Patent GB-190827740-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Internal Combustion Engines.
Inventor: KIRKE PERCY ST GEORGE
Filed: 1908-12-21
Granted: 1909-12-21
Abstract: 27,740. Kirke, P. St. G., and Morris, F. S. Dec. 21. [Cognate Applications No. 1885, dated Jan. 26, A.D. 1909, and No. 5155, dated March 3, A.D. 1909.] Gas and like engines.-In engines in which the compression pressure is kept constant, whatever the amount of the charge, by means of a yielding wall, suitable cushioning - means are provided whereby a considerably greater but still yielding pressure is exerted by the yielding wall when explosion takes place. A method of working under heavy overloads in such an engine consists in supplying charges at greater than atmospheric pressure to such engines on the suction stroke. Fig. 2 shows a form in which the yielding wall c is supported by an elastic fluid and an inelastic fluid conjointly. During compression the piston c is controlled by the pressure in the reservoir e. Before the explosion, the valve f isolates the elastic fluid from the inelastic fluid, the latter of which supports the piston during explosion. The piston may yield to a slight extent under the explosion pressure owing to the provision of a small reservoir i of elastic fluid in communication with the liquid in the space d. This construction allows the water or like liquid in the space d to be used also for cooling the piston c, and the water itself may be cooled by water circulating through pipes d. The chamber d may contain elastic fluid only, the reservoir i being dispensed with. Fig. 4 illustrates a modification in which the piston c carries a plunger g, the piston c being supported during compression by the pressure of the fluid in the reservoir e, the liquid passing freely through the valve f to the reservoir h which is open to atmospheric pressure. Before explosion, the valve f is closed, and the piston c is supported by the liquid, the reservoir i allowing the piston c to yield to a slight extent. The functions of the piston c and the plunger g may be interchanged and the elastic fluid may be replaced by a spring. Shock is prevented on the return movement of the piston c by compressing air in the space d'. The plunger may be replaced by a small piston connected to the piston c by a rod, and, in this case, the return movement of the piston c is cushioned either by employing the lower side of the small piston as a pump compressing air into the reservoir e or employing the lower side of the piston as a dashpot plunger, in which case the liquid used to support the explosion pressure may be employed in the dash-pot. Fig. 11 illustrates a four-strokecycle engine using the lower side of its main piston b to compress air into a reservoir v<1>, whence it passes, when high overloads have to be met to the combustion chamber of the engine, rich mixture being supplied by the induction pipe a'. The stem w<2> of the valve controlling this air supply is actuated by the half-speed cam 6, through the tappet 1, which is thrown in or out of line with the valve stem w<2> by the governor 2. The pump may, however, compress mixture into the reservoir. Water may be sprayed into the cylinder to prevent premature ignition on high compression.