IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS ENGINES to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I JOSEPH SPENCE of Eton Terrace Harrogate in the County of York Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
ENGINES to be as follows:-
"
The object of my invention is to construct a gas engine having its exhaust valve
so arranged that it may be allowed to partially exhaust the exploded gases at
every first, second, third or fourth or other succeeding inward strokes of the piston
and at the conclusion of these cycles of partially exhausting strokes to clear the
cylinder of the products of combustion.
The exhaust valve may have a circular or direct movement, and be geared with
the fly-wheel shaft in such a manner as to allow the exhaust to take place at a
certain part of the revolution of the fly-wheel shaft at each first, second, third,
fourth or other succeeding strokes of the piston. Thus if it is desired to explode at
the third revolution the exhaust port should be placed about the centre of the
working part of the cylinder. If it is desired to explode at every fourth revolution
the exhaust port should be placed about one third from the outer end of the
working part of the cylinder. If it is desired that the explosións shall take place
after any other number of revolutions, the exhaust port must be placed at the same
or similar proportionate distance from the end of the working part of the cylinder;
by being in this manner enabled to determine the number of strokes during which
the exhaust may take place I can also determine the number of revolutions to each
explosion, and reduce or increase the supply of explosive mixture.
In connection with the above arrangement I employ "Watson's" Tube Igniter
for which Letters Patent were granted to him dated 20th April 1881 No 1723.
This is applied on an automatic mushroom lift valve, and by so applying the
igniter the explosive mixture from the cylinder does not arrive at a sufficient
pressure in igniter tube for the heat of such tube to explode the mixture until the
conclusion of a full inward stroke, that is at the end of every third, fourth or other
cycle of strokes of the piston.
The automatic valve admits air and gas into the cylinder. The valve lifts
immediately when there is the slightest suction or vacuum. The engine is
regulated by an ordinary governor which acts on the admission of air and gas.
When the charge is required to explode at say every third revolution the action
is as follows:
At the first outward stroke of the piston a charge of air and gas is drawn in
over the full length of the cylinder. This charge is partially exhausted by the
first inward stroke and the remainder is compressed at the bottom of the cylinder,
2

page_text: The second outward stroke draws in a half cylinder full of air and gas and with
the quantity already in the cylinder from that drawn in during the first outward
stroke fills the cylinder. This is then compressed over the full length of the
second inward stroke thereby forcing the explosive mixture to enter the heated
tube or igniter causing the explosion at the commencement of the third outward
stroke and the products of combustion are partially exhausted during the third
inward stroke thus completing the cycle of three revolutions.
A cycle of four revolutions is performed in a similar manner, the complete
cylinder full of explosive mixture being compressed first during the third inward
stroke the explosion taking place at the beginning of the fourth outward stroke.
I thus arrange my exhaust valves so as to partially exhaust the products of
combustion at each inward stroke and keep the inlet valve open during a part
of each outward stroke so that the cylinder is partially filled with explosive
mixture; and I thereby fill the working part of the cylinder with the explosive
mixture at the third, fourth or other succeeding revolution.
It will be understood then that the object of my invention is to construct a gas
engine so as to obtain the maximum amount of power out of the smallest number
of explosions of gas and air mixture in the cylinder possible.
The means I employ to obtain the above is 1 mount a fly wheel with crank
shaft on a standard and bed plate with cylinder and piston attached similar to an
ordinary steam engine. On the side of the cylinder I place an exhaust valve about
the centre of working part of cylinder it may have a circular or direct movement,
this is geared to the crank shaft on which fly wheel is placed; at the bottom of.
cylinder I place an automatic mushroom valve for the purpose of admitting gas and
air into the cylinder. On the top or other part of this automatic valve I place one
of Watson's Tube exploders before referred to, this consists of a suitable metal or
porcelain tube inserted into the channel of the valve which conducts the gas and
air mixture into the cylinder. On the exterior of the tube I place a Bunsen or other
kind of gas burner the flame making the tube in an incandescent state the tube is
open to the cylinder. When a full stroke of downward compression takes place the
gas and air mixture is forced into the tube, and when it arrives at the heated part
of the tube an explosion takes place; but when the piston compresses the mixture
only half down that is from centre part the compression is not sufficiently strong
to force the explosive mixture to the heated part of tube which will only explode
the gas and air mixture when a full stroke of compression, from top to bottom of
cylinder takes place. If I wish to allow the fly wheel to perform three revolutions
before exploding gas and air mixture I place exhaust valve about the centre of
working part of cylinder, at the first upward stroke of the piston it will draw in a
cylinder's full of gas and air through the bottom automatic inlet valve; at the first
outward stroke of piston it will exhaust through the centre valve one half of the
air and gas mixture drawn in from first upward stroke of piston leaving the
cylinder half full of explosive mixture which is compressed below the port of
centre valve. At the second upward stroke another half cylinder's full of gas
and air mixture is drawn into cylinder forcing the previous explosive mixture
already in cylinder to the top of cylinder thus completely filling it with explosive
mixture; at the second downward stroke of piston the centre exhaust valve will
close and the piston will then compress the cylinder full of explosive mixture from
top to bottom of cylinder, and forcing the mixture into the heated part of tube on
automatic valve, an explosion will take place at the third upward stroke of piston
and at the third downward stroke of piston will exhaust through centre valve
one half of the exploded gases leaving the cylinder half full of exploded mixture
to be exhausted through centre valve at first downward stroke of piston of the
next cycle of three strokes. Four, five or six strokes can be performed in the
same proportions. The action of the engine will be to pump in an equal quantity
of explosive mixture and exhaust an equal quantity of exploded mixture at each
revolution of fly wheel so as to empty the cylinder of exploded mixture "and"
refil it with explosive mixture during the revolutions required before exploding

page_text: If I prefer to explode at the fifth, sixth or more revolutions of fly wheel, I can
also work in the following manner:
I should have two exhaust ports, one in the centre of cylinder, and one at the
bottom of cylinder to explode at the fifth revolution of fly wheel the bottom port
will open and allow the piston to draw in pure air for the first and second upward
and downward strokes of piston it will then close and the centre valve will open
and draw in gas and air mixture working in the same manner as when performing
cycles of three strokes, thus completing the five strokes before an explosion takes
place. Six or more revolutions would be performed in the same proportionate
manner.
The object of allowing the piston to draw in pure air for two revolutions in five,
or three revolutions in six, is to relieve the pressure from the piston in cylinder
(also cooling cylinder) and only compressing during the full length of stroke in the
last revolution this full length or stroke of compression will force the explosive
mixture up to the heated part of the tube causing the explosion. Previous strokes
will not develope sufficient pressure at the end of the stroke to effect this since the
exhaust valve is open.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I JOSEPH SPENCE of Eton Terrace, Harrogate in the County of York Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS
ENGINES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
The object of my invention is to construct a gas engine having its exhaust valve
so arranged that it may be allowed to partially exhaust the exploded gases at
every first, second, third or fourth, or other suceeding inward strokes of the piston
and at the conclusion of these cycles of partially exhausting strokes to clear the
cylinder of the products of combustion.
The exhaust valve may have a circular or direct movement, and be geared with
the fly-wheel shaft in such a manner as to allow the exhaust to take place at a
certain part of the revolution of the fly-wheel shaft at each first, second, third,
fourth, or other succceding strokes of the piston. Thus if it is desired to explode at
the third revolution the exhaust port should be placed about the centre of the
working part of the cylinder. If it is desired to explode at every fourth revolution
the exhaust port should be placed about one third from the outer end of the
working part of the cylinder. If it is desired that the explosions shall take place
after any other number of revolutions, the exhaust port must be placed at the
same or similar proportionate distance from the end of the working part of the
cylinder by being in this manner enabled to determine the number of strokes
during which the exhaust may take place. I can also determine the number of
revolutions to each explosion, and reduce or increase the supply of explosive
mixture.
In connection with the above arrangement I employ "Watsons" Tube Igniter
for which Letters Patent were granted to him dated 20th April 1881 No 1723.
This is applied on an automatic mushroom lift valve, and by so applying the
igniter the explosive mixture from the cylinder does not arrive at a sufficient
pressure in igniter tube for the heat of such tube to explode the mixture until the
conclusion of a full inward stroke that is at the end of every third, fourth or other
cycle of strokes of the piston.
When the charge is required to explode at say every third revolution, the action
is as follows:-
At the first outward stroke of the piston a charge of air and gas is drawn in
over the full length of the cylinder.
This charge is partially exhausted by the first inward stroke and the remainder
is compressed at the bottom of the cylinder. The second outward stroke draws in
a half cylinder full of air and gas, and with the quantity already in the cylinder
from that drawn in during the first outward stroke fills the cylinder. This is
then compressed over the full length of the second inward stroke thereby forcing
the explosive mixture to enter the heated tube or igniter causing the explosion at 4
the commencement the third outward stroke and the products of combustion are
partially exhausted during the third inward stroke thus completing the cycle of
three revolutions.

page_text: A cycle of four revolutions is performed in a similar manner, the complete
linder full of explosive mixture being compressed first during the third inward
roke the explosion taking place at the beginning of the fourth outward stroke.
I thus arrange my exhaust valve so as to partially exhaust the products of
mbustion at each inward stroke and keep the inlet valve open during a part
each outward stroke so that the cylinder is partially filled with explosive
ixture; and I thereby fill the working part of the cylinder with the explosive
ixture at the third fourth or other succeeding revolutiona
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood, reference
| given to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and marks thereon,
is given to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and marks thereon,
DISCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig 1 is a longitudinal section Fig 2 is a side elevation Fig 3 a transverse section
through a b Fig 1 Fig 4 is an enlarged section of cylinder Fig 5 is a side eleva-
tion and part section and Fig 6 a sectional plan Fig 7 and 8 are elevations of
exhaust valves.
a is the foundation plate 6b the upright framework or standards o is the
cylinder, these are all of ordinary type the cylinder being provided with a water
jacket d.
The piston e is also of ordinary construction and motion is transmitted from it
to the fly wheel shaft through piston rod g connecting rod h. The By wheel
shaft is mounted on bearings i. i on the standards b b. The exhaust valves k
and I may be circular as shewn at Fig 7 and 8 and are geared with the fly wheel
shaft so as to be actuated thereby by means of the worm m on the fly wheel shaft f
worm wheel n on the vertical shaft o. and thence through spur wheels p and q on
the second vertical shaft r and thence through bevel wheels 8. 8¹ and t t s¹ and t¹
being keyed on the valve spindles u and v. The mixture of gas and air is admitted
into the cylinder c through the mixing box w such air and gas passing into tho
mixing box at x and y. The admission of gas is regulated by the governor z.
This is effected through the vertical rod 1 at the bottom end of which is provided
a plunger 2 which fits into the barrel 3. Gas is admitted to the barrel 3 through
the pipe 4 from some convenient source and from the barrel 3 through the short.
pipe 5 into the mixing box w. The plunger is so arranged that it may be moved
in front of the opening into the barrel 3 so as to shut off or arrest. partially or
entirely the flow of gas through such barrel into the mixing chamber w. and so
retard or otherwise retain the engine at its normal speed.
I provide in the mixing chamber w. a valve or clack for preventing the return
or back ignition of the explosive mixture.
In the drawings it will be seen that I have shewn two exhaust valves one above
the other.
This arrangement I employ for enabling me to obtain an extended stroke of
the piston without an increase of the explosive mixture, and when this arrange-
ment is employed, I work the valves as follows. When the piston makes its
upward stroke the lower exhaust valve k will be closed and the upper valve will.
be open and the piston will draw in air and gas until it arrives at the upper
exhaust valve and on passing the upper exhaust valve it will cease to draw in the .
explosive mixture but draw in pure air, thus filling the upper part of the cylinder.
under piston to the top of its stroke with such pure air then during the downward
stroke the upper exhaust valve being still open the pure air will be exhausted
through it. The admission of gas and air, and afterwards pure air during the first
two upward and downward strokes of the piston takes place. But at the third
upward firing stroke all the valves will be closed, thus giving the piston the full
length of the cylinder to travel when the cylinder has had only three quarters or
other suitable part of its capacity of explosive mixture exploded, such explosion
taking place at the third upward stroke. During the third downward stroke after
the explosion both the exhaust ports are open to allow the products to escape,

page_text: The arrangements of ports in. the upper and lower valves are shewn at Figs 7
and 8 in which k is the lower and the upper valve. It will be clearly understood
that in concequence of the upper valve requiring to be more continiously open
for exhausting purposes it has been arranged with a greater number of openings
therein than the lower valve k such openings being shewn at 6 and 6¹ in the upper
and 7 in the lower valve.
The circular movements of these valves is effected through gearing actuated by
the fly wheel shaft f and the timing of such valves may be readily regulated or
altered by varying the proportions of the spur wheels p and q.
used
Although I have shewn in the drawings two exhaust valves this arrangement is
only necessary when an extended or lengthened stroke is required, and the upper
valve can therefore at other times be dispersed with and by altering the position
of the exhaust valve k and a change in the proportions of the gearing p and
for actuating it I am enabled to allow the exhaust to take place at each first second
third fourth or other succeeding strokes of the piston. Thus if it is desired to explode
at the third stroke of the piston the exhaust valve should be placed about the centre
of the working part of the cylinder in the position of the valve k shewn in the
drawings. Or if it should be desired to explode at every fourth stroke, the exhaust
valve k should be placed about one third from the outer end of the working part
of the cylinder. And further if desired that the explosion shall take place after
any other number of revolutions the exhaust port must be placed at the same
analaguous proportionate distances from the end of the working part of the
cylinder.
By being in this manner enabled to determine the number of strokes during
which the exhaust may take place, I can also determine the number of revolutions
to each explosion and thus reduce or increase the required supply of explosive
mixture.
To lubricate the piston and cylinder. I place a pad 9 made of woollen or felt
cloths or any other spongy substances on the top of the piston fastened with an
iron ring and screw the pad 9 must exactly fit the cylinder, it is then saturated
with oil or any other lubricating substance, as the piston works up and down
the cylinder, both will be lubricated by the oil percolating through the woollen
pad 9.
In connection with the above arrangements I employ the aforesaid "Watsons
Tube Igniter.
»
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my sead
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The arrangement of exhaust valve k in combination with mixing chamber w
applied to cylinder o and operating substantially as herein set forth.
2. The arrangement of exhaust valve applied in combination with exhaust
valve l and operating substantially as herein set forth.
3. The arrangements of the various parts forming the gas engine whereby I am
enabled to explode the explosive mixture every third fourth or other succeeding
strokes of the piston substantially as herein set forth.
4. Gas Engines arranged and constructed so that the explosion may take place
every third fourth or other extended cycle of strokes of the piston substantially as
herein set forth,