IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATORY ENGINES AND BOILERS, IN STOPPING RAILWAY CAR- RIAGES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO PROPELLING AIR AND GASSES
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
DICKSON, of Brooke Street, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
send greeting
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the
Twenty-first day of June, in the sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John Dickson, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John
Dickson, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as J, the said John
Dickson, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTATORY ENGINES AND BOILERS, IN STOPPING RAILWAY CAR-
RIAGES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE APPLICABLE TO PROPELLING AIR AND GASSES;" in which said Letters Patent
is contained a proviso that I, the said John Dickson, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear,

page_text: larly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and
the following description thereof (that is to say):-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
...
Figure 1 is a side view of a machine for propelling vessels fixed in a
frame A, so as to hold the wheels or arms B, B, chain C, and propelling boards
or plates D, D, &c., in their proper position whilst revolving round the said
wheels or arms which have a groove in their periphery to receive the said
chain. The centre on which the propelling boards or plates are fixed drop into
the spaces left between the arms for that purpose, and fit like the cogs of com-
mon wheels to prevent the chain from slipping, and to keep them in a straight
line when drawn through the cylinder F, E, E, &c. The centre of propelling
boards or plates, which attach them to the chain C, are made hollow and in two
pieces, for the purpose of being fixed on the chain by means of screws or other
usual modes; those propelling boards or plates are made to pass through the
cylinder F in such a manner as not to touch the sides, on purpose to prevent
friction thereon. These propellors may be driven either by means of chains,
ropes, bands, or any of the contrivances now in use, and at any desired
velocity. F, the cylinder, through which the propelling boards or plates are
drawn, is fixed in the position, as shewn in Figure 1, to the frame A by the
straps or bolts G, G, a few inches under the water line. The said cylinder has
a groove at each end cut in its upper surface so far as to allow the arms which
carry the chain to pass. The cylinder. F may be made of any given length by
lengthening the chain which drives the propelling boards or plates, and to
admit any given number of propelling boards or. plates without cutting a groove
or grooves in the top of the cylinder. This cylinder may be made of wood,
iron, brass, or any other material which may be thought best adapted for the
purpose. The shafts H, H, on which these arms or wheels are placed are
fixed in plummer blocks I, I, to the said frame; the ends of said shaft or
shafts are to pass through the sides of the vessel to be propelled, so that the
steam engine or other motive power can be applied thereto for the purpose of
giving motion to the same. J is a screw, for the purpose of tightening the
propelling chain, provided it should stretch so as to derange the action of the
propeller. A machine of this description is to be placed. on each side of
the vessel to be propelled, or in any other position required. This machine, as.
already described, is capable of being applied to a great. variety of purposes

page_text: besides that of propelling vessels-such as raising water above its level to any
given height, or draining fens or marshes, instead of the common fen or marsh
wheels, by being placed at any angle or elevation agreeable to the height
intended to raise said water or fluid; it is also applicable to propelling air or
gas in any direction. Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1, as already
described; the same letters on Figure 1 are applicable to the same parts on
Figure 2. This machine does not require any bulky covering similar to the
common paddle wheel. Figure 3 is a propelling wheel, to be placed on each
side of the vessel to be propelled with buckets D, D, &c. fixed on its periphery.
Those buckets, the ends of which are closed and embracing the whole width of
the breast of the wheel, answer the same purpose as the common paddle board.
As the wheel revolves the buckets dip into the water, as may be seen on the
Drawing, at the water line, enclosing the water which fills them in such a
manner that it cannot recede from the wheel in any direction until it (the
wheel) begins to rise out of the water on the opposite side, when the angle
formed by the buckets rising out of the water allows it to recede from the
buckets with the greatest facility. The continuance of this motion propels the
vessel forward with much greater force than the common paddle wheel, and it
will be found at least equally simple and substantial.
This wheel, as
described, is fixed upon a shaft and has bearings similar to the common
paddle shaft, and is attached to the steam engine or first mover in the same
manner as the common paddle shaft. A is the centre fixed on the paddle
shaft, upon which the wheel is built; B, B, &c. the arms of said wheel which
support the outer rims holding the buckets; C, C, &c. are the circular rings
or shrouds, upon which the buckets are fixed. Figure 4 is a breast view of
the said wheel already described; D, D, &c. the buckets; E, E, &c. the stays
reaching from the shrouds C, C, &c. to the centre of each bucket, for the pur-
pose of staying the shrouds to the buckets; the same letters on Figure 3 are
applicable to the same parts on Figure 4. This wheel may be covered with a
case similar to the common paddle wheel.
Figure 5 is a plan of the rotative steam engine, showing the whole of the
apparatus with its present improvements. A is the induction pipe, where the
steam enters from the boiler for the purpose of working the engine, showing
the continuance of that passage into the cylinder, where it acts upon the piston
or cam B, B, which is more clearly shewn in Figure 6. C is the eduction
pipe which receives the steam from the cylinder through the opening made in
the piston or cam B, B, on which it has acted, where it is conducted through
the opposite end of piston or cam to which it entered along the passage
marked C, through the four-wayed cock V, V, into the pipe marked C, which

page_text: will deliver it either into the open air or into a condenser. D, D, is a partition
in the piston or cam B, B, for the purpose of separating the steam inducted
from that which is educted, and for fixing the piston or cam B, B, to the shaft
by means of a key or keys, or by any of the usual methods of fixing for that
purpose. When the motion of the engine is to be reversed the four-wayed
cock must be turned round one quarter, which will reverse the action of the
steam so as to bring the steam in where it was formerly going out, and
vice versa. E, the shaft as fixed in the piston or cam, and laying on its
plummer blocks or bearings at each end marked F, F, having clutch boxes
T, T, at each end to attach it to its work. G, the cylinder in which the piston
as shewn in Figure 6, has a groove
or cam works. The piston or cam B, B,
holding metals marked H, H, which are moveable in that groove, and are
extended to the inner surface of the cylinder, so as to be steam-tight, by means
of springs and wedges, as shown in Figure 5. I, I, the abutments on which
the steam presses on entering the cylinder, as shewn at Figure 6; the abut-
ment, which is shut against the circular part of the piston or cam, is standing
against the pressure of the steam coming from the boiler. The steam, by its
force or elasticity, acting between the abutment and the piston or cam, drives
the piston forward, which moves the shaft E, it being fixed thereto, as seen at
Figure 5. The opposite side of the piston or camn, as seen at Figure 6, is
lifting the opposite abutment so as to allow it (the piston) to pass, when the
piston or cam, still forced onwards by the steam from boiler, comes forward
until the root of the cam comes in contact with the opposite abutment, which
it begins to lift. The opposite abutment by this time is shut; the cam still
going on opens the abutment in a similar way to what is shown at Figure 6,
and so continues the action of the engine: The piston or cam moving on as
already described pushes the abutments into recesses made in the side of the
cylinder for the purpose of receiving them, which at the same time allows the
piston to pass. When these abutments are pushed into their recesses by the
cam they push out the rods K, K, through stuffing boxes, which have a pulley
fixed therein, as seen in Figure 6. Over this pulley is a rope or chain with a
weight attached thereto, for the purpose of returning the abutments to the
circular part of the cam. When the point of the cam has passed them (the
abutments), these rods work through guides L, L, which keep them parallel
with the stuffing box, as shewn in the Drawing, Figure 6. M is a valve
placed on the recess which receives the abutments, to take off the water. that
may accumulate there by condensation or otherwise, so that the motion of the
abutments may not be impeded thereby. This valve is kept shut by means of
a spring N acting thereon, as shewn in Figure 5. The cylinder G has two.

page_text: external covers or ends marked 0, 0, 0, 0, fitted thereto, with stuffing boxes
on each to prevent the steam from escaping past the shaft E, as shewn in
Figure 5. There are also two internal covers or ends marked P, P, P, P, with
grooves on their internal surfaces, in which the abutments work, for the purpose
of guiding them straight to the surface of the piston or cam. Two packings,
marked Q, Q, Q, Q, one at each end, are placed in a recess in said covers,
which fit against the end of the piston or cam, to prevent the steam from passing
the end of the same. There are also four springs attached to the internal sur-
face of the outer cover on each end, for the purpose of pressing up the rings,
at the back of said packings R, R, R, R, the bed plate standing on a frame
which carries the whole engine. Figure 6 is an end view of Figure 5; the
same letters in Figure 5 apply to the same parts in Figure 6. Figure 7 is a
machine for propelling air, gases, vapours, or fluids of any kind, such as blow-
ing furnaces or driving air into mines, or vice versa, and purifying gases by
bringing it from the retorts and forcing it through the lime purifiers and con-
densors, and agitating the same. A, A, are pipes, one for receiving and the
other for delivering the air, gas, or fluids propelled by the machine in their
passage into their assigned places. B is a recess cast or fixed on the cylinder
C, C, for the purpose of receiving the abutment D, which is lifted upwards by
means of the cam E, E, which is fixed upon the shaft F. When driven by
any motive this abutment follows the piston or cam downwards by its
power
own weight, and the end of which being fitted air-tight to the piston or cam,
becomes the partition between the receiving and propelling passages; the same
propelling motion may be obtained by taking off one end of the piston or cam
and allowing the end of the abutment or partition which comes in contact with
the cam to slide round thereon; the piston or cam being driven onwards in the
same direction will cause the abutment or partition to rise, and consequently
continue the propelling motion. The cylinder C, C, has two ends, in which
are grooves to keep the abutment or partition perpendicular to the cam; there
is also on each of those ends a stuffing box, through which the shaft F works,
for the purpose of keeping it air-tight.
Figure 8 is a section of Figure 7; the same letters that are marked on the
sundry parts of Figure 7 are applicable to the same parts on Figure 8.
Figure 9 is a rotative air pump, for the purpose of exhausting the condensers
of steam engines or any other vessel where exhaustion is found necessary.
A, A; are two vessels, supposed to be condensors of steam engines; B, the hot
well situated between the two condensors, the end of which is taken off to
show an open section of the same; C, C, the two foot valves, such as are placed
at the bottom of common condensing vessels used for steam engines; D, D,

page_text: the piston or cam, being fixed upon the shaft E, and turned round by the
means of any motive power, sets the pump in action; this piston or cam is
made to work in either direction, so that when it is moving in any one direction
one of the valves will open inwards, as may be seen at Figure 9, to admit the
water and air to come in from the condenser A, A, at the same time the
opposite foot valve will shut outwards as the piston or cam revolves in the
cylinder F; this action of the valves will continue alternately. The abut-
ment G reaching from the recess H to the circular part of the piston or cam
is moved upwards by means of the cam into the recess H. As the cam passes
the recess the abutment G follows the sweep of the cam downwards by its own
weight. to its present position, as shewn in Figure 9, and so on alternately
while the pump is kept in action. There are two valves placed on the top of
two apertures on the top of the cylinder F, for the purpose of allowing
the discharge of the water and air ejected by the piston or cam whilst passing
round. The reason why this pump is represented in a double capacity is, that
it is capable of being reversed by the action of the engine so as to be able to
act in either direction. There are two ends to the cylinder F, in which are
grooves to allow the abutment or partition G to rise and fall perpendicularly
to the piston or cam; there is also on each of these ends a stuffing box,
through which the shaft E works, for the purpose of keeping it air-tight. The
same propelling motion may be obtained by taking off one end of the piston or
cam, and allowing the end of the abutment or partition which comes in
contact with the cam to slide round thereon; the piston or cam being driven
onwards in the same direction will cause the abutment or partition to rise, and
consequently continue the propelling motion. The pump is capable of pro-
pelling air, gas, water, or any other fluid in any direction. Figure 8 is a
section of Figure.9.
Figure 10 is a steam boiler, standing in an upright position, of a conical
Figure A, A, the outer case, between which and the inner case B, B, is a space
about three inches wide encircling the inner case B, B, with water; C, C, the
fire resting upon the grate barrs D, D, which are carried by a frame E, E,
resting upon brackets F, &c., fixed on the inside of the space left for the
ash-pit G, G; the bottom part of said frame is formed into a cog wheel H, H.:
A small pinion and shaft I is fixed in front, so that the person attending as
stoker can turn the said pinion, by means of a spanner for that purpose, so as
to move the grate which carries the fire round, in order that it may be cleaned
at pleasure. The draught causes the flame to rise upwards, filling the whole
space between the inner case B, B, of the boiler and the case K, K, which is
filled with tubes two inches or any other diameter that may be found conve-

page_text: nient, which receives the flame from above and allow it to pass down through
them into the space L, L; this vessel, in which the tubes are fixed, is filled
with water amongst them, which communicates up through the pipe M with
the water which is standing on the top of the inner case B, B. The staple N, N,
carries a curved plate O, which prevents the water, when much agitated, from
being thrown up into the steam chest. The fire, after arriving through the
tubes at the space L, L, surrounding the small tubes P, P, &c. and the tube Q,
which are for the purpose of connecting the water spaces between the
cases K, K, and the bottom water space of the boiler, passes through the
passage between L; L, and the upright funnel R, which carries off the smoke;
this funnel is surrounded with a water space as high as the top of the boiler,
and has communication with the water in the top of the boiler. The safety
valve is to be fixed on the top of the steam chest, as usual. S, S, the fire and
ash-pit doors in front; T, a space to be opened at pleasure, for the purpose of
clearing out the dust that may accumulate in L, L; U, U, &c. are stays for the
purpose of strengthening the bottom of the boiler. Figure 11 is a plan of
the above boiler and funnel through the line A, B, Figure 10; the same
letters on Figure 11 correspond to the same parts on Figure 10. Figure 12
is an end view of Figure 13; the same letters on Figure 12 correspond with
the same parts on Figure 13. Figure 13 is a sectional view of a steam boiler
in a horizontal position; A, A, is the outer case, between which and the inner
case B, B, is a water space about three inches wide encircling the inner case
B, B; C is the fire resting on the grate bars D, which are carried on brackets
G, G, &c. fixed to the inner case B, B. The draught causes the flame to rise
upwards, filling the whole space between the inner case, B, B, of the boiler and
the case E, E, which is filled with tubes two inches or any diameter that may
be found convenient, which receive the flame that has arrived at the end of the
case E, E, and allow it to pass through them into the funnel F. This vessel,
in which the tubes are fixed, is filled with water amongst them, which commu-
nicates through the apertures H, H, with the water standing in the space
formed by the cases A, A, and B, B. The fire and ash-pit doors are not repre-
sented in this view, they being supposed to be in the front; the safety valve is
to be fixed on the top of the steam chest, as usual.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I claim, in
Figures 1 and 2, as my Invention, the whole of the arrangements contained
therein, as they are applicable to all the purposes already described in the
Specification.
I claim, in Figures 3 and 4, as my Invention, the whole of the arrangements

page_text: of the buckets for propelling, as fixed on the periphery of the wheel already
'described in the Specification.
I claim, in Figures 5 and 6, as my Inventions, certain parts of said Figures;
videlicet, the peculiar construction of the passages A, A, A, and C, C, C, below
the four-wayed cock, introducing the steam into the piston or cam, from thence
into the cylinder, and from thence back through the four-wayed cock into a
condenser or the open air. I also claim the piston or cam B, B, as shewn and
described at Figure 6. I also claim the packings marked Q, Q, Q, Q, with
their rings for fixing the same, placed in the recesses of the ends of the inner
covers for the purpose of keeping the ends of the piston or cam steam-tight, as
shewn in the Drawings and already described in the Specification. I also
claim the placing of valves on the back of the recesses, as shewn in the Draw-
ings, for the purpose of allowing the escape of such water as may condense
therein, and which might impede the action of the abutments.
I claim, in Figures 7 and 8, as my Invention, the whole arrangement as
shewn therein, as already described in the Specification.
I claim, in Figure 9, as my Invention, the whole arrangement as shewn
therein, as already described in the Specification."
I claim, in Figures 10 and 11, as my Invention, the whole arrangement as
shewn therein, and already described in the Specification.
I claim, in Figures 12 and 13, as my Invention, the whole arrangement as
shewn therein, and already described in the Specification.
In witness whercof, I, the said John Dickson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-two.