CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR INDUCING MOTION IN MOBILE SUBSTANCES OR BODIES BY THE ACTION OF AIR AND STEAM IN COMBINATION
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Ibbett, of 29A, Jewin Street, in
the City of London, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN AN APPARATUS FOR INDUCING MOTION IN MOBILE SUBSTANCES OR BODIES
BY THE ACTION OF AIR AND STEAM IN COMBINATION."-A communication
from abroad by John Thibauld Hancock, Civil Engineer, residing
at Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Ibbett
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 23rd November 1868.
I, WILLIAM HENRY IBBETT, of 29A, Jewin Street, in the City of
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR INDUCING MOTION IN MOBILE
SUBSTANCES OR BODIES BY THE ACTION OF AIR AND STEAM IN COMBINATION,"
the same is a communication to me from abroad from John Thibauld

page_text: Hancock, Civil Engineer, residing at Boston, Massachusetts, in the
United States of America, to be as follows:-
The subject of these improvements in the apparatus which was
employed by the ancient metallingists for the condensation of air and
of which the "wasser trommel geblase" of the modern German
metallurgist is the most familiar as well as perfect example yet produced.
From the "wasser trommelge blase." several devices have been derived
in which steam is used as the motor, instead of water as in the original
referred to. The mere change of motors without any essential change
of details, has corrected none of the inherent defects of the original.
Some of the defects which are prominent are extravagance in the use
of the motor compared with the results accomplished and a very
limited range in its capacities. But these modern devices have
introduced other serious defects evidently in consequence of the
difficulty of comprehending the exact causes of the peculiar action of
the "waser trommelge blase" and its offspring in modern Invention.
The objects of my improved apparatus are to economise the use of the
motor, to increase the power of the apparatus, and to adapt it to new
and useful purposes other than the condensation and rarification of air
or the raising and forcing of liquids. These desirable results are
obtained by certain original changes which I have made in the ancient
apparatus.
The original devise referred to in its most approved form, as well as
the devices of more modern date and of a similar character consists sub-
stantially of a tube, conical or otherwise, through which the actuating
body or motor is conveyed; 2nd, a larger, longer, and similar tube
within which and at the entrance thereof the first-named tube is placed,
the axes of both being in the same line; 3rd, a communication
between the space outside the second tube and the internal between
the two tubes through which the body to be acted upon is drawn or
conveyed. In some cases the offices of the first tube and this last
communication are transposed in the ancient as well as the more modern
devices, but such changes are immaterial. When steam is substituted
for water as the motor in such apparatus it is evident that the heat in
contact with the shorter tube will cause the inclosed or enveloping
matter to become of a higher temperature as it advances towards the
point when the motor can first act upon it, and thereby the motor

page_text: becomes less effective than it would be were there a greater difference
in temperature between the two, that is, the motor and the body or the
liquid to be acted upon. The principal change which I make in the
ancient apparatus is at this point, and it consists in substituting a plate
with an orifice for the tube. To properly understand the action of my
apparatus it will be necessary for convenience of illustration to assume
that the apparatus is constructed of transparent material, that the motor
is dry steam, that a liquid is the body to be acted upon, and that the
velocity of the motor is exceedingly small. When the steam is allowed
to flow through the annular space between the boundary of the liquid
inlet and the wall of the continuing chamber the steam immediately
commences to expand and forms a hollow cone inclosing the liquid inlet,
the cone terminating just beyond the plane of the same.
Two things will now be observed, viz., 1st, that the liquid in the form
of small drops or fine spray is rapidly entering the steam at or nearly
at right angles with the axes of the current from the edge of the liquid
inlet; and, 2nd, that in consequence of the rapid flow of said particles
and the superior attraction which the steam at the moment of issue
has for the liquid compared with the attraction above and toward the
apex of the described steam cone the surface of the liquid appears to be
depressed at the centre of the inlet below the plane of the edge similar
to the phenomenon of capillary attraction. This depression is greater as
the velocity of the steam becomes increased. Continuing our observations,
the current of new combined steam and liquid particles enters the
second chamber, while the former operation is being continually per-
formed on other particles, where in consequence of the gradual increase
of sectional area the steam is allowed still further to expand laterally,
thereby losing a portion of the velocity and becoming absorbed by the
accompanying liquid, while the liquid particles slightly increased in
volume by the accession of the steam, and diminished in velocity by
the distance they have travelled and the effect of the vacuum produced
by absorption have gradually diminished the intervals between them
until at the extremity of the chamber they have once more attained
the compact form and are ejected. Now, if increased velocity is desired
for the ejected fluid, or it is to be forced to a distance, I attach a
converging pipe and the velocity of the escaping liquid is increased by
the construction of the pipe so as to enter the hose or pipe at a higher
velocity, otherwise any disturbance of the hose or pipe causes the
apparatus to cease its work for the time being, this converging. pipe is

page_text: used in the case of a fire or forcing engines, or in any instance when the
result just described is sought. With the single exception of condensation,
the same phenomina are observed when air is the motor and liquid the
body acted upon. With air and liquid or steam and air of course there
is no principal separation and after reunion of the particles, but the
routine continues the same.
Having now described the actually observed appearances while the
apparatus is in action, I can now enunciate what appears to be the
law of its action, viz., when a body is in motion it tends to impart its
own highest velocity and in the same direction to all other bodies or
parts thereof with which it may be or may come into contact, or which
may be moving at a less velocity, and as the highest velocity of a
moving body (if any as in the case of a liquid or gaseous current) is at
or near its axis of motion it follows that the subjective matter will tend
to be induced to approach the axis of the moving body by the continued
action thereof, and the subjective matter will be susceptible to a latteral
velocity proportionate to the velocity of the moving body and the mass
of each.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Henry Ibbett in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 22nd May 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HENRY IBBETT, of 29A, Jewin Street, in the City of London, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in
the thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said William Henry Ibbett,
Her special licence that I, the said William Henry Ibbett, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others, as I, the said
William Henry Ibbet, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of

page_text: Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR INDUCING MOTION
IN MOBILE SUBSTANCES OR BODIES BY THE ACTION OF AIR AND STEAM IN
COMBINATION," a communication to him from abroad by John Thibauld
Hancock, Civil Engineer, residing at Boston, Massachusetts, in the
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Henry Ibbett, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Henry Ibbett, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The subject of these improvements is the apparatus which was em-
ployed by the ancient metallurgists for the condensation of air, and of
which the "wasser trommelgeblässe of the modern German metal-
lurgist is the most familiar as well as perfect example yet produced.
From the "wasser trommelgeblässe " several devices have been derived,
in which steam is used as the motor instead of water, as in the original
referred to. The mere change of motors without any essential change
of details has corrected none of the inherent defects of the original.
Some of the defects which are prominent are extravagance in the use of
the motor compared with the results accomplished, and a very limited
range in its capacities. But these modern devices have introduced other
serious defects, evidently in consequence of the difficulty of compre-
hending the exact causes of the peculiar action of the "wasser trom-
inclgeblässe" and its offspring in modern Invention.
The objects of my improved apparatus arc to economise the use of the
motor, to increase the power of the apparatus, and to adapt it to new
and useful purposes, other than the condensation and rarification of air,
or the raising and forcing of liquids. These desirable results are
obtained by certain original changes which I have made in the ancient
apparatus, in accordance with what is claimed as the discovery of the

page_text: real cause of its action, the enunciation of the law governing which is
reserved until my improvements have been described.
The original device referred to in its most approved form, as well as
the devices of more modern date and of a similar character, consists
substantially of a tube, conical or otherwise, through which the actuating
body or motor is conveyed; secondly, a larger, longer, and similar tube,
within which and at the entrance thereof the first-named tube is placed,
the axes of both being in the same line; thirdly, a communication
between the space outside the second tube and the internal between the
two tubes, through which the body to be acted upon is drawn or con-
veyed. In some cases the offices of the first tube and this last com-
munication are transposed in the ancient as well as the more modern
devices, but such changes are immaterial. When steam is substituted
for water as the motor in such apparatus it is evident that the heat in
contact with the shorter tube will cause the enclosed or enveloping
matter to become of a higher temperature as it advances towards the
point where the motor can first act upon it, and thereby the motor
becomes less effective than it would be were there a greater difference in
temperature between the two, that is, the motor and the body or the
liquid to be acted upon.
The principal change which I make in the ancient apparatus is at this
point, and it consists in substituting a plate with an orifice for the tube, and
some simple yet essential changes will be described in the following-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2 is
a section in plane x, y, Fig. 1, shewing one face of part E with annular
recess n; Fig. 3 shews the application of my Invention to induction and
exhaust pipes of a steam engine; Fig. 4 shews the application of my
Invention as a blower to a furnace; Fig. 5 shews its application for the
raising and forcing of liquids; Fig. 6 shews its combination with the
bellows of a forge.
In Fig. 1, A, A, represents a cylinder with induction pipe B at right
angles with A and connected with the source of power. C is a concentric
tube smaller than A, and firmly attached at one end to the cylinder A; the
bore of this tube C is conical from d to e and from d to y. E is a plug
closely fitted into A at the end opposite C; this plug has a central conical
orifice K, which presents an area at its inner face similar to the area of

page_text: tube C at d; this plug is provided on its inner face with the annular
recess n, n, thus providing a passageway for the motor to the bore of
tube C. The face of tube C at e is in the same plane with the edge of
orifice K in plug E, or nearly so, when the plug E is in position in
cylinder A, as shown. The annular recess n, n, which surrounds C, D, is
a converging pipe used at times when it is desired to force liquid to any
distance; the office of this will be described hereafter. We have now
induction pipe B, annular recess n, which is a continuation of m; the
edge of this annular recess coincides with the edge of orifice K at its
termination. The space from e to d forms a combining chamber where
liquid or gas, or vapour coming in at v, K, combines with the motor
passing through n to the chamber e, d. A second chamber is formed by
d, g, which is gradually increased in area from d towards g.
To properly understand the action of this apparatus it will be necessary
for convenience of illustration to assume that the apparatus is con-
structed of transparent materials, that the motor is dry steam, that a
liquid is the body to be acted upon, and that the velocity of the motor is
exceedingly small. When the steam is allowed to flow through the
annular space between the boundary of the liquid inlet K and the wall
of the combining chamber e, d, it immediately commences to expand
and forms a hollow cone enclosing the liquid inlet K, the cone
terminating just beyond the plane of the same.
Two things will now be observed, viz., first, that the liquid in the form
of small drops or fine spray is rapidly entering the steam at or nearly
at right angles with the axis of the current from the edge of the liquid
inlet; and, secondly, that in consequence of the rapid flow of the said
particles and the superior attraction which the steam at the moment of
issue has for the liquid compared with the attraction above and towards
the apex of the desired steam cone, the surface of the liquid appears
to be depressed at the centre of the inlet below the plane of the edge
similar to the phenomenon of capillary attraction; this depression is
greater as the velocity of the steam becomes increased. Continuing our
observations, the current of now confined steam and liquid particles
enters the second chamber d, g, while the former operation is being
continually performed on other particles where in consequence of the
gradual increase of sectional area the steam is allowed still further to
expand laterally, thereby losing a portion of its velocity and becoming
absorbed by the accompanying liquid, while the liquid particles slightly

page_text: increased in volume by the accession of the steam and diminished in
velocity by the distance they have travelled, and the effect of the vacuum
produced by the absorption, have gradually diminished the intervals
between them until at the extremity of the chamber they have once more
attained the compact form and are ejected. Now if increased velocity
is desired for the ejected fluid, or it is to be forced to a distance, I
attach the converging pipe D at h, and the velocity of the escaping
liquid is increased by the construction of the pipe so as to enter the
hose or pipe at a high velocity, otherwise any disturbance of the hose
or pipe causes the apparatus to cease its work for the time being.
This converging pipe is used in the case of fire or forcing engines, or
in any instance where the result just described is sought. With the
single exception of condensation, the same phenomena are observed
when air is the motor and liquid the body acted upon. With air and
liquid or steam and air of course there is no perceptible separation
after reunion of the particles, but the routine continues the same.
Having now described the actually observed appearances while the
apparatus is in action, I can now enunciate what appears to be the law
✓ action, viz., when a body is in motion it tends to impart its own
highest velocity, and in the same direction, to all other bodies or parts
thereof with which it may be or may come into contact, or which may
be moving at a less velocity; and as the highest velocity of a moving
body (if any, as in the case of a liquid or gaseous current) is at or near
its axis of motion, it follows that the subjective matter will tend to be
induced to approach the axis of the moving body, by the continued
action thereof, and the subjective matter will be susceptible to a lateral
velocity proportionate to the velocity of the moving body, and the mass
of each.
Theoretically and practically (for I have demonstrated by actual
experiment the action of my Invention) my improved apparatus is
what I have described it to be, and I can apply it in various ways, and
for various useful purposes, so that it has a positive commercial value
as well as a philosophical importance in elucidating the causes of its
peculiar action, which, in the defective apparatuses of the same nature,
has not been understood.
There are many purposes to which I can apply my Invention, and I
have chosen to shew, in the Drawing annexed, some of the methods
and circumstances in which and when it may be used with satisfactory

page_text: results. In the steam engine I have demonstrated, by the use of my
apparatus, that air and steam will perform more labour than steam
alone.
In Fig. 3 is represented my apparatus by which I am enabled to
produce a new and efficient motor for steam engines, by mixing air and
steam in any suitable proportion; also to create a vacuum in the
cylinder of an engine without the use of water. A represents a
cylinder; B, an induction pipe, at right angles with A; C is a con-
centric tube, smaller than A.; E is a plug, closely fitted into A; on the
face of E is an annular recess n, n; K, is a conical central orifice in E;
m is a space around C; n is a continuation of m. Steam passing
through B enters. space m, passes round through n into e, where it
takes with it air through v, k, mixes with it in e, d, and the combined
air and steam is ejected at i into the steam chest G, from which the
mixture is at once conveyed to the cylinder, where it performs its office.
By giving to the engine this mixture of air and steam, an increased duty
is performed by the same quantity of steam, and the feeding of the
engine is attended with a consequent of fuel. The introduction of
air with steam into the cylinder does not tend to diminish the
pressure of the steam in the cylinder, relatively with that in the boiler.
L shews the cylinder; P, the piston; and G, the steam chest. Now
if this apparatus is put on the exhaust side of the steam cylinder,
at H, in a reversed position from that on the supply side, the steam
conducted from the boiler through S, passes through the apparatus in
the manner described, and is ejected at i, but it takes with it the air
and steam in the cylinder, and it thus serves to produce a vacuum,
without the use of water for absorption, when the steam is of sufficient
density.
In Fig. 4, R is a furnace; and the mode of applying my Invention
for the purpose of a steam blower to the fire is there shewn.
The object of this Invention is to produce a steam blower which shall
give an increased density of blast, an increased quantity of air, and a
more perfect mixture of air and steam, with the same amount of steam
used in other steam blowers.
The construction of this apparatus is as follows:-A is the cylinder;
B, an induction pipe at right angles with A; C is a concentric tube,
smaller than A; E is a plug, closely fitted into A; on the face of E is
an annular recess n, n; S is a mixing chamber situated in advance

page_text: 01 2. Steam from the boiler passes through D, enters space m, passes
around through recess n into e, where it takes with it air entering
through v, K, mixes with it in e, d, and the combined air and steam is
ejected at into mixing chamber S, where the force of combined air
and steam blowing through chamber S from i takes an additional supply
of air through space a, b, between the mixing chamber S, and the
apparatus and the apparatus into S, where it combines with the air and
steam from i. The result of this is that a more dense blast, an inceased
quantity of air, and a more perfect mixture of air and steam is ejected
into the ash-pit P, under the fire, than is obtained by an equivalent
use of power in other steam blowers.
In Fig. 5 I have adapted my Invention to raising and forcing water.
F is a steam pipe; A, the apparatus; N, the pipe leading to reservoir.
The operation is identical to that herein-before described. The converging
pipe D here comes into use, and its effect is to cause a full solid stream to
be ejected at i.
In Fig. 6 I have applied my apparatus to the bellows of a forge, and
by its use a greater volume of air will be obtained by the same amount
of labour.
The above are only some of the useful purposes to which I can apply
this Invention, but I have given instances enough to shew its practical
application and its utility. I am aware of the antiquity of Inventions of
this nature and of the various modifications, changes, and alledged
improvements in the original apparatus, and I am familiar with their
construction and operation; but I am not aware of any construction
which so clearly and effectively does its work or which has demonstrated
the principles of the action of Inventions of this kind, as does this my
improved apparatus. Further, the complex and expensive construction
and defective operation of those improvements and changes made by
others have prevented their general use, so that the little benefit to be
derived from their use has not been secured; while my Invention is
simple and durable in its construction, entirely satisfactory in its operation,
and can be used to perform many important offices, saving much power
and labour.
:
Having thus fully described my said Invention and improvements,
what I claim as new and desire to secure by the before mentioned in part
T attan Dutant is

page_text: First. The combination of the orifice K and the conical chamber e, d,
when they are located relatively to each other, substantially as described.
Secondly. The orifice K and the chamber e, d, in combination with
chamber d, g, as described.
Thirdly. The orifice K, chamber e, d, and chamber d, g, in combination
with conduit D, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourthly. I claim the apparatus described in this Specification,
arranged substantially as set forth, for inducing motion in mobile bodies
as described.
Fifthly. Supplying an engine or other required apparatus with a
mixture of air and steam when such mixture is made at any point
between the boiler and the vessel into which such mixture is to be
projected, and by means of the action of a jet of steam creating a vacuum
and carrying air with it, thus forming a new motor substantially as
described.
Sixthly. I claim the apparatus, described in Fig. 4 as a steam blower,
in combination with the mixing chamber B, as and for the purposes
described and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Ibbett, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this twenty 20th day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.