IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF STEAM TO STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Dixon Churchill, of Langdon Road, Holloway, in
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF STEAM TO STEAM ENGINES."
Sealed the 3rd June 1880, and dated the 5th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Dixon Churchill at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th December 1879.
JAMES DIXON CHURCHILL, of Langdon Road, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE
SUPPLY OF STEAM TO STEAM ENGINES."
My Invention has for object improvements in apparatus for regulating the supply
of steam to steam engines, and relates particularly to that class of apparatus for
this purpose wherein the throttle or regulating valve of the engine to be controlled
is operated by a piston worked in an auxiliary cylinder by the pressure of fluid,
whose admission and emission to and from the cylinder is regulated by a valve
connected to the governor, which is of that class wherein a liquid-containing vessel
is provided with baffles, and with a spindle carrying vanes or blades driven through
gear from the engine to be controlled, which spindle I will call the vane spindle.
Now, according to my Invention, this spindle has fixed upon it a frame which
supports at right angles to the spindle an axis able to turn in the said frame, and
which I will call the frame axis. On this axis is fixed another frame or slotted
bar, which extends through the frame on the spindle, and is provided near its
respective ends with anti-friction wheels or rollers. On the cross frame axis is fixed
a sector with bevilled teeth in gear with another sector with bevilled teeth,
which is fixed on a spindle driven from the engine to be controlled; this I
will call the driving spindle. It is arranged in the same axial line as the
vane spindle, and between them is arranged concentrically a part I will call
the intermediate spindle, one end of which enters a hollow or recess in the
driving spindle. The intermediate spindle is provided with two cross pieces, or
parts, or projections, situate respectively opposite and near to the anti-friction
wheels or rollers of the cross frame, and opposite and near to a collar or part
surrounding the driving spindle, and moveable lengthwise of that spindle. This
moveable collar or part is arranged to operate, when moved as hereinafter
mentioned, a forked lever or part through which the valve of the auxiliary cylinder
is actuated. The moveable collar or part on the driving spindle is drawn or
pressed towards the cross frame by a spring or equivalent means. When the
apparatus is in use the driving spindle, itself driven from the engine to be controlled,
Die C21

page_text: imparts motion through the bevilled sector gear, already mentioned, to the vane
spindle. The vanes or blades are thereby caused to revolve in the liquid in the
vessel, and in opposition to the resistance it offers to such revolution.
Sudden increase in speed of the engine above that for which the apparatus is set
is checked as follows:-
The driving spindle, by somewhat over-running the vane spindle, causes through
the bevilled sectors a partial rotation of the cross frame axis, thus tilting or inclining
that frame, so that through one of the anti-friction wheels or rollers it moves the
intermediate spindle, thus causing movement lengthwise of the driving spindle,
and in opposition to the spring of the collar or part surrounding that spindle, and
which, through the forked lever or other connection, already referred to, moves the
valve of the auxiliary cylinder, thus causing its piston to operate the throttle or
regulating valve of the engine to be controlled, so as to reduce the steam supply
thereto; on the other hand, sudden slackening in speed of the engine to be
controlled is checked by the spring, causing the reverse movement of the collar or
part to that alluded to, and consequent reverse movement of the throttle or
controlling valve, thus giving more steam to the engine. It is a distinctive feature
of my Invention that the action of the apparatus will be the same which ever be
the direction in which what I have called the driving shaft is driven from the
engine to be controlled.
Apparatus according to my Invention may be more or less modified in detail
without departure from the characteristic features of my Invention.
Another part of my Invention is designed to adapt for working in either
direction in differently apparatus, in which the spindle or part carrying the
immersed vanes is connected with the driving spindle by bevil gear through an
intermediate spindle, which, when the driving spindle overruns the spindle or part
carrying the vanes, causes through some suitable connection the necessary move-
ment of the auxiliary cylinder slide. Now, according to my Invention, such
apparatus is so arranged that it may be driven in either direction according to
whether the connection between the intermediate spindle and the valve of the
auxiliary cylinder be made to one side or the other, this connection being
reversible.
In one arrangement the connecting rod is forked, and its prongs, arranged at
opposite sides of the intermediate spindle, are bent or hook-shaped at the
extremities, and provided with latches or catches so constructed and arranged that
the projection of the intermediate spindle to which the spring is attached may enter
between the latch or catch and hook of either prong, according to the direction in
which the apparatus is to work. Or the latches or catches above referred to may
be dispensed with by modifying the form of hook, and providing inclines for the
fork (or for projections therefrom) to slide up, so that the projection of the inter-
mediate spindle may enter a recess in either the one prong or the other.
In some cases I make the auxiliary cylinder adjustable, in such manner as to
enable me to directly connect the piston rod at various angles with the throttle or
regulating valve of the engine to be controlled.
1 also in some cases arrange the auxiliary cylinder at a distance from the
governor proper, suitably connecting the said cylinder with a steam or other
actuating Huid chest arranged in proximity to the governor proper, and provided
with ports controlled by a valve connected with and operated by the intermediate
spindle of the governor. I return the valve of the auxiliary cylinder to the position
the governor has moved it from by means of a twisted bar worked by the piston of
the auxiliary cylinder, and which operates one end of a lever whose other end is
suitably connected to the intermediate spindle of the governor. The valve rod of
the auxiliary cylinder is connected to an intermediate part of this lever. The above
described method of returning the valve of the auxiliary cylinder to the normal
position by means of a twisted bar worked by the piston of the auxiliary cylinder
may be adapted to apparatus such as hereinabove first described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Dixon Churchill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
June 1880.
JAMES DIXON CHURCHILL, of Langdon Road, Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE
SUPPLY OF STEAM TO STEAM ENGINES."
My Invention has for object improvements in apparatus for regulating the
supply of steam to steam engines, and relates particularly to that class of apparatus
for this purpose wherein the throttle or regulating valve of the engine to be
controlled is operated by a piston worked in an auxiliary cylinder by the pressure of
fluid, the admission and emission of the fluid from this auxiliary cylinder being
regulated by a valve connected to the governor, which is by preference of that
class wherein a vessel containing liquid is provided with baffles and with a spindle
carrying vanes or blades driven through gear from the engine to be controlled,
which spindle I will call the vane or brake spindle, but governing or brake gear
(by which I mean resisting apparatus), other than vanes may be employed in
connection with my Invention.
According to my Invention the vane or brake spindle has fixed upon it a frame,
which supports at right angles to the spindle an axis able to turn in the said frame,
hereinafter called the frame axis. On this axis is fixed a cross frame or bar, which
extends through and beyond the frame on the spindle, and is provided near its ends
with anti-friction wheels or rollers. On the frame axis is also fixed a sector with
teeth, which are in gear with the teeth on another sector fixed on a spindle driven
from the engine to be controlled, hereinafter called the driving spindle. The
driving spindle is arranged in the same axial line as the vane or brake spindle, and
between them is arranged concentrically a spindle, hereinafter called the inter-
mediate spindle, one end of which enters a hollow or recess in the driving spindle.
The intermediate spindle is provided with two cross pieces or projections situate
one opposite and near to the anti-friction wheels or rollers on the cross-frame or
bar, the other opposite and near to a collar hereinafter mentioned, which encircles
the driving spindle, and is moveable in the direction of the axis of that spindle.
This collar, when moved as hereinafter mentioned, operates upon a forked lever
connected with the valve of the auxiliary cylinder. The moveable collar on the
driving spindle is drawn or pressed towards the cross-frame or bar by the action of
a spring or springs or other equivalent means. When the apparatus is in use the
driving spindle, being itself driven from the engine to be controlled, imparts motion
through the sector gear already mentioned to the vane or brake spindle; the vanes
or blades or other governing gear are thereby caused to revolve.
Sudden increase in speed of the engine above that for which the apparatus is
set is checked as follows:-The driving spindle by somewhat over-running the
vane or brake spindle causes, through the sector gearing, a partial rotation of the
frame-axis, thus tilting or inclining the cross frame or bar, so that through one of
the auti-friction wheels or rollers it moves the intermediate spindle, thus causing
the collar which surrounds the driving spindle to move in the direction of the axis
of that spindle and in opposition to the said spring. The motion of the collar
operates upon the forked lever or connection already referred to, and moves the
valve of the auxiliary cylinder, thus causing its piston to operate the throttle
or regulating valve of the engine to be controlled so as to reduce the steam supply
thereto..
Apparatus according to my Invention may be more or less modified in detail
without departure from the characteristic features of my Invention. I have also
designed arrangements of parts adapted for working in either direction the spindle

page_text: or part carrying the immersed vanes in other constructions of regulating apparatus
than such as above referred to.
I have described such arrangements in my Provisional Specification to these
Letters Patent, but I make no claim thereto.
In some cases I make the auxiliary cylinder adjustable in such manner as to
enable me to directly connect the piston rod at various angles with the throttle or
regulating valve of the engine to be controlled. I also in some cases arrange the
auxiliary cylinder at a distance from the governing apparatus, suitably connecting
the said cylinder with a steam or other actuating fluid chest, arranged in proximity
to the governor proper, and provided with ports controlled by a valve connected
with and operated by the intermediate spindle of the governor. I may in some
cases return the valve of the auxiliary cylinder to the position the governor has
moved it from by means of a twisted bar worked by the piston of the auxiliary
cylinder, and which operates one end of a lever whose other end is suitably
connected to the intermediate spindle of the governor, the valve rod of the
auxiliary cylinder being connected to an intermediate part of this lever.
Referring to the Drawings, Fig. 1 shews in sectional elevation an apparatus for
regulating the supply of steam to an engine; Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles
to Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a plan with parts removed; Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a
portion of the apparatus at right angles to Fig. 1, and shews one convenient
arrangement of parts whereby I operate the vane or brake spindle from the driving
spindle, and cause the valve of the auxiliary cylinder to be adjusted by movement
of the intermediate spindle (in the direction of the axis of the driving spindle)
consequent on variation between the speed of the driving spindle and that of the
vane or brake spindle; Fig. 5 shews the cross frame or bar in plan; Fig. 6 is a
cross section in the line C, D, of Fig. 1.
In the following description the brake or resisting apparatus shewn is that in
which liquid controls vanes, but it will be. readily apprehended that balls suspended
by rods so as to act centrifugally or other controlling apparatus might be used.
1 is the vessel provided with baffles 2 and charged with water or other liquid,
3 is the vane or brake spindle, and 4 are its vanes. This spindle has fixed upon it
a frame or holding piece 5 which supports, at right angles to the spindle, an axis G
able to turn in the said frame, and which I call the frame axis. This frame axis G
has formed with or fixed to it another frame (or a bar) 7 which extends through
the frame or holding piece (5) on the spindle, and is herein referred to as the tilting
frame; it is provided near its respective ends with antifriction wheels or rollers 8, 9.
On the frame axis 6 is fixed a sector 10 which has bevil teeth, and is in gear with
another sector 11 also having bevil teeth, and which is fixed on a spindle 12 driven
from the engine to be controlled. This spindle 12 is the one I call the driving
spindle; it is arranged in the same axial line as the vane or brake spindle 3; and
between them is arranged concentrically the intermediate spindle 13, one end of
which enters a hollow or recess 12 in the driving spindle 12. The intermediate
spindle 13 is provided with two cross-pieces or parts 14 and 15, situate respectively
opposite and near to the anti-friction wheels or rollers 8, 9, of the tilting frame 7,
and opposite and near to a collar 17 surrounding the driving spindle 12 and
moveable lengthwise of that spindle, two slots or holes being formed for this
purpose through the wall of the hollow part of the spindle 12 (see Fig. 6). The
collar 16 rests on 17, which is a ring fixed to the projecting parts of 15. The
moveable collar 16 is arranged to operate (when moved as hereinafter mentioned) a
forked lever (or equivalent) 18 through which the valve of the auxiliary cylinder
is actuated. The moveable collar 16 on the driving spindle 12 is drawn or pressed
towards the tilting frame 7 by the action of a spring 19 or equivalent means.
When the apparatus is in use the driving spindle 12, which is itself driven from the
engine to be controlled, imparts motion through the sector gear 10, 11, already
described, to the vane or brake spindle 3. The vanes or blades 4 (in this arrange-
ment) are thereby caused to revolve in the liquid in the vessel 1, and in opposition
to the resistance that liquid offers to such revolution.

page_text: Increase in speed of the engine above that for which the apparatus is set is
checked as follows:-
The driving spindle 12, by somewhat overrunning the vane or brake spindle 3,
causes (through the sectors 10, 11) a partial rotation of the axis 6, thus tilting or
inclining the frame (or bar) 7, so that through the anti-friction wheel or roller
(8 or 9) at the raised end of the frame (or bar) acting against the cross-piece or
part 14 (as in Fig. 4) the intermediate spindle 13 is moved lengthwise (upward),
thus causing movement (lengthwise of the driving spindle 12, and in opposition to
the spring 19) of the collar 16 surrounding the spindle 12, and which collar 16.
through the forked lever 18 (or other connection) moves the valve of the auxiliary
cylinder 20, thus causing its piston to operate the throttle or regulating valve of
the engine to be controlled so as to reduce or stop the steam supply thereto. It is
to be observed that the stop-valve of the engine (when wide open) allows only
sufficient steam to pass for full work, and that my regulating apparatus is intended
to check the " running-away" of the engine when work is wholly or partially
taken off the engine.
The apparatus is adjusted to suit the required normal speed of the engine by
means of the screws 19a on which is fitted a nut 19b connected by a chain 19c
(passing under a pulley 19d) with spring 19. 1 is a pipe (provided with a screw
plug 16 having a small hole through it) through which the vessel 1 is charged with
liquid.
Fig. 7 shews in plan an arrangement in which the slide or valve of the auxiliary
cylinder 20 is operated through the medium of a rocking shaft 21 which is sup-
ported in bearings 22, and has attached to it at one end a lover 23 (one end of
which lever is held down by a spring at 19) operated by the collar 16; at the
other end of the rocking shaft is an arm 24 connected to the valve-rod. In other
respects this apparatus resembles that described with reference to the preceding
views.
Figs. 8 and 9 shew respectively in elevation and in plan a modification of my
improved regulating apparatus, in which the auxiliary cylinder is arranged hori-
zontally and is screwed down to a base plate, and after it has been so fastened
down is connected to the valve-box 25 by pipes 26, 27. This is a convenient
arrangement, as it enables the auxiliary cylinder to be fastened down to the
required angle to suit a particular application, and afterwards to be connected to
the valve box.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate respectively in elevation and in plan an arrangement
of my improved regulating apparatus in which two springs 19 are connected by
studs or pins 28 to the collar 16, the centres of the two springs and the centre of
the ring being all in the same vertical plane as the axis of the intermediate spindle.
To the lower end of each spring is attached a chain 190 which passes under a
pulley 19d, and at its other end is attached to a "splinter-bar" arrangement 29
centred at 29 on a nut 29b adjustable by a screw 29°. It will be seen my
apparatus will have the same action whether the driving spindle be rotated oue
way or the other.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and explained the manner in
which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would
bave it understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent herein before in part recited is,-
1. The combination of parts forming an apparatus for governing the speed of
engines, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated
by the Drawings, Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.
2. In apparatus of the class referred to, viz., for regulating the supply of steam
to steam engines, the use in combination of three spindles, namely, a driving
spindle (actuated by the engine to be controlled), a vane or brake spindle, an
intermediate spindle, substantially as herein before described, all these spindles being
in the same axial line, and a tilting cross-frame or bar so arranged and connected
that whenever the engine to be controlled turns the said driving spindle so fast as

page_text: to overrun (or turn 'faster than) the vane or brake spindle, then the intermediate
spindle will be caused to move in the direction of the common axial line, substan-
tially as and for the purposes hereinabove set forth.
3. In apparatus of the class referred to, viz., for regulating the supply of steam
to steam engines, the use for the purpose of acting on the slide-valve of the auxiliary
cylinder of a collar actuated or moved by an intermediate spindle placed between
and in the same axial line with the driving spindle and vane or brake spindle (and
which intermediate spindle is caused to move in the direction of the said axial
line), substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Dixon Churchill, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES DIXON CHURCHILL. (L.S.)