IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Varley, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES."
Sealed the 12th February 1867, and dated the 18th August 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
SPECIFICATION left by the said John Varley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
August 1866.
1
I, JOHN VARLEY, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES," to
be as follows:-
The nature of my Invention consists, first, in an improved combination of
machinery for regulating the traverse of cut-off valves so as to cut off the
steam at any portion of the piston's stroke; such combination of machinery
being suitable for any description of valves.
The arrangement of the valves for admitting steam into the cylinder and
for cutting off may be as follows:-The valves for admitting steam into the
cylinder are plate valves with openings or thoroughfares in them for the steam
to pass through. The cut-off valves are also plate valves, and are placed at
Price d

page_text: the back of steam valves, and the variation in the traverse of the cut-off valves
is regulated by means of the governor. To accomplish this I employ a lever
which vibrates on its centre from right to left and left to right, worked by
means of an excentric or in any other way from any suitable part of the
engine. In this vibrating lever a screw is fixed in the direction of its length;
on this screw I place a block or nut which traverses up and down the screw
as the engine varies in speed; to this block or nut levers are attached which
couple to cut-off valve either by means of a rack and pinion or by other levers
and link. The position of this block or nut on the screw in the vibrating
lever determines the part of the piston's stroke at which the steam is cut off
in the cylinder.
The action of the governor is as follows:-When the engine varies in
speed the governor is made to act upon a lever so constructed as to raise or
depress two flat circular discs, one placed above the other, bringing them
alternately into contact with a pulley placed on a horizontal hollow shaft, in
which shaft a screw is fixed on which the pulley is free to travel by means of
a nut fixed in the pulley. This hollow shaft is geared into the shaft on which
the vibrating lever is fixed by means of bevil wheels. When the engine is at
its. proper speed the discs are kept clear of the pulley, but if the
engine varies in speed the governor acting on the lever raises or depresses
the discs, and brings them into contact with the pulley which causes it to
revolve and traverse on the screw in the hollow shaft to and from the centre
of the discs, which by means of gearing imparts a quicker or slower
motion to the screw in the vibrating lever, and regulating the cut off
accordingly.
Secondly, my Invention consists in placing a casing all round the cylinder
and cylinder covers so as to have them entirely surrounded by steam, thereby
preventing condensation and equalizing the expansion and contraction of work-
ing cylinder. I also place the steam valves in the inside of the casing and on
the shell of cylinder, which brings the valves close to their work.
My Invention also relates to the construction of such valves and the method
of working them. The steam valves may be piston valves, the pistons being
stationary and fitted with metallic rings, the cylinder or shell sliding over the
piston rings; or I can employ what are termed double-beat equilibrium valves
or the ordinary plate valves as mentioned above.
The exhaust valves are similar in construction and arrangement to those
shewn in the Specification of my Patent (No. 66) dated January 15th, 1858,
with this exception that I can place these either on the outside or inside of
cylinder. The steam valves are worked by a cam or tappet so regulated by

page_text: the governor that they will cut off the steam at any part of the piston's
stroke.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in an arrangement of valves for vertical
cylinders termed gridiron valves, such valves being worked on their side and
sliding longitudinally in front of the thoroughfares, thereby lessening the
steam chambers; also in using a double cam to work the said valves, which
gives them two motions each way, one motion for applying the steam and the
other for cutting off, thereby enabling us to obtain a full area of port and to
cut off the steam at any portion of the piston's stroke by the action of the
governor. I can also use a single variable cam (of the same speed as the
engine) to work the said valves, and close them by a weight or spring. Where
a double cam is used the cam shaft is driven at half the speed of the engine,
but by using a pair of excentric wheels we vary the speed and apply the steam
either quicker or slower. I can use this description of valve for horizontal
engines by placing the valves vertically. They are also applicable to marine
engines, the expansion being regulated by hand when the engines are
working.
Fourthly, my Invention consists in an improvement in compound engines
for marine service. The steam is exhausted from the high-pressure cylinder
to the low-pressure cylinder at one side of the piston only, the other side
being open to the atmosphere. At the open end of the cylinder I have a
trunk or casing sliding close to the cylinder, and kept steam-tight by means
of metallic rings or packing. I intend to use any of my new arrangement of
valves which can easily be adapted to this arrangement.
Fifthly, my Invention consists in an improvement in locomotive steam
engines. I place the cylinder between the wheels, and work the piston rod
through at both ends; connecting rods are attached to each end of piston rod
and coupled to the wheels in the usual manner. I also employ an air pump
and condenser so arranged that they can easily be detached while the engine
is working, and if more power is required they can be brought into action
again. The air-pump is worked by means of a non-excentric fixed on a cone,
and made so as to slide on the cone, thereby bringing the air pump in or out
of action. By these means I save steam and gain an increase of power. I
also use a parallel motion instead of the customary slides, saving a great
amount of friction.
Sixthly, my Invention consists in an improvement in air pumps for hori-
zontal and vertical engines. I cast or plant the hot well upon the top of the
air pump; in the hot well one or more thoroughfares are cast; in these thorough-
fares we can place the delivery valves, or by placing the delivery valves in

page_text: the air pump cover these thoroughfares can be used as receivers for vapour,
which would act as a cushion to the air pump itself. By having an arm
planted on the crank pin to which the air pump rod would couple, it very
much simplifies the present arrangement of air pump for horizontal engines
and brings the pump into a vertical position.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Varley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
February 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
VARLEY, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Varley, Her special licence that I, the said John Varley, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Varley, my 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
STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Varley, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain 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 John Varley, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say:-
The first part of my Invention consists in various arrangements of levers in
connection with the governor for varying the traverse of the cut-off or expan-
sion valves.
The second part of my Invention is an arrangement for working the exhaust
from the cross head centre thereby, the exhaust being open
at

page_text: termination.
TomaminG open unch nearly
Ե
The third part of my Invention consists in placing a casing all round the
cylinder, and connected to both cylinder covers in horizontals in vertical
cylinders to the cover and bottom by means of thoroughfares so as to sur-
round the cylinder entirely with steam, which will prevent condensation and
equalize the expansion and contraction of the cylinder. I also place the steam
valves inside the casing on the shell of the cylinder, which brings them close
to their work.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in an arrangement of valves termed
gridiron valves, such valves being worked on their side and sliding longi-
tudinally over the thoroughfares, thereby greatly lessening the steam chambers;
also in using a double cam, or if requisite a single one to work the said valves,
which gives them two motions each way, one motion for applying the steam
and the other for cutting it off, thereby enabling me to obtain full area of port.
The cam shaft is driven at half speed, but by placing a pair of eccentric wheels
on the driving shaft and driven shaft I vary the speed and apply the steam
either quicker or slower as required.
The fifth part of my Invention consists in an improvement in air pumps for
horizontal and vertical engines. I cast or plant the hot well upon the
top of the air pump. In the hot well one or more thoroughfares are cast; in
these thoroughfares I can place the delivery valves, or by placing the valves
on the air pump cover, these thoroughfares can be used as receivers for vapour,
which will act as a cushion for the air pump. By having an arm planted or
forged on the crank pin to which I couple the air pump connecting rod very
much simplifies the present arrangement of air pump gearing for horizontal
engines.
In order, however, that my Invention may be the better understood
reference is made to the six accompanying Sheets of Drawings and the letters
and figures marked thereon, similar letters representing similar parts in the
various views, that is to say: -
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Drawing No. 1, Figures 1 and 2, are elevations of the levers referred to
as the first part of my Invention.
a is the moveable fulcrum of the lever b, which is connected by the rod c
to the governor. As the engine runs faster or slower so the action of the
governor causes through the connection the fulcrum a to move to and from
the centre c, giving the centre d either more or less traverse. e is the cut-off

page_text: valve or expansion valve spindle. The centre C is connected with an eccen-
tric or cam driven from the crank shaft or any other convenient part of
the engine.
Figures 3 and 4 show another arrangement. a is the moveable centre con-
nected to the governor by the rod b which moves from the centre c, exactly
as shown. In Figures 5 and 6 are another arrangement. The centre a is
stationary, the centre c to which the eccentric or cam is coupled being moved
to and from the centre d by the rod b in connection with the governor, the
action being the same as in Figures 1 and 2. In all these arrangements I can
either work the moveable fulcrums by levers, screws, or any mechanical
equivalent thereof connected with the governor.
Figures 7 and 8 show an arrangement of mechanism for working the lever a,
Figure 3.
In Drawing No. 2 letters A denote the two revolving discs connected and
driven by wheels F and G from any convenient part of the engine. B is the
pulley traversing to and from the centre c by means of nut d and screw e
(vide Figure 8, Drawing No. 1). The screw e is held fast, the nut d revolving
on the screw, and traversing the roller or pulley b to and from the centre c.
When the engine is running at its proper speed the pulley b is stationary,
but should the engine run too quick the pulley b will traverse towards the
centre c, causing the required variation in the traverse of the cut-off or expan-
sion valve to be so arranged as to cut the steam off at an earlier part of the
stroke of the piston. The motion required to vary the position in which the
piston is when the steam is cut off at an earlier period of the stroke should be
slower than when the steam is cut off at a later period of the stroke, which
motion I arrive at by this arrangement. When the pulley b has traversed to
either the centre or the circumference of the discs A there are two recesses
on the disc A, by which means it is thrown out of gear, but immediately upon
the motion being reversed by the lever i connected to the governor the other
disc comes into gear and reverses the motion.
Figure 9, Drawing No. 1, is a section of a valve box shewing cut-off
valves with right and left-hand screws to which I can apply the arrangement
shewn in Figures 7 and 8 by coupling the shaft h, Figure 7, to the centre a
of the worm in Figure 9. I can apply the arrangement shewn in Figures 7
and 8 to move the centres in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Figure 10 is a
section of a valve shewing valves to which I apply the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6.
Drawing No. 2, Figures 1 and 2, are a plan and elevation of an arrange-
ment for varying the traverse of the cut-off and expansion valves; d is a lever

page_text: in which a screw b is fixed, on which a nut or block c is placed, to which the
rods d, d, are attached connected to the levers e, e, on the same centres of
levers that e, e, are either segments or other levers and links connected to the
valves inside the valve box. The screw b has a ratchet wheel g on the top.
When the engine is running the correct speed the ratchet wheel g passes
through the double catch or click h; should the engine vary in speed the
double catch h is thrown in gear by means of levers connected with the
governor, thus traversing the nut or block c up or down as required, the
effect of which is, the levers e, e, vibrate more or less, so giving the cut-off
valves the requisite motion for cutting off the steam sooner or later; j is the
rod attached to an eccentric or cam worked from any convenient part of the
engine.
Figure 3 shows the same worked by the arrangement of mechanism shewn
in Drawing No. 1, Figures 7 and 8, the shaft h being geared to the bottom of
the screw b in the lever a by means of the bevel wheels m, m.
Figure 4 is the improved arrangement for working the exhaust valve; a is
a pulley fixed on the cross head centre; b the lever upon which it works; c, c,
d, d, are levers and links connecting the lever b with the rod of the valves; the
pulley a acts upon the lever b near the extremity of each stroke, so causing the
exhaust valve to have a very quick motion.
Drawing No. 3, Figure 1, is an elevation shewing the casing A all round
the cylinder, which is connected with the cylinder covers by the thoroughfares
b, b. In this view are shown for the steam valves what are commonly called
the double-beat equilibrium valves c, c.
Figure 2 is the same elevation with my improved equilibrium piston valve,
consisting of two metallic rings a, a, enclosed in the cylinder b and plates c, c,
which plates are held in their position by a stud d secured in the valve
seating e; the cylinder brests upon the seating e. I purpose working the
equilibrium valves with variable cams connected with the governor.
Figures 3 and 4 are elevation and section plan of a cylinder with the steam
or admission valve and the cut-off or expansion valve at the back worked by
In these
the same arrangements as shewn in the Drawings Nos. 1 and 2.
cylinders all the valves are placed on the shell of the cylinder inside the casing,
the steam for supplying the cylinder being admitted at the bottom of the
cylinder casing.
Drawing No. 4, Figures 1 and 2, are sectional elevation and plan of cylinder
and side pipes arranged for my improved gridiron valves. a is the plate I
place between the cylinder and side pipes so that I have a perfect straight

page_text: facing on both cylinder and side pipes; b is the steam valve seen in Figure 2
working on one side; c, the exhaust working on the other side.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of side pipes shewing how the valves are
worked. a is the hollow upright shaft upon which are placed the stationary
steam cams. The moveable cut-off cams c, c, have a long boss c¹, in which
there is a diagonal slot d. Should the engine vary in speed the rod j connected
to the governor raises or lowers the pin e, thus causing the cut-off cam c to
act upon the pullies g sooner or later, as required. h, h, are the eccentric
wheels for driving the upright shaft a. By this means I can apply the steam
either quicker or slower as required. The exhaust I intend working by a
lever of the horse-shoe description, as shown in Figure 4, and applying links
and levers.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of side pipes. I can apply this arrange-
ment to the present side pipes that are now made for the common D-valve
with very little alteration.
Drawing No. 6 presents views of an arrangement for single-motion way by
means of a variable cam. I can work the gridiron valve with a single motion,
that is to say, with one motion in each direction instead of a double one, the
expansion being effected by a variable cam (vide Figure 6), and the return
stroke may be accomplished by the aid of a spring or a weight placed in any
convenient position.
Drawing No. 5, Figures 1 and 2, are elevations showing the connection of
the air pump connecting rod with the crank pin. In Figure 1 there is a
partial section of the air pump shewing the thoroughfares for the delivery
valves. a is a short lever connected to or forged on the crank pin; b is the
air pump connecting rod. By this arrangement I greatly simplify the necessary
gearing required to work the air pump for horizontal engines; c, c, are the
openings; d, d, the delivery valves, or I can place the delivery valves on the
air pump cover and use the space e, e, in Figure 3 as receivers for vapour,
which will act as a cushion for the air pump. This class of air pump is appli-
cable to all descriptions of engines.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details shown, as they may be varied
or modified without departing from the peculiar character thereof, but what
I claim as and of my Invention is,-
Firstly, the various arrangements of levers for varying the traverse of valves
as herein described.

page_text: Secondly, an arrangement to work the exhaust from the crosshead centre,
as herein described.
Thirdly, casting a casing all round the cylinder, placing the valves inside
the casing on the shell of the cylinder and thoroughfares, connecting the
cylinder covers and bottom with the casing, as herein described, the novelty
consisting not in the casing, as steam jackets have long been used, though in
the present case connecting the casing around the cylinder with the ends or
covers may be regarded as a feature of novelty in itself, but I wish especially
to draw attention to the combination of the steam jacket with the internal
arrangement of valves.
Fourthly, an arrangement of gridiron valves, and the method of working the
same, as herein described.
Fifthly, improvements in air pumps and the method of working the same
for horizontal engines as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Varley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,.
PHILIP H. SHARP,
Patent Agent.
Leeds and Bradford.
JOHN VARLEY. (L.S.)