IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN." A communication froin abroad by Joseph Wertheim, of Bornheim,
near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
ealed the 2nd February 1877, and dated the 1st September 187
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st September 1876.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN
THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN" A communication from abroad by Joseph
Wertheim, of Bornheim, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
This Invention consists in the construction of a combined atmospheric gas engine,
in which the explosive power and the pressure of the atmosphore are utilised as
driving powers,
In carrying out this Invention a cylindrical explosion chamber is connected by
means of a syphon or bent pipe with a reservoir. In this pipe on its lower part is
a paddle wheel with curved float boards or paddles serving to receive and to
transfer the developed power. The reservoir and the connecting pipe are filled
with any suitable liquid air and light gas mixed in a certain proportion is then
introduced into the explosion chamber and ignited. The explosion now following
forces the liquid through the connecting pipe into the liquid reservoir, and the liquid
by means herein-after described is forced to pass the said curved float boards on the
lower part of the wheel, causing it to revolve.
A vacuum is formed in the explosion chamber and in the connecting pipe after
the explosion has taken place. The liquid will then consequently return by the
pressure of the atmosphere from the reservoir to the explosion chamber, and will
pass the upper part of the curved float boards of the wheel, furnishing the power to
turn the wheel, and to refill the connecting pipe and the explosion chamber after
having caused the expulsion of the waste products from the combustion. A fresh

page_text: -
V. The arrangement for the expulsion of the waste from the combustion.
VI. The valve chamber
VII. The wheel with curved float boards and its case or box (for which wheel
however equivalent contrivances may be substituted).
VIII. The liquid reservoir.
IX. The arrangement for supplying the air to the igniting apparatus.
The explosion chamber consists of a cylindrical turned body closed on the upper
end, and provided with a flat face on one side, in which is an opening for the
entrance of the mixture of air and gas, and near to it an opening serving as the
place of ignition. The slide valve moved by a disc slides along this flat face in an
elliptical path
The principal slide valve sliding below by means of a square turning guide is
slowly raised by the disc before mentioned. After having passed the upper dead
point it will be quickly lowered by a spring sliding in and along a slot formed in
the disc, this slot serves as a guide for the slide valve even to its lowest point. By
the upward movement of the slide valve its slot will communicate with the opening
of the chamber for the admission of the mixture of air and gas, whilst the other
opening remains closed by the slide valve. By the downward movement of the
slide valve the opening first mentioned will be closed, whilst the igniting apparatus
fixed to the slide valve slides over the igniting opening, causing the ignition.
The slide valve is covered by a plate, and this latter is fixed by a screw on or in
a lever, and held in its position by means of pins.
The cover plate is provided with two square openings, the one of which is
larger than the other, they correspond with the opening first mentioned in the
explosion chamber.
Through one opening in the plate the atmospheric air enters, and through the
other opening which is connected with the gas pipe enters the light gas, the
quantity of which will be regulated by means of a cock, in order to obtain the exact
proportions required in the mixture.
The square form and the beveled position of the openings in the cover, and also
the form of the slot in the slide valve are chosen so as to conduct air and gas in a
proportionate quantity into the explosion chamber, that is to say, so that gas and
air may commence to enter and be shut off simultaneously
The igniting apparatus consists of the following parts:-A closed box is fitted to
the slide valve, this box having only an opening at that place where it is fixed to
the slide valve; the gas pipe enters through the bottom of the box. When the
slide valve is placed at its lowest position and when it is moving upward the box
communicates with the atmosphere, but when the slide valve has passed the upper
dead point and begins again to descend the face of the explosion chamber, it covers
the opening of the igniting apparatus. The burner slides, passing the igniting place
of the dome, and communicates again with the atmosphere when the slide valve
has arrived at its lowest position. The flame having been extinguished by the
explosion is then ignited again by a gas flame. The burner is surrounded by a
small cover or box, by means of which the entrance of the explosion gas into the gas
pipe will be prevented at the moment of the explosion; a small spring is employed
to press the said cover so as to admit of the outlet of the gas through small openings
after communication with the atmosphere has taken place. The whole is covered
by a second box or case, from which the gas finds an outlet through one small
opening. During the explosion the box has been filled with combustion gases

page_text: which are discharged by fresh air entering through a suitable pipe, whereby the
Hame is caused to burn briskly.
The mouth of the air pipe in the box is also surrounded by a box or cover to
prevent the entrance of explosion gas This air pipe has a cock which is closed
when sliding along a face provided for it; this action takes place every time at the
moment when the opening of the igniting apparatus is closed by the flat face of the
explosion chamber.
At the moment when the ignitor arrives at its opening the handle of the air
cock moved by a spring leaves the face, the ignitor receiving fresh air at the moment
of the ignition.
The governor or regulator and its accessories are arranged in the following
manner:- The explosion chamber is provided with gearing. The shaft on which is
fixed the disc of the slide valve and also a catch turns in a box, by means of which
a pulley and a toothed disc are connected together. The pulley is directly
connected with the fly wheel of the apparatus by a cord. The catch before
mentioned forms with the toothed disc a clutch effecting the connection of the
shaft with the pulley When the governor or regulator revolves too rapidly the
clutch is disconnected, and in consequence the movement of the shaft will cease.
The slide valve is then stopped temporarily at its lowest position, and an interruption
of the explosion ensues
The explosion chamber has on its upper end a slide valve case or box for the
expulsion of the waste products of combustion. A channel or opening there
provided is controlled by the movement of a slide valve, and is covered from the
outside by another valve.
The slide valve last mentioned will be opened in a downward direction by a rod
raised by the operation of a valve in the principal valve chamber This slide valve
is thus opened by the atmospheric pressure. The axis of this valve passes through
the case of the valve chamber to the outside, where it is provided with a lever.
The outer valve placed on the outer end of the expulsion channel of the com-
bustion waste apparatus prevents the entering of the atmosphere, and will be
opened at each stroke of the slide valve last mentioned by the pressure of the
condensed combustion waste; it is closed again immediately after the expulsion.
The effect of the atmospheric pressure upon the lifting valve being finished, a
spring assisted by the pressure of the returning liquid, as horein-after described,
effects the closing of the opening of the combustion waste box or case by moving the
slide valve upward, and closing at the same time the valve in the principal valve
chamber.
The explosion having expelled the liquid contained in the connecting pipe a
vacuum is produced in the said pipe and in the explosion chamber. The liquid will
then again fill the empty space in the pipe and in the chamber by the effect of its
own weight and that of the atmospheric pressure. By means of the vis viva of the
back flowing liquid, this latter expelling the combustion waste presses against the
last-mentioned slide valve, which has been moved down. On this slide valve is
fitted a plate which is in contact with the inner periphery of the chamber space,
being however left for the expulsion of the combustion waste. Under the plate is
fitted a pin or stud, along which slides up and downward a bush, which is provided
with two suspending valves; if they are opened they will close entirely the inner
periphery of the explosion chamber
When the explosion takes place the slide valve is closed, and the bush hangs on
the lowest end of the pin The valves laying down the bush by their own weight
permits the explosion gas to escape
As soon as the back flowing liquid presses
against these valves of the bush they are raised, expelling the combustion waste and
closing the slide valve.
The principal valve chamber admits of the entrance and outlet of the liquid by
the opening of two valves, herein-after designated valves Nos. 1 and 2. The lower
half of the chamber is divided into two parts by means of a partition communicating
with two channels.

page_text: In the ordinary hanging position of the valve No 2 the liquid can be expelled
from the explosion chamber when the mixed gas and air enters. Whilst the
explosion proceeds the valve No 1 closes tight, the valve No. 2 is pressed against
the partition of the lower chamber, and allows the liquid to enter one channel
The liquid forced back by the atmospheric pressure causes a valve No 2 to
close, and the liquid flows through the other channel and presses against the
valve No. 1. This valve then opens the combustion waste channel, as herein-before
described.
The wheel with curved float boards and its case or box are arranged in the
following manner:-The box covers the wheel, which is made an easy fit against
the side walls of the box. The paddles or float boards work on their peripherics in
contact with the interior periphery of the box at certain parts, and at other parts
where they are not in contact the box is provided with guide paddles or curved
boards. Channels lead from the box corresponding with the valve chamber and
with the reservoir.
The liquid driven into one channel by the explosion is conducted by means of the
guide paddles against the paddles or float boards of the wheel, turns the wheel, and
escapes in the reservoir.
Refering to the mode of producing the vacuum by the explosion of the mixed
gas the liquid is driven into the reservoir, and consequently the vacuum in the
explosion chamber and in the connecting tube is produced, therefore the liquid is
immediately forced back through one of channels by reason of the closing of the
valve No 2 on the one hand, and by the float boards fitting the sides on the other
liand.
"
In one channel the liquid is forced by the guide boards against the float boards
of the wheel, thereby turning the wheel. The liquid now enters through the valve
No. 1, filling the connecting, tube and the explosion cliamber On the shaft of the
paddle wheel provided with a packing are fitted the fly wheel and a pulley. The
latter transmits the power to the gearing or wheelwork of the explosion chamber to
the regulator and to other contrivances. At the same time the shaft of the paddle
wheel drives a small air pump feeding the igniting apparatus with fresh air.
The reservoir receives the liquid expelled from the explosion chamber and the
connecting tube. It communicates with the atmosphere by means of another tube,
under which is applied a plate preventing the egress of the liquid, but admitting of
the free entrance of atmospheric air. The outlet of the pipe which carries the
ejected water from a small vessel provided for its reception back to the reservoir is
protected so as to prevent the entrance of liquid from the reservoir.
The reservoir
is provided with a cock for the outlet of the liquid.
The apparatus for supplying air to the igniting apparatus consists of an air vessel
in which enters from above a tube extending nearly to the bottom of the vessel.
The tube is filled with water for pressing the air in the vessel; another tube conducts
the air into the box or case feeding the ignitor. An air pump is provided for
forcing air into the vessel; the surplus of air escapes through the pendant tube.
above mentioned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by 4
the said Jolin Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st March
1877.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER AND
IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN." A communication from abroad by Joseph
Wertheim, of Bornheim, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
The said Invention consists in the construction of a combined atinospheric air
and gas engine in which the explosive power of the gas and the pressure of the
atmosphere are utilized as driving powers.

page_text: In carrying out the said Invention a cylindrical explosion chamber is connected
by means of a syphon or bent tube with a liquid reservoir; at the lower part of this
tube there is arranged a paddle wheel fitted with curved float boards or paddles
serving to receive and transfer the developed power; the reservoir and the syphon
or bent tube are filled with water or any other suitable liquid, and a mixture of air
and combustible gas is then introduced into the explosion chamber and ignited.
The explosion now following forces the liquid through the connecting pipe into the
liquid reservoir, and the liquid by means herein-after described is forced to pass the
said curved float boards on the lower part of the wheel, causing it to revolve.
་
A vacuum is formed in the explosion chamber and in the connecting pipe after
the explosion has taken place, which causes the liquid to return from the reservoir
to the explosion chamber and act upon the curved float boards on the upper part of
the wheel, thus furnishing the power to effect the continued rotation of the wheel
and refill the connecting pipe and the explosion chamber after the expulsion of the
waste products of combustion from the said chamber. A fresh quantity of com-
bustible gas and air is now introduced and ignited and the process recommences,
and so on, in succession
The apparatus consists of the following principal parts more fully herein-after
described, videlicit
VII. The wheel with curved float boards and its case or box (for which wheel
however equivalent contrivances may be substituted).
VIII. The liquid reservoir.
And, IX. The arrangement for supplying the air to the igniting apparatus.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference in-
dicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a side elevation of a motive power
engine constructed according to the said Invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the same taken along the line
g, h, (Figure 3), and Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along the line e, f, in
Figure 1.-
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 are side views of the explosion chamber, with the slide
valve and its cover in its different positions.
Figure 8 is a vertical section taken along the line i, k, (in e, Figure 6) through the
igniting apparatus, and Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the latter.
Figure 9a is a longitudinal section of the ignitor drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 10 is a vertical section of the valve chamber shewing the arrangement of
the guide rod and valve for effecting the expulsion of the waste gases.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 represent details of the slide valve gearing in connection
with the governor or regulator.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 are sectional details of the apparatus employed for ex-
pelling the waste products of combustion.
Figure 17 is a horizontal section (taken along the line a, b, in Figure 14).
Figure 18 is a similar section (taken along the line c- -d, in Figure 15), and Figure
19 is a vertical section of the mechanism employed for the purpose of supplying air
to the igniting apparatus.
A, is the explosion chamber; B, the main valve chamber; C, the case of the wheel;
D, the liquid reservoir; E, Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, opening for the entrance of the
gas and atmospheric air into the explosion chamber; F, place for effecting the

page_text: ignition of the gases; G, disc for actuating the main slide valve H; J, cover of the
slide valve; M, M³, M³, M, pins for fixing the cover J; N¹ opening in the cover J
for the entrance of the atmospheric air; N2, opening in the cover connected with the
gas supply pipe; O, P, slot in the slide valve H; Q, Figure 8, the ignitor; R, slot
or guide in the disc G for actuating the slide valve H, S, gas flame; T, the box in
which the explosion takes place; U, spring tending to draw down the slide valve H;
X, pipe for conducting air to the igniting apparatus; Y, air reservoir; Z, Figures 3
and 9, stop cock in the air pipe X
a, Figure 3, surface along which the handle of the cock is caused to slide, so
as to interrupt the entrance of atmospheric air to the ignitor Q; b, Figures 1 and 3,
axle, having fitted thereon a pulley c, a toothed wheel and a catch f; d, fly
wheel fast on the axle of the paddle wheel; g, Figure 1, tooth on the catch f;
h, regulator or governor; i, lever; k, Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17, box or case for
the slide valve m; l, opening for the expulsion of the waste products of combustion;
m, slide valve for the apparatus for expelling the same; n, valve fitted to the
opening 1; o, Figure 1, rod connecting the lever p and the slide valve m with the
crank and the valve 9 in the valve chamber B; 8, spring for closing the slide
valve m; t, Figures 1, 2, and 3, syphon pipe connecting the liquid reservoir D, the
case C of the paddle wheel, and the valve chamber B on one side, and the explosion
chamber A on the other.side; u, opening in the partition disc of the valve chamber B,
which is closed and opened by the valves 9 and y; x, channel through which the
liquid is forced into the wheel case, causing the paddle wheel to rotate in the direction
indicated by the arrows; %, channel through which the liquid returns from the
reservoir D through the tube t into the explosion chamber.
a², Figures 14, 15, 16, and 18, plate to the slide valve m; b¹, pin fixed to the
lower side of the plate a', along which the bush c¹ with its two hinged valves slides
up and down; &, Figures 1 and 3, line indicating the liquid level; e¹, reservoir for
the reception of the overflow; f¹, pipe for conducting the overflow from the
reservoir e to the reservoir D; g¹, paddle wheel with the curved float boards;
,, divisions between the channels and z, closing portions of the periphery of
the wheel g¹; m², guide paddles or curved boards for directing the liquid on to the
float boards of the wheel gl; n², Figures 3 and 19, air pump; o¹, Figure 1, air tube
over the reservoir D, p³, tin or iron plate fitted to the interior of the reservoir D
to prevent the liquid from entering the air tube o' and the tube f¹ at q¹, 71, cock
for discharging the surplus of the liquid from the reservoir D after it has been filled
when commencing to work; 8, Figure 19, tube in the air reservoir Y; t¹, pipe for
conducting air from the reservoir Ỷ to the igniting apparatus; w¹, Figure 9ª, spring
for closing the cover u¹ after each explosion; ¹, ¹, the outlets for the gas;
y, Figures 9 and 9ª, a second box or cover surrounding w¹ and u', and provided
with an outlet z¹ for the gas to pass through; yll (Figure 9), box covering the
opening of the air pipe X; u", Figures 1 and 2, cock for discharging air from the
explosion chamber A before starting the engine.
The explosion chamber consists of a cylindrical body A closed at the upper end,
and provided with a flat face on one side, in which there is an opening E for the
entrance of the mixture of air and gas, and near to an opening F, in which the
ignition takes place. The slide valve H actuated by the disc G slides along this
flat face in an elliptical path. It is directed in its traverse by means of a square
turning guide, and is slowly raised by the disc G until it has passed the upper dead
point; it is then quickly lowered by the spring U, a stud in the upper end of the
valve sliding in the slot R formed in the disc G; this slot serves as a guide for the
slide valve to its lowest point. By the upward movements of the slide valve the
slot formed therein is caused to communicate with the opening E of the chamber
for the admission of the mixture of air and gas, whilst the other opening F remains
closed by the slide valve. By the downward movement of the slide valve the
opening E is closed, and the igniting apparatus fixed to the slide valve is brought
over the igniting opening F to effect the ignition.

page_text: The slide valve H is covered by a plate J (Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), fixed by
the screw K to a lever G (Figures 7 and 12), and held in position by means of
pins M², M², M³, M, (Figure 4).
The cover plate J is provided with two square openings N¹ and N³, one of which,
videlicit, that N¹, is larger than the other N, they correspond with the opening E
in the explosion chamber A.
Air is admitted through the opening N¹, whilst the other opening N³ is con-
nected with the gas pipe Ŏ (Figure 3), and admits the combustible gas, the quantity
of which is regulated by means of a cock in order to obtain the exact proportions
required in the mixture.
The square form and angular position of the openings N1, N2, in the cover J,
and also the form of the slot P in the slide valve H are chosen so as to conduct air
and gas in a proportionate quantity into the explosion chamber, that is to say, so
that gas and air may commence to enter and be shut off simultaneously.
The igniting apparatus consists of the closed box T, Figures 8 and 9, fitted to the
slide valve H, and having an opening at that part only where it is fixed to the
slide valve, the gas pipe O entering though the opposite end or bottom of the box.
When the slide valve H is in its lowest position and when it is moving upwards
the box T communicates with the atmosphere, but when it has passed the upper
dead point and begins again to descend the face of the explosion chamber it covers
the opening F of the igniting apparatus, and the burner Q effects the ignition.
This burner then continuing to slide with the valve H passes the igniting place F
of the explosion chamber, and communicates again with the atmosphere, and when
the slide valve has arrived at its lowest position the flame of the burner Q which
had been extinguished by the explosion is then ignited again by a gas flame S
(Figure 8) The burner Q is surrounded by a small cover or box u¹, Figure 0, by
means of which the entrance of the gas into the gas pipe at the moment of the
explosion is prevented. A small spring w' presses the cover u¹ so as to admit of
the outlet of the gas through the small openings x1, x¹, after communication with
the atmosphere has taken place The whole is covered by a second box or case y¹,
from which the gas passes through one small opening . During the explosion the
box T becomes filled with gases from the combustion, which are discharged by
fresh air entering through the pipe X, Figure 9, whereby the flame is caused to burn
briskly.
The mouth of the air pipe X communicating with the interior of the box T is
also surrounded by a box or cover y¹¹ in order to prevent the entrance therein of gas.
The air pipe is fitted with a cock Z which is closed whilst sliding along the face u,
(Figure 3); this action takes place every time at the moment when the opening of
the igniting apparatus is closed by the flat face of the explosion chamber.
At the moment when the ignitor arrives at the opening F the handle of the air
cock Z actuated by a spring leaves the face a, the ignitor receiving fresh air at the
moment of the ignition.
The temporary closure of the cock Z and therefore the suspension of the air
admission into the igniting box T is necessary in order to prevent the air from
entering the gas pipe before the ignitor arrives at the place of ignition F, which air
if allowed to enter would extinguish the flame and thereby prevent the proper
action of the apparatus
The governor or regulator and its accessories are arranged in the following
manner-b, Figure 3, is a shaft on which are fixed the disc G and the catch f; this
shaft also carries a sleeve upon which is fixed the pulley c and the toothed wheel e.
The catch fis provided with a tooth g which is caused by means of a spring to
engage with the teeth of the wheel e, and thereby effect the connection of the
shaft b with the pulley c, which latter is connected by a leather strap or cord to the
fly wheel d. When the governor or regulator h revolves too rapidly the tooth g is
disengaged from the teeth of the wheel e by a lever i (Figures 1, 11, 12, and 13),
and the movement of the shaft thereby arrested. The slide valve is thus stopped

page_text: temporarily at its lowest position, and an interruption in the succession of explosion
ensues.
In order to effect the expulsion of the waste products of combustion from the
explosion chamber, the latter is provided at its upper end with a case or box /
(Figures 1, 14, 15 & 16), having a channel or opening therein through which
the waste products of combustion are expelled, the opening and closing of the
channel being controlled by the slide valve m in the interior of the box, and by a
hinged valve n on the outside.
The channel is opened by the downward movement of the slide valve m which
is actuated by the rod o (Figures 1 & 10), and the lever p, the rod o being raised
by the operation of the valve 9 to which the rod o is connected by an aim keyed
on the axle of the valve q in the valve chamber B. The outer valve n placed on
the outer end of the channel 7 of the chamber prevents the entrance of the atmos-
phere, and is opened at each stroke of the slide valve m by the pressure of the
condensed waste products of combustion, and is closed again immediately after the
expulsion thereof
The effect of the atmospheric pressure upon the lifting valve 7 being finished the
spring & (Figures 1 & 3) effects the closing of the opening in the chamber / by
moving the slide valve m upwards, and closing at the same time the valve q in the
main valve chamber B (This closing movement of the slide valve m is not operated
by means of the springs alone, the power which aids the closing of the slide valvem
will be heroin-after described).
The explosion having expelled the liquid contained in the connecting pipe ta
vacuum is produced in the said pipe and in the explosion chamber A, the liquid will
then again fill the empty space in the pipe t and in the chamber A by the effect of
its own weight and that of the atmospheric pressure.
By means of the vis viva of the back flowing liquid this latter expelling the
waste products of combustion through the channel 7 presses against the slide
valve m which has been moved down in the manner herein-before described On
the slide valve m is fitted the plate a¹, Figures 14, 15, 16, and 18, which is in
contact with one of the inner sides of the chambers, space being however left for
the expulsion of the waste products of combustion. To the under side of the plate a¹
there is fitted a pin or stud b¹, along which slides up and downward a bush c¹ pro-
vided with two flap valves, which when opened out, as shewn in Figure 14, entirely
close the inner periphery of the explosion chamber.
When the explosion takes place the slide valve m is closed, and the bush c¹
descends to the bottom of the pin 61, the flap valves then falling on to the bush c¹
by their own weight, and thus peinitting the escape of the explosion gas. As
soon as the back flowing liquid presses against these Hap valves they open out and
move upwards so as to expel the waste products of combustion through the
opening 1, as shewn by the arrows in Figure 14.
Figure 15 represents the position of the parts when the liquid begins to flow
back; and Figure 16 represents the position of the parts when the chainber A is
empty. When the liquid by its vis viva rises above the line d³, the entrance of a
fresh quantity of mixed gas and air causes liquid to leave the explosion chamber
until it sinks to the level d (Figure 1) at the same time the bush c¹ with its two
hinged valves is caused to descend. e¹ is a small reservoir which receives the
liquid driven out by the expulsion of the waste products of combustion, which
liquid is conducted back to the reservoir D by the tube ₤1
The main valve chamber B containing the valves q and y for controlling the
entrance and outlet of the liquid is divided at the lower portion thereof by means
of a partition 1 into two chainbers, one of which communicates with the channel x
and the other with the channel z leading to the wheel case C. In the normal
hanging position of the valve y the liquid can be expelled from the explosion
chamber when the mixed gas and air enters. Whilst the explosion proceeds the
valve q closes tight against its seat and the valve y is pressed against the partition 1

page_text: of the lower chamber so as to allow the liquid to enter the channel x, but when the
liquid is forced back by the atmospheric pressure the valve y is closed so as to cover
the opening u, whereby the liquid is compelled to flow through the channel = past
the valve g, the opening of which causes the valve m herein-before described to
open the channel and allow the waste products of combustion to escape.
The wheel g with its curved float boards and its case or box are arranged in the
following manner :-The case C (Figures 1, 2, and 3,) encloses the wheel g¹, which
is made an easy fit against the sides of the case. The paddles or float boards work
at their periphery in contact with the interior periphery of the case at the parts
marked, and at other parts where they are not in contact the base is pro-
vided with guide paddles or curved boards m³. The channels and leading
from the case communicate on one side of the wheel with the valve chamber B
and on the other side with the reservoir D.
The liquid driven into the channel x by the explosion is conducted by the guide.
paddles m² against the paddles or float boards on the lower part of the wheel,"
which causes the wheel to rotate, the liquid escaping though the channel on the
opposite side of the wheel into the reservoir D, a vacuum being thereby produced
in the explosion chamber A and in the connecting tube t, the liquid is immediately
forced back, and is compelled to pass through the channel z by reason of the closing
of the valve y and the float boards fitting the sides, , the liquid being caused
by the guide boards m¹ to act against the float boards at the top of the wheel and
keep it in motion. The liquid now passes through the valve 9 and fills the cou-
necting tube t and the explosion chamber A. On the shaft of the paddle wheel g¹
there are fitted a fly wheel d (Figures 1 and 3) and pulleys for tiansinitting motion
to the gearing or wheel work of the explosion chamber to the governor or regulator
to a small air pump n¹ (Figures 3 and 19) for feeding the igniting apparatus in the
box T with fresh air, and to any other apparatus required to be driven.
The reservoir D (Figure 1) which receives the liquid expelled from the explosion
chamber A and the connecting tube t communicates with the atmosphere through
the tube o¹, under which and inside the resei voir is arranged a plate p¹, which
prevents the egress of the liquid whilst admitting of the fiee entrance of atinos-*
pheric air. The outlet of the pipe f¹ which conducts the ejected water from the
sinall vessel e¹ back to the resei voir D is protected at q' by the plate p³, so as to
prevent the entrance of liquid therein from the reservoir.
The apparatus for supplying air to the igniting apparatus consists of an air
vessel Y (Figure 19), in which enters from above a tube s' extending nearly to the
bottom of the vessel. This tube is filled with water, which by pressing on the air
in the vessel Y forces it through another tube t¹, which conducts the air into the
box or case T (Figure 9) for feeding the ignitor. Air is forced into the vessel Y by
an air pump n', any surplus air escaping through the pendent tube s¹.
The engine operates in the following manner — The engine is charged with
water or other suitable liquid through the tube o¹ until it commences to flow out
through the cock all of the explosion chamber A. The explosion chamber being
now filled with liquid the cock ull is closed, after which the cock 1 is opened, so
as to allow the superfluous liquid to flow out of the reservoir until the liquid is
brought to the level . The cock is then closed, the gas jet S ignited, and the
gus cock 0 of the ignitor Q opened The fly wheel d is then turned by hand one
revolution, so as to admit gas and air into the combustion chamber and produce the
first explosion thereof, the engine will then continue to work regularly. The
entrance of the mixed gas into the combustion chamber causes the liquid to sink
therein, the explosion of the gas then takes place, and forces the liquid beneath the
wheel g¹ into the reservoir D, which liquid is then forced back again over the wheel
into the combustion chamber, expelling by its vis viva the waste products of
combustion from the chamber and closing at the same time the channel 7. The
liquid is then again operated upon as before by an explosion of gas, and so on
continuously.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said

page_text: Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,―
First. Obtaining and applying motive power by the utilization of the explosive
force of gas and air acting upon the surface of a liquid employed as a medium for
transmitting such power, substantially in the manner herein-before described and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the igniting apparatus,
operating substantially in the manner herein-before described and illustrated by
the Drawings.
Third. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the main slide valve H,
substantially as herein-before described.
Fourth. The peculiar arrangement of the openings in the plate or cover J, or the
inlet of air and gas in combination with the slot P in the slide valve H, substantially
as herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Fifth. Transmitting the explosive power of gas and air and the pressure of the
atmosphere by means of any suitable liquid upon a wheel provided with curved
float boards, or upon other suitable contrivances, substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Sixth. The disc G for actuating the main slide valve H, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose herein-before described and as illustrated by the
Drawings.
Seventh. The expulsion slide valve, which is opened by the effect of the
atmospheric pressure and closed by the vis viva of the back flowing liquid, sub-
stantially as herein-before described.
Eighth. The construction and arrangement of the valve chamber B in com-
bination with the valve g and connections for operating the expulsion slide valve,
substantially as herein-before described.
Ninth. The combination of the paddle wheel with the valve chamber B and the
reservoir D, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the First day of March, One thousand
cight hundred and seventy-seven.
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