IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER POWER ENGINES AND INDICATORS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Shaw, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER POWER ENGINES
AND INDICATORS."-A communication from abroad by John Shaw, the
younger, of Ferrol, in Spain.
Sealed the 17th October 1862, and dated the 25th April 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Shaw at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th April
1862.
I, JOHN SHAW, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER
POWER ENGINES AND INDICATORS," a communication to me from abroad by John
Shaw, the younger, of Ferrol, in Spain, to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the overcoming of three great faults at
present existing in the steam engine, namely, first, to avoid the loss now caused
by the filling of passages between the distribution valve or valves and the
cylinder; second, to avoid the loss of steam now caused by the clearance which
is left for the piston in the cylinder ends; third, to avoid the variations of
speed of the engine caused by variations of load, whether such variations of
load are great or slight.
slight. To accomplish these objects I employ the following
apparatus: First an improved equilibrium valve for the admission of the
steam to the cylinder, and a similar valve for its egress. A pair of these valves
being fixed in each end of the cylinder, and so constructed that their inner
faces form when closed a part of the inner surface of the said cylinder, and
-

page_text: thereby avoiding completely the loss of any steam from filling passages;
second, an equilibrium and flexible piston that may be run with safety without
clearance in the cylinder ends, avoiding thereby a considerable amount of the
loss of steam now caused by this clearance; third, a highly sensitive governing
apparatus of great compactness applied to an equilibrium valve, in which
certain improvements are made to reduce the friction of its working parts, such
apparatus being applicable alike to stationary, moveable, and marine engines
whether worked by steam, air, gas, or water, by micans of which their speed
may be kept at any required uniform rate, no matter what variations of load
such engine may be subjected to; and the means whereby I now intend to
carry all this into effect is thus, namely, the valve consists of two faces or
heads, joined together by a spindle, the whole being placed in a chamber, one
face fitting into a seat adjoined to the cylinder end, and this face or part which
is in the form of a piston, fits into a chamber forming a steam-tight piston therein
suitable packing rings being used for the purpose, the valve being arranged to
work to and fro in this chamber. By means of an orifice in the valve spindle
a communication is established between this chamber and the interior of the
cylinder. It will be apparent that the valve must be in equilibrium under any
circumstances, for as the steam in the first-mentioned chamber acts equally in
both directions upon the valve ends, and as the pressure or vacuum in the
cylinder and the last described chamber are always equal, there is no pre-
ponderating force exercised upon the valve in any direction, and it may there-
fore be worked by a very slight expenditure of power.
The valve as arranged for the exhaust consists of a chamber like that first
mentioned, which in this case is open to the exhaust pas age, the equilibrium
being still the same. In this valve a small escape valve is fixed in the piston
thereof, opening inwards to the said chamber, and is properly weighted by
means of a spring. If from the presence of water in the cylinder the pressure
arises to a dangerous amount the valve is forced inwards, permitting the
escape of the water or steam in the chamber, the equilibrium is thus destroyed
and the valve forced from its seat, acting thus as a most efficient escape valve
for the cylinder, the water being driven into the exhaust passage, which in
engines work with surface condensers is a favorable circumstance, as the water
thus passed through the engine is not lost. As two separate valves are used,
the steam valve may be regulated to work the engine at any required amount
of expansion without interfering in any way with the action of the exhaust
valves. The valves may be worked by any of the means now in use for the
purpose, but I prefer a steam piston for the shutting operation. The spindles
of these valves pass through another cylindrical chamber, and a piston sliding

page_text: steam-tight therein is fixed upon the spindles. The top parts of these
chambers are in communication with each other by means of a pipe and a
communication is established between them, and the steam chamber by means
of an orifice or passage in the spindle of the steam valve. The lower parts of
the said chambers are in communication with each other by means of a pipe
and with the exhaust chamber by means of a passage formed in the side of the
exhaust chamber, suitable metallic rings being inserted at the various places
of contact to prevent leakage. As the valves are thus closed by the action of
the steam, the driving rods are subjected only to a tensile strain, and therefore
may be made of comparatively light dimensions, an arrangement being made
at the point of connection with the valve spindle to allow the valves to act as
escape valves, as already explained. I use also a piston which consists of two
light plates of wrought iron or other suitable metal. These plates are fitted
together and form a telescopic piston capable of a slight movement in the
direction of the piston rod's length. Said plates being kept apart and held
against their respective collars on the piston rod by a number of spiral springs,
which springs are so regulated as to be able to withstand a pressure somewhat
higher than the intended working pressure of the engine. The action of this
piston when working is as follows:-When the piston is approaching the end
of its course, and the steam valve having the usual amount of lead has filled
the cylinder end before the piston with steam, the piston forces this steam
back again into the steam passage, and consequently the plate upon which the
steam is acting being nearly under the full pressure which the springs are able
to withstand will be nearly in equilibrium, and should the piston touch the
cylinder end from slackness in the connecting rod, bearings, or other cause, no
harm will be done as the springs will give to the blow. As the amount of
play of which the plates are susceptible need not exceed a quarter or three-
eighths of an inch at most, and as suitable packing rings are inserted at all the
places of contact to prevent leakage even in case the springs fail, the loss from
clearance can never exceed that which is now lost from this cause, suitable
brass bushes are inserted at the telescope union of the plates to prevent them
from setting fast by corrosion. I can use any flexible piston that may be run
without clearance in the cylinder ends, whether this flexibility be obtained by
an arrangement of springs as described, or by any other springs, by the
admission of steam between the plates or by the substitution of any elastic
material for the purpose.
To obtain the all important object of uniform speed in the engine when
working under variable loads, I construct and employ governing apparatus
depending for the action thereof upon this, that a highly sensitivo equilibrium

page_text: be established between two forces, one of which shall partake of the irregu-
larities of the engine, but in a multiplied manner, so that a very slight and
scarcely perceptible variation in the engine's speed shall cause a great
variation in the said force, and that the movement thus obtained between the
bodies upon which these forces act shall be made available for the opening and
closing of an equilibrium steam valve, in which special arrangement is made
with the view of diminishing friction, such governing consists in apparatus
provided with balances or weights, and springs or balances, or weights and
levers, or otherwise covered up in a compact circular box or pulley, which
pulley may be used to receive the motion required from the engine, and this
governing apparatus may be provided with indicating mechanism, which can
be made to shew exactly the actual speed at the time of observation of such
machine. Or the apparatus may be acted upon by the water, the speed of a
ship may also be indicated, and in conjunction with an ordinary counter a
valuable indicating apparatus may thus be male. To utilize the motion of
the instrument already described for the regulation of the engine's speed, a
strap or band passes round the pulley, which forms the exterior of the governor,
giving motion to the pulley. A spindle being provided, through the centre of
which another spindle works with a longitudinal motion, and transmits the
motion of the weights to the valve lever, the necessary adjuncts being added.
"This governor can be applied to any equilibrium valve, but the common
equilibrium valve is the one I use." And I use a valve in which, to avoid
the friction caused by the spindle passing through, I cut the spindlo short,
working the valve by means of a lever. This lever is fixed upon a spindle
turning through a very small are, corresponding to the difference between the
radius of this spindle and that of the lever head substituted for it, and as the
head travels only the distance which the valve opeus, the movement of the
spindle in the packing is scarcely perceptible, whilst the governor acts upon
it at a considerable leverage in its favor. The packing may be screwed tight
enough to keep steam-tight under any pressure without impairing the sensi-
tiveness of the apparatus. As the spindle does not pass through the valve
cover, a spindle screwed into the cover may be made to act upon the valve
spindle to regulate the amount of opening, or to close the valve altogether,
which is thus made to act as a stop valve, also without the necessity of a
separate valve for the purpose. In the lever a pair of spring clips grasping
a pin of the shackle, the object of this arrangement being to allow the pin to
pass the clips, and liberating the governor springs, allow them to return to
a state of rest when the engine is not working.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Shaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
October 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SHAW, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One.
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her, reign,.
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Shaw, Her special licence that 1, the said John Shaw, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Shaw, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no.
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM AND OTHER POWER ENGINES
AND INDICATORS," a communication to me from abroad by John Shaw, the.
younger, of Ferrol, in Spain, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Shaw, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in-
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 I, the said John Shaw, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by, the following
statement, that is to say:-
The nature of this Invention consists, firstly, in certain improvements in the
arrangement of equilibrium valves, for the admission of steam to the cylinder,
and in similar valves for its egress, rendering the same more efficient for the
economical working of steam, especially when used in conjunction with the
equilibrium and flexible pistou hereafter described.
Secondly, in an equilibrium and flexible piston, that may be run with safety
with little clearance in the cylinder ends, avoiding thereby a considerable
amount of the loss of steam now caused by this clearance.
Thirdly, in governing apparatus of great compactness and sensitiveness
(capable of being arranged so as to act as a speed indicator) applied to an

page_text: equilibrium valve, in which certain improvements are made to greatly reduce the
friction of its working parts, such apparatus being applicable alike to stationary,
moveable, and marine engines, whether worked by steam, air, gas, or water, by
means of which the speed of such engines may be kept at any required or nearly
uniform rate, though they be subjected to great variations of load.
Having thus far described the nature of the said Invention, I will now
proceed to the further exemplification thereof, and herein shall particularly
describe and ascertain in what manner the same is to be performed, referring
to the accompanying Drawings, by the words, figures, and letters marked
thereon, and herein-after referred to, that is to say :-
Firstly, the valvular arrangement (Nos. 1, 2), and the piston are repre-
sented by Fig. 10. In the cylinder end I form a aperture and fit steam-
tight therein one of the faces or heads (a, b,) which are kept together by a
spindle as shewn, the face or bead (a), being placed in a chamber (c.) and
forming when at rest in the seat thereof or aperture in the cylinder end a
part of the surface of such end from being "flush" therewith,- whilst the
other face or part or piston 6 fits in the chamber e, forming a steam-tight piston
therein, suitable packing rings being used for the purpose, and working to and
fro in this chamber. A communication is established by means of an orifice
in the valve spindle between the interior of the cylinder A, and the chamber e.
This valve must be in equilibrio under any circumstances, as the steam in the
chamber c, acts equally in all directions upon the parts a, b, and as the pressure
or vacuum in the cylinder A, and chamber e are always the same; hence, but
slight expenditure of power will work this valve. No. shews the valve.
arranged for the exhaust, and here. the chamber c is open to the exhaust
passage, the equilibrium being still the same. In this valve a small escape
valve g, is fixed in the piston b, and opens inwards to the chamber c, being
properly weighted by means of a spring as shewn. If from the pressure of
water in the cylinder danger ensues, the valve g is then forced inwards,
permitting the escape of the water or steam in the chamber e, the equilibrium
is thus destroyed, and the valve forced from its seat, acting thus as a most
efficient escape valve for the cylinder, the water being driven into the exhaust
passage which, in engines worked with a surface condenser is a favorable
circumstance, as the water thus passed through the engine is not lost. As
two separate valves are used, the steam valve may be regulated to work the
engines at any required amount of expansion, without interfering in any way
with the action of the exhaust valves. The valves may be worked by any of
the means now in use for the purpose, but I prefer the arrangements shewn in
Figure 11, wherein they are represented as worked by a steam piston c, for

page_text: the shutting operation, and by arranging the pair of valves as in said Figure 11,
the same would he brought together, so that only two narrow passages for the
steam would be required, and the rods would also be brought close together.
In the said Figure 11, No. 1 is the steam, and No. 2 the exhaust valve.
The spindles of these valves pass through another cylindrical chamber d, and
a à piston e, sliding steam-tight therein is fixed upon the spindles. The top
parts of these chambers are in communication with each other by means of
an orifice or piston, the pipe P; and a communication established between
them and the steam chamber by means of an orifice or passage in the spindle
of the steam valve as shewn in No. 1. The lower parts of the said chambers &
are in communication with each other by means of the pipe p, and by means of
a passage formed in the side of the exhaust chamber as shewn, suitable metallic
rings being inserted at the various places of contact to prevent leakage. As
the valves are thus closed by the action of the steam, the driving rods u, u, are
subjected only to a tensile strain, and therefore may be made comparatively
light, an arrangement being made at the point of connection with the valve
spindle, to allow the valves to act as escape valves as already explained, and which
arrangement is shewn at S in the Drawing. As the steam plays in and out of
the chambers d, through the orifice in the steam valve spindle, no steam is
wasted or used. The principle of working a valve by means of a steam piston
is not new; the particular arrangements shewn in Figure 11, and the valve
itself as shown in Figure 10, and already explained being what I deem novel.
Second, the piston arrangement consists of two light plates of wrought-iron.
or other suitable metal P, P, these plates are fitted together as shewn in the
Drawing, and from a telescopic piston capable of a slight movement in the
direction of the piston rod's length; said plates being kept apart and held
against their respective collars in the piston rod s, t, by a number of spiral
springs as shewn, which springs are so regulated as to be able to withstand a
pressure somewhat higher than the intended working pressure of the engine.
The action of this piston when working, is as follows:-When the piston is
approaching the end of its course, and the steam valve having the usual
amount of lead has filled the cylinder end before the piston with steam,
the piston forces this steam back again into the steam passage, and conse-
quently the plate P, upon which the steam is acting being nearly under the
full pressure which the springs are able to withstand will be nearly in equili-
brium, and should the piston touch the cylinder end from slackness in the
connecting rod bearings or other cause no barm will be done as the springs
will give to the blow. As the amount of play of which the plates arc
susceptible need not exceed or of an inch at most, and as suitable packing

page_text: rings are inserted at all the places of contact, 1, 2, 3, to prevent leakage even
in case the springs fail, the loss from clearance can never exceed that which is
now lost from this cause. Suitable brass bushes are inserted at the telescope
union of the plates 1, 2, to prevent them from setting fast by corrosion. As
a substitute or equivalent for this flexible piston, flexible plates or cylinder
ends might be employed or combined.
Thirdly. The governing apparatus.-The Drawings at Figures 3, 4, and 5
illustrate the arrangements of governing apparatus for effecting the objects
herein-before referred to; such arrangements being based upon the principle
of establishing in a compact and efficient manner a highly sensitive equilibrium
between two forces, one of which shall partake of the irregularities of the engine,
but in multiplied degree, so that a slight and scarcely perceptible variation in
the speed of the engine shall cause a great variation in the said force, whereby
the movement between the bodies on which these forces act shall be made
available for opening and closing a steam valve, for which special arrangements
are made, in order to greatly diminish friction. In Fig. 3, a weight wis
attached upon a spring H, which spring being fixed to the inside of the peri-
phery of a circular box or pulley made to rotate, causes the weight w by the
action of the centrifugal force to tend to diverge from the centre, taking a
position in which such centrifugal force is balanced by the power of the spring.
There being no joints, lever, or other connections between the spring and the
weight put in motion, an apparatus so constructed is as sensitive and free
from friction as a spring-weighing balance.
In Figures 2 and 3, the communication between the weights w and the
spindle s is made by the levers 1, 1, entering at one end into the square opening
shewn in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the rods shewn as broken away in the middle
are for effecting the same communication. In said Fig. 4 the weight w has
the form of a solid wheel given to it, and turns upon a travelling centre c,
motion being given to the weight by the pulley A as before, the weight rolling
against the angle brackets b, b. A pair of these weights are, by means of levers
d, d, caused to exercise their centrifugal force against the action of two spiral
springs inside, and with the pulley A, an exceedingly sensitive equilibrium
of the two forces being by this means likewise obtained. In Fig. 5 the springs
which are intended to be as in Fig. 4 or otherwise are not shewn; the weights
are driven by a pair of levers L, L, having a parallel motion, by means
whereof the cross-winding strains thrown upon the joints of the governors now
in use are obviated, the friction being simply upon the centres of the said levers
or the pins about which they vibrate; and at Fig. 3*, 4*, 5*, A is an arrange-
ment of the governor, in which the weights w are driven by angle brackets b,

page_text: and in which rollers may be used to reduce friction, as shewn in w¹; they
are not, however, an absolute necessity, the centrifugal force of the weights
being counteracted as in Fig. 4 by two spiral springs, which, by means of the
cross bars d, d', swing from the centres c. c¹; the spindle s being driven by
the cross bar k, whose ends are provided with rollers p, which run in grooves t,
formed in the angle brackets b. The special advantage of this arrangement
is, that ou removing the end h of the case A, the weights and springs can be
removed instantly and other springs substituted without having to remove or
unfasten any connection. This facility of replacing a spring, making the
governor well adapted for marine purposes. Fig. 3** shews the principle of
Fig. 3 applied to the connon governor; a flat spring E is secured on a suit-
able head piece F of the governor spindle S, and this spring gives motion to
the weights, and also resists the centrifugal force. The motion of the weights
is transmitted to the valve by means of a sliding collar, as in the common way,
or by applying a pointer p, and an index plate t, the instrument may also be
used as a speed indicator. The springs E are tempered straight, as shown by
the dotted lines a, a, and are strained up in the position shewn, and prevented
from closing any further by the piece b. The object of this arrangement
being that the governor requires to make a certain number of revolutions per
minute before the balls begin to rise, so that when the instrument is worked
horizontally, the speed at which the balls begin to part from the rest & can be
that at which the force of gravity ceases to affect them. D shews the plan of
the springs. The special advantage claimed for this governor is that the cross
winding strain to which the common governor is subjected by driving the
weights from a joint at F is here avoided, the instrument being by consequence
more sensitive. When employed as a governor, an additional spring with the
adjusting arrangement shewn in the supplementary Drawing to Fig. 2, can be
applied between the piece band the slider round the spindle. The governor
as shewn in Drawing, Fig. 2, is arranged to drive by a band on "g."
The interior of the part G is enlarged, so as to admit a spiral spring on the
spindle S, which bearing against the governor case at G', and against the
collar m, secured to the spindle S by the nuts n, n', maintain a pressure
against the spindle's longitudinal motion, as in the case of the spring in the
tube F before described. This spring is also adjustable, the spindle S being
screwed at the part Q for the purpose. The motion of the governor weights is
transmitted to the valve by means of a collar p and stud c as commonly used.
The stud c, by means of the slot e, shewn in the valve lever D, can be pushed
out of contact with the collar p, and the governor thus be liberated from the
valve, for the purpose before described, this stud being secured to the lever D

page_text: by means of a nut H, which nut may have the form of a handle or wheel for
facility of manipulation. In this arrangement the governor requires to be
stopped, to alter the working rate. The more complete arrangenient shewn in
Fig. 2 not being used in this case.
As regards indicators of speed.-Figures 8 and 9 shew the governor arranged
as a speed indicator, its weights w, w, being driven by any one of the methods
already described and made to give a longitudinal motion to the spindle S as
before, which motion is opposed in one direction by the spiral spring as
shewn. The communication between the spindle and the weights is effected
by means of a thin metallic band, which passes round rollers as shewn in the
Drawing. The apparatus is driven by a strap or band (round the case or
pulley A) by the engine, whose speed is to be indicated. The end of the
spindle S is provided with an indicating disc, and an index plate and pointer
are also provided as shewn. As the variations of speed of the machinery
driving the indicator by causing variations in the centrifugal force of the
weights cause the spindle to move longitudinally, by having the index plate
graduated in accordance with the relative velocities of the driving mechanism
and of this apparatus, the actual velocity of the mechanism at the moment of
observation will be indicated. The scales may be of various characters. This
apparatus may be arranged for diminishing and recording speed or revolutions
made in a given time as in an ordinary counter for revolutions. And thus in
combination with such a counter indicate the actual speed at the moment of
observation, also the amount done by continuous working. By arranging an
apparatus to be acted upon by the water, the speed of a vessel may be also
indicated. It is not necessary for this purpose that the indicator should
revolve, for by siniply attaching a cord or wire to the spindle S, having a float
attached thereto, and allowed to trail in the water, the power to tow the said
cord and float will vary with the velocity given to them, and as the strain is
taken by the spring, which varies its position with the strain, the pointer will
as before shew the variations of strain on the index plate, and these indications
as in the case of the other arrangements may mark any unit of measure and
time. The velocity of the water past a fixed point, or of a vessel in or through
the water can thus be indicated, the indications being as before the actual
velocity at the time of observation. It will be seen that any spring can be
made to tow a float, and its variations of position used to indicate the velocity
required to produce the necessary power to cause such change of position in
the spring, or to indicate the power necessary to produce or absorbed in pro-
ducing any velocity of float or vessel. If the instrument known as the steam
cylinder indicator be applied to a vessel, and a wire or float attached to the

page_text: piston, or to the spring of the same in the way already described, uniform
motion being given to the barrel, on which a strip of paper is wound by clock-
work, or otherwise, a Diagram can then be taken manifesting the distance
travelled, or the power expended in travelling just as the power exerted by an
engine is determined from the Diagram taken by the ordinary instrument
from the cylinders.
As an illustration of how I can construct my indicator for speed of vessels
or of currents, I may state that upon a plate I form a stud which serves as a
centre for the case or barrel, and about which stud the said barrel turns
shown in section in Fig. 2. Another stud is also formed upon the said plate,
and a spring fixed thereon, which has its other end attached to the said barrel.
A cord or wire passes round the periphery of the barrel, and is attached to a
pointer stud. To the other end of the cord a float or trailer is secured, which
upon being drawn through the water will by the resistance it meets with
cause the barrel to move partially round until the strength of the spring
balances the pull of the trailer, an index being provided as before explained.
The bottom of the barrel has a flange intended to keep the cord or wire in its
proper position. For still waters or streams the trailer may be a piece of wood
but for rough seas a metal one that will sink and keep below the waves is
necessary. The plate above mentioned is for fixing on the taffrail of a ship,
in which case the apparatus moves, or is carried in one direction; but when
for indicating the velocity of a stream, the water is supposed to flow in the
reverse direction."
To put the governing apparatus in action.-I provide special arrangements,
shewn in Fig. 1, where A is the pulley containing the springs and weights as
shown in Fig. 3, such pulley receiving the motion from the engine either by
means of a strap on its periphery A, or by a gut or cord on the part g, as may
be preferred. This pulley revolves in a suitable bearing B formed upon the
valve case as shewn in section at Figures 2 and 7, a spindle being cast upon the
pulley for that purpose as shown by G, Fig. 2. Through the centre of this
spindle another spindle S works with a longitudinal motion, transmitting the
motions of the weights w to the valve lever D, being acted upon by the
levers 7, 7, as shewn in the sectional Drawing of the pulley A, Fig. 8. The
spindle S therefore revolves with the governor, and in lieu of a key working
in a slide groove I employ a bar k, Fig. 3, which passing through the spindle
and forming part of it, takes its motion from the periphery of the pulley P,
the consequence being that what little power is required to turn the spindle
acts upon it with a leverage, and the friction of a key sliding against a groovo
is reduced as much as the diameter of the pulley A exceeds the diameter of

page_text: the spindle S. The spindle is connected to the lever D by means of a pro-
jecting pin c as shewn. In another chamber on a bracket E cast upon the
valve case, a tube screwed as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 works. Inside of this
tube (F) another spiral spring is fixed as shewn, and attached to the shackle a,
and by this means as much force can be applied against the weights as is
desired, and the speed of the engine regulated with the greatest accuracy;
and the speed of the engine can be altered during running by simply turning
round the tube F. When the cover or end h is in its place, the governor
presents the appearance of a solid pulley as shewn in Figure 1. This governor
may be applied to any equilibrium valve, but the common equilibrium valve is
the one I use;
or I use the common disc throttle valve, in which to reduce
friction, I make the following alteration, that is to say, Figures 8*, 8**,
shew the common disc throttle valve as I adapt it to work with my governor.
In Fig. 8 the valve is shewn as shut and keeping back the steam, the
total pressure of the steam consequently comes upon the spindle S, and under
ordinary circumstances causes so much friction as to cause the spindle to stick.
To avoid this, I cut away the spindle to its centre on one side, as shewn in
Fig. 8, and use a piece of steel or other metal P, which, bearing against the
side of the stalling box R at one end, and against the said centre of the
spindle at the other end (this end having an angular edge as shewn), takes
the strain upon the valve from the centre of its spindle where there is no
motion, and consequently the friction opposed to the movement of these valves
is insignificant. One of these steel pieces or knives P is fitted on each
bearing of the spindle, as shewn in Figures 8* and S**, and the valve is thus
made similar in its action to a common weighing machine, that of balancing
heavy weights upon a knife edge. The bearings b, b, of the spindle (S) are
oblong, with a clear space at the side at which the knives are situate, to ensure
the pressure being upon the said knives, as shewn at R in both Figures. The
principal friction which is thrown upon the valve is therefore due to the
packing in the stufling box c. Fig. 6 shews the valve before mentioned, and
in order to avoid friction from the spindle passing through a stuffing box, I cut
The said
short the spindle at r, working the valves by means of a lever a.
lever is fixed inside the valve box upon a spindle t, which passes through a
stuffing box, being worked by the lever D, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 7.
The result of the arrangement is that the friction of the spindle of the valves
sliding through the packing is avoided, and the friction of the spindle t turning
through a very small are, corresponding with the difference of the radius of
this spindle and that of the lever head y, the same is substituted for it, and as
the head
y travels only the distance which the valve opens, the movement of

page_text: upon
the spindle in the packing is scarcely perceptible, whilst the governor acts
it with the most favorable leverage. The packing may be screwed tight
enough to keep steam-tight under any pressure without impairing the sen-
sitiveness of the apparatus. As the spindle does not pass through the valve
cover, a spindle v screwed into the cover as shewn, may be made to act upon
the valve spindle 7, to regulate the amount of opening, or to close the valve
altogether, which is thus made to act also as a stop valve without the necessity
of a separate valve for the purpose. In the lever D, Fig. 1, a pair of spring
clips are shewn, grasping the pin c of the shackle a. By this arrangement the
pin is allowed to pass the clips and liberate the governor springs, allowing
them to return to a state of rest when the engine is not working. This
governor may be driven at any speed by suitably proportioning the springs and
weights, but a speed of from 600 to 800 revolutions per minute gives good
practical results. In the accompanying Drawings, Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7, are to
a scale of six inches to the foot for a governor and valve for a 15-horse engine.
The weights being 2 lbs. each, and the governor making 700 revolutions per
minute; the governer and valve being shewn as arranged for a single engine.
When applied to a pair of engines, a couple of valves would be used, and the
governor placed upon a column between them, if the arrangement of the
engines were such as to preclude the use of the combined apparatus shown in
Fig. 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would state
that I consider novel and original, and claim in regard thereto, First, the
valvular arrangement for the admission of the steam or primum mobile to the
cylinder, and for its egress from the same, when so arranged that the inner
faces of the valves form, when closed, a part of the plane of the inner surface
of the cylinder ends; but I do not claim the particular valve shown, nor any
other valve except when arranged as immediately above stated.
Second, a flexible safety piston, as herein-before described, or its equivalent,
namely, flexible cylinder ends.
Third, the governing apparatus herein-before mentioned, the characteristic
or peculiar features whereof are the combination of a comparatively small
governor, with a valve so as to form a single compact apparatus, illustrated
by Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and particularly in Fig. 3, where the weight is shown as
driven by the same spring which resists its centrifugal force, and which plan
can be applied to the common governor, as herein-before set forth, such
governing apparatus being covered up in a compact pulley, that may be used
to receive the motion from the motor, whose speed it is to regulate.

page_text: And finally, which may be used as a speed indicator, or may be employed
separately as a governor for application to existing valves.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Shaw, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
above-named John Shaw, in the pre-
sence of
WILLIAM PEMBERTON,
Solicitor,
Liverpool.
SHA