Improvements in or Appertaining to Machinery. Applicable for Use as a Motor, a Pump, a Blower, or a Fluid Meter.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in or Appertaining to Machinery. Applicable for Use
as a Motor, a Pump, a Blower, or a Fluid Meter.
I, THOMAS GEORGE REDSTONE, of 57, Miranda Road, Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster, Millwright-Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a rotary apparatus that if fed by fluid under
pressure becomes a motor, if placed in the path of gentle current becomes a meter, if
run with power and fed with a fluid under little or no pressure beyond that required
to cause the fluid to enter, becomes a pump or blower, the construction in all cases
being practically the same, though of course the parts are much stronger when used
as a motor or force pump than when used simply as a meter.
The invention consists of two cylinders, one inside the other with parallel axes not
concentric with each other. The periphery of the inner cylinder, preferably almost
touches the other at one point of the circumference throughout the length-Smooth
flat cylinder ends or ends turned to suit enclose the inner cylinder, but a central shaft
forming its axis projects through. A series of flaps are hinged to the inner cylinder
all round, each extends the entire distance across and is curved to the same cylindrical
contour as the cylinder. When closed up against the latter the flaps form a smooth
cylindrical surface just touching the outer cylinder. Each flap is a little longer than
the distance apart of the outer and inner cylinders at their most distant points. An
ingress and egress port, one at each side is made in the outer cylinder, all across and
close to the point where the two cylinders touch. Ribs prevent the flaps flying out
into these ports. These ports can be provided with regulating shutters if desired.
The mode of action as a blower is as follows.
The ingress and egress ports being wide open, the inner cylinder is caused rapidly
to rotate, the air is drawn in at one port and ejected at the other. If pressure of

page_text: effluent air be required the effluent port shutter is closed nearly down to the bottom
(or the required distance to give the desired pressure).
If the apparatus be run as a motor, say a steam engine, steam is admitted at the
port facing the flaps and exhausted at the other, to work expansively the entrance port
shutter is shut down to near the bottom. The inner cylinder then rotates rapidly and
power can be obtained from its shaft.
The mode of action for other purposes is obvious from the above.
The inner cylinder can be solid or hollow, but must be a drum without orifices in
its periphery.
Dated this Fourteenth day of September 1886

page_text: as a Motor, a Pump, a Blower, or a Fluid Meter.
I, THOMAS GEORGE REDSTONE, of 57, Miranda Road, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, Millwright-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 for its object a rotary apparatus that if fed by fluid under
pressure becomes a motor, if placed in the path of gentle current becomes a meter, if
run with power and supplied with a fluid under little or no pressure beyond that
required to cause the fluid to enter, becomes a pump or blower, the construction in
all cases being practically the same, though of course the parts are much stronger
when used as a motor or force pump than when used simply as a meter.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and
Figure 2 is a vertical section.
In these A is the cylindrical casing of the apparatus supported on frames B, B, of
any convenient shape. The interior of the casing A contains another cylinder C
mounted on a spindle or shaft D, rotating in bearings E, in the side frames B of the
apparatus. The periphery of the inner cylinder, preferably almost touches through-
out its length the outer cylindrical casing at one point of its circumference. This
inner cylinder C is provided with wings or vanes F hinged to the cylinder conveniently
at equal distances all round; each wing is curved to the same cylindrical contour as
the cylinder C, and is made in length about 14 times the greatest distance apart of
the inner cylinder, and the casing, at their most distant points. When the
wings F
are closed against the former, they form a smooth cylindrical surface only just touching
the outer casing at one point in their revolution. Ingress ports G, and an egress
port H are provided on each side of the cylindrical casing arranged so as to prevent
the wings flying out through them. The ports can be provided with regulating
valves or shutters if desired. The casing is closed at its ends when used as a pump
or motor, but when used as a blower can be provided with an open plate L in which
the spindle D is fixed. I, I, are the wing hinges. J are tie bolts for holding the
side frames B together. At the place of egress the cylindrical casing may be slightly
hollowed if desired as shewn at K, in order that the end of the wings may not strike
against the corners of the opening and the opening can be made nearly the whole
length of the cylinder, and gradually gathered in to a cylindrical pipe; for small
blowers however, this is hardly necessary and as it adds to the expense, I have so far
not tried the plan.
The mode of action of the apparatus as a blower or pump is as follows:-
The inner cylinder is caused to rapidly rotate in the direction of the arrow.
wings, as they approach the inlet G, open out, and the air or other fluid is thus drawn
The
•

page_text: in. It is then carried by the wings, and discharged through the egress port H. The
wings, as they approach the point of contact with the casing, collapse, and prevent
the passage of any volume of fluid, so that nearly the whole of it is discharged
through the port H. If pressure of effluent air is required, an effluent port shutter
or valve may be provided; this can be closed the necessary distance to give the required
pressure.
If the apparatus be run as a motor, say a steam engine, steam is admitted at the port
facing the flaps, and exhausted at the other, to work expansively the entrance port
shutter is shut down to near the bottom, the inner cylinder then rotates rapidly, and
power can be obtained from its shaft.
If the apparatus is used as an exhaust fan the inner cylinder is caused to revolve
in the same direction as when used as a motor, that is, in the opposite direction to the
arrow. The air is then drawn in through H and flows out through G. The wings
close on the cylinder C as they approach the lower part of casing.
The mode of action for other purposes is obvious from the above.
The inner cylinder can be solid or hollow, but must be a drum without orifices in
its periphery.
The shape or size of the ports may be. made to suit the requirements to which the
apparatus is put.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. The rotary apparatus for use as a blower, a pump, an exhauster, a meter, or a
motor, in which an inner cylinder provided with vanes or wings hinged on its
periphery, and curved to the same radius, revolves in a closed casing or cylindrical
chamber, substantially parallel but eccentric with it, and so proportioned and run, that
the hinged wings of the inner cylinder shall press against the outer cylinder during
the entire revolution, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination with an outer casing of an eccentric core cylinder having a
series of hinges sunk in its periphery, and a corresponding series of vanes F attached
by said hinges to said cylinder, in such manner, that, while free to fly out as far as
the eccentric casing will allow, and thus to completely close the passage between the
two, they will yet lie close against the cylinder, forming a circle concentric with it
when passing the point where the two eccentric circles touch.
Dated this 11th dov of June 1887
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.