Improvements in Motor Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1896
I, WILLIAM JOHN MUNDEN, of 106 Priory Park Road, Kilburn, in the County
of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to motor vehicles, and consists in applying a motor engine
of the rotary type to one or more of the road wheels of the vehicle in such manner.
that it is propelled by the motor, or motors.
This invention is peculiarly suitable for propelling a rear driving safety bicycle,
and it may be fitted to either of the wheels. When applied to the front wheel the
fork between which the wheel runs is shortened and each of its ends attached to
a ring, upon which rings the wheel bearing is formed. These bearings are of
much larger diameter than usual, thus leaving at the centre of the wheel a
cylindrical space which is easily accessible.
Surrounding this space is arranged an annular chamber which forms the
cylinder of the engine; the movable part being attached to and rotating with the
wheel, while the inner part is fixed to the frame in such a manner that it is prevented
from rotating. One or more sliding or rolling abutments or pistons are provided
of the description commonly used in rotary engines, and these may form a portion
either of the rotating or the fixed part of the engine.
Where petroleum or other similar liquid is used the apparatus necessary for its
conversion into vapour and mixing with air, as well as the exhaust and igniting
devices, are arranged in or near the cylindrical space. Where steam or compressed
air is employed the inlet and exhaust passages occupy a similar position; in some
cases the steam generator is placed inside the cylindrical space.
Dated this 25th day of September 1896.
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motor Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM JOHN MUNDEN formerly of 106 Priory Park Road, Kilburn, but
now of 75 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
[Price 8d.1

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention relates to motor vehicles, and consists in applying a motor engine
of the rotary type to one or more of the road wheels of the vehicle in such manner
that it is propelled by the motor, or motors.
This invention is peculiarly suitable for propelling a rear driving safety bicycle
and it may be fitted to either of the wheels. When applied to the front wheel the
fork between which the wheel runs is shortened and one or each of its ends attached
to a ring, upon which rings the wheel bearing is formed. These bearings are of
mucn larger diameter than usual, thus enabling an easily accessible cylindrical
space to be left at the centre of the wheel.
Surrounding this space is arranged an annular chamber which forms the
cylinder of the engine; the movable part being attached to and rotating with the
wheel, while the inner part is fixed to the frame in such manner that it is prevented
from rotating. One or more sliding or rolling abutments or pistons are provided
of the description commonly used in rotary engines, and these may form a portion
either of the rotating or the fixed part of the engine.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have annexed drawings
in which:
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a bicycle fitted with a motor according to my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of an oil engine motor fitted to a wheel.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of same.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a motor arranged to be driven by steam.
A is a collar rigidly attached to one of the forks of the frame of the machine,
and to one side of the collar a ring B is fixed. C is the cylinder which is con-
centric with B, and provided with an inwardly projecting abutment or piston,
the point c¹ of which runs in contact with the exterior surface of the ring B.
The forward side of the piston c is curved so as to form a cam shaped surface, and
projecting radially through one part of the ring B is a sliding plate or abut-
ment F, the outer end of which is in contact with the interior surface of the
evlinder. It is thrust inwards when the cam shaped part reaches and presses on
its end, and is thrust outwards again (as soon as the piston c has passed it) by
F
means of a spring or springs f. To the other end of the sliding abutment
is attached a rod F having a plunger f fixed thereto which, sliding in a cylinder,
forms a pump.
When the abutment is thrust outwards so as to come into contact with the
interior surface of the cylinder, the space between it and the piston e forms the
working chamber equivalent to a cylinder.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3:-
G is an oil supply pipe leading from a suitable reservoir fixed on to the frame of
the machine. The pipe G is coiled for some distance of its length around a
chamber which is heated by the flame from a suitable lamp in the pipe g. The
heat from this vaporises the oil. The end of the oil supply pipe is connected with
a pumn H, and provided with a valve a' for admitting the oil vapour into the
pump. is an outlet pipe provided with a valve A which communicates with a
valve chamber h, in which is disposed a suitable form of slide valve D to govar
the admittance of oil vapour and air into the cylinder C. are holes for admitting
F is
air to the valve chamber h³ to mix with the oil vapour contained therein.
the pump rod,f the plunger, and f¹ the helical spring.
The inlet valve D is caused to reciprocate as follows:-
The sliding plate or abutment Fi is provided on one side with a curved slot d
with which engages a runner d¹ attached to one end of a link 2, the other end of
the link being connected to the valve D. The reciprocating motion of the
abutment F1, by means of the curved slot d imparts a reciprocating movement to
the valve D. The exhaust valve E is moved in a similar manner,

page_text: The operation is as follows:-
The abutment or piston c in its movement of rotation depresses the sliding plate
or abutment F¹ when it comes into contact with it, and operates likewise the pump
rod. This action admits a certain quantity of oil vapour into the pump barrel,
and as soon as the upper end of the piston is clear of the sliding abutment the
latter, and the plunger, rise, thus forcing the oil vapour into the valve chamber,
and (when the valve 1 is open) into the cylinder. At the same time a suitable
quantity of air is drawn in and mixed with the vapour. As soon as the valve D
is closed this mixture is ignited by any suitable means.
The wheel spokes being attached rigidly to the cylinder or annular chamber C
the rotation of the one secures that of the other, thus propelling the vehicle.
Referring to Fig. 4:-
The action of the steam motor herein shewn is very similar to that above
described.
I is a boiler of any preferred form, the water in which is heated by a suitable
lamp J. The steam from the boiler passes up the pipe j into the valve chamber 2
in which is disposed the admission valve 1). The reciprocation of the pump rod
in this case may be utilised to feed the boiler with water from the supply pipe j
K is the tire of the wheel, the spokes k are attached to the cylinder C and
fastened to a disc K on the shortened hub spindle K2 on one side, and on the
other side to a ring round the collar A.
L is the chain wheel on the spindle to permit the bicycle to be propelled by
the pedals when the engine is disposed on the hub of the back wheel."
I would have it understood, that without departing from the principle of the
invention, I may if preferred, dispose within the ring B, mechanism for, (1) con-
verting hydrocarbons into vapour, (2) water into steam, or (3) working the motor
with gas.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
(1) A bicycle or other vehicle having one or more of its wheels formed with a
rotary motor attached thereto, by means of which the vehicle can be propelled.
(2) A bicycle or other vehicle having one or more of its wheels so formed, that
the cylinder or annular chamber of a rotary motor, is fixed rigidly to the wheel
in such manner that its movement propels the vehicle, substantially as shewn
and described.
(3) A bicycle or other vehicle having one or more of its wheels so formed that
the cylinder or annular chamber of a rotary motor is fixed rigidly to the wheel,
and surrounds a chamber or space in which the whole or part of the gas, vapour
or steam producing mechanism, is disposed, substantially as shewn and described.
(4) For propelling bicycles or other vehicles a wheel having a rotary motor
attached thereto in such manner that the rotary movement of its annular chamber
or cylinder produces a rotation of the wheel, and the propulsion of the vehicle,
substantially as shewn and described.
(5) For propelling vehicles the combination of a wheel having the annular
chamber of a rotary motor attached rigidly thereto, a piston, a sliding abutment,
and mechanism for converting hydro-carbons into vapour, or producing gas or
steam, substantially as shewn and described.
'
(6) For propelling vehicles the combination of a wheel having the annular
chamber of a rotary motor attached rigidly thereto, a sliding piston, an abutment,
and mechanism for converting hydro--carbons into vapour, or producing gas or
steam, substantially as shewn and described.
(7) For propelling bicycles or other vehicles a wheel having a rotary motor
attached thereto and surrounding a space in which mechanism may be disposed.
the whole being arranged in such manner that the retary movement of the

page_text: annular chamber or cylinder produces a rotation of the wheel, and the propulsion
of the vehicle, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 26th day of July 1897.
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN.
75 Chancery Lane, W.C.