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Replaced content with "image:Simpson Shipton pendulous 1.jpg|thumb|1. Schematic arrangement of the 'pendulous' version of Shipton and Simpson's engine. The eccentric cylindrical piston revolve..."
[[image:JD 2021 Simpson Shipton 1.jpg|thumb|2. From The Imperial Journal, 1853]]
[[image:JD 2021 Simpson Shipton 1.jpg|thumb|2. From The Imperial Journal, 1853]]
[[image:JD 2021 Simpson Shipton 2.jpg|thumb|3. From The Imperial Journal, 1853]]
[[image:JD 2021 Simpson Shipton 2.jpg|thumb|3. From The Imperial Journal, 1853]]
'''Shipton and Simpson''' of Trafford Street, Manchester
of Trafford Street, Manchester
See [[Simpson and Shipton]] and [[Shipton and Co]]
See [[Simpson and Shipton]] and [[Shipton and Co]]
[[Joseph Simpson]] and [[James Alfred Shipton]] were engineers and patentees, best remembered for a novel type of steam engine.
1849 Introduced a 'hydrostatic governor', in which a screw propellor rotated in a 'vase' containing oil, water, or other liquid. As speed increased, the propellor rose in the liquid, to move the governor's lever via a trunnion.<ref> The Practical Mechanic's Journal, 1849, pp.109-110</ref>
1851 Short-stroke reciprocating high-pressure engine. Award at the [[1851 Great Exhibition]]. See details at [[1851 Great Exhibition: Reports of the Juries: Class V.]]
1851 'To the Editor of the Western Flying Post, Sherborne Mercury and Yeovil Times. <br>THE STEAM ENGINE <br>Sir,— Among the most novel and attractive engines exhibited the Great Exhibition, is that now working the cotton-spinning machinery of Messrs. [[Parr, Curtis and Madeley|Parr, Curtis, and Madeley]], Manchester, and also that of Messrs. Mason, & Co., of Blackburn. This engine is of peculiar construction, and promises more advancement in this particular branch of science than has been produced by the improvements of many years past. The chief features of the principle will be easily understood, thus — the main crank of the common steam engine is enveloped in a suitable casing, and the steam is brought to bear on this crank. This crank, the inventors (Messrs. Simpson & Shipton Manchester,) have substituted for an eccentric, the steam being admitted first at the top and then at the bottom of the case, by means of suitable valves, and thus the crank, or eccentric, is made to revolve, by the action of steam, precisely the same as the action of steam on the common piston, and thereby losing all relationship to the rotary engine, which has hitherto met with signal failure. The present is a step beyond the rotary class, and which all scientific men have hailed with the greatest admiration as an achievement long desired. It is applicable for all purposes to which steam power can be applied, as the different applications set forth in the Great Exhibition amply prove. There is what the inventors call their eight-horse stationary engine, working up to ten horse power; there is their model of a fifty-horse pendulous engine, as applicable to screw propellers, paddlewheels, mill-work, &c, &c; there also a compound model pair of the same applied to the model of a steam-boat, attached direct to the screw, without a single crank, wheel, or other complicated attachment, by which it may seen that the engines are resting on the keel of the vessel, and so low that the lower deck may cover them over, thus keeping entirely below the water line. For rapidity and steadiness of motion, and economy of space and fuel, I should think that nothing could so suitably and simply be adapted for the marine trade, and the same properties must be their greatest recommendation for stationary purposes. The inventors also exhibit a line drawing of the same engine applied to the locomotive, the arrangement of which at once strikes professionals as being admirably adapted to this important department of steam engine power. The plan is proportional to a pair of eighteen-inch common cylinders with twenty-four inch stroke, and the rapidity with which these engines work renders smaller driving wheels more suitable, the consequence of which is the entire machine is brought much nearer to the ground, the movement steadier and safer, and onward motion the locomotive instead of zig-zag, (as the practical world know must be the case with the ordinary engines, from the fact of the pistons pulling at different times and the opposite sides,) would be in this engine a direct onward motion. <br>Your Obedient servant, <br>AN AMATEUR.'<ref>Sherborne Mercury - Tuesday 29 July 1851</ref>. Was this a press release posing as a letter from a disinterested correspondent?
It is difficult to understand the method of operation on the basis of drawings alone, and the claimed advantages of the engine are far from obvious. Bill Todd has created an animation for the fascinating Douglas Self website which clearly shows the operating mode. See [http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/POWER/rotaryengines/rotaryeng3.htm#sim here].
In 1849 Shipton and Simpson's 'improved reciprocating steam engine' was described<ref>The Practical Mechanic's Journal, Vol 2, pp.134-5, 1849</ref> as having the advantages of 'cheapness of construction, the dispensing with expensive foundations, economy of space, speed of working, with a slow movement of the piston, and a direct driving movement through straight lines.' The latter point refers to the fact that in normal reciprocating engines the angle between the connecting rod and the axis of the piston varies throughout the stroke.
Detailed drawings of a two cylinder reversing marine version of the engine were published in 1852. See [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/wv52hqd2 here] <ref>[https://wellcomecollection.org/works/wv52hqd2] Wellcome Collection: Simpson and Shipton's patent marine steam engines / W. J. Lindsey del. ; G.D. Dempsey direx. ; Martin & Hood lith. March 31st 1852</ref>
1853. Described in directory as ''engineers and patentees of the short-stroke reciprocating engine''
1853 Reciprocating and Pendulous engines (Patented in 1848 and shown in the [[1851 Great Exhibition]]). In the pendulous version the eccentrically-mounted 'piston' gave a pure rotary motion to the output shaft, while the surrounding casing swung like a pendulum, supported by trunnions through which steam was admitted and exhausted. The basic principle behind the 'pendulous' version is the same as in the 'reciprocating' version, and that principle is perhaps easier to understand in the case of the penduous version (see drawing above).
1853 The firm presented an engine to Queen's College, Birmingham, for their engineering workshops. Benjamin Horton later presented a boiler for the engine.<ref> Worcester Journal - Saturday 18 February 1854 </ref>
It is an interesting and ingenious mechanical contrivance, but the inventors' claim of 'cheapness of construction' does not stand up to scrutiny. Compared with a conventional single cylinder engine, it had twice as many main bearings, four times as many connecting rods, four times as many cranks, and needed more accurate construction and assembly. It would be interesting to know more about the durability in service, particularly with regard the wear at the periphery and end seals of the 'piston'. The bearings were conventional, but inspection and maintenance would have proved a headache.
It is not known how many engines were produced, and whether they had acceptable durability. A secondhand example was advertised for sale as late as 1864 :-<br>'FOR SALE, a Second-hand High Pressure 10-horse-power ENGINE, by Messrs. Simpson and Shipton, Manchester, with straight-ended Tubular Boiler; together with the feeding and steam pipes, &c., complete. ..... To view the same, apply to the tenant, Mr. Wilson, Park farm, Dudmaston ; and, for further particulars, to Mr. Spence, Estate Agent.'<ref>Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - Wednesday 28 December 1864 </ref>
By 1852 the engine was being produced by [[Shipton and Co]].
1854 Advert: 'SHIPTON AND COMPANY, <br>Millwrights, Engineers, and Manufacturers of Simpson and Shipton’s Reciprocating Steam Engines.<br>SHIPTON AND COMPANY having removed to more convenient Premises at GORTON, near Manchester, solicit the attention of parties requiring Steam Power to their Engines, which combine simplicity with economy and cheapness. One of twenty horses’ power may seen at the Old Factory Saw Mills, Union Mill street; or one of thirty horses' power at Mr. Benjamin Parkes's, of Coseley. <br>SHAFTING and other ENGINE WORK in its various branches.'<ref>Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - Wednesday 22 March 1854</ref>
The following 1855 advert implies that Joseph Simpson had remained in the business of Shipton & Co as a partner:-
'[[Simpson and Barnes|SIMPSON & BARNES]] (late Shipton and Co.) Engineers, Millwrights, Ironfounders. &c. works Grey-street, near the Railway Station, Openshaw, Manchester, beg respectfully to inform their Friends and the Public that they intend to carry on the above business in all its breaches, and trust, by assiduity and prompt attention, to obtain at share of their support.'<ref> Manchester Times - Saturday 6 January 1855 </ref>
Despite the obvious drawbacks, [[James Alfred Shipton]] continued to develop the principle after moving to Wolverhampton, patenting an improved pendulous version in January 1861 <ref>The Practical Mechanic's Journal, 1 October 1861</ref>
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
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== Sources of Information ==
== Sources of Information ==
<references/>
<references/>
* [[1853 Directory of Manchester and Salford]]
* [[The Imperial Journal]] 1853 Volume III. p80
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[[Category: Town - Manchester]]
[[Category: Town - Manchester]]
[[Category: Stationary Steam Engines]]
[[Category: Stationary Steam Engines]]
Latest revision as of 20:25, 28 June 2021
1. Schematic arrangement of the 'pendulous' version of Shipton and Simpson's engine. The eccentric cylindrical piston revolves about the axis of the small diameter shaft, while the casing swings on trunnions (through which steam is admitted and exhausted [1]2. From The Imperial Journal, 18533. From The Imperial Journal, 1853
