Year: 1887

page_text: described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in reciprocating balances for steam-engines,
in which reciprocating rods operate in conjunction with reciprocating Counter-weights;
and the objects of my improvements are, first, to prevent the vibration of an engine;
second, to render a high piston speed possible.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure I is a front elevation, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation.
Fig. 3 is a section on line
of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. is a detailed view of the shaft with three Cranks.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In the drawings have shown my invention applied to an ordinary upright engine,
I representing the piston rod connected to a cross-head, H.running in suitable guides on
the engine frame.
Connected with this cross-head is the main connecting rod 1', fastened at its lower
end to the crank G on the main crank-shaft in the usual manner. This shaft is
mounted on bearings near the base of the engine, and has upon the side opposite the
main crank two smaller cranks, ce, with which are connected two smaller connecting
rods. R R, one on each side of the crank shaft, each having at its upper end the
weights or metal blocks W, adapted to travel on suitable guides, SS, on the engine
frame and running parallel with the main cross-head. The cranks e c, it will be
noticed, are on the same side of the shaft and opposite to the main crank G, so that as
the latter is depressed the former will be elevated and vice versa. These rods P'
and RR are connected to their respective cranks in the usual way, the ordinary straps
and keys being employed, and are also jointed to the weights in any suitable manner.
The weights W W and the connecting rods R R are so adjusted that they will ju t
balance the weight of the piston, piston-rod, and connecting rod of the engine, so that
all the operating parts will be in a perfect running balance, the piston remaining in
Price dl

page_text: the middle of the cylinder when the engine is at rest with no pressure of steam
upon it.
When the
The operation of the device as already described will now be apparent.
engine is at rest, the piston is midway of the cylinder by reason of the balancing of
it and the connected parts by the weights and connecting-rods, so that steam admitted
10 either side will immediately start it, thus overcoming the difficulty of dead-centers.
During its operation the weights opposing the piston will move in a direction opposite
to that of the piston, and acting in a measure as a fly wheel effectually prevent the
pounding and jar caused by the rapid reciprocation of the piston, and enabling the
engine to be run at a very high speed without oscillating and pounding, as is usual
with Engines not employing fly-wheels. For this reason my invention is especially
adapted for use on. boats, where immunity from jar is desirable. It also enables
ordinary vertical engines to be used in boats, which heretofore could not be done on
account of this jar.
Engines constructed with my improvement applied thereto are very slightly more
expensive than those now in use, while the advantages and capabilities are far greater,
and enables the engine to be employed in places where it was impossible to do
so before.
I do not desire to be confined to precisely the devices shown, as other equivalents of
these could be employed with equally good effect without departing from the spirit of
my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a steam engine, the combination with the main crank-shafi, having cranks on
opposite sides thereof, a piston connected to one of said cranks, and a reciprocating
weight connected to the opposite crank, whereby the weight and piston will be moved
in opposite directions, substantially as described.
2. In a steam engine, the combination, with the main shaft, the reciprocating piston
connected thereto, and the reciprocating weights connected to said shaft on the side
opposite the piston, so as to move in opposition thereto, substantially as described.
3. In a steam engine, the combination with the main shaft having the three cranks,
the reciprocating piston-head and connecting-rod of the two reciprocating weights, and
their connecting rods connected to the opposite side of the shaft from the main piston,
so as to move in opposition thereto, substantially as described.
4. In a steam-engine, the combination, with the main frame having the three guide-
ways, the piston rod, the main cross-head, connecting rod, and crank-shaft of the two
reciprocating weights-on
one on either side-the cross-head moving in the guides and
connected to the main shaft on the side opposite the main connecting rod, substantially
as described.
5. Ju a vertical steam engine, the combination, with the piston head. piston rod.
cross-head and connecting rod, the main crank shaft to which the latter is connected,
of the vertically reciprocating weights connected to the crank-shaft so as to move in a
direction opposite in the piston, so adjusted with all connecting parts as to balance the
weight of the piston head, piston rod, cross-head, connecting rod, and connected joints;
substantially as described.
HORN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.