IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Howard, Engineer, Edward Tenney Bous-
field, Engineer, and John Pinney, Engineer, all of Bedford, in the
County of Bedford, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES
Sealed the 15th March 1864, and dated the 15th January 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Howard, Edward
Tenney Bousfield and John Pinney at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 15th January 1864.
We, JAMES HOWARD, Engineer, EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, Engineer, and
JOHN PINNEY, Engineer, all of Bedford, in the County of Bedford, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES
AND MACHINERY FOR TILLING LAND BY STEAM POWER," to be as follows:-
The first part of our Invention relates to the operating of ploughs and
other tilling implements by the use of two engines working at opposite sides
of the field.
The ordinary plan has been, when using two engines, to make each engine
of sufficient power to haul the implement, and to work such engines alter-
nately; by our Invention we are enabled, with the use of very simple means,
to combine the power of both engines, working them simultaneously, and
thereby making two small engines available for the work that has heretofore.
required two engines of far greater power. To this end we take two small.

page_text: engines, which together are equal to the work in hand, and fit them each with
two winding drums, on to which a drag or hauling rope and a driving rope are
respectively coiled and uncoiled alternately. These ropes are stretched across
the field between the two pairs of drums. To the drag or bauling rope or
ropes connecting one pair of drums the implement is attached, and the other
pair of drums is connected by the driving rope, which acts simply as a com-
municator of power from one engine to the other, thereby combining the
power of the two engines. The engines may remain stationary at convenient
points of the field, and the ropes passed round the plot to be cultivated by
means of snatch blocks, the mode of combining the power of the two engines
being the same as when working opposite to each other and moving along the
headlands. In the above-mentioned engines the drum shaft will be central
and lie at right angles to the axles of the carrying wheels; but in some cases
we propose to mount the two drums both on one side of an ordinary portable
engine, or one on each side, placing them on excentric axles, the axles in this
case being parallel with the axles of the carrying wheels. These drums we
bring alternately into gear with the driving pinions of the engine. The ropes
in passing from the drums we carry through the hollow stalks of guide pulleys
which are free to turn, like castor wheels, in any direction.
ment allows of the ropes working off at any desired (angle. Engines thus
fitted are adapted equally well for carrying out our first-described improvement
or for working with one engine and an anchored pulley on the opposite
headland. When using an anchor pulley which requires to be moved on the
headland opposite to the moving engine (one engine only being then used), we
add to the engine, in addition to the two winding drums referred to, a third
small winding drum, mounting it at any convenient part thereof, and we carry
from this drum a light rope to the anchor on the opposite headland. This
rope at the will of the engineer will operate a crab or gearing on the anchor
and cause the same to wind up a rope anchored ahead. The anchor pulley
may thus be moved forward at pleasure by the power of the engine as the
work proceeds.
This arrange-
Our Invention further consists in certain novel arrangements of the well-
known parts of agricultural engines, the main object being to place the
winding drums in or near the central line of the engine without destroying the
compactness of the whole arrangement. We effect this in one arrange
ment by the following changes: Instead of the ordinary form of tubular
boiler mounted on travelling wheels which run parallel with its flues or tubes.
we propose so to construct and mount the boiler that the tubes or flues will
run at right angles with the travelling wheels. Beneath the tubes and by the

page_text: side of the ash-pit we place the feed water tank (within the shell of the boiler),
and pass through that tank a strong central shaft at right angles to the axles
of the travelling wheels. This shaft carries the winding drums which are
mounted on excentric bearings as before mentioned in front and rear of the
water tank, or both, under the foot plate of the engine.
In another arrangement of engine for hauling ploughs and other agri-
cultural implements by means of drums arranged centrally or nearly so in the
engine framing, we employ a boiler with a pair of horizontal cylindrical barrels,
above which we mount one or a pair of winding drums. The crank shaft of
the engine is placed midway between the boiler barrels and fitted with pinions
which gear into a ring of spur teeth on the winding drum or drums. Another
pinion on the crank shaft serves to convey motion to the driving wheels of the
engine, as described in the Specification of a Patent granted to us on the
7th April 1863 (No. 880). The cylinder or cylinders of the engine we place
above the fire-box, and obtain a vertical action for the pistons.
For coiling
the rope accurately upon the drum when we employ a drum with an internal
coil as described in the Specification of the Patent above referred to, we
propose to run a screwed or worm shaft carrying suitable guide pulleys in a
convenient position in respect of the winding drum. Upon the end of this
screwed shaft is placed a toothed wheel, and a similar toothed wheel
is placed upon the shaft carrying the winding drum; a pitch chain works
upon these two toothed wheels, coupling the shafts together.
The guide
pulleys between which the hauling rope is passed, working upon this screwed
shaft, are slowly moved backward or forward, the pace corresponding with the
thickness of the rope employed and speed of winding on.
We propose to
place the front or steering wheels of the engine within the frame, and to
operate them by means of a segment rack which is connected to the axle of
these wheels. The attendant works the segment rack from his seat by means.
of a spur pinion on a hand-wheel shaft. On this spur pinion is cast a bevil
pinion, which gears into and drives a second segment rack, which conveys.
through a rock shaft, which carries it, a sideway motion to the friction coupling
of the driving wheels. In the act therefore of steering the front wheels one.
or other of the hind wheels will be thrown out of gear and form a fulcrum for
the engine to turn on. To the axle of the fore wheels shafts may be fitted to
receive a horse. In this case the attendant will steer the engine by guiding
the horse, the steering mechanism transmitting the requisite motion to the
friction coupling as before.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Howard, Edward Tenney Bousfield, and John Pinney,
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th July 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JAMES
HOWARD, Engineer, EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, Engineer, and JOHN PINNEY,
Engineer, all of Bedford, in the County of Bedford, send greeting.
WHEREAS IIer most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the. 'twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for IIerself, Her heirs and successors, give.and grant unto
us, the said James Howard, Edward Tenney Bousfield, and John Pinney, Her
special license that we, the said James Howard, Edward Tenney Bousfield,
and John Pinney, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as we, the said James Howard, Edward Tenney Bousfield, and John Pinney,
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, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES AND
MACHINERY FOR TILLING LAND BY STEAM POWER," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said James Howard, Edward Tenney Bousfield, and
John Pinney, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain 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 I, the said James Howard, on behalf of myself
and of the said Edward Tenney Bousfield, and John Pinney, 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, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates chiefly to the operating of ploughs and other
tilling implements by the use of two engines working at opposite sides of
the field.
The ordinary plan has been when using two engines to make each engine
of sufficient power to haul the implement, and to work such engines alter-

page_text: nately. It has also been proposed to couple the power of the two engines,
and by working them simultaneously to make two small engines available for
the work that has heretoforo required two engines of far greater power, but
up to the present time, so far as we are aware, this system has not been
brought into practical use. To facilitate this object we have devised certain
novel arrangements of engines to be presently described, which will admit of
any ordinary construction of steam plough or cultivator being used therewith,.
and afford other important advantages.
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 shews in Diagram plán
two small engines, which together are equal to the work in hand, and coupled
together according to the system of working above referred to. Each engine
is fitted with two winding drums, to which a drag or hauling rope and a
driving rope are respectively attached, the same being coiled and uncoiled
alternately, according to the direction of traverse of the tilling implement.
These ropes are stretched across the field between the two pairs of drums. To
the drag or
hauling rope or ropes connecting one pair of drums the implement
is attached, and the other pair of drums is connected by the driving rope,
which acts simply as a communicator of power from one engine to the other,
thereby combining the power of the two engines.
In this Diagram A', A2, are two engines working on opposite sides of the
plot to be cultivated, and moving intermittently in the direction of the
arrows 1, 2, as the work proceeds, so as at all times to be nearly opposite
the work to be done; B1, B2, are the fly wheel shafts fitted with suitable
pinions to gear into the drums C1, C2, C3, C4, which carry the hauling and
transmitting power ropes D1, D2, D3; E is the implement which is to be
drawn to and fro between the engines A¹, A³.
The operation is as follows:-Suppose the implement E to be moving in
the direction of the arrow F, the drums C¹; C, and C³, are in gear with their
respective driving pinions. The drums C¹ by means of the rope D³ exerts a
direct pull on the implement, and the engine A' through the rope D¹ moving
in the direction of the arrow G transmits its power through the fly wheel
shaft B to the drum C', thus concentrating the power of both engines upon
the hauling rope D'. When the implement arrives at the end of its course in
the direction of the arrow F, the drum C¹ is dropped out of gear, and the
drum C is put into gear, and the motion of the engines is reversed, the
implement will then work towards the engine A'. It will thus be seen that
the drums C and Cs, and the rope D', are used to combine the power of the
two engines; but if each engine separately were equal to the work the
drums C2 and Cs might be thrown out of gear with their pinions, in which

page_text: case the engines would exert their power alternately on the implement by
means of the ropes D2 and D³.
Having thus explained the system of working with coupled engines we will
proceed to describe our novel arrangements of engine to be used for this
purpose, premising that the engines may, if desired, remain stationary at
convenient points of the field, the ropes being passed round the plot to be
cultivated by means of snatch blocks. The mode of combining the power of:
the two engines is in this case the same as when working opposite to each.
other in moving along the headlands.
Fig. 2, Sheet I., is a general plan view, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal
elevation of an engine constructed according to our Invention, some of the
well-known details being omitted as having no material bearing on the under-
standing of our improvements. This engine carries two drums for receiving
and giving off the coils of hauling and coupling ropes. The boiler A, which
is of the ordinary tubular construction, is placed transversely of the engine
frame, in order to allow of the drums B being mounted one on either side.
thereof, and with their shaft in or near the centre of the frame. The frame
is mounted on three wheels, the wheels C, C, being propelling wheels, and the
leading wheel C¹ the steering wheel. This latter wheel is made to lock in
either direction, in order to steer the engines as desired. D is the central
drum shaft passing under the boiler. It is fitted with excentrics E for
receiving the drums and raising them into gear with their driving pinions, or
dropping them out of gear, as may be required, after the manner described
in the Specification of a Patent granted to one of the present Patentees,
bearing date February Twenty-fifth, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
one, Number 484.
F is the crank or fly wheel shaft mounted in bracket
arms at the top of the boiler, and coupled in the usual manner to the piston
rod of the cylinder G, which cylinder is also mounted on top of the boiler.
On the ends of the crank shaft F are spur pinions a, a, which take into
intermediate pinions b, b, in gear respectively with a ring of spur teeth c, c,
on the drums B. When therefore rotary motion is given to the crank shaft F
the drums will be caused to rotate. For throwing the hauling drum out of
action it will only be necessary to turn its excentric E by a lever provided for
the purpose, and the drum will instantly drop out of gear with its pinion a,
and be free to give off the slack rope. A ready access to the fire-place is
provided by the fire-door being at the side of the frame, and an important
advantage incidental to setting the boiler transversely of the engine frame is
that when the engine is ascending or descending inclines the tendency of the
boiler tubes to become bare of water is greatly diminished. The mode of

page_text: transmitting motion to the travelling wheels c, c, is shewn at Figures 4 and 5,
which shew (the former in plan view, and the latter in side elevation) a slight
modification of the improved engine with transverse boiler. In this arrange-
ment the drums B, B', are mounted on stud axles carried by the shell of the
boiler. The axles are in the same horizontal plane, but in different vertical
planes. The draft and power coupling ropes lead off from the under and
upper sides of the drums respectively, and the drums are driven by pinions on
the crank or fly wheel shaft acting directly on the ring of teeth with which
the drums are provided. Fitted to or cast with the drum B¹ is a spur wheel H,
which gears into a spur wheel I mounted on a horizontal shaft K, having its
bearings in the engine framing. A bevil pinion on the shaft K takes into a
bevil wheel keyed on the axle of the travelling wheel C, C, and thus motion
is transferred from the fly wheel shaft to the propelling wheels. Or, instead
of this arrangement, a pitch chain may be used to convey the motion from the
crank shaft to the wheels C. Engines thus arranged may also be fitted with
single drums to work in the ordinary way.
In some cases we propose to mount the two drums both on one side of an
ordinary portable engine, or one on each side, placing them on excentric axles ;
the axles in this case being parallel with the axles of the carrying wheels.
These drums we bring alternately into gear with the driving pinions of the
engine. The ropes in passing from the drums thus situated we lead around
guide pulleys, which are free to turn like castor wheels in any direction. This
ȧrrangement is shewn in the Diagram, Fig. 6, Sheet I., where A is an ordinary
tubular boiler, B a drum mounted on one side thereof, and C a guide pulley
mounted on a hollow swivel stem or stalk D through which the rope passes.
The use of swivel guide pullies allows of the ropes working off at any desired
angle. Engines thus fitted are adapted equally well for working with two
coupled engines, or with one engine and an anchored pulley on the opposite
headland.
In Sheet II. we have shewn another arrangement of engine for hauling
ploughs and other agricultural implements by means of drums arranged
centrally, or nearly so, in the engine framing.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved engine; Fig. 2 is a plan view of
the same; and Fig. 3 is an end elevation: In this arrangement we employ a
twin boiler composed of a pair of horizontal cylindrical barrels coupled toge-
ther in front by a fire-box common to both, and at back by a breeches pipe
leading to a central chimney. The boilers are fitted with tubes and otherwise
constructed as usual.
Above the twin boiler A, A, we mount a pair of winding drums B, B.

page_text: These are mounted on excentrics (for throwing them in and out of action, as
already explained), which excentrics are carried by short independent shafts
that have their supports in the standards C, C*. The crank shaft D of the
engine is placed midway between or equidistant from the centres of the boiler.
barrels, and it is fitted with pinions a, a, which gear into a ring of spur
teeth b, b, on the winding drums. A toothed wheel c on the crank shaft
serves to convey motion through gearing d to the transverse shaft f. This
shaft, through friction gear 9, 9, drives a pair of pinions h, h, gearing into an
internal ring of teeth i on the propelling wheels E, and thus the engine is
driven as described in the Specification of a Patent granted to us on the
Seventh April One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three (No. 880)..
This mode of driving admits of either wheel being thrown out of action at
pleasure for the purpose of turning the engine. The cylinders f, f, of the
engine are so placed as to obtain a vertical action for the pistons. They are.
set up between the drums and are carried by a cross head or plate secured to
the top of the standards c, c. The piston rods and slide valves are coupled.
to the crank shaft D, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. The front or
steering wheels of the engine are shewn at e', e¹. These are placed within.
the engine frame and operated by the following means:-G is a segment rack
which is connected to the axle of these wheels so that it will lock the wheels
in any required position. The attendant works the segment rack from his
seat H by means of a spur pinion k on a hand-wheel shaft 7. The same shaft
carries a bevil pinion m which gears into and drives a second segment rack m
keyed to a rock shaft o mounted in bearings below the twin boiler; a short
arm on this shaft is jointed to two coupling rods (see Fig. 3) which are jointed
to the rock levers p,p. These rock levers have forked ends which embrace
the friction coupling discs g, 9, of the driving wheels gear above referred to..
By this connection of the steering wheels with the driving or propelling wheels
the act of steering the front wheels will throw one or other of the hind wheels
out of gear, and thus form of the quiescent wheel a fulcrum for the engine to
turn on. To the axle of the fore wheels shafts may be fitted to receive a
horse. In this case the attendant will steer the engine by guiding the horse,
the steering mechanism transmitting the requisite motion to the friction
coupling as before.
For coiling the rope accurately upon the drum, when we employ a drum
with an internal coil, as described in the Specification of the Patent of April
Seventh One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, No. 880, above referred
to, we propose to use a screwed or worm shaft for traversing suitable guide
pulleys and delivering or leading off the ropes to or from the drum. This

page_text: arrangement is shewn in Sheet III., Fig. 1 being an elevation, partly in
section, of an engine fitted with a drum having an internal coil; Fig. 2 is a
partial plan view thereof; and Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation.
A, A, is the screwed shaft mounted in suitable bearings, and on one end is
keyed a toothed wheel a, and a similar toothed wheel 6 is placed upon the
shaft carrying the winding drum B; a pitch chain C works upon those two
toothed wheels, coupling the shafts together. The guide pulleys, between
which the hauling rope is passed, working upon this screwed shaft, are slowly
moved backward or forward, the pace corresponding with the thickness of the
rope employed and speed of winding on.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in
Engines and Machinery for Tilling Land by Steam Power," and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, we wish it to be understood that
under the above in part recited Letters Patent we claim,-
First, the arrangements of engines above described with reference to
Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet I., whereby tilling implements may be advan-
tageously worked by coupling the power of two such engines or using them
independently.
-Secondly, the use of guide pulleys in combination with winding barrels, as
described with reference to Fig. 6, Sheet I., for working the ropes at any
desired angle.
Thirdly, the arrangement of twin boiler engine for tilling land, as described
with reference to Sheet II.
Lastly, the arrangement described with reference to Sheet III. for coiling
the rope upon barrels with an internal coil.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Howard, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
JAMES HOWARD. (L.S.)