Year: 1897

page_text: ROLAND HARRY RIDOUT, Parkstone, Sunbury, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in machines for utilizing fluid pressure for
the production of rotary motion.
According to my invention I construct what is hereinafter called a "frame." Part
of the frame consists of a central shaft supported on suitable bearings in such a
manner that the whole may freely revolve.
The shaft is hollow from end to end or for a portion of its length only, according
to the manner of its employment as hereinafter describe.l.
Upon the frame and disposed at right angles with its axis is fixed a pair of
cylinders which are most conveniently disposed in the same plane and with a common
axis intersecting the axis of the frame. Each cylinder is fitted with a piston or
plunger provided with any of the attachments usually employed for transferring the
motion of a piston to a crank but the method I prefer consists in arranging two
plungers in a straight line & rigidly connecting them to a slotted link placed
between them, the slot being at right angles to the motion of the plungers. By
this disposition each plunger acts as a guide for the other and also the notion of the
plungers imparts circular motion to the frame as hereinafter shown in
advantageous manner.
an
To a support outside the frame there is fixed a cylindrical pin whose axis lies
parallel with, & at a distance from the axis of the frame equal to half the effective
stroke of the pistons or plungers. This pin enters the hollow shaft of the frame and
engages with the slotted link already described the hole in the shaft is of such size
that it may work free of the cylindrical pin.
As the cylinders form part of the frame they consequently partake of its circular
notion when the frame revolves I utilize this fact for the operation of the feed and
eduction ports of the motor as follows.
The radial end of each cylinder forms in itself, or is in direct communication with
a port in a cylindrical or discoidal face forming a part of the frame and partaking of
its motion. Each such port is hereinafter called a "revolving port." In close
working contact with the cylindrical or discoidal face is a fixed valve face having a
feed port on one side and an eduction port on the other side of its axis of evolution
corresponding in position with the path of the revolving ports and of such length
measured along such path that feed & eduction may be operated during a
predetermined fraction of the stroke of the pistons or plungers.
Let now the cylindrical pin be fixed in its normal position, that is, in such position
that the revolving ports face the interval separating the fixed ports, the pistons or
plungers are in the extreme positions of instroke and outstroke respectively. If now
the feed port is connected to a source of fluid pressure of sufficient magnitude the
frame will revolve upon its shaft and the object of my invention be attained. When
the motor has been adjusted to revolve in a particular direction, reversal of this
motion will ensue on shifting the cylindrical pin to a corresponding position on the

page_text: other side of the axis of the frame. This shifting of the cylindrical pin may be
effected by attaching it to a plate carried on a revolving axle hereinafter called the
crank plate capable of revolution (a) about an axis coincident with that of the frame &
provided with any suitable means for clamping it in any positions suited to the
purposes of its employment.
The crank plate may thus be clamped in such a position that feed & eduction may
operate in advance of the normal positions of the pistons or plungers resulting in what
is known as "lead in high speed engines of ordinary construction.
66
In
(b) Disposing the crank plate so that its axis is parallel with, but removed from the
axis of the frame. It will be seen that the crank plate may be supported in such a
position that the cylindrical pin may describe a path passing near to or through the axis
of the frame during the operation of reversing the motion of the motor and it will be
evident that with this arrangement the stroke of the pistons or plungers will be lessened
or increased according as the cylindrical pin occupies a position near to or far from
the axis of the frame. It will be further seen that this affords a means by which,
when the motive agent is an incompressible fluid such as water, the consumption of the
motive agent may be proportioned to the external work required from the motor
without variation in the speed of the motor. The work is taken off the motor by (a) any
of the methods usually employed to utilize circular motion for external work (b) form-
ing an eye " in the centre of the slotted link to engage with a crank of suitable
throw, the axis of the crank shaft being supported parallel with the axis of the frame.
The plungers are prevented from turning within the cylinders by forming the slotted
link to work in suitable guides or by so altering the disposition of slotted link &
plungers that though the plungers remain in the same plane as before their axes are
separated by a sufficient interval to prevent them from turning upon a common axis
within their cylinders & disposing the cylinders to suit their altered arrangement or
by any means in common use to effect a like purpose. It will be found that the
centre of the slotted link moves in a closed curve in a plane at right angles to the axis
of the frame and makes two circuits while any particle in the frame makes one.
cases where the work is taken from the periphery of the frame the shaft of the frame
is preferably made hollow throughout & the cylindrical pin supported at both ends.
In cases where the power is taken off the axis of the frame the cylindrical pin
is supported at one end in the manner first described. It is evident that consistently
with the nature of my invention more than one pair of cylinders may be mounted on
the frame and generally I prefer to employ two such pairs disposed at right angles
with each other. In cases where the motor is provided with the reversing gear as
hereinbefore described and it is desired to vary the fraction of the stroke of the pistons
or plungers at which the motive agent is cut off, I form the feed ports in the fixed valve
face of a series of holes disposed along the path of the motion of the revolving ports
each such hole separately communicates with the side of a hollow cylinder closed at
each end hereinafter called the "cut-off-cylinder." At two points in the length of the
cut-off-cylinder and equidistant from its centre there are free communications with
the source of motive power & closely fitting in the cut-off-cylinder and operated from
without with a rod passing through a stuffing box is a piston or plunger of just
sufficient length to cover both the free communications at the same time.
If now
the piston or plunger be moved in either direction one of the free communications
will be uncovered and a way provided for the motive agent to act through a fraction of
the revolution of the frame corresponding with the number of holes uncovered.
will be seen that when the cylindrical pin is moved into the opposite position for
reversing the motor as already described it will also be necessary to shift the piston or
plunger in the cut-off-cylinder to the other side of its central position, as otherwise
the cylinders would be cut off from the source of motive power in the early part of
the stroke. In the construction of motors according to my invention I use iron,
steel, brass, gun metal or other materials suited to the wear & strains to which the
several parts are subjected.
Dated this 13th day of August 1897.
It

page_text: I, ROLAND HARRY RIDOUT, of Parkstone, Sunbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in machines for utilising fluid pressure for
the production of rotary motion.
According to my invention I construct what is hereinafter called a "frame." Part
of the frame consists of a central shaft supported on suitable bearings in such manner
that the whole may freely revolve. The shaft is hollow from end to end or for a
portion of its length only according to the manner of its employment as hereinafter
described. Upon the "frame" and disposed at right angles with its axis is fixed a
pair of cylinders, which are most conveniently in the same plane and with a common
axis intersecting the axis of the frame. Each cylinder is fitted with a piston or
plunger provided with any of the attachments usually employed for transferring the
inotion of a piston to a crank but the method I prefer consists in arranging two
plungers in a straight line and rigidly connecting them to a slotted link placed
between them, the slot being at right angles to the motion of the plungers. By this
disposition each plunger acts as a guide for the other and also the motion of the
plungers imparts circular motion to the frame as hereinafter shown in an advantageous
manner.
To a support outside the frame there is fixed a cylindrical pin whose axis lies
parallel with and at a distance from the axis of the frame equal to half the effective
stroke of the pistons or plungers. This pin enters the hollow shaft of the frame and
engages with the slotted link already described. The hole in the shaft is of such size
that it may work free of the cylindrical pin.
As the cylinders form part of the frame they consequently partake of its circular
motion when the frame revolves. I utilize this fact for the operation of the feed and
eduction ports of the motor as follows.
The radial end of each cylinder forms in itself or is in direct communication with
a port in a cylindrical or discoidal face forming a part of the frame and partaking of
its motion. Each such port is hereinafter called a "revolving port."
In close working contact with the cylindrical or discoidal face is a fixed valve face
having a feed port on one side and an eduction port on the other side of its axis of
revolution corresponding in position with the path of the revolving ports and of such
length measured along such path that feed and eduction may be operated during a
Let now the
predetermined fraction of the stroke of the pistons or plungers.
cylindrical pin be fixed in its normal position, that is, in such position that while the
revolving ports face the intervals separating the fixed ports the pistons or plungers
are in the extreme positions of instroke and outstroke respectively. If now the feed
port be connected to a source of fluid pressure of sufficient inagnitude the frame will
revolve upon its shaft and the object of my invention be attained.
When the motor has been adjusted to revolve in a particular direction reversal of
this motion will ensue on shifting the cylindrical pin to a corresponding position on
the other side of the axis of the frame. This shifting of the cylindrical pin may be
effected by attaching it to a plate carried on a revolving axle hereinafter called the
"crank plate" capable of revolution about an axis co-incident with that of the frame
and provided with any suitable means for clamping it in any positions suited to the
purpose of its employment.
The crank plate may thus be clamped in such a position that feed and eduction

page_text: may operate in advance of the normal position of the pistons or plungers resulting in
what is known as "lead" in high speed engines of the ordinary construction. Or the
shifting of the cylindrical pin may be effected by disposing the crank plate so that
its axis is parallel with but removed from the axis of the frame. It will be seen that
the crank plate may be supported in such a position that the cylindrical pin may
describe a path passing near to or or through the axis of the frame during the operation
of the reversing of the motion' of the motor and it will be evident that with this
arrangement the stroke of the pistons or plungers will be lessened or increased
according as the cylindrical pin occupies a position near to or far from the axis of the
frame. It will further be seen that this affords a meaus by which, when the motive
agent is an incompressible fluid such as water, the consumption of the motive agent
may be proportioned to the external work required from the notor without variation
in the speed of the motor. The work is taken off the motor by any of the methods
usually employed to utilize circular motion for external work, or by forming an "
eye
in the centre of the slotted link to engage with a crank of suitable throw, the axis of
the crank shaft being supported parallel with the axis of the frame. The plungers are
prevented from turning in their cylinders by forming the slotted link to work in
suitable guides or by so altering the disposition of slotted link and plungers that
though the plungers remain in the same plane as before their axes are separated by a
sufficient interval to prevent them from turning upon a common axis within their
cylinders and disposing the cylinders to suit this altered arrangement, or by any
means in common use to effect a like purpose. It will be found that the centre of the
slotted link moves in a closed curve in a plane at right angles to the axis of the frame
and makes two circuits while any particle of the frame makes one circuit.
""
In cases where the work is taken from the periphery of the frame the shaft of the
frame is preferably made hollow throughout and the cylindrical pin supported at both
ends. In cases where the power is taken off the axis of the frame the cylindrical
pin is supported at one end in the manner first described. It is evident that con-
sistently with the nature of my invention more than one pair of cylinders may be
mounted on the frame, and generally I prefer to employ two such pairs disposed at
right angles with each other.
In cases where the motor is provided with the reversing gear as hereinbefore des-
cribed and it is desired to vary the fraction of the stroke of the pistons or plungers
at which the motive agent is cut off, I form the feed port in the fixed valve face of a
series of holes disposed along the path of the motion of the revolving ports. Each
such hole separately communicates with the side of a hollow cylinder closed at each
end hereinafter called the "cut off cylinder." At two points in the length of the
cut off cylinder and equidistant from its centre there are free communications with
the source of motive power. Closely fitting in the cut off cylinder and operated
from without by a rod passing through a stuffing box is a piston or plunger of just
sufficient length to cover both the free communications at the same time.
If now
the piston or plunger be moved in either direction one of the free communications
will be uncovered and a way provided for the motive agent to act through a fraction
of the revolution of the frame corresponding with the number of holes uncovered.
It will be seen that when the cylindrical pin is moved into the opposite position
for reversing the motor as already described, it will also be necessary to shift the
piston or plunger in the cut off cylinder to the other side of its central position, as
otherwise the cylinders would be cut off from the source of motive power in the early
part of the stroke.
In the construction of motors according to my invention I use iron, steel, brass,
gun metal or other materials suited to the wear and strain to which the several parts
are subjected.
Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical sections taken respectively in planes at right
angles to one another of an engine or motor constructed according to my invention
to be worked by steam and Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the same taken on
the dotted line x, x Figure 1 when the cylinder of the engine is vertical,

page_text: Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 represent modifications or additions necessary when it is
desired to be able to vary the "lead," or to reverse the direction of rotation of the
engine or where the engine is to be worked by water or other incompressible fluid
under pressure.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of the
drawing.
I will first describe the steam engine Figures 1, 2 and 3.
a is the frame carrying the steam cylinders 6 and plungers f,f the cylinders being
conterminous and made preferably in one piece with the frame a as is best seen in
The shaft c
Figure 1. The axis of the cylinder b crosses the frame a as a diameter.
upon the axis of which the frame a rotates on the working of the engine is made
preferably in one piece with the frame. To the shaft c the fly wheel d of the engine
is keyed in any of the ordinary ways. A portion of the shaft c is made preferably
slightly conical (see Figures 2 and 3) so as to provide means for taking up the effects
of wear in the way hereinafter particularly described, and the part a² of the frame a
is made of a hollow conical figure for the same purpose.
The two plungers f, f working in the cylinders b are made in the form of one
continuous plunger in which a transverse slot is made. The whole forming a
system which is rigid to compression and flexure within the limits of its employment.
The said continuous plunger f constitutes a slotted link and acting in combination
with a fixed pin h, which engages in the slot g, gives rise to the circular or rotary
motion of the frame hereinafter described. The frame a is contained by and rotates
in a closed chamber the lower half of which is accurately finished for the frame a to
fit therein the finished face constituting the fixed valve face of the steam inlet port
of the cylinder b. The upper half of the casing has a diameter somewhat greater
than the frame a the space between the upper half of the casing and the frame a
constituting the exhaust space from which the exhaust pipe or passage 8 passes. The
frame a is supported by the parts e, i of the casing, bearing brasses or bushes t, u being
introduced between the parts e, i respectively and the shaft c and part 2 of the frame.
The brass t has a hollow conical figure internally corresponding to that of the conical
part of the shaft c and the brass u has a figure externally corresponding to that of
of the hollow conical part a² of the frame. When it is desired to re-adjust the
bearings to compensate for wear the bushes or brasses t, u are forced further inwards
by adjusting screws marked u², u², 12, 12 respectively or by other well known means.
The open ends of the cylinder b constitute revolving ports acting alternately as feed
ports and eduction or exhaust ports. Openings m¹, m², m³, are formed in the fixed
valve face through which openings steam supplied by the feed pipe o and passage n
is admitted to the steam cylinders b. The steam passage n is provided with a feed
regulating piston p actuated by means of a spindle q passing through stuffing boxes
and actuated from without by levers or other mechanical means not shown in the
drawing.
As
Suppose the frame a, carrying the cylinders and plungers f, is in the position
shown in Figure 1 and the feed regulating piston p is moved to the right in the
figure so as to expose the opening into one or more of the passages m³, m², m³, .the
steam from the feed pipe o passes from n through m¹ to the underside of plunger f.
and thereby tends to force the plunger f in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.
As the pin his fixed any motion of the plunger f in this direction results in the
formation of a mechanical couple tending to turn the frame a in the direction
contrary to that of the hands of a watch.
this motion proceeds the
passages m², m³, are successively opened and are available for a further supply of
steam to the underside of the plunger f which owing to the disposition of the parts
as described is forced along the cylinder b. It will be seen that after the end of the
cylinder now open to the feed port or ports has passed the opening m³ steam is cut
off by the face of k and whatever steam is contained within the cylinder acts
expansively until the advancing edge of the cylinder reaches the point marked r
when the steam contained in the cylinder begins to escape into the exhaust chamber

page_text: from which it escapes by the exhaust pipe s. As the motion further proceeds the
other end of the cylinder reaches the point where it opens communication with
the inlet port m¹ when the above mentioned cycle of operations is repeated. If the
feed regulating piston p is in such a position that either of the passages m², m³ are
entirely closed a smaller quantity of steam will be admitted into the cylinder and
a varying degree of expansive working will result. Still further control may be
obtained upon the degree of expansion from the piston p being in such a position
as to only partially open one or other of the above mentioned passages. The steam
when discharged into the chamber may be. led away by the exhaust pipe 8 to the
condenser or otherwise disposed of.
Where it is desired that the stroke of the plungers shall be equal to or exceed the
diameter of the plungers the arrangement Figures 1, 2 and 3 is modified as follows.
The slotted link is made of the proper dimensions which necessitates the combined
slotted link and plungers having a cruciform shape and so much of the cylinders
at their inner ends is removed as will permit the slotted link to execute its
stroke.
I will now proceed to describe the modifications or additions necessary where it
is desired to reverse the motion of the engine or where it is desired to vary the
effective stroke of the plungers for the economical working of the engine by water or
other incompressible fluid under pressure.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively an elevation and section of one arrangement
of my invention for this purpose and Figures 6 and 7 are respectively an elevation
and cross section of another or modified arrangement for effecting the same
object.
I will first describe the arrangement Figures 4 and 5.
I mount the pin h on a crank plate or toothed quadrant ¹ capable of an angular
motion. The said toothed quadrant is operated by a hand wheel H on a worm shaft
H' the worm H2 on which engages the teeth of the toothed quadrant h¹. On the
turning or angular motion of the toothed quadrant ¹ the pin his moved nearer to
or further from or to one side or other of the axis of the rotating frame a.
In the arrangement Figures 6 and 7 lateral displacement of the pin h is provided
by mounting the said pin h upon a sliding block v projecting from a dovetail slide w
moving in guides secured to the chamber containing the working parts. The dovetail
slide wis actuated by means of the screw y controlled by the hand wheel z, or is
otherwise actuated. By means of the hand wheel z and the screw y the pin h can be
fixed in any position laterally to the one side or the other of the centre of motion of
the frame a and it will be seen by reference to Figure I that the nearer the pin his
placed in the centre of motion of the frame the sinaller will be the extent of the
travel of the plunger f within the cylinder b, that is to say, the shorter will be
the working stroke of the motor. Further it will be seen that if the pin h in Figure 1
be moved to the right of the centre of motion that the direction of revolution caused
by the working fluid will be changed. To effect this change of direction however the
lower side of the inner face of the casing k must be provided on the right hand side
with passages for the admission of the working fluid corresponding in position to the
passages m¹, m², m³ shown upon the left hand side in Figure 1. In the case of
the motive agent being water or other incompressible fluid the piston p is dispensed
with. In the case of the motive agent being steam or other compressible fluid the
inlet at o is closed and two other inlets in free communication with the source of
motive power provided; that is, one inlet into n on each side of the central dotted
line shown in Figure 1 and at such a distance apart that when the piston p is
moved to the central point of its travel it will just cover both inlets.
In controlling the admission of compressible working fluid to the cylinder and
plunger the piston p must be moved to the one side or the other according to
the direction in which the motion is desired to take place. These necessary
modifications will be however clearly apparent from an inspection of the disposition
of the parts shown in Figure 1.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I claim
as my invention:—
First In a motor actuated by fluid pressure the combination with cylinders
mounted transversely in a rotating frame of an externally supported cylindrical pin
engaging a slotted link rigidly joining a pair of plungers the said plungers working
in the said cylinders substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
and illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and of the accompanying drawing.
Secondly In a motor actuated by fluid pressure of the kind claimed in the prior
claim making the pair of cylinders conterminous and preferably in one piece with the
rotating frame and also making the pair of plungers for working in the pair of
cylinders in the form of one continuous plunger and slotted transversely at the
middle substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
Thirdly-In a motor actuated by fluid pressure the arrangement of a pair of
cylinders opening at the opposite sides of a frame rotating in a chamber one half of
which fits the frame and has passages constituting the inlet ports for the fluid under
pressure the other half of the chamber being somewhat larger than the frame the
space between them constituting the exhaust space substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Fourthly: In a notor actuated by fluid pressure substantially of the kind claimed
in the prior claims the modification or additions herein before described and illustrated
in Figures 4 and 5 whereby the direction of rotation may be reversed and the effected
stroke of the, plungers varied for the economical working of the engine by water or
other incompressible fluid pressure the said modifications or additions consisting of a
crank plate or toothed quadrant carrying the pin working in the slotted link in
combination with a worm and hand wheel on the worm shaft substantially as described
and illustrated.
Fifthly In a motor actuated by fluid pressure substantially of the kind claimed
in the prior claims the modifications or additions hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figures 6 and 7 whereby the direction of rotation may be reversed and the effective
stroke of the plungers varied for the economical working of the engine by water or
other incompressible fluid under pressure the said modifications or additions consisting
of a dovetail slide actuated by a screw or otherwise actuated the said slide carrying a
block carrying the fixed pin on which the slot of the plunger or slotted link works
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 4; 5 and 6 of the
accompanying drawing.
Sixthly: In a motor actuated by steam or other compressible fluid under pressure
of the kind claimed in the prior claims the combination of a cut off cylinder forming
part of the inlet passage such cut off cylinder being provided with a piston operated
from without substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing.
1000