IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINES OR MOTOR MACHINES HAVING FOR OBJECT THE MORE PERFECT UTILIZATION OF THE HEAT OR ENERGY STORED IN THE PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION THE MORE PERFECT UTILIZATION OF THE OR ENERGY STORED IN THE AERIFORM OR GASEOUS MEDIA USED FOR ACTUATING THE SAID MACHINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Charlton and James Wright of No. 10 Cornhill
in the City of London Engineers for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINES OR MOTOR MACHINES HAVING FOR OBJECT
THE MORE PERFECT UTILIZATION OF THE HEAT OR ENERGY STORED IN THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Charlton and James
Wright at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th August
1882.
THOMAS CHARLTON and JAMES WRIGHT both of No. 10 Cornhill in the City
of London Engineers "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINES OR
MOTOR MACHINES HAVING FOR OBJECT THE MORE PERFECT UTILIZATION OF THE
HEAT OR ENERGY STORED IN THE AERIFORM OR GASEOUS MEDIA USED FOR
ACTUATING THE SAID MACHINES."
"
The object of our Invention is the more complete utilization of the energy in any
heated medium used for the purpose of giving off force and inducing motion, for
instance, air as a motor when it is used direct from the furnace, or Steam as a
motor when taken direct from the generator or it may be upon either of the said
media after having been partially de-energised in producing a motor force, for
instance air after a partial expansion, or exhaust steam after being used in the
Cylinder of the Engine.
We effect this by passing the steam or other motor medium either before it has
been used as a motor, or after its partial use through a regenerator constructed
with large surfaces for the object of absorbing a portion of the heat or energy from
it and transferring again from the regenerator surfaces the acquired energy to
another similar medium highly energised by pressure, such as compressed air or
any such similar substance, having however a low specific capacity for heat, and
whose temperature, increased by the pressure, has been previously reduced by
passing it through a suitable cooler or any other such arrangement: We then
apply the energy of this last mentioned heated and compressed medium by means
of any ordinary well known motor machine, which we call the regenerator Engine
by using its expansive power to give off a motor force. Supposing we are about

page_text: to further de-energise steam or air previously used as a motor, the appliances by
which we effect this, are:-
First. The steam generating and motor appliances.
Second. The Regenerative appliances
Third. The cooling & compressing appliances
The steam generating or motor appliances consist of the ordinary steam boiler,
with the usual cylinder and piston, and adjuncts
The Regenerative system consists of―:
(a) One or more Regenerators of a cylindrical form having a series of tubes
passing through them with interstitial spaces so as to give a large surface for
condensing steam and absorbing energy, and for imparting this energy to another
body: these are fitted with all the requisite passages, inlet and outlet mouths with
their corresponding valves
(b) A regenerative cylinder piston and appliances through which the energised
media from the regenerator passes, and by its expansion gives off force: the
regenerative cylinder may be arranged so that its piston may work synchronously
with the steam piston.
(c) The cooler which is formed somewhat after the same pattern as the
regenerator, with similar tubes and interspaces, but effects the contrary object.
The cycle of operations is as follows-:"
The steam cylinder is in direct communication with the boiler, each of its
exhaust ports being in communication with the tube condensing portion of a
regenerator.
The regenerative cylinder is in direct communication with the cooler, and each
of its eduction ports in communication with the interstitial heated space portion of
a regenerator.
The cooler has a circulation of cold water passing through its tube portion and
is connected with a pump to compress and force air through it
Air compressed so as to have a tension of several atmospheres is pumped from
the cooler and fills the air space of the regenerator and the regenerative cylinder,
the temperature being as near as possible that of the external air.
In this state of matters steam enters the steam cylinder and actuates the piston,
the exhaust steam from the eduction ports enters alternately each of the regenerators
and the tubular surfaces absorb a large quantity of its sensible and latent heat:
the condensed steam running off through a passage: the compressed air in the air
spaces takes up this heat, disturbing the equilibrium between the regenerator and
the regenerative cylinder, the piston of which is made to move by the now heated
air acting expansively:-upon the completion of the stroke the tension of the air
becoming diminished, equilibrium is restored, but at the same moment is destroyed
again by the air in the other regenerator becoming heated from the exhaust steam
from the other part of the steam cylinder, hence, by the alternate formation and
disturbance of equilibrium between the regenerator and the upper and lower side
of the regenerative piston, a reciprocating motion is produced which may be
transmitted or changed in the usual manner.
When the heated energised air in the regenerative cylinder has performed its
function and lost that portion of the energy which it received from the regenerator,
it passes from the eduction port to the cooler, where its temperature is lowered
and it is then again pumped into the regenerator and repeats the cycle.
In order to obtain a more even action of the energised air and a greater difference
between the tension of the air in entering the regenerator and leaving it, that is a
greater difference of temperature-we make use of a displacing cylinder, introduced
between the cooler and the regenerator; the air from the cooler is passed into the
displacer, and from thence is forced into the regenerator, where after having its
temperature and tension increased, it flows to the regenerative cylinder, and acts
as before described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Charlton and James Wright in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th February 1883.
THOMAS CHARLTON and JAMES WRIGHT both of N°. 10 Cornhill in the City of
London Engineers IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINES OR MOTOR
MACHINES HAVING FOR OBJECT THE MORE PERFECT UTILIZATION OF THE HEAT OR
ENERGY STORED IN THE AERIFORM OR GASEOUS MEDIA USED FOR ACTUATING THE
SAID MACHINES
"
The object of our Invention is the more complete utilization of the energy in any
heated medium used for the purpose of giving off force inducing motion, for
instance air as a motor when it is used direct from the furnace or steam as a
motor when taken direct from the generator, or it may be upou either of the said
media after having been partially de-energised in producing a motor force, for
instance air after a partial expansion or exhaust steam after being used in the
Cylinder of the Engine. We effect this by passing the steam or other motor
medium either before it has been used as a motor or after its partial use through
a regenerator constructed with large surfaces for the object of absorbing a portion
of the heat or energy from it & transferring again from the regenerator surfaces
the acquired energy to another medium highly energised by pressure, such as
compressed air or any such similar substance having however a low specific
capacity for heat & whose temperature increased by the pressure has been
previously reduced by passing it through a suitable cooler or any other such
arrangement: we then apply the energy of this last mentioned heated & compressed
medium by means of any ordinary well known motor machine which we call the
Regenerator Engine by using its expansive power to give off a motor force.
Supposing we are about to further de-energise steam or air previously used as a
motor-the appliances by which we effect this are:-First. The steam generating
& motor appliances-Second. The Regenerative appliances. Third. The cooling &
compressing appliances. The steam generating or motor appliances consist of
the ordinary steam boiler with the usual cylinder & piston & adjuncts. The
Regenerative system-consists of (a) One or more regenerators of a cylindrical
form having a series of tubes passing through them with interstitial spaces
so as to give a large surface for condensing steam & absorbing energy & for
imparting this energy to another body: these are fitted with all the requisite
passages, inlet & outlet mouths with their corresponding valves
(b) A
Regenerative cylinder piston & appliances through which the energised media.
from the regenerator passes & by its expansion gives off force: the regenerative
cylinder may be arranged so that its piston may work synchronously with the
steam piston. (c) The cooler which is formed somewhat after the same pattern as
the regenerator with similar tubes & interspaces, but effects the contrary object.
The cycle of operations is as follows-The steam cylinder is in direct com-
munication with the boiler, each of its exhaust ports being in communication with
the tube condensing portion of a regenerator. The regenerative cylinder is
in direct communication with the cooler & each of its eduction ports in
communication with the interstitial heated space portion of a regenerator. The
cooler has a circulation of cold water passing through its tube portion & is
connected with a pump to compress & force air through it Air compressed so
as to have a tension of several atmospheres is pumped from the cooler & fills the
air space of the regenerator & the regenerative cylinder the temperature being as
near as possible that of the external air. In this state of matters steam enters the
steam cylinder & actuates the piston, the exhaust steam from the eduction ports

page_text: In
enters alternately each of the regenerators & the tubular surfaces absorb a large
quantity of its sensible & latent heat: the condensed steam running off through
a passage. The compressed air in the air spaces takes up this heat disturbing the
equilibrium between the regenerator & the regenerative cylinder, the piston of
which is made to move by the now heated air acting expansively upon the
completion of the stroke the tension of the air becoming diminished, equilibrium is
restored, but at the same moment is destroyed again by the air in the other
regenerator becoming heated from the exhaust steam from the other part
of the steam cylinder, hence by the alternate formation & disturbance of
equilibrium between the regenerator & the upper & lower side of the regene-
rative piston, a reciprocating motion is produced which may be transmitted
or charged in the usual manner. When the heated energised air in the
regenerative cylinder has performed its function & lost that portion of the
energy which it received from the regenerator, it passes from the eduction
port to the cooler where its temperature is lowered & it is then again pumped
into the regenerator & repeats the cycle. In order to obtain a more even
action of the energised air & a greater difference between the tension of the
air in entering the regenerator & leaving it, that is a greater difference of
temperature, we make use of a displacing cylinder introduced between the cooler
& the regenerator, the air from the cooler is passed into the displacer & from
thence is forced into the regenerator, where after having its temperature & tension
increased it flows to the regenerative cylinder & acts as before described
order more clearly to illustrate the nature of our invention & the various
appliances by which we carry it into effect we have appended to this Specification
the accompanying drawings which shew various modes of carrying it into operation
Figs 1. 2. 3 & 4 of the drawings shew roughly in sectional outline the elementary
portions of the apparatus & is intended to illustrate the application & mode of
using our invention rather than the accurate outline & combination of the different
parts of the machine Fig 1 S is an ordinary steam cylinder with the usual
appliances of piston & rod a & b: inlet mouth c: steam passages d & e: exhaust
ports f&g slide valve h & its rod i Underneath this cylinder although it
might be in any other position is another cylinder R which is named the Regene-
rative cylinder: it has all the various parts & arrangements of parts, possesses
piston valve & rods as that of the steam one above described similar letters
indicating similar parts :-the connecting shaft & crank K & the valve rods &
axles K K are mainly indicated by lines Figs 2 & 3 are regenerators M M₁
preferably cylindrical in form & having a series of small tubes xx, & passing
thro' them parallel to the axis the tubes receiving the steam or exhaust steam
which has to be further denuded of its heat & the interspaces to receive the air
which has to absorb the heat given off by the steam: or a contrary arrangement
may be made, the steam passing along the interspaces & the air in the tubes
ff are the ports in the regenerator M corresponding to the exhaust port ƒ of the
steam cylinder & fi of the regenerative cylinder while g¹ & g₁ are the ports
of M, corresponding with the ports g & g₁ of the cylinders. C₂ & C, are the outlet
mouths of M M₁ & v₁ & v, the bottom air valves communicating with n₁ n, the valve
passages of the air way from the coole C which is like the regenerator preferably
cylindrical in form & having also a series of tubes passing through with interspaces.
Cold water passing through the interspaces & air through the tubes or vice versa :
0₁ o₂ are the inlet & outlet ports for the water n the inlet port for the air which after
passing through the tubes leaves at the low end by means of the passage n₁ n₂ & at
either the end n, or n, as may be arranged by means of a cock or valve The cycle of
operations is as follows-To make the action more simple we have connected the
different ports & mouths with feathered arrows to shew the direction of the action
The Regenerative cylinder R, the Regenerators M M, & the cooler C are connected
& are charged with compressed air say to 4. 5 or 6 atmospheres, there is therefore
an equilibrium of tension in the air in all portions of these:-the steam cylinder S is
in communication with the boiler by means of a pipe entering at C, steam is allowed

page_text: to enter the cylinder at C & the piston runs up or down as the case may be. After
two strokes the exhaust steam passes from the port ƒ & enters the port fl of M
& passing along say the tubes in M is condensed or partially so giving off heat
latent & sensible to the outer surface of the tubes & thro' them to the com-
pressed air enclosed within the regenerator. The equilibrium of the air thus is
disturbed its tension being increased in proportion to the rise of temperature &
its force is transmitted through the opening f₁₁ to the port f₁ of the regenerative
cylinder & then to the piston a,: the next stroke of the steam cylinder discharges
the exhaust steam at the port g with the port g¹ of the regenerator M₁ & a similar
increase of temperature takes place within it causing the increased tension of the
compressed air to act upon the piston a₁ of the regenerative cylinder through the
port g', while the air is ejected through the mouth C₁ to the cooler n where after
having its temperature reduced it passes on alternately to M M, through the
bottom ports n n & the valves v₁₁ & the operation is continued, it being only
necessary to supply air sufficient to make up the waste & leakage: the condensed
or partially condensed exhaust steam is carried off to the boiler from the exhaust
outlets of M M, C₂ C. The above description & drawings are simply to illustrate
the elementary principle of the invention In practice we find that it is beneficial
to introduce an intermediate cylinder between the steam cylinder & the regenerative
cylinder which we call the displacer cylinder, the function of which is to draw the
cold air from the cooler & to force it into the regenerator & there produce more
uniformity of motion & action Figs 5. 6 & 7. shew the general arrangement
of this modification. S is the steam cylinder as before. R the regenerative one & D
the displacer cylinder M the regenerator C the cooler, the dotted lines & arrows
shew the directions of the steam & air between the different parts of the apparatus.
The system being charged with compressed air as before described, the exhaust
steam passes from the steam cylinder to the inlet port of M, the increased heat
raises the tension of the air which rushes into & actuates the regenerative piston
from whence it is returned to the cooler, the action of the displacer cylinder is
simply to draw the air from the cooler & to drive it into the regenerator prior to
its being heated & passed into the regenerative cylinder
The drawings in Figs 5. 6 & 7 are elementary for the purpose of illustrating the
action of the principle: it will be evident that the arrangement & combination of the
different parts constituting the apparatus as a whole will vary according to the par-
ticular application of the Engine & its use In practice we find the principle before
described may be more commodiously used & applied by omitting wholly the use of
the steam cylinder using live steam direct from the boiler & passing it at once into
the regenerator & acting upon the compressed air which by means of its higher
temperature acts upon the piston of the regenerative cylinder, the displacer cylinder
being used as before to draw the cold air from the cooler & send it to the
regenerator Figs 8. 9. 10 & 11 shew the different parts of an Engine or apparatus
complete designed for the purpose of carrying out the application & use
of the principle or principles before described. It will be easily understood
however that modification in the disposition & the arrangements of the essential
parts & substitution of various appliances for effecting the same object
may be adopted, different applications of the motive power requiring different
forms of the Engine, the same principle of obtaining the motive force being always
adopted Fig 8 is a side elevation of Fig 9 a longitudinal sectional plan of the
Engine. Fig 10 is a transverse vertical section on line ab through displacer
cylinder & the cooler Fig 11 is a transverse vertical section through the
regenerative cylinder & the Regenerator The same letters indicate the same parts
of the Engine in the different figures. R. the Regenerative or working cylinder
with the ordinary piston a, the slide valve b₁ the passages c, & d₁ the slide valve e₁
& the rod f, with the eccentric g, mounted upon the main driving shaft y having
the fly wheel & the crank x Alongside of this cylinder is the regenerator B
& the intervening air supply pipe m the regenerator B is cased with wood or
other non conducting medium: the internal tubular arrangements of the regenerator

page_text: :
are shewn in the section Fig 11 the air passages m & n are shewn in fig 11 as
also are the chest & slide valve & the inlet & outlet ports. At the other end
of the machine is the displacer cylinder D & the cooler C: the details of the
displacer cylinder & of the cooler are more particularly shewn in figs 9 & 10,
a, the piston, b₁ the rod, the air passages c, & d, the valve e, & its rod fi & the
eccentric g₁ the connecting rod & crank the outer jacket of the displacer within
which circulates cold water: the cooler & its connecting pipe & Cold water is
also shewn in the cap & bed of the cooler The action is almost indentically as
before described. The Regenerative cylinder, the Regenerator & cooler are in
equilibrium charged with compressed air say 4 or 6 atmospheres steam either
live or exhaust is admitted to the regenerator, the heat set free increases the
tension & activity of the air which rushes along the passage p into the cylinder
actuating the piston & passes off by the passage q₁ to the cooler: by the same
action the displacer draws fresh air from the cooler through passage q & forces it
into the regenerator through passage p, completing the cycle of operations Having
now described our Invention & in what the same consists & how we practically
carry it into operation we wish it understood that what we claim & wish secured
to us by the before in part recited Letters Patent is. The use & application of
the sensible or latent heat of steam live or partially exhausted obtained by the
condensation or partial condensation of the steam upon a proper condensing surface
for the purpose of heating cold compressed air or any other gas or vapour so that
the energy or power developed within the said heated air may be used to give
motion & perform work substantially as herewithin set forth & described and
in connection with the same the appliances of the steam cylinder the regenerator
cylinder & the displacer cylinder each other alone or combined with each or
both of the others & acting in conjunction with the regenerator as a heat absorber
& a heat transmittor & in connection the cooler for the purpose of reducing the
temperature of the working air substantially as herewithin set forth & described
And finally & generally we claim the application of the system of using the
sensible or latent heat of steam for the purpose above mentioned having a cycle
of apparatus which includes as essentials the boiler producing the steam with
or without a steam cylinder the regenerator & the working air cylinder the
cooler & the displacer cylinder substantially as herewithin set forth & described
-In witness whereof the said Thomas Charlton and James Wright have hereunto
set their hands & seals this twenty third day of February 1883
Witness
HENRY JOHN HIGGS
10 Cornhill E.C.
THOMAS CHARLTON (L.S.)
JAMES WRIGHT
(L.S.)