IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Frost Corliss, of Rue Scribe, Paris, France, for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES." A communication
from George Henry Corliss, of Providence, in the County of Providence and
State of Rhode Island, one of the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Frost Corliss at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1880.
GEORGE FROST CORLISS, of Rue Scribe, Paris, France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM ENGINES. (A communication from George Henry Corliss, of Providence,
in the County of Providence, and State of Rhode Island, one of the United
States of America.)
This Invention has for its object improvements in steam engines, and relates in
part to engines such as described in the Specification to Letters Patent granted
16th Decr 1878, to George Henry Corliss (No. 5154).
1. It relates to the so constructing jackets of steam engine cylinders so as to
permit of the expansion and contraction of such jackets, whether they be cast in
one piece with cylinders, as hereinafter described, or be made up of different parts
in steel, iron, copper, or other metals, as described in the Specification of the
aforesaid Patent of 1878.
Fig. 1 shews a cylinder with jacket cast according to this Invention. Here it
will be seen the strains resulting from unequal expansion and contraction either
in the body of the cylinder or in the jacket are absorbed by the elasticity of the
ring A, B.
2. This Invention relates to means or arrangements designed to allow of
expansion of the cylinder, and of the other parts subjected to high temperatures.
In an engine it is important that the plummer block which carries the crank
shaft should be fastened down firmly to the foundations. In order to resist the
force of the steam which acts on the piston, the plummer block is generally
connected to the cylinder by a solid frame, and if this does not carry the cylinder
altogether, it is nearly always bolted to it as well as to the foundations.
In some small engines the cylinder is suspended to the frame by only one of its
flanges; in nearly all other arrangements the cylinder is fixed upon the frame by
Price S71

page_text: means of lugs, either as in the said G. H. Corliss' former types, or by one or two
feet resting on the foundations, and fastened down to them by bolts passing through
the ends of these feet.
It is to be noted that these attachments are always at a distance from the fixed
plummer block, and that any expansion arising either from a change in the
temperature of the plate, or from the expansion and contraction of the cylinder
may cause serious inconvenience.
Now according to the present Invention a method is adopted which, whilst
allowing of such expansion and contraction, avoids the injurious effects.
One arrangement consists in constructing the feet (C and D) of the cylinder, as
shewn by way of example in the accompanying Drawings, Figs. 2 and 3. The
feet C and D are not bolted to the foundations, but are left free to shift, and so that
they may take all the positions rendered necessary by the contraction and expansion
of the parts.
To prevent lateral displacement of the cylinder the frame is supported at about
two thirds of its length by the application of a suitable part, such as B, Figs. 2
and 4, bolted to the foundations, which part B at the same time serves to support
the governor.
Hence this Invention obviates deflections in the frame which a long
stroke (desirable for many reasons) might occasion.
3. This Invention relates to the construction of the pistons of steam engines kept
tight by rings, which are automatically tightened by the action of the steam.
To increase their efficiency, especially in the case of high speed engines, such parts
as might become detached whilst at work and cause accidents are suppressed. The
improved piston is entirely in one piece, loose covers, screws, and bolts being
dispensed with.
One arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 5 and G. As is shewn in Fig. 6, the
piston is closed on all sides, being cast hollow, and the material arranged so as to
obtain extreme lightness, and also such an arrangement of the metal as to obviate
unequal contraction during cooling. Also it is made very long, so as to present a
large bearing surface. The groove cast at A contains a single very elastic ring
cut in two halves and provided with cover-joints on the Corliss system. The small
springs adjusted beforehand give just sufficient pressure to make a good joint, and
their peculiar construction allows of the said ring being worn to a great extent
without replacing them.
The construction of the ring is such as to prevent, by means of the projec-
tions c, c, c, c, the springs leaving their assigned position even should the ring be
fractured (see Fig. 5).
The mode of fixing the piston on its rod is shewn at Fig. 6. The body is forced
on to the rod by a slight hydraulic pressure; it is retained in position by two
cotters a and b, through the juxtaposed edges of which is bored a hole, through
which is passed a pin g turned and curved over at each of its ends. The object of
the pin is to prevent the displacement of the cotters. The same effect may be
obtained by hammering over a small projection at h, made expressly (see Fig. 7) on
the upper cotter, which, being turned over after fixing the cotters, takes the form
shewn in Fig. 8 at h.
Other methods may obviously be employed to attain the same end. The piston
may also be constructed with the means of adjustment shown in Fig. 9. In this
case the four screws A, B, C, & D keep the body of the piston always in the centre
of the cylinder, thus making up for wear and the irregularities that may result
therefrom. Ia this arrangement, and in order to get at the screws, it is necessary
to use a piston with removeable cover; Fig. 10 clearly shews one of the numerous
methods of making this application. It will be evident various modifications may
be made in the carrying out of this Invention without departure from its
characteristic features.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Frost Corliss in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st
March 1881.
GEORGE FROST CORLISS, of Rue Scribe, Paris, France. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM ENGINES." (A communication from George Henry Corliss, of Providence,
in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, one of the United
States of America.)
This Invention has for its object improvements in steam engines, and relates in
part to engines such as described in the Specification to Letters Patent granted
16th December 1878, to George Henry Corliss (No. 5154).
1. It relates to the so constructing jackets of steam engine cylinders as to permit
of the expansion and contraction of such jackets, whether they be cast in one piece
with the cylinders, as hereinafter described, or be made up of different parts in
steel, iron, copper, or other metals, as described in the Specification of the aforesaid
Patent of 1878.
Fig. 1 shews a cylinder with jacket cast according to this Invention. Here it
will be seen the strains resulting from unequal expansion and contraction, either in
the body of the cylinder or in the jacket, are absorbed by the elasticity of the
ring A, B, thus obviating risk of fracture or distortion of the cylinder itself.
2. This Invention relates to means or arrangements designed to allow of
expansion of the cylinder and of the other parts subjected to high temperatures.
In an engine it is important that the plummer block which carries the crank
shaft should be fastened down firmly to the foundations. In order to resist the
force of the steam which acts on the piston the plummer block is generally
connected to the cylinder by a solid frame, and if this does not carry the cylinder
altogether it is nearly always bolted to it as well as to the foundations.
In some small engines the cylinder is attached overhanging to the frame by only
one of its flanges; in nearly all other arrangements the cylinder is fixed upon the
frame by means of lugs, either as in the said G. H. Corliss' former types, or by one
or two feet resting on the foundations and fastened down to them by bolts passing
through such feet.
It is to be noted that these attachments are always at a distance from the fixed
plummer block, and that any expansion arising either from a change in the
temperature of the plates or from the expansion and contraction of the cylinder
may cause serious inconvenience. Now, according to the present Invention, a
method is adopted which, whilst allowing of such expansion and contraction, avoids
the injurious effects thereof. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the Drawings, it will
be seen that the feet C and D are not bolted to the foundations but are left free to
shift, so that they may take all the positions rendered necessary by the contraction
and expansion of the parts.
To prevent lateral displacement of the cylinder the frame is supported at about
two thirds of its length by the application of a suitable part B (Figs. 2 and 4),
bolted to the foundations, which part B also serves to support the governor. This
part of the Invention obviates deflections in the frame which a long stroke (desirable
for many reasons) might occasion.
3. The Invention relates to the construction of the pistons of steam engines,
which are kept tight by rings automatically tightened by the action of the steam.
To increase their efficiency, especially in the case of high speed engines, such
parts as might become detached whilst at work and cause accidents are suppressed.

page_text: As is
The improved piston is entirely in one piece, the use of loose covers, screws, and
bolts being obviated. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.
shewn in Fig. 6, the piston is closed on all sides, being cast hollow and the material
arranged so as to obtain extreme lightness, and also such an arrangement of the
metal as to obviate unequal contraction during cooling. Also the piston is made
very long so as to present a large bearing surface. The groove cast at A contains
a single very elastic ring in two parts provided with cover joints on the Corliss
system. The small springs adjusted beforehand give just sufficient pressure to
make a good joint, and their peculiar construction allows of the said ring being
worn to a great extent without replacing them. The construction of the ring is
such as to prevent, by means of the projections c, c, c, c, the springs leaving their
assigned positions even should the ring be fractured (see Fig. 5). The mode of
fixing the piston on its rod is shewn at Fig. 6. The body is forced on to the rod
by a slight hydraulic pressure; it is retained in position by two cotters a and b,
through the juxtaposed edges of which is bored a hole, through which is passed a
ping turned and curved over at each of its ends. The object of the pin is to
prevent the displacement of the cotters. The same effect may be obtained by
hammering over a small projection at made expressly (see Fig. 7) on the outer
cotter, which, being turned over after the cotters have been fixed, takes the form
shewn in Fig. 8 at k. Another arrangement of piston according to this Invention
is constructed with means of adjustment, as shewn in Fig. 9. In this case the four
screws A, B, C, and D, enable the body of the piston to be kept with its axis
coincident with that of the cylinder, wear and the irregularities that may result
In this
therefrom being compensated by means of the adjusting screws.
arrangement, and in order to get at the screws, it is necessary to use a piston
with removable cover. Fig. 10 clearly shows a convenient method of making this
application. It will be evident various modifications may be made in practice
without departure from the characteristic features of the Invention.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in
which it is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I would have
it understood that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as
secured to me under the Letters Patent hereinbefore first in part recited is,―
1. In a steam engine, a cylinder with a steam jacket, constructed substantially
as herein before described, so that it is free to expand and contract independently of
the cylinder.
2. In a horizontal steam engine supporting the cylinder by feet or supports,
such as C, D, Figs. 2 and 3, attached to the cylinder, and resting freely on a bed or
foundation lower than the foundations of the engine frame and plummer block or
crank shaft bearing, so as to allow free expansion of the frame aud cylinder,
substantially as described.
3. In a horizontal steam engine, such as hereinabove referred to, providing an
intermediate support to the frame between the cylinder and the plummer block or
crank shaft bearing, such support being fixed to the foundation, substantially as
described.
4. In a steam engine wherein the cylinder is supported on feet or supports
resting freely on a bed plate or foundation, preventing lateral motion of the cylinder
by a trestle or support fixed to the foundation and to the frame of the engine, and
serving also as an intermediate support to that frame between the cylinder and
the plummer block or crank shaft bearing, substantially as described.
5. The improved steam engine piston, constructed, arranged, and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the
Drawings.
6. In a steam engine securing the piston on its rod by means of a pair of cotters
retained in place by a pin, as described with reference to Fig. 6, or by a projection
of one cotter overlapping the other cotter, as described with reference to Figs. 7
and 8 of the Drawings.

page_text: 7. In a steam engine piston, the method, substantially as described with reference
to Figs. 9 and 10, of adjusting the piston body by means of screws to compensate
for wear.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Frost Corliss, have to this Specification
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
GEORGE F. CORLISS. (L.S.)