Improvements in or relating to Self Propelled Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 25th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1897
Date of Applica
Complete Specification Left. 25th Jan.. 1897-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL DE MULTICATION
Improvements in or relating to Self Propelled Vehicles.
We, HERBERT CHURCHILL CAPEL of 168 Dalston Lane, County of Middlesex,
Engineer, and THOMAS CLARKSON of Grove Villa, Carshalton Grove, Sutton in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in self-propelled vehicles, with the object
of obviating some of the drawbacks in existing systems, correcting faults which
have become apparent in such systems, and simplifying and increasing the efficiency
generally. Several points have consequently to be dealt with, these principally
consisting
(1st.) As to self-propelled vehicles driven by any self-contained power, the
mounting of the apparatus relating thereto upon or in immediate connection with
one of the axles-preferably the back axle-of the vehicle, so that an existing
vehicle can be easily converted.
(2nd.) An improved system of steering whereby the fore-carriage usually
employed in horse vehicles may be retained and utilized for the new requirements,
with the same object in view as in (1).
(3rd.) In the case of vehicles propelled by steam power, special constructions of
the boiler, of the stuffing boxes to prevent leakage, the increasing of the efficiency
of the condenser, by employing a fan or equivalent driven by the exhaust steam
from the engine so that the speed of the air propeller may vary according to the
quantity of steam used, and so far as the motive power is concerned complete
duplication of the whole system.
For simply heating the boiler of a steam engine the ignition tube or vapouriser
of an oil engine or for other purposes where oil and wick are employed a particular
arrangement of the wick and attachments.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE, BOILER etc. UPON THE AXLE OF THE
VEHICLE.
In carrying out this part of the invention the whole of the working parts of the
engine would be carried directly or indirectly upon the axle, and where steam was
employed the boiler would be also similarly carried; where oil, petroleum essence
etc. was used the storage tank might be carried upon the vehicle itself, or upon
some other portion of the framework as it could easily be connected by means
of a flexible connection, so that important structural alterations of the vehicle
or framework would not be necessary. The axle in this case would be a fixture
so far as the framework was concerned, and the engine would be mounted
upon it, or upon plates, platforms or equivalent connected with it or if preferred
box wheels could be employed having the engines inside operating direct upon
The
cranks fixed upon the axle or through gearing in any convenient manner.
same principle may be carried out by substituting for the ordinary axle a frame
which would carry the mechanism, and be itself connected with the framework of
the vehicle, the frame being arranged to have a rotating axle passing through it
driven by the motor and connected with the vehicle wheels by suitable gearing.
Or if the duplex system were adopted two axles meeting, or nearly meeting at the
contre could he emplored

page_text: STEERING.
The steering adopted so as to utilize the usual fore-carriage may be carried out
in the following manner :-With the fore-carriage, conveniently by means of a
wheel or ring upon it, is indirectly connected an endless rope, chain or equivalent,
or if not endless, the two ends may be connected with the ring or wheel which
works the fore-carriage and this is taken round suitable guide pulleys preferably
carried in a jointed frame so arranged that it can be folded up or down out of way,
that portion of the rope nearest to the seat of the driver of the vehicle being
exposed to his grip, and the other portions preferably encased as by tubes. The
precise gearing employed for connecting the movement imparted to the rope with
the fore-carriage for steering purposes may vary, but it is desirable to gear it down
so that a relatively considerable travel of the rope makes a relatively small
movement of the carriage, thus providing the person steering with the necessary
power and control. One way of carrying this out would be to place the before
mentioned rope pulley upon the king bolt of the fore-carriage and connect with
the pulley a toothed pinion engaging with another pinion pivotted upon the fore-
carriage and also gearing with a rack fixed to the framework of the vehicle so that
as the rope pulley was turned a motion of translation would be imparted to the
carriage pinion thus moving the forecarriage with it. However worm gearing or
other suitable gear may be employed. The jointing of the rope-carrying frame
may be such that when it is folded back out of the way the tension of the rope is
relaxed.
THE BOILER.
In constructing this we employ a drum adapted to contain the water and
connected with the lowest part of the boiler by a down tube, from which would
rise a series of sections or parts of the boiler, each complete in itself, but all
operating in common. Each section consists of what may be termed a gridiron,
that is to say two tubes are connected by a number of smaller tubes perpendicular
to the first tubes presenting the appearance of a gridiron, which, or a portion of
which, can be so bent or curved as to lie conveniently around the before-mentioned
drum, while the other end of the gridiron would be connected with the before-
mentioned down tube. Any desired number of these sections may be arranged,
one behind the other, the flame being intended to play amongst the tubes of the
sections which are all connected at the bottom to the before mentioned down tube
and at the top to the other end of the drum by a similar arrangement. The water
would lie at its appropriate level in the drum. Between each section or gridiron
may be placed a plate or baffle of any suitable material so as to confine to each
section its appropriate portion of the flame or heated gases; at the top these plates
may be perforated or separated so as to allow of the escape of the gases. Where a
vapouriser is employed for the employment of liquid fuel as would usually be the
case, we may place it underneath the drum and between the gridirons, a point of
special advantage, as the flame would be split upon it and directed to the gridirons
at each side. In order to obtain dry, and possibly superheated, steam, we provide
a perforated pipe or strainer which may be placed in the upper portion of the
drum from which extends a coil of piping not otherwise open to the interior of the
drum, but carried round inside it so as to utilize as much as possible the heat
therein; this coil delivers the steam to the engines and the regulator may with
advantage be placed at the junction of the perforated tube or strainer with the
coil.
As a means of regulating the water level we connect a pipe, which may be made
of metals having different ratios of expansion, and passing through the furnace,
both ends connecting with the drum, one at the proper water level and the other
at the other end of the drum above it. To promote circulation through this tube
the return or discharge end may be so placed as to benefit by the rush of steam.

page_text: from the generating tubes as it enters the drum. Suitable parts of the tube are
connected preferably with multiplying gear so as to operate one or more valves
cocks or equivalent to control the supply of water to the boiler by means of a
pump drawing its supply from a source outside the boiler system and delivering
either to that source of supply without touching the system or supplying to the
system should the controlling valve or equivalent be opened. It will thus be seen
that as the temperature of the tube will vary as it contains steam or water, so its
length will vary, and through the instrumentality of the multiplying gear the
pump controlling valve will be opened or closed and more water added to the
system as required.
STUFFING Box.
As when steam is employed it is of great importance not to lose any of the
water as the water of condensation should be returned for re-use, so as to avoid
the two objections of carrying an extra supply of water, and of discharging the
exhaust steam into the atmosphere, we employ a special arrangement of duplex
stuffing box whereby any escape of water or steam past the first gland will be
intercepted at the second and may be carried off by a pipe or equivalent to any
desired portion of the system-the hot well for example-so as to be re-used. In
this arrangement practically two stuffing boxes are employed, though preferably
both are enclosed in a casing and the gland of the interior stuffing box may be
connected with that of the outer one, so that pressure applied to the outer one
would operate also upon the inner one, but independent means of tightening the
two glands may be employed if desired. There may be a space or collecting
chamber between the two stuffing boxes from which the leakage would be taken.
CONDENSER.
}
As the efficiency of an atmospheric condenser such as we propose to employ,
largely depends upon the current of air to which it is exposed, and this in a self-
propelled vehicle would vary according to the speed of the vehicle, the direction
of the wind, and other circumstances, we find it desirable to supply the necessary
current by means of a fan or equivalent and in order to regulate the volume of air
delivered by that fan the speed should be regulated according to the quantity of
steam to be condensed. To effect this we prefer to drive this fan or equivalent by
any suitable form of motor say conveniently a turbine or re-action wheel driven by
the exhaust from the engine before it enters the condenser, so that if the engine
was delivering more steam greater speed would be imparted to the fan and
A suitable motor for this purpose consists of a hollow spindle, to which
the exhaust steam is supplied, terminating in one or more spiral tubes from the
ends of which the steam escapes, rotating the tubes and spindle. Preferably the
tubes are so curved as to facilitate the passage of the steam and cause as little
friction with it as possible. The fan may be carried by this spindle.
vice versa.
HEATING.
•
For heating the steam boiler or the ignition tube etc. of explosion engines, we
prefer to employ a wick in the form of an endless band part of it dipping into the
vessel containing the fuel, and passing under a slot or opening in the tube or
casing, the fame being supplied with the liquid fuel from the flat of the wick.
Any convenient arrangements of rollers guides etc. may be employed to direct the
wick which preferably though not necessarily is tubular and may or may not be
caused to travel.
Manch 1806
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, HERBERT CHURCHILL CAPEL of 168 Dalston Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, and THOMAS CLARKSON, of Grove Villa, Carshalton Grove,
Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, 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 improvements in self-propelled vehicles with the object
of obviating some of the drawbacks in existing systems, correcting faults which
have become apparent in such systems, and simplifying and increasing the
efficiency generally. Several points have consequently to be dealt with, these
principally consisting
1st. As to self-propelled vehicles driven by any self-contained power, the
mounting of the apparatus relating thereto upon or in immediate connection with
one of the axles, preferably the back axle of the vehicle so that an existing vehicle
can be easily converted.
2nd. An improved system of steering whereby the fore-carriage usually employed
in horse vehicles may be retained and utilised for the new requirements, the object
of the improvement being as in 1.
3rd. In the case of vehicles propelled by steam power special constructions of the
boiler and of the stuffing-boxes to prevent leakage, the increasing of the efficiency
of the condenser by employing a fan or equivalent driven by the exhaust steam
from the engine so that the speed of the air-propeller may vary according to the
quantity of the steam used, and so far as the motive power is concerned complete
duplication of the whole system.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away of the improved self-propelled
vehicle.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same partly broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the vehicle.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the boiler.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the duplicate arrangement of boilers.
Figure 6 is an elevation of one of these boilers viewed from the opposite end to
that shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 7 is a detail of the boiler construction.
Figure 8 is an eud elevation of a modified form of boiler.
Figure 9 is a plan of the same.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a water-regulating device.
Figure 11 is an end elevation of the same looking on to the valve-face.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of an improved stuffing box.
Figure 13 is a side elevation of the condenser fan and the turbine for
operating it.
Figure 14 is a front view of the turbine.
Figure 15 is an elevation of a modified arrangement for mounting the engines
and boiler, the casing of these parts being shown in section.
Figure 16 is a plan of the steering device shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 17 is a plan of a modification of the steering device.
Figure 18 is an elevation of the same.
Figure 19 is a section through one of the cylinders of the box wheel arrangement
of the motor.

page_text: Figure 20 is a side elevation of a portion of this arrangement with the cover or
the valve chamber removed.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
Two frames A are securely attached to the axle B of the road wheels and are
conveniently shaped so that the motor and driving mechanism with or without the
fuel tank, and also the boiler if the motor is steam driven, may be attached to them
and enable all these parts to be mounted. upon or in immediate connection with,
and to be supported by, the axle B. However we do not bind ourselves to use the
frames A as other forms may be adopted or the engines &c. otherwise supported
upon the axle B. The latter is non-rotating and attachel either directly or
through the framing A to the springs C which are connected to the ordinary
framing C' of the body of the vehicle. The driving wheels D run loose upon the
axle B and each carries on its inner face an internally toothed annulus D' with
which engages a pinion E carried upon a shaft E' driven directly by the engines.
Each of the shafts E' runs in bearings carried by the framing A and is provided
with an independent motor F. This arrangement of duplicate shafts and motors
enables differential gear to be dispensed with, and also permits of the road wheels
being arranged out of the vertical plane as is commonly the practice.
The motors F are preferably operated by steain and are of the multi-cylinder
type with the cylinders radiating in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The
boiler which is of the water-tube type is enclosed in a casing G attached to the
frames A. The tank H containing the liquid fuel for the boiler may be placed, as
shown, behind the hood of the vehicle or may be arranged in more immediate
connection with the boiler.
It will be seen that by thus having all the motor apparatus necessary for
rendering a vehicle self-propelled mounted upon, or in immediate connection with,
and supported by the axle of the driving road wheels, an ordinary horse-drawn
vehicle may be easily converted by removing the existing road wheels and axle,
It will be understood that
and substituting those fitted with the motor apparatus.
if desired the motors may be mounted upon and arranged to directly drive
the axles upon which the wheels are fixed. In this case the axle would be
divided, each portion being carried in bearings attached to a suitable framework
corresponding to the frames A upon which the boiler or other apparatus would be
mounted.
For the purpose of steering the vehicle the existing fore-carriage is employed,
the arrangement of the steering mechanism being hereinafter fully described, this
arrangement also tending to facilitate the conversion of a horse-drawn vehicle
into a self-propelled vehicle.
A
A condenser is carried upon the fore-carriage in a casing J, the front of which
is provided with louvres to permit of free access of air. Immediately at the back
of these louvres is arranged a fan K mounted on a light shaft K', and adapted to
be driven by a turbine K operated by the exhaust steam from the engine.
casing enclosing the turbine receives the steam from the latter and either returns
it through suitable tubes to the boiler direct or takes it to the condenser and
general circulating system.
The boilers are preferably in duplicate and each comprise a steam drum Land a
down tube L' to which are connected a series of "gridiron" elements (Figs. 4, 5
and 6). Each of these elements which are arranged on each side of the steam
drum is independent of all the others, and consists of two tubes M and M¹ of
relatively large diameter connected together by a series of tubes M, of relatively
smail diameter, each element having the appearance of a "gridiron." At one end
of each of the tubes M M' is arranged a joint by means of which all the elements
can be put into communication with the down tube L' and the steam drum L.
These joints are formed upon the ends of the tubes as square blocks N carrying
copper packing rings N', which are bevelled from without inwards so as to leave
an edge, which by being brought in contact with the edge of a similar ring carried
by the block on the end of the adjacent tube, may be slightly flattened, and caused

page_text: to make a steam tight joint. The blocks N are drawn together and the tabes
jointed up by means of plates N' and bolts N³ passing through the latter. Where
the ends of the tubes M are united and connected to the steam drum L it is
convenient to have the joints so arranged as to allow of a certain amount of
expansion. With this object the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 is employed.
The bolts N³ pass through the plate N the blocks N being arranged one upon the
other upon this plate; packing blocks N'are placed above the blocks N the ends of the
bolts N being passed through double plates N N which lie on the packing blocks,
and the nuts screwed up. The plate N is not in contact with the plate N° being
held apart from it by distance pieces N'. Thus the expansion of the joints N
tends to slightly bend the plate N° without adding seriously to the strain upon the
bolts N³.
Two of these boilers are preferably arranged with the steam druma end to end
as shown in Fig. 5, and then connected together, though if desired each boiler may
be separate in order to allow of one complete engine boiler and circulating system
being shut off. As shown the boilers are connected together and arranged to be
controlled by stop valve levers O, one of which is shown connected by a rod O¹
(Fig. 1) with the end of the lever O2, the handle of which is placed in a suitable
position within reach of the driver. If desired both boilers may be operated by the
same lever O².
In the modified form of boiler illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 in place of the tubes M
lying above the steam drum they are situated away from it on either side, the
gridiron elements being arranged in a slanting manner so that the tubes M' lie
beneath the steam drum where they open into the down-comer L'. The tubes M²
are here preferably formed straight instead of curved as in the previous case. The
tubes M are all united at one end, and communicate with the steam drum through a
tube M³.
It will be noted that in each of the above described forms of boiler the
arrangement of the elements is such that the circulation takes place dingonally
across them. By thus building up the boiler of elements which can be
independently tested and removed for renewal or otherwise as required, the chance
of leakage is reduced to a minimum, while the size of the boiler may be readily
altered by increasing or reducing the number ef elements. Between each section
or gridiron may be placed a plate or baffle of suitable material so as to confine to
each section its appropriate portion of the flame or heated gases. At the top these
plates may be perforated or separated so as to allow of the escape of the gases.
Where a vapouriser is utilised for the employment of liquid fuel, as would usually
be the case, it may be placed underneath the steam drum L and between the
gridirons, a point of special advantage in the form of boiler illustrated in Figs. 4,
5 and 6, as the flame would he split upon it and directed to the gridirons on each
side. In order to obtain dry and possibly superheated steam, a perforated pipe or
strainer may he provided which may be placed in the upper portion of the steam
drum L from which extends a coil of piping not otherwise open to the interior of
the drum, but carried round inside it so as to utilise as much as possible the heat
therein. This coil delivers the steam to the engines, and the regulator or stop
valve may with advantage be placed at the junction of the perforated tube or
strainer with the coil:
As a means of regulating the water level two tubes P and P¹ Fig. 10 constructed
of metals having different ratios of expansion are arranged concentrically with a
small space between them. One end of these tubes is closed by a combined plug
& enp P while the other end is provided with a valve P and is in communication
with a chamber contained in a cap, which is not shown in the drawing, by means
of which the space in the interior of the tube P and that between it and the
tube P may be put in communication. A bronze ring P is mounted upon the end
of the tube P¹ so as to form a valve seat. The end of the tube P¹ adjacent to the
valve Pa has a plug P arranged in it, provided with a central hole which serves as
a guide for the spindle P of the valve and also a series of holes P', which coincide

page_text: with corresponding holes in the valve P3, and hy means of which communication
may be established with the interior of the tube P'. The valve P is provided
with lugs or projections P on its edge which engage with corresponding recesses in
the cap and prevent the valve from turning. "A spring also carried by this cap-
tends to maintain the valve constantly on its seat. The whole device is arranged
preferably beneath the steam drum within the boiler casing, the space hetween the
tubes P and P1 being connected by tubes P' with the steam drum L, while the
interior of the tube Pis in communication through a tube P10 with some means for
controlling the water supply. The operation of the device is as follows:-
As long as there is sufficient water in the steam drum the space between the
tubes Pand P is filled with water, which maintains the temperature of the two tubes
at such a point that the valve Plies closely against the ends of both the tubes P
and P, and prevents any communication from the space between the tubes to the
interior of the inner one P. But upon the water level falling in the drum
steam passes into the space between the tubes P and P', the consequent increase in
temperature causing the tube P' to increase in length and lift the valve P from its
seat, the steam being then free to pass through the tube P', and out of the tube P10.
and put in operation a pump or some other means whereby the water level is once-
more raised.
In the improved form of stuffing hox illustrated in Figure 12, the gland Q is:
shaped so as to leave between it and the shaft Q passing through the stuffing box.
a space Qin which the steam leaking past the parking Q may condense, the
resulting water being carried thence by a tube Q to a hot well or water tank.
A tubular extension Q' is formed on the gland Q and a second turn of packing Q
arranged within it with packing collars Q' adapted to be tightened by a cap Q
which screws upon the exterior of the extension Q of the gland Q.
As the efficiency of an atmospheric condenser such as it is proposed to employ
largely depends upon the current of air to which it is exposed, and as this in is
self-propelled vehicle would vary according to the speed of the vehicle, the direction
of the wind, and other circumstances, it is found desirable to supply or augment the
current by means of a fan K or equivalent, and in order to regulate the volume of"
air delivered by that fan the speed should be regulated according to the quantity of
steam to be condensed. To effect this it is preferable to drive the fan or equivalent
by a suitable form of motor such as the turbine or reaction wheel K2, which is.'
driven by the exhaust steam from the engine before it enters the condenser, so that
if the engine was delivering more steam greater speed would be imparted to the fan,
and vice versa.
The reaction turbine for operating the fan is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14,..
and is preferably constructed as follows:-
A box-shaped chamber K is mounted upon the end of the shaft K', which
carries the fan, and receives the exhaust steam through a pipe K. The chamber K
has the appearance in front elevation of a ratchet wheel with preferably four
teeth K. Into each of these teeth K is inserted the end of a tube K, the tubes
being all wrapped spirally round the chamber K3 and upon one another in the
manner shown in Fig. 14, the outer ends of the tubes opening into a chamber of
the condenser, with which it may be in communication.
The steering device adopted so as to utilise the usual fore-carriage may be
arranged in the following manner ;-To the framing R of the fore-carringe and
preferably to the existing shaft receptacles R' is attached a toothed arc R the
fore-carriage being turned round so as to bring this toothed arc upon the side'
nearest to the body of the vehicle. In suitable bearings mounted upon the framing-
of the vehicle is arranged a vertical shaft S which carries a pinion S' engaging
with the toothed are R', and also carries the drum S. Around the latter passes a
cord S, either endless or with its ends attached to the drum in such a manner that'
by pulling the cord one way or the other the drum S' is rotated and consequently
the fore-carriage turned. The cord S passes from the drum round pulleys S and
through the tubular sides S of a frame which is pivotted at S', so that it can be

page_text: moved from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 into that indicated by dotted
lines in the same fig. The tubular sides S are connected by a cross-bar S, the
cord passing round pulleys S8 at the corners and across from one side to the other
of the frame. The portion S° of the cord S³ lying between the pulleys S is
exposed to the grip of the driver so that by drawing this portion one way or the
other across the vehicle the fore-carriage can be turned in the manner described.
The cord preferably employed is of a flexible inextensible nature but the equivalent
of this cord as for example a wire, chain or the like, may be utilised if desired the
portion intended to pass through the hands of the driver being conveniently covered
with some suitable ornamental or other material. If the cord is constructed of
some substance liable to stretch and become slack the steering frame is pivotted
eccentrically or arranged in some other manner which will cause the cord to be
tightened when the frame is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, but
slackened when the frame is moved forward. The word "cord" in the claiming
clauses is intended to cover a chain or other modification operating in a similar
manner and attaining the same end.
If desired instead of having to handle the cord in order to steer the vehicle a
steering wheel may he provided with a drum (around which the cord would pass
with a sufficient number of turns to secure a proper hold) also mounted in a frame
which can either be permanently attached to the cross-bar S of the frame A or
adjustably fixed so that its position may be altered in accordance with the position
which the driver occupies in the vehicle.
The pulleys in the steering frame around which the cord passes may be provided
with roller, ball or other suitable bearings to facilitate the movement of the steering
apparatus; the fore-carriage also is preferably mounted on ball bearings.
In the modification of the steering device illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 the
toothed are R carried by the fore-carriage, in place of engaging directly with a
pinion carried on the same spindle as the rope drum S, engages with an intermediate
toothed wheel R³ which gears with the toothed wheel or pinion S' carried by or
connected to the rope drum S2, the latter in this case being mounted upon the pivot
of the fore-carriage.
If desired the above-described arrangement of the drum S, cord S, and
frume S S may be employed with other forms of steering mechanism or special
constructions of fore-carriage and steering wheels.
In Fig. 15 is illustrated one method of mounting the motors and boilers around.
the axle of the driving road wheels. The boilers G are placed in the centre, the
motors F being situated on either side and the whole enclosed in a casing T. The
motors here drive the wheels direct, the axle being divided so as to obviate the use
of differential gear.
Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate the box wheel arrangement of mounting the motor.
The axle B is non-rotatable and formed hollow, carrying in its interior steam
admission and exhaust tubes B B. The cylinders F of the motor are preferably 6
in number and are attached to a box frame F¹ which rests in bearings on the axle B;
the inner of these bearings has a stuffing-box F arranged so as to render the
chamber U formed in the casing F steam-tight, the steam being exhausted into
this chamber and carried thence by the tube B. Each piston V is directly
connected by a gudgeon pin or otherwise to the connecting rod V, the other end
of which is pivotally attached to an eccentric strap V embracing an eccentric B
keyed on the axle B, a ball bearing being preferably employed between the
eccentric and the strap. Upon the end of the axle B is mounted an eccentric
mushroom-shaped disc W which constitutes the valve, its edge lying closely against
a flat portion of the frame F¹ in which the steam admission and exhaust ports F3 F
are arranged so as to form the cylinder face. The valve is enclosed in a removable
casing or flanged dise X which forms the steam chest into which the steam admission
tube B opens from the end of the axle B. The steam admission port F
communicates with the interior of the cylinder F through a tube F' or by a passage
which may be formed in the wall of the cylinder and casing F'.

page_text: With this arrangement the whole motor with its cylinders and casing moves
round the axle B, its motion causing the valve disc W to successively uncover the
ports F3 to admit the steam to the cylinders, afterwards putting them in com-
munication with the exhaust ports F4 which open direct into the chamber U whence
the steam is carried to the condenser.
The spokes D of the wheel may be secured to the cylinder covers and casing F¹.
If desired the whole motor may be arranged and attached to the inner side of the
wheel; the construction illustrated in Fig. 19 however allows of access being
obtained to the valve chest without difficulty.
The vehicle is provided with a band brake, the band Y preferably operating upon
the exterior of the toothed annulus D', a foot lever Y¹ pivotted at Y and
connected by a link Y³ with the lever Y affording means of putting the brake into
operation.
It is obvious that the structure of the body of the vehicle forms no part of this
invention and therefore requires no description.
It will be understood that though the motor apparatus is above described as being
preferably arranged in duplicate, the vehicle may be fitted with only a single set
where required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is;-
1. A self-propelled vehicle in which the motor and driving mechanism with or
without the fuel tank are mounted upon or in immediate connection with and
supported by the axle of the driving road wheels for the purpose of facilitating the
conversion of horse-drawn vehicles into self-propelled vehicles.
2. The combination with a self-propelled vehicle such as described in the
preceding claim of two motors and shafts each shaft carrying a pinion which gears
with a toothed annulus secured upon one of the driving road wheels substantially
as described.
3. A self-propelled vehicle in which the non-rotating road wheel axle B carries
the boiler a frame such as A upon which the engine is secured so as to propel the
vehicle by means of a pinion fixed upon the engine shaft E' and a toothed angulus
upon the road wheel all substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a self-propelled vehicle the combination with a road wheel driven by a
toothed annulus fixed upon it of a brake band operating in connection with the said
toothed annulus.
5. Steering a self-propelled vehicle by moving a "cord" across the vehicle
substantially as described.
6. In steering apparatus for a self-propelled vehicle the employment of a pivotted
tubular frame such as S S with pulleys over which the steering "cord passes
substantially as described.
7. In steering apparatus for a self-propelled vehicle operating the steering wheels
by means of a "cord" substantially as described.
8. In steering apparatus for a self-propelled vehicle the combination with a
toothed arc on the fore-carriage of a toothed wheel engaging with this arc and
carrying a drum rotated by means of a "cord" a portion of which is exposed to the
grip of the driver.
9. The herein described arrangements of the propelling and steering mechanism
whereby an ordinary horse-drawn vehicle can be converted into a self-propelled
vehicle.
10. Converting the fore-carriage of a horse-drawn vehicle into the fore-carriage
of a self-propelled vehicle by reversing it and connecting to the existing shaft
receptacles the ends of a toothed steering arc, substantially as described.
11. Reversing the fore-carriage of a horse-drawn vehicle for the purpose of
adapting it to a self-propelled vehicle.

page_text: 12. In a water tube steam generator for a self-propelled vehicle the combination
with a steam drum such as L and down tube L' of a series of "gridiron " elements
such as M M M2 substantially as described.
13. In a joint for coupling up the elements of a water tube steam generator the
combination with blocks N upon the ends of the tubes of packing rings such as N¹
carried in these blocks aud plates and bolts for drawing the blocks together
substantially as described.
14. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete steam
generator for a self-propelled vehicle substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
15. A feed regulator for the water tube steam generator of a self-propelled
vehicle comprising concentric tubes constructed of metals having different
-co-efficients of expansion which are utilised to open and close the pump controlling
valves substantially as described.
16. In a self-propelled vehicle the combination with an air condenser of a fan
rotated by the exhaust steam in a reaction turbine, substantially as described.
17. The reaction turbine for a self-propelled vehicle substantially as described
and illustrated in Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.
18. In a self-propelled vehicle the combination with a steam operated motor of
a "double" stuffing-box for the recovery of the water of condensation, substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings.
19. In a box-wheel motor for a self-propelled vehicle the combination with a
non-rotating axle of cylinders whose pistons are connected with an eccentric
fixed upon the axle the connecting rods being all jointed to the same eccentric
strap and the cylinders revolving around the eccentric, substantially as described.
20. In a motor for a self-propelled vehicle the combination with the parts
specified in the last preceding claim of a fixed eccentric valve which opens and
closes the admission and exhaust ports of all the cylinders as they revolve
substantially as described.
21. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete steam
engine for a self-propelled vehicle substantially as described and illustrated in
Figures 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.
22. The combination with a carriage body of the various parts described and
claimed in this specification the whole constituting the complete self-propelled
vehicle, substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings...
Dated this 25th day of January 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.