Improvements in Rotary Engines or Motors.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines or Motors.
We, THOMAS MARTIN KENNEY, Mechanical Engineer, and CHARLES
BULLOCK, Dentist, both of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America,
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 a rotary engine or motor embodying novel principles
and features of construction, as will be described.
The engine or motor referred to, may be actuated by steam, hot air, gas, water,
or other suitable medium or agent but to facilitate description, it will be hereinafter
referred to as a steam engine. The engine or motor may be single or compound,
and in the present instance, I have chosen to illustrate it as a single engine or
motor.
In accordance with this invention, the engine comprises essentially a cylinder or
casing provided with steam inlet and exhaust ports, a cylindrical roll preferably
forming part of the main shaft of the engine and provided with longitudinal slots
or openings substantially diametrically opposite, and forming guideways for
movable wings or pistons, the said roll being provided preferably on substantially
diametrically opposite sides with ports or passages on its periphery, for a purpose
as will be described.
The cylinder or roll practically constitutes the rotary valve of the engine, and is
made of a less diameter than the internal diameter of the cylinder, so as to leave
an annular space, which, in accordance with this invention, is partially filled by
means of a segmental sleeve, which fits steam tight between the cylindrical roll
and the interior of the cylinder and forms a solid abutment for substantially one-
half of the piston-carrying roll during the rotation of the said roll, the annular
passage between the said roll and the cylinder or casing left vacant, constituting a
steam space, which is divided, as will be described, into live and exhaust steam
spaces during the rotation of the piston-carrying roll.
The segmental sleeve referred to, is preferably made independent of the
cylindrical casing to facilitate construction, but it may be made an integral part
thereof. The pistons or wings movable in the guideways or slots in the solid
piston carrying roll may be made in a manner as will be described, so as to obtain
a steam tight joint between the wings and their bearing surfaces.
These and other features of this invention will be pointed out in the claim at the
end of this Specification.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a rotary engine or motor embodying this invention,
the exhaust pipe being shown in section.
Fig. 2, a side elevation of the engine shown in Fig. 1 looking toward the left.
Fig. 3, a transverse vertical section of the engine shown in Fig. 1 on the
line 3-3, the rotary valve or piston-carrying roll being shown as having one port
connected with the steam inlet.
Fig. 4, a longitudinal section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, to more clearly show one
form of piston or wing construction, and
Fig. 5, a detail in plan view to more clearly show the piston-carrying roll.
In the embodiment of this invention herein shown, the rotary engine or motor
comprises a cylinder a provided with the heads or ends a 1, a 2, which are detachably
secured to the said cylinder as by screws or bolts a 3.

page_text: The head a 1.(sec. Fig. 4) on its inner surface, as herein shown, is 'cut away as
at 5-6 to form an annular flange or projecting ring a 4, and, as shown, is further
cut away as at 7 to form a recess, for a purpose as will be described.
The head a 2, as herein shown, is also cut away as at 8-9 to form an annular
flange a 5. The heads, a1, a2 are provided, as berein shown, with elongated
hubs 10-12 through which extend the extensions 13-14 of the main shaft a 10
of the engine, which, in accordance with this invention, has secured to or forming
part of it a solid cylindrical roll b preferably of larger diameter than the main
shaft, and herein represented as forming an integral part of the main shaft.
The enlargement or roll 6 may be made of any suitable diameter less than the
internal diameter of the cylinder a, and is concentrically supported within the
cylinder by the hubs 10-12 so as to leave an annular space between it and
the interior circumference of the cylinder a, a portion of which space is filled by
means of a segmental sleeve 61 (see Fig. 3) having its outer circumference of a
true bore with the interior circumference of the cylinder a, so as to fit steam and
air tight therein, and having its interior circumference for a portion of its width
made on a true circle with the circumference of the roll b, so that the said roll fits
steam tight against the inner periphery or surface of the said segmental sleeve.
We prefer to make the segmental sleeve detachable from and independent of
the cylinder or casing a, and to secure the same rigidly within the cylinder a by
suitable screws or threaded bolts inserted through the cylinder from the outside,
and which are not herein shown, but we do not desire to limit our invention in this
respect, as the said segmental sleeve may he made as an integral part of the casing
cr cylinder a.
The segmental sleeve 1 has its inner periphery or surface made in a smaller
are of a circle than its outer circumference or surface, and the inner surface of
the said sleeve at its opposite ends is connected with the extreme ends of its
outer circumference by means of curved surfaces 2,63 (see Fig. 3) constituting
cam surfaces, for a purpose as will be described. The sleeve 1 extends
substantially the length of the cylinder or casing a and forms a solid abutment.
against the annular flanges a 4 a 5 on the heads a 1, a 2, when the latter are
bolted or otherwise fastened to the casing or cylinder a.
The roll is provided with preferably two longitudinal slots 55 66 substantially
diametrically opposite as represented in Fig. 3, and in the present instance
shown as extending but partially through the said roll, being separated by a
solid portion or web 20, Figs. 3 and 4. The roll b, in the present construction,
is represented as provided with two cylindrical holes 67, 68, extended through
the roll and cutting the slots or guideways 65, 66 as clearly shown in Figs. 4
and 5. The slots or gu deways b5566 receive within them movable wings c, c 1,
preferably each made in two sections or parts 21-22, fitted together by means
of a tongue 23 in the part 21 extending into a slot 24 in the part 22, the
parts 21-22 being reduced in thickness at their tongued and slotted ends, so
that when fitted together as represented in Figs. 3 and 4, the complete wing
will be of substantially uniform thickness, substantially equal to the width of
the guiding slot in which it moves or reciprocates. The slot 24 in the part 22
of the wing is made longer than the tongue 23, so as to afford a slight longitudinal
play of the two parts comprising the wing, to take up end wear upon the said
wing, and thereby maintain a perfectly tight joint between the wing and the
annular flanges a 4, a 5 on the heads a 1, a 2 of the cylinder. This end play
of the parts 21, 22 of the wing, may be effected by means of inclined or cam-
shaped notches 30-31 in the parts 21-22 respectively of each wing, the
inclines 30-31 of each wing extending in opposite directions as clearly shown
in Fig. 4.
The inclines 30 of the sections 21-22 of the wings cel have co-operating
with them, as herein shown, the ends of a spiral spring c4, extended through
a tube or cylindrical guide c5, having its opposite ends forked or slotted
to straddle the parts 21-22 of the wings ccl. The inclines 31 of the

page_text: parts 22-21 of the wings cel have co-operating with them a spiral spring 6
extended through the tube or guide c7, having its opposite ends slotted or
forked to straddle the parts 22-21 of the wings c c 1.
The guides or tubes 5 c7 as herein shown are made of a length substantially
equal to the diameter of the roll b, and fit into the cylindrical openings 67 68
shown in Fig. 5.
The primary functions of the springs c4 c6 in the present construction of the
apparatus, is to throw or move the wings ccl outward against the inner
periphery of the cylinder or casing a, when permitted to do so in the revolution
of the roll b.
In the present construction of the apparatus, the longitudinal slots b5 66 extend
beyond the lower or inner surfaces of the annular flanges a4 a5 as represented in
Fig. 5, and in order to avoid any possibility of the wings being caught and wedged
in their slots or guideways b5 66 as by a tipping or tilting action of the wing,
the annular flanges a 4 a 5 are cut away or inclined, so as to form cam surfaces d di,
whereby in the rotation of the roll b, the wing, which is brought in contact with
the cam surfaces d d 1, will, on the continued rotation of the roll in the direction
indicated by arrow 40, Fig. 3, be compressed or moved longitudinally, so as to be
carried up on to the flanges a4 a5, thereby obviating any derangement of the
wings or pistons, when the slots or guideways are carried beyond the annular
flanges a 4 a 5.
The cylinder a is provided with a steam inlet orifice e with which communicates
a steam inlet pipe e 1, which, in practice, is connected to a boiler or other suitable
source of supply, and the segmental sleeve 61 is also provided with a hole or
orifice e 2, constituting a continuation of the steam inlet e, the said hole or orifice e 2
being extended through the segmental sleeve 61 and located adjacent to the inclined
or cam-shaped end 62, leaving a solid portion 300 between the orifice e 2 and the
edge of the cam surface 62. The roll is provided on its periphery with a
depression, groove or socket e 3, located on one side of a diametrical line passing
through the wings or pistons c c 1 and separated therefrom by a solid portion of the
roll, and with a like groove, depression or socket e4 on the other side of the said
wings or pistons and separated therefrom by a solid portion of the roll.
The sockets or depressions e 3 e4 form steam passages in the roll b and thereby
transform the said roll into a rotary valve, and by which the inlet port or orifice e 2
is connected with the space between the rotary valve and the inner circumference
of the cylinder a, as will be described.
The segmental sleeve 61, at its opposite end, is provided with a port or opening e 5
extended through it and communicating with a port or opening e6 leading to an
exhaust pipe e 7.
The operation of our improved engine may be readily understood from an
inspection of Fig. 3. As shown in said figure, steam is being admitted from the
inlet pipe e into the space 50 between the wing or piston c, the inclined surface 6 2
of the segmental sleeve, and the roll b, and live steam is acting against the piston c
to carry the latter and the said roll around in the direction indicated by the
arrow 40. At the same time, the space 51 on the opposite side of the wing or
piston c is connected with the exhaust passages e 5 e 6. As a result, live steam is
admitted into the space 50 until in the revolution of the roll in the direction
indicated by arrow 40, the point 52 of the roll arrives at the surface 300 of the
segmental sleeve b 1, at which time the admission of steam into the space 50 is cut
off, and the rotation of the roll in the direction indicated by arrow 40 is continued
by the expanding force of the steam in the chamber or space 50, which is gradually
being enlarged by the rotary movement of the roll b, the space 51 being at such
time filled with steam, which has previously expended its force on the piston c 1,
and which as represented is exhausting through the port e 5, being forced through
the said port by the advance of the piston c. The live steam admitted into the
space 50 as above described, continues to act until in the revolution of the roll b,
the point 60 is brought past the inner edge of the cam 62, at which time live steam

page_text: is again admitted through the passage or socket e 4 into the space 50 formed in this
instance by the piston or wing cl with the cam surface b 2 and the roll b.
It will be understood that when the supply of steam has been cut off from the
space 50 as above described, and the roll is being rotated in the direction indicated
by arrow 40 by the expanding action of the steam on the piston, as for instance,
the piston c. the pressure on the opposite side of the piston c is unbalanced owing to
the space 51 being connected with the exhaust e 5, but any torsional strain or effect
of the unbalancing of the unequal steam pressures referred to upon the active
piston, is wholly or largely counteracted by the solid bearing afforded the rotating
roll by the segmental sleeve, which is substantially diametrically opposite the space
n which the lower steam pressure exists.
We have herein described one construction of wings or pistons with which to
practise this invention, but we do not desire to limit ourselves to the precise
mechanical construction shown, as other forms of wings or pistons may be employed
without departing from the spirit of this invention.
Furthermore, we do not desire to limit our invention to the construction of roll
shown, in which the slots b5 b6 are carried under the annular flanges a 4 a 5 on
the heads a 1 a 2, as it may be found desirable to make the same flush with the said
flanges. Furthermore, we do not desire to limit our invention to the use of
independent pistons or wings operating by interposed springs as shown, as it may
be found desirable to make the wings or pistons of sufficient length to extend
entirely through the slots 5 b6 and employ a single wing or piston reciprocating
diametrically through the piston-carrying roll.
In the present construction of engine or motor, we have relied upon the perfectly
true mechanical fit and proportion of parts to obtain steam-tight joints between the
roll and the segmental sleeve b1, but we do not desire to limit our invention in
this respect, as it may be found desirable to employ packing rings after the manner
now common to rotary engines.
In order that the joint between the surface of the roll band the inner circum-
ference of the segmental sleeve 1, and the joint between the segmental sleeve b 1,
and the inner circumference of the cylinder a, may be maintained steam tight
when the engine is running at a high rate of speed, the combined thickness of the
segmental sleeve and the cylinder is made substantially equal to one-half of the
diameter of the roll, so that the parts will expand and contract uniformly and to
the same extent under varying conditions of temperature. The main shaft a 10 of
the engine may be extended beyond the hub 12 and provided with a fly or balancing
wheel as represented in Fig. 1.
The extension 13 of the main shaft in the construction of apparatus herein
shown, is provided with an enlargement or collar 160 adjacent to one end of the
roll b, which collar fits into the recess 7 as shown in Fig. 4 and serves to strengthen
the journal 13.
The engine or motor may be made reversible, by providing a separate inlet and
exhaust, which are normally closed in any suitable manner.
For sake of illustration only, we have represented this reversibility of the
engine or motor by dotted lines in Fig. 3, wherein represents the steam inlet
and 1 the exhaust and the dotted lines g2 g 3 ou the roll represent steam
spaces, which co-operate with the said reversing inlet and exhaust, and correspond
to the passages e 3 e 4.
The engine may be lubricated in any suitable or desired mauner, and in the
present instance, we have shown the cylinder a as provided with a tubular
extension or cup go to hold oil, which passes through a port 96 in the cylinder a,
the said cup being shown as closed by a screwy 7. The oil admitted into the
cylinder diffuses itself over all the parts within the cylinder.
It will be noticed that the shaft of the rotary valve constitutes the main shaft
of the engine.
The groove or depression in the surface of the roll is separated from the
adjacent piston or wing by a solid portion of the roll, which co-operates with the

page_text: part 300 of the segmental sleeve and prevents steam passing from the said groove
until the roll has revolved far enough to bring the piston or wing out against the
inclined end of the segmental sleeve to form a closed space, whereby steam is
prevented from passing by the said piston.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a rotary engine or motor, a cylinder provided on its inner circumference
with a segmental sleeve, an inlet passage or opening extended through sid
cylinder and segmental sleeve, a piston currying roll located within the cylinder
and embraced by or making contact with the segmental sleeve for the greater
portion of its inner circumference, and provided with a depression or groove on
its periphery forming with the inner circumference of the segmental sleeve a
chamber or passage, and a radially moving piston carried by the said roll and
located adjacent to the groove or depression to form with the said roll, cylinder
and segmental sleeve a steam space, which for a portion of the revolution of the
roll is directly connected to the steam inlet and then cut off therefrom by the said
roll, substantially as described.
2. In a rotary engine or motor, a cylinder provided with an inlet and an exhaust
port or passage, a main shaft provided with an enlargement or roll within the said
cylinder having diametrically opposite communicating slots or passageways and
provided with a groove or depression on its periphery, connected pistons or
wings movable in said diametrically opposite slots or passageways, and a
segmental sleeve within the cylinder having its inner circumference embracing
or making contact with the roll and provided with can-shaped ends to positively
move one of said wings into its slot and to permit the other wing to be positively
moved out of the diametrically opposite slot by the inward movement of the first
mentioned piston or wing, substantially as described.
3. In a rotary engine or motor, a cylinder provided with an inlet and an outlet
port or opening, a solid roll fitted concentrically within the cylinder and provided
with diametrically opposite slots in communication with each other, and with a
depression or groove e 3 on its periphery, a wing or piston movable into and out of
the said diametrical slots, a segmental sleeve in said cylinder between the cylinder
and roll and provided with curved or cam-shaped ends co-operating with the
pistons or wings to force one wing into its slot and to permit the wing in the
opposite slot to be forced out of its slot by the movement of the first wing into
its slot, substantially as described.
4. In a rotary engine or motor, a cylinder provided with an inlet port or passage,
a segmental sleeve provided with an inlet port or passage registering with the
cylinder inlet, the said sleeve having cam-shaped or inclined ends, a roll in said
cylinder provided with a radial slot or passageway and with a groove or depression
on its periphery separated from the said slot by a solid portion of the roll, and a
piston or wing movable in said radial slot or passageway, the solid portion of the
roll between the said radial slot and groove or depression forming a cut-off for the
steam inlet, whereby the admission of steam into the steam space of the cylinder
is prevented until the piston or wing has been moved outward from its slot,
substantially as described.
Dated the 24th day of September 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.