Improvements in Compressing and Blowing Engines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 18th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 18th Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compressing and Blowing Engines.
We, JOHN WILD of The Falcon Iron Works Oldham in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, and MATTHEW BROWN WILD, of 52 Copester Hill,
Oldham in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to engines for compressing air and gases and for blowing
and more particularly to the construction arrangement and operation of the valves
and the cooling of the cylinders of such engines.
Although we do not limit ourselves to any particular type of engine, we prefer
to employ that in which the air or gas cylinders are arranged tandem fashion
above the steam cylinders and both above the crank shaft. We, also prefer to
compound both the steam and the air or gas cylinders.
The inlet valve of the compressing or bloving cylinder, or each inlet valve, is
oscillatory, with ports on the face next the cylinder and a space at the back in
communication with the interior of the cylinder or with the compressed air or
gas receiver.
This arrangement puts the valve in equilibrium, or nearly so,
during work. When it is closed, its ports are covered by a grid or by bars over
the ports and it is opened by a small angular movement which carries the ports
clear of the bars. The oscillation of the valve may be effected by means of a
radial arm or crank on the valve spindle and a connecting rod furnished at its
opposite end with an antifriction bowl or slide in a suitably shaped groove formed
in or upon a block or plate reciprocated from the crank shaft by an excentric
or otherwise. This groove may advantageously be made adjustable in such a
manner that the period of oscillation of the valve may be varied.
The outlet valve is also an oscillating valve of similar construction but having
preferably fewer or smaller ports. This valve is closed by any suitable positive
motion such for example as that described for the inlet valve, but it is arranged to
be opened as soon as the pressure in the cylinder equals the pressure in the
receiver, by means of a trip motion or by other suitable device. The trip motion
which we prefer to use has as its principal element a toggle joint connected with
the valve spindle. The joint may be controlled. by a pair of co-axial pistons and
cylinders of comparatively small diameter. The inner end of one of these cylinders
is connected with the compressed air receiver and that of the other end with the
compressing cylinder. The connected pistons will accordingly be forced to that
end where the pressure is less. Thus, if the pressure in the receiver exceeds the
pressure in the cylinder, the pistons will be forced in the direction of that one of
the co-axial cylinders which is in communication with the compressing cylinder.
Similarly, should the pressure in the cylinder exceed that in the receiver, the
pistons will be forced in the opposite direction. These motions may be communi-
cated to the toggle joint, and thus to the outlet valve of the compressing cylinder
by suitable devices. For example, one end of the toggle joint may be fixed, and
the other connected to an arm on the valve spindle with which arm there is also
connected a spring and a dash-pot. So soon as the connected pistons in the
differential co-axial cylinders move in the direction of bending the toggle joint,
and have lifted its centre above the centre line of the joint, the spring comes into
action, collapsing the toggle joint and pulling over the valve by the arm to which
D

page_text: the end of the toggle joint is connected, the dash pot preventing a too sudden
action. The valve spindle carries another arm on which is fixed an antifriction
bowl working in a groove in a block operated by the excentric as described with
reference to the inlet valve. At the end of the stroke, the valve is closed by the
antifriction bowl coming into contact with the curved part of its path, and by the
consequent movement of the valve spindle, the toggle joint is re-straightened and
the spring re-compressed. The toggle joint is preferred to be arranged with its
centre below the centre line of the joint, in order to prevent its accidental folding.
The trip motion may also be employed in connection with the inlet valve if
desired.
For cooling the air cylinder we may employ a spiral channel cast upon and
round its periphery, to which water is admitted at each end and from which it
escapes at the middle.
Provision may be made for ensuring the expulsion of as much as possible of the
air at the end of each stroke.
Dated this 17th day of December A.D. 1894.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Compressing and Blowing Engines.
We, MARY ANN WILD of Long Lane, Hollinwood in the County of Lancaster,
and formerly of 172 Coppice Street, Oldham, Widow, administratrix of the estate
of John Wild late of The Falcon Iron Works Oldham in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, deceased, and MATTHEW BROWN WILD of 52 Copester Hill, Oldham
in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :--
This invention relates to engines for compressing air and gases, and for blowing,
and more particularly to the construction arrangement and operation of the valves,
and to the cooling of the cylinders of such engines.
Although these improvements are not limited to any particular type of engine,
it is preferred to employ that in which the air or gas cylinders, and the steam
cylinder respectively are arranged in tandem,
The accompanying drawings have been designed to illustrate this invention and
are hereinafter referred to. In these drawings:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and
Figure 2 a plan of the air or gas cylinder.
1-
Figure 3 represents a vertical section taken through one pair of valves of the
same cylinder.
Figures 4 and 5 represent details.
Figure 6 shews a side elevation, and
Figure 7, a plan of a modification of the valve construction.
The inlet valve Vi, or each inlet valve of the compressing or blowing cylinder A,
is oscillatory, with ports p, on the face next the cylinder, and a space b, at the
back, in communication through the passage a, with the interior of the cylinder, or
with the gas or air receiver which is connected therewith in the usual manner and
not shewn in the drawings. This arrangement puts the valve in equilibrium, or
nearly so, during work. When the valve is closed, its ports or passages pare
covered by a grid or bars p'. Its opening and closing are effected by an oscillatory
movement which may be imparted to it by any suitable means such as by a radial
arm or crank f, fixed on the valve spindle, which arm may have mounted upon its
onter end, an antifriction bowl h, arranged in a path or recess between the two

page_text: curved plates o, on the block or plate O, which is reciprocated by the excentric
rod E, Figures 1 and 2. As shewn by Figure 1, the valve gear at opposite ends of
the cylinder is connected by the rod H. By the reciprocation of the block or
plate O, the antifriction bowl h is caused to travel in its path, and thus impart
motion to the valve spindle and valve as required. In the case of the outlet
valves Vo, these, being opened by the trip motion, as hereinafter described, it is
necessary only to provide means for closing the valve at the required time, and
therefore, only one of the adjustable or curved plates o, in the reciprocating block
or plate O, which actuates the valve, is required, as indicated by Figure 1. In
other respects, the motions for opening and for closing the outlet valves are the
same as described for the inlet valves.
It is in some cases advantageous to substitute for the reciprocating plates O, a
wrist plate B, Figures 6 and 7, which actuates all the valves, and which is put into
motion from the engine crank shaft, by the excentric rod E. The wrist plate
carries as many studs or pins as there are valves to be operated. In the construction
illustrated there are two inlet and two outlet valves, and therefore four studs or
pins upon which are mounted the ends of the valve rods C C F F¹, the other ends
of which are connected respectively with the arms e c ff, fixed upon the valve
spindles. The rods F F are divided and have interposed in them a dash-pot and
spring G, similar in construction and operation to the dash-pot and spring
hereinafter described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4.
The outlet valve or each outlet valve Vo, or each end of such valves, is preferred
to be constructed in two parts, as indicated by Figure 3, the two parts being
normally forced apart by the springs s, so as to maintain them in contact with their
seatings. Should any accident cause the failure of the trip motion, this construction
will cause the valve to lift from its seating when the pressure in the cylinder rises
above that in the receiver.
When the pressure in the cylinder equals the pressure in the cylinder, the outlet
valve is arranged to be opened. It is preferred to be employed for this purpose, a
trip motion having as its principal element, a toggle joint T, connected with the valve
spindle, as separately shewn by the sectional view, Figure 5. This joint is
controlled by a pair of co-axial connected pistons or rams Rr Rc, of comparatively
small diameter, working in corresponding cylinders. At the end Rr, the cylinder
is in communication with the usual air or gas receiver, and at the end Rc, the ram
cylinder is in communication with the compressing cylinder. The connected rams
will consequently be forced to that end where the pressure is less. Thus, if the
pressure in the receiver exceeds the pressure in the cylinder, the rams will be
forced in the direction Re, and if the pressure in the cylinder exceeds that
in the receiver, the rams will be forced in the opposite direction Rr. To com-
municate this motion to the outlet valve through the toggle joint, one end of this
joint may be fixed, as at t, by a pin, and the other end to the valve spindle arm f¹.
Below the centre of the toggle joint there is a vertical spindle D, around which
a spring d is coiled between the abutment e, and the adjusting nuts n, to overcome
friction. This spring tends to force the head of its rod into contact with the
toggle joint. The lower end of the vertical spindle D is pinned to the lever L,
which is engaged at its opposite end with the ram spindle R R c.
The outlet valve Vo of the compressing cylinder is closed at the commencement
of each stroke.
Each outlet valve rod F F¹ is connected with its valve spindle arm through the
dash-pot arrangement separately illustrated by Figure 4, and already referred to
with reference to Figure 6. The dash-pot cylinder G is fixed upon the end of the
rod. F, and its piston on the rod g, which is attached to the valve spindle arm f.
Between the dash-pot cylinder cover and the piston there is interposed a spring
coiled around the rod g.
At the commencement of a stroke in the compressing cylinder, the outlet
valve Vo is closed. As the stroke proceeds, the toggle joint, being straight, acts
as a strut between the valve spindle arm " and the fixed point t, and the valve

page_text: cannot be opened. The motion of the rod F therefore compresses the dashpot
spring. At the point of the stroke in the compressing cylinder where the pressure
produced begins to exceed that in the receiver, the pressure Rc exceeds the
pressure Rr in the device illustrated by Figure 5, and the vertical spindle D is
consequently forced upwards, bending the toggle joint T. The dash-pot spring,
being now free to act, in conjunction with the spindle D, pulls its rod, and thereby
cominences the opening of the outlet valve, the complete opening of which is
effected by the further motion of the rod F. The toggle joint is straightened
during the return stroke in preparation for the next working stroke.
The toggle joint is preferred to be arranged with its centre below the centre
line of the joint in order to diminish the risk of accidental folding or bending.
The trip inotion may, if desired, be employed in a similar manner, with suitable
modifications, in connection with the inlet valves.
For cooling the air cylinder A, there may be employed a spiral channel, indicated
by dotted lines Figures 1 and 2, cast upon and around its circumference. This
channel is closed or enclosed for the passage of water which is admitted at the
points W W near the opposite ends of the cylinder, and escapes at w, near the
middle.
Provision may be made for expelling as much as possible of the compressed
air or gas at the end of each stroke, by shaping the piston to fit as nearly as
practicable to the cylinder cover or end.
The engine or motor employed to operate the compressing cylinder and piston, and
the receiver for the compressed air or gas, are not indicated in the drawings, but
it will be understood that they may be of any suitable known construction and
arrangement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In compressing and blowing engines, the combination and arrangement of two
rams in cylinders respectively connected with the compressing cylinder and with
the receiver, a toggle joint between an arm on the valve spindle and a fixed part,
means for communicating the motion of the rams to the toggle joint, and a dash-pot
and spring connected with the valve rod, all constructed and operating substantially
as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In compressing aud blowing engines, inlet valves constructed arranged and
operated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
3. In compressing and blowing engines, outlet valves constructed arranged and
operated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
4. In compressing and blowing engines, a trip motion constructed arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom-
panying drawings.
5. In compressing and blowing engines, a compressing cylinder having an
enclosed spiral water channel provided with inlets at the outer ends and an
outlet at the middle, substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of September A.D. 1895.