Improvements in and relating to Rotary Steam Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 20th June, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Rotary Steam Engines.
I, SAMUEL GLENVILLE BROSIUS, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing in the City of Savannah, County of Chatham, and State of Georgia, one of
the United States of America, Gentleman, 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 invention relates to a novel construction of a Rotary Steam Engine.
In the engine set forth in this application the cylinder rotates on its axis and the
pistons (two being used in this construction) pass through the circumference of the
cylinder, being held in position by cylindrical guides, which are journaled in
the sides of the said cylinder. The pistons revolve on a shaft whose center is
eccentric to the axis of said cylinder. The distance between the axes of the pistons
and the rotating cylinder is such as to allow the hubs of the pistons to be packed
steam-tight against the inner periphery of the cylinder by the automatic packing
held out against the inner periphery of the said cylinder. This packing is composed
of a packing ring and an expansion ring in each end of said packing ring. The
packing ring is held in position by separating or drawing together, as the case may
be, of the expansion rings. Said expansion ring is so constructed as to allow the
packing ring to adjust itself to any inequality of the inner periphery of said cylinder,
due to wear in said cylinder or any of the journals of the said engine, whereby the
axis of the rotating cylinder may be thrown out of line with the axis of the pistons.
In engines of this class as heretofore constructed, the steam is admitted between
the outer casing and the periphery of the inner rotating cylinder. This cylinder
performs ordinarily the function of packing or abutment. Such construction brings
about great loss of steam, due to the condensation caused by the action of cold air
upon the greater external surface of the outer casing, and also the greater area
contained between the rotating cylinder and the outer casing as compared with the
area of the rotating cylinder itself, and also necessitating the packing the pistons
against the inner periphery of the outer casing, thereby causing great friction, due
to centrifugal force of the packing against said outer casing. One of the several
objects of my invention is to overcome this condensation and the greater steam area
between the outer casing and rotating cylinder, and the consequent loss of efficiency.
This is overcome by introducing the steam within the rotating cylinder only, and
using the outer casing as a shield to prevent contact of cold air with the rotating
cylinder. A second object is to so pack the pistons around the hub and the sides
and faces as to practically ensure steam-tight joints with little friction.
A third object is to overcome the great friction between the packing of the
pistons and the inner periphery of the outer casing, as in the usual construction.
A fourth object is to obtain a steam-tight packing between the hubs, sides and
face of pistons against the inner periphery, the heads, and in the cylindrical guides,
respectively, of said rotating cylinder with the least possible friction.
A fifth object is to admit and cut-off the steam when the surface of back pressure
on the following piston is nearly or just equal to the surface of steam pressure on
the leading piston. The steam which has been just used in propelling the leading
piston, A, is confined between it and the following piston, B. It is evident that
the following piston will be balanced, or nearly so, during that portion of the
stroke while the steam is so confined. Said piston stroke is about one fourth of the
whole stroke, but may be regulated by the location of the exhaust port which
should be so placed as to open when the surface of steam pressure is about equal on
the following and leading pistons, A and B respectively (see Figure 18) as the

page_text: two-thirds of the whole travel. It is evident that the friction due to the travel of
the following piston through its guide while under steam pressure is about two-thirds
less than a piston not so balanced. It will be seen that the pistons are alternately
leading and following.
These and other objects I accomplish by the construction shown in the drawings,
which will now be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings forming a part of this application..
Figure 1 is an end view of the rotary engine in elevation, showing the location of
the steam chest and exhaust pipe. The cylinder and pistons, with the cylindrical
guides, are also shown, in broken lines.
Figure 2 is a side view of the rotary engine, part in elevation and part in section
on the line A, B', of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a view in section on the line C¹, D', of Figure 2, looking towards
head, D;
Figure 4 is a side view of the revolving cylinder, part in elevation and part in
section;
Figure 5 is an end view of the revolving cylinder partly in section ;
Figure 6 is a side view of the cylindrical guides;
Figure 7 is an end view;
Figure 8 is a cross section of these guides on line i-i, Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a view of the pistons in side elevation ;
Figure 10 is an end view of the piston showing the packing;
Figure 11 is an end view of the automatic packing used around the hubs of the
pistons ;
Figure 12 is a side view thereof;
Figure 13 is a side view of the expansion ring used in the automatic packing;
Figure 14 is an end view;
Figure 15 is a modification showing the packing ring beveled in the opposite
direction, the spreading rings being drawn inwards instead of pushed outwards;
Figure 16 is a side elevation of the rotary engine, the section being taken
through the cylinder and outer casing on line A¹, B', of Figure 17;
Figure 17 is an end view of the rotary engine in elevation, showing location of
steam chest and exhaust pipe; the cylinder pistons and cylindrical guides are also
shown in broken lines;
Figure 18 is a view in cross section on the line C, D, of Figure 16;
Figure 19 is a cross section of the rotating cylinder taken on line e-e, Figure 20;
the sections below and above, e', e¹, looking towards the small flange and large
flange, respectively, of said rotating cylinder.
Figure 20 is a side view of the rotating cylinder, partly in elevation and partly
in section.
Figure 21 is a side view of the cylindrical guides.
Figure 22 is a view of large end of said cylindrical guides.
Figure 23 is a cross section of the cylindrical guides on line i-i, Figure 21.
Figure 24 is a view of the small end of the cylindrical guides.
Figures 25 and 26 are elevations of the pistons.
Figures 27 and 28 are side views of the pistons.
Figure 29 shows an end view of the automatic packing in position around the hub
of a piston.
Figure 30 shows a cross section of the automatic packing and expansion rings.
Figure 31 shows a cross section of the automatic packing ring on line 2-z,
Figure 29.
Figure 32 is an end view of the wedge of the automatic packing ring.
Figure 33 is a cross section of the outer expansion ring on line 2, Figure 29.
Figure 34 is an end view of the wedge of the outer expansion ring in position in
said ring.
Figure 35 is a cross section of the inner ring on line 2¹-21, Figure 29.

page_text: Figure 59 is a side view of the automatic packing
Figure 40 is a front view of the wedge used in packing ring as shown in
Figure 39.
Figure 41 is an end view of the wedge as shown in Figure 40.
Figure 42 is an end view of the adjustable pillow block, elevation of the same
shown in Figure 16.
Figure 43 is a plan of the exhaust port cap.
Figure 44, side view of the cap as shown in Figure 43.
Figure 45, an elevation of the front cylinder and casing head on line A¹, B¹, of
Figure 17.
Figure 46 is a front elevation of front cylinder and casing heads, as shown in
Figure 45.
Figure 47 is a cross section of front heads on line A2, B2, Figure 46, showing the
steam and exhaust ports.
Figure 48 is an elevation of the rear casing head.
Figure 49 is a half elevation of the rear head as shown in Figure 48.
Figure 50 is a cross section through the steam chest on line A³, B³, of Figure 17,
the elevations being shown in Figures 16 and 17.
Figure 51 is a plan view of the double crank, the elevation of the same shown in
Figure 16.
Figure 52 is a view of the stationary shaft on which the pistons revolve.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 15 inclusive in which I have shown
one form or construction of rotary engine whereby the losses due to condensation
and the consequent loss in efficiency are avoided, and in which figures of drawings
I have illustrated other improvements comprehended by and within the scope of
this invention.
Referring to Figure 2 D, is the cylinder head, which is held stationary, and
forms one of the journals for cylinder, F.
F, is the cylinder which revolves on, or is journaled at one end in head, D, and
packed steam-tight in said head by packings, P, and P, while the other is firmly
attached to shaft, N, by means of head, E.
N, is the driving shaft and is journaled in pillow-block, K, so that cylinder, F,
may be said to be journaled by shaft, N, and in or on head, D. N, is free to
revolve with cylinder, F, and is driven by it all as shown in Figure 2. Cylinder, F,
contains in its circumference the openings, h, h, h, h, and the journal boxes, h', h',
to receive the guides, H, and H, its journals, H', and H', as shown in Figures 4
to 8 inclusive.
The shaft, C, is fixed stationary in the head D, and is the axis on which the
pistons revolve, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
A, and B, are the overlapping pistons which are journaled on the shaft, C, and
are held in position by the cylindrical guides, H, and H, these guides being
journaled in the circumference of the cylinder, F, and through which the pistons
move freely, all as shown in Figure 3. In Figures 9 and 10 the pistons are shown
extended on the centre line, A and B. The hub of each piston extends over one-
half of that portion of the shaft, C, which protrudes into the cylinder, F. The
pistons are provided with the flanges, Z, Z, to receive the packings P', and P¹,
which pack the automatic packing rings, a, and a, steam-tight in the hub and
against the overlapping wing of the piston. These pistons are packed steam-tight
against the heads, D, and E, by the packings, P", and P. The pistons are flat
and made to fit the slot, b, b, of the guides, H, and H, through which they pass,
and are packed steam-tight by packing, P, and P, all as shown in Figures 6
to 10 inclusive.

page_text: The cylindrical guides, H, and H, are journaled in the circumference of the
cylinder, F. These guides may be made in one or more pieces, and provision may
be made to take up the wear both in the guide and in the cylinder, F, in any of the
common ways of adjustment for wear. b, b, and b, b, are the slots in the guides
through which the pistons move, the joint between said guides and pistons being
made steam-tight as shown at P and P. The guides are free to revolve
upon their axes, but do not make a revolution. They adjust themselves to the
positions of the pistons during each revolution of the engine. On their concave
sides the guides contain the recess, b', and ', which allows the flanges, z, and z, of
the pistons to pass, when the guide and piston come in contact in passing the
center line, A', 13, all as shown in Figures 3 to 8 inclusive.
Referring now to Figures 11 to 15: a, and a, are the packing rings which pack
the hubs of the pistons, A, and B, steam tight against the inside of the cylinder, F,
and the wings of opposite piston. These rings are held in position by the expansion
rings, a', and a', and are beveled as shown at a", and a"; rings, a', and a', are
beveled in the same manner, as shown at all, and all, so as to allow the packing
rings, a, and a, to be pressed against the inside of the cylinder, F, by means
of the expansion rings, a", and a", pushed apart by springs, d, d, and d,
while the flanges, n, and n, of the packing ring, a, are beveled and bent over the
ends of the expansion rings. These ends, n', and n', are beveled to suit the bevels
on flanges, n, and n, of rings, a, and prevent the packing rings,
from going
and
a,
out too far, and binding between the inside of the cylinder and the packing. The
bevels at all, on the expansion ring are in the same proportion to the sum of the
bevels at n', and n', as the diameter of a circle is to the circumference; the same
is necessarily true of packing ring, a. The tendency of the ring, a', to spread, by
reason of the pressure exerted upon it by ring, a, is overcome by the flanges,
and m, being fitted into slots, m', and m¹ see Figure 10, in the hubs of the pistons,
but are allowed to move sideways. The construction and number of the springs, d,
d, and d, is merely a matter of detail.
a,
m
As shown in the drawings, these rings serve as an abutment between the steam
inlet and exhaust ports.
Referring now to Figure 3: T, is the steam port, and S, S, the exhaust port.
The exhaust port should be so located that the steam may escape at the moment
that the surface of the back pressure on the following piston, B, is nearly or just
equal to the surface of steam pressure on the leading piston, A. It is obvious that
the pistons are alternately leading and following. The steam enters at port, T,
and drives the piston in the direction of the arrow and escapes at port, S, S.
The pistons cause the cylinder, F, to revolve, thereby driving shaft, N, which is
attached to cylinder, F, by means of head, E.
P, P, P, P, and P, are packings used to pack the several parts steam-
tight, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, 7, and 8. These packings may be made in
the ordinary way, and of any suitable material.
J, is the casing (which is not essential) but is shown as a guard. It may be used
for the purpose of holding the boxes of the rocker-shaft, G, see Figs. 1 & 2.
This casing protects the machinery from deposits of dirt, sediment, etc., and also
protects the cylinder from the cold air and prevents rapid radiation and the con-
densation of steam within the cylinder, the air in the space between the cylinder
and the casing being heated by radiation from the cylinder.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, R, is the eccentric which operates the cut-off by
means of the rocker-shaft, G. Y, and Y, are the exhaust and exhaust pipe, x, is
the steam-chest, and c¹, is the steam pipe. K, is the pillow-block, and M, is the
driving pulley. J, R, G, X, Y, K, and M, are mere matters of detail, and in no
way affect the principles involved in this engine, being only shown to complete the
machine.
It is not necessary to use a cut-off, except to gain advantage of the expansion of
the steam. Any kind of cut-off may be used, at either the steam or the exhaust

page_text: port or both; while I have shown the steam as entering at, T, and exhausting at, S,
yet it is obvious that S, may be made the steam inlet port, and T, the exhaust
port.
Referring now to Figures 16 to 52 inclusive, in which I have shown a form or
construction of engine embodying the third, fourth and fifth objects of my
invention, together with other improvements.
As shown in Figure 16: the cylinder head, D', is attached to the casing head, D,
and is held stationary by it and forms one of the journals for cylinder, F.
F, is the cylinder which revolves on or is journaled at one end on head, D', and
packed steam-tight on said head by packings, P, P, and the other end is firmly
attached to double crank, O, by flange, F³, and has bolted to said flange, cylinder
head, E, which revolves with the said rotary cylinder, F.
N, is the driving shaft, and is journaled in pillow blocks, K, K, (one or more
pillow blocks may be used) and is firmly fastened in hub of double crank, O.
Cylinder, F, double crank, O, and shaft, N, are firmly attached to each other
and revolve, being held in position by head, D, and pillow blocks, K, K, so that
the cylinder, F, may be said to be journaled by shaft, N, in pillow blocks, K, K,
and in or on head, D, all as shown in Figure 16.
Referring to Figs. 19 to 24, the cylinder, F, contains in its circumference
openings, h, h, h, h, and the journal boxes, h', and ³, to receive the guides, H, and
its journals, H', and H*.
Blocks, F, F, Figs. 19 & 20, are held in position in the flange, F³, of cylinder, F,
by bolts, F, F; this construction is to facilitate the placing of the cylindrical
guides and pistons in position. The flange, F³, has a groove for ring packing, P,
which packs said flange against the inner periphery of the rear casing head, J³,
Figure 16.
The shaft, C, is fixed stationary in heads, D, and D', by screw nut C4 and is the
axis on which the pistons revolve, as shown in Figures 16 17 and 18; this shaft
Fig. 16 has oil channels, c, and c³, c³, c³, c³, so that the hubs of the pistons and
journal of cylinder, F, at the head, Di, may be lubricated.
As shown in Figures 17 to 26: A, and B, are the overlapping or hinging pistons
which are journaled on shaft, C, and are held in position by cylindrical guides, H,
and H. These guides are journaled in the circumference of cylinder F, so that the
pistons may move freely through them during the revolution of the rotating
cylinder, as shown in Figure 18. In Figures 25 to 28 inclusive, the pistons are
shown as extended on the center line A, B1, the hubs of the piston extend over
that portion of the shaft, C, which protrudes into the cylinder, F. In this con-
struction the piston, A, Figures 25 & 26 has two hubs, and piston, B, one, and of
such length as to give about equal wearing surfaces to each piston. These pistons
Figure 28 are attached or firmly fixed to the hubs, 63, 62, by bolts, 64, passing
through the flanges,,, and screwing into said hubs. These pistons and hubs
may be made in one piece, in which case flanges, 63, will be done away with, and
the packing strips be in the face of the pistons, and the automatic packing rings
correspondingly increased in length so that they may be packed by the packing
strips, as shown in Figure 29 in dotted lines.
As shown in Figures 29 and 30:-The hubs of the pistons are provided with the
guide pieces, m', and m', which fit into the grooves, m, and m, of the automatic
packing and so hold the packing firmly in position. These guides may be dove-
tailed into the hubs of said pistons, as shown in Figures 27 and 28. The expansion
rings are free to move lengthwise of these guides. The cross section of these
guides is dovetail in shape, so that the packing cannot get out of place, as shown in
Figures 27 to 29 inclusive. The pistons are flat as shown in Figs. 25 & 26 and
made to fit the slot, b, b, in the guides, H, H, through which they pass, see Figs. 21
& 22. The pistons are packed steam tight in said guides by packing strips, P, see
Figs. 21 & 22 and P, and packed against the cylinder heads by packing strips, p², P,
and against the inner periphery of the rotary cylinder by the automatic packing.
As shown in Figure 27-packing strips, P, and P, respectively, are also placed

page_text: along the flanges of each piston to pack against the flange or lugs of the automatic
packing and in the overlapping portion of the piston to pack against the periphery
of the automatic packing.
These pistons, hubs, and flanges may be made of one piece or of several pieces,
as shown in Figures 25 to 28 inclusive.
As shown in Figures 18 & 19 the cylindrical guides, H, H, are journaled in
the circumference of the cylinder, F. These guides may be made in one or more
pieces, and provision should be made to take up the wear both in the guide, H, and
the cylinder, F, in any of the common ways of adjustment for wear, and is reduced
as shown in Figure 18, at the end next to the head, D', so as to avoid cutting into
said head, thereby allowing the guide to be brought as near to the center of said
cylinder, F, as may be, thereby doing away with the pressure on the face of the
pistons, which otherwise would exist between the said face of pistons and the
interior edge of cylinder, F, as shown in Figure 18.
In this engine the guide is constructed as shown in Figs. 21 to 24 of two
blocks, H³, and H, and circular arcs, H2, so placed and held by taper riveted
pins, He, as to leave the slot, b, b, through which the pistons pass.
The guide is provided with grooves for the packing strips, P', P³, P,
and p²,
P,
and grooves for the rings, P, and P7. These packing rings and packing strips
pack the guides steam-tight in cylinder, F, and against the sides and face of the
pistons. These guides are free to oscillate on their axes and adjust themselves to
the position of the piston during the revolutions of the engine.
One set of automatic packing is provided for each hub of the pistons, the packing
rings being the exact length of the respective hubs. These packing rings are set
out against the inner periphery of the rotating cylinder by the expansion rings, one
at each side of the packing ring. The packing ring is provided with wedges, a, a
see Figure 36, which correspond to the bevel on the expansion rings. These
expansion rings expand the packing ring by being separated or drawn together, as
the case may be, as shown in Figures 36 to 39, inclusive, by springs as shown in
Figure 12 or other suitable means.
Each end of the packing ring is firmly attached to the wedges, f, f, see
Figures 30 and 39. These wedges form the flanges or lugs of the packing ring,
against which the flanges, 63, 6, of the pistons are packed by the packing
strips, P1, P1, see Figures 25 to 28.
Referring now to Figures 30 & 33, this expansion ring consists of an outer
ring, a², and an inner ring, a¹. The inner ring fits in an annular cavity, d³, in
ring, a², leaving a space, , between rings, a', and a², of sufficient size to admit the
springs, d, d. The ring, as, is held to ring, a', by bolts, a', at. These bolts are
countersunk into the ring a³, sufficiently deep to allow the rings, a¹, and a³, to come
together without the head of bolt, a', protruding.
The distance between rings, a¹, and a², may be diminished, but cannot be
increased, as bolts, a', a', prevent it.
It will be seen that the expansion ring is composed of the ring, a', placed in a
cavity, d³, of ring, a², and held in position by bolts, at, a', and springs, d. The
packing ring, a, is held in position by the expansion rings which fit against the
wedges, as, of the packing ring so as to allow the packing ring a³, to be pressed
against the inner periphery of cylinder, F, by means of said expansion rings being
pushed apart or drawn together, as the case may be, by springs or other suitable
means, the direction of the pressure of the springs being indicated by arrow heads
in Figures 37 and 39. The flanges f, f, of packing ring, a³, see Figure 30 extend
over the ends of the expansion rings. The ends f¹ of said expansion rings are
beveled to fit the bevels on the flanges, ff, of the packing ring, a³, see Figures 31
and 34, and prevent the packing ring from going out too far and binding against
the inner periphery of the rotating cylinder.
The bevel, a, Figure 33 of the said expansion ring fits as shown in Fig. 36 the
wedges, a', a³, of the packing ring, a³. The bevels, as, on the periphery of the
expansion rings are in the same proportion to the sum of the bevels, * Figure 34,

page_text: at their two ends as the diameter of a circle is to its circumference; the same is
necessarily true of the wedges, a, a, and f, of the packing ring a'. The tendency
of the said expansion rings to spread, by reason of the pressure exerted upon them
by packing ring, a, is overcome by the guides, m', and m¹, on hubs, ³, of the
piston, being fitted into slots, m, m, of the said expansion ring, but are allowed to
slide along the hub so as to expand the packing ring a³, by the method just
described. Each packing ring, a³, is packed against the other end and against its
respective cylinder head by packing rings, P10 see Figure 16. The packing
seats, P, are provided in packing ring as, all as shown in Figures 16, and 29 to 31
inclusive. It will be noted that the ends of expansion rings and said packing ring,
and also that side of the guide next to the pistons, are so beveled that the circum-
ference of the packing ring cannot be increased, except by the action of the said
expansion rings as just described, and that the said expansion rings are so con-
structed that they will allow the packing ring, a³, to adjust itself to any inequalities
on the inner periphery of the rotating cylinder, whether due to wear on the inner
periphery of said cylinder or to the axis of shaft, C, being out of line with axis of
rotating cylinder, F, to wear on shaft, C, or any of the journals.
But provision to keep the axis of shaft, C, and rotating cylinder in line is made
in the adjustable pillow blocks, K, K, see Figure 42.
In Figure 16 the double crank, O, is bolted to flange, F³, of rotating cylinder, F,
and securely attached by its hub to shaft, N, and is so constructed that the head, E,
of cylinder, F, may be removed without cisturbing any other portion of the engine,
which facilitates any repairs in the rotating cylinder, F.
As shown in the drawings Figure 18, these packing rings, a³, serve as an abut-
ment between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
In Figure 18 and for the purposes stated in the last paragraph of page 3 T, is
the steam port, and, S, is the exhaust port. The exhaust port should be so located
that the steam may escape at the moment that the surface of the back pressure on
the following piston is nearly or just equal to the surface of the steam pressure on
the leading piston so as to balance the following piston, as heretofore set forth.
The steam enters at port, T, and drives the piston in direction as indicated by
arrow and escapes at port, S.
The pistons cause the cylinder, F, to revolve, thereby driving shaft, N, and
shaft N, is firmly attached to cylinder, F, by double crank, O. N, is the driving
shaft, to which the pulley, M, is securely fixed.
In Figure 16 J, and J, with that portion of the surface of the bed plate, W,
which is below the rotating cylinder, F, and between the casing heads, D, and J',
with said casing heads, form the outer casing. It may be used as a chamber
in which to exhaust the steam, and thereby superheat the live steam in cylinder, F.
The exhaust steam may be admitted at opening, Z, in the head, D, and taken
from the opening, Z', in head, J', as shown in Figures 17, 18, 48 and 49.
Where the exhaust steam is not admitted within this casing, the casing is used
to protect the cylinder from cold air, preventing rapid radiation and condensation
of steam within the rotating cylinder, the air in the space between the cylinder and
casing acting as a non-conductor of heat. It is also used for the purpose of holding
the journal boxes, V, and V1, of the rocker shaft, G, see Figure 16. This casing
may
be dispensed with entirely, if desired.
In Figure 16 R, is the eccentric which operates the cut-off by means of the
rocker shaft, G, and its connections.
In Figures 16, 17, 46, 47 and 50 x, is the steam chest. ¹, is the outer steam
port in head, D. is the valve stem, a', is the valve, a, is the steam port in the
steam chest, 2, is the connecting link, a, is the valve stem guide, a³, is the steam
pipe,, is the steam chest head, and, is the steam chest seat on head, D.
In Figure 46, y is the exhaust port in head, D. y, is the seat for the exhaust
cap on head, D, y', is the opening in the exhaust cap, and y³, Figure 44, is the
exhaust cap.

page_text: and
are the Journal boxes for the shaft, G, and are attached to the
In Figure 16, U, is the eccentric crank, and U', the valve crank. R, and R', are
the eccentric and eccentric rod.
heads, J, and D, respectively, see Figure 16.
In Figure 42 K, is the adjustable pillow block, K', is the journal box of said
pillow block, K³, is the cap of said journal box, K³, is the oil hole to lubricate the
shaft.
In Figure 16 M, is the pulley and balance wheel which is firmly keyed or
attached to shaft, N, and driven by it.
W, is the bed plate, to which are securely fastened heads, D, and J', and pillow
blocks, K, K, in proper positions, as shown in Figure 16.
It is not necessary to use a cut-off, except to gain advantage of the expansion of
the steam.
Any kind of cut-off may be used at the steam port. It is not necessary to use a
cut-off at the exhaust port.
While I have shown the steam as entering at, T, and exhausting at S, yet it is
obvious that, S, may be constructed as the inlet steam port, and, T, as the exhaust
port, as indicated in broken lines, Figure 18.
In either of the constructions described it is not necessary to have the center of
the revolving cylinder, F, directly under shaft, C, as shown in Figure 18, that is to
say, the center line, A', B', may be inclined at any angle to the perpendicular.
I do not confine myself to the identical constructions shown and described, as it
is obvious that slight changes may be made in the details without departing from
the spirit of my invention.
I am aware that overlapping pistons and revolving cylinders have been used prior
to my invention ; I therefore do not claim them, but use them in combination as
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a rotary steam engine, a cylinder having one end fixed to a driving shaft,
and the other end journaled upon a fixed head in combination with pistons mounted
eccentrically to said cylinder and extending through the circumference of said cylinder
and packing rings surrounding and fixed to the hubs of said pistons, said packing
ring or rings serving as an abutment between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
2. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and packing rings surrounding and
fixed to the hubs of said pistons, said packing ring or rings serving as an abutment
between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
3. A rotary engine having a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and provided with suitable piston
guides in the circumference thereof, and packing rings surrounding and engaging
the piston hub.
4. In a rotary engine having a rotating cylinder the combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft within said cylinder, of packing rings around the hub of said
pistons consisting of a slotted cylinder or cylinders having the ends internally
beveled, and interior rings correspondingly beveled and springs bearing against said
interior rings for forcing them outwards along said beveled ends, whereby the
packing rings are pushed outward, as wear takes place, to maintain steam-tight
joints.
5. In a rotary engine having the necessary co-operating ports, the combination
with the hub of the pistons, of packing rings, consisting of slotted cylinders having
inwardly turned flanges for holding interior rings in place which interior rings
have projections which fit in cavities in the hub for holding the packing in place.
6. In a rotary engine having the necessary co-operating parts, the combination

page_text: with the hub of the pistons, of packing rings around the hub consisting of slotted
cylinders having inwardly turned flanges along the slot for holding interior
spreading rings in place, which interior rings are partly cut away and have
inward projections at the points where cut away which fit into cavities in the hub of
the pistons and projections or flanges on the pistons bearing against the slotted
cylinders, whereby the packing is held in place.
7. A rotary engine having a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and provided with packing around
the hub of said pistons, which packing consists of a slotted cylinder or cylinders
having the ends internally beveled, rings correspondingly beveled and springs
bearing against said interior spreading rings for forcing them outwards along said
beveled ends, whereby the slotted cylinders are spread out as wear takes place,
to keep steam-tight joints.
8. In a rotary engine, a rotating cylinder having inlet and outlet steam ports
which communicate with the interior of the cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and packing rings surrounding and
engaging the hubs of said pistons, said packing rings serving as an abutment
between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
9. In a rotary engine a rotating cylinder having inlet and outlet steam ports
which communicate with the interior of the cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, said inlet port being provided with
a suitable valve, and packing rings surrounding and engaging the hubs of said
pistons, said packing ring or rings serving as an abutment between the steam inlet
and exhaust ports.
10. In a rotary engine, an outer enclosing casing and an inner rotating cylinder
having inlet and exhaust ports which communicate with the interior of the cylinder,
in combination with pistons mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and
packing rings surrounding and engaging the hubs of said pistons, said packing ring
or rings serving as an abutment between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
11. In a rotary engine, an outer enclosing casing and an inner rotating cylinder
having one end fixed to a driving shaft and the other end journaled upon a fixed
head, in combination with pistons mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder
and extending through the circumference of said cylinder and packing rings
surrounding and engaging the hubs of said pistons, said packing ring or rings
serving as an abutment between the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
12. In a rotary engine a rotating cylinder having pistons mounted upon a shaft
eccentric to said cylinder in combination with guides journaled in the circumference
of said cylinder and through which the pistons pass, said guides being cut away
on their inner sides, so as to fit over flanges which hold the packing ring or rings
around the hub of the piston.
13. The combination in a rotary steam engine, of a rotating cylinder, and a
double crank attached to the driving shaft and connected to the said rotating
cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
14. The combination in a rotary steam engine, of a rotating cylinder, having
flanges extending outwardly, a double crank attached to the driving shaft and
connected to the flanges on said cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
15. The combination in a rotary steam engine, of a rotating cylinder having
flanges extending outwardly, with a double crank attached to a driving shaft and
connected to the flanges on said cylinder, beyond the periphery of the removable
rotating cylinder head, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
16. In a rotary steam engine, having an oil channel through the fixed shaft on
which the pistons revolve, and sub-channels leading from it to the bearings of the
journals of the rotating pistons and of the rotating cylinder on the fixed head,
substantially as set forth.
17. In a rotary steam engine the combination of a rotating cylinder having a

page_text: flange to which the double crank is attached with removable caps attached to the
flange to facilitate the placing of the pistons, substantially as described.
18. In a rotary steam engine the combination of a rotary cylinder and its pistons
with a fixed head on which it is journaled at one end, said head being provided with
inlet and exhaust ports, and a second head at the other end provided with an
annular opening in which said cylinder revolves, substantially as described.
19. In a rotary steam engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder and its pistons
with a fixed head on which it is journaled at one end, said head being provided with
inlet and exhaust ports, and a second head at the other end provided with an
annular opening in which said cylinder revolves, and an outer casing secured
between the two heads and attached to the base plate, substantially as described.
20. In a rotary steam engine, a steam chest with a single port controlled by a
valve which makes two cut-offs to each revolution of the cylinder by passing and
re-passing entirely over said port, substantially as described.
21. In a rotary steam engine, a steam chest with a single port controlled by a
sliding valve which makes two cut-offs to each revolution of the cylinder by passing
and re-passing entirely over said port, substantially as described.
22. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and automatic split packing rings
surrounding the hubs of said pistons and being fixed to said hubs by guides fitting
in dove-tail cavities in said packing rings, substantially as described.
23. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and automatic split packing rings
surrounding the hubs of said pistons and being fixed to said hubs by guides fitting
in dove-tail cavities in said packing rings, said packing ring or rings serving as an
abutment between the inlet and exhaust ports, substantially as described.
24. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and automatic split packing rings
surrounding the hubs of said pistons and consisting of a split packing ring and
two outer and two inner expansion rings, substantially as described.
25. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and a packing surrounding the
hubs of said pistons consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having annular cavities for the reception of inner expansion rings, whereby
the split packing ring is packed steam-tight against the inner periphery of the
rotating cylinder, substantially as described.
26. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and a packing surrounding the
hubs of said pistons consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having annular cavities for the reception of inner expansion rings, said
packing ring having wedges on its inner periphery bearing against the outer
beveled periphery of the two outer expansion rings, whereby said packing ring is
expanded by the movement of the expansion rings along and against the said
wedges of the packing ring, substantially as described.
27. In a rotary steam engine, the combination of a rotating cylinder with the
hubs of the eccentric pistons, said hubs being provided with dovetail guides, and
inner and outer expansion rings, said rings provided with cavities into which said
guides fit whereby the inner expansion rings are held in contact with and around
the said hubs, but permitting lateral movement, substantially as described.
28. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and packing rings surrounding the
hubs of said pistons and consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having annular cavities into which fit the inner expansion rings, said outer
expansion rings being held to said inner expansion rings by bolts firmly fixed
thereto and whose heads are countersunk in the outer ring sufficiently deep to
prevent protrusion when the rings are compressed together, and springs in said

page_text: cavities to hold said rings apart, whereby the outer ring can decrease but not
increase its distance from the inner ring so as to hold the packing ring against the
inner periphery of the rotating cylinder and to allow it to adjust itself to any
inequalities in said periphery whether due to wear or disalignment of the engine in
any of its parts, substantially as described.
29. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and packing rings surrounding the
hubs of said piston and consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having annular cavities into which fit inner expansion rings, said outer
expansion rings having flanges or lugs at each end turned inwardly and abutting
against the ends of the inner expansion rings, substantially as described.
30. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and packing rings surrounding the
hubs of said pistons and consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having annular cavities into which fit inner expansion rings, said packing
rings having flanges or lugs turned inwardly at each end, and abutting against the
ends of said outer expansion rings, substantially as described.
31. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder and packing rings surrounding the
hubs of said pistons consisting of a split packing ring with flanges on the ends
turned inwardly and wedges on the inner periphery thereof and two outer expansion
rings on their outer periphery beveled to correspond to the wedges of the packing
ring, with flanges or lugs turned inwardly and abutting against the ends of the
inner expansion ring which is held in the annular cavity in the outer expansion
ring, the said flanges of the packing ring and the outer expansion ring corre-
spondingly beveled to each other so that the sum of the bevels of the flanges on
the outer expansion rings and the packing ring shall be to the bevel on the
periphery of the outer expansion rings, which correspond to the wedges of the
packing ring, as the circumference of a circle is to its diameter, thereby allowing
for the expansion of the packing ring to be adjusted on said flanges, substantially
as described.
32. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and packing rings surrounding the
hubs of said pistons, and consisting of a split packing ring and two outer expansion
rings having cavities into which fit the inner expansion rings, said packing rings
having in their sides cavities to receive the cut rings for the purpose of packing
the split packing rings against each other and against the heads of the rotating
cylinder, substantially as described.
33. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with two
pistons mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, one piston having two
hubs and the other piston one hub which fits in and against the two outer hubs
thereby avoiding any tendency of the piston to twist, each hub being provided
with one set of automatic packing secured by guides projecting therefrom,
substantially as described.
34. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, in combination with pistons
mounted upon a shaft eccentric to said cylinder, said pistons consisting of a flanged
wing, and a hub, or hubs to which it is firmly secured by a key and by bolts
passing through said flanges and fastened in said hub or hubs, said flanges having
packing strips in their face next to the ends of the split packing rings, substantially
as described.
35. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder and pistons mounted upon a
shaft eccentric to said cylinder and passing through the circumference of the
cylinder, in combination with guides through which the pistons pass, having at one
end a reduced portion and journaled in said rotating cylinder so as to facilitate
placing said guides in position, substantially as described.
36. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, and pistons mounted upon a

page_text: shaft eccentric to said cylinder, and having the inlet and exhaust steam ports so
located as to exhaust the steam when the area of back pressure on the following
piston is nearly or just equal to the area of steam pressure on the leading piston,
thereby balancing or nearly balancing the following piston through that portion of
the stroke in which the travel and consequent friction through the guides of the
following piston is greatest, thereby reducing the friction, substantially as set
forth.
37. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder and pistons mounted upon a
shaft eccentric to the cylinder, and having a packing around the hub of said
pistons which acts as an abutment between the inlet and exhaust steam ports, which
ports are so located as to exhaust the steam when the area of back pressure on the
following piston is nearly or just equal to the area of steam pressure on the leading
piston, thereby balancing or nearly balancing the following piston through that
portion of the stroke in which the travel and consequent friction through the
guides of the following piston is greatest, thereby reducing the friction, substantially
as set forth.
38. In a rotary steam engine, a rotating cylinder, and a fixed outer casing, in
combination with pistons mounted eccentric to said rotating cylinder, said pistons
provided with packing within said rotating cylinder and so constructed as to be
out of contact with said outer casing thereby preventing the use of steam in said
outer casing, substantially as described.
39. In a rotary steam engine a rotary cylinder having one head fixed and the
other rotating with it, and a fixed outer casing with both heads fixed, in combination
with pistons mounted eccentric to said rotating cylinder, said pistons passing
through cylindrical guides journaled in the sides of said rotating cylinder and being
packed against the inner periphery of the two heads and in the cylindrical guides
of said rotating cylinder, said pistons provided with packing as above described
and so constructed as to be out of contact with said outer casing thereby
preventing the use of steam in said outer casing, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of January 1891.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.