Patent GB-191103005-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Internal Combustion Engines Combined with Pneumatic Pressure Apparatus.
Inventor: KEARTON WILLIAM JOHNSTON
IPC: F01L13/00
Filed: 1911-02-06
Granted: 1912-01-25
Abstract: 3005. Kearton, W. J. Feb. 6. Motor power plant.-In an engine which may be started in either direction by compressed air, and in which two fixed cams are provided for each valve, the pivots of the valve-levers are carried on, or are adjustable by, eccentrics on a reversing-shaft so that either or neither of the levers may be put into action. Each cylinder has the end towards the crank-shaft closed to serve on occasion as a compressed-air engine. Figs. 9 and 11 show gear for admitting compressed-air beneath the piston. The inlet valve 1 may be actuated by valve-levers 7, 8 which are worked by cams 13, 14. The valve-levers are pivoted on rods carried by eccentrics 24, 25 carried on a reversing-shaft 32. By suitable adjustment of the shaft, either lever may actuate the valve either during the whole stroke or during part of a stroke (for expansive working) or both levers may be held out of action. The outlet valves are similarly actuated from a second reversing-shaft 33, Fig. 2. The reversing-shafts are adjusted by means of a shaft 41 moved by hand-wheel 40 and carrying oppositely threaded worms 36, 37. Toothed sectors 34, 35 on the reversing-shafts 32, 33 engage the worms 36, 37, and are rotated thereby. In order to relieve compression in the space below the piston during normal working, an arm upon the reversing-shaft is connected by a link to an arm 48 upon a shaft 46. Arms 45 upon the shaft 46 are connected by slotted links 44 with extensions of the exhaust-valve lever 9, so that, when the reversing-shafts are in their mean position, the exhaust valves are held open. The air-inlet, fuel-inlet, and exhaust valve of the engine are worked by similar mechanism to that described above, and the reversing shaft is adjusted by means of a handwheel 72, Fig. 2. A shaft 77 moved by a lever 79 carries arms for opening all the air-inlet valves for starting. The hand-wheels 72 and 40 are not connected (in the construction shown in order that the compressed-air ends of the cylinders may be used either to assist in start. ing or in meeting an overload or to act as a brake by opposing the internal-combustion engine. Where this latter feature is not desired the shafts may be inter-connected. The aircompressor is connected up with the engine by means of a clutch which may be worked manually or by the reservoir pressure. At starting, the compressor, Fig. 8, is put out of action to ease the load. The reversing-shaft 33 carries a notched disk upon which runs a roller carried by a bell-crank lever, the other arm of which is connected by a link to an arm 95, Fig. 8, on a shaft 93. The shaft 93 also carries an arm 96, which actuates, through links 98, 87, a valve 82 by means of which the first stage compressor j is opened to the atmosphere, and a valve 84 which cuts off the supply of air from the second stage compressor k. The compressed air for starting may be admitted to the combustion chamber as well as to the space below the piston, if desirable. In this case the admission and exhaust valve for compressed air are worked from the same cams as the valves in the lower ends of the cylinder through the medium of rods and bell-crank levers eccentrically-mounted on a reversing-shaft. The reversing-shaft may be separately controlled, or may be inter-connected with the reversing-shaft of the internalcombustion engine valves. Another shaft, separate or connected with the reversing-shaft controlling compressed air to the combustionchambers, carries means for preventing the valve-rods from being actuated by their cams when the compressed-air valves are not working.