Improvements in Compound Engines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1890 Accepted, 8th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compound Engines.
I, ARTHUR GEORGE BROWN, of Globe Iron Works, Bolton, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to engines in which steam acts successively in two or more
cylinders of increasing diameters.
The object is to so construct and actuate such engines that they shall be double
acting as regards having steam applied successively on both sides of the pistons yet be
in effect single acting, having the working strains always in one direction.
Engines under my invention possess the advantages of compactness and economy
as in double acting engines and at the same time have the property so valuable in
single acting engines of constant pressure in one direction with absence of lost motion
and vibration and capability of being run at high speeds.
The said new engines have two or more cylinders of increasing diameter each fitted
with a trunk piston and have steam admission and exhaust valves at each end. The
areas on opposite sides of the trunk pistons are so proportioned that the steam acting
on the trunk sides of the pistons at all times developes less power than the steam
exhausting from the opposite sides of the pistons assisted by the inertia of the pistons
trunks and connections. The connecting rods and crank shaft are of the usual kind.
The steam and exhaust valves are so arranged and operated that two streams of steam
successively pass through the cylinders on opposite sides of the pistons. A closed
case is advantageous for the lower parts of the said engines.
To control the speed of the said engines I employ the governor described in my
Complete Specification No. 2685 of the year 1889.
Dated this Eleventh day of January 1890.
Per pro J. T. KING,
*J. Johnson,
Agent.
⚫ COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compound Engines.
I ARTHUR GEORGE BROWN of Globe Iron Works Bolton in the County of Lancaster
Engineer 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:
The invention relates to engines in which steam acts successively in two or more
cylinders of increasing diameters.
The object is to so construct and actuate such engines that they shall be double
acting as regards having steam applied successively on both sides of the pistons yet
he in effect single acting having the working strains always in one direction.
Engines under my invention possess the advantages of compactness and economy as
in double acting engines and at the same time have the property so valuable in single
acting engines of constant pressure in one direction with absence of lost motion and
vibration and capability of being run at high speeds.
The said new engines have two or more cylinders of increasing diameter, each fitted
with a trunk piston, and have steam admission and exhaust valves at each end. The
areas on opposite sides of the trunk pistons are so proportioned that the steam acting
on the trunk sides of the pistons at all times develops less power than the steam
exhausting from the opposite sides of the pistons assisted by the inertia of the pistons,
[Price 6d.]

page_text: trunks and connections. The connecting rods and crank shaft are of the usual kind.
The steam and exhaust valves are so arranged and operated that two streams of steam
successively pass through the cylinders on opposite sides of the pistons. A closed case
is advantageous for the lower parts of the said engines.
In order that my invention may be readily understood I have appended a view
mainly in vertical section of an engine constructed in accordance with my invention.
The engine is constructed in any usual or convenient manner with a high pressure
cylinder a and a low pressure cylinder 6 and valves for regulating the flow of steam
consecutively through the said cylinders above the pistons.
Three or more cylinders may be used. So far the engine is of the usual single
acting compound type. Beneath the piston in the high pressure cylinder a, is a trunk c
so proportioned that an annulus d is left in which steain will act on the return stroke
so as nearly to balance the downward pressure of the high pressure piston and the
back pressure of steam above the said piston. The low pressure piston in the cylinder b
is furnished with a trunk e of about the same diameter as the trunk c so that air will
not be pumped in and out of the case f, enclosing the lower working parts of the
engine g is a second trunk attached to the low pressure piston leaving an annulus /
between itself and the cylinder and an annulus i between itself and the trunk e, the
proportions of both being such that the pressure of steam flowing from the annulus d
into the annulus h will nearly balance the downward pressure of the low pressure
piston the back pressure of steam above the piston and the vacuum in the annulus i,
a relief valve is preferably connected to the annulus to allow on the downstroke for
escape of any air or steam finding its way into the said annulus. Any suitable valves
are used to regulate the flow of steam through the annuli. In the view a piston
valve jis shown for regulating both the flow of steam through the cylinders above
the pistons and through the annuli around the trunks. This valve is constructed and
is actuated in the usual or any suitable way.
When a closed casing is not used the trunk e may be of larger diameter than the
trunk c.
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
First. Constructing engines substantially as herein set forth.
Second. Compound steam engines with pistons and trunks proportioned and dis-
posed substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Third. Compound steam engines actuated by two streams of steam, substantially ir
the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 2nd day of October 1890.
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.