IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES TO BE WORKED BY MEANS OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR COMPRESSED BY THE COMBUSTION OF FULMINATING MATTERS."
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cesare Carobbi and Giuseppe Bellini, both of
Pistoja, Tuscany, in the Kingdom of Italy, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES TO BE
WORKED BY MEANS OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR COMPRESSED BY THE COMBUSTION OF
FULMINATING MATTERS."”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cesare Carobbi and
Giuseppe Bellini at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 18th March 1874.
We, CESARE CAROBBI and GIUSEPPE BELLINI, both of Pistoja,
Tuscany, in the Kingdom of Italy, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER MOTIVE-POWER
ENGINES TO BE WORKED BY MEANS OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR COMPRESSED BY THE
COMBUSTION OF FULMINATING MATTERS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the application of the force developed by
the combustion of fulminating vegetable substances to the compression
of atmospheric air, which compressed air is to be utilized as a motive

page_text: power in substitution of steam for the working of locomotive and
other engines.
Carded cotton, hemp or linen tow, torn rags, blotting paper, and
other similar substances dipped in mono-hydrate azotic acid mixed with
mono-hydrate sulphuric acid in equal quantities and left in this mixture
for twenty minutes, and then washed and dried, if ignited burn without
producing smoke without leaving anything behind, and without dirting
or deteriorating the vessel in which they have been burnt whilst exciting
an explosive force three times. that of gun powder of the same weight.
This pressure added to the heat produced during the combustion is utilized
as a motive power for locomotive and other engines as follows:-The
said pressure is caused to compress the air in air-tight tanks, and the
licat developed by combustion is caused to expand the compressed air
and add to its force, which in this state will act with all its expansive
power upon the propelling mechanism of a machine in the same way as
steam in an ordinary steam engine. Thus a great saving of expense is
possible, and any steam engine now in use may be adapted by simply
substituting for the boiler a compresser kept going by means of explosive
substances. The said compresser forces the air into special tanks and
keeps up a pressure at the will of the person that regulates the apparatus.
Mechanically speaking the compresser takes the place of the boiler and
can be applied to any steam engine as a motive power in substitution of
steam.
The compresser is an apparatus consisting principally of four horizontal
cylinders, two of smaller, and two of larger diameter. Each of the
smaller cylinders is attached at its end longitudinally to one of the
larger ones, the four cylinders two and two together forming only two
sets of equal capacity to each other. In each of the four cylinders there
is a piston. One of these sets composed of two cylinders is placed on a
right line opposite to the other set of two cylinders with a small space
between them, into which space a small ball of fulminating matter is
made to fall at regulated intervals which is ignited by an electric spark,
and the force of the explosion moves simultaneously and in opposite
directions the pistons of the cylinders, and these cylinders being full of
natural atmospheric air the pistons force and compress it into air-tight
tanks, and from these tanks the compressed air is made to perform the
functions of steam upon the usual propelling mechanisms employed in
steam engines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Cesare Carobbi and Giuseppe Bellini in the Great.
Seal Patent Office on the 12th September 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, CESARE
CAROBBI and GUISEPPE BELLINI, both of Pistoja, Tuscany, in the
Kingdom of Italy, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give.
and grant unto us, the said Cesare Carobbi and Guiseppe Bellini, Her
special license that we, the said Cesare Carobbi and Guiseppe Bellini, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Cesare Carobbi and Guiseppe Bellini, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE AND
OTHER MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES TO BE WORKED BY MEANS OF ATMOSPHERIC
AIR COMPRESSED BY THE COMBUSTION OF FULMINATING MATTERS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said Cesare Carobbi and
Guiseppe Bellini, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the hand and seal
of one of us or them, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Cesare Carobbi and Guiseppe
Bellini, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, that is to
say:―
Carded cotton, hemp, or linen tow, shreds of torn rags of the above
materials, and other similar substances treated with a mixture of.

page_text: concentrated azotic and sulphuric acid when ignited develope an
extraordinary explosive force without producing smoke or leaving any
residue, or dirting or deteriorating the vessel in which they have been
burned. This explosive force we intend to apply to setting in motion
an apparatus (to which we have given the name of the "fulminating
atmospheric air compressor") by causing small picces which we call
"charges" of any of the above-named fulminating substances to fall,
and then explode by means of an electric spark between the pistons of
two sets of cylinders placed in juxtaposition on a right line, and which
pistons driven by the explosions in two opposite directions compress and
force the air contained in the cylinders into air-tight tanks.
The air so
compressed is conducted from these tanks to the propelling mechanism
usual in steam engines, and in its passage absorbing the heat that has
been developed by combustion, its clestic potency will be increased, and
in this state it will act with all its expansive power, and in the same
way as steam acts. Thus this compressor and the air-tight tanks take
the place of the boiler and furnace in the usual construction of steam
engines, and can be applied to any engine where motive power is
required.
We now refer to the accompanying Drawing to explain the con-
struction and action of our Invention.
The principal Figure O is a longitudinal section in elevation of the
apparatus obtained by the intersection of a vertical plane traversing
its middle; Figure 1, a front view of the compressor; Figure 2, a
transversal section of the same taken upon the line a¹, b'; Figure 3, an
horizontal longitudinal section taken upon the line c', d; Figures 4, 5,
and 6, sundry transversal sections.
f is a piece of cast iron so formed that a section of it being made as
indicated by the dotted lines i e, rs, Figure 3, shews that it is composed
of three concentric cylindrical portions, the largest of which is between
the other two. This piece has two perforations one of which is
transversal and horizontal, the other perpendicular to n, and com-
mencing at the upper circumference off terminates at its centre where
there are two others; small conical holes opposite to each other on a
right line crossing the bed of the perforation ; 1, 1, are two hollow
cylinders each formed of a steel core o; Figures 4 and 5, around which
is a copper band surmounted by a bronze cylinder having in its inner

page_text: side a spiral groove or female screw; these three layers are united
together at both extremities by a circular ring and form but one piece.
These two cylinders, one to the right, the other to the left are attached to f
by means of the short cylindrical projections of that piece being made to
enter into them, and causing a ring of each cylinder to contact with the
remainder of the piece f, Figure 3. By the other ring at the opposite
extremity of the cylinders 7, 7, they are each joined to another cylinder
of cast iron of larger diameter m, m, and these latter are closed at their
other ends by the covers T. These four cylinders are thus placed on the
same horizontal right line, and together with the piece f form a
connected symetrical whole solidly held together by sixteen very robust
steel ties indicated in Figures 3 and 4.
The cylinders 1, 1, have each a metallic piston K terminating at the
end turned towards f in a small cone which serves to fill the small
conical holes in the centre of that piece. At the other end and forming
one sole piece with the piston there is attached to each a cylindrical
which serves to conjoin them to pistons g of the cylinders m, m.
bar
Inside the cylinders m, m, and near the covers T there is in each a
metallic disc Z that can slide in them, to which disc are fixed two small
cylinders that slide in T, each containing an automatic valve band d:
b opens from outside to the inside of m, m, and communicates with the
atmosphere; opens in the reverse, sense, and the tube in which it is
contained slides in another tube fixed to the cover T which serves as the
communication between the cylinders m, m, and the compressed air tanks
e, e, e¹. These tanks are two hollow cylinders of wrought iron or steel,
very strong, communicating with each other by means of the small
horizontal tubes A, A, and B, B. The said tanks are destined to receive
the compressed air from the cylinders m, m, they are placed parallel to each
other under the middle of the compressor in its longitudinal direction;
the compressor resting upon them. Each of these tanks is furnished
with a safety valve E, E.
The fulminating material, the explosions of which are to give motion
to the air compressing pistons is manufactured into the form of a rope,
and this rope wound round a hollow drum. At the middle of the upper
part of the machine above the cylinders 1, 2, there is a suspended frame
In that can turn on its axis, and the drum containing the fulminating
rope is slid over this frame which will consequently then be inside.

page_text: the drum.
On the superfice of the frame there are two spikes, and in
the inner side of the drum two holes, and the former entering into the
latter cause the frame and drum to be united so as to revolve together.
The fulminating rope as it unwinds from the drum is guided by the
cylinder a" into a cavity between the two cylinders c, c, and from between
these into a small tube from which it is drawn by a wrinkle surface
pulley. In the middle of the said small tube there is an horizontal
fissure which is intersected at regulated intervals by two cutting blades
of such a form that although they turn upon fixed points, they retire
from and approach each other, cutting at cach revolution a portion of
the fulminating rope which falls through the perforation ½ into the
centre of f.
Motion is given to the above-named cylinders and cutting blades by a
very small horizontal piston and cylinder R worked by compressed air
conducted by the tube Z from the safety valve dome of the air tanks;
this piston turns the angular and toothed wheel M and the double
wheel 2, Figure X, which in its turn moves another fixed to a wheel
whose plane of rotation is horizontal; this turns the wheel 'T which
gives motion to the wheels u, u, on the rods of which the cutting blades
are fixed, and by which means they are caused to rotate and to cut-off
at each rotation a portion of the fulminating rope to regulate the length.
of the portion of the rope to be cut, the rods on which the blades are
fixed being in one part of screw form, move the cylinders c, c, which
cause a length of rope to come down equal to the distance those cylinders
describe in their rotation during the time consumed by the cutting blades
in completing one revolution.
To put the air compressing pistons into action a small portion of the
fulminating rope is made to fall through the perforation by the means
above described; into the centre of f in the perforation n there is a
cylindrical rod having a hole in its middle, the spring a tends to draw
this rod in the direction of the arrow (Figure 3), but it is withheld by
the catch y in order that the hole in its middle may coincide with the
perforation and let the charge pass; but immediately this has taken.
place at every revolution of the cutting blades by means of a balance
shaft connected with the rod on which one of these blades is fixed, the
catch y is caused to lift and the rod moves forward and intersects the
perforation imprisoning the fulminating charge in its bottom at the

page_text: centre off where an electric spark ignites it, one of the pistons K in the
course of its stroke acting upon the inclined plane of the piece P by the
interposition of the balance shaft N pushes back the rod to its primi-
tive position at the catch y, in order that the hole in its middle may
again coincide with the perforation h and let another charge pass into
the chamber of f. A large quantity of gas is developed by the ex-
plosion of the charge, and its clastic force acting upon the pistons K
drive them in opposite directions without causing the least jar to tho
apparatus in consequence of the two contrary directions given to the
pistons neutralizing the shock.
The pistons which are united to the pistons K as soon as they
move will close the valves b, compress the air of the cylinders m, m,
and force the valves d to open and admit the compressed air to pass
into the tanks e¹, e¹, e¹, then having arrived at the end of their stroke
and spent their propulsive force they will remain inert. At the back
of the discs Z there is an elastic packing. to protect the covers T from
concussion in case the pistons g should not at the end of their stroke
have spent their entire force..
In order that the pistons K and y as soon as they have completed
their course may return again each of the pistons g has fixed upon
the end facing towards K two small pistons a, a, that work in two
tubes formed in the thickness of the lateral projections of each of
the cylinders 1, 1, (Figure 5). When the pistons K and g are driven
away from the piece of the pistons a, a, will move with them, producing
a vacuum in the tubes they work in, and the pressure of the atmo-
spheric air that will enter the cylinders m, m, by the valves b will
force the cylinders a, a, to return to their primitive position, and carry
with them the pistons and K, bringing the latter back to their
original position at f, while at the same time with this return stroke
the gas that may have accumulated from the explosions in the cylinders
1, 1, will be driven out through the perforation h into the open air by
means of the tubes H, Figure 2.
The compressed air is conducted from the tanks by the tubes D, D,
and passing through the grooves of the cylinders 7, 1, is there increased
in tension by absorbing the heat that has been produced by the com-
bustion of the charges; this gives the double advantage of keeping the
centre of cool which is necessary to guard against the spontaneous

page_text: combustion of the charges, and of increasing the motive power of the
compressed air. In the tubes D, D, there is a valve opening from
underneath upwards which prevents the heated compressed air returning
into the tanks, notwithstanding that the equilibrium between the air
in them and that that has passed through the tubes has been destroyed
in consequence of the greater tension acquired by the latter from
heating. From the grooves of the cylinders 1, 1, the compressed air
passes by the tubes Q, Q, into a single tube L where the governor
moved by the handle Q' introduces it by means of the tubes V into
the usual cylinders employed in steam engines for communicating
motion to the machinery, and becomes a force capable of being dis-
tributed to any operating mechanism.
The action of the wheels, cylinders, and cutting blades moved by
the piston and cylinder R for supplying the fulminating material to
the compressor can be accelerated or diminished by a tap in tube Z
so as to admit a larger or smaller current of compressed air to the
said piston R, and when the required velocity is established it can be
made uniform by a suitable regulator, so that the fulminating charges.
falling into the chamber off will succeed each other at such measured
intervals as the acting machinist may deem requisite.
It now remains to be shown how the fulminating charges are ignited
in the longitudinal middle of the apparatus as seen on the left of
Figure 2. There are two Daniell batteries on the Minotto type B¹ in a
box resting on several spiral springs placed upon a table supported by a
Cardanic suspension. These batteries put in activity a Ruhmkorff reel E¹.
The positive and negative currents that pass from this reel communicate
with two copper plates isolated from each other by an ivory plate, and
in consequence the positive current bifurcates in the centre off with
which it is isolated. The rod ¹ which imprisons the fulminating charges
in that centre has in its prolongation two projections terminating in
springs; one of these communicates constantly with the negative copper
plate, the other, when the rod is held back by the catch y, contacts with
the ivory plate; the electric circuit is open and no effect is manifested
in the centre off containing the charge, but immediately this rod is
left free from y it moves, and the other projection communicates with
the positive copper plate; the circuit becomes closed, and the electric
spark shoots from the positive to the negative pole, and in its passage
traverses and ignites the fulminating charge.

page_text: To protect the frame and drum containing the fulminating rope from
the influence of the sun and the atmospheric conditions of the weather
they are enclosed in a cap made of materials that are bad conductors of
beat. It is furnished with three safety valves S¹, S₁, S, the latter consist-
ing of a very light cover of large diameter that can slide up from the
bottom to the top between four slight iron columns which support an
elastic cushion firmly connected to the armament of the machine in case
of an accidental combustion happening in the cap; the cover, on account
of its lightness, would be raised by the explosion, and the force of the
concussion upon it would be intercepted by the elastic cushion, while
the developed gas would find free communication with the outward

page_text: power in substitution of steam for working locomotive and other motive-
power engines, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Cesare Carobbi and Giuseppe
Bellini, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-ninth
day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand cight
hundred and seventy-four.