Improvements in Rotary Motors and Pumps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 29th Feb., 1896
[Communicated from abroad by The "SOCIÉTÉ DES MOTEURS ET VOITURES
AUTOMOBILES SYSTÈME FILTZ," of 42 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris,
in the Republic of France.]
Improvements in Rotary Motors and Pumps.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to a rotary apparatus which can be actuated by any
suitable fluid and is applicable either as a motor or as pump.
The improved apparatus will be hereinafter described in detail, with reference
to the accompanying drawing illustrating one form of construction adapted for use
as a steam motor and in which
Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus on the line u―v of
Figure 2:
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.
Figure 3 is an horizontal section on the line wa of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an interior view of one of the ends of the cylinder on the line, y z of
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of one of the ends of the cylinder.
Figure 6 represents in detail the construction of the wings or vanes of the rotary
piston.
As will be seen in the drawing, the apparatus is composed of an outer casing or
cylinder A, provided at its upper part with parts or conduits for the distribution
of the fluids and at its lower part with a base a serving as a support for the
apparatus. The said cylinder is fitted with motor piston B turning freely therein
and fixed to an axis C adjusted centrally in the ends D and D₁ of the said
cylinder A.
The piston B is formed of a cylindrical body having the same length as the
outer casing A, and is deeply recessed at its two extremities, as clearly shown in
Figures 2 and 3, in such a manner that two opposite annular recesses M M³ are
formed therein separated from one another by a partition wall or disc b, of
moderate thickness, which divides the cylinder A into two equal parts, and which
connects the central socket b' of the piston keyed upon the axis C, to the circular
periphery of this piston, adjusted, as above stated, in the outer cylinder A.
This piston carries two transverse driving vanes E E' situated one at each side
of the axis C and capable of freely sliding in the mortises cut longitudinally in the
body of the piston, in such a manner that their rounded edges are guided over
their entire length in grooves ee of the same form arranged in the socket b' and
circular periphery 62 of the piston.
On the other hand the ends D and D' carry internal projections d, penetrating
the opposite annular recesses or chambers of the piston B and terminating in a
helicoidal face or inclined plane d', as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5; and these
ends or covers are adjusted upon the flanges of the outer cylinder A in such a
manner that the top parts of these projections are placed exactly at 180 degrees
from one another and constantly rub upon the corresponding face of the disc or

page_text: partition, wall of the piston in such a manner as to form,therein a tight joint
which according to the drawing is obtained by means of a spring mounting F fitted
on to the top of the projection d'as shown in Figure 2.
Under these conditions the distance between the helicoidal inclined planes d' of
the two ends D D is constant and corresponds exactly to the length of the
vanes E E' above indicated. It will thus be understood that during the rotation
of the piston, these vanes. are constantly displaced by the friction of their
extremities against these two inclined planes which compel the same to slide in
the grooves.ee, and to alternately, penetrate the two opposite recesses M M of the
piston B,, which they thus divide each into two parts as, clearly, shown in Figures 1
and 4.
It results from these arrangements that the volumes of the chambers thus
formed, vary constantly during the rotation of the piston, because they are
determined or fixed by the variable distance, at each moment, between the disc d
of this piston and the portions of the corresponding inclined planes b¹ included
between the vanes or between one vane and the top parts f above referred to.
In this machine the steam is introduced and discharged in the following
manner:
The ends D D are hollow and their interior recess is divided into two parts by
a full partition wall g, in such a manner that one of these parts / places the
steam inlet conduit in communication with the inlet port k, whilst the other
part causes, the outlet port to communicate with the exhaust conduit j.
Figures 1 and 4 show the relative positions of the ports and at each side of
the mounting F arranged upon the projecting top of the inclined planes of the
ends-D D'.
In the example represented in the drawing, I have indicated the apparatus..as
adapted to be reversed by the use of a valve or cock N with hollow scat,, which
permits of causing the conduits i and j to communicate either with, the steam
inlet or with the, steam outlet, this inlet taking place through the open extremity "
of this valve and the discharge being effected through a pipe connected to
the flange O, provided with two tubular connections, o. o as indicated by the
arrows.
The central socket b' of the piston is keyed upon the axis C by means of screws p
and the extremities of this socket are bevelled and fit exactly the corresponding
part of the screw, stopper Q on the one side and a screw socket R. through which
the shaft C passes on the other side. This arrangement prevents any escape or
leakage without the use of a stuffing box.
Finally for the purpose of making the joints between the extremities of the
vanes E and inclined planes d' of the ends D D', air tight, I form these vanes
preferably in two pieces between which a spring is interposed, as clearly shown in
Figure 6.
The working of the apparatus is effected in the following manner:
Supposing the vanes to lie in the position indicated in Figure 4, it will be seen
that this side of the piston is at this moment divided into three chambers namely:
a.chamber m, in which the admission takes, place and which is limited at one side
by the edge F and at the other side by the vane E; a chamber m¹, in which the
steam is displaced and which is limited by the two vanes E E¹; and finally a
chamber m? communicating with, the outlet, and limited by the vane E' and the
edge F.
It will be seen that in consequence of the rotary movement of the piston in the
direction indicated by the arrows, the chamber m will, progressively increase in
volume, while the steam continues to enter, the same by pushing the vane E along
in front of it, and this, up to the moment when the vane E will have passed the
edge F and the port hole k and will on its part become,motive., During the same
time the steam which has been. previously, introduced and which is contained in the
chamber,m limited by the two vanes, will be circularly displaced while, expanding
in a certain proportion,, until the vane has passed, the port hole 1, and at this

page_text: moment the steam will be exhausted. Finally the vane E' will pass over the
edge F, then over the port-hole k, and will arrive at the position indicated by the
letter E thus recommencing a new cycle of operation.
But at the same time similar effects are produced upon the vanes situated in the
opposite part M' of the piston, and as at this side the projecting edge Flies at
180 degrees from the position indicated in Figure 4, the motive actions are
produced at alternate periods of one half turn upon the two faces of the piston,
which latter thus transmits upon the axis C essentially constant efforts, whereby
the regularity of motion of the apparatus is insured.
On the other hand the interposition between the inlet chamber m and the outlet
chamber m², of an intermediate chamber m' in which the admitted steam is
circularly displaced before its exhaust, reduces to a great extent the escape which
might take place on the circumference of the vanes.
have indicated, so far, the use of the steam as a motive fluid, but it is evident.
that the operation of the apparatus will be the same, whatever may be the nature
of the fluid, air or gas, which is used.
It will also be understood that for using the apparatus as a pump, it will be
sufficient to actuate the shaft C by the aid of a motor and to place its inlet and
outlet orifices in communication with the liquid to be displaced, it being however
understood that the dimensions of the interior holes or ports and conduits of the
apparatus must be adapted to the flow of the liquid.
Finally it is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the forms and
arrangement represented in the drawing, as I adapt them to the different uses for
which the apparatus is applicable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A rotary apparatus applicable as a motor or as a pump, the characteristic
feature of which consists in the use of a cylindrical piston revolving in a closed
cylinder and provided upon its two faces with circular recesses, into which
penetrate helicoidal projections alternating at 180 degrees and forming a rigid
part with the ends of the cylinder, and constituting two opposite and equidistant
inclined planes which determine and fix the alternate displacements of the two
vanes capable of sliding longitudinally in grooves provided at each side of the
piston and alternately receiving the action from the motive fluid which passes.
through the hollow ends of the cylinder and arrives at the holes or ports on either
side of the contact edge of the projections before referred to.
2. In a rotary apparatus such as that indicated in the first claim the arrangement
of the vanes in two pieces with rounded lateral edges, sliding in grooves of the
same shape, arranged in the outer periphery and the central core or socket of the
rotary piston.
3. In a rotary apparatus such as that indicated in the first claim the arrangement
of hollow ends divided by an interior partition wall into two chambers connecting
respectively the port holes with the inlet and outlet conduits for the fluid.
4. In a rotary apparatus such as that indicated in the first claim the arrangement
of the distributing conduits and of the cock or valve which connects the same for
the purpose of enabling the motion of the machine to be reversed.
5. In a rotary apparatus such as that indicated in the first claim the arrangement
and mounting of the rotary piston upon the driving shaft.
Dated this 25th day of January 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.