A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR THE DIRECT PROPULSION OF LAND, WATER, AND AERIAL MOTORS OR ENGINES, APPLICABLE ALSO AS STATIONARY MOTORS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Henry Van de Kerkhove and Theodore Snyers,
•
fils, both of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, for an Invention of
"A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR THE DIRECT
PROPULSION OF LAND, WATER, AND AERIAL MOTORS OR ENGINES, APPLICABLE
ALSO AS STATIONARY MOTORS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Henry Van de
Kerkhove and Theodore Snyers, fils, at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 16th August 1881.
AUGUSTE HENRY VAN DE KERKHOVE and THEODORE SNYERS, Fils, both of
Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
MACHINERY FOR THE DIRECT PROPULSION OF LAND, WATER, AND AERIAL
MOTORS OR ENGINES, APPLICABLE ALSO AS STATIONARY MOTORS."
This Invention is based on the fact that a liquid or gas issuing from a reservoir
exerts on the side opposite to the escape or exit opening a pressure, a reacting
pressure which is in direct proportion to the speed with which it escapes. It is
the principle on which reacting vessels, hydraulic turbines, and the like are con-
structed; it is the force of reaction which imparts to the cannon and fire-arm the
recoil movement when the gun is discharged.
This system in its generic sense is composed of four parts:-1st. The blowing
propeller; 2nd, the propeller regulator; 3rd, the generator; and 4th, the regulator
of the generator.
The Generator. We provide an electric battery of two or several elements, the
two conductors of which are connected to two platinum points set in (screwed in)
a bent tube which is made of glass (or of cast iron covered in the interior with a
varnish or enamel, which is a non conductor) by the action of the electricity, the
current of which is put on or off by means of a connecter; the water contained in
the bent tubes is decomposed, one of the poles producing oxygen, the other
hydrogen. These two gases are collected separately in receivers of cast or wrought

page_text: iron or copper, the capacity of one, that which collects the hydrogen, being double
that of the other.
The regulator of the generator is a bent tube containing pure water or saturated
with salt, or containing mercury, according to the degree of pressure required by
the nature and the object of the machine, and which opens into one or other of the
reservoir receivers at one end, the other end being open; on this water (or this
mercury) rests a float provided with a bent rod, having a non conducting ond, on
which is fitted two or several copper plates. Rod and plates slide freely on a
guide which is of glass, provided with buttons, each of which is connected to one or
the other of the poles of two or several elements of the battery, with the exception
of the one which is connected directly to one of the platinum points of the tube,
the positive poles being on one side, the negative poles on the other. The negative
pole of one element is connected by the first plate or positive pole of the other
element, and the negative pole of the second element is connected by the half plate
which slides on the rod to the point of the platinum point. The two elements are
then in action, but owing to the pressure of the gas raising the float the second
element is put out of circuit, a single one continuing to decompose the water; and
if the pressure still increases, the flow of current is altogether arrested, the
generation is suspended, the pressure diminishes, the elements will be one after the
other restored to activity..
The regulator of the propulsion is constructed on the principle of the ordinary
steam engine, to which is applied a distributing fly wheel or regulator machine
with two cylinders, one of which is double the capacity of the other; thus the
oxygen by one tube, and the hydrogen by another tube comes to the two cylinders,
presses on the pistons, puts the fly wheel and its connections. in motion; they are
thus expelled in the same discharge tube, and injected in measured and regulated
volumes into the cylinders.
This distribution may be effected by two slides; it is to be understood that if
desired other arrangements, whether single or compound, may be used. The
action of the escape or exhaust valve is fixed, that is to say, that the position of
the eccentric in relation to the crank is invariable, the action of the admission
slide is movable, being driven by a movable eccentric, as will be hereafter explained.
The rods of the two slides are slotted, the course of which is calculated so as to
open the admission ports at once, the eccentricity being as much as practicable.
The transmission is accomplished in the ordinary way.
The distribution is regulated by the fly wheel, the "Watt " governor being
dispensed with. The shaft may be a hollow cylinder the greatest part of its
length; the fly wheel is placed in the ordinary way. Four of its arms in the form
of a cross are made with slides. At the upper part is placed a weight. In this
weight is inserted a rod which slides across or through a cross band, and has at its
end a cross stop which maintains a spiral spring through which the rod passes. At
the stop cross piece is fixed a rack, into which a toothed collar of the eccentric
gears, which is clutched and is movable on the shaft. The exhaust eccentric being
fixed, it is evident that if by the rotation of the fly wheel, the centrifugal force
tends to remove the weight from the centre, thus changing the respective position
of the two eccentrics, it will diminish the time during which the ports are open
and the admission takes place; the speed at which the fly wheel revolves to modify
the distribution is necessarily determined by the relation between the amount of
the weight and the force of resistance to the compression of the spring. The arm
may be straight or of a regular curve in the contrary direction to the movement of
the fly wheel, would theoretically be more effective; we reserve to ourselves the
right of making the arms straight or curved as desired.
The regulator is constructed for the purpose of keeping the speed of the machine
to a determined number of revolutions per minute, and to be able to increase or
diminish this speed while the machine is in motion or when it has stopped.
The helical spring is maintained at top by the head stop made with a rack and
slides which is geared in two lateral toothed wheels placed on the same axis with

page_text: a toothed pinion which is geared in a rack which is cylindrical, and is situate in
the main shaft in such manner that the pinion can turn with it around the rack of
the shaft, the teeth of the pinion sliding in the round edges of the rack. In order
not to too much weaken the main shaft, this part of the regulator may be fixed to
two arms (opposite) only of the four which constitute the regulator apparatus of
the distribution of the fly wheel.
The rack of the main shaft passes through the bearing and in between the body
of the regulator, the form and situation of which are arranged in the most
convenient manner. A crank handle, which may be kept at no matter what
position on the frame by means of a screw sliding in a slide or otherwise, is
provided with a half circular toothed wheel gearing into the shaft rack. By raising
this crank handle 90° for example, the rack is caused to slide, which in its turn,
by means of the pinion of the two lateral wheels and of the forked racks, cause the
head stop to descend, and by compressing the spring increases its power of
resistance and causes the machine to increase its speed before the developement of
the necessary centrifugal force to remove the weight from the centre, and thus to
modify the respective positions of the two eccentrics, and consequently the
duration of the time for admission into the cylinder.
'he
ith
The blower propeller is an important element of the system, its form and its size
vary according to the requirements and the use to which they are applied; it may
be pear shaped cast in bronze, cast iron, or made of iron or copper plate
hydrogen and oxygen injected by the regulator explode by coming in conta..
the flame of a lamp or of a gas jet, the air contained in the blower and the air
issuing violently by the very narrow neck exerts an enormous pressure on the
semi-spherical base opposite to the summit of the cone.
And in order that after the action there may be a re-action thereon, the blower is
provided with a funnel shaped opening to assist the air to enter in the blower after
the vacuum caused by the explosion. The guide plate may be vertical or horizontal;
the reservoir vessels may be provided with pressure gauges and safety valves, and
be provided with a receiving pipe to renew the water and so forth; the propulsion
regulator may be vertical or horizontal; the injection tube may be provided with
washers of sheet metal, the end may; if desired, be conical; the ignition port may
be provided or not with a conical end (chimney); it may, if desired, be connected to
the regulator which opens and closes it alternately; the explosion may be by flame,
by spark, or by platinum, or otherwise.
Land locomotives made according to our Invention aro provided with a double
conical blower, of which the two propellers are back to back and in opposition, and
provided on each end with the funnel shaped openings; their position, whether
below or above the axes of the wheels, will be regulated by the class of construction
and mode of traction to which they are applied. The principal of generation and
regulation will be as above, the arrangement of the elements and organs being
determined by the manufacturers.
The discharge tube injector tube will be provided with a two way tap so as to
reverse by lever or hand the propelling power by injecting the gas in the one or other
blower. The ports being placed opposite the injector tubes are supplied by the
same flame; it is hardly necessary to say that this flame should be protected from
a draught of air.
Marine locomotives are horn shaped, of which a part below and the other above
the line of flotation are consequently of dimensions relatively greater, the throat of
the blower being proportionately larger are also provided with a valve placed so as
to close by its own weight, and to open under the pressure of the external air
which it admits after the explosion. Ships fitted with this means of propulsion
should be preferably made of shuttle form in the fore and after parts, and the sides
provided with blowers, the organs of generation and regulation being placed
midships under the bridge, for example, whence by means of a three way cock the
gas will be sent towards the forward or aft blower to advance or recede. The pipes

page_text: should be as much as possible placed in a line with the keel and prolonged enough,
so that the propulsion does not interfere with the action of the rudder.
By means of forked horns these propellers may be placed on the flanks towards
the middle, slightly to the rear. If the horn shaped form of blower should have the
tendency to produce too much tangent motion they may be placed near the centre
or have the form of cones with convex base inclining them more or less on the line
of flotation; as before stated, however, the form and position of the propelling
blowers must be determined upon by the constructor.
Aerial Locomotives.-This system of direct propulsion solves the problem of
mechancical flying of the aeroolynostatic theory, "heavier than air." It is the
flying kite improved or adapted to the practical requirements of aërial navigation.
By the decomposition of forces it is proved that the resistance of air tends to
lift up vertically an inclined plane in motion. This decomposition gives theore-
tically a vertical leverage power of about 90% of the power which pushes the
. inclined plane against the air, but say for all practicable purposes 75°, then a
uniform constant pressure of about 500 lbs. pushing an inclined plane against the
air will raise a weight of 375 lbs.
This power is obtained by means of the system of direct propulsion of an
inclined plane; this inclined plane to ensure its stability of suspension is lightly
divided longitudinally on its transverse axis. The hull of the ship is relatively
very long, narrow, and high enough, knife blade shaped, in order to cut well through
the air. In the rear part of the hull, the blowing apparatus or propeller is placed,
firmly secured, and forming a part fixed to the hull so as to transmit its impulsion
to the whole structure, on which is fitted the inclined plane of the wings. The
blowing propeller of conical form, convex base (pear shaped), very long, with a very
small neck for propulsion, and if desired provided with a reaction funnel as
before.
The generation and regulation arrangements are placed in the hull of the ship,
so as to place the centre of gravity of the apparatus under the centre of suspension
of the inclined plane, the displacement of this centre being the base of direction.
The ship at rest floats in the water and there re-descends after the aerial voyage.
Supposing that it weighs, apparatus and passengers, about 1600 lbs., if for this
system of direct propulsion we develop a pressure of 2200 lbs. while floating, the
apparatus will slowly rise out of the water and will go through the air.
Fixed or Stationary Motors.-The fixed motor of this system of direct propulsion
is an air-turbine. It may be horizontal or vertical. Three or several blowing
horns combined so as to form a wheel. These blowers with very narrow necks are
each furnished with a re-action funnel, the full sides taking the place of the fly
wheel. On one side of the shaft the transmission pulley is placed. The opposite
face of the wheel is made with three ports forming a circle with three breaks of
continuity, which pass when the wheel turns in front of the port and in front of
the opening of the injector tube. The two openings in the supporting plate are
placed in such manner that the injection takes place in one blower while the
explosion takes place in the other, and there is always a division between the two.
The pump of the fixed motor is single action, and the regulator is not moved by
the pressure of the gas, but by the turbine by means of a toothed wheel placed on
the main shaft, and which gears into another toothed wheel placed on the axle of
the distributing regulating fly wheel. Its diameter here is a third that of the
wheel, it makes thus three revolutions for one, and causes the pump to inject three
times for one revolution of the turbine.
These proportions may be regulated at will. There is a cock on the continuation
of the gas supply tube, by means of which the first injection is made to start the
motor. The generating organs and the regulator are arranged according to the
ideas of the constructor and other circumstances.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Auguste Henry Van de Kerkhove & Theodore Snyers, fils, in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th February 1882.
AUGUST HENRY VAN DE KERKHOVE and THEODORE SNYERS, Fils, both of
Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium. "A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND
MACHINERY FOR THE DIRECT PROPULSION OF LAND, WATER, AND AERIAL
MOTORS OR ENGINES, APPLICABLE ALSO AS STATIONARY MOTORS."
This Invention is based on the fact that a liquid or gas issuing from a reservoir
exerts on the side opposite to the escape or exit opening a pressure, a reacting
pressure which is in, direct proportion to the speed with which it escapes. It is the
principle on which reacting vessels, hydraulic turbines, and the like are constructed;
it is the force of reaction which imparts to the cannon and fire arm the recoil
movement when the gun is discharged.
This system in its generic sense is composed of four parts; first, the blowing
propeller; second, the propeller regulator; third, the generator; and fourth, the
regulator of the generation.
The Generator. We provide at A, A¹, Figure 1, Sheet 1, an electric battery of
two or several clements, the two conductors B, B', of which are connected to two.
platinum points C, C', set in (screwed in) bent tube D, D¹, which is made of glass
(or of cast iron covered in the interior with a varnish or enamel which is a non-
conductor); by the action of the electricity, the current of which is put on or off by
means of a handle E, the water contained in the bent tube is decomposed, one of
the poles disengaging or producing oxygen, the other hydrogen. These two gases,
are collected separately in receivers of cast or wrought iron or copper F, F¹, the
capacity of one, that which collects the hydrogen, being double that of the other,
The regulator of the generation is a bont tube G, G², containing pure water or
saturated with salt, or containing mercury according to the degree of pressure
required by the nature and the object of the machine, and which opens into one
or other of the reservoir receivers at one end O, the other end Oi being open.
On this water (or mercury) rests a float H provided with a bent rod I, I, having a
non conducting end J, on which are fitted two or several copper plates K, K ;
rod and plates slide freely on a guide L which is of glass provided with buttons
or binding screws, each of which is connected to one or the other of the poles
of two or several elements of the battery, with the exception of one, which is
connected directly to the platinum point C, the positive poles being on one side
the negative poles on the other. As shewn in the Drawing the negative pole of
one element is connected by the first plate or positive pole of the other element,
and the negative pole of the second element is connected by the half plate which
slides on the rod M to the point of the platinum point C. The two elements are
then in action, but owing to the pressure of the gas raising the float, the second
element is put out of circuit, a single one continuing to decompose the water, and if
the pressure still increases the flow is altogether arrested, the generator is
suspended, the pressure diminishes, the elements will be one after the other
restored to activity.
The regulator of the propulsion is constructed on the principle of the ordinary
steam engine, to which is applied a distributing flywheel or regulator, a machine
with two cylinders, one of which is double the capacity of the other; thus the
oxygen by the tube N, and the hydrogen by another tube O, comes to the two
cylinders; the larger of which is shewn, the smaller is behind. Pressure on the
pistons puts the flywheel and its connections in motion; the gases are thus expelled.

page_text: in the same discharge tube and injected in measured and regulated volumes into
the propeller.
Figure 1, Sheet 4, shows a system of distribution by two slide valves A and B.
(To better explain the principle these slides are shown in section). It is to be
understood that if desired other arrangements, whether single or compound, may
be used.
The escape or exhaust valve A is fixed, that is to say, that the position of the
eccentric in relation to the crank is invariable; the inlet slide valve B is movable,
being driven by a movable eccentric, as will be hereafter explained. The rods of
the two slides c, c', are slotted, the course of which is calculated so as to open the
admission ports at once, the eccentricity being as much as practicable. The
transmission is accomplished in the ordinary way.
The distribution is regulated by the fly-wheel, the "Watt" governor being
dispensed with.
Figure 3, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of the crank, and Figure 4 the same arm
side of the regulator R, Figure 2, to the left. The shaft a may be a hollow
cylinder the greatest part of its length, see section, Figure 2. The flywheel is
there placed in the ordinary way. Four of its arms, in the form of a cross, are
made with slides as shown. At the upper part is placed a weight P, of which A
and B are vertical and horizontal sections.
In this weight is inserted a rod t which slides across or through the cross piece b,
and has at its end a cross stop c which maintains the spiral spring through which
the rod passes. To the stop cross piece, Figure 3, is fixed a rack d, into which a
toothed collar e of the eccentric B gears, which is clutched and is movable on the
shaft. The eccentric A being fixed it is evident that if by the rotation of the fly
wheel the centrifugal force tends to remove the weight from the centre, as in
Figure 4, thus changing the respective position of the two eccentrics, it will diminish
the time during which the ports are open and the admission takes place. The
speed at which the flywheel revolves to modify the distribution is necessarily
determined by the relation between the amount of the weight P and the force of
resistance to compression of the spring.
To well understand the principle the arm is shewn straight, but it is evident that
a regular curve in the contrary direction to the movement of the flywheel would
theoretically be more effective. We reserve to ourselves the right of making the
arms straight or curved as desired.
The regulator R, Figure 2, Sheet 4, is constructed for the purpose of keeping the
speed of the machine to a determined number of revolutions per minute, and so be
able to increase or diminish this speed while the machine is in motion or when it
has stopped.
The spring is maintained at top by the head stop h provided with a rack and
slides ff, Figure 4, which gears in two lateral toothed wheels placed on the same
axis with a toothed pinion m, which is in gear with a rack x, which is cylindrical,
and is loose on the main shaft, in such manner that the pinion fixed to the fly
wheel can turn with it around. the rack of the shaft, the teeth of the pinion sliding
in the round edges of the rack.
In order not to too much weaken the main shaft this part of the regulator may
be fixed, if desired, to two arms (opposite), or by four, which constitute the
regulator apparatus of the distribution of the fly wheel.
The rack of the main shaft passes through the bearing and in between the body
of the regulator, the form and situation of which are arranged in the most con-
venient manner. A crank handle S, which may be kept at any position on the
dial frame K by means of a screw U sliding in a slot T or otherwise, and is provided
with a half circular toothed wheel gearing into the shaft rack x, Figure 2. By
raising this crank handle to 120°, for example, this rack is caused to slide, which in
its turn by means of the pinion m of the two lateral wheels and of the forked
Tacks f causes the head stop h to descend, and by compressing the spring increases
its power of resistance, and causes the machine to increase its speed before the

page_text: developement of the necessary centrifugal force to remove the weight P from the
centre, and thus modify the respective positions of the two eccentrics, and conse-
quently the duration of the time for admission into the cylinder.
The blower propeller R, Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is an important element of the
system; its form and its size vary according to the requirements, and the use to
which they are applied. It may be pear shaped, cast in bronze, cast iron, or made
of iron or copper plates. The hydrogen and oxygen injected by the regulator
explodes by coming in contact with the flame of a lamp or of a gas jet, the air
contained in the blower expands, and the gas mixture issuing violently by the
very narrow neck X exerts an enormous pressure on the semi spherical base
opposite to the summit of the cone.
And in order that after the action there may be a reaction, the cone of the
blower R is provided with a funnel shaped opening S to assist the air to enter in
the blower after the vacuum caused by the explosion.
It is to be understood that Figure 1, as well as other Drawings, are exclusively
made and executed with the view of clearly and honestly explaining the principle
of the Invention, and that without regard to the form of construction in which this
principle may be incorporated according to the application to which it is put, the
arrangement of the parts, ways, and means of transmission, etc.; thus the guide
plate L may be vertical or horizontal; the reservoir vessels may be provided with
pressure gauges and safety valves, and be provided with a receiving pipe to renew
the water, and so forth; the propulsion regulator may be vertical or horizontal;
the injection tube may be provided with washers of sheet metal; the end may,
if desired, be conical. The port U may be conical, and the flame V may be provided
or not with a conical end (chimney); it may if desired be connected to the
regulator, which opens and closes it alternately; the explosion may be by flame,
by spark, or by incandescent platinum, or otherwise.
Land locomotives made according to our Invention are provided with a double
conical blower, of which the two propellers A and B, Figure 2, Sheet 1, are
placed back to back and in opposition, and provided on each end with the funnel
shaped openings C and D respectively; their position, whether below or above the
axes of the wheels, will be regulated by the class of construction and mode of
traction to which they are applied.
The principle of generation and regulation will be as above.
The arrangement of the elements and organs being determined by the
manufacturers.
In addition to the details shewn at Figure 1, the discharge tube injector tube T
will be provided with a three way cock, a section of which is shewn at Z, so as to
reverse by lever or hand the propelling power by injecting the gas in the one or
other blower. The ports being placed opposite the injector tube are supplied by
the same flame. It is hardly necessary to say that this flame should be protected
from a draught of air.
Marine propellers are horn shaped, A and B, Sheet 2, Figure 3, of which a part
below and the other above the line of flotation F, F, are consequently of
dimensions relatively greater, the throat X of the blower being proportionately
large; they are also provided with a valve placed so as to close by its own weight,
and to open under the pressure of the external air which it admits after the
explosion. Ships fitted with this means of propulsion should be preferably made
of shuttle form in the fore and aft parts, and the sides provided with blowers; the
organs of generation and regulation being placed midships under the bridge, for
example, whence by means of a three way cock the gas will be sent towards the
forward or aft blower to advance or recede. The pipes X, X, should be as much
as possible placed in a line with the keel, prolongated enough, so that the pro-
pulsion does not interfere with the action of the rudder. By means of forked horns
these propellers may be placed on the flanks towards the middle, slightly to the
rear (Figure 3); if the horn shaped form of blower A should have the tendency to
produce too much pitching motion, they may be placed near the centre, or have

page_text: the form of cones with convex base, inclining them more or less on the line of
flotation, as before stated; however, the form and position of the propelling blowers
must be determined upon by the constructor.
1
Aerial Locomotives.-This system of direct propulsion solves the problem of
mechanical flying of the aerodynostatic theory, "heavier than air." It is the flying
kite improved or adapted to the practical requirements of aerial navigation. By
the decomposition of forces, diagram Z, Sheet 2, Figure 4, it is shown that the
resistance of air tends to lift up vertically an inclined plane a, b, in motion. This
decomposition gives theoretically a vertical leverage power of about 90% of the
power which pushes the inclined plane against the air, but, say, for all practical
purposes 75 %, then a uniform constant pressure of about 500 lbs. pushing an
inclined plane against the air will raise a weight of 375 lbs.
°
This power is obtained by means of the system of direct propulsion of an
inclined plane; Figure 4 shews an aerial vessel partly in elevation and partly in
section; A, B, C, D, is the axis of inclination of the inclined plane, more or
less of a horizontal plan is indicated by the diagram Y; this inclined plane, to
ensure its stability of suspension, is slightly broken longitudinally on its transverse
axis. The hull of the ship is relatively very long, narrow, and high enough, knife
blade shaped, in order to cut well through the air. In the rear part of the hull the
blowing apparatus or propeller is placed firmly secured and forming a part fixed
to the hull, so as to transmit its impulsion to the whole structure, on which is
fitted the inclined plane of the wings. The blowing propeller of conical form,
convex base (pear shaped), very long, with a very small neck O for propulsion, and
if desired provided with a reaction funnel as before.
The generation and regulation arrangements are placed in the hull of the ship,
so as to place the centre of gravity of the apparatus under the centre of suspension
of the inclined plane, the displacement of this centre being the base of direction.
The ship at rest floats on the water and there re-descends after the aërial voyage.
Supposing that it weighs, apparatus and passengers, 1600 lbs., if by this system of
direct propulsion we develop a pressure of 2200 lbs. while floating, the apparatus
will slowly rise out of the water and will go through the air.
Fixed or Stationary Motors.-The fixed motor of this system of direct propulsion
is an air turbine; it may be horizontal or vertical. Three or several blowing
horns S, S', S2, Sheet 3, Figure 3, are combined so as to form a wheel. These blowers
with very narrow necks X, X, X", are each furnished with a reaction funnel
P, P, P, the full sides V, V, V, taking the place of the fly wheel. On one side
of the shaft O the transmission pulley is placed. The opposite face of the wheel
is made with three parts L, L, L", forming a circle with three interruptions of
continuity, which pass when the wheel turns in front of the port C, and in front
of the opening of the injector tube J, diagram A, Figure 1. The two openings C
and T in the supporting plate H are placed in such manner that the injection takes
place in one blower while the explosion takes place in the other, and there is
always a partition between the two. The pump of the fixed motor is an engine,
simple in action, and the regulator is not moved by the pressure of the gas, but by
the turbine by means of a toothed wheel D placed on the main shaft O, and which
gears into another toothed wheel E placed on the axle of the distributing regulating
flywheel. Its diameter here is a third that of the wheel D; it makes thus three
revolutions for one, and causes the pump to inject three times for one revolution
of the turbine. These proportions may be regulated at will. There is a cock R on
the continuation of the gas supply tube, by means of which the first injection is
made to start the motor. The generating organs and the regulator are arranged
and grouped according to the ideas of the constructor and other circumstances.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim,-
First. The application to locomotives, whether land, air, or fixed motors, of the
power developed in a closed vessel under the action of the expansion of air
produced by explosion, and giving to this vessel the shape which concentrates the

page_text: action of this power and enables it to be practically and completely utilized,
thereby utilizing, if necessary, ordinary lighting gas, whereby a minimum
explosion produces an enormous effect, the whole depending on the strength of the
partitions of the bellows or blowing apparatus, and of the relative narrowness of the
apertures and propelling mouth; electricity being applied to decompose water, thus
having two gases in quantity and composition required to produce the greatest
amount of power at lowest price, also the means of regulating the distribution
and its application, substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. The regulation of the propulsion, applicable also to steam engines, and
utilizing the rotation of the flywheel, and the centrifugal force thus obtained to
regulate by a direct action on the admission the distribution, and thus the working
of the machine having thus carried the action of the centrifugal force on a flat
surface instead of on a concave surface, of the "Watt" governor, which considerably
increases the action of the centrifugal power, and renders this action isochronous in
all the variations of speed and of the working of the machine, substantially as set
forth.
Third. The fundamental construction, as illustrated in the Drawing, which
enables the speed of the machine to be increased or diminished, and of regulating
it during its action by means of regulator, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said August Henry Van de Kerkhove and Theodore
Snyers, fils, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty
two
AUGT. H. VAN DE KERKHOVE. (L.S.)
THEODORE SNYERS, FILS.
(L.S.)