CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Burch, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the
County of Chester, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES."
Sealed the 31st October 1854, and dated the 5th July 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Burch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
July 1854.
I, JOSEPH BURCH, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the County of
Chester, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES" to be as follows:-
It consists in the use of a long cylinder, formed by the combination of several
short cylinders, each having a top and bottom and separate steam ways; and
in the use of one piston rod, on which is fixed at proper distances a series of
pistons, one for each cylinder; the slide valves of the united cylinders are
moved simultaneously, and the combined force of all the cylinders and pistons
transmitted through one piston rod..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters, Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Burch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th January 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
BURCH, of Crag Hall, near Macclesfield, in the County of Chester, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Burch, Her especial license that I, the said Joseph Burch,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Joseph Burch, 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MARINE AND OTHER STEAM ENGINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Joseph Burch, by an instrument 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
.immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Burch, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment and accompanying Drawings (that is to say) :-
My improvements in steam engines are of general application where steam
power is used, very advantageously applying to purposes where high speeds are
required, and where it is desirable to produce the same from the direct action
of the pistons employed without the intervention of toothed wheels, such as
marine engines and locomotive railway purposes, as well as steam engines for
manufacturing and other purposes. The principle made use of to obtain the
requirements above mentioned is a short stroke of piston, from which frequent
reciprocations may be obtained without increasing the usual velocity of the
piston, which is combined (by my Invention) with a great power or force of
piston obtained from cylinders of comparatively small diameter; and it consists
in the use of a long cylinder, formed by a combination of several short cylinders,

page_text: each having a top and bottom and separate steam ways; and in the use of one
piston rod, on which is fixed at proper distances a series of pistons, one for
cach cylinder. The slide valves of the united cylinders are moved simul-
taneously, and the combined force of all the pistons transmitted through one
piston rod.
Some of the advantages in working cylinders combined as above described
arise from the great length of the piston rod in proportion to its stroke,
and the length and number of its bearings (as will be hereafter more fully
explained), which prevent side strains, that cause an unequal wear on the pis-
tons, cylinders, and glands of ordinary steam engines, while the pistons them-
selves further assist to prevent this result, by acting as guides to each other,
promoting an oven wearing of the cylinders and pistons. I scarcely need
observe (as it will be obvious to engineers) that the arrangement of cylinders
and pistons herein-before described may be used with the cylinders in hori-
zontal, vertical, or oblique positions, and that the cylinders may be either fixed
(immovable) or oscillatory, and that the accessory parts, in adapting them to
the positions and circumstances alluded to, will only require such modifications
as are known in adapting cylinders and pistons of ordinary arrangement and
construction under similar circumstances.
The manner in which I carry my Invention into effect I shall explain by
reference to the Drawings annexed hereto, upon Sheet 1 of which several
Figures are delineated, shewing the construction of an oscillatory and fixed
combined cylinder made according to my improvements.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of an oscillating combined cylinder; Fig. 2,
a cross section on the line A, B; and Fig. 3, another cross section on the line
C, D. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a fixed or stationary combined
cylinder; and Fig. 5 is a plan or view shewing the steam ports; and Fig. 6,
a cross sectional view on the line E. F. The red arrows indicate the simul-
taneous action or pressure of the steam against the pistons during the inward
stroke, and the black arrows shew the action of the steam during the outward
stroke. The same letters and figures of reference will be used and repeated on
similar or corresponding parts in each Figure of the Drawings. It will be
seen that a series of as many cylinders as are required, or as it may be con-
venient to use, may be combined together, and they may be constructed so as
to be duplicates of each other, giving the facility of readily adding cylinders
when an engine of increased power is required; for example, a combination of
two cylinders, of three feet diameter and a two feet stroke, will possess double
the power of a single cylinder of the same dimensions; assuming that the pistons

page_text: move at the same speed, a third cylinder added gives one-half more additional
power; add a fourth cylinder, and it will give a third more power; add a fifth,
and the power of the engine will be equal to five engines with single cylinders.
The consumption of steam is of course increased in proportion to the number
of cylinders employed, but the length of the stroke and speed of pistons is the
same in both, while an immense concentration of force is obtained in a very
little additional space and at a much less proportionate expence than would be
the case if the same force was obtained by the employment of a single cylinder,
the area of which must be equal to the whole five combined cylinders, while the
same rate of velocity of the first motion shaft could only be produced by
the intervention of toothed wheels. The number of cylinders shewn combined
together in Figs. 1 and 4 is a series of three; a is the first, a' the second, and
the third cylinder of the series. Each cylinder is provided with the usual
steam ports and passages, and exhaust outlet a', and slide valve (6), to
regulate the immission and emmission of the steam, and the cylinders are also
provided with flanges (a) at the top and bottom, as usual, by which the lid
or bottom may be screwed to them, and by which they may be secured to each
other. There are also flanges a' formed on each side, and in the plane of the
ports, to which the part c, forming the steam box, is secured; and an exhaust
passage a is also formed in the side of each cylinder, which forms a connected
passage with each other when the cylinders are bolted together, which leads to
the exhaust pipe, the branch as communicating with which is formed (in the
modifications shewn) on the central cylinder. The steam box, shewn by Figs..1
and 2, has openings formed in it above each valve, covered by plates or lids c',
which openings allow of a ready inspection of the valves. The same convenience
may be made to the one shewn by Figs. 4 and 5, in which the steam box is
formed in sections of the same length as the cylinders, having flanges, by which
they are jointed together. The steam is conveyed to the cylinders by a pipe
jointed with the branch a' formed on the central cylinder, and is admitted into
the steam box through an orifice and passage a* formed at the side of the
ports of the central cylinder. The cylinders are bored, and the lids and
bottoms are turned to fit into the cylinders exactly. The uniting top and
.bottom divisions d between the cylinders are formed in two duplicate halves
(though they may be made in one casting), one fitting truly into one cylinder
and the other into the other, so that when the two cylinders are bolted together,
with the divisions between them, the axial line of the cylinders will coincido.
(But I may here observe, that though the cylinders shewn in the Drawings,
and herein-before described, are each of the same bore or diameter, it is not

page_text: That end of the
stuffing box f, of
essential to carry out my Invention that they should be so.)
piston rod e, in connection with the crank, works through a
any ordinary construction, formed in the lid of the first cylinder; but having to
transmit the force of the combined pistons, it is shewn at that end of a larger
diameter, while that portion of it for the next cylinder, is of less diameter,
diminishing in diameter each succeeding cylinder in a ratio proportionate to
the area of piston rod required to transmit the force of one piston, and it works
(between the cylinders) through stuffing boxes of a novel and peculiar arrange-
ment, formed in the divisional or top and bottom plates d, the construction of
which is exhibited by Fig. 7, which is a front view, and Fig. 8, which is a
sectional edge view; by which it will be seen that the packing inaterial dis
applied in the space between the ribs d², formed on each half of the plates, and
that dies d³, which fit between the ribs, filling the cavity between the divisional
plates d, press the packing material d' laterally against the piston rode by the
force of screws d' (fixed in cross bars d³, which screw against the end of the
dies). Other arrangements of packing may be adopted, namely, such a one
as that shewn by Fig. 10 (side sectional view), Fig. 11 (front sectional view),
and Fig. 12 (edge view), on Sheet 4, which is a similar arrangement to that
shewn by Figs. 7 and 8, differing in details only. The division plate d is cast
solid, and the cavity for the packing material and lateral pressure dies is formed
by simply boring a round hole from one side to the other, intersecting at right
angles the axis of the piston rod. The packing material is first placed in on
each side the piston rod, and then the die d³, then another small portion of
packing on the top of each die (which is an extra provision against any external.
escape of steam from the cylinders), the whole being acted upon by two other
dies d³, which are forced down by screws, arranged as before explained in
reference to Figs. 7 and 8. With either of the arrangements described, the
packing material may be renewed with great facility, without the necessity of
separating the cylinders and deranging the engine, which is a matter of great
importance in carrying out my Invention. Metallic packings may also be
employed, formed by a ring or rings placed between the divisional plates and
encircling the piston rod, as shewn by Fig. 13 (an edge sectional view), and
Fig. 14 (a front view). Two rings (h) are here employed, fitting exactly between
the divisional plates; they are formed on the principle of the metallic piston
packing, being bored out a little less in diameter than the piston rod, and then
cut or "cracked," so as to pass on to it.
The end of the piston rod, in Fig. 4, works through a gland and stuffing
box f, of ordinary construction. Fig. 9 exhibits a sectional view of a mode

page_text: for fixing the pistons g to the rod c. The pistons may be any of that class
well known as "metallic pistons." The piston rod is screwed at those points
of the rods at which the pistons are to be fixed, and the pistons are tapped
with a screw thread and screwed on to the rod till the face of the pistons
bears against shoulders on the piston rod, and check nuts are then screwed
against the boss of the piston, which are prevented from unscrewing by a
small screw or small screws passing through it into the boss of the piston.
The valves (b) are the common flat slide, which may be actuated in the usual
manner, all of them simultaneously, by one valve spindle b', (plan of which is
shewn by Fig. 15,) working through a gland and stuffing box be, of the usual
construction, the upper part of the valve being embraced by a square frame,
the stem or spindle b', continuing to the next adjoining valve; or each valve
has a separate and duplicate spindle, formed with a square frame to embrace
the upper part of the valve, and with a stem on one side and socket part on
the other, by which the spindles of each valve can be connected and cottered
together.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 represent views, as before stated, of an oscillatory
cylinder, the branches a' and as (see Fig. 2) cast on the middle cylinder,
forming its pivots or axis of oscillation, through the interior of which the
steam passes to and from the cylinders by pipes jointed by stuffing boxes of
the usual arrangement and construction. In Sheet 2 is shown a peculiar
combination of four cylinders acting simultaneously upon one crank. Fig. 16
represents a side longitudinal section of two cylinders on one side of the
crank, and an outside view of the two cylinders on the other side of the crank;
and Fig. 17, a plan view of the same, the valve box being supposed removed
on one side. It will not be necessary for me to describe the details of the
cylinders and valves; these may be same as those before described in reference
to Sheet 1. I have only to explain that the parts marked i are beams
attached to the end of each cylinder, which constitute guides for a cross head j,
secured to the piston rods. These cross heads are screwed together, holding
the slides, which fit against the beanis i. In the slot formed in the double
cross head a die k is fitted, so as to be free to move in it, and this die embraces
the crank on the shaft to which it is to give revolving motion. The valves of
the cylinders on each side act simultaneously and in the same direction, and may
be actuated from one eccentric. By this arrangement, although the cylinders
are fixed, no connecting rods are required, which will be found to be an
advantage, as far as regards economy of space. If thought desirable, cylinders
combined according to my. Invention may be arranged, with separate steam or

page_text: valve boxes, and having valves arranged so that the supply of steam may be
cut off from each of them, by which provision the force of any or as many of
the pistons may be used as may be required. Another peculiarity of my
Invention, when a series of three or more cylinders are combined together,
consists in the facility it affords for obtaining an expansive action of the steam,
similar to that obtained from steam engines having a high pressure cylinder
working with or exhausting into a low pressure. cylinder of larger capacity
(commonly called "compound expansion engines"). To accomplish this purpose,
high pressure steam is admitted to the steam or valve.box of one of the series
of three or more combined cylinders, and the steam from the exhaust port of
the high pressure cylinder is conveyed through a passage to the steam or valve
boxes of the other cylinders, the steam or valve box of the high pressure
cylinder being separate from the steam or valve boxes of the other cylinders,
which may communicate with each other. The result of this arrangement will
be, that the steam exhausted from the high pressure cylinder will expand and
act with proportionately diminished but equal force on cach and all the other
pistons of the combined series; the amount of expansion being one into
three, or one into four, or more, according to the number of pistons combined
together. An arrangement of cylinders acting in the manner just described
is represented in Sheet 3, by Fig 18, which is a longitudinal sectional view of
four combined cylinders, and Fig. 19, an outside plan view of the same."
a, a, is the high pressure steam cylinder, the valve box of which is separated
from the other valve boxes by the partition (c). Steam is admitted to this
valve box through a branch pipe a on the side of the valve box, and the
exhaust steam from this cylinder is conveyed by a pipe as into the valve box
of the other cylinders a, a, a, while the exhaust steam from each of the low
pressure cylinders passes out into the atmosphere or condenser, as the case
may be, through pipe a*; all the valveş may be worked simultaneously from
one eccentric, the valve spindle of the high pressure cylinder being connected
with the others by cross heads b³ and rods b.
It is not necessary that I should add any further description in addition to
what has been already explained of the construction of the remaining parts or
mechanism, which belongs to the various classes of steam engines when used
in combination with my improvements, as they may be of any of the ordinary
arrangement and construction; nor are there any peculiarities in these im-
provements which will render it necessary that any explanation should be
given of the mode of working them, so as to use the steam expansively in
each cylinder, or the method of working them with a vacuum obtained by

page_text: condensation, these objects when required being accomplished by the usual
expedients well known for these purposes; but, nevertheless, I have in the
Drawings annexed hereto given sketches shewing generally the arrangement
which may be adopted in applying these improvements to various purposes,
the details of which arrangement and construction of the parts each individual
will make to suit his own views and the circumstances of each case. Sheets 4
and 5 exhibit the several views here referred to. Fig. 20 represents (partly
in section) a side elevation of a locomotive engine; a combination of two
cylinders is here shewn. Figs. 21 and 22 shew each a combination of three
cylinders (oscillating) as applied to marine screw propulsion.
Fig. 23, Sheet 4, also shews a combination of three cylinders according to
the peculiar arrangement shewn on Sheet 2, Figs. 16 and 17, in their appli-
cation to, marine screw propulsion; and Fig. 24 shows a sectional elevation of
a combination of three cylinders as applied to a stationary beam condensing
engine, by which it will easily be inferred that these improvements are appli
cable to all kind of engines used for the obtainment of motive power by the
expansive power of steam or other vapours.
Having now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and the
mode in which it may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I
claim, as secured to me by the in part recited Letters Patent, and as my
Invention, ..
Firstly, I claim for the use of steam engines, having two or more cylinders
joined together, and for fixing the piston of each cylinder on one piston rod;
for the purposes herein described.
Secondly, I claim for the use of steam engines, in which the steam acts
simultaneously and with equal pressure alternately on the corresponding sides
of pistons working in a series of two or more cylinders combined together, so
that the united force of all the pistons is transmitted through one and the
same piston rod.
Thirdly, I claim for the use of steam engines, having three or more cylinders
joined together, in which the united force of their pistons is simultaneously
transmitted through the same piston rod when the steam in one cylinder of
such engines is worked at a high pressure, and at the next stroke expansively
into the other cylinders in connection with a condenser or otherwise, as herein
described with reference to Figures 18 and 19.
Fourthly, I claim for the mode of stuffing, after the manner herein described
with reference to Figs. 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12, and of securing and regulating
such stuffings by transverse pressure..

page_text: Fifthly, I claim for the mode of transmitting the force of pistons to cranks
without the aid of connecting rods or oscillating cylinders, after the manner
herein described in reference to Figs. 16 and 17.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Burch, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Signed in the presence of
PETER J. LIVSEY,
of Manchester.
JOSEPH BURCH. (L.s.)