F 160 Recent Patents. friction-rollers, working in a groove formed on the rim of Figs. 9, and 10, represent a longitudinal section and plan f work the engine expansively, either backwards or forwards, to cut off steam, and to reverse, is, that the necessary motion should be given to the rod r, communicating with the engine-man. The advantages attending this arrangement of working the steam expansively, cutting it off, and reversing, are, simplicity in its construction, requiring but one excentric for each engine,-the complicated arrangement for lifting the excentric-rods in and out of gear being entirely dispensed with, as in this arrangement the lifting of the excentric-rods in and out of gear is not required: the dispensing with the throttle-valve, and the simple machinery required for working the valves, places the entire control of the engine, as far as regards the operations herein described, in one handle. Figs. 11, and 12, represent a longitudinal section and plan of another method of working the steam expansively, shutting it off, and reversing. v, is the usual slide-valve, working upon a fixed plate f, which plate or face is kept in its correct position by being fixed between the ribs r, r. The face f, has the usual steam-passages s, s1, and the exhaustingpassage e; which passages s, s1, and e, are divided in the centre by a rib of metal, so as to allow of the perfect action of a flat plate or valve p, working underneath the fixed face ƒ. This flat plate or valve p, has certain passages or openings o, o1, 02, 03, (see the plan view, fig. 12,) and it works upon a face underneath, in which the passages are so divided that the passages o, a, lead to one end of the cylinder h, and the passages a1, o2, lead to the opposite end of the cylinder g. From this it will be evident that when motion, in the direction shewn by the arrow, is given to the rod r1, (which rod communicates with the engine-man) the entrance of the steam into the passages o, o2, leading to the ends of the cylinder h, g, can be regulated to any degree of expansion. required; and if the motion be continued, so as to place the flat plate or valve p, in the centre of the valve-box, the steam will be entirely shut off; and lastly, by continuing the motion, so as to place the plate or valve in the opposite end of the valve-box, the openings 03, o1, in the plate or valve, will then admit the steam through the passages a, a', and consequently to opposite ends of the cylinder,-thereby re versing the motion of the engine. By this arrangement of valves it is obvious that all that is required to work the engine expansively, backwards or forwards, to shut off the steam, and to reverse, is, that the necessary motion should be given to the rod r, communicating with the engine-man. The advantages attending this mode of working the steam expansively, shutting it off, and reversing, are similar to those named in the last described method of performing these operations, with the additional advantage of always having presented to the face of the usual valve v, a fixed face f, to travel upon. The elevation of the engine, as exhibited at fig. 15, has this arrangement of valves. Figs. 13, and 14, represent longitudinal and cross sections of an expanding slide or guide-block. p, is the piston-rod, attached to the block b, in the usual manner; and i, is the pin, to which the connecting-rod is attached. On the block b, are formed two grooves, for the wedges w, w, to work in; upon the outer surfaces of the wedges are fitted the surfaceplates s, s, in which plates grooves are formed, similar to those in the block b; which grooves maintain the wedges in their proper position. At each end of the surface-plates are projecting pieces or gibs g, made to fit the block b, for the purpose of preventing the surface-plates s, e, from slipping off the wedges when in motion. c, is a screw, firmly fixed to the block b; upon which screw the nuts n, n, are placed, for the purpose of giving motion to the wedges when required, and also for keeping them in their true positions. It is evident that, on motion being given to the wedges in the direction of the block b, the surface-plates will be proportionably expanded, so as to fill the space between the guide-bars f, f, as the surface-plates wear away. The advantages of this expanding block are, that when the guide-bars are once fixed in their correct position, they do not require, on the guideblock becoming slack by wear, to be in any way interfered with, but may, on being correctly fitted, be made fixtures, and allowed to remain in their original positions: the economy attending this block is, that when the surface-plates are worn away, they alone require replacing, and not the whole of the guide-block, as is usually the case. Fig. 15, represents, in side elevation, an improved arrangement or construction of locomotive-engine. f, is the fire-box; b, the boiler; and s, the smoke-box. c, are the steam-cylinders, attached to the outside of the usual framing i, and placed between the wheels w, w1,; the cylinders are placed at an angle with the horizontal line of the engine; and through the intervention of the usual piston, piston-rod p, and connecting-rod r, give a rotary motion to the wheel w, and the driving-shaft s; which shaft is carried through the steamchamber and fire-box, in the manner described with reference to fig. 4. The crank-pin o, to which the connecting-rod is attached, is lengthened, so as to allow the coupling-rod y, to form a connection with it, and, consequently, impart a rotary motion to the shaft n, through the crank t, and from the crank t, through the coupling-rod m, to the wheel w1, and, consequently, to the shaft d; which coupled shaft passes through the smoke-box s. The shaft n, passes over the top of the boiler (or, if required, may be placed in a recess formed in the boiler), and is connected with both engines; and on the shaft n, the excentrics are placed for working the slide-valves, carrying out the principle described with reference to fig. 6. The last part of the invention relates, as above stated, to the application, employment, or use of a signal or whistle, adapted for guard or other carriages; which signal or whistle is worked by admitting atmospheric air to pass through it into an exhausted chamber or receiver: this chamber may be exhausted by a pump, worked in any convenient manner, from a wheel, axle, or otherwise. The advantages of this mode of working a signal or whistle are-that the pump or other stationary machinery, for exhausting the chamber, can work for any length of time without danger of bursting (as in the case of using steam or compressed air)—and simplicity of construction; no safety-valve being required, nor gearing, for throwing the pump or exhausting machinery out of work. The patentee claims, Firstly, the different positions of placing the driving or coupled-axles of locomotive-engines, so long as the peculiar features of the arrangements above described are adhered to, as exhibited in the drawings at figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Secondly, the employment or use of a chamber or chambers, situated between the tubes leading from the fire-box to the smoke-box, as also exhibited at fig. 5. Thirdly, the employment of a shaft, worked as described, for carrying excentrics for working the slide-valves or pumps, or for giving motion to any other operative part connected with locomotive-engines, as exhibited at fig. 6. Fourthly,the employment of an excentric or excentrics, constructed with friction-rollers as described and exhibited at figs. 7, and 8. Fifthly, the employment of plates or valves working underneath the usual slide-valve, for the purpose of working steam expansively, shutting it off, and for reversing the motion of the engines; which may either be accomplished as herein described and exhibited in figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, or by any other suitable arrangement of the said plates or valves. Sixthly, the employment of an expanding-slide or guide-block as described and exhibited at figs. 13, and 14. Seventhly, the general arrangements of a locomotive-engine as described and exhibited in the drawings; and also the mode of coupling four wheels; and the mode of coupling four wheels, having outside cylinders placed between them, as exhibited. And, Lastly,-the working of signals or whistles, for engines, or guard and other carriages, by means of exhausted air.-[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, December, 1847.] TO JOHN TATTERSALL CUNLIFFE, of Manchester, hide-merchant, for certain improvements in pickers for power looms, and also in the tools or apparatus for manufacturing the same.— [Sealed 14th May, 1847.] THIS invention of improvements in "pickers" for power looms is intended to combine the advantages of increased durability, facility of working, and simplicity of manufacture. The instruments called pickers are well known to weavers, and are principally employed in power looms for the purpose of impelling the shuttle from one end of the batten or slay to the other, in order to effect its flight between the sheds of the warp, whilst putting in the weft threads. These pickers are used one on each side of the power loom, and slide |