Improvements in and relating to Engines or Motors and to the Production of Carburetted Air for Driving the same.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 16th Feb., 1889
Improvements in and relating to Engines or Motors and to the
Production of Carburetted Air for Driving the same.
communication from abroad by EUGÈNE ALFRED DURAND, of 43, Rue de Turbigo,
Paris, in the, Republic of France, Engine Builder."
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
--
This invention relates to an improved carburetted air motor, in which the supply of
carburetted air is effected by means of an automatic carburetor, which may be heated
or not, and has for its object to feed the motor with a regular supply of air always
carburetted to the same degree.
This carburetted air, which may be occasionally replaced by hot air, forms an
explosive gaseous mixture, which is ignited by means of an electric apparatus.
The carburetor, which feeds the motor, consists of a vessel containing the hydro-
carbon, which is used, closed at its upper part with a lid, the joint between the vessel
and lid being hermetical. This lid is provided with a smoothly bored trunk, through
which a tube slides easily, without affecting the pressure of air in the vessel. A hollow
ring is adapted to the lid, and forms a passage for the carburetted air, as an annular
space therein communicates with the inside of the vessel, through holes in the lid.
The tube moves with gentle friction through the trunk. Its lower extremity is
enlarged and provided with a cork ring, to the underside of which a disc of perforated
metal is attached, which carries a cork pad. Between this pad and the inner surface
of the enlarged end of the tube, a certain quantity of iron turnings or filings
(paille de fer), are introduced for the purpose of dividing the current of air penetrating
through it. The whole arrangement is balanced by a ring acting as a counterweight,
and suspended to chains carrying at their other extremities the cork ring.

page_text: This apparatus floats in the liquid hydrocarbon; the part of the apparatus immersed
in the latter, remains the same whatever the level of the liquid in the vessel may be.
A coil or a plain pipe may be placed in the vessel, and in the mass of the liquid
hydrocarbon, and a current of hot water or hot air, or best of all, the exhaust gases of
the motor, may be made to pass through the said coil or pipe for the purpose of
maintaining a certain temperature in the vessel, and facilitating the evolution of the
vapours. The vessel is also provided with a glass gauge, and an emptying cock.
This carburetor works as follows: The piston of the motor acting like an air
pump, draws through the connecting pipe, the ambient air, which enters through
the upper extremity of the inlet tube; it flows down this inlet tube, reaches the iron
turnings, which divide it into several currents. These traverse the liquid hydro-
carbon, become carburetted, and afterwards pass through the aforementioned holes of
the lid, and thence through the connecting tube, into the working cylinder of the motor,
wherein the carburetted air forms with the ambient air, an explosive gaseous mixture.
The electric apparatus used for igniting this mixture, consists of a small magneto-
electric machine, and of an arrangement for interrupting the current, and producing
the spark.
The magneto-electric machine consists of a certain number of magnetized steel bars
connected together between two slabs supporting the mechanism, and fixing the
machine in position, and of a coil made of a certain number of wrought iron plates,
round which a wire of suitable diameter is wound up.
The latter coil, which always revolves in the same direction, and at a certain speed,
between the poles of the compound magnet rests on two bearings, one of which is
solid, and carries keyed on it, a pulley which drives the machine, and derives its
motion from the driving shaft of the motor, by means of a belt, the other bearing is
hollow, and has fixed in it a socket of insulating substance, provided in the direction
of its length, with two holes, through which the internal and external wires of the coil
are led respectively. These two wires are thus perfectly insulated from each other.
On the outer part of this insulating socket, a commutator is fixed, which consists
of two half collars of copper separated from each other by an interval of a few
millimetres. One of these half collars is connected with the end of the external
wire of the aforesaid coil, whilst the other is connected with the end of the internal
wire. Two small brushes of copper wire are always in light but effective contact
with the commutator.
When the fly wheel of the motor is set in motion, the inductor begins to revolve
and each of its poles becomes alternately magnetized in opposite direction, as they
pass before those of the permanent magnet. The direction of the current, changing
at every half revolution, the commutator, which has been described, has for effect to
re-direct the current.
The breaking of the circuit, and consequently the production of the spark, is
attained by an arrangement consisting of two parts, a vertical one, and a horizontal
one; to which the ends of the conducting wires are fixed. The vertical part consists
of a support firmly fixed to the cylinder on the top of which it forms a
tight, but
. insulted joint, by means of sheets and washers of asbestos placed round the bolts.
This support carries a needle, which a small spring piston tends to bring back into
its vertical position. Another small piece mounted on this support, guides the piston
at the extremity opposite to the needle, and acts at the same time as abutment for the
spring. A small stuffing box prevents any leakage round the small piston. The
height of the needle can be adjusted at will so that its wear may be taken up.
The horizontal part comprises a support solidly attached to the cylinder on which it
forms a tight but insulated joint, by means of sheets and washers of asbestos, placed
round the bolts. A horizontal spindle moving on this support, carries at its extremity
in the cylinder, a small toothed wheel or star, situated beneath the needle, which is
brought to bear on the said toothed wheel by the pressure of the aforesaid spring.
The other end of the spindle is provided with a clock and pawl device, actuated by an'
insulated rod, which causes it to effect, at suitable times, a certain fraction of 'a
revolution. A stuffing box prevents leakage round the spindle.

page_text: When the fly wheel is turned, and the horizontal spindle is at rest, that is, during
the return of the pawl, the upper needle resting on the small toothed wheel or star,
forms part of an uninterrupted closed circuit, but if the motion is continued, the pawi
comes into action, and moves the horizontal spindle, and consequently the said wheel
moves the space of a few teeth. The contact between the teeth of the wheel and
needle, being thus interrupted as many times as there are teeth moved, a like number
of sparks is obtained.
The release of the needle, which produces the rupture of the current and the spark,
can also be obtained by means of a toothed device attached to the piston, and acting
on the needle in the same manner as the toothed wheel. Instead of producing the
spark in the centre on the cylinder section, it may be done in a lateral cavity cast with
the cylinder, and communicating with it. The needle and parts connected therewith,
are placed on one side of this cavity, the toothed device, which was attached to the
piston, can be then replaced by a rod penetrating into this box, and a rapid motion
imparted to it at proper times. This rod is itself provided with a toothed arrange-
ment, which acts on the needle in the same manner as the star wheel.
For the purpose of keeping down its temperature the cylinder is surrounded
everywhere by a water jacket, except at its ends.
The end of the cylinder within which the exhaust takes place is the part of the
motor which gets most heated. The external air is sucked, by the piston, into the
cylinder through the perforated cap placed round the exhaust. The temperature thus
acquired by the entering air, added to that of the combustion gases, remaining in
the cylinder after the exhaust has taken place, facilitates the ignition of the explosive
gaseous mixture, which may thus contain less carburetted air or gas.
In order to facilitate the cleaning of the exhaust valve, the rod of the latter passes
through the exhaust, and is provided at its end with a small.socket in which it can
turn. The socket is arrested by a ring or knob fixed on the rod, and carries two
trunnions fitting into a forked lever, which imparts the motion to the exhaust valve, and
is itself actuated by a cam and a pitman. A spring placed on this pitman, tends to
bring back the valve on its seat. The milled knob at the end of the exhaust valve rod
admits of the valve being turned on its seat for the purpose of grinding and cleaning
it without taking anything to pieces.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1888
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from abroad by EUGÈNE ALFRED DURAND of 43, Rue de Turbigo,
Paris, in the Republic of France, Engine Builder.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester both in the
County of Lancaster, & 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 :-
This invention relates to an improved carburetted air motor, in which the supply
of carburetted air is effected by means of an automatic carburetor, which may be heated
or not, and has for its object to feed the motor with a regular supply of air always
carburetted to the same degree.
This carburetted air, which may be occasionally replaced by hot air, forms an
explosive gaseous mixture, which is ignited by means of an electric apparatus.
Referring to the drawings which show a machine constructed in accordance with
this invention.
Figure 1 is a front elevation.
Figure 2 is an end elevation.
Figure 3 is a plan.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on A B Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on CD Fig. 3.
Figures 5 and 7 represent details hereinafter explained.
Like reference letters indicate corresponding parts throughout.
The carburetor, which feeds the motor, consists of a vessel a containing the hydro-
carbon, which is used closed at its upper part with a lid b, the joint between the
vessel and lid being hermetical. This lid is provided with a smoothly bored trunk c,
through which a tube d slides easily, without affecting the pressure of air in the
vessel. A hollow ring e is adapted to the lid, and forms a passage for the carburetted
air, as the annular space therein communicates with the inside of the vessel, through
holes in the lid.
The tube d moves with gentle friction through the trunk. Its lower extremity is
enlarged and provided with a cork ring f, to the underside of which a disc of perforated
metal is attached, which carries a cork pad g. Between this pad and the inner
surface of the enlarged end of the tube, a certain quantity of iron turnings or filings
(paille de fer), are introduced for the purpose of dividing the current of air penetrating
through it. The whole arrangement is balanced by a ring acting as a counter-
weight, and suspended to chains carrying at their other extremities the cork ring.

page_text: This apparatus floats in the liquid hydrocarbon; the part of the apparatus immersed
in the latter, remains the same whatever the level of the liquid in the vessel may be.
A coil or a plain pipe may be placed in the vessel, and in the mass of the liquid
hydrocarbon, and a current of hot water or hot air, or best of all, the exhaust gases
of the motor may be made to pass through the said coil or pipe for the purpose
of maintaining a certain temperature in the vessel, and facilitating the evolution
of the vapours. The vessel is also provided with a glass gauge, and an emptying
cock.
This carburetor works as follows. The piston P of the motor acting like an air
pump, draws through the connecting pipe e, the ambient air, which enters through
the upper extremity of the inlet tube d; it flows down this inlet tube, and reaches the
iron turnings, which divide it into several currents. These traverse the liquid hydro-
carbon, become carburetted, and afterwards pass through the aforementioned holes
of the lid b, and thence through the connecting tube e, into the working cylinder of
the motor R, wherein the carburetted air forms with the ambient air,' an explosive
gaseous mixture.
The electric apparatus used for igniting this mixture, consists of a small magneto-
electric machine, and of an arrangement for interrupting the current, and producing
the spark.
The magneto-electric machine consists of a certain number of magnetized steel
bars connected together between two slabs supporting the mechanism, and fixing
the machine in position; and of a coil ; made of a certain number of wrought iron
plates, round which a wire of suitable diameter is wound up.
The latter coil, which always revolves in the same direction, and at a certain speed,
between the poles of the compound magnet rests on two bearings, one of which al
Figure 5 is solid, and carries keyed on it, a pulley 6' which drives the machine, and
derives its motion from the driving shaft of the motor, by means of a belt, the other
bearing c¹ is hollow, and has fixed in it a socket of insulating substance, provided in
the direction of its length, with two holes, through which the internal and external
wires of the coil are led respectively. These two wires are thus perfectly insulated
from each other. On the outer part of this, insulating socket, a commutator d¹ is
fixed, which consists of two half collars of copper separated from each other by an
interval of a few millimetres. One of these half collars is connected with the end
of the external wire of the aforesaid coil, whilst the other is connected with the
end of the internal wire. Two small brushes of copper wire are always in light but
effective contact with the commutator..
When the fly wheel of the motor is set in motion, the inductor begins to revolve
and each of its poles becomes alternately magnetized in opposite direction, as they
pass before those of the permanent magnet. The direction of the current, changing
at every half revolution, the commutator, which has been described, has for effect to
re-direct the current.
The breaking of the circuit, and consequently the production of the spark, is
attained by an arrangement consisting of two parts, a vertical one .l; and a horizontal
one m (see Figure 6), to which the ends of the conducting wires are fixed. The
vertical part consists of a support firmly fixed to the cylinder on the top of which
it forms a tight, but insulated joint by means of sheets and washers of asbestos placed
round the bolts. This support carries a needle A, which a small spring piston tends
to bring back into its vertical position. Another small piece mounted on this support,
guides the piston at the extremity opposite to the needle, and acts at the same time as
abutment for the spring. A small stuffing box prevents any leakage round the small
piston. The height of the needle A can be adjusted at will so that its wear may be
taken up.
The horizontal part m comprises a support ¹ Figure 6 solidly attached to the
cylinder on which it forms a tight but insulated joint, by means of sheets and washers
of asbestos, placed round the bolts. A horizontal spindle moving on this support,
carries at its extremity in the cylinder, a small toothed wheel or star B, situated
beneath the needle A, which is brought to bear on the said toothed wheel by the

page_text: pressure of the aforesaid spring. The other end of the spindle is provided with a
clock and pawl device actuated by an insulated rod m', which causes it to effect, at
suitable times a certain fraction of a revolution. A stuffing, box n' prevents leakage
round the spindle.
When the fly wheel is turned, and the horizontal spindle is at rest, that is, during
the return of the pawl, the upper needle resting on the small toothed wheel or star B,
forms part of an uninterrupted closed circuit, but if the motion is continued, the pawl
comes into action, and moves the horizontal spindle, and consequently the said
wheel B moves the space of a few teeth. The contact between the teeth of the wheel B
and needle A, being thus interrupted as many times as there are teeth moved,
a like number of sparks is obtained.
•
The release of the needle A, which produces the rupture of the current and the
spark, can also be obtained by means of a toothed device attached to the piston, and
acting on the needle A in the same manner as the toothed wheel B. Instead of
producing the spark in the centre on the cylinder section, it may be done in a lateral
cavity cast with the cylinder, and communicating with it. The needle A and parts
connected therewith are placed on one side of this cavity, the toothed device, which
was attached to the piston, can be then replaced by a rod penetrating into this box,
and a rapid motion imparted to it at proper times. This rod is itself provided with a
toothed arrangement, which acts on the needle A in the same manner as the star
wheel B.
For the purpose of keeping down its temperature the cylinder R is surrounded
everywhere by a water jacket, except at its ends.
The end of the cylinder n within which the exhaust takes place is the part of the
motor which gets most heated. The external air is sucked by the piston. into the
cylinder through the perforated cap placed round the exhaust. The temperature thus
acquired by the entering air, added to that of the combustion gases, remaining in the
cylinder after the exhaust has taken place, facilitates the ignition of the explosive
gaseous mixture, which may thus contain less carburetted air or gas.
In order to facilitate the cleaning of the exhaust valve, the rod of the latter passes
through the exhaust and. is provided at its end with a small socket o in which it can
turn. The socket is arrested by a ring or knob p fixed on the rod, and carries two
trunnions fitting into a forked lever, which imparts the motion to the exhaust valve,
and is itself actuated by a cam r, and a pitman's. A spring placed on this pitman,
tends to bring back the valve, on its seat. The milled knob p at the end of the
exhaust valve rod admits of the valve being turned on its seat for the purpose of
grinding and cleaning it without taking anything to pieces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A new or improved carburetted air motor, in which the supply is effected by
means of an automatic carburetor, which may or may not be heated by the exhaust
gases or otherwise, and which has for its object the feeding of the motor with a
regular supply of air either heated or not, and carburetted to the same degree, said
carburetted air forming an explosive mixture, which is ignited by means of an electric
apparatus, substantially as described in the above specification, and -shown in the
accompanying drawing.
2. In combination with a suitable motor, an automatic carburetting apparatus (which
may or may not be heated), having a cork ring placed at the extremity of the air
entrance tube, and having a perforated metal disc which supports a quantity of iron
filings, which latter divide up the incoming air during its passage into the hydro-
carbon, the whole being balanced by means of a counterweight, whereby there is
obtained a regular immersion of this portion of the apparatus in the hydrocarbon, and,
consequently, a regular carburation of the air which is fed into the cylinder,
substantially as described.
3. In combination with the essential portions of a carburetted air motor, an electric

page_text: igniting apparatus, characterised by the combination of a magneto-electric machine
having a suitable commutator, and of an apparatus which serves to interrupt the
current, the latter apparatus consisting essentially of a toothed wheel or its equivalent,
to which an intermittent motion can be imparted, and of a needle which presses
forcibly against this wheel, these two parts being connected respectively to the poles
of the magneto-electric machine and producing by their movements, a series of sparks
which ignite the explosive mixtures; substantially as described.
4. In combination with a carburetted air motor, an exhaust valve constructed and
arranged substantially as described, whereby the said valve may be easily cleaned and
adjusted without disarranging the mechanism thereof.
Dated this 14th day of January 1889.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.
Agents for the Applicant.