IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Clayton, of Bradford, in the County of York,
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES AND
IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Clayton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1878.
SAMUEL CLAYTON, of Bradford, in the County of York, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to that description of gas motor engines worked by a
mixture of air and inflammable gas or vapour, which is admitted in the cylinder by
means of a pump, which draws in a regulated supply of air, gas, or vapour, or air,
gas, and air, and forces the same into the cylinder through a port regulated or con-
trolled by a valve, and so timed as to permit the pump drawing in the required
quantity of mixtures at each outward stroke of the engine piston. The supply can
be compressed or at atmospheric pressure. The supply of gas is regulated by a
governor.
For this purpose I fit on a bed or foundation plate a cylinder, which is jacketed,
and in which water is allowed to circulate. Under the cylinder and firmly bolted
to it is a pump communicating by a passage with the engine cylinder port. The
engine cylinder is made twice the stroke of the pump, which allows of fixing the
exhaust valve in the centre of the engine cylinder for the escape of the consumed
gases, and which allows a space at the back of the piston for a new charge of air,
gas, or vapour, or for air, gas, and air. When the engine piston is travelling its
outward stroke, by the gradual expansion of the gases and development of heat,
the pump draws in a new charge of air, gas, or vapour, or of air, gas, and air, the
drawing proceeding until the piston reaches the end of the outward stroke, and to
prevent back pressure the exhaust valve opens just before the piston reaches the
TD 11

page_text: end of its outward stroke, allowing the consumed gases or proceeds of combustion to
escape, which are forced out by the inward stroke of the engine piston, and by the
fresh charge of air, gas, or vapour, or air, gas, and air, which is forced in at the same
time by the inward stroke of the pump piston.
The exhaust valve is closed nearly at the end of the inward stroke when working
at atmospheric pressure, but when working under compression the exhaust valve
closes some time before the end of the inward stroke. The exhaust valve is worked
by an eccentric or cam.
The opening and closing of the ports of the pump and engine cylinder is con-
trolled by a side valve, which is made with suitable openings. The valve is worked
by an eccentric or cam fitted on the engine shaft. The eccentric begins to move
the side valve forward when the engine piston begins its outward stroke, bringing
the opening carrying the light in the valve opposite the port of the cylinder,
allowing the flame of gas to ignite the charge; and at the same time the valve
allows the igniting of the gas in the engine cylinder, it opens a communication
between the pump and the atmosphere and gas supply, allowing a fresh charge to
be drawn in the pump, until the piston reaches the end of the outward stroke, at
which time the valve closes the communication between the pump, gas supply, and
atmosphere, and opening the communication between the engine cylinder and pump,
allowing a fresh charge to be forced in the engine cylinder.
The engine and pump pistons are bolted together, and the return or inward
stroke is effected by the momentum of the fly wheel, but I may introduce a charge
at each end of the engine cylinder, and in that case the pump is made double
acting.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Clayton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd November
1878.
SAMUEL CLAYTON, of Bradford, in the County of York, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
The said Invention relates to that description of gas motor engines worked by a
mixture of air and inflammable gas or vapour, which is admitted in the cylinder by
means of a pump, which draws in a regulated supply of air, gas, or vapour, or air,
gas, and air, and forces the same in the cylinder through a port regulated or con-
trolled by a valve, and so timed as to allow of the pump drawing in the requirod
quantity of mixture at each outward stroke of the engine piston. The supply can
be compressed or at atmospheric pressure. The supply of gas is regulated by a
governor.
For this purpose I fit on a bed or foundation plate a cylinder, which is jacketed,
and in which jacket water is allowed to circulate. Under the cylinder and firmly
bolted to it is a pump communicating by a passage with the engine cylinder port.
The engine cylinder is made longer than the pump, which allows of fixing the
exhaust valve in the centre of the engine cylinder for the escape of the consumed
gases, and also provides a space at the back of the piston for a new charge of air,
gas, or vapour, or for air, gas, and air. When the engine piston is travelling its
outward stroke, by the gradual expansion of the gases and development of heat
the pump draws in a new charge of air, gas, or vapour, or of air, gas, and air, and
continues to do so until the piston reaches the end of the outward stroke, and to
prevent back pressure the exhaust valve opens just before the piston reaches the
end of the outward stroke, allowing the consumed gases or proceeds of combustion to
escape, which are forced out by the inward stroke of the engine piston, and by the
fresh charge of air, gas, or vapour, or air, gas, and air, which is forced in at the same
time by the inward stroke of the pump piston.
The exhaust valvo is closed nearly at the end of the inward stroke when working
at atmospheric pressure, but when working under compression the exhaust valve
closes some time before the end of the inward stroke. The exhaust valve is worked
by an eccentric or cam.
The opening and closing of the ports of the pump and engine cylinder is con-
trolled by a slide valve, which is made with suitable openings. The valve is worked
by an eccentric or cam fitted on the engine shaft. The eccentric begins to move
the slide valve forward when the engine piston begins its outward stroke, bringing
the opening carrying the light in the valvo opposite the port of the cylinder,
allowing the flame of gas to ignite the charge; and at the same time that the valve
allows the igniting of the gas in the engine cylinder, it opens a communication
between the pump and the atmosphere and gas supply, allowing a fresh charge to
be drawn in the pump, until the piston reaches the end of its outward stroke, at
which time the valve closes the communication between the pump, gas supply, and
atmosphere, and opens the communication between the engine cylinder and pump,
allowing a fresh charge to be forced into the engine cylinder.
The engine and pump piston rods are made of cast iron, or steel, or wrought iron,
and secured together by bolts and nuts or made solid. The return or inward stroke
is effected by the momentum of the fly wheel, but I may introduce a charge at
each end of the engine cylinder; in that case the pump is made double acting.
Or I construct my engines with cylinders and pumps having no slide valves, but
worked with a rotary valve or plug having two, three, four, or moro cavities, which
carry at a certain part of the travel of the rotating valve or plug the igniting fire.
Small holes are drilled in the top part of the valve plug communicating with the
cavities. These openings come in contact at a certain part of the travel of the
plug with an opening made in the plug valve casing, in which is fitted a small gas
pipe from the main, and which allows the gas to enter the cavity, which comes in

page_text: contact with the fire supply of gas for effecting the combustion. The gas when
entering the cavity gets mixed with atmospheric air coming through openings made
in the side of the valve casing, the charge in the casing receiving enough air to
keep the charge burning in the cavity until the said cavity arrives opposite the
opening in the cylinder through which the mixture of air, and gas, or vapour, or air,
gas, and air, are forced in by the pump. The burning charge causes the explosion
in the cylinder which forces out the piston. When the cavity containing the
burning charge arrives at the explosive point, the face part of the plug between the
cavities shuts off the communication between the pump and the cylinder, and
directly the explosion of gas mixture has been effected, and the piston forced out-
ward, the revolving plug closes the port of the cylinder, and opens the port from
the pump to the cylinder during the inward stroke to admit a fresh supply of the
gas mixture. On the opposite side of the air openings to the cavities, and in the
plug casing, is made a small hole or opening, which discharges through a passage
the burnt or consumed mixture, and at the same time the cavity in contact with
the small gas supply pipe receives a fresh supply of gas and air. The rotating
valve or plug is connected by a passage to an air and gas valve, which supplies
the pump with the mixture of air, and gas, or vapour, or air, gas, and air. The
gas enters through small holes bored in a pipe fitted under the seat of the air
valve.
But in order to enable my improvements to be better understood, I will
proceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the gas engine, cylinder pump, slide valve,
and gas valve, and part of the engine; Figure 2 represents a sectional end view of
the cylinder and pump; Figure 3 represents a front view of the engine cylinder;
Figure 4 represents a sectional plan of the cylinder; Figure 5 represents a sectional
side view of the slide valve cover; and Figure 6, back view of the same.
Figure 7 represents a front clevation of the slide valve; Figure 8, sectional side
view; and Figure 9, back elevation of the same.
Figure 10 represents a front elevation of the rotary valve, part in section, and
drawn to a larger scale, and Figure 11 sectional plan of the same.
Similar letters of reference are used to represent similar parts.
On a bed plate A is fitted a cylinder B, to which is bolted a pump C, or the pump
can be cast with the cylinder; the cylindinder is made with water spaces D, in
which water circulates; the pump communicates by a passage E with the engine
cylinder port F. The cylinder is made longer than the pump, which allows the
fixing of the exhaust valve passage in or near the centre of the cylinder for the
escape of the consumed gases, and allows of a space G at the back of the piston H
for a new charge of air, gas, or vapour, or air, gas, and air to bo forced or pumped
into the cylinder by the pump. The exhaust valve is fitted to a pipe I, which is
fitted inside the cylinder, and which prevents the consumed gases mixing with the
fresh supply of mixture; the exhaust valve is worked by an eccentric fitted on the
crank shaft. The valve opens just before the engine piston reaches the end of its
outward stroke, allowing the consumed gases or products of combustion to escape,
and which are forced through the exhaust pipe I by the inward stroke of the
piston H, and by the fresh charge of air, gas, or vapour, or air, gas, and air, forced
or pumped into the cylinder by the pump piston J; the exhaust valve is closed
nearly at the end of the inward stroke when working at atmospheric pressure,
but when working under compressson the exhaust valve closes some timo
before.
The cylinder piston H and the pump piston J have the same length of stroke,
but the piston J is fitted in advance towards the end of the pump to compress the
mixtures. The pistons are fitted with cast-steel or wrought-iron piston rods K
and L; the piston rods are connected together by flanges M and N, and are secured
by bolts and nuts, but the pistons can be cast or forged together; the engine piston
rod K is secured in a cross head O which is fitted on a cross head shaft secured in
the guide block P

page_text: The opening and closing of the port F of the engine and port Q of the pump is
controlled by a slide valve S, which is made with openings T for the admission of
the mixtures to the engine cylinder, and U, for admitting the mixtures to the
pump. The slide valve S is worked by an eccentric fitted on the crank shaft, and
the eccentric begins to move the slide valve forward when the piston H begins its
outward stroke, bringing the opening T, carrying the light opposite the opening or
port F, allowing the flame of gas to ignite the charge, and the eccentric at the same
time opens the communication between the pump and the atmosphoric air and gas
for a supply of a fresh charge to be drawn in the pump, which enters through a gas
valve V, and which is controlled by a tappet W which is fitted on the end of the slide
valve S. This tappet by the in-and-out motion of the slide valve operates a small
friction roller x which is fitted on the front end of a small shaft Y, which receives, by
the action of the small friction roller moving in and out of the tappet W, a rocking
motion, and causes the lever Z, which is fitted on the other end of the shaft Y, to
have a lifting and lowering motion which actuates the gas valve spindle A¹, which
is passed in a fork made on the end of the lever Z; the spindle is placed and kept
in working position by adjusting nuts.
In the supply gas chamber B' is fitted a valve C, and over the valve spindle A' is
fitted a small tube D¹ which is held pressed under the fork by a spiral spring E¹, and
over the small tube D' is fitted another tube F', and fitted on the top of this tube, and
over the small tube D¹, is fitted another spiral spring G', which presses on the top of
the larger tube F¹ and on the bottom end of the gas supply chamber
cap
When the friction roller x is in the position shown at number 1 (Figure 4) the
gas supply valve is at rest; when at number 2 the valve is open; and when at
number 3 the valve is closed.
When the gas supply valve is open or lifted by the forked lever Z, the larger
tube F presses on the spiral spring G₁ forcing up the spring, so that when the
friction roller x passes the end of the tappet W the spring forces the valve seat C¹
back into its seat, and at the same time brings the friction roller to the back of the
tappet, and on the return of the slide valve the tappet acting on the friction roller
presses down the forked lever, which presses on the top of the small tube D¹, com-
pressing the bottom spiral spring E' until the friction roller passes the end of the
tappet, and the spring El brings back the friction roller for the return of the slido
valve for opening the supply gas valve and giving the required supply of gas.
For regulating the admission of gas, a cam I is fitted on the shaft Y. This cam
is made with a notch in which works a pawl J¹, which is fitted under the governor
bracket K. The spindle L³ of the governor M¹ rests on the top of the pawl, so that
when an excess of speed is attained the balls N¹ fly open and press down the
spindle L, and consequently the pawl in the notch of the cam, and through the
action of the shaft Y force down the forked lever Z, closing the gas supply valve C",
stopping the supply of gas; the cam remains fixed by the pawl which keeps the
friction roller x from working in contact with the tappet W. On the speed being
reduced the balls N¹ are caused to fall, which lifts up the governor spindle from
contact with the pawl; but this pawl, having a beviled or under cut end, is still
held in the cam by the force of the spring acting against the force of the gas valve
spindle; but by the backward and forward motion of the slide valve the tappet W
slightly touches the friction roller x, which liberates the pawl J' from the notch of
the camn I', and allows the gas valve C' to resume its working position and give a
new supply of gas on the return of the slide valve. The gas passes through small
holes O¹ made in the gas valve chamber, and gets mixed with atmospheric air
coming through the air pipe P' before being drawn into the pump. Should the
engine, from overloading or any other cause, be pulled up, and to prevent any
escape of gas, I employ a hook Q' made on the end of a spindle R¹, which is fixed
to the governor spindle L'; the hook acts under the pawl, and by the lifting action
of the governor spindle, causes the hook to lift up the pawl and place it in gear in
the notch of the cam holding the gas supply valve C¹ down; the hook spindle

page_text: works in a radial slot hole which allows the drawing back of the hook when
starting the engine.
On the slide valve cover St is cast an air chimney T', which is made with an
opening U¹, in which is fixed a gas jet for the purpose of igniting the charge in the
slide valve, which lighted charge communicates with the cylinder, causing the
explosion of the mixtures. The cover S¹ is kept to the face of the slide valve by
means of steel springs V¹, which are firmly secured by spiral springs W¹ passed
over bolts secured in the cover S¹.
Engines fitted with rotary valves instead of slide valves are constructed with a
valve chamber A and an air and gas valve chamber B³. These chambers are con-
nected together by passages C and D²; the chambers and passages are cast on a
plate E² forming the cover of the cylinder face plate F³. In the valve chamber A
is fitted a plug or valve G³, which is shewn in the annexed Drawing, with four
cavities H³, which receive and carry the gas and air supply for the igniting fire of
the explosion. The cavities in turn receive the supply by the revolving notion of
the plug, which brings holes or passages U2, drilled in the sides and over the cavities,
opposite a small hole K, drilled in the valve chamber; the small hole coming in
contact with a passage L³ cut in the tap receives the necessary gas supply, which
escapes through a small gas pipe M³ fitted in the hole K². This gas pipe is fitted
to the gas main pipe.
.
The atmospheric air necessary to keep the gas in the cavity burning until the
explosion takes place comes through air openings N and 0%, and over the
opening N is fitted an air chimney, having a lighting gas jet, as herein-before
described and represented in the Drawing. The mixture of gas and air contained
in the chamber is fired by the gas jet and carried by the revolving plug to the
opening or port F of the cylinder, causing the mixed charge in the cylinder to
explode when the cavity containing the lighted or burning charge comes in contact
with the cylinder port. The face of the plug between that cavity and the one in
which the charge has been just consumed closes the passage D' communicating from
the pump to the cylinder. The rotating plug keeps the face closed on the port F
until the piston H has reached the end of the outward stroke, and opens the com-
munication between the pump and the cylinder for a fresh supply to be forced in
by the pump, but when the opening D³ is closed by the face of the plug the pump
piston draws into the pump a fresh supply of mixture through the air and gas
valve P, which works on a seat Q cast in the valve casing B2. Under the valvo
and seat is fitted a gas supply pipe R2 bored with small holes S. The atmosphere
air passing through the bottom chamber T of the gas and air valve gets nixed in
passing through the valve, and in being drawn into the pump. When the pump
piston is drawing in a fresh charge of mixture the plug revolving brings the cavity
which has just been exploded and filled with burnt or consumed gas to the hole or
passage U², communicating with the cavity, which then comes in contact with a
hole drilled in the side of the valve chamber, which draws in atmospheric air,
and which draws the burnt or consumed gas into the pump, at the same time filling
the cavity with pure air ready to receive a fresh charge for igniting the mixture in
the cylinder.
To force the lighting mixture or charge in the cavity into the cylinder port I fit
a small valve W between the cylinder port and the passage D². This small valvo
communicates by a passage x with the passage D2, and by a passage Y* with the
opening U in the plug, so that when the lighted mixture in the cavity comes in
contact with the port Z, the mixture coming from the pump by the passage ✗*
being in excess of pressure of the mixture in the cylinder, and passing through the
valvo W and passage Y³, forces the gas out of U into H, and into the cylinder
port.
On the spindle Z2 of the plug is fitted a bevil wheel C³, which is actuated by a
smaller bevil wheel As, and which is fitted on a shaft B³. This shaft is worked by
a bevil wheel (actuated by another bevil wheel fixed on the crank shaft. The
rotating valve, if made with four cavities, is made to travel at one quarter the speed

page_text: of the piston, but the revolving speed of the valve is regulated by the number of
cavities employed.
On the supply gas pipe R³ is fitted a check valve, which is worked by a spindle
fitted to a lever moving on a small shaft, and which is actuated by a cam which is
fitted on the shaft B, and forcos up a lever connected to the valvo spindle, which
opens and closes the gas valve. On the small shaft is fitted a lever, which is con-
nected to the valve spindle; in the cam lever is cut a three-way slot hole
When the engine is worked at its normal speed the valve spindle joint is in the
centre of the slot hole, allowing the cam to lift the lever and spindle together, and
on the engine attaining an excess of speed the small lever connected to the valve
spindle is pressed down by the governor moving the valve spindle over the bent
part of the slot hole, allowing the cam to move the top lever, but lifting the gas
valve.
Should the engine be pulled up by overloading, the valve spindle is drawn over
to the other bent part of the slot hole, preventing any escape of gas, and allowing
the cam to lift the top lever, but leaving the gas valve closed.
Having thus described my improvements and the best means I am acquainted
with for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details shown and described, as they may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what I do
claim is,―
Firstly. The construction and employment of the engine cylinder and of a pump
bolted or cast on the engine cylinder, whereby the gas, air, or vapour, or air, gas, and
air are mixed by being drawn in the pump, substantially as herein-before described,
and represented by the annexed Drawing.
Secondly. The construction and employment of piston rods made of cast iron or
steel, or of wrought iron, made solid or bolted together, substantially as herein
described and represented by the Drawing.
Thirdly. The construction and cinployment of the gas supply valve and gear,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and described, and represented
in the accompanying Drawing.
Fourthly. The construction and employment of rotary conical valves or rotary
valves for, and method or means of admitting the gas, air, or vapour, or air, gas, and
air, and controlling the adinission of the charge from the pump to the cylinder on
the return stroke of the engine pump piston, substantially as herein described, and
represented in the annexed Drawing.
Fifthly. The method or means of carrying the lighted fire for the explosion of
the charge or mixture, also forcing the flame into the cylinder for firing the charge,
substantially as described and represented in the Drawing.
Sixthly. The construction and employment of a governor apparatus in com-
bination with a moving spindle for the gas supply, substantially as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Clayton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
SAMUEL CLAYTON. (L.S.)