IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES OR TURBINES
Year: 1884

page_text: DEVICATIVA
I ADRIEN JULES ALEXIS DUMOULIN of Paris Republic of Franco Mechanical
Engineer_do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROTARY ENGINES OR TURBINES" to be as follows:-
"
My Invention relates to rotary motor engines worked by steain or other motivo
power and it consists in the employment of a ring revolving round a stationary
disc provided with a number of peculiarly curved radial induction and eduction
passages arranged as hereinafter explained in combination with corresponding
passages in the aforesaid ring for the flow of the motive fluid which by virtue of
the peculiar arrangement of the passages is enabled to exert its force in causing
the ring to rotate under most advantageous conditions and with a minimum of
waste.
.
The fixed or stationary part of a motor constructed according to my Invention
consists of a central disc secured.to a suitable support or bed plate. The fluid is
conducted to a semi annular chamber in the centre of this disc by a pipe provided
with a regulating valve and communicating with passages and chambers in the
support leading to the said chamber.
In the thickness of this disc there are provided a series of peculiarly curved
radial supply or induction passages on the one hand and a series of similar outlet
or eduction passages on the other hand.
These induction or eduction passages are divided into groups and are so arranged
that each induction passage with the exception of the first of each group
communicates at the part nearest the centre or axis of the apparatus with a
corresponding eduction passage and each eduction passage with the exception of
the last of each group communicates in like manner with the corresponding
induction passage The first induction passage of each group communicates with
the semi annular space herein before referred to and the last eduction passage
communicates with a similar semi-annular space from which the exhaust steain
or other motive fluid is discharged into the atmosphere or to a condenser through
suitable passages and chambers provided in the support.

page_text: In the case of motors worked by steam or elastic fluids the sectional areas of tho
induction and eduction passages increase at a rate calculated in proportion to the
rate of expansion in such a manner that the steam in passing from the first
induction passage to the last eduction passage loses a given fraction of its initial
pressure in passing from one passage to another and the whole of its force may
thus be utilised absolutely by so arranging the passages that the steam is
ultimately discharged at atmospheric pressure.
The extremities of the induction passage form a series of orifices at the periphery
of the distributing disc arranged at the side of another series of orifices formed by
the extremities of the corresponding eduction passages.
The sectional area of the passages is preferably somewhat contracted at the part
nearest the periphery of the disc and the passages are so curved that the streams or
jets of motive fluid are delivered by the induction passages and received by the
eduction passages at an angle of from about 14 to 16 degrees with the tangent at
this part of the periphery or circumference.
In very powerful engines owing to the large diameter these angles with the
tangent should be somewhat smaller but the relative value should at the same time
be preserved.
The moving part of the engine or motor is constituted by a rotating wheel or
disc keyed upon a driving shaft carried by the support of the distributing disc
herein before described and provided at its periphery with a ring surrounding the
stationary distributing disc over which it is accurately adjusted so as to leave the
smallest possible interval or play between the outer surface or periphery of the
said disc and the inner surface of the ring in order to allow the ring to revolve
freely but at the same time.to provent leakage.
•
The said ring is provided with a series of passages presenting a triple curve
which in a section taken along a plane coinciding with the axis of the motor takes
the shape of the letter U. The extremities of these passages are slightly enlarged
laterally at the opening and present a series of orifices in the inner side of the
ring coinciding with the induction and eduction passages herein before described.
The extremities corresponding with the induction passages are preferably slightly
enlarged as are also the extremities of the corresponding eduction passages.
The two legs of the U shaped passages are curved in such a manner as to form
with a tangent drawn at that part of the circle forming the inner surface of the
ring an angle equal to the angle herein before described as being made by the
induction and eduction passages in the stationary disc with a tangent drawn to the
circumference of the latter.
The motive fluid entering by the passages and chambers in the support flows
along the first induction passage in each group and is thereby directed at a suitable
angle into the corresponding U shaped passages in the ring which is thereby
caused to rotate. The said U shaped passages, then cause the steam to enter the
first eduction passages of each group in the disc at the same angle thereby giving
by reaction an additional impulse to the ring. The said first eduction passages
communicate as hereinbefore described at the part,nearost the centre of the disc
with the next induction passages of the same groups through which the fluid is
caused to return to the passages in the ring, the process hereinbefore described being
repeated in succession in all the passages of each group and when steam is employed
it is expanded to the utmost extent owing to the graduation of the sectional area
of the induction and eduction passages, the motive fluid being finally discharged by
the last eduction passage after having expended all its force in imparting.rotary
motion to the ring.
The relative speed of the motive fluid gradually decreases at each emission by a
fraction equal to the difference between the circumferential speed of the ring and
that of the emission for each set of induction and deduction passages and passes
through the last induction passage with a relative speed equal to the original,speed
less the sum of the said fractions.

page_text: The passages in the stationary disc may be so arranged as to cause the motive
fluid in travelling from the first to the last passage in each group to advance either
in the same or in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the ring.
The injurious effect of centrifugal force acting on the motive fluid during its
motion through the passages in the revolving ring is balanced and neutralised by
the Ushape and triple curvature of theso passages which form siphons having legs
of equal length.
.
In cases where it is required to occasionally reverse the motor, two engines may "
be coupled together on one driving shaft having the curvature of their passages
turned in inverse directions or the motor may be provided with two driving belts,
one being crossed-The axis of the motor may be arranged to lie in a horizontal -
vertical or other plane according to circumstances.
•

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I ADRIEN JULES ALEXIS DUMOULIN of Paris in the Republic of France
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES OR TURBINES" 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 rotary motor engines worked by steam or other motive
power and it consists in the employment of a ring revolving round a stationary
disc provided with a number of peculiarly curved radial induction and eduction
passages arranged as hereinafter explained in combination with corresponding
passages in the aforesaid ring for the flow of the motive fluid which by virtue of
the peculiar arrangement of the passages is enabled to exert its force in causing
the ring to rotate under most advantageous conditions and with a minimum of
waste.
The fixed or stationary part of a motor constructed according to my Invention
consists of a central disc secured to a suitable support or bed plate. The fluid is 1
conducted to a semi-annular chamber in the centre of this disc by a pipe provided
with a regulating valve and communicating with passages and chambers in the
support leading to the said chamber.
In the thickness of this disc there are provided a series of peculiarly curved
radial supply or induction passages on the one hand and a series of similar outlet or ;
eduction passages on the other hand.
These induction or eduction passages are divided into groups and are so
arranged that each induction passage with the exception of the first of each
group communicates at the part nearest the centre or axis of the apparatus with a
corresponding eduction passage and each eduction passage with the exception of
the last of each group communicates in like manner with the corresponding
induction passage. The first induction passage of each group communicates with
the semi annular space hereinbefore referred to and the last eduction passage
communicates with a similar semi-annular space from which the exhaust steam
or other motive fluid is discharged into the atmosphere or to a condenser through
suitable passages and chambers provided in the support.
In the case of motors worked by steam or elastic fluids the sectional series of the
induction and eduction passages increase at a rate calculated in proportion to the
rate of expansion in such a manner that the steam in passing from the first
induction passage to the last eduction passage loses a given fraction of its initial
pressure in passing from one passage to another and the whole of its force may thus
be utilised absolutely by so arranging the passages that the steam is ultimately
discharged at atmospheric pressure.
The extremities of the induction passage form a series of orifices at the periphery
of the distributing disc arranged at the side of another series of orifices formed by
the extremities of the corresponding eduction passages.
The sectional area of the passages is preferably somewhat contracted at the part
nearest the periphery of the disc and the passages are so curved that the streams
or jets of motive fluid are delivered by the induction passages and received by the
eduction passages at an angle of from about 14 to 16 degrees with the tangent at
this part of the periphery or circumference.

page_text: In very powerful engines owing to the large diameter these angles with the
tangents should be somewhat smaller but the relative value should at the same time
be preserved.
The moving part of the engine or motor is constituted by a rotating wheel or
disc keyed upon a driving shaft carried by the support of the distributing disc
herein before described and provided at its periphery with a ring surrounding the
stationary distributing disc over which it is accurately adjusted so as to leave the
smallest possible interval or play between the outer surface or periphery of the said
disc and the inner surface of the ring, in order to allow the ring to revolve freely
but at the same time to prevent leakage.
The said ring is provided with a series of passages presenting a triple curve
which in a section taken along a plane coinciding with the axis of the motor takes
the shape of the letter U. The extremities of these passages are slightly enlarged
laterally at the opening and present a series of orifices in the inner side of the
ring coinciding with the induction and eduction passages hereinbefore described.
The extremities corresponding with the induction passages are preferably slightly
enlarged as are also the extremities of the corresponding eduction passages.
The two legs of the U shaped passages are curved in such a manner as to form
with a tangent drawn at that part of the circle forming the inner surface of the
ring an angle equal to the angle hereinbefore described as being made by the
induction and eduction passages in the stationary disc with a tangent drawn to
the circumference of the latter.
1
The motive fluid entering by the passages and chambers in the support, flows
along the first induction passage in each group and is thereby directed at a suitable
angle into the corresponding U shaped passages in the ring which is thereby
caused to rotate. The said Ŭ shaped passages then cause the steam to enter the
first eduction passages of each group in the disc at the same angle thereby giving
by reaction an additional impulse to the ring. The said first eduction passages
communicate, as herein beforo described, at the part nearest the contre of the disc,
with the next induction passages of the same groups through which the fluid is
caused to return to the passages in the ring the process hereinbefore described
being repeated in succession in all the passages of each group and when steain is
employed it is expanded to the utmost extent owing to the graduation of the
sectional area of the induction and eduction passages the motive fluid being finally
discharged by the last eduction passage after having expended all its force in
imparting rotary motion to the ring.
The relative speed of the motive fluid gradually decreases at each emission by a
fraction equal to the difference between the circumferential speed of the ring and
that of the emission for each set of induction and eduction passages, and passos
through the last induction passage with a relative speed equal to the original speed"
less the sum of the said fractions.
The passages in the stationary disc may be so.arranged as to cause the motive
fluid in travelling from the first to the last passage in each group to advance
either in the same or in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the ring.
The injurious effect of centrifugal force acting on the motive fluid during its
motion through the passages in the revolving ring is balanced and neutralised by
the shape and triple curvature of these passages which form siphons having legs
of equal length.
In cases where it is required to occasionally reverse the motor two engines may
be coupled together on one driving shaft having the curvature of their passages
turned in inverse directions or the motor may be provided with two driving belts
one being crossed. The axis of the motor may be arranged to lie in a horizontal,
vertical or other plane according to circumstances.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheet of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
"

page_text: '
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an engine constructed according to this
Invention. Figures 2 and 3 are transverse sections as hereinafter described and
Figure 4 is a transverse section through the steam inlet and exhaust pipes Figure 5
phews a modification.
The fixed or stationary part of the apparatus consists of a central disc A A¹ A"
secured upon a support, standard or bad plate C C'. The fluid is conducted to it
from a pipe T (provided with a regulating valve) through a supply chest M port m
and annular space D D¹.
°
In the thickness of this disc, on the right and left of its central disc or hub, and
on each of its interior surfaces there are. provided similar series of supply or
induction passages a b c d e f g h on the one side (figures 1 and 2) and a similar
series of outlet or eduction passages a¹ b¹º¹ d'e¹ƒ¹ g¹h' on its other side (figures 1
and 3).
These induction and eduction. passages are respectively shewn in four series of
eight in each series but I do not restrict myself to this precise number.
b, c, d, e, f, g
Each of these induction or supply passages communicates at the base or part
nearest the centre or axis of the apparatus at a, b, c d e % with the base of the
preceding outlet passage except the first supply or inlet passage a a¹¹ (Figure 2)
and the last outlet passage h¹h" (Figure 3) of each series which communicate at
their bases in the case of the first supply passages aa" with the right hand annular
space DD' receiving steam direct from the upper part of the cylindrical supply
chest M through the port m and in the case of the last discharge passages h¹h
with the left hand annular space E E' from which the exhaust steam or other
motive fluid is conducted either into the atmosphere or to a condenser through a
port n and the lower part of the same chest at M the said chest being divided by
partitions P P¹ (see Figure 4) into two independent semi cylindrical annular
compartments.
The contracted sections of the induction passages at their extremities a b c &c,
as well as those of the eduction passages a¹ b¹ c¹ &c in communication with the
periphery of the central disc increase at a rate calculated in accordance with the
rate of expansion of steam in such a manner that the steam in passing from a to h¹
loses a given fraction of its initial pressure (say'}-- of the said pressure) in
passing from one outlet passage to another. Thus in the motor engine herein
described and illustrated as a type, the steam enters at an actual pressure of four
atmospheres and there is a diminution of pressure equivalent to half an atmosphere
or one eighth of the original pressure in passing from one group of passages to the
other of the series of eight groups that is to say the expansion is absolute and
complete after it has passed through the last group hu v h¹ h¹ whence it proceeds
along E E' n n M' M¹ T¹ to the atmosphere or to a condenser.
The extremities of all the induction passages of the same series coincide on the
same generating line and form a series of orifices at the periphery of the distributing
disc arranged at the side of another series of orifices formed by the extremities of
the corresponding eduction passages which in turn communicates at the base with
the following induction passage and so on in succession from the first passage a to
the last passage h¹ of each series.
The same extremities of reduced sectional area, leading to the circumference of
the distributing plate or disc, are so curved that the central part of the jet of steam
is directed in escaping, at an angle of from about 14 to 16 degrees with the tangent
at this part of the circumference, and is received by the corresponding discharge
passage at an angle of from about 16 to 18 degrees, with the tangent at the same
point. In very powerful engines, owing to the large diameter, these angles with
the tangent should be somewhat smaller but the relative value should at the same
time be preserved.
In place of four identically similar series of groups of passages the number may
be reduced to two or three only especially in the case of small engines or increased

page_text: The receiver or moving part of the engine constituting the turbine proper consists
of a rotating wheel or disc B keyed upon a driving shaft. O and provided at its
periphery with a ring B' surrounding the stationary distributing disc hereinbefore
described over which it is accurately adjusted so as to leave the smallest possible
interval or play between the outer surface or periphery of the said disc and the
inner surface of the ring in order to allow the ring to revolve freely but at the
same time to prevent play.
The said ring B' is provided on each side of the interior of its periphery in the
same manner as the distributing disc with receiving passages all of the same form
and presenting a curve (u v) taking the shape of the letter U in the radial
direction the legs u u on one side being slightly enlarged laterally (see figure 1) at
the opening so that they coincide exactly with the induction and eduction
passages a b c &c and the other legs vv (which are not enlarged at their opening)
.coincide with the discharge passages a b c &c which are similarly enlarged at the
entrance thus bringing them successively and continually into direct communication
during the rotation of the ring.
The legs u are curved in such a manner as to form with a tangent drawn at
that part of the circle-forming the inner surface of the ring an angle equal to the
angle hereinbefore described as being made by the induction and eduction passages
in the stationary disc with a tangent drawn to the circumference of the latter.
Thus it is evident that the legs u of the receiving passages of this ring perform
the functions of outlet passages relatively to the corresponding induction passages a
bc &c and the other legs vv perform the functions of induction passages with
regard to the corresponding eduction passages a¹ b c &c in the disc and the motive
fluid produces a direct first impulse on entering the legs u and a second impulse
by equal reaction in the same direction on issuing from the other legs v hence a
double counter effect or action is obtained.
61
C
له
d
It will be seen equally clearly that the motive fluid proceeding from the semi
annular chamber D D when injected by the first supply passages a" a a" a of
the four series of groups passes successively and freely through the following
complete series namely a" a u v g'-b u v -cuv duvƒ u v ―g u v g
vs.
-huvh has indicated by the arrows in figures 1, 2 and 3 and finally reaches
the left hand annular space E E whence it escapes freely into the atmosphere or
into a condenser through the port n n the semi annular compartment M.M' and
the exhaust pipe T after having imparted to the turbine eight impulses by direct
action and eight impulses by reaction all in the direction of its rotation in the
.course of its travel through each group or series, and being gradually expanded
until atmospheric pressure is reached there results a uniform dynamic action.
The relative speed of the motive fluid gradually decreases at each of the eight
emissions by a fraction equal to the difference between the circumferential speed
of the ring and that of the emission for each of the eight groups of passages and
.consequently escapes at last through the last induction passages h with a rolative
speed equal to that of emission less the sum of theso eight successive fractions.
Figure 5 represents a modification of the stationary distributing disc in which
the arrangement of the induction and eduction passages is absolutely reversed in
such a manner that the flow of motive fluid instead of taking place from one to
the other and in each group by precession.as in figures 2 and 3 takes place on the
contrary by antecession and retrogradation relatively to the direction of rotation
of the moveable receiving ring.
The injurious effect of the centrifugal force acting on the motive fluid during its
motion through the passages uvuv which would prevent the increase in the
delivery resulting therefrom, to the detriment of the useful effect, is balanced or
neutralized by the U shape and triple curvature of the said passages uv the fluid
entering through the legs uu and returning through the other legs precisely
5 at the same distance from the centre of rotation, the action of the centrifugal force
being equal and in contrary directions in each of the two legs.

page_text: This arrangement of receiving ducts can be applied to all descriptions of
hydraulic motor turbines and will render them considerably more effective than
as heretofore constructed.
'
Any escape of steam through the open annular space existing between the
circumference of the stationary disc and the inner surface of the rotating ring, is
effectually prevented by providing for a free or unimpeded circulation of the motive
fluid without any lateral pressure at this point, by the peculiar arrangement of the
groups of passages in correspondence, presenting to the said fluid during its passage
through each series a sectional area increasing regularly from a to h¹ according to
the laws which govern the unimpeded flow of elastic fluids and according to their
rates of expansion and the form naturally assumed by the jets or streams on thoir
ejection from orifices.
In cases where it is required to reverse the direction of rotation of the driving
shaft two engines or turbines are coupled together on one driving shaft having
the curvature of their induction eduction and receiving passages turned in
reverse directions, or the motor may be provided with two driving pulleys and
belts (one being crossed) and a loose pulley between for receiving either band as
required.
The axis of the motor may be arranged in a horizontal vertical or other plano
according to circumstances.
The machine may if desired be enclosed in an envelope or casing for preventing
condensation and to, provide against leakage of the motive fluid and also to
diminish the noise produced by the working of the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First-The rotary engine or turbine arranged substantially as herein before
defined so as to operate by action and reaction and to provide for complete
expansion or practically complete expansion of the motive fluid substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Second: In rotary engines and turbines the combination of a disc provided on
opposite sides with one or more series of induction and eduction passages for the
fluid, presenting increasing sectional areas and communicating with one another in
pairs in the direction of the axis of rotation together with a rotating ring baving
in it receiving ducts for the purpose of giving in conjunction with the passages in
the disc a gradual and progressivo expansion the first induction passage of the
series or of each series communicating with the steam inlet or supply and the
last eduction passage of the series or of each series opening into the exhaust all
substantially as and for the purposo hereinbefore described.
Third-In rotary engines or turbines the use of a moveable ring koyed upon
the motor shaft and provided with U shaped inclined passages for the admission
and emission of the fluid at equal distances from the centre the two legs of these
passages opening on each side opposite respectively to induction and eduction
passages in a stationary disc the legs of the said U shaped passages being of equal
length in order to obviate any disturbing action arising from centrifugal force.
"