IM- PROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Stracey Barron, of Lime Street Square and Little
Trinity Lane, in the City of London, Engineer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES."
Sealed the 20th September 1878, and dated the 23rd March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Stracey Barron at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd March 1878.
HENRY STRACEY BARRON, of Lime Street Square and Little Trinity Lane, in the
City of London, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES."
My Invention relates primarily to motive-power engines wherein the motive
agent, whether steam, water, air, or gas, causes a piston to reciprocate within a
cylinder and impart rotatory motion to a crank shaft.
The objects of this part of my Invention are to so impart such rotatory motion
that the length of stroke of the piston shall be greater than the diameter of the
circle swept by the centre of the crank pin, and to dispense with the ordinary
connecting rod. To effect this I attach the external extremity of the piston rod by
a link or links to one end of a beam, whose other end is carried by a pin secured
to the frame or bed plate of the engine, the beam vibrating upon such pin as a
fulcrum.
In the intermediate portion of the beam's length is a slot wherein works a
block bored to receive the crank pin. The action is as follows:-The piston by
its reciprocating motion imparts vibrating movement to the beam, and this vibrating
movement a rotatory movement to the crank arm and shaft.
Another part of my Invention relates to the construction of gas motor engines,
in which a mixture of carburetted hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour
with air or incombustible gas is introduced into a cylinder and therein subjected
to compression prior to explosion.

page_text: The engine may be of the type forming the object of the first portion of my
Invention. The cylinder is close ended, the piston is hollow, and its rod works
through a stuffing box at one end of the cylinder.
The cylinder may conveniently be vertical. In this arrangement carburetted
hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour and atmospheric air or non-con-
bustible gas are caused by the piston's descent to enter the upper end of the
cylinder, and their return is arrested by a non-return valve or valves, so that
the piston on its ascent causes the admixture of gas or vapour and air to become
compressed. At or near the termination of this up stroke of the piston a series
of small holes in the upper circumferential portion of the piston are caused to
communicate with small holes in the upper circunferential portion of the cylinder;
the latter holes communicate with the space intervenuing between the upper
surface of the piston and the under side of cylinder cover. The compressed
admixture is thus enabled to enter the cavity of the piston's body. The piston
then descends, carrying within it a charge of compressed gas, or vapour with air.
At or near the termination of the downward stroke another series of small holes
in the lower circumferential portion of the piston are caused to communicate
with small holes in the lower circumferential portion of the cylinder; the latter
holes communicate with the space intervening between the lower surface of the
piston and the upper side of the cylinder bottom. A partial transfer of the com-
pressed admixture thus ensues from the cavity of the piston to its under side. Tho
upward stroke again commencing, the lower piston openings are closed to the
cylinder space, and immediately following upon this an opening leading to the
interior of the cylinder from a cavity in a slide valve, in which a gas jet is burning,
is presented, and the compressed admixture ignited:
The expansion of the gases and air resulting from the ignition imparts a pro-
pulsive force to the piston, which is thence communicated to the crank and fly
wheel, whose momentum is sufficient to operate the piston during such other
periods of its traverse as are not under the influence of propulsion.
•
Shortly prior to the termination of the upward stroke, a valve located centrally
within the cylinder bottom in a funnel-shaped orifice, and operated from the main
shaft (it may be by a cam and lever) is raised from its seat and is retained open
during the downward stroke of the piston, until a position is reached just anterior
to the opening of the communication between the piston's cavity and the lower
portion of the cylinder; thus the unconsumed gas or vapour is allowed to pass
away. The slide valve, which is furnished with spring packing rings, is a cylinder
with closed ends having an intervening cavity, within which a small gas pipe is
led from the valve bottom centrally, and whose end within the cavity is furnished
with a jet or jets.
The chamber within which the valve works has its lower end closed by a lid or
cover, and is open at the upper end.
The valve may be operated from an eccentric on the main shaft. The valvo
being assumed to be in the position requisite for igniting the cylinder charge, an
opening at that time is presented from the cavity of the valve to the interior of
the cylinder. The direction of the valve movement being now the same as that of
the piston, viz., upwards, the intercommunication between valve cavity and cylinder
is then closed, and an opening is shortly presented from the former to the atmo-
sphere or exhaust pipe. This in its turn being closed, the under side of the valve
next opens a port in the valve chamber for the reception of carburetted hydrogen
or other inflammable gas or vapour to its under side; this continuing open, the
valve by its further ascent discloses a port in its cavity on a level with the jet
end of its contained pipe, to another port in the valve chamber, in contiguity to
which a gas jet is kept continually burning, and this position is the extremity of
its upward travel. On its descent it closes in succession the ignition port last
referred to, and next the gas admission port. It then reopens the communication
between its cavity and the atmosphere or exhaust pipe, and closing this in turn,

page_text: finally attains the position originally described, viz., that where a communication is
afforded between the interior of the cylinder and the slide cavity wherein the jet
or jets are burning, and thus communicates through them ignition to the cylinder
charge.
It will be observed that in the downward stroke of the slide valve after its
under side has passed the port for admission of gas, the gas contained between its
under side and the lid or cover of the valve chamber is subjected to a condition of
compression by the further downward movement of the valve. The cylinder is
water jacketted.
The framing or bed plate may be hollow to furnish a reservoir of water, and
water may be caused to circulate through the cylinder jacket by a centrifugal
pump.
The partial vacuum existing in the suction pipe of the pump when the engine is
in motion may be utilized for the purpose of influencing the level of a liquid
contained within a vessel in which a float is swinging. This float communicates
with the main gas supply valve to the cylinder, and a more or less rapid rotation
of the pump being accompanied by a depression or elevation of the liquid contained
within above-named vessel, will cause the gas supply to be regulated to the varying
load which may be imposed upon the engine.
The valve may be constructed as a tube, having its upper end open to the cylinder,.
its lower end closed and connected with the float, and in some intermediate part of
its length a series of gridiron openings, which, according to its relative position to
the chamber in which it slides, are made to communicate with an annular space in
the said chamber in communication with the gas supply pipe; thus the valve will
be enabled to close entirely through the elevation of the float, cutting off all gas
admission when the engine is at rest.
In my improved engines the cylinder may be vertical, horizontal, or inclined.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Stracey Barron in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
September 1878.
HENRY STRACEY BARRON, of Lime Street Square and Little Trinity Lane, in the
City of London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES."
My Invention relates primarily to motive-power engines wherein the motive
agent, whether steam, water, air, or gas, causes a piston to reciprocate within a
cylinder, and impart rotatory motion to a crank shaft.
The objects of this part of my Invention are to so impart such rotatory motion,
that the length of stroke of the piston shall be greater than the diameter of the
circle swept by the centre of the crank pin, and to dispense with the ordinary con-
necting rod. To effect this I attach the external extremity of the piston rod by a
link or links, to one end of a beam whose other end is carried by a pin secured to
the frame or bed plate of the engine, the beam vibrating upon such pin as a
fulcrum.
In the intermediate portion of the beam's length is a slot wherein works a
block bored to receive a crank pin. The action is as follows:-The piston by
its reciprocating motion imparts vibrating movement to the beam, and this
vibrating movement a rotatory movement to the crank arm and shaft.
Another part of my Invention relates to the construction of gas motor engines, in
which a mixture of carburetted hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour
with air or incombustible gas is introduced into a cylinder, and therein subjected
to compression prior to explosion.
The engine may be of the type forming the object of the first portion of my In-
vention. The cylinder is close-ended, the piston is hollow, and its rod works through
a stuffing box at one end of the cylinder.
At
The cylinder may conveniently be vertical. In this arrangement, carburetted
hydrogen or other inflammable gas or vapour and atmospheric air or non-combustible
gas are caused by the piston's descent to enter the upper end of the cylinder, and
their return is arrested by a non-return valve or valves, so that the piston on its
ascent causes the admixture of gas or vapour and air to become compressed.
or near the termination of this up stroke of the piston a series of small holes in the
upper circumferential portion of the piston are caused to communicate with small
holes in the upper circumferential portion of the cylinder, the latter holes communi-
cate with the space intervening between the upper surface of the piston and the
under side of cylinder cover. The compressed admixture is thus enabled to enter
the cavity of the piston's body. The piston then descends, carrying within it a
charge of compressed gas or vapour with air. At or near the termination of the
downward stroke another series of small holes in the lower circumferential portion
of the piston are caused to communicate with small holes in the lower circumferen-
tial portion of the cylinder; the latter holes communicate with the space intervening
between the lower surface of the piston and the upper side of the cylinder bottom.
A partial transfer of the compressed admixture thus ensues from the cavity of the
piston to its under side. The upward stroke again commencing, the lower pistons
openings are closed to the cylinder space, and immediately following upon this an
opening leading to the interior of the cylinder from a cavity in a slide valve in
which a gas jet is burning is presented, and the compressed admixture ignited.
The expansion of the gases and air resulting from the ignition imparts a propul-
sive force to the piston, which is thence communicated to the crank and fly wheel,
whose momentum is sufficient to operate the piston during such other periods of its
traverse as are not under the influence of propulsion.
Shortly prior to the termination of the upward stroke, a valve located centrally
within the cylinder bottom in a funnel-shaped orifice, and operated from the main
shaft (it may be by a cam and lever), is raised from its seat, and is retained open

page_text: during the downward stroke of the piston, until a position is reached just anterior
to the opening of the communication between the piston's cavity and the lower
portion of the cylinder. Thus the unconsumed gas or vapour is allowed to pass
away. The slide valve which is furnished with spring packing rings is a cylinder
with closed ends, having an intervening cavity within which a small gas pipe is led
from the valve bottom centrally, and whose end within the cavity is furnished with
a jet or jets.
The chamber within which the valve works has its lower end closed by a lid
or cover, and is open at the upper end.
The valve may be operated from an eccentric on the main shaft. The valve
being assumed to be in the position requisite for igniting the cylinder charge, an
opening at that time is presented from the cavity of the valve to the interior of the
cylinder. The direction of the valve movement being now the same as that of the
piston, viz., upwards, the intercommunication between valve cavity and cylinder is
then closed, and an opening is shortly presented from the former to the atmosphere
or exhaust pipe. This in its turn being closed, the under side of the valve next
opens a port in the valve chamber for the reception of carburetted hydrogen or
other inflammable gas or vapour to its under side, this continuing open, the valve
by its further ascent discloses a port in its cavity on a level with the jet end of its
contained pipe; to another port in the valve chamber in contiguity to which a gas
jet is kept continually burning, and this position is the extremity of its upward travel.
On its descent it closes in succession the ignition port last referred to, and next the
gas admission port. It then re-opens the communication between its cavity and the
atmosphere or exhaust pipe, and closing this in turn, finally attains the position
originally described, viz., that where a communication is afforded between the
interior of the cylinder and the slide cavity wherein the jet or jets are burning, and
thus communicates, through them, ignition to the cylinder charge.
. It will be observed that in the downward stroke of the slide valve, after its under
side has passed the port for admission of gas, the gas contained between its under
side and the lid or cover of the valve chamber is subjected to a condition of com-
pression by the further downward movement of the valve. The cylinder is water
jacketted.
The framing or bed plate may be hollow to furnish a reservoir of water, and
water may be caused to circulate through the cylinder jacket by a centrifugal
pump.
The partial vacuum existing in the suction pipe of the pump when the engine is
in motion may be utilized for the purpose of influencing the level of a liquid con-
tained within a vessel in which a float is swimming. This float communicates with
the main gas supply valve to the cylinder, and a more or less rapid rotation of the
pump, being accompanied by a depression or elevation of the liquid contained
within above-nained vessel, will cause the gas supply to be regulated to the varying
load which may be imposed upon the engine.
The valve may be constructed as a tube, having its upper end open to the cylinder,
its lower end closed and connected with the float, and in some intermediate part of
its length a series of gridiron openings, which, according to its relative position to
the chamber in which it slides, are made to communicate with an annular space in
the said chamber in communication with the gas supply pipe. Thus the valve will
be enabled to close entirely through the elevation of the float, cutting off all gas
admission when the engine is at rest.
In my improved engines the cylinder may be vertical, horizontal, or inclined.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
On Sheet 1 I have illustrated the first part of my Invention Fios 193 and 4

page_text: tlic engine.
The length of the slot 4 is suflicient to admit of a block 6 which
encompasses the crank pin 7 moving to and fro therein, and thus accommodating
itself to the varying positions of the crank pin.
It will be seen that the reciprocating action of the piston rod 1 imparts, through
the link (or links) 2, a vibratory movement to the beam 3, causing thereby rotation
of the crank pin, according as the relative distance from the pin 5 of the piston rod
attachment to the beam is made to exceed that of the centre of the crank shaft
form the same pin 5, so that the length of the stroke of the piston rod will be in
excess of the diameter of the circle swept by the crank pin in its rotation.
Sheet 2 illustrates the second part of iny-Invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional eleva-
tion; Fig. 6, a side elevation; and Fig. 7, a sectional elevation through a plane at
right angles to that upon which the section shown by Fig. 5 is taken; Figs. 8, 9,
and 10 are sectional plans on lines A, B-C, D-E, F, respectively.
u is the cylinder of a gas motor engine encompassed by a water jacket b; c is a
hollow piston having an upper series of apertures c', and a lower series c³, radiating
from the piston's periphery inwards. In the cylinder, at its upper extremity, are
two series of apertures c³ and c respectively, and at its lower extremity are other
two series of apertures and c respectively. These are all symetrically arranged
with those in the piston, so that when the position of the piston is such that its aper-
tures are opposite those of the cylinder, a line drawn radially from the centre of the
piston through the centre of any one aperture of either of its two series would pass
through the centre of one of the apertures in the cylinder, as shown by the sectional
plan Fig. 8 (in line A, B, of Fig. 5). d is the gas supply pipe, and e the atmospheric
air supply elbow pipe (shewn separately in Fig. 5*). The pipe d is prolonged in.
the pipe e and its upper end is closed, a series of small holes being formed in the
side to provide for the efficient mixture of gas and air prior to their admission to
the cylinder. is a non-return valve; g is the slide valve which I prefer to con-
struct of a cylindrical or piston form, employing therewith spring packing rings of
the usual type to prevent escape of gas. The piston is also fitted with these rings,
but in neither case are they shown upon the Drawings; h is a cavity in the body
of the slide valve wherein is centrally located a small pipe, terminating at its upper
end in a jet; its lower end is open and communicates with the space between the
under side of the slide valve and the cover i. j is a small aperture extending from
the interior of the cylinder to the interior of the slide valve chamber; (Fig. 10),
an aperture affording through a communication between the slide valve chamber
and the portion m of the exhaust valve box and thence to the exhaust pipe m¹.
In the slide valve are apertures g', g, g³, which by the movement of the slide
valve are brought severally into communication with the apertures j, k, and n,
the last of these, n, being simply a communication between the inner and outer
surface of the slide valve casing or chamber. Immediately opposite to n is a gas
jet o, which when the engine is at work is kept lighted, the same pipe which
supplies this having also a branch pipe p thereon opening into the slide valve
chamber lower down.
I may observe that the class of engine here depicted is a vertical one, and may
be on the principle forming the first part of my Invention. I do not however
restrict myself to a vertical type, nor to the adoption of the plan referred to as the
first part of my Invention.
Assuming the piston c to be at the position shown in Fig. 5, viet, the end of its
up stroke, its descent will cause air and gas to enter in combination through the
non-return valve f, the relative proportion in which they enter being controlled by
means to be herein-after described. On the piston completing its descent the upper
end of the cylinder will thus be occupied by a mixture of air and gas; on the piston
commencing its ascent this mixture will be subjected to an increasing condition of
compression, the non-return valve f arresting its exit; at the termination of the
piston's ascent the apertures c (which are individually in communication with the
apertures ³) are brought into juxtaposition with the apertures c, and an equilibrium
of pressure is effected between the compressed mixture at the upper end of the

page_text: cylinder and in the piston's cavity. The piston once more pursues its descent,
carrying within it a compressed mixture of gas and air. On its arrival at the end
of the down stroke the apertures c³ (which are individually connected with the
apertures c) are presented to the apertures c³, and an equilibrium of pressure
ensues between the compressed mixture in the piston and the contents of the
cylinder beneath the piston. The piston now resumes its ascent, and the communi-
cation between apertures c and apertures quickly closes. Shortly following this
closing the aperture ; is opened to the cylinder's interior by the passage of the
piston thereby, and coincident with this the slide valve (whose movement may be
effected by an eccentric upon the crank shaft) is caused to assume such a position
of its traverse that the aperture g' is in juxtaposition to aperture j; an ignition of
the cylinder charge of air and gas then occurs from the jet burning within the slide
valve cavity, and the piston is propelled upwards by the expansion of the gases
consequent on their ignition, imparting to the fly wheel with which the crank
shaft is fitted a momentum sufficient to carry the piston through such other periods
of its traverse as are not under the influence of propulsion. Near the termination
of the piston's up stroke the exhaust valve m² is raised (it may be by a cam upon
the crank shaft) from its seat and kept open luring the piston's downward stroke
until shortly prior to the intercommunication being established between apertures c³
and c².
The slide valve's movement is so arranged that when it is at its uppermost
position, viz., when most remote from the cover i the aperture g³ coincides with n.
The internal gas flame, which had been oxtinguished by the explosion of the
cylinder charge, is then rekindled by the jet o, a supply of gas for this purpose
having been derived by the passage of the slide valve's body past the inlet
aperture p. As the slide valve descends, the aperture ² is brought into juxta-
position to aperture (see Fig. 10), and as a consequence with the atmosphere,
thus momentarily affording an opportunity for the escape of any vitialed gases with
which the internal jet may in its cavity be surrounded. At the termination of the
valve's downward stroke, the aperture ; becomes presented to the aperture y¹, and
the ignition of the cylinder charge, as already described, here occurs. It should be
observed that although for some period in the slide valve's traverse, viz., when near
the upper end of its stroke, gas is suffered to enter the chamber beneath it, yet as
the valve descends this supply is arrested by the closing of the branch p, and is
thereafter during the further period of the valve's downward traverse subjected to
compression. The space beneath the valve and above the cover i is so proportioned
in volume as to secure a condition of compression therein superior to that existing
within the cylinder immediately prior to the moment of ignition. This is to secure
the effectual ignition of the cylinder charge.
is a valve of such weight as will resist the greatest pressure obtaining in the
main gas supply pipe, and thus arrest the passage of gas when the piston is moving
upwards. Below this valve, and fitting accurately within the tube or pipe q leading
thereto, is another tube or pipe r, open at its upper and closed at its lower end.
Each of these tubes or pipes q and r is provided with a series of slits or openings,
corresponding in number, dimensions, and radial position. A float s is attached to
the lower end of r, and swims in liquid contained in a vessel 8', the bottom of
which communicates by the pipe t with the suction pipe of a centrifugal pump
worked from the crank shaft; this pump circulates water from within the bed
plate or foundation of the engine through the cylinder jacket, and I utilize the
approximate vacuum (which varies according as the engine is running fastor or
slower) created in the suction pipe of the centrifugal pump to govern the altitude
of the column of water contained in the pipe t, the float's displacement and the
area of the annulus of fluid surrounding it relatively to the sectional area of the
float s being suitably proportioned, the float is caused to swin at such a height in
relation to the fixed pipe g that the openings in the pipe agree with those in the
pipe q when the engine is running at its normal speed. An increase in speed will
be followed by a rise of water in t, and a depression of the surface of the liquid in
je

page_text: 81, and the gas openings will thus be wholly or partially closed. When the ongine
is at rest, and a common liquid level obtains in t and s', the gas openings will also
be closed by the rise of the float.
In starting the engine I employ a loose weight, which may be imposed upon the
upper surface of the float s, and retained there until the engine has attained its
proper speed.
The foundation or bed plate u of the engine I construct hollow, so as to form a
receptacle for water, which, by the centrifugal pump already referred to, is drawn
through the pipe v, and cavity w of the cylinder bottom through the cylinder jacket
emerging by pipe y, and passing thence to the pump. An artificial circulation
is thus constantly maintained through portions of the engine, which would become
inconveniently heated were the same quantity of water permitted to circulate
automatically.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, and explained the manner of
carrying it into practical effect, I would have it understood that save and except as
herein-after mentioned I do not intend to claim any of the mechanical parts herein-
before described or referred to when taken separately and apart from the combina-
tion or application thereof in manner and for the purposes herein-before described,
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as secured to me
under the Letters Patent herein-before in part recited is,-
1. The method herein-before described of imparting rotatory motion from a piston
to a crank moving in a circle of less diameter than the length of the stroke of the
piston.
2. Transferring in a gas motor engine during one stroke of the piston a compressed
mixture of gas and air from the end of the cylinder wherein it has been compressed
to the other end of that cylinder, and therein exploding it to effect the return
stroke of the piston, substantially as described.
3. The arrangement herein-before described for establishing at the proper times
communication between the interior of the slide valve and the interior of the
cylinder by the aperture j for the purpose specified.
4. The method substantially as herein-before described of compressing the gas for
the supply of the ignition flame within the slide valve to a pressure exceeding that
of the charge in the cylinder immediately prior to the explosion of such charge for
the purpose set forth.
5. The method substantially as herein-before described and shewn, of controlling
the admission of gas to the cylinder of a gas motor engine.
6. The constructing gas motor engines substantially as herein-before described,
and shewn on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Stracey Barron, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
PADRON