Patent GB-191507405-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Rotary Reversible Engine.
Inventor: JOHN DODIMEADE CALDWELL
IPC: F02B53/00
Filed: 1915-05-17
Abstract: 7405. Caldwell, J. D., and Wheeler, M. Oct. 6, 1914, [Convention date]. Void [Published under Sect. 91 of the Act.] Movable-abutment type.-Relates to rotary engines and pumps of the rotary-abutment type, and in particular to a rotary reversible internal-combustion engine which comprises compressor chambers 2, Fig. 1, and explosion chambers 3, and a piston drum 63, Figs. 4 and 16, co-operating with rotary recessed abutments 73 in both sets of chambers, the drum and abutments being geared together by gears 86, 87 arranged in a central chamber 4. The casing end covers 6, 7 are fitted with self-centring ball bearings, Fig. 28, for the drum and abutment spindles, the steel races comprising an adjustable cover half 91 and a rotor half 93, the whole being secured to the covers by gunmetal clips 95, which permit the revolution of the race 93. Working-fluid supply; valve-gear; reversing; starting and stopping. - A hand-lever 28 is used to start, stop, reverse, and control the engine. The lever 28, by engaging a block 37, is adapted to move axially forwards or backwards three ported tubular valves 40, 41, 42, and bring different sets of parts into play for reversing. The valve 42 is located in a fixed ported cylindrical member 43, which is arranged inside the abutments 73 to co-operate with ports therein leading to the abutment recesses. The charge is drawn from a carburetter 56 through an inlet 10 and the open valve 40, Fig. 4, into a compressor 2, where it is compressed by the vane 68 and forced through the valve 42 to the combustion chamber 71, Fig. 22, of the explosion cylinder 3, where ignition is effected by a sparking-plug 12 brought into operation by the movement of the lever 28 as described below. The gases exhaust through the valve 41 to outlets 11 and may be used in a water and gas heater 57. The sparking-plugs 12, which are duplicated on opposite sides of the abutments 73 for forward and reverse working, are controlled by the switch device shown in Figs. 34, 36, 39, 40, and 43, which is actuated by the reversing-lever 28. This lever actuates a crosshead 132 carrying a roller 136 engaging the horns 125 of a pivoted disk 124. The movement of the lever either a quarter ahead or a quarter astern causes the roller 136 to move the disk 124, bringing terminals over the brass contacts 122. When the lever 28 is pushed hard over to open the ports fully, the roller 136 clears one of the horns 125 and moves on. On reversal, the other horn 125 is picked up by the roller 136. On a fixed flange 108 is a low-tension terminal to the make- and-break device 109, which has a spring contact 110 engaging a commutator 111 keyed to a spindle 104 driven by bevel-gear from the abutment spindle. A central insulated hightension terminal 127 has at its lower end a brass contact tube 128 provided with a carbon brush engaging with a metal conducting-strip 116 let into a non-conducting disk 115 and having a carbon brush 118 at its outer ends. To start the engine, a hand-pump 58 is used to supply the gas mixture. The lever 28 is moved from neutral in the desired direction and, by means of the train of spur sectors and pinions shown in Fig. 46. rotates the piston drum 63 until one of the vanes is in the correct position for starting when the sector bevel-wheel 51 moves clear of the bevel-wheel 46 on the drum shaft 20. A lever 27, Fig. 1, operates a band brake 26. Cooling parts.-The drum 63 is provided on its inner periphery with a double left-handed helical rib 66. Fig. 16, continuous or broken, to strengthen the drum and to force a current of air or water through it. Radiating-ribs are formed on the end covers and outer surface of the casing, which may be water-jacketed. Mounting and supporting.-Cast integral with the casing are brackets 13. Figs. 1 and 4, receiving guide-rods 14 supported bv brackets 15 secured to the base 1. Set-screws 16 secure a pair of brackets 13 to the rods 14, forming fixed points from which the whole casing may expand under heat. The screws 17 prevent vibration, while permitting expansion.