Explosive Combination of Substances.
Year: 1885

page_text: Explosive Combination of Substances.
We, GEORGE ASHER, of 98, Lower Edwardes Street, Balsall Heath, Pattern
Maker, and JOHN BUTTRESS, of St Paul's Road, Sparkbrook, both in Worcestershire,
Hotel Servant, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "A NEW OR
IMPROVED METHOD OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY THE EXPLOSIVE COMBINATION
OF SUBSTANCES to be as follows:-
"
Our Invention relates to a new or improved method of obtaining motive power
by the explosive combination of substances and has for its principal object to
provide means whereby certain liquids may be intermittently brought together
from general supplies so as to cause successive explosions and to utilize such
explosions in forcing a piston along a cylinder to thereby obtain motive power;
and, further to provide means whereby the quantities of the said liquids used in
each explosion may be varied automatically or by an attendant so as thereby to
regulate the force of the explosions and the power of the engine.
According to one arrangement of carrying our Invention into practice we
provide a metal cylinder fixed in a horizontal position to a bed-plate and having
an ordinary piston free to slide therein and connected to a piston rod working
through a stuffing-box at the front end of the cylinder, such piston rod being
connected by any well known mechanism to a revolving shaft from which power
is to be taken off. The said shaft is provided with a fly-wheel. We provide two
vessels preferably of metal and of any convenient shape having suitable covers
and we attach them one on either side of the cylinder towards the back end; one
of the vessels contains concentrated nitric and sulphuric acid mixed in about
equal portions and the other vessel contains oil of turpentine. From the lower end
of each of the said vessels we provide a passage, preferably horizontal which com-
municate with solid plugs or valves, two in number, one for each vessel, arranged
to turn in vertical holes provided in the cylinder casting and they are connected
together by wheels, levers or other suitable mechanism so that they may turn

page_text: together and they receive rotary motion by means of suitable gearing from the
crank shaft of the engine. They can also be moved up and down together in their
said holes for the purpose of controlling the engine as hereinafter described.
The said plugs or valves are each provided with a groove or recess on one side
thereof corresponding to the passages from the said vessels, and on the side of each
plug or valve opposite to the passage which communicates with the vessel we
provide in the cylinder casting two other passages, which are directed towards
each other and towards the back end of the cylinder where they meet, and, there
forming a single passage, communicate with the cylinder behind the piston.
When the
The operation of the parts as above described to cause an explosion and so force
the piston along the cylinder is as follows:-The plugs or valves are first turned
so that their grooved or recessed parts correspond to the passages leading to the
vessels. The grooved or recessed part of one plug or valve will thus become filled
with mixed nitric and sulphuric acid and that of the other with oil of turpentine.
The plugs or valves are then turned round together until their grooved or recessed
parts correspond to the passages leading to the cylinder into which passages the
contents of the grooves or recesses are severally discharged and running along them
meet at the junction of the two passages as above described where they explode
and drive the piston along the cylinder to make its forward stroke.
piston has travelled a certain distance along the cylinder an exhaust passage is
opened so that the partially expanded gases pass into the atmosphere. The
momentum of the fly wheel causes the piston to make its backward stroke after
which another explosion takes place and the piston is again driven forward, as
above described. The successive explosions thus causing continuous rotary motion
of the crank shaft. The widths of the said grooves or recesses and of the passages
are so arranged that there is at no part of the revolution of the plugs or valves
any direct communication between the cylinder and the vessels containing the
liquids for causing the explosions. The said grooves or recesses extend below the
bottom of the passages so that the whole of their contents is not discharged for
each explosion. It will be seen that by simply raising or lowering the plugs or
valves in their holes the quantity of the explosive liquids used for each explosion
can be varied as desired and that the force of the explosion and the speed of the
engine are thus under perfect control. In order to stop the engine the plugs or
valves are lowered so that their grooves or recesses are below the passages and
thus take in no supply of explosive liquid. We arrange the said plugs or valves
to be raised and lowered, as above described, by means of suitable levers and
screws or by other mechanical means to be under the control of an attendant; or
the engine may be automatically controlled by connecting the said plugs or valves
by suitable mechanism to ordinary governors as are used for steam-engines.
Between the plugs or valves and the crank shaft we provide a clutch or other
suitable mechanical arrangement so that their driving gear can be disconnected
and they can be moved by hand for starting the engine, thus avoiding the necessity
of turning the crank shaft to obtain the first explosion.
We sometimes find it necessary to use a circulating water-jacket round the
cylinder in order to partly absorb the heat from the explosions.
We sometimes protect those parts of the engine which come in contact with the
acids by electrically depositing or coating them with aluminium or alloys of
aluminium or other substances not affected by the acids.
The proportions of the nitric and sulphuric acids may be varied as desired and
instead of using oil of turpentine we may use azodiphenyl-diamine or chloride of
kakodyle or other suitable vegetable oils.
Instead of using circular plugs or valves as above described slide valves with
flat faces may be used provided with suitable passages arranged to convey portions
of the liquids from the vessels in succession and to deliver them to the exploding
point, there to explode as above described.

page_text: We make according to our Invention a double-acting engine by arranging
another set of valves at the front end of the cylinder so as to deliver liquids to
cause an explosion at the front of the piston as well as at the back, as above
described.
The cylinder and the piston instead of being arranged horizontally, as above
described, may be arranged vertically or inclined; or it may be arranged to
oscillate and our Invention is applicable to any of the purposes for which steam-
engines are now used.

page_text: A New or Improved Method of Obtaining Motive Power by the
Explosive Combination of Substances.
We, GEORGE ASHER, of 98 Lower Edwardes Street, Balsall Heath, Pattern Maker,
and JOHN BUTTRESS, of St Paul's Road, Sparkbrook, both in Worcestershire, Hotel
Servant, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to
the letters and Figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Our Invention relates to a new or improved method of obtaining motive power
by the explosive combination of substances and has for its principal object to
provide means whereby certain liquids may be intermittently brought together
from general supplies to cause successive explosions and to utilize such explosions
in forcing a piston along a cylinder to thereby obtain motive power; and, further
to provide means whereby the quantities of the said liquids used in each explosion
may be varied automatically or by an attendant so as thereby to regulate the
force of the explosions and the power of the engine.
According to one arrangement of carrying our Invention into practice we provide
a metal cylinder fixed in a horizontal position to a bed-plate and having an ordinary
piston free to slide therein and connected to a piston rod working through a stuffing-
box at the front end of the cylinder, such piston rod being connected by any well
known mechanism to a revolving shaft from which power is to be taken off. The
said shaft is provided with a fly wheel. We provide two vessels preferably of
metal and of any convenient shape having suitable covers and we attach them one
on either side of the cylinder towards the back end; one of the vessels contains
concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids mixed in about equal portions and the other
vessel contains oil of turpentine. From the lower end of each of the said vessels
we provide a passage, preferably horizontal which communicate with solid plugs or
valves, two in number, one for each vessel arranged to turn in vertical holes provided
in the cylinder casting and they are connected together by wheels, levers or other
suitable mechanism so that they may turn together and they receive rotary motion by
incans of suitable gearing from the crank shaft of the engine. They can also be moved
up and down together in their said holes for the purpose of controlling the engine
as hereinafter described. The said plugs or valves are each provided with a groove
or recess on one side thereof corresponding to the passages from the said vessels, and
on the side of each plug or valve opposite to the passage which communicates with
the vessel we provide in the cylinder casting two other passages which are directed
towards each other and towards the back end of the cylinder where they meet and,
there forming a single passage, communicate with the cylinder behind the piston.
The operation of the parts as above described to cause an explosion and so force
the piston along the cylinder is as follows:-The plugs or valves are first turned so
that their grooved or recessed parts correspond to the passages leading to the vessels.
The grooved or recessed part of one plug or valve will thus become filled with

page_text: The
mixed nitric and sulphuric acid and that of the other with oil of turpentine. The
plugs or valves are then turned round together until their grooved or recessed
parts correspond to the passages leading to the cylinder into which passages the
contents of the grooves or recesses are severally discharged and running along them
meet at the junction of the two passages as above described where they explode
and drive the piston along the cylinder to make its forward stroke. When the
piston has travelled a certain distance along the cylinder an exhaust passage is
opened so that the partially expanded gases pass into the atmosphere.
momentum of the fly wheel causes the piston to make its backward stroke after
which another explosion takes place and the piston is again driven forward, as
above described, the successive explosions thus causing continuous rotary motion of
the crank shaft. The widths of the said grooves or recesses and of the passages
are so arranged that there is at no part of the revolution of the plugs or valves any
direct communication between the cylinder and the vessels containing the liquids
for causing the explosion. The said grooves or recesses extend below the bottom of
the passages so that the whole of their contents is not discharged for each explosion.
It will be seen that by simply raising or lowering the plugs or valves in their holes
the quantity of the explosive liquids used for each explosion can be varied as
desired and that the force of the explosion and the speed of the engine are thus
under perfect control. In order to stop the engine the plugs or valves are lowered
so that their grooves or recesses are below the passages and thus take in no supply
of explosive liquid. We arrange the said plugs or valves to be raised and lowered,
as above described by means of suitable levers and screws or other mechanical
means to be under the control of an attendant; or the engine may be automatically
controlled by connecting the said plugs or valves by suitable mechanism to ordinary
governors as are used for steam-engines. Between the plugs or valves and the
crank shaft we provide a clutch or other suitable mechanical arrangement so that
their driving gear can be disconnected and they can be moved by hand for starting
the engine, thus avoiding the necessity of turning the crank shaft to obtain the
first explosion.
We sometimes find it necessary to use a circulating water-jacket round the
cylinder in order to partly absorb the heat from the explosions.
We sometimes protect those parts of the engine which come in contact with the
acids by electrically depositing on or coating them with aluminium or alloys of
aluminium or other substances not affected by the acids.
The proportions of the nitric and sulphuric acids may be varied as desired and
instead of using oil of turpentine we may use azodiphenyl-diamine or chloride of
kakodyle or other suitable vegetable oils.
Instead of using circular plugs or valves as herein described slide valves with flat
faces may be used provided with suitable passages arranged to convey portions of
the liquids from the vessels in succession and to deliver them to the exploding point,
there to explode as herein described.
We make according to our Invention a double-acting engine by arranging another
set of valves at the front end of the cylinder so as to deliver liquids to cause an
explosion at the front of the piston as well as at the back, as above described.
The cylinder and the piston instead of being arranged horizontally, as above
described, may be arranged vertically or inclined; or the cylinder may be arranged
to oscillate and our Invention is applicable to any of the purposes for which steam-
engines are now used.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side elevation of a "single-acting"
stationary motor constructed in accordance with our Invention and arranged to be
controlled by an attendant; Fig. 2 is a plan and Fig. 3 an end elevation of the same
motor; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional elevation on line X. X. of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a plan
of the same partly in section on line X, X. of Fig. 6; Fig. 6 is an elevation of the
same partly in section on line Y. Y. of Fig. 5; Fig. 6* shews one of the valves
separately; Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views of part of the same motor illustrating
the relative position of the piston and valves as hereinafter explained.

page_text: Fig. 9 is a plan (partly in section on line X. X. of Fig. 10) of a "double-acting"
stationary motor constructed in accordance with our Invention; Fig. 10 is a
sectional elevation of the same on line X. X. of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a cross sectional
elevation of the same on line Y. Y. of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional elevation
of the same on line Z. Z. of Fig. 9; Fig. 13 is a cross sectional elevation of the same
on line W. W. of Fig. 15; Fig. 14 is a general plan and Fig. 15 is a general side
elevation of the same and Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the same.
Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are part sections of the cylinder of the "double-acting
motor represented by Figs. 9 to 16, both inclusive, and they illustrate the action of
the valves and their position relative to the piston at different points of its travel
as hereinafter fully explained; Fig. 21 is a part plan of a modified form of "double-
acting" motor constructed in accordance with our Invention the valve rod being
in its extreme rearward position; Fig. 22 is a part sectional plan and Fig. 23 is a
part elevation of the same; Fig. 24 is a part plan of the same the valve rod being
in its extreme forward position; Fig. 25 is a part sectional plan and Fig. 26 a part
elevation of the same.
<f
Fig. 27 is a part plan of a double-acting" motor provided with means for
antomatically regulating its speed and power; Figs. 28 and 20 are part elevations
of the same; Figs. 30 to 34, both inclusive, illustrate the action of the valves of the
same as hereinafter fully explained.
"
Figs. 35 and 36 are part sectional plans and Fig. 37 a part end clevation of a
cylinder of a "single-acting" motor illustrating a modification of our Invention as
hereinafter fully described.
Figs. 38 and 39 shew the application of means for automatically controlling the
double-acting" motor illustrated by Figs. 9 to 15, both inclusive.
Fig. 40 is a front elevation of a vertical "single-acting" motor provided with
sliding valves and reversing gear and constructed in accordance with our Invention.
Fig. 41 is a sectional elevation of the same on line X. X. of Fig. 40 and Fig. 42 is a
part sectional elevation of the same on line Y. Y. of Fig. 41; Fig. 43 shews the
valves separately and Fig. 44 is a sectional plan of the cylinder of the same on
line Z. Z. of Figs. 41 and 42.
Fig. 45 is a front elevation of a vertical "double-acting" motor provided with
rotary valves and constructed in accordance with our Invention; Fig. 46 is a
sectional elevation of the same on line Y. Y. of Fig. 45; Fig. 47 is a part sectional
elevation of the same on line Y. Y. of Fig. 46 and Fig. 48 is a sectional plan of the
cylinder of the same on line Z. Z. of Figs. 46 and 47.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
We will first refer more particularly to Figs. 1 to 8, both inclusive, which
represent a horizontal stationary motor as an example of the application of our
Invention to a "single-acting" motor-that is to say-a motor in which force is
applied on one side of the piston only.
A is a metal cylinder contained within a cylindrical casing B fixed in a horizontal
position to a frame C and having an ordinary piston D free to slide therein and
working through a stuffing-box and gland b¹ and forming in part a trunk to which
is jointed by the pin e the ordinary connecting rod E connected to a crank shaft F
provided with a fly wheel G; or other well known means may be employed for
converting the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotary motion of the crank
shaft from which power is required to be taken off. H¹ and H2 are two vessels
preferably of metal, attached to the outer casing B and provided with suitable
covers h1, h2, preferably screwed thereto. One of the vessels say H¹ contains con-
centrated nitric and sulphuric acid in about the proportion of eighteen parts by
weight of nitric acid to one part of sulphuric acid and the other vessel H² contains
oil of turpentine. From the lower part of each of the said vessels H¹, H², (see
Fig. 4) we provide a passage 1, 12, which communicates with solid plugs or
valves K1, K2, two in number one for each vessel arranged to turn in vertical holes
provided in the cylinder casing B. The plugs or valves K¹, K³, are each provided
with a spur wheel k¹, ², which gear so that they revolve together and they receive

page_text: rotary motion from the crank shaf F by means of the bevel wheels f¹, f', the
shaft L, bevel wheels , n', vertical shaft N and spur wheel n'. The diameters of
the wheels are so arranged that the plugs or valves K¹, K*, revolve at the same
speed as the crank shaft F. The plugs or valves K', K³, are free to be moved up
and down within certain limits through the stuffing-boxes ³, 4, by means of the
forked lever P and screw and hand wheel 1 for the purpose of controlling the
motor as hereinafter described; the index p shews the position of the valves K¹, K².
Each plug or valve K1, K2, is provided with a groove or recess and 16 (see Fig. 6*)
on one side thereof corresponding to the passages I, I, and on the side of each plug
or valve opposite to the passages 11, 12, we provide two other passages I³, I', which
are directed towards each other and towards the back end of the cylinder A. where
they meet and there forming a single passage O communicate with the cylinder A
behind the piston D. On the shaft L is an ordinary clutch L¹ free to slide thereon
and operated by a lever L' and so arranged that it can be thrown out of gear with
the clutch f³ formed with the pinion f2 so that the valves K¹, K³, can be revolved
for obtaining the first explosion for starting the motor without turning the crank
shaft F as hereinafter described.
The operation of the parts as above described to cause an explosion and so force
the piston D along the cylinder A is as follows:-The plugs or valves K', K2, are
first turned so that their grooved or recessed parts ³, 16, correspond to the
passages I, I, leading to the vessels H1, H2, as shewn in Figs. 4 and 5. The
grooved or recessed part of the plug or valve K1 will thus become filled by the said
mixture of concentrated nitric and sulphuric acids contained in the vessel H' and
the grooved or recessed part of the plug or valve K' will be filled by the said oil
of turpentine contained in the vessel H. The plugs or valves K', K², are now
turned round together until their grooved or recessed parts 15, 16, correspond to the
passages 13, I, leading to the cylinder A, as shewn in Fig. 7. A certain part of
the contents of the grooves or recesses k³, ko, are thus severally discharged and run
along the passages until they meet in the passage O where they explode and drive
the piston D along the cylinder A. to make its forward stroke. Before the explosion
takes place the plugs or valves have turned far enough round (as shewn in Fig. 8)
to close the connection between the passages I³, I*, and the recessed parts ³, k, so
as to prevent their remaining contents exploding also. When the piston D has
travelled a certain distance along the cylinder A, as shewn in Fig. 5 an exhaust
passage is opened so that the partially expanded gases may pass into the
atmosphere. The exhaust passage may be arranged as may be most convenient
according to circumstances but we prefer to place it at the bottom of the cylinder
and to provide a valve q¹ so arranged that by means of the lever q³ centred on the
pin q³ the cam q' on the shaft will maintain it closed while an explosion is taking
place and allow it to be opened by the spring q³ after the piston has travelled a
certain distance as above described. The momentuin of the fly wheel G causes the
piston D to make its backward stroke after which another explosion takes place
and the piston is again driven forward as above described, the successive explosions
thus causing continuous rotary motion of the crank shaft. The widths of the
grooves or recesses ³, 8, and of the passages I, I, I, I, are so arranged that thero
is at no part of the revolution of the plugs or valves K1, K2, any direct communi-
cation between the cylinder A and the vessels H1, H2, containing liquids for causing
the explosions. The grooves or recesses c³, extend below the bottom of the
passages I, I, so that the whole of their contents may not be discharged for a
single explosion. It will be seen that if the plugs or valves K¹, K2 are raised in
their holes by means of the lever P and hand wheel and screw p¹ the quantity of
the explosive liquid discharged from the grooves k³, kª and used for each explosion
will be increased and that if they are lowered the quantity will be diminished; the
force of the explosion and the power and speed of the motor are thus under perfect
control. In order to stop the motor the plugs or valves K1, K2, are lowered so
that their grooves or recesses ³, 1, are below the passages I, I³, and will take in
no supply of explosive liquid,

page_text: We prefer to provide an ordinary valve R which is weighted by means of the
spring and so arranged that it will open at a pressure lower than the bursting
pressure of the cylinder. In order that the cylinder A may be kept cool we admit
(water into the space a¹, by means of the inlet pipe a², which circulates around the
cylinder A and escapes by the outlet pipe a³.
We sometimes protect those parts of the motor which come in contact with the
acids by electrically depositing or coating them with aluminium or other substances
not affected by the acids.
The best proportions of the nitric and sulphuric acids are eighteen of the former
to one of the latter as herein before stated but the proportions may be slightly
varied to increase or diminish the strength of the mixture as desired and instead of
using oil of turpentine we may use azodiphenyl-diamine or chloride of kakodyle;
or we may use other liquids which when brought in contact with each other cause an
explosion.
We will now describe how a "double-acting" motor-that is to say-a motor in
which force is applied on both sides of the piston alternately, may be constructed
in accordance with our Invention and for this purpose we shall refer more par-
ticularly to Figs. 9 to 20, both inclusive, which illustrate as a type a "double-
acting" horizontal motor.
We provide two plugs or valves K1, K2, at the back of
the cylinder and two plugs or valves K³, K, at the front of the cylinder all similar
and operated by similar means to the plugs or valves K1, K2, in the "1 single-acting"
motor illustrated by Figs. 1 to 8, both inclusive, herein before described an we provide
an exhaust passage Q for the back and an exhaust passage Q₁ for the front of the
cylinder each having a valve and lever similar and operated by similar means to
the exhaust passage Q in the aforesaid "single-acting motor. The vessels H¹, H²
are preferably made large enough to serve for both the back and front plugs or
valves (see Fig. 9.) and passages I, I, are made from each vessel respectively to the
plugs or valves K1, K2, K³, K, (see Figs. 12 and 13) and continued to the passages O
and O¹ communicating with the cylinder A. At the outward end of each passage O,O',
we provide a relief valve R. The plugs or valves K¹², K2, K³, K, are so arranged
relatively to each other and to the piston D that they cause explosions on each side
of the piston D alternately and drive it backwards and forwards. This is clearly
illustrated by Figs. 17 to 20, both inclusive. The passage O¹ is below the centre
of the cylinder as shewn in Fig. 12, but in Figs. 17 to 20 it appears as on the
centre line for the sake of clearness. In Fig. 17 the piston D is just commencing
its backward stroke and the valves K³ and K have partly discharged their contents
which meet and explode, as hereinbefore described with reference to a "single-
acting" motor, when the piston is about in the position shewn in Fig. 18.
exhaust passage Q is closed, as herein before described, while the explosion takes
place and it may remain closed until the piston arrives at the end of its stroke, as
shewn in Fig. 19, when it opens and allows the partly expanded gases to escape.
The valves K1, K2, are now in a position to partly discharge their contents which
may meet and explode when the piston is returning, as shewn in Fig. 20, the exhaust
passage remaining closed until the piston reaches the end of its stroke, as shewn
in Fig. 17.
The
Although we have described plugs or valves having a continuous rotary motion
as a means whereby portions of the liquids contained in the vessels H³, H2, may be
intermittently brought together so as to cause successive explosions, still we do not
limit ourselves to this as it is evident other arrangements of mechanism may be
employed without departing from the spirit of our Invention. For instance the
plugs or valves K', K2, K³, K, may be arranged to oscillate, as shewn by Figs. 21 to 26,
both inclusive, their motion being obtained from a rod n' (which receives vibratory
motion from a crank or eccentric or other equivalent means on the crank shaft of
the motor) through the levers n connected by the link no, vertical shafts n³ and
toothed quadrants n³ gearing into the spur wheel k². In Figs. 21, 22 and 23 the
rod n' has just completed its backward stroke and the plugs or valves K1, K2 have
partly discharged their contents the plugs or valves K³, K, are in communication

page_text: with the vessels H³, H, and the piston D is just commencing its forward stroke
the exhaust passage Q being closed; in Figs. 24, 25 and 26 the rod n' is in its
extreme forward position and the plugs or valves have been moved through a half
circle, K1, K2, being now in communication with the vessels H¹, H³, and K³, K*,
ready to discharge, the piston D being about to move on its backward stroke. The
rod n' is made preferably forked as shewn in Fig. 26 so that it can be readily dis-
connected when the valves are being turned for obtaining the first explosion for
starting the motor. The oscillating plugs or valves can be moved up or down
for controlling the motor similarly to the rotating plugs or valves hereinbefore
described.
.
The plugs or valves K³, K³, K³, K4, instead of being arranged to rotate or oscillate
about their axis for obtaining successive explosions as above described may according
to our Invention be moved longitudinally to obtain the same result such longi-
tudinal motion being increased or diminished either by an attendant or automatically
for controlling the motor. Figs. 27 to 34, both inclusive, illustrate how a "double-
acting" motor having sliding valves and means for regulating its speed and power
may be constructed in accordance with our Invention. The plugs or valves K¹, K²,
and K³, K, receive alternately an up and down motion by means of the eccentric P³
and eccentric rod P2 which latter is jointed to the slotted lever P¹ fixed to the
shaft pa to which the forked levers P are also fixed. The plugs or valves are
severally provided with a slot or hole k³, 8 (see Figs. 30 to 34) which when they
are moved downwards by the mechanism above described become severally filled
from the vessels H, H2 through the passages I, I, and then being moved upwards
they severally either partly or wholly discharge their contents into the passages I³, 14,
to meet in the passages O, O', there to explode for acting on the piston as above
described. We provide a screwed handle Ps for the rod P2 so that its position on
the slotted lever P¹ may be varied by an attendant to increase or diminish the
travel of the plugs or valves K¹, K³, K³, K. Figs. 30 and 31 shew in section the
plugs or valves at the bottom and top of their stroke respectively when the end of
the rod P² acts on the lever P¹ in the position shewn in Fig. 28 but if the rod P² be
moved higher up the slotted lever P', as shewn in Fig. 29, then the plugs or valves
will have a longer travel, as shewn in Figs. 32 and 33, and more liquid will be
discharged from the slots and the force of the explosion and power of the motor
thereby increased; the force of the explosion can be diminished by moving the
rod P to operate nearer to the end of the lever P¹ and the notor can be stopped
by moving the rod to the extreme end of the lever as the plugs or valves will not
then move far enough to discharge any of their contents.
A motor constructed in accordance with our Invention may be automatically
controlled by means of an ordinary governor acting on the plugs or valves and
regulating the quantity of explosive liquid discharged. For instance in the motor
illustrated by Figs. 27 to 34, both inclusive we provide an ordinary governor S
which receives rotary motion by means of the bevel wheels 8 from the shaft L.
We provide a lever S¹ which is centred at g¹ and connected by the link S to the
rud P². The lever S₁ is provided with a weight s to balance the rod P2 and it
receives motion from the slide 8 so that when the nominal speed of the motor is
exceeded the slide s causes the rod P2 to fall, as shewn in Fig. 28, and thereby to
reduce the speed, or the rod P' will be raised if the nominal speed is not attained.
Figs. 38 and 39 shew how a governor may be applied for controlling a motor having
rotary or oscillating valves according to our Invention, instead of the screw and
hand wheel herein before described. The levers P actuating the plugs or valves are
caused to rise or fall by the slide 5 of the governor S to which they are connected
thus regulating the amount of liquid discharged and the power of the motor.
Between the plugs or valves K1, K2, K³, K, and the vessels H1, H2, we sometimes
provide stop cocks T" and T2, see Figs. 35, 36 and 37, so that the supply from the
vessels to the plugs or valves can be shut off thereby regulating or stopping the
motor. We prefer to provide them with levers t, and to connect the levers
together by a rod t so that they will act together,
J

page_text: In constructing a vertical motor in accordance with our Invention we arrange
the plugs or valves to work parallel with the cylinder instead of at right angles
thereto as in the horizontal motor herein before described. Figs. 40 to 44 illustrate
as a type a vertical "single-acting" motor having sliding valves. The plugs or
valves K, K, are connected together by the cross piece K10 (see Fig. 43) which
receives motion from an eccentric or its equivalent on the crank shaft F so that
they move together. Portions of the contents of the vessels H1, H2, flow through
the passages I, I2, (see Fig. 42) into the slots k7, when the plugs or valves are
at the bottom of their stroke and when they rise the said contents are discharged
through the passages I³, I', into the passage O there to explode for operating the
piston D as hereinbefore described for the horizontal motors.
Similar means may be employed for reversing a motor constructed in accordance
with our Invention as are now used for steam or other motors. For instance two
eccentrics U, U₁, jointed to a link U2 and provided with a reversing lever U³ and
connections U may be used as illustrated in Figs. 40, 41 and 42. The eccentrics
are set on the crank shaft so that if the link U be brought over to its extreme
position in one direction, as shewn in Fig. 40 the eccentric U will operate the plugs
or valves K, K, and drive the motor, but if the link U be reversed, as shewn
in Fig. 42, the eccentric U₁ will operate the plugs or valves and drive the motor in
the opposite direction.
In constructing a "double-acting " vertical motor in accordance with our
Invention, with rotating or oscillating valves we prefer to use two valves K³, K³,
as shewn in Figs. 45 to 48, both inclusive, and to make each of them long enough
to serve for causing an explosion at the top and bottom of the cylinder. The plugs
or valves K³, K9, have each two grooves or recesses 5, 6 on opposite sides thereof
so as to cause explosions alternately at the top and bottom of the piston D. The
operations of the plugs or valves K³, K, and the means for operating them are
similar to those hereinbefore described for horizontal motors having rotating or
oscillating valves K', K2, K³, K*
The cylinder and piston instead of being arranged horizontally or vertically as
above described may be inclined or arranged to oscillate without departing from
the spirit of our Invention as will be readily understood.
From the foregoing description of our Invention applied as stationary motors
a practical man will have no difficulty in constructing a motor for locomotive or
marine purposes in accordance with our Invention or in applying our Invention to
any of the purposes to which steam engines or other engines are now used.
In conclusion we wish it to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the
precise details as herein described and illustrated as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of our Invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The new or improved method of obtaining motive power by the explosive
combination of liquid substances herein before described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings; that is to say, the method of obtaining motive power
by introducing adjustable quantities of liquid substances before or behind or before
and behind the piston of a motor which said liquid substances have the property of
exploding when mixed so that the gases created by the explosion and the tension
of the same will produce a movement of the piston in the one or the other direction
as hereinbefore described.
2. In a motor the application and use of nitric and sulphuric acids with
turpentine or other suitable vegatable oils for causing successive explosions for
operating on the piston as herein before described.
3. In a motor operated by the explosive combination of liquid substances the
arrangement of the cylinder A, which can be provided with a cooling device, and
the reservoirs H, H, in such a manner that the passages or canals leading to the
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page_text: cylinder are closed by rotary (Figs. 1 to 26) or longitudinally (Figs. 27 to 34
and 40 to 43) movable plugs or valves which are each provided with a canal or
slot which fills itself with the liquid from its reservoir and after the plug or valve
has received a certain rotation or movement allows the liquid to flow through the
canal or passage O into the cylinder A as herein before described and illustrated.
4. In a motor operated by the explosive combination of liquid substances the
regulation of the quantity of liquid introduced or stopping the motor by giving the
plugs or valves a longitudinal movement by means of the lever P or its equivalent
which is operated by means of a hand wheel and screw or their equivalent as
hereinbefore described and illustrated.
5. In a motor operated by the explosive combination of liquid substances the
combination of a governor with the plugs or valves so as to automatically regulate
the quantities of the explosive substances used in each explosion as hereinbefore
described.
6. In a motor operated by the explosive combination of liquid substances the
device for producing the first explosion in starting the motor without turning the
crank shaft which is accomplished through the arrangement of the clutch operated
by the lever L by moving which said clutch the pin ƒ³ on the wheel f³ is released
so that a corresponding movement of the plugs or valves can take place as herein-
before described and illustrated.
7. In a motor operated by the explosive combination of liquid substances the
combination with the plugs or valves of a pair of eccentrics operating eccentric
rods U, U, which are in connection with the link U2 and connected to the plugs or
valves so as to enable the direction of revolution of the motor to be reversed when
required as herein before described and illustrated.
CHARLES BOSWORTH KETLEY,
128, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicants.