IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY ENGINES, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR LIFTING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne, of Essex
Street Works, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
and Benjamin Beale, of Elizabeth Cottage, Parnell Street, New
Cross, Deptford, in the County of Kent, Mechanical Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY
ENGINES, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR LIFTING, FORCING,
AND EXHAUSTING.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Eglinton
Anderson Gwynne and Benjamin Beale at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 20th December
1871.
We, JAMES EGLINTON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Essex Street Works,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and Benjamin
BEALE, of Elizabeth Cottage, Parnell Street, New Cross, Deptford, in the
County of Kent, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of

page_text: the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY
ENGINES, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE FOR LIFTING, FORCING, AND
EXHAUSTING," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists of certain improvements in the ordinary rotary
engine applicable for exhausting or forcing air, gasses, and fluids, whereby
the wear necessitated by the great velocity at which the engine is
worked is considerably diminished.
The slides of the exhauster have been hitherto kept in contact with
the interior surface of the case or cylinder by cast-iron pins working in
holes formed in the wrought-iron segments, the pins being a part of the
slide itself, which is of cast iron.
A part of our improvement consists in fixing a hardened steel pin
through the length of the slide, the ends projecting so as to work in the
holes in the segments which are fitted with hardened steel bushes, by which
means we obtain two hardened surfaces working against one another,
increasing the surface of the rubbing points, and thereby diminishing the
wear. We also fix the ends of the pins into the segments, and allow the
slides to oscillate on the pins.
As a further improvement we make the slides, instead of in a solid cast-
ing, hollowed out in the centre as much as possible or panelled in order
to render them as light as possible consistent with the requisite strength
of the engine; and in the like manner we perforate the segments to render
them as light as possible, and also lighten the ring when substituted for
segments by making a groove of nearly the whole width and depth, in
which a segment works carrying the compensating slide; and by these
means, or the use of any of them, we reduce the friction of the parts of
the engine which travel at a variable velocity as much as possible, con-
sequently decreasing the wear, and rendering them more durable.
In order to give a more steady exhaustion or more equal pressure we
fix two of our engines with the slides at right angles, so that one is
in full action when the other is nearly out. One engine can be fixed
between the two to drive both engines, or the slides may be placed at
right angles in one cylinder or case. We also so adjust the slides as to
lap one over the other telescopic fashion, so as to lengthen or shorten
the slides to suit the different positions in the cylinder.

page_text: Instead of the nose slip or packing at the ends of the slide we sub-
stitute cylindrical packing for the double purpose of compensating for
the various lengths required by the slides and to act as a packing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne and Benjamin
Beale in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th June 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JAMES
EGLINTON ANDERSON GWYNNE, of Essex Street Works, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, and BENJAMIN BEALE, of Elizabeth
Cottage, Parnell Street, New Cross, Deptford, in the County of Kent,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne
and Benjamin Beale, Her special licence that we, the said James
Eglinton Anderson Gwynne and Benjamin Beale, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said James
Eglinton Anderson Gwynne and Benjamin Beale, our executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY ENGINES, WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE FOR LIFTING, FORCING, AND EXHAUSTING," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne
and Benjamin Beale, our executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, or under
the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great

page_text: Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne
and Benjamin Beale, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to t
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to
say :-
Our Invention consists of certain improvements in the ordinary rotary 1
engine applicable for exhausting or forcing air, gases, and fluids, whereby
the wear necessitated by the great velocity at which the engine is worked
is considerably diminished.
The slides of the exhauster have been hitherto kept in contact with
the interior surface of the case or cylinder by cast-iron pins working in 1
holes formed in the wrought-iron segments, the pins being a part of the
slide itself, which is of cast iron.
A part of our improvement consists in fixing a hardened steel pin
through the length of the slide, the ends projecting so as to work in the
holes in the segments which are fitted with hardened steel bushes, by 2
which means we obtain two hardened surfaces working against one
another, increasing the surface of the rubbing points, and thereby
diminishing the wear. We also fix the ends of the pins into the
segments so as to allow the'slides to oscillate on the pins.
As a further improvement we make the slides, instead of in a solid 2
casting, hollowed out in the centre as much as possible or panelled in
order to render them as light as possible consistent with the requisite
strength of the engine; and in the like manner we perforate the segments
to render them as light as possible, and also lighten the rings when
substituted for segments by making grooves of nearly the whole width 3
and depth, in which segments work carrying the compensating slide,
and by these means, or the use of either of them, we reduce the friction
of those parts of the engine which travel at a variable velocity as
much as possible, consequently decreasing the wear, and render them
more durable.
3

page_text: In order to give a more steady exhaustion or more equal pressure we
fix two of our engines with the slides at right angles, so that one is in
full action when the other is nearly out. The engine can be fixed
between the two to drive both engines, or the slide may be placed at
right angles in one cylinder or case. We also so adjust the slides as to
lap one over the other or telescopic fashion, so as to lengthen or shorten
the slides to suit the different positions in the cylinder.

page_text: The slides then work or oscillate on the pins, thus increasing the
rubbing surfaces if necessary from the mere thickness of the segment to
the whole length of the slide. We are also enabled to render the axle
bearings more durable by fixing upon them hardened collars, which
work into hardened bushes fixed into the axle boxes outside the stuffing
boxes or inside, as shown in Figure VI. k is the axle bearing; 1, 1, is
part of the drum; m, m, is part of the end plate; n, n, is the axle box.
The place of the hardened collar and hardened bush are respectively
shown in writing. Tin and gun metal may be used for lining the axle
boxes, and tin for lining the gland o, o, as shown and written in
Figure VI. The lettering in this Figure corresponds with the lettering
of Figure VI. We make the slides as light as possible, as also the
segments, as shown at Figures VIII., IX., X., and XI., by increasing
the size or number of the holes in the segments, and panelling or
hollowing out the slides. p, Figure IX., shows the hollowing out of the
slide, and p, p, Figure XI., the panelling. When we use the entire
rings, as shewn in Figure VII., we lighten them as shown in the section,
Figure VII*. fitted with two segments to each ring, one fixed as shown at
e, and the loose or working segment at f; or the rings may be made
in two parts as shown in Figure VIII., f, g, but without the segments.
The slides may also be bolted, rivetted, or tongued together in two parts as
shewn at z, z, Figure VII. We adjust the slides so as to lap one over
another, as shown at Figure IV., or telescopic as shown in VII.,
so as to lengthen the slide to suit the different position of the cylinder or
case. In place of a nose slip packing, as shown in Figures IV., VII., VIII.,
and IX., we sometimes use a cylindrical or a D shaped packing as
shown at h in Figure X., instead of cylindrical as shown at tin
Figures VIII., X., and XI., for the double purpose of compensating for
the various lengths required by the slide and to act as a packing, and
thus entirely dispensing with springs. When the solid slide passes
through the axle or drum, as shown in Figures VII., VIII., and IX., we
connect the cylindrical or D shaped packing to the ends of the slides by
the links shewn in Figure XII. u, for instance, would be linked on t
and b, Figure XI. (V being an edge view of the same). This would
keep the roller cylindical or D shaped packing connected with the end
of the slide at b. The cylindrical packing at t will be fixed to the
segment. For securing a steady flow or action 3 slides may be placed in
one cylinder, or the slides may be placed on an axle at right angles to

page_text: each other. These or a greater number of slides may be applied working
in a cylinder made in halves, having a partition in the centre of its
length, thus forming two distinct cylinders, one outlet and one inlet
being common to both cylinders. When we use our improvements as
applied to a motive power engine we pack the drum and other parts in
any of the usual ways. Sheet I., Figure XIII., shows one of our
improved engines D actuated by steam or other motive power driving
another of our improved engines E, with the slides placed in a line with
each other acting as a pump for forcing, lifting, or exhausting, as herein-
before described.
Sheet 3 shows an engine in all its details. Figure XIV. is a cross
section; 1, 1, is the drum; k, k, is the axle; a, a, are the slides; 2, the
cylinder. The other parts of this Drawing will be readily understood by
their respective positions. Figure XV. is an end view of the same half
in section. d in this is the segment; a, a, are the slides; 8, the nose
slip; b, the pin. Figure XVI. is a segment. Figure XVI., the
thickness of slide. Figure XVII. is parts of a slide in increased size.
Figure XVIII. is a steel pin in increased size, both in proportion.
Figure XIX. and Figure XIX*. show a slide a in plan and section with
nose slip 8, and showing the panelling p, p.
Having now described the nature of our said improvements, and in
what manner the same are to be carried out, we desire it to be under-
stood that we do not claim the rotary engine as a new Invention, nor the
different parts of the various improvements above described as inde-
pendent and novel inventions in themselves; but what we do claim is,-
First. The use and application of the long and of the hardened steel
pins and other hardened surfaces for the purposes and in manner herein-
before described.
Second. The improvements herein-before secondly described, in order
to lighten the slides, segments, or rings, in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described.
Third. The telescopic arrangement of the slides in the manner and for
the purposes herein-before described.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of engines and the position
and number of slides, as described, for equalizing and regulating the
pressure and flow of fluids or gases through the machinery.

page_text: And, lastly. The cylindrical or D-shaped packing for the purposes and
manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, he, the said James Eglinton Anderson Gwynne,
has hereunto set his hand and seal, this Eleventh day of June
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
JAMES EGLINTON A. GWYNNE. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered
by the above-named James
Eglinton Anderson Gwynne,
in the presence of
C. H. COLLETTE,
23, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
Sol.