A NEW, AND IMPROVED METHOD OF OBTAINING MECHANICAL ACTION BY MEANS OF STEAM
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Robert Lumley, of Tavistock Street, Covent Garden,
London, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "A NEW, AND
IMPROVED METHOD OF OBTAINING MECHANICAL ACTION BY MEANS OF
STEAM."
Sealed the 24th January 1879, and dated the 13th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Robert Lumley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th November 1878.
HENRY ROBERT LUMLEY, of Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London, in the
County of Middlesex. "A NEW AND IMPROVED METHOD OF OBTAINING
MECHANICAL ACTION BY MEANS OF STEAM."
Instead of using the steam to thrust against a piston contained in a cylinder I
propose to employ several "hollow pistons," which may be described as bottles, from
the similarity of their construction to bottles and the manner of using them, as
they are formed not only to receive steam, but to retain steam bottled up, in order
that the steam can if desired be used for the next thrust to that which has been
produced by the first injected stean. These "hollow pistons" de not work in a
cylinder; I dispense with a cylinder, and also with all hanging valves, or valves
worked by eccentrics. In order to obtain an equal or greater thrust surface to that
of a piston of an engine in a cylinder, I may give any desired lateral extension to
the bulbous end of my "hollow pistons." These "hollow pistons' are imbedded in
a wheel which receives rotary action from the thrusts imparted to the "hollow
pistons," and the wheel being toothed or otherwise connected with machinery of
any kind will communicate any desired motion.
"
Through the centre of this wheel I propose to pass a steam pipe, upon which the
wheel will revolve, and which pipe will have orifices in the top part for the passage
of steam into the hollow pistons, these pistons being embedded in the wheel, one
set on the one side for reversing the motion, another set on the opposite side, and I
Price 6d1

page_text: propose to have the same number of "hollow pistons" on each side of the wheel.
The "hollow pistons" on one side of the wheel will deflect to the right, those on
the other side of the wheel will deflect to the left. In order to impart motion to
the "hollow pistons" deflecting to the right, steam is injected into them from one
of the orifices in the steam pipe, say B¹, and the other, say B2, is then closed.
order to impart motion to the hollow pistons" deflecting to the left, steam is'
injected into them from B2, and B¹ is then closed.
In
The steam that rushes into these "hollow pistons" thrusts against the reverse
end to that at which it enters. One of these "hollow pistons" receiving such a
thrust is propelled forward in the circular direction which is required to be given to
the wheel. While this hollow piston is being charged with steam and thrust
forward the mouth of the next "hollow piston" is being brought over the orifice in
the steam pipe. The first completes its action, passing over the orifice, the second
passes through the action the same way, then the third; thus the rotary action is
kept up without interruption. In each "hollow piston" at the opposite end to that
of the mouth is a small "vent hole," which is closed during nearly the whole of the
rotation of the "hollow piston," as the vent hole presses against the inside of a
band surrounding the wheel on the exterior, but not attached thereto. This band
has an opening in it; as the vent hole passes this opening in the band any desired
quantity of steam, or any condensed steam, or all the steam that may have accumu-
lated in the hollow piston, may be here ejected. The length of the opening in
the band will regulate the quantity of steam desired to be ejected. The steam
retained in the hollow piston will be utilised for the next thrust of steam ejected
into the "hollow piston to cushion against. To diminish friction the pressure of
the band on the vent holes on the side of the wheel which is not in use can be
taken off. The bands on both sides can be tightened simultaneously to serve as a
break.
"
For reversing the action from right to left or left to right, or for arresting the
motion, I propose to place within the steam pipe a plate having openings at
intervals, which plate may be turned by a handle or otherwise to open or close, as
may be desired, the communication of steam through the orifices in the steam pipe
to the hollow pistons or bottles on either side of the wheel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Robert Lumley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
May 1879.
HENRY ROBERT LUMLEY, of Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London, in the
County of Middlesex. "A NEW AND IMPROVED METHOD OF OBTAINING
MECHANICAL ACTION BY MEANS OF STEAM."
Instead of using steam to thrust against a piston contained in a cylinder I
employ several chambers, which I term "hollow pistons," not only to receive the
thrust of steam, but to retain the steam after that thrust, to be used in aiding the
next thrust.
I dispense with the ordinary cylinder, these "hollow pistons" being embedded in
a wheel or drum, which by its shaft can be connected with machinery of any kind.
Through the centre of the wheel, or just above the centre, is a steam pipe, round
which the wheel revolves, and from the orifice in this steam pipe the steam passes
into a corresponding orifice in one of the "hollow pistons."
An equal number of these "hollow pistons" is embedded on each side of the
wheel; on one side of the wheel the whole set deflect to the right, on the other
side to the left, to reverse the motion.
When the "hollow pistons" deflecting to the right are used the steam inject
to the "hollow pistons" deflecting to the left is cut off, and when those
deflecting to the left are used the steam inject to the right "hollow pistons
is cut off.
"
"
The steam that has rushed into one of my "hollow pistons thrusts against the
reverse end, and propels it in a circular direction, the orifice of the next "hollow
piston" is thus brought over the orifice of the steam pipe, receives steam, and the
same action is continued with any number of "hollow pistons."
For the ejection of steam to any required extent I may have a small vent hole in
the opposite end of the "hollow piston to the steam inject orifice, this vent hole
pressing against an exterior band having an opening in it for steam to be ejected,
but I adopt by preference the arrangement shown on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, that is to say, from the same orifice in the "hollow piston" by which
steam has been injected steam is ejected into an ejection pipe as the "hollow piston
passes round on the opposite side.
"
For reversing the action from right to left or left to right, or for arresting the
motion, a plate or valve in the steam pipe is turned by a handle. The quantity of
steam to be ejected is also regulated by a plate or valve in the steam eject pipe.
The accompanying Sheet of Drawing shows a steam engine embodying my
Invention,
Figure 1 representing a front elevation of the engine.
. Figure 2 being a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3, a cross section through the line A, B, Figure 4.
Figure 4, a transverse section through C, D, Figure 3, and
Figure 5, a sectional plan showing taper form of "hollow pistons."
Similar letters of reference indicating similar parts in each of the Figures
respectively.
A being the shaft.
B, the drum or wheel.
C, C, the chambers or "hollow pistons."
D, steam pipe; d, port or orifice leading into "hollow piston."
E, exhaust pipe; e, exhaust port or orifice.
D¹, steam pipe for reversing.

page_text: Upon reference to Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that the upper portion or flange
of the," hollow. piston" C is narrower than the lower portion. This is in order
that the steam may have a larger surface to press upon in the lower direction.
The dotted lines shown in Figure 3 represent the "hollow pistons" deflecting in
an opposite direction for reversing the engine.
Amongst the advantages of my Invention are the dispensing with a cylinder for
a piston to act in; the dispensing with all hanging valves, and valves worked
by eccentrics, the reversing the action of the engine by using a second set of
"hollow pistons," and therefore independent reversing machinery, also the continuous
circular motion, and consequent storing of force as by a fly wheel, with diminution
of friction by dispensing with the friction of a piston acting in a cylinder.
"
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that I
do not limit myself to any number of "hollow pistons or to their exact form as
represented on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, nor to the method of injecting
and ejecting steam, which I have selected by preference and shown on the Drawing,
or to any precise details of construction of my improved steam engine, as many
modifications may be made therein while retaining the principle of my Invention,
namely, the use as a power of the ejection of steam from the "hollow pistons" after
it has served as a power when injected, and that what
I claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,―
The use as a method of obtaining mechanical action by means of steam of "hollow
pistons" to receive steam for a thrust and to retain a certain quantity of steam after
that thrust to be used in aiding the next thrust, substantially as hereinbefore
described, with the use as a power of the ejection of steam from the "hollow
pistons" after it has served as a power when injected.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Robert Lumley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
HENRY ROBERT LUMLEY, (L.S.)