IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES TO BE WORKED BY STEAM AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1847

page_text: WILLIAM SIEMENS,
er, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of
December, One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the eleventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Charles William Siemens, my exors, admors, and assigns,
Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Charles William Siemens, my exors, admors, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Charles William Siemens, my exors, admors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make,use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES TO BE
WORKED BY STEAM AND OTHER FLUIDS; " in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that I, the said Charles William Siemens, shall cause a
particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles William Siemens, do hereby declare that the nature of my said

page_text: Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters
marked thereon, that is to say: -
My Improvements in Engines to be worked by Steam and other Fluids
consists, first, in constructing engines (which I intend to call Regenerative
Engines," in such a manner that the steam or other elastic fluid, after having
completed a stroke of the piston, is received cousecutively in a number of
closed vessels, from whence it is at proper intervals returned repeatedly into
the same cylinder, sustaining only for every stroke which it effects a certain
proportionate loss, which must be supplied from an original source; by which
arrangement I purpose to effect a large saving of fuel.
Sheet I represents a pair of my regenerative steam engines. Figure 1
shows a plan, partly in section, of the two engines A and B; Figure 2, a
section through engine A, and Figure 3 an end view of the two engines, with
parts in section. Each engine consists of a cylinder (C) with solid bottom,
and bored inside, which is screwed to the foundation plate of the engine inside
the cylinder; but concentric with it is placed a second plain cylinder (1),
which rests upon a false bottom a, with a round opening in the centre, and is
retained firmly in its position by four keys or wedges k, l, k, k, see Figure 1,
which extend through the whole length of the cylinder. The annular epace
between the two cylinders is occupied by vertical strips of copper, brass, or
other metallic plates, which are made with projecting rims along the two
edges, so as to leave narrow spaces between adjoining plates for the passage of
steam, (see the plan of engine B, and also Figure 4, which represents an
enlarged plan view of three of the plates between portions of the two cylin-
ders. The ends of these plates or strips are cut obliquely (see Figure 2), to
facilitate the entrance of steam, and their length is generally made equal to
that of cylinder (I). The connecting rod (c) of the engine A, which imparts
motion to the main shaft S, is attached to a solid piston (P) with a trunk T
by means of connecting links and guide rods (b, b,) which are sufficiently
explained by the Drawings. The trunk T works through a stuffing box of the
cylinder cover d, and the piston P fits the cylinder I loosely, which cylinder
measures exactly twice the area of the trunk. The top end of cylinder (C)
communicates with a number of double-beat valves (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,)
which in their turn are connected with a series of steam-tight chambers
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8*,) which are common to both engines, and
which I propose to call the regenerator, with the exception of valve (9), which
establishes a communication between the cylinder and the atmosphere (orcon-

page_text: a
denser if there is one applied). The uppermost compartment (1x) of the
regenerator is partially surrounded by a longitudinal vessel (G), which con-
tains water, and answers the purpose of a boiler. Within each compartment
(1*, 2x, to 8*,) are two or more flat trays (t, t',) of metal plate, placed hori-
zontally, which are constantly kept supplied with water by means of small
holes (m, m,) in the partition plates between the compartments in such a
manner that in passing from the generator into (1×) it overflows the upper
tray t, and fills the second t¹, overflowing that also; it collects in the bottom
of the compartment 1*, from whence the next hole (m) discharges it into the
upper tray of compartment (2x), and so on, until it issues from the bottom
of compartment (8x) into the atmosphere (or a condenser) through a pipe a.
A rol passes through all the holes (m, m), and serves to regulate the supply
of water by lifting or depressing it, as the case may be, the rod being filed flat
at certain intervals corresponding with the distances between the partition
plates. The screwed end of the rod passes into the atmosphere through a
nut (f), and it is raised and lowered by turning the handle (g). Small
washers h2, h2, are slipped upon the rod to prevent the water from running
down without filling the trays. The boiler (G) is supplied with water by
means of a pump (D), which consists simply of two pistons (p and p¹), with
piston rod common to both, and a cylinder, which is open at top and bottom,
the one end reaching down into the boiler, and the other end into a small
water cistern (h), which is constantly kept supplied with water by a branch
pipe (i). If by the motion of the guide rod (b) the pistons are lifted, the
water will fill the cylindrical space between them (the steam from the boiler
being excluded at the time by the piston (p¹); but if they are moved suffi-
ciently down, the water will be discharged into the boiler, the space it occu-
pied being filled with steam, provided the bottom edge of the pump does not
reach down into the water, in which case no discharge will take place. The
extensions beyond the solid part of the pump barrel (D) are merely guides for
the pistons. I prefer this pump generally for feeding steam boilers, because it
requires no power to move it beyond the friction of the pistons; the steam
filling the space between the pistons being always re-absorbed by the water.
it requires no valves, and the pressure against the piston (p¹) a constancy, it
measures the water correctly into the boiler; and if the lower edge of the
pump is placed in the height of the proper water level, the pump will always
maintain that level. A throttle valve (H), which is regulated by the governor
of the engine, establishes a communication between the boiler (G) and the
first compartment (1×) of the regenerator. The boiler (G) is to be also
provided with the ordinary fittings, such as safety valves, blow-off cock, &c.,

page_text: which are not shown in the Drawings, in order to avoid complication. The
double-beat valves (1-8) are respectively communicating with the compart-
ments by a number of pipes in such a manner that the valve (1) (if opened)
establishes a free communication between the cylinder C and compartment
(1x); if(2) opens it establishes a communication between the cylinder and
compartment (2x), and so on, the valve (8) opening a passage between the
cylinder and compartment (8x). The valve (9) opens an exit from the cylin-
der into the atmosphere, or a condenser through a pipe (1) (see Figure 1).
The valves are opened in succession by means of cams 1 to 9* (see Figure 3
and Figure 5), during the time the engine is passing its top centre at such
intervals that, while (1) is shutting (2) opens; if (3) opens (2) shuts again,
and so on; but it may be observed that the length of the cams goes on
increasing, in order that valve (1) may remain open the shortest and valve(8)
the longest time. The discharge valve (9) is retained open for a much longer
time than valve (8) during the descent of the piston (p). If the down stroke
of the engine is nearly completed, the valves (1, 2, to 8) begin to open and
close again in the succession (8, 7, . . 1,) by means of another set of
cams (8b, 7b, to 1b) the valve. (1) being open in its turn, if the crank pin of
the engine has just past its bottom centre, and may remain open during
the time of nearly the whole upstroke, if the two cams (1) and (1b) are
converted into one long cam, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 5. The
manner of transmitting the motion of the cams to the valves is sufficiently
explained by the Drawing, and may be varied to suit individual taste and
circumstances. The valves (1 to 9) are retained in their seats by spiral
springs (1º, 2º, to 9°,) which are compressed between a fixed plate or table
(1), and nuts and washers upon the valve spindles. Each valve may be dis-
connected from the action of its cams by unlocking the bolts (1, 2, to 9d).
The lower end of cylinder (C) dips into a vessel (V), which is supported by
bolts from the foundation plate, and fits the cylinder sufficiently close to
exclude the atmospheric air from the space between the cylinder and the
vessel, which space is cast full with lead, or other fusible metal or alloy of
metal. Immediately below this vessel is the furnace F, the flues (L) whereof
pass twice round the cylinder (C) into the flue below the generator (G), from
whence the smoke is carried off into the chimney. If, however, the damper
(M) is raised by means of chains or otherwise, the flue (L) will be closed,
and the fire will pass through the short flue K directly under the generator,
and onward into the chimney without heating the cylinder. The engine is
made ready for starting by lighting a fire in the furnace (F). The lead,
filling the vacant space in vessel (V), will soon begin to melt, and impart a

page_text: uniform heat to the cylinder bottom and the lower ends of the plates between
cylinders Cand I, which constitute what I call a "respirator;" but (the damper
(m) being raised) the principal effect of the fire will be to generate steam in the
boiler(G). If all the lead is in a fluid state, which I can ascertain by immersing
an air thermometer into vessel V, and connecting the same by means of a narrow
tube, with a dial plate in sight of the engine man, and the steam within the
generator G is of sufficient pressure, the engine is ready for starting. This
is effected by lifting the valve (1), by suitable hand gear, which is to be
applied; the steam, which is always supplied to compartment (1×) from the
generator, charges the cylinder C, and there being a free communication
between the top and bottom of that cylinder, it forces the trunk T upward
into the atmosphere; if the crank has nearly reached its top centre, the
valves begin to open in the succession (1, 2, . . . 8, 9; the steam filling
cylinder C, and the compartment (IX) being of equal pressure, there will be
no discharge either way; but on valve (2) opening, a rush of steam will take
place from the cylinder into compartment(2×) until thepressuresare equalized.
The compartment(3x) will be opened next, causing a further discharge of the
cylinder,and so in succession until after (8x) has still received a small charge
of steam, the valve (9) carries the remaining portion away into the atmo-
sphere or a condenser through pipe (). The down stroke of the piston is
completed in equilibrium if the final discharge took place into theatmosphere,
or by the pressure of the atmosphere if a condenser is applied. If the crank
is passing its bottom centre, the valves are reopened in the succession
(8, 7, 6, 1,) charging the unoccupied space between the cylinder and
the trunk T with stean, but from the manner in which the steam was
delivered into the different compartments, it is evident that it is of the lowest
pressure in (8x), and goes on increasing until in (1×) it is equal to that within
the generator (G), the cylinder therefore will receive a portion of steam from
every compartment, leaving for the compartment (1×) orthegenerator, merely
to complete the charge. During the upstroke of the trunk, the steam which
filled the space above the piston will pass continually into the space which is
forming below through the annular space between the cylinders (C) and (I);
this will cause the steam to expand into double the bulk which it occupied
while the trunk was immersed in the cylinder, but it is of great importance
for the economical working of the engine, that its pressure or elastic force
should nevertheless not diminish, but rather increase, during the upward
stroke, although no additional steam is flowing in during that period. I gain
this object by means of the respirator plates, the bottom ends of which are
heated to the temperature of molten lead or thereabouts, and impart nearly
.

page_text: the same degree of heat to the steam during its passage, thereby increasing
its elastic force; and if at the termination of the upstroke the valves are again
opened in the succession (1, 2,
8, 9,) each compartment of the
generator will receive back a portion of steam, leaving only as much to be
discharged into the atmosphere or condenser (through valve 9) as the pres-
sure within the last compartment (SX) surpasses that of the atmosphere or
the condenser. The steam, in passing from the space below the piston (P)
into the different compartments, must take its way again through the respi-
rator plates, entering at the bottom and giving off its surcharge of heat con-
tinually as it proceeds upwards, where the plates themselves aregettingcooler.
The top ends of the plates are of about the temperature of the steam in
its saturated state which surrounds them, and if the absorption of heat is
sufficiently rapid, the steam should issue from them at nearly the same tem-
perature, having thus deposited during its ascent nearly all the heat which it
abstracted from the plates in its descent, and it is only the difference which
has to be supplied by the fire below; the false bottom (a) assists in heating
the steam. This piston P is made of considerable depth, in order to keep
the hot part and the cold part of the cylinder well separated. It is necessary
that the steam which carries away with it into the regenerative vessels a sur-
charge of heat, should return to the cylinder in its saturated or coldest state;
for this purpose it is made to absorb an additional quantity of water, by being
brought into contact with a large extent of water surface, which is presented by
the flat trays (t, t,) in each compartment. A second object of these trays(con-
stantly filled with water) is to render the pressure within eachcompartmentmore
uniform, or to absorbsteam while some is flowing in,andto generateit whilesome
is flowing out. Imagining the engine in constant operation, it will be perceived
that the pressure within the regenerator will be thehighestincompartment(1×),
anddecrease uniformly in the successive compartments, being the lowestincom-
partment(8x),or rather in the ninth compartment, which we may consider the
atmosphere (or the condenser) to be. The action of the "respirator" plates has
much similarity to that of the "regenerative" vessels, substituting only heat for
pressure; their joint action is important for the proper working of the engine.
The loss of that portion of steam which escapes into the atmosphere (or a
condenser), is partly replaced by the absorption of water from the flat trays by
the surcharged steam, and partly by the generator G, which supplies the com
partment (1×) if the throttle valve II is open). The generator G may be
made to act as an additional compartment of the regenerator, by doing away
with the throttle valve H, and connecting G with the cylinder C in the same
manner as all the other compartments (1x,
8x). The theoretica

page_text: consumption of heat of the engine consists in the amount of heat which is
necessarily carried away by the steam from the respirator plates into the
regenerator. At first sight it would appear, that if all the steam entered the
upper ends of those plates at the temperature of, say two hundred and eighty
degrees Fahrenheit, and returned into the regenerator at the temperature of
three hundred degrees Fahrenheit, that the total quantity of heat lost would
be equal to only twenty degrees Fahrenheit upon that steam. This would be
correct if steam was a non-elastic fluid, but if we consider that all the steam
enters the plates in the state of its greatest density, and returns to the different
compartments (1*,. 8*,) at various densities, it becomes evident, that
through expansion within the lower part of cylinder (C), a portion of sensible
heat will become laten, the amount of which constitutes the theoretical loss
of heat in the respirator. Upon this loss of heat a saving can be effected, by
beginning to withdraw the steam from the cylinder into the uppermost com-
partments 1×, 2*, to 8x, before the piston (P) has completed its upstroke, by
which means I take back the remaining portion of steam above the piston
into the regenerator, without its having entered the plates at all. It is desi-
rable that a sufficient number of regenerating vessels should be employed,
that only so much steam is allowed to escape into the atmosphere or condenser
as is regenerated by the surcharged steam in absorbing water from the trays,
leaving the generator (G) to make up for leakages and other losses. The
second engine B, is quite similar in all its parts to the one described, with
this difference, that in place of the series of double beat valves (1, 2, . . . 9,)
one single triangular slide valve Q is employed, which receives its motion
from a tumbler or excentric R on the main shaft S. This valve is shown in
all the three views of the engine, and its action is more clearly shown by a
diagram Figure 6, Sheet 1. It consists of a hollow moving prism n, which
fits steam tight against the two sides of the valve casing; the surfaces are
kept in contact by means of packing between the cover (o) of the valve casing
and a brass plate 9, which being retained in its position presses upon the top
surface of the sliding prism with the elastic pressure of the packing. The
packing is tightened by two screws r,and r¹,pressing against slide pieces which
fit the area between the brass plate and the cover. A branch s on the valve
cover o, which reaches down through the packing and the brass plate q,
establishes a free communication between the cylinder C and the interior of
the moveable prism, through the upper side of which goes a slot (which will
be observed in the plan Figure 1, of sufficient length to allow of the sliding
motion without interrupting the passage. Through one side of the valve
casing go four, and through the other five, apertures (1, 2, 8, 9*,) which

page_text: communicate separately to the eight compartments of the regenerator, with
the exception of (9), which leads into the atmosphere or a condenser. Two
orifices u and u' in the two sides of the moving prisms, open and shut the
apertures (1, 9,) alternately, and cause the same distribution and
gathering of steam as above described. The governor of the regenerative
engine (which I prefer to be the chronometric governor) can be made to retard
the velocity of the engine by various means; if it is connected with the
throttle valve H, it can diminish the pressure in compartment (1x), by stop-
ping the supply from the generator G. If the load of the engine is very
variable, the effect of shutting the valve H will not operate quick enough, and
it becomes desirable to introduce a second throttle valve in the passages,ors¹,
which only begins to shut after the valve H has been closed. If double beat
valves are used, the regulation can be effected without any throttle valves by
connecting the governor to the keys (1ª, 8d, 9d,) by means of small levers
in different angular positions on one shaft, and rods or strings), in such a
manner that if the power of the engine is to be checked, the governor first
unlocks the key (1), after that (2), and so on until so many of the uppermost
compartments 1*, 2*, have ceased to supply the engine with steam, that it
has no longer the tendency to increase its speed. If the load is again
increased the keys are slipped back again in the reverse succession, and
restore one compartment after the other to their usual action. The regene-
rative engine may be worked by other elastic fluids. Figure 7, Sheet I.,
represents a regenerator suitable for using air or other incondensible fluids
with my regenerative engine; it consists of a number of separate boxes or
compartments 1º, 2º, 7, 8P,) which are placed one above the other within
a cistern, in such a manner that a current of cold water, which enters through
the pipe R, passes in a zigzag direction along all the compartments, and
absorbs heat therefrom until it comes through the pipe S. Each compart-
ment has a separate communication with the working cylinder or cylinders of
the engine in the same manner as above described; the pressure of air within
the uppermost compartment (1P) is maintained by constantly forcing air into
it through pipe U by means of an air-pump, which is not shewn in the
Drawing, but which is worked by the engine itself. The suction pipe of the
air-pump may be open to the atmosphere (if atmospheric air is employed for
working the engine, or it may be connected to the lowest compartment 8° of
the regenerator, and the valve (9) be altogether dispensed with, by which
means the same air or other elastic fluid will be used over and over again
continually. This latter arrangement may also be adopted, if steam or other
vapour is employed for driving the engine. In the case of the regenerative

page_text: air engine, provision should be made to cool the upper end of the cylinder as
much as possible, in order to cool the remaining atmosphere of air which is
not withdrawn from the cylinder, but which during the descent of the piston
returns from the hot part to the upper or cold part of the cylinder in a heated
state. The same thing occurs with the non-condensing regenerative steam
engine, but the steam gives off its heat more readily, and it will generally be
found sufficient to expose the top of the cylinder inerely to the cooling effect
of the atmosphere, and to fill water into the cup-like extension of the stuffing
box gland (2), which cools and moistens the surface of the trunk (T.)
gene-
Having now described the nature of myimproved regenerative engine, and
the best mode I am acquainted with of carrying the same into effect, I wish
it to be understood, that I do not confine myself to the particular form and
arrangements of its parts, the form of engine, the connection between the
moving piston or trunk and the crank, the kind of valve or valves employed,
the construction of the regenerator, the particular mode adopte 1 for bringing
the surcharged steam in contact with water; the mode of feeding the
rator may be varied. It is also not necessary that the area of the cylinder
should be equal to twice the area of the trunk T, the only condition which
regulates the proportionate area of the cylinder I and truuk T is, that the
pressure shall not decrease, but rather increase, during the upstroke of the
engine. The false bottom a and vessel V surrounding the bottom end of
the cylinder (C), and fitted with fusible metal, are not essential parts of the
engine. The peculiarity of these engines consists in so arranging the parts,
that the elastic fluid used in the working cylinders, after it has exerted its
force, is received into a series of chambers in succession, as the density of the
fluid decreases, each receiving chamber being closed as soon as the next is
opened, the first chamber receiving the more dense fluid and the last chamber
receiving the least dense or most expanded fluid; and then such chambers give
out the fluid to the working cylinders in the reverse order, that is, com-
mencing with the chamber containing the least dense fluid, and ending with
the chamber containing the most dense fluid. And it is the arranging of
engines in such manner that this principle may be brought into action,
which constitutes this the first part of my Invention.
A second part of my Invention consists in arranging a steam engine con-
denser in such a manner, that the condensing and condensed water issues
fromit with a temperature of two hundred degrees Fahrenheit, or thereabouts,
without diminishing the degree of vacuum usually obtained by condensers
of ordinary construction, the object whereof is, in the first place, to condensea
certain quantity of steam with only about one fourth or one fifth part of the

page_text: condensing water usually employed, and, secondly, to gain a quantity of
very hot water which may be advantageously employed to feed steam
boilers, or for any other useful purposes.
Sheet II., Figures 1, 2, 3, represent my improved condenser in connection
with the cylinder of a high-pressure engine A. The condenser consists of a
cast iron box B, which is divided into four separate compartments, a,b,c,and d.
The partitions between the compartiments are cast with cylindrical projections,
one above the other, which are bored out together and admit of a series of
solid pistons p, p', p2, (all cast in one piece) to pass through them. Within
each compartment, and below the cylindrical projections,are perforated plates
with turned up edges, supported in a horizontal position by small pillars, so as
to form flat trays for the reception of water. Each compartment communicates
separately with a conical valve V, which receives the exhaust steam of the
engine endways into the interior of its pluck (f), through the exhaust pipe(g).
The steam finds its exit from the conical pluck through an opening (o) in its
interior surface, and passes into one of the passages h, i, k, l, m, according to
the position of the pluck, which passages lead each into one of the compartments
of the condenser, with the exception of h, which leads into the atmosphere. The
moveable valve pluck fis keyed to the spindle s, which runs in hardened steel
bushes n, n1, (the spindle itself being lined with steel in such places) and is
caused to make two revolutions for every one revolution or double stroke of
the engine. The conical surface of the pluck is slightly removed from the inner
surface of the valve by a set screw a, against which it is set by the stuffing box
packing pressing the steel bush (n) against the bass of the pluck, thereby
securing the latter in its proper position. An excentric t, which is keyed to
the shafts, givesmotion to the series of solid pistons (p, P, .. .) and also to the
piston of an air-pump P, by means of an arrangement of levers and connecting
rods, which will be clearly understood by inspecting the Drawing. The pump P
reaches down into the compartment a, and is so arranged that the piston u in
its descent goes past the bottom edge of the pump (being only guided in its
perpendicular direction by three projecting pieces w, w, w,) in order that
the vapor and water contained in a may fill the barrel of the pump, from whence
it is discharged during the ascent of the piston through the valve g into the
upper extension z of the pump barrel, which is open to the atmosphere. Any
water which may be discharged into z is carried away by the pipe x into a
water drain, or back into the cold water cistern, from whence it will be again
introduced into the compartment a through the injection pipe 1, the flow of
water being regulated by a cock 2. The working of this condenser is as
follows:-Cold water is injected into a, where it first collects upon the flat per-

page_text: .... are lifted
forated tray (3), and runs constantly in thin streams down into the second
tray (4), which, being also perforated with holes, allows the water to collect
upon the bottom of the compartment a; if the solid pistons p, p, .
to their highest position, the water contained within (a) is at liberty to fill the
cylindrical chamberwhich is formed between the pistonspandpl,but iftheseries
of pistons (p,p,...) is moved into its lowest position, that water will flow into
the upper tray of the compartment b, from whence it will pass in a divided state
to the bottom of that compartment, the alternate motion of the pistons (p,p,...)
will deliver it into the compartment c, and so on, until it finally collects in the
bottom of the compartment d, and is drawn off through (5) by means of an
ordinary pump,serving to feed the boiler, or for any other useful purpose. The
exhaust steam, which is supposed to be above the pressure of the atmosphere
in passing through the conical valve (V), is first admitted into the atmosphere
through the passage (h), which opens at the same time with the exit passage
of the slide valve of the engine, or shortly before the piston has completed its
stroke. The passage (i) will be opened next in succession, and a further
discharge of steam will take place into the compartment (d), where it will be
but partially condensed by coming in contact with water which has been heated
already in the compartments a, b, and c. If passage i is beginning to close, k
is about to be opened, which directs the current of steam into compartmentc,
where the water is not yet so much heated as in the last compartment c, and
consequently a further condensation of the steam which fills the cylinder will
take place. A still further condensation will take place if the steam is admitted
into compartment b, and the remaining steam within the cylinder will be dis-
charged into the compartment a, where it is brought in contact with cold water
which is continually injected through pipe (1). A series of cocks 6 (see
Figure 3), which can all be opened and shut by moving one handle, admit
steam from the boiler into compartment a, from a into b,from 6 into c, from c
into d, and from d into the atmosphere, for the purpose of blowing out the air
from the different compartments before the engine is started. This condenser
may also be applied to any low pressure engine, in which case, however, the
passageh is dispensed with. The engine discharges its steam into the different
compartments d, c, b, a, during the time it is passing the centres.
The mode of action of my improved condenser for condensing the atmo-
sphere of steam which remains, to fill the cylinders of a locomotive engine after
a complete discharge through the blast pipe into the atmosphere has taken
place, and which remaining steam has, in locomotive engines as hitherto con-
structed, been forced out into the atmosphere during the succeeding stroke, at
the expence of the superior force of steam which urges the piston, and which

page_text: expence or waste of power will be saved by the application of myimprovement,
is very similar to the action of the condenser already described. It consists of
four separate compartments a, b, c, and d (see Sheet III.), which receive suc-
cessive portions of that steam which remains unexhausted, to fill the cylinder
A, B, of the engine after a free discharge into the blast pipe C has taken place
through vertical passages (a1,a,b,b,c,c,d,d', which terminate in the face
plate of the revolving compensating disc valves D and E. The valve D distri-
butes the steam of engine A over the four compartments a, b, c, and d, (the
revolving disc, with its two apertures fand fi, passing over the perpendicular
openings (a,a,b,....)) and valve E, that of the engine B (see Figure3, where
the disk of valve D and the face plate of valve E,as shewn The compensating
disc g of each valve, which is cast in one piece with the revolving disc just
mentioned, reaches upward into a short cylinder h, where it is made to fit
steam tight by means of packing e, e, and the short cylinder is (above the
packing) connected to the blast pipe C of the engines by means of a small
pipe i,in order that steam of about atmospheric pressure may always be press-
ing upon the compensating disk. At the time when the apertures f and fare
closed by the solid portions of the face plate the exhaust port of the engine is
opened. The steam, in entering the passage h, not finding an exit into the
condenser, lifts the piston valve E and escapes through the blast pipe C into
the atmosphere. An instant later the revolving disk valve in its motion opens
the compartment a, which will effect at once a partial vacuum in passage h,
and the cylinder itself causing the piston valve E to shut, and exclude the
atmosphere from the passage h, the condensation of the remaining portion of
steam within the cylinder is then completed by the successive action of the
compartments. If at the termination of the succeeding stroke the exhaust
passage
from the cylinder is again opened, the apertures leading from thevalve
into the differentcompartments will be again covered, and will re-open in proper
succession after the preliminarydischarge of the cylinder through valve E into
the chimney has taken place. A small closed cylinder H, with a solid pistonp,
(which piston is fixed upon the same spindle with the piston valve E,acts like
a spring or air cushion in order to check the motion of the valve gradually.
The water is supplied to the different compartments a, b, c, d, by two similar
arrangements of pistons P and P¹, as above described; the only difference
being, that in this case the water is measured also into the first compart-
menta from small water cisterns 1,, which are constantly kept supplied from
the tender. The condensed and condensing water are withdrawn from com-
partiment (d) through pipe (m) by means of a pump or otherwise, and goes
partly to supply the boiler, and the remaining portion (if any) is either thrown

page_text: away or cooled by exposure to the atmosphere, in order to be again introduced
into compartment (a). Motion is given to the valves Dand E, and to the series
of pistons P and P¹, by means of a shaft (S) and two cranks (t, t¹), which are
connected to eccentrics on the driving shaft of the engine. The air which
collects in compartment a is withdrawn continually by the action of the
series of pistons P and P¹, which deliver one measure of air and vapour
into the cisterns (1 or 11) for every one measure of water which is returned
into (a). The air is allowed to escape from the cisterns (7 and 71) through
small pipes (n,n,) upward into the atmosphere. The form of this condenser
is so arranged that it occupies a narrow space across the engine, between the
ends of the cylinder and the buffer bar, reaching down so far as to leave a
sufficient clearance above the road. Four large pipes (q, q,q, q.) pass through
compartment (d) for the purpose of assisting condensation by the draught of
external air through them.
Having now described this part of my Invention, and the best mode I am
acquainted with for performing the same, I do not confine myself to the details
herein described, as the same may be varied. And I would state that
the peculiarity of the second part of my Invention consists of so arranging
condensing apparatus of high pressure, and condensing steam engines,
that successive portions of steam from the working cylinders may be
received into successive chambers and condensed therein, as herein explained,
whereby the water used for condensing, and that which is condensed, are
obtained at high temperatures, and when, for locomotive engines only,
condensing that part of the steam which is not necessary for the blast.
The third and last portion of my Invention consists of an improvementin, or
modification of, "Chronometric Governors," the object whereof is to substitute
an expanding fly wheel in the place of a conical pendulum, which has hitherto
been used in that instrument for the purpose of obtaining a uniform motion.
Sheet IV., Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, represent my improved chronometric
governor. It consists of an upright spindle A, upon which is fastened a disc(B).
Upon this disc (B) rest four segments C,C,C2,C3, constituting a flywheel, which
segments are mounted each of them upon three rollers (c), (c), (c), (c¹), . . . .
(c2),....(3),... which rollers allow the segments to expand and contract to
and from the common centre. These segments are continuously urged toward
the centre by spiral springs (D,D,) but if the shaft A (and with it the segments)
is putin revolving motion, the segments will have the tendency to expand with
a force which is proportional to their velocity; if that force becomes superior
to the elastic pressure of the springs (D, D, D, D,) the segments will actually
move outward. By this motion the levers (l,,) will be acted upon (by means

page_text: of connecting rods (m, m), which in their turn press a revolving inverted
friction cone (E) against a stationary friction cone F. The friction which
is thus caused tends to retard the velocity of the shaft A, and of the
segments (C), (C¹), and the power which is exerted to drive the shaft A
being constant, and independent of the velocity of the prime mover, limits
the velocity of the expanding wheel, or causes nearly a uniformity of
motion, if only a sufficiency of power is at all times transmitted to the
shaft A. The remaining parts of this improved governor are quite similar
to corresponding parts of the chronometric governor now in use.
Having now described the nature of the third and last part of my Invention,
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any of the details
given. But what I claim is,-the application of a revolving fly wheel in parts
or segments, which segments are continually urged towards the common
centre by means of springs or otherwise, but are nevertheless at liberty to
expand outward by centrifugal velocity, thereby acting upon breaks or
other contrivances for absorbing their own moving power and assuming
a uniform velocity, which revolving fly wheel I intend as a substitute for
the conical pendulum usually employed in "Chronometric Governors."
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles William Siemens, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-