Improvements in Valves for Reversing Engines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Reversing Engines.
RICHARD WATSON MEWES of 104 Shields Road Byker, Newcastle on Tyne
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to simplify the construction and arrangement of
the valves of reversing Engines of the none expansive type such as steam Steering
Engines, Ash Hoists Steam winches, windlasses and the like.
The method of construction is as follows.-I construct say a single acting
engine of the ordinary type with ordinary slide valve and place a cock or valve
on the top of the steam chest or cylinder in such a position that both ports of the
Engine pass through it as hereafter described.
This valve or cock has two sets of Portways through it. One set are parallel to each
other connecting each seperate steam port from steam chest to each seperate end of
cylinder for say the forward motion. To reverse the motion of the engine I turn the
cock or valve exactly one quarter turn when the other set of ports in the valve
or cock assume the position the parallel ports held previously for the forward
motion but they being crossed instead of parallel the steam is diverted into the
opposite end of the cylinder to which the parallel ports divert the steam thereby
causing a direct reverse motion.
One eccentric only is required to work the slide valves.
When the engine is working with the steam full on for either motion the steam
handle stands at say an angle of 45° from the plumb and the same angle on the
opposite side for the opposite motion. When the steam is shut off the handle stands
plumb.
Another advantage gained is that in the case of cranes hoists &c. is that an
engine fitted with this valve is more able to dispense with the foot brakes, as when
the engine is stopped with this valve the steam is locked in the cylinder on both sides
of the piston as the valve covers all passages thereby forming a cushion at both sides
of the piston or there may be relief valves in the piston or cylinder.
In case of a double engine I propose working the engine with a double set of ports
in the valve or it may be with two seperate valves.
Any form of slide valve may be used as D slide Piston slide or other which may
be preferred.
Dated this 4th day of August 1888.
J. A. G. ROSS,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Reversing Engines.
I RICHARD WATSON MEWES of 34 Shields Road Byker Newcastle on Tyne
Engineer 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 :-
The object of this invention is to improve and simplify the construction and
arrangement of the reversing valves for reversing Engines more especially of the
nonexpansive Type such as steam steering Engines Ash Hoists Steam Winches
Windlasses and the like. The construction and method of working is as follows.-
I construct say a single acting Engine of the ordinary type with ordinary slide valve
037

page_text: and place a rotatory cock or other valve on the steam chest or cylinder in such a
position that both ports of the engine pass through it as herinafter described.
This cock or valve has two sets of portways transversely through it. One set of
portways through the reversing cock being parallel or approximately so and the other
set crossed.
One set connects each seperate steam port from the steam chest with one end
of the cylinder so as to give motion in one direction-say the forward motion.
To reverse the motion of the engine I turn the cock or valve sufficiently to place
the other set of ports in a similar position as the first named ports previously held
for the forward motion but each leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder
consequently causing a reverse motion of the engine-the backward motion.
When the cock is in an intermediate position the steam is cut off from both
sets of ports and the engine is thus locked. So that in engines for hoists &c. fitted
with this reversing cock the foot brakes may be dispensed with or if the foot
brakes are used it will assist them-as the cock may be placed midway between
the two sets of ports thus cutting off completely the connection from the steam
chest to the cylinder or the cock may be placed to give any amount of opening of
portway for either motion. There may be relief valves in the piston or in the cylinder
or in both. In case of a double engine (a two cylinder engine) the ports through
the cock may be duplicated. In this case if preferred the steam from the slide valve
of one engine may pass through the reversing cock to the cylinder of the opposite
Engine thus making the reversing valve to be in equilibrium. Or preferably there
may be two separate cocks, which may be connected with suitable rods or levers so as
to cause these cocks to act in unison.
•
The reversing cock may be made so that the ports instead of being brought
transversely through the cock may be brought out at the ends. The motion of the
reversing cock or valve if cylindrical may be circular or rotatory, or it may be rectilineal
parallel with the axis. The axis of the reversing cock or valve may be parallel
with the slide valve spindle on the cylinder or at any angle therewith.
This reversing arrangement may be used in connection with any mode of giving
Icase to the slide valve in opposite directions or with any other slide valve or other
valve for the distribution of the steam.
The seat or case for the reversing cock or valve may be in one with the steam chest
on cylinder or it may be a separate casting.
In the drawing fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder, slide valve
and reversing cock shewing the ports through the reversing cock to give the forward
motion.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder slide valve and reversing cock
shewing the other ports through the reversing cock, to give the backward motion,
whilst fig. 4 is the corresponding transverse section. Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal
section through the reversing cock and casing and fig. 6 is the transverse section
thereof.
In these figs. a, a represents the cylinder a¹ the piston b, 6 the ports in the reversing
cock to give the forward motion c, c the portways in the reversing cock to give the
backward motion. d,d the portways in the cylinder e the reversing cock f the slide or
steam distributing valve. the lever to actuate reversing cock. the steam chest
i the spring and the screw to adjust the tightness of the reversing cock when of a
conical form.
The reversing cock e may also be utilized for the admission of steam to the steam
chest.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is.

page_text: 2nd. The method of locking the piston by steam.
3rd. The whole arrangement as substantially described in the specification and
drawings.