Improvements in or relating to Means for Actuating the Distributing Devices of Motors with Variable Admission, and for other purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1900
Improvements in or relating to Means for Actuating the Distributing
Devices of Motors with Variable Admission, and for other purposes.
A communication from EUGENE AUBRAT, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
-:
The present invention relates to mechanism for actuating the distributing
devices of motors with variable admission and for other purposes.
The mechanism comprises principally a construction by which a reciprocating
movement is imparted to any of the said distributing devices.
1st case In this case both the forward and return movements are cach pro-
duced by a spring, the forward movement at fixed time intervals, and the return
stroke at variable time intervals, depending, for instance, upon a regulator,
this movement being produced by devices, the description of which follows
hereunder.
2nd case In this case the forward stroke is produced by the movement of
the machine or motor at fixed intervals of time, while the return movement
alone is produced by a spring at time intervals, varied by a regulator, or in
other manner.
The first case, taking as an example the effect on an orifice in which the forward
movement effects or corresponds to the opening of the same, and the return
movement the closing of the same, is described as follows:-
Two crank levers which will be called lever 2 and lever 3 are pivotted or
adapted to swing round a spindle or axis.
The lever 3 actuates the opening or closing of orifice either directly through
the spindle or by a small rod and crank, this rod being provided with a spring.
Lever 2 is independent and is also provided on its rod with a spring (the ten-
sion of former spring being less than that of latter spring). This lever 2.is
provided with a tappet, catch or cross bar, the two extreme ends of which may
so be displaced as to correspond with the faces of a third lever (called lever 1)
and lever 3 respectively.
This lever 1 receives an oscillating movement by the movement of the crank
or levers (forming a certain angle between them) and connecting rods of an
eccentric keyed on the shaft of the machine or on an intermediate shaft.
The lever 2 receives the movement of lever 1 through one end of the cross bar.
This cross bar is connected with an axial pin (provided with a head) by means of
a lever and spring.
The axial pin is provided with a spring, which is "set" during the engage-
ment of lever 3.
First means of coupling. The cross-bar is moved by a small lever having two
arms, one arm of which is provided at its extremity with an abutment which is
displaced, when the crank-levers are at the dead-point, by a fixed abutment

page_text: which for the small space passed through by the crank lever gives an amplified
movement to the cross-bar by means of the longer arm which produces the
coupling with or without the spring on the cross bar.
This angle lever can be fixed either to a support or to the crank lever.
Second means of coupling. The coupling of lever 3 may be obtained by
another means; by a curved incline which partakes in the rotation of the shaft
and is so constructed as to displace the pin head, and consequently the cross-
bar at any required moment.
The cross-bar spring which is compressed somewhat before the coupling edges
come together, is eased for coupling, which is limited by a stop or collar on the
cross-bar, and of the connecting lever. The axial pin is also provided with a
stop which limits its return movement produced by its spring.
The coupling having been produced either by the abutments, or by the curved
incline, the return of the cross-bar or of the central pin head is impeded by:
1st means. A cylindrical surface limited by an edge parallel to its axis on
one side, and on the other by an edge which is oblique to the axis and is in
the form of a spiral. This cylindrical surface has the same rotatory movement
as the machine, and also can be displaced in the direction of its axis, by means
for example, by a regulator. To this end the said surface may be feathered on
the shaft which can thus impart to it its rotatory movement; and is connected
to a small sleeve which can be displaced by the regulator.
The corresponding edge or surface of the pin head when it is in contact with
the edge of the cylindrical surface has the same inclination and coincides with
it along the whole edge.
2nd means. The uncoupling edge (parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylin-
drical surface, which is opposed to the return of the pin head is released by the
regulator. The other edge fixedly secured and parallel to the axis is continued
by a small cylindrical surface passing over into the other cylindrical surface
limited by its edge parallel to the axis, and which can turn round the axis.
The head, the two edges of which are parallel to the axis, may be made to
cover the cylindrical surfaces, opposing the return of the head to the edge, the
position of which is varied by the regulator which regulator causes the edge of
the cylindrical surface to turn round the axis by means of ears or projections,
the regulator being worked by the shaft. This cylindrical surface turns with
the shaft although its position on the shaft may be varied.
The lever 1 when it is about to again lift the lever 2 passes over the cross bar
in consequence of an incline by pushing the cross bar which will give way owing
to the spring, or the cross bar is provided with a small spring bolt which pressing
against the lateral face of the lever towards the end of the course of the latter,
will spring forward on the face at the dead point according to the following
movement. The movement is produced in the following manner:
The lever 2 is operated by the compression of its spring by the lever I moved
by the eccentric gearing and by means of the abutment face" and the end of the
cross bar but at this moment (first means of coupling) the lever arrives at the
upper dead point, (where its velocity is almost zero) and strikes the two armed
lever against the abutments by giving to the cross bar an amplified movement,
through the long arm of the lever.
The second means of coupling is as follows:-
The curved incline lifts the head and the abutment and consequently the
tappet.
Then, by one of these two means, the cross bar connects the levers 2 and 3
by its end and by the abutment faces at the same time that the lever 1 (which
continues its eccentric movenient in case it is actuated by an eccentric) is liberated,
the other end of the cross bar being disconnected from lever 1. At this moment
one of the edges, according as the case may be is about to oppose, in consequence
of the rotation of its shaft, the return of the heads, but the two levers 2 and 3
connected with each other and free from lever 1 will fall, being acted upon by

page_text: the stronger spring of the lever 2 compressing the spring of the lever 1, which is
weaker, and thus opening the orifice or passage., At this moment the inclined
surfaces are opposed to the uncoupling; but when the inclined edge of the head
coincides with the edge of the inclined surface (actuated by the regulator) the
head falls freely on the edge leaving the surface, being actuated by the spring on
the headed pin thus producing the uncoupling (the movement of the head is
limited by a stop). The tappet becomes disengaged from lever 3, and this lever
becoming independent is drawn back by its spring, and closes the orifice.
For the second means of uncoupling, at a given moment variable with the
keying of the edge of the cylindrical surface (the connection or position being
dependent on the regulator), "the edge of the head comes in contact with the edge
of the cylindrical surface, the head leaves this surface and falling free actuated
by the spring the uncoupling is effected and the lever 3 actuated by its spring
closes the orifice.
The first case, in which both the opening and closing are produced by a spring,
may be applied for actuating the admission orifices of rotary motors, for example
in which the velocity of the piston is relatively great at the beginning of the
stroke.
In the second case of controlling the orifices, the closing only is produced by
a spring. A lever is actuated by the gearing of the eccentric movement, that is
to say, by the cranks and connecting rods. The lever 3 is connected to the parts
to be closed by its spindle and carries a spring on its operating rod. The cross-
bar is connected with the axial pin by a fever and spring: an abutment limiting
the movement of the cross bar and also serving to return the cross bar, when
uncoupling. The spring of the axial pin is compressed during coupling by
the axial pin and its return is limited by a stop.
The movement is as follows:-
--
The lever actuated by the gearing of the eccentric movement, that is to say,
by the cranks and connecting rods carries with it the lever 3 by means of the
cross bar the coupling of which had been produced by one of the means described
above, compressing thereby the spring on the axial pin. In case of the spring
of the cross bar being used, its previous compression had pressed the cross bar
on the lateral face of the lever and the coupling had been produced near the
dead point when the coupling edges were facing each other.
The cross bar spring in that position is extended and the cross bar is retained
in its position by a stop. At this moment the eccentric gearing lever lifts the
lever and opens the orifice, compressing the weaker spring. The axial pin
spring is still compressed the head and the catch being retained by one of the
means mentioned above. When at the moment varying with the position of
the regulator, the cylindrical surface (according to the means employed described
above) forms a free space before the heads, by their uncoupling edges, the un-
coupling of lever 3 is produced, and the lever, drawn back by its spring closes
the orifice.
In some cases the lever connecting the cross bar or bars and the axial pin
may be replaced by a small bar which may operate two opposite tappets or bars.
The spring of the lever 3 may be a double one, say of volute form.
The connecting lever may be replaced by a bell crank or elbow lever and the
movement of the cross bar may be transverse as regards the axis.
According to a modification the coupling inay be produced by an abutment
acting on a cranked lever connected with a lever turning around an axis con-
nected also by the shaft with a second intermediate lever, the end of which is
connected with the axial spindle. The coupling is produced by means of the
edges of the crank lever arm and of a co-operating lever.
In some cases the tappet may be loose on the axis of the levers, and controlled
by a spring and a stop permitting a previous compression of the spring, and the
coupling by means of the abutment of a two-armed lever, the long arm of which
actuates the tappet by means of a spring and withdraws the tappet by a stop.

page_text: The coupling may also be produced by a lever fixed on the shaft of the inter-
mediate lever, which (by an axial tappet a spring, axial socket and inter-
mediate lever, which is connected to the tappet by a sleeve on the shaft) pro-
duces a previous compression of the tappet by means of an intermediate spring,
which spring is exempt as well as the uncoupling spring, and the head, from the
movement of the crank levers.
According to another arrangement the springs are equally fixed at the centre,
the lever abutment of the preceding modifications is replaced by an inclined
uncoupling device acting on the axial tappet or spindle.
For a motor cylinder of various admission the operation of the actuating levers
of the admission slides is effected by an eccentric and connecting rods (the
tendency to open the orifice of which is opposed to the tension of the spring
tending to close the orifice and on the same side of the axis).
In a modification in which the crank lever, is actuated by an eccentric, the
coupling is produced by a lever abutment and a co-operating abutment, the
uncoupling being opposed by a cylindrical surface situated in the centre of
oscillation. By adopting the first system of uncoupling one may introduce a
correction on the uncoupling edges to correspond with the oscillating movement
of the crank lever.
In a further modification a fixed supporting guide of the tappet is employed,
a rod-raised by a cam being maintained in a fixed position by the tappet. The
uncoupling may be effected either at fixed time intervals or at variable time
intervals.
In another construction movement is given to the catch by a contact main-
tained by turning on a cone by means of a spring and actuating the catch by a
spring, a stop and a lever, the cone having its movement, for producing a coupling
at fixed time intervals, and its return for uncoupling at variable time intervals.
In a modification relating to the actuation of the orifice, the head is connected
with the tappet by small connecting rods and levers turning on the shaft. The
tappet turns on its shaft the movement being produced by the means already
described.
In a further modification the lever is actuated by a cam, the head being con-
nected with the catch by small connecting rods, crank rods and a lever.
In a modification the varied movement may be produced by a cam surface
acting on a roller on an arm, the head fixed to the second branch acting on
the surface and opposing the return, the arms being. rapidly united or formed
in one. The return is produced by the head when it leaves the surface by the
oblique edge which is displaced on the axis.
Dated this 30th day of March 1899
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Means for Actuating the Distributing
Devices of Motors with Variable Admission, and for other purposes.
A communication from EUGENE AUBRAT, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
-I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascér-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to mechanism for actuating. the distributing

page_text: devices of motors with variable admission and for other purposes. The present
invention relates principally to:-
A first movement considered first as a whole characterised by the opening of
the orifice, as well as its closing being effected by a spring; or, considering the
movement in a general manner, each of these reciprocating movements is effected
by a separate spring, and, this is a special characteristic, the total immediate
opening of the passage strictly required, is effected suddenly through the move-
ment of a spring, followed by a complete stop, the obturator being wholly open
during the whole time of admission of the fluid preceding the closing.
To obtain this movement of the whole special coupling and uncoupling means
are employed.
The coupling and uncoupling means combined with a view of producing this
desired movement, in which the opening is effected by a spring, may be applied
to motors the movement of the slide of which is effected by an eccentric or in
any other known manner.
In all the arrangements employed in carrying out this invention the instan-
taneous disengagement of a catch is produced by the sudden fall, tangentially to
an edge, of, a contact which relatively recedes from the edge without producing
at any moment, eren at the moment of uncoupling, any effect on the edge, and
consequently any action which could react on the stability of the regulator of
machines provided with such an arrangement. The uncoupling effort being
transverse as compared with the displacement of the device actuating the variable
admission device and to the oscillations of the regulator there being no com-
ponent force in this direction, therefore produces no effect whatever on the action
of the regulator, which is not affected by this effort.
The fact as stated, whatever be the energy of the disengaging spring, has for
its object to ensure an, absolute regularity, and at the same time a rapid and
effective action, when the machine is working at great speed:
The coupling is obtained by a forced movement in other words, by a movement
necessarily effected by the machine itself and without any spring, and at a
speed according to the speed of the machine. The use of a spring compressed
before coupling is optional and such springs can be made of great strength for
high speeds.
The coupling movement is produced either by an abutment lever or by an
inclined plane or the like fixedly keyed.
The movement above described forming the object of the present application,
and characterised by the opening of the slide in combination with the coupling
and uncoupling device is represented in its most general form and by way of
example in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Figure represents a front view of the movement of the crank levers and of
the springs employed for obtaining the movements described hereunder, in
which the coupling is produced by an abutment or stop lever.
Figure 2 is a section on the axis of the levers and indicates the details and
movement of the tappet device.
Figure is a side view of Figure 2.
Figures 4 and 5 show in detail on a larger scale the uncoupling means which
is only shown. incompletely in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
The movement taking as an example the effect on an orifice in which the for-
ward movement effects or corresponds to, the opening of the same, and the
return movement to the closing of the same, may be described as follows:-
Two crank levers 1 and 2, in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are pivotted or adapted to
swing round a spindle a.
The lever 3 acts, to control the opening and closing of the orifice for example,
by the shaft upon which it is keyed with the circular register arranged before.
this orifice, this lever 3 carrying on its rod 16 a spring 11.
The lever 1 oscillates freely on the shaft a and receives an oscillating move-
ment by the movement of the crank or levers 6 and 7 (forming a certain angle

page_text: between them) and connecting rods 8 and 9 of an eccentric keyed on the shaft of
the machine or on an intermediate shaft.
The lever 2 oscillates freely on the hub of the lever 1 and carries on its con-
necting rod 15 a spring 10, the tension of spring 11 being less than that of this
spring 10.
This lever 2 is provided with a tappet or cross bar 22, the ends 21 and 23 of
which may be so moved as to engage the faces 31 and 33 of the levers 1 and 3.
The lever 2 receives its movement from the lever 1 through the end 21 of the
bar 22..
"
:
This cross bar 22 is connected by a lever 40 and spring 24 with a bar 26 placed
in a central recess of the axle a.
The axial bar 26 is surrounded by a spring 24, which is compressed during
the coupling movement, and carries a head 5 which comes in momentary contact
with a cylindrical surface 29 (Figure 2 & 4).
The axial bar 26 is also provided with a stop to limit the extent of its return
produced, when uncoupling takes place by the spring 24.
The cross bar 22 is moved (Fig. 3) by a double lever 35, the arm 34 of which
is provided at its extremity with an abutment 38 which is moved, when the
crank levers are at the dead point, by a fixed abutment 39, which, for the small
space passed through by the crank lever at the dead point, gives an amplified
movement to the cross bar 22, and lever 40, owing to the longer arm 35, which
produces the coupling with or without the spring 25.
This angle lever can be mounted either on a support 13 or on the crank lever.
The coupling having been produced by the parts 38 and 39, the return of the
cross bar 22, or of the head of the axial bar 26 is opposed by the cylindrical sur-
face 29 (Figs. 2 & 4) limited by an edge 36 parallel to its axis on the one hand,
and on the other by an edge 18 which is oblique to the axis, and is in the form
of a spiral.
This cylindrical surface receives a rotatory movement from the machine, and
also can be displaced in the direction of its axis by means, for example, of a
regulator. For this purpose it may be feathered on the shaft; and is connected
to a small sleeve-which can be displaced by the regulator. The oblique edge
or surface 32 of the head 5 when it is in contact with the edge 18 has the same
inclination and coincides with it along the whole edge.
The movement above described is produced in the following manner, see
Figures 1, 2, & 3, 4 & 5.
The return of the parts 6, 7, 8, and connecting rod 9, causes the lever 1 to
oscillate, so that its surface 31 comes in contact with the end 21 of the cross
bar 22 carried by the lever 2, which causes that lever to oscillate and to compress
its spring 10.
The lever 2 when it arrives at its upper dead point (where its velocity is
almost zero) causes the lever 34 (Fig. 3) to displace the cross bar 22 thereby con-
necting the levers 2 and 3 by its end 23 engaging the surface 33, at the same
time releasing the lever which continues its eccentric movement, the end 21
of the said cross bar 22 being moved out of the path of the lever 1.
At this moment the edge 36 (Figure 2, 4 & 5) is about to oppose, in conse-
quence of the rotation of its shaft, the return of the head, and the surface 29
prevents uncoupling. But the two levers and connected together and free
from lever 1, fall, being acted upon by the spring 10, compressing the spring 11
which is weaker than spring 10, and thus open the orifice or passage.
The motion producing the closing of the orifice. is effected in the following
manner:
When the oblique edge of the head 5 coincides with the edge 18 of the sur-
face 29 which is guided by the regulator, the head falls freely from the edge 18,
leaving the surface, being actuated by the spring 24 thus producing the necessary
movement. The cross-bar 22 becomes disengaged from the lever 3, which be-
...

page_text: coming independent is drawn by its spring, and closes the orifice. The move-
ment of the head is limited by the stop or flange 28 (Figures 2 & 5).
The lever 1 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) during its return movement with the lever 2
acts on the cross bar 22 by means of the incline 44 (Figure 3) by pushing away
the cross bar which gives way owing to the action of the spring 24 (Figure 2).
As can be seen from the above (Figures 1, 2, 3) the opening of the valve or
device is effected by the expansion of the spring 10, which during this opening
movement, compresses the closing spring 11 (this spring being of less tension),
the closing being then effected by this latter spring 11, as soon as the disengaging
device has set free that spring.
The application of the coupling and uncoupling device to a known opening
movemnt such as one in which the opening is produced by a momentary engage-
ment by an eccentric, as in a Corliss engine for example, will now be described.
In this modification the coupling is effected through an inclined surface
instead of by an abutment lever as in Figure 3.
Figure 6 represents a front view of the crank levers, employed in this modifica-
tion.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section through the axis of the crank levers.
Figure S is a vertical section on the line C-D, Fig. 6.
Figures 9 and 10 are vertical and cross sections, on a larger scale, of the detail
of the coupling and uncoupling parts.
The lever 12, Figures 6-8 is actuated by the gearing of the eccentric move-
ment, that is to say by the cranks 6, 7'and connecting rods 8, 9.
The lever is connected to the parts to be closed by its spindle shaft a and
carries a spring 11 (Figures and ) on its connecting rod. The cross bar 22
is connected with the axial pin 26 by a bar 40 and spring 25 the use of which is
optional, a stop 27 (Figures 8 and 9) limiting the movement of the cross bar
in coupling and also serving to return the cross bar in uncoupling. The spring 24
of the axial pin is compressed during coupling by the axial pin 26, and its return
is limited by a stop 28. The head 5 and the surface 29 are constituted as before
described for the uncoupling operation but the coupling action of the levers 3
and 12 is as follows;-
An inclined part or cam 20, keyed on the shaft B and partaking in the rotatory
movement of the latter, displaces the head 5, the axial stop 26, and consequently
the bar 22, at the required moment, by compressing the spring 25 a little before
the coupling takes place, i.e. a little before the levers 12 and 3 come opposite
each other.
The spring 24 expands, presses the bar 22, so as to produce the necessary
engagement the fall of the rod being limited by the stop 27, which strikes
against the lever 40.
The movement of the parts thus arranged and shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9
and 10 is as follows:-
The lever 12 actuated by the gearing of the eccentric movement, that is to say.
by the cranks 6, 7 and connecting rods 8, 9, moves with it the lever 3 by means of
the cross har 22, the coupling of which with the lever 3 has been produced, by
the means described above, compressing thereby the spring 24.
The action of raising the lever 3 by the lever 12 effects the opening of the
orifice, and the compression of the spring 11. The spring 24 is still compressed,
the head 5 and consequently the bar 22 being retained by the surface 29 which
prevents uncoupling or disengagement of the parts.
When at a moment varying with the position of the regulator the surface 29
offers a free space before the head 5 by the oblique uncoupling edge 18, uncoupling
takes place and the lever 3 drawn back by its spring 11 closes the orifice.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. Mechanism for operating the distributing devices of motors and for other

page_text: purposes in which an alternate movement effecting the opening and closing of
an orifice takes place the forward and reverse motions of this alternating move.
iment being effected by separate springs, the springs (the one for opening and the
other for closing) being each extended and compressed successively by co-
operating engaging and disengaging means substantially as described.
2. In mechanism of the kind described engaging or coupling means comprising
an abutment or stop lever, the action of which is produced at the dead point
of the lever which carries it, or by means of a fixed inclined edge on an inter-
mediate rotatory shaft substantially as described.
3. In mechanism of the kind described, disengaging or uncoupling means
comprising a contact adapted to fall tangentially to an oblique edge, under the
influence of a regulator, the said contact receding relatively to the edge without
however exercising, at the moment of disengagement, any effect which might
re-act on the regulator, irrespective of the power of the spring which produces
the contact, substantially as described.
4. The arrangement of parts for use in actuating the admission devices of
motors and for other purposes substantially as described or illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 30th day of December 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.