A Light Motor Engine to be Worked either by Steam, Petroleum Vapour or other Motor Fluid.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left 11th Jan 1900-Accepted. 17th Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Light Motor Engine to be Worked either by Steam, Petroleum
Vapour or other Motor Fluid.
I, Count HILAIRE DE CHARDONNET, of No. 43, Rue Cambon, Paris, France, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a construction of motor engine wherein a reciprocating
rotary motion of the piston or equivalent device may be directly transmitted
as continuous rotary motion from the axis of the motor to a shaft in line there-
with, such reciprocating rotary motion may however also if required, be trans-
mitted as continuous rotary motion to an external shaft, by means of crank and
connecting rods, in the ordinary manner of engines with rectilinearly recipro-
cating pistons.
The motor engine can be worked either by elastic fluids such as steam or
compressed or heated air, or as an internal combustion engine worked by
combustible mixtures of gas and oil vapour, with, or without previously com-
pressed air supply.
I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section and Fig. 2 a cross section of a steam
engine according to my invention Fig. 3 is an end view and Fig. 4 a front view.
According to my invention the ordinary motor cylinder is replaced by a
chamber formed of a segment of a surface of revolution a (cylinder, or sphere)
within which oscillates a diametrical plane 6 fixed on an axis c, which plane
replaces the ordinary piston and which is situated between two other fixed
planes which serve as end surfaces to the segment chamber. The parts of
the surface of revolution are arranged in pairs in two symmetrical quadrants
in the spaces between which are placed the admission and exhaust appliances
for the steam or gases.
This arrangement also reduces the friction in the bearings.
These appliances are in the form of distributing cocks or barrel valves f
actuated without any intermediate mechanism, by means of cam devices gh
Figs. 5 and 6 fixed directly on the oscillating shaft c of the piston. The
transmitting mechanism and articulated connections being thus dispensed with,
the engine can oscillate freely and rapidly. The motion of the piston is entirely
independent of the mechanism to which it is connected for utilising the power.
The distributing valves f are so arranged. as, by one and the same movement
to supply the two contiguous ends d of the two opposite quadrants. Fig. 7
shews a pair of these valves in longitudinal section. the two valves serving to
supply the two contiguous ends d d, of the quadrant chambers, the one serving
as supply valve and the other as exhaust valve, being mounted end to end.
A cam piece g Fig. 5 works the two supply valves and a second cam piece h
the two exhaust valves.
T1
+17
1

page_text: The surface of revolution preferably used is that of a sphere, and the angle of
oscillation, or stroke is 90°.
The engine can be constructed like ordinary engines to be either double acting
or single acting. In the latter case an opposing spiral or other spring may
bring the piston back to its original position, after each working stroke."
The fluid tight working of the oscillating shaft is insured by means of metallic
or fibrous packing i if required.
In engines of my system the frictional joints are entirely metallic and are
constructed according to a new principle which is as follows:
Each frictional joint is constituted by two contiguous surfaces which are
united by a lubricant that produces the fluid tight joint.
Whether the elastic fluid itself penetrates between these surfaces in conse-
quence of a defect, or whether the pressure is transmitted to the liquid lubricant,
the joint is required at each moment to resist over its entire surface the maximum
pressure of the elastic fluid. The surfaces require therefore to be held together
by means of a force at least as great as the maximum pressure of the elastic
fluid upon the same extent of surface.
I apply this principle of construction to the three kinds of joints employed
in my said motor engine as I will describe with reference to Figs. 8 and 9 for a
circular joint, and to Figs. 10 and 11 for a straight joint.
The circular segments imbedded in the oscillating pistons (Figs. 8 and 9)
rest upon a steel spring k of sinuous curvature, capable of resisting at least the
pressure which the elastic fluid would exercise if it acted freely upon the surface
of the segment.
The straight joint along the oscillating axis c (Figs. 10 and 11) is insured in
the same manner by straight bars acted upon by sinuous springs m.
These segmental bars have the peculiarity that they are formed with bevil
surfaces at the ends in order not to leave any space between them and the
annular segments which will be presently mentioned.
A wedge pressed by a special spring insures the contact of the two ends;
it is made of softer metal than the segments, so that it may act properly.
The circular joints i are preferably formed by divided circular segments like
the segments of ordinary pistons, with the difference that they exercise an
inward directed pressure upon the axis equal to the pressure of the elastic fluid.
APPLICATION OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PRINCIPLES TO A STEAM ENGINE.
The exhaust cam (shewn separately at Fig. 6) is formed by two tappets p
for each distributor, which push the stud 2 of the admission valve to the end of
its stroke.
The admission cam g (Fig. 5) which has to effect the expansion, on the other
hand, is provided for this purpose between the tappets z acting upon the abut-
ments of the valves f, with an intermediate projections which moves the
valve back into the middle position in which all passages are closed. The action
is as follows: At the end of the piston's stroke the cam g in moving in the
direction of the arrow Fig. 5, causes the tappet r to strike against the abutment t
and pushes it, causing the valve to turn through a small angle preparatory to its
opening movements; the abutment t is then in the path through which passes
the tappet z of the cam, and at the commencement of the return motion of the
piston, the tappet z touches and in consequence of its inclined surface it
completes the turning of the valve into the full open position.
The return motion continuing the projections bears against the block a¹ and
brings the valve back to its middle closed position, as shewn on the drawing.
The entire engine is constructed of steel except the ends of the segments
which also serve for fixing the valves and the spheroidal quadrant chambers to
the foundation; these ends are made either of cast iron or bronze; or aluminium
bronze may be used for the sake of lightness.
The steam engine works as follows.
On each side of the pistons, on the ends carrying the distributing appliances

page_text: are adapted in addition to the exhaust valves, steam starting valves communi-
cating directly with the boiler and supplying the chambers without passing
through the distributing appliances. These starting valves have a much smaller
section than the distributing valves (1/10th or 20th).
They are coupled in pairs corresponding to the symmetrical faces of the two
pistons. The one or the other is opened according to the direction in which
the engine is to be started.
The elastic fluid although entering slowly through the starting valve, exerts its
full pressure for starting the piston's stroke.
The engine being thus started the distributing valves begin to work in the
normal manner. The starting valves are then closed at leisure as the small
amount of steam admitted by them does not materially affect the regular working
of the engine, they are left open.
The above described arrangement of the engine may be readily adapted for
working with double and triple expansion. In that case several spherical engines
are combined in the same way as the cylinders of ordinary compound and
multiplex expansion engines are combined.
The above mentioned starting valve may be applied to all the cylinders so as
to admit full pressure steam to all on starting, so that the considerably increased
force necessary for starting is thus obtained.
This arrangement may be applied to all compound engines but in ordinary
engines it necessitates an increase of strength and consequently of weight in
all the expansion cylinders in order to enable them to withstand the full steam
pressure, and this increase of weight would during the normal working propor-
tionately increase the resistances due to inertia and friction.
In applying this method to engines constructed according to the present
invention on the other hand, the necessary increase of weight would be compara-
tively insignificant.
PETROLEUM MOTOR ENGINE.
Fig. 12 shews a longitudinal section of a petroleum motor engine constructed
according to my invention.
Fig. 13 shews an arrangement for transforming the oscillating motion of the
piston into a continuous circular motion.
Fig. 14 shews the distributing mechanism and Fig. 15 a cross section. The
distributing devices are the same as in the steam engines with the exception
of the following differences.
The engine is equivalent to four single acting gas motor engines working
with a fourstroke cycle, each semi-quadrant acting successively and independently
so that there is always a propelling moment in the one direction or the other.
A single supply cock or barrel valve 1 works the two contiguous semi-quad-
rants 2 and 3; another identical valve 4 works the other two 5 and 6.
The valves 1 and 4 are shewn in longitudinal section at Fig. 12 in transverse
section at Fig. 16 and in section on line C D Fig. 17.
The barrel is divided by a transverse partition 7 and each cavity thus formed
acts by itself in combination with one of the semi-quadrants.
The valve makes a complete revolution in one fourstroke cycle in turning
suddenly one quarter round from the one position into the next, as will be
presently explained.
The ports are arranged in different planes; on one of these planes four ports 8
arranged in a circle maintain the interior of the barrel always in communication
with the piston; on the contiguous plane and in the same compartment of the
valve a single port 9 occupies one quarter of the circumference, less the thickness
of the sides and communicates at the required moments with the suction passage 10
of the gaseous mixture, with the exhaust passage 11. and with the igniting
tube 12 (Fig. 15). Thus, during the first quarter will be effected the suction
stroke, during the second, the compression, during the third, the explosion, and
during the fourth, the discharge. The explosion takes place alternately at each

page_text: end.
In the engine shewn the explosive mixture is compressed to one fourth
its volume. The port 9, which successively puts the combustion chamber
constituted by the interior of the corresponding part of the valve, in communica-
tion with the discharge and the admission, puts it during the third period in
communication with a metal tube 12 containing platinum sponge or other
suitable porous material.
The tube is heated at starting by a blow pipe flame of any kind fed by a
special reservoir of carburetted air or other combustible fluid.
The compressed explosive mixture in coming in contact with the heated plati-
num sponge is ignited and thereby heats the platinum to a higher degree. Once
the engine is started, the successive explosions maintain the platinum in a
state of incandescence.
In order to prevent the explosion gases from remaining in the tube 12, a very
small capillary opening 15 (Fig. 15) is formed in its end through which the
tube can be emptied or gases when it is cut off from the combustion chamber
such small opening will only diminish the pressure to an inappreciable degree
during the combustion. The ignition might also be effected by means of an
electric spark of any known arrangement.
The barrel valve is supported by two bearings 13 in order not to subject the
surfaces in frictional contact to pressure.
The sudden step by step movements of the valve through one fourth of a
revolution is effected by means of a small plate 16 having four arms 17 fixed on
the axis of each motor. These arms are arranged to act successively upon the
stud 18 situated in its path, and to cause the valve to be turned through one
fourth of a revolution. A plate 16 is arranged at each end of the engine in order
to insure a precise motion of the barrel valve. For accelerating the cooling of
the motor engine light spherical hoods 19 (of brass or aluminium) are fitted over
the parts which become heated.
In the hoods 19 are fixed fan blades 20 so that when the hoods are revolved
they produce air currents which are the more rapid the quicker the hoods revolve.
They are driven by a cord pulley receiving motion from a pulley suitably mounted
on the engine shaft, or by any other convenient means.
Fig. 13 shews an arrangement for transforming the reciprocating motion of
the piston into a continuous rotary motion. On the axis 21 of the piston 22 is
fixed a beam 23 connected by links 24 to two cranks 25 fixed on the axes of the
two pinions 26 which gear with an internally toothed wheel 27 from which the
motive power is taken.
A clutch apparatus for converting the reciprocating motion of the above
described motor into the continuous rotary motion of a shaft in line with the
engine axis is arranged as shewn at Fig. 18, which is also applicable for the first
described steam engine.
The oscillating axis of the engine, carried in bearings has at its one end a
flanged disc 28 surrounding the revolving shaft arranged in line with the motor
axis. Between this disc and the revolving shaft are arranged a number of
wedges 29 parallel to the axis, one rounded angle of which wedges rests in a
notch of the revolving shaft 30 while the opposite face is put alternately in
contact with the disc 28 so that when the axis and the disc revolve in the same
direction there is contact, while the wedge is out of contact when they revolve in
contrary directions.
The wedges are of course so arranged as to be in contact during the working
stroke of the engine when this is single acting.
When the engine is double acting there are arranged two similar flanged dises
one at each end of the engine shaft, the wedges of the one disc being arranged in
the opposite direction to those of the other disc, so that by this means each
oscillation of the engine axis imparts rotary motion in a contrary direction to a
shaft at each end of and in line with the engine's axis, the motion of the one
shaft being reversed if required by any suitable reversing gear; or the motion of

page_text: both shafts may be imparted to a third shaft in the one case by an open belt
and in the other case by a crossed belt so that the third shaft will be rotated
continuously in the same direction.
If it be desired to apply the above described double acting engine to the driving
of the wheel axle of a vehicle such axle is divided in two, the one half being
driven direct and the other by reversing gear; in this case, each wheel being
driven by a separate stroke of the piston, no differential coupling such as
ordinarily employed is required.
In Fig. 18 which shews the clutch, 30 is the continuous revolving shaft, the
end of which is arranged to take a bearing in the hollow end of the engine axis;
the disc 28 is screwed and keyed on a shaft and its rim has a lining of leather 33
for increasing the frictional contact with the wedges. Two circular channels
contain springs 35 fixed to the wedges 29 and kept in frictional contact with the
said lining so as to start the action of the wedges at each oscillation of the disc.
The wedges have to fulfil the following conditions:.
a. They must be capable of assuming under the action of the springs 35,
attached thereto by studs 37, a slight oscillatory motion upon their support
whereby they are applied against the leather 33 when the disc 28 imparts
rotation to the shaft, and are withdrawn therefrom when the disc recedes.
b. They must have an inclination relatively to the disc included in the angle
of friction, namely about 30° for leather.
c. They must afford sufficient contact surface for preventing any crushing of
the materials of such surfaces, namely leather and iron.
1
. .
1 1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
A Light Motor Engine to be Worked either by Steam, Petroleum
Vapour or other Motor Fluid.
I, Count HILAIRE DE CHARDONNET, of No. 43, Rue Cambon, Paris, France, 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:
This invention relates to a construction of motor engine wherein a reciprocating
1otary motion of the piston or equivalent device may be directly transmitted
as continuous rotary motion from the axis of the motor to a shaft in line there-
with, such reciprocating rotary motion may however also if required, be trans-
mitted as continuous rotary motion to an external shaft, by means of crank and
connecting rods, in the ordinary manner of engines with rectilinearly recipro-
cating pistons.
The motor engine can be worked either by elastic fluids such as steam or
compressed or heated air, or as an internal combustion engine worked by
combustible mixtures of gas and oil vapour, with, or without previously com-
pressed air supply.
I will describe my invention with reference to the drawings accompanying
my Provisional Specification, in which Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section and
Fig. 2 a cross section of a steam engine according to my invention. Fig. 3 is
an end view and Fig. 4 a front view..
According to my invention the ordinary motor cylinder is replaced by a

page_text: chamber formed of a segment of a surface of revolution a (cylinder or sphere)
within which oscillates a diametrical plane fixed on an axis c, which plane
replaces the ordinary piston and which is situated between two other fixed
planes which serve as end surfaces to the segment chamber. The parts of
the surface of revolution are arranged in pairs in two symmetrical quadrants
in the spaces between which are placed the admission and exhaust appliances
for the steam or gases.
This arrangement also reduces the friction in the bearings.
The
These appliances are in the form of distributing cocks or barrel valves f
actuated without any intermediate mechanism, by means of cam devices gh
(Figs. 5 and 6) fixed directly on the oscillating shaft c of the piston.
transmitting mechanism and articulated connections being thus dispensed with,
the engine can oscillate freely and rapidly. The motion of the piston is entirely
independent of the mechanism to which it is connected for utilising the power.
The distributing valves f are so arranged as, by one and the same movement
to supply the two contiguous ends of the two opposite quadrants. Fig. 7
shews a pair of these valves in longitudinal section, the two valves serving to
supply the two contiguous ends & d, of the quadrant chambers, the one serving
as supply valve and the other as exhaust valve, being mounted end to end.
A cam piece g Fig. 5 works the two supply valves and a second cam piece h
the two exhaust valves.
The action of these valves will be presently described.
The surface of revolution preferably used is that of a sphere, and the angle of
oscillation or stroke is 90°.
The engine can be constructed-like ordinary engines to be either double acting
or single acting. In 'the latter case an opposing spiral or other spring may
bring the piston back to its original position, after each working stroke.
The fluid tight working of the oscillating shaft is insured by means of metallic
or fibrous packing i if required.
In engines of my system the frictional joints are entirely metallic and are
constructed according to a new principle which is as follows:.
Each frictional joint is constituted by two contiguous surfaces which are
united by a lubricant that produces the fluid tight joint.
Whether the elastic fluid itself penetrates between these surfaces in conse-
quence of a defect, or whether the pressure is transmitted to the liquid lubricant,
the joint is required at each moment to resist over its entire surface the maximum
pressure of the elastic fluid. The surfaces require therefore to be held together
by means of a force at least as great as the maximum pressure of the elastic
fluid upon the same extent of surface.
I apply this principle of construction to the three kinds of joints employed
in my said motor engine as I will describe with reference to Figs. 8 and 9 for a
circular joint, and to Figs. 10 and 11 for a straight joint.
The circular segments imbedded in the oscillating pistons b (Figs. 8 and 9)
rest upon a steel spring k of sinuous curvature, capable of resisting at least the
pressure which the elastic fluid would exercise if it acted freely upon the surface
of the segment.
The straight joint along the oscillating axis c (Figs. 10 and 11) is insured in
the same manner by straight bars acted upon by sinuous springs m.
These segmental bars have the peculiarity that they are formed with bevil
surfaces at the ends in order not to leave any space between them and the.
annular segments i which will be presently mentioned.
A wedge n pressed by a special spring insures the contact of the two ends;
it is made of softer metal than the segments, so that it may act properly.
The circular joints are preferably formed by divided circular segments like
the segments of ordinary pistons, with the difference that they exercise an
inward directed pressure upon the axis equal to the pressure of the elastic fluid.

page_text: APPLICATION OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PRINCIPLES TO A STEAM ENGINE.
The exhaust cam h (shewn separately at Fig. 6) is formed by two tappets p
for each distributor, which push the stud q of the admission valve to the end of
its stroke.
The admission cam g (Fig. 5) which has to effect the expansion, on the other
hand, is provided for this purpose between the tappets r z acting upon the abut-
ments of the valves f, with an intermediate projections which moves the
valve back into the middle position in which all passages are closed. The action
is as follows: At the end of the piston's stroke the cam g in moving in the
direction of the arrow Fig. 5, causes the tappet r to strike against the abutment t
and pushes it, causing the valve to turn through a small angle preparatory to its
opening movements, the abutment is then in the path through which passes
the tappet z of the cam, and at the commencement of the return motion of the
piston, the tappet touches and in consequence of its inclined surface it
completes the turning of the valve into the full open position.
The return motion continuing the projections bears against the block a and
brings the valve back to its middle closed position, as shewn on the drawing.
The entire engine is constructed of steel except the ends of the segments
which also serve for fixing the valves and the spheroidal quadrant chambers to
the foundation, these ends are made either of cast iron or bronze; or aluminium
bronze may be used for the sake of lightness.
The steam engine works as follows.
On each side of the pistons on the ends carrying the distributing appliances
are adapted in addition to the exhaust valves, steam starting valves communi-
cating directly with the boiler and supplying the chambers without passing
through the distributing appliances. These starting valves have a much smaller
section than the distributing valves (1/10th or 10th).
They are coupled in pairs corresponding to the symmetrical faces of the two
pistons. The one or the other is opened according to the direction in which
the engine is to be started.
The elastic fluid although entering slowly through the starting valve exerts its
full pressure for starting the piston's stroke.
The engine being thus started the distributing valves begin to work in the
normal manner. The starting valves are then closed at leisure, as the small
amount of steam admitted by them does not materially affect the regular working
of the engine if they are left open.
The above described arrangement of the engine may be readily adapted for
working with double and triple expansion. In that case several spherical engines
are combined in the same way as the cylinders of ordinary compound and
multiplex expansion engines are combined."
The above mentioned starting valve may be applied to all the cylinders so as
to admit full pressure steam to all on starting, so that the considerably increased
force necessary for starting is thus obtained.
This arrangement may be applied to all compound engines but in ordinary
engines it necessitates an increase of strength and consequently of weight in
all the expansion cylinders in order to enable them to withstand the full steam
pressure and this increase of weight would during the normal working propor-
tionately increase the resistances due to inertia and friction.
In applying this method to engines constructed according to the present
invention on the other hand, the necessary increase of weight would be compara-
tively insignificant.
PETROLEUM MOTOR ENGINE.
Fig. 12 shews a longitudinal section of a petroleum motor engine constructed
according to my invention.
Fig. 13 shews an arrangement for transforming the oscillating motion of the
piston into a continuous circular motion.
Fig. 14 shews the distributing mechanism and Fig. 15 a cross section. The

page_text: distributing devices are the same as in the steam engines with the exception
of the following differences.
The engine is equivalent to four single acting gas motor engines working
with a four-stroke cycle, each semi-quadrant acting successively and independently
so that there is always a propelling moment in the one direction or the other.
A single supply cock or barrel valve 1 works the two contiguous semi-quad-
rants 2 and 3: another identical valve 4 works the other two 5 and 6.
The valves 1 and 4 are shewn in longitudinal section at Fig. 12, in transverse
section on line A B at Fig. 16 and in transverse section on line CD Fig. 17.
The barrel is divided by a transverse partition 7 and each cavity thus formed
acts by itself in combination with one of the semi-quadrants.
The valve makes a complete revolution in one fourstroke cycle in turning
suddenly one quarter round from the one position into the next, as will be
presently explained.
The ports are arranged in different planes: on one of these planes four ports 8
arranged in a circle maintain the interior of the barrel always in communication
with the piston; on the contiguous plane and in the same compartment of the
valve a single port 9 occupies one quarter of the circumference less the thickness
of the sides and communicates at the required moments with the suction passage 10
of the gaseous mixture, with the exhaust passage 11. and with the igniting
tube 12 (Fig. 15). Thus, during the first quarter will be effected the suction
stroke, during the second, the compressing, during the third, the explosion, and
during the fourth the discharge. The explosion takes place alternately at each
end. In the engine shewn, the explosive mixture is compressed to one fourth
its volume. The port 9, which successively puts the combustion chamber
constituted by the interior of the corresponding part of the valve, in communica-
tion with the discharge and the admission, puts it during the third period in
communication with a metal tube 12 containing platinum sponge or other
suitable porous material.
The tube is heated at starting by a blow pipe flame of any kind fed by a
special reservoir of carburetted air or other combustible fluid.
The compressed explosive mixture in coming in contact with the heated plati-
num sponge is ignited and thereby heats the platinum to a higher degree. Once
the engine is started, the successive explosions maintain the platinum in a
state of incandescence.
In order to prevent the explosion gases from remaining in the tube 12, a very
small capillary opening 15 (Fig. 15) is formed in its end through which the
tube can be emptied of gases when it is cut off from the combustion chamber
such small opening will only diminish the pressure to an inappreciable degree
during the combustion. The ignition might also be effected by means of an
electric spark of any known arrangement.
The barrel valve is supported by two bearings 13 in order not to subject the
surfaces in frictional contact to pressure.
The sudden step by step movements of the valve through one fourth of a
revolution is effected by means of a small plate 16 having four arms 17 fixed on
the axis of each motor. These arms are arranged to act successively upon the
stud 18 situated in its path, and to cause the valve to be turned through one
fourth of a revolution. A plate 16 is arranged at each end of the engine in order
to insure a precise motion of the barrel valve. For accelerating the cooling of
the motor engine light spherical hoods 19 (of brass or aluminium) are fitted over
the parts which become heated.
In the hoods 19 are fixed fan blades 20 so that when the hoods are revolved
they produce air currents which are the more rapid the quicker the hoods revolve.
They are driven by a cord pulley receiving motion from a pulley suitably mounted
on the engine shaft, or by any other convenient means.
Fig. 13 shews an arrangement for transforming the reciprocating motion of

page_text: the piston into a continuous rotary motion. On the axis 21 of the piston 22 is
fixed a beam 23 connected by links 24 to two cranks 25 fixed on the axes of the
two pinions 26 which gear with an internally toothed wheel 27 from which the
motive power is taken.
A clutch apparatus for converting the reciprocating motion of the above
described motor into the continuous rotary motion of a shaft in line with the
engine axis is arranged as shewn at Fig. 18, which is also applicable. for the first
described steam engine.
The oscillating axis of the engine, carried in bearings has at its one end a
flanged disc 28 surrounding the revolving shaft arranged in line with the motor
axis. Between this disc and the revolving shaft are arranged a number of
wedges 29 parallel to the axis, one rounded angle of which wedges rests in a
notch of the revolving shaft 30 while the opposite face is put alternately in
contact with the disc 28 so that when the axis and the disc revolve in the same
direction there is contact, while the wedge is out of contact when they revolve in
contrary directions.
The wedges are of course so arranged as to be in contact during the working
stroke of the engine when this is single acting.
When the engine is double acting there are arranged two similar flanged discs
one at each end of the engine shaft, the wedges of the one disc being arranged in
the opposite direction to those of the other disc, so that by this means each
oscillation of the engine axis imparts rotary motion in a contrary direction to a
shaft at each end of and in line with the engine's axis, the motion of the one
shaft being reversed if required by any suitable reversing gear; or the motion of
both shafts may be imparted to a third shaft in the one case by an open belt
and in the other case by a crossed belt so that the third shaft will be rotated
continuously in the same direction.
If it be desired to apply the above described double acting engine to the driving
of the wheel axle of a vehicle such axle is divided in two, the one half being
driven direct and the other by reversing gear in this case, each wheel being.
driven by a separate stroke of the piston, no differential coupling such as
ordinarily employed is required.
In Fig. 18 which shews the clutch. 30 is the continuous revolving shaft, the
end of which is arranged to take a bearing in the hollow end of the engine axis:
the disc 28 is screwed and keyed on a shaft and its rim has a lining of leather 33
for increasing the frictional contact with the wedges. Two circular channels
contain springs 35 fixed to the wedges 29 and kept in frictional contact with the
said lining so as to start the action of the wedges at each oscillation of the disc.
The wedges have to fulfil the following conditions:
a. They must be capable of assuming under the action of the springs 35.
attached thereto by studs 37, a slight oscillatory motion upon their support
whereby they are applied against the leather 33 when the disc 28 imparts
rotation to the shaft, and are withdrawn therefrom when the disc recedes.
b. They must have an inclination relatively to the disc included in the angle
of friction, namely about 30° for leather.
c. They must afford sufficient contact surface for preventing any crushing of
the materials of such surfaces, namely leather and iron.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
1. A motor engine wherein the elastic motor fluid is made to operate upon a
piston or its equivalent formed or fixed on the engine shaft so as to communicate
to such shaft a reciprocating rotary motion the said piston working in a casing
having the form of a sphere or other surface of revolution and the engine shaft
or the piston being made at a certain point of its course to act upon suitable

page_text: cocks or valve devices for admitting and discharging the motor fluid, substantially
as described.
2. In a motor engine such as is referred to in the first claim, effecting the
fluid-tight working of the moving parts in contact by means of sinuous springs
of such strength as to counteract the maximum pressure of the motor fluid
substantially as described.
3. In a motor engine such as is referred to in the first claim, the arrangement
of two pistons rigidly connected to the same shaft and working in two opposite
chambers of quadrantal form so as to put the forces to which the shaft is sub-
jected in equilibrio, the devices for the supply and discharge of the motor fluid
to the chambers being arranged in the spaces situated between the said chambers,
substantially as described.
4. In a motor engine of the kind referred to in the first claim the use of devices
for the control of the supply of motor fluid arranged and operating substantially
as herein described for cutting off the supply at any point of the stroke in order
to effect expansion, and for admitting the fluid successively to each of the quad-
rant chambers.
5. In a motor engine such as is referred to in the first claim, combining two
or more of the said motors with quadrantal chambers end to end on one and the
same engine shaft, the chambers of each successive motor being made larger than
those of the preceding one, so as together to form a multiple expansion engine,
substantially as described.
G. In the arrangement of multiple expansion motor engines referred to in the
5th claim, the provision of starting supply cocks with small inlet orifices for
each of the motor chambers so that full fluid pressure can be admitted to the
chambers of all the motors on starting, substantially as described.
7. A motor engine of the kind referred to in the first claim arranged and
operating substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 12 to 17 of
the drawings, so as to act as a four-stroke cycle oil motor engine.
S. In a four stroke oil motor engine such as is referred to in the seventh claim,
effecting the ignition of the combustible charges by contact with incandescent
platinum contained in a tube so arranged as to communicate with the combustion
chamber of the engine at the required moment by the rotation of the barrel valve
which controls the supply of the combustible charges substantially as described.
9. In an oil motor engine of the kind referred to in the 7th and 8th claims,
providing the outer end of the igniting tube with a very small orifice without
valve, for the escape of the combustion gases remaining in the tube, substantially
as described.
10. In an oil motor engine of the kind referred to in the 7th and 8th claims,
arranging the distributing barrel valve in such manner as to perform one revolu-
tion for each cycle of four strokes, each revolution being effected in four rapid
quadrantal motions, substantially as herein described.
11. In motor engines of the kind referred to in the preceding claims effecting
the conversion of the reciprocating rotary motion of the engine shaft into the
continuous rotary motion of a shaft placed in line with the engine shaft by
means of a coupling device consisting of a flanged disc on the engine shaft with
which are engaged clutching wedges on the driven shaft, arranged and operating
substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
12. In an oil motor engine of the kind referred to in the seventh claim the
use for cooling the heated parts of the engine of a fan formed as a spherical
hood containing blades. and revolving over the said parts so as to propel air
currents in contact therewith, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of January 1000.