Improvements in and relating to Oil Engines and their Application to. the Propulsion of Cycles or like Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Oil Engines and their Application to.
the Propulsion of Cycles or like Vehicles.
I, ARCHIBALD CLERK, of 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Consulting
Engineer (being a communication from abroad by Monsieur André Mauxion,
of 42, Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, Paris, in the Republic of France, Gentleman),
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of oil engines and
their valve gearing specially suitable for application to cycles and like vehicles.
The invention consists generally in a series of detail improvements, viz.:-the
mechanical arrangement of the motor itself; the particular construction of the
igniting device and means for its regulation; the method of applying the motor
to structures such as cycles with means for regulating its action thereon; the
construction and arrangement of the oil vapouriser; and the improved means
employed to regulate the mixture of oil vapour and air.
The improved mechanical arrangement of the motor is as follows:-The motor
is constructed on what is known as the "Otto" cycle, viz.: with an explosion,
or working stroke, every second revolution. The engine is constructed in two
principal castings bolted together about the centre line of the crank shaft in such
a manner that the cylinder and a half casing are formed in one portion and
another half casing in a second portion, so that the crank and connecting rod are
enclosed. It is preferred to arrange in small motors for the purposes of cooling
a series of circular ribs integral with the cylinder casting, though in large
motors the ordinary water circulation is provided. A trunk piston with piston
rings of the usual construction is arranged and is connected in any suitable
manner to balanced disc cranks formed on the crank shaft. The enclosed crank
space provided by the formation of the cylinder and cover is filled with oil, or
water and oil, so that the disc crank pins and connecting rod rotate therein. It
is, of course, understood that the crank shafts are suitably packed. The fly
wheel fixed upon the crank shaft is preferably constructed with steel arms (though
aluminium may be employed) and has attached to these arms a leaden rim.
The crank shaft carries upon one end a gear wheel which meshes with a second
gear wheel placed upon a spindle immediately adjacent and this second gear
wheel is twice the diameter of the first, so that the spindle runs at half the
number of revolutions. Upon this spindle a cam is keyed so arranged relatively
to the rotation of the shaft that a spring held rod or the like is moved at the
proper time to open the engine exhaust valve. The whole of this two to one
mechanism is preferably enclosed by an aluminium cover suitably bolted or
screwed.
The exhaust valve hereinbefore referred to is preferably arranged with its
containing box upon the cylinder in such a position that the motion of the
spindle is in a vertical direction and preferably co-axial with this exhaust valve
and immediately overhead is placed an automatic admission lift valve operating

page_text: :
during that portion of the "Otto" cycle known as the suction or charging stroke.
In lubricating the engine the top portion of the cylinder carries a suitable plug
or tap and the bottom portion or cover forming the crank chamber is also pro-
vided with a suitable drain plug or tap.
The particular construction of the igniting device and means for its regulation
are as follows:-The igniting is electrical and is performed in the bottom portion
of the cylinder forming the combustion space and preferably at the centre
thereof. A porcelain plug insulating a conducting wire is fixed on the top of
the cylinder so that the inner end of this conducting wire (preferably platinum
tipped) forms one terminal of a spark gap. The porcelain plug is preferably
carried in a metallic screw plug fixed in the cylinder and this metallic screw
plug has attached to it at its inner end a wire (also preferably platinum tipped)
which forms the other terminal of the spark gap. The distance between these
two platinum points may vary from one to two millimetres, but, of course, it is
evident that the gap would be arranged according to the tension of the current
employed. The porcelain plug is arranged with a flange about the centre of its
length so that a small screwed gland and suitable packing, such as asbestos, may
be employed to make a joint between the large metallic screw and the said plug.
The electric current is supplied by accumulator cells of any known type and
the continuous current is transformed into an intermittent current of high
tension by means of an induction coil of any known kind such as Rumkorf."
It is preferred to construct the make and break, or "interrupter," of the coil
of two thin metal sheets bent into U shape and electrically connected to a blade
or band in such a manner that the coil can be put out of action when desired
so that the ignition may take place at the proper moment and thus permit the
passage of high tension sparks across the spark gap in the combustion chamber
at the proper time in the engine cycle, viz., just at or about the completion of
the compression stroke.
The spindle hereinbefore referred to which is driven at half the speed of the
engine crank shaft and controls the exhaust valve by means of a cam mounted
upon it also carries a small bronze cam preferably insulated from the shaft by
non-conducting fibre or the like and having an insulated spring bearing upon
its surface. This small bronze cam is so mounted that it can be altered in its
position relatively to the stroke of the engine so that the igniting point not only
can be varied but likewise the speed of the motor.
To start and stop the motor by controlling the ignition from, say, the handle
bar of a cycle to which it is applied the following construction is preferably
employed. Within the end of the metallic portion of the handle bar an insu-
lating plug of wood or the like is placed and this insulating plug carries upon
it a pivoted switch lever whose outer end passes through a slot in the tube within
which the plug lies. The switch lever is permanently connected to the electrical
circuit at or about its centre while a contact pin is also permanently connected
to the other portion of the electrical circuit and this contact pin is so placed in
the path of the inner end of the switch lever that when the said switch is swung
over to one side the circuit is completed and igniting sparks pass but when the
lever is swung over in the other direction the circuit is broken and ignition
stops. The outer end of the switch lever carries a small insulating button or
the like and lies just within reach of the fingers of the rider so that the switch
may be manipulated in the manner hereinbefore described, and it is preferred
also to engrave or otherwise print upon the metal of the tube the two separate
positions as "stop" "start," or open shut," and thus indicate what is taking
place.
25 66
The method of applying the motor herein before described to a structure such
as a cycle is as follows:-The second portion of the two main castings which
forms half the enclosing shell of the crank chamber has formed integral with it
two lugs of such a shape and position that they would half embrace the two

page_text: bottom members of the diagonal frame work of the cycle when placed within
the diamond of the frame. Two covers or caps are constructed to fit upon the
other half diameters of the tubular members and these two caps bolt upon the
lugs so that the tubes are clamped rigidly between them and the motor therefore
also secured rigidly to the cycle frame.
The automatic admission valve has a pipe leading to the vapouriser and air
supply and this pipe carries a sliding pin within it in such a position relatively
to the admission valve that the depression of the pin will permanently hold that
valve open. The object of this is to allow the actuation of the cycle without.
resistance when it is desired to operate the machine without the assistance of
the motor.
The construction and arrangement of the improved oil vapouriser is as follows:-
A reservoir containing the oil is constructed preferably of a shape corresponding
with the space between the cycle frame work within which it is attached and
so arranged relatively to the exhaust that portion of the heat from the same is
communicated to the oil while the combined safety valve and blow off cock
is also arranged upon the reservoir to prevent a dangerous pressure accumulating
therein and also to permit of the oil being run off when required. An air tube
open at its outer end to atmosphere projects within this oil reservoir which is
only partially filled. The inner end of this air tube carries upon it a rose shaped
perforated termination and the tube itself slides within a socket attached to the
oil reservoir so that it may be longitudinally displaced for the purpose of regu-
lating the position of the perforated termination with relation to the surface of
the oil. This allows the air either to be drawn through the oil itself or over
the surface of the same. Attached to the top of the reservoir is a cock for
regulating the mixing and supply of the oil vapour and air and this is more
particularly hereinafter described. Any suitable means may be employed to
communicate the level of the oil to the rider but it is preferred to use a float
for this purpose.
The improved means employed to regulate the mixture of oil vapour and air
consist of a cock of special construction. The plug of the cock is arranged with
a hollow interior open at one end and having opposing ports at either side of
its cylindrical walls. This plug of the cock is arranged slightly conical as usual
and is placed within a barrel or casing constructed in such a manner that the
open end of the plug communicates with a space at one end of the barrel or
casing in turn communicating with the air and oil vapour pipe from the oil
reservoir. The two ports in the plug of the cock herein before referred to when
the said plug is placed in its casing correspond with two ports formed in that
casing, one port leading to atmosphere and the other to the admission valve of
the engine. It is evident that the rotation of the plug cock and the sizes of
the ports in the plug and casing can be so proportioned and arranged that the
respective volumes of oil vapour and air can be regulated by a simple rotation
of the handle controlling the plug, and, further, that the passage through the
cock of the air and oil vapour in this manner will assist mixing. As a further
assistance to mixing and also to prevent the admission of dust into the sliding
portions of the engine, wire gauze or its equivalent may be arranged across the
pipes at different and suitable portions. To silence the exhaust from the motor
and also to heat the oil reservoir it is preferred to arrange immediately under-.
neath that reservoir (and separated therefrom by a space constituting a layer
of air) a receiver filled with any suitable material which would provide a large
number of interstices. The tube carrying the blow off cock and valve herein-
before referred to is preferably arranged to pass through this exhaust receiver.
The general action of this construction is that a portion of the heat is utilised
to assist vapourisation of the oil and the increased spaces formed within the
receiver deaden the sound of the exhaust.
The means for regulating the action of a motor when applied to a cycle are
as follows: A lever preferably of bell crank form is arranged on the top hori-

page_text: zontal member of the cycle frame work and carries a link rod communicating
with the pin for releasing the compression by opening the suction valve. Similarly
a second lever, but preferably straight and double ended, operates by a link rod
or the like the cock regulating the mixture of oil vapour and air. Again, another
lever arranged, say, underneath the saddle controls by a link rod and suitable
mechanical gearing the relative position of the bronze igniting cam upon the
spindle running at half the speed of the crank shaft.
Date : 1041 Jove of ...
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Improvements in and relating to Oil Engines and their Application to
the Propulsion of Cycles or like Vehicles.
I, ARCHIBALD CLERK, of 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Consulting
Engineer (being a communication from abroad by Monsieur André Mauxion,
of 42, Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, Paris, in the Republic of France, Gentleman),
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 relates to improvements in the construction of oil engines and
their valve gearing specially suitable for application to cycles and like vehicles.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 represents in elevation a cycle applied with a motor in accordance
with the invention.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively sectional elevation on the line Figure 1,
transverse sectional elevation on the line y- (Figure 2) and elevation of a motor
constructed in accordance with the invention.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are details shown on a larger scale.
The invention consists generally in a series of detail improvements, viz.:-the
mechanical arrangement of the motor itself, the particular construction of the
igniting device, and means for its regulation, the method of applying the motor
to structures such as cycles with means for regulating its action thereon; the
construction and arrangement of the oil vapourizer; and the improved means
employed to regulate the mixture of oil vapour and air.
The improved mechanical arrangement of the motor as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings is as follows:
. The motor is constructed on what is known as the "Otto" cycle, viz., with an
explosion, or working stroke, every second revolution. The engine is constructed
in two principal castings A, A¹ bolted together about the centre line of the crank
shaft in such a manner that the cylinder and a half casing are formed in one
portion A, and another half casing A¹ in a second portion, so that the cranks C, C¹
and connecting rod B' are enclosed. It is preferred to arrange in small motors
for the purposes of cooling a series of circular ribs a integral with the cylinder
casting A, though in large motors the ordinary water circulation is provided.
A trunk piston B with piston rings of the usual construction is arranged and
is connected in any suitable manner to balanced disc cranks C, C¹ formed on
the crank shaft. The enclosed crank space provided by the formation of the

page_text: cylinder and cover is filled with oil, or water and oil, so that the disc crank pins
and connecting rod rotate therein. It is, of course, understood that the crank
shafts D, D are suitably packed. The fly wheel D" fixed upon the crank shaft is
preferably constructed with steel arms (though aluminium may be employed)
and has attached to these arms a leaden rim.
The crank shaft D, DI carries upon one end a gear wheel E which meshes
with a second gear wheel E placed upon a spindle E immediately adjacent.
and this second gear wheel is twice the diameter of the first, so that the spindle E
runs at half the number of revolutions. Upon this spindle E" a cam is keyed
so arranged relatively to the rotation of the shaft that a spring held roil or the
like is moved at the proper time to open the engine exhaust valve S. The whole
of this two to one mechanism is preferably enclosed by an aluminium cover F¹
suitably bolted or screwed.
The exhaust valve S hereinbefore referred to is preferably arranged with its
containing box upon the cylinder in such a position that the motion of the
spindle is in a vertical direction and preferably co-axial with this exhaust valve
and immediately overhead is placed an automatic admission lift valve S' operating
during that portion of the "Otto" cycle known as the suction or charging
stroke. In lubricating the engine the top portion of the cylinder carries a suit-
able plug or tap and the bottom portion or cover forming the crank chamber
is also provided with a suitable drain plug or tap.
The particular construction of the igniting device and means for its regulation
are as follows:
The igniting is electrical and is performed in the top portion of the cylinder
forming the combustion space and preferably at the centre thereof. A porcelain
plug G insulating a conducting wire is fixed on the top of the cylinder A so
that the inner end of this conducting wire (preferably platinum tipped) forms
one terminal of a spark gap. The porcelain plug G is preferably carried in a
metallic screw plug G₁ fixed in the cylinder and this metallic screw plug G has
attached to it at its inner end a wire (also preferably platinum tipped) which
forms the other terminal of the spark gap. The distance between these two
platinum points may vary from one to two millimeteres, but, of course it is
evident that the gap would be arranged according to the tension of the current
employed. The porcelain plug G is arranged with a flange about the centre
of its length so that a small screwed gland G and suitable packing, such as
asbestos, may be employed to make a joint between the large metallic screw and
the said plug.
The electric current is supplied by accumulator cells (H Figure 1) of any
known type and the continuous current is transformed into an intermittent
current of high tension by means of an induction coil I of any known kind
such as Rumkorf."
In order that the motor may be rendered inoperative, as for instance when
the rider wishes to leave the machine, an interrupter or switch J is provided
on the coil I or on any part of the electric circuit. It consists, as shown in
Figure 8, of two thin metal sheets j¹ bent into U shape and electrically con-
nected by a blade or band " similarly formed. When it is desired to break the
circuit the part j is removed. The interrupter may be conveniently placed on
the upper horizontal tube of the machine.
The spindle E hereinbefore referred to which is driven at half the speed of
the engine crank shaft and controls the exhaust valve S by means of a cam F
mounted upon it also carries a small bronze cam K the periphery of which is
partly insulated by non-conducting fibre or the like. A spring e carried within
a box el bears on the periphery of the cam K. The spring e is connected in
the electric circuit so that as the cam K revolves and the uninsulated part comes
in contact with the spring a current passes and a spark is. formed within the
motor cylinder. The position of the spring e relative to the cam K can be

page_text: altered to produce early or late ignition by means of a hand lever V pivotted
to the machine frame and connected by a link rod V1 to the box el containing
the spring e. The box el is adapted to rotate about the shaft K when operated
by the lever V.
To start and stop the motor by controlling the ignition from, say the handle
bar L of a cycle to which it is applied the following construction as illustrated
in Figure 7 is preferably employed. Within the end of the metallic portion
of the handle bar an insulating plug of wood L', or the like is placed and this
insulating plug L' carries upon it a pivoted switch lever whose outer end
passes through a slot in the tube within which the plug lies. The switch lever
is permanently connected to the electrical circuit at or about its centre 1, while a
contact pin m is also permanently connected to the other portion of the electrical
circuit and this contact pin m is so placed in the path of the inner end of the
switch lever that when the said switch is swung over to one side the circuit
is completed and igniting sparks pass but when the lever is swung over in the
other direction to m the circuit is broken and ignition stops. The outer end of
the switch lever carries a small insulating button or the like and lies just
within the reach of the fingers of the rider so that the switch may be manipulated
in the manner hereinbefore described, and it is preferred also to engrave or
otherwise print upon the metal of the tube the two separate positions as "stop
"start," or <
open" "shut." and thus indicate what is taking place.
The method of applying the motor herein before described to a structure such as
a cycle as illustrated in Figure 1 is as follows:-
,,
The second portion A' of the two main castings which forms half the enclosing
shell of the crank chamber has formed integral with it two lugs N, M of such
a shape and position that they would half embrace two of the bottom members
of the diagonal frame-work of the cycle when placed within the diamond of
the frame. Two covers or caps N' MI are constructed to fit upon the other half
diameters of the tubular members and these two caps bolt upon the lugs so that
the tubes are clamped rigidly between them and the motor therefore also secured
rigidly to the cycle frame.
The automatic admission valve S has a
pipe o leading to the vapouriser and
air supply and this pipe carries a sliding pin o' within it in such a position
relatively to the admission valve S₁ that the depression of the pin will perma-
nently hold that valve open.
The object of this is to allow the actuation of the eyele without resistance when
it is desired to operate the machine without the assistance of the motor.
The construction and arrangement of the improved oil vapouriser as illustrated
in Figure 5 is as follows:.
A reservoir P containing the oil is constructed preferably of a shape corre-
sponding with the space between the cycle frame-work within which it is attached
and so arranged relatively to the exhaust that portion of the heat from same
is communicated to the oil while the combined safety valve and blow-off cock
is also arranged upon the reservoir to prevent a dangerous pressure accumulating
therein and also to permit of the oil being run off when required. An air
tube Popen at its outer end to atmosphere projects within this oil reservoir which
is only partially filled. The inner end of this air tube carries upon it a rose
shaped perforated termination P and the tube itself slides within a socket
attached to the oil reservoir so that it may be longitudinally displaced for the
purpose of regulating the position of the perforated termination P with relation
to the surface of the oil. This allows the air either to be drawn through the
oil itself or over the surface of the same. Attached to the top of the reservoir
is a cock for regulating the mixing and supply of the oil vapour and air and
this is more particularly hereinafter described. Any suitable means may be
employed to indicate the level of the oil to the rider but it is preferred to use
a float for this purpose.
The improved means employed to regulate the mixture of oil vapour and air

page_text: consists of a cock R of special construction. The plug R of the cock is arranged
with a hollow interior open at one end and having opposing ports s, s¹ in its
cylindrical walls. This plug R¹ of the cock is arranged slightly conical as usual
and is placed within a barrel or casing R" constructed in such a manner that
the open end of the plug communicates with a space at one end of the barrel
or casing in turn communicating with the air and oil vapour pipe from the
oil reservoir. The two ports s, s¹ in the plug R' of the cock hereinbefore referred
to when the said plug is placed in its casing correspond with two ports formed
in that casing, one port, s, leading to atmosphere and the other s¹ to the admission
valve of the engine by a pipe S. It is evident that the rotation of the plug
cock R and the sizes of the ports in the plug and casing can be so proportioned
and arranged that the respective volumes of oil vapour and air can be regulated
by a simple rotation of the handle controlling the plug, and, further, that the
passage through the cock of the air and oil vapour in this manner will assist
mixing. As a further assistance to mixing and also to prevent the admission
of dust into the sliding portions of the engine, wire gauze or its equivalent may
be arranged across the pipes at different and suitable portions. To silence the
exhaust from the motor and also to heat the oil reservoir P, it is preferred to
arrange immediately underneath that reservoir (and separated therefrom by
a space constituting a layer of air) a receiver Q filled with any suitable material
which would provide a large number of interstices. The tube p¹ carrying the
blow-off cock and valve hereinbefore referred to is preferably arranged to pass
through this exhaust receiver. The general action of this construction is that
a portion of the heat is utilised to assist vapourisation of the oil and the increased
spaces formed within the receiver deaden the sound of the exhaust.
The means for regulating the action of a motor when applied to a cycle as
illustrated in Figure 1 are as follow:
-
A lever U preferably of bell crank form is arranged on the top horizontal mem-
ber of the cycle frame-work and carries a link rod U₁ communicating with the
pin o for releasing the compression by opening the suction valve S¹.
Similarly a second lever T, but preferably straight and double ended, operates
by a link rod T, or the like the cock K regulating the mixture of oil vapour
and air.
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:
1.) An oil or hydro-carbon motor, working on the Otto cycle consisting of
two essential parts A A¹ of cast metal, the part A forming the cylinder and
compression chamber and also the upper part of the crank chamber, the lower
part of which is formed by the part A the motor being provided with a packed
piston B, connecting rod B₁ cranks CC, shaft D DI, and inlet and exhaust
valves S S and an electric igniter all substantially as hereinbefore described.
2.) In hydro-carbon motors an electric igniter consisting of a porcelain rod &
carrying one of the contact wires said rod passing through the centre of the com-
pression chamber at the top of the cylinder, in combination with a cam operated
by the motor for effecting ignition, and a controlling switch on the handle bar
of the cycle to which the motor is applied, said switch consisting of a flexible
blade oscillating between two contacts m m substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3.) In the application of a motor such as claimed in Claim 1, to a bicycle or
tricycle, the provision of clamping jaws M, N upon the lower part of the crank
chamber adapted to partly embrace the tubular framework of the cycle in com-
bination with caps MN bolted or otherwise attached to said jaws so as to
embrace the framework also and thereby form a rigid connection between the
motor and framework substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: 4.) In hydro-carbon motors a carburetter for use more especially with motor
cycles consisting of a reservoir P suitably shaped to conform with that part of
the cycle frame work to which it is attached and adapted to support an exhaust
silencer Q at such distance from its bottom so as ensure a suitable heating of
the contained oil, said reservoir being provided with an air pipe P" sliding in
a suitable guide or socket and provided at its inner extremity with a rose or
spraying nozzle P through which the air to be carburetted is drawn and thereby
caused to bubble through the oil, the whole being combined with the usual
connections and with a regulating cock R by means of which the proportion or
richness of the gas and air mixture admitted to the motor is regulated sub-
stantially as herein before described.
5.) The means for allowing the motor to run without compression or resistance
consisting of a thrust rod of sliding in a guide o in the suction tube just above
the suction valve S whereby the latter may be forced off its seat when desired
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 5th day of September 1899.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.