IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH AND WITH STEAM BOILERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY IN GENERAL
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Nalder and Alfred Belcher, of East hallow,
in the County of Berks, Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH AND WITH STEAM
BOILERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY IN
GENERAL,"
Sealed the 27th June 1865, and dated the 29th December 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Nalder and
Alfred Belcher, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents with
their Petition, on the 29th December 1864.
We, WILLIAM NALDER and ALFRED BELCHER, of East Challow, in the
County of Berks, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH AND WITH STEAM BOILERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY IN GENERAL," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to a novel arrangement of the eduction. port
or ports of the cylinder of a steam engine, and of the piston to be employed
therewith, with a view to the obtainment of greater economy in the construc-
tion and working of the engine. The eduction port opens directly from the
longitudinal centre of the cylinder, or two ports may be made, one on each
side of the centre, and the opening or openings thereof may be made to extend

page_text: round the whole or any portion of the inner circumference of the cylinder.
The piston is to be made of any convenient depth or thickness, according to
the portion of the stroke at which the eduction port is to be opened; but we
prefer to make it of such a thickness as to nearly fill up the portion of the
cylinder between the end cover and the eduction port when one port is used,
so that just before it arrives at the end of its stroke it will open fully the
eduction port by uncovering the same. When two ports are used the length
of the piston should be equal to, or nearly equal to, the half length of the
cylinder.
Secondly, to an improved construction of governors or regulators for steam
engines of all kinds, and to a peculiar arrangement of the regulating valve
actuated thereby. The centrifugal balls or weights are connected by links to
a sliding collar on the governor spindle, or on the crank shaft of the engine
itself, in the case of small or portable engines. The centripetal action of the
governor balls is obtained from two blade springs which are connected at one
end to a fixed collar on the spindle or shaft, and at the other end are screwed
or otherwise rigidly secured to the governor balls or weights, which receive
their centrifugal action in the usual way. By this, arrangement facility is
afforded for working the governor on a horizontal shaft or spindle or at any
desired angle, whilst greater economy of construction and efficiency of action
are obtained. The valve in connection with the governor is made to slide
upon the back of the ordinary sliding stop valve or regulator. By this arrange-
ment greater compactness is obtained with increased certainty of action, and
the governor has the same proportionate controlling power at every position
of the stop-valve or regulator, and is enabled to completely cut off the steam
in case the load be suddenly removed.
Thirdly, to an improved construction of feed pump, whereby simplicity and
economy are combined with greater certainty of action. In this pump we
make the stop-cock for the suction pipe elongated in order to form the seat
for the lift valve, which is situate on the side of the plug farthest from the
suction pipe. By this means one clack box with its fittings is dispensed with,
and the valve water passage and plunger are in a right line in the case of
vertical or nearly vertical pumps.
Fourthly, to an improved construction of connecting rod applicable to feed
pumps and valve motions. This rod is made flexible at one part by being
flattened out at such part, or otherwise made elastic and flexible at the part
required. This rod may either form a continuation of the pump rod or valve
spindle itself, or it may be rigidly secured thereto and to the eccentric ring
thus dispensing with joints which are always liable to wear.

page_text: Fifthly, to an improved construction and arrangement of the fulcra levers
and springs for safety valves of steam boilers, whereby greater sensitiveness is
obtained. For this purpose we make the fulcrum in the form of a knife-edge
which fits inside a hollow boss in the end of the valve lever, the knife-edge
resting upon the lower side of the boss. The ends of this fulcrum are fixed in
side lugs, and it may be made capable of adjustment therein so as to change
the knife-edge in action when required by simply turning the fulcrum. The
free end of the valve lever may be made to form a blade spring, which is held
down by a spindle jointed thereto and passing through a fixed lug, an adjust-
able nut being screwed on to the end of the spindle, such spindle being
properly divided or graduated to indicate the pressure. Or in lieu of making
the spring in one piece with the valve lever, a separate blade spring may be
employed, fixed at one end to a lug, and connected at its opposite end to a
vertical spindle which passes through the end of the usual valve lever, a nut
being employed for adjusting the valve to any pressure. By these arrange-
ments of blade springs and levers an economical substitute for the more
expensive "Salter's balance" is obtained. The improved fulcrum, however,
is obviously applicable to all safety valve levers.
Sixthly, to an improved mode of lubricating the crank bearings of steam
engines, which may also be applied to other bearings. This is effected by
employing a brass which is so formed as to hold the lubricant within itself at
one or both ends thereof, an annular channel or chamber being made in one
or both ends of the brass to contain the oil or other lubricating fluid. In this
channel or chamber revolves an enlarged ring or collar, which is fitted to or
formed on the journal. When in motion these collars take up the oil and
distribute it over the bearing, but when at rest the oil flows back agian into
the channel or chamber. By this mode of lubricating a considerable saving
of oil is obtained. This peculiar brass or bearing is also applicable to other
kinds of machinery where bearings are used.
O SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Nalder and Alfred Belcher in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 29th June 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
NALDER and ALFRED BELCHER, of East Challow, in the County of Berks,
5 Engineers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters

page_text: Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said William Nalder and Alfred Belcher, Her special license that
we, the said William Nalder and Alfred Belcher, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William Nalder and
Alfred Belcher, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH AND WITH
STEAM BOILERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY IN
GENERAL," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William
Nalder and Alfred Belcher, by an instrument in writing under our hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Nalder and Alfred
Belcher, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:-
Our said Invention relates, firstly, to a novel arrangement of the eduction
port or ports of the cylinder of a steam engine, and of the piston to be
employed therewith, with a view to the obtainment of greater economy in the
construction and working of the engine. The eduction port opens directly
from the longitudinal centre of the cylinder, or two ports may be made, one
on each side of the centre, and the opening or openings thereof may be made
to extend round the whole or any portion of the inner circumference of the
cylinder. The piston is to be made of any convenient depth or thickness,
according to the portion of the stroke at which the eduction port is to be
opened, but we prefer to make it of such a thickness as to nearly fill up the
portion of the cylinder between the end cover and the eduction port when one
port is used, so that just before it arrives at the end of its stroke it will open
fully the eduction port, by uncovering the same. When two ports are used,

page_text: the length of the piston should be equal to or nearly equal to the Alf length
of the cylinder.
Secondly, to an improved construction of governors or regulatory for steam
engines of all kinds, and to a peculiar arrangement of the regulating valve
actuated thereby. The centrifugal balls or weights are connected by links to
a sliding collar on the governor spindle or on the crank shaft of the engine
itself, in the case of small or portable engines. The centripetal action of the
governor balls is obtained from two blade springs, which are connected at one
end to a fixed collar on the spindle or shaft, and at the othend are screwed
or otherwise rigidly secured to the governor balls or weigh which receive
their centrifugal action in the usual way. By this arrangement facility is
afforded for working the governor on a horizontal shaft or spindle, or at any
desired angle, whilst greater economy of construction and efficiency of action
are obtained. The valve in connection with the governor is made to slide
upon the back of the ordinary sliding stop valve or regulator: By this
arrangement greater compactness is obtained with increased certainty of
action, and the governor has the same proportionate controlling power at
every position of the stop valve or regulator, and is enabled to completely cut
off the steam in case the load be suddenly removed.
Thirdly, to an improved construction of feed pump, whereby simplicity and
economy are combined with greater certainty of action. In this pump we
make the stop cock for the suction pipe elongated in order to form the seat
for the lift valve, which is situate on the side of the plug farthest from the
suction pipe. By this means one clack box with its fittings is dispensed with,
and the valve, water passage, and plunger are in a right line in the case of
vertical or nearly vertical pumps.
Fourthly, to an improved construction of connecting rod applicable to feed
pumps and valve motions. This rod is made flexible at one part by being
flattened out at such part, or otherwise made elastic and flexible at the part
required. This rod may either form a continuation of the pump rod or valve
spindle itself, or it may be rigidly secured thereto and to the eccentric ring,
thus dispensing with joints, which are always liable to wear.
Fifthly, to an improved construction and arrangement of the fulcra, levers,
and springs for safety valves of steam boilers, whereby greater sensitiveness is
obtained. For this purpose we make the fulcrum in the form of a knife edge
which fits inside a hollow boss in the end of the valve lever, the knife edge
resting upon the lower side of the boss. The ends of this fulcrum are fixed
inside lugs, and it may be made capable of adjustment therein, so as to change
the knife edge in action when required by simply turning the fulcrum. The

page_text: free end of the valve lever may be made to form a blade spring, which is held
down by a spindle jointed thereto and passing through a fixed lug, an
adjustable nut being screwed on to the end of the spindle, such spindle being
properly divided or graduated to indicate the pressure. Or in lieu of making
the spring in one piece with the valve lever, a separate blade spring may be
employed, fixed at one end to a lug and connected at its opposite end to a
vertical spindle which passes through the end of the usual valve lever, a nut
being employed for adjusting the valve to any pressure. By these arrange-
ments of blade springs and levers an economical substitute for the more
expensive "Salter's balance" is obtained. The improved fulcrum is, however,
obviously applicable to all safety valve levers.
Sixthly, to an improved mode of lubricating the crank bearings of steam
engines, which may also be applied to other bearings. This is effected by
employing a brass, which is so formed as to hold the lubricant within itself at
one or both ends thereof, an annular channel or chamber being made in one
or both ends of the brass to contain the oil or other lubricating fluid. In this
channel or chamber revolves an enlarged ring or collar, which is fitted to or
formed on the journal. When in motion these collars take up the oil and
distribute it over the bearing, but when at rest the oil flows back again into
the channel or chamber. By this mode of lubricating a considerable saving
of oil is obtained. This peculiar brass may be applied to other machinery in
which bearings of a like description are applicable.
And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall
refer to the several Figures on the two Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corres-
ponding Figures.
Figures 1 and 2, on Scet 1 of our Drawings, represent respectively a
sectional plan and sectional elevation of a steam engine cylinder in which the
piston and the ports are constructed and arranged in accordance with the first
part of our Invention. A represents the cylinder which may be worked either
in a vertical, horizontal, or oblique position, or caused to oscillate as may be
found most convenient; B is the piston secured to the rod C in the usual or
other convenient manner, and D is the ordinary stuffing box; E, F, are the
two steam ports, and G is an exhaust port made in the body of the cylinder
midway between the two end covers H, H. This port may or may not extend
round the entire circumference of the cylinder; in our Drawings we have
represented it as extending half way round only. The piston B is made of
such a thickness as nearly to occupy the whole of that portion of the interior

page_text: of the cylinder between one of the covers H and the exhaust port, but as the
piston itself opens and closes the exhaust port to each end of the cylinder.
alternately, in lieu of such operation being effected by the slide valve as
heretofore, it follows that by varying the thickness of the piston the period of
opening or closing the exhaust port will also be varied.
Figure 3 represents an elevation of our improved form of governor or regu-
lator for steam engines, so constructed in accordance with the second part of
our Invention; A, A, are the balls or weights which are connected by the links
B, B, to the sliding collar C, on the governor spindle or main shaft D of the
engine, as the case may be, this governor being capable of working in any.
position. E, E, are two blade springs which are connected at their outer free
ends with the balls A, and are rigidly secured at their opposite ends to a fixed
collar E on the spindle or shaft D. The sliding collar C is connected in the
ordinary manner with the usual regulating valve, or with our improved sliding
regulating valve, which forms a part of this head of our Invention, and which
is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5 of our Drawings, which represent respectively
a cross section and a longitudinal section of our improved arrangement and.
combination of regulator or stop and throttle valve. A is the throttle valve
in connection with the governor by the spindle B, which valve is made to slide.
upon the back of the ordinary sliding stop valve or regulator C. The port.
D leads direct to the steam chest E, which is in communication with the.
cylinder by means of the usual steam ports; F is the opening in the regulator.
valve, which in Figure 5 is represented in its closed position; G is the valve,
spindle of the regulator valve actuated in the ordinary or other convenient
manner. The throttle valve A slides over and covers more or less the
opening F of the regulator valve in whatever position that valve may be
placed as is clearly seen on reference to the Drawings.
Figure 6 represents an elevation, partly in section, of a feed-pump constructed.
according to the third part of our Invention; and Figure 7 is a longitudinal
vertical section of the same. A is the stop-cock of the pump, the body of.
which cock is elongated so as to form the seat for the lift valve B. By this
arrangement one clack box with its fittings is dispensed with, and a more,
direct passage for the water is obtained. C is the inlet for the water, and D
the outlet. These Figures also illustrate the application of our improved
connecting rod to the flanges E of the feed pump, as set forth under the fourth.
head of our Invention. This connecting rod F is made flexible by flattening
out and making thinner one portion thereof, as shewn at f, by which means
the necessity for joints and joint pins is obviated as the inherent elasticity of
the rod will answer the same purpose and will admit of both ends being rigidly

page_text: secured to the moving and moved parts. In some cases the rod may be made
in one with the plunger or piston E, as shown in Figure 7, but if preferred, the
flexible rod may be bolted to the plunger, which may be made hollow as shown
in the sectional detail views (Figures 8 and 9) in which case the connecting
rod may be secured to the bottom of the plunger as illustrated by the Drawings
referred to.
Figures 10 and 11 represent elevational details of a portion of a flexible rod F,
with its flattened part f suitable as eccentric rods for working valve spindles, or
for working the plungers of pumps or other like reciprocating parts of machinery
which have hitherto been worked by jointed in lieu of rigidly connected rods.
Figures 12 and 13 represent respectively a sectional elevation and correspond-
ing plan of a safety valve constructed and arranged according to the fifth part
of our Invention. A is the safety valve, and B the valve lever, which we pro-
pose to construct in the form of a blade spring, so that the inherent elasticity
of the lever itself will enable the ordinary spring of the "Salter's balance" to
be dispensed with. The fulcrum C of the valve lever is knife-edged, and bears
against the lower inner surface of a hollow boss D, formed on the valve end
of the lever. This knife-edge fulcrum may be either fixed or adjustable, but
we prefer to make it adjustable by fitting or forming the knife edges to or on
a cylindrical pin, which is free to be turned more or less as required, in cor-
responding holes made in the fixed lugs or brackets E. By this means the
position of the knife-edge of the fulcrum may be adjusted with the greatest
exactitude with reference to the point of contact between the valve and its
lever. The free or elastic end of the valve lever is connected by an eye and
knife edge or otherwise to a vertical spindle F, which passes through a guiding
bracket G, secured to the front or other convenient part of the boiler. A nut
H on the bottom of this spindle serves to increase or diminish the downward
pressure or resistance of the valve, which pressure is indicated by graduations
or divisions made on the spindle F; the position of the graduations with regard
to the fixed guiding bracket G showing the exact pressure upon the valve. If
preferred a rigid valve lever of the ordinary construction may be employed
connected to a vertical spindle which is acted upon by one end of a blade
spring, the other end of which is secured to any convenient fixed point.
Figures 14 and 15 represent respectively a transverse and longitudinal section
of a self-lubricating bearing, constructed according to the sixth part of our
Invention, and represented as applied to the end of a connecting rod and
crank pin, but is equally applicable to other bearings and journals. A is the
brass or bearing which is made in two parts, as heretofore, but is provided with
an oil chamber B, which is in communication, by means of ducts b, with each

page_text: of the annular chambers or channels C, C, formed at each end of the bearing.
Within each of these annular chambers C revolves a collar D fast on the
journal E to be lubricated. These collars when in motion take up the oil
which flows from the oil chamber B or from the ordinary oil cup into the
centre of the bearing, and thence into the annular channels or chambers C, C,
and distribute it over the wearing parts of the bearing and journal. When
the parts are at rest the oil flows back again into the chambers B and C, C.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, we would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is, -
First, the constructing of steam-engine cylinders with one or a pair of
eduction ports opening directly from the longitudinal centre of the cylinder or
from parts near to the same, and the opening and closing of such eduction
port or ports by the piston itself, substantially as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction of steam-engine governor or regulator,
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by our Drawings.
Third, the peculiar arrangement and combination of regulating or stop and
throttle valves for steam enginges, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated by our Drawings.
Fourth, making the seat for the lift valve in feed pumps on the body of the
stop-cock itself as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fifth, the peculiar construction of elastic or flexible connecting rod and
its applications, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described.
Sixth, the application and use to and in safety valves of knife-edge
fulcra, arranged substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Seventh, the combination in safety valves of knife-edge fulcra with a
hollow boss on the valve lever, substantially as herein-before described.
Eighth, the combination in safety valves of knife-edge fulcra and a hollow
boss on an elastic or blade spring lever, substantially as and for the purpose
herein-before described.
Ninth, the making of the levers of safety valves in the form of a blade
spring, the inherent elasticity of which answers the purpose of a separate
spring balance.
Tenth, the application and use of a blade spring acting either directly or
indirectly upon the lever of a safety valve, as herein-before described.

page_text: Eleventh, the combination of the oil chambers C, C,. and collars D, D, sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described and
illustrated by Figures 14 and 15 of our Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Nalder and Alfred Belcher,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth day of June,
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
WILLIAM NALDER. (L.s.)
ALFRED BELCHER. (L.S.)