Improvements in Internal Combustion Engines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Leit, 18th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Internal Combustion Engines.
We, TANGYES LIMITED, of Cornwall Works, Soho, in the County of Stafford,
Engineers, and JAMES ROBSON, the Younger, of No. 48 Linwood Road,
Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invontion to be as follows:-
The said invention relates to motive power engines actuated by the detonation
of an explosive mixture of coal or other inflammable gas or vapour and atinospheric
air, which engines are commonly known in commerce as internal combustion engines
and consists of the construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter described
whereby the series of operations commonly called the Otto cycle are simply and
efficiently performed. In order that the said invention may be the better
understood we remark that the said cycle consists of four strokes of the piston, the
first stroke drawing in a charge of the explosive gaseous mixture, the second stroke
compressing the said explosive charge, the third. stroke firing the charge and
expanding it by the detonation, and the fourth stroke exhausting or expelling the
residual gases formed by the detonation.
In engines working on the above cycle as ordinarily constructed a space is left
at the end of the cylinder usually termed the compression space or combustion
chamber, into which space the explosive charge is compressed in readiness for
detonation. It will thus be seen that on the exhausting stroke of the piston the
whole of the residual gases are not cleared out of the cylinder the compression
space or combustion chamber being filled by the said residual gases. The residual
gases thus left in the combustion chamber mix with the fresh incoming charge of
the explosive gaseous mixture and lessen the duty obtainable from the said mixture
on detonation.
The object of the said invention is to clear out practically the whole of the
residual gases, only such quantity remaining as occupies the clearances and
passages or ports.
To attain this object we provide tho engine with two working or power oylinders
placed preferably side by side and arranged either vertically or horizontally. We
will describe a vertical arrangement. The pistons in the cylinders bave only suoh
an amount of clearance at the end of their inner strokes as is sufficient to prevent
them from atriking the ends of the cylinders. The pistons are connected by short
links to the opposite ends of the head of a T shaped connecting rod, the tail of the
said rod being connected to a single crauk and shaft. One end of a nearly
horizontal vibrating lever is attached to the middle of the head of the T shaped
connecting rod, the other end being jointed to the bed of the engine. This lever
nets as a guide to retain the connecting rod in position. Between the two cylinders
and near their inner ends an exhaust valve is provided with passages communicating
to each cylinder in such a manner that by a continued movement of the exhaust
valve one of the passages can be closed.
The action of the engine is as follows: Commencing the cycle with both pistons
moving downwards from the top of their respective oylinders, the air and
gas valves being open an explosive charge will be drawn into the two cylinders
until the pistons have completed their downward strokes or thereabouts,
when the inlet valve will close and on the next upward stroke of the

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pistons the explosive charge will be compressed but owing to the motion
of the T shaped connecting rod in conjunction with the vibrating lever
one of the ends of the head of the T shaped connecting rod reaches its
highest position before the other end and so causes the firet piston to pass
the explosive charge from its cylinder through the communicating passages
into the second oylinder. As the crauk continues to rotate, the other end of
the head, of the T shaped connecting rod continues to rise and in doing so would
cause the second piston to further compress the explosivo charge, but as the
opposite end of the head of the T shaped connecting rod commencos to descend
again, the first piston in connection with this end begins its downward stroke and
80 allows the compressed explosive charge to be passed from the second into the
first cylinder until such time as the second piston has reached its highest position or
thereabouts when the compressed explosive charge is ignited by any of the usual
methods of ignition. The ignited gases now expand and force both pistons
downwards until they complete their power strokes or thereabouts, when the
exhaust valve opens and allows practically the whole of the residual gases to be
expelled on the following upstrokes of the pistons which is effected in the following
manner. Owing to one end of the head of the T shaped connecting rod reaching
its highest position before the opposite end, it causes the first piston in connection
with this end to complete its upstroke some little distance in advance of the second
piston; the exhaust valve is now raised a little further until it comes against a seat
in the passage connecting the two cylinders and closes communication of the first
cylinder with the exhaust pipe. The first cylinder piston now commonces to
descend drawing in a fresh charge of air and gas; at the same time the second
cylinder piston is continuing its upward movement and expelling the remaining
residual gases until it reaches the end of its upstroke when the exhaust valve is
moved quickly from its upper seat on to its lower scat thereby closing the exhaust
outlet to both cylinders, at the same time allowing communication to be restored
between the two cylinders through this passage. Both pistons are now moving
downwards and drawing in a detonating charge through the air and gas inlet valve
until they again complete their down strokes or thereabouts when compression
of the charge cominences on their following up strokes, and the cycle as above
described is repeated.
The parts may also be arranged in the following manner. Two separate cylinders
are placed in line or end to end with sufficient space between their innor ends to
allow of an exhaust valve being placed in the passage communicating with the two
cylinders. In this modification the engine is preferably arranged horizontally.
The pistons in the cylinders are arranged to work with only such clearance at the
end of their inner strokes as is sufficient to prevent them from striking the cylinder
ends, but instead of the pistons being connected through links to a T shaped
connecting rod, each piston is connected to a vibrating lever jointed to the bed of
the engine. At or about the middle of each of these levers, one end of a nearly
horizontal connecting rod is jointed; the other ends of these rods are connected
respectively to two crauks fixed on the same shaft the cranks making an anglo of
about 120 or 135 degrees with each other.
The action of the engine is essentially the same as that of the engine first
described. On the outstrokes of the two pistons an explosive gaseous charge
is drawn into the cylinders and on the next in-strokes of the pistons the charge is
compressed, the piston of one or the first cylinder reaching the end of its instroke
before the piston of the other or second cylinder and hence the gases pass through
the communicating passage into the second cylinder. As the piston of the second
cylinder continues its in-stroke, that of the first commences its outstroke and so the
compressed charge passes through the communicating passage to the first cylinder
again, until the piston of the second cylinder has reached the eud of its instroke or
thereabouts when the compressed charge is detonated. The gases now expand and
force the pistons outwards until they complete their power strokes or thereabouts,
when the exhaust valve opens and allows practically the whole of the residual gases

page_text: to be expelled on the following instrokes of the pistons which is accomplished as in
the first described arrangement.
The motions of the valves described are taken from the main shaft of the
engine by cams and other appliances which we do not think it necessary here to
describe.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicants.
Improvements in Internal Combustion Engines.
We TANGYES LIMITED, of Cornwall Works, Soho, in the County of Stafford
Engineers and JAMES ROBSON, the Younger of No. 48 Linwood Road, Handsworth,
in the County of Stafford Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
Baid invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The said invention relates to motive power engines actuated by the detonation of
an explosive mixture of coal or other inflammable gas or vapour and atmospheric
air, which engines are commonly known in commerce as internal combustion
engines and cousista of the construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter
described whereby the series of operations commonly called the Otto cycle are
simply and efficiently performed. In order that the said invention may be the
better understood we remark that tho said oyale consists of four strokes of the
piston, the first strɔke drawing in a charge of the explosive gaseous mixture
the second stroke compressing the said explosivo charge; the third stroke firing
the charge and expanding it by the detonation, and the fourth stroke exhausting or
expelling the residual gases formed by the detonation.
In engines working on the above cycle as ordinarily constructed a spaco is left
at the end of the cylinder usually termed the compression space or combustion
chamber into which space the explosive charge is compressed in readiness for
detonation. It will thus be seen that on the exhausting stroke of the piston the
whole of the residual gases are not cleared out of the cylinder the compression
space or combustion chamber being filled by the said residual gases. The residual
gases thus left in the combustion chamber mix with the fresh incoming charge of
the explosive gaseous mixture and lessen the duty obtainable from the said mixture
on detonation.
The object of the said invention is to clear out practically the whole of the
residual gases, only such quantity remaining as occupies the clearances and passages
or ports.
A
To attain this object we provide the engine with two working or power cylinders
placed preferably side by side and arranged either vertically or horizontally.
We will describe a vertical arrangement. The pistons in the oylinders have only
Euch an amount of clearance at the end of their inner etrokes as is sufficient to
prevent them from striking the ends of the cylinders. The pistons are connected by
short links to the opposite ends of the head of a T shaped connecting rod, the tail
of the said rod being connected to a single crank and abaft. One end of a nearly
horizontal vibrating lever is attached to the middle of the head of the T shaped
connecting rod, the other end being jointed to the bed of the engine. This lever
acts as a guide to retain the connecting rod in position. Between the two cylindera
and near their inner ends an exhaust valve is provided with passages communicating
to each cylinder in such a manner that by a continued movement of the exhaust
valve one of the passages can be closed.
The action of the engine is as follows:-Commencing the cycle with both

page_text: pistons moving downwards from the top of their respective cylinders, the air and
gas valves being open, an explosive charge will be drawn into the two cylinders
until the pistons have completed their downward strokes or thereabouts, when the
inlet valve will close and on the next upward strokes of the pistons the explosive
charge will be compressed but owing to the motion of the T shaped connecting
rod in conjunction with the vibrating lever, one of tho ends of the head of the
Tshaped connecting rod roaches its highest position before the other end and so
causes the first piston to pass the explosive charge from its cylinder, through the
communicating passages, into the second cylinder. As the crank continues to
rotate, the other end of the head of the T shaped connecting rod continues to rise
and in doing so would cause the second piston to further compress the explosive
charge, but as the opposite end of the head of the T shaped connecting rod commences
to descend again, the first piston in connection with this end begins its downward
stroke and so allows the compressed explosive chargo to be passed from the second
into the first cylinder until such time as the second piston has reached its bighest
position or thereabouts whon the compressed explosive charge is ignited by any of
the usual methods of ignition. The ignited gases now expand and force both
pistons downwards until they complete their power strokes or thereabouts when
the exhaust valve opens and allows practically the whole of the residual gases to
be expelled on the following upstrokes of the pistons, which is effected in the
following manner. Owing to one end of the head of the T shaped connecting rod
reaching its highest position before the opposite end, it causes the Grst piston in
connection with this end to complete its upstroke some little distance in advance of
the second piston; the exhaust valve is now raised a little further until it comes
against a seat in the passage connecting the two cylinders and closes communication
of the first cylinder with the exhaust pipe. The first cylinder piston nOW
commences to descend, drawing in a fresh charge of air and gas; at the same
time the second cylinder piston is continuing its upward movement and expelling
the remaining residual gases until it reaches the end of its upstroke when the
exhaust valve is moved quickly from its upper seat outo its lower seat, thereby
closing the exhaust outlet to both cylinders, at the same time allowing com-
munication to be restored between the two cylinders through this passage. Both
pistons are now moving downwards and drawing in a detouating charge through
the air and gas inlet valve until they again complete their down strokes or
thereabouts when compression of the charge commences on their following
up strokes, and the cyclo as above described is repented.
The parts may also be arranged in the following manner. Two separate
cylinders are placed in line or end to end with sufficient space between their inner
ends to allow of an exhaust valve being placed in the passage communicating
with the two cylinders. In this modification the engino is proferably arranged
horizontally. The pistons in the cylinders are arranged to work with only such
clearance at the end of their inner strokes as is suflicient to prevent them from
striking the cylinder ends but instead of the pistons being connected through links
to a T shaped connecting rod, each piston is connected to a vibrating lever jointed
to the bed of the engine. At or about the middle of each of these levers, one end
of a nearly horizontal connecting rod is jointed; the other ends of these rods are
connected respectively to two crauks fixed on the same shaft, the crauks making
an angle of about 120 or 135 degrees with each other.
The action of this engine is essentially the same as that of the engine first
described. On the outstrokes of the two pistons an explosive gaseous charge is
drawn into the cylinders, and on the next in-strokes of the pistons the charge is
compressed, the piston of one, or the first cylinder, reaching the end of its instroke
before the piston of the other or second cylinder and hence the gases pass through
the communicating passage into the second cylinder. As the piston of the second
cylinder continues its instroke, that of the first commences its outstroke and so the
compressed charge passes through the communicating passage to the first cylinder
again, until the piston of the second cylinder has reached the end of its instroke or

page_text: force the pistons outwards until they complete their power strokes or thereabouts,
when the exhaust valve opeus and allows practically the whole of the residual
gases to bo expelled on the following instrokes of the pistons which is accomplished
As in the first described arrangement.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings represont respectively in front
eleration and vertical section, a vertical internal combustion engine constructed
according to the said invention;
Figure 3 represents a side elevation of a portion of the same drawn to a larger
scale than Figures 1 and 2:
Figure 4 represents a modified connecting rod of the engine:
Figures 5 to 8 ropresent modifications of the eugine as heroinafter described.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
We will first describe the engine Figures 1, 2 and 3.
A B are the two power cylinders of the engine hereinafter called the first and
second power cylinders respectively; a, b are the respective pistons of the first and
second power cylinders which pistons on their inner strokes advance to the end or
nearly the end of the cylinders, only sufficient clearance being provided as will
prevent the said pistons striking the ends of their respective cylinders; in other
words the cylinders A, B are without compression spaces or chambers. The outer
ends of the piston rods a³, 2 of the pistons ab are jointed to the opposito arms or
ends of the crosshead c. c of the T shaped connecting rod c, o, o' the said joints
being marked respectively c³, c. The stein e² of the T shaped connecting rod c, c, c³
is connected to the crank of the main or crank shaft d of the engine. The
crosshead of the connecting rod is jointed at c¹ to a link e pivotted to the frame
of the engine at f. By the connection or gearing of the pistons a, b to the same
crank in the way described the piston a of the first power cylinder A is made to
travel in advance of the piston b of the second power cylinder B the crosshead c, c
of the T shaped connecting rod oscillating on the joint e¹ when the said connecting
rod is at and near the top and bottom of its stroke.
Passages g, g communicate with the two cylinders A, B respectively and also
with each other until the said communication is cut off by the exhaust valve in
the way hereinafter particularly explained.
The gas inlet valve opens into the air supply passage and the valve
through which the explosive charge is admitted as well as the ignition valve m
(see Figure 1) open directly into the first power cylinder A and are oporated in a
way common to gas engines working on the Otto principle. The exhaust valve h
and ignition valve m are worked through the vertical rod n in the ordinary way,
but the cam i on the secondary shaft p for operating the rod n has the shape
represented in Figure 3. During the rotation of the cam i the part of greatest
diameter, that is, the part concentric with the dotted line 1, 1 acting on the
roller of the crank lever, causes the rod n to take its lowest position and to
move the exhaust valve through the levers into its highest position, that is,
the position represented in Figure 2; the passage g is thereby closed. On the
part 1, 1 of the cam i escaping the roller the position of the rod n is rapidly
reversed by the action of the spring t and the exhaust valve h takos its lowest
Bent as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, thus closing both power oylinders to
the exhaust pipe but permitting communication between the two cylinders. The
part of the cam i between the dotted lines 2, 2 effects the gradual opening of the
exhaust valve h.
Springs y, y compensate for the increase in length of the valve spindle when
heated by the exhaust gases.
The action of the engine is as follows:-
Assuming the parts to be in the respective positions represented in Figure 2
and to be about making the charging stroke the following operations take place.
As the second power cylinder B is open to the exhaust pipe A* the

page_text: communication 9, 9' between the two power cylinders A, B is cut off by the
oxhaust valve h occupying its upper seat as represented in Figure 2. The piston a
begins to descend drawing in a charge of gas and air through the valves & and
which are now open, but as the piston has not completed its last upward stroke
further ascends, the oscillation of the crosshead c of the T shaped connecting rod
permitting of the piston a to descend while the other piston 6 is completing its
ascending motion. On the said completion of the upstroke of the piston & the
exhaust valve rapidly descends to its lower seat closing the exhaust passage h¹
as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 and establishing communication between
the two power cylinders. The piston now begins to descend the two descending
pistons drawing in the full charge of gas and air but the piston a commences its
upward or compression stroke while the piston b is completing its downward
charging stroke. Consequently when the piston a is nearing the end of its cylinder
it forces the combustible gaseous mixture in the cylinder A through the passages g, g³
into the cylinder B but when the piston is completing its compression stroke the
piston a is descending in its cylinder and the gaseous mixture which is now in a
compressed state is transferred to the cylinder A. On the completion of the
upward compression stroke of the piston the ignition valve opens and the charge
is fired. The explosive force urges both pistons outwards as is well understood.
On the return stroke of the pistons the exhaust valve h gradually rises, opening
both cylinders to exhaust, until the piston a has completed its exhaust stroke and
has cleared or practically cleared its cylinder of the exhaust gases by which time
the valve has risen to its upper seat as represented in Figure 2 and closed the
passage g. The piston a commences its next charging stroke the exhaust valve h
occupying its upper seat until the pistou 6 has completed its exhaust stroke and
has thereby swept the whole or practically the whole of the exhaust gases into the
exhaust passage. The exhaust valve now rapidly falls on to its lower seat
thereby closing the exhaust passage and establishing communication between the
two cylinders, when the operations before described are repeated.
We do not limit ourselves to the use of a T shaped connecting rod as the said
connecting rod may be of a triangular figure as represented in Figure 4 or be
otherwise shaped.
Figuro 5 represents in longitudinal section a vertical internal combustion engine
constructed according to a modification of the said invention.
In the said engine Figure 5, the T shaped connecting rod by which the two
piston rods are connected to and operated from the same crank is dispensed with
and in place thereof independent cranks u, u for the respective piston rods a³, b' are
employed the said cranks making such an angle with each other as will give the
piston a of the first cylinder the necessary lead of the piston b of the second cylinder.
In other respects the engine Figure 5 does not differ from that represented in
Figures 1, 2 and 3 and corresponding parts are marked with the same letters of
reference.
Figure 6 represents in vertical section a portion of a modified engine.
In this arrangement the communication between the two power cylinders A, B
is controlled by means of an additional valve operated by means of an additional
cam on the secondary shaft of the engine. The additional cam and vertical rod
and levers for operating the said valve are not shown in the drawing. The
exhaust valve his operated by the ordinary exhaust valve mechanism and bears
only on the lower valve seat.
The parts are represented in the positions which they occupy when the piston a
has completed its exhaust stroke and is about to commence its charging stroke
again. The valve v has just becu closed and remains so until the piston 6 has
reached the end of its exhaust stroke when the exhaust valve his closed and the
valve opened. In other respects the engine Figure 6 resembles in construction
and action the engine Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 7 represents in vertical section a modified engine varying only from that
represented in Figure.6 in the respect that the exhaust valve h is arranged on the

page_text: side of the second power cylinder B instead of between the two power cylinders.
By arranging the exhaust valve in this position the incoming combustible mixture
of gas nud air when the two cylindors are making their drawing in or charging
stroke do not conie in contact with the heated exhaust valve and the liability of
premature ignition of the charge which sometimes takes place in large engiues
through the overheating of the exhaust valve is wholly prevented or in great part
diminished.
Although we have represented the several modifications of the said invention
hereinbofore described in connection with vertical engines we wish it to be
understood that they are equally applicable to horizontal engines.
Figure represents a modification of the said invention applied to a horizontal
engine in which modification the two power cylinders are arranged in line or end
to end the parts for transmitting the motion of the piston to the main shaft being
shown diagramatically.
The inuer ends of the two cylinders A, B are separated to an extent sufficient to
permit of the exhaust and air and gas supply valves being arranged between the
said inner onde. The piston rods a², of the pistons a, bare connected to
counecting rods wo, to respectively by levers a, turning on axes a, situnted in
bearings on the bed or frame of the engine. The connecting rods w, w' drive the
main shaft d through independent cranks ', making preferably an angle of
from 120 degrees to 135 degrees with each other, but the angle is varied according
to the amount of compression it is desired to give to the combustible charge.
The action of this engine is essentially the same as those heroinbefore described;
that is to say, when the pistons are making their compressing strokes the piston a,
moving in advance of the piston b, transfers the whole of the combustible mixture
in the cylinder A to the cylinder B and on reaching the end of its cylinder
commences its outward stroke. In the drawing (Figure 8) the piston a is
represented at the cud of its compression stroke. The piston b continuing its
inward compressing stroke forces the compressed combustible mixture into the
cylinder A and on the completion of the stroke of the piston b the ignition valve
(which is not shown in Figure 8) is opened and the charge is ignited the fired
charge forcing both pistons outwards as is well understood. On the piston a
commencing its return or exhaust stroke the exhaust valve opens, rising gradually
until the piston a las reached the end of its cylinder and has expelled the whole or
practically the whole of the exhaust gases thorefrom by which time the exhaust
valve has reached its upper seat and lins closed the cylinder A to the exhaust.
The valve through which the supply of gas and air is delivered now opens. The
piston a commences its charging stroke while the piston b is completing its exhaust
stroke, at the end of which the exhaust valve suddenly falls from its upper to its
lower seat thereby closing both cylinders to exhaust and establishing communication
between the said cylinders.
From the description hereinbefore given it will be understood that the whole or
practically the whole of the exhaust gasos are cleared from the respective oylinders
before they commence their next charging strokes, consequently the duty obtainable
from the engine is much greater than from engines of the ordinary construction in
which the oxhaust gases, occupying the compression space or chamber of the
cylinder or oylinders, mix with the incoming combustible mixture of gas and air on
tho charging stroko of the piston.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that we claim
as the said invention of "Improvements in internal combustion engines” ;—
First. In internal combustion engiues the use either side by side or end to end
of two power cylinders without compression spaces or chambers, that is, only
sufficiout clearance being left between the ends of the cylinders and their respective
pistons, plus the passages or ports, when the said pistons are at the ends of their
inner strokes, as will prevent the pistons striking the onds of the cylinders, and so

page_text: arranging the pistons of the said cylinders that they work one in advance of the
other; also the combination with the said power cylinders and pistons of an exhaust
valve or valves which permit of communication between the two cylinders when
both pistons are making their charging, compression and power or ignition strokes
and which exhaust valve or valves place both cylinders in communication with the
exhaust pipe on the exhaust stroke of the pistons and close the said cylinders
successively to exhaust on the completion of the exhaust stroke of the respective
pistons substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated
in tho accompanying drawings.
Secondly. In internal combustion engines the combination with two power
cylinders of the kind referred to in the prior claim of a single exhaust valve
provided with two seats the said valve when occupying one scat closing the two
cylinders to exhaust but permitting communication between the said two cylinders,
and when occupying the other sent closing one cylinder only to exhaust and
proventing communication between the two cylinders, the said valve when in an
intermediate position permitting of the passage of the exhaust gases from both
cylinders to the exhaust pipe; and the combination with the ordinary transmitting
mechanisin of the exhaust valve, of the particular cam on the second motion shafl
of the engine represented in Figure 3 for operating the said exhaust valve
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Thirdly. In internal combustion engines of the kind referred to in the preceding
claims the combination with the piston rods, of a T or triangular or other similar
connecting rod and controlling link or jointed arm for the same, the several parts
being jointed together and connected to the crank shaft of the engine substantially
as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated the Dianth don of Nouamhas 1905