IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George William Weatherhogg, Engineer, of No. 11, West
Square, St. George's Road, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George William Weatherhogg
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th October 1878.
GEORGE WILLIAM WEATHERHOGG, Engineer, of No. 11, West Square, St. George's
Road, Lamboth, in the County of Surrey. ** IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
The first part of my Invention consists in the construction of a single-acting
compound gas motor engine, that is to say, the exploding materials when ignited
give motion to one piston at the same time that fresh air and gas are drawn in
behind a second piston connected with the first within the same cylinder, said air
and gas being compressed during the return stroke are afterwards transmitted to
the back of the first-named piston ready for a subsequent explosion, so that an
explosion may be made at every revolution of the engine. The cylinder is made of
two diameters and equal to double the length of the stroke, with pockets or
reservoirs, and the pistons fit into each part of the cylinder, the larger piston
formning a trunk in which works the connecting rod. This latter piston also acts as
an air pump or compressor.
The second part of my Invention consists in constructing a double-acting com-
pound gas motor engine. In one arrangement the cylinder is made double the
length of the stroke with the addition of pockets or reservoirs at the ends. The
said cylinder is divided by a partition into two portions of sufficient length for the
stroke of each piston. In each half of the cylinder is placed an ordinary metallic
piston, both being united by a rod or trunk which works through the centre
partition. A combustible mixture of gas and air is admitted between the pistons
and the centre partition, or into the annular space round the trunk connecting the
two pistons alternately on cach side of the partition at about atmospheric pressure,

page_text: by which arrangement when an explosion occurs at one end of the cylinder, the
gases being ignited by a small gas jet (or by electricity), the pressure then rises in
the cylinder and by expansion forces the piston to the end of its stroke, partly by
the result of the explosion and partly because of the expansion of the nitrogen of
the air due to the heat caused by the said explosion according to the well-known
laws of gases.
Simultaneously with the moving of the expanding piston to the end of its stroke
as above described the combustible mixture is compressed and driven from the
annular space on one side of the partition. to the outer side of the second or opposite
piston where it is subsequently exploded as before described.
Motion is communicated to the crank shaft by an ordinary piston and connecting
rod, or by means of an outer trunk and connecting rod. Thus it will be readily
seen that by this latter mode of working two explosions are made for every revolu-
tion of the engine, and that no separato strokes or special cylinders are required for
pumping and compressing the said materials.
Or for a double-acting engine I may place two of the single-acting compound
cylinders, described in the first part of the Invention, side by side, each being
operated by separate valves; these cylinders may be placed either vertically or
horizontally, or they may be in line with each other, having their larger pistons
opposite and coupled to the crank shaft direct.
Or lastly, three or four such cylinders may be placed radially round the crank
shaft.
The third part of my Invention consists in the application of circular equilibrium
valves for my compound double or single acting gas motor engines, which are so
arranged that the two parts of the cylinder are made alternately to communicate
with the external air for supply and exhaust, and also with each other for the
purposes of equilibrium, that is to say, for the passage of the compressed air from
one part of the cylinder to the otlier previous to explosion; and I operate these
valves by means of a revolving shaft driven by gearing from the crank shaft of the
engine.
In some cases these valves may also by using separate ports serve for the gas
admission, and when so constructed the quantity or time of admission of the gases
are regulated by the action of a governor, which may be placed either upon the
revolving valve shaft or be driven from any other moving part of the engine, said
governor being provided with a sliding sleeve of varying diameters upon which
works a rod, or rod and wheel for actuating the gas admission valve or cock to
which is attached the gas supply pipe.
Or instead of mixing the gas and air together by passing each through the before-
described equilibrium valve into the annular space or air chamber, I may keep them
separate and let the gas pass direct into the explosion chamber by a separate passage,
said gas intermingling with the air in its passage into the cylinder; and in lieu of the
șaid rotary equilibrium valve I may use separate valves for supply and exhaust,
known as lift or poppet valves; when this method is adopted I use a separate reser-
voir, or air chamber, and connect the same by pipes and inlet valves with the
annular space of the piston and the explosion chamber, the governor acting as
before described.
Either arrangement of valves for supply and exhaust herein described are
applicable to both single and double-acting gas engines on my system.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to improvements in gas ignition valves.
The gas ignition slide is made so that the working faces are at about right angles
to the cylinder cover, by which means unequal wear and torsion of the metal is
prevented. This slide is worked by a connecting rod which gears to the rotary
admission valve shaft. The cylinder cover and outer cover of valve is made
of form to correspond with the valve, the outer cover has two or more apper-
tures cast in the same for feeding atmospheric air to the ignition chambers; an oval-
formed covering or chimney is placed over these latter openings in which burns a
constant flame for the purpose of feeding the gas through other openings in the

page_text: cover when confined in the slide previous to explosion. The slide has two combus-
tion chambers cast within the same with corresponding openings leading both to
the cylinder and valve cover. When the engine is at work, each extreme travel of
the valve fires off the charge in the cylinder, so that the slide is able to make two
explosions whilst the engine makes but one revolution (or one explosion), the ratio
of speed of the valve shaft and engine crank shaft being as two to one, by which
means a great saving of power is effected and the wear & tear of the valve and
facings are greatly reduced. In order to feed the ignition valve with combustible
gas, I place within the cylinder cover a small vertical cylinder within which works
automaticaly a solid metalic piston. A gas pipe opens into this cylinder slightly
over the top of the piston for admitting the gas which feeds the ignition valve,
whilst two corresponding pipes lead the gas from the same cylinder into the cylinder
cover, & thence through corresponding openings into the ignition chambers alter-
nately during a part travel of the valve towards the inlet of the cylinder explosion
chamber.
In order that the gas & air in the ignition valve shall prior to its explosion be of
a greater pressure than the contents of the explosion cylinder, I lead a third pipe
from the top of the small gas cylinder which branches into two other openings
through the cylinder cover & into the ignition valve passages alternately for each
explosion, a communication is also made between the under side of the automatic
piston in the small gas cylinder, and the main air-compression cylinder or reservoir,
by which arrangement any degree of pressure may be given to the gas & air before
explosion; or in lieu of the communication being made between the under side of
the automatic piston & the compression chamber as before described, the gas in the
small cylinder may be compressed by mechanically connecting the said piston to
any moving part of the engine.
This ignition valve is applicable to other forms of gas engines than those herein
described, & I may use flat instead of diagonal faces if desired. The gases in this
form of slide are only burning during a portion of the stroke, & when I apply this
form of slide to my double-acting compound engines, I inay if desired work the
valves direct from the crank shaft of the engine. By compressing the gases as
lierein described, engines on this compound system may work with either coal or
hydrocarbon gas as desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George William Weatherhogg in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th April 1879.
GEORGE WILLIAM WEATHERHOGG, Engineer, of No. 11, West Square, St. George's
Road, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
The first part of my Invention consists in the construction of a single-acting com-
pound gas motor engine, that is to say:-The exploding materials when ignited
give motion to one piston at the same time that fresh air and gas are drawn in
behind a second piston connected with the first within the same cylinder; said air.
and gas being compressed during the return stroke are afterwards transmitted to
the back of the first-named piston ready for a subsequent explosion, so that an
explosion may be made at every revolution of the engine. The cylinder is made of
two diameters and equal to double the length of tho stroke, with pockets or reser-
voirs, and the pistons fit into each part of the cylinder, the larger piston forming a
trunk in which works the connecting rod; this latter piston also acts as an air pump
or compressor. The second part of my Invention consists in constructing a double-
acting compound gas motor engine. In one arrangement the cylinder is made
double the length of the stroke with the addition of pockets or reservoirs at the
ends, the said cylinders divided by a partition into two portions of sufficient length
for the stroke of each piston; in each half of the cylinder is placed an ordinary
metallic piston, both pistons being united by a rod or trunk which works through
the centre partition or annular space round the trunk, connecting the two pistons.
Air and gas are drawn into the annular spaces alternately on each side of the
partition at about atmospheric pressure and upon the return stroke are forced into
the ends of the cylinder, by which arrangements when an explosion occurs within
the cylinder, the gases being ignited by a small gas jet or by electricity, the pressure
then rises in the cylinder and by expansion forces the piston to the end of its
stroke, partly by the result of the explosion and partly because of the expansion of
the nitrogen of the air due to the heat caused by the said explosion according to
the well-known law of gases. Simultaneously with the moving of the expanding
piston to the end of its stroke as above described the combustible mixture is com-
pressed and driven from the annular space on one side of the partition to the outer
side of the second or opposite piston where it is subsequently exploded as before
described; motion being communicated to the crank shaft by an ordinary piston
and connecting rod; thus it will be readily seen that by this latter mode of
working two explosions are made for every revolution of the engine and that no
separate strokes or special cylinders are requirod for pumping and compressing the
said materials. Or for a double-acting engine I may place two of the single-acting
compound cylinders, described in the first part of the Invention, side by side, each
being operated by separate valves; these cylinders may be placed either vertically
or horizontally, or they may be in line with each other, having their larger pistons
opposite and coupled to the crank shaft direct. Or, lastly, three or four such
cylinders may be placed radially around the crank shaft. The third part of my
Invention consists in the application of circular equilibrium valves for my com-
pound double or single acting gas motor engines, which are so arranged that the
two parts of the cylinder are made alternately to communicate with the external
air for supply and exhaust, and also with each other for the purpose of equilibrium,
that is to say, for the passage of the compressed air from one part of the cylinder
to the other previous to explosion, and I operate these valves by means of a revolving
shaft driven by gearing from the crank shaft of the engine. In some cases those valves
may also by using separate porte serve for the gas admissson, and when so constructed
the quantity or time of admission of the gases are regulated by the action of a governor,
which may be placed either upon the revolving shaft or be driven from any moving
part of the engine. Or instead of mixing the gas and air together by passing each

page_text: through the before-described equilibrium valve into the annular space or air chamber
I may let the gas pass direct into the annular space formed within the cylinder by
a separate valve, said gas intermingling with the air in its passage into the cylinder,
and when working on this latter system I use a separato reservoir or air chamber and
connect the same by pipes and inlet valves with the annular space of the piston and
explosion chamber, the governors acting us before described. Either arrangement of
valves for supply and exhaust herin described are applicable to both single and double
acting gas engines on my system. The fourth part of my Invention relates to improve-
ments in gas ignition valves. The gas ignition slide is made so that the working faces
are at about right angles to the cylinder cover, by which means unequal wear and
tortion of the metal is prevented. This slide is worked by a single connecting rod which
gears to the rotary admission-valve shaft. The cylinder cover and outer cover of
valve is made of <form to correspond with the valve. The outer cover has two
or more appertures cut in the same for feeding atmospheric air to the ignition
chambers. An oval-formed covering or chimney is placed over these latter openings
in which burns a constant flame for the purpose of feeding the gases through other
openings in the cover when confined in the slide previous to explosion. The slide
has two combustion chambers cast within the same with corresponding openings
leading both to the cylinder and valvo cover. When the engine is at work each
extreme travel of the valve fires off the charge in the cylinder, so that the slide is
able to make two explosions whilst the engine inakes but one revolution, the ratio
of speed of the valve shaft and engine crank shaft being two to one, by which
means a great saving of power is effected, and the wear and tear of the valve and
facings are greatly reduced. In order to feed the ignition valve with combustible
gas I place upon and partly within the cylinder cover a small vertical cylinder
within which works automatically a solid metalic piston. A gas pipe opens into this
cylinder slightly over the top of the piston for admitting the gas which feeds the
ignition valve, whilst two corresponding pipes lead the gas from the same cylinder
into the cylinder cover, and thence through corresponding openings into the ignition
chambers alternately during a part travel of the valve towards the inlet of the
cylinder explosion chamber. In order that the gas and air in the ignition valve
shall, prior to its explosion, be of a greater pressure than the contents of the
cylinder, I lead a third pipe from the top of the small gas cylinder which branches
into two other openings through the cylinder cover and into the ignition valve
passages alternately for each explosion. A communication is also made between
the under side of the automatic piston in the small gas cylinder and the main air
compression cylinder or reservoir, by which arrangement any degree of pressure
may be given to the gas and air before explosion. Or in liew of the com-
munication being made between the under side of the automatic piston and the
compression chamber as before described, the gas in the small cylinder may be com-
pressed by mechanically connecting the said piston to any moving part of the engine.
My Invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the annexed Drawings,
the letters of reference corresponding to similar parts throughout all the Figures.
Fig. 1 shows part sectional plan view of a single-acting compound gas motor
engine embodying the first, third, and fourth part of my Invention. The engine
is constructed with a rotary equilibrium valve for the purpose of supply and
exhaust, and with a double-action ignition valve for exploding the materials.
Fig. 2 shews a side elevation; Fig. 3 is a partial cross section through the rotary
valve and casing on line D', D¹; Fig. 4 shews end view of the cylinder, ignition
valve, and lighting gear; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of the valve and
lighting gear; Fig. 6 shews a sectional plan of the lighting valve taken through
the centre line of the cylinder; Fig. 7 shews a detached face view of the ignition
slide, and Fig. 8 shews front end view of the same. In the said Figures (A) is the
cylinder which for single action is of two diameters, the length of which somewhat
exceeds double the length of the stroke; (B, B,) are pistons connected together by
a rod or trunk (C) which is coupled to an ordinary crank shaft by the connecting

page_text: rod (c) and piston rod and cross head (c¹¹).
The inner end of the connecting rod
(c) is made with a long strap which projects beyond the front end of the trunk,
and is set up with a wedge and set screw for taking up the wear of the brasses on
the cross head pin; (D) is the equilibrium valve which as here shewn is supposed
to be parallel and cast in one piece. But it may be made with a series of rings and
held together by lock nuts upon the valve rod, or it may be made conical and in
two or more pieces as shewn in Figures 14 & 15; (d) is a water jacket sur-
rounding the valve and cylinder; (d) is a revolving shaft connected by gearing to
the crank shaft which operates the rotary valve, and also the gas admission or
ignition valve which is hereafter more fully explained. In this arrangement the
gas passes through the valve (D) by the supply pipe (d¹¹), and the air passes
through the conical and perforated pipe or cock (E) and check valve (e¹) into the
valve (D), the air and gas are then drawn into the annular space (e¹¹) formed within
the cylinder by the out stroke of the piston (B), and on the return or in stroke is
partly or fully compressed and returns through the valve (D) into the explosion
chamber (e) by the passages (B¹ & C¹) where it is subsequently exploded, making
one explosion for each revolution of the engine as before described. The exhaust
escapes through (B¹) into valve (D) and thence passes into the atmosphere by the
eduction passage (A'); Figs. 9 are sections of the valve (D) shewing the openings
at the five ports as arranged for different points of exhaust and commencement and
termination of feed or supply. The arrow shewn at the bottom of the Figures and
marked X indicates the direction in which the valve revolves; Nos. 1X, 2X,
and 3X are scales shewing diagrammatically the various points of cut-off and
supply with corresponding pressures obtained in the cylinder previous to explosion.
It will thus be seen that the exhaust and compression is performed during the
in stroke of the piston, and that the air and gas may be either partly or fully com-
pressed in the annular space formed within the cylinder, varying according to the
points of cut-off and supply, and that when the gases are not fully compressed in
the annular space the remainder of the compression is completed in the explosion
cylinder before the termination of the in stroke; but in most cases I prefer to
complete the compression in the annular space and explode the gases after the
piston has travelled a short distance of its out stroke. By this method of working
above described, the power of the engine is regulated by means of a governor (not
shown in the Drawings now referred to) working upon a sliding sleeve of varying
diameters, so as to act upon the main gas supply pipe or cock (d) in such manner
that when the engine exceeds its normal speed the gas supply is entirely cut off,
the pistons merely passing atmospheric air through the cylinder without an
explosion occurring therein until the engine regains its normal speed, when by the
action of the governors the gas supply is again fully opened for another explosion.
These cylinders may also be placed so as to work by a beam or lever and connecting rod.
The ignition valve for firing the charges will be fully understood by reference
to Figs. 4, 5, & 6, which is there shewn constructed for the single-acting engine.
(F) is the slide which is double acting, (f) being the explosion chambers as shown
in dotted lines in Fig. 7; (f) are channels for feeding the chambers (f¹) with low-
pressure gas previous to explosion; (f) are passages through which high-pres-
sure gas is forced into chambers (f¹) for exploding the gases therein. (G) is the
gas compression cylinder; (g) is the automatic piston which works therein; (g)
is the gas passage for feeding the cylinder (G) with gas, which passes through the
check valve (gl); (911) are passages for supplying the chambers (f¹) with low-
pressure gas. (H) is the slide cover which is held in position by four studs and
nuts (h), and is adjusted by the hand wheel and screw (h) which acts upon the
springs (1) for adjusting the pressure upon the back cover. I is a chimney in
which burns a gas jet for lighting the chambers in the slide; I may also use a
supplementary jet for feeding the above described. (¹), (¹), are passages cut in the
slide cover for admitting the light into the chambers (f'); & (21), (1), are
passages for admitting atmospheric air to support the combustion herin; (2) is the
third pipe through which the.compressed gases are forced into the chambers (ƒ¹).

page_text: (J) is a passage leading from the annular space (e") into the gas cylinder (G) ; (^),
(j'), are springs for cushioning the piston (9¹). (K) is a passage communicating with
the slide chambers (f¹) and the explosion chamber (el). On the out stroke of the
piston (B) a vacuum is formed on the under side of the piston (g¹) which allows the
piston to fall by its own weight, and at the same time to draw in a fresh charge of
gas through the check valve (gl), when on the in stroke the piston (9') is driven
upwards, and so compresses the gas therein to a sufficient density to cause the said
gas to explode in the chambers (f³) when the same is admitted therein, such
explosion simultaneously causes the gases to explode or burn in the explosion
chamber (e) which propels the piston outwards as before described. The pressure
of the gas in the cylinder (G) is regulated by proportioning the area of the cylinder
(G) and annular space (el) relatively to each other, such proportions not being
variable by the engine. This double-action ignition valve may be placed on the
side of the cylinder and worked from the crank shaft by any convenient means.
It is equally applicable for my double acting or for other forms of gas engines not
berein described, the several parts being capable of modification without departing
from this part of my Invention. In some cases instead of working the automatic
piston direct from the annular space as before described I may connect the samo
with a reservoir and regulate the admission of the compressed material by means
of a valve or cock with suitable induction and eduction passages formed therein.
Or instead of working the said automatic piston by means of compressed air, or
air and gas, I may mechanically connect the same to any moving part of the
engine, Fig. 23, shewing a modification of this latter mode of working. This
gas compression cylinder may also be used with my rotary equilibrium valves for
the purposes before described, and made so as to work either single or double
acting. Figs. 10 & 11 shews side and front elevation of a vertical compound gas
motor engine, Fig. 10 being partly in section. The engine is single acting and
fitted with the rotary equilibrium valves for supply and exhaust, and also for the
gas admission, which enables me to dispense with the ignition slide valve before
described. The construction of the cylinder, piston valves, and valve rod is
precisely similar to the last described, excepting that the passages are somewhat
differently arranged to suit the mode of working which I am now about to
describe. In this latter arrangement the air is passed through the cock (E)
into the annular space (el), the gas is also passed by a separate supply pipe
with a check valve (d) into the annular space (e") by the out stroke of the
piston (B) after which it is by the in stroke passed through the inlet valve
(k) into a reservoir (K), the latter forming the standard of the engine which
is made in one piece with the base plate or bolted thereon. The upper part of the
standard is made so as to form a water jacket through which the cylinder is passed
and afterwards bolted thereto; (11) is a weighted valve which is so adjusted as not
to let any of the combustible materials pass out of the reservoir before it is com-
pressed to the required density for working the engine; (111) is a cock for regu-
lating the supply of gases into the rotary valve. When the governors are down
the three supply cocks (which are connected to the governor levers as shewn) are
fully open, so as to admit a full charge to pass through the cylinder for an explosion.
When should the engine exceed its normal speed the governors in rising simul-
taneously acts upon the three supply cocks lastly described, which partially or fully
closes the same, by which means instead of regulating the power of the engine
by a non-supply of gas, by the method of working as first described, the gases by
being thus throttled pass into the explosion chamber in a weakened state so that
less effective force is derived from the power of the explosion. The rotary valve
is shewn in section in Fig. 12, and plan in Figure 13, the passages not been shown
to prevent confusion. The valves as shewn are grooved, such grooves being made
to communicate with small openings made in the water jacket for the purpose of
keeping them lubricated and cool. The valves may also be made conical as shewn
in. Figs. 14 & 15. Figs. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7, (Sheet 2) being sections of the
valve at the several points of cut-off and supply. The numbered arrows correspond

page_text: with the number of the sections of the valve, shewing the position of such sections.
in the valve casing, No. 1 being the gas supply ports for feeding the lighting
portion of the valve with pure gas; No. 2 shews the explosion and clearance ports;
Nos. 3 & 4 are ports for admitting air and gas for maintaining a lighted flame
within the valve; No. 5 are passages for passing compressed air and gas into the
valve; No. 6 shews the exhaust ports, and No. 7 the eduction passages; (I) is the
chimney in which burns one or more gas jets for feeding the gas chamber in the
valve; (L) is a passage for feeding the valve with pure gas, and (b) is a pipe for
feeding the valve with compressed air and gas from the reservoir (K) prior to
explosion. When the piston has travelled a short distance of its stroke the pressure.
of gas in the reservoir will be somewhat greater than the pressure in the cylinder
and the combustible mixtures rushing into the valve by the pipe (') will explode
the gases therein, which will cause the lighted flame remaining in the explosion
chamber to pass into the cylinder and explode or burn the gases therein. In some
cases I prefer to connect the automatic gas-compression cylinder, so as to feed the
explosion chamber with highly compressed gases for firing the charge instead of
taking the same from the reservoir as described.
Figs. 16 & 17 shows part sectional plan and end views of a double-acting
compound gas motor engine as described in the second part of my Invention, which
will be fully understood by referring to the Figures and Drawings. The trunk and
pistons (B) being similar to two of the single-acting pistons and trunks bolted
together, which when placed within the cylinder (A) and divided by the parti-.
tion (M) constitutes a double-acting engine. The engine as here shewn is fitted.
with the rotary valves, for the purpose of supply and exhaust, and also for the gas
admission or ignition. The main gas supplys are passed through the cocks into
the rotary valves, which are regulated by means of a governor so as to cause the
engine to operate as described in the first mode of working for single action.
Figs. 18 & 19 shew the same arrangement fitted with a single rotary valve for
supply and exhaust and separate supply & check valves, the cylinder is also
shewn water jacketed, the latter being in two halves, the tubes which constitute
the cylinder are along with the centre partition pressed into the outer casing. The
gases are compressed into the reservoir (K), after which they are passed through
the rotary valve alternately into the explosion chambers.
The gas supply cocks and valves being regulated simultaneously so as to
throttle the gas, and operate as described in the second mode of working
for the single-acting engines, the passages shewn on the opposite side of
the cylinder being for the gus ignitions. Figs. 20 & 21 shew a similar
double-action engine operating as last described, in which the rotary valves
are shewn placed in a vertical position, with separate supply and gas
admissions, also with separate induction and eduction passages leading into one
outlet pipe as shewn. The valves when so placed are driven by countershafts.
Fig. 22 shews a modification of the Invention, in which the rotary valves for supply
and exhaust, and also the gas admission, are placed upon the cylinder cover, the
induction and eduction passages leading from the valve through the cover direct
into the explosion chamber, this arrangement being more especially applicable to 4
single-acting engines. Fig. 23 shews the automatic gas compression cylinder detached
from the double-action lighting valve (as first shown), with a piston rod working
through a stuffing box, which may be applied to either single or double acting
engines, and mechanically connected to any moving part of the engine as aforesaid.
The rotary valves for the last-named double-action engine are not shewn in the
Drawings referring to the same, they being merely a repetition of the former valves,
and whether such valves be constructed for working a single or double acting
engine they are supposed to travel half the speed of the crank shaft, having two
separate passages for induction and eduction in the same line of travel. But sup-
posing that only half the number of passages were employed, by gearing the valve b
shaft so as to travel half the speed of the crank shaft the engine would still operate

page_text: as above described; or if three or more such passages were employed the speed of
the valve shaft could still be so geared that the engine would operate as before.
It will be evident to any engineer that these cylinders may also be worked by a
beam or lever and connecting rod, and that the trunk pistons may have water
jackets within the same, and that the double-action pistons may also be made to
connect direct to the connecting rod, such connecting rod being coupled to the cross
head, and also that the explosions may take place in any portion of the cylinder,
and also that the double-action ignition valve is also equally applicable to other
forms of gas engines. The details as herein shewn admitting of considerable modifi-
cations without departing from the nature of my Invention.
By compressing the gases as herein described engines on this compound systemn
may work with either coal or hydrocarbon gas as desired.
And, lastly, instead of firing the charges at each end of the cylinder in my
double-action engine, I sometimes fire them froin or near the centre alternately on
each side of the partition in the annular space, and compress the materials for such
firing or explosion in one end of the cylinder, and that by a slight modification of
the parts, engines on my system of workings may be operated with hydrocarbon
oils.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
saine is to be performed, I claim,―
First. The construction of and mode of working a single-acting gas motor engine
whereby the exploding materials when ignited give motion to one piston at the
same time that fresh air and gas are drawn in by a second piston connected with
the first by a rod or trunk within the same cylinder, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
Second. The construction and mode of working a double-acting gas motor engine,
whereby the exploding materials when ignited give motion to one piston, at the
same time that fresh air and gas are drawn in by a second piston connected with the
first by a rod or trunk within the same cylinder, substantially as and for the pur-
poses hercin set forth.
Third. The construction of a rotary equilibrium valve for the supply and exhaust
of gas motor engines, substantially as herein illustrated and described.
Fourth. The construction of a rotary equilibrium valve for the supply and
exhaust of single or double acting gas motor engines, and also for the gas adinission
of the same, substantially as berein illustrated and described.
Fifth. In a single or double acting gas motor engine, the construction of a
double-action gas admission or ignition valve, in combination with a special com-
pression cylinder and automatic piston, whereby the gas in the said cylinder is
prior to explosion compressed to a greater pressure than the air and gas in the
explosion cylinder, for the purpose of exploding the same, as herein illustrated and
described.
Sixth. In a single or double action gas motor engine, the combination of the
special gas compression cylinder and piston, as shewn in Fig. 23, with a rotary
valve, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George William Weatherhogg, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.