Improvements in Motive Engines Operated by Explosive Mixtures of Petroleum and Air.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motive Engines Operated by Explosive Mixtures
of Petroleum and Air.
EDWARD BUTLER, 31, Ashburnham Road, Greenwich, S.E., Engineer. I do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention more especially relates to improved apparatus used in the
formation of an explosive or combustible fluid from a mixture of lowgrade hydro-
carbons and air to an improved valve used in the distribution of fluid to and from
the motor cylinders; and to the construction of compact, cheap, and economical
motive explosive engines.
22
In carrying this purpose into effect; I propose to construct for small powers, a
motor with a vertical open-topped "cylinder," containing a "piston" connected by
a short rod to an "arm pivoted at its remote end or fulcrum unto "bearings
carried by the frame "
or "body" of the "motor ; in other "bearings" also
carried by the frame" and situated about midway between the "cylinder" and
the said bearings of the "arm," is journalled a "crankshaft"; another short" rod
or "link" connects its "crank" to this "arm" at a point at about the middle of
its length, which is curved so that its 3 "pivots" fall within a radius equalling about
one length.
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By this arrangement of rod, arm link and crank" (the tendency of the “piston “
to wear oval, due to angular thrust of the "connecting-rod" does not occur) a
somewhat accelerated "outstroke" is permitted to the "piston" and also allows of
the construction of an exceedingly compact motive engine; whose length and
height need not exceed the "diameter" of a moderate sized "flywheel."
Altho I have described such a mode of construction I wish it to be understood
that my other improvements in the formation of "fluid combustible" and in its
distribution to and from the "motor cylinder' may, or may not be used in com-
bination with it or with each other.
In the formation of fluid-combustible" from a mixture of petroleum and air (of
a grade known as "benzoline") I may use an inspirator somewhat as described in
Letters Patent No. 15598'87, which is fixed over a small reservoir located within
the "body" of the "motor"; but when using the heavier grades of petroleum, such
as are known as commou burning oil, kerosene or paraffin-oil; a modification of
this appliance is found necessary, which construct in such a manner that the
finely atomized spray of oil and air becomes completely volatilized" before its
induction around the nozzle" of the "inspirator."
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To effect this result, the supply of oil and air as controlled by the "screw down
wheel valve is directed to flow into a "volatilizing chamber" (by preference of a
conical section) which is surrounded by an outer chamber into which the "hot
products" of combustion are conducted; the surface of the inner chamber is great
for its containing capacity, so that sufficient heat may be imparted to the mixture
to compensate for evaporation and to thoroughly" volatilize it before its passage
into the "annulus around the said "nozzle of the inspirator; whence it is
induced (as before described) to flow in an annular stream surrounding the central
stream of heated air drawn thro the "nozzle" by the sucking action of the " motor
piston." The form of the inspirator next to the "nozzle" by preference made
pear-shaped," the end of the nozzle" projects into its stem end and at the other
end is a circular sharp-edged-orifice communicating with a spherical-mixing-
chamber" of a large size, into which the rush of air and volatilized oil and air
become more effectually mixed up. A regulator plug-valve" is situated in the

page_text: $6
A
pear shaped" portion of the inspirator directly in front of the "nozzle” outlet,
its stem being carried by a screwed guide for adjustment lengthways, a spring is
also provided as shown in one of my former descriptions of inspirator, the action of
which automatically compensates for the irregularity of the "air-flow" due to the
pubation of the piston.
i.
Both the oil and the stream of air entering down the centre of the oil supply
valve" are by preference heated before their admixture and passage into the said
volatilizing-chamber." Also, the inspirator may be with advantage surrounded
by a "easing," into which the exhaust products" on leaving the chamber or
easing surrounding the "volatilizing-chamber" are conducted before their
escape by the exhaust-pipe" out into the atmosphere.
"
**
bo
"
3-way-rock" from a
until it has worked for
In starting the motor benzoline-oil" is turned on by a
small reservoir located within the "frame" of the motor
a few mint a become thoroughly warmed up": the oil-feed" then being
commuted by the said " towell containing a font-valve" for maintain-
ing therein com tant level a supply of "kerane-oil," a storage tank of which
may be placed at any suitable distance away, being connected up to the "Hoat valve"
mill pi
by
•
6.
"
"
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1.1"
The distribution of "uid" to and from the cylinder" is effected by
*balanced-rotative-plug-valve," (having along its surfer" * opposite-pair.
*channels or ports") journalled in a "shell-liner" fitting in a "easing" that form
part of theeylindercover." In this "shell-liner" is ent a pair of “oppositely
arranged port in communication by suitaldes
"ways in the cover to the
"combustion chamber"; at one end of this "liner" is a "port" in communica-
tion with the supply of "combustible," and at the other m port" leads to :
passage for the escape of the “exhaust products." When operating the
motor in the 4 stroke cycle," such a "ynive" having “2-qairs” of “clannel.
or port-ways" is used: "one-pair" opening communication with the "combustion-
chambr" and the supply-pipe for "* combustible on the suction-stroke" of lu
piston" and the other "pair" communicating during the exhaust-stroke *
with the "outlet-pipe." Thus the valve" in this instance makes one revolution
to 8 strokes of the piston," but by using a "valve having "3 pairs of
portways" and timing it rotate once to 12 strokes of the "piston," the motor
may be caused to operate in the 6 stroke" cycle. The “valve” is by preference
driven by a chain-wheel" at its spindle end, in connection with another on the
crank-hai" means, for adjusting the valve is provided by a "friction-cone"
attached to the spindle; by which it is casily
to marks cut in the valve
and liner at one end corresponding with the "internal portways.”
6i
54
Dated this 6th day of May 1890.
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EDWARD BUTLER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Motive Engines Operated by Explosive Mixtures
of Petroleum and Air.
I, EDWARD BUTLER, of 31, Ashburnham Road, Greenwich, S.I., in the County
of London, 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 relates to the construction of compact cheap and economical motive
engines operated by explosive mixtures of pretoleum and air; improved constructions
of rotary valves for controlling the admission of explosive mixture to the engine
cylinder and the exit of hot exhaust gases therefrom; and to improved constrite-
tions of inspirator or apparatus for producing explosive or combustible mixtures
from low grade hydrocarbons and air.
In order that my invention may be readily understood 1 will first proceed to

page_text: describe the construction of a motive engine constructed according to this
invention.
In the accompanying illustrative drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the axis of the cylinder of a
single acting engine of vertical type, the several parts being shown in the
positions they occupy when the piston has arrived at a point midway in its power
upstroke.
Fig. is a transverse section through the axes of the engine cylinder and
rotary valve, looking towards the crank shaft, some of the parts being shown in
elevation.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line A B of Fig. 1.
Fig. is a similar view to Fig. 1 of a modified construction of engine according
to this invention the parts being shown in the positions they occupy when the piston
is about to begin its upstroke and to draw in a charge of explosive mixture.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the left hand end of the engine shown in Fig. 4; the
rotary distributing valve being shown in elevation and the lower part of the motor
cylinder and valve casing being shown in section.
Fig. 6 shows the engine partly in cross section and partly in elevation.
Figs. 7 and 8 are central vertical sections taken at right angles to each other of
a further modified construction of engine suitable for larger powers, Fig. 7 showing
the parts in the positions they occupy when the piston is in mid power stroke, and
Fig. 8 the positions the parts occupy when the piston has completed its exhaust
downstroke.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section showing a heating and volatilizing device with parts
of an engine, and attached oil reservoir; and
Fig. 10 is a central vertical section of a modified form of inspirator or carburetting
device for use with said heating and volatilizing device.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, 1 is the engine cylinder open at the top and
fitted with a trunk piston 2 connected by a link or rod 3 and pin 4 to one end of a
lever 5 that is fulcrumed at its other end by a pin 6 in bearings 7 carried by the
framing 8 of the engine. The lever 5 carries about inidway of its length, a pin 9
jointed to a connecting rod 10 the lower end of which is coupled to a crank pin 11
on a disc 11 fixed to a crank shaft 12 which is supported in bearings 13 carried
by the framing 8. It will be seen that the centres of the three pins 4, 9 and 6 fall
in a circular are of moderate radius. By the arrangement described the usual
tendency of the piston to wear oval, due to the angular thrust of a connecting rod,
i: obviated and the piston will during its outstroke, move with a slightly accelerated
velocity as compared with its velocity during its return or instroke. The arrange-
ment described also allows of an exceedingly compact construction of engine, the
length and height of which need not exceed the diameter of a fly wheel as usually
designed for an engine of equal power. The crank shaft has secured to it a fly
wheel 12 and a driving pulley 12 for band or belt. 14 is a water jacket partly
surrounding the lower end of the cylinder 1 and also the valve casing hereinafter
referred to; this jacket is supplied with cooling water from any suitable source
by a pipe 15 the water after circulating through the jacket passing oil by a
Pipe 16.
The explosive mixture of petroleum and air is admitted to, and the products of
combustion are exhausted from, the cylinder by means of a horizontal rotary
distributing valve 17 which is arranged to rotate within a cylindrical casing or
Iner 18 fixed in the lower end or cover 19 of the cylinder. This valve is driven at
one quarter the speed of the crank shaft by means of a chain 20 passing over
chain wheels 21 and 22 fix on the crank shaft 12 and valve spindle 17"
respectively. The valve 17 is chambered and has formed in its periphery duplicate
and diametrically arranged admission ports 23, and also duplicate and diametrically
a.ranged exhaust ports 24, these ports communicating respectively with an
admission space 17 and an exhaust space 17° that are formed within the valve, and
are separated by a partition 17ª. 17 are packing spaces. By this construction

page_text: the valve is effectually balanced both in a radial direction and in an endwise
direction. The valve is made slightly conical to allow of its being adjusted
longitudinally to compensate for wear, and is adapted to be lubricated by
lubricators provided near its ends. The duplicate ports 23 and 24 which are
alternately arranged in the periphery of the valve as shown in Fig. 1 are brought
in succession at the proper times by the rotation of the valve in communication with
two passages 25 which serve both as admission and exhaust passages and extend
through the finer 18 and cylinder cover 19 and have a common opening 25' into the
cylinder 1. Continuous communication is obtained between the admission space 17
of the rotary valve and the inspirator 26 hereinafter described, by means of
openings 17 in the periphery of the valve, a passage 27 extending through the
liner 18 and the cover 19, and a chamber 27 extending partly around the lower
end of the cylinder. The exhaust products pass from the exhaust space 17 of the
valve through peripheral openings 17 in the valve in to an exhaust pipe 28 and
thence into the atmosphere.
The ignition of the explosive charge in the cylinder is effected by an electric
spark produced by the passage between two platinum points 29 of a high tension
current obtained by means of a transformer from a battery current. The ignition
is timed by means of a suitable commutator disc 29' carried by the chain wheel 22,
ani in connection with a battery circuit by rubbing contacts 29 and wires 30 which
extend through a plug 31 projecting through the wall of the cylinder and secured
in place by a gland 31.
With a light grade of petroleum such as benzoline is available, the explosive
mixture of petroleum and air may be produced by an inspirator of the kind
described in the Specification of a former l'atent granted to me No. 15398 of 1887,
or of the kind described in the Specification of another Patent granted to me and
the Butler Patent Petrol-Cycle Syndicate Limited, No. 9203 of 1889. 1 prefer
however to use the modified construction of inspirator shown in Fig. 1 and 3
which so far as respects the means used for admitting hydrocarbon and air and
regulating the supplies thereof. is similar in general construction and operation to
the inspirators described and shown in the said former Specifications, but which is
designed to effect a better mixture of the petroleum and air than can be obtained
with the former constructions of inspirator referred to. For this purpose I construct
the inspirator with two mixing chambers namely a smaller or preliminary mixing
chumber 32 of the form shown and a larger or final mixing chamber 33 of globular
form, there being formed at the junction of the two chambers a sharp annular
olge 34 which serves to effectually break up the streams of hydrocarbon spray and
air drawn through the annular oil supply chamber 16, and the annular air
passage 16 at each suction stroke of the motor.
The inspirator is mounted on, and draws its supply of hydrocarbon from a
cistern 35 which is situated in the lower part of the engine framing and in which
benzoline is kept at a practically constant level by means of a ball float and valve
that control the flow of benzoline from a pipe 35 connected with an oil supply
reservoir.
The explosive mixture is drawn at each suction stroke of the piston through
the mixing chambers 32 and 33 past a suitable regulating valve or cork 36 into
the chamber 27" and passage 27 whence it pusses to the space 17 of the rotary
distributing valve 17.
The cycle of operation of the engine with a valve constructed as described,
during four successive strokes of the piston is as follows:-
The piston when making its first outstroke by the momentum of the fly wheel,
draws in an explosive mixture of petroleum and air from the inspirator, the
mixture passing through the two ports 23 of the rotary valve, and the two
passages 25; and on its return or instroke the piston compresses the said mixture,
the valve then closing communication with the passages 25. When the piston
commences to make its next outstroke, the compressed charge is fired, the valve
still closing the passages 25, and the piston then makes its working stroke. During

page_text: the next instroke of the piston, the valve will place the cylinder in communica-
tion with the exhaust pipe by the two ports 24, and the exhaust products will be
driven out of the cylinder by the instroke of the piston.
By constructing the rotary distributing valve with an additional pair of exhaust
ports, and with a pair of air admission ports, and causing it to rotate once during
twelve successive strokes of the piston, the engine may be caused to work with a
six stroke cycle, in which case the last double stroke would be an air flushing
stroke.
The modified construction of engine illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is adapted for
very sinall powers and is designed to be worked with common or illuminating gas.
In this arrangement the lever 5 is made straight for the greater part of its length
extending from its pivoted end, and its other end is bent downward for connection
with the link or rod 3, but the centres of the pins 4, 9, & 6 fall in a circular arc as
before. 8 is a removable cover that encloses the upper end of the cylinder, lever 5
and attached parts. The ignition of the explosive charge in the cylinder 1 is
effected by means of an ordinary hot tube 37 heated by the flame from a Buns.n
burner 38, and cooling water is caused to circulate through the water jacket 14 and
the pipes 15 and 16 from a tank 14" forming part of the framing 8. The admission
and exhaust ports 23, 24 of the rotary balanced valve 17 are made in the form of
grooves or recesses that extend to the annular admission and exhaust spaces and
openings 17 and 17' respectively. The inspirator is supplied with gas through a
pipe 26 from a gas main.
In other respects the construction of this modified arrangement of engine is
similar to that of the engine shown in Fig. 1 to 3 inclusive.
In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the high tension current required
to produce the spark to ignite the explosive charge in the cylinder, is obtained by
the passage of a low tension battery current through a suitable transformer 39.
A throttle valve 36 (shown more clearly in Fig. 10) is used for regulating the
volume of the explosive mixture allowed to pass from the carburetting device
through the chambers 27" and passage 27 to the rotary valve, the position of the
throttle valve being controlled by a centrifugal governor of ordinary construction
arranged within the pulley 40, and connected to the said throttle valve by means
of a lever 41, rod 42 and lever 43. A handle 44 is provided to allow of the throttle
valve being operated by hand.
The inspirator or carburetting device employed in connection with the last
described arrangement of engine is illustrated separately in Figs. 9 and 10 and is
designed for volatilizing heavy liquid hydrocarbon, such as kerosene oil for which
purpose it is so constructed as to be heated by the hot exhaust products.
45 (Fig. 9) is a chamber forming an extension of the exhaust pipe or passage 28
of the engine, and constructed with double walls with an intermediate air-heating
space 45 into which air enters by openings 46. Within the chamber 45 there is
arranged, so as to be highly heated by the exhaust gases, an inverted cup shaped
vessel 47 having double walls forming a narrow annular intermediate space +7*
terminating at the lower end in an enlargement of circular cross section, this
enlarged portion communicating by a pipe 48 with the inspirator or carburetting
device shown in Fig. 10. Oil from a cistern 35 passes by a pipe 49 into the upper
portion of the heating and volatilizing space 47" where it is broken up into spray by
means of a small quantity of heated air entering the said space by a pipe 50 from
the air heating space 45. The supply of oil and heated air is regulated by means
of a valve 51 and screw plug 51 respectively, similar to the screw valve and plug
used in the inspirator shown in Fig. 1.
The oil spray having become highly heated and completely volatilized during its
downward passage through the space 47", passes by the pipe 48 into the annular
passage 16 of the inspirator 26 (Fig. 10) where it meets and mixes with the main
volume of air drawn through 16 to form an explosive mixture that is drawn past
the throttle valve 36 and into the admission space of the rotary valve 17 on the
suction stroke of the piston.

page_text: W. Lloyd Win
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
The inspirator 26 which is constructed with mixing chambers 32 and 33 with
intermediate ridge 34 as in the inspirator hereinbefore described, is arranged within
a heating chamber 52 through which the hot exhaust gases pass after leaving the
heating chamber 45, and whence they escape into the outer air by a pipe 28'. The
air supplied to the passage 16 of the inspirator is heated by passing through au
air jacket 52 surrounding the chamber 52.
In order to start the engine when cold, henzoline or other volatile hydrocarbon,
is supplied to the carburetter from a small reservoir 53 through a pipe 5-4 and
three-way cock 55 inserted in the pipe 49. When the volatilizing chamber 47 has
become hot, the three-way cock 55 is operated to shut off the supply of benzoline
from the reservoir 53, and open communicat'on with the cistern 35 containing
kerosene oil, for norm. I working.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I
claim is:
: -
1. In an engine to be worked with an explo ive mixture of hydrocarbon and air,
the arrangement of parts substantially as described whereby the working piston is
connected to the crank shaft and consisting of a lever 5 pivoted at one end and
connected at its other end to the piston by a link, and at an intermediate point by
a connecting rod to the crank shaft, the centres of the pins connecting the lever
with the link, commeting rod and engine framing respectively, being arranged in a
curved line substantially as hereinbefore describes and shown in Fig-, 1, 2 and 3
aud in Figs. 4. 5 and 6 of the drawings for the purposes mentioned.
2. My improved engine with rotary distributing valve and in-pirator constructed
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in
Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of the drawings annexed.
3. My improved engine, with rotary distributing valve and inspirator, constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in
Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive of the drawings annexed.
4. The modified construction of engine to be worked by explosive mixtures of
petroleum and air shown in and described with reference to Fig. 7 tn 10 inclusive
wherein the supply of explosive mixture is controlled by a throttle valve through a
governor worked by the engine and the hot exhaust products from the working
cylinder are utilized to heat and volatilize bydrocarbon before the same par ses into
the inspirator as set forth.
5. In an engine to be worked by explosive mixtures of hydrocarbon and air, the
rotary balanced distributing valves hereinbefore described with reference respec-
tively to and shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8; and in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings
annexed: or modified as set forth; the valves being each constructed with
oppositely arranged inlet passages, and oppositely arranged ontlet passages_ns
set forth.
6. For use in an engine to be worked by explosive mixtures of petroleum and air,
an inspirator or carburetting device of the kind herein referred to constructed with
two mixing chambers 32 and 33 with intermediate aunular edge 34 substantially as
described and shown for the purpose specified.
7. For use in an engine to be worked by explosive mixtures of petroleum and air,
my improved combined heating and volatilizing device, adapted to be heated by the
hot exhaust products from the working cylinder of the engine, and inspirator or
carburetting device, constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein-
before described and shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings annexed, for atomizing
heavy hydrocarbons as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of February 1891.
EDWARD BUTLER.