IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES."-A communication
from abroad by David Dick, of Meadville, in the State of Pennsylvania,.
United States of America.
Sealed the 28th December 1866, and dated the 8th October 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th October 1866.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to produce motive power by expanding the
air in a generator, and heating the air with some combustible material
contained in, and alternately ignited and extinguished in a closed chamber
connected with or made a part of the generator, and to control the ignition.
of the combustible material with absolute precision by the motion of the
engine, and to this end the Invention consists,-
First, in heating the air for au air engine within the generator by combustion
produced from some liquid material contained in the generator, or in a closed
chamber connected with or made a part of the generator.

page_text: Second, in alternately creating and extinguishing combustion in the generator
by introducing therein a combustible material to be ignited as it is introduced,
and thus expand the air to exert the force required.
Third, in simultaneously expelling the air which has been deprived of its
oxygen from and introducing fresh air into the generator by a revolving plate
that shall vibrate back and forth alternately around the internal diameter of
the generator.
Fourth, in the use of an igniting tube and plunger or piston that shall
automatically create combustion within the generator or the closed chamber
at the moment required for the concatenation of the movements of the
engine.
Fifth, in the combinations of the mechanisms necessary to effect the results
proposed to introduce the combustible material in the closed chamber into
the generator, and then to ignite it to produce the combustion required.
To effect the object of the Invention a generator is constructed of cast
metal smoothly bored and having flanges on each end to sustain cast heads
suitably fastened by bolts. To the bottom or under side of this generator is
attached a closed chamber, and the top of the generator has a flat surface on
its outer side to receive a slide valve having openings that in one position of
the slide valve correspond and register with other openings in the flattened
portions of the generator, but in the other position of the valve are closed;
this valve is held in place by plates so secured to the generator that while
they leave it free to vibrate, as in a rebate, hold it closely to the ground surface
of the generator, and thus it moves with an air-tight joint. The centre of the
heads of the generator are provided with stuffing boxes to receive and support
a central shaft, to one side of which is securoly fastened a wing or plate of
dimensions to fit the half internal diameter of the generator, but free to
vibrate thereon from one side to the other of a stationary plate that is firmly
secured longitudinally to the upper interior side of the generator and reaches
nearly to or just touching the shaft at its lower edge and from one head to
the other of the generator. The shaft carries a crank arm on one end by
which it is to be vibrated; another shaft is centrally placed in the close chamber,
and supported in a suitable bearing at one end, and in a proper stuffing box
at the other end, which passes through the head of tho close chamber and
carries a crank arm to give it vibration. A section is cut from the bottom of
the generator, and secured by bolts to the shaft,.and on the opposite side of
this shaft is secured a tube wrapped with loose fibrous material. The shaft
by making a half rotation removes the section to the bottom of the closed
chamber, and the wrapped tube into the generator, and the lower portion of

page_text: the chamber being filled with oil or some combustible material the fibrous
wrapping will at all times when elevated into the generator be saturated with
the fluid. A pipe is inserted in the bottom of the generator, and has a piston
with a loop at its end to connect with a suitable mechanism to give it
longitudinal intermittent vibration. The piston may carry at its inner end a
sponge saturated with some very inflammable fluid, or a pellet of gun cotton,
or a fulminate to ignite the saturated tube. When the fluid is employed a jet of
gas or the flame of a lamp in the pipe will produce ignition, and as the plunger
is pushed forward it will carry the flame to the saturated wrapping on the
tube, but when gun cotton or a fulminate is used to produce the required
ignition, simple percussion will be sufficient. The piston terminates in a valve
plug that has its seat in the inner end of the pipe, so that when the expansion
of the air in the generator takes place the valve will be closed and prevent any
loss of power by the escape of air through the igniting tube. Two or more
generators may be connected with the same working engine, and then the
action of each generator would be so timed as to use its expanded air at any
instant desired. When two generators are employed they have closed heads,
and are provided with pistons, the rods of which reciprocate through suitable
packing boxes in the heads of the generators and are connected to the opposito
ends of a vibrating beam. To the bottom of the generators circular conical
closed vessels are centrally attached, while to the bottom of the piston heads
are attached circular conical projections, which will enter freely the conical
vessels. Pipes are attached to the conical vessels, which communicate with
a fountain or reservoir of oil suitably placed to flow by gravity into the vessels
and always keep them nearly full. Any suitable means for preventing flame
entering these pipes may be adopted at pleasure, for example, the pipes may
contain one or more partitions of fine wire gauze, or they may be stuffed with
some porous refractory material, such as broken pumice stone, or the oil may
be made to pass through a body of water situated upon and connected with
the supply pipes. The conical projections may be covered with some absorbent
material, which will retain the oil with which it will become saturated when
plunged into the filled conical vessels, and as these conical projections are
tubular, with openings in their sides, it is obvious that they will displace only
a quantity of oil equal to their solid contents, and thus will operate without
producing any unduo overflow of the oil from the filled vessels into the
generators. Pipes are connected with the generators to receive the flame at
proper intervals to ignite the fuel in the generators, and may receive plungers
to be automatically operated, as in the foregoing modification. Suitable pipes
connect tho interior of the generators with a working cylinder having a

page_text: circular valve operated by a crank arm connected by a rod with the projection
on the bead of the piston. The reciprocation of the piston imparts through
the crank rotary motion to a fly wheel shaft, and thence to any desired
machinery.
The operation is as follows:-The conical vessels being filled with oil or
nearly so, receive the conical projections, which when withdrawn are saturated
with oil, which is ignited by the entrance of the flame through the pipes, and
as the oil is consumed the air in the generators expands and passes reciprocally
through the cut-off valve to the opposite ends of the piston of the working
engine, and thus produces a continuous motion of reciprocation. As the pistons
of the generators descend they expel the burnt air, and as they ascend the
fresh air enters through suitable valves until these valves are closed by the
expanded heated air exerting pressure.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by. Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the
said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC ENGINES,"
being a communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to

page_text: be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The object of this Invention is to produce motive power by expanding the
air in a generator, and heating the air with some combustible material con-
tained in and alternately ignited and extinguished in a closed chamber
connected with or made a part of the generator, and to control the ignition of
the combustible material with absolute precision by the motion of the engine;
and to this end the Invention consists,—
First, in heating the air for an air engine within the generator by combus-
tion produced from some liquid material contained in the generator, or in a
closed chamber connected with or made a part of the generator.
Second, in alternately creating and extinguishing combustion in the gene-
rator by introducing therein a combustible inaterial, to be ignited as it is
introduced, and thus expand the air to exert the force required.
Third, in simultaneously expelling the air which has been deprived of its oxygen
from and introducing fresh air into the generator by a revolving plate that shall
vibrate back and forth alternately around the internal diameter of the generator.
Fourth, in the use of an igniting tube and plunger or piston that shall
automatically create combustion within the generator or the closed chamber
at the moment required for the concatenation of the movements of the engine.
Fifth, in the combinations of the mechanisms (necessary to effect the results
proposed) to introduce the combustible material in the closed chamber into
the generator, and then to ignite it to produce the combustion required.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1, Sheet I., is a view, in elevation, of one
form of the improved engines; Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section
through the generator and closed chamber; Fig. 3 is a transverse section through
the same; Fig. 4 is a top view shewing a slide valve and its openings, with
portions of the openings into the generator; Fig. 5 is a transverse section
through the generator to shew the slide fastening for the valve, and Fig. 6 is
a longitudinal central section of a generator exhibiting a modification of the
mode of ventilating.
To effect the object of the Invention I construct a generator A of cast
metal smoothly bored, and having flanges on each end to sustain cast heads,
which are suitably fastened by bolts. To the bottom or under side of this

page_text: generator is attached a closed chamber B, and the top of the generator has a
flat surface on its outer side to receive a slido valve E having openings P that
in one position of the slide valve correspond and register with other openings
P¹ in the flattened portions of the generator, but in the other position of the
valve are closed; this valve E is held in place by plates e and o³ so secured to
the generator that while they leave it free to vibrate, as in a rebate, hold it
closely to the ground surface of the generator, and thus it moves with an air-
tight joint. The centres of the heads of the generator are provided with
stuffing boxes to receive and support a central shaft M, to one side of which
a wing or plate Q is securely fastened of such dimensions as to fit the half
'internal diameter of the generator, but free to vibrate thereon from one side
to the other of a stationary plate O that is firmly secured longitudinally to the
upper interior side of the generator on a line between the opening P¹, P¹, and
reaches nearly to or just touching the shaft M at its lower edge and from
one head to the other of the generator. The shaft M carries a crank arm
on one end, by which it is to be vibrated. A shaft G is centrally placed in
the close chamber B and supported in a suitable bearing at one end, and in a
proper stuffing box at the other end, which passes through the head of the
close chamber. B and carries a crank arm to give it vibration. A section C of
suitable dimensions is cut from the bottom of the generator and secured by
bolts to the shaft G, and on the opposite side of this shaft is in like manner
secured a tube L that is wrapped with loose fibrous material; the shaft G
making a balf rotation of course removes the section C to the bottom of the
closed chamber, and the wrapped tube L into the generator, and the lower
portion of the chamber B being filled with oil or some combustible material
the fibrous wrapping will at all times when elevated into the generator be
saturated with the fluid. A pipe H is inserted in the bottom of the generator
having an outside opening at k and a piston I, with a loop R at its end to
connect with a suitable mechanism to give it longitudinal intermittent vibra-
tion. The piston I may carry at its inner end a sponge saturated with some
very inflammable fluid, or a pellet of gun cotton or a fulminate to ignite the
saturated tube. When the fluid is relied on a jet of gas or the flame of a lamp
at the opening k in the pipe will produce ignition, and as the plunger is
pushed forward it will carry the flame to the saturated wrapping on the tube L;
but when gun cotton or a fulminate is relied on to produce the required
ignition simple percussion will be sufficient. The piston I terminates in a
valve plug that has its seat in the inner end of the pipe II, so that when the
expansion of the air in the generator takes place the valve will be closed and
prevent any loss of power by the escape of air through the igniting tube.

page_text: When the connections between the generator, the crank arms, the valve seat,
and piston rods are properly formed, with the working engine, all of which
may be done in any of the most approved modes, the operation of my
Invention will be smooth, regular, and almost without noise, while entirely
automatic. The closed chamber having received its charge of oil or other
combustible material from any suitable reservoir connected by a pipe and
stop-cock, and the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the piston
packing saturated with its inflammable liquid, and the flame applied to the
opening &, the engine is moved a single turn by any means available, when the
shaft M will revolve its plate and expel the air behind it through the openings
exposed for that purpose by the movement of the valve plate during its
passage over them in its movement in the direction required by its connection
with the engine, the shaft G will in its half rotation carry down the section
plate and raise the wrapped tube L, charged with oil, into the cavity of the
generator, the piston will move forward with its packing, ignited by the flame
at the opening k, and instantly ignite the oil on the fibrous wrapping of the
wrapped tube, which will burn rapidly until the oxygen of the air in the
generator is consumed, and the utmost pressure capable of being exerted by the
heat created will now be attained, when the onward movement of the valve
will permit the expanded air to pass into the working cylinder of the engine,
and thence forward keep it steadily in motion for the repetition of these
several steps is all that is required for this purpose, for it is obvious that the
return vibration of the plate Q in the generator will expel the burnt air and
introduce a body of fresh air necessary to support the required combustion.
Should it be found that a single generator would require a length of time to
effect its proper combustion, inconvenient or not sufficiently economic, it is
obvious that two or more generators may be connected with the same working
engine, and then of course this objection would be completely obviated, for
the action of each generator would be so timed as to use its expanded air at
any instant desired; for example, in Fig. 7, Sheet II., I have illustrated a
modification of the Invention, by which I dispense with the rotating shaft and
the attached closed chamber above described, and also obviate the necessity of
cutting a section out of the generator to admit the introduction of the fuel, as
in the above-described mode of rendering the Invention effectively operative.
Two generators A and A', having closed heads are provided with pistons
B and B', the rods of which reciprocate through suitable packing boxes
in the heads of the generators, and are connected to the opposite ends of a
vibrating beam C suitably supported. To the bottom of the generators
circular conical closed vessels D and D³ are centrally attached, while to the

page_text: bottom of the piston heads are centrally attached circular conical projections E
and E', their form being such as will enter freely the conical vessels. Pipes F
and Fare attached to the conical vessels D and D', which communicate with
a fountain or reservoir of oil suitably placed to flow by gravity into the vessels
and always keep them nearly full. Any suitable means for preventing flame
entering these pipes may be adopted at pleasure. For example, the pipes may
contain one or more partitions of fine wire gauze, or they may be stuffe, with
some porous refractory material, such as broken pumicestone; or the o! may
be made to pass through a body of water situated upon and connect ȧ with
the supply pipes. The conical projections may be covered with some absorbent
material which will retain the oil with which it will become saturated when
plunged into the filled conical vessels; and as these conical projections are
tubular, with openings 1 and 2 in their sides, it is obvious that they will
displace only a quantity of oil equal to their solid contents, and thus will
operate without producing any undue overflow of the oil from the filled vessels
into the generators. Pipes G and G₁ are connected with the generators to
receive the flame at proper intervals to ignite the fuel in the generators, and
may receive plungers to be automically operated as described in the foregoing
modification. Pipes H and H' connect the interior of the generators with a
working cylinder J, having a circular valve K, operated by a crank arm L,
shewn in red lines, connected by the rod M with the projection N on the
head of the piston O. The reciprocation of the piston O imparts through the
crank P and pitman Q rotary motion to a fly wheel shaft and thence to any
desired machinery.
The operation is as follows:-The conical vessels being filled with oil, or
nearly so, receive the conical projections which, when withdrawn, are saturated
with oil, which is ignited by the entrance of the flame through the pipes G
and G', and as the oil is consumed the air in the generators expands and
passes reciprocally through the cut-off valve to the opposite ends of the
piston of the working engine, and thus produces a continuous motion of
reciprocation. As the pistons of the generators descend they expel the burnt
air, and as they ascend the fresh air enters through suitable valves at x until
these valves are closed by the expanded heated air exerting pressure. It is
obvious that this arrangement requires that the first motion of reciprocation of
the pistous in the generators must be given by power independent of the engine;
but once started the motion will be continuous. And it is also obvious that the
motions of the parts described must be properly timed to render their move-
ments harmonious and the engine properly effective; but this is simply a
matter of mechanical adjustment. It is obvious too that the expulsion of the

page_text: burnt air from the generators may be made to produce a partial vacuuni, and
this may be made available at one end of the working engine while the other
end of the working engine is under the influence of the pressure created by
the direct expansion of the air, and thus all the power generated will be
effectively utilized. It is also obvious that other modes of ventilating the
generator may be adopted, as, for example, the piston and disc follower shewn
in Fig. 6 would in its reciprocation evidently effect the result proposed.
And it is further obvious that the electric spark may be used under some
modifications of the Invention to ignite the combustible fuel in the generators.
What I claim as new and desire to secure is,―
First, producing combustion within the generator of an air engine from
liquid fuel contained in the generator or in a closed chamber attached to and
constituting a part of the generator, as herein set forth.
Second, igniting the fuel in the generator by a reciprocating igniting
plunger, operated in the manner described.
Third, the combination of the section C of the generator with the tube L
and shaft G as described, so as to alternately transfer the combustible material
from the closed chamber to the generator, as set forth.
Fourth, ventilating the generator of an air engine by simultaneously
expelling the burnt air and admitting fresh air, as described.
Fifth, the combination of the stationary partition plate O with the rotating
partition plate Q and generator A, as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixth, the igniting tube H combined with its piston I, as and for the
purpose set forth.
Seventh, the combination of the igniting tube with the generator and closed
chamber, as and for the purpose described.
Eighth, the employment of two or more generators in combination with a
working engine, as and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Third day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.B.)