IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERATING BURNING GASES TO BE APPLIED AS A MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jean Baptiste Pascal, of Lyons, in the Empire of
France, Civil Engineer, & of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, for the
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERATING BURNING GASES TO BE APPLIED
AS A MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME."
Sealed the 9th July 1861, and dated the 21st January 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jean Baptiste Pascal at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st January 1861.
I, JEAN BAPTISTE PASCAL, of Lyous, in the Empire of France, Civil
Engineer, & of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERATING BURNING
GASES TO BE APPLIED AS A MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," to
be as follows:-
My Invention relates, 1st, to the novel application to engines (the motive
power of which is produced by explosive agents) of inflammable gases pro-
duced by the decomposition of steam passing through incandescent coal,
thereby causing their ignition; 2ndly, to improved apparatus for generating
the said gases.
Hitherto in gas engines with explosive agents on the systems of Drake,
Balestrine, Hugon, Degrand, Lenoir, and others, the inflammable gas motor
rn 07

page_text: employed has consisted of gaseous mixtures furnished by gasworks, or from
the distillation or vaporization of hydrocarburets, essential oils, or other liquids
or solids, either volatile or combustible, or further ef hydrogen gas produced
by the decomposition of water by combustible metals. The high price of the
above-mentioned gases has constituted the principal objection to the adoption
gas engines as a substitute for steam engines.
of
According to my Invention I apply to this first kind of engine a gas motor,
the cost of which permits of its application for the production of motive power
to an equal extent to that obtained by steam. I also apply the gases pro-
duced by the decomposition of steam effected by means of incandescent coal
to air engines, known as Ericsson's, Lemoine, Lobereau's, Franchot, and
other engines, employing air and superheated and regenerated steam for the
purpose of directly reheating the gas motors. In the latter case I introduce
into the cylinder or other part of the generator a certain volume of gas & air
by meaus of a pump, the combustion of which mixture is effected by the
electric spark, for example, or an incandescent platinum wire or other method.
I also substitute this gaseous mixture, which is cheaply produced, for the gas
or vapours hitherto employed in gas engines. This generator is essentially
composed of a furnace, in which is alternately conducted at short intervals of
time, first, a current of air for the purpose of rendering the fuel incandescent,
and then a current of steam which, on its coming in contact with the fuel in
ignition, will furnish inflammable gases (hydrogen & oxide of carbou), which
are caused to explode or ignite below the piston of the engine directly, or they
may be collected in a gasometer, and afterwards used when required. A
further injection of air and then of steam will produce a fresh supply of gas,
and so on.
The generating apparatus for the production of hydrogen and oxide of
carbon by alternately passing water & steam through the incandescent fuel
in the furnace consists of a furnace having a refractory ceramic casing, &
furnished with fire-bars and small ash-pit, & of a metal casing, forming with
one part of an exterior casing an annular space in which the water is
evaporated. The apparatus is also supplied with a water guage for indicating
the height of the liquid in the interior, the steam from which is distributed in
the furnace. There is an opening for the removal of cinders and cleaning
the grate, closed by a door or plug, which is suitably held in position. The
upper part or cover of the apparatus is furnished, Ist, with a door for the
supply of fuel, which door is suitably constructed to close by its own weight;
2ndly, with an opening communicating with the chimney, this opening being
closed by a clack valve. There is also a distributor furnished with a slide

page_text: valve, the rod of which is set in motion by the engine, and gives access first
to the air by a pipe which passes into the furnace, and then affords a passage
by means of another pipe for the inflammable gases from the furnace pro-
duced by the decomposition of the steam. The gas-holder or gasometer
consists of a fixed part furnished with its moveable part, suspended and
weighted so as to produce aspiration. The pipe for admission of the inflam-
mable gases into the gasometer has an enlargement at one part to form a
recipient for any liquid which may be carried away by the gases, thereby
preventing the formation of a column of water, which would act as a counter-
agent, and prevent the proper action of the gasometer. There is an exit
opening in the receiver, also an eduction pipe for the inflammable gases.
Supposing the whole arranged as described, after the gasometer is filled with
fuel, and the furnace lighted by the natural draught, the clack valve before
mentioned, which has been previously raised, is allowed to close. The slide
valve having shut off the blast and opened the pipe, the steam produced in
the evaporating apparatus, instead of passing out with the smoke into the
chimney, will traverse the fuel by the aspiration of the bell receiver of the
gasometer. The decomposition of the steam being effected in its passage
through the incandescent fuel, a mixture of hydrogen and oxide of carbon
will be obtained, which passes into the gasometer. This chemical action will
cause a loss of part of the caloric in the mass of indandescent fuel, to remedy
which a new supply of air is passed into the furnace, the slide valve operating
its return movement, which closes the pipe leading to the gasometer, and
opens the air passage for the purpose of restoring the heat which has been
carried away to the fuel, a valve opening under the pressure of the com-
bustible gases, and the steam which,continues to be produced allows of the
products of combustion and the steam passing into the chimney, after which
a new movement of the slide valve closes the air induction pipe, and allows
of another quantity of steam passing over the fuel to be there decomposed,
and thence conducted to the gasometer, which action is repeated alternately
and consecutively by passing a current of air and then of steam through the
fuel in ignition. The inflammable gases collected in the gasometer are
applied by means of a pipe to one or other of the engines before mentioned.
I can also dispense with the gasometer, & still produce a continuous current
of inflammable-gas by employing two generators similar to the one above.
described, one supplied with air, and, the other with steam, but owing to the
inany stoppages necessary for feeding and cleaning the bars of the furnace, it
is better to use three, so that when one is not in operation there will always
remain two in working order for alternately supplying the inflammable gases

page_text: in a continuous manner. The clack valve may be replaced by a slide or
other valve, which in the latter case should be balanced, so as not to present
too great resistance to the passage of the smoke which acts on it.
The steam employed may be produced either as above described, or in a
special generator heated by a separate furnace, or by the waste heat of the
apparatus itself, or, lastly, by the refrigerating casing of the cylinders of
those engines employing explosive mixtures, and by the heat which
escapes
from such machines, or in other ways. It will be necessary to
obtain a supply of steam from a separate furnace for apparatus on a large
scale, where the evaporating surface is not increased in relation to the size
of the apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Jean Baptiste Pascal in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 19th July 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEAN
BAPTISTE PASCAL, of Lyons, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineer, and
of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successo: 8, give and grant unto me,
the said Jean Baptiste Pascal, Her special licence that I, the said Jean
Baptiste Pascal, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Jean Baptiste Pascal, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressod, 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 GENERATING BURNING GASES TO BE APPLIED AS A MOTIVE
POWER. AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Jean Baptiste Pascal, 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 be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Putent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jean Baptiste Pascal, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, reference being had to the annexed Drawings, and to the
letters and figures of reference marked thereon, that is to say:―
My Invention relates, 1st, to the novel application to engines (the motive
power of which is produced by explosive agents) of inflammable gases produced
by the decomposition of steam passing through incandescent coal, thereby
causing their ignition; 2ndly, to improved apparatus generating the said
gases.
Hitherto in gas engines with explosive agents on the systems of Drake,
Balestrino, Hugon, Degrand, Lenoir, and others, the inflammable gas motor
employed has consisted of gascous mixtures furnished by gasworks, or from
the distillation or vaporization of hydro-carburets, essential oils, or other
liquids or solids, either volatile or combustible, or further of hydrogen gas
produced by the decomposition of water by combustible metals. The high
price of the above-mentioned gases has constituted the principal objection to
the adoption of gas engines as a substitute for steam engines.
According to my Invention I apply to this first kind of engines a gas motor,
the cost of which permits of its application for the production of motive power
with that obtained by steam as an equivalent; I also apply the gas produced
by the decomposition of steam effected by means of incandescent coal to air
engines known as Ericsson's, Lemoines, Lobereau's, Franchot's, and others,
employing air and superheated & regenerated steam for the purpose of
directly reheating the gas motor. In the latter case I introduce into the
cylinder or other part of the regenerator a certain volume of gas and air, the
combustion of which mixture is effected by means of the electric spark for
example.or an incandescent platinum wire or other method; I also substitute
this gaseous mixture, which is cheaply produced, for the gas or vapours hitherto
employed in gas engines. This generator is essentially composed of a furnace
in which is alternately conducted at short intervals of time, first a current of
air for the purpose of rendering the fuel incandescent, and then a current of
steam, which on its coming in contact with the fuel in ignition will furnish
inflammable gases (hydrogen and oxyd of carbon), which are caused to explode
or ignite below the piston of the engine either directly, or they may be col-
lected in a gasometer, and afterwards used when required. A further injec-
tion of air and then of steam will produce a fresh supply of gas, i
& so on.
In the annexed Drawing I have represented my generator for producing
hydrogen and oxyd of carbon by the alternate consecutive passage of water

page_text: steam through the incandescent fuel. The Figure shows a central vertical
section, and will suffice for the thorough comprehension of all the parts of the
apparatus. a, furnace formed of a first ceramic casing; b, fire-proof casing
provided with a grate c, and a small ash-box d; e, a second metallic casing,
which forms with part of the former external casing fan annular space g to
serve for the vaporization of water. This space or vaporizing apparatus being
provided with a water gauge h for marking the height of the liquid inside,
while the steam produced spreads as shown above the fuel; i, opening for
the taking out of the ashes and the cleansing of the grate, said opening being
closed by a plug held in position by any suitable means; ;, the upper part
which covers the apparatus, it is provided first with the door for charging the
fuel k, which is closed by a lid or cover held in position by its own weight,
and, secondly, with an opening closed by a clack valve n, and leading to
the chimney m; o, distributing box, having a slide valve p, with a rod set in
motion by the engine, and giving passage now through the pipe q to the
comburing air which goes to the furnace, now through the pipe r to the
inflammabie gases from the furnace, and produced by the decomposition of
the water steam; 3, stationary trough of a common gasometer provided
with the moveable trough so hung and loaded as to effect the suction; u, inlet
pipe of the inflammable gases in the gasometer, it is embossed at so as to
form a receptacle for the gathering of any liquid carried away by gases, this
receptacle thus hindering the formation of a column of water, which acting as
a counterweight would impede the sucking action of the gasometer; w,empty-
ing pipe for receptacle v; a, outlet pipe for the inflammable gases. Sup-
posing the whole set up and arranged as above specified, and as shown Fig. 1,
after the generating apparatus is filled with fuel and the furnace lighted by
means of the natural draught, the clack valve before mentioned which had
been previously raised, is allowed to close, the slide valve having shut off the
blast, and opened the pipe; r, the steam produced in the evaporating appa-
ratus instead of passing out with the smoke into the chimney, will traverse
the fuel by the aspiration of the bell in the gasometer. The decomposition of
the steam being effected in its passage through the incandescent fiel, a mix-
ture of hydrogen and oxyd of carbon will be obtained, which passes into the
gasometer. This chemical action will cause a loss of part of the caloric in the
mass of incandescent fuel, to remedy which a new supply of air is passed into
the furnace, the slide valve p operating its return movement, which closes the
pipe leading to the gasometer, and opens the air passage 7 for the purpose of
restoring the heat which has been carried away to the fuel. A valve n opening
under the pressure of the combustible gases, and the steam which continues

page_text: to be produced, allows of the products of combustion, and the steam passing
into the chimney m, after which a new movement of the slide valve closes the
air induction passage, and allows of another quantity of steam passing over
the fuel to be there decomposed, and thence conducted to the gasometer, which
action is repeated alternatively and consecutively by passing a current of air,
and then of steam through the fuel in ignition. (The apparatus may be so
disposed as to give no passage to steam but at the moment when the latter is
to pass through the fuel.) The inflammable gases collected in the gasometer,
are supplied by means of a pipe a to oue or other of the engines before men-
tioned, I can also dispense with the gasometer, and still produce a continuous
current of inflammable gas by employing two generators similar to the one
above described, one supplied with air,and the other with steam; but owing to
many stoppages necessary for feeding and cleansing the bars of the furnace,
it is better to use three, so that when one is not in operation, there will always
remain two in working, for alternately supplying inflammable gases in a coll-
tinuous manner. The clack valve n may be replaced by a slide or other valve,
which in the latter case should be balanced so as not to present too great
resistance to the passage of the smoke which acts on it. In case of this being
too much heated, a current of cold water may be caused to drop on it con-
stantly and cool it. I have mentioned a small ash-box, that I may have the
least detrimental space possible. The insufflation of comburing air and
the passage of steam through the fuel vary as to their duration according to
the amount of gas to be produced, the size of the apparatus, the quantity of
fuel, its nature and degree of division, the pressure of the comburing air, the
condition of the steam, &c., but the number of insufflations, and also of pas-
sages of steam, should as much as possible be so calculated as the quantity of
air introduced at every insufflation in the detrimental spaces, and mixed with
the inflammable gases, shall not be an obstacle to their inflammability. The
steam employed may be produced either as shown or in a special generator
heated by a separate furnace, or by the waste heat of the apparatus itself, or
lastly, by the refrigerating casing of the cylinders of those engines employing
explosive mixtures, and by the heat which escapes from such machines or in
other ways. It will be necessary to obtain a supply of steam from a separate
furnace, for apparatus on a large scale where the evaporating surface is not
increased in relation to the size of the apparatus. I have represented my
improved generating apparatus under a vertical cylindrical form; it may,
however, be of any other form, further the steam and water are caused to
pass in a certain direction, though it is evident the double injection may be
effected in other ways. Thus, in this first apparatus, the products of combus

page_text: tion are escaping through the chimney, but as these contain chiefly a certain
amount of oxyd of carbon, which is one of the vehicles of the motive piston,
I have imagined to utilize them conjointly with those produced by the de-
composition of water.
The second part of my Invention therefore consists,―
I. In the use as inflammable motive gases, of the gases produced by the
combustion of the furnace conjointly with those produced by the decom-
position of the water steam passing through the ignited fuel in the generator,
these gases or mixture of gases being employed conjointly or separately.
II. In an apparatus with single furnace intended to generate and collect
separately (Fig. 2), 1st, the useful gaseous products of combustion, and
2ndly, the gaseous products resulting from the decomposed water steam. -
III In an apparatus with double furnace intended for the same purpose
as the above (Fig. 3).
IV. In the uso, as inflammable motive gases, of the gases produced by
the combustion of the fuel in my apparatus employed singly.
V. In an apparatus with double furnace for generating the oxyd of carbon
produced by mere combustion, that is to say, by the double passage of air
through the fuel (Fig. 4).
With engines moved by gaz or inflammable vapours combured by oxygen
or by any mixture of oxygen (the combination of which takes place in the
interior of the cylinder or any other part of the motor), the inflammation of
some said gases or vapours is effected with some difficulty whatever be the
way employed, according to the nature of the mixture, and also the more or
less burning property of the gases combured by oxygen. Thus, for example,
a motor, whose inflammable vehicle is oxyd of carbon as produced especially
by the passage of air throug a thick layer of coal, could not, or could hardly,
work, this mixture of oxyd of carbon being soiled with a large amount ofazotic
or other gas,
which has not, or has but little, affinity for comburing oxygen,
and in this case the inflammation provoked by the electric spark (which is the
most convenient means) could not be effected, and it would be necessary to
apply a special furnace or incandescent fuel, which would prove a complica-
tion for the use of this sort of motors. For easily effecting such inflammation
of the gases or vapours, little inflammable by electricity, I have imagined
procuring by any suitable means a current of gas or vapour, mixed or not, of
any nature, but easily inflammable by electricity, which, being once inflamed
comes in contact with the little inflammable gaseous mixture and provokes its
inflammation; for example, a motor of gas oxyd of carbon being produced
by a current of air passing through a thick layer of fuel. I inject on this gas

page_text: or vapour mixed with its comburent through its passage to the cylinder, a
current of hydrogen gas, which, being instantly inflamed by the electric spark,
will inflameafterwards the mixture of oxyd of carbon and azote, which are little
inflammable, and these two inflammations, the latter of which is provoked by
the former, shall take place at every stroke or every introduction, and this
method of inflaming little combustible gases is applicable to all kinds of
machines, whatever may be their system, their gaseous vehicle.
I will now describe three apparatus of my Invention; Fig. 2 shows a
central vertical section of the simple generator; Iutilize the products of the com-
bustion of its fuel, and also the gases resulting from the decomposition of the
water steam, both products being employed either jointly or separately; Fig. 3
shows a central vertical section of a double generator; I utilize for the same
purpose and in the same manner the products of combustion of its double fuel,
together with the gaseous products of the decomposition of water steam;
Fig. 4 shows a central vertical section of a double generator, the gaseous
products of combustion only being utilized. In these three Figures the same
letters of reference indicate the same parts.
a, furnace, consisting of a first ceramic casing b, fire-proof, and provided
with a grate c and small ash-box d. The grate may be suppressed, in which
case the apparatus is like to a cupola. c, second metallic casing, forming
with part of the former or external casing fan annular space g, which serves
as water-evaporating apparatus. To this apparatus is applied a water gauge h,
pointing the height of the liquid in the interior, and the steam produced
escapes externally through a valve, and only enters the furnace when the slide
valve y affords it a passage.. Tho steam thus is let out the evaporating
generator through the orifice z to enter the gasometer where the products of
combustion are aspirated; i, opening for the extraction of the ashes and
cleansing of the grate, such opening being closed by a plug or cover of the
form shown, and held in position thereon by any suitable means of pressure;
j, upper part covering the apparatus, and provided, 1st, with the door k for
introducing the coal, whilst a cover, of the form shown, closes the said door by
its own weight; 2ndly, with an opening / communicating with the slide valve
box p,leading to thegasometer where the products of combustionare aspirated;
o, distributing box, provided with its slide valve p, the rod of which is set in
motion by the engine, which gives access now to the burning or comburing
air through the pipe q leading to the furnace, now giving passage through the
pipe r to the inflammable gases extracted from the furnace, and resulting
from the decomposition of water steam; 1, exit pipe for the products of
combustion

page_text: Supposing now the whole arranged as described and represented, the gene-
rating apparatus being filled with fuel, and the furnace lighted, if I close the
ash-box door by means of the slide valve y, and set the opening z into com-
munication with the opening 1, the steam spreads over the fuel which it
traverses, thereby being decomposed. The hydrogen gas and oxyde of carbon
produced come to the slide valve p, which has been so disposed as the same
gases passing through the pipe q shall escape through the piper into the
gasometer which aspirates them. The slide valve receives, as aforesaid, its
motion from the engine: The fuel being cooled, the position of the two slide
valves p&y is shifted, that is to say, air is introduced through the pipe 9,
which air passing through a thick layer of fuel produces incandescence again,
and the oxyd of carbon mixed with other products of combustion which are
formed or left is aspirated by the opening to go through the pipe 1 into a
gasometer from where they are aspirated by the motor; after this injection of
air the position of the two slide valves y & p is again shifted, and a fresh
injection of steain takes place, and so on alternately; oxyd of carbon is gene-
rated, which is mixed with azute and other products of combustion on one
hand, and on the other hand oxyd of carbon and hydrogen, resulting from the
decomposition of water steam in the gasometers. As well as for the first
arrangement before-mentioned the gasometers are not necessary unless when
I work with an apparatus. I will actually describe the second apparatus with
double furnace, where are collected, but mixed together, oxyd of carbon and
hydrogen, resulting from the decomposition of steam and the products of
combustion. Those gases are generated in a continuous way, or by a con-
tinuous injection of air and steam. I shall only describe the parts which are
different from those in the above-described apparatus. a, furnaces similar to
that described, formed and joined by a first ceramic casing b made fire-proof,
they are provided each of them with a grate c and a small ash-box d, and
divided & separated by a partition 2, which permits of their communicating
only by the top; e, second metallic casing, forming, with the part of the exterual
one f, an annular s₁ ace closed g, serving as water-evaporating apparatus. The
steam it produces escapes through the pipe 3, which delivers it above the two
furnaces; a stopcock 4 serves as regulator for the introduction of the steam
in the apparatus, and the surplus of the steam produced is permitted to escape
out through a valve. Each furnace is provided with a slide valve operated by
the engine, and which serves alternately to introduce air and give passage to
the inflammable gases mixed together, resulting both from combustion and
from the decomposition of steam. Supposing the whole arranged as described
and represented, the furnaces being lighted, the cock 4 for the steam suitably

page_text: epen,and the slide valve p, for example, duly placed, if air is introduced from
beneath the grate of the right-hand furnace, it will pass upwards through the
columnof fuel and the gases resulting from such combustion will carry away
the steam delivered by the pipe 3, the gaseous mixture passes then downwards
through the left-hand furnace, and the water steam contained in the said
mixture shall be decomposed into oxyd of carbon and hydrogen, whilst the
carbonic acid which may have been formed in the right-hand furnace is
brought again to the state of oxyd of carbon, so that the whole gaseous mix-
ture passes through the piper on the left into the gasometer which aspirates
it, the slide valve being suitably arranged for the purpose. In this operation
the right-hand furnace has augmented in incandescence, while the left-hand
one has lost some; the position of the slide valves is shifted, and at that time
air enters the left-hand furnace whilst the gaseous mixture escapes through
the right-hand one, and thusforth the furnaces decomposing in turn the steam
water, and reducing into oxyd of carbon the carbonic acid evolved from the
first furnace. The third apparatus is exactly the same as the foregoing one,
save that all that refers to the production of steam has been suppressed, and
that the two furnaces both receive an injection of air; the gases produced'in
either of those various apparatus are taken from the apparatus itself or from
the gasometers, and are introduced into the cylinder of an explosive mixture
machine, after being suitably mixed with the quantity of air required, and in
this case the inflammable gases or products of combustion are ever to be
cooled in a condenser previous to their inflammation, for the
densing a greater quantity of the gases under the same volume. In the appli-
cation of the gases produced by the generators above described I have said
that the useful products were, in the first case, collected in two parts, viz., 1st,
oxyd of carbon and hydrogen, a very inflammable mixture; 2dly, oxyd of
carbon and azote, a little inflammable mixture. In the second case, collected
in one part, viz., two portions of oxyd of carbon, one of hydrogen, and one of
az ote, a mixture inflammable. In the third case, collected in one part, viz.,
oxyd of carbon and azote, a very little inflammable mixture.
purpose
of con-
In the case where inflammable and little inflammable gases are made use of
I have imagined, in order to burn them by means of electricity, to employ the
first mixture of gases or vapours very inflammable, which being inflamed
amidst the mixture little inflammable, instantly determine the inflammation of
the mixtures inflammable or little inflammable; and in case Ishouldnot have
any apparatus for producing oxyd of carbon and hydrogen, I might make use
of any very inflammable gas or vapour, hydrogen for example, produced by
any means, which, burning amidst the inflammable or little inflammable mix-

page_text: ture, would determine the inflammation thereof; Imight even, for determining
the inflammation, instead of a substance inflammable by electricity, augment
the comburent, which I would produce in any suitable way, thus, in the same
order of ideas; and for detonating machines little inflammable gases arrive
from the above described generators mixed with the quantity of air required
through an orifice in the cylinder, at the same time inflammable gases or
vapours coming mixed by another contrivance into the same cylinder at the
orifice of which they are inflamed after their entering the cylinder when the
proper moment for general inflammation is arrived. In the same order of
ideas, and for dilated gas or vapour machines, which I have termed air
machines, for which I have imagined to heat directly without any medium, the
motive gases by means of inflammable or little inflammable gases, I inflame
the same gases on their entering the cylinder by a current of very inflam-
mable gas as above mentioned, but the inflammable gas is to pass through the
inflamed gas pipe.
To return to the generators of my Invention, I will say that the burning air
may be forced in by any blowing machine or aspirated, sucked into the escape
pipe by the very machine; the last means will prove preferable, as it diminishes
the number of appendages; and that the same method may be used for inflam-
mable gases.
Another part of my Invention also refers to new improvements in motive
engines, which improvements consist, first, in combining with a single dilated
gas or vapour engine explosive mixture motors. To this end I introduce at
the beginning of the piston stroke a certain quantity of inflammable gas,
which I inflame after its introduction. I then cause to arrive in the same
cylinder during the continuation of the stroke the motive gases, which set
themselves in equilibrium of elasticity with the inflammable gases precedently
introduced.
Theyconsist, secondly, in two capacities with calorifugal sides communicating
with the cylinder, the base of which they constitute on each side, into which
capacities the explosive mixtures pass to be inflamed. This arrangement of
the cylinder has for object to preserve to the motive gas its caloric, yet
removing the piston from the calefying part.
They consist thirdly, in a piston provided with displacing bodies which fill
up said capacities or calorifugal chambers for the purpose of avoiding detri.
mental spaces and preventing the side surfaces of the cylinder from being in
contact with the hot motive gases, which in the machines employed hitherto,
burn the lubricating body, and cause the surfaces to shrivel.
They consist, fourthly, in a peculiar arrangement of the cylinder of my

page_text: machine, which arrangement permits of burning the little inflammable gases
by causing them to be inflamed by inflammable gases lodged in the calorifugal
chambers on each side of the cylinder. To this end I have imagined to provide
the calorifugal capacities with two orifices, the one for giving access to
inflammable gases and the other to little inflammable gases or to burning air.
I have represented at Fig. 5 a central section of an improved cylinder
for my motor. a, cylinder surrounded by its casing ; between this and
the cylinder circulates or may circulate some water or refrigeratory air;
c, piston acting conjointly with two calorifugal displacing bodies d, the
latter being formed of a cylindrical volume, and of a less diameter than the
cylinder that they may not touch its side surfaces, The calorifugal layer
should be formed of a certain thickness of little conducting substance;
e, capacities being like extensions of the cylinder a, they are lined with a layer
of calorifugal matter, by which they are rendered of the same diameter with
the cylinder, such capacities or chambers serving to lodge entirely the
displacing bodies in the to-and-fro strokes of the piston; f, double casing
surrounding the capacities or caloric chambers. In the annular space formed
by the external surfaces of the chambers e and the double casing f, circulates
a refrigeratory current of air or water; g, first valve for admitting the
explosive mixture into the capacity or chamber; 1, second adit valve for
admitting the air or the gases little inflammable, according as the machine is
acted upon by explosible; readily inflammable agents. The other parts of the
cylinder are too well known,and I shall not describe them; I willonly mention
the slide valve i, through which the gases escape after being utilized. I will
actually described my improvements in the arrangement of my cylinder as
applied to explosive mixture engines alone. I introduce in this description of
engines, 1st, through the orifices g the gas or vapours inflammable (bicar-
bonated hydrogen for example) mixed with comburing (burning) air, the
latter in sufficient quantity to be with the combustible inflamed by electricity;
2ndly, at same time through the orifices h I introduce some atmospheric air
alone, for burning the carbon in excess contained in the combustible gas.
This double introduction in these engines is required by the necessity of first
mixing little air with the inflammable gas, in order to better determine its
combustion by the electric spark. Should, in the said de-cription of engines,
little inflammable gases be employed, such as a mixture of oxyd of carbon,
hydrogen, and azote, which mixture is readily obtained with my patent appa-
ratus, then the tiro orifices 9 & 1 on each side of the cylinder would serve,
the one to introduce the gases little inflammable mixed with burning air,
and the other g to introduce gases very inflammable mixed with burning air,

page_text: which should be inflamed by electricity and which being once inflamed would
serve to propagate a general inflammation throughout the gaseous mass in the
cylinder. The introduction of those gases through the orifices y or is obtained
by aspiration of the piston, or by force pump, or other apparatus.
II. I will now describe myimprovements in the arrangement of mycylinder
as applied to dilated gas engines. In these the arrangement of the cylinder
with its calorifugal chambers permit of raising the temperature of the motive
gases, and consequently to increase their elasticity without the mechanism
being injured by this high temperature. Should Idesire to reheat the motive
gasesbyburninginthemachine a filmof inflammablegas, this I wouidintroduce
through the orifice g, whereby the motive gas would be reheated directly with-
out any medium, and in case this film of reheating gas should be of little
inflammable nature I would inject a film of very inflammable gas, whereby the
inflammation of the gas little inflammable would readily be provoked.
III. I will now describe the arrangement of my cylinder as applied to
engines with explosive mixture and dilated gasos combined, I introduce first
through an orifice g and by aspiration the inflammable gas mixed with com-
burent during a portion of the stroke of the piston. I inflame them, and at
sametimetbisinflammation takes place the dilated gases are let in through the
slide valve i on the cylinder. This introduction of the motive gases accom-
plishes the course or stroke of the piston. 2ndly, should the inflammable
gases mixed with burning air be little inflammable, they should be inflamed by
causing them to pass through the orifice h,and by inflaming them throughthe
medium of a very inflammable gas conveyed through the orifice 9. The
arrangement of the cylinder, which is represented as being "double effect,"
may be also "single effect."
It has been observed that the valves in the Drawings are provided with
wire gauzej, for the purpose of preventing the propagation of the inflamma-
tion in the inlet pipes for the gases. The orifices & g, which are placed on
the bottom of the cylinder, may be placed on any other point of the same
cylinder, aud the said orifices, which are closed by a valve, might as well be
disposed like a slide valve, or even constitute a part of the slide valve. As I
have said before, I make use as motive vehicle for air engines, 1st, of the gas
exyd of carbon and hydrogen produced by the passage of steam over a column
of incandescent coal; 2ndly, of oxyd of carbon alone, produced by a current
of air also passing through a column of incandescent coal. For this last
application I have mentioned how I introduced in the motive cylinder or in
any part of the regenerator a certain volume of the gaseous mixture and of
air, the combustion of which is provoked anywise by the electric spark, or by

page_text: an incandescent platinum wire. I have likewise represented simple and
double apparatus, traversed alternatively by air or steam when I wish to have
a motive gaseous mixture composed of oxyd of carbon and hydrogen, though
I may more simply force the air into the furnaces and let in a film of water,
which on its contact with a layer of fuel would yield with oxyd of carbon,
produced by the decomposition of the wind from the blast pipe, a fresh
quantity of oxyd of carbon mixed with hydrogen, the whole mixture being
then made use of as motive gases.
I will now give some particulars as regards the mode of inflammation of tho
combustible gases in the various machines before specified. All combustible
gases mixed with the quantity of oxygen required for their combustion can be
inflamed as soon as one or more particle is brought in contact with a body
raised to a suitable temperature. The inflammation of gases being but the
result of their combination with oxygen, such combination will, of course, be
more or less ready and instantaneous according to the more or less affinity of
the body for oxygen. Thus, for example, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen
is so instantaneously inflamed as to provokea violent explosion, whilst oxyd of
carbon is inflamed more slowly, and produces an explosion, but hardly
appreciable. Hence it results that the least electric spark suffices to inflame
a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, whilst the same is unsufficient to inflame
a mixture of oxygen and oxyd of carbon. For this reason I use the epithets
very inflammable, inflammable, little inflammable, that is to say, gases which
are inflamed according as one or more of their particles are brought in
contact with a body at a high temperature, and that the whole is more or
less readily inflamed according to affinity.
All
I will examine now the means which science has revealed to us to raise the
molecules of said gases to a high temperature, which means are bringing those
gases in contact, 1st, with an inflamed body, such as the light of a candle, a
match, &c.; 2ndly, with the electric spark, either static or inductive; 3rd,
with a platinum wire raised to incandescence by means of electricity.
gases generally can be inflamed by either of these three means. One ouly of
the fore-named gases, the mixture of hydrogen, can be inflamed by a fourth
means, which is the spunge of platinum brought to the red heat in conse-
quence of the condensation of hydrogen in its capillary pores.
The electric spark instantaneously produced is very fit for inflaming very
inflammable mixture,but does not inflame so easily such mixtures as have less
affinity for oxygen. Fine platinumwire growing incandescent in consequence
of the resistance it presents to the passage of the electric current, is likewise
very fit for inflaming all gases, but such inflammation cannot be provoked

page_text: instantaneously,and at a time given, as it is by the electric spark, because the
incandescence, which results from the wire growing heated, requires a little
interval. Thus, for instance, in detonating machines, where the inflammation
is to take place as soon as the quantity of gas desired has been introduced in
the cylinder, the use of the platinum wire for inflaming the mixture is not
possible, no more than the spunge of platinum. For inflaming by the electric
spark the gases little inflammable in the above description of machines I use
a jet of gas very inflammable, which being inflamed by the electric spark,
instantaneously and at a time given will inflame by contact the gases little
inflammable, which could not have been inflamed directly by the electric
spark. But in the machines of Ericsson's system and others, in which the
inflammation can take placewhile the inflammable gases are introduced, the
incandescent platinum wire will be fit to inflame all gases in general, as the
said wire can constantly be maintained in the incandescent state. The same
thing shall occur for the spunge of platinum,but onlythenfor the inflammable
mixture which contains some hydrogen, and yet its omployment will prove
very disadvantageous on account of the slownesswith which it gets ignited,
and the facility with which it loses its state of ignition as soon as ceases the
introduction of the gas. Thus a platinum wire rendered incandescent by
electricity for inflaming gases little inflammable may be, in machines where
the inflamination takes place during the introduction, an ominently simpli-
fying substitute for the film of very inflammable gas, which I have claimed
for inflaming little inflammable gases. To conclude, the use of the platinum
wire rendered incandescent by electricity for inflaming the gases in a motive
engine is very well known, and has been applied to machines with explosive
agents where gases are inflamed instantaneously after their introduction,
and at a moment given, but now it has been abandoned, as the intermittent
incandescences of said wire cannot be instantaneous for the causes abovo
specified. Now-a-days that the explosive mixture machines in which the
inflammation of the gases took place after the introduction of said gases at
a moment given has been given up, and are substituted by gas machines,
where the inflammation takes place during the introduction of the said gases.
and as long as this introduction lasts, the platinum wire rendered
incandescent in a permanent manner will become of convenient, simple
indispensable employ, and I claim its application.
I will actually describe the arrangement I have adopted in Ericsson's
machines worked by inflammable or little inflammable gases, produced in
either furnace. One of these I have represented in the annexed Drawing as
provided with my above described cylinder. 7, motive cylinder, in which

page_text: glides the piston c, either with segment or other locking mode, working
conjointly with the displacing body d; d, displacing body working jointly
with the piston c; e, capacity, forming an extension to the cylinder a; fdouble
casing surrounding the capacity or calorifugal chamber e; i, slide valve;
, induction pipes, corresponding to a receiver, in which are compressed the
combustible gases mixed with air; . exit pipes of the burnt gases after their
action on the piston; Z, bundle of wire gauzes, the function of which is to take
from the going-out gases their heat, to restore it to the going-in gases;m, plati-
num wire, held constantly in incandescence by means of an electric battery, or
aninductive machine; n conducting wires; 9,common blowingcylinder provided
with a piston, which is connected to the rod of the motive piston c; this blowing
cylinder aspirates or sucks through one of the branches of pipe g the
combustible gases produced by the gas generator, and through the other
branch the air necessary to their combustion;, exit opening for the gas
and air compressed passing into a receiver. To conclude, the platinum wire in
the state of incandescence will certainly inflame gases. However, if the
incandescent wire is submitted to a current of gas, this, however feeble it
may be (were it but the third of an inch water pressure), will on meeting
the wire take away its caloric, its incandescence, and no inflammation can
take place; but if the said current is prevented from coming in contact with
the wire, either by placing before the incandescent wire any body, or by
establishing the platinum wire in any part of the machine where the current
may be destroyed, the wire then will preserve its incandescence and the
inflammation take place. An candescent platinum wire is the only suitable
means to inflame the combustible gas resulting from combustion whenever
the said wire is sheltered against any current of gas as above specified.
As to all other gases which can be inflamed by the electric spark, the appli-
cation of the incandescent platinum wire is still the surest means, as well as
the simplest and most economical, since by such application the inductive
bobbin of Ruhmkoff may be dispensed with, an apparatus which requires
much care, attention, and great electric force. Such an application of the
platinum wire in a constant state of incandescence sheltered against any
current of gas will hold good only for the cases where the inflammation
takes place before or during the introduction of the gases in the machine,
for such cases where the inflammation is to take place at a given time after
the introduction of the gases in the machine, the wire takes too slowly its
incandescence to be a proper substitute for the instantaneous production ofthe
electric spark. To obviate this inconvenience I have imagined to hold the
platinum wire in a constant state of incandescence to deprive it of the contact

page_text: of inflammable gases during the whole time of their introduction in the
machine and to bring it instantly in contact with said inflammable gases
only at the desired instant for their inflammation, which I obtain by means
either of a slide valve, or of any suitable contrivance.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be distinctly understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein described, as such
may be varied or modified without departing from the principle of action
thereof, likewise I do not confine myself to the strict figure or form of the
apparatus or any portions of the apparatus herein-described; but I claim as
new and of my Invention,-
First the novel application to motive engines, with explosive mixtures
of the inflammable gases produced by the decomposition of water steam passing
through incandescent coal, especially as described.
Secondly, the application of the same gases to superheated or regenerated
air and steam engines.
Thirdly, the improved apparatus for generating the said gases as described
and represented Fig. 1
Fourthly, the use and application as motive inflammable gases of the
products of combustion in the furnace of the generator, conjointly with the
gases resulting from the decomposition of water steam, which traverses the
ignited fuel in the generator, these gases or mixtures of gases being employed
jointly or separately, especially as described.
Fifthly, a single furnace apparatus for generating and collecting, 1st, the
useful gaseous products of combustion; 2ndly, the gaseous products
resulting from the decomposition of steam as described.
Sixthly, a double furnace apparatus intended for the same purposes as
the single furnace apparatus as described.
Seventhly, the use and application as motive inflammable gases of the
gases resulting from combustion in the furnace of my apparatus employed
separately.
Eighthly, a double furnace apparatus for generating oxyd of carbon
which is produced by simple combustion, that is to say, by the double
passage of air through the fuel, especially as described.
Ninthly, the combination in one machine of the effects of the dilated gas
or vapour motors and of explosive mixture motors. The cylinder of the
said machines, dilated gas or vapour alone, with explosive mixtures alone,
with dilated gas and explosive mixtures conjointly, provided with one or
more calorifugal chambers as and for the purposes herein specified.

page_text: Tenthly, the cylinder provided with displacing bodies to fill up the
calorifugal chambers to avoid detrimental spaces and prevent the side
surfaces of the cylinder from being in contact with the heated motive
gases.
Eleventhly, the cylinder provided with orifices which permit of intro-
ducing at will the air and different inflammable motive gases as and for
the purposes specified.
Twelfthly, the inflammation of the gases or vapours little inflammable
by electricity an injection of gases or vapours readily inflammable by
electricity for the purpose specified.
Thirteenthly, the mode of lighting the combustible gases in the air or
gas machines (Lenoir & Ericsson's systems) by means of an incandescent
platinum wire in preventing the gaseous current from taking away the
incandescence of the wire, especially as described.
Fourteenthly, the arrangement of the different parts of the apparatus
represented at. Fig. 6.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Baptiste Pascal, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
J. BT. PASCAL. (L.S.)