Improvements in and relating to Petroleum Motors and their Application to Motor Road Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Petroleum Motors and their
Application to Motor Road Vehicles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows;
-
This invention relates to an improved motor-device more especially designed
for the propulsion of motor-cars.
The essential features of this improved motor are the arrangement of a mech-
anism, by which the conductor of the vehicle is enabled to vary the movement
of ignition, which, as in the case of other similar motors, is produced by the aid
of an electric spark; this mechanism likewise acts upon an oscillatory piece,
which, by the same operation, permits of regulating the movement at which
the exhaust valve is closed, which latter remains open, when the speed of the
motor becomes greater than that desired to be imparted to it.
We have moreover adapted to our motor a special differential mechanism
without the use of gearings. This differential mechanism simply consists of
two smooth cones, keyed respectively upon the half-axles, on which the driving
wheels are mounted; these two cones are actuated by two other cones, which
are connected to the interior of the box containing the differential mechanism;
these cones have the tendency of becoming wedged up between the two former
cones during the forward movement, but nevertheless permit of a relative angular
displacement of the half-axles during turning operations.
The motor-cylinder is so arranged, that the driving shaft is placed perpen-
dicularly to the axle of the vehicle.
The transmission from one to the other is effected by a toothed pinion, gearing
with a bevel wheel, upon the shaft of which two intermediate pinions of different
diameters are arranged, which are adapted to slide in longitudinal direction so
as to throw one or the other into gear with the corresponding wheel carried by
the box of the differential mechanism.
In the cylinder moves a piston, which by a connecting rod actuates the driving
shaft. Upon this shaft is mounted under slight friction a bevel pinion which
gears with a wheel upon the axle of which can slide by the aid of a key-groove-
device, for example a compound mechanism of two sliding pinions arranged
so as to enable them to gear respectively with toothed wheels which comprise
between them the case of the differential mechanism.
The bevel pinion is actuated or not by the driving shaft through the medium
of the following device: a fly wheel is mounted on the extremity of the said
shaft outside the gear-case; a friction device slightly conical and having its
circumference mounted with leather or india-rubber, can enter the interior of
a recess of the same shape, provided in the face opposite the fly wheel. The

page_text: .
friction cone or plate is adapted to slide upon the socket of the bevel pinion by
the aid of a fork pivoted to the gear case and operated at will by the conductor.
This friction cone or plate moreover presents openings traversed by spindles
fixed on a cross-bar, which latter represents the front face of the cone, the said
cross bar being integral with the socket of the bevel pinion; the cone is con-
stantly moved against the fly wheel by springs fixed on the one hand to the
bottom of the plate and pressing with their free extremity against the cross-bar.
When the fork is acted upon the cone is disengaged with the recess the fly
wheel and the springs bearing against the cross-bar, becomes stretched;
the fly wheel no longer carries the cone with it and the latter remains motion-
less, and consequently also the cross bar; the pinion is no longer actuated and
the transmission mechanism is stopped while allowing the motor to turn.
Upon ceasing to act upon the fork, the springs bearing against the cross-bar
return, the cone to its engaging position, the said plate then is carried around
and in its turn carries along with it the cross bar through the intermediary of
the spindles. The result is, that the bevel pinion is actuated and consequently
the whole mechanism is moved.
The propelling motion adapted to vary according to the ignition, so as to
obtain various rates of speed, is produced as the conductor requires, by means
of the following mechanism:
"Upon the shaft connected to the driving crank a pinion is in the ordinary
manner mounted, which gears with a toothed wheel of double diameter, which
carries a cam that operates a tappet rod of the exhaust valve, and a second cam,
which latter at each revolution of the pinion-that is to say at each two revolu-
tions of the driving shaft-rubs against a leaf-spring insulated by a sector
contained in the enclosing box and operated from outside by the aid of an arm.
The spring is in relation with a metal band fitted into the insulating medium,
and upon which rubs a block, insulated relatively to one of the poles of the
source of electricity, while the other pole is connected to the mass.
It is evident that, as the ignition cam is fixed relatively to the toothed wheel
and turns therewith, if the position of the sector is caused to vary by acting
upon the lever or arm, the movement of the ignition will be varied at will.
I also utilize the sector for regulating the motor.
As the speed varies with the time at which the ignitions take place, I leave
the exhaust valvo open, when the speed thus determined is exceeded, for instance
when the motor starts racing.
For this purpose the rod of the exhaust-valve is actuated by the cam through
the intermediary of a pivoted lever. The cam acts upon a finger or projection
carried by this lever which transmits the movement to the rod.”
The lever which can fall back by its own weight, presents a lateral projection
in its part lying above the cam, and a bevelled or hook-shaped piece at its
extremity.
A square is carried freely by the shaft of the gear wheel. Its arm lies
opposite the bevelled piece of the lever and is carried along by the latter, when
being lifted by the cam, thus causing the square to oscillate, and passing at
this moment the end of the arm under the projection of the lever.
When the cam in its rotary motion has passed the finger, the lever tends to
return to its initial position under the action of its weight and of the spring of
the exhaust valve; the square likewise tends to fall back so as to return to its
initial position under the action of its weight and of the return-spring fixed to
the arm and to the sector.
When the desired speed has not been exceeded, the square is enabled to return
to its position at the moment, when the cam escapes from the finger, and thus
releases the lateral projection of the lever which returns to its resting position,
admitting of the exhaust valve being closed, for, at this moment the speed, at
which the valve descends, in less than that, at which the square returns to its
resting position.

page_text: When the speed, desired to be imparted to the motor, has been exceeded,
the cam escapes from the finger sufficiently quickly, so that the square is pre-
vented from falling back; the projection pressing against the end of the arm
is retained by the latter and as the lever can not fall back, it retains the exhaust
valve in the lifted position; the piston then only causes pure air to be drawn
in and forced out, whereby the cylinder is cooled down and the speed reduced.
As long as the motor turns too fast, the same operations are repeated each
time the cam passes; when the speed has been properly reduced, the square is
enabled to return to its place and disengages the lever enabling thus the exhaust
to be closed.
The regulation of the speed of the motor consequently depends upon the speed,
at which the lever in concurrence with the advance given to the ignition, falls
back. By causing the moment of the ignition to vary according to the angular
displacement of the sector the tension of the return-spring is at the same time
modified, so that the square returns to its position with a rapidity that depends
upon the position of the sector.
The differential mechanism with which I have fitted the motor is formed in
the following manner:
The case carries, as already explained, the two toothed wheels adapted to
gear respectively with the intermediate pinions both actuated by the shaft of
the bevel wheel.
The ends of the half-axles carrying, each, one of the driving wheels of the
vehicle, terminate in the interior of the case in smooth cones, placed opposite
one another. Two smaller cones are carried by the case through the medium
of blades and enter between the two others at the ends of one and the same
diameter. When the cas is actuated it carries along with it the two smooth
cones through the intermediary of the blades; these two small cones therefore
have the tendency of occupying oblique positions, as their axes no longer pass
through the common apex of the smooth cones so that, by reason of the firm
adjustment of the four cones and of the casing, there is a tendency of the small
cones being wedged up between the large ones, the result of which being, that
the whole system is acted upon.
When during a change in the direction of the vehicle one of the wheels turns
more rapidly than the other, the cone carried by the respective axle-portion
releases the pinions which then permits of the relative movement of the two
wheels.
In applying the motor to a small motor car the motor may be arranged in
any appropriate position, either vertical, or inclined, or preferably horizontal.
The suspension-springs are fixed on the one hand to the vehicle and on the
other hand to the tubes, which surround the semi-axles and fixed to the gear
The horizontal position permits of an energetic cooling being effected
by the aid of the air current acting especially upon the hottest parts particularly
the bottom and the valve box.
case.
The vehicle is provided with the ordinary accessories, such as brakes, steering-
levers and so forth.
The operation of the ignition-sector may be effected by the aid of a handle,
arranged laterally on the vehicle and actuating the lever by the aid of any appro-
priate transmission, for instance with rods and squares.
The displacement of the intermediate pinions for producing the changes of
speed, is effected by the aid of a fork actuated by the handle.
Finally the stopping of the vehicle, without the motor being stopped is effected
by the aid of a pedal the movement of which is transmitted to the engaging
cone which is then thrown out of engagement with the fly wheel.
1000

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Petroleum Motors and their
Application to Motor Road Vehicles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to an improved motor-device, more especially designed
for the propulsion of motor-cars.
The essential features of this improved motor are the arrangement of a mech-
anism, by which the conductor of the vehicle is enabled to vary the moment
of ignition, which, as in the case of other similar motors, is produced by the aid
of an electric spark; this mechanism likewise acts upon an oscillating piece,
which, by the same operation, permits of regulating the moment at which
the exhaust valve is closed, which latter remains open, when the speed of the
motor becomes greater than that desired to be imparted to it.
We have moreover adapted to our motor a special differential mechanism
without the use of gearings. This differential mechanism simply consists of
two smooth cones, keyed respectively upon the half-axles, on which the driving
wheels are mounted; these two cones are actuated by two other cones, which
are connected to the interior of the box containing the differential mechanism;
these cones have the tendency of becoming wedged up between the two former
cones during the forward movement, but nevertheless permit of a relative angular
displacement of the half-axles during turning operations.
The motor-cylinder is so arranged, that the driving shaft is placed perpen-
dicularly to the axle of the vehicle.
The transmission from one to the other is effected by a toothed pinion, gearing
with a bevel wheel, upon the shaft of which two intermediate pinions of different
diameters are arranged, which are adapted to slide in longitudinal direction so
as to throw one or the other into gear with the corresponding wheel carried by
the box of the differential mechanism.
The accompanying drawing represents our improved motor in various views
and likewise illustrates its application to a small motor car.
Figure 1 is a front elevation showing the mechanism for regulating and con-
trolling the exhaust-valve.
Figure 2 is a vertical section parallel to the plane of Figure 1, showing the
gearing-case;
Figure 3 is a partial vertical section taken at right angles to the sections
shown in Figures 1 and 2, and
Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken through the motor shaft.
In the cylinder A moves a piston, which by means of a connecting rod B
actuates the driving shaft C. Upon this shaft is mounted with slight friction,
a bevel pinion D, which gears with a wheel E; upon the axle F of which can
slide, (by means of a key and groove-connection; for example) a compound
mechanism of two sliding pinions F and G arranged so as to be enabled to gear
respectively with the toothed wheels H and I; these two wheels H and I enclose
between them the case J of the differential mechanism.
The bevel pinion D is thrown into or out of gear with the driving shaft C
through the medium of the following device-ri:-the fly wheel K mounted
on the extremity of the said shaft C outside. the gear-case L; and a friction
device M slightly conical and having its conical surface covered with leather or

page_text: india rubber, which can be caused to enter a corresponding recess provided in
the inner face of the fly wheel. The friction cone or plate M is adapted to
slide on the sleeve a of the bevel pinion D by the aid of a fork 6 pivoted at C
to the gear case L, and operated at will by the attendant.
This friction cone or plate M, more over is provided with openings traversed
by spindles d fixed on a cross-bar, N (see Figures 3 and 5, which latter figure
represents the front face of the cone M), the said cross bar being integral with
the sleeve a of the bevel pinion D); the cone M is constantly pressed against
the fly wheel by springs e, fixed at one extremity to the bottom of the plate
and pressing with their free extremity against the cross bar N.
When the fork bis acted upon in the direction, indicated by the arrow f,
(Figure 3), the cone plate M is disengaged with the recess in the fly wheel K
and the springs e bearing against the cross-bar N are thereby bent; the fly
wheel no longer engages with the cone plate, and the latter remains motionless,
and consequently also the cross bar N; the pinion D) is no longer actuated and
the transmission mechanism is thus thrown out of gear while still allowing the
motor to turn.
Upon ceasing to act upon the fork b, the springs e, bearing against the
cross-bar N, return the cone plate to its engaging position, the said plate is then
driven round with the fly wheel K and drives the cross bar N by means of the
spindles d. The result is that the bevel pinion D is actuated and consequently
the whole mechanism is moved.
The propelling motion is adapted to vary according to the ignition, so as to
obtain various rates of speed, as the attendant wishes, by means of the following
mechanism;
-
Upon the shaft 0, connected to the driving-crank a pinion P is mounted in
the ordinary manner, which pinion gears with a toothed wheel Q of twice its
diameter, which carries the cam R that operates a tappet rod S connected with
the exhaust valve of the motor, and a second cam T, which latter at each revolu-
tion of the pinion Q-that is to say at every second revolution of the driving
shaft engages a leaf-spring y insulated by a sector U (see Figure 6) contained
in the enclosing box V and operated from the outside thereof by the aid of an
arm X. The spring g in connection with a metal band h, fitted into the insul-
ating sector, and upon which rubs a block, insulated relatively to one of the
poles of a suitable source of electricity, the other pole of which is connected to
the mass.
It is evident that, as the ignition cam T is fixed relatively to the toothed
wheel and turns therewith, if the position of the sector U is caused to vary
by acting upon the lever X, the moment of ignition may be varied at will.
I also utilize the sector U for regulating the motor.
As the speed varies with the time at which the ignitions take place, I leave
the exhaust valve open, when the speed thus determined is exceeded, for instance
when the motor starts racing.
For this purpose the rod S of the exhaust-valve is actuated by the cam R
through the medium of a pivoted lever Z, pivoted at i. The cam R acts upon a
finger or projection carried by this lever which transmits the movement to
the rod S.
The lever Z which is returned to its position of rest by the action of the spring
Sassisted by its own weight, when the motor is vertical, is provided with a
lateral projection in its part lying above the cam, and a bevelled or hook-
shaped piece at its extremity.
A bell crank lever m n is loose mounted on the shaft o of the gear wheel Q.
Its arm m lies opposite the bevelled piece of the lever Z and is carried along
by the latter, when being lifted by the cam R, thus causing the bell crank
lever to oscillate, thus passing the end of its arm n under the projection k of
the lever Z.
When the cam R in its rotary motion has passed the finger j, the lever Z

page_text: tends to return to its initial position under the action of its weight, and the
spring S of the exhaust valve; and the bell crank lever m n likewise tends to
fall back so as to return to its initial position under the action of its weight
and of the return-spring (see Figure 1) fixed to the arm m and to the sector U:
As long as the desired speed is not exceeded, the bell crank lever m n is enabled
to return to its initial position at the moment, when the cam R escapes from
the finger and thus releases the lateral projection of the lever Z, which
returns to its resting position, allowing the exhaust valve to be closed, for, at
this moment the speed, at which the valve descends, is less than that, at which
the bell crank lever m n returns to its resting position.
When the speed, desired to be imparted to the motor, is exceeded, the cam.R
escapes from the finger j quickly, enough to prevent the bell crank lever m n
from falling back; the projection k pressing against the end of the arm n, is
retained by the same and as the lever Z cannot fall back, it retains the exhaust
valve in its lifted position; the piston then only causes pure air to be drawn in
and forced out, whereby the cylinder is cooled and the speed reduced.
As long as the motor turns too fast, the same operations are repeated each time
the cam passes; when the speed has been properly reduced, the bell crank
lever m n is enabled to return to its place and disengages the lever Z thus
enabling the exhaust to be closed.
The regulation of the speed of the motor consequently depends upon the speed,
at which the bell crank lever m n, in concurrence with the advance given to
the ignition, falls back. By causing the moment of ignition to vary according
to the angular displacement of the sector U, the tension of the return-spring p
is at the same time modified, so that the bell crank lever mu returns to its posi-
tion with a rapidity that depends upon the position of the sector U.
The differential mechanism with which I have fitted the motor is represented
separately in Figures 7 and 8, and is constructed in the following manner;
The case J carries, as has been already explained, the two toothed wheels H
and I adapted to gear respectively with the intermediate pinions F and G both
actuated by the shaft E¹ of the bevel wheel, E.
The ends of the half-axles each carrying, one of the driving wheels of
the vehicle, terminate in the interior of the case J in smooth cones s s¹, placed
opposite one another. Two smaller cones r rare carried by the case through
the medium of blades and enter between the two cones s s¹ respectively at
the ends of the same diameter, when the case J is actuated in the direction of
the arrow Figure 8, it carries along with it the two smooth cones r r through
the medium of the blades t t'; the two small cones r thus having a tendency
to occupy oblique positions, as their axes no longer pass through the common
apex of the smooth cones s s¹, so that, by reason of the firm adjustment of the
four cones and of the casing, there is a tendency of the smaller cones being
wedged up between the larger ones, the result being, that the whole system.is
acted upon.
When, during a change in the direction of the vehicle one of the wheels turns
more rapidly than the other, the cone carried by the respective axle-portion
releases the pinions r r which then permits of the relative movement of the
two wheels.
Figure 9 represents an application of my improved motor to a small motor car.
The motor may be arranged in any appropriate position, either vertically as
shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing, or inclined, or preferably horizontal
as in the arrangement shown in Figure 9, in which case the lever Z is returned
to its position of rest by the rod S, under the action of the spring St.
The suspension or bearing springs of the vehicle are fixed on the one hand
to the vehicle and on the other hand to the tubes W, which surround the semi-
axles and fixed to the gear-case. The horizontal or nearly horizontal position
permits of rapid cooling being effected by the aid of air currents acting more
especially upon the hottest parts, particularly the bottom and the valve box.

page_text: The vehicle is provided with the ordinary accessories, such as brakes, steering-
levers and so forth.
The operation of the ignition-sector may be effected as shown, by the aid of
a handle u, arranged laterally on the vehicle and actuating the lever X by the
aid of any appropriate transmission device, for instance by means of rods and
bell crank levers.
The displacement of the intermediate pinions F and G for producing the
changes of speed, is effected by the aid of a fork (Figures 4 and 9) actuated
by the handler.
Finally the stoppage of the vehicle without the motor being stopped, is effected
by the aid of a pedal y, the movement of which is transmitted to the engaging
cone or plate M which is then thrown out of engagement with the fly wheel K.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A petroleum motor comprising a mechanism by the aid of which the
moments for electric ignition of the explosive mixture can be varied at will, by
means of a leaf spring connected to one of the poles of the source of electricity,
this spring being carried by a sector, adapted to be displaced around its axis, so
as to permit of modifying the nioments, at which the ignition-cam, fixed to the
same rotary shaft as the cam which controls the exhaust valve, comes in contact
with this spring, in order to cause the spark to pass in the combustion chamber.
2. In the motor ascertained in the first claim, a device consisting of an oscil-
lating bell crank lever forced back by a spring the tension of which is variable
at will, this device serving to enable the exhaust valve to descend, when the
desired speed is not exceeded, the said bell crank lever supporting the valve-
lever so as to prevent the valve from closing, when the speed of the motor is
too high and for the period during which the speed has not been reduced to the
desired rate, the tension of the return spring being determined by the position
of the sector which carries the ignition-spring.
3. In the motor of the kind, ascertained in the first claim, the construction of
a differential mechanism with smooth cones, of which two are respectively fixed
to each one of the half-axles of the driving wheels; the two others being con-
nected to the case or box which receives the movement from the motor, the
actuation of the two first cones being effected by the wedging up of the two
latter cones, which during the forward movement have the tendency of entering
between the others, while nevertheless enabling the two half-axles to execute
a relative movement during a change of direction.
4. The fixing of the motor, above described, upon two cases surrounding the
half-axles of the driving wheels, these cases being connected to the body of the
vehicle through the medium of suspension springs.
Dated this 30th day of January 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.