Patent GB-189803468-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Process and Apparatus for Producing Motive Power for the Propulsion of Torpedo-boats, Self-propelled Torpedoes, Light Naval and other Launches, and for other purposes.
Inventor: MAXIM HUDSON
Filed: 1898-02-11
Granted: 1899-02-11
Abstract: 3468. Maxim, H. Feb. 11. Air and gas engine, steam-generator, &c. furnaces. -Relates, mainly, to the production of motive power by the combustion of nitro compounds containing oxygen, such as the colloidal or amorphous compounds employed as smokeless gunpowder. The invention is also claimed as adapted for heating fluids. As applied for motive purposes, it is especially suitable for propelling torpedoes, and torpedo boats and launches. The heat of the products of combustion is utilized to heat a gas or vapour, or to produce a vapour, for use independently, or in connection with the products themselves, for actuating a motor. In this way compressed air or carbonic-acid gas may be heated, or water, liquid hydrocarbons, or ammonia solutions may be evaporated. After giving up their heat to a fluid, the products, which contain carbonic oxide may be burnt to still further heat the same fluid or otherwise ; the exhaust gases from a motor may be utilized in the same way. Figs. 1 and 2 show methods of applying the invention for the propulsion of a torpedo. B is a reservoir of compressed air, and D, Fig. 1, a tube containing a cylinder E of the nitro-compound which is ignited by an electrical device so as to burn at one end ; i is a combustible wick. The products of combustion escape at the nozzle e and mix with the compressed air as it issues through the pipe shown on its way to the motor. In Fig. 2, G is a second chamber containing water, into which the products of combustion of the cylinder E<1> in the tube D' escape. The heated or vaporized water passes with the products of combustion through the tube H, and mixes with the air from the reservoir B as it issues at C. A non-return valve may open directly from the chamber G to the reservoir B. In a modification, these two arrangements are combined, the tube H, Fig. 2, being surrounded by a second combustible cylinder, tube, and nozzle corresponding to those shown at D, E, and e in Fig. 1. The electric igniting-device may be supplied by a generator worked by the motor so that, as soon as the latter is started by the compressed air, the combustible cylinder is automatically ignited. Figs. 4, 5, and 8 show the invention applied to steam generators. In Fig. 4 the combustible charge E<2> is shown immersed in the water. It is formed with perforations e<1>, which may be lined with metal tubes. The charge being ignited by electricity or otherwise, the water will be evaporated and the products of combustion will mix with the steam produced. In a modification, the perforations e<1> support vertical tubes containing water, but the water is not in contact with the combustible charge. Fig. 5 shows another modification in which the charge E<2> is burnt in a firebox D<2>, the products passing through open-ended tubes m, m into the steam space. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the charge E<3> is burnt in a separate chamber, and the products, after passing through the tubes d<2> of the boiler, are used alone to drive a motor 0, after which they are burnt at P to heat the boiler still further. The steam generated is used in a separate motor.