Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June, 1899-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
We, JAMES WALLACE TYGARD, and PERRY LEWIS TYGARD, both of Pittsburg,
in the County of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America, Manufacturers, 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:-
Our invention consists of a rotary engine comprising two annular chambers;
travelling pistons within the same, which by their action in the first chamber
draw in and compress an explosive mixture and by means of valves common
to both chambers deliver the said mixture between the closed valves and travel-
ling pistons of the second chamber, wherein by suitable means it is ignited and
exploded, propelling the pistons around within the annular chambers, together
with means for regulating the speed of the engine by throttling its fuel and our
invention has for its object to increase the effectiveness and simplify the construc-
tion of the internal combustion engine.
All of which will be readily understood from the following description taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 represents a side
elevation of our improved rotary engine. Fig. 2 a transverse vertical section
of the largest annular chamber and movable parts therein. Fig. 3 is a longi-
tudinal vertical central section of the entire engine. Fig. 4 is a top view of one of
the main valves with its casing partly removed. Fig. 5 outside view of valve casing
containing valve and insulated electric wire contained therein. Fig. 6 is a
transverse vertical section of the drawing Fig. 5 on the line a-a. Fig. 7 a
sectional portion of insulated wire. Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the main
valves detached from its casing. Fig. 9 is a view of the smallest end of said
valve. Fig. 10 transverse section of the same valve on the line b-b. Fig. 11
a transverse vertical section of such combined elements as constitute the gas
governor controlling the gas supply to the engine through one of its main valves.
Fig. 12 a transverse vertical section of drawing Fig. 11 on line c-c. Fig. 13
an outside face view of one of the toothed wheels used in imparting rotary
motion to the main valves and centrifugal weighted lever therein.
An embodyment of mechanical elements necessary to put our invention to
practical use consists of a substantial base or frame (1), upon which is erected
and permanently fixed a stationary case (2) provided with a circumferential
annular chamber (3), containing two diametrically opposite pistons (4) adapted
to travel therein; a web (5) unites said pistons to a central concentric shaft (7).
supported in suitable bearings (8) so that the travel of the pistons (4) will cause
rotation of said shaft (7). Arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle
at points across the annular chamber (3), and pathway of the pistons (4) are a
number of valves (9) connected by suitable gear wheels (10) to the central
shaft (7) whereby said valves (9) are caused to turn and open the annular path-
way permitting the pistons to pass and return behind the same closing the
annular space immediately thereafter. These several valves (9) are hollow and

page_text: by lateral openings or inlet ports (11) momentarily communicate with the
annular chamber directly behind the pistons (4) as they pass corresponding side
openings (12), formed in and through the walls of said annular chamber. Each
box (13) containing a valve (9) is provided with a pipe (19) fitted with a cock (20)
to conduct a supply of suitable combustible gas into and through said box and
regulate its flow. Each valve chest or box (13) is also provided with open-
ings (16) for the admission of atmospheric air in such quantity as with the gas
will compose an explosive mixture.
At equidistant points through the walls of the annular chamber (3) are arranged
suitably formed eduction ports (18) for escape of waste products resulting from
each explosion of gas and air used in propelling the pistons. The valve
ports (21) communicating with the induction ports or side openings (12) in the
annular chamber (3) are provided with such operative appliances or devices as
may be considered necessary or found most suitable to ignite the explosive
mixture at the proper time which igniter consists of an electrical battery which
has one of its elements grounded and the other in connection with an adjustably
fixed electrode (22) terminating inside the valve casing (13) and a travelling
electrical contact ring (23) attached to the valve, which ring is incomplete by
having a portion removed so as to form a break (24) Fig. 6 and at regular intervals
produce an electric spark that will ignite the explosive mixture of gas and air
at the proper time, connected to the structure previously described and separate
therefrom by a suitable partition (25) is another annular chamber (26) containing
two pistons similar to those just described attached to the central shaft (7) by
an intervening web (27) and these pistons are driven around their chamber (26)
by means of said shaft. The valves (9) being common to both of the annular
chambers move with relation to their respective pistons in the same manner
and successively; the gearing (10), being such that each valve (9) revolves twice.
on every revolution of the central shaft. These pistons by continued onward
travel after passing the valve (9) serve to suck or draw the gas and air behind
them into the annular chamber (26) until the next valve is past and closed when.
the following piston will as it approaches the front of it compress and condense
said gas and air and as the valve is turned for the passage of said piston the
explosive mixture in advance of it will be driven through the lateral open-
ing (11), in the valve (9) and the side opening (12) into the annular explosion
chamber (3), and as the valve is closed behind the departing piston, the gas and
air is ignited, producing such explosion as will give to said piston a sudden for-
ward impetus and the waste inert products resulting from said explosion will
be discharged through the eduction ports (18). As the pistons approach and
pass the several valves in rapid succession, each valve operates with respect
thereto and introduces gas and air and ignites the same as herein before stated,
but as there are only two pistons in each annular chamber, and separate valves
common to both located at three equi distant points within the circular path-
way of said pistons, the several valves operate at different periods of time agree-
able to the relative positions of the pistons whereby all of the previously stated
effects and results are accomplished in the manner set forth. The supply of
gas necessary to accomplish the object of our invention is admitted and con-
trolled by a governor which consists of a stout bar (28) attached to and suspended
at or near its middle upon one end of a short shaft (29) parallel to the axis of
the valve; the opposite end of said shaft (29) being provided with a small toothed
wheel (30) which engages corresponding teeth formed in one edge of a pivoted
plate (31) adapted to open and close the gas passage (32), leading into the valve
chamber (33). Adjustably secured along the bar (28) is a suitable weight (34).
The bar (28) is also provided with a spring (35) which by its action constantly
inclines said bar in one direction and causes it to assume such position as will
open the gas supply valve. All the several parts comprising this governor are
attached to and revolve with the valve (9) the weight (34) by its centrifugal
force closing the gas inlet, and the spring by its resistance operating to open the

page_text: same whereby a constant state of unstable position is maintained by the plate (31)
which varies under different degrees of work.
The shaft 7 is provided with the usual broad faced pulley (S) and at one end
of the said shaft is a hand wheel (T) by which an initial rotary movement may
be given the valve sufficient to draw the gas for starting the engine.
As cach separate valve is provided with means for igniting the explosive
mixture of gas and air, and a governor for controlling and regulating the supply
of gas; the appliances of each valve (9) being in every respect substantially
the same in structure and mode of operation a description of one of them is deemed
sufficient for all of them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a rotary engine an annular chamber constructed and adapted to receive
within it an explosive mixture of gas and air, a moving piston within said
chamber that will compress and force said explosive mixture into a connected
annular chamber containing travelling pistons; and suitable means for igniting
said mixture whereby it is caused to explode and by its expansive force drive
said travelling pistons around within their annular chamber.
2. A rotary engine which has pistons impelled and caused to travel around
within an annular chamber by the expansive force of exploded gas and air in
combination with a connected separate chamber wherein a mixture of said gas
and air is received and compressed preparatory to being introduced into said
annular chamber and intermediate automatically acting valves which move to
permit the passage of the pistons and introduce said compressed gas and air into
the annular chamber wherein it is ignited and exploded.
3. In a rotary engine an annular chamber, pistons impelled and caused to
travel in said annular chamber by successive explosions. of ignited gas and air
in combination with a separate annular chamber wherein an explosive mixture
of gas and air is drawn in and compressed; a number of valves which turn and
alternately open the passage way for the pistons and the explosive mixture into
the adjoining chamber behind the pistons and by suitable means to ignite said
explosive mixture.
4. In a rotary engine an annular chamber, pistons impelled and caused to
travel in said annular chamber by successive and repeated explosions of ignited
gas and air in combination with an adjoining annular chamber wherein gas and
air are received suitable induction pipes through which the gas and air are sup-
plied to the engine; pistons which travel in the annular chamber into
which the gas and air is first received so as to draw in and compress the same;
a number of valves which constitute means of communication between the
separate chambers whereby the compressed mixture of gas and air will be pro-
perly transmitted from the chamber wherein it is compressed into the annular
chamber wherein it is exploded, suitable means for igniting and exploding said
mixture of gas, and eduction ports for escape of waste products resulting from
each explosion.
5. In a rotary engine the combination consisting of an annular chamber;
pistons adapted to travel in the same and draw in gas and air from a source of
supply an adjoining annular chamber; pistons attached to a concentric shaft
adapted to travel in said adjoining chamber, suitable valves which turn and open
the passage way for the pistons in both chambers and transfer the compressed
gas and air from the first receiving chamber into the outer chamber wherein
it is exploded.
6. In a gas or vapour engine the combination consisting of an annular chamber;
pistons which travel in said chamber to draw and compress gas and air therein;
a separate contiguous annular chamber travelling pistons in the same; a number
of valves which alternately open to permit passage of the respective pistons and

page_text: immediately close thereafter suitable ports in said valve through which an explo-
sive mixture of gas and air after being compressed in one annular chamber will
pass directly into the adjoining annular chamber between its valve and depart-
ing piston; and suitable automatic means for igniting the explosive mixture in
said chamber.
7. In a gas or vapor engine the combination consisting of an annular chamber;
pistons adapted to travel in said chamber to draw and compress gas and air
therein; a separate contiguous annular chamber; travelling pistons in the same;
a number of valves which alternately open to permit the passage of the respective
pistons and immediately close there after; suitable ports in said valves through
which an explosive mixture of gas and air after being compressed in one annular
chamber will pass directly into the adjoining annular chamber between its valve
and departing piston; a governor adapted to operate in conjunction with each
valve to control and regulate the quantity of ingoing gas to produce an explo-
sive mixture and suitable automatic means for igniting said mixture.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicants, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.