US1618751A - Steam locomotive - Google Patents

Description

v 1,618,751 F 1927' E. C. POULTNEY ET AL I STEAM LOCOMOTIVE Filed Nov. '2, 1925 Fig].

. s 5- \0 Lr 110 C m liw U x- 1 Jrwmorfi' EDWARD CEGIL Poumwsr, ARTHUR HEWITT GILL/N HAROLD ARTHUR HKRoY Patented Feb. 22,1921.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

nnwsnn encn. rounmr, or Lennon, m amines, nnwrrr enmme AND nanonn ARTHUR AKROYID, or srmrrmtn, swarm.

- swam noconorrvn.

Application fled November 7, 1925, Serial No. 67,621, and in Great Britain June 4, 1925.

7 This'invention relates to stream locomotives of the articulated type comprising englue and tender units wherein the tender unit is equipped as a'driving component comple: mentary to the engine unit.

The chief object of the invention is to pgovide a locomotive which, for a given iler capacity, will give a greater power 'without increasing the steam demand on the boiler, and, at the same time, provide a locomotive which is flexible so that it can negotiate curved tracks and operate over roads :which require low axle loads.

Therefore, a locomotive embodying the invention is characterized iii that the supply of steam to the cylinders of both the engine unit and the tender unit is cut oil at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke.

is characterized in that the steam is out o in the cylinders of the engine unit at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke, and the cylinders of the tender unit are of a less volume than the cylinders of the engine unit and are likewise operated on the same restricted or short cut-off system, the combined volume of the cylinders ofthe engine unit relatively to that of the cylinders of he tender unit being such that of the united tractive eifort exerted by all the cylinders of both units the greater-percentage is exerted by the cylinders of the engine unit.

In building a new locomotive in accordance with the invention, the cylinders of the engine unit areof increased volume as compared with a locomotive includin existing standard practice; whilst, in applying the invention to an existing locomotive, the cylinders of the tender unit are of increased volume relatively to those adopted in anew locomotive.

A locomotive, embodying the invention set forth. is further characterized in that the exhaust steam from the cylinders of the tender unit is wholly or partially utilized to preheat the feed water through the agency of a heater or hcatersassociatcd with the feed-water tank on the tender unit and the boiler on the engine unit.

A locomotive, embodying the invention as set forth, is still further characterized in A preferred embodiment of the invention.

ff 7 while unit 6 including and the complemental driving that the Valves distributing the steam to the cylinders are, for purposes of starting,

adapted to admit an auxiliary supply contimiously for an amount of the istons Etrgke exceeding the restricted cut-o speci- We will now describe, b way of example, one typical construction '0 a new locomotive incorporating the invention, and adapted to be worked with saturated or superheated steam at any desired pressure, and in so doing we will refer to the accompanying drawin "s whereof V iig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the complete locomotive; while Fig. 2 is a plan thereof; and

V Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary central vertical section of a steam distributing valve for the cylinders. of the engine and tender units;

'Fig. 5 is a two-part transverse. section 7 thereof, with the upper half taken on the line ZZ.and the lower half on the line YY; and

Fi 6 is a fragmentary sectional plan on the hne XX'inFig. 4.

In this form, referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the engine and tender units, a and respectively, are, stated generally, of the usual construction and assemblage, the en-, gine unit (1 comprising the boiler a, the main driving cylinders 42, the driving wheels 6 and the carrying wheels 7; and the tender the customary fuel-end water-carrying means 9 and h respectively, cylinders z. The cylinders d and i are supplied with steam from the boiler 0 through the agency. of suitable distributing valves.

As exemplified, the engine unit a is provided with two driving cylinders d, and the tender unit 6 with the same number of cyl: inders i, and in both cases they are of the outside arrangement. However, thenumher of cylinders d and i on the engine and tender units a andb may be various, and they may be of the inside arrangement, or partly of the outside and partly of the inside there may, for instance, be two ormore on both units, or there may be two or more on theengine unit and two on the 1 tender unit. The cylinder connections may be made to any axle or axles, as may be desired and convenient as will be evident from Fig. 1 which illustrates one appropriate plan. The cylinders d and i all operate on the restricted cut-ofi system, and, preferably, at a maximum rate of admission equal to 50 per cent or less of the pistonstroke. Appropriately, the combined cylinder volumes on the engine and tender units a and b for a maximum cut-ofi of 50 per cent are respectively, agqilmximately 70 per cent and 30 r cent' t e total.

The c lin ers d on the engine unit a are or may proportioned so that when workiilg on the restricted cut-ofi system they dev op a rated tractive effort equal to cylinders wor at an admission rate equal to approximate y the full stroke, or say 90 per cent, which is the longest practicable 'admission period. When developing a given maximum rated tractive efiort at a restricted cut-oil, there is a steam-saving by volume or weight equal to the difference between the volume required for a given power output by a given cylinder, working, at say, a 90 per cent cut-ofi', and, say, a 50per cent cutoif, less the amount of extra steam r uired to fill the larger cylinder up to the point of cut-off; pro rtionately larger cylinders bewhen the "maxlmum admission rate is restricted so as to provide for a given boiler ressure, a mean effective iston load -equa to that obtained with sma lcr umt a will be cylinders taking steam for full stroke.

The volume of steam saved b the use of this method of working is emp oyed in the tender-unit cylinders i whose volume up to maximum cut-ofi is ual to the volume of the steam economizd y thecylinders d of the engine unit a.

In t is manner a greater amount of work is obtained by any given weight of steam furnished by any given boiler. Further, the additional power is transmitted for Furposes of traction through the medium 0 the tender weight. Hence, for a given weight of the engine unit a, additional power is available without an increase in the weight of such unit.

Further, the number of con led axles .on the engine unit a need not increased. The rigid wheel base is, therefore, not extended. V b

Assuming the maximum cut-off adopted for the development of full power is 50 per cent of the stroke, then the steam'used for a given rate oftractive power o'u'the engine 125.50 6250 r o.9o"9ooo"" or 69 per cent of that required, assuming 90 per cent cut-off is used and that the respective 50 per cent and 90 per cent cut-off cylinders haveivolumes in the ratio of 125;

100, i. e., the restricted cut-off cylinders being per cent greater in volume to allow for the lower mean efiective forward ressure due to the earlier cut-off. Then, or a restricted cut-off locomotive, the volume of the cylinders i on the tender unit 6 is about per cent up to the point of maximum cutoff of the. total cylinder volume. Placing the smaller cylinders on the tender unit 1) corresponds to the lighter weight here available for adhesion.

In general, the adhesive weight on the engine unit a of thelocomotive will be from 60 to 70 per cent of the total locomotive weight, leaving from to 30 per cent available for adhesion on the tenderunit 6.

Thus, without introducing in any manner additional weight for adhesive purposes, by, as described, the proportioningof cylinders, and the utilizing of a maximum restricted cut-off at the rate of say per cent for all cylinders, the locomotive weight is made available for traction, and, at the same time, the power is distributed suitably throughout and proportional to the adhesive weights available on the engine and tender units respectively, and, at the same time, a flexible locomotive is obtained.

Instead of proportioning the cylinders d of the engine unit a as described, the boiler pressure may be increased, the lesser-volume feature of the cylinders i of the tender unit 5, however, being retained.

We have, in the foregoing, typified the cylinder volumes as being a proximately per cent and 30 per cent, ut, manifestly, these proportions are subject to circumstances. For instance, in altering an old locomotive in accordance with the invention, the proportions may be typified by 64 per cent and 36 per cent.

The exhaust steam from the cylinders i on the tender unit b is used either wholly or in part toheat the feed water by means of a heater or a plurality of heaters j, and is not returr ed to the engine unit a for exhaustion through'the blast'pipe.' Appropriately, the

heaters j are mounted on the tender unit b.

Two heaters j are exemplified in series, being interconnected by pipes k and Z. They are of the tubular type, the steam being adapted to be, passed roundthe tubes, and the water passed through .the tubes. The exhaust steam is led from the cylinders i by pipes 1 connected to a common pipen which delivers it to one of the heaters j, whence it passesby the pipe kto the other heater j,

. and thence by way of a ca ped pipe 0 to the atmosphere. Through t e agency of a steam lpump 'p-there may, obviously, be more t an one-the water is 1 drawn from the. tank of the carrying means-h ,therefor, delivered, forced through the heaters j, and then either returned to the tank h, or discharged into the boiler 0. A pipe q constitutes the pump suction, and the water is discharged into one of the heaters j by a pipe 1', thence to'the other heater 3' by pipe Z, and is either returned heated to the tank h by pipes s, t and a, oris discharged into the boiler son the top feed system by pipes s, t, 'v and w. The pipes t, 'u. and 'v are asso-' ciated with a n1ultiple-way or by-pass valve :1: for directing the heated water to its required destination. Thus the tank It functions as a .type of thermal storage.

The pump p is operated by steam generated' in the boiler 0, and is suitably connected by piping thereto or to an associated superheater, the exhaust being led by a pipe y and connection 2 to the common pipe n associated with the cylinders z. The pump p may be independently operated, and controlled at will by the engine men, or, by the provision of appropriate means, automatically put into action by the admission of steam to the cylinders d of the engine unit a on starting. 7

The pump 1) (or pumps) and .the heaters j (or heater), arranged as described. will operate when the-locon'iotive is moving with a predetermined steam pressure in the main steam pipes to the cylinders (l and i or, in other words, any predetermined steam-chest pressure. Water will thus be drawn from the tender tank k and delivered to the heaters j, passing through them and returning to the tank 71 When feed for the boiler c is required, water will be drawn from the tank It through the by-pass connection under the control of the valve :1: to suit the evaporation corresponding to the power output.

, The feed heating will augment materiah ly the steaming power of the boiler c, and. at the same time, in rease the speed at which the locomotive will operate at its full power output.

The steam-distributing valves for the \'l.- inders d and i may be of any appropriate type adaptable to furnish the auxiliary supply of steam already referred to for starting purposes. We, however, prefer a valve of the piston type which we have illustrated in Figs. 4. 5 and 6 to which we will now refer. According to our invention, we provide. at diametrically opposite points, a port 1 through eaclrvalve-head or piston 2 extending from the steam side and designed to communicate with the steam port a ln-the vlve-l1ner 4 to constitute an auxiliary port for functioning in'startin-g the locomotlve. As a complement to this port 1, we cast or otherwise provide a bar 5 1n the .admission port 3 of the main valve.- The arrangement of this auxiliary port 1; and of the corresponding bar 5. is such that when the main valve, reaches the point of cut-oft. the auxiliary port 1 is open for the maximum amount for thev continuous supply of i steam until at 80 per cent or there-abouts of due to the position'of the auxiliary port 1 a in relation to the bar 5 in the main port- 3, the rapidly diminishing area of the .steam way through the auxiliary port 1 does not permit of an undue amount of steam entermg the cylinder (1 or 2' after the main valve has cut off the steam." The economy obtainable by the restricted cut-off of the main valve is in no way impaired by the auxiliary port 1; in fact, the normal area and form of the indicator diagram are not interfered with.

-'We have described the auxiliary port- 1 and complemental bar 5 as of double structure, but they may be of single structure, or of multiple structure consisting of a plurality of ports 1 and bars 5 arranged ringfashion or otherwise.

that we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combinatioman engine unit; a tender unit;-driving cylinders on the engine unit; driving'cylinders on the tender unit, said cylinders being complemental to the engine unit cylinders but of less volume thansaid cylinders; and means for cutting ofli the. supply of steam to all the cylinders at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke.

2.'An articulated steam locomotive comprising, incombination, an engine uni-t; driving cylinders on the engine unit, the steam being cut ofif therein at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the pistonstroke; a tender unit; and driving cylinders on the tender unit complemental to the cylinders on the engine .unit and receiving steam directly from the boiler, said tenderunit cylinders being of less volume than the cylinders of the engine unit, and being likewise operated on the same cut-off system of approximately 50 per cent of the pistonstroke, and the combined volume of the cylinders of the engine unitrelatively to that of the cylinders .of the tender unit being such that of the united tractive effort exerted by all thecylind'ers of both units the greater percentage is exerted by the cylinders of the engine unit. Y I

An. articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combination, an engine-unit; driving cylinders on the engine unit, said cylinders, as compared with an engine embodying standard practice, being of increased volume,

and the steam being cut ofi therein at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke; a tender unit; and driving unit; driving cylinders on the tender cylinders on the tender unit complemental to the cylinders on the engine unit and receiving-steam directly from the boiler, said tender-unit cylinders being of less volume than the cylinders of the engine unit, and being likewise operated on the'. same cut-ofi system of approximately per cent of the pistonstroke, and the combined volume of the cylinders of the engine unit relatively to that of the cylinders of the tender unit bein such that of the united tractive effort exerte by all the cylinders of both units the greater percentage is exerted by the cylinders of the engine unit. i

4. An articulated steam locomotive com prising, in combination, anengine unit; a tender unit; drivin cylinders on the engine unit; driving 0 li ers on the tender unit, said cylinders eing com lemental to the I engine-unit cylinders but 0 less volume than said c linders; means for cutting off the supi steam to all the cylinders at a maximum approximating 50 per cent of the 1ston stroke; and means for heating the boiler feed-water through the agency of the exhaust steam from the cylin ers of the tender unit. 7

5. An articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combination, an engine unit; a tender unit; drivin cylinders on the engine unit; driving 0 li ers on the tender unit; said cylinders eing com lemental to the engine-unit cylinders but 0 less volume than said cylinders; means for cuttin off the supply of steam to'all the cylin ers at a maximum approximating 50 per cent of the iston-stroke; and means 'for heating the oiler feed-water throu h the a ency of the exhaust steam from t e cylin ers of the tender unit, said means comprising a heaterorganization associated. with said cylinders, with the feed-water tank on the tender unit, and with the boiler on the engine unit.

6. An articulated steam locomtive comtender unit; driving cyhnders on the engine umt, said cylinders ing complemental to the engine-unit c linders but of less volume than said cyhnders; means for cutting oil the supply of steam to all the cylinders at a maximum approximating 50 per cent of the piston-stroke; and means for heating the iler feed-water throu h the a ency of the exhaust steam from t e cylin ers of the tender unit, said means comprising a heaterorganization associated with said cylinders, with'the feed-water tank on the tender unit, and with the boiler on the engine unit, and

, adapted to convert the feed-water tank into a type of thermal storage by returning the heated feed-water thereto prior to deliverin it to the boiler.

A An articulated steam locomotive com (prising, in combination, an-engine unit; a

unit; driving cylin ers on the tender unit,

said cylinders being complemental to the engine-unit cylinders but of less volume than said cylinders; and means for cutting oil the supply of steam to all the cylinders at a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the iston-stroke, said means incor rating a istributing valve having expeilients adapted to admit and control, for starting purposes, an auxiliary sup 13 of steam continuously for an amount 0 the piston-stroke exceeding the specified cut-01f.

8. An articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combination, an engine unit; a tender unit; drivin cylinders on the engine unit driving cylin ers on the tender unit, said cylinders being complemental to the engines unit cylinders but of less volume than said cylinders; and means for cuttin oil the supply of steam to all the cylin ers at'a maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke, said means incorporating a distributing valve of the piston species havin at least one port provided in each valveead extending from the steam side and communicatin with the main admission rt in the va ve-liner to constitute an auxiliary admission port, and a bar in said main a mission port complemental to said auxiliary ort, the auxiliary port and complemental ar functioning to admit and control a supply of steam continuously for analnount ofthe piston-stroke exceeding the specified cut-off for starting purposes.

9. An articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combination, an engine unit; drivin cylinders on the engine unit, the steam fieing cut oil therein at a maximum of approximatel 50 percent of the pistonstroke; a ten er unit; and driving cylinders on\ the tender unit complemental tothe cylinders on the engine unit and receiving steam directly from the boiler, saidtenderunit cylinders being of less volume than the cylinders of the engine unit, and being likewise operated on the same cut-off system ofapproximately 50 per cent of thepistonstroke, and the combined volume of the cylinders of the engine unit relatively to that of the cylinders of the tender unit being such that of the united tractive 'efiort exerted by all the cylinders of both units the ater percentage is exerted by the cyliners of the engineunit, said percentage ranging from64 to 70. a j

10. An articulated steam locomotive comprising, in combination, an engine .unit; a tender unit; driving cylinders 0n the engine unit; driving cylinders on the tender unit, said cylindersbeing complemental to the engine-unit cylinders but of less volume than said cyhnders; means for cutting off the supply of steam to all the cylinders at.- a

maximum of approximately 50 per cent of the piston-stroke, saidmeans incorporating through the agency of the exhaust steam a distributing Valve having expedients from the cylinders of the tender unit. adapted to admit and control, for starting In testimony whereof, we aflix our signa- 10 purposes,' an auxiliary supply of steam contures. tinuously for an amount of the piston- EDWARD CECIL POULTNEY. stroke exceeding the specified cut-ofi; and, ARTHUR HEWITT GHJLING.

means for heating the boiler feed-water HAROLD ARTHUR AKRQYD.

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