Improvements in the Construction of Land and Marine Locomotive Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1898-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Land and Marine Locomotive
Engines.
I, WILLIAM BENNETT RULE, of No. 20, Montpelier Square, in the City of
London, S.W., Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
Whereas the usual method hitherto employed for the purpose of effecting the
propulsion of all types of railway locomotive engines, and traction engines em-
ployed on the public turnpike roads, has been confined to such machinery as
operates by direct contact with the wheels or axles by causing them to revolve:-
And whereas in the case of all kinds of merchant and war ships, which are pro-
pelled by machinery worked by steam or other power, the plan preferably em-
ployed is for such machinery to communicate a circular motion to paddle wheels
or propellers whose resisting medium consists of the inertia of the water:
Now, my present purpose is to describe such machinery as consists of certain
special attachments or combination of working parts which may be kept in motion
by means of steam or other motive power, which shall be capable of producing
a greatly increased and more effective propulsive effort by the employment of the
same expenditure of power, while the necessity of adhering to the said methods
now employed is entirely obviated.
In order to accomplish the said object, I use certain cylinders, which are termed
vacuum cylinders, owing to the fact, that a more or less perfect vacuum is formed
and maintained in them during such time as the mechanism in connection with
them is in motion:-These cylinders are affixed to the body intended to be pro-
pelled, and are provided with pistons which are worked to and fro, by suitable
connections with them or their rods. The vacuum cylinders are closed at one end,
by a cover provided with a stuffing box, and are open to the atmosphere at the
other end. The cover is provided with one or more valves which open outwards,
and allow of the escape of the air that is in the cylinder at such time as the
piston is moved inwards towards the cover.
If the piston be placed in contact with the cover and then be suddenly moved
towards the open end of the cylinder, a more or less perfect vacuum is formed
between the cover and the piston. If the piston be moved quite slowly, the
atmospheric pressure against it, on its outer side, will be practically equal to that
which impinges on the outside of the cylinder cover, and may be calculated at
14.73 lbs. per each square inch of its total area, so that practically there would
be equilibrium, the pressure against the outside of the piston, being balanced by
that coming against the outside of the cover.-But supposing the piston to be
thrust out rapidly, the equilibrium is destroyed. The pressure against the outside
of the cover, will not exceed the mean atmospheric pressure of 14.73 lbs. per square
inch; but the resistance of the atmosphere against the outside of the piston, may
be increased up to, three, four, or five hundred pounds per square inch or more,
the increase of the pressure depending on the velocity of the motion which is
227

page_text: communicated to the piston.-The ratio of this increase of resistance, increases as
the square of the velocity communicated to the piston-e.g. A piston having
an area of one square foot, has 144 square inches, which when multiplied by
14.73 lbs., give a total atmospheric pressure of 2121 lbs. Supposing we take the
resistance to be 2121 lbs. while the piston is travelling at a speed of one mile an
hour, which is a fraction less than the actual theoretical pressure. If the piston
be moved at, say, five miles an hour, it will strike five times as many atmos-
pheric particles with five times the blow, and the resistance will thereby be in-
creased 5 x 5 or 25 times:-i.e.
=
2121 lbs. x 25 53,055 lbs., which will represent the total resistance against the
piston.
If we now deduct from this total, the 2121 lbs. counter pressure, which comes
against the cylinder cover, we have remaining 50,904 lbs. as the actual effective
atmospheric resistance. This resistance is available for the purpose of propul-
sion, and increases so rapidly, as additional speed is communicated to the piston,
that when an adequate piston speed is attained, the atmosphere is found to be
practically quite unyielding. It stands against the piston like a dead wall, in
itself immovable but thrusting away every obstacle opposed to it.
Any number of vacuum cylinders may be employed for the purpose of propul-
sion; but two or the multiple of two are for various reasons preferable to an odd
number.
The said special attachments also consist of air exhausters or air ejectors, which
are employed for the purpose of creating a vacuum in the vacuum cylinders or
air tubes to be described; also of air pumps which create and maintain a vacuum,
in the air tubes or other parts of the engine.
The said special attachments also consist of a certain contrivance called the con-
troller of the engine, which may take the form of a crank, crank shaft, eccen-
tric, wheel or any other suitable device, and be connected to the piston or piston
rod of the steam cylinder or any other convenient part of the engine.
One important function of the controller is to regulate the length of the stroke
of the piston of the vacuum cylinder, and thereby to adjust the state of the vacuum,
so that it may be as effective as possible, while the parts are in motion. Another
important function accomplished by the controller, is to protect the cylinder cover
from accident, on the return of the piston. In the case of an engine not being
provided with such a contrivance as described, the piston on its return is liable
to strike the cover violently and fracture it-It is absolutely necessary to employ
some form of controller, in every engine constructed on this principle, in order
to ensure the safe and smooth working of all the parts, as well as to produce the
most effective results, as regards propulsion.
The form of controller is not limited to the arrangement shewn in the draw-
ings, nor is its application confined to any special part of the engine. A device
effecting a like result and consisting, either of a cam, crank, eccentric or any other
suitable mechanical contrivance, may form a part of an axle, or be connected with
or attached to a connecting rod, the long or short arm of a lever, a piston rod,
rocking beam or any other convenient part of the engine, according as circum-
stances or the design of the engine may require, always however effecting the said
results, that is to say, the controlling of the stroke of the piston, so as to protect
the cylinder cover from accident, and so that the piston may work at a given and
exact length of stroke, being such that on its return to the cylinder cover, it
may come as close as may be desired to the cover, so as to expel from the cylinder,
all or nearly all or such portion of the air as may be desired.
The said special attachments, also consist of a beam working on a central
pivot or axis, and connected at each end with the piston or piston rod, of a vacuum
cylinder. The function of this beam is to create a compensation of atmospheric
pressure between the pistons of the vacuum cylinders: so that the pressure on the
returning piston, may contribute a part of the force necessary, to expel the piston
connected with the other end of the beam. This is an important function and

page_text: contributes in a special degree to the economy of the power which is employed to
drive the engine.
The said special attachments also consist of certain detachable cylinder covers,
which are so constructed as to be wholly or in part opened or closed at will; or
the covers may be fixed and provided with ports, which may be opened and closed
by means of slide valves, or by any other convenient method. The said covers or
any other convenient mechanical arrangement of the parts, effecting the same
purpose, are employed in combination with the vacuum cylinder, and when
opened or closed, cause the vacuum to be changed from one side of the piston to
the other. The effect of this change, is to accomplish the same result with
regard to the atmospheric resistance against the piston and thereby cause the
engine to go backwards or forwards. There are several ways of varying the
mechanism so that this end may be attained.
In
The said special attachments also consist of, certain levers, the fulcrums of
which are secured to a convenient part of the body intended to be propelled.
One end of such lever, preferably the shorter end, is connected with the steam or
other power which is employed to work the engine, while the other end is con-
nected directly or indirectly, with the piston rod of the vacuum cylinder.
case the power be connected with the short arm of one of these
levers, which has only half of the length of the long armb the
resistance against its fulcrum will be double of that of the atmosphere against
the vacuum piston; so that by introducing such a lever between the power em-
ployed and the vacuum cylinder, the vacuum cylinder may be so reduced in size,
that its piston area may be only one half of what would otherwise be necessary.
But the employment of said lever, not only facilitates the reduction of the
size, of the vacuum cylinder, but it also accomplishes another important function.
One main object to be kept in view, is to obtain from the atmosphere whose
pressure is calculated, at 14.73 lbs. per square inch, a resistance which is adequate
to the propulsion of the load. In the case of the vacuum piston being worked
by direct thrust from the steam cylinder, that is without the inter-
vention of a lever; the total resistance of the atmosphere against the
said piston, may be ascertained by multiplying the number of square
inches of said piston area by 14.73 lbs. But when the total of such
atmospheric resistance is communicated to the fulcrum of a lever of
the first kind, the said fulcrum being between the power and the weight, the said
lever also having the short arm, which is connected with the steam power, one
half of the length of the long arm which is connected with the vacuum piston;
the effective resistance on the said fulcrum, which is available for the purposes of
propulsion is thereby increased to the extent of one hundred per cent.
In the case the application of the within described system of propulsion to land
carriages of any description, no part of the machinery, has to be connected with
the wheels or their axles. The wheels simply act as carriers while all the pro-
pulsive force necessary is derived from the pressure of the atmosphere.
While in the case of steam ships, the machinery has no connection whatever
with the water, nor should the vacuum cylinders be placed on deck. The proper
locality for the engines, is the lower part of the hold of the ship, that is the same
as is usually occupied by the propelling machinery commonly in use.
In order that the foregoing statements may be clearly understood, the follow-
ng description of the annexed drawings is added:
:-
Fig. 1 is the representation of a small land carriage. A is a steam cylinder,
ts piston rod being connected to the short arm B of the lever C whose fulcrum is
t 1). The long arm of the lever is connected with the piston rod of cylinder E
The cylinder E is provided at one end with the usual cover and piston F, shewn
by dotted lines; but the other end is left entirely open.
The dotted rod K is attached at one extremity to the piston F, and at the other
nd, to the wheel H, so that as the piston is moved to and fro, the wheel revolves.
This is more clearly represented in Fig. 5.-At C there is a valve, which opens

page_text: on the return of piston F, and thereby allows any air air that may be in the
cylinder to escape. This valve is more clearly shewn in Fig. 3.-On the admis-
sion of steam into cylinder A, the piston F is set in motion, and a vacuum is
formed between it, and the cover of the cylinder. The force necessary to accom-
plish the outward thrust of the piston F, comes against the fulcrum D, and
propels the carriage in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Fig. 2. Two vacuum cylinders are here shewn, their piston rods being con-
nected with each end of the beam B, which works on a central axis. When the
piston of one cylinder is thrust out to its full extent, and a vacuum exists between
it and the cover, the atmospheric pressure against its outer surface, through its
connection with the beam B, will help to expel the piston of the opposite cylinder.
Fig. 3. The valve V is intended to admit of the discharge of air from the
vacuum cylinder, when the piston is moved towards the cover. The tube T
passes to the cover of a second vacuum cylinder, as shewn in Fig. 2, into which
it is inserted in the same manner as shewn in Fig. 3.--When the valves which
are worked by the handle S are open, a part of the air. in the cylinder is forced by
the piston through the tube into the opposite cylinder. The first strokes of the
piston in each cylinder are thereby accomplished, with much less power than would
otherwise be necessary. This tube is of special use at the time of starting the
engine. When the vacuum is perfectly established in the cylinders, the com-
munication between them may be cut off by closing the valves, which is done by
turning the handles S.
Fig. 4. An air pump P and an air ejector N are here located in the cover of
the vacuum cylinder. The pump may be worked by a connection, with the rock-
ing beam or any other convenient part of the engine; and is of service in main-
taining the vacuum in the most effective state possible, during the working of
the engine. The air ejector is preferably worked by steam and is of service princi
pally at the moment of starting the engine, to create a vacuum in the cylinder
in the shortest possible time.
Fig. 5. The wheel H, through its connection with the piston by the rod K is
revolved when the piston is worked. Any given length of stroke may be obtained,
by varying the point of connection of the rod K with the wheel H. The piston
may be made to approach as closely as desired to the cover without danger of
accident. The name of "controller" is given to this combination of parts, or to
any other mechanical arrangement which effects the same purpose, because of the
function which it performs of controlling the stroke of the piston. It also regu-
lates the state of the vacuum.
Fig. 6. On lowering the rod r the valves are opened, while those on the
opposite cover, zz are closed. The exclusion of air, on one side of the piston,
and its admission on the other side causes a similar change on the side on which
the vacuum is formed, the effect of which is to make the engine go in the oppo-
site direction.
Fig. 7. The covers are here bolted to sliding rods, which pass through holes in
the flanges of the cylinder. As the back cover is closed, the front one is opened,
the vacuum is thereby transferred to the opposite side of the piston, and the
engine is reversed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. The employment of a vacuum cylinder such as the within described, in which
a vacuum may be formed on either side of the piston, when used for the purposes
of propulsion of inert bodies by land or sea, in combination with one or more of
the special attachments herein described, when said attachments effect such
functions and purposes as substantially set forth.
2. The employment of the within described controller with one or more vacuum

page_text: cylinders, having covers provided with ports, which can be opened and closed by
means of sliding valves, or clapper valves, or by any other convenient method.
Also the use of the said controller with a vacuum cylinder provided with detach-
able or hinged covers that may be made to open and close so as to change the
vacuum from the one side to the other side of the piston; or any other suitable
mechanical arrangement that may effect the same result.
3. The employment of steam syphons or air ejectors or exhausters for the pur-
pose of creating a vacuum on either side of the piston of the said vacuum cylinder.
4. The employment of the within described air tubes, which connect one
vacuum cylinder with another, which are preferably provided with valves or other
suitable device by which their communication with the cylinders may be estab-
lished or cut off as required, substantially as described.
5. The employment of one or more air pumps in combination with the vacuum
cylinder, which may be inserted in the cover or any other convenient part, for
the
purpose of exhausting the air in said cylinder, substantially as described.
6. The employment of the within described controller, for the purposes
amongst others, of limiting or controlling the length of the stroke of the piston of
the vacuum cylinder and securing the cylinder cover from accident, or any other
suitable mechanical contrivance, which is capable of effecting the same results,
substantially as set forth.
7. The employment of the within described levers, one end of which is worked
by steam or other power, the other end being communicated with the piston rod
of the vacuum cylinder for the purpose of communicating motion to it. The
fulcrum of said levers being affixed to the body intended to be propelled, and the
functions of the said levers being such as substantially set forth.
8. The employment of a beam moving on a central axis, having communica-
tion at either end, with the piston rod of a vacuum cylinder, and in combination
with the said controller. The object being to make the atmospheric pressure on
the one piston balance that on the other, during the formation and maintenance
of a vacuum in the vacuum cylinder. Also the similar combination of a crank
shaft or any other suitable mechanical contrivance that may be employed to
accomplish the same effect
9. I do not claim such of the within described special attachments as are known
and in use, as possessing any novelty of an individual nature, but I claim the
use of them or their equivalents severally and jointly when employed in combina-
tion with a vacuum cylinder, such as herein described, for the purpose of pro-
ducing the propulsion of inert bodies, under the circumstances and in the manner
herein set forth.