Patent GB-517192-A (GB)
Title: Vapour motor
IPC: F01K25/02
Filed: 1938-07-22
Abstract: 517,192. Vapour engines; steam engines. LAMPEN-UND METALLWAREN-FABRIKEN R. DITMAR GEB. BRUNNER AKT-GES. July 22, 1938, No. 21779. Convention date, July 23, 1937. [Class 122 (iii)] Thermal energy generated as by an electric heating means 3, Fig. 1, is transformed into mechanical energy at 17 with the aid of a liquid and its vapour in a closed receptacle, and a condenser 4. The closed receptacle is formed between containers 1, 5, a tube 4 of a condenser and bellows 15 and 7. One part 16 of the bellows 15 is connected to the power transmitting means and the corresponding part of the bellows 7 to a tumbler device 12. The tumbler device comprises spring members between which are interposed toggle levers 10. The closed chamber is partly filled with liquid in a vacuum. When the chamber 1 is heated, vapour is generated and presses up the bellows 15 and, when the pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring resistance the movement of the bellows 6 is suddenly reversed owing to the vapour pressure and the snap-over action of the springs 8, 12. The liquid level then falls to the bottom of condenser 4, the vapour is condensed and the bellows 15 performs its suction stroke. The pressure continues to fall until the tilting device brings back the bellows 7 and thereby raises the level of the liquid above the heating surface 2 to complete the cycle. A modification is described wherein the tube 4 is partly reduced in capacity by a filler. The springs are dispensed with, and the top and bottom of chamber 4 are closed by diaphragms. The top end has a capillary tube and a non- return valve; the bottom end a spring-pressed non-return valve provided with a capillary tube. In the construction shown in Fig. 3, a bellows 93 is connected to a displacer by a rod 96 with a head 107 moving with lost motion in a part 106. The displacer 97 moves between a heating surface 103 and a condenser 105. The rod 96 passes through a perforated diaphragm 99 with springs on either side. A snap-over spring mechanism 10, 8 acts upon the rod 96. The bellows and displacer are shown in their uppermost position. Towards the end of the up stroke spring 101 reverses the snap-over mechanism and causes the parts 93, 97 to move towards one another and liquid is heated by the surface 103 and vapour is generated. Subsequently a spring 100 reverses the snap-over mechanism and the volume of the closed chamber is increased. Liquid and vapour then passes to the condenser 105 and the parts make the up stroke. In a practical application of this modification, the part 94 of the bellows 93 is replaced by a potshaped member carrying a stem upon which are mounted spring-pressed catches. A sleeve with slots through which the catches protrude surrounds the stem and is prcvided with recesses to engage detents on the ends of the catches. This sleeve is mounted between springs on an annular support member secured to the receptacle and which has cam surfaces to release the catches. The sleeve is elastically connected to the displacer by springs and an auxiliary bellows. The control device moves the bellows and displacer together with a solid connection during the working stroke, but suddenly displaces the displacer relatively to the bellows between the working strokes.