IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES AND OTHER SIMILAR ROTARY APPARATUS, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES EMPLOYED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES AND OTHER SIMILAR ROTARY APPARATUS,
AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES EMPLOYED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE.”
-
-A communication from abroad by Alfred Lämmerhirt, of
Mülheim-on-the-Ruhr, Prussia, Engineer.
Sealed the 2nd November 1875, and dated the 21st May 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 21st May 1875.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES AND OTHER SIMILAR ROTARY
APPARATUS, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES EMPLOYED IN THEIR MANU-
FACTURE," a communication to me from abroad by Alfred Lämmerhirt,
of Mülheim-on-the-Ruhr, Prussia, Engineer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates more particularly to rotary engines driven by

page_text: steam, air, water, or other fluid, but it is also applicable to pumps and
fans or blowers, and it consists of a novel combination and arrangement
of the parts whereby great simplicity of construction and economy in
the production of the rotary engines or other machines are obtained, and
of improved machinery to be employed in their manufacture.
5
According to this Invention the engine is composed of a frame or bed
plate, which is cast with plummer blocks for the shaft carrying the fly
wheel of the engine, on or to which frame or bed plate there is formed
or attached an annular casing, which forms an annular chamber or
cylinder, by preference of a circular form in transverse section for the 1
steam or other motive fluid employed. In this chamber there is fitted
a piston, which is constructed in the shape of a segment of a ring, and
arranged so as to be capable of revolving in the chamber, whilst its
surfaces work steam-tight against the internal sides thereof. The piston
is firmly connected by a bolt and cottar or similar devices with a central ]
wheel or disc, which is fast on the fly wheel shaft, and the outer
periphery of which works against the accurately bored face of the
annular casing. The casing has also attached thereto a valve box
containing the valve for the admission of the steam or other fluid, which
valve is operated by a cam carried on the fly wheel shaft. The inlet
and exhaust ports are separated by means of a valve or moveable
partition or slide, which is raised or caused to slide back with a quick
motion for the passage of the driving piston by means of a small piston
operated by the steam or other fluid, and working in a cylinder attached
to the casing, and is again depressed under the action of a spiral spring
compressed by its ascent.
The admission of the steam or other fluid for actuating the piston of
the separating valve or slide is regulated by means of a slide valvo.
operated by an unequal armed lever, which is moved in one direction
by a cam surface on the central wheel or disc, and is returned to its
original position under the action of a spring.
The engine is operated in the following manner, viz.:-Assuming the
separating valve or slide to be closed, and the supply valve for the
motive fluid (say steam for example) just opened, the steam thus enters
behind the piston which is impelled forward, and by means of the
connection with the disc or wheel communicates a rotary motion to the
fly wheel shaft,

page_text: The supply valve is closed earlier or later according to the shape of
the cam, and the piston is then worked by expansion. The space in
front of the piston is constantly in communication with the external
atmosphere, or with a condenser by outlet ports, which continually
remain open.
As soon as the steam piston approaches the separating valve or slide
the latter is suddenly elevated by the means before mentioned, and is
closed again by the compressed spiral spring immediately after the
piston has passed.
In lieu of employing the apparatus before mentioned for operating the
separating valve or slide various other contrivances may be devised,
according as the practical requirements of the work may render necessary,
as for example, the valve may be opened and closed at the requisite
periods by the direct action of the engine without using steam by means
of a spring, which is compressed by the rotation of the engine and then
released so as to force up the valve, the latter being returned to its
normal position by a second and weaker spring, which forces it down
again.
Suitable packing is provided for maintaining a tight joint between the
piston and the disc and casing, and also between the separating valve or
slide and the casing.
In manufacturing engines constructed according to this Invention
the piston (which in the case of large engines will be a spring piston
and for smaller a solid piston with grooves for the reception of packing
turned in its periphery) is turned off with its circumference corresponding
exactly to the steam chamber. For this purpose apparatus constructed
in the following manner may be employed, viz. :-This apparatus, which
is attached to the bed of a horizontal drilling and slotting machine,
consists of a table or a segment of a cylinder carried so as to be capable
of turning upon a horizontal fixed axis firmly bolted to the bed of the
machine at right angles to the axis of the tool holder. The piston is
bolted to one of the radial sides of the segment (by a dead head or rim
cast on it) in such a position that when the segment is turned upon the
horizontal axis the piston describes a segment of a circle corresponding
exactly with the circle it is to describe in its course in the annular
steam chamber. The axis of rotation of the tool holder is made to
correspond with the centre of the piston relatively to the horizontal

page_text: fixed axis of rotation of the moveable segment, and the cutting motion
is obtained by the point of the tool describing a circle equal to the
diameter of the piston, while the transverse feed motion of the piston
is effected by turning the segment upon the fixed axis and causing the
piston to describe in contact with the tool which is set up as required a
segment of a circle equal to its circular course in the annular steam
chamber.
The annular steam chambers or cylinders, which are composed of two
castings bolted together (and subdivided or not into segments), are
bored or turned upon a surface lathe, the semicircular segments being
secured to the surface plate in such a manner that the axis of rotation
of the lathe coincides with the centre of the circle described by the
piston in its course in the annular chamber.
The internal curvilinear surface of the annular steam chamber is
turned by an apparatus attached to the bed of the lathe, and which
consists of a swivel or tool slide arranged in such a manner that the
cutting motion is obtained by the rotation of the annular steam chamber,
causing the point of the tool to describe relatively to the work a circle
corresponding with the internal curvilinear surface of the annular steam
chamber, while the transverse feed motion is effected by turning the
tool by suitable gearing, so that its point describes a circle corresponding
to the internal circumference of the annular steam chamber in cross
section.
The internal curvilinear surface of the annular steam chambers of
small dimensions is formed by a circular template of the same diameter
as the annular steam chamber in cross section, whereby the circular
traversing feed motion of the tool is dispensed with
The engine may be arranged to work with variable expansion by
means of a simple link motion, and the expansion may be directly
controlled by the working of a governor.
Reversing gear may also be provided, but in this case the separating
valve or slide is planed with both seats or sides steam-tight, and instead
of one inlet valve two (that is, one on each side of the slide) are applied,
one of which is always held open by the reversing gear, so that the
escape of steam constantly takes place by it.
A four-way cock or slide valve worked by the reversing gear is also

page_text: provided in the steam pipe, such cock or valve being so arranged that
one inlet valve communicates with the steam pipe, and the other or open
valve with the exhaust or outlet.
The supply valves are each worked by a separate cam, but the open
valve is normally out of contact with its cam.
In the periphery of the diso there are formed small grooves or
channels opening at each end into the steam chamber, and by means of
which, as soon as the slide is raised, the pressure before and behind
the piston is equalised, whilst the slide itself is also 'relieved of
pressure.
Rotary blast engines and similar apparatus may also be constructed
upon the same principle, the details being modified to suit the particular
purpose to which the apparatus is to be applied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th November 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Henry Johnson, Her special
license that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, or 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 Ohannel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES AND OTHER SIMILAR ROTARY APPARATUS, AND
IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES EMPLOYED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE," a communi.

page_text: cation to me from abroad by Alfred Lämmerhirt, of Mülheim-on-the-
Buhr, Prussia, Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describo
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 tho said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say :-
The said Invention relates more particularly to rotary engines driven
by steam, air, water, or other fluid, but is also applicable to other like
rotary apparatus, and it consists of a novel combination and arrangement
of the parts, whereby great simplicity of construction and economy in
the production of the rotary engines or other like apparatus are obtained,
and of improved machinery to be employed in their construction.
.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed three Sheets of
Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating. corresponding parts
in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a
transverse section of a rotary engine constructed according to the said
Invention; Figure 2 is an end view; and Figure 3 a longitudinal
section of the same.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent in detail the arrangement of the
admission valve and valve gear, Figure 4 being a longitudinal section;
Figure 5, a horizontal section; and Figure 6, an end view..
Figures 7, 8, and 9 represent other details which will be herein-after
referred to.
Ticure 10 (Sheet 21 canvasants a transwese coation of a natury uncine

page_text: constructed according to a modification of the invention; and fig
is a horizontal section of the same.
Figure 12 illustrates one mode of applying the apparatus as a water
meter.
Figure 13 (Sheet 3) represents a longitudinal section of an apparatus
for turning the pistons of the engine; Figure 14 is a sectional plan;
and Figure 15 an end view and partial section of the same.
Figure 16 represents a longitudinal section of a portion of an
apparatus for boring the cylinders; Figure 17 is a plan of the same;
Figure 18 is a section taken along the line 1, 2, (Figures 16 and 17);
Figure 19 is a section taken along the line 3, 4, (Figure 16).
Figure 20 illustrates a modification of the apparatus, which is appli-
cable to the boring of cylinders of small dimensions.
The engine is composed of a frame or bed plate A cast with the
plummer blocks B, B, for the shaft C, carrying the fly wheel of the
engine, to which frame or bed plate there is attached an annular casing
made in two halves D, D, and bolted together so as to form an annular
chamber or cylinder E for the steam or other motive fluid employed.
In the chamber E there is fitted a piston F, which is constructed in the
shape of a segment of a ring, and arranged so as to be capable of
revolving in the chamber, whilst its surfaces work steam-tight against
the internal sides thereof. The piston is firmly connected by a bolt G
and cottars d, d, with a central wheel or disc H, which is fast on the
shaft C, and is provided with packing rings b, b, (shewn in detail in
Figures 7 and 8) working in contact with the accurately bored face of
the annular casing D. The casing D has also attached thereto a valve
box I containing the valve K (see the details, Figures 4, 5, and 6) for
the admission of the steam or other fluid from the pipe L, which valve
is operated by a cam M mounted on the shaft C, and working in contact
with a roller c carried by the valve spindle d. The inlet port e is
separated from the exhaust ports f,f, by means of a moveable partition
or slide N, which is raised or caused to slide back with a quick. motion
for the passage of the driving piston F under the action of the steam or
other motive fluid by means of a small piston connected by the rod
to the slide N, and working in a cylinder O attached to the casing D,
and is again depressed under the action of a helical spring i compressed

page_text: g
by its ascent. The admission of the steam or other fluid for actuating
the piston of the separating slide N is regulated by means of a slide
valve k operated by an unequal armed lever working upon a centre or
fulcrum m, and which is moved in one direction by a cam surface n
formed on the central wheel or disc H, and is returned to its original 5
position under the action of a spring o.
The engine is operated in the following manner:-Assuming the
separating slide N to be in its lower or closed position, as shown in the
Drawings, and the supply valve K for the motive fluid (say steam for
example) just opened, the steam enters behind the piston F, which is 10
impelled forward in the direction of the arrows, and by means of the
connection with the wheel or disc H imparts a rotary motion to the
shaft C.
Tho supply valvo K is closed carlier or later, according to the shape
of the cam M, and the piston F is then worked by expansion. The 15
space in front of the piston is constantly in communication with the
external atmosphere, or with a condenser by the exhaust or outlet
ports ff, which continually remain open.
As soon as the piston F approaches the separating slide N the latter
is suddenly elevated by the means herein-before described, and it is 20
closed again by the compressed helical spring i immediately after the
piston has passed.
In lieu of employing the apparatus herein-before described for
operating the separating slide N various other contrivances may be
devised, according as the practical requirements of the work may render 25
necessary, as for example, the slide may be opened and closed at the
requisite periods by the direct action of the engine without using steam
by means of a spring compressed by the rotation of the engine, and
then released so as to force up the valve, the latter being returned to its
normal position by a second and weaker spring, which forces it down 30
again.
Packing p, p, p, is provided for maintaining a tight joint between
the piston F and the sides of the chamber E, and between the piston F
and the wheel or disc H (see detail, Figure 9), and between tho
separating slide N and the casing D.
The engine may be arranged to work with variable expansion by
35

page_text: means of a simple link motion, and the expansion may be directly
controlled by the working of a governor.
Reversing gear may also be provided, in which case the separating
slide is planed with both seats or sides steam-tight, and two valves
5 (namely, one on each side of the slide) are employed, one of which
valves being always held open by the reversing gear, so that the escape
of steam may constantly take place by it.
0
0
A four-way cock or slide valve worked by the reversing gear is also
fitted in the steam pipe, such cock or valve being so arranged that one
valve communicates with the steam pipe, and the other or open valve
with the exhaust or outlet.
(
The valves are each worked by a separate cam, but the open valve is
normally out of contact with its cam. In the periphery of the disc H
there are formed small grooves or channels opening at each end into
the steam chamber, and by means of which, as soon as the slide N is
raised the pressure before and behind the piston is equalized, whilst the
slide itself is also relieved of
pressure.
In the modification, Figures 10 and 11, which is particularly suitable
as a hydraulic engine, the separating slide N is dispensed with, and a
second piston F' of similar construction to the piston F herein-before
described is employed, the two pistons each serving in turns as the
partition between the inlet port e and the exhaust port, and as the
actuating piston. Two annular chambers E, E', are also provided each
fitted with two pistons F, F', the action of which will be understood
from the description of the operation of the engine ‘next herein-after
given.
a
In the Drawing, Figure 10, one half of the engine is shown with its
pistons in the position which they occupy'at the commencement of
stroke and at the dead point, one of the pistons in the other annular
chamber E being alone working. The disc H carries the piston F
forward by means of the connection G, which now engages therein
under the action of the lever P, the short arm 9 of which working in the
groove Q forces up the pin R. and the catch r, and thus liberates the
piston. When the disc H arrives at the position at which the inlet
port e hitherto closed by the piston F commences to open the piston F
begins to act upon the disc and upon the water situate before it, and

page_text: In constructing engines according to this Invention the piston (which
in the case of large engines is a spring piston, and for smaller a solid
piston with grooves for the reception of packing formed in its periphery)
is turned off with its circumference corresponding exactly to the annular
chamber. For this purpose apparatus constructed in the manner illus.
trated in Figures 13, 14, and 15 (Sheet 3) of the Drawing may be
employed. This apparatus, which is attached to the bed U of a hori-
zontal drilling and slotting machine, consists of a segment of a cylinder V
carried so as to be capable of turning upon a horizontal fixed axis wo
firmly bolted to the bed U of the machine at right angles to the axis of
the tool holder W. The piston F is bolted to one of the radial sides
of the segment V (by a dead head or rim a cast on it) in such a position
that when the segment V is turned upon the horizontal axis w the
piston F describes an are of a circle corresponding exactly with the
circle it is to describe in its course in the annular chamber E. The axis
of rotation of the tool holder W is made to correspond with the centre
of the piston relatively to the horizontal fixed axis of rotation to of the
moveable segment V, and the cutting motion is obtained by the point of
the tool W¹ describing a circle equal to the diameter of the piston, while
the transverse feed motion of the piston is effected by turning the
segment V upon the fixed axis wo, and causing the piston to describe in
contact with the tool W', which is set up as required an arc of a circle
equal to its circular course in the annular chamber.
The annular chambers or cylinders, which are composed of two
castings bolted together (and subdivided or not into segments), are
bored or turned upon a surface lathe (see Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19,
Sheet 3), the semicircular segments D being secured to the surface plate
in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the lathe coincides with
the centre of the circle described by the piston in its course in the
) annular chamber.
The internal curvilinear surface of the annular chamber E is turned
by an apparatus attached to the bed X of the lathe, and which consists
of a swivel or tool slide Y arranged in such a manner that the cutting
motion is obtained by the rotation of the annular casting D, causing the
5 point of the tool Y¹ to describe relatively to the work a circle corre-
sponding with the internal curvilinear surface of the annular chamber,
while the transverse feed motion is effected by turning the tool Y by

page_text: gearing Z, so that its point describes a circle corresponding to the
internal circumference of the annular chamber in cross section.
The internal curvilinear surface of the annular chambers of small
dimensions is formed by a circular template Z' (Figure 20) of the same
diameter as the annular chamber in cross section, whereby the circular 5
traversing feed motion of the tool is dispensed with.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured 1
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
First. The application and use to and in rotary engines and other like
rotary apparatus of a piston consisting of a segment of a ring revolving
in an annular chamber or cylinder in combination with a moveable
partition for separating the inlet port from the outlet port for the fluid 1
traversing the apparatus, all substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
substantially as nerein-belore described and lustrated by the accom- 2
panying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to
this my Specification set my hand and seal, tho Eighteenth day
of November One thousand eight hundred and seventy-fivo.