Leman Baker Pitcher

Leman Baker Pitcher was an American engineer and inventor.

Born 30 Jan 1809 at Camillus, Onondaga County, New York.

Died 13 Oct 1883 (aged 74) at Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.

1851 British Patent sealed, 2 October, for improvements in apparatus for regulating motive-power engines

1852 'THE NEW HYDRAULIC GOVERNOR FOR REGULATING STEAM ENGINES. In our last Wednesoday's publication we gave some particulars respecting an experiment, or test, of Mr. L. B. Pitcher's patent hydraulic governor, at the works of Messrs. W. Muir and Co. Strangeways. Many other gentleman being desirous of again seeing the apparatus in action, the engine at work with it was shown to a large number yesterday. On going to the works, we found Mr. Pitcher giving the following description of it:- The peculiarities in this invention I will set forth by showing and describing the parts separately and combined. Upon a circuar plate, or base, is placed a valve chest, having two compartments communicating with each other, and with the reservoir that surrounds them. Each compartment is provided with a valve to ensure the passage of the water as desired. Upon this valve chest are placed two cylinders, communicating with the valves below. The larger cylinder is of 2 1/2 inch bore.... By opening or closing the faucet, any desired speed may be given to the engine. The valve and lever moves from one to three inches; in order to fully open, or close the valve - any variation of motion which will give or lack half a stroke of the pump or, in other words, a variation in motion of one-half of one per cent, will open or close the valve from one extreme to the other, and in proportion for lesser variations.' Therefore, the throwing on or off work or steam, or the breaking of belts or gear, will cause the regulating valve to be adjusted before the speed of the engine can be perceptibly varied. At the conclusion of this explantation, Mr. Pitcher directed attention to the engine, which was running at about 70 strokes per minute. The strap was suddenly thrown off the flywheel, but no difference in speed was perceptible. While observing this result, some of the gentlemen whispered to each other, "Astonishing!" Mr. Pitcher, after stating his terms for fitting up the apparatus, thanked the gentlemen for their attendance, and they withdrew, evidently satisfied that the new governor would perform all that its inventor affirmed.'

1852 'A New Governor for Steam Engines — From the following letters it will be seen that a further exhibition of Mr. Pitcher's new governor for steam engines, noticed in another part of the paper, will take place on Tuesday next:—
Messrs. Wm. Muir and Co. and L. B. Pitcher:—
Gentlemen, — We were highly pleased with the description and operation of Mr. Pitcher's new hydraulic regulator or governor attached to Wm. Muir and Co.'s steam engine, as exhibited to us and others on Tuesday the 20th inst. Many of our friends, interested in obtaining regular speed from steam engines, were not present, and they are anxious, as well ourselves, to have the exhibition and experiment repeated at some convenient time, say Tuesday next at 11 to 12 o'clock, that all gentlemen engagedin manufacturing by steam power may have an opportunity of getting a correct idea of the construction, combination, and operation of a governor which will give regular speed to engines under any circumstances, as we believe.— Be pleased to grant this request, and much oblige, yours respectfully,
ROBERT GILROY, REUBEN HERBERT & SON. JOHN HARRISON.
Britannia Works, Strangeways, Sherborne-street, April 23 ,1852.
Messrs. Gilroy and Others:—
Gentlemen,— Your note of to-day is received, and we cheerfully comply with your request. Since Tuesday last many persons have called daily to see the new regulator, and have expressed a desire to be notified if the exhibition should be repeated. We wish, therefore, that all gentlemen desirous of attending would be present on Tuesday next, the 27th instant, at 11 am. precisely, without a more special invitation.—
Yours respectfully,
WM. CO.
L. B. PITCHER.'

1854 'L. B. PITCHER will SELL his LETTERS PATENTS for England, Wales and Scotland, and his TOOL, PATTERNS, and MATERIALS connected with the business. The patents were granted in the fall of 1851 for improvements in Regulators and Valves for Governing the Speed of Steam Engines. The tools consist of one 6in Screw Cutting Lathe, by Muir and Co.; on 7in ditto by Whitworth & Co.; one 15in Lathe, with slide rest, by Chadwick ; one Double Grand Drilling Machine, by Hulse, and Sundries, which with the Materials on hand, are worth near £1,000, and are sufficient to carry on the business without further capital. Circumstances call for his return to the United States, and the patents or the whole will be sold at a great bargain. Under these patents more than 160 each of regulators and valves have been made and sold since April, 1852. The profits are large. - Further particulars will be given to those who may inquire; brokers or agents who will call on me will find this business worthy of their and their friends' attention.
L. B. PITCHER, Inventor and Patentee. 31, Little Peter-street, Manchester.'

1855 Advert: 'J. & T. FARMER and CO., of Salford, have bought the LETTERS PATENTS granted to me in 1851 and 1853 for England, Wales, &c., Scotland and Ireland, for improvements in REGULATORS and VALVES for MOTIVE POWER ENGINES. They having the drafts, patterns, tools, and instructions to make the said Regulators and Valves in a workmanlike manner, invite my Friends and the Public to extend their patronage to them.
Manchester, March 22, 1855. L. B. PITCHER.
J. & T. FARMER and CO. beg to inform their Friends and the Public that they COMMMENCED MAKING the above-named REGULATORS and VALVES, and trust, with care and attention, to merit that share of patronage which this valuable invention deserves.
Bridgewater-street, Salford.'

A similar hydraulic governor was introduced much later by Craig in the USA. The Engineer stated 'In its action, however, it is nearly identical with the old Pitcher governor, and open to the same objection, viz., sluggishness.'

Pitcher's US Patents

Pitcher, Leman Baker, Syracuse, governor, 5392, 12/11/1847

Pitcher, Leman B., Syracuse, governor, 7272, 4/9/1850

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improved mortar-mill, 60055, 11/27/1866

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improved mixing and drying-cylinder, 70742, 11/12/1867

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in roller-wheels for ploughs, 71057, 11/19/1867

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in shafting, 80212, 7/21/1868

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in cylinder for mixing fertilizers, 105839, 7/26/1870

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in mortar-mills, 105840, 7/26/1870

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in the preparation of lime and mortar, 106282, 8/9/1870

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in manner of mounting hollow revolving cylinders, 107534, 9/20/1870

Pitcher, Leman B., Salina, improvement in process and machinery for making mortar, 107535, 9/20/1870

See Also

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