Year: 1887

page_text: We, THOMAS BROWETT, and HERBERT LINDLEY, Engineers, both of Sandon Engine
Works, St. Simon Street, Salford, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to motor engines worked by ignition and expansion of
a combustible mixture of gas and air, or of petroleum or other hydrocarbon vapour
and air. The supply of gas or vapour and air for compression, and the feeding of the
same to the working cylinder, are controlled by a single slide provided with suitable
ports or passages for the admission of gas and air and a second port or passage to
open communication from the charge to the working cylinder; the connection of this
slide with its actuating mechanism is controlled by a governor of any suitable kind;
the arrangement is such that when the slide is disconnected from its actuating
mechanism it assumes a position in which all the ports are blinded, and when
connection between the actuating mechanism and the slide is re-effected, the first
movement of the slide will invariably be in a direction to admit combustible mixture
to the working cylinder.
The invention can be carried out in engines of various constructions. One arrange-
ment of such an engine has two open end single acting cylinders furnished with
pistons. One cylinder we will call the working cylinder. The other, which serves as
a pump and mixing cylinder, we will call the charge cylinder. Both these cylinders
have clearance spaces. The clearance in the working cylinder is for the reception of
the compressed charge as is usual; that in the charge cylinder is to contain the
compressed charge in case the same is not transferred to the working cylinder. The
exhaust is a hole in the working cylinder in a position just within that of the inner
face of the working piston when at the end of its out stroke, and during the time that
the working piston uncovers the exhaust hole, thereby opening it to the cylinder
between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder, spent gases escape: the fresh
charge entering acts as an expeller. When, owing to the action of the governor due
to high-speed of the engine, the slide is disconnected from its actuating mechanism,
so that all the ports are blinded as before mentioned, the contents of both cylinders

page_text: are compressed into their respective clearance spaces, and re-expanded during the
following out-strokes of their respective pistons. When the speed falls, so that the
slide is again geared with its actuating mechanism, the slide is moved, the charge
that was in the charge cylinder is forced into the working cylinder by a pipe and
past a check valve; and, also, by a further movement of the slide, a fresh charge is
mixed and drawn into the charge cylinder to replace the one just delivered into the
working cylinder.
Spring levers tend to keep the slide in its normal position, namely, that in which it
blinds all the ports. The slide carries a bracket with a faced surface on which slides
a bar to which reciprocating motion is imparted from an eccentric on the shaft of the
engine.
The sliding bar has at opposite sides shoulders that face in opposite directions. The
slide carries a movable tongue we will call the movable abutinent, connected to and
actuated by the governor.
Within a suitable hole in the bracket there is a bolt that
rests upon an eccentric controlled by a weighted swing arm or pendulum, the
arrangement being such that, normally, one end of the bolt is flush with that face of
the bracket along which slides the bar operated by the eccentric. When the engine
is at rest, the free end of the movable abutment is in the path of the sliding bar, so
that if the engine shaft be rotated in the working direction, one shoulder of the
sliding bar will be brought against the free end of the movable abutment, and as the
sliding bar continues its stroke, the slide will be pushed, so as to open communication
between the charge cylinder and the working cylinder.
During the earlier part of the return stroke, the movable abutment is kept against
the shoulder of the sliding bar by the action of one of the spring levers upon the
slide, and the reversal of motion causes the pendulum to vibrate, and to raise the
bolt, and as the slide passes its normal position, the second spring lever, acting against
it, causes a shoulder on the end of the bolt to engage with the second shoulder of the
sliding bar, thus keeping the bolt raised, and causing the slide to travel with the
sliding bar until the extreme forward position of the slide is reached, and so on.
During this second half movement, a charge is drawn into the charge cylinder to
replace that just transferred to the working cylinder. Should the engine attain an
excessive speed, the governor will move the free end of the movable abutment out of
the path of the sliding bar, and the spring levers will cause the slide to assume its
central position, in which the ports will be blinded as before stated; and so long as
the movable abutment is out of the path of the sliding bar, the latter will not actuate
the slide.
In an engine such as described, ignition of the combustible charge may be
conveniently effected by means of a heated tube of such a length that on the charge
in the working cylinder attaining its maximum pressure, the combustible gases will
just reach the highly heated portion of the tube, and will be ignited.
Another method of igniting the compressed charge is as follows:-A tube sealed at
its outer end is in free communication with that part of the working cylinder con-
taining the combustible charge as in the above described igniter, but instead of
heating this tube to incandescence to ignite the charge, we insert inside such tube a
platinum wire rendered incandescent by an electric current or two suitable terminals
between which a high tension electric spark is caused to flash continuously, such
incandescent wire or electric spark being placed in such a position in the tube that the
combustible charge when compressed to its maximum pressure will just reach the
field of such incandescent wire or high tension spark and become ignited thereby.
This arrangement of igniter is specially applicable to engines worked by liquid hydro-
carbon as all external gas flames which are a source of danger in the presence of
volatile hydrocarbons may be dispensed with.
In an engine according to our invention, instead of using the slide to effect the
mixing and inlet of the combustible charge to the charge cylinder, we sometimes
adopt a construction in which we use an automatic lift and mixing valve as described
in the specification of a former Patent No. 3568 dated 20th July 1883 granted to
C. T. Wordsworth and H. Lindley, the function of the slide and governing mechanism

page_text: being then confined to admitting a charge from the charge cylinder to the working
cylinder, in which case a fresh charge will always be drawn into the charge cylinder
after a charge has passed to the working cylinder by reason of the lift valve being
raised by the reduction of pressure due to the next forward stroke of the charge
piston. This arrangement is the same as described in the specification above
mentioned, but is applied to an engine working on the cycle herein described by which
an ignition of a combustible charge may be obtained at every revolution instead of
every alternate revolution as in the said former arrangement, and as the present
arrangement dispenses with one of the motions otherwise required to be given to the
slide, the engine will therefore be cheaper to make, especially for small powers.
Engines according to our invention may be constructed in various forms, and the
slide hereinabove referred to may be actuated by any suitable mechanism.
Dated this 17th day of February 1887
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motor Engines Worked by Gas or Hydrocarbon.
We THOMAS BROWETT, and HERBERT LINDLEY, Engineers, both of Sandon Engine
Works St. Simon Street, Salford, in the County of Lancaster, 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 has reference to motor engines worked by ignition and expansion of
a combustible mixture of gas and air, or of petroleum or other hydrocarbon vapour
and air. The supply of gas or vapour and air for compression, and the feeding of
the same to the working cylinder, are controlled by a single slide working in connexion
provided with suitable ports or passages for the admission of gas and air and with a port
or passage to open communication from the charge to the working cylinder. The
connection of this slide with its actuating mechanism is controlled by a governor of
any suitable kind; the arrangement being such that when the slide is disconnected
from its actuating mechanism it assumes a position in which all the ports are blinded,
and when connection between the actuating mechanism and the slide is re-effected, the
first movement of the slide will invariably be in a direction to admit combustible
mixture to the working cylinder.
The invention can be carried out in engines of various constructions. One arrange-
ment of such an engine has two open ended single acting cylinders furnished with
pistons. One cylinder we will call the working cylinder. The other, which serves
as a pump and mixing cylinder, we will call the charge cylinder.
Both these cylinders have clearance spaces. The clearance in the working cylinder
is for the reception of the compressed charge as is usual; that in the charge cylinder
is to contain the compressed charge in case the same is not immediately transferred
to the working cylinder. The exhaust is a hole in the working cylinder, and is
situated in a position just within the inner face of the working piston when the latter
is near the end of its outstroke. Spent gases escape during the time that the working
piston uncovers the exhaust hole. At this period the portion of the cylinder between
the piston and the closed end is opened to the exhaust and the fresh charge entering
acts as an expeller.
When, owing to the action of the governor due to high speed of the engine, the
slide is disconnected from its actuating mechanism, and all the ports are blinded as
before mentioned, the contents of both cylinders are compressed into their respective
clearance spaces, and re-expanded during the following outstrokes of their respective
pistons. When the speed falls, the slide is again geared with its actuating mechanism,
and is set in motion; the charge that was in the charge cylinder is then forced into
the working cylinder through a pipe and past a check valve. Also, by a further
movement of the slide, a fresh charge is mixed and drawn into the charge cylinder to
replace the one just delivered into the working cylinder.

page_text: In a modification of this invention the further (or second) movement of the slide
may be dispensed with and the slide used merely for controlling the transfer of the
charge to the working cylinder, a separate automatic mixing valve then serving to
admit a combustible charge to the charge cylinder when called on to do so by reason
of a charge having been transferred to the working cylinder through the action of the
slide.
Spring levers or their equivalent tend to keep the slide in its normal position,
namely, that in which it blinds all the ports. The slide carries a bracket with a faced
surface on which slides a bar to which reciprocating motion is imparted from an
eccentric on the shaft of the engine.
The sliding bar has at opposite sides shoulders that face in opposite directions.
The slide carries a movable tongue we will call the movable abutment, connected to
and actuated by the governor.
Within a suitable hole in the above mentioned bracket there is a bolt that rests upon
an eccentric controlled by a weighted swing arm or pendulum, the arrangement being
such that, normally, one end of the bolt is flush with that face of the bracket along
which slides the bar operated by the eccentric. When the engine is at rest, the free
end of the movable abutment is in the path of the sliding bar, so that if the engine
shaft be rotated in the working direction one shoulder of the sliding bar will be
brought against the free end of the movable abutment, and as the sliding bar continues
its stroke, the slide will be pushed, so as to open communication between the charge
cylinder and the working cylinder.
During the earlier part of the return stroke, the movable abutment is kept against
the shoulder of the sliding bar by the action of one of the spring levers upon the slide,
and the reversal of motion causes the pendulum to vibrate, and to raise the bolt, and
as the slide passes its central position, the second spring lever acting against it, causes
a shoulder on the end of the bolt to engage with the second shoulder of the sliding
bar, thus keeping the bolt raised, and causing the slide to travel with the sliding bar
until the extreme forward position of the slide is reached, and so on.
During the second half movement, a charge is drawn into the charge cylinder to
replace that just transferred to the working cylinder.
Should the engine attain an excessive speed, the governor will move the free end of
the movable abutment out of the path of the sliding bar, and the spring levers will
cause the slide to assume its central position, in which the ports will be blinded as
before stated, and so long as the movable abutment is out of the path of the sliding
bar, the latter will not actuate the slide.
In an engine such as described, ignition of the combustible charge may be con-
veniently effected by means of a heated tube of such a length that on the charge in
the working cylinder attaining its maximum pressure the combustible gases will just
reach the highly heated portion of the tube, and will be ignited.
Another method of igniting the compressed charge is as follows:-A tube sealed
at its outer end is in free communication with that part of the working cylinder
containing the combustible charge as in the above described igniter, but instead of
heating this tube to incandescence to ignite the charge, we insert inside such tube a
platinum wire rendered incandescent by an electric current, or two suitable terminals
between which a high tension electric spark is caused to flash continuously, such
incandescent wire or electric spark being placed in such a position in the tube that
the combustible charge when compressed to its maximum pressure will just reach
the field of such incandescent wire or high tension spark and become ignited
thereby.
This arrangement of igniter is specially applicable to engines worked by liquid
hydrocarbon as all external gas flames which are a source of danger in the presence
of volatile hydrocarbon may be dispensed with.
In an engine according to our invention, instead of using the slide to effect the
mixing and inlet of the combustible charge to the charge cylinder, we sometimes
adopt a construction in which we use an automatic lift and mixing valve as described

page_text: in the Specification of a former Patent No. 3568 dated 20th July 1883 granted to
C. T. Wordsworth and H. Lindley, the function of the slide and governing mechanism
being then confined to admitting a charge from the charge cylinder to the working
cylinder, in which case a fresh charge will always be drawn into the charge cylinder
after a charge has passed to the working cylinder by reason of the lift valve being
raised by the reduction of pressure due to the next forward stroke of the charge
piston. This arrangement is the same as described in the Specification above
mentioned, but is applied to an engine working on the cycle herein described by
which an ignition of a combustible charge may be obtained at every revolution
instead of every alternate revolution as in the said former arrangement, and as the
present arrangement dispenses with one of the motions otherwise required to be given
to the slide, the engine will therefore be cheaper to make, especially for small
powers.
Engines according to our invention may be constructed in various forms, and the
slide herein above referred to may be actuated by any suitable mechanism.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation and
Fig. 2 an end elevation of a gas motor engine constructed according to this inven-
tion, and Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a front elevation and a sectional plan of the
slide and its actuating mechanism drawn to a larger scale.
In figs. 1 and 2 A. and B. are two open end cylinders, A being the working or
power cylinder and B. the charge or pump cylinder. Each of these cylinders is fitted
with a suitable piston which is connected to a crank by a connecting rod in a manner
now well understood. The stroke of the pistons in each case is arranged so as to
leave a clearance in the respective cylinder into which the contents of the cylinder
may be compressed to a pressure of 30 to 40 lbs. per square inch or more.
crank to which the pump piston is connected is about 90° in advance of the working
crank.
The
The admission of gas and air to the charge or pump cylinder, and the delivery
of the charge from the pump cylinder to the working cylinder is regulated by the
slide E. This slide has a single cavity J of such a length that it can, in one position
of the valve cover the port. L leading from the charge cylinder and the port K
leading to the working cylinder, while in another position of the slide it covers the
port L'and the air inlet port S, while at the same time gas enters the cavity from the
pipe through the holes T. In the mid position of the slide the cavity covers
the port L, so that both it, the port K and the gas and air inlets are all
closed.
Supposing the pump piston to be at the left hand of its stroke (Fig. 1) and the
slide E to be at or near the right hand end of its travel, gas and air will be drawn
by the outward motion of the pump piston through the cavity of the valve and the
port L into the charge or pump cylinder. During the return motion of the pump
piston the cylinder will be at first closed, and then, unless prevented by the action of
the governor in a way to be explained later, the slide will connect the two ports L
and K, and the combustible mixture will flow into the working cylinder forcing out
the products of combustion therein through the exhaust port which is uncovered
by the working piston a short time previously to the termination of its outward
stroke. The working piston then makes an instroke compressing the charge, which
at the end of that stroke is fixed by the ignition tube D which is kept incandescent
by a gas flame.
So long as the speed of revolution of the engine is below a determined amount for
which the governor is designed or adjusted there is a charge of gas and air drawn in
and ignited at each revolution of the crank shaft. But if this determined speed of
revolution be exceeded the combustible mixture in the pump or charge cylinder is not
delivered into the working cylinder, and consequently at the next outward stroke of
the working piston there is no ignition. The means by which this regulation is
effected are seen most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. F is a sliding bar actuated by an
eccentric on the engine shaft and having on its upper and lower faces shoulders Ğ G'

page_text: turned in opposite directions. The bar F slides in a groove formed on a projection
of the slide E and has of itself no tendency or action to move the slide.
So long,
however, as the governor does not revolve with sufficient rapidity to raise the movable
abutment H the shoulder G presses against the face of such abutment and the slide
is moved. This movement of the slide causes the cavity or port J in the slide to
connect the ports K and L, and thus to permit the charge in the pump cylinder to
enter the working cylinder through the pipe M and past the check valve N (Fig. 2)
to be afterwards compressed and ignited as described. The slide E is kept in contact
during the first half of its motion with the shoulder G, through the abutment H, by
means of a lever Q on the axis or pivot of which is a coiled spring, which always
tends to bring the slide to a central position.
During the return of the slide from the left hand end to the centre of its travel the
pendulum O which is mounted on a spindle O' fixed in a bracket carried by the slide,
is caused by its inertia to make a partial oscillation-An eccentric O on the spindle O¹
partakes of the motion of the pendulum and raises the bolt P which moves in a guide
formed in the bracket. This bolt has on its upper end a shoulder or abutment so
situated that when the bolt is raised it comes in contact with the lower shoulder or
abutment G on the sliding bar F. Thus during the return motion of the slide to a
central position the bolt P has time to be raised to meet the shoulder G¹ and as the
slide passes its central position and escapes from the action of the spring lever Q
and comes under the action of a similar lever Q1 but acting in the opposite direction,
the shoulder G¹ engages with the shoulder on the bolt P and the slide is thus caused
to move through its second half travel, the pressure between the shoulder G¹ and
bolt P resulting from the action of lever Q₁ being sufficient to keep the bolt P
raised until the central position is again reached and the lever Q₁ ceases to act.
The levers QQ press against studs fixed in the slide and for the passage of which
suitable slots are provided in the cover R. This cover is provided as is usual in slides
of this kind with studs and nuts by which it can be set up against the slide, though
we dispense with the usual springs and prefer to have the cover rigidly kept in easy
contact with the slide so as to avoid any possible nipping of the slide which might
prevent its free action under the spring levers QQ¹.
If the speed of the engine increase unduly the governor raises the movable abut-
ment H so that the shoulder G can no longer strike it and therefore the slide is not
moved but remains in the central position in which it is shewn in fig. 4. Under this
condition the charge in the pump cylinder cannot escape, and no further charge can
be drawn into it.
As previously described we may also make an engine according to this invention
in which the second half motion of the slide is suppressed, and in lieu thereof use a
self acting mixing valve as described in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 35688 granted to C. T. Wordsworth and H. Lindley.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 shew respectively front elevation, a sectional plan, and a sectional
end elevation of the cylinders of such an engine, parts corresponding to those in
the views of the first described form of motor being similarly lettered.
In these views E is the slide as before with cavity J which is caused to make
communication between the ports K and L leading respectively to the motor and
charge cylinders, at the correct time, i.e. just after the exhaust holes C have become
uncovered by the motion of the piston in the cylinder A, a single abutment H and
shoulder G being sufficient for this purpose, a spring W serves to bring the slide E
back to a position in which the port K is blinded or closed.
After a charge has been thus transferred from the charge cylinder to the working
cylinder the slide closes the communication between the cylinders and on the next
outstroke of the charge piston air and gas are drawn in through the self-acting
lift and back pressure valve Z. This valve is constructed as previously described
so as to effect a mixture of gas and air in the correct proportions for forming an
explosive charge. The connection of the moveable abutment H to the governor is
the same as in the previously described form of engine and when this abutment

page_text: is raised by the governor so as to miss the shoulder G on the sliding bar F the
slide is not moved and the charge is not transferred, and the contents of both
cylinders are compressed into their respective clearance spaces.
In cases where a slide is used for firing the explosive charge in conjunction with
the heated tube it may conveniently be worked from the slide E as shewn by
levers X X¹. The igniting arrangement consisting of wire of platinum or other
refractory metal heated by a current of electricity is simply a substitution of the
heated platinum instead of heating a portion of the iron tube itself and while
admitting of small modifications in detail does not require the assistance of a drawing
for its explanation. It may be well to mention that electrical connection may be
conveniently made to the wire by imbedding the terminals in pot or other similar
baked or vitreous substance not easily affected by heat and which is a non-conductor
of electricity. Space must be left in the tube beyond the heated wire so that on
compression of the charge the explosive gases from the cylinder can enter the tube
and reach the heated wire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
In motor engines worked by gas or hydrocarbon:
1. In an engine working on the cycle hereinabove referred to providing sub-
stantially in the manner set forth for the retention of a combustible charge in
readiness to be admitted by a slide under control of a governor to the working
cylinder.
2. A mixing and transferring slide so applied and operated that it alternately
connects a charge cylinder to gas and air inlets and to a working cylinder, so long as
the speed of revolution of the engine does not exceed a determined rate, but when
this speed is exceeded closes the cylinders until the speed is reduced to the normal
rate when it connects them substantially as described.
3. Controlling the supply of gas or vapour and air for compression, and the feeding
of the same to a working cylinder by means of a slide working in connection with
suitable ports or passages for the admission of gas and air and with a port or passage
to open communication from a charge cylinder to the working cylinder, the connection
of said slide with its actuating mechanism being controlled by a governor, and the
arrangement being such that when the slide is disconnected from its actuating
mechanism it will assume a position in which all the ports will be blinded, and that
when connection between the actuating mechanism and the slide is re-effected, the
first movement of the slide will invariably be in a direction to admit combustible
mixture to the working cylinder.
4. In an engine working on the cycle hereinabove referred to, the use in conjunction
with a slide which at the proper moment connects a charge cylinder to a working
cylinder so long as the speed of revolution of the engine does not exceed a determined
rate but which when that speed is exceeded ceases to make connection until the speed
is reduced to the normal rate, of an automatic lift and mixing valve through which
gas or vapour and air are drawn into the charge cylinder substantially as described.
5. A slide forming the means of communication between a charge cylinder and a
working cylinder, in combination with spring levers or their equivalents, a movable
abutment operated by a governor and a locking bolt operated by a pendulum or its
equivalent carried on the slide, the arrangement being such that when the movable
abutment is raised the slide becomes stationary in its central position, and when the
abutment is lowered the first movement of the slide is in a direction to connect the
charge and working cylinders substantially as described.
6. The combination of a slide with the movable abutment H, bolt P,
pendulum O, substantially as described and shown.
and
7. The use for igniting the charge of a piece of metal rendered incandescent by an
electric current, or of an electric spark, in a closed tube, chamber or vessel of such

page_text: proportions that the combustible mixture does not reach the incandescent surface or
spark until it has attained its full compression substantially as described.
8. Arranging and operating a slide substantially in the manner described with
reference to the slide E in Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
9. We also claim the improved engines constructed, arranged, and operating
substantially as described with reference respectively to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive
and to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive of the drawings.
11
1711 1
11007
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C,
Agent for the Applicants."
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C,
Agent for the Applicants.