IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF UTILIZING DIRECTLY VAPORS OR GAS AS MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1877

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to Felix Alexandre Testud de Beauregard, of Paris, Engineer,
for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF UTILIZING DIRECTLY
VAPORS OR GAS AS MOTIVE POWER."
Sealed the 8th February 1878, and dated the 16th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Felix Alexandre Testul de
Beauregard at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th August
1877.
FELIX ALEXANDRE TESTUD DE BEAUREGARD, of Paris, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE OF UTILIZING DIRECTLY VAPORS OR GAS AS MOTIVE POWER."
The object of this Invention is the direct utilization without any intermediate
mechanical transmitters of the power derived from the expansion of gases and
vapours.
The object can be effected in connection with three different kinds of apparatus,
that is to say:
1. Producing the direct propulsion of vessels by re-action,enabling the suppression
of the engines, paddle wheels, and screws at present employed.
2. For operating direct-acting lift and force pumps for draining, irrigating, fire
engines and vessels, air pumps for vacuum or compression.
3. The replacement of ordinary steam engines by these same apparatus, working
hydraulically, and permitting the transmission of power to all distances.
The jet was the only means at our disposal for utilizing directly the expansion
of vapour, with this incomplete means only the, cis vira, or live force of steam was
utilized, and no advantage was derived from its weight, its pressure, or its expansive
power.
In the arrangements which form the object of this Invention the steam jet is
also utilized, but this acts in a stagnant condition upon the water which plays the
part of piston.
The steam employed is by preference superheated steam, as experience has
demonstrated that in presence of a cold liquid this superheated steam only

page_text: :
gradually loses its heat, condensation is slower still if the walls are non-conductors,
in short, I will say that practically steam when separated from water by an isolating
bed no longer condenses. It was necessary therefore to study carefully the casing
and interior screen or lining of the receivers and the isolating bed to prevent all
contact between the acting steam and the forced water.
The screen must fulfil certain conditions; it must be elastic, to follow the fluctuations
of the liquid less dense than water, so as not to mix with it and be unaffected by
steam at a high temperature.
Fatty bodies satisfy all these conditions; to increase still more their isolating
properties I add to them some solid isolating body pulverized, and more particularly
cork dust.
The interior lining of the receivers is made by preference of walls of oak, held by
iron bands, the exterior of wood or other non-conductor of heat. The fatty body
constituting the isolating material is formed of paraffine, wax, linseed oil, or other
similar substance, and is mixed with cork dust.
It is well known that if a fluid animated with a certain speed is caused to re-act
upon an inert ambient liquid, a direct suction or vacuum is obtained in front, and
a forcing up at the back. This action is aided by the weight resulting from the
difference of level in the columns by the speed of the vessel or other analogous
circumstance. An apparatus thus constructed applied to the propulsion of vessels
admits generally of two series of receivers. Let us suppose one series of two
receivers; these two receivers art inversely, the one sucks in front of the vessel, while
the other forces at the back, the suction at its last limit opening the force valve and
reciprocally. The receivers both form part of the same mechanism, the advantage of
which is to leave free the interior of the receivers, and by means of the float piston.
to arrive at the stagnation of the liquid or steam.
The directing vats with floats are furnished with isolating materials. They are
provided with three systems of floats, one of them serves to produce the expansion,
aud can be easily displaced to produce the variations deemed necessary. The float
pistons of the receivers are of wood, covered with thin sheet iron, and provided at
their circumference with rings of linen which by friction make the piston elastic the
length of the vat, and prevent all contact between the water and the steam, and the
spirting out resulting from shocks on the walls which may entail pitching and
rolling.
The function of the arrangement or system admits of the two following quite
distinct periods,-
1st. The full pressure in one of the vats during condensation in the other.
2nd. The expansion in the first vat, and the continuation of the upward travel of
the liquid in the second by reason of the vacuum produced.
The suction is rendered continuous although the effect is produced alternately in
each of the receivers by reason of the alternate closing of the valves during the
forcing actions.
The opening more or less of the steam cock will entail a variation in the effects
of these apparatus, and consequently will proeure a simple means of regulating the
speed according to need. By this arrangement the maneuvrings are much simplified
by means of prepared liquid emissions, the movements from starboard "to" port,"
the inverse movements, the movements for tacking about, are obtained directly by
the opening or closing of the different suction or force valves.
The same apparatus described for the propulsion of vessels may be used as a
pump.
So far as the transformation of steam engines is concerned I will recall to mind
first, that it was impossible to place the steam generator at a distance, because of
the condensation or cooling of the steam in the conduits which lead to the machine.
Let us conceive my apparatus placed at 300 or 400 metres or more from the factory
or workshop, and communicating with the motor machine actuated by steam. This
machine is then influenced in one direction by the pressure of water, which directly.
compresses the steam, and in the other direction by the relative vacuum proceeding

page_text: from the attraction of the liquid in the suction receiver. In this manner the same
quantity of water is alternately forced and resucked.
Lastly. This Invention may be appropriated to the ventilation of buildings, and
to replace ventilators and blowing machines in industry.
I proceed to describe with reference to the annexed Drawings, one arrangement of
which, my receiver apparatus, are susceptible, and the complete installation which
may be given industrially to my Invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of two receivers coupled or joined together;
Figure 2 is a horizontal section. These vessels or receivers A and B, formed of
sheet or cast iron, are lined interiorly with oak walls to prevent loss or waste of
heat. In each of the said receivers is a moveable isolating screen, formed of rigid
Hoats 6, of oak, pierced or perforated to permit the passage of the air interposed
between the steam and the cork dust e, which forms an isolating diaphragm between
the cold water and the steam at high temperature.
Figure 1, represents the lamina of air which is incessantly renewed. This
screen is represented in detail at Figure 3 upon a larger seale. As seen, the floats
carry upon their peripheries a ring of leather or other flexible and elastic material,
destined to form against the walls a completely hermetic joint.
Each of the receivers A and B communicates at top and bottom by conduits e
with the cylinders C and D, in which are metallic counterweights 1, 2, 3, and 4.
By reason of the difference of density of the medium in which they are plunged
these counterweights rise and fall, and communicate their movement to the
rods E, F, G, H. These rods are joined together, two and two, by the levers I
and J.
Suppose that the water is repelled or driven down in the receiver A, and sucked
or drawn up in the receiver B, the counterweights 3 and 4, jointly with the balance
or lever J. becoming equilibrated in the liquid, the result is that when one of
them becomes uncovered by the level descending in its corresponding receiver it acts
upon the balance with a force represented by a weight of water equal to its volume.
The period of depressing or repelling taking place in the receiver A. the water
pressed by the steam descends in this receiver till the moment when the counter-
weight 3, uncovered by the descending level, produces its action upon the balance J,
which, oscillating upon its axis, communicates its movement to the rods G and H.
The rod H acts then upon a slide valve which permits the escape of the steam
which still presses in the receiver A, while the rod. G acts upon another slide to
admit steam into the receiver B. This receiver is being filled while the receiver A
is being emptied. The inverse stage then commences, the liquid is repelled or
driven down in the receiver Band sucked or drawn up in A. This suction is due
to the vacuum resulting from the condensation of the steam by an injection of
water aided by the suction produced by a special apparatus.
The steam in the receiver B acts with all its pressure until the counterweight 4,
disengaged from the liquid, imparts to the balance or lever a movement of
oscillation inverse to that which it had received from the counterweight 3. At this
moment the rod G has moved the slide and closed the introduction of steam, the
expansion takes place, and as soon as the liquid in descending uncovers the counter-
weight 1, the effects above described recommence in the inverse direction. The
balance I, drawn by this counterweight 1, oscillates upon its axis, the rod Facts
upon the escape valve in the receiver B, while the rod E opens the induction valve
in the receiver A, so that the counterweight 2 closes, in its turn, this slide to produce
expansion.
The degree of expansion may be varied at will. For this purpose it will be
sufficient to unscrew the nuts which fasten the rods E and G to the levers, and to
lower or raise these rods which are joined to the counterweights 2 and 4.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Felix Alexandre Testud de Beauregard in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th February 1878.
FELIX ALEXANDRE TESTUD DE BEAUREGARD, of Paris, Engineer. **IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MODE OF UTILISING DIRECTLY VAPOURS OR GAS AS MOTIVE POWER."
The object of this Invention is the direct utilization without any intermediate
mechanical transmitters of the power derived from the expansion of gases and
vapours..
The object can be effected in connection with three different kinds of apparatus,
that is to say,-
1st. Producing the direct propulsion of vessels by re-action, enabling the sup-
pression of the engines, paddle wheels, and screws at present employed.
2nd. For operating direct-acting lift and force pumps, for draining, irrigating,
fire engines, and vessels, air pumps, for vacuum or compression of all gases utilized
industrially, such as carbonic acid, sulphurous acid, chloric gas, and oxygen.
3rd. The replacement of ordinary steam engines by these same apparatus, working
hydraulically, and permitting the transmission of power to all distances.
The jet was the only means at disposal for utilizing directly the expansion of
vapour, but with this incomplete means, especially by reason of the immediate
condensation caused by the direct contact of the steam with the water, only the
vis viva, or live force of steam was utilized, and no advantage was derived from its
weight, its pressure, or its expansive power.
In the arrangements which form the object of this Invention, which has as an
essential element, the intervention of a screen or insulating body of a special nature,
the steam jet is also utilized, but this acts in a stagnant condition upon the water,
which plays the part of piston.
The steam employed is by preference superheated steam, as experience has
demonstrated that in presence of a cold liquid the superheated steam only gradually
loses its heat; condensation is slower still if the walls, are not conductors, in
short, practically, steam when separated from water by an isolating bed no longer
condenses. It is necessary therefore to study carefully the casing and interior screen
or lining of the receivers and the isolating bed to prevent all contact between the
acting steam and the forced water.
The screen must fulfil certain conditions, it must be elastic to follow the fluctua-
tions of the liquid, less dense than the water, so as not to mix with it, and be
unaffected by steam at a high temperature.
Fatty bodies satisfy most of these conditions. I have found however by time
and experience that these bodies might unite by saponification; it is with these
ideas that my researches have been made amongst the most inattackable solid bodies.
Granulated cork, resisting time, heat, and affinity, plunged in a liquid, never suffers
any deterioration, and I found this solid insulating body, granulated or pulverized,
fulfilled all the required conditions.
The interior lining of the receiver is made by preference of walls of oaks held by
iron bands, the exterior of wood or other non-conductor of heat.
-In certain cases, and for certain purposes, an insulating mixture composed of
paraffine, linseed oil, and cork dust may with advantage be employed.
I may here state that for the compression of vapours or gases specially useful
in manufactures, such as sulphurous acid, oxygen, carbonic acid, or chloric gas, as
above stated, the insulating diaphragm should be composed or constituted in
accordance with the non-affinity of the various gases employed.
It is well known that if a fluid, animated with a certain speed, is caused to re-act
upon an inert ambient liquid, a direct movement, proportionate to the initial speed
of the auimated fluid is obtained. If this movement is, for example, at the stern of
a ship, the force brought to bear would be the more powerful, as it would be
strengthened by a suction at the bows by the same laws of relations of speed. This

page_text: suction action, as seen in the Drawings, may be aided by the weight resulting from
the difference of floating level by the speed of the ship or other analogous circum-
stance, as already stated. This new mode of propulsion is susceptible of various
applications, which have only an apparent similarity to those attempted up to the
present, which do not touch in any way the different results obtainable by the mode
I now describe.
In effect, a pump worked by the driving engine of a ship could only impart to it a
speed proportionate to the throw of the motor liquid. This throw in its turn is
dependent on the speed given to the piston, but modified by the section of vacuum,
from which it results that the differential speeds of the driving-engine piston could
only have a relative effect, and of little influence upon the speed of the ship,
whereas the liquid compressed by steam or gases always represents the initial
pressure of the said gases and steam whatever be the section.
I will describe, with reference to the annexed Drawings, one arrangement which
may be given to my receiver apparatus, and the installation which may be given to
the whole when my system is applied industrially.
Figure is a vertical section of two receivers coupled; Figure 2 is a horizontal
section. These receivers A and B, made of sheet or cast iron, are lined interiorly
with walls of oak a to prevent loss of heat.
In each of them is an insulating
movable partition formed of rigid floats of oak pierced with holes to allow the air
to pass, which is between the steam and the cork dust e, which forms an insulating
diaphragm between the cold air and the hot steam. 7 is the layer of air constantly
renewed. This partition is shown in detail, Figure 3, on a larger scale.
As seen,
the floats carry on their circumference a crown of leather, cloth, or other
flexible and elastic material destined to maintain the liquid stationary in regard to
the movements of the ship (pitching, rolling, etc.).
Each of the receivers A and B communicates at its upper and lower parts by the
conduits e with the cylinders C and D, in which are the metallic counterweights
1, 2, 3, and 4.
By reason of the difference of density of the medium in which they are plunged,
these counterweights rise and fall, and communicate their movement to the rods
E, F, G, H; the rods are also joined together two by two by the cross pieces I
and J.
Supposing the water is forced down in the receiver A, and drawn up or sucked in
the receiver B, the counterweights 3 and 4, dependant from the cross piece J, equi-
libriated in the liquid, it follows that when one of them is left uncovered by reason
of the descending level of its corresponding receiver, it acts on the cross piece with
a force represented by a weight of water equal to a volume. The period of forcing
in the receiver A taking place, the water forced by the steam descends in this receiver
until the moment when the counterweight 3. left uncovered by the descending
level, produces its action on the cross piece J, which, oscillating on its axis, commu-
nicates its movement to the rods G and H. The rod F then acts on a slide valve,
which permits the escape of the steam, which again gives pressure in the receiver A,
while the rod G acts on another slide valve, which admits the steam into the
receiver B this receiver has filled itself, whilst the receiver A has emptied itself.
The reverse action then commences, the liquid is forced down in the receiver B.
and drawn up or sucked in A. This suction is due to the vacuum resulting from
the condensation of the steam by an injection of water aided by the suction pro-
duced by the pressure existing in the opposite receiver.
The steam which is in the receiver B acts with all its pressure until the counter-
weight 4, disengaged from the liquid, imparts an oscillating movement to the cross
piece reverse to that it received from the counterweight 3. At this moment the
rod G has displaced the slide valve and closed the introduction of steam, expansion
takes place, and directly the descending liquid uncovers the counterweight 1 the
effects I have just described recommence reversely. The cross piece I. yielding
to this counterweight 1. oscillates on its axis: the rod Facts on the exhaust valve
in the receiver B, whilst the rod E opens the slide valve for the entry of steam into

page_text: the receiver A, so that the counterweight 2 in its turn closes this slide valve to
produce the expansion.
The degree of expansion may be varied at will; all that is required is to unscrew
the nuts which fix the rods E and G to the cross pieces, and to raise or lower those
rods which are joined to the counterweights 2 and 4.
Figure 4 shows the application of my system to the propulsion of ships. I arrange
two receivers A and B coupled together, which draw in at the bows of the ship,
whilst they throw out at the stern.
By opening the steam cock the power of these apparatus may be varied at will,
which permits the variation of speed as required.
By this system maneuvres are much simplified by admitting and suitably
directing the water, the movements from starboard to "port." and reversely,
tacking about, and other necessary movements, are executed with the greatest
rapidity.
It is to be understood that the apparatus described and shown with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 may be utilized as a pump.
Figures 5 and 6 show the application of this system for the transmission of motive
power to a great distance, vertically to the bottom of a mine shaft, and horizontally
to a distant motor. In all cases it suffices to establish between the apparatus,
single or double, placed at 0, and the hydraulic engine M a double canal for the
going and coming of the water alternately drawn in and thrown out by the receivers
of the apparatus. Thus the problem so long sought, the transmission of motive
power to a great distance, and its division, is practically solved.
Steam does not readily adapt itself to transmission; it condenses on the journey,
and its pressure diminishes; water, on the contrary, has not this inconvenience.
Moreover, as in my system I utilize all the expansive force of the steam without
any intermedium for thus putting the water in motion, the first cost of the motive
power transmitted would not be great.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed. I declare that I claim as my Invention,-
The direct utilization of the expansive force of gases and steam, of their weight,
of their pressure and live force, without any mechanical intermediation, by causing
these gases or steam at a high temperature or superheated to act on the water in a
stationary condition, playing the part of a piston, all condensation being avoided by
the interposition of movable insulating partitions between the steam and the water
to be forced in combination, as described and shewn, and specially the particular
diaphragm (granulated cork or cork powder).
I claim, secondly, the different applications of which this system is susceptible.
and specially for the propulsion of ships, as water and air pumps, to replace steam
engines in their various duties, and for the transmission of motive power to great
distances.
In witness whereof, I. the said Felix Alexandre Testud de Beauregard, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD,
Civil Engineer,
23, B. de Strasbourg,
à Paris.
F. TESTUD DE BEAUREGARD. (L.S.)