Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Use in Generating and Supplying Heated Gases under Pressure for Motive Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1900
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Use in Generating and
Supplying Heated Gases under Pressure for Motive Purposes..
I, LOUIS EDMOND HENRI FIÉVET, of 115, Avenue Victor Hugo, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
---
Gas motors are actuated by the considerable force produced by the expansion
of gases, when combustion is instantaneous. According to their working they
may be placed in two classes: -
1st. Motors, the explosions of which take place in the cylinder itself, thus
directly acting on the piston, and
2ndly. Motors in which the explosions are produced outside the cylinder,
i.e. in a special explosion chamber.
The object of the present invention is a device which enables me to produce
considerable force, when compared with the volume and the weight of the
apparatus in which such force is produced, the apparatus being characterised by
1st, an almost continuous series of explosions of gas to actuate a motor of the
second class.
2ndly, an almost continuous yield of steam or of vapours of any kind, of gas
or of air, consequent on the continuous series of explosions, mentioned above,
and obtained by the heat imparted to the fluid used for cooling the apparatus,
necessary in consequence of the high temperatures it acquires owing to such
repeated explosions, the cooling fluid being of any desired kind.
It should be understood that I may utilise the gases produced by the explosions,
and the vapours produced by the cooling of the apparatus, each separately, or
simultaneously.
Up to the present, generators of gas, which are applied to motors of the second
class, were generally made in one chamber, in which successively the following
four operations took place:--
1st. The admission of the explosive mixture, with or without previous com-
pression.
2nd. The explosion of the mixture by means of a frame or electric spark.
3rd. The expansion of the gas.
4th. The ejection from the explosion chamber of the gases which may remain
in it after explosion.
However rapidly these four operations may take place they require a certain
time, and it is for this reason that in apparatus of the second class an inter-
mediate chamber is employed, into which the hot gases from the explosion
chamber enter after every explosion, being actuated by their pressure, which is
greater than that of the gas in the reservoir.
But it easy to see that as the pressure of gas of the reservoir feeding the
apparatus is raised, the quantity of gas in the explosive chamber which here
enters must become less in proportion.

page_text: The greatest portion of this gas, therefore, is lost, to the great detriment of
the working power of the motor.
On the other hand, unless a reservoir of great dimensions, as compared with
the size of the explosion chamber, is employed, the variations of pressure in
the reservoir are very.considerable. The machine is fed, as it were, continuously,
while the reservoir itself is only fed intermittently, or at relatively long
intervals.
For this reason therefore motors of the second class have, up to the present,
been rather neglected.
It would not be the same if one could obtain such rapidity in the explosions
that the gases evolved thereby would yield an almost continuous supply, which
would render the use of an intermediate reservoir unnecessary.
This forms the principle of my invention.
I replace one explosion chamber by a greater number of explosion chambers,
which are so arranged that while one is being charged with the explosive mixture,
in a second chamber an explosion takes place in a third the gases expand while
in the fourth the gases resulting from the combustion are ejected; then the last
chamber is again charged with explosive mixture, while the others are, simul-
taneously passing through the different phases of the operations just mentioned.
This cycle of operations is continued as long as required. If therefore the motor
or other apparatus on which the gases are to act is put into communication
successively, and rapidly, with the chamber in which the explosion is taking
place, the motor will receive a number of impulses in a given time, so great as
to amount to an almost continuous application of driving force coming from the
explosion chambers.
În a general way, my explosion device may be compared to the breech of a
revolver, revolving between two plates fixed and rigidly united with each other,
which breech provided with a number of longitudinal borings, cylindrical in
shape, or otherwise.
If we take the simplest case in which four explosions are obtained by one
revolution of the breech, the latter must be provided with four chambers or
bores.
It will be seen further on that in reality the breech may be provided with a
larger number of chambers, for, as I have mentioned above, it is necessary to
cool the chambers effectually; but leaving aside, for the moment, the chambers
necessary for cooling, and which would be interposed between the explosion
chambers, the cycle of operations taking place in the latter alone will be examined
and described.
The front and back plates or covers are formed with a number of orifices so
arranged that they correspond in certain positions with the respective chambers
of the revoluble breech. In consequence of the rotations of the breech, the
solid portions of these flanking plates will close the said chambers of the breech
either at one end or the other, or at both ends at the same time. It follows then
that the chambers in the breech will be open at both extremities if they should
happen to coincide with an orifice at each plate, or open or closed at one end
only, in front or at the back, or closed on both ends.
Through one of the orifices of one of the cover plates the explosive gas is
caused to enter under the desired pressure, above the ordinary atmospheric
pressure."
-
The gaseous mixture which a moment before had been stopped by a solid part
of the breech finds, in consequence of the rotary movement of the breech, an
entrance into one of the longitudinal passages or chambers of the
latter, and expands at once in that chamber, which is closed at the opposite
end by a solid portion of the other cover plate. The breech continues to revolve
and the gas that has entered the chamber is 'shut up within it. This chamber
like the others, is provided in one part, or in several parts, with electric igniters.
so arranged that they strike against the ignition brushes, or effect ignition at

page_text: the proper moment the explosion should take place; or the ignition may take
place in a recess in one of the cover plates, or in both, either by a flame or by
means of an incandescent, wire, or by means of an electric spark, or by any of
these different devices combined. In this case the ignition of the gaseous
mixture instead of taking place in the central part of the explosion chamber
will be effected at one end of the explosion chamber, or, simultaneously, at both
ends. This explosion takes place in a closed chamber, .e. in one of constant
volume. The breech continues its' movement of rotation, and 'the hot gases
under very great pressure meet with an orifice in one of the cover plates through
which they pass, expanding all the time and actuating the motor or part to be
acted upon. The explosion chamber which contained these gases, and, from
which they are not quite discharged; is brought, in consequence of the continued
rotation of the breech, to correspond with an orifice at both ends, .e. of the
front and back' plates, a current of fresh air then passes through the whole
chamber, carrying off with it the residues of the exploded' gas, and the cycle of
operations re-commences.
197101
While these different operations are carried out in one of the chambers, they
are also carried out simultaneously in the others.
13319
0.
נ-. ז''ל,
Suppose that there are for instance, in the breech, four chambers for the
gases; and we call the one, of which we have described the different phases,
No: 1, and those which follow it in the movement of rotation Nos. 2, 3 and 4,
respectively, the different phases will take place as follows:
1st phase. While No. 1 is being charged, No. 2 is emptied in No. 3 the gas is
expanding, and in No. 4 the explosion takes place.
2nd phase. While the explosion takes place in No. 1, No. 2 is being charged
with gas, No. 3 is emptied and in No. 4 the gas is expanding..
3rd phase: While in No. 1. the gas is expanding in No. 2 it is ignited; No. 3
is being charged and No. 4 is being emptied..
4th phase. While in No. 1 the burnt gases are being removed in No. 2 the gas
is expanding, and in No. 3 it is exploded and in No. 4 is being charged.
In the course of one, revolution, as explained above, the different operations
are each repeated four times; there are therefore four impulses, produced by
the explosions of gas.
"
If the breech is provided with eight chambers for the hot gases, (not including,
of course, those which serve for the cooling of the apparatus,, and which will
be referred to further on) and the cover or end plates are so arranged that all
the operations can be carried out symmetrically as regards the axis of rotation,
every one of the four operations will be repeated sixteen times; in such an
arrangement therefore sixteen impulses of hot gas under high pressure are pro-
duced at each revolution; and if the breech makes several revolutions per
second; it will be easy to understand that the number of such impulses given
under great pressure is such that they may be considered as practically forming
one continuous impulse..
As I have before observed. it is necessary to cool the chambers in which the
explosions take place, as otherwise the chambers would be heated to such an
extent that the working would not be satisfactory. To effect such cooling I may
have recourse to different means.
1. I may mount the explosion chambers on a framework so arranged as to
allow the circulation of the cooling fluid between the different chambers; this
is a simple and very effective cooling device.
2. Or I may interpose, between the different chambers in which the explosions
take place, other chambers accessible to the cooling fluids, which may be, water
or carbonic acid or air or the like.
"
This cooling fluid will be heated when coming in contact with the hot walls
of the breech. If a liquid has been chosen as a cooling agent,, it, will be rapidly
converted into vapour; and if gas, it will be heated and consequently, become
capable of expansion. I reserve for myself to employ this gas or this vapour

page_text: separately, or in combination with the got gases produced by the explosions,
according to the-nature of the application of the apparatus.
For the sake of simplicity, I will suppose in the following description that
the cooling is obtained by means of chambers into which water is introduced
interposed between the explosion chambers and alternating with them, and I
will then show how the vapours produced in these cooling chambers may be used
in' combination with the hot gases.
Having thus described in a general way the apparatus which forms the object
of my present application for patent I will describe various arrangements or
constructions for practically carrying out my invention.
"
In order to render the invention as clear as possible I will describe by way
of example, an apparatus with cooling chambers arranged for the circulation
of water and the production of steam.
1.4
..
23
I will suppose that the breech" is provided, with a view, of balancing the
pressure as regards the axis with sixteen chambers, of which eight alternate
chambers are to serve as explosion chambers, and other eight interposed between
the former, for the cooling of the apparatus. These chambers or passages
traverse the breech from end to end. Against the two lateral or end. faces of the
breech are fixed-say by means of screw bolts plates which completely close up
the chambers which are to serve for the cooling of the apparatus, while they are
provided with orifices corresponding with the explosion chambers. The breech
is mounted on a tubular shaft by means of which, as will presently be described,
the feeding and the emptying of the cooling chambers, is effected. The ends of
the shaft pass' through corresponding orifices in the flanking or cover plates, these
two plates being firmly secured together by means of three or other number of
screw bolts passing through the projections or lugs on the said plates; the bolts
being provided with nuts by means of which the space between the two plates
is regulated according to requirements. To this effect one cover plate is firmly
fixed to the frame of the apparatus while the other plate by means of a dovetail
arrangement, can be moved laterally in corresponding grooves.
The front plates through which, as we have said before the explosive mixture is
introduced, is provided with four orifices symmetrically arranged round the
centre. Two of the orifices placed on the horizontal diameter, communicate with
the supply, tube or part of the explosive mixture; while the two other orifices
are open to the air.
The back plate is also provided with four orifices. Two of the orifices placed
along the vertical diameter communicate with the conduit connecting the
apparatus with the motor. The other orifices are open to the air.
It is to be observed that the supply or inlet orifices of the front plate are placed
along the diameter which is at right angles to the diameter along which the
outlet orifices of the back plate are arranged. In a like manner, the diameter
along which the other orifices of the front plate are formed forms with the
diameter along which the inlet orifices are placed an angle which angle is the
same as that which the diameter of the air inlet orifices of the back plate forms
with that of the outlet orifices.
In order to explain the different operations I will content myself with describ-
ing what passes in one single compartment of the series.
As soon as the compartment arrives in consequence of the rotation of the
breech, opposite to the inlet orifice it is filled with the explosive gas.
+
The breech continues its revolution the inlet orifice gradually ceases to com-
municate with the compartment until. the latter is completely shut off haying
within it a certain charge of explosive gas. During the movement of this com-
partment from its horizontal position to the vertical, the explosive mixture
explodes at any required moment by means of an electric spark or an ignition
flame of any kind. The compartment now comes opposite the outlet opening
through which the gases produced by the explosion communicate with the motor.
The "breech" continuing to revolve, the chamber: comes opposite at one

page_text: end to an orifice of the front plate and at the other end opposite an orifice of
the back plate. A current of air, then passes through the whole chamber carry-
ing with itself the residues of the explosive gas.
After this operation the chamber arrives before the inlet orifice of the front
5 plate and is again charged with explosive gas, which at the next stage is ex-
ploded, the hot gases passing, to the motor by the outlet orifice.
The breech continuing to revolve, the chamber comes opposite the orifices in
the front and back plates open to the air. The residues of combustion which
may still have been retained in the chamber are. then carried off by a current of
air passing through the chamber.
After having passed through a complete revolution the compartment again
arrives before the inlet orifice of the front plate, and the same order of operations
is re-produced as the breech continues its revolving movement...
What I have said, with regard to the one chamber. is produced also in the other
compartments, each of them.passing through a different phase of the operations
and the same phase, being, produced always at the same place as regards the cover
plates which are fixed..
i
:
ارن
11"
Consequently, as soon as one chamber. has passed. the inlet orifice and been
charged with explosive mixture, the next succeeds it.and so on, with. as small
intervals, of time..between each phase, as may be desired. In this manner a
kind of continuity is obtained as regards each of the phases of the operation.
It will also, be, seen that each chamber has two explosionsbini every complete
revolution of the breech"; therefore we have a total of sixteen explosions. to
each complete. revolution of the "breech"; and if the breech..revolves with a
certain velocity a practically continuous, series, of impulses..may be obtained.
The movement of the breech,may be obtained from the motor itself. by means
of any gearing, by, acting upon, for instance, the exterior periphery of the breech
from a pulley, or by having the shaft of the.."; breech geared in a similar
manner. To start the apparatus a few turns are given by hand by means of
a crank and pinion; and when once the machine is under way..the driving is
performed, by the motor..
L
*
In consequence: of: the explosions which succeed each other very rapidly, the
breech or rotary barrel is heated to a considerable degree. The, heat thus
absorbed. may be utilised for, the production of steam in; the,cooling chambers
or passages, without reducing the temperature of the, hot gases to such an extent
as to interfere with the efficiency of the explosions. Of course, as I mentioned
before, any kind of cooling agent may be employed, and, according to one
arrangement, the shaft of the breech is tubular and contains two sets of conduits
which in no way communicate with each other. One conduit serves for; the
circulation of fluid in the cooling chambers and the other conduit for thé, exit
of the steam,produced in the said chambers..
Each of, the cooling passages or chambers communicates
1. With the supply conduit by a passage which stops on a level with the
inner wall of the chamber. .
i
2. With the steam conduit by a tube which extends into the interior of the
chamber.
It should also be observed that the hollow shaft revolves with the breech
while the conduits in the interior of the shaft do not turn. It follows then,
that the conduits or passages fixed as regards the movable, hollow shaft, form a
kind of distributor, which will, at' certain required moments allow the water to
pass into the interior of the chambers and the vapours to pass out of the chambers.
To avoid heating of the cover plates they, are preferably provided with hollow
centres or water passages, into which, by a lower orifice, water can be introduced
and steam be, collected by an, upper, orifice';, these orifices may also be sym-
metrically coupled for the conduits of both plates.
As we have seen before, the entry of the explosive mixture is, accomplished by
two orifices in the front plate; these two orifices could therefore be made to

page_text: communicate with a single.. conduit from, the carburetting device, either by
means of two separate conduits coming from the. same carburettor or, from two
carburettors.
1
The outlet orifices, through which the gas passes to the motor, may be made to
communicate by means of one tube only, either with an intermediate reservoir
from which the motor takes. the quantity of charget necessary, for its work;- or
directly with the motor. Instead of one. tube: of communication I reserve to
myself the right to unite each of the said orificest with an ejector of any kind in
generalmor with ancejector. of the following special construction. The flange..is
fixed against the back plate to correspond with one of the outlet orifices and the
current of hot gases passes into the central tube of the ejector.
1. As in all ejectors, a.depression.or: suction: is formed. which. I may make use of
either for introducing air to mix with the hot gases, or for drawing out the hot
gases which remain in the explosion chambers, and from which I may, as I have
said: before; .clear off any remnantsi of gas by means of a current of air.. To
take these shots gases away by suction produced in the outer chamber, it is
sufficient to close the air" orifices of the front plate and to join the "air"
orifices of the back, plate with the suction chamber.
... Instead of employing the ejector described I may also use an ejector which
is so arranged.as to have only one conduit by which to admit the hot gases from
the apparatus to the motor. Ther
.
The conduit is divided into two parts, which are so arranged at the back
plate. of the breech" as to communicate with the exit orifices of the hot gases
produced. by the explosion. In a free space between the two conduits are
arranged two other conduits, which also are adjusted to the back plate but
communicate with the "air" orifices; the hot gases produced by the explosion
pass. through the outer conduits and converge together producing in the inner
conduits a suction, whereby the residue of gas which could not escape after
the explosion, are carried away.
In the preceding description each of the two cover plates are formed with
orifices, but I reserve to myself the right to employ one solid plate, while all
the orifices necessary for the proper working of the apparatus are located in the
other plate..
...
The breech" and the two cover plates may be surrounded to avoid loss of
heat by a metallic case of cylindrical shape in which the two discs tightly fit
and form the bases.
"
In certain arrangements a cylinder is hermetically closed by two pistons, which
pistons form the cover discs or plates. The shaft of the " "breech passes
through the centre of each cover plate through a stuffing box; and the "breech"
is made to revolve by means of this shaft.
The chambers in which the explosions of the gas take place may be simply
tubes mounted on a frame secured to the shaft and turning in a direction parallel
to the axis, the ends of these tubes being fitted into two plates forming part of
the said frame. These plates turn with some friction between and against two
other parallel plates as described in the apparatus in which the "breech" is
used, consequently we have in these tubes a system of admission and emission of
gas through the end plates, similar to that described above.
!
The ignition is produced in recesses made in the end plates. As regards the
cooling fluids; they need not be made to enter the shaft, as cooling can be effected
according to this arrangement without causing fluid to enter the shaft, which
therefore need not be hollow.
"The few examples which have been given above will serve to show that this
invention is capable of. a considerable amount of modification without however
interfering with its principle, which consists in a series of revoluble explosion
chambers.
"of
Deted this 7th day of March 1899

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Use in Generating and
Supplying Heated Gases under Pressure for Motive Purposes.
I, LOUIS EDMOND HENRI FIEVET, of 115, Avenue Victor Hugo, Paris, in the
Republic of France, 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:-
'
Gas motors are actuated by the considerable force produced by the expansion
of gases, when combustion is instantaneous. According to their working they
may be placed in two classes,:-
--
Ist. Motors, the explosions of which take place in the cylinder itself, thus
directly acting on the piston, and
:
2ndly. Motors in which the explosions are produced outside the cylinders
2.e. in a special explosion chamber..
The object of the present invention is a device which enables me to produce
considerable, force, when compared with the volume and the weight of the
apparatus in which such force is produced, the apparatus being characterised by
an almost continuous production of hot gases and steam or vapours resulting from
the cooling medium employed.
Up to the present time, generators of gas, which are applied to motors of the
second class have generally, been made in one chamber in which the following
four operations took place successively.
1st. The admission of the explosive mixture, with or without previous com-
pression.
2ndly. The explosion of the mixture by means of a flame or electric spark.
3rdly. The expansion of the gas.
4thly. The ejection from the explosion chamber of the gases which may
remain in it after explosion."
However rapidly these four operations may take place they require a certain
time. and it is for this reason that in apparatus of the second class 'an inter-
mediate chamber is employed, into which the hot gases from the explosion
chamber enter after every explosion, being actuated by their pressure, which is
greater than that of the gas in the reservoir.
But it is easy to see that as the pressure of gas of the reservoir feeding the
apparatus is, raised, the quantity of gases in the explosive chamber which here
enter must become less in proportion.,
The greatest portion of this gas, therefore is lost, to the great détriment of
the working power of the motor.
..
On the other hand, unless a reservoir of great dimensions, as compared with
the size of the explosion chamber is employed, the variations of pressure in
the reservoir are very considerable. The machine is fed, as it were, continuously,
while, the reservoir itself is only fed intermittently, or at relatively long
intervals.
.~3
For this reason therefore motors of the second class have, up to the present,
been rather neglected.
It would not be the same if one could obtain such rapidity in the explosions
that the gases evolved thereby would yield an almost continuous supply, which
would render the use of an intermediate reservoir unnecessary.
This forms the principle of niy invention.
I replace one explosion chamber by a greater number of explosion chambers,
which are so arranged that while one is being charged with the explosive mixture,

page_text: in a second chamber an explosion takes place in a third the gases expand while
in the fourth the gases resulting from the combustion are ejected; then the last
chamber is again charged with explosive mixture, while the others are simul-
taneously passing through the different phases of the operations just mentioned.
This cycle of operations is continued as long as required. If therefore the motor 5
or other apparatus in which the gases are to act is put into communication
successively and very rapidly, with the chamber in which the explosion is taking
place, the motor will receive a number of almost continuous impulses from the
hot gases or vapours, the continuous supply of which will carry with it the
vapours arising from the cooling liquid and under conditions such as will be 1
described hereinafter.
In a general way, my explosion device may be compared to the cylinder of a
revolver, revolving between two plates fixed and rigidly united with each other,
which cylinder is provided with a number of longitudinal borings, cylindrical in
shape, or otherwise.
The front and back plates or covers are formed with a number of orifices so
arranged that they correspond in certain positions with the respective chambers
of the revoluble cylinder. In consequence of the rotations of the cylinder, the
solid portions of these flanking plates will close the said chambers of the cylinder
either at one end, or the other, or at both ends at the same time. It follows then
that the chambers in the cylinder will be open at both extremities if they should
happen to coincide with an orifice at each plate, or open or closed at one end
only, in front or at the back, or closed on both ends.
Through one of the orifices of one of the cover plates the explosive gas is
caused to enter under the desired pressure, above the ordinary atmospheric
pressure.
The gaseous mixture which a moment before had been stopped by a solid part
of the cylinder, finds, in consequence of the rotary movement of the cylinder,
an entrance into one of the longitudinal passages, or chambers of the latter and
expands at once in that chamber, which is closed at the opposite end by a solid
portion of the other cover plate. The cylinder continues to revolve and the gas
that has entered the chamber is shut up within it. This chamber like the others
is provided in one part, or in several parts, with electric igniters, so arranged
that they strike against the ignition brushes or effect ignition at the proper
moment the explosion should take place; or the ignition may take place in a
recess in one of the cover plates, or in both, either by a flame, or by means of an
incandescent wire, or by means of an electric spark, or by any of these different
devices combined. In this case the ignition of the gaseous mixture instead of
taking place in the central part of the explosion chamber will be effected at one
end of the explosion chamber, or, simultaneously, at both ends. This explosion
takes place in a closed chamber i.e., in one of constant volume. The cylinder
continues its movement of rotation and the hot gases under very great pressure
meet with an orifice in one of the cover plates through which they pass, expand-
ing all the time and actuating the motor or part to be acted upon. The explosion
chamber which contained these gases and from which they are not quite dis-
charged is brought in consequence of the continued rotation of the cylinder to
correspond with an orifice at both ends, i.e. of the front and back plates, a
current of fresh air then passes through the whole chamber carrying off with
it the residues of the exploded gas, and the cycle of operations re-commences.
While these different operations are carried out in one of the chambers, they
are also carried out simultaneously in the others.
Suppose that there are for instance, in the cylinder four chambers for the
gases, and we call the one, of which we have described the different phases No. 1,
and those which follow it in the movement of rotation Nos. 2, 3, and 4 respec-
tively, the different phases will take place as follows:-
1st phase. While No. 1 is being charged No. is emptied in No. 3 the gas is
expanding, and in No. 4 the explosion takes place.

page_text: 2nd phase. While the explosion takes place in No. 1, No. 2 is being charged
with gas, No. 3 is emptied and in No. 4 the gas is expanding.
3rd phase. While in No. 1 the gas is expanding in No. 2 it is ignited, No. 3
is being charged and No. 4 is being emptied.
4th phase. While in No. 1 the burnt gases are being removed, in No. 2 the gas
is expanding, in No. 3 it is exploded, and in No. 4 is being charged.
In the course of one revolution as explained above, the different operations
are each repeated four times; there are therefore four impulses produced by
the explosions of gas.
If the cylinder is provided with eight chambers for the hot gases and the
cover or end plates are so arranged that all the operations can be carried out.
symmetrically as regards the axis of rotation, every one of the four operations
will be repeated sixteen times; in such an arrangement therefore sixteen im-
pulses of hot gas under high pressure are produced at each revolution; and if
the cylinder makes several revolutions per second, it will be easy to understand
that the number of such impulses given under great pressure is such that they
may be considered as practically forming one continuous impulse.
As I have before observed it is necessary to cool the chambers in which the
explosions take place, as otherwise the chambers would be heated to such an
extent that the working would not be satisfactory. To effect such cooling I may
have recourse to different means.
1. I may arrange the explosion chambers in a framework or barrel turning in a
casing in which the cooling fluid circulates.
2. Or I may interpose, between the different chambers in which the explosions
take place, other chambers accessible to the cooling fluids, which may be water
or carbonic acid or air or the like.
This cooling fluid will be heated when coming in contact with the hot walls
of the cylinder. If a liquid has been chosen as a cooling agent, it will be rapidly
converted into vapour; and if gas, it will be heated and consequently, become
capable of expansion. Thus whatever cooling medium is employed, I obtain a
gas or vapour capable of producing work. This gas or this vapour can be used
separately, that is, not mixed with the hot gases resulting from the explosions,
but I reserve the right to use a mixture of vapour or gas from the cooling fluid
in combination with the hot gases produced by the explosions. A simple way of
obtaining such mixture will be hereinafter described.
In the following example of my invention, I will suppose that the cooling is
obtained by placing the cylinder in the cooling fluid, which is contained in a
casing or jacket but I reserve to myself the right to use any other suitable means
of cooling.
Having thus described in a general way the apparatus which forms the object
of my present application for patent I will describe various arrangements or
constructions for practically carrying out my invention.
In order to render the invention as clear as possible I will described by way of
example, a form of apparatus, reference being had to the accompanying draw-
ings.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section.
Figure 3 is a side view partly in section of Figure 1 viewed from the right.
Figure 4 is a similar view of Figure 1 as seen from the left.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of a part of the apparatus representing a
modified form of construction.
Figures 6 and 7 are details showing possible means for lubrication.
The cylinder or revolving part a contains eight chambers; 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67,
5. The number of these chambers is not however restricted to any particular
number. There may be more or less than eight, for example four, twelve or
sixteen, chambers may conveniently be employed,
}

page_text: The cylinder is provided on its outer periphery with a toothed portion c
worked by a pinion d keyed on a shaft c. This shaft receives the rotatory move-
ment necessary for the working of the cylinder.
The cylinder a rotates around a fixed shaft f which is supported by fixed
face plates and h.
On each side of the cylinder a a plate i is arranged, and, inasmuch as the two
plates are identical in form, I will limit myself to the description of one only.
The plate i is provided with eight projecting tubular parts or sleeves j, solidly.
connected with the plate, the inner diameter of the sleeves exactly corresponding
to the inner diameter of, the chambers 61-68. These sleeves or tubular. pro-
jections are spaced on the plate i at such distances apart that when applying the
plate against the face of the cylinder the various projecting parts fit tightly and
exactly in the series of chambers -.
The whole device consisting of the cylinder, the plates i and the face plates g
and is surrounded by a casing k either semi-cylindrical or of any other suit-
able form. This casing rests with its base on a solid base or plate constituting
the bottom of the apparatus. The front plate h is fixed and not capable of being
displaced in any direction, and may be solidly united to the bottom on which
rests the whole apparatus as well as to the side of the casing k.
Against this front plate is applied the cylinder plate i then the cylinder, then
the second plate i at the other end and finally the other front plate g which is
movable, whereby the adjustment necessary to effect a tight closing of the
different parts of the apparatus may be made. Rods or bolts m are screwed
into the fixed front plate and can slide freely in the movable front plate g.
These rods to a certain extent act as guides for the movable front plate g, so
that it shall not turn in one direction or the other during its horizontal displace-
ment. This front plate is also guided by a dovetail or flange g¹ on its lower
side engaging in a corresponding recess provided for that purpose in the base
of the apparatus.
The shaft is provided on the left side (Figure 1) with an opening or recess
into which enters the end of a shaft p. This shaft is provided with four branches
forming four inclined arms p¹, ?", "p¹¹¹¹. These arms at their ends are in
contact with and connected to the outer face of the movable front plate g. It
will therefore be easily understood that it is possible by suitable means to displace
the shaft p, whereby the different parts above described can be tightened or
slackened.
The movements of the shaft p can be effected in the following manner. The
interior of the shaft is hollow and receives a second hollow shaft q which is
supported partly by the hollow shaft and partly by a bearing or support q
This inner hollow shaft q is provided with a screw thread on part of its length
which threaded portion carries a nut q provided with handles q, which nut
can, by turning it on the screw thread, be longitudinally displaced on the shaft q.
By being thus longitudinally displaced the nut q will press the end of the hollow
tube P and the latter, by means of the four arms p', 2, 1, 2 will act on the
movable front plate g thereby producing the pressure necessary to ensure the
tight closing of the different parts. It should be observed here that in order to
avoid the unscrewing of the nut q¹ the latter should be provided with a suitable
lock nut r.
The shaft passes through the casing and is provided at its passage through
the casing with a suitable stuffing box.
The explosive mixture enters through the hollow shaft g.
It then passes
through the two tubular branches p11 and from hence into the chambers 61-s
every time that one of them presents itself in front of the end of either the
branch or of that of the branch p"..
The fixed front plate is provided, as indicated in Figures 1 and 3, with four
orifices or passages s, s¹, t, t¹. In order to more easily explain the work going on

page_text: in the interior of the cylinder, I will assume that the chamber 6 of the cylinder
is facing the end of the hollow branch, and that consequently this chamber
becomes charged with the explosive. fluid.
413
In consequence of the rotation of the cylinder, the chamber 6, after a certain
annular revolution of the cylinder will no longer coincide. with the charging
orifice of the arm p. There will therefore be in the interior of the chamber.67
a quantity of explosive mixture enclosed under pressure. When the cylinder
turns in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 and the chamber 67
will have advanced so as to occupy the vertical position, i.e. the position of
chamber 6, the explosive mixture will be exploded and. the gas resulting from
this explosion will be able to escape from the cylinder through the orifice s
provided for that purpose on the face plate h.
The cylinder continuing to turn, the chamber 67 will come to occupy the
position of the chamber 6. In this position it faces the opening t provided in
the face plate h, through which the gases,. resulting from the explosion; which
had not escaped through the orifice s can issue.
As the cylinder continues to rotate the chamber reaches the position of
chamber facing here the charging orifice p through which a new charge of
the explosive mixture enters and is then enclosed.
The same phases will be produced now in the same order as described above, and
when the chamber 6 arrives at the vertical, occupying the position of chamber 61
the explosive mixture will be exploded and the products of combustion can escape
through the orifices provided for that purpose in the plate h.
Owing to the rotation of the cylinder the chamber. 67 comes into the position
of the chamber 8, and as in the preceding case the rest of the explosion gases
pass out through the orifice t'. The chamber 67 returns finally to its original
position, the various phases being repeated in the same sequence.
What has been said with regard to the chamber is applicable in every
respect to every chamber of the cylinder. There are therefore sixteen jets of
gas at every complete revolution of the cylinder.
The face plate is provided as we have seen with four orifices or passages:
two s, s for the passage of the hot gases resulting directly from the explosion,
while the other two, t, t¹ serve as escape passages for what may aptly be called
the residuary gases.
This face plate is also provided with suitable chambers, not represented in
the drawing, intended to receive the ignition devices. Ignition may be effected
either by means of an incandescent wire, a flame, electric spark or the like.
As has been stated at the beginning of this description it is of importance to be
able to utilise a mixture of the whole of the gas or vapours produced in the
apparatus. It is therefore necessary to mix the gas as it passes out from the
orifices s, and with that passing out of the orifices t, t¹ and finally with the
steam produced in the casing k owing to the heating of the cooling water contained
in it. The steam thus produced in the casing k passes out by the tube u and the
whole of the gases and steam is collected in the ejector, which is represented in
detail in Figure 1.
The orifices s and s' through which the gases at a high tension escape are united
in a common jet in the ejector. Here they draw out by their force of explosion
the gas arriving through the orifices t and t¹ as well as the steam coming through
the tube
.
It should be understood that in order to prevent any return, through the tubes t
and or by the tube , they may be provided with suitable retaining valves.
I thus obtain, at a, in the ejector, a continuous current of a mixture of the gases
resulting from the explosions and of the steam produced from the cooling
medium.
+
Instead of having only one gas current, it is evident that I could also arrange
two, by dividing the ejector into two parts, in one of which are mixed the gases

page_text: arriving through the orifices s and t with a part of the steam, and in the other the
gases arriving through the orifices s¹ and t¹, and the other part of the steam
given off. Or one partition of the ejector may receive the steam, while the
other receives the whole of the residuary gases, or of the gases of lesser pressure
A wall is provided at z, which, to a certain extent prevents the cooling of the
parts of the ejector.
The casing which constitutes in a certain sense a kind of steam boiler, will
be provided with all the parts necessary for working, such as a safety valve 1, a
pressure gauge 2, and a water level 3. The water for cooling enters at 4, at the
lower part of the casing.
I have shown above that the pressing inwards of the movable face plate g,
which is necessary to obtain a perfectly tight closing between the different parts
of the apparatus, is obtained by means of a device which permits such adjustment
from the outside of the boiler or casing k. This involves, as has been shown,
a certain amount of complication, and it may prove convenient, in view of the
simplicity of the apparatus to combine the tightening parts in such a manner that
this operation may be effected from the inside of the casing before the apparatus
is started. This constitutes the modification which is represented in Figure 5.
As represented in that figure, the shaft f presses against a member 5, and is
provided with a screw thread on part of its length, on which a nut 6 is placed,
which serves the same purpose in the same manner as the nut q" described above,
with this difference however, that the nut 6, provided also with a lock nut 7, pro-
duces its action directly on a plate S pressing against the face plate g.
The charging of the cylinder is effected in this case by means of tubes 9
and 10, which pass through the casing k, and inasmuch as, in this case, a relative
movement is effected between the said tubes and the face plate, at the entrance
of the tubes into the face plate a connection is provided permitting the displacement
of the face plate as regards the tubes 9 and 10. This connection may be obtained
simply by the tubes 9 and 10 entering telescopically into other tubes or sockets 11,
the tubes suitably fitting into each other, or having the joint otherwise rendered
tight. Lock nuts 12, 13 screwing on to threaded sockets secure the parts in
position.
The plates referred to above, are provided with orifices 14 to permit the
cooling fluid to freely circulate around the cylinder.
9
The lubrication of the machine may be effected in any suitable manner; I
will however here describe a very simple manner of lubricating the parts exposed
to friction, i.e. the movable parts i in contact with the face plates and h.
As indicated in Figures 6 and 7, the face plates and the plates are provided
with annular conduits 15 and 16, the section of which is semi-circular like that of
a gutter and they are so arranged that by applying the plate against the face
plate g for instance, the two conduits, 15 and 16 form a complete circular con-
duit.
Within the conduit 16, and in communication with it are arranged on the
plates small recesses 17. On the other hand, the inner side of the plate g is
provided with radial grooves 18, the upper parts of which owing to the rotation of
the plate i come gradually into communication with the said recesses 17. The
lubricant passes from the conduit 16 into the recesses 17, from thence into the
grooves 18, and is thus enabled to lubricate the different parts exposed to friction,
of both the plate i and the corresponding face plate.
These radial grooves with feeding conduits may be repeated several times up to
the shaft f, and the arrangement may be so modified that the recesses may be
either on the face plate, or on the plate i, while the grooves are alternatively
on the plate and on the face plate.
It should be understood that the means of lubrication between the plate i
and the other face plate h, not represented in the drawing, will be identical
with the arrangement just described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained' the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A rotatable device provided with a series of explosion chambers for the
production of a force capable of being utilised in a motor or for other purposes,
the said chambers being so arranged that while one chamber is being filled
with an explosive charge the charge in a second is exploded, in a third the gas
expands, and the fourth is being exhausted of any residual gas that may still be
contained therein; substantially as described.
2. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a cylinder rotatable between
the two end plates constructed so as to permit each phase of the operation to be
carried out in rapid succession-at-the-same-place-in order to obtain a practically
continuous evolution of hot gases under pressure caused by explosions; the said
cylinder being provided with a number of chambers in which the force is pro-
duced and a series of intermediate chambers or passages through which passes
a fluid for the purpose of cooling the apparatus, substantially as described.
3. In apparatus of the kind described the arrangement on the two end plates,
or on only one of them, of orifices which as the cylinder revolves between the
plates communicates with the chambers destined to receive the explosive and
exploded gases, for the purpose of either admitting the explosive mixture or of
permitting the gases of the exploded charge to escape, or of clearing the chambers
of any residual gases still retained by them, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a revolving cylinder containing a series of chambers for
the hot gases, with a casing in which the cylinder is placed, and which contains the
cooling fluid, -one of the end plates being preferably solidly united with the
framework of the apparatus and to the bottom of the casing while the other end
plate is adjustably arranged and subject to the action of a tightening device by
means of which the necessary degree of air-tightness is produced between the
cylinder and the end plates, substantially as described.
5. The combination of a rotatable cylinder with plates provided with inwardly
extending sleeves which partly enter into the chambers of the cylinder the said
plates constituting friction surfaces against the end plates of the apparatus, sub-
stantially as described.
6. Means for tightening the movable end plate, consisting of a nut screwed
on a fixed shaft, and acting by its displacement, on the movable face plate, either
through an intermediate plate, when the tightening parts are arranged in the
interior of the casing, or, by means of bent arms, the latter being used as conduits
for the explosive mixture, in the case when the tightening parts are arranged on
the outside of the casing substantially as described.
7. Means for lubricating the plates which turn with the cylinder and the end
plates consisting of grooves or annular recesses on the contact surfaces of the
plates which communicate during the rotation of the parts with radial grooves,
substantially as described.
8. The combination with a revolving cylinder of the kind described of ejectors or
injectors for the purpose of either introducing explosive mixture into the apparatus
or for discharging from the apparatus the hot gases resulting from the explosions,
the current provided by the suction of the hot gases acting to draw out any
residual gases that may still remain in the chamber, as well as the cooling liquid
itself, substantially as described.
9. In apparatus of the kind described a cylinder provided with a series of gas
and cooling passages, a shaft and means for supplying gas and cooling fluid to
said passages and for utilising the steam formed substantially as described.
10. In a rotatable cylinder apparatus of the kind described means for cooling
the explosion chambers substantially as described or illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
11. In combination with a rotatable cylinder apparatus of the kind described

page_text: an ejector or injector device substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 1,
2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In apparatus of the kind described means for adjusting the movable end
plate substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or in Figure 5.
of the accompanying drawings.
13. The complete rotatable cylinder apparatus substantially as described or
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
1
1
1000