Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
I, WILLIAM HAYWARD of 12, Wembury Road, Highgate, in the County of
Middlesex, Journalist and Consulting Printers' Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is for improvements in rotary engines, by utilizing
gas, oil, or vapour of oil, or any explosive power, as well as steam in a rotary
engine, and by taking advantage of the immediate impulse rather than of the
gradual expansion of the power used.
To obtain the full force of such impulse I make the wheel which receives the
force as large as the nature of the work to be performed will allow without being
cumbersome, in this respect differing from the method generally adopted in regard
to rotary engines, in which the power is applied at such slight leverage and under
other nfair conditions as practically to militate against their successful employment.
with due regard to economy.
Advantage is taken in this invention of the first impulse, which whether of steam
or of a gas is the greatest; and it is received on the periphery of the wheel, on
recesses, cups, or projections of comparatively small dimensions; regulated, of
course, according to the work to be done by the engine, so that the impulse
or explosion may be received as often as is necessary for the end sought to be
obtained, and so keep up a continuous effect instead, as in the expanding &
reversing method of the reciprocating motion, of using the power in fitful
applications, and thus allowing the force to run down to zero, and then bringing it.
up to its maximum effect in every stroke or revolution. And as the wheel is always
going in one direction, and that in the line of the impulse, the impulse will always
be towards increasing the speed or power of the engine and without any loss from
reciprocation or diminution of power or speed by slow expansion and consequent
compression. Any method of supplying the steam, gas oil, or vapour to the engine
can be adopted, to accomplish the desired end.
When gas or other explosive is employed, a double set of wheels and cylinders
are employed, with the view of utilizing the force to the best advantage. Just
when the explosion takes place, the greatest force is developed, and that force is
thrown off in all directions, but only in one direction is it now used, at that
moment-in the direction of the piston, the explosion chamber receiving the rest
of force. To employ as much as possible this force rather than the explosion,
after the explosion is over, I propose to explode the charge in a chamber with
both ends open, the one opening upon the recesses in the periphery of one wheel
and the other upon the recesses of the other wheel; and so utilizing, as it were,
the action and re-action for the doing of the work required; variations being made
in the mode of applying and using the force, and turning the wheels to meet
the purpose desired. Thus one cylinder may be the feed or explosion cylinder and
the other, the power cylinder, with wheels to suit; or both may be explosion
cylinders & power cylinders, combined; or both may be power cylinders with the
explosion chamber or chambers, fixed or rotating between them; when double
wheels and cylinders are used in this new process of applying explosive motive

page_text: forces to rotary engines, or to rotating pistons, instead of to reciprocating pistons,
and on the periphery of the wheels so used for that purpose.
For reversing engines the force may be applied in an opposite direction or the
recesses be made ou the face of the wheels in a different direction to those
for the forward movement, like two wheels placed together & so receive the
force in a reverse direction, such changes being made by the necessary appliances.
Ordinary gas engine explosion chambers may be used with the force directed
upon the chambers or recesses of a rotating wheel, and with one or more explosions
each revolution, or upon one or more parts of the wheel. The explosions may
be regulated either to fire once, or more often in each revolution of the engine,
or once in more than one revolution according to the power needed; and be
regulated by a governor. The charge can be fired by a flame, a heated tube,
or magnetic or electric agency. The explosion can also be so arranged as not
always to fall upon the same projections or cups in the driving wheels in the one,
or more or less, explosions that may be given in each revolution, and the wear and
tear be thereby reduced or spread over a greater surface and a diminution of
the heating action be effected.
The reception of the force of the explosion on the two wheels will minimise its
effects as a shock, while utilizing the power to a double extent at the most
effective period of its action; and make the engine, therefore, useful for cycles,
carriages, and electric lighting, in which steadiness is needed.
The efficiency of turbines & water wheels in the way of utilizing the force
employed has been abundantly proved and steam or gas so employed, under like
or more favourable conditions, with the force utilized at its fullest power, and
under the most favourable mechanical conditions, for leverage, concentration,
and reception of the power employed, and due reduction of friction in its use,
ought to give equally as efficient results; and more so, as the force of steam and
gas may be so much more increased by pressure, and utilized, especially in regard
to rapid action, on this rotary system.
The gas may be used either compressed or at atmospheric pressure; and water
may be used for cooling the explosion chambers or cylinders, but not necessarily,
as the employment of more chamber than one and no piston being in them,
will diminish the need, and cooling by air arrangements will be sufficient in
most cases.
The explosion and the recoil being, as it were, alike utilised for the specific
purposes of the engine, & this dual force being in each case applied with the
greatest leverage advantage, and under restraining conditions, yet such as to admit
of the freest movements of the power wheels, in the line in which the force is
applied and in which the motion and power is needed, will give the greatest results
in the development of power and speed and in ease and economy of working; and
be applicable for any of the purposes to which an engine can be applied-from
ariel machines to war ships, and for locomotive engines, whether for cycles, cabs,
carriages, or other road conveyances, for tramcars, or for railway purposes; and for
standing engines, whether for factory work or for the production of electrical
lighting or power.
The general type of the engine, whether single or double, is suitable for any
kind of work, when properly adapted to it, the size, circumference of the wheels,
and the chambers for the reception of the charge, and the mode of supplying
the power to the wheels, being made to suit the work required to be done.
The rotary action of the engine, the mode of applying the force used to the
largest available leverage, the economising of the motive power by utilising the
action and the recoil, as it were; for the doing of the work, and with the possible
utilization of the speed of the steam or explosive to its fullest extent or the
conservation thereby of the energy generated, not otherwise attainable so
effectually, and by using the mechanical and kinetic agents' to the best possible
advantage & under the most favourable natural, mechanical, & scientific
conditions, results in speed, power, and, economy will thus be got, not otherwise

page_text: attainable; while the use of gas & oil to rotary engines and by the employment
especially of the two cylinders & wheels will make such explosives in these
duplex engines, more useful & effective than they have hitherto been, effective
and economical as reciprocating piston gas and oil engines have proved.
The new features in this invention are, a larger leverage for the wheels or discs
in rotary engines, which would thus act as fly wheels; the modes of applying the
force, impulsively rather than expansively; and continuously, or on more than one
part of the wheels or dises; the method of duplicating the power by using
the force in two of the directions in which it naturally goes; and especially the
application, as motive powers of the explosive forces of gas, oil, or other explosive
vapours or gases to rotary engines, and on these principles suitable to all kinds of
work.
Dated this Twenty-third day of May 1896.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
I, WILLIAM HAYWARD of 12 Wembury Road, Highgate in the County of
Middlesex, Journalist and Consulting Printers' 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:-
The object of this invention is for improvements in rotary engines by utilizing
gas, oil, or vapour of oil, or any explosive motive power, as well as steam in a rotary
engine, and by taking advantage of the immediate impulse, rather than of the
gradual expansion of the power used. To obtain the full force of such impulse, I
make the wheel which receives the force as large as the nature of the work to be
performed will allow, without being cumbersome; in this respect differing from the
method generally adopted in regard to rotary engines in which the power is applied
at such slight leverage, and under other unfair conditions as practically to militate
against their successful employment with due regard to economy.
The application of gas to rotary engines is not new. The first gas engine-like
the first steam engines on record that of Hero's, of more than 2,000 years ago &
that of Branca's, of more than 270 years ago, was on the rotary principle, but in
each instance they apparently never got beyond the experimental stage; probably
because the steam was not confined, until it had done its work on the revolving wheel,
but was allowed to expand & expend itself largely in the open atmosphere. Barber's
gas engine, of above a hundred years ago, had the same defect. The application
of gas to driving vessels with an ordinary piston engine was tried with success more
than forty years ago, but the cost of gas at that time prevented it being brought
into competition, as an economical application, as against steam. That objection is
now removed by the cheaper methods of producing gas & by the fact that the gas
for explosive purposes can be economically made by Dowson's gas generator, while
by the use of mineral oils, which only require the application of a little heat to
vapourize them, & then they can be used like gas, a cheaper & handier motive power.
is obtained. The simplicity & compactness of the gas engine render it especially
applicable for locomotive purposes, whether by land or water. The gas engine
requires little attention either as to its supply of fuel, or of oil for lubrication,
being perfectly automatic in its supply of gas, regulating itself as to speed, with
singular efficiency & effect, & lubrication being also done automatically.
To utilize the pressure of the force, whether steam or gas, when at its best &
under conditions that keep that pressure intact until the moment of its impinging
on the pistons, & with the use of as little of the mass, but as much of the face.

page_text: force of the power on the pistons, & under conditions that will use that force with
the greatest advantage on the face of the pistons, and with the largest possible
leverage, together with the fullest freedom of action, are the objects of this
invention of the application of steam, gas, or oil vapour, or other gases or explosive
forces to rotary engines on the water wheel or turbine principle, as set forth in my
Provisional Specification and now more fully explained and described.
Instead of allowing the steam or gas to blow into the open air, and so lose much
of its initial force before it reaches the vanes on the periphery of the wheel as did
Hero and Branca with steam, and Barber with gas; or of using the force in the
interior of the wheels in large quantities on one or two projections, with the force
expanding itself against large side surfaces, of non-effect in driving the engine, but
increasing the friction and resistance, I employ small but oft-repeated supplies of
the force to many projections on the circumference of the wheel, with consequently
the greatest possible leverage, and with the force directed to cups, faces, or recesses
and projections, lying at angles to secure their best application & with as little
waste from retarding or side expansion or useless & wasteful application of the
force employed, as possible. The force is applied, not as in the reciprocating
eugine, when the crank has just or barely passed the centre, and when thus the
fullest effects of the force. is practically spent against the axle of the driving wheel,
and not in producing the required rotary motion;-but at an angle when there is
the least axle resistance & the greatest possible moving power in the mode of
applying the force. The chambers can also be swept of all exhausted gases &
supplied with fresh air, before the gas is supplied again, & so make the explosive
power greater.
To reduce the friction as much as possible the portions of the cylinders or covers
of the pistons near to the inlet of the steam or the exploded gas, will alone be
made as near steam or air tight as can be obtained, although this is not so
imperatively necessary as in a reciprocating piston engine, because any vapour that
passes beyond the piston upon which the steam or gas has been directed, will act
upon another piston face going in the same direction, and not get behind it, & be a
retarding force, as in the reciprocating engine or in rotary engines in which
expansion is employed. Moreover, the force will be so directed as to impinge in
the first instance upon the centre of the cup or recess of the revolving piston,
directed to this point, either by the concentration of the force to a point or
restricted opening in the revolving explosion chamber, or at the inlet into the
cylinders of the revolving pistons, or by having the chambers of the revolver rifled.
A certain amount of retardation, intensifying the force, & giving some of the
advantages of compression, without taking its power out of the motion of the
engine, will thus be obtained; while the firing will be regulated so as to take place
just as the revolving explosion chamber comes to the inlet of the piston cylinder,-
fired by the electric spark in it. As the force is to be employed at the moment of
impact & not attempted to be utilized or expanded until it gets down to zero,—with
questionable advantage to power, & certainly of disadvantage to speed, whatever
it may be in the way of economy; the force after impact will be got rid of as
soon as possible, and the outlet for the steam or exploded elements will be as open
& as free as possible, consistent with carrying the spent forces away. The same
principle is applicable to steam & gas, to wheel & turbine alike. The concentration
of the force, rather than its diffusion, is the feature of this process of the
application of the initial forces of the elements-concentration at the moment of
firing, and concentration upon the point at which the firing is directed; the
utilization of the force in itself & in its application, under the conditions most
favourable to retain the force in its most active & powerful state.
The first applications of steam & gas were in piston engines on the atmospheric
principle excepting those of Hero & Branco; then the expansive principle was the
power employed; but under the rotary system, the impact power of the force can
be employed, and applied successfully & fully; and steam with its stated initial
speed of 300 miles an hour, instead of being used at a rate of 30 miles an hour, as

page_text: Having thus described the principle upon which my invention is based, ant the
practical and beneficial uses to which it can be applied; not overlooking autocars,
for which it is especially suitable from the handiness of oil, the simplicity of the
engine, and the utilization of the recoil for useful work, & the consequent
diminution of the shock of explosion by the force being received upon moving &
rotating pistons, instead of upon one practically rigid at the moment, by which
the major portion of the explosion is spent in adding to the frictional resistance &
in shaking the engine, rather than in causing motion-1 will now proceed t
describe some of the methods of applying this process of utilizing steam, gis or,
oil to rotary engines.
Fig. 1 is a side view of a duplex rotary steam engine.
Fig. 2 is a single rotary steam engine.
Fig. 3. is a duplex rotary gas or oil engine, with a revolving explosion chamber.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the same engine, sheving the rotary pistons &
"revolver" chambers.
Fig. 5 is a side view of another form of the duplex gas or oil engine with two
revolving explosion cylinders.
Fig. 6. is an end view of the same engine shewing the rotary pistons and
"revolver" chambers.
Fig. 7. is a side view of a duplex gas or oil turbine with "revolver" chambers &
discs shewn.
Fig. 8. is an end view of the same engine with the face of the turbine and the
explosion chambers shewu.
The letters & figures apply in each case to like portions or parts of the engine in
each figure.
The revolving pistou wheels have on their rims, recesses, cups, diamond or
other shaped recesses, or projecting teeth like a ratchet wheel or fans or blades,-
where the power is applied to the periphery of the disc, or wheel on which is the
series of rotating pistons. In the case of the turbine, there are channels near the
circumference of the turbine on the face of the disc, which lead through it in a
spherical direction towards the centre of the disc, where the vapour is discharged
by openings on the other side of the disc to that in which it entered. The
divisions between the recesses on the faces of the wheels or discs where the
recesses are, act so as to shut off the steam or explosive for the moment, and the force
of the steam or other power is again & again received thereby. This tends to
lessen the consumption of steam or gas, the recesses being formed with the view of
receiving as much of the impulsive force of the power as possible, and receiving as
little as possible for expansion; the repeated & rapid application of the initial
force representing thereby more than a large surface with simple expansion,
however prolonged.
Fig. 1 represents the application of steam on this duplex system, to where, for
instance, it was applied to a steamer, with twin screws, a propellor being on each
shaft of the rotating pistous of the engine. The rotary pistons would have two
faces one with the cups or recesses to receive the impulse for propelling forward
& the other with the cups or recesses in an opposite direction for reversing the
motion by simply turning the steam from one side of the discs, to the other, upon
which the recesses were set in an opposite direction. Taps or slides could be
employed to use the engine for stearing purposes by having the steam pipe between
the two discs, & either stopping one disc while the other was going, or making
them to drive in opposite directions. The steam would be got rid of as soon as
possible, unless intended to be used in a second cylinder.
The piston discs (61 & 2) working on the shafts (a.& a²) are enclosed in covers

page_text: or cylinders (c¹ & ²) for the purpose of confining the steam to the position on the
disc, upon which it is to blow, the steam being supplied from the inlet (d'). The
steam is then carried away to the outlets (el & e²) on either side of the engine,
whence it can be carried into the atmosphere. The speed of the engine can be
regulated by taps or slides at the supply pipe (d) from the boiler. The engine
could be worked direct to the load, or the power be communicated to another shaft
by means of friction or other gearing. The two piston wheels, would be linked
together by spur wheels or a shaft & bevil wheels (13) as in Fig. 3 & 4. When
friction gearing was used the power would be transmitted from the pullies (s¹ & s²)
on the shafts (a¹ & a²) of the driving or piston discs (1 & 2) to the intermediate
wheels (t & t) on the lever (u) with two arms, and would communicate the power
to the driving wheel (v) on the shaft (w), whether that were the shaft of a propellor
or the axle of a carriage, or a shaft driving machinery or doing any other work.
The two intermediate pulleys (1 & 2) would be so arranged as never to be in touch
at the same time together with the pullies on the discs (s & s²) & the wheel or
pulley (v) on the shaft or axle (w) but so fitted that one could be applied for
propelling forward & the other for going backward, or be so used as to take the
power entirely off the pulley (v), & so stop the machinery or carriage; & thus be
instantaneous in its operation of starting, stopping, or reversing. The same process,
or clutch action could be applied to the other single or duplex rotary engines on the
principles herein described or referred to. The disc faces for reversing the engine
are shewn with the recesses turned the reverse way in Fig. 4 where f& f³ shew
the two different faces, which are the same whether for steam, gas, or oil vapour, but
varied to suit,-in size & shape,-the work required to be done & power needed.
In Fig. 2 is shewn a rotary steam engine with only one piston disc, but with two
faces on it for reversing as shewn in Fig. 4. By turning the tap (9) or by shifting
slides, the steam could be turned for reversing from one face to the other of the
disc; or the engine might run in only one direction with the addition of reversing
friction or clutch gearing.
Fig. 3. represents a duplex gas or oil eugine. The surfaces on the rims of the disc
or wheels upon which the explosive force has to play may be either cups or sunk
recesses, diamond or other shaped, or like the teeth of a ratchet wheel, or other pro-
jections, but made so as to receive the full force of the explosion from the revolving
explosion chambers, () which are like the barrels or charge chambers of a revolver
pistol, or Gatling gun. The charge is received direct from the reservoir of coal gas
or the vapour of oil; or forced in, as shewn, at Fig. 7, by a fan blast (r) or a pump
could be used, & the mixture fired, when the "revolver" (i) has reached the
opening at kl, by an electric spark there, or from a flame or heated tube, the first
being the preferable process. Any of the ordinary methods of vapourizing mineral
oils, and of starting gas engines, until the first explosion takes place, could be used.
In this type of engine the firing could be at the top in going forward & at the
bottom in reversing, or just the opposite arrangement might be made. The
explosion chambers (¹) would be turned slowly round by gearing connected with
the piston disc shaft (a) as shewn in Figs. 3 & 4. A bevilled wheel on the
shaft () working a small intermediate spur wheel (m') between it & au inverted
spur wheel (n¹) on the inner side of the revolver disc (¹) & within the revolver
cover (¹); or a small wheel working from the shaft (12) into a larger spur wheel
on the circumference of the revolver, not shewn, might be used; or the usual
revolver action would carry the revolver chamber round to receive the charges, be
fired, & swept out at e³ & e by a current of air from the reversing side of the
cylinder, if required. The change of the direction of the gas supply to the feed
pipes (dor d³) that open through the sides of the revolving chamber, & the
application of the electric spark on the side of the engine at k¹ or k², would on the
first movement of the engine with an explosion, reverse the operation.
The method of supplying the gas or oil vapour would be the same as that shewn
at r in Fig. 7, or by a pump, or by the mere pressure of the gas or vapourized oil,
. as might be found most suitable for the working of the several sizes or types of

page_text: engines or for the varied purposes to which they might be applied. The charge
of gas is taken immediately before the explosion position is reached; the firing being
timed to act just when the charged barrel of the revolver reaches the opening to
the face of the piston disc (f³ or f) at the top or bottom (1 or 2), according as-
the engine may be going, and when one or more of the faces of the disc is opposite the-
line of fire. The exploded force passes through channels in the covers (¹) of the
revolver at k' and the piston discs (e³ & c¹) & impinges upon the face of the cup,
or angular recess, or teeth of the wheels (3 & f) and the charge drives recess
after recess forward until it is exhausted. To the shaft of the pistons wheel (a³).
à governor could be attached to regulate the supply of gas until the speed of the
engine was increased or reduced to its required average of working. The barrels (¹)
could be increased in number or size to meet the requirements of the work for which
the engine was intended.
In Fig. 4, an end view of the same engine shews the barrels or explosion
chambers (2) with the piston discs (63 & 6) and their triangular faces (f* & f³)
for reverse movements.
Fig. 5 represents a similar type of engine to that just described, but with two-
explosion revolvers (h2 & 3) or firing chambers, one above & the other below the
piston wheels (6 & 6). Where there is no reversing of the engine required, or
where it was done by reversing gear, one of the revolver chambers (8) Fig. 6.
could be dispensed with. It is a somewhat different application of the same duplex
rotary process just described, but with two small revolver chambers, instead of one.
large one. Its operations are also very much on the same lines. The reversing is
obtained by transferring the supply of gas (d & d³) & making the connection of
the electric or firing agent from one revolver chamber (2) to the other (3). The
revolver chamber (2) is shewn to be worked by a ratchet wheel (p) actuated by
an eccentric strap (o) on the shaft (a); and the other (3) is worked by a shaft ()
& chain of bevil & spur wheels,- either of which methods could be adopted for both.
cylinders, or any other process such as the ordinary revolver action. By adopting
reversing gearing, such as is shewn in Fig. 1, or any other like method, the engine.
could be run with one revolving cylinder, and readier command of the stopping,
starting, & reversing of the machinery obtained; while the engine would be lighter
& more suitable for autocars & cycles; while single disc engines could be made,
supplying the gas by either fixed, vibrating, or rotatory firing chambers. The
duplex method would, however, by receiving the force in both directions- & not.
on one fixed surface, at least, but in moveable surfaces, yielding to the force, but.
utilising that force in the direction it was required,-minimise the shock of the
explosion & do more work.
Fig. 6., is an end view of the same engine with the two faces (f & f8) of the
disc shewn & the two revolvers (2 & 3) & their barrels ( & ³).
Fig. 7. shews the application of the same process of applying gas or oil to rotary
engines, but in the shape of a duplex turbine. The charge of gas, or oil vapour,.
enters by an orifice in the frame of the engine at d³ & the firing of the same takes.
place when the charged chamber (h) reaches k, where the electric spark fires the-
explosive mixture which goes into the turbines ( & 2) from each end of the-
revolving barrel (*). The turbines are placed facing each other with the inclina-
tion in the passages (y¹ & y) in each for the explosive force to go in the same.
direction, so that the turbines will be driven one way, the turbines being also ca
the shaft (a) from which the power is applied to the purpose for which the engine
is required. The explosive passes through the channels (y¹ & y2) to orifices (21 & 22).
near the shaft (a) & then to the outlets. (e & e). The revolver chamber () is
turned by the turbine shaft (a) upon which is placed a spur wheel (12) working
into an intermediate spur wheel (m²) fitted to the side of the cover of the explosion
chamber, & this intermediate wheel works into an inverted spur wheel (n²) on the
inside of the revolver (4). A method of supplying or charging the barrels or
firing chambers () with the required supply of air & gas is shewn. A fan (r).
working in a cylinder drives the gas & air after mixing into the. barrels, as they

page_text: come round opposite the feed pipe (de). A pump might be so used. The fan is
propelled by a pinion wheel on the driving shaft (a) of the duplex turbine,
working into another pinion wheel on the shaft of the fan or screw (r). The heat
necessary for vaporizing the oil, would after the engine had started be supplied by
the waste heat of the engine, the stand being employed as a reservoir for the oil
& its vaporisation, the exhaust pipe passing through the stand. Water jackets
could be supplied, if found necessary; but with the several barrels or chambers for
explosion, & the possibility of sweeping the barrels with cold air, the water jacket
would not be necessary in most cases. It could however, be easily applied,
especially to steamers where abundance of water could be readily obtained.
The electric spark would be supplied to the engines in recesses provided in the
channels in the covers of the piston wheels, between the revolver & the pistons, & a
rapidly intermittent spark be given, & at both ends of the chamber, if required, to
secure an explosion; thus supplying the means of firing the first portion of the
mixture that had the explosive element in it. A heated tube or flame could be
used at the same place. The speed of the engine would be regulated by the supply
of the gas, which could be cut off by the governor, & be also under the control of
the engine minder.
Where it was deemed necessary to still further utilize the force, the steam in the
case of engines like Figs. 1 & 2 could be discharged from the first wheel upon a
second, but larger wheel, with greater recesses for the expanded steam; and the
moving force of the turbine by being allowed to go into a second turbine on the
same shaft but of larger dimensions, could be still further utilized for power
purposes, the centripetal force of the explosive from the first turbine acting as a
centrifugal force upon the second turbine; the relative size of the wheels &
turbines & their speed relations being duly considered & provided for.
The application of the rotary principle to auto-car & kindred purposes, with the
use of steam, oil or gas-compressed or otherwise-and in this duplex method
would be of advantage not only from its development of power, & compactness, but
also from the reduction of vibration by the manner of utilising the explosion in
both directions, & also from the smoothness of running that there is in the rotary,
as compared with the reciprocating method. The use of oil, not simply as fuel,
but as an explosive element, to steamers would be of immense advantage, apart
from the rotary principle with its speed & economy of power & space, by getting
rid of furnaces & stoking, boilers and condensors, as well as smoking chimnies.
The horrors of the stoke room, especially in vessels trading in the tropics or in
vessels where furnaces & boilers are large, & space small, are becoming so great
that it is difficult to get stokers, & the mortality from suicide among that class of
men is a matter for serious consideration in the navy, & also in the passenger &
mercantile services. The compactness of the gas engine, as compared with the
steam engine, renders it especially suitable for steamers that have to carry their
fuel, & water largely with them. The power of the gas engine could readily be
applied direct to the propellor, if necessary; & with the possibility of using it, in
the case of rotary engines, so as to secure, instead of the 15 to 25 per cent. of the
force used in the work done, something like 80 per cent. efficiency, which water-
wheels & turbines give of the power employed, the superiority of the rotary
system, with oil or gas, in some, if not in all cases, & of steam, where gas or oil
was not suitable, would be enormous: as no doubt, it will be found to be the case,
when the true method of using steam & other forces, and using them to the best
advantage & with all their native power, is adopted.
Having thus described the processes-although not necessarily confining myself
to those shewn, but only as illustrating some modes of applying steam, oil, gas, or
other explosive forces to rotary engines on the methods described herein, I will
now proceed to state what I claim :-
1st. In otary engines, the application of the impulse of steam or gas or other
explosive or force on the periphery or as near as possible to it, to secure the

page_text: greatest leverage, and so as to use the least possible amount of the initial force to
obtain the desired result, as described.
2nd. The use of recesses or cups, projections or blades, so as to receive the
initial impulse or force on the centre of the recesses, with the use of as little of the
motive power as possible other than as so applied, & with as little exposure of side
surfaces with side expansion of the force & consequent retardation & frictional
action, as can be obtained; as shewn.
3rd. The impulse of the force being alone intended to be used, the speedy
delivery of the used force into the waste pipe, (or on a second wheel for fresh use
in the same way) and thereby reducing the necessity for extended closely fitting
surfaces and consequent reduction of friction, as described.
4th. The application of gas or oil vapour or other explosive agents to, & the
explosion of the same in, rotary engines, under the above specified & described or
indicated conditions, for securing the most effective results from such application
by confining and directing the force till its immediate application to the pistons,
wheels, or turbines, the formation of the cylinder aiding in this object, as shewn
& described.
5th. The use of revolving, vibrating, or fixed barrels or firing chambers for the
purpose of getting the explosive force supplied to the engine, & by firing the
chambers alternately or in rotation, obviating the necessity of having water jackets;
and for single or duplex engines.
6th. The methods of utilizing in rotary engines the explosive force used, in two
opposite directions and acting upon wheels or turbines, so as to ensure the full use
of the force and at the same time minimise the shock of explosion, whether the
force be applied for both wheels to work in one direction or in opposite directions,
as shewn, described, or indicated.
7th. The concentration of the full effect of the force upon & by the faces provided
for its reception, & by the method of constructing the outlet of the explosion
barrel, or by rifling the barrel, or by the inlet of the piston chamber, being so
restricted, as described.
8th. The several processes, described, shewn, or indicated, of utilising the
impulsive power of steam, gas, or other explosive motive force to rotary engines,
single or duplex, on the wheel & turbine principles, & the means of utilising the
unexhausted force on additional wheels or turbines as described.
9th. The several methods, described, shewn, or indicated of working or applying
the various processes in the engines for steam, gas, or other power, & for operating
the same with the piston wheels or turbines, as shewn.
10th. The mode of transmitting the power from such engines, by frictional or other
gearing & for the reversing of the machinery without changing the motion of the
engine, as described.
11th. The application of this type of rotary engines, whether with the use of steam,
gas, oil or other explosive, in duplex or single form, to autocars or other methods
of locomotion on land, & to steamers, ships, or boats, & for electric lighting or
power, & other purposes.
12th. The several combinations & processes for utilizing steam, gas, vapour of oil,
or other explosives in rotary engines for the uses stated, shewn, or indicated,
whether by the use of wheels or turbines, in single or duplex form, or with
additional wheels or turbines to further exhaust the power of the force used; with
single or manifold explosion chambers, or supply pipes; and with the reversing
processes whether in the engines or by mechanical agencies applied to them, and
the application of the power concentrated & applied with due considerations of
leverage as described, shewn, or indicated.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of February 1897
WILLIAM HAYWARD.