IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Ambrose Brydges, of the Firm of Brydges & Co.,
Engineers and Patent Agents, of 73, Koeniggraetzer Str., in the City of
Berlin and German Empire, and 6, St. Leonard's Terrace, Upton, in the
County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROTARY
ENGINES." A communication by Robert Lehmann, of the City of Berlin and
German Empire.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th February 1881.
EDWIN AMBROSE BRYDGES, of the Firm of Brydges & Co., Engineers and Patent
Agents, of 73, Koeniggraetzer Str., in the City of Berlin and German Empire, and
6, St. Leonard's Terrace, Upton, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROTARY ENGINES." [A communication by Robert Lehmann, of the City of Berlin
and German Empire.]
This Invention relates to improvements in rotary motors which can be operated
by means of steam, water, gas, or air, and the object of the Invention is to
automatically compensate for the wear and tear of the parts, and thereby assure
a quiet and accurate operation of the machine and its various parts.
The different parts of the machine or motor are so arranged that dust or sand
can have no detrimental effect on the same.
It is well known that one of the chief causes of the enormous wear and
tear of the movable parts of locomotive and other machines. is that dust or sand
penetrates between the surfaces so that a grinding action ensues, the parts become
foose and the machine ceases to operate with its proper force or accuracy.
These defects are entirely avoided in the improved motor.
The entire mechanism for operating the machine is attached or arranged within
the cylinder so that the space occupied by the same is reduced to a minimum.
Machines constructed on this system occupy an exceedingly small space when
compared with the space occupied by a piston or plunger machine of equal
capacity.

page_text: According to this system of rotary motors when applied as steam motors the
condensed steam is automatically removed from the cylinder, the lubricating
arrangement being also automatic. The automatic regulation of the worn parts
is attained by arranging the slides in such manner that they have steam tight
contact with the cylinder only when they commence their action.
The said slides are further provided with suitable springs so as to compensate
for the wear and tear of the parts.
These slides in their extended position offer a suitable resisting surface to the
steam, so that the said steam presses against a ledge or projection in the cylinder
and forces the latter to rotate.
The remaining steam tight parts are held tight by means of suitable spiral
springs which automatically compensate for the wear and tear of the said parts.
It will be evident that machines constructed on this system may continue in
operation without requiring repair much longer than any rotary machine known
at the present time. The covers of the cylinder are provided with projections
formed with flanges on which wheels are keyed. A stationary axle made of one
piece with a drum or firmly attached to the same is provided.
This drum is provided with two, three, four, or more grooves in which slides are
inserted.
Each slide consists of two parts, one of which carries at its lower end two lugs
to receive a spring which presses against the other part of the slide.
A small two armed lever presses against a projection on the second part of the
slide and lays against a projection of a piece inserted in both parts of the slide.
In order to produce a steam tight joint between the side and the covers two
end pieces are employed, which are pressed against the cover by means of a
spring.
The slides receive their movement through a groove in an excentric. One side
of this groove in the excentric is widened somewhat, so that the slide when in this
position can be pressed against the interior wall of the cylinder by means of a
spring.
.
During the remaining rotary movement of the cylinder the slides are withdrawn
from the inner wall of the same and the spring compressed. The cylinder is
provided on its inner surface with a projecting ledge, in which a slide which
serves as packing for the drum is inserted.
In order to press this slide against the fan or drum the springs are provided.
Steam enters from the side through openings or ports in the stationary axle, and
passes thence through a circular space between stuffing boxes into a spirally formed
channel of the excentric, and from thence to the cylinder.
In case the stuffing boxes should become worn the packing rings with which
they are provided are pressed forward so as to form a steam tight joint by means
of a spring. This spring operates on a screw which is provided with right and
left hand threads.
For forcing or lifting the condensed steam out of the cylinder lifters are
employed, one of which is placed in each excentric, by means of which the water
is fed into a discharge canal.
The water is forced with the exhaust steam by the rotation of the cylinder
through the spirally formed canal into the space between the stuffing boxes.
From this space the said water is forced by the lifter with the assistance of the
exhaust steam into the discharge channel, from whence it escapes into a suitable
receptacle or is allowed to escape direct.
The lifter or pump is formed of two curves, two sides of which are in contact
with the interior wall of the excentric, whereas the centre of the same is in contact
with the axle. Oil for lubricating the machine is poured into a suitable opening,
so that the same finds its way to the various moveable parts through the different
channels or canals during the rotation of the machine.
The rotation of the machine is caused in the following manner :—
Steam entering the inlet port passes into the spirally formed canal, and. from

page_text: thence into the circular space which is formed between the cylinder and the fan
or drum. The steam now presses against the projecting ledge in the cylinder, so
that the cylinder with its covers and the excentric which is connected to the same
by means of screws are forced to rotate.
During the rotation of the excentric the slides are successively fed against the
wall of the cylinder so as to produce a good resisting surface for the steam.
The exhaust steam flows at the opposite side of the cylinder into a second canal
in the spirally formed canal and passes into the space between the stuffing boxes,
from whence the same can be at once let off or fed into the condenser.
For rotating the machine in an opposite direction the course of the steam is
reversed. One great advantage of this improved motor is that the exhaust steam
has not only free exit but is sucked or forced out through the spirally formed
channel by the rotation of the machine.
The cylinder can be divided so that each part serves as a wheel without changing
the general arrangement of the parts of the machine. This arrangement is
advantageous in such cases where the machine is employed as a street, tramway, or
other locomotive.
For stationary machines the cylinder can be made stationary and the axle or
shaft rotary.
In this case the axle is provided with a fly wheel. In such machines the double
steam feed which enables the machine to rotate in both directions is unnecessary,
and one tube or pipe is sufficient, through which the exhaust steam is fed into the
condenser or led into the open air.
In order to regulate the expansion of the steam in the improved rotary motor
or in any other rotary steam or other engine a distributing regulator is employed.
This regulator as adapted to the improved rotary engine consists of a rotary fan
or drum arranged in a suitable case which is provided with the same number of
openings as there are slides employed in the steam drum of the cylinder.
The drum of the regulator receives its movement by means of a pair of toothed
wheels from the rotary cylinder or from the drum of the machine, according to the
employment of the machine as a stationary or moveable motor.
Above this rotary drum is placed an adjustable slide which receives its movement
from an endless screw or worm which gears into a worm wheel.
A pinion which is attached to the same spindle with the worm wheel gears into
a toothed segment attached to the expansion slide. The expansion regulator is
further so arranged that it can be placed out of gear when not wanted, and so all
unnecessary wear and tear be avoided.
The filling can be adjusted as may be desired. For locomotives where more than
one motor is employed the cylinders can be connected with each other by means of
tubing; the expansion for all the motors can be simultaneously adjusted from one
part of the machine.
The slide boxes are connected together and with the boiler by a steam pipe.
The slide or drum in one of the slide boxes is provided with four canals for
admitting lubricating material to a conical bolt or spindle when the drum and the
expansion arrangement are not in operation, in which case the conical bolt alone
rotates.
This bolt receives its rotary movement from a toothed wheel which is keyed to
one end of the same. This wheel gears into a toothed wheel fixed to the hub or
nave of a wheel or to the cover of the motor.
In order to transmit the rotary movement of the bolt to the drum one end of
the said bolt is provided with cavities in which corresponding projections fit.
These projections are formed on the clutch or coupling ring which is moveably
attached to a prolongation of the bolt so as to form a coupling.
The number of projections or cavities depends on the number of steam channels
in the drum.
A spring presses under the head of a screw, which screw is attached to the
conical bolt and serves to hold the cone tight to the drum.

page_text: "
To put the coupling in operation or to uncouple the same two pins on a fork
catch into a groove in the coupling. The fork is so attached to the spindle that
the said fork can oscillate. If several machines are coupled together one such fork
is necessary for each motor. The entire number of forks are operated from one
point, for which purpose the spindle of the second fork runs through the spindle or
axle of the first fork, so that only the last spindle is solid, whereas the others must
be made tubular.
Each axle can be provided with a hand wheel so that each axle can be operated
independently or all simultaneously.
The expansion slide is arranged above the drum and receives its movement by
means of a pinion and toothed segment.
To avoid friction this slide is only at two or three points in steam tight contact
with the drum.
The drum of the motor is held by means of a forked piece and a ring.
In order to avoid all unnecessary friction it is requisite that one or the other
machine should be uncoupled when it is not intended that the same should be in
operation.
In this case the drums revolve with the other parts, being connected thereto by
a ring provided with slots so that the same can be connected to the fork by means
of a pin or wedge.
In order to compensate for the wear and tear of the rings a screw is provided
with left and right hand threads, and is at the exterior end so formed that a key
can be placed on the same.
The operation of the expansion regulator is as follows:-Steam enters the case,
passes into the drum, and thence into a space formed between the expansion slide
and the ledge until the channel in the drum has passed this said space.
The steam is now cut off and expands until the next channel of the drum comes
before the said opening or port to the expansion space which corresponds with the
acting space of one of the slides in the steam cylinder.
It is evident that during each revolution of the machine there will be four
feeding and four expansion periods when four slides are employed in the cylinder
of the motor, such expansion periods in every case corresponding to the number of
slides employed in the said cylinder.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th August 1881.
EDWIN AMBROSE BRYDGES, of the Firm of Brydges & Co., Engineers and Patent
Agents, of 73, Koeniggraetzer Strasse, in the City of Berlin and German Empire,
and 6, St. Leonard's Terrace, Upton, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVEMENTS
IN ROTARY ENGINES." A communication from Robert Lehmann, of the City of
Berlin and German Empire.
This Invention relates to improvements in rotary engines which can be operated
by means of steam, water, gas, or air, and the object of the Invention is to auto-
matically compensate for the wear and tear of the parts, and thereby assure a quiet
and accurate operation of the machine and its various parts.
The different parts of the machine or motor are so arranged that dust or sand
can have no detrimental effect on the same.
It is well known that one of the chief causes of the enormous wear and tear of
the moveable parts of locomotive and other machines is that dust or sand
penetrates between the surfaces, so that a grinding action ensues, the parts
become loose and the machine ceases to operate with its proper force or accuracy.
These defects are entirely avoided in the improved motor.
The entire mechanism for operating the machine is attached to or arranged
within the cylinder, so that the space occupied by the same is reduced to a
minimum.
Machines constructed on this system occupy an exceedingly small space when
compared with the space occupied by a piston or plunger machine of equal
capacity.
According to the improved system of rotary motors when applied as steam
motors, the condensed steam is automatically removed from the cylinder, the
lubricating arrangement being also automatic.
The automatic regulation of the worn parts is attained by arranging the slides
in such manner that they will have steam-tight contact with the cylinder only
when they commence their action.
The slides are further provided with suitable springs so as to compensate for
the wear and tear of the parts.
When the machines are intended as motors for locomotive or other moveable
carriages, machines, apparatus, or vehicles, these slides in their extended position
offer a suitable resisting surface to the steam which presses against a ledge or
projection in the cylinder and forces the latter to rotate, but when employed for
marine engines, or for stationary engines or motors, or as air or other pumps, the
cylinders remain stationary and the slides revolve within the stationary cylinder,
as will be hereafter more particularly referred to.
The remaining parts are held tight by means of suitable springs which
automatically compensate for the wear and tear of these parts.
It will be evident that machines constructed on the new system may continue
in operation without requiring any repair much longer than any rotary machine
known at the present time.
In the accompanying Drawing the Invention is shewn as applied to the axle-
tree of a locomotive. The same arrangement can be employed for tramway, street,
and other locomotives. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 2 is a back view
with the cover A¹ removed; Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line v, w, in Fig. 1;

page_text: Fig. 4 is a view of one of the slides F seen from below; Fig. 5 is a side view of
one of the same slides; Fig. 6 is a section of the excentric on the line x, y, in Fig. 1,
showing the arrangement or ejector R for removing the condensed steam; Fig. 7
is a section of the excentric K showing the packing-rings P, the openings Q³, and
the appliance or ejector R for removing the condensed steam; Fig. 8 is an
isometrical view of Fig. 7 shewing the appliance or ejector, one part of the stuffing
box being omitted; Fig. 9 is a top view of the expansion regulator arranged for a
rotary motor with four slides; Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is
a vertical section of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the Invention as applied
to transportable or moveable machines.
A, A, are the covers of the cylinder which are provided with projections or
necks C on which the enlargements V are formed. The wheels U are keyed onto
the enlargements V.
D is the axle, which is stationary and made of
firmly attached thereto.
one piece with the drum E, or
The drum E (Figures 1 and 3) is provided with two, three, four, or more slots
through which radial slides F project.
Each slide consists of two parts, F, F¹. The part F (Fig. 1) carries at its
lower end two lugs G to receive a spring f which presses against the part F¹ of
the slide.
A small two armed lever g presses against the projection h on F₁ and lies against
a projection of the piece H inserted in both parts of the slide F, F¹.
In order to produce a steam-tight joint between the slide and the covers A, A¹,
two end pieces I are employed which are pressed against the cover by means of
the springs k.
In the machine, as shewn in the Drawings, five slides are employed but it will
be evident that a less or greater number may be employed without departing from
the tenor of the Invention.
The slides F, F', receive their movement in consequence of the lower surface of
the part F, and the exterior surface and both ends of the parts F¹ being moveably
arranged in a groove in the excentric K.
One side of the circular groove in the excentric K which serves as guide for F¹
is widened somewhat, so that the slide when in this position can be pressed against
the interior wall of the cylinder by means of the spring f or the expansion of the
air beneath the said slide.
During the remaining rotary movement of the cylinder the slides F, F¹, are with-
drawn from the inner wall of the same and the spring f compressed. The cylinder
is provided on its inner surface with a projecting ledge M in which the slide N,
which serves as packing for the drum, is inserted (Fig. 3).
In order to press the slide N against the drum, springs n are inserted in the
same.
Steam enters from the side through the openings or ports O in the axle D, passes
thence through the circular space between the stuffing boxes P, P¹, through the
opening o (Fig. 2), the spirally formed channel p of the excentric, and through the
opening p to the cylinder.
In order to form a steam-tight joint at the part where steam is let into the
machine, stuffing boxes P, P', are placed in the excentric K.
In case the rings P which are made conical should become worn, the rings P¹
are pressed forward so as to form a steam-tight joint by means of a coiled
or other suitable spring, which operates on the screw or screws Q by means of a
suitable ratchet wheel. These screws are provided with right and left hand
threads.
For forcing out or ejecting the condensed steam from the cylinder, ejectors R
(Figures 2, 6, 7, 8), are employed, one of which is placed in each excentric, and by
means of which the water is fed into the channel O.
The water is forced with the exhaust steam by the rotation of the cylinder

page_text: through the opening p², Fig. 2, into the spirally-formed channel p, and through the
opening o into the space adjoining the packing P and P'.
From this space the water is forced by the lifter or ejector R with the assistance
of the exhaust steam into the channel O, from whence it escapes into a suitable
receptacle or is let off.
The ejector R is formed of two curves, two sides of which are in contact with
the interior wall of the excentric, whereas the centre of the same is in contact with
the axle.
Oil for lubricating the machine is poured into the opening T (Fig. 2), so that the
same finds its way to the various moveable parts through the different openings
and channels during the rotation of the machine.
The rotation of the machine is caused in the following manner :-
Steam enters the inlet port O, passes from here through the port o into the
spirally formed channel p, thence through p' into the circular space which is
formed between the cylinder and the drum. The steam now presses against the
projection M, so that the cylinder with its covers A, A¹, and the excentric K which
is connected to the same by means of the screws 8 is forced to rotate.
During the rotation of the excentric the slides are successively pressed against
the wall of the cylinder, so as to produce a good resisting surface for the steam.
The exhaust steam flows at the opposite side of the cylinder into a second
channel p² in the spirally formed channel p, passes through o' into the space
adjoining the stuffing boxes P, P1, and into the opening O, from whence it is passed
off to the air or fed into the condenser. .
For rotating the machine in an opposite direction steam is fed into the opposite
side at O, and passes through o¹, p, and p², into the cylinder. The operation is as
above described.
One great advantage of the improved motor is that the exhaust steam has not
only free exit, but is sucked or forced out through the spirally formed channel p by
the rotation of the machine.
The cylinder can be divided so that each part serves as a wheel, without
changing the general arrangement of the parts of the machine. This arrange-
ment is advantageous in cases where the machine is employed as a street tramway
or other locomotive.
For stationary machines the cylinder is made stationary, and the axle or shaft
and the drum and slides are made to rotate in the cylinder. In this case the
axle may be provided with a fly wheel, although a fly wheel is in practice
unnecessary.
In such machines the double steam feed p which enables the machine to rotate
in either direction is unnecessary, and one pipe is sufficient to carry off the exhaust
steam to the condenser or to the open air.
The machines can be arranged as twin machines, as marine engines, as motors
for electric machines. In this latter case the employment of all gearing is avoided,
and one, two, or more cylinders or machines can be so arranged on one and the
same shaft, that any one of the separate machines can be uncoupled and placed out
of action, and so that the machine or machines work almost absolutely noiseless.
This is of the greatest importance for electric motors, as the noise made by the
engine is transmitted through the wires.
It is evident that not only steam but any other motive power can be applied for
operating the improved machine.
In order to regulate the expansion of the steam or other motive force in the
improved motor, or in any other rotary steam or other engines, a distributing
regulator is employed. This regulator as adapted to the improved rotary engine
consists of a rotary drum arranged in a suitable case, which is provided with the
same number of openings as there are slides employed in the steam drum of the
cylinder.
The drum of the regulator receives its movement by means of a pair of toothed

page_text: wheels from the rotary cylinder, or from the drum of the machine according to the
employment of the machine, as a stationary or moveable motor.
Above this rotary drum is placed an adjustable slide which receives its movement
from an endless screw or worm V2, which gears into a worm wheel.
A pinion which is attached to the same spindle with the worm wheel gears into
a toothed segment attached to the expansion slide. The expansion regulator is
further so arranged that it can be placed out of gear, and so all unnecessary wear
and tear will be avoided. The filling can be adjusted as may be desired.
For locomotives where more than one motor is employed, the cylinders can be
connected with each other by means of tubing, the expansion arrangement for all
the motors being capable of simultaneous adjustment from one part of the
machine.
The expansion gear, as shewn, is arranged for such machines when provided with
four slides.
A² is the steam pipe which connects the slide boxes with each other and with
the boiler; B2 is the slide or drum in the slide box C. This drum B² is provided
with four openings or channels b, b, for admitting lubricating material to the
conical spindle E2, when the drum and the expansion arrangement are not in
operation, in which case the conical spindle alone rotates.
The spindle E2 receives its rotary movement from a toothed wheel F2 keyed to
one end thereof. This wheel gears into a toothed wheel G2 fixed to the hub or
nave of the wheel U, or to the cover of the motor.
In order to transmit the rotary movement of the spindle E² to the drum, one
end of the spindle E2 is provided with cavities in which corresponding
projections d fit.
These projections are formed on the coupling ring H2, which is moveably
attached to the prolongation D2 of the spindle E² so as to form a coupling.
In Fig. 10 this coupling is shewn out of gear; the number of projections or
cavities depends on the number of steam channels in the drum.
A spring e presses under the head of a screw J2, which screw is attached to the
conical spindle E², and serves to hold the cone tight to the drum.
To put the coupling in operation, or to uncouple the same, two pins f2 on the
fork K2 catch into a groove on the coupling ring. The fork K2 is so attached to
the spindle that the said fork can oscillate.
If several machines are coupled together one such fork is necessary for each
motor; the entire number of forks are operated from one point, for which purpose
the spindle of the second fork runs through the spindle or axle of the first fork,
so that only the last spindle is solid, whereas the others must be made tubular.
Each axle can be provided with a hand wheel so that each can be operated for
itself or all simultaneously. M2, M2, are two conical packing rings which are
retained in position by means of the screws N2 and the nuts 0%.
To save space the packing is placed within the casing C².
The expansion slide B, Fig. 11, is arranged above the drum B2, and receives its
movement by means of a pinion and toothed segment.
To avoid friction the said slide is only at two or three points in steam-tight
contact with the drum.
E is the drum of the motor which is held by means of a forked piece and the
ring P2
In order to avoid all unnecessary friction it is requisite that one or the other
machine should be uncoupled when it is not intended that the same should be. in
operation. In this case the drums revolve with the other parts; the ring P² is for
this purpose provided with slots so that the same can be connected to the fork by
means of a pin or wedge.
In order to compensate for the wear and tear of the conical rings Q³, Q³, Q³, Q³,
and the rings. R2, R2, a screw S² is employed. This screw is provided with left and

page_text: right hand threads, and is at the exterior end so formed that a key can be placed.
on the same.
The operation of my expansion regulator is as follows:--
Steam enters the case C³, passes through the openings 62 in the drum, into the
interior of the same, and from here into a space formed between the expansion
slide B* and the ledge B³ until the opening or channel in the drum has passed this
said space. The, steam is now cut off and expands until the next opening or
channel 6 of the drum comes before the opening or port to the expansion space
which corresponds with the acting space of one of the slides in the steam
cylinder.
It is evident that by each revolution of the machine there will be four feeding
and four expansion periods when four slides are employed in the cylinder of the
motor, and five or less such expansion periods when five or less slides are employed
in the said cylinder.
Having now described this Invention of improvements in rotary engines, as
communicated to me, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect,
I desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the employment of the
same on locomotive engines, as it is evident that it can be employed to like
advantage as a stationary machine or engine, neither do I confine myself to the
employment of steam as motive power as the engine or motor can be employed
as a gas, air, or other fluid engine, and also as an air or other pump without
departing from the principles set forth; but what I do claim and desire to secure
by Letters Patent is,-
First. The construction and arrangement of the slides F, F, alone or in com-
bination with the drum E of a rotary motor, substantially as described in the
foregoing Specification and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Second. The arrangement of the springs f for the slides which form, in com-
bination with the lugs G, projection h, levers g, and the part H provided with the
projection i, an automatic arrangement for compensating for the wear and tear of
the slides in rotary motors, substantially as described in the foregoing Specification
and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Third. The automatic tightening up of the stuffing boxes P, P¹, (Fig. 1) in
rotary motors by means of the screws Q and a coiled or other suitable spring,
substantially as described in the foregoing Specification and shewn in the accom-
panying Drawing.
Fourth. The arrangement of the steam channels by which it is rendered possible
to operate the machine in opposite directions, substantially as described in the
foregoing Specification and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Fifth. The automatic removing of the condensed steam from the machine by
means of the lifter or ejector R (Figures 2, 6, 7, 8), substantially as described in
the foregoing Specification and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Sixth. The construction and application of the excentric K for moving the slides
with the widened groove for periodically pressing the slides onto or against the
walls of the cylinder, substantially as described in the foregoing Specification and
shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Seventh. The self acting lubricating arrangement for rotary motors, substan-
tially as described in the foregoing Specification and shewn in the accompanying
Drawing.
Eighth. The construction and arrangement of the expansion regulator and the
slide B in combination with the endless screw or worm V2, substantially as
described in the foregoing Specification and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Ninth. The arrangement of the expansion regulator in a closed case C2 so that
the entrance of dust and sand, and the consequent wear and tear of the parts, is
prevented, substantially as described in the foregoing Specification and shewn in
the accompanying Drawing.
Tenth. The arrangement and construction of the coupling so that one or more

page_text: machines can be connected to each other, substantially as described in the foregoing
Specification and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
Eleventh. The general combination of the parts of the improved rotary motor
and expansion regulator, substantially as described in the foregoing Specification
and shewn in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Ambrose Brydges, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
EDWIN A. BRYDGES.
(L.S.)