CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES BEING WHOLLY OR IN PART APPLICABLE WHERE OTHER VAPOURS OR GASES ARE USED AS THE MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BECKETT JOHNSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Manager for
Messieurs Ormerod and Son, Engineers and Iron Founders, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twelfth day of December, in the fourteenth year of Her reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty, did, for
Ierself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William
Beckett Johnson, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said William Beckett Johnson, my exors, admors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said William Beckett Johnson, my exors, admors, or
assigns, shall at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might.make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-of-Tweed; my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS IN
ENGINES BEING WHOLLY OR IN PART APPLICABLE WHERE OTHER VAPOURS OR GASES
ARE USED AS THE MOTIVE POWER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that I, the said William Beckett Johnson, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her, Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next.and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
'

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Beckett Johnson, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed
and the following explanation thereof, that is to say :-
My improvements in engines to be worked by steam or other vapours
or gases consist,—
Firstly, in certain arrangements or modes of constructing certain parts of
stationary engines known by the name of "horizontal engines," in which the
piston works in a horizontal line, or nearly so.
Secondly, in certain arrangements or modes of constructing parts of
stationary engines, in which the cylinder is placed in a vertical position, but
with the piston rod working through the bottom of the cylinder, and coupled
with the main shaft beneath by the connecting rod and crank, which engines
I call "inverted cylinder engines."
Thirdly, in certain modes of constructing metallic packed "pistons appli-
cable to stationary, locomotive, and marine engines."
Fourthly, in certain modes of constructing metallic packed D valves, applicable
to stationary, locomotive, and marine engines.
My improvements relating to apparatus for generating steam consist,―
Firstly, in making stationary boilers with a peculiarly constructed steam
chamber placed on the top of and for part or the entire length of the boiler.
Secondly, in making stationary boilers, with a smoke box or chamber placed
at the end of the flue or flues leading from the furnace.
And, thirdly, in constructing the parts of boilers above the furnaces or flues
in a curved form.
My improvements in horizontal engines are shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet
1 of the accompanying Drawings, of which Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal
section of an horizontal engine, and Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the
same through the cylinder and condenser. a is the steam cylinder, which,
together with the piston 6, piston rod c, connecting rod d, crank e, and shaft f,
may be of the usual construction. g is the valve box, and h the slide valve,
which may also be of the ordinary construction, and placed either at the top
of the cylinder, as here shewn, or on one side thereof. i is the condenser,
which is placed immediately under the steam cylinder a, and forms also
that part of the framing to which the cylinder is attached. The steam from
the cylinder is admitted into the condenser through the opening j, j, or in
any other convenient method, as may be required by the position and des-
cription of steam valves applied to the cylinders. The injection water may

page_text: be admitted at either side or end of the condenser.
k is the foot valve,
leading to the air pump. The piston rod end is fixed to the mounting or
cross bar m, to which is attached the connecting rod d. To the pin or centre
n, on each side of. the mounting, is attached a lever o; the upper ends of the
levers are fixed to a centre p, and are allowed a vertical motion in the slots
or guides q. To the centres r on each side of the levers o, are attached the
upper ends of the radius levers s, the lower ends of which are fixed to the
shaft or centre t. The length of the radius levers and positions of the centres
r in the levers o must be so proportioned as that the centre n will move in a
straight line and in the same plane as the centre of the cylinder. The
air pump is shewn at u, placed between the cylinder and the main shaft,
having branches and w to connect with the condenser and hot well, k and
y being the foot and delivery valves. In this arrangement the air pump
piston is plain, not having any valves fixed to it; but, if desired, the foot valve
may communicate with the under side of the air pump bucket, and deliver
the water and vapour from the condenser into the hot well, by the mode usually
adopted. The mode of working the air pump consists in fixing upon the
shaft ta lever or levers z, to the end of which are attached the links a',.
forming a connection with the air pump cross bar b', and by this
means any required degree of motion may be given to the air pump rod
c', and piston d', by making the lengths and positions of the centres of
the levers, 8, and o, of proper proportions. The air pump may also
be worked, when motion is given to the lever z, by other means than here
shewn, as would be the case were guides employed instead of a parallel
motion, to guide the end of the piston rod, in which arrangement the levers o
may be dispensed with, the upper ends of the levers s being coupled by any
suitable means direct with the centre n. The hot well is shewn at e', placed
between the air pump and the main shaft, having a branch f¹ to communicate
with the delivery valve y and an overflow pipe g'. In the arrangement here
shewn the hot well is in the centre, and forms part of the foundation plate,
but if desired it may be placed at either side of the air pump, and yet form a
part of the foundation plate.
My improvements in "inverted cylinder engines" are shewn in Figs. 3
and 4, 5 and 6, Sheet 1, the two former representing vertical sections of an
inverted cylinder engine, and Figs. 5 and 6 horizontal sections shewing
part of the engine in plan. a is the steam cylinder; b, the valve box; c, the
piston and rod; d, the connecting rod; e,.the crank; and f, the main shaft,
all of which may be of the ordinary construction. The steam cylinder is

page_text: placed upon the framing g, which is made upon the box form or principle,
being circular in its horizontal section, as is shewn in Figs. 5 and 6, and
decreasing in diameter from the base towards the top. In the framing are
certain openings h, h', made for the convenience of access to the working
parts, at any required distances. I form in the framing flanches or circular
ribs i, for the purpose of giving additional firmness, and for attaching thereto
certain of the working parts of the engine, and also for jointing or miting
the framing when it is made of two or more pieces in height. These ribs
inay either be inside or outside of the body of the framing; as may be
desired. Vertical-ribs j may also be added, giving still further stability to
the framing. In the opening are formed or are attached to the sides
thereof the guides k, for receiving the ends of the piston rod cross bar, which
guides are for the purpose of maintaining the piston rod in its required line
of motion. At the base, and inside of the framing, is fixed the main shaft
bearing 1, which must be firmly secured to the outer body of the framing,
either by having an internal flanch cast with the framing to receive it, or by
any other suitable means. The condenser m is placed at some distance from,
but immediately under the cylinder. The exhaust steam from the cylinder
is conveyed into the condenser either by a channel n, formed in the framing;
or by a separate pipe, as may be .most convenient. o is the branch leading
from the condenser to the. foot valve p; q is the hot well, placed at some
distance from but under the cylinder; is the branch leading from the
delivery valve s into the hot well; t is the overflow pipe. In this arrangement
the condenser occupies nearly one half of the base of the framing, and the
hot well the other half; except the centre space u, required for the revolution
of the crank and its appliances. The proportions and arrangement and
construction of the condenser and hot well, may, if desired, be varied from
what is here shewn, and yet be under, but at some distance from the
cylinder. The branches to the foot and delivery valves are shewn in the
the same horizontal line, but they may be made with the delivery valve
immediately over the foot valve, or other arrangement may be adopted to
connect the air pump with the condenser and hot well when they are placed
in the positions here shewn. The condenser and hot well are, shewn in
one piece with and forming the base of the framing, but they may be made
in a separate piece from the framing, and also be made each of separate
pieces, and yet form a base for the framing. v, is the piston rod cross bar,
to which are attached two rods w, one placed on each side of the connecting
rod. The lower ends of the rods w are attached to the ends a of the levers y,

page_text: which levers vibrate upon the centre z. To the ends a¹ of the levers y are
attached rods 6', connected to the air pump rod c', and by this means any
required degree of motion may be transmitted from the piston rod cross bar to
the air pump bucket d', by a suitable proportion of the parts of the apparatus
above described. In this arrangement the motion of the air pump bucket is
opposite to that of the piston rod cross bar, or one is ascending whilst the other
is descending, and thereby the working parts of the engine are partly balanced.
If it be desired the air pump may be worked from a centre placed on the same
side of the fulcrum z of the lever as that to which the ends of the rods ware
attached, in which arrangement the ascent and descent of the air pump bucket
and piston rod cross bar will be simultaneous. Fig. 6 represents particularly
the method of constructing the slides or guides for keeping the piston rod in
the required line 'of motion. The ends of the piston rod cross bar are
inserted in the guide blocks e; the sides k of the guides are made angular,
tapering towards the centre of the framing. The guide blocks are made to
fill the guides by being drawn upon the ends of the piston rod cross bar by the
screws f, which operation must be repeated when the guide blocks are become
slack by working. The sides k of the guides are made in one piece with the
framing, but they may be made separate and attached to the framing by bolts
The tapering or angular position of the sides of the guides may be
reversed, the widest part being towards the centre of the framing; but I prefer
the arrangement here shewn, as being more convenient for putting together
and adjusting.
and nuts.
I
My improvements in metallic packed pistons are shewn at Sheet 1, Figs.
7 and 8, in horizontal and transverse sections. a is a portion of the cylinder;
6 is the principal packing ring, upon which the spring c acts by being placed
between the snugs d, which are of the same piece, or are fixed to the principal
packing rings. e is a nut fitting the screwed pin f for the purpose of adjusting
the force of the spring. The principal packing ring is cut through or divided
diagonally between the snugs d. ġ are two minor rings made about one half
the thickness of the principal ring, and fitting truly upon it; these rings are
cut through or divided opposite to the division of the principal ring, and kept
in this position by the steady pin h. These rings are for the purpose of
preventing the steam from passing through the division of the principal ring.
This may also be effected by using part of instead of whole rings, which parts
of rings must be fitted over the division of the principal ring, and extend for a
sufficient distance on each side of the opening, so as to make the piston steam-
tight at this part. If. desirable, more than one spring may be applied to the
packing ring or rings, the springs being applied and the rings made steam-

page_text: tight at the divisions by the method just described. The body part i of the
piston and loose ring k may be made of the ordinary construction.
My improvements in metallic packed D valves are shewn in Sheet 1,
Figs. 9 and 10, which are horizontal and transverse sections of the D valve.
a is the valve block face; b, the section of the valve casing; c are the
principal packing segments; dare snugs, which are of the same piece, or are
fixed to the principal packing segments. Between the snugs d is placed the
spring e, and by the nut f, fitting the thread of the pin g, the spring may be
made to expand the principal packing segments with the required degree of
force. The principal packing segments are divided diagonally between the
snugs d over this opening or division, and at the outer edge of the principal
packing segments are fitted two minor segments h, which are about one half
the thickness and about one sixth the depth of the principal packing segments.
The ends c' of the principal packing segments, fitting against the valve face i,
are made angular or of a wedge form, so that the action of the spring upon
the principal packing segments will keep the valve against the valve block
face, and also keep the ends c of the principal packing segments in contact
with the valve casing. If desired, more than one spring may be applied to
the packing of the D valve made upon this construction, the additional springs
snugs, divisions, and minor segments, being a repetition of what is above
described. The body k and loose segment ring 7 are made similar to the same
parts of an ordinary metallic packed piston, with the exception that only a part
is required instead of the whole body and loose ring of the piston.
My improvements in generating steam are shewn in the several Figures of
Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 are transverse
sections; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section; and Fig. 4 is an horizontal section of
a boiler, in which part of my improvements are shewn. a is the lower part of
the outside shell of the boiler, which to b is made circular in its transverse
form; c is the upper part of the outside shell, which to 6' is also made circular
in its transverse form. The upper part is firmly secured to the lower part at bu
by rivetting; strong stays d are placed at proper distances to connect the shell
of the boiler together at 6". By this construction of the outer shell of the
boiler, the furnace parte may be made circular, and also to occupy the whole
of the lower part, except the room required for water space. If desired, two
furnaces may occupy the lower part. The upper part of the outside shell is
constructed for a steam chamber, and is shewn continued for the entire length
of the boiler, but if desired it may be made less in length than the lower part
of the shell of the boiler. The upper and lower parts of the shell of the boiler
are here shewn two arcs of circles except at the parts between 6 and b', but

page_text: if desired they may be made arcs of ellipses. f is the end plate to which the
flues j, leading from the furnace, are fixed, and which partly constitutes a
smoke box, the plates g, g, forming the side or circumference thereof. In the
bottom is constructed the flue h, which is connected by suitable flues to the
chimney. i is a doorway, fitted with a door k, by which the flues are rendered
accessible for cleaning out and repairing. The smoke box is surrounded with
water at all parts except at the ends of the flues leading from the furnace, the
doorway for cleaning, and at the flue leading out of the smoke box. In this
arrangement the smoke box is shewn of a circular form in transverse section,
which is most convenient for the outside shell of the boiler which contains it,
as also for strength; but if desired this form may be altered to that which will
more conveniently apply to the form of the outside shell of the boiler. and
arrangement. of flues to which it may be adapted. Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2, are
a section and elevation, shewing the furnace end of a boiler constructed
according to my improvements. a is the top of an internal furnace or flue,
and b is the top of the boiler shell; c¹ is the end plate of the boiler, which
above the furnace or flue is made of a curved form, the upper parts of the two
ends of the boiler curving towards each other. The curved part is here shewn
a portion of a circle, that being the most simple in construction, and also pos-
sessing great strength; but other curved forms may be adopted as will most
easily unite with the transverse form of the shell of the boiler. This improve-
ment is also shewn applied to the boiler exhibited by Figs, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Having described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I claim, in reference to engines to be worked by
steam or by other vapours or gases, ―
Firstly, the use or employment of a condensor applied to "horizontal
engines," placed under the steam cylinder, and formed in or as part of the
framing or foundation plate.
Secondly, the employment of a parallel motion, applied to "horizontal
engines," to guide the piston rod, as described in reference to Figs. 1 and 2,
in Sheet 1.
Thirdly, the employment of an air pump applied to "horizontal engines,"
placed about the centre of the engine in a transverse direction, and between
the cylinder and the main shaft longitudinally.
Fourthly, the employment of a lever for working the air pump, applied to
"horizontal engines," as described and exhibited in Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1.
Fifthly, the employment of a hot well in "horizontal engines," cast in or
otherwise forming a part of the foundation plate.

page_text: Sixthly, the employment in "inverted cylinder engines" of a box framing
circular in horizontal section, having openings formed therein, and also pro-
viding the said framing either with internal or external flanches or ribs, for
the purpose of strengthening the same, and also for affording the means of
joining when made of two or more pieces.
Seventhly, the employment, in "inverted cylinder engines," of a condenser
and hot well, placed under the steam cylinder and forming the base (or part
thereof) of the framing.
Eighthly, the employment, in "inverted cylinder engines," of a lever or levers
for working the air pump, when motion is given to such lever or levers by
connecting rods worked from the piston rod cross bar.
Ninthly, the employment, in "inverted cylinder engines," of slides or guides
to guide the piston rod, having the sides made angular, whether such guide's
are cast with the framework or formed in separate pieces.
Tenthly, the use or employment, in metallic packed pistons, of a spring or
springs, so arranged that the expansive power thereof shall act in a line con-
stituting a chord to the circle of the piston.
Eleventhly, the use or employment, in metallic packed D valves, of a spring
or springs, so arranged that the expansive power thereof shall act in a line
constituting a chord to the arc of the back of the valve.
In reference to apparatus for generating steam,―
Firstly, so constructing the shell of a stationary boiler that the transverse
form shall be composed of two arcs of circles, or of ellipses, one placed above
the other, and strengthened with transverse stays.
Secondly, the employment, in stationary boilers, of a smoke box placed at
the end of the flues leading from the furnace or furnaces, and also surrounding
such smoke box with water, except at certain parts; as described in reference
to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 2.
Thirdly, the employment, in stationary boilers, of curved ends above the
furnaces or flues, as described in reference to Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2.
And, lastly, the use or employment, in one stationary engine or boiler, of any
combination of the whole or any part of the improvements contained in this my
Specification.
$
.In witness whereof, I, the said William Beckett Johnson, have hereunto
set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
WILLIAM BECKETT (L.s.) JOHNSON..

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixth day of May, in the year
of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid William Beckett Johnson came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifica-
tion aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.