IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS- MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Griffin, of Kingston Iron Works Bath in the
County of Somerset Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS-
MOTOR ENGINES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Griffin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1881.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN of Kingston Iron Works Bath in the County of Somerset
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES
ور
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
various parts of gas motor engines of the kind in which compressed explosive
compound air and gas is used or otherwise.
For this purpose according to the first part of my improvements I simplify the
arrangement and construction of the slide valve which acts to ignite the charge of
explosive compound or compound of air and gas combined in the cylinder by
admitting the atmospheric air necessary to support the combustion of the igniting
flame through an opening at the back of the valve i.c., between the valve and
cylinder. The said atmospheric air then enters the ignition chamber of the slide
valve, through the same opening and on the same side of the slide valve as that
which at a later period of its travel communicates with the interior of the cylinder
for the purpose of igniting the explosive compound. By this means I dispense
with the forked passage as now used in certain arrangements of gas engines.
It has been found necessary in gas motor engines in which compressed explosive
compound is used (and to which my improvements are advantageously applicable)
to establish communication between the compressed charge in the cylinder and the
cavity or port in the slide valve which contains the combustible gas which feeds
the ignition flame so that the said ignition flame may not be forced back into the
said cavity or port (which cavity or port contains no oxygen to support combustion)
when the ignition chamber opens to the cylinder. Now according to my improve-
ments I avoid the necessity of this arrangement by drilling two or more holes from
the ignition chamber into the before mentioned cavity or port which contains the
combustible gas, the action of this arrangement being that when the ignition

page_text: chamber opens to the cylinder the compressed charge does not force the flame back
into the cavity or port from which it is fed (thus extinguishing it) but having the
before mentioned two or more holes in connection with the cavity or port, uniformity
of pressure is established and the ignition flames remain burning?
According to the second part of my improvements in starting engines in which
compressed explosive compound is used it has been found necessary to use some
means of releasing a portion of the compressed compound so that the labour of
turning round the fly wheel by hand may be lightened. To accomplish this I
arrange a lever screw eccentric or other suitable mechanism in such manner that it
will when put in position hold the exhaust valve slightly open during that part of
the stroke which compresses the charge thus releasing the excess of pressure.
When the engine is started the lever screw or eccentric is placed in another
position so that the exhaust valve may fully close at the proper time.
In accordance with the third part of my improvements upon the rod or lever
which either works the exhaust valve or works in connection with it, I fix a lever
cam or any suitable arrangement of mechanism for opening the valve which regulates
the admission of gas or combustible compound to the cylinder. Connection is
made between the said lever cam, or other arrangement and the regulating valve,
_by_means-of-any-suitable-mechanism-in-connection-with-the-governor. The motion
of the exhaust valve is advantageously employed for working the regulating gas
valve since the time of its closing is the proper time at which the gas valve should
open.
According to the fourth part of my improvements I construct my lubricator
for oiling the piston and slide valve by using a small locking lever or beam which
lever or beam is attached in any convenient way to the oil cup. One end of this
lever or beam is connected to a rod or lever working in connection with the exhaust
valve the other end carrying a small needle or wire which needle or wire passes
through a small hole in a thin plate of metal or other suitable material fixed in the
oil cup which thin piece of metal is in connection with one or more oil pipes leading
to the piston and slide valve.
According to the fifth part of my improvements it has been usual to hold the
valve cover and valve against its face by using springs and lock nuts and hand
nuts for screwing same up. I simplify this arrangement by enclosing a light spring
in a tube which spring constantly presses forward a small collar in advance of the
tube when the spring is not under compression. One end of this tube is solid with
a screwed hole through it. There are two or more studs screwed at one end which
are fixed in the valve face and pass through the cover. When the before mentioned
tubes are screwed on their studs the small collars first press lightly on the valve
cover thus accurately adjusting it to the valve and by continuing the motion of the
tubes the springs become gradually compressed until the tube itself bears upon the
cover thus finally holding it in position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Samuel Griffin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
June 1882.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN of Kingston Iron Works Bath in the County of Somerset,
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES"
This Invention relates to improvements in the arrangement and construction of
various parts of gas motor engines of the kind in which compressed explosive
compound gas is used or otherwise.
For this purpose according to the first part of my improvements I simplify the
arrangement and construction of the slide valve which acts to ignite the charge
of explosive compound of air and gas combined in the cylinder by admitting the
atmospheric air necessary to support the combustion of the igniting Hame through
an opening at the back of the valve i.e., between the valve and cylinder. The
said atmospheric air therefore enters the ignition chamber of the slide valve through
the same opening and on the same side of the slide valve as that which at a later
period of its travel communicates with the interior of the cylinder for the purpose
of igniting the explosive compound.
By this means I dispense with the forked passage as now used in certain
arrangements of gas engines.
It has been found necessary in gas motor engines in which compressed explosive
compound is used (and to which my improvements are advantageously applicable)
to establish communication between the compressed charge in the cylinder and tho
cavity or port in the slide valve which contains the combustible gas which feeds
the ignition flame so that the said ignition Bame may not be forced back into the
said cavity or port (which cavity or port contains no oxygen to support combustion)
when the ignition chamber opens to the cylinder. Now according to my improve-
ments I avoid the necessity of this arrangement by drilling or forming two or
more holes or openings from the ignition chamber into the before mentioned cavity
or port which contains the combustible gas the action of this arrangement being
that when the ignition chamber opens to the cylinder the compressed charge does
not force the flame back into the cavity or port from which it is fed (thus
extinguishing it) but having the before mentioned two or more holes or openinga
in connection with the cavity or port uniformity of pressure is established and the
ignition flames remain burning.
And in order that this part of my Invention may be more clearly understood
and readily carried into practice I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereto
anneved
Figures 1 and 2 show a side elevation and plan of a gas motor engine having my
improvements applied thereto, and Figures 3 and 4 are sections of the cylinder,
slide, valve and cover showing the slide valve in two different positions of its
travel.
a is the cylinder and valve face connected therewith, b slide valve, c valve cover.
In the valve b is a port or chamber d termed theignition chamber which contains
atmospheric air or oxygen to support the combustion of the igniting flame or
flames, e represents the port or cavity which contains the combustible gas which
feeds the igniting flame or flames f, f are the two holes (more of which may be
used if desired) which connect the port or cavity e with the ignition chamber d
and through which the combustible gas passes to feed the igniting flame or flames
which burn in the ignition chamber d.

page_text: When the valve is in the position shown in Figure 3 atmospheric air will pass
rapidly through the opening g into the ignition chamber d and thence into the
chimney h in which the small flame i is continually burning at the same time
combustible gas will pass from the slot or opening ; (which contains combustible
gas) into the port or cavity e and passing through the two or more holes f,f will
be ignited by the flame i.
When these operations have been performed the valve actuated by any suitable
mechanism travels forward until it reaches the position shewn in Figure 4 in
which position the cylinder is charged with explosive compound ready to be
ignited. When in this position all communication between the ignition chamber d
and the opening g and the chimney / respectively is closed as also the communi-
cation between the slot or opening j and the port or cavity 6.
The ignition
chamber will now be in communication with the passage Figure 4 which
being in communication with the cylinder will at once cause the combustible
compound contained therein to be fired or exploded.
According to the second part of my improvements in starting engines in which
compressed explosive compound is used it has been found necessary to use 801D0
means of releasing a portion of the compressed compound so that the labour of
turning round the fly wheel by hand_may_be_lightened.-To-accomplish-this-I-
arrange a lever, screw, eccentric, or other suitable mechanism in such manner that
it will when put in position hold the exhaust valve slightly open during that part
of the stroke which compresses the change thus releasing the excess of pressure.
When the engine is started the lever screw or eccentric is placed in another position
so that the exhaust valve may fully close at the proper time.
In accordance with the third part of my improvements upon the rod or lever
which either works the exhaust valve or works in connection with it I fix a lever
cam or any suitable arrangement of mechanism for opening the valve which
regulates the admission of gas or combustible compound to the cylinder connection
is made between the said lever cam or other arrangement and the regulating valve
by means of any suitable mechanism in connection with the governor.
The motion of the exhaust valve is advantageously employed for working tho
regulating-gas valve since the time of its closing is the proper time at which the
gas valve should open.
Figures 5 and 6 represent as much of a gas motor engine as is necessary to
explain the action of my improved arrangement for regulating or governing the
admission of gas or combustible compound into the working cylinder.
In Figures 5 and 6 a represents the governors attached to the cylinder b through
the centre of the governors passes the rod c which rises or lowers according to the
velocity at which they are driven. In connection with this rod c is the lever and
shaft d at the end of which is fixed the lever e which carries one end of the
horizontal lever f the other end being free to vibrate. In connection with the
lever is the projection or lug f, g is the valve which regulates the admission of
gas or combustible compound h is the rocking shaft which imparts motion to the
exhaust valve (not shewn) i is a small lever attached thereto which vibrates in an
upward direction at the proper time to admit the charge into the cylinder.
The action is as follows; when the engine is running at its normal speed the
governors will raise the rod c which will communicate motion through the lever
and shaft d to the lever e thus causing the vibrating lever to move in an
horizontal direction, the projection or lug f¹ will now be out of the line of
vibration of the lever i and consequently no vertical motion will be imparted
to it.
When the normal speed of the engine is decreased the governors will drop thus
reversing the previously described action of the arrangement the projection or
lug will now be brought in a line with the vibrating lever i and thus impart
(through the horizontal lever f) motion to the valve g.
According to the fourth part of my improvements I construct my lubricator for
oiling the piston and slide valve by using a small rocking lever or beam which

page_text: lever or beam is attached in any convenient way to the oil cup. One end of this
lever or beam is connected to a rod or lever working in connection with the
exhaust valve the other end carrying a small needle or wire which needle or wire
passes through a small hole in a thin plate of metal or other suitable material
fixed in the oil cup which thin piece of metal is in connection with one or more oil
pipes leading to the piston and slide valve.
the
Figures 7 and 8 are two views of my improved arrangement of lubricator, a is
cup which contains the oil b, is a rocking lever to which motion is imparted by
any suitable means c is a small wire or needle which is attached to the end of the
lever band consequently moves in a vertical direction this wire or needle c passes
through a small hole in a thin piece of metal d or other substance which is
attached to the interior of one or more tubes e e the tubes being in connection
with the piston and slide valve or any other portion of the engine it is desirable to
lubricate.
Its action is as follows; when the wire or needle c descends it is immersed in
the oil contained in the cup a on ascending a portion of the oil adheres to it and is
removed by contact or cohesion with the thin piece of metal or other substance on
which it collects until a drop (or drops) is formed which drop (or drops) then
passes off by the tube or tubes e.
According to the fifth part of my improvements it has been usual to hold the
valve cover and valve against its face by using springs and locks nuts and hand
nuts for screwing same up. I simplify this arrangement by enclosing a light spring
in a tube which spring constantly presses forward a small collar in advance of the
tube when the spring is not under compression. One end of this tube is solid with
a screwed hole through it. There are two or more studs screwed at one end which
are fixed in the valve face and pass through the cover. When the before
mentioned tubes are screwed on their studs the small collars first press lightly on
the valve cover thus accurately adjusting it to the valve and by continuing the
motion of the tubes the springs become gradually compressed until the tube itself
bears upon the cover thus finally holding it in position.
Figure 9 is a section of my improved arrangement of lock nut for holding the
valve cover and valve against the valve face, a is a tube of any suitable material
one end of which is screwed to fit any suitable stud b in the interior of this tube is
a spiral spring c which constantly presses forward a small collar d. In practice
two or more of these are used as shown in Fig. 4. The tubes a are first screwed
uniformly forward until the collars d lightly touch the valve cover thus accurately
adjusting the valve to its face, the screwing is then continued until the tubes a
themselves touch the valve cover the springs helping to lock them or prevent their
running back.
If necessary the collars & may be dispensed with the springs c being in direct
contact with the valve cover.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice I do not limit myself to the exact details
hereinbefore described and represented in the Drawings annexed neither do I claim
any of the mechanical parts separately which are well known and in common use
But what I claim is;
First, the improved method of igniting the combustible charge in a gas motor
cylinder by means of two or more jet flames burning in a chamber such as d which
communicates with the charge to be exploded substantially in the manner and for
the purpose herein before described and illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
Second. I claim the improved arrangement and construction of gas motor
engines in which the slide valves and parts combined therewith are formed with
ports or passages d, e, f, arranged to act in combination with the ports or
passages g, h, formed in the valve face in order to ignite the gas in the ignition
chamber d and cylinder a substantially in the manner hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings hereto annexed.

page_text: Third. I claim the improved method or means of releasing a portion of the
compressed compound when starting gas motor engines by holding the exhaust
valve slightly open during part of the stroke when compressing the charge
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore fully described.
Fourth. I claim the improved arrangement and combination of mechanism for
regulating and governing the admission of gas or combustible compound into the
working cylinder of gas motor engines substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein before fully described and represented in Figures 5 and 6 of the
drawings hereto annexed.
Fifth. I claim the improved arrangement and combination of mechanism or
apparatus for lubricating the piston and slide valves of gas motor engines by means
of a reciprocating wire or needle c and wiper d arranged to act substantially in the
manner and for the purpose hereinbefore fully described and represented in
Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth. I claim the improved method of holding the valve cover and valve against
its face in gas motor engines by means of a spiral spring such as c in combination
with a tube such as or their equivalents arranged to act substantially in the
manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and represented in Figure 9 of
the-drawings-hereto-annexed.
In witness whereof I the said Samuel Griffin have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Tenth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN. (LS.)