IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AIR
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henry Fish, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR COMPRESSING AIR"
Scaled the 6th October 1877, and dated the 10th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Fish at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1877.
GEORGE HENRY FISH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AIR."
"
IMPROVE-
The principal object of the Invention is to effect the opening and closing of the
induction valves of such apparatus by positive mechanical means instead of allowing
the opening to be effected by the formation of a vacuum within the cylinder, and
the closing by the compression of the air therein.
The induction or inlet valve at each end of the cylinder I form of an annular
or cylindrical shape, and of smaller diameter than the inside of the cylinder, the
inlet openings passing through the cylinder ends, and being arranged in a circle
just inside the inner circumference of the cylinder.
The piston I make in the form of a hollow cylinder, open at each end, but with
a solid disc in the centre. The open cylindrical ends of the piston are of such a
thickness that they can pass into the space between the interior of the cylinder and
the exterior of the annular induction valve, and the latter is provided near to its
edge cither with a ring of india-rubber or with springs to create a certain amount
of friction or drag between the piston and the inner edge of the valve. The outer
edge of the valve is provided with two or more rods, passing out through the
induction openings in the cylinder end, and each connected to the outer end of a
short lever, which levers are arranged radially to the cylinder, having their inner
ends close to the piston rod, and their fulcra about midway between the two ends.
A collar fixed tight on the piston rod acts on these levers, as hereafter described.
The delivery valves are arranged radially round the circumference of the cylinder
at each end, and I have also a central valve at each end in the cylinder, and close
round to the piston rod.

page_text: There are side openings in the open cylindrical ends of the piston corresponding
with the radial delivery valve openings. As soon as the piston commences to
move in either direction, the internal circumference of its open end acting on the
india-rubber ring or springs, before mentioned, draws the cylindrical induction
valve in the same direction, opens it, and then immediately quits it. As the piston
arrives at the end of its stroke the collar on the piston rod comes against the inner
ends of the levers, and closes the induction valve. At the return stroke of the
piston the same operations take place at the other end of the cylinder, and so on
alternately.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Henry Fish in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
October 1877.
GEORGE HENRY FISH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AIR."
" IMPROVE-
The principal object of this Invention is to effect the opening and closing of the
induction valves of such apparatus by positive mechanical means instead of allowing
the opening to be effected by the forination of vacuum within the cylinder, and
the closing by the compression of the air therein.
The induction or inlet valve at each end of the cylinder I form of an annular or
cylindrical shape, and of smaller diameter than the inside of the cylinder, the inlet
openings passing through the cylinder ends, and being arranged in a circlo just
inside the inner circumference of the cylinder.
The piston I make in the form of a hollow cylinder, open at each end, but with
a solid disc in the centre. The open cylindrical ends of the piston are of such a
thickness that they can pass into the space between the interior of the cylinder and
the exterior of the annular induction valve, and the latter is provided near to its
edge either with a ring of india-rubber or other suitable substance, or with springs,
to create a certain amount of friction or drag between the piston and the inner
edge of the valve. The outer edge of the valve is provided with two or more rods,
passing out through the induction openings in the cylinder end, and each connected
to the outer end of a short lever, which levers are arranged radially to the cylinder,
having their inner cuds close to the piston rod, and their fulcra about midway
between the two ends. A collar fixed tight on the piston rod acts on these levers,
as hereafter described.
The delivery valves are arranged radially round the circumference of the cylinder
at each end, and I have also a central delivery valve at each end in the cylinder,
and close round the piston rod.
There are side openings in the open cylindrical ends of the piston corresponding
with the radial delivery valve openings.
Such being the nature and object of my said Invention, I will now proceed to
describe more in detail the manner in which the same is to be or-may be performed
or carried into practical effect; and in order that the same may be clearly under-
stood I have annexed hereunto a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have
marked the same with letters of reference corresponding with those in the following
explanation thereof.
The annexed Drawing represents a sectional view of an air compressor constructed
according to my Invention.
a, a, is the cylinder; b, b, the piston rod; c, c, the piston; d, d, is an induction
or inlet valve (one at each end of the cylinder) formed of a cylindrical shape, and
of smaller diameter than the inside of the cylinder; e, e, are the inlet openings
arranged in a circle, and passing through the ends f, f, of the cylinder.
The exterior of the annular induction valvo d, d, is provided near to its inner

page_text: edge with an india-rubber ring 9, 9, and the outer edge of the same is provided
with two or more rods h, h, passing out through the induction openings e, e, and
each connected to the outer end of a short lever i, i; k, k, is a collar fixed tight
upon the piston rod b, b; 1, 1, are the delivery valves, which are arranged radially
round the circumference of the cylinder a, a, at each end; and m, m, is a central
delivery valve at each end of the cylinder, close round the piston rod.
The action of this air compresser is as follows:-As soon as the piston c, c, com-
mences to move in either direction, the internal circumference of its open end
acting on the india-rubber or other ring g, g, (or springs) beforo mentioned, draws
the cylindrical induction valve d, d, in the same direction, opens it, and then
iminediately quits it. As the piston c, c, arrives at the end of its stroke the collar
k, k, on the piston rod b, b, comes against the inner ends of the levors i, i, and closes
the induction valve d, d. At the return stroke of the piston c, c, the same operations
take place at the other end of the cylinder, and so on alternately.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together
with the manner in which the same is to bo or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention, the general
construction and arrangement of the air compressor, as herein-before more particularly
described and illustrated by the Drawing annexed; and more especially I claim,-
First. The annular induction valves in the ends of the cylinders of rather
smaller diameter than the cylinders, with the inlet openings through the cylinder
ends arranged in a circle just inside the inner circumference of the cylinder.
Secondly. The open cylindrical ends to the piston for opening the said annular
induction valves by india-rubber or other friction rings or springs, as described.
Thirdly. The levers and rods actuated by a fixed collar on the piston rod for
closing the said valves.
And, Fourthly. I claim the delivery valves arranged radially round the circum-
ference of the cylinder at each end, and at the contral delivery valvos in the cylinder
ends close round the piston rod.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henry Fish, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.