Improvements in Motors Actuated by Steam or other Elastic Fluid.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motors Actuated by Steam or other Elastic
Fluid.
We, JAMES HOWDEN, of 8, Scotland Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, and EDMUND HUNT, of S7, St. Vincent. Street, Glasgow,
aforesaid, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows, that is to say:--
This Invention has for its object to obtain increased economy and other practical
advantages by an improved construction of motor which operates by the reactionary
pressure of steam or other elastic fluid, the fluid being made to act in successive
stages with velocities graduated in a manner designed to secure the best results.
In carrying out the Invention we employ a series of casings or a single casing
divided into separate compartments; and in each compartment there is arranged a
reaction wheel, the several wheels being by preference fixed on one shaft, although
they might be on separate shafts suitably geared together. The motive fluid is led
into the interior of the first wheel either through the shaft made tubular for the
purpose or through a passage surrounding the shaft, arrangements being adopted to
avoid end pressure on the shaft. The motive fluid issues from reaction orifices at the
periphery of the first wheel into the first compartment of the casing; and passes
from the first compartment to the interior of the second wheel, either through a
part of the shaft or through a passage surrounding the shaft. From the second
wheel the motive fluid issues through reaction orifices into the second compartment,
passes thence to the third wheel and compartment and so on through the series, the
last compartment being by preference connected to a condenser when the motive
fluid is steam.
As the motive fluid passes from stage to stage its pressure and velocity diminish
and its volume increases. The compartments are made of successively larger sizes
to correspond with the increased volumes; and the reaction orifices of the several
successive wheels are increased in number or aggregate area also to correspond with the
increased volumes; whilst to correspond with the diminished pressures and velocities,
the several successive set of reaction orifices are placed at smaller distances from
the shaft if the wheels are fixed on one shaft, or if the wheels are on separate shafts
these are geared to give suitable diminished velocities.
When the motion is required to be sometimes in one direction and sometimes in
the other there may be two sets of reaction wheels on the same shaft or set of con-
nected shafts, or gearing may be used for transmitting the motion in either direction
from a motor rotating always in one direction.
Dated this Eleventh day of June 1889
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motors Actuated by Steam or other Elastic
Fluid.
We, JAMES HOWDEN, of S. Scotland Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, and EDMUND HUNT, of S7, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
aforesaid, Patent Agent, 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, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object to obtain increased economy, and other practical
advantages, by an improved construction of motor which operates by the reactionary

page_text: pressure of steam or other elastic fluid, the fluid being made to act in successive stages
with velocities graduated in a manner designed to secure the best results.
one
The
5
In darrying out the Invention we employ a series of casings; or a single casing
divided into separate compartments, and in each casing or compartment there is
arranged a reaction wheel, the several wheels being by preference fixed on
shaft, although they might be on separate shafts suitably geared together.
motive fluid is led into the first wheel, and issues from reaction orifices at the
periphery thereof into the first compartment of the casing; and passes from the
first compartment to the interior of the second wheel either through a part of
the shaft or through a passage surrounding the shaft. From the second wheel the 1
motive fluid issues through reaction orifices into the second compartment, passes
thence into the third wheel, and compartment, and so on through the series, the
last compartment being by preference connected to a condenser when the motive
fluid is steam.
As the motive fluid passes from stage to stage its pressure and velocity diminish
and its volume increases. The reaction orifices of the several successive wheels
are increased in number or aggregate area to correspond with the increased
volumes; whilst to correspond with the diminished pressures and velocities.
the several successive sets of reaction orifices are placed at smaller distances
from the shaft, if the wheels
fixed on
are
one shaft; or, if the wheels
are on separate shafts
these may be geared to give suitable diminished
velocities. The capacities of the several casings or compartments may also be
varied, but this is not essential provided that in each there is sufficient space for
the passage of the motive fluid from one wheel to the next without obstruction. The
advantages aimed at by the Invention may also, to a large extent, be secured by
suitably varying the aggregate area of each set of reaction orifices without varying
their distance from the shaft.
And in order that our said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood we hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to
be hereinafter referred to and representing a simple example of our improved motors.
Figures, 1, and 2, of the drawings are vertical sections as at right angles to each
other, figure. 2, showing the first set of reaction orifices in section, but without the
part in which they are inserted being in section.
The motor wheels are contained in a casing, A. cast in halves to be bolted together.
and divided internally by partitions, A 1. A 2. into three compartments B 1, B2, B3.
A shaft, C, suitably carried in external bearings which are not shown, and having
fast on it a pulley, C 1, for a belt, enters through a stuffing box into the casing, A.
and has fixed on it a boss, D, cast with three wheel disks. D 1, D2, D 3, forming
parts of the three wheels. Disks E 1, E 2, E3, are bolted to the disks, D 1, D2, D3,
and are formed each with a thickened rim such as is shown at, E, in figure, 2, as
upon the largest or first disk, E 1. At G. the rim. E. with parts of the
disks, E 1, D 1, is shown in cross section. With this construction an inner space
is enclosed in each wheel. The reaction orifices. J. are formed in small castings, J 1,
by preference of square section internally and of the shapes shown in figure. 2,
these castings, J 1, being fitted into recesses formed for them in the rim, E.
The
motive fluid enters the casing, A, by a pipe, K, fixed to the centre of one end, and
enters the first wheel, E 1 D 1, through a central aperture in the disk, E 1, this disk
fitting close to the casing round the central aperture at which part packing may
he inserted if thought desirable. The motive fluid having operated by reaction on
the first wheel, passes through the first compartment, B 1. and through an annular
opening, L, into the interior of the second wheel, E 2 D 2, and after operating on
that wheel passes through the second compartment, B 2, and through an annular
opening. L1, into the third wheel, E 3 D 3. After operating on the third wheel the
motive fluid finallypasses through the third compartment, B 3, and through a discharge
outlet, L 2, which may communicate with a condenser when the motive fluid employed
is steam. The three motor wheels are graduated as regards their reaction orifices
? And otherwise as herein before explained..

page_text: When the motion is required to be sometimes in one direction and sometimes in
the other, there may be two sets of reaction wheels on the same shaft or sets of
connected shafts; or any suitable known arrangement of gearing may be used for
transmitting the motion in either direction from a motor rotating always in one
direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1-
1. In a motor actuated by steam or other clastic fluid combining two or more
reaction wheels with apparatus causing the motive fluid to operate thereon through
two or more successive stages substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In a motor comprising two or more reaction wheels operated on in succession
by the motive faid, graduating the reaction orifices of the several wheels to suit
the increasing volume of the motive fluid substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In a motor comprising two or more reaction wheels operated on in succession
by the motive fluid, graduating the reaction orifices of the several wheels, and
varying their positions or the relative velocities of the parts in which they are formed,
to suit the increasing volume and diminishing pressure of the motive fluid, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described.
....
13
1900
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.