IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ENGINES WORKED BY GAS OR OTHER FLUID, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING FLUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herrmann Robert Leichsenring, of Grossenhain, Kingdom
of Saxony, in, Germany, Engineer, residing presently at Cologne, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ENGINES WORKED BY GAS
OR OTHER FLUID, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING
FLUIDS."
Sealed the 24th January 1879, and dated the 2nd August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herrmann Robert Leichsenring
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August 1878.
HERRMANN ROBERT LEICHSENRING, of Grossenhain, Kingdom of Saxony, in
Germany, Engineer, residing presently at Cologne. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO ENGINES WORKED BY GAS OR OTHER FLUID, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO
APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to that class of engines in which gas or other combustible
fluid is used for producing the motive power, and it consists in various details of
construction herein-after described.
First. In order to prevent irregularity in the action of the gases in the engine
arising from their being badly mixed in the reservoir of the said engine, I conduct
these gases or gaseous compounds from the said reservoir by means of two pipes,
one of which leads from the highest, and the other from the lowest part of the
reservoir. The said pipes are united at a point before reaching the engine, so that
a second mixture of the gases is thereby obtained.
Secondly. I construct a cock for controlling the admission, ignition, and emission
of the gases used with an engine which is provided with a particular combustion
space, filled at every revolution with gaseous compounds to be ignited in it.
The said cock is made as follows, that is to say:-At one side it is provided
with a channel for the admission of the compounds into the combustion space. At
the centre of the cock there is the ignition chamber, herein-after described, and.at

page_text: the other side there is a channel for the emission of the exhausted gases of the
cylinder. Above it another channel establishes the communication of the combus-
tion space with the cylinder. In one of the extreme positions of the cock the
channel for the admission of the compounds is open, and at the same time the
outlet of the cylinder. In the middle position the ignition takes place, and in the
other extreme position the ignited gases enter the cylinder from the combustion
space.
Thirdly. I effect the regulation of any gas engine in such a manner that in the
highest position of the governor the outlet part of the cylinder will be held open,
and the admission of the gases into the cylinder be prevented until the engine has
regained its regular velocity, and I employ for this purpose the following mechanism,
that is to say-The rod of a distributing cock or slide valve is drawn in one direc-
tion by means of a latch or catch, and it is pushed in the opposite direction by means
of another piece. If only a small power is required, the governor rises. At the lower
part of the governor is a disc, against which the lever of the aforesaid latch pushes
and is raised thereby; a disengagement is effected, and the cock or slide is forced to
remain in that position in which the outlet port of the cylinder is held open, and the
inlet for the gases into the cylinder is closed. If the governor descends, the said
latch shoots inward by the effect of a spring provided for the purpose, and the engine
works as before.
The same effect may be obtained in an engine in which the distribution of fluid
is controlled by valves, if the governor, in its highest position, is caused to hold
open by means of suitable mechanism the outlet valve, and keep the inlet valve
closed.
Fourthly. In order to effect an equilibrium in the slide I pierce the latter on its
side toward the cover and make the area of the openings equal to those on the
other side. Then I cut out parts of the slide valve cover in such a manner that the
gases under pressure encounter an equal surface on both sides of the slide in every
position. The cover therefore receives directly that pressure with which the slide
was previously pressed against it, and so the slide is placed in perfect equilibrium,
or balanced.
Fifthly. I provide improved means for effecting the ignition of the gases under
pressure, previous to such ignition, as follows, that is to say:-
The slide or cock provided for the distribution of the fluid has a special chamber
for the ignition, and within this chamber there is a flame burning, above which is
provided a lateral aperture, and opposite thereto is a funnel-shaped opening termi-
nating also in an aperture. The slide face of the cylinder has a special chamber for
ignition. The operation is as follows, that is to say -After the slide has cut off the
admission of the gases into the cylinder, the aforesaid ignition chamber is caused to
communicate by means of suitable channels with the cylinder, at first by the aperture
over the flame, and the gaseous compound deflects the point of the flame into the
aforesaid funnel-shaped opening. A moment later this opening meets the ignition
channel of the slide face of the cylinder, and gaseous compounds from another
part of the cylinder enter the chamber through it, and catch fire immediately by
coming in contact with the burning jet of gas in the funnel-shaped opening. The
ignition is continued from the chamber into the cylinder.
These devices for the ignition of the gases may be somewhat varied without
departing from the nature of my said Invention.
Sixthly. In order to avoid too great a pressure in the reservoir in which the air,
gases, or compounds are condensed, I construct a pressure regulator, by the adjust-
ment of which any desired maximum pressure may be obtained, and by the
influence of which the effect of the compression pump ceases if that pressure is
exceeded. This regulator consists of two elastic discs of different diameter, which
discs are united by a bolt which is prolonged outside of the discs. This bolt has a
thread cut upon it, and has a nut or a hand wheel and a spring. The gases from
the reservoir press upon the inside of both discs, and the difference of pressure upon
the discs is compensated for by the said spring placed on the side of the small disc.

page_text: If it is desired to obtain a higher or lower pressure than usual in the reservoir, I
compress the said spring more or less. The regulator is so placed that the bolt
prolonged through the larger disc nearly touches the rod of the suction valve of the
compressing pump. If the tension or pressure for which the regulator has been'
adjusted should be exceeded, the pressure upon the larger disc, minus that upon the
smaller one, will become greater than the force of the spring; the latter will there-
fore be compressed, and the bolt of the regulator will be moved in the direction
from the spring and smaller disc toward the larger disc; the bolt meets the rod of
the suction valve, the valve is pushed up, and is thus held open until the pressure
in the reservoir bas fallen to the desired point. The gases being compressed by the
piston escape from the cylinder when the suction valve is raised by the regulator
into a small reservoir inserted between the suction valve and a foot valve The
gases which thus escape compress in this reservoir those gases or compounds which
have previously entered therein. By these means, gas and power are economized
for the reason that the compounds so compressed in the inserted reservoir deliver to
the piston a useful pressure at the next stroke of the engine.
The combination of my said pressure regulator with an inserted reservoir and
two suction valves of a compressing pump for air, gas, or compounds, prevents the
existence of too high a pressure in the reservoir, and this effect is produced without
loss or waste of gas or power.
The said apparatus is applicable not only for gas engines but also for any
apparatus for the compression of air or gases to any purpose.
Seventhly. According to another arrangement for preventing too great a pressure
in the reservoir of a gas engine, and for facilitating the starting of the engine, I
employ a common governor, which, by suitable mechanism, holds open the suction
valve of the compressing pump in the highest and lowest positions of the governor.
Therefore no air or gas will enter the reservoir at the highest speed of the engine,
and at a very low speed, that is to say, in the first revolutions, when the engine
starts, the latter will not overcome the resistance of the air or gas. The engine can
be started very slowly and silently.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herrmann Robert Leichsenring in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st February 1879.
: HERRMANN ROBERT LEICHSENRING, of Grossenhain, Kingdom of Saxony, in
Germany, Engineer, residing presently at Cologne. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
RELATING TO ENGINES WORKED BY GAS OR OTHER FLUID, PARTLY APPLICABLE to
APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to that class of engines in which gas or other combustible
fluid is used for producing the motive power, and it consists in various details of
construction herein-after described.
рриси.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section shewing the cylinder and adjacent
portions of the said engine.
Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating a modification of the mechanism shewn
in Figure 1.
The remaining Figures are sectional views, illustrating various parts of my
improvements, and are herein-after described.
My improvements are applicable to all kinds of engines worked by gas or other
fluid, but most of them being applied to the engine shewn in Figures 1 to 3, I give
the following short description of this engine, and its manner of operation, in order
that my said improvements may be better understood.
The cylinder A is used on the one side of the piston as a compressing pump for
gaseous compounds, and on the other side as the working cylinder. There are two
suction valves, B and C; by the valve C, the mixture of air and gas is effected, as
will be understood by reference to Figure 1. The space between the valves is
used as a reservoir, the effect of which, in combination with the valves B and C, is
herein-after described. The gases are forced out of the cylinder through the
valve D into the reservoir Y. From the latter, the said gases pass through the
valve E, the distributing cock F, and into the combustion space G, which can be
closed or put in communication with the said cylinder by means of the cock F.
The latter is moved by an excentric rod and lever H which has on its upper end a
latch W for drawing the rod J. The governor K controls the engine in combination
with the pressure regulator L, shown in Figure 1, or in the manner illustrated in
Figure 3, and herein-after described.
The mode of operation of this engine is as follows, that is to say:-The piston,
retrograding, draws in on the anterior side gaseous compounds, on the other side
the exhausted gases are forced out of the cylinder into the atmosphere, and at the
same time the admission of fresh gases from the reservoir Y into the combustion
space G is effected by the distributing cock, see Figure 2. The ignition takes place
in the space G previous to the end of the piston's stroke, and the admission of the
ignited or already burnt gases begins at the dead centre at the left, with considerable
tension, and continues during the whole forward stroke of the piston. These gases
push forward the piston, which on its other side compresses the said gaseous
compounds.
I will now more particularly describe the features which constitute my Invention.
First. In order to prevent irregularity in the action of the gases in the engine,
arising from their being badly mixed in the reservoir of the said engine, I conduct
these gases or gaseous compounds from the reservoir by means of two pipes, one of
which extends from the highest and the other from the lowest part of the reservoir.

page_text: The said pipes are united before reaching the engine, so that a second mixture of
the gases is thereby obtained.
In the engine shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gases are conducted from the reser-
voir Y by the pipes O and N, and united before passing the valve E.
In some instances, especially with gases or compounds made of oils, such as
petroleum, it occurs that they are badly mixed when under pressure in a reservoir.
Oil gases are condensed like steam if they come in contact with cold air, and fall
down in a liquid state, and the same result will be produced if there is a consider-
able pressure in the reservoir. Therefore the second mixture, effected according to
this Invention as above described, very important.
Secondly. I have constructed a cock for controlling the admission, ignition, and
emission of the gases used with a gas engine and have applied it to the engine
herein-before described. The cock is represented on an enlarged scale in Figures +
to 8. Figures 4 and 8 shew transverse sections; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section
of the said cock in the position it occupies immediately before the ignition of the
gases; and Figure 6 is a horizontal section shewing it in another position herein,
after described. P is the channel of the cock for the admission of the compressed
compounds; Q is the outlet channel of the cock; R is the channel for the admission
of the ignited gases from the combustion space to the cylinder; the channel S is
used alternately as the channel for the admission and the exhaust of the cylinder.
When an oscillation of the cock is effected from the position in Figure 7 in the
direction of the arrow, compressed compounds will pass from the reservoir Y
through the channel P into the combustion space G. The communication from the
space G with the cylinder by the channels R and S is already closed, but a com-
munication exists between Q and S, that is to say, the outlet port of the cylinder is
open and the piston moves backwards. This position of the cock, the channels
being fully opened, is shown in Figure 6; it corresponds with its extreme left-hand
position, shown in Figure 3. The manner of effecting the ignition is herein-after
described.
The admission of the ignited or aiready burnt gases into the cylinder cause the
forward stroke of the engine, takes place by the channels R and S, if the cock is
moved further in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 8.
Thirdly. I effect the regulation of a gas engine in such a manner that in the
highest position of the governor the outlet port of the cylinder will be held open,
the inlet port for the admission of fresh gases into the combustion space is also held
open, but the ignition and admission of the gases into the cylinder will be prevented
until the engine has regained its regular velocity. employ for this purpose the
following mechanism, shewn in Figure 1:-The rod J of the cock is drawn in one
direction by the latch w, and it is pushed in the opposite direction by the lever H.
If only a small power is required, the governor rises, the lever of the latch w pushes
against the lever x of the governor, and by this action the said latch is disengaged,
as shown in Figure 3. The said cock is forced to remain in the position shewn in
Figure 6, in which position the outlet channel Q of the cock is held open, corre-
sponding with the channel S; the admission of fresh gases from the reservoir into
the combustion space G is effected by the channel P, but their ignition does not
then take place, and the channel R for the admission of the gases from the combus-
tion space into the cylinder is closed. If the governor descends, the latch w is shot
- inward by a spring provided for the purpose, and the engine works as before.
The same effect may be obtained in an engine in which the distribution of fluid
is controlled by a slide, or other valve or valves, if the governor in its highest
position is caused to open the outlet valve by suitable mechanism for preventing
the ignition, and keeping closed the inlet valve for admitting the working gases in
the cylinder.
Fourthly. In order to ensure equilibrium in the slide valve or slide of a gas
engine, I form openings l, m, in the valve or slide on its back or side adjacent to
the cover, and make the area of the openings and m, Figure 9, equal to those on
the other side. I form ports in the slide valve cover, as at a and b, in such a

page_text: manner that the gases under pressure encounter an equal surface on both sides of
the slide in every position. To ensure having at all times the same pressure in the
carving b as is in the cylinder, I create a communication from b with the cylinder by the
hole c. The cover therefore receives then directly that pressure with which the slide
was previously pressed against it, and so the said slide is placed in perfect equilibrium,
or balanced. This arrangement is applicable to any construction of slide valve.
Fifthly. I provide improved means for effecting the ignition of any kind of
combustible gases or compounds under pressure previous to such ignition. The
following are some of the arrangements and constructions which I may adopt :-
In the first arrangements I have shown the distributing cock of the aforesaid gas
engine in Figures 4 to 6. The cock has a special ignition chamber d, and within
this chamber there is a flame burner, above which is provided a lateral aperture g,
and opposite thereto is a funnel or cone-shaped opening h. The manner of effecting
the ignition is as follows:-After the cock has cut off or closed the channel P for
the admission of the gases into the combustion space G, as shown in Figure 7, the
aforesaid ignition chamber d is caused to communicate with the combustion space G,
at first by the channels e, f, g, and the gaseous compounds deflect the point of the
flame into the opening h. This position of the cock immediately before the ignition
is shown in Figure 4. A moment later the ignition chamber d communicates
directly with the combustion space by the channels i and h, and the entering gases
catch fire immediately by coming in contact with the burning jet of gas. The
ignition is continued into the combustion space. The chamber d is closed with the
atmosphere before the ignition takes place (see Figure 4), and the affluence of gas
for the flame in the chamber d is prevented in the manner shown in Figures 4
and 5. The cock when reversing re-establishes the communication of the chamber d
with the atmosphere, gas is also admitted, and so the flame in the chamber dis
rekindled by another flame burning constantly above the said cock. In using this
arrangement and construction of the ignition devices with an engine in whose
cylinder the ignition of the gases takes place directly, the communication of the
ignition chamber d is also effected directly with the said cylinder.
The second arrangement is shown in Figures 10 and 11, and is applicable to the
above-described gas engine and to other engines, either in combination with the
distribution valves or cocks for the admission of the gases, or separate from the
same, and arranged at a particular part of the engine, and actuated by an excentric
cam or disc. The difference between this and the former arrangement is that in
this arrangement I deflect a point of the flame into the chamber in the cock (see
Figure 10), the operation of ignition is the same as above described. When the
parts are in the position shewn in Figure 11, the compressed gases pass from the
combustion space or cylinder, if the combustion takes place therein, to the
channels k, e, e, f, and g, and deflect the flame through h and i into the said
chamber. The next moment the gases enter directly into the chamber from the
combustion space or cylinder and take fire, and the ignition is continued.
The third arrangement is shewn in Figures 12 to 15; it is similar to the first
arrangement but adapted for the use of a slide, the letters of reference and the
manner of performance being the same. Figure 12 illustrates the affluence of the
gas and air for the flame in the chamber d, and Figure 15 the cut-off of both
before the ignition.
The fourth arrangement is shown in Figures 16 and 17 and is similar to the
second arrangement, but adapted for the use of a slide.
These devices for the ignition of the gases may be further modified without
departing from the nature of my Invention.
Sixthly. In order to avoid too great a pressure in the reservoir in which air,
gases, or compounds thereof are condensed, I construct a pressure regulator by the
adjustment of which any desired maximum of pressure may be obtained, and by
the influence of which the effect of the compression pump ceases if that pressure is
exceeded. The regulator consists of two elastic discs of different diameter, which
discs are united by a bolt which is extended outside of the discs. This bolt has a

page_text: thread cut upon it and is provided with a nut or hand wheel and a spring. The
said regulator is applied to the gas engine as shewn at L in Figure 1. The gases
press upon the inside of both discs, and the difference of the pressure upon the discs
is compensated by the said spring. If it is desired to obtain a higher or lower
pressure than usual in the reservoir Y, I compress the spring more or less accord-
ingly. The said regulator is so placed that the bolt extended through the larger
disc nearly touches the rod of the suction valve B of the compressing pump. If the
tension for which the regulator has been adjusted should be exceeded, the pressure
upon the larger disc, minus that upon the smaller disc, will become greater than the
force of the spring; the latter will therefore be compressed and the bolt of the
regulator will be moved from the spring to the larger disc; the bolt meets the rod
of the suction valve B, the valve is pushed up, and is thus held open until the
pressure in the reservoir has fallen to the desired point. When the suction valve is
raised by the regulator, the gases are forced out of the cylinder and compressed in a
reservoir z inserted between the suction valve and the foot valve. By these
arrangements gas and power are economized for the reason that the gases so com-
pressed in the reservoir z impart to the piston a useful or effective pressure at the
next stroke of the engine.
The combination of the said pressure regulator with a reservoir inserted between
the suction valve and another valve of a compressing pump, for. air, gas, or gaseous
compounds, prevents the existence of too high a pressure, and this effect is pro-
duced without loss or waste of gas and power.
The said apparatus is applicable not only for gas engines but also for other
apparatus for the compression of air or gases to any required purpose.
Seventhly. According to another arrangement for preventing too great a pressure
in the reservoir of a gas engine and for facilitating the starting of the engine, I
employ a common governor K (see Figure 3), which, by the lever T, rod U, and
double lever V, holds open the suction valve B of the compressing pump in the
highest and lowest positions of the governor. Therefore no air or gas will enter the
reservoir Y at the highest speed of the engine and at a very low speed, that is to
say, in the first revolutions, when the engine starts, the latter is not forced to over-
come the resistance of the compression of air or gas. The engine can be started
slowly, and no great power is necessary to set the same in motion.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and the manner of performing the
same, wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The conducting of gases or gaseous compounds from a reservoir of a gas
engine or motor by means of two pipes, one of which leads from the highest and
the other from the lowest part of the said reservoir, as and for the purpose specified.
Second. The use of the cock, constructed as shewn and described, for controlling
the admission, ignition, and emission of gases in a gas motor, as above set forth.
Third. Effecting the regulation of a gas motor by the mechanism described or by
other suitable mechanism, operating in such a manner that in the highest position
of the governor the outlet port of the cylinder and the inlet port of the combustion
space will be held open, the ignition will not be effected, and the inlet port of the
cylinder will be kept closed until the motor has regained its regular speed.
Fourth. Establishing the equilibrium or balance of the slide of a gas engine or
motor in the manner described.
Fifth. Effecting the ignition of combustible gases or compounds under pressure
previous to their ignition, by producing by means of suitable channels a jet of
gas which deflects a flame in a chamber of the cock or slide, before such chamber is
caused to communicate directly with the space or cylinder in which the combustion
takes place, in the manner above described.
Sixth. The pressure regulator consisting of two elastic discs of different diameters,
and a spring to be compressed more or less, in combination with the suction valve
of a compressing pump for air or gases, as and for the purposes specified.
Seventh. The aforesaid pressure regulator in combination with a reservoir

page_text: inserted between the suction valve and another valve of a compressing pump for
gas motors and other gas apparatus, as and for the purpose described.
Eighth. Preventing too great a pressure in the reservoir of a gas engine or motor,
and facilitating the starting of the motor by the action of a common governor in
combination with the compressing pump of the motor, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Robert Leichsenring, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
HERRMANN ROBERT LEICHSENRING. (L.S.)