Improvements in Ignition Apparatus for Explosive Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ignition Apparatus for Explosive Engines.
I, DOUGLAS GILBERT GORDON of 16 Weighton Road Anerley S.E. in the County
of Surrey Civil and Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this in-
vention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to explosive or internal combustion engines and more
particularly to the means for igniting the charges of gas which I accomplish in the
following manner; On the back of the piston of said engine and attached thereto
or on the end of the piston rod bolt there is a hollow spindle of metal or other
suitable material with a series of holes round its base. Working in conjunction
with this and attached to the back cover of the cylinder there is a metal tube cast
in one with the cylinder cover or separately fitted, having an orifice at its side or
another suitable position in communication with the igniting device which com-
prises a tube or casing of suitable material containing a preparation of platinum
black and some refractory material such as clay chalk or the like with platinum
wire or foil in combination therewith.
Within the afore mentioned tube communicating wtih said igniting device
there is fitted a plunger or metal valve having at one end a spindle passing through
back of cylinder cover, the said valve being controlled by the tension of a spring
or other suitable device and adjusted for the necessary lead and otherwise by
means of a nut working on a screwed portion on said spindle.
The action is such that on the inward stroke of the piston the hollow spindle
fitted to same and on the бack thereof entering the tube communicating with
the aforesaid igniting device forces back the plunger valve by coming in contact
therewith, against the force of a spring or other controlling device; thereby
making communication with the compressed gases in the cylinder. A small
portion of the said gases coming in contact with the platinum preparation of the
igniting device causes the same to glow and thus fires the charge contained in the
cylinder.
00 11
3000
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ignition Apparatus for Explosive Engines.
I, DOUGLAS GILBERT GORDON 16 Weighton Road, Anerley S.E. Surrey Civil
& Electrical 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 relates to explosive or internal combustion engines and more
particularly to the means for igniting the charges of gas which I accomplish in the
following manner. On the back of the piston of said engine and attached thereto
or on the end of the piston rod bolt there is a hollow spindle of metal or other
suitable material with a series of holes round its base.
P 3

page_text: Working in conjunction with this and attached to the back cover of the cylinder
there is a metal tube cast in one with the cylinder cover or separately fitted having
an orifice at its side or another suitable position in communication with the ignit-
ing device which comprises a tube or casing of suitable material containing a
preparation of platinum black and some refractory material such as clay chalk
or the like with platinum wire or foil in combination therewith.
Within the aforementioned tube communicating with said igniting device
there is fitted a plunger or metal valve having at one end a spindle passing through
back of cylinder cover, the said valve being controlled by the tension of a spring
or other suitable device and adjusted for the necessary lead and otherwise by
means of a nut working on a screwed portion on said spindle.
The action is such that on the inward stroke of the piston the hollow spindle
fitted to same and on the back thereof entering the tube communicating with
the aforesaid igniting device forces back the plunger valve by coming in contact
therewith, against the force of a spring or other controlling device thereby
making communication with the compressed gases in the cylinder.
A small portion of the said gases coming in contact with the platinum prepara-
tion of the igniting device causes the same to glow and thus fires the charge con-
tained in the cylinder.
In order that my invention may be understood I will now refer to the annexed
drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a form of my
invention.
a is the cylinder in which the piston works. is a hollow projection or tube
attached to the end of the piston b and having the perforations in same. This
projection operates the valve e controlled by the spring f so as to allow the com-
pressed gases to come into contact with the platinum composition 9 carried upon
the adjustable rod or spindle which is held in the casing or cap i. This platinum
composition will become sufficiently heated or glow" so as to ignite or fire the
mixed gases or charge in the cylinder, thus dispensing with the usual ignition jet
or electric spark.
Although I have shown one arrangement by which the object of my invention
may be carried out it will be readily understood that there are various modifica-
tions of construction and arrangement which may be made without departing from
the principle of my invention and I do not confine myself to the arrangement
shown in the drawing which is for purposes of illustration as the essential feature
is the employment of platinum or a like composition for the purpose of igniting the
charge in the cylinder owing to the heating or glowing of the composition when
brought into contact with the charge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combined construction and arrangement of the various parts substan-
tially as described and illustrated.
2. The employment of a platinum or like composition which will become heated
or glow when the explosive gas or gases come into contact with same for the pur-
pose of igniting or firing the charge in an explosive or internal combustion engine.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1897.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.