-acting valve motion is put into action. This
self-acting motion may be constructed in a variety of ways, so as to
suit the form of main framing, the description of valves employed, or the
particular purpose to which the hammer is to be applied, according to
the judgment of the engineer. That represented in the Drawing
answers well for all ordinary purposes, and is composed of a vertical
shaft W, supported in suitable carriages at top and bottom attached to
the main framing. Upon this shaft are two levers X and Y, the latter
being keyed fast, while the former is made to slide up and down, for
which purpose it is provided with a long boss or socket Z, carrying a
winch handle and a toothed pinion, which gears into the teeth of the
rack formed on the side of the shaft, as seen in Figures 1, 2, and 4;
by means of this handle and pinion the lever is easily raised or lowered
to any required point, and is held in its required position by the weighted
catch fitting between the teeth of the rack, as seen in Figure 1. A
third lever a, working on a stud fixed to the framing, is connected at
one end to the lever X on the link b, while its other end fits into the
socket e of the valve spindle, as seen in Figures 4 and 5. The outer
end of this valve spindle is supported by the guided; between this
guide and the lever socket is a helical spring e, for the purpose of forcing
the valve forward. The spring is of considerable strength, its force
tending to push the valve forward, being regulated by a pair of lock
nuts f, and the exact distance to which its action is required to move the
valve is regulated by another pair of similar nuts g. When the self-
acting valve is in the forward position, as caused by the spring, the
thoroughfare is open for the admission of steam to the cylinder, the
force of which upon the under side of the piston lifts the hammer, until
the inclined projection on the side of the hammer block, by coming
into contact with the roller at the end of the lever X, reverses the
valve 7, and allows the steam to escape; the hammer then descends, and
the valve is again opened by the action of the spring e for the admission
of steam to the cylinder, which again lifts the hammer, until the valve
is reversed, and so on. The situation of the lever X determines the
length of the self-acting stroke of the hammer, which can be lengthened
or shortened at pleasure by altering the position of the lever by means
of the pinion handle Z, as herein-before-described. By the self-acting
operation here described the hammer is prevented from falling with its
full force upon the material under treatment, owing to the admission
of steam beneath the piston being allowed to take place before the blow
is given. To obviate this, it is necessary to detain the valve in the

page_text: exhausting position during the entire descent of the hammer. This is
effected by means of the lever k, which catches the turned-up end of
the lever m at the foot of the rack shaft. The catch lever k is attached
to the vertical spindle n, to which are also attached two levers for carry-
ing the parallel bar o and the spring lever p. From the side of the
hammer block projects an unequally balanced lever q, the momentum of
which on the hammer, being suddenly arrested in its descent, causes its
outer and light end to strike the edge of the parallel bar o, which knocks
off the catch k, and liberates the lever m. The valve is then instantly
opened by the action of the helical spring, and steam is admitted beneath
the piston, which again elevates the hammer, until the incline projec-
tion i, by forcing sideway the lever X, reverses the valve, in which
position it is held by the catch lever k during the fall of the hammer, at
the termination of which, the momentum lever q, by striking the bar o,
knocks off the catch k, and allows the steam valve to open, and so re-
peats the operation. The hard blow motion just explained is put in or
out of action by means of the hand lever S", which works loose upon
the carriage of the hand valve shaft U, and is so formed at its shorter
end as to be capable of pressing sideways the spring lever p, as seen
in Figure 4. Figure 5 shews the self-acting valve open, for the ad-
mission of steam to the cylinder through the port h, which forms the only
thoroughfare connecting the under side of the piston with the valve box;
but before the steam can reach this port it is necessary to open the hand
valve T, which is effected by the attendant through the medium of the
lever handle S, as herein-before described. Both valves are capable of
exhausting the steam cylinder, and by the particular arrangement of
the passages they are perfectly balanced as regards the steam pressure.
The interior of the valve case is so situated with respect to the steam
cylinder that the water of condensation is perfectly carried away by
a double branch pipe attached to the openings x, x, in the bottom of
the valve box, which also serve to equalise the pressure on the
opposite ends of the valves. In this arrangement, the stuffing boxes of
the valve spindles, not being exposed to the full pressure of steam, are
easily kept tight, and require very little attention; the same remark
applies to the piston rod, stuffing box, on the cylinder cover. However
defective or imperfect the packing of these stuffing boxes may be, it
cannot possibly affect the correct working of the machine, its use being
merely to prevent any unpleasant appearance of escape steam from the
exhausting passages.
Sheet 2 of the Drawings contains two views of another form of steam
hammer constructed in accordance with my improvements. Figure 1
is a front elevation, and Figure 2 is a side elevation. In this arrange-

page_text: ment two steam cylinders are employed, which are firmly bolted between
a pair of strong plates A, A, the ends of which are bolted to the
standards B, B, the latter being firmly bolted to the base plate. Each
.cylinder is provided with a piston and piston rod, the latter passing
through the stuffing boxes on the cylinder covers up to the projecting
arms of the hammer block, to which they are connected by means of the
uuts and collars, as shewn in Figure 1.
The hammer block D is guided in its vertical traverse by two strong
ribs, one of which is cast on the side of each cylinder; these ribs fit into
corresponding grooves in the sides of the hammer block. The valve box
E is situated at the back of the hammer, and is connected with both
cylinders by branch pipes F, F. From the top of the valve box ascend
the steam pipe G and the exhausting pipe H, the latter being connnected
with the upper part of each cylinder by the branch pipes I, I. This
arrangement of hammer being intended for the largest class of work
will in most cases not require the self-acting valve motion, the regulating
or hand valve being quite sufficient for all ordinary purposes. This
valve may be similar to that already described in Sheet 1. of the Draw-
ings, the steam and exhausting passages being common to both cylinders.
The rod K, forming a continuation of the valve spindle, is connected
with the lever L, which is keyed upon a small shaft M, working in .suit-
able carriages attached to the framing. Upon the end of this shaft is
fixed the hand lever N, situated at the front of the machine; by proper
use of this hand lever the attendant is enabled to regulate the motion
and force of the hammer as required. In order to guard against the
possibility of the pistons striking the cylinder covers, by the valve steam
port being accidentally or otherwise kept open too long, the openings in
the upper parts of the cylinders which are connected with the exhausting
pipe, as before described, are situated a distance below the cylinder
covers, equal to about twice the depth of the pistons, so that in the
event of the pistons being forced too far up the cylinders, the steam
will escape before they reach the covers. And in addition to the escape
of steam thus produced, the upward motion of the hammer is resisted by
the compressed air between the pistons and the cylinder covers, which
has no means of escape. The situation of these upper ports is there-
fore a matter of considerable importance, and requires the same attention
in the single cylinder as in the double cylinder arrangement, whether
the self-acting valve motion is employed or not.
Figure 1, 2, and 3 of Sheet 3 of the Drawings are respectively a front
elevation, a front sectional elevation, and a side sectional elevation of
one of my improved pumps for feeding the steam boilers. A is the
steam cylinder, and B, B, are the pump cylinders, all three being repre-

page_text: sented as cast together, and bolted to the base plate C. The steam
plunger D and the two bucket rods E, E, are connected. to the cross head
F, so as to work together. G is the valve case, containing a small
cylindrical or piston slide valve, for admitting steam to and from the
central cylinder. On the side of the valve case are fixed the steam
and exhausing pipes H and I, each communicating with a distinct
chamber surrounding the slide valve, as shewn at a, a, and c, c. K is
the foot valve or clack, and L is the delivering valve; the former being
connected with the bottom of the pump cylinders by the branch pipes
M, M, and the latter to the top of the pump cylinders by similar pipes
N, N. These valves are also in direct communication with the suction
and delivery pipes, marked O and P respectively. To the steam
cylinder are fixed two studs, carrying the tappet levers. Q and R, which
are connected by the rod S. Upon the outer end of the boss of the
lever is another lever T, attached to the valve rod U. From a suitable
projection formed on the main cross head F is suspended the tappet rod
V, carrying on its lower end the tappet roller e, the latter being guided
in its traverse by the rods W, W. On the application of steam, the
quantity of which is regulated as required by an ordinary stop-cock,
situated in any convenient part of the steam pipe in continuation of H,
it passes from the chamber a, a, down the inside of the valve and through
the pipe X into the cylinder A, and forces up the plunger, together
with the cross head and buckets. During the upward motion, the pump
cylinders are filling with water through the "suction" valve K, by
reason of the partial vacuum created beneath the buckets. When the
plunger has risen to a certain height, the tappet roller e elevates the
tappet lever Q, and by reversing the slide valve allows the steam to
escape from beneath the plunger through the valve passage c, c, into the
exhausting pipe I. The plunger and buckets are now at liberty to
descend by their own weight, and during their descent the bucket valves
open to allow the water beneath to pass through. When near the termina-
tion of the downward stroke, the tappet roller e comes in contact with
the tappet lever R, the latter having been elevated simultaneously with
the lever Q, and thus the valve is again thrown open for the admission
of steam beneath the plunger, and so on, repeating the operation. The
pumps being now fully charged, every succeeding up-stroke forces the
water from above the buckets through the delivering valve L, and at
the same time draws in a fresh charge beneath the buckets through
the suction pipe P, as in an ordinary pump. Figures 7, 8, and 9 of
the same Sheet of Drawings are three views, corresponding with those
just described, of another arrangement of my improved pump. In
this. arrangement, the pump cylinders are fitted with plungers instead

page_text: of buckets, and the foot and delivering valves or clacks are situated in
the same box, as shown at K and L, in Figure 9, thus dispensing with
the upper pipe connexions. In the present as in the former arrange-
ment the upward stroke draws in the water, but here the downward
stroke forces it out; wherefore the plungers require to be of consider-
able weight, and the cross head F is converted into a box for the recep-
tion of additional weight, if required. . The steam valve and its pipe
connections are similar to those in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but the method
of working the valve is somewhat different. Instead of actuating the
valve through the medium of tappit levers, as before described, the pro-
jection on the head box or cross head gives motion at once to the valve
rod, the latter being provided with a pair of moveable collars for the
former to act upon.
These collars are fixed to the valve rod by set
screws, as seen at m and n, and can be adjusted to suit any length of
stroke given to the pump. The valve rod U being of considerable
length is guided in its traverse, as seen at g, g; the plungers are also
guided by the bar h. The termination of the downward stroke is
effected by the projection or tappet e on the head box striking the collar
n, the movement of which opens the valve for the admission of of steam
to the central plunger, and thus reverses its motion; and in like manner
the upward stroke is terminated by the tappet e striking the collar m,
which lifts the valve and opens the exhausting passage for the escape
of steam from the central cylinder, and so on, repeating the operation.
It will be obvious to the practical engineer that these pumps admit of
various modifications; for instance, pistons may be employed instead
of plungers, and by suitable arrangement of the valves and clacks, all
or any of the cylinders may be rendered double acting.
Figure 4 of the same Sheet of Drawings is a vertical section of one of
my improved drain valves, for preventing the accumulation of water
in the steam pipes. A is a box or reservoir, with inlet and outlet pipes
B and C; over the latter, at the bottom of the reservoir, is a double-
beat valve D, the spindle of which carries the large float E, and works
through the cross bar F into the narrow chamber G on the cover of the
reservoir. The weight of the float is taken off the valve, and supported
by the cross bar F to any required extent by means of the helical
spring H and the adjusting. nuts N. The water of condensation flows
in at the thoroughfare B, and accumulates in the lower part of the
reservoir, as shewn at W, until it elevates the float, and opens the dis-
charge valve D, through which it escapes.
Figures 5 and 6 of the same Sheet of Drawings are respectively a
longitudinal section and a top view of one of my improved pressure
regulators, for reducing the pressure of the steam in its passage from

page_text: the boiler. A is an equilibrium or double-beat valve, the spindle of
which works through the stuffing box B, and is attached to the short
end of the lever C, the fulcrum of which is situated at D; near to the
other end of this lever is attached, by means of the connecting link E,
the plunger F, which works through the stuffing box G into the steam
pipe. The high-pressure steam in passing from the boiler along the
steam pipes enters the regulator at H, and after passing through the
valve orifioes S, S, its force causes the plunger F to ascend, thereby par-
tially closing the valve, and preventing the free passage of steam from
the boiler. The steam pressure required to be constantly maintained
on the plunger side of the valve is regulated as required by a suitable
weight W, instead of which a spring balance attached to the lever is
sometimes employed. In order to prevent the lever or the valve from
being strained by any sudden ascent of the plunger, the lever guard K
is provided, in the top of which is fitted the adjusting screw M, for the
lever to strike against.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same may be carried into
effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim all the parts herein
referred to and described, nor do I confine or limit myself to the precise
details or arrangements, as the same may be varied without departing
from the peculiar character or main features of my Invention; but what
I believe to be original, and therefore claim as my Invention, is,-
First, the construction of steam hammers with the steam cylinder or
cylinders disposed at the side or sides of and parallel with the hammer
block, as herein-before described.
Second, the construction of pumps for feeding the boilers with the
steam cylinder or cylinders disposed at the side or sides of the water
cylinder or cylinders, as herein-before described.
Third, the combination of floats and springs in the construction of
drain or discharge valves to prevent the accumulation of water in the
steam pipes, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the peculiar arrangement of double-beat valve, in combination
with the lever plunger and guard screw, for the purpose of reducing
and regulating the steam pressure, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charles Pearce, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-five.
JOHN CHARLES PEARCE. (L.S.)