AN IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Edmund Passee, of Russell Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
MODE OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."?!
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Edmund Passee.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition;
on the 29th May 1867.
I, THOMAS EDMUND PASSEE, of Russell Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ax
IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREIN," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in a method of procuring perfect vacua in cylinders
of any given diameter and of given volume or content by pistons moving and
fitted air-tight and freely within them, and in the application to unlimited
extent of the atmospheric vacuum motive principle. to produce rectilineal
action, which adjusted to alternate or reciprocate by suitable mechanical
contrivances and then started results in continuous movement; hence I obtain
a portable prime mover of great simplicity and efficiency which will only lose
its power when its respective parts are worn out. This method of procuring
given vacua may be taken advantage of to produce continuous motion not only

page_text: by using any elastic fluids, but also any liquids. Wherever we find matter
possessing the properties of elasticity, density, and weight, this mode of
applying given vacua will prevail and produce continuous action; if when in
full action in the medium of air this engine be completely immersed in water
it will continue in motion notwithstanding the resistance its external parts
encounter; and were the principle of the hydraulic engine to be combined
and adjusted to it by apparent mechanical modification a power of great
magnitude on a small scale or otherwise would result.
The manner in which this mode of obtaining motive power may be carried
into effect will be understood by the annexed Figures, which show apparatus
given merely as examples of the many arrangements which might be adopted
for the purpose.
Figure 1 represents an atmospheric engine or machine with double vacua
alternately acting and quadruple crank. The valves and reciprocal rotary
cutting offs are shown open; the cranks of this model are to be adjusted at
right angles to those shown in Figure 2. a is a common beam and axis;
b, b, b, b, are two reverse and two inverse cranks fixed on the beam to rotate
and reciprocally to move down and up the piston rods respectively. No. 1 and
No. 4 are oscillating cylinders with pistons and rods; they are similar in every
respect and of the same capacity, say, for example, three inches by one inch.
c, c, c, c, are india-rubber packings, which are bases to repel to some extent
the pistons during full action; d, d, are air-tight pistons of 1 inch diameter
and rods. of No. 1 and No. 4 cylinders; e, e, are valves of these cylinders
opening outwards when necessary to expel the air from above the pistons.
In No. 1 cylinder the piston is seen at the top adhering quite close to the
india-rubber packing above it, a perfect vacuum baving been left beneath it;
while in No. 4 cylinder the piston is adhering close to the india-rubber packing
beneath it, and the top of it is filled with air of the usual elasticity, density, and
weight, which keeps it down; then No. 2 and No. 3 cylinders are also similar
to each other in every respect, and are of the same capacity, say one inch by
three inches. ff.f.f, are apertures to admit atmospheric pressure at all times;
9, 9, are air-tight pistons and rods of No. 2 and No. 8 cylinders; h, h, are
reciprocal rotary cutting-offs to cut off outward air when either piston. is
descending, or to admit air when the other is ascending; i, i, are two spring
valves communicating freely from within the two inner cylinders to within the
two outer ones. Now in No. 2 cylinder the piston is seen at the top, though
it need not be quite so close, and beneath it there is air of the usual elasticity,
density, and weight cut off from escaping through the aperture h should the
piston be forced to descend; while in No. 3 cylinder the piston is down, having

page_text: atmospheric pressure freely above it, and the cut-off aperture / now com-
municating with the air will admit counteracting equalizing pressure should
the piston be forced to ascend; j,j,j;j,j, are fixed blocks to be adjusted to
a common. axis for the air-tight oscillation of the cylinders.
.
The operation or action is as follows:-Suppose the piston rod of No. 1 is
detached from its crank, and the piston is down as seen in No. 4, and the
other portions remain as they appear in the Figure; now given 14-6 lbs. as
atmospheric pressure on every square inch of surface, and let us assume it to
be 12 lbs. on the circular area of 1 inch diameter, which it is approximately ;
then in No. 1 the air-tight piston, which has 1 inch diameter, is kept down by
a force equal to 12 lbs., being the atmospheric pressure in vacuo, and it would
require a force greater (friction overlooked for the present) than this to draw
it fully up to the india-rubber packing at the top; if forced there it will
still have a downward pressure of, say, 3 lbs. from the fact of its piston rod
having inch diameter, and, taking no account of the weight of the piston
and rod and resistance of friction, this will tend to push the piston down in
vacuo,, and the moment the piston begins to descend the expansion of the air
at the sides of the valves and i (provided they are closed and the spring
valve i does not open from greater pressure, which it is constituted to do,) will
increase this movement to a trifling extent. Now let us suppose that by
manual or mechanical power the piston of No. 1 is forced to the top quite
close to the india-rubber packing, and kept there till the rod head is attached
to its crank; when this is effected and the power removed the engine will
remain quiescent and appear precisely as it is in the Figure. Now let us
see why the piston of No. 1 does not now move down in vacuo, since it has
been demonstrated that a pressure of 3 lbs. will begin to act on the piston rod;
this takes us to No. 4 cylinder, because in No. 4 there is a greater counter-
poise of 15 lbs., viz., 12 lbs. on the piston of 1 inch diameter from the air
within the cylinder and 3 lbs. on the rod head without, and thus it is evident
that through the common beam and axis the two contending forces meet, and
a resulting force of 12 lbs. is maintained by the rod and piston of No. 4, which
tends-to render the engine torpid; now by manual or mechanical power again
turn the common beam and axis of its revolution and overcome this. pre-
ponderating force of 12 lbs.; the piston of No. 1 begins to descend in vacuo,
pulling down its rod and crank, while the valve e harmoniously closes to
exclude air; the piston of No. 2 drawing its rod and crank begins to press
on the air beneath it, which is now closed from the external air by the cut-off
aperture h, and the air thus emprisoned from its greater elasticity and density
will
open the spring valve i and contribute to accelerate the piston of No. 1..

page_text: having the same capacities. No. 1 and No. 4 are similar in every respect,
being, say, 3 inches by one inch; and No. 2 and No. 3 are also similar in every
respect, being 1 inch by 8 inches. c, c, c, c, c, c, c, c, are india-rubber
packings above and below in the cylinders; they are bases, and repel to
some extent the pistons during full action. d, d, are air-tight pistons and
rods of No. 1 and No. 4; e,. e, are valves of No. 1 and No. 4, opening
outwards when necessary to expel air above the pistons. In No. 1 the
piston is seen adhering close to the india-rubber packing beneath it, and the
top of it is filled with air of the usual kind, which keeps it depressed; while
in No. 4 the piston is adhering close to the india-rubber packing above it, a
perfect vacuum having. been left beneath it. f.f, are air-tight pistons and
rods of No. 2 and No. 3; 9, 9, are two spring valves communicating freely
from within the two inner cylinders to within the two outer ones; h, h, are
reciprocal rotary cutting offs, either to admit air to press one piston down
in vacuo or exclude it when the other begins to ascend. Now in No: 2 the
piston f is seen at the top adhering close to the india-rubber packing above it,
having left a perfect vacuum beneath it, while in.No. 3 the piston fis adhering
close to the india-rubber packing beneath it, and the top of it is filled with
air of the usual kind, which keeps it depressed. i, i, i, i, i, are fixed blocks
to be adjusted to a common axis for the air-tight oscillation of the cylinders.
The operation or action is as follows:-Suppose that the piston rods
of No. 2 and No. 4 are detached from their cranks, and the air-tight pistons
to be adhering close to the india-rubber packings beneath them, as are
those of No. 1 and No. 3, it is evident if either of the pistons be forced from
the india-rubber, packing a perfect vacuum or void will remain between
them. Now assuming that an air pressure of 12 lbs. operates on a circular
area of 1 inch diameter in vacuo the air-tight pistons and rods of the
respective cylinders are more or less controlled by proportion of this
power, therefore the pistons and rods of No. 1 and No. 4 are each
kept down by a pressure of 15 lbs., while the pistons and rods of No. 2
and No. 3 are also kept down by a pressure of 39 lbs. Now draw up
the piston of No. 2 to the top, close to the india-rubber packing above it,.
keeping it there till its rod head is attached to its crank; when effected a.
perfect vacuum will be below the piston, and a force of 3 lbs. from the inch.
diameter, of the piston rod will tend to depress it till the cut-off apertüre k
will admit air and consequent pressure to accelerate the movement; but.
before this motion is contemplated let the piston of No. 4 be also brought up.
close to the india-rubber packing above it, and the rod head attached. to.its.
crank, then the engine will appear just as is it is in the Figure, remaining in

page_text: equilibrium because the contending forces of 3 lbs. on each rod head are equal.
Now turn the common beam and axis of its revolution and overcome this
équilibrium; then the air entering through the cut-off aperture h in. No. 2
accelerates the piston in vacuo with a force of 36 lbs. superadded by 3 lbs.
from its rod, giving a total of 39 lbs. pressure from No. 2, excluding the
resistance of friction and weight of piston rod. The piston and rod of No. 1
oppose a resistance of 15 lbs. to their ascent, but a preponderating force of
24 lbs. compels them through the common beam and axis to pump out the
enclosed air through the valve opening outwards; then the piston of No. 3
(opposed by a pressure of 3 lbs. from its rod) ascends while the cut-off
aperture excludes outward air, and the spring valve 9 opens to allow of
the transfer of the enclosed air above it to No. 4. The piston of No. 4.
descends in vacuo (with a 3 lbs. pressure on its rod), the outward valve e
harmoniously closing while the air from No. 3 is being received within No. 4
above its piston, the columns of air supporting one another during the transfer,
thus the contending forces in No. 8 and No. 4 are equal to one another
exclusive of friction resistance.
6

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Edmund Passee in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th November 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
EDMUND PASSEE, of Russell Square, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Edmund Passee, Her special licence that 1, the said Thomas
Edmund Passee, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Thomas Edmund Passee, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER AND THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Thomas Edmund Passee, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and.
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Edmund Passee, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto.
annexed, that is to say :-
My Invention consists in a method of procuring perfect vacua or nearly:
perfect vacua in cylinders of any given diameter and of given volume or con-.
tent by pistons moving and fitted air-tight and freely within them, and in the
application to unlimited extent of the vacuum motive principle, either by one,
less than one, or more atmospheres, or any other suitable pressure to produce;
rectilineal action, which adjusted with other auxiliary cylinders to alternate
or reciprocate by spring, lever, beam, rotary axis, and other mechanical con-.
trivances, and then started, results in continuous movement till stopped by

page_text: failure of the vacua or other causes of derangement, hence I obtain a
portable prime mover of remarkable simplicity and efficiency founded on the
fundamental principle of the universal law of the unequal contention of forces,
whereby a greater force will always prevail and overcome a lesser.
The manner in which this mode of obtaining motive power may be carried
into effect will be understood by the annexed Figures, which shew apparatus
given merely as examples of the many arrangements which might be adopted:
for the purpose.
Common and hot air, steam, and any elastic fluids, water,
and any liquids may respectively be used to carry out the prime principles
contained in the four Figures shewn in the Drawings, and embraced in this
Invention, by suitable modification and arrangement of the various apparatus.
Figure 1 represents an atmospheric engine or machine with double vacua
alternately acting and quadruple crank. The valves and reciprocal rotary
cutting offs are shewn open. a is a common beam and axis; b, b, b, b, are
two reverse and two inverse cranks fixed on the beam to rotate and
reciprocally to move down and up the piston rods respectively. No. 1
and No. 4 are oscillating cylinders with pistons and rods, they are similar
in every respect and of the same capacity, say, for example, 12 inches
by 1 inches. c, c, c, c, are prepared air-tight packings and bases, which
in stationary cylinders and beam action will repel the pistons to some extent
At the termination of every stroke; d, d, are air-tight pistons and rods 1
inches diameter of Nos. 1 and 4 cylinders;.
;e, e, are valves of these cylinders
opening outwards when necessary to expel air from above the pistons. In
No. 1 cylinder the piston is seen at the top adhering quite close to the
packing above it, a perfect vacuum having been left beneath it, while in
No. 4 cylinder the piston is adhering close to the packing beneath it, and the top
of it is filled with air of the usual elasticity, density, and weight, which keeps
it down. These preceding cylinders besides their vacuum action are rarefiers
and expellers of air. Then Nos. 2 and 3 oscillating cylinders are also similar
to each other in every respect, and of the same capacity, say, 1 inch by 3 inches.
ffff, are apertures to admit atmospheric pressure at all times; 9, 9, are
air-tight pistons and rods, 3 inches diameter of Nos. 2 and 3 cylinders; h, h,
are reciprocal rotary cutting offs and ports to cut off outward air when either
'one piston is descending, or admit air when the other is ascending. i, i, are two
'spring 'valves communicating freely from within the two inner cylinders to within
'the two outer ones. Now in No. 2 cylinder the piston is seen at the top, though
'it' need not be quite so close, and beneath it there is air of the usual kind cut
off from, escaping through the aperture h should the piston be forced to
descend, while in No. 3 cylinder the piston is down, having atmospheric

page_text: pressure freely above it, and the cut-off aperture h now communicating with
the air will admit counteracting equalizing pressure should the piston be forced
to ascend. j,,, j,j, are fixed blocks to be adjusted to a common axis for the
air-tight oscillating of the cylinders; it is evident the axis of oscillation may
be varied to the centre or lower end of the cylinders. k, k, are two conical
spring air-tight valves pressing in vacuo. The utility of such valves is mani-
festly two-fold. 1. The piston may be properly bedded on a base, so that
when the piston is forced from the base a perfect vacuum or void must result..
2. At each down stroke and return of the piston to its base any lubricating or
other matter which might have entered through porosity of the vessel and
vitiated the vacuum will be expelled by the force and momentum of the
engine, and thus the vacuum is constantly being renewed. A valve acting in
this manner n.ay be fitted opening upwards in a piston, but the outward
arrangement is perhaps preferable. Content of cylinders:-1. The capacities
of cylinders Nos. 1 and 4 are each 18-8 cubic inches above the piston, and those
of cylinders Nos. 2 and 3 are each 7 cubic inches beneath the piston, therefore
the former cylinders contain each 2-66, say 23 times greater capacity than
each latter. 2. Then if Nos. 1 and 4 cylinders act as rarefiers, which they
alternately do to Nos. 2 and 3, it is evident that one atmosphere from each
latter will be rarefied to when the transfer is effected into each former.
If the
The operation or action is as follows:-Suppose the piston rod of No. 1 is
detached from its crank, and the piston is down as seen in No. 4, and the
other portions remain as they appear in the Figure; now given 14.6;lbs. as
atmospheric pressure on every square inch of surface, then in Nos. 1 and 4
the air-tight pistons and rods, which have each 1 iuches diameter, are respec-
tively kept down by a force equal to 25-7 lbs., and it would require a power
greater than this to draw either fully up to the packing at the top.
piston of No. 1 be forced there it will still have a downward pressure of, say,
2-8 lbs., from the fact of its piston rod having inch diameter, and, taking no
account of the weight of piston and rod and resistance of friction; this will
tend to push the piston down in vacuo, and the moment. the piston begins to
descend the expansion of the air at the sides of the valves e and i (provided
they are closed and the spring valve i does not open, which it is constituted to
do,) will increase this movement to a trifling extent; but let us suppose that
by manual or mechanical power the piston of .No..1. is, forced to the top
quite close to the packing, and kept there till its. rod head is attached tö
its crank, when this is effected and the power. removed the engine will
remain quiescent and appear precisely as it is in the Figure. Let us see
why the piston of No. I does not now move down in vacuo;, since it. has been

page_text: demonstrated that a pressure of 2-8 lbs. will begin to act on the piston rod;
this takes us to No. 4 cylinder, because in No. 4 there is a greater. counter-
poise of 25-7 lbs., viz., 22-9 lbs. on the area of the piston from the air within
the cylinder and 2.8 lbs. on the rod head without, and thus it is evident that
through the common beam and axis the two contending forces meet, and
a resulting force of 22.9 lbs. is maintained by the rod and piston of No. 4,
which tends to render the engine torpid. Now by manual or mechanical power
again turn the common beam and axis of its revolution and overcome this
preponderating force of 22.9 lbs. and friction and start the engine. When oue
revolution shall have been effected the ordinary air in No. 4 cylinder of 14-6 lbs.
to one square inch of surface in vacuo will be expelled, and rarefied air of, say,
5.61 lbs. extracted from No. 3 occupy its place. At the next revolution
let us fully contemplate the effect: of the momentum. In No. 1, while the
valve e harmoniously closes and the air is being received through the valve i
from No. 3, the piston d begins to descend in vacuo, pulling down its rod
and crank; in No. 2 the piston 9 drawing down its rod and crank begins to
press on the air beneath it, which is now closed from external air by the cut-off
port h, and the air thus imprisoned from its greater elasticity and density will
open the spring valve i and begin to occupy No. 1; hence from the difference
in the capacity of the cylinders, the air thus being transferred becomes
gradually rarer as the pistons of the two cylinders descend to the completion
of the stroke. Therefore Nos. 1 and 2 contribute at the commencement of
each downward or inverse stroke a force. of nearly 25-7 lbs.,.viz.,-
9.8 lhe pressure on 1 inch diameter of niston rod in No 1

page_text: the port h now open admits air freely below it, while the spring valve i having:
unequal pressure on each side its own spring prevails and closes it; there is
no resistance from this cylinder excepting that of friction. In No. 4 the
piston by its rod attached to its crank is compelled to leave a vacuum below.
it, and opposing at the commencement of each upward or reverse stroke a
force of 11.6 lbs vint
-
Then 11-6 lbs. +25-7 lbs. +2 = 18.6 lbs., which is the mean minimum force
at each reverse stroke. It has been demonstrated (1) that at the com-
mencement of an inverse stroke Nos. 1 and 2 contribute a force of 25-7 lbs.,
while at the commencement of a reverse stroke No. 4.resists with a force of.
11-4 lbs., therefore 25-7.lbs. +11-6 lbs. 37.3 lbs. force commencing to operate:
on the common beam and axis. Again, 25-7 lbs. 11-6 lbs. = 14.1 lbs. force
commencing to predominate, and perhaps enough in this small apparatus to
overcome friction and make a start. And (2) that at the completion of an
inverse stroke Nos. 1 and 2 gradually attain to a force of 75.2 lbs., while at
the completion of a reverse stroke No. 4 acquires a resisting force of 25-7 lbs.
in expelling its air, therefore 75.2 lbs. + 25.7 lbs. = 100-9 lbs. force operating:
at the end on the common beam and axis. Again, 75-2 lbs. - 25.7.lbs.
=49-5 lbs. force predominating at the end, hence there is a total force of
87.8 lbs., gradually increasing to 100-9 lbs., operating on the common beam
and axis of this small engine besides friction resistance. And there is the
predominating force of 14-1 lbs. also gradually increasing to 49.5 lbs., the
mean force of which is as previously stated, viz., 14.1 lbs. + 49.5 lbs: +2
= 31.8 lbs. Now if we allow 11.8 lbs. for general. friction resistance a clear
gain of 20 lbs. is the result for a motive power. Upon overcoming the dead
or critical points, of the cranks this power will be as completely reciprocated,.
and produce continuous motion unless stopped by causes remote and foreign
to the principle. The. momentum acquired: by the engine itself when fully in
motion must not be overlooked. In lieu of a fly wheel the cranks of this

page_text: apparatus may be attached at right angles to those in Figure 2 to counteract
the critical tendency. By pairing the piston rods of Nos. 1 and 4 together on
the same crank, and those of Nos. 2 and 3 also on one crank, to act re-
ciprocally, two cranks will suffice instead of four and be more compact.
I now proceed to describe Figure 2, which represents an atmospheric engine
or machine with quadruple vacua alternately acting and reacting and quad-
ruple cranks. The valves'g, g, and the reciprocal rotary cutting off's and
ports h,.h, are shewn open. The different parts of this, apparatus are similar
to those described in Figure 1, excepting the two inner cylinders Nos. 2 and 3,
which are reversed, and their pistons made to act in vacuo; the cranks are
also adjusted to suit. Nos. 1 and 4 are similar in every respect, being, say,
12 inches by 1 inches; and Nos. 2 and 3 are also similar, being 1 inch by
8 inches.
.
Content of cylinders.-1. The capacities above the pistons of cylinders
Nos. 1 and 4 are each 18-8 cubic inches, and those of cylinders Nos. 2 and 3
are each 6-8 cubic inches, therefore the former cylinders contain 2-74
(nearly 2) times greater capacity. than the latter. ones. 2. Then if Nos. 1
and 4 act as rarefiers, which they alternately do to Nos. 2 and 3, it is evident
that one atmosphere from the latter will be rarefied to about when the
transfer is effected. 3. But for a plain statement let this rarefaction be
assumed equal to atmosphere, i.e., each outer cylinder to contain three
times the capacity of each inner one. The operation or action is as follows:-
Suppose the piston rods of Nos. 2 and 4 are detached from their cranks, and.
the air-tight pistons to be adhering close to the packings beneath them, as
are those of Nos. 1 and 3, it is evident if either of the pistons be forced from
the packing a perfect vacuum or void will remain beneath them.
Now
assuming an air-pressure of 14-6 lbs. operates on a square inch of surface in
vacuo, the air-tight pistons and rods of the respective cylinders are more or
less controlled by a proportion of this power; therefore the pistons and rods
of Nos. 1 and 4 are each kept down by a pressure of 25-7 lbs., while the
pistons and rods of Nos. 2 and 3 are also kept down by a pressure of 103.2 lbs.
Now draw up the piston of No. 2 to the top close to the packing above it,
keeping it there till its rod head is attached to its crank; when effected. &
perfect vacuum will be below the piston, and a force of 2.8 lbs. from the -inch
diameter of the piston rod will tend to depress it till the cut-off-port h admits
air and consequent pressure to accelerate the movement; but before the
possible motion is contemplated let the piston of No. 4 be also forced up close
to the packing above it, and the rod head fastened to its crank; now turn.
the common beam and axis 1 of its revolution and start the engine. When

page_text: 2.8 lbs.
= pressure on inch diameter of piston rod in No. 1.
22.9
=
"
"
"
area of piston by one atmosphere,
2.8
=
"
"
"
inch diameter of piston rod
"
33-4 "
"
"
area of piston by atmosphere
"
i
61-9 lbs.
"
3.
Then .113.5 lbs. +.61.9 lbs. 2 = 87.7 lbs. which is the mean maximum
force at each reverse stroke, hence, 121:15. lbs. mean maximum force
minus 87-7 lbs. mean minimum force is equal to 33-4 lbs., which is the mean
predominating force, against which, if we allow 13-4 lbs. for friction resistance
a net, gain of 20 lbs. is the result for a motive power, and this power can
be as completely reciprocated. The cranks of this apparatus are to be
attached at right angles to those of Figure 1 to counteract the critical
tendencies or dead points of that apparatus, and also to have its own operated
against. By pairing two piston rods together on a common crank, as stated
with reference to Figure 1, two cranks will suffice for this engine; and con-
tinuing the idea of reducing the number of cranks it is also.manifest that for
the two apparatus Figures 1 and 2, two common cranks may be adopted on a
common beam and axis; this will clearly bring nearer together the respective
contending forces.
The springs of the valves i, i, in Figure 1, and 9, 9, in Figure 2, should be
just strong enough to prevent air entering into the rarefiers when the cutting-
offs and ports h, h, h, h, are open. Cutting-offs may be substituted for them
in these apparatus, but for stationary cylinders with beam or other action slide
valves with cam adjustment should be used.
Figure 8 represents what I term a compressing atmospheric engine or
machine with quadruple vacua and suitable cranks alternately acting. The
valves, excepting those acting in vacuo and rotary cutting-offs, are shewn open.
This apparatus possesses precisely the opposite nature to Figure 2, and its
principle of action depends on compression from one cylinder to another, and
the ultimate escapement and diffusion of the number of atmospheres thus
obtained to one. a, is the common beam aud axis; b, b, b, b, are 4 cranks
attached to it. Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are cylinders with central oscillation;
Nos. 1 and 4 are similar, being each 1 inch by 3; and Nos. 2 and 3 are also
similar, being 12 inches by 14 inches. c, c, c, c, c, c, c, c, are prepared air-
tight packings and bases; d, d, are air-tight pistons and rods in Nos. 2 and 3;

page_text: e, e, are two air-tight. valves communicating from within the two inner into
the two outer cylinders; they are open only during compression. f, f, are two
other valves in Nos. 2 and 3, which become necessary as the cutting-offs and
ports are remote from the pistons in consequence of the central oscillation
of the cylinders; 9, 9, 9, 9, are 4 conical spring air-tight valves, acting in
vacuo; h, h, are ports and reciprocal rotary cutting-offs, either to admit or
cut off air at the proper time; i, i, are also reciprocal rotary cutting-offs and
escapement ports; j, j; are air-tight pistons and rods in Nos. 1 and 4; k, k,
are fixed blocks at a common axis for air-tight oscillation of the cylinders.
The capacities of all four cylinders are equal to those described in Figure 2,
with the exception of the passages at the sides; nevertheless, let them be
rated respectively the same, and then Nos. 2 and 3 will be each 2.74 (nearly
2) times greater capacity than either of Nos. 1 and 4. If Nos. 2 and 3 act
respectively as compressors to Nos. 1 and 4, which they alternately do, it is
manifest that about 2 atmospheres may be compressed into the latter cylinders.
Let this 2 atmospheres be assumed, and the possible operation or action is as
follows:-Suppose above the pistons within all the cylinders to be filled with
common air, the ports i in No. 4 and h in No. 3 cut off from outward air, and
the ports h in No. 2, and i in No. 1 open, the pistons d in No. 2 and jin
No. 4, have each a vacuum beneath ready to act; now turn the common
beam and axis of its revolution and make a start, the air entering througli
the port hand, the valve f into No. 2 forces down the piston d in vacuo, while
in No. 8 the piston d leaving a vacuum beneath it ascends, and by degrees
compresses several atmospheres into No. 4, forcing down the piston j in vacuo;
the moment the pistons begin to contend, j of greater diameter prevails
over d of lesser diameter, and heuce compression follows to the completion of
the stroke. In No. 1 the piston j leaving a vacuum beneath it ascends, over-
coming one atmosphere, the excess, when any, being diffused. The following
is the abstract of the contending forces at the completion of an inverse and
reverse stroke, and vice versâ :-

page_text: 62.9,
2.8"
100.3
=
وو
,, area of piston by 24 atmospheres
"
"
"
=
"
"
inch diameter of piston rod
area of piston by 1 atmosphere
1.
"
"
"
"
168.8 lbs.
the excess, when any, being diffused.
Then 304-3 lbs. +168-8 lbs. = 473-1 lbs. force operating on the common beam
and axis, and 304-3 lbs. 168.8 lbs. 135 lbs. force predominating. Now
allowing 35.5 lbs. for friction resistance a clear gain of 100 lbs. is evident for
a motive power which will be as completely reciprocated at the termination of
each successive inverse and reverse stroke. It is to be noticed that when each
stroke commences the effect will depend on the progressive compression of air
on the one hand and the escape and diffusion of the atmospheres to one.on the
other. The cranks of this apparatus may be adjusted at right angles to those
of Figure 4.
Figure 4 is an atmospheric compressing engine shewing the valve f
and the ports and cutting-offs open. This apparatus illustrates half the
opposite nature to that contained in Figure 1 through Nos. 1 and 2
cylinders, and the principle of operation depends on compression from the
former to the latter cylinder; then there is the transfer of the compressed
air or atmospheres thus obtained from No. 2 to No. 3, the capacities of these
being equal, and the difference being in the diameters of their respective pistons
of which the latter contains the greater; No. 3 ultimately resolves the atmos-
pheres, the piston overcoming but one; No. 4 is of the same diameter as
No. 2. There is assumed to be a perfect vacuum beneath the piston of No. 2,
and another between the pistons of Nos. 3 and 4 double cylinder. No. 4,
which occupies its present position in lieu of a separate cylinder, is alternately
an aid and a drag to No. 3, and thereby diminishes the strain on the common
crank. a, a, is a common beam and axis; b, b, b, are three cranks attached
to it. Nos..1.and 2 are separate oscillating cylinders, and Nos. 3 and 4 form
a double one, the last-named three acting in vacuo. No. 1 is 12 inches by 1
"Inches; No. 2 is l' inch by 12 inches; No. 3 is inch by 24 inches, and
No. 4 is inch by 12 inches. c, c, c, c, are prepared air-tight packings; dis
a piston 1 inches diameter in No. 1; e is a port and reciprocal rotary cutting
off to admit and cut off air at the proper time; f is a spring air-tight valve
communicating from Nos. 1 to 2; 9 is a spring conical air-tight.valve pressing

page_text: in vacuo; is a piston 14 inches diameter in No. 2; i, i, are ports and rotary
cutting-offs in Nos. 2 and 3, communicating and cutting off together when
necessary; ; is a piston 21 inches diameter in No. 3; k is an escapement port
and reciprocal rotary cutting off; lis, a piston 12 inches diameter in No. 4;
m, m, m, m, are apertures to admit atmospheric pressure at all times;
n, n, n, n, are fixed blocks adjusted to a common axis for the air-tight
oscillation of the cylinders. It is apparent that above their pistons No. 1
contains 6 times the capacity of No. 2; then if No. 1 is used as a compressor
to No. 2, 6 atmospheres may be forced into the latter; then, notwithstanding,
there is a trifle more than a cubic inch difference in the capacities of
Nos. 2 and 3, yet let them be assumed equal to one another.
The operation or action is as follows:-Suppose above the pistons in Nos. 1
and 3 to be filled with common air, the port k in No. 8 open, and the port e
in No. 1 cut off from outward air; now by manual or mechanical power
turn the common beam and axis of its revolution and start the engine. In
No. 1 assisted by one atmosphere acting through the apertures m, m, the piston
d ascends, the enclosed air from above it entering through the spring valve f
into No. 2, operates on the piston h and gradually attains to 6 atmospheres by
compression at the completion of the stroke, hence the crank of No. 2 obeying
the power of its piston through the rod acts on the common beam and axis,
and forces up the crank of No. 1; while the common crank of Nos. 3 and 4
by the rod pulls up the pistons ; and l. If the force of 6 atmospheres acting
on the piston in No. 1 minus one atmosphere pressing beneath it be added to
the difference between the pressures on pistons ; and in Nos. 3 and 4, and
this total deducted from the force of 6 atmospheres acting in No. 2, the result
will be in the favour of No. 2, which yields the predominating force at this
stroke. In the next stroke No. 1 piston d will descend easily, the port e
opening to admit air to counteract that beneath it; the 6 enclosed atmo-
spheres in No. 2 through the ports i, i, communicating at the same time is
then transferred into No. 3 while the port k is cut off, the pistons h going up
and j descending, and 7 with the latter; hence the common crank of Nos. 3
and 4 is forced down and that of Nos. 1 and 2 up. If the force of 6 atmos-
pheres acting on the piston h in No. 2 be added to the force of one atmosphere
on the piston in No. 4, and this total deducted from the force of 6 atmospheres
acting on the piston j in No. 3, the result will be in the favour of No. 3, which
yields the predominating force at this stroke. The predominating force in the
first stroke will be less than that in the second stroke. At the commencen.ent
of the first stroke Nos. 2 and 4 contribute the following:-

page_text: Then 70-2 lbs. + 242-2 lbs. +2 = 156.2 lbs. is the mean maximum force at
the completion of the stroke. Next is the opposing force at the commence-
ment of the same stroke. The air above and below the piston in No. 1 fairly
balance one another, and No. 3 letting off 5 atmospheres through the
port k, its piston opposes a force in overcoming one atmosphere as follows:-
Then 58.0 lbs. +144-0 lbs. 2 = 101 lbs. is the mean minimum force at the
completion of the stroke. Hence 156.2 lbs. mean maximum force minus
101 lbs., mean minimum equals to 55-2 lbs. the mean predominating force
at the first stroke. Now we have the second stroke; at the commencement
and completion of this stroke No. 3 contributes the following:-

page_text: which is the maximum force. Next is the opposing force: the piston & in
No. 1 descends, air being admitted through the port e, and Nos. 2 and 4 oppose
at the commencement and completion of the stroke the following:-
wnica
minimum force equals to 102.5 lbs. predominating force; therefore a mean
predominating force of 55.2 lbs. is manifest for the first stroke, and an absolute
predominating force for the second or next stroke is 102.5 lbs. ; and allowing
for friction resistance,, and the difference in the relative weights of the pistons
and rods, and the medium in which the machine moves, a clear gain will result
for a motive power when the critical tendies of the crauks are overcome_
either by a balance wheel or their adjustment at right angles to those of
Figure 8.
To increase the power of the different apparatus, a suitable fly wheel, screw
propeller, or other fans, not shewn in the Figures, should be adjusted in or
near the ports where the air first enters the cylinders to whirl and draught
the air in with force, while these fans reversed to an opposite action should be
applied at the point where the air is being expelled from within the cylinders
into the atmosphere to produce an outward rarefying current, thus sucking
out and rarefying the air within to allow the pistons to leave the vacua with
less strain. The wind sails in vessels first occurred to me, but in a calm these
would be almost useless; they have an advantage, however in not requiring
the force from the apparatus to work them, and where there is a breeze they
should not be despised.
The tops of the pistons are made to screw on their lower parts to ensure
thorough air-tight packing; the packing of the pistons should be of prepared
airless india-rubber or gutta percha, a composition of compressed felt and
prepared grease or leather well beaten and completely saturated with suitable

page_text: oil to exclude air from its pores. The top of each piston may have, if
necessary, a pliant flange pressing between its periphery, and that of the
cylinder in which it works; this flange, besides the air pressure it will receive,
should be kept in its place by a suitable spring or springs, and it may. press
on prepared grease or be kept flooded with proper oil to keep it air-tight.
Each time the piston descends home it will force out any oil that by friction
and air pressure. may pass the packing and get below it through the spring
valve at the bottom of each cylinder.; packings assimilating to these may be
adopted for the various parts in the different apparatus.
Earthenware, stone, glass, wood, metals, &c., may be used for the cylinders,
which must be glazed or enamelled inside, and in some cases outside. The
glib surface presented by glaze or enamel will not only reduce friction, but
principally render the cylinders perfectly air-tight. Where glaze or enamel is
not used on the exterior of cylinders they should be painted and varnished
or japanned; both top and bottom of the conical valves and the pistons, and
the rods, if necessary, must be glazed or enamelled.
My mode of obtaining a vacuum is applicable to pneumatic message tubes.
Suppose one side of a piston is fitted close and air-tight at one end of a
pneumatic tube to which a piston is attached on the other side, a car properly
balanced, and having a rope extending to the other end of the tube, where it
passes through a block or pulley fixed in the centre of the circumference of
the tube to a windlass. Now to receive a message previously placed in the
car, two men provided with handles may wind up the windlass, coiling, the rope
round it like a reel of cotton, or a small engine can do so. To send a message
it is only necessary to let the thing go, and it will unwind its rope and go
home fast; this may be repeated as often as required.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Edmund Passee, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
THO. EDMP. PASSEE. (L.s.)