IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Robson, of Falmouth Road, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND
APPLYING MOTIVE POWER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Robson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1880.
JAMES ROBSON, of Falmouth Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER."
My Invention of improvements in obtaining and applying motive power consists
mainly in the following application of explosive gases and air for producing motion
in various machines or apparatus:-My first point consists in a cylinder and a free
piston with a toothed rack gearing into a toothed wheel, running free on the fly
wheel shaft when the piston and rack ascends, but which grips by an eccentric
gripper, and on descent of rack and piston turns the shaft. The ascent of the piston.
and rack is obtained by having a port communicating with the underside of a
charging pump and piston in which the gases are exploded; the pump's piston is
worked by a crank or eccentric on the fly wheel shaft. On the ascent of the
pump's piston a charge of gas and air is drawn into it through a flap or other
valve, and when approaching the top of its stroke it uncovers a hole in the pump's
side and draws in from the outside a part of a permanent burning flame and ignites
the gases. The augmented pressure and expansion drives up the free piston and
rack; the energy developed is absorbed by steel or other springs, or a vacuum
cylinder and piston attached to the rack head, such energy being given back to the
rack and fly wheel shaft in its descent. On the descent of the pump's piston it
uncovers an escape port in the side of the pump and allows the burnt gases to pass
through a lift valve in its piston from its and the racks piston's underside and
expel them through the port in its ascent just before the gases fire the feeding gas
and air valve closes by action of a lever from the pump's cross head or shaft. I
can use belts, ropes, or chains instead of the rack by attaching one of their ends to
Price

page_text: the upper and lower part of the piston rod, and the other ends to the one way
gripping pulley on the wheel shaft. I use a small cylinder and piston, or a
diaphragm, or bent tube like a pressure gauge, communicating with the cylinder.
On explosion the piston with a small plate attached is forced over and closes the
lighting hole and holds in the gases.
The second point in my Invention is the application of the above principle to
lifts, hoists, or cranes. In this case the free piston rod and cross head is attached
by a connecting rod to two levers, pivoted on the main shaft, and between such
levers is a ratchet toothed wheel or a disc with a V friction nick on its circum-
ference. This wheel is fixed to the shaft. The levers have between them a pawl
or eccentric V shaped gripper working in the nick, and when the gases are exploded
in the pump they propel the free piston, its rod, cross head with springs attached
at the sides thereof (along with the connecting rod, two side levers, and pawl), out,
and some extent round the gripper disc. The springs now draw them back, and
along with them the gripper disc and shaft with lift pulley or crane barrel attached
or geared to it. The pawl is released when the piston finishes its inward stroke,
the load being suspended or lowered by the ordinary friction brake. The charging
piston can either work in a separate pump or in an elongated portion of the
cylinder, and be worked by a handle or spocket wheel encircled by a rope or chain
from any convenient position. A crank on the shaft of the spocket wheel is con-
nected to the pump piston by a connecting rod, the gas valve, the firing, and the
escape being the same as in my first described arrangements.
The third point in my Invention is the application of the same principle to
pumping purposes. In this case the pump piston or bucket is attached to the free
piston rod. The free piston when making its out stroke displaces the liquid from
one side of the pump's piston to the other, at the same time compressing or extending
the energy absorbing springs. These now draw the loose piston and pump piston
back, and force the water or liquid as in ordinary pumps. When used as a ram
plunger or high pressure pump the loose piston on its out stroke drives the plunger
into its case and the liquid out into the accumulator or high lift pipe. To prevent
the sudden shock from the quick motion I use a small ram loaded with springs
between the pump and the accumulator. The loose piston and ram are drawn back
and its case charged with liquid by springs, vacuum cylinders, or in this case they
might be weights. The gas pump's charging piston is worked by a lever and
weight in its charging and firing stroke, and on its inward or exhaust stroke by a
spring, extended and held on a catch by the motion of the outstroke of the free
piston rod. When it completes its in stroke it releases the spring from the catch
and allows the weight to make the out stroke; or the weight and lever of the
charging piston may be lifted by a small piston worked in a cylinder on its up
stroke by the liquid from the accumulator or cistern, and allowed to escape on its
descent. The fourth point of my Invention is the application of same to forging
hammers, stamps, or the like percussion machines. The cylinder being vertical
with its free piston and rod with the hammer attached to its bottom, the hammer,
piston rod, and free piston is lifted up to the top by a cross head and springs, and
driven down again by the explosion of the gases between its upper side and the
charging piston, the charging piston being worked by a handle or hand wheel
with crank and connections to its piston rod, the gas supply, firing, and exhausting
being similar to my former described arrangements. The loose piston may be fixed
to a lever, with a punch or cutters at the other end for punching, shearing, or
rivetting.
The fifth point of my Invention relates to governing and starting my gas engines,
for which I obtained Letters Patent dated November 4th 1879, No. 4501. I allow
a portion or the whole of the mixed gases and air on the pumping side of the piston
to pass through a valve opened by the governor when the speed is too high into a
flexible bladder, encased in a perforated metal casing or a loose piston in a cylinder
instead of into the reservoir. On the piston's in stroke the mixture is drawn into

page_text: the pumping side again from the bladder. When starting such engines I open a
cock situated on the cylinder's side and about the middle of the piston's travel, and
allow a portion of the gases to escape from the back side until the piston passes
the cock.
There is a weighted drop valve in the cock's passage way, which lifts and closes
on a seat by the high pressure gases when the piston is going out, but is too heavy
for the gases to close when the piston is coming in. It contains also a light lift
valve to prevent suction inwards when the front side of the piston opens to it.
I sometimes use a light loose piston in these engines, which the entering gases
propel to the forward end of the cylinder, which piston is returned back again by
the inward stroke of the piston.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Robson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
April 1881.
JAMES ROBSON, of Falmouth Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER."
My Invention of improvements in obtaining and applying motive power consists
in the following application of explosive gases and air for producing motion in
various machines or apparatus.
My first improvement consists in a cylinder and a free piston, with a toothed
rack gearing into a toothed wheel running free on the fly wheel shaft when the
piston and rack ascends, but which grips by an eccentric gripper and on descent of
rack and piston turns the shaft. The ascent of the piston and rack is obtained by
having a port communicating with the underside of a charging pump and piston,
in which the gases are exploded, the pump's piston is worked by a crank or
excentric on the fly wheel shaft. On the ascent of the pump's piston, a charge of
gas and air is drawn into it through a flap or other valve, and when approaching
the top of its stroke it uncovers a hole in the pump's side, and draws in from the
outside a part of a permanent burning flame and ignites the gases. The augmented
pressure and expansion drives up the free piston and rack, the energy developed is
absorbed by steel or other springs, or a vacuum cylinder and piston attached to
the rack head, such energy being given back to the rack and fly wheel shaft in its
descent. On the descent of the pump's piston, it uncovers an escape port in the
side of the pump and allows the burnt gases to pass through a lift valve in its
piston from its end and the rack's pistons underside and expel them through the
port in its ascent, just before the gases fire the feeding gas and air valve closes by
action of a lever from the pump's cross head or shaft. I can use belts, ropes, or
chains instead of the rack by attaching one of their ends to the upper and lower
part of the piston rod, and the other ends to the one way gripping pulley on the
wheel shaft. I use a small cylinder and piston, or a diaphragm or bent tube like a
pressure gauge communicating with the cylinder. On explosion, the piston with a
small plate attached is forced over and closes the lighting hole, and holds in the
gases.
The second point in my Invention is the application of the above principle to
lifts, hoists, or cranes. In this case, the free piston rod and cross head is attached
by a connecting rod to two levers pivotted on the main shaft, and between such
levers is a ratchet toothed wheel or a disc with a V friction nick on its circum-
ference. This wheel is fixed to the shaft. The levers have between them a
pawl or eccentric V shaped gripper working in the nick, and when the gases are
exploded in the pump they propel the free piston, its rod, cross head with springs
attached at the sides thereof (along with the connecting rod, two side levers, and
pawl) out and some extent round the gripper disc. The springs now draw them
back, and along with them the gripper disc and shaft with lift pulley or crane
barrel attached or geared to it. The pawl is released when the piston finishes its
inward stroke, the load being suspended or lowered by the ordinary friction brake.
The charging piston can either work in a separate pump or in an elongated portion
of the cylinder, and be worked by a handle or spocket wheel encircled by a rope or
chain from any convenient position. A crank on the shaft of the spocket wheel is
connected to the pump piston by a connecting rod, the gas valve, the firing and
the escape being the same as in my first described arrangements.
The third point in my Invention is the application of the same principle to
pumping purposes. In this case the pump piston or bucket is attached to the free
piston rod.
The free piston when making its outstroke displaces the liquid from
one side of the pump's piston to the other, at the same time compressing or extend-
ing the energy absorbing springs; these now draw the loose piston and pump piston

page_text: back, and force the water or liquid as in ordinary pumps. When used as a ram
plunger or high pressure pump, the loose piston on its outstroke drives the plunger
into its case, and the liquid out into the accumulator or high lift pipe. To prevent
the sudden shock from the quick motion, I use a small ram loaded with springs,
between the pump and the accumulator. The loose piston and ram are drawn
back, and its case charged with liquid by springs, vacuum cylinders, or in this case
they might be weights. The gas pump's charging piston is worked by a lever and
weight in its charging and firing stroke, and on its inward or exhaust stroke by a
spring extended and held on a catch by the motion of the outstroke of the free
piston rod; when it completes its in stroke it releases the spring from the catch and
allows the weight to make the outstroke, or the weight and lever of the charging
piston may be lifted by a small piston worked in a cylinder on its upstroke by the
liquid from the accumulator or cistern, and allowed to escape on its descent.
The fourth point of my Invention is the application of same to forging hammers,
stamps, or the like percussion machines. The cylinder being vertical with its free
piston and rod with the hammer attached to its bottom, the hammer, piston rod,
and free piston is lifted up to the top by a cross head and springs, and driven
down again by the explosion of the gases between its upper side and the charging
piston; the charging piston being worked by a handle or hand wheel with crank
and connections to its piston rod. The gas supply, firing, and exhausting being
similar to my former described arrangements. The loose piston may be fixed to
a lever with a punch or cutters at the other end for punching, shearing, or
rivetting.
The fifth point of my Invention relates to governing and starting my gas engines,
for which I obtained Letters Patent, dated Nov. 4 1879, No. 4501. I allow a
portion or the whole of the mixed gases and air on the pumping side of the piston
to pass through a valve opened by the governor when the speed is too high into a
flexible bladder encased in a perforated metal casing, or a loose piston in a cylinder
instead of into the reservoir on the piston's in stroke, the mixture is drawn into the
pumping side again from the bladder. When starting such engines I open a cock
situated on the cylinder's side and about the middle of the piston's travel, and allow
a portion of the gases to escape from the back side until the piston passes the cock.
There is a weighted drop valve in the cock's passage way, which lifts and closes on
a seat by the high pressure gases when the piston is going out, but is too heavy for
the gases to close when the piston is coming in; it contains also a light lift valve
to prevent suction inwards when the front side of the piston opens to it. I some-
times use a light loose piston in these engines, which the entering gases propel to
the forward end of the cylinder, which piston is returned back again by the
inward stroke of the piston. To make my Invention better understood I now
proceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is
to say :-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. A to G are various views showing my first improvements; 1 is the
cylinder; 2, its free piston with toothed rack 3, gearing into the toothed wheel 4,
running free on the fly wheel shaft 5, when the piston and rack ascends, but on
the rack's descent grips and turns the shaft and wheel by the eccentric grippers G,
Fig. E.
The cylinder is in communication by the port 7, with a charging pump 8, having
a piston 9, worked by a rod and connecting rod 10, to the crank 11, fixed on the
shaft 5. On the ascent of the pump's piston gas and air are drawn into it by
way of the flap valve 12, and air ports 13, and gas port 14, shown enlarged in
Figs. C and D. When the pump's piston arrives at top, it covers the escape
port 15 and draws in a constant burning flame 16, through a small hole 17; this
explodes the gases and drives up the piston and rack 3, compressing the volute,
metallic, or other springs 18, contained in a case 19. The energy now stored in the
springs drives the rack down and imparts motion to the shaft and fly-wheel. The

page_text: pump's piston in its descent allows the consumed gases to escape through the valve
20 and exhaust port 15. The feed valve 12 may be closed just before explosion by
the connecting rod pin and rod 21, as shown in Fig. D. As shown in Figs. F and
G, I can use belts, chains, or ropes 22 and 23 to impart the motion of the cylinder
piston to the shaft; the belts 22 revolving the wheel 4 in the upstroke and 23 in
the down, the shaft grippers being the same as in Fig. E.
Figs. H and I are views of my second improvements, applicable to lifts, cranes,
or the like machines. 1 is the cylinder; the free piston 2, rod 3, and cross head 4
are attached by connecting rods 5 to levers 6 pivotted on main shaft 7 between the
levers, and fixed on the shaft is a disc 8 with a V friction nick on its circumference
in which works a V shaped eccentric pawl gripper 10.
When the gases are
exploded in the pump 11 they propel the piston 2 and its rod cross head with
springs 12 attached thereto along with the connecting rods 5, levers 6, and pawl 10,
out and so far round the gripper disc 8. The springs 12 now draw them back and
with them the gripper disc and shaft with lift, pulley, or crane barrel 13 attached
or geared thereto. The pawl 10 may be released at the finish of each inward
stroke by its top 14 striking the stop 15. The load may be suspended by another
pawl 16, or by an ordinary friction brake or clutch 17 which may be used for
lowering. The charging pump piston 18 may be either worked by a handle, or
spocket wheel 19 encircled by a rope or chain 20 from any convenient position; the
spocket wheel shaft and crank 21 is connected to and works the pump piston by a
rod 22 and lever [23. The gas valve, firing, and escape being the same as in my
first improvement.
Figs. J, K, L, M, are various views of my third improvements applied to pumping
purposes. In this case the pump piston or bucket 1 is attached to the free piston's
rod 2 when the free piston is making its outstroke, it displaces the fluid from one
side of the pump's piston or bucket 1 to the other side through a valve 3, at the
same time compressing the energy absorbing springs contained in their cases 4
attached to the cross head 5. These now draw the free piston and pump's piston
back and force, the water or fluid through the outlet valve 6, and recharge the
pump through the inlet valve 7 as in ordinary pumps. When used as a rain pump
the free piston on its outstroke drives the plunger 8, Fig. L, into its casing and the
liquid out through valve 9 into the accumulator or high lift pipe as in ordinary ram
pumps. To prevent the sudden shock from the quick motion I use a ram 10,
carrying springs 11 between the pump and the accumulator. The gas pump's
piston 12 may be worked by hand or by a cranked lever 13 and weight 14 on its
out or charging and firing stroke, and on its inward stroke by a spring and tube 15,
extended and held on a catch 16 by the motion of the free piston cross head 5
acting on the bent rocking lever 17. When the piston 12 completes its inward
stroke it releases the catch 16 from the tube, and spring 15 by a rod 18 attached
to the lever 13, and this allows the weight 14 to draw the gas piston 12 out and
the spring tube and lever 17 back again. Or the weight 14 and lever 13 may be
lifted by a small piston worked in a cylinder 19, Fig. M, on its up stroke by the
liquid from the accumulator or cistern, an ordinary admission and escape valve 20
being used.
Figs. N and O are views of my fourth improvement of the same principle applied
to forging hammers, stamps, pile drivers, or the like percussion machines. 1 is the
cylinder with its free piston and rod 2, with the hammer 3 at bottom. The
hammer and piston are lifted up by rods to springs in their cases 4, the rods being
attached to the cross head 5 and driven down again by the explosion of the gases
on the top of the free piston. The charging piston 6 is worked by a handle or
wheel 7, with crank 8, connecting rod 9, and lever 10. The gas supply firing and
escape being the same as in my former described arrangements. The charging
piston and wheel may be worked by being fixed to one end of a spiral spring, the
other end being kept wound up by a ratchet wheel and lever from the free piston
rod. The free piston rod may be attached to the lever of an ordinary punching,
shearing, or rivetting machine for such purposes.

page_text: Fig. P is for closing the firing hole at the moment of explosion; 1 is a small
cylinder and piston; 2 is the firing hole to large cylinder; and 3 a sliding plate
fixed to small piston rod. When the flame 4 explodes the gases in the main
cylinder the pressure communicates through the port 5 under the small piston and
drives it out, and the plate 3 closes the firing hole 2, a spring 6 drives the piston
back. The cylinders may be water jacketed. The energy of the explosion may
be absorbed by pistons attached to the cross head, and working in the spring cases
to form a vacuum instead of springs.
Fig. q is a view of my fifth improvement to governing and starting my patent
gas engines (No. 4501, A.D. 1879). I allow a portion or the whole of the gases
from the pumping side of the piston 1 to pass through a valve 2, opened by the
governor rod 3 when the speed is too high into a bladder 4, encased in a perforated
casing 5, instead of into the reservoir; on the piston's instroke these gases are drawn
into the pumping side again. When starting such engines I open a cock 6 on the
cylinder's side and allow a portion of the gases to escape through it until the piston
passes it; there is a valve 7 in the cock's passage way, which lifts and closes on
a seat by the high pressure gases on the piston's outstroke, but is too heavy for
the lighter compressed gases to close on its instroke; it has also a light valve 8 to
stop inward suction; is a light loose piston, which the entering gases propel
forward, and is replaced by the backward motion of the piston. This loose piston
is to separate the entering gases from the products of the former combustion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, 1 hereby declare that I claim,-
Firstly. Applying motive power obtained from the explosion of gases to working
lifts, hoists, or cranes, as shown in Figs. H and I, or any mere modification
thereof.
Secondly. Applying motive power obtained from the explosion of gases to
working water or other fluid pumps, as shown in Figs. J, K, L, M, or any mere
modification thereof.
Thirdly. Applying motive power obtained from the explosion of gases to
working hammers or stamps, as shown in Figs. N and O, or any mere modification
thereof.
Fourthly. The method of closing the igniting hole in gas engines, as shown in
Fig. P, or any mere modification thereof.
Fifthly. Governing the speed of gas engines by the use of a flexible bladder, as
shown in Fig. 9, or any mere modification thereof.
Sixthly. Using the cock, as shown in Fig. q, for easing the starting of gas engines,
or any miere modification thereof.
It being understood that I do not claim the details of mechanism hereinbefore
described and illustrated by tho Drawings, except as regards the use and adoption
thereof for the purposes of my said Invention, as hereinbefore set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Robson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-one.
Witness,
MATTHEW ROBSON,
15, Guest Street,
Birmingham.
JAMES ROBSON. (L.S.)