Improvements in and relating to Explosion Engines or Motors.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 11th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1900
[Communicated from abroad by DAGOBERT WACHTEL and PETER STOLTZ, both of
138, Friedrichstrasse, Berlin, N.W., in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.]
Improvements in and relating to Explosion Engines or Motors.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to a combustion power or explosion engine wherein
ignition is effected not by an igniting device but by compression.
The main feature of the improved combustion power engine is that the gaseous
fuel alone condenses to a degree beyond that of the igniting temperature and is
then, in the working chamber, brought into contact with low temperature com-
pressed air.
The compressed air is produced in any suitable manner outside the working
chamber. For condensing the air under pressure a compressor may be used
which is operated by and simultaneously with the engine. Or compressed air
may be produced, independently of the operation of the engine itself, by any
other power; or it may be derived from any available source of compressed air.
Moreover, a number of combustion power engines of the improved construction
may be supplied from the same source of compressed air which in that case will
form a central station whence all the engines may be operated.
The condensation of the gas or gaseous mixture preferably takes place outside
the working chamber; and the arrangement for producing the condensed gas or
gaseous fuel may also be operated from a compressed air engine. But it is in
any case important that the condensation of the gas or gaseous fuel should, adia-
batically, be carried beyond the igniting temperature, so that any special ignit-
ing device may be dispensed with.
Where both the condensation of the combustion air and the compression of
the gas or gaseous fuel take place outside the working chamber, the air and gas
are as a rule admitted into such working chamber simultaneously or side by side
and the engine may work as a two-phase motor. Where, however, the gas or
gaseous fuel is condensed within the working chamber by the working piston,
a four-phase motor will be the result, as, during the two first strokes of the piston
the gaseous fuel will be admitted into and condensed in the working chamber,
while the admission of the condensed air and the discharge of the burnt gases
from the working chamber will take place during the two succeeding phases.
Owing to the fact that combustion air, compressed isothermically, or air under
pressure at a suitably low temperature, is employed, the temperature may, during
the process of combustion, be maintained at such a low degree that the main-
tenance of the structural parts of the machine in a sufficiently air-tight con-
dition shall be ensured.
Owing to the circumstance that it is not the combustion air, or a mixture of
such air with the gaseous fuel, but only this gaseous fuel alone that need be

page_text: condensed beyond the igniting temperature, a material saving of work is effected
in this engine, as compared, say, with the Diesel motor; the quantity of gaseous
fuel being less than the quantity of combustion air required for the performance
of each operation.
And further the combustion power engine constructed in accordance with this
invention affords certain important advantages in regard to the regulation of
its mode of operation and of the temperatures attained while it operates; it
being noteworthy in this respect that the quantity and temperature of the gaseous
fuel may each be varied independently of the other.
Besides, the improved combustion power-engine may be carried out in such
a manner that the condensed working air, before it is admitted into the working
chamber, is conducted around the cylinder, so that it may thereby bring about
an equalization of temperatures and produce a cooling air or heating effect within
the working cylinder, according to the prevailing average.
A number of forms of construction of the novel combustion power-engine
are hereinafter described.
According to one form of combustion the improved power-machine comprises
a working cylinder; an air-pump; a water-pump; a compressed air chamber;
a compressed air engine operating the compressor, wherein the gaseous fuel is
condensed.
The operation is as follows:-
While the engine operates, the air pump is driven from and together with,
the main driving shaft carrying a fly-wheel, motion being transmitted to it
through crank gearing in the well known manner; and the compressed air is
conveyed into the compressed air chamber through a pipe.
The water pump serves to inject cold water, as required, into the air pump,
or to force cold water through the jacket of such air pump, so as to obtain an
isothermal compression of the combustion air, or wholly and partly to check the
heating effect due to compression.
From the compressed air chamber, the condensed air passes through a pipe
into the working chamber of the working cylinder. Inasmuch as the temperature
of the compressed air is low, such air should preferably be in the first instance
made to flow around the cylinder so as to cool the same externally, the cylinder
being to this end surrounded by a casing or jacket. Hence the compressed air
passes through a pipe and valve which may be controlled in a suitable manner,
into the working chamber.
During or after the admission of the compressed air into the working chamber
the gaseous fuel is also introduced into such chamber at a sufficiently high pres-
sure. In one arrangement a valve box having a port opening into the end of the
cylinder is provided for this purpose. The gaseous fuel is conducted to the com-
pressor through the pipe; the compressor communicating with the said port
through a pipe and tube and an air pressure chamber being inserted at a con-
venient point of this connection. In the pipe connection there may be provided
a cock or valve which may either be adjustable to a predetermined width of aper-
ture, or controlled by means of suitable distributing gear. In front of the orifice
of the tube there may furthermore be arranged an appliance for additionally
heating the gas which is to be forced into the working chamber. An appliance
which may be adopted to this end is a spiral adapted to be heated by electricity.
The compressor is operated from a compressed air engine which is connected
with the compressed air pipe or the compressed air chamber, by a pipe. As the
gaseous fuel, at the same time as it is condensed in the compressor is heated up
to or beyond the igniting temperature and as, furthermore, the rise of tempera-
ture, caused by the pressure, may still be enhanced by the superheating device
or spiral, the combustion of the gas will begin the moment it enters the working
chamber, making any igniting device unnecessary.
After the completion of the working stroke, and as the piston recedes, the
burnt waste gases are discharged from the cylinder in the well-known manner

page_text: through the valve or equivalent device and the exhaust-pipe. The engine thus
operates in a two-phase cycle.
In another form, the engine is in its main features similar to that above
described. The compressed air chamber is here omitted, however, and the gaseous
fuel is not conducted into the working chamber of the cylinder direct. What
happens is, that both the compressed air and the gaseous fuel are first conducted
into an air chamber communicating with the working chamber. The connection
between the said air chamber and the working chamber may be open; or some
slide valve arrangement may here be inserted, so as to regulate the passage of
the combustible mixture from the combustion chamber into the working cham-
ber according to requirements.
The compressed air, in this case also is produced by means of the air pumps
and forced through the pipe into the jacket; then through such jacket; and lastly
through a pie into the combustion chamber. It has further been assumed that
by means of the compressed air, produced by the air pump, the motor, which
operated the compressor, is also set in operation. To this end there is provided
the pipe-connection into which an air-chamber may be conveniently inserted.
Suitable cocks or valves may be arranged on the pipes for regulating the admission
of compressed air and gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber.
As has already been pointed out, the motor, which serves for producing high-
pressure gaseous fuel, may be of any desired construction.
In the last described arrangement the pump, is also dispensed with, as, when
required, the heat resulting from compression, in the process of production of
compressed air in the air pump, may be turned to account in the preparatory
heating of the working cylinder. With regard to this, it is assumed that the
mean temperature in the working chamber is reduced to a minimum (of say, 300°
or 400° Centigrade). At all events, the average temperature in the working
chamber must in this case be lower than the temperature of the compressed air
produced in the air pump. Only upon this condition can some of the heat result-
ing from compression be imparted to the working mixture.
In order that combustion may take place in the working cylinder or in the
air chamber, at as low a temperature as possible, it is feasible, in addition to
causing a certain amount of heat to be yielded up to the working cylinder, still
further to cool down the compressed air with water or a like cooling agent, so
that such compressed air may enter the working chamber of the cylinder at a
sufficiently lowered temperature, the mean temperature in the working cylinder
might also be maintained as low as possible by providing for a maximum expan-
sion. Besides the mean temperature in the working cylinder may be reduced,
or controlled, by temporarily cutting off the supply of fuel gas and the corre-
spondingly varying the rate at which compressed air and combustible gas are
admitted.
Hence it follows that the mean temperature in the working cylinder may in
all cases be kept so low down that the working cylinder shall absorb heat from
the compressed air surrounding it.
It is in this feature that resides the advantage whereby this combustion power
engine is distinguished from previously existing machines of this class, where
the condensation of the compressed air takes place within the working cylinder,
so that the process of combustion commences at so high an initial temperature,
that the working cylinder has to be cooled externally.
The two forms of combustion engines herein described may be varied in many
respects. The admission of gaseous fuel may be regulated, by either forcing an
amount of gas proportionate to the amount of power yielded by the engine into
the working cylinder at each stroke of the compressor; or by providing special
distributing gear so as to regulate the amount of gas conducted to the cylinder
or compressor. The compressor may be operated in any suitable manner, it
being optional to substitute any other motor for the compressed air motor. In
front of the port there may be provided a sieve or strainer, or equivalent, so as

page_text: to ouable the gas to be forced into the working chamber in as finely divided a
condition as possible. Also, special devices may be provided for regulating the
quantities of compressed air admitted into the working chamber and the degree
of pressure and temperature of such air. The jacket may be dispensed with
and the compressed air be admitted into the working chamber direct.
1
In a further modified arrangement of the engine a somewhat different method
of operation is adopted; the condensation of the gaseous fuel taking place, not
in a compressor arranged outside the working cylinder, but in the working cham-
ber of the cylinder itself.
In this construction the compressed air is produced by the piston which,
through an exhaust pipe and lower left hand valve, draws in air, while, as it com-
pletes its return stroke it forces the air through a lower right hand valve, a pipe
and an upper right-hand slide-valve, into the working chamber of the cylinder.
In this case the pipe may serve as a compressed air reservoir and be supplemented
by an air chamber. The gas is conducted to the upper left-hand valve through
another pipe.
The upper right, left and central valves are preferably arranged in juxtaposi-
tion they may be rotary slide valves controllable in all direction, which may be
effected by means of toothed gearing operated from the main shaft. The upper
left hand valve sèrves for the admission of gas, and the upper right hand valve,
for the admission of compressed air; while the upper central valve discharged
the exhaust gases.
The operation of this form of engine is therefore, as follows:
During the first-downward-stroke of the piston the upper right hand com-
pressed air valves and the central or exhaust valve remain closed, while gas is
admitted through the upper left hand valve: it is not necessary for this gas to be
under pressure.
At the same time as gas is thus drawn in, air-compression is in
progress on the other side of the piston, and the air is in consequence, forced into
the pipe, or (in other words) into the air-chamber. During the ensuing return-
stroke of the piston-the gas-inlet valve having in the meantime been closed-
there takes place, in the working chamber, the condensation of the gaseous fuel
to a degree exceeding the igniting temperature; while at the same time, on the
opposite side of the piston, air is again drawn in through the pipe and left hand
lower valve. During the next-following stroke of the piston, the upper right
hand valve opens and compressed air rushes in and meets the combustible gas
heated beyond the igniting temperature; hence combustion takes place. Mean-
time the piston on its other side condenses the air drawn in and drives it into the
force-pipe. As the piston next performs its return stroke, the inlet valves are
closed, while the burnt gases escape through the outlet valve which is now open
These operations are repeated over and over again in the same order of succession.
In this arrangement, the casing, of the cylinder may be fitted for the whole
or part of its length, with a cooling jacket for the circulation of air, water or the
like. Also, for the admission of compressed air any suitable arrangements may
be adopted, and such air may be derived from a compressor operating indepen-
dently of the engine or from any other source. Again, the compressed air which
is produced may be conducted, as in the forms of combustion engines previously
described, through the casing of the cylinder, prior to being admitted into the
working chamber, so as either to give up heat to the cylinder, or to absorb heat
from the same, according to the special conditions under which the work is carried
on, all as above explained.
The compressed air is preferably admitted into the working chamber in the
form of thin jets, so that as close and thorough a mixture as possible may result
and that complete combustion is ensured.
In the form of combustion engine last described, also, operations may be regu-
lated by any convenient appliances, by determining the supplies of air and gas
according to requirements.
In all these forms of apparatus the important point is that the gaseous fuel, by

page_text: itself is condensed to such a degree that the igniting temperature is sufficiently
exceeded, and that this high-pressure is then caused to come in contact with low-
temperature compressed air in the working chamber. The composition of the
gas is optional; indeed liquid fuel in the form of spray, or a mixture of com-
bustible gases and spray of one or more kinds of liquid fuel, may be used in
operating the engine. Besides, the construction of the combustion engine may
be varied by arranging for actual work to be done on both sides of the piston.
Also, the two methods of operation hereinabove described-whereby the gaseous
fuel is condensed to a degree of heat exceeding the ignition temperature either
within or without the working chamber-may be combined in one engine;
the engine operating, for example, according to one method on one side of the
piston, and after the other method, on the opposite side of such piston. The cylinder
of the engine may be either open or closed. The degree of final compression of
the working mixture may be regulated so as to be lower than the atmospheric
pressure, where more than one cylinder are employed, the compound arrange-
ment may be adopted.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant,
Improvements in and relating to Explosion Engines or Motors.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a combustion power or explosion engine wherein
ignition is effected not by an igniting device but by compression.
The main feature of the improved combustion power engine is that the gaseous
fuel alone condenses to a degree beyond that of the igniting temperature and is
then, in the working chamber, brought into contact with low temperature com-
pressed air.
The compressed air is produced in any suitable manner outside the working
chamber. For compressing the air a compressor may be used which
is operated by and simultaneously with the engine. Or compressed air may
be produced, independently of the operation of the engine itself, by any
other power; or it may be derived from any available source of compressed air.
Moreover a number of combustion power-engines of the improved construction
may be supplied from the same source of compressed air which in that case will
form a central station whence all the engines may be operated.
The compression of the gas or gaseous mixture preferably takes place outside
the working chamber; and the arrangement for producing the compressed gas or
gaseous fuel may also be operated from a compressed air engine. But it is in
any case important that the compression of the gas or gaseous fuel should, adia-
batically, be carried beyond the igniting temperature, so that any special ignit-
ing device may be dispensed with.
Where the compression of the combustion air and gas or gaseous
fuel take place outside the working chamber, the air and gas are, as
a rule, admitted into such working chamber simultaneously or side by side, and
the engine may work as a two-phase motor. Where however, the gas or

page_text: gaseous fuel is compressed within the working chamber by the working piston,
a four phase motor will be the result, as during the first two strokes of the piston
the gaseous fuel will be admitted into and compressed in the working chamber,
we the admission of the compressed air, and the discharge of the burnt gases
from the working chamber will take place during the two successive phases.
Owing to the fact that combustion air, compressed isothermically, or air under
pressure at a suitable low temperature, is employed, the temperature may, during
the process of combustion, be maintained at such a low degree that the main-
tenance of the structural parts of the machine in a sufficiently air-tight con-
dition shall be ensured.
Owing to the circumstance that it is not the combustion air, or a mixture of
such air with the gaseous fuel, but only the gaseous fuel alone that need be com-
pressed beyond the igniting temperature, a material saving of work is effected
in this engine, as compared, say, with the Diessel motor; the quantity of gascous
fuel being less than the quantity of combustion air required for the performance
of each operation.
And further the combustion power engine constructed in accordance with this
invention affords certain important advantages in regard to the regulation of
its mode of operation and of the temperatures attained while it operates; it
being noteworthy in this respect that the quantity and temperature of the gaseous
fuel may each be varied independently of the other.
Besides, the improved combustion power-engine may be carried out in such
a manner that the compressed working air, before it is admitted into the working
chamber, is conducted around the cylinder, so that it may thereby bring about
an equalization of temperature and produce a cooling or heating effect within
the working cylinder, according to the prevailing average temperature.
A number of forms of construction of the novel combustion power-engine
are represented by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of such a combustion power-engine comprising a com-
pressed air chamber charged from a compressor which is operated by the power
machine, the working cylinder being shown in section.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is an elevation--with the working cylinder in section-of a modi-
fied arrangement of the combustion power engine;
Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 3.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a vertical arrangement of the combustion power-
engine one modification in this case affecting the working piston which at the
same time serves as a medium for the production of compressed air, while a fur-
ther modification resides in the fact that the compression of the gaseous fuel is
effected within the working chamber.
Figure 7 is a section of the distributing valve gear employed in this case.
In the form of combustion power-engine represented in Figures 1 and 2,
g designates the working cylinder having a working chamber A; a an air-pump;
d a water-pump; c, a compressed air chamber; 1, a compressed air engine opera-
ting the compressor m, wherein the gaseous fuel is compressed.
The operation is as follows:-
While the engine operates, the air pump a, is driven from, and together with,
the shaft T carrying a fly-wheel S, motion being transmitted to it through crank-
gearing in the well known manner; and the compressed air is conveyed into the
compressed air chamber c through a pipe b.
The pump d Figure 2, serves to inject cold water, as required, into the air
pump a, or to force cold water through the jacket of such air pump so as to obtain
an isothermal compression of the combustion air, or wholly and partly to check
the heating effect due to compression.
From the chamber c, the compressed air passes through a pipe e into the cham-
ber A of the working cylinder g. Inasmuch as the temperature of the compressed
air is low, such air should preferably be in the first instance made to flow around

page_text: the cylinder g so as to cool the same externally, the cylinder being to this end sur-
rounded by a casing or jacket f, as shown in Figure 1. Hence the compressed
air passes through a pipe h and through the valve i which may be controlled in
a suitable manner, into the working chamber A.
sure.
During or after the admission of the compressed air into the working chamber A
the gaseous fuel is also introduced into such chamber at a sufficiently high pres-
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 the port t is provided for this purpose.
The gaseous fuel is conducted to the compressor m through the pipe n, Figure 1;
the compressor m communicating with the said port t through a pipe q and tube r,
and pressure chamber o being inserted at a convenient point of this connection.
In the pipe q there may be provided a cock or valve p which may either be adjust-
able to a pre-determined width of aperture, or controlled by means of suitable
distributing rear. In front of the orifice of the tube r there may furthermore
be arranged an appliance for additionally heating the gas which is to be forced
into the working chamber. The appliance which is supposed to be adapted to
this end in Figure 1 is a spiral s adapted to be heated by electricity. The com-
pressor m is operated from a compressed air engine which is connected with the
compressed air pipe e, or the compressed air chamber c, by a pipe k. As the gaseous
fuel, at the same time as it is compressed in the compressor m is heated up to or
beyond the igniting temperature, and as, furthermore, the rise of the temperature,
caused by the pressure, may still be enhanced by the superheating devices, the
combustion of the gas will begin the moment it enters the working chamber A,
making any igniting device unnecessary.
After the completion of the working stroke, and as the piston recedes, the burnt
waste gases are discharged from the cylinder in the well-known manner through
the valve or equivalent device and the exhaust pipe 2. The engine thus operates
in a two-phase cycle.
f
The form of engine shown in Figures 3 and 4 is in its main feature similar to
that above described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The compressed air
chamber Figure 2 is here omitted, however, and the gaseous fuel is not conducted
into the working chamber A of the cylinder direct.
9
What happens is, that both
the compressed air and the gaseous fuel are first conducted into a mixing cham-
ber communicating with the working cylinder 7. The combustion takes place
in the mixing chamber w, owing to the temperature of the gases introduced
therein, being higher than the igniting temperature. The passage connecting
the said mixing chamber wand the working cylinder 7 is controlled by a suitable
slide-valve such as i for the purpose of closing such passage during the backward
stroke of the piston.
༡
The compressed air. in this case also, is produced by means of the air pump a,
Figure 4, and forced through the pipe e into the jacket f (Figure 3); then through
It has further been
such jacket and lastly through a pipe h into the chamber w.
assumed that by means of the compressed air, produced by the air pump a, the
motor, which operated the compressor m. is also set in operation. To this end
there is provided the pipe-connection b shown in Figure 4. into which an air-
chamber may be conveniently inserted. Both in the pipe h and in the pipe q
suitable cocks or valves may be arranged for regulating the admission of com-
pressed air and gaseous fuel into the mixing chamber .
As has already been pointed out, the motor 7, which serves for producing high-
pressure gaseous fuel, may be of any desired construction.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 the pump d, which was repre-
sented in Figure 2, is also dispensed with. as, when required, the heat resulting
from compression, in the process of production of compressed air in the air pump a.
may be turned to account in the preparatory heating of the working cylinder g.
With regard to this. it is assumed that the mean temperature in the working
chamber A is reduced to a minimum (of say, 300° or 400° Centigrade). At all
events, the average temperature in the working chamber A must in this case be
lower than the temperature of the compressed air produced in the air pump a.

page_text: Only upon this condition can some of the heat resulting from compression be im-
parted to the working mixture.
The explosion takes place in the mixing chamber w, and in order that this may
be effected at as low a temperature as possible, it is preferable in addition to
causing a certain amount of heat to be yielded up to the working cylinder g, to
still further cool down the compressed air with water or a like cooling agent, so
that such compressed air may enter the working chamber of the cylinder g at a
sufficiently lowered temperature. The mean temperature in the working cylinder
might also be maintained as low as possible by providing for a maximum expan-
sion. The mean temperature in the working cylinder may be reduced, or con-
trolled by temporarily cutting off the supply of fuel gas and correspondingly
varying the rate at which compressed air and combustible gas are admitted.
Hence it follows that the mean temperature in the working cylinder may in all
cases be kept so low down that the working cylinder 7 shall absorb heat from the
compressed air surrounding it.
It is in this feature that resides the advantage whereby this combustion power-
engine is distinguished from previously existing machines of this class, where
the compression of the air takes place within the working cylinder, so that the
process of combustion commences at so high an initial temperature, that the work-
ing cylinder has to be cooled externally.
The two forms of combustion engines herein described may be varied in many
respects. The admission of gaseous fuel may be regulated, by either forcing an
amount of gas, proportionate to the amount of power yielded by the engine into
the working cylinder g at each stroke of the compressor; or by providing special
distributing gear so as to regulate the amount of gas conducted to the cylinder
or compressor. The compressor may be operated in any suitable manner, it being
optional to substitute any other motor for the compressed air motor 1. In front
of the port t there may be provided a sieve or strainer, or equivalent, so as to enable
the gas to be forced into the working chamber A in as finely divided a condition
as possible. Also, special devices may be provided for regulating the quantities
of compressed air admitted into the working chamber on the degree of pressure
and temperature of such air. In the drawings these regulating or distributing
devices are not shown as they are not essential to the invention. The jacket f
may be dispensed with and the compressed air be admitted into the working cham-
ber direct.
In the modified arrangement of the engine shown in Figures 5 to 7 a somewhat
different method of operation is adopted; the compression of the gaseous fuel
taking place, not in a compressor arranged outside the working cylinder, but in
the working chamber A of the cylinder itself.
In this construction the compressed air is produced by the piston P which,
through an exhaust pipe a and valve ¹, draws in air, while, as it completes its
return stroke, it forces the air through the valve, pipe h and slide-valve i, into
the working chamber A of the cylinder g. In this case the pipe h may serve as
a compressed air reservoir and be supplemented by an air chamber W. The gas
is conducted to the valve through the pipe p¹.
The three valves p, .r and i are preferably arranged in juxtaposition; as shown
in Figure 7 they may be rotary slide valves controllable in all directions. In the
drawing this is supposed to be effected by means of toothed gearing operated from
the main shaft such as H J K L. The valve serves for the admission of gas
and the valve i for the admission of compressed air; while the valve a discharges
the exhaust gases. Accordingly, in Figure 7, 2¹ designates the gas supply pipe;
h', the compressed air supply-pipe and the pipe for carrying the combustion
gases away from the working cylinder.
The operation of this form of engine is therefore, as follows:
-
During the first-downward stroke of the piston the compressed air valve i
and exhaust valve r remain closed while gas is admitted through the valve pit
is not necessary for this gas to be under pressure. At the same time as gas is thus

page_text: drawn in, air-compression is in progress on the other side of the piston p, and
the air is, in consequence, forced into the pipe h, or (in other words) into the mix-
ing chamber W. During the ensuing return stroke of the piston 1 the gas inlet
vaive having in the meantime been closed- there takes place, in the working
chamber A, the compression of the gaseous fuel to a degree exceeding the igniting
temperature; while at the same time, on the opposite side of the piston, air is
again drawn in through the pipe a and valve c. During the next following
stroke of the piston, the valve opens and compressed air rushes in and meets the
combustible gas heated beyond the igniting temperature; hence combustion
takes place. Meantime the piston l' on its other side compresses the air drawn
in and drives it into the force-pipe h. As the piston next performs its return
stroke, the inlet-valves and i are closed, while the buint gases escape through
the outlet valve which is now open. These operations are repeated over and
over again in the same order of succession.
In this arrangement, illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 the casing of the cylinder g
may be fitted, for the whole or part of its length, with a cooling jacket f, for the
circulation of air, water or the like. Also for the admission of compressed air
any suitable arrangements may be adopted, and such air may be derived from a
compressor operating independently of the engine or from any other source.
Again, the compressed air which is produced may be conducted, as in the forms
of combustion engines previously described, through the casing of the cylinder,
prior to being admitted into the working chamber A, so as either to give up heat
to the cylinder, or to absorb heat from the same, according to the special condi-
tions under which the work is carried on, all as above explained.
The compressed air is preferably admitted into the working chamber in the
form of thin jets, so that as close and thorough a mixture as possible may result
and that complete combustion is ensured.
In the form of combustion engine last described, also, operations may be regu-
lated by any convenient appliances, by determining the supplies of air and gas
according to requirements.
In all these forms of apparatus the important point is, that only the gaseous
fuel is compressed to such a degree that the igniting temperature is sufficiently
exceeded, and that this high pressure is then caused to come in contact with low
temperature compressed air in the working chamber A. The composition of the
gas is optional; indeed liquid fuel in the form of spray, or a mixture of combus-
tible gases and spray of one or more kinds of liquid fuel, may be used in operating
this engine. Besides, the construction of the combustion engine may be varied
by arranging for actual work to be done on both sides of the piston. Also, the
two methods of operation hereinabove described--whereby the gaseous fuel is
condensed to a degree of heat exceeding the igniting temperature either within
or without the working chamber-may be combined in one engine; the engine
operating, for example, according to one method on one side of the piston, and
after the other method, on the opposite side of such piston. The cylinders of the
engine may either be open or closed. The exhaust pressure of the working mix-
ture may be so regulated as to be lower than the atmospheric pressure, by the use
of several cylinders arranged on the compound system.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. An explosion engine, characterized by the means for the compression of the
gaseous combustion material to a temperature above the igniting temperature in
combination with means for supplying compressed air at a temperature below the
igniting temperature of the former, in such a manner that in the working cham-
ber the combustion material heated to above its igniting temperature is mixed
with compressed air of lower temperature, substantially as herein before described
and shown.

page_text: 2. An explosion engine as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by an auxiliary
chamber in which the gas heated to above its igniting temperature and the com-
pressed air for combustion of lower temperature are mixed together, such mixing
chamber being in communication with the cylinder of the engine and if desired a
mechanically operated valve may be placed in the communication pipe, substan-
tially as herein before described and shown.
3. An explosion engine as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by a separate com-
pressor of any convenient construction for compressing the gaseous combustion
material to above its igniting temperature from which it is conducted either direct
into the cylinder of the engine or into a mixing chamber where it is then mixed
with the compressed air of lower temperature, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown.
4. An explosion engine as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the work-
ing chamber is used for compressing the gaseous combustion material to above
its igniting temperature, and further characterized by the means for introducing
cool compressed air into the said working chamber to mix with the previously
compressed and highly heated gas, substantially as herein before described and
shown.
5. In the explosion engine claimed in Claim 1, the arrangement of the air con-
duit around the engine cylinder for warming the air before entering the working
explosion chamber, or the mixing chamber while cooling the cylinder, substan-
tially as herein before described and shown.
6. In the explosion engine claimed in Claim 1, an arrangement for compressing
air in combination with a collecting vessel for storing the compressed air, sub-
stantially as herein before described and shown.
Dated this 11th day of October 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.