ROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER. AND IN THE APPARATUS. CONNECTED. THEREWITH
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said, William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th April 1858.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Th-
vention for IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER. AND IN THE APPARATUS.
CONNECTED. THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
0
5.
This motive engine belongs to that kind of motor in which a furnace is lised
as the source of power, & in which all or part of the-mechanical power is sought
to be obtained by taking advantage of the elastic force of the air which has
been used for the supply of the furnace; but it differs from engines of this">
kind heretofore tried or proposed by the application of some new principles,
and by particular means of reálisation which constitute together an Invention I
of perfect novelty.
A motor of this kind is naturally composed of two principal but distinct
apparatus,nevertheless necessary to each other; the first is the producer of the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: 1. THE FURNACE.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, of the Drawings annexed to this Specification, represents,
in its elementary form, a vertical section of the furnace generating the gases
which produce the motive power. It is composed of a metal vessel A, B, C,
D, E, F, completely closed, of sufficient strength to bear an internal pressure
of several atmospheres; at its bottom E, F, a cylinder 'C', D', E', F', is
rivetted or bolted concentric with cylinder C, D, E, F. Another concentric
cylinder G, H, I, K, is united by a hermetical junction to the top of cylinder,
C, D, E, F, and in the same manner at I, K, to cylinder C, D, E, F, thus two
annular vessels X, X, and Y, Y, are constituted. The cylinder C, D, E,
F', is lined internally with fire bricks or with sand, in the manner of foundry
cupolas. N, is a door for emptying and cleaning the apparatus; the internal
face of this door N is furnished with a sheet of baked clay or other lining, to
protect it from the heat, similar precaution may be taken for all the doors, in
order to prevent loss of heat by these surfaces. For the same purpose, the
whole apparatus may be enveloped in non-conducting substances.
Another door, furnished with the same means, is seen at N', N', at the
middle, and serves for the introduction of fuel; Figs. 2 and 3 give a better
idea of these doors, which are indicated therein by the letter P, and seen in
vertical and horizontal section with their details; T is a blast pipe, and T',
a nozzle thereto; L, L', L", L", are a certain number of little nozzles of
small diameter, which traverse the lining of the furnace, and haveadownward
direction towards the fuel, which is shown in Fig. 3. Atmospheric air, impelled
by a blowing machine, enters the annular vessel Y, Y, through the junction
pipe O, the vessel Y, Y, being open at the upper part, allows this air to
ascend to the dome of the apparatus, as indicated by the arrows. Through
the junction pipe O', air coming from the same origin penetrates into the
annular vessel X,X,whence it cannot escape except through the small nozzles

page_text: L. L'...L, &. Lastly, compressed air may be injected through nozzle T'
into the mass of fuel.
These arrangements are intended to constitute a furnace which may be
either at the same time or successively a blast furnace or a reversed com-
bustion furnace. Thus this furnace can be put in action by the nozzle T',
and blast pipe T; it can at the same time receive air through the small
nozzles L, L,...L,&c., which project it to the surface of the fuel and into the
combustible gases which are formed at the lower part of the furnace. In the
last place the furnace can be put in action by the injection of air alone,
furnished by the series of small nozzles L, L', &c. In these several instances
the capacity Y, Y, is always at disposal, if required, which capacity allows of
a volume of air being admitted into the dome of the apparatus, for the purpose
of reducing the heated gases to the most suitable temperature for the working
of the machine. The junction pipes O', and the tube which abuts on the
nozzle 'T', are furnished with valves, which afford every facility for the entry or
suppression of fresh air, or for regulating the delivery for each of the three-
issues I have specified. Usually air is caused to be admitted by the lower
blast pipe T for forming combustible gas, and also by the small nozzles
L, L', L", &c.; for burning these gases further, a third current of air is
caused to pass out of capacity Y, which mixes with the air and gases of
the two first currents, so as to lower the temperature of the motive mixture
to between 480° and 750°, Fahrenheit, according to the force desired to be
obtained. The heated gases having an elastic force equal to the pressure
of several atmospheres (usually two or three atmospheres) will pass through
the junction pipe O at the entrance of the tube which conducts them to
the mechanical recipient, represented in Sheets 1 and 2, by a cylinder and
piston. Before describing this recipient, I will enter into some more details
as to the several modes of fixing the furnace.
Fig. 3 shews a vertical section, and Figs. 2 and 4, horizontal sections of a
furnace,furnished with its accessories, the whole of which are not indispensable
for the proper working of the apparatus; they may, however, be modified in
form and arrangement. For the purpose of abridging the description, I
have employed the same letters for similar parts, in the six first Figures of
Sheet 1.
The air arrives from the blowing apparatus which constitutes the supply of
fresh air through a tube S, furnished with a double-seated valve S'. This
tube distributes it through junction pipes O, O', and M, M', furnished with
valves, into capacities Y, Y, and X, X, and to the four blast pipes T, placed
two and two on different stages by means of the two branches S', and S"; the

page_text: nozzles which supply the blast pipes have each a valve also. A. safety valve R,
with lever and spring, protects the furnace from an excess of pressure, and
also serves for the exit of gas when the door of the furnace is opened. For
this latter purpose the rod which joins the end of the lever to the spring has
a mechanism, seen on Figs. 3 and 5, so that when the rod r, r', at its
extremity is hooked at the bottom near the spring (Fig. 3), the valve is
closed by the spring, whereas when the rod is reversed from the bottom to the
upper part, that is to say, when its extremity r' is lifted up (see Fig. 5), the
valve will be raised, which allows of the gas escaping until there is no longer
any pressure. The capsules a, a', a", which may be made of one or several
pieces to allow expansion, the plate b, b', open in the centre, and the second
plate c, c', seen in plan, Fig. 4, which it is best to make of several bands of
iron in juxtaposition, leaving between them some slight openings of some
fractions of an inch to allow of expansion, have all for their principal object
the mixing of the gases produced from the combustion with the air which
arrives by the capacity Y, Y, to retain the solid matters carried by the gaseous
current, and, lastly,to prevent the radiation of heat from the fire on the dome of
the furnace. The setting g of earth or of bricks is to prevent the loss of heat by
the cooling of this part of the furnace, the annular space g', which is left empty,
or in which a current of water is caused to circulate, is for the same purpose
when water is introduced into it, it being heated penetrates into the interior
of the furnace, as I shall herein-after describe. It is useful, as afterwards
explained, to introduce water into the furnace in certain cases and at stated
times, such as when starting the machine. This water may either be injected
by the aid of tube t, t, furnished with a cock at its extremity, and having
for that purpose a series of saw cuts or small holes, on which also conduit
pipes may be fixed, or by the aid of holes i, i', ", ", &c., pierced to the
interior of the annular space g'. The tube t, t', instead of receiving water
from the branch x, may obtain it from the capacity g, g', by branch x"
(Figs. 3 & 4),in which case the holes i, i, ",...may be omitted. If salt water
.only is used, as in marine motive apparatus, a better result is obtained by
introducing the water by a tube J, seen in Fig. 6, forming a crown, which
surrounds the upper part of the furnace, and on which a number of conduit
pipes J' are mounted for injecting the water into the furnace. The small
shells or capsules J", which are placed opposite each jet, are for the purpose
of throwing back the water against the setting of the furnace, and to cause it
to run the length of its surface exposed to the fire. If in this case the setting
is entirely of earth or bricks from top to bottom, it will be subject to rapid
deterioration. To avoid this, the upper part of the setting may be composed

page_text: of segments of cast iron, as seen in the same Fig. 6. A certain quantity of
sea water or soft water may be injected into the furnace in a subdivided
state, and mixed with air injected by blast pipes T, and by the battery of
small nozzles L, L', L'. This water will then be projected or thrown on to
the combustible in ignition. This mode of injecting sea water will have the
effect of leaving in the carbonaceous mass the salts of the water which has
been injected; the steam from the water will then be disengaged without
carrying the salts into the machine. The principle of vaporizing salt waters
which we here introduce is the projecting these waters on a highly-heated
body, which should be as porous as possible; the fuel in this case serves for
the above-mentioned body. In the apparatus (Fig. 6), the segments of cast
iron receive the salt water on their heated side, which side is roughened to
produce a similar effect to that of porosity. The cock V', Fig. 3, serves for
emptying the excess of water which will be deposited in its passage. Similar
cocks are placed at the lower part of capacities X, X, Y, Y. Lastly, I
will indicate the introduction of water directly to the lower part of the furnace
under the fuel in ignition. This introduction will be useful in some cases.
The water being thou driven back through the tube V, V, Fig. 3, the end of
which is closed by a perforated brick or grating, for the purpose of preventing
the fragments of fuel or cinders from obstructing the tube. The water
penetrates under the fuel, which is in a more or less heated state or state of
ignition, and which in all cases constitutes a porous.mass. The water will
thus rise by the effet of the capillary action to a certain height, and will be
evaporated; leaving the salts contained in it at the bottom of the furnace, if
either sea or salt waters are made use of. It is clear that a porous mass
which would cause the water to be raised by capillary action may be substituted
at a certain height for the fuel which fills the bottom of the furnace. With
certain kinds of fuel, as also in the case of the ignition of salt water, the.
current of heated gases may carry away the particles of coal or cinders, or also
of salt, especially when the furnace acts at a low temperature, for the purpose
of retaining these matters and preventing them from penetrating to the parts
receiving the power. We place in the dome of the furnace a cleanser,.
arranged as shown in the Fig. 6. This cleanser is composed of a truncated
cone d, d', resting at its large end on plate c, c', and of an open cylinder e, e',
plunging into the cone, which is furnished with a plug or door n; n, corre-
sponding to the door or opening N", for the purpose of withdrawing the matters
stopped in their passage. Several of these doors are placed around the cir-
cumference of the furnace, according to its greater or less diameter. It is not
necessary to have more than one furnace to serve for a machine of 20 horse-

page_text: power and under. A space is so given to the furnace that it may work several
successive hours, from six to eight and upwards, without requiring to be supplied
with fresh coal. It may be regulated at a consumption of about 2 lbs. of
good coal per each horse-power and per hour. The less the power of the
machine is, the easier it will be to reach the limit given before adding a
fresh supply to the furnace in the intervals which separate the stoppages
necessary in workshops, either for the workmen's meals or for other purposes.
More powerful machines require the employment of several furnaces acting
simultaneously. In all cases the greatest space possible should be given to
the furnaces, for the purpose of obtaining a more regular combustion, and
more even temperature. It is suitable also to allow not less than one or
two hours interval between the supplies of the fuel; however, the greater
or less frequency of these supplies is, as will be seen, partly subordinate to
the nature of the fuel. From the furnace constituted according to these
arrangements, it will be seen that, in place of combustion, a more or less
elevated temperature is obtained, at the same time only allowing to the
motive gas issuing from the furnace a temperature judged most convenient
for the useful application of the motor, there being every facility for giving a
variable supply of air, or not, by nozzles T', and also by nozzles L,L',...&c., hav-
ing control also of the air injected by the nozzles T'. If the place for com-
bustion is maintained at a moderate temperature under that at which marine
salt is volatilized, there will be retained in the furnace of the marine engine
the salts produced from the water injected into the air supplied by the
blowing apparatus. If combustion takes place at a higher temperature
than that above described, care should be taken not to exceed the tempera-
ture which would cause the fusion of the salts with the addition of a flux.
For marine salt a flux (easily procured) is carbonate of lime, in the propor-
tions of about 180 grains, to 225 grains of salt, and so on, it not being necessary
here to make closer calculations of the chemical proportions required, for
producing a good result. When working at a high temperature, the cinders
may also be melted, especially with the addition of a suitable flux.
2. THE RECIPIENT OF THE MOTIVE POWER.
Sheet 2 showsan arrangement of mechanical recipient based on the employ-
meut of a cylinder furnished with a piston; on the two faces of which the
motive gas or burnt air produced from the furnace acts alternately. A blowing
-cylinder which receives its movement from the motive cylinder, compresses,
and throws the air into the furnace which is to serve for the combustion of the
coal, and which is to mix with the products of combustion, and to be heated

page_text: by the action of the same. The pistons of these two cylinders are united by a
socket which renders the two rods solid; at one point of this rod, thus
rendered common to both, a connecting rod is fitted, which by means of a
crank or suitable contrivance, transmits to a shaft the motive power which
remains disposable after acting on the blowing piston, with the force necessary
for its action, which excess constitutes the power of the burnt air motor.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6, Sheet 2, and Figs. 7 & 8, Sheet 1, and the explanations
accompanying the said Figures, show clearly enough the appearance and
details of this recipient with piston, to render it necessary for me to mention.
only the peculiarities which characterize and render it different to the.
motive heated air engines or machines, in which air is mixed with steam
of water which have heretofore been proposed.
First, OF THE COMPRESSION OF AIR FOR FEEDING THE FURNACE.
Air is heated very rapidly by pressure in proportion as it is more com-
pressed, which results in a greater expense of mechanical labour to arrive at
the degree of pressure necessary for the purpose sought, and consequently an
increase in the passive resistances of the motor. I reduce this heating con-
siderably, and also reduce the loss of effect thereby occasioned by injecting
water in as subdivided a state as possible into the air entering the blowing
cylinder, or during the compression itself. This water is introduced from an
upper reservoir having a sufficient column, or it may be injected by a small
pump actuated by the motor. This pump or reservoir is not represented in
the Drawings, in order to obviate complications; however, in Figs. 1,3, & 8,
Sheet 2, the tubes are seen at k, which convey the water. Each tube is
furnished with a stop cock which regulates its supply, and all the water it is
desired that the air should carry with it is caused to arrive either by the
orifices of inspiration, or inflow of air, or into the interior of the cylinder.
Secondly, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOTIVE CYLINDER.
The distribution of the motive gases is shown in the Drawings as effected
by means of slide valves. It is composed of a slide valve a,a,a,a, Figs. 1 & 4,
Sheet 2, and of two plates b, b, b', b', for effecting the expansion. The slide
valve has at its upper surface six openings o, o, o, x, x, x, for the admission of
burnt air into the slide valve, three of these openings x, x, x, serve for the
front of the cylinder, and the three others for the back. On this face of the
valve the two plates b,b,b', b', slide, the solid parts of which correspond to the
openings o and a, according to the position given to these plates by means of
nuts placed on rod p, p, which moves and sets these plates according to the

page_text: degree of expansion desired to be worked. On its lower face the slide valve
has seven orifices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the orifices 1, 3, 5, & 7, being for the
admission of burnt air, and those 2, 4, and 6, for the escape of the same after
it has acted on the piston. The burnt air passes directly from the three
openings o to openings 1, while to arrive at opening 3 it passes round the
elliptical canal y, Fig. 4, this canal abuts on opening 2; the arrows indicate
the movement of the gases in this Figure, the admission of the motive gas
takes place from behind, and the emission or escape from the front of the
cylinder. The escape takes place as indicated by the arrows, Figs. 1 & 4
through canal H,which terminates behind in two orifices, on which are fitted
waste pipes H', H'. In the arrangement shown at Figs. 1 & 4, the openings
o of admission are opened at the centre of the course of the piston, being only
quite closed when the piston has traversed about six-tenths of its course. f, f,
Figs. 1 and 4, are tubes which convey water ou to the friction surfaces of the
slide valve to cool them and prevent jerking, and also to lubricate them. This
lubrication, with water, may be continuous or alternate with oil or fat lubri
cations. It is evident, that according to circumstances, this arrangement
of pipes may be changed for the purpose of attaining the required end in
the best way possible, which is to prevent the heating of the slide valve, and
to effect, as much as possible, the lubrication by means of water.
Certain modes of distribution, either by the aid of slide valves, or by other
such valves as are used in steam engines, may be rendered applicable to the
burnt air engine; but I will not here pursue further that subject.
The slide valves are shown placed on the motive cylinder, but they may
be arranged in a position perpendicular to, or at right angles to those shown,
by applying them on one of the sides of the cylinder, which allows of their
being governed directly by an eccentric keyed on the motive shaft. The
same observation is applicable to the blowing slide valves, which I shall
herein-after describe.
3. DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FOR THE BLOWING CYLINDER.
Figs. 1 & 3, Sheet 2, show the distributors in which this inspiration or
inflow of air is effected by the movement of a slide valve, and the driving back
by it of clack valves placed in the interior of the said slide valve. This slide
valve is composed of a box c, c, c, c, closed at its upper part, and pierced at its
lower part with seven orifices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, containing four clacks which
close and open the orifices 5 and 7, & 1 and 3 alternately, for driving back the
air. In the position shown, aspiration takes place by orifice 2, which opens
into the air surrounding the sides of the slide valves, and at the same time by

page_text: "
opening 8 of the cylinder which the motion of the slide valve then leaves un-
covered. The driving back is effected by means of openings, 5 and 7, the
clack valves of which are raised. The compressed air fills the intérior capacity
c, c, of the slide valve and passes through orifice 4, which by a fork joins on
exit pipes L, L, Fig. 3, the slide valve tends to raise itself by the pressure of
the wind, but it is kept against its surface v, v, y, y, by a system of slide bars
d, d, Figs. 1 & 3, Sheet 2, and Fig. 8, Sheet 1, the pressure of which is
regulated by means of bolt fastenings, so as simply to counterbalance the effort
of the raising of the valve. The face (glace) of the slide valve is composed of
two moveable plates V, V, and fixed plate Y, Y. The plates V, V, are worked
by means of nuts and counter nuts Z, Z, which allow of the position being
varied. If it is required to give the furnace momentarily or in a more or less
permanent manner, a quantity of air less than that furnished by the action of
the blowing piston, only a part of the air aspirated will be driven back by
placing the faces (les glaces) V, V, in position, so that the openings of inspira-
tion in the cylinder are only closed when the piston has already traversed part
of the course of compression. Then a part of the air which has penetrated
into the cylinder returns to the atmosphere without any sensible absorption of
the motive power. Fig. 5 shows an arrangement of distribution where clack
valves of inspiration and for driving back the air only are used., A, shows the
departure of the compressed air; the pipes K, K, furnish water to the valves
of inspiration themselves. For the rest, examination of the Drawings will be
sufficient for the explanation of these Figures. According to the power or
speed of the machines made use of recourse should be had to one or other of
the arrangement shown, or to modifications thereof.;
"
2.1.1.
:)
I will add, however, that generally slide valves are preferable to clack
valves, for they do not require, as clack valves do, an excess of pressure for
the entry of the air inflowing, and pressure for the exit of the compressed air;
they have besides the advantage, during inspiration, of not making a noise,
and preventing the bad effects of objectionable intervals. Applied to the
driving back, the slide valves present this difficulty, that they must be so
regulated as not to open but at the moment when the pressure has reached
the required and regulated amount, but this extent may be itself changed
during the working, in consequence of the variation in the force of the motor
It is requisite that the regulation of the slide valve may vary as required; for
this purpose many considerable mechanical complications will result, The
arrangements in Figs. 6 & 7, Sheet 2, show a means of avoiding the above.
Fig. 6, Sheet 2, shows the slide valve replaced by clack valves, which by.

page_text: :
reason of the primordial regulation, tends to open itself too late, the same
effect being produced by apparatus, Fig. 7.
Lastly, I would observe that as to the inspiration and likewise the driving
back it is possible instead of clack valves to use some valvular openings of
india-rubber or valves similar to those used in water and liquid manure
pumps.
3rdly. UTILIZING THE HEAT CONTAINED IN THE GASEOUS FLUID AT ITS EXIT
FROM THE MOTIVE CYLINDER.
The gas and the vapours pass out of the motive cylinder at a temperature
varying from 300 to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, carrying away in consequence
a part of the heat developed by the fuel. In some cases it would be prefer-
able to submit to this loss for the purpose of avoiding complication in the
machine, but otherwise, where the greatest possible economy is sought to be
realized, I reserve the right of taking part of the heat of the waste gases by
one of the means herein after mentioned.
1. HEATING THE AIR WHICH FEEDS THE FURNACE.
To effect this heating I cause the current which escapes from the motive
cylinder to pass through faggots' or bundles of wire gauze alternately
with a current of fresh air, which passes from the blowing cylinder to the
furnace;
the use of this means has never been proposed but for collecting the
heat carried away by the heated air, but not of burnt or by superheated
steam. This systém of furnace, which does not allow a particle of coal to
escape, permits of this means being applied to burnt air and to the gas
produced by the combustion.
2. HEATING THE WATER.
But this
To utilize the waste heat of this heating motor or the water, which in some
circumstances it is necessary to introduce into the furnace, or water used for
any other purpose, I first cause the gaseous fluid to circulate after its exit
from the motive cylinder in apparatus of the kind used for heating water or
for generating steam by the aid of a current of smoke or steam.
kind of apparatus being an addition to the apparatus, and costly in fitting, I
prefer to inject cold water into the gaseous current, which will cede to it
directly the heat by immediate contact, this injection is then worked in a
hermetically closed vessel communicating with one or several pumps for
extracting the heated air and cooled gases, the pressure in this vessel will

page_text: become less than the atmospheric pressure by reason of the lowering of the
pressure, the power of the machine being also augmented further with
this apparatus, I have the double advantage of obtaining hot water and
increasing the power of the motor.
3. DISTILLATION OF SEA WATER.
In vessels navigating the sea by means of this motor it would be con-
venient to utilize the heat from the waste gas for distilling sea water for the
purpose of producing fresh water necessary for consumption, and for the
injection to be made to the slide valves of the motive cylinder to lubricate
them and prevent friction and jerking motion therein. This distillation is
effected either by fresh air, or; better still, in a vacuum, by the aid of known
apparatus which only required to be modified for the substitution of waste
gas from these machines for the smoke or steam of an ordinary furnace,
which is usually employed in similar operations.
APPLICATIONS.
The new motor is applicable to various industrial purposes, to the least as
well as greatest amount of force required. 'It also presents an advantage
hitherto unknown in different heated air or steam engines, that. of only
requiring supplies of fuel at very long intervals, besides it does not produce
any smoke.
The principle application of this improved motor is for maritime navigation,'
its chief point being economy in fuel, absence of boilers, and the possibility
of working the furnaces even when their lower part is immersed in water,
which constitutes conditions of the first consideration in this service.
Figs. 9, 10, & 11, Sheet 2, represent an apparatus applied for the purposes
of navigation, consisting of three machines coupled together, acting on a shaft
having three cranks or other suitable equivalents, the continuation of which
shaft carries the screw propeller of the vessel. Each machine consists of a
motive cylinder A and an air-feeding cylinder C. The motive piston carries
two rods ff, & f, Fig. 11, the one f being lengthened relieves the weight
of the piston. These two rods are connected by a collar G, G, formed of two
plates of iron rivetted together leaving between them a space for the passage'
of the connecting rod 7, 1. To this collar two rods n n', of the blowing
piston D) are also connected; the connecting rod 1, 1, is also pivotted thereto,
and at the outlet of the junction pipe which receives the ends of this pivot
are fixed two tappets or friction blocks h, h, moving in slides i, i, j,j, cast
with the cover of the feeding cylinder. The shaft of iron m, m, governs the

page_text: distributions of the motive cylinders and also thsoe of the blowing cylinders.
The distributing apparatus of each motive cylinder consists of two slide valves
each governed by a rod d, d, and eccentric o; these slide valves, which are
not represented in the Drawings, are similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 4,
Sheet 2. Each slide valve has its expansion plate, but the two plates are
joined by a cross piece which allows of their being governed by a single rod
66, and an eccentric . This arrangement of parts is represented as for very
powerful machines; they may be easily simplified for machines of ordinary
power. I will remark that I do not propose by the above-described system
of slide valve to exclude others more or less analogous to those used in steam
engines, but that whatever be the mechanical arrangements for the distri-
bution of the motive power, the utility of lubricating and cooling by means of
water will remain the same: the division of the distribution by having two
slide valves, each furnished with their regulators, allows of the complete
cessation of working of one of them, as only one is made use of at a time,
which arrangement may be very useful in certain cases. The distribution of
the air from the feeding cylinder,, which is not completely shown in the
Drawing, Sheet 2, is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3 in the same Sheet, it
being similarly fitted with two slide valves like the motive cylinder,, which
may each be separately governed. At Fig. 10 a single governing agent is
represented, consisting of a forked rod, each branch of which is fitted to an
eccentric s.
The machine represented at Figs. 9,10, and 11, Sheet 2, may, as is evident,
be fitted with either of the distributing apparatus I have before described for the
air-feeding cylinder; the pipes K, K, conduct the water injected into the air
for feeding the furnaces. The burnt air arrives from the conduit E, which
has a branch E, E, E, to each motive cylinder; this conduit E receives the
motive gas from the several furnaces supplying it to the passage or conduit
by a branch, having at its commencement a double-seated valve, forming a
cock, as seen at Fig. 3, Sheet 1. V, V, is the passage for the escape of burnt
air which has acted in the motive cylinders. In Figs. 9 and 11 the pipe
V,V,is shown surrounded by water, which is there heated to the temperature
of the waste gas, which passes lastly into the atmosphere through pipe X.
Fig. 8 shows an arrangement for conducting the air inspirated by the
feeding cylinders, it being suitable that the air should arrive as cold as possible.
For this purpose a pipe T is carried to a certain height above the deck, or
through the side of the vessel, for the purpose of supplying fresh air. Branches
similar to t meet in a chamber t', which covers the slide valves or openings of
inspiration. k, k, represent the pipes which lubricate the said slide valves of

page_text: inspiration. These cases T, t, t', are of thin sheet iron, of wood, and also
of cloth. The air compressed in the cylinders is driven back towards the
furnace through feed pipes L, L, Figs. 10 and 11. On the bottom of each
cylinder a hinged door or plug p is placed, closing with a screw, in the manner
of furnace doors. These plugs, which open and close very quickly, permit of
the action of one air cylinder on this side of the piston being suspended, when
it is wished to diminish the volume of injected air, and at the same time the
passive resistance of the motor,the shaft of distribution m,m, receives motion
from the motive shaft I, K, by means of apparatus for changing the action
similar to those used in steam boat engines.
Fig. 11 shows two rings V, V', in red. V being mounted on the motive shaft,
while Vis loose on shaft m, m; V' actuates this shaft by the aid of a tock or
projecting pin placed eccentric, and so arranged as to allow oftheship moving
ahead or astern at will. The eccentrics of the slide valves of cylinders C, and
those of the expansion valves of cylinders A, are both loose on shaft m, m;
they are driven by blocks or fillets fixed on this shaft, for the purpose of
allowing of the backward and forward motions, the expansion gear can thus
be used when moving astern. It will often be useful to connect to an appa-
ratus for navigation with but small power, or composed of a certain number of
motive cylinders, an extra machine on a similar system for effecting the
various services of the vessel, such as those of the pumps, hoistings, &c. ; it
may also be employed for starting the large machines when a vessel departs
or after stoppages. In the latter case the extra machine is started by the
water, as will be herein-after described; this mode of setting in motion
being also applicable to all machines working according to this new system.
The present system of burnt air machine may work at the same speed as
steam engines, and perform the same number of strokes per minute..
WORKING OF THE MACHINE FOR STARTING THE APPARATUS AND ITS
MANAGEMENT.
One of the particular advantages of this improved motor is the facility
for varying the power to sufficiently extensive limits with a less consump-
tion of fuel than is required for steam engines. The elements of this
variation, which we utilize in the direction and management of the machine
are the following:
1st. The temperature of the gas passing from the furnace to the motive
cylinder.--This temperature may be varied without inconvenience, inproportion
to the force required to be produced, for which purpose it is sufficient to keep the
valves more or less open, giving access to the air into the furnace.through the

page_text: blast pipes, and also by the battery of small nozzles, the valve of the small
nozzles which introduces air into the dome of the furnace being regulated to
admit so much the less air in proportion as the force required is to be
greater.
2. The quantity of water introduced into the feeding air during the
inspiration or during the compression.-The addition of this water to the
air produces two different effects, both concurring in increasing the power
of the machine. The first consists in the lessening of the power required
to compress the air; the presence of this water prevents either wholly or
partially the elevation of the temperature resulting from the effect of
pressure; the second results in a direct increase of power, for the water
contained in the air which has been more or less saturated, and also super-
saturated, penetrates into the furnace as much in a state of steam as in a
vesicular condition; it there increases in volume by passing through the
highly heated apparatus, and thus increases the power of the machine.
3. Suppression of a portion of the feeding air on reduction of the volume
supplied to the furnace.-At the same time that more water is added to the
air injected by the blowing apparatus, and which air has the property of
mechanically.carrying with it a great portion of liquid, it is possible to diminish
the weight of the injected air, which may easily be effected by suspending
the power of the cylinder on one side, and applying the means herein-before
mentioned to one or several of the cylinders of an apparatus similar to
those shown at Figs. 10, and 11, Sheet 2, where, for the purpose of
making use of other means therein indicated on the one hand, the labour
of injecting air is reduced; and on the other hand, the evaporation of the
water injected in excess into the furnace produces an increase of power.
4. Introduction of water into the furnace on or under the fuel in a state
of ignition. This means may be combined with the foregoing, being employed
but rarely, and by preference by introducing the water under the fire through
the lower part of the furnace. The less the water is transformed into steam
in the furnace the more economical will be the working of the machine.
Thus, it is only temporarily necessary to employ means which render the
use of a volume of water important.
5. Choice of fuel.-In ordinary furnaces of steam engines the useful effect
produced by withdrawing the steam from the water disengaged from the fuel,
or which is produced by the combustion of hydrogen, is completely lost, but
by our improved motor it is all collected; this steam in fact augments the
volume of gaseous fluid producing the force. For the purpose of obtaining
this steam it is better to select hydrogenized fuel. I have also proposed special

page_text: kinds of fuel for the above purpose, to be especially applied to my apparatus
for navigation, this fuel being composed of tar and ligneous matter,or detritus
of coal.
For putting the machine in working order the fire is lighted, and the upper
and lower doors of the furnace allowed to remain open, the safety valve is also
raised, when the whole of the interior of the furnace reaches a high tempera-
ture the doors and the valves' are closed, and a small quantity of water is
injected into the upper part of the furnace by pipes and cocks arranged for
that purpose, on plates C, C', Figs. 3 and 6, Sheet 1, and others serving for
preventing radiation, and for mixing the gaseous current; or the water may
be thrown on to the sides of the furnace, or on to the fire itself. This water
is changed immediately into steam, and a pressure may be obtained from it,
rising up to two and a half, three, four, or five atmosphères; as required, and
accordingly, as more or less water is injected, when the pressure has reached
two and a half atmospheres, which is suitable while working the machine with
air alone, 'or also after attaining a degree of four or five atmospheres, which is '
preferable when working with a volume of water, which is large in proportion'
to the volume of air injected, the valve for the admission of the gaseous fluid
into the motive cylinder is opened. The machine being now started, care must
be taken to open immediately the valve for the introduction, of air into the
furnace. After the feeding cylinder has performed a few strokes, and thus
commenced to furnish the necessary air for feeding the,furnace the injection of
water is discontinued, and the cocks opened which inject water into the
blowing cylinder, principally for the purpose as above explained, of prevent-
ing the elevation of the temperature of the air during its compression.
The valves for the introduction of air into the furnace are then regulated so
as to obtain the gas at a temperature of about 572 to 640 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before the slide valve of the motive cylinder has had time to be heated-to
171 degrees centigrade (340) Fahrenheit), at which temperature the phe-.
nomenon known as spheroidal state of water or steam takes place, care
should be taken to give to the slide valve the necessary quantity of water
to keep its friction surfaces damp, and prevent them sticking. This system
of lubrication with water should be continuous or alternately, with lubri-
cations of fatty matter.
..
When an excess of force is desired to be obtained, recourse should be had:
to one of the five methods herein-before described. If the machine has but
one furnace the necessary quantity of fuel is introduced at one time into the
furnace for producing power during 5 or 6 hours, or even longer, one of the
new properties possessed by this motor being its capability of working 6 or 7

page_text: hours without the furnace requiring to be recharged with fuel, or for touching
the fire in any way. The management of the fire is consequently easier if the
furnace works at a moderate temperature; it is necessary at times to take out
the clinker, refuse, and other residues of the combustion,among which are the
salts resulting from certain applications. In order only partially to empty the
furnace, when cleaning it, I place in the carbonaceous mass at a certain
height above the bottom of the furnace several small fire irons carried by a
cross piece outside the furnace, & forming thus a temporary grate, after
which all the matters under this grate-are removed, and the vacant space
filled with fresh coal; the temporary grate is afterwards withdrawn to allow
of the furnace acting. When water is placed in the bottom of the furnace,
as herein-before described, the deposit of salts is induced, and also the
existence of water, which will become more and more saturated.
If it is only required to remove the salts deposited in the lower part of
the furnace, water may be caused to flow in and saturate it, which may be
afterwards withdrawn or ejected. In the same manner the solidified salts
may be disengaged by a kind of washing (effected at certain times) of the
matters impregnated by them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th October 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed,should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED

page_text: THEREWITH," a communication, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said 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 three Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
This motive engine belongs to that kind of motor in which all or part of
the mechanical power is sought to be obtained by taking advantage of the
elastic force of the air which has been used for the supply of the furnace;
but it differs from engines of this kind heretofore tried or proposed by the
application of some new principles, and by particular means of realization
which constitute together an Invention of perfect novelty.
A motor of this kind is naturally composed of two principal but distinct
apparatus, nevertheless necessary to each other, the first is the producer of
the hot gases intended to develope the mechanical power, which I will call
the furnace, for it is in fact a closed furnace, special in its system of work-
ing; the second is the mechanical recipient of the motive power. This
latter apparatus is evidently free to have its arrangements, and even its
constitution varied according to the nature of the work for which the action.
of the motor is employed, I am led to follow the division made above in
the description of the new motor.
This motive engine is constituted by the union of the furnace and mechanical
recipient; in the course of this description I will term it the burnt air motor.
1. THE FURNACE.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, of the Drawings annexed to this Specification represents in
its elementary form a vertical section of the furnace generating the gases which
produce the motive power. It is composed of a metal vessel A, B, C, D, E, F,
completely closed, of sufficient strength to support an internal pressure of
several atmospheres; at its bottom E, F, a cylinder C, D, E, F, is rivetted
or bolted concentric with cylinder C, D, E, F. Another concentric cylinder
G, H, I, K, is united by a hermetical junction to the top of cylinder C', DI,

page_text: .
E, F, and in the same manner at 1, K, to cylinder C, D, E, F. Thus two
annular vessels X, X, and Y, Y, are constituted.
The cylinder C, D, E, F', is liued internally with fire bricks or with sand
in the manner of foundry cupolas; N is a door for emptying and clearing the
apparatus, the internal face of this door N is furnished with a sheet of baked
clay or other lining to protect it from the heat. Similar precaution may be
taken for all the doors, in order to prevent loss of heat by these surfaces. For
the same purpose the whole apparatus may be enveloped in non-conducting
substances. Another door, furnished with the same means, is seen at N', N,
at the middle, and serves for the introduction of fuel. Figs. 2 and 3 give a
better idea of these doors, which are indicated therein by the letter P,and seen
in vertical and horizontal section with their details; T is a blast pipe, and
T', a nozzle thereto; L, L', L", L"", are a certain number of little nozzles
of small diameter which traverse the lining of the furnace and have a down-
ward direction towards the fuel, which is shown in Fig. 3.
Atmospheric air, impelled by a blowing machine enters the annular vessel
.Y, Y, through the junction pipe O; the vessel Y, Y, being open at the upper
part,allows this air to ascend to the dome of the apparatus as indicated by the
arrows. Through the junction pipe O', air coming from the same origin
penetrates into the annular vessel X, X, whence it cannot escape except
through the small nozzles L, L', I", L'".
Lastly, compressed air may be injected through nozzle T into the mass of
fuel: these arrangements are intended to constitute a furnace, which may be
either at the same time or successively a blast furnace, or a reversed com-
bustion furnace. Thus this furnace can be put in action by the nozzle T', and
blast pipe T'; it can at the same time receive air through the small nozzles
L, L, L", L", which project it to the surface of the fuel, and into the com-
bustible gases which are formed at the lower part of the furnace. In the last
place, the furnace can be put in action by the injection of air alone, furnished
by the series of small nozzles L, L', L", L". In these several instances the.
capacity Y, Y, is always at disposal, if required, which capacity allows of a
volume of air being admitted into the dome of the apparatus for the purpose of
reducing the heated gases to the most suitable temperature for the working of
the machine. The junction pipe O', and the tube which abuts on the nozzle
T' are furnished with valves which afford every facility for the entry or suppres-
sion of fresh air or for regulating the delivery, for each of the three issues we
have specified. Usually, air is caused to be admitted by the lower blast pipe
T for forming combustible gas, and also by the small nozzles L, L, L", L",
for burning these gases; further, a third current of air is caused to pass out

page_text: of capacity Y, which mixes with the air and gases of the two first currents, so
as to lower the temperature of the motive mixture to between 480° and 750°
Fahrenheit, according to the force desired to be obtained.
The heated gases having an elastic force equal to the pressure of several
atmospheres(usually two or three atmospheres) will pass through the junction
pipe O at the entrance of the tube which conducts them to the mechanical
recipient, represented in Sheets 1 and 2, by a cylinder and piston. Before
describing this recipient, I will enter into some more details as to the several
modes of fixing the furnace.
Fig. 3 shows a vertical section, and Figs. 2 and 4 horizontal sections of a
furnace furnished with its accessories,the whole of which are not indispensable
for the proper working of the apparatus, they may, however, be modified in
form and arrangement. For the purpose of abridging the description I have
employed the same letters for similar parts in the six first Figures of Sheet 1.
The air arrives from the blowing apparatus which constitutes the supply of
fresh air through a tube S, furnished with a double seated valve S', this tube
distributes it through junction pipes O, O',and M, M', furnished with valves.
into capacities Y, Y, and X, X, and to the four blast pipes T, placed two and
two on different stages, by means of the two branches S' and S"; the nozzles
which supply the blast pipes have each a valve, also a safety valve R, with
lever and spring, which protects the furnace from an access of pressure, and alsó
serves for the exit of gas when the door of the furnace is opened. For this
latter purpose, the rod which joins the end of the lever to the spring has a
mechanism seen in Figs. 3 and 5, so that when the rod r, r', at its extremity
', is hooked at the bottom near the spring (Fig. 3) the valve is closed by the
spring, whereas, when the rod is reversed from the bottom to the upper part,
that is to say, when its extremity is lifted up (see Fig. 5), the valve will be
raised which allows of the gas escaping, until there is no longer any pressure.
The capsules a, a', a", which may be made of one or several pieces.to allow
expansion, the plate b, b', open in the centre, and the second plate c, c',seen in
plan, Fig. 4, which it is best to make of several bands of iron in jaxtaposition,
leaving between them some slight openings of some fractions of an inch to
allow of expansion, have all for their principal object the mixing of the gases
produced from the combustion with the air, which arises by the capacity Y, Y
to retain the solid matters carried by the gaseous current, and lastly, to prevent
the radiation of heat from the fire on the dome of the furnace.
The setting g, of earth or of bricks, is to prevent the loss of heat by the
cooling of this part of the furnace; the annular space g., which is left empty,
or in which a current of water is caused to circulate, is for the same purpose

page_text: when water is introduced into it, it being heated penetrates into the interior
of the furnace, as I shall herein-after describe. It is useful, as afterwards
explained, to introduce water into the furnace in certain cases, and at stated
times, such as when starting the machine; this water may either be injected
by the aid of tube t, t', furnished with a cock at its extremity, and having
for that purpose a series of saw cuts or small holes, on which also conduit
pipes may be fixed, or by the aid of holes i, ', i", in, pierced to the interior
of the annular space g'.
The tube t, t, instead of receiving water from the branch a, may obtain it
from the capacity g', g', by branch (Figs. 3 and 4), in which case the holes
i, i', i", "", may be omitted; if salt water only is used, as in marine motive
apparatus,a better result is obtained by introducing the water by a tube J,seen
in Fig. 6, forming a crown, which surrounds the upper part of the furnace, and
on which a number of conduit pipes J', are mounted for injecting the water
into the furnace; the small shells or capsules J", which are placed opposite
each jet are for the purpose of throwing back the water against the setting of
the furnace, and to cause it to run the length of its surface exposed to the fire.
If in this case the setting is entirely of earth or bricks from top to bottom, it
will be subject to rapid deterioration; to avoid this, the upper part of the setting
may be composed of segments of cast iron, as seen in the same Figure 6. A
certain quantity of sea water or soft water may be injected into the furnace ina
subdivided state, and mixed with air injected by blast pipesT, and by the battery
of small nozzles L', L', L", L'". This water will then be projected or thrown
on to the combustible in ignition. This mode of injecting sea water will have
the effect of leaving in the carbonaceous mass the salts of the water which
has been injected; the steam formed by the water will not allow incrustations
to remain in the essential parts of the fire-place, or in the part receiving the
power; the salts resulting from its evaporation will be deposited in the fuel
or carried away by the current of heated gases in a state of division, which
will not allow them to form an adherent deposit.
Another mode of introducing the water may be employed, either alone
or combined with the above methods, and would have for its object to vapo
rize the water without contact with the surfaces heated, by the passage of this
water in a very subdivided state through currents of gas and of burnt air
distributed uniformly around the capacity where the combustion is effected.
Sheet 3 represents one of the possible arrangements upon this principle.
This mode consists in placing a cast-iron capsule (composed of many pieces,to
allow of the cleaning, and exchanging, or restoring by the door), fixed on or
supported by the wall of the fire-place, and the forming with this wall a

page_text: combustion chamber communicating with the upper part by a certain number
of conduits distributed uniformly throughout the area; the burnt air produced
temperature
in its passage
at a very high temperature keeps or maintains this
from where it escapes.
The water coming from a reservoir is poured out by means of pipes placed
externally of the fire-places, on these pipes are the injectors provided with
cocks for regulating the number to equal that of the conduits of gas, the
water is then projected in the current of burnt gas, its state of division
increasing the points of contact, and producing a kind of aërial vaporization,
the more complete as that part of the water which escapes the voporizing
action of the currents of gas, will fall again on the fuel where it terminates
'the voporization; (the steam from the water will then be disengaged without
carrying the salts into the machine.) The principle of vaporizing salt waters,
which I here introduce, is the projecting these waters on a highly heated
body, which should be as porous as possible, the fuel in this case serves for the
above-mentioned body. In the apparatus (Fig. 6), the segments of cast-iron
receive the salt water on their heated side, which side is roughened to produce
a similar effect to that of porosity. The cock V', Fig. 3, serves for emptying
the excess of water which will be deposited in its passage; similar cocks are
placed at the lower part of capacities X, X, Y, Y.
Lastly, I will indicate the introduction of water directly to the lower part
of the furnace under the fuel in ignition; this introduction will be useful in
'some cases, the water being then driven back through the tube V, V, Fig. 3,
the end of which is terminated by a perforated brick or grating, for the pur-
pose of preventing the fragments of fuel or cinders from obstructing the tube.
The water penetrates under the fuel, which is in a more or less heated state
The
or state of ignition, and which in all cases constitutes a porous mass.
water will thus rise by the effect of the capillary action to a certain height,
and will be evaporated, leaving the salts contained in it at the bottom of the
furnace, if either sea or salt waters are made use of. It is clear that a
porous mass which would cause the water to be raised by capillary action
may be substituted at a certain height for the fuel which fills the bottom of
the furnace, with certain kinds of fuel, asalso in the case of the injection of salt
water. The current of heated gases may carry away the particles of coal or
5 cinders, or also of salt, especially when the furnace acts at a low temperature,
for the purpose of retaining these matters, and preventing them from pene-
trating to the parts receiving the power. I place in the dome of the furnace a
cleauser arranged as shown in the Fig. 6; this cleanser is composed of a trun-
cated coued, d', resting at its large end on plate c, c', and of an open cylinder

page_text: e, e', plunging into the cone which is furnished with a plug or door n, n,
corresponding to the door or opening N", for the purpose of withdrawing the
matters stopped in their passage.
Several of these doors are placed around the circumference of the furnace,
according to its greater or less diameter. It is not necessary to have more
than one furnace to serve for a machine of 20 horse-power and under, a
space is so given to the furnace that it may work several successive hours, from
six to eight, and upwards, without requiring to be supplied with fresh coal; it
may be regulated at a consumption of about two and a half pounds of good coal
per each horse-power perhour. Theless the power of the machine is, the easier
it will be to reach the limit given, before adding a fresh supply to the furnace,
in the intervals which separate the stoppages necessary in workshops, either
for the workman's meals or for other purposes. More powerful machines
require the employment of several furnaces acting simultaneously. In all
cases the greatest space possible should be given to the furnaces, for the
purpose of obtaining a more regular combustion, and more even tempera-
ture; it is suitable also to allow not less than one or two hours interval
between the supplies of the fuel However the greater or less frequency
of these supplies is, as it will be seen, partly subordinate to the nature of
the fuel.
From the furnace constituted according to these arrangements, it will be
seen that in place of combustion, a more or less elevated temperature is
obtained, at the same time only allowing to the motive gas issuing from the
furnace a temperature judged most convenient for the useful application of
the moter; there being every facility for giving a variable supply of air or
not by nozzle T', and also by nozzles L, L, L", L", having control also of the
air injected by the nozzles T. If the place for combustion is maintained at a
. moderate temperature, under that at which marine salt is volatilized, there will
be retained in the furnace of the marine engine the salts produced from the
water injected into the air supplied by the blowing apparatus. If combus-
tion takes place at a higher temperature than that above described, care
should be taken not to exceed the temperature which would cause the fusion
of the salts with the addition of a flux. For marine salt, a flux (easily pro-
cured) is carbonate of lime, in the proportion of about one hundred and
eighty grains to two hundred and twenty-five grains of salt, and so on, it not
being necessary here to make closer calculations of the chemical proportions
required for producing a good result. When working at a high temperature,
the cinders may also be melted, especially with the addition of a suitable
flux.

page_text: 2. THE RECIPIENT OF THE MOTIVE POWER.
Sheet 2 shows an arrangement of mechanical recipient based on the employ-
ment of a cylinder furnished with a piston, on the two faces of which the
motive gas or burnt air produced from the furnace acts alternately. A blowing
cylinder which receives its movement from the motive cylinder, compresses
and throws the air into the furnace which is to serve for the combustion of
the coal, and which is to mix with the products of combustion, and to be
heated by the action of the same. The pistons of these two cylinders are
united by a socket, which renders the two rods solid; at one point of this rod;
thus rendered common to both, a connecting rod is fitted, which by means of
a crank or suitable contrivance, transmits to a shaft the motive power which
remains disposable after acting on the blowing piston with the force necessary
for its action, which excess constitutes the power of the burnt air moter.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, Sheet 2, and Figs. 7 & 8, Sheet 1, and the explanations
accompanying the said Figures show clearly enough the appearance and
details of this recipient with piston, to render it necessary for me to
mention only the peculiarities which characterize and render it different to
the motive heated air engines or machines, in which air is mixed with steam
of water, which have heretofore been proposed.
First, OF THE COMPRESSION OF AIR FOR FEEDING THE FURNACE.
Airis heated very rapidlybypressure in proportion as it is more compressed,
which results in a greater expense of mechanical labour to arrive at the degree
of pressure necessary for the purpose sought,and consequently an increase in
the passive resistance of the motor. This heating is reduced considerably,also
the loss of effect thereby occasioned, by injecting water in as subdivided a state
as possible into the air entering theblowingcylinder, orduringthe compression
itseif. This water is introduced from an upper reservoir having a sufficient
column, or it may be injected by a small pump actuated by the motor. This
pump or reservoir is not represented in the Drawings, in order to obviate com-
plication; however, in Figs. 1, 3, and 8, Sheet 2, the tubes are seen at k, which
convey the water. Each tube is furnished with a stop-cock which regulates its
supply, and all the water the air can carry with it is caused to arrive either by
the orifices of inspiration or inflow of air, or into the interior of the cylinder.
Secondly, THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOTIVE CYLINDER.
The distribution of the motive gases is shown in the Drawings as effected by
means of slide valves. It is composed of a slide valve a, a, a, a, Figs. 1 and 4,
Sheet 2, and of two plates b, b, 61, 61, for effecting the expansion. The slide

page_text: valve has at its upper surface six openings o, 0, 0, a, a, a, for the admission of
burnt air into the slide valve, three of these openings a,a,a,serve for the front
of the cylinder, and the three others for the back. On this face of the valve,
the two plates b,b,1,,slide, the solid parts of which correspond to the openings
o and a, according to the position given to these plates by means of nuts placed
on rod p, p, which moves and sets these plates according to the degree of
expansion desired to be worked. On its lower face the slide valve has seven
orifices 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the orifices 1, 5, and 7,being for the admission of
burnt air, and those 2,4,and 6, for the escape of the same after it has acted on
the piston. The burnt air passes directly from the three openings o to opening
1, while to arrive at opening 3, it passes round the elliptical canal y, Fig. 4;
this canal abuts on an opening 2; the arrows indicate the movement of the
gases. In this Figure the admission of the motive gas takes place from
behind, and the emission or escape from the front of the cylinder. The escape
takes place as indicated by the arrows Figs. 1 and 4, through canal H, which
terminates behind in two orifices, on which are fitted waste pipes H1, H¹. In
the regulation shown at Figs. 1 and 4, the openings o of admission are opened
at the centre of the course of the piston, being only quite closed when the
piston has traversed about six-tenths of its course.
ff, Figs. 1 and 4, are tubes which convey water on to the friction surfaces
of the slidevalve to cool them and prevent jerking, and also to lubricate them.
This lubrication with water may be continuous or alternate with oil or fat
lubrications. It is evident that, according to circumstances, this arrangement
of pipes may be changed for the purpose of attaining the required end in the
best way possible, which is to prevent the heating of the slide valve, and
to effect as much as possible, the lubrication by means of water.
Certain modes of distribution either by the aid of slide valves, or other such
valves as are used in steam engines, may be rendered applicable to the
burnt air engine, but we will not here persue further that subject.
The slide valves are shown placed on the motive cylinder, but they may be
arranged in a position perpendicular to or at right angles to those shown,
by applying them on one of the slides of the cylinder, which allows of their
being governed directly by an excentric keyed on the motive shaft. The
same observation is applicable to the blowing slide valves, which we shall
hereinafter describe.
Thirdly, DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS FOR THE BLOWING CYLINDER.
Figs. 1 and 3, Sheet 2, show the distributors in which the inspiration or
inflow of air is effected by the movement of a slide valve, and the driving back
by it of clack valves placed in the interior of the said slide valve. This slide

page_text: valve is composed of a box c, c, c, c, closed at its upper part and pierced at its
lower part with seven orifices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, containing four clacks, which
close and open the orifices1 and 3 aud 5 and 7alternately, for driving back the
air. In the position shown, aspiration takes place by orifice 2, which opens
into the air surrounding the sides of the slide valves, and at the same time by
opening S of the cylinder, which the motion of the slide valves then leaves
uncovered, the driving back is effected by means of openings 5 and 7, the
clack valves of which are raised. The compressed air fills the interior
capacity c, c, of the slide valve, and passes through orifice 4, which by a fork
adjoins on exit pipes L, L, Figure 3. The slide valve tends to raise itself by the
pressure of the wind, but it is kept against its surface v, v, y, y, by a system
of slide bars d, d, Figs. 1 and 3, Sheet 2, and Fig. 8, Sheet 1, the pressure of
which is regulated by means of bolt fastenings, so as simply to counterbalance
the effort of the raising of the valve. The face (glace) of the side valve is
composed of two movable plates V, V, and fixed plate Y, Y. The plates
V,,V, are worked by means of nuts and counter, nuts z, z, which allow of the
position being varied. If it is required to give the furnace momentarily or in.
more or less permanent manner a quantity of air less than that furnished
by the action of the blowing piston, only a part of the air aspirated will be..
driven, back by placing the faces (les glaces) V, V, in position, so that the
openings of inspiration in the cylinder, are only closed when the piston has
already traversed part of the course of compression. Then a part of the air
which has penetrated into the cylinder, returns to the atmosphere without
any sensible absorption to the motive power. Fig. 5 shows an arrangement
of distribution where clack valves of inspiration and for driving back the
air only are used; A shows the departure of the compressed air; the
pipes K, K, furnish water to the valves of inspiration themselves.
For the rest, examination of the Drawings will be sufficient for the explana-
tion of these Figures. According to the power or speed of the machines
made use of, recourse should be had to one or other of the arrangements
shown, or to modifications thereof. I will add, however, that generally slide,
valves are preferable to clack valves, for they do not require, as clack valves
do, an excess of pressure for the entry of the air inflowing, and pressure for
the exit of the compressed air. They have, besides, the advantage during
inspiration, of not making a noise and preventing the bad effects of objection-
able intervals. Applied to the driving back, the slide valves present this
difficulty, that they must be so regulated as not to open but at the moment
when the pressure has reached the required and regulated amount, but this
[...

page_text: extent may be itself changed during the working in consequence of the
variation in the force of the motor, it is requisite that the regulation of the
slide valve may vary as required; for this purpose many considerable
mechanical complications will result; the arrangements in Figs. 6 and 7,
Sheet 2, show a means of avoiding the above.
Fig. 6, Sheet 2, shows the slide valve replaced by clack valves, which by
reason of the primordial regulation, tends to open itself too late, the same
effect being produced by apparatus Fig. 7. Lastly, we would observe that
as to the inspiration, and likewise the driving back, it is possible, instead of
clack valves, to use some gill openings of india-rubber or valves, similar to
those used in water and manure pumps.
3. UTILIZING THE HEAT CONTAINED IN THE GASEOUS FLUID AT ITS EXIT
FROM THE MOTIVE CYLINDER.
The gas and the vapours pass out of the motive cylinder at a temperature
varying from 300 to 480° Fahrenheit, carrying away in consequence a part
of the heat developed by the fuel. In some cases it would be preferable to
submit to this loss, for the purpose of avoiding complication in the machine,
but otherwise where the greatest possible economy is sought to be realized, I
reserve the right of taking part of the heat of the waste gases by one of
the means herein-after mentioned.
1ST. HEATING THE AIR WHICH FEEDS THE FURNACE. -
To effect this heating, we cause the current which escapes from the motive
cylinder to pass through faggots or bundles of wire gauze alternately with a
current of fresh air which passes from the blowing cylinder to the furnace;
the use of this means has never been proposed but for collecting the heat
carried away by the heated air, but not of burnt, or by superheated steam.
This system of furnace which does not allow a particle of coal to escape,
permits of this means being applied to burnt air, and to the gas produced by
the combustion.
2ND. HEATING THE WATER.
To utilize the waste heat of our heating motor, or the water, which, in some
circumstances, it is necessary to introduce into the furnace, or water used for
any other purpose, we first cause the gaseous fluid to circulate after its exit
from the motive cylinder in apparatus of the kind used for heating water, or

page_text: prefer to inject cold water into the gaseous current, which will cede to it
directly the heat by immediate contact; this injection is then worked in a
hermetically closed vessel communicating with one or several pumps for
extracting the heated air and cooled gases. The pressure in this vessel
will become less than the atmospheric pressure, by reason of the lowering
of the pressure, the power of the machine being also augmented; further,
with this apparatus I have the double advantage of obtaining hot water,
and increasing the power of the motor.
3RD. DISTILLATION OF SEA WATER.
In vessels navigating the sea by means of this motor it would be convenient
to utilize the heat from the waste gas for distilling sea water, for the purpose
of producing fresh water necessary for consumption, and for the injection to be
made to the slide valves of the motive cylinder to lubricate them and prevent
friction and jerking motion therein. This distillation is effected either by
fresh air, or better still, in a vacuum by the aid of known apparatus, which
only requires to be modified for the substitution of waste gas from these
machines, for the smoke or steam of an ordinary furnace which is usually
employed in similar operations.
APPLICATIONS.
The new motor is applicable to various industrial purposes, to the least
as well as greatest amount of force required. It also presents an advantage
hitherto unknown in different heated air or steam engines, that of only
requiring supplies of fuel at very long intervals, besides it does not produce
any smoke.
The principal application of this improved motor is for maritime navigation,
its chief points being economy in fuel, absence of boilers, and the possibility
of working the furnaces, even when their lower part is immersed in water,
which constitute conditions of the first consideration in this service.
Figs. 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2, represent an apparatus applied for the
purposes of navigation, consisting of three machines coupled together acting
on a shaft having three cranks, or other suitable equivalents, the continuation
of which shaft carries the screw propeller of the vessel. Each machine consists
of a motive cylinder A, and an air feeding cylinder C, the motive piston carries
two rods fff, Fig. 11; the one f being lengthened relieves the weight of
the piston. These two rods are connected by a collar G, G, formed of two
plates of iron rivetted together, leaving between them a space for the passage

page_text: of the connecting rod 1, l. To this collar two rods n, n', of the blowing piston
D are also connected, the connecting rod 2, 1, is also pivotted thereto, and at
the outlet of the junction pipe which receives the end of this pivot are fixed
two tappets or friction blocks h, h, moving on slides i, i, j, j, cast with the
cover of the feeding cylinder. The shaft of iron m,m, governs the distributions
of the motive cylinders, and also those of the blowing cylinders. The dis-
tributing apparatus of each motive cylinder consists of two slide valves, each
governed by a rod d, d, and excentric o; these slide valves which are not
represented in the Drawings are similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 4,
Sheet 2. Each slide valve has its expansion plate, but the two plates are
joined by a cross piece, which allows of their being governed by a single
rod b, b; and an excentric r. This arrangement of parts is represented as
for very powerful machines, they may be easily simplified for machines of
ordinary power. I will remark, that I do not propose by the above described
system of slide valve to exclude others more or less analogous to those used
in steam engines; but that whatever be the mechanical arrangements for
the distribution of the motive power, the utility of lubricating and cooling
by means of water will remain the same. The division of the distribution
by having two slide valves each furnished with their regulators, allows of
the complete cessation of working one of them, as only one is made use of
at the time, which arrangement may be very useful in certain cases. The
distribution of the air from the feeding cylinder, which is not completely
shown in the Drawing, Sheet 2, is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3 in the
same Sheet, it being similarly fitted with two slide valves like the motive
cylinders, which may each be separately governed; while at Fig. 10 a single
govering agent is represented consisting of a forked rod, each branch of
which is fitted to an excentric s.
The machine represented at Figs. 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2, may, as is
evident, be fitted with either of the distributing apparatus I have before
described for the air feeding cylinders. The pipes k, k, conduct the water in-
jected into the air for feeding the furnaces. The burnt air arrives from the
conduit E, which has a branch E,E,E, to each motive cylinder; this conduit E
receives the motive gas from the several furnaces supplying it to the passage
or conduit by a branch having at its commencement a double seated valve
forming a cock, as seen at Fig. 3, Sheet 1. V,V, is tho passage for the escape
of burnt air which has acted in the motive cylinders. In Figs. 9 and 11, the
pipe V, V, is shewn surrounded by water, which is there heated to the
temperature of the waste gas, which passes lastly into the atmosphere by
the pipe X.

page_text: Fig. 8 shews an arrangement for conducting the air inspirated by the
feeding cylinders, it being suitable that the air should arrive as cold as
possible. For this purpose a pipe T is carried to a certain height above the
deck, or through the side of the vessel, for the purpose of supplying fresh air.
Branches similar to t meet in a chamber t', which covers the slide valves or
openings of inspiration; k, k, represent the pipes which lubricate the said
slide valves of inspiration. These cases T, t, t', are of thin sheet iron, of
wood, and also of cloth. The air compressed in the cylinders is driven back
towards the furnaces through feed pipes L, L, Figs. 10 and 11. On the
bottom of each cylinder a hinged door or plug p is placed, closing with a screw
in the manner of furnace doors. The plugs, which open and close very
quickly, permit of the action of one air cylinder on this side of the piston
being suspended when it is wished to diminish the volume of injected air, and
at the same time the passive resistance of the motor. The shaft of distribution
m,m, receives motion from the motive shaft I,K, by means of apparatus for
changing the action, similar to those used in steam-boat engines. Fig. 11
shows two rings V, V', in red, V being mounted on the motive shaft, while V'
is loose on the shaft mm; V' actuates this shaft by the aid of a tock or pro-
jecting pin placed excentric, and so arranged as to allow of the ship moving
ahead or astern at will. The excentrics of the slide valves of cylinders C,
and those of the expansion valves of cylinders A are both loose on shaft m,m,
they are driven by blocks or fillets fixed on this shaft, for the purpose of
allowing of the backward and forward motions, the expansion gear can
thus be used when moving astern. It will often be useful to connect to an
apparatus for navigation of but small power,or composed of a certain number
of motive cylinders, an extra machine on a similar system for effecting the
various services of the vessel, such as those of the pumps, hoisting, &c., it may
also be employed in starting the large machines when a vessel departs or after
stoppages. In the latter case, the extra machine is started by the water,as
will be herein-after described; this mode of setting in motion being also
applicable to all machines working according to this new system. The present
system of burnt air machine may work at the same speed as steam engines,
and perform the same number of strokes per minute.
WORKING OF THE MACHINE FOR STARTING THE APPARATUS AND ITS
MANAGEMENT.
One of the particular advantages of this improved motor is the facility for
varying the power to sufficiently extensive limits, with a less consumption of
fuel than is required for steam engines. The elements of this variation,

page_text: which I utilize in the direction and management of the machine, are the
following:-
1. The temperature of the gas passing from the furnace to the motive
cylinder. This temperaturemaybe varied withoutinconvenience,inproportion
to the force required to be produced, for which purpose it is sufficient to keep
the valves more or less open, giving access to the air into the furnace through
the blast pipes, and also by the battery of small nozzles, the latter valve, which
introduces air into the dome of the furnace, being regulated to admit so much
the less air in proportion as the force required is to be greater.
2. The quantity of water introduced into the feeding air during the
inspiration, or during the compression.-The addition of this water to the air
produces two different effects, both concurring in increasing the power of the
machine; the first consists in the lessening of the power required to compress
the air, the presence of this water prevents either wholly or partially the
elevation of the temperature resulting from the effects of pressure; the second
results in the direct increase of power, for the water contained in the air which
has been more or less saturated, and also super-saturated, penetrates into the
furnace as much in a state of steam as in a vessicular condition; it there
increases in volume by passing through the highly heated apparatus,and thus
increases the power of the machine.
3. Suppression of a portion of the feeding air or reduction of the volume
supplied to the furnace.-At the same time that more water is added to the
air injected by the blowing apparatus, and which air has the property of
mechanically carrying with ita great portion of liquid,it is possible to diminish
the weight of the injected air, which may easily be effected by suspending the
power of the cylinder on one side, and applying the means herein-before
mentioned to one or several of the cylinders of an apparatus similar to those
shown at Figs. 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 2, where for the purpose of making use
of other means therein indicated on the one hand, the labour of injecting air is
reduced, and on the other hand the evaporation of the water injected in excess
into the furnace produces an increase of power.
4. Introduction of water into the furnace on or under the fuel in a state of
ignition. This means may be combined with the foregoing being employed,
but rarely and by preference by introducing the water under the fire through
the lower part of the furnace. The less the water is transformed into steam
in the furnace, the more economical will be the working of the machine.
Thus it is only temporarily necessary to employ means which render the
use of a volume of water important.
5. Choice of fuel.-In ordinary furnaces of steam engines the useful effect

page_text: produced by withdrawing the steam from the water disengaged from the fuel,
or which is produced by the combustion of hydrogen, is completely lost,
but by this improved motor it is all collected; this steam, in fact, augments
the volume of gaseous fluid producing the force. For the purpose of obtain-
ing this steam, it is better to select hydrogenized fuel. I have also pro-
posed special kinds of fuel for the above purpose to be especially applied
to this apparatus for navigation, this fuel being composed of tar and ligneous
matter, or detritus of coal.
For putting the machine in working order the fire is lighted, and the upper
and lower doors of the furnace allowed to remain open; the safety valve is
also raised. When the whole of the interior of the furnace reaches the high
temperature,the doors and the valve are closed, and a small quantity of water
is injected into the upper part of the furnace by pipes and cocks arranged for
that purpose on plates c, c', Figs. 3 and 6, Sheet 1, and others serving for
preventing radiation, and for mixing the gaseous current; or the water may
be thrown on to the sides of the furnace, or on to the fire itself. This water
is changed immediately into steam, and a pressure may be obtained from it
rising up to two and a half, three, four, or five atmospheres as required, and
accordingly as more or less water is injected. When the pressure has reached
two and a half atmospheres, which is suitable, while working the machine with
air alone, or also after attaining a degree of four or five atmospheres, which is
preferable when working with a volume of water which is large in proportion
to the volume of air injected, the valve for the admission of the gaseous fluid
into the motive cylinder is opened.. The machine being now started, care
must be taken to open immediately the valve for the introduction of air into
the furnace. After the feeding cylinder has performed a few strokes, and has
thus commenced to furnish the necessary air for feeding the furnace, the
injection of water is discontinued, and the cocks opened which inject water
into the blowing cylinder, principally for the purpose, as above explained, of
preventing the elevation of the temperature of the air during its compression.
The valves for the introduction of air into the furnace are then regulated so
as to obtain the gas at a temperature of about 572° to 610° Fahrenheit.
Before the slide valve of the motive cylinder has had time to be heated to
171° centigrades (340° Fahrenheit) at which temperature the phenomenon
known as spheroidal state of water or steam takes place,care should be taken
to give to the slide valve the necessary quantity of water to keep its friction
surfaces damp, and prevent them sticking. This system of lubrication with
water should be continuous or alternated with lubrications of fatty matters.
When an access of force is desired to be obtained, recourse should be had

page_text: to one of the five methods herein-before described.
If the machine has
but one furnace, the necessary quantity of fuel is introduced at one time
into the furnace for producing power during five or six hours, or even
louger, one of the new properties possessed by our motor being its capability
of working six or seven hours without the furnace requiring to be recharged
with fuel, or for touching the fire in any way. The management of the fire
is consequently easier. if the furnace works at a moderate temperature; it is
necessary at times to take out the clinker refuse and other residues of com-
bustion, among which are the salts resulting from certain applications
In order only partially to empty the furnace when cleaning it, the car-
bonaceous mass is left at a certain height; above the bottom of the furnace
there are placed several small fire irons carried by a cross piece ontside the
furnace, forming thus a temporary grate, after which all the matters under
this grate are removed, and the vacant space filled with fresh coal; the
temporary grate is afterwards withdrawn, to allow of the furnace acting..
When water is placed in the bottom of the furnace, as herein-before described,
the deposit of salts is induced, and also the existence of water, which will
become more and more saturated. If it is only required to remove the
salts deposited in the lower part of the furnace, water may be caused to
flow in and saturate it, when it may be withdrawn by ejection. This method
may also serve in the same manner for disengaging the solidified salts by a
kind of washing (effected at certain times) of the matters impregnated by
them. It is easy to remove the water by suitable apparatus of exhaustion.
In a machine of certain power, and principally in such as the working
permits of no time of stopping for the charging and cleaning the fire place,
there are two or more fire places working together or separately without
causing, either alone, or by their union with the other fire places, any
irregularity in working the engine. The separation and the conjunction
or assemblage of the fire places are operated in manner following:-
(Separately.) The water is first cut off from the fire place which is to be
charged; the introduction of air is also stopped. The air and the water are
then conducted on the fire place or fire places in action; the valve leading from
the separated fire place to the motive cylinders is also closed. The safety
valve being opened, the fire place is emptied of the mixture it contained
under pressure (this emptying may also take place through any other issue
than by the valve.) At that time the doors of the fire places may be opened,
and the cleaning and charging of fuel take place like an ordinary fire-place.
(In conjunction.)-The doors are closed with care after the water is in-
jected by one of the means herein-after described, till the pressure caused by

page_text: the vapourization is equal to that of the fire places in action. The isolated
fire place is then put in communication with the motive cylinders; the
introduction of air is re-established, observing to inject little or none
underneath, and very much for burning the gases produced by the distilla-
tion of the fresh fuel. In order to make convenient the two above opera-
tions, each fire place is previously provided with an indicator of pressure.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be
secured by the herein-before in parts recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, using as motive power the gases resulting from the combustion, and
from the air which produced the same, these gases being by said combustion
increased with heated air or with vaporized steam; this being done by the
means herein-before described, and further specified in the following claims.
Secondly, producing the said motive power by the combustion of known
fuels in closed fire places without grates, also the faculty of regulating the
vaporization, the temperature, and the combustion in its various stages,
according to the nature of the fuel employed, and of changing, the propor-
tions of the motive mixture.
Thirdly, vaporizing the water employed directly and without intermediary
means by its projection in a subdivided state in the gaseous current
resulting from the combustion, or in the fuel in ignition either above or
underneath the mass ignited.
Fourthly, introducing the air into the fire place from three parts or
regions, the quantity of air being variable into each part: first, underneath
the fuel, secondly, above for burning the gases; and thirdly, in the current,
after the combustion, to regulate the temperature.
Fifthly, introducing the water injected in the blowing cylinder during the
aspiration or compression of the air, or it may be during both states of action
of the blowing engine, it has for its object to prevent the heating of this air,
to diminish the force of the pressure of injection of the current of air going
from the blowing cylinders to the fire places, of the currents of burnt gas
and into the fuel, and of the injection on the surfaces of slide valves or other
organs subject to be heated by the part receiving the power, and specially
to lubricate the friction surfaces in contact with the burnt air.
Sixthly, and lastly, the whole of the means specified in the above claims,
and the Specification constituting a burnt air motor, with mixture of vaporized
water, characterized by the instantaneous production of the motive mixture,
giving to the pistons a speed equal to that of pistons of steam engines; by

page_text: the facility of suspending instantaneously the pressure, and anihilating the
power of the fire places; by the faculty of setting in motion without a pressure
reservoir, and by means of a mere injection of water in the fire place.
+
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of October, in the year of 5
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
53, Cancery Lane.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)