Improvements in Rotary Steam Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Steam Engines.
We, FREDERICK MEYER of 525, 66th Court, Chicago, Illinois, Machinist,
JOSEPH SILAS KIEHL of 606 West 17th Street Chicago Illinois Machinist
ALEXANDER GRANT of 25, 135th Street Chicago Illinois, Machinist, HENRY
THOMAS SLADECK of 6628 Lafayette Avenue Chicago Illinois, Pattern Maker
and JACOB JOHN BAUMGARTNER of 525, 66th Court Chicago Illinois Merchant
all in the United States of America, 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 rotary steam engines. The primary feature of the
invention is the combination, with a rotative shaft, of a disc secured to and rotating
with said shaft and having parallel flanges separated by an annular space; a
stationary or non-rotative plate covering the open side of the annular space in the
rotative disc; a stationary abutment between the flanges of the disc; movable
pistons; means for advancing and retracting said pistons across the space between
the flanges of the disc, and suitable ports for the admission and discharge of steam
to and from said annular space. The invention embraces various matters of con-
struction for the practical embodiment of the above stated feature, and is illustrated
in two forms. One of these forms is that in which the rotating flanged disc has
flanges on one side only and is called the single form, and the other is that in
which the said disc has flanges on opposite sides thereof and is called the double or
duplex form.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figures 1 to 19 inclusive illustrate the duplex form of the engine and details of
the principal figures showing this duplex form and the remaining figures illustrate
a single form of the engine with details of the principal figures showing this single
form.
Figure 1 shows a duplex engine in vertical section in the plane of the axis of the
engine shaft.
Figure 2 is a vertical section transverse to the shaft in the indirect line 2-2 of
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section in the plane of the axis of the shaft and on the line 8-8 of
Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a vertical section transverse to the shaft in the line 3ª—3ª of
Figure 1 but showing only the simple elements of the engine without adjunctive
details.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the valve mechanism employed in con-
nection with the duplex form of engine, the section being taken on line 4-4 of
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, cutting one of the
side plates of the engine and showing the ports therein.
Figure 6 is a detached side view of the stationary block or abutment of the
engine as otherwise less fully shown in preceding figures.
Figure 7 is a transverse section of the said stationary block in the line 7—7 of
Figure 6, showing the steam packing devices employed in connection therewith.
Figure 74 is a plan view of one of the outer or inner cross plates which form
part of the packing devices applied to the stationary block shown in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary section of the central revolving disc on the line 8-8
of Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a detached view of a section or part of the annular packing ring

page_text: applied to each inner flange of the revolving disc as shown in connection with the
duplex form of the engine.
Figure 10 is a detached view of a section of the annular packing ring applied
to each outer flange of the revolving disc as shown in the duplex form.
Figure 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, interior view of the engine, showing one
of the radially sliding pistons, viewed edgewise and provided with a curved shoe
fitted to a circular eccentric groove of the cam and adjacent parts of the engine.
Figure 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a detail section in the plane of the line 13-13 of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a detail section on the line 14-14 of Figures 2 and 11.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of one half of the revolving flanged disc of the
duplex engine, stripped of its accessories.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of one of the sliding pistons of the preceding
figures, detached.
Figure 17 shows the sliding piston of Figure 6 provided with a curved shoe for
engagement with the circular eccentric groove of the cam.
Figure 18 is a side view of the cam having a circular eccentric groove, a shoe of
one of the pistons being shown in the eccentric groove.
Figure 19 is a detail relating to the packing.
Figures 20 to 23 inclusive illustrate a single form of the engine and several
details differing from those shown in connection with the duplex form illustrated in
the preceding figures.
Figure 20 is a vertical section transverse to the shaft, of this single form of
engine.
Figure 21 is a section on the indirect line 21-21 of Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a perspective view of the stationary block as shown in connection
with this stationary form of the engine.
Figure 23 is a vertical section of the single engine in the plane of the axis of the
shaft.
The arrows applied to the several section lines indicate the direction in which
the sections taken on said lines are seen.
We first describe the duplex form of the engine, which is the preferable form
for the reason that the pressure of steam on opposite sides of the revolving disc is
balanced.
A represents a shaft which is to be rotated by the engine. B B are parallel,
non-rotative discs or side plates forming lateral walls of the enclosure which con-
tains the rotating parts of the engine. C is an annular, peripheral plate placed
between the plates B B and surrounding the rotating parts of the engine. D is a
circular disc having annular, parallel flanges DI DI and D² D' projecting on
opposite sides of said disc. This disc is seen detached in Figure 15. E E are two
segmental blocks one of which is secured to each of the side plates B and projects
into the space d¹ between the adjacent annular flanges D' D' of the disc D. FF are
radially sliding pistons fitted to transverse alots d in the inner flanges D³ so that in
certain parts of their revolution they may be extended across the space d' and, at
other points of their revolution, may be retracted out of said space in order that
they may pass the fixed blocks E E. B' B' are cams, here shown as forming parts
of the plates B and provided with grooves beccentric to the shaft A and engaged
with the inner ends of the pistons FF for producing the radial sliding movements
of said pistons. F F are curved shoes fitted to the grooves 6b and pivoted upon
journals on the inner ends of the pistons F F. G is a valve chest suited for a
slide valve, through the valve seat of which lead the ports gg and g³. The ports g
and g' are severally branched to connect with both the annular spaces d d between
the flanges D¹ and D at opposite ends of the fixed blocks E E, the branch port
connecting with said spaces at one end of said blocks and the other or port
connecting with said spaces at the opposite end of said blocks. The port g* (leading
from the valve chest between the ports g g') communicates with the exhaust pipe H.
The steam chest receives steam through the port g³ which connects with the inlet

page_text: pipe I. G is a sliding D-valve arranged within the valve chest G and adapted to
open either of the ports g g' for the admission of steam to the engine while giving
communication (through the recess y' of the valve) between the other of said ports
and the exhaust port g'. The valve chest G, when a single one is employed, is
desirably placed on the periphery of the engine and the bifurcations of the ports gg
are prolonged in the side plates B B, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 2
and 4, and in the sectional Figure 5. J is a hand lever for moving the valve G¹,
Baid lever being pivoted to the rod j of the valve G' and fulcrumed in any suitable
manner, as for example by the link which connects its lower end with the casting
of the valve chest. Obviously other forms of valve mechanism may be used, it
desired.
The pistons F F are of such number that at least one of them on each side of the
disc D will always be extended across the space in the lower or longer arc
between the inner ends of the ports g' and the steam will manifestly act upon
this piston to cause the rotation of the disc D and the shaft A, since the block E
forms a fixed abutment preventing movement or escape of stram in that direction.
The number of pistons may, of course, be varied.
In the drawing showing the duplex form of engine the cam groove b is shown as
circular, which is the preferable form, for two reasons, to wit, first, it gives an easier
and more regular motion to the pistons, and second, it permits the use of the
shoes F1, pivoted to the pistons and fitted to the grooves. The use of these circular
grooves, however, requires that the outer flange D' be provided with slots or
sockets of suitable size and depth to admit the outer ends of the pistons F.
Any suitable packing devices may, for the general purposes of our invention, be
employed to give tight joints between moving surfaces, or such packing devices
may be wholly omitted. We have devised certain forms of metal packings, herein
illustrated, which we have found efficient and durable. First describing the packing
applied to the free edges of the flanges D' and D' of the disc D, to run in contact
with the side plates B B, K K are parts of metal rings, sectionally in the angular
form seen in Figure 3, and applied to the inner edge of the outer flange D¹ and to
the outer edge of the inner Hange D' so that they run in contact with the fixed
block E as well as in contact with the adjacent side plate B. Behind these
segmental packing rings are placed springs of any suitable form arranged to
press them outward against the side plates B. To cut off passage of steam between
the inner edges of these angular packing rings and the body of the flange and past
the stationary abutment or block E, small fixed blocks K (Figure 19) may be set
across this passage flush with the surface of the flange. These segmental packing
rings extend on the flange D' from one slot d to the next one, and on the
flange D' from one slot d to the next, as indicated in Figure 2.
The disc Dis shown as having radial grooves D³ in which the inner edges of the
pistons are fitted to slide. In the bottoms of these grooves are placed metal
packing strips K which bear against the edges of the pistons by the pressure of
subjacent springs, as indicated in Figure 12. In the sides of the slots d of the
inner flange D' are placed the metal packing strips K (Figures 11 and 13) backed
by springs, as shown in Figure 13. The fixed blocks or abutments E have
transverse packing bars such as are shown in Figures 6, 7 and 7". That is to say,
on the edge of each of said blocks which runs in contact with the bottom of the
groove d' is a block K' forced outward by springs, indicated at 4, Figure 7, and
on the outer and inner surface of said block are placed plates K', notched at one of
their ends to overlap the arms of the block K' and backed by springs which
force them out against the flanges D¹ D'.
As a matter of convenience in construction the cams B' are desirably made
separate from the remaining portions of the side plates B and have concentric
portions b³ fitted to central, circular openings in said side plates around the shaft,
the cam portions 6 being of greater diameter and occupying positions inside the
planes of the inner surfaces of said side plates. The parts B are secured from
rotation in the parts B by means of screws blet into holes drilled at the meeting

page_text: edges of the said parts, or otherwise. B' B' are external plates surrounding the
shaft and screwed to the said plates B, as shown in Figure 1, forming the outer
walls of stuffing boxes of which B B are the glands.
Various modifications may be made in the details of construction and we therefore
do not limit ourselves to the particular forms of details shown..
Obviously a separate valve may be provided for the admission and discharge of
- steam to and from each side of the engine, and steam admitted to one side may be
-under a different pressure from that admitted to the other. It follows that one
-side of the engine may be connected to take the exhaust steam from the other side
and thus the engine as a whole become a compound engine. Of course this would
require the enlargement of one compartment to a suitably greater size than the
other.
While the engine is preferably constructed with a pair of flanges D¹ D' on each
side of the disc and with other parts in duplicate, as above described, it is manifest
that the engine may be made single or with only one pair of said flanges D' D'
located on one side of the disc D. Such a construction is illustrated in Figures 20,
21 and 23. In these figures A represents the shaft to be driven, B a stationary or
non-rotating plate surrounding the shaft, C a second plate forming with the plate B
a stationary enclosure containing the rotating parts of the engine. D is a disc
affixed to the shaft A and having the two cylindric and parallel flanges D¹ D' on
one side thereof only, but otherwise such as have been already described. E is a
fixed block or abutment secured to the plate B and occupying an arc of the space d
between the flanges D' and D'. F represents a valve chest secured, in this instance,
to the side face of the stationary plate D, and G a sliding D-valve located in said
chest F, said valve being operated by a hand lever I. From the valve chest F
and through the seat of the valve lead the ports e el to the space d at opposite ends
of the block E, said ports in this case being shown as leading through the block
itself (see Figures 21 and 22). Between the ports ee and beneath the recess of
the D-valve is an exhaust porte. H are the pistons fitted to slide in slots d¹ cut
through the inner flange D' of the disc D, said pistons being provided with pro-
jections at their inner ends which fit the cam grooves & of the fixed part B¹. Said
groove is shown in Figure 20 to be other than circular and having a concentric
portion opposite the fixed block E. The outer ends of the pistons H therefore are
shown as entering shallow transverse slots or grooves d'in the outer flange D'. A
port is shown leading from that part of the space d which is about diametrically
opposite the fixed block E so that, if desired, steam may be exhausted at this point.
It is obvious that in either the single or the duplex engine, as described, the valve
may be set or shifted to admit steam to the space between the flanges D' D³ at
either end of the block E and that the engine is therefore reversible. It is equally
manifest that a special valve mechanism may be omitted and that a steam feed
pipe provided with a simple throttle valve may connect directly with the annular
space between the flanges D¹ D' at one or each end of the abutment block, an
exhaust pipe or pipes being also similarly connected with said space. If the engine
thus connected is to be reversible the exhaust pipes will of course require to be
provided with valves whereby either may be closed when the other is to be used.
A readily shiftable valve mechanism is, however, preferable.
Provision is made to meet end thrust of the shaft A in the single engine just
described by providing a bearing for the hub of the disc D against the fixed plate
or shell C, said plate or shell being firmly secured to the plate B by bolts passing
through the margin of the latter, as indicated. Many features described in 4
connection with the duplex engine are manifestly applicable to the single form
shown, and vice versa.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :
1: The combination with a rotative shaft, of a disc secured to and rotating with

page_text: said shaft and provided with parallel flanges separated by an annular space, a
stationary plate covering the open side of the said space between the flanges of the
disc, a stationary abutment between the flanges of the disc, a series of movable
pistons, means for advancing and retracting said pistons across the space between
the flanges of the disc, and suitable ports for the admission and discharge of steam
to and from said annular space.
2: The combination of a rotative shaft, a disc fixed to the shaft and provided
with parallel flanges separated by an annular space, a stationary plate closing the
open side of said annular space, a stationary abutment in said annular space, a series
of movable pistons, means for advancing and retracting said pistons across said
annular space, a steam chest having ports communicating with said annular space
on opposite sides of the abutment, and a valve within the chest adapted to close one
of these ports and open the other whereby the direction of rotation of the engine
may be reversed by a movement of the valve.
Dated thin 12th day of October 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.