IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MOTIVE-POWER MACHINERY
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Valentine Baker, Colonel of Her Majesty's 10th
Regiment of Hussars, at present stationed at Dublin, Ireland, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MOTIVE-POWER MACHINERY."
Sealed the 12th December. 1865, and dated the 17th June 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Valentine Baker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
June 1865.
I, VALENTINE BAKER, Colonel of Her Majesty's 10th Regiment of Hussars,
at present stationed at Dublin, Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MOTIVE-POWER MACHINERY,”
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar hydraulic motive-power engines,
and consists, according to one arrangement of engine, of a turbine composed of
one, two, or more tubes arranged in a conical spiral form, the smaller end
of the cone being that at which the water first enters from the supply pipe or
head. These spiral tubes may be made of a gradually decreasing diameter
towards their discharging ends, and when in operation the power obtained is
due both to the pressure of the water and to the reaction of the same as it
is ejected from the open ends of the revolving tubes. This turbine when
necessary may work under water in a bell-shaped receiver, the receiver being
so stored with air as to prevent the water from impeding the working of the
turbine. I also propose to employ overshot water wheels, the buckets of

page_text: which are enclosed on the descending side of the wheel in a curved metal
tube or conduit, through and along which the filled buckets pass. The water
is admitted direct into the buckets and into the tube or conduit, and operates
not only by its force of gravity acting upon the lever of the wheel, which in
the present water wheel is continually diminishing towards the lowest centre,
but also by its head pressure, due to the column of, water in the curved tube
or conduit, which maintains a continuous leverage on the wheel.
Another part of my Invention relates specially to water-pressure engines
having reciprocating pistons. I propose to make the piston or pistons so as to
afford a certain amount of elasticity to the stroke of such engines at the com-
mencement and termination of such stroke. For this purpose I use a hollow
piston, which contains air, and is provided with an air and liquid-tight
diaphragm or cover capable of-sliding therein. On the water pressure being
exerted against this piston the diaphragm will be forced inwards slightly,
thereby compressing the air contained within the piston, which compressed
air acts as a spring or cushion in preventing the jar or shock which occurs in
ordinary hydraulic engines of the reciprocating piston class at the end of each
stroke. A spring or springs may be used for forcing out the diaphragm again
before the return stroke is made.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Valentine Baker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th December 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, VALENTINE
BAKER, Colonel of Her Majesty's 10th Regiment of Hussars, at present
stationed at Dublin, Ireland, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Valentine Baker, Her special license that I, the said Valentine
Baker, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others. as
I, the said Valentine Baker, my executors, administrators, 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 Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for

page_text: "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRAULIC MOTIVE-POWER MACHINERY," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Valentine Baker, my executors or
administrators, 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 Valentine Baker, 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, firstly, to water-pressure or hydraulic engines
having reciprocating pistons, and consists in making the piston or pistons so
as to afford a certain amount of elasticity to the stroke of such engines at the
commencement and termination of each stroke. For this purpose I use a
hollow piston, which contains air, and is provided with an air and liquid tight
diaphragm or cover or supplementary piston capable of sliding therein. On
the water pressure being exerted against the piston the diaphragm will be
forced inwards slightly, thereby compressing the air contained within the
piston, which compressed air acts as a spring or cushion in preventing the jar
or shock which occurs in ordinary hydraulic engines of the reciprocating
piston class at the end of each stroke. A spring or springs may be used for
ensuring the forcing out of the diaphragm again so soon as the pressure is
removed and before the return stroke is made.
According to the second part of my Invention I propose to construct over-
shot water wheels, the buckets or floats of which are enclosed on the
descending side of the wheel in a curved metal tube or conduit, through and
along which the descending buckets or floats pass. The water is admitted.
direct into or on to the buckets or floats and into the tube or conduit, and
operates not only by its force of gravity acting upon the lever of the wheel,
which in the present water wheel is continually diminishing towards the
lowest centre, but also by its head pressure, due to the column of water
in the curved tube or conduit, which maintains a continuous leverage on the
wheel.
The third part of my Invention consists of a peculiar construction of turbine
composed of one, two, or more tubes arranged in a conical spiral form, the
smaller end of the cone being that at which the water first enters from the
supply pipe or head. These spiral tubes may be made of a gradually
:

page_text: decreasing diameter towards their discharging ends, and when in operation
the power obtained is due both to the pressure of the water and to the
reaction of the same as it is ejected from the open ends of the revolving tubes.
This turbine when necessary may work under water in a bell-shaped receiver;
the receiver being so stored with air as to prevent the water from impeding
the working of the turbine.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding
Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a transverse section (taken
along the line 1, 2, in Figure 2) of one form of my improved piston for
hydraulic or water-pressure engines, and Figure 2 is a corresponding longi-
tudinal section of the same taken through the centre line of the piston, and
showing a portion of the cylinder within which the piston works fluid-tight or
nearly so. A is a portion of the cylinder, and B, the piston working therein.
This piston, as represented in the Drawing, is intended for a single-acting
engine wherein the water pressure is intended to operate against one side of
the piston only. The piston is made hollow, and in that end against which
the water exerts its' pressure I fit a diaphragm or supplementary piston C,
working fluid-tight within the body of the main piston B. The piston
diaphragm and piston rod may be combined and arranged in any convenient
manner, but I prefer the arrangement shown in the Drawings. An ordinary
metallic packing a is fitted to the periphery of the diaphragm C, which works
against the inner turned surface of the piston B, the piston rod D of which
passes through a long tubular boss E in the centre of the main body of the.
piston, and has a collar or shoulder b thereon bearing against the back of the
piston, and enabling the piston to be tightened thereon by the nuts c at the
extreme end of the piston rod. This boss E is accurately turned so as to
work freely but fluid-tight through a central opening in the diaphragm C,
which is also provided with packing d for that purpose; F, F, are helical or
other springs inserted inside the hollow chamber of the main piston for the
purpose of ensuring the return of the diaphragm C to its normal position,
shown in the Drawing, after it has been forced inward by the water pressure.
This outward movement of the diaphragm C is controlled by the collar e on
the end of the piston rod, which prevents the diaphragm from being forced
out of the piston. f is an air valve fitted to the back of the piston and
opening inwards for the purpose of admitting air into the hollow chamber of

page_text: the piston through the inlet passage 9 each time the diaphragm is forced
outwards, the air thus admitted and confined by the closing of the valve again
acting.as an elastic cushion or spring against the back of the diaphragm when
the diaphragm is forced inwards by the water pressure.
b
Figures 3 and 4 represent respectively a transverse and longitudinal vertical
section of my improved piston as constructed for a double-action bydraulic.or
water-pressure engine, the section, Figure 3, being taken along the line 3, 4,
in Figure 4. In this modification, both ends of the piston B are made,hollow,
and are accurately bored out internally to receive the sliding diaphragms or
supplementary piston C, C. These diaphragms are provided with packing
a, a', at their peripheries and with internal packing d, d¹, at the central
aperture, which slides along the piston rod so as to ensure the working.of
the diaphragms fluid-tight within the main piston and along its rod. Nuts c
and a collar e on the extreme end of the piston rod D serve to control the
outward movement of the diaphragm C, whilst that of the opposite diaphragm
C¹ is controlled by the shoulder 6 on the piston rod. Jam nuts.c, screwed on
to a thread on the piston rod, serve to secure the rod D to the main body of
the piston,, where it enters a boss E, cast in the centre portion of the main
piston; F, F, are helical or other springs for ensuring the return of the
diaphragms C, C³, to their outward positions after they have been forced
inwards by the water pressure. In order to compensate for any loss of air
which may arise during the working of the engine, and to keep the hollow
chambers in the piston constantly supplied so as to form an elastic cushion
behind each diaphragm, I make the piston rod throughout a portion of its
length tubular, as shown at h, such, tubular portion of the rod communicating
at one end with the atmosphere, and at the other end with a T passage.i,
formed in the central portion of the piston. This T passage opens into both
ends of the piston, and an air inlet valve f, f, is fitted on to each orifice, which
will admit air freely into the chambers when required in the piston through
the hollow piston rod, but will close the orifices and imprison the air so. soon
as the water pressure tends to force in the diaphragms.
Although I have illustrated, the employment of helical springs F, I propose
in the case of small engines, or where metal springs are not conveniently
applicable, to substitute for such springs a hollow block of vulcanized.india-
rubber or other suitable elastic and air-tight material fitting within the
chamber of the piston, and having an air-tight chamber enclosed or formed
within it, so that the elasticity obtained is due partly to the material itself and
partly to the air enclosed within it.
:
The advantages secured by my Invention are an elasticity, of stroke at the

page_text: commencement and termination, which enables the crank of the main shaft of
the engine to pass the dead centres easily, and admits of the valves which
regulate the inlet and outlet of the water to be worked by eccentrics from
the crank shaft, as in engines worked by an elastic medium.
Figure 1 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings represents a sectional elevation of
my improved overshot water wheel, and Figures 2 and 3 are transverse
sectional details of the curved metal tube, through which the buckets or
floats on the descending side work, taken respectively through the lines 1, 2,
and 3, 4, in Figure 1. A is an overshot water wheel, the floats or buckets
of which may consist of flat or slightly concave discs B, which are rivetted
or otherwise secured to a series of arms C, forged on or otherwise secured to
a ring D, which constitutes the rim of the wheel. On the descending sidė
of the wheel there is fixed a stationary curved metal tube E, extending over
about 45° of the circumference of the wheel, and through the interior of
which tube the floats or buckets B pass in their descent. This tube is by
preference of a gradually tapering diameter from the upper to the lower end,
as shown, the floats or buckets B nearly filling the sectional area of the
tube at its lower end, so as to prevent any undue loss or waste of water.
It may be constructed in sections, being divided both longitudinally and
transversely, and the several parts united together by bolts and flanges, as
shown at a, a.
On the side of the tube next the rim of the wheel a slit
is made extending throughout the entire length of such tube, the object
of this slit being to receive the rin of the wheel, which is caused to work
fluid-tight or nearly so in the slot by providing the latter with any con-
venient packing, as shown at b, b, in Figures 2 and 3, whereby all
appreciable loss or waste of water is avoided. F is the channel which supplys
the water to the wheel, and G is the usual sluice for regulating such supply.
Figure 4 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings represents an elevation and partial
section of my improved turbine, which consists essentially of one, two, or
more tubes A (I have shown two such tubes in my Drawings) arranged in a
conical spiral form, the smaller end of the cone being that at which the water
first enters from the supply pipe B, from the lower end of which pipe branch
the two spiral tubes A, A, of the turbine. These tubes may be slightly tapered
towards their lower ends in order to obtain a more powerful jet. The main
body of the turbine may be suspended, as shown in the Drawing, by a collar C,
firmly secured to the supply pipe B, and provided with three or more anti-
friction pulleys or rollers a, a, running over the surface of a metal bed
plate D. In the centre of this plate there may be fitted a collar bearing
or brass E, within which the neck of the turbine rotates. The power may

page_text: be transmitted from the turbine by having a bevil or spur wheel or pinion
or a driving pulley keyed on to the neck of the turbine, which imparts motion
through any suitable arrangement of gearing or straps and pulleys to any
machinery required to be actuated. By this construction of turbine I obtain
the combined effects of the pressure of the column of water and of the
reaction of the jets as they issue from the nozzles at the lower ends of
the spiral tubes. When a number of spiral tubes are used they may be
combined with the curved guide plates employed in ordinary turbines. In
lieu of suspending the turbine as shown in my Drawing, it may be supported
from below by a central shaft working in a footstep bearing, and in order to
reduce as much as possible the friction upon such bearing a counteracting
pressure of water against the lower end of the shaft may be applied, so as to
lift or partly lift the shaft from off the footstep.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or 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 application and use to and in reciprocating hydraulic or water-
pressure engines of pistons constructed with elastic yielding surfaces, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Second, the combination with an overshot water wheel of a curved
tube which encloses the floats or buckets on the descending side, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein-before described and illustrated by my.
Drawings.
'
Third, the peculiar construction of turbines composed of one, two, or
more tubes disposed in the form of a conical spiral, and communicating
with one common supply pipe, substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Valentine Baker, have to this my Speci-
cation set my hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
VALENTINE BAKER. (L.B.)