MENTS IN GAS ENGINES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. ·
I JAMES ATKINSON, of No 3 Nassington Road, Hampstead, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE
MENTS IN GAS ENGINES" to be as follows:-
This invention is for improvements in gas engines similar in construction to the
engines described in Letters Patent No 4086/1881 and No 4378/1882 granted to
me, with a view to increasing their efficiency, and economy-that is to say
explosive Gas Engines..
I construct my improved engine as follows:-A cylinder enclosed at both ends
has a piston attached to a piston rod, connecting rod and crank shaft, and the
engine is operated in the manner described in the aforesaid Letters Patent; the
inner end of the cylinder being used as a compressing pump for compressing an
explosive mixture of gas and air into a receiver, such receiver being provided with
the loose free floating piston described in Letters Patent aforesaid.
The explosive mixture is admitted onto the outer side of the piston at or about
the termination of its inward stroke, and is admitted for a portion of the outward
stroke, being then cut off and ignited, thus causing a working pressure on the
piston during the remainder of the outward stroke; at about the termination of
the outward stroke a valve admits it through a suitable connection to a compound
cylinder, on which a working pressure is obtained during the return stroke at the
termination of which it is allowed to pass through an exhaust valve into the air.
The compound cylinder is preferably attached on the same axial line, at the outer
end of the high pressure cylinder, it is fitted with a long light trunk piston, this
piston being connected by two side rods to the main cross head of the engine.
Provision is made to prevent the pressure in the low pressure cylinder falling
below atmospheric pressure by means of a self acting inward opening valve as
claimed by me in Letters Patent No 4388/1882.
In the passage between the high and low pressure cylinders I provide a
receptacle for water, the hot gases passing from the high pressure to the low
pressure cylinder convert some of this water into steam thus materially increasing
the volume, utilizing some of the heat which is wasted in gas engines as at present
constructed, and enabling a greater amount of efficiency to be obtained.
In some cases instead of using a receiver having a loose free floating piston,
I construct the receiver of a system of tubes, one main tube forming the connection

page_text: between the ends of the working cylinder and having attached to it a considerable
number of tubes branching from it and closed at their outer end. Arrangements
being made for passing as far as possible the, last compressed charge into the
working end of the cylinder to form the next working stroke.
In preference to using a reciprocating slide I use a circular revolving slide
geared to revolve more slowly than the main shaft of the engine, (say) four to one;
through this circular slide are formed four ports which admit the compressed charge
to the working end of the cylinder, the ignition taking place through the same
ports.
The igniting arrangement may be similar to that described by me in Letters
Patent No 4086/1881 and consisting of a small tube of porcelain, platinum, iron
nickel plated, or any suitable material, the compressed mixture being admitted to
the inside of the tube which is heated by an external atmospheric burner. I put
the necessary pressure on the outer cover of the slide in an improved manner;
a bearer bar rests at one end, through one or more adjustable points, on the outer 1
corner of the slide; the bearer bar at its fulcrum has a pin passing through it,
which may be a continuance of the pin upon which the circular slide revolves, it
has a definite position on this pin; the other end of the bearer bar rests against a
spring which puts the necessary pressure upon the slide.
The arrangement is such that the spring is adjusted at its end which does not
press against the bearer bar, and this adjustment does not require to be made every
time the slide cover is removed. In the outer cover I also fit screws to relieve
excessive pressure on the slide these screws being of a novel and improved arrange-
ment. They are screwed through the outer cover so as to turn easily, their inner
ends rest upon stops. The screws are provided with adjustable springs or other
arrangements which tend to screw them in; they thus in an efficient and self acting
manner prevent any excessive pressure on the slide, but have not sufficient power
to force the outer slide cover away from the slide. By means of this combined
arrangement the slide is enabled to work easily and freely whilst at the same time
the slide faces are in close contact.
I use an improved modification of the governor described by me in Letters
Patent No 4378/1882, whilst retaining the general features of the governor as
previously described. I use instead of a cam a small excentric and strap. The
excentric strap is prevented from revolving by means of a pin connected to a
vibrating lever, as close to this pin as possible and connected to the strap, a number
of notches are formed which engage with corresponding notches on the spindle of
the governor slide. When the governor is in a position to admit the maximum
amount of gas, all these notches are in contact, giving the full amount of travel to
the valve spindle; as the governor opens out to decrease the amount of gas the
governor causes fewer of these notches to come into contact reducing the travel of
the valve spindle, and if desired these notches may pass entirely out of contact so
as to admit no gas at all. The object of placing the notches as near as possible
to the pin is to prevent wear, which was somewhat excessive in the arrangement
described and illustrated in Letters Patent No 4378/1882.
I may also govern these engines by means of a governor so arranged as to 4
prevent the delivery valve at the compressing end from closing; when it is desired
to prevent a working stroke taking place this may be done by a suitable catch, or
by forming a piston on the delivery valve itself working in a short cylinder in such
a manner that when the valve is fully open there is little or no clearance space in
the cylinder; a valve is so arranged as to allow the contents of this cylinder to
pass into the receiver, but so operated by the governor that it will not allow
anything to pass from the receiver to the small cylinder when no working stroke is
to be made. The decreased pressure on the valve cylinder will prevent the delivery
valve closing; in some instances a separate by-pass controlled by the governor may
be used. If the delivery valve is prevented from closing, the contents of the
receiver below the loose piston pass back into the pumping end of the cylinder¨ so
that when the valve opens to admit into the working end there is no charge ready

page_text: to pass in and no working stroke made, but the engine moves with the work stored
up in the fly wheels until the governor allows the delivery valve to close in the
ordinary manner and thus obtain a working stroke.
I modify the self starting arrangement described by me in Letters Patent
No 4378/1882 and N° 4388/1882 so as to operate as follows:-
On the main shaft or valve shaft I place a cam or excentric which, through
suitable mechanism, when desired, operates a small valve communicating from the
working end of the cylinder to a pressure reservoir, it opens this valve as soon as
the engine slide in revolving cuts off the admission from the engine receiver and
keeps it open for a portion of the working stroke, thus starting the engine and
running it until it drives itself. When the engine is running this valve is operated
in connection with a back pressure or non return valve so as to charge the pressure
reservoir from the cylinder ready for the next start.

page_text: I JAMES ATKINSON, of 3 Nassington Road, Hampstead,, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GAS ENGINES" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be:
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention is for improvements in gas engines similar in construction to the
engine described in my Letters Patent Nos 40861881 and 43781 with a view to
increasing their efficiency and economy; that is to say, explosive gas engines..
I construct my improved engine as follows:-and in order that the improvements
may be fully understood they are illustrated in the accompanying Drawings
in which Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is a longitudinal elevation-Figure 2 (Sheet 1) is
a plan Figure 3 (Sheet 2) is a longitudinal elevation in section, Figure 4.
(Sheet 2) is a transverse section through the high pressure cylinder and receiver-
Figure 5 (Sheet 2) is. an end elevation with the low pressure cylinder removed
- Figure 6 (Sheet 2) is an end elevation of the compound cylinder-Figure 7
(Sheet 3) is an enlarged section through a portion of the slide showing the
admission and ignition ports and appendages. Figure 8 (Sheet 3) is an enlarged
sectional plan of the same and Figure 9 (Sheet 3) is a section through the suction.
and delivery valve and governor valve. Figure 10 (Sheet 3) is a diagram taken
from the working end of the high pressure cylinder. Figure 11 is a pumping
diagram and Figure 12 is a diagram from the compound cylinder.. Figure 13 is
an arrangement of tubes which may be used as a receiver for the compressed
combustible mixture.
The same numbers indicate the same parts in each of the figures respectively.
A cylinder 1, enclosed at both ends has a piston 4, attached to a piston rod,
connecting rod and crank shaft, and the engine is operated in the manner
described in the Specifications to the aforesaid Letters Patent.
The inner end of the cylinder 1 being used as a compressing pump for
compressing an explosive mixture of gas and air into a receiver 2, as shewn by the..
diagram in Figure 11, (Sheet 3) such receiver 2, being provided with a loose free
floating piston 3, described in the Specification to the aforesaid Letters Patent
No 437818. The explosive mixture is admitted on to the outer side of the
piston 4, at or about the termination of its inward stroke and is admitted.
for a short portion of the outward stroke, being then cut off and ignited;
thus causing a working pressure on the piston 4, during the remainder of
the outward stroke, as shown in the diagram Figure 10 (Sheet 3) in which,
the exhaust follows the full line when the Engine is compounded and the dotted.
line when not compounded. At about the termination of the outward stroke
a valve 5, admits it through a suitable pipe or connection 6, to a compound
cylinder 7, on which a working pressure is obtained during the return stroke, as
shown in the diagram Figure 12 (Sheet 3); at the termination of which it
is allowed to pass through the exhaust valve 8, into the air. The compound
cylinder 7; is preferably attached on the same axial line as the high pressure
cylinder 1, and outward from the crank, it is fitted with a long light trunk
piston, this piston being connected by two side rods to the main crosshead of the
Engine.
Provision is made to prevent the pressure in the low pressure cylinder 7, falling
during expansion below atmospheric pressure, as it might otherwise do when there

page_text: has not been a powerful working stroke in the high pressure cylinder; this
provision consist of a self acting inward opening, valve 9, placed upon the
low pressure cylinder 7, as claimed by me in the Specification to my Letters Patent.
No 438818 It might be desirable in some instances to place this inward opening
self acting valve 9, so as to admit air into the high pressure cylinder; and thus
supply the low pressure cylinder 7 with air, through the pipe 6; and exhaust
valve 5, which would be open during the working stroke of the low pressure
piston. I may use the low pressure exhaust valve 8 for the purpose of preventing.
back pressure in the low pressure cylinder 7; in which case I fit it with a very
light spring so. that it will allow a portion of the exhaust to be drawn back into
the cylinder 7, with very little resistance.
In the passage 6, between the bigh and low pressure cylinders I provide a.
receptacle 10, for water; the hot gases in passing from the high pressure cylinder 1,,
to the low pressure cylinder 7, convert some of this water into steam, thus.
materially increasing their volumn, utilizing some of the heat which is wasted in
gas engines as at present constructed, and enabling a greater amount of efficiency
to. be obtained.. The water may be admitted, in a measured quantity by means of
a small pump worked by the engine, or it may be allowed to pass through a.
regulating cock or valve and check valve from the water jacket.
In some instances instead of using a receiver having a loose free floating piston,
I may construct the receiver of a system of tubes, one main. tube 11, Figure 13.
(Sheet 3), forming the connection between the ends of the cylinder 1, and having
attached to it a considerable number of tubes 12, branching from it and closed at
their outer ends; the arrangement being such that,, so far as possible, the last
compressed charge supplies the cylinder with the mixture which causes the next
working stroke.
In preference to using a reciprocating slide, which is a very common source of
trouble in gas engines, I use a circular revolving slide 13, geared to revolve more.
slowly than the engine (say in a ratio of four to one). Through this circular
slide 13, are formed (say four) ports 14, which admit the compressed charge to the
working end of the cylinder 1, as the ports 14, pass the port 15, in the outer slide
cover 16, and the opposite port 17, in the inner slide cover or false face. 18,
as shewn to a larger scale in Figures 7 and 8. (Sheet 3).
Immediately after one of the ports 14, cuts off the entering charge by passing.
the port 15, the port 14, opens into a port 19; to which is connected a small
tube 20, made of porcelain, platinum, iron, which may be nickle plated, or of any
suitable material; the small tube 20; is kept red hot close up to the outer slide
cover 16 by means of an atmospheric. burner 21, the red hot portion of the tube.
being shielded by enclosing it in a vertical chimney or muffle 22. This igniting
arrangement is similar to that described by me in the Specification to my Letters
Patent No 32131879. The contents of the tube 18, after an ignition are allowed to
escape into the atmosphere through grooves 23, in the face of the slide 13.
I put the necessary pressure on the outer cover 16, of the slide 18, in
an improved manner, with the object of enabling the Attendant to replace the slide.
and outer cover adjusting the spring pressure automatically..
A bearer-bar 24, rests at one end, through one or more adjustable points, on the
outer cover 16.; this bearer-bar 24, has a pin 25, passing through it which may be
a continuance of the pin upon which the circular slide 13, revolves. The bearer-
bar 24, has a definite position upon the pin 25, given it by screwing up the nut 26,
as far as it will go. The other end of the bearer-bar 24, rests against a spring 27,
which puts the necessary pressure on the slide 13. The arrangement is such that
the spring 27, may be permanently adjusted, by means of lock nuts or otherwise,
at the end which does not press against the bearer-bar 24, and this adjustment does
not require to be made each time the cover 16, is removed.
In the outer cover 16, I also fit screws 28, to relieve excessive pressure on the
slide 13, these screws 28, being of a novel and improved arrangement, they are

page_text: screwed through the outer cover 16, so as to turn easily, their inner ends rest
against stops, or against the inner cover or false face 18. These screws are
provided with adjustable springs, weights or other arrangements which tend to
screw them in, they are shown in Figure 5, (Sheet 2) with small weights 29,
which, by means of a little ratchet. wheel on the head of the bolt are adjusted
to give the desired amount of tendency to screw themselves in. They thus in an
efficient and self acting manner take up excessive pressure upon the slide 13,
whether it be due to the spring 27, being too tightly compressed, from the
expansion of the slide 13, or from other causes. They have not sufficient power to
force the outer cover 16, away from the slide 13, but they in an efficient manner
enable it to work easily and freely whilst at the same time the slide faces
are maintained in close contact.
I use an improved modification of the governor described by me in the
Specification to my Letters Patent No 4378188; whilst retaining the general
features of the governor as previously described, I modify the mode of reciprocating
the spindle of the valve, the original arrangement had a number of steps or
notches cut upon a cam, and in practice I found the wear somewhat excessive;
with a view to reducing this excessive wear I now employ an excentric fitted with
an excentric strap which has the steps or notches cut upon it; the excentric strap
is prevented from revolving by means of a pin connected to a vibrating lever, this
pin being as close as possible to the steps or notches, which consequently have very
little sliding motion as regards the corresponding steps or notches on the spindle of
the governor slide. When the governor is in a position to admit the maximum
amount of gas, all these notches are in contact, giving the proper maximum
amount of travel to the valve spindle, as the governor opens out to decrease the
amount of gas it causes the excentric strap to move sideways so that fewer of the
notches come in contact, less travel is given to the valve spindle and less gas
admitted to the engine; and if desired the notches may pass entirely out of contact
so as to admit no gas at all-The action being exactly the same as the arrangement
described in the Specification to my Letters Patent No 43781888 and the modification
being easily understood from the description I have not illustrated it but have
shewn on the Drawings a different method of governing gas engines which from
its durability and certainty I prefer to use in most instances. It is shown in
combination with the engine in Figures 1 and 2, (Sheet 1), and Figure 3, (Sheet 2),
and in an enlarged view in Figure 9, (Sheet 3), in which, 35, is the suction valve
admitting gas and air to the pumping end of the cylinder through the passage 36,
communicating with the cylinder, the compressed uniform mixture is forced
through the delivery valve 34, and by the delivery pipe 33, to the receiver 2, The
delivery valve 34, is formed with a piston on its upper end which works in a short
cylinder a distance corresponding to its lift; when the delivery valve 34, lifts, it
forces the contents of the short cylinder above it through the passages 32, and 40,
(the passage 40, being dotted in behind the valve) into the delivery pipe 33; when
the passage 32, is left freely open the delivery valve 34, can fall just as an ordinary
valve would, and this takes place when the engine requires the maximum amount
of gas and air, The governor may be of any desired type, I prefer to use a small
high speed governor for ordinary purposes, (or if the engine is to be used for electric
lighting an electric governor operated by a solenoid in circuit with the current may
be used). When the governor is down the small spindle 31, and valve 37, are in
the position shewn in Figure 9 (Sheet 3) as the governor rises it rotates the
spindle 31, which moves the little valve 37, partially or entirely over the passage or
port 32; the little valve 37, is free to lift off its seat so that the delivery valve 34,
in rising can always expel the contents of the short cylinder, but if the little
valve 37, is over the passage 32, there is nothing to refil the short cylinder,
consequently the delivery valve cannot close and the last pumped charge, which is
under the floating piston 3, in the reservoir 2, returns into the cylinder 1, and fills
it so as to prevent any more gas and air being drawn in, as there will now be no

page_text: 'compressed mixture below the floating piston 3, none will be admitted to the
working end of the cylinder when the slide port 14, opens, and no working stroke
made. In actual working the governor may be so adjusted that the small valve 37,
gradually closes over the port 32, and when in this position the delivery valve 34,
is held up for a more or less length of time; its closing being thus more or less
delayed and a portion only (more or less) of the compressed charge is shut in
underneath the floating piston 3; this smaller portion being subsequently admitted
to the working end of the cylinder 1, where, being ignited, it gives a working™
stroke of less intensity, this intensity being thus directly controlled by the
governor-It is obvious that when the governor allows the compressed charge to
return either in its entirety or partially to the pumping end of the cylinder 1, gas
and air will not be drawn in, or only sufficient of them to make up the deficiency;
the gas is thus efficiently economised and the engine being relieved wholly or
partially from pumping it runs more smoothly and economically when the governor
is operating to reduce the power given out by the engine.
In some instances the controlling action of the Governor may be caused to
regulate the closing of the suction valve in a similar manner, instead of the delivery
valve as immediately above described.
I modify the self starting arrangement described in the Specifications to my .
Letters Patent Nos 4378 and 438815 so as to operate as follows:-
On the main shaft or valve shaft I place a cam or eccentric which, through
suitable mechanism, when desired operates a small valve communicating from the
working end of the cylinder to a pressure reservoir; this cam or eccentric opens
this valve as soon as the engine slide 13 in revolving cuts off the admission from
the engine receiver 2, and keeps it open for a portion of the working stroke; thus
starting the engine and running it until it drives itself. When the engine is
running this valve is operated in connection with a back pressure valve, or non
return valve, so as to charge the pressure reservoir from the ignitions in the
cylinder 1 ready for the next start. The starting valve may be made to be in
itself a non return valve also and it may also be operated entirely by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I Claim is.
-
1. In a Gas Engine, a circular, revolving disc valve, geared to revolve once for
several revolutions of the engine and having ports cut through it that admit
compressed gases once during each revolution, the same ports being subsequently
brought into communication with an igniting tube heated externally, as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
2. In compounded Gas Engines, a compound cylinder placed on the same axial
line at the back of the high pressure cylinder, and having an open end outwards, its
piston being connected by side rods to the main crosshead, as described and
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) and Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Sheet 2) of the
drawings.
3. In compounded Gas Engines, the admission of water between the high and
low pressure cylinders, as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
4. In Gas Engines, applying the spring pressure needed to keep the slide faces
together, by means of a spring that does not require readjusting each time the slide
is replaced, substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
5. In Gas Engines, the use of relieving screws that automatically screw them-
selves in so as to relieve excessive pressure on the slide faces, substantially as
described and illustrated.
6. The combination of the pressure spring or springs with the relieving screws,
substantially as described and illustrated.
7. In Gas Engines requiring a receiver to contain a compressed mixture of
compressed gas and air, the use of the system of tubes forming receiver substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 13 (Sheet 3) of the drawings.
.

page_text: 8. In Gas Engines, placing on the delivery (or suction) valve, a piston working
in a short cylinder having a port or passage in it controlled by any suitable
governor, which partially or entirely prevents the closing of the delivery (or suction)
valve, thus governing the Engine, substantially in the manner hereinbefore described
and illustrated Figure 9 (Sheet 3) of the drawings.
9. In a Gas Engine, the valve 9 as in the position shewn on the Drawing, or
placed so as to draw air into the low pressure cylinder through the high pressure
cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated thi, Dinhth daw of Novemba 1881