AN IMPROVED METHOD OF EXPLODING GASES USED IN GAS ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Watson, of Leeds, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist, for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
EXPLODING GASES USED IN GAS ENGINES."
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left, by the said William Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th April 1881.
WILLIAM WATSON, of Leeds, in the County of York, Manufacturing Chemist.
<< AN IMPROVED METHOD OF EXPLODING GASES USED IN GAS ENGINES."
The object of my Invention is to dispense with the ordinary or usual system of
exploding by direct flame the gases used in gas engines. It consists in igniting or
exploding gases used in gas engines by applying heat externally to some part of
the vessel, chamber, or tube in which the gases to be exploded are contained. I
accomplish this purpose by directing a flame against the side of the vessel or
chamber so as to make the interior red hot at the point where the flame impinges
on the chamber or vessel and thus igniting or exploding the gases contained
therein; but I prefer to insert in some convenient part a small thin plate well
secured and airtight into an orifice made in the side of the chamber so that when
a flame is applied to it sufficient, heat passes through as to explode or ignite the
gases which are in contact with it, or I insert in the side of this vessel or chamber
and projecting from it a small vessel or tube about the shape of a thimble or
percussion cap, closed at the outer end and open to the interior of the vessel or
chamber at the other end, so that it must necessarily be filled with the same gases
as are contained in the chamber and to this small thimble shaped tube or vessel I
apply a flame which causes it to become hot and this heat being conveyed into the
interior of the tube or small vessel causes the gases in contact therewith or
contained therein to explode. The aforesaid small igniting vessel may be made
with a grooved or otherwise extended surface so. as to expose. a large. heating
surface to a small quantity of gas, and to intensify the flame a blow pipe arrange-
ment may be applied thereto.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th October
1881.
WILLIAM WATSON, of Leeds, in the County of York. "AN IMPROVED METHOD
OF EXPLODING GASES USED IN GAS ENGINES."
The object of my Invention is to dispense with the ordinary or usual system of
exploding by direct flame the gases used in gas engines. It consists in igniting or
exploding gases used in gas engines by applying heat externally to some part of
the vessel, chamber, or tube in which the gases to be exploded are contained. I
accomplish this purpose by directing a flame against the side of the vessel or
chamber so as to make the interior red hot at the point where the flame impinges
on the chamber or vessel and thus igniting or exploding the gases contained
therein; but I prefer to insert in some convenient part a small thin plate well
secured and airtight into an orifice made in the side of the chamber so that when
a flame is applied to it sufficient heat passes through as to explode or ignite the
gases which are in contact with it, or I insert in the side of this vessel or chamber
and projecting from it a small vessel or tube about the shape of a thimble or
percussion cap, closed at the outer end and open to the interior of the vessel or
chamber at the other end, so that it must necessarily be filled with the same gases
as are contained in the chamber and to this small thimble shaped tube or vessel. I
apply a flame which causes it to become hot and this heat being conveyed into
the interior of the tube or small vessel causes the gases in contact therewith or
contained therein to explode. The aforesaid small igniting vessel may be made
with a grooved or otherwise extended surface so as to expose a large heating
surface to a small quantity of gas, and to intensify the flame a blow pipe arrange-
ment may be applied thereto.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood reference
is given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal
section and front elevation. Figs. 4 and 5 are also respectively a longitudinal
section and front elevation. Fig. 6 a longitudinal section. Fig. 7 a longitudinal
section. Figs. 8 and 9, a part longitudinal section and sectional plan. Fig. 10 a
longitudinal section, all of which show various modes of applying my improvements.
At Fig. 1a is the side of the cylinder or chamber. ban orifice or opening in
the side thereof. I insert a conical or dished piece c as shewn of suitable metal
or earthenware, this is well secured and made airtight within the orifice b and
insulated from the adjoining metal by some suitable non-conducting material. In
order that the gas in the interior of the cylinder may be exploded at set times I
employ the slide valve d provided with an opening therein at e; to this slide
valve d an intermittent reciprocating motion is imparted from some moving part
of the engine. When the valve d is in the position shewn in Drawings the com-
munication between the plate c and cylinder is shut off but by moving the slide
valve d downwards, the opening e is brought opposite the orifice b. by so doing the
gases within the cylinder are brought in contact with the piece c through orifice b,
and this piece c being heated to the required extent causes them to explode. The
required heat may be imparted to the piece c by a gas or other flame assisted by
the action of a blow pipe g or other suitable means.
At Figs. 2 and 3 h is the side of the cylinder or chamber. i is the small vessel
or tube about the shape of a thimble which is firmly secured to the outer plate or

page_text: cover of the slide valve at j and closed at the outer end k,opening at the inner end into
the small orifice which communicates with the interior of the cylinder or chamber.
I employ a slide valve m which operates in a similar manner to that described for
Fig. 1. The small vessel or tube i is brought to the required heat by gas or other
flame. When the slide valve m is open the gas passes through a small orifice!
from the cylinder or chamber, and coming in contact with the interior of the heated
vessel or tube i causes the explosion.
Figs. 4 and 5 represent an elongated form of vessel or tube, which tube is
enlarged from o to o. so as to allow or admit the gaseous contents of the tube from
p to p (the products of combustion) to pass therein when the explosive gases
enter the tube from the cylinder. A slide valve p² of a similar description to the
above described may be employed at q, (though not necessary in all cases) and the
communication between the cylinder and tube is also effected in a similar manner.
On the valve being opened the explosive gases pass along the interior of the tube
to the igniting point r at which point they are exploded that part of the tube
being heated by a gas or other flame f.
Fig. 6 is another arrangement in which s is a globe or bulb for the reception
of products of combustion. t is a smaller bulb in which the gases are exploded
after passing thereto from the cylinder or chamber through tube v. v¹ is a tube
which connects the bulbs s and t. In this arrangement I have shown a cock w
which may be of ordinary construction, but the hereinbefore described slide
valve may be employed when preferred. The flame in this arrangement is
applied at smaller bulb t, which becomes heated to such an extent as to explode
the gases admitted therein.
Fig. 7 is another arrangement in which 1 is a small tube for conveying the
explosive gases from the cylinder or chamber (communicating, therewith through
the orifice 3) to the extreme end of the larger tube 4, such end is heated for the
purpose of exploding the same by a flame 5. The larger tube 4 is provided with
the bulb 6 for receiving the products of combustion. This arrangement may also
be provided with the hereinbefore described slide valve.
Figs. 8 and 9 show a further arrangement in which 7 is the tube this I make of
the bent form as shown provided with the bulb for the admission of the products
of combustion. The tube 7 is fitted so as to slide in the bearing 9 and forms its
own slide valve, and to it an intermittent reciprocating motion is imparted whereby
the opening 10 therein is brought opposite to the orifice 11 for the purpose of
receiving the gases from the cylinder. When the tube is moved into the position
shown in Drawing all communication is shut off between it and the interior of the
cylinder. The required heat is obtained by applying a flame at 12.
The arrangements shewn in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are applicable when the
explosive gases are admitted under compression, but when such is not the case I
find it necessary to draw the explosive gases into the igniter from the cylinder,
and for this purpose the arrangement I have shown at Fig. 10-is applicable in
which 13 is a ram and 14 the barrel or cylinder for the same provided with the
stuffing box at 15. The ram 13. is actuated from some suitable or convenient moving
part of the engine and in a similar manner to the slide valve 16. The motion is
so timed that as soon as the valve 16 is beginning to open the ram 13 commences
to draw the explosive gases into the igniter. Parts in Fig. 10 not lettered or
explained may be of a similar description to those described and shown at Figs. 4
and 5.
$
I would here remark that I find from experience that the diameter of the bore
of the igniter or passage therein for the explosive gases up to the point of ignition
should be (for the sake of economy in working) about an eighth of an inch, and
respective igniters should be proportioned similar to those shown in Drawings.
The above remarks have reference to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and I would
explain that the explosive gases after being ignited leave behind them products of
combustion in the igniting tube. It is necessary to provide a chamber for receiving
these products of combustion to leave room for the explosive gases to be drawn or

page_text: forced into the igniter, and for this purpose it has been found necessary that the tube
should be enlarged as shown at Fig. 4, or that the bulbs shown at Figs. 6, 7, 8
and 9, should be applied.
The tubes and bulbs employed for transmitting the heat and exploding the gases
may be formed of platinum or other metal or earthenware.
I would also remark that I find it expedient that the cocks or valves for admitting
the explosive gases into the igniter should remain open for a short time after the
explosion until the force thereof is exhausted.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and described with the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice I would have it
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details or configuration of the
parts I have described and shown as the same may be varied or modified without
departing from the nature of my said Invention, but what I do claim and desire
to be secured to me is:-
The arrangement, construction, and application of the various means herein
described and illustrated (and mere modifications of the same) for igniting or.
exploding the gases used in gas engines.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Watson, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness to the signature of the
said William Watson,
J. W. HARDING,
.1
Engineer and Patent Agent,
2, East Parade,
Leed's.
W. WATSON. (L.S.)