Improvements in Explosion Engines specially suitable for Propelling Vehicles, Boats, and other Bodies.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, oth Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Loft 6th Avx 1907 Accented
25th Cant
400%
Date of Application, oth NOV., 1896
Complete Specification Loft, 6th Aug., 1807 Accepted, 25th Sept., 190%
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosion Engines specially suitable for Propelling
Vehicles, Boats, and other Bodies.
We, JOHN BROKENSHIRE FURNEAUX, of Victoria Works, Gateshead-on-Tyne, in
the County of Durham, Engineer, and EDWARD BUTLER, of Coatesworth Road,
Gateshead-on-Tyne, aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to improvements in explosion engines adapted to
be actuated by the ignition of explosive mixtures of petroleum vapour or gas and
air, the object being to effect a more perfectly balanced and silent action of the
engine than heretofore, to prevent overheating of the cylinders, and to cause a less
noxious exhalation therefrom-advantages of great value in the application of a
motive engine of the kind above referred to to the purposes mentioned.
In one construction of engine embodying this invention there are two cylinders,
each open at one end, arranged side by side and provided with trunk pistons
connected to a pair of oppositely arranged cranks on a common shaft provided
with one or more flywheels. Situated midway between the two cylinders and at
or near the combustion end thereof is a casing provided with a balanced circular
distributing valve and with two pairs of oppositely arranged ports that communi-
cate with the combustion chambers of the two cylinders by suitably arranged
pipes or passages. This casing with ports and connecting passages may form one
casting with the two combustion chambers. The valve is arranged to be rotated
once for each six revolutions of the crank shaft. This may conveniently be dono
by a worm fixed on the crank shaft between the two cranks and gearing with a
worm wheel fast on a shaft connected to the valve. The arrangement is such that
there is an explosion or working outstroke at every third revolution of the crank
shaft, and, as the two cranks are arranged at an angle of 180° apart, it follows
that the periodicity of the impulses are of equal duration and that the strains set
up by the reciprocating and vibratory movements of one piston and its connecting
rod and crank are counterbalanced or nearly so, by the movement in the opposite
direction of the other piston and connecting rod and crank, so that a nearly perfect
balance is obtained.
The balanced valve, which is a modification of the valve described in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent No. 6990 of 1890 is constructed with three pairs of
oppositely arranged channels or portways, the first pair communicating with the
supply pipe or passage for explosive mixture, the second pair communicating with
the exhaust pipe and silencer, and the third pair communicating direct with the
external atmosphere, it may be through one end of the valve, and serving to
supply and exhaust a cooling charge of air on the 5th and 6th strokes of the cycle
of working. Each cooling charge of air also has for effect to clear the combustion
chamber, cylinder and ports of all residual gases from the previous explosion.
During the rotation of the valve, the series of channel or portways contained
in the valve are brought into communication with the ports communicating wita

page_text: each cylinder alternately; the cycle of working of one cylinder being one and a
half revolutions in advance of the other. When using a light hydrocarbon such
as benzoline or gasoline, or gas there is used an inspirator which may conveniently
be of one or other of the kinds described in the Specification of former Letters
Patent No. 15598 of 1887 and No. 6990 of 1890. When using heavier oils, such
as that known as kerdzene, either a volatilizer such as one of those described in
the said former Specification No. 6990 of 1890, or a retort gasifier heated by a
burner may be used.
The explosive charges may conveniently be ignited by electric igniters located
in the combustion chambers of the cylinders and between which electric sparks
can be produced by means of a sparking coil actuated by a dry battery and con-
trolled by a commutator attached to and receiving motion from the said valve or
valve shaft, the arrangement being such that the charges in the two combustion
chambers are ignited in an alternate manner.
The cylinders are or may be provided externally with a series of cooling rings
or ribs, arranged preferably at right angles to the axes of the cylinders, for the
purpose of presenting a large heat radiating surface and preventing overheating
of the cylinders.
Improvements in Explosion Engines specially suitable for Propelling
Vehicles, Boats, and other Bodies.
We, JOHN BROKENSHIRE FURNEAUX, of Victoria Works, Gateshead-on-Tyne, in
the County of Durham, Engineer, and EDWARD BUTLER, of Coatesworth Road,
Gateshead-on-Tyne, aforesaid, 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:-
I This invention has reference to improvements in explosion-engines adapted to
be actuated by the ignition of explosive mixtures of petroleum vapour or gas and
air, the object being to effect a more perfectly balanced and silent action of the
engine than heretofore, to prevent overheating of the cylinders, and to cause a less
noxious exhalation therefrom-advantages of great value in the application of a
motive engine of the kind above referred to to the propulsion of vehicles, boats
and other bodies.
According thereto for the purpose of effecting a more perfectly balanced and
silent action, such an engine has two single-acting cylinders arranged side by
side, and provided with pistons connected to a pair of cranks making angles of
180° with each oer.
To prevent overheating of the cylinders, they are, for the purpose of presenting
a large heat-radiating surface, provided externally with a series of cooling rings or
ribs arranged preferably at right angles to the axes of the cylinders.
Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive of the accompanying drawings represent a six-stroke
cycle engine according to this invention:
Fig. 1 shows a vertical longitudinal central section of part of such an engine,
Fig. 2 shows a section along the axis of one of the cylinders;
Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the two combustion-chambers;

page_text: Figs. 4 and 5 show longitudinal sections of the valve in two positions at right
angles to each other, and Figs. 6 and 7 are views corresponding respectively
thereto, Fig. 6 showing a section on the line y of Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 being an
elevation of the outer end of the valve;
Figs. 8 and 9 show sections at right angles to each other and taken respectively
along the axes of the crank-shaft and the valve-shaft;
Fig. 10 is a sectional end elevation corresponding to Fig. 8;
Figs. 11, 12, and 13 show cross sections of the commutator, valve-shaft and
attached parts.
Fig. 14 shows a cross section of a four-stroke cycle engine according to this
invention.
Fig. 15 is a vertical section of a retort-gasifier for the treatment of heavy oils
such as kerozene, and Fig. 16 is a half pian and half section thereof.
In the six-stroke cycle engine represented in Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive, D and D'
(Figs. 1, 2, and 3) are two cylinders, each open at the forward end, arranged side
by side, and provided with trunk pistons connected by rods end d (Fig. 8) to
a pair of oppositely arranged cranks and on a common shaft K provided with
two fly-wheels and Situated midway between the two cylinders and at or
near the combustion-ends thereof, is a casing V provided with a balanced circular
distributing valve mounted in a suitable liner V, and with two pairs of oppositely
arranged ports p₁ and p that communicate respectively with the combustion-
chambers B and 13 of the two cylinders by suitably arranged pipes or passages P¹
and P. This casing with ports and connecting passages forms one casting with
the two combustion chambers.
The valve is arranged to be rotated once for each six revolutions of the crank-
shaft. This is done by a worm V fast on the crank-shaft K between the two
cranks and and gearing with a worm wheel V3 fast on a shaft V connected to
the valve. The arrangement is such that there is in each cylinder an explosion or
working outstroke at every third revolution of the crank-shaft K, and, as the two.
cranks and are arranged at an angle of 180° apart, it follows that the intervals
of time between successive impulses are of equal duration and that the stresses
caused by the reciprocating and vibratory movements of one piston and its con-
necting-rod and crank are counterbalanced, or nearly so, by the movement in the
omposite direction of the other piston and connecting-rod and crank, so that a
nearly perfect balance is obtained.
The balanced valve, which is a modification of the valve described in the
Specifictaion of Letters Patent No. 6990 of 1890, is constructed with three pairs of
oppositely arranged channels or portways (Figs. 1 and 3 to 7 inclusive), the first
pair N, N constantly communicating at one end with the supply pipe or passage M
for explosive mixture and being adapted to communicate with the ports p' and p
by two oppositely arranged longitudinal openings; the second pair XX communi-
cating constantly with the exhaust-outlet O and silencer; and the third pair GG
constantly communicating direct with the external atmosphere through the outer
end of the valve, and serving to supply and exhaust a cooling charge of air on the
fifth and sixth strokes of the cycle of working. Each cooling charge of air also
has for effect to clear the corresponding combustion-chamber, eylinder, and ports
of all residual gases from the previous explosion. The valve is made slightly
conical and is kept up to its seat in the liner V by a set-screw e (Fig. 1); it is
rovided with a shoulder 7 to limit its inward movement and between which and
he liner there are placed thin washers which can be removed singly as required
o compensate for wear.
During the rotation of the valve, the series of channels or portways N, G and X
ontained in it are brought alternately into communication with the ports pl and p
ommunicating with the cylinders the cycle of working of one cylinder being
ne and a half revolutions in advance of the other. The parts being in the
osition shown in Fig. 3, the cycle is commenced by the admission of a charge of
xplosive mixture through the two channels N in the valve and the two ports pl

page_text: to the combustion-chamber B' and the cylinder D' and the simultaneous placing
of the other combustion chamber B2 and cylinder D2 into communication with
the exhaust-pipe O by the second pair of passages X, ports 22, and portways P³.
The valve rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, it will be
seen that during the next two strokes the valve is closed to the cylinder D', while
the other cylinder D is in communication with the atmosphere through the two
channels G G.
During the fourth stroke the two channels X connect the cylinder D¹ with the
exhaust-outlet O, the cylinder D2 being simultaneously connected with the supply
pipe or passage M; and during the fifth and sixth strokes the cylinder D' is cooled
and cleansed by an air-charge, the ports p³ of the cylinder Ds being closed by the
valve.
To supplement the cooling effect of the air-charge after each explosion, the
cylinders are surrounded by radiating plates A (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) preferably of thin
copper or brass and each of which surrounds both cylinders; and in order to
obtain a good conductive connexion between these radiating plates and the
cylinder-walls, intermediate flanged. conducting rings I are provided, and the
whole of the plates and rings when placed on the cylinders are tightened up by
the cylinder covers C, which form part of the valve and combustion-chamber
casting.
To further cool the cylinders their front ends are provided with covers C¹ and C³
having openings c¹ respectively for the free movement of the two connecting-
rods d and d by this means the air displaced by the action of the pistons at
each outstroke is more widely dispersed than when the cylinder fronts are left
quite open, in which case much of the heated air expelled by the outstrokes of the.
pistons returns on their instrokes and consequently the cooling effect of the
entering air is only very slight, whereas with the arrangement shown, the entering
air contains a much less quantity of the air previously expelled and consequently
has a much greater cooling effect.
Fig. 14 shows a similar engine to that hereinbefore described but adapted to
work with a four stroke cycle. In this case the two pairs of ports p p² and cor-
responding pairs of pipes or passages P1 and P2 are arranged as shown and controlled
by a valve V having two outer gas supply passages N and a central exhaust
passage X like the four stroke cycle valve shown in the said former Specification
No. 6990 of 1890, the said valve being arranged to rotate once in each four revolu-
tions of the crank shaft. The operation of the engine and valve is similar to that
of the six stroke cycle engine hereinbefore described except that in this case the
fifth and sixth cooling strokes are dispensed with.
If it be desired to construct the engine when working with a four stroke cycle
with two cranks at equal angles, that is to say not one in advance of the other,
the two pairs of ports 123 should be arranged at right angles to each other, i.e.,
equidistant from each other, as in the example shown in Fig. 3.
The explosive charges may conveniently be ignited, as in the example shown
in Fig. 2, by electric igniters which are located in the combustion-chambers of
the cylinders and between which electric-sparks can be produced by means of a
sparking-coil adapted to give a spark say a quarter of an inch long, actuated by
a dry battery, and controlled by a commutator attached to and receiving motion
from the valve-shaft, or valve, the arrangement being such that the charges in
the two combustion-chambers are ignited in an alternate manner.
Each igniter
comprises an insulator 2 (Fig. 2) of suitably strong porcelain or mica secured in
the cover F of the combustion-chamber by means of a stuffing-box and gland 1,
and two platinum electrodes 3 one carried by a flanged cap 4 fixed to the insulator 2
and the other carried by a rod 5 attached direct to the cover F. The commutator
comprises an insulating block I¹ secured to the valve-shaft V and carrying a
ring provided with a pair of oppositely arranged contact-pieces t, which during
the rotation of the shaft V come into contact with a pair of spring conductors s,
secured respectively to terminals b and c, which are attached to an insulating

page_text: block B and are included in the circuit connecting the battery with the coil. The
positive pole of the secondary coil circuit is connected to a terminal Z' which is
secured to the block B and, by a spring conductor pressing on the outer end of
an insulated bar a, communicates the current induced in the secondary coil to the
two contactpieces and with which the bar a is in contact and which alternately
come into contact respectively with spring conductors and 2, which, through
terminals 7 and Z³, communicate the spark-current along suitable wires to the
terminals 7 (Fig. 2) of the igniters fixed in the ends of the combustion-chambers.
The rods 5 of the igniters are connected to the negative pole of the secondary coil
through the motor. The insulating block B to which the spring conductors 29
and are attached is carried by an adjustable quadrant frame Q, by means of
which the timing of the ignition may be regulated with accuracy.
When using a light hydrocarbon such as benzoline or gasoline, or gas, there is
used an inspirator which may convenientiy be of one or other of the kinds
described in the Specifications of former Letters l'atent No. 15598 of 1887 and
No. 6990 of 1890.
An inspirator of the kind referred to is shown at S in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, L: being
a pipe through which the light hydrocarbon is supplied to it from a tank at a
lower level, and L' being air inlet openings. The end of the inspirator terminates
in a chamber T provided with a speed regulator comprising a balanced plug or
throttle-valve t' which is slotted and mounted to turn in a correspondingly slotted
seat, the arrangement being such as to afford a ready means of opening and
closing communication with the cylinders. The position of the valve may be
effected automatically by a governor attached to the fly-wheels K and comprising
two weights W W which are pivotted at w¹ w respectively to the fly-wheel so as
to turn in an outward direction on an increase of speed and to an inward on a
decrease of speed, the movement of the weights being resisted by two torsional
springs and w. Movement of the governor weights is transmitted to a lever 13
fast on the regulating valve through a rod attached to a forked lever w³ one end
of which is pressed by a spring or counterweight (not shown) against a sleeve we
on which are pivotted two rollers to and w mounted to roll on inclined planes w
and w10 carried by the weights W and We respectively. As will be seen the arrange-
ment is such that when the weights turn in one direction, the inclined planes
thereon will move the valve in one direction, and when the weights move in the
opposite direction the spring (not shown) will move the valve in the other
direction and so control the supply of combustible gas to suit the speed of the
engine.
When using heavier oils, such as that known as kerozene, (Sp. gr. about 800)
either a volatilizer such as one of those described in the said former Specification
No. 6990 of 1890, or a retort gasifier heated by a burner may be used.
Figs. 15 and 16 show a retort gasifier suitable for the purpose. It comprises a
retort g formed of the shane shown so as to provide large internal and external
surfaces. The exterior of the retort is heated by flames from a series of burners
which are formed by bending a steel pipe u into loops as shown and providing the
loops with nipples b, the two ends of the pipe being connected by pipes u¹ with an
oil pipe u to which liquid hydrocarbon is supplied under pressure. The burners
are carried by a tray y adapted to hold spirit for heating up at starting. The
retort is surrounded by a case x lined with porcelain or like refractory material n
and arranged for convenient attachment to the motor or some part adjacent
It may be con-
thereto. 5 is a nine for supplying the heavy oil to the retort.
nected to a ball-cock cistern provided with a ball-cock for maintaining a
constant level of oil therein, or to a tank direct.
On starting the motor, oil is drawn into the retort where it becomes gasified on
its passage up and down between the partitions f f and is finally led by a pipe 6
past a non-return valve 7 (Fig. 14) to an inspirator S which is or may be con-
structed as herein previously described.
The oil gas produced as described, is of a brown color and holds in suspension a

page_text: quantity of ungasified matter that is liable to eventually choke up the passages
leading to the cylindor and also causes a visible exhaust with imperfect working
. of the motor. To obviate this the gas may be drawn through a box or chamber
containing a bed of crushed coke and saw dust for the purpose of scrubbing and
cleansing it before being drawn into the engine. The exhaust gases may be also
cleansed and silenced by similar means.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. An explosion engine having two cylinders arranged side by side provided at
or near their combustion ends with a valve casing formed with two pairs of ports
that communicate with the combustion chambers of the two cylinders by two
pairs of pipes or passages and are controlled by a balanced distributing valve con-
structed and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. A six-stroke cycle explosion engine having two cylinders arranged side by
side with their pistons working onto two cranks placed 180° apart and provided
with a balanced distributing valve that is common to the two cylinders and is
constructed with three pairs of channels arranged and operating substantially
as hereinbefore described.
3. In an explosion engine having two cylinders arranged side by side, con-
structing the said cylinders with a series of external cooling rings or ribs A as
herein described and shown in the drawings annexed for the purpose specified.
4. In an explosion engine of the kind referred to in claim 1, electric igniters
located in the combustion ends of the cylinders and between which electric sparks
are produced by a sparking coil actuated by a battery and controlled by a com-
mutator driven from the distributing valve or valve shaft, the arrangement being
such that the charges in the two combustion chambers are ignited in an alternate
manner, substantially as described and shown.
5. In an explosion engine the use for gasifying heavy hydrocarbon oils such as
kerozene, of a retort gasifier substantially as described and shown.
6. The improved six stroke cycle explosion engine constructed, arranged and
operating substantially as herein before described with reference to and shown
in Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive of the drawings annexeu; or modified as described with
reference to Fig. 14, to work as a four stroke cycle engine.
Dated this 6th day of August 1897.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.