Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1887
Complete Left, 27th Feb., 1888.
Complete Accepted, 6th Apr., 1888
I, JOHN BLACK PEGDEN of 4 Richmond Terrace, West Parade, Hull, Marine
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Heretofore in steam steering apparatus, it has been usual to transmit the motion to
the rudder by means of chains actuating a quadrant adapted to the rudder post.
It frequently occurs in this system of steam steering, that, when a heavy sea strikes
the rudder, the chains aforesaid part, owing to the rigidity or lack of elasticity in the
construction of the steering gear. Now in accordance with my Invention, with a
view to overcome the disadvantages above pointed out, I employ for the purpose of
steam steering, any of the well known types of Rotary Engines with the modifications
or adaptations thereto hereinafter described. In such application, the Rotary Steam
Motor would be placed horizontally upon the rudder post. The annular steam
chamber of the Engine is provided with two diaphragms forming block pieces, thus
dividing it into two equal semi-circular portions, containing each a piston. On each
side of the diaphragın or block pieces (forming fulcrums) is disposed a spiral or
other suitable spring, with a view to ensure that in the event of a sea striking the
rudder, the said springs will reduce the shock which would otherwise result from the
pistons coming in contact with the fulcrums aforesaid. Thus by means of the device
according to my Invention, the rudder will always be enabled to yield to the shock of
a heavy sea, rendering it almost a matter of impossibility for the steering gear to
become disabled and thus contributing to a great extent to the safety of the vessel.
Dated this Twenty fourth day of May 1887
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W C.,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Steam Steering Gear.
I, JOHN BLACK PEGDEN of 4 Richmond Terrace, West Parade, Hull, Marine
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Heretofore in Steam Steering Apparatus it has been usual to transmit the motion
to the rudder by means of chains actuating a quadrant adapted to the rudder post.
It frequently occurs in this system of Steam Steering that when a heavy sea strikes
the rudder, the chains aforesaid part, owing to the rigidity, or lack of elasticity in
the structural arrangement of said Steering Gear. Now, in accordance with my
invention with a view to overcome the disadvantages above pointed out, I employ any
of the well known types of rotary Engines, but preferably one comprising an annular
chamber, with two or more pistons carried upon a disc attached direct upon the
rudder post.
In order that my Invention may be the better understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of Drawings in which Figure 1. is a transverse sectional view;
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on line A. B. of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an
elevation of the stern of a vessel illustrating the application of the rotary Engine
shown by Figure 1 and 2, to the Rudder; and Figure 4 is a plan view of same.
In carrying out my Invention I prefer to employ a Rotary Engine with an annular
chamber A, Figures 1 and 2, which is divided by two fixed diaphragms B. B: Two
pistons C, C are attached to a disc D which may be keyed or otherwise fitted firmly
upon the upper portions of the rudder head above the deck. The pistons C, C¹ are
arranged to move freely within the bore of the annular chamber A one on either
side of the diaphragms B, B¹—Upon both sides of said diaphragms are fitted buffer
plates a, a, a, a, held in position by suitable spiral springs 6, 61, 61, 6111 so that a
sudden shock is avoided when the pistons C, C¹ reach the end of the stroke, or
accomplish a semi-revolution.
A valve chamber or steam chest E, is attached to the side of the annular
chamber A, in such a position that the two ports p p¹ open upon each side of the
diaphragm B, and a central exhaust porte communicates with the exhaust pipe F
through the casing of the annular chamber A. Steam. is admitted into the valve
chamber or steam chest E through the steam pipe G, and a D slide valve H, controlled
by a double valve rod I, I, is arranged to cover either of the ports at will, thus
admitting steam to one side of the diaphragm B and also opening the opposite side
to the exhaust.
.
It is evident that the Engine may be caused to make a semi-revolution in either
direction, by moving the slide valve H to uncover and admit steam to either of the
ports p, p¹.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, these views illustrate by an elevational and plan
view respectively of the stern of a ship-the rotary engine above described fixed in

page_text: position upon the rudder head r; the valve rods I I¹ being attached to chains t,
which pass upon the starboard and port sides of the ship to the Steering wheel,
which may be of the ordinary construction: and, in the operation of revolving
which, the valve H is moved and thereby admits steam to either divided compart-
ment of the annular chamber A (Figures 1 and 2) and hence actuating the pistons C, C¹,
whereupon the rudder will be moved in either direction according to the will of the
steersman.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First In the adaptation of a Rotary Steam Engine for actuating the rudder of
a ship, the method which I adopt of attaching the piston disc of said Rotary Engine
to the rudder head, and regulating the semi rotation of said rudderpost by means of a
slide valve and connecting chain, substantially as herein described.
Second In a Rotary Steam Engine as applied for steering purposes, the arrange-
ment of pistons within an annular chamber with separating diaphragms, regulating
slide valve and buffer plates as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.
-
Daleo LOIS "wenty fourth day Februa
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.
Dateo LOIS I wenty TODTLI ORLY OI Ntorua
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.