Improvements in or relating to Gas and other Fluid Pressure Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1898-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Gas and other Fluid Pressure
Engines.
A communication by THOMAS HAMMILL HICKS, of 48, Brackenridge Street, Fort
Wayne in the State of Indiana, THOMAS STEWART WHITE, of 915, Michigan
Trust Building, Grand Rapids, in the State of Michigan, and THOMAS
FRIANT, also of 915, Michigan Trust Building aforesaid, all in the United
States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 has special reference to new and useful improvements in the
operating, igniting and controlling parts of a gas engine.
By the term "gas-engine" is meant any and all of that class of engines which
produce power from explosive mixtures.
This invention is more particularly intended for application to gas-engines
for operating electric generators. A part of these improvements refer to the con-
struction of the ignition device, which embraces means for protecting the moving
electric conductors thereof from the corroding action of the products of com-
bustion, and also means for bringing the electric spark to the view of an observer
while the engine is in operation.
A second part refers to electro-mechanical means for admitting gas to the
engine for producing explosions;
And a third part refers to means for automatically changing the speed of the
engine suitably for maintaining constant electric pressure in the work-circuit
during variations of load on the electric generator, especially when using uncom-
pounded generators.
To these ends, this invention consists of the construction, combination and
arrangement of the various parts, which will be found fully explained in the
following specification and illustrated in the drawings hereto annexed, in which--
Figure 1 is a diagram view showing the general arrangement and combination
of all parts of this invention.
Fig. 2 is also a diagram view showing parts of Figure 1 in detail, and also
a modification of other parts.
Fig. 3 is a detail view in section of the ignition device indicated in Figure 1,
rarts being shown broken away and in side elevation.
The various parts shown in the drawings are indicated by letters, and figures
which are explained as follows:
A indicates the back end of a gas-engine cylinder; A' is the top of the engine
erank shaft: A is the drive-wheel; 13 is a belt.

page_text: B is an electric-generator; B¹ is its armature; B2 is its commutator. C and
Care its brushes.
D) is an electric solenoid governor; D¹ is its magnetic plunger; D2 is its helix,
which is connected in shunt with the work-circuit 13; 1 is a supplemental coil
arranged in series with the work-circuit for varying the action of the solenoid-
governor suitably to the load on the engine. This is really a compounding coil.
Ds Fig. 1 and D6, Figure 2, are similar coils to D', and illustrate how the coil D
can be arranged in different places and still produce the same result.
E and E are make and brake contact points for opening and closing the cir-
cuit of the electro-magnet E³.
F is a spring for suspending the solenoid plunger D¹. F and F are two
binding posts. F³ is a metal casing enclosing the movable parts of the solenoid
governor D.
Gis a gas valve for supplying the engine with gas.
Gis a valve stem. G³ is
a swinging finger attached to the valve stem G. G is a spring for moving the
finger away from the cam-arm G' when the engine requires no gas. Ga is a cam
for operating the arm G.
His a lever for connecting the finger G2 with the cam-arm G* when the engine
requires gas. The lever H is actuated in moving the finger by the electro-
magnet E³.
The arrangement of this part of the device may be seen to better
advantage in Fig. 2, in which two sets of magnets and E are shown, each
having their respective levers H and H for operating two sets of fingers G³ and
G. G and G7 are two cam-arms, G being to operate the finger Gs, and G' for
operating the finger G. The two fingers G2 and G6 may be arranged so as to
operate only one gas valve G, or two separate valves; it being understood, of
course, that one finger and its cam-arm operate the gas valve for one end of the
engine cylinder, and the other finger and the cam-arm operate the gas-valve for
the other end of the cylinder; or each set may operate a distinct engine cylinder
in a manner which will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.
I and I are two springs for pulling the outer magnetic ends of the levers away
from their respective magnets, when the gas valve G requires to be closed.
J and J are two roller wheels for reducing friction between the levers H, H¹
and their respective fingers G and G. J and J are two stops for limiting
the movements of the levers in one direction, the cores of the magnets E³, E'
limiting the movements of the levers in the other direction.
K is an electric ignition device for producing the explosions of gas for the
engine. The internal construction of the ignition device is shown in Figure 3.
In its construction, two hardened steel conductor plungers K¹, K³ are used,
covered with a film of protecting material, such as platinum, gold, silver, or
porcelain enamel, which are indicated by the black portion of each plunger lying
between the two stuffing boxes K³, K. The two plungers are insulated from
each other in any suitable manner. K³, K' are two stuffing boxes through which
the plungers are free to move.
L is a disk of mica, or other suitable transparent material through which the
electric spark becomes exposed as it flashes between the conductor plungers K¹,
Ks. The mica disk is securely held in place by the nut L' which has an open-
ing La leading to the mica.
M and M are springs for moving the ignition plungers in one direction. These
conductor plungers both move, one of them being lifted by the other after they
come in contact. In Figure 1, the upper plunger is shown to be lifted by the
lower one, the latter being lifted by the cam-arm G. By having one plunger
lift the other in this way, the ends do not jam each other, the spring M forming
a cushion, and the plungers are also thereby kept in contact longer, which helps
to insure the current flowing from one plunger to the other.
N, in Fig. 3, is an opening through which the explosive mixture is brought
in contact with the electric spark. In Fig. 2 is shown a modification of the
governing part of this scheme, in which the solenoid plunger D¹ is suspended

page_text: from the lever N, which is fulcrumed at N³ and is equipoised by an adjustable
weight N, to which is attached a second solenoid plunger Q.
The conductors which form the electric circuits are indicated by the numerals
1, 2, 3 etc. and the relative directions of the flow of current are indicated by
arrow-heads. G8 is the feed pipe in which the valve G is interposed.
It will be observed that the electro-magnets and certain related parts, are
shown in Figure 1 in side elevation, looking toward one end of the lever H,
which it will be understood, is fulcrumed intermediate its ends as shown in
Fig. 2. The magnets in Fig. 2 are shown in plan at right angles to the magnets
shown in Figure 1.
Having thus referred to the various parts comprising this whole scheme, the
manner in which the combination is operated will now be described, and new
and valuable results produced, referring first to the ignition device:-
66
The ignition device forms a very essential factor in the operation of a gas-
engine, inasmuch as without such a co-operating part, the gas engine would be
inoperative. If an explosive charge fails to ignite, the charge is not only lost,
but the function of the governor, under such circumstances, does not become
manifest, and the engine also slows down in speed. It is difficult under such
circumstances to determine the cause of the difficulty while the engine is run-
ning, unless the igniting spark can be examined while the engine is in operation:
for, such a confusing difficulty may be caused by unsuitable charges in the pro-
portions of air and gas, as well as from a faulty electric spark; therefore, the
ignition device K, having a disk of mica L is constructed so that the electrical
spark can be viewed while the engine is running. Mica" has been mentioned,
but glass or any other suitable transparent material can be substituted therefor,
for so long as the spark is arranged so that it may be seen through any trans-
parent material while the engine is in operation, then the spirit of this part of
the invention is fully mei. That portion of each conductor plunger lying between
the two stuffing-boxes K³, K', becomes corroded by the products of combustion
unless protected in some way; therefore, this portion of each plunger is coated
with either gold, silver, platinum, or porcelain, etc. which fully protects them
against the aforesaid injury. The two plungers K and K³ move through their
respective stuffing boxes, one of them being moved by the other, and their move-
ments in opposite directions are effected by the springs M and M. But the
plunger K2 could be connected to the cam-arm G so as to be moved in both
directions without the aid of the spring M. If the plunger K' were immovably
fixed, its end would soon become jammed by the plunger K³, unless the latter
plunger were cushioned in some way, such as by a spring. But aside from this,
there is a very special object in having the upper plunger move, and that object
is that the time of the contact of the ends of the plungers K' and K may be
determined so as to time the explosions, and also determine through the lift of
the plunger K', the length of time the current flows before the spark occurs,
it being understood, of course, that the current flows continuously during the
time that the plunger K is lifted by the plunger K³ and that the spark occurs
at the time of their separation.
These are three novel features then in the ignition device K herein embodied,
viz.:
(a) Providing means for bringing the electric spark to view;
(b) Coating the plungers with a protective material to resist the action of the
products of combustion:
(c) Lifting one conductor plunger by the other.
The second part of this invention will now be described, which refers to electro-
nechanical means for admitting gas to the explosive chamber of the engine.
This part of the scheme embraces the combination of the solenoid D, the electro-
magnet 3, the cam-arm G+, the finger G2, and gas-valve G.
The magnet E3 through the lever F throws the finger G2 in connection with
he cam-arm when explosions are required, and the finger G2 is released from the

page_text: cam-arm by the spring G3 when the current is cut off from the magnet E³. The
gas-valve is opened by the lifting action of the cam-arm G through the finger G³
and valve stem G¹, and the finger is released from the cam-arm by the spring G³.
The spring G acts as a safety against the engine racing in the event of the
electric-current giving out which operates the magnet. E. When the engine
requires to be started, the finger G2 requires to be held in position so as to be
lifted by the cam-arm until the generator B picks up, after which, the solenoid D
and magnet E3 will operate it in the following manner: We will suppose that
the solenoid plunger has been adjusted by the spring F so as to break contact
between the points E, E when the electric pressure of the generator B equals
100 volts, then, when the pressure falls sufficiently below 100 volts, the plunger I)!
will again ascend until the points E, E are in contact with each other, which
will close the circuit of the electro-magnet 1, thereby causing the magnetic end
of the lever H to be attracted to the magnet 13, while the other end of the lever
moves the finger G³ so as to come in action with the cam-arm G4, so as to cause
the valve G to be opened and thereby admit a charge of gas to the explosive
chamber of the engine: and when the voltage again rises to 100, the solenoid
plunger D will again descend until it throws the magnet E3 out of commission
by separating the contact points E, E¹.
The solenoid helix D2, and the coils of the electro-magnet E³ are each connected
in derived circuits from the generator B in the usual manner for operating
electro-magnets by fluctuations of electro-pressure in a constant potential system.
The relative direction of the flow of current through the circuits of the solenoid D
and electro-magnet E3 is indicated by arrow heads arranged upon the conductors,
which may be readily traced by electricians by reference to Fig. 1.
The conductors forming the circuit for the magnet 3 are marked 1, 2, 7. 9.
10, contact points E, E, conductors 11 and 12; and the conductors of the sole-
noid 1) are: 1, 2, 7, helix D2, conductors 8 and 12.
The joint actions of such a combination of a solenoid D and magnet E³ are
capable of controlling the number of explosions so as to govern the speed of the
engine in a manner suitable for maintaining a constant pressure in an electric
work-circuit, ravided the lad on the engine remains constant, but if the govern
ing apparatus has been adjusted suitably for a light load on the engine, it will
be found that the electric pressure tends to drop as the load on the engine in-
creases. It is to overcome this drop in potential that a series supplemental
coil D or D is used, Figure 1, or D³, Figure 2, the action of which will now be
described.
The coil is arranged in linear series with the work-circuit in a similar manner
to the arrangement of the compounding coil of a constant-potential generator;
so that the volume of current flowing through this coil varies with the work of
the work circuit.
This coil D may be arranged so as to either cause the solenoid plunger D to
descend or ascend as the volume of current increases. If the plunger be arranged
to make contact between the points E, E as it ascends, then the coil D requires
to be arranged so as to have the current which flows through its windings tend
to lift the solenoid plunger a suitable amount; but if the governor be arranged
so as to require the solenoid plunger to make contact between the points E, E
as it descends, then the coil D must be arranged so as to increase the solenoid
pull as the load increases. Such varied results may be accomplished by the
direction of the winding of the coil and its location in connection with the
Bolenoid D.
If the series coil be arranged as shown in Fig. 1, either at D or D³, it can be
wound in such a direction so as to either strengthen or weaken the magnetic pull
of the shunt coil D³ in a manner which will be readily understood by electricians.
When arranged as at Do, Fig. 2, it would then pull against the shunt coil
But it will also be readily understood that the coil could be arranged above the
lever arm instead of below it, and in that case the coil would then assist the pull

page_text: of the coil D. But, of course, if it were to be arranged above the lever instead
of below, then the contact between the points E, E would require to be made
when the plunger D¹ descended. This would be easily accomplished by arranging
the point E below the point E.
In Figure 2 is shown two sets of electro-magnets E and E, but it only shows
the completed system of connections with the magnet E, but it will be under-
stood, of course, that in practice the magnet E will be connected in a similar
manner to the magnet E.
K is the case of the ignition device.
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. The combination with a gas engine, of an electric ignition device provided
with two movable conducting plungers M, M', a transparent disk L for bringing
the ends of said plungers to view while the engine is running, so that the igniting
spark may be seen for adjustment, a source of electricity, mechanical means for
operating said ignition device, mechanism operated by said engine to cause one
of said plungers to lift the other plunger, and means for automatically pulling
one of said plungers away from the other, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas-valve G through
which said engine is supplied with gas, of a valve-stem G¹, a hinged finger G³
attached to said valve-stem, a cam-arm G for opening the gas-valve G, through
the finger G2, an electro-mechanical device for connecting said finger with said
cam-arm for operating said gas-valve, electric means for operating said electro-
mechanical device, and means for cutting an electric current off from supplying
said electro-mechanical device for the purpose of throwing said gas-valve entirely
out of action in checking the speed of said engine, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas controlling valve G,
of mechanical and electrical means to operate said valve in supplying gas to said
engine, a governing magnet D to assist in operating said valve, a compounding
coil D arranged in combination with said governing magnet, and an electric
work-circuit D³, said work-circuit and said coil D' being arranged in linear series
with each other, the current flowing through said coil D acting in combination
with said governing magnet in controlling the speed of said engine, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with a power producing engine, of two sets of electro-
magnetic devices E³ and D for controlling the speed of said engine, an electrical
work-circuit D³, and a supplemental series coil arranged in linear series with
said work-circuit, said series coil acting in combination with said electro-magnetic
devices and I) in controlling the speed of said engine, substantially as
set forth.
5. The combination with a power producing engine, of a solenoid magnet D, an
electrical work-circuit, a source of electricity, and a supplemental coil arranged
in linear series with said work-circuit, said coil being arranged in combination
with said magnet D to assist in controlling the speed of said engine, substantially
as described.
6. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas-valve arranged to
be normally out of action, and with suitable mechanical means operated by said
engine for operating said valve, of electrical means for throwing said valve into
action through said mechanical means operated by said engine, substantially as
described.
7. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas-valve, of two in-
dependent sets of mechanical attachments G3, G4 and G6, G7 operated by said
engine for operating said valve, said valve being arranged to be normally out
of action, and two sets of magnets for throwing said valve into action to apply
gas for said engine, substantially as described."

page_text: 8. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas-valve, and suitable
mechanical means operated by said engine for operating said valve, said valve
being arranged to be normally out of action, an electro-magnet provided with
suitable attachments for throwing said valve into action, a second electro-magnet
provided with suitable attachments for controlling the first named magnet, and
an electric-generator for supplying said electro-magnets with current, substan-
tially as described.
9. The combination with a gas-engine provided with a gas-valve G, of cam-
arms G4, G7, fingers G2, G, lever arms H, H, and electro-magnets E³, 1, said
gas-valve being arranged to be normally out of action, said magnets and levers
being arranged to throw said valve into action through said cam-arms and fingers
in supplying said engine with gas, substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of June 1898.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.