AN IMPROVED MEANS OR METHOD OF EXPLODING GASES IN GAS ENGINES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Watson, of Leeds, in the County of York, for
an Invention of "AN IMPROVED MEANS OR METHOD OF EXPLODING GASES
IN GAS ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Watson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1881.
WILLIAM WATSON, of Leeds, in the County of York.
OR METHOD OF EXPLODING GASES IN GAS ENGINES."
"AN IMPROVED MEANS
The object of my Invention is to explode the gases used in gas engines by inter-
mittently introducing into the cylinder or chamber containing the mixed gases to
be exploded a piece of metal, porcelain, or other material in a state of incandescence,
or sufficiently heated that when brought in contact with the gases will cause them
to explode.
I may effect this end by passing the piece in an incandescent or red hot state
into the cylinder or chamber (at the moment the gas is required to be exploded)
through an aperture in the side thereof, such aperture being so filled up by the
sliding carrier containing the exploding medium that no gas can escape therefrom,
provide also means for withdrawing the exploding medium immediately after
the explosion has taken place.
But by preference I provide an arrangement somewhat similar to a slide valve
or stuffing box through which the exploding medium is introduced into the cylinder
or chamber. The required self acting reciprocating motion is given to the slide in
the above arrangements by ordinary mechanism connected to some convenient
part of the engine.
The exploding medium is heated to the required extent by being exposed to the
action of a flame or its equivalent.

page_text: At Figs. 2 and 3 the interior of the cylinder or chamber is represented at i, and
j shows a side of such cylinder or chamber; through the side of the cylinder or
chamber is provided an opening k A tube which may be of porcelain or metal
is attached at one end to the side j, and at its other end coupled to a stuffing box m,
which may be of ordinary construction. This also, by preference, is attached to
the side. I provide a rod n which is fitted so as to work freely in the stuffing
box m, and to it is attached the wire or rod o which passes through the tube as
shewn. A flame is applied to the external tube at p, which causes it to become
red hot; such heat passes through to the wire or rod o, and brings it to an incan-
descence state. On the heated part being moved forward to the interior of the
cylinder or chamber it is brought in contact with the gases, causing them to ignite
or explode. The required intermittent reciprocating movement through rod n is
imparted from some convenient moving part of the engine. The above arrangement
may have one tube only, or be in pairs, as shewn, the wires or rods being intro-
duced alternately into the interior for the purpose of exploding the gases.
such arrangement one wire or rod is being heated whilst the other is exploding the
gases.
By
At Fig. 4 the interior of the cylinder or chamber is at p¹, and the side of such
cylinder or chamber is represented at q; ris the slide valve, and s the valve cover;
the igniting piece t is inserted within the slide valve rat u; this igniting piece t
is heated by a flame communicating with it through an opening in the valve
cover 8. An opening is provided in the side of the cylinder or chamber through
to the slide valve r. For the purpose of exploding the gases the igniting piece t
is moved with the slide valve to position in front of opening v, and in that
position ignites the combustible gases and thus causes the explosion. The inter-
mittent reciprocating movement is imparted to the slide valve r from some
convenient moving part of the gas engine.
At Figs. 5, 6, and 7, 1 is an opening communicating between the cylinder or
chamber 2 and a disc 3. Within this disc 3, which may be of metal, porcelain, or other
suitable material, are provided one or more igniting pieces 4, by preference a coil of
fine platinum wire. The disc 3 is fitted so as to work freely within the V of a disc
carriage, at the same time it is necessary for it to be a good fit at 5 in order to
prevent any escape of gas, and for the purpose of keeping the faces together I
apply the set screw G, which acts upon the V through the loose slip 7. Through
the disc is keyed a shaft 8 for the purpose of transmitting the rotary intermittent
reciprocating motion thereto. The igniting piece or pieces is or are brought under
the action of a flame at 9, and for the purpose of exploding the gases the igniting
piece 4 is moved round to position 10, whereby it is brought into direct communi-
cation with the gases and explodes them. It will be seen when two igniters are
applied to the disc 3 that whilst one is exploding the other is becoming heated by
the action of a flame ready for the next explosion, they being alternately moved
round to the exploding point 10.
What I would have understood by porcelain or other materials, is clays, or
materials that are used in the manufacture of pottery ware, or tobacco pipes, or
such as are not liable to fracture by the application of heat, also possessing
hardness and durability.
All the herein described arrangements, except Fig. 1, are applicable for exploding
the gases either when under compression or otherwise.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and described by the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it
understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details or configuration of the
parts I have described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without
departing from the nature of the same, but what I do claim and desire to be secured
to me by Letters Patent is,
The arrangement, construction, and application of the various means herein

page_text: described and illustrated (and mere modifications of the same, for igniting or
exploding the gases used in gas engines.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Watson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty first day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
W. WATSON. (L.S.)