Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 20th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 19th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
I, FEDERICO CORDENONS, Engineer, care of Count Almerico, Da-Schio Vicenza, in
the Kingdom of Italy do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In the engine constructed according to this invention the expansion of the gas or
steam serves to drive back the cylinders, whilst the pistons, during the expansion,
remain stationary and as the cylinders are fixed to the fly wheel the latter transmits
the rotary motion directly to the driving shaft.
For this purpose it is necessary that the pistons of the cylinders at the time of the
explosions, shall be firmly supported during the motion of the fly wheel so that they
cannot give way. To attain this, the pistons or their rolls are caused to bear at the
desired moments against fixed points or projections of the stationary engine frame,
where they remain stationary during the whole period of the expansion. At the end
of this period the pistons pass altogether away from the said points or projections and
are moved back again to their original position by the power acting from the
centre.
With the object of obtaining as much uniformity of motion as possible, three
cylinders are provided, and in each of them two explosions take place in one revolution
of the fly wheel. Two firm supports are arranged at diametrically opposite points of the
engine. These supports are provided with a slide in such a manner that a powerful
spring will permit but very little play. This device is designed to receive the
thrust caused by the explosions and to compensate for irregularities in the expansion
of the gas or steam.
The introduction of the gas and of the petroleum vapour is effected in the following
manner.
When the engine is to be driven only by gas, one conduit or passage will be
sufficient, but as in most of its applications it is to be driven with petroleum and the
latter is to be vaporized by the heat of the walls of the cylinders, the necessity for two
conduits or passages arises, because the first charges must in this case be either gas, or
otherwise carburetted air, in order to heat the cylinders.
The gas is admitted to the engine through a ring, passes through a pipe
arranged in the interior of the driving shaft and is then conducted through three
main arins of the fly wheel along three branch passages. In this manner the gas
is conducted to an anterior chamber whence, when the slide valves are open, it
will enter the engine cylinders. Liquid petroleum is introduced in the same
manner, but instead of being caused to pass directly into the said anterior
chambers it is sucked by three small pumps, one being provided for each branch
of the inlet passage, which pumps force it in the desired quantity into the
vaporizing chambers wherein it is converted into the gas or vapour. Owing to its
tendency to expand this gas or vapour will then enter the aforesaid anterior
chamber from which it is introduced by the admission valves into the engine
cylinders coming in contact with the air necessary for the combustion, and
mixing with the same. This is the air which impinges against the cylinder cover
in the rotation of the fly wheel, and as the said cover is funnel-shaped the air is
compelled to enter the interior of the engine cylinder if certain holes formed in
the funnel-shaped bottom of the cylinder are opened. The opening and closing of
these holes is effected by a circular disc or plate arranged at the bottom of the
cylinder. The disc turns upon a journal and its movement is regulated by the
curves of a large eccentric ring and serves to protect from dirt the contact pieces
for conducting the electricity. In order to realise this object the said plates are

page_text: provided with an elastic projection having two teeth; by reason of the alternate
to-and-fro movement of the plate these two teeth will at the proper moment pass
the two points between which the electric spark effecting the ignition will leap
over. The electric current is generated by the small dynamo-electric machine
which is driven by means of a pulley secured upon the driving shaft. This current
passes through a coil connected with two contact pieces of the above mentioned
large stationary ring, which are arranged diametrically opposite to each other.
In the rotation of the fly wheel the contact pieces charged with electricity come in
contact with the projections on the cylinders, so that the current passes into these and
an electric spark will now leap over in the interior of the cylinder to effect the ignition
of the explosive mixture.
The compression in the three cylinders is alternately caused by three levers the
fulcrum of which is on the arms of the fly wheel. The short arms of the levers are
adapted to slide upon the periphery of the cam which is rigidly connected with the
stationary engine frame. Whilst the short arms of the said levers are compelled to
follow the curve of the said cam, the long arms of the same are in connection with the
anterior extremity of the piston rods and cause the lack movement of the pistons
which is necessary for the compression and also their movement in case explosions are
interrupted.
The small cam through the medium of three levers causes the to-and-fro movement
of the admission valve or of the small pumps which suck in the petroleum and force it
away or of pumps which convey the oil froin a reservoir for lubrication to the movable
parts of the engine.
When the two eccentric curves of the aforesaid cam are thrown out of action the
motion of the aforesaid three levers is also discontinued. In order to enable this to
be carried into effect the eccentric curves are so provided on two slides that they can
be drawn out.
By this arrangement the power of the engine can be regulated within very wide
limits as it can be decreased to 4, and . In fact one slide can be left in its place in
which case there are three strokes of the piston for every rotation of the fly wheel;
the same slide can however be caused to operate intermittently whereby the power of
the engine is reduced to 4, whereas it rises to if the other slide allowed to operate
regularly. If both the slides are always in action the entire power which the engine
is at all capable of producing is obtained.
Only in the last-mentioned case it will be necessary to regulate the velocity, which
is effected by a centrifugal governor which controls one of the said three slides,
namely the one which is at the upper part of the abovementioned cam.
The mechanism of the ball governor is of the ordinary kind; the other part is
however specially constructed for this engine and consequently needs description.
A toothed wheel actuates another toothed wheel the circumference of which is equal
to 3rds of that of the former and also an eccentric in connection therewith for operating
the lower slide.
During the first third of the revolution of the first wheel the lower slide will remain
in its position it is removed from the same during the second third, and is caused to
return to the same during the last third, whereupon the same operation is repeated.
The engagement of the said two wheels is effected by hand.
The engine cylinder is cooled by means of cold air. Owing to the rotation of the
fly wheel the air around the cylinder is renewed as if it were conveyed to the same
through the medium of a powerful fan.
The radiation of heat can be further augmented by providing the walls of the
cylinders with vanes.
If the engine is to work in a closed room it will be necessary to conduct the gases
of combustion from the engine by means of conduits and discharge the same into the
open air.
For this purpose the exhaust openings have their special conduit which extends
through the small arms of the fly wheel and through the driving shaft and leads
through the ring to the blow out pipe.

page_text: When the improved engine is driven by steam, the said anterior chamber, the
vaporizing chamber the turning plate, the large eccentric ring, and the electric
apparatus are dispensed with. The steam, which can be produced in any boiler, passes
directly to the valve box and is then introduced by means of the admission valve into
the cylinder. When the piston moves back again the exhaust steam passes through a
pipe into the chamber surrounding the cylinder, and finally through the exhaust pipe
into the open air.
Dated thin 90th
A1 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
1, FEDERICO CORDENONS, Engineer, care of Count Almerico, Da-Schio Vicenza, in
the Kingdom of Italy, 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:-
In the engine constructed according to this invention, the expansion of the gas or
steam serves to drive back the cylinders, whilst the pistons, during the expansion,
remain stationary, and as the cylinders are fixed to the fly wheel the latter transmits
the rotary motion directly to the driving shaft.
For this purpose it is necessary that the pistons of the cylinders at the time of
the explosions, shall be firmly supported during the motion of the fly-wheel so that
the pistons cannot give way. To attain this, the pistons or their rods are caused to
bear at the desired moments against fixed points or projections of the stationary engine
frame, where they remain stationary during the whole period of the expansion.
the end of this period the pistons pass altogether away from the said points or pro-
jections and are moved back again to their original position by the power acting from
the centre.
At
The invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing the figures of which are
hereinafter referred to.
With the object of obtaining as much uniformity of motion as possible, three
cylinders are provided, and in each of them two explosions take place in one revolution
of the fly-wheel. Two firm supports are arranged at diametrically opposite points B' B"
Figures 1 and 2.
These supports are provided with a slide in such a manner that a powerful spring
will permit but very little play.
This device is designed to receive the thrust caused by the explosions and to
compensate for irregularities in the expansion of the gas or steam.
The introduction of the gas and of the petroleum vapour is effected in the
following manner.
When the engine is to be driven only by gas, one conduit or passage will be
sufficient, but as in most of its applications it is to be driven with petroleum and
the latter is to be vaporized by the heat of the walls of the cylinders, the necessity
for two conduits or passages arises because the first charges must in this case be
either gas, or otherwise carburetted air, in order to heat the cylinders.
The gas is admitted to the engine through a ring a Figures 2 and 4, passes
through a pipe arranged in the interior of the driving shaft and is then conducted
through three main arms of the fly wheel along three branch passages G Figure 1.
In this manner the gas is conducted to anterior chambers A (Figure 1) whence,
when the slide valves Z are open, it will enter the engine cylinders. Liquid petroleum
is introduced in the same manner but instead of being caused to pass directly into the
said anterior chambers A it is sucked by three small pumps 1 (Figure 1) one being
provided for each branch of the inlet passage which pumps force it in the desired
quantity into the vaporizing chambers T wherein it is converted into gas or
vapour.

page_text: Owing to its tendency to expand this gas or vapour will then enter the aforesaid
anterior chamber A from which it is introduced by the admission valves into the engine
cylinders, coming in contact with the air necessary for the combustion, and mixing
with the same. This is the air which impinges against the cylinder cover in the
rotation of the fly wheel, and as the said cover is funnel-shaped the air is compelled
to enter the interior of the engine cylinder if certain holes formed in the funnel shaped
bottom of the cylinder are opened. The opening and closing of these holes is effected
by a circular disc or plate H (Figure 5) arranged at the bottom of the cylinder.
The disc turns upon a journal and its movement is regulated by the curves of a
large eccentric ring e (Figures 1 and 2).
In order to protect from dirt the contact pieces for conducting the electricity, the
said disc H is provided with an elastic projection having two teeth. By reason
of the alternate to-and-fro rotation of the disc these two teeth will at the proper
moment pass the two points between which the electric spark effecting the ignition
will leap over. The electric current is generated by the small dynamo electric
machine E Figures 1 and 2, which is driven by means of a pulley F secured upon
the driving shaft. This current passes through a coil b connected with two contact
pieces of the above mentioned large stationary ringe, which are arranged diametrically
opposite to each other.
In the rotation of the fly wheel the contact pieces charged with electricity come
in contact with the projections on the cylinders, so that the current passes into those
and an electric spark will be produced in the interior of the cylinder to effect the
ignition of the explosive mixture.
The compression in the three cylinders is alternately caused by three levers
(Figure 1) the fulcrum of which is on the arms of the fly-wheel. The short arms of
the levers are adapted to slide upon the periphery of the cam n which is rigidly
connected with the stationary engine frame. Whilst the short arms of the said levers /
are compelled to follow the curve of the said cam, the long arms of the same are in
connection with the anterior extremity of the piston rods and cause the back movement
of the pistons, which is necessary for the compression and also their movement in case
explosions are interrupted.
The small cam S Figures 2 and 3, through the medium of three levers t t t. causes
the to-and-fro movement of the admission valve Z and of small pumps al which suck
in the petroleum and force it away, or of pumps which convey the oil from a reservoir
for lubrication to the movable parts of the engine.
When the two eccentric curves of the aforesaid cam S are thrown out of action, the
motion of the aforesaid levers t is also discontinued.
To regulate the velocity, a centrifugal governor R. Figure 2, is provided which
controls one of three slides provided on the abovementioned cam S.
It should be understood that the cam S remains stationary, and that the entire
system of the cylinders with levers and levers t rotates, the levers t being actuated
by the cam or merely by its slides. As above stated the centrifugal governor R
controls one of the said three slides namely the one which is at the upper parts of the
abovementioned cam S (see Figure 2) which cam does not rotate. The levers t are
controlled by the cam S or merely by its slides in rotating round the cam.
A toothed wheel F actuates another toothed wheel N the circumference of which is
equal to of that of the wheel F.
The wheels N and F operate the lower of the three slides of the cam S, the latter,
does not rotate with the other parts.
It will therefore be seen from figure 2, that, as there is a cam of special form in
connection with the wheel N it may be possible that the lower slide of the stationary
cam S will remain in its position during the first third of the revolution of the
wheel F. During the first third of the revolution of the wheel F the 'slide will
remain in its position; it is however removed from this position during the second
third and is caused to return to the said position during the last third, whereupon the
same operation is repeated. The arrangement of the said wheels. N and F is effected
by hand,

page_text: The governor controls only the upper slide in the ordinary manner by levers and
rods. The gearing F N is independent of the governor and it controls another slide
by means of an ordinary cam moving a rod in connection with this slide, which rod
may be moved back by spring pressure or the like as soon as the cam allows it.
The engine cylinder is cooled by means of cold air. Owing to the rotation of the
fly-wheel the air around the cylinder is renewed as if it were conveyed to the same
through the medium of a powerful fan. The radiation of heat can be further
augmented by providing the walls of the cylinders with vanes. If the engine is to
work in a closed room it will be necessary to conduct the gases of combustion from
the engine by means of conduits and discharge the same into the open air.
For this purpose the exhaust openings d have their special conduit which extends
through the small arms of the fly wheel and through the driving shaft and leads
through the ring a to the blow out pipe d¹ Figure 2.
When the improved engine is driven by steam as represented in Figure 3 the
said anterior chamber, the vaporizing chamber, the turning plate, the large eccentric
ring and the electric apparatus are dispensed with. The steam which can be
produced in any boiler, passes directly to the valve box and is then introduced by
means of the admission valve Z Figure 3 into the cylinder. When the piston moves
back again the exhaust steam passes through a pipe M into the chamber surrounding
the cylinder, and finally through the exhaust pipe d¹ (Figure 2) into the open air.
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 1
claim is
First. In rotary engines for steam, gas or petroleum, the arrangement of the
engine cylinder on a fly wheel and the arrangement of fixed supports (B' B¹¹) which
are so placed relatively to the rotary cylinders that the rods of the cylinder pistons,
every time during the expansion of the steam, gas or vapour can catch into the
fixed supports (B₁ B) in order to offer an abutment to the pistons which do not
rotate temporarily, on which abutment the driving power can exert a pushing action
upon the cylinders for the purpose of turning the fly wheel and driving shaft,
substantially as described.
Second. The arrangement of the fixed supports in the form of spring slide way
substantially as described.
Third. The combination of the passages or tubes provided in the interior of the
driving shaft and arms of the fly wheel, with rings
a which are arranged on the
driving shaft, and to which the inlet and outlet tubes are joined, and the fixed cam
disc (n) which, in combination with the levers acting upon the piston-rods, effects
the compression of the charge in the cylinder, substantially as described.
Fourth. The arrangement of the auxiliary chamber (A) and the evaporating
chamber (T) at the bottom of the engine cylinder and a rotary cylindrical plate,
provided with openings, in the cylinder bottom, conducting the air necessary for the
explosion to the engine cylinders, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of January 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.