Improvements in and relating to Hydrocarbon Motors, particularly applicable for Cycles, Motor Cars, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Hydrocarbon Motors, particularly
applicable for Cycles, Motor Cars, and the like.
We, MICHEL WERNER and EUGÈNE WERNER, both of 85, Rue de Richelieu,
Paris, France, Mechanics, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
to be as follows:-
The present invention has for object improvements in and relating to hydro-
carbon motors particularly applicable for cycles, motor cars and the like
When
it is desired for example to apply the improved motor to a bicycle, the motor is
preferably secured to the steering head by means of supports and drives a pulley
placed directly upon the hub of the front wheel, the effect of which is that this
wheel becomes the driving and steering wheel. This arrangement of the motor
necessitates no change of the frame, nor expensive differential gear nor compli
cated transmission gear.
The improved motor, which preferably works on the four period cycle system.
comprises a cylinder cast in a single piece with half of the casing and with the
valve boxes of the motor. The upper part of the cylinder is provided with wings
or projections in order to facilitate the cooling of the explosion chamber.
The motor comprises two valves arranged vertically at the right and left of the
cylinder respectively. The seats of these valves are bored in the casting and are
of a slightly conical form and the spindles of the valves work in suitable
guide pieces.
The inlet valve is automatic and the exhaust valve is
controlled by a retarding pinion. This pinion is mounted within the casing
and is controlled by another pinion of half the diameter of the first, keyed upon
the crank shaft, Thus the first named or retarding pinion only makes a half
revolution while the crank shaft makes a complete revolution; upon the spindle
of the retarding pinion is mounted a cam which lifts a fork which operates the
exhaust valve.
The upper ends of the valve boxes are closed by metallic plugs driven there-
into and maintained in position by a pressure bar and screw. The back end of
the cylinder is constituted by a cast iron plate firmly bolted to the cylinder an
asbestos joint being interposed; thus the most favorable conditions for security
and facility of dismounting the parts are obtained. This plate carries centrally
a threaded rod which serves as a pivot for the pressure bar herein before referred
to. It is only necessary to release the screw of the pressure bar and to draw this
bar back a little in order to withdraw the plugs or stoppers of the valve boxes and
thus readily get at the valves for cleaning and other purposes.
The piston is preferably of cast iron with metallic packing; it actuates the

page_text: crank through the intermediation of a connecting rod, the crank rotating in the
casing which is filled with oil, abundant and constant lubrication being thus
assured. The crank shaft is provided with two flywheels, one at each side of the
cylinder and one of which carries a pulley at its outer side. This pulley drives
a wheel fixed upon the hub of the driving and steering wheel of the bicycle,
through the intermediation of a cord or chain.
The ignition of the explosive mixture is effected by means of an incandescent
tube, an electric igniting device or in any other suitable way.
The igniting arrangement is preferably placed in the inlet valve at the place
where the mixture is purest and most richly carburetted. By reason of the
arrangement of the valve this place is very favorable for the igniting arrangement
which is thus completely protected from splashes of oil. The valves communicate
with the carburetter by flexible tubes.
The carburetter is composed of an elongated reservoir suspended from the frame
of the cycle and one end of which terminates in a cylindrical box, this box being
about 3 centimetres greater in depth than the reservoir. The reservoir and the
box communicate only through a small aperture situated at the bottom of the
extremity of the reservoir say 3 centimetres above the bottom of the cylindrical
box, this box is provided at the same height from its bottom with a small cock.
The reservoir is filled with say petroleum oil through a screw bush which is then
closed. The small cock in the cylindrical box is then opened and the petroleum
is allowed to flow until it reaches the level of the cock. A portion of the petro-
leum will thus flow from the reservoir and a vacuum be thus created at the upper
part of same.
The pressure in the cylindrical box, which box communicates freely by a suit-
able aperture with the atmosphere, will be normal and the petroleum will be
maintained always at the same level. Within the cylindrical box is a metallic
cylinder pierced with a great number of small holes having a cap through which
passes a tube which conducts the explosive mixture to the inlet valve of the motor.
This metallic cylinder is surrounded by several layers of a very porous material
which imbibes the petroleum and up which the petroleum rises by capillarity.
At the moment when the inlet to the cylinder of the motor takes place the vacuum
which is created in the cylindrical carburetting vessel compels the external air
to traverse the material saturated with petroleum; this air is thus richly carbu-
retted and passes to a mixing cock interposed in the system of tubes which
makes connection with the motor; in this cock the carburetted air becomes mixed
with air in desired proportion.
As above stated, the exhaust valve of the motor is in communication with the
carburetter by means of a flexible tube. This tube terminates in a pipe which
passes through the cylindrical carburetting vessel; the burnt gases, having a
very high temperature, thus superheat the oil which would otherwise be cooled
by rapid evaporation.
The mixing cock is fixed preferably upon the steering head of the bicycle by
means of a collar; it is provided with a handle which serves to effect admixture
of the carburetted vapor with the air and also to lift the exhaust valve when it
is desired to prevent compression for starting purposes. In this manner there
is thus only one handle for starting, compression, carburation, change of speed
and stopping.
Although I have herein described the improved motor as operating with petro-
leum, it will be obvious that other hydrocarbon may be employed.
Dhin 10th day of January 1808
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Hydrocarbon Motors, particularly
applicable for Cycles, Motor Cars, and the like.
We, MICHEL WERNER and EUGENE WERNER, both of 85, Rue de Richelieu,
Paris, France, Mechanics, 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: —
The present invention has for objects improvements in and relating to hydro-
carbon motors particularly applicable for cycles, motor cars and the like, and
which is readily and speedily detachable both as to the cycle etc. and as to its
own separate parts. When it is desired for example to apply the improved motor
to a cycle (bicycle, tricycle, or the like) the motor is secured to the steering head
by suitable means of support and drives a pulley placed directly upon the hub of
the front wheel the effect of which is that this wheel becomes the driving and
steering wheel. Or if desired the motor may be secured at the rear end of the
machine and drive a pulley fixed directly upon the hub of the rear road wheel
or wheels.
This invention moreover necessitates no change of the frame of cycles nor expen-
sive differential gear nor complicated transmission gear.
The improved motor which advantageously works on the four-phase-cycle
system comprises a cylinder cast in a single piece with half of the casing and
with the valve boxes of the motor. The upper part of the cylinder is provided
with wings ribs or projections (radiators) in order to facilitate the cooling of the
explosion chamber.
The motor comprises two valves arranged vertically at the right and left of the
cylinder respectively. The seats of these valves are bored in the casting and are
of a slightly conical form and the spindles of the valves work in suitable
guide pieces. The inlet valve is automatic and the exhaust valve is
controlled by a retarding pinion. This pinion is mounted within the casing
and is controlled by another pinion of half the diameter of the first, keyed upon
the crank shaft. Thus the first named or retarding pinion only makes a half
revolution while the crank shaft makes a complete revolution; upon the spindle
of the retarding pinion is mounted a cam which lifts a fork which operates the
exhaust valve.
The upper ends of the valve boxes are closed by metallic plugs driven there-
The back end
into and maintained in position by a pressure bar and screw.
of the cylinder is constituted by a plate of cast iron or other suitable metal firmly
bolted to the cylinder-suitable material such as asbestos being advantageously
interposed to form a tight joint; thus very favourable conditions for security
and facility of dismounting the parts are obtained.
This plate carries centrally a threaded rod which serves as a pivot for the pres-
sure bar herein before referred to. It is only necessary to release the screw of the
pressure bar and to draw this bar back a little in order to withdraw the plugs or
stoppers of the valve boxes and thus readily get at the valves for cleaning or
other purposes.
The piston is advantageously of cast iron with metallic packing; it actuates
the crank through the intermediation of a connecting-rod the crank rotating in
the casing which is filled with oil, abundant and constant lubrication being thus

page_text: assured. The crank shaft may advantageously be provided with two flywheels
one at each side of the cylinder and one of which carries a pulley at its outer
side. This pulley drives a wheel fixed upon the hub of the driving and steering
wheel of the bicycle through the intermediation of any suitable means of trans-
mission such as a cord, chain or gear.
The ignition of the explosive mixture is effected by means of an incandescent
tube, an electric lighting device, or in any other suitable way.
The igniting arrangement is advantageously placed in the inlet valve at the
place where the mixture is purest and most richly carburetted. By reason of the
arrangement of the valve this place is very favourable for the igniting arrange-
ment which is thus completely protected from splashes of oil. The valves com-
municate with the carburettor by flexible tubes.
The carburettor is composed of an elongated reservoir mounted upon the
frame of the cycle or in a lady's machine preferably at the side of the front
wheel and one end of which carburettor terminates in a cylindrical box this
box being about 3 centimetres greater in depth than the reservoir. The reservoir
and the box communicate only through a small aperture situated at the bottom
of the extremity of the reservoir say 3 centimetres above the bottom of the cylin-
drical box. This box is provided at the same height from its bottom with a
small cock. The reservoir is filled with say petroleum oil through a screw bush
or other suitable filling orifice which is then closed. The small cock in the
cylindrical box is then opened and the petroleum is allowed to flow until it reaches
the level of the cock. A portion of the petroleum will thus flow from the reservoir
and a vacuum be thus created at the upper part of same.
The pressure in the cylindrical box which box communicates freely by a suit-
able aperture with the atmosphere will be normal and the petroleum will be
maintained always at the same level. Within the cylindrical box is a metallic
cylinder pierced with a great number of small holes having a cap through which
passes a tube which conducts the explosive mixture to the inlet valve of the motor.
This metallic cylinder is surrounded by several layers of a very porous material
which imbibes the petroleum and up which the petroleum rises by capillarity.
At the moment when the opening of the inlet to the cylinder of the motor
takes place the vacuum which is created in the cylindrical carburetting vessel
compels the external air to traverse the material saturated with petroleum; this
air is thus richly carburetted and passes to a mixing-cock interposed in the system
of tubes which makes connection with the motor. In this cock the carburetted
air becomes mixed with air in desired proportion.
As above stated the exhaust valve of the motor is in communication with the
carburettor by means of a flexible tube. This tube terminates in a pipe which
passes through the cylindrical carburetting vessel the burnt gases having a
very high temperature thus superheat the oil which would otherwise be cooled
by rapid evaporation.
The mixing cock is advantageously fixed upon the steering head of the bicycle by
means of a collar; it is provided with a handle which serves to effect admixture
of the carburetted vapour with the air and also to lift the exhaust valve when it
is desired to prevent compression for starting purposes. In this manner there
is thus only one handle for starting, compression, carburisation, change of speed
and stopping.
Although we have herein described the improved motor as operating with
petroleum it will be obvious that other hydrocarbons may be employed.
The motor or its supports can be made adjustable so as to enable same to be
readily adjusted to suit the length of belt or other means employed for trans-
mitting motion from the motor to the driving wheel or in lieu thereof we may
provide a jockey pulley to adjust the belt.
It will be obvious that this motor may if desired be applied to or for driving
the back wheel or wheels instead of the front wheel as aforesaid.

page_text: Also if desired other systems or means of carburetting may be employed in
place of the carburettor herein before described and arranged and mounted in any
desired position.
Referring to Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are vertical transverse sections i.e. taken at right angles to
one another through the motor.
Fig. 3 shows the motor applied to a "safety" bicycle.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and a plan view-on an
enlarged scale of the carburettor, detached from the bicycle.
This motor which is a four-phase-cycle motor has its cylinder A cast in one
piece with the upper half of the gear case B and with the valve chests C-the
lower half B₁ of the gear case being a separate part. The upper portion of the
cylinder A is formed with wings ribs or projections (to act as radiators) a which
facilitate the cooling of the explosion chamber. The said valve chests C are
cast open at top and bottom see Fig. 1.
C
The valves bb are vertical and are arranged left and right of the cylinder A.
The seats of these valves are formed slightly conical and the valve
rods d d are adapted to slide in the bearing pieces or guide-plugs g g which
close the lower end of each said valve chest.
The admission valve b is automatic in its action and the exhaust valve b¹ is
actuated by a retardatory pinion e. This pinion is mounted within the gear
case B B and is actuated by another pinion e half its size which is rigidly fixed
upon the crank shaft E. Thus the retardatory pinion makes only a half-revolu-
tion while the shaft E completes an entire revolution. Upon the spindle of the
pinion e is mounted a cam f which raises the fork i actuating the exhaust valve b¹.
A spring g is combined with each valve to normally hold same closed on their
seatings.
The upper end of the valve chests C are closed by means of metal plugs j j
which are forced in and maintained in place by a yoke or pressure bark tightened
by a nut o see Fig. 1. The cast metal plate m which forms the end of the cylin-
der A is strongly bolted by means of screw bolts upon an asbestos or other suitable
joint and thus presents all the conditions favourable to safety whilst enabling
its being readily removed. This cylinder end is provided at its centre with a
screw-threaded rod n which passes through the yoke k or serves as means by which
said yoke k can be secured by nut o thereon. It is only necessary to unscrew
the nut and to remove the yoke in order to withdraw the plugs jj for the
purpose of inspecting or cleaning etc. the valves b b¹.
The piston F may advantageously be cast and is provided with segments or any
suitable packing; by means of connecting rod G it revolves the crank H within
the oil-retaining gear case B B₁ an abundant and constant lubrication being
assured by immersion in oil i.e. by plenty of oil in said gear case.
The shaft E is provided with two fly-wheels K K one of which carries the pulley L
the said fly wheels rotating outside the motor (i.e. exterior of the gear case B B¹) one
upon either side of the cylinder. The pulley L actuates by means of a belt cord or
chain r the wheels (see Fig. 3) which is fixed upon the axle of the driving and
steering wheel of the bicycle which wheel may be either the front or rear road
wheel as desired and herein before stated.
The ignition of the explosive mixture is effected by means of an incandescent
tube or an electric spark or in any other suitable manner.
The igniting device is arranged within the admission valve b itself at the place
where the mixture is most explosive and richest in hydrocarbon.
Owing to the arrangement of the valves this spot is very advantageous posi-
tion for the electric arc (when electric ignition is used) which is there completely
protected from being splashed with oil. The valves are placed in communica-
tion with the carburettor by means of flexible tubes.
This carburettor (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) consists of a long reservoir X shown.

page_text: in Fig. 3 suspended from the frame of the bicycle-in a man's machine as shown
but in a lady's preferably at the side of the front wheel-one of the extremities
of the reservoir terminating in a cylinder chest or chamber P which is about
3 centimetres deeper. The reservoir and the chest P are in communication
only by means of a small orifice t at the bottom of the reservoir X that is to say
about 3 centimetres from the bottom of the chamber P which latter is provided
at this height with a small cock v.
The reservoir X is supplied with liquid hydrocarbon (say petroleum) through
its filling orifice which is closed by the plug . The cock is then opened and
the petroleum runs into the chamber Puntil it reaches the level of the cock;
a portion of the petroleum will thus flow from the reservoir X and thereby create
a vacuum therein.
The pressure in the chest P which is in direct communication (by means of the
orifice Q) with the atmosphere will be normal and the petroleum will be con-
stantly maintained at the same level. In the middle of the chest P is arranged
a metal cylinder R perforated with a large number of small holes and provided
with a cover through which passes a tube y conducting the mixture to the admis-
sion valve b. The cylinder R is surrounded with several thicknesses of some very
porous material which imbibes the petroleum and raises it by capillary attraction.
At the moment when admission to the cylinder A takes place the vacuum which
is created in the cylinder R forces the external air through the material impreg-
nated with petroleum so that it becomes richly carburised and passes through the
stop cock Z to the explosion chamber A and on its way is mixed with air intro-
duced (in the desired proportion) through a branch pipe y' (leading into the said
pipe y) and having a cock Y in said branch pipe y controlled by a handle Y*
to open and close the air supply through said branch pipe y' into said pipe y
see Fig. 4.
As above stated the exhaust valve b¹ is in communication with the carburettor
by means of a flexible tube. This tube terminates in a pipe (not shown) which
traverses the chest P the burned gases having a very high temperature superheat
in this way the petroleum which would otherwise be cooled by the rapid
evaporation.
The pipe y is attached to the handle-bar of the bicycle by means of a collar;
the handle Y* serves to admit air as aforesaid (for mixing with the carburised
air on its way to the explosion chamber) and also serves (for instance by means
of a chain not shown) for lifting the exhaust valve when it is desired to stop
the compression for the purpose of starting. In this manner there is only one
handle or lever Y* for effecting the starting, the compression, the carburisation,
the variation of speed, and for stopping the motor.
In Fig. 6 the motor is illustrated as applied for driving the front wheel of a
bicycle by means of spur-gear (or in place of toothed wheels as shown we may
employ friction wheels); in Fig. 7 by means of bevel toothed wheels; and in
Fig. 8 by means of sprocket wheels and chain-all these three arrangements
thus affording a positive drive, that is to say "slip" such as may occur with a
band or belt drive is obviated in these 3 arrangements.
In Fig. 9 a tricycle is shown with front steering-wheel driven by motor as
aforesaid viz. by a belt r as shown in Fig. 3 for driving a bicycle.
:
Fig. 10 is an end view of a bicycle with motor thereon as in Fig. 3-showing
double drive arrangement that is to say a driving pulley L is provided each side
of the motor, and a driven pulleys on each side of the front wheel with a belt
or cord reach side to transmit motion.
By having the pulleys L of different sizes or pulleys s of different sizes thereby
2 speeds can be obtained according to which side the belt is operating.
In Fig. 11 we have shown a method of carrying out the invention in the case
of a lady's bicycle. The carburettor however might be supported at the side
of the front wheel instead of in front of the motor.

page_text: in the arrangement illustrated-the oil reservoir X is arranged and mounted
over the motor and in place of the carburettor as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 we may
employ any other suitable carburettor P* adapted to operate with the reservoir
in the position illustrated; for instance we may use the float feed and carburettor
set forth in Maybach's British Patent No. 16072 of 1893.
In Fig. 12 we have illustrated this arrangement of over-head oil reservoir X
and Maybach's said patent float feed and carburettor applied to a gentleman's
bicycle as we consider this to be a very advantageous way of carrying the present
invention into practice.
U is a jockey-pulley which may be provided for tightening the belt in any
of the belt-driving arrangements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention. and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A hydrocarbon motor applicable to and detachable from the front steering
wheel or other wheel of cycles for the purpose of converting them into motor
cycles the said motor being constructed in the manner above described in com-
bination with a carburettor consisting of a reservoir terminating in a cylinder
which contains a perforated box surrounded by material which becomes impreg-
nated with liquid hydrocarbon and which the air drawn in is forced to traverse
so that such air becomes carburised and finally reaches a single cock the lever of
which controls all the operations required in driving the motor, substantially as
and for the purposes described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10 of the drawings
hereunto annexed.
2. A hydro-carbon motor applicable to and detachable from the front steering
wheel or other wheel of cycles for the purpose of converting them into motor
cycles the said motor being constructed in the manner above described in com-
bination with a carburettor and float feed of the character hereinbefore described
with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
3. In a hydro-carbon motor-forming the cylinder in a single piece with half
or thereabouts of the casing for the crank gear etc. of said motor by casting said
cylinder and said half or thereabouts of said casing in a single piece substantially
as and for the purposes described.
4. In a hydro-carbon motor-constructing and arranging the inlet and exhaust
valves on the opposite sides of the cylinder substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. In a hydro-carbon motor-constructing the valve boxes for the two valves
on the opposite sides of the cylinder open at the top ends and adapted to be closed
by removable plugs in combination and acting in conjunction with a pressure bar
such as k, screw n carried on the evlinder end, and a nut o on said screw n to
tighten up said pressure bar and thereby secure said plugs in position on the
ends of said valve boxes and consequently tightly close the ends of each said
valve boxes substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
6. In a hydro-carbon motor having a casing enclosing the crank gear-the
arrangement and combination therewith of a valve-operating pinion fixed on the
crank shaft at a point within said casing and means by which motion is trans-
mitted through said casing from said pinion to the valve substantially as and for
the purposes herein before described.
7. The arrangement and combination with a front-steering-tricycle of a motor
to drive the front steering wheel thereof substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
8. The arrangement and combination with a bicycle of a motor with double
driving pulleys adapted to drive the front steering wheel of the said bicycle
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
9. The improved construction of hydro-carbon motors and combination thereof

page_text: with cycles or motor cars arranged and operating substantially in the manner
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings here-
unto annexed.
Dated this 10th dow
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
ampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.