IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING FORCE OBTAINED BY THE DILATATION OF OIL BY HEAT, WHEREBY SUCH MOTIVE POWER IS RENDERED NOT ONLY APPLICABLE FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF HYDRAULIC PRESSES BUT TO NAVIGATION, RAILWAYS, AND GENERALLY TO RE- PLACE STEAM POWER
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ferdinando Tommasi, of Paris, Department of
the Seine, in the Republic of France, Gentleman, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING FORCE
OBTAINED BY THE DILATATION OF OIL BY HEAT, WHEREBY SUCH MOTIVE POWER
IS RENDERED NOT ONLY APPLICABLE FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF
HYDRAULIC PRESSES BUT TO NAVIGATION, RAILWAYS, AND GENERALLY TO RE-
PLACE STEAM POWER,"
caled the 22nd August 1878, and dated tho 25th February 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ferdinando Tommasi
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 25th February 1878.
I, FERDINANDO TOMMASI, of Paris, Department of the Seine, in the
3 Republic of France, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLY-
ING FORON OBTAINED BY THE DILATATION OF OIL BY HEAT, WHEREBY SUCH MOTIVE
POWER 18 RENDERED NOT ONLY APPLICABLE FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF

page_text: HYDRAULIC PRESSES BUT TO NAVIGATION, RAILWAYS, AND GENERALLY TO REPLACE
STEAK POWER," to be as follows:-
As set forth in the Specification, and shown on the Drawings to my
Letters Patent No. 175, of the 23d of January 1871, the application of
the motive power developed by the increase of volume of oil dilated by
heat was especially and almost exclusively intended for setting in motion
'hydraulic presses.'
66
"
The necessity of stopping from time to time the working of of the
apparatus to give sufficient time to the engineer to substitute cold oil for
the oil arrived at its maximum useful temperature rendered the working
of the motive-power engine and that of the hydraulic press inevitably
dependent upon cach other, and had the effect of rendering that new
motive power absolutely inapplicable to dynamic works, which exact a
uniform motion and a complete independence between the motivo power
or driving apparatus and the boiler or generator.
The modifications and improvements that I now bring to this Inven-
tion render it applicable to any kind of work, fixed or movable, and this
by the simple reason that the cold oil replaces automatically and
continually the hot oil which leaves the generator cools and returns to it
again. This motive power therefore becomes generally applicable and
an advantageous substitute for steam in all its applications, and I propose
hercin-after to term it the "hydrothermic motor."
The hydrothermic motor is divided into two apparatuses,-tho
generator with the corresponding furnace-the motive-power engine
properly so called.
The generator is essentially composed :-
lly. Of one or moro cast iron boilers of a tubular form, having an
insido diameter of 4 inches (0" 10) and an exterior diameter of
11%, inches (028), and capable of resisting a pressure of 500 atmos-
pheres or 7,500 lbs. to the square inch. The length of each boiler is
arbitrary. The total capacity should be 1% pints (one "litre") per
dynamical horse.
21y. Of a furnace of brickwork or other material constructed in the
ordinary manner.
If the hydrothermic motor is not intended for sugar refinerics, stearino
works, &c., &c., that is to say, for manufactures, in which the heat of
the oil coming continually from the cast-iron boilers and a part of tho

page_text: heat coming from the furnace can be employed for increasing the
draught. The boilers A and B, as well as the masonry upholding them,
becomo completely useless, and may therefore bo suppressed (see Fig. 1
of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing). The generator or cast-iron
3 boiler entirely filled with oil has a pipe at both ends. The pipe at tho
lower end is bifurcated and communicates,-
In the upper part with the clack valve cock O, putting it when
required in connection with tho receiver C, which is also filled with oil.
In the lower part with the 4th slide valve of the motive-power engine
after having passed through the compressing apparatus D. I term that
slide valve which is placed to the left of the observer the 1st slide
valvo.
The pipo of the upper extremity is connected with the 2d slide valve
of the motive-power engine after having traversed a box provided with
a safety valve. This valve works in the following manner:-If the
pressure of the oil exceeds the pressure represented by the counterweight
of this valve it follows that this latter is raised. In rising it comes in
contact with a spring placed near it, and thereby closes the circuit of an
electric pile which sets an alarm bell in motion. The engineer thus
warned opens the cock O, and then seeks the cause of the excess of
prossuro in order to immediately remedy it.
The motive-power or driving engine is essentially composed of,—
1ly. Two or more cylinders as may be required. These cylinders are mado
of cast iron, and should be able to resist a pressure of 500 atmospheres.
21y. Four slide valves joined in couples, each couple boing set in
motion by an eccentric. Both of these eccentrics are set in straight
line with each other and at a right angle in relation to the cranks of the
horizontal shaft. These cranks are set in a straight line with cach other.
Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawing show the vertical section of these slide
valves. In Fig. 3 the piston is placed in the position which tho pistons
of the 1st and 3rd slide valves must occupy at the dead point.. In
Fig. 2 the piston is placed in the position which must be occupied. by
the pistons of the 2nd and 4th slido valves at the dead point.
3ly. A suitable number of connecting rods, uprights, bearings, cranks
or knees, pulleys for transmission and acceleration of motion, etc., etc.,
the wholo according to tho usual system.

page_text: Aly. Of one or several pumps E for feeding the "annulator” if tho
apparatus is intended to give motion to hydraulic presses; in the contrary
case these pumps will be suppressed. The pistons of theso pumps are
worked directly by the rods of the pistons of the driving cylinders.
These pumps must be ablo to resist a pressure of 100 atmospheres.
The rotary motion given to the horizontal shaft by the connecting
rods of the driving pistons is transmitted to the fly, and consequently to
the pulley F, which can transmit its motion to all the other apparatus
which it is desired to drive.
case these pumps will be suppressed. The pistons of these pumps arc
worked directly by the rods of the pistons of the driving cylinders.
These pumps must be able to resist a pressure of 100 atmospheres.
The rotary motion given to the horizontal shaft by the connecting
rods of the driving pistons is transmitted to the fly, and consequently to
the pulley F, which can transmit its motion to all the other apparatus
which it is desired to drive.
5
Inside cach driving cylinder is a piston of which the rod only can be 1
seen at Fig. 1.
The upper part of cach cylinder provided with a piece of stamped leather
lined with lead to prevent any oozing is alternately in connection,-
.
1ly. When the piston comes down with the receiver O, which is always
full of cooled oil. Consequently this oil, through the medium of the 1
pipo II and of the 3rd slido valve, fills the whole of the cylinder abovo
the piston at the same moment that the hot oil which fills the same
cylinder beneath the piston is withdrawn by the interposition of the first
slide valve and of the pipo G in the double bottom of the boiler B. This
oil after having yielded its heat to the beetroot juice, which is constantly
flowing from the tap N, and then goes to fill the boiler A, runs off
already cooled into the receiver O. To facilitate this cession of heat the
bottom and double bottom of the boiler B are provided with a number
of metal plates which compel the two liquids to travel successively and
in opposite directions over the entire surface of the copper plate which
separates them.
2ly. When the piston rises with the lower part of the generator by
passing through the 4th slide valvo the pipe I and the compressing
apparatus D. This cold oil is consequently forced into the generator
where it dilates immediately at the same moment that an equal volume
of hot oil issues from the upper part of the generator and through the
medium of the pipe K, and of the 2nd slido valvo, fills the whole of the
cylinder below the piston. It should be observed that at this moment
the upper and lower surfaces of the piston being both in communication
with the generator undergo an equal pressure, with the exception how-
ever of that portion of the lower section of the piston which corresponds
to the section of the rod. It is precisely the pressure exercised on this

page_text: portion by the oil constantly dilated by the heat of the furnace which
determines the ascending motion of the piston, and consequently tho
dynamical work (see Fig. 4).
As regards the part of the two surfaces of the piston where the
5 pressure is equal it is obvious that they develope no work and oppose no
resistance. It is merely a volume of cold oil which replaces in the
generator an equal volume of hot oil, and that at an equal pressure, and
consequently without effort.
The pumps E, thanks to their clack valve boxes, aro alternately and
successively put in connection with the "annulator" of the "hydraulic
presses by the union L and with the water tank by the union M. This
tank is constantly fed by the discharge of the hydraulic presses.
"
As above stated if the hydrothermic motor is intended for manufac-
tures, in which there is no necessity to utilizo the heat of the oil and
that of the furnace, the boilers A and B become useless. It is however
necessary in such case to cause the oil issuing from the pipe G to pass
through a cooling apparatus so that it may enter the recipient O entirely
cooled.
The hydrothermic motor thus improved is applicable to any kind of
stationary work, as well as to locomotive engines and to boats moved by
paddle-wheel, scrow, or any other machinery; and it is easy to establish
that compared with steam engines the hydrothermic motor permits the
realization with an equal power:-
lly. Of an economy of 80% on the site of the apparatus. This is
obvious since the apparatus works at a pressure of 500 atmospheres.
2ly. Of an economy of 80% on the expense of installation, the price
being always in proportion to the bulk of the apparatus.
Bly. Of an economy of 50% on the consumption of fuel. There is
no loss of heat at the latent state, thero being no vaporization.
'8
. Aly, and lastly. It cannot explode. When there is no compressed gas,
a rupturo may take place, but not an explosion.
:

page_text: the left the crank of the compressing apparatus D as much as may be
necessary to completely fill it. The 1st and 3rd slide valves are so
arranged that at the precise moment of the dead point the driving
cylinders are in connection with each other as well in the upper as in
the lower part of their pistons, and that at the same time the upper part 5
of the cylinders is in connection with the receiver C, and the lower part
with the double bottom of the boiler B (see Fig. 3). It results from
these arrangements that while the apparatuses are at rost the generator,
cylinders, slide valves, and pipes are all in connection either with the oil
contained in the receiver O or with that contained in the double bottom 1
of the boiler B, and therefore that no void can be produced nor any
bulb of air penetrate into the aforesaid parts, notwithstanding the
reduction of volume that the cooling must necessarily produce in the oil.
2. Vose the coCA
3º. Turn to the right the crank of the compressing apparatus D until
he sees that the pistons of the driving engine begin to work.
These three operations may be accomplished while the firo is 2
lighting up.
The oil contained in the apparatuses being compressed by the action
of the compresser D it is evident that as soon as any particle of heat
penetrates into the oil the useful dilatations will immediately take place,
and that the apparatus will at once begin to work.
2
The normal speed of the working will naturally be in relation to the
quantity of coal consumed in a given space of time. The engineer may
however always lessen or accelerate the motion for a few moments by
tightening or loosening the crank of the compressing apparatus D. If
he desires to lessen the motion of the machine for a certain time he will 3
slightly open the cock O, and if he wants to stop the motion of the
machine he will open the said cock entirely.

page_text: VATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Ferdinando Tommasi in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd August 1878.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FERDINANDO
TOMMASI, of Paris, Department of the Scine, in the Republic of France,
Gentleman, sond greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suo-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Ferdinando Tommasi, Her
special licenco that I, the said Ferdinando Tommasi, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Ferdinando
Tommasi, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND APPLYING
FORCE OBTAINED BY THE DILATATION OF OIL BY HEAT, WHEREBY SUCH MOTIVE
POWER IS RENDERED NOT ONLY APPLICABLE FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF
HYDRAULIC PRESSES BUT TO NAVIGATION, RAILWAYS, AND GENERALLY to Replace
STEAM POWER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Ferdi-
nando Tommasi, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in:
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the samo
to bo filed in the Great Seal Patent Offico within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Ferdinando Tommasi, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
As set forth in the Specification, and shown on the Drawings to m

page_text: The rotary motion given to the horizontal shaft by the connecting rods
of the driving pistons is transmitted to the fly, and consequently to the
pulley F, which can transmit its motion to all the other apparatus which
it is desired to drive.
Inside each driving cylinder is a piston of which the rod only can be :
seen at Fig. 1.
The upper part of each cylinder provided with a piece of stamped
leather lined with lead to prevent any oozing is alternatoly in con-
nection :-
1ly. When the piston comes down with the receiver O which is 1
always full of cooled oil. Consequently this oil through the medium
of pipe H and of the 3rd slide valve fills the whole of the cylinder
above the piston at the same moment that the hot oil which fills the
same cylinder beneath the piston is withdrawn by the interposition of
the first slide valve, and of the pipe G in the double bottom of the 2
boiler B. This oil after having yielded its heat to the beetroot juice
which is constantly flowing from the tap N and then goes to fill the
boiler A, runs off already cooled into the receiver C. To facilitate this
cession of heat the bottom and double bottom of the boiler B are
provided with a number of metal plates which compel the two liquids to 2
travel successively and in opposite directions over the entire surface of
the copper plate which separates them.
2ly. When the piston rises with the lower part of the generator by
passing through the 4th slide valve, the pipe I, and the compressing
apparatus D. This cold oil is consequently forced into the generator 3
where it immediately dilates or expands at the same moment that an
equal volume of hot oil issues from the upper part of the generator, and
through the medium of pipe K and of the 2nd slide valve, fills the
whole of the cylinder below the piston. It should be observed that at
this moment the upper and lower surfaces of the piston being both in 3
communication with the generator, undergo an equal pressure with the
exception however of that portion of the lower section of the piston.

page_text: which corresponds to the section of the rod. It is precisely the pressure
exercised on this portion by the oil constantly dilated by the heat of tho
furnace which determines the ascending motion of the piston, and con-
sequently the dynamical work (see Figure 4).
As regards the part of the two surfaces of the piston where the
pressure is equal it is obvious that they develope no work, and oppose no
resistance. It is merely a volume of cold oil which replaces in tho
generator an equal volume of hot oil, and that at an equal pressure, and
consequently without effort.
The pumps E thanks to their clack valve boxes are alternately and
successively put in connection with the "annulator" of the "hydraulic
presses" by the union L, and with tho water tank, constantly fed by tho.
discharge of the hydraulic presses.
'
The hydrothermic motor thus improved is applicable to any kind of
stationary work, as well as to locomotive engines, and to boats moved by
paddle wheel, screw, or any other machinery, and it is easy to establish
that compared with steam engines the hydrothermic motor permits the
realization with an equal power.
lly. Of an economy of 80 % on the site of the apparatus. This is
obvious since the apparatus works at a. pressure of 500 atmospheres.
2ly. Of an economy of 80% on the expense of installation. The price
being always in proportion to the bulk of the apparatus.
3ly. Of an economy of 50% on the consumption of fuel. There is no
loss of heat at the latent state, there being no vaporization.
4ly, and lastly. It cannot explode. When there is no compressed gas
à rupture may take place but not an explosion.
.
WORKING OF THE APPARATUS.
When the apparatuses are at rest the engineer must place the cranks
of the horizontal shaft at the dead point, open the cocks O and P, and
turn to the left tho crank of the compressing apparatus as much as may
bo necessary to completely fill it. The 1st and 3rd slide valves are so
arranged that at the precise moment of the dead point the driving
cylinders aro in connection with each other as well in the upper as in
the lower part of their pistons, and that at the same time the upper part-
5 of the cylinders is in connection with the receiver O, and the lower part

page_text: with the double bottom of the boiler B (seo Fig. 3). It results from
these arrangements that while the apparatuses are at rest, the generator,
cylinders, slide valves, and pipes are all in connection either with the oil
contained in the receiver C, or with that contained in the double bottom
of the boiler B, and therefore that no void can be produced, nor any bulb 5
of air penetrate into the aforesaid parts, notwithstanding the reduction
of volume that the cooling must necessarily produce in the oil.
1º. Make the cranks of the horizontal shaft pass beyond the dead point.
2º. Close the cocks O and P.
3. Turn to the right the crank of the compressing apparatus D until
he sees that the pistons of the driving engine begin to work.
These three operations may be accomplished while the fire is lighting up.
]
The oil contained in the apparatuses being compressed by the action of
the compressor D it is evident that as soon as any particle of heat 1
penetrates into the oil the useful dilatation will immediately take place,
and that the apparatus will at once begin to work.
The normal speed of this working will naturally be in relation to the
heating surface of the generator, and to the quantity of fuel consumed
in a given time, the engineer may however always lessen the speed by 2
slightly opening the cocks O and P, and if it is necessary that the
motive-power engine should be suddenly stopped he will completely
open the said cocks. The arrangement of the tubes Q and R, when the
cocks O and P are opened, permitting the oil to circulato continually
between the receivers B and C, and the boiler prevents the oil contained 2
in this latter from raising its temperature above the degree fixed before-
hand. This circulation takes place owing to the difference of density
existing between the cold oil contained in the receiver O and the warm
oil contained in the boiler, and which permits this latter to overflow con-
tinually into the refrigerating apparatus B. The result is that by 80
opening or closing the cocks O and P more or less the engineer may
accelerate or lessen the speed, stop the machine, and again set it at
work under the same conditions and with the same speed as steam.
engines, and that so that the temperature of the oil can in no case riso
above the degree fixed beforehand.
To prevent any confusion the cocks O and P are in Fig. 1 separated
38

page_text: from each other, but it will be evident that for facility of working they
should be placed side by side, and be worked by a single motion.
Such is the hydrothermic motor, the use of which I claim as secured
to mo by tho herein-beforo in part, recited Letters Patent, for every
application of which it is susceptible, and particularly for, fixed and
portable engines, railways, tramways, and ships or vessels of all kinds.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ferdinando Tommasi, hayo hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Eighteenth day of July, in tho
year of our' Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
threo.
GEORGE ROMBI.
JEAN BAPTISTE GIRARD.
FERDINANDO TOMMASI. (L.s.)