IMPROVEMENTS IN COMPOUND STEAM ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF STEAM-GENERATING FURNACES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Ramsbottom, of Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Hydraulic Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
COMPOUND STEAM ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF
STEAM-GENERATING FURNACES."
Sealed the 28th May 1867, and dated the 1st December 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Ramsbottom at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st December 1866.
I, JOHN RAMSBOTTOM, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Hydraulic
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN COMPOUND STEAM ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
OF STEAM-GENERATING FURNACES," to be as follows:-
The objects of this Invention are to utilize the consumption of fuel, firstly,
by effecting its more thorough combustion in the furnace, and, secondly, by. a.
certain construction of steam engine to enable the steam to be used up more
fully therein with safety and efficiency.
In front of an ordinary single or double flued boiler, and projecting from a
hinged door to be fixed thereon, are bearings to support a "swing plate
closed at the sides; below this plate and extending into the interior of the

page_text: flue are inclined grate bars having transverse supports at their extremities;
near this swing plate is a shaft carrying three cams and two rods; these
rods are successively moved by the cams, and as each rod is connected with
each alternate grate bar the motion is successively transmitted to them; the
third cam imparts motion to the swing plate, which motion is intended to
crush the fuel supplied betwixt it and the door, as well as to distribute such
fuel suitably on the inclined grate surface; the motion is imparted to the grate
bars to prevent the formation of clinkers or other matters pernicious to a free
supply of air. At the extremity of the grate surface and behind the bridge
is a deflecting surface intended to divert the escaping gases in the direction of
an adjustable air admission valve to supplement the quantity of air necessary
to effect the combustion of the gases more generally.
The improved compound engine I construct as follows:-On each side
of the cylinder of an ordinary beam engine I attach a cylinder of small
diameter but of the same length as the ordinary cylinder; across these three
cylinders and at right angles to their length I construct a cylindrical valve
box containing a triplicate valve arranged to receive and convey steam first to
the two small cylinders and from thence on completion of their stroke to the
large cylinder to be used expansively. The piston rods of the three cylinders
are connected together by a cross head, which is coupled to the swing links
of the beam. The triplicate valve is constructed to divide the cylindrical
valve box into three compartments by means of midfeathers, which move
with and form a part of such valve. On each side of the valve box and
betwixt each midfeather are ports which are opened and closed simultaneously
by rib-shaped pieces, which extend longitudinally from midfeather to mid-
feather, and which together with the midfeather have a rocking motion
imparted to them from a side lever worked from the eccentric or other
equivalent motion.
In carrying out this design to horizontal or direct-acting engines I make
the engine bed hollow to serve as a condenser, under a portion of which I
construct the hot well and brace, to the two an oscillating air pump is to be
fixed with its feed ways communicating with the condenser and the exit
ports with the hot well. The design of this air pump is in accordance with
a portion of a Patent granted to John Ramsbottom and Thomas Blackburn,
dated Twenty-first December A.D. 1864, and numbered 3171. The triplicate
steam valve apparatus is intended to be placed beneath the horizontal cylinders
to facilitate the exit of the water of condensation more readily.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance, of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Ramsbottom in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
31st May 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
RAMSBOTTOM, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Hydraulic Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Ramsbottom, Her special licence that I, the said John Rams-
bottom, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Ramsbottom, 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN. COMPOUND STEAM ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF STEAM-GENERATING FURNACES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Ramsbottom, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 John Ramsbottom, 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 statement :-
The objects of this Invention are to utilize the consumption of fuel, firstly,
by effecting its more thorough combustion in the furnace, and, secondly, by a
certain construction of;
f; steam engine to enable the steam to be used up more
fully therein with safety and efficiency.
In front of an ordinary single or double flued boiler, and projecting from a
hinged door to be fixed thereon, are bearings to support a swing plate closed
at the sides; below this plate and extending into the interior of the flue are
inclined grate bars having transverse supports at their extremities; near this
swing plate is a shaft carrying three cams and two rods; these rods are

page_text: successively moved by the cams, and as each rod is connected with each
alternate grate bar the motion is successively transmitted to them; the third
cam imparts motion to the swing plate, which motion is intended to crush the
fuel supplied betwixt it and the door, as well as to distribute such fuel
suitably on the inclined grate surface; the motion is imparted to the grate
bars to prevent the formation of clinkers or other matters pernicious to a free
supply of air. At the extremity of the grate surface and behind the bridge
is a deflecting surface intending to divert the escaping gases in the direction
of an adjustable air admission valve to supplement the quantity of air
necessary to effect the combustion of the gases more thoroughly.
The improved compound steam engine I construct as follows:-On each
side of the cylinder of an ordinary steam engine I attach a cylinder of small
diameter, but of the same length as the ordinary cylinder; across these three
cylinders and at right angles to their length I construct a cylindrical valve
box containing a triplicate valve arranged to receive and convey steam first to
the two small cylinders, and from thence on completion of their stroke to the
large cylinder to be used expansively. The piston rods of the three cylinders
are connected together by a cross head, which is coupled to the swing links
of the beam. The triplicate valve is constructed to divide the cylindrical
valve box into three compartments by means of midfeathers which move with
and form a part of such valve. On each side of the valve box and betwixt
each midfeather are ports, which are opened and closed simultaneously by
rib-shaped pieces which extend longitudinally from midfeather to midfeather,
and which, together with the midfeathers, have a rocking motion imparted
to them from a side lever worked from the eccentric or other equivalent
motion.
In carrying out this design to horizontal or direct-acting engines I make
the engine bed hollow to serve as a condenser, under a portion of which I
construct the hot well and brace, to the two an occillating air is to be
pump
fixed with its feed ways communicating with the condenser and the exit ports
with the hot well. The design of this air pump is in accordance with a
portion of a Patent granted to John Ramsbottom and Thomas Blackburn
dated Twenty-first December, A.D. 1864, and numbered 3171. The triplicate
steam valve apparatus is intended to be placed beneath the horizontal cylinder
to facilitate the exit of the water of condensation more readily.
Such being the nature and object of this my said Invention, I will now
proceed to describe the same in detail, and in order that the same may b
clearly understood I have hereunto annexed four Sheets of Drawings, an
have marked the same with figures and letters of reference.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a section of boiler flue, the swing plate A or fuel crusher being
moved by the eccentric or cam B, and from similar cams on the same shaft
the rods C and D are moved, which give a shaking motion to the grate bars.
E shews bearings for the swing plate A; F, F, are the grate bars, and G the
air admission valve with adjustable rods 9 passing to the front of the boiler;
H, the deflecting plate. On motion being imparted to the cams the fuel
supplied betwixt the swing plate and boiler front is crushed by the cam
pressing the plate into closer proximity with the boiler until the fuel can pass
upon the grate bars, which being also alternately moved or rocked by said
cams (by means of pendants rods J and K attached thereto) a progressive
motion for the fuel is obtained, the bars being suitably inclined to facilitate
this result. In the above arrangement the self-acting movements are to
reduce the fireman's labor.
Fig. 2 shews a modification of the above which though not aiming
at automatic assistance will accomplish in a simple manner the objects
of economic combustion of fuel and smoke prevention. The grate bars F, F,
are intended to rest on the front dead plate of the boiler as usual, but may be
inclined as desirable.. Situate at the extremity of the bars and closing against
the transverse support thereof is a swing plate A, the opposite end of which
is sustained by the bearings for the bridge B; the support C for the bridge
is hollow, and may be constructed of fire-brick. G is an air valve communi-
cating through the hollow space with the bridge B; H is a deflecting plate
swinging on bearings in the manner of an ordinary throttle valve, and is
intended to check the draft of the heated products passing through the
flue to the chimney shaft, and also to
diately against the sides of the flue.
worked or adjusted by means of rods
the boiler. The swing plate A is supported by a rod D working in ears
on the plate at one end and resting on the bottom of the flue at the other
in a vertical position. When this rod is pushed from this position the swing
plate falls, and the ashes or fuel thereon are precipitated into the bottom of
the flue.
divert the escaping gases more imme-
The deflecting plate and air valve are
extending from them to the front of
In the construction of compound steam engines Fig. 3 shews the arrange-
ment of parts as herein-before described and adapted to a beam engine,
the three piston rods A, A, A, being connected to a cross head A' which is
attached to the swing link of the beam, which also carries the customary
parallel gear. The valve rod B is here shewn as receiving motion from the
cross rail connecting the swing links of the radius, bars [see also C, Fig. 4] and
transmitting such motion to the side lever D and valve spindle, as in adapting

page_text: the Invention to the ordinary beam engines in use no alteration in the air
pump, condenser, or foundation is required.
At Fig. 5 is shewn application to horizontal engines, and Fig. 6 is a plan view
of Fig. 5, and Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, are other illustrations thereof
in which the same letters refer to similar parts in the different views shewn.
A, A, A, are the cylinders; B, B, B, the piston rods; C, the cross head; D,
the connecting rods; E, the engine crank; e, the air pump crank; F, the
air pump; G, the eccentric and rod; H, the water pump; J, the engine
bed and condenser; K, the hot well; L, the outlet pipe therefrom; M, the
steam pipe; N, the feed pipe for pump; O, the outlet pipe from same;
P shews the triplicate valve; Q, the rib shaped pieces thereof which cover and
open the feed and exit ways by the rocking motion imparted to the lever R,
see Fig. 9; S, the dividing discs or midfeathers of the valve; T, the steam
passages leading to each end of the valve to feed the small cylinders, see U,
Fig. 8. Fig. 7 shews the cylinder of air pump with its ports. Fig. 8, the
corresponding port in hot well and condenser, these two views shews that
communication is made betwixt the opposite parts in the air pump, and the
hot well and condenser successively by the act of occilation of the air pump
cylinder. At Fig. 11, which is end view of air pump, are the occilating
trunnions; W are the side bars and block..
The action of the engine is as follows:-On the supply of steam to the
engine it passes from the central supply orifice in the valve to each end
thereof (see Fig. 9) in the direction of the arrows, and thence to the small
cylinders through the feed port for same (see Fig. 8), thereby giving motion
to the engine. The direction of arrows shews passage of steam to the small
cylinders, and the exit from these cylinders to the opposite side of the rib
shaped pieces in the valve, and thence through the midfeathers at each end
of the valve to the middle portion of the same on the feed side, thereof to
supply the large cylinder, in which such steam is worked expansively.
Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17 shew a modification of compound cylinder engine,
more particularly adapted for compactness and quick speeds. The two
cylinders a are joined together end to end by the flanges 6 through bosses, on
which joint the crank shaft passes, the piston c is of sufficient length to extend
into both cylinders, and contains in its interior a hollow space to admit of
motion being given from the piston to the crank d by the connecting rod e,
and also to permit of the movement of the crank and shaft. This crank
shaft extends through said bosses and carries a fly wheel and pully 9 for
governor at one end, and the compound valvej at the other end thereof;
the valve in this case, however, is made to revolve, and is divested of a

page_text: portion of its midfeathers and divisional ribs, the steam being supplied through
the end plate K (Fig. 15) into the cavity and through the midfeather
into m, which is the feed side of the valve, and through the portway to one
end of the piston G, the exhaust steam being at the same time free to return
to the opposite side E of the divisional rib, and thence into n and outwards in
the direction of the arrows. Figs. 16 and 17 shew end view of valve
enlarged as thus adapted, with the rib shaped division piece in Fig. 16
covering the passages leading to and from the cylinders, and in Fig. 17
shewing the exit port open long after the feed port has been cut off; the
segmental portion 0 of the valve determining the amount of expansion
intended. Though in this last arrangement it is not anticipated that an equal
amount of economy will be obtained with that of the triplicate cylinder
engine, yet the Inventor believes that for engines of limited power this
arrangement of compound cylinder engine will have considerable advantages
over those in general use.
Having thus fully described and ascertained the nature and particulars of
this my said Invention, together with the manner in which the same is to be
or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in
conclusion that I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly, the combination and general arrangement of the parts of the
furnaces as shewn in the Drawings, and herein fully described.
Secondly, the general arrangement of the parts of the compound cylinder
engines as herein described and illustrated.
Lastly, the construction, application, and use of the triplicate valve for the
maintenance of simultaneous motion of the pistons and valve as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere
modification of the same acting in substantially the same or a similar manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Ramsbottom, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Patent Agent,
Halifax & Blackburn.
JOHN RAMSBOTTOM. (L.S.)