An Improved Rotary Engine applicable for use as a Motor, Pump or Blower.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 8th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rotary Engine applicable for use as a Motor, Pump or
Blower.
We, ARTHUR FREEMAN and FRANK FREEMAN, of Randfontein, in the South
African Republic, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to rotary engines which, when employed as motors, and
operated by a fluid, such as steam, may be worked expansively so as to yield a high
efficiency; the construction being moreover of a simple character.
In a rotary engine constructed according to our improved method and adapted
for use as a motor, the main shaft is mounted centrally in bearings formed
in the sides of a circular casing. Upon the shaft is fixed a circular
body or roller through which a radial blade extends from the shuft to
the inner circumference of the casing. Enclosing the roller upon the shaft,
as also two other rollers respectively mounted on separate spindles, is an
eccentrically disposed ring, through which the radial blade passes, the latter sliding
therein upon a roller or rollers. In suitable positions in the circumference and side
of the casing, suitable inlet and outlet ports are formed for the admission of the
operative fluid, both to the interior and to the exterior of the ring, and for the
escape of the fluid therefrom; the exhaust taking place upon the radial blade
passing the latter port.
By means of inlet and exhaust ports, arranged opposite to those above referred
to, and valves for controlling the same, the direction of rotation may be reversed.
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300
An Improved Rotary Engine applicable for use as a Motor, Pump or
Blower.
We, ARTHUR FREEMAN and FRANK FREEMAN, of Randfontein, in the South
African Republic, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to rotary engines, which, when employed as motors and
operated by a fluid, such as steam, capable of being worked expansively, yield a
high efficiency; the construction being moreover simple in character.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a rotary engine,

page_text: constructed according to our improved method and adapted for use as a motor.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5
in Fig. 4.
In our improved rotary engine, the main shaft A is mounted centrally in
bearings B B formed in the sides of a circular casing C. Upon the shaft is fixed
a circular body or roller D whence a radial blade 1₁ extends to the inner circum-
ference of the casing C. Enclosing the roller D is an eccentrically disposed ring E;
the latter being furnished with a roller or rollers e through which the radial
blade D¹ slides, the roller or rollers making a steam-tight joint with the ring E.
In suitable positions in the circumference and side of the casing C, inlet ports F F¹
and outlet ports G G¹ are formed for the admission of the operative fluid, both to
the interior and to the exterior of the ring E, and for the escape of the fluid there-
from; the exhaust taking place upon the radial blade D¹ passing the latter port.
The degree of cut-off is regulated by the length of the inlet port.
By arranging the inlet and exhaust ports on either side as in the present design
and providing them with controlling valves, the direction of rotation may be re-
versed by simply closing the ports on one side and opening those on the opposite
side.
The ring E is supported upon anti-friction rollers H H, arranged eccentrically
upon spindles h h carried in the casing C, the adjustment of these rollers being
effected by means of the connection ¹.
The operation of the motor is as follows:-Assuming the inlet and exhaust
ports on the right-hand side of Fig. (or Fig. 4) to be closed, the pressure fluid
enters the casing C by way of the ports and ; the fluid being conducted to the
interior of the ring E by way of the passage f in the roller D, while the passage fl
in the ring E conducts the fluid to the exterior of the said ring. The fluid entering
the respective steam spaces, exerts pressure upon the radial blade D¹ which is
thereby propelled rotatively, the shaft A being at the same time caused to revolve.
It will be seen that by closing the ports upon the left-hand side and opening the
corresponding ports upon the right-hand side, the direction of rotation is reversed.
It will also be obvious that the apparatus may be constructed as a single-acting or
as a double-acting engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :-
1. A rotary engine applicable for use as a motor, pump or blower, and so con-
structed that the pressure fluid is admitted to the interior and to the exterior of
a ring arranged eccentrically in a circular casing, whilst a roller mounted on a
central shaft carries a radial blade which passes through the ring and extends
to the inner circumference of the casing, substantially as herein described.
2. In a rotary engine, the combination, with the casing C, of the roller 1), the
radial blade D, the ring E and ports F F¹ and G G₁, arranged and operating
substantially as set forth.
3. In a rotary engine of the type herein referred to, supporting the ring E upon
eccentrically mounted rollers; the position of the latter being adjustable by means
of screw links h¹, substantially as herein described.
4. The improved rotary engine constructed and operating substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.