IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edgar Coniston Mills, of Dunham Massey, in the County
of Chester, and Henry Haley, of Moston, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
Cooled the 20th March 1880 and dated the 10th December 1870
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edgar Coniston Mills and
Henry Haley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th
December 1879.
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS, of Dunham Massey, in the County of Chester, and
HENRY HALEY, of Moston, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
Our Invention relates to that class of gas motors in which a compressed mixture
of inflammable gas and atmospheric air is conveyed to the working cylinder of the
engine to be therein ignited or exploded, but parts of our Invention are also
applicable to other forms of gas motors.
•
The object of our Invention in the first place is to obtain under normal
conditions an explosion in the cylinder at each revolution of the crank.
We place
the compressing pump in a line with the said cylinder, and we connect the pump
piston or ram with the main piston or piston rod, so that the said pump piston
moves in unison with the said main piston. The pump is connected with a
receiver of suitable capacity, whence the cylinder is supplied with the compressed
explosive mixture as required. By means of this arrangement a more compact
form of engine is obtained, and as the compressing action of the pump piston takes
place during the same stroke as the explosion, both pistons encounter a minimum
of resistance upon the return stroke, and a greater uniformity of speed results than
when the compression takes place during the return stroke. To supply and ignite
the inflammable mixture we employ a rotating taper valve constructed with
igniting and supply ports, and actuated by the crank shaft, or receiving motion
from a suitable moving part of the engine. The ignition of the mixture supplied
to the cylinder is effected by a jet of flame burning in a chamber in the valve, and
fed from the aforesaid receiver. To prevent this flame from being blown out by
the rush of gases from the cylinder at the times when the chamber containing the
flame is placed in communication with the interior of the cylinder, we arrange that
ID 077

page_text: the communication of the said flame chamber with the outer atmosphere shall bo
cut off just previously to its coming opposite to the port leading into the cylinder.
An external master light may be dispensed with by forming a second flame
chamber in the valve, which chamber is fed by separate passages from the receiver,
so that it will contain a constantly burning flame, which though in the valve never
communicates directly with the cylinder, but is always in communication with the
external air. When the first flame becomes extinguished the second flame re-lights
it. In order to reduce the wear and tear of the said valve, we provide means
whereby it will be held in or against its seat with a force increasing with the
increase of pressure in the cylinder. For this purpose we employ a hollow spring
or body, or a diaphragm made of thin copper or sheet metal, and we admit the
pressure from within the cylinder to the interior of such spring or body, or behind
the said diaphragın, and we arrange that the expansion or deflection of such body
or diaphragm shall tend to draw or force the valve into or towards its scat. When
the pressure ceases the valve is eased, and may then be held to its seat by
suitably adjusted springs. This method of tightening the valve is also applicable
to slide valves.
An ordinary or suitable governor is employed to regulate the speed of the
engine. When the gine exceeds its normal or desired speed, a valve is turned
or moved by the action of the governor so as to shut off the supply to the
cylinder, and to open a by-passage between the pump and the receiver, so that
the supply of air and gas is simply returned from one to the other, the pump
being thus practically thrown out of gear. The pressure thus maintained in the
pump prevents the inlet valve from opening until the speed of the engine falls,
so as to return the valve to its normal position. We also prefer to act upon
the exhaust valve by the governor, so that when the engine exceeds its normal
speed, the said valve is thrown out of gear or is held open or prevented from
opening. Tappets or cams on the governor sleeve act upon parts upon a shaft
which is mounted at right angles to the governor spindle, and the said shaft is
connected with the said valves.
We may arrange for the compressing piston to be attached or disconnected from
the main piston or rod and be operated by hand, so as to mix and compress a
quantity of air and gas to start the engine. We may employ an ordinary slide
valve instead of the rotatory conical valve hereinbefore described, and to such slide
valve our improved arrangements for igniting the charge may be applied.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edgar Coniston Mills and Henry Haley in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th June 1880.
EDGAR CONISTON MILLS, of Dunham Massey, in the County of Chester, and
HENRY HALEY, of Moston, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
Our Invention relates to that class of gas motors in which a compressed mixture
of inflammable gas and atmospheric air is conveyed to the working cylinder of the
engine to be therein ignited or exploded, but parts of our Invention are also
applicable to other forms of gas motors.
The object of our Invention in the first place is to obtain under normal conditions
an explosion in the cylinder at each revolution of the crank. We place the com-
pressing pump in a line with the said cylinder, and we connect the pump piston or
ram with the main piston or piston rod so that the said pump piston shall move in
unison with the said main piston. The pump is connected with a reservoir or
receiver of suitable capacity, whence the cylinder is supplied with the compressed
explosive mixture as required. To supply and ignite the inflammable mixture we
employ a rotating taper valve constructed with igniting and supply ports and
actuated by the crank shaft or receiving motion from a suitable moving part of the
engine. The ignition of the mixture supplied to the cylinder is effected by a jet of
flame burning in a chamber in the valve and fed from the aforesaid reservoir. To
prevent this flame from being blown out by the rush of gases from the cylinder at
the times when the chamber containing the flame is placed in communication with
the interior of the cylinder we arrange that the communication of the said flame
chamber with the outer atmosphere shall be cut off just previously to its coming
opposite to the port leading into the cylinder. An external master light is dis-
pensed with by forming a second flame chamber in the valve, which chamber is
fed by separate passages from the reservoir so that it will contain a constantly
burning flame, which, though in the valve, never communicates directly with the
cylinder, but is always in communication with the external air. In order to reduce
the wear and tear of the valve we provide means whereby it will be held in or
against its seat with a force increasing with the increase of pressure in the cylinder.
An ordinary or suitable governor is employed to regulate the speed of the engine.
When the engine exceeds its normal or desired speed a valve is turned or moved
by the action of the governor so as to shut off the supply to the cylinder and to
open a bye-passage between the pump and the reservoir, so that the supply of air
and gas is simply returned from one to the other, the pump heing thus practically
thrown out of gear. The pressure thus maintained in the pump prevents the inlet
valve from opening until the speed of the engine falls so as to return the valve to
its normal position. We may employ an ordinary slide valve instead of the rotatory
conical valve herein before described, and to such slide valve our improved arrange-
ments for igniting the charge may be applied.
In order that our Invention may be fully understood we have attached hereunto
four Sheets of Drawings marked with letters of reference, coresponding marks
indicating the same parts in the various Figures. Referring to Sheet 1, Fig. 1,
drawn to a scale of about three inches to the foot, represents in vertical section so
much of a gas-engine constructed in accordance with our Invention as is necessary
to the illustration of the arrangements for compressing the mixture of gas and air.
In the said Figure, a is the working piston of the engine, and b is the piston of the
gas pump, which piston is secured to the rear end of a piston rod c. The front end
of the said piston-rod is keyed or secured to the piston a. This piston rod works
in a gland in a partition & which separates the two cylinders. The pump 6'
communicates by means of a port e with inlet and discharge valves.
The discharge

page_text: valve opens downwards into a passage which communicates with a reservoir g
into which the mixture of gas and air is compressed. The inlet valve is seen at h,
in Fig. 2, which represents a section through another part of the valve box. The
air is supplied through a central passage, and the gas is supplied by means of a
pipe i to a passage partly surrounding the air-passage and issues through a number
of perforations, seen in Fig. 3 (Sheet 2), which represents a plan of the valve box.
When the piston a makes an inward stroke the air and gas are drawn into the
cylinder b¹. When the piston makes an outward stroke the mixture is compressed
and forced into the reservoir. If preferred the engine may be constructed with
separate gas and air inlet valves. By means of this arrangement a compact
form of engine is obtained, and as the compressing action of the pump piston b
takes place during the same stroke as the explosion, both pistons encounter
a minimum of resistance during the return stroke, and an uniformity of speed
results greater than when the compression takes place during the return stroke.
The arrangements for the supply and ignition of the inflammable mixture are
illustrated in Sheet 2, wherein Fig. 4 represents a cross section of the acting
cylinder and supply valve and connected parts, and Fig. 5 a longitudinal section of
the valve and seating. The valve j is of a conical form, and is fitted to revolve in
a conically formed seating. A shaft k, connected by means of bevel gearing with
the crank shaft, or otherwise suitably actuated, passes through the valve, and upon
this shaft is mounted a carrier Z which takes hold of a stud fixed to the valve, and
thereby rotates the said valve. The said carrier can be slid upon a fixed key until
it clears the said stud, when the valve is disengaged, and the engine crank-shaft
may then be turned without rotating the valve. A cavity m is formed on one
side of the plug. Fig. 6 represents a cross-section on the line A passing through
this cavity. A burner n, consisting of a roll of gauze or of a piece of pumice stone,
or otherwise suitably formed, opens into this cavity. The said burner is supplied
with mixed gas and air from the reservoir by means of a pipe o which communi-
cates with a groove which is turned around the valve, and whence a passage
indicated by dotted lines leads to the burner. A second groove p is turned in the
valve, and a corresponding annular groove is formed in the valve seating; Fig. 7
represents a section on the line B through these grooves. In a cavity formed in
this groove p is fixed a second burner g, which is supplied with the mixed gases
from a third groove, which is connected by means of a pipe and passage with
the reservoir. A cavity a extends from the said annular groove to a point a little
beyond the line A, so that during a part of each revolution of the valve the said
cavity connects the said groove with the cavity m. The mixture issuing from the
burner q is constantly burning, the products of combustion escaping through a
passage and pipe u into the exhaust pipe, or otherwise escaping into the atmos-
phere. When the cavity m communicates with the cavity s the burner n is lighted
by a flash from the burner q. The continued rotation of the valve shuts off the
communication of the cavity m with any other passage for a short period, as indi-
cated in Fig. 6, and during this period a pressure from the reservoir is obtained
within the cavity. The movement of the valve continuing the said cavity is brought
into cominunication with the firing port which leads into the cylinder, and the
gases are fired, the said pressure within the cavity preventing the gases from
rushing from the cylinder into the cavity, and thereby extinguishing the flame. At
the times when the mixed gases have to enter the cylinder a recess win the valve
establishes a communication between the port v and a pipe a which communicates
with the reservoir. The arrangement obviates the necessity for any special channels
of communication between the burner chamber and the cylinder for the equalisation
of pressure, and mixed gases being used for the flames direct exposure of the
flames to the outer air is not required, and also there is less deposit of carbon. It
will be seen that the regulating burner q is entirely enclosed with the exception of
the escape passage u, the flame from the said burner being out of sight, and cannot
therefor be a source of danger, and also there is great certainty and speed of
ignition with less noise as compared with ordinary arrangements. The smaller end

page_text: a side view of the lever a
Between
of the conical valve is formed with a tubular extension, upon which are screwed.
the lock-nuts y. The said extension passes through a disc a¹, which is pressed.
outwards against the said lock-nuts by means of springs c', which by pressing the
disc against the inner lock-nuts draw the valve into its seating so as to render it
sufficiently tight to withstand the pressure of the gases in the reservoir.
the said disc and the fixed ond plato d' is interposed a hollow chamber e¹, which
is separately represented in section by Fig. 8. This chamber is formed with sides
of thin copper or other suitable metal. The interior of the chamber is connected,
by means of a pipe f', with the interior of the main cylinder. When the explosion
takes place in the cylinder the pressure is communicated to the interior of the
chamber e', and by expanding the same forces the disc a' outwards, and thereby
draws the valve more tightly into its seating. We prefer that the expanding
chamber and a portion of the connecting pipe shall be kept full of water or other
liquid so as to check the transmission of heat and to shorten the travel of the high-
pressure gases. The spring c¹ need not be strong enough to retain the gases at the
time of explosion, as the valve is tightened by the expanding chamber at such
times, consequently the wear of the valve is diminished, less oil is required, and
also less power is required to rotate the valve. The exhaust valve x is
opened at the required times for the liberation of the products of the explosion
by means of a lever us on a rocking-shaft, which is actuated by means
of an excentric on the rotating valve spindle. The detached Fig. represents
Any other suitable arrangement may be
employed for the indicated purposes. Figs. 9 and 10 (Sheet 3) illustrate the manner
in which our improvements in the valves may be applied to slide valves, Fig. 9
being a vertical section through the valve and cylinder, and Fig. 10 a horizontal
section of the valve and passages. The slide valve g works to and fro between
the valve face and a back-plate c¹, which is pressed towards the valve by means
of springs, which are strong enough to resist the pressure in the reservoir, as
in the case of the conical valve. Between the said back-plate and a fixed plate m¹
is interposed an expanding chamber n', which is connected by means of a pipe o'
with the main cylinder. When the explosion takes place the chamber n¹ expands,
and by so doing presses the plate k¹ more tightly against the slide valve. The
firing burner is situated in a recess p¹ formed in the valve, and is supplied with
the mixed gases. from the reservoir. The re-lighting burner is in a chamber ¹,
which is formed in the valve face. Fig. 11, which is a vertical section through
this chamber on a reduced scale, shows the connection of this chamber with the
outer air through a pipe s', and also indicates the arrangements for supplying
the burners with mixed gases. Between the closing of the communication between
the chamber and the recess p' and the opening of the communication between the
latter and the port v leading into the cylinder, a pressure is obtained within
the said recess, as in the case of the conical valve. Fig. 12 is an elevation partly
in section, and Fig. 13 is a plan of the governor. An arrangement of the kind
indicated or any other suitable governor in employed to raise and lower or move a
sleeve spindle or rod as the speed of the engine varies. In the example a spindle
upon which is fixed a cam or wiper t¹ is raised and lowered by the action of the
governor. Upon a fulcrum is mounted a lever which is formed with two
arms v¹ and v², which are provided with anti-friction bowls, and with a third arm v³,
which is provided with spur-teeth, which gear with a pinion w' which is secured
to the spindle x' of a rocking valve y', seen in Figs. 1 and 3, (Sheets 1 and 2). This
rocking valve when in one position covers a passage z¹ which leads into the pump
cylinder. When in a second position the said valve covers a passage a², seen in
Fig. 4, which passage leads to the supply valve, as for example, to the conical
valve. When the governor balls rise or expand, the cam t¹ acts upon the bowl
upon the arm v¹, and thereby causes the lever to rock in the indicated direction
upon its fulcrum, whereby the valve spindle c¹ is also caused to rock and to move
the valve y¹ into position to uncover the passage z¹, and to cover the passage a².
The gases in the reservoir now have free passage to and from the gas pump, and as

page_text: a consequence the valve h does not open to admit a further supply of gas and air,
so that the pressure in the said reservoir does not increase during the closure of
the passage a². The parts remain in the described positions until the governor
balls fall or collapse sufficiently to bring the cam into contact with the bowl upon
the arm v³, whereby the valve y' is moved back to uncover the passage a² and to
cover the passage 21. The pump will then draw in gas and air, and deliver the
mixture into the reservoir as before. It will be seen that the governor by one
action shuts off the supply of mixed gases to the cylinder and stops the supply of
gas and air to the pump, thereby preventing the pressure within the reservoir from
increasing. The Drawings in Sheet 4 illustrate the arrangements we employ in
connection with the governor when using a slide valve instead of the rotating
valve. In lieu of the rocking valve y' we employ a cut off slide valve b², and in
lieu of the bye passage z¹ we establish a free communication between the pump
and the reservoir at the required times by opening the valve f, through which the
mixed gases are forced by the pump into the reservoir. The governor spindle or
sleeve is connected with a rocking shaft c² in such a manner as that as the balls
rise and fall the said shaft is caused to rock in its bearings. Upon this shaft is
fixed an arm d², the outer end of which arm engages with a part which projects
from a finger e, which is hinged to the slide valve or to a part attached thereto,
the connection between the arm and the said part permitting the movement of
the finger e with the valve without interfering with the connection. In the
example the projection from slides in a jaw at the end of the arm ². As the
finger e moves to and fro with the valve, it comes into alternate contact with two
stops and f³ on the spindle of the valve b³, and thereby slides the said valve to
and fro so as to shut off the supply of gases to the cylinder preparatory to a
return movement of the valve, and to re-open the passage for the admission of a
fresh charge, this action of the valve b, apart from its regulation by the governor,
forming no part of our Invention. Upon a fulcrum is mounted a bell-crank
lever g, which is formed with an excentric slot, into which enters a stud on the
end of a second lever h³, the other end of which lever is connected by means of a
link with a lever 2, which is jointed to or connected with the outer end of the
spindle of the valve f, the arrangement being such as that when the upper arm of
the lever g² is moved towards the left hand in the Drawing, the said valve spindle
is drawn down whereby the valve f is opened.
When the engine is working at its arranged speed, the finger e² is sustained in
position to strike the stops f" and f³ alternately as aforesaid, and to clear the end
of the lever g. When the speed becomes too great the governor acts to depress
the end of the said finger, which then passes below the stop f³, and as a con-
sequence the valve f is not opened, and therefore the gases have not access to the
cylinder. The finger when thus lowered, and when moving towards the stop f*,
strikes the end of the lever g³, and moves it into position to open the valve f as
aforesaid; so long as this valve remains open the gases have free passage to and
fro between the reservoir and the-pump, so that the pressure in the reservoir is not
increased as in the arrangement previously described. When the governor balls
fall or collapse, the finger e is raised, so as to clear the lever g², and to strike the
stop to open the valve b², a projection on the stop f2 at the same time acting on
the lever g to restore it to its former position, whereby the valve f is permitted to
close. The governor is very sensitive in its action, as it has only to rock the
shaft c in its bearings, and a comparatively small governor is sufficient. It will be
seen that the governor acts to shut off the supply to the cylinder, and to prevent
further accumulation in the reservoir during the times when the supply is so cut off,
as in the example previously described.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of our said Invention, and
the manner in which we carry the same into practical effect, we would have it to
be understood that we claim,
First. Arranging the compressing pump in line with the working cylinder, and
connecting the pump piston directly with the working piston, so that the mixed

page_text: gases are compressed and forced into a reservoir during the stroke in which the
explosion or firing takes place, substantially as set forth and indicated hereinbefore,
and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The firing burner in the valve supplied from a reservoir with a
compressed mixture of gases, substantially as set forth and indicated.
Thirdly. The method for obtaining a pressure within the firing burner cavity,
preparatory to its communication with cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth and indicated.
Fourthly. The relighting burner supplied as in the case of a lighting burner,
and enclosed in a cavity or chamber communicating with the outer air only by
means of a pipe or passage serving for the escape of the products of combustion,
substantially as set forth and indicated.
Fifthly. An expanding chamber connected with the interior of the working
cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
Sixthly. Establishing by the means substantially as set forth and indicated a
free communication between the pump and the reservoir at the times when owing
to the action of the governor charges are not supplied to the cylinder.
And, lastly. The combinations of parts arranged and acting substantially as and
for the purposes set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Haley, for myself, and on behalf of the
said Edgar Coniston Mills, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Ninth
day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
icht
HENRY HALEY. (L.S.)
Signed and sealed by the said
Henry Haley, in the
presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton Street,
Manchester,
(Agent for the Patentees.)