IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES AND PIMPS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cuthbert Burnett, of Stockton, in the County of Durham,
and Charles Dudley Austin, of Newcastle, in the County of Northumberland,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES
AND PIMPS "
Sealed the 27th August 1878, and dated the 4th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cuthbert Burnett and
Charles Dudley Austin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
4th March 1878.
26
CUTHBERT BURNETT, of Stockton, in the County of Durham, and CHARLES
IMPROVE-
DUDLEY AUSTIN, of Newcastle, in the County of Northumberland.
MENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES AND PUMPS."
The first part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of
condensers for steam engines, in which a separate chamber is employed as a substi-
tute for the air pump.
In apparatus made according to our Invention, the condenser proper and the
auxiliary condensers combined, would not be larger than the top chamber or
condenser proper in Mac Carter's. In our's, when working, there is no
accumulation of water in the condenser, excepting the point of changing the
valve or valves.
Our condenser is self-acting, requiring no independent engine or its equivalent
for the intermittent supply of injection water to lower chamber, which in most
cases will be required to be pumped, whereas in our's we form the vacuums by
opening communication between the said chamber or chambers by a suitable valve
or valves for the egress of the steam to main condenser.
Steam is admitted by a stop valve to a small slide valve in a steam chest, the
ports being in communication for steam supply with a chamber, which we call the
starting chamber, and for exhaust between an adjoining chamber and a condenser
proper situated above both. In each of the latter there is a float, or preferably a

page_text: vessel, filled with water working radially on suitable spindles through glands, and
having arms at right angles attached working outside of the condenser and con-
nected to each other, and also to an arm of a sector by suitable rods or links. The
said sector is provided with two tappets or studs. To the quadrant is fixed a lever
with tumbling bob for operating the slide valve by impact, the lever passes through
a slot of the slide valve spindle and describes an arc, the chord of which, at point of
contact, is greater than slot in the slide valve spindle by the travel of valve. There
is an injection pipe in the condenser proper, and there are discharge valves from
this latter into the chambers beneath. There are also discharge valves from these
chambers into a base tank, from which an injection tube leads into the starting
chamber for the purpose of starting the apparatus. A bridge may be placed in
front of the first-nanied discharge valves, so as to keep the said valves covered
with water. There is an overflow from base tank to any desired place.
The base tank may be substituted by a casing of smaller dimensions covering
the valves.
Assuming the apparatus about to be started for the first time, it would be neces-
sary to charge the base tank or casing with water, and open the starting injection
tube and to place the slide valve in position to admit steam into starting chamber.
The steam stop valve is now opened and steam admitted to the expulsion of the air
through the discharge valve. The stop valve is now closed and natural condensation
ensuing, a portion of the water in the tank is forced by the atmosphere through
the injection tube into the said chamber, and a partial vacuum is the result; and this
operation is repeated until the air is exhausted from the main injection pipe and
main condenser, when the injection water from reservoir or other source of supply
flows into the condenser proper. The exhaust from the engine or other source from
which the steam is required to be condensed may now be turned into the said con-
denser. The starting injection tube may now be shut off. The starting chamber
will now fill with water. The stop valve is now opened and left in that position
(subject, of course, to such regulation as inay be desirable). The inflowing steam
will allow discharge of water from starting chamber. The position of slide valve is
now changed by forcing over the tumbling bob, and thus a communication between
the said chamber and condenser proper is established, when the steam just admitted
will rush through the exhaust passage into the latter, and a vacuum corresponding
with that in the condenser will be the result, when the injection water, together
with what may have accumulated in the latter, on the instant of changing the valve
will fall into the said chamber. Steam at the same time will flow into the adjoining
chamber and expel the air therofrom, the slide valve may now be returned to its
former position, and a communication opened between the condenser proper and
the said chamber, which in turn fills with water, whilst at the same time the water
previously discharged from condenser into the starting chamber will be discharged
therefrom: When the water has risen in the adjoining chamber,.and wholly or
partially submerged the float, the float in the other chamber as the water leaves it
will, in virtue of its superior weight, fall and carry with it, the first-named float
and the tumbling bob until it has passed the vertical line; it will then fall to the
other side and change the position of the slide valve, when the same operations will
be repeated. The apparatus is now self-acting.
We do not, of course, restrict ourselves to any particular mode of self-acting, as it
is obvious any number of methods may be adopted.
In cases where the condensers are connected to engines working intermittently,
the condensers will be provided with an automatic steam supplying apparatus, one
form of which may be as follows:-A flexible diaphragm attached to a spindle, and
counterweight or spring, and adjusting nut is attached to an equilibrium or other
valve connecting the main steam supply and upper portion of condenser by suitable
pipes and cocks. Having adjusted the weight or spring to any desired pressure,
any excess of pressure in the condenser acting on the diaphragm will overcome the
said weight or spring and open the equilibrium valve, and admit steam into the
.condenser in such quantity as to keep the said condenser operative until the re-

page_text: admission of steam from the engine, when the vacuum will be increased and the
atmosphere acting with greater energy in the diaphragm will force it back to its
original position, and thus close the steam valve, and so shut off the independent
steam supply referred to.
The diaphragm may be substituted by a piston, but we consider the former
preferable.
Instead of the apparatus described an ordinary governor or similar contrivance
may be employed for the same object, though in engines of intermittent action and
indeed in all engines and in all cases the arrangement described and set forth is to
be preferred, as only the necessary quantity of steam is used.
The next part of our Invention consists in an apparatus of the "Mac Carter" type
with a portion of our improvements, notably the arrangement for forming a vacuum in
the middle chamber by opening a communication between it and the top chamber
or condenser proper, and thus dispensing with a water tank, and by a simple
arrangement for working the valves and rendering the apparatus self-acting.
The valves may also be worked by a float, or floats, or other suitable con-
trivance.
. On starting the apparatus steam is admitted by a stop valve into a lower or
auxiliary condenser until the air contained therein is expelled through a discharge
valve into a base tank. The said steam valve is now closed, and natural condensa-
tion ensuing, a portion of the water (with which the base tank has been previously
charged) is forced through an injection tube into the auxiliary condenser. The
steam is condensed and a partial vacuum formed, and this operation is repeated
until the whole of the air is exhausted from the main injection pipe and main-
condenser, when the injection water from reservoir or other source of supply flows
into the main condenser. At this juncture the exhaust or other steam required to
be condensed may be turned into the said condenser. The auxiliary injector tube
may now be shut off. When the water has risen in the main condenser to a
certain height, a portion of it will continue to overflow into a basin in a side
chamber until the pressure on vacuum valve and the resistance of the counterpoise.
connected thereto are overcome by the weight of the said water, when the basin
will fall, carrying with it a piston for shutting off further supply of water into the
basin, opening the vacuum valve, closing the steam valve, and raising the counter-
poise. Communication is now opened between the main condenser and the
auxiliary condenser, and a balance of pressure is the result (the steam passing
from the latter through the vacuum valve and upper orifice), and as a natural con-
sequence the water will fall from the main condenser into the auxiliary condenser
through a discharge valve, by which time all or a portion only of the water having
been discharged through an adjustable valve in the bottom of the basin, the
counterpoise by its superior weight will simultaneously raise the basin, shut the
vacuum valve, and open the steam valve. On the re-adinission of steam to
auxiliary condenser the water will be discharged through a valve into the base tank,
and thence pass off through an overflow. The water in the condenser again rises
to the level of the overflow pipe, and the same round of operations as have already
been described are repeated, and hence the apparatus is self-acting.
The next part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of
condenser in which a pump is attached to discharge the water therefrom, which said
condensers are also applicable to engines or steam pumps.
The admission and regulation of the water is effected by a float (or other
analogous device) actuating a valve, by preference of the equilibrium kind, to which
the said float may be connected by a rod. By this arrangement the opening of the
valve is regulated by height of water in the condenser, thus ensuring the maximum
steam space.
A perforated spray plate or diaphragm may be used, though in cases where a
double beat or cylindrical grid valve is employed the water in most cases will be
sufficiently broken for the purposes of condensation. Below there is an outlet
leading to and corresponding with suction of pump.

page_text: In some cases we prefer to add a separate injection pipe with its stop valve, and.
when desirable an independent steam supply with its stop valve, and also a valve.
for the purpose of charging the main injection pipe by forming the vacuum in
condenser prior to starting the engine or pump, whence it follows that a less steam
cylinder may be employed than when it is necessary to overcome the working load
during a series of strokes before the vacuum can be established. With this arrange-
ment on condensers attached to engines or pumps having cylinder or cylinders of
suitable dimensions a less steam pipe may be used, and the engines or steam pumps
may be worked on the atmospheric principle. The size of the steam pipe would of
course be determined by the available pressure of steam.
The alternate admission of stenin and water, the former for expelling the air (and
allowing the discharge of injection through valve previously referred to), and the
latter for the condensation of the steam, is all that is necessary for starting the.
apparatus.
The steam may be either blown through the engine or independent steam supply.
and the water from rising main when the condenser is working in connection with
steam pump..
.
:
4
According to another mode of working the valve the float is substituted by a
light vessel of any suitable material, and which may be open or closed at the top as
preferred. The said vessel is attached to the spindle of valve by a rod supported
on a fulcrum; a lever is suspended, at one end of which is the vessel, rod, and valve
previously referred to, and at the other end a counterweight. The latter is so
adjusted as to overcome the weight of the vessel, rod, and valve, and the energy of
the inflowing water. The vessel is charged with water, the weight of which is in
excess of the resistance offered by counterweight, whence it follows that so long as
the condenser is empty the valve will remain in its present position; but should
the water flow into the condenser more rapidly than the pump can take it, the
vessel will soon be partially or wholly submerged, and the counterweight (being
relieved of the whole or a portion of the weight in the vessel) will fall and regulate.
the valve to the required opening.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Cuthbert Burnett and Charles Dudley Austin in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th September 1878.
CUTHBERT BURNETT, of Stockton, in the County of Durham, and CHARLES
DUDLEY AUSTIN, of Newcastle, in the County of Northumberland.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CONDENSERS FOR STEAM ENGINES AND PUMPS."
Fig. 1 represents an elevation with part of casing broken away, and shewing a
portion of the interior; Fig. 2 is a transverse section of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a trans-
verse section of Fig. 1, and at right angles with Fig. 2.
Figs. 4 and 5 represent respectively an elevation and transverse section of a
modification of our Invention.
Figs. 6 and 7 represent respectively an elevation and transverse section of a
further modification.
Fig. 8 represents a transverse section of a further modification; Figs. 9 and 10.
are plan details of the same.
The first part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of
condensers for steam engines in which a separate chamber is employed as a
substitute for the air pump.
Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that two chambers, marked 4 and 5 respectively,
are employed as air pump substitutes, and so arranged and worked alternately as
to obviate the accumulation of water in the condenser, excepting at the point of
changing the valve 3, thus considerably reducing the size of such condensers.
We will now proceed to describe the apparatus. Steam is admitted by a stop
valve 2 to a small slide valve 3 in a steam chest 3', the ports 32 being in com-
munication for steam supply with a chamber 4, which we call the starting chamber,
and for exhaust between an adjoining chamber 5 and a condenser proper 6 situated
above both. In each of the latter there is a float 7 and 8, or preferably a vessel
filled with water, working radially on suitable spindles through glands, and having
arms at right angles attached, working outside of the condenser, and connected to
each other, and also to sector 9, by suitable rods or links 9¹. The said sector 9 is
provided with two tappets or studs a, a. To the quadrant 9 is fixed a lever 10,
with tumbling bob 101, for operating the slide valve by impact. The lever passes
through a slot in the slide valve spindle and describes an arc, the chord of which is
greater than slot in the slide valve spindle by the travel of valve. There is an
injection pipe 11 in the condenser proper, and there are discharge valves 12 and 13
from this latter into the chambers 4 and 5 beneath. There are also two discharge
valves 14 (corresponding with valves 12 and 13) from these chambers into a base
tank 15, from which an injection tube 16 leads into the starting chamber for the
purpose of starting the apparatus. A bridge 18 may be placed in front of the first-
named discharge valves 12 and 13, so as to keep them covered with water. There
is an overflow 19 from base tank 15 to any desired place.
The base tank 15 may be substituted by a casing of smaller dimensions covering
the valves.
Assuming the apparatus about to be started for the first time it would be
necessary to charge the base tank 15 or casing with water, and open the starting
injection tube 16, and to place the slide valve 3 in position to admit steam into
starting chamber 4. The steam stop valve 2 is now opened, and steam admitted to
the expulsion of the air through the discharge valve 14. The stop valve 2 is now
closed, and natural condensation ensuing, a portion of the water in the base tank 15.
is forced by the atmosphere through the injection tube 16 into the said chamber 4,
and a partial vacuum is the result, and this operation is repeated until the air is
exhausted from the main injection pipe, and main condenser, and chamber 5, when
the injection water 11 from reservoir or other source of supply flows into the con-.
denser proper,. 6. The exhaust from the engine or other source from which, the

page_text: steam is required to be condensed may now be turned into the said condenser 6.
The starting injection tube 16 may now be shut off. The starting chamber 4 will
now fill with water. The stop valve 2 is now opened and left in that position
(subject to such regulation as may be desirable). The in-flowing steam will allow dis-
charge of water from starting chamber 4. The position of slide valve 3 is now changed
by forcing over the tumbling bob 10', and thus a communication between the said
chamber 4 and condenser proper 6 is established, when the steam just admitted
will rush through the exhaust passage into the latter, and a vacuum corresponding
with that in the condenser 6 will be the result, when the injection water together
with what may have accumulated in the latter on the instant of changing the valve
will fall into the said chamber 4. Steam at the same time will flow into the
adjoining chamber 5 and expel the air therefrom; the slide valve 3 may now be
returned to its former position and a communication opened between the condenser
proper 6 and the said chamber 5, which in turn fills with water, whilst at the same
time the water previously discharged from the condenser 6 into the starting
chamber 4 will be discharged therefrom. When the water has risen in the adjoining
chamber 5 and wholly or partially submerged the float 8, the float 7 in the other
chamber as the water leaves it will in virtue of its superior weight fall and
carry with it the first-named float 8 and the tumbling bob 10' until it has passed
the vertical line, it will then fall to the other side and change the position of the
slide valve 3, when the same operations will be repeated. The apparatus is now
self-acting.
We do not restrict ourselves to any particular mode of self-acting, as it is obvious
any number of methods may be adopted.
Secondly. The next part of our Invention consists in an apparatus of the " Mac
Carter" type, with a portion of our "improvements," notably the arrangement for
forming a vacuum in the middle chamber by opening a communication between it
and the top chamber or condenser proper, and thus dispensing with the injection
water tank, and by a simple arrangement for working the valves and rendering the
apparatus self-acting.
:
The valves may also be worked by a float or floats or other suitable contrivance.
On starting the apparatus steam is admitted by a stop valve 1 into a lower or
auxiliary condenser 2 until the air contained therein is expelled through a discharge
valve 3 into a base tank 4. The said steam valve 1 is now closed, and natural
condensation ensuing a portion of the water (with which the base tank has been
previously charged) is forced by the atmosphere through an injection tube 5 into
the auxiliary condenser 2. The steam is condensed and a partial vacuum formed,
and this operation is repeated until the whole of the air is exhausted from the main
injection pipe 6 and main condenser 7, when the injection water from reservoir or
other source of supply flows into the main condenser 7. At this junction the
exhaust or other steam required to be condensed may be turned into the said con-
denser; the auxiliary injection tube 5 may now be shut off. When the water has
risen in the main condenser 7 to a certain height a portion of it will overflow into
a basin 9 in a side chamber until the continued pressure on vacuum valve 10, and
the resistance of the counterpoise 11 connected thereto, are overcome by the weight
of the said water, when the basin 9 will fall, carrying with it a piston 12 for
shutting off further supply of water into the basin 9, opening the vacuum valve 10,
closing the steam valve 13, and raising the counterpoise 11. Communication is
now opened between the main condenser 7 and the auxiliary condenser 2, and a
balance of pressure is the result (the steam passing from the latter through the
vacuum valve 10 and upper orifice 14), and as a natural consequence the water will
fall from the main condenser 7 into the auxiliary condenser 2 through a discharge
valve 15, by which time all or a portion only of the water having been discharged
through an adjustable valve 16 in the bottom of the basin 9. The counterpoise 11.
by its superior weight will simultaneously raise the basin 9, shut the vacuum valve 10,
and open the steam valve 13. On the re-admission of steam to auxiliary condenser 2
the water will be discharged through a valve 3 into the base tank 4, and thence

page_text: pass off through an overflow 18. The water in the condenser again rises to the
level of the overflow pipe, and the same round of operations as have already been
described are repeated, and hence the apparatus is self-acting. We further connect
the intermediate chamber 2 with the main injection pipe 6 by means of suitable
connecting pipes 6', provided with a back pressure valve 62, which is also applicable
to the improvements previously described.
Thirdly. In cases where the condensers are connected to engines working inter-
mittently the condensers will be provided with an automatic steam supplying
apparatus, one form of which may be as follows, shewn at Figs. 4 and 5.
a is a flexible diaphragm attached to a spindle b and counterweight or spring c,
and may when required be provided with an adjusting nut attached to an
equilibrium or other valve e, connecting the main steam supply and upper portion
of condenser by suitable pipes and cocks. Having adjusted the weight or spring c
to any desired pressure any excess of pressure in the condenser acting on the
diaphragm a will overcome the said weight or spring c and open the equilibrium
valve e, and admit steam into the condenser in such quantity as to keep the said
condenser operative until the re-admission of steam from the engine when the
vacuum will be increased, and the atmosphere acting with greater energy on the
diaphragm a will force it back to its original position, and thus close the steam
valve e and so shut off the independent steam supply referred to.
The diaphragm a may be substituted by a piston, but we consider the former
preferable.
Instead of the apparatus described an ordinary governor or similar contrivance
may be employed for the same object, though in engines of intermittent action,
indeed in all engines and in all cases the arrangement herein-before described and
set forth is to be preferred, as only the necessary quantity of steam is used.
Fourthly. The next part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in that
class of condenser in which a pump is attached to discharge the water therefrom,
such condensers are also applicable to engines or steam pumps, and shewn at
Figs. 6 and 7.
The admission and regulation of the water may be effected by a float a (or other
analogous device) actuating a valve b, by preference of the equilibrium kind, to
which the said float a may be connected by a rod c. By this arrangement the
opening of the valve b is regulated by the height of water in the condenser, thus
ensuring the maximum steam space.
A perforated spray plate d may be used, though in cases where à double beat
or cylindrical grid valve is employed the water in most cases will be sufficiently
broken for the purpose of condensation. Below there is an outlet e leading to and
corresponding with the suction of pump; fis the steam induction pipe, leading to
and corresponding with the exhaust pipe of steam cylinder.
In some cases we propose to add a separate injection pipe g with its stop valve h,
and where desirable an independent steam supply with its valve j, and also a
valve k for the purpose of establishing a vacuum in condenser prior to starting the
engine or pump, whence it follows that a less steam cylinder may be employed than
when it is necessary to overcome the working load during a series of strokes before
the vacuum can be established.
The alternate admission of steam and water, the former for expelling the air and
allowing the discharge of injection water through valve k, previously referred to,
and the latter for the condensation of the steam is all that is necessary for starting
the apparatus.
The steam may be either blown through the engine or admitted by independent
steam supply, and where the condenser is working in connection with steam pump
or the water from the rising main.
Another mode of working the valve is shewn at Fig. 8. The float a is sub-
stituted by a light vessel, shewn at a¹, of any suitable material, and which may be
open or closed at the top as preferred. This vessel a¹ is attached to the spindle
of valve 6 by a rod c, supported on a fulcrum d; a lever e is suspended, at one end

page_text: of which are the vessel a', rod c, and valve b previously referred to, and at the
other end a counterweight f. The latter is so adjusted as to overcome the weight
of the vessel a¹, rod c, and valve b, and the energy of the inflowing water. The
vessel a¹ is charged with water, the weight of which is in excess of the resistance
offered by counterweight f, whence it follows so long as the condenser is empty
the valve b will remain in its present position; but should the water flow into the
condenser more rapidly than the pump can take it the vessel a' will soon be
partially or wholly submerged, and the counterweight f (being relieved of the
whole or a portion of the weight in the vessel a') will fall and regulate the valve
to the required opening.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, we would remark that we
do not limit ourselves to the exact limits, details, or configuration of the parts we
have expressed and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without in any
way departing from our Invention; but what we claim is,-
Firstly. The novel method of forming the vacuum by opening communication
between the condenser proper and middle chamber or chambers, substantially as
and for purposes herein set forth.
Secondly. The use of the injection tube with its connections and the main
injection tube, base tank, and the middle chamber or chambers respectively, as
herein described and set forth.
Thirdly. In suitable apparatus for maintaining the vacuum in condensers which
may be attached to engines working intermittently, substantially as and for
purposes herein set forth.
Fourthly. Suitable pipe connections and valves applied to ordinary pump con-
densers, for the purpose of establishing a vacuum independent of the pump, sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
Fifthly. The arrangement for operating the valve, as shewn at Fig. 8, substantially
as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cuthbert Burnett, for myself and on behalf of
the said Charles Dudley Austin, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Third day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight..
C. BURNETT. (L.S.) ·