A New or Improved Motive Power Engine Actuated by Steam or other Fluid Pressure for Marine and other Purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1891-Accented, 29th Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Motive Power Engine Actuated by Steam or
other Fluid Pressure for Marine and other Purposes.
I, JOAQUIM RIBEIRO DA COSTA of Havre in the Republic of France Naval
Lieutenant 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:-
The new or improved motive power engine forming the object of the present
invention and herein referred to as the "Ribeiro da Costa Engine" is of novel and
peculiar construction. It comprises a piston fixed upon the shaft of the engine and
partaking of a vibrating or reciprocating angular motion which is converted into a
continuous circular motion by the aid of a crank and connecting rod.
The said Ribeiro da Costa Engine" is morcover characterised by a peculiar
system of valve gear or arrangement for the distribution of the motive Huid as
hereinafter described.
The engine is entirely devoid of complication in all its parts as regards the
construction as well as the action.
Excentrics, crossheads and guides such as are employed in other engines are
dispensed with and the column or support required in ordinary vertical engines is
also enabled to be dispensed with in the new engines or motors constructed according
to my invention which can be directly attached to one bed plate although I do not
limit myself to this arrangement as the engine may evidently be arranged to work
upon supports or bed plates of any suitable description.
The surfaces of contact of the slide or distribution valves are of very small area
no compensating or pressure balancing devices being required and no safety valve is
provided; the water of condensation being discharged through the exhaust pipe. No
reversing levers are required the engine being reversed by a special arrangement
hereinafter described.
This engine works expansively and may be constructed to work with high pressure
only or high and medium pressure, medium pressure, medium and low pressure or
low pressure only. It is more particularly designed for the propulsion of ships to
which it imparts great stability being capable of working low down on the bed plate.
It is preferably arranged to work in a horizontal position with the piston vibrating
in a quarter of a circle but it may be arranged to vibrate in an angle of less than
90 degrees with advantage as regards economy.
The area of condensing surface is relatively small and there being no piston rod
the condensation or cooling which results from the exposure of the piston rod in
ordinary engines is altogether obviated. There is no occasion to provide for the
support of a massive heavy piston the piston of the Ribeira da Costa Engines being
caused to travel in the direction of rotation thus reducing the amount of resistance
to be overcome in the engine itself.
The casing of the machine is preferably constructed in two parts a lower part
directly attached to the bed plate and an upper part comprising the valve chests the
whole being secured with bolts and nuts to facilitate the construction.
Leakage or accidental escape or waste of steam or motive fluid is effectually
provided against by means of arrangements hereinafter described and dead or waste
spaces are almost entirely obviated.
The engines or motors constructed according to this invention although more
particularly suitable for marine propulsion may evidently be employed for
any other purposes in which a motive power engine such as a steam engine
is required.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed

page_text: more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in transverse section a steam
engine or motor constructed according to my invention the section being taken on
the line 1-2 Figure 3.
Figure 2 represents the engine in front elevation.
Figure 3 represents a longitudinal section on the line 3-4 Figure 1 the piston
being represented at half stroke.
Figure 4 shews the engine in plan.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the valve gear and Figure 6 is a side elevation of
the same.
Figure 7 represents the valve gear in plan shewing the connection between it and
the slide valves which are represented as being situated in the same plane in order
to shew their construction more clearly.
A A is the casing of the engine traversed by a driving shaft B to which is
attached a piston C partaking of a vibrating or angular motion.
The casing is cast in two parts namely, a lower part A and an upper part A'
carrying the valve chests.
The piston C is formed by a plate e which may be cast in one piece with the
sliaft B. Upon this plate there are attached by means of screws a filling piece C
and a counterplate . The packing of the piston is composed of a bottom bar c²
made in one or more pieces and two side bars c³ the said packing bars being pressed,
against the sides of the casing by means of springs attached to the filling piece C
of the piston. When the bottom bar c is made in two pieces as represented in
Figure 3 of the drawings the two parts are forced laterally by providing a bevel or
incline on their adjacent extremities which are acted upon by a wedge e pressed by
a spring attached to the filling piece C of the piston. The joint between the parts c
of the packing bar may be made with a tongue and groove.
I do not limit myself to the details of construction hereinbefore described as the
vibrating piston and the means employed for preventing leakage may be constructed
and arranged in any other suitable manner.
The means employed for causing the shaft to work steam tight in the casing are
thoroughly effectual.
They are completed by means of three packing bars or strips 6 (Fig. 1) capable
of sliding in recesses formed in the upper part A of the casing these packing bars
are pressed against the shaft B by means of springs arranged in the bottoms of
the said recesses.
Moreover 2 lateral packing pieces (Fig. 3) pressed against the inner surface
of the cover plates of the casing by the action of a helical spring contained in a
longitudinal perforation in the shaft B render it impossible for any leakage to ta e
place at the sides.
The combination of the packing bars or strips and lateral packing pieces
effectually prevent any steam from passing froin one side of the piston to the other
nevertheless any other suitable arrangement of means for preventing leakage may
be employed if preferred.
The engines are, constructed with four slide valves namely-
-two admission
valves D D' and two exhaust valves E E' (Figure 7). These valves work over
admission ports dd' and exhaust ports e e' formed in the sides of the upper part A¹
of the casing and are actuated by rods F F¹. These valve rods are worked by the
valve gear hereinafter described.
The steam is supplied by a pipe G2 having two branches G G' corresponding
respectively with the casings of the two admission valves. The exhaust passes
through passages or pipes H H connected with the casings of the exhaust valves
and discharging into one pipe 112 or otherwise. A lubricator K is employed to
lubricate that part of the shaft B which is in contact with the upper part A of the
casing.

page_text: The angular or vibrating motion of the piston.C is converted into a continuous
rotary motion by the intervention of a connecting rod I and a crank J with a
counterweight keyed upon an auxiliary shaft B' (Figures 2 and 4) which receives a
continuous rotary motion.
The reversing of the engine is effected by means of a pipe Z connected with
the steam pipe & and divided into two branches ZZ' communicating respectively
with opposite extremities of the casing or chamber in which the piston works.
These pipes ZZZ are provided at Y Y Y2 with valves not shewn in the drawing
and which may be of any suitable construction.
In order to reverse the engine the speed is reduced in the first place by partly
closing the valve g. When the speed has been reduced the three valves Y Y Y
are opened and steam is admitted through the pipes Z Z1 Z2 to both sides of the
piston simultaneously compression commences on one side of the piston as the
latter advances whilst the cther side is open to the exhaust. The piston then cannot
go to the end of its stroke and will return without completing the stroke thus
moving the crank J in the opposite direction to that in which it was previously
rotated. Directly the movement is reversed the 3 valves at Y Y Y should be
closed and the valve g put wide open. The engine will then continue working in
the reverse direction.
1
The reversing may be effected by means of a single pipe (Z or Z') and one
valve (Y or Y¹) introducing steam on one side only of the piston this arrangement
enables the operation to be performed with greater facility and certainty. I do not
limit myself to the reversing arrangement herein before described as any other
equivalent arrangement may be employed without affecting the principle of the
invention.
Having thus described a general arrangement of the engine I will now proceed
to explain the distribution mechanism which I prefer to employ with reference to
Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings although I do not limit myself to
the precise details of construction illustrated.
The distribution mechanism or valve gear is arranged on the front side or cover
plate of the casing of the motor and is supported by lugs or brackets L M M'
N. N cast in one with or otherwise attached to the said cover plate. These
brackets or supports are shewn more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 the moving parts
of the gear being omitted in the latter figure.
This mechanism is worked by an arm fixed upon the main or vibrating driving
shaft B at the same angle as the piston C the said arm acting in succession upon a
main valve lever R connected to the ends F F of the valve rods, upon levers S S¹
and upon two two-armed levers T T.
The arm Q is provided at its lower extremity with a tooth 7 presenting inclines
on both sides and which acts alternately upon correspondingly inclined projections s s¹
upon the levers S S' as hereinafter described.
The main lever R is carried by a bracket L passing through an opening in the
said lever and enabling the latter to vibrate on a vertical pin O (Fig. 3)-passing
through the centre of the lever and through an eye in the bracket L. The main
lever R is provided on each side with arms connected to the valve rods, by
links and pins passed through eyes in the arms and in the ends. of the
valve rods F F
The main lever R is also provided with two lateral arms which are rounded
at their extremities and engage respectively with elongated openings or slots formed
in the levers S. S' (Figure 6). The lever R. is also provided with two inclines
(Fig. 7) cams which are acted upon by a rounded projection w (Fig. 3 & 6) on the
arm Q.
The levers S. S¹ vibrate, upon pins 2 passed through lugs. N. N...They are
provided with elongated openings or slots for engaging with the extremities of the
arms on the lever, R. and are provided at their lower extremities with pro-
jections s. s', acted upon by the tooth q of the arm Q as hereinafter explained. The

page_text: small two armed levers T. T' vibrate respectively upon pins in the lugs M. M.
The upper arnis t t are provided with adjustable screws v. v¹ the extremities of
which act upon the back of the main lever R. The lower arms t. of the said two
armed levers T. T' are directed towards the front passing through a recess in the
main lever R-the arm being bent upwards so as to pass over the other arm t.
The rounded projection on the arm Qacts alternately on the arms t. and t'. The
action of this distribution gear is as follows.
Let it be assumed that the piston C. and arm Q are moving in the direction of
the arrow X Figure 5, and have not yet reached the left hand end of their
stroke.
In passing before the cam shaped surface or incline on the main lever R. the
rounded projection on the arm Q slightly pushes back one end of the lever R. as
well as the corresponding lever S. which is acted upon by the arm this move-
ment of the main lever has the effect of partly uncovering the admission port d
owing to the displacement of the valve rod F. and thus gives the lead for the.
admission. At this moment the arm Q reaches the end of its stroke and commences
to return. In this return movement the tooth 7 on the arm Q. acts upon the outer
incline of the projections on the lever S. which is brought into position for being
so acted upon owing to the lever S. having been partly drawn back by the.action
of the incline on the main lever R; the tooth thus pushes the lever S. farther.
back and this lever in turn acting upon the lever R. and slide valve D. completely
uncovers the admission port.
In moving backwards right hand arm of the main lever R. acts upon the
extremity of the arm of the two armed lever T. in such a manner that when the
latter vibrates upon the centre t the extremity of the arm t. of the said lever T
projects in front of or beyond the lever R.
In the return movement of the arm Q. which takes place in a direction opposite
to that indicated by the arrow X the rounded projection won the said arm pushes
back the arm of the lever T causing the latter to vibrate in the opposite direction
upon its centre 2 and push forward the left hand extremity of the main lever R.
causing the latter to draw forward the admission valve D. and close the admission
port d
on
The arm continuing its motion now acts upon the cam surface or incline
the right hand arm of the main lever thus producing the lead for the admission on
the right hand side after which the arm returns and moving in the direction of the
arrow acts through its tooth upon the cuter incline of the projections of
the lever S thus pushing back the latter and setting the admission fully open on
the right hand side the arm Q then acts upon the arm t¹ of the two arm lever T
thus closing the admission on the right hand side and repeating the movement
hereinbefore described.
If we now consider what takes place on the opposite side of the piston corre-
sponding with the exhaust we find that the action corresponds with what takes place
on the other side as in an ordinary steam engine..
When the lead for the admission takes place on one side the lead for the exhaust
on the other side is already open; the exhaust fully open corresponds to the
admission fully open and the exhaust port does not close until just before the
moment when the advance at the lead takes place on the side which was open to
the exhaust; the period comprised between the time when the exhaust port closes
and when the admission port opens on the same side corresponds with the period of
compression and on the other side the commencement of the exhaust corresponds
with the commencement of the compression as in all steam engines.
The period of admission may be regulated by means of the screws v. v. bearing
against the back of the lever R. and causing the small two armed levers T. T' to
vibrate upon their centres so as to throw forward their ends t. ' in such a
manner as to cause the arm Q to act upon them earlier or later according to the
adjustment of the said screws.

page_text: Morcover by rotating the nuts V VI in the same direction the arm Q may be
shifted nearer to the lever R in order to compensate for wearing away of the
rounded projection of the said arm.
This valve gear presents the important advantages of quickly opening and
closing the passages for the introduction and exhaust of the steam and of always
maintaining the same opening for the introduction, discharge and exhaust
independently of the period of admission this not being the case in engines as
heretofore constructed.
I do not confine myself in any way to the details of construction hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings as the forms materials and
dimensions of the parts constituting the motor engine hereinbefore described may
be modified and certain of the parts may even be replaced by others capable of
producing the same effect without affecting the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inyen-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is.
First. A fluid pressure motor consisting in the combination of a casing made in
two or more parts a shaft carrying a radial or pallet shaped piston receiving a
vibrating or reciprocating angular motion with suitable means for obtaining the
distribution of the motive fluid on the two sides of the piston substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Second. A fluid pressure motor consisting in the combination of a casing made in
two or more parts a shaft carrying a radial piston receiving a vibratory or recipro-
cating angular movement a connecting rod, a crank, and an auxiliary shaft for
converting the reciprocating movement into a continuous rotary movement with
suitable means for effecting the distribution of the motive fluid to the two sides of
the piston substantially as herein before described.
Third. A fluid pressure motor consisting in the combination in a casing made in
two or more parts A. A a shaft B. and a piston comprised of a filling piece C. two
lateral plates c. c attached to the shaft in casting or otherwise or one c being cast
in one with the shaft and the other e being attached to the first in any suitable
manner and packing bars or strips c², pressed against the casing by springs with
or without the interposition of a wedge substantially in the manner and for
the purposes hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth. A fluid pressure motor consisting in the combination with a casing made
in two or more parts A. A' and a shaft B. carrying a radial piston C. with packing
bars contained in recesses in the upper part A of the casing being pressed against
the shaft B. by suitable springs substantially in the manner and for the purpose
herein before set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Fifth. A fluid pressure motor consisting in the combination of a casing made
in two or more parts A. A' and of a shaft B. carrying a radial piston C. with
packing bars contained in recesses in the upper part A of the casing and pressed
against the shaft B. by suitable springs the shaft 13. being perforated longitudinally
for the reception of a suitable spring acting upon the packing pieces substan-
tially in the manner and for the purpose herein before set forth with reference to
Figures 1. and 3. of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. A fiuid pressure motor consisting in the combination of a casing made in
two or more parts A A¹ a shaft B. a piston C. having a vibratory or reciprocating
angular movement four slide valves namely;-2 admission valves D D and two
exhaust valves E E' with suitable means for effecting the distribution of the fluid
to the two sides of the piston substantially, in the manner and for the purpose herein
before set forth.
Seventh. In a fluid pressure motor consisting of a casing made in two or more
parts a shaft B and a piston C. the combination of the slide valves D E on the one

page_text: hand and D E on the other hand respectively with valve rods F F¹ made in one or
more parts and with suitable means for effecting the distribution of the fluid to the
two sides of the piston substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before set forth with reference to Figures 1. 4 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. In a fluid pressure motor consisting of a casing made in two or more
parts a shaft B and a radial piston C the combination of the said piston with a
steam supply passage G2 divided into two branches G G and the pipe Z³ divided
into two branches Z Z¹ communicating with opposite extremities of the casing A
(the said divided pipe admitting of being replaced by a single pipe without
branches connected with either end of the casing) for the purpose of reversing the
engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1. 2. 3
and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Nine. In a motor with a piston having an angular reciprocating motion, the
combination of an arm Q fixed upon the piston shaft with a main valve lever R.
the extremities of which are connected to the valve rods with two levers S. S¹ and
with two small two armed levers T T substantially in the manner and for the
purpose hereinbefore set forth with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Ten. In a motor with a piston having an angular reciprocating motion the
combination of the arm Q keyed upon the piston shaft and capable of adjustment
by means of nuts or otherwise with a main valve lever R vibrating upon a centre O
carried by a bracket L attached to the casing in casting or otherwise the said valve
lever, being provided with cam surfaces or inclines at the front part and being
connected to the valve rods substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before set forth with reference to Figures 5. 6 and 7. of the accompanying drawings.
Eleven. In a motor with a piston having an angular reciprocating motion the
combination of an arm Q fixed upon the piston shaft and provided at its lower
extremity with a tooth q with a valve lever R (vibrating upon a centre O carried
by a bracket L attached to the casing in the casting or otherwise) connected to
the valve rods and with two levers S S vibrating on centres 253 carried by
lugs N. N attached to the casing by casting or otherwise the said levers S. S¹
carrying projections 8. acted upon by the tooth on the arm Q and being
provided with elongated openings or slots for the reception of the arms
the valve lever R substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore
set forth with reference to Figures 5. 6 and 7. of the accompanying drawings.
of
Twelve. In a motor with a piston having an angular reciprocating motion the
combination of an arm Q fixed upon the piston shaft and capable of adjustment by
means of nuts or otherwise with a valve lever R. (vibrating upon a centre O carried
by a bracket L attached to the casing by casting or otherwise) connected with the
valve rods and with two small two armed levers TT vibrating on centres (2 t³ carried
by lugs M M attached to the casing by casting or otherwise the said two armed
levers T. T having upper arms to with or without adjusting screws v. v¹ or other
equivalent device the said arns to acting upon the back of the valve lever R, and
the said two arm levers T T' being provided at their lower part with arms t. t which
arc acted on alternately by the arm Q substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein before set forth with reference to Figures 5. 6. and 7 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Thirteen. The general construction arrangement and combination of a motor
with a piston having a reciprocating angular motion substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated 2nd July 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.