Gas or Oil Turbines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Gas or Oil Turbines.
HENRY THOMAS EDGE, 64, Seel Street, Liverpool, Lancs., Gas Manager, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The turbine constructed according to this invention is operated by an explosion
or explosions, known as Berthelots explosive wave. It is generated by inflaming
a considerable portion of mixture of gas and air, or of a mixture of vapour, or
gas of hydrocarbons, such as petroleum, benzine, spirit or the like; at once, and
so causing the transmission of a shock from molecule to molecule of the unin-
flamed mixture, this shock causes an ignition velocity nearly as rapid as the
actual mean velocity of the movement of the gaseous molecules at the high
temperature of combustion. This explosive force is directed and exerted against
and into chambers formed as hereinafter described.
The part of the turbine that moves under the action of the explosive force, is
composed of an annular disc or wheel, capable of revolving on a shaft fitted to its
axis, and having suitable bearings.
Around the periphery of the said disc or wheel there are a number of chambers
or buckets formed or fitted, against and into which the explosive forces are
directed.
In order to ensure the proper direction of the explosive forces towards the
chambers on the said disc or wheel, there may be fitted a suitable casing or
framing.
There are also provided in connection with the framing suitable passages or
valves, for the introduction of fresh air, and for the emission of the spent or
exhaust gases.
There are also provided and fitted by suitable means to the aforesaid framing,
a tube or chamber of suitable construction, and fitted at a suitable angle, so that
one end is directed toward the chambers or buckets on the aforesaid disc or
wheel. This chamber may be called the second explosion chamber.
On the opposite end of the second explosion chamber and projecting into it are
two chambers, constructed of two tubes, one within the other, and having an
annular space between them, and a space in the central portion of the inner tube:
these spaces being connected and leading into each other and into the second
explosion chamber by suitable passages.
The central space in the inner tube, may be called the first explosion chamber.
The annular space between the two tubes and the passages leading therefrom,
are for the transmission and diffusion of gas or vapour into the first and second
explosion chambers. Adjoining and connected with the first explosion chamber,
there is a further chamber "A," having a suitable passage or passages to allow
gas or vapor to enter. The gas supply being controlled by a valve or piston
valve situated in this chamber.
This piston or valve also projects into the first explosion chamber, governing
the supply of gas or vapour into the explosion chambers. The piston or valve is

page_text: provided with a central space, in which may be fitted a spiral spring or springs,
or such like to control the piston and return it to its normal position after each
explosion; and other springs may be provided to act as buffers or cushions to the
piston when returning. In the central space of the piston and connected with the
first explosion chamber, there are also provided a suitable means of igniting the
gaseous mixture.
The piston may also be provided with suitable means for the prevention of the
gases escaping.
To start the turbine, the piston valve may be moved upwards by hand or other-
wise, which allows a small quantity of gas or vapour to be introduced into the
chamber A." The piston valve is then actuated by a spring, causing it to
return to its normal position, forcing the gas or vapour through the annular
chamber between the tubes, and through the passages into the first and second
explosion chambers, thus causing the gas or vapour to intimately mix with the
air contained therein.
At this moment the gas or vapour in the first explosion chamber is ignited,
causing a sudden volume of flame to be forced into and penetrate the uninflamed
gaseous mixture in the second explosion chamber, so causing the transmission of
a shock from molecule to molecule of the uninflamed mixture. This shock
causes an ignition velocity which acts rapidly and is transmitted from one mole-
cule of gaseous mixture to the others. This rapid explosive force is directed to
the chambers or buckets on the periphery of the disc or wheel, causing it to
rotate. While the disc or wheel is revolving, the spent or exhausted gases are
carried out through the passages provided in the framing, and fresh air is intro-
duced through other passages provided in the framing.
While the explosion is progressing in the second chamber, some portion of the
force generated, enters the first chamber, exerting its force against the piston,
causing it to recede and it compresses the spring. It then allows another portion
of gas to enter the chamber "A"; the gas is then forced, by the exertion of the
spring upon the piston through the tubes and passages into the explosion
chambers, it is then ignited, and these operations are repeated as herein-before
described in rapid succession. It is evident, any number of turbines, can be
so arranged on one shaft, to act in conjunction with, or independently of the
others.
Dated this 16th day of December 1898
HENRY THOMAS EDGE, 10, Second Avenue, Fazakerley, Lancashire, late of 64,
Seel Street, Liverpool, Gas Manager, 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:-
The turbine constructed according to this invention, is operated by an
explosion or explosions, known as Berthelots explosive wave.
It is generated by inflaming a considerable portion of mixture of gas and air,
or of a mixture of vapour and air, or gas of hydrocarbon, such as petroleum,
benzine, spirit or the like and air, at once, and so causing the transmission of a
shock from molecule to molecule of the uninflamed mixture, this shock causes
an ignition velocity, nearly as rapid as the actual mean velocity of the move-
ment of the gaseous molecules at the high temperature of combustion.

page_text: This explosive force is directed and exerted against and into chambers formed
as hereinafter described.
The turbine may be built of any, or all of the metals, or other suitable
materials.
Fig. 1 is partly shown as an elevated and vertical section of turbine.
Fig. 2 showing part elevation of casing of disc, and broken away to show
inside tube.
Fig. 3 section of disc through centre.
The part of the turbine that moves under the action of the explosive force, is
composed of an annular disc or wheel X, capable of revolving on a shaft B,
properly fitted to its axis, the shaft being provided with and running in suitable
bearings C.
Around the periphery of the said disc or wheel, there are a number of
chambers or buckets D, formed or fitted.
In order to ensure the proper direction of the explosive forces towards the
chambers on the said disc, there are fitted suitable casings or framings E, E1;
to which are attached brackets for carrying the bearings and such like, provision
being also made for standards and lugs or ears. There are also provided in
connection with the framing E, suitable passages or valves F, for the introduction
of fresh air, and for the emission of the spent or exhausted gases; these passages
can be used alternately for the introduction of air, or for the emissions of spent
gases.
In connection with, and fitted by suitable means to the aforesaid framing, are
provided two tubes, as shown in Fig. 1, each independent of the other, and so
arranged and fitted on opposite portions of the framing, that one or the other
can be used as a reversing motion, by controlling the gas supply and ignition
portion.
These tubes are to be of suitable construction, and fitted at such an angle,
that the ends G2 are directed towards the chambers or buckets on the disc X.
There are provided passages at G2, from the chamber G1, into and through the
casing E.
The chamber G1, may be called the second explosion chamber.
On the opposite ends of G2, and projecting into the chambers G1, shown in
the section Fig. 1, are two chambers H, H1, constructed of two tubes, one within
the other, and having an annular space between them H 1, and a space in the
central portion of the inner tube H, these spaces being connected, and leading
into each other, and into the chamber G 1.
The central space H, may be called the first explosion chamber.
The annular space H 1, is for the transmission of gas or vapour from a further
chamber A, and for its diffusion through the passages H2, into the chamber H
and G 1.
The gas is supplied to the chamber A, by the tube or passage K.
The gas supply is controlled by a valve or piston valve L, situated in
chamber A, and projecting into the chamber H. The valve L, is provided with
a central space, in which may be fitted a spiral or volute spring M, or such like,
to control the piston L; other springs N, may be provided to act as buffers or
cushions to the piston L.
In the central space of the piston valve L, and connected with the chamber H,
there may be provided a suitable means of igniting the gaseous mixture, either
an electric sparking arrangement as shown, or a firing tube, or such like.
The piston may be provided with suitable means, such as a piston ring, or the
like, for to prevent the gases escaping.
To start the turbine, the piston L, may be moved upwards by hand, or other-
wise, which will allow, a small quantity of gas to be introduced from K, into
the chamber A. The piston L, is then actuated by the spring M, causing it to
return to its normal position, shutting off the supply of gas from K, and forcing
the gas or vapour introduced, through the annular chamber H1, and then

page_text: through the passages into the chambers H and G1, thus causing the gas to
intimately mix with the air contained in the chambers H and G 1.
At this moment the gas or vapour mixture in the first explosion chamber H,
is ignited, causing a sudden volume of flame to be forced into, and penetrate the
uninflamed gaseous mixture in the second explosion chamber G 1, so causing the
transmission of a shock from molecule to molecule of the uninflamed mixture
in G 1. This shock causes an ignition velocity, which acts rapidly, and is
transmitted throughout the whole of the gaseous mixture in G 1. This rapid and
violent explosive force is directed to the chambers D, on the periphery of the
disc X, causing the disc to rotate.
While the disc X is revolving, the spent or exhausted gases are carried out
through one of the passages F, provided in the framing, while fresh air is intro-
duced through the other passage F.
While the explosion is progressing in the second chamber G 1, some portion of
the force generated enters the first chamber H, exerting its force against the
piston L, causing the piston to recede past K, and compress the spring M. It
then allows another portion of gas to enter the chamber A, the gas is then
forced by the exertion of the spring M, upon the piston, through the chamber H1,
into the explosion chambers, it is then mixed with the air, then ignited, and
exploded, and these operations are repeated as hereinbefore described in rapid
succession.
It will be readily understood, that any number of turbines, can be fitted or
arranged on one shaft to act in conjunction with, or independently of the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-'
1. The application of the Berthelot wave as described, to gas or oil turbines.
2. The utilization of the Berthelot wave as described, for motive power.
3. The general arrangements as described, gas or oil turbines, for the appli-
cation of the Berthelot wave.
Dated this 19th day of September 1899.
HENRY THOMAS EDGE.