IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY THE COMBUSTION OF INFLAMMABLE AERIFORM FLUIDS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, of Tew Park, in
the County of Oxford, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY THE COMBUSTION OF
INFLAMMABLE AERIFORM FLUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Piers Watt
Boulton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th June 1868.
I, MATTHEW PIERS WATT BOULTON, of Tew Park, in the County of
Oxford, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY THE COM-
BUSTION OF INFLAMMABLE AERIFORM FLUIDS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in engines in which the ignition of an
inflammable aeriform mixture is used as a source of power. It has for its
object improvements in the construction of. such engines, and in the mode of
lighting the inflammable mixture employed.
In the Specifications of Patents granted to me on the 10th March

page_text: aeriform mixture is used to compress air or aeriform fluid in a vessel, the pro-
ducts of combustion being afterwards employed to generate steam or heat air
or fluid, which in conjunction with the compressed air or fluid is used to work
an engine.
I now proceed to describe a variation in the construction of such
engines or apparatus. After the expansion caused by the ignition of the
inflammable mixture has driven the piston to the end of the cylinder and com-
pressed the air or fluid, I cause the return of the piston by introducing
into the cylinder a portion of the elastic fluid under pressure. A small quantity
of this being admitted the piston receives an impulse which causes it to
perform a full stroke, expelling the products of combustion on the
one side and drawing air or other fluid through valves to fill the space in the
cylinder on the other side. A similar method may be employed for
causing the return movement of the piston necessary for the admis-
sion of the charge of inflammable mixture. A small portion of com-
pressed air or elastic fluid under pressure may be admitted by a
valve to act on the piston or on a plunger connected with it, giving it an
impulse which causes it to perform the necessary movement. This
movement may also be effected by a spring or by a rod moved by the
engine by means of a cam, eccentric, or other suitable mechanism. In engines
of this description the air or fluid compressed by the expansion of the ignited
mixture may be driven immediately into the boiler so as to mingle with the steam
in it.
In order to lubricate and keep cool the piston acted on by the ignited mixture,
water may be drawn during its return stroke through a valve into the cylinder,
and this being expelled during its working stroke through a valve into the boiler
serves for its feed.
In order to utilise more efficiently the action of the heat, the charge
of inflammable mixture may be compressed previous to ignition. For
this purpose the following construction may be employed:-A rod or
plunger is fitted to work through a stuffing box in the bottom of
the cylinder, and this rod is provided with a shifting catch which
fits into a recess in the piston. The rod and catch are operated on by
a cam or other convenient apparatus worked By the engine, so that
the rod can be made to move to and fro and to hold the piston and
release it at suitable times. When the piston has descended to the
bottom of the cylinder and thus cleared it of the products of

page_text: combustion, the rod is protruded into the cylinder and raises the piston
a certain distance, taking hold of it by means of the catch. During
this movement the inflammable mixture enters the cylinder at or near
atmospheric pressure and charges the space under the piston. The
piston is then drawn back by the movement of the catch rod com-
pressing the charge to a pressure of several atmospheres or to such pressure
as may be desired. The catch is then released and the charge
is simultaneously ignited. The expansion of the ignited mixture drives
the piston, as already described, and the action is repeated. In this method
of operating, whilst the initial pressure of the ignited charge may be
rendered very high, that of the fluid acting in the working cylinder may be
kept as low as desired, and thus the inconveniences attending the use of very
high pressure and great expansion in the ordinary method of working may be
avoided.
The constructions above described may be modified by dispensing with the
use of the steam, the products of combustion being discharged after they have
performed work in propelling the piston which compresses the air or fluid
employed to work the engine.
In the construction of engine above described the ignited fluid does
not act directly on the piston which works the engine as in ordinary gas
engines.
I now proceed to describe certain special constructions in which it
does not act directly on that piston. In engines of such construction,
after the ignited fluid has acted on one side of the piston in the ordinary
manner, I cause the products of combustion to pass through the flues
of a boiler so as to generate steam, and I use this steam to act
in the cylinder on the other side of the piston. In such a case a differential
piston may be employed, so as to adjust as desired the power acting
on the opposite sides of the piston. One construction which I
employ is as follows:-A differential piston working in a cylinder
is attached to a plunger working in another cylinder on the same
longitudinal axis. The steam generated acts on the plunger. The
charge of inflammable mixture is introduced through valves into the
smaller area in the differential cylinder. When this space is filled
communication' is opened by a slide or valves worked by
the engine between the two sides of the differential piston and the
mixture is ignited. The pressure due to its expansion acting on the
larger area of the differential piston drives it back and causes the

page_text: plunger to expel the waste steam. When this stroke has been effected
fresh steam admitted to act on the plunger causes the return stroke.
During this stroke the communication between the two sides of the
differential piston is closed, and the movement of this piston 'causes
the expulsion of the products of combustion on the one side while
at the same time the charge of inflammable mixture is introduced into the
space on the other side of the differential piston. The com-
munication between the two sides of the piston being again opened
and the mixture being ignited the action is repeated. In order to
obtain greater efficiency from the combustion of the inflammable
mixture it may be supplied to the cylinder in a compressed
condition by means of a pump worked by the engine. This pump may either
be moved by a crank or eccentric, or may be placed in line with
or parallel to the main cylinder and worked directly by its piston
rod or by a rod attached to it. At one stroke it draws in air
and inflammable gas or vapour in suitable proportions at or
near atmospheric pressure. The means ordinarily used in gas engines for
mixing the fluids may be applied to mix them as they enter this
pump. At its return stroke it forces the mixture through a valve
into a chamber or receptacle, where it is retained at such
While the piston of working cylinder makes
its return stroke a communication is opened by means of a slide or valve
between this receptacle and the annular space in the cylinder, which
is thus charged with the compressed inflammable mixture. The com-
munication is then closed, and the charge in the cylinder is ignited
and acts as already described. In order to prevent communication of
flame to the mixture under pressure in the receptacle, should the
slide or valve imperfectly close the communication between it and
the cylinder, the passage of communication may be fitted with wire gauze
screens or subdivided into numerous small channels consisting either of separate
tubes or interstices between numerous wires or rods laid longitudinally in the
pressure as may be desired.
nosco A

page_text: which is supplied to the pump at or near atmospheric pressure is com-
pressed in the cylinder to a degree proportional to the excess of the
capacity of the pump over that of the space in the cylinder. In cases
where the pump is on the same rod with the working piston or has the
same length of stroke the area of the pump exceeds that of the annular
space for receiving the charge in proportion as the pressure is desired
to be increased. The contents of the pump being discharged into this
space through a valve opening inwards towards the cylinder, the
expansion resulting from ignition causes this valve to close, and thus
the piston of the pump is relieved from the pressure due to this
expansion.
cylinder, the larger
In the Specification of a Patent dated 24th March 1868, No. 1005,
granted to me and John Imray, a construction of gas engine was
described for giving motion to wings for aerial propulsion. For this
purpose the following construction may be employed instead of the form
of engine described in the Specification of the said Patent:-Two
differential pistons work in opposite directions in one
area of the pistons being towards the middle of the cylinder. As the
pistons approach each other towards the middle of the cylinder charges
of inflammable aeriform mixture are introduced into the annular spaces
between the pistons and the exterior of the cylinder. Communication
being opened by a slide or valve between the two sides of the pistons
the mixture is ignited, and the pistons are then driven outwards by the
excess of pressure on the larger area, causing the wings to make their downward
stroke. The stroke being completed communication between the two
sides of the pistons is closed, and the pistons making their return stroke
expel the products of combustion on one side while the charges of
inflammable mixture are introduced on the other. The action is then
repeated.
In engines worked by the ignition of an inflammable aeriform mixture
I employ the following methods of lighting the mixture:-A vessel is
provided containing an inflammable liquid, or a liquid which gives off
inflammable vapour, such as oils, hydrocarbons, alcohol, and other
liquids. This vessel may be a small lamp fitted with a wick, and I
prefer to keep it constantly full or nearly so of liquid.
It is moved by
an eccentric, cam, or other convenient means, its motion being suitably

page_text: constantly burning, which lights it. After this it is moved so that its
communication with the outer air is cut off, and communication is imme-
diately opened between the flame or the heated matter rising from
it and the inflammable mixture within the cylinder of the engine,
which is thereby ignited. Subsequently the vessel or lamp is moved back, so
that its communication with the interior of the cylinder is closed and
that its wick is again brought in contact with the constantly burning flame,
being thereby relighted when the action is repeated.
In this con-
struction, as the vessel or lamp is kept constantly full of liquid the elastic
cushion offered by it when it is introduced into the cylinder is reduced to a
minimum.
backwards the
When it is desired to maintain the ignition of the flame of the lamp
after communication between it and the outer air has been cut off
the following construction may be adopted: A small vessel containing
air is attached to the moveable vessel or lamp. The movement of
the lamp towards the cylinder brings pressure to bear on the air in this
vessel by acting on a piston or diaphragm fitted to it; the air is
thus forced through an aperture or apertures into the flame of the lamp
and maintains its combustion. As the vessel moves
piston or diaphragm is made to retire, and fresh air is thus re-admitted
into the air vessel through a valve. In this manner the ignition of
the lamp flame may, if desired, be constantly maintained and the external
constantly burning flame may be dispensed with. Again a solid sub-
stance may be placed in the flame of the lamp, which substance remains
incandescent after communication with the outer air is cut off, and
serves to ignite the mixture within the cylinder and subsequently to
rekindle the lamp; spongy platinum, carbon, lime, and various other
substances may be used for this purpose. This solid substance may
be attached to a rod and protruded into the inflammable mixture in
the cylinder, the movement being effected by a rod worked by the
engine or by a spring, In such a case no moveable lamp would be
employed, the solid substance being brought in contact with a
stantly burning flame to be reheated after it is withdrawn from the
cylinder.
con-

page_text: as to open a communication between its interior and that of the small
cylinder. The mixture in the small cylinder being then ignited, that
in the main cylinder is kindled by it. The small piston in its return
stroke clears its cylinder of products of combustion, and the action
is repeated. This mode of using electricity for ignition may be adapted
whenever the gas or fluid employed in the main cylinder is of such a nature
as to act injuriously on the metallic points. In this construction 1 prefer
to employ magnetic electricity obtained from rotatory apparatus driven by the
engine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 19th December 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MATTHEW
PIERS WATT BOULTON, of Tew Park, in the County of Oxford, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, Her special
licence that 1, the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Matthew
Piers Watt Boulton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the tern therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER BY THE COM-
BUSTION OF INFLAMMABLE AERIFORM FLUIDS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I. the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office

page_text: WIG SIX Calendar os at anu wwwcularly alter the alt us
Letters Patent.
що за
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My Invention relates to improvements in engines in which the ignition of an
inflammable aeriform mixture is used as a source of power. It has for its
object improvements in the construction of such engines, and in the mode of
lighting the inflammable mixture employed.
In the Specifications of Patents granted to me on the 10th March
1866, No. 738, and the 8th July 1867, No. 2000, I have described
apparatus in which the ignition and expansion of an inflammable
aeriform mixture is used to compress air or aeriform fluid in a vessel, the pro-
ducts of combustion being afterwards employed to generate steam or heat air
or fluid, which in conjunction with the compressed air or fluid is used to work
an engine.
I now proceed to describe a variation in the construction of such
engines or apparatus. After the expansion caused by the ignition of the
inflammable mixture has driven the piston to the end of the cylinder and com-
pressed the air or fluid 1 cause the return of the piston by introducing
into the cylinder a portion of the elastic fluid under pressure. A small quantity
of this being admitted the piston receives an impulse which causes it to
perform a full stroke, expelling the products of combustion on the
one side and drawing air or other fluid through valves to fill the space in the
cylinder on the other side. A similar method may be employed for
causing the return movement of the piston necessary for the admis-
sion of the charge of inflammable mixture. A small portion of com-
pressed air or elastic fluid under pressure may be admitted by a
valve to act on the piston or on a plunger connected with it, giving it an
impulse which causes it to perform the necessary movement. This
movement may also be effected by a spring or by a rod moved by the
engine by means of a cam, eccentric, or other suitable mechanism. In engines
of this description the air or fluid compressed by the expansion of the ignited
mixture may be driven immediately into the boiler so as to mingle with the steam
in it.
In order to lubricate and keep cool the piston acted on by the ignited mixture,
water may be drawn during its return stroke through a valve into the cylinder

page_text: and and being expened during its working stroke unough a val
serves for its feed.
In order to utilise more efficiently the action of the heat the charge
of inflammable mixture may be compressed previous to ignition. For
this purpose the following construction may be employed:-A rod or
plunger is fitted to work through a stuffing box in the bottom of
the cylinder, and this rod is provided with a shifting catch which
fils into a recess in the piston. The rod and catch are operated on by
a cam or other convenient apparatus worked by the engine, so that
the rod can be made to move to and fro and to hold the piston and
release it at suitable times. When the piston has descended to the
bottom of the cylinder and thus cleared it of the products of
combustion, the rod is protruded into the cylinder and raises the piston
a certain distance, taking hold of it by means of the catch. During
this movement the inflammable mixture enters the cylinder at or near
atmospheric pressure and charges the space under the piston. The
piston is then drawn back by the movement of the catch rod com-
pressing the charge to a pressure of several atmospheres or to such pressure
as may be desired. 'The catch is then released and the charge
is simultaneously ignited. The expansion of the ignited mixture drives
the piston, as already described, and the action is repeated. In this method
of operating, whilst the initial pressure of the ignited charge may be
rendered very high that of the fluid acting in the working cylinder may be
kept as low as desired, and thus the inconveniences attending the use of very
high pressure and great expansion in the ordinary method of working may be
avoided.
The constructions above described may be modified by dispensing with the
use of the steam. the products of combustion being discharged after they have
performed work in propelling the piston which compresses the air or fluid
employed to work the engine.
In the construction of engine above described the ignited fluid does
not act directly on the piston which works the engine as in ordinary gas
engines.
I now proceed to describe certain special constructions in which it
does act directly on that piston. In engines of such construction,
after the ignited fluid has acted on one side of the piston in the ordinary
manner, I cause the products of combustion to pass through the flues
of a boiler so as to generate steam, and I use this steam to act

page_text: in the cylinder on the other side of the piston. In such a case a differential
piston may be employed, so as to adjust as desired the power acting
on the opposite sides of the piston. One construction which I
employ is as follows: A differential piston working in a cylinder
is attached to a plunger working in another cylinder on the same
longitudinal axis. The steam generated acts on the plunger. The
charge of inflammable mixture is introduced through valves into the
smaller area in the differential cylinder. When this space is filled
communication is opened by a slide! or valves worked by
the engine between the two sides of the differential piston and the
mixture is ignited. The pressure due to its expansion acting on the
larger area of the differential piston drives it back and causes the
plunger to expel the waste steam. When this stroke has been effected
fresh steam admitted to act on the plunger causes the return stroke.
During this stroke the communication between the two sides of the
differential piston is closed, and the movement of this piston causes
the expulsion of the products of combustion on the one side while
at the same time the charge of inflammable mixture is introduced into the
space on the other side of the differential piston. The com-
munication between the two sides of the piston being again opened
and the mixture being ignited the action is repeated. In order to
obtain greater efficiency from the combustion of the inflammable
mixture it may be supplied to the cylinder in a compressed
condition by means of a pump worked by the engine. This pump may either
be moved by a crank or eccentric, or may be placed in line with
or parallel to the main cylinder and worked directly by its piston
rod or by a rod attached to it. At one stroke it draws in
and inflammable gas or
near atmospheric pressure. The means ordinarily used in gas engines for
mixing the fluids may be applied to mix them as they enter this
pump. At its return stroke it forces the mixture through a valve
into
a
chamber
vapour
or receptacle,
in
suitable
where it is
proportions
retained at
air
at
ог
such
pressure as may be desired. While the piston of working cylinder makes
its return stroke a communication is opened by means of a slide or valve
between this receptacle and the annular space in the cylinder, which
The com-
is thus charged with the compressed inflammable mixture.
munication is then closed, and the charge in the cylinder is ignited
and acts as already explained. In order to prevent communication of
flame to the mixture under pressure in the receptacle, should the slide or valve

page_text: imperfectly close the communication between it and the cylinder, the passage of
communication may be fitted with wire gauze screens or subdivided into numerous
small channels consisting either of separate tubes or of interstices between
numerous wires or rods laid longitudinally in the passage.
°
The following is another construction whereby the inflammable.
mixture is supplied under pressure without such a receptacle:-The
capacity of the pump exceeds that occupied by the charge in the cylinder
in a certain proportion, and the pump performs its stroke during the
same time as the working piston, discharging its contents into the space
in the cylinder offered by the movement of that piston. Thus the charge
which is supplied to the pump at or near atmospheric pressure is com-
pressed in the cylinder to a degree proportional to the excess of the
capacity of the pump over that of the space in the cylinder. In cases
where the pump is on the same rod with the working piston or has the
same length of stroke the area of the pump exceeds that of the annular
space for receiving the charge in proportion as the pressure is desired
to be increased. The contents of the pump being discharged into this
space through a valve opening inwards towards the cylinder, the
expansion resulting from ignition causes this valve to close, and thus
the piston of the pump is relieved from the pressure due to this
expansion.
In the Specification of a Patent dated 24th March 1868, No. 1005,
granted to me and John Imray, a construction of gas engine was
described for giving motion to wings for aerial propulsion. For this
purpose the following construction may be employed instead of the form
of engine described in the Specification of the said Patent:-Two
differential pistons work in opposite directions in one cylinder, the larger
area of the pistons being towards the middle of the cylinder. As the
pistons approach each other towards the middle of the cylinder charges
of inflammable aeriform mixture are introduced into the annular spaces
between the pistons and the exterior of the cylinder. Communication
being opened by a slide or valve between the two sides of the pistons
the mixture is ignited, and the pistons are driven outwards by the
excess of pressure on the larger area, causing the wings to make their downward
stroke. The stroke being completed communication between the two
sides of the pistons is closed, and the pistons making their return stroke
expel the products of combustion on one side while the charges of
inflammable mixture are introduced on the other. The action is then
repeated.

page_text: In engines worked by the ignition of an inflammable aeriform mixture
I employ the following methods of lighting the mixture:-A vessel is
provided containing an inflammable liquid, or a liquid which gives off
inflaminable
vapour, such as oils, hydrocarbons, alcohol, and other
liquids. This vessel may be a small lamp fitted with a wick, and I
prefer to keep it constantly full or nearly so of liquid. It is moved by
an eccentric, cam, or other convenient means, its motion being suitably
timed to that of the piston of the engine. At one part of the stroke
it is caused to move so that its wick comes in contact with a flame kept
constantly burning, which lights it. After this it is moved so that its
communication with the outer air is cut off, and communication is imme-
diately opened between the flame or the heated matter rising from
it and the inflammable mixture within the cylinder of the engine,
which is thereby ignited. Subsequently the vessel or lamp is moved back, so
that its communication with the interior of the cylinder is closed and
that its wick is again brought in contact with the constantly burning flame,
being thereby re-lighted, when the action is repeated. In this con-
struction, as the vessel or lamp is kept constantly full of liquid the elastic
cushion offered by it when it is introduced into the cylinder is reduced to a
minimum.'
When it is desired to maintain the ignition of the flame of the lamp
after communication between it and the outer air has been cut off
the following construction may be adopted: A small vessel containing
air is attached to the moveable vessel or lamp. The movement of
the lamp towards the cylinder brings pressure to bear on the air in this
vessel by acting on a piston or diaphragm fitted to it. The air is
thus forced through an aperture or apertures into the flame of the lamp
and maintains its combustion. As the vessel moves backwards the
piston or diaphragın is made to return, and fresh air is thus re-admitted
into the air vessel through a valve. In this manner the ignition of
the lamp flame may, if desired, be constantly maintained and the external
constantly burning' flame may be dispensed with. Again a solid sub-
stance may be placed in the flame of the lamp, which substance remains
incandescent after communication with the outer air is cut off, and
serves to ignite the mixture within the cylinder and subsequently to
re-kindle the lamp: spongy, platinum, carbon, line, and various other
substances may be used for this purpose. This solid substance may
be attached to a rod and protruded into the inflammable mixture in
the cylinder, the movement being effected by a rod worked by the

page_text: engine or by a spring. In such a case no moveable lamp would be
employed, the solid substance being brought in contact with ก con-
stantly burning flame to be re-heated after it is withdrawn from the cylinder.
Another mode of effecting the ignition is the following:-A tube
or vessel is provided filled with some substance which in contact with
air ignites at a temperature under a red heat; melted sulphur,
compounds, such
employed for this
phosphorus, sodium, and various other substances or
for instance, as that known as Greek fire, may be
purpose. The tube or vessel is kept constantly full of such liquid by
a pump worked by the engine. It is fitted with a slide or valve, by
means of which communication is opened between the surface of the
liquid and the inflammable mixture in the cylinder or closed at pleasure.
by means of a cam, eccentric, or similar mechanism. The opening
and closing is timed to the movement of the engine, so that when it is
desired to ignite the mixture in the cylinder the opening takes place
and the action of the air contained in the inflammable mixture pro-
duces ignition of a portion of the liquid and thereby ignites the mixture
in the cylinder. The communication is then closed until the cylinder
is again charged with inflammable mixture, when the action is repeated.
In order to secure ignition of the liquid in the vessel the following
method may be adopted: A small vessel containing air is provided,
and by means of mechanism suitably timed to the engine pressure
brought to bear en this forces a portion of a through the
liquid or over its surface so as to produce a flame, which is injected into
the inflammable mixture in the cylinder. Instead of using air ignition
may be effected by bringing into contact with the liquid a sub-
stance containing oxygen or of such a nature as that when so brought
in contact with the liquid ignition is produced. External heat may be applied
to the vessels containing the liquids so as to keep them at the temperature
desired.
In ordinary gas engines when ignition is effected by an electric
spark the action of the carbon contained in the gas on the metallic
points is found after a time to impair their efficiency and to neces-
sitate their renewal. In order to obviate this defect when it is desired to
employ electricity for ignition the following construction may be used:-
A small cylinder fitted with a piston is attached to the working cylinder,
and its piston is moved by means of a cam or eccentric worked by
the engine and suitably timed to the movement of the working piston.

page_text: This small cylinder is supplied with some inflammable gas or vapour
containing little or no carbon, such as pure hydrogen or alcohol vapour
mixed with air in proper proportions, and the metallic points or
Or con-
ductors for giving the spark are fitted in it. The small piston in its
forward stroke draws in the inflammable mixture so as to fill its cylinder,
and when it reaches the end of its stroke uncovers
passage SO
as to open a communication between its interior and that of the main
cylinder. The mixture in the small cylinder being then ignited that
in the main cylinder is kindled by it. The small piston in its return
stroke clears its cylinder of products of combustion, and the action
is repeated. This mode of using electricity for ignition may be adopted
whenever the gas or fluid employed in the main cylinder is of such a nature
as to act injuriously on the metallic points. In this construction I prefer
to employ magnetic electricity obtained from rotatory apparatus driven by the
Fig. represents a vertical section of a combined gas and steam engine
constructed according to my Invention, the parts which correspond with
those of an ordinary steam engine being shown in clevation. a is
a cylinder fitted with a piston b and having a large valve c (which may be
of caoutchouc resting on a grating or of any other convenient form)
opening upwards: d is an outer cylinder or vessel enclosing the cylinder a,
with a water space surrounding it; / is a tube having a cup at
its upper extremity, and a valve
valve opening downwards into the
cylinder a. This valve has a rod or stem extending up through the cup,
with a head or collar e, under which is fitted a spring to support the
weight of the valve and rod. The outer cylinder or vessel d. which may
be considered the boiler casing, is fitted with suitable safety valve,
glass and other gauges like an ordinary boiler, and a pipe leads from its
upper part to the cylinder of the engine g, which with the crank g¹,
shaft g. fly wheel g, eccentric. and other parts may be constructed like
an ordinary non-condensing
non-condensing steam engine. h is a secondary shaft
mounted in bearings in the framing under the engine, and this shaft is
driven by a strap from the engine shaft or by other convenient
gearing so as to revolve more slowly than the engine shaft: h³ is an
eccentric or cam fixed on the shaft so as to give a reciprocating
vertical movement to a plunger i which passes through a stuffing box in
the bottom of the cylinder a. I prefer to make this plunger i hollow

page_text: and fit it with a small tube i', which is connected by a flexible tube to a
supply pipe of cold water and with another small tube the upper
part of which reaches nearly to the top of the hollow space in the
plunger, and its lower part is connected by a flexible tube to a
pipe which leads by any convenient course to a mouth piece which
discharges into the cup f By this arrangement water is made to
circulate through the interior of the plunger i so as to keep it cool,
and the water warmed in its passage is conveyed to the cup f, whence it
flows down the pipe when the valve f is open into the cylinder a and
serves for feed of the boiler,, as will hereafter be described. The
upper part of the plunger i is fluted or made with wings, with hollow parts
between, so that when this part of it is drawn by the movement of the
eccentric or cam down into the hole in the bottom of the
cylinder a a passage is offered by the grooves between the wings to a channel j
formed in the bottom of the cylinder a. k is a pipe rising from
this channel and formed into a coil surrounding the cylinder a, being itself
surrounded by water, and ultimately connected to a channel, which
leads to any convenient chimney or waste pipe; is a valve box fitted
with a double valve on one stem opening upwards; and 1 is a
passage at the side of 1. which is connected to a vessel supplying inflammable
gas or vapour and having a lateral opening into the interior of the valve
box . Instead of one such opening there may be numerous openings each
of small area, so that gas or vapour entering by them may be mingled more
effectually with air entering by the lower of the two valves in 1. The metal
surrounding these valves may be kept cool by passages through which water
from the boiler circulates.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The piston b being at the
bottom of the cylinder a which contains air, the plunger i is caused to
rise by the revolution of the cam or eccentric ³, and in rising it raises
the piston b. During the ascent of the piston b the double valves
inrise, and atmospheric air mingled with inflammable gas or vapour fills
the space in the cylinder a under the piston b. When the piston
has been thus raised to the position represented in the Drawing, the
inflammable mixture beneath it is ignited by an electric spark or other
suitable means, some of which will hereafter be described. The contact
necessary to produce the electric spark. or the movement necessary for
ignition by other means, may be effected by the movement of a suitable
cam on the shaft h adjusted so as to time the action to the motion
of the piston b. The expansion caused by the ignition of the inflammable

page_text: mixture propels the piston b upwards, and the air and water contained
in the cylinder a above it are driven through the valve cinto
the vessel d. The plunger being then drawn downwards so as to offer a
passage from the cylinder a to the channel; the piston then descends
to the bottom of the cylinder a. expelling the products of combus-
tion by the channel ; and through the tube and coil k and eduction
passage
These products of combustion in passing through the pipe
and coil heat the surrounding water and generate steam, which rises
to the upper part of the boiler. As the piston b descends the valve f
opens, and atmospheric air enters the space in the cylinder a above the
piston. The feed water supplied to the cup also enters the cylinder,
and lying on the piston serves to lubricate it. After the piston has reached
the bottom of the cylinder it is again raised, a fresh charge of inflammable
mixture is admitted under it, the piston is again driven upwards sending
the air and water through the valve c into the boiler or vessel d, and this action
is repeated. The mixture of steam and air at high pressure passes from the
upper part of the vessel d to the engine, which it works like steam in the ordinary

page_text: Fig. 4.
o, are
The action of the apparatus in connection with that of the piston b
in Fig. 1 is as follows:-The piston having reached the bottom of the
cylinder a, the plunger i with the slides o, o, retracted is moved upwards
entering the hole in the lower side of the piston b and pushing up that
piston so as to draw in a charge of inflammable mixture, as already described
with reference to Fig. 1. During this upward movement of the piston and
plunger the spindle n is partly turned and the slides o,
protruded so as to catch over the lip of the recess in the piston b. The
piston having been raised to a height sufficient for the charge the plunger i
is again moved downwards, and as the slides o, o, attached to it have caught
the piston b the piston itself is drawn down with it. The charge.
under the piston is thus compressed to such a degree as may be desired. The
spindle is then turned so as to retract the slides o, o, and leave the piston
free, and at the same instant the charge is ignited, and thus the
piston is caused to make its upward stroke. The action is in
other respects the same as that which has been described with reference to
Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 represents a longitudinal section of a combined gas and steam engine
constructed according to my Invention with a differential piston. a, a', is a
cylinder fitted with a differential piston b, and c is another cylinder
behind a, in which part of the differential piston works as a plunger. The
cylinder a is provided with suitable ports and a slide and eduction passage d,
the slide being worked by a cam or eccentric properly timed to
the movement of the piston b. When the slide is in the position
represented in the Figure, a free passage is open from one end
of the cylinder a through the ports and slide jacket to the other
end. When the slide is moved forward the port from the front end of the
cylinder a communicates with the eduction passage d while the
other port from the back part a' is closed. The cylinder c is also provided
with a port slide and eduction passage e. When the slide is in the position
represented in the Figure, the port is in communication with the
eduction passage e. When the slide is moved forward, the educ-
tion passage e is closed, and the port is in communication with the
jacket f. The eduction passage d leads to the flues of a boiler.
The slide jacket is supplied with steam from this boiler. The
back part of the cylinder q' is supplied by suitable valves opening inwards (such

page_text: as those described at 1, Fig. 1) with gaseous inflammable mixture.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-When the piston and
slide are in the position represented in the Figure, the cylinder
a, a containing gaseous matter at considerable pressure, this pres-
sure acting on the larger area of the piston at the side a than on the annular
area of the piston at the side a' causes the piston to move back-
wards, as indicated by the arrow, the gaseous matter expelled from a passing
through the ports and slide jacket and expanding in (l. During
this back stroke of the piston the contents of the cylinder care expelled
through the port and eduction passage e. As the piston reaches
the end of its back stroke, the slides are shifted forwards so as to open a com-
munication to c from its slide jacket to close the port from a'
and to put the port from a in communication with the
eduction passage d. Steam is thus admitted to the cylinder c,
and the piston is caused to make its forward stroke, expelling the contents
of a by the eduction, passage d and drawing an inflammable mixture
into a. As the piston reaches the end of its forward stroke, the slides are
moved back to the position represented in the Figure and the
inflammable mixture in a' is ignited. The ignition devoleps a pres-
sure, which- acting as already described upon the larger area of the piston
towards a causes the piston to perform its back stroke, and the
action is repeated. The cylinder a, a, in which the inflammable
mixture operates may be kept cool by water communicating with the water
in the boiler.
Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal section of a cylinder with two differential
pistons suitable for operating on wings for aerial locomotion in the manner
described in the Specification of a Patent obtained by me and John
Imray, bearing date the 24th day of March, 1868, No. 1005.
On referring to this Specification it will be seen that the expansion
caused by the ignition of an inflammable mixture is employed to force two
pistons in one cylinder outwards from one another, and thereby to
cause the wings therein described to make their down stroke, the upstroke of
the wings causing the pistons to move inwards again towards the
middle of the cylinder. In the said Specification methods were described of
charging the cylinder with the inflammable mixture. Fig. 6 refers
to a method not therein described but which I now proceed to
describe. a, a, a² is the cylinder fitted with two differential pistons
b, b. The middle part of the cylinder has a port, and the end parts a' and a³
have also ports, and a slide c working transversely in one position

page_text: makes a
in another
and makes
શ
communication between those three parts. but
position closes the ports from a¹ and
communication between the port of a and a lateral eduction passage.
as may be readily understood. The ends of the cylinder a¹, (, are supplied
with gaseous inflammable mixture which is ignited. The pressure
developed by ignition acts with greater force on the full areas of the pistons
presented towards a than on the annular areas presented in a', a³,
and the pistons are propelled outwards, the contents of the annular spaces
a, a passing by the ports and slide into the space a, where they
expand. As the pistons reach the extremity of their outstroke, the slide is
moved so as to close the ports from a, a, and to put the port
from a in communication with the eduction passage. The pistons are then
moved backwards towards the middle of the cylinder, expelling the
contents of a by the eduction passage and drawing fresh charges of inflam-
mable mixture into a', a. As the pistons meet in the middle of
the cylinder the slide is moved back to the position represented in the Figure
and the inflammable mixture is ignited. The pistons are thus propelled out-
wards as above described and the action is repeated.
Fig. 7 represents a section of an apparatus constructed according to my
Invention for igniting the inflammable mixture contained in a cylinder,
such as that of a gas engine. a is part of such a cylinder. into which I form
an opening fitted with a slide b. In this slide there is, a cavity
open at the sides, and a lamp wick is fitted therein so that the flame of the
lamp may burn within the cavity. The lower part of the slide c is a vessel
supplied with oil or other inflammable liquid and kept constantly
filled by a small pump ог other convenient
is
means d
a flame kept constantly burning directed towards the wick so as
to kindle the flame of the lamp within the cavity of b when it is in the position
represented in the Figure; e is a small cylinder attached to the
slide band vessel c & fitted with a
piston which is pressed
upwards by a spiral spring. The piston rod extends upwards above the
cylinder. g is a valve opening upwards in the bottom of the cylinder; h is a
tube leading from the lower part of the cylinder to the wick of the lamp and
fitted with a valve opening upwards. The slide b with its lamp c and cylinder e
are caused to move vertically upwards and downwards by રી cam
or eccentric suitably timed to the working parts of the gas
engine to which they are applied. The action of the
apparatus is as follows: The flame of the lamp being kindled
the flame d and the cylinder e being charged with air, the slide is moved

page_text: upwards so as to bring its cavity containing the lamp flame into communica-
tion with the interior of the cylinder a. During this upward move-
ment the cavity containing the flame is excluded from the atmo-
spheric air, but the piston rod f. being brought in contact with the side of the
cylinder a or with any other fixed object the piston is pressed
down relatively to the cylinder e, and the air contained
in the cylinder is forced through the pipe h to the flame and
serves to maintain its combustion until it communicates ignition to the mixture
in the cylinder a. When this ignition has been effected the slide
is withdrawn, the piston being raised relatively to the cylinder e by the spring
draws a
fresh charge of air by the valve into the cylinder e,
the lamp flame if it has been extinguished is rekindled
by the flame d, and the action is repeated. The movement of
the lamp may be employed to feed it by working a small feed pump in a manner
similar to that in which it works the pump for the supply of air.
The apparatus for the supply of air may be dispensed with, the other parts
remaining the same. Instead of a lamp a candle pressed upwards
by a spring may be employed.
A solid substance may be placed in the flame
of the lamp so as to be heated by that flame and by the flame d.
The moveable lamp inay be dispensed with and a solid
substance employed, which is heated by the flame d and protruded
by the subsequent movement into the cylinder a. This may be a bulb, ball,
or rod of metal, lime, or other suitable substance attached to the
sliding piece b by a rigid stem or suspended within it by a fine wire. The
stem or wire is bedded in a slowly conducting material, such as lime, fire clay,
pipe clay, earthenware, or vitreous substances.
Fig. 8 represents a section of such an apparatus where a sus-
pended ball or bulb is employed. a is part of the cylinder of the gas engine;
bis the slide moved by a cam or eccentric, as previously described.
In this slide there is a slot or passage within which the bulb or ball c is sus-
pended by the fine wire ; e is the bedding of slowly conducting material into
which the wire is inserted; d is the constantly burning flame.
When the slide is in the position represented by the Figure
the flame d plays on the substance and heats it. As the slide b moves
upwards the slot or passage containing c is cut off from the outer
air and brought into communication with the inflammable mixture in a which
is ignited by contact with the heated substance c. After ignition
the slide is brought back so that the flame d again plays on the substance c,
and
the operation is repeated. I prefer to arrange the cam or

page_text: eccentric which moves the slide b in such a manner that
the slide shall move slowly or rest at each end of the stroke and move rapidly
in the other portions of the stroke. Thus the substance c is exposed for a
considerable time to the action of the flame d, and remains for a considerable
time in contact with the inflammable mixture in a, and moves rapidly from one
of these positions to the other so as to be exposed for as short a time as
possible to cooling agencies.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do
not limit myself to the details represented in the Drawings, as
these may be varied without departing from the principles embodied in the
apparatus herein described.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Matthew Piers Watt Boulton,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
M. P. W. BOULTON. (L.S.)