Improvements in and connected with High Speed Steam Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES BROWN, of 9, Rue de Florence, Paris,
in the French Republic, Engineer.]
Improvements in and connected with High Speed Steam Engines.
I, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of 70 Market Street, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, 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:-
This invention relates to high speed steam engines of the single acting type and
its object is to secure as perfect balancing of the moving parts as possible during
work.
In the engines constructed according to these improvements, all the moving
masses are reciprocally balanced by themselves, and the centre of gravity remains
in the same position whether the engine be at rest or running.
The pistons of the engines have a reduced stroke relatively to the diameter of
the path described by the crank, so as to keep the piston speed within the limits
which have been sanctioned by experience, without reducing the throw of the
cranks to such an extent that they approximate to excentrics.
For the horizontal type of engine, one, two, or more cylinders are employed,
each of which is preferably furnished with two pistons. Each of these pistons
commands a group of connecting or transmission members composed of a rocker
with unequal arms or a lever of the first order, and a connecting rod. Each of the
groups is arranged symmetrically with reference to a plane passing through the
axis of the crank shaft, and operates one of two cranks which are arranged
180 degrees apart. The cycle of movements executed by each pair of groups must
therefore take place simultaneously and symmetrically, but in relatively opposite
directions. It is evident that by this arrangement of the moving parts, the
position of the centre of gravity of the transmission members remains nearly the
same during motion as during rest. It follows that in the engine constructed
according to this invention, all perturbating forces are removed and that it will
run smoothly in consequence of the immutability of the centre of gravity even
should there be some amount of slackness in the articulations, as this engine being
single acting and there being no change in the direction in which the force is
applied, there can be no pounding of the bearings.
If it be required to make this engine double acting, that is to say with two
impulses at each revolution, a second single acting cylinder is added.
In the case of vertical engines, whether the engine be simple high pressure or
compound, I preferably employ two cylinders, each of which is provided with a
single piston. The cylinders and working parts are arranged symmetrically on
opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the axis of the crank shaft, and
their pistons are connected by means of rocking levers of the third order, each
pivoting on two fixed pivots or fulcra at one end, and at their other ends being
articulated to connecting rods which actuate two cranks arranged 180 degrees
apart as in the case of the horizontal engine. Owing to the fact that the ends of
the levers coupled to the connecting rods describe circular arcs, it is necessary to
arrange them in such a manner that their paths conform as nearly as circumstances
will permit to the plane of the axis of the crank shaft. By this arrangement
two groups of identical transmission members are produced, each of which is
connected to one of the cranke (arranged 180 degrees apart) and it follows that

page_text: each of the two groups executes a cycle of movements which are simultaneous and
symmetrical, but in opposite directions. Further, since the centre of gravity of
these groups is situated approximately in the plane of the axis of the crank shaft,
it will never materially vary in position during the running of the engine.
The two cylinders may be equal to each other or one of the two may constitute
a high pressure and the other a low pressure cylinder, so as to produce a compound
engine.
The accompanying drawings illustrate in what manner this invention may be
carried into practical effect and will be heroinafter referred to.
In these
drawinge
Figure 1 is a vertical section through a single acting engine having one cylinder
and two pistons.
Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line x-y Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken below the cylinder and shewing the framing
in section.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the cylinder and
shewing the pistons at the ends of their working strokes.
Figure 5 is a similar section to that shewn by Figure 4, shewing the pistons at
the beginning of their working strokes.
Figure 6 is a vertical section through the steam chest, illustrating the method of
working the distributing valve by means of an excentric.
Figures 7 7 7 7 7" are diagrammatic representations of modified forms of
the improved engine.
Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section through the axis of the low pressure
cylinder of a compound engine furnished with three cranks.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal horizontal section through the cylinders of a compound
engine.
Figure 10 is a vertical transverse section through the cylinders and slide valves
of the engine illustrated by Figures 8 and 9.
Figure 11 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the same engine taken below the
cylinders and shewing the framing in section.
Figure 12 is an elevation drawn to an enlarged scale, of the excentric connecting
rod which couples the piston rods (Figures 8 and 9) to the shorter arms of the
rockers.
Figure 13 is a horizontal section of the same.
Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of a vertical engine.
Figure 15 is a sectional elevation of the same engine, taken on a vertical plane
passing through the axis of the crank shaft.
Figure 16 is a horizontal section through the cylinders.
Figure 17 is a horizontal section through the rockers.
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation through the low pressure cylinder of a com-
pound horizontal engine with a two throw crank shaft.
Figure 19 is a vertical transverse section on a plane passing through the axis of
the crank shaft.
Figure 20 is a horizontal section taken through the cylinders.
Figure 21 is a horizontal section taken under the cylinders.
In each of the figures similar letters of reference are employed to denote similar
parts or details of construction.
Referring to the drawings it will be seen that in the horizontal engines each of
the cylinders A A' has two pistons B B' which move in opposite directions, and
which communicate the expansive force of the steam by means of their rods 6 61 to
the levers G G which are pivoted at c c. In the horizontal types of the engine,
the longer arms of the levers are articulated to the connecting rods D D¹ and
cominunicate motion to the cranks e e¹ of the crank shaft E. In the vertical types
of the engine motion is similarly communicated to the crank shaft.
The cranks are arranged at 180 degrees apart as herein before described.

page_text: The steam acts upon and between the internal faces of the pistons, that is to say
upon the faces which oppose each other.
The distribution of the steam is controlled by means of vertical piston slide
valves C having their axes at an angle of 90 degrees with reference to the axis of
the cylinders A A¹.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the steam
enters through the inlet a' above the valve C whose underside is in communication
with the exhaust chamber F which again is in communication with the two ends of
the cylinder A through the ports ff.
The slide valve C is actuated by the excentric H, and its connecting rod H'
which receives the rod a² of the slide valve.
The communication between the casing of the slide valve C and the cylinder A
is effected through the port a³ opening into the sp.ce between the pistons B B'.
In the lower part of the cylinder, the ports f¹f' are formed for the purpose of
opening a communication between the space between the pistons and the exhaust
chamber.
At the moment when the pistons approach the ends of their working strokes by
receding from each other, they open the ports ff' to the exhaust passage F and a
portion of the steam escapes through them, carrying away the water of condensation
and sweeping the cylinder.
The crankshaft, connecting rods, and lower half of the rocking levers or beams
are enclosed in a suitable casing I, which also forms the main frame of the engine.
This casing being half filled with the lubricating material, ensures a very complete
and abundant lubrication of the working gear; the casing being hermetically
closed all dust and dirt is excluded.
The cylinder being situated outside this casing the water of condensation which
drips from the stuffing boxes cannot fall into and deteriorate the lubricant.
WORKING OF THE ENGINE.
By reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that each piston with its connections
forms one of two groups each of which is located symmetrically one to the right
and one to the left of a vertical plane which passes through the engine crank shaft.
Each of these systems being connected to one of the cranks and the two cranks
forming together an angle of 180 degrees, the two pistons each with their connections
will, when the engine is working, simultaneously execute the same cycle of move-
ments but in opposite directions.
In this way the moving masses mutually counterbalance or equilibrate each other,
or in other words the centre of gravity of these masses remains in nearly the same
position when the engine is running as when at rest, thus ensuring smooth running
absence of vibration and of trepidation.
The engine being in equilibrium does not require any foundations, and can even
be suspended by means of chains.
By reason of the engine being single acting in one direction and there being
therefore no reversal of the same, pounding due to slackness in the articulations of
the working gear is entirely avoided.
Steam is admitted through the port a³ in the middle of the length of the
cylinder between the two working faces of the pistons. This port a³ serves likewise
as the outlet for the steam and the distribution is controlled by the slide valve C
which alternately puts the cylinder into communication through the port a³ with
the steam-passage a' or with the exhaust F.
The non-working faces of the pistons are always in free communication with the
exhaust F by means of the ports ff. The exhaust being common to both pistons,
there will be an equilibrium of pressure on these non-working faces; and the
stuffing-boxes of the piston rods being all situated on the non-active sides of the
pistons, it is evident that the same will never have to stand the pressure of the live
steam.
The working stroke of the pistons produced by the admission of steam between

page_text: their acting surfaces is performed when the pistons move away from each other and
the non-working stroke takes place when they approach each other when the
working and non-working faces of the pistons are put in equilibrium by being all
open to the exhaust simultaneously.
The diagram shewn in Figure 7 represents the application of the same
principles to a vertical single-acting engine with one cylinder A and a single
piston B. In this modification the energy of the steam is transmitted to the crank
shaft by two connecting rods and two systems of rockers with two cranks arranged
180 degrees apart, in such a way that as in the case of the engine before described
the two lateral groups of transmission members execute alike a cycle of absolutely
symmetrical and simultaneous movements but in opposite directions.
The effect of this is that the centre of gravity of the two groups of transmission
members, whether the engine is at rest or working, is always situated in the vertical
plane which passes through the crank shaft. In consequence however of the
movement of the piston, of its cross head and of the two connecting links, inclined
vertically, the centre of gravity is displaced in the vertical plane of the crank shaft,
but the construction being vertical this displacement is absorbed or neutralised by
the foundations.
The compound engine illustrated by Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 is composed of two
combined systems, identical with those hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figures 1, 2, and 3, with a common crank shaft.
The single acting cylinders A for low and A' for high pressure have each and
respectively two pistons B B' connected to rockers G and G¹ and their connecting
rods D and D¹.
By connecting again one_connecting rod D and one D' to a central crank E¹ of
a three throw crank shaft E, I obtain two complete groups each comprising two
systems moving in opposite directions, using only three cranks the two systems
being arranged in such a manner that when the pistons of the high pressure cylinder
are at the end of their active strokes, the pistons of the low pressure cylinder have
terminated their return strokes and are ready to commence their active strokes.
(See Figure 9.)
In this manner the crank shaft receives two impulses at each revolution as in a
double acting engine.
The distribution of the steam is effected by two piston slide valves similar to
those already described, C for the high pressure and C' for the low pressure.
The steam arrives at a¹ above the valve chest C and after having worked in the
cylinder A is exhausted into the exhaust chamber F which is in communication
with the passages F1 F1. From hence it passes into the slide valve C and
after having performed its work in the cylinder A it passes through the final
exhaust FF.
The slide valves C and C' are connected by a beam L pivoted at 1, and
articulated to the rods of the slides at land 12.
The one arm of the beam is lengthened to receive the spherical joint g of the
connecting rod H' of the excentric H. When the pistons of the two slide valves
are connected to one beam the loads of their upper faces balance one another.
To avoid any possible pounding that might be caused by play or slackness in
the articulation g it is sufficient to so proportion the areas of the piston slide valves
as to obtain a greater load on the one of them than on the other, and pounding is
then impossible since there is never any inversion in the direction of the force or
energy.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a small form of connecting rod which I call
"excentric connecting rod" for converting a curved or partially circular motion
(such as that described by the shorter arm of the rockers G G₁) into a rectilinear
motion like that of the piston rods b b¹ (or reciprocating motion) or vice versa. The
pivots k k are at the heads of the rocking levers G G¹.
Each piston rod or is provided with an eye to receive the "excentric
connecting rod" of disc K formed with an excentric bearing for the pivot k.

page_text: "
In brief, the "excentric connecting rod is a mechanism which converts the
movement through a small circular arc into a rectilinear or reciprocating motion
and vice versa.
Examples of its application will be seen by reference to Figures 8 and 9.
The vertical arrangement shewn in Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17 of an engine of
the compound type, or with two cylinders of equal dimensions, is distinguished
from the horizontal arrangement herein before described by the employment of
levers of the third order R R in place of the rockers or levers of the first order;
this arrangement also permits the use of pistons with reduced strokes as regards
the diameter of the path described by the cranks and allows the ends of the con-
necting rods D D₁ being brought nearly into a plane which does not sensibly
deviate from that passing through the axis of the crank shaft. These connecting
rods are joined to two cranks e e arranged 180 degrees apart.
As in the horizontal type this vertical construction comprises two systems of
acting members or parts each executing a cycle of movements which are symmetrical
and simultaneous but inverted as regards their direction.
It therefore follows from this although in a somewhat lesser measure, that the
centre of gravity of the moving masses remains nearly immovable as in the case of
the horizontal type, in consequence of the symmetrical arrangement of the masses
in movement or at rest.
In Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 the cylinders for the high and low pressure are
indicated by A and A and B B' are their pistons the movements of which are
communicated by their rods ó and b' to the levers of the third order R R by a
girdle block or a small connecting rod with joints r r.
The levers R R each oscillate at one of their extremities about the pivots pel pol
fixed to the frame I.
The other ends of these levers or points of resistance ² ² are so placed that the
circular arcs described by their ends deviate as little as possible from the plane
passing through the axis of the crank shaft.
The distribution of steam is effected by two piston valves C and C'. The steam
from the boiler arrives on the upper face of C and is admitted to the upper or
working face of piston B', it is then exhausted into the space below the piston and
exhaust passage F, leading to the upper face of valve C by which it is admitted to
the working or upper face of the piston B and from thence exhausted to under side
of B and the exhaust passage.
The valves are worked off the weigh shaft L by the arms and 12 which are
articulated to the piston rods of the valves C and C. These arms being on
opposite sides of the shaft L and the pressure of steam acting always on the upper
faces of C¹ they partially balance each other, care being taken that the load op
one of the valves preponderates so that the excentric H and the articulations h of
its rod H' work against a load always acting in one direction as before described so
as to avoid pounding when there is play in the articulations.
Figures 18, 19, 20, and 21, represent a modified arrangement of the compound
horizontal type with a three throw crank shaft shewn in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11,
in which the three throw crank shaft is replaced by a two throw crank shaft.
This is effected by placing the rockers G G at one end on two independent
pivots cand. This allows of the longer arms and c of the rockers being
transposed so as to connect one piston of each cylinder to the crank under the
opposite cylinder. Each of the two cranks in this case receives two connecting
rods D and D', D D belonging to the high and D' D' to the low pressure cylinder
in the same manner as by the centre crank of the three throw design where a
connecting rod from each cylinder meet on the centre crank.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, which illustrate a single acting engine having only one
cylinder A two pistons B B' are provided with rods which engage with the shorter
arms of levers G G and effect their reciprocation. The longer arms of the
levers G communicate by connecting rods with the cranks e el placed 180 degrees
apart and secured to the crank shaft E. The distribution of the steam is controlled

page_text: by means of the slide valve C whose axis is at right angles with the cylinder A.
The steam enters the valve chest by a channel a¹ and enters the cylinder by a
central port a³ placed between the pistons. The lower side of the valve casing is
in communication with the exhaust chamber F which leads to the atmosphere, or,
in the case of a compound engine, to the low pressure cylinder.
The valve C may
be operated in any usual manner preferably by an excentric H. The exhaust
chamber F is in communication with the ends of the cylinder through the
ports ff.
Referring to the diagrammatic representations Figures 7 7 7 7° 7D, Figure 7
illustrates a vertical engine having one cylinder and one piston only. As before
A indicates the cylinder B the piston b the piston rod G G¹ the rocking levers D D¹
the connecting rods and E the two throw crank shaft. To equalise the thrust of
the piston the piston rod carries a pivoted cross head beam W which is connected
to the rockers G G' by links Y Y'
The form of engine shewn in Figure 7A is a modification of that illustrated by
Figure 7. The crank shaft is in this case placed on one side of the axis of the
two cylinders which are arranged tandem. Similar letters of reference denote
similar parts A A' representing the cylinders and B B' the pistons.
Figure 7 illustrates another form of two cylinder vertical engines the rocking
levers G G both being pivoted upon a common centre.
A similar engine having horizontal cylinders is represented by Figure 7°.
The engine shewn in Figure 7 has its rocking levers G G₁ mounted upon
separate pivots.
The pistons of the engines illustrated by Figures 7* 7B and 7° move simultaneously
in the same direction, but the pistons of the engine shewn in Figure 7D move
simultaneously in opposite directions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is―
1. A horizontal steam engine constructed arranged and operated substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings Figures 1
to 6 inclusive.
2. A partially equilibrated vertical engine constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 7ª 7³ 7º˚ and 7º
of the accompanying drawings.
3. A horizontal compound steam engine constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 8 to 12
inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
4. A vertical compound steam engine constructed arranged and operated
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 14 to 17
inclusive of the accompanying drawings.
5. A horizontal compound engine constructed arranged and operated substantially
as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by Figures 18 to 21 inclusive of the
accompanying drawings.
6. In a horizontal engine having two pistons working in a single cylinder, the
openings ff and in the lower part of the cylinder, constructed and arranged
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
7. An excentric connecting rod for a steam engine, constructed and arranged
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by
Figures 8, 9, 12, and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
8. A distributing valve having its unbalanced load constantly acting in one
direction constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and as illustrated by Figures 2 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
9. The combination and arrangement of two distributing valves with unbalanced

page_text: loads constantly acting in one direction, with rods articulated to a rocker or beam
with its fulcrum so situated that one of the valves has a constant excess of force
over its neighbour, so that no reversal in the direction can take place, constructed
substantially as and for the purpose herein before described and as illustrated by
the Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of Anril A.D. 1893.
WILLIAM E. HEYS.