Improvements in or relating to Rotary Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Rotary Engines.
A communication from abroad by FRANCIS JOY HAESELER, a Lieutenant in the
U.S. Navy, stationed at the Washington Gun Factory, Washington, District
of Columbia, United States of America.
I, HENRY BIRKBECK, of 31, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
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 that class of engines known as rotary
engines, and more particularly to that special form of rotary engine in which a
plurality of cylinders are caused to rotate around a common center, while the
pistons rotate around a center eccentric to that around which the cylinders rotate.
According to this invention the cylinders are independently mounted around a
fixed hollow stem or stud as a center and receive the motive fluid through said
stem or stud, the latter being provided with admission and exhaust passages for
that purpose.
This hollow stem or stud forms what is in reality the crank pin of a stationary
disc crank, the crank shaft portion of which is secured fast to the engine casing.
Hitherto the efficiency of engines of this general type has been of short duration,
owing either to the entire absence of devices for taking up the wear of the
valves or from the inefficiency of such means as has been employed.
With the object of preventing this loss in view, my invention embodies a
means for taking up the wear of the valves, which consists in surrounding the
said hollow stem or stud, around which the cylinders rotate, with a valve seat
of anti-friction metal and so arranged that it will be kept continually in close
contact with the face of the valves under the pressure of the motive fluid, so
that its action is practically automatic.
The pistons of the engine are pivotally mounted in a rotating frame which
rotates around the crank shaft or central axis of the engine as a center and is
connected by gearing to the driven shaft.
The entire engine and gearing is enclosed in a metallic casing, which excludes
any dust, chips or particles that might come in contact with the working parts.
The adaptability of an engine of this type as a motor for rotary drills, in which
form I have shewn and described it, will at once be apparent.
It possesses the essential requisites for this class of work in that it is compact,
of high speed, high power and runs with a minimum amount of vibration.
This engine is, however, applicable to many other uses than that to which I
have shewn it applied; for example, it may be readily applied to automobiles.
direct driven lathes and to various other uses.
Another important feature of my invention and an advantage which it possesses
over other engines of this class, is its capability of having the direction of its
rotation reversed. This is accomplished by varying the angular position of the

page_text: stem or stud around which the cylinders rotate and through which the motive
fluid is admitted.
My invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which;
Fig. 1 represents a central vertical section, partly in elevation, of my improved
engine, as employed, with a drill or reamer.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the device shewn in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents one of the cylinders in side elevation and partly in section.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along the line 4-4, Fig. 5,
looking in the direction of the arrow 1.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail central section of the stud or crank arm, valve
cover, valve and valve seat; the section being taken at 90° from that shewn in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 represents a section taken along the line 6-6 Fig. 5, looking in the
direction of the arrow 2.
Fig. 7 represents a section taken along the line 7-7, Fig. 5 and looking in the
direction of the arrow 2.
Fig. 8 represents the valve in side elevation.
Fig. 9 represents a central section of the valve cover taken along the line 9-9,
Fig. 4.
Fig. 10 represents an enlarged fragmentary section, partly in elevation of the
crank arm or stud around which the cylinders are mounted and through which
the driving fluid passes.
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the cylinders and retaining ring with the valve
removed to show the valve seat and mode of connecting it to one of the cylinders.
Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of another form of valve and valve
seat embodying my invention and taken along the line 12-12, Fig. 13.
Fig. 13 is a central vertical section of the same taken along the line 13-13,
Fig. 12, and looking in the direction of the arrow.
The engine consists, among other parts, of a plurality of cylinders A, (in this
case three in number, though not necessarily confined to that number) inde-
pendently mounted and adapted to rotate around a common stud or stem B, through
which the motive fluid is admitted into and exhausted from the cylinders.
These cylinders are open at one end, and closed at the other by a cylinder head a
of peculiar construction, into which the barrel of the cylinder is screwed, as shown.
These cylinder heads each have a lug a extending therefrom, which is in turn
provided with a downwardly extending lug or lip a², the latter having its
faces a³ and a curved to conform to the curvature of the retaining ring and
eccentric stud respectively hereinafter described. At the top of the cylinder head
is another lug a³, which is also curved or made in the shape of a segment of a
ring, so that its curvature will conform to that of the retaining ring by which it
is held.
The portions of the cylinder heads next to the central stud B conform to the
curvature of the stud, and they are held securely against it by two retaining
rings C and C³. The retaining ring C passes around the outside of the lugs,
and the ring C₁ passes between the lower lug or lips a² and the cylinder heads,
as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. By this means the portions a of the cylinders
are held securely against the central stud, the cylinders being thus supported both
above and below.
The lower retaining ring C¹ is provided with a flange c which together with
a cap 6 screwed on the lower end of the stud B and balls c¹, forms one of the
ball bearings upon which the cylinders rotate.
Each cylinder is provided with a port a' which passes through the cylinder head
as shown.
The upper faces of the lugs a5 are accurately ground to receive the valve seat
plates D, which are secured to each of the said lugs.

page_text: Upon these plates D rests the valve seat E, shown most clearly in Figs. 1,
5 and 6.
This valve seat E is a plate or disc, preferably of brass or some other suitable
anti-friction metal, and is provided with three apertures, or ports e, e¹ and e²,
and is secured to one of the cylinder heads by a pin which passes through the
valve seat, plate D and into the lug as of the cylinder head, thus securing the
said valve seat to one of the cylinders and causing it to rotate therewith as
hereinafter more fully described.
The openings or ports e, e¹ and register with three similar openings in the
valve seat plates D, the opening e being preferably circular, while the open-
ings el and e² are somewhat elongated. The valve seat is provided with a central
opening through which the stud B passes, and with an opening at for the reception
of the pin e. Upon this valve seat E rests the valve F, shewn most clearly in
Figs 1. 5, 7 and 8. This valve is provided with the exhaust chamber f, port fl
and admission chamber 2, and the admission chamber is provided with an
opening which extends upward, forming a hollow nipple ft. The lower face of
the valve F is accurately ground to fit squarely upon the valve seat E.
The valve F is provided with a central opening f5 through which the stem or
stud B passes, fitting the opening snugly.
Resting upon the valve F is the valve cover H having the chamber h and
provided with the enlarged central opening h¹, through its top and with the smaller
opening through its bottom for the reception of the stud B. This valve cover H
is provided with a passage h into which the hollow stem f* fits snugly, and thus
provides a communication to the passage f³ in the valve F. Three cups, hª, I
and 6. are placed on the top of the valve F, the cups hand h³ being situated
on either side of the passage h³, while the cup h6 is situated opposite to said
passage. The combined area of the cups h and 5 is something greater than the
area of the admission chamber 2, and the area of the cup 6 is equal to the
difference between the area of the passage h³ and the sum of the areas of the
cups and 5. Evidently the tendency of an apparatus constructed without
these cups is to lift the valve off its seat. This tendency is completely overcome
owing to the position of said cups and the relation of their areas as compared
with the area of the chamber f2.
That part of the stem or stud B which is situated eccentrically in relation
to the machine is hollow, being provided with the passage 62 for the admission
of the air, which passage connects by means of one of the openings 60 with the
passage in the casing I of the machine. This passage is governed by a
valve provided with a spring which normally keeps said valve closed, and
which valve is opened by a lever when it is desired to operate the engine.
The stem B is provided with the port 63 from which air is delivered into the
chamber h, from whence it passes through the openings f and aº into one of
the cylinders A. Below the port 63 is a partition b³. Below this partition is
an opening or passage 66 running through the stem and a port 6, through which
the air is exhausted from the cylinders through the passage 66 into the centre
of the machine, from whence it escapes, as will be hereinafter described. Of
course the air might be exhausted directly into the central part of the machine,
if desired.
The stem or stud B is provided with a broad head b¹ upon which is mounted
a ring 68 between which and a similar ring 69, the balls 67 are mounted, forming
a bearing for the upper part of the stem as shewn in Fig. 1. The eccentric
portion of the stem is rotatably mounted in the head b¹ and extends through the
casing I. A handle is fastened to the upper part of the hollow stem B, which
handle, if rotated 90° cuts off the supply of air or other motive fluid, thereby
stopping the engine, and if rotated 90° more, reverses the engine, as the valve F
is fixed to the stem B. The upper central stem or stud B2 passes through the
casing I of the machine and is screw threaded at 610 and provided with a nut 1
and a feed nut 62, the other part of which is screw threaded at 613 engaging

page_text: with a nut b¼ provided with handles b¹ by means of which the machine is fed
up to its work.
Located within the cylinders are the pistons K upon which the cylinders are
free to slide, the pistons themselves being secured from longitudinal motion by
having their stems attached to pivots k. Said pistons are, therefore, free to
swing but not to move longitudinally in the cylinders and the said pistons are
secured in a revolving frame which runs upon the ball bearings formed around
the balls ¹ and b. This frame consists of three upper members L, running
from the upper ball bearing on the stem B to the pivot k, and of three similarly
disposed lower members L. These lower members unite to form a projection
which is perforated and screw threaded on its interior. Into this perforation
is screwed a stud ⁄ provided with a gear wheel ². The lower part of the casing I
is provided with a removable head I attached thereto by bolts it.
The lower part
of the head I is provided with a central projecting stud in which the tool
carrier M is mounted. At the end of the stud a ball bearing of the usual
construction is formed. The head I¹ is provided with two smaller studs 77
each of which is provided with a bushing 8 and through these studs project the
hollow exhaust tubes or shaft, which are rotatable and transmit, by suitable
gearing, motion from the stud to the tool holder M. At their lower ends these
hollow shafts are supported in bearings in the studs .
Their upper ends are secured in bearings in the frames N, best shewn in
Figures 1 and 2. As shown in these frames N each have three arms, two reaching
from the circumference of the head I to the hollow shafts, and the third
reaching to ball bearings n', n¹, preferably one immediately over the other
surrounding the projection 1. Cross frames N¹ are used to give additional
strength.
As said before, the stud 1, is provided with a gear wheel 12, which gear wheel
meshed with the gear wheels O one of which is located on each shaft . Each
of these hollow shafts is also provided with a gear wheel o, all of which mesh
with the gear wheel o on the tool holder M. The casing I is of course pro-
vided with suitable handles, one of which is made hollow for the admission of
the motor fluid, preferably compressed air.
The operation is as follows:
-
Steam or compressed air being admitted through the passage i passes through the
opening in the stem B out through the port 63 into the chamber h and
through the valve F and passage a into one of the cylinders A.
The piston Kin said cylinder, being unable to move longitudinally, the
pressure of the air or other motor fluid tends to slide the cylinder A towards
the stem B. As the cylinder A cannot move towards the stem B, the pressure
of the air causes the pistons and supporting frames to revolve on the ball
bearings around said stem, carrying the cylinders with them and causing the
cylinders to revolve around the eccentric stud, the retaining rings C and C
holding the parts in their proper relative positions. As the valve F is fixed to
the stem B the rotation of the cylinders around said stem soon causes the air to
be cut off from the first cylinder at any desired point of the stroke of its piston
and admitted to the second cylinder.
As the cylinder which is charged proceeds with its movement, the passage a
finally comes into connection with the port 6 in the stem B, and the air is
therefore exhausted into the center of the machine from whence it escapes
through the hollow shafts 2º. The supply of air to said cylinders and the
exhausting of the air therefrom is kept up automatically until the supply of
air is cut off.
My machine is simple, cheap, easy to make and very efficient. One of the
special features of improvement is the use of the valve E made of brass or anti-
friction metal which practically receives (exclusive of the ball bearings)
the entire wear of the inner part of the machine. As this can be readily renewed
it does away with all adjustments which are troublesome to make and often

page_text: involve great expense, especially if, as often happens, certain parts of the machine
have to be renewed.
In Figures 12 and 13 I have shewn in modified form means for admitting air
to the cylinders and exhausting it therefrom. In this modification the valve
seat E is vertically arranged, instead of horizontally as in Fig. 1. The fixed
stem B¹ is provided with a central stepped projection p, with a supply passage p
and an exhaust passage p³. It is also provided with an admission port p
and an exhaust port .
The construction and operation of this form of my invention will, it is thought,
be clear without further explanation, and as the pressure when the cylinder is
receiving air causes the cylinder head to be forced against the stud during the
entire time that it has air under pressure inside of it, any lost motion due to
wear of the valve seat E is automatically taken up, and the cylinder heads are
always held closely against the valve seat and that in turn against the valve
011 the pressure side. The effect of this is to leave any opening due to wear on
the exhaust side of the eccentric stud where the escape of the air is an advantage
not only because it will reduce back pressure but also because it will tend to
lubricate the surfaces of the valve seat.
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. The construction and arrangement of parts substantially as described and
shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings hereunto
annexed.
2. The construction and arrangement of parts substantially as described and
shewn in Figure 10 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
3. The construction and arrangement of parts substantially as described and
shewn in Figure 5 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
4. The construction and arrangement of parts substantially as described and
shewn in Figures 12 and 13 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
5. In a rotary engine, an eccentrically located stem or stud having admission
and exhaust passages with a plurality of independent reciprocating cylinders
rotating around said stem, substantially as described.
6. In a rotary engine, a stem or stud, a plurality of independent cylinders
rotating around said stem or stud and one or more independent rings holding
said cylinders against said stem, each ring being common to all of said cylinders,
substantially as described.
7. In a rotary engine, a head I¹ having a plurality of lugs, a tool holder rotat-
ing in one of said lugs, hollow shafts each secured at one end in one of said lugs,
a plurality of three-armed. frames, one of which supports the other end of each
of said hollow shafts, gear wheels mounted on said shafts, and a tool holder,
substantially as described.
8. In a rotary engine, a stem or stud having an admission passage for the
motor fluid, a plurality of independent cylinders rotating around said stem and
means for starting stopping and reversing the engine, substantially as described.
9. In a rotary engine, a hollow stem or stud, a plurality of independent
cylinders adapted to rotate around said stud, a valve, a valve seat common to
all of said cylinders and fixed rigidly to one of them and means for starting,
stopping and reversing the engine, substantially as described.
10. A rotary engine provided with a single disc crank comprising a stem or
stud terminating at one end in a disc. and a crank pin provided with admission
and exhaust passages for the motive fluid, substantially as described.
11. A rotary engine provided with a single disc crank, comprising a stem or
stud forming the crank shaft and terminating at one end in a disc, and a crank
pin rotatably mounted in said disc and provided with admission and exhaust
passages for the motive fluid, substantially as described.

page_text: 12. In a rotary engine, a supporting stem or stud provided with a head and
a tubular stem carried by said head and eccentrically located with regard thereto,
said tubular stem having admission and exhaust passages for the motive fluid,
a plurality of independent cylinders adapted to rotate around said stud, a valve
seat common to all of said cylinders and fixed rigidly to one of them and means
for starting, stopping and reversing the engine, substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of August 1899
TONGUE & BIRKBECK;
51, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.