Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1899
I, HINSDALE SMITH, of 99, Elliott Street, in the City of Springfield, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanical 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 comprises improvements in a type of gas or explosive engine
which embodies a pair of cylinders oppositely arranged but axially approximately
coincident or parallel, each having a piston operating on a common crank shaft,
the outer ends of both cylinders being connected by a common comparatively
large bow-shaped conduit, which constitutes a continuation of the explosion
chambers of both cylinders and permits simultaneously the action of the exploded
gas oppositely inwardly on both pistons.
In the engine of the type aforenamed, constructed as heretofore proposed, a
common valve chest or chamber has been provided in communication with the
common conduit extensions formed as part or continuations of the explosion
chambers for both the cylinders, in which valve chest both an inlet valve for
supplying gas into the engine for both cylinders, and an exhaust valve, for the
exhaust from both of the cylinders through said common extension conduit, were
provided.
In such engine, after the gas entered into said common conduit extension and
simultaneously into both the cylinders has been exploded, the next stroke of the
piston following the explosion or working stroke forces the dead gas endwise
outwardly in the opposite cylinders and through the common conduit and cylinder
extensions towards and partially out through the discharge port, the discharge
or exhaust valve at such period being open, but at best, a certain portion of the
exhaust or dead gas will remain in the chest or chamber in which both the inlet
and exhaust valves are provided and also in the said common conduit extension,--
impairing, or preventing the perfection of, the operation of the engine because
the next incoming supply of fresh gas into the same valve chest and common
conduit necessarily becomes admixed with the residue of the dead gas from the
preceding operation, and the highest efficiency of the engine or motor is not
derived.
The principal object of this invention is to so construct the engine (having
the endwise oppositely arranged cylinders each having a piston therein operating
upon a single intermediately disposed crank shaft, the outer ends of both cylinders
being closed, and provided with a common bow-shaped extension conduit con-
necting the closed outer end of both cylinders and serving as a continuation of
the cylinders), with means separate from the common conduit cylinder extension
into and through which the gas is introduced and conveyed, for the exhaust and
discharge of the dead gas or residue, and all with the necessity of employment,
in the organization of the engine, of but a single exhaust valve and its operating
mechanism and fittings, of but a single inlet valve and fittings, and_of_but_one_
igniting or spark-prouucing device.
Another object of the invention is to provide for gas. engines an improved

page_text: mechanism combining therein in a simplified manner both the exhaust valve
operating devices and the means not only for producing the igniting spark within
the explosion chamber, but for regulating or determining at will the exact instant
at which the explosion will take place for the most satisfactory results, and
another object is to provide for gas engines an improved form of valve adaptable
both as the admission valve and the exhaust valve having advantages hereinafter
explained.
And to this end the invention consists in a gas engine or motor having embodied
therein the constructions and arrangements or combinations of parts all sub-
stantially as will hereinafter fully appear and be set forth in the claims.
The improved engine is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,--
Figure 1 is a side or front elevation of the engine, the exhaust valve and its
fittings being shown in central vertical section.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the engine
Figure 3 is a vertical section through the casing at one side of the middle of
the engine through which the crank shaft is extended, novel devices being seen
in elevation as viewed at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side view of the single part which operates the exhaust valve and
causes the making and breaking of the sparking circuit, this part being under-
stood as having made half a rotation from its position shown in Figure 3, and
also as having been moved axially.
Figure 5 is a sectional view on a larger scale of the type of valve employed
both for the inlet and the exhaust.
In the drawings A A represent the two cylinders which are arranged opposite
and separate from each other with their axes ranging coincident or parallel with
each other, both cylinders being united by the intermediate casing G, their
outer ends a being understood as closed.
The main, and crank shaft, B, has within the said central casing the double
cranks 132, to which the connecting rods B³ are secured, the same being also
connected to the pistons B*.
C represents the bowed conduit, the end portions cc of which are connected
with the outer end portions of both the cylinders A A, the said conduit C
constituting continuations of the explosion chambers of the two cylinders.
d represents a chamber-enclosing casing having therein a valve seat opening b
and a valve 62 which is normally closed by a light spiral spring, all so that as
the pistons draw inwardly on their intermediate approaching strokes, that is,
on their inward strokes, between the explosion strokes,—the induction of vaporized
gasoline or gas takes place.
represents the gas-supplying conduit which leads into the valve chamber d
which is in communication with the common cylinder extension conduit C.
E represents a second bowed conduit shown as being similar in form to the
cylinder extension conduit C, and connected with the end portions of both the
cylinders at e e, this part E having its arrangement alongside of and parallel
with the conduit C, although it might be if desired, otherwise arranged so long
as it forms connection with the ends of both the cylinders.
represents a chamber-enclosing casing connected and communicating with
the middle part of the conduit E, this casing having provided therein a single
valve seat opening or exhaust port d', seating on which is the inwardly opening
exhaust valve d³, the stem 53 of which depends for guidance through the tubular
guide and has near its lower end the nut or shoulder 55 reacting against which
is the valve-closing spring 57.
represents an exhaust conduit for conveying away the discharging dead gas
to any point of final discharge suitably distant from the engine.
The lower extremity of the valve stem 53 extends through an aperture 20
therefor in the cylindrical casing 22 formed as a part of and extended outwardly
beyond the central hollow engine body G, and in which casing 22 the extremity
of the main crank shaft B is located.

page_text: Splined to slide axially on the end of the shaft B is the cam disk H, 24 repre-
senting the longitudinal spline or rib on the shaft, and 25 the groove correspond-
ing thereto.
The said disk H is constructed with the two peripheral grooves 26, 26, the
courses of both grooves for the greater portion thereof being in parallel planes
perpendicular to the axis of the disk, but at one side of the disk and as shown
in Figure 3 in full lines, and in Figure 2 in dotted lines, the said grooves cross
cach other, this appliance being in substance an endless worm.
The lower extremity of the exhaust valve stem which preferably is provided
with a swiveling shoe g, engages in the aforesaid double crossing peripheral
groove 26, and as the shaft rotates because of such engagement of the extremity
of the valve stem therein, which stem while having a rectilinear reciprocating
movement in its guide f, and is constrained against any lateral movement, is first
for one rotation of the shaft and disk in the right hand groove and in the next
rotation of the disk in the left hand groove, successively crossing from one to
the other, imparts the endwise or axial reciprocating motion to the cam disk H;
and it is to be perceived that the cam disk has also the cam 28 which rises or
is prominent beyond the periphery of disk, and extends throughout about one
half of the circumference of the disk, so that once in every two rotations of the
crank shaft and the disk H, the exhaust valve stem 53 will be forced radially a
slight distance relatively to the axis of the shaft, and the exhaust valve d² will
for the proper interval be held open for the exhaust of the cylinders.
On the outer end face of the cam disk H is the comparatively short face cam 29
adjacent which is the contact plate or flat spring 30 which is supported on the
inner end of the binding post 32.
From this binding post an electric wire 33 runs to connection with the inner
spiral of a well known form of Rumkoff or spark coil, R, the wire 33ª continuing
backwardly from the inner spiral to a binding post 34 understood as being a
part of the engine casing or body which is in electrical connection through the
journals for the crank shaft B with said shaft, but it is understood that the
binding post 32 and the contact plate are insulated from the engine body and
crank shaft by the bushing 35 of non-conducting material.
33 represents the battery or generator.
A second circuit comprising the outer spiral of the spark coil R, the wires 36
and for simplicity and convenience the conduit C which is a metallic continuation
of the engine body is provided, one of the terminals of this circuit being
mounted on the binding post 38 insulated at 39, while the other terminal 2 is
supported in metallic connection with and by the casing d.
The cam disk H in every other rotation of the crank shaft B, owing to its
spline connection therewith, and, furthermore because of the engagement in the
double endless worm groove 26 thereof of the extremity of the exhaust valve
stem, is so moved endwise on the shaft as to bring the end face cam 29 into the
plane of the contact plate 30, whereby under the rotation of the cam disk, the
spark circuit will be momentarily closed and whereby the spark coil R becomes
so vitalized for the instant as to establish a live circuit through the electrical
connection 36 and the aforesaid metallic parts of the engine body, which circuit
upon becoming broken produces the spark between the proximate terminals 2
of this second circuit for the explosion of the gas in the cylinders and in the
continuations thereof with which the exhaust valve chamber is in common
communication.
The end-closing plate 40,-for the casing 22 in which the endless-worm cam-
disk is enclosed, and upon which plate 40 the binding post 32 and contact plate 30
are mounted, has, within its edge and extending inwardly from its inner face,
the annular flange 42 which fits inside the open circular mouth of the casing 22,
and is rotatable therein, said flange 42 having the peripheral groove 43 into which
the conical ends of the retaining screw plugs 44 engage.

page_text: Thus the cap plate 40 is rotatable whereby the binding post and contact 30
carried thereby may have a special revoluble movement imparted thereto as
occasion may require, for adjustment, so that the alternating contacts by the
cam 29 on the plate 30 may be earlier or later in the cycles of the crank shaft
and cam-disk H, for producing the spark most nicely timed for the perfect
operation of the engine.
The cap plate 40 is provided with the radial arm 45 which is constructed for
a spring reaction to engage in and disengage from the series of notches 46 properly
relatively arranged,-the said radial and spring yielding arm 45 serving both as a
means to turn the cap plate 40 to adjust the contact 30 less far, or farther,
around the path of the cam 29 as desired, and as a detent or locking device for
the parts in their adjustments.
The novel details of valve construction will be now described:
The conduit is understood as leading from the carbureter into the enclosing
chamber within which is provided the inlet valve for the two cylinders, connected
by the bowed conduit as aforesaid.
The said conduit i comprises the pipe section or hollow casting 27 which is
angular or formed with the elbow which constitutes the casing like portion 3,
the same having its end which is next the chamber d open for substantially its
whole diameter, while in the line of the axis of the elbow portion of this casting,
through the "back" thereof, is the hole 40*.
The open ended elbow portion is seated in a rebated depression 47 therefor
in the annular bushing 48 which screws into an opening therefor in the part d,
in the inner end of which part 48 is formed the valve seat d', and which part 48
is externally polygonal or otherwise properly constructed whereby to enable it
to be screwed into its place.
The said annular valve seat has integrally cast as one therewith the spider
legs 49 and the spider-supported tubular guide f for the stem 53 of the valve,
said stem protruding outwardly beyond the end of the guide.
The outer end of said valve stem guide f is externally screw-threaded receiving
thereon the nut 54 to be set against the back of the elbow and to hold such
portion of the conduit section 27 firmly to its seat.
The outer end portion of the valve stem is also screw-threaded receiving
thereon the nut 55 between which and the nut 54 the outwardly reacting light
spring 57 is provided under suitable compression to normally maintain the valve
closed.
The exhaust valve № has provided in conjunction therewith duplicates of the
parts just described as constituting the inlet valve seat bushing and extended
valve stem guide, angular pipe section 27* corresponding to the one 27, nuts and
springs, although it is to be stated that the angular conduit section 27* is outwardly
continued in an exhaust conduit, which if desired, may terminate in a muffler.
The valve devices which have been illustrated and described quite in detail,
and of which the inlet and exhaust valves are substantially duplicates, are
designed to the end of rendering more convenient the assemblage and replacement
of the valves proper and their seats than heretofore in gasoline engines so far as
known to me.
The valves as well known in gas explosion engines, after more or less extended
use, become fouled, clogged up, and worn, failing to properly seat, or to remain
tight, and it is often more expeditious and desirable to substitute new valves
and seats than to attempt at once to clean or repair those so defective.
Therefore by unscrewing the valve seat section 48 from the valve casing,
detaching the elbow section 27 from its seat 47, and removing the nuts 54, 55,
the stemmed valve and its seat section, which are cheap and simply constructed
parts, may be removed and as readily replaced.
Avoidance of the necessity of turning, for unscrewing, the pipe sections 27
or 27* and the parts therewith connected are deemed quite an advantage, and

page_text: especially in respect of the interchangeable portions of the ingress valves, where
the part 27 may be disconnected from the valve seat part 48 while such part 27
remains coupled to the conduit i, which leads thereto from the carbureter.
The gas inlet valve being closed at the time the exhaust valve in the common
cylinder connecting exhausting conduit E is opened, the dead gas on the outward
strokes of the pistons next following the explosion strokes, will most naturally
and freely pass to the then opened single exhaust port or outlet, passing thereto
from the cylinders through the common cylinder exhausting extension conduit E,
hence the newly admitted gas incoming through the conduit C does not become
mixed with the residue of dead gas which may finally after the exhausting action
have remained in the bowed conduit E, and manifestly, by providing the appli-
ances in the arrangement as shown, an engine having material advantages is
produced, for greater certainty and efficiency in operation, extreme simplicity
and economy of construction resulting from the capability of a single exhaust
valve and its operating mechanism, and a single inlet valve, sufficing in the fulfill-
ment of all requirements; and the increased advantage which accrues under the
exercise of this invention greatly more than compensating for the inconsiderable
cost of the added casting E which constitutes the common cylinder extension
chamber for the independent exhaust.
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-In a gas engine, in combination, the two cylinders, oppositely arranged,
and having their outer ends closed, and having pistons therein, the common crank
shaft located between the cylinders with which both pistons are connected, the
common cylinder extension conduit C, connected with the outer ends of both
cylinders, and provided with a single valved admission inlet, and a separate and
independent conduit E, also connected to the outer ends of both cylinders, pro-
vided in an intermediate part thereof with a single exhaust port, an exhaust
valve, and an exhaust valve operating mechanism, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
2 In a gas engine, the combination with a regularly rotatable part or shaft
of the engine, a spark-producing apparatus comprising a contact member, and
a rotationally adjustable support on which said contact member is mounted, of
a disk endwise movable on, but rotating in unison with, said shaft provided with
the double peripheral crossing grooves, and having a projection or cam at its
end portion, a part having a fixed radial relation to said disk and engaged in
the said groove thereof, whereby is effected under the rotation of said shaft and
the disk therewith, the axial reciprocatory motion of the disk. so that on every
other rotation of said disk, said projection at the end thereof is brought into
the plane of and impinges on said adjustably supported contact member to make
and break the igniting spark circuit, substantially as described.
3-In a gas engine, the combination with a regularly rotatable part or shaft
of the engine, and a spark-producing apparatus comprising a contact member 30,
and a rotationally adjustable support 40 on which it is mounted, of a disk endwise
movable on, but rotating in unison with, said shaft, provided with the double
peripheral and crossing grooves, having the peripheral cam 28, and provided
with a projection or cam 29 at its end portion, the exhaust valve of the engine
provided with the valve stem which while end wise movable has a fixed radial
relation to said disk and engages in the said groove thereof, whereby is effected
under the rotation of the shaft and the disk therewith, the axial reciprocatory
motion of the disk ensuring on every other rotation of said disk, respectively
and properly timed, the operation endwise of the valve stem, and the placing
of said projection 29 in the plane of, and for impingement-on-said-contact member
to-make and break the igniting spark circuit.

page_text: 4-In a gas engine of the character described, the combination with the exhaust
valve, the shaft B, and the engine body having the outwardly opening cylindrical
casing 22, provided with the guiding aperture 20 and within which casing the
extremity of said shaft protrudes, the exhaust valve, the exhaust valve steni
guided for a reciprocatory movement through said aperture 20 axially in relation
to the shaft, the disk splined and endwise movable on the end, portion of the
shaft, having the crossing peripheral grooves in which the extremity of the
valve stem engages provided with a peripheral cam for imparting an endwise
thrust to the valve stem, and having the endwise projection 29, the cap plate 40
rotationally adjustably mounted on and closing the end of said cylindrical casing
22, and having the lever arm 45 engaging said notches 46, spark-producing
appliances having a contact member 30 supported on said rotationally adjustable
cap plate, and with which said projection 29 coacts, all substantially as described.
5 In a gas engine, the combination with a cylinder having an opening through
its wall, of removable valve devices, consisting of an annular bushing piece,
entered into said cylinder opening, provided with a spider-supported tubular
valve stem guide, having a seat depression 47 in its outer end, and provided at
its inner end with a valve seat opening, the valve having its stem extended through
said valve stem guide, and a conduit or connection member having the angularly
turned hollow portion with the hole 46 in its back, through which the valve
stem passes, the forward end portion thereof being entered in said depression,
substantially as described.
6 In a gas engine, the combination with a cylinder having an opening through
its wall, of removable valve devices, consisting of an annular bushing piece
screwing into said cylinder opening, and provided with a spider-supported tubular
valve stem guide, and having a seat depression 47 in its,outer end, and provided
at its inner end with a valve seat opening, the valve seated therein having its
stem extended through said valve guide and provided with a shoulder 55, and
a conduit or connection member having the angularly turned portion with the
hole 46* in its back, through which the valve stem and its guide pass, the end
portion thereof being entered in said depression, the nut screwing on the end
portion of the valve stem guide against the back of the said connection member,
and the valve spring 57, substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of August 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.