IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-MOTORS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Friedrich Carl Glaser, of 92, Linden Strasse, at Berlin,
in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-MOTORS." [A communication from
Andreas Emanuel Möller and Karl Schaltenbrand, of Berlin, in the Empire of
Germany.]
Sealed the 27th June 1879, and dated the 20th January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Friedrich Carl Glaser at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1879.
FRIEDRICH CARL GLASER, of 92, Linden Strasse, at Berlin, in the Kingdom of
Prussia and Empire of Germany, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-
MOTORS." [A communication from Andreas Emanuel Möller and Karl Schaltenbrand,
of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.]
The improvements are applicable to small oscillating water pressure engines, for
instance, such as is shown in Figures 1 to 9 in the annexed Drawing, applied for
driving a Singer's sewing machine.
The vase shaped engine frame is held on the table of the sewing machine by two
journals S and S', which allow it to swing round an axis at right angles to the axis
of the crank shaft.
By means of the horizontal axis of the cock and the vertical axis of the piston
rod one gets between the table of sewing machine and engine a connection like a
universal joint compensates sinall faults in the erection. In consequence of this
arrangement the engine can be easily fixed by any joiner with two screws S and S',
which in the case of the Singer machine go through two holes in the support for
the cover.
The inlet openings are, as Figure 1 shows, arranged in such a way that they are
standing symmetrically to the horizontal division plate of the male cock, which is
shown in the Drawing as being in the middle position, corresponding to the dead
point of the crank. On the left hand side the said division plate covers the inlet
opening 1 of the female cock.
When the piston rod swings to the left the openings 1 and 9, and 2 and 10 will
allow admission above the piston, and the openings 6 and 14, and 7 and 15 will
allow escape from below the piston; but when the piston rod swings to the right

page_text: the exit will take place through the openings 3 and 10, and 4 and 11, the inlet will
take place through 1 and 16, and 8 and 15.
The two fold use of several openings renders it possible to have the openings
for inlet and outlet as large as the sectional area of the pipe, and still to have a
cock of comparatively small diameter. It also renders possible the following
arrangements :-
-
On the right, just over and just undert be division plate of the male cock, there
are two small "change" openings 12 and 13, which by the covered port connect
the space over the piston with that under the piston when in the positions shown in
the Drawing.
As the piston near the dead points is moving only very slowly it suffices to have
only small openings for the water to pass from one side of the piston to the
other.
By the use of the "change" openings it is possible for the crank to pass the dead
points almost without tendency to affect the regularity of the engine, and the water,
which remaining at the end of the stroke in the cylinder, is retained and does not
cause any loss of power.
The engine, as will be described later on, is working with a crank, the length of
which can be altered. If the stroke be made shorter then the period during which
the main openings are shut, and the period of the flow of water by the change
openings becomes a larger portion of the whole stroke, and consequently when the
stroke is made very small water will be required, and so work only in the best and
middle position of the crank.
The same saving of water by the "change" (the passing from openings 12 to 13
or vice versa, as explained above) can be attained when the part 5 in Figure 1 is
not enclosed, but open, and substituted by a space kept filled with water (f²),
Figure 17, and when all the openings which have at the end of the stroke
communication with this space (f³) serve as "change" openings.
This modification is shewn in Figure 17 corresponding to Figure 1, and in
Figure 18 corresponding to Figure 3; it gives a much larger area for the " changing,"
and is preferred in very fast running engines.
The division plate in the male cock is standing vertically.
The compartment on the left of the partition stands in communication with the
space above the pistons by the way a¹, which passes the left hand side of the
cylinder, and the compartment on the right of the partition communicates through a³
on the right side of the cylinder with the space under the piston.
In case the cylinder is horizontal, as shown in Figures 19 and 20), the division
plate of the male cock and the openings may be as shown in Figure 1.
This is also admissible with a vertical cylinder. The division plate in Figure 17
which represents the "change" space f from the outlet f' will not be wanted
when the outgoing water is prevented flowing away by raising the mouth of the
wasto pipe to prevent the entrance of air.
In order better to be able to fit the parts the female cock is a separate piece of
phosphor bronze or brass, and is kept in the frame by means of a nut.
The journal m, which is the centre of the oscillations of the cylinder, is
fixed in such a way as to fit into a bearing on the cylinder, and to allow easy
adjustment.
This journal is much nearer to the centre of the cylinder than the cock is, and
consequently the journal has to bear the greater part of the re-action of the cylinder.
The pressure on the cock is thus greatly diminished.
The journal m serves at the same time as a means to make and keep the cock
tight.
For quickly opening and shutting off the water a valve d serves.
.
On the valve on each side of the valve spindle there are two projections and r¹,
the length of which corresponds to the lift of the valve. The projections fit into
two grooves of a piece q in such way that they enter the grooves when the valve is
open, as shown in Figure 4.

page_text: The end of the piece q facing the valve is shaped cylindrically, the axis of this
cylinder standing vertically.
If now the valve be closed and turned with its spindle and projections then the
latter press against the cylindrically shaped end of the piece q, which slide up on
this incline and hold the valve tightly to its scat.
The piece q is prevented from being turned by a nose p which slides in a groove
of the valve box, and can be adjusted by lead washers u to the right distance from
the valve seat, so that only a small turn is sufficient to shut the valve tightly.
The nut t holds the piece q by stud pins which fit into a groove on the piece q.
On the piece q is cast an arm which holds in a fork the end v of the valve lever L.
This end v, Figures 6 and 7, is formed like the bit of a key.
In the position shown in the Drawing the spindle v can be turned by the lever l,
and the key bit enters in the fork of the arm w by which the pulling out of the
valve spindle is prevented.
As soon however as the lever is turned back into the vertical position which is
limited by the fork the valve spindle can be drawn out, and the key bit hooks itself
behind the fork which prevents the valve spindle turning.
It is intended never to have the cock working quite dry, but to regulato
it so that always a little water is trickling into the vase shaped frame of the
engine.
This water can be led away through a little valve into the outlet pipe in case the
same is passing downwards.
An india rubber ball allows in such case the water to pass into the space B, and
from thence through a small opening into the outlet pipo f1, but it prevents the
water returning. In case the outlet pipe rises the said small valve cannot be used
and is to be closed by screwing in the study.
A small valve is then to be opened, and the waste water runs into a small
receiver N, which can be emptied when necessary.
The alteration of the stroke is effected by moving the crank pin i in a slide.
The crank pin and the sliding piece which has upon it the nut h, are made of
steel, and in one piece, which by the screw k can be shifted along a casting π from
the position shown in the Drawing (centre position of crank pin) to the extreme
position corresponding to the greatest stroke.
The shape of the casting
between piston rod and crank.
makes it impossible to get the fingers by accident
In fixing the casting on Singer's sewing machines drilling of holes is entirely
avoided. A steel point j, which is held in its place by a leaden plug S, goes
into the centre mark of the crank shaft, and brings the casting into the exact
centre.
An india rubber ring is placed between casting and fly wheel on the crank
shaft.
These arms of the casting C¹, C", C, are fixed by three bolts, ",, which
go through three existing openings in the six arms of the wheel, and in such a
way that the crank pin stands at the lowest point when the needle is at its highest
point.
In case there are no openings in the wheel arms, as in Singer's machine, then the
bolts,,, are shaped like hooks and fixed on the arms of the wheel.
The ball shaped crank pin is put through a hole into the head of the piston rod,
and held from the top by the screw 6, which is screwed down upon a washer laid
between it and the piston rod head. This washer can be filed thinner when wear
takes place and adjusting is necessary.
The screw 6 has at its top a small oil cup, and at the bottom makes part of the
bearing for the ball shaped crank pin i.
This screw can be turned back one turn, and this will allow the crank pin to get
free, and the whole apparatus to be swung away round the axis, going through the
journals S, S', and the pin to be laid free for cleaning.
When the engine is used for industrial purposes in higher stories of buildings the

page_text: small irregularities of the velocity which may be caused by taking away water
in the lower part of the building can be avoided by the use of a regulator.
This regulator is a pressure vessel of about 10 litres or more contents, and is put
between the supply pipe and the engine in such a way that the water from the inain
enters through an easily opening valve from below, whereas the engine takes water
through a pipe from above the valve.
The air in the regulator is compressed to an extent corresponding to the pressure
of the water.
When the pressure in the supply pipe diminishes the valve in the regulator closes,
and the compressed air drives the water out to the engine until the pressure in the
supply pipe again increases.
For sewing machines of a different construction or for any other purpose the
engine is to be fixed either on the foundation plate of a separately supported crank
shaft, which is fitted with a fly wheel and grooved or belt pulley, as is shown in
Figures 10 and 11, or the crank shaft is held in a bearing cast on the air vessel, as
shown in Figures 12 and 13.
Also the engine is made with horizontal cylinder, as shown in Figures 19
and 20.
In the latter case the inlet may be kept apart from the outlet and may be had
on the other side of the cylinder, as it is shown in 14, 15, 16, in full size.
In this case the female cocks are cast on the cylinder, but separate female cocks
may be fitted as described above.
The water in Figure 14 comes from the right hand side through the valve d (see
Figure 13), goes into the air vessel, and into the male cock C, whence it goes
through four openings above or below the piston (as the position of the oscillating
cylinder allows), and leaves the cylinder a on the left hand side through the cock C¹
standing symmetrically to that on the right hand side.
The sections of the cocks C and C' in Figures 15 and 16 are taken looking from
. the cylinder towards the cocks.
If the female cock of Figure 16, which corresponds to the inlet, is turned in the
direction of the arrow the inlet below the piston takes place through the openings
and 15, 7 and 14, 6 and 13, 5 and 12, and the openings serving the space above
the piston are all closed.
At the same time in Figure 15 the cock on the outlet side has turned to the left,
and the exit from above the piston takes place through the openings 1 and 8,
2 and 9, 3 and 10, 4 and 11, the openings on the side serving the the space below
the piston are closed.
As the oscillations of both female cocks take place symmetrically the inlet above
the piston in Figure 16 takes place through openings 1 and 8, 2 and 9, 3 and 10,
4 and 11, whereas in Figure 15 the exit below the piston takes place through
openings 1 and 15, 7 and 14, 6 and 13, and 5 and 12.
Each cock has a shell shaped piece which makes the "change" in the direction of
the flow, Figures 15 and 16.
All the outlet openings in Figure 15 have in the middle position the same small
amount of area, and the outlet water is led upwards, so that the outlet cock is 4
always covered with water.
In an engine with only one cock this cock may be reversed, and the female cock
cast on the cylinder, or in an engine with two cocks only one of them or both may
bo cast on as inale cocks.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Friedrich Carl Glaser in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
July 1879.
FRIEDRICH CARL GLASER, of 92, Linden Strasse, at Berlin, in tho Kingdom of
Prussia and Empire of Germany, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER
MOTORS." A communication from Andreas Emanuel Möller and Karl Schaltenbrand,
of Berlin, in the Empire of Germany.
The improvements are applicable to small oscillating water pressure engines, for
instance, such as is shown in Figures 1 to 9 in the annexed Drawings, applied for
driving a Singer's sewing machine.
The vase shaped engine frame is held on the table of the sewing machine by two
journals S and S' which allow it to swing round an axis at right angles to the axis
of the crank shaft.
By means of the horizontal axis of the cock and the vertical axis of the piston
rod one gets between the table of sewing machine and engine a connection liko a
universal joint which compensates small faults in the erections.
In consequence of this arrangement the engine can be easily fixed by any joiner
with two screws S and S', which in the case of the Singer machine go through two
holes in the support for the cover.
The inlet openings are, as Figure 1 shows, arranged in such a way that they are
standing symmetrically to the horizontal division plate of the malo cock, which is
shown in the Drawing as being in the middle position, corresponding to the dead
point of the crank. On the left hand side the said division plate covers the inlet
opening (1) of the female cock.
When the piston rod swings to the left the openings 1 and 9 and 2 and 10 will
allow admission above the piston, and the openings 6 and 14 and 7 and 15 will
allow escape from below the piston, but when the piston rod swings to the right
the exit will take place through the openings 3 and 10 and 4 and 11, the inlet will
take place through 1 and 16 and 8 and 15.
The two fold use of several openings renders it possible to have the openings for
inlet and outlet as large as the sectional area of the pipe and still to have a cock
of comparatively small diameter. It also ronders possible the following arrange-
ments :-
On the right, just over and just under the division plate of the male cock, there
are two small "change" openings 12 and 13 which by the covered port 5 connect
the space over the piston with that under the piston when in the position shown on
the Drawing. As the piston near the dead points is moving only very slowly it
suffices to have only small openings for the water to pass from one side of the piston
to the other.
By the use of the "change" openings it is possible for the crank to pass the dead
points almost without tendency to affect the regularity of the engine and the water
which remaining at the end of the stroke in the cylinder is retained and does not
cause any loss of power.
The engine, as will be described later on, is working with a crank, the length of
which can be altered. If the stroke be made shorter then the period during which
the main openings are shut and the period of the flow of water by the change
openings becomes a larger portion of the whole stroke, and consequently when the
stroko is made very small water will be required and so work only in the best and
middle position of the crank.
The same saving of water by the "change" (the passing from openings 12 to 13,
or vice versa, as explained above) can be attained when the port 5 in Figuro 1 is
not enclosed but open and substituted by a space kept filled with water (f)
Figuro 17, and then all the openings which have at the end of the stroke commu-
nication with this space (*) serve as change" openings.
"

page_text: This modification is shown in Figure 17 corresponding to Figure 1, and in
Figure 18 corresponding to Figure 3. It gives a much larger area for the " "changing,"
and is preferred in very fast running engines.
The division plate in the male cock is standing vertically. The compartment on
the left of the partition stands in communication with the space above the piston
by the way a which passes the left band side of the cylinder, and the compartment
on the right of the partition communicates through a³ on the right side of the
cylinder with the space under the piston.
In case the cylinder is horizontal, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the division
plate of the male cock and the openings may be as shown in Figure 1.
This is also admissible with a vertical cylinder. The division plate in Figure 17
which separates the "chango" space fe from the outlet f' will not be wanted when
the outgoing water is prevented flowing away by raising the mouth of the
waste pipe to prevent the entrance of air.
In order better to be able to fit the parts the female cock is a separate piece
of phosphor bronze or brass, and is kept in the frame by means of a nut.
The journal m which is the centro of the oscillations of the cylinder is fixed in
such a way as to fit into a bearing on the cylinder and to allow easy adjustment.
This journal is much nearer to the centre of the cylinder than the cock is, and con-
sequently the journal has to bear the greater part of the reaction of the cylinder.
The pressure on the cock is thus greatly diminished. The journal m serves at the
same time as a means to make and keep the cock tight.
On the valve
on each side of the valve spindle there are two projections and 71, the length of
which corresponds to the lift of the valve. The projections fit into two grooves of
a piece q in such way that they enter the grooves when the valve is open, as shown
in Figure 4. The end of the piece q facing the valve is shaped cylindrically, the
axis of this cylinder standing vertically. If now the valve be closed and turned
with its spindle and projections, then the latter press against the cylindrically
shaped end of the piece q which slide up on this incline and hold the valve tightly
For quickly opening and shutting off the water a valve & serves.
to its seat.
The piece q is prevented from being turned by a nose p which slides in a groové
of the valve box and can be adjusted by lead washers to the right distance from the
valve seat so that only a small turn is sufficient to shut the valve tightly. The
nutt holds the piece q by two pins which fit into a groove on the piece q. In the
piece q is cast an arm which holds in a fork the end v of the valve lever l. This end v,
Figures 6 and 7, is formed like the bit of a key.
In the position shown in the Drawing the spindle v can be turned by the lever 1,
and the key bit enters in the fork of the arm w, by which the pulling out of the valve
spindle is prevented. As soon however as the lever is turned back into the vertical
position, which is limited by the fork, the valve spindle can be drawn out and the
key bit hooks itself behind the fork, which prevents the valve spindle turning.
It is intended never to have the cock working quite dry, but to regulate it, so that
always a little water is trickling into the vase-shaped frame of the engine.
This water can be led away through a little valve into the outlet pipe in case the
same is passing downwards. An india rubber ball allows in such case the water to
pass into the space 8, and from thence through a small opening into the outlet pipe f¹,
but it provents the water returning. In case the outlet pipe rises the said small
valve cannot be used, and is to be closed by screwing in the study.
A small valve x is then to be opened and the waste water runs into a small
receiver N which can be emptied when necessary.
The alteration of the stroke is effected by moving the crank pin in a slide. The
crank pin and the sliding piece, which has upon it the nut h, are made of steel and
in one piece, which by the screw k can be shifted along a casting from the
position shewn in the Drawing (centre position of crank pin) to the extreme position
corresponding to the greatest stroke.
The shape of the casting makes it impossible to get the fingers by accident

page_text: between piston rod and crank. In fixing the casting on Singer's sewing machines
drilling of holes is entirely avoided. A steel point ; which is held in its place by
a leaden plug S goes into the centre mark of the crank shaft and brings the castings
into the exact centre. An india rubber ring is placed between casting and fly wheel
on the crank shaft.
Three arms of the casting C¹, C", C, are fixed by three bolts
which
go through three existing openings in the six arms of the wheel and in such a way
that the crank pin stands at the lowest point when the needle is at its highest point.
In case there are no openings in the wheel arms, as in Singer's machine, the
bolts, are shaped like hooks and fixed on the arms of the wheel.
The ball shaped crank pin is put through a hole in to the head of the piston rod
and held from the top by the screw which is screwed down upon a washer laid
between it and the piston rod head. This washer can be filed thinner when wear
takes place and adjusting is necessary. The screw 6 has at its top a small oil cup,
and at the bottom makes part of the bearing for the ball shaped crank pin i. This
screw can be turned back one turn and this will allow the crank pin to get free and
the whole apparatus to be swung away round the axis going through the journals 8, 8²,
and the pin to be laid free for cleaning.
When the engine is used for industrial purposes in higher stories of buildings the
small irregularities of the velocity which may be caused by taking away water in
the lower part of the building can be avoided by the use of a regulator. This
regulator is a pressure vessel of about 10 litres or more contents, and is put between
the supply pipe and the engine in such a way that the water from the main enters
through an easily oponing valve from below, whereas the engine takes water through
a pipe from above the valve. The air in the regulator is compressed to an extent
corresponding to the pressure of the water.
When the pressure in the supply pipe diminishes, the valve in the regulator closes,
and the compressed air drives the water out to the engine until the pressure in the
supply pipe again increases.
For sewing machines of a different construction, or for any other purpose, the
engine is to be fixed either on the foundation plate of a separately supported crank
shaft which is fitted with a fly wheel, and grooved or belt pulley, as is shown in
Figures 10 and 11, or the crank shaft is held in a bearing cast on the air vessel, as
shown in Figures 12 and 13. Also the engine is made with horizontal cylinder, as
shown in Figures 19 and 20. In the latter case the inlet may be kept apart from
the outlet and may be on the other side of the cylinder, as it is shown in Figures 14,
15, 16, in full size.
In this case the female cocks are cast on the cylinder, but separate female cocks
may be fitted as described above.
The water in Figure 14 comes from the right hand side through the valve d
(see Figure 13), goes into the air vessel and into the male cock C, whence it goes
through four openings above or below the piston (as the position of the oscillating
cylinder allows) and leaves the cylinder a on the left hand side through the cock Č
standing symmetrically to that on the right hand side.
The sections of the cock C and C' in Figures 15 and 16 are taken looking from
the cylinder towards the cocks.
If the female cock of Figure 16, which corresponds to the inlet, is turned in the
direction of the arrow, the inlet below the piston takes place through the openings 1
and 15, 7 and 14, 6 and 13, 5 and 12, and the openings serving the space above the
pistons are all closed.
At the same time in Figure 15 the cock on the outlet side has turned to the left
and the exit from above the piston takes place through the openings 1 and 8,
2 and 9, 3 and 10, 4 and 11; the openings on the side serving the space below the
piston are closed.
As the oscillations of both female cocks take place symmetrically the inlet above
the piston in Figure 16 takes place through openings 1 and 8, 2 and 9, 3 and 10,

page_text: 4 and 11, whereas in Figure 15 the exit below the piston takes place through
openings 1 and 15, 7 and 14, 6 and 13, and 5 and 12.
Each cock has a shell shaped piece which makes the "change" in the direction
of the flow, Figures 15 and 16.
All the outlet openings in Figure 15 have in the middle position the same small
amount of area, and the outlet water is led upwards so that the outlet cock is
always covered with water.
In an engine with only one cock this cock may be reversed and the female cock
cast on the cylinder; or in an engine with two cocks only one of them or both may
be cast on as male cocks.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The mode of fixing water-steam and air engines by the use of a construction
of a sort of universal joint.
Second. The peculiar arrangement of the several inlet and outlet openings which
allow a double use of the same, and the shell shaped piece which produces the
change of flow in a water pressure engine.
Third. The substitution of the shell-shaped piece by a room being filled constantly
with water into which the outlets from both ends of the cylinder open a little during
the period of the "change."
Fourth. The use of a separate female cock for such engines where cocks are
used.
Fifth. The mode of tightening up the cock (where only one is used) by the
journal on the opposite side of the cylinder, and the way to bring it very near to.
the centro of the cylinder.
Sixth. The use of an improved stop valve for water, steam, and air engines which
can be opened or shut at once, and can when shut be pressed down upon its seat by
turning the valve spindle.
Seventh. The use of a valve which allows the waste water to pass into the waste
pipe, but which prevents the water from flowing back (from the waste pipe into
the basin).
Eighth. The use of a radially moveable crank pin for water pressure engines and
the way of fixing this moveable crank pin on Singer's or similar sewing machines.
Ninth. The use of piston rod lead to take up a ball shaped crank pin in the way
as shown in the Drawing.
Tenth. The use of a regulator put between the supply pipe and the water pres-
sure engine, which by the compression of the air accumulates a certain amount of
work and prevents the flowing back into the supply pipe by a valve.
In witness whereof, I, the said Friedrich Carl Glaser, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
F. C. GLASER. (L.S.)