Improvements in Steam, Hot Air, and other Engines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 6th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
Improvements in Steam, Hot Air, and other Engines.
SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, 27 Charterhouse Square in the County of
London, Electrician and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture and working
of engines in which the working fluid or gas is expanded through a tube or nozzle
until its energy is converted into velocity of the moving particles and its
temperature is reduced down to that necessary for economical exhaust. It then
impinges upon the blades of a turbine, or impact wheel, giving it a rotary motion
direct.
According to my invention I construct impact engines in which the working fluid
impinges, after complete expansion and acquisition of the maximum velocity, upon
semi-circular rotating blades fixed round the rim of a motor wheel, the working
fluid enters the blades at a high velocity and has its direction reversed, a portion
of its energy being turned into work, and rotates the wheel, and then leaves at the
other side of the blades at a diminished though still high velocity. I then pass it
through a set of standing semi-circular blades of exactly the description as the
rotating blades but grooved in the opposite direction which reverses its direction
bringing it back to the original direction of motion, when it strikes the blades of
the second wheel and delivers up a further portion of its energy and comes out at
a reduced velocity, this process is repeated until the steam issues from the last set
of blades with practically no useful velocity, it having given up nearly all its
energy to the rotating blades of the wheel. There is no appreciable pressure
between one set of blades or another, nor is any provision made for retaining the
working fluid, the object being to convert the whole of the energy and pressure in
the working fluid into velocity of the particles, which then re-act backwards and
forwards through the rotating and standing blades of the machine, thus constituting
an impact multiple re-action engine.
may
The engine may be made with one or more expansion tubes according to the
be used
power it is desired to obtain. More or less of these expansion tubes
and actuated by the governor, according to the power required for the time being
and the machine may then be governed by putting one or more of the tubes in to
action. The expansion tubes stand tangentically from the periphery of the wheel,
and at a slight angle to the side of the wheel so as to deliver the working fluid in
the most suitable position.
Another arrangement is to have the expansion tubes standing tangentically from
the periphery of the wheel the working fluid then passing inwards to the standing
set of blades carried from one side of the wheel the direction of motion is again
reversed to the original direction and then impinged upon a second set of blades,
and so on until the useful velocity has been completely taken advantage of.
According to my invention in its simplest form I expand high pressure steam in
one or more expansion tubes which, after acquisition of a high velocity gives off its
work to the multiple blades of the reaction wheel. A condenser may be applied
in order to obtain a free exhaust from the expansion tubes and thus get the largest
possible range of temperature. 1 however, prefer to very highly super-heat the
steam, as the super-heated steam does not conie in contact with the working parts
of the engine, and the degree of super-heat may thus be very high and be the full

page_text: ->
amount which metals will stand in a fire and in contact with steam. The velocity
is then greatly increased the same weight of steam carrying a much larger
amount of energy, and the multiple reaction engine in this case becomes absolutely
necessary to take up without material loss the energy in the working fluid. This
engine may also be advantageously fitted with a condenser for reasons above
explained.
In another development of my invention I use air and compress it by means of
pumps through a chamber lined with refractory material and capable of standing
considerable pressure which contains the combustible, preferably in the form of
coal, the working fluid then becomes heated air and the products of combustion
leaving the fire chamber at a very high temperature and expanding through
expansion tubes as above described so acquire the necessary velocity and diminish
in temperature accordingly. The working fluid is then used in an impact reaction
engine preferably of the form described.
may use a portion of the exhaust gases which are compressed with fresh air
through the fire chamber, this is desirable in some cases so as not to get such
extremely high working temperature the proportion of air and burnt gases being
settled by experiment according to the temperature at which it is desired to work
as a maximum.
In some cases I work with a nearly closed cycle in which the gases exhaust from
the reaction engine at a pressure of several atmospheres. They are then, by
preference, passed through a re-generator and cooler, after which they are pumped
through the re-generator and the fire chamber together with the necessary amount
of fresh air to support combustion.
In some cases I replace the fire chamber burning solid fuel, by a chamber into
which powdered coal or oil is injected together with the air for the purpose of
combustion, and to act as a working fluid, the chamber is kept under a high
pressure combustion taking place immediately and completely, the products issuing
at a high velocity through expansion tubes and then giving up their energy to the
impact engine. In this case a portion of the products of combustion may also be
introduced with or without cooling, and with or without, a re-generator, into the
fire chamber. Coal or other gas may be used for compression and injected in place
of the other combustible into the fire chamber together with the same or other
modifications in the cycle above described.
In some cases I combine with the high speed re-action engines above described
the necessary pump gear driven for compressing the working fluid through the
fire chambers. The gearing is so arranged that the high speed of rotation of the
motor is geared down to a sufficiently slow speed to work the reciprocating
compressors.
In cases where I use air and the products of combustion as a working fluid
I regulate the speed and power by the amount of the fluid which is compressed
through the fire chamber the pressure being kept constant or as nearly so as
possible by bringing more or less expansion tubes in to play to act upon the wheel,
the object of this being to always work with the maximum range of temperature
and so secure the maximum economy at low loads.
In some cases the compressors may be driven by means of separate engines.
In cases where I make steam condensing impact engines or turbines I prefer to
use ejector condensers in which the necessary power required outside the engine
contained in the steam is supplied by means of a high pressure jet of water
generated by a high speed centrifugal pump run direct by the axis of the re-action
engine which supplies a small jet of water which acts by induction on a larger jet
of water in the condenser.
In other cases where steam is used I drive the air pumps for the condenser by
means of gearing as above described for the air compressors from the high speed
impact engine shaft. Where the expansion tubes deal with very high temperatures
they may be lined with plumbago or other refractory material so as to stand the
high temperature before expansion.

page_text: In some
cases a water spray or cooling jackets may be used in the air
compressors, but where such is the case it is desirable so far as possible to
separate the moisture so that it should not pass into the combustion chamber.
The principle of all this combination is to obtain the highest working
temperature of the motor fluid which materials without movement can stand, then
to carry out the complete expansion of the working fluid through expansion tubes
down to the temperature and pressure of exhaust so that the working parts of the
impact engine are not subjected to any undue temperatures, although the range of
temperature in the cycles is extremely great.
The impact multiple reaction engine is for usefully dealing with a motor fluid
whose energy
represented by a mass moving at a very high velocity, and which
is of a low temperature, and converting this into rotary motion and power in the
reaction wheel.
S. Z. DE FERRANTI.
SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, 27 Charterhouse Square in the County of
London, Electrician and 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 has for its object improvements in the manufacture and working
of engines in which the working fluid or gas is expanded through a tube or nozzle
until its energy is converted into velocity of the moving particles and its
temperature is reduced down to that necessary for economical exhaust. It then
impinges upon the blades of a turbine, or impact wheel, giving it a rotary
motion direct.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1. Fig. 1. I show a section of one form of my impact engine.
Fig. 2. shows half front elevation and half front section."
Fig. 3. shows plan view of same.
Fig. 4. is a diagram showing the position of one of the impact tubes in relation
to the revolving and standing blades of the impact wheel.
Fig. 5. shows one of the impact tubes lined with refractory material for standing
high temperatures.
Sheet. 2. Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4 correspond to the figures on Sheet 1 but are
for a form of impact wheel in which the impact tubes are arranged so that the
working fluid impinges tangentially upon the wheel and is returned backwards and
forwards through the same ring of rotating blades.
Sheet. 3. shows a combination of steam boiler (e) superheater (f) impact engine (g)
condenser (h).
Sheet. 4. shows at Fig. 1. a combination of hot air furnace, compressing pumps,
and reaction engine, at Fig. 2. is shown a fire chamber arranged for burning gas,
oil, or other suitable fuel.
At Fig. 1. Sheet 4. (i) is a hot air chamber, (j) is an entrance for compressed
air, (k) is an arrangement for introducing the fuel, (1) is the exhaust for the burnt
and heated gases to the reaction engine (m), (n) is an air compressor.
Sheet. 6. shows a combination at Figures 1 and 2 of a multiple reaction
engine (m), with an ejector condenser (v), supplied with condensing water from a
tank (w), the steam being kept up by means of a jet of high pressure water supplied
by a small high speed centrifugal pump run from the axis of the motor (m).
Sheet. 5. (2) shows a relief valve upon the generator (p), by means of which a

page_text: small amount of burnt gas can be liberated from the system corresponding to the
amount of air introduced by the pump (t), (a) shows the pipes for introducing and
taking away the circulating water used in the cooler (7) (6) shows the pipe and
(c) the pump by means of which liquid combustible can be introduced through
the orifice (k) into the fire chamber.
According to my invention I construct impact engines in which the working fluid
impinges, after complete expansion and acquisition of the maximum velocity, upon
semicircular rotating blades (a) Sheet 1 (Fig. 1 and 2) fixed round the rim of the
motor wheel (c), the working fluid enters the blades (a) at a high velocity and has
its direction reversed, a portion of its energy being turned into work, and rotates
the wheel (c), and then leaves at the other side of the blades at a diminished
though still high velocity. I then pass it through a set of standing semi-circular
blades (6) of exactly the same description as the rotating blades, but grooved in
the opposite direction which reverses its direction bringing it back to the original
direction of motion, when it strikes the blades (a) of the second wheel and delivers
up a further portion of its energy and comes out at a reduced velocity. This
process is repeated until the steam issues from the last set of blades (a) with
practically no useful velocity, it having given up nearly all its energy to the
rotating blades (a) of the wheel. There is no appreciable pressure between one
set of blades and another, nor is any provision made for retaining the working fluid,
the object being to convert the whole of the energy and pressure in the working
fluid into velocity of the particles, which then re-act backwards and forwards
through the rotating (a) and standing (6) blades of the machine, thus constituting
an impact multiple re-action engine.
The engine may be made with one or more expansion tubes (d) according to the
power it is desired to obtain. More or less of these expansion tubes (d) may be
used and actuated by the governor, according to the power required for the time
being and the machine may then he governed by putting one or more of these tubes
into action. The expansion tubes stand tangentially from the periphery of the
wheel and at a slight angle to the side of the wheel so as to deliver the working
fluid in the most suitable position.
Another arrangement is to have the expansion tubes (d Sheet 2) standing
tangentially from the periphery of the wheel the working fluid then passing
inwards to the rotating set of blades (a) thence to a standing set and then impinged
upon the wheel again, and so on until the useful velocity has been completely taken
advantage of.
According to my invention in its simplest form I expand high pressure steam in
one or more expansion tubes which, after acquisition of a high velocity gives off its
work to the multiple blades of the reaction wheel. A condenser ( Sheet 3) may
be applied in order to obtain a free exhaust from the expansion tubes and thus get
the largest possible range of temperature. I however, prefer to very highly
superheat the steam, as the superheated steam does not come in contact with the
working parts of the engine, and the degree of superheat may thus be very high
and be the full amount which metals will stand in a fire and in contact with steam.
The velocity is then greatly increased, the same weight of steam carrying a much
larger amount of energy, and the multiple reaction engine in this case becomes
absolutely necessary to take up without material loss the energy in the working
fluid. This engine may also be advantageously fitted with a condenser for reasons
above explained.
In another development of my invention I use air and compress it by means of
pumps (n, Sheet 4) through a chamber lined with refractory material o aud capable
of standing considerable pressure which contains the combustible, preferably in
the form of coal, the working fluid then becomes heated air and the products of
combustion leaving the fire chamber at a very high temperature and expanding
through expansion tubes as above described so acquire the necessary velocity and
diminish in temperature accordingly. The working fluid is then used in an impact
reaction engine (m) preferably of the form described.

page_text: I may use a portion of the exhaust gases which are compressed with fresh air
through the fire chamber, this is desirable in some cases so as not to get such
extremely high working temperature the proportion of air and burnt gases being
settled by experiment according to the temperature at which it is desired to work
as a maximum.
In some cases I work with a nearly closed cycle in which the gases exhaust from
the reaction engine (m Sheet 5) at a pressure of several atmospheres. They are
then, by preference, passed through a regenerator (p) and cooler (a) after which
they are pumped by a pump (r) through the regenerator (p) and the fire chamber (s)
together with the necessary amount of fresh air introduced by pump (t) to support
combustion.
In some cases I replace the fire chamber burning solid fuel, by a chamber i
Fig. 2 Sheet 4 into which powdered coal or oil is injected together with the air for
the purpose of combustion, and to act as a working fluid. the chamber is kept
under a high pressure, combustion taking place immediately and completely, the
products issuing at a high velocity through expansion tubes and then giving up their
energy to the impact engine (m). In this case a portion of the products of
combustion may also be introduced with or without cooling, and with or without a
regenerator, into the fire chamber. Coal or other gas may be used for compression
and injected in place of the other combustible into the fire chamber together with
the same or other modifications in the cycle above described.
In some cases I combine with the high speed reaction engines above described
the necessary pump gear (n Fig. 1, Sheet 4 &r Sheet 5) driven for compressing
the working fluid through the fire chambers.
The gearing (u) is so arranged that the high speed of rotation of the motor is
geared down to a sufficiently slow speed to work the reciprocating compressors.
In cases where I use air and the products of combustion as a working fluid
I regulate the speed and power by the amount of the fluid which is compressed
through the fire chamber (s Sheet 5) the pressure being kept constant or as nearly
so as possible by bringing more or less expansion tubes (d Sheets 1 and 2) into
play to act upon the wheel (c Sheets 1 and 2) the object of this being to always
work with the maximum range of temperature and so secure the maximum economy
at low loads.
In some cases the compressors (n Sheet 4 and r & t Sheet 5) may be driven by
means of separate engines.
In cases where I make steam condensing impact engines or turbines I prefer to
use ejector condensers (v Sheet 6) in which the necessary power required outside
the engine and contained in the steam is supplied by means of a high pressure jet
of water generated by a high speed centrifugal pump run direct by the axis of the
reaction engine which supplies a small jet of water which acts by induction on a
larger jet of water in the condenser.
In other cases where steam is used I drive the air pumps for the condenser by
means of gearing as above described for the air compressors from the high speed
impact engine shaft. Where the expansion tubes deal with very high temperatures
they may be lined with plumbago or other refractory material (Sheet 1 Fig. 5) so
as to stand the high temperature before expansion.
In some cases a water spray or cooling jackets may be used in the air compressors
(n Sheet 4, r and t Sheet 5) but where such is the case it is desirable so far as
possible to separate the moisture so that it should not pass into the combustion
chamber.
The principle of all this combination is to obtain the highest working temperature
of the motor fluid which materials without movement can stand, then to carry out
the complete expansion of the working fluid through expansion tubes down to the
temperature and pressure of exhaust so that the working parts of the engine are
not subjected to any undue temperatures, although the range of temperature in the
cycles is extremely great.

page_text: The impact multiple reaction engine is for usefully dealing with a motor fluid
whose energy is represented by a mass moving at a very high velocity, and which
is of a low temperature, and converting this into rotary motion and power in the
reaction wheel.
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) An impact multiple reaction engine using steam as the motor fluid
substantially as described.
(2) The combination of an impact multiple reaction engine in which the steam
is expanded through tubes or ducts acquiring velocity and falling in temperature,
and means of superheating the steam before expansion above the temperature at
which it can be worked in the cylinder of an ordinary steam engine, the said steam
giving up its heat during expansion and before impinging upon the working blades
of the engine.
(3) The use of superheated steam as the motor fluid in an engine so constructed
that the steam expands and converts its heat into work in tubes or ducts capable of
standing high temperatures and is then used at a comparatively low temperature
and a very high velocity in an impact reaction engine constructed for a sufficient
number of reactions to fully utilize the high velocity of the steam due to the high
initial temperature.
(4) The combination of an air compressor, a furnace for burning coal or other
fuel which is capable of standing pressure and through which the air is compressed,
supporting combustion and being greatly raised in temperature, expansion tubes or
nozzles, capable of standing the initial high temperature in which the fluid expands
cooling and acquiring velocity, and an impact reaction engine on which the cooled
fluid impinges doing work, so arranged as to efficiently utilize the velocity of the
impinging gas.
(5) In an impact reaction air engine limiting the maximum temperature of the
furnace by means of pumping through it an inert gas such as the products of
former combustion together with the amount of air necessary.
(6) In an impact reaction engine working the combustion chamber at a high
pressure and temperature, pumping air or air and burnt products into the chamber,
injecting oil in spray or coal dust thus supporting combustion and expanding the
products through refractory tubes or nozzles until low temperature and high
velocity are acquired and using the cooled gases to do work on the moving part.
(7) An oil or coal gas impact reaction engine where continuous combustion or
explosion takes place under high pressure and temperature in a suitable chamber,
the gases continuously expanding in suitable tubes or nozzles and doing work after
conversion of their heat into velocity in a cool state upon the working parts of
the engine.
(8) An impact reaction air engine which drives its own air compressors through
suitable reduction gearing.
(9) In steam impact reaction engine or in expansion turbines condensing by
means of an ejector condenser the working of the condenser being insured and
assisted by means of a jet or jets of high pressure water working inductively in
the ejector the said high pressure water being furnished by means of a high speed
centrifugal pump driven from the axis of the machine.
(10) In high initial temperature impact reaction engines forming the expansion
tubes or nozzles of any suitable refractory material.
(11) Impact multiple reaction engines for economically utilising the high velocities
of working fluid consequent upon bigh initial temperatures.
(12) The combination of a regenerator with an impact reaction air engine
substantially as described.
(13) The use of a regenerator and cooler in combination with an impact reaction
air engine substantially as described.

page_text: (14) An impact reaction air engine working with a closed cycle substantially as
described.
(15) My improvements in steam and other engines for the purpose of obtaining
the maximum range of temperature in the working cycle and consequent economy,
substantially as described.
S. Z. DE FERRANTI.