Improvements in Motive Power Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 12th Apr., 1900-A ccepted, 19th May, 1900
Improvements in Motive Power Engines.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LANCHESTER, of Ladywood Road, Birmingham, War-
wickshire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to improvements in motive power engines more especially
gas and oil motors, and relates particularly to balanced engines in which reverse
rotation is employed.
This invention has for its object to so arrange a motor whose pistons and work-
ing parts are initially in themselves balanced so far as reciprocating motions are
concerned, in such a way as to destroy the intermittance of the turning movement
"rotational recoil" of the impulses.
or
In one mode of applying this invention to a motor of the balanced type in
which two pistons working in oppositely placed cylinders and connected to a single
crank shaft having a double throw with crank pins opposite I arrange such motor
that not only is the crank shaft at liberty to revolve, but so that the whole motor
can also revolve about the same axis. Gearing is provided in order that the
rotation of the crank shaft shall be in one direction and the motor body in the
opposite direction, and the motor crank shaft is fitted with a fly wheel having
momentary inertia so proportioned to that of the motor and the gearing employed
that when the impulse takes place equal quantities of angular momentum are
imparted to the fly wheel in one direction and to the motor frame in the other.
When specially steady running is desirable both motor frame and crank shaft are
fitted with fly wheels the same precaution as to momentary inertia being observed
The gas vapour may be supplied to the motor through a sleeve connected with
a stuffing box or packing ring placed concentrically with the axis of rotation.
The exhaust gases may be let off by a similar device or may be allowed to escape
directly into the atmosphere.
In another method of applying this invention to an engine constructed as here-
inbefore described the motor frame is aranged to be fixed in the usual manner
and an idle shaft is arranged supported in bearings parallel to the main crank
shaft and geared thereto by a set of well cut double helical gear wheels. Fly
wheels of equal momentary inertia are attached to the crank shaft and to the idle
shaft when the gear wheels fitted are of equal size. If the gear-ratio is other than
equality the momentary inertia of the fly wheels must be varied to suit. Pro-
vision should be made for adjusting the gear wheels from time to time as they
wear in order to entirely avoid backlash, an involute form of tooth is preferred.
Dated this 12th day of June 1899.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham. and 25, Cross Street, Manchester.
Agents.

page_text: I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LANCHESTER, of Ladywood Road, Edgbaston, in the
City of Birmingham, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in motive power engines, more especially
gas and oil motors, and it relates particularly to balance engines in which reverse
rotation is employed.
This invention has for its object to so arrange a motor whose pistons and work-
ing parts are initially in themselves balanced, so far as reciprocating motions are
concerned, in such a way as to destroy the intermittence or rotational recoil "
of the impulses.
This invention consists in carrying diametrically opposed motor cylinders on
a frame which revolves on, but in an opposite direction to, a crank axle; this
frame being connected by gearing to the crank axle carrying its flywheel, so that
their angular momenta are balanced, and the rotational recoil destroyed. The
energy of each impulse is stored in part in the flywheel, which revolves in one
direction, and in part in the motor body, revolving in the other direction: their
respective moments of inertia being so, proportioned that the angular momentum
of the flywheel in one direction will be equal to the angular momentum of the
motor body in the other direction.
In a modification of this invention, the same result may be obtained, with a
fixed motor body. In this case a counter shaft is arranged in gear with the crank
shaft, and flywheels are fixed on the shafts, which rotate in opposite directions.
The ratio of gearing, and relative moments of inertia of the flywheels are so pro-
portioned, that when an impulse takes place, equal quantities of angular mo-
mentum are imparted to the two flywheels, in opposite directions, and rotational
recoil is thus neutralised.
Referring to the accompanying sheets of illustrative drawings:
Sheet 1 shows in side elevation and part section, a motor constructed according
to the first arrangement in which Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation a motor
arranged so that the whole body can rotate in the one direction whilst the crank
shaft rotates in the opposite direction, Figures 2 and 3 show respectively the
arrangement of the journals whereby on the one hand, air and explosive gas or
vapour is admitted to the motor, and on the other the means whereby the two
rotating elements are geared together.
"
.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3 A, A, are the motor cylinders fitted with pistons
driving on to the double throw crank B, B; journals C, C, are arranged carrying
the motor on trunions," formed on the one hand by a hollow extension of the
motor frame 1) and on the other by the projecting end of the crank shaft on
which the flywheel E is mounted. The hollow extension 1) forms part of the feed
pipe whereby inflammable gases or vapour is supplied to the motor cylinders the
mixture entering by the pipe F and passing the motor valve boxes by the pass-
G and H. I preferably arrange a motor of this description to be cooled by air
this being effected by the passage of the "radiators" rapidly through the air
whilst the body of the engine rotates. The exhaust is preferably allowed to escape.
direct into the atmosphere as it leaves the valve boxes or such silencing arrange-
ments as may be adopted. The motor body and crank shaft are positively geared
together by means of suitable gearing as shown in Figure 3 in which an internally
cut ring J carried on the motor body is geared on to a pinion K on the shaft by
means of a fixed pinion L carried on the supporting frame M.
ages

page_text: The energy of each impulse is stored in part in the flywheel revolving in one
direction, and in part in the motor body going in the other, and their respective
moments of inertia are so proportioned that the angular momentum imparted to
the one in one direction, is equal to the angular momentum imparted to the other
in the opposite direction. In fixing this proportion it is necessary to take into
account the ratio of the gearing connecting the two elements. In motors running
at a slow speed, a flywheel may be fitted to the motor frame to add to its inertia.
Referring to Figure 4 which illustrates the modification in this figure similar
letters are as far as applicable employed to indicate similar parts. In this case the
motor body is fixed, but a second shaft. Z is arranged in gear with the crank shaft,
gear wheels Y, Y, being indicated in the figure both crank shaft and geared shaft
are fitted with flywheels E and W that rotate in opposite directions, and their
ratio of gearing and relative moment of inertia are so proportioned that when an
impulse takes place equal quantities of angular momentum are imparted to the
two flywheels in opposite direction and recoil is thereby neutralised."
The relative proportions of the flywheels may be determined by trial in which
case the motor may be mounted on a spring frame two flywheels of ample pro-
portions being fitted and then turned down till equilibrium is attained, the metal
being turned off the wheel that rotates in the opposite direction to that in which
the objectionable recoil manifests itself.
The proportions may also be fixed by calculation in advance if the designer so
desires.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In balanced engines in which oppositely rotating masses are employed;
motor cylinders arranged on a frame opposite each other; the frame revolving
on a crank axle and gearing with the oppositely, revolving crank axle carrying
its flywheel, so that each impulse gives equal and opposite quantities of angular
momentum to the flywheel and motor substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In balanced engines as claimed in Claim 1, gearing meshing with pinions,
adapted to link together the oppositely rotating masses, substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3.
3. In balanced engines in which oppositely rotating masses are employed; a
fixed motor having a crank shaft and counter shaft, geared to revolve in opposite
directions and provided with flywheels, the moments of inertia of which, are such,
in proportion to the gearing, as to give equal angular momentum in opposite
directions when impulses take place, substantially as herein before described.
4. In balanced engines as claimed in Claim 3, two oppositely placed cylinders
driving on to opposite cranks; the crank shaft carrying and being geared to an
oppositely rotating flywheel, carried on a counter shaft, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described with reference to Figure 4.
100
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and 25, Cross Street, Manchester.
Agents.