IM- PROVEMENTS IN INVERTED DIRECT-ACTING MARINE ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Allan, of Sunderland Engine Works, South
Dock, Sunderland, in the County of Durham, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN INVERTED DIRECT-ACTING MARINE ENGINES."
Sealed the 16th August 1878. and dated the 5th March 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Allan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1878:
WILLIAM ALLAN, of Sunderland Engine Works, South Dock, Sunderland, in the
County of Durham. “IMPROVEMENTS IN INVERTED DIRECT-ACTING MARINE
ENGINES."
In constructing inverted direct-acting marine engines, I divest the engine proper
of all pumping duty, and I fix the surface condenser as high up as convenient,
either on port or starboard side, supporting the same either off the columns or on
distinct brackets, and I perform the operations of producing a vacuum circulating
the water through the condenser tubes (by either lift or force pumps), and of
pumping into the boilers, or from bilges by a distinct set of pumps worked by
separate engine or engines, which are operated on from starting platform, and which
can either be worked from the main or donkey boiler. The arrangement is
illustrated by the Drawings annexed; or I place the condenser as before mentioned,
and perform the operations of producing a vacuum circulating the water through
the tubes, also pumping into boilers, or from bilges by pumps attached to the
cross heads.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Allan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th September
1878.
William Allan, of Sunderland -Engine Works, South Dock, Sunderland, in the
County of Durham. “IMPROVEMENTS IN INVERTED DIRECT-ACTING MARINE
ENGINES."
In constructing inverted direct-acting marine engines, I divest the engine proper
of all pumping duty, and I fix the surface condenser as high up as convenient,
either on port or starboard side, supporting the same either off the columns or on
distinct brackets. And I perform the operations of producing a vacuum, circulating
the water through the condenser tubes (by either lift or force pumps), and of
pumping into the boilers, or from bilges by a distinct set of pumps worked by a
separate engine or engines, which are operated on from starting platform, and which
can either be worked from the main or donkey boiler. The arrangement is illus-
trated hy the Drawings annexed; or I place the condenser as before mentioned,
and perform the operations of producing a vacuum circulating the water through
the tubes, also pumping into boilers, or from bilges by pumps attached to the
cross beads.
The Drawings hereunto 'annexed shew various views of an inverted direct-acting
marine engine constructed as above described. The condenser is placed as close to
the cylinders of the engine as is conveniently possible, and the pumps are placed
beneath it and worked by two small steam engines bolted to main engine columns.
A is the condenser; B, the pipe passage to air pump chamber; C is the air
pump; D, the circulating pump; E, E, feed and bilge pumps; F is the hot well;
G, the circulating water passage to discharge pipe H.. As the small steam engine
used for working tho pumps can be run at a much greater speed than is practicable
with the main engines, an important saving is effected in weight and cost.
Part of the advantage derived from the arrangement of engine above described
can be obtained by placing the condenser in the same elevated position with the
pumps beneath it, and worked from the cross head of the main engine.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim as my Invention,-
First. An inverted direct-acting marine engine divested of pumping duty, and
combined substantially as described with an auxilary engine, by which the said
pumping duty is performed.
Second. An inverted direct-acting marine engine with elevated surface condenser,
and with pumps beneath the condenser, substantially as described.
Third. The combined arrangement of inverted direct-acting marine engine,
substantially as described, and represented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Allan, have hereunto set any hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W: ALLAN. (L.S.)