IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Vrics at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th January 1853.
(Voil by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, JOHN HENRY VRIES, of Fleet Street, in the City of London, M.D.,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER" to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention refers to the obtaining motive power
from gases evolved in the decomposition of water and other matters in
combination with compressed air, the whole being charged with electri-
city while in the generator. Secondly, to an improved rotary engine
actuated by the aforesaid gases generated under pressure, through the
medium of which a propelling power is obtained.
I effect the decomposition of water by the agency of electricity, and
in order to facilitate which I combine with the water a solution of
muriate of soda and nitrate of potass. By this admixture the gases are
evolved more rapidly, and rendered more powerfully effective from the
excessive pressure generated thereby.
The generator I use is a vessel similar to a cylindrical steam boiler of
small diameter in order to withstand the pressure, which vessel is half

page_text: filled with water holding the above salts in solution. I decompose the
solution by the passage of a current of electricity generated either by
positive and negative plates introduced in the liquid of the generator, or
by extraneous incans. The gases s evolved arc confined in the generator,
the pressure being restricted by suitable safety valves as in a steam
boiler.
Air is introduced into the generator by means of pumps actuated by
the engine when in motion, and in order to reduce the temperature of
the fluid in the generator I cool the air supplied to the punips by a fan
or other suitable means. The air is drawn from the atmosphere at an
elevation of six fect from the surface of the generator. The supply of
air also assists the liberation of the gases, for which purpose the induc-
tion orifice is carried below the surface of the water, and the air dis-
tributed through numerous perforations.
I charge the gases evolved with electricity, which I generate by the
friction of two metals to which motion is given by the engine; suitable
conductors communicating the electricity to spheres placed within the
generator.
"
In carrying out my Invention I also charge the gases in the generator
with electricity obtained from the earth or the sea and atmospheric
electricity, according to the purpose, marine, stationary, or locomotive,
to which this system may be applied. In marine engines the commu-
nication may be made through the vessel as a conductor, if of iron, or
the copper sheathing will be suitable as the terminal of the wire, and
constitute the metallic substance in cominunication with the sea. For
locomotives I bury metal plates in the earth, and place them in con-
nection with the rails, which with the wheels, axles, &c. maintain the
communication with the locomotive generator. In stationary engines
similar plates are readily placed in communication with the generator.
The rotatory engine consists of a tube or trunk placed diametrically
within a rotary annular chamber, and through which tube the elastic
fluid passes from the shaft, and escapes at nozzles into such chamber.
The annular chamber is supported on hollow arms through which
the exhaust elastic fluid escapes to that end of hollow shaft forming the
exit. A reciprocating motion is communicated to the radical tube,

page_text: which form valves at either end, and regulates the admission of the
elastic fluid to the annular chamber. These valves change at each semi-
revolution so as to admit the gas alternately into either half, the entire
circumference being divided into two compartments by diaphragms on
which the valve faces work. The one side of the rotary engine is thus
alternately subjected to the pressure of the fluid, while the other is open
to the vacuum or to the air, thereby producing an impelling power.
The engine gives motion to the air and water pumps, and to the several
parts necessary to the evolutions of the apparatus as a whole.