Adjuncts and Appliances for Rotary Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Adjuncts and Appliances for Rotary Engines.
SAMUEL QUINCEY, Electrical and Mechanical Engineer, 567, Seven Sisters Road,
South Tottenham, Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
A bearing that is solid, compact, and when fitted inside any receptacle such as
an engine cylinder may be adjusted while the same is under pressure or working
and without taking any part to pieces. This bearing I form in the following
manner. A cone is used in conjunction with a cone case, the cone is cut through
in cross section on one side of its diameter or it may have more than one dividing
cut or partially dividing grooves to give it proper and suitable elasticity, this
cene is fitted and slides circumferentially and longitudinally within its cone case,
on the outer circumference of this cone case is cut a screw thread, which engages
with and is propelled forward or backward within a screw threaded box formed
in say a cylinder cover, bracket, pedestal, or the like, in the cone and cone case
are pins operating in grooves, these same are for the purposes of coupling so
In the outer
that the cone and cone case will revolve at one and the same time.
diametral wall of screwed box is a recess in which is sunk a worm which engages
with teeth cut on the outer or circumferential surface and at right angles to
same, of the cone case, the said worm being connected either by a shaft, or loose
turning key, to the outside.
Another device which I call a shoe or slipper for attaching in loose connexion
to the edges of frictionally sliding plates or the like, the object being an inter-
mediary to take up the wear and an automatic adaptability to varying curvatures
of the surfaces in contact, these same shoes or slippers may be in one whole suit-
able length, or cut up into sections to give them a more ready adaptability to
very and more awkward curves of frictional surfaces, spring or other packing
pieces may be introduced with these shoes or slippers where they are used for
resisting pressure.
Automatic exhaust or other valves is another device which may be used espe-
cially for operation with rotary engines, a simple form consists of a metal or
other case in which are formed chambers of different sizes, on the two outer ends
of the smaller or middle chamber are formed valve seatings, operating in con-
nexion with these seatings are a pair of valves connected by a spindle the length
of same spindle allowing when one valve is on its seat the other would have been
forced off leaving a suitable passage for steam or other pressure or liquid to pro-
perly pass the same, in the walls of the smaller or middle chamber is formed
the outlet ports at the back of the valves and in the larger or outer chambers are
situated the inlet ports, so that any reversal of the pressure or liquid used would
close one of the valves upon their seats and open the other. A further arrange-
ment of automatic valves suitable for the compounding of rotary engines mush-
room or other similar valves, with double faces and seats for same situated in a
suitable valve chamber the above mentioned valves being coupled by valve reds to

page_text: other face slide valves operating over ports formed in the valve chambers, the
valve rods pass through their respective valve chambers thence through stuffing
boxes or the like and are then coupled together through the intervention of a
rocking lever and handle enabling the said valves to be operated by hand in case
of need, the valves operate in the main portways, other portways are formed in
the sides of the chambers between the double mushroom valve seatings.
A roller bearing, for sliding surfaces with a reciprocal motion, especially adapted
for the piston diaphragms of rotary engines, these bearings may be fitted with
either free or pivotally fixed rollers, at the back of these roilers I use a spring or
other supported plate or surface, thereby causing the said rollers to always main-
tain their proper rotative functions, and also preventing their crossing.
A combination of socket and flange with a right angle projecting edge to be
sunk and fitted into say the end or ends of rotary engine slotted piston blocks for
the purpose of supporting the parts of the block or similar mechanisms that have
been weakened by the said slotting or other means, or for more effectually con-
veying driving power from one piece of apparatus to another.
In a device consisting of levers in connexion with reciprocating pistons and con-
necting rods operating in their respective cylinders devised more especially for use
in connexion with and for operation of the diaphragm pistons of rotary engines,
their use enabling a greater exposure of surface of the diaphragm to the action
of the steam or other driving pressure, also reducing the length of stroke of
these auxiliary pistons. The devices embodied in this specification are particu-
larly adaptable to my rotary engines that I have already received Royal Letters
Patent for.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1897.
Adjuncts and Appliances for Rotary Engines.
I, SAMUEL QUINCEY, of 567, Seven Sisters Road, South Tottenham, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrical and Mechanical 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 reference to improvements in rotary engines as I shall now
proceed to explain with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings
wherein is shown a compound rotary engine to which part of the present improve-
ments are particularly applicable but which engine is not herein claimed as form-
ing part of the present invention as I intend to obtain separate Letters l'atent
in respect thereof.
Fig. 1 shows a central vertical longitudinal section of the engine and Fig. 2
is a plan thereof partly in section on the line a a of Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
and S are transverse sectional views taken respectively on lines bb; ee; dd;
ee; ff and gg; all looking towards the left hand of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 being drawn
to a larger scale than the other figures. Fig. 5 is a detail view. Figs. 9, 10
and 11 are detail views showing, to a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, the steam
tight packing at the ends of the sliding diaphragm or vane of the rotary hub.
Fig. 12 is a section on the line hh of Fig. 1 showing a hearing for the engine
shaft. Fig. 18 is a cross section through the sliding vane and hub showing, to
a still larger scale, roller bearings for the former. Figs. 14 and 15 show, in
longitudinal section and end elevation respectively, an improved automatic
exhaust valve suitable for use with rotary engines.

page_text: 1 is a high pressure cylinder and 2 a low pressure cylinder provided respec-
tively with hollow rotary eccentrically arranged hubs 3 and 4 and sliding vanes
or diaphragms 5 and 6 (hereinafter called sliding vanes). The cylinders are fixed
together and to a bed plate 7 with a flange plate 9 between their adjacent ends,
the cylinders having outer end covers 7 and 8 respectively. Steam is supplied
to the cylinders through a steam pipe 10 into a steam chest 11 within which
extends a spindle 12 connected to or formed in one with the rotary hub 3 and
which forms part of the engine shaft. Fixed upon the spindle 12 and rotating
with it is a sleeve 12 having a helical groove 12b formed around a portion of its
circumference, as shown in Figs. and S.
A
The sleeve 12 is securely fixed to the spindle 12 by means of a coned piece 12°
bearing against a corresponding seating formed on the sleeve and adapted to be
screwed up tightly by means of a nut 12 which also forces another cone seating
at the other end of the sleeve against a coned part 12° on the spindle 12.
steam tight joint between the inner end of the sleeve and the cylinder cover 7" is
obtained by means of a packing ring 12' located in a grooved recess 128 and pro-
vided with springs 12h which constantly press the said ring tightly against the
cover 7. The helical groove 12 in the sleeve 12ª enables steam to be admitted
during a part of each rotation to one or other of two steam passages 13 and 13ª
according to the direction in which it is desired that the engine should rotate.
This direction is controlled by means of a reversing valve 14 seated upon the
sleeve 12 and provided with two oppositely inclined ports 14" and 14b and also
with a reversing lever 15 connected thereto by means of a valve rod 15° that
passes through a stuffing box 11" and is jointed at its outer end to the said lever
by means of a pin and slot connection 15b. At the back of or above the
reversing valve, is a block, 16 that is provided with openings 16 and 16b which
form continuations of the steam passages 13 and 13. This block is pressed
against the valve 14 by springs 16 and is provided with hollow extensions 16ª
passing through suitable stuffing boxes 11b, this arrangement also serving to com-
pensate for wear. Depending flanges 16 (Fig. 8) may be used to guide the
valve 14 in a central position usually however they will be unnecessary. With
the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. steam can pass directly from the steam
chest 11 through the passage 13 to one of the valve chambers hereinafter referred
In order to reverse the engine the valve is pulled to the right, viewing the
said figure, so as to close the opening 16 and bring the .port 14" in the valve
opposite to the opening 16 thus admitting steam from the steam chest to the
passage 13. The valve 14 may be suitably adjusted by means of the lever 15 in
order to obtain any desired degree of expansion; or the adjustment may be
effected automatically by a governor.
to.
For effecting the compounding and reversing of rotary engines there is pro-
vided in accordance with this invention an arrangement of automatic steam dis-
tributing valves such as are shown by way of example in Fig. 2. According
thereto the valves are arranged in pairs or sets, each set comprising respectively
a doubled coned seated valve, 17 or 17, and a slide valve 18 or 18, both fixed upon
the same valve rod 19 or 19ª, the valve rods of the two sets of valves being connected
at their outer ends to a lever 20 pivoted at 20 midway between the ends of the said
rods whereby upon one set of valves being moved, a corresponding movement in the
opposite direction will be simultaneously imparted to the other set of valves. The
stean passages 13 and 13 open respectively into the valve chambers 21 and 21.
The arrangement is such that when steam enters for example the passage 13 as
previously described. it enters the outer end of the valve chamber 21° and causes
the valves to assume the positions shown in Fig. 2. the steam pressure acting
upon the outer face of the double coned seated valve 17 and forcing it upon its
inner seat and through the lever 20 forcing the valve 17 against its outer seat.
From the outer end of the valve chest 21, the steam flows across through the pas-
sage 22, shown by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 6, into the longitudinal port 23 of
the high pressure cylinder 1 and drives the hub 3 and vane 5 therein around in

page_text: the direction of the arrow, Fig. 6.
When the vane 5 passes the position shown
in that figure, the steam contained in the high pressure cylinder exhausts through
the opposite port 23" across through the passage 22 into the inner portion of the
valve chest 21 (Fig. 2), and as the slide valve 18 therein covers the opening into
the exhaust port 24, the steam from the high pressure cylinder is led through the
passage 25 into the low pressure cylinder 4 (Fig. 3) and rotates the hub 5 and
vane 6 therein in the same direction as the vane and hub in the high pressure
cylinder 1. When the sliding vane 6 passes the edge 2 of the passage 25ª
(Fig. 3) the steam that has done duty in the low pressure cylinder 2 exhausts
back through the said passage 25" into the inner end portion of the valve chest 21"
and as the slide valve 18 therein has opened the exhaust port 24. the steam then
exhausts through the pipe 27. When the engine is reversed, the same action
takes place in the opposite direction, the steam entering through the passage 13
having automatically forced the valve 17 back, or to the left in Fig. 2, whereby
the positions of both sets of valves are reversed.
In the arrangement illustrated, the sliding vanes 5 and 6 are pressed outwards
by steam pressure acting upon auxiliary pistous contained in the rotary hub sub-
stantially as described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to
me No. 51 of 1894. In accordance however with the present invention I employ
an improved construction and arrangement which comprises suitable levers and
rods whereby the effect of the movement of the auxiliary piston may be multi-
plied and the vanes be more readily acted upon. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4
in connection with the hollow hub 3 of the high pressure cylinder 1, each hub 3
and 4 contains an auxiliary cylinder 28 conveniently fixed therein about the
middle of its length and provided with a reciprocating piston 29 acted upon by
the pressure of the steam in the cylinder 1 through a pipe 28", or 28 according
to the direction of rotation of the vane 5. These pipes open into the cylinder at
their outer ends, which are suitably packed, and conduct steam therefrom into a
valve chest 28 (Figs. 1 and 5) formed by part of the auxiliary cylinder 28 and
containing a double coned seated valve 30 suitably guided therein by means of
wings 30. The pipes 28", 28 are connected by means of pipes 32, 32 to similar
pipes leading into a similar valve chest 28 (Fig. 1) of the auxiliary cylinder 28
in the low pressure hub 4, whereby the piston 29 in such cylinder is also acted
upon by high pressure steam from the cylinder 1. The pipes 32, 32" pass through
a suitable opening in a collar 3b that connects the two hubs and of course rotates
with them. The rod of the piston 29 in the high pressure hul 3 is connected
by a pin 29 and slot 29, with a pair of levers 33 each having one end 33"
pivotally connected to the hub and the other end 33 bearing against the vane.
The piston of the auxiliary cylinder in the low pressure hub is connected to a
By this
similarly arranged pair of levers 38 by connecting rods 33° (Fig. 1).
arrangement the movements of the pistons 29 are rendered more sensitive by
giving an increased outward movement to the vanes to which they are connected.
With fhe parts in the position shown in Fig. 5, steam is entering the pipe 28"
of the high pressure hub 3 and having driven the valve 30 against the opposite
seating, is free to enter the auxiliary cylinder 28 through the short passage so
as to press the piston, through the levers 33 against the vane 5 and maintain a
steam tight fit between its outer edge and the inner face of the cylinder 1.
vane is maintained in a similar manner in contact with the interior of the
cylinder 2. In order to further ensure that each vane constantly bears against
the inner periphery of its cylinder, especially at starting or before steam is able
to act on the piston 29, a spring 31 (Figs. 1 and 4) is interposed between the
In the case of the low pres-
vane 5 and the piston 29 of the high pressure hub.
sure hub, springs 31 are located at each side of the auxiliary cylinder 28 (Fig. 1),
one end of each pressing against the hub and the other against the vane.
For the purpose of compensating for wear and for automatically adapting the
outer part or edge of the vanes of rotary engines to the curvature of the cylinder,
I provide, upon the outer edge of the vane, a shoe 34 that is curved to fit the
The

page_text: interior of the cylinder and also to fit a corresponding concave recess formed
in the said outer edge so as to thereby form a kind of knuckle joint. Figs. 9
and 10 show one method of pivotally connecting the said shoe to the edge of the
vane. At each end of the latter there is fixed, as by a screw 34b, a plate 34"
which carries a pivot pin or rivet 34° that enters a corresponding hole in the
shoe 34.
The ends of the vane are advantageously packed as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11,
whereby a steam tight fit is maintained between the said ends and the correspond-
ing ends of the cylinder. The fillet 35 partly enters a slot or groove 5 in the
end of the vane, suitable recesses 5b being also formed therein to receive
springs 35 which normally press the fillet 35 outwards against the end of the
cylinder. A similar packing fillet 35* with spring is provided at each end of the
shoe 34.
For obtaining a steam tight sliding joint between the vane and the sides of the
slot in the hub through which the vane works, the hub is provided, see Figs. 3,
5 and 5, with bars or strips 3 that are triangular in cross section and provided
at each end with a slot 3d into which enters a pin 3 fixed to the hub. The
arrangement is such that the steam presses these bars 3 against the correspond-
ing vane 5 or 6, the greater the pressure of steam in the cylinder, the more
tightly will the bars 3 be forced against the vane.
In Fig. 13 is shown a roller bearing that is specially adapted in accordance
with this invention for the sliding vanes of rotary engines. The rollers 36 may
either be free to run in a groove 36 formed in the hub as shown, or be rotatably
mounted on axial pins. In the arrangement shown there is provided loose
plates 37, that are each normally pressed up against its adjacent roller 36 by
means of a spring 37, whereby the rollers bear with suitable rotative pressure
against the vane and are also maintained in a position parallel to the axis of the
hub and to the edges of the vane.
A steam tight joint may be made between the hubs and the part 38 of the
respective cylinders by a longitudinal packing strip 39 (Figs. 3. 4 and 6) located
in a corresponding recess in the cylinder and pressed against the hub by suitable
springs 39, or by spring 39 (Fig. 1). Divided packing rings 40 located in
grooves in the ends of the hubs (Fig. 1) serve to effect a steam tight joint
between the said parts and the ends of the cylinders, as well understood.
a
The engine shaft is supported in improved bearings provided in the cylinder
covers 7 and 8 respectively and which can be readily adjusted whilst the engine
is working without removing any of the parts. According to one form, a cone 41
is provided shown in the end cover 7 (Figs. 1 and 7) that embraces a rotatable
part of the driving shaft. This cone is divided at 41" and may be notched or
recessed at intervals around its periphery as shown at 41 to increase its elasticity
and enable it to contract on the shaft to compensate for wear. Encircling the
cone 41 is a cone case in the form of a ring 42 having a correspondingly coned
seating internally and screwed externally into the cover 7 which serves as a box
therefor. This cone case is divided at one point, 42 Fig. 7. and also may be con-
veniently notched or grooved to increase its elasticity. Suitable pins 43. of which
two are shown provided on the cone 41, enter longitudinal grooves 43 provided
for them in the cone case 42 so that the cone and cone case rotate together. For
enabling the cone case 42 to be screwed up more tightly against the cone, to take
up wear, the said cone case is provided with teeth 43 on its periphery (see
Fig. which engage with a worm 44 fixed upon a spindle 45 that is passed
through a suitable stuffing box and shaped at its outer end to receive a key.
In the bearing shown upon the cover 8 (Figs. 1 and 12), the grooves 43 are
preferably formed upon the outer end of the split and notched cone 41 and are
engaged by pins 43 fixed to the cover or gland 46 which takes the place of the
cone case used in the other bearing. It is obvious that when this gland is
screwed upon the boss 8b of the cover 8ª, the cone will be pressed more firmly

page_text: against its seating to take up undue looseness of the bearing and maintain the
alignment of the driving shaft. 4 is a lock nut.
For the purpose of strengthening the rotary hubs of rotary engines and thus
aid in overcoming the weakness resulting from the slotting of the said hubs to
receive the vane, I provide according to this invention a. projecting ring or
flange formed in one with or connected to the flange, collar or other adja-
cent part 47 that rotates with the said hub. In some cases the flange 47" instead
of being a continuous ring, may be interrupted at desired places so as to form
two or more projecting parts adapted to fit into corresponding recesses in the end
of the rotary hub. By this means the driving power can be transmitted more
effectively by reason of the greater leverage that can be obtained, particularly
when such projections are placed at a considerable distance from the axis of the
hub. 47 is a packing ring in the flange or collar 47 for effecting a fluid tight
joint with the cylinder cover 8°.
In Figs. 14 and 15 is shown an improved automatic distributing valve suitable
for use with rotary engines. It comprises a casing 48 in which are formed two
end chambers 49 and a smaller middle chamber 50 at the opposite outer ends of
which are formed coned valve seatings 50, 50b which are opened or closed by
means of a double valve or pair of valves 51, 51 connected, in the form shown,
by several bars or rods 51 of such length that when one valve is open, the other
is closed. The face of the valve casing is formed with ports or openings 52, 52",
and at the back of the middle chamber 50 is an exhaust passage 58. The
arrangement is such that when steam is admitted through one port it closes the
adjacent valve and opens the other, whereby the other port is automatically
opened to exhaust.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a compound rotary engine, an arrangement of automatic steam distribut-
ing valves comprising two sets or pairs of valves each pair being arranged in a
separate valve chamber and consisting of a double coned seated valve and a slide
valve that are both fixed to a common valve rod, the valve rods of both pairs
being connected to a pivoted rocking lever whereby simultaneous movement in
opposite directions can be imparted to both sets of valves, the arrangement being
such that when steam is admitted to one valve chamber so as to act upon the
cone seated valve located therein both of the valves in that chamber will he
moved in a direction to open their respective ports which movement simultane-
ously effects the closing of the ports in the other valve chamber, substantially as
described.
2. In a rotary engine of the kind wherein the sliding vane is normally pressed
ontward against the inner side of the cylinder by means of a piston reciprocating
in an auxiliary cylinder that is contained in the rotary hub and supplied with
motive pressure fluid from the main cylinder, providing a lever or levers having
or each having one end pivotally connected to the hub and the other bearing
against the vane and suitably connected at a point intermediate of its length to
the said reciprocating piston, the arrangement being such that any movement
of the said piston is conveyed to an increased extent to the said sliding vane
whereby the latter acts more readily in being pressed outwards, substantially as
described.
3. In a rotary engine of the sliding vane type, providing the sliding vane
with bearing rollers, the rollers being arranged at opposite sides of the said vane
and either rotatably mounted upon axles or adapted to work in a groove in which
case spring pressed bearing plates are provided to suitably press the rollers
against the vane and also maintain them in a position parallel with the edge of
the vane, substantially as described.
4. In a rotary engine wherein a rotary hub is divided or partly divided to

page_text: receive one or more sliding vanes, providing the flange or flanges on the shaft
or other part or parts adjacent to one or both ends of the hub that rotate with it,
with projecting rings, either continuous or interrupted, to engage with a corre-
sponding recess or recesses in the end or ends of the hub, substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.
5. In a rotary engine, a bearing for the engine shaft or like rotating part com-
prising a a split cone surrounding the shaft and embraced by a cone case or ring
formed with a correspondingly coned seating, the said cone case being screwed
externally to fit into the cylinder cover or other fixed part and provided on its
periphery with teeth that engage with a worm suitably mounted in the said
stationary part and provided with a spindle that passes through a suitable stuffing
box and is provided at its outer end with means for rotating it, the arrangement
being such that by turning the spindle carrying the worm from the outside, the
cone can be tightened up so as to compensate for wear, substantially as described.
6. In a rotary engine, an automatically acting steam distributing valve con-
structed arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to and
shown in Figs. 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1898.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.