IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF WORKING THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robb, junior, of 8, Carlton Place, Laurieston,
Glasgow, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF WORKING
THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robb at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th April 1880.
JAMES ROBB, junior, of 8, Carlton Place, Laurieston, Glasgow.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE METHOD OF WORKING THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."
The object of my Invention is to simplify and improve the working of slide
valves in connection with engines of all descriptions, whether propelled by steam,
gas, water, or vapour.
My Invention consists in a novel mode of attaching the valve connecting rod
of steam engines to the ordinary slide valve and giving motion thereto. Instead
of fitting the valve box with a stuffing box for a valve rod to pass through, as in
ordinary practice, I dispense with such stuffing box, valve rod, and the usual buckle.
I form the slide valve of greater breadth than usual by adding a flange at each
side, and in order to have the slide valve attached to the eccentric, which flanges
cover two slots, and which slots open to the atmosphere. Through these slots two
or more bolts pass from the valve in the inside of the valve box to a bracket on
the outside of the valve box. This bracket works under the outside of the valve
box, and the ordinary valve connecting rod is attached to this bracket.
By these means, or by their mechanical equivalents, the ordinary motion can be
imparted to the valve.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Robb in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th October
1880.
JAMES ROBB, junior, of 8, Carlton Place, Laurieston, Glasgow. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANNER OF WORKING THE VALVES OF STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."
The object of my Invention is to simplify and improve the working of slide-
valves in connection with engines of all descriptions, whether propelled by steam,
gas, water, or vapour, and in particular to dispense with the stuffing-box and all
manner of packing.
My Invention consists in a novel mode of attaching the valve connecting rod of
steain engines to the ordinary slide valve and giving motion thereto. Instead of
fitting the valve box with a stuffing box for a valve rod to pass through, as in
ordinary practice, I dispense with such stuffing box, valve rod, and the usual
buckle. I form the slide valve of greater breadth than usual by adding a flange at
each side, and in order to have the slide valve attached to the excentric, which
flanges cover two slots, and which slots open to the atmosphere. Through these
slots two or more bolts pass from the valve in the inside of the valve box to a
bracket on the outside of the valve box. This bracket works under the outside of
the valve box, and the ordinary valve connecting rod is attached to this bracket.
By these means, or by their mechanical equivalents, the ordinary motion can be
imparted to the valve.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood, reference
is made to the accompanying Drawings, in which similar letters refer to similar
parts in the several Figures.
Figure 1 represents the cylinder and valve face, with the valve and valve box
removed to shew the ports and slots.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal sectional elevation of the valve, valve box,
ports, and a portion of the side of the cylinder, with a portion of the arrangements
for connecting the slide to the ordinary valve connecting rod.
Figure 3 represents the face of the slide valve; and Figure 4 a section of the
slide valve with the bolts attached.
A, A, in Figure 1, are slots or openings in the valve face on each side of the ports
opening through the face plate to the atmosphere.
B, B, Figures 1 and 4, a small block or slide with two bolt holes which works
in the slot A, Figure 1, and acts as a guide for the steady motion of the slide and
bolts; this guide B may form a part of the slide by being cast on it, or may be
separate, as shewn; c, Figures 3 and 4, is a hollow cavity on each side of the
exhaust cavity, on the face of the slide, and extending a little over the slot A in
order to lessen the friction and convey any steam which may find its way into the
slots into the exhaust port.
D, Figure 2, is a side view of the bracket which works over the outside of tho
slot A, the face of which is ground to fit close, and through which one or more
bolts pass from the flange on each side of the slide, as shown in Figure 4. On
screwing up the nuts of these bolts the face of the slide is drawn and held close to
the face of the valve, as may be required, or springs may be used between the nuts
and the bracket which will keep the slide in a suitable position, and the side of
the bracket close to the outside of the slots.
The bracket consists of four pieces, one over each slot, with a cross end-piece at
the bottom bolted and screwed together, also cross-head at the top bolted and
screwed, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 1, to which cross-head is attached the
usual connecting rod, thus rendering unnecessary the ordinary valve rod passing

page_text: through a stuffing-box. The other end of this connecting rod is attached to the
excentric or other valve gear in the usual manner.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, I would
observe in conclusion that I reserve to myself the right of attaching or connecting
the different parts together, either with bolts and nuts, as shewn on the Drawings,
or any other modification of attachment; and I declare that what I claim and
desire to be secured to me is,-
The novel arrangement of the slots on cach side of the valve face, and the mode
and means of actuating and working slide valves of steam and other engines,
whereby the ordinary buckle, valve-rod, and stuffing box are dispensed with, and
the trouble of attending to the gland is saved, substantially as herein before
described and shewn on the Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robb, junior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
AT