IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wolstenholme, of the Albert Works, Radcliffe, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
PUMPS"
Sealed the 5th December 1879, and dated the 10th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wolstenholme at the
Office of the Cominissioners of Patents on the 10th June 1879.
JOHN WOLSTENHOLME, of the Albert Works, Radcliffe, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS."
My Invention relates principally to a class of pumping engines which may be
either stationary or portable, the same to be worked by the pressure of steam, air,
water, or gas, the distinguishing feature of which is the non employment of rotary
motions or cylinders slide valves. The pump and steam cylinder may be of the
ordinary kind, the steam and exhaust ports similar to those of an high pressure
engine. The steam chest may be cast either on the top of the steam cylinder or on
the side, but I prefer casting the steam chest on the top. I employ a flat slide
valve to give steam to the piston and to exhaust.
On the back of the slide valve I make a recess, and prepare a plate with a T
piece properly fitted into the same to cover the recess. On the back of the plate
I employ a second valve, hereinafter called the "stationary valve," exhaust ports
being prepared through the T piece, slide valve, and into the main exhaust.
The motion is as follows:-
The valve spindle passes through a stuffing box and is connected to the T piece
by a nut or an equivalent. To the valve spindle I connect a rod, hereinafter called
the valve rod, in the usual way, the other end of the valve rod being connected by
a pin or joint to a down lever or a rod forked at both ends, the forked rod or down
lever passing over at both sides and being connected by a pin or joint to a cross-
head secured to the piston rod. At a proportionate distance from the piston rod
and valve rod I employ a connecting rod, which is coupled to a fixing secured to
steam chest or cylinder. The other end of the said connecting rod is slotted and
coupled by a pin or joint to the forked rod or down lever, which limits the distance
of the stroke and gives traverse to the T piece which admits steam at the end of

page_text: the stationary valve into the recess of the slide valve, thereby causing the slide
valve to move and give steam to the piston. When the piston has travelled its
limited distance it brings the down lever in position with the slotted rod and pin,
and will thus cause the reversing of the engine by the admission of steam at the
other end of the stationary valve through the plate and into the recess, which
reverses the slide valve and exhausts into the ports in each direction alternately,
thereby communicating a to and fro motion to the slide valve.
In do not bind myself to this class of motion, but what I claim as a novelty is,
the arrangement of the slide valve for pumping engines and variable cut-offs for
other kinds of driving engines; the top or main valve can be moved by mechanical
motion, but I prefer moving the plate or tea piece.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Wolstenholine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
December 1879.
JOHN WOLSTENHOLME, of the Albert Works, Radcliff, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PUMPS."
My Invention relates principally to a class of pumping engines which may be
either stationary or portable, the same to be worked by the pressure of steam, air,
water, or gas, the distinguishing feature of which is the non-employment of rotary
motions or cylindrical slide valves. The pump and steam cylinder may be of the
ordinary kind, the steam and exhaust ports similar to those of a high pressure
engine. The steam chest may be cast either on the top of the steam cylinder or on
the side, but I prefer casting the steam chest on the top. I employ a flat slide valve
to give steam to the piston and to exhaust. On the back of the slide valve I make
a recess, and prepare a plate with a T piece properly fitted into the same to cover
On the back of the plate I employ a second valve, hereinafter called
the "stationary valve." Exhaust ports being propared through the T piece, slide
valve, and into the main exhaust.
the recess.
And in order that this my said Invention may be properly understood I will
proceed to describe the same, reference being had to the annexed Drawing, and the
letters and figures marked thereon.
The valve spindle a passes through a stuffing box 6 and is connected to the T
piece c by a nut or an equivalent d. To the valve spindle a I connect a rod e,
hereinafter called the valve rod, in the usual way, the other end of the valve rod
being connected by a pin or joint to the drum lever for a rod forked at both ends.
The forked rod or down lever f passing over at both sides, and being connected by
a pin or joint to a cross head g secured to the piston rod h. At a proportionate
distance from the piston rod hand valve rod e I employ a connecting rod i, which
is coupled to a fixing ; secured to steam chest or cylinder k. The other end of tho
said connecting rod i is slotted and coupled by a pin or joint to the forked rod f
or down lever, which limits the distance of the stroke and gives traverse to the T
piece c, which admits steam at the end of the stationary valve into the recess of
the slide valve m, thereby causing the slide valve m to move and give steam to the
piston. When the piston has travelled its limited distance it brings the down
lever into position with the slotted rod i and pin, and will thus cause the
reversing of the engine by the admission of steam at the other end of the stationary
valve through the plate and into the recess n, which reverses the slide valve and
exhausts into the ports in each direction alternately, thereby communicating a to
and fro motion.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention I would
observe in conclusion that the top or main valve can be moved by mechanical
motion, but I prefer moving the plate or T pieces; and that what I claim and
desire to be secured to me by the bereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,―
The general combination and arrangement of the slide valve for pumping engines
and variable cut off for other kinds of driving engines, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn on the Drawing, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wolstenholme, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.