Improvements in Motors Actuated by Combustible Gas or Vapour.
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 Combustible Gas or Vapour.
We, EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, and JAMES HOWDEN, of 8 Scotland Street, Glasgow,
aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows,
that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object to obtain improved motive effects from the com-
bustion of a suitable gas or vapor. By means of the Invention very convenient motors
can be made for small powers; whilst moderately sized and large motors will yield
power very economically.
In carrying out the Invention according to one modification a wheel is employed,
having its interior divided by curved partitions into four spaces each communicating
with one or more reaction orifices at the periphery of the wheel. The wheel is made
with ports at or near the centre, each communicating with one of the internal spaces,
these ports being in a cylindrical, conical, or flat surface fitted to rotate in contact
with a stationary part having in it two diametrically opposite ports through which from a
pipe or passage a suitable mixture of combustible gas or vapor and air is supplied to
the wheel. Two opposite spaces receive their supply when their centre ports coincide
with the supply ports; and then as the wheel turns those spaces become cut off from
When
the supply ports and the other two are put into communication therewith.
each space has received its supply of combustible mixture and has been cut off from
the supply port the mixture becomes ignited either by a gas flame or a heated tube
placed so as to be passed at a suitable time by the outer reaction orifice of the space,
or arranged to act at a separate port formed into the space at any suitable part and
which is uncovered only at the proper time. The ignition causes the combustible
mixture to expand and to issue at great velocity from the reaction orifices and to turn
the wheel by the reactionary pressure.
The wheel may be fixed on a shaft and rotate therewith, or it may be fitted to rotate
on a stationary tubular shaft through which the combustible mixture enters the
wheel. The combustible gas or vapor and the air may be supplied through separate
ports. The wheel may be made with any suitable number of internal spaces provided
each space is arranged to be cut off from a supply port when about to have its
contents ignited. Instead of there being ignitions simultaneously at two diametrically
opposite points, the ignitions may take place at one point only or at more than two
points; and instead of there being one or more ignitions for each revolution of the
wheel they may take place at every second or more distant revolution. The supplies
of gas aud air may be controlled by a governor; and instead of the supply ports being
in a stationary shaft or part such ports and also the igniting device or devices may be
arranged to rotate continuously or intermittently their motions relatively to the wheel
determining the periods of supply and ignition. Water jackets or the like may be
applied to prevent excessive heating; or instead of or along with such cooling devices,
air may be led through the wheel between the ignitions.
With the object of obtaining the greatest motive effect from the ignited gaseous
mixture the wheel, hereinafter termed the first wheel, is enclosed in a casing in which
a considerable pressure is produced by the action which partly expends itself in turning
the wheel. The gaseous mixture from the casing of the first wheel is led into a second
reaction wheel arranged in a second larger casing or compartment, and it may be led
from the second compartiment to a third wheel, and through as many successive wheels
As the gases
as may be found desirable for yielding the largest aggregate power.
pass from stage to stage their pressure and velocity diminish and their volumes
increase. The several compartments are of successively larger sizes, and the aggregate

page_text: areas of the reaction orifices of the several wheels are increased to correspond with
the increased volumes, whilst the several sets of reaction orifices are arranged
successively nearer the axis of rotation or otherwise so as to correspond with the
diminished velocities.
Dated this Eleventh day of June 1889
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Motors Actuated by Combustible Gas or Vapour.
We, EDMUND HUNT, of 87 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, and JAMES HOWDEN, of 8 Scotland Street, Glasgow
aforesaid, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the saine 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 improved motive effects from the com-
bustion of a suitable gas or vapor. By means of the Invention very convenient
motors can be made for small powers; whilst moderately sized and large motors will
yield power very economically.
In carrying out the Invention according to one modification a wheel such as is
shown in vertical and horizontal section in figures, 1, and 2, on sheet, 1, of the
accompanying explanatory drawings is employed, having its interior divided by
curved partitions, A, into four spaces, B 1, B2, B3, B4, each communicating with
one or more reaction orifices, C, at the periphery of the wheel. The wheel is made
with ports, D1, D2, D3, D4, at or near the centre, each communicating with one
of the internal spaces, B 1 to 4 these ports being in a conical surface fitted to
rotate in contact with a stationary part, E, having in it two diametrically opposite
ports, E 1, E 2, through which from a pipe or passage, F, a suitable mixture of com-
bustible gas or vapor and air is supplied to the wheel. Two opposite spaces (B 1, B 3 for
example) receive their supply when their centre ports, D 1, D 3, coincide with the
supply ports, E 1, E 2; and then as the wheel turns those spaces become cut off from
the supply ports and the other two (B 2, B 4) are put into communication therewith.
When each space has received its supply of combustible mixture and has been cut off
from the supply port the mixture becomes ignited either by a gas flame or a heated
tube placed so as to be passed at a suitable time by the outer reaction orifice, C, of
the space or arranged as shown to act at a separate small port or touchhole, G, formed
into the space at any suitable part and which is uncovered only at the proper time,
the outside sliding in contact with a stationary ring or plate, H, having in it
ports, H1, H2, at diametrically opposite points. The igniting device shown consists
of two shielded gas burners, 1, J 2, the jets of which are directed into the
ports, H1, H2. The ignition causes the combustible mixture to expand and to issue
at great velocity from the reaction orifices, C, and to turn the wheel by the reactionary
pressure.
The wheel may be fixed on a shaft, Q, as shown in figure, 3, sheet, 2, and
rotate therewith, or it may be fitted to rotate on a stationary tubular shaft, EF,
through which the combustible mixture enters the wheel. The surfaces in which the
ports, D 1, to 4, E 1, E 2, are formed may be conical as shown or cylindrical or flat.
The combustible gas or vapor and the air may be supplied through separate ports.
The wheel may be made with any suitable number of internal spaces provided each
space is arranged to be cut off from a supply port when about to have its contents
ignited. Instead of there being ignitions simultaneously at two diametrically opposite
points, the ignitions may take place at one point only or at more than two points;
and instead of their being one or more ignitions for each revolution of the wheel they
may take place at every second or more distant revolution. The supplies of gas and
air may be controlled by a governor; and instead of the supply ports being in a

page_text: stationary shaft or part such ports and also the igniting device or devices may be
arranged to rotate continuously or intermittently their motions relatively to the wheel
determining the periods of supply and ignition. Water jackets or the like may be
applied to prevent excessive heating; or instead of or along with such cooling
devices, air may be led through the wheel between the ignitions,
In an enlargement of the pipe, F, wire gauze, F 1, is placed to prevent the passage
of flame into the supply pipe in the event of its getting within the part, E; and a
small suitably loaded relief valve, F 2, is provided in connection with the interior of
the part, E. The combustible gaseous mixture must be supplied under a sufficient
pressure, obtained in any convenient way to insure its entering the wheel through
the parts, E 1, E 2, and D 1 to 4.
With the object of obtaining the greatest motive effect from the ignited gaseous
mixture the wheel herein before described, and hereinafter termed the first wheel, M 1,
is enclosed in a casing, N 1, as shown in section in figure, 3, sheet 2, in which casing
a considerable pressure is produced by the action which partly expends itself in
turning the wheel, M 1. The gaseous mixture from the casing, N 1, of the first
wheel, M 1, is led into a second reaction wheel, M 2, arranged in a second larger
casing or compartment, N 2, and it may be led from the second compartment to a
third wheel, M 3, and compartiment, N 3, and through as many successive wheels as
may be found desirable for yielding the largest aggregate power.
As the gases pass
from stage to stage their pressure and velocity diminish and their volumes increase.
The several compartments may be of successively larger sizes, but this is not essential
provided that there is in each sufficient space for the free flow through of the gases.
The aggregate areas of the reaction orifices of the several wheels, M 2, M 3, are
increased to correspond with the increased volumes, whilst the several sets of
reaction orifices are arranged successively nearer the axis of rotation so as to corre-
spond with the diminished pressures and velocities; or the successive sets of reaction
orifices may be modified only as regards their aggregate areas.
Figure, 4, sheet, 2, is a section as at right angles to figure, 3, and as taken through
the second wheel, M 2, so as to show the construction which we prefer; each wheel,
excepting the first, M 1, consisting of two disks having a space between them which
space is encircled by a rim or projecting ring formed on one of them, the reaction
orifices being formed in castings inserted in the said rim. The gases enter each
wheel through an annular opening immediately encircling a boss, P, upon which one
disk of each wheel, M 1, M 2, M 3, is cast. The boss, P, is fixed on a shaft, Q,
entered into the casing through a stuffing box, and carried in suitable bearings
outside but not shown in the drawings; and the shaft, Q, has on it a pulley Q', for
a belt.
Instead of the pressure obtained by the ignition of gases in the first wheel, M 1,
being applied to actuate reaction wheels, M.2, M 3, such as are hereinbefore described
it may be applied to actuate any other motor workable by gaseous pressure.
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. The improved motor to be actuated by combustible gas or vapor and consisting
essentially of a reaction wheel within which the gas or vapor mixed with air is ignited,
the parts of the motor being constructed arranged an operating substantially as herein-
before described.
2. The combination with a primary reaction motor actuated by combustible gas or
vapor, of one or more other motors in which the gases acquiring pressure in the
primary motor are worked through one or more succeeding stages of expansion
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Tenth day of March 1890.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.