An Improved Apparatus suitable for Use as a Rotary Engine, Pump, Siren, and for other purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1893.
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus suitable for Use as a Rotary Engine,
Pump, Siren, and for other purposes.
I, ISAAC SMITH, of Basford Brass Works, Nottingham, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The apparatus forming the subject of this invention is caused to rotate by the
friction of a stream of fluid passing through it or the action may be reversed.
The moving part consists of a disc having a spiral passage or passages in it
leading from its axis which is hollow to its circumference. One end of the passage
is connected to the supply and the other to the exhaust. If a stream of fluid flows
through this passage its friction causes the disc to turn. In order to increase the
friction the sides of the passage may be roughened or serrated. The circum-
ferential end of the passage is preferably connected by a channel to the hollow axis
so that one end of this axis forms the supply and the other the exhaust but when the
apparatus forms part of a siren the exhaust takes place through holes in the outer
convolution of the spiral. Several such passages may be formed in one disc the
exhaust from one forming the supply to the next. When used as a meter the
disc drives an indicating and recording apparatus.
Deted this 24th day of November 1902
An Improved Apparatus suitable for Use as a Rotary Engine,
Pump, Siren, and for other purposes.
I, ISAAC SMITH, of Mount Hootou Road, Nottingham, of the Firm of Sydney
Smith & Sons, Basford Brass Works, Nottingham, 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:-
The apparatus forming the subject of this invention is caused to rotate by the
friction of a stream of fluid passing through it or the action may be reversed.
The moving part consists of a disc having a spiral passage or passages in it
leading from its axis which is hollow to its circumference. One end of the passage
is connected to the supply and the other to the exhaust. If a stream of fluid flows
through this passage its friction causes the disc to rotate. In order to increase the
friction the sides of the passage may be roughened or serrated.
The circumferential end of the passage opens into an exhaust chamber provided
with an exhaust pipe for the discharge of the fluid if necessary or it is allowed to
flow by means of openings in the hollow axle through this axle into another
compartment and so on.
When the apparatus forms part of a siren the exhaust takes place through one or
more holes in the outer convolution of the spiral. Several such passages may be
formed in one disc the exhaust from one forming the supply to the next. When
used as a meter the disc drives an indicating and recording apparatus.

page_text: a is the inlet by which the steam (or other fluid) passes to the hollow shaft b and
from thence to the spiral passage c in the disc d which is fixed to and revolves with
the shaft b. The steam escapes from the passage c by a nozzle e (Figure 2) into
the casing and out through the exhaust port g. h is a band fixed around the
disc d so as to give it a smooth exterior. j is a drain cock by which the water of
condensation is drawn off and k is a pulley fixed to the shaft b for transmitting the
power of the engine.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of a similar engine arranged to work
expansively. In this case there are three discs d and casings the steam passing
from the first and second casings to the centres of the second and third revolving
discs by holes and along the hollow shaft b. The steam escapes from the last
casing by the exhaust port g. Or the same results may be attained by increasing
the number of spiral canals or chaunels on one plate made to a given form; diameter
and thickness. It will be observed that in case of expanding agents the area of
each coil increases in ratio to the expansion. With water or non-expanding fluids
the area of the channels remains the same both in width and depth. The direction
of rotation is determined by the form the spiral takes whether right handed or left
handed. When the steam or other fluid turns to the left by the direction of spiral
canals the engine revolves to the right and vice versa.
Figure 5 shows a double engine for working expansively. The steam is admitted
at each end and exhausts at the middle.
Figure 6 is an elevation partly in section of a syren worked by one of my rotary
engines. Figures 7 and 8 are a plan and section of the block in which the spiral
passage c is formed. Figure 9 is a plan of the lid d showing the slots d¹ above the
outer convolution of the passage c through which the steam escapes. Figure 11 is
an elevation of the revolving portion of the engine. As shewn, this instead of
working on a shaft revolves on a cone m and thus remains tight on its bearings as it
wears. m' is a steel centre at its top. Figure 11 is a plan of the plate n of the
syren showing the slot n' in it.
Figure 12 shows a section and half elevation of a water meter. The motor is
made of aluminium so that strength with lightness is combined. Before the water
enters the cone m the necessary sieve is provided for preventing the solid matter
from passing through the wheel. The amount of water passed is accurately
measured by a recorder worked by the worm o.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A rotary engine or other similar apparatus having a spiral passage with one
end connected to the supply and the other to the exhaust substantially as described.
2. Apparatus such as is referred to in Claim 1 in which the area of cach coil
increases in ratio to the expansion of the fluid substantially as described.
3. The combination of a rotary engine such as is referred to in Claim 1 with a
syren substantially as described.
4. The various forms of apparatus substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 1894.
ISAAC SMITH.