Improvements in Apparatus for Breaking the Vacuum in Condensing Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 13th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Breaking the Vacuum in Condensing
Engines.
We, JONATHAN CLEGG, of 13, West Gate, Burnley, in the County of Lancaster,
Assurance Superintendent, JOSEPH CLEGG, of 8, Berkeley Street, Brierfield, in the
said County, Engine Tenter, and THOMAS CLEGG, of 80, Briercliffe Road, Burnley,
aforesaid, Warp Dresser, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists of an improved means of and apparatus for breaking the
vacuum in condensing engines when stopping the engine, and may be applied
either in conjunction with a knocking-off motion or stop-gear, or may be used
independently thereof with an ordinary condensing engine, with the object of
quickly bringing the engine to a stand by breaking the vacuum, without undue
strain on the working parts.
Having this object in view, we mount on a suitable pedestal, support, or pillar
a two armed lever, the said lever being pivotted in the centre and preferably
evenly balanced. To this lever at one end is jointed a link, which is connected
to a valve, with which a steam pipe communicates from the stop valve of the
engine. The other end of the lever is linked to a sliding sleeve or cap, made, up
at the end, which slides or telescopes upon a small cylinder or tubular branch or
extension pipe communicating with the interior of the condenser. Now this cap
is perforated at the side with holes, and the said small cylinder or tubular exten-
sion as aforesaid is also perforated with side holes. When the engine is in motion,
the steam pressure from the stop valve or steam pipe, acts upon and closes the
valve, with which it communicates, thus raising that end of the said lever, and
depressing the other end, which has the effect of withdrawing the sliding cap or
sleeve, so as to bring the holes formed in such cap from proximity to the holes in
the small cylinder communicating with the condenser so as to seal such cylinder
or tubular extension pipe against admission of air into the condensing cylinder,
the pressure of steam overcoming the suction of the vacuum in such cylinder
when the engine is in motion, but on the stoppage of the engine, the supply of
steam is cut off from the steam valve in communication therewith, and the
suction of the vacuum in the condenser raises the cap or sleeve, so as to bring the
holes in such cap in a corresponding position with the holes in the small cylinder
or pipe communicating with the condenser which allows an immediate inrush of
air through such small holes into the connecting pipes to the condenser, breaking
the vacuum, and brings the engine quickly to a state of rest.
To render the apparatus more compact it is preferably enclosed or encased in an
air-tight chest or chamber, having an inlet pipe regulated by a stop cock for the
admission of air from the external atmosphere.
In the accompanying drawings, A is the two-armed lever, pivotted or balanced
upon pillar or support A', and jointed at one end by link B to the valve C capable
of sliding in the case D, formed with valve seat or flange E

page_text: When the engine is started, the steam pressure from the stop valve passes
through pipe F into the valve box D, and forces the valve C against its seat,
thereby raising one end G of the said lever, and depressing the other end H.
This latter is connected or jointed by a link J to small cap K, capable of sliding
upon small cylinder or extension pipe L, which communicates by aid of pipe M
with the condenser. When the engine is started, and the end G of the lever is
raised in the manner described, the depression of the other end H of the said
lever withdraws the perforations. in the sliding cap K from proximity to the holes
or perforation's P in the small cylinder or extension pipe L in communication with
the condenser, thereby effectually sealing the same against admission of air.
When, however, the engine' is stopped by closing the stop-valve and the steam
pressure is thereby withdrawn from the valve C, the suction of the vacuum in the
condenser instantly draws forward the cap K, until the perforations S in such
cap come opposite the perforations P in the small cylinder or extension pipe L,
the inrush of air breaking the vacuum.
The apparatus is preferably encased in an air-tight chest or chamber T to render
it more compact, the stop cock U being provided to admit air into chest, when the
apparatus is at work.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The improved construction of apparatus for breaking the vacuum-in-con--
densing engines, substantially as described, and illustrated.
-2. A lever such as A connected to a valve communicating with the engine
stop valve or steam pipe at one end, and connected at its other end to a device
for admitting air into the condenser on the stoppage of the engine, substantially
as described, and illustrated for the purpose set forth..
Dated this 20th day of February 1800
RICHMOND & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 12, Standish Street, Burnley.