IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY AND RECIPROCATING ENGINES to be as follows
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX, of No 3 Saint Pauls Road, Camden Town, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting and Electric Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY AND RECIPROCATING
ENGINES to be as follows:―
"
This Invention relates principally to that class of motive power engines known
as rotary engines, in which the pressure of a fluid or gas is made to act upon
a piston or pistons moving in a circular plane, and thus to produce rotary motion
direct; instead of, as in the usual form of reciprocating engines, by the reciprocating
movement of a piston, and the interposition of other parts. A portion of the
invention may, however, be applied to the latter form of engine:
.
The engine described herein may be worked by any fluid or gas when in a
condition of potential energy; as for example, water under pressure, steam, com-
pressed air, heated or expanding air, the gases arising from explosive.compounds,
and the gases generated by the admixture of certain chemical substances. For
some of the agents mentioned, a part of the details of the machine would have to
be varied from those employed for others; as for instance, those parts relating to
the admission or emission of the actuating fluid or gas; or the introduction
of means for firing an explosive mixture. In order, however, to avoid unnecessary
description and repetition, and as the more general application; I will refer more
particularly to an engine working by the pressure of steam.
Upon a shaft arranged to revolve within a closed cylinder, and upon the axial
line thereof, I mount two wings or leaves, like the two plates of a butt hinge, so
as to be capable of revolving therein, steamtight. These leaves, (hereafter called
pistons), like those of a hinge, have each an independent motion; with a range
nearly equal to a circle. Each piston, or a connection thereof, extends through one
or both ends of the cylinder by means of a stuffing box, and each carrying at its
extremity a cranked arm, or its equivalent. The crank pins engage with and
revolve a disc, slotted across the centre of its axis, which disc is mounted upon
a shaft revolving parallel with, but at a short distance from the axial line of the
cylinder. Each crank pin being in the same fixed relation to its piston, the two
pistons will occupy positions varying differentially according to the position of the
slot in its plane of revolution, and the eccentricity of the crank pins within the

page_text: slot. When one of the pistons is placed so that its crank pin coincides nearly or
exactly with the axis of the disc, there is for an instant of time little or no move-
.ment; while the other piston has its crank pin at the greatest extremity of the
slot; and therefore is moving at its greatest velocity, and in a position to urge the
disc in its revolution with the greatest force. This movement takes place with
each piston successively.
On steam being admitted to the cylinder, the pistons being in an unbalanced
position, that piston whose crank pin is nearest the centre of the disc shaft will act
as an abutment for the other; for although moving slowly in the same direction,
the force of, the reaction will be applied principally at the journal of the said shaft,
and will not greatly retard its rotation. The steam should be admitted at or near
the point when the balance of force upon the two pistons is equal, and shut off at
such time before the next balancing point is reached, as is desirable for the proper
expansion of the steam.
To accomplish this, an ordinary valve or valves, worked by an eccentric or
eccentrics, is in some cases employed; the eccentric and valve being arranged in
any suitable manner, and connected for the object in view in a manner well known
to engineers. But in order to adapt the engine for the various motive power forces
that may be employed, and the different kinds of work to which it may be put,
I do not restrict myself to the method alluded to; but sometimes make use of
piston, tappet, or other form of valves; and worked by cams, eccentrics, linkwork,
or gearing which I arrange in any convenient manner.
2.-
In one arrangement for this purpose, I mount a ring upon two pivots attached
to a shaft, so that the ring is made to revolve with the shaft in its own plane, or at
any angle of inclination with the shaft at.which it may be placed. When at right
angles with the shaft, the ring will revolve truly concentric with the same; but
when inclined from the perpendicular, in either direction, it will have a cam like
motion, capable of working a valve to and fro. By changing the angle of incli-
nation from one side of the perpendicular to the other, the relative motion is
reversed. The ring, (hereafter called the eccentric), engages with the valve direct,
or with a pivoted lever from which the valves are worked; the pivot having an
adjustable relation to the lever, so that it also may vary the throw of, or reverse
the action of the valve or valves.
1
C
บ
11
with
The eccentric or eccentrics may be fixed or moveable, upon the main, or other
sliaft and may take several forms. To alter its angular position a, sleeve is
imounted upon the same shaft as the eccentric,, and connected therewith in such
manner that a longitudinal motion of the sleeve will incline it more or less from
the perpendicular. A toothed wheel, or its equivalent, is made to engage
corresponding grooves and projections turned, in the sleeve; and the wheel is
moved by hand, or by a governor suitably connected. This method of working
and reversing the valve, or valves, is applicable to other forms of engines.....
It is to be understood that the disc may be formed with a slot or its equivalent,
and used as a fly wheel or pulley, or combined with one or more wheels or pulleys
as desired; and, that the axis of the said shaft, or that of the cylinder, may be
made adjustable in relation to each other. Also that more than one valve, or one
eccentric, may be used and worked independently; and that the steam or other
agent employed, may be admitted or exhausted through the covers, or shaft,
desired; instead of the shell of the cylinder. Also that two or more cylinders may
be used, or two or more chambers within the same cylinder in some cases
exhausting from one to the other, and that the same may be jacketted and com-
bined with a condenser; and that the pistons are made tight with suitable packing,
and so formed and arranged as to leave but small clearance to avoid waste of
steam; and helically to have greater strength, in some cases. Also, that the two
pistons instead of revolving the outer shaft or, shafts at one end of the cylinder
only, may so act at both ends; or one at each end. Also, that the crank arm
Connection with the outer shaft, or shafts, may be modified by any equivalent
!
if

page_text: mechanical arrangement, preserving the same principle of action; if more con-
venient in practice. For example, it. may take the form of a sliding plate and
eccentric giving the differential, or quick return movement; to be seen in some
shaping machines; also certain forms of gearing; or the arrangement known as
Oldhams coupling; or else a universal joint connection; and it is also desirable to
balance the moving parts of the engine. In most cases where the crank arms are
used it is convenient to fit the pins into blocks which are capable of sliding in the
disc slot; or a bar equivalent to the latter may be used, employing rolling contact
whereever possible. A horizontal governor may be readily mounted upon the shaft
and coupled direct to the sleeve so as to work the valve or valves without the
intervention of the toothed wheel already described.
---
----
1001

page_text: Improvements in Rotary and Reciprocating Engines.
I JOSEPH SINCLAIR FAIRFAX of N° 3 Saint Pauls Road Camden Town, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting and Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY AND RECIPROCATING
ENGINES," 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 principally to that class of motive power engines known
as rotary engines, in which the pressure of a fluid or gas is made to act upon a
piston or pistons moving in a circular plane and thus producing rotary motion
direct; instead of, (as in the usual form of reciprocating engines), by the recipro-.
cating movement of a piston, and the interposition of other parts. A portion of
the invention may, however, be applied to the latter form of engine.
The engine described herein may be worked by any fluid or gas when in
a condition of potential energy; as for example, water under pressure, steam,
compressed air, heated or expanding air, the gases arising from explosive com-
pounds, or the energy thereof; and the gases generated by the admixture of certain
chemical substances.
For some of the agents mentioned a part of the details of the machine would
have to be varied from those employed for others; as for instance those parts
relating to the admission or emission of the actuating fluid or gas; or the intro-
duction of means for firing an explosive mixture.
Upon a shaft, arranged to revolve within a closed cylinder, and upon the axial
line thereof, I mount two wings or leaves like the two plates of a butt hinge, so
arranged as to be capable of revolving therein, steam tight. These leaves, (here-
after called pistons),-like those of a hinge, have each a relative independent
motion, with a range nearly equal to a circle. Each piston extends through a
stuffing box or boxes at one or both ends of the cylinder, carrying at its extremity
a cranked arm and pin, or its equivalent. The crank pins engage with and revolve
a disc, slotted across the centre of its axis; which disc is mounted upon a shaft
revolving parallel with, but at a short distance from the axial line of the cylinder.
Each crank pin being in the same fixed relation to its piston, the two pistons will.
occupy positions varying differentially according to the position of the slot in its
plane of revolution, and the eccentricity of the crank pins within the slot. When
one of the pistons is placed so that its crank pin coincides nearly or exactly with
the axis of the disc, there is for an instant of time little or no movement, while the
other piston has its crank pin at the greatest extremity of the slot; and therefore
is moving at its greatest velocity, and in a position to urge the revolution of
the disc with the greatest force. This movement takes place with each piston
successively.
On steam, or other motive power agent, being admitted to the cylinder: the
pistons being in an unbalanced position: that piston whose crank pin is nearest to
the centre of the disc shaft, will act as an abutment for the other; for although
moving slowly in the same direction, the force of the reaction will be applied
principally at the journal of the said shaft, and will not greatly retard its motion.

page_text: The steam may be admitted at or near the point when the balance of pressure upon
the two pistons is equal but this is advisable only when the engine. is running and
the pressure applied to the flying piston in the direction of rotation; but in other
cases the pressure is applied when one of the pistons is in the best position to act
as a fulcrum to the other. For the purpose of regulating the admission of the
actuating fluid an ordinary valve or valves, worked by an eccentric or eccentrics
may be made use of; the valve and eccentric being arranged and connected in any
convenient way as is well understood by engineers. But in order to adapt the
engine for the various motive power forces that may be employed, and the different
kinds of work to be done, I do not restrict myself to any special form or arrange-
ment alluded to, but sometimes make use of piston, tappet, or other form of
valves, worked by cams, eccentrics, linkwork, or gearing, which I arrange in any
convenient manner.
In one arrangement for this purpose, I mount a ring or disc upon two pivots
attached to the main.shaft, so that the ring is made to revolve with the shaft in its
own plane, or at any angle of inclination therewith at which it may be placed.
When at right angles with the shaft, the ring will revolve truly concentric there-
with and becomes incapable of imparting motion to the valve or valves. But when
the ring is inclined from the perpendicular in either direction, it will have a cam
like motion capable of working a valve to and fro. By changing the angle of
inclination from one side of the perpendicular to the other, the relative motion of
the valve is reversed, and it would therefore reverse the engine. The ring, (here-
after called the eccentric), engages with the valve rod direct by a strap connection
or its equivalent, or through a pivoted lever from which the valve or valves are
worked. The. pivot of this lever may be adjustable in relation thereto, so that
it also may be used to vary the throw of, or reverse the action of, the valve or
valves.
The eccentric may be fixed upon the main or a counter shaft, at any particular
angle, or made moveable as described, to suit the kind of work required of it; and
it may take several forms and arrangements. To alter its angular position, a sleeve
is mounted upon the same shaft as the eccentric, and connected therewith by a rod
in such a manner that a longitudinal motion of the sleeve will incline the eccentric
more or less from the perpendicular. A toothed wheel or its equivalent is made to
move the sleeve, and this may be worked by hand, or by a governor suitably
connected, and thus automatically control the valve or valves.
The governor in some cases is hung upon the shaft and coupled directly to the
sleeve or eccentric; and it will be understood that more than one eccentric or valve
may be used, or more than one valve worked by a single eccentric. The steam or
other motive power used may be admitted or exhausted through the covers or shaft,
instead of the shell of the cylinder; and when used with gas, heated or compressed
air, or water under pressure, as the power agent, the valves, firing or other
apparatus employed, while varying in their details;-may yet be worked by
the method described.
As the differential motion of the pistons already described does not permit of
their centre lines coming close together, it would of necessity involve a waste of
steam, water, compressed air, or other like agent employed as a motive power.
This difficulty is met by making each piston in the form of a sector of a circle, and
of such dimensions as will reduce the clearance space as much as possible, as is
shown in Fig. 2. But for gas engines the space that would be left between
parallel shaped pistons, as shown in Fig. 4, becomes available for receiving or
containing air and gas, and means are introduced at this point for igniting or firing
an explosive mixture. The varying speeds of each piston during revolution, due
to the differential movement described, affords a ready means for drawing in air
and gas and compressing the same, where required; and also of expelling the
product resulting from a previously exploded charge.
It will be understood that two or more cylinders, or two or more chambers
within a single cylinder, can be used; and that the axis of the shaft and of the

page_text: cylinder may be made adjustable to each other. Also that the two pistons instead
of revolving the outer shaft or shafts at one end of the cylinder only, inay so act
at both ends, or one at each end. Also that the crank arm and slotted dise
connection may be modified by any equivalent. mechanical arrangement preserving
the same principle of action, examples of which have been previously mentioned;
and that the actions described may be applied to other forms of motive power
engines as well as to rotary engines.
In the annexed drawings the same reference letters in the various figures refer
to like parts, or to parts having the same function. A, denotes the cylinder; B, the
pistons; C, crank arms and pins; D, the slotted disc;E, the main or.driving shaft
F, the bearings of same; G, is the disc or eccentric; H, the sleeve; 'I, is the rod
connecting the sleeve with the eccentric; J, denotes a worm wheel, and K. the
screw for turning the same. L, is an arm or lever upon the end of the screw K,
which is connected to the governor. M; is an eccentric,strap, fork, or support for
carrying friction rollers, by means of which motion is communicated from the
eccentric G, to the valve rod N; and O, is a pivoted lever which is a modification
of M or medium of communicating motion from the eccentric G, to valve P. Small
letters are used to call attention to details.
Fig. 1 is a general or side elevation of a motive power engine showing tho crank
arms, C, C, of the two pistons engaging with sliding blocks a, of the slotted disc, D,
to revolve the same. The eccentric G, with strap M, is shown in its central or
perpendicular position in relation to its axis; the dotted lines indicating the central
line of its plane when it is inclined from its perpendicular by turning upon its
pivots b, on sliding the sleeve H upon the shaft in either direction. One of these
extreme positions corresponds to the forward movement of the engine. By inclining
the eccentric to the opposite angle, the movement of the valve or valves worked by
the eccentric is reversed; and with it, the direction of rotation of the engine.
.
Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sections through the cylinder A, 'in which the
pistons B, B, are of sector shape, in order to reduce the clearance space within the
cylinder. This is shown by Fig. 2, where the pistons are in their nearest positions
to each other, and the inlet valve is supposed to be just opened. This form is best
adapted to all motive power engines other than those known as gas engines. In
Fig. 3 the pistons are shown at their greatest distance apart, where the actuating
fluid, (steam for example), may be in the act of expanding; the inlet being supposed
to be closed, and the exhaust open.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are also transverse sections through the cylinder, showing
the arrangement or form of pistons proposed for a gas engine. In Fig. 4, the
pistons B, B, are closest together, the space between them, c, being supposed to be
filled with a combustable or explosive mixture of gas and air, which has previously
been compressed, mixed, or blended, together. At or near this point, a means of
firing the mixture is introduced; the resultant pressure, acting upon the piston
farthest from the centre of the main shaft to revolve the same. The crank pin of
the other is.in the meantime slowly approaching the axis of the main shaft. and
acting as an abutment to the other, or flying, piston. In Fig. 5 the pistons are
shown in line with each other; the crank pin of the slow moving piston being.now
at its best point to act as an abutment to the flying piston, the crank pin of which
is also at its best point to revolve the slotted dise; the expansion of the actuating
medium still going on. At this period also the flying piston may be expelling the
products of a former impulse, or compressing air and gas according to the cycle of
events arranged for. In Fig. 6, the impulse has expended its energy, the exhaust
is supposed to be open, and the gas admitted and compression about to take place.
The differential movement due to the eccentricity of the main shaft outside of:
the cylinder, with the axis of the latter, will allow of the above cycle of operations
taking place twice in each revolution of the shaft, or at other desired periods as
may be arranged for. The eccentricity of the shaft E, and positions of the crank
pins C, within the slot of the disc D, which produces this movement, are indicated
by the dotted lines in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, In Fig. 1, the axis of the shaft E, is

page_text: shown above that of the cylinder; in Figs. 2 and 3 it is upon one side, but upon
the same level; and in Figs. 4, 5, and.6, it is beneath the cylinder.
}
Figs. 7 and 10 are sectional elevations, and Figs. 8 and 9 are side elevations of:
the form of pistons used for gas engines, showing the crank arms attached in the
two first figures. The pistons of other motive power engines are similar in
character but made of sector forin as described before, and shown in Figs. 2 and 3..
Fig. 11 is an elevation of the eccentric G, arranged to work a pivoted lever 0,-
through the intervention of the fork M, which may be furnished with the friction.
rollers indicated by the dotted lines. The valve is worked by the rod N, which in
some cases may be attached to a bell crank, according to the position of the valve.
At the other end the lever O, is shown pivoted to an adjustable nut, worked by a
hand wheel and screw, so as to vary the travel of the valve. In this case the
eccentric may be fixed, and the sleeve H, dispensed with, if desired: If moveable,
the rod I, from the sleeve H, is connected to the pin d, to move the eccentric upon
its pivots, b.. Fig. 12 is a plan of the lever and adjusting nut and wheel.
•
In Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the exhaust port f, and firing port e, are shown in the cover.
at one end; the gas being admitted from P; but other positions may be used for
these purposes, and the admission of air provided for.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said,
invention, and if what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what'
I claim is
1. The combination of a vessel of cylindrical shape, with two pistons, each
capable of an independent motion relative to each other; when used for motive power,
purposes, substantially as described.
2. In a motive power engine the use of two rectangular shaped revolving pistons,
each one capable of acting as an abutment for the other, alternately; substantially.
as described.
3. Two pistons revolving within a cylindrical shaped vessel at varying speeds
and driving a revolving shaft; substantially as described.
4. In a motive power engine, a cylinder whose length is greater than its diameter
combined with a driving or main shaft whose axis is eccentrically arranged with
that of the cylinder; substantially as described.
5. The use of two pistons, one acting as an abutment to the other while moving
in the same direction as the piston receiving the greatest impulse or speed movement
from the actuating pressure derived from gás, compressed or heated air, chemical
gases, or water under pressure; substantially as described.
6. Two pistons, of a hinge like form, working upon the same axis; substantially
as described.
7. Two rectangular pistons having a differential movement in point of time or
velocity, one with the other; substantially as described.
8. The differential movement of two pistons, actuated by the combustion or
explosion of gas, when applied to revolve a shaft; substantially as described.
9. The differential movement of two pistons applied to draw gas, or air, or both
combined, into a cylinder; substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.
10. The differential movement of two pistons applied to compress gas, or gas and
air, for motive power purposes; substantially as described.
11. The compression action produced between two pistons within one cylinder,
whereby air and gas are mixed or blended together; substantially as described.
12. The action of drawing in gas, or gas and air, by the varying speed of two
pistons within one cylinder, substantially as described.
13. In a gas engine, the alternate receding and approaching movement of two
pistons within a single cylinder, substantially as described.
14. A rotary motive power engine having two pistons so formed or arranged as
to reduce the clearance space substantially as described.
15. A rotary gas engine having its fulcrum outside of the cylinder; substantially
as described,

page_text: 16. In a motive power engine actuated by the combustion or explosion of gas,
compressed air, hot air, chemical gases, or water under pressure, the method of
communicating rotary motion from the axis of the cylinder, to that of the shaft,
substantially as described.
17. Working a valve or valves from a circular plane or path, inclined at any
angle from the perpendicular of its axis, substantially as described.
18. A disc, sphere, or portion of a sphere, mounted concentrically upon a shaft
and arranged to work a valve or valves, substantially as described.
19. A disc mounted concentrically upon a shaft, and capable of being placed at
various angles to the axis of the said shaft, substantially as described.
20. Altering or reversing the travel of a valve by varying the plane of revolution
of an eccentric, substantially as described.
21. Altering the travel of a valve by the adjusting of a fulcrum or pivot of a
lever in relation to the eccentric actuating the same, substantially as described.
22. The combination of an eccentric or disc with a pivoted lever, and a friction
roller or rollers for actuating a valve or valves, substantially as described.
23. Mounting a disc or eccentric upon a shaft by means of pivots or gimbals,
substantially as described.
24. The combination of an adjustable disc or eccentric, with a rod or lever, and
a sleeve capable of sliding upon a shaft, substantially as described.
25. Varying the cut off or travel of a valve or valves, by a governor acting
substantially as described.
26. The method of working valves of motive power engines, substantially as
described.
27. The method of constructing motive power engines, substantially as described.
28. An engine actuated by the combustion or explosion of gas, operating
substantially as described.
$