IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS ENGINES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
I S. LLOYD WIEGAND of 759 North 40th Street, in the 24th Ward, of the City
of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania United
States of America, Mechanical Draftsman and Engineer_do hereby declare tho
nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS ENGINES" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to that class of gas engines wherein air under compression
together with a charge of explosive gas or combustible vapor mingled with air so
as to form an explosive mixture is ignited and exploded or burned in a cylinder so
as to propel the piston therein contained and has for its object the simplification of
such engines in construction and corresponding reduction in cost of manufacture
thereof and at the same time an economy in gas or other combustible consumed
and greater facility of running at high speed without involving frequent cleansing
of the working surfaces of the cylinder and piston.
To this end the nature of this invention consists in the combination with the
exploding cylinder of such engines a trunk or long piston having channels through
which air is forced into the exploding cylinder and working through a packing
located considerably below the portion of the cylinder wherein the gas is exploded
and the power developed such cylinder and trunk or piston being in a vertical
position and a larger piston formed on the lower end thereof acting as a guide for
the lower end of the trunk and also with suitable valves and the cylinder in which
it reciprocates operates as an air pump for purging the working cylinder from the
charge from the preceding pressure stroke, which function is effected by the peculiar
adjustment of valves more fully hereinafter set forth and in combination with the
above an igniting apparatus whereby leakage and expense of closely fitted working
parts heretofore found necessary is avoided, also in measuring definitely the
proportions of gas and air introduced into the cylinder at each compressing charge
by means of pumps, the time of closing of certain valves of each being automatically
varied and controlled by a speed regulator, so as to introduce explosive charges,
sufficient to compensate for any variations in velocity of the engine, arising from
variations in resistance of work and by such automatic adjustment maintain nearly
uniform speed, with an economy of fuel or gas.
The whole arrangement dispensing with the necessity for the usual cooling water
jacket and water supply and securing more thorough combustion by reason of a higher

page_text: temperature of the cylinder and greater elastic force and consequent power as a
result of the higher temperature of the gases and air during the working stroke or
further economy is realized by protecting the portion of the cylinder in which the
explosion or combustion is performed from radiation whereby the sensible heat
developed in the compression of the charge contributes to the elastic force of the
charge, instead of being absorbed by contact with a cooling or radiating cylinder
as has been heretofore practised.
I will now proceed to fully describe the construction and operation of this
invention refering in so doing to the drawings annexed and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the machine.
Figure 2 a side elevation.
Figure 3 a ground plan and the remaining figures show parts of the apparatus
in detail and modifications thereof.
A, represents the working or pressure cylinder of the engine having its axis
vertical, with a jacket:
A', of nonconducting material on its upper part.
B, represents a larger cylinder attached to the lower part of the cylinder A, and
in the same vertical axial line.
C, is a trunk or long piston, working through a packing D, considerably below
the lowest point of the stroke or of the top of the piston C.
E is a second piston attached to the lower portion of the piston C, and fitting in
the cylinder B.
'
Air is admitted through valves F into the annular space G, in the cylinder B
around the piston C, above the piston E, and below the packing D, and is discharged
from said annular space through channels H, and valve J, opening upward through
the piston C, into the cylinder A above the piston C.
To the piston C is attached a connecting rod K communicating motion on the
downward stroke to the crank L.
The stroke of the crank L is such that when the pistons C and E are at their
lowest point in the stroke that the heated portion of the piston O does not reach
the packing D and when the piston C, is at its highest point of the stroke there
shall be a space between it and the upper end of the cylinder A.
The upper end of the cylinder A preferably made in the shape of a truncated
cone, upon it is placed a valve chamber A containing the exhaust valve M.
operated by a cam or eccentric N, on the shaft O, through a rod P and rock
shaft P¹.
The adjustment of the eccentric N, relatively to the crank L on the shaft O`is
such that the exhaust valve M is closed during the entire downward stroke of the
piston is opened during the first part of the upward stroke, and is closed during
the latter part of the upward stroke, so that the air forced by the piston C, through
the channels H, into the cylinder A, blows through the exhaust valve M, during the
first portion of the stroke and purges the cylinder of whatever air or gaseous
products may have been in it previously, and during the latter part of the upward
stroke the further supply of air is compressed in the upper part of the cylinder A.
Figure 4 shows the cam operating the valves of the engine, consisting of two
parts or cams N and N respectively slown separately in side view in Figures 5
and G-the part of the cam marked N', is keyed to the shaft and always maintains
the same angular position in relation to the crank whilst the part N is susceptable
of turning upon the shaft, and is controlled in its position by a speed regulator
connected to the projecting arms shown in Figure 6. the form of the cam N, is such
that the exhaust valve M is closed and the igniting valve open during the whole
of the descending stroke and the form of the cam N is such that the igniting
valve Vand exhaust valve M. are open during the first part of each ascending
stroke and both valves V and Al are closed during the latter part of 'the ascending
stroke for a proportion of the stroke depending on the adjustment of the cam N² as
controlled by the regulator.

page_text: The time of closing of the valve M is varied by a centrifugal regulator connected
with the eccentric or cam N.
Gas or combustible mixtures of air and vapor are admitted into the cylinder A
by a tube Q, from a gasometer gas pump or other supply.
By mechanism hereinafter described, whenever the valve M, is open to the
atmosphere communication from the pipe Q to the cylinder A is closed and com-
munication from the pipe Q, opens after the valvo M has closed during the latter
part of the upward stroke of the piston C, and is again closed during the whole of
the descending stroke of the piston C.
The supply of combustible gas or vapor is preferably introduced by a pump W,
the piston W of which moves in the same time, or nearly so with the stroke of
the piston C, and the inlet valve W* of which opens and closes at the same time
as the exhaust valve M, so that no gas or inflammable vapor is forced into the
cylinder A, by the pump W, during the emptying of the products of the previous
explosion from the cylinder A, but the pump W, returns the gas to the supply
pipo until the inlet valve W* closes which it does at the same time that the valvo M
closes the cylinder A, the effect of this is to force gas into the cylinder A, only
during the time when the air in the cylinder A, is undergoing compression, and the
velocity of the piston compressing the air and the piston compressing the gas being
relatively the same at all times, the proportions of gas and air are maintained,
although the quantity of air and gas compressed at each stroke is varied to meet
the changing requirements for power, to maintain uniform velocity under varying
conditions of work or load.
The opening and closure of the valve R being varied in the same mannor, and by
the same means as the variablo motion of the valve M is effected.
Figures 7 and 11 show sections upon an enlarged scale of the igniting device
which consists of a small chamber marked T, susceptible of being placed in com-
munication, or shut off from the cylinder A by a valve V; in this chamber T is a
inetallic bulb or tube S, which is heated by a jet of burning gas forced in by a jet
of air, previously heated by passing through a circuitous pipe & located in the
chimney through which the waste products of the igniting flamo are discharged thus
securing by the heated air and gas heating-jot such a temperature of the tube S
as to ignite any explosive mixture entering the chamber T from the cylinder A.
when the valve V. is opened. The air for the igniting-jet derived from the pump B
flows through the igniting chamber as indicated by arrows shown in Figuro 11.
The valve V is made hollow, through its stem or guide, with a series of openings
made across both the lower and upper part of its stem, the effect of these openings
is to induce a current of air downward through the centre of the valve when the
valvo is open, and air is forcing out through the exhaust valve M, during the
purging operation, in the same manner that similarly shaped chimney caps induce
an outward current from chimneys by air blown across them, air at the same time
entering between the wings of the valve guide the products of combustion of the
previous explosion are effectually removed.
Figure 8 shows an igniter having a central insulated platinum wire Z through
which a curront of electricity may be discharged to another conducting point
connected with the opposite electrode Z¹¹ or other source of electric current as has
been practised in the well known "French Lenoir Engine."
Figure 9 shows a small forcing Y* pump adapted to drive a jet of gas forcibly
through an igniting flame through a funnel A' into the cylinder A. The construction
is obvious from the drawings.
Figure 10 is a section of an igniting slide of the usual construction for trans-
ferring small portions of gas in combustion, in the cylinder A. from an external
flame. A' is the aperture leading to the cylinder A** a slidevalve of usual
construction.
Neither of the devices shown in Figures 8. 9. and 10 are claimed as part of this
invention, but may be substituted for the device shown in Figures 7 and 11 in
coniunction with other features of this invention.

page_text: The valves M. and V and W or W³ as the case may be, perform some of their
motions at fixed times relatively to the strokes of the piston and others at variable
times as controlled by the regulator under the influence of the slight changes of
velocity due to variations in resistance or work on the engine, the cam N. is doublo
or constructed in parts N¹ and N' so as to effect these results, and resembles the
cam shown in Letters patent of the United States numbered 45199 and dated
November 19. 1864. for improvement in Steam Engines one of said cams N'
working always with a fixed angular adjustment to the crank L, and the other N
boing variod in angular adjustment by the action of a regulator to which it is
connected.
'
The operation of this machine is to produce force by fluid pressure in the
cylinder A in a mixture of air and gas exploded therein and to drive the piston
downward and thus rotate the shaft by means of the crank L, and connecting
rod K the return or upward stroke being effected by the momentum of a fly
wheel V turning the shaft O and during the early part of the returning or rising
stroke of the piston C, the air from the chamber G. flows through the valve M,
expelling the gases or products of combustion, remaining in the cylinder A from
the preceding stroke and during the latter portion of the upward stroke a charge
gas is introduced and compressed, together with the air confined in the cylinder A
and this charge with the air compressed from the space G into the said cylinder A
is ready for explosion or ignition in the next descending stroke.
of
The volume of air and gas compressed in the space in the cylinder A, is varied
and controlled by the change of the eccentrics N' and N', on the shaft O, in its
angular relation to the crank, which change is effected by connecting the said
eccentric N with a speed regulator X, rotating with the fly wheel V and shaft O
so that the amount of force developed in each succeeding descending stroke is
graduated to compensate for any deviations from the normal speed of the engine
during the preceeding revolution.
By locating the piston packing below the heated part of the cylinder, difficulties
arising from expansion of the parts experienced in other gas engines in maintaining
a tight fitting piston and cylinder are avoided and by permitting the cylinder to
become heated more prompt ignition of the charge in the cylinder A is effected
and the engine is enabled to run at higher speed and consequently to develop the
same amount of power, demands a less engine than has heretofore been practicable
and further by not cooling the cylinder A the elastic force of the gas is maintained
with a less expenditure of combustible material and by regulating the amount of
air enclosed and compressed in each upward stroke of the air pump and cylinder
and also at the same time regulating the volume of gas enclosed in the gas pump
at cach stroke a proper and exact relation of the volumes of gas and air admitted
to the cylinder and the best and most effective mixture of air and gas are procured
in the cylinder A.
Having described this invention and the mode of operating the same what is
claimed therein is-
First In an explosive Gas Engine a vertical exploding cylinder, combined with a
heat non-conducting jacket at the upper part and a packing fitting a piston or
plunger at the lower portion substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a compression exploding gas engine the combination of an exploding
cylinder with an air pump of greater displacement than the exploding cylinder
discharging air directly into said cylinder and a compression gas pump delivering
gas directly into said cylinder and arranged during the same stroke to first purge
the exploding cylinder and afterwards compress therein a charge of air and
inflammable gas or vapor substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third, In a compression explosive gas engine in combination with a vertically
reciprocating piston or plunger working in a heated compression exploading
cylinder or chamber, a packing located below the heated portion of said cylinder
fitting between the exploding cylinder and air pump and around the piston or
plunger substantially as and for the purpose sot forth,
.

page_text: Fourth In a compression explosive gas engine the combination of an exploding
cylinder provided with an exhaust valve operated by a cam controlled by a speed
regulator so as to automatically vary the time of closing said valve in the
compressing or return stroke with a pump arranged to force gas or mixtures of air
and inflammable vapor into the said exploding cylinder and having a valvo
arranged to admit gas or air and inflammable vapor to the said pump during the
outward stroke thereof and to be held open by a cam controlled by a speed
regulator or varying points during the returning stroke and thereby permit
varying portions of the charge to return through the said admission valve to the
supply pipe and automatically regulate the speed of the engine by changing the
volume of inflammable charge introduced into the exploding cylinder substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth, In an explosive compression gas engine the combination of an igniting
chamber containing a body heated by an external flame with a valve opening and
closing communication between said chamber and the exploding cylinder said valve
being operated by a cam varied and controlled in position by a speed regulator, so
as to change the time of closing communication between the igniting chamber
and the exploding chamber substantially and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth. In a compression explosive gas engine the combination of a gas pump
arranged to deliver gas into the exploding cylinder, with a valve admitting gas into
said pump operated by a cam to close at varying positions of the pump said cam
being adjusted automatically and controlled by 'n connected speed regulator
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh-In an explosive compression gas engine the combination of a vertical
air pump piston E with a vertically moving propelling trunk or piston C having a
less displacement than the piston E and reciprocating in an exploding cylinder A
of less capacity than the said air pump cylinder B and having ducts H for
admitting air into the exploding cylinder B substantially as shown and described
for the purpose set forth.
Eighth The combination of the piston C provided with air channels H valve J
and piston E having valves F arranged to work in the cylinder G substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Ninth In an explosive compression gas engine the combination of a pump
arranged to compress inflammable gas or inflammable mixtures of air and vapor,
and deliver the same directly into the pressure or exploding cylinder, with an inlet
valve arranged to admit gas or inflammable mixtures of air and vapor to the said
pump throughout the outward stroke, and controlled by a cam operated by a
connected speed regulator, so as to close said valve at varying points in tho
returning stroke of the pump, for the purpose of varying the quantity of gas or
equivalent inflammable chargo introduced into the exploding cylinder, at each
stroke by permitting variable portions thereof to return through the inlet valvo
to the supply pipe or reservoir, substantially as set forth.
Tenth In a compression gas engine the combination of a speed regulator with
a cam so arranged and connected with the exhaust valve of the exploding cylinder,
as to control and regulate the volume of air shut up and compressed in tho
exploding cylinder, proportionately to any variations in the velocity of the engine,
for the purpose of compensating and correcting such variations substantially as
shown and described.
Eleventh-The combination in an explosive compression gas engine of a speed
regulator with the cam connected with and arranged to operate the exhaust valve
of the pressure cylinder, and the inlet valve of the gas pump so as to open and
close said valves at varying points in the piston stroke of the engine, and thereby
varying the volumes of air and inflammable gas or vapor to the pressure cylinder
for the purpose of compensating for variations in speed, and maintaining uniform
velocity of the engine.
Twelfth In a compression explosive gas engine, the combination of an air
pump forming a guide for the piston of the pressure cylinder, and directly forcing

page_text: air through the pressure cylinder, for first purging the same of the products of the
preceding combustion, and afterwards for compressing charges of air in definitely
measured proportions to charges of gas forced into said cylinder, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
.
Thirteenth: In a compression explosive gas engine, the combination of an
igniting chamber, with a valve communicating with and shutting off commu-
nication with the exploding chamber, and adapted when open to direct a current
of air through the igniting chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourteenth-In a compression explosive gas engine the combination of an
igniting chamber, containing an incandescent body, with an exploding or pressure
cylinder, and having a valve controlling communication between them, connected
with an operating mechanism to close the igniting chamber from the pressure
cylinder at low pressure in both vessels and to open and admit a portion of the
explosive charge from the cylinder to the igniting chamber when under higher
pressure, for the purpose of igniting the same.
Fifteenth-In a compression explosive gas engine, an igniting chamber
containing an incandescent body heated by a flame jet applied internally to said
incandescent body, substantially as set forth.
Sixteenth-In a compression explosive gas engine, an igniting chamber
containing an incandescent body heated by a jet of flame external to the said
chamber, supplied with air heated by the escaping products of combustion of said
flame, substantially as set forth.
Soventeenth: In a compression exploding gas engine, the combination of an
-air pump forming a guide for the power receiving piston, and arranged to directly
purge the exploding cylinder, and during the same stroke compress air therein, a
gas measuring and compressing pump, a speed regulator connected with and
operating the inlet valvo of the gas pump and the exhaust valve of the pressure
cylinder, and an igniting chamber connected by a valve with the exploding cylinder,
and operated by a cam, rotated with a fly wheel and shaft receiving motion through
a crank and pitman, operated by the piston or trunk, propelled by the explosion of
air and combustible gas in the exploding cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth,
Dand 1CA
11004