Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27.h Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
I, CHARLES ANDREW FISHER, of Petersburg, in the County of Menard, and
State of Illinois, United States of America, Inventor, 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 :-
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical cross section on line 1-1 of Figure 2;
Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is an end elevation;
Figure 4 is a detail, being a front elevation of the piston wheel, showing the
arrangement of its outer covering;
Figure 5 is a detail, being a side elevation of the piston ;
Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing the cut-off blocks;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the induction valve;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the piston blocks; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of one section of the face plates which form a
bearing for the piston blocks.
My invention relates to rotary steam engines, and has for its object to improve
the construction and operation of engines of this class, which object I accomplish as
hereinafter specified and as illustrated in the drawings.
In the drawings,-
13 indicates
a shaft which extends centrally through the cylinder 10, and is mounted
in suitable bearings 14 and 15 carried by brackets 16 and 17 respectively, supported
by the cylinder heads, as best shown in Figure 2. The bearings 14 and 15 are
ball bearings, the balls, 18, being held in place by adjustable caps 19, as shown in
Figure 2. By screwing the caps 19 in their sockets, the balls may be adjusted
Flanges 20 and 21 are provided on the shaft 13, against which the balls bear,
10 indicates the engine cylinder, of which 11 and 12 are the heads.
as shown.
22 indicates the piston of the engine, which is mounted in the shaft 13 and is
secured tightly in place. The length of the piston 22 is slightly less than that
of the interior length of the cylinder 10, and its width is such that its outer
edge terminates near the interior circumference of the cylinder. The piston 22
consists of a fixed section 23, which is rigidly secured to the shaft 13, and a
movable section 24, carried by the fixed section 23. The outer portion of the
fixed section 23 is narrowed to form a web, upon each side of which are mounted
plates 25, 26 and 27. The inner plates 26 are substantially triangular in shape,
and the adjacent edges of the plates 25 and 27 are inclined to fit snugly against
the edges of the plates 26. The apices of the triangular pieces 26 are squared, so
as to permit of the pieces 27 moving slightly outward.
28 indicates springs, one of which is mounted in a recess 29 at the base of each
triangular piece 26, and between the base of such triangular piece and that part of
the fixed section 23 of the piston 22 which supports it. The sections 25 and 27
are provided with slots 30, which extend parallel with the shaft 13, as best shown
in Figure 5.
31 indicates pins carried by the web of the fixed section 23, which pins are
adapted to fit into and move in the slots 30. By this construction, when the
shaft 13 is rotating, centrifugal force will cause the plates 26 to move outward,
thereby forcing the plates 25 and 27 away from each other and towards the ends

page_text: of the cylinder 10. Lubricating material is provided to prevent friction between
the ends of the cylinder 10 aud the adjacent portions of the plates 25 and 27.
32 indicates a T-shaped shoe, the outer portion of which is adapted to hear
against the inner surface of the cylinder 10, and the stem of which is adapted to
fit into the space between the plates 25 and 27 and the end of the fixed section 23
of the piston, as shown in Figure 1. The shoe 32 is of the same length as the
piston 22. As the piston is operated, the shoe 32 will be thrown outward by
centrifugal force, and will move upon the inner surface of the cylinder 10.
33 indicates a tubular wheel, which is mounted upon a sleeve 34 which extends
eccentrically through the cylinder 10. The sleeve 34 is provided with bushings 35,
which bear upon balls 36 supported by adjustable bearings 37 carried by the
cylinder casing, as best shown in Figure 2. The bearings of the sleeve 34 are
eccentric as regards the cylinder 10. The shaft 13, however, passes through the
sleeve 34, as shown. The wheel 33 is of the same length as the interior of
the cylinder 10, and is provided with an exterior casing 38. The casing 38 of the
wheel 33 consists of three sections, 39, 40, 41. The lateral edges of the middle
section 40 are equally inclined, so that if the section 40 were to be flattened it
would be substantially of a triangular shape. The sections 39 and 41 have
inclined inner edges adapted to fit snugly against the edges of the section 40, their
outer edges being parallel to fit snugly against the ends of the cylinder 10. The
apex of the inner section 40 is squared, so that it may be moved slightly to cause
the sections 39 and 41 to be separated.
The casing 38 is slit longitudinally, as shown in Figure 4, to register with a
circular recess 42 formed in the wheel 33. The sleeve 34 is also divided to register
with the recess 42.
43, 44 indicate segmental lining plates, which line the inner surface of the
recess 42. The plates 43 are each preferably made up of two sections fitted
together, as best shown in Figure 9. The piston 22 passes through the recess 42,
as shown in Figure 1.
45, 46, indicate segmental blocks, one of which is placed in the recess 42 at
each side of the piston 22, as shown in Figure 1.
The blocks 45 and 46 serve as
bearings for the piston, and they are adapted to move radially thereupon. Each
block 45 and 46 is provided at each end with a recess 47 adapted to receive a
block 48 and spring 49. The spring 49 is placed between the block 48 and the
inner end of the recess 47, and serves to exert an outward pressure upon the
block 48, holding it in contact with the adjacent end of the cylinder 10.
50 indicates annular antifriction plates, fitted into the ends of the cylinder 10
and adapted to act as bearings for the adjacent portions of the casing 38 of the
wheel 33, as shown in Figure 2.
51 indicates tie-bars, which bind the ends of outer sections of the casing 38 to
the wheel 33 at points near the recess 42, as shown in Figure 1.
52 indicates a cylindrical valve chamber, the casing of which is preferably formed
integral with the casing of the cylinder 10. The valve chamber 52 extends
longitudinally of the cylinder 10 and at one side thereof.
3 indicates an induction port opening from the chamber 52 to the interior of the
cylinder 10. A number of cross bars 54 are provided in the cylinder 10 opposite
the port 53, which are flush with the interior of the cylinder and serve to prevent
the piston shoe 32 from dropping into the port as it passes it.
55 indicates an induction valve, which is cylindrical in shape and is provided
with steam, apertures 56, of any suitable description.
57 indicates a steam supply pipe, which is adapted to conduct steam into the
valve 55, as shown in Figure 2. At the end of the valve 55 opposite to that at
which the steam is supplied, is provided a web 58, as best shown in Figures 2
and 7.
59 indicates a shaft which extends through a suitable bearing 60, and is provided
with a fork 61 adapted to receive the web 58, as shown in Figure 2. By rotating
the shaft 59 the valve may be rotated.

page_text: 62 indicates a gear wheel mounted upon the shaft 59. 63 indicates a gear
meshing with the gear 62 and mounted upon the shaft 13. By this construction, as
the shaft 13 is rotated the valve 55 will also be rotated.
64 indicates fixed cut-off blocks, which are rigidly secured in the valve
chamber 52 adjacent to the port 53. The blocks 64 are carried by sleeves 65
fitted into the valve chamber at opposite ends, in such manner that the blocks 64
project from opposite ends into the chamber 52, and are substantially in line with
each other.
66 indicates adjustable cut-off blocks, which are carried by a sleeve 67 mounted
centrally in the valve chamber 52 around the valve 55. When the parts are in
place, the inner ends of the blocks 64 bear upon the ends of the sleeve 67 and the
outer ends of the blocks 66 bear upon the inner ends of the sleeve 65, as shown in
Figure 2, forming steam-tight connections. The sleeve 67 is provided with
peripheral teeth 68, in which mesh the teeth of a pinion 69 mounted upon a shaft 70
journaled in a suitably arranged bracket 71. By rotating the sleeve 67 the position
of the blocks 66 may be adjusted as desired, thereby admitting a greater or less
amount of steam into the cylinder 10.
72 indicates a pinion mounted upon the shaft 70, as best shown in Figures 2
and 3. 73 indicates a rack-bar vertically arranged and intermeshing with the teeth
of the pinion 72.
74 indicates a pivoted lever, mounted upon a suitable support 75, and having its
outer end connected to the bar 73. The inner end of the lever 74 is fitted into a
slot in a collar 76, connected to a governor 77, in such manner that as the arms of
the governor swing outward the sleeve 76 will be lifted, thereby raising the inner
end of the lever 74 and depressing its outer end. When the outer end of the
lever 74 is depressed, the pinion 72 will be rotated in the direction indicated by the
arrow in Figure 3, thereby rotating the pinion 69 in the same direction and throwing
the cut-off blocks 66 toward the port 53, and diminishing the supply of steam
supplied to the cylinder 10. As the arms of the governor 77 fall, an opposite action
takes place.
The governor 77 is operated by means of a belt 78 passing over pulleys 79 and
around a horizontal pulley 80 mounted upon the governor shaft 81. The lower
portion of the belt 78 passes over a pulley 82 mounted upon the shaft 13. By this
arrangement, the speed of rotation of the shaft 13 determines the amount of steain
admitted to the cylinder 10.
83 indicates an exhaust port, which is located about ninety degrees, more or less,
from the induction port 53, and is provided with depressions 84, similar to the
depressions 54.
85 indicates a bearing plate, which is pivotally mounted in a recess 86 in the
casing of the cylinder 10, as best shown in Figure 1. The inner portion of the
plate 85 is adapted to bear upon the outer surface of the casing 38, to form a
steam-tight joint and prevent the passage of steam between said casing and the
walls of the cylinder 10. 87 indicates an adjusting screw, by means of which
the position of the plate 85 may be adjusted.
The valve 55 being in the position shown in Figure 1, steam will pass through
the port 53 into the cylinder 10, and its pressure will cause the piston 22 to rotate.
As the piston rotates, a larger surface will become exposed to the action of the
expanding steam, until the point opposite the plate 85 is reached, after which the
exposed surface of the piston will begin to diminish, until the plate 85 is reached,
The blocks 45
at which point the piston will be entirely encased in the wheel 33.
and 46 will move upon the surface of the piston, giving a steady bearing. The
wheel 33 and the parts connected therewith are also rotated. After the piston
passes the exhaust port 83, steam will begin to exhaust and will continue to be
exhausted until the piston again reaches the exhaust port 83. As the wheel 33 is
in contact with the plate 85 between the induction and eduction or exhaust ports,
team cannot pass from in front of the piston back to the induction port, nor can
there be any pressure except upon the back of the piston, whereby all back pressure

page_text: is avoided. Tight connections at all points will be formed, owing to the expansi-
bility of the parts, as herein before described. The mounting of the rotary parts
upon the ball bearings serves to diminish friction, and increases the efficiency of the
engine.
By operating the induction valve from the piston-supporting shaft, steam will be
admitted to the cylinder only when the piston arrives at the proper position. In
Figure 1, the relative positions of the piston and induction port are shown, the
induction valve being so arranged as to admit steam to the cylinder shortly after
the piston passes the induction port. The relative positions of the piston and the
induction valve may be varied slightly if desired.
In order to expand the exterior casing 38 of the piston wheel 33, a spring
screw 88 is provided, the lower end of which is screwed into a socket in the
sleeve 34, its outer end lying in a recess 89 in the wheel 33 and in a recess 90 in
the central section 40 of the casing 38. The upper portion of the screw 88 is made
of spring metal, and it is provided with a tapering head 91, as shown in Figure 2.
The head of the screw is adapted to bear against the adjacent portion of the
section 40 on the side nearest the pointed end of said section. By screwing the
screw 88 into or out of its socket, the head will bear against the adjacent portion
of the section 40, thereby moving said section in one direction or the other
depending on the direction of rotation of the screw, to cause the central section 40
to force the sections 39 and 41 apart or to permit them to approach each other.
By this arrangement the exterior sections of the casing 38 may be made to engage
the surface of the rings 50 and form steam tight conuections. By making the
screw 88 of spring metal it will have a yielding action and the action of the piston
wheel will be smoother.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
1. The combination of a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, a
laterally expansible piston, an eccentrically mounted piston wheel, a bearing for
said piston wheel intermediate the cylinder ports, segmental bearing blocks
carried by the piston wheel in contact with opposite sides of the piston, and
segmetal lining plates intermediate said blocks and wheel, substantially as
described.
2. The combination of a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, a
laterally expansible piston, and eccentrically mounted piston wheel, a sleeve
supporting said piston wheel, bearings for said sleeve, and a central shaft on which
the piston is mounted, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, and
a bearing plate 85 intermediate said ports, of an eccentrically mounted piston-
wheel, having a laterally expansible casing 38, and a rotary piston composed of a
fixed section 23 and a laterally expansible section carried by said fixed section and
consisting of plates 25, 26 and 27, and the radially movable shoe 32, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, of a
shaft extending centrally through the cylinder, a rotary pistou consisting of a fixed
section 23 rigidly secured to the said shaft and having its outer portion narrowed
to form a web, laterally movable plates 25, 26 and 27 mounted upon each side of
said web and the radially movable shoe 32, and an eccentrically mounted piston
wheel, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, a
central shaft and a rotary piston mounted on said shaft, of a piston wheel
eccentrically mounted in said cylinder around the central shaft and having an
exterior expansible casing, substantially as described.
6. The combination of a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, a
central shaft extended through the cylinder, a rotary piston mounted on said

page_text: sha and an eccentrically mounted piston wheel enclosing the central shaft and
having an exterior laterally expansible casing, substantially as described.
7. The combination of a cylinder having induction and eduction ports, a
centrally mounted rotary piston, an eccentrically mounted piston wheel having an
exterior laterally expansible casing, and a bearing for said piston wheel intermediate
the cylinder ports, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a cylinder, having induction and eduction ports, a
rotary piston, and a tubular piston wheel 33 having a bearing between said ports,
of a casing 38 for said wheel, said casing consisting of three sections, 39, 40, 41,
the inner section having inclined lateral edges, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a cylinder, having induction and eduction ports, and
a rotary piston, of a tubular piston wheel encircling said piston and having a
bearing between said ports, casing 38 for said wheel, said casing consisting of
three sections 39, 40, 41, the inner section having inclined lateral edges, and a
screw 88, having a tapering head adapted to bear against the adjacent portion of
the central section 40, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a cylinder, a rotary piston carried therein, and a
valve chamber, of induction and eduction ports, a rotary valve 55 in said valve
chamber, cut-off blocks 64 and 66, and a shaft 59 connected to one end of said
valve 55, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a cylinder, a shaft 13 mounted therein, a rotary piston
carried by said shaft, and a valve chamber, of a rotary valve 55 mounted in
said valve chamber, shaft 59 connected to said valve, gear wheel 63 mounted
upon said shaft 13, gear wheel 62 upon said shaft 59 and intermeshing with
said wheel 63, and cut-off blocks 64 and 66 in said valve chamber, substantially as
described.
12. The combination with a valve chamber, a rotary valve 55 mounted therein,
and means for rotating said valve, of fixed blocks 64 in said valve chamber,
adjustable blocks 66, sleeve 67 supporting said blocks 66, and means for rotating
said sleeve, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a cylinder, a rotary piston mounted therein, a valve
chamber communicating with said cylinder, a rotary valve in said chamber, and
means for rotating said valve, of fixed cut-off blocks 64, movable cut-off blocks 66,
a sleeve 67 supporting said blocks 66, said sleeve having teeth 68, pinion 69
intermeshing with the teeth of said sleeve 67, and devices operated by the rotation
of said piston to rotate said pinion 69, substantially as described.
1005
CHARLES ANDREW FISHER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.