CERTAIN IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1822

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
TIMOTHY BENINGFIELD, of High Street, Whitechapel, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Tobacco Manufacturer, and JOSHUA TAYLOR BEALE, of Christian Street,
Saint George's-in-the-East, Cabinet Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth did, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of His United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day
of September, 1822, in the third year of His reign, give and grant unto us,
the said Thomas Timothy Beningfield and Joshua Taylor Beale, our exors,
adñiors, and assigns, His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that we, the said Thomas Timothy Beningfield and Joshua Taylor
Beale, our exors, adññiors, and assigns, during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
proviso that if we, the said Thomas Timothy Beningfield and Johua Taylor
Beale, or one of us, shall not particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an in-
strument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of
one of us, and cause the same to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties
and advantages whatsoever thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine

page_text: and become void, as in and by the same (relation being thereunto had)
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Thomas Timothy Beningfield and Joshua Taylor Beale, do hereby declare
that the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed and carried into effect, is particularly described and ascertained
in and by the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the following description thereof
(that is to say) —
Our Invention of Certain Improvements in Steam Engines relates particularly
to that description of machine usually denominated rotary steam engines
or steam wheels, in which the elastic force of steam is employed to act against
certain leaves or vanes, which are arranged round an axis, and contained
within a hollow cylinder or drum, so as to cause either the vanes and axis, or
the drum, to revolve in a continued direction for the purpose of commit
nicating a rotary motion to any description of machinery. Fig. 1 upon the
annexed Drawing represents, a transverse section of one of our improved steam
engines. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the same, supposed to be
taken in a direction parellel to the axis; and Figs. 3 and 4 represent detached
parts of the engine. Note.-The same characters or letters reference are used
to denote corresponding parts upon all the Figs. A, A, represents a hollow
cylinder, which is bored true and smooth withinside. This cylinder has two
cavities or recesses formed on its opposite diameter, extending the entire length
of the cylinder. Those cavities are adapted to receive two curved leaves
or flaps C and D, which are mounted so as to move upon small axis or
knuckles c, d, formed along one of their edges, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2.
Thus the flaps C and D can be turned up into the cavities to form a continu-
ation of the interior of the cylinder A, A, as seen at C, Fig. 1, or they can be
turned out into the position seen at D, the object of which will be herein-after
explained. The cylinder A, A, is cast with projecting rings or flanges a, a, at
each end, which flanges have an enlarged circular cavity formed in their
surfaces to receive the end plates E, E, F, F, of the cylinder; the said circular
cavities being equal in depth to the thickness of the end plates, as seen
in Fig. 2, so that the rings of metal b, b, can be bolted against. the flanges,
with a packing between them, to hold the end plates firm in their places, and
render the joint sufficiently steam-tight. The end plate F, F, has a cylindical
drum G proceeding from it, which projects into the cylinder A, A, near to the
middle of its length, and the end plate E, E, has a large circular opening or
stuffing box formed in its centre, through which a similar drum H passes, and
projects also into the cylinder A, A, leaving a narrow space between the ends

page_text: of the two drums, in order to receive a circular plate or disc I, which is
formed upon a cylindrical axix K, L. This axis passes through cylindrical
bored cavities or collars in the centre of the two drums, as seen at g, h,
Fig. 2. The drums G and H, as well as the circular disc I, are turned truly
cylindrical on their exterior diameter, and being retained in a position con-
centric with the cylinder A, A, by means of the end plates E, E, F, F, before-
mentioned. An entire circular channel or annular cavity is formed in this
channel. An oblong piston M is adapted to move, being secured to the
circumference of the disc I, by a screw e, in such manner that the central
axis K, L, with its disc I and piston M, are united, as represented in the
detached Fig. 4, the piston is thereby capable of circulating or revolving in the
aforesaid circular channel; or if the axis is held fast the circular channel (that
is to say), the cylinder A, A, with its drums G and H, may be made to revolve
upon its collars 9 and h, about the piston M and axis K, L. The two flaps
C and D can be turned out of their recesses in the cylinder A, A, as shewn
at D, Fig. 1, so as to bear upon the circumference of the drums G and H,
and the disc I, and thereby completely close up or interrupt the circular
channel at opposite sides alternately. The end K of the central axis is
perforated, and communicates directly with a passage preceding from the cir-
cumference or periphery of the dise I, as represented by the dotted lines k in
Fig. 1, 2, and 3, the opening being close to one side of the piston M, whilst
the opposite end L of the central axis is perforated to communicate with
another passage formed in the disc, shewn at 7, Fig. 1, 2, 3, and 4, being
on the opposite side of the piston M. These two passages have no direct
communication with each other, altho' they both open into the circular channel
on opposite sides of the piston, because the said channel is continually inter-
rupted by one or other of the two flaps C or D, being turned down so as
to bear upon the circumference of the drums G and H, and the disc I, as will
be clearly seen by the section, Fig. 1. The extreme end K of the central
axis is connected by a flange with a pipe S proceeding from the steam engine
boiler, and the other end L of the said axis is in like manner connected with a
pipe V, communicating with a condensing apparatus, such as is generally
employed in steam engines, and being so well understood will not require a
particular explanation. The axis K, L, is supported at its ends by two
standards P, P, which rise up from the bottom or ground plate Q, Q, as seen
in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper part of the standards P, P, are furnished with
caps and screw bolts p, p, to clamp the central axis fast, and prevent it from
turning round, as from the arrangement of our improved steam engine, which
is described by the annexed Drawings, the external cylinder or drum is
as

page_text: supposed to be put in motion by the action of the steam whilst the central
axis and piston remain stationary; but if it should be desired that the central
axis and piston should revolve, then the exterior cylinder must be securely
bolted to the ground plate, or otherwise securely fixed, and the junction of the
pipes S and V, with the ends K and L of the central axis, must be furnished
with turning joints or steam-tight collars (such as are usually employed and
well known in steam apparatus), to allow. the central axis to revolve whilst the
pipes S and V remain stationary, and communicate without interruption with
the passages and 7, before described, in the disc I, in order to supply a regular
flow of steam at one end of the central axis, and carry it away from the other
to the condensing apparatus. In cases where the central axis was intended to
revolve, the two standards P, P, might be entirely dispensed with, since the
central axis with its disc and piston would be steadily guided in their rotation
by the cylindrical collars 9 and h, formed through the drums G and H, as
represented in Figure 2. The operation of this engine is as follows:-
Suppose the piston M to be held fast by the disc I and axis K, L, in the
situation shewn by Fig. 1, and the steam flowing regularly from the boiler (as
herein-before mentioned) through the dotted passage k, in the disc I, to the
face m of the piston, at the same time a vacuum is supposed to be formed in
the space behind the piston by the condensing apparatus communicating
through the passage 1, formed in the disc, as before described, it being
understood that the communication within the circular channel aforesaid is
interrupted by the steam flap D being turned out of its recess, so that its edge
applies correctly to the circumference of the drums G and H, and also
to the circumference of the disc I, it will easily appear that the pressure
of the steam acting upon one surface of the steam flap-D, and the
pressure of the atmosphere being removed on the other, the elasticity of
the steam will tend to move the steam flap D round the disc and central axis,
the reaction being sustained by the stationary piston M, and since the steam
flaps are united to the drums and cylinder by the knuckle joints c, d, before
mentioned, the said drums and cylinder must be carried round in the direction
shewn by the arrow Z, in Fig. 1; when the steam flap D has advanced
or moved round a short distance the other steam flap. C will have been
brought out of its recess into the dotted position C2, so as to bear upon the
drums G, H, and the disc I, in which situation the steam will exert its force
between the steam flap C and the face m of the piston; this action will continue
until the steam flap D arrives close to the back of the piston; the steam
flap is then caused to retire into its recess and form a continuation of the
interior curve of the cylinder A, A, so as to be capable of passing by the

page_text: piston without obstruction, during which period the other steain flap C, con-
tinues the action of the machine by the steam bearing against one of its
surfaces, and the atmospheric pressure being removed on the other, the reaction
being always sustained by the stationary piston M; now, as soon as the steam
flap D has moved clear beyond the piston, it returns into the original position
shewn at D, in Fig. 1, and recommences its operation; thus a continued
action is maintained by the two steam flaps being operated upon alternately,
so as to cause a rotary motion of the cylinder and drums to take place about
the central axis, which motion is capable of being transmitted to any descrip-
tion of machinery, either by a ring of coggs or teeth formed round the flanges
a', a', of the cylinder A, A, or otherwise by a belt or strap passing, round the
outer circumference of the said cylinder. It now remains for us to shew how
the steam flaps C and D are caused to move in and out of their recesses at
the proper intervals to continue the action of the engine. This is effected by
means of two curved arms or wipers, W and X, which are fixed or clamped
to the central axis by screws, as represented in Figs. 2 and 4. These wipers
operate upon the steam flaps in the following manner :-The axes or centers.
of motion c and d of the steam flaps are prolonged, and passed through stuffing
boxes formed in the end plate F, F, as seen at i, i, in Fig. 2; the extreme
end of the axes c and d have short arms of metal fixed firmly fixed upon them,
which arms are adapted to carry small friction rollers w, w, as represented at
w; w, in Figs. 1 and 2; these rollers are operated upon by the wipers W.
and X. The form and relative situations of these wipers are clearly shewn in
the detached Fig. 3, which Figure represents the disc I, with its piston M and
central axis, and also the two wipers W and X. The wiper W is formed to
an external curve, so that the small rollers w, w, in their revolution about
the central axis, are caused to pass over the said curve, and be thereby forced
outwards or from the centre, which movement, by turning the axis cor. d,.
causes the corresponding steam flaps to move out of their recesses, and close
upon the circumference of the drums and disc as herein-before described, at
the same time the wiper X is formed with an internal curve projecting side-
ways, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, so that the small rollers w, w, in their revo--
lution about the central axis, are caused to pass beneath the projecting curve
of the said wiper, and are thus forced towards the centre, which movement
(by their connection with the axes c and d before mentioned) moves the steam
flaps into the recesses formed in the cylinder A, A, in order that they may,
pass freely by the piston as herein-before described. Note. The two positions
of the short levers and the rollers w, w, as well as the steam flaps, are repre-
sented by the dotted form in Fig. 3. We will now explain. the manner. in

page_text: which the fittings or junctions of the various moving parts are packed or
rendered sufficiently tight to prevent the escape of the steam. In the first
place, the ends of the two drums G and H are turned and ground with great
care against the opposite surfaces of the disc I, and the escape of steam is
prevented (in proportion as the surfaces wear away) by the drum H being
forced into a sufficiently close contact by the operation of the screws n, n;
and the metal ring o,'o, bearing against the outermost end of the said drum,
as seen in the Fig. 2. The piston M is rendered sufficiently steam-tight in
the aforesaid circular channel by being formed in two halves, which pass over each
other in a manner nearly similar to the pistons of ordinary steam engines, or
so as to form a groove or channel all round the piston, which channel is filled
with hempen gasket or other proper yielding material; the two halves of the
piston are connected by three screws arranged in the length of the piston, as
seen at 1, t, x, in Fig, 4; these screws are capable of being tightened down
uniformly by a connection of small cog, wheels attached to them, as shewn
at r, s, t, v, a, in Fig. 2; the centre screw t, has a capstan head forined on it, as
seen at t, in Figs. 1 and 3, which enables it to be turned round as occasion may
require, by introducing a small lever or spanner through the openings N or R,
formed in the cylinder A, A; these openings are furnished with screw caps
or covers, which can be easily taken off and replaced again; when the operation
of screwing or tightening down the packing of the piston is to be performed;
the engine must be placed in such a position that one of the steam flaps can
be turned upon its axis, and moved out of its recess so as to bear upon the
drums, after which the cylinder and drums must be moved round upon the
central axis, until the capstan head upon the screw t of the piston can be
conveniently reached by a small lever or spanner introduced through the
corresponding openings N or R. The two small cog wheels s and v turn upon
fixed studs upon the piston, and serve to connect the three screws 1, t, and a,
and also to reverse the motion and cause the said three screws to be turned
round uniformly in the same direction. The steam flaps C and D are ren-
dered sufficiently steam-tight against the end plates E, E, and F, F, of the
cylinder A, A, by a packing of hemp or other proper yielding material, which
is introduced into openings formed through the projecting edges or ends of
the steam flaps, the said packings being forced outwards when required by
the operation of a right and left handed screw D, working into two nuts
d, d; these nuts bear behind the packings, as represented in Fig. 2. The
screw D2 is formed with a capstan head in the middle of its length, capable
of being turned by a lever or spanner introduced through the openings N or R,
in the same manner as described for tightening up the piston. The edges of

page_text: the steam flaps C. and D, where they bear, upon the circumference of the
drums G and H, and the disc I, we propose to make sufficiently close and
steam-tight, by grinding the surfaces of the metals together; but if it should be
thought adviseable, a packing of any proper yielding substance may be applied.
along the edges of the steam flaps, being secured thereto by screws or other-
wise as may be found most convenient. The axes of motion or knuckles
c and d of the steam flaps we render sufficiently steam-tight by driving hemp
or other similar yielding substance into small cavities or recesses, as seen
at c and d, Fig. 1, which cavities are formed along the knuckle through their
whole length between the end plates of the cylinder A. A; the hemp is filled
into these cavities before the end plates are put in their places, and the pack-
ings can afterwards be replenished and driven tight, as may be required, by
removing the screw plugs e, e, seen in Fig. 2, which will afford access to the
ends of the aforesaid cavities, and enable the packing to be driven tight by
the aid of a long steel wire or- small rod of metal. In some cases we employ
two pistons similar in construction to the one already described; these two
pistons are securely fixed to the disc at opposite points on its circumference,
the disc being perforated with four passages, two of which passages commu-
nicate directly with the steam pipe and two with the eduction pipe and con-
denser, passing through opposite ends of the central axis as herein-before
described. In this arrangement of our engine it becomes necessary to employ
three steam flaps, with their corresponding recesses and appendages, situated
at equidistant points in the cylinder A, A; at the same time we must observe,
that the wipers fixed upon the central axis for moving the steam flaps must
be so formed and situated with respect to each other that two of the three
steam flaps will be turned out so as to bear upon the circumference of the
drums and disc at all times, thereby preventing the steam from passing
through the engine without performing its proper effect. This form of engine.
possesses some advantage over the one already described with only one
piston, since the force would be exerted equally on the opposite sides of the
central axis, and thereby the strain upon the parts would be considerably
diminished; at the same time an engine of a given size might be made to
perform double the work in consequence of having two pistons always in
action.
Having now fully described the nature of our said improvements in steam
engines, in such manner as to enable persons conversant with works of a
similar nature to put them in practise, we hereby declare, that we consider
our claim to extend to the following particulars only:-
First, in the general new arrangement and combination of the various parts

page_text: of the engine as herein-before described, with reference to the annexed
Drawing.
Secondly, in the application of the narrow perforated disc (herein-before
described), by means of which the steam is introduced and properly distributed
in the engine without the aid of valves or cocks.
Thirdly, in the particular manner of tightening or setting up one of the
central drums, so as to keep a sufficiently steam-tight joint against the faces of
the disc, as herein-before described.
Fourthly, in the new and particular manner of screwing or tightening up
the packings of the piston and steam flaps (as herein-before described and set
forth), so as to admit of a ready access to the said packings at all times, and
without the necessity of deranging or removing any of the material parts of
the engine; all other parts described or mentioned in this Specification have
been only introduced to explain clearly the nature of our said improvements
in steam engines. At the same time, we reserve the right of altering or
varying the form, size, and proportions of the different parts, according to the
nature of the work which the engine is intended to perform; and also the
materials of which the same may be made we should vary according to the
size or power of the engine.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Timothy. Beningfield and
Joshua Taylor Beale, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twenty-seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and twenty-three.
THOS TIMOTHY (L.S.) BENINGFIELD.
JOS" TAYLOR (L.S.) BEALE.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-seventh day of March,
in the year of our Lord 1823, the aforesaid Thomas Timothy Beningfield
and Joshua Taylor Beale came before our said Lord the King in His Chan-
cery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing
therein contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Specifi-
cation aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for
that purpose.