IMPROVE- MENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY SUCCESSIVE AND DIRECT ACTIONS PRODUCED BY THE SAME CURRENT OF HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Pierre Ravard, of No. 24, Rue de la Chaussée
d'Antin, Paris, in the Empire of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY SUCCESSIVE AND DIRECT ACTIONS
PRODUCED BY THE SAME CURRENT OF HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM."-A commu-
nication from abroad by Louis Brunier, residing at Rue de la Charité,
Lyons, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 4th November 1864, and dated the 25th July 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Pierre Ravard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 25th July 1864.
I, JEAN PIERRE RAVARD, of No. 24, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris,
in the Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY SUCCESSIVE AND DIRECT
ACTIONS PRODUCED BY THE SAME CURRENT OF HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in obtaining motive power
by successive and direct actions produced by the same current of high-pressure
steam. For this purpose a current of steam is caused to pass through a series
of chambers, in each of which (the first excepted, in consequence of the
peculiar arrangement of the parts of the chamber itself, and of the instruments
contained by it) the steam gives an impulse forward or in the direction in which

page_text: the steam is travelling through the machine. The chambers are cylindrical,
and the high-pressure steam is admitted through a pipe with a stop-cock or
valve upon it to one end of the first chamber, which at its other end has a
circular orifice formed in it. In front of this orifice and within the chamber
is a solid or closed cylinder; it is fixed to the end of the chamber opposite to!
the orifice, and the other end of the cylinder, which is flat, comes within a short
distance of the orifice, leaving only a narrow passage all round for the steam
to pass to the orifice. On the end of the cylinder and passing through the
centre of the orifice a cone is fixed; the lines which bound the portion of the
cone adjacent to its base are curved and hollow, the curve being a quarter of
a circle beyond, the sides of the cone are straight until the apex is reached.
The steam in passing out of the first chamber rushes by the narrow passage
left beyond the end of the solid or closed cylinder, and strikes all around the
curved portion of the cone fixed thereon; the steam follows the surface of the
cone; the steam is directed onwards, and its molecules by this movement
acquire a centrifugal force, which increases their speed in the direction of
their movement. The jet issuing from the chamber is received by a cylindrical
pipe fixed centrally just in front of the orifice, and so that the cone enters it,
and this terminates in a bell or conical mouth within the second chamber of
the series, and it is the jet of steam issuing from this mouth and striking the
end opposite to it of the second chamber, and pressing on it with an un-
balanced pressure that gives the first onward impulse to the machine. The
second chamber is furnished with a solid or closed cylinder with a cone and
orifice in all respects as the first, and the pressure in the second chamber
being raised to that in the first by the steam continually entering it, the steam
issues as from the first chamber, and produces another impulse in a third
chamber, and so on for the remainder of the chambers in the series, whatever
be their number. Beyond the orifice of the last chamber of the series and to
receive the steam from it a conical nozzle is fitted, and this discharges it into
a waste steam pipe. The whole of the chambers of the series are enclosed in
a metal casing, which is clothed with felt or other non-conductor of heat.
This apparatus is suitable for propelling vessels. Two series, such as above
described, are employed; the orifices of one series are directed forward, and
those of the other backwards, and one series is used for propelling in a forward
and the other in a backward direction. Suitable stop-cocks or valves are
provided for leading the steam to one or other of the series as required. If the
length of the vessel be not sufficient to contain a series of sufficient length to
give the propelling power required, two or more series acting to propel in the
same direction may be employed.

page_text: For a stationary engine the series may be mounted around the outer edge
of a circular or polygonal carriage or frame with a fixed central axis, and
supported by wheels at its periphery; the series of chambers in this case when
steam is admitted cause the rotation of the carriage or frame on which they
are fixed. The wheels which support the said carriage or frame are supported
on a circular rail on which they run easily.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Jean Pierre Ravard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th January 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEAN
PIERRE RAVARD, of No. 24, Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, Paris, in the Empire
of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for. Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Jean Pierre Ravard; Her special licence that I, the said Jean
Pierre Ravard, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Jean Pierre Ravard, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY SUCCESSIVE AND
DIRECT ACTIONS PRODUCED BY THE SAME CURRENT OF HIGH-PRESSURE STEAM," a
communication to me from abroad by Louis Brunier, a person resident at
Rue de la Charité, Lyons, in the Empire of France, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Jean Pierre Ravard, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jean Pierre Ravard, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object improvements in obtaining motive power
by successive and direct actions produced by the same current of high-pressure
steam. For this purpose a current of steam is caused to pass through a series
of chambers in each of which (the first excepted, in consequence of the peculiar
arrangement of the parts of the chamber itself and of the instruments con-
tained by it), the steam gives an impulse forward or in the direction in which
the steam is travelling through the machine. The chambers are cylindrical.
and the high-pressure steam is admitted through a pipe with a stop-cock or
valve upon it to one end of the first chamber, which, at its other end, has a
circular orifice formed in it. In front of this orifice, and within the chamber,
is a solid or closed cylinder, it is fixed to the end of the chamber opposite to
the orifice, and the other end of the cylinder, which is flat, comes within a
short distance of the orifice, leaving only a narrow passage all round for the
steam to pass to the orifice. On the end of the cylinder, and passing through
the centre of the orifice, a cone is fixed, the lines which bound the portion of
the cone adjacent to its base are curved and hollow, the curve being a quarter
of a circle beyond the sides of the cone, are straight until the apex is reached.
The steam, in passing out of the first chamber, rushes by the narrow passage
left beyond the end of the solid or closed cylinder and strikes all around; on
the curved portion of the cone fixed thereon the steam follows the surface
of the cone; the steam is directed inwards, and its molecules by this move-
ment acquire a centrifugal force which increases their speed in the direction of
their movement. The jet issuing from the chamber is received by a cylindrical
pipe fixed centrally just in front of the orifice and so that the cone enters it,
and this terminates in a bell or conical mouth within the second chamber of
the series, and it is the jet of steam issuing from this mouth and striking the
end opposite to it of the second chamber and pressing on it with an unbalanced
pressure that gives the first onward impulse to the machine. The second
chamber is furnished with a solid or closed cylinder with a cone and orifice in
all respects as the first, and the pressure in the second chamber being raised
to that in the first by the steam continually entering it, the steam issues as
from the first chamber and produces another impulse in a third chamber, and
so on for the remainder of the chambers in the series, whatever be their
number. Beyond the orifice of the last chamber of the series, and to receive
the steam from it, a conical nozzle is fitted, and this discharges it into a waste
steam pipe. The whole of the chambers of the series are enclosed in a metal
casing which is clothed with felt or other non-conductor of heat. This appa-

page_text: ratus is suitable for propelling vessels. Two series such as above described
are employed; the orifices of one series are directed forward, and those of the
other backwards, and one series is used for propelling in a forward, and the
other in a backward direction. Suitable stop-cocks or valves are provided for
leading the steam to one or other of the series as required. If the length of
the vessel be not sufficient to contain a series of sufficient length to give the
propelling power required two or more series acting to propel in the same
direction may be employed.
For a stationary engine the series may be mounted around the outer edge
of a circular or polygonal carriage or frame with a fixed central axis, and
supported by wheels at its periphery; the series of chambers in this case,
when steam is admitted, cause the rotation of the carriage or frame on which
they are fixed. The wheels which support the said carriage or frame are
supported on a circular rail on which they run easily.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed more
fully to describe the manner of performing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents the first apparatus A of the series of apparatuses con-
stituting this machine, the second B, and a portion of the third C; D is a
receiver having a cylindrical form; E, central cylindrical piece terminated by
a sort of truncated conė a with curved sides and the straight cone b, the base
of which is placed upon the small base of the cone a, and may be either solid
or hollow; it carries a cylindrical rod extending to the bottom e of the re-
ceiver D, upon which it is fixed by means of the screw d; f, junction pipe or
neck of the receiver A, upon which is fixed a tube leading from a high-pressure
steam boiler; it is furnished, close to the boiler, with a valve by which com-
munication between the boiler and apparatus is effected as desired. A part of
the extremity of the central piece E penetrates to the centre of the circular
orifice g, traverses it, and also penetrates to the centre of the cylindrical part h
of the partly cylindrical and conical tube F, enclosed partly in the receiver D¹
of the second apparatus B; this tube is fixed on the neck i of this receiver by
means of their flanges. This second apparatus B has also a central piece E¹,
similar in all respects to that of the first. It also traverses a circular orifice g¹,
and it penetrates the cylindrical part of the partly cylindrical and conical tube
5 of the third apparatus C. Whatever may be the number of these apparatuses
employed, they are all exactly similar with the exception of the first A, which
.has no cylindrical conical tube, and of the last X, Figure 2, the central piece
and circular orifice being suppressed therein and replaced by the addition of a

page_text: conical piece y the small orifice in which is equal in area to the cylindrical
orifice m. The piece G is placed in the cylindrical opening in the bottom k
of the receiver A and is flush with it interiorly; its hollow external part has a
partial cylindrical and conical form, and is pierced at its centre with an orifice g.
The exterior end of the tube F has four small projections which fit the hollow
part of the piece G in order to maintain it in a central position therein, and at
the desired distance from the orifice g; two of these projections or ribs n, n,
are shewn in the Drawing.
Previous to describing the application of this system as motive power I will
describe the effects produced in each of the apparatuses. If the steam-cock
previously referred to is opened the steam flows into the receiver D of the
first apparatus A, from which it escapes by the cylindrical orifice m, it
surrounds the curved cone a, following its surface; by this movement the
molecules of steam acquire a centrifugal force, which causes them to press this
surface, and which accelerate the velocity of the steam in the direction of its
movement; it flows into the tube F, or by the action of its percussive force it
is maintained in the receiver D¹ of the second apparatus B at a pressure
equal to that at which it has in the boiler, its temperature remaining the
same. The steam escapes from the second apparatus into the third, the same
effects being produced from the one to the other, and successively to all the
series. The steam escaping by the cylindrical opening m, its reaction upon
the cylindrical part of the receiver D being perpendicular to the direction of
its current, cannot produce any effect, and the series of apparatuses would take
a movement in the direction of this current if the parts were capable of this
motion by virtue of the pressure exercised by the steam upon the bottom of
the receiver D' which is not counterbalanced.
Figure 2 represents a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, of the entire
arrangement; Figure 3 represents a cross section H, H; I, I, are two
receivers, which on account of their length might be described as tubes;
they are divided in two longitudinally, each half having the form of a semi-
cylinder, and united by means of the vertical collars or flanges q, q, r, r,
and horizontal flanges & and t, Figure 3. These receivers have a form suitable
for receiving and fixing therein the series of apparatuses. The end k of the
first is of hemispherical form, and provided with a neck or junction pipe U,
upon which is fixed the cock L, and to the cock L an elbow pipe M, the
straight part of which rises vertically. The end N of the second receiver is
terminated in a similar manner to the first by a hemi-spherical end, pro-
vided with a neck V, a valve P, and a tube Q. The large receiver H, H,
communicates with the first apparatus A¹ of the second séries by the valve R

page_text: when desired. Each large receiver encloses a series of apparatuses, the first
for the onward motion and the second for the back motion. In this the.
number is very limited, but it is more than sufficient to enable me to describe
their action as motive power. These large receivers being enclosed in felt.
permit of employing a considerable series of apparatuses. I will suppose one
of a hundred receivers for the onward motion and as many for the back.
motion, requiring in length a space of about 55 feet, which would be difficult to.
find on board a vessel. To obviate this apparent difficulty I will suppose for an
instant that the two series of apparatuses are arranged for the onward motion.
If the orifice y. of the last apparatus X be suppressed, and that upon its
receiver is fixed a tube communicating with the last apparatus X³ of the
second series, there would be two apparatuses for the onward motions, by mul-
tiplying in this way there may be a certain number for the onward and return
motions. In this case it is necessary that the entire system be placed in a
horizontal position. The first apparatus A of the first series H, H, is in com-
munication with the steam boiler on a vessel below its line of floatation, and
in the direction of its keel. To cause it to act, the steam being generated to
an effective pressure of four or five atmospheres, the valve L is closed, the
valves R and P opened, and the last very slightly. Everything being thus
arranged the valve T is opened, steam passes into the first apparatus A in the
long receivers H, H, and I, I, mixes with the air filling these receivers, and
the whole flows out by the valve P. At the end of a certain number of
seconds it is closed, as also the valve R; in this condition all is ready for the
onward motion. Then if the valve L is opened the steam enveloping the
series of apparatuses enclosed in the long receiver H, H, is discharged into
the atmosphere by the tube M. Then all the apparatuses of the series will
act from A to the last X, from which the steam escapes by the conical orifice
y to flow into the atmosphere by the tube M.
From what has been above stated it will be seen that there is produced in
each of these apparatuses an unbalanced pressure in the direction of the
current of steam. The simultaneous action of all these accumulated pressures
pushes the vessel onwards. For the back motion the valve L is closed, the
valve R is opened, and then the valve P; the same effects just described are
produced in a reverse direction. In the second case the long receiver H, H,
serves to conduct the steam to the second series of apparatuses.
I will now proceed by reference to Figures 4 and 5 to describe the mode
of applying the system of direct and successive actions to the production of
rotary motion. In these Figures the same parts are marked with similar
letters.

page_text: A is a foundation plate carrying a circular rail or way; B, C, hexagonal
receiver formed of six tubes united together in the same manner as those pre-
viously described. This receiver encloses six series of apparatuses, which in
reality form but one, by means of six receivers. interposed between them at
each angle of the polygon. One of these angular receivers is shewn at 1,
Figure 6; it receives the action of the apparatus 2, and conveys the steam it
receives to the apparatus 3 by the junction 4, which unites them together.
This large hexagonal receiver is fixed upon six chairs or supports D, D,
having each a small wheel a, which rests upon the circular rail or way B;
these six chairs are fixed to six arms f, f, attached to a boss g, by which the
entire is fixed upon the vertical hollow axis I. Six columns E, E, are sup-
ported by the foundation plate A, their upper ends support a piece formed of
six arms F, F, two of which are shewn in the Drawing. These arms are
fixed to a central receiver G, which receives the steam from the boiler by the
tube H. This receiver has a stuffing box 6, in which turns the upper end of
the vertical hollow axle I, having a flanged junction pipe d, upon which is fixed
the tube K conveying the steam to the first apparatus of the series enclosed in
the large hexagonal receiver C. The axle I has a pivot e supported in a step
or bearing, in which turns; L, valve, fixed upon the large hexagonal receiver
C; it is provided with a steam exhaust pipe L' opening into the flue M.
To work this machine the valve L is slightly opened and the steam is allowed
to flow through the hollow axle I; when the system is entirely heated, the
valve opening from the steam boiler is closed, and the valve L entirely
opened. This done the valve of the steam boiler is again opened, steam passes
into the first apparatus of the series by the tube K, and at the end of a few
moments rotary motion is produced; this motion is transmitted by the pulley
N by means of a strap or band.
Figure 7 shews how the steam escapes from the last apparatus P of the
series by the addition of a conical mouth-piece Q; Figure 8 shews how the
first apparatus of the series receives steam from the supply tube K.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Pierre Ravard, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
J. P. RAVARD. (L.S.)