Improvements in Rotary Engines Actuated by Steam or other Expansive Gases.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SITURFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines Actuated by Steam or other
Expansive Gases.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM IRONMONGER, Hillside, Lea Road, Wolverhampton, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in engines or motors of a rotary character,
and is designed more particularly to allow of the steam or other gases actuating
them to be used expansively.
In carrying out this invention I attach to the axle or main shaft a circular
disc having at or near its periphery and at right-angles to it one or more vanes
or blades of oval or other suitable shape which shall act as pistons, or if desired
two or more discs may be used, or a similar result may be obtained by fixing to
the axle a drum having extended flanges and the piston or pistons may be formed
by a transverse plate of suitable thickness which shall unite the two flanges and
completely fill the space between the face of the drum and the periphery of the
flanges.
The axle and piston or pistons shall be enclosed in a circular casing forming an
annular space in which the pistons shall revolve and the pistons and discs shall be
rendered steam-tight by means of rings or other suitable packing placed on the
edges of the pistons or discs or the sides of the same or both.
Steam may be admitted at any convenient part of the annular cylinder and
at this point there shall be provided a moveable slide or valve which valve may be
so constructed as to move either vertically or horizontally or by a rotary movement,
by means of any suitable mechanism, so that it shall allow the piston or pistons
to pass it from either direction and shall on its return tightly close the annular
space after the passage of the piston.
The valve may consist of one or more parts. The steam and exhaust ports may
be placed one on either side of this valve and may be so arranged as to be used
alternatively for reversing purposes.
The general action of the engine may be described as follows:-As soon as the
valve above mentioned closes behind the piston steam is admitted between the
valve and the piston thus forcing the latter to continue its revolution. The steam
may be cut off by any ordinary method at any desired portion of the revolution and
at the same moment the exhaust port may be opened. The piston thus will com-
plete its revolution by reason of the expansive force of the steam already admitted.
When the piston at the completion of the revolution nears the moving valve the
exhaust port may be closed during the travel of the valve. Two or more of these
engines with similar or varying piston area may be attached to the shaft or axle,
the pistons being fixed at different angles and the engines may be connected one
with the other in the manner of compound engines. Though described as applied
to the use of steam any other expansive motive force may be similarly used.
Dated this 10th day of September 1897.

page_text: Improvements in Rotary Engines Actuated by Steam or other
Expansive Gases.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM IRONMONGER, Hillside, Lea Road, Wolverhampton, Manu-
turer, 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 improvements in engines or motors of a rotary character,
and is designed more particularly to allow the steam or other gases actuating
them to be used expansively.
In carrying out this invention I attach to the main shaft a circular disc,
having at or near its periphery and at right angles to it one or more vanes
or blades of oval or other suitable shape which shall act as pistons, or if desired
two or more discs may be used or a similar result may be obtained by fixing to
the axle a drum having extended flanges the piston or pistons being formed
by a transverse plate of suitable thickness which shall unite the two flanges and
completely fill the space between the face of the drum and the periphery of the
flanges.
The axle and piston or pistons shall be enclosed in a circular casing forming an
annular space in which the pistons shall revolve, and the pistons and discs shall be
rendered steam tight by means of rings or other suitable packing placed on the
edges of the pistons or discs, or the sides of the same or both.
Steam may be admitted at any convenient part of the annular cylinder and
at this point there shall be provided a movable slide or valve which valve may be
so constructed as to move either vertically or horizontally or by a rotary movement
by means of any suitable mechanism so that it shall allow the piston or pistons
to pass it from either direction and shall on its return tightly close the annular
space after the passage of the piston.
The valve may consist of one or more parts.
The steam and exhaust ports are placed one on either side of this valve, and may
be so arranged as to be used alternatively for reversing purposes.
The general action of the engine may be described as follows:-
As soon as the valve above mentioned closes behind the piston, steam is admitted
between the valve and the piston, thus forcing the latter to continue its revolution.
The steam may be cut off by any ordinary method at any desired portion of the
revolution and the piston will complete its revolution by reason of the expansive
force of the steam already admitted.
The exhaust port may be always open allowing steam to escape from in front
of the piston whilst it is being received and expanded behind the piston.
In this case, however, if it be intended to alternate the function of the ports for
reversing purposes, a cock or valve for changing the course of the steam must.be
placed between the ports and the cut-off valve. If a valve gear say an ordinary
eccentric gear be attached to both steam supply and exhaust pipes the valves must
be set to open and close so as to give a similar cut-off when their functions are
reversed that is if the steam is cut off at 1 revolution, the exhaust will be closed
for the first three quarters of that revolution and open during the last quarter
only, so that the distribution when steam is supplied through the exhaust ports
for going "astern" will give cut-off at a quarter, just as when the engine ran
"ahead."
Two or more of these engines with similar or varying piston area may be
attached to the shaft or axle, the pistons being fixed at different angles and the
engines may be connected one with the other in the manner of compound engines.

page_text: may be similarly used.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a front view part elevation part in section of an engine constructed
according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section part in elevation on the line 2-2 of
Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 show an alternative form of bearing for the main shaft.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are details of the piston slide or valve.
Figure 10 is a vertical cross section and
Figure 11 a vertical longitudinal section of an alternative form of disc, piston,
piston slide and cylinder.
Figures 12 and 13 are similar views of another form of the same parts.
Figures 14 and 15 are elevations of a portion of a double disc or drum with its
piston and
Figure 16 is a section of part of such a drum with its casing.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
A is the main shaft of the engine on to which is keyed or otherwise secured a disc B,
to the periphery of which, and at right angles to its plane is fixed a plate B¹ which
forms the piston.
The casing C of the engine is constructed in symmetrical halves, connected
together by bolts C in holes in the flanges C', and forms a central chamber C
to receive the disc B, opening into an annular chamber C5 constituting the cylinder,
and corresponding in cross section with the piston B¹. A chamber or slide box C
to receive the piston slide or valve D, may be placed in any portion of the periphery
of the casing C; in Figures 1 and 2 it is shown on top.
The shaft A and disc B are carried in bearings E formed centrally in each half
of the casing C. Preferably these bearings are ball bearings and adjustable to take
up wear.
A convenient form is shown in Figure 1 in which the disc B is provided
with a coned boss B8, on each side, which forms one wall of a ball race, E', the
other wall being formed by a threaded casting E screwed into a boss C7 on each
half of the casing C. Ordinary glands E³ for packing may likewise be provided."
Or instead, of being formed in the casing the coned bearings may be placed
further from the median line, and carried on the standards J supporting the main
shaft, the bearings in the casing C in this case being ordinary glands lightly
packed. A method of arranging a bearing on such a standard is shown in
Figures 3 and 4.
One wall of the ball race E¹ being formed by the coned end of a bushing A³,
keyed or otherwise secured on to the shaft A, the other wall being formed by a
threaded block J¹, screwed into the bearing, which may be constructed with a
movable cap Ja bolted on to the lower part. J³ is a hole for lubricating purposes.
It is of course understood that the bearings are so arranged on the standards
that the cones of the bushings A* point, either both inwards, towards each other,
or both outwards, away from each other, so as to prevent end movement of the
shaft.
The piston slide or valve D fits easily within the slide box C, and is carried
by two vertical spindles D', which pass through stufling boxes in the cover CB.
of the slide box C, and through holes in a guide bar D2 bolted to lugs C
extending from the cover.
The slide D should be connected to its spindle D¹ so as to allow a slight play
horizontally, both to ensure the slide moving up to the face of that side of the
slide box opposite to the side on which the steam is admitted, and also to correct
any slight want of parallel between the slide box face and the path of the slide.
A convenient arrangement is shown in Figures 6 and 7 in which the slide D is
5 shown furnished with parallel ears D' between which the flattened end of the
spindle D is pivotted on a pin Ds. The hole, D2, in the spindle, through which

page_text: the pin passes is trumpet shaped at each end, and room is left for side play between
the spindle end and the ears.
3
.....
An alternative form is shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which the slide D is fur-
nished with a slot. Do communicating with its upper edge by a hole D slightly
larger in diameter than the end of the spindle D₁ which passes through it and is
screwed into a nut D within the slot. The top and bottom surfaces of the nut
should be curved allowing a slight angular movement of the spindle relative to the
slide in any direction.
A portion of the surface of each face of the slide may be hollowed out, as shown
at D3, Figures 1 and 2, to form ways for the steam, in which case the steam ports
may be formed in the walls of the slide box C, as shown in dotted lines at D',
or the slide may be formed with level slides and the steam ports enter directly into
the cylinder C, as shown in dotted lines at D5 Figure 2.
When in its raised position the slide D is entirely contained within the slide
box C6; when in its lowered position its bottom edge rests on the floor of the
cylinder and the periphery of the disc B. Movement may be imparted to
the slide by any suitable mechanism. A convenient form, as shown in Figures 1
and 2, is by means of a cam groove F¹, in the face of a disc wheel F, keyed on the
main shaft. The shape of this cam groove is shown in dotted lines in Figure 2,
and must be such that the slide D is rapidly raised to allow of the passage of the
piston B at each revolution of the main shaft and immediately lowered behind
the same.
On to the flange of each half of the casing C is bolted a lug C, in bearings in
which is a shaft Fa, capable of rotation. On to each end of this shaft is fixed an
arm F3, the free end of which is forked to receive the end of a vertical rod F,
furnished with a cross pin F5, which engages in slots formed in the forks.
The rods F are carried in guides C and connected at their upper ends by a cross
bar Do to which the free ends of the slide spindles D¹ are secured in any con-
venient manner. To the arm F3 on that side of the engine on which the cam
wheel F is placed, and at about its centre is fixed a pin F³ which engages in the
cam groove F¹.
In order to prevent the passage of steam past the slide D, its edges may be
fitted with packing pieces of brass or suitable lubricating metal, as shown in detail
in Figure 5. The packing piece D, is held within a slot D, formed in the edge
of the slide, by a stud or studs D15 and is kept up against the face on which the slide
rests, say, for example, the periphery of the disc B by a spring or springs 1)16.
In order to prevent the escape of steam from the cylinder between the faces of the
disc B and its casing, packing rings B³ are provided. These run in grooves, which
may be formed either in the disc or in the casing, and are kept up to the face of the
casing, or of the disc, by springs B. One or more packing rings may be provided
on each side of the disc, and they should be split and of rather larger diameter
than the grooves, so as to form a steam tight joint with the outer edge of the groove.
Figures 10 to 16 show variqus modified forms of cylinder, slide box, piston, disc
and slide.
In Figures 10 and 11 the disc B is made with two flanges B5 which constitute
the inner and side walls of the cylinder, the piston B being formed by a cross
web connecting the two flanges. "Preferably a rotary valve D is provided with
this form of cylinder and piston having four arms or flaps D, and carried on a
horizontal spindle D18 extending beyond the casing through stuffing boxes C¹³
The spindle can be rotated by a cam or other convenient mechanism, which must
be so arranged as to rotate the valve one quarter turn whilst the piston B is
passing the centre point of the valve, and hold the same locked in position at all
other times.
In Figures 12 and 13 the cylinder C5 is circular in cross section, and the piston
slide D is in the form of a rocking valve, pivotted in the casing by a pin D¹ and
actuated by a link D2 and rod D extending through the casing. In this instance
the valve may preferably be placed at the base of the cylinder, and weighted, so

page_text: that in case of accident to the link or other part of the gearing, it would swing
back clear of the piston automatically. The rod D may be operated by a cam
or other mechanism.
In Figures 14 and 15 the piston is similar in shape to that shown in Figures 1
and 2 but is secured on the periphery of a drum, instead of a single disc, and
provided with ribs or cams B6, curved so that the slide D will be lifted when
brought in contact with the ribs as the drum revolves. The slide D would be
only provided with guide spindles and springs to return it promptly into position
against the periphery of the drum.
As shown in Figure 16 the drum may be conveniently formed of two discs
connected by a flat ring B'. With this form the casing would conveniently be
formed in three main pieces, an annular ring C being placed between the two
sides of the casing C, its flanges C¹³ being bolted to the flanges C¹ of the casing.
Although the cut off for the steam might be worked in connection with the
piston slide D, it is preferable to have it separate. In order to get a quick admis-
sion of steam and a sharp cut off a retention valve G (Figure 1) may be employed
actuated by a cam H, graduated from full steam to or less. The cam is carried
on the main shaft A, and adapted to slide along a key A' in order to regulate the
cut off. This arrangement is a well known construction and need not be further
described.
The engine can be reversed by using a four-way tap to turn steam to either side
of the piston, at the same time a reversed cut off cam would slide into engagement
with the cut-off valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting a rotary engine
substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. In a rotary engine of the kind described the combination with the casing C
of a rotating disc such as B, B5, with a circumferential channel and a rotary valve
substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. In a rotary engine of the kind described connecting the slide D to its spindle
in such a manner as to permit it to adjust itself into good contact with the surfaces
on which it bears substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a rotary engine of the kind described a rocking valve arranged and operat-
ing substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompany-
ing drawings.
5. In a rotary engine of the kind described a piston having cams such as B
substantially as and for the purpose described and as illustrated in Figures 14
and 15 of the acompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th day of July 1898.
CHARLES WILLIAM IRONMONGER.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.