IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, FLUID METERS, AND PUMPS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fielding, of the Atlas Iron Works, Gloucester, in
the County of Gloucester, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, FLUID METERS, AND PUMPS."
Sealed the 6th August 1878, and dated the 22nd February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Fielding at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1878.
"
JOHN FIELDING, of the Atlas Iron Works, Gloucester, in the County of Gloucester,
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, FLUID METERS, AND
PUMPS."
My Invention relates to a novel construction of engine to be worked by water or
other fluid under pressure, having for its object simplicity and compactness, a like
construction being applicable as a fluid meter, and as a pump for raising or forcing
fluids.
According to this construction a cylinder, open at both ends, is fitted to oscillate
on trunnions within a casing bored concentric with the axis of the trunnions. The
ends of the cylinder are provided with lips or flanges curved to fit the interior of
the casing, which is made with suitable ports and passages, so that as the cylinder
oscillates its lips act as slides, partially rotating, covering, and uncovering the ports
of the casing, and so governing the admission of the fluid to either or both ends of
the cylinder, and its emission therefrom. These lips are preferably made adjustable,
and pressed by springs to allow for wear. The cylinder is fitted with a piston, the
rod of which works through a guide at one end of the cylinder, and is jointed to a
crank on a shaft. The crank is cased in, and its shaft passes through stuffing boxes
in the sides of the casing. The piston rod guide and the shaft bearings may be
fitted with wood strips.
Several engines as described above may be arranged to act on one crank shaft,

page_text: The apparatus may be used as a meter by connecting a counter to its shaft, so as
to measure or register the quantity of fluid passing through it.
Also, by driving the crank shaft by extraneous power, the apparatus may be
employed as a pump for raising or forcing liquids or exhausting or compressing
aeriform fluids.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Fielding in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th August
1878.
JOHN FIELDING, of the Atlas Iron Works, Gloucester, in the County of Gloucester,
Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FLUID PRESSURE ENGINES, FLUID METERS, AND
PUMPS."
My Invention relates to a novel construction of engine to be worked by water or
other fluid under pressure, having for its object simplicity and compactness, a like
construction being applicable as a fluid meter, and as a pump for raising or forcing
fluids.
According to this construction a cylinder, open at both ends, is fitted to oscillate
on trunnions within a casing bored concentric with the axis of the trunnions. The
ends of the cylinder are provided with lips or flanges curved to fit the interior of
the casing, which is made with suitable ports and passages, so that as the cylinder
oscillates its lips act as slides, partially rotating, covering, and uncovering the ports
of the casing, and so governing the admission of the fluid to either or both ends of
the cylinder and its emission therefrom. These lips are preferably made adjustable,
and pressed by springs to allow for wear. The cylinder is fitted with a piston, the
rod of which works through a guide at one end of the cylinder, and is jointed to a
crank on a shaft. The crank is cased in, and its shaft passes through stuffing boxes
in the sides of the casing. The piston rod guide and the shaft bearings may be
fitted with wood strips.
Several engines as described above may be arranged to act on one crank shaft.
The apparatus may be used as a meter by connecting a counter to its shaft, so as
to measure or register the quantity of fluid passing through it.
Also, by driving the crank shaft by extraneous power, the apparatus may be
employed as a pump for raising or forcing liquids or exhausting or compressing
aeriform fluids.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a transverse section through one of the cylinders of a two-
cylinder hydraulic engine or pump, according to this Invention, and Fig. 2 repre-
sents a longitudinal section of the same, one of the cylinders being shewn in side
elevation.
A, A, are the cylinders fitted with pistons B, B, the rods of which work through
guides C, C, in the ends of the cylinders, and are jointed to cranks D, D, on the
shaft E. On each of the cylinders A are fitted the lips or flanges F, F, curved to

page_text: fit the interior of the cylindrical casing G, within which the cylinders are caused
to oscillate on trunnions g, g, by the revolution of the cranks. The lips F form
slide valves governing ports h, h, opening from two passages H, H, the one of which,
in the case of a hydraulic engine, is supplied with water under pressure, and the
other leads to the exhaust; or when the apparatus is used for pumping one of the
passages H, H, is connected to the suction, and the other to the discharge. The
cranks are enclosed within a casing K, having at its sides stuffing boxes through
which the shaft passes. Nuts f. f, are provided for setting up the lips Fas they wear,
leather or other suitable elastic packing fl being introduced between them. The
crank pins and shaft work in bearings lined with wooden strips.
Fig. 3 represents a transverse section, and Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of a three-
cylinder engine, each of the cylinders A being single acting fitted with a plunger B,
and the three plungers working on a single central crank D. In this case the
working fluid entering by the pipe H is led by passages H formed in the casing to
the three supply ports h₁, and the fluid is discharged by the ports into the central
cavity K, whence it issues by the pipe H³.
Fig. 5 represents a transverse section, and Fig. 6 a sectional plan of a modified
arrangement of a cylinder according to this Invention, in which the casing G is
tapered and lips F are in one piece, fitting therein like the plug of a stop-cock in
its shell. Soft packing, such as asbestos c, is provided to secure tightness at the
sides and ends, the end covers L, L, of the casing being set up by bolts l, l. A
throttle valve M may be fitted as shewn in the supply passage, and may be worked
by a governor.
Fig. 7 represents a transverse section, and Fig. 8 a longitudinal section of a
reversing valve, which may be applied to one of the covers L of Fig. 6 for the
purpose of directing the supply into and the discharge from either of the
passages H, H. The supply by the pipe N is led to spaces n, n, at the sides of the
valve, and the discharge is by passages o, o, into the central cavity of the valve
communicating with a cavity O, whence there is a discharge pipe. When the
valve is in the position shewn in Fig. 7 the supply passes to H¹, and the discharge
is from H2. By turning the valve one-quarter round the direction of the supply
and discharge, and consequently the direction of rotation of the engine, is reversed.
Fig. 9 represents a transverse section of a cylinder suited for acting as an air
compressor, drawing in air at H¹, and discharging past valves h² at H2. In order
to fill up the space of the casing in which the cranks work it is charged with water,
oil, or other suitable liquid up to the cylinder. Also water may be circulated through
the cavities l, l, to keep the cylinder cool.
Fig. 10 represents a transverse section of a cylinder to work as a hydraulic
engine and air compressor combined. Water under pressure is supplied at H', and
after acting on the piston is discharged at H². Air is drawn in at H³, and passing
the valve his discharged at H*.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, I claim, the construction of a fluid pressure engine, fluid meter,
oľ pump, wherein a piston works in a cylinder oscillating on trunnions within a
casing concentric with the trunnions, the cylinders having curved lips or flanges,
working over and governing supply and discharge ports formed in the casing, sub-
stantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fielding, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN FIELDING. (LS.)