Improvements relating to Steam and other Engines or Motors
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1887.
Communicated from abroad by ELMER STILMAN SMITH, Agent, and RAY VAUGHN
PIERCE, Physician, both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.]
Improvements relating to Steam and other Engines or Motors
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 an engine which is provided with a disc or piston
having a wobbling motion, partly oscillating and partly rotative, in a case or
chamber which has the form of a spherical segment. The object of my invention
is to produce a simple and efficient engine of this kind which can be produced at
comparatively small expense and which can be easily operated at a high rate
of speed
My invention consists in the improvements which will be hereinafter fully set
forth and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of my improved engine.
Figure 2 is partly a top plan view and partly a horizontal section thereof.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the valve.
•
Figures 4 and 5 are cross sections in lines z, x and y, y, Figure 1 respectively.
Figure 6 is a cross section through one of the abutments and connecting parts
on an enlarged scale.
Figure 7 is a similar view showing a modified arrangement of the abutment.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the engine showing a reversible
valve applied to my improved engine.
Figure 9 is a cross section in line x, x Figure 8, on an enlarged scale.
Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of my improved engine provided
with an automatic cut-off mechanism.
Figure 11 is a cross section in line x, x Figure 10.
Figure 19 ia a cross section in line »
Figure 10 on an enlarged scale.

page_text: Figure 13 is a sectional view showing a modified construction of the steam
passages.
Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several Figures.
My improved engine can be actuated by steam, compressed air, water or any
other fluid or liquid under pressure, but for the purpose of simplifying the
description I will describe it as a steam engine.
b
A represents the case having the form of a segment of a sphere; and A¹ is the
head which closes the large end of the case and is secured thereto by suitable
fastenings a. B represents the piston having the form of a spherical segment and
arranged obliquely in the case A which it fills partially so as to leave a steam space
between its flat face and the head A¹. C represents a steam chest formed at the
convex end of the case A concentric with the axis thereof and communicating at
its inner end with the case A. c represents the steam supply pipe connected with
the chest C.
D represents the engine shaft arranged in line with the axis of the case A and
supported in a bearing d formed on the outer side of the steam chest C. D¹ repre-
sents a crank disc or wheel secured to the shaft D within the steam chest C, and d'
is the wrist pin secured to the disc D¹ and connected with the piston B in the
axial line thereof. The side of the disc D' adjacent to the piston is preferably
curved concentric with the case A and piston B and arranged in the steam chest so
as not to touch the piston, leaving a narrow space between the disc D' and the
piston into which the steam enters from the chest C around the loosely fitting disc.
The pressure exerted against the convex rear side of the piston in this manner relieves
the piston from part of the pressure which is exerted against its flat face and reduces
the friction between the piston and the case correspondingly.
The wrist pin d¹ is provided with an axial bore or passage d' which opens into
the steam chest C on the rear side of the disc D'. The outer surface of the wrist
pin d¹ may be made in the form of a spherical segment when its seat in the rear side
of the piston B¹ is correspondingly shaped. The wrist pin d¹ is arranged at an
oblique angle to the shaft D when the pin is made cylindrical, as represented in
Figures 8 and 10. When the pin is made spherical, as represented in Figure 1 this
is not necessary if the piston has sufficient play on the pin.
E represents the cylindrical induction valve arranged in a cylindrical seat E¹ formed
axially in the piston B and communicating at its rear end with the seat of the wrist
pin di and at its front end with a semi-spherical cavity e formed centrally in the face
of the piston. e represents a transverse key or feather which connects the contiguous
ends of the wrist pin and valve E and which compels the valve to turn with the wrist
pin in the piston. The valve E is divided lengthwise into two compartments by a
diagonal diaphragnf which separates the induction port f¹ from the exhaust port of
the valve, as represented in Figure 3. The induction port f¹ communicates with the
open front end of the valve adjacent to the wrist pin and the exhaust port with the
open rear end of the valve which opens into the spherical cavity e.
9, 9, 9, represent the steam ports formed in the piston B at equal distances apart
circumferentially and opening with their inner ends in the cylindrical valve seat E¹
and with their outer ends in the face of the piston. Two or more steam ports may be
employed, three being shown in the drawings. G, G, G, represent abutments or
plates which extend across the steam space 6 between the piston and the head A¹ of
the case A, one abutment being arranged between every two steam ports in the piston,
so that the steam space b is divided by these abutments into as many compartments as
there are steam ports in the piston. As shown in Figure 2 the abutments Gare
connected with the head A¹ of the case by rounded ribs g¹ formed on the abutments
and seated in similarly shaped radial grooves g formed in the head A³ forming
knuckle joints on which the abutments can rock or oscillate. The abutments extend
into radial chambers or slots h formed in the piston B and made of sufficient depth to
permit of the requisite play of the piston on the abutments, and to enable the latter
to maintain a tight joint in the piston. h¹, h¹ represent packing ribs bearing against
opposite sides of each abutment near the outer end of its chamber h in the piston.

page_text: Each pair of ribs his composed of two segments of the same cylinder and seated in
two corresponding grooves h², 2 on opposite sides of the chamber h so that the ribs h
can turn in their seats as the abutment changes its angle with reference to the face
of the piston. The slots or chambers h are enlarged from the face of the piston
inwardly to permit of the free movement of the abutments.
I represents a knuckle secured centrally in the head A' of the case and provided
with an inner semi-spherical end i which enters the semi-spherical cavity e of the piston
and centres the latter. The piston is in this manner journalled on its face side on
the knuckle I and on its rear side on the wrist pin d'. The outer portion of the
knuckle I is provided with an external screw thread which works in a threaded
neck formed centrally on the head A', so that the knuckle I can be adjusted toward
and from the face of the piston, thereby enabling the piston to be adjusted in the
case A for wear. The inner ends of the abutments G are inade concave and rest
snugly against the spherical knuckle I and the outer ends of the abutments rest
against the inner surface of the case. Upon adjusting the knuckle I toward the
piston the abutments G are moved outwardly toward the case so that the wear of the
abutments can be taken up by properly adjusting the knuckle I.
j represents an axial bore or passage formed in the knuckle I, and ¹ represents
radial passages extending from the bore outwardly through the knuckle and
communicating with an exhaust chamber J formed in the neck of the head A¹
around the knuckle. J' represents the exhaust pipe leading from the chamber J
to a convenient point.
The steam passes from the chest C through the wrist pin d' into the valve E and
thence through the induction port into the steam port g communicating therewith
at the time. This steam port opens into that compartment of the steam space b which
is most nearly closed or contracted by the oblique position of the piston in the case,
while the compartment which is fully opened communicates through its steam port g
with the exhaust port of the valve. The steam entering the contracted compartment
presses against the projecting portion of the face of the piston and forces said portion
backward. The point at which the backward pressure is exerted upon the oblique
face of the piston travels around the pistons circumferentially and causes the piston
to assunie a rocking or wobbling motion during which the point of greatest approach
of the piston to the head A' describes a circular path concentric with the case A.
This motion of the piston produces a rotary motion of the wrist pin d¹ and shaft D.
The exhaust of the spent steam is effected succesively from each compartment of the
steam space through its steam port g, the exhaust port of the valve the passage j
of the knuckle I and the exhaust chamber and pipe J J. The webbling motion of the
piston causes the abutments G to rock in their seats in the head A¹.
If desired the abutments may be journalled in grooves k formed in the piston and
the chambers into which the abutments project may be formed in the head A' of the
case, as represented in figure 7.
If it is desired to make the engine reversible this may be accomplished by the
valve mechanism represented in figures 8 and 9. In this case the induction
valve E is connected with a cylindrical wrist pin d¹ by a cylindrical neck which
surrounds the end of the wrist pin and allows the valve to be turned on the same.
is a pin or projection secured to the wrist pin and entering a spiral or inclined
groove formed in the valve and made of such pitch and length that by moving the
valve lengthwise the pin or groove causes the valve to be turned on the wrist pin
to the extent necessary to reverse the relative positions of the steam and exhaust ports
of the valve in the piston. The valve E is moved lengthwise by an adjusting
screw M working in the knuckle I and connected with the valve sten m by a
swivelled link m' or by any other suitable mechanism.
The steam may be admitted to the valve by passages m² outside of the wrist pin,
as represented in figure 13.
If desired, an automatic cut-off mechanism may be combined with the induction
valve. In figures 10, 11 and 12 N represents a cut-off valve arranged within
the valve N, the latter being seated in the piston B. The outer valve N¹ is provided

page_text: with an induction port n and an exhaust port n². The inner cut-off valve N
is divided lengthwise by a diaphragm O into an induction compartment which
is closed at the rear end of the valve and an exhaust compartment which is
closed at the front end of the valve. The induction compartment is provided with
an induction port having a lip p¹ which projects into the induction port n of
the outer valve N¹ along the trailing or rear edge of said port. The exhaust
compartment of the cut-off valve N is provided with an exhaust port 9 which
is made somewhat longer than the exhaust port n' of the outer valve N so as not to
obstruct the exhaust in the various positions of the cut-off valve. R represents a
centrifugal governor secured at one end to the stem of the cut-off valve N and
connected at its opposite end with the crank dise D₁ by a spring 1. The outer
valve N¹ is connected with the wrist pin so as to turn therewith. When the speed of
the shaft exceeds the normal the governor causes the cut-off valve N to turn in the
valve N¹ in such manner that the lip p¹ of the cut-off valve obstructs the
induction port n of the outer valve N, thereby reducing the steam supply to
the piston. This movement of the cut-off valve does not affect the leading edge of
the steam port n of the outer valve N¹ nor the exhaust ports of the valves.
It is obvious that my improved engine may be operated by admitting the steam
through the exhaust pipe J and exhausting through the supply pipe c.
My improved engine is very simple and compact. It is easily balanced and can be
operated at high speed with great advantage, thereby making it desirable for all
uses in which high speed is required. It is composed of few parts and constructed
at comparatively small expense, while it is easily kept in working order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as commnmnicated to me by my
foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In an engine the combination with a case having the form of a spherical
segment, of a similarly shaped piston filling said case partially and leaving a space
for the actuating fluid between the face of the piston and the head of the case, a shaft
arranged in line with the axis of the case and a crank pin connecting said shaft with
the piston in the axis of the latter, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment,
of a similarly shaped piston filling the case partially and provided with ports for the
actuating fluid, abutments arranged in the space between the piston and the case and
supply and exhaust passages for the actuating fluid, substantially as set forth.
Third. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston filling said case partially and provided with ports for the
actuating fluid, and rocking abutments extending across the space between the piston
and case, seated in one of said ports, and entering recesses in the opposite ports,
substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston filling said case partially and provided with ports for the
actuating fluid, abutments extending across the space between the piston and the case,
and an induction valve seated in the piston, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston filling said case and provided with ports for the actuating
fluid, abutments extending across the space between the piston and the case, a shaft
arranged in line with the axis of the case, a crank pin connecting said shaft with the
piston in the axis of the piston and an induction valve seated in the piston and
connected with said crank pin, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston filling said case partially and provided with ports for the
actuating fluid, abutments extending across the space between the piston and the case,
a supply chamber arranged at one end of the case, and a shaft and hollow crank
arranged in said chamber, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of

page_text: a similarly shaped piston arranged obliquely in said case, a shaft and crank connected
with the convex back of the piston, and a pivot secured to the flat head of the case
and supporting the piston centrally, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston arranged obliquely in said case and provided with ports for
the actuating fluid, and a reversible valve seated in said piston, substantially as
set forth.
Ninth. The combination with the case having the form of a spherical segment, of
a similarly shaped piston arranged obliquely in said case and provided with ports
for the actuating fluid, a supply valve and an automatic cut-off valve, substantially
as set forth.
Tenth. The combination with the case A having the form of a spherical segment,
of a similarly shaped piston B arranged obliquely in said case, a chest C arranged
at the convex end of the case A, a shaft D, disc D¹ and hollow wrist pin d' arranged
in said chest, a valve E arranged in said piston and connecting with the hollow wrist
pin, and a hollow knuckle I secured to the case and communicating with said valve,
substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. The combination with the case A having the form of a spherical segment,
of a similarly shaped piston B arranged obliquely in said case and provided in its face
with a spherical cavity e, and a spherical knuckle I entering the cavity e and made
adjustable in the case toward and from the piston, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. The combination with the spherical case A and similarly shaped piston B
arranged obliquely in said case, and provided with a spherical cavity e and a valve
communicating therewith, of the knuckle I provided with a bore ; and passages j³,
a chamber J formed on the case around said knuckle, and a passage J¹ connecting
with said chamber, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with the spherical case A and the similarly shaped
piston B, of inovable abutments G and cylindrical packing strips h¹ bearing against
opposite sides of the abutment, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 10th day of July 1887
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.