Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Varying the Action of Explosion Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Apparatus for Regulating or Varying the Action of
Explosion Engines.
I, FERNANDO ALSINA, of 16, Rue Codols, Barcelona, in the Kingdom of Spain,
Engineor, 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 an improved means for adjusting the length of the
piston stroke in engines, more especially explosion engines such, for example, as
those worked by petroleum, benzine, coal-gas, acetylene gns and the like.
The main object of this invention is to ensure that the capacity of the explosion
chamber in engines of this kind shall be increased or reduced according to the
effective power developed by the gas or gas mixture employed.
In order to reduce the normal length of the piston stroke, I arrange the connect-
ing rod in such a manner that it forms an angle with the axis of the cylinder when
the piston hus reached the end of its stroke. The compression of the explosive
mixture admits of being varied, at will, according to the amplitude of the angle
imparted to the connecting rod relatively to the axis of the cylinder. The
connecting rod is fastened to a connecting link and the latter is connected to the
piston rod. The joint is so guided that, during the explosion, the connecting rod
and the connecting link in question are located in a straight line (see position
in dotted lines in Figure 1). This is further so arranged that the explosion shall
not take place until the crank forms an angle of about forty-five degrees relatively
to the axis of the cylinder.
This invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and
Figure 2 an elevational view, of a gas engine, to which this improvement is
applied.
In the drawings I have not indicated any minor details of the engine (excepting
a device for igniting the explosive charge by electricity) because the special
improvement, of which I claim to be the inventor, is applicable to all kinds of
explosion engines of whatever system or construction they may be.
I have stated as the essential feature of this invention that the connecting rod
is fastened to a connecting link, intervening between the connecting rod and the
piston rod, in order that, when the piston has reached the end of its stroke, the con-
necting rod may form an angle with the axis of the cylinder and that the crank
may form with this said axis an angle of about forty-five degrees.
The connecting rod A (see Figures 1 and 2) is fastened to a connecting link D,
which latter, on its part, is connected to the cross head of the piston rod B. On
the other hand, the joint of the connecting rod A and of the connecting link D is
caused to follow the movements of an arm G, articulated to a crank H, actualed
by the shaft H. The latter, in its turn, is worked by the crank I, Figure 2,
connected to the rod J, the free end of which abuts against the cam L, and bears
at the same time against the lever S, adapted to oscillate on the pivot S¹.
In Figure 1, I have represented in dotted lines the position occupied by the

page_text: working parts at the moment when the explosion commences; the connecting
rod A and the connecting link D are in a straight line and retain this position
during a complete revolution that is to say up to the moment when the piston again
arrives at the end of its stroke, which position is indicated in Figure 1 in solid
lines.
In order to enable the crank K to freely traverse the dead centre which lies
in line with the cylinder axis, the arm G is adapted to act upon the connected
parts A, D by first thrusting the same into the position represented in full lines
in Figure 1, and by subsequently passing them into the position indicated in
dotted lines.
In order that the capacity of the explosion chamber may be adjusted according
to requirement, I provide the rods B and J with screw threads, so as to admit of
their lengths being varied. Thus, according to the length given to the piston
rod B, the piston upon arriving at the end of its stroke is more or less close to
the cylinder bottom, thus leaving a free space of a greater or less capacity to form
the explosion chamber. The length of the rod J must be regulated so as to adjust
it to the normal movement of the mechanism.
The construction of the other constituent parts of the motor do not present
any particular feature so far as the present invention is concerned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is :-
- 1. The method of varying the capacity of the explosion chamber of an explo-
sion engine substantially as set forth.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as described.
this 3rd day of January 1090.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.