Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 27th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept.,
1898
I, FRANCOIS JOSUE LOTHAMMER, Engineer, of 23, Place de la Constitution,
Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to a rotary motor which is based upon a special con-
struction permitting at the same time its operation as a double-acting motor under
the impulsion of any suitable motive fluid, and its ready arrangement as a com-
pound rotary motor.
The fundamental constructional principle of the motor resides in the establish-
ment of a fixed central body around which revolves an eccentric crown provided
with jointed internal valves which, in changing position in their passage upon
corresponding perimital deformations of the central body allow of the admission
and discharge of the motive fluid by covering and un-covering alternately the
ways or passages formed for this purpose to the interior of the central body
which latter will be hereinafter referred to as the distributor.
The distributor is constituted by one or more cylinders fitted one within the
other, the external perimeter of which has upon two diametrically opposed sides
inflections which are identical one with another and having a pre-determined
curvature the extremities of which form drops or slopes and in the middle por-
tion, an arc of a circle having a smaller radius than that of the internal circle
of the concentric crown fitted upon the two parts remaining of the same radius,
in such a manner that the distributor constitutes a symmetrical cam having two
chambers between the inflected sides of the motive crown, guided in its rotation
concentrically upon the projecting parts, and laterally by the circular edges
fitted into the corresponding external shoulders of the distributor, where tight-
ness is ensured by two packing rings placed in a corresponding annular recess
in the edge and caused to bear against the shoulders by intermediate springs.
Within the driving crown are formed four recesses in which are jointed at four
diametrically opposite points four valves the extreme sides of which coincide
with the edges and which retire within the said recesses when they pass over
the circular projecting portions of the distributor whilst they leave their recesses
resting with the lower chamfered edge upon the inflected parts when they pass
before these latter in forming, in the chambers, transverse partitions against
which the fluid exerts its pressure in bearings, on the other hand against the
drops or slopes of the distributor.
The fluid is admitted by the hollow or bore of the distributor from which
proceed the admission passages giving access for the fluid to the valve chambers
at one of their extremities where the opening of the passages is bifurcated which
arrangement is necessary for causing the valves to fall when they are presented
to the entrance to the chamber. In effect the fluid directed into the chamber
through the one branch of the passage and pressing against the preceding valve
in exerting its pressure upon the internal surface of the succeeding valve, still

page_text: within its recess, this latter could not follow the inflexion of the distributor if
it were not pressed against by a force opposed to that which retains it in its
recess so as to permit it to turn upon its pivot. This impulsion is given through
the other branch of the admission passage which directs the fluid behind the
valve through passages formed in the external edge of this latter. Now, as the
passage of the fluid behind the valve takes place at the moment when the pre-
ceding valve commences to un-cover the passage for the discharge, the pressure
in front of the following valve diminishes, in such a manner that its drop or
slope is acted upon by the admission fluid which forces it before it whilst the
fluid in the chamber escapes through a passage into the enlargements formed
in the distributor around the bore through which admission takes place.
As the arrangement described is symmetrically similar upon the opposite side
of the distributor, there is a tendency to rotation caused simultaneously by two
impulsions of fluid acting in contrary directions and adding themselves one to
the other, so that the force of this motor is twice that of those in which the
impulsion takes place only upon one side of the circumference.
When the pivoting of the valves tends to be caused in a constant manner by
a force independent of that of the fluid for example springs acting externally
of the motive crown upon their axes the bifurcation of the admission passages
is not necessary.
A constructional application of this.arrangement is hereinafter described such
construction also comprising an arrangement consisting partly of valves and
distributing passages for permitting the motor to rotate in either direction in-
differently.
With this object the motive crown instead of a single set of four valves is pro-
vided with two sets of four valves arranged pair by pair in opposite directions
and each one exactly filling its recess. The pivots of the valves provided with
packing nuts pass through the cheeks or lateral flanges of the motive crown,
and carry at their extremities sectors of pinions upon which are passed and fixed
at one extremity chains joined at the other extremity to springs attached to fixed
points of the cheek and drawing, in a constant manner, the internal valves
towards the perimeter of the distributor, which receives in its turn, instead of
two, four admission passages, and four discharge passages with a view to operat-
ing in both directions.
It will of course be understood that one of the sets of four valves is main-
tained in its recesses in the motive crown and the corresponding series of
passages open for rotation in the direction of the motor, whilst the reverse should
take place for rotation in the opposite direction.
The optional reversal of the two sets of valves in conformity with the direc-
tion of rotation, is effected for the eight valves simultaneously by means of a
train of gearing which consists of a toothed crown loose upon a shoulder of the
cheek (opposite to that which carries the chain pinions) and which gears with
four toothed pinions gearing each in its turn with two toothed sectors rigidly
fixed upon the pivots of the respective valves traversing packing nuts as upon
the other side. According as the toothed crown is then turned through a pre-
determined angle in one direction or the other by means of an operating sector
with lever applied temporarily to a fixed pivot of the cheek, a set of four valves
is adjusted upon the distributor for the corresponding direction of rotation and
the other set in the recesses of the motive crown. The valves are forced into
their recesses by means of spurs upon the toothed sectors which press a stud
upon an arm coming from the axis of each valve and, in order that they may not
leave their assigned position under the tractive force of the springs, a tenon at
the extremity of a blade spring enters a notch in a rib of the pinions.
For the adjustment in agreement of the admission and discharge passages of
which there are four of each, a motion-reversing slide is inserted in the dis-
tributor in such a manner as to be capable of being turned in both directions,
for example by means of a spanner seizing a shaped extremity of the said cylinder.

page_text: Now as there are formed in this slide the extremities of the admission and dis-
charge passages, but nearer together than the remaining portions of these
passages, it will readily be seen that in completing two admissions and two cor-
responding discharges by the adjustment in conformity of the slide the other
series of four passages is cut off, and vice versa when it is desired to cause the
motor to rotate in the opposite direction.
In this form of motor there may likewise be established the operation by
expansion of the fluid by means of an extremely simple arrangement which
consists in applying a perforated circular slide upon a similar plate in the
admission core of the distributor. To the axis of the slide is fixed an arm to
which is jointed an adjustable rod the opposite extremity of which is guided in
an eye and fixed to the frame by means of a spring. In front of the eye, the
rod carries a roller which travels upon a partial cam upon the perimeter of the
motive crown. Under these conditions, as long as the roller is upon the peri-
meter of the crown, the spring attracts the arm and keeps the admission aperture
closed, but as soon as the roller mounts upon the cam, the effect of the spring
is suspended and the slide opens the admission aperture and during this period
the valves act under the pressure of the generator, whilst the fluid acts by
expansion as soon as the roller leaves the cam and allows the spring to suspend
the admission which is influenced in addition by a ball governor of any suitable
construction, the operation of which presents no particular feature so that no
detail description is necessary.
In order to cause the rotary motor above described to run as a compound
motor, a part identical with the first, except as regards the expansion and the
proportionally larger dimensions, is mounted upon the same body or fixed
central shaft, the hollow core of which is divided, in this case, into two inde-
pendent portions, the first of which communicates, as above described, with the
admission passages of the high pressure organ, whilst the second communicates
with the discharge passages of the low pressure organ, the admission passages of
which correspond with the discharge passages of the first organ by means of
elongated pockets.
I, FRANCOIS JOSUE
An improved Rotary motor.
LOTHAMMER,
of 23, Place de la Constitution,
Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to rotary motors, and designed to provide an improved
motor of special construction permitting at the same time its operation as a
double acting motor under the impulse of any suitable motive fluid, and its
ready arrangement as a compound rotary motor.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, which represent by way of example one form of motor constructed
according to my invention, and in which:-
Figure is a cross section through the distributor and the driving crown or
cylinder.

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a motor arranged as a compound motor.
Figure 3 is a detail view of the valves.
Figure shews partly in elevation and partly in section a modification of the
motor arranged for operating in both directions; and
Figure is a complete cross-section of the same shewing the arrangement
of the internal valves and of the slide for reversing the motor.
Figure 6 is an elevation showing the actuating mechanism of the valves for
reversing the motor; and
Figure 7 is an elevation of the entire motor arranged as a compound motor.
The fundamental constructional principle of the motor consists in the estab-
lishment of a fixed central body around which revolves a concentric crown or
cylinder provided with pivoted internal valves which, in changing position in
their passage over corresponding perimital deformations of the central body,
allow of the admission and discharge of the motive fluid by alternately covering
and un-covering the ways or passages formed for this purpose to the interior of
the central body, which latter will be hereinafter referred to as the distributor.
The distributor D) is constituted by one or more cylinders fitted one within
the other, the external perimeter of which has, upon two diametrically opposed
sides, inflections which are identical and have a pre-determined curvature, the
extremities of which form drops or slopes; and, in the portions between these
inflections, an arc of a circle having a smaller radius than that of the internal
surface of the concentric crown or cylinder fitted upon the two parts of the dis-
tributor that remain of the same radius, in such a manner that said distributor
constitutes a symmetrical cam affording two chambers between the curved sides
of the motive crown or cylinder M; which latter in its rotation is guided con-
centrically upon the projecting parts, as shewn in Figure 1, and laterally by
the circular cheeks or edges B fitted onto the corresponding external shoulders
of the distributor, as shewn in Figure 2, a fluid-tight joint being ensured by
two packing rings A, A, placed in a corresponding annular recess in the cheeks B
and caused to bear against the shoulders by intermediate springs I.
Within the driving cylinder M are formed four recesses at four diametrically
opposite points, in which are pivoted four valves C the extreme sides of which
coincide with the edges B, and which retire within the said recesses when they
pass over the circular projecting portions of the distributor, whilst they leave
their recesses and rest with their chamfered free edge upon the inflected parts
when they pass over these latter, thereby forming in the chambers transverse
partitions against which the fluid exerts its pressure, while bearing or re-acting,
on the other hand, against the drops or slopes of the distributor.
The fluid is admitted by the hollow or bore of the distributor from which pro-
ceed the admission passages L, L, giving access for the fluid to the valve chambers
at one extremity thereof. The opening of the passages is bifurcated at L, l
which arrangement is necessary for causing the valves C to fall when they are
presented to the entrance to the chamber. In effect, the fluid directed into the
chamber through the one branch of the passage and pressing against the pre-
ceding valve, also exerts pressure upon the internal surface of the succeeding
valve, still within its recess, and this latter could not follow the inflexion of the
distributor if it were not acted upon by a force opposed to that which retains it
in its recess, so as to permit it to turn upon its pivot. This impulse is given
through the other branch of the admission passage which directs the fluid
behind the valve C through passages P formed in the external or
free edge of this latter (Figure 3). Now, as the passage of the fluid
behind the valve takes place at the moment when the preceding valve com-
mences to uncover the passage L' for the discharge, the pressure in front of the
following valve diminishes, in such a manner that its inclined face or slope is
acted upon by the admission fluid which forces it before it whilst the fluid in
the chamber escapes through the passage L' into the enlarged passages or
pockets P formed in the distributor exteriorly of the admission passage or bore.

page_text: As there is upon the opposite side of the distributor an arrangement symmetri-
cally similar to that described, rotation is caused simultaneously by two im-
pulsions of fluid acting in contrary directions upon opposite sides of the centre
or circumference and thus adding themselves one to the other, so that the force
of this motor is twice that of those in which the impulsion takes place only upon
one side of the centre or circumference.
When means are provided for causing the valves C to constantly tend to turn
on their pivots under a force independent of that of the fluid, for example by
means of springs acting, outside the motive cylinder M, upon their axes a, the
bifurcation of the admission passages is not necessary.
A constructional application of this arrangement is represented in Figure 4,
which, at the same time, shows an arrangement consisting partly of valves C
and distributing passages for permitting the motor to rotate in either direction
indifferently.
For this purpose, the motive cylinder M, instead of a single set of four valves,
is provided with two sets of four valves arranged pair by pair in opposite direc-
tions as shown in Figure 5, and each one exactly filling its recess. The valve
pivots or axes a, provided with glands, pass through the cheeks or lateral flanges B
of the cylinder, and carry at their extremities sectors S upon which are passed
and fixed at one extremity chains c joined at the other extremity to springs R
attached to fixed points F of the cheek, said springs pulling the internal valves
with a constant force towards the perimeter of the distributor D). This dis-
tributor, in its turn, instead of two, is provided with four admission passages L,
and four discharge passages L', so as to be capable of operating in both directions.
It will of course be understood that each of the sets of four valves is maintained
in its recess in the motive cylinder, and the corresponding series of passages is
closed, while the other set is working, and its corresponding series of passages
open, for rotation in the direction of the motor; whilst the said parts would be
arranged in the inverse manner for rotation in the opposite direction.
The optional reversal of the two sets of valves in conformity with the direction
of rotation, is effected for the eight valves simultaneously by means of a train
of gear wheels illustrated in Figure 6, which consists of a toothed annulus or
crown K mounted loosely upon a shoulder of the cheek B (opposite to that which
carries the chain sectors S) and which gears with four toothed pinions K¹
each in its turn gearing with two toothed sectors S¹ rigidly fixed
upon the pivots a of the respective valves, said pivots traversing glands,
as upon the other side. According as the toothed crown K is turned through a
pre-determined angle in one direction or the other by means of the sector S²
and lever L3 applied temporarily to a fixed pivot P¹ on the cheek B, one set of
four valves is adjusted upon the distributor for the corresponding direction of
rotation, and the other set in the recesses of the motive crown. The valves are
forced into their recesses by means of spurs e upon the toothed sectors S¹ which
press a stud b upon an arm on the axis à of each valve C; and in order that they
may not leave their assigned position under the tractive force of the springs R,
a tenon at the extremity of a blade spring r enters a notch in a rib of the
pinions K'
For the corresponding adjustment of the admission and discharge passages,
of each of which there are four, a motion-reversing cylindrical slide Y is in-
serted in the distributor in such a manner as to be capable of being turned
in either direction, for example by means of a spanner grasping a shaped ex-
tremity of the said slide. Now, as there are formed in this slide the extremities
of the admission and discharge passages, but nearer together than the remaining
portions of these passages, it will readily be seen that in completing two
admission and two corresponding discharge passages by the adjustment of the
slide Y, the other series of four passages is cut off and vice versa when it is
desired to cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction.
In this form of motor I may likewise arrange for the operation by expansion

page_text: of the fluid, by means of an extremely simple arrangement which consists in
applying a perforated circular slide disc T upon a similar disc or plate in the
admission channel or bore of the distributor, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5. To
the axis of the slide T is fixed an arm N to which is jointed an adjustable rod T¹
the opposite extremity of which is guided in an eye 0 and attached to the frame R¹
by means of a spring R In front of the eye 0, the rod T carries a roller tř
which travels upon a partial cam Q upon the perimeter of the motive cylinder M.
Under these conditions, as long as the roller is upon the perimeter of the
cylinder, the spring R¹ pulls the arm N and keeps the admission aperture closed,
but as soon as the roller mounts upon the cam, the effect of the spring is
negatived and the slide opens the admission aperture, and during this period
the valves act under the pressure of the generator, whilst the fluid acts by
expansion as soon as the roller leaves the cam and allows the spring to stop the
admission. This admission is governed, in addition, by a ball governor X of
any suitable construction, the operation of which presents no particular feature,
so that no detailed description is necessary.
In order to cause the rotary motor above described to run as a compound
motor, a part identical with the first, except as regards the expansion and the
proportionally larger dimensions, is mounted upon the same body or fixed central
shaft, the hollow core of which is divided, in this case, into two independent
portions and W, the first of which communicates, as above described, with
the admission passages L of the high pressure part or member, whilst the
second W communicates with the discharge passages L' of the low pressure
part, the admission passages L³ of which correspond with the discharge passages L
of the first part by means of elongated pockets or enlarged passages P.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is―
1. A rotary motor characterized by the fitting of a motive crown or cylinder M
provided with valves C upon a fixed internal distributor D, inflected so as to
constitute a symmetrical cam, forming two fluid-chambers and determining the
positions of the respective valves with relation to the distributing passages L L,
all of which passages are arranged in the distributor in such manner that both
the admission and the discharge is effected by the body of the latter itself; sub-
stantially as described.
2. In the rotary motor above described, the bifurcation of the admission
passages Land and the formation of the passages in the free edge of the
valves C for admitting the fluid into their recesses in order to permit their
disengagement or movement, substantially as described.
3. In the rotary motor above described, for effecting the disengagement of
the valves C from their recesses, the application to their axes a of an external
force such as that of the spring R attached by a chain c to the sectors S, and
constantly tending to draw the valves down upon the distributor, substantially
as described.
4. In the rotary motor above described, the application in the motive crown
or cylinder M of a double set of valves C and of a double series of distributing
passages L L' so as to permit both forward and backward rotation; and, for
this purpose, the adjustment of the valves by means of the train of gearing K,
K. S¹, S, and that of the corresponding passages by means of the cylindrical
slide Y substantially as described.
5. In the rotary motor above described, for enabling the same to be actuated
by expansion, the arrangement in the hollow or bore of the distributor of the
perforated slide T actuated by the cam Q of the crown or cylinder operating
the roller G of the rod T¹, which rod is attached at one end to the arm N of the
slide and at the other to the spring R¹ tending to close the slide, substantially
as described.

page_text: 6. In the rotary motor above described, for enabling the same to be run as a
compound motor, the separation of the hollow or bore of the distributor into two
independent parts such as V, W, of which the part V communicates with the
admission passages L of the first part or member, and the part W with the dis-
charge passages L of the second part, whilst the elongated pockets P place the
discharge passages L' of the first element in communication with the admission
passages of the second; substantially as described.
Dated this 26th day of April 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.