IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH GAS ENGINES, AND IN THE METHOD AND MEANS FOR REGULATING THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES " THEREOF
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Philip Middleton Justice of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH GAS ENGINES, AND
IN THE METHOD AND MEANS FOR REGULATING THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES
"
THEREOF communicated to him from abroad by William Ellery Hale of
Chicago County of Cook State of Illinois United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philip Middleton Justice
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1883.
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH GAS ENGINES AND IN THE METHOD AND MEANS FOR
REGULATING THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES THEREOF A communication to me from
abroad by William Ellery Hale of Chicago County of Cook State of Illinois
United States of America
These improvements consist generally first in the method and means of securing
the greatest explosive effect resulting from the ignition of a highly combustible
mixture of air and gas, second of certain improvements in gas engines in which
the mixture of air and gas which I shall hereinafter term the charge is compressed
in the working cylinder and therein exploded, third in certain improvements in
gas engines in which the charge is compressed in a cylinder separate from the
working cylinder, fourth in certain adjuncts, appliances and connections and
devices hereinafter specified used or which may be used in connection with the
engines before referred to A common cause of inefficiency in gas engines is the
variable character of the explosive charge There is a proportion of gas and air
varying with the pressure to which the charge is subjected at the moment of
ignition and from other conditions which will give the best working effect and the
first part of this invention consists in securing prior to each explosion the charge
which will produce the best effect and in exploding it in contact with the piston
and in appliances whereby this result can be produced

page_text: As different apparatus may be employed for securing this result the invention is
not limited to that which will now be described
Upon the base is placed the cylinder the rear head containing a chamber which
communicates through a channel with a port, at the forward end of the cylinder and
with this channel communicates a branch pipe containing a valve opening inward
To an opening between the small chamber and a contraction of the large chamber
is fitted a relief valve opening inward and drawn outward by a spring Near the
forward end of the cylinder is an exhaust port so arranged as to be uncovered as
the piston is near the end of its forward motion and in a case communicating with
this port is a valve opening inward retained normally on its seat by a spring and
opened positively at intervals When the piston moves backward the first
mentioned valve lifts and air is drawn into the front end of the cylinder
When the piston moves forward by the explosion of the gases the said valve is
set upon its seat and the air is forced from in front of the piston through the
channel into the small chamber where it is compressed, the pressure of the
exploding gases keeping the valve between the two chambers on its seat and
retaining the compressed air in the small chamber After the piston passes the
exhaust port, the valve therein is opened, the gases will discharge at the exhaust
and the pressure in the large chamber being reduced the superior pressure of the
compressed air in the small chamber will lift the intermediate valve and the air
thus suddenly rushing into the large chamber will drive out a greater portion of
the spent gases and fill the chamber with air instead The air may be forced into the
explosive chamber by an independent pump or may be conducted from a reservoir
separate from the cylinder. To measure the exact charge of gas, a block or
plunger working in a small cylinder draws in and measures the gas at one motion
and then forces it into the main cylinder and into the air charge already therein--
as or after, the piston begins its rear motion after the spent gases have been
expelled so that on the return movement of the piston the .mixed' gases will be
compressed in the large chamber beyond the limit of the piston's rear motion After
the gases are compressed they are exploded
There is thus an explosion to each outward movement of the piston, the latter
on its back stroke compresses the air and the gas is forced into this body of
compressed air so that the charge at the time of the explosion is under considerable
compression
༔..
The rear end of the small cylinder chamber communicates with a channel leading
to a chamber in the main cylinder and a disc or valve is held against the rear end
of the pump cylinder by a spring A gaspipe communicates with the block or
plunger cylinder at a point a short distance from the rear end thereof so that as
the plunger moves forward it will form a vacuum until it uncovers the port
communicating with the gaspipe when the gas will be drawn into the cylinder
and fill the same between the end of the piston and the valve On the back
movement of the plunger past the pipe, the volume thus measured off will be
forced out of the rear end of the cylinder (the valve lifting) into the channel and
thence into the chamber of the main cylinder with the air in which it will rapidly
become mixed
To insure an exact measurement of the gas there should be a complete discharge
of the gas from the block or plunger cylinder as any gas remaining in the cylinde
would expand while taking in the next supply Such a movement is therefore
imparted to the plunger that it will project on its back motion slightly beyond
the cylinder absolutely clearing the latter of gas and lifting the valve which
follows forward the plunger and takes its seat sealing the end of the cylinde
before the plunger moves therefrom so that no gas remains
The thorough discharge of the contents of the pump is of great importance
where such discharge must be effected under pressure for it will readily b
perceived that if where there is such pressure and the pump cylinder is no
completely emptied, the actual amount expelled would vary with the pressur
That is if the pressure is great, the gas remaining in the pump cylinder will b

page_text: compressed to a corresponding degree and a greater quantity would remain in the
pump whereas if the pressure is light, the amount actually retained in the same
space will be less This variation would result in variable and unequal charges in
the proportions of gas and air, and defeat the object of the inventioni.
By filling the chamber in the cylinder with gas at a normal pressure and then
at each outstroke expelling every portion, the same quantity is measured off
whatever may be the pressure against which the gas is expelled The extent to
which the plunger is moved forward (and consequently the volume of gas measured
off) is determined by varying the throw of the eccentric or other device for moving
the piston
This permits adjustment during the running of the engine to secure the best
result A rod connects the eccentric to the plunger and carries a tappet. which as
the piston passes the port strikes a lever and thereby forces in the stem of the
valve and opens the latter for the outlet of the exhaust. The plunger may
perform also the office of an igniting valve It is made in two parts or sections
connected by a headed pin so that one part can move longitudinally to a slight
extent independently of the other then forming a chamber between them and in
one section is an annular chamber with orifices. at the end of the section and
channels which lead to an opening extending to the lower side of the piston, At
the side of the plunger cylinder is a chimney gas.jet and an opening in the side
of the cylinder opposite the burner In one section is a channel while a second
channel extends from the intermediate chamber to the plunger cylinder A branch
of the gas pipe extends to the lower side of the cylinder at a point to admit gas
to the opening channels and chamber as said. opening is brought over the pipe
which occurs after one section has been drawn forward and separated from the
Becond section thereby forming the intermediate chamber or space into which the
gas is drawn As the sections are separated, the flame is drawn into the space
through an opening and ignites the gas issuing from the orifices as the plunger
then moves further forward the second section covers the opening after which the
port opens a communication between the space and the intermediate chamber
whereby a part of the explosive mixture is forced in thereby preventing too
sudden an inflow of gas when the space is brought opposite the connecting
channel
Tight joints can be easily secured by packing rings on the plunger at opposite
sides of, the igniting openings and gas channels thereby preventing any escape of
the charge and avoiding explosions around the valve or plunger which may be
rectangular By separating the two sections of the plunger the intermediate
vacuum will insure the passage of the flame into the flame chamber without
having at that time any connection with the main chamber and the explosive
mixture introduced into the flame chamber prevents absolutely any extinguishing
of the flame
Instead of making the plunger or igniting valve in two parts as described, a
permanent chamber may be made at the centre and a supplemental piston or
plunger may be fitted to an opening and operated to exhaust said chamber at the
proper time to draw in the gas and flame
The precise quantity of air introduced is regulated by the time for which the
valve is opened. By closing the valve before all the spent gases are expelled, a
portion of such gases is retained to heat the air and gases
The air inlet opening may be at one side of the cylinder so that the air charge
will traverse the cylinder transversely and the outlet port and valve may be in the
piston instead of in the cylinder or the piston may be hollow and provided with
ports and valves to introduce the air instead of having the air chamber and yalves
in the head of the. cylinder A measuring and pumping device may be used
separately from the igniting valve in which case the plunger if used as a valve
may have chambers and ports arranged to carry the flame by the rotation of the
plunger In either. case the packing is used at opposite sides of the flame openings
The gas may in some instances be measured into the air charge as or before it

page_text: enters the main chamber, this is not advisable however when the entering charge
is to expel the spent gases The mode of exactly measuring the proportion of gas
to be used with each charge may be employed when the charge is first taken into
a separate cylinder and then transferred to the working cylinder as in apparatus
hereinafter described. The cylinder contains the working piston the trunk piston
connected thereto by a rod and having valves opening inward and a compressing
piston The compression piston slides on the rod and is attached to two rods which
extend through the head of the piston (the openings being suitably packed) and are
connected to a cross head The connecting rod is jointed to a wrist pin on a
counter crank, the cranks being set and pistons connected to secure the movements
hereinafter described A rod is enlarged and slotted for the passage of the cross
bead which can slide back and forth in its guides while the rod vibrates across its
line of travel The cylinder has an exhaust port and air ports the two air ports
communicating through a channel, and a gas port supplied by a gas pipe There
is an igniting opening and the channels within the cylinder extend from the rear
end past the said opening The exhaust port and channel have valves the former
moved by a rock shaft vibrated from a cam. A further rod moved by an eccentric
slides in an eye at the end of a lever connected to the governor so that any undue
increase of speed will raise or lower the said rod and carrying it from opposite a
lever which operates the gas valve. When the flame carrying port in the valve is
opposite the igniting opening the charge will be exploded The pistons are moved
forward under the gas pressure one piston however moving faster so as to travel
away from the other-
As the pistons pass respective ports the air flows through the channel to the
space between the pistons and as the working piston passes the port the com-
pressed air is suddenly forced into the space behind the said piston the exhaust
being then opened and traverses the said space expelling the dead gases through an
exhaust port The working piston and trunk piston are now at the limit of their
forward movement but the third piston continues to move until it uncovers the
gas port and draws in a supply of gas to mingle with the air in the space between
it and the working piston On the return movement the working piston expels
the air from behind it through the exhaust port the third piston leaves the trunk
piston suddenly and compresses the charge between it and the working piston when
the charge will be compressed to its greatest density
After the charge is compressed to its greatest density the working piston
approaches the third piston and the charge is transferred through channels to the
rear of the working piston without any expansion, the said piston moving forward
until it is in contact with the third piston which remains nearly stationary by
which time the crank is in such a position that the explosion which then follows
acts most effectively to turn the shaft
.
The operations then follow in the order and with the effect before described
By this means the charge is compressed to its greatest density and exploded
without any prior expansion when the crank is in its most effective position and
without a second compression cylinder or usual valves and packing The variable
movements of the pistons are positively imparted by the double crank without any
lost motion or the use of appliances liable to fail in co-acting properly but cams
eccentrics etc or a second crank shaft may be used The charge may be transferred
from one side of the working piston to the other through the piston itself The
expulsion of spent gases may be effected after the piston has travelled back a
short distance instead of when it is at the end of its stroke
Instead of using the trunk and third pistons to force a charge of air through the
rear of the cylinder, a separate air cylinder may be used or air stored under pressure
in a reservoir may be employed In this case the trunk piston might be dispensed
with
Engines may be used in which the charge is first taken into a cylinder separate
from the working cylinder and then transferred to the latter. The compression
cylinder is shorter and wider than the working cylinder so that the piston in the

page_text: compression cylinder may be operated through the medium of an eccentric avoiding
the long throw requiring a crank Air is drawn into the compression cylinder
through one opening and gas through a second and as the piston moves forward,
the mixture passes through a channel to the rear of the cylinder, a valve lifting
and taking its seat when the piston again moves back to compress the charge
A port leads from the face to the side of the piston and when the charge is well
compressed is brought opposite another port and the charge flows into the main
cylinder The passage of the charge through the piston thoroughly mixes the gases
The charge is ignited when the main piston uncovers the igniting opening and the
spent gases are expelled through an exhaust port controlled by a valve. A
governing device reduces the drawing vacuum created by the compression piston
in proportion as the speed increases, by then permitting the gases to circulate from
end to end of the cylinder through a channel throttled to a greater or less extent
by a valve opened by the governor in proportion as the speed increases
The heat of the waste gases may be utilized by passing them through the tubes
of a boiler heating the surrounding water without in the least throttling the gases
so as to create back pressure The steam thus generated may be used to drive an
engine by which an initial movement may be imparted to the main shaft so as to
start the engine This will permit the engine to be started from a distant point
for instance an elevator cage by means of a rope or other device leading from the
cage and controlling a valve in the steam pipe The piston rods of the engine
reciprocate levers carrying pawls which engage with a ratchet wheel so as to turn
the shaft only in one direction and permit it to rotate freely without affecting the
steam engine after the explosion of the gases sets the shaft in motion An engine
having a main cylinder and compression cylinder constructed to insure a double
action or explosion at each stroke may be employed and in this case the piston of
a compressing cylinder has two channels leading from opposite ends to the sides on
different planes and the ports are upon different planes so that the gases compressed
at one end of the piston will pass to one port and those compressed at the opposite
end will pass to the other port. By this means compressed gases are introduced
alternately on opposite sides of the main piston to be there exploded
Check valves in this case prevent the force of the explosion being transferred to
the compression cylinder
There are cases where it is not practicable to provide and maintain stored up a
supplemental power for starting the engine In such cases the requisite initial
motion can be secured by always arresting the engine so that a charge of com-
[pressed gases will be in the main cylinder or other chamber in a condition to
explode and start the engine. Or such a charge may be contained in a supple-
mental cylinder and means may be employed for transferring said charge by a
comparatively slight movement into the main cylinder, but without moving. the
main shaft of the engine In one form of apparatus for this purpose the piston
rod is provided with a link having a triangular opening through which passes the
crosspin of the pitman The rear edge of the opening in the link coincides with
the periphery of a circle having the axis of the shaft as its centre The opposite
edge is at an angle to the first When the cross pin is at the upper end of the link
the piston will be reciprocated as usual but if the parts be arrested with a charge
in the cylinder the lifting of the pitman will bring the cross pin against the
inclined edge forcing in the piston and expelling the charge into the main cylinder,
where its explosion will start the engine The pitman may be raised by means of
a rope leading to a distant point for instance the cage of an elevator
To arrest the parts in the proper position different devices may be employed
Thus a brake device may be used which will be applied to the fly wheel and
clamp it immovably at the proper moment The brake lever extends below the
fly wheel and an arm embracing at its rear end an eccentric has a shoulder adapted-
to catch beneath the end of the brake lever. The arm is suspended from the
pitman by a link or chain and a link slotted to receive a pin on the arm is con-
nected to a lever which in turn is connected to the rod of the governor

page_text: When the pitman is thrown down it will. reciprocate back and forth in the wide
part of the link the pin striking the edge and drawing out the piston rod to its
fullest extent
The parts will continue in this position until the decrease in speed will cause
the governor to lower the arm until the shoulder catches the end of the brake
which is pressed against and stops the fly wheel at the next outward movement of
the arm By.this arrangement of parts, the brake is not applied until the engine
has nearly ceased its motion so that the engine is at once arrested at the pre-
determined point with the crosspin in its forward position but without any sudden
jar or strain The charge may be ignited at any time by moving the proper valve
having a constant flame which motion may be effected from any desired distant
point or an electric spark created by completing a circuit at a distant point, may
effect the same purpose
For light engines devices may be employed to operate the brake without
the interposition of a governor When the engine is double acting the
link should have two inclined sides and this link may be connected either
to the piston rod or the pitman In one form of construction the piston
has a channel opening to the end and at one side so as to communicate with an
exhaust port which may lead to a reservoir On the forward movement of the
piston, a lip on the pitman is brought in contact with a spindle of a valve which
will be opened after the explosion is mainly spent and permit the gases to escape
to the exhaust. Any other device for opening the valve positively may be
employed When the piston of the engine is connected positively to the plunger
of a pump it is desirable to prevent too sudden a shock for which purpose such a
construction is employed that the gases at about, the time of their explosion will
be brought into communication with a chamber containing a body of air
By this means a comparatively small initial charge of gases may be used, the
heat of which on being transferred to the air, will expand the latter and propel
the piston further under its expansive force
Different constructions may be employed to secure this result such as that of a
cylinder enlarged centrally to receive the main piston and contracted at the ends
forming chambers to receive extensions of the piston If a mixture of explosive
gases is introduced either in the end chamber or into the annular chamber
surrounding one of the extensions and is then exploded, it will carry the piston
forward acting upon only part of the area until the extension is out of the end
chamber when the heated gases will mix with the air in said chamber and the
whole volume of mixture will act expansively upon the whole area of the piston
The piston is hollow as is the piston rod each end of which projects into a pump
cylinder valves being arranged so that the reciprocation of the rod will draw the
water into and expel it from the cylinders alternately As there are two chambers
there are two outlets for the spent gases, one outlet communicating with an air
inlet passage closed by a valve and the other outlet communicating with passages
closed by two valves upon a single stem When the piston moves towards the
first outlet and the stem is raised, the spent gases from the chamber flow to the
exhaust pipe as do the gases from the extension When the piston moves in the
opposite direction the valve is lifted to draw air in the chamber while the charge
flows through an opening under the pressure imparted by the piston as before
described To lift the valve properly a tappet may be employed which tilts a
T lever as the piston completes its stroke in either direction, an inclined slot in
the lever receiving a pin projecting from another lever which strikes the stems
alternately When the valve is arranged at each end of the compression cylinder
Baid valve may be secured to a spindle which carries a plate covering an opening
in the gaspipe As the valve is drawn inward the air is admitted through the
valve opening and a charge of gas passes through a hole in the plate which is
brought to coincide with the opening

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Philip Middleton Justice in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th October 1883.
PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 & 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH GAS ENGINES AND IN THE METHOD AND MEANS FOR
REGULATING THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES THEREOF A communication to me from
abroad by William Ellery Hale of Chicago County of Cook State of Illinois
United States of America
These improvements consist generally, first in the method and means of securing
the greatest explosive effect resulting from the ignition of a highly combustible
mixture of air and gas, second of certain improvements in gas engines in which the
mixture of air and gas which I shall hereinafter term the charge, is compressed in
the working cylinder and therein exploded; third in certain improvements in gas
engines in which the charge is compressed in a cylinder separate from the working
cylinder; fourth in certain adjuncts appliances and connections, and devices herein-
after specified, used or which may be used in connection with the engines before
referred to A common cause of inefficiency in gas engines is the variable character
of the explosive charge. There is a proportion of gas and air varying with the
pressure to which the charge is subjected at the moment of ignition and from other
conditions which will give the best working effect, and the first part of this
invention consists in securing prior to each explosion the charge which will produce
the best effect and in exploding it in contact with the piston, and in appliances
whereby this result can be produced. As different apparatus may be employed for
securing this result, the invention is not limited to that which will now be
described and which is illustrated in Figs 1 & 2. A' is the base upon which is
placed the cylinder A I is the rear head containing chamber a which communicates
through a channel w with a port z¹ at the forward end of the cylinder and with
this channel communicates a branch pipe J containing a valve v opening inward.
To an opening d between the small chamber a and a contraction b of the large
chamber A is fitted a relief valve copening inward and drawn outward by a spring
Near the forward end of the cylinder is an exhaust port 2 so arranged as to be
uncovered as the piston is near the end of its forward motion and in a case J'
communicating with this port is a valve X opening inward retained normally on
its seat by a spring 2 and opened positively at intervals When the piston moves
backward, the first mentioned valve v lifts and air is drawn into the front end of
the cylinder When the piston moves forward by the explosion of the gases, the
valve vis set upon its seat and the air is forced from in front of the piston through
the channel w, into the chamber a where it is compressed, the pressure of the
exploding gases keeping the valve c on its seat and retaining the compressed air in
the small chamber a After the piston passes the exhaust port ¹ the valve X is
opened the gases will discharge at the exhaust and the pressure in the large
chamber A being reduced, the superior pressure of the compressed air in the small
chamber a will lift the valve c and the air thus suddenly rushing into the large
chamber A will drive out a greater portion of the spent gases and fill the chamber
with air instead The air may be forced into the explosive chamber by an
independent pump. or may be conducted from a reservoir separate' from the
cylinder A. To measure the exact charge of gas, a block or plunger D working in
a small cylinder E draws in and measures the gas at one motion and then forces
it into the main cylinder and into the air charge already therein "as of after, the

page_text: piston B begins its rear motion after the spent gases have been expelled, so that
on the return movement of the piston, the mixed gases will be compressed in the
large chamber A beyond the limit of the pistons rear motion After the gases are
compressed they are exploded There is thus an explosion to each outward
movement of the piston, the latter on its back stroke compresses the air and the
gas is forced into this body of compressed air so that the charge at the time of
the explosion is under considerable compression. The rear end of the small
cylinder chamber communicates with a channel g leading to the chamber b, and a
disc or valve h is held against the rear end of the pump cylinder by a spring a²
A gas pipe t communicates with the cylinder E at a point a short distance from the
rear end thereof so that as the plunger D moves forward it will form a vacuum
until it uncovers the port communicating with the gaspipe t, when the gas will
be drawn into the cylinder and fill the same between the end of the piston
and the valve h On the back movement of the plunger past the pipe t
the volume thus measured off will be forced out of the rear end of the cylinder E
(the valve h lifting) into the channel g and thence into the chamber of the
main cylinder, with the air in which it will rapidly become mixed To ensure
an exact measurement of the gas, there should be a complete discharge of the gas
from the cylinder E, as any gas remaining in the cylinder would expand while
taking in the next supply Such a movement is therefore imparted to the plunger
that it will project on it's back motion slightly beyond the cylinder, absolutely
clearing the latter of gas and lifting the valve h which follows forward the
plunger and takes its seat sealing the end of the cylinder before the plunger
moves therefrom so that no gas remains The thorough discharge of the contents
of the pump is of great importance where such discharge must be effected under
pressure for it will readily be perceived that if where there is such pressure and
the pump cylinder is not completely emptied, the actual amount expelled would
vary with the pressure That is if the pressure is great, the gas remaining in the
pump cylinder will be compressed to a corresponding degree and a greater quantity
would remain in the pump whereas if the pressure is light the amount actually
retained in the same space will be less. This variation would result in variable
and unequal charges in the proportions of gas and air, and defeat the object of the
invention By filling the chamber in the cylinder with gas at a normal pressure
and then at each out stroke expelling every portion, the same quantity is measured
off whatever may be the pressure against which the gas is expelled The extent
to which the plunger is moved forward (and consequently the volume of gas
measured off) is determined by varying the throw of the eccentric or other device
for moving the piston This permits adjustment during the running of the engine
to secure the best result. Thus the eccentric G is radially adjustable so as to vary
the throw A rod G³ connects the eccentric to the plunger and carries a tappet 12
which as the piston B passes the port z¹ strikes a lever H and thereby forces in
the stem of the valve x and opens the latter for the outlet of the exhaust. The
plunger may perform also the office of an igniting valve. It is made in two parts
or sections p and j connected by a headed pin 15 so that one part can move
longitudinally to a slight extent independently of the other, then forming a
chamber between them and in one section p is an annular chamber k with
orifices 16 at the end of the section, and channels i which lead to an opening 17
extending to the lower side of the piston At the side of the plunger cylinder E is
a chimney n gas jet o and an opening e in the side of the cylinder opposite the
burner In the section j is a channel 18 shown in dotted lines, and a channel t¹
extends from the chamber b to the plunger cylinder E as shown A branch of
the gaspipe extends to the lower side of the cylinder E at a point to admit gas to
the opening 17 channels i and chamber k as said opening 17 is brought over the
pipe, which occurs after the section p has been drawn forward and separated from
the second section ; thereby forming the intermediate chamber or space ³ into
which the gas is drawn As the sections are separated the flame is drawn into the
space through the opening e and ignites the gas issuing from the orifices 16 as

page_text: the plunger then moves further forward the section j covers the opening e. after
which the port 18 opens a communication between the space x and the chamber b
whereby a part of the explosive mixture is forced in thereby preventing too
sudden an inflow of gas when the chamber x is brought opposite the connecting
channel e Tight joints can be easily secured by packing rings J Jon the
plunger at opposite sides of the igniting openings and gas channels thereby
preventing any escape of the charge and avoiding explosions around the valve
or plunger which may be rectangular By separating the two sections of.the
plunger, the intermediate vacuum will ensure the passage of the flame
into the flame chamber without having at that time any connection with
the main chamber A and the explosive mixture introduced into the flame
chamber prevents absolutely any extinguishing of the flame Instead of making
the plunger or igniting valve in two parts as described, a permanent chamber
may be made at the centre and a supplemental piston or plunger may be
fitted to an opening and operated to exhaust said chamber at the proper time to
draw in the gas and flame. The precise quantity of air introduced is regulated by
the time for which the valve x is opened By closing the valve before all the
spent gases are expelled, a portion of such gases is retained to heat the air and
gas The air inlet opening o may be at one side of the cylinder so that the
air charge will traverse the cylinder transversely and the outlet port and
valve may be in the piston instead of in the cylinder, or the piston may
be hollow and provided with ports and valves to introduce the air, instead of
having the air chamber and valves in the head I of the cylinder. A measuring
and pumping device may be used separately from the igniting valve, in which case
the plunger D if used as a valve may have chambers and ports arranged to carry
the flame by the rotation of the plunger In either case the packing is used at
opposite sides of the flame openings The gas may in some instances be measured
into the air charge as or before it enters the main chamber A, this is not advisable
however when the entering charge is to expel the spent gases The mode of
exactly measuring the proportion of gas to be used with each charge may be
employed when the charge is first taken into a separate cylinder and then
transferred to the working cylinder as in apparatus hereinafter described In
Figs 1 to 7 the cylinder A contains the working piston B, the trunk piston B'₁
connected thereto by a rod a. and having valves v. v opening inward, and the
compressing piston B The compression piston B2 slides on the rod a. and is
attached to two rods d. d wbich extend through the head of the piston B' (the
openings being suitably packed) and are connected to a cross head d' The
connecting rod d' is jointed to a wrist pin d³ on a counter crank d' the cranks
being set and pistons connected as shown to secure the movements hereinafter
described. The rod b. is enlarged and slotted as shown for the passage of the
cross head d' which can slide back and forth in its guides while the rod 6 vibrates
across its line of travel. The cylinder A has an exhaust port e and air ports t. i:
as shown, these two air ports t. i communicating through a channel f and a
gasport 8. supplied by a gaspipe 8'; q is an igniting opening and the channels h. h.
within the cylinder extend froin the rear end past the said opening. The exhaust
port e and channel f have valves el f¹. the former' moved by a rock shaft f'
vibrated from a cam E. A rod G¹ moved by an eccentric G³ slides in an eye at
the end of a lever H connected to the governor I so that any undue increase of
speed will raise or lower the said rod G¹ and carrying it from opposite a lever G
which operates the gas valve S. In Figs 1 and 2* the parts are in the position
they occupy when the rear end of the cylinder A contains a charge of mixed gases
under compression ready to explode.
When the flame carrying port in the valve J is opposite the igniting opening q
the charge will be exploded The pistons are moved forward under the gas
pressure, the piston B' however moving faster so as to travel away from the
piston B as shown in diagram Fig 4ª compressing the air between the pistons B' B'
As the piston B' passes the port i, and the piston B' passes the port to the air flows

page_text: through the channel to the space between the pistons B3 B (see Fig 4a) and as
the piston B passes the port t (see Fig 5a) the compressed air is suddenly forced
into the space behind the piston B, the exhaust being then opened, and traverses
the said space, expelling the dead gases through the porte. The working piston B,
and trunk piston B¹ are now at the limit of their forward movement but the
third piston B continues to move in the direction of its arrow Figs 5ª and 6ª
until it uncovers the gas port 8. and draws in a supply of gas to mingle
with the air in the space between the pistons B. B³. On the return move-
ment Fig 7s the working piston B expels the air from behind it through the
exhaust port e, the third piston B³ leaves the trunk piston B' suddenly and
compresses the charge between it and the piston B until the parts are at the
position shown in Fig 8 when the charge will be compressed to its greatest
density After the charge is compressed to its greatest density the piston B
approaches the piston B³ (Fig 90) and the charge is transferred through the
channels to the rear of the piston B without any expansion, the said piston B
moving forward until it is in contact with the third piston B' which remains
nearly stationary (see Fig 10a) by which time the crank c is in such a position
that the explosion which then follows acts most effectively to turn the shaft. The
operations then follow in the order and with the effect before described By this
means the charge is compressed to its greatest density and exploded without any
any prior expansion when the crank is in its most effective position and without
a second compression cylinder or usual valves and packing The variable movements
of the pistons are positively imparted by the double crank, without any lost motion
or the use of appliances liable to fail in co-acting properly, but cams, eccentrics etc,
or a second crank shaft may be used. The charge may be transferred from one
side of the piston B to the other through the piston itself The expulsion of spent
gases may be effected after the piston has travelled back a short distance instead
of when it is at the end of its stroke Instead of using the pistons B³ B' to force
a charge of air through the rear of the cylinder a separate air cylinder may be
used, or air stored under pressure in a reservoir may be employed In this case the
piston B¹ might be dispensed with In Figs 1 to 5d are illustrated engines in
which the charge is first taken into a cylinder separate from the working cylinder
and then transferred to the latter In Figs 16 to 3b A is the working cylinder
D the compression cylinder, and e and d the connecting channel and port The
cylinder D is shorter and wider than the working cylinder A so that the piston E
in the compression cylinder may be operated through the medium of an eccentric El
avoiding the long throw requiring a crank. Air is drawn into the cylinder D
through an opening ; and gas through a second opening m. and as the piston E
moves forward, the mixture passes through a channel g to the rear of the cylinder,
a valve h lifting and taking its seat when the piston again moves back to compress
the charge A port i leads from the face to the side of the piston E and when the
charge is well compressed, is brought opposite the port d. and the charge flows
into the main cylinder The passage of the charge through the piston E thoroughly
mixes the gases. The charge is ignited when the main piston B uncovers the
igniting opening u and the spent gases are expelled through a port q controlled
by a valve 8. A governing device reduces the drawing vacuum created by the
piston E in proportion as the speed increases by then permitting the gases to
circulate from end to end of the cylinder D through a channel W throttled to a
greater or less extent by a valve y opened by the governor H in proportion as the
speed increases The heat of the waste gases may be utilized by passing them
through the tubes of a boiler I heating and surrounding water without in the least
throttling the gases so as to create back pressure. The steam thus generated may
be used to drive an engine J by which an initial movement may be imparted to
the main shaft C so as to start the engine This will permit the engine
to be started from a distant point, for instance an elevator cage by means of
a rope p or other device leading from the cage and controlling a valve P in
the steam pipe The piston rods K K of the engine reciprocate levers, carrying

page_text: pawls 8. 8 which engage with a ratchet wheel L so as to turn the shaft C
only in one direction and permit it to rotate freely without affecting the
steam engine after the explosion of the gases sets the shaft in motion. In
Fig 2 is illustrated an engine having a main cylinder and compression
cylinder constructed to insure a double action or explosion at each stroke
In this case the piston B' of a compressing cylinder has two channels a. a¹
leading from opposite ends to the sides on different planes and the ports 4. 5 Bee
Figs 2 to 4 are upon different planes so that the gases compressed at one end of
the piston B will pass to one port and those compressed at the opposite end will
pass to the other port By this means compressed gases are introduced alternately
on opposite sides of the main piston to be there exploded. Check valves b.
Figs 3 and 4 in this case prevent the force of the explosion being transferred to
the compression cylinder There are cases where it is not practicable to provide
and maintain stored up a supplemental power for starting the engine In such
case the requisite initial motion can be secured by always arresting the engine so
that a charge of compressed gases will be in the main cylinder or other chamber,
in a condition to explode and start the engine or such a charge may be contained
in a supplemental cylinder and means may be employed for transfering said
charge by a comparatively slight movement into the main cylinder but without
moving the main shaft of the engine. Devices for effecting this purpose are shown
in Figs 1. 2. 1. 2d In Figs 1° 2° D is the compression cylinder, the piston rod E
of which is provided with a link E' having a triangular opening through which
passes the crosspin V of the pitman E* The rear edge X of the opening in the
link coincides with the periphery of a circle having the axis of the shaft C as its
centre The opposite edge X' is at an angle to the first edge as shown When the
pin V is at the upper end of the link, the piston will be reciprocated as usual but
if the parts be arrested in the position shown in 3° with a charge in the cylinder D
the lifting of the pitman E² will bring the crosspin V against the inclined edge X',
forcing in the piston and expelling the charge into the main cylinder, where its
explosion will start the engine The pitman E* may be raised by means of a rope Q
leading to a distant point for instance the cage of an elevator To arrest the parts
in the proper position different devices may be employed. Thus a brake device
may be used which will be applied to the flywheel and clamp it immovably at the
proper moment The brake lever Z extends below the flywheel and an arm W
embracing at its rear end an eccentric m has a shoulder y adapted to catch beneath
the end of the brake lever Z The arm W is suspended from the pitman E² by a
link or chain u, and a link p slotted to receive a pin p', on the arm W is connected
to a lever F which in turn is connected to the rod H of the governor. When the
pitman is thrown down it will reciprocate back and forth in the wide part of the
link, the pin striking the edge X and drawing out the piston rod to its fullest
extent The parts will continue in this position until the decrease in speed will
cause the governor to lower the arm W until the shoulder catches the end of the
brake Z which is pressed against and stops the flywheel at the next outward
movement of the arm By this arrangement of parts, the brake is not applied
until the engine has nearly ceased its motion so that the engine is at once arrested
at the predetermined point with the crosspin V in its forward position, but without
any sudden jar or strain The charge may be ignited at any time by moving the
proper valve having a constant flame which motion may be effected from any
désired distant point or an electric spark created by completing a circuit at a
distant point may effect the same purpose For light engines devices may be
employed to operate the brake without the interpostion of a governor. When the
engine is double acting the link should have two inclined sides as shown by the
link 1 Fig 1 and this link may be connected either to the piston rod or the pitman
In the construction shown in Figs 1° 2° the piston B has a channel g opening to the
end and at one side so as to communicate with an exhaust port w which may
lead to a reservoir A' On the forward movement of the piston, a lip a on the pitman b
is brought in contact with a spindle h' of a valve h which will be opened

page_text: after the explosion is mainly spent and permit the gases to escape to the exhaust
Any other device for opening the valve positively may be employed. When the
piston of the engine is connected positively to the plunger of a pump, it is
desirable to prevent too sudden a shock for which purpose such a construction is.
employed that the gases at about the time of their explosion will be brought into
communication with a chamber containing a body of air By this means a com-
paratively small initial charge of gases may be used, the heat of which on being
transferred to the air will expand the latter and propel the piston further under its
expansive force. Different constructions may be employed to secure this result,
that shown in Fig 1ª consists of a cylinder enlarged centrally to receive the main
piston D and contracted at the ends forming chambers F F' to receive
extensions E E of the piston. If a mixture of explosive gases is introduced either
in the end chamber F or into the annular chamber surrounding one of the
extensions E and is then exploded it will carry the piston forward acting upon.
only part of the area, until the extension E is out-of the end chamber when the
heated gases will mix with the air in said chamber and the whole volume of
mixture will act expansively upon the whole area of the piston The piston is
hollow as is the piston rod each end of which projects into a pump cylinder W
valves being arranged so that the reciprocation of the rod will draw the water
into and expel it from the cylinders alternately As there are two chambers there
are two outlets G and o! for the spent gases, the outlet G communicating with an
air inlet passage closed by a valve L and the outlet o¹ communicating with
passages h h' closed by two valves o. o upon a single stem N. When the piston
moves towards the outlet G and the stem N is raised, the spent gases from the
chamber F flow through G, h, h' to the exhaust pipe P.and the gases from E dow
through o¹ and h¹ to said exhaust pipe. When the piston moves in the opposite
direction the valve L is lifted to draw air in the chamber F while the charge flows
through an opening 4 or 5 under the pressure imparted by the piston B¹ Fig 2d
as before described To lift the valve properly I use a tappet M which tilts &
T lever R as the piston.completes its stroke in either direction, an inclined slot in
the lever receiving a pin i projecting from a lever X which strikes the stems N N
alternately Fig 5d shows the valve arranged at each end of the compression
cylinder D said valve k being secured to a spindle which carries a plate 29
covering an opening 11 in the gas pipe p. As the valve is drawn inward, the air
is admitted through the valve opening and a charge of gas passes through a hole
in the plate 29 which is brought to coincide with the opening 11
Having thus described the nature of the invention as communicated to me from
abroad by my foreign correspondent What I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is
1* The mode of charging a gas engine by regulating and measuring off and
introducing and compressing prior to each explosion the precise mixture of gas and
air which when ignited will produce the most effective result.
2nd The combination with the working cylinder of a gas engine of a pump con-
structed to measure off and expel uniformly the precise quantity of gas required to be
combined with the air to form the most effective mixture substantially as set forth.
3rd The combination in a gas engine of a cylinder having an exhaust port at the
forward end, a piston whereby said port is covered during part of the stroke, gas
and air inlet ports at the rear end and a pump constructed and provided with
adjusting devices so as to measure off the precise volume of gas required and to
expel the entire quantity so measured into the cylinder prior to each explosion
substantially as set forth
4th The construction and arrangement of pump substantially as set forth and
shown in Fig 3 of the drawings
5th A gas engine provided with the parts and appliances described and illustrated
in Figs 1 and 2 of the drawing
6th The combined pump and igniting device set forth and illustrated in Fig 3
of the drawing

page_text: 7th The combination in a gas engine of a cylinder containing two or more
pistons, operated independently and ports and channels whereby the charge of
explosive gases is compressed in front of the working piston and transferred
without expansion to the rear thereof and exploded
8 The combination of cylinder pistons ports and channels substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs 1 to 10*
9 The combination of a cylinder three pitsons piston rods connecting rods and
shaft carrying a double crank substantially as set forth
10th The combination with the gas engine of a tubular boiler connected to the
exhaust pipe to permit the passage of the exhaust gases through the tubes of the
boiler and without back pressure substantially as set forth.
11th The combination of a gas engine an elevator cage and a supplemental engine
constructed to start the gas engine and a connection between the starting valve
of said supplemental engine and the cage substantially as set forth
12th The combination of the working and compressing cylinders of a gas engine,
the latter being shorter and of greater diameter than the former, and an eccentric
connected to operate the compression piston substantially as set forth
13th The gas engine and its parts and appliances constructed substantially as
described and illustrated in Figs 1° to 3b
14th The combination with the gas engine of appliances whereby the same is
arrested with an explosive charge in the cylinder substantially as set forth
15th A gas engine provided with appliances whereby an explosive charge
introduced into the cylinder without moving the main shaft and means for
operating said appliances from a distant point.
16 The combination with a gas engine of means of igniting the charge from
a distant point
17th The gas engine provided with an automatic brake and means for applying
the same to uniformly arrest the engine with the parts in a position for starting
18th The combination with the compression cylinder of a gas engine of a link
and adjustable pitman arranged to operate substantially as set forth
19th The improvements in gas engines described and illustrated in Figs 1° to 3°
20th A gas engine provided with separate chambers for receiving air and an
explosive charge, constructed and arranged as set forth, to put the chambers in
communication as the charge is exploded
21 The improvements in gas engines described and illustrated in Figs 1ª to 5ª
of the drawing
22nd The novel improvements in the construction and methods of operating gas
engines and in the parts thereof herein described and illustrated
In Witness whereof I the said Philip Middleton Justice have hereunto
set my hand and seal this twenty third day of October in the year of Our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and eightythree
Signed, sealed and delivered
in the presence of
ALLEN PARRY JONES
55 & 56 Chancery Lane
London W.C.
IDILIK M. JUSTICE (L.S.)