Improvements in and relating to Oscillating-piston Steam Engines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Oscillating-piston Steam Engines.
1, JOHN VIRTUE RICE, Junior, a citizen of the United States of America.
residing at Edgewater Park, in the County of Burlington, and State of New
Jersey, one of the United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to that class of engines commonly known in the art of
steam, as sector-cylinder, or oscillating-piston steam engines, the essential feature of
engines of this class being a sector-shaped working-chamber in which a rectangular
flat piston oscillates to and fro like a shutter or door on its hinge, the axis of
oscillation being a rocking shaft on which the piston is fixed. The object of my
invention is to increase the efficiency of engines of this class and make them
capable of doing stronger and better work. The invention consists essentially in a
multiple-arrangement of sector-shaped chambers together with the necessary con-
nections and details, whereby the actuating power of the several pistons may be
applied to a single shaft for the accomplishment of the new and improved results
hereinafter specified, in an efficient manner, the structural features being simple,
the operation inexpensive, and the engine being in general, light-running, high-
speeded, adaptable for a great variety of work and of steady and uniform action.
Another important feature of improvement is the provision of a steam-containing
chamber within which the sector cylinders are arranged in such a manner that
they are kept constantly surrounded by or immersed in a body of steam which
keeps the working steam in a state of highest efficiency. And the invention also
consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the several parts
substantially as will be hereinafter described and then more particularly pointed
out in the claims.
In the annexed drawings illustrating my invention-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved engine, one of the sector-cylinders
being shown in vertical section.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the engine.
Figure 4 is an edge or side elevation and in partial section, taken on the line y—y
of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of that form of the engine having the cylinders
arranged within a casing, certain parts being broken away.
Figure 6 is a front sectional view of the same form of engine.
Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 8 is a sectional detail showing the arrangement of the connecting rods
on the main crank pin, Figure 5.
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of one of these connecting rods.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the different views.
Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. A designates the main frame of the
engine, which may vary in size and shape as occasion requires. In the present
instance, I have constructed it so that it may serve to support three of the working
chambers besides the other mechanical parts of the engine, said frame being in

page_text: this example a vertical or upright structure.
D' D and D³ denote three sector
shaped cylinders for steam, or other motive power, said cylinders or chambers
being mounted on or secured to the frame A, and situated at suitable distances
apart and arranged around a central point where the main shaft is located. I
have chosen three chambers as an example simply. These cylinders have two
radial side walls which join at one end and radiate therefrom, an outer wall con-
necting the other ends of these radial sides, which outer wall represents the
fractional portion of a circle, and two end enclosing walls, so that the entire
receptacle presents a sectoral-shaped steam-chest enclosed by five sides.
Within the chest D' is a flat oscillating plate or piston d', rigidly secured on a
rock-shaft supported in suitable bearings at the junction of the radial sides of
chest D'. Within chest D2 is a similar piston d2, and within chest D³ is a similar
piston d³. It will be understood that the edges of the piston-plate d', d², d³, may
be provided with spring packing devices, see Figure 2, or with any other
suitable packing to make the engagement of the edges with the wall of the chest,
steam tight. The intermittent impact of the steam or other motive fluid or
liquid alternately against the opposite sides of these pistons, vibrates them, and by
suitable connections, which I shall presently describe, the power resulting from
these vibrations is communicated to the main driving shaft.
B denotes the main shaft, which is supported horizontally in main frame A, see
Figure 2. This shaft carries at one end pulley C' and wheel C, and at the other
end the crank B₁ and balance weight 12. The crank B₁ is provided with a
horizontal crank pin . The rock-shaft or journal of piston d' is provided on the
outside of the chest with a crank arm o', and the connecting rod G connects arm of
with crank-pin b. The journal of piston is provided on the outside of its chest,
with a crank-arm 02, and a connecting rod G2 connects arm of with pin b. The
journal of piston d³ is provided on the outside of its chest with a crank arm o³.
and a connecting rod G³ connects arm o³ with pin b. In this way all the pistons
apply their power to a common central shaft.
E denotes a steam supply chamber. It is of an annular form and surrounds the
bearing of engine-shaft B, see Figure 2. This chamber is integral with another
similar annular chamber F, serving as an exhaust chainber. The two chambers are
therefore located alongside of each other, being divided by a suitable partition,
and chamber E delivers steam to the several chests D', D3, D³, while chamber F
receives the exhaust steam from said chest. The chamber E is provided with a live
steam inlet e and the chamber F with an exhaust outlet f. F1, F2 and F3, designate
radially arranged steam supply pipes, leading from the annular chamber E
to the chest D', D2 and D³, respectively, said pipes in this particular example of
my invention being bent as shown, to allow them to be situated in the desired
manner. 11 and 1, denote exhaust ports or passages leading from the
chest D D and D³ respectively to the exhaust chamber F. The curved wall of
cach of the three chests is provided with a valve that controls the supply an
exhaust. H, H and H³ denote these valves belonging to the chests D', D2 and D³
respectively. These valves are ordinary plug-valves having any suitable con-
struction. They are located at the points where the supply and exhaust passages
enter. Running from the valve toward each of the radial sides of the chest so as
to deliver steam on either side of the piston, are the passages a¹ a³ (see the section
of chest D' in Figure 1). The valve is not only located between the terminals of
the passages a a², but also between the terminals of the exhaust and inlet passages,
as shown in Figure 1, so that by turning the valve, either of the passages a, u²
may be put into communication with the steam inlet, and likewise either of them
may be put in communication with the exhaust. In other words, when the valve
is in one position, it will connect the passage a' with the steam supply so that
steam will be conveyed into the chest on one side of the piston, and it will
simultaneously connect the passage a' with the exhaust, so that the steam in the
chest on the advancing side of the piston may exhaust through the passage a².
When the valve has been turned and caused. to occupy its other position it will

page_text: connect passage a² with the steam supply and passage a¹ with the exhaust, thus
permitting steam to enter the chest on the other side of the piston and causing a
reverse oscillation of the latter.
Mechanism for shifting the valves H H H at the end of each stroke so as to
insure the proper cut-off, is now to be described.
On the engine shaft B is an eccentric K, and this is encircled by the eccentric
strap. Jdenotes the governor wheel or casing on shaft B, alongside of the
eccentric. The plug-valves H1, H2, H3, are provided outside their seats with crank
arms 1, 3, respectively. These cranks are pivoted to links or connecting
rods, LL and L³ respectively, said rods being all connected to the eccentric
strap, the rods L2 and L3 being connected pivotally, and the rod L¹ rigidly.
Connecting rod L' supplies the place and function of an ordinary eccentric rod in
keeping the eccentric in place. While a pivotal connection therefore is sufficient
for rods 12 and L³, it is not for rod Li, and therefore the end of the latter is
inserted into a socket formed on the strap k, which socket holds the rod stiff
and rigid. It will therefore be obvious that the motion of the eccentric will move
the rods L'; L2 and L³, and thus cause the valves H, H2, H3 to be properly shifted
at the right time to allow the steam to work in the manner necessary to accomplish
the rotation of the engine shaft.
The governor mechanism which is located within the governor wheel J, consists
essentially of the centrifugally and centripetally acting weights P, P, pivoted at
the ends at p p and provided with the angular arms P P, which are automatically
adjustable on each other by a simple pin and slot connection. The weights P P
have also a yielding connection consisting of a spring Q. One of the weights
connects by link q with the eccentric. Said eccentric has a slot, as shown, which
allows it to adjust itself on the shaft. Also the hub of wheel J has an arm which
is pivoted to the eccentric. When the speed of the shaft becomes too great,
the weights separate and this shifts the eccentric and tends to partly cut off the
steam.
This governor mechanism is given simply as an example, and I am not restricted
thereto.
Referring now to Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, which illustrate a different form of
my improved engine; it will be seen that A designates a main casing or chamber
which may vary in size and shape as occasion requires, being preferably circular or
cylindrical in form and serving in a large measure as the main frame of the engine,
standing upright as it does on strong basal supports, and having a main shaft D,
of the engine supported centrally therein in a horizontal position where it is free
to rotate under the actuation of the several mechanical parts to be presently
mentioned. This main casing or drum A constitutes a closed cylindrical chamber,
one side of which is, a large circular cover-plate B, secured to the drum by bolts
or other suitable means. Within drum A, arranged around the central shaft D, is
the multiple arrangement of oscillating pistons for applying power to said shaft..
In Figure 5 the cover-plate B is broken away to show one of the pistons and its
enclosing sector cylinder. The cover-plate B and the opposite side of the drum A
constitute two sides of the sector cylinder, inasmuch as said cylinders are secured
rigidly within the drum A in the manner shown in Figure 5.
I denotes one of the sector cylinders, and E the Hat oscillating piston therein
secured on a rock-shaft supported in suitable hearings at the junction of the radial
sides of chest I. a denotes the valve which controls the admission of live steam
into the chest I, and the outlet of the exhaust steam therefrom. a, a denote steam
passages running from valve a³, to each end of the chest, so as to deliver live
steam at the proper times at points on either side of the oscillating piston.
a² denotes an outlet passage in the steam chest adjacent to the rim of drum A,
through which exhaust steam passes from the cylinder into drum A. a designates
a recess adjacent to the valve a³, into which live steam coming direct from the boiler
through suitable conduits is supplied to the cylinder for the purpose of actuating
the piston. The operation of the oscillating piston is substantially the same as

page_text: already explained in connection with Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. All the cylinders
discharge their exhaust steam directly into the interior of drum A, and this steam
therefore constantly surrounds the wall of the sector cylinders, keeping said walls
warm, and thereby permitting a higher degree of efficiency in the working steam
which is within the several cylinders. It is a pre-eminent and valuable advantage
in having the sector cylinders and their walls constantly exposed to warm steam.
Much better results and a vastly higher degree of efficiency can be obtained in this
way than is usually the case when the sector cylinders are situated in the open air
and unsurrounded with any warming melium.
C denotes a steam inlet or steam conduit running to the engine from the boiler
or some other suitable steam source. Said pipe C enters an annular steam
chamber C formed on the side of the plate B, which annular chamber surrounds
the main driving shaft D, as is clearly represented in Figures 5 and 6. The
annular steam chamber C is provided with radial branches C², C³, C, running to
certain points on the plate B, where they may have an opening coincident with
the several openings a in the several sector cylinders, into which opening the live
steam coming through the pipe C and following through the annular chamber C',
must find an inlet passage into the working chambers of the several cylinders.
Obviously the chamber C will have as many radial steam supplying branches as
there are sector cylinders to be supplied, and I have represented three such branches
in Figure 6, because in the present example of the invention the number of sector
cylinders arranged about the central shaft is three.
On the end of the main driving shaft D is a pin d. F, G, and H, represent
connecting rods extending from the several crank arms attached to the different
journals of the different oscillating pistons to the crank pin d,, with which they
are loosely and operatively connected, so that all the pistons may apply their
power to the common central shaft. The connecting rod F is preferably straight
and has a hub F, see Figure 8, that surrounds the crank pin d throughout its
whole length. The connecting rods G and H are both bent, and provided with
hubs G and H', that surround the hub F¹ on opposite sides of the straight rod F.
An example of one of the bent connecting rods, as for instance rod H, is given in
Figure 9, where it is seen that this rod has at one end the hub Hand at the other
end the hub H, both of which are split, as shown, and adapted to have bolts pass
through the split portions and tightened up or adjusted so that the lost motion
may be taken up. All three of the hubs which surround the crank pin d, that is,
hubs F, G and H', are split hubs provided with bolts and nuts, by the tightening
of which upon the lips, all lost motion can be taken up. This is thought
to be a valuable arrangement for combining the connecting rod with the crank
pin..
The mechanism for shifting the plug valves a³ at the end of each stroke so as
to insure the proper cut off, may be of any ordinary and convenient kind. On the
engine shaft D there is a balance wheel D', see Figure 5; also there is an
eccentric D on shaft D, in connection with which eccentric is arranged a governor
wheel J, and suitable governing mechanism. The motion of the eccentric will
operate reds connected to crank arms on the valve a³, and cause them to be properly
shifted at the right time to allow the steam to work in the manner necessary to
accomplish the rotation of the engine shaft. Any suitable governing mechanism
may be employed.
By the multiple arrangement of oscillating pistons around a common shaft, the
stoppage of the shaft on a dead center is effectually avoided. Also a very inuch
higher speed and a larger efficiency are attained than are possible with a single
oscillating piston or sector cylinder. All the advantages possessed by this
particular type of engine are multiplied in value by my arrangement. By the
provision of enclosing the casing which surrounds the multiple arrangement of
cylinders and enables them to be kept immersed in a volume of steam a great
advantage is gained. Also by the numerous details which combine with the
cylinders and their pistons to make a complete engine I attain many new and

page_text: improved benefits and provide an engine mechanism which for many purposes is
unexcelled by any other form.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein-described multiple sector cylin:ler engine, consisting in the
combination with the central main crank shaft of the engine, of three or more double
acting oscillating pistons for applying power to said shaft arranged around the
latter substantially equi-distant from each other and from the shaft and located in
substantially the same vertical plane, each of said pistons having its rock shaft
provided with a crank arm, and three or more separate and independent sector-
shaped steam cylinders containing said pistons and connecting rods which connect
the main engine shaft with the crank arins of each piston, together with a suitable
cut-off mechanism, substantially as described.
2. The herein-described multiple sector cylinder engine, consisting in the
combination with the main engine shaft, three or more double acting oscillating
pistons arranged around the latter for applying power thereto, suitable connecting
rods between the said pistons and the shaft, a live steam receptacle surrounding
and adjacent to the engine shaft and receiving its steam from the steam supply and
delivering it through passages to each cylinder, and an exhaust receptacle likewise
surrounding and adjacent to the engine shaft and receiving the exhaust from all
the cylinders, substantially as described.
3. The herein-described multiple sector cylinder steam engine, consisting in the
combination with the central drive shaft, of three or more double-acting oscillating
pistons for applying power to said shaft arranged around the latter substantially
equidistant from each other and from the shaft and located in substantially the
same vertical plane, each of said pistons having its rock shaft provided with a
crank arm, connecting rods which connect the main shaft with the crank arms of
each piston, a steam receptacle surrounding and adjacent to the engine shaft which
receives its steam from the steam supply conduits or pipes leading from this
receptacle to each of the cylinders, an exhaust receptacle surrounding and adjacent
to the engine shaft that receives the exhaust steam from the cylinders, valves in
each cylinder that control the steam supply as well as the exhaust, and automatically
operating cut off mechanism between these valves and the main shaft, substantially
as described.
4. In a steam engine, the combination of a series of oscillating pistons and their
sector-shaped cylinders all arranged so as to be double-acting, and each piston
having its rock-shaft provided with a crank arm, the driving shaft of the engine,
the connecting rods between the piston arms and the driving shaft, an annular steam
receptacle surrounding and adjacent to the shaft, pipes or conduits leading from
said receptacle to each cylinder, an annular exhaust receptacle likewise surrounding
und adjacent to the main shaft, passages leading from the cylinders to said
receptacle, valves in each cylinder controlling the supply and exhaust; eccentric
links connected thereto, the eccentric and a governor, substantially as described.
5. The herein-described sector-cylinder engine, consisting in the combination
with a central shaft, of three or more double-acting oscillating pistons for applying
power to said shaft arranged around the latter substantially equidistant from each
other and from the shaft and located in substantially the same vertical plane, each
of said pistons having its rock shaft provided with a crank arm, three or more
sector-shaped steam cylinders containing said pistons, connecting rods which connect
the main shaft with the crank arm of each piston, plug valves located in each
cylinder and having arms and rods attached to these arms and operated by the
main shaft for the purpose of providing an automatic cut-off, an annular steam
receptacle surrounding and adjacent to the main driving shaft, an annular exhaust
receptacle likewise surrounding and adjacent to the main shaft, and passages

page_text: leading from the steam and exhaust receptacles to the several cylinders, substantially
as described.
6. The herein-described multiple-sector cylinder engine, consisting in the
combination with the main central engine shaft, of three or more double-acting
oscillating pistons for applying power to said shaft, arranged around the latter
substantially equidistant from each other and from the shaft, three or more separate
and independent sector-shaped steam cylinders containing said pistons, suitable
connecting rods which connect the main shaft with the crank arns of each piston,
valves arranged in the several cylinders for controlling the supply and exhaust of
the steam for each side of the piston, rods connected to said valves and operated
automatically by the main shaft so that the cut off may be automatic, a steam
receptacle surrounding and adjacent to the main shaft, pipes running from said
receptacle to the several cylinders, an exhaust receptacle likewise surrounding and
adjacent to the main shaft, pipes leading from said exhaust receptacle to the several
cylinders, all substantially as described.
7. In an engine, the combination with the main engine shaft, of a series of three
or more sector-shaped cylinders arranged around the shaft, said cylinders being
separate and independent from each other and each having its own enclosing casing
or wall provided with ports, passages, and a valve, a series of double-acting
oscillating pistons located in said cylinders so as to receive steam alternately on
their opposite sides, connecting rods between said pistons and the shaft for applying
power to the latter, a live steam receptacle adjacent to the shaft and receiving its
steam from the steam supply, steam pipes leading from said receptacle to the several
cylinders, an exhaust receptacle likewise adjacent to the engine shaft and exhaust
pipes leading from the several cylinders to the said receptacle, substantially as
described.
8. In a steam engine, the combination of a central main crank shaft, three or
more double-acting oscillating pistons for applying power to said shaft arranged
around the latter substantially equidistant from each other and from the shaft and
located in substantially the same vertical plane, suitable connecting rods between
said pistons and the shaft, three or more separate and independent sector-shaped
steam cylinders containing said pistons, and a steam containing chamber within
which the several sector-shaped steam cylinders are located in such a manner that
they are constantly surrounded by steam, substantially as described, and shown in
Figures 5, 6 and 7.
9. In a steam engine, the combination of the central main crank shaft of the
engine, three or more double-acting oscillating pistons for applying power to said
shaft, arranged around the latter substantially equidistant from each other and
from the shaft and located in substantially the same vertical plane, suitable
connecting rods between said pistons and the shaft, three or more separate and
independent sector-shaped steam cylinders containing said pistons, an enclosing
steam containing chamber within which the several sector-shaped steam cylinders
are located in such a manner that they are constantly surrounded by steam which
exhausts thereinto from the several cylinders, and a steam supply chest on the face
of the enclosing casing from which steam is delivered to the several cylinders,
substantially as described, and shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.
10. In a steam engine, the combination of the main crank shaft of the engine,
three or more double acting oscillating pistons for applying power to said shaft
arranged around the latter substantially equidistant from each other and from the
shaft and located in substantially the same vertical plane, each of said pistons
having its rock shaft provided with a crank arm, three or more separate and
independent sector-shaped steam cylinders containing said pistons, connecting rods
which connect the main engine shaft with the crank arms of each piston, an
enclosing steam-containing chamber within which the several sector-shaped
steam-chests are located in such a manner that they are constantly surrounded by
steam which exhausts tbereinto from the several cylinders, a live steam chest on

page_text: the face of the said casing from which steam is delivered to the several cylinders,
and a suitable cut-off mechanism, all arranged and combined substantially as
described, and shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.
Dated this 26th day of March 1895.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.