Improvements relating to Explosion-engines, and to Gas-generators to be used in connection therewith.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 25th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 25th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Explosion-engines, and to Gas-generators
to be used in connection therewith.
I, JOHN HASKINS LADD, of 116 Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide for working explosion-engines more
efficiently, economically and advantageously than is practicable by the methods
hitherto adopted for supplying gas or hydrocarbon vapour to such engines.
My said invention comprises the combination, with an explosion-engine, of a
gas-generator which is so constructed and connected with the engine that the
engine-piston, during each charging stroke thereof, will draw a charge of gas
directly from the said generator into the cylinder, and, in so doing, will draw a
corresponding quantity of atmospheric air into or through such generator for the
purpose of converting it into gas.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to J. H. W. Stringfellow
and dated 29th April 1890, No. 6575, there are described a process and apparatus
for the manufacture of gas by charging atmospheric air first with hydrocarbon
vapour and then with the vapour of water. The gas thus produced is advantageous
for use in gas or explosion engines, partly because it can be produced at a
comparatively low cost, and will produce far more power than coal-gas, and partly
because its combustion attains such a high degree of perfection that no deposit will
be formed in the cylinder and other parts of the engine, which can therefore be
worked without cleaning for a longer period than the ordinary gas or oil engines.
My invention is designed more particularly to provide for the effective use, in
an explosion-engine, of gas made according to the process described in the said
former specifications.
For this purpose I proceed as follows, vis. :-Im constructing a gas-engine and
applying my improvements thereto, I make the said engine with a suitable inlet
and valve for the admission of gas to the cylinder, which should be larger than the
ordinary gas inlet and valve, and I can, if desired, dispense with the usual inlet and
valve for the admission of atmospheric air; though I prefer to provide an air-inlet
and valve in connection with the supply-pipe to permit of diluting the gas with
atmospheric air in the event of its being too rich at starting. I connect the said
gas-inlet directly, or by a pipe of any convenient length, to the delivery or outlet
pipe for the gas from the water-chamber of a gas-generator constructed substantially
as described in the said former specifications. In this manner I ensure that, in
each charging stroke of the engine-piston, a charge of the gas will be drawn from
the generator directly into the cylinder, and at the same time a corresponding
quantity of atmospheric air will be drawn into the said generator.
In applying my improvements to existing explosion-engines, I connect the usual
inlet for atmospheric air with the delivery or outlet pipe for the gas from the
water-chamber of the said generator, suitable means being provided, if desired, for
admitting air to dilute the gas; and I either close up the usual inlet for the
admission of gas to the engine and dispense with the ordinary gas inlet valve, or
I retain these parts so that the engine may at any time be used with coal-gas if
desired.
The engine is provided with the usual or other suitable means for igniting the
gas admitted to the cylinder.

page_text: When I use heavy oils in the manufacture of the gas, I find it advantageous to
utilize the heat of the exhaust gases for maintaining the temperature in the
generator so as to counteract the cooling effect of the evaporation. For instance
provide the apparatus with one or more jackets or coils of pipe through which
the exhaust gases are caused to pass before being allowed to escape into the
atmosphere. I can, however, use other suitable means for maintaining the
required temperature in the generator by heating either the air, the liquid
hydrocarbon or the water, or any or all of these.
I find it advantageous to construct a gas-generator for the purpose of my
invention as follows, that is to say :-I take a metal drum or cylinder and divide
the same by a vertical partition into two compartments one of which serves as the
carburetting chamber and the other as the water-chamber. I pass the air inlet
pipe through the bottom of the cylinder into the space beneath suitable domes or
screens of absorbent material, through a pipe which extends a suitable distance
above the bottom of the carburetting chamber and has a hood or deflector arranged
over it.
Above the said domes or screens I form a hole in the said partition, from
which hole a suitable pipe or passage extends downward for the purpose of
conducting the carburetted air into the space beneath suitable domes or screens
of absorbent material in the water-chamber. The delivery or outlet pipe for
connection with the inlet of the gas-engine extends from the upper end of the said
water-chamber. In the top of the carburetting chamber I fix a central pipe or
tube provided with several smaller distributing pipes extending radially therefrom
and having turned down nozzles, or any other suitable device for distributing the
oil over the domes or screens; and above the said chamber I provide an oil tank
or reservoir which is connected at its lower end with the said distributing device, a
suitable cock or valve being provided for controlling the flow of the oil from such
tank or reservoir through the distributing device. If desired, I provide the
apparatus with a jacket or jackets or with a coil or coils of pipe through which
the exhaust gases from the engine, or any other suitable heating medium, will be
conducted for the purpose of maintaining a suitable degree of temperature in the
generator. The water-chamber is provided with the usual filling tube; and gauge-
glasses, drain-cocks and other accessories are provided where necessary.
It is obvious, however, that I can use gas-generators of other suitable construction
for the purpose above specified.
Dated the 26th dow of July 1905
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements relating to Explosion-engines, and to Gas-generators
to be Used in connection therewith.
I, JOHN HASKINS LADD, of 116 Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London,
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:-
The object of my invention is to provide for working explosion-engines more
efficiently, economically and advantageously than is practicable with the methods
hither to adopted.
In the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to J. H. W. Stringfellow
and dated 29th April 1890, No. 6575, and in the Specification of former Letters
Patent granted to me and dated 27th May, 1895, No. 10,477, there are described
a process and apparatus for the manufacture of gas by charging atmospheric air

page_text: first with hydrocarbon vapour and then with the vapour of water. The gas thus
produced is very advantageous for use in gas or explosion engines, partly because
it can be produced at a comparatively low cost, and will produce far more power
than coal-gas, and partly because its combustion attains such a high degree of
perfection that no deposit will be formed in the cylinder and other parts of the
engine, which can therefore be worked without cleaning for a longer period than
the ordinary gas or oil engines.
I have, therefore, devised an improved method of working an explosion engine,
which method consists in drawing atmospheric air, by means of the engine-piston,
first through absorbent porous material saturated with liquid hydrocarbon, then
through absorbent porous material saturated with water, and then, in the form of a
gas consisting of atmospheric air, hydrocarbon vapour and vapour of water, into
the engine-cylinder, in which by its explosion, after being compressed, it drives the
piston outward.
My present invention also comprises a gas-generator of improved construction
which is well adapted for use in combination with an explosion-engine as hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown, in side elevation, an explosion-
engine, and, in vertical central section, a gas-generator of my improved construction,
which is connected with the said engine as hereinafter described.
In constructing a gas-engine and applying my improvements thereto, I make the
said engine with an inlet a provided with a suitable valve for the admission of gas
to the cylinder, which inlet and valve should be larger than the gas inlet and valve
usually employed in gas-engines. I can, if desired, dispense with the usual inlet
and valve for the admission of atmospheric air; it is preferable, however, to provide
an air-inlet valve c in connection with the gas-supply-pipe to permit of diluting
the gas with atmospheric air in the event of its being too rich at starting. I connect
the said gas-inlet a directly, or by a pipe 6 of any convenient length, to the delivery
or outlet pipe L for the gas from the water-chamber of a gas-generator constructed
on the principle described in the said former specifications, for the manufacture of
gas by charging atmospheric air first with hydrocarbon vapour and then with
vapour of water. In this manner 1 ensure that, in each charging stroke of the
engine-piston, a charge of the gas will be diawn from the generator directly into
the cylinder, and at the same time a corresponding quantity of atmospheric air will
be drawn into the said generator.
In applying my improvements to existing explosion-engines, I, in some instances,
connect the usual inlet for atmospheric air with the delivery or outlet pipe for the
gas from the water-chamber of the said generator, suitable means being provided,
if desired, for admitting air to dilute the gas; and I either close up the usual inlet
for the admission of gas to the engine and dispense with the ordinary gas inlet
valve, or I retain these parts so that the engine may at any time be used with coal-
gas if desired.
In other instances I connect the usual gas-inlet of the engine with the outlet for.
gas from the water-chamber of the generator.
The engine is provided with the usual or other suitable means for igniting the
gas admitted to the cylinder.
When I use heavy oils in the manufacture of the gas, I find it advantageous to
utilize the heat of the exhaust-gases for maintaining the temperature in the
generator so as to counteract the cooling effect of the evaporation. For instance
provide the apparatus with one or more jackets or coils of pipe through which
the exhaust-gases are caused to pass before being allowed to escape into the
atmosphere. I can, however, use other suitable means for maintaining the required
temperature in the generator by heating either the air, the liquid hydrocarbon or
the water, or any or all of these.
I find it advantageous to construct a gas-generator for the purpose of my
invention as follows, that is to say:-I take a metal drum or cylinder P and
divide the same by a vertical partition P¹ into two compartments A, B, one of

page_text: which (A) serves as the carburetting chamber and the other (B) as the water-
chamber. In the said chamber A are arranged domes or screens E of absorbent
porous material and also frames or screens E¹ of such material placed one above
another. The air-inlet pipe D extends through the bottom of the cylinder P into
the space beneath the domes or screens E of absorbent material, the said pipe
having a hood or deflector arranged over it. Above the frames or screens E¹ is
formed in the said partition, a hole P' from which a suitable pipe or passage K
extends downward for the purpose of conducting the carburetted air into the space
beneath suitable domes or screens E³ of absorbent porous material in the water-
chamber B. The delivery or outlet pipe L, which is connected with the inlet a of
the gas-engine, extends from the upper end of the said water-chamber.
In the top
of the carburetting chamber, I fix a central pipe or tube J provided with several
smaller distributing pipes J' extending radially therefrom and having turn down
nozzles, or any other suitable device for distributing the oil over the ames or
screens; and above the said chamber I provide an oil tank or reservoir ( which is
connected at its lower end with the said distributing device, a suitable cock or
valve being provided for controlling the flow of the oil from such tank or
reservoir through the distributing device. This tank or reservoir is, if desired,
provided with a heating coil or jacket for the purpose of maintaining the
required temperature. If desired, I provide the generator with a ja et or
casing M, or with a coil or coils of pipe, through which the exhaust-gases from
the engine, or any other suitable heating medium will be conducted for the urpose
of maintaining a suitable degree of temperature in the generator.
In the
arrangement shown, the jacket M is connected by a pipe d with the exhaust
aperture of the engine. The water-chamber B is provided with the usual filling
tube; and gauge-glasses, drain-cocks and other accessories are provided where
necessary.
nt the
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
claim is :-
at I
First. The herein described method of working an explosion-engine by means of
gas produced by the charging of atmospheric air first with hydrocarbon and then
with the vapour of water, the air being drawn into and through the gas-generator
and the gas into the engine-cylinder by the piston in the said cylinder.
Second. The combination of an explosion-engine, a gas-generator comprising a
carburetting chamber provided with an air-inlet, and a chamber in which the
carburetted air is charged with vapour of water, and a pipe connecting the outlet
of the water-chamber with the inlet of the engine-cylinder, substantially as, and
for the purpose, above specified.
Third. The improved gas-generator constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawing and operating as, and for the purpose,
above specified.
Dated
JOHN HASKINS LADD.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
JOHN HASKINS LADD.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.