IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th December 1882.
WILLIAM WATSON of Leeds in the County of York,
ENGINES"
IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
Gas engines constructed in accordance with my improvements may be either
horizontal or vertical, I employ a cylinder from which motion is conveyed to the
crank shaft, through a piston, connecting rod, and crank, in the usual way.
Instead of employing the ordinary water jacket for keeping the cylinder cool I
cause a circulation of water to pass through a coil of pipes, which may be cast in
the metal of which the cylinder is formed.
To admit of the escape of the products of combustion I employ a valve at outer
end of cylinder, at or about the point, where the outward stroke is completed; this
valve is so constructed that it can be regulated or adjusted in lift, so as to insure
almost instantaneous closing, to prevent thereby admission of atmospheric air at
the point after the products of combustion have escaped, thus securing a partial
vacuum within the cylinder
I also employ another valve in the cylinder at or about the point at which the
piston completes its inward stroke for the purpose of liberating the remaining
products of combustion. This valve is actuated from the crank shaft, the required
motion being transmitted through suitable gearing, cam, and lever arrangement.
The inlet valve or valves may be of a similar construction to those described in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me October 21st 1881 N° 4608.
.
The inlet valve or valves are held firmly down until the time for admitting the
explosive mixture, this is effected by an adjustable lever and cam arrangement
actuated by some convenient moving part of the engine.
The lift of the valve for regulating the flow of gas is adjusted by the action of
the governor.

page_text: A check valve may also be employed between the inlet valve and the cylinder
for the purpose of preventing more perfectly the admission of air and gas into the
cylinder except at the required time.
For the purpose of exploding the gases I employ any suitable arrangement or
any of the arrangements or modifications thereof referred to in the Specifications
of Letters Patent granted to me dated April 20th 1881 N° 1723, and July 4th 1881
N° 2919.
For the purpose of preventing the explosive mixture entering the igniter except
at the proper time, I when preferred provide a valve for closing the same, such
valve being operated by a magnet or other convenient means, the required
movement thereof being obtained from some moving part of the engine.
For regulating the supply of gas I employ a two chambered vessel, these
chambers being divided by a diaphragm or partition but communicating with
each other at the bottom. This vessel is partially filled with water, mercury, or
other suitable fluid, so that when the gas is admitted under ordinary pressure, into
one of the chambers, the fluid rises in the other, and when the gas is withdrawn
by the movement of the piston the fluid returns to its original position.
Further I employ a small force pump for forcing a charge of explosive mixture
into the cylinder for starting the engine.
The operation of the engine is as follows:-The outward stroke N° 1 draws in
mixed gas and air through the inlet valve which is closed immediately after the
outward stroke is completed, then the return or inward stroke compresses the.
explosive mixture in the cylinder, these enter into the ignitor whereby the explosion
is caused.
This explosion moves the piston again and causes the outward stroke N° 2, the
products of combustion escaping through the valve in outer end of cylinder at
or about the completion of the outward stroke; the piston then makes its
inward stroke N° 2 which results partly from the momentum of the engine and
partly by partial vacuum within the cylinder. The second escape valve is brought
into operation at any convenient point of the inward stroke N° 2 on liberating the
remainding products of combination. At the next up or outward stroke the piston
draws in the explosive mixture in the same manner as N° 1 and the engine
continues to work as above described.
In the above arrangement of engines the explosion takes place every other
stroke.
For starting the engine, the explosive mixture is admitted when the piston is in
the same or about the same position in the cylinder, as when the gases are exploded,
in the ordinary working thereof, and the gases compressed in the cylinder by the
force pump.
And in order to secure the admission of the explosive mixture at the required
time, I provide an arrangement of stop valve.
The necessary degree of such compression is regulated by a safety valve, and
when the compression is completed the igniter is opened, the explosive mixture
admitted therein and exploded, giving thereby the first outward stroke N° 1 to
the engine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th June 1883.
WILLIAM WATSON of Leeds, in the County of York
ENGINES
n
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
Gas engines constructed in accordance with my improvements may be either
horizontal or vertical. I employ a cylinder from which motion is conveyed to the
crank shaft, through a piston, connecting rod, and crank, in the usual way.
I instead of employing the ordinary water jacket for keeping the cylinder cool,
I cause a circulation of water to pass through a coil of pipes, which may be cast
in the metal of which the cylinder is formed.
'
To admit of the escape of the products of combustion I employ a valve at outer
end of cylinder, at or about the point where the outward stroke is completed; this
valve is so constructed that it can be regulated or adjusted in lift, so as to insure
almost instantaneous closing, to prevent thereby admission of atmospheric air at
this point after the products of combustion have escaped, thus securing a partial
vacuum within the cylinder.
I also employ another valve in the cylinder at or about the point at which the
piston completes its inward stroke for the purpose of liberating the remaining
products of combustion. This valve is actuated from the crank shaft, the required
motion being transmitted through suitable gearing, cam and lever arrangement.
The inlet valve or valves may be of a similar construction to those described in
the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me October 21st 1881 No 4608.
The inlet valve or valves are held firmly down until the time for admitting the
explosive mixture, this is effected by an adjustable lever and cam arrangement
actuated by some convenient moving part of the engine.
The lift of the valve for regulating the flow of gas is adjusted by the action of
the governor.
A check valve may also be employed between the inlet valve and the cylinder
for the purpose of preventing more perfectly the admission of air and gas into the
cylinder except at the required time.
For the purpose of exploding the gases I employ any suitable arrangement or
any of the arrangements or modifications thereof referred to in the Specifications
of Letters Patent granted to me dated April 20th 1881 N° 1723, and July 4th
1881 N° 2919.
For the purpose of preventing the explosive mixture entering the igniter except
at the proper time, I when preferred provide a valve for closing the same, such
valve being operated by a magnet or other convenient means, the required movement
thereof being obtained from some moving part of the engine.
For regulating the supply of gas I employ a two chambered vessel, these
chambers being divided by a diaphragm or partition but communicating with each
other at the bottom. This vessel is partially filled with water mercury, or other
suitable fluid, so that when the gas is admitted under ordinary pressure into one
of the chambers, the fluid rises in the other, and when the gas is withdrawn by the
movement of the piston the fluid returns to its original position.
Further I employ a small force pump for forcing a charge of explosive mixture
into the cylinder for starting the engine.
The operation of the engine is as follows:-
The outward stroke N° 1 draws in mixed gas and air through the inlet valve
which is closed immediately after the outward stroke is completed, then the return

page_text: or inward stroke compresses the explosive mixture in the cylinder these enter into
the igniter whereby the explosion is caused.
The explosion moves the piston again and causes the outward stroke No 2, the
products of combustion escaping through the valve in outer end of cylinder at or
about the completion of the outward stroke; the piston then makes its inward
stroke No 2 which results partly from the momentum of the engine and partly by
partial vacuum within the cylinder. The second escape valve is brought into
operation at any convenient point of the inward stroke No 2 liberating the
remaining products of combustion.
At the next up or outward stroke the piston draws in the explosive mixture in
the same manner as No 1 and the engine continues to work as above described.
In the above arrangement of engine the explosion takes place every other
stroke.
For starting the engine, the explosive mixture is admitted when the piston is in
the same or about the same position in the cylinder, as when the gases are exploded
in the ordinary working thereof, and the gases compressed in the cylinder by the
force pump.
And in order to secure the admission of the explosive mixture at the required
time, I provide an arrangement of stop valve.
The necessary degree of such compression is regulated by a safety valve, and
when the compression is completed the igniter is opened, the explosive mixture
admitted therein and exploded, giving thereby the first outward stroke No 1 to
the engine.
And in order that my Invention may be the more completely understood
reference is given to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and marks
Fig. 1 is a front elevation. Fig 2 an end elevation. Fig 3 a longitudinal section
through AB Fig 2. Fig 4 is a part section and plan looking at the top. Fig 5
is a section of gas supply regulator.
Gas engines constructed in accordance with my improvements may be either
vertical or horizontal, and although the general arrangement shewn in drawings
of the various parts are for a horizontal engine I would have it understood that
slight modifications of such parts render them suitable for vertical engines.
I employ a cylinder a from which motion is conveyed to the crank shaft through
a piston b to an ordinary crank in the usual way. Instead of employing the
ordinary water jacket for keeping the cylinder cool I apply a coil of pipes c which
may be cast in the metal of which the cylinder is formed through which water is
caused to circulate.
To admit of the escape of the products of combustion I attach a valve box d
containing a valve e at the outer end of the cylinder a at or about the point where
the outward stroke is completed. This valve may be regulated or adjusted in lift
by set screw for its equivalent so as to ensure almost instantaneous closing,
preventing thereby admission of atmospheric air at this point after the products of
combustion have escaped, thus securing a partial vacuum within the cylinder.
I also employ another valve box g containing a valve h at or about the point
where the piston completes its inward stroke for the purpose of liberating the
remaining products of combustion. This valve h is actuated from the ordinary
crank shaft through spur or bevel gearing, shaft i cam k which is keyed or
otherwise fastened on shaft i and which by its rotary motion actuates the lever
and valve spindle m The spring n is employed for retaining the valve h closed
except when operated upon by the lever.
The valve for the admission of air and gas within the valve box o at the outer
end of cylinder is of a similar construction to that described in the Specification
of Letters Patent granted to me October 21 1881 No 4608.

page_text: In order to regulate the supply of gas I employ another valve box p provided
with a valve q in its interior. This valve is kept closed when not required to be
open by a spiral spring but in order to regulate the lift or opening of the valve
I employ the inclined piece s over the valve spindle t as shewn and hinged at 8'.
Over this inclines is applied a lever u centred on the stud v To this lever u a
lateral movement on the stud v is imparted by the governor w through rod x
weighted lever y connecting rod z and bell crank lever a¹ By this adjustment
of the position of the end of the lever u on the inclines it will be readily
understood that the lift of the gas admission valve g is regulated, and by such
means the quantity of gas admitted is reduced or increased as may be required.
To the lever u is also imparted a radial movement for the purpose of opening
the gas inlet valve g at the required time. This movement of the lever u is
produced by a cam b₁ on the end of the shaft i acting thereon through lever c¹ and
stud d¹.
The air is admitted direct to the valve box o through inlet e¹
A check valve f' is also applied in the valve box g' for the purpose of more
perfectly preventing the admission of air and gas into the cylinder a The
valve is closed by the spiral spring and lifted or opened at the required times
for the admission of air and gas into the cylinder by the lever c¹ actuated by the
cam b¹ on the end of the shaft i.
For the purpose of exploding the gases I employ any suitable arrangement, or
any of the arrangements or modifications thereof referred to in the Specifications
of Letters Patent granted to me dated April 20th 1881 No 1723 and July 4th
1881 No 2919.
For the purpose of preventing the explosive mixture entering the igniter except
at the proper time I when preferred provide a valve for closing the same, such
valve being operated by a magnet or other convenient means actuated by some
moving part of the engine.
For regulating the supply of gas I employ a two chambered vessel Fig 5.
These chambers h' and ' being divided by a partition but communicating with
each other through the opening m¹ at the bottom. This vessel is partially filled
with water or other fluid so that when the gas is admitted under ordinary pressure
into one of the chambers, the fluid rises in the other, and when the gas is
withdrawn by the movement of the piston the fluid returns to its original
position.
Further I employ a small force pump for forcing a charge of explosive mixture
into the cylinder for starting the engine.
The working of the engine is as follows:-
The outward stroke No 1 draws in mixed gas and air through the inlet valve o'
and check valve f' which is closed immediately on the completion of the outward
stroke. The return or inward stroke compresses the explosive mixture in the
cylinder, these enter the igniter whereby the explosion is caused.
The explosion moves the piston again and causes the outward stroke No 2, the
products of combustion escaping through the valve e at the outer end of the
cylinder at or about the completion of the outward stroke No 2 which results
partly from the momentum of the engine and partly by the partial vacuum within
the cylinder. The second escape valve his brought into operation at any
convenient part of the inward stroke No 2 liberating the remaining products of
combustion.
At the next outward stroke the piston draws in the explosive mixture in the
same manner as in outward stroke No 1 and the engine continues to work as above
described.
In the above arrangement of engine the explosion takes place every other stroke.
On this account also the shaft i is so geared as to make half the number of
revolutions made by the crank shaft.
For starting the engine the explosive mixture is admitted when the piston bis
in the same or about the same position in the cylinder as when the gases are

page_text: exploded in the ordinary working thereof and the explosive mixture is compressed
or forced into the cylinder by the force pump.
The necessary degree of such compression may be regulated by a safety valve
placed either on the cylinder a or on the cylinder of the force pump. When the
compression is completed, the communication with the igniter is opened, the
explosive mixture admitted thereto, and exploded giving thereby the first outward
stroke No 1 to the engine.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and described with the
aid of drawings how the same may be carried into practice I would have it
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details or configuration of
the parts I have described and shewn as the same may be varied or modified
without departing from the nature of my said Invention; what I do claim is :-
The means employed for controlling the admission of gas, substantially as herein
set forth.
The means employed for controlling the admission of the explosive mixture of
gas and air substantially as herein set forth.
The arrangements for the escape of the products of combustion substantially as
herein set forth.
The arrangement and application of the chamber for regulating or equalizing the
supply of gas substantially as herein set forth.
The arrangement and application of the coiled pipe for water circulation for
keeping the cylinder cool substantially as herein set forth.
The general arrangement and combination of the various parts forming my
Improvements in Gas Engines and mere modifications of the same substantially
as herein set forth.
In Witness whereof, I, the said William Watson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty third day of May in the year of Our Lord oue
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
זוA.
WILLIAM
WATSON
(inst)