Operating the same.
Year: 1885

page_text: Operating the same.
I, LEWIS HALLOCK NASH, of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings and State of
New York in the 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:-
My invention is directed to improvements in engines adapted to be operated by
vapor generated from liquid fuel contained in a boiler arranged to drain the vapor
supplying pipes from the engine and the objects of my improvements are to deliver
a dry vapor produced from a volatile oil into the engine direct from the boiler and
to control and regulate the production of the vapor, and the amount of fuel
evaporated in proportion to the pressure of the vapor generated within the boiler.
In carrying out this object I provide for automatically supplying vapor to an
explosive engine & for controlling the supply of oil for producing the vapor by
the pressure of the latter as it is produced, I provide for automatically supplying
vapor to an explosive engine & regulating the degree of heat of the vapor producer
by the pressure of the vapor & thereby determine the quantity of the vapor
generated and the degree of its pressure, I operate the engine with a volatile oil
evaporated within a boiler heated by the engine or independently of it, wherein
the quantity of the oil evaporated is controlled by the pressure of the vapor
generated within said boiler from which the vapor so produced is passed to the
engine and complete the charge for the engine by mixing it with a sufficient
quantity of air, to utilize the heat of the cylinder or engine casing as the means of
heating the boiler for producing the vapor and provide an auxiliary independent
boiler as a means of starting the engine and of cooperating therewith whereby one
or both boiler may be used to operate the engine in places where there is no
provision for supplying gas from streat means or where it may not be desirable to
use illuminating gas for the working fluid.
These objects I attain in the manner which I will now describe, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure, 1, represents in vertical section a gas engine having a vapor generating
chamber or boiler heated thereby in communication with a liquid fuel supply
reservoir, and a pressure storage-chamber adapted to contain a variable volume of
vapor & also having an auxiliary vapor generating chamber heated independently
of the engine as a means of starting the latter and of cooperating with the boiler
of the engine casing and the pressure storage chamber to operate the engine.

page_text: Figure, 2, a horizontal section on the line, x, x, of figure, 1, showing the vapor
generating boiler of the engine casing.
Figure, 3, represents a vertical section of the engine showing its, valved con-
nection with the vapor supply pipe.
Figures, 4, and, 5, show modifications of the pressure storage chamber.
I have shown in connection with the evaporator or boiler, a simple form of
single acting gas engine provided with a simple form of governor for controlling
the supply of vapor to the engine valves, using a charge of air at atmospheric
pressure, but my invention may be applied to any gas engine.
The engine cylinder, A, is shown only so much in section in figure, 1, as illustrates
its connection with the supply valves and with the vapor generators but the engine,
valves, and supply pipes are better shown in figure, 3, in which the piston, B, and
the valves are shown in connection with the crank shaft, E.
The main valve, V, is operated by the eccentric, x, and rod, y, so as to control
the inlet of the air and vapor into the cylinder and the discharge of the waste
products therefrom.
A vapor supply valve, V', is similarly connected and operated by the rod, y¹, and
eccentric, ³, the two valves being placed side by side and operating in chambers
which communicate with the air inlet, g, with the vapor supply pipe, c, and with
the combustion chamber, B¹, of the cylinder.
The chamber of the valve, V, opens at the top of the cylinder head, A³, at, g,
and into the combustion chamber, B¹; by the side port, a, which is opened and
closed by said valve.
The vapor supply valve, V', is of less length than the valve, V, and its chamber, d,
extends up and opens at, e, into the chamber, f, of the valve, V, and forms the
vapor supply passage, d, isolated from the direct communication with the cylinder
chamber.
The valve, V', operates a port, b, at the bottom of the vapor supply passage, d,
which port, b, communicates with an outside vapor supply pipe, c, upon which
the governor, F, is arranged for operating the valve c', which controls the vapor
Bupply.
The governor is operated by the pulleys, h¹, h³, by belt, h³, from the crank-
shaft, E, and connecting gear. In this construction the air required to complete
the charge is sucked into the cylinder by the action of the engine through the
passage, f, which opens at the top cylinder head.
The fuel boiler or evaporating chamber, H, may be formed within any suitable
part of the casing or frame of the engine where it will receive a sufficient heat to
evaporate the oil to form the working vapor, the heat for this purpose being
derived through the walls of the engine from the waste heat of the combustion of
the working vapor.
As shown this fuel boiler is upon the outside wall of the power cylinder as cast
therewith having the inlet opening, i, for the supply of the liquid fuel at the
bottom and the outlet opening, j, for the vapor at the top, which communicates
with the bottom of a storage chamber, D, having a variable volume.
The boiler or evaporating chamber is supplied with the liquid fuel through the
pipe, P, which connects the bottom of said boiler with the bottom of a reservoir, I,
having an air vent, l, and which may be placed at any desired distance from the
engine, and at a height sufficient to cause the liquid to freely flow therefrom by
gravity into the boiler but not to fill the latter.
The volume of the liquid in the boiler is regulated by the pressure of the vapor
generated therein, and in proportion to the degree of such pressure the liquid, W,
therein will be forced back into the supply reservoir, so that the level of the
liquid, W, in the latter, will at all times be higher than the level of the liquid in
the boiler.
If the level of the liquid in the reservoir be represented by the line, m, and that
in the boiler by the line, n, the height, m, n, will be the measure of the pressure
of the vanor in the hotler

page_text: To keep the reservoir, I, constantly supplied with the liquid fuel it is supple-
mented by an air-tight reservoir, K, having a pipe extending into the reservoir, I,
so as to act upon the principle of the well known student lamp to maintain the
supply in the reservoir with the boiler.
I may however place this supplemental reservoir any desired distance from the
reservoir, I, and construct it of any desired capacity, as shown at, K¹, & connect
it with the reservoir, I, by a pipe provided with a cock, O, so that the level of the
liquid in the reservoir, I, will be governed by said pipe.
The pressure storage chamber, D, is constructed so as to be capable of expanding
and contracting according to the pressure of the vapor therein to give out by its
contracting pressure a sudden and free volume of the vapor into the cylinder, the
instant the engine valves open.
The chamber for this purpose may be of any suitable construction that will
adapt itself to a variable volume and pressure.
It may be formed by a flexible bag such as that used with the gas engine and
street main gas supply pipe for the same purpose. The chamber shown in the
drawings consists of a metal box, D', having a hopper bottom and an inner circular
partition, D2, of less height than the box, D¹, whereby to form a mercury chamber, D³,
into which an inverted hollow float or cup, D', dips and forms a cover for the vapor
storage chamber.
The space above the inverted cup, D, communicates with the outer air by the
opening, l, for outside air pressure, and the space under said cup forms the storage
chamber and connects with the boiler by the pipe, c, so that the condensation of
the vapor will drain back into the boiler in the arrangement of the chambers
shown in figures, 1, and, 4.
This chamber may be placed any desired distance from the engine, but the
vapor conducting pipes should be covered by a non-conductor to prevent as fast as
possible the condensation of the vapor in the pipes. The supply pipe, c, carries the
governor valve, c², and is arranged in figure, 1, so as to drain into the pipe which
connects with the storage chamber, and the latter is connected so as to drain into
the boiler.
The boiler may receive the drainage from the condensation direct from the vapor.
supply pipe, c, & also from the storage chamber separately as in figure, 4, because,
to effect the desired result, it is not necessary that the storage chamber should be
placed in the vapor supply pipe, or that the vapor should flow through it to the
engine as in figure, 5, but it must have free communication with the boiler or with
a pipe leading therefrom.
In the arrangement of the pressure storage chamber shown in figures, 1, and 4,
the vapor will enter the storage chamber through the pipe, c, passing the governor
valve, c³, and when the engine valves are open the float will fall quickly and force.
the vapor back in the required volume through the same pipe and through the
governor valve, c³, into the engine.
The closing of the engine valve causes the chamber to again fill and expand
according to the quantity and pressure of the vapor generated in the boiler. When
the engine is not in use the oil will stand at the same level in the boiler and in
the supply reservoir.
When the engine is working, the vapor will fill the chamber of the boiler above.
the liquid and pass into and fill the expansible pressure chamber and in proportion
to the pressure of the vapor generated, the liquid will be increased or diminished
in quantity in the boiler and thus regulate the amount of surface of the liquid'
which is in contact with the hot walls of the boiler and thus regulate the quantity
of the fuel evaporated.
The regulating action is illustrated in the drawing by the lines, m, n, and if, m,
be the level of the liquid in the boiler, the latter will be under a pressure measured
by the difference of level, m, n.
An increase of the vapor pressure may cause the levels to change to m³, n¹, which
will then represent the pressure of the vapor in the boiler,

page_text: -
Should the pressure increase sufficient to force all the liquid from the boiler into
the supply reservoir then the evaporation of the liquid will practically stop until
the pressure decreases sufficiently to allow the oil to again feed by gravity into the
boiler.
By this means the pressure in the boiler can never be greater than that of the
hydraulic head, and the quantity of fuel evaporated will be controlled by the
quantity of the fuel in the boiler.
By making the supply reservoir of large surface in comparison with the volume
of the boiler, the variations in the level of the liquid in the supply reservoir will not
be very great, and hence the pressure of the vapor in the boiler will be constant
enough to render the pressure or discharging function of the storage chamber
always active.
For starting the engine and as an auxiliary means for operating it, I employ an
auxiliary boiler or vapor generator, H2, connected with the boiler of the engine
casing, and with the pipe, c, which supplies the engine, and also with the pressure
storage chamber of said supply.pipe.
This auxiliary boiler communicates with the reservoir, I, by a pipe, P2, leading
from the bottom of said boiler to the bottom of said reservoir and forming a branch
of the supply pipe, P, of the primary boiler while a vapor supply pipe, c², leads
from the top of said auxiliary boiler to the vapor supplying pipe, c, of the primary
boiler so that I may use either or both of the boilers as stated.
This auxiliary boiler may be of any suitable construction and heated in any
suitable manner.
It is not required to use a pressure storage chamber with this auxiliary boiler
although I may use one on the outside of the boiler as shown in figure, 4.
For economy of heat, the auxiliary boiler is enclosed in a case or jacket, H',
provided with a chimney, H³, and the necessary heat for the boiler is obtained by
the burner jets, J', which are supplied by the pipe, J, which enters the jacket, H³,
so as to support the burners beneath the bottom of the boiler, or the boiler may be
heated in any desired way.
Provision is made for operating the engine by either boiler, or both combined by
means of cocks, 1, 2, 3, placed in the pipes, P, P2, c, between the boilers and the
fuel supply reservoir, and a cock, s, placed in the vapor supply pipe, c², of the
auxiliary boiler between the latter and its connection with the supply pipe, c, of
the primary boiler.
By closing the cocks, r³, and, s, the engine will be operated by the cylinder boiler
and supply itself in the way described and by opening these cocks and closing
cock, 7, the engine will be operated by the auxiliary boiler, H³.
By opening the cocks, r, 2, 3, and, 8, both boilers will co-operate to supply
vapor to operate the engine.
The cock, 3, in the pipe, c, is closed when the engine is operated by the
independent boiler.
In figure, 5, I have shown a convenient way in which the auxiliary boiler may
contain a pressure storage chamber like that shown in figure, 1.
In this modification the vapor supply pipe, c, passes up through the bottom of
the boiler and extends above the surface of the fuel therein so as to open into the
vapor space, D, and the float is caused to rise and fall within the boiler according
to the pressure of the vapor and to fall and press out the vapor into the engine at
every opening movement of the valves.
In this modification I have made provision for automatically controlling the heat
of the boiler. The burner jet supplying pipe, J, has a cock, k, which is operated to
control the supply to the burners by a lever, k¹, which connects with a vertical
rod, k, having a horizontal arm, k³, at its upper end which extends over the top of
the boiler case and connects with the upper end of a rod, k, which passing through
the top of the boiler case, is attached to the top of the pressure regulating storage
chamber.

page_text: This rod is provided with collars, e¹, e³, above and below the arm, k³, of the
rod, 2, so that when the float rises high enough by the pressure of the vapor, the
collar, es, will lift the rod, k³, which by its connection with lever, k¹, of the cock, k,
will turn the latter and shut off the full supply to the burners and thus reduce the
quantity of oil evaporated.
When the float falls the collar, e¹; will engage the arm, ³, and pressing it down,
open the cock to give a full supply to the burners and again increase the quantity
of fuel evaporated.
In this way the expansion and contraction of the storage chamber is utilized to
control the heat of the boiler and the quantity of oil evaporated in the boiler.
The drain in vapor supply pipe, c³, of the boiler, will be by a draw-off cock, c³
as shown in figures, 1, and, 5.
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 combination with the engine, of a boiler for containing a volatile oil
formed upon the cylinder and heated by the waste heat thereof, and a pressure
storage chamber for the working vapor produced within said boiler having free
communication with the boiler and the engine valves substantially as described for
the purpose specified.
2. The combination with the engine, of a boiler formed thereon and heated by
the waste heat thereof, a pressure storage chamber, a reservoir supplying a volatile
oil to said boiler and the vapor supplying pipes arranged to drain into the boiler
substantially as described for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with the cylinder of a gas engine of the boiler, H, having
the inlet opening, i, for the supply of oil at the bottom and the outlet opening, i,
for the vapor at the top, a pressure storage chamber and pipes connecting the latter
with the engine valves whereby the pressure of the vapor in the boiler will act to
regulate the quantity of the oil exposed to its evaporating surfaces as described.
4. The combination with an explosive gas engine of a boiler for evaporating a
volatile oil for operating the engine, a vapor pressure storage chamber, the vapor
supply pipes, arranged to enter a hot portion of the engine and a supply reservoir
automatically supplying the boiler according to the pressure of the vapor therein
and thereby regulate the quantity of the oil evaporated, as described.
5. The combination with an explosive gas engine, of a boiler for evaporating a
volatile oil for operating the engine, an automatic movable pressure storage
chamber for the vapor and a supply reservoir for the oil, the communication of
said reservoir with the boiler being such as to supply the latter by gravity con-
trolled solely by the pressure of the vapor in the boiler substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
6. The combination in an explosive gas engine the evaporating boiler, H, the
movable pressure storage chamber for the vapor and a supply reservoir for the oil,
both having free communication with said boiler, the oil supply pipes arranged to
maintain by gravity controlled solely by the pressure of the vapor, in said boiler,
an automatic regulated supply to said boiler, and an automatically acting regulated
vapor supply to the engine substantially as herein set forth.
7. The combination with a boiler for evaporating liquid fuel having a suitable
source of fuel supply of a pressure storage chamber for the vapor connected with
the vapor space of said boiler and an explosive engine receiving its charge of vapor
direct from said boiler for the purpose specified.
8. The combination with a gas engine, & a boiler suitably heated for evaporating
a volatile oil for operating the engine, containing a pressure storage chamber com-
municating with the engine, valves through said boiler substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
9. The combination with an explosive gas engine, an oil evaporating boiler for
operating the same containing a pressure storage chamber for the vapor movable

page_text: within a liquid seal of said boiler, whereby to displace by gravity the vapor under
pressure to the engine substantially as described for the purpose specified.
10. The combination with an explosive gas engine and an independent oil
evaporating boiler for operating the engine of a pressure storage chamber acting
by a positive movement of itself communicating with the engine valves and with
the boiler, a supply reservoir for the oil in perpetual communication with said
vaporizing boiler and a gas burner supply pipe for heating said boiler all con-
structed and arranged for co-operation substantially as described.
11. The combination with an explosive gas engine an independent boiler for
evaporating a volatile oil for operating the engine and a movable pressure storage
chamber for the vapor seated within a liquid seal within said boiler, of a burner
pipe and supply controlling cock for said pipe controlled and regulated by con-
nections with said movable pressure storage chamber for automatically controlling
the heat of the boiler according to the pressure of the vapor generated therein.
12. The combination with an explosive gas engine an independent boiler for
evaporating a volatile oil for operating the engine and a pressure storage chamber
connecting with both contained within said boiler of a gas burner pipe, J, having
a controlling cock, k, and means for connecting it with the pressure storage
chamber consisting of the connecting rods, k², and, ³, the latter having a fixed
connection with the storage chamber and the collars, e¹, e², for operating the cock
connecting rod, substantially as herein set forth.
13. The combination with an explosive gas engine, of a boiler for containing a
volatile oil formed upon the power cylinder and heated by the waste heat thereof, a
pressure storage chamber for the working vapor, a reservoir for supplying a volatile
oil and an independently heated auxiliary boiler connected with the reservoir and
the vapor supplying pipe of the primary boiler, by pipes provided with controlling
cocks, whereby the engine may be started and operated by the vapor from one or
both of said boilers as described.
14. The method substantially herein described of supplying vapor to an explosive
engine, which consists in supplying a boiler uninterruptedly with volatile oil,
evaporating it therein under a heat controlled by the pressure of the vapor, and
regulating the production of the vapor by automatically displacing the oil from the
boiler to reduce its evaporating capacity or surface in the way set forth.
15. The method herein described of operating an explosive engine with a volatile
liquid which consists in supplying a boiler with a volatile oil, evaporating it
therein, controlling the quantity of oil evaporated by the pressure of the vapor
generated within said boiler, passing the vapor so produced to the engine and
completing the charge for the engine by mixing it with a sufficient quantity
of air.