IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND IN SLIDE AND EXPANSION VALVES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nicholas Procter Burgh, of No. 80, Cornhill, in the
City of London, Consulting Marine Engineer, President of the Institution of
Marine Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER
MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND IN SLIDE AND EXPANSION VALVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nicholas Procter Burgh at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1876.
NICHOLAS PROCTER BURGH, of No. 80, Cornhill, in the City of London, Con-
sulting Marine Engineer, President of the Institution of Marine Engineers. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND IN SLIDE AND
EXPANSION VALVES."
This Invention has for its object economy in the use of the steam, gas, or fluid, the
reduction of working parts and of weight of material, and of the space occupied
by the motive machinery.
·
My Invention consists, firstly, as follows:-The cylinder is of the ordinary kind
cast with or bolted to the main frame, projecting from the main frame is a smaller
cylinder which is open at both ends so that an annular space is formed between
the two cylinders. Within the annular space is placed a piston formed with a
cylinder that surrounds the smaller cylinder herein-before alluded to.
The piston
cylinder is closed at one end and, attached to that end is the connecting rod that
drives the crank pin, by which plan the usual guides and guide blocks are dispensed
with. Attached to the back end of the largest cylinder is a fourth or cover
cylinder that surrounds the piston cylinder, which latter cylinder is guided by
sinall projections on itself and the cover cylinder. I prefer to cast the framing
as a box, in which is contained the cranks and a portion of the shaft, or the frame
may be otherwise suitably arranged. The annular piston may be fitted inside and
outside with spring rings of any kind, or packing and gland or glands with
studs or nuts may be used. Or the piston may be made solid, or the piston cylinder
may be bored out to work for the whole length of the stroke of the piston upon
the small frame cylinder. Any number of cylinders can be cast or bolted to the
frame that supports the crank shaft. The slide valve casing also can bo cast with or
bolted to the cylinders.

page_text: My Invention consists, secondly, in the arrangement of the slide valves, which
are cylindrical and therefore equilibrium and formed with ports of suitable dimen-
sions. In the case of using expansion gear the expansion valve is cylindrical also,
and works inside the main valve. The steam ports of the latter may or may not
surround the expansion valve. These valves can be used for any class of engine,
so much so that old engines can be fitted with them. The object of these valves
is to control the stean, gas, or fluid economically by a full supply, sudden cut off,
maximum expansion, and complete exhaustion, the steam ports are so arranged
that time is taken into consideration of the relative motion of the valves to that of
the piston. By the valves being equilibrium valves in all cases the power necessary
to work them is reduced to a minimum.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Nicholas Procter Burgh in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
October 1876.
NICHOLAS PROCTER BURGH, of No. 80, Cornhill, in the City of London, Con-
sulting Marine Engineer, President of the Institution of Marine Engineers. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES, AND IN SLIDE AND
EXPANSION VALVES."
My Invention has for its object economy in the use of the steam, gas, or fluid used,
the reduction of the number of working parts and of the weight of material, and of
the space occupied by the motive machinery.
In order that the nature of my Invention and in what it consists may be clearly
understood this Specification is accompanied by a Sheet of Drawings, having
figures and letters of reference marked thereupon, the like letter being used to
denote a similar or corresponding part in each Figure.
In these Drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of three of my improved
engines, one of which is for the sake of clearness more particularly herein-after
described.
In Figure 1 the three engines are shown arranged side by side in combina-
tion.
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of one of my engines and valves.
Figure 3 is a plan partly complete and partly in section of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a complete side clevation of a two cylinder arrangement.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of a single slide valve, a portion of the cylinders,
crank shaft, and bearing, also an arrangement of link motion for working the slide
valve at the back or top of casing.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of two improved valves and casing for a double
acting engine.
Figure 7 is a transverse section of Figure 6.
My Invention consists, firstly, as follows:-The cylinder A is of the ordinary kind,
cast with or bolted to the main frame B, projecting from the main frame is a
smaller cylinder C, which is open at both ends so that an annular space D is formed
between the two cylinders A and B. Within the annular space D is placed a
piston E formed with a cylinder F that surrounds the smaller cylinder Cherein-
before alluded to. This piston cylinder F is closed at one end, and attached to
that end is the connecting rod G that drives the crank pin H, by which plan the
usual guides and guide blocks are dispensed with. Attached to the back end of the
largest cylinder A is a fourth or cover cylinder I that surrounds the piston cylinder F,
which latter cylinder is guided by small projections on itself and the cover
cylinder, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. I propose to cast the frame B as a box

page_text: in which is contained the cranks J'and a portion of the shaft K, or the frame can
be otherwise suitably arranged, the annular piston E may fitted inside and out-
side with springs of any kind, or packing and gland or glands with studs or nuts
may be used.
Or the piston E may be solid, or the piston F may be bored
out to work for the whole length of the stroke of the piston E upon the small
frame cylinder C. Any number of cylinders can be cast or bolted to the frame B
that supports the crank shaft K. The side valve casings L also can be cast with
or bolted to the cylinders. The exhaust passages for two or more cylinders may be
connected with each other instead of being separate, as shown.
My Invention consists, secondly, in the arrangement of the slide valves M, which
are cylindrical, and therefore equilibrium, and formed with ports N of suitable
dimensions. In the case of using expansion gear the expansion valve O is cylin-
drical also, and works inside the main valve M. The steam ports N. of the latter
may or may not surround the expansion valve O. These valves as described and
illustrated may be used for any class of engine; so much so that old engines can be
fitted with them. The object of these valves is to control the steam, gas, or
fluid economically by a full supply, sudden cut off, maximum expansion, and
complete exhaustion. The steam ports N are so arranged that time is taken into
consideration of the relative motion of the valve to that of the piston. By the
valves being equilibrium valves in all cases the power necessary to work them is
reduced to a minimum.
The action of this engine may be thus described, taking Figure 2 as an example
of its action, in each case steam entering the annular space D through the ports N
drives the piston E from the beginning of its stroke to the end, the valve M cutting
off the steam at any point of the stroke as may be agreed upon. The steam that is
within the annular space D then escapes through the body of the valve M, to the
opposite end of the cylinder A, the piston being supposed to be at the end of its
stroke then. The steam thus operates on the entire area of the piston E and the
cylinder A and impels the piston by expansion only. At the termination of the
pistons return exhaustion occurs. The steam can be used a second time in a
second cylinder of suitable dimensions, and also in a third, fourth, or greater number
of cylinders if required instead of exhausting into the atmosphere or condenser.
Should a high grade of expansion be required the expansion valve O is introduced,
which may be worked by gear of any suitable kind. In cases where an expansion
valve is not required the valve P as shown in Figure is applied with its link
motion Q, which may be arranged as shown, but I do not confine myself to that
exact form. The valves R and S, and casing T, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, are an
improved arrangement for supplying steam at both ends of the cylinder, but I do
not confine myself to that exact arrangement of steam ports, but may make them
as shown for the valve M, in Figure 2. In all these engines the cylinders may be
jacketted, lagged, or clothed as may be found most suitable.
I do not confine myself to the exact proportions or dimensions as shown, but
may whilst retaining the features of my Invention vary these proportions as may
be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is effected, I wish it to be understood that
what I claim as of my Invention, and desire to secure by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is-
Firstly. The arrangement as described in this Specification and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings of a single acting compound engine, either to be use:]
alone, or in combination with one, two, or more engines of the same kind, and of
suitable proportions thereto.
Secondly. The so combining and using two or more engines in the manner and
for the purposes described.
Thirdly. I claim the herein described arrangements of cylinders and pistons for
the more efficient expansion of steam than has hitherto been accomplished.
"

page_text: Fourthly. I claim also the arrangements of valves and ports as described and
.illustrated in Figures 2, 5, 6, and 7.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nicholas Procter Burgh, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
N. P. BURGH. (L.S.) ].