An Improved Motive Power Engine Actuated by Explosives.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1891
,
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 192-Accepted, 1st July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Motive Power Engine Actuated by Explosives.
I, JOHN BASILI FACHRIS of 37 Portland Street Lincoln in the County of
Lincoln Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This my invention relates to an improved motive power engine and the object of
my invention is to design an engine in which the motive agent shall be a granulated
explosive such as gunpowder blasting or other solid explosive prepared to ignite on
contact by heat or flame said explosive being introduced into the cylinder at each
stroke of the piston and ignited within the cylinder by means of an electric firing
device as hereinafter described.
By my invention the inconveniences attending the use of steam and other engines
by reason of the space required for fuel especially for marine engines and the attention
required and the difficulty in obtaining gas when gas engines are used, are removed
as my improved engine may be used in confined spaces it requires little attention
and gives greatly increased power in proportion to its size.
In carrying my invention into effective practice I fit upon a foundation or
bed suitable bearings having a crank shaft mounted therein upon which is
mounted a fly wheel. The cylinder of the engine is also mounted upon the bed
in a suitable position and the piston therein is connected to the crank shaft in the
usual manner.
Connected to the cylinder of the engine in a suitable position but preferably
attached to the bottom cover thereof is a casing containing a revolving block,
said block having a number of radial chambers formed therein as hereinafter
described.
Upon the upper portion of the said casing is a hopper of suitable shape for
containing a quantity of the explosive the lower end of the said hopper entering
the casing and being open to allow the chambers in the revolving block to receive
in the course of their passage a certain definite quantity of the explosive. Within
each of the chambers of the block is a movable cup having a spring to project it a
slight distance from the periphery of the block.
As each of the cups in turn passes the open end of the hopper it becomes full of
a quantity of the explosive and being further rotated is forced inwards by an
inclined face within the casing until it comes opposite to the open end of a passage
into the cylinder through which the explosive contained in the cup is thrown into
the cylinder. In the cylinder it comes in contact with an incandescent electric
wire which ignites the powder and the gases evolved by the explosion drive the
piston forward until it reaches the end of its stroke when an exhaust port being
uncovered the gas escapes. The revolving chamber block before mentioned is
mounted and secured upon a short shaft having a toothed wheel secured to the
outer end thereof said toothed wheel being connected by means of an endless chain
with a similar wheel upon the main shaft of the engine. For the purpose of
starting the engine this gear may be disconnected by a suitable clutch and the
chamber block rotated by means of a hand lever or other suitable means until
the first chamber discharges its powder into the cylinder when the engine will
continue to run.
To assist the return of the piston to the beginning of its stroke I encircle the
connecting rod by a helical spring which is compressed by the forward movement of
the piston and on the evacuation of the gases behind the piston assists in returning
the same to its normal position at the commencement of its stroke.
Around the cylinder is a cooling jacket which is kept supplied with a suitable

page_text: liquid by means of a force pump worked from an eccentric upon the main
shaft of the engine or other suitable means whilst to prevent fouling the cylinder is
kept supplied with a suitable chemical capable of keeping the inner surface of the
cylinder clean.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Motive Power Engine Actuated by Explosives.
I, JOHN BASILI FACHRIS, of 37 Portland Street, Lincoln, Mechanical 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 :-
This my invention relates to an improved motive power engine actuated by
explosives, and the object of my invention is to design an engine in which the
motive agent shall be a granulated explosive compound such as gunpowder,
blasting powder or other solid explosive prepared to ignite by contact with heat
or flame, such explosive being introduced into the cylinder at each stroke of the
piston and ignited within the cylinder by means of an electric firing device as
hereinafter described.
By my invention the inconveniences attending the use of steam and other engines
(by reason of the space required for fuel, especially for marine engines, the attention
required and the difficulty experienced in some places in obtaining gas where gas
engines are used) are removed; my improved engine may be used in confined
spaces, it requires little attention and gives greatly increased power in proportion
to its size.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an engine constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the valve mechanism of the same.
Figure 3 is a view partly in section of the governor of my engine.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the engine showing an alternative
form of valve fitted thereon.
- Figures 5-6 & 7 are modified forms of the valve mechanism hereinafter
explained.
As illustrated in the drawings my engine consists of a suitable foundation or
bed A having suitable bearings B in which the crank shaft C is mounted, which
carries a fly wheel C' in the usual manner. The cylinder D of the engine is also
mounted upon the bed in a suitable position, and the piston E therein is connected
with the crank shaft C in the usual manner by the connecting rod F. Connected
to the cylinder of the engine in any suitable position, but preferably attached to
the bottom cover thereof, is a casing G containing valve mechanism which is
operated from the main shaft of the engine. Upon the upper portion of the said
casing is a hopper H of suitable shape, the lower or open end of said hopper being
situated above an opening H in the casing to allow the chambers in the valve
mechanism hereinafter described to receive in the course of their passage a
certain quantity of explosive, the quantity of the powder or other explosive
admitted into the said valve mechanism, and passing thence into the cylinder being
regulated by a governor which will be hereinafter described. The valve mechanism
may consist of a cylindrical block I having a number of radial apertures or
perforations i, the said block rotating in a casing J. The said apertures or
perforations are adapted to take from the hopper a certain quantity of explosive
and rotating bring the chamber i in line with another perforation through which
it passes to the firing chamber K. Within each of the said apertures i is
fitted a cup which is pressed outwards by a spring the outer ends of the

page_text: said cups being shaped in such a manner that the rotation of the block shall
cause the cups to be forced inwards after passing the inlet port and the springs
causing the cup to be forced outwards when opposite the outlet port. The block 1
is rotated from the shaft of the engine through the medium of any suitable gearing.
The firing device consists of two insulated wires 10 preferably of platinum which
pass through a tube, the said wires being connected with terminals of the secondary
coils of an inductorium L as shown, the primary terminals of the said coil being
connected to a suitable battery M for the supply of the current, a switch or cut
out m is inserted in the primary circuit said switch being operated by the eccentric
in the manner illustrated in Figure 4 in order that the current may pass and the
powder be ignited in the proper moment.
A main switch is also inserted in the primary circuit to cut off the current from
the battery when the engine is not in motion.
A dynamo driven from the shaft of the engine may be substituted for the
battery just described for the generation of the electric current as will be readily
understood.
The governor which is illustrated in Figure 3 consists of a centrifugal governor
of the usual type and has a link arm a thereon which is connected to a sleeve b
thereby causing the said sleeve to rise and fall according to the variation in speed
at which the governor is rotated. A tube c is inserted in the upper portion of the
valve casing G. The upper edge of the tube c being bevelled off as shown in the
figure, the said tube e being enclosed within the sleeve b just mentioned. The said
sleeve has a horizontal casing b₁ in which is a slide 2 controlled by a spring 63 the
said slide bearing against and being operated by the inclined face of the tube just
mentioned. Thus it will be understood that the lifting of the sleeve will cause
the lower or outlet aperture of the hopper or funnel which is supported by the
said sleeve, to be closed by the motion of the spring valve or slide 6, as the lifting
of the sleeve will cause the said outlet aperture to be gradually closed by the
said slide thereby cutting off the supply of the powder from the funnel to the
rotating block.
In Figure 5 is illustrated a modified form of valve which consists of a block d
sliding within the casing the said block d having a transverse vertical per-
foration e formed therein; longitudinal perforations f g are also formed in said
block in which are fitted spring slides f¹g respectively the ends of which project
beyond the face of the block as illustrated.
The block d is moved by means of the eccentric in the following manner :-
Fixed to the end of the eccentric rod O is a cross arm the ends of which are
bifurcated.
A rocking shaft passes through a portion of the valve casing the said shaft
carrying an arm 3 which is connected to the cross arm on the eccentric rod by
incans of a locking arm and bolt k as shown in Figure 4. The inner end of the
rocking shaft carries another crank which carries a pin adapted to operate the
sliding block before described. Thus it will be understood that the motion of
the eccentric is communicated through the before mentioned cross arm connecting
arm rocking shaft and crank arm to the sliding block d within the valve
casing. The engine may be reversed by releasing the locking arm and bolt & from
the upper end of the cross arm h on the eccentric rod and engaging the lower end
of the said cross arm by the locking bolt, the arm being adjustable upon the
rocking shaft as will be understood upon reference to Figure 4.
The said sliding block d in its rearward movement approaches to the opposite
end of the valve case and in so doing the projecting ends of the spring slides fi gl
therein come in contact with the said case end, the said slides are thereby driven
inwards, and the apertures 1 and 2 which are formed through the slides fl g
respectively are caused to register in turn with the perforation e in the block before
mentioned. Thus the powder entering the upper end of the passage e remains
between the upper face of the block and the slide bar f¹ then as the block travels
further the said slide striking the end of the casing and being forced inwards allows

page_text: the powder to fall at a certain point of its movement through the perforation 1 on to
the slide g'. The further forward motion of the block causes the lower slide g¹ to
be driven inwards until its passage 2 registers with the opening into the firing
chamber. 3, 4, are slides which are operated by the reciprocal motion of the sliding
block, the ends of the said slides being bevelled off so that the motion of the block
causes the said slide to move laterally, thereby opening and closing the passages
which they are adapted to cover.
The cylinder is enclosed in a water jacket X which is kept supplied by means
of a pump preferably worked from an eccentric upon the shaft of the engine or by
other suitable means. The water tank may be conveniently placed in the bed of
the engine so as to economise space.
In Figure 6 is illustrated a further modification of the valve mechanism, the
upper portion being similar to that described in reference to Figure 5, and operating
in a similar manner. The central portion of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 6
is adapted to be drawn out by the motion of the eccentric and the object is to
afford greater security against the accidental ignition of the powder before the
said powder reaches the firing chamber. As will be seen in reference to the figure,
the central portion is provided with a slide o having an aperture o¹ formed near to
one end thereof. Thus it will be understood that the powder after having passed
through the sliding block in the upper portion of the valve casing has to pass
through the passage and does not reach the firing chamber until the central
portion has been withdrawn so as to allow the said powder to pass through
the opening o¹. Upon the return of the central portion to the position indicated
in the figure, the charge is ignited and the whole of the space is entirely
enclosed in which the powder is fired, and it is impossible for the fire or
gas to pass through the slides, and thereby cause any accidental ignition of the
powder.
In the modification illustrated in Figure 7, the sliding block is dispensed with
and the central portion R of the valve is adapted to be rotated within the
shell S by suitable gearing from the shaft of the engine to the extent of half
rotation.
The passage in the valve stem R is adapted to be turned upwards so as
to receive the charge of powder from the inlet passage T and the valve stem being
rotated allows the passage to come opposite to the firing device which is screwed
or otherwise inserted in the opening u; the charge is fired in this position
and the gas passes into the cylinder in the direction of the arrows marked in the
figure.
The cylinder is lubricated by a suitable lubricant contained in a cup V as will
be seen in Figure 4, the said lubricant preferably consisting of a solution of cyanide
of potassium and petroleum or turpentine or by a solution of soda and glycerine,
the effect of which is to reduce the fouling within the cylinder to a thick fluid
condition which has efficient lubricating qualities, the fouling afterwards passing
through an aperture in the lower portion of the cylinder and out through a pipe
provided with a stop cock through which it will be drawn off as required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with an engine, such as described operated by an explosive
compound, of a valve mechanism consisting of a rotating cylindrical block having
radial apertures formed therein and adapted to be rotated from the crank shaft, a
governor for controlling the supply of the explosive to the said cylindrical block,
a passage leading from the said block to the firing device and from thence to the
cylinder, the whole being arranged and constructed substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In an engine such as described, the combination with the said engine of a valve
mechanism consisting of a sliding block having a transverse opening therein and

page_text: slides within said block adapted to alternately open and close the opening, means for
reciprocating the block from the crank shaft, a passage leading to the firing device
and from thence to the cylinder and a governor for controlling the passage of the
explosive, the whole being constructed, arranged and operating substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In an engine such as described, the combination with the said engine of a valve
mechanism consisting of a sliding block having a transverse opening therein and
slides within said block adapted to alternately open and close the opening,
means for reciprocating the block from the crank shaft, a passage leading from
the said block casing, an additional slide adapted to close the said passage and
open the same upon the central portion of the valve mechanism being withdrawn
thereby allowing the explosive to pass into the firing chamber the whole being con-
structed, arranged and operating substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
4. In an engine such as described, the combination with the said engine of a valve
mechanism consisting of a rotating stem mounted in a suitable casing, an inlet
passage through the said casing and a chamber formed in the said stem adapted to
be alternately brought opposite to the inlet passage, and the firing device, passages
leading from the said chamber to the cylinder of the engine, means for rotating the
said valve stem and for controlling the supply of the powder to the valve, the whole
being constructed and arranged substantially as described and illustrated in the
drawings.
5. The combination with an engine such as described, of governing mechanism
consisting of a centrifugal governor, a link connecting the same with a sleeve, a
tube contained in the said sleeve, the upper edge of the said tube being bevelled, a
hopper inserted in the upper end of said sleeve, and a valve adapted to control the
passage of the explosive, the whole being constructed and arranged substantially as
described and illustrated in the drawings.
6. In an engine such as described actuated by explosives the use of a lubricant
consisting of a solution of cyanide of potassium and petroleum or turpentine or a
solution of soda and glycerine for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this First day of February 1892.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.