Improvements in Explosion Apparatus for Generating Gases under Pressure.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1899-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Explosion Apparatus for Generating Gases under
Pressure.
I, HENRY MARTYN WILLIAMS, of 36, East Berry Street, in the City of Fort
Wayne, in the County of Allen, and State of Indiana, United States of America.
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention 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 certain new and useful improvements in apparatus
by means of which exploded gas or hydrocarbon mixed with air in a highly
compressed state, may be stored up in a suitable reservoir to be subsequently
utilized as a motive power for driving various forms of engines. With this
object in view the invention consists in an apparatus embodying the various
novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more particularly
described.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which
like letters of reference designate corresponding parts:
Figure 1, is a vertical sectional view of one form of apparatus embodying the
invention, and
Figure 2, is a similar view of another form of apparatus embodying the inven
tion, parts being broken away.
Referring more particularly to the drawings A, designates a main cylinder in
which the gases are exploded and from which they pass in a highly compressed
state through a passage 1, controlled by a check valve, to a suitable reservoir B.
This cylinder is vertically arranged in Fig. 1. and at its lower end it is provided
with an inlet passage 3, which communicates with any suitable source of combus-
tible fluid supply. (not shown) and is controlled by an inwardly opening valve 4.
Arranged in close proximity to the valve to make contact with an electrode 5,
controlled thereby, when the valve is opened, is a second electrode G. These
electrodes form the terminals of an electric circuit and in practice when the valve
is lifted to admit a charge to the explosion chamber they make contact to complete
the circuit when the valve closes, however, this circuit is broken, a spark being
generated and the charge ignited within the cylinder. Surrounding the
cylinder A. is a water jacket 7. and at the upper end of the cylinder is an exhaust
port. S. adapted to be uncovered by the piston C, when it is at the upper end of
its stroke.
Communicating with the space above the piston and with the external air is
an air inlet port 9, controlled by an inwardly opening suction valve 10, and
leading from the space above the piston is a passage 12, controlled by an outwardly
opening valve 13. The piston rod 14, of the piston C. extends through the upper
end of the cylinder A. into an auxiliary cylinder D, mounted centrally upon and
in line with the cylinder A, and at its upper end the said rod is provided with a
second piston E.
Within the wall of the cylinder D. is an annular passage 12", which surrounds
the cylinder and communicates with the passage 12, and with the interior of the
cylinder. beneath the piston E, through a valve controlled inlet port 15. In
line with the inlet port upon the opposite side of the cylinder is an exhaust

page_text: port 16, and these two ports are adapted to be controlled by a single valve F.
This valve as shown comprises a cylindrical shell, the inner diameter of which
is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the cylinder D, and this shell
is adapted to be received and to be moved vertically within a recess in the lower
end of the cylinder. At its lower edge the shell is provided with an annular
flange 17. through a central opening in which the piston rod 14. passes and in
the side of the shell are formed ports 18. 19. adapted to be brought to register
with the inlet and exhaust ports 15. 16, respectively. Engaging the under face
of the flange 17, is a head carried upon the upper end of a stem 20, which stem
projects through the upper wall of the cylinder A, into position to be struck and
lifted by the piston C. when it approaches the end of its up stroke; the valve F,
being moved in the opposite direction by the piston E.
Assuming the piston C, to be at the lower end of its cylinder, compressed air
is forced into the passage 12 of the cylinder D, by any suitable means. The
piston E. likewise being at the bottom of its cylinder has made contact with the
valve F. forcing it downwards and bringing its port IS. to register with the
inlet port 15, thereby permitting the compressed air within the passage 12", to
enter the cylinder D, beneath the piston to lift the same, as well as the piston C.
When the piston C. has reached the position indicated by the dotted lines.. the
weight of the two pistons counter-balances the pressure of the air within the
cylinder D. and the pistons come practically to a standstill. During the upward
movement of the piston C. the valve 4 is lifted by the vacuum within the chamber A,
and the charge of explosive mixture is drawn into the cylinder. When the
valve is lifted the electrodes 5, 6, are brought into contact and maintained in
engagement until the movement of the piston C, is arrested at the point .r, when the
valve drops to its seat. This effects the separation of the electrodes and generates
a spark, causing the charge, which has been drawn into the cylinder, to be ignited.
The piston being heavy and at a standstill, is but slowly affected by the ex-
plosion following the ignition of the charge, and consequently the force of the
explosion lifts the check valve 2. and permits the greater volume of the exploded
gases to escape through the passage f. into the reservoir B.
After the greater
portion of the gases has been trapped in the storing reservoir, the piston begins to
rise to the position indicated in Fig. 1. uncovering the exhaust port 8. and
permitting the burnt gases remaining beneath the piston to escape.
During the
upward movement of the piston it engages the end of the stem 20, lifting the said
stem, and through it, the valve F, thereby bringing the ports Hi. 19. to register
and permitting the compressed air beneath the piston E, to escape. As the
piston C. ascends the air above it is compressed and forces its way past the valve 15,
into the passages 12, 12. where it remains until the next upward movement of
the piston E. is to be effected. The burnt gases beneath the piston C, and the
compressed air beneath the piston E. having been exhausted there is nothing to
retain them in their elevated position and consequently they return to the lower
ends of their respective cylinders by gravity. When the piston E, has descended
sufficiently far to operate the valve P, the inlet port 15, is opened in the manner
before stated, the compressed air from the passage 12" rushes into the cylinder and
the operation above described is repeated."
In Figure 2. the cylinders A, and D. are shown arranged horizontally and as
shown in this arrangement it is impossible for the pistons to move from one end
to the other of their respective cylinders by gravity, it is necessary that some
means be employed for effecting this movement. Accordingly the outer end of
the cylinder D. is provided with a valve chamber 25, having inlet and exhaust
ports 26 and 27 respectively, and in this chamber is adapted to slide a cylindrical
valve 28, provided with ports, which are adapted to register with the ports 26, 27
This valve 28. is provided with a stem 29. which extends into a cylindrical
chamber 30, of the piston rod 14, and is provided with a shoulder or enlarge- 5
ment 31. The valve chamber 25, communicates with the passage 12. through its
inlet port 26, and in operation, when the pistons have been forced outwardly by

page_text: the explosion in the cylinder A, the piston E. makes contact with the end of
the valve 28, and moves it until one of its ports is brought to coincide with the inlet
port, when a part of the compressed air within the passage 12", will rush into the
cylinder D. behind the piston E, and force it and the piston C, to the opposite
ends of their cylinders. Just previous to the end of this stroke of the piston E,
however, the end wall of the chamber 30, makes contact with the enlargement 31
and shifts the valve 28, to bring a port thereof into communication with the
port 27. permitting the air back of the piston E, to exhaust. The valve F. is
then operated to admit compressed air upon the opposite side of the piston in
the same manner as in the construction shown in Fig. 1. and the pistons are
moved in the opposite directions. With the above noted exception the con-
struction and operation of the parts shown in Fig. 2. are substantially identical
with those shown in Fig. 1. and the same reference letters have been used to
designate corresponding parts in the two figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination with a cylinder
provided at one end with valve controlled inlet port, a discharge port, a reservoir
communicating with said latter port, an exhaust port leading from the cylinder,
a piston within the cylinder, means without the cylinder for moving the piston
through a part of its stroke, and means for igniting a charge upon one side of the
piston at a predetermined time. substantially as described.
2nd. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination with a cylinder
provided at one end with valve controlled inlet and discharge ports, a valve con-
trolled discharge port for compressed air at the opposite end of the cylinder, an
exhaust port leading from the cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, an engine
without the cylinder for moving said piston through a part of its stroke, said
engine communicating with the compressed air discharge port of the cylinder,
substantially as described.
Brd. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination of a main and
an auxiliary cylinder arranged in line and having connected pistons, an inlet for
an explosive charge and a valve controlled discharge opening at one end of the
main cylinder, a valve controlled discharge opening for compressed air at the
opposite end of said cylinder, an inlet and an exhaust port at one end of the
auxiliary cylinder, the inlet port communicating with the compressed air discharge
port of the main cylinder, a valve for controlling the inlet and exhaust ports of
the auxiliary cylinder and means for actuating said valve, substantially as
described.
4th. In an apparatus for the purpose described, the combination of a main and
an auxiliary cylinder arranged in line and having connected pistons, an inlet for
an explosive charge and a valve controlled discharge opening at one end of
the main cylinder, a valve controlled discharge opening for compressed air
at the opposite end of said cylinder. an inlet and an exhaust port at one end of
the auxiliary cylinder, the inlet port. communicating with the compressed air
discharge port of the main cylinder, a slide valve for controlling the inlet and
exhaust ports of the auxiliary cylinder, said valve being arranged to be moved in
one direction by the piston of one cylinder, and in the opposite direction by the
piston of the other cylinder, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.