Improvements in Steam Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 20th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 20th July, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Engines.
- ASHTON BURGESS, of Prospect House, Coalbrookdale, in the County of
Shropshire, Mechanical Engineer. I do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in that type of steam engines, which are
furnished with reversing gear suitable for winding, rolling, and all other types of
reversing engines. Also all other engines which require to be frequently stopped
and their direction of motion to be reversed, or other engines that have to work
intermittently when connected to a condenser. The said improvements are also
particularly suitable for being applied to such reversing engines or other types,
when the said engines are furnished with condensers.
The objects of this invention are as follows.
First. To prevent motion being given to the engines by the action of the vacuum
in the steam cylinders, when such engines are required to remain standing, and to
obtain the full benefit of the vacuum in the condenser, on the steam pistons
immediately the engines are started in either direction.
Second. To efficiently drain both ends of the cylinders during the time occupied
in standing, so that the full pressure of the steam may be available on recommencing
to work.
Third. To prevent waste of steam through the drain pipes when the engines are
working.
Fourth. To do these several duties by efficiently working the existing drain taps
in existing engines, operating them automatically by rod connections to the
reversing lever of engines, so that when the said lever is in the position proper for
stopping the engines, the drain taps shall be all open and both sides of the pistons
wholly or if desired partially relieved of all pressure, and the action of the vacuum
in the cylinders wholly destroyed whilst the engines are standing, and at the same
time the full vacuum is being constantly maintained in the condenser, which when
the engines are started in either direction the available full vacuum immediately
acts upon the engines.
Fifth. To do these duties without any attention or inconvenience to the engine
attendant.
I attain these objects as hereafter described.
Having now stated the nature of my invention, I will proceed to explain more
fully, with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will also point out the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is an outline elevation of the said arrangement
hewing the engines, reversing lever A and reversing shaft A. Fig. 2 is an outline
olan shewing parts of the engine in combination with the said arrangement and its
actuating gear. Fig. 3 is a transverse view of same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal
ection, and Fig. 5 is a plan in detail to an enlarged scale of a multiple slide valve
for controlling the action of the system of drain pipes to accomplish the objects set
forth, and to be more fully described hereafter. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are sectional
levation and plan of an alternative valve or tap arrangement which may be used
nstead of the multiple slide valve, and Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are elevation and plan
espectively of a second alternative tap arrangement which may be used instead of
he parts shewn by the other details, (if preferred).
In existing engines these devices are not required, the only alteration wanted is

page_text: to connect each drain tap to the reversing-shaft by rods and levers as shewn in the
general arrangements Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 of the said drawings.
Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 general views in outline with similar parts
figured and lettered alike.
A is the reversing lever and A' the reversing shaft. I fix on this shaft in
suitable position to work tho drain valve a small lever B with rod C connected to
its bottom end and carrying its motion to the multiple slido valve D through the
stuffing box D¹ or to the five way tap Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, or to the system of four
taps Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 when either of these two latter arrangements are preferred
instead of the multiple slide valve shewn by Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
These three devices are so arranged that when the reversing lever A is infits
vertical position, or is in the required position to stop the engines, the drain pipes
leading from either of the said devices to both ends of the cylinders are all open
and in communication either with the condenser or open to the air, by which means
the cylinders are all effectually drained while the engines are standing, and motion
which may otherwise be given to the engines when standing by the action of the
vacuum from the condenser, is prevented, by the pressure being removed by this
draining arrangement simultaneously from each side of the pistons.
As soon as the reversing lever A is placed in the proper position for giving motion
to the main valves of the engines, and so to cause the said engines to commence
working either in the forward or the backward direction the lever B receives the
motion given by the said lever A through the shaft A¹ and is moved either to the
right or to the left and gives motion to the rod C and this movement actuates-
the multiple slide valve D. The said slide valve then covers the ports E E¹ E
&E and communication between the opposite sides of the main steam pistons and.
cylinder ends is cut off, so that steam cannot pass through the drain pipes to the
main exhaust ports and be wasted in this manner, but its full pressure is available.
for doing the required work. At the same time the communication between the
opposite sides of the main pistons is cut off. The available vacuum from the
condenser is immediately acting upon the exhaust side of the steam pistons, thereby
obtaining a full pressure of steam on one side of the steam pistons, and a full vacuum
on the other, which is the object I have in view. And this closing of the ports-
leading from the drain pipes is effected whether the reversing lever A is placed in
the position proper for working the engines in a backward or forward direction,
because the end D2 and the bars D³ D* D* D° and the end D' of the multiple slide
valve D would be so moved that D² shewn in the drawing Fig. 4 as out of use would
after the said movement be so placed that it would cover the port E shown in the
drawing to be covered by the bar D³ and this bar D³ would slide over and cover
the port E and so on through the system as required. The exhaust port E* is
always either full or partially open, so that any slight leak of steam may pass away.
A similar action takes place when either of the other devices shown at Fig. 6 and
Fig. 7 and at Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are used instead of the arrangement described and
illustrated at Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
Referring to Fig. 6 which is a vertical section, and Fig. 7 a sectional plan of one
of the alternative arrangements referred to A A' A³ and A³ are ports connected by
drain pipes to the four ends of the two steam cylinders shown in the outline
drawings. A is an exhaust port common to all the steam ports. The plug B of
this device is shown with all the ports in open communication with the central
exhaust port A which is the position proper when the engines are standing.
The said plug B is partially rotated by the lever B'. This lever B¹ is actuated
by the rod C which latter is connected to the reversing lever in the manner before
described.
By referring to the said Fig. 7 it will be seen that any movement at the
reversing lever would either pull the plug B partially round to the right or left
and would simultaneously close all the ports except the exhaust port, and produce
the same effect in the steam cylinders, as a similar movement of the reversing lever
produced when carried to the multiple slide valve already explained.

page_text: A similar action is produced by the device shown at Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 to those
actions already described, the effect produced being alike in each case, but the
three devices give a choice of arrangement.
Referring to the outline drawings Fig. 1 Fig. 2 and Fig. 3-B³ and B³ are two
levers made fast to the reversing shaft A¹. The said levers are connected to two
rods B and B which are used for operating the existing drain cocks or taps in
engines already made and which are thus made to serve the same purpose as the
single device shown by Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 of these drawings.
By these means the risk of movement in the engines when required to stand is
prevented, by the cylinders being opened at both ends and all pressure removed
from both sides of the pistons when required to be so or, if not required to be wholly
removed sufficient pressure is allowed to remain to hold the pistons in position. The
oylinders are well drained at each time their direction of motion is reversed and
waste due to live steam passing through the drains to the exhaust while the engines
are working is prevented without attention from the engine attendant.
Dated this 21st day of July 1894.
ASHTON BURGESS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Engines.
I, ASHTON BURGESS of Prospect House, Coalbrookdale, in the County of
Shropshire, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in that type of steam engines which are
furnished with reversing gear suitable for winding, rolling, and all other types of
reversing engines. Also all other engines which require to be frequently stopped
and their direction of motion to be reversed, or other engines that have to work
intermittently when connected to a condenser. The said improvements are also
particularly suitable for being applied to such reversing engines or other types
when the said engines are furnished with condensers.
The objects of this invention are as follows:-
First. To prevent motion being given to the engines by the action of the vacuum
in the steam cylinders when such engines are required to remain standing, also to
obtain the full benefit of the vacuum in the condenser, on the steam pistons,
immediately the engines are required to be set in motion in either direction.
Second. To efficiently drain both ends of the cylinders during the time occupied
in standing so that the full pressure of the steam may be available on recommencing
to work.
Third. To prevent waste of steam through the drain pipes when the engines are
working.
Fourth. To do these several duties by a multiple slide valve so arranged that in
moving the valve all the cylinder ends are in open communication with the
atmosphere or to the condenser, as may be required, and on removing the said
valve they are simultaneously closed, and to do this operation by a hand lever
placed in a convenient position for use by the attendant; or if preferred to open
or close the existing drain taps so that both sides of the pistons may be wholly, or
if desired partially relieved of all pressure, and the action of the vacuum in the
cylinders wholly destroyed while the engines are standing, and at the same time
the full vacuum is being constantly maintained in the condenser, which when the
engines are started in either direction the available full vacuum is immediately
made to act on the pistons by changing the position of the lever acting on the
valve or taps, arranged for the said draining purposes.
I attain these objects as hereafter described.

page_text: 1
Having now stated the nature of my invention, I will proceed to explain the
same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings and will also point
out the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Referring to the drawings
Fig. 1. is an outline side elevation of the said arrangement showing the engines,
multiple slide valve, condenser, and hand lever that operates the multiple slide
valve or drain taps.
Fig. 2. is an outline plan showing parts of the engine in combination with-the
said vacuum controller and draining arrangement and its actuating gear. Fig. 3. is
an end view of same. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section and Fig. 5. is a plan in
detail to an enlarged scale of a multiple slide valve for controlling the action of the
vacuum and draining the cylinders to accomplish the objects set forth and to be
more fully described hereafter.
Fig. 6. and Fig. 7. are sectional elevation and plan of an alternative valve and tap
arrangement which may be used instead of the multiple slide valve and Fig. 8.
and Fig. 9. are elevation and plan respectively of a second alternative tap..
arrangement which may be used if preferred.
Referring to Fig. 1. and Fig. 2. and Fig. 3. which are general views in outline
with similar parts figured and lettered alike.
A is the hand lever for operating the multiple slide valve or drain taps and A' is
the shaft carrying the motion of the said lever to the second lever B. which latter
gives motion to the rod C. connected to its bottom end and carrying the motion to
the multiple slide valve D through the stuffing box D¹ or to the five way tap
Fig. 6. and Fig. 7. or to the system of four way taps Fig. 8. and Fig. 9. when
either of these two latter arrangements are preferred.
These three devices are so arranged that when the operating lever A is in the
position proper for opening or for closing them they are all opened or closed
together as may be required and thereby both ends of the cylinders are placed in
communication with the condenser or with the atmosphere as desired by which
means the cylinders are all effectually drained while the engines are standing and
motion which may otherwise be given to the engines by the. vacuum from the
condenser is prevented by the vacuum being removed by this draining arrangement
simultaneously from each end of the pistons or the valve will admit the vacuum on
each side of the pistons when the engines are standing if preferred.
Immediately before starting the, engines the lever A is moved and this action is
carried as before described to the multiple slide valve D.
The said multiple slide valve then covers the ports E. E' E' E³ and communi-
cation between the opposite sides of the main steam pistons and cylinder ends is
cut off so that steam cannot pass through the drain pipes to the main exhaust
port, E then its full power is available for doing the required work.
The available vacuum from the condenser is immediately acting upon the
exhaust side of the steam pistons thereby obtaining a full pressure of steam on one
side of the steam pistons and a full vacuum on the other which is the object I have
in view.
'
As this closing of the ports leading from the drain pipes is effected when the
actuating lever A is placed similar to that occupied by the reversing lever when
working the engine either in a backward or forward direction, the motion may
be obtained from that lever if preferred, in which case the end D2 and the
bars D D D D and the end D' of the multiple slide valve D will be so moved
that D shown on the drawing Fig. 4. as out of use would after the said movement
be so placed that it would cover the port E shown in the drawing to be covered by
the bar D and this bar D³ would slide over and cover the port E¹ and so on
through the system as required. The exhaust port E' may be either full or
partially open so that any slight leak may pass away.
A similar action takes place when either of the other devices shown at Fig. 6.
and Fig. 7. and at Fig. 8. and Fig. 9. are used instead of the arrangement described
and illustrated at Fig. 4. and Fig. 5.

page_text: Referring to Fig. 6 which is a vertical section and Fig. 7. a sectional plan of
one of the alternate arrangements referred to. A. A' A² and A³ are parts
connected by drain pipes to the four ends of the two steam cylinders shown in the
outline drawings. A is an exhaust port common to all the steam ports.
The plug B. of this device is shown with all the ports in open communication
with the central exhaust port A' which is the position proper when the engine is
standing.
The plug B is partially rotated by the lever B'. This lever B¹ is actuated by
the rod C which latter is connected to hand lever A or if preferred to the reversing
lever in the manner before described.
By referring to the said Fig. 7. it will be seen that any movement of the hand
lever A. would either pull the plug B partially round to the right or left and
would simultaneously close all the ports except the exhaust port and produce the
same effect in the steam cylinders as a similar movement of the hand lever A.
produced when carried to the multiple slide valve already explained.
A similar action is produced by the device shown as Fig. 8. and Fig. 9. to those
already described the effect produced being alike in each case, but these devices
give a choice of arrangement.
Referring to the outline drawing Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.-B' & B³ are two
levers made fast to the hand lever A. The said levers are connected to the two
rods B and B which are used for operating the existing drain cocks or taps in
engines already made and which are thus made to serve the same purpose as the
single device shown by Fig. 4. and Fig. 5. of these drawings.
By these means the risk of movement in the engines when required to stand is
prevented by the cylinders being opened at both ends and all pressure removed
from both sides of the pistons when required to be so or if not required to be
wholly removed sufficient pressure is allowed to remain to hold the pistons in
position. The cylinders are well drained at each time their direction of motion is
reversed and waste due to live steam passing through the drains to the exhaust
while the engines are working is prevented.
In the case of some engines I couple the said arrangement to the reversing lever
so that the drains may either be worked by the said separate lever or the said
lever being linked to the reversing lever be operated automatically by motion
obtained from this reversing lever. The advantages I obtain are that automatic
action or separate movement is thereby secured.
Having now particularly described the nature of this invention and pointed out
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish to state that I do not
confine myself to exact details as the saine may be somewhat varied without
departing from the nature of this invention but what I claim as new are,
First. The device of the multiple slide valve as described in this Specification
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings especially the details Fig. 4.
and Fig. 5.
Second. The device shown by Fig. 6. and Fig. 7. arranged to produce a similar
effect on the drains to the last named arrangement Fig. 4. and Fig. 5.
Third. The device described in this Specification and as illustrated by Fig. 8.
and Fig. 9. producing on the drain taps actions similar to those produced by the
devices Fig. 4. and Fig. 5. also Fig. 8. and Fig. 9.
Fourth. The general arrangement of levers and connecting rods acting on the
several vacuum controlling and draining devices in the manner described and for
the purposes set forth in this Specification and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
.
ASHTON BURGESS.