IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTting, ARRANGING, AND WORKING THE CYLINDERS AND VALVES OF STEAM ENGINES FOR WORKING PUMPING MACHINERY, OR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Benson, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings,
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTting,
ARRANGING, AND WORKING THE CYLINDERS AND VALVES OF STEAM ENGINES
FOR WORKING PUMPING MACHINERY, OR OTHER PURPOSES."-A communica-
tion from abroad by Ezra Cope and James Riley Maxwell, of
Cincinnati Ohio United States of North America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Martin Benson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with .his. Petition and
Declaration, on the 2nd December 1872, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
3 TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARTIN
BENSON, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CONSTRUCTING, ARRANGING, AND WORKING THE CYLINDERS AND VALVES OF STEAM
ENGINES FOR WORKING PUMPING MACHINERY, OR OTHER PURPOSES," and bave
A

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Martin Benson, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, fully
describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement :—
In some cases the valves are constructed and arranged to the cylinder
of the engine for entirely working them by the pressure of steam or any
other clastic or non-clastic fluid employed in place thereof, and may be
attached to vertical or horizontal engines as desired, while for other
cases the valves are worked through the combined medium of a lever or
system of levers and the pressure of steam, as hercin-after described
when reference is made to the accompanying Drawings.
The form of valve used is cylindrical, and fitted into a suitable cylinder
or chamber attached to any part of the outer circumference of the main
cylinder in line with the axis of the main cylinder or at any other angle
with it. The valve is hollow, with closed ends, and provided with
openings at one or both its sides for admitting steam into its interior for
passing the steam into and out of the main cylinder through ports or
openings and recesses made in or through the valve shell for performing
the function of an ordinary D slide valve. This valve is worked or
moved by exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve chamber by
a segmental slide or valve attached to one or both ends of the piston of
the engine. This segment or valve is made to work against any part of
the inner circumference of the cylinder, and its working surface is
provided with suitable cavities or recesses for placing the ends of the
valve chamber at proper times by steam ports and channels through the
walls of the cylinder in communication with the exhaust port of the engine
or a separate exhaust, at the same time steam is admitted into the
opposite end of the valve chamber from which steam is being exhausted
from the interior of the valve through suitable openings made through
the closed ends of the valves, thus causing the valve to move by the
pressure of steam towards the end of the valve chamber from which the
steam is being exhausted, as before described.

page_text: Instead of using a segmental slide valve or valves attached to the
piston head of the engine for exhausting the steam from the ends of the
valve chamber, as described, the piston itself may be made sufficiently
longer than the stroke of the engine, and provided with cavities or
recesses in its circumference near its ends, or at any point in any side of
its circumference, to serve as a valve for communicating or connecting
the valve chambers by steam passages with the exhaust passage of the
main engine at the time the piston is terminating its stroke at each end
of the cylinder. Or recesses may be made in the piston rod of the engine
to serve as a valve for exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve
chambers, as described. Or when the piston rod of the engine is used
as a plunger of a pump the cavities or recesses may be made in it for
exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve chambers, as before
described, and represented by the plunger pump on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
The openings and recesses made in the cylindrical valve, herein-before
described, for admitting and exhausting steam from the main cylinder
are distributed and arranged over and through its circumference for the
purpose of making the valve as short as possible to lessen the power
requisite to move it by reducing its frictional surface, and also to cheapen
the cost of construction.
Instead of the steam ports leading into the main cylinder from the
valve seat or chamber being made fore and aft of the exhaust port as is
usually the case, and as I made them in an improved steam engine
patented September the 15th, 1868, No. 2831, they are made at the sides of
the exhaust port or in line at right angles with the motion of the valve.
Separate exhausting recesses are made in the circumference of this valve
for exhausting the steam from each end of the main cylinder for
reducing its length for the purposes before stated. The manner of thus
constructing this valve is a special portion of the improvement.
The Figures on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings represent the.
improved valve arranged to a vertical steam cylinder for working a single
acting pump, in which the lower end of the piston rod serves as a
plunger for the pump..
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional clevation through the cylinder, steam
valve chamber, and pump; Fig. 2 is a partial elevation of the machine,
shewing a transverse section of the valve chamber; Fig. 3 is a detached

page_text: plan section of the valve chamber; Fig. 4 is a plan section through a
double throttle valve pipe, shewing the valve; and Fig. 5 is a plan
section of the cylindrical steam valve. Similar letters on Sheet 1 refer
to the same parts, and form part of this Specification.
Reference will be made to the parts before describing the operation of
the improvement.
A is the double throttle valve pipe, furnished with two valves a, a¹;
for admitting steam separately to the ports B, B', communicating with
the ports D, D¹, leading to cach end of the main steam cylinder H by
means of passages in the cylindrical valve W; C is a passage in the valve
which forms a communication between the ports B and D in the valve
cylinder X for the purpose of admitting steam to the lower end of the
main cylinder H. The port C₁, shewn in the sectional plan of the valve,
Fig. 5, is pierced or made through the shell of the valve W, and forms a
communication between the ports B' and D' for the purpose of admitting
steam to the upper end of the cylinder; C", C, are exhaust passages
or recesses in the circumference of the valve, for the purpose of forming
communication between the main exhaust E and the ports D, D¹, leading
from the valve chamber to the main cylinder; F, F", are ports leading
from the plunger or piston J to the ends R, R', of the valve chamber;
F is a port leading from the plunger J to the main exhaust E; G, G¹,
are recesses or cavities in the plunger J for forming communication
between the ports F, F, and F, F", respectively, for exhausting the
steam from each end of the valve chamber; f,f', are small holes in the
ends of the valve W for continuously admitting steam to the ends R, R',
of the valve cylinder for the purpose of shifting the valve W for
admitting and exhausting steam from the main cylinder; K, K', are
small ports at the ends of the main cylinder for communicating with the
steam ports D, D'; S is a bent finger passing through the side of the
valve cylinder and reaching into the valve for the purpose of moving it
by the handle N when required; L is a flat steel spring arranged to the
stock of the machine, as represented, for exerting a pressure on the
stuffing gland by the bolt e for keeping the ports G, G', to a good
bearing; M is a guide screw working in a vertical slot in the frame for
preventing the piston from turning.
The following is a description of the working of the engine, as will be
seen by referring to the Drawings, Sheet 1:-The ports in the valve
and valve cylinder are so placed in relation to each other that the

page_text: instant the valve is moved off the centre of its motion in either direction
steam is admitted to one or other end of the main cylinder H. The
operation of its working is as follows:-Steam is admitted to the
ports B, D, by means of the throttled valve a; then supposing the valve to
be in a position away from its centre in the direction of the single arrow
the port B will communicate with the port D by means of the passage C,
and the port D' will communicate with the exhaust port E by means of
the passage or recess C¹ in the circumference of the valve; steam is
thus admitted to the lower side of the piston P while the upper
side is
opened to the exhaust port E. The piston now descends and continues
doing so until the cavity G' in the plunger J comes in communication
with the ports F, F", in consequence of which the steam contained in
the end R' of the valve cylinder will pass through the port F", and by
means of the recess G' in the plunger into the port F, and from thence
into the main exhaust E. The end R' of the valve cylinder being thus
exhausted the valve will rapidly move in the direction of the two arrows,
and in so doing will bring the port B' in communication with the port D¹
by means of the port C¹ in the valve, and the port D will exhaust into
the port E by means of the passage C" in the circumference of the valve;
steam is thus admitted to the upper side of the piston P while the lower
side is opened to the exhaust. The piston then begins to descend and
continues to do so until the cavity G in the plunger communicates with
the ports F, F¹, in consequence of which the steam in the end R of the
valve cylinder will pass through the port F¹, and by means of the
cavity G into port F, and from thence into the main exhaust E, the end R
of the valve cylinder being thus exhausted the valve will again travel in
the direction of the single arrow. The piston then being again caused
to ascend in the manner before described.
By referring to the Drawings, Sheet 1, it will be seen that the piston
can pass over the ports D, D', that is after the ports for reversing the
valve have been placed in communication, and should the valve not
move promptly the steam or air closed between the piston and cylinder
escapes only by the small ports K, K', and will form an efficient cushion
and thus prevent the piston from striking the end of the cylinder..
When the valve moves, steam is admitted into the cylinder, first by
passing through the ports K or K' until the main port D or D' opens by
the piston moving; the bent finger S reaching into the valve is operated
by the lever N; the boss of this lover serves as a stuffing gland, being

page_text: screwed up by a nut in the end of the finger S.
As before stated, the
finger S is used for moving the valve when first starting the engine.
should it happen to stop on its centre. This however never happens if
the valve is properly constructed. The valve generally stops at one end
of its stroke when the engine ceases to work.
There is nothing new in the pump portion of the machine shewn on
Sheet 1. It is arranged with the engine to shew how the plunger of it
may be used in connection with the engine for moving the valve, as
before described.
By the use of two throttle valves a, a¹, as before described, steam is
admitted to the cylindrical steam valve, so that the steam from one of
the throttle valves passes into one end of the main cylinder, and steam
from the other throttle valve into the opposite end of the cylinder; this
is requisite in working direct single acting pumps for boiler feeding and
similar purposes, as a greater pressure of steam in such cases is required
on one end of the piston than on the other; but for purposes where the
powers required on both ends of the piston are equal a single throttle
valve may be used for admitting all the steam to the interior of the
steam valve, and from thence at equal pressure into both ends of the
cylinder.
The Figures on Sheet 2, accompanying this Specification, represent a
steam cylinder to be worked in a vertical position, furnished with a
cylindrical steam valve identical to that before described on Sheet 1,
therefore it is not requisite to describe it again; but instead of using
the plunger of the pump furnished with cavities for exhausting the
steam from the ends of the valve cylinder a segmental slide or valve is
attached or cast to the lower end of the piston head and provided with
cavities or recesses, and made to work against the inner surface of the
cylinder for exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve cylinder by
the recesses in the segment or valve coming in communication with
steam ports leading to the ends of the valve cylinder or chamber.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 2, is a sectional elevation through the cylinder valve
chamber and valve; Fig. 2 is a partial elevation of the cylinder with
valve chamber removed, shewing the position of the steam ports leading
into the cylinder; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the valve chamber
and valve drawn separate from the cylinder; Fig. 4 is a plan section of
the valve chamber; Figs. 5, 6, and 7, are different sectional views of the

page_text: cylindrical steam valve; Figs. 8 and 9 are separate views of the
segmental valve attached to the piston of the engine. This class of
engine is commonly used for working double-acting vertical pumps, the
pump barrel being secured to the lower end or elongation of the cylinder,
or for
any other purpose for which it is suited. A is the main cylinder;
P, the piston, provided with an annular groove a and flange around its
lower end for carrying the segmental valve L, as represented in Fig. 1.
The segment is pressed to the surface of the cylinder for making the
joint steam-tight by the ring Q, which is forced against it by the set
screw e in the opposite side of the cylinder from the segment. valve; the
ring is made sufficiently clastic to prevent an undue pressure against the
segment, or being jammed by unskilful attention. The ring Q works in
a groove in the inserted head S, as represented in Fig. 1; this head
forms the cavity for the stuffing box; it is held to its place by the nut d.
The segment valve moves freely in the pocket. M in the elongation of
the cylinder. The width of the segment valve is about one-sixth of the
circumference of the bore of the cylinder. The cavities or recesses G, G¹,
are cast or cut in segments at proper positions for communicating with
the ports F¹, F", leading into the ends of the valve cylinder and exhaust E
of the engine.
The form of the steam valve is more fully shewn by Figs. 5, 6, and 7,
than on Sheet 1; however, it is identically the same in structure as that
before described. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of it through the line x, x,
in Fig. 7, and Fig. 6 is a section through the line y, y. The Drawings
on Sheet 1 and 2 are made full size and could be used for constructing
purposes. If desired, a segment or valve L may be employed or attached
to each end of the piston of the engine for exhausting the steam from
the valve cylinder, as represented on Sheet 8 of the accompanying
Drawings, to be herein-after described, or small slide or any other known
form of steam valves may be used, one arranged with or placed at each
end of the cylinder or in the cylinder head, and made to open a steam
port communicating with the ends of the valve chamber for exhausting
the steam therefrom for causing the main valve to move, in the manner
before described. The valves arranged at each end of the main cylinder
may be opened by the motion of its piston as it is terminating its stroke
at each end of the cylinder. The valves at the end of the main cylinder
may be constructed for self-closing by the action of springs or cushions
of steam or air.

page_text: The Figures on Sheet 3 of the accompanying Drawings represent
plans of a cylinder of an engine constructed to work horizontally, the
same as that on Sheet 2. The cylindrical slide valve is worked the same
as that before described on Sheet 1, excepting the use of a double
throttled valve to regulate or vary the pressure of steam admitted to each
end of the cylinder as before described; instead of it a single throttled
valve is used, and all the steam enters the interior of the valve for
passing into both ends of the cylinder, ports being made through the
shell of the valve for communicating with each end of the cylinder, and
thereby admitting steam to both ends of the cylinder of the same
pressure.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 3, of the Drawings is a section view of the horizontal
engine through the cylinder, piston valve chambers, and valve; Fig. 2 is
a top view of the cylinder with the valve chamber removed, shewing the
relative position of the steam ports passing into the cylinder; Fig. 3 is
a tranverse section of the cylinder, piston valve chamber, and valve;
Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the clongation of the cylinder, shewing
the pocket in which the segmental valve moves, attached to the piston;
Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the valve chamber, and Fig. 6 is a plan
section of it; Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are different views of the cylindrical
valve; and Figs. 10 and 11 are separate views of the segmental slide
valve attached to the piston; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the cylindrical
slide valve through the line 9, g, in Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a sectional
view of it through the line h, h. The finger piece extending into the
interior of the valve for moving it, as before described, also acts as a
guide to prevent the valve from having any rotative movement for
keeping the ports in the valve in proper communication with the ports
in the valve cylinder.
The Drawings on Sheet 3 are sufficiently plain and full in detail to
give a correct idea of the working of the valve and parts connected with
it without any further description than has already been made in con-
nection with the Drawings on Sheets 1 and 2; the letters of reference
marked on the Figures explain the relative connection with the parts
shown in detail.
The Figures on Sheet 4 of the accompanying Drawings represent
plans of another cylinder and valve to be worked in a horizontal position,

page_text: instead of which the piston is made to form the function of a valve for
exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve cylinder. This is done
by making the piston sufficiently longer than the stroke of the engine,
and providing it with cavities or recesses in the side near each end for
communicating the ends of the valve cylinder with the exhaust of the
engine when the piston is about terminating its stroke at each end of
the cylinder. The exhaust ports leading to the valve cylinder and
exhaust of the engine are made in the centre of the main cylinder, as
represented.
Fig. 1, on Sheet 4, is a sectional view of the cylinder, part of the
piston, valve chamber, and valve; Fig. 2 is a top view of the cylinder,
shewing the valve chamber removed, and relative position of the steam
ports leading into the cylinder; Fig. 3 is a separate view of the piston,
showing its top side furnished with the requisite cavities or recesses for
communicating the ends of the valve chamber with the exhaust; and
Fig. 4 is a transverse view of the piston near its ends through one of the
exhaust cavities. The steam valve attached to this cylinder is con-
structed and worked in the same way as that on the cylinder represented
in Sheet 3; the cylinder is the same length as that on Sheet 3, including
the elongation of it, for the segment valve to move in; this is necessary
in order to get sufficient space for the stroke of the long piston P. At
the time the piston is about to terminate its stroke at each end of the
cylinder the recesses G, G', communicate the ports F, F¹, Fu, made
through the centre of the cylinder with the exhaust E, and thereby
change the motion of the valve W in the manner before described for
exhausting the steam from one or the other end of the main cylinder,
and admitting it to the opposite end. The cavities G, G³, may be in
the under side of the piston, if desired, for making a better joint, owing
to the weight of the piston keeping the two surfaces together, and the
exhaust passages from the ends of the steam valve chamber may be
brought to the under side of the cylinder in position to suit the cavities
in the piston by casting them to the cylinder, or by means of separate
communicating pipes from the valve chamber to the under side of the
cylinder.
The Figures on Sheet 5 of the accompanying Drawings represent two
different plans of arranging and working the steam valve in connection
with the cylinder; one of these plans consists in arranging the steam
valve in the interior of the piston of the engine partly similar to that of

page_text: the improved steam engine patented by me, September 15th 1868, No.
2831, before mentioned, excepting in place of admitting and exhausting
the steam into and out of the piston or cylinder through passages in
the sides of the cylinder and piston the steam enters and exhausts from
the piston or cylinder through pipes attached to one or both ends of the
piston; these pipes are made to work through the cylinder head or
heads, and move in steam and exhaust chambers cast or attached
thereto.
The steam valve represented on Sheets 1, 2, 3, and 4, herein-after
described, is moved by exhausting the steam from one end of it, and in
the meantime admitting steam to the opposite end of the valve from
its interior for moving it, as before stated, but this mode of moving the
valve represented on Sheet 5 is not adopted, although the general
structure of the valves are the same, and could be moved as those before
described; but instead of so doing the steam is exhausted and admitted
to the ends of the valve chamber by the piston passing over. the inlet and
exhaust ports made or cast in this cylinder which communicates with
steam and exhaust ports in the piston of the engine for admitting steam
to one end of the valve chamber, and exhausting it from the opposite
end at the same time, and thereby moving the valve for admitting and
exhausting steam from the main cylinder.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, on Sheet 5, are different views of a steam
cylinder and its parts, shewing the valve W arrangement in the interior
of the piston; Fig. 1 is an elevation of the cylinder partly shewn in
section, also a longitudinal section of the piston and valve; Fig. 2 is a
plan section of the piston, steam pipes attached to the piston, and steam
chamber for the pipes to move in; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the
cylinder through the piston and valve; Fig. 4 is a transverse view of
the pipes attached to the piston and chambers they work in; similar
letters of reference on the Figures refer to corresponding parts.
The following is a description of the parts and working of the improve-
ment: Steam is admitted to the piston of the engine through the
chamber A and steam pipe B. The steam and exhaust pipes E are
attached to the piston of the engine by screwing, or with bolts and
flanges, as may be desired, and made to work through stuffing boxes
attached to the cylinder head, as fully represented in Fig. 2. One-half
of the piston is continually open to the steam pipe B, and the other half

page_text: to the exhaust pipe E, as fully shown in Fig. 3. G is the steam and H
the exhaust ports of the piston, divided by a partition P. The piston is
supposed to be moving towards the D' end of the cylinder, and continues
to do so until the exhaust steam passage f, leading from the valve
chamber in the interior of the piston to its circumference, come in com-
munication with the port d in the side of the cylinder, and thereby
causes the steam to exhaust from the e end of the valve chamber into
the exhaust chamber H in the piston; in the meantime steam passes
into the e¹ end of the valve chamber from the interior of the piston by
the steam port g in the piston coming in communication with the port a
in the side of the cylinder, and on the opposite side from the exhaust
port d, thereby causing the valve to move towards the c end of its
chamber, which exhausts the steam from the D end of the cylinder, and
admit it to the D¹ end, thereby reversing the motion of the piston; and
when the piston arrives at the D end of the cylinder it communicates
with another set of ports a¹ and d¹ made in the sides of the cylinder, for
communicating with the piston ports for exhausting and admitting steam
to the e¹ end of the valve chamber, for moving the valve W towards
the e end of its chamber, and reversing the motion of the piston by the
ingress and egress of the steam from the ends of the cylinder, through
the ports h, h, in the piston, by shifting the valve W; this valve in
its structure is the same as that described on Sheet 3. Steam enters it
through the port I, fully shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This engine is used
for working pumping machinery, the pump barrel being attached to the
flange at the end of the steam chamber; the piston of the pump will be
attached to the piston rod J, not represented in the Drawings..
Figs. 5, 6, 7, and. 8, on Sheet 5, represent another plan of arranging
the valve to the under side of the cylinder, by making the leg or foot on
which the cylinder rests as a valve chamber. The piston of the cylinder
in.this case is made longer than the stroke of the engine, and is provided
with steam ports and cavities in its lower side towards its end to perform
the function of valves, by passing over or communicating with ports
made through the centre of the cylinder, and leading to and from the
ends of the valve chamber in the ports of the cylinder, for admitting and
exhausting steam therefrom for moving the valve. The valve in this
arrangement is identical in structure as far as the ports and cavities are
concerned for admitting steam to and from the main cylinder, as that
Patented by me September Fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and.

page_text: sixty-eight, herein-before mentioned, with this difference, in the former
improvement the valve is placed and worked in the interior of the piston,
but in this case it is arranged to the outside of the cylinder, as represented
on Sheet 5. If desired, the valve may be arranged in a suitable chamber
to any part of the outside of the cylinder, and furnished with suitable ports t
leading to the interior of the cylinder for moving the valve, as before
mentioned.
The application of the valve in the various arrangements herein-before
described and represented by the Drawings, are to show how it may be
applied, and used in various forms, while the general principal of its 1
working and action is the same in all cases. Other modifications of its
application to use could be shown if thought necessary.
Fig. 5, on Sheet 5, is an elevation of the cylinder furnished with a long
piston, partly shown in section, and also a transverse section of the
valve chamber and valve attached to the foot of the cylinder. Fig. 6 is ]
a transverse section of the cylinder and longitudinal view of the valve
chamber and valve. Fig. 7 is a plan section of the cylinder and piston;
and Fig. 8 is a plan section of the valve chamber through the lines x, x,
in Figs. 5 and 6.
The following is a description of the parts and their working; steam is :
admitted to the valve W' by the passage M made in the side of the
cylinder; steam is also admitted to the interior of the piston B for
moving the valve through the port n which is continually in communi-
cation with the interior of the piston by the slotted ports m, m, made in
the piston. The position of the valve W' as shown on the Drawing
causes the piston B to move towards the A¹ end of the cylinder, until
the exhaust recess d in the under side of the piston communicates with
the exhaust ports e, f, and the steam port A in the piston communicates
with the steam port y passing through the cylinder into the end of the
valve chamber C', and thereby exhausting the steam from the C end of ;
the valve chamber which causes the valve W₁ to move towards the C
-end of its chamber, and thereby admit steam to the A' end of the
cylinder through the passage R, and exhaust it from the A end of the
cylinder through the passage R', and cause the piston B to move
towards the A end of the cylinder until the exhaust recess d in the
under side of the piston communicates with the exhaust ports e, f, and
the steam port a' in the piston communicates with the steam port g¹ in
the cylinder, which causes the valve W₁ to move towards the C end of its

page_text: chamber, and again exhaust and admit steam to the cylinder which changes
the motion of the piston in the manner before described. D isthe ex-
haust opening from the main cylinder from the valve W₁; F is a spindle
and lever for moving the valve W if required when starting the engine.
Another modification of the valve I use for admitting steam to and from
the main cylinder is made in two parts and composed of two metal
pistons joined together by a centre piece, this centre piece is placed to
one side of the centre of the piston, and the pistons and centre piece are
cast solid together. The pistons are fitted to work steam-tight in a
cylinder or chamber in the valve box, but made to move freely. The
functions of the two pistons thus connected are to move an ordinary D
slide valve for admitting steam into and out of the main cylinder.
The D valve is placed between the inner ends of the pistons connected
together, and about an eighth of an inch play (more or less) is allowed
between the inner ends of the pistons and ends of the D valve, the valve
is moved by exhausting the steam from the ends of the piston chambers,
and at the same time passes steam into the space left between the D
valve and inner end of the piston which enters a channel leading through
the centre piece to the opposite end of the piston chamber from which
steam is being exhausted, and by its pressure on the piston moves the D
valve. The ends of the D valve and inner ends of the two pistons are
made to perform the functions of valves where they come together, by
the opening and closing of steam passages made through the centre
piece, and pistons-for conveying steam alternately to the outer ends of
the piston for moving it as before stated, and by its motion the D valve
for admitting steam into and out of the main cylinder. The steam may
be exhausted from the piston chamber as described by any of the means
before mentioned for the same purpose for working the hollow cylindrical
valve or a lever, or system of levers may be employed for working an
auxiliary valve or valves for exhausting the steam from the piston
chambers through suitable steam passages, such levers receiving their
motion from the piston or piston rod of the engine as herein-after
described.
The Figures on Sheet 6 of the accompanying Drawing represent
plans of a horizontal cylinder supplied with the modified form of steam
valve just described, and worked through the medium of levers and
auxiliary valves, as before-mentioned, which is one of several modes of
arranging and working it (to be herein-after described) in connection

page_text: with the cylinders of steam engines. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional
view through the cylinder, steam box, valve chamber, and valve; Fig. 2
is a top view of the steam cylinder with the steam box removed, showing
a plan section through the valve chamber, the relative position of the
steam ports for admitting steam to and from the main cylinder and
valve chamber, and also the position and manner of working the auxiliary
valve for exhausting the steam from the end of the valve chamber.
Fig. 3 is a plan section of the cylinder; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of
the cylinder, steam box, valve, and valve chamber; Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are
different views of the main steam valve; and Figs. 9 and 10 are separate
views of the auxiliary valves for exhausting the steam from the ends of
the main valve chamber.
The following is a description of the parts and their functions; A is
the main cylinder; B, its piston. O is a double lever connected to the
side of the cylinder by a spindle D to which it is attached as represented
in Figs. 1, 3, and 4; this lever is moved by the piston B coming in
contact with it, as the piston is terminating its stroke at each end of the
cylinder by pressing its ends outwards, which moves a second lever E, E,
attached to the top of the spindle D, to which second lever the auxiliary
valves F, F, are attached, and moved for exhausting the steam from the
ends d, d, of the main valve chamber H; this valve chamber is secured
to the cylinder inside the steam box K, K; the ends of the chamber are
closed by the covers I, I, and longitudinal bolts M, M, more fully seen in
Fig. 5. J, J, are the piston ends or parts of the valve joined together
by a centre piece R, before described, and shown in Fig. 7 in cross
section; a and a¹ are steam ports leading from the inner ends of the
piston J, J, and passing through the connecting piece R, and out of the
opposite ends of the piston from which they enter. P is an ordinary D
slide valve placed in the recess T between the inner ends of the
pistons J, J, when in working position, as represented in Figs. 1 and 4.
The inlet and exhaust steam ports of the main cylinder are made similar
to those in ordinary use when an ordinary D. slide valve is used as will
be seen by referring to the Drawings.
The following is a description of the working of the valve by
assuming the piston B is moving in the direction of the arrow marked
thereon, and steam entering the A¹ end of the cylinder from the
valve P, and exhausting from the A end. The piston B at the time
it is terminating its stroke at the A end of the cylinder comes in

page_text: contact with the C end of the lever and causes it to move outward
from the centre of the cylinder, and thereby moves the spindle D
which gives motion to the lever E attached to the top of the spindle.
The E end of this lever moves the small exhaust slide valve F which
exhausts the steam from the d end of the piston or valve chamber,
by putting the exhaust ports n and m in communication with the
exhaust G of the engine, which causes the piston portion of the valve
to move towards the d end of its chamber, and thus causing a space
or communication to open between the J¹ inner end of the piston.
portion of the valve and the end of the main slide valve P, thereby
admitting steam into the port a¹ which passes into the d¹ end of the
valve chamber, and by its pressure on the J end of the piston valve
causes the main valve P to move towards the A¹ end of the main
cylinder, and thus admit steam to the A¹ end and exhaust it from
the A¹ end of the cylinder and thereby reverse the motion of the
main piston B. A similar exhaust slide valve F is attached to the E¹
end of the lever for exhausting the steam from the d¹ end of the valve
chamber by the ports m, n', leading into the exhaust port G of the
cylinder, and is worked by the piston B moving the C¹ end of the
lever in the manner before described, and thereby cause a recriprocal
motion of the piston by alternately admitting and exhausting steam
from both ends of the cylinder; steam is admitted to the valve box K.
through the opening W, and exhausted from the cylinder by the
opening X. The Drawing will fully explain the structure and working
of the engine without further specifying it.
The Figures on Sheet 7 of the accompanying Drawings represent.
plans of another cylinder provided with a main steam valve of the
same structure as that shown on Sheet 6%; but instead of its being
worked by the piston of the cylinder moving a lever for working the
small auxiliary slide valves, the motion for doing this is taken from the
piston rod of the engine, by attaching an arm (not represented in the
Drawings) to the piston rod and connecting it to the lever K; this lever
is attached to the spindle S, and by its motion derived from its con-
nection with the piston rod it moves the small double slide valve F by
the arm L for exhausting the steam alternately from the end of the
piston chambers d, d, through the double exhaust valve F into the
exhaust G, and thereby causes the main slide valve P to move in the
manner before described and represented on Sheet 6.

page_text: Fig. 1, Sheet 7, is a longitudinal · section of the cylinder, valve
chamber, and valve; Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the cylinder
and valves; Fig. 3 is a top view of thee cylinder, showing a plan section
through the main valve chamber; Fig. 4 is a top view of the cylinder
with the valve cover removed; Figs. 5, 6, and 7, are separate views of
the small double slide valve for exhausting the steam from the ends of
the main valve chamber; Fig. 8 is a transverse view of the piston
portion of the main valve through the centre piece; and F. 9 is a
separate view of the arm for moving the double exhaust valve F. The
Drawings sufficiently explain the working of the improvement on this
sheet without further specifying it.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3, on Sheet 8, represented another plan of working the
modified form of steam valve described on Sheet 6 by means of a piston
made longer than the stroke of the engine and provided with exhausting
cavities near its ends, the same as herein-before described and shown on
Sheet 4, for performing the functions of a valve for exhausting the steam
from the ends of the valve chamber for moving the valve as before
stated..
The letters of reference marked on the different parts of the valve
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 8, are the same as those on the corre-
sponding parts of it on Sheet 6, and its action is the same excepting the
use of the small auxiliary valve, instead of which the long piston B
serves as a valve as before described. By the aid of the Drawings and
letters of figures marked on the Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Sheet 8, and the fore-
going Specification, the working of these valves may be understood
without any further description of its action.
The Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, on Sheet 8, represent plans of attaching
the valve chamber and valve to the under side of the cylinder, and
exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve chamber by segmental
slide valves attached to or made part of the piston as represented. The
steam valves W attached to the cylinder in this case are placed so that
they work at right angles with the motion of the main piston and are
provided with handles I for moving them; if found-necessary either form
or modification of main steam valves before described may be used in
the arrangement. The mode of using and the action of the segmental
valves ff, and provided with recesses J, J, as représented on Sheet 8,
or exhausting the steam from the ends of the valve chambers have

page_text: been herein-before described, therefore it is not necessary to give a
description of them again.
The steam cylinders represented by Figs. 4 and 6, are intended to
work pumps; the cylinders A are attached to the distance pieces S, S,
which serve the purpose of attaching the pump barrel C, as represented
in Fig. 6, feet for the machine to rest on, and pockets e for the segmental
valves fand h to work in. The segmental valve is attached to one end
of the piston as shewn in Fig. 6, and the distante piece S is made long
enough for it to move in, while in Fig. 4, the piston is provided with a
segment valve on both ends of the piston, and a pocket e is provided in
the cylinder head for one of them to move in as well as in the distance
piece S, as represented.
Fig. 5 is a separate view of the piston and segment valve for working
in the cylinder, Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a separate view of the segment
valve for working in the cylinder, Fig. 6; The structure and connection
of these valves to the piston may be fully understood by the Drawings
without further describing them.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
working it in various modified forms, I would have it understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise detail and arrangement of con-
struction as represented by the accompanying Drawings and herein-
before described, as they may be varied to suit the size and use of the
engine to which the improvements are applied. What I claim is, the
structure of the valve for admitting steam into and out of the cylinders
of the steam engines as represented and described in its modified forms,
and the arrangement of the valve with the cylinder of steam engines
and the parts of the cylinder and its steam ports for moving or working
the valve in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martin Benson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
MARTIN BENSON. (L.S.).