Improvements in Rotary Motors or Engines also applicable to Pumps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Motors or Engines also applicable to Pumps.
We, HENRY ALEXANDER HANCOx, Draughtsman, and ROBERT JAMES HANCOX,
Engineer, both of No. 151, Mansfield Street, Balmain, Sydney, in the Colony of
New South Wales, Australia, 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 improvements in that class of rotary engines having
a revolving piston rotating in an annular chamber, and a sliding abutment
which moves to allow the piston to pass, and comprises the peculiar construction
and arrangement of the essential parts, that is to say, a disc having one or
more piston blocks fitted with detachable coverings which are made to expand
when in operation-side covers for enclosing the said disc, secured by stiffening
rings which surround stuffing boxes carrying the main spindle-jointing rings
with circular clamping plates and spring attachments for keeping the piston disc
steamtight-a detachable outer casing, which, with the jointing rings and the
piston disc, when secured with the clamping plates, forms an annular chamber
in which the piston rotates a peculiarly constructed radial slide operated by a
system of levers actuated by cams and-a valve chamber and valve constructed to
operate the engine in reverse directions.
By omitting the valve chamber, the beforementioned associated parts are alike
applicable to a rotary pump.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings which form part of this specifica-
tion, and in which similar letters are used throughout the different views to
indicate similar parts:-
Figure 1 is an end elevation of a rotary engine constructed with these improve-
ments, with part of the sole plate removed to shew the essential parts.
Figure 2 is a transverse section (in part) to shew rotary piston and slide chamber.
Figure 3 is a cross section (in part) on line x of Figures 2 and 9.
Figure 4 is a side elevation, shewing mechanism for operating radial slide.
Figure 5 is a side elevation, shewing, in detail part of piston disc and detach-
able piston plates.
Figure 6 is a further detail, in plan, of piston block.
Figure 7 is a further detail of piston, part in section.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a removable piston plate.
Figure 9 is an end elevation of the outer casing of the engine, shewing method
of securing circular clamping plates and stiffening rings, also lower lever for
operating radial slide.
Figure 10 is a sectional detail, shewing various parts associated with the piston
and casing.
Figure 11 is a detail, in section, of a radial slide.
Figure 12 is an edge view of slide plate.
Figure 13 is a sectional view, in detail, of slide valve and associated parts,
arranged for obtaining reverse movements of the engine.
Figure 14 is a sectional detail, shewing jointing rings and circular clamping
plates.

page_text: To the spindle A is secured the piston disc B, whose turned face C carries one
or more piston blocks D) (vide Figure 7) suitably secured thereto and provided
with the detachable and adjustable top and bottom covering plates E and F,
constructed with suitable tongues G and overlapping margins H, which inter-
lock with each other and provide a steam tight piston. Springs I concealed
within the blocks D), serve to expand the said piston plates in the desired direction,
and the side springs J, which are pocketed in the block D, produce_transverse
expansion of the piston plates while rotating in the annular chamber K, which is
formed by the disc face C, the jointing rings L, and the detachable outer casing M
which is shewn divided centrally and is recessed on the side to receive the circular
clamping plates N which are secured by the bolts to the casing M, and by the
bolts P to the side covers Q. In any convenient part of the casing M removable
covers may be provided, which will form part of the casing, and serve to give
access to the piston or pistons when it is necessary to adjust or renew them.
The aforesaid jointing rings L are kept in position against the side faces R of
the piston disc by means of the springs S, which encircle stud bolts, and are
on that account self adjustable. The bolts T are employed to prevent circular
movement in the jointing rings L, but do not restrain the lateral movement
(vide Figure 10). A recess U is provided in each of the jointing rings L, having
a steam passage V communicating with the annular chamber K, for the purpose
of filling the said channels with steam and a lubricant to minimise the friction of
the working faces (vide Figure 14).
The side covers are provided with the stiffening webs W, to prevent undue
expansion, and further rigidity is obtained by the use of the stiffening rings X
secured by the bolts Y and also provided with set screws for regulating them as
may be necessary. The stuffing boxes Z are associated with the side covers Q,
and are provided with the usual glands a.
The casing M is provided with the foot plates 6 secured to the sole plate c.
To provide for the admission of the steam into the annular chamber K, any
desired number of steam admission chambers are suitably located by the number
of piston blocks used. These chambers are divided into the central slide passage d,
and the steam passages e and f, the latter being in communication with the
pipes and h. The radial slide i, which is used to temporarily close the annular
chamber K, is constructed with a hollow stem j, which receives the spindle k
of the slide block 7, the said block being intended to accommodate itself to
the turned face C of the piston disc B. The spring m is used to operate the slide
block 7, and is retained in position by means of the cap n covered by the. lever
block o.
The steam cavities are provided to serve as cushions during the
downward movement of the slide. The cams q, secured to the spindle. A and
made preferably in halves, are used to operate the radial slide The raised
surface is suitably located in its relationship to the piston to ensure the raising
of the slide in advance of the piston as it rotates. The bottom leverss,
carrying friction rollers t, are suitably pivoted upon the pin u; the side springs v
serving to keep the aforesaid rollers in contact with the cams g. These levers s
are united by the cross spindle w. the links connecting. the cross spindle to
the top lever y, supported in the bearing, which in turn is connected to the
lever block pin o by the pin
+2 ***
To operate the piston in reverse directions the steam chamber 2 is provided in
close proximity to the steam admission chambers associated with the annular
chamber K. The inlet ports 3 and 4 communicate with the steam passages e
and f-by means of the pipes 7 and h. The slide valve 5 is actuated in the ordinary
way by eccentrics and link motion, but to provide for the peculiar action of the
valve the long and short eccentric rods 6. and 7 are essential (vide Figure: 1).
The position of the valve in Figure 13 indicates that the longer eccentric. rod
is in use. Steam is shewn passing through port 4 and thence. by pipe into 5
steam passage f, which would move the piston in the direction shewn by the
arrow in Figure 2, and, when a revolution has been made, the steanr used: for

page_text: actuating it would pass out of the passage e by means of pipe g, through port 3,
and out of exhaust port 8, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 13.
By the
peculiar action of the slide valve 5, provision is made for a complete circuit of
the steam, and for preventing its return into the same passage whence it enters
to operate the piston, so that in Figure 13 is demonstrated the fact that both
admission ports + and 3 are in use simultaneously, and that the slide valve is
only required to travel one half of the distance of the ordinary slide valve. If
the position of the valve be changed so as to open port 3 in the same manner as
port 4 is shewn, reverse action of the piston would be obtained, and the pipe h
would then be in communication with exhaust port S, the short eccentric rod 7
having to be brought into play to accomplish this result.
If this class of engine be used as a condensing engine, it would be associated
with the usual pumps, and the peculiar construction of the piston herein
employed, together with the associated parts, would be serviceable for such a
purpose. The steam chamber 2 with its associated parts would be unnecessary,
but the pipes g and h in an amended form, would be retained to allow for the
inlet or discharge of the water or air, according to the purpose for which it was
used. The pump being a necessary adjunct, would be attached to the spindle A,
and would be actuated by the rotary engine.
We desire to state that we are aware that a rotary piston running in an annular
casing is not novel, but, when used in association with the improvements
described herein, greater efficiency is obtained, than heretofore.
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. In rotary engines provided with an annular piston chamber, a piston disc
carrying one or more piston blocks provided with top and bottom covering plates
having suitable tongues and overlapping margins and actuated by means of
concealed springs, as described and shewn, and for the purposes set forth.
2. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with a rotary disc
carrying one or more piston blocks, of, jointing rings having steam lubricating
grooves and secured to circular clamping plates and operated by concealed springs,
as described and shewn, and for the purposes set forth.
3. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with a rotary
disc carrying one or more piston blocks, of, side covers having stiffening webs,
stuffing boxes, and adjustable stiffening rings, and secured to circular clamping
plates, as described and shewn, and for the purposes set forth.
4. In rotary engines of the class set forth, a detachable outer casing divided
centrally, and, a disc whose side surfaces are in contact with the grooved edges
of jointing rings, the whole combined to form an annular piston chamber, as
described and shewn, and for the purposes set forth.
5. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with an annular
chamber as claimed in Claim 4, of, one or more steam admission chambers having
a central slide passage and associated steam passages, communicating with a
valve chamber having inlet ports arranged for the simultaneous inflow and
exit of the steam into the said annular chamber, as described and shewn, and
for the purposes set forth.
6. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with an annular
chamber of the kind described, of, a radial slide with steam cavities formed
therein, and, a central slide block made adjustable and operated in the manner
described, as described and shewn, and for the purposes set forth.
7. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with an annular
chamber constructed in the manner described, of, a radial slide provided with an
adjustable slide block, an actuating lever therefor combined with side levers and
retained in position with side springs and actuated by cams, as described and
shewn, and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 8. In rotary engines of the class set forth, the combination, with a rotary piston
provided with one or more piston blocks whose covering plates are expandible by
means of concealed springs, and, an annular chamber of the kind described, of,
a steam admission chamber with its associated ports and passages, whose slide
valve is operated in the manner described and shewn, and for the purposes set
forth.
9. The combination of a rotary engine of the kind described with a rotary pump
whose piston and annular chamber are similarly constructed, as and for the
purposes herein described and illustrated in the drawings.
10. The general combination and arrangement of the parts herein described,
the whole forming an improved rotary engine, as described, and as illustrated in
the drawings.
1
111
1
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.