Improvement in Apparatus for Restraining and Governing Propeller Engines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Apparatus for Restraining and Governing
Propeller Engines.
JAMES YORKE 7 Park Quadrant Glasgow, no calling, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My method is an automatic machine wrought by a screw spring of sufficient
diamr. and strength to shut the valve or valves of steam pipes leading to cylinders
of steam engines. To keep the valve or valves open a plunger in cylinder receives
on its bottom or end the normal pressure of the sea water maintaining an open
valve or valves. For this purpose I lay a frame of cast or other suitable metal on
a level floor close on roof of tunnel shaft to which is bolted a horizontal cylinder
open at stern end, and laid fore and aft-
-as near propeller as convenient. Within
this cylinder is a plunger of similar size and hollow make closed at ends, the end
nearest propeller being exposed to the sea by water tight chambers from sides of
vessel. A piston or connecting rod is bolted to plunger the other end being
connected to steam valve. At the fore or inner end of plunger is bolted a screw
spring the other end of spring being bolted to a resistance bracket.
The spring is regulated so as to operate and begin to shut the valve when there
is from one foot to six inches of water above periphery of propeller, or more or less
if required, and to be regulated by the spring. Steam will be entirely shut off
when the propeller becomes exposed three inches. On the vessel recovering the
reverse will occur.
Dated this 26th day of May 1893.
JAMES YORKE,
7, Park Quadrant, Glasgow.
Improvement in Apparatus for Restraining and Governing
Propeller Engines.
I, JAMES YORKE, of 7 Park Quadrant, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Gentleman, 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 relates to improvements in apparatus for restraining and governing
propeller engines and consists in the employment of an automatic acting machine
or apparatus which is regulated by the pressure of the sea water, in such a manner
as to prevent the engine or engines from racing.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 are part sectional plan and elevation respectively of an apparatus
constructed according to my said invention.
Referring to the said drawings I employ a metal frame or soleplate A which is
suitably mounted above the propeller shaft B, and as far aft as found most suit-
able and convenient, though if desired the said soleplate A may be mounted under
or alongside the shaft B or its tunnel. The said soleplate A has a strong metal
cylinder C mounted upon it. Within this cylinder C I place a plunger or piston D
37

page_text: the rod E of which is connected by any suitable arrangement of connecting rod or
rods, levers or cranks to the steam or vacuum valves of the engine or engines to
be governed. The said piston D is open on its one side to the pressure of the sea
water by means of the passages or pipes F, and F¹, each of which extend from the
side of the vessel to the cylinder C'as shown, that is to say, the pipes F and F' are
joined or formed into one passage F which may be provided with a suitable stop
sea-water cock f, so that the apparatus may be put out of or into action as
required.
The front end of the said piston D is connected to and actuated by a helical
spring arrangement G which is weighted to the desired amount of pressure that is
necessary to shut the valve or valves of the engine or engines; said spring G being
suitably fixed and mounted to the end of the piston D and to the bracket or
standard a as shown. The piston rod E which is fixed to the piston D passes
through the spring G, bracket a and bracket a', between the latter of which it is
provided with a buffer spring arrangement H operating in such a manner as to
lessen the shocks caused by the sudden action of the piston D. The said shocks
may also be lessened by providing each end of the cylinder C with an india-rubber
or other washer against which the piston D would impinge.
The whole arrangement and action of the foregoing is such, that, supposing the
spring G is set to 1000 lbs. of pressure on the bottom or back of the piston D when
in its normal position as shown, with the pressure of the water acting on the back
of the piston D, the valve or valves of the engine or engines would remain open,
but on the pressure of the sea water becoming less, owing to the stern of the vessel
rising in the water, the spring G would come into action and so force back the
piston D and by so doing shut the valve or valves of the engine or engines, and
vice versa.
The apparatus though shown mounted in the horizontal plane in the drawings,
may also be mounted in the vertical plane. The spring G may be regulated so as
to correspond with the pressure or height of water acting on the piston of a cylinder
of a smaller or greater diameter the cylinder C as shown. The means for con-
necting the piston rod E to the valve or valves of the engine or engines will vary
according to the size or style of the vessel in which my apparatus is employed.
Also in accordance with my invention I may if desired, employ two or more
cylinders and pistons mounted either alongside each other, above each other, or in
ine with each other according as is required for certain vessels.
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 :-
1st. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts
constituting the means for restraining and governing propeller engines, substan-
tially as and for the purposes herein before described and shown in the accompanying
drawings.
2nd. In propeller engine governors, the arrangement of the cylinder C, piston D,
spring G, piston rod E and connections, with water leading pipes or passages F
and F', or any mere modification of such arrangement, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of February 1894.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.