IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE AND OTHER ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ECCENTRIC AND CONCENTRIC CRANKS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING AN EQUABLE AND UNIFORM ACTION OF THE MACHINERY TO WHICH THE SAME ARE APPLIED."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Edmund Passce, of Alfred Place, Bedford Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE AND OTHER ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND ARRANGEMENT OF ECCENTRIC AND CONCENTRIC CRANKS FOR THE PURPOSE
OF OBTAINING AN EQUABLE AND UNIFORM ACTION OF THE MACHINERY TO
WHICH THE SAME ARE APPLIED."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Edmund Passee at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th August 1876
THOMAS EDMUND PASSEL, of Alfred Place, Bedford Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE AND OTHER
ENGINES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ECCENTRIC AND CON-
CENTRIC CRANKS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING AN EQUABLE AND UNIFORM
ACTION OF THE MACHINERY TO WHICH THE SAME ARE APPLIED."
My said Invention consists, firstly, in certain improvements in the construction
of marine and other engines, whereby great advantages are obtained
In accordance with my said Invention a lever is applied to the engine so that the
power is thereby increased and concentrated at the end of the short arm of the said
lever in accordance with the length of the long arm thereof which is operated
against. For this purpose I employ two cylinders which are opposite to each other,
and so situated that the pistons, which are actuated by steam or any other suitable
motive power, nove in uniformity with each other and with the lever arrangement.
The long arm of the lever is so adjusted as to move up and down between the
compound head of the piston rods either by means of a friction roller, side blocks,
or other convenient means, in order to equalize the rectilinear motion of the piston
rods to the arm of the lever and to the arc described by it instead of using the
ordinary system of parallel motion. The motion of the pistons being thus pro-
duced, their power is intensified at the end of the short arm of the lever, from which
it is directly transmitted to actuate paddle wheels, screw propellors, or any machi-
nery to which such power is applicable.
In connection with the arrangements before described I employ a ball-and-socket
joint at the end of the short arm of the lever, in order to utilize the transverse
action of the beam directly to the screw propellor or other machinery. Although
[Price 6d.]
'

page_text: the common crank may be used I prefer to employ perfect eccentric and concentric
cranks (herein-after described), which form a part of my said Invention, and which
are especially designed to equalize and render the motion of the machinery smooth
and uniform.
By reference to Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings the nature of that part of my
said Invention which is herein-before described will be more clearly understood.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the engine with two cylinders, the pistons
being at half stroke and applied to actuate a paddle wheel A is the long arm of
the lever, and B the short arm of the same, a perfect eccentric crank constructed in
accordance with this Invention being shewn at C
Figure 2 is a front vertical section of the application of a ball-and-socket joint for
utilizing the transverse motion of the beam directly in actuating a screw propellor
by a common crank The perfect eccentric and concentric cranks can, however, be
employed, instead of the common crank
Figure 3 shews a side section of the screw propellor fitted with a ball-and-socket
joint directly in accordance with the longitudinal elevation of the engine represented
in Figure 1
I will now proceed to describe that part of my said Invention which relates to
improvements in the construction and arrangement of eccentric and concentric
cranks, whereby the "dead" or "critical" points of the common crank are pre-
vented, and either a perfect eccentric or concentric crank is produced which pos-
sesses an uniform and equable motion in itself, and thus absorbs all momentum and
renders it unnecessary to employ the cumbrous fly or balance wheel which is
ordinarily used.-
An important advantage connected with this portion of my said Invention is that
cianks constructed in accordance therewith are quickly reversible at any point in
an upward or downward stroke, and it should be observed that cranks constructed
in accordance with my said Invention, whilst utilizing the jerking or spasmodic
action of an engine, will effect a great saving in wear and increase the available
horse power of all engines to which it is applied
"
"3
In order that the nature of this portion of my said Invention and its applications
may be clearly understood, it will be desirable for me to make the following obser-
vations with regard to that part thereof which relates to the construction and
arrangement of eccentric and concentric cranks. The "critical" or "dead" point
of the common crank may be obviated if a small cross tar be attached quite close
and parallel to the usual cross bar or axle of the crank, and set at a right angle or
at an acute angle to the rectilineal movement of a piston rod so as to form an
eccentric; or a cross bar or axle of the crank may have a prominence or "bulge
attached to or formed on it, the same occupying a position on one side just in
advance or beyond the perpendicular line of the "critical or "dead" points, so as
also to form an eccentric when a piston is commencing either an upward or down-
ward stroke. Around such an axle with the prominence or the two cross bars the
usual circumference or collar of an ordinary, connecting rod must play. Thus,
when the prominence or bulge is employed, and the piston is being forced up, that
part of the circumference of the connecting rod on which the bulge or prominence
is resting will first press on the latter, which being many degrees beyond the per-
pendicular and range of the piston rod must receive the first impact and will move,
carrying the axle with it and rotating upwards, thus avoiding any
"dead ог
"critical" point below. At the downward stroke the bulge or prominence will be
so many degrees over and beyond the "dead" or "critical" point above, and in
position to be pulled down, which will be done on the same principle. Thus the
bulge or prominence is first pushed up and then pulled down by the circumference
or collar of the connecting rod before any other part of the cross bar or axle of the
crank is touched or acted upon, and therefore there can be no
"dead " or "critical"
points in either case.
"
It has been found, however, in actual practice that the centre of gravity of the
crank was too low, and consequently that it would not work. By modifying the

page_text: Also,
principle and raising the centre of gravity, and by placing the bulge or prominence
at an angle of 30° above, in order that the crank axle may occupy that angle on one
side of the rectilineal action of a piston rod, the crank is very easily moved up and
down continuously, shewing the eccentric principle to be perfectly correct.
on removing the fastening of the bulge or prominence to the crank axle, and allow-
ing the bulge or prominence to ride freely around the axle and take up any position
or angle thereon, the crank is caused to move easily, smoothly, and equably, and
when at full speed is quickly reversed without stopping, thus demonstrating the
superiority of a movable bulge or prominence to one which is fixed. By extending
the principle and applying it to a moveable concentric ring the crank action is the
same, being smooth and uniform and reversible with equal facility at any point of
the stroke, whether upward or downward.
In Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawings several examples of the modifications which
may be adapted for eccentric and concentric rings are shewn, and by means of
which friction is reduced, and the bushes or frictional bearings usually employed
dispensed with, their position being occupied by and their office fulfilled by this
new adaptation. It will be observed that in some of the examples small plates or
blocks are inserted into the collars of the connecting rods, in order that when the
eccentric and concentric rings wear down and are loose, the said blocks may be
easily and quickly removed and the mechanism again made tight and placed in
working order.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, represents the eccentric position of the crank axle at an angle
of 30° from the rectilineal range of a piston rod, either below or above the shaft
axle a, as caused by the supplemental axle occupying that angle on the opposito arc.
The arrows indicate the points of impact at a forward and return stroke
Figure 2 shews the eccentric position of the crank axle, as caused by the bulge
or prominence, being set at an angle of 30° on the opposite arc, and fastened to the
axle by a screw in one case, and without the screw in the other case, in order that
it may ride freely around the axle and take up any position or angle on it.
a is the
shaft axle, and the anows show the points of impact at a forward and return stroke.
Figure 3 shews the application of an eccentric ring moving freely around the
crank axle and collar of the connecting rod, the same being formed of two pieces
and fastened together by a screw and countersunk clamp. This eccentric ring
is found by actual experiment to move equably, and admits of a quick reversible
action when at full speed.
Figure 4 represents the application of a moveable triangular eccentric ring formed
of two parts, not joined, so as to allow of wear and tear and further use on removing
the side plates or blocks (which are shown) into the collar of the connecting rod.
This eccentric ring moves freely, and adapts itself in any direction, and admits of a
quick reversible action at full speed.
Figure 5 represents the application of a moveable elliptical concentric ring formed
of two parts which are fastened together by screws This concentric ring is also
found by actual experiment to move freely and equably in any direction, and
admits of a quick reversible action when at full speed.
Figure 6 represents the application of a moveable triangular concentric ring
formed of two portions, the same not being joined, so as to allow of wear and
further use on removing the side plates or blocks, which are shewn, into the collar
of the connecting rod. This concentric ring also moves freely and adapts itself in
any direction and admits of a quick reversible action when at full speed.
Figure 7 represents the application of a moveable quadrangular concentric ring
formed of two parts, not joined, so as to allow of wear and further use on removing
the side plates or blocks, which are shewn, into the collar of the connecting rod
The four positions of the crank are illustrated in this Figure. This form of con-
centric ring also moves freely, and adapts itself in any direction, and admits of a
quick reversible action when at full speed.
Figure 8 represents the application of a moveable eccentric ring, similar to that
shewn at Figure 3, formed of two parts, but which are not joined, so as to allow of

page_text: wear and further use on removing the side plates inserted into the collar of the
connecting rod This eccentric ring moves freely, and adapts itself in any position,
and also admits of a quick reversible action The four positions of the crank are
shewn in this Figure.
I would observe that the previous description and forms of the eccentric and
concentric rings are especially constructed with the view of reducing friction, but
rings made to fit completely into the circumference of the collar of the connecting
rods can be made use of.
"
With a view of perfecting the concentric and eccentric rings as much as possible,
and to prevent the possibility of their sliding or slipping out of their position, they
should be formed with an outside rim or flange on either face of the collar of the
connecting rod, or a short clamp inay be bolted on either side on either face of the
collar of the connecting rod to serve the same purpose when there is no im or
flange.
I should here remark that this portion of my said Invention not only consists in
the application of the principles of my said Invention to ordinary engines on such
as are herein-before especially mentioned, and thereby effecting a perfect crank
action, but that the same is also applicable to all other axes or wheels or mechanical
contrivances or combinations of mechanism which may requie an equable and
uniform action in order to obtain a perfect motion.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original and therefore claim as constituting my said In-
vention, are-
First. The combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism in the con-
struction of marine and other engines, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before mentioned.
And, secondly. The construction and arrangement of eccentric and concentric
cranks, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described and set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Edmund Passee, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six
THO. EDM PASSEE. (L.S.)