An Improved Rotary Engine.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rotary Engine.
I, JACOB MAX BUCHERER, of Höchst on the Main, in the Empire of Germany,
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 rotary engine, the essential feature of which is the
continuous overbalancing of a wheel on one side of its axis.
In carrying out my invention I provide a wheel having a hollow rim in which is
a weight formed of relatively heavy metal and continuously supported in the hollow
rim of the wheel on one side of the axis by some medium such as steam or gas,
thereby causing the continuous rotation of the said wheel.,
To enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same with
reference to the accompanying drawing which represents in vertical section an engine
constructed according to the said invention.
Kindicates the hollow rim of the wheel, and Sp¹, Sp², Sp³, Sp₁ hollow arms
which serve for the introduction and exhaust of steam or other motive fluid.
G is the weight which is placed in the hollow rim and composed of a metal of
great specific gravity such for sample as lead.
The extremities of the weight form two pistons K', K and fit tightly in the
hollow rim. The weight when left to itself, that is to say, when the engine is
standing, assumes the position indicated by the Figures 1, 2 and 3, 4. The wheel
rotates on a tubular axle which is divided by means of a longitudinal partition into
two channels Z, A, the former of which is for the admission, and the latter for the
exhaust.
The motive fluid such as steam or gas passes from the channel Z through an inlet
opening E and through the corresponding wheel arm, for instance, the arm Spl into
a part R of the hollow rim K behind the weight G, the said part of the hollow rim
being closed in proper time by means of a slide-valve S¹, so that the motive fluid
forces the weight piston from its resting position 1, 2, 3, 4 to a position in which its
weight counterbalances the fluid pressure, for instance into the position indicated
by 5, 6 and 7, 8. In this new position the weighted piston G being on one side of
the wheel axis, as indicated by the line h, tends to turn the wheel. If now the
weight is supported by the motive fluid constantly in this position the rotary
movement of the wheel will be continuous in the direction of the arrow.
I prefer to make each arm of the wheel hollow and provide it with a slide-valve,
as shewn, so that about each quadrant of the rim corresponds to what I may term a
stroke of the engine.
The supply of motive fluid can be varied by suitable cut-off gear whereby any
desired expansion can be obtained: as to the latter point, that is to say, as regards
to exact distribution the present rotary engine acts in the same manner as a motor
having a piston with a rectilinear movement. At the completion of each stroke the
arm (for instance the arm Sp) which had previously served for the admission of
steam or the like, opens communication with the exhaust channel A to allow the
steam or gas in the rim between the two valves S¹ and S to escape.
The movement of the valves can be obtained by any suitable means and in the
engine shewn in the drawing for instance it is supposed to be obtained by means
of an adjustable cam device C which regulates the movement of rollers at the
extremities of the valve-rods, by means of which rods during the rotation of the
wheel, the valves are either pulled away from or caused to move into their seats.
The valves are forced into their seats by means of springs F on the valve-rods, which

page_text: springs act against collars on the said valve-rods and against the guides of the latter
formed on the arms of the wheels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. A rotary engine in which the rotation is effected by the continuous over-
halancing of a wheel having a hollow rim containing a piston or weight of metal of
great specific gravity, the said weight being kept constantly supported at one side
of the wheel axis by means of steam or other fluid which is admitted to and exhausted
from the hollow rim through hollow wheel arms, suitable valves being provided for
controlling the admission and exhaust, substantially as described.
Dated the 22nd day of December 1890
G. F. REDFERN-&-Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
G. F. REDFERN-&-Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.