Improved Starting Apparatus for Gas Engines and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Starting Apparatus for Gas Engines and the like.
I GEORG FRIEDRICH HERMANN JAHN of Arnswalde N.M. in the German
Empire, Ironfounder and 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 :-
This invention relates to gas engines, petroleum and similar motors, and consists
in improved means or apparatus for starting said engines and motors.
Hitherto such engines have been ordinarily started by turning the crank shaft,
which in the case of the larger sizes of engines requires a certain amount of skill
and a rather large amount of power, and is also somewhat dangerous. The object
of this invention is to remedy these inconveniences and is attained by means of
my improved apparatus in which a charge of gunpowder or its equivalent is
exploded in the interior of the motor and the motor started thereby, thus obviating
the turning of the crankshaft for starting.
On the sheet of drawings appended hereunto,
Fig. 1, shows the improved starting apparatus C in direct connection with the
explosive or combustion chamber E of the motor, while
Fig. 2, shows a shutting off device, in this case a valve V, interposed between
the chamber E and the starting apparatus C.
The starting apparatus, or device C contains a chamber C¹ for the reception of
a charge of gunpowder B or its equivalent provided with any suitable means for
igniting the charge and causing it to explode, for instance, a gunlock as shewn on
the drawings, by which a percussion cap placed upon the nipple A is exploded by
the hammer H. The plug or wad P prevents the gunpowder from falling out.
After the motor has been got ready for starting, the crank is turned forward a
little beyond the dead centre on the inner side and left in that position. The
chamber C of the starting apparatus is then filled with gunpowder, a wad or plug
firmly rammed in, and the apparatus firmly screwed into the cylinder cover of the
motor. After the hammer has been cocked, a percussion .cap is put on the nipple
and the motor will be ready for starting. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer
strikes and explodes the percussion cap, and ignites the powder.
With a sufficient charge of powder, the motor will make several turns which
suffice for drawing in, compressing and exploding the mixture of gas or vapour
and air required for driving the motor, so that it will afterwards continue to run
self-actingly.
The shutting off device, shewn as a valve, serves to keep the gases evolved after
starting the motor away from the starting apparatus so as to keep it clear. A disc
valve is shewn, but other suitable shutting off devices, such as cocks or slides, may
be used. The valve V, will open self-actingly when the gunpowder is exploded,
but is preferably opened by hand before the same to prevent its being injured, and
closes self-actingly. The other devices referred to would have to be opened and
closed by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The use, construction and arrangement of starting apparatus for gas engines
and the like aubatantially in hominhofore dannvited and Alled how the

page_text: 2. The construction of a starting apparatus or device for gas, oil and vapour
motors consisting of a chamber adapted to contain a charge of gunpowder or its
equivalent and provided with means for exploding the charge, and communicating
directly or through a shutting off valve or its equivalent with the explosion or
-combustion chamber of the motor, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings.
Dated the 29th day of July 1896.
R. J. URQUHART,
57, Barton Arcade, Manchester, and 5, Clayton Square, Liverpool,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.