A New or Improved Vapour or Gas Motor Engine.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Vapour or Gas Motor Engine.
1, CHARLES HENRY BRYANT, of Island Cottage, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention relates to a new or improved motive power engine, operated by an
explosive mixture of atmospheric air or other gas capable of supporting combustion
with the vapour of benzoline, naptha, petroleum or other hydrocarbon oils, which
may be the ordinary paraffin of commerce, or coal gas.
The most important features of my said invention are,
First. Its economy in the consumption of the motive power employed, especially
when hydrocarbon oils are used, arising partly from the manner in which the speed
governor operates upon the exhaust valve, at the moment when a fresh supply of
explosive mixture is being drawn in by the suction of the upstroke of the working
piston, and partly by utilizing the otherwise waste heat given off from the com-
bustion chamber for vapourizing the oil.
Second. An improved speed governor constructed and arranged to operate upon
the exhaust valve.
Third. An improved arrangement of valves, by means of which and their
accessories the need of a pump for drawing in the explosive charge, is dispensed
with.
Fourth. A lever, actuated by the rod of an eccentric, and by which the exhaust
valve is regularly opened at the finish or other part of each alternate cycle of the
crank shaft.
Fifth. The steady, even and unvarying motion of the engine arising from the
combined operation of its working parts, rendering this particularly adaptable for
driving dynamos for direct electric lighting or electro plating.
Although in the accompanying drawings I have chosen to illustrate my invention
by showing a vertical engine constructed for use with hydrocarbon oils, I wish it
understood that I may by simple and easy modification and disposition of the
parts, arrange the same to operate as a horizontal engine, and or actuated by the
combustion of an explosive mixture produced from a combination of gases other
than that of vapourized hydrocarbon oils, such for instance as atmospheric air and
coal gas, or carburetted hydrogen.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1 and 2 Sheet 1, are front elevation (partly in section) and side elevation
respectively of my improved motor engine, as I prefer to construct it when
operating vertically, in the latter of which views the ignition tube hood or case is
the only part in section.
Fig. 3 Sheet 2 is a back elevation of the same, from which the fly wheel has been
removed.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams of the working cylinder and piston, illustrating
in combination with Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 the four motions of the piston, and the
eccentric, operating upon the exhaust valve, at every second cycle of the crank or
main shaft.
Fig. 12 is an elevational view (partly in section) of my improved speed governor,
while
Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of the form of lamps I prefer to use for heating

page_text: the ignition tube, and for heating the vapourizing chamber at the first starting of
the engine.
My said improved motor engine, consists of a frame, composed of a pair of
preferably cast iron columns A and B, mounted upon and secured to a hollow bed
plate C, and supporting a vertical cylinder, open at its upper end, and composed of
two parts D and E, bolted or otherwise firmly connected together at a, the former
being surrounded by a water jacket F, in connection with a constant water supply,
entering at b, and exhausting at c as shewn by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 3, the
object of this being to prevent overheating of the cylinder, but in order that this
may not be thereby so cooled as to induce condensation of the combustible charges
during compression, I may regulate the current of water by interposing anywhere
between the source of supply and the inlet b a suitable tap or cock. The lower
portion of the cylinder may be connected to, or so constructed as to form, a
preferably rectangular chamber G, upon the upper surface of which is mounted
and suitably connected thereto a chamber H, open to the atmosphere at d (Figs. 1
and 2) the inlet to which would be governed by a tap or cock e, (Fig. 3). The
chamber H communicates with the chamber G, such communication being closed
by a valve connected to a rod g which extends upwardly through H, and there
provided with a spiral or other suitable spring h, the tension of which operates to
keep the valve fupon its seating, which (when such are provided) also closes any
number of air inlets or holes k in H. A tubej forms communication between H
and a chamber J, situated beneath E, (Fig. 1).
The lower outer surface of the chamber G carries a similar chamber H' open to
the atmosphere at e¹ and which communicates with the interior of G in like manner,
closed by a valve f¹, with rod 9', passing through and extending beyond the lower
surface of H', through and into the bed plate C, a like spring ¹ operating to keep
the valve upon its seating, notwithstanding that a perfect or partial vacuum may
exist in G.
To any convenient part of G, is connected an ignition tube K, which extends
for any distance into G, clear of the valves ff, and outwardly therefrom a
sufficient distance to permit this to be bent or curved in an upward direction, and
be enclosed by a case or mantle L, open at the top, and fixed upon the bed plate C.
The manner of and means for heating K will be hereinafter explained.
The cylinder D, is provided with a hollow piston M, having an internal lug
formed therewith or connected thereto, to which is pivoted one end of its rod N,
the opposite end of which is connected in the usual way to a crank shaft O,
carried in suitable bearings upon the columns A B, from the latter of which the
said shaft extends and carries a fly wheel P and suitable pulleys or sheaves for
carrying a belt or rope. The opposite end of O extends beyond A and carries a
pinion R (and a pulley or sheave if desired) which gears two to one with a toothed
wheel R', mounted upon and fixed to a small shaft S, carried by, and capable of
rotating in A, or S may be a fixture upon A, and carry a sleeve upon which R'
may be fixed. Upon the shaft S, (or the sleeve thereon) between R¹ and A. is
also mounted an eccentric T, from which depends a rod T, the lower end of which
extends through an aperture in the bed plate C, and is there provided with a
shoulder T, and continuing on passes loosely through a hole or slot in one end of
a horizontal lever U, pivoted at U¹ to the under surface of the bed plate C, the
opposite end of U terminating at, and immediately below the end of the exhaust
valve rod g¹.
By reason of the two to one gearing R R', the crank shaft O would make two
revolutions to one of the eccentric T, and the length of its rod T' would be such,
that when approaching its lowest position, its shoulder T" would collide with and
depress that end of the lever U, and the opposite end of this in rising would lift
the rod g', and consequently open the exhaust valve f¹, once during every second
revolution of the shaft O, and by a suitable adjustment of the eccentric T, the said
opening (and closing) of f¹ would be arranged to occur during the first down stroke
of the piston M after each explosion.

page_text: Communicating with the vaporizing chamber J, I provide a tube l, which
extends outwardly therefrom at or about opposite to the tube j, and preferably in
a horizontal direction, and is connected to one arm of a, preferably, T shaped
junction m, the opposite arm of which is provided with a hollow plug u open to the
atmosphere, and from the junction piece m depends a tube o, provided with a tap
or cock p, and reaches nearly to the bottom of an open tank V, preferably fixed
upon C, but this may be fixed elsewhere by lengthening the tube 1. The tank V
is for containing only a sufficient quantity of hydrocarbon oil necessary for
supplying the engine, and being provided with a ball cock as shewn at Fig. 1, may
be supplied by gravity from a larger tank or other reservoir situated anywhere at
a distance from the engine, and may be provided with a lid or cover to keep out
dust and dirt.
When ordinary coal gas mixed with atmospheric air, is the explosive charge
employed, the tank V would of course not be needed, as the tube o could be
connected direct to and upon the gas supply.
I have previously stated that I dispense with the need of a pump for drawing
in the charge of explosive mixture, and I attain this by suction afforded by the
upstroke of the piston M following the exhaust of the previous products of com-
bustion, the effect of such suction being the opening of the valve fagainst the
tension of the spring h, and drawing a certain quantity of oil from the tank V,
through the vapourizing chamber J, and the tube j into G, but as at the starting
of the engine the chamber J would naturally be cold, I first heat this chamber by
placing beneath it any suitable form of lamp adapted for the purpose, but I prefer
to use a lamp constructed as at Fig. 13, which consists of a tube 1, fixed upon a
base or stand 2, and bent or arched at 3, and again fixed to 2 at the point. 4,
terminating in a pin hole nozzle 5, immediately beneath the bend 3, its opposite
end 6 being connected by a tube to any available petroleum or other hydro-
carbon oil supply, when by applying heat, from any convenient source, to the
bend 3, the oil would he vapourized and issue from the nozzle 5 in a fine spray,
which may then be ignited, and the heat first applied to 3 removed, the flame
from 5, then serving to vapourize the oil in lieu thereof.
I also prefer to use a lamp of this description for heating the ignition tube K,
and such a lamp I show by the letter r in Figs. 1 and 2, placed within the mantle
or case L in such a manner that the flame issuing from the nozzle 5 after heating
the bend 3, would impinge upon the bend of the ignition tube K, the products of
combustion from passing out at the top of L.
I am aware that the principle upon which the said lamp is constructed is not
new, although its shape or configuration may be, I therefore do not claim its
use except in combination with, the improvements constituting my invention. The
manner in which my said motor engine operates is as follows.
Presuming the cocks e and p to have been properly adjusted for regulating the
quality of the explosive mixture, and that the ignition tube K, and the vapourizing
chamber J have been heated by means of the lamps r as described, motion would
be first imparted by hand to the fly wheel P, and at the first upstroke of the
piston M, the suction of this would open the valve f and draw in a charge of oil
from the tank V which entering the tube t would draw in a certain quantity of air
through the hollow plug u, and become atomized thereby, and this mixture entering
the chamber J would be therein vapourized, and pass through the tube j into H,
and there mingling with a further supply of atmospheric air admitted through the
tube d, and may be through the holes k, (the quantity entering through d being
governed by the cock e, by which the quality of the explosive mixture may be
regulated) the whole would become thoroughly mixed before entering the
chamber G and the cylinder ED. The piston M having finished its upstroke as
at Fig. 4, the eccentric T would have made one quarter of a revolution and have
arrived at the position shewn by Fig. 8, at the commencement of which the
shoulder T of its rod T¹ would have left the lever U, and the valve f¹ be closed

page_text: and remain closed by reason of the superior tension of its spring h¹. The piston M
in its descent or return stroke would compress the explosive mixture, and the
valve close and at the finish of the down stroke of M, (which would be at or
about level with the junction of D and E, namely a) as shewn at Fig. 5, the
position of the eccentric T, rod T' and exhaust valve f' would be that shewn by
Fig. 9, and at this moment the ignition tube K would ignite the now sufficiently
compressed explosive mixture, and by its expansion give impulse to the piston M,
and at the finish of the upstroke of this as at Fig. 6 the position of T, T₁, Tu
and would be that shewn by Fig. 10, that is to say the opening of the valve f
would commence by reason of T" pressing upon that end of U, causing its opposite
end to raise the rod 9', and during the following downstroke of the piston M
the valve would be fully opened as at Fig. 11 thereby allowing the products of
combustion to escape through f' and the exhaust pipe e', the commencement of the
next upstroke of M, releasing T" from U, and allowing the exhaust valve to again
close by the tension of its spring ', and the momentum stored in the flywheel P,
would carry up the piston M, and a fresh charge be drawn in by suction as before,
and motion continue unaided, and by reason of the position of the chamber G, a
certain portion of the products of combustion would remain therein after the finish
of each exhaust, which, mingling with the next charge would enrich the quality of
same, and so economise its use.
After the engine has been working a short time, the lamp first placed beneath
the chamber J may be removed, the heat now given off from the bottom of the
combustion chamber E, being sufficient to effect vaporization of the fresh charge
passing through J.
In order to maintain an unvarying speed in the engine, and prevent racing
arising from intermittance in the load or from other causes, I provide an improved
speed governor constructed and operating as follows, reference being made to the
enlarged part sectional view of same shewn at Fig. 12.
Upon the crank shaft O, between the column B, and the flywheel P, I fix a
'helical toothed wheel W, which gears with a similar toothed wheel W', fixed upon the
upper end of a vertical rod W, carried in suitable bearings upon the column B.
The lower portion of W" is extended in diameter and forms, or is connected to a
tube or casing X, carrying a fixed collar having a pair of slotted lugs X', in which
are pivoted a pair of arms s s', carrying balls & t¹. At the pivots X' the arms s s¹
extend within X, through slots formed therein, and terminate in depending
nosings and s", which rest upon the head v of a rod v', extending downward
through X, and a hole in the bed plate C, and surrounded by a spiral spring ".
Upon the under surface of C, a lever wis pivoted at w', one end of which carries,
and is weighted by, a hook or its equivalent y, immediately beneath, and capable
of engaging with and raising that end of the lever U beneath the valve rod g³, the
opposite end of wo being always beneath and in touch with the heel of the rod v',
and the action of the governor is as follows.
When the normal speed of the engine is exceeded the balls t t would be divided
from each other by the action of centrifugal force, thereby causing the nosings sllll,
to press downwardly the rod v', and the heel of this depressing that end of the
lever w, its opposite end, by means of the hook or its equivalent y, would raise
that end of the lever U, and lift the rod g' and consequently open the exhaust
valve f, and keep it open until the speed of the engine was reduced and the
balls lowered, and it is obvious that so long as fremains open a vacuum
beneath the piston M would not exist, and during this time no charge of explosive
mixture would be drawn from the tank V by the suction of the upstroke of M as
previously described, and by thus stopping the supply of energy the speed would
be quickly reduced, when the balls would fall, and the rod v₁ be raised by the
tension of the spring ", and the valve f' closed by its spring h'.
By reason of the extreme sensitiveness of my said governor, constructed and
operating as described, the slightest excess of speed, would cause partial opening

page_text: of the valve f, and this occurring probably at the moment when the upstroke
of M would be drawing in a charge, the quantity of oil drawn from the tank V,
would be reduced a degree equalling in proportion the quantity of atmospheric air
drawn in through the open valve thereby economising the use of oil (or coal gas
when such is used) according to the work being done.
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 what I
claim is
1st. In an improved motor engine energized but the combustion of an explosive
mixture composed of atmospheric air and vapourized petroleum, benzoline, naptha
or other hydrocarbon oils or coal gas, the construction, use, and application of the
apparatus herein described and shewn, and the several mechanical parts con-
stituting the same, the whole connected combined and operating together
substantially as herein explained and shewn, and for attaining the purposes
specified.
2nd. In an improved motor engine energized by the combustion of an explosive
mixture, the combination of a pair of columns A B, mounted upon a bed plate C,
and carrying a cylinder composed of two parts D and E, the former surrounded by
a water jacket F, the latter having connected thereto or formed integrally
therewith chambers G and J, to the former of which is connected a valve
chamber H, open to the atmosphere by a tube d, governed by a cock e, with
or without additional air inlets k, and provided with an admission valve f, g, kept
upon its seat by the tension of a spring h, and having a tube; forming a passage
between H and the vaporizing chamber J, the chamber Ġ having also connected
thereto a chamber H' open to the atmosphere at e¹, and provided with an exhaust
valve f g¹, kept upon its seat by the tension of a spring ', the chamber G having
also connected thereto an ignition tube K, enclosed by a mantel or case L open at
the top, and heated by the flame of a lamp r, which may be such as that shewn by
Fig. 13. The hollow piston M, with rod N connected to a crank shaft O, borne
by A B, and carrying upon one end a fly wheel P, and helical wheel W, in gear with
a like wheel W upon a rod W" forming part of a governor constructed as at
Fig. 12, arranged to regulate the speed of the engine by operating upon the
exhaust valve fl, the opposite end of ☐ carrying a pinion R in gear with a
toothed wheel R', the latter in company with an eccentric T being fixed upon
a revolving shaft S, or upon a sleeve borne by a fixed shaft S upon A, the
said eccentric T having a depending rod T', extending through the bed plate C,
and operating to exhaust the products of combustion at and during each alternate
down stroke of the piston M, by depressing one end of a lever U, pivoted at at U'
to C, and thereby raising the exhaust valve f¹ g¹. The tank V for containing any
suitable hydrocarbon oil, fed by gravity thereto, and regulated by a ball valve,
the tube o dipping into V, and provided with a tap or cock p, and hollow
plug n open to the atmosphere, and connected by a tube to the vapourizing
chamber J, the whole connected, combined and operating substantially as herein
described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In combination with the improved motor engine as set forth in the
preceding claim, the construction and use of a speed governor operated by
suitable gearing actuated by the crank shaft O, and consisting of a rod Wu
connected to or formed integrally with a tube or case ✗, having pivotally
connected thereto at X' a pair of arms ss carrying at their outer ends
balls tt, and formed at their inner ends with nosings 111, which, when the
speed of the engine is excessive and the balls tt' are divided by centrifugal
force, press upon the upper end of a rod v¹ in X, surrounded by a spiral
spring thereby causing the lower end of ¹ to depress one end of a lever w
pivoted at w³ to the bed plate C, the opposite end being provided with a hook or its
equivalent y, which by raising one end of the lever U opens the exhaust valve f¹,
the whole connected, combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes

page_text: herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings especially by that of
Fig. 13.
Dated this 27th day of July 1894.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,.
Agent for the Applicant.