IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND PUMPS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred William Doery, of Chandos Street, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
ENGINES AND PUMPS." A communication from abroad by Peter Murray, of
Newark, New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred William Doery at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th May 1880.
ALFRED WILLIAM DOERY, of Chandos Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND PUMPS." [A communication
from abroad by Peter Murray, of Newark, New Jersey, United States of
America.]
The Invention communicated to me relates to the improvements hereinafter
described in steam engines and steam pumps.
The first part of the improvements relates to steam engines in which the valves
which regulate the flow of steam to and from the engine cylinder are directly
controlled by the pressure of steam without the intervention of gearing, and consists
of a valve arrangement formed of two piston valves working one within the other,
the outer or main steam valve being controlled by the live steam from behind the
engine piston, while the inner valve is controlled by live steam acting upon its
ends, and which has passed directly from the steam chest through passages in the
steam ports of the engine cylinder, but without entering the cylinder.
The inner valve controls the motion of the outer valve by opening and closing
the passages which admit (and in the two modifications of the arrangement
hereinafter described, those also which exhaust) the steam that operates the outer
valve.
By this means the main valve is relieved of pressure at both ends after completing
its travel when exhausting into the atmosphere, and, when condensing, the vacuum
has equal effect at both ends at the same time, thus putting the valve in
equilibrium,
The outer valve opens its own exhaust ports, and the admission and exit of
steam in the steam cylinder are controlled by an ordinary slide valve of "D" or
other suitable form, whose motion is regulated by the outer piston valve, which
cushions itself by shutting off the exhaust port before it completes its stroke.

page_text: In a modification of this arrangement the ordinary flat valve is dispensed with,
and the steam ports of the main cylinder are opened and closed by the outer piston
valve. In this modification the admission and exhaust ports of the outer valve
are controlled by the inner valve, and the cushioning of the outer valve is effected
by the inner valve cutting off the exhaust in the steam chest before the outer valve
completes its stroke.
In this modification the exhaust ports for the outer valve are in the steam chest
heads, and are carried through the sides of the steam chest to the cylinder exhaust,
the ends of the inner valve being reduced in order to open the ports in the steam
chest heads.
In a second modification the inner valve has the exhaust passage through the
centre of the valve and out through the centre of the outer valve to the engine
exhaust. The outer valve cushions by shutting off the exhaust port in the inner
valve before it completes its stroke.
In all cases the ends of the inner valve are made smaller than the body, and the
remaining annular surface cushions into recesses formed in the steam chest heads,
the valve after completing its stroke being held firmly in position by the pressure
of live steam until the return stroke of the engine piston.
The engine piston on nearing the end of its stroke uncovers in a well known
manner a port in the cylinder, which permits live steam from behind the piston
to actuate the outer valve before referred to.
The second part of the Invention communicated to me consists of a starting
and controlling valve which enables the engineer to regulate the length of the
stroke, and gives him complete control over the steam valve and engine piston.
This valve is made in the form of a plug cock, and ground into a shell. The inlet
passage is from the inside of the steam chest, and consists of a passage entering
the end of the valve and leaving it at a right angle, and thence passing through
the side of the steam chest. The exhaust passage is cut out at one side of the
valve, and connects the exhaust with the passage leading to the end of the outer
piston valve.
The third part of the Invention communicated to me consists of a valve by
which the amount of cold water entering a condenser is automatically regulated,
and this when attached to a steam pump, without throttling the pump
suction pipe.
This is effected by causing the water before it enters the condenser to pass
through a chamber, its passage from which is prevented by an equilibrium valve,
held in its place by a spring or other suitable means until a vacuum exists in the
condenser, when the pressure, which had assisted to keep the valve in its seat, being
removed, the valve leaves its seat until the water in the condenser rises to the level
of the valve opening; the vacuum being thus removed from it, it returns to its seat,
and the supply of water to the condenser ceases until the water again falls below
the level of the valve. The flooding of the steam chest, to which steam pumps
when condensing are sometimes liable, as, for example, when employed to feed
boilers from mains that are under pressure from a head of water, is thus
prevented.
The equilibrium valve is formed with a piston on one end of the valve spindle
of equal area to the valve itself, and the water being admitted between the piston
head and the valve the pressure is equal upon each.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred William Doery in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
November 1880.
ALFRED WILLIAM DOERY, of Chandos Street, in the County of Middlesex,
A communication
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND PUMPS."
from abroad by Peter Murray, of Newark, New Jersey, United States of
America.
The Invention communicated to me relates to the improvements hereinafter
described in steam engines and steam pumps.
The first part of the improvements relates to steam engines in which the valves
which regulate the flow of steam to and from the engine cylinder are directly
controlled by the pressure of steam, without the intervention of gearing, and
consists of a valvo arrangement formed of two piston valves, working one within
the other, the outer or main steam valve being controlled by the live steam from
behind the engine piston, while the inner valve is controlled by live steam acting
upon its ends, and which has passed directly from the steam chest through passages
in the steam ports of the engine cylinder, but without entering the cylinder.
The inner valve controls the motion of the outer valve by opening and closing.
the passages which admit (and in the two modifications of the arrangement herein-
after described, those also which exhaust) the steam that operates the outer valve.
By this means the main valve is relieved of steam pressure at both ends after
completing its travel when exhausting into the atmosphere, and, when condensing,
the vacuum has equal effect at both ends at the same time, thus putting the valve
in equilibrium.
The outer valve opens its own exhaust ports, and the admission and exit of
steam in the steam cylinder are regulated by an ordinary slide valve of "D," or
other suitable form, actuated by the outer piston valve, this outer valve cushioning
itself by shutting off the exhast port before it completes its stroke.
In a modification of this arrangement the ordinary flat valve is dispensed with,
and the steam ports of the main cylinder are opened and closed by the outer piston
valve. In this modification the admission and exhaust ports of the outer valve are
controlled by the inner valve, and the cushioning of the outer valve is effected by
the inner valve cutting off the exhaust in the steam chest before the outer valve
completes its stroke.
In this modification the exhaust ports for the outer valve are in the steam chest
heads, and are carried through the sides of the steam chest to the cylinder exhaust,.
the ends of the inner valve being reduced in order to open the ports in the steam
chest heads.
In a second modification, the inner valve has the exhaust passage through the
centre of the valve, and continued through the centre of the outer valve to the engine.
exhaust. The outer valve cushions by shutting off the exhaust port in the inner
valve before it completes its stroke.
In all cases the ends of the inner valve are shewn smaller than the body, and the
remaining annular surface cushions into recesses formed in the steam chest heads,
but this may be effected in various ways, such as by means of springs, or by
prolonging the valve ends through stuffing boxes and cushioning in air chambers
outside. The inner valve, after completing its stroke, is held firmly in position by
the pressure of live steam until the return stroke of the engine piston, which, on
nearing the end of its stroke uncovers, in a well known manner, an auxiliary port
in the cylinder which permits live steam from behind the piston to actuate the
outer valve before referred to.
The second part of the Invention communicated to me consists of a starting.

page_text: and controlling valve, which enables the engineer to regulate the length of the
stroke, and gives him control over the steam valve and engine piston. This valve is
made in the form of a plug cock, and ground into a shell.
The shell is screwed
into the side of the steam chest. One end of the shell is open. The inlet passage
is from the inside of the steam chest, and enters at the open end of the valve in the
axial line, leaving at a right angle, and thence passing through the side of the
steam chest. The exhaust passage is cut out at one side of the valve, and connects
the exhaust alternately with the passages leading to either end of the outer piston
valve.
The third part of the Invention communicated to me consists of a valve by which
the amount of cold water entering a condenser is automatically regulated.
This is effected by causing the water before it enters the condenser to pass
through a chamber, its passage from which is prevented by an equilibrium valve
held in its place by a spring or other equivalent means until a vacuum exists in
the condenser, when the pressure, which had assisted the spring to keep the valve
in its seat, being removed, the valve leaves its seat until the water in the condenser
rises to a given height; the vacuum being thus removed from it, it returns to its
seat, and the supply of water to the condenser ceases until the water again falls
below a given level. The flooding of the steam chest to which the steam pumps
when condensing are sometimes liable, as, for example, when employed to feed
boilers from mains that are under pressure from a head of water, is thus prevented.
The equilibrium valve is formed with a piston on one end of the valve spindle
of equal area to the valve itself, and the water being admitted between the piston
head and the valve the pressure is equal upon cach.
But to make the Invention communicated to me better understood, I will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section, shewing the constructed of the piston
valves when used in combination with a flat valve, according to the first part of
this Invention.
Figures 2 and 3 shew modifications of the valve arrangement (herein before
referred to as the first and second modifications), the flat valve being dispensed
with, the latter Figure also shewing a section of the pump and the condenser.
In Figure 2 steam pressure is held on the outer valve until the inner valve
moves, the cylinder exhausting its pressure before the outer valve.
The principal feature in each of these modifications is the prevention of any
accumulation of pressure on the outer piston valve when at rest, and thus obviating
the effect of any leakage of steam.
In the position in which the valves are shewn the steam is entering the main
cylinder at port 15 and at port 12 to the inner valve holding it in position, while
the chamber 42 is in communication by port 9, with the engine exhaust and the
chamber 43 by ports 18 and 8, with the exhaust side of the piston.
The engine piston moves from left to right, in the direction of the arrow, until it
uncovers the auxiliary port 8. Steam from behind the piston enters at 8 and
through the outer valve at 18 into the chamber 6, whence it obtains access to the
chamber 43. As 42 is in communication with the exhaust through port 9 the
outer valve is forced to the opposite end of the valve casing, the inner valve being
meanwhile held stationary until steam is admitted (by the moving over of the
outer valve) through port 16 to the right hand end of the engine piston, whence it
passes through 13 to the chamber 24, and 23 being now in communication with
the engine exhaust through ports 15 and 12, the inner valve is also forced over
from right to left, and the engine piston moving in the same direction, a similar
action, but in the reverse direction is effected at the opposite end of the cylinder.
In some cases it will be found advantageous to move the inner valve by
tappets fixed on a prolongation of the valve, and struck by an arm on the piston
rod.
Figure 4 is a cross section of the steam cylinder, shewing also the condenser with
the cover off, and the steam valve casing with one head off, and the steam, exhaust,

page_text: that the connections may be made on either side.
Figure 5 is a plan of the pump with both the steam chest and the cover of the
water chest removed.
Figure 6 is a cross section of the water cylinder.
Figure 7 is an inverted plan of the steam chest shewing the inside form.
Figure 8, plan of the steam chest.
Figure 9, plate for the top valves of the water chest.
Figure 10, the outer steam piston valve.
Figure 11, the inner steam piston valve.
Figure 12, end view of the controlling valve.
Figure 13, sectional view of the controlling valve.
In the position shewn the steam enters this valve from the inside of the steam
chest at the centre or end 44 of the plug, and passes out at 45 in the direction of
the arrow to the end of the outer piston valve.
Port 46 is open to the opposite end of the outer valve, and lets the water off
through port 47 (in the direction of the arrow) to the exhaust. The dotted lines
in Figure 7 shew the steam passages from the controlling valve to the steam valve.
This valve takes the place of the lever or similar mechanical appliance generally
used for starting the steam valve, and is only to be used when starting, and until
the steam passages are free from water. It enables the engineer to regulate
temporarily the length of stroke, as it gives him control of the valve and the engine
piston.
Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, shew modifications of the condenser
valve.
In Figure 14 the casing has formed on one side a chamber containing a second
piston attached by a lever to the end of the valve stem. The piston head has
small tappet valves 56 fitted to it. On a vacuum being formed in the condenser,
the piston 55 being smaller in area than the piston head 50 of the valve, the latter
is forced down by the atmospheric pressure, and the piston 55 ascends. The small
tappet valves hold to their seats, and a vacuum is formed under the piston 55,
which brings the valve back to its seat when the water has risen to a given height
in the condenser, and the pressure on the valve has again increased.
In Figure 15, the valve is pressed to its seat by a diaphragm of india rubber or
other suitable flexible material. The same valve is illustrated here, as in Figure 3,
but in a form more generally applicable to various classes of steam engines.
On a vacuum being formed in the condenser, the air in the chamber 40 expands,
and aided by the weight of the valve, forces it down, until the rise of water in the
condenser and the increase of pressure on the valve replace it.
In Figure 16 the valve is pressed to its seat by a spring, until on a vacuum
being formed in the condenser, the atmospheric pressure acting through the
passage 53 on the head 50, opens it, when it remains open, until a rise of water in
the condenser again closes it.
In Figure 17, the stem of the valve is continued beyond the piston, and a similar
action to that in Figure 14 ensues, excepting that the air beneath the tappets is
compressed on the descent of the valve, and will thus assist the spring in raising
the valve, when the pressure on it increases. Weak springs prevent the tappets
from falling by their weight.
In Figure 18, the water supply has access to two sides of the bottom piston, and
the under side of the top piston, the foot valve 63 which is pressed to its seat by a
spring or equivalent means, remaining open after a vacuum is formed in the
condenser, until the water reaches a given height in the condenser when it closes,
and the pressure on the under side of the head 50 becoming greater than on the
upper side, the head rises with the valve and shuts off the water. This valve may
be used with a passage leading into the condenser from over the top piston in lieu
of the passage 53. The valve 63 will then require a weaker spring.
In Figure 19, the rubber diaphragm is placed beneath the piston head, but the

page_text: action is similar to Figure 15. In Figure 20, the valve is kept in its place by a
float 58 which falls with the water in the condenser, thus opening the valve. The
chamber 40 above the top piston head is in communication with the body of the
condenser by the passage 61.
In Figure 21, a rise of water in the condenser raises the float 58, and the valve
62 thus cutting off atmospheric pressure from the top of the piston head 50, and
putting it in communication with the vacuum in the condenser by port 61. The
spring 51 then raises the valve and shuts off the water supply.
Figure 22 is an elevation of the condenser door. This door is shewn (in section)
in its place in Figure 3.
Doery & Improvements in Steam Engines and Pumps.
action is similar to Figure 15. In Figure 20, the valve is kept in its place by a
float 58 which falls with the water in the condenser, thus opening the valve. The
chamber 40 above the top piston head is in communication with the body of the
condenser by the passage 61.
In Figure 21, a rise of water in the condenser raises the float 58, and the valve
62 thus cutting off atmospheric pressure from the top of the piston head 50, and
putting it in communication with the vacuum in the condenser by port 61. The
spring 51 then raises the valve and shuts off the water supply.
Figure 22 is an elevation of the condenser door. This door is shewn (in section)
in its place in Figure 3.
In the Drawings,—
1 is the outer steam piston valve.
2. The inner steam piston valve.
3 and 4. The piston heads of the inner valve cushioning in the steam chest
heads.
5 and 6. Steam spaces round the inner valve.
7 and 8. Auxiliary ports from the cylinder to the outer valve.
9 and 10. Exhaust ports to the outer valve communicating with the engine
exhaust.
11. The engine exhaust.
11. The annular exhaust port in the outer valve, forming a continuation of the.
exhaust 11.
12 and 13. Ports to the inner valve.
14. Flat valve,
15 and 16. Engine cylinder ports.
15A and 16. Annular steam ports in the outer valve leading to the engino
cylinder ports 15 and 16.
17 and 18. Chambers round the outer valve through which steam is admitted to
its ends from the auxiliary ports 7 and 8.
19 and 20. Steam chamber receiving steam from the supply pipe.
21. Piston valve casing.
22. Hole for the oil cup.
23 and 24. Chambers in the heads of the steam chest.
25. Steam cylinder.
26. Water cylinder.
27. Condenser,
28. Water supply to the condenser.
29. Channel from the condenser to the pump.
30. Channel valve.
31 and 32. Suction and delivery valves in the pump.
34. Water supply in the pump.
35. Faces for pipe attachment for the same.
30. Two way valve effecting the discharge of the exhaust steam into the con-
denser or the atmosphere, as may be desired.
37. Steam pipe.
38. Controlling valve handle.
39. Diaphragin in the condenser.
40. Cover or bonnet to the same.
41. Water discharge from the pump.
42 and 43. Chambers at the ends of the outer steam piston valve.
44, 45, 46, and 47. Passages in the controlling valve.
48. Plug valve.
49. Condenser valve.
50. Piston head of condenser valve.
51. Spring.
52. Exhaust entrance to the condenser.
53. Air entrance over the piston head in the condenser.

page_text: 60. Opening in the casing.
61. Communication between the top of the piston and the body of the condenser.
62. Piston valve connected to the float.
63. Foot valve in the condenser (Figure 18.)
Having thus described the nature of the Invention communicated to me, I wish
it to be understood that what is claimed and intended to be protected by the herein
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The inner valve or stem with the annular spaces for working the steam
valve, substantially as shewn and described.
Secondly. The combination of an inner valve or stem and outer valve or valve
mover, substantially as shewn and described.
Thirdly. The combination of an inner valve or stem, and outer valve with
ordinary slide valve for steam engines and pumps, substantially as shewn and
described.
Fourthly. The combination of an inner valve or rod with ports leading to the
main cylinder ports, and controlling the action of the main outer valve, substantially
as shewn and described.
Fifthly. The combination of the inner valve or rod 2, the outer valve 1, a slide
valve 14, the special ports 12 and 13, with the annular ports 17 and 18 in
connection with the cylinder ports 7 and 8, and ports 9 and 10, for the purpose
specified.
Sixthly. The combination of the inner valve or rod 2, the outer valve 1, the
special ports 12 and 13, and annular ports 17 and 18, and 11ª, 15, and 16ª, with
the cylinder ports 7, 8, 11, 15, and 16, and ports 9, and 10, for the purpose
specified.
thly. The starting and controlling valve, shewn in Figures 12 and 13,
substantially as described.
Eighthly. The valve arrangements shewn in Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
and 21, substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
Ninthly. A float in combination with an equilibrium valve, substantially as
described and for the purpose specified.
Tenthly. An equilibrium valve in combination with a valve operated by a float,
and admitting atmospheric pressure or the condenser vacuum alternately to operate
the equilibrium valve, according to the height of water in the condenser, substantially
as described and for the purpose specified.
Eleventhly. An equilibrium piston valve in combination with a loaded valve,
operated and arranged, substantially as described and shewn in Figure 18, and for
the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred William Doery, have hereto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fourth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
A. W. DOERY. (L.S.)