A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Obtaining and` Utilizing Motive Power from Fluids.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar, 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 189?
CUMPLE OF M
A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Obtaining and`
Utilizing Motive Power from Fluids.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE JOHN ALTHAM, of Swansea, in the
County of Bristol, State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Gentleman..
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :—
7
This invention is based upon the principles expressed in the natural laws that,
when a fluid escapes from an orifice, its whole potential energy becomes kinetic,
that the kinetic energy of the same weight of fluid increases as the square of the
velocity of the fluid, and that the velocity of a fluid jet issuing under a pressure
from a vessel is inversely as the square root of its density.
The process consists in reducing the density of a fluid by intermixing, at the
same or approximately the same pressure, a second fluid of less density, so that the
energy of the lighter fluid be imparted to the heavier fluid, transforming the original
pressure of potential energy of the several fluids into velocity or kinetic energy of
the mixture, increasing the pressure and separating the mixture by means of
centrifugal force, which is accomplished by reason of the energy of the lighter fluid
having been imparted to the heavier and utilising the increased pressure by its
employment as power for mechanical and other purposes.
The invention also consists of means for carrying out the process before recited.
In the practice of the invention, the fluids employed may be both liquid, or both
gascous, or one liquid, and the other gaseous, so that the fluid of lighter density
be capable of intermixing with the denser.
་་
In the practical operation of this process and machine, it is preferable to use, as
the heavier fluid, a liquid of high vaporising point, as oil or glycerine, as a more
efficient working agent and. to avoid loss by vaporisation, as this same body of
liquid is used over and over again in a cycle of operations (though other fluids may
be used); and to use as the lighter or intermixing fluid, preferably at the same
(though it may be different) pressure, a gas generated by the combustion of
hydrocarbon or other combustible matter or by other natural means, though other
suitable lighter fluid may be employed.
In its simplest form, the apparatus for applying the process may consist of two
chambers, one of which, called the "receiver," contains the supply of liquid ready
for use, and the other, called the " discharge" chamber, contains the spent liquid
which is discharged from the motor; a nozzle which the liquid enters on leaving
the first chamber or receiver and through which it is discharged by the combined
action of the gas and the pressure of the liquid in the receiver, the gas being also
introduced at the nozzle; stationary shutes connected to the end of the discharge
tube by means of which the proper direction is given to the discharging liquid; and
The
a reaction wheel which revolves around the shutes and serves as a motor.
interior of the wheel communicates with the atmosphere, while the exterior is in
free communication with the second or outlet chamber of the apparatus.
In the process of operation, the liquid from the receiving chamber and the gas
for intermixing enter the nozzle together, and are thoroughly mixed in their
passage through, the pressure being slightly reduced by suitable interior construction
to allow their thoroughly mixing; and the potential energy formerly stored up in

page_text: the gas, and liquid under pressure, is gradually converted into kinetic energy, which
appears in the form of velocity imparted to the whole mass. The mixture of liquid
and gas by this action is finally discharged from the shutes at a high velocity
though under a pressure which is little, if any, above the atmosphere. The
discharge from the shutes takes place into an annular chamber at the inner rim of
the wheel, which chamber revolves at approximately the velocity of the mixture
issuing from the shutes. The centrifugal force caused by the revolution of the
wheel separates the liquid and the gas, the liquid moving radially outward and the
gas remaining in the interior.
The thickness of the stratum of the liquid at the rim of the wheel must be
graduated to produce the requisite velocity of the wheel so as to avoid the loss of
power: The
gas, after separation, passes out through the open communication to the
atmosphere, while the liquid proceeds through the curved passages in the wheel,
and by force of reaction, as in a turbine water wheel, the wheel is made to revolve.
Although the pressure of the liquid at its discharge from the shutes has all been
converted into velocity, a new and greatly increased pressure under the action of
centrifugal force or tendency is exerted in the stratum of liquid in the wheel and,
when the liquid is discharged from the wheel, this pressure is reduced to the original
pressure of the gas and extends throughout the outlet chamber and back into the
first or receiving chamber. The whole apparatus is, therefore, under a pressure
equal to that of the gas, excepting the interior of the wheel and the passage between
the nozzle and the shutes.
Having referred to the principles on which the new motor works, the actual
apparatus may now be described, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the whole apparatus.
Figure 2 is a cross section through the wheel on the line 2-2, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3, Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of the discharge shutes.
Figure 6 is a sectional detail taken on the line 6-6 Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a sectional detail of the end of a gas-admitting tube drawn to an
enlarged scale.
The apparatus is enclosed in a cylindrical vessel which is provided with a head
at each end, both of which are closed, with the exception of the openings for the
shaft and tubes hereinafter mentioned. This vessel is divided into two chambers b
and c, which communicate with each other by an opening at the bottom at the
point d. When the apparatus is in working order, the receiver chamber b is filled
with the liquid, which operates the motor, and the discharge chamber c is empty,
with the exception of the spent liquid, which is on its way back to the "receiver
chamber.
C
"
The part termed the "nozzle," through which the liquid and gas enter, is shown
at efy which is separated from the tube h, into which the mixture of liquid and
gas is discharged by means of a gate i. The nozzle is composed of two distinct
parts, the chambers e and k and the chambers and g. The chambers e and k
receive gas from the outside of the apparatus through appropriate tubes. The
chamber is in free communication with the receiver chamber b, and receives liquid
therefrom. The chamber gradually converges to the point f, where there is an
opening between the chamber and the tube h, which completely encircles the
tube. One supply of gas escapes into the tube from this opening, and a second
supply is furnished from the chamber e by means of a number of small tubes m, 5
which extend from the chamber e to the point. These tubes, which are
distributed at uniform distances throughout the whole space (in the manner shown
in cross section in the detailed drawing Figure 6) are closed at the ends, and the
gas escapes from them into the chamber 7 through small holes n drilled in the
circumference of the tube m. These holes are located as nearly opposite as may be 5
to the circular outlet of the chamber f. Beyond-these openings each gas tube is
extended a certain distance, and drawn down to a point as shown at o, and, by this

page_text: means, the space extending from the point to the point g graduany emarges m
cross section.
By this arrangement of the nozzle from f to g, the velocity of the liquid as it
traverses this section is reduced, and a certain amount of kinetic energy takes the
form of the reduction of pressure, which at once causes the aeriform fluids to flow in
and intimately mingle with the fluid, and the mixture then issues into the parallel
In this tube
or converging tube, or a combined parallel and converging tube h.
the potential energy of the liquid and gas is converted into the kinetic energy of
motion, and the mixture passes through the tube at a gradually increasing
velocity on the principle that a fluid flowing toward an area of reduced pressure
will throw its whole energy into velocity. The nozzle and the tube h are held
stationary n the partition which separates the chamber e from the chamber b. The
direction of the nozzle and the tube with reference to the axis of the motor is
At
somewhat inclined, so as to facilitate discharge from the tube to the wheel p.
the end of the tube h, an outlet piece or "shute "j, as it may be called, is attached
for the purpose of guiding the discharge of liquid and gas in the proper direction,
as it is supplied to the wheel p.
The apparatus here shown contains a double wheel, the main wheel being the
inner one p, and the supplementary wheel the outer one q. The wheel p is provided
with a bell-shaped cover at the outlet end, which surrounds the tube h, and at the
extreme end it is provided with a packing box s, which seals the communication at
that point with the chamber c, and, at the same time, forms a roller bearing on
which the inner bearing is supported and turned.
The opposite end of the wheel p is closed in by means of the casing t, which is
prevented from communicating with the chamber e by means of another packing
box and this casing also serves for a support and bearing for this end of the.
wheel. The interior of the bearing at this end communicates with the atmosphere,
as at e, by which means the whole interior w of the wheel p is likewise open to the
atmosphere. The base of this wheel, referring to Figure 2, contains a number of
radial openings a, which extend nearly through to the periphery of the wheel, cach
terminating in a tangential tube y, the outlet of this tube having a direction which
lies in a tangent to the periphery of the wheel.
gas,
which
The mixture of liquid and gas discharged from the shute collects in the annular
space, which is close to the inside circle of the wheel p, and here the
has been previously mixed with the liquid, is separated by the centrifugal tendency
of the liquid, and escapes from the liquid at its interior surface.
From the point, the liquid, thus separated, passes outward through the
openings into the tangential tubes y. Here, by force of reaction, the escape of
the liquid causes the wheel p to revolve.
In the form shown in Figure 2, the tangential tubes y are fitted as aspirators,
arranged at such an angle as will enable the fluids to pass through them in a line
nearly right and radial, when the instrument is operating, in order that very little
centrifugal force may be imparted to the fluids by the revolution of the apparatus,
to the end that the intimate mixture of air and the comparatively heavy liquid may
not be disturbed by the centrifugal force, they are composed of two parts separated
by an opening communicating with an exterior chamber a encircling the tube y.
This exterior chamber is placed at the point of smallest section of the aspirator, the
section gradually decreasing in area from each end up to this point. The encircling
chamber a communicates by means of the pipes with the tube c shown in
Figure 1, and thereby through a check valve to the atmosphere.
The object of the aspirators is to draw in air by the suction produced by the
passage of the liquid through the aspirator, and thereby secure a mixture of air and
liquid on its passage from the tangential tubes. The air, it may be remarked, is
drawn in for the purpose of providing a supply of air under pressure to be used in
a separate apparatus for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon under pressure for working
the motor, when the gas is one formed by combustion in the exterior vessel.

page_text: When the aspirators are used in connection with the apparatus, the air passed
through the wheel q into the chamber c maintains a sufficient working pressure; and
when the apparatus is worked without the aspirators, the working pressure is
maintained by introducing the steam or gas into the chamber c, in which chamber
it is preferable to apply and maintain the
pressure.
The second wheel g completely surrounds the inner wheel p, and revolves upon
roller bearings in a similar manner to the plan carried out for the inner wheel. The
employment of this wheel, when its use is desirable, furnishes a means for taking
power in varying quantities, or none at all, without affecting the operation of the
inner wheel and enables that portion of the energy of the liquid which has not been
given out to the inner wheel p to be utilised. The liquid or mixture of liquid and
air, escaping from the tubes y of the inner wheel, enters the tubes e' contained in
the outer wheel, and these tubes are so shaped that the liquid takes an opposite
turn (as indicated by the arrows) and escapes into the chamber c through the
opening f¹.
By this means, the outer wheel revolves in the same direction as the inner wheel,
but at a greatly reduced speed.
The passage of the liquid through the two wheels, under the action of the
centrifugal tendency, enables the liquid to be discharged from the outer wheel under
full pressure of the chamber c, which also corresponds to that in chamber b, minus
that at present due to the column of liquid in the chamber 6 and at the same time
without any velocity relatively to the earth.
The liquid, on its escape from the outer wheel, drops to the bottom of the
chamber c, and in the end finds its way back to the chamber b from which it started,
by reason of the air pressure from the aspirators in the chamber C, which pressure
is sufficiently greater than the pressure in the chamber to force the water therein
through the passage d.
If, as in the apparatus here shown, the liquid is discharged with air drawn in
by the use of the aspirators, the air, on its escape to the chamber c, is immediately
separated from the liquid and is carried off through a pipe attached to the
chamber b.
The motion of the outer wheel 9 is communicated to the outside of the apparatus
by means of the gear g' attached to the hub of the outer wheel, which works in a
gear attached to the driving shaft i¹.
The packing boxes su at the two ends of the inner wheel are self-packing.
There is a ground joint between the end of the hub and the face of the packing.
The packing is threaded upon the frame and somewhat loosely fitted, so that, when
revolved upon the thread, it moves toward or away from the joint, as the case may
be. A spiral spring encircles the frame, being securely attached thereto at one
end, and being attached at the other end to the packing. By suitable tension on
this spring, which tension tends to turn the packing on its screw thread and force
the packing up against its ground joint, this arrangement provides that the packing
shall always be forced against the joint with sufficient pressure to overcome the
friction, and thereby always to maintain a tight joint.
It is to be noted that the hub or journal of the inner wheel and its casing is
internally grooved opposite the inner ends of the packing boxes s u, so as to form
chambers into which the fluid or liquid may be caused to flow so as to constitute,
as it were, a hydraulic packing and to lubricate the ground joint j'.
In starting the machine, pressure is applied to the chamber c, which pressure may
be air pressure, and may be introduced through any suitable aperture.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in reducing
the density of a fluid by intermixing therewith a second fluid of less density, both

page_text: under pressure, whereby the energy of the lighter fluid may be imparted to the
heavier fluid, and permitting the flow of the fluids so intermixed toward a space of
less pressure, as set forth.
2. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in reducing
the density of a fluid by intermixing therewith a second fluid of less density, both.
under pressure, whereby the energy of the lighter fluid may be imparted to the
heavier fluid, permitting the flow of the fluids so intermixed toward a space of less
pressure, separating the fluids and increasing the pressure of the heavier fluid by
centrifugal tendency, as set forth.
3. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting.
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the energy to take the
form of velocity, and transforming the velocity of the heavier fluid into pressure by
centrifugal tendency, as set forth.
!
'
4. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the energy to take the
form of velocity, separating the fluids and discharging the fluid of less density and
transforming the velocity of the heavier fluid into pressure by centrifugal tendency,
as set forth.
:
5. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting.
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the energy to take
the form of velocity, separating the fluids and discharging the fluid of less
density and transforming the velocity of the heavier Huid into pressure by
centrifugal tendency and employing the pressure as a source of power as set
forth.
6. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the energy to take the
form of velocity, separating the fluids and discharging the fluid of less density and
transforming the velocity of the heavier fluid into pressure by centrifugal tendency,
and employing the pressure as a source of power, and returning the said heavier
liquid to be again energised as set forth.
7. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in reducing
the density of a fluid by intermixing the same with a lighter fluid both under
pressure, transforming the potential energy of the mixture into kinetic energy,.
developing the kinetic energy of the mixture into pressure of the heavier liquid
and at the same time restoring the original density of the heavier fluid, as.
set forth.
8. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids, which consists in reducing
the density of a fluid by intermixing the same with a lighter fluid both under
pressure, transforming the potential energy of the mixture into kinetic energy,.
developing the kinetic energy of the mixture into pressure of the heavier liquid, and
at the same time restoring the original density of the heavier liquid, and employing
the pressure as a source of power, as set forth.
9. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in reducing
the density of a fluid by intermixing the same with a lighter fluid both under
pressure, transforming the potential energy of the mixture into kinetic energy,
developing the kinetic energy of the mixture into pressure of the heavier liquid and.
at the same time restoring the original density of the heavier liquid, and employing
the pressure as a source of power, and returning the heavier liquid to be used again,
as set forth.
10. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the fluid to take the
form of velocity, separating the fluids and discharging the fluid of lighter density
and transforming the velocity of the heavier fluid into pressure by centrifugal
tendency, employing the pressure as a source of power, intermixing air with the
liquid and permitting the air to be discharged with the liquid, as set forth.
11. The method of obtaining motive power from fluids which consists in imparting
the energy of a lighter fluid to a heavier fluid, permitting the energy to take the

page_text: form of velocity, separating the fluids and discharging the fluid of lighter density and
transforming the velocity of the heavier fluid into pressure by centrifugal tendency,
employing the pressure as a source of power, compressing air to the working pressure
of the apparatus by intermixing the air with the liquid and permitting the air to be
discharged therewith, as set forth.
12. A motor comprising in its construction a reaction wheel, a nozzle adapted to
receive fluids under pressure, a tube connected with the nozzle and extending into
said wheel and stationary shutes connected with the end of the tube, and arranged
to discharge the fluids tangentially with respect to the inner circumference of the
wheel, as set forth.
13. A motor comprising in its construction a reaction wheel provided with a
cover, a nozzle adapted to receive fluids under pressure, a tube connected with said
nozzle and extending into said wheel, the tube being inclined with respect to the
axis of the wheel and cover, and stationary shutes connected with the end of the tube
and arranged to discharge the fluids tangentially with respect to the inner circum-
ference of the wheel, as set forth.
14. A motor comprising in its construction a receiving chamber, and a discharge
chamber, a reaction wheel, a nozzle adapted to receive Huids under pressure, a tube
connected with said nozzle and extending into said wheel and stationary shutes con-
nected with the end of the tube, the interior of the wheel at its centre communicating
with the atmosphere and having communication at its periphery with the discharge
-chamber, as set forth.
15. A motor comprising in its construction a receiving chamber, and a discharge
chamber, a reaction wheel, a nozzle adapted to receive fluids under pressure, a
tube connected with said nozzle and extending into said wheel, and stationary
shutes connected with the end of the tube, a wheel surrounding the first mentioned
wheel, the interior of the latter wheel at its centre communicating with the
atmosphere, and having communication at its periphery with the surrounding
wheel, which in turn communicates at its periphery with the discharge chamber, as
set forth.
16. A nozzle for mixing fluids under pressure embracing in its construction
chambers e k and g, and pipes or tubes communicating with the exterior of the
nozzle, as set forth.
Dated this 16th day of March 1891
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.