Improvements in Steam and other Fluid Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th June, 1892-Accepted, 16th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam and other Fluid Engines.
I THOMAS HENRY WILLIAMS, of 11 Queen Victoria Street, in the City and
County of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
or
My invention relates to an improved construction of steam or other fluid engine,
and it consists of a pair of cylinders placed in line with one another and having
pistons connected by one common piston rod operating a crank-shaft mounted at
" Hooks
right angles to the said piston rod, between the cylinders by a
equivalent joint, each piston acting as the distributing valve to its own cylinder
through the slight rotative motion imparted to it by reason of its direct connection
to the crank-shaft, the object being, simplification of construction, reduction of
working parts, and economy in construction.
I attain this end in the following manner-On a suitable bed plate I mount two
cylinders in a line with one another-end to end-with a short space between
them. Each cylinder is fitted with a piston, the length of which slightly exceeds
the length of the stroke of the engine. Both pistons are coupled direct to one
piston rod which is coupled to a crank-shaft mounted in suitable bearings at right
angles to the piston rod by a "Hooks" or equivalent coupling, so that the piston rod
and consequently the pistons receive an alternating angular motion in the cylinders.
The pistons are adapted to act as their own distributing valves in the manner set
forth in my prior Patent No. 16761 of 1889 for steam pumps, the result being a
double acting engine. If it is desired to make the engine single acting, only one
induction and one exhaust port is made in each piston, and in this case the opposite
ends of the cylinders may be left open.
The engine may be made a compound one by making the one cylinder of a
larger diameter than the other, and connecting the exhaust port or ports of the
smaller cylinder with the induction port or ports of the larger cylinder, either
directly or indirectly through a receiver.
I sometimes use an automatic "cut-off" with this type of engine, in which case
I prefer to use that type operated by pendulous weights acting on an eccentric on
the crank shaft.
The bed plate carrying the cylinders may be so aranged as to enclose the working
parts between the cylinders.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam and other Fluid Engines.
I THOMAS HENRY WILLIAMS of 11 Queen Street Victoria Street, in the City
and County of 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved construction of steam or other fluid engine,
having a pair of cylinders placed in line with one another, the pistons of which are
connected by one common piston rod, operating a crank shaft mounted at right
"Hooks "
angles to the said piston rod-between the cylinders-by a
or other

page_text: through the sight rotative motion imparted to it by reason of its direct connection
to the crank shaft, the object being simplification of construction and the production
of a more perfect motor.
I attain this end in the manner illustrated by the accompanying drawing
in which
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved engine.
Figure 2 is a view in sectional elevation thereof.
Figure 3 is a view in transverse section thereof.
Figure 4 is a view in sectional plan of a modification of my improved engine.
Figures 5 and 6 are views in transverse section on lines, , and y, y, respec-
tively of Figure 1.
Figures 7 and 8 are views of the undersides of the pistons as shown in
Figure 2, and
Figure 9 is a view in end elevation of one of the pistons.
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On a suitable bed plate A are mounted two cylinders B, and B, in a line with
one another end to end-with a short space between them. Each cylinder is
fitted with a piston the length of which slightly exceeds the length of the stroke of
the engine.
Both pistons C and C₁ are coupled direct to one piston or trunk rod D
which is coupled to the crank shaft E (mounted in suitable bearings F, and F',) by
« Hooks
or equivalent coupling as shown, so that the pistons receive a combined
rectilineal and angular reciprocating motion in the cylinders. The pistons are
adapted to act as their own distributing valves in the manner set forth in my prior
Patent No. 16761-89 for steam pumps.
મી
"
The space between the cylinders B, and B', forming the crank race is enclosed to
form an oil box A' as shown by Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the accompanying drawing,
to provide for the perfect lubrication of the crank coupling and the main bearing.
The box A' is preferably formed with end covers a and a', the latter of which
carries the main bearing F for the crank axle. The second bearing F¹ is supported
by a suitable standard f on the base plate A.
When the engine is fitted with an automatic or variable expansion gear the
box A' is adapted to enclose the governor and expansion gear as shown by Figure 4
of the accompanying drawing, in which case the main bearing F is within the box
and the second bearing F' is mounted on the cover a¹.
For a single acting engine, only one steam or induction and one exhaust or
eduction port and passage is made in each piston and cylinder, and in this case the
opposite ends of the cylinders may be left open.
For a double acting engine each piston has two steam or induction passages each
communicating with its respective end of the cylinder and two exhaust or eduction
passages each of which also communicates with its respective end of the steam
cylinder. In such case the one steam or induction port and the one exhaust or
eduction port formed in each of the steam cylinders is alternately common to each
of the steam or induction passages and to each of the exhaust passages of their respec-
tive pistons corresponding to their respective cylinders. When it is desired to work
with an automatic or other variable expansion gear I fit such cylinder or cylinders as
it may be intended to operate, with a piston or other suitable slide valve G, so
arranged in relation to the steam or induction port as to control the admission of
the steam or other actuating fluid and consequently its distribution in the cylinder,
as shown by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing. This valve G may be
operated by an eccentric H mounted on the crank shaft E the eccentricity and
angle of advance (in relation to the crank) of which may be adjusted by hand by
means of any of the well known methods, or it may be automatically actuated by
pendulous weights mounted on the crank shaft and controlled by springs in any of
the well known ways in which such automatic governors are applied to engines in
general; or any other suitable device may be employed for operating the said slide
or other admission and cut-off valve or valves.

page_text: For a compound engine the cylinders B, and B', and their corresponding ports
and passages are suitably proportioned as shown by Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawing, and the exhaust or eduction port or ports of the small or
high pressure cylinder B are connected with the admission or induction port or
ports of the large or low pressure B' either directly by means of a pipe or bye-
pass, or indirectly through a receiver. The exhaust port of the large or low
pressure cylinder B' may be connected to a condenser or it may be open to the
atmosphere in the usual way.
ki
When the engine is intended to work in conjunction with a condenser I employ a
third or cushioning" cylinder B² as shown by Figure 4 of the accompanying
drawing. This cylinder B2 is preferably in line with and at one end of either the
high pressure cylinder B or of the low pressure cylinder B', for the purpose of
regulating and maintaining sufficient compression of vapour, air, or other fluid, as
may be necessary to absorb the momentum of the reciprocating parts to ensure
quiet running. This "cushioning" cylinder B2 is also fitted with any suitable form
of "choking" valve whereby the pressure of the fluid due to compression is
regulated to the desired amount. When the "cushioning" cylinder B is formed
in part with or connected to the high pressure cylinder B as shown by Figure 4 of
the accompanying drawing a metallic or other suitable stuffing box is provided in
the cylinder cover b' through which the trunk or piston rod D works, but when the
said
cushioning" cylinder B is formed in part with or connected to the low
pressure cylinder B I preferably form it at the crank shaft end of the said
cylinder and make it of somewhat larger diameter than the said low pressure
cylinder, thereby forming an annular space between the low pressure cylinder
piston Cand the piston C² of the "cushioning" cylinder B wherein the compression
of the air or other fluid is effected, the pressure being regulated by a choking
valve as before described. When the "cushioning "cylinder B², is thus formed
in one with or connected to the low pressure cylinder B, the cylinder cover band
its stuffing box b, can be dispensed with in which case the free end of the
cushioning" cylinder B2 opens into the crank race or box A¹.
દઃ
""
I am aware that engines have already been made in which the pistons of the
steam cylinders act as distributing valves by reason of their combined axial and
rectilineal motion, and I do not therefore broadly claim such as my invention, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improvements in steam and other fluid engines, as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
2. In a steam or other fluid engine of the type hereinbefore described, enclosing
the space between the cylinders forming the crank race so as to form an oil box,
as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a steam or other fluid engine of the type hereinbefore described, the use
of a "cushioning" cylinder, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination with an engine of the type hereinbefore described, of an
automatic or other variable expansion gear, as set forth.
5. The combination with an engine of the type herein before described, of an
automatic or other variable expansion gear, and of a "cushioning" cylinder, as set
forth.
6. The combination with an engine of the type hercinbefore described and
having the crank race-between the cylinders-enclosed to form an oil box, of an
automatic or other variable expansion gear, as set forth.
7. The combination with an engine of the type hereinbefore described and
having the crank race-between the cylinders-enclosed to form an oil box, of a
cushioning" cylinder, as set forth.
*
8. The combination with an engine of the type hereinbefore described and
having the crank race-between the cylinders-enclosed to form an oil box, of an

page_text: automatic or other variable expansion gear, and of a "cushioning" cylinder, all
combined arranged and operating as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 11th day of June 1892.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent of the Applicant.