CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES TO BE USED UPON RAIL OR OTHER WAYS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARRIAGES USED UPON RAILWAYS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, 'WILLIAM
BECKETT JOHNSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twelfth day of June, in the tenth year of Her reign, and in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, did, for Her-
self, Her Heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said William
Beckett Johnson, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that the said William Beckett Johnson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said William Beckett Johnson, my executors,
administrators, or 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 and
Wales and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also within all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES TO BE USED UPON RAIL OR OTHER WAYS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CARRIAGES USED UPON RAILWAYS;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said William
Beckett Johnson, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,

page_text: as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Beckett Johnson, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly
described and ascertained in and by the Drawings hereto annexed, and the
following explanation thereof (that is to say):-
My improvements in the construction of locomotive engines consist,-
Firstly, in placing the driving or coupled axles of locomotive engines in
certain positions, in order to effect a greater steadiness in working.
Secondly, in certain novel arrangements of mechanism or apparatus for
working the slide for shutting off and working the steam expansively, and also
for reversing the motion of the engine.
Thirdly, in the construction of an expanding slide or guide block; and,
Fourthly, in the general arrangements or construction of the elementary or
working parts of locomotive steam engines.
And lastly, my improvements, which are also applicable to carriages, which
consist in a new contrivance for a signal to be used or employed by guards or
others in case of danger or need, and acting as a whistle, but by the use or
agency of atmospheric air instead of steam, and by allowing it to rush into
an exhausted chamber or receiver instead of being forced or blown through
the whistle as heretofore.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to
describe the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into
practical operation; and in order that my said improvements may be fully
understood, I have attached to these Presents three Sheets of Drawings repre-
senting the application of the same to locomotive steam engines to be employed
upon railways.
In Sheet 1, Figures 1 and 2 represent cross and longitudinal sections of an
arrangement for lowering the boilers of locomotive engines, which is accom-
plished by leaving out any number of the lower horizontal rows of tables that
may be required, and of carrying the driving or coupled axle a through a
recess formed in the under part of the boiler, which recess is placed as near
as possible to the lower row of tubes, as shown at b. Figure 3 represents a
longitudinal section of another arrangement for lowering the boiler, which is
accomplished by constructing in the fire box a hollow bridge b, through which
bridge the driving or coupled axle a is is carried. The flame or caloric gene-
rated in the fire box f is conveyed over the bridge 6 into the chamber c, and
from thence into the tubes t.. At the bottom of the chamber c there is a door

page_text: d for the convenience of repairing and cleansing the tubes. This arrange-
ment of the engine is also shewn in the Drawing of the engine complete in
Sheet 2 at Figure 1. Figure 4 represents a longitudinal section of another
arrangement for lowering the boiler, which is accomplished by forming in the
upper part of the fire box an inverted bridge or recess r, which recess is
opened out to the top of and passes through the steam chambers; through
the inverted bridge or recess r, the driving or coupled axle a is carried. The
caloric generated in the fire box f is conveyed over the bridge or guard g,
under the inverted bridge r, into the chamber c, and from thence into the "
tubes t. The bottom of the chamber c is furnished with a door d for the con-
venience of repairing and cleansing the tubes. Over the recess r is placed a
domie o, for the purpose of forming a connection between the two parts of the
steam chamber divided by the recess. Figure 5 represents a longitudinal sec-
tion of another arrangement for lowering the boiler, which is accomplished by
placing between the tubes t, t, a chamber c, in the upper part of which cham-
ber there is constructed an inverted bridge or recess r, which recess opens out
to the upper side of the boiler; through this inverted bridge or recess the
driving or coupled axle a is carried. The caloric, after passing from the
furnace through the first length of tubes into the chamber, is, after passing
under the inverted bridge or recess r, conveyed through the second length of
tubes into the smoke box. The chamber c is furnished with doors d, d, for
convenience of access in cleansing and repairing the tubes. A dome o is:
placed over the recess r, for the purpose of forming a steam connection
between the two parts of the boiler, and divided by the recess. The advan-
tages of this arrangement are, that, with the boiler the same height from the
rails, a much more moderate-sized wheel can be applied, and that the choking
of the first length of tubes does not interfere with the heating surface of the
second length of tubes, as it is evident that all the particles of fuel passing
through the first length of tubes will lodge in the chamber c, and, conse-
quently not interfere with the steam-generating power of the tubes leading to
the smoke box.
Figure 6 represents an improved arrangement of working the excentrics
for giving motion to the slide valves or feed pumps, which is accomplished by
carrying a shaft & over the boiler b, (or, if required, it may be carried through
a recess formed in the boiler,) upon the extremities of which shaft there aro
keyed two cranks c, c, at right angles with each other, which cranks have a
circular motion given to them by the two rods r, r, which rods are connected
with similar cranks upon the driving or coupled axle of the engine. The
excentrics may be placed upon the shafts, either inside or outside of the

page_text: bearings 1, 2. When the relative positions of the excentric shaft and the shaft
by which it is worked are such as to form an angle exceeding 15° or 20°, it
will be the necessary for the studs y, y, to work in a slide formed in the direc-
tion of the cranks c, c, so as to allow for the varying distance of the two shafts
by the action of the springs. The advantages of this arrangement are, that
the excentrics, not being keyed or worked upon the driving axle, will admit of
the boiler being brought nearer to the driving axle, and also to be made larger
in diameter. The excentrics being worked upon the shafts, are rendered much
easier of access for cleansing and repairing, and constantly in sight of the
engineman, and their durability is increased by being raised from the dust
arising from the line of road.
Fig. 7 represents a side elevation of an improved excentric. s is the shaft
carrying the excentric block 6; r, r, r, are friction rollers working in a groove
formed on the rim of the block b. The rollers r, r, r, are kept in their proper
positions by the two rings a, a, Fig. 8, one placed on each side of the rollers,
in which rings are formed the jaws i, i, i, for receiving the brasses in which
the axles of the friction rollers revolve. The usual excentric rod o is attached
'to the rings a, a, as shewn at b. The advantages of this excentric are less
friction in its working, the motion communicated to the valve, &c. is much
steadier, as the excentric rod is not liable to spring as in the usual construc-
tion, less liability to disorder, and less expense in repairing, as the only parts
subjected to wear are the small brasses in which the friction rollers revolve.
Figs. 9 and 10 represent a longitudinal section and plan of an arrangement
of valves whereby the steam is worked expansively, is cut off, and is "reversed"
or caused to act upon opposite sides of the piston. is the usual slide valve
working upon two flat plates or valves p, p', which plates or valves are placed
side by side, and are kept in close contact by the springs s, s.
These plates
or valves have certain passages or openings o, o¹, o", o¹¹¹, formed so as to agree
with the passages or openings on the face underneath, which passages under-
neath are so divided that the two passages o, a, communicate to one end of
the cylinder h, and the other two passages ol, a', communicate with the other
end of the cylinder g; e is the exhaust passage. From this it will be evident
that when motion in the direction shewn by the is.given to the rod r,
which rod communicates with the engineman, that the lever, working upon
the fulcrum f, will, through the rods y, y', communicate motion to the two
plates or valves p, p¹, in opposite directions, by which the entrance of steam
into the cylinder, through the passages o, o, can be regulated to any degree
of expansion, can, by continuing the motion, be shut off entirely, and by con-
tinuing the motion so as to place the plates or valves in reverse position, the

page_text: openings o¹, o¹¹, will then allow the steam to pass through the passages a, a¹,
and from thence to opposite ends of the cylinder, thereby "reversing" the
motion of the engine: therefore it is evident that all that is required to work
the engine expansively, either backwards or forwards, to cut off steam, and to
"reverse" is, that the necessary motion should be given to the rod 7 commu-
nicating with the engineman. The advantages attending this arrangement
of working the steam expansively, cutting it off, and reversing, are simplicity
in its construction, requiring but one eccentric for each engine, the. compli-
cated arrangement for lifting the excentric rods in and out of gear being
entirely dispensed with. As in this arrangement the lifting of the excentrie
rods in and out of gear is not required, the dispensing with the throstle valve,
and the simple machinery required for working the valves, places the entire con-
trol of the engine, as far as regards the operations herein described, in one handle.
Figs. 11 and 12 represent a longitudinal section and plan of another
method of working the steam expansively, shutting it off, and "reversing." vis
the usual slide valve working upon a fixed plate f, which plate or face is kept
in its correct position by being fixed between the ribs r, r. This face f has
the usual steam passages s, s¹, and the exhausting passage e, which passages
3, s, and e, are divided in the centre by a rib of metal, so as to allow of the
perfect action of the flat plate or valve p working underneath this fixed face f.
This flat plate or valve p has certain passages or openings o, o¹, o", ol, (which
are more fully shewn in the Plan, Fig. 12). This flat plate or valve p works
upon a face underneath, in which the paasages are so divided as that the
passages o, a, lead to one end of the cylinder h, and the passages a¹, o", lead
to the opposite end of the cylinder 9; e is the exhaust passage. From this
it will be evident, that when motion in the direction shewn by the arrow is
given to the rod r, (which rod communicates with the engineman, that the
entrance of the steam into the passages o, o", leading to the ends of the cylin
der h, g, can be regulated to any degree of expansion required, and if the
motion be continued so as to place the flat plate or valve p in the centre of
the valve box, the steam will be entirely shut off; and lastly, by continuing
the motion so as to place the plate or valve in the opposite end of the valve
box, the openings o, o, in the plate or valve will then admit the steam
through the passages a, a¹, and consequently to opposite ends of the cylinder;
thereby reversing the motion of the engine. By this arrrangement of valves
it obvious that all that is required to work the engine expansively backwards
or forwards, to shut off the steam, and to "reverse," is, that the necessary
motion should be given to the rod r communicating with the engineman.
The advantages attending this mode of working the steam expansively, shutting

page_text: it off, and "reversing," are similar to those named in the last-described method
of performing these operations, with the additional advantage of always having
presented to the face of the usual valve v, a fixed face f to travel upon. The
elevation of the engine, as exhibited in Sheet 2 and 3, has this arrangement
of valves.
On the block b
Upon the outer
Figs. 13 and 14 represent longitudinal and cross sections of an expanding
slide or guide block. p is the piston rod attached to the block 6 in the usual
manner; is the pin to which the connecting rod is attached.
are formed two grooves for the wedges w, w, to work in.
surfaces of the wedges are fitted the surface plates 8, 8, in which plates are
formed grooves similar to those in the block b, which grooves maintain the
wedges in their proper position. At each end of the surface plates are pro-
jecting pieces or "gibs" 9, made to fit the block b, for the purpose of prevent-
ing the surface plates s, s, from slipping off the wedges when in motion. c is
a screw firmly fixed to the block b, upon which screw the nuts n, n, are placed
for the purpose of giving motion to the wedges when required, and also for
keeping them in their true positions. It is evident that, on motion being
given to the wedges in the direction of the block b, the surface plates will be
proportionably expanded so as to fill the space between the guide bars f,f, as
the surface plates wear away. The advantages of this expanding block are,
that when the guide bars are once fixed in their correct position, they do not
require, on the guide block becoming slack by wear, to be in any way inter-
fered with, but may, on being correctly fitted, be made fixtures, and allowed
to remain in their original positions. The economy attending this block is,
that when the surface plates are worn away, they alone require replacing, and
not the whole of the guide block, as is usually the case.
In Sheet 3, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of an improved arrangement
or construction of locomotive engine. f is the fire box; b, the boiler; s, the
smoke box. The steam cylinders c are attached to the outside of the usual
framing i, and placed between the wheels w, w¹. The cylinders are placed at
an angle with the horizontal line of the engine, and through the intervention
of the usual piston, piston rod p, and connecting rod r, give a rotary motion to
the wheel w and the shaft s, which driving shaft is carried through the steam
chamber and fire box in the manner described in the third article of this
Specification (or as represented at Fig. 4 in Sheet 1). The crank pin o, to
which the connecting rod is attached, is lengthened, so as to allow the coupling
rod y to form a connection with it, and consequently impart a rotary motion
to the shaft n, through the crank t, and from the crank t, through the coupling.
rod m, to the wheel w³, and consequently to the shaft d, which coupled shaft

page_text: passes through the smoke box s. The shaft n passes over the top. of the
boiler (or, if required, may be placed in a recess formed in the boiler) and is
connected with both engines. On the shaft n the excentrics are placed for
working the slide valves, carrying out the principle described in the fifth
article of this Specification (or as represented at Fig. 6 in Sheet 1). The
simplicity in the construction of this engine, the ready access to all parts of
the machinery whilst at work, and of having four coupled wheels with outside
cylinders placed between them, giving such a distance between the wheels as to
insure great steadiness at high velocities, must render its numerous advantages
very obvious.
Lastly, my improvement relates to the application, employment, or use of a
signal or whistle adapted for guard or other carriages, which signal or whistle
is worked by admitting atmospheric air to pass through it into an exhausted
chamber or receiver, which chamber may be exhausted by a pump worked in
any convenient method from a wheel axle or otherwise. The advantage of
this mode of working a signal or whistle are, that the pump or other stationary
machinery for exhausting the chamber can work for any length of time with-
out danger of bursting, as is the case in using steam or compressed air,
simplicity of construction, no safety valve being required, nor gearing for
throwing the pump or exhausting machinery out of work.
Having described the nature of my Invention or Improvements, I now
proceed to state what parts of the arrangements herein described I claim
as new.
Firstly, I claim the different positions of placing the driving or coupled
axles of locomotive engines, so long as the peculiar features of the arrange-
ments herein described are adhered to, and as exhibited in Sheet 1 of the
Drawings at Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Secondly, I claim the employment or use of a chamber or chambers situated
between the tubes leading from the fire box to the smoke box, as also exhibited
at Fig. 5.
Thirdly, I claim the employment or use of a shaft, worked as described, for
carrying excentrics for working the slide valves or pumps, or for giving motion
to any other operative part connected with locomotive engines, as exhibited at
Fig. 6.
Fourthly, I claim the employment or use of an excentric or excentrics
constructed with friction rollers, as described and exhibited at Figs. 7 and 8.
Fifthly, I claim the employment or use of plates or valves working under-
neath the usual slide valve, for the purpose of working steam expansively,
shutting it off, and for "reversing". the motion of the engines, which may

page_text: either be accomplished as herein described and exhibited in Figures 9, 10, 11;
and 12, or by any other suitable arrangement of the said plates or valves.
Sixthly, I claim the employment or use of an expanding slide or guide
block, as described and exhibited at Figs. 18 and 14.
'Seventhly, I claim the general arrangements of a locomotive engine, as de-
scribed and as exhibited in Sheets 2 and 3 of the Drawings; and also the mode
of coupling four wheels, and the mode of coupling four wheels having outside
cylinders placed between them, as exhibited particularly with reference to
Sheet 3 of the Drawings annexed.
And lastly, I claim the working of signals or whistles for engines or guard
and other carriages, by means of exhausted air.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Beckett Johnson, have hereunto
"set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of December, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-seven.
WILLIAM BECKETT (L.S.) JOHNSON.
- AND BE IT. REMEMBERED, that on the same Tenth day of December;
in tlie year above mentioned, the aforesaid William Beckett Johnson came
before our Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifi-
cation aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the Twelfth day of December, in the year above written.
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