SUNDRY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING STEAM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1801

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPHI
BRAMAH, of Pimlico, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, did, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day of
November, in the forty-second year of His reign, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Bramah, His especial licence, that I, the said Joseph Bramah,
during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully miglít use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon
Tweed, my Invention of "SUNDRY IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM
ENGINES AND BOILERS USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING STEAM, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging
me, the said Joseph Bramah, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,.
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within one calendar month after the date
of the said recited Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Bramah, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is herein-after particularly
described and ascertained, that is to say:-

page_text: I do not mean to rest the merits of these said improvements on any new
principle or effect producible by the operation of steam on this extraordinary
machine, which has already reached its present perfection by abler hands; but, as
every improvement which has yet appeared in public use, falls vastly short of
that simplicity which a more studious organization will afford, I here declare
that this object of simplification has been my chief inducement on this occasion.
It is well known by all acquainted with this useful piece of mechanism that all
engines heretofore constructed consist of a great complexity, of parts, by which
they are rendered difficult to understand, tedious to manage, and very trouble-
some and expensive to keep in perfect working order, especially when in the
hands of those of but ordinary skill, and on these accounts are rendered less
generally applicable, and productive of public benefit to a less extent than they
otherwise would be, provided these objections were judiciously removed. This
object, connected with a wish to render the whole expence of this highly
valuable machine less formidable, and to enable them with effect to be fabri-
cated on much smaller scales than has usually been done, I here declare have
been the points I had in view at the commencement of these efforts to promote
the public interest, and which points or particulars aré principally effected in
the following manner; viz³:-
First, I propose by one simple handle or lever, only acted upon by two
drivers or stops fastened to the plug tree in the usual way, or to any other
noving part of the machine, to perform all the offices of the working geer as
well in a double as single acting engine. By this improvement the necessity
of introducing the usual plurality of handles, levers, rods, axis, and helpers,
which render engines so complicated as above stated, will be avoided, and
consequently they will not be liable to the objections above alluded to.
Secondly, I use instead of valves, for the purpose of opening and shutting
the communication between the boiler and the steam cylinder, and also between
the latter and the condensor, hollow cones, made of very hard brass or other
proper materials, so contrived and stationed as to be wholly secluded from the
action of the outer air in every part, and capable of being turned in any
direction from without by means of a spindle or axis passing through an air-
tight stuffing box or otherwise; these cones are ground and fitted into an outer.
hollow case of iron or other metal, on the principle of a cock, .so as to be
perfectly air and steam tight when in use. In this, outer. case is provided a
reservoir for the reception of oil or grease, which constantly lubricates the
exterior surface of the cone on the inside of said case, and causes it to move
freely, and likewise prevents the. loss of perfection by its friction with the sides
of the outer case, where it moves steam and air tight as aforesaid. These

page_text: cones are sometimes inade open at both ends, and sometimes one end is shut
and only one open; as the nature of the engine may require. They are likewise
made sometimes single and sometimes double, as circumstances or fancy may
direct; when single and applied to a single acting engine, the open end of the
cone is presented with its mouth to that part of the steam cylinder where the
steam is to enter for the purpose of acting on the piston, and provided this
open end be that of the larger diameter of the cone, then the lesser diameter
will be the exterior end to which the moving cause must be affixed, and when
both the ends of the cone is open there must be a flaunch on the outer case to
receive a cap and air-tight stuffing box through which the motion of the cone is
to be communicated as before observed; on the contrary, when the external.end
of the cone.is not open, but left solid, the cap.and.stuffing box may be dispensed
with at the discretion of the maker; but I would in all cases recommend the cap
and stuffing-box as a guarantee to keep out the surrounding atmosphere;should
the cone through use become imperfect. On opposite sides of the outer case
of this cone is united' two pipes similar to a stop-cock, one of which leads from
said. cone to the condensor and the other from it to the boiler, both communi-
cating with the hollow part into which the cone is fitted, so that one..pipe
conducts the: steam from the boiler to. the cone, and the other from the cone
to the condensor.. Now on one side of this cone is cut an aperture.of.equal
dimensions with the pipes. just mentioned, or may be less if necessary, but it
must be so cut as to come in exact congruity. with the opening or mouth of
both the above pipes in the rotation of the cone, when turned about from
without, and the distance between the two apertures formed in the outer case
by the mouths of. the pipes must equal at least the diameter of the aperture
in the cone, in order that as the cone is turned these openings may one of.
them be shut by. the blank or solid side before the other begins to open; the
whole being thus equipped, and supposing the aperture of the cone to .be
turned so as to become coincident with the end of the steam pipe, the steam
will then pass into the cavity of the cone on that side, and of course be carried
into the steam cylinder through the open end of the cone, which is at all times
presented to it. At the same time the steam, while acting on the piston,
cannot escape to.the condensor, becausé thé aperture leading thither is kept.
shut by the blank or solid side of the cone, as above stated, still the engine has
made her stroke, and at which juncture the handle by the stroke
the plug
tree or other contrivance, and a proper connection. between the handle:bar and
the axis or: spindle by which the cone is moved, suddenly turns the cone so as
to first shut the steain pipe, and then station its aperture; in exact congruity
with the mouth of the condensing pipe,, which instantly conveys the steam

page_text: thither, as in all other steam engines, and by the return of the stroke, the conc
is again driven into..its former station, and thus a reciprocal action is kept
up, the same.as.in,other engines where valves are used. This cone applied at
the bottom of a cylinder, with an open top, completes this part of an atmospheric
engine ready for the working geer,..which. consists of nothing more than one
handle, as above mentioned, fixed on a. bar or axis.in the usual way; and two
wooden pulleys properly proportioned, with a leather strap so joined to each as
to.cause these. pulleys (one of which is fixed on the handle bar, and the other
on the spindle which turns. the cone) to move each other when the handle
is carried up or down for the purpose of .turning the cone in the way and for
the ends already described. This .cone, with the same working geer, also
answers for a single acting engine, where the elastic. force of steam is used, and
the atmosphere excluded. In the construction of a double acting, engine, one
of these. cones is stationed. at the top. and another at the bottom of the steam
cylinder, just in the manner already described, with this difference only, that the
steam pipe must form a junction with both the cones on one side and the con-
densing pipe the same on the other side of the outer cases, as above. When
this is completed, the same handle, &c. as already mentioned, will completely
answer in this instance also, only it will be necessary to adopt such a connecting
movement between the external spindles of each. cone as. will cause, them to
revolve in opposite directions when the plug tree strikes the handle. This may
be accomplished by means of line or strap connected with two wooden pullies
in a diagonal direction, or by sundry other common and simple means, particular
attention being always paid to the placing the cones previous to their union by
this connecting means so that the apertures cut in each, as, above directed, may
fall exactly opposite to each other when in their active station. It is further
necessary to remark that the application. of these cones will in every case pre-
vent the engine from being blowed clear of air. or water in the usual manner
before she starts, and that it will be necessary for the engine builder to contrive
a separate communication between the cylinder. and the steam pipe in the best
manner the situation-and-local-circumstances of the engine will admit, and in
no case whatever can this be attended with any difficulty. The double cone is
applicable.only to engines on the double acting principle, and by which they
arc rendered exactly the same in the working geer and in the operation of all
the external parts as the single acting ones, and are more simple and compact, and
expose less quantity of joint or union of parts where air leaks may be appre-
hended than such as are constructed with two separate single cones stationed
as above described; only it must be considered that in applying a double cone
instead of the latter, there will be unavoidably a trifling loss of steam propor

page_text: tioned to the length and diameter of the steam pipe, which must necessarily
lead from the station of this cone to the upper and lower extremities of the
steam cylinder; but in this instance the loss here mentioned will be entitled
to a drawback when compared with other engines of all that portion of steam
which is constantly exhausted from the cavity, which at each end of the steam
cylinder conveys the steam between the cylinder and the valves which perform
the office of the cone in question. This double cone is of course composed of
the same proper materials as the single ones, and the difference in construction
is as follows:-Its length (if for an engine of equal size) must be twice that of
the latter or thereabouts, and in the middle of its length is cast a partition so
as to cause it to represent two single cones joined together on one axis, and by
this partition one becomes open at the larger end, and shut or solid at the
lesser end, while the other is open at the smaller end and shut or solid at the
larger. On this account, regard must always be had in determining the
diameter of the said cone, so as to have the mouth of the smaller end of dimen-
sions sufficient either to convey the steam from the boiler to the cylinder, or
from the cylinder to the condensing pipe, according to the way the cone may
be applied. These cones being separated by the partition as above, constitute
two cones as just mentioned, and in each of which is made exactly on the
sides opposite to each other an aperture just the same as in the single cone.
This double cone is ground and fitted steam and air tight into an outer case,
as in the former instance, and at each end of which is cast a flaunch, one for the
reception of the end of the steam pipe, which pipe from its junction with the
end of the said outer case completely encompasses the mouth of that end of the
cone presented to it so as to direct the steam into the cavity or interior part of
the cone at that end where they meet; and I prefer in all instances the put-
ting the small end of the cone towards the steam, and the larger towards the
condensing pipe which communicated therewith in a similar manner as the
former, with this difference only, that the condensing pipe must have a bend or
otherwise such a shape as will allow an air-tight stuffing box for the reception of
the spindle or axis by which the cone is to be moved same as in the single cone.
At opposite sides of this outer case are cut two apertures, each (four in all) of
dimensions equal to those made in the cone within, and at such a distance, &c.
from each other as will ensure the apertures in the cone to fall alternately
opposite to or in exact congruity with the former when the .cone is turned
round to opposite points, as in the instance of single ones; these holes so cut or
cast in the sides of the outer case as aforesaid are then inclosed or covered with
a chamber or cap sufficiently spacious to receive the steam through the steam
aperture, and also allow it to be discharged through the condensing aperture,

page_text: as they are alternately presented, by the turning of the cone within. To these
chambers or caps is joined the pipes which conduct the steam from the cone
either to the bottom or top of the steam cylinder just as the conducting aperture
in the cone is turned about, whether upwards or the contrary, by the action of
the moving gear.
When the cone is thus mounted in its outer case, as here
described, it is easy to see that when the steam aperture is turned upwards
the condensing aperture will be downwards, so that while the piston is then
pressed upon by the steam on the upper side, the steam below the piston has
uninterrupted access to the condenser, and, vice versa, when the cone is turned
by the stroke of the plug tree on the handle just half a circle, the steam aperture
will then be downwards, and the condensing opening upwards, so that the steam
will be then conducted to the bottom of the cylinder and force the piston
upward, while the steam above the piston will be open to the condenser
as before when the piston, made its descent, and thus the action will be
kept up with this double cone, as well as where two single ones are applied,
as before explained. This species of cone is extremely simple, and cannot
fail in being understood, as one of its hollow ends is constantly filled with
steam, which is conducted upwards or downwards as the cone is 'turned for
that purpose, while the other end on the contrary side the partition is always
open to the condensing pipe, so that as the steam is given in to either end
of the steam cylinder by the steam end of the cone, it is conducted away
from the other end down into the condenser by turning of the condensing
aperture. The advantages of these cones in general in the construction of
steam engines must be self-evident to every one who is at all competent
to judge, especially the double one last described, as by its application that
quantity of external joinings and the various motions which in all other
engines are extremely difficult to keep steam and air tight, are here avoided,
there. being no way where the steam can escape or the air be admitted in
but through the single stuffing box through which the axis or spindle which
turns, the cone within is communicated, and this stuffing box is much more
easily kept air and steam tight than the four axis's used to move the valves in
common engines. There are other advantages that will attend these cones too
tedious to recite in this instrument, but I will mention one of vast importance,
viz, they never can at any time be preventing from acting or performing those
offices on which the merits and effect of every engine must depend by any casual
circumstance that valves are ever subject to, namely, the loss of perfection by
a continued hammering against the seat, and their liability to be prevented
shutting close by any accidental particles of matter which very frequently fall
between the shutting parts; this advantage must be at once obvious to every.

page_text: works.
engineer, who too frequently finds the bad consequences of these accidents in
the operations of engines made with valves, and which cannot possibly be the
case with these cones I propose to use and have described, they having the
property of always cleansing themselves by their own action when the engine
The third improvement I propose is the peculiar construction of an
iron working beam, which is different from any other beam of iron heretofore
used, and will add to the utility of engines in many cases, and which is
described by a Drawing hereunto annexed. The fourth improvement I propose
is in the construction of boilers for generating steam for the supply of engines
and other purposes, and which I mean to perform in manner following, viz*:-
The necessary dimensions of boilers of every given size I propose to gain
by a considerable extension of the bottom or plan on which the fire has its
first effect; these bottoms I mean to make in general flat, and not concave, as
they now are used. I intend also to rivet, in many instances, to these bottoms
sundry ribs of iron in such a way as will give strength to the bottom of the
boiler, and at the same time cause the fire or heated air issuing from the fire-
place to make a number of turnings and windings in various directions, so as to
arrest the action of the heat on the bottom of the boiler, and prevent that speedy.
ascent into the flues which is unavoidable in the common way of constructing
and setting boilers used for generating steam. From an attentive perusal of
this Specification it will be clearly seen that the help of the improvements
therein stated and described, that steam engines may he easily constructed, on
even the smallest imaginable scale, and with an effect proportionate to larger.
ones with respect to use, and by this property the application of these machines.
must be greatly extended, and render an additional benefit to society to an
incalculable extent. Lastly, I propose to apply steam for the purpose of
preventing, in frosty seasons, the freezing of cisterns and pipes belonging to
water-closets, and such also as supply dwelling-houses, breweries, distilleries,
manufactories, &c., and by this means free inhabitants of large cities and towns
from an inconvenience very detrimental to the domestic comforts of every family
in frosty seasons, as well as injurious to trade in many instances, which this
application of steam in a proper manner will prevent. In order to accomplish
this part of my Invention of a new application of steam, I propose, first, to make
a cover for every cistern or reservoir where water is kept for any use, so well
fitted as to contain some degree steam or heated air, at least so tight as to
prevent its speedy exhalation when carried thither, so as to retain or cause.
such steam or heated air to hover or remain so long on the surface of the water
contained in such said cisterns as to either thaw or prevent the water in them.
from being congealed by frost. In the next place I mean to convey all the

page_text: pipes, whatever may be their number, direction, or extent, and whether leading
to or from these cisterns, through a hollow case, made of wood, metal, or other
materials, brickwork, &c., sufficient to surround them in such a way as to enable
me to conduct a current of steam or heated air in such a manner as to cause
all the surface on which the frost might have an effect to be immersed in, and
kept warm by the said steam or heated air. It will be necessary, in the lowest
extremity of this outer case, or in every part thereof, where the water caused by
the condensation of steam will be collected, to have an aperture or waste pipe
to convey away the said water to some drain or receptacle, otherwise the said
outer case would in time become full of water and obstruct the influx of the
steam, &c. This being accomplished as here described, a tube or steam pipe
from a boiler where the steam is geuerated, on the principle of the ingenious
cooking apparatus made by Mr. William Slark, or in any other manner the
situation may require, must be inserted into some part of the outer case above
described, and the nearer the lowest part and the better. There must also be
near the boiler a common stop-cock for the purpose of admitting the steam
through this steam pipe into the said outer case, or to prevent it when not
wanted; by this means it is easy to see that by opening this cock the steam
will instantly rush into every part of this outer case (or as it were chimney) in
which the pipes are contained, and by its action on every part of the surface of
them these pipes may be either thawed when frozen or prevented from freezing,
let the season be ever so intense. From the upper or other more convenient
part of this outer case must be continued a pipe so as to open a communication
between the interior part of the said case and the cistern, so as to convey at the
same time the pipes are heated the steain or heated. air to pass into the space
contained between the cover of the cistern and the water contained in it; by
this means the cistern, as well as the pipes appertaining to it, may be either
thawed or kept from freezing the same as before observed. This means is
applicable with equal convenience and effect to all pipes leading to the wood
or other mains in the streets, so that the supply of houses cannot at any time
be obstructed unless the said mains themselves are frozen, which seldom is the
case when properly laid down within the ground at a sufficient depth below the
surface. By this contrivance every family may at a small expence be delivered
from a very serious inconvenience in the winter season, and what is of still
greater importance, that danger to the inhabitants, and the interruption to
commerce occasioned by fixing cocks for the purpose of drawing water in the
streets will be totally avoided, and which are doubtless circumstances that will
be worthy the consideration of those who have felt the distresses occasioned by
long frosts in every city or town supplied with water by pipes, &c. in the present