Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1887
Complete Left, 27th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 1st June, 1888
I, SAMUEL GRIFFIN of Kingston Iron Works, Bath in the County of Somerset,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to gas motor engines of the kind known as "Twin" or double
cylinder engines in which each cylinder alternately gives an impulse to the crank
shaft when working at full power for the purpose of obtaining increased power with
more frequent impulses and consequently greater steadiness in running.
Hitherto such engines have usually been made with each cylinder working with the
double or "Otto" cycle, viz.;-one impulse (alternately in each cylinder) at every two
revolutions of the crank shaft when working at full power. The great disadvantage
of such being that both pistons (when the cylinders are side by side must necessarily
make their outstroke at the same time, otherwise equal periods between the alternate
impulses of each cylinder cannot be obtained. Such engines are thus thrown con-
siderably out of balance (in consequence of the motion of both pistons and connecting
rods being simultaneously in one direction) which for high speeds is very objectionable.
In order to remedy these defects I construct my improved gas motor engine with
two single acting cylinders arranged side by side (either horizontally or vertically)
and actuating the same crank shaft the cycle in each cylinder being the same as
described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me dated 23rd of August
1883, No. 4080 i.e. an impulse takes place at the back end of each cylinder alternately
every third revolution, consequently an impulse is communicated to the crank shaft at
every one and a half revolutions with equal periods between each impulse when at
full power. This arrangement admits of the cranks being set opposite each other at
such an angle that while the piston in one cylinder is making an outstroke the piston
in the other cylinder is making an instroke, perfect equilibrium being thus obtained.
In order to obtain still greater power combined with great, steadiness in running
according to my present improvements I place two double acting cylinders such as
described in the specification before referred to (No. 4080 of 1883) side by side
arranged to actuate the same crank shaft thus forming a double horizontal engine.

page_text: The cranks are set at such an angle with each other, that the periods between each
impulse will be equal when working at full power.and great steadiness together with
increased power will result.
Another form of gas motor engine is also obtained by fixing two such double
acting cylinders on a framing with their piston rods at right angles to each other
(similar to an ordinary diagonal steam engine) both cylinders actuating the same
crank with equal periods between the impulses when this engine is running at full
power, and consequently steady running with increased power will also result from this
improved arrangement.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I SAMUEL GRIFFIN of Kingston Iron Works Bath in the County of Somerset
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:-
My invention relates to gas motor engines of the kind known as "Twin" or double
cylinder engines in which each cylinder alternately gives an impulse to the crank
shaft when working at full power for the purpose of obtaining increased power with
more frequent impulses and consequently greater steadiness in running.
Hitherto such engines have usually been made with each cylinder working with the
double or "Otto" cycle viz. :-one impulse (alternately in each cylinder) at every
two revolutions of the crank shaft when working at full power. The great dis-
advantage of such an arrangement being that both pistons (when the cylinders are side.
by side must necessarily make their outstroke at the same time otherwise equal periods
between the alternate impulses of each cylinder cannot be obtained. Such engines are
thus thrown considerably out of balance (in consequence of the motion of both pistons
and connecting rods being simultaneously in one direction) which for high speeds is
very objectionable.
In order to remedy these defects I construct my improved gas motor engine with
two single acting cylinders arranged side by side (either horizontally or vertically).
and actuating the same crank shaft the cycle in each cylinder being the same as
described in the specification of Letters Patent granted to me dated 23rd of
August 1883 No. 4080 i.e. an impulse takes place at the back end of each cylinder.
alternately every third revolution consequently an impulse is communicated to the
crank shaft at every one and a half revolutions with equal periods between each
impulse when at full power. This arrangement admits of the cranks being set
opposite each other at such an angle that while the piston in one cylinder is making
an outstroke the piston in the other cylinder is making an instroke perfect
equilibrium being thus obtained.
In order to obtain still greater power combined with great steadiness in running
according to my present improvements I place two double acting cylinders such as
described in the specification before referred to (No. 4080 of 1883) side by side
arranged to actuate the same crank shaft thus forming a double horizontal engine.
The cranks are set at such an angle with each other, that the periods between each
impulse will be equal when working at full power and great steadiness together with
increased power will result.
Another form of gas motor engine is also obtained by fixing two such double acting
cylinders on a framing with their piston rods at right angles to each other (similar to
an ordinary diagonal steam engine) both cylinders actuating the same crank with
equal periods between the impulses when this engine is running at full power, and
consequently steady running with increased power will also result from this improved
arrangement.

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 show front and side elevations of my improved double cylinder
gas motor engine constructed and arranged with single acting cylinders in which the
same cycle is employed as that described in the Specification of my Letters Patent
No. 4080, 1883 before referred to.
The cylinders a' a are arranged parallel with each other in the water casing t the
piston in each cylinder being connected by means of the rods bb with the cranks c'c
these cranks being set opposite each other, and connected together by a central shaft
to the ends of which the fly wheels d' d are attached.
worm
The operation of admitting the combustible charge alternately into each cylinder,.
as well as igniting same at the proper time is performed by the slide valve e
which is arranged with a double set of ports or passages one set for each cylinder
similar to those described in the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 4,080*3
before referred to. The slide valve e receives its motion through the rod f from the
crank g which is attached to a spindle passing through the framing underneath the
box and having fitted at its opposite end the governor driving wheel m.
Motion in the proportion of one revolution to three of the crank shaft is imparted to
this spindle by means of a worm on the crank shaft working in the worm box u
which gears with a worm wheel attached to the spindle (not visible in the drawings).
The exhaust valves k (only one of which is visible in the drawing) receive motion
from the cam through the levers i. i and rods j.j. The admission of gas is regulated
by the gas cam n which opens the gas valve at the proper time by means of the rod o
this rod being moved either into or out of contact with the gas valve by the action of
and r.
the governor through the medium of the lever
The interior of
and rods
P
the cylinders as well as the slide valve is oiled by means of the lubricators s. s.
The operation of the engine is as follows-The entire cycle being completed in each
cylinder in 3 revolutions of the crank shaft as described in the Specification of my
Patent No. 40803 before referred to an impulse will take place in the cylinder a
causing the crank shaft to make one entire revolution and a half at which point the
crank c will be on the bottom centre and the combustible charge in the cylinder a
fully compressed. The slide valve e having now completed its stroke in the opposite
direction the charge in cylinder a is ignited imparting an impulse to the crank c
causing the crank shaft to revolve a further one and a half revolutions, at this point
the crank c' is again in the position shown in the drawing at the same time the entire
cycle in cylinder a¹ having been completed an impulse is again about to take place
which will be followed on the completion of a further one and a half revolutions of the
crank shaft by an impulse in cylinder a. An impulse thus takes place at every one
and a half revolutions of the crank shaft, alternately in each cylinder, with equal
periods between each impulse when the engine is working at full load while the angle
at which the cranks are set in regard to each other ensures perfect equilibrium and
consequent steadiness in running.
When the engine exceeds its normal speed, the governor will rise and thus by
means of the rods q and r and the lever p move the rod o out of contact with the gas
valve, thus shutting off the supply of gas.
The interior of the cylinders as well as the slide valve is oiled by means of the
lubricators s. S. The exhaust valves & receive motion alternately through the levers i. i
and the rods j. j from a single cam h which is attached to the spindle behind the
governor wheel m.
The details of the operations of charging, igniting and exhausting are not described
in this Specification, these details being already described and illustrated in the
Specification of my Patent No. 408083 before referred to. The engine just described
may also be constructed with horizontal cylinders.

page_text: Figures 3 and 4 show a side elevation and plan of my improved double cylinder gas
motor engine constructed with double acting cylinders as described in the Specification
of iny Patent No. 4080s before referred to.
The cylinders a' a are arranged parallel to each other in the water casing t the
piston rod of each cylinder being connected by means of the connecting rods with
the cranks cc these cranks being set at an angle of 90 degrees, i.e. at right angles and
connected with each other by a central shaft to the ends of which the fly wheels d' d
are attached.
The operations of admitting the combustible charge into each cylinder as well as
igniting same at the proper time is performed by the slide valves e¹e which receive
motion through the rods ff from the eccentrics g g which are attached to spindles
having at their opposite ends the wheels which gear with the pinions, on the
crank shaft. The wheels h. perform one revolution to three revolutions of the
pinions. Each cylinder is fitted with two exhaust valves one being situated at
the back end k and one at the front end not visible in the drawing. These valves aro
actuated by any suitable cam attached to or working in connection with the
wheels. Gas is admitted to the cylinders through the slide valves ele by
means of the gas valves jj which are actuated by the cams I through the rods o¹ o.
these rods being moved either into or out of contact with the gas valves j' j by any
suitable arrangement of governors.
The interior of the cylinders as well as the slide valves are oiled by means of the
lubricators s. S.
The mode of operation is as follows. The engine being in the position shewn
in the drawings, an impulse will take place on the front end of the cylinder a'
causing the crank shaft to revolve in the direction indicated by the arrows, until it
has made three quarters of one revolution. The crank c will now be at its back dead
centre, and consequently the piston in the cylinder a will be at its full back stroke,
with the combustible charge fully compressed behind it. At this point the charge is
ignited by means of the slide valve e its impulse causing the crank shaft through the
medium of the crank c to make a second three quarters of one revolution. The
crank c will now be in a position opposite to that shewn in the drawing, viz.: at its
back dead centre, consequently the piston in the cylinder a' will be at its full back
stroke, with the combustible charge fully compressed behind it. At this point the charge
is again ignited by means of the slide valve e' its impulse causing the crank shaft
through the medium of the crank c' to make a third three quarters of one revolution.
The crank e will now be at its front dead centre, and consequently the piston in the
cylinder a will be at its full front stroke, the combustible charge being fully compressed
in the front end of the cylinder. At this point the charge is again ignited by means
of the slide valve e its impulse causing the crank shaft through the medium of the
crank c to make a fourth three quarters of one revolution.
The entire cycle in both cylinders is now completed, the crank c being again in
the position shewn in the drawings with the charge in the front end of the cylinder a
compressed ready for ignition.
Three complete revolutions of the crank shaft having been performed in completing
the cycle in both cylinders, with an impulse taking place alternately in each cylinder,
at every three quarters of one revolution, it will be obvious that four impulses take
place in every three revolutions of the crank shaft with equal periods between each
impulse, thus ensuring increased power as well as extreme steadiness in working.
Any convenient method of governing may be employed. The oiling of the interior
of the cylinders as well as the slide valves is effected by means of the lubricators s s.
Figure 5 shows an elevation of my improved diagonal gas motor engine constructed
with two double acting cylinders as described in the Specification of my Patent
No. 408083 before referred to.
The cylinders a¹ a are fixed at right angles to each other on the main
framing the pistons giving motion through the connecting rods c¹ c to a
single crank de Motion is imparted to the slide valves ee through the

page_text: rods ff by the excentric g. This excentric is fixed upon a shaft which
passes through the framing and receives its motion from the crank shaft by means
of "three to one" gearing, it thus makes one revolution to three of the crank shaft.
The rods ¹h communicate motion to the gas valves these rods being actuated by
the lovers which are pivoted at their ends kk. The cam communicates the
necessary motion to these levers at the proper time. The governor m imparts a
vibrating motion to the rods through the medium of the rods n n by means of
the levers oo which are pivoted at p p. The lubricators q supply the interior of
the cylinders as well as the slide valves with oil.
The operation of the engine is as follows:-The parts being in the position shewn
in the drawing an impulse has just taken place at the back end of the cylinder a¹
causing the crank shaft to revolve in the direction indicated by the arrow until it has
made three quarters of one revolution. At this point the piston in the cylinder a
will be at its full instroke with the combustible charge at the back end of the cylinder,
behind it fully compressed. This charge is now ignited by means of the slide valve e
causing the crank to make a second three quarters of one revolution. At this point
the piston in cylinder a' will be at its full front stroke, with the combustible charge
fully compressed in the front end of the cylinder.
This charge is now ignited by the slide valve el causing the crank to make a third
three quarters of one revolution. At this point the piston in the cylinder a will be
at its full front stroke, with the combustible charge fully compressed at the front end
of the cylinder. Ignition of the charge now takes place, causing the crank to make
a fourth three quarters of one revolution.
The entire cycle in each cylinder is now completed, the crank shaft having made three
revolutions, in which four impulses (two in each cylinder) have taken place, with
equal periods between each impulse. When the normal velocity of the engine is exceeded
the governor m will rise, moving the rods hh out of contact with the gas valves i¹ i
and thus cut off the supply of gas.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner of carrying the
same into practice I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact
details hereinbefore described as they may be modified without departing from the
nature of my invention neither do I claim any of the parts separately which are well
known and in common use-But what 1 claim is :
--
1. The improved arrangement and construction of gas motor engines in which two
single acting cylinders are arranged side by side so as to actuate separate cranks set
opposite to each other and connected with each other by means of a central shaft the
cycle of operations in each cylinder being substantially such as that described in the
Specification of my Letters Patent dated 23rd August 1883 No. 4080.
2. The improved arrangement of mechanism employed in the construction of a
vertical double cylinder gas motor engine in which a single slide with two sets of
poris or passages having a motion in the same direction as the pistons governs the
admission of combustible compound into each cylinder alternately as well as the
ignition apparatus of same substantially as described with reference to Figures 3
and 4 of the drawings hereto annexed.
3. The improved arrangement of mechanism employed in the construction of a
vertical double cylinder gas motor engine in which a worm attached to the crank shaft
between two cranks imparts motion to a worm wheel and spindle revolving under-
neath it one end of this spindle by means of a crank and cam imparting motion to a
slide valve and gas valve the other end by means of a wheel and cam imparting motion
to the governor and exhaust valve substantially as described with reference to Figures 1
and 2 of the drawings annexed.
4. The improved general arrangement of vertical double cylinder gas motor
engines the various parts of which are arranged and actuated substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings annexed.
5. The improved arrangement and construction of gas motor ongines in which two

page_text: double acting cylinders are arranged side by side so as to actuate separate cranks set
at right angles to each other upon the same shaft. The cycle of operations in each
cylinder being such as that described in the Specification of my Letters Patent
No. 408083 with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings hereto annexed.
6. The improved general arrangement and construction of double cylinder gas
motor engines having double acting cylinders the various parts being arranged and
actuated substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings
hereto annexed.
7. The improved arrangement and construction of gas motor engines in which two
double acting cylinders are arranged and set upon a framing the motion of the pistons
being in the same plane at right angles to each other each cylinder actuating the
same crank substantially as described with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings
annexed.
8. The improved general arrangement and construction of double cylinder gas
motor engines having double acting cylinders arranged to act substantially in the
manner described with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Dated this 27th day of April 1888.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
34, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.