IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British
and Foreign Patent Offices, 59, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire
of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF
MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."-A com-
munication from Jacques Belon, residing at Lyons, Civil Engineer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 14th April 1860, pursuant to the 9th Section of
the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PRODUCTION OF MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
(communicated to me by Jacques Belou, residing at Lyons, Civil Engineer,)
and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and made solemn
declaration that it is a communication.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification under my hand and
seal fully describes and ascertains the nature of the Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereou, that is to say:-
The Invention communicated to me relates to improvements in the appli-
[PS4]

page_text: cation of heated compressed air to the production of motive power, and in
the apparatus by means of which this power is developed and rendered
available for general purposes.
66
In engines constructed on this principle, (called by the Inventor
gazomotors,") the air being thrown by a force pump into a closed furnace
is instantaneously heated, partly by contact with the ignited fuel, partly
by its combination with the gaseous products of the combustion, and from
thence passes into a cylinder in which it exercises its expansive force.
The pressure on the driving piston depends, 1stly, on the relation exist-
ing between the capacity of the forcing pump and that of the cylinder;
2dly, on the degree of expansion (" detente") at which the air is employed;
3dly, on the degree of temperature to which it is raised.
In supposing the dilatation due to the working temperature to double or
triple the original volume of the air, the impelling power of the cylinder
will double or triple the resisting power of the pump, and the difference
between the two will constitute the available motive force.
Like ordinary engines, the "gazomotors" admits of almost indefinite
variety in form, dimensions, and general details. It may, according, to
circumstances, comprise one or several furnaces, one or several pumps, and
one or several cylinders, and may be constructed on the vertical, horizontal,
inclined, oscillating, or other known system.
Plates 1, 2, Figs. 1, 2, of the accompanying Drawings, represent the
principal views of an application of the present improvements to the
construction of marine engines.
A, A, A, A, are two closed furnaces; B, B, B, foundation plate; C, C, C, C,
are two driving cylinders; E, E, E, E, two forcing pumps; F, F, main
shaft corresponding with the screw; G,G,distributing box, containing four
inlet and four outlet valves. These eight valves receive their movement
from a series of cams mounted on the main shaft at the point H. These cams
are so arranged as to produce on the working of the small fly-wheel I, the
forward and backward motions, the variations of expansion gear, and the
stoppages. The two shafts, J,J, on which the levers are mounted, may to this
end slide on their supports, and thus bring the levers in front of the corre
sponding parts of the cams. Fig. 3, Pl. 1, represents a transversal section of
this arrangement. The rods K, K, K, K, which transmit to the valves the
movement of the levers, are guided in the settings L, L, and balanced by
means of springs. If so desired, the outer head of each lever may be made to
slide in a lateral slot in the rod, or the lever heads may themselves be slotted
so as to slide on the fixing point ("point d'attache") of each rod. 1, 1,(Pl. 1,

page_text: Fig. 1,) are the outlet cams, forward motion; 2, 2, backward motion; 3, 3,
are the inlet cams, forward motion; 4, 4, backward motion; 5, 5, 5, 5, the
stoppages.
M, M, are two pipes carrying the air from the pumps to the furnaces.
This air passing by the tubulures N, N, circulates in the casings, and
penetrates to the interior of the furnaces, partly under the grates, and
partly behind them into the space traversed by the flame in which they
meet. 0, 0, conduits carrying the heated air and gases to the distributing
chest, and from thence to the cylinders during the movement, or to the flue P,
during the lighting up and stoppages. The communication with the flue
is intercepted by means of the register P¹ and the lever Q. The escape from
the cylinders may be effected in the flue above the register by means of
the outlet pipes R, R. The air may be taken by the pumps either outside
or within the engine room, and may be thrown either directly into the
furnace, or into an intermediate reservoir; S, S, are two stop-cocks by
which the communication with one or other of the furnaces may be inter-
cepted at will; T, T, stop valves for the same purpose.
The first movements of the engine are produced by means of a supply of
cold air compressed in an auxiliary reservoir by the hand pump U, Fig. 2,
Pl. 1, and from thence admitted to the furnaces at the desired moment (if
preferred the free cavities of the columns and foundation plate may be
arranged to serve as recipients for this purpose). This reservoir, the com-
munication of which with the furnaces may be maintained during the
working of the engine, will consequently always contain a supply of com-
pressed air, which may be readily kept independent by intercepting its
communication with the other parts of the apparatus, to serve in cases of
change of movement, or for setting on after stoppages.
Instead of the above arrangement the starting may be effected by a small
assistant engine, which, set in motion without the aid of an air reservoir,
may be worked by the heat of the furnaces themselves, and accumulate in
these latter the excess of air delivered by its pump, until the pressure
becomes sufficient for the first movements of the main apparatus.
The fires being lighted in the furnaces, the chimney and its issues are
hermetically closed, and the "setting on" reservoir charged with air com-
pressed to, say, for instance, from two to three atmospheres. The distribution
being at the starting point, it is evident that on opening the communication
between the reservoir and the furnace, the air will rush into the latter, and
acting on the driving piston will set the engine in motion. The pumps come
into play at the same time, and the air forced by them into the furnaces passes

page_text: in its turn to the driving cylinders, and keeps up the movement commenced.
After their escape from the cylinders, the hot air and gases may be turned to
account for heating the air delivered by the pumps, by means of a heating
apparatus presenting a large surface of contact. They may also be economised
for general heating, drying, or evaporating purposes. In certain cases the
heat of the air and gases escaping from the cylinders may be applied to
the evaporation of water in tubular heaters, and the resulting steam be
mixed with the air thrown by the pumps into the furnaces. The furnaces
of the engine may vary considerably in form, may be fitted with fixed or
moveable grates, and may be with or without casings as required.
Figure 2,Pl. 2,is a longitudinal section of one of the furnaces of the engine
above described; the transversal sections are represented by A, A, A, A,
Fig. 1, Pl. 2; U¹, U¹, is a fixed grate with ordinary bars; V is the fire
door; X is another door communicating with the ash-box, and serving for
the draught during the lighting up and stoppages; Y, Y, fire-bridge in
masonry or in cast iron, with a refractory coating on the parts exposed to
the action of the fire. This fire-bridge may be hollow, and give passage to
a small quantity of air to aid the combustion of the smoke. Z, Z, refractory
partitions which free the flame and gases from their solid matters; a, spaces
closed by the door b, b, and receiving the solid matters given up by the
gases; c, entry of the casing for the air delivered by by the pump; d, opening
giving passage to the portion of air which traverses the fuel,and serves to feed
and accelerate the combustion; e, another opening giving passage to the air
which mingles with the flame. Its area is increased or reduced by the register
f, and the lever g, g, acted on by a pressure or speed regulator, or even by
the hand. In this way the temperature may be maintained or modified at
will, as the air, having a double passage from the casing to the interior of
the furnace, divides in each direction in proportion to the resistance with
which it meets. A similar register or a valve of any suitable kind may be
placed at the point d, and act conjointly with the arrangement above described.
h, h, h, h, is a lining formed of refractory masonry or clay, protecting the
inner metallic surfaces from the action of the fire; i, i, i, is a fuel feeder,
acted on by a rack and endless screw, receiving their movement from the
engine itself, or from any other suitable contrivance.
The fuel falling on the turn platej, j, the inclination of which is regulated
by the movement, spreads uniformly over the entire surface of the grate.
This feeding apparatus may be mounted either length or crossways, and one
or several may be adapted to each furnace. The cinders may be withdrawn by
means of an arrangement of the same kind, placed under the ash-box. The

page_text: grates may be cleaned by mixing with the fuel a suitable quantity of car
bonate of lime or other flux, according to the nature of the scoria produced.
The feeding apparatus may communicate with the fuel store, and its move-
ment vary according to the quantity of fuel consumed in the working of the
engine. The joints should be closed by interposed strips of copper, or by
a mixture of clay and iron filings with an alkali, to which may be added a
small quantity of asbestos. Figs. 5, 6, Pl. 2, represent a system of ports
or closings. Figs. 7, 8, represent a system of moveable grates, the bars of
which are square, and fitted at one extremity with a circular toothing,
corresponding with an endless screw. Figure 9 represents another form of
fuel feeder. This arrangement is composed of a case in which the fuel is placed
fitted below with a hollow stop-cock, intercepting the communication with
the interior of the furnace during the charging. The upper part is closed by a
port similar to those of the furnaces. In the interior of the stop-cock is
adjusted a small cylinder with a slanting base, the rotation of which pushes
the fuel into the furnace. It will be understood that this apparatus may be
placed either above or in front of the furnace, that its dimensions may vary,
and that it may be worked either by the hand or by the engine itself. If desired
the pushing cylinder may be replaced by a screw or other analogous arrange-
ment. Figure 10 represents another form of furnace, in which the com-
bustion is reversed. Figures 11, 12, shew the form of the driving pistons.
The system of packing is the same for all, whether they be intended for
horizontal or vertical engines, and in either case the lubricating matter is
passed to the interior of the piston, from whence it spreads round the circular
gorge K¹, K. The pistons represented in Figs. 1, Pl. 1, 2, are fitted at the
centre with a small hollow rod, sliding in a stuffing box and provided with an
oil reservoir. By this rod the lubricating matter passes to the spaces m, m,
and from thence by the cavities n, n, to the gorge K', K¹. It is evident
that by this arrangement, the oil being placed in the reservoir above, a
portion of it will pass at each stroke into the hollow rod, and that a con
tinuous lubrication will be obtained. It is needless to add that the same
end may be obtained by modifications of the above arrangement.
In the piston for horizontal engines shewn in Figure 12, the lubricating
matter is introduced by the stop-cock 01, 0', to the gorge K', K', along which
it flows till it reaches the aperture p,from whence it penetrates to the interior.
In this way by introducing a supply sufficient for a certain length of time, the
air enclosed in the free cavity of the piston being heated in the movement of
the engine, exercises a pressure on the oily matter which forces it upwards
'

page_text: The driving cylinders may be constructed with or without jackets. The
jackets of those represented in Figs. 1, Pl. 1 2, communicate on one side
with the pumps by the pipes 7, q, and on the other with the distribution
chest by the pipes 1, 1.
The circulation of air thus established has the
advantage of increasing the solidity of the working parts, and preventing
undue radiation of heat to the outside. The lower part of the cylinders
is provided with a circular gorge 1, l, serving as recipient to the waste
matters detached from the inner surfaces during the working of the engine; a
similar. should be reserved above the pistons or at the upper part of
gorge
the cylinders. These gorges should be cleaned out when filled, but their
dimensions should be such as to avoid the too frequent necessity for this
operation. The liquid waste matters are drawn off by a discharge cock.
The distribution may be effected by valves or slides of the ordinary form.
The valves or slides employed should be so arranged as to present vertical
surfaces of contact, in order to avoid obstruction by the solid matters carried
over by the gases. Instead of a single slide, a series of four inay be
adopted, two entry and two eduction. These slides may also be provided
with several apertures, so that their range may be reduced, while an
equivalent area is preserved for the passage of the gases.
Fig. 6, Pl. 1, represents a system of slides with internal lubrication. The
lubricating matter is introduced by the rod, as above explained, for the pistons
and spreads between the surfaces of the contact. The valve settings should
be bevelled off, and present but a small surface of contact. These valves may
either be acted on directly by their connecting shaft and by the side, as seen in
Figs. 3, 4, Pl. 1, so as to dispense with packings or indirectly by means of
a cross lever, as shewn in Fig. 5, Pl. 1. The pump valves may be formed with
several orifices, as in s, s, Fig. 1, Pl. 1, so as to lower their range without
decreasing their delivering surface. If preferred, they may be replaced by
slides. The packings should be formed of fine plaited brass or copper wires,
as in Figs. 13, 14, Pl. 2. The piston packings may be composed of similar
plaited tresses fitted into circular gorges formed as in Figs. 15, 16, 17. The
furnace registerf is acted on by a speed or pressure regulator. When the
latter is adopted, an elastic plate is mounted on one of the pump conduits, on
the casing of the furnace, or even on the reservoir. The movement of this
plate produced by the pressure exerted beneath brings the register into
play. The same means may be employed to regulate the expansion gear of
the cylinders,and maintain its relation with the pressure; it will be understood
that in coupled engines the pumps may be worked directly or indirectly by the

page_text: cylinder rods or by the cranks, and that especially with engines inclined
at right angles, the coupling of the pumps on the same crank presents the
double advantage of simplicity and economy of space.
Plate 3 represents an application of the Invention to the construction of
locomotives. In this Plate the connecting rods are shewn outside the wheels,
but, as will be readily understood, many other arrangements may be adopted.
The locomotive may, for instance, be fitted with cranked shafts; the driving
cylinders may be placed at one side of the shaft and the pumps at the other,
the latter may be acted on directly by the cylinder rods or by cranks working
by the same shaft; a series of three cylinders may be placed on one side, and two
pumps on the other; two of these cylinders acting on the axle ends ("manetons"),
and the third on the cranked shaft; a series of four cylinders and four pumps
may be adopted, or again two large cylinders placed one on each side of the
cranked shaft, and each followed by a pump worked by the piston rod; both
cylinders and pumps may be inclined, oscillating &c.; one or several furnaces
may be employed, and, lastly, the frame of the engine may be so arranged as
to serve as air reservoirs for the starting. The vignettes A, B, C, represent
in view, section, and plan, a practical application of one of these systems.
It is impossible to enumerate the different arrangements and modifications
which may be adopted in the construction, but in these locomotives, as in
the marine and other engines, the special forms of the different parts should
by as far as possible followed as above laid down.
Having thus described the nature of the said improvements, and the
manner of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood, that I do
not confine myself to the precise details above enumerated, as these may
obviously be modified without departing from the principle of the Inven-
tion, according to the special construction and intended applications of the
engiues in which they are adopted; but what I claim is, the production of
motive force for general purposes by means of air compressed, heated, and
distributed in and by apparatus constructed substantially as above described,
and represented in the different Figures of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
M. F. MENNONS. (L.S.)