Improvements in Process and in Means or Apparatus for Producing Motive Power from Combustible Liquids, Gases, or Vapours.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Process and in Means or Apparatus for Producing
Motive Power from Combustible Liquids, Gases, or Vapours.
I, HUDSON MAXIM, now temporarily residing at The Astor House, in and of the
City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, (Post Office
Box 2488), Chemist and Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to a novel process and means or apparatus for
producing and utilizing motive power, and consists generally in combining a
combustible element or material such as carbon, carbonaceous material, hydro-
carbons whether light or heavy and whether. solid, liquid or gaseous, with oxygen
or atmospheric air and utilizing the expansion of the products of combustion by
the heat of the reaction of the combustion.
The first part of this invention. consists in the utilization of the expansive power
of compressed combustible gases, and the expansive power or tension of gases
evolved from a volatile combustible liquid to produce motive power, and the
subsequent combustion of the said gases for the production of further motive
power. Liquid hydrocarbons, compressed illuminating gas or compressed hydrogen
may be successfully employed for this purpose, or I may employ a combustible or
hydrocarbon liquid not volatile at ordinary atmospheric pressures and temperatures
such for example as kerosene oil, the same being evaporated or vaporized by the
application of heat thereto. I prefer, however, to employ liquid acetylene from
the fact that it develops a very high pressure under the heat of the atmosphere at
ordinary temperatures.
In carrying out this part of my invention a motor preferably of the rotary type is
interposed between the fuel-reservoir, containing said liquid acetylene, and the place
of combustion of the fuel. The power of this motor may be employed and is
preferably employed to operate an air compressor or pump for supplying
atmospheric air under pressure to the place of combustion of the fuel and under a
pressure greater than the pressure generated by the combustion of said fuel in
oxygen. Heat may be and is preferably supplied to the fuel-reservoir to evaporate
or vaporize the liquid fuel or to expand the gases as desired. This may be done
by burning a jet of the fuel under said reservoir or by utilizing the heat of the
products of combustion from the exhaust of the motor actuated by said products to
evaporate the fuel and expand its gases or to expand or heat a gaseous fuel.
I may also in addition to the supply of the necessary air to support combustion
of the fuel also utilize the power developed by the motor actuated by the expansion
of the fuel gases before combustion to operate an air pump or compressor to force
air into to dilute the products of combustion of the said gases in their passage from
the combustion chamber or generator to the motor or into a motor actuated or.
driven by the products of combustion."
It is obvious that as high a pressure as desired may be obtained in the reservoir
containing the fuel by the application of heat thereto. A portion of the pressure
developed by the expansive power of the gases may be utilized to actuate or drive
a motor to supply air or oxygen to support the combustion of the gaseous fuel and
also to dilute the products of combustion with atmospheric air to lower their
temperature before admission to the motor by the difference in the excess of such
expansive power above that which is necessary to force the fuel under pressure to

page_text: the generator or combustion chamber, so that the pressure of the gases after they
have passed through and operated the first motor is still greater than the pressure
in the combustion chamber. As for example, when employing liquid acetylene as
a fuel which at atmospheric temperatures exerts a pressure of about seven hundred
pounds to the square inch, the gas may be forced into a combustion chamber
against the pressure of two hundred pounds, say, to the square inch and the
difference between seven hundred pounds and two hundred pounds utilized to drive
an intervening motor.
It is also obvious that the products of combustion of the expanded fuel may be
augmented by other fluids or by the products of combustion of other fuels; and
that such other fuels may be burned in the presence of the combustion of the
expanded fuel in accordance with the second part of my invention.
In carrying out this second part of my invention, the solid carbonaceous material
such as coal, coke, or the like, is burned under pressure, that is to say, is burned in
a substantially closed chamber under a blast, and the products of combustion
conducted to a motor to be used as the motor fluid. In such case the blast instead
of being atmospheric air continuously supplied by a pump or otherwise at a
desired pressure, may be supplied by continuously feeding a combustible, such as a
liquid hydrocarbon, and also oxygen or atmospheric air and burning the same in
the presence of said solid fuel or allowing the flaine of the combustion of said
combustible blast or the products of combustion thereof to impinge upon or pass
through the charge of solid fuel. The said liquid hydrocarbon and also preferably
the air are subjected to and fed to the combustion chamber or generator under a
pressure greater than that of atmospheric pressure and also greater than the
pressure in the combustion chamber.
In order to provide for a continuous supply to the motor of the heated products
of combustion of the solid fuel with that of the liquid hydrocarbon combustible,
in contradistinction to an intermittent supply effected by successively exploding
proper mixtures of such combustible with air, I employ--a continuous feed and
combustion, which is rendered possible because the pressure of the feed of the
combustible is greater than the pressure produced in the combustion chamber, in
that such chamber is allowed to vent itself to do work in the motor portion of the
apparatus. The heat of combustion or the heat radiated through the walls of the
motor, may be utilized for vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon combustible, or for
superheating it, or for heating and expanding air supplied to the solid fuel or to
the products of combustion passing to the motor. In burning the solid carbonaceous
material in conjunction with said fluid combustible the products of combustion of
the solid fuel are materially augmented, permitting the use in the first instance of a
less quantity of said fluid combustible than would otherwise be necessary and in
fact utilizing the injection of said combustible and oxygen primarily as a means
for effecting and maintaining the combustion of the solid fuel under pressure.
the preferred construction this solid carbonaceous matter is fed to the combustion
chamber or generator so that the flame of the heated products of combustion of
the fluid combustible.and oxygen in their passage through the generator will act
on said solid fuel and cause its combustion. A grate -is provided for supporting
the solid fuel and an air tight ash pit for the collection and removal of the ash.
The feed of the solid fuel is had against the pressure exerted in the combustion
chamber and may be either automatic or otherwise and in such manner as to cause
little or any loss of pressure in the combustion chamber.
In
The excess of pressure for the feed of the fluid combustible over that produced
by the explosion or continuous burning of the combustible in oxygen is effected or
maintained by means of an air compressor or pump connected to the motor or
operated by other means independent of the motor, the air compressor being kept
from overheating by admitting water thereinto and allowing it to pass therethrough
and out with the compressed air. The temperature of the air may thereby be
lowered and the heat utilized for heating or evaporating water. The water and
air reservoirs are connected so that the steam evaporated from the water may

page_text: become mixed with the air and pass with the air into and through the generator,
whereby the heat given out by the air by its compression is utilized. The water
reservoir is also preferably connected and preferably below the water line to the
motor parts of the apparatus whereby water or steam as desired may be admitted
to the motor cylinder for the purpose of keeping its parts cool or lowering the
emperature thereof; or the motor may be and is preferably kept from overheating
by admitting air to the products of combustion before they are admitted to the
motor.
than
In starting the apparatus I first begin combustion of the fluid combustible and
oxygen preferably by means of an electric spark as by terminals or by heat or
incandescence as by an electrole or a resistance within an electric circuit, beated
to a sufficiently high temperature for the purpose. The flame or heated products
of this combustion then serve to heat and burn the solid fuel, the resulting
products of combustion being greatly augmented. When once combustion has
started it will be maintained both as to the fluid combustible and the solid fuel as
long as the pressure of the feed of the fluid combustible is maintained greater
in the generator. If, however, the pressure of the feed of the fluid combustible
becomes too much lowered or if too much work be put upon the motor, then the
pressure in the generator will amount to that of the feed, combustion will cease
and the motor stop. The generator is supplied preferably with any non-combustible
or refractory material such as asbestos or fire clay which may serve as a screen or
the like to slightly impede the transit of the heated blast or products of combustion
through the generator to the motor and such screen may also serve to prevent the
passage of solid matter to the motor.
So far as the motor is concerned adapted to utilize the continuously produced
heated products of combustion or other heated products, it is obvious that the
class or type of motor may be varied according as the designer may elect, but in
further carrying out the invention I prefer to utilize the expansive force of the
heated products of combustion as well as the force of their momentum, and to this
end I prefer to employ a compound or other expansion engine consisting of high
and low pressure cylinders and their pistons as is usual in such engines; and
furthermore I prefer to employ a novel construction and arrangement of engines
of the rotary type and having a common main shaft passing through both or all of
the cylinders so that the motive power of the products of combustion is taken
directly by the one shaft without the loss of power incident to intermediate
connections and the like. And still further in order to correct the loss of power
incident in this type of engine to the leakage of pressure past the ends and sides
of the piston-blades the latter are provided with a novel gas check, so constructed
as to utilize the pressure of the expansion of the gases within the motor to exert
Da greater pressure upon the packing of the gas check against the internal
periphery of the motor cylinder than the pressure of the gases themselves within
the motor.
The motor or motor cylinder or cylinders may be cooled by circulating any
proper medium such as the fluid combustible or it may be by expanding compressed
5 air in a jacket chamber around the motor, or and in addition thereto, a limited
quantity of water may be supplied to the interior of the first motor cylinder which
being converted into steam will augment the motor fluid admitted therefrom from
the combustion chamber.
The motor may be regulated to a nicety in its speed and an effective brake
0 placed on the apparatus the motor is connected with, by shutting or choking its
exhaust, thereby raising the pressure therein until it shall be at or nearly equal to
the inflowing feed supply. It is preferable, however, to control the speed of the
motor by controlling the inflow of the fluid combustible and air to the generator
from the feeding apparatus by the use of suitable valves or by varying the pressure
5 maintained in the feeding apparatus.
Where the gases formed in the fuel chamber are not burned, but which chamber
is utilized to form say carbonic oxide and the like, the products after doing duty

page_text: as a motor fluid may pass to a reservoir to use as a heating medium or by other
treatment used as an illuminating gas. So, too, any excess of the gases over that
required by the motor may be conducted off to a reservoir for use.
The heated
gases or products of combustion before passing to the motor may be cooled and
the solid residue separated therefrom in a novel manner, and may be utilized to
make steam which may pass with the gaseous products to the motor.
The method of operation and construction of apparatus of the first portion of
my invention may be modified by expanding the liquid acetylene or other fuel in
its reservoir and conducting the vapor upward through a heated expanding coil
and thence to a combustion chamber, the force of the vapor entering said chamber
drawing sufficient atmospheric air into said chamber to support combustion therein.
The heated products of combustion then pass onward to the motor to be utilized
as a motor fluid, and such products may in their passage to the motor draw in
atmospheric air to dilute and to more or less cool the products of combustion
before doing duty in the motor. The heat of the exhausted products from the
motor may be utilized to heat the fuel reservoir as well as the coil; or in lieu
thereof a portion of the fuel vapor may be led to a burner to heat said reservoir
and coil or either.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1906
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Process and in Means or
tus for Producing
Motive Power from Combustible Liquids, Gases, or Vapours.
1, HUDSON MAXIM, formerly temporarily residing at The Astor House, in and
of the City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, (Post
Office Box 2488) but now of Thurlow Lodge, 377 Norwood Road, London, S.E.,
Chemist and Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
The present invention relates principally to improvements in the process and
apparatus set forth in the Complete Specification of my prior Application for
Patent No. 1404 A.D. 1896 and consists generally in the utilization of the
expansive force of compressed combustible gases, and the expansive force or tension
of gases evolved from a volatile combustible liquid to produce motive power,
and the subsequent combustion of the said gases for the production of further
motive power. Liquid hydrocarbons, compressed illuminating gas or compressed
hydrogen may be successfully employed for this purpose, or I may employ a
combustible or hydrocarbon liquid not volatile at ordinary atmospheric pressures
and temperatures such as kerosene oil, the same being evaporated or vaporized by
the application of heat thereto. I prefer, however, to employ liquid acetylene
which is capable of developing a very high pressure under the heat of the
atmosphere at ordinary temperatures.
According to my invention I interpose a rotary motor, between the fuel-reservoir
and the chamber wherein the combustion of the fuel takes place.. This motor is
preferably employed to operate an air compressor or pump for supplying atmo
spheric air to the said combustion chamber at a pressure greater than that
generated by the combustion of the said fuel. Heat is preferably supplied to the
fuel-reservoir to. evaporate or vaporize the liquid fuel or to expand the gases
therein, as desired. This may be done by burning a jet of the fuel under said
reservoir or by utilizing the heat of the products of combustion from the exhaust

page_text: of the motor actuated by said products. 1 may also utilize the first mentioned
rotary motor to operate an air pump or compressor to supply air for dilating the
products of combustion of the said gases in their passage from the combustion
chamber to the motor proper.
It is obvious that the products of combustion of the expanded fuel may be
augmented by other fluids or by the products of combustion of other fuels.
The operation and construction of the apparatus may be modified by expanding
the liquid acetylene or other fuel in its.reservoir and conducting the vapor through
a heated vapor-expanding coil to the combustion chamber, the force of the vapour
entering said chamber drawing in with it sufficient atmospheric air to support
combustion. The heated products of combustion then pass onward to the motor
proper to be, utilized as a motor, fluid, and such products may in their passage
to the motor draw in atmospheric air to dilute and to more or less cool the
products of combustion before doing duty in the motor.
The heat of the
exhausted products from the motor may be utilized to heat the fuel reservoir as
well as the aforesaid coil; or in lieu thereof a portion of the fuel vapour may be
led to a burner to heat said reservoir and coil or either of them.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1, is an elevation partly in section of a suitable form of apparatus for use
with my process,
Figure 2, is a similar view of a modified form of the apparatus.
A is the fuel reservoir; B the rotary motor for working the pump or air
compressor B1; C the combustion chamber; and D the motor proper.
Referring more particularly to Figure 1, the liquid fuel reservoir or tank A is
provided with an outlet conduit in the form of a coil b wherein the fuel is vaporized
either by the heat of the surrounding atmosphere or by a heater in the form of a
burner c which is arranged below the coil so that the lower portion of the latter
will be the hottest. The coil 6 leads to the small rotary motor B, which is actuated
by the expansive force of the fuel vapor entering said motor. This motor in turn
operates the rotary pump B' which is in this instance adapted to supply atmospheric
air under pressure, through the pipe e, to the combustion chamber C. After
passing through the motor Band doing duty therein the vaporized fuel is conducted
by a pipe to the combustion chamber C where it mixes with the air from the
compressor and is burned. Instead of passing the vaporized fuel directly to the
said combustion chamber it may enter a jacket chamber C' surrounding the com-
bustion chamber so that it will he still further vaporized und its tensiou raised by
heat of radiation as it passes to the combustion chamber.
The combustion of the vaporized fuel in the said chamber C is supported by the
air or oxygen forced thereinto as above stated, the pressure at which the air enters
being somewhat greater than the pressure exerted by the combustion of the fuel.
The heated products of combustion are then conducted to the motor proper D to
operate it, and the exhausted products are led off from such motor by a pipe D.
As the exhausted products from said motor are more or less heated, they may be
utilized for heating the feed coil b and to this end the exhaust pipe D may be
conducted to the so-called burner C and escape beneath the said coil. Of course
other modes of heating this coil tony be adopted.
The several pipes are provided with the proper controlling valves; and the
exhaust pipe with a valve De to more or less choke the exhaust, so as to regulate
the speed of the motor or stop its operation.
The internal construction of the combustion chamber C and motor D is not
herein shown as such construction forms no part of the present invention. They,
however, may be constructed and arranged to operate in substantially the manner
set forth in the Complete Specification of my former application for patent already
alluded to, but it will be apparent that various forms of such chamber and motor
may be used without departing from my invention. It will also be understood

page_text: that other portions of the apparatus herein described may be varied and may be
differently arranged and proportioned without affecting the essential characteristics
of this invention.
Liquid fuel can be supplied from time to time to the reservoir A through a feed
pipe d' controlled by a valve d; the pressure in the reservoir being communicated
to the top of the feed tank by a pipe d³ controlled by a valve d', so that
when the feed is desired the liquid from the tank d will pass by gravity. into
the reservoir A. A supply of liquid fuel may be fed to said tank through a
pipe d, a vent de being opened at such time to allow the tank to be filled.
Referring to the modified form of the apparatus shown in Figure 2, the liquid
fuel, such as acetylene, contained in the reservoir A expands and passes upward
through the coil 6 where it is still further vaporized or preferably further
expanded by the heat from the burner c. From the coil the gaseous fuel passes
into the combustion chamber C drawing in atmospheric air by the force of the jet
through openings, to support the combustion of the gaseous fuel in said
chamber C. The products of combustion thence pass from said chamber through
a conduit C to the motor D, aud during such passage draw in atmospheric air
through the openings e to dilute the same and to more or less cool said products
before doing duty in the motor. The exhausted products from the motor may be
led by the pipe Ď to the so called burner e to heat the coil b; and such exhausted
products may also be conveyed by a pipe i to a heater j beneath the reservoir A to
expand the fuel in said reservoir. Instead of thus utilizing the heat of these
products, a portion of the expanded fuel may be conducted by the pipe K (indicated
by dotted lines) and burned at the heater j.
The combustion of the fuel may be started in any suitable manner as by a spark
passing between electric terminals in the combustion chamber C.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A process of obtaining motive power, which consists in utilizing the expansion
of a gaseous fuel to actuate one notor, then burning, in a suitable combustion
chamber, the fuel exhausted from this motor and utilizing the products of com-
bustion to actuate another motor, substantially as described with reference to
Figure 1 of the drawings.
2. A process of obtaining motive power, by mixing air with a gaseous fuel, then
burning the fuel in a suitable combustion chamber and mixing more air with the
products of combustion, and utilizing this mixture to actuate a motor substantially
as described with reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.
3. The utilization of the products of combustion exhausted from the motor,
either for evaporating the liquid fuel or vapourizing the gaseous fuel or both
substantially as described.
4. Apparatus constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described
with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings and for the
purpose specified.
ני.
1
1 1900
HUDSON MAXIM.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.