Year: 1886

page_text: We JAMES WRIGHT, and THOMAS CHARLTON, and CHARLES SANDERS WRIGHT,
all of 84 Lombard St. City of London Engineers, do hereby declare the nature
of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The improvements relate to and have for object :-
I. To induce the air to combine mechanically or chemically with the petroleum
or other hydrocarbon used so as to form a carburetted explosive compound or
fulminate, such that when the mixture in a close vessel, is brought into contact
with a flame or a body of similar temperature, combustion more or less instan-
taneous takes place giving off heat and develloping corresponding dynamic force by
which energy is educed and work effected.
IL To the form shape arrangement and disposition of the various appliances by
which the results in the first paragraph are obtained having for object, the pro-
duction of the best combination of parts for combining, generating, regulating, and
firing the explosive fulminate, and for transmitting the force developed into the
performance of useful work by the machine or engine.
When the force is developed by the impulse from instantaneous combustion of
the fulminate, we call it explosive action; and when it is the result of slower or
possessive combustion we call it combustive action.
III. The air having been compressed by certain arrangements and action of the
machine, is permitted, in regulated quantities to enter a vessel called the car-
burettor (hereinafter described) within which is the hydrocarbon to be used)-say
petroleum. The construction of this vessel is such that the compressed air is forced
to pass through the mass of petroleum and in escaping, its particles become coated
with a film of petroleum, or it may be the particles of the one adhere to the
Carburetted air,"
particles of the other, so as to form a compound which we call
which when brought into contact with flame or an electric spark in a close vessel
explodes more or less quickly according to the arrangements adopted. The
explosive compound is conducted from the carburetter through passages and ports
to the one end of the Engine cylinder, where it is ignited and exploded and from
"

page_text: the change in the chemical state caused by the combustion, great heat is evolved,
and force given off, which, acting on the piston produces motion, which is trans-
mitted in the usual way for the performance of useful work by the machine.
In order to illustrate the modes, means, and appliances, by which we carry out
each part of our invention, and also the combination of these appliances, so as to
form the complete machine, we append to this specification a sheet of drawings,
giving each appliance its form and function, and the combinations of the whole
forming the complete engine, within which we induce enery, and by which we
perform the useful work.
THE METHOD AND MEANS FOR COMPRESSING THE AIR.
This description for compressing the air, is set out and described in the specifi-
cation, of James Wright and Thomas Charlton, dated 7th Febr 1885 N° 1703
and which we repeat, here only for the purpose of shewing the action, in con-
nection with the improvements in the apparatus, and appliances, for which a
patent is asked for under this petition. The apparatus is shewn by Figs. 1 and 2
of the drawings. Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan of the bottom
of the cylinder: m, is the cover at the top: m, the inner skin m the outer skin,
intended to form the cooling jacket E: n, is the piston: n₁ the piston rod passing
through an ordinary box, or gland in the bottom cover of the cylinder: Three
ports open into the cylinder; two at the bottom (which in some cases may be
duplicated) R, R₁: another at the top R, At the bottom of the cylinder, are
formed two valve boxes, within which are mounted the valves v, v, which cover
the ports r₁ The one box P, being open to the outer air, the other p₂ opening
into a passage, which leads to a chamber situated anywhere in the frame of, or
adjacent to the Engine, and herinafter called the "Compressed Air Receiver;" v, is
connected with and is acted upon, by a loaded spring s₁ contained within a small
cylinder (the object and action of which will be explained hereafter): v, is also
acted upon by a loaded spring. 8, which is so arranged, as to close the valve v₂ on
the return stroke of the piston.
The function and action of this appliance is as follows:-The piston being
at the bottom of the cylinder, the valve v₁ opens as it rises, and allows air to
pass in from the atmosphere, the products, above the piston being driven off,
through an exhaust valve (herinafter explained) The piston having reached the
top, a supply valve (also herinafter explained) opens, and the exhaust shuts. The
piston in its descent closes the valve v₁ and compresses the air through the valve v.
into the compressed air receiver through the passage q₂, the fulminate above the
piston, forcing it to a prearranged distance, and then being exploded. This action
is repeated at each stroke of the piston, and an accumulation of compressed air is
obtained in the receiver. To prevent the pressure in the air receiver, ever getting
beyond a fixed amount, and to avoid the pumping of more air than required, which
would be done by using an ordinary safety valve, we employ the apparatus shewn
in Fig. 1a. x is a pipe leading to the compressed air receiver: y, is a cylinder fitted
with a piston y₁: y, is a piston rod: w, is a spring loaded to the pressure required
in the receiver: zzare levers jointed at 21.
When the pressure in the receiver becomes too high, it forces down the piston,
and levers attached, and opens the clack v₁ and thus stops the pumping action of
the piston.
The next important part of our invention is the Carburetter. This is shewn in
Figs. 3 and 5,
and 6, of the drawings. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 5
is a plan of the top of the vessel within which is placed the petroleum, the level of
which is shown by the line c: q, is a port communicating with the compressed air
receiver, by means of a passage, which contains a stop valve, to close or open it:
q, is a port communicating with the compressed air receiver by means of a passage
which contains a stop valve to close or open it: q₁ is a port communicating with a

page_text: passage leading to the atmosphere which also contains a stop valve: 8, is a port
which communicates with the cylinder through the port r, Fig. 1: d is a minutely
perforated diaphram: a a is a passage down the side and along the bottom of the
vessels. The action is as follows:-Upon the stop cock being opened the air under
pressure from the receiver rushes along the passage and enters the port q, and
rushing down the passage a, a, forces down the Petroleum and moving in the
direction of the arrows, rises through the perforated diaphram d, and passes up
through the petroleum, collects over the surface of the liquid and is allowed to
flow up the port 8, and along the passage, and enter the cylinder through the
port r, Fig. 1.. When the air leaves the carburetter its particles carry off minute
quantities of the petroleum, so that the new compound is in such a state that when
heat in the shape of flame or the poles of an electric battery or machine or any
such appliance is brought into contact with it an explosion' takes place.
Figs. 4, and 6, are drawings of another form of carburetter shewing a heating
jacket, e, round the vessel, as in the non-refined petroleum, we find it advantageous
to raise the temperature before passing the air through it, and for this purpose we
enclose or form it with a jacket, through which we pass hot water, which we obtain
from the jacket of the working cylinder.
The first carburetter Figs. 3 and 5 is for the use of refined petroleum in first
starting the Engine. The cycle of operations by means of the two appliances
described is as follows:-The piston being at the top of the cylinder, and the air
receiver charged with air at a predetermined pressure (by an arrangment described
hereafter) The compressed fulminate is admitted through the port 7, Fig. 1. The
expansive force of the fulminate together with the momentum of the fly wheel
pushes the piston downwards, and at a certain point in the stroke, the fulminate is
exploded (by a method explained hereafter) and the force developed urges on the
descent of the piston which compresses the air below it into the compressed air
receiver, which said air passes through the carburetter to the cylinder of the Engine
as a fulminate ready to be used for another charge. On the piston finishing its
stroke the exhaust valve opens and the piston on rising sucks in air beneath it, and
forces out the products of combustion above it through a chamber (herinafter
described) into the atmosphere.
This completes the cycle, so that, during the up stroke of the piston fresh air is
supplied and the waste products expelled; on the down stroke of the piston the
new supply of fulminate is provided supplied and exploded, so that one impulse is
given to the piston in every revolution of the Fly wheel.
Figs. 7 and 8 are drawings to an enlarged scale to show the working of the
valves and valve gear. The importance of this part of the invention is the working
of the inlet and outlet valves, and also the ignition gear, with two cams only, and
in such manner as to vary the cut off of the mixture in the travel of the piston, to
say from to of the stroke which not only allows the power of the Engine to be
increased or diminished to a very wide extent to suit the requirements of the work
without altering the component parts of the mixture, but also to enable the engine
for starting purposes to be converted into a non-compression engine in which case
the passage from the receiver is shut off from the carburetter, and a passage opened
to the atmosphere: so that on turning the fly wheel the piston draws a charge of
air from the atmosphere through the carburetter, to say the stroke of the piston,
when it is exploded which commences the working of the engine, and pumps air
into the receiver to the required pressure for working; when the cock to the
atmosphere is turned off and that leading to the receiver turned on.. It will often
be found advantageous in small power engines to work totally in this manner :-
Fig. 7 is a front elevation and Fig. 8 a sectional side elevation: a, is a face or plate
connected with the cylinder of the Engine: d, is a face or plate connected to a
conduit which leads to the carburetter, by suitable bolts and nuts which pass
through distance pieces not shewn in drawing to face a: These distance pieces are
of such thickness as to allow both the primary and cut off valves (b. and c. respec-

page_text: .
tively) to work freely between the faces a and d: e is the exhaust port: fis the
admission port, for the mixture, and also the outlet for the Exhaust as in the
ordinary steam engines slide valve: h is a rod working on a lever w. Fig. 7 attached
to the primary valve b. The lever w works on the roller x. Fig. 8 which is kept
in contact with the cam y by a spring or other suitable means: h, is a rod jointed
to the cut off valve c. and connected at the other end to a lever secured to the
rocking shaft p. which receives its motion from the slide block 7: k is an ordinary
slot link for carrying the slide block : h₂ is a lever jointed at n, on the slot link
and attached at the other end to the lever s, which works on the roller x, which in
kept in contact, with the cam y, by a spring or other suitable means: h, is jointed
to n, on the slot link and also attached to the lever w which works on the roller
which is moved by cam y: r is a rod connected with the Governor and is jointed
at points n or n, by which the slot link k is moved while the slide block c is kept
in position by the lever m, which action allows the cut off to take place either
earlier or later in the stroke of the piston as required thus, supposing the rod r
is pulled by the Governor, it will draw the slot link k with it, and the slide block
will be more actuated by the rod h, worked by the lever the roller x and the
can y: The valves b, and c will remain open therefore nearly half the stroke of
the piston, thus adding to the power of the Engine. If on the other hand the
link is pushed by the Governor rod r so as to allow the block to be more actuated
by the lever he working on the lovers, the roller x, and the cam y, then the cut off
valve will close earlier, say at about the stroke of the piston and thus reduce the
power of the Engine.
In the position of the slide block in the drawings annexed the valves will
partake equally of the motion of both cams, and the port will remain open about
one quarter of the stroke of the piston. The lighting apparatus which may be
electric or any other well known appliance is being worked off the same slide
block & will partake of the same motion and will explode the charge in the
cylinder at the instant of the valves closing. One main object of this invention is
to work the valve gear by means of cams, in lieu of eccentrics, by which a much
more rapid and extended scale of cut off can be obtained as well as the igniting
apparatus being automatically worked. The cycle of operations by means of the
four arrangements described is as follows:- On the piston of the Engine finishing
its return stroke, the cam gear opens the inlet port in the primary valve, and closes
the exhaust outlet, which allows the explosive mixture to pass from the carburetter
and through the cut off valve port which at this moment is open into the
cylinder. This is supposing the receiver is fully charged with compressed air.
The compressed explosive mixture on entering the cylinder forces down the piston
to a point in the stroke regulated by the Governor. At this point the link motion
closes the cut off valve and at this instant, or preferably just before, opens the
ignition port when a flame from the lighting apparatus explodes the charge
forcing the piston to the end of its stroke: At this point the cam gear closes the
inlet port of the primary valve and opens the exhaust, which allows the products
to be rejected into the exhaust chamber, and thence to the atmosphere on the
return stroke of the piston, which is effected by the energy stored in the Fly wheel.
On the piston commencing its upward stroke the link motion: opens the cut off
valve, and closes the flame igniting port opening the master flame ports to allow
the products in the cone to pass out into the atmosphere and likewise the fresh
mixture from the source therefore to enter the cone from which it passes out into
the atmosphere at a comparitively low velocity, and is there ignited by the master
flame burning outside. Owing to its low velocity in escaping it retires into the
apparatus and burns in the cone ready for effecting the next explosion. The engine
now completes its return stroke when the primary valve again opens its inlet
passages, and closes its exhaust and the same cycle of operations is repeated. The
engine therefore effects one explosion and receives one impulse on every revolution
of the crank shaft, and fly wheel.

page_text: Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 12 is a plan of a noiseless exhaust
apparatus. a is a passage connected to a passage from the exhaust port of the
cylinder: b b b are perforated plates. The area of the holes in the bottom
plate are made greater than the area of the passage a; and the number of
holes in the other plates increase as the plates become larger in diameter.
It will of course be plain that the apparatus is constructed in a conical shape.
Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of an improved form of cylinder jacketting: The
cylinder is fitted with a piston which has a hollow bolster end which is slightly
less than the diameter of the piston proper to prevent its rubbing. The drawing
will need no further explanation.
Figs. 14, 15 and 10 are complete arrangements of the whole engine: A crank
shaft B is the fly wheel; C is the valve gear; D is the carburetter; E the
cylinder; F the stop valves; G the Governor; H the lighting gear; K the air
receiver; L the noiseless exhaust apparatus.
Fig. 17. is a front elevation of a stage compression engine wherein the force is
produced from a combustive action of the fulminate.
A. is a cylinder with an air pump at lower end fitted with piston C and trunk B
working on crank D: E is a single acting air pump of less capacity fitted with
piston F, and rod F₁, working on a crank H, which is set half a right angle behind
the crank D. In this cycle of operations air from the large air pump is compressed
into the small one and is there further compressed to say of its stroke and to the
working pressure of the Engine about 150 lbs at which it passes through the
carburetter to the cylinder of the Engine where it is ignited and burnt, which
increases its volume some 5 times and forces the piston to about of its entire
stroke, and until the small air pump finishes its stroke at which point the inlet
valve closes and the piston is forced the remaining portion of its stroke by the
expansion of the burning mixture. On the return stroke the products are ejected
into the atmosphere in the ordinary way.
Having now particularly described and
Invention and in what manner the same is
we claim is—
ascertained the nature of our said
to be performed we declare that what.
1st The use of the valve apparatus, shewn in Fig. 1a, and herewithin described
for regulating the supply and the pressure of the air, in the compressed air
receiver.
2nd We claim the method of carburetting air as herewithin described when the
same is to be used as an explosive or combustive compound, for giving off force and
producing motion.
3rd We claim the shape and form and the use of a carburetter substantially as
described in Figs. 3 and 4, 5 and 6, of the drawings and more fully set out in the
specification.
4th We claim the arrangements and mode of actuating the valve gear as shewn
in Figs. 7 & 8 of the drawings and the use and application of the same to adjust
regulate and work the the valves connected with the supply of fulminate to and
the discharge of products from the cylinder after the explosion and also to the
mode of regulating and working the lighting apparatus substantially as herewithin
described when the said appliances or combinations of them are used with a gas,
Petroleum or other hydrocarbon Engine.
5th We claim the use of a noiseless exhaust as shewn in Figs. 11 and 12 of the
drawings and herewithin described.
6th We claim the form of working the cylinder and piston as shewn in Fig. 13
and herewithin described.
7th We claim the combination of the cylinder, the carburetter, the lighting
apparatus, the valve gear and noiseless exhaust so as to form one complete
machine, the function of which shall be such as we have described, and whose cyle
of operations shall be those we have specially ennumerated and set out in detail
herewithin of which a type of Engine is shewn in Figs. 14, 15, and 16.

page_text: 8th We claim the method of starting the Engine by drawing air from the atmos-
phere and through the carburetter so as to form the first explosive charge without
the medium of the Engine.
9th We claim the same method of drawing the air through the carburetter and
using it without compression to work Engines.
10th We claim the use of compressing the air by stages and then having
carburetted it burning the mixture more slowly and developing the power by its
increased tension as shewn in Fig. 17 and more fully described herewithin.
Dated this 12th day of May 1886.
JAMES WRIGHT.
THOMAS CHARLTON.
CHARLES SANDERS WRIGHT,