Year: 1886

page_text: We, WILLIS. HENRY KIMBALL and CHARLES EDWARD KIMBALL both of the
town of Anamosa, Jones County, State of Iowa, United States of America,
Machinists, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to work a cut-off by means of a balance-wheel, or
by weights attached rigidly or adjustably to a rocking bar or stem as an axis,
which rocking stem operates the cut-off valves, whereby the admission of steam to
the cylinder of a steam engine shall be controlled and regulated.
Referring to the drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a front or end view of the balance-wheel and the parts made to operate
the same.
Fig. 2 is a side view of part of an engine cylinder, surmounted with a valve box
fitted with our improvement, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of
this invention,
The lettering of the parts is the same throughout the drawings.
K is the engine cylinder, surmounted by the valve box I, B is a rocking stem or
rod which works the cut-off valve; the stem or rod B is rigidly secured to the
axis of the balance-wheel A.
F is the eccentric rod pivoted at its outer end by the stud G to the rocking
arm C which works the sleeve D by which the main valve at the engine is
operated.
To the balance-wheel A is secured one end of the spring E which at its outer
end is connected to the arm C, by the adjusting screw H, which engages with the
plate L, secured to said spring E, so that by turning the said screw H, any desired
tension of the spring E can be obtained. In place of the balance-wheel A may be
used any one or more of the segments thereof, with their corresponding spokes and
hubs, such segments forming a weighted arm or arms radiating from the axis, and
secured to said spring E.
The operation of the invention is as follows
When the engine is started the arm C being connected with the eccentric rod F
is swung back and forward by the movement of said eccentric rod and carries with
it the end of the spring E which is secured to the said arm C. The spring E as it
is moved, pulls upon and carries with it the balance-wheel A, causing it to partially
revolve upon its axis and thus to turn the stem or rod B; but the balance-wheel A
having a heavy rim will not follow closely the movement of the arm C because of
the inertia of said wheel A and because the spring E will, when pulled, by the
arm C stretch or give until the inertia of the balance-wheel A is overcome and the
balance wheel is started. When started the momentum of the balance wheel or of

page_text: the weighted arms if they be used instead, will tend to carry the balance-wheel or
arms further than the arm C moves and until the tension on the spring E which
pulls in unison with the movement of the arm C, overcomes the momentum of the
wheel or arms, and increases its motion, which oscillating of said balance-wheel
being constant will alternately open and close the cut-off valves thus governing
and regulating the cut-off as desired; the constant tendency of the balance-wheel
being to move steadily and to impart a regular reciprocating motion to said
stem B, thus cutting off the steam at regular intervals; the spring E being of
sufficient strength and stiffness to compel said balance-wheel to move and thus by
the stem B to open and close the said cut-off valves. By varying the tension of
the spring E, the travel of the balance-wheel A will be extended or diminished and
the motion of the engine correspondingly oscillated or retarded as desired.
The spring E may be either in the form shown or it may be a coiled spring such
as is used in the balance-wheel of a watch or any other form of spring as desired,
and the balance wheel A may be weighted in any part to give greater efficiency to
its working under different circumstances.
In Fig. 3 is shown a modified form of this invention in which we employ a
pivoted or oscillating rod A in place of the balance wheel. The pivoted arm carries
at its lower end an adjustable weight M, and has its upper end connected to the
spring E. The rocking arm C and its connections with the eccentric rod F and
the spring are the same as hereinbefore described. The oscillating pendulum rod A
connects with the cut-off valve in a manner similar to the connection shown in
Fig. 2.
By the adjustability of the weights, we are enabled to cause the pendulum rod
to swing faster or slower as desired.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. The spring E and the balance rod or wheel A as shown, and means for
. operating the same, in combination with a stem or rod, to operate the cut-off
valves of a steam engine, connected with and operating the said balance rod or
wheel A, whereby the action and motion of the cut-off valves is governed and
regulated, substantially as shown and described.
2. In a steam engine the combination of the eccentric rod F, stud G, arm C,
spring E, balance-wheel A and stem B, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. In a steam engine the combination of the eccentric rod F, stud G, arm C,
sleeve D, spring E, adjusting screw H, plate L, balance-wheel A and stem B,
substantially as and for the purpose specified and described.
4. In a steam engine, the combination of the eccentric rod F, stud G, arm C,
sleeve D, spring E, adjusting screw.H, plate L, weighted arms X Y Z, (or any
of said arms) radiating from the axis and stem B to operate the cut-off valves,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1886.