IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH MAY BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George William Weatherhogg, of 274, Strand, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF
WHICH MAY BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 7th July 1876, and dated the 11th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George William Weatherbogg
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th January 1876.
GEORGE WILLIAM WEATHERHOGG, of 274, Strand, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer. “IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPA-
RATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH MAY BE USED FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates,―
Firstly. To a method for varying and cutting off the supply of steam admitted to
the cylinder of a steam engine at any portion of the stroke, such method being
effected by the application of wedges or cones which are capable of being operated
automatically by a governor or by hand at discretion.
Secondly. In improvements in governors for steam engines which may be
adapted either to automatic variable cut-off valves or to an ordinary throttle
valve.
Thirdly. In improvements in stop valves for steam engines and other purposes.
Fourthly. In impts. in the details of vertical steam engines.
In carrying out the first part of my Invention I use two cut-off plates placed on
the back of an ordinary slide valve having straight-way passages of the usual form,
said cut-off plates move longitudinally in a line with the valve spindle, and are
prevented from having any lateral motion by suitable stops on the steam chest, or
the same may move in guides on the back of the main valve. I connect the two
cut-off plates together by a wedge which slides in suitable guides or groves in the
plates for the purpose of bringing the plates nearer together or further apart. The
wedge is made about one-third less in width than the transverse length of the cut-
off plates, and is connected to the cut-off valve spindle and made so as to permit of
the wedge being raised or lowered laterally on the valve spindle. The wedge is
held in suspension by a strap or clutch having spindle ends which work through

page_text: suitable stuffing boxes in the steam chest. A counterpoise weight or spring is
attached to one end of the clutch spindle for the purpose of keeping the wedge
constantly to its work. Either the inner or outer edges of the plates may be used
for the purpose of cutting off the steam, and in some cases I prefer to use a double
ended key wedge. I prefer to make either the inner or outer edges of the cut-off
plates to correspond with the angle of the wedge, and connect the same together by
groves or other suitable device, or the plates may have both their edges parallel to
each other. In some cases a spiral or other formed spring may be used for holding
each cut-off plate in contact with the wedge.
In order to vary the cut-off I move the wedge laterally to or from the cut-off
valve spindle by the connection before described, which action causes the cut-off
plates to be drawn towards or recede from each other, by which means the steam is
cut-off earlier or later according to the requirements for which it is needed.
When it is desired to use this arrangement as an automatic variable cut-off I
connect the governor of the engine to the wedge clutch spindle in any suitable
manner.
When required for a fixed variable cut-off to be actuated by hand I place a hand
wheel or an equivalent device on one end of the wedge clutch spindle, which has a
threaded portion screwing into a fixture on the steam chest, or the clutch spindle
itself may be made to turn upon the wedge for this purpose.
I also use a graduated plate with a fixed pointer in connection with this spindle,
which enables the operator to set the valves in any position for a given cut-off.
In some cases instead of raising or lowering the wedges by means such as those
above described, I place a rocking shaft within the steam chest, said shaft
working through suitable stuffing boxes in the chest cover. Upon this shaft I affix
either an eccentric, cams, levers, rack & pinion, or other equivalent device for
operating the wedge, and when desired I place also upon the said rocking shaft
springs or a counterpoise weight for the purpose of keeping the wedge constantly
to its work as before described; or the rocking shaft may be placed outside of the
steam chest and connected to the wedge or wedge spindle for the purposes aforesaid.
I connect the governor lever to the rocking shaft by any suitable device when
required to be operated automatically, and fix the said shaft in any given position
when required to be set by hand; or the cut-off valve spindle may be made to
operate the wedge. When this plan is adopted the spindle is made to partially turn
by the action of the governor.
Two or more steam passages may be cut through each end of the induction
valve with corresponding openings in the cut-off plates. The valves may be made of
any form, and where they are large I prefer to balance them.
The second part of my Invention relates to steam engine governors which are
especially applicable to an automatic cut-off gear, and consists in placing a sleeve
upon the governor spindle, with collars for the actuating lever to work in in the
usual manner. Instead of connecting the governor arms or supporting links to the
sleeve, I place a second sleeve or counterweight upon the inner sleeve; to the outer
sleeve or weight is attached the governor arms or links in the usual manner.
inner sleeve is made longer than the outer one, which admits of the governors rising
to their normal position before actuating the cut-off valves. By this arrangement
gain a certain amount of slip in the governor, which gives greater uniformity of
speeds with varying loads over those now in use.
The
In some cases I place a spiral spring upon the governor spindle acting on the
inner sleeve in the usual manner. I thread the upper part of the inner sleeve, on
which is screwed lock nuts, for the purpose of regulating the amount of slip
necessary to be given, which also determines and serves as a guide for cutting
off the steam at any portion of the stroke. By screwing the lock nuts hard
upon the outer sleeve the slip is prevented, and the action then becomes as a
common governor, which will act upon a throttle valve in the usual manner.
There are various ways in which this slip may be obtained in the governor
without the use of the inner sleeve, one other way in which I accomplish

page_text: this object is by placing the centre weight upon the governor spindle, and using
pendulum arms and balls in the usual manner. I then fit into the centre weight
in a line with the governor pendulums two guides, in which the pendulums are
free to move to a fixed limit without acting upon the centre weight or cut-off
valves as before described. On the outer ends of these fixed guides I fit steel
rollers for the purpose of reducing the friction on the pendulums. I also fix two
moveable collars on the governor spindle, the upper one serves as a limit to which
the governors shall cut-off the steam, and the lower one serves as a stop for the
sleeve or weight, which also determines the amount of slip necessary to give to
the governor for the purposes above described. In this method a spiral spring
may be used in the usual manner in connection with a sleeve in place of using a
centre weight for the purposes described. This slip may be given to any governor
no matter how applied.
The third part of my Invention consists in improvements in stop valves for
steam engines, part of which has already been described in my previous Patent
No. 2278, 1875. The improvements herin consist in using a double wedge or
cone nut and stop pieces to correspond. The lower cone draws the stop plates
from their faces inwards before they commence to rise by the action of of the screw,
and the upper cone jambs the plates to their seatings should the steam pressure not
be sufficient for this purpose. I also give a certain amount of slip between the
cones for the purpose of allowing the steam to make the joint as previously
described. The cones or wedges may be made in one or two pieces. By this arrange-
ment for all valves under eight inches in diameter one stop plate will be found
sufficient in practice, although two may be used, but for all valves over that size I
prefer to use two stop plates for the ostensible purpose of balancing the plates when
being drawn upwards.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in various details of vertical engines.
I make the base plate of the engine independent of the base plate of the boiler, and
which may be secured to the boiler base or not as desired. I arrange the base plate
of the engine so that it may form a water tank or heater upon which the standard
of the engine is secured. I connect the steam & water connections in the usual
manner. I also cast the exhaust pipe in the standard of the engine which leads
into and through the water tank for the purpose of heating the water. Although
preferably to be so arranged this latter plan is not absolutely necessary. The
essential features of this part of my Invention are that the engine with its water
base may be detached from the boiler base without disturbing the latter. I also
arrange the formation of the pillow blocks in the standard of this my improved
engine, so that the same may have an universal motion, and at the same time be
inore readily fitted up than those now used.
In conclusion I would remark with regard to the third part of my Invention,
that I do not wish it to be understood that I claim as of my Invention the use of a
cone or wedge nut for the purpose of jambing the stop plates of steam valves to
their faces, as I am aware that the same is already done in various ways, but the
mechanical action of the wedges which is positive having an alternate movement
for closing and opening the passages, and which will operate as effectually on one
plate as on two I believe to be new, but the stop valves refferrd to in the third part
of my Invention are applicable to various purposes besides steam engines, such
as sluice, water, gas valves, and the like.
30
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George William Weatherhogg in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
July 1876.
GEORGE WILLIAM WEATHERHOGG, of 274, Strand, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPA-
"

page_text: RATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH
PURPOSES."
My Invention relates,―
MAY BE USED FOR OTHER
Firstly. To a method for varying and cutting off the supply of steam admitted to
the cylinder of a steam engine at any portion of the stroke, such method being
effected by the application of wedges or cones, which are capable of being operated
automatically by a governor or by hand at discretion.
Secondly. In improvements in governors for steam engines, which may be
adapted either to an automatic cut-off valve gear or to an ordinary throttle
valve.
Thirdly. In improvements in stop valves for steam engines and other purposes.
· Fourthly. In improvements in the details of vertical steam engines.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed to more particularly describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, shews an elevation and partial section of the first part of my
Invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view; Fig. 3 is a cross section; and Figs. 4, 5,
6, and 7 are modifications of the same.
I use two cut-off plates A, A, placed on the back of an ordinary slide valve for
the purpose of cutting off the steam, said slide valve having straight-way passages
of the usual form. The cut-off plates move in a line with the valve spindle, and
are prevented from having any lateral motion by the stop plates or guides a¹, which
are formed on the back of the main slide valve B. The cut-off plates are connected
together by means of a wedge or cone C, which slides in guides or grooves b¹ for the
purpose of bringing the plates nearer together or further apart. The wedge is
made about one-third less in width than the transverse length of the cut-off plates,
and is connected to the cut-off valve spindle c¹ by a rack and pinion D, d, which
moves the wedge laterally on the spindle. The cut-off valve spindle c¹ is made to
partially turn by the action of the governor or by hand in the usual manner.
Either the inner or outer edges of the plates may be used for the purpose of cutting
off the steam, and in some cases I prefer to use a double-ended key wedge for the
purpose described. I make either the inner or outer edges of the plates to cor-
respond with the angle of the wedge, and connect the same together by any suitable
device, or the plates may have both their edges parrellel to each other. In some
cases a spiral or other formed spring may be used for the purpose of keeping the
plates and the wedge in contact with each other. In order to vary the cut-off the
wedge being moved laterally (as before described) causes the cut-off plates to be
drawn towards or recede from each other, by which means the steam is cut off
earlier or later according to the requirements for which it is needed.
Instead of raising or lowering the wedge or cone by means such as those above
described, a separate rocking shaft E, as shown in the modification Fig. 4, may be
used. The shaft works in a guide at one end and stuffing box at the other. The
shaft projects through the steam chest to attatch to the governor lever e¹. The
pinion D is secured on this shaft, and made to slide on a square or grooves for the
prevention of turning upon the shaft. The wedge and valves are drawn forward
and back by the cut-off spindle c¹, upon which is secured a nut or collar working
in a groove in the wedge C, as shewn. The pinion D gears into a rack d, as pre-
viously described. Upon the shafts E, c', may be fitted an eccentric, cams, levers, or
other equivalent device for operating the wedge, and when desired place upon the
said shafts springs or a counterpoise weight for the purpose of keeping the wedge
constantly to its work, or the seperate rocking shaft E, Fig. 4, may be placed out-
side of the steam chest and connected to the wedge spindle or wedge, for the
purposes aforesaid.
Fig. 5 shews elevation of a modification of my Invention; and Fig. 6 shews end
view of the same with the cut-off valves A in elevation acting as before described.
In this arrangement the wedge is held in suspension by a strap or clutch F, in

page_text: which are steel rollers, through which the wedge works. The clutch F has spindle
ends G working through suitable stuffing boxes f¹ in the steam chest, to one end of
which may be fixed a counterpoise weight or spring, and to the other end of the
spindle is attatched the governor lever or hand gear for the purpose of regulating
the cut-off.
Fig. 7 shews a further modification of my Invention, in which the edges of the
cut-off plates are parallel to each other. The wedge operating as before described
works in groves cut through or on the back of the cut-off plates. This latter plan
is more especially applicable when required to use the inner edges of the plates for
cutting off the steam.
When required for a fixed variable cut-off (to be actuated by hand) I place a hand
wheel or other equivalent device on one end of the valve or clutch spindle, said
wheel having a threaded portion screwing into a fixing on the steam chest.
A graduated plate may in some cases be used with a fixed pointer in connection
with either the valve or clutch spindle, which enables the operator to set the valves
in any position for a given cut-off. The same arrangement will also enable the
attendant to see at what part of the stroke the governors are cutting off the steam.
Two or more passages may be cut through each end of the induction valves with
corresponding openings in the cut-off plates. The valves may be made of any
form, and where they are large I prefer to balance. They may also be placed
at each end of the cylinder with the wedge or cones in half. Other details will
necessarily suggest themselves in designing this wedge motion without departing
from the merits of my Invention.
Fig. 8, Sheet 1, shews an elevation of my improvements in steam engine governors
which are especially applicable to my automatic cut-off gear, and consists in placing
a sleeve H upon the governor spindle with collars for the actuating lever to work
in in the usual manner. Instead of connecting the governor arms or supporting
levers to the sleeve I place a second sleve h¹ and counterweight I upon the inner
sleeve. To the outer sleeve or weight is attatched the governor arms or levers in the
usual manner. The inner sleeve H is made longer than the outer one, which admits
of the governors rising to their normal position before actuating the cut-off valves.
By this arrangement I obtain a certain amount of slip in the governor which gives
greater uniformity of speeds with varying loads over those now in use.
I thread
the inner sleeve H, upon which is placed the counterweight I, adjusted by lock
nuts for the purpose of regulating the amount of slip necessary to be given, and
which also determines and serves as a guide for cutting off the steam at the desired
portion of the stroke.
In some cases a spiral spring may be used upon the sleeve H instead of a counter-
weight acting upon a lock nut or collar J of the governor spindle for the purpose
described.
Fig. 9 shews a modification of my Invention having a governor with pendulum
arms and spring K acting on the inner sleeve as before described. By screwing the
lock nuts hard upon the outer sleeve the slip is prevented, and the action then
becomes as a common governor acting upon the cut-off plates or a throttle valve in
the usual manner. Although I have described the arrangement of weighted lever
or spring working in connexion with my wedge cut-off gear, the latter having a
seperate counterweight or spring for the purpose of keeping the wedge constantly
to its work, yet it is obvious that where my improved governor is employed in com-
bination with my peculiar arrangement of wedge or cone gear for operating the
cut-off valves that no other springs or counterweights will be needed, and that
either arrangement may be used seperately if so desired, and that this my improved
govenor is equally applicable to any other form of cut-off valve no matter how
applied.
The third part of my Invention consists in improvements in stop valves for steam
engines, part of which has already been described in my previous Patent, No. 2278,
may be used for other purposes. The improvements herein consists in using a
and

page_text: double wedge or cone nut, and stop pieces to correspond. The lower cone draws
the stop plates from their seats inwardes before they commence to rise by the action
of the screw,
and the upper cone jambs the plates to their seatings. (Should the
steam pressure not be sufficient for the purpose) I give a certain amount of slip
between the cones for the purpose of allowing the steam to make the joints, as
previously illustrated and described. The cones may be solid or in two pieces.
By this arrangement for all valves under eight inches in diametar one stop plate will
be found sufficient in practice, although two may be used, but over that size I prefer to
use two plates for the ostensible purpose of balancing the plates when being drawn
upwards. I do not claim a cone or wedge for the purpose of jambing the stop plates
of steam valves to their facings, as I am aware that the same is already done in
various ways, but the mechanical action of the wedges, which is positive, having an
alternate movement for closing and opening the passages, and which will operate
as efficiently on one plate as two, I believe to be new.
Fig. 10, Sheet 2, shews an elevation with half in section of my improved vertical
steam engine; Fig. 11 shews a side elevation of the same, with half in section. I
make the base plate L of the engine independant of the base plate of the boiler, and
which may be secured to the boiler base or not, as desired. I also arrange the base
plate of the engine so that it may form a water tank or heater upon which the
standard N of the engine is secured by bolts b¹. I connect the steam and water
connexions in the usual manner. I also cast in the standard of the engine the
exhaust passage M, leading into and through the water tank or heater by the pipe m¹,
for the purpose of heating the feed water. Although preferably to be so arranged the
latter plan is not absolutely necessary, as the essential features of this part of my
Invention are that the engine with its water base may be detatched from the boiler
base without disturbing the latter. I arrange the formation of the pillow blocks
in the standard of the engine, so that they may have an universal motion. The
outer frames O of the pillow blocks are cast on the standard of the engine, having
adjusting pieces m¹ with screwed ends n¹ formed on the same, which passes through
the standard, and is held by lock nuts o¹. A similar adjusting piece p' is also
made to slide within the frames. Both top and bottom adjusting pieces are conical,
and fits upon the journals P. The whole is held down by a cap piece R, with screw
bolts or studs in the usual manner. The journals P are made somewhat less than the
width of the frames O. The connecting rod brasses are also made slightly conical,
so as to allow the crank shaft brasses to work freely out of line without heating.
It will be readily seen that this form of pillow block is more readily fitted up and
adjusted upon the standard than those now used.
It is obvious also, instead of making the standard of the curved form, as shewn, a
pyramidical shape may be used, having the adjustable bearings, and bolted upon
the water base, as before described, and that with either form the standard forms a
complete framing for the engine in itself, and in some cases may be applied, such
as for steam launches and the like.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The peculiar arrangement of a cut-off or expansion apparatus, whereby the
cut-off valves are brought nearer together or further apart by the action of a wedge
or cone for the purpose of cutting off the supply of steam, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Second. The application and use of a seperate rocking shaft with a pinion or its
equivalent in combination with a wedge or cone for transmitting the action of a
governor to the cut-off or expansion valve, such rocking shaft and pinion or its
equivalent being constructed, arranged, and operated substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by my Drawings.

page_text: Third. The peculiar arrangement of hanging or suspending the wedge or cone by
a strap or clutch for the purpose of varying the cut-off valves, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Fourth. The application and arrangement of the cut-off plates in combination
with a wedge or cone, which admits of the cut-off valves cutting off the steam on
their inner edges, whether driven direct from the cut-off valve spindle or by a
seperate rocking shaft, substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Fifth. The construction of steam engine governors having a certain amount of
slip imparted to them when used in connexion with the expansion valve of a
steam engine, for the purpose of obtaining greater uniformity of speeds with
varying loads over those now in use, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Sixth. The construction of a steam engine governor with a counterweight or
spring having a certain amount of slip, in combination with a rotating valve spindle
or rocking shaft, substantially and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Seventh. The construction of a vertical engine having a cylindrical standard of
curved or pyramidical form in combination with the adjustable bearings, substan-
tially as herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
Eighth. The construction of a vertical steam engine having a cylindrical standard
of curved or pyramidical form in combination with a detatchable water base, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and illustrated by my Drawings.
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