IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ATMOSPHERIC AIR AND GAS MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Williams, Civil Engineer, of Southport, in the
County of Lancaster, and of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, also in the County
of Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
ATMOSPHERIC AIR AND GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Williams at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th December 1881.
HUGH WILLIAMS, Civil Engineer of Southport, in the County of Lancaster,
and of 15 Water Street, Liverpool, also in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO ATMOSPHERIC AIR AND GAS MOTOR ENGINES."
My Invention relates to
First a system, or method of igniting the combustible charge in the cylinder or
cylinders of air and gas motor engines.
Second a novel construction and arrangement of slide valve for supplying
combustible fluid to air and gas motor engines and igniting such fluid.
Third a mechanical motion for actuating the air and gas admission and ignition
valves, of air and gas engines.
Fourth a novel construction and arrangement of governing mechanism for air
and gas motor engines.
Fifth a novel construction and arrangement of exhaust and terminal pressure
valve, for air and gas motor engines.
Sixth certain novel devices for lubricating air and gas motor engines.
Seventh the construction, arrangement, combination and design of the principal
parts and passages and the accessory mechanism and devices of air and gas motor
engines.
Under the first part my Invention consists in causing the flame which is used
for igniting the combustible charge in the combustion chamber, or end of the
cylinder, or cylinders of air and gas motor engines, to more effectually and with
greater certainty, enter into and pierce such combustible charge in the combustion
[Price 8d.]

page_text: chamber or cylinder end. The means I use to accomplish this is by the use of a
preliminary explosion of a charge of combustible fluid at a pressure equal to and
not greater than the pressure of the atmosphere.
A convenient arrangement for carrying this system, or method into practice is to
provide a recess, or pocket so arranged, or located that during the stroke of the
admission and ignition valve, this pocket becomes charged (at a pressure equal to
the atmosphere) with an explosive mixture of gas and air similar to that with
which the cylinder is charged. The relative positions of the ports of the cylinder
and valve and this pocket are such that the moment before the igniting port of
the valve reaches the port leading into the cylinder, it reaches the recess; or pocket
containing the small charge of air and gas at atmospheric pressure. The flame in
the igniting port immediately explodes this small charge and while it is still in this
condition, namely under the influence of the explosion, the firing port passes on
and reaches the port leading into the cylinder and the flame is projected through
the port and into the cylinder by the force of the explosion of the charge in the
small pocket. The flame being thus projected enters and pierces with force into
the charge in the cylinder, and thus fires the charge more effectually and with
greater certainty than by the methods now in use. After each charge and
explosion, the pocket and the valve ports are scoured of the products of combustion
by the action of the engine cylinder, which, when taking in its fresh charge, draws
a charge through the valve ports and the small pocket. In connection with the
pocket we prefer to have a cock, or equivalent device whereby the amount-of-force-
generated by the explosion may be modified, or regulated.
Under the second part my Invention consists in a novel construction and
arrangement of slide valve for carrying out the method under the first part.
The valve is formed of a sliding plate within which there is a chamber one end
of which opens into an air admission passage on the cylinder and also through
perforations communicates with the gas admission valve. The chamber extends
so as to open into the passage leading into the cylinder. The valve is penetrated
with two through passages being ignition ports which are positioned ono on either
side of the port for supplying the cylinder. These ignition ports are provided
with passages which communicate with the gas supply and to relieve the terminal
pressure contained in the ignition ports after firing and on their return to
rekindle I provide a port in the cylinder face leading to the atmosphere which
communicates with the ignition ports through a passage and opens a little in
advance of the rekindlement. This arrangement ensures the discharge of the
terminal pressure and thus prevents the extinguishment of the master light. The
valve works between a cover and the cylinder face. The pocket spoken of in the
first part is formed in the valve cover which also carries and communicates with
the master lights.
Under the third part my Invention consists in an improved arrangement, being
a mechanical device for giving the necessary motion to the admission valves used
in certain gas engines. Hitherto it has been customary to work these valves,
'particularly slide valves, by means of a crank pin on a revolving shaft connected to
the valve by means of a connecting rod. It has also been proposed to work these
valves by means of a crank pin working into a straight slot connected rigidly, or
otherwise to the valve. Such mechanism however confines the motion of the valve
to an uniformly increasing and decreasing speed, similar to the motion worked by
an eccentric in an ordinary steam engine. In some gas engines, especially in those
with valves working as described under the first part of this Invention, in order to
obtain the best results, a rather different movement of the valve is required, namely
it is requisite to accelerate the speed at certain portions of the stroke. I obtain
this differential action by means of a curvilinear, or bent slot, working in con-
junction with a crank, or eccentric, and suitably connected to, or forming a part of
the valve. This arrangement enables me to accomodate ordinary motion given by
a crank, or eccentric to my requirements, and it works much easier than a cam, by
which means the same movement could no doubt be obtained. The exact form of

page_text: the curvilinear slot depends upon the particular motion it is desired to give to the
valve. The arrangement is particularly applicable to double action valves as by its
means similar motion can be obtained in both strokes of the valve. In the case of
a valve under the first part of this Invention, the departure from a straight line, or
the bending required in the slot is very small and the motion consequently works
very smoothly.
Under the fourth part my Invention consists of a governing mechanism for
regulating the gas admission to air and gas motor engines. The gas valve is
opened by a lever, and its closing action is caused by a spring. The other end of
the lever is attached to a small shaft, which works in a guide, and is provided
with a bowl which runs on a stepped bowl race on the end of the slide valve
described under the second part. The guide is connected to the spindle of a ball
governor which is driven by spur wheels from the shaft, which actuates the slide
valve. The steps of the bowl race are graded so that when the engine is running
at its normal speed, the bowl runs on the lower step of the race. The lever of the
gas valve is then at its normal position. If the speed quickens the action of the
governor throws the bowl forward and up the second step, which step is so inclined
as to act as a rider onto the third step, when the bowl reaches the third step the
lever shuts off the gas altogether until the speed decreases and the governor brings
the bowl back to its normal position.
Under the fifth part the exhaust and terminal pressure valve consists of a slide
valve located under the terminal pressure and exhaust ports and communicating
with the vacuum cylinder, for example, with the vacuum cylinder of the engine
described in former Letters Patent No. 1692 dated 24 April 1880. The slide valve
is alternately a terminal pressure valve opening into a terminal pressure box and a
communicating valve opening into the vacuum cylinder, and for this purpose is
provided with parts arranged to effect the alternate functions.
Under the sixth part my Invention consists in novel appliances for lubricating
certain parts of air and gas engines. In one arrangement I use small pumps of
peculiar construction. In the outstroke of the ram of the pump it exposes a small
hole through which the oil flows into the end of a small barrel, or cylinder. On
the instroke the end of the ram closes this hole and another is exposed through
which the oil is forced into the cylinder, or to the valve or other part to be
lubricated. The communication between the end of the barrel and the hole
leading to the cylinders, or valve can be most conveniently made by means of
small holes drilled through the end of the ram, which may be slanted off at an
angle of about 45°.
Another improved arrangement for lubricating consists in using one, or more
revolving discs, or circular plates. These discs dip into cups containing the oil and
in revolving bring up a certain amount of oil, which adheres to them. Each dise
revolves in contact with the edge of a small inclined channel, which acting as a
scraper gathers a certain quantity of the oil from the disc as it revolves and this
oil is caused to flow, or drop from the inclined channel into a pipe, or hole
connected with, or leading to, the cylinder valve, or other part requiring lubrication.
The inclined channel which gathers the oil is made adjustable so as to take more,
or less oil from the disc as may be required. Or instead of a revolving disc a sinall
drum might be used the edge of the channel being arranged to take the oil from
the circumference of this drum and provision being made to allow the edge of the
channel to be pushed 'further along, or withdrawn from the drum so as to cause it
to take more or less oil, as required.
Under the seventh part my Invention consists in the following construction,
arrangement, combination and design of the principal parts and passages and the
accessory mechanism and devices of air and gas motor engines.
The cylinder being the working cylinder, is constructed in tandem combination
with the cylinder being the vacuum, or exhausting cylinder at its outer end, and
in tandem combination with the combustion chamber at its inner end. The
working cylinder is of smaller diameter than the vacuum cylinder, so that the

page_text: piston can be constructed of duplex form, namely, a smaller diameter of the ram,
or trunk type for the working cylinder and a larger diameter for the vacuum
cylinder, the vacuum cylinder being formed by the annular space resulting from
the different diameters. The ram, or trunk piston is made in two lengths the
inner length being provided with packing rings and bolted to the outer length.
The outer length is connected to the connecting rod, which works through the
outer end of the vacuum cylinder, which is open. The vacuum cylinder is mounted
on a terminal pressure chamber, or box forming part of the pedestal, or bed, the
front of which carries the bearings, the shaft, fly wheel and other accessories. The
working cylinder overhangs the terminal pressure chamber and at its junction
with the vacuum cylinder and the terminal pressure chamber, it is provided with
ports and passages underneath, which communicate with the vacuum cylinder and
also with the terminal pressure chamber, the communications being through a slide
valve, which is worked by means of a vertical shaft and crank and bevel gearing
from a counter shaft, which receives motion by means of gearing from the main
shaft.
The combustion chamber is cast separately from and fastened to the inner end
of the working cylinder and has a water casing communicating with a water casing
round the working cylinder, vacuum cylinder, and terminal pressure and exhaust
passages. The air and gas admission passage, or port is at the end of the
combustion chamber. The air and gas admission and ignition valve is of the slide
valve type, such as that described under the first and second part.-The-air-
admission passage to the slide valve is on the combustion chamber and the gas
valve is on the slide, valve cover. The slide valve is worked by a mechanical
motion such as described under the third part receiving movement from the
countershaft before mentioned. The governor is also worked from the countershaft
and is of the construction described under the fourth part.

page_text: Figures 4 to 21 inclusive are shown on an enlarged scale over Figures 1 to 3
inclusive.
Under the first part, my Invention consists in causing the flame which is used
for igniting the combustible charge in the combustion chamber, or end of the
cylinder or cylinders of air and gas motor engines to more effectually and with
greater certainty enter into and pierce such combustible charge in the combustion
chamber, or cylinder end. The means I use to accomplish this is by the use of a
preliminary explosion of a charge of combustible fluid at a pressure equal to or
not greater than the pressure of the atinosphere.
Under the first and second part of my Invention
Atmospheric air and gas is admitted as hereafter set forth into the working
cylinder A through the slide valve L which is formed of a sliding plate as shown
at Figures 4 and 5 within which there is a chamber a one end of which opens into
an air admission passage b, gas being supplied through the perforations a¹ from the
gas valve c. The chamber a extends so as to open into the passage d leading into
the combustion chamber C of the cylinder A. The valve L is provided with the
two ports e e' being the ignition parts for igniting the charge in the combustion
chamber C. These ports e el are positioned as shown at Figures 4 and 5 so as to
ignite the charge in the combustion chamber C for each forward and backward
-movement.of the valve L. The ports e e' are provided with passages e² e² which
communicate with the gas supply pipes Figure 8. M is tho-slide-valve cover.
care perforations therein opening into the gas valve c, through which gas is
supplied to the perforations a¹ of the slide valve L. ff' are ports in the slide
valve cover M through which the charge of combustible fluid in the ignition
chambers e e¹ is ignited by the master flames f³. h is a pocket, or chamber in the
slide valve cover 1 which is kept supplied with a charge of air and gas being an
explosive mixture at a pressure about equal to the atmosphere through the
passage in the slide valve L and the passage h' in the cover M. This pocket or
chamber is positioned directly opposite the passage d leading to the combustion
chamber C so that during the travel of the slide valve L the pocket or chamber h
has direct communication through the ignition chambers e or e¹ and the passage d
with the combustion chamber C. The relative position of the passage d the
chambers e e¹ and the pocket h are such that the moment before the igniting
ports e e¹ reach the passage d they reach the pocket and the flame in the igniting
port e or c¹ immediately explodes the combustible charge in the pocket h and while
such charge is still in this condition namely under the influence of the explosion
the firing port e or c¹ passes on and opens into the passage d and the flame is by
the force of the explosion in the pocket h projected through the passage d into the
combustion chamber C and enters and pierces with force the charge of combustible
fluid in the combustion chamber C and thus fires the charge more effectually and
with greater certainty than by the methods now in use. After each charge and
explosion the pocket his scoured of the products of combustion by the action of
the cylinder B which withdraws such products of combustion through the passage h²
before the pocket h is in communication with the passage a. In connection with
the pocket h I prefer to have a small cock or equivalent device whereby the amount
of force generated by the explosion in the pocket h may be modified or regulated.
gg are shields which prevent the back pressure from the ports e el affecting the
master flames f f such terminal or back pressure passing to the atmosphere
through the chimneys i i.
Under the third part of my Invention.
To operate the slide valve L I use a mechanical device N which consists of the
curvilinear or bent slot n shown at Figure 8 working in conjunction with the
crank n which receives motion from the shaft H. By this mechanical device I
am enabled to work the valve L so as to accelerate its speed at certain portions of
the stroke namely from that point where the igniting ports e e' cease to commu-
nicate with the kindling ports ff' to the ports hd and thus obtain the best results
in firing. The exact form of curvilinear slot n depends upon the particular motion

page_text: it is desired to give to the valve L. The device is particularly applicable for
working double acting slide valves as by its means similar motion can be obtained
in both strokes of the valve. In the case of. the valve L herein described the
departure from a straight line or the bending required in the slot n is very small.
but this condition will naturally alter according to the motion required to be given
to the valve.
For the engine shown in the Drawings the slide valve is so arranged that
the engine is drawing in a charge of combustible mixture when the valve is
about half stroke that is to say when the crank n' is vertical either above or
below the centre and it is arranged to fire the charge when this crank is in a
horizontal line to the right or left of the centre. Were the slot a straight one the
valve would at this moment have arrived at the extremity of its stroke but by
making the slot of a curved form as shown in the Drawing I obtain a further
movement of the valve after the crank has passed the centre and in this way the
firing pocket in the valve is made to open still further to the port leading to the
combustion chamber and thus obtain greater certainty in the firing.
Under the fourth part of my Invention.
The gas admission to the valve L is regulated by a governor mechanism which
opens or closes the gas admission valve C by the lever P according to the speed of
the engine. The governor mechanism consists of the ball governor Q (driven by
toothed wheels Q2 from the shaft H) which opens and closes the gas valve c through
the levers R, S, P. The lever R is mounted as shown at Figure 13 and receives
motion from the spindle Q' of the ball governor Q. R' is a spring and screw
regulator by which the action of the lever R is adjusted or regulated.-The lever R
works the loose sleeve R2 which works on the pin R' on the end of the lever S.
On the outer end of the sleeve R is a bowl R³ which runs on a stepped bowl race
consisting of three races T T' T2 mounted on the end of the slide valve as shown
at Figures 8 and 13. The races T T T are graded so that when the engine is
running at its normal speed the bowl R³ runs on the lower race T. The levers SP
of the gas valve c are then in their normal position. If the speed of the engine
quickens the action of the governor Q throws the bowl R³ forward into the
cutaway part of the race T shown at Figure 17 from whence it rides onto the
higher portion and then onto the race T³. The lever P has then closed the gas
valve c altogether and it remains closed until the speed of the engine decreases and
the governor Q brings the bowl R³ back to its normal position namely on the race T.
Under the fifth part of my Invention.
The terminal pressure and exhaust valve consists of the slide valve J located
under the terminal pressure and exhaust box I. Into and out of this box I lead
passages or ports I' I², I being for the products of combusion and I² for the exhaust
The terminal pressure leads into the chamber F through the ports F. The slide
valve J is alternately a terminal pressure valve opening communication between
the cylinder A and the terminal pressure chamber F and a communicating valve
between the cylinder A and the cylinder B and for this purpose is provided with
ports. The outside ports are alternately terminal pressure ports and exhaust
Sports The longitudinal port j is always open to the passage 1.
The valve J
travels at half the speed of the engine and its construction will be understood upon
reference to Figures 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12 of the Drawings. On the instroke of the
piston the gases which have filled the concentric space B' are expelled through the
valve W and its passage W into the chamber F.
Under the sixth part of my Invention
The
To lubricate the engine I use the device shown at Figures 19 and 20 or that
shown at Figure 21. The device shown at Figures 19 and 20 consists of the oil
cistern U from which the oil is fed by the use of the small pump p.
This pump or
ram p is worked by an eccentric q against which it is held by the spring v.
end of the ramp is cut to an angle so as to leave the space t at the end of the
pump and the end of the ram has a right angle hole u which is so arranged in
relation to the oil supply pipe that by the action of the pump p the oil first runs

page_text: into the space t and is then forced through the hole u through the pipe v' to the
part to be lubricated-The lubricator shown at Figures 19 and 20 is so constructed
as to supply two or more pumps with oil through the branch U¹.
Where a gravitating lubricator is sufficient I use the device illustrated at
Figure 21 which consists of the revolving adjustable disc p, which as it revolves
rubs against the pipe v which scrapes from the disc the amount of oil required
which amount can be regulated by adjusting the distance of the pipe from the
disc p.
Under the seventh part my Invention consists in the following construction
arrangement, combination and design of the principal parts and passages and the
accessory mechanism and devices of gas engines-The cylinder A being the
working cylinder is constructed in tandem combination with the cylinder B being
the vacuum or exhausting cylinder at its outer end and in tandem combination
with the combustion chamber C at its inner end. The working cylinder A is of
smaller diameter than the vacuum cylinder B so that the piston D can be con-
structed of duplex form namely a smaller diameter D' of the ram or trunk type for
the working cylinder A and a larger diameter D2 for the vacuumn or exhausting
cylinder B such vacuum cylinder B consisting of the annular space B' resulting
from the different diameters as shown at Figure 1. The ram or trunk piston is
made in two lengths the inner length D' being provided with packing rings and
bolted to the outer length-The outer length is connected to the connecting rod E,
which works through the outer end of the vacuum cylinder B which is open. The
cylinders A and B are mounted on the terminal pressure chamber or box F
forming part of the pedestal or bed G of the engine. The bearings G¹ carry the
shaft G to which motion is given by the crank or disc G³ through the connecting
rod E. His a shaft which operates the valve gear and which receives motion from
the bevel gear H₁ and is driven at half the speed of the engine. It will be seen
that the working cylinder A overbangs the terminal pressure chamber F and at its
junction with the vacuum cylinder B and the terminal pressure chamber F it is
provided with a terminal pressure box I and with ports and passages It Is which
communicate with the vacuum cylinder B and also with the terminal pressure
chamber F the communications being through and governed by the slide valve J
which is worked by means of the vertical shaft operated by the bevel gear k¹
from the shaft H. Air and gas is supplied to the working cylinder A through the
valve as described under the second part-It is ignited by the method described
under the first part. The valve is operated by the mechanical motion described
under the third part and the admission of gas is regulated by the governing
mechanism described under the fourth part.
It will be seen that the gas engine belongs to that class of engines in which the
products of combustion are scavanged or withdrawn from the working cylinder
by the action of an exhausting or vacuum cylinder. The fresh charge of com-
bustible fluid being drawn into the working cylinder by the vacuum produced by
the vacuum cylinder and against the instroke of the working piston which then
compresses the combustible fluid after which it is ignited at the commencement of
the outstroke of the piston thus an effective stroke is produced for every revolution
of the crank See previous Patents No. 1692 A.D. 1880 and No. 3685 A.D. 1880.
The cycle of operation of the engine will be understood upon reference to
Figure 22. Supposing the cylinder A to be charged with combustible mixture and
the piston on the return stroke When the piston and crank have arrived at
point 1, the firing of the compressed charge takes place and the effective stroke of
the engine commences and continues until the crank and piston shall have arrived
at about point 2, where the piston uncovers the ports I' and the valve J forms a
communication through its portsj¹ into the chamber F. These ports and passages are
kept open until the piston and crank shall have arrived at point 3 by which time
the terminal pressure will have exhausted itself into the box F from whence it is
led away through the pipe F At about point 3 on the pistons outward stroke
the valve J forms a communication between the cylinder A and the exhaust

page_text: cylinder B when the exhausting of the remaining products in the cylinder A takes
place. The partial vacuum in the cylinder draws in the fresh charge through the
slide valve L. The drawing in of the charge continues until the piston and crank
have arrived at about point 4 at which point the cylinder A and the cylinder B
cease to be in communication. The compression of the charge begins to take place
and continues until the piston and crank again arrive at point 1.
Having now described my Invention and shown how the same may be put into
operation I claim
Under the first part
Effecting the ignition of the combustible charge in gas engines through the
agency of the auxiliary explosion of a charge of combustible fluid contained in a
pocket or recess such charge being exploded by the agency of the slide valve, as
herein described.
Under the second part
First: In slide valves for supplying combustible fluid to gas engines and igniting
the same,
the particular arrangement and configuration of passages and ports and
the use of the passages marked h¹ h² as herein described for the purposes set forth
and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The particular arrangement and configuration of the slide valve cover
and its ports passages igniting pocket and the accessory parts as herein described
for the purposes set forth and as shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Under the third part
The use of a curvilinear slot constructed and operated as herein described and
as shown in the Drawings for imparting movement to the slide valve of gas
engines for the purposes set forth.
Under the fourth part
The mechanism herein described for governing gas engines consisting of the bowl
race which operates the gas admission valve through the agency of the bowl and a
governor as herein described and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Under the fifth part
In gas engines of the type herein described the use of a slide valve for exhausting
the terminal pressure and effecting communication between the vacuum cylinder
and the working cylinder constructed and operated substantially as herein described
and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Under the sixth part
First: The construction and arrangement of lubricator, consisting of the valveless
pump device as herein described and shown at Figures 19 and 20, of the Drawings
hereto annexed.
Second The particular construction and arrangement of lubricator device as
herein described and shown at Figure 21 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Under the seventh part
The general construction of gas engine consisting of the working cylinder A the
vacuum cylinder B the piston D, D¹, D', the terminal pressure chamber F the slide
valve J and its accessary parts ports and passages arranged together and in combi-
nation with the other parts of the engine operating as heroin described and as
shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hugh Williams have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twelfth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
HUGH (L.s.) WILLIAMS.