mprovements in or relating to Rotary Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1899-Accepted, 7th Oct. 1899
mprovements in or relating to Rotary Engines.
A communication from ARMAND JULIUS WELCKER, 3003, Shenandoah Street
and ELMER CAMPBELL PANCAKE, of 7, Pardland Place, both in St. Louis
State of Missouri, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 for its object to produce a rotary engine which will be free
of much of the wear and leakages incident to such machines as heretofore con-
structed.
This invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described and
pointed out in the claims.
Fig. I is an enlarged vertical section of the improved rotary engine taken on
the line I-I, Fig. XI, between the flanges and the shell and the outer head;
the disk that fits next to the outer head being omitted.
Fig. II is a detail horizontal section taken on the line II-II, Fig. I.
Fig. III is a horizontal section taken on the line III-III, Fig. I.
Fig. IV is a. view, on a small scale, of the disks and the governor ring at the
receiving end of the cylinder.
Fig. V is a side view of the governor ring removed.
Fig. VI is a detail sectional view taken on the line VI-VI, Fig. I.
Vig. VII is a detail sectional view taken on line VII-VII, Fig. I.
Fig: VIII is a vertical section taken on the line VIII-VIII, Fig. I.
Fig. IX is an inside view of the outer head of the cylinder.
Fig. X is an inside view of the piston-wheel.
Fig. XI is a side view of the engine, part in section.
Figs. XII, XIII, and XIV are detail views specifically described hereinafter.
Fig. XV is a detail section showing a modification.
1 represents a bed-plate upon which the rotary engine 2 rests.
of the engine journalled at one end in a standard 4 mounted on the bed-plate 1.
3 is the shaft
The shaft is provided with a pulley 5 for transmitting the power from the engine.
The cylinder of the engine consists of a removable outer head 6, at the exhaust
nd. and a fixed inner head 7 at the receiving end, having a shell 8 extending
ver to the outer head 6, the outer head and the shell being provided with
anges 9 to receive connecting bolts or screws 10. The head 6 has an internal
ub forming a double cam 11, the approximately figure eight shape of which is
lustrated in Figs. I and IX, and formed upon or secured to the interior of the
ead 6, near its periphery are approximately crescent shaped cams 12 that taper
utwardly in both directions. from their middle or central parts, see Figs. I
nd IX. The head 6 being fixed to the cylinder and the latter to the base or
ed plate 1, the cams 11 and 12 are stationary when the machine is running.
he width of the cam 11 is illustrated in Fig. VIII, and the width of the cams 12
shown in Fig. III. Secured to the shaft 3, within the cylinder is a piston-
heel 16 having a central recess or chamber 17 on one side to receive the cam 11
d having an annular groove 18 to receive the cams 12. Outside of the groove 18
[Price d

page_text: the piston-wheel has a peripheral rim 16, see Fig. III, that is located between
the shell 8 and the cams 12. 19 is a packing ring against which the rim 16" of
the piston-wheel bears, and which is seated in a disk 22 surrounding the cam 11
and fitting against the inner face of the head 6 of the cylinder, see Figs. II,
III and VIII 20 represents a number of radial pistons or sliding wings fitting
in radial grooves or recesses 20 made in the piston-wheel 16, see Figs. I, VIII
and X. Four of these pistons or wings have been shown. Their inner ends at
one corner against the disk 22 are provided with anti-friction rollers 21 that bear
against the periphery of the cam 11, the outer ends of the pistons or wings
bearing against and having, practically, a steam tight fit with the interior of the
rim 16 of the piston-wheel, and with the inner faces of the cams, 12 as they pass
the latter, the cam 11 being shaped, as shown in Fig. I, so that the outer ends
of the pistons or wings will be held against the interior of the rim 16ª of the
piston-wheel and against the cams 12 as the piston-wheel turns, the pistons or
wings moving endwise as they ride over the cams. The pistons or wings are of
such width that they snugly fit the space between the piston-wheel and the
disk 22, the disk being provided with a packing ring 23 against which the
pistons or wings slide. The disk does not turn with the piston-wheel and pistons
or wings. It is fitted to the cams 11 and 12 and it is provided with holes 24
that register with holes 25 that communicate with an exhaust port 25 in the
head 6. As the pistons or wings revolve with the piston-wheel, including the
rim 16ª of the latter, there is no wear between the parts, the only wear being
on the packing ring 23, which can readily be renewed, and between the pistons
or wings and the cams 11 and 12, and to compensate for this the pistons
or wings can readily be replaced when necessary, and thus provision is made for
keeping the parts tight at a comparatively small expense, and what wear there
is, is reduced to a minimum. In order to provide for a close fit between the
pistons or wings and the cams 12, at the apex of the latter, and also between
the apex of the cams and the inner wall of the groove 18. the cams 12 are bored
out and cylindrical plugs 27 located therein, see Figs. I, II and IX. Within
the plugs are loose anti-friction rollers 28 that bear against each other. The outer
roller bears against the inner face of the rim 16" of the piston-wheel and the inner
roller is engaged by the outer ends of the pistons or wings and the inner wall of
the groove 18. The plugs are set so that the rollers will stand at an angle to
the horizontal axis of the piston wheel, as shown in Figs. I and IX. The plugs
have extensions 29 passing through the head 6 and held by set screws 30. By
applying a wrench to the extensions and turning the plugs, after loosening the
set screws 30, the rollers may be moved toward the horizontal axis line of the
piston, and thus any wear of the parts can be easily and quickly taken up and a
close fit can always be maintained.
The exhaust port in the head 6 of the cylinder extends all the way around and
with it connects an exhaust pipe 31, see Fig. III.
The inner face of the head 7 is provided with an annular live steam port 32
with which connects the steam pipe 33, see Fig. III.
Between the head 7 and the back of the piston-wheel 16 are located two
disks 34 and 35, the outer disk 34 being secured to the head 7 by screws or
bolts 36, see Fig. III. and the inner disk 35 being secured to the piston 16 by
screws or bolts 37.
The piston-wheel is provided with ports 38, the inner disk 35 with ports 39
and the outer disk with ports 40, which, when registering form a communication
between the port 32 and the groove 18 in the piston-wheel. Between the disks 34
and 35 is placed a governor ring 41 having ports 42 registering with the ports 39
and 40. The ring 41 is connected. see Fig. VII, by a pin 43 and link 44 to a
crank shaft 45 journalled in the head 7 and to which is connected the shaft 40
of a suitable governor, not shown. The pin 43 fits in a slot 47 in the disk 34
so that as the governor rocks the shaft 45 it will, through the described con-

page_text: 5
the ports 38. 39 and 40 and thereby governing the speed of the engine. As the
Ting 41, thus controlling the volume of steam passing through
ports 38 and 39 pass the ports 40 and 42, as the piston wheel rotates, the engine
takes steam which enters the groove or chamber 18 of the piston-wheel on the
near side of the centers of the cams 12, at the points A, A. Fig. I. The ports are
so disposed that the steam enters as the pistons or wings 20 pass the points A, A,
and the steam being thus imprisoned between the cams 12 and the body of the
piston-wheel, that is to say the inner wall of the groove 18 which bears against
the apex of the cams behind the pistons or wings 20, propel the piston-wheel
0 forward. As the pistons or wings pass the ports 24 the engine exhausts.
In order to make the engine reversible, the disk 34 is provided, which may
be termed a reversing disk, with additional ports 50 (one on each side of the
machine), and the governor ring with additional ports 51, see Fig. VI. The
screws 36 that hold the disk 34 to the head 7 fit in slots in the head thus per-
mitting the disk 34 to be shifted to bring the ports 50 opposite the ports 51 and
as a means for thus shifting the disk a lever 52 is shown, that is connected to a
shaft 53 journalled in the head 7 of the cylinder, see Fig. VII. The shaft has a
crank 54 on its inner end that is connected by a link 55 to a pin 55ª on the
disk 34. By moving the lever the disk 34 is shifted as stated. The lever is
provided with a dog 56, see Fig. I, adapted to engage notches in a segment 57
to hold the lever and the disk 34 to their adjustment. In reversing the engine -
it is also necessary to shift the disk 35 to move its ports 39 into line with the
ports 50 and 51, in the disk 34 and ring 41 respectively. and in line with ports 58
in the piston-wheel, see Figs. III and VI. and to accomplish this, the sleeve 58"
is formed on the disk 35, see Fig. XI, through which the shaft 3 passes. To
permit the disk 35 to be shifted the screws 37 fit in slots 59 in the disk, see
Fig. IV. The sleeve is connected to the shaft 3 by a pin 60, see Fig. XIV, fitting
in a horizontal slot 61 in the shaft, see Fig. XII, and in oblique slots 62 in the
sleeve, see Fig. XIII. The ends of a pin fit in a collar 63 so that the shaft 3, the
sleeve 58 with its disk 35, and the collar 63 all turn together. To move the
disk 35 to bring its ports 39 opposite the ports 51 and 58 the collar 63 is forced
inward on the sleeve 58" thereby causing the sleeve to turn on the shaft which
carries with it the disk 35. As a means for moving the collar a lever 65 is
shown, see Figs. XI and XIV. provided with a fork 66 having projections 67 that
it in an annular groove 68 in the collar. The lever is provided with a dog 69
dapted to engage in notches in a segment 70 to hold the parts to their adjustment.
When the disks have been adjusted as described and the ports 50, 51, 39 and 58
hus brought into line, steam will enter on the other side of the apex of the
ams 12 (at B, B, Fig. I) and the piston will turn in the other direction from
hat in which it turned before these adjustments were made.
While the machine is shown and described as having two cams 12, yet it is
ident that only one or more than two may be used, the cam 11 and the supply and
xhaust ports being formed to suit the number of cams 12 that are used.
In the modification shown in Fig. XV the ports 50 in the disk 34 are made
pposite the ports 51 in the disk 41, and the disk 35 is provided with an addi-
onal port 39, which, when the disk is shifted to reverse the engine will register
th the ports 50, 51 and 58, this shifting of the disk blinding the port 38. When
e ports are thus made the disk 35 becomes the "reversing disk" and the means
shifting the disk 34 may be dispensed with and the disk held immovably
the head 7 by the screws 36.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
ention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents and in what
nner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:
A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
on-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
gs mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which

page_text: the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, and fixed outer cams against which
the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear, said peripheral rim being adapted to
rotate between the cylinder and the outer cams substantially as set forth.
2. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which
the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear; said peripheral rim being adapted to
rotate between the cylinder and the outer cams and said outer cam being tapered
outwardly in both directions from their central portion, substantially as set forth.
3. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which
the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, fixed outer cams against which the
outer ends of the pistons or wings bear, plugs located in said outer cams and
rollers located within the plugs, said peripheral rim being adapted to rotate
between the cylinder and the outer cams, substantially as set forth.
4. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel secured to the shaft, loose pistons or wings mounted radially in the
piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which the inner ends of the pistons or
wings bear, fixed outer cams against which the outer ends of the pistons or wings
bear plugs mounted in the outer cams and rollers carried by the plugs; said
plugs being provided with means for turning them and holding them to their
adjustment; substantially as set forth.
5. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and an inner wall pro-
viding an annular grove and secured to the shaft, loose pis-
tons or wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central
cam against which the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, and fixed outer
cams against which the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear; said peripheral
rim being adapted to bear on the outer wall of the outer cams, and the inner wall
of the groove being adapted to bear on the inner wall of the outer cams, sub-
stantially as set forth.
6. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim, an inner wall providing an annular groove
and a central recess and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or wings mounted
radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which the inner ends
of the pistons or wings hear, and fixed outer cams against which the outer ends of
the pistons or wings bear; the central recess receiving the central cam, and the
annular groove receiving the outer cams; substantially as set forth.
7. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim, and a central portion in which the pistons
or wings are supported and move and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or wings
mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which the inner
ends of the pistons or wings bear, and fixed outer cams against which the outer
ends of the pistons or wings bear; said peripheral rim being adapted to rotate
between the cylinder and the outer cams so as to surround the latter and the
wings, substantially as set forth.
8. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which
the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, and fixed outer cams against which
the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear; said peripheral rim surrounding
said pistons or wings and the outer cams, substantially as set forth.
9. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a central recess, a body portion, an annular groove outside
said body portion, and a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons
or wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a fixed central cam against which

page_text: the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear; and fixed outer cams against which
the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear; said central recess receiving the
central cam, said body portion supporting and guiding the pistons or wings, said
annular groove receiving the outer cams, and said peripheral rim surrounding
the pistons or wings and the outer cams; substantially as set forth.
10. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
wings mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a cylinder head formed with a fixed
central cam against which the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, and with
fixed outer cams against which the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear; said
peripheral rim being adapted to rotate between the cylinder and the outer cams;
substantially as set forth.
11. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, loose pistons or
wings having anti-friction rollers and mounted radially in the piston-wheel, a
fixed central cam against which the inner ends of the pistons or wings bear, and
fixed outer cams against which the outer ends of the pistons or wings bear; said
peripheral rim being adapted to rotate between the cylinder and the outer cams;
substantially as set forth.
12. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, and inner and
outer disks provided with ports and located between the receiving head of the
cylinder and said piston-wheel, substantially as set forth.
13. A rotary engine, comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel, having a peripheral rim and secured to the shaft, and inner and
outer disks located between the receiving head of the said cylinder and said
piston-wheel, and which are provided with ports and means for shifting said
disks, whereby the engine may be reversed, substantially as set forth.
14. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder, a shaft traversing the cylinder, a
piston-wheel secured to the shaft, disks located between the receiving head of the
cylinder and said piston-wheel, and which are provided with ports, and a governor
ring provided with ports and located between said disks, substantially as set forth.
15. A rotating engine comprising a cylinder, an inner cylinder head formed
with an annular port, an outer cylinder head formed with an annular port having
outer ports, with a central cam, of approximately figure eight shape and with
outer cams of approximately crescent-shape, the bearing disk having outlet
ports and surrounding the central cam and outer cams and fitting against the
inner face of the outer cylinder-head, the piston-wheel formed with an annular
body portion, with a central recess for the central cam, with radial grooves, with
an annular groove for the outer cams, with a peripheral rim and with ports
located between the annular body and the peripheral rim, the radial pistons
adapted to slide in the radial grooves, and rotating with the piston-wheel while
being reciprocated by the cams, the inner disk having ports and secured to the
piston-wheel, the outer disk having ports and secured to the inner cylinder-head
and the governor ring between the inner and outer disks, substantially as set
forth.
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