Improvements in and relating to Valves for Compound Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1896-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
Communicated from abroad by FREDERIC CONDEE WEIR, of Cincinnati,
Hamilton County, Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in and relating to Valves for Compound Engines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention relates to a valve for a compound engine employing one or more
pistons the faces of each piston having different areas, the smaller being acted
upon by the high pressure steam, which is compounded on to the larger piston
area.
The object of my invention is first, to provide a valve controlling the induction
steam ports of the cylinder, and the high and low pressure ports for the admission
and exhaust of the cylinder which is provided with cut-off sections controlling each
port, and a steam port or passage through each cut-off section, and a passage on
one side of said cut-off section, thereby forming two supply and two exhaust passages
through the valve for each port.
Second, to provide a valve for a duplex compound engine which has three or
more cut-off sections, the outside sections controlling the low pressure ports and
the central section or sections controlling the induction and high pressure steam
ports, each of said sections having a port or passage pierced through it, and passages
between the valve at the side of said sections so that each port has two passages
through the valve for supplying and exhausting steam.
Third, to provide a valve of skeleton form for a duplex compound engine with
three or more cut-off sections, the central sections of which are pierced with ports
or passages for the passage of the steam, and the steam passage at the side of said
sections, whereby the high pressure steam ports are supplied by two steam passages
through the valve.
Fourth, to provide a valve with three or more cut-off sections the two outer
sections of which control the low pressure and exhaust ports at the end of the
cylinder, and have an exhaust and supply passage for compounding steam at one
side, and adapted to exhaust at the opposite side of said cut-off sections..
Fifth, to provide a valve for controlling the ports of a duplex cylinder and piston
engine, which valve has three or more cut-off sections with steam ports or passages
through each of said sections for balancing the valve as well as for operating as
ports to supply and exhaust steam.
Sixth, to provide in the cylinder of a compound engine with an induction or
supply passage in the cylinder itself and below the valve seat at one side of or
between the high pressure steam ports of the cylinder and adapted to supply steam
to a cylinder by a series of passages through the valve.
Seventh, to provide a skeleton valve having cut-off sections for different ports of
a cylinder, each section being provided with steam passages through it, and a
passage on one side of each section, which are adapted to cover the high pressure
steam passages or ports and the exhaust ports, and enabling the same to be used
as a variable steam cut-off for both the high and low pressure parts of the compound
Diston.

page_text: The features of my invention will be more fully set forth in the description of me
accompanying drawings making a part of this Specification in which :-
Fig. 1, is a central vertical section of my improvement in position for use.
Fig. 2, is a section of the valve and a top section of the cylinder showing the
position of the valve on one side of the central position.
Fig. 3, is a central vertical cross section of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a plan view of the valve shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5.
Fig. 5, is an enlarged section of Fig. 2, but with the valve just commencing to
open the ports.
Fig. 6, is a plan view of the upper seat, of the valve.
Fig. 7, is a plan view of the lower seat of the valve.
Fig. 8, is a modification of the valve shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 9, is an end elevation of the steam chest and top section of cylinder.
Fig. 10, is another modification of the valve shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 11, is a similar view of Fig. 10, showing the valve in a different position.
Fig. 12, is a modification of Fig. 10.
Fig. 13, is a modification showing the valve applied to a compound engine of the
single type.
I, represents a cylinder, 2 the heads thereof, 3 the collar journal bearing which
serves as a partition to divide the central portion of the cylinder into two
compartments. H', H¹, represent the piston heads. I represents the cylinder
interposed between and connecting the heads H, H', together. Said cylinder has
its bearing in the partition 3. 4 represents a piston rod to which the said piston
and cylinder are securely connected." a represents the high pressure steam port for
the piston H: a' the hio
team port for the piston H. b represents the
low pressure and e-'
and b¹ the similar port for the
pisten H. A represe
and induction port which is
preferably located in the cylinder and between the high pressure steam ports a, a'.
It is shown as placed below the valve B instead of above it, chiefly for convenience.
But I do not wish to limit my invention to this construction except in clauses of
the claims where the same is made a specific element.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, B represents the main valve as constructed for the double
compound engine. It is provided with a central cut-off section C which covers
port e of the steam passage in chamber A. Said section is pierced to provide a
port or steam passage c. D, D', represent the outside cut-off sections, they are
each provided with ports or passages d, d'. These ports extend the whole length
of said sections as shown in Fig. 4. In order to facilitate the passage of steam
through said ports the faces of the cut-off sections are beveled off on each side at
the top and bottom thereof.
The lower valve seat is formed on the face of the cylinder and its upper seat is
shown as formed on the inside of the steam chest cover. The upper valve seat is
provided with recesses f, g, h, which are of nearly the same area as the respective
ports e, b, b, in the lower valve seat with which they are in apposition. In order
to hold the packing strips i in their seats formed within the cut-off sections.
I provide ribs as shown in Fig. 6, extending across the said recesses f, g, h, and
against which the packing strips i bear. The main valve B is preferably of
skeleton form, having cut-off sections extending horizontally across the face of the
cylinder, said sections and the seats thereof being horizontal. But I do not wish
to limit myself to this form of construction as these sections may be of the piston.
form shown in Fig. 8.
My valve for the double compound engine in the preferred form has only one
central cut-off section, but may be provided with two central-cut-off sections C, C¹,
as shown in Figs. 10, 11. When constructed as shown in said figs. the cut-off
section C controls the high pressure steam port a, and the cut-off section C¹ controls
the port a'. The piston form of valve shown in Fig. 12, may also be provided
with four cut-off sections, two central cut-off sections 11, 1, and two outside piston
sections J, J. In Fig. 12, the two outside sections J, Ji, control the high pressure

page_text: and exhaust ports. If it is desired to construct the engine of the single compound
type, which modification is shown in Fig. 13, the valve is provided with three cnt-
off sections the same as shown in Figs. 1, 5, and the cut-off section simply serves
to prevent the escape of the steam into the chest. The cut-off section m controls
the port e of the steam passage or chamber A, and the high pressure port n, and
the cut-off section M controls the low pressure and exhaust port t. The cut-off
section M moves forward past the port t and the exhaust is outside of the cut-off
section M. Said section is also pierced with a steam passage a through which the
supply and exhaust is partly accomplished. It will be observed that the sections M, m,
are provided with recesses in the same manner as shown for the corresponding part
in Fig. 1. The outer section does not control either of the ports and no such
recess is required. It is simply provided to prevent the escape of the live steam
into the exhaust chamber, and to form one boundary of the steam passage through
the valve. In the type of valve shown herein the steam chest all around the valve
is an exhaust chamber and the live steam only occupies the space within the
valve and between the outside sections thereof. I have shown the space between
the cut-off sections as partially filled with strengthening bars o. This is to produce
the clearance or amount of steam space within the valve, and passages are formed
on each side of hars o. These passages must be sufficiently large to allow the
steam to readily pass through the valve as the respective ports are uncovered.
MODE OF OPERATION.
The mode of operation will be understood by reference to Fig. 5, of the drawings.
The valve is shown as having moved off of the center toward the left and is taking
steam from ports e through the passage of the cut-off section C.
thence into the recess to the valve seats, and thence down between the cut-off
section and the bar o to the high pressure steam port a', and live steam is also
passing from the port e outside of the cut-off section to said port a', as indicated by
arrows. Port & is exhausting steam outside of the cut-off section D' as indicated.
Port a is conveying steam for compounding direct to port b as well as through the
passages d as indicated in arrows. Of course when the valve moves in the
opposite direction a similar action takes place, except that the high pressure steam
is admitted on to the smaller area of the opposite piston and being compounded
upon the larger area of the opposite piston. The operation of the other form of
valve is analogous to this except in a valve having four cut-off sections instead of
three, each high pressure port is being controlled by its respective cut-off section
instead of having one cut-off section common to the two ports. In the modification
shown in Fig. 13, the live steam is used on the face of the smaller piston area
to propel the piston in one direction, and it is propelled in the opposite
direction solely by compounding the steam from the smaller area on to the
opposite face of the larger area piston, so that the forward stroke of the piston is
made by the high pressure and the return stroke by the compounding of the low
pressure.
I obtain very important advantages by employing a main valve pierced with
passages one through the cut-off section and the other passage at the side thereof,
as I obtain a full port opening for one half the distance of valve travel over what
could be obtained by having a steam passage at only one side of the cut-off section.
By this form of construction the valve is practically balanced under pressure in all
positions.
By the construction herein shown I am euabled to obtain any desired amount of
variable cut-off for both the high, low and exhaust ports, and I am enabled to use
my valve with the compound type of engine at one-fourth cut-off and obtain the
required amount of steam expansion.
The construction of the valve and ports is such that the steam is quickly
admitted on to the face of the piston and freely exhausted by reason of the
plurality of steam passages and in consequence I am enabled to use cylinder porta

page_text: of large area, obtaining a maximum amount of steam to the minimum amount of
valve movement.
By making the steam chamber in the cylinder below the valve and an induction
port leading therefrom upwardly into the valve chamber, I obtain important
advantages.
The live steam chest is formed wholly within the cylinder and between the
cut-off sections of the valve. The steam chest or valve chamber cover forms
the upper bearing seat of the valve and it can be taken off and the valve
adjusted without disturbing the steam pipes. Again the valve is balanced in the
chest and is surrounded only by the exhaust steam and no downward pressure
except in the recesses of the valve seat opposite to and balanced by the cylinder
ports.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In combination with the cylinder of a compound engine employing a piston
the faces of each side of which are of different areas, and working in the same
cylinder which is provided with an induction steam port, a high pressure port, and
a low pressure and exhaust port, of a valve having a cut-off section with a steam
passage through it, and a steam passage on one side thereof, taking steam from the
same supply port and controlling the induction and high pressure ports, a cut-off
section with steam port pierced through it and steam passages on both sides
thereof for controlling the low pressure and exhaust port, substantially as
specified.
2. In a compound engine employing a duplex piston the opposite faces of which
are of different areas and working in the same cylinder and having an induction
steam port below the valve seat, a high pressure port and a low pressure and
exhaust port, in combination with a steam chest, a valve located therein having a
cut-off section pierced with a steam supply port, recesses in the valve seat opposite
the induction port, a cut-off section pierced with a steam port controlling the low
steam and escape port and recesses in the valve seat opposite the low pressure and
exhaust port, substantially as specified.
3. In a compound steam engine composed of a duplex cylinder provided with
duplex piston the opposite faces of which are of different areas and each working
in the same cylinder, a high and low pressure port for each cylinder and an
induction common to both cylinders, the combination with said ports of a steam
chest and valve located therein having two outside cut-off sections controlling
the low pressure and exhaust ports, and a central cut-off section pierced with
steam port and a steam passage at one side thereof for controlling the induction
port and the high pressure ports of each cylinder, substantially as specified.
4. In a compound steam engine composed of a duplex cylinder provided with
duplex pistons, the opposite faces of each side of which are of different areas and
working in the same cylinder, a high and a low pressure port for each cylinder
and steam chamber having an induction port between the high pressure ports
common to both of said ports, a low pressure steam and escape port at the end
of each cylinder in combination with a valve located in a chest and provided with
two out-side cut-off sections, a central cut-off section, a steam passage through each
of said cut-off sections, and steam passages at each side thereof, substantially as
specified.
5. In a compound steam engine composed of a duplex cylinder provided with
a duplex piston the opposite faces of each side of which are of different areas,
in combination with a valve chest a valve located therein, n steam supply
chamber in the cylinder below the valve, an induction port between the high
pressure cylinder ports, a compound and exhaust port for each cylinder, cut-off
sections for the valve for controlling the said cylinder ports, substantially as
specified.

page_text: 6. In a duplex cylinder for a compound engine employing a duplex piston the
opposite faces of which are of different areas, and provided with a steam chamber
in the cylinder, an induction port leading to the valve chamber, a high pressure
port for each cylinder outside of the induction port, an outer low pressure and
exhaust port in each of the cylinders adapted to exhaust into the valve chamber
ports in the upper valve seat opposite each cylinder port and a valve having two
outside and central cut-off sections for controlling the said cylinder ports,
substantially as specified.
7. In a duplex cylinder for a compound engine the opposite faces of each of
which are of different areas and working in the same cylinder, a steam chamber
in the cylinder provided with an induction port leading into the valve chamber,
a high pressure port for each cylinder on one side of said induction port, an outer
compound and exhaust port in each cylinder adapted to exhaust into the valve
chamber, in combination with a steam chest and valve located therein provided
with central and outside cut-off sections, each section being pierced with a steam
passage, said cut-off sections being adapted to control the said cylinder ports,
substantially as specified.
8. In combination with a compound steam engine, composed of a cylinder
employing a piston the opposite faces of each side of which are of different areas,
and working in the same cylinder, which cylinder is provided with an induction
port, a high pressure port and a compound and exhaust port, of a skeleton slide
valve with a cut-off section controlling each cylinder port, and each of which is
pierced with a steam passage, and a steam passage at each side thereof, whereby a
double admission and escape passage is provided for each port through the valve,
substantially as specified.
9. A. cylinder for a steam engine having a steam chamber in the cylinder, and
the main induction port below the valve seat and between the cylinder ports,
substantially as specified.
10. A duplex cylinder for a steam engine provided with a high pressure
port for each section and having the main induction port formed in the cylinder
between and common to the said high pressure ports, substantially as specified.
Dated this 21st day of January 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.