Improvements in the Method or Means of Utilising Compressed Air for the Production of Mechanical Power.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1889-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method or Means of Utilising Compressed
Air for the Production of Mechanical Power.
I VICTOR POPP of 10 Rue. St Fargeau, Paris, France, Manager of La Compagnie des
Horloges Pneumatiques, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
It is well known that when compressed air is used for the production of motive
power, as for instance in the system associated with my name, it is very advantageous
for the air to be superheated with the object of obtaining a greater useful effect.
The present invention has for its object to further increase this effect.
Distilled water or other suitable liquid, previously heated, is injected into the pipe
or conduit which supplies the highly heated compressed air to the motor. This
injection is effected under pressure at or before the moment of consumption of the
compressed air, in the form of pulverised liquid or spray. The compressed air is by
this means saturated with moisture, which is transformed into superheated steam by
the heat contained in the air.
A higher pressure is thereby obtained which allows of a more favorable rate of
expansion in the motor. The moisture present in the air also serves as a valuable
lubricant for the parts of the motor.
One arrangement which I may employ for carrying this invention into practice is
shewn by way of example in the annexed sheet of illustrative drawings. The
compressed air is supplied from a suitable source (not shewn) by a pipe a under a
constant pressure which maintained by means of an automatic pressure regulator
(not shewn).
The compressed air passes through a valve b which allows only a constant pressure
to reach the motor, this valve opening or closing according as the motor acquires more
or less speed or power. The water or other liquid to be injected is contained in a
reservoir d provided with a gauge glass e or other suitable device for indicating the
level of the liquid.
The reservoir is hermetically closed and its contents are subjected to the same
constant pressure as that in the pipe a by means of a connecting pipe f which opens
into the pipe a in front of the valve b. The reservoir d is provided with a screw plug
which can be replaced by a union forming the end of the delivery pipe of a small
pump hereinafter referred to. This reservoir d is connected by a pipe m to a heater
which serves to heat the compressed air. This heater receives the compressed air
before its admission to the motor. The air passes by a pipe 1 into a series of
passages formed by baffle plates which compel the air to pass round the furnace whilst
flowing alternately upwards and downwards in the heating device.
The heated air passes out by a pipe 3 which conveys it to the motor.
The heat radiated outwards through the casing 4 surrounding the said baffle plates
as well as the heat of the products of combustion which go to the chimney is
utilised to beat the injection water of the reservoir d.
For this purpose between this casing 4 and the outer casing 5 of the heater, is
arranged a coil of piping 6 dimensioned according to the most suitable temperature
to be given to the injection liquid. The water from the reservoir d is forced into
the coil 6 by reason of the difference between the pressure existing in the pipe a in
front of the valve b which is a constant pressure and the pressure in the pipe 1
behind that valve which is a variable pressure varying according to the working
of the motor. The liquid is driven into the heating coil 6 with a force proportionate
to the difference in the pressures. The liquid being thus heated in the coil is
forced by the action of this difference in the pressures out through a pipe g into a

page_text: receiver provided with means for rendering visible the volume of discharge
From this receiver the heated liquid passes into a pulverising or spraying pipe or
device which opens into the pipe 1 supplying the compressed air to the heater; the
pulverised liquid is sucked or drawn along at k by the current of compressed air
which is thereby saturated with moisture before entering the heater.
By the action of the high temperature in the heater the liquid mixed with the air
is changed into steam which causes an increase of pressure of the motive fluid whilst
diminishing the consumption. The difference in pressure which forces the water into
the coil is variable since one of the pressures is itself variable whilst the other pressure
is constant. The amount. of water injected and drawn along by the compressed air
will therefore also be variable. This proportionate discharge of this liquid is effected
in an automatic manner but it may also be effected mechanically by means of the
following arrangement which regulates the supply of liquid according to the require-
ments and proportionally to the consumption of compressed air by the motor. A
lever n connected to the valve b carries the counterweight o and is extended to P.
It is here jointed to a rod q which is jointed to the end of a lever fixed on the
plug of the cocks inserted in the pipe m forming the communication between the
reservoir d and the heater. When the valve brises in order to allow a greater
quantity of compressed air to pass, the lever r is operated to open the plug of the
cocks so as to allow a greater quantity of water to pass into the coil. A pressure
guage may be placed on the pipe a in front of the valve b to indicate the constant
pressure. A pressure gauge and a thermometer may be placed on the pipe 1 behind
the valve b to indicate the pressure and the temperature of the compressed air mingled
with pulverised liquid.
The reservoir d is also provided with a pressure guage which should always agree
with that on the pipe a.
A thermometer may be placed on the pipe 3 which supplies the compressed air
mixed with steam to the motor in order to indicate the temperature of the mixture.
In order that the water in the reservoir d may be renewed without interference with
the working of the apparatus the exhaust pipe of the motor may be immersed in a
sump or other reservoir of water. The steam mixed with the compressed air after its
action on the motor becomes condensed in this reservoir, and a small
pump, herein-
before referred to, worked by hand or by the motor itself, returns to the reservoir d
the water which has been injected.
It is thus practically always the same liquid which is injected with the addition of
a quantity of fresh liquid to make up for loss by leakage and evaporation. By the
means hereinbefore described the useful effect of the motive force of the compressed
air employed may be increased almost without extra cost. In place of water any other
suitable liquid or substance may be employed for the purpose of injection which shall
be capable of producing by admixture with the compressed air, a fluid whose motive
force will be added to that of the said compressed air.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1888
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method or Means of Utilising Compressed
Air for the Production of Mechanical Power.
I, VICTOR POPP, of 10 Rue St. Fargeau, Paris, France, Manager of La Compagnie
des Horlogues Pneumatiques 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 :-
It is well known that when compressed air is used for the production of motive
power, as for instance in the system associated with my name, it is very advantageous
for the air to be superheated with the object of obtaining a greater useful effect. The

page_text: present invention has for its object to further increase this effect. Distilled water or
other suitable liquid, previously heated, is injected into the pipe or conduit which
supplies the highly heated compressed air to the motor. This injection is effected
under pressure at or before the moment of consumption of the compressed air, in
the form of pulverised liquid or spray. The compressed air is by this means saturated
with moisture which is transformed into superheated steam by the heat contained
in the air. A higher pressure is thereby obtained which allows of a more favorable
rate of expansion in the motor. The moisture present in the air also serves as a
valuable lubricant for the parts of the motor.
One arrangement which I may employ for carrying this invention into practice is
shewn by way of example in the sheet of illustrative drawings filed with my Provisional
Specification. The compressed air is supplied from a suitable source (not shewn) by a
pipe a under a constant pressure which is maintained by means of an automatic
pressure regulator (not shewn). The compressed air passes through a valve b which
allows only a constant pressure to reach the motor, this valve opening or closing
according as the motor acquires more or less speed or power. The water or other
liquid to be injected is contained in a reservoir d provided with a gauge glass e or
other suitable device for indicating the level of the liquid. The reservoir is hermetically
closed and its contents are subjected to the same constant pressure as that in the pipe a
by means of a connecting pipe which opens into the pipe a in front of the valve b.
The reservoir d is provided with a screw plug which can be replaced by a union
forming the end of the delivery pipe of a smal! pump hereinafter referred to. This
reservoir d is connected by a pipe m to a heater which serves to heat the compressed
air. This heater receives the compressed air before its admission to the motor. The
air passes by a pipe 1 into a series of passages formed by baffle plates which
compel the air to pass round the furnace whilst flowing alternately upwards and
downwards in the heating device. The heated air passes out by a pipe 3 which.
conveys it to the motor. The heat radiated outwards through the casing 4 surrounding
the said baffle plates as well as the heat of the products of combustion which go to.the
chimney is utilised to heat the injection water of the reservoir d.
For this purpose between this casing 4 and the outer casing 5 of the heater, is
arranged a coil of piping 6 dimensioned according to the most suitable temperature to
be given to the injection liquid. The water from the reservoir d is forced into the
coil 6 by reason of the difference between the pressure existing in the pipe a in front
of the valve b which is a constant pressure and the pressure in the pipe 1 behind that
valve which is a variable pressure varying according to the working of the motor.
The liquid is driven into the heating coil 6 with a force proportionate to the difference
in the pressure. The liquid being thus heated in the coil is forced by the action
of this difference in the pressures out through a pipe g into a receiver i provided
with means for rendering visible the volume of discharge. From this receiver the
heated liquid passes into a pulverising or spraying pipe or device ; which opens into
the pipe 1 supplying the compressed air to the heater; the pulverised liquid is sucked
or drawn along at k by the current of compressed air which is thereby saturated with
moisture before entering the heater. By the action of the high temperature in the
heater the liquid mixed with the air is changed into steam which causes an increase of
pressure of the motive fluid whilst diminishing the consumption. The difference in
pressure which forces the water into the coil is variable since one of the pressures is
itself variable whilst the other pressure is constant. The amount of water injected and.
drawn along by the compressed air will therefore also be variable. This proportionate
discharge of this liquid is effected in an automatic manner but it may also be effected
mechanically by means of the following arrangement which regulates the supply of
liquid according to the requirements and proportionally to the consumption of
compressed air by the motor. A lever n connected to the valve b carries the
counter-weight o and is extended to p. It is here jointed to a rod q which is
jointed to the end of a lever n fixed on the plug of the cocks inserted in the pipe m
forming the communication between the reservoir d and the heater. When the valve b
rises in order to allow a greater quantity of compressed air to pass, the lever r is

page_text: operated to open the plug of the cock s so as to allow a greater quantity of water to
pass into the coil. A pressure guage may be placed on the pipe a in front of the
valve to indicate the constant pressure. A pressure gauge and a thermometer may
be placed on the pipe 1 behind the valve 6 to indicate the pressure and the temperature
of the compressed air mingled with pulverised liquid.
The reservoir d is also provided with a pressure guage which should always agree
with that on the pipe a.
A thermometer may be placed on the pipe 3 which supplies the compressed air
mixed with steam to the motor in order to indicate the temperature of the mixture.
In order that the water in the reservoir d may be removed without interfering with!
the working of the apparatus the exhaust pipe of the motor may be immersed in a
sump or other reservoir of water. The steam mixed with the compressed air, after
its action on the motor becomes condensed in this reservoir, and a small pump,
herein before referred to, worked by hand or by the motor itself, returns to the
reservoir d the water which has been injected. It is thus practically always the same
liquid which is injected with the addition of a quantity of fresh liquid to make up for
loss through leakage and evaporation. By the means hereinbefore described the useful
effect of the motive force of the compressed air employed may be increased almost
without extra cost. In place of water any other suitable liquid or substance may be
employed for the purpose of injection which shall be capable of producing by admixture
with the compressed air, a fluid whose motive force will be added to that of the
compressed air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in--
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what is
claimed in means for utilising compressed air for the production of mechanical
power, is :-
1. Injecting by the pressure of the compressed air in the main distributing conduit
water or other suitable liquid into the supply pipe through which air at a high
temperature flows to the motor.
2. Causing the flow of compressed air to the motor to regulate the injection of the
water and to render it proportionate to the consumption of the compressed air,
substantially as described.
3. Heating the compressed air and the injection water or other liquid under
pressure by one and the same means, thereby dispensing with boilers or other separate
means for transforming the injection water or other liquid or liquids into steam
or vapour.
4. Producing steam or vapour to be used in conjunction with compressed air
for the production of mechanical power by contact of liquid spray with super heated
compressed air.
5. The combination of a receiver 6 containing the liquid to be injected into the
compressed air, with a heater for heating at one and the same time the liquid to be
injected and the compressed air which carries with it in the form of spray a portion
of previously heated liquid, for the purpose of increasing the expansive force of
the said compressed air.
6. The apparatus for the utilisation of compressed air for the production of
mechanical power substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1889.
VICTOR POPP,
Per L.W.