An Improved Explosion Engine, more especially applicable to the Propulsion of Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct.,
1897
[Communicated from abroad by LA SOCIETE MAIN GIUSTI & Co., of Padua, in
the Kingdom of Italy.]
An Improved Explosion Engine, more especially applicable to the
Propulsion of Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 horizontal gas engines of the four-stroke or “Otto
cycle" type, and the construction hereinafter described by way of example is more
especially applicable to the case of engines worked by air carburetted by means
of petroleum ethers (known as benzine engines), though certain modifications in
the details will enable such engines to be fitted for any desired explosive mixture.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is an elevation of the complete engine.
The bearings of the driving shaft are directly connected to the cylinder by means
of two horizontal beams. The cylinder is suspended cantilever fashion, the
machine resting upon three supports only, two of which are integral with
the above-mentioned horizontal beams, while the third is cast in one piece with the
front part of the cylinder. The sheet metal jacket for the water circulation is
properly fitted around the outer casing of the cylinder, with suitable packing to
tighten the joints. The entire distributing mechanism is supported by the left-
hand horizontal beam and by the rear cylinder-cover. The inlet valve V and the
outlet valve S are arranged at the end of the cylinder; the first mentioned valve
operating automatically, while the other is actuated by means of two levers and
a rod t t, which is driven by a cam revolving with a toothed wheel D, whereof
the angular velocity is equal to one-half of that of the driving shaft, and which
is, itself, in gear with the wheel driving the pendulum-governor K.
Whilst the lever n, by its lower arm, opens the valve S, its opposite end keeps
the valve Vinoperative, so that the inlet valve always remains closed during the
whole time that the escape-valve is open.
The reservoir G for the circulating water is traversed by tubes the object of
which is to increase the extent of cooling surface without correspondingly
increasing the size of the reservoir. These tubes are vertical in stationary and
horizontal engines, whenever (as is assumed to be the case in the drawings) they
are intended for purposes of traction; in which case, too, such tubes should be
arranged in the direction of motion.
The speed-regulator or governor, shown detached in Figures 11 and 12 is
mounted on a horizontal shaft. Each of the blocks e, operating by centrifugal
force, carries an arm r which, in conjunction with the block, forms a bell-crank
lever turning on a pivot o. The free ends of the arms r enter openings in the
armes of the sleeve M, which will, in consequence, slide to the right whenever
the blocks e fly apart. The horizontal position of the governor-shaft: the circum-
stance that the blocks e are connected to the governor socket or slider by closed

page_text: f is the
Kinematic couples; the small size, or amplitude, of the angle described by the
centre of each block e about the centre o while the sleeve of the governor travels
from one end of its stroke to the other (see Figure 13, where the line o
horizontal bi-sector of such angle); the small length of the radius of oscillation of
the blocks e about the centre o (Figure 13); all these causes co-operate in pro-
tecting the governor from all the shocks jerks, or joltings to which the engine
itself may be subject either in the vertical or in the horizontal position when
used as a motor in propelling vehicles. Thus by the employment of our novel
governor the regulation of the speed of a self-moving or "horseless "vehicle may
be rendered completely automatic and, for all practical requirements, perfect.
The governor acts by keeping open the exhaust valve; hence it does away with
a number of phases in the operation of the engine when it exceeds its normal
speed. Figure 14 shows the means whereby this result is attained. F is a
forked lever which embraces the sleeve M of the governor, (which sleeve, however,
is omitted from the figure to avoid crowding it). To the fork F there is pivotted,
at b, the arm a b, the opposite end of which loosely engages with the shaft c g.
A helical spring m is secured, at one end, to the arm a b, and at the other, to the
shaft cg. By turning this shaft, the spring is compressed and the fork F driven
or pressed, against the sleeve of the governor; such fork overcoming the resist-
ance which the blocks are impelled by their centrifugal tendency to offer to the
said sleeve.
Behind the arm a b, at a little distance therefrom, there is situated the arm ru
of the operating lever ure of the exhaust valve. The arm rv, which is raised
by the cam P, whenever the driving shaft has completed two revolutions, carries
a tooth n; the arm a balso being provided with a tooth q. When the speed of
the motor increases to such an extent, that the centrifugal tendency of the blocks e
(Figures 11 and 12) of the governor overcomes the counteracting influence of the
spring m, the sleeve of the governor, the arm a band the fork F are all driven
back and the tooth q engages with the tooth n. It follows that when the cam P,
after having lifted the arm rv, releases it, such arm cannot descend because its
tooth n rests upon g; the escape-valve, therefore, continues open.
It will be understood that it is only necessary to turn the shaft g by means
of any suitable device placed within convenient reach of the driver, to vary the
normal speed of the engine, which speed will increase whenever the torsion of
the spring increases, and vice versa. It is because our governor is not at all
affected by vibration and shocks to which auto-motors are subjected, that we are
enabled to accurately regulate the normal speed and to vary it at will; an object
which hitherto has never been attained in so complete a manner in other than
stationary engines.
One of the advantages resulting from this valuable property is, that whatever
the speed of motion may be, and whatever the counteracting "work" or resistance
to be overcome, there is always admitted into the cylinder an explosive mixture
of constant, or uniform, composition, and one that precisely corresponds to the
style of operation most favourable as regards economy of fuel. This object, how-
ever, can only be attained on condition that a generator is provided which will
furnish an explosive mixture of an absolutely homogeneous nature and constant
composition. The difficulties which stand in the way of the accomplishment of
this result, in the case of stationary engines, may be said to be augmented a
hundred-fold where machines are to be dealt with that are applied to purposes
of locomotion; for whereas, on one hand, compensation for the influences which
tend to vary the working temperature of the machine is rendered practically
impossible by the direct or indirect action of the sun, the liquid hydrocarbons
under treatment are, on the other hand, continually shaken and thrown about
from one side to the other, so that, on the whole they undergo a multitude of
varying influences, all of which, however, tend in a greater or less degree to
promote their evaporation.
The apparatus which we employ in producing the explosive mixture is simply

page_text: an injector of liquid benzine, which is diffused in the form of spray and evaporates
the instant it becomes mixed with a certain amount of air. We have succeeded,
however, in eliminating all the causes liable to render the operation of such an
injector either unreliable or inconvenient for practical purposes.
Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, are, respectively, a plan and
an elevation of the explosive mixture producer, or generator, combined with, or
connected to, the inlet valve; while Figure 4 is a section thereof on a larger
scale.
The benzine, supplied from a constant level reservoir, presently to be described
arrives at c (Figure 4), but does not rise of its own accord to the level of e, owing
to the fact that in the reservoir, the level is maintained only as high as, or rather
somewhat lower than, c. The spindle k f is secured to a screw plug ss by means
of a set screw m; the plug being provided with a graduated head or scale t t. It
will be understood that by turning this scale or head, the spindle kf will be
depressed or raised as the case may be. The lower end of the spindle is formed
as a truncated cone terminated by a small cylinder k, which is guided by the
tube ce and in its turn serves to guide the spindle. When the spindle is raised
there forms at e, between the truncated portion of the spindle and the inner wall
of the nipple b an annular conduit or passage variable in size. In the body of
the cylinder there are provided helical grooves u which afford passages for the
benzine. Qis a circular aperture facing the nipple b, and communicating with
the outside air. aa (Figure 7) is a brass wire gauze, and g g a brass plate
twisted in helical shape.
During the suction phase, the valve V opens, and the air, upon entering at Q,
impinges upon the nipple b, following the course indicated by the arrows.
Inasmuch as during the suction stage the pressure in Z Z1, Z2, Z3 is below that
of the atmosphere, the benzine rises from c to e and issues through the annular
passage comprised between b and the point of k f. The current of air, as it meets
the jet of benzine, which by this time is already broken up by reason of its having
passed through the grooves u which have given to it a gyratory motion, reduces
such benzine to small drops and projects it against the wire gauze diaphragm a a
by which it is further sub-divided to the condition of spray.
The evaporation of the liquid hydrocarbon commences when it has scarcely left
the nipple band is completed as it flows along the conduit ZZZ which is highly
heated, being in metallic contact with the cylinder end. The explosive mixture,
in passing from Z₁ to Z, is impelled to start on a gyratory movement as soon as
it encounters the helical plate 9 g, after which it turns off at right angles in the
direction Z Z. By such means it is subjected to a very powerful stirring action
which renders it more and more homogeneous.
Uniformity in the composition of the explosive mixture will be the more perfectly
achieved the shorter the passage Z, Z1, Z2, Z3; this, however, being true only on
condition that the temperature of the conduit ce even after several hours operation,
may not rise sufficiently to bring about a partial evaporation of the benzine before
it isues through the orifice b. To obviate the inconvenient attending premature
evaporation (which is apt to very injuriously affect the uniformity of the mixture
and is enough to render the whole apparatus, even though it was in perfect working
order to begin with,-unfit for further use in but a few hours time, it is proposed
to insert into the conduit Z, Z¹ a ring t, of ivory, or any other non-conducting
material, which will very effectually prevent the heat developed in the machine
from being diffused, or communicated to the metal block on the left (Figure 4)
whatever high degree it may have attained. Constancy in the composition of
the explosive mixture furthermore depends:
:-
(1) Upon the constancy of level of the benzine in the reservoir which is directly
connected with the conduit c e; and
(2) Upon the shortness of the distance in the vertical direction (which distance
should not exceed from 10 to 15 millimetres at the outside) between the level of
the benzine in the said reservoir and the orifice e.

page_text: The reservoir in which the benzine should be maintained at a constant level
notwithstanding the fact that some of it is constantly flowing out towards the
conduit ce, cannot be constructed on the principle of Mariotte's bottle, by reason
of the great volatility of the hydrocarbon in question. The device which we there-
fore adopt is such as is represented in vertical section in Figure 8, Q Q is a sheet
metal box the bottom of which is in the shape of a square plate a a.
V V is a
cylindrical diaphragm the lower flange of which descends to within a little distance
from the bottom a a. The box or chamber Q Q and the diaphragm V V are
soldered or welded to the ring e e whereon is screwed the cover or id c c of the
apparatus (see also Figure 9 which is a top plan of the apparatus and a section
of the lid on line C, D) G G is a box or chamber closed on all sides and weighted,
which is fitted, with a very small amount of play, in the diaphragm Vy and
does duty as a float. u is a tube leading to the benzine vessel from any desired
receiver whereof the bottom should be situated on a higher level than the orifice b
of the tube u. nn' is a very readily movable lever pivoted on two centres n and
carrying a small brass plates on to which there is fixed a piece of glove leather steeped
n a solution saturated with chloride of calcium or chloride of magnesium, whereby it is
rendered compact, non-porous, and nearly as elastic as indiarubber, its flexibility
and moist condition being kept up by the leather so thoroughly that they are
not in the least affected by its continued immersion in the benzine. q is an arm
soldered to the lever n n which is bent at r and supported by the fixed piece v
in such a manner as to prevent the lever from tilting beyond a pre-determined
limit by its own weight.
The operation of the arrangement is as follows:-
:―
The benzine Hows out through band fills the receiver QQ wherein its level
continues to rise until the float G G pushes the lever n n in the upward direction,
presses the leather covering against the orifice b and thereby cuts off any subsequent
supply of benzine. Experience shews that provided the play between the float G G
and the diaphragm V V is quite small, the operation of the whole arrangement
is not liable to be affected by the jolting or concussion which it may be subject
where the engine is employed for purposes of traction.
The arrangement is such, moreover, that it may serve as a carburizer, to supply
the igniting device (which will be described further on), with air saturated with
the requisite amount of benzine vapour.
ever
a
A tube a a, as shewn in Figure 10, on one side communicates with the clear
annular space K K (Figures 8 and 10) which is situated above the level of the
benzine; and on the other side, with the atmosphere. Openings such as m
(Figure 8) provided in the diaphragm V V serve to form a connection between
the space K K and the empty space U within the diaphragm. When-
suction takes place through the pipe B B, the external air drawn
in through the tube a
(Figure 10) goes first of all to fill
the annular space K K, where it begins to absorb the benzine vapours
which are being evolved on the surface of that liquid. It then enters U through
the apertures m (Figure 8), and there meets the benzine jet which is continually
issuing from 6 during the operation of the engine. By such means it eventually
becomes saturated with benzine vapours before being drawn in through the pipe B.
The pipe (Figure 8) communicates through a flexible tube with an indiarubber
all which, when alternately compressed and released, acts as a pump by the aid
of two valves g, that is to say, it draws in the air saturated with benzine vapour
along the course indicated by the arrows drawn in unbroken lines, and forces
such air along the course indicated by the dotted arrows. The jet issuing through h
(Figures 8 and 16) is made continuous by means of an indiarubber pocket or
chamber applied to the tube (Figure 16).
The valves (Figures 8, 15 and 16) consist of a kind of metal bag closed in
at the bottom and provided with two apertures t t situated opposite each other.
This bag is externally surrounded by a glove skin collar connected by a wire to
the neck or mouth of the bag and fully open at the other end. The collar is

page_text: shewn detached at z (Figure 15). The mode of action of these valves is obvious,
and so is also the fact that their operation is extremely reliable and their durability
unlimited, operating as they do by a dry and cold process.
The cock or tap N (Figure 8) enables the composition of the air and benzine
vapour mixture issuing from the pipe h to be varied at will. Its bush is hollow
and closed at the top by the key T which is provided with a graduated scale. A
groove i divides the bush into two parts on one half of its periphery. The case
wherein such bush is inserted has a circular orifice B', communicating with the
pipe B B and also another orifice B³ facing the first and communicating with the
atmosphere. The extremities of the horizontal diameters of the orifices divide
the circumference of the case into four equal parts, the groove i being level with
such diameters. By turning the tap T so that a portion of the groove i steadily
increasing in area, is uncovered on the side nearest to the orifice B', a precisely
equal portion of that groove i will be covered over on the side nearest to the
orifice B². The sum of the lengths of groove i which remain uncovered on the B'
and B sides, or in other words, the sum of the areas of aperture through which
air saturated with vapour is drawn in on the B side, and pure air is similarly
drawn in on the B2 side, is therefore constant whatever may be the position of the
tap, their relative proportions only varying. The tap N therefore offers a means
for varying the composition of the mixture issuing through the tube h in the
direction of the igniting device, without in any way altering the resistances which
the gaseous mixture encounters along the conduits, passages or pipes through
which it has to flow.
be
The construction of the igniting device is based upon the property possessed
by platinum gauze woven into very small meshes, igniting compressed explosive
mixtures used in gas engines, at a low red heat scarcely visible in the dark;
whereas sponges or platinum moss (the employment of which is moreover a matter
of extreme delicacy) only produce the ignition of such compressed mixtures at
a white heat. The form and arrangement of our kindling device are such, too, as
to render its operation particularly serviceable for practical purposes, as it enables
the device to be started, or, primed, without any necessity for removing it from the
motor cylinder. A kindling device of this type is illustrated in Figs. 17, 18 and 22.
The small cylindrical furnace a comprises a species of cap or dome b which may
be removed along with the lid or cover c. This dome has two, slots situated
diametrically opposite each other and in a plane perpendicular to its theoretical
axis. Into these slots there is passed a rectangular band m of platinum wire
gauze, in the centre of which there is secured a small square of wire gauze
woven with smaller meshes, the diagonals of which are arranged to
parallel to the sides of the strip m (Fig. 20). The edges of this strip or band
are folded down outside the dome and fixed thereto (Fig. 21). At e (Figs. 21 and 22)
there is a very light small sized flap valve with a very narrow seat. A screw u
serves to retain in place the flap or door e of this valve, while imparting to it at
the same time a great facility of motion and enabling the distance between such
valve door and valve seat-which should be very small-to be accurately adjusted.
The chamber of the valve e is connected by a passages, to another annular space g
which in its turn communicates with the interior of the furnace a through
epenings i provided all around the platinum wire gauze. In the centre of the
lid c there is a circular orifice z coinciding with another orifice of equal diameter
formed in the dome b. When the kindling or igniting device is screwed on to
the end A A of the motor cylinder, a door or flap m of very light construction,
pivoted at O, closes the orifice 2, which only opens when the piston in its return
stroke strikes the arm X by means of a pin or stud which is fixed to it and which
is bent or folded several times upon itself so as to deaden the shock. The return
of the valve door M to its closed position is facilitated by a spring located within
the thickness of the end A A of the cylinder. A ring of small holes f (Fig. 18)
formed all around the dome c serves to connect the furnace a with the motor
cylinder; such holes being however sufficiently small to prevent any diffusion of

page_text: the flame. The interior of the kindling device is made readily accessible by a
brass plug tt (Fig. 22) capable of being instantaneously removed and refitted in
place. The tube v (Fig. 22) is connected by a pipe of small diameter to the
passage h (Fig. 8).
The operation of the kindling device is as follows:-
After removing the plug tt (Fig. 22), the indiarubber ball is compressed by
hand several times in succession and thus made to act in conjunction with the
valves g g (Fig. 8) as an air pump. The explosive mixture will therefore be
forced by the indiarubber ball, first into the passage v, then into the valve chamber e,
and, through the passages and the apertures i to the platinum wire gauze m, on
sweeping past which it will take its course towards the outlet or orifice left open
by the removal of the plug tt. By means of a lighted match the gas jet issuing
from this orifice is now kindled, and the flame spreading throughout the interior
of the igniting device heats the platinum wire gauze to a red incandescence which,
owing to the special property of the platinum, will continue red hot and capable
of inflaming the explosive mixture in the cylinder interior, even after the plug
has been put back in its place. Ignition may only take place however when the
crank is at its inward dead point, for the valve door M does not open before the
driving piston has reached the end of its return stroke. When the explosive
mixture, constituting the source of power, has, by suction, been conveyed into
the cylinder, a small quantity of explosive gas supplied from the carburizer
(Fig. 8) is drawn in at the same time through the apertures f, furnace a,
perforations i, valve e, and tube v. The gas sent on to the platinum wire gauze
keeps it red hot. During compression, the valve e closes; but, as an effect of
the compression itself, the gas contained in the cylinder enters the furnace through
the apertures f, becomes ignited by contact with the platinum gauze, and then
ignites the explosive mixture compressed in the cylinder, as soon as the valve
door M opens, at the end of the return stroke of the driving piston. The platinum
gauze tends to cool down during the exhaust phase, yet does not do so sufficiently
to prevent its being brought up to a red heat again during the next succeeding
suction phase.
Hence it follows that when once the kindling device has been started by means
of the indiarubber ball in the manner described, and the engine consequently set
in motion, any operation of the compressible ball may be discontinued, while
ignition will nevertheless continue to take place at stated times and without
necessitating any stoppage of the engine.
While the exhaust valve remains open under the action of the governor and
interrupts the series of successive 'working' piston strokes, the slight sucking
actions taking place at each forward stroke of the piston will admit through the
valve e and the furnace of the igniting device a sufficient supply of explosive
mixture to maintain the gauze at the high degree of heat capable of igniting
the mixture and of thereby causing the piston to perform its initial operative
stroke as soon as the governor admits of this.
In engines or motors employed in propelling vehicles all parts of machinery
should be carefully protected from dust, the air inlets being fitted with filters of
a special construction, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. A box containing combed
or carded cotton is located between two sheets of gauze whereof one is secured
within the said box, while the other acts as a cover; this arrangement enabling the
cotton to be readily changed whenever necessary. The air enters through an
aperture provided near the bottom of the box and in traversing the cotton deposits
thereon any particles of dust which it may carry with it.
Having now particularly described and awetained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is: -
An explosion engine more especially applicable to the propulsion of vehicles
and mainly arranged for feeding with benzine vapours, although it may be applied

page_text: to any other purpose and is capable with slight modifications, of operating with
any other gaseous explosive mixture; the main features of such engine being
as follows:
(a) A pendulum governor fully protected from the effects of any outside shocks
jolts or jerks owing to the fact that its balls or blocks, which turn on a horizontal
shaft, are connected to a sleeve acting upon the exhaust valve by means of closed
kinematic couples, describing aros of very small radii and sub-tending very
small angles; the normal speed of the governor being variable at will and capable
of being accurately regulated or adjusted by the greater or less compression of
a spring counteracting the centrifugal tendency of the revolving blocks;
(b) An explosive mixture producer or generator designed to yield the required
propelling power, which, in conjunction with a constant level liquid hydro-carbon
reservoir (the level of which is a trifle below that at which the liquid enters the
generator) produces a homo geneous mixture of uniform composition independently
of possible variations of temperature or shocks; this object being attained by subjecting
the hydro-carbon, which is carried along by the current of air admitted by suction
into the motor, a series of rapid changes of direction, by shortening as much as
possible the distance to be covered by the mixture in flowing through the conduits
or passages which are directly contiguous with the heated motor walls, and by
inserting a piece of material which is a non-conductor of heat, between the said
heated passages and that part of the machine where the hydro-carbon is admitted.
(c) A constant level liquid hydro-carbon reservoir adapted to feed the generator
mentioned in paragraph b, wherein a float having very limited 'play' within a
diaphragm or plunging cylinder closes the hydro-carbon inlet or orifice as soon
as the normal level has been attained; such constant level reservoir being combined
with an air-pump which enables a current of air to sweep past the liquid contained
therein, so that it may be utilized as a carburizer in producing a small quantity
of air saturated with hydro-carbons in the condition of vapour such as is necessary
for feeding the igniting device;
(d) A kindling or igniting device for igniting the explosive mixture, the con-
struction of which is based upon the property possessed by platinum in a sub-
divided condition of absorbing and condensing gases and bringing out in a more
marked degree their chemical affinities and on the novel employment for this
purpose of platinum in the form of small meshed wire gauze; such kindling device
being so arranged that it may be started by ignition from an external source of
heat and by the co-operation of the pump forming part of the carburizer referred
to in paragraph c, by opening an ordinary screw plug and without the necessity
of removing the motor cylinder; it being moreover only necessary to start the
kindling device once in order to ensure the continuance of its operation, as long
as the motor or engine itself continues in motion.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.