IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY STEAM ENGINES, GOVERNORS, AND APPA- RATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOILERS WE WAMED Auth PAR
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hall, of the Town and County of
the Town of Nottingham, Cabinet Maker, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY STEAM ENGINES, GOVERNORS, AND APPA-
RATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOILERS WE WAMED
Auth PAR
BER
Sealed the 11th May 1853, and dated the 25th November 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hall at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 25th November 1852.
I, WILLIAM HALL, of the Town and County of the Town of
Nottingham, Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY STEAM ENGINES, GOVERNORS,
AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING BOILERS WITH WATER, AND FOR REGULA-
TING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
These Improvements consist in the better arrangement and adap-
tation of rotary steam engines by means of governors for regulating
the same, and for working the steam expansively or not, and also

page_text: for the supplying of water to boilers generally, and regulating such
supplies.
As regards the improvements in rotary steam engines, Sheet 1, of
the accompanying Drawings must be referred to, on which figures
and letters of reference are placed, shewing the peculiar construction
of the parts. Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a steam engine, with a
rotating piston and balanced abutment slide, also a valve to reverse
the engine and to work the steam expansively or not. Fig. 2, is an
end elevation of the same, the governors and fly wheel being omitted
to shew the mode of keeping the shaft central with the cylinder.
In this Figure, D, is the induction port, and F, the eduction, to
keep the shaft central with the cylinder in case of the brasses
wearing. The shaft must first be tried by the three vanes a, a, a, to
ascertain which way the wear has taken place; it is then adjusted by
three wedges, by turning the nut on or off. The cylinder and
abutment slide box is cast in. two pieces and screwed together, as
shown in this Figure. Fig. 3, is a section on the line A, B, Fig. 1.
In this Figure the manner in which the abutment slide is balanced is
shewn, as also the way by which the steam enters. The blue tint
represents the steam which enters the chamber at the top of the
slide, through the pipe O, from the port J, keeping an uniform
pressure at the top of the slide, as the piston and cylinder are subject
to that part of the expansive slide connected with the rod G. It
being now in contact with the loose part of the slide at H, I, it shuts.
the port J, leaving the steam to work expansively one fourth of the
piston's revolution; whilst the fast part carries the loose part nearly
to the bottom of the port J, when the piston will have closed the
port J, K, the momentum of the fly wheel carrying the piston on
opens the port K, and allows the steam to escape into the air, at the
same time takes off the pressure of the bottom of the abutment slide-
Y, leaving the steam at the top to force the slide down, keeping it
in contact with the piston and separates the fast part of the expan
sive slide from the loose part, thus admitting a fresh supply of
steam; the fast part then traverses up again until it comes in con-
tact with the loose part at L,M, carrying it with it into the position

page_text: it is now in; two springs at the back then hold it until the fast
part comes in contact again at H, I, when the steam is shut off, and
one revolution from the position it is now in has thus been performed..
The steam not being required to work expansively the wheel H,
must be turned round, the screw X, being turned with it, thus
shifting the top centre of the connecting rod P, nearer to the centre
O, upon which the lever N, and screw X, O, vibrate, and causes that
part of the valve which is fast to the connecting rod only to traverse.
the distance it plays in the loose part of the valve. To reverse the
engine, the wheel must be turned further round until the top centre
of the connecting rod has passed the centre O, when the tap A, (Fig.
1) must be shut, and the tap B, open to admit the steam from the
port K, which would then be the induction port in place of the
eduction; D, is a ball to counterbalance the abutment slide; Fig. 4,
is a section on the line C, D, (Fig. 2). In this Figure D, D, D, are
the wedges to adjust the shaft; A, is the part in which the abut-
ment slide works; B, is the cylinder; E, E, the port (marked J,
Fig. 3); Fig. 5, is also a section in which D, D, D, are the wedges,
C, C, C, the brasses, and F, marks the cylinder cover.
The engine
may be worked with the abutment slide at any angle from an hori-
zontal to a perpendicular line by simply having an induction port
on one side of the abutment slide box, and an eduction on the other,
doing away with the expansive slide and all its appendages. Fig. 6,
shews the abutment slide drawn to a larger scale; Fig. 7, is an end
view of the same. This slide has a recess on each side to receive a
metal packing, dividing each side into three parts, the centre one
being equal in size to the two end ones; the steam being admitted on
the bottom part of the slide passes through the port H, to the centre
port on the opposite side; then through the port N, to the top part,
as shewn in section (Fig. 3): By this arrangement one side of the
slide has the same amount of pressure as the other during the whole
of the piston's revolution, to keep each compartment of the slide.
steam tight; there are two plates of metal fitted into each recess, with.
a piece of india rubber the same width placed between them; all,
three are placed into the recess with springs at the back; the two,

page_text: plates are then screwed together tight to force the india rubber in
contact with the sides of the recess, but not so tight as to de-
stroy the effect of the springs at the back from keeping the packing
in contact with the part the slide works in. Fig. 8, shews a longi-
tudinal section of the piston, having a ring inserted in each end,
with springs at the back to keep them in contact with the cylinder
cover; the rings may be inserted square, as shewn, or conical. The
piston has a recess longitudinally to receive a packing, it being in
three lengths, and each length having two metal plates with india
rubber between them; the centre one is shaped like a wedge to keep
the two end ones in contact with the cylinder cover; they are all
placed in the recess, and behind them are fitted springs; the strongest
one under the centre is then screwed together, as in the abutment
slide. The two long pieces of packing have screws passing through
them into the body of the piston, but not so far as to prevent the
springs keeping the packing in contact with the cylinder. With
reference to the governors, the principal feature is the spring, which
passes through the top, and is fastened in the centre with a set screw,
passing through the balls on each side, fastened with set screws; the
two ends are brought together at the bottom and made fast; this
part rises in proportion to the speed at which they are driven. Figs.
9, 10, 11, are three views of the expansive slide. Fig. 9, represents
the face that works against the two ports K, and J, (see section
Fig. 3); J, is the induction port, K, the eduction, C, the loose part,
and H, the part which is fastened to the rod G (see section Fig. 3).
Fig. 10, is the face that works against the cover F, (Fig. 3), the face
of the valve. A packing is inserted in this Figure (10), to com-
pensate for the wear : F, is the eduction port, and H, the loose part.
Fig. 11, is a side view, shewing the spring fastened to the cover of
the valve box, to hold the loose part of the valve until the part which
is fastened to the rod traverses the width of the induction port J,
shewn in Fig. 9; in this valve the steam exhausts through it, but
can be worked in the ordinary way, by having a separate port and
a concave valve. Fig. 12, is a cross section of one of these engines,
with two pistons on one shaft, with their centre in a straight line

page_text: with the centre of the shaft; the cylinder and abutment slide
box are divided into two equal parts or chambers, each chamber
of the cylinder being communicative with the other through the
ports A, B; the two chambers in which the abutment slide works
have communication with each other over the top of the partition
that divides the cylinder and abutment slide box: a part of the par-
tition in the cylinder is broken off to shew the pistons. The blue
tint represents the steam. Fig. 13, is a longitudinal section on the
line E, F. Fig. 12, D, marks the partition dividing the cylinder and
the two chambers that the abutment slide works in, when the valve
a, is in the position shewn: A, is the induction port; B, the eduction.
To reverse the engine the valve a, must be drawn over the port A,
then A, will be the eduction, and B, the induction port. This engine
has a small pipe to conduct the steain from the valve box O, through
the top cover P (see Fig. 12).
The second part of my Invention relates to an apparatus for sup-
plying boilers with water, and also in regulating such supplies, and
is illustrated by Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings, where Fig.
1, represents a vertical section of such apparatus; Fig. 2, represents
the boiler; A, marks a pipe to convey the steam from the boiler to
the apparatus; B, a pipe to convey the water from the apparatus
to the boiler; E, is a valve to shut off communication from the
boiler to the chamber C; F, is a valve which opens the communi-
cation nearly at the same time from the cistern G, to the chamber
C; I, is a pipe leading from the chamber C, to the cistern G, al-
lowing the water to rise freely in the chamber C; J, is a stud pro-
jecting from the face of the valve E, through the partition A, into
the rod K; L, is also a stud projecting from the back of the valve
F, into rod K, which rod passes through a stuffing box to receive a
reciprocating motion. Supposing the two valves to have arrived to
the top of their respective chambers, and the chamber C, filled with
water in descending to the bottom of the same, the valve F; first
shuts the port b, then the port c, and the valve E, opens the ports
d, and e, which exposes the chamber C, to the same pressure as that
to which the boiler is subject, and discharges a body of water in

page_text: proportion to the height of the water in the boiler; M, is a glass
'tube to indicate the height of water.
The glass is made tight at each end with an india rubber ring
'forced in contact with the-glass by a screw acting on an iron ring of
-corresponding size and shape. At X, Fig. 1, marks a sluice pipe fur-
"nished with a stop cock; Figure 3, is a view of the partition a, (see
Fig. 1), shewing the steam and water port; the dotted lines repre-
'sent the valve E, (sec also Fig. 1). Fig. 4, is a view of the cover
N, shewing the ports c, and b; the dotted lines represent the valve
F (see Fig. 1)..
I claim the better adaptation and arrangement of rotary steam
engines, by means of governors for regulating the same, as de-
scribed; also improvements in working steam expansively or not;
and the, better arrangement in supplying boilers with water and
in regulating such supplies, as before described, and illustrated by
the accompanying Sheets of Drawings.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, filed by the said William Hall in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 25th May 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM HALL, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham,
Cabinet Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two,
in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto ine, the said William Hall, Her special
license, that I, the said William Hall, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Hall, my executors
adininistrators, 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

page_text: vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ROTARY STEAM ENGINES, GOVERNORS, AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING
BOILERS WITH WATER, AND FOR REGULATING THE SAME," upon the condi-
tion (amongst others) that the said William Hall, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, 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
iminediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Hall, 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, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon (that is to say):
The first part of my Invention relates to improvements in rotary
steam engines, and consists in certain new mechanical arrangements
and combinations of parts, by which the friction of the piston and
slides is considerably diminished, and consequently the wear and
tear attending rotary engines as hitherto constructed is by my
said Invention considerably lessened, and a saving of expense thereby
effected.
The second part of my Invention relates to the governors of steam
engines, and consists in connecting and attaching the balls thereof
to a spring, so that when such bulls are in motion the centrifugal
force thereof, according to their velocity, shall operate upon such
spring, so as to raise certain parts connected therewith, and thereby
close the throttle valve wholly or partially, the elastic force of said
spring operating so as to effect the opening of the throttle valve.
The third part of my Invention relates to apparatus for supplying
boilers with water, and to the regulating of such supply, and con-
sists in certain new mechanical arrangements and combination of
parts for effecting that object with greater certainty than by the
means hitherto employed for those purposes. And, in order to ex:

page_text: extremely well, such explanation being assisted by reference to the
illustrative Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the nu-
meral figures and letters of reference marked thereon respectively
as follows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1, Figure 1, exhibits a front elevation of a rotary engine
constructed according to my said Invention; Figure 2, is an end
elevation thereof, the governor and fly wheel being omitted, to shew
the mode of keeping the shaft central with the cylinder; Figure 3,
is a transverse and vertical section taken through the line A, B, at
Figure 1; Figure 4, is a longitudinal section taken through the
line C, D, at Figure 2; Figure 5, is a section of one of the parts
herein-after particularly described and referred to; Figure 6, is an
elevation; Figure 7, is an end view of the abutment slide, and
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, different views of parts, also herein-after referred
to; Figures 12, and 13, exhibit sectional views of another form of
rotary steam engine constructed upon the same principle as that
exhibited at Figures 1, to 11, inclusive. At each of the Figures of
this Sheet of Drawings I employ the saine letters of reference to
denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts appear or can be
seen at each of the Figures respectively. A, A', marks a casting formed
of two parts, which are connected together by bolts and nuts a, a, as
shown at Figures 1, and 2; the lower parts of the castings A, A',
are formed with chambers or channels b, c, and said castings, when
bolted together, are to be bored perfectly true and cylindrical by any
of the known means for effecting the same, and within said cylin-
drical part a circular rotating piston B, shewn at Figure 3, fits the
same, being mounted upon a shaft C, which revolves in bearings of
peculiar construction attached to the cylinder lid D, D, and herein-
after fully decrsibed; at Figures 1, 2, 3, E, marks the induction
port, and F, the eduction port; at Figure 3, G, marks a slide,

page_text: which I call an abutment slide, the same being fitted and sliding
between the inner surfaces of the parts c, c, of the casting A, A¹,
which should be planed and ground true, so as to enable the slide G,
to work steam tight therein, by constructing the slide in the manner
exhibited, at Figures 6 and 7, where G, marks a casting formed
with recesses I, I, on each side thereof, into which metal packings
2, 2, are inserted, thereby dividing each side of the slide into 3
separate parts or chambers, the centre one being equal in size to the
two end ones. H, and I, are ports for establishing a communication
between said chambers, so that upon steam being admitted to the
bottom part of the slide, it passes through the port H, to the port
or chamber on the opposite side, then through the port I, to the
top part and opposite side of the slide, as shewn in section at Figure
3. By this arrangement one side of the slide has the same amount
of pressure as the other during the whole of the piston's revolution.
To keep each compartment of the slide steam tight, there are two
plates of metal 3, 4, fitted into each recess, with a piece of india
rubber of the same width placed between said plates; these pieces
are placed in the recess with springs at the back; the two plates are
then screwed together sufficiently tight to force the india rubber in
contact with the sides of the recess, but not so tight as to destroy
the effect of the springs, which are situate at the back of the plate,
from keeping the packing in contact with the part the slide works
against. Figure 8, shows a longitudinal section of the piston drawn
to an enlarged scale, having a ring 5, inserted in each end, with
springs at the back, to keep themi in contact with the cylinder cover,
so that the ends of the piston may work steam tight within the
cylinder; the rings may be square, as shown, or of a conical shape;
the piston has a recess formed longitudinally therein to receive a
packing, which is formed in three lengths 6, 7, 8, each length being
composed of two metal plates with india rubber between them; the
centre packing 7, is shaped like a wedge; to keep the two end ones
in contact with the cylinder covers, they are then all placed in the
recess, and behind them are fitted springs 9, the strongest one
under the centre; they are then screwed together in a similar

page_text: cover
manner to the abutment slide; the two long pieces of packing have
screws 10, passing through them into the body of the piston, but not
so far as to prevent the springs keeping the packing in contact with
the cylinders. Figures 9, 10, 11, are three views of a new form of
construction of expansive slide which I propose to employ in rotary
engines; Figure.9, represents the face of the slide that works against
the parts J, and K, of the.slide box, as shown in section at Figure 3,
at which Figure, J, marks the induction, K, the eduction, L, a loose
slide situate within another slide M, attached to the rod N; Figure
10, represents that face of the slide valve which works against the
as also the packings 1, 1, which are inserted in said slide
(as exhibited at. Figure 3), to compensate for the wear thereof, and
to keep the face of the slide in close contact with the slide box;
Figure 11, is a side elevation shewing a spring 11 fastened to the
valve M, to hold the loose slide valve L, until the slide valve M, is
moved by the rod N, the width of the induction port J, shewn in
Figure 9. In this valve the steam exhausts through it, but can be
worked in the ordinary manner of working slide valves, by the use
of a separate port and concave valve. The mechanical arrangements
which I employ for imparting motion to the slides L, and M, and
for adjusting the extent of their action, is exhibited at Figures 1, 2,
and 3, where 0, 0, are brackets fixed to the casting A; the upper
ends of these brackets are formed with bearings, which support axes
attached to a casting P, to which are also connected the following
parts: Q, marks wrought iron rod which passes through holes formed
in the cross pieces x, and of the casting P, as shewn at Figure 3; one
part of this rod has a square threaded screw cut or formed thereon,
upon which is fitted a brass nut d, and to the lower end of the said
nut a pin is attached, to which is connected one end of a rod R,
the other and opposite end whereof is connected to one end of the
rod N, which works steam tight through the gland of the slide valve
box, and is connected by its other end to the slide M; S, marks a
wheel securely fixed to the rod P, and adjusted to its proper posi-
tion by the nut e; the wheel S, is employed for turning round the
screwed part of. the rod .P,.for altering the position of the nut d,

page_text: thereon, which is prevented from turning round by the slot in which
it moves; T, is a weight adjusted upon the rod Q, so as to counter-
balance the weight of the abutment slide G, which is connected to
the casting P, by the rod U, which works steam tight through the
gland of the abutment slide valve box, as shewn at Figure 3, the
lower end of the rod U, being securely connected to the abutment
slide in any convenient manner.
I would remark that in most cases I prefer using an eccentric or
crank keyed upon the driving shaft for imparting motion to the
lever P, and expansive slide connected therewith, as before men-
ționed, instead of connecting the lever P, to the abutment slide, as
before described and exhibited at Figure 3, of Sheet 1, of my
Drawings; the valve and ports being in the position exhibited at
Figure 13, and the lever P, at Figure 3; and other parts there shewn
being adapted thereto for effecting the proper movement of said
valve.
This arrangement will, however, be better understood by referring
to Sheet 4, of the Drawings hereunto annexed, where Figure 1, ex-
hibits a front elevation of a rotary engine, in which an eccentric or
crank is placed upon the driving shaft, for imparting motion to the
expansive slide before mentioned.. Figure 2, is an end elevation
thereof; the cylinder cover and valve-box cover of the engine being
removed to shew the valve, the ports, and other parts. Figure 3,
is a transverse and vertical section, taken through the line A, B, at
Figure 1. Figure 4, is a transverse and vertical section taken through
the line C, D, at Figure 2. Figure 5, shews the steam ports that
the valves work against. Figure 6, the face of the valve which is
attached to a rod for imparting reciprocating movement thereto..
Figure 7, is the face of the loose valve. Figure 8 is a section of a
portion of the governors; E, marks the eduction ports; F, ports:
leading to or from the cylinder; G', ports leading to or from the top-
of the abutment slide; H, is the induction port; I, is a crank, or it
may be an eccentric, securely fixed upon the driving shaft; K, a.
connecting rod, one end whereof is attached to the crank, and the
other end to a casting L, which is similar in its construction and
:

page_text: operation to that marked P, at Figure 2, of Sheet 1. By this ar
rangement, the rotary motion of the piston and shaft C, will produce
reciprocating movement of the casting P, and thereby impart motion
to the expansive slide, the extent of the action whereof can be altered
by adjusting the piece d, nearer to or farther from the centre p, as
before stated. With reference to Figures 2, and 3, of Sheet 1, I
would remark that for those parts of the engine exhibited at
Sheet 4, which are similar in their construction, and are em-
ployed for the same. purpose as those exhibited at Sheet 1, I
einploy the same letters of reference to denote corresponding parts
at each of the sheets where such similar parts appear, or can be seen.
It will also be seen upon referring to Sheet 4, that the construction
of the governors there exhibited differs from those exhibited at
Sheet 1, in the following respects; instead of employing the forked
lever marked 7, at Sheet 1, I employ two side levers marked ', 1',
the bottom ends whereof are attached to the spring f, and the upper
ends of said rods are connected by a cross piece to the vertical rod g,
which is attached to one end of a vibrating lever h, the other end
whereof is in connection with the throttle valve of the engine, which
will partake of the same amount of movement as the spring to which
the governor balls are attached. And, in order to maintain the
central position of the main driving shaft C, within the cylinder, and
to afford ready means of adjusting the said shaft from time to time
as the bearings or brasses which are in the cylinder covers and the
other bearing parts of the shaft become worn, I construct such parts
in the manner exhibited at Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, of Sheet 1, where f,
mark brasses which are kept in close contact with the shaft, by
wedges g, the inclined surfaces whereof fit into a taper hole formed
in the cylinder covers, as at Figure 4; and there are screws formed
upon one end of said wedges, upon which are placed nuts and
washers, which abut against the brasses and cylinder cover, as ex-
hibited at Figures 2, and 4. Thus it will be seen that, by tightening
some of the nuts h, and slackening others, the wedges g, will operate
upon the brasses so as to push them in the required direction.
order, however, to adjust the main shaft so that it shall be as near
as may be central within the cylinder, and to ascertain the direction
In

page_text: in which the wear of the brasses has taken place, I employ three
picces of metal i, i, which I attach by screws or pins to the cylinder
covers, as exhibited at Figure 2; and by turning these pieces round,
so as to present their points to the circumference of the shaft C, I
am enabled to ascertain to a nicety in which direction the brasses
have worn, and to adjust them accordingly together with the
driving shaft and parts connected thereto; V, W, mark pipes fitted
with cocks k, l, for establishing a communication between the steam
ports J, and K, and the top of the abutment slide. The operations
of this engine are as follows: The steam enters through the port J,
and pipe V, into the chamber in the abutment slide box above the
slide, thereby keeping an uniform pressure at the top of the slide, so
as to keep it in close contact with the piston, and the steam is ad-
mitted into the cylinder through the ports J and K alternately; and
assuming steam to have been admitted into the cylinder and the se-
veral parts to be in the position exhibited at Figure 3, and the slide
M, to be in contact with the loose slide L, at n, the port J, will be
shut, and thereby allow the steam within the cylinder to work ex-
pansively therein through one fourth of the piston's revolution;
during which time the slide M, carries the loose slide L, nearly to
the bottom of the port J, by which time the piston will have closed
the ports J, K, entirely, when the momentum of the fly-wheel
carrying the piston on operates upon the abutment slide G, and
parts in connection therewith, so as to open the port K, thereby al-
lowing the steam to escape into the air, and at the same time takes
off the pressure from the bottom of the abutment slide, leaving the
steam at the top thereof to force the slide down, thereby keeping it
in contact with the piston; and separates the two slides L, and M,
thereby admitting a fresh supply of steam into the cylinder; the
slide M, then moves upwards until it comes into contact with the
part O, of the slide L; the direction of the slide M, is now reversed;
but the slide L, remains stationary by pressure from the springs
and steam, until the part n, of the slide M, comes into contact with
the slide L, as shewn at Figure 3, by which the steam will be shut
off, and one revolution of the piston have been performed. When
it is not required to work the steam expansively, the screw part of

page_text: the spindle Q, must then be turned round by the wheel S, so as to
move the top centre of the connecting rod R, nearer to the centre p,
upon which the casting P, and parts attached thereto vibrate, by
which the slide M, will only traverse the distance it plays in the
loose parts of the valve L. To reverse the direction of motion of
the piston, the wheel S, and screw must be turned round until the
top centre of the connecting rod R, has passed the centre p; the tap
, at Figure 1, must then be shut, and the tap 1, opened so as to
admit the steam from the port K, which will now become the in-
duction port instead of the eduction. And in this manner, and by
these means, I effect the working and reversing of rotary steam
engines..
I would remark that this engine may be worked with the abut-
ment slide at any angle between a horizontal and perpendicular line,
by simply having an induction port on one side of the abutment
slide box, and an eduction port on the other and opposite side
thereof, and the expansive slide and appendages before mentioned
may be dispensed with. And further, this engine can be worked
either as a high pressure or low pressure engine, or as a low pressure
condensing engine; and by the mode set forth of constructing the
abutment slide, such slide during its descent has no upward pressure
exerted thercon, so that the whole pressure of the steam being ex-
erted upon the top of the slide serves to keep it in close contact
with the piston, and assists in turning it round until the slide begins
to ascend, when the bottom of the slide is then exposed to the same
pressure as the top thercof; and thus it will be seen that the piston
has the pressure of the slide to contend against in the last half of
its revolution; and to assist the upward movement of the abutment
slide it will be found desirable to form the bottom end thereof larger
than the top, so as to expose a larger surface to the action of the
stcam. And to enable such part to be readily repaired, I construct
the same in the manner exhibited at Figure 14, of Sheet 1, where
a, a, mark strips of metal screwed to each side of the slide which,
as they become worn, can be easily replaced by new pieces.
Figure, 12, exhibits a cross section of a rotary steam engine, con-
structed upon the principle of that lastly above mentioned and de-

page_text: scribed, but having two pistons instead of one, said pistons being
fixed upon one and the same shaft, with their centres in a straight
line with the centre of said shaft; the cylinder and abutment slide
box are divided into equal parts or chambers, the two chainbers of
the cylinder being in communication with each other through ports
A, B, Figure 13, and the two chambers the abutment slides work
in are in communication with each other over the top part of the
partition which separates the cylinders and the abutment slide box.
The Drawing exhibits a portion of the partition X, broken away to
shew the two pistons within the cylinder. Figure 13, is a longitu-
dinal section through the line E, F, at Figure 12. X, marks the
partition dividing the cylinder and the two chambers that the abut-
ment slide works in, when the. valve a, is in the position exhibited
at this Figure; A, is the induction port, and B, the eduction. To
reverse the direction of motion of the pistons of this engine, the
valve a, must be drawn over the port A, then B, will become the
induction, and A, the eduction port. This engine has a small pipe 9,
to conduct the steam from the valve box r, through the top cover P,
into the chambers in the abutment slide box, so as to exert pressure
upon the end of the slides.
At Sheet 2, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, exhibit several views of a
rotary engine, constructed according to my said invention and upon
the same principle as those herein-before described, but having its
coinponent parts somewhat differently arranged, as follows:-Figure
1, exhibits an end elevation of the above engines. Figure 2, a longi-
tudinal section thereof through the line A, B, at Figure 1. Figure 3,
is a transverse and vertical section through the line C, D, at Figure
2. Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, are several views of the abutment slide
of this engine, which differs but slightly from that before described
and referred to in respect of the engine exhibited at Sheet 1, at
Figures 1, 2, of Sheet 2; A, marks the induction port, B, the educ-.
tion ports; C, pipe to convey steam from the boiler to the top of:
the abutment slides; D, a handle for reversing the direction of
notion of the engine; E, index shewing the position of the slide.
valves, which cover the induction and eduction ports; F, F, are

page_text: abutment slides; G, G, cylinder; H, H, pistons working therein;
I, I, are ports for conveying steam from one side of the abutment
slides to the other. Figure 4, is a front view of said side; Figure 5
a back view; Figure 6, a section on the line E, F, at Figure 4;
Figure 7, a section on the line G, H, at Figure 4: the difference
between this engine and that exhibited at Sheet 1, consists in the
use and application of a handle D, levers and rod L, L', and screws
M, in combination with a cross bar N, the ends whereof are attached
to rods O, which work through stuffing boxes, as shewn, and are con-
nected to the slide valve P; thus it will be seen that by imparting
motion to the handle D, and screws M, M, the bar N, will also be
moved together with the slide valve P, connected thereto, and in
this manner and by these means the engine may either be reversed
or stopped; the index E, shewing the precise position of the slide
valves.
I will now proceed to describe the means by which I carry into
practice the second part of my Invention, which relates to a new
mode of constructing the governors of steam engines, as exhibited
at Figures 1, and 4, of Sheet 1, where a, marks an upright spindle
working in suitable bearings formed in the standard b; the lower
part of the spindle a, has a bevilled wheel c, fixed thereon, which
takes or gears into another bevilled wheel d, fixed upon the main
shaft C, and there is a piece of metal e, fixed to the top of the
spindle a, through which passes a steel spring f, the ends whereof
are connected to a sliding collar g, by screws 1, 1, and there are
balls h, h, attached to the spring f, by screws 2, 2. The effect of
this arrangement is as follows: upon rotary motion being imparted
to the spindle a, from the driving shaft C, and wheels c, and d;
the balls h, h, will partake of such motion, and thereby exert cen-
trifugal force upon the parts x, x, of the spring f, such force in-
creasing in proportion to the velocity at which the said balls are
moved, and this alteration of position of the balls h, h, will cause
the ends of the spring and parts connected thereto to be drawn up-
wards, as denoted by red lines at Figure 1, and such motion being
transmitted from thence to the throttle valve of the engine through
the medium of the levers i, k, so as to effect the proper opening and

page_text: closing of the throttle valve, will thereby regulate and render uni-
forin the speed of the engine; and although this mode of construct-
ing governors is exhibited as being applied to a rotary steam engine,
it will appear evident that it is equally applicable to reciprocating
engines, and will be found more efficient and less expensive than the
governors of steam engines as hitherto constructed.
I will now proceed to describe the means by which I carry into prac
tice the third and last part of my said Invention, which relates to an
apparatus for supplying boilers with water, and for regulating the
same. The arrangement and construction of the apparatus I employ
for effecting this is exhibited at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, of Sheet 3, of the
illustrative Drawings hereunto annexed: where Figure 1, represents
a vertical section of such apparatus; Figure 2, represents the boiler;
A, marks a pipe to convey the steam from the boiler to the apparatus;
B, a pipe to convey the water from the apparatus to the boiler; E,
is a valve to shut off the communication between the boiler and the
chamber C; F, is a valve which opens the communication nearly at
the same time from the cistern G, to the chamber C; I, is a pipe
leading from the chamber C, to the cistern G, allowing the water to
rise freely in the chamber C; J, is a stud projecting from the face
of the valve E, through the partition A, into the rod K; L, is another
stud projecting from the back of the valve F, into the rod K, which
rod passes through a stuffing box, and has a reciprocating motion
imparted thereto; and supposing the two valves to have arrived at
the top of their respective chambers, and the chamber C, to be filled
with water as said valves descend, the valve F, first shuts the port b,
then the port C; and the valve E, opens the ports d, and e, which
exposes the chamber C, to the same pressure as that to which the
boiler is subject, and thereby discharges a body of water propor-
tionate to the height of the water in the boiler; M, is a glass tube
to indicate the height of the water; the glass is made tight at each
end with an india rubber ring, forced in contact with the glass by a
screw acting on an iron ring of corresponding size and shape, as
exhibited at Figure 1, where a, marks a sluice pipe furnished with
a stop cock which may be opened and closed at will. Figure 3, is
an elevation of the partition marked A, (at Figure 1,) shewing the

page_text: steam and water ports; the dotted lines represent the valve E, which
covers said ports. Figure 4, is a view of the cover marked N, at
Figure 1, showing the ports c, and b; the dotted lines represent the
valve F, which covers said ports.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be and may be performed, I desire it to
be distinctly understood, that I do not claim the exclusive use of any
of the separate parts above mentioned and referred to, except in so
far as the same may be employed in combination and for the pur-
poses of my said Invention, which I hereby declare to consist in,
and I claim,-
Firstly, as of my Invention of improvements in rotary steam
engines, the mechanical combination and arrangements of parts
herein-before particularly described, set forth, and represented at the
several Figures of Sheets 1, 2, and 4, of the illustrative Drawings
hercunto annexed, and for the purposes set forth.
Secondly, I claim as of my Invention of improvements in steam
engine governors, the mechanical combinations and arrangements
of parts herein-before particularly described, set forth, and repre-
sented at Figures 1, and 4, of Sheets 1, and 4, and for the pur-
poses set forth.
Thirdly, I claim as of my Invention of improvements in appara-
tus for supplying boilers with water, and for regulating the same,
the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts herein-before
particularly described, set forth, and represented at the several
Figures of Sheet 3, of the illustrative Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hall, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
Witness,
GEO. JON. ROBINSON,
Patent Agent, Nottingham.
WILLIAM HALL (L.S.)