IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS-MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Christopher Thomas Wordsworth, of Leeds, in the
County of York, Engineer, Thomas Browett, of Salford, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, and Herbert Lindley, also of Salford aforesaid, Engineer,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS-MOTOR ENGINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Christopher Thomas
Wordsworth, Thomas Browett, & Herbert Lindley at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1881.
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS WORDSWORTH, of Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer,
THOMAS BROWETT, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and HERBERT
LINDLEY, also of Salford aforesaid, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR
ENGINES."
Our improvements relate to gas motor engines, and consist, firstly, in arrange-
ments by which we ensure the charge of inflammable gas or gases and air in the
cylinders of such engines aforesaid, being ignited with greater certainty than
heretofore.
For this purpose we use a slide for regulating the admission and ignition of tho
gases by which the engine is actuated, such slide being as usual provided with an
opening or chamber within which is a gas flame, by which the charge of gas or
gases in the cylinder of the engine is ignited. Such flame aforesaid is supplied
with inflammable gas in any ordinary manner; but in order to prevent the said
Dame becoming extinguished upon the aforesaid chamber being brought into com-
munication with the charge of mixed gas and air contained in the cylinder, we
form the advancing edge of the before named chamber of a curved form, so that
the entrance of the mixed gases from the cylinder into the said chamber shall take
place from each side of the before named chamber, thereby causing the currents
produced by the influx of the gases to neutralize each other, and thus prevent
the extinction of the previously named igniting flame.
Another arrangement by which we also accomplish the above object consists in
forming-a cavity in the face, upon which the above named slide works so as 'to

page_text: :
form a communication between the aperture through which gas is supplied to the
igniting flame and the opening or chamber containing the said igniting flame, so
that when the aforesaid opening or chamber is brought into communication with
the gases contained in the main cylinder, the before named igniting flame will
not be carried back into the above named aperture, and so become extinguished.
In an additional arrangement we form a cavity within the slide, which is
brought into communication with an opening formed in the framework carrying the
said slide, from which the aforesaid cavity becomes charged with a supply of pure
inflammable gas; a further movement of the said slide cuts off the gas supply and
brings the above named cavity into communication with the port leading into the
cylinder, from which the aforesaid cavity receives a supply of mixed gas and air
under pressure; a further movement of the said slide will cut off such supply, and
a still further movement of the previously mentioned slide will bring the igniting
chamber, also formed in the before named slide, into communication with the
cylinder; and simultaneously with, or slightly before the making of such commu-
nication, the aforesaid cavity is caused by suitable openings to communicate with
the igniting chamber previously referred to, so that the flame contained therein
will be augmented by the gas and air from the before named cavity, and will
thereby be rendered better able to ignite the compressed gas and air within the
cylinder of the engine when brought into contact therewith.
The curved form of the edge of the igniting cavity previously described may be
used in combination with the two last described arrangements.
The next part of our Invention refers to arrangements of governors for gas
motor engines, and consists in arrangements whereby in case of the engine running
Blow or becoming stopped from any cause, the gas supply will be cut off.
For this purpose we mount the governor on a spindle, and impart rotatory motion
thereto in any convenient manner. Upon the said spindle we form a collar capable
of sliding thereon, the said collar serving as an abutment to two springs, both of
which tend to resist the centrifugal action of the aforesaid governor. Tho
governor balls we mount upon levers, which are jointed at one end to a bracket
fast upon
the above named spindle; the levers which carry the above named balls
are jointed to the ends of other levers, whose remaining ends are jointed to a bush
capable of sliding upon the before named spindle.
Upon the spindle above referred to, and fast therewith, we form a collar, such
collar serving at times as an abutment for the sliding bush previously named.
When the governor is revolving at or about its proper speed, one of the above
named springs, which is made weaker than the other, becomes compressed, thus
allowing the collar above named to be slidden upon the spindle by a projecting
part formed upon the before named sliding bush. The sliding bush above referred
to is provided with a groove which acts upon the ends of a forked lever jointed
to other levers so as to place a filling piece between a reciprocating part actuated
by the slide previously referred to or other convenient part, and the gas supply
tap or valve, so as to open it, such tap or valve being closed by means of a spring
or weight.
When the engine is at work the governor periodically places the filling piecc
into the position for causing the gas supply tap to be opened when the speed of
the engine decreases, and withdraws the said filling piece should the speed of the
engine become too high. If however the speed of the engine should from any
cause decrease below any desired amount, the spring previously described as being
compressed, and permitting the above named sliding bush to act upon the before
mentioned sliding collar, now expands against the centrifugal action of the governor
balls, and will thereby carry the above mentioned filling pieces clear of the gas
supply tap or valve and the part connected with the slide, thereby cutting off the
gas supply from the engine, thus preventing accident or waste of gas.
Another arrangement by which we propose to govern the speed of gas motor
engines is by reducing the supply of inflammable gas thereto, so that the cylinder
shall be filled partially with atmospheric air, and a mixture of atmospheric air

page_text: and inflammable gas. For this purpose we form a groove in either of the faces,
between which the slide moves for controlling the admission of inflammable gas
and air to such engines aforesaid. The above named groove communicates at ono
end with the supply of inflammable gas, and we provide the said groove with a
strip of metal capable of sliding therein; such strip of metal we connect by any
suitable means to the governor. When the engine is at work the aforesaid strip
of metal is slidden along the groove aforesaid so as to form a cavity at one end
thereof, such cavity being in communication with the gas supply and constituting
the gas supply cavity for regulating the admission of gas by which the engine is
actuated. When the engine is working with its maximum load the sliding strip
aforesaid will be slidden by the governor so as to allow the engine to draw into
the cylinder a full supply of gas, the said gas being mixed with air by any ordinary
arrangements of openings or ports. When the load upon the engine decreases tho
governor will so slide the strip of metal aforesaid as to reduce the length of the
before named cavity, thereby delaying the admission of gas, ordinary openings or
ports formed in the slide before referred to, having previously allowed atmospheric
air to pass into the cylinder above referred to; but upon a further movement of
the previously named slide the cavity therein will be brought into communication
with the cylinder, and a supply of inflammable gas will then be drawn into the
cylinder aforesaid.
By the above arrangement we ensure the ports leading to the cylinder being
filled with an inflammable mixture of gas and air however small the supply of gas
allowed by the governor. By the above described arrangement the gas and air
supplies for the cylinder are closed simultaneously upon the return movement of
the slide used for admitting gas and air to the engine.
The next part of our Invention relates to arrangements for securing the cover of
the slide used for controlling the admission of gas and air to engines of the class
above referred to, by which arrangements we lessen the friction and facilitate the
removal of such cover aforesaid.
For this purpose instead of using screw threads upon the studs for retaining tho
aforesaid cover in position, we provide such studs with projections and place upon
the said studs tubes having slots or grooves formed therein parallel with their axis,
such slots terminating in a diagonal circumferential groove, so that when the said
projections upon the studs shall pass into the diagonal-slots aforesaid the tube will
be forced forward against the before mentioned cover and retain it in position,
when the said diagonal slots are freed from the projections upon the previously
mentioned studs the before named cover may be readily removed.
Another method we propose for securing such covers as are above referred to
rigidly in position without causing excessive friction upon the slide, is as follows:-
Upon studs secured to the part against which one side of the slide works we mount
washers or discs so as to be capable of sliding thereon, against which press springs
that may be acted upon by screwed nuts upon the before named studs.
Through the above named studs are formed slots through which we pass keys or
wedges, one side thereof bearing against one end of the before named slots in the
stud, and bearing by their other sides against the cover before referred to. The
previously named washers or discs have grooves formed therein through which the
above named keys or wedges may freely pass. When it is desired to adjust the
aforesaid cover upon the previously named slide, the springs are compressed by
means of the nuts above referred to until the desired pressure is obtained upon the
said cover. The above named keys or wedges are then passed through the slots
in the previously nained studs. The springs may now be released by unscrewing
the nuts, the cover being retained in position by the above named keys or
wedges.
A further improvement consists in substituting one or more washers or discs of
"asbestos mill board" for the springs ordinarily used for retaining the slide cover
previously referred to in position; or instead of such washers aforesaid we use
asbestos fibre placed within a box or boxes or suitable receptacle, so that the said

page_text: asbestos fibre may be compressed by the above named nuta. By the use of asbestos
for the above purpose we obtain an elastic medium not readily injured by heat;
such washers or asbestos fibro contained in a box or boxes or other suitable
receptacle, as above described, may be used in combination with any of the
previously named arrangements for adjusting and retaining the cover of the slide
valve in position.
Another part of our Invention has for its object the reduction of the noise
produced when air is being drawn through the inlet port into the cylinders of gas
motor engines. For this purpose we form the edges of such ports serrated so as to
break up the inrushing currents of air. We also propose in some cases to form the
opening in the slide used for controlling the before named port with serrations for
the above purpose.
A further part of our improvements relate to arrangements for lubricating the
cylinder of gas motor engines. For this object we cause the oil to be carried into
the interior of the cylinder by the gas or air used for actuating such engines
aforesaid. The oil or other lubricant we feed to the gas or air as it passes along
the inlet passages, either in drops or in spray, by means of any suitable apparatus.
Or we cause the air or gas on its passage to the cylinder to pass through sponge or
other suitable porous or fibrous material containing oil or other lubricant..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Christopher Thomas Wordsworth, Thomas Browett, & Herbert
Lindley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th April 1882.
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS WORDSWORTH, of Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer,
THOMAS BROWETT, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and HERBERT
LINDLEY, also of Salford aforesaid, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR
ENGINES."
Our improvements relate to gas motor engines, and consist, firstly, in arrange-
ments by which we ensure the charge of inflammable gas or gases and air in the
cylinders or combustion chambers of such engines aforesaid being ignited with
greater certainty than heretofore. For this purpose we use a slido for regulating
the adinission and ignition of the gases by which the engine is actuated, such slide
being as usual provided with an opening or chamber, within which is a gas flame,
by which the charge of gas or gases in the cylinder of the engine is ignited. Such
flame aforesaid is supplied with inflammable gas in any ordinary manner; but in
order to prevent the said flame from becoming extinguished upon the aforesaid
chamber being brought into communication with the charge of mixed gas and air
contained in the cylinder, we form the advancing edge of the before named chamber
of a curved form, so that the entrance of the mixed gases from the cylinder into
the said chamber shall take place from each side of the before named chamber,
thereby causing the currents produced by the influx of the gases to neutralize each
other and thus prevent the extinction of the previously named igniting flame. In
an additional arrangement we form a cavity or reservoir within the slide, which is
brought into communication with an opening formed in the framework carrying
the said slide, from which the aforesaid cavity becomes charged with a supply of
pure inflammable gas; a further movement of the said slide cuts off the gas supply
and brings the above named cavity into communication with the port leading into
the cylinder, from which the aforesaid cavity receives a supply of mixed gas and
air under pressure; a further movement of the said slide will cut off such supply,
and a still further movement of the previously mentioned slide will bring the
igniting chamber, also formed in the before named slide, into communication with
the cylinder, and simultaneously with, or slightly bofore, the making of such com-
munication the aforesaid cavity is caused by suitable openings to communicate
with the igniting chamber previously referred to, so that the flame contained
therein will be augmented by the gas and air from the before named cavity, and
will thereby be rendered better able to ignite the compressed gas and air within
the cylinder of the engine when brought into contact therewith, and we find that
it is immaterial whether the compressed contents of the aforesaid cavity are
brought into communication with the igniting chamber through the aperture or
hole which supplies gas to the internal Hame, or are brought in by a separate hole,
such hole preferably being in close proximity to the aforesaid internal faine. The
curved form of the edge of the igniting cavity previously described may be used in
combination with the last described arrangement. The next part of our Invention
refers to arrangements of governors for gas motor engines, and consists in arrange-
ments whereby, in case of the engine running slow or becoming stopped from any
cause, the gas supply will be cut off. For this purpose we mount the governor on &
spindle and impart rotatory motion thereto in any convenient manner. Upon
the said spindle we form a collar capable of sliding thereon, the said collar serving
as an abutment to two springs, both of which tend to resist the centrifugal action of
the aforesaid governor. The governor balls we mount upon levers, which are jointed
at one end to a bracket fast upon the above named spindle, the levers which carry

page_text: the above named balls are jointed to' the ends of other levers whose remaining
ends are jointed to a bush capable of sliding upon the before named spindle. Upon
the spindle above referred to and fast therewith we form a collar, such collar serving
at times as an abutment for the sliding bush previously named. When the
governor is revolving at or about its proper speed one of the above named springs,
which is made weaker than the other, becomes compressed, thus allowing the collar
above named to be slidden upon the spindle by a projecting part formed upon the
before named sliding bush. The sliding bush above referred to is provided with
a groove which acts upon the end of a forked lever jointed to other levers so as to
place a filling piece between a reciprocating part actuated by the slide previously
referred to or other convenient part and the gas supply tap or valve so as to open
it, such valve being closed by means of a spring or weight. When the engine is
at work the governor periodically places the filling piece into the position for
causing the gas supply tap to be opened when the speed of the engine decreases
and withdraws the said filling piece, should the speed of the engine become too
high. If however the speed of the engine should from any cause decrease below
any desired amount, the spring previously described as being compressed and
permitting the above named sliding bush to act upon the before mentioned sliding
collar, now expands against the centrifugal action of the governor balls and will
thereby carry the above mentioned filling piece clear of the gas supply tap or
valve and the part connected with the slide, thereby cutting off the gas supply
from the engine, thus preventing accident or waste of gas. We do not however
confine ourselves to the precise form of governor above described; a moro sensitive
form we find is one in which the levers carrying the balls are not jointed at their
outer ends, but have shorter arms beyond the fulcrum, which shorter arms act on
the before described two springs and cause a collar, or bush, or sliding spindle to
act on the before described filling piece. Another arrangement by which we
propose to govern the speed of gas motor engines is by reducing the supply of
inflammable gas thereto so that the cylinder shall be filled partially with
atmospheric air and a mixture of atmospheric air and inflammable gas. For this
purpose we form a groove in either of the faces between which the slide moves for
controlling the admission of inflammable gas and air to such engines aforesaid.
The above named groove communicates at one end with the supply of inflammable
gas, and we provide the said groove with a strip of metal capable of sliding therein,
such strip of metal we connect by any suitable means to the governor. When the
engine is at work the aforesaid strip of metal is slidden along the groove aforesaid
so as to form a cavity at one end thereof, such cavity being in communication
with the gas supply and constituting the gas supply cavity for regulating the
admission of gas by which the engine is actuated. When the engine is working
with its maximum load the sliding strip aforesaid will be slidden by the governor
so as to allow the engine to draw into the cylinder a full supply of gus, the said
gas being mixed with air by any ordinary arrangement of openings or ports. When
the load upon the engine decreases the governor will so slide the strip of metal
aforesaid as to reduce the length of the beforo named cavity, thereby delaying the
admission of gas, ordinary openings or ports formed in the slide before referred
to having previously allowed atinospheric air to pass into the cylinder above
referred to but upon a further movement of the previously named slide the cavity
therein will be brought into communication with the cylinder and a supply
of inflammable gas will then be drawn into the cylinder aforesaid; on the
reversal of the motion of the slide the aforesaid strip of metal is caused to
travel with the slide so that the closing of the gas supply may not take place
before that of the air supply. By the above arrangement we
ensure the
parts leading to the cylinder being filled with an inflammable mixture of
gas and air, however small the supply of gas allowed by the governor. By
the above described arrangement the gas and air supplies for the cylinder
are closed simultaneously upon the return movement of the slide used for admitting
gas and air to the engine. The next part of our Invention relates to arrangements

page_text: for securing the cover of the slide used for controlling the admission of gas and air
to engines of the class above referred to, by which arrangements we lessen the
friction and facilitate the removal of such cover aforesaid. Our improvement
consists in substituting one or more washers or discs of "asbostos mill board" for
the springs ordinarily used for retaining the slide cover previously referred to in
position; or instead of such washers aforesaid we use asbestos fibro placed within
a box or boxes or suitable receptaclo, so that the said asbestos fibro may be
compressed by the nuts, by which the said slide cover is secured. By the use of
asbestos for the above purpose we obtain an elastic medium not readily injured by
heat. In order that our Invention may be better understood and more readily
carried into effect we will now proceed to describe the same, reference being made
to the accompanying Drawings. The first part of our Invention is illustrated by
Fig. 1, which shows two views of a slido for a gas engine with the advancing edge
of the igniting chamber formed therein made of a curved shape. The slide is
arranged for the ignition of the gases to take place when it is moving downwards
in the direction of the arrow. In this case the edge a of the igniting chamber is
formed curved; or instead of forming it as a single curvo there may be notches
formed at each end, as shown in the detached view, Fig. 1A; by means of the
curved edge or the notches the currents of the gases flowing into the igniting
chamber neutralizo each other, and thus tend to prevent the extinction of the flame
contained within the igniting chamber; Figs. 2 and 3 represent a section of a gas
engine, cylinder, or combustion chamber, showing a slide arranged according to the
second part of our Invention, and Fig. 4 is a front, and Fig. 5 a back view of the
slide, shown detached from the other parts. We may here remark that all the
slides are shown as being used in a vertical position, but they may however be
equally well arranged to work horizontally if desired. In Figs. 2 to 5, A is the
slido, in which is formed the igniting chamber 1; B is the working cylinder or
combustion chamber supplied with a compressed explosive mixture of gases. A
face C is secured to the cylinder B by means of bolts or studs or other well known
means, and in the face C is formed the port 2, being a continuation of the port
leading into the cylinder. Also formed within the face C is an opening 3
communicating with the base of a chimney 16, in which a flame is kept burning
supplied from a small gas burner in the ordinary manner. At D is a cover, which
serves to keep the slide A in contact with the face C; within the cover D is formed
an opening 4, and is also provided with two grooves 11, 15, about to be described.
In the cover D is formed the gas supply hole and port 5. In the case where air
and gas are drawn in, compressed and exploded in the same cylinder, the slide is
furnished with a port or recess 6,and on the upward motion of the slide in the direction
of the arrow. This recess 6 communicates with the port 2 leading into the cylinder,
into which is then drawn an explosive mixture, the air entering by the port 7 and
holo leading to the atmosphere. The gas being drawn in through the port and holes 8,
which port arrives in communication with another port 5 formed in the cover D, which
port communicates with the main gas supply. On the down stroke of the slide A
the igniting chamber 1 which contains a small internal flame is brought into com-
munication with the port 2, the contents of the cylinder are thereby exploded.
The object of this part of our Invention is to prevent the small internal flame in
the chamber 1 from being extinguished, and to ensure a regular lighting of the
compressed charge. For this purpose we make a cavity 9 in the slide A, and this
cavity is supplied with pure gas in the following mauner:-When the slide A is in
its highest position the hole 10 will coincide with the groove 11 in the cover, by
which gas is supplied to the inside light; through the hole 12 gas will then enter
the cavity 9, and the products of combustion or other gases remaining in the
cavity 0 will be expelled by means of the hole 13 which is in communication with
the port 2. The cavity 9 then becomes filled with pure gas, or partly so, on the
downward motion of the slide, the gaseous contents of the cavity are compressed by
reason of the compressed charge in the cylinder or other portion of the engine,
entering the cavity 9 through the hole 14 from the port 2. A further downward

page_text: motion of the slide A cuts off the hole 14 from the port 2, and a still further
movement downward will open the port 2 to the igniting chamber 1, the holo 14
still remaining closed. Simultaneously with or slightly before the opening of the
port 2, the hole 12* which supplies gas to the inside light, and which hole has
passed out of communication with the groove 11, now communicates with a
groove 15, and as the hole 10 is now already in communication with the groove 15,
the compressed gaseous contents of the cavity 9 are ejected therefrom into the
igniting chamber 1, and cause therein a small explosion or increase of pressure, so
that on the opening of the port 2 to the igniting chamber 1, the flame contained
therein is well able to withstand the advent of the compressed gases from the
cylinder, and ignition of the charge is thereby ensured. On the upward motion of
the slide the inside light 12 is rekindled and the cavity reoxygenized by means of
the draught caused by the flame in the chimney 16. The cover D is secured
against the pressure of the explosion by the plate and screws, as shown in the
Drawing, and which require no further explanation. We shall however refer to
the nuts 25 upon the bolts 25x 25xx further on. We do not however confine
ourselves to the exact arrangements as above described, and in Figs. 0 to 19
inclusive are shown two other arrangements, in both of which the slide is arranged
to ignite on the upstroke, and the chimney is formed upon the cover which keeps
the said slide in the contact with the face against which it is slidden. In Figs. 6, 7,
and 8, are shown a slide; Figs. 9 and 10 show a front view and section of the
cylinder face; and Figs. 11 and 12 show a back view and section of the cover.
In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, 9 is the cavity as before described, and 12 is the hole by
which gas is supplied to the inside light, sliding over a groove 11 in the cylinder
face, and is thereby supplied with gas. The cavity 9 is supplied with gas as before
described by the hole 10, but in this case receives its gas from the main supply 5
in the following manner-The port or slot 8 has a small groove 17, which in the
lowest position of the slide communicates with the forked slot 18 formed in the
cover. The hole 10 at this time being in communication with the slot 19,
and thus communicating with the main gas supply, the contents of the
cavity 9 passing out as before through the hole 14, which at this time is over
the edge of the air or oxygenizing cavity or space 20 in the cylinder face;
the cavity in the slide is then filled or partly so with pure gas. On the
upward motion of the slide taking place the contents become compressed by
the holes 13, 14, becoming exposed to the main port 2 of the cylinder face, and
allowing the compressed gas from the cylinder to pass into the cavity 9. After
the hole 14 has left the edge of the port 2 in the cylinder face and slightly before
the opening of that port to the igniting chamber 1, a small hole 21 leading into
the igniting chamber arrives at the limit 22 of the slot 19, and as the hole 10 is
still in communication with the slot 19, the contents of the cavity 9 are ejected
therefrom through the hole 21 into the igniting chamber, and their contents being
chiefly pure gas, which will be ignited by the inside flame, a small explosion or
vigorous combustion is set up, the oxygen of the air contained in the chamber
enabling the injected gas to burn rapidly, and thus the flame in the igniting
chamber will not be extinguished on the igniting port 1 arriving in communication
with the main port 2. It will be noticed that in this case a separate entrance to
the igniting chamber 1 is provided for the gases from the cavity 9, whereas in the
first described case they came in by the same hole 12 that supplied gas to the
inside light. The igniting chamber in this case is re-oxygenated by the draught
of the chimney 16 drawing in atmospheric air by the groove 4 in the slide A and
cavity 20 in the cylinder face. A somewhat similar arrangement to that previously
described is shown by Figs. 13 to 19. Fig. 13 representing a front view and Fig. 14
a section of the cylinder face; Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 representing the cover; and
Fig. 17 being the slide. Similar letters of reference being applied to parts corres-
ponding to those previously described when referring to the previous Figures. The
two holes 13 and 14 in Fig. 6 are here shewn formed as a slot 13, and the
exygonzing cavity 20 is here provided with two extra air passages 23 for the

page_text: object of giving a plentiful supply of air. In this case the slide has a cavity 9 as
before, and an inside light hole 12 sliding over a groove 11. The gas contained in
the cavity 9 is compressed by the slot 13 forming a communication with the port
2 and allowing the compressed charge of gas and air from the cylinder to pass into
the cavity 9. The hole 10 being always in communication with the slot 19 and
the hole 21 becoming coincident with that slot 19, as in the case last described.
In this case the gases that enter the igniting chamber by the hole 10, slot 19, and
the hole 21, are not pure inflammable gas, but gas and air taken from the charge
in the cylinder or combustion chamber. The relative position of the holes and
edges of the various ports being the same as those previously described. Tho
curved or notched form of the advancing edge of the chamber of the slide, as
previously described under the first head of our Invention, may be used in com-
bination with the other described improvements in slidos. In Figs. 20 and 21 is
shown a method of utilizing asbestos washers 24 so as to interpose a slightly
elastic medium between the nut 25 (shown in Fig. 2) and the slide cover D. The
asbestos washers 24 are placed within a cup and are compressed therein by the
nut 25. In Fig. 21 a shell or collar 26 is screwed on the nut 25, and can be
brought to bear upon the cover D after the requisite pressure has been obtained by
the nuts 25. In Figs. 22 is shown our improvements in governors for gas engines.
The governor is shown as receiving rotatory motion by a band or cord and pulley
as usual. The parts of the governor are in the position they would occupy when
they are at rest or when the engine is stopped. The sleeve 27 on the spindle 26*
having carried the filling piece 28 by means of the levers 29 clear of the presser 30
attached to the slide A of the engine. Upon our imparting rotatory motion to the
governor, the centrifugal action of the balls or weights 29* will overcome the
resistance of a spring 31, and the sleeve 27 arrives and rests against the collar 32.
When in this position the filling piece 28 is placed in a position to be acted upon
by the presser 30, and on the downward motion of the slide A in the direction of
the arrow.
This downward notion of the filling piece 28 carries with it the
lever 33, and the gas valve 34 becomes opened thereby and the engine regularly
receives its charge of gas. Any other suitable moving part of the engine may be
used instead of the slide to act upon the presser 30, as, for instance, a cam
and lever or an excentric may be made use of. When the speed of the engine
becomes too high the centrifugal force of the balls or weights 29* overcomes the
resistance of the spring 35, which is made stronger than the spring 31, and the
sleeve will be moved towards the left hand of the Drawing, thus placing the filling
piece 28 out of gear with the presser 30 but on the opposite side to that which it
occupied upon starting, and such being the case the gas valve is not acted upon.
In Fig. 23 a somewhat different arrangement is shown. The type of governor
being different from that previously described the governor balls or weights 29*
are here supported by inverted arms which are furnished at their lower ends with
short levers 36. These levers 36 are rounded on their upper sides and act upon a
piston or spindle 37. In this Figure the parts of the governor are shown in the
position they would occupy when the engine is rotating at its normal speed, the
spring 31, which in this instance is the weaker one, being already compressed so as
to bring the enlarged portion of the piston 37 against the resistance of the
spring 35 which is formed stronger than the spring 31 previously named. The
spring 35 is so proportioned that any increase of the speed of the engine above the
normal speed will cause the balls 29. to fly outward and by means of the arms 36
to compress the spring 35 and thus raise the spindle 37. By these means the
rocking lever 38 is placed out of gear with the reciprocating part 39 and the gas
valve 40 is not opened. The part 39 is actuated by a bell crank lever 41 attached
to the cover D, such bell crank lever being acted upon by a piece 42 attached to the
slide A or other convenient moving portion of the engine. It will be readily
understood that the spring 31 can be adjusted so that should the speed of the
engine fall below any desired amount, or when nearly stopping, it shall cause the
spindle 37 to act on the lever 36 and close the balls and so still further lower the

page_text: spindle 37 so that the rocking lever 38 is placed out of gear with the reciprocating
piece 39, but on the opposite side to that which it occupies when the speed of the
engine is too high. By the above described arrangements of the governor the gas
supply to the engine is completely shut off when the engine is stopped, waste of gas
and accident being thereby prevented which might otherwise take place. The
spring within the box 43 on the spindle 37 is to prevent strain upon the parts if
from any cause, such as the band or cord by which this governor receives rotatory
motion slipping or from binding of the parts of the governor, the balls should tend
to go outward after the piece 39 has engaged with the rocking lever 38.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we desire it to be understood that we claim
"as secured to us under the above in part recited Letters Patent.
Firstly. Forming the advancing edge of the chamber or cavity of the slide
containing the gas or gases by which the explosive charge within the cylinder of
the engine is ignited of a curved form or with notches as and for the purpose
described and shown.
Secondly. The use of a cavity or reservoir formed within the body of the slide
to contain compressed gas or a mixture of compressed gas and air substantially in
the manner and for the purpose described and shown in reference to Figures 2 to 19
inclusive.
Thirdly. Charging such cavity aforesaid with pure gas by the "
pressure of the
..mains" by which such gas is supplied to the engine substantially as described and
shown.
Fourthly. Charging such cavity or reservoir aforesaid with gas which is drawn
therein during the suction stroke of the ongine to which such valve aforesaid is
applied substantially as described and shown."
Fifthly. Charging such cavity aforesaid with a mixture of gas and air obtained
from the compressed charge contained in the cylinder or compression chamber of the
engine in which such slide is used substantially in the manner as shown and
described.
Sixthly. The use of "asbestos" as an elastic medium between the slide cover and
'its'nut or nuts or other parts by which it is retained in position substantially in
the manner and for the purposes shown and described in reference to Figs. 2, 20,
'and 21.
Seventhly. In governors for gas engines the use of two springs one formed of
greater strength than the other, acting substantially in the manner and for the
purpose described and shown in reference to Figs. 22 and 23.
In witness whereof, we, the said Christopher Thomas Wordsworth, Thomas
Browett, and Herbert Lindley, havo hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and eighty two.