Improvements in Motors to be Operated by either Gas or Liquid Hydrocarbons.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motors to be Operated by either Gas or Liquid
Hydrocarbons.
I EDWARD THOMAS OWEN of 25 Alpha Road Millwall in the County of
London, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists of a motive power engine actuated by the explosion of a
mixture of petroleum and air or other suitable explosive mixture from either liquid
hydrocarbon or from gas.
For the purpose of better explaining the various parts and their operation I will
surmise that the motor is to be operated by the ordinary petroleum oil or kerosene
of commerce though I by no means limit, myself to its use.
The object of my present invention is to produce a cheap and efficient motor
capable of being operated by either gas spirit kerosene oil or other liquid hydro
carbons or material capable of forming an explosive fluid mixture suitable for my
purpose and the motor can be actuated by either the one or the other without
necessitating any material change or alteration in the design or construction of the
engine and fittings when a change of the combustible or explosive agent used is
made e.g. when one of these engines has been running with gas the only alteration
necessary to change from gas to liquid hydrocarbons is to disconnect the gas fittings
from the main and connect the engine inlet to a pipe from an oil tank and light the
lamp for the igniting apparatus.
I will first explain the construction of the various parts of the engine and then
briefly follow it through its working cycle.
The cylinder is so constructed that at its front end it has a portion of its length
bored to receive the piston (which is a sort of plunger) and is constructed to work
in this bored portion a good fit but not tight and is kept sufficiently tight to prevent
loss of pressure from leakage by a suitable gland or piston rings or both or other
equivalent device the said gland being situated at the outermost end of the cylinder
and packed with asbestos or other suitable packing material.
The remaining interior portion of the cylinder is left with a clearance space
around the piston i.e. it is formed larger than the piston so that the piston may not
become scored or have a tendency to seize through the heat of the exploded
charges and for small powers at least will obviate the necessity for a water jacket
the cylinder being kept sufficiently cool by radiation.
This back part of the cylinder or clearance space which is swept by the piston
for nearly its entire length forms the combustion chamber of the motor the heat
imparted to this part of the cylinder being utilized to volatilize the oil in the
following manner :-
A passage or chamber is constructed on or in the walls of this combustion
chamber in any way that may be found most expedient-for instance a cored
passage running at right angles to the length of the cylinder on the under side in
such a manner that it may be heated by a lamp or other external means at the
same time as the combustion chamber to facilitate starting the engine and will be
maintained in a sufficiently heated state after the engine is working by the heat
imparted to the walls of the cylinder by the explosions.
At one end of this passage is situated a suitable inspirator injector or other inlet
arrangement for the air and oil so constructed that the air atomises or sprays the
oil and having means for regulating the supply of both air and oil.
At the other or outlet end of this passage is placed a governing arrangement
operated and constructed in the following manner-A revolving piston opens or

page_text: closes a port leading to the inlet valve of the cylinder the said piston valve being
rotated by and rotating with the levers and weights of the governor the said levers
and weights being rotated by suitable means from the crank shaft of the motor.
A spring situated on the spindle of the piston valve maintains the levers and weights
in a straight line on each side of spindle and parallel thereto when the port is
full open but the rotation of the engine causing the weights to fly outwards over-
comes the spring and tends to close the port of passage to inlet valve of cylinder
in a greater or lesser degree as the speed of engine varies and so keeps the engine
running at a given normal speed extreme sensitiveness and simplicity being obtained
by having the piston valve rotating with the governor weights.
These engines may be constructed to work with a compression charge or not but
for further explaining the operation of the engine I will consider it to be working
on the now well known Otto cycle and using ordinary lamp oil.
On the outer or suction stroke of piston a small quantity of oil and sufficient air
are drawn into the passage formed in the walls of the cylinder and there formed
into an explosive mixture passing through the passage of governor up to the inlet
valve of the cylinder and through this into the combustion chamber.
On the back stroke of the piston this charge is compressed and at the
commencement of the next forward stroke is ignited by any suitable igniting
device for instance a mass of hot wire or other suitable material introduced into
a chamber communicating with the cylinder and closed alternately at each end by
valves one of which carries this heated mass.
Both these valves are operated by an arrangement of cams and levers so that
this mass of wire is maintained at a requisite heat by a flame during the time that
it is not in use igniting the charge-and then at the correct moment by the
movement of the cams and levers it is projected into the ignition chamber and the
valve is kept firmly to its seat by a toggle jointed lever and the other valve being
immediately opened by the further movement of the cams et cetera allows the
compressed charge to come in contact with the heated mass and so ignites it.
Directly the explosion takes place the cam allows the valves to return to their
normal condition. This forms.the power stroke of the engine.
The next back stroke of the piston is the exhaust and a small air pump may be
arranged to give a દ scavenger" charge from the front end backwards so as to
drive out all the burnt products and leave the cylinder free for another cycle of
operations as above described.
I do not limit myself to use the exact form of governing hereinbefore described-
neither do I limit myself to the precise method of ignition hereinbefore described
as other forms may be used if desired.
For the purpose of making my motor readily convertible for using either gas or
liquid hydrocarbons I use the following "inspirator" or oil spray.
A central oil feed pipe advantageously taper is surrounded by a cone shaped air
supply pipe terminating in a nozzle.
A second air supply pipe (also coned) is arranged outside the said first air supply
pipe and by adjusting or moving the same through the outlet of the second air
pipe the amount of air admitted can be regulated.
A gas supply pipe may be connected on to the first or inner air supply pipe
controlled by a suitable stop cock or valve and to alter the motive power of the
engine from oil to gas it is only necessary to shut off the oil supply turn on the gas
into the aforesaid inner air supply pipe and same becomes the gas supply pipe and
the outer cone gives the air supply alone. The engine may be made single acting 5
or double acting as desired.
The various features of importance and novelty in my present invention may be
summarised as follows:-
1. In internal combustion engines operated by explosive fluid mixtures a cylinder
so constructed that the piston shall only have a bearing at the forward end in such
a manner that the pressure shall not be allowed to escape. The remaining portion
of said cylinder being formed into a clearance space so that it may be heated

page_text: without affecting the lubrication and operation of the piston and to obviate in some
cases the necessity of a water jacket.
2. The passage formed on or in the walls of the cylinder for forming explosive
mixture of vapour and air.
3. The construction and arrangement at the inlet end of passage of a suitable
spraying and air mixing arrangement so constructed as to allow of the proportions
of either air or oil being varied at will as set forth.
4. The construction and arrangement of a governing attachment consisting of a
revolving piston valve operated by the centrifugal force of weights acting against
a spring capable of adjustment at will as set forth.
5. The construction and arrangement of an air pump to give a "scavenger"
charge from the front to the back end of the cylinder.
6. Ignition apparatus consisting of a chamber closed at each end alternately by
valves one of the said valves being provided with a mass of heated material the
said valves being opened and closed by an arrangement of cams toggle joints and
levers as set forth.
7. The construction and arrangement of an engine for explosive fluid mixtures
capable of being operated by either gas or oil et cetera without any material change
of construction being necessary and doing away with a separate vaporizing
attachment the heat of both explosion and exhaust being used for vaporizing the
liquid hydrocarbon used.
Dated this 21st dow of Mosch 1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motors to be Operated by either Gas or Liquid
Hydrocarbons.
1, EDWARD THOMAS OWEN of 25 Alpha Road, Millwall, in the County of
London, Engineer, 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 consists of a motive power engine actuated by the explosion of a
mixture of petroleum vapour and air or other suitable explosive mixture from
either vapourised or finely divided liquid hydrocarbon or from gas.
For the purpose of better explaining the various parts and their operation-I
will surmise that the motor is to be operated by the ordinary petroleum oil or
kerosene as found in daily commerce though I by no means limit myself solely to
its use.
The object of my present invention is to produce a cheap and efficient motor
capable of being operated by either gas spirit kerosene oil or other liquid hydro-
carbons or material capable of forming an explosive mixture with air suitable for
my purpose and the motor can be actuated by either the one or the other without
necessitating any material change or alteration in the design or construction of the
engine and fittings when a change of the combustible or explosive agent used is
made e.g. when one of these engines has been running with gas the only alteration
necessary to change from gas to liquid hydro-carbons is to disconnect the gas fittings
from the main and connect the engine to a pipe from an oil tank and light the lamp
for the igniting apparatus and my motor will then run as an oil engine.
I will first explain the construction of the various parts of the engine and then
briefly follow it through its working cycle.
The cylinder is so constructed that at its front end it has a portion of its length
bored to receive the piston (which is a sort of plunger-or piston having a long

page_text: bearing surface) and is constructed to work in this bored portion a good fit but not
too tight but is kept sufficiently tight to prevent loss of pressure from leakage by a
suitable gland or piston rings or both or other equivalent device the said gland
being situated at the outermost end of the cylinder and packed with asbestos or
other suitable packing material.
The remaining interior portion of the cylinder is left with a clearance space
around the piston i.e. it is formed larger than the piston so that the piston may not
become scored or have a tendency to seize through the heat of the exploded charges
and for small powers at least will obviate the necessity for a water jacket the
cylinder being kept sufficiently cool by radiation.
This back part of the cylinder or clearance space which is swept by the piston
for nearly its entire length forms the combustion chamber of the motor the heat
imparted to this part of the cylinder being utilised to volatilize the oil in the following
manner :-
A passage or chamber is constructed on or in the walls of this combustion
chamber in any way that may be found most expedient-for instance a cored
passage running at right angles to the length of the cylinder on the under side in
such a manner that it may at first be heated by a lamp or other external means at
the same time as the combustion chamber to facilitate starting the engine and will
be maintained in a sufficiently heated state after the engine is working by the heat
imparted to the walls of the cylinder by the explosion, or auxiliary heat may be
used if desired.
At one end of this passage is situated a suitable inspirator injector or other inlet
arrangement for the air and oil constructed so that the air atomises or sprays the
oil and having means for regulating the supply of both air and oil or otherwise
suitably arranged.
At the other end or outlet end, of this passage or at other convenient point is
placed a governing arrangement operated and constructed in the following
manner :-
A revolving piston opens or closes a port leading to the inlet valve of the
cylinder the said piston valve being rotated by and rotating with the levers and
weights of the governor the said levers and weights being rotated by suitable
means from the crank shaft of the motor. A spring situated on the spindle of the
piston valve maintains the levers and weights in a straight line ou each side of
spindle and parallel thereto when the port is full open but the rotation of the
engine causing the weights to fly outwards overcomes the spring and tends to close
the port of passage to inlet valve of cylinder in a greater or lesser degree as the
speed of the engine varies and so keeps the engine running at a given normal speed
extreme sensitiveness and simplicity being obtained by having the piston valve
rotating with the governor weights.
These engines may be constructed to work with a compression charge or not but
for further explaining the operation of the engine I will consider it to be working
on the well known Otto cycle and using ordinary lamp oil.
On the outer or suction stroke of piston a small quantity of oil and sufficient air
are drawn into the passage formed in the walls of the cylinder and there formed
into the mixture which passes thence through the passage of governor and after
receiving additional air passes to the inlet valve of the cylinder and through this
into the combustion chamber i.e. the enlarged back end of the cylinder.
On the back stroke of the piston this charge is compressed and at the com-
mencement of the next forward stroke is ignited by any suitable igniting device-
for instance a mass of hot wire or other suitable material introduced into a chamber
communicating with the cylinder and closed alternately at each end by valves one
of which carries this heated mass.
Both these valves are operated by an arrangement of cams and levers (or
equivalents) so that this mass of wire is maintained at a requisite heat by a flame
during the time that it is not in use igniting the charge-and then at the correct
moment by the movement of the levers actuated by a cam or cams or equivalents it

page_text: is projected into the ignition chamber and the valve is kept nrmly to its seat by a
toggle jointed lever and the other valve being immediately opened by the further
movement of the cams et cetera allow the compressed charge to come in contact
with the heated mass and so ignite said charge. (Directly the explosion takes
place the cam allows the valves to return to their normal condition.)
This forms the power stroke of the engine.
The next back stroke of the piston is the exhaust and a small air pump may (if
desired) be arranged to give a scavenger" charge from the front end backwards
so as to drive out all the burnt products and leave the cylinder free for another
cycle of operations as above described.
I do not limit myself to use the exact form of governing hereinbefore described-
neither do I limit myself to the precise method of ignition hereinbefore described
as other forms may be used if desired.
For the purpose of making my motor readily convertible for using either gas or
liquid hydro-carbons I use any suitable "inspirator" or oil spray.
For the sake of example I will briefly describe a suitable "inspirator' or
"atomiser."
A spindle or plug having a central air passage therethrough is made to screw down
more or less closely onto a seating in the oil supply passage and thus the quantity of
oil passing is easily regulated while the air coming through said central passage
serves to very finely divide or atomise the said oil (i.e. liquid hydro-carbons) and
same is thus sprayed into the vapourising chamber-this spray being produced by
a force pump or induced by suction from the motor cylinder.
The inlet for gas alone may be placed at any convenient point so as to pass
through the governor valve.
And in order that my present invention may be easily understood and readily
carried into practice I will proceed to further describe same with reference to the
drawings hereunto annexed-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing the internal construction of
the motor cylinder and parts in connection therewith.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the engine showing the mechanism
for operating the igniting apparatus.
Fig. 3 is an end view of the engine looking at the back end of the cylinder with
exhaust valve and gear removed.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in section of the igniting apparatus.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section of the governing apparatus.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.
A is the motor cylinder-the part a thereof being cast or formed of smaller
diameter than the larger part b.
c is the piston which is formed as shown as a plunger having great length-
said plunger c being formed to make a tight fit in the part a of the cylinder while a
clearance space remains all round c when it enters the back part b of the cylinder
so that c never touches or comes in contact with b which latter therefore need not
be bored.
d is ordinary connecting rod from piston c to crank on axle e of fly wheel f.
9 is compression and explosion chamber at back of cylinder.
his chamber cast or formed integrally with the motor cylinder (or applied
separately if desired) to which the petroleum or liquid hydro-carbon is conducted
(from the reservoir-not shown) and vapourised.
i (Fig. 3) is pipe or passage (controlled by the governor valve) leading from said
chamber to the pipe and thence through passage k and inlet valve into the
back end of the motor cylinder.
m is exhaust or outlet for burnt gases-the valve controlling this outlet being
operated at the required moment by means of the pivotted lever n engaging there-
with at one end (see Fig. 1) while at its other end this lever is intermittently
pushed outwards by the rod o (operated by the crank pin p on the toothed wheel

page_text: is port or passage reading to the igniter.
u is valve which normally cuts off passage t from the igniting device.
vis the igniter which is formed of a coil of any suitable metal or other material
(or it may be a tube) which is kept incandescent or heated in a flame wo from any
suitable lamp or burner.
2"
is a valve which carries the igniter e and intermittently fits tightly against the
seating before the valve u is drawn back so as to open the passage t into
communication with which at such moment lies between the said seating y and
the scating of valve u (see Fig. 4).
ย
1 is the spindle or rod which carries said valve u.
2 is spindle or rod which carries valve & and igniter v thereon.
3 is chimney or tube enclosing igniter flame w.
The rods 1 and 2 are respectively operated as follows:-
4 is cam on axis r.
:-
5 is lever pivotted on a stud or axis at point 6 and the free end of this lever is
hinged or jointed to link 7.
Link 7 is connected by means of spiral spring 7* to bell-crank 8 which turns on
stud or axis 9-the other end of bell crank 8 being jointed to toggle lever 10 which
latter is journalled to rod 2 (see Fig. 2).
The link 7 is also hinged jointed or connected to the horizontal rod 11 which it
thereby forces in the direction of the vertical lever 12 which is pivotted at 13 to
the frame of the motor which lever 12 at its other end is jointed or hinged to the
rod 1 see Fig. 2.
It is to be observed that the pivots 6, 9 and 13 are fixed points.
Thus the cam 4 at every second revolution of the fly wheelf pushes the lever 5
towards point 13 and thereby moves the rod 2 valve a and incandescent material v
thereon until said valve is forced tightly against the seating y and then at this
moment the rod 11 strikes lever 12 and thereby withdraws valve u from its
seating and the incandescent material (which is now situate between y and =) is
in direct communication with the passage t and motor cylinder A and
consequently the explosion takes place.
now
The governors act as follows:-
The weights 14 are connected by intermediate links 15 to the revolving collar 16
which collar 16 while free to revolve cannot rise vertically upon the valve case or
support 17 forming a bearing on the outside thereof for said collar 16.
Said weights 14 are carried on arms 18 which are pivotted to the cross bar 19
which latter has fixed thereto the valve spindle 20.
21 is a circular piston forming the valve to control the passage ij which valve 21
being fixed to spindle 20 is rotated by and rotates with the governors and moves
vertically in its aforesaid cylindrical seating in the interior of the valve casing 17.
Thus as the governor weights 14 cannot lift the revolving collar 16 their
tendency (when the normal speed is exceeded) will be to pull down the cross bar 19
and overcome the adjustable spring 22 and so move downwards the revolving piston
valve 21 and thus cut off (more or less) the amount of explosive mixture passing
from i to j on its way to the motor cylinder and so govern the motor with great
sensitiveness and accuracy.
B (Fig. 3) is a regulating cock or valve to cut off the admission of the liquid
hydro-carbons from the reservoir (not shown) to the vaporising chamber h and
acting as "inspirator" or "atomiser" such as hereinbefore described.
C is cock controlling the independent gas inlet to the pipe i.
Thus to drive the motor by ordinary gas (instead of using liquid hydro-carbons)
it is only necessary to close the cock or valve B and open cock C (after connecting
the latter with the gas main or other gas supply) and the motor will then run as an
ordinary gas engine.

page_text: The piston chaving its bearing in the smaller part a of the motor cylinder A and
the whole bearing surface of a being always occupied by the said piston c (which is
made sufficiently long for this purpose) it follows that the exploded gases never
come in direct contact with the bearing surface a which is therefore easily kept
lubricated by means of a lubricator such as D.
A great advantage is gained according to my invention by the peculiar
construction of the cylinder with a clearance space all round the piston where it
enters the explosion chamber amongst which may be mentioned the dispensing with
a water jacket, non-liability of the piston to seize or bind in the cylinder, easy
working of the motor and easy lubrication, economy in construction and simplicity
in working.
The operation is as follows:-
:-
To first start the motor as an oil motor-vaporizing chamber is first heated by
placing any suitable lamp or burner beneath same until sufficiently heated to
vaporize the liquid hydro-carbon to be used.
The igniting device is also lit so that the flame to heats to incandescence.
The cock or valve B is then opened and on rotating the fly wheelf the first
charge for the motor is sucked in and vaporized in chamber and passing into
cylinder is compressed and ignited-the engine then working by repetition of the
cycle.
The cycle is as follows:-
After the power outstroke on the return instroke the products of combustion are
expelled through m. On the next outstroke the suction caused in the cylinder A
will draw in the explosive mixture from the chamber and at same time this suction
will also serve to suck in more liquid hydro-carbon (and air) into the chamber h to
be there vaporized. The next instroke is the compression stroke and just as the
stroke is finished and the charge duly compressed-the cam 4 has placed the
igniting tube or incandescent mass v in position between y and z (Fig. 4) and
the valve u is now opened and the charge thereby fired through passage tas
hereinbefore explained.
The valve u then closes, the incandescent mass moves back into the flame w
the exhaust mis opened and the burnt gases expelled and the cycle repeated
and so on.
The arrangement and construction of the motor cylinder of two diameters is a
very important and essential feature of my present invention since (by this means)
only the guide part or part of smaller diameter a need be bored to fit the piston,
the other part 6 being cast or formed sufficiently large to form the desired clearance
space round the piston as the latter traverses said part b--this larger part 6 of the
motor cylinder commencing at a point immediately behind the back end of the piston
when same is at full outstroke and continuing back for at least the full length of travel
of the piston viz. from back end of piston at extreme of outstroke to back end of piston
at extreme of instroke.
Thus the piston in my motor cylinder never comes in contact with that part of
the interior surface of the cylinder which is exposed to the explosions.
Instead of forming the vaporizing chamber as shown-same may be formed
separately from the motor cylinder A and mounted and combined therewith in any
suitable manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a motor to be operated either by gas or liquid hydro-carbons-the
arrangement and construction of the motor cylinder all in one part but with two
diameters internally that is the front end (or part nearer to the crank) of smaller
diameter to serve as the piston bearing surface which is always occupied and covered
by said piston the latter being made of great length for this purpose and the back
portion or combustion chamber of said cylinder of a larger diameter than the piston

page_text: this larger part being of a length at least equal to the full length of travel of said
piston so that a clearance space is left all round as said larger part is swept by said
piston substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
2. The improved arrangement and construction of motor cylinders for gas or
liquid hydro-carbon motors consisting of forming such cylinders with a guide part
or bearing part for a piston of great length and a part with a larger diameter
forming the explosion chamber of said cylinders the minimum length of this part of
larger diameter being equal to the full length of travel of the piston and such larger
part commencing just at the back of the piston when same is at full outstroke and
continuing backward for the full length of travel of said piston so as to form a
clearance space round the latter as this larger part is traversed by said piston
substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a liquid hydro-carbon motor-the combination with the motor cylinder of
a cored passage or chamber (such as ) cast in or formed integrally with the said
cylinder to act as the liquid hydro-carbon vaporizer chamber substantially in the
manner and for the purposes set forth.
4. An igniting apparatus for either gas or liquid hydro-carbon motors consisting
of the arrangement and combination with an igniting aperture or passage leading to
the
the motor explosion chamber of a valve to close said passage a chamber upon
other side of said closed valve a mass of suitable metal or other material kept
incandescent or heated in a flame and capable of being intermittently thrust into
said chamber, a valve to tightly close said chamber behind said mass the latter
being carried on the front of said valve means to open the first named valve so as
thereby to make direct connection between the explosive mixture and the said
incandescent or heated mass and means to close first said valve after the charge has
been fired and withdraw the second said valve and heated mass and place the latter
in the said flame again all substantially in the manner and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
5. The improved general arrangement construction and combination of parts
constituting a motor to be operated either by gas or liquid hydro-carbons sub-
stantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the drawings hereunto annexed.
£ Tona 1902
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.