Improvements in Obtaining Motive Power by the Combustion of Fuel.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 4th July. 1890-Accepted. 9th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Obtaining Motive Power by the Combustion
of Fuel.
We, JOHN BENNETT of Grove House Goole in the County of York Steam Ship
Owner and ROBERT STORR BEST of Manor Cottage Goole aforesaid School Board
Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows :-
This invention has for its object improvements in obtaining motive power by the
combustion of fuel.
For this purpose we raise steam in a steam boiler and conduct this steam into a
retort containing ignited coke. The steam is thereby converted into carbonic oxide
and hydrogen.
These gases are produced under considerable pressure and are conducted to an
engine like a steam engine in which they are worked and motive power is
obtained.
The exhaust gas from the engine is led away and burnt in the furnace the
excess heat being used for the further generation of steam. Thus after starting the
apparatus the only solid fuel consumed is the coke and the retort is replenished as
required. To work a large engine a series of retorts will be employed.
Dated this Sixth day of September 1889.
JOHN BENNETT.
ROBERT STORR BEST.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Obtaining Motive Power by the Combustion
of Fuel.
We, JOHN BENNETT of Grove House, Goole in the County of York Steam Ship
Owner and ROBERT STORR BEST of Manor Cottage, Goole, aforesaid School Board
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
-
This Invention has for its object improvement in obtaining motive power by the
combustion of fuel.
For this purpose we raise steam in a steam boiler and conduct this steam into a
retort containing ignited coke. The steam is thereby converted into carbonic oxide
and hydrogen.
These gases are produced under considerable pressure and are conducted to an
engine like a steam engine in which they are worked and motive power is
obtained.
We provide a small boiler a for the production of steam-multitubular-the
source of heat being that of the escaping gases to be afterwards referred to.
Two three four or any convenient number of cylinders or retorts bbb are provided-
charged at one end with coke or coal (coke for choice) and the ashes withdrawn at
the other, and first air is forced in after ignition, and afterwards steam, for the
production of that mixture of hydrogen and carbonic oxide called water gas.
This production may be either by the use of the alternate blast of air and steam, or
the employment of a mingled stream of air and steam in ascertained proportions.
The air is supplied by an air pump c.
In order that our said Invention may be fully understood and readily carried into
effect we will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: The resultant gases are led into the expansion chamber d. having been in their
passage mixed with sufficient air for complete combustion, supplied by an air pump e
as shewn in the drawings.
Into the expansion chamber d is forced volumes of air, by the air pumps e, which,
expanding under the influence of the heat, act on the working cylinders ffff and
produce the force required by its expansion.
The hot escaping gases are passed through the heating tubes a' of the boiler a and
provide the generation of the necessary steam.
In the expansion chamber d in which the ultimate combustion of the gases takes
place, an asbestos, or steel shield is provided on which the flame impinges, and which,
being incandescent, secures the ignition of the gases, when from intermission the flame
may have ceased.
The quantity of air supplied to the expansion chamber d is governed by the air
pump cylinder e having a moveable base-capable of enlarging or contracting the
length of cylinder-the longer the cylinder the less the input, and the shorter
the more.
The temperature in the expansion chamber may be governed by the quantity of air
admitted and the pressure at which the workings of the engine gives best results may
be regulated by the cut off.
Thus after starting the apparatus the only solid fuel consumed is the coke and
the retort is replenished as required. To work a large engine a series of retorts will
be employed.
The volume of steam in its conversion into gas is doubled.
The power may be produced without the introduction of steam-using only the
carbonic oxide gas as a source of heat-and for combustion in the expansion
chamber.
By our invention an enormous reduction is made in the comsumption of fuel in any
engine and in both marine and land engines a great reduction in the cost and weight
and room required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Obtaining motive power substantially as described by means of gas generated
under pressure from carbonaceous matter."
2. Obtaining motive power substantially as described by means of gas generated
under pressure from steam and carbonaceous matter.
3. Apparatus substantially as described for obtaining motive power by means of the
combustion of fuel.
Dated this Thinst das T... 1900
JOHN BENNETT.
ROBERT STORR BEST.