IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Martin Stanley and Jabez Stanley, both of the
Midland Works, Sheffield, in the County of York, for the Invention
σε
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Martin Stanley and
Jabez Stanley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 5th October 1863.
We, JOHN MARTIN STANLEY and JABEZ STANLEY, both of the Midland
Works, Sheffield, in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING," to be as follows, that
is to say:
This Invention relates to steam propelling, and consists of a combined
steam and water engine by which water is made the propelling medium,
operating in the manner herein-after described, and impelled by a steam
engine constructed in the following manner :-The steam engine consists of a
cylinder in which a piston is moved by steam at high pressure. The rod of
this piston is of sufficient length to traverse the steam cylinder through
stuffing boxes and glands fitted at each end of the said cylinder, and to enter
and actuate two other pistons, one partially traversing the feed pump, and the
other also traversing the hydraulic propeller. The steam cylinder, bydraulic
propeller, cylinder, and feed pump are so arranged and placed that they have
a common axis. The feed-pump piston or plunger may be of the ordinary

page_text: form, but the propeller piston consists of a simple solid disc of metal, which is
turned as nearly as possible to the same diameter as the propeller cylinder,
but just so much less as to allow it to work therein without the periphery of
the piston absolutely touching the inner surface of the cylinder, so that the
water itself may be the lubricating medium. A piston of the same construction
may also be used in the feed pump, the relative diameters of the steam and
hydraulic propeller cylinders will vary according to the pressure of the steam
in the one case and the desired velocity of the propeller piston in the other, or
if necessary they may be equal.
In adjusting this combined engine for propelling vessels we form a tube or
opening running through the ship from stem to stern, either by making the
keel hollow for that purpose, or forming a tube or channel as near thereto in
point of level as possible. Through this tube the water is driven in either
direction as desired by the action of the combined engine above described,
operating thereon as follows:-At each end of the hydraulic cylinder I place
two valves, one of each of which is always closed while the other is open.
The two ends of this cylinder are connected by suitable pipes with the main
tube or pipe before mentioned, and also similarly connected with a hauch
tube, or riding main, through which the water entering the propeller
cylinder is impelled to the stem or stern by opening and closing the stop
valves, which I will now describe. These stop valves are four in number, and
are placed respectively fore and aft of the propeller, and are so geared that
when the fore valve on the main tube is opened the aft valve on the hauch
tube is also opened, and vice versa. Under the first-mentioned condition the
water, by the action of the engine, enters the main tube at the stem, passes
through the fore stop valve, thence through the propeller cylinder hauch and
aft stop valve thereon, again into the main, and issues thence by the force of
a propeller piston at the stern, where it impinges upon the quiescent fluid,
and gives a forward motion to the vessel. When it is desired to reverse the
direction of the ship these stop valves are closed, and the others opened, when
the water enters at the stern, passes through the propeller, and is driven out
at the stem.
In addition to the main and branch already described we also propose to
insert lateral tubes opening at the stem and stern, and through which the
water can be similarly forced for turning, as desired. In performing the latter
operation the main tube is closed at both stem and stern when suitable
stop valves are also provided. In lieu of these lateral openings for turning
the vessels, we propose to place propeller, steering, and turning rudders, which
may by being turned to the right or left, give the necessary turning power.

page_text: These rudders are made in duplicate, with an opening between them, through
which opening the water issuing from the propeller passes. These rudders
are coupled, and turned simultaneously, and may be used for general steering
purposes in lieu of the ordinary rudders. These stop valves are formed in the
following manner-At the junctions of the main and hauch tubes flanges are
formed, between which a rotating faced plate is fitted. In this rotating plato
we form a perforation of the same size as the tube and hauch.
We cause
this plate to rotate upon a centre, so that the centre of the opening as the
plate is turned shall pass through the two centres of the main and branch
tubes;
the latter are joined by limbs or luggs, which project beyond the
flange and also beyond the periphery of the rotating plate, so that when bolted
together the face flanges can be sufficiently tightened to make the plate work
water-tight. This plate on being turned to the right or left opens or closes
the main and hauch as desired. For turning these plates their outer edges
are cogged or toothed, and have a spur wheel in gear therewith. The whole
of these plates and spur wheels are so geared that the direction of the
propelling current can be changed by one motion either by hand or steam
power. The valves upon the connecting tubes at each end of the hydraulic or
propelling cylinder are seated valves, or may be of any other construction
suitable for giving a large water way with a small motion.
The steam engine, which forms a part of this Invention, is fitted with a slide
valve of the ordinary construction, but the motion thereof is given and repeated
by an improved valve lever, which is formed and actuated in the following
manner-Upon the piston rod we fix a short arm carrying a pin and pulley
or wheel, and upon a fixed centre, a little above this arm, we mount a lever,
the arm of which carries a governor ball, which rises and falls as the motion
of the lever is increased or diminished. This ball is made of sufficient weight
to transmit motion to a throttle valve, and thus act as a governor in the usual
way. The opposite end of the lever carries a double crank in the form of an
arch or spring, in the hollow of which the pin upon the short arm mounted
upon the piston before described travels. This pin comes into contact with
the two ends of the cranked lever at or near the termination of the forward and
backward stroke of the piston, and thus reverses the slide valve, and in order
to make this lever operate for cutting off the steam at the quarters or any
other proportions of the stroke, we turn the two ends of the cranks inwards
under the pin, so that the latter will come into contact therewith and move the
lever and valve rod on the return as desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Martin Stanley and Jabez Stanley in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 5th April 1864.,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, MARTIN
STANLEY and JABEZ STANLEY, both of the Midland Works, Sheffield, in the
County of York, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said Martin Stanley and Jabez Stanley, Her special licence that
we, the said Martin Stanley, and Jabez Stanley, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said Martin Stanley and
Jabez Stanley, our executors, administrators, and 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, exer-
cise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROPELLING," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Martin
Stanley and Jabez Stanley, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 we, the said Martin Stanley and Jabez Stanley,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This Invention has for its primary object improvements in propelling and
moving floating vessels, and consists of a combined steam and water engine
or engines and propellers and branch mains, as described in our Provisional
Specification of the said improvements, and by which apparatus or modi-
fications thereof water impelled and operating as herein-after described is
made to act as the propelling, moving, turning, and steering medium. The
improvements have also been designed for being applied in part to vessels of
war (or to other vessels) constructed and propelled in the usual way by screw
or paddle. In these cases the application of the said Invention (in part) is

page_text: intended to supply the means of instantly changing or reversing the course of
the ship, or for otherwise enabling her to be manouvered with great rapidity,
an improvement which we conceive to be of great importance in vessels of
war when in action, and enabling either ships of war or other vessels to be
wholly or partially steered thereby in the event of the rudder being carried
away or rendered temporarily ineffective.
In adapting our said Invention for propelling vessels we forun a tube or
opening running entirely throught the ship from stern to stern, either by
making the keel or keels on hollow for that purpose, or by forming the tube
or channel as near thick in point of level as possible; this tube or pipe we
denominate the direct propeller main," and through it the water either enters
at the stern and is thence impelled after it enters at the stern and is impelled
forward, by the action of the action of the improved and combined steam and
bydraulic engines herein-after described. The "propeller main" may consist
of one or more pipes or tubes, each running through the ship as before
described, according as the area of "waterway" and other circumstances inay
determine; and we would here observe that we propose to keep the propeller
main pipe or pipes in a straight line and to have no internal projections or
irregularities therein to obstruct the free entrance and exit of the propelling
fluid; the two ends of this main are fitted with suitable apparatus for closing
the direct waterway when necessary, and as near the stem and stern as pos-
sible; and on both sides of the main lateral openings therein are frames, and
to these latter openings (which can be similarly closed when required, short
transverse tube or pipes, which we denominate the branch propeller mains, are
fitted, and through which the water can be directed and impelled by the engines
so as to issue on either side of the ship at the sterm or stern, or at both, on
opposite sides of the ship simultaneously. By the face of the impelled column
or columns of water issuing from these "direct" and branch mains the vessel
can be propelled, moved, turned, or steered as desired. For simply steering
the ship it is not necessary to close the direct main, but when it is desired to
alter or reverse her course, or to turn her very suddenly, then, by closing the
direct main and opening the branches at the stem and stern on opposite sides
of the ship, such evolutions can be instantly performed. and the desired
manouvers effected with great rapidity. Not only does this improvement
enable the ship to be turned more rapidly, but a great saving is thereby
effected in the power necessary, while less space is also required. The forces
acting equally from opposite sides of the ship she does not swing or turn upon
her stem or stern post as a centre, but reverses her stem to the stern without
materially changing or altering her "central position." This latter improve-

page_text: ment is that part of our Invention which we conceive can be added to vessels
formed in usual way and fitted with ordinary screw or paddle, or other pro-
pellers. All that would be necessary in such cases would be to carry a
suitable pipe or pipes from the engine to the stern and stern of the ship and
to there fit the lateral branches with opening and closing apparatus ; and in
case the middle should fail, a column of water being impelled by the powers
of the engine would controul the direction of the vessel, as before described.
This improvement may also be applied to ordinary sailing vessels, in which
we propose to fit a miniture apparatus formed as herein described, the steam
engine being first also constructed as to render it available for pumping and
for the general purposes of the ship; or the stem and stern haucks may be
formed and fitted as herein described and having the water engine only (or
an ordinary pump) hacked thereto and worked by hand power may be
applied. to vessels of the smaller class or
desirable.
and caused to act in the manner
The combined steam and water engines
berein-before described, are formed and constructed in the following manner:
The steam engine consists of a cylinder in which a piston is moved by steam
at high pressure; the rod of the piston which passes through it is of sufficient
length to traverse the steam cylinder, and pass through a stuffing-box and gland
fitted at each end of the said cylinder, and to enter and actuate two other
pistons, one partially traversing the feed pump, and the other also traversing
the water engine a hydraulic propeller. (The steam cylinder, hydraulic
propeller cylinder, and feed pump are so arranged and placed that they have
a common axis) when the hydraulic cylinder is straight.) The feed-pump
piston or plunger may be of the ordinary form, but the bydraulic propeller
pistons consists of a simple solid dise of metal, which is turned as nearly as
possible to the same diameter as the inside of the propeller cylinder, but just
so much less as will allow it to work therein without the
of the piston
absolutely touching the inner surface of the cylinder, so that the water itself
may become the lubricating medium, (a piston or plunger of the same con-
struction may also be used in the feed pump) if desired. The relative
diameters of the steam engine and propeller engine cylinders or pistons will
vary according to the power of the steam, the size of the direct propeller main,
and the desired velocity of the propelling columns issuing therefrom, proportion
which may generally be determined by the velocity of the steam engine piston
in the one case, and the diameter of the main and the desired velocity of the
propelling column issuing therefrom in the other. Thus supposing the velocity
of the steam engine pistons to be three hundred feet per minute, and the
diameter of the main twenty inches, and the desired velocity of the issuing or

page_text: propelling column to be one thousand feet per minute, then as one thousand is
to three thousand, so must be the diameter of the hydraulic engine to that of
the propeller main, or, as three hundred and thirty-three is to one, making
the diameter of the hydraulic cylinder sixty-six inches.
The combined engines and modifications thereof are shewn upon the accom-
panying Drawing, to which the following explanation refers.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.-(DRAWING A).
Figure 1 is intended to represent the general form of the direct and branch
mains; Figure 2 shews a sectional elevation of a vessel fitted with the first
modification of our said improvements; Figure 3 is a transverse section
through the line A, B, Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end enlarged view of the
mains, and corresponds with Figure 5, which is an enlarged plan, shewing the
closing valves by which the direction of the propelling colum of water is
regulated.
ą, b, is the direct main; c, d, and e, f, respectively the stern and stem.
branches; g (Figure 1), the position of the combined steam and water engine;
is the steam engine cylinder; h, the hydraulic engine cylinder; i, the
engine feed pump; k, H, the water engine branches and valves; 1, the piston
rod; m, the arm for working the lever and loop or spring m, which lever rocks
upon the fixed centre 2°, carries the governor ball o, and actuates the slide
valve rod p; r, r, two under limbs of the improved loop or spring. As the
arm m returns at each end of the stroke, these limbs, adjusted as required,
cause the steam to be cut off at any point of the stroke to which they may be
set, while by the upper arch or spring the slide valve is so actuated that the
steam is turned "full on" at each end of the stroke. This improvement can
be applied to steam engines of every class. The operation of the combined
engines and propellers as here shewn is as follows, i.e., power being applied
through the steam cylinder, the direct main a, b, being open each end, the
water enters at the stem at b, and passing through the fore part of the main,
and thence by the valve through the hydraulic cylinder, is driven through
the valve ', and passing through the after part of the main issues at the stern
at a, where it imfringes against the quiescent fluid, and gives a forward motion
to the ship. When it is required to reverse the motion of the vessel, the
water is admitted at the stern, and is impelled to the stern by reversing the
valves of the engine and mains, and when it is desired to turn the vessel
this is effected by changing the positions of the valves s and t (see Fig. 5).
In order to turn the vessel to the left, for instance, the valve t is moved until
it occupies the position indicated by the dotted lines u, when the propelling

page_text: colum will issue at d. Again, when it is required to turn the vessel to the
right, the branch dis closed, and the branch c is opened by turning the valve s
across the main at u, as before. Similar valves are fitted at the stem, and by
opening these on opposite sides of the ship, both ends of the main being closed,
the vessel may be turned upon her centre very quickly, and by varying the
positions of the respective valves while the engines are at work, the ship may
also be manouvered as desired with great rapidity.
Fig. 6 shows another modification of our combined engines and propeller;
Fig. 7 shows the same in transverse section; Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional
elevation of the hydraulic engine, and Fig. 9 a vertical section thereof through
the centre line c, o.
The propeller main and branches and opening and closing valves are the
same as those shewn at Fig. 1, the steam cylinder is also formed and fitted
with the improvement before described; in this case however the hydraulic
cylinder or water engine instead of being straight is made in a circular form
and is fitted with a number of pistons which rotate therein upon a shaft in the
centre.
a, b, is the propeller main; c, the hydraulic circular cylinder; d, the steam
cylinder operating the cracks e, c, by which the hydraulic engine shaft and
pistons are turned; f is the central shaft to which the latter pistons are
attached. The hydraulic cylinder is made in two parts and is bolted together
at the flanges h, h, and the central shaft works in the glands i, i, of the
stuffing boxes. These pinstons are driven in either direction as shewn by the
arrows 1 and 2, by simply reversing the motion of the steam engine com-
bined therewith, and the colum of water is thus impelled to the stem or
stern as desired.
Fig. 10 shews a sectional elevation of a vessel fitted with the propeller
mains and a combined engine which is somewhat similar to that last described.
a, b, is the main as before; c, the steam cylinder; d, the hydraulic engine.
Fig. 11 shews the modification in transverse section with the same letters of
reference being thereon repeated; Figs. 12 and 13, respectively shew sectional
elevation and plan view of, or portion of, the hydraulic engine which we here
propose to use; e is the central shaft; f, a central disc arm to which a number
of vanes 9, 9, 9, are fixed by the parts g', g', g', these vanes (which are
angular) take the place of the pistons in the modification shewn at Figs. S
and 9, Drawing A, and their operation is as follows:-The case (or cylinder)
in which these vanes rotate may be made of vetangular form at the periphery,

page_text: and the blades or vanes, being accurately fitted thereto, are set at an angle
with the axis of the centre shaft to which they are fixed, and caused to rotate,
and as each vane or blade passes the opening of the main h, i, the water is
impelled to the fore or aft propeller main and branch openings, and the vessel
thereby moved, as before described.
Figs. 14 and 15 shew another modification of the combined engines and
mains. Figs. 16 and 17 are enlargements shewing the details of this modifi-
cation; Fig. 16 is a longitudinal, and Fig. 17 a transverse section through the
centres respectively.
a, b, is the direct main; f, d, the branches which are formed and fitted
as before described; g is a circular cylinder in which the piston (or pistons)
h, h, rotates. The centre of rotation, instead of being in the centre of the
cylinder (as at Fig. 8 Drawing A), is eccentric therewith, and the piston or
pistons are either made to slide in dises or to expand and contract; i is a fixed
solid shaft to which a fixed eccentric discj is firmly keyed; k, k, are hollow shafts
which enclose the solid shaft and turn thereon. To the two inner ends of these
hollow shafts, the discs k¹, k¹, are fixed and rotate therewith, these discs are
slotted (as shewn at Fig. 16, 1, 1,) and in these slots the pistons i, i, slide in
and out as they revolve therewith. A slot is cut in this piston to receive the
eccentric disc or plate j; m, m, are two rollers, the peripheries of which are
covered with india-rubber or other suitable elastic or non-elastic material, these
rollers are kept in contact with the eccentric disc by springs behind them;
n, n, are two other rollers similarly formed, and which are mounted in bearings
near the edges of the pistons, and in conjunction with the fixed eccentric
regulate the expansion of the piston as it rotates; o, o, are two bearing rails
or ribs for these rollers to run upon across the opening of the propeller main,
and are formed as shewn in section at p with a feather edge on the under side.
The rotating discs may be fitted any convenient number of pistons, made so as
to be constantly pressed outwards by internal springs and each fitted with the
spring and guide rollers above mentioned, but for simplicity of construction we
prefer to use the piston here shewn, which is formed in one, but has a double
action. The power of the steam engine which we use in combination with this
modification of the hydraulic engine is transmitted thereto by the spur wheels
or pullies q, q, keyed on to the disc shafts. The action of this engine is as
follows, i.e., upon the discs being caused to rotate in the direction shewn by
the harrow r the water is impelled to the left through the main at a, and
drawn through the other end of the main at b, or upon the motion of the
engine being reversed the water is impelled towards 6 and drawn from a, the
issuing column being regulated as before explained; s, s, are two throats or

page_text: enlargements in the circular cylinder for allowing the water to enter the main
after the pistons have passed the points t, t. We would here remark that we
make the cylinders perfectly circular, and when one piston is used, as here
shewn, we make it in two parts and fit the two parts together by an expanding
and contracting joint, so as to allow it to contract to the cord y, z, as the piston
passes that line in its rotation and to expand to the cord or full diameter y', ',
as it comes to the position here shewn.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature and object of our said
Invention, and explained and illustrated the various forms of combined engines
and propellers mains and apparatus which we propose to use in carrying our
said improvements into effect, we hereby further declare that as the details of
the parts of the said engines and apparatus may be varied in practice we do
not absolutely restrict ourselves to the precise forms and dimensions of the
pistons and cylinders shewn upon the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jabez Stanley, for myself and the said
John Martin Stanley, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifth
day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-four.
JABEZ STANLEY. (L.S.)