AN IMPROVED ROTATORY STEAM POWER ENGINE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Adolphe Watteeuw, of Boulevard Saint Denis,
1, at Paris, Mechanician, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED ROTATORY STEAM
POWER ENGINE."
Scaled the 16th September 1876, and dated the 23rd March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Adolphe Watteeuw
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd March 1876.
CHARLES ADOLPHIE WATTEEUW, of Boulevard Saint Denis, 1, at Paris, Mechanician.
"AN IMPROVED ROTATORY STEAM POWER ENGINE."
This Invention consists in an improved system of manufacturing rotary steam
engines of extreme simplicity, thereby dispensing with the piston, its rod, and the
connecting rod used in reciprocating engines.
.
This system, which is arranged double in order to avoid dead centres, consists
of a cylinder, two eccentrics revolving in contact with two valves which limit or
regulate the passages for the supply and escape of steam, there being between the
two eccentrics a central revolving disc. To the top of the cylinder is fixed the
steam supply pipe, which opens into two inclined passages cut or cast through
the body of the cylinder, to which are fixed two spring valves having their ends
always in contact with the eccentrics, and beneath these valves there are passages
for the escape of the steam, the passages communicating with an eduction pipe
common to both. The two eccentrics are keyed to a main or driving shaft con-
nected to two plates or discs fitted to the interior of the cylinder, and hermetically
packed with leather, tow, or other packing material. The eccentrics, which are
opposite each other, are mounted with spring surfaces in order to keep them tight
to the interior of the cylinder, and between the eccentrics there is a central disc
opposite to the inclined passages in the cylinder, the disc being mounted with a
spring steel packing, and having in their edges or shoulders passages to alternately
allow the admission and escape of the steam, and by this arrangement the steam is
admitted at each semi-revolution of one eccentric whilst it is escaping at each semi-
revolution of the other, and so on reciprocally.
To the driving shaft can be fixed direct any description of fly-wheel and gearing
and thus directly utilize the power acquired, and it is easy to perceive the simplicity
of this combination in which there is continuous rotary motion without the loss
arising from the alternate movement of the piston and other parts of the recipro-
[Price Gd.]

page_text: cating engine and the consequent friction, and it is evident that this improved
engine can be employed for working pumps, locomotives, tramway, and stationary
engines, and for all purposes where motive power is required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Adolphe Watteeuw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd September 1876.
CHARLES ADOLPHE WATTEEUW, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris,
Mechanician. "AN IMPROVED ROTATORY STEAM POWER ENGINE."
This Invention relates to an improved system of manufacturing rotary steam
engines of extreme simplicity, thereby dispensing with the piston, its rod, the
crank and connecting rod.
This system is arranged in duplicate in order to avoid dead centres, and consists
of a cylinder and two eccentrics or a double cam revolving in conjunction with
two valves for the constant regulation of the steam by the ingress and exhaust ports,
the main features of this improved machine consisting:-
Firstly. In the combination of a distributing steam chest surmounted by a regu-
lating steam chest, the valve of which is actuated directly by the governor.
Secondly. In the improved arrangement of the double cam, which thereby
diminishes the open space in the cylinder, and consequently the volume of steam
required.
Thirdly. In the arrangement of the exhaust port in combination with the double
cam in such wise that the escape of the steam already used in the cylinder will
have been effected at the time the fresh steam is admitted, whereby all counter
pressure is avoided; and,
Lastly. In the general arrangement of apparatus as shown by the accompanying
Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine, and Fig. 2 is a
vertical section showing the interior of the cylinder as well as 'the arrangement of
one of the sides of the double cam.
The regulation, the distribution, and the retaining of the steam is effected automa-
tically by the following arrangement:-The steam is supplied by the pipe b, furnished
with a stopcock o, and regulated by a valve working in the chest p, actuated by the
governor R. On leaving the regulating steam chest p¹ the circular key-piece or sluice
of which is closed by an eccentric keyed on a shaft, as will be further described,
the steam passes alternately by the two distributing pipes q, q, arranged on the sides
and communicating with the admission ports 7, by which the steam is conducted
to the interior of the cylinder d. The admission of the steam from the regulating
chest p to the distributing chest p₁ is effected by means of the key-piece or sluice 8
jointed to the curved lever 8', which is attached to the movable collar of the
governor R. An index finger t mounted on the shank of the key-piece will indicate
the rate of admission. From the distributing chest p₁ the steam is distributed
alternately and automatically by means of the lever u jointed by one of its extremi-
ties to the key-piece ul, and its other extremity is jointed by the rod v to a stirrup
piece, which receives an up-and-down movement by means of an eccentric y
Each movement of the stirrup piece is communicated to the lever u, which actuates
the key-piece or sluice of the distributing chest, so as to alternately open and shut
the ports by which the steam is admitted to the cylinder. The steam on entering
the cylinder immediately impinges upon the automatic flap valves c, c, as shown in
Fig. 2, and then exercises its whole force directly on the face of the cam a, which
lies in the way of the steam.
The admission and exhaust takes place at each half turn of the cams, that is to
say, the admission of the steam takes place for one cam while the steam exercises
its force and escapes for the other, and so on reciprocally in such wise that no
counter pressure is produced. This rapid exhaust of the old steam for allowing of

page_text: the exercise of all the force of the fresh steam is due to and regulated by the
relative dimensions and arrangement of the exhaust port g with regard to the
ingress ports, and the hermiticity of the cams within the cylinder is secured by
means of a segment or tongue piece arranged in a chamber or recess provided
for this purpose in the can, and constantly held by a spring against the internal
surface of the cylinder.
The lubricating of the interior of the cylinder and cams and segments is effected
by means of a tube e provided with supply pipes el passing to the interior of the
cylinder and distributing the lubricant as required, said lubricant being supplied
from the oil can f screwed on the tube c.
Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention in such
manner that the same may be carried into practical effect, I claim-
Firstly. The combined arrangement of my improved rotary steam power engine,
with its double cams a and flap valves c, substantially as described and shown.
Secondly. The combination of parts for automatically regulating and distributing
the steam, substantially as set forth.
Thirdly. The combined arrangement of the double cam, which allows, in consc-
quence of the absence of counter effect in the cylinder, of the employment of but
a small quantity of steam, and thereby effecting a great economy.
Fourthly. The combined arrangement of the ingress and exhaust ports, sub-
stantially as set forth; and
Finally. The general arrangement and combination of the machine, substantially
as herein described and shown by the Drawings,
-
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Adolphe Watteeuw, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ALBERT CAHEN,
Civil Engineer,
Of Boulevard St. Denis, 1,
At Paris.
WALLEEUW. (L.S.)