IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING VALVE MECHANISM FOR MARINE ENGINES, STEERING ENGINES AND OTHER: MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Paul, of Dumbarton in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING
VALVE MECHANISM FOR MARINE ENGINES, STEERING ENGINES AND OTHER:
MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Paul at the Office.
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April 1883.
ANDREW PAUL, of Dumbarton, in the County of Dumbarton North Britain,
Engineer, IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING VALVE MECHANISM FOR MARINE
· ENGINES, STEERING ENGINES AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
"
This Invention has for its object to simplify and otherwise improve the con-
struction of reversing valve mechanism for marine engines, steering engines and
other motive-power engines.
In carrying out the Invention each cylinder distribution valve is arranged to
receive all its motions from a single eccentric, which will be placed in some cases
on the main or crank shaft and in other cases on a counter shaft driven from the
main shaft; and for reversing the engines or otherwise modifying the action of the
valve the eccentric is moved across the shaft. The principal feature of the present
Invention consists in the means by which the movement or adjustment of the
eccentric across the shaft is obtained. The shaft carrying the eccentric, or a part
of this shaft, is made tubular, and a spindle is fitted so as to be movable longi-
tudinally in the shaft. Short longitudinal slots are formed on opposite sides of the
tubular shaft at the part carrying the eccentric and a steel pin is fixed transversely
through the spindle so as to project through the slots in the tubular shaft. This
transverse pin projects sufficiently through the slots of the tubular shaft to enter
inclined slots which are formed in two steel plates attached to and practically
forming part of the eccentric. The eccentric is made with an opening or slot
through which the shaft passes and the plates are fixed in the sides of this opening
and bear on flat surfaces formed on the sides of the shaft, or on an enlargement or
boss formed or fixed on the shaft. The opening in the eccentric is made long
enough in the direction of the flat sides or plates to allow of the required movement
[Price 6d1

page_text: -
or adjustment across the shaft; and this movement or adjustment is effected by a
longitudinal or endway movement of the central spindle, through the operation of
the transverse pin of that spindle on the inclined slots of the plates of the eccentric.
The lead of the valve is obtained by placing the opening in the eccentric with its
centre line a little to one side of the centre of the eccentric, and remains the same
in all positions of the eccentric.
When
The central spindle by which the adjustment or reversal of the eccentric is
effected may be connected to a hand lever or other part in various ways.
the eccentric can be at or near the end of the shaft, or when the central spindle can
be conveniently extended beyond the end of the shaft, the hand lever may be
arranged to act directly upon it, the spindle being formed with a pair of collars
between which there is a loose ring to which the lever is connected. In other
cases slots may be formed through the tubular part of the shaft at any convenient
part and a key may be fixed in the spindle so as to project through the slots.
A ring fitted so that it can move along the outside of the shaft is attached to or
otherwise arranged to act on the key and is itself fitted with an external loose ring
which is acted upon by a lever. A single central spindle may be arranged to act
on the eccentrics of two or more cylinders or a separate central spindle may be
provided for each eccentric.
When a counter shaft is used the end way or longitudinal motion for moving or
adjusting the eccentric or eccentrics may be applied directly to the shaft instead of
to a separate spindle, the eccentric or eccentrics being prevented from moving with
the shaft by.suitable guides.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Andrew Paul in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th October
1883.
ANDREW PAUL, of Dumbarton, in the County of Dumbarton, North Britain,
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING VALVE MECHANISM FOR MARINE
ENGINES, STEERING ENGINES, AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES "
My said Invention has for its object to simplify and otherwise improve the
construction of reversing valve mechanism for marine engines steering engines and
other motive-power engines
In carrying out my Invention the distribution valve of a steam cylinder is
arranged to receive all its motions from a single eccentric, which will be placed, in
some cases, on the main or crank shaft, and in other cases on a counter shaft
driven from the main shaft; and for reversing the engine or otherwise modifying
the action of the valve the eccentric is moved across the shaft. The principal
feature of my present Invention consists in the means by which the movement or
adjustment of the eccentric across the shaft is obtained. The shaft carrying the
eccentric, or a part of this shaft is made tubular, and a spindle is fitted so as to be
movable longitudinally in the shaft. Short longitudinal slots are formed through
the opposite sides of the tubular shaft at the part carrying the eccentric, and a
steel pin is fixed transversely through the central spindle so as to project through
the slots in the tubular shaft. This transverse pin projects sufficiently through
both slots of the tubular shaft to enter inclined slots which are formed in two steel
plates attached to and practically forming part of the eccentric; and the ends of
the transverse pin act in such a way in the inclined slots of the eccentric as to
move the eccentric across the shaft when the central spindle is moved longitudinally.
The central spindle can be moved longitudinally in various ways, through a lever
moved directly by hand or otherwise.
When the motive-power apparatus is made with two cylinders the distribution
valves of these cylinders may be worked by a separate single transversely movable
eccentric; or one of such eccentrics may be arranged to work the valves of both
cylinders either when these are placed at right angles to each other, and connected
to one crank, or when the cylinders are placed side by side and connected to two
cranks; or when two or more cylinders are placed at any required positions
relatively to each other, bellcrank levers or equivalent arrangements being inter-
posed for transmitting to the several valves from the eccentric the movements
respectively suitable for them.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to
be hereinafter referred to and representing by way of example various modifications
of my improved reversing valve mechanism.
1
Figures 1 and 2, on the accompanying sheet of drawings are vertical sections as
at right angles to each other showing an eccentric as fitted on the overhung end of
a crank shaft and as having one modification of my improved reversing mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4, are vertical sections as at right angles to each other showing two
eccentrics placed on a shaft between bearings and fitted with a second modification
of my improved reversing mechanism. Figure, 5, is a vertical section showing the
application of my improved mechanism to an eccentric on a counter shaft; and
figure, 6, shows one mode of applying one eccentric with my improved reversing'
mechanism. In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the
Bame or like parts wherever they are repeated.
•
"

page_text: In the modification shown in figures 1 and 2, the end of the crank shaft, 11, has
formed on it an enlargement or boss, 12, made with parallel flat sides; and the
eccentric, 13, is made with an opening or slot the sides of which have fixed to
them steel plates, 14, to slide upon the flat sides of the shaft boss, 12. The
eccentric, 13, is kept from moving along the shaft by a flange formed on the inner
part of the boss, 12; and by a flanged ring, 15, which is screwed upon the end of;
the shaft after the eccentric has been placed in position. The end of the shaft, 11,
is bored or made tubular to receive a central spindle, 16, and a steel pin, 17, is
fixed across this spindle so as to project on opposite sides of it. The ends of the
steel pin, 17, project through longitudinal slots in the shaft boss, 12, and into
inclined slots in the steel plates, 14, of the eccentric, 13, these longitudinal and
inclined slots being indicated by dotted lines in figure, 2. The end or part of the
central spindle, 16, which projects beyond the end of the shaft, 11, is formed with
collars between which there is a loose ring, 18, attached to a lever, 19, and by
means of this lever the central spindle, 16, can be moved on end, either when the
shaft, 11, and spindle are rotating or when they are at rest. When the central
spindle, 16, is moved on end the longitudinal slots in the boss, 12, prevent it from
turning relatively to the shaft, and the pin, 17, acting on the inclined slots of the
eccentric plates, 14, causes the eccentric, 13, to move in a plane at right angles to
the shaft, and this movement of the eccentric reverses the valve or valves or alters
the action on them so as to change the period of cut off. The lead of the valve or
valves is obtained by placing the opening in the eccentric, 13, with its centre line
a little to one side of the centre of the eccentric, and remains the same for all
positions of the eccentric.
In the modification shown in figures, 3, and 4, the crank shaft, 11, is made
tubular to receive a central spindle, 16, which acts on two eccentrics, 13. These
eccentrics are held in their places, each between a flange on the bearing at one
side, and a flanged ring, 15, at the other side, each ring, 15, being made in halves
bolted together after being placed on the shaft. The central spindle, 16, is moved
by means of a cross key, 20, which passes through longitudinal slots in the
shaft, 11, midway between the two eccentrics, 13, the outer ends of the key being
held in a ring, 21, which is in halves, and which is encircled by an outer loose
ring, 22. The outer ring, 22, is also made in halves which are bolted together
after the ring has been placed in position, whilst trunnions or pins, 23, are formed
on the outside of the ring, to enter slots in a pair of levers, 24, on a rocking
shaft, 25, having a hand lever, 26, fixed on it. With this arrangement the hand
lever, 26, on being moved, acts through the loose ring, 22, the inner ring, 21, and
the key, 20, so as to move the central spindle, 16, along the shaft and shift the
eccentrics in the manner hereinbefore explained with reference to the first
modification.
In the modification shown in figure, 5, the eccentric, 13, is on a tubular counter
shaft, 27, driven from the crank shaft, 11, by means of a pair of spur wheels, 28,
The parts for shifting the eccentric are applied to the counter shaft, .27, in the same
manner as the corresponding parts applied to the crank shaft in figures 1, and 2,
herein before described.
In figure, 6, are shown the valve casings, 29, of a pair of cylinders supposed to
be placed at right angles to each other with their piston rods connected to one
crank, 30. The rods, 31, of both valves are connected to the strap or ring of one
eccentric, 13, which is fitted on the crank shaft so as to be movable across it as in
the other modifications by means of parts the same as those hereinbefore described
but the delineation of which is not fully repeated in figure, 6. Instead of using a
separate central spindle, 16, with the counter shaft, the counter shaft itself may be
made movable endways and may have fixed in it the pin, 17, for acting on the
eccentric or eccentrics, 13, which last may be confined between suitable guides.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated but that what I believe to be novel and

page_text: original and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is :-
The improved reversing valve mechanism hereinbefore described and having
combined together in it a longitudinally movable shaft or a central spindle
movable in a tubular part of the shaft carrying the eccentric and moving the
eccentric by means of a cross pin projecting in opposite directions and acting on
inclined slots or grooves with which the opening or slot of the eccentric is
provided.
In Witness whereof I, the said Andrew Paul have hereunto set my hand and
seal this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty-three
Witness
EDMUND HUNT
Patent Agent
Glasgow
ANDW. PAUL (LS)