IMPROVEMENTS: IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE DAWID AND TV APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE SAME.
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Johann Maximilian Plessner, of Berlin, in the
Kingdom of Prussia, at présent residing at 11, Golden Square, in
the County of Middlesex, late Captain in the Prussian Army, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS: IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE
DAWID AND TV APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE SAME.
"
Scaled the 21st February 1873, and dated the 26th August 1872.
=
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Johann Maximilian
Plessner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents; with his
Pétition on the 26th August 1872.
I, JOHANN MAXIMILIAN PLESSNER, of Berlín, in the Kingdom of
Prussia, at present residing at 11, Golden Square; in the County of
Middlesex, late Captain in the Prussian. Army, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND
APPLYING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE SAME," to
be as follows:—
'if'mative nowe

page_text: such as gunpowder, gun cotton, dynamite, nitro-glycerine, and such
like.
My original method of obtaining motive power from explosive
substances, especially from explosive gases, was particularly described in
the Specification of certain Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing
date the Thirtieth day of September One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one, No. 2587.
My present Invention relates to certain improvements in the method
therein described, and also to certain new arrangements for effecting the
above-mentioned object.
In order to explode with safety detonating substances of great power,
I uso an apparatus similar to a breech-loading gun, and by preference,
cartridge cases filled with an explosive substance, and each containing
its own means of ignition.
By the revolution of an axis receiving motion from the main axis of
the engine, the operations of loading and firing a breech-loading gun are
automatically executed, the attendance being limited to either filling an
endless chain with the cartridges, or the placing and removal of cartridge
boxes, as is done for the Gattling mitrailleuse, without limiting myself to
these two methods exclusively.
The gun is in communication with a barrel similar to that of a
hydraulic press, wherein a ramrod is fitted, passing through a water-
tight collar, and having outside a piston attached to it. This piston fits
in a cylinder filled with compressed air, or another permanent gas. The
gun and barrel are filled with water, which may be renewed after each
dischargo in order to prevent overheating.
When a cartridge is exploded the water displaced by the power of the
explosion drives the ramrod to a certain length out of the hydraulic
barrel and forces the piston into the cylinder, thereby still further com-
pressing the air or gas therein. The power thus stowed in the clastic
medium is then utilised for obtaining rotary motion by the return stroke
of the piston. For this purpose one, two, or more ramrods similar to the
one above mentioned are attached to the same piston fitted in bydraulic
barrels, which however are not in communication with the barrel and
gun before described. These barrels, fitted with water-tight collars at
one of their extremities, are attached with the other to a water basin

page_text: for the escape of water.
When the ramrods in consequence of an explosion are forced out of
the hydraulic barrels their action is similar to that of a common water
pump, and water enters through the admission valves from another
basin filled with water, or from the sea, or from another source of water.
These valves close immediately the piston and the ramrods begin their
return stroke, when the escape valve opens, and the water escapes under
the pressure of the compressed elastic fluid contained in the cylinder.
This water is conducted through a strong pipe to an apparatus, which,
by the pressure of the water will put an axis into rotary motion, for
instance to a water-power cylinder, to a rotary engine, turbinė wheel,
and such like. Or the action may be direct on a connecting rod attached
to a cranked axis, the revolutions of which, if required, may be multiplied
either by suitable gearing, or where this cannot be applied by moving a
series of pistons fitted in water cylinders, and forcing the water from
one cylinder into another indirectly by guiding it through a rotary
engine, turbine wheel, or other hydraulic apparatus, whereby. an
increased number of revolutions of an axis may be obtained.
EE
The combination of a breech-loading apparatus, the hydraulic barrels
and ramrods, and the cylinder with piston I denominate a руго-
pneumatic system;" and in order to obtain a continuous and uniform
rotary motion I apply two, three, or more such systems.to.act conjointly
on one and the same axis, and I cause the explosions to take place
alternately by the revolutions of an axis, which, as before mentioned,
performs automatically the operations of loading and firing a recch-
loading gun. To start such an engine a first discharge may be effected
from one of the guns by hand, whilst for stopping the axis which. puts
the loading mechanism into motion has only to be disconnected from or
put out of gear with the main shaft of the engine.
In regulating the escape of the water from the hydraulic apparatus,
the number of the revolutions of the main axis, may be increased or
diminished, whilst the power may be increased by a greater number of
discharges per minute, which will be effected by changing the gearing
which connects the main axis with the loading axis, and whereby the
latter will make a greater number of revolutions per minute.-.
.

page_text: It is evident that irrespectively of rotary motive power a pyro-
pneumatic system, or a real pyro-pneumatic engine, may be used for the
purpose of raising weights or effecting compression, after the manner of
common hydraulic presses.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent 5
filed by the said Johann Maximilian Plessner in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 26th February 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHANN
MAXIMILIAN PLESSNER, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, at present
residing at 11, Golden Square, in the County of Middlesex, late Captain 1
in the Prussian Army, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of August, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, 1
give and grant unto me, the said Johann Maximilian Plessner, Her
special licence that I, the said Johann Maximilian Plessner, my execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Johann
Maximilian Plessner, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all ?
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, 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 OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER,
AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE SAME," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Johann Maximilian Plessner, my
cxccutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the samo to be filed in tho
Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Johann Maximilian Plessner, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of the present Invention is the obtaining of motive power
from the explosive combustion of solid or liquid detonating substances,
such as gunpowder, gun cotton, dynamite, nitro-glycerine, and such
like.
My original method of obtaining motivo power from explosive sub-
stances, especially from explosive gases, was particularly described in the
Specification of certain Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date
the Thirtieth day of September One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
one, No. 2587.
My present Invention relates to certain improvements in the method
therein described, and also to certain new arrangements for effecting the
above-mentioned object.
In order to explode with safety detonating substances of great power,
I use an apparatus similar to a breech-loading gun, and by preference,
cartridge cases filled with an explosive substance, and each containing
its own means of ignition.
By the revolution of an axis receiving motion from the main axis of
the engine the operation of loading and firing a breech-loading gun are
automatically executed, the attendance being limited to either filling an
endless chain with the cartridges, or the placing and removal of cartridge
boxes, as is done for the Gattling mitrailleuse, without limiting myself
to these two methods exclusively.
The gun is in communication with a barrel, similar to that of a hydraulic
press, wherein a ramrod is fitted, passing through a water-tight collar,
and having outside a piston attached to it. This piston fits in a cylinder
filled with compressed air or another permanent gas. The gun and
barrel are filled with water, which may be renewed after each discharge
in order to prevent overheating.
When a cartridge is exploded the water displaced by the power of the
explosion drives the ramrod to a certain length out of the hydraulic
barrel and forces the piston into the cylinder, thereby still further com-
pressing the air or gas therein. The power thus stowed in the elastic
medium is then utilised for obtaining rotary motion by the return stroke
of the piston. For this purpose one, two, or more ramrods, similar to

page_text: the one above-mentioned are attached to the same piston, fitted in
hydraulic barrels which however are not in communication with the
barrel and gun before described. These barrels, fitted with water-tight
collars at one of their extremities, are attached with the other to a water
basin fitted with a valve or valves for admitting and another valve or
valves for the escape of water.
When the ramrods, in consequence of an explosion, are forced out of
the hydraulic barrels, their action is similar to that of a common water
pump, and water enters through the admission valves from another
basin filled with water, or from the sea, or from another source of water.
These valves close immediately the piston and the ramrods begin their
return stroke, when the escape valve opens and the water escapes under
the pressure of the compressed clastic fluid contained in the cylinder.
This water is conducted through a strong pipe to an apparatus which
by the pressure of the water will put an axis into rotary motion, for
instance, to a water-power cylinder, to a rotary engine, turbine wheel,
and such like. Or the action may be direct on a connecting rod attached
to a cranked axis, the revolutions of which, if required, may be multiplied
either by suitable gearing, or where this cannot be applied, by moving
a series of pistons fitted in water cylinders, and forcing the water from
one cylinder into another indirectly by guiding it through a rotary
engine, turbine wheel, or other hydraulic apparatus, whereby an increased
number of revolutions of an axis may be obtained.
The combination of a breech-loading apparatus, the hydraulic barrels
and ramrods, and the cylinder with piston, I denomate a "pyro-pneumatic
system;" and in order to obtain a continuous and uniform rotary motion,
I apply two, three, or more such systems to act conjointly on one and
the same axis, and I cause the explosions to take place alternately by
the revolutions of an axis, which, as before-mentioned, performs auto-
matically the operations of loading and firing a breech-load-loading gun.
To start such an engine a first discharge may be effected from one of
the guns by hand, whilst for stopping, the axis which puts the loading
mechanism into motion has only to be disconnected from or put out of
gear with the main shaft of the engine.
In regulating the escape of the water from the hydraulic apparatus,
the number of the revolutions of the main axis may be increased or
diminished, whilst the power may be increased by a greater number of
discharges per minute, which will be effected by changing the gearing

page_text: which connects the main axis with the loading axis, and whereby the
latter will make a greater number of revolutions per minute.
.
It is evident that irrespectively of rotary motive power, a pyro-
pneumatic system, or a real pyro-pneumatic engine may be used for the
purpose of raising weights or effecting compression, after the manner of
common hydraulic presses.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING' DRAWINGS.
In order to render intelligible the principle of the Invention I refer
to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings, in which O represents
the cylinder; P, the piston; R, the piston rod; G, the gun; B, the
hydraulic barrels; A, the admission valves; D, the delivery valve. The
loading axis and details of the breech-loading apparatus are not shown,
forming details of construction, which may be varied according to the
requirements without deviating from the principle of the Invention.
When a cartridge is exploded the water displaced by the power of the
exposion drives the piston rod R to a certain length out of its bydraulic
barrel, and forces the piston P into the cylinder O, thereby compressing
the air contained therein. The plungers F attached to the piston.P
have consequently been forced out of their barrels to the same length as
the piston rod R, and thus acting like a pump, water has been sucked
through the admission valves A into the hydraulic barrels B. The piston
returning under the pressure of the compressed air, the plungers F will
be forced into the water of their respective barrels, and thus produce the
effect of a hydraulic press. The water will be forced through the escape
valve D and enter into the hydraulic apparatus, which serves to transform
the downstroke of the piston P into rotary motion.
.
In order not to offer any resistance to the piston rod R in its return,
and in the same time for the purpose of cooling the gun G, a valve W
is opened, the water in the gun escaping freely through it. Through a
similar valve opposite to the valve W (not shown in Figure 2), fresh
water enters after the return of the piston and before the new dischargo
takes place, which water, in rising in the gun, displaces the vapours
remaining from the last discharge and drives them through the cock or
· valve V, which opens for this purpose, and closes together with the
breech of the gun.
Figures 3 and 4 represent a somewhat different arrangement of a
Dyro-pneumatic system, whereby the cylinder C is attached to the bottom

page_text: and underneath the gun G, the piston rod R prolonged at its upper end
into a plunger fitting in the gun G, is connected with one end of the
beam M, to the other end of which is attached the hydraulic plunger F
fitting in the barrel B. A is an admission valve, and D delivery.or
discharge valve, through which the water is forced by the return stroke
of the plunger F, and from thence is guided to the rotary or other
hydraulic engine employed for producing rotary motion.
The cylinder being closed at both ends the descent of the piston will
cause a vacuum behind it, thus producing an uniform power acting on
the piston P of about thirteen pounds on the square inch, whilst the
power obtained from the compression of the air underneath the piston
will depend upon the nature and quantity of the explosive substance
employed in the cartridges. The metal strength of the cylinder is
generally estimated to withstand with perfect safety a pressure of two
hundred pounds on the square inch.
It is evident that in order to increase the power of the apparatus no
increase of its dimensions are required if only compressed air instead of
common atmospheric air is employed in the cylinder, and larger quan-
tities of explosive substances are exploded.
Figure 3 represents a section; Figure 4 a top plan of such a pyro-
pneumatic system, three or more of them representing a pyro-pneumatic
cngine.
Unlike the steam engine the power of pyro-pneumatic engines may be
considerably increased without increasing the proportions and dimensions
of the engine itself, except in metal strength, and thus this new motor
will be found very useful as an auxiliary engine to be carried on board
war vessels for the purpose of immediately obtaining power, saving coal,
and removing the danger resulting from the helplessness of such vessels
when sailing without having steam up. Such an auxiliary engine when
employed will seldom be used longer than from sixty to ninety minutes,
which time will suffice to generate steam. The price of the explosive
fuel can thus form no item among the considerations for its adoption in
the navy, and in caso chemistry provides an explosive substance suffi-
ciently cheap, the pyro-pneumatic engine may eventually supersede tho
steam engine entirely, since it dispenses with boilers, stokers, and large a
reservoirs for fuel, is much simpler in its construction, and giving
immediately available power, consumes fuel only when actually doing
work.

page_text: In the foregoing description the principles and peculiar features of
my said Invention are fully stated, and examples of modes of construction
particularly described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings;
but it will be obvious that these modes of construction are examplars,
and may be varied to suit particular circumstances or requirements
without departing from the nature and principles of my said Invention.
-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and
object of my Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed
or carried out in practice, I hereby declare that I claim the herein-
described Invention of "Improvements in Obtaining and Applying
Motive Power, and in Apparatus to be employed for the same," the
nature and characteristics of which Invention are particularly described
and ascertained by the words preceding the words "Description of the
accompanying Drawings," further exemplified (illustrated by the
Drawings) by the subsequent statements in this Specification.
In witness whereof, I, the said Johann Maximilian Plessner, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-three
Witness,
THOMAS MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventors' Patent Right Ass"., Limited,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.
J. M. PLESSNER. (L.s.)