Improvements in Gaseous Pressure Apparatus for Producing Continuous Rotary or Rectilinear Motion.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th June, 1891-Accepted. 7th Nov.
1801
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gaseous Pressure Apparatus for Producing
Continuous Rotary or Rectilinear Motion.
ROBERT COOKE SAYER 11 Clyde Road, Redland, Bristol, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is for the purpose of producing
1st. Rotary motion in the case of fixed or portable engines:
2nd. Rectilinear motion in the case of railways and tramways, by means of
cylinders formed in two parts, one of which is stationary the other moveable.
For this purpose in the 1st case, two or more halves of cylinders are grouped
around a drum and form part of it, and on either side of them the drum is produced
and terminates in axle bearings, and the whole receives motion. On the outside of
the drum the other halves of the cylinders, agreeing in number and sizes are
grouped but are fixtures: the drum halves of the cylinders are laid to an angle,
intermediate between the radii of the drum and their tangents, and the others-the
fixed halves, continue the same direction, so that when the drum, half cylinders,
coincide with those that are fixed, the two together form various complete cylinders:
provision is made by compressed air or springs pressing against suitable packing
plates, both longitudinal and transverse to keep each complete cylinder independent,
and tight, and this is maintained for a distance of the travel of the drum, half
cylinders, that shall be efficient for the due expansion of the gas used.
of each fixed, half cylinder, a gas reservoir chamber is fixed that is always in
At the end
communication with the gas supply pipe: so that full charges may be given to the
complete cylinders promptly at the same end of the fixed half cylinders, and
inside, or in connection with them, electrodes in connection with electric cables, and
their batteries are fixed. As the drum rotates, and each half of the cylinders
reaches a fixed point, to be regulated as desired, and at which the half cylinders
form complete ones, a cam or arm actuates a valve, and charges the several
cylinders instantaneously or in succession, with gas, and when a certain pressure has
been attained in the cylinder, a cam or arm actuates a lever by which the electric
current is put on, and a spark or sparks are sent between the electrodes, and
explodes the gas and gives continuous motion to the drum after the aforesaid
alves and levers have been worked they are similarly closed again by the
ontinuous motion of the drum.
That the motion may not be spasmodic, in small engines the cylinders are charged
nd the gas exploded one after another. For large engines duplicate groups of
ylinders arranged in a similar manner, all side by side and forming parts of the
ame drum, and all of which are similarly provided so that by increasing the
umbers of groups, any power desired may be obtained.
For the purpose of suiting the power to the work to be done the number of
linders required for the maximum work is provided, and the power is reduced by
miting the supply of gas to all the cylinders, or cutting out some of them from all
pply.
That the large engines may run steadily the various groups of cylinders are
arged and exploded one after another. For the purpose of allowing time for the
rnt gas to escape from the cylinders, and to assist it, spaces are provided between
em, and each half is fully exposed, and subjected to a strong current of cold air,
ovided by the motion of the engine or otherwise, whose velocity shall suck out
ch gas and keep the cylinders cool.
2nd. For the purpose of producing rectilinear motion: along the centre line of
lway or tramway, between the wheel rails or immediately below each rail.

page_text: similar, except as follows, fixed, half cylinders, to the above described, are secured
to the sleepers, and maintained parallel with the rails, and the vehicles are
provided with the moveable, half cylinders, rigidly fixed to its frame and connected
thereto, by means of braced rods: in the case of tramways these pass through a
central longitudinal slot, formed in the roadway between the rails, or similar formed
at the grooves in which the flanges of the wheel tyres run: but in the case of
railways no slots being required they act precisely as above described. Gas under
pressure is carried in longitudinal mains, and electric current by longitudinal cables,
laid below ground parallel with the rails, and supply the cylinders and electrodes in
precisely the same way as above described. For the purpose of graduating the
power required to suit hilly districts, the fixed cylinders are spaced closer together,
proportionately to those on the vehicles, and where the power is not then sufficient,
additional rows of cylinders are provided side by side in a similar manner to the
above described. For the purpose of counteracting any tendency of the pressure
in the cylinders to cause the vehicles to rise, and for the further purpose of providing
powerful brakes, small wheels kept in motion by means of straps or gearing from
the main axles at a speed proportionate to theirs, are acted upon by compressed air
or springs, and always forced against the underside, of the upper rail bearer flange,
or central slot flanges, as the case may be these wheels are also connected to bars
forming slipper brakes, arranged to be worked vertically and parallel with the rail,
by hand from the cars, or automatically by means of being acted upon by a governor,
when the speed attains a fixed rate, so that normally the rotating wheels keep the
car steadily vertically but when the brakes are required, they are put on against,
and slide upon, the same bearers the wheels run against and between the wheels,
the wheel springs being compressed to allow the motion: thus the main car wheels
and slipper brakes are drawn together and however forcibly the brakes are put on
the vehicles cannot mount or leave the rails.
Dated this 10th day of November 1890
ROBERT COOKE SAYER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gaseous Pressure Apparatus for Producing
Continuous Rotary or Rectilinear Motion.
ROBERT COOKE SAYER 11 Clyde Road, Redland, Bristol, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is for the purpose of producing
1st. Rotary motion in the case of fixed or portable engines.
(a) by poor gas exploded by one or more richer gases:
() by the heat of such explosions generating steam to assist the engine:
(c) by the heat of such explosions expanding compressed air, or its own
compressed poor gas to assist the engine.
2nd. Rectilinear motion in the case of railways or tramways, obtained by similar
means to the above.
For these purposes cylinders are formed in two parts, one of which is stationary
and the other moveable, in the 1st case, see Sheet 1, Fig. 1 a drum A. is mounted
upon a hollow axle B: it carries peripheral half cylinders C, for its whole length,
in the case of small drums, or occasionally for large ones, they are formed
in short lengths, they radiate to the centre of A, are thrust out by springs,
and centrifugal force under the control of the motive power, and are more fully
described in Case 2, being common to both: A forms a reservoir for gases which
are lead away through B.
On the outside of A any rumber of fixed half cylinders D, DD, DD D, according
to the powers required are gauped, they are connected together by means of the
belt E, put together in segments and formed transversely as shown at Fig. 2.

page_text: All D's are provided with gas by the pipes F and regulated by the valve taps F², it
is delivered to them under pressure, and is ignited by means of one or more other gases
entering by concentric or other pipes G: these are regulated by the one or more
way valve taps G2: a valve H admits air to D when at atmospheric pressure:
F and G2 are actuated respectively by means of the slides J and JJ through the
connecting and regulating links 12, J3 and J and the bell crank J: J and J J
receive their motion by means of the cams K and K K, these are adjustable, and
either may be fixed by the screws K² more or less in advance of the other, so that
the poor gas at F2 may fill all D's proportionately as desired before the richer and
igniting gases at G2 are admitted: K are fixed upon A and travel with it: J
and JJ are fixed except when it is desired to stop the engine, and for this purpose,
they are able to slide up and down the sockets L2, Figs. 1, 3 and 5, that are carried
upon the spurr wheel L, this is supported upon the bearing wheels L³, L and L,
that enable it and also J and J J to rotate round the centre L" when actuated
by the cogged quadrant M that centres upon M³.
M is connected by means of the links M, M and Ms, bell crank M, and rods M'
to the handle N, so that when the rotation of N draws up MB, M rotates L and
causes and JJ to take the position J J J2 and allows K and K K to pass
without affecting D: when D and D D are required to be stopped from action, Nis
further rotated until J and J J go to J J J³ and J J J' and similarly to all the
cylinders however many, when it is desired to put the brakes on N is further rotated
and causes the bell crank O to actuate it.
When it is desired to start heavy loads upon inclines, and the whole power of the
engines are required, M carry projecting cams MP and M these are adjustable by
means of the screws shown, and respectively take against the slotted links P
and P P, these connect by means of rods and links P2 and J³ and P³ with F2 and G²,
so that when M is rotated for putting D out of gear the wedges of M and M¹
take against P and P P and, by the slot, push it back without affecting F2 and G²
but when M and N are thrust back to start the engine, the square ends of M
and Mineet P and P P and thrust them over and with them the levers of F2
and G2 and thus admit the gasses, as MP and M pass on, springs draw P and P P
back and they do not further affect the engine, Jaud J J being in place to be acted
upon by the rotation of K and K K.
Its action is as follows, the poor gas is admitted to D, the richer gas is then
admitted at a higher pressure and explodes the poor gas by their union, the force is
taken by the sides of D and transferred to those of C causing A to rotate, as it
does so an amount of gas is carried forward in C which finds its way into the pipe Q
through the back valve Q, and either into an independent reservoir of power, or the
cylinder it came from, or that in front of it, and when its pressure is greater than
that in the cylinder it enters and assists the engine: C further exhausts into the
pipe R, to be explained, and into the air at R2: the remaining gas in D expands
into other C as they advance: when D are exhausted II opens, and the continued
motion of C by means of A acting as a fly wheel, sucks fresh air into them. Any
number of KK are fixed upon A proportionate to its size and the number of
impulses required per revolution.
(4) That the walls of D may not be overheated, and that the heat of the
explosions may be utilised when required, all D's are jacketed as shown, and the
space filled with water heated by the exhaust from R, their connecting pipes U are
reserved for steam by known means: the steam is admitted to D, D D, D D D
by means of the pipes U2 and regulated by the valve taps Us, these are actuated by
the slides U which act similar to J and JJ by means of a cam or cams U similar
to K and K K, except that they are put into gear see Figs. 1, 4 and 5 when the
steam has attained a predetermined pressure, by means of the plunger U fixed
upon U, this acts upon the lever, rods and bell-crank U', U8, U and Uand
draws U from beyond to within the revolutionary range of U, so that as it revolves
it meets U, thrusts it up and opens Us; when the pressure falls U is returned by
the spring U", and U is raised again: when U admits steam to the D's, it

page_text: simultaneously cuts off the gasses from them by means of the rods T attached to
an additional arm on U, and links Tactuating the rocking bar T³ Fig. 1, this
gives motion to the levers and links T, T, T and T and actuates the valves F F
and GG, these are shown only as attached to D D for clearness when the steam
is exhausted G G and F Fare automatically reversed and the motion of the engine
is continued by the gasses. That steam and gas may be shut off for stopping the
engines, below U a valve S is fixed, and connected by the links S2, S3 and S4 to the
rocking bar S that carries M and M7 and they are moved by them, so that when
the engine is started by N, S is opened and gives communication between U and U³,
but when N is reversed S cuts off U from U.
(c) When compressed atmospheric air, assists the engine, it is expanded, or
increased in pressure in the jackets of D in the same way and acts precisely the
same as in the case of steam.
When gas alone is used, the poor gas admitted to D by F2 is passed from A to
the jackets of D for a like purpose before reaching F2.
For reversible engines where there is not room to have duplicate reversed engines
as above, D as shown at Figs. 7 and 8 in vertical and horizontal section are used
instead, where like parts are similarly lettered to the above and they act in the
same way, but D are provided with cylinder valves D A, this is attached to, and
actuated when desired by the spindle Z which passes through the packed glands Z³:
all DA's are attached and work by a similar handle to N Sheet 1: the whole of
the inlets are placed in a neutral zone and are clear of D A in all its positions: so
that to reverse, the engine is stopped, the link 22 is drawn over and with it D A,
and then restarted to prevent D A over heating it is hollow and communicates
with the jacket by means of the opening D A leading to Z and passes on by a
connecting pipe attached to Z.
The same actions and means are to be utilised for the generation of heat and
motion for domestic and other purposes: (a) where motive power is required in
conjunction with heat: () where heat is alone required. In the case of (a) the
action is precisely the same as above described for stationary engines, but the heat
instead of assisting the engine is utilised as otherwise required: in the case of (b)
rotary motion is only utilised for automatically actuating K and K K and increase
or diminish the heat in proportion to the number of explosions.
In the 2nd case for producing rectilinear motion, similar means are adopted for
producing similar results, but acting in a straight line: see Sheets 3, 4, 5 and 6
where similar parts to the 1st case are similarly lettered except as shown: between
the wheels of vehicles, or below their rails a longitudinal channel A is formed,
shown in longitudinal sectional elevation at Fig. 1, cross section Figs. 3, 4 and 5,
plan Fig. 2, back view of valves Fig. 6 the same enlarged at Figs. 14, 15 and 16
other details Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10: at the base of A the fixed half cylinders D
and D2 are formed on each side of a central drain D3: between each D and cach D'
exhaust chambers D' are provided: A has formed in it the longitudinal pipes F
and G, with the branches shown from valves F2 and G2 to be described, leading
to D and D2, when compressed air is used instead of gas the pipe F only is brought
into use: A has also longitudinal bearers or rails A, A, A and A8 and is provided
with a longitudinal slot A at the road level, in the case of tramways. Other half
cylinders C are divided by chambered boxes C2, these rest or are able to slide
upon A as shown Figs. 1, 5, 8, 10 and bridge over D and are connected to a
frame E by means of the transverse bolts 2: E passes up through A being
divided above and below, and connects with the vehicle E E by the slots E E
farmed upon it, and able to give it motion in either direction without interfering
with its vertical motions: E carries two vertical rods P and P2, these are connected
by the levers P³ to C, so that when P and P2 simultaneously receive motion from
one of two lever handles through the longitudinal rod Z lever and links
Z, Z, Z, Z and Zs, C are in a parallel position to D and D2 caused to traverse
along E from being over D to 12 and back again: E also carries the lever N2,
this is connected by the links M and M2, the ends of which carry pins, that are

page_text: able to traverse the horizontal slots Land L², formed in E, also the angular slots L³
and L, in the base of the bearings R2 and R3, that carry wheels R that are for the
purpose of preventing E from rising, and in the case of slow vehicles always run
against A and A', but as the pins of M and M2 are thrust forward R are drawn
down upon A and As, then E is raised upon L³ and L until C² are just raised
clear of A: N2 also carries the slotted links M³ and M, these hinge upon slipper
brakes O, 02, 03, 0%, that are able to traverse the diagonal slots 05, 06, 07, 0*
formed in E, so that when M3 and M give motion to 0, 0, 0, 0' they are thrust
up and down respectively against or drawn away from A, A, A', A. and acting
simultaneously gives room for E to be raised. In the case of rapid vehicles where
it is not desirable to carry E upon R, N2 carries the links M and M6_and_their
pins similarly traverse like slots L, L³, L3, L to those explained for raising E, but
in this case the angular slots are formed in a longitudinal girder Q supported upon
the axles Q of the vehicle by means of the bearings Q3 so that Q2 carries E and
also except when the power is on, then C are fixed against A to be explained:
R as before keeps E from rising when the power is on, and the slots give room for
E to rise N2 receives its motion from handles similar to N Sheet 1, and the
universal joints N³, pinion and wheel N and N, that rotates the rod N and its
screw thread N, this causes the trunnioned nut N which traverses it to carry N2
with it: N has an excrescence N formed to similarly give motion to B in all
positions, when in contact: B Fig. 2 and its parallel levers B2, B3, B* are mounted
upon trunnioned nuts B carried by vertical pins, Figs. 1, 2, 4 and are hinged at one
end to the parallel hinged valve bar 13, the other end they are acted upon by loop
levers B7 carried by the rods B and B these are supported by E, and each have
attached the lever B Figs. 1, 2, and 5: these are connected to a lever B12 by the
link B C have attached at each end an incline or wedge C, so that when Care
traversed from over D to D³, 1312 is raised, which by B, B1, B' depresses the ends
of B, B2, B3, B and raises B throughout.
When N acts upon B, B is thrust out transversely, and thrusts in, more or less,
the hinged wedge slides J, Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 14, 11 and 12 in vertical sections and 13
in plan, it happens to be on a level with, these are carried by A and raises the
weight K by means of the cams J formed upon J meeting the lever Js that is
attached to and hinges with the jaw J, at J7 A. and upon which the arm K
of K rests, this relieves J and allows the wedge part 2 of J to meet either the
upper or lower, as the case may be, of the two levers J and thrusts it over to the
dotted position: the weight K³ is simultaneously helped to be raised by means of
the arm shown, that is attached to the lever J, and acts against K: this causes
the end stud of the link J, that traverses the inner part of the slot in the frame JB,
that is attached to A, to meet the lever 3 of the two way and stop valve F2 and
thrust it over, raising the weight K3, through the pin F, and admitting the poor
gas to D or D as the case may be: F is then at once closed by the arm attached
to the weight Ks, thrusting it down by F, while passing on meets and thrusts
over the lever G³, similar to F3 again raising K³, through the pin G and opens the
two way and stop valve G2: G³ carries the spurred quadrant G³, this works a
similar quadrant G and by it a third valve G' is opened, so that two gasses are
simultaneously sent to D, when G2 is worked. and by their union ignites the gas
sent by F J passing on allows K³ to close the two latter valves: J and J are
then returned to their normal position by the weight K³, the stud of .J' meets the
wedges shown at the top of F3 and G3, these raise it and it traverses the outer
curved part of the slot in J at the bottom a central piece J" carried by J' causes
the pin at the end of 1 to follow the straight and curved paths alternately and so
clear F and G3, on the return stroke: as K³ brings J and J' home, the jaw J'
returns J whichever it may be to its normal position.
:
The slides J are three different lengths, Fig. 2. so that B being thrust out one
third of its play, brings only every third cylinder into action, when out-two thirds, it
brings two out of three, but when fully out all are brought into action. The
explosion of the gas in D or D³ meeting the walls of C and C thrusts them forward

page_text: or backward as the case may be, and their motion is connected to E2, E and EE,
and as explained for the 1st case the gasses are allowed to expand into C as each
successively comes over D: as each advances beyond D it exhausts into D³ and
fresh air is drawn in by the valve C in C, this forces any lubricant that may have
accumulated from the valve De from D to store or waste.
C² are formed of chambered boxes Figs. 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 to receive the walls of C:
the projections of the walls of C2 are proportioned so that the downward pressure
of C2 upon A shall be proportioned to the pressure in D-and so as only to prevent
the escape of gas whatever its varying pressure may be, and that this may obtain,
within the space occupied by the springs C³ holes Care provided to admit the
pressure and allow the metal plate and rubber C³ to be thrust up against C while A
takes the pressure of C².
Sandwich joint plates C are provided and other C, similarly acted upon by the
pressure: C and C thus provide for inequalities and vertical curvature of A, the
bolts C allow C to fall, but they are kept from rising without C by the lugs (
The joints of A assist to exhaust the burnt gas, they are fished, the drain is made
tight by expansion joints Fig. 9, where A. are ribs of cork compressed by bolts
drawing down the slotted iron plate B: the pipe joints have cork packed glands.
At each end E carries two connected double wedge guides S Figs. 1, 2, 4, they
act both ways to adjust J, before and after being actuated by B, S hinge
horizontally and vertically at S2, and the upper part of their connecting arm is
enlarged and just clears A, and keeps it in position when E is raised: a spring S³
keeps it in place laterally. For the purpose of traversing sharp curves B is
hinged at each B3 and caused to change from straight to curve and keep parallel
to A whatever the radii, by means of transverse plates H. Figs. 1 and 7 carried
by E or R² or R³, able to slide laterally, and is kept in place and works with the
bolt H2 it carries the bent bolt H³ that hinges at H, its bent arm passes down
into a hole in a flange upon B, and works parallel with B', B3, B² and B: H carries
the uprights H that passes up into A and are connected by the bolt H, this
keeps Hand H in position, and by H³ draws B in or thrusts it out laterally.
The working is as follows: starting from stop, brakes on to full power:
by N, N is thrust to 1 this takes the brakes off, raising and freeing E by L, L
and I then to 2, this lowers E again by L, L, L, compresses C³, and brings C
into position and thrusts B out by N2 meeting B, so as to be in range of the first
series of J, thus admitting the gasses to every third D, if the power is not
sufficient, N is carried to 3 or to 4 when all J within the length of B are actuated,
giving motion to E and E E.
:
To stop from full speed by leaving the power on, and actuating 73, P³ thrusts C
and C² from over the line of D to that of D2, or the reverse as the case may be,
this action raises, or lowers B by C lowering or raising B and as it changes its
position it forces up or down, the J's it meets, so as to get into the new line,
Fig. 4, and Jare replaced by S, Figs. 1, 2, 4, then B opens the other series of J
so that the full power acts against C and C2 and EE when desired, the power
may be taken off by reversing N thus releasing E and putting the brakes on.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1st. Rotating a drum, that acts as a fly wheel, by the explosion of poor gas
ignited by one or more richer gases, and the utilisation of the heat to generate
steam to assist the engine: or to heat, and so expand or increase the pressure of
compressed air to assist the engine: or to similarly treat its own poorer gas for a
like purpose: and so constructing the drum with peripheral chambers as to form
moveable half cylinders, to receive the force of the explosions made in fixed half
cylinders, that are so disposed round the drum, that it acts tangentially that
the motion of the drum sucks out the burnt gas and substitutes pure air that the
force acts expansively, and the walls of the chambers are so arranged that it forces
:

page_text: them against the belt of the fixed half cylinders more or less proportionately to the
force, and prevents its escape except by the intended outlets that the number and
size of the half cylinders may be increased or diminished to suit the size of the
drum, or power required: and the means adopted for obtaining the ends claimed
substantially as described.
2nd. The means and mechanism for starting the engines whereby (a) the brakes
are taken off and the cylinders put in action one at a time or that all are put on
at once and that the whole are shut off, and the brakes put on by one operation:
(b) automatically admitting steam at a fixed pressure, or compressed air, to the
cylinders and simultaneously cutting off the gases from them, and when the steam
or air has reached a fixed minimum, their being automatically cut off and the
gases readmitted substantially as described.
3rd. The means adopted for reversing the engines by means of dividing each
fixed half cylinder with a valve, that directs the force and rotation of the drum in
either direction, and so formed as to leave a neutral zone in the cylinder within
which the inlets and outlets are fixed substantially as described.
4th. The application of the same means for obtaining heat for domestic purposes,
where the motive power is only used to automatically maintain the explosions, and
increase or diminish their number in proportion to the heat required substantially
as described.
:
5th. The adoption of a channel, fixed in the case of tram and railways between
or under the rails, in or upon which two parallel rows of fixed half cylinders, to act
in opposite directions, a central drain, and brake rails are formed and having two
way and stop gas valves attached to supply the cylinders. Also for a longitudinal
series of moveable half cylinders, that is connected to a frame which is divided
below and above, but united to pass through a longitudinal slot, the frame having
attached slipper brakes so worked by the main lever, that as they are taken off
they give room for the frame to be raised by the same lever actuating pins in
straight and angular slots, so as to cause friction wheels that were against the top
brake rails to keep the frame down, to descend upon the lower brake-rails, and so
carry its weight, and that of the moveable half cylinders or in the case of
fast vehicles to be similarly carried by their axles and that by the continued
motion of the lever the moveable half cylinders and frame, without the brakes are
brought into position, and the valves actuated, either singly, or all within reach of
the length of their actuating parallel valve bar, and give motion to the frame and
the vehicle, and is not affected by its oscillation or undulation: and that when full
power or less is on by traversing the moveable half cylinders from the fixed half
cylinders of one direction, to those of the other direction, the whole power is utilised
in stopping the frame and vehicle, by the parallel valve bar being simultaneously
actuated by the transverse motion of the moveable half cylinders, and so reversing
the valves and that by the reverse action of the lever the power is cut off and the
brakes put on substantially as described.
:
6th. The means of working the valves, and returning them, and their slides to
their normal positions by weights, and the adjustment of the slides vertically, when
the frame approaches, and leaves them substantially as described.
7th. The fact of and means adopted for keeping the longitudinal parallel valve
bar that actuates the valves, true and parallel to the radii or straight portions of
the line of way, by its being hinged horizontally in any number of places, and being
adjusted near the hinges to the radii or straight by sliding plates, that are drawn
over by means of pins entering the longitudinal slot, and upon which parallel levers
that are bent down and hinge upon the parallel valve bar, draws it in or thrusts it
out substantially as described.