An Improved Rotary Engine.
Year: 1899

page_text: An Improved Rotary Engine.
I, HENRY ALONZO BUCK, of 11, Montague Street, Russell Square, London,
Engineer, do hereby declare, the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved rotary engine and it has for its
objects to construct a simple and efficient form of engine capable of developing
high speeds and one that may be readily reversed without danger thereto when
running either at a high speed, or under a high pressure, and it has for its
further object to so construct the said engine as to utilise as far as possible
the expansion of the steam for the production of power.
In carrying the invention into effect, I construct a case or shell preferably
cucular in outline and formed in two or more parts capable of being bolted or
otherwise secured together so as to form a tight joint. Upon one or both of the
parts I form suitable feet or standards by which the whole is secured upon a
suitable base or foundation Within the shell aforesaid I form a circular channel
or recess, such channel being preferably concentric with the outline of the outer
case and semici cular in section, the channels in each part of the outer shell being
of the same diameter and sectional area so that when the parts are secured
together, as aforesaid, the channel will form an annular chamber having a
circular cross section. Secured to or cast integral with each of the parts of the
shell and at a point central of the chamber last referred to, is a boss which is
bored to form a bearing for a shaft, to which is secured in any suitable manner
a disc provided upon its periphery with a piston of such diameter and shape
as to approximately fit the chamber aforesaid and fitted with piston rings
suitable distances apart in the chamber are cut or otherwise formed two openings
through which pass two doors or valves and between which is located the exhaust
port. The two doors or valves aforesaid are arranged so that according to the
direction of motion of the piston either one may be withdrawn from and held
clear of the chamber, the withdrawal being effected by means of the reversing
gear which will be hereinafter more fully described
At
On the other side of each valve is an admission port for steam or water
as the case may be, closed by means of a suitable valve, which valve may be
actuated by means of a cam or similar device secured to the shaft of the engine
and acting upon levers secured to the ends of the valve spindles, which levers and
valves are supported by a valve box secured to the outer shell of the engine.
There are two sets of valves, one set being out of action when running in one
direction and when the direction of motion is reversed the other set are with-
drawn It will be understood from the foregoing that the steam or other motive
power is admitted through the valve behind the piston and is enclosed in the
chamber between the end of the piston and the valve which is inserted across
the bore of the chamber and thus confines the steam, which expanding moves the
piston until the completion of a revolution when the piston passing the exhaust
port, which in the case of a non-condensing engine is always open, allows the
steam to exhaust and the valve is withdrawn from the bore of the chamber,

page_text: permitting the piston to pass, when it is closed and steam again admitted. The
procedure is the same when the direction of motion is reversed, the opposite set
of valves, however, being in action. Mounted upon the main shaft is a rock
plate engaging with and operated by the hand lever attached to the steam
admission cock, which cock is a two way cock, and has communicating with it
channels conducting the steam therefrom to the valve chests through which it
passes to the cylinder. The valves as aforesaid are actuated by cams or like means
attached to the main shaft of the engine, and the rock plate has formed upon it
suitable projections which according to the direction in which it is moved raise
the ends of the levers operating either set of valves until they are clear of their
actuating cams and withdrawing the valve from the cylinder and closing the
steam port at the same time allowing the steam to enter the cylinder upon the
opposite side of the piston.
An Improved Rotary Engine.
I, HENRY ALONZO BUCK, of 11, Montague Street, Russell Square, London,
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 rotary engine and it has for its
objects to construct a simple and efficient form of engine capable of developing
high speeds, and one that may be readily reversed without danger thereto either
when running at a high speed or under a high pressure, and it has for its
further object to so construct the said engine as to utilise as far as possible
the expansion of the steam for the production of power.
In order that this invention may be the better understood drawings are
appended in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a simple form of engine.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a plan.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the arrangement of the parts.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of the steam admission
valve.
Fig. 6 is also a section showing the arrangement of the door or partition
closing the bore of the cylinder.
Fig. 7 is a front view of the reversing mechanism.
Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the piston and its disc.
Fig. 10 is an end view of Fig 9.
Fig. 11 is a plan of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 is an end view of the collar for actuating the various valves of the
engine.
Fig. 13 is a side view of the collar upon which are formed projections for
operating the valves
Fig. 14 is a side view of one of the levers actuating the admission valve.
Fig. 15 is a detailed view of the plug of the reversing valve.
Referring to the drawings (1) and (2) are respectively the front and back

page_text: half of the cylinder, each having formed in them a semi-circular annular channel,
which, when the two parts are secured together by means of the studs or
Screws (3), passing through the peripheral lugs (4) upon the edges of the cylinder,
form a hollow ring or annulus of circular cross-section as indicated by dotted
lines at (5). In Figs 3 and 6 suitable feet or standards are cast or otherwise
formed on part (1) for supporting same upon the base or foundation. Concen-
trically disposed with regard to the cylinder are cast or otherwise formed upon
the parts (1 and 2) external bosses (6 and 7) bored to form bearings for a
shaft (8), which shaft has secured to it a disc or plate (9) provided with a
peripheral boss (10) forming a piston of a contour corresponding with the shape
of the cylinder and provided with a piston ring (11) as shown clearly in Figs. 9,
10 and 11. The piston it will be seen is bevelled off at its ends, the object of this
being to allow of the more rapid movement of the traps or doors (12, 13) Com-
municating with the cylinder are admission ports (14, 15), situated as indicated
in Fig. 4, and which ports are normally closed by means of valves (16. 17), see
Fig. 5, in which figure is shown a section of the cylinder and with valve chest (18)
consisting of a casting bolted or otherwise secured to the face of the part (1)
of the cylinder, and in which are formed suitable chambers (19), one for each
valve The outer ends of the chambers are provided with suitable stuffing boxes
and glands (20), through which pass the valve spindles, the valve being kept
always closed by means of the coiled springs (21) The valve spindles have
each of them cut or otherwise formed at a suitable distance from their outer
ends a slot or recess (22) with which engage the ends of levers (23. 24), see Figs 1.
2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. one of which levers (the lever being
determined by direction of motion of the piston) is caused to lift the valve,
allowing steam to pass into the cylinder The levers (23, 24) are shaped as
shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and more clearly in Fig 14, from which it will be
seen that they are approximately triangular in configuration, and are pivoted
at (25) to the brackets or arms (26 and 27, 28 and 29) formed respectively upon
the valve chest on each side of the vertical centre line of the engine It will be
sen on reference to the drawings (Fig 14) that the lever (23) there shown is
provided with two horns or projections (30, 31). the purpose of which is to allow
of the lever being held in a position so as to keep the lever upon that side
of the cvlinder out of operation whilst the other is in operation, or in other
words when the direction of motion of the engine is reversed. The operation of
the valves for the admission of steam is effected by means of the collar (32).
Figs 1, 2, 3, 12 and 13. secured in any suitable manner to the shaft (8), and
which collar may also form a stuffing box for the said shaft to prevent leakage
from the cylinder through the bearing It will be seen on reference to Figs. 12
and 13 that the collar is provided with three peripheral projections (33. 34 and 35),
the projections (33 and 34) coming into contact with, and during the rotation
of the collar (32) actuating the levers by depressing the inner end thereby raising
the outer, and by reason of the engagement of the said end with the valve rod
admitting steam to the evlinder. The projections (33, 34) upon the collar (32)
are situated in different vertical planes the projection (33) being in advance of
the projection (34), the projection (33) actuating the lever (23). and projection (34)
actuating the lever (24, the last-named lever being similar in shape to the lever
illustrated in Fig 14. but having one horn or projection only. the inner one
being dispensed with The steam is admitted to the engine by the cock or
tap (36), which cock has leading from each side of its outer casing tubes (37, 38).
which tubes, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5, conduct the steam to either of
the valve chambers according to the direction of motion of the piston, the plug
of the cock (39) is cut away at (43). as shown in Fig. 15, and according to the
angle at which it is turned allows steam entering by the pipe (67) to flow through
either tube
It will be seen on reference to Fig 4 that there are two radial slots or openings
(42, 43) located inside the steam ports, and through which slots are inserted across

page_text: the bore of the cylinder, the afore-mentioned doors (12, 13), which doors rise as
the piston approaches them and descend when it has passed beyond, the raising
and lowering of the doors however commencing as the thin edge of the bevelled
end of the front of the piston approaches, and gradually rising as it advances
until the cylinder bore is quite free and remaining so until the body of the piston
has passed, when it again descends as the wedge-shaped end of the piston passes
under it until the bore of the cylinder is closed, when the door and the piston form
a chamber having a fixed end to which the steam is admitted, and by its expan-
sion causes the piston to advance. The movement of the doors (12. 13) is effected
by means of the projection or nose (35) upon the collar (32), which during the
rotation of the said collar comes into contact with the end of one of two
levers (45, 46), Figs. 1. 2. 3. 7 and 8, shaped as shown, and supported by the
brackets (26, 27, and 28, 29) before referred to, as supporting the levers (23, 24);
by. which the admission valves are actuated. The levers (45, 46) are shaped as
shown in Fig. 8, and pivotted at (47), having pivotted at their ends short
links (48), in their turn attached by a screw or the like to the collars (49), pinned
or otherwise secured to the spindles of the doors (12 and 13), and for which
spindles guides (51) are formed upon the angle plate (52), shown in Figs. 2 and 3,
and bolted or otherwise affixed to the foundation plate or base (53) of the
engine. It will be seen that the levers (45 and 46) have their inner upper edges
inclined at (54) at an angle to the portion (55), and have in addition a projecting
portion (55), indicated in dotted lines (Fig 8). by which the said lever is
thrown out of action by the reversing gear The levers (45 and 46) are actuated
by means of the nose-piece or projection (35) before referred to, also formed upon
the collar (32), and which projection upon the revolution of the collar strikes
against the part (54) of whichever of the two levers is in action at the time,
thereby raising the door operated by that lever, the amount of time during which
the door remains withdrawn from the cylinder (which period is governed by the
length of the piston) being dependent upon the thickness of the levers (45 and 46)
at.the points (54), an increase or diminution of such width increasing or diminish-
ing the time that the bore of the cylinder will remain fully open for the passage
of the piston. The reversing gear before referred to consists of a triangular-
shaped plate (55b), provided with a collar (56). see Figs. 7 and 8, bored to permit
of the plate when placed upon the bearing of the engine being rocked by means
of the pin or projection (57) formed upon the end of the rod or bar (58) pro-
jecting from the plug of the steam-admission cock, and which projection (57)
enters, the slot (59) formed in the upper part or apex of the plate (55b). The
contour, of the plate is as shown in Fig. 7, being curved at the base (60). the
radius of the curve being such that when the plate (55b) is rocked as aforesaid the
edge thereof (60) comes into contact with the part (55), Fig..8, and acting as an
inclined plane gradually depresses the inner end of one of the levers (45 and 46),
and raises, the door governed by the said lever, the particular. lever actuated
depending upon the direction in which the plate (55) moves. Upon the continued
movement of the plate one of the bosses or projections (61) is brought into contact
with the piece (55), and holds the lever in position as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. 4
Springs (62) are provided which hold the levers normally in position to be
actuated by the projections upon the collar (32). Projecting from the front of
the plate (55b) are two tapered, circular projections (63 and 64) which, when the
plate is actuated as aforesaid for reversing the engine, engage with the horn
upon one of the levers (23, 24) and lift the same until the horn is out of reach of
the projections upon the collar (32) and not actuated thereby, saving wear and
tear upon the moving parts of the engine. (65) Fig. 4, is the exhaust port, which
in the case of a simple engine may be left always open, and through which the
exhaust steam passes to the exhaust pipe (68), Figs 1 and 2. The action of the
engine is as follows: Steam is admitted by the feed pipe (67), and according to 5
the direction in which the engine is desired to run passes through the cock- (36),
through, say, the tube (37) and is admitted by the valve (16) to the cylinder, and

page_text: the door (12) closing the bore of the cylinder, the expansion of the steam will
drive the piston (shown dotted) in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4. It being
understood that the opposite valve and door are out of action. The steam is
allowed to expand until the piston has passed the exhaust port, which port as
aforesaid being always open permits of the ready escape of the exhaust steam
by the pipe (68). Upon the approach of the piston to the door, the projection (35)
upon the collar (32) will engage with the lever (45) and raise the door (12)
gradually as the wedge-shaped end of the piston advances thereto, holding it
clear for the passage of the piston, and then allowing it to close again gradually
as the rear end of the piston passes before it. As soon as the door (12) is closed
the projection (33) upon the collar (32) will engage with the inner projecting
piece (30) upon lever (23) raising the steam admission valve and allowing the
steam to pass to the cylinder when the operation is repeated. The cycle of
operations when the engine is.reversed is the same, but the last described parts
are thrown out of operation and the opposite set thrown into gear.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A rotary engine, consisting of an outer case provided with an annular
channel or cylinder in which travels a piston under steam or other pressure, the
admission of which to the said cylinder is governed by valves actuated by projec-
tions formed upon a collar or the like attached to the piston spindle or shaft, all
acting and constructed substantially as herein described and illustrated by the
appended drawings.
2. In a rotary engine of the kind above specified the combination of a piston (10)
having its ends wedge shaped, as shown by the drawings, with the traps or
doors (12 and 13) adapted and operated by levers (45 and 46) so as to allow of the
same beginning to close the bore of the cylinder as soon as the body of the piston
has passed beyond said doors, thereby decreasing the amount of clearance behind
the piston substantially as herein described and illustrated by the appended
drawings.
3 In a rotary engine of the class herein specified a means for readily reversing
the direction of motion of the same, consisting of a plate (55) capable of being
rocked to either right or left hand acting in conjunction with the steam cock.or
valve, so as to throw into action an admission valve and trap to cause steam
to be admitted to the cylinder upon the opposite side of the piston, at the same
time withdrawing the opposite trap and shutting off the steam supply upon that
side substantially as described and illustrated by the appended drawings.
4 In a rotary engine the combination of a cylinder (1) piston (10) with
admission valves (16, 17) with levers (23 and 24), doors (12 and 13), and their
actuating levers (45 and 46) with the collar (32) upon the shaft (8) and project-
ions (33, 34 and 35) thereon, all acting and operated substantially as herein
described and illustrated by the appended drawings
5. The improved rotary engine substantially as herein described and illustrated
by the appended drawings.
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