AN IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
QUICK, of Sumner Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty hath granted unto me
Her Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the Tenth day of February,
in the eighth year of Her reign, for making, using, exercising, and vending,
within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called
England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Inven-
tion of AN IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM ENGINES," subject to the usual proviso
obliging me to particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and scal, and to cause the same to be
enrolled in the High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Quick, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of my said Inven-
tion to consist in an Improvement in Steam Engines, videlicit, in the supplying
or feeding the boilers. And in further compliance with the said proviso, I,
the said Joseph Quick, do hereby further particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed.
in the manner after described. And I refer to the Drawings and Figures
annexed, and the following is a description of the Drawings.

page_text: Firstly, sections of parts of a single-acting steam engine and boiler, shewing
my Invention as applicable thereto in Figures 1, 2, 3, 3 a, and 4.
Secondly, sections of parts of a rotary or double-acting engine and boiler,
shewing my
Invention as applicable thereto in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Thirdly, sections of parts of engines and boilers of a steam boat or vessel,
shewing my Invention as applicable thereto in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, and 16.
Fourthly, sections of parts of a locomotive engine and boiler, shewing my
Invention as applicable thereto in Figures 17, 18, and 19; and in each of the
said several Figures the same letters, wherever they occur in each, designate the
same or corresponding parts or portions of a steam engine and boiler, and my
arrangement thereof for the purposes of my said Invention (that is to say):-
A is the cylinder; B is the air pump; C, the condenser; D, eduction pipe;
E, perpendicular or equilibrium pipe; F, feed pump; G, suction pipe of ditto;
H, valve boxes of ditto, with valve to regulate supply of water to boiler; I, boilers;
K, furnaces; L, smoke box; M, flues; N, feed pipe; 0, stop valves and cocks;
P, my mingling vessel, with circulating pipe and cock forming part thereof, the
circulating pipe and cock being designated by the letter d; R, extending feed
pipe; S, hot reservoir, with communicating pipes and cocks and safety valve
and waste pipe forming part thereof, the communicating cocks being designated
by the letters a, b, and the safety valve by the letter c; W, feed or stop valves;
X, heating cylinders or plates; and Y, blast pipe. In the said Drawings the
manner of applying my said Invention is shown in the portions thereof respec-
tively colored blue, light and dark pink, and yellow.
Figure 1 represents my Invention applying to a single-acting steam engine
and boiler, and the following is the description of such Figure :-A is the steam
cylinder; B, the air pump; C, the condenser; D, the eduction pipé; E, perpendi.
cular or equilibrium pipe; F, feed pump; G, the suction pipe of ditto; H, valve
boxes of ditto, with valve to regulate supply of water to boilers; I, the boiler;
K, the furnace; N, the feed pipe; O, stop valve and cock; P, my mingling vessel,
with circulating pipe and cock forming part thereof, the circulating pipe and cock
being designated by the letter d; and W, feed or stop valves. Instead of passing
the feed into the boiler according to the present modes of feeding the boiler, I
proceed as follows:-In the first place I substitute in lieu of the present single
perpendicular or equilibrium pipe, two perpendicular or equilibrium pipes,
communicating with each other at the top by a cross pipe, as shewn in Figure
3, put together by flanges or other convenient method, with proper stuffing
boxes at the bottom of each pipe; or a single perpendicular or equilibrium pipe

page_text: of proper dimensions will answer the same purpose, although I prefer the two
communicating as described. When two of thesc pipes are used, I take the
water from the feed pump by means of the feed pipe as far as these pipes, and
then pass the feed pipe which is to supply the boiler with the feed up one
perpendicular or equilibrium pipe, and across the top of the connecting pipe, and
down the other perpendicular or equilibrium pipe, and which feed pipe I then
continue on to a stopcock and valve, as shewn at O in the said Figure No. 1,
from which point I again continue the feed pipe into what I term my mingling
vessel, as shown at P. The mingling vessel is comprised of a cylinder or pipe
of-any convenient form or size, but it is important to make it as long as the
circumstances will admit of, and of a circulating pipe and cock designated by
the letter & connected with the boiler; and from my mingling vessel I ordinarily
pass the feed water into the boiler at any convenient place, by which means the
feed water is passed into the boiler at a considerable increased state of heat beyond
the present modes of feeding the boiler. In cases where it is convenient, and
I desire to pass the water into the boiler at a still greater increased state of
heat, instead of passing the feed direct from my mingling vessel into the boiler, I
continue an extending feed pipe, designated by the letter R, from my mingling
vessel through the flues or over the furnace, or both through the flues and
over the furnace, on to two self-acting stop valves fixed at the ends of the feeds
within the boiler, as shewn at W, the object of which stop valves is to prevent
the escape of the water from the boilers in the event of any damage happening
to the feed pipe when passed through the flues or furnace, and the feed water
then passes through these valves into the boiler at any convenient part of tho
boiler. Where only one perpendicular or equilibrium pipe is used, I take the
water from the feed pump by means of the feed pipe, as far as such perpen-.
dicular or equilibrium pipe, and then pass the feed pipe up and return it down
this same pipe, as shown in Figure 3 a, and continue it as in the case of two
perpendicular or equilibrium pipes, as already described. The mingling vessel
is kept constantly charged with hot water by means of the circulating pipe and
cock, designated by the letter d, connecting the same with the boiler, and in this
vessel the feed mingles with this hot water before passing into the boiler,
or into the feed pipe when continued, and passing through the flues and
furnaces as already described. The mingling vessel and circulating pipe and
cock afford to the feed pipe, when extending through the flues and furnaces, a
continuous supply of hot water.
Figure 2 represents a sectional plan of Figure No. 1.
Figure 3 represents a cross section of the two perpendicular or equilibrium pipes

page_text: Figure 3 a represents a section of the enlarged perpendicular or equilibrium
pipe, with the feed pipe passing up and down therein, as before described.
Now it
Figure 4 represents a cross section of a tubular boiler and furnace, shewing
how, the feed pipe communicates therewith, as before described.
follows from this operation with the feed pipe before described that the feed
water passing through the feed pipe as thus arranged into the boiler, will in
its passage to the boiler derive the benefit of the heat which will be imparted
thereto from the steam in the perpendicular or equilibrium pipes or pipe before
passing into the condenser, and also of the additional heat it will acquire from
becoming mingled in my said mingling vessel with hot water of nearly the
same temperature as that in the boiler, and in the case of extending the feed
pipe and passing it through or over the flues and furnaces, as before described,
will also have imparted to it the further additional heat arising from the flues
and furnaces. By these means the feed water will be supplied into the boiler
in such an increased state of heat that less surface for generating the steam,
will be necessary, and the contraction and expansion of the boiler at present
occasioned by the admission of the feed into the boiler at a lower temperature
than the water in the boiler (as is now the case) will be lessened, and whereby.
amongst other advantages, it will, be evident that a less boiler will be necessary,
and the consequent savings in expence will be effected..
Figure 5 represents my Invention applying to a rotary or double-acting
engine and boiler, and the followinigris the description of such last-mentioned
Figure (that is to say):-A is the steam cylinder; B, the air pump; C, the con-
denser; D, the eduction pipe; F, feed pump; G, suction pipe of ditto; H, valve
box of ditto, with valve to regulate supply of water to boiler; I, boiler;
K, furnace; M, flues; N, feed pipe; O, stop valve and cock; P, my mingling vessel,
with circulating pipe and cock forming part thereof, the circulating pipe and,
cock being designated by the letter d; R, extending feed pipe; and W, feed or
stop valves. Instead of passing the feed water into the boiler, according to
the present modes applicable to this description of engine and boiler, I pro
ceed as follows: In the first place. I take the water from the feed pump by
means of the feed pipe as far as the eduction pipe, and I then pass the feed
pipe:which is to supply the boiler with the-feed-into and through the eduction,
pipe. on to the stopcock and valve, as shewn at O in the said Figure No. 5,
and from this point I continue the feed pipe, into my said mingling vessel, as,
shewn at P, wherein the feed water becomes mingled with the lot water
therein, as before described, and from thence I continue the feed into the
boiler, in the same manner, both as respects the supply of the feed direct from
my said mingling vessel into the boiler and the extending of the feed pipe from

page_text: my said mingling vessel through or over the flues and furnaces, and then into
the boiler, as already described in those cases as applying to single-acting
engines; but in order to pass the feed pipo through the eduction pipe it will
be necessary to widen and increase the lower part of the eduction pipe in the
manner shewn at D in this Figure, or in any other convenient mode and manner;
to make up the deficiency in area taken up therein by the feed pipe, and in
order to give length to the portion of the feed pipe passing through the educ-
tion pipe, which it is important to do, I either effect that object by coiling the
feed pipe in the eduction pipe, or by the use of several smaller pipes in con-
nection with the feed pipe in the eduction pipe, or by any other convenient
method by which increased surface of feed pipe in the eduction pipe for the
steam in the eduction pipe to act upon may be obtained.
Figure 6 represents a sectional plan of Figure 5.
Figure 7 represents a cross section of the steam nozzles and eduction pipe
in a double-acting engine, shewing the feed pipe passing through the eduction
pipe, as mentioned in my description of Figure No. 5.
Figure 8 represents a cross section of a waggon boiler and furnace, shewing
the feed pipe as connected therewith.
Figure 9 represents my Invention applying to steam engines and boilers
in steam boats or vessels, and the following is the description of such last-
mentioned Figure (that is to say):-A is the cylinder; B, the air-pump;
C, the condenser; D, eduction pipe; F, feed pump; G, suction pipe of ditto ;
H, valve box of ditto, with valve to regulate supply of water to boiler;
I, boiler; K, furnaces; M, flues; N, feed pipe; R, extending feed pipe;
S, I designate hot reservoir, with communicating pipes and cocks and safety valve
and waste pipe forming part thereof, the communicating cocks being desig-
nated by the letters a, b, and the safety valve by the letter c; W, feed or stop
valves, and XI designate heating cylinders or plates. In lieu of the present
modes of feeding the boilers of these engines. I proceed as follows:--I take
the water from the feed pump by means of the feed pipe as far as the eduction
pipe, and then pass the feed pipe into the eduction pipe, connecting that portion
of the feed pipe which is within the eduction pipe with what I designate
heating cylinders or plates, and which may consist either of a hollow metal
cylinder, which I prefer should be of copper, or a series of pipes of any con-
venient shape or size, which I introduce into the eduction pipe in connection
with the feed pipe, in order to gain as much surface as possible of feed pipe
within the eduction pipe for the steam passing through the eduction pipe to
act upon; or instead of the heating cylinders or plates, the portion of the feed
pipe within the eduction pipe may be coiled, or any other convenient method

page_text: be
adopted, by which increased surface of feed pipe in the eduction pipe may
obtained for the steam in the eduction pipe to act upon; and from the eduction
pipe I continue the feed pipe on to what I call the hot reservoir, which
being connected with the boiler by means of the communicating pipes and
cocks forming part of the said hot reservoir, is kept charged with hot water
or hot brine (according as the feed may be from fresh or salt water); and in
order to gain the advantage of additional heat to the water in the feed pipe
in its passage to tlic boiler, I take the feed pipe through the hot reservoir, as
shewn at S in the said Figure No. 9 to the stop valve W, connecting that
portion of the feed pipe which is within the said hot reservoir with either a
cylinder or pipe, or a series of pipes, of any convenient shape or size, which I
introduce into the said hot reservoir in connection with the feed pipe passing
therein, in order to gain as much surface as possible of feed pipe in the said
hot reservoir for the hot water or hot brine (as the case may be) contained in
the said hot reservoir to act upon; or instead of using such cylinder or pipe,
or series of pipes, the portion of the feed pipe within the said hot reser-
voir may be coiled, or any other convenient method adopted, by which in-
creased surface of feed pipe in the said hot reservoir may be obtained for the
hot water or hot brine (as the case may be) in the said hot reservoir to act
upon. From the stop valve W, I continue the feed pipe into the boiler at any
convenient part thereof. The hot reservoir is of metal, and is composed or
comprised of a pipe of elliptical or any other convenient form, having a safety
valve in connection with a waste pipe, as shown at c in the said Figure 9,
and two communicating pipes and cocks connecting it with the boiler, and
which communicating cocks are shown at a, b, in the same Figure; and by
this mode of applying and arranging the feed to the boilers of steam boats or
vessels, the feed water is supplied to the boiler in a high degree of tempera-
ture, by reason of the feed pipe passing through the eduction pipe, and thereby
obtaining in its passage to the boiler the benefit of the heat imparted thereto
from the steam passing through the eduction pipe, besides and in addition to
the heat which will also be imparted to it from either the hot water or the hot
brine (as the case may be) contained in the said hot reservoir. And the degree
of heat may be further considerably increased in the following mode; (that is
to say), instead of carrying the feed pipe direct through and from the said hot
reservoir to the stop valve W, and thence into the boiler, as before described,
the feed. pipe may be returned back again through the said hot reservoir to
the foot thereof, as shewn at S in Figure 15, and from thence pass into my
said mingling vessel, which in this case will be placed in the flue, or by the side
of the boiler,.or. other convenient position), and my said mingling vessel is to be

page_text: operated with in like manner as before described in regard to single-acting
engines; and thence I continue the feed into and through the flues and fur-
naces, by extending feed pipes passing into and through the flues and furnaces,
as shewn at R in Figures 10, 14, and 15, and I then take the feed pipe into
the boiler at any convenient part thereof, and by this latter means the feed
water in the feed pipe, in its passage to the boiler, has also imparted to it the
further additional heat arising from the furnaces and the flues, and from the
hot water or hot brine which (according as the feed may be from fresh or
salt water) will be contained in my said mingling vessel. When the feed is
from salt water it will be necessary to regulate the discharge of the proper
quantity of brine from the boiler, in order to prevent the deposition of salt in
the boiler, and which is effected by proper regulation in the opening of either
of the communicating cocks a, b, the discharged brine being forced by means of
the pressure in the boiler, from the steam acting on the surface of the water,
out of the boiler, into and through the hot reservoir and the safety valve
attached thereto, through the waste pipe overboard; and the same course may
be pursued when the feed is from fresh water for occasionally blowing off any
portion of the sediment in the boilers when the feed is from fresh water.
Figure 10 represents a longitudinal section of part of a steam-boat boiler,
shewing the feed pipe through the flues and over the furnaces and the hot
reservoir, and communicating pipes and cocks and safety valve and waste pipe
in connection therewith, as before described.
Figure 11 is a sectional plan of No. 9, being a plan of a steam-boat engine,
shewing the application thereto of my Invention, where the feed pipe does not
pass through the flues and furnaces.
Figure 12 is a cross section of the said last-mentioned Figure through the
line a, b, marked on the said Plan or Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a cross section of the eduction pipe, shewing the metal cylin-
der and feed pipe therein, as before described, on the line e, f, as shewn in
Figure 11.
Figure 14 is a sectional plan of No. 9, being a plan of a steam-boat engine,
shewing the application thereto of my Invention when the feed pipe does pass
through the flues and furnaces.
Figure 15 is a cross section of the before-mentioned Plan or Figure No. 14,
as shewn on the line a, b, marked on such last-mentioned Figure.
Figure 16 is a cross section of the eduction pipe, shewing the feed pipe
within same, as before described on the line c, d, as shewn in Figure 14.
It is not necessary for the purposes of my Invention that both or all tho
engines in a steam vessel should be fitted up alike where there is more than

page_text: one engine, although they may be so if desired. It will be evident to any
practical person that there are various other modes than those described of
accommodating and arranging the fitting up of steam engines in reference to
the Invention described, according to convenience or circumstances, so as to
produce the same results in reference to the local position of the engine or
otherwise. The advantages which will be gained by the use and application
of my said Invention to steam boats and vessels are even more considerable
than to other steam engines, for, besides the same advantages in the decreased
magnitude of boilers and saving of fuel, there would also be effected the saving
of room and dead weight of engines and fuel, size of vessels, stowage, and other
obvious valuable consequences of those advantages.
Figure 17 represents a longitudinal section of a locomotive engine and boiler,
shewing my Invention as applying thereto, and the following is a description of
such last-mentioned Figure (that is to say)-A, the steam cylinder; F, feed
pump; G, suction pipe of ditto; H, valve boxes of ditto, with valve to regulate
supply of water to boiler; I, boiler; K, furnace; L, smoke box; N, feed
pipe; W, feed or stop valves; and Y, blast pipe. In lieu of the present modes
of feeding the boilers of these engines, I proceed as follows:-I pass the feed
pipe from the valve box II into the smoke box L, at any convenient part
thereof, and from-the smoke box I convey the feed pipe up or through the
blast pipe and into the chimney in any convenient or suitable manner, and
there spread or divide it into two pipes, and then bring it back by these two
pipes within the smoke box, on each side thereof, or in any other convenient
direction or manner, to the stop valves W, and from thence into the boiler at
any convenient part thereof; it will be necessary that the blast pipe should be
enlarged sufficiently to admit the feed pipe in manner before described, and
still to afford sufficient area for the escape of the steam, and this may be done
in any convenient manner or form. By this mode of conducting the feed
or supply of feed water to the boilers of locomotive engines, the feed water
passing through the feed pipe in its passage to the boiler, has imparted to it the
heat arising from the waste steam in its passage from the cylinder or steam
ports through the blast pipe, and again on its return in passing up and down
the chimney into the smoke box, as before described, as well as of the beated
air in the chimney, and thereby the feed water will in its passage to the boiler
acquire a considerable degree of heat, and be supplied to the boiler in such
state of heat, instead of being supplied as at present comparatively cold, with
its attendant evils and inconveniences, which will be prevented or decreased by
my Invention for supplying the boiler of locomotive engines with feed water
in the state of heat, and in the manner before described, and advantages in

page_text: applying my said Invention to locomotive engines will also be gained in the
saving in the size of boilers and consumption of fuel to generate the quantity
of steam, and other obvious valuable advantages. In cases where it may not
be convenient or possible, from the construction of the engine or other causes,
to enlarge or sufficiently enlarge the blast pipe to allow of the feed pipe being
admitted therein, as before described, the feed pipe, instead of being conveyed
up or through the blast pipe, as before described, may be brought round and
over the blast pipe, in which case the blast pipe need not be altered in size, as
before described, or the blast pipe may be passed over altogether, and the feed
taken through the smoke box into the chimney, and returned back into the
smoke box, as before described, or in any other suitable or convenient direction
or manner by which the water in the feed pipe may derive the benefit of the
waste steam and heated air last referred to before it reaches the boiler, and in
either case with little diminution of the ultimate advantages before described
in the case of the feed pipe being conveyed up or through the blast pipe.
Figure 18 represents a cross section of a locomotive engine and boiler,
shewing the application of my Invention, and as to the necessary increase in
the size of the blast pipe for the introduction of the feed pipe, as before
described.
Figure 19 represents a sectional plan of Figures Nos. 17 and 18.
Now, whereas I do not intend to confine my said Invention to those steam
engines which I have enumerated herein; but I have described the mode of
using and applying my said Invention for the purposes herein described as the
most plain and simple mode in my apprehension to enable any practical person
to apply the same to all steam engines.
And I claim as my Invention this new mode of supplying or feeding the
boilers of steam engines by means of and so far as relates to the taking the
feed pipe into and through the heated places shewn in such portions of the said
Drawings as are colored light and dark pink, except as herein-after disclaimed,
and mingling the supply with heated water in the manner I have described.
And I claim as part thereof the mingling vessel already described; but as I
have reason to suppose a mode has been adopted of bringing the feed pipe into
connexion with the brine apparatus or brine pipe on board some steam boats
or vessels, I do not claim as part of my Invention the placing of the feed pipe
in the brine apparatus, or brine pipe of vessels using a brine apparatus.
And further, I do not claim as part of my Invention the extending the feed
pipe through the flues and furnaces, having reason to suppose that something
of this kind, without my mingling vessel, has been attempted.
And such my said Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,

page_text: entirely new, and never before used within that part of Her said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England. Her said
Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, or in Her said Majesty's
Colonies or Plantations abroad; and I do hereby declare this to be my
Specification of the same, and that I do verily believe this my said Specification
doth comply in all respects, fully and without reserve or disguise, with the
proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent contained;
wherefore I hereby claim to maintain the exclusive right and privilege of or
to my said Invention.
In witness whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Second
Enrolled the Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-five.