An Improved Method of and Means for Propelling Tricycles and other Carriages by Compressed Air, applicable also for Propelling Boats.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Means for Propelling Tricycles and other
Carriages by Compressed Air, applicable also for Propelling Boats.
We DAVID WILLIAMS of Cardigan View Pwllheli Retired Master Mariner and
EVAN ROBERT DAVIES of Rhianfa Pwllheli Solicitor both in the County of Car-
narvon do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to utilizing compressed air for the propulsion of vehicles
on land and vessels at sea. The method of carrying our invention into effect
will depend in detail upon the construction of the vehicle or vessel to which it
is applied. The general principles of the invention will however be the same.
We will state the nature of the invention as applied to a Tricycle. A Receiver
for compressed air preferably of cylindrical form is placed under the seat of the
Tricycle. Inside the receiver is fitted a piston having the usual packing and a
spiral spring of the required size and strength to act against the force of the
compressed air. We also provide the cylinder with a safety valve and a pressure
gauge. Before starting and to obtain the required motive power the receiver
must be charged by means of a hand air pump for small vehicles. In large or
heavy vehicles or vessels we prefer a mechanical air pump. When sufficient
energy is obtained by operating the air pump so as to charge the receiver with
air the throttle valve or other regulator is opened when the compressed air will
be allowed to pass to the cylinder or cylinders and thus operate the crank or
cranks and cause the tricycle to move.
The Tricycle is provided with either one or two cylinders containing recipro-
cating pistons and also with the necessary slide valves connecting rods cranks and
the like as will be well understood to propel the machine. The Receiver is fitted
with a throttle valve or other regulator and pipes for conducting the compressed
air to the slide valve or valves and cylinders.
To maintain an uniform pressure and supply in the air receiver an air pump
is fixed at the side of the air receiver which can be regulated at will to replenish
the exhaust.
This air pump is worked by an improved application of the multiple power
system from the crank axle of the Tricycle.
We also provide a proper brake when necessary.
An Improved Method of and Means for Propelling Tricycles and other
Carriages by Compressed Air, applicable also for Propelling Boats.
We, DAVID WILLIAMS and EVAN ROBERT DAVIES Rhianfa, Pwllheli, Co. of
Carnarvon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
Price 811

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to utilizing compressed air for the propulsion of vehicles
on land and vessels at sea. The method of carrying my invention into effect
will depend in detail upon the construction of the vehicle or vessel to which it
is applied. The general principles of the invention will, however, be the same.
I will state, the nature of the invention as applied to a tricycle. A receiver for
compressed air preferably of cylindrical form is placed under the seat of the
tricycle. Inside the receiver is fitted a piston having the usual packing and a
spiral spring of the required size and strength to act against the force of the
compressed air. I also provide the cylinder with a safety valve and a pressure
gauge.
Before starting and to obtain the required motive power, the receiver must be
charged by means of a hand air pump for small vehicles. In large or heavy
vehicles or in vessels I prefer a mechanical air pump. When sufficient energy
is obtained by operating the air pump so as to charge the receiver with air the
throttle valve or other regulator is opened when the compressed air will be
allowed to pass to the cylinder or cylinders and thus operate the crank or cranks
and cause the vehicle to move. The tricycle is provided with either one or two
cylinders containing reciprocating pistons and provided with the necessary slide
valves connecting rods and cranks etc. as will be well understood to propel the
machine. The receiver is fitted with a throttle valve or other regulator and pipes
for conducting the compressed air to the slide valve or valves and cylinders.
To maintain an uniform pressure and supply in the air receiver, an air pump
is fixed at the side of the air receiver which can be regulated at will to replenish
the exhaust. This air pump is worked by an improved application of the multiple
power system from the crank axle of the tricycle. I also provide a proper brake
when necessary.
For purposes of illustrating the principle of my invention I will now refer to
the annexed drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a sectional plan showing a form of my invention.
acts
a, & a¹ are two cylinders which are connected to the frame of the machine in
any convenient manner, the pistons b, & 61 being connected to the cranks cand
driving the shaft d upon which the ground wheels e & e¹ are carried. f, and f¹
are two compressing cylinders in which the pistons g and g work the rate of
motion of these pistons being arranged as required. The piston g¹ in this case
as shown being operated by an eccentric or the like, the piston is driven by
the crank which is driven by the wheel i around which the band j passes said
band being driven by the wheel secured upon the shaft d, the compressing
cylinders and f' communicate with the reservoir 7 by means of any well-known
and convenient form of valve, so that upon the upstroke of the pistons air is
drawn into the compressing cylinders and upon the downstroke the air is forced
into the reservoir 7. m is a moveable piston head upon which the spring
so that the compression of the air into the reservoir will force back the piston
head m according to the pressure of the air in the reservoir. The compressed
air is allowed to pass from the reservoir to the cylinders a and a¹ being admitted
alternately upon each side of the piston head by the usual arrangement of a
stuffing box and slide valve operated by the rod and eccentrics p. Of course
any well-known and convenient arrangement of valves could be employed if
desired. By this arrangement it will be seen that the compressed air in the reser-
voir when admitted to the cylinders will drive the cranks upon the shaft d.
Any convenient form of safety valve may be employed upon the cylinder so as
to relieve the pressure in same after it has reached the required limit the rate
of motion of the compressed pistons is arranged so as to supply the air at the
required rate.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:-
1. The combined construction and arrangement of the various parts substan-
tially as described and illustrated herein.
2. In compressed air engines or motors, a reservoir provided with moveable
pisten head controlled by a spring into which the air is compressed by means of
two compressing pumps operated at a suitable speed, from a shaft or, spindle
carrying ground wheels said shaft or spindle having cranks which are driven
by pistons working in cylinders, and to which the compressed air is supplied
through suitable valves and stuffing boxes, an exposed valve upon said reservoir
to allow of the escape of any excess of pressure.
Tatad this 2nd day of I moust 1907