Improvements in the Construction of Steam Capstans.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 8th Dec. 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Steam Capstans.
I, JOHN WALTER BROOKE, of the Adrian Iron Works, Lowestoft, in the County
of Suffolk, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to manufacture a compact and convenient form
and arrangement of capstan, to be worked by steain, especially suitable for use on
sea-going vessels, but also adapted to other positions and uses.
In carrying out my invention, I use a stationary vertical spindle, which may be
either solid or tubular, and formed in one with or otherwise firmly supported by
the pawl pan or lower plate.
The bed plate for the engines is formed in one with, or otherwise united to the
upper end of the spindle. The cylinder or cylinders, crank-shaft, valves and other
motor gear, are mounted upon the engine bed plate, and are preferably of the
horizontal direct action type. Suitable provisions are made in or attached to the
upper and lower plates, for guiding the barrel of the capstan, and fitting the same
with ball or roller bearings and pawls or ratchet teeth.
The revolving barrel of the capstan is constructed of iron, and suitably fitted with
wooden whelps; and the upper end of the barrel carries the bevel or crown wheel,
which is driven by a bevel or other pinion, fitted to the crank shaft.
In the annular space surrounding the stationary spindle, I fit a tubular condenser,
which may consist of a single coil of pipe; or of a number of tubes fitted to tube
plates, and chambers at each end; or of an annular cylinder fitted with tubes. The
eduction steam is carried to this condenser, and the condensed water is carried down
to the feed water to dilute, the same and reduce the saturation of the water in the
boiler.
The steam pipe from the boiler to the engine is also enclosed in the same annular
space, and suitably lagged.
In order to increase the efficiency of the condenser, I sometimes form slots in the
barrel of the capstan, to allow the free passage of air into and from the annular space.
Or openings may be made in the upper and lower plates for the passage of induced
currents of air, for the same purpose.
Provision is also made for working the capstan by hand.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Steam Capstans.
I, JOHN WALTER BROOKE, of the Adrian Iron Works, Lowestoft, in the County
of Suffolk, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
The object of my invention is to manufacture a compact and convenient form and
arrangement of capstan, to be worked by steam, especially suitable for use on sea-
going vessels, but also adapted to other positions and uses.
In carrying out my invention I use a stationary vertical spindle, which may be
either solid or tubular, and formed in one with or otherwise firmly supported by the
pawl pan or lower plate.

page_text: The bed plate for the engines is formed in one with, or otherwise united to the
upper end of the spindle. The cylinder or cylinders, crank-shaft, valves and other
motor gear, are mounted upon the engine bed plate, and are preferably of the
horizontal direct action type. Suitable provisions are made in or attached to the
upper and lower plates, for guiding the barrel of the capstan, and fitting the same
with ball or roller bearings and pawls or ratchet teeth.
The revolving barrel of the capstan is constructed of iron, and suitably fitted with
wooden whelps; and the upper end of the barrel carries the bevel or crown wheel,
which is driven by a bevel or other pinion, fitted to the crank shaft.
In the annular space, surrounding the stationary spindle, I fit a tubular condenser,
which may consist of a single coil of pipe or of a number of tubes fitted to tube
plates and chambers at each end; or of an annular cylinder fitted with tubes. The
eduction steam is carried to this condenser, and the condensed water is carried down
to the feed water to dilute the same and reduce the saturation of the water in the
boiler. The steam pipe from the boiler to the engine is also enclosed in the same
annular space, and suitably lagged.
In order to increase the efficiency of the condenser, I sometimes form slots in the
barrel of the capsian, to allow the free passage of air into and from the annular space.
Or openings may be made in the upper and lower plates for the passage of induced
currents of air, for the same purpose.
Provision is also made for working the capstan by hand.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawing, which is an elevation of my
invention, partly in section.
a a are the steam cylinders, having the steam and exhaust passages cast in one
therewith. is the capstan head, to which the cylinders are bolted.
c is the crown
wheel. is the iron revolving barrel of the capstan having holes-m_m_for hand
spikes; n n are the wooden whelps fixed round the barrel d. e is the wrought iron
spindle carried by the pawl-pan f. ggare the pawls and bolts. is the induction
steam pipe, carrying steam to the cylinders a a. i is the eduction coil, which coil is
carried outside the spindle e and forms a condenser for the eduction steam. Ball
bearings and rollers k k are provided to reduce friction.
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. In the construction of steam capstans, the utilization of the annular space
between the spindle e and the revolving barrel d for, and the combination therewith
of, the steam pipe h and condenser coil i, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by the drawing.
2. The general construction, combination, and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together constituting my improvements in the construction of steam
capstans substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 8th December 1890.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.