Improvements in Velocipedes and similar Vehicles with Hydraulic Transmission of Power.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Velocipedes and similar Vehicles with Hydraulic
Transmission of Power.
I, HERMANN BETCHE, of 1, Neue Ross-strasse, Berlin S., in the German
Empire, Engineer and Captain, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
In all the velocipedes hitherto used, the ratio at which the rotary motion is
transmitted from the pedal axle to the driving wheel axle, whether such trans-
mission is effected by toothed gearing or hydraulic motors, is determined by
the difference in the radial dimensions of the wheels or motors fixed upon the
pedal axle and the wheel axle respectively.
My invention consists chiefly in determining the ratio of the speed of the
wheel axle relatively to that of the pedal axle in velocipedes and like vehicles
in which the power is transmitted by hydraulic pressure, not by a radial
enlargement of the hydraulic motor on the pedal axle relatively. to the motor
arranged on the wheel axle, but by a corresponding increase of the breadth of
the former relatively to the latter. Thereby the advantage is obtained that
the levers at which the power is applied, that is to say the pedal cranks, which
vary only slightly in length, are utilised much more effectively for transmitting
the power, and that even when rotary motors or pumps of equal diameters, are
arranged on the pedal shaft and wheel axle, any desired ratio of speed can; be
obtained. My invention further consists in the hereinafter described improve-
ments in and connected with the rotary hydraulic pumps or motors employed
for the transmission of power in the manner aforesaid.
.On the drawing appended hereunto, Figure 1 shows a side view of a veloci-.
pede in which the hydraulic driving motor on the pedal axle has the same
diameter as the driven motor on the back wheel axle.
.
Figure 2 shows the improved construction of the driving motor or pump
arranged on the pedal axle, in vertical section on an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 shows another motor of known construction for the back wheel
axle, in vertical section:
Figure 4 a horizontal section through the motors shewn on Figure 1 on an
enlarged scale.
On the pedal axle a, Figures 1 and 4, the hydraulic motor A is arranged.
and on the back wheel axle the other hydraulic motor B. The casings of
the motors A and B are connected by the pipes C, D in such a manner that
when the crank K is rotated, the liquid is pressed by the motor A through the
pipe D into the motor B. drives the same and passing through it returns by
the pipe C to the motor A, in order to begin again the same circulation.
The casing of the motor A is fixed to the cycle frame, while the casing of
the motor B is supported by the pipes CD and may be. further fixed to the
stars of the frame

page_text: As Figure 1 shows, both hydraulic motors A and B have the same diameter.
In order to drive the back wheel axle from the pedal axle at the desired
increased number of revolutions, the motor A on the latter axle is made broader
than the motor B on the wheel axle in the inverse ratio of the speeds of the
axles. In consequence notwithstanding the equality of the diameters of the
motors A and B, the back wheel of the velocipede will be turned for each
revolution of the pedal cranks at an increased number of revolutions in the same
ratio as that of the volumes of liquids contained in the motors A and B.
By obtaining the ratio of speeds by the difference in the width of the motors A
and B in the manner aforesaid, and not by a difference in their diameters, it is
possible to arrange on the pedal axle a motor as small in diameter as that on
the back wheel axle, and thus obtain a much more favourable condition for the
transmission of power from the pedal crank K than has hitherto been possible.
The construction of the motors themselves is immaterial in this respect, and
any suitable known kind of rotary hydraulic motors or pumps may be used,
for instance that represented by Figure 3. In that case a disc E is keyed upon
the back wheel axle and the casing B placed excentrically to the disc Eso that
the latter slides on the side of the case B turned towards the pedal axle and is
packed tightly by means of a block F which is guided and held in a box-shaped
enlargement of the motor case and pushed by spring pressure against the disc.
The latter is slotted diametrically and the wing plates ee are ground to fit in
the slot and made of such length that when the disc E is rotated, the wings e e
slide on the wall of the casing B and move in and out automatically in the slot
of the disc E.
This kind of rotary motor or pump however is difficult to keep tight for any
length of time, and preferably I employ the kind of motor represented by
Figure 2.
In this case a disc is keyed upon the pedal axle, consisting of the two parts g9
which are concentrical with the motor casing and the excentric part G between
them. The concentric parts slide with their entire circumference on
the inside of the casing and may be packed at the circumference by ordinary
piston rings, while the excentric part slides on the inner circumference of the
case with the block f which is pushed out by a spring. The slide H fitted
liquid-tight between the concentric parts y g of the disc, presses against the
excentric part G of the disc, and is guided as tightly as possible in the casing h
and subjected to the pressure of a viscous lubricating material which fills the
box I. In this box the piston subjected to the pressure of a spring is so
arranged that it presses continuously upon the lubricating material below it.
The slide H as shewn by Figure 2 is made hollow and slit at its front end in
such a way that a small quantity of the lubricating material filling the box I,
can pass out in front upon the excentric part G of the disc as well as laterally
upon the concentric parts gg. The viscous lubricant assists in forming a liquid
tight joint between the face of the slide H and the excentric G. The block f
rotates with the excentric part G and is formed at its face with the same
circular curvature as the inside of the motor casing A, thus assuring a broad
packing surface which is only diminished when it passes the inlet openings of
the pipes C and D).
When the excentric G is turned by the pedal crank towards the slide H, it
pushes the slide into the casing and the lubricant into the box I under the
piston so that the piston is raised. When the block f passes the slit in the
face of the slide H. it takes off a little of the viscous lubricant, so that its
tight fit against the wall of the casing is increased thereby when it passes on
to it. As the excentric part G passes from the left to the right and finally
returns into the position shewn on Figure 2, the lubricant subject to the pres-
sure of the piston i forces the slide H outwards correspondingly, so that its
face always bears tightly against the excentric. The lateral packing of the
slide H is effected on the one hand by the accurate grinding in of the same

page_text: between the concentric discs 9 g on the other hand by the viscous lubricant
under pressure in the lateral slits.
Besides a good packing of the working parts of the motor in order to assure
the best possible utilisation of the power, a necessary condition of a proper
action is that both motors and the connecting pipes C and D) should be coin-
pletely filled with liquid, as air enclosed in the same might nullify the action
of the entire apparatus. In order to remove this danger, on one of the motors
or on each of them, a special filling apparatus is arranged. Into a socket & at
the highest point of the casing of the motor A, a cup L is screwed containing
a piston M under spring pressure, which piston together with its piston rod
passing through the cover of the cup is bored with a central bore m, which can
be closed hermetically by means of a screw 0. A similar filling apparatus is
arranged on the motor B, or if this is not desired, the pedal axle a is placed so
much higher than the backwheel axle that when filling the apparatus with
liquid the air flows towards the cup L and can escape through it.
The cup L is then filled for the greater part, the piston M inserted and the
cover N loosely screwed on, when the air below the piston M and finally the
liquid will escape through the bore m. As soon as liquid issues from the bore
or passage m the screw is firmly screwed in and the passage closed thereby
and the cover N now firmly screwed on. As the piston cannot sink lower, the
spring loading the same is further tightened thereby. The cup L thus forms
an auxiliary reservoir from which the liquid which may be lost by slight
leakages from the motor is automatically replaced.
Dated this 7th day of March 1899
R. J. URQUHART, C.E..
Chartered Patent Agent, 51, Barton Arcade, Manchester.
Improvements in Velocipedes and similar Vehicles with Hydraulic
Transmission of Power.
I, HERMANN BETCHE. of 1, Neue Ross-strasse, Berlin S., in the German
Empire, Engineer and Captain, 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 all the velocipedes hitherto used, the ratio at which the rotary motion is
transmitted from the pedal axle to the driving wheel axle, whether such trans-
mission is effected by toothed gearing or hydraulic motors, is determined by
the difference in the radial dimensions of the wheels or motors fixed upon the
pedal axle and the wheel axle respectively.
My invention consists chiefly in determining the ratio of the speed of the
wheel axle relatively to that of the pedal axle in velocipedes and like vehicles
in which the power is transmitted by hydraulic pressure, not by a radial
enlargement of the hydraulic motor on the pedal axle relatively to the motor
arranged on the wheel axle, but by a corresponding increase of the breadth of
the former relatively to the latter. Thereby the advantage is obtained that
the levers at which the power is applied, that is to say the pedal cranks, which
vary only slightly in length, are utilised much more effectively for transmitting
the power, and that even when rotary motors or pumps of equal diameters are
arranged on the pedal shaft and wheel axle, any desired ratio of speed can be

page_text: '
obtained. My invention further consists in the hereinafter described improye
ments in and connected with the rotary hydraulic pumps or motors' employed
for the transmission of power in the manner aforesaid.
On the drawing sent in with the Provisional Specification, Figure 1 shows a
side view of a velocipede in which the hydraulic driving motor on the pedal
asle has the same diameter as the driven motor on the back wheel axle.
'Figure 2 shows the improved construction of the driving motor or pump
arranged on the pedal axle, in vertical section, on an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 shows another motor of known construction for the back wheel
axle, in vertical section;
Figure 4 a horizontal section through the motors shown on
enlarged scale.
10
Figure, I on an
On the pedal, axle, Figures 1 and 4, the hydraulic motor A is arranged;
and on the back wheel axle 6 the other hydraulic motor B. The casings of
the motors A and B are connected by the pipes C, D, in such a manner that
when the crank K is rotated, the liquid is pressed by the motor A through the
pipe D into the motor B. drives the same and passing through it returns by
the pipe C to the motor A, in order to begin again the same circulation.
The casing of the motor A is fixed to the cycle frame, while the casing of
the motor B is supported by the pipes C, D and may be further fixed to the
stays of the frame."
As Figure 1 shows, both hydraulic motors A and B have the same diameter:
In order to drive the back wheel axle from the pedal axle at the desired
increased number of revolutions, the motor A on the latter axle is made broader
than the motor B on the wheel axle in the inverse ratio of the speeds of the
axles. In consequence, notwithstanding the equality of the diameters of the
motors A and B, the back wheel of the velocipede will be turned for each
revolution of the pedal cranks at an increased number of revolutions in the same
ratio as that of the volumes of liquids contained in the motors A and B.
By obtaining the ratio of speeds by the difference in the width of the motors A
and B in the manner aforesaid, and not by a difference in their diameters, it is
possible to arrange on the pedal axle « a motor as small in diameter as that on
the back wheel axle, and thus obtain a much more favourable condition for the
transmission of power from the pedal crank K than has hitherto been possible.
The construction of the motors themselves is immaterial in this respect, and
any suitable known kind of rotary hydraulic motors or pumps may be used,
for instance that represented by Figure 3. In that case a disc E is keyed upon
the backwheel axle and the casing B placed eccentrically to the disc Eso that
the latter slides on the side of the case B3 turned towards the pedal axle and is
packed tightly by means of a block F which is guided and held in a box-shaped
enlargement of the motor case and pushed by spring pressure against the disc.
The latter is slotted diametrically and the wing plates e e are ground to fit in
the slot and made of such length that when the disc is rotated, the wings ce
slide on the wall of the casing B and move in and out automatically in the slot
of the disc E.
This kind of rotary motor or pump however is difficult to keep tight for any
length of time, and preferably I employ the kind of motor represented by
Figure 2.
In this case a disc is keyed upon the pedal axle, consisting of the two parts gg
which are concentrical with the motor casing, and of the eccentric part G between
them. The concentric parts gg slide with their entire circumference on
the inside of the casing and may be packed at the circumference by ordinary,
piston rings, while the eccentric part slides on the inner circumference of the
case with the block f which is pushed out by spring. The slide H fitted
liquid-tight between the concentric parts g g of the disc, presses against the
excentric part G of the disc, and is guided as tightly as possible in the casing h
L
r.

page_text: and subjected to the pressure of a viscous lubricating material which fills the
box I. In this box the piston i subjected to the pressure of a spring is so
arranged that it presses continuously upon the lubricating material below it.
The slide H as shewn by Figure 2 is made hollow and slit at its front end in
such a way that a small quantity of the lubricating material filling the box I,
can pass out in front upon the excentric part G of the disc as well as laterally
upon the concentric parts g 9. The viscous lubricant assists in forming a liquid
tight joint between the face of the slide H and the excentric G. The block f
rotates with the excentric part G and is formed at its face with the same
circular curvature as the inside of the motor casing A, thus assuring a broad
packing surface which is only diminished when it passes the inlet openings of
the pipes C and D.
When the excentric G is turned by the pedal crank towards the slide H, it
pushes the slide into the casing and the lubricant into the box I under the
piston so that the piston is raised. When the block f passes the slit in the
face of the slide H, it takes off a little of the viscous lubricant, so that its
tight fit against the wall of the casing is increased thereby when it passes on
to it. As the excentric part G passes from the left to the right and finally
returns into the position shewn on Figure 2, the lubricant subject to the pres-
sure of the piston forces the slide H outwards correspondingly, so that its
face always bears tightly against the excentric. The lateral packing of the
slide H is effected on the one hand by the accurate grinding in of the same
between the concentric dises g g on the other hand by the viscous lubricant
under pressure in the lateral slits.
Besides a good packing of the working parts of the motor in order to assure
the best possible utilisation of the power, a necessary condition of a proper
action is that both motors and the connecting pipes C and D should be com-
pletely filled with liquid, as air enclosed in the same might nullify the action
of the entire apparatus. In order to remove this danger, on one of the motors,
or on each of them, a special filling or compensating apparatus is arranged.
Into a socket t at the highest point of the casing of the motor A a cup L is
screwed containing a piston M under spring pressure, which piston together
with its piston rod passing through the cover of the cup is bored with a central
bore m, which can be closed hermetically by means of a screw 0. A similar
filling apparatus is arranged on the motor B or if this is not desired, the pedal
axle is placed so much higher than the back wheel axle b that when filling
the apparatus with liquid the air flows towards the cup L and can escape
through it.
The cup L is then filled for the greater part, the piston M inserted and the
cover N loosely screwed on when the air below the piston M and finally the
liquid will escape through the bore m. As soon as liquid issues from the bore
or passage m the screw is firmly screwed in and the passage closed thereby
and the cover N now firmly screwed on. As the piston cannot sink lower, the
spring loading the same is further tightened thereby. The cup L thus forms
an auxiliary reservoir from which the liquid which may be lost by slight
leakages from the motor is automatically replaced.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. In velocipedes and similar vehicles with hydraulic transmission of power
the use and arrangement of an hydraulic motor or pump on the crank axle
and on the driving wheel axle respectively which motors have the same or
approximately the same diameter but different widths for the purpose of
rotating the driving wheel axle at a greater speed than the crank axle is rotated
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.

page_text: 2. In velocipedes and similar vehicles with hydraulic transmission of power
the arrangement of a hydraulic motor or pump containing an excentric disc (G)
with a sliding block (f) pressed outward by a spring and having the same cur-
vature as the casing, and a slide (H) in the motor casing pressed against said
disc by hydraulic pressure produced by a spring acting by means of a piston
upon a fubricant enclosed between said piston and slide, substantially as
herein before described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.
3. In velocipedes and similar vehicles with hydraulic transmission of power
the arrangement of a filling or compensating apparatus on the motor or pipe
consisting of a cup containing a piston under spring pressure with a piston
rod protruding through the cover of the cup, said piston and rod having a
central bore closed by a screw or its equivalent, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 7th day of December 1899.
R. J. URQUHART, C.E.,
Chartered Patent Agent, Manchester & Liverpool.