Patent GB-191124628-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Internal Combustion Motors.
Inventor: LOSEY FRANK GARFIELD
Filed: 1911-11-06
Granted: 1912-08-15
Abstract: 24,628. Losey, F. G. Nov. 6. Vapour-engines. - At the end of the vapour expansion stroke of an engine in which vaporized hydrocarbons are used expansively before ignition, the vapour is partly exhausted and the residue used in combination with air for the formation of a combustible mixture. The vapour may be generated outside the engine, in the cooling- jacket, or by the injection of liquid fuel directly into the cylinder. In the engine shown in Fig. 1, either liquid hydrocarbons are admitted through a pipe 17, and vaporized in the cylinder jacket 19, or vapour itself is passed through the jacket from a pipe 46<a> and enters the cylinder through ports 20 controlled by a piston 3. Vapour also enters the cylinder through a mechanicallyactuated valve 24. At the end of expansion, some of the vapour is withdrawn to a condenser through ports 45, after the closing of which air for the formation of a combustible charge enters through a port 43. After compression, the heat of which may effect ignition, and combustion, the products are exhausted through a port 44 and a valve 6 in the piston 3. Cam-actuated or other valves (not shown) may control the terminal ports 43, 44, 45. The piston 3 is depressed by a cam 7, which engages a projection 9 carrying a rod 11 in a slot 13, in which engages a cam-actuated trigger 14 for holding the piston 3 in its innermost position. At the end of the vapour admission period, the piston 3 is moved forwards sufficiently to close the ports 20 and is held in this position by a trigger 23 which projects into a cushioning-cylinder 21 above the piston. The piston remains in this position during the compression and expansion strokes, being moved forward to its innermost position during the exhaust stroke and released to admit a subsequent vapour charge through the ports 20. The exhaust valve 20 is opened by a camactuated lever 33, which engages a pin 31 attached to toggle-levers 29, 30 on the valve stem. When working with heavy loads, the valve 24 and its actuating-cam may be modified to admit, during combustion, supplementary charges of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuel, either alone or combined with air. The valve, or an additional valve, may also admit scavenging- charges of steam, nitrogen, or inert gas. A modified device for injecting solid fuel is described in which the fuel is deposited in orifices in a rotating disk and blown into the cylinder by compressed air. A rotary admission valve is located between the disk and 'the cylinder. In the engine shown in Fig. 5, hydrocarbon vapour enters through a valve 48 and at the end of the expansion stroke escapes through a valve 49 to a condenser 50, in which a vacuum is maintained by the pump 51. On the return stroke of the piston, air which has been compressed in the crank casing enters through a valve 56, the vapour drawn over from the condenser by the pump 51 being also admitted to the cylinder through a reservoir 54 and valve 55. After compression and combustion, the products are discharged through a valve 61, and scavenging-charges of nitrogen or steam are admitted through a port 62. When a high vacuum is maintained in the condenser, liquid or other fuel may be admitted to the cylinder with the air, or the fuel may be injected subsequently. The vacuum in the condenser may be reduced by the admission thereto of air or inert gas, and a device (not shown) may be interposed between the pump 51 and the condenser for maintaining the pressure in the latter constant. The invention may be applied to an engine having radial revolving cylinders.