IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES APPLICABLE ALSO AS PUMPS to be as follows:
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY THOMAS LIVERSEDGE, of South View Caerleon in the County of
Monmouth, but at present of H.M.S. Temeraire, Mediterranean Fleet, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY
ENGINES APPLICABLE ALSO AS PUMPS to be as follows:-
"
°
This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines applicable also as
pumps.
In a rotary engine according to this invention a motive fluid cylinder has within
it a drum or boss mounted upon a shaft and carrying a projecting block driver or
piston arranged to revolve in close contact with the interior surface of the cylinder.
The cylinder is provided with two moveable valves or divisions serving to divide
into two parts the annular space between the cylinder and the drum. I will call
these valves for distinction right and left division valves. Each acts alternately as
a steam and exhaust valve.
They are actuated from a rocking shaft by a system of levers and rods (with
slotted links) so arranged that each valve is during a portion of each revolution of
the drum and piston stationary and in rubbing contact with the drum or boss,
whilst during the remaining portion of the revolution, the valve has a reciprocating
outward and inward motion through or in the wall of the cylinder to allow of the
passage of the driver or piston. The rocking shaft and lever arms carried by it
can be driven by an eccentric keyed on the driving shaft outside the cylinder.
The longest radii of the eccentric and the driver or piston are at any convenient
angle to each other. The distributing valve for admitting motive fluid to the
working cylinder, is of the piston type and works in a cylinder provided with
outlet openings at or near each end and with an intermediate inlet opening for
motive fluid. This inlet opening is closed when the distributing valve is in its
central or mid position. The rod for actuating the piston valve is operated by the
hereinbefore mentioned eccentric whereby steam is admitted alternately to each
outlet opening of the distributing valve cylinder.
In conjunction with the distributing valve I employ two reversing valves, one
for each division valve.. These reversing valves are also of the piston type; each
comprises two pistons fitted on a common spindle suitably actuated and arranged
to work within a cylinder provided at each end with two openings or ports. One
of these two ports in each case is an exhaust port whilst the other is either a fluid
ועוו...ID

page_text: port or an exhaust port according to the direction in which the engine is to run.
Each reversing valve cylinder has an intermediate opening for motive fluid which
is in communication with the space between the pair of piston valves therein and
with one of the outlet openings of the distributing valve cylinder. The reversing
cylinders are each provided with two pipes or conduits one to each of the openings
serving alternately as inlet or exhaust openings. The other end of each pipe or
conduit is in communication with one of a set of corresponding fluid or exhaust
openings formed in the right and left division valve and in projections or attach-
ments of the working cylinder through or in which the said division valves work.
The piston rods of the several valves as well as the division valves are each
suitably packed to prevent leakage of motive fluid. In lieu of the division valves
having a sliding motion they may be pivotted and move in a rotary sense within
suitable chambers or recesses. Such pivotted valves can be actuated in sub-
stantially the same manner as the sliding valves for governing the admission and
exhaustion of motive fluid to and from the working cylinder, and may be formed
hollow and provided with ports or be so formed as to serve as guides for the motive
fluid.
According to a modification one of the reversing valves can be dispensed with as
also the main distributing valve (unless the latter be used as an expansion valve).
Likewise the external eccentric is suppressed and a combined drum or boss and
driver or piston is employed, so formed of an eccentric or cam like shape as to
serve the purpose of actuating right and left division valves or their equivalents in
one direction, the motion of these division valves in the reverse direction, to ensure
close contact with the drum or boss and driver, being effected by fluid p
.pressure.
For the purpose of admitting and exhausting motive fluid to and from the
working cylinder there are formed in one of its covers, internal annular grooves or
recesses in which work corresponding projections formed on the drum or boss
within the cylinder. These projections have openings or ports leading to opposite
sides of the driver or piston. The annular grooves in the cylinder cover are
connected to a reversing cylinder of the kind hereinbefore described, by suitable
pipes or conduits.
The form of rotary engine first herein-above described may if desired be provided
with means such as just specified for admitting and exhausting motive fluid; the
main distributing valve and one of the reversing valves being then dispensed with
and the hollow or ported division valves replaced by plain division valves or their
equivalents.
For the purpose of making the ends and edges of the drum or boss and driver
or piston fluid tight with the cylinder cover, the adjacent surfaces may be
accurately planed or turned the metal of the covering opposite the annular spaces
and that between the ports on the drum or boss making a steam tight connection
or projections on the one may be made to accurately fit recesses in the other, or
other convenient means may be employed for the purpose.
It will be obvious that by rotating the drum and driver of a rotary engine
constructed according to this invention as above set forth it may be used as a
pump the distributing and reversing valves being dispensed with. :

page_text: I, HENRY THOMAS LIVERSEDGE, of South View. Caerleon in the County of
Monmouth, but at present of H.M.S. Temeraire, Mediterranean Fleet, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be.
perforined to be particularly, described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines applicable also as
pumps.
In a rotary engine according to this invention a motive fluid cylinder has within'
it a drum or boss mounted upon a shaft and carrying a projecting block driver or
piston arranged to revolve in close contact with the interior surface of the
cylinder. The cylinder is provided with two movable valves or divisions serving
to divide into two parts the annular space between the cylinder and the drum.
I will call these valves for distinction right and left division valves. Each acts
alternately as a steam and exhaust valve. They are actuated from a rocking shaft
by a system of levers and rods (with slotted links or parts) so arranged that each
valve is during a portion of each revolution of the drum and piston stationary and
in rubbing contact with the drum or boss, whilst during the remaining portion of
the revolution, the valve has a reciprocating outward and inward motion through
or in the wall of the cylinder to allow of the passage of the driver or piston. The
rocking shaft and lever arms carried by it can be driven by an eccentric keyed on
the driving shaft outside the cylinder. The longest radii of the eccentric and the
driver or piston are at any convenient angle to each other. The distributing valve
for admitting motive fluid to the working cylinder is of the piston type and works
in a cylinder provided with outlet openings at or near each end and with an
intermediate inlet opening for motive fluid. This inlet opening is closed when the
distributing valve is in its central or mid position. The rod for actuating the
piston valve is operated by the hereinbefore mentioned eccentric whereby steam is
admitted alternately to each outlet opening of the distributing valve cylinder. In
conjunction with the distributing valve I employ two reversing valves, one for each
division valve. These reversing valves are also of the piston type; each comprises
two pistons fitted on a common spindle suitably actuated and arranged to work
within a cylinder provided at each end with two openings or ports. One of these
two ports in each case is an exhaust port, whilst the other is either a fluid port or
an exhaust port according to the direction in which the engine is to run. Each
reversing valve cylinder has an intermediate opening for motive fluid which is in
communication with the space between the pair of piston valves therein and with
one of the outlet openings of the distributing valve cylinder. The reversing
cylinders are each provided with two pipes or conduits one to each of the openings
serving alternately as inlet or exhaust openings. The other end of each pipe or
conduit is in communication with one of a set of corresponding fluid or exhaust
openings formed in the right and left division valves and in projections or
attachments of the working cylinder through or in which the said division valves
work.
The piston rods of the several valves as well as the division valves are each
suitably packed to prevent leakage of motive fluid. In lieu of the division valves

page_text: having a sliding motion they may be pivotted and move in a rotary sense within
suitable chambers or recesses. Such pivotted valves can be actuated in substan-
tially the same manner as the sliding valves for governing the admission and
exhaustion of motive fluid to and from the working cylinder, and may be formed
hollow and provided with ports or be so formed as to serve as guides for the motive
fluid. According to a modification one of the reversing valves can be dispensed
with as also the main distributing valve (unless the latter be used as an expansive
valve). Likewise the external eccentric is suppressed and a combined drum or boss
and driver or piston is employed so formed of an eccentric or cam like shape as to
serve the purpose of actuating right and left division valves or their equivalents in
one direction, the motion of these division valves in the reverse direction to ensure
close contact with the drum or boss and driver, being effected by fluid pressure.
For the purpose of admitting and exhausting motive fluid to and from the working
cylinder there are formed in one of its covers, internal annular grooves or recesses
in which work corresponding projections formed on the drum or boss within the
cylinder. These projections have openings or ports leading to opposite sides of the
driver or piston. The annular grooves in the cylinder cover are connected to
a reversing cylinder of the kind hereinbefore described, by suitable pipes or
conduits. The form of rotary engine first. herein-above described may if desired
be provided with means such as just specified for admitting and exhausting motive
fluid the main distributing valve and one of the reversing valves being then
dispensed with and the hollow or ported division valves replaced by plain division
valves or their equivalents.
For the purpose of making the ends and edges of the drum or boss and driver or
piston fluid tight with the cylinder cover, the adjacent surfaces may be accurately
planed or turned or the surfaces or parts of them, in contact may be movable and
be pressed towards each other by springs, the metal of the covering opposite the
annular spaces and that between the ports on the drum or boss making a steam
tight connection, or projections on the one may be made to accurately fit recesses in
the other, or other convenient means may be employed for the purpose.
It will be obvious that by rotating the druin and driver of a rotary engine
constructed according to this invention as above set forth it may be used as a pump
the distributing and reversing valves being dispensed with.
Referring to the accompanying 3 sheets of illustrative drawings Fig. 1 shews in
vertical sections taken in different planes a rotary engine according to my inven-
tion. Fig. 1a is a vertical section of a division valve. Fig. 2 is a vertical section
illustrating a modified form of division valve applied to a rotary engine. Fig. 3 is
an end elevation partly in vertical section and with the cylinder cover removed of
a modified form of rotary motor. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line A, B,
fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an end section elevation with the cylinder cover removed of a
rotary motor wherein the driver or piston is movable with reference to the drum
or boss, the driver or piston and drum or boss being shown in elevation. Figs. 6
and 7 are vertical sections at right angles to each other of a further modification.
Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is a cylinder, 2 a drum or boss mounted upon a shaft 3, and 4
a block driver or piston, hereinafter called a piston, carried by 2 and arranged to
revolve in close contact with the interior surface of the cylinder. 5, 6 are right and
left division valves each acting alternately as a steam and exhaust valve. Each
division valve is actuated by a link 7, and lever pivotted at 9 and receiving
motion from an eccentric 10, fixed on the shaft 3 outside the cylinder 1 by means
of the bell-crank lever 11, rod 12, and link 13 as will be readily understood from
the drawings. A pin or projection is provided at 14 and so arranged as to travel
in the slot 15 of the piece 16. One portion of this slot is made concentric with the
centre of the joint between the lever 8 and the link 13, when the said joint
occupies the position shown in the drawings, whilst the remaining portion of the
slot has a different curvature as shown. The result of this arrangement is that
each division valve 5 and 6 is during a portion of each revolution of the drum and
'piston 2 and 4, stationary, and in rubbing contact therewith, whilst during the

page_text: remaining portion of the revolution, each valve has a reciprocating outward and
inward motion through or in the wall of the cylinder to allow of the passage of the
piston as hereinbefore stated and as will be readily understood from the centre lines
of the several parts shown in a different position. 17 is a motive fluid distributing
valve of the piston type working within a cylinder 18 having outlet openings
19, 20 at or near its ends, and an intermediate inlet opening 21 for motive fluid.
When the valve is in the position shown in the drawings, the inlet opening 21 is
closed. The piston rod 22 is operated, as shown, by the eccentric 10 and link 23
so that motive fluid is admitted alternately to each outlet opening 19 and 20.
24 and 25 are reversing valves also of the piston type, for the division valves 5, 6,
respectively. Each reversing valve comprises two pistons fitted on a common
spindle 26, and work with a cylinder 27 or 28. The cylinder 27 is provided
with two openings or ports. 29 and 30 near its upper end and two similar
ports 31 and 32 near its lower end. Similarly, the cylinder 28 is provided with
two similar pairs of ports 33, 34 and 35, 36 near its upper and lower ends
respectively. Of these ports 30, 32, 34 and 36 are exhaust ports, whilst 29, 31, 33,
35 are either fluid ports or exhaust ports according to the direction in which the
engine is to run. The reversing valves 24, 25 are actuated by rods 37, 38
respectively which receive motion from a cross shaft 39 provided with a hand
lever 40. 41 and 42 are intermediate openings or ports in the cylinders 27 and 28
respectively, 41 communicating with the space between the double pistons of the
valve 24 as shown and with the outlet opening or port 19 of the cylinder 18, whilst
42 communicates with the space between the double pistons of the valve 25 and
with the other outlet opening or port 20 of the said cylinder 18. The passages or
conduits connecting 41 and 42 with 19 and 20 respectively are not shown in the
drawings. 43 and 44 are pipes or conduits in communication at their upper ends
with the ports 29 and 31 of the reversing valve cylinder 27 and serving alternately
as inlet or exhaust openings. 45 and 46 are corresponding pipes or conduits for
the ports 33 and 35 of the cylinder 28. The pipe 43 and 46 are in communication
at their lower ends with spaces 47 and 48 respectively formed in projections or
attachments 49, 50, of the working cylinder 1 through or in which the division
valves 5, 6 work respectively, and with the interior of said cylinder 1 through
ports 51, 52, and 55*, 56* in the valves 5 and 6 respectively. Similarly, the
pipes 44 and 45 are in communication at their lower ends with other spaces 53, 54,
in the projections or attachments 49 and 50 and with the interior of the said
cylinder 1 through other ports 55, 56 and 51*, 52* in the valves 5 and 6
respectively.
The operation of the apparatus as a motor is as follows:-Supposing the parts to
be in the positions shown in fig. 1 and that it be desired that the piston revolve in
the direction of the arrow, then the drum 2 and piston 4 must be partially turned
round so that the valve 17 shall be depressed to uncover the motive fluid port 21
and the hand lever 40 and shaft 39 be so operated as to cause the rods 37 and 38
to raise the valves 24 and 25 and close the exhaust ports 30 and 34 by means of
their upper parts or pistons. Motive fluid will now pass from port 21 through the
ports or passages 19, 41, 29, 43, 47, 51 and 52 to the interior of cylinder 1 at the
rear of the piston 4 and drive the latter forward, whilst gas or spent motive fluid
on the forward side of the piston will be forced' or exhausted through the ports or
passages 56, 55*, 48, 46, 35 and 36 to the atmosphere. As the piston 4 approaches
the division valve 6, the latter is withdrawn from the interior of the cylinder, to
allow of its passage by means of the link 7, lever S, link 13, rod 12, and bell-crank
lever 11 operated by the eccentric 10 as hereinbefore explained. Any gas or spent
motive fluid on the forward side of the piston after the latter has passed the
valve 6 will exhaust through the ports or passages 56, 55, 53, 44, 31 and 32 to the
atmosphere. After the piston 4 has passed the division valve 6, the latter will
return into contact with the drum 2 whilst the valve 17 will rise and close
communication with port 19 and open that with the port 20 by reason of its
connection with the eccentric 10. Motive fluid will now enter the cylinder at the

page_text: rear of the piston 4 from the port 21 through the ports or passages 20, 42, 33, 45,
54, 51* and 52*. As the piston 4 approaches the division valve 5, the latter will
be withdrawn from the cylinder in a similar way to valve 6 to allow of the
passage of the said piston after which the said valve 5 will return and the
operations above described again take place and so on for each revolution. If it
be desired that the piston revolve in the opposite direction to that shown by the
arrow, then the hand lever 40 and shaft 39 must be so operated as to depress
the valves 24 and 25 and close the exhaust ports 32 and 34, the ports 31 and 35
then becoming steam ports. The passage of motive fluid to and from the cylinder
in this case will be readily understood from the drawing without further
description. In fig. 2 the division valves 5 and 6 are secured to spindles at
57, 58, so as to be capable of rotary movement within the chambers or recesses
59, 60 of the projections 49, 50 instead of sliding therein as in the preceeding
arrangement (Fig. 1). The valves 5 and 6 are operated from the eccentric 10 by
means of the lever 11, lever 61, rods 12 (the centre lines only of which are shown)
and lever arms 62, 63, secured to the spindles 57 and 58. The operation of the
motor with this modified form of division valves is substantially similar to that
herein before explained.
In the modification shown in figs. 3 and 4, a combined drum and piston 2-4 is
employed of an eccentric or cam-like shape, the piston in addition to its ordinary
functions as a driver, serves to actuate the division valves or blocks. ŏ5, 6, in an
outward direction during each revolution their inward motion, to ensure close.
contact with the surface of the said drum and piston, being effected by fluid.
pressure within pipes 64 and 65 acting on their outer extremities. 66 and 67 are
annular grooves or recesses formed in the inner side of the cylinder cover 68; they
serve for the admission and exhaustion of motive fluid to and from the cylinder or
vice versa according to the direction in which the engine is to run. 69 is an
annular projecting rib on the inside of the cover 68 taking into a corresponding
annular recess 70 in the adjacent surface of the combined drum and piston whereby
motive fluid is prevented from passing from the groove or recess 66 to the other 67.
The cylinder cover 68 projects inward at 68* and takes onto a corresponding
recessed surface on the combined drum or piston for the purpose of preventing
escape of steam from the cylinder. 71 and 72 are openings or ports in the side of
the combined drum or piston; they communicate with the interior of the cylinder,
at opposite sides of the longest diameter of the combined drum and piston, by
means of passages 73 and 74 (Fig. 3) formed in the latter. The openings or
ports 71 and 72 are so arranged (as shewn in Fig. 4) as to be in communication
with the grooves or recesses 66 and 67 during the whole or a part of each
revolution according as the said grooves or recesses are each made to form a
complete annulus or only part of one. 75 and 76 are inlet and exhaust passages
(in communication with the grooves or recesses 66 and 67) for live motive fluid and
spent fluid or vice versa as the case may be. With this arrangement of engine one
of the reversing valves shown and described with reference to fig. 1 may be
dispensed with, as also the main distributing valve (unless the latter be used as an
expansion valve) and the external eccentric. In the operation of this form of
engine, motive fluid is admitted to one side of the combined drum and piston from
a pipe or conduit in connection with, say, the passage 75 thence it passes through
the groove or recess 66, port 71, passage 73 to the top side of the combined drum
and piston, as shown in fig. 3, and drives the latter round in the direction of the
arrow. Spent motive fluid on the other side of the drum and piston will escape
through the passage 74, port 72 groove or recess 67, exhaust passage 76 and away
to the atmosphere through the pipe or conduit in connection therewith.
The direction of the inflowing and exhaust motive fluid is constant during the
time the combined drum and piston rotates in the direction shown. If the
direction of rotation be reversed by suitably operating the valve in a reversing
cylinder similar to that hereinbefore described, the course of the inflowing and
exhaust fluid will be the reverse of that just described.

page_text: During each rotation, the division valves or blocks 5 and 6 will be moved within
their containing cases in an outward direction by the combined drum or piston
but will be maintained in close contact there with by the fluid pressure within the
pipes 64, 65 acting on their outer ends as will be readily understood.
In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the interior of the cylinder is divided up
into three portions by three curved parts or divisions 77 which take the place of
the movable division blocks 5, 6 in the modification last herein before described.
Against these parts or divisions 77 the surface of the circular drum 2 continuously
revolves. Two drivers or pistons 4 are employed in this modification; they are so
arranged as to be capable of moving within suitably shaped openings or recesses
formed in the drum and are so connected as to move together, so that as one is
forced within its recess by reason of the curved surface against which it works,
(as it is revolved) the other will be forced outward into contact with the opposite
surface. The pistons 4 are further provided with a spring 78, to ensure close
contact at all times between them and the adjacent surfaces of the divisions 77.
Two ports 71 and connected passages 73 are needed in this modification as well as
two ports 72 and connected passages 74, which when the pistons and drum are to
revolve in the direction of the arrow, are inlet and exhaust ports and passages
respectively. These are arranged to work in conjunction with grooves or recesses.
in one of the cylinder covers in a similar manner to that hereinbefore described
with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Packing pieces 79, one only of which is shown,
may be employed to secure a fluid tight joint between the surface of the drum and
the adjacent surface of each division or part 77. These packing pieces may be
provided with springs and set screws as shown, to keep the said surfaces in
contact.
"
In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the piston is movable within the
circular drum 2 which revolves continuously in contact with the upper interior
surface of the cylinder 1. The lower half of the cylindrical interior surface of the
cylinder is concentric with the centre of the drum, whilst the top half is not
concentric with such centre. The surfaces are however made continuous as shown.
80 is a fixed block within the drum 2 having an exterior surface approximately
parallel to that of the interior of the cylinder, so that as the drum and piston
rotate the latter will be forced outward by such exterior surface into close contact
with the interior surface of the cylinder. The piston 4 is provided with a movable
end portion 4* which is maintained at all times in close contact with the internal
surface of the cylinder by springs 81. The sides of the block 80 are provided
with journals 82, 83, both of which have bearings within the drum. To hold the
block in a fixed position within the drum the end of the journal 83 is made square
at 85 and fitted within a corresponding hole in the adjacent cylinder cover.
drum 2 is made in two portions and fitted together as shown, to allow of the said
block 80 being inserted therein. Motive fluid is admitted to and exhausted from
the cylinder in a similar manner to that hereinbefore described with reference to
Figs. 3 & 4.
The
If each of the drums and pistons shown in the several modifications hereinbefore
described be rotated within their cylinder by external means, each arrangement of
apparatus may be used as a pump. In this case the distributing and reversing
valve are dispensed with, a suction valve (or valves) being fitted to the pipe or
conduit (or pipes or conduits) that supply fluid to the cylinder whilst a discharge
or delivery valve (or valves) is fitted to the pipe or conduit (or pipes or conduits)
through which such fluid is discharged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a rotary engine the use in combination with division valves of an external
distributing valve, which distributes the motive fluid alternately to the division
valves, substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

page_text: 2. In a rotary engine the use in combination with division valves and an
external distributing valve of reversing valves by which the offices of the inlet
and exhaust pipes or conduits leading from the distributing valve to the division
valves can be interchanged substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 1 of the
. drawings.
3. In a rotary engine wherein the annular space between the central drum and
the cylinder is divided into two or more parts by two or more division valves,
providing each valve, or the cavity in which it works, with inlet and exhaust
ports which are closed when the valve moves to allow the piston to pass sub-
stantially as described and shewn in Fig. 1, and in Fig. 2 of the drawings.
4. In a rotary engine the use in combination with two division valves of a
central boss and piston provided with ports and internal passages, which become
alternately inlet and exhaust passages as the said ports pass corresponding inlet
and exhaust ports in the cover on the direction of motion of the central boss and
piston being reversed substantially as described and shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the
drawings.
5. Rotary engines constructed, arranged and operating substantially as described
with reference respectively to Fig. 1, to Fig. 2, to Figs. 3 and 4, to Fig. 5, and to
Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.