IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT' to Thomas William Miller, of Her Majesty's Dock-
yard; Portsmouth, for the Invention of" IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES,
AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 24th October 1861, and dated the 27th April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas William Miller at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 27th April' 1861'.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM MILLER, of Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
In constructing steam engines according to my present Invention, for the
purpose of propelling ships and other vessels by means of a screw propellor or
propellers, I'construct such engines with three cylinders, one of which shall
be of less dimensions than the other two, and whether it be of more or less.
than one half of the diameter of the larger cylinders, it is in every case to be
of a length only sufficient to give a reduced stroke or travel of piston equal to
the proportion of the wheel gearing introduced between the crank shaft or.
shafts of the large engine or engines, and the crankshaft of the small engine,
such shafts and the wheels thereon being respectively rotated by the action of
the pistons to which through the corresponding piston rod they are connected:
by means of suitable connecting rods. Thus, if the length of the small cylinder
Price 8d.1

page_text: be one half of that of the larger cylinders, its piston may travel at the same
speed per minute as the largerpistous, and the proportion of the wheel gearing
be as one to two. In horizontal screw engines, the small cylinder would he
placed above and between the two larger cylinders, and the wheel gearing be
introduced between the axial lines of the two larger cylinders. The proportion
between the capacity of the two larger cylinders and the smaller cylinder may
be varied, but the steam exhausted from the smaller cylinder is made to pass
alternately to one side or the other of each of the larger pistons in which the
steam is expanded, and is made to pass from thence to the condenser.
Instead of communicating the motion of marine engines to screw shafts by
means of the ordinary forms of wheel gearing, I employ for the purpose of
transmitting high speeds a pinioued shaft formed by the teeth being planed
out of the solid throughouta sufficient length of the shaft to ensure a strength
or power of resistance greater than the maximum strain to which it is possible
to subject it. The wheel into which the said pinioned shaft is to be geared,
should be composed of several gun metal wheels secured side by side upon
the screw shaft, or it may be a hollow drum-like casting, with a boss at each
end. The pinioned shaft and the driven wheel into which it gears are to
be mounted in a frame or carriage composed of one casting, having a guide
standard at each end, in which the two sets of shaft bearings are fitted, aud
thus the constant parallelism of their axes may be secured. The short length
of driven shaft upon which the wheel is mounted sliould be connected to the
line of screw shafting by means of a flanged coupling or disc, and india-
rubber picking, or other ordinary equivalent means be introduced between the
faces of the couplings for permitting the usual deflection or change of line to
take place without injury to the gearing. This part of my Invention is par-
ticularly adapted for the employment of high-pressure steam to marine pro-
pulsion, and for engines working at high velocities.
For condensing steam previously employed in the cylinders of steain
engines, I construct and employ one or other of the forms of surface conden-
sers herein-after described, and in combination therewith, or as part of such
condensing apparatus where the same is practicable, I form in the upper por-
tion or in any other convenient part of the condenser a feed-water heater, and
whilst the condensing fluid or medium may generally in practice be water,
I have by the addition of an apparatus at the side of the surface condenser
provided a means through the employment of ether or other readily vapour-
isable and condensable fluid in a separate chamber or vessel, by which may be
condensed steam admitted into the condenser for the purpose of its conversion
into fresh water. I form a casing, whether circular or of any other convenient

page_text: shape, having a central tube or passage for the admission of the exhaust steam
at the top, and its conduct to the bottom chamber, or below the tube plate.
I provide a number of tubes, each having its superior end closed, and the
lower ends secured in the tube plate, whilst the upper end is free to admit of
expansion and contraction. The cold condensing water is admitted at the
lower part of the casing, circulates.amongst the tubes, and escapes at the
top or superior end of the condenser casing. The casing is supported upon
a chamber into which the steam passes, and in which the condensed steam.
from the interior of the tubes falls,and the hot fresh water is collected for the
purpose of feeding the boilers. Instead of allowing the steam direct admission..
into the condenser, I prefer where it is possible to apply it to surmount the
casing of the condenser with an additional vessel or casing containing a series.
of tubes closed at their superior extremity, and passing through a tube plate
forming the bottom of such vessel. Into the interiors of these tubes the steam
enters, and is caused to part with its heat on its way to be condensed, and
collected as fresh water. By means of openings in the lower part of this
latter case or feed-water heater, the water from the pump or pumps on its
way to the boiler is made to pass through amongst the tubes, and is permitted
to escape at the top, from thence passing into the boiler. Thus the exhaust
steam, whilst yielding part of its heat to the feed water, is in a corresponding
degree made to assist the condenser in its useful results.
To the side of one of my improved condensers, such as I have herein.first
described,I add for the purpose of taking advantage of the well known pro-
perties of ether and other easily vapourised and condensable fluids, a vessel'
containing a number of open tubes, having their ends secured in tube plates,
and having at the top as well as the bottom thereof a chamber or space;
the condensing water for bringing the vapour back into a liquid condition in
any convenient manner, is made to circulate amongst the tubes. The lower
chamber of this vessel is filled with ether or other vapourisable fluid, which
fills to any required depth the interior of the tubes, and by an opening or
passage at the bottom thereof,a communication is made with the main con-
denser, into the lower part of which the ether or its equivalent is permitted to
pass and surround the tubes into which. the steam to be condensed enters or
passes; thereupon, the ether having imparted to it the heat contained in the
steam vapourises, and from thence passes off at the upper part of the con-
denser case, and by a suitable passage or passages to the vapour condenser,
where the application of cold condensing water to the exterior surfaces of the.
tubes or passages causes the vapour to-descend or return to the lower vessel
or receiver in a cold fluid condition..

page_text: The tubes forming the heat-abstracting surfaces of the steam condensers
which I have described, may, instead of each being single separate tubes, with
the superior end of each closed, be formed of a tube of twice the required
length,bent or formed so that both ends of the same tube are secured in the
lower tube plate, and by the insertion into each tube, or into each leg of each
bent tube, of a strip or ribbon of material of a width equal to the interior
diameter of each tube, a more perfect circulation is obtained within such
tubes; these ribbons or loose division plates should be of a length sufficient to
extend below the line of the tube plate,and being in the direct course of the
exhaust steam, act as deflectors and directors, whilst they do not extend to
the upper end of each tube; they also add to the amount of the metallic heat-
abstracting surface of the condensor.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas William Miller in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th October 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
WILLIAM MILLER, of Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas William Miller, Her special licence that I, the said
Thomas William Miller, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Thomas William Miller, 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 law.
fully 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas
William Miller, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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..

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas William Miller, 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, and accompanying two Sheets of Drawings:-
In constructing steam engines according to my present Invention, for the
purpose of propelling ships and other vessels by means of a screw propeller or
propellers, I construct such engines with three cylinders, one of which shall
be of less dimensions than the other two, and whether it be of more or less
than one half of the diameter of the larger cylinders, it is in every case to be
of a length only sufficient to give a stroke or travel of piston equal to the
proportion of the wheel gearing introduced between the crank shaft or shafts
of the large engine or engines and the crank shaft of the small engine, such
shafts and the wheels thereon being respectively rotated by the action of the
pistons, to which, through the corresponding piston rod, they are connected by
means of suitable connecting rods. Thus, if the length of the small cylinderbe
one half of that of the larger cylinders, its piston may travel at the same speed
per minute as the larger pistons, and the proportion of the wheel gearing be as
one to two. In horizontal screw engines the small cylinder would be placed
above and between the two larger cylinders, and the wheel gearing be intro_
duced between the axial lines of the two larger cylinders. The proportion
between the capacity of the two larger cylinders and the smaller cylinder may
be varied, but the steam exhausted from the smaller cylinder is made to pass
alternately to one side or the other of each of the larger pistons, in which the
steam is expanded and is made to pass from thence to the condenser.
Instead of communicating the motion of marine engines to screw shafts by
means of the ordinary forms of wheel gearing, I employ for the purpose of
transmitting high speeds a pinioned shaft formed by the teeth being planed
out of the solid throughout a sufficient length of the shaft to insure a strength
or power of resistance greater than the maximum strain to which it is possible
to subject it. The wheel into which the said pinioned shaft is to be geared.
should be composed of several gun metal wheels secured side by side upon the
screw shaft, or it may be a hollow drum-like casting with a boss at each end.
The pinioned shaft and the driven wheel into which it gears are to be mounted
in a frame or carriage composed of one casting, having a guide standard at each
end, in which the two sets of shaft bearings are fitted, and thus the constant
parallelism of their axes may be secured. The short length of driven shaft
upon which the wheel is mounted should be connected to the line of screw
shafting by means of a flanged coupling or disc, and india-rubber packing or
other ordinary equivalent means be introduced between the faces of the coup

page_text: lings for permitting the usual deflection or change of line to take place without
injury to the gearing. This part of my Invention is particularly adapted for
the employment of high-pressure steam to marine propulsion and for engines
working at high velocities, whether for marine or other purposes.
For condensing steam previously employed in the cylinders of steam engines
I construct and employ one or other of the forms of surface condensers herein-
after described, and in combination therewith, or as part of such condensing
apparatus, where the same is practicable, I form in the upper portion, or in
any other convenient part of the condenser, a feed-water heater. And whilst
the condensing fluid or medium may generally in practice be water, I have,
by the addition of an apparatus at the side of the surface condenser provided
a means, through the employment of ether or other readily vaporizable and
condensible fluid in a separate chamber or vessel, by which may becondensed
the steam admitted into the condenser for the purpose of its conversion into
fresh water. I form a casing, whether circular or of any other convenient
shape, having a central tube or passage for the admission of the exhaust steam
at the top and its conduct to the bottom chamber or below the tube plate. I
provide a number of tubes, each having its superior end closed and the lower
ends secured in the tube plate, wbilst the upper end is free to admit of expan-
sion and contraction. The cold condensing water is admitted at the lower
part of the casing, circulates amongst the tubes, and escapes at the top or
superior end of the condenser casing. The casing is supported upon a chamber
into which the steam passes, and in which the condensed steam from the
interior of the tube falls, and the hot fresh water is collected for the purpose
of feeding the boilers.
Instead of allowing the steam direct admission into the condenser I prefer,
where it is possible to apply it, to surmount the casing of the condenser with
an additional vessel or casing containing a series of tubes closed at their
superior extremity and passing through a tube plate forming the bottom of
such vessel. Into the interior of these tubes the steam enters and is caused
to part with its heat on its way to be condensed and collected as fresh water.
By means of openings in the lower part of this latter case or feed-water heater
the water from the pump or pumps on its way to the boiler is made to pass
through amongst the tubes and is permitted to escape at the top, from thence
passing into the boiler. Thus the exhaust steam, whilst yielding part of its
heat to the feed water (in an apparatus constructed as described), is in a
corresponding degree made to assist the condenser in its useful results.
To the side of one of my improved condensers, such as I herein describe,
I add, for the purpose. of taking advantage of the well-known properties of

page_text: ether and other easily vaporized and condensible fluids, a vessel containing a
number of open tubes having their ends secured in tube plates, and having at
the top as well as at the bottom thereof, a chamber or space; the condensing
water for bringing the vapour back into a liquid condition is made to circulate
amongst the tubes in any convenient manner. The lower chamber of this
vessel is filled with ether or other vaporizable fluid, which fills to any required
depth the interior of the tubes, and by an opening or passage at the bottom
thereofa communication is made with the main condenser, into the lower part
of which the ether or its equivalent is permitted to pass and surround the
tubes into which the steam to be condensed enters or passes; thereupon, the
ether having imparted to it the heat contained in the steam vaporizes, and
from thence passes off at the upper part of the condenser case and by a suit-
able passage or passages to the vapor condenser, where the application of cold
condensing water to the exterior surfaces of the tubes or passages causes the
vapor to descend or return to the lower vessel or receiver in a cold fluid
condition.
The tubes forming the heat-abstracting surfaces of the steam condensers
which I have generally described may, instead of each being single separate
tubes with the superior end of each closed, be formed of a tube of about twice
the length, bent or formed so that both ends of the same tube are secured in
the lower tube plate. And, by the insertion into each tube, or into each
leg of each bent tube, of a strip or ribbon of material of a width equal to the
interior diameter of each tube, a more perfect circulation is obtained within
such tubes. These ribbons or loose division plates should be of a length
sufficient to extend below the line of the tube plate, and being in the direct
course of the exhaust steam,act as deflectors and directors, whilst they do not
extend to the upper end of each tube; they also add to the amount of the
metallic heat-abstracting surface of the condenser.
In the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings I have shown in detail the
improved arrangements of steam engine and apparatus, according to my present
Invention, intended more especially for propelling screw ships, and the
several Figures or views.
Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, serve to illustrate those parts of my present Inven-
tion which relate to the means of using or employing steam for the purpose
of producing motion; the several parts thereof being defined by letters of
reference.
The several Figures 9 to 16 inclusive, relate to apparatus constructed
according to my Invention for condensing the steam after it has been employed
in giving motion to the engine and machinery, and some of the said views

page_text: exhibit a combination with such condensing apparatus of a novel feed-water
heater, as also a combination with the surface condenser of a vaporizer or
apparatus for employing ether or other easily vaporizable liquid instead of water
for the purpose of condensing the exhaust steam. In each of these views the
apparatus for condensing steam depends for its efficiency upon the interposition
of metallic surfaces between the steam to be condensed and the cold water, or
other condensing medium; the tubes. or vessels, into which the steam is
admitted, and in which or through which the heat abstraction takes place, are
of the forms shown in the said views, and as herein described.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 being descriptive of the construction of steam engines
with three cylinders, one of which shall be of less dimensions than the other
two, as herein-before set forth. Figure 1 is an end view of the engine taken,
so that the ends of the three cylinders may be seen together with the two
cranks, shafts, and the cogged or tooth wheels attached thereto; Figure 2
is a side view of the engine, taken so that the small cylinder or cylinder of
less dimensions is seen in section with its piston and connecting rod; and the
slide of one of the larger cylinders is also seen within the slide case in section.
In this view is also seen the two cranks, shafts, and the cogged or toothed
wheels attached thereto, and also the exhaust pipe from one of the cylinders to
its condenser; Figure 3 is an end section of the engine, so taken that it
exhibits the three cylinders with their slide valves, slide valve cases, and their
passages; Figure 4 is a plan of the engine, in which will be seen the three
cylinders, the two crank shafts, the cogged or toothed' wheels, the exhaust
pipes from the two large cylinders and their condensers; together with the
piston rods, framing, &c.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 the same letters relate to like or corresponding
parts. a is the steam pipe from the boiler; b, the small cylinder, or cylinder
of less dimensions than the other two; c, its slide valve, valve case, &c.; d,its
piston and rod; e, its connecting rod; f, its crank shaft; and cogged or
toothed pinion; g, the two larger cylinders; h, their slide valves and valve
cases; i, their piston rods and cross-heads; k, their connecting rods; /, their
crank shaft, and the cogged or toothed wheels; m, the exhaust pipes, from the
larger cylinders to the condensers; n, the condensers; o, the several parts of
the frame of the engine for supporting the crank shaft; together with their
bearings, pedestals, or plummer blocks.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent an engine suitable for rotating a propeller;
the three cylinders placed horizontally, and' where not specially described
otherwise, the several parts will be constructed as in the ordinary constructions
of such descriptions of steam engines. But it is to be observed that the

page_text: cylinders may be placed at an angle instead of horizontal, as shown in the
Drawings, and where it is preferred to place the steam cylinders vertically
instead of horizontally, or at an angle, the small cylinder or cylinder of less
dimensions may be placed by the side of the larger cylinders, and between them
and the proportion of the crank thereof, and the disposition of the axis of the
crank shaft may beat any other angle than vertical. It is, however, to be observed
that the cranks upon the crank shaft of the larger cylinders are to be placed at
right angles to one another, so that when the piston of one of the larger
cylinders is at full stroke at either end of the cylinder the piston of the other
larger cylinder shall be at half stroke; and that the wheels on this shaft and
those on the crank shaft of the smaller cylinder shall be so geared into one
another that when the piston of either of the larger cylinders shall be at full
stroke at either end of the cylinder, the piston of the smaller cylinder shall
likewise be at full stroke at either end of the cylinder. This arrangement
is necessary, so that the steam as it issues from the smaller cylinder, after
acting upon its piston, may enter at the proper times alternately into the
larger cylinders and act expansively upon their pistons. Instead, however, of
making the smaller cylinder of half the length of the larger cylinders; it may
be of any other proportion, the difference between which being compensated
by the proportions of the gearing employed, and the speed of travel being also
governed thereby; as, for instance, when the length of the small cylinder is
the same as that of the larger cylinders, the pinion and wheel gearing being
proportioned as one to two, the smaller piston would thereby travel at twice
the speed of the larger pistons; but whatever proportion may by preference
be adopted for the small cylinder the introduction of suitably proportioned
wheel gearing is essential to this part of my present Invention.
Although in the Drawing a marine engine has been selected for illustration,
it is intended that my Invention shall be applied to and be used and employed:
for land engines, or engines intended for giving motion to machinery, and for
other purposes.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and S are illustrative of the means herein described for
I communicating the motion of marine engines to screw shafts; Figure 5 is a
longitudinal view of the pinioned shaft, with the teeth planed throughout, and
the wheel into which it works, showing the framing for supporting them, and
also the end view of engines for rotating the pinioned shaft; Figure 6 is a
similar longitudinal view of the pinioned shaft, with the teeth planed in
lengths, each length of teeth being planed in advance of the other, and the
wheels into which it works formed correspondingly, placed side by side, and
showing the framing for supporting them, and also the end view of the engines

page_text: for rotating the pinioned shaft; Figure 7 is a transverse view of the piuioned
shaft, and the wheel into which it works, showing both.in section, and a sidė
view of the engines for rotating the pinioned shaft; Figure 'S is a similar
transverse view of the pinioned shaft, and the wheel into which it works, and
also the framing for supporting them, together with a side view of the engines
for rotating the pinioned shaft. In all these Figures the same letters have
reference to corresponding parts.
In Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, a is the pinioned shaft; b, the wheel, into which
it works; but in Figure 6, 6 is one wheel, into which the pinion works; b;
another wheel; and 6", another wheel, with their teeth set in advance one of
another, as on the pinioned shaft, and as in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8; c is the
shaft, on which the wheel in Figure 5, and the wheels in Figure 6 are fixed;
d, the framing, for supporting the journals of the pinioned shaft, and the shaft
on which the wheel into which it works are fixed; e, the screw shaft, coupled
to the shaft on which the wheel or wheels are fixed; f, the engine, for rotating
the pinioned shaft, and coupled to it by the coupling 9. The engine shown in
connection with the above described gearing and apparatus is, for the purposes
of the illustration,shown as intended to be employed or worked with high-pres-
sure steam, as herein-before described; but such engines may be worked with
steam as ordinary condensing engines, and exhausting direct into the con-
denser. These engines are also shown in a horizontal position, but they may
be placed vertically. The pinioned shaft is in the Drawings shown in the
ratio of one to three, but any other ratio may be used. The pinioned shaft is
shown in Figure 6, to be divided in its length into three sets of teeth, and the
wheel into which it works as formed in three parts; but the pinioned shaft
may be divided into any other number of sets of teeth, and the wheel formed of
any other corresponding number of parts, or wheels fixed side by side on the
screw shaft may be substituted for a single wheel.
In Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, I have shown various views
illustrative of the construction and forms or modifications ofsurface condensers
according to my present Invention, and as herein set forth.
Figure 9 is a sectional view of a surface condenser forined of vertical tubes
with their superior ends closed (forming vessels), and their lower ends secured
in a tube plate; Figure 10 is a similar sectional view of a surface condenser,
formed of bent tubes placed vertically with both their ends secured in the
same tube plate; Figure 11 is a similar sectional view of a surface condenser,
formed as Figure 9, but shewing one half of the tubes divided internally by a
loose strip or ribbon of metal, and the other half of the tubes each having a
smaller tube inserted within it, and both the strips or ribbons or the smaller

page_text: tubes, as the case may be, projecting below the level of the lower ends of the
vertical tubes; Figure 12 is a similar sectional view of a surface condenser,
formed as Figure 10, but shewing one portion of the bent tubes with each leg
divided by a loose strip or ribbon of metal, and the other portion of the tubes
with each leg having a smaller tube inserted within it and projecting below
the lower ends as in Figure 11; Figure 13 is another sectional view of a
surface condenser, formed of vertical tubes, as described in Figure 11, and
so taken as to shew the flat sides of the strips or ribbons of metal; Figure 14
is a sectional view of a surface condenser, formed of bent tubes placed vertically
with both their ends secured in the same tube plate, but are shewn as being
of smaller diameters than those described in Figure 10, and with one of the
legs of each bent tube projecting farther through and below the tube plate
than the other.
In the Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14, the sectional views are similar, and
so taken as to shew the central tube or passage for the admission of the
exhaust steam at the top of the condenser, and its conduct to the bottom
chamber or below the tube plate, and the bottom chamber for collecting the
condensed steam as it falls from the interior of the vertical tubes for the
purpose of feeding the boiler, and also shews the passage-way or connection
with the air or feed pump. These views also shew in each case the casing
forming the body of the condenser or chamber, through which the condensing
water will pass to perform the operation of condensation within the vertical
tubes and the inducting and educting passages for the flow of the condensing
water into, through, and out of the condensing chamber. They also shew the
position of the tube plate forming the bottom of the condensing chamber, and
the vertical tubes within the same chamber. Figure 13 shews most of the
parts described in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14, more particularly, and shews
a side view of the strips or ribbons of metal for dividing each tube projecting
below the tube plate into the lower chamber for collecting the feed water.
Figure 15 is a sectional view of a surface condenser similar to that illustrated
by Figure 14, with the addition of the feed-water heater surmounting the
casing or body of the condenser, so taken as to shew the vertical tubes, the
tube plate,the entrance for the exhaust steam from the cylinders of an engine,
and the feed-water heating chamber, with its ingress and egress passages.
Figure 16 is a sectional view of a surface condenser, formed of bent tubes
placed vertically, with both their ends secured in the same tube plate, and of
the same diameters as those shewn in Figures 14 and 15, and with one of the
legs of each bent tube projecting further through and below the tube plate than
the other, and also shewn in these Figures. In this Figure the sectional view

page_text: is taken so as to shew the central tube or passage for the admission of the
exhaust steam at the top of the condenser, and its conduct to the bottom
chamber or below the tube plate and the bottom chamber for collecting the
condensed steam as it falls from the interior of the vertical tubes, in a similar
manner to that described in the Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. This
view also shews the casing forming the body of the condenser er chamber in
which ether or other easily vaporizable and condensible fluid is contained, to
perform the operation of condensation within the vertical tubes, and the
passages for the emission of the vaporized fluid from it, and the admission of
the condensed vaporized fluid again into it. It also shews, attached to the
casing forming the body of the condenser, the vessel containing a number of
open tubes having their ends secured in tube plates, and having at the top as
well as the bottom of it a chamber or space for conducting the vaporized fluid
into the open tubes where it becomes condensed, and from them after it is
condensed; and it also shews the casing of the vessel forming the chamber or
body through which the condensing water will pass to perform the operation
of condensation within the open tubes, and theinductingandeductingpassages
for the flow of the condensing water into, through, and out of the condensing
chamber; and again it shews a passage through which the ether or its
substitute may be poured into the apparatus, and upon which a safety valve
may be placed.
In Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, a is the central tube or
passage for the admission of the exhaust steam; b, the chamber for collecting
the condensed water as it falls from the interior of the vertical tubes; c, the
vertical tubes, whether closed at their superior extremities and secured at the
lower ends in the tube plate, or bent and secured at both ends in the tube
plate, and whether of larger or smaller diameter, and which are contained in
the body of the condenser; d, the tube plate; e, the casing forming the body
of the condenser containing the vertical tubes. In Figures 11, 12, and 13,
fare the strips or ribbons of metal fordividing internally the vertical tubes,
and in Figures 11 and 12 g are the smaller tubes inserted within the vertical
tubes for producing the same effect. In Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and
16, h is the passage from the chainber for collecting the condensed steam as it
falls from the interior of the vertical tubes to the air or feed pump; aud in
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, i is the inducting passage for the flow
of the condensing water into the condensing chamber; k,theeducting passage
for the flow of the condensing water out of the condensing chamber.
Figure 15, are the vertical tubes in the feed-water heater surmounting the
casing or body of the condenser ; m, the tube plate; n, the casing of the feed-
n

page_text: In
water heater; o, the passage for the ingress of the feed water to be heated
and the passage
Pr
for the egress of the feed water after being heated.
Figure 16 9 is the chamber for containing the ether or other easily vaporizable
and condensible fluid, and which is the same as the body of the condenser or
condensing chamber in the Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15; r, the
passage for the emission of the vaporized fluid from the steam condensing
chamber; s, the chamber for conducting it into the condensing open tubes;
t, the open tubes for condensing the vaporized fluid; u, the chamber for
receiving the condensed vaporized fluid; v, the passage for the admission of the
condensed vaporized fluid into the steam condensing chamber; w, the casing
of the upper and lower tube plates, and the condensing chamber through
which the water will flow and surround the vertical open tubes for condensing
the vaporized ether or other. condensible fluid; x, the inducting passage for
the flow of the condensing water into the condensing chamber; y, the educting
passage for the flow. of the condensing water out of the condensing chamber,
and 51 the opening for pouring in the ether or its equivalent, and for receiving
a safety valve.
Having now described the nature of my said "Improvements in Steam
Engines and Apparatus connected therewith," and the manner of applying the
same for the purposes herein set forth, and having also in the accompanying
two Sheets of Drawings illustrated some of the modes in which I prefer to
apply the respective parts of my said Invention, and have therein shewn some
of the modifications of which the said Invention is capable, I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact forms, proportions,
arrangements, or dispositions of the parts respectively shewn in the Drawings
hereunto annexed; but what I claim is,-
First, the several" improvements in steam engines and apparatus connected
therewith, as herein set forth.
Second, the use or employment of three cylinders placed or disposed, as
shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed, and also as herein described and
set forth, the motions of the respective pistons being combined, and by means
of gearing, as described, connected together for the purpose of employing the
combined power thereof, as herein set forth; and whether the same be placed
and worked horizontally or otherwise, and whether the small cylinder be of
shorteror of the same length as the larger cylinders, and whether such engines
be employed on board of ship or on land.
Third, the use and employment of a pinion shaft and tooth wheel gearing,
constructed and worked as shewn in the accompanying Drawings and as herein
described, and irrespective of the number of cylinders or the proportions
;

page_text: thereof from which the power to be transmitted through the said pinion shaft
is produced in aid..
Fourth, the construction of surface condensers as illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings and as herein described, for the purpose of condensing by
the circulation of water.
Fifth, the combined feed water heater and surface condenser as illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings and as herein described.
Sixth, the mode of constructing and working surface condensers, as herein
described and illustrated, in which ether or its equivalent is employed in
manner set forth; and whether the same be used alone or in combination
with a feed-water heater of the kind or description herein-before described,
or with any other description of feed-water heater.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas William Miller, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
W. HICKMAN,
Sec. R. N. at Portsmouth,
Portsmouth Dockyard.
T. W. MILLER. (L.S.)