IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES." STATIONARY AND LOCOMOTIVE.
Year: 1880

page_text: of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd April 1880.
WILLIAM WILSON HARWOOD, of Manfield, in the County of York, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES."
STATIONARY AND LOCOMOTIVE.
'
In the self acting atmospheric railway locomotive, the carriage of the engine
consists of two pair of driving wheels situated behind a bogy carriage, which
supports a pair of slide valve cylinders on a bed plate, placed in position to act
through a cross head and crank rod on the crank of the nearest driving wheel on
each side of the engine outside the wheels.
By the means of a crank rod the rear pair of driving wheels are connected, which
are furnished with cranks acting outside the wheels.
Over the slide valve cylinders is placed another plate which carries the air chest
and the lever screw compressing multa double acting atmospheric slide valve pump,
which consists of a cylinder constructed with compartments, and furnished with
taps and ports working in small blocks cast on the outside of the cylinder; each
end of the cylinder is furnished with a flange.
The divisions between the compartments are fitted with stuffing boxes through
which the piston rod works, carrying a piston in cach compartment. On the sido
of the pump next the air chest are small blocks cast on the outside of the pump,
one at each end and one over the edge of each partition, with a port opening into
the pump on each side of each partition, and at each end of the pump fitted with
a weak spiral spring, each of these boxes are covered with a plate fastened to a
flange on each side of the box; into this cover is screwed the end of a pipe, all
these pipes terminate in one of the same diameter which leads to the air chest, and
is fitted with a spiral spring just outside the air chest.
By means of the three pipes running into one the pressure of the three pipes, one
from each compartment, unite their force to open the port in the single pipe which
opens into the air chest.
Therefore if the working pressure be GO pounds per square inch, a pressure of a
little over 20 pounds in each will exert a pressure of over sufficient to open the
port into the air chest if all the pipes be one inch in diameter.

page_text: The resistance is 60 pounds, while the united force from the pump is a littlo
over 60 pounds, therefore the power required to work the pump is in proportion to
the number of compartments, and the relative size of the pump and slide valve
cylinders, and the difference in size of the resistance and force pipes from the
pump to the air chest. Through the pipes to the air chest the air is delivered at
the end of each stroke. As soon as the pressure exceeds 20 pounds to the square
inch, the force down each pipe exceeds 20 pounds, and the air chamber tap opens,
while on the other side of each of the 3 pistons the atmosphere presses with a
force of 15 pounds to the square inch, therefore supplying three fourths of the
working power of the pump.
On the same level and on the other side of the pump is a dovetail plane
extending the length of the pump having the centre flange cut away. In this the
slide valve works on the outside of the pump by the means of a rod which is
worked by tho pump piston rod.
The slide valve ports open into the pump in the centre of each compartment, and 1
each port is furnished with a valve.
By the means of the slido valve the pump is rendered double acting; supposo
the pump to be at the stroke end, the slide valve is then over the port, as the
piston commences the return stroke it drives the air before it in cach compartment,
the valve remains over the port till the edge of the piston covers it, the stroke is
then left half accomplished, and while the edge of the piston is passing over the
port the piston rod acting on the slide valve rod uncovers the port to the side
from which the piston started; as soon as the port is opened the air from the
atmosphere rushes in and fills the vacuum, and exerts a pressure of 15 pounds to
the square inch over the area of the piston in each compartment. At the end of
the stroke the air is delivered into the air chest through the weak spring ports, and
as soon as the air has passed the pressure on the other side closes the port. As the
stroke is finished the action of the piston rod closes the slide valve port, and the
stroke commences as before, and when the stroke is half accomplished the port is
uncovered to the side from which the stroke began to admit of a fresh supply:
of air.
But in order to fully utilize the pressure of the atmosphere a valve constructed
of a tube and cap which is placed at the bottom of the pump in each compartment
at each end, so arranged that as soon as the stroke is completed and the piston
commences to return a vacuum is produced in each compartment, and the pressure
of the atmosphere opens the valve at the bottom, and the air rushes in and fills
the vacuum; but as soon as the slide valve port is opened, the pressure being
equalized, the port closes and the stroke continues, the air entering through the
slide valvo port till the stroke is finished; by this means the pump compresses the
entire length, both backward and forward.
Either one or a pair of slide valve ports can be used in cach compartment.
Where two are used they are placed half the thickness of the piston from each
end of each compartment, and when the piston finishes the stroke the piston rod
uncovers the port at the end at which the piston is, and while the edge of the
piston is over it and covers the port at the other end, and when the stroke returns
and the edge of the piston passes the port the air rushes in; by this means tho air
enters through the slide valve port when the piston has traversed half the thickness
of itself.
The pump piston rod head is furnished with projections which act on arms of the
slide valve rod. When one valve is used for each compartmont a projection acts on
an arm of the slide valve rod, and a toothed projection acts on a pinion which
uncovers the port at half stroke. The shaft of the pinion is furnished with a crank
which is attached to the slide valve rod. When the two slide valves are used in
each compartment a projeection acts on an arm of a shaft which carries another
arm which is attached to the slide valve rod. The arm which is attached to the
slide valve rod is longer than the arm acted on by the piston rod. The shaft which

page_text: carries the arms works in a bearing; the end of the slide valve rod works through
a guide.
Or the valves can be worked by an eccentric on a shaft worked by the pump rod
and furnished with a small wheel to overcome the dead point. The slide valve can
be worked by a single self-reversing eccentric which is fitted on the shaft, but not
keyed to it. The eccentric is furnished with a projection on each side.
When the eccentric is in the highest position the centre of the projection is
vertical to the centre of the shaft. The shaft is furnished with two projections in
line with each other, one at the top and one at the bottom of the shaft on each side
of the eccentric, sufficient on one side of the centre to allow for half the thickness
of the eccentric projection, the top shaft hub being in contact with the eccentric
hub on both sides of the eccentric. Suppose in the forward motion the eccentric is
in the highest position and the pump crank in the furthermost position, if the
engine is roversed the crank will descend to the lowest position and the shaft
projection will leave the eccentric projection, and the eccentric will remain inactive.
Meanwhile the lower shaft hub will ascend to the highest position and come in contact
with the eccentric hub. The crank is then in the nearest position and the reverso is
complete, the crank following tho eccentric both in the forward and backward
motion. When the slide valve rod is worked by an eccentric there are two single
eccentrics used, one is used for the forward motion, and one for the backward motion
of the engine, and the eccentrics are reversed by the parallel reversing handle and a
small ring handle. The arrangement consists of a crank shaft which is worked by
the pump piston rod, and also furnished with a crank at right angles to the crank
worked by the pump piston rod which is worked by a rod attached to the top of a
rod which has its lower end attached to a crank on the main axle placed at right
angles to the crank which works the pump lever by a crank rod.
By this
arrangement there is no dead point, and when the engino is reversed the pump
eccentric shaft is reversed in any and every position; the eccentrics are placed on
the shaft at opposite positions.
The end of each eccentric rod is attached to a guide plate equal in length to the
stroke of the eccentric and works on a guide plate standard, and each has a socket
hole in it. The end of the slide valvo is furnished with a cross piece loose which is
attached to a short rod which is attached to a loose arm on the end of the rod
worked by the reversing shaft crank. In attaching the slide valve rod the cross
piece enters the socket of the eccentric guide plato in one eccentric in the forward
motion, and the other in the backward motion.
The end of the pump piston rod is fastened to a screw which carries a toothed
wheel on the other end, resting on a broad toothed wheel which is worked by a
wheel carrying a lover.
The screw works through a fixed female screw so arranged that by the means of
screws the threads can be tightened as they wear.
The broad toothed wheel is made to act on the screw cog by means of the lever
wheel, which acts on a bevelled toothed wheel on its axle, the wheel which carries
the lever having the toothed part bevelled in order to cause the lever to act parallel
with the side of the pump.
By moving the lever the wheel turns the broad toothed wheel in which the
screw cog rests, and it turns the screw cog, and working the screw the cog is
drawn along the top of the broad wheel by the screw working in the fixed female
Screw, and drives the piston rod of the pump. By moving the lover backward
and forward the screw cog travels backward and forward along the top of the
broad wheel, screwing the screw backward and forward through the female screw,
and causing the backward and forward motion of the pump.
The construction of the screw is such as to give it great strength, and arranged
in a way to admit of the threads being tightened by means of the feeding female
screw threads. The screw will wear for several years. The end of the pump lever is
attached to a crank on the main axle by a crank rod.

page_text: •
The rotatory motion of the crank is converted into the progressive motion of the
pump lever which causes the progressive motion of the pump.
The end of the screw is fastened to the end of the piston rod to admit of the
screw turning without turning the piston rod.
At the other end of the screw a guide rod is fastened in like manner to guide
the screw in a straight line, the guide rod working through a guide placed in
position.
The piston and stuffing boxes are furnished with straps which expand in the
pistons, and diminish in the stuffing boxes of the piston and slide valve rods of tho
pump and slide valve cylinders, so arranged that the pistons can be stuffed with
greased hemp with a strip of metal in its midst; by compressing a small quantity
of air inside the strap it expands as the stuffing wears; the hemp being well
greased there is always oil on the edge of the stuffing.
The stuffing boxes are stuffed in the same way, the air being on the outside of
the strap, it diminishes as the stuffing wears; by this arrangement the stuffing will
wear for many years.
The air chest consists of a tubular or egg end reversed chest placed by the side of
the pump, and receives the pipo from the pump.
Its purpose is to store up the power ready for action at any time.
At the rear end of the pump and air chest is the driver's platform, and is on a
level with the bed plate of the pump and air chest.
An iron plate covers the rear end of pump and air chest, extending the breadth
of the engine, and from the driver's platform to the top of the engine; through
this plate the starting and reversing shafts work by handles on the driver's side of
the plate.
The feed pipe rises up perpendicular from the air chest, then turning horizontal
and descends into the centre of a horizontal pipe into which the reversing gear
works.
The starting tap is placed in the horizontal part of the feed pipe, and worked by
the starting shaft on the top of the horizontal part.
The starting shaft works by a screw through the plate at the rear end of the air
chest, and carries a crank which by a rod work taps on the top of the pump.
The taps on the top of the pump are so arranged that when the starting tap is
opened they are shut; these taps are so arranged that the starting tap can be
closed to one fourth of the extent without opening the taps on the top of the
pump, but as soon as the starting tap is closed the pump taps are open to the full
extent.
This arrangement of the pump and starting shaft avoids a superflurus charge
of air in the air chest, making bursting almost impossible, as the air is never
pumped in when the slide valve cylinders are out of action, as when the engine is
descending an inclino and the cylinders are thrown out of action, all the nir
which enters the pump escapes through these taps and thus avoids excess pressure
in the air chest.
But as soon as the starting tap is opened these taps are closed, and the pump at
once becomes active.
The reversing motion of the engine is effected by the means of four taps working
in pairs in a horizontal pipe.
The feed pipo from the air chest enters this pipe in the centre. The cylinder
feed and exhaust pipes enter on each side of the centre pipe midway between it
and the end of the pipe.
The taps are placed one on each side of the centre pipe and one at each end
between the place where the cylinder pipes enter and the open end of the pipe.
All four taps are attached to the parallel reversing handle shaft, and are worked in
pairs.
In the forward motion the tap on the right side of the centre pipe, and between 5
it and the pipe from the cylinder, is open, and the tap between the left end of the

page_text: pipe and the place where the other pipe from the cylinder enters is open; the other
two taps are closed.
When the starting tap is opened the air rushes down the feed pipe into the
reversing pipe and through the open tap and down the cylinder pipe which divide
and carries the air to both cylinders, and after entering the cylinder and acting on
the piston escapes up the exhaust pipe to the reversing pipe and out through the
open tap out of the open end of the pipe.
By moving the parallel reversing handle these pair of taps are closed and the
other pair opened, and by opening the starting tap the air rushes in to the reversing
pipe and through the open tap and down what was before the exhaust pipe, which
divides and carries the air to both cylinders, which enters on the inside of the
slide valve through the block of the cylinders, and after acting on the piston
escapes into the chest on the outside of the slide valve and up what was before the
feed pipe and through the open tap out of the open end of the reversing pipe.
When the taps are reversed, if the piston in one cylinder be at the end of the stroke,
the piston in the other cylinder is at the half stroke, so that the air acts on the
other side of the piston, and the eccentric which is at the position furthermost
from the cylinder on the air being reversed' returns underneath instead of over tho
top of the driving shaft.
The other eccentric which works the slide valve in the other cylinder is at tho
highest position and just at the lead in the cylinder, the air first acts on the piston
in the cylinder at half stroke, and when the piston rod reverses the motion of the
crank axle, the other eccentric instead of travelling forward travels backward, and
at once closes the ports and opens the other two, and both cylinders are in action
instantly, and the reverse is complete, and will act thus until the taps aro again
reversed. In every other position the pistons act simultaneously. The reversing
shaft is furnished with a screw which works through the plate in the rear of the
air chest.
The use of the screw in the starting and reversing shaft prevents slipping.
The fittings of the air chest consists of a spring screw safety valve and a spring
ratchet pressure guage, and an ordinary whistle.
The spring screw safety valve consists of a circular piece of metal with a tube
plug constructed of a short tube with a block end in a port in the centre, and
carries an arm which rests on the block end of the tube valve plug; the end of the
arm is attached to a spring having its fulcrum on the end of a screw working in an
upright pipe; by raising or lowering the fulcrum by the means of the screw the
strength of the valve is increased or decreased.
The spring ratchet pressure guage consists of a tube carrying a dial at one end,
while the other turns at right angles and screws into the rear end of the air chest;
this tube contains a spring carrying a toothed plate which acts on a pinion in the
centre of a dial and forms the axle of the hand of the dial, and as the air acts on
the spring the pressure is pointed out on the dial. The driver's platform extends
three feet backward from the rear end of the air chest, and the fittings are placed
at the rear end of the air chest, and within reach of the driver.
The part of the engine in the rear of the driver's place consists of a ballast truck
resting on the driving wheel shafts on bearings which enable the shafts to turn in
them.
This truck is used to carry ballast in the shape of minerals, or otherwise loaded
to gain weight, to enable the driving wheels to act on the plates when drawing a
heavy load.
The ballast truck can be either loaded with ballast in proportion to the load and
inclines, or with minerals, or otherwise.
The fore and rear end of the engine carriage is furnished with air buffers so
arranged that by compressing air into a compartment in the end of the buffer beain,
in which a piston end of a buffer works through a cover, the air is compressed
through a tap on the side of the compartment furnished with a cap which prevents
the escape of the air.

page_text: All the working parts to be of steel or other metal working on iron or other
metal bearings.
The bearings consist of a thick oblong plate placed in a slot cut for the purposo
in the standard. One end of the bearing rests against the shaft, so arranged that
by the means of screws the bearings can be tightened; by this arrangement of the
bearings the friction is greatly reduced. The arrangement of the bearings admit
of the bearings being renewed without stopping the engine, and will wear for several
years.
In order to first start the engine, before the pump is attached to the driving shaft,
and before the tap rod on the top of the pump is attached to the starting shaft,
close the taps on the top of the pump, and by the means of the lever hand pump a
small quantity of the air into the air chest. When sufficient has been pumped in,
which will be shewn by the pressure guage, attach the lever crank rod to the main
axle crank, and open the taps on the pump and attach them to the starting shaft;
then open the starting tap, and the same action will close the taps on the top of the
pump, and the engine will at once bo set in motion, the pump commencing action
with the cylinders, and the pressure will increase in the air chest till the working
pressure is attained, it then remains uniform throughout the entire period of action.
The power required to work tho pump is in proportion to the size of the pump and
the number of compartments, together with the number of threads on the screw
and the length of the lever.
In an ordinary self acting atmospheric railway locomotive of 160 horse power,
with a pump 30 inches in diameter, and with threo compartments, and a stroke
ten and two thirds of an inch in length, and with a leverage of about 17 inches,
and threads 2%, inches thick,
The slide valve cylinders being 15 inches in diameter, and working at a pressure
of 60 pounds per square inch, the power required to drive the pump is about
21, horse power, and one third deducted for friction and other resistance of the
engine will leave an active power of over 100 horse power, the engine standing on
a bed plate 7 fect by 8 feet, and the entire length of the engine carriage including
the ballast truck, which is 13 feet long, is about 24 feet, the ballast truck and
driver's place extending two thirds of the entire length of the engine carriage.
All bearings of the crank pins and axles are furnished with oil cups. The female
screw is also furnished with an oil cup. All frictional parts run in oil, and the whole
of the engine is worked by the starting and reversing handles.
After the air chest is once filled it remains full so long as the engine lasts,
supplying a continuous source of power through the pump, which supplies the
air as fast as is required to maintain the uniform working pressuro of the
engine.
The self acting atmospheric stationary engine consists of a bed plate which carry
either a single or pair of slide valve cylinders and a lever screw compressing multa-
double acting atmospheric slide valvė pump arranged as in the locomotive, except
that the lever wheel is toothed on the odgo and works at right angles to the pump,
which can be placed in any position, and attached to the driving shaft as in the
locomotive.
By a separate arrangement called the multiplying shaft to the main shaft, by a
short strong belt, and by attaching the pump lever crank rod to the crank on this
shaft, the working power of the engine is doubled, while the pump requires double
the power to work it.
The engine is otherwise the same as before said in solf acting, atmospheric,
horizontal, or vertical engines.
In horizontal, stationary, or marine self acting atmospheric engines of three or
four thousand horse power the pistons and stuffing boxes feed for several inches in
the pump and slide valve cylinders.
All bearings and other parts in proportion, and will work for upwards of half a
century with a moderate supply of oil and occasional tightening of the bearings and
other parts of the engine.

page_text: The power required to drive the pump varies with the size of the pump and the
number of compartments, and the thickness of the threads on the screw.
But when the number of compartments is the same as the pressure in atmospheres,
and the area of the slido valve cylinders half that of the pump, and the threads
2 inches thick, and the lever about 17 inches, the power involved in working the
pump is of the full power of the engine, or one horse power in 423 horse power
is involved in working the pump, the atmosphere supplying ths of the motive
power of the pump. If the area of the pump be the same as the slide valve cylinders
half the power is required to work the pump, or if the spring in the discharge parts
be half the strength the power required to work the pump is only one half the
aforesaid power.
Therefore the greater the diameter of the pump to that of the slide valve cylinders
the more power is required to work it, while the nearer they are in size the less
the power involved in working the pump.
and
The pump can be worked under various circumstances, with the lever combined
with the screw, or with the lever without the screw, or with the screw without the
lever, or by rotating the male or female screw or otherwise. In the aforesaid pro-
portions a lover of the first or second order can be used without the screw,
attached to the pump piston rod end by a short parallel rod a short distance from
the fulcrum, and the end of the lever attached to the crank on the main axlo by a
crank rod as aforesaid; and the power involved in working it then is about 1 horse
power in 30, or 60 horse power, and when applied direct 1 horse power in 16 or
32 horse power is involved in working the pump.
But with the aforesaid leverage and number of compartments aforesaid, and with
the threads on the screw six inches thick instead of two inches thick, and the screw
three times the diameter, the power involved in working the pump is one horse
power in about 160 horse power, all other parts same as aforesaid under the various
circumstances.
When eccentrics are used to work the slide valves in self acting atmospheric
stationary engines the arrangement is the same as in the locomotive, except the
arrangement to avoid a dead point, which is different through the main axles being
at right angles to the punip eccentric shaft. The arrangement consists of a shaft
on bearings, and furnished with a bevelled cog which is worked by a bevelled cog
on the main shaft. The shaft is furnished with a crank which is attached to a rod
lever at the bottom end by a crank rod; the top end of this rod lever is attached
to a crank on the pump eccentric shaft, as in the locomotive, and otherwise the
arrangement is the same as in the locomotive. On a projection on the slide valve
rod the end of a small rod is attached which terminates in a ring at the rear end of
the pump.
In the forward motion of the engine the cross piece on the slide valve rod is in
the socket of one eccentric guide plate. When the engine is reversed the cross
piece is drawn out of the socket, and its other end comes against the guide plate of
the other eccentric draw the slide valve by the ring till the hole is reached, and the
cross piece will enter and the reverse is completo.
The above can be used in engines of small or large size, or great or small horse
power, and either direct acting or otherwise.
In the direct acting engine the pump piston rod is attached to a crank on the
main shaft by a crank rod, as in the slide valve cylinders, and the pump eccentrics
are placed on the main shaft, as in the slide valve cylinders.
The self reversing eccentric can be used instead of the aforesaid pair of
eccentrics.
The slide valve rod is fitted with a tension spring arranged to cause the slide
valve to work easy, but firmly against the face of the air ports.
The tension spring consists of a frame bolted to a flange cast on the slide valve
plane and furnished with a plate attached to a short rod, and carrying a small
roller furnished with a rubber band; the rod is passed through a spiral spring and
through a hole in the top of the frame, the spring being between the top of the

page_text: frame and the roller plate the roller acts on the slide valve rod by means of the
spring.
Two tension springs are used for one pump, or, more or less, the strength of the
tension spring varies with the strength of the engine. The aforesaid tension spring
can be used for stationary or locomotive atmospheric engines, and applied to self
acting atmospheric engines, direct acting, or otherwise, and to engines of great
or small horse power, and all the afore mentioned principles, piece, or parts to be
used and applied, as herein specified, and in combination with the afore mentioned
elements.
A small hand lever screw compressing double acting slide valve air pump to be
used for filling the air buffers and stuffing boxes, or otherwise used. All the crank
pins of the stationary or locomotive self acting atmospheric engines are self
tightening lock nutted crank pins, in this arrangement the crank pins are screwed
into the crank to project a little on the other side, which is turned down to less in
diameter, and thread the reverse way to the screw; on this projection is screwed a
plate with two or four holes in it, into which two or four small screws are screwed
into the back of the crank, which prevents the plate from unscrewing. By this
arrangement the crank pin cannot work loose, as when it loosens in the crank
it tightens in the plate, and when it loosens in the plate it tightens in the
crank.
The lock nut is a nut with a small hole drilled in it and tapped, into which
n small screw is screwed; by this arrangement the nut cannot unscrew or get loose,
and the nut cannot be removed without first removing the small scrow.
All the cranks, strong and in proportion, in both stationary and locomotive self
acting atinospheric engines.
The cranks of the self acting atmospheric railway locomotive engine driving
wheels are oval and of great strength.
The self acting atmospheric rond locomotive is similar to the self acting
atmospheric railway locomotive, except that the wheels are arranged for running
on the road or other places, and the fore wheels are furnished with a turn plate,
which is turned by the double acting chain safety steering gear.
The self acting atmospheric road locomotive consists of an engine carriage
supported on four wheels, and fitted with a lever screw compressing multa double
acting atmospheric slide valve pump and air chest with parallel reversing gear,
arranged as in the atmospheric railway locomotive with bearings and other parts.
The slide-valve cylinders are placed underneath the engine between the fore
and rear wheels; the air chest is placed over the cylinders by the side of the
pump.
3
The driving shaft of the cylinder is situated underneath the rear of the engine
before the rear or driving wheel axle and worked by a pair of slide valve cylinders, 4
and is fitted with a small cog wheel which acts on a large toothed wheel on the
rear wheels' axle; the small wheel turning several times to one turn of the large
wheel; either one or two such wheels can be used securing one or two different
speeds.
The fore part of the engine rests on the turn plate of the foro wheels; the fore 4
or steering wheels axle shaft is furnished with a strong projecting block cast on the
top on each side of the turn plate and furnished with a ring.
On the fore part of the engine and close to the end of the turn plate is placed
two small flanged wheels.
The double acting chain safety steering gear consists of a shaft carrying a wheel, 5
and a small toothed and flanged wheel placed at the rear of the air chest, and
attached by a chain to a small toothed and flanged wheel on a shaft placed close to
the rear end of the turn plate at the fore end of the engine, the bottom of this shaft
is furnished with a broad small wheel flanged, and is on the same level as the ring
on the block on the fore axle shaft; on the same level at the fore end of the turn 5
plate another small flanged wheel is placed.
A chain is attached to the ring and wound round the broad flanged wheel at the

page_text: rear end of the turn plate, and then carried forward round the small flanged wheel
at the fore end of the turn plate, and back to the ring on the shaft.
Another chain is fastened to the other ring and round the broad flanged wheel,
and rouud the other small flanged wheel at the fore end of the turn plate, and back
to the ring.
By this arrangement the steering gear is double acting, the fore wheels can bo
turned either one way or the other way without spinning the wheel, and without
the chain slackening, therefore insuring greater safety, and enabling the engine to
travel at a great speed with perfect safety.
The driver's place is situated at the rear of the air chest, the part over the rear
wheels' axle consists of a truck. By the arrangement of a handle the rear wheels
can be thrown out of goar, and by a separate shaft placed on the truck and furnished
with a fly wheel and attached to the driving shaft, the shaft which carries the fly
wheel is worked by a wheel on a shaft which is worked by the main axle cog.
By the means of the transfer handle the rear wheels can be thrown out of action,
and the fly wheel shaft brought into action, and the engine can then be used as a
stationary engine.
The aforesaid self acting atmospheric road locomotive can be used as a stationary
and locomotive engine.
Tho self acting atmospheric road locomotive is 13%, foet entire length, and
46 horse power, the power involved in working the pump is one fourth horse
power, and one third for friction leaves an active power of 30 horses.
The guage of the wheels are 4 feet 8'/, inches, an ordinary break can be used, or
the reversing motion can be made to act as a break.
All the aforesaid elements constitute the self acting atmospheric engine used as a
locomotive, stationary, and marino engine, or otherwise used and applied.
The expense of working the self acting atmospheric engine is very small, as there
is nothing required to produce the power it is created by the motion of the engine.
Without any other agency except the pressure of the atmosphere which the
construction and arrangement of the engine converts into an active power.
The power is generated by the atmosphere through the pump, just as steam is
generated in a boiler by the heat applied to it. By the power being generated by
the atmosphere there is no expense, and the power is inexhaustable, and requires
no coal or fire, no water or steam, nor multitubular or other boilers, tender or firo
place, no stoker, smoke box or chimney, and also dispenses with a number of
fittings, together with the extra pair of eccentrics used in the steam engine.
The self atmospheric engine is perfectly and entirely self-acting, croating its own
power without any other agency, except the pressure of the atmosphere which the
construction and arrangement of the engine couverts into a substantial active power,
which is limited only to the strength of material, and supplies a continuous source
of power by its action.
The utility of the self acting atmospheric engine will effect a saving of con-
siderable over one hundred and twenty million pounds per annum in the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in fuel, labor, and materials.