CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLY- ING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
GEARY, of No. 10, Hamilton Place, New Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Architect and Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eighth day of February, (One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven,) in the tenth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Stephen
Geary, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole
privilege and authority, that I, the said Stephen Geary, my exors, adñiors,
and assigns, or such others as I, tho said Stephen Geary, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and law-
fully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of Her Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Planta-
tions abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLY-
ING MOTIVE POWER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Stephen Geary, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the
same to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six

page_text: calendar months next and immediately after the date of said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Stephen Geary, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, to
be as the same is described and ascertained in and by the present Specification
and following statement thereof, reference being had to the three illustrative
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the Figures and letters of
reference marked thereon, that is to say :-
The first part of my Invention consists in the means I employ for obtaining
motive power, which I effect in manner following:-In place of the middle or
driving wheels of "six-wheel" locomotive engines in known and common use,
I substitute wheels of peculiar construction, and I employ such wheels as agents
for obtaining power by so arranging or disposing certain cylinders, pistons, and
mechanism about the said wheels, and in such manner as that the outer
extremity of each of the piston rods to which the aforesaid pistons are connected
passes through the periphery or peripheries of the said wheel or wheels, and in
a radial direction from the centre or nave thereof, and each of such piston rods
protrudes or extends beyond the periphery of the said wheel, for the following
purpose:-Assuming motion to be imparted to the said wheels, and that their
peripheries are in constant contact with the rails upon which they move, it will
appear evident that as the piston rods which are situate therein are successively
brought into contact with the rails by the rotation of the said wheels, they will
produce reciprocating movement of the said piston rods and pistons attached
thereto, and have the effect of forcing a certain amount of atmospheric air
with which the cylinders are previously charged into a reservoir suitably placed,
as hereafter described, and the power so accumulated may be effectively applied
and rendered available in the manner and by the mechanical arrangements
herein-after set forth and fully described; and I further propose to employ the
air-compressing cylinders, before mentioned and hereafter fully described, for
the purpose of exhausting the air from the working cylinder at each stroke of the
piston, and employing the pressure of the atmospheric air as a motive power
generally, and in the manner herein-after particularly described and set forth.
I would remark, that although in this my Specification I have shewn only two
purposes to which this mode of obtaining motive power may be applied, the
same are only given as examples. I do not, therefore, intend to limit myself
to these purposes or applications ouly, but reserve to myself the general appli-
cation of motive power thus obtained to all the purposes and all the cases where

page_text: it can be rendered available; and I consider this mode of obtaining motive
power well calculated for the purposes of locomotion on common roads, as also
for propelling vessels and the working of stationary engines; and in order to
explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I will proceed to describe
the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts which I consider well
calculated for carrying my said Invention into practical effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At the Drawing No. 1, Figure 1 exhibits a partial front elevation of a wheel
for obtaining motive power; Figure 2 is a back elevation thereof; Figure 8, a
transverse and vertical section of the wheel, taken through the line A, B, at
the Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4, 5, 6, exhibit views of parts hereafter referred
to, shewn detached from each other, and drawn upon an enlarged scale;
Figure 7 exhibits another form of construction of wheel, being a modification
of that shewn at Figures 1, 2, 3; Figure 8 shews an arrangement of parts
hereafter referred to.
At Drawing No. 2, Figure 10 exhibits a longitudinal and vertical section of
a locomotive carriage for railways, shewing the mode of applying the motive
power before mentioned thereto; Figure 11 is a top plan view of some of the
working parts hereafter described and referred to; Figure 12 is a transverse
and vertical section of the carriage, taken through the line E, F, at the
Figure 11; Figures 13, 14, 15, exhibit views of parts to be employed for
causing pressure of the superstructure or bodies of the carriages upon the axles
of the wheels employed for obtaining motive power.
At Drawing No. 8, Figure 16 exhibits an elevation of another arrangement
of parts to be employed for obtaining motive power; Figure 17 is a top plan
view thereof; Figure 18, a transverse and vertical section, taken through the
line C, D, at Figure 17; Figure 19 is a top plan view of certain parts hereafter
referred to. Similar letters of reference are placed upon and denote corre-
sponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at each of the
Figures of each Sheet of Drawings respectively.
At Figures 1, 2, 3, of the Drawing No. 1, A, A, marks a series of cylinders,
one end of each of which is attached to a ring of metal B, which forms the tire
of a wheel, and to the opposite end of each of the cylinders A, A, there is fixed
a casting C, which is firmly secured to a hollow casting D, which forms the
nave of the wheel of which the several cylinders and castings form the spokes,
by which the tire and nave are connected together, and thereby form an entire
wheel. It will be seen, upon referring to Figure 6, that the cylinders A, A, are
formed of a series of short cylinders A', A', A³; each of which are kept distinct

page_text: and separate by a casting or cylinder lid E, which is furnished with a stuffing
box F, through which passes the piston rod G, and each of the several cylinders
is furnished with a piston G', working air-tight therein, the said pistons being
connected to the piston rod by keying or otherwise, and the said cylinders may
be connected together by bolts and nuts, as shewn, and the junctions Irendered
air-tight in the usual manner. Hmarks a slide situate in the slide box I, and
furnished with openings, 1, 2, 3, &c., each of which correspond with an opening
formed in each of the short cylinders A', A², &c. (as shewn at Figure 8, and
such said slide should work air-tight against the face of the openings in the
cylinders. K marks a rod, the lower end of which is attached to the slide H;
the said rod passes through a stuffing box, and the upper end thereof works
through a guide plate, as shewn; the lower end of the slide H is closed, and
works through a stuffing box, as shewn. L marks a lever having its fulcrum
upon a pin or stud fixed in the casting C at M (shewn more distinctly at
Figures 4 and 5); one end of this lever is connected to the piston rod G, and
the other end to the rod K, by which the slide H is moved. N marks a spring
for returning the pistons and slide to their original position after the contents
of the cylinders have been discharged. The casting C is formed hollow, for
the purpose of establishing a communication between the slide H and nave D
of the wheel, which has openings O formed therein for that purpose, as shewn
at Figures 2 and 3. P marks a hollow axle, upon which is keyed or otherwise
fastened the nave D of the wheel, and the said axle is formed with journals
Q, Q', which work in bearings R, R, situate in the axle guards S, S, fixed to
the framing of the locomotive. It will be seen, upon referring to Figure 8,
that the end Q of the axle P is formed solid, and the end Q' hollow, and that
there are openings T formed in the said axle (as shewn at Figure 1), through
which the atmospheric air passes from the several cylinders A, A, to a reservoir
suitably placed to receive it. The Figure 7 exhibits another form of construc-
tion of wheel to be employed for obtaining motive power, and consists of the
following arrangement of parts:-A marks a ring of metal, within which there
is placed another ring of metal B', and to this ring there are fixed the several
cylinders and parts in connection therewith, in a precisely similar manner to
that before shewn and described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, of Sheet 1.
These rings are connected together by side pieces D', which allow the inner
ring and wheel free liberty of movement upon the inner periphery of the outer
ring. The difference between this last-mentioned arrangement and that before
described and represented at Sheet 1 consists in causing the ends of the piston
rods, as the wheel rotates, to press against the inner periphery of the metal
ring, whilst the outer periphery of the said ring presents an uniform surface to

page_text: the rail upon which it moves, which renders this construction of wheel better
calculated than that previously described, when high velocities are required;
and in order that the before-mentioned axle may have free liberty of rotary
motion, and at the same time a free passage between the cylinders A and air
reservoir before mentioned, I form a connection between the said parts by
means of a hollow elbow pipe U, the lower and bent end of which is formed
with a conical-shaped flange, which fits air-tight in a similarly shaped opening
formed at the end Q' of the hollow axle P, and the upper end of the pipe U
should be furnished with a valve, and I connect the said pipe and axle together
by a ring V and screws, as shewn at Figure 3. Another mode of maintaining
the before-mentioned wheel in its proper position in the framing of the locomo-
tive, and at the same time allowing it free liberty of rotary motion, is exhibited
at Figure 8, where it will be seen that the nave of the wheel has conical-shaped
openings a, b, formed at its centre and sides, into which fit hollow elbow pipes c, d,
or one hollow pipe and one solid pipe, which may be connected to the said nave
in a similar manner to that before described with reference to Figure 3; and
such said wheel or wheels, combined and arranged in the before-mentioned
manner, may be attached to a locomotive carriage in the manner exhibited at
Drawing No. 2, and motive power obtained and applied in the following
manner:-At Drawing No. 2, e, e, marks the framing or under carriage of a
locomotive, which is supported by wheels and axles f, g, in the ordinary manner,
and the power wheels A, A, are connected to the framing e, e, by axle guards
h, h. In other respects these power wheels are entirely independent of the
framing, except when it is required to increase the pressure of tho said wheels
upon the rails i, i, for which purpose there is a mechanical arrangement shewn
at Figures 13, 14, 15, hereafter fully described. A marks a reservoir for com-
pressed air, and 1, 2, auxiliary reservoirs to receive air from the reservoir k when
it is overcharged. Each of these vessels is furnished with loaded valves for
determining the extent to which the air is compressed. m, m, mark the work-
ing cylinders, each of which are furnished with slide valves and boxes and
suitable gearing, for actuating the said slides, as shewn at Figures 10 and 11.
n marks a connecting pipe for the passage of air from the reservoir k to the
working cylinders, and in connection with this pipe there is a cock o, which
may be opened or shut by the attendant by means of a handle p (shewn at
Figure 10) when it is required to start or stop the engine; and there is another
and a similar cock and handle fitted to the auxialiary reservoir 1, 1, by which
the attendant can discharge the contents thereof into the reservoir k. The
operations of the wheels A, A, as a medium for obtaining motive power, and
the application of such motive power to the purposes of locomotion, are as

page_text: follows: In order to charge the reservoir k with air, it will be necessary to
impart motion to the carriago in a backward or forward direction, which may
be effected by manual labor or other convenient means, and such movement
will produce rotary motion of the wheel A, A, by which the piston rods and
pistons before described and referred to in Sheet 1, as they are successively
brought into contact with the rails, will be impelled in an upward direction, as
shewn by the relative position of the parts exhibited at Figure 3 of Sheet 1,
where W marks an opening in the slide box for the continual admission of
atmospheric air to the cylinders by the openings 1, 2, 3, &c. Now, the first
effect to be produced is to bring the openings in the slide H opposite to the
openings in the cylinders A, which is effected by the pressure of the end of the
piston rod G upon the rail operating upon the lever L, when the upward move-
ment of the pistons will discharge the contents of each of the cylinders into the
reservoir k, and the return stroke of the piston rod G, produced by pressure
of the spring N thereon, will operate upon the slide so as to expose the openings
in the cylinder to the free admission of atmospheric air in the manner before
stated; and in like manner will each series of cylinders discharge their contents
into the said reservoir, until it is sufficiently charged with compressed air to be
employed as a motive power, and the power so obtained may be made to act
upon the pistons in the working cylinders m, m, and be transmitted from thence
by means of cranks X to the driving wheels keyed upon the crank shaft Y,
and thereby effect locomotion. For example, suppose the capacity of each of
the series of cylinders A, A, to be equal to the capacity of one of the working
cylinders, and the diameters of the power wheels and driving wheels to be the
same; as each power wheel contains twenty-four series of cylinders, it will
appear evident that each revolution of the power wheel will inject into the air
reservoir twelve times the quantity of air necessary for producing one revolu-
tion of the driving wheels; or, in other words, the air in the reservoir will be
compressed to the extent of twelve times its volume, and by reason of the air
reservoir being previously charged, as before stated, the amount of motive
power will at all times be in excess of that required for imparting motion to
the locomotive, and will also be supplied in quantities proportionate to the
speed thereof. Of course the extent to which the air is compressed will depend
upon the difference between the diameters of the wheels, as also the air com-
pressing and working cylinders, which must be constructed accordingly. It
should also be observed, that when the air compressing cylinders before men-
tioned are employed to produce a vacuum in the working cylinders, by exhaust-
ing the air therefrom, the action of the slides and valves, and position of the
openings in the exhausting cylinders, must be suitably arranged for that

page_text: purpose. I would remark, that when the weight of the power wheels is not
sufficient to counteract the resistance offered by the pressure of the compressed
air upon the pistons, or, in other words, when it is required to compress the air
to a considerable extent, I employ the arrangement shewn at Figures 13,14,15,
where 9, 9, mark weight springs attached to the framing e, e, in the usual
manner; r, r, rods passing through guide holes in the side timbers of the said
framing. These rods have a right and left handed screw or thread cut around
them at 8, 8, which fits into a corresponding hole formed in the casting which
contains the spring; and upon the upper end of each of the said rods there are
keyed toothed wheels t, t, which gear into a pinion u mounted upon a stud in
the cross piece v; and by means of the handle'w fixed to the said pinion, the
attendant can advance the rods so as to cause pressure thereof upon the axle
boxes, and thereby throw the weight of the carriage upon the wheels A, A, and
by a reverse movement of the handle w, the pressure may be relieved: At the
Drawing No. 8 there is exhibited another mechanical arrangement and combi-
nation of parts for obtaining motive power, and calculated more particularly for
propelling boats and the working of stationary engines; &c.; the power so
obtained, when employed for propelling boats, to be used in the working
cylinders in lieu of steam, in a somewhat similar manner to that before described
in respect of Figures 18, 14, 15, of Drawing No. 2. in which case the crank
shaft Y, there shewn, would serve as the paddle wheel shaft. The arrangement
is as follows:-A, A, mark a series of cylinders, the construction of which is
similar to those before described at Sheets 1 and 2. These cylinders are firmly
secured to a foundation plate or flooring B; and each of such cylinders or series
of cylinders furnished with pistons mounted upon a piston rod, in manner before
described. These cylinders are arranged or disposed in a circle; and the upper
extremity of each piston rod passes through a hole formed in the endless rail
or ring of metal C, and the extent of action of the said pistons is determined
by the distance which the end of the piston rods protrudes beyond the surface
of the rail. D, D; mark locomotive wheels mounted upon axles at the outer
extremities of the casting E. The peripheries of these wheels bear and are
caused to revolve upon the endless rail C by means of the bevilled wheel F
attached to the casting E. G, G, mark bevilled pinions gearing into the wheel
F, the said pinions being mounted upon spindles working in bearings at H, I,
and such spindles and pinious may either be worked by manual labor, or
receive motion from any other suitable prime mover. At the Figure 18 there
is exhibited an arrangement for causing pressure of the wheels upon the rail
when their own weight is not sufficient. K is a casting, upon one part of
which there is formed a worm wheel L, which gears into a worm M, and at

page_text: the lower part of the casting K there are placed anti-friction wheels N, which
press upon the upper surface of the casting E, as shewn. The attendant is
.thus enabled, by means of a key or handle, to impart motion to the worm and
worm wheel, and thereby cause pressure of the wheels upon the rail. O marks
the reservoir for compressed air; P, the induction pipes; Q, the eduction pipe.
In other respects the arrangements of the pistons and slides, and parts in con-
nection therewith, are similar to those before mentioned and described with
reference to Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings. By this arrangement it will
appear obvious that the rotation of the wheels upon the endless rail will have
the effect of depressing the piston rods and pistons connected thereto, and
thereby discharge the contents of the cylinders into the air reservoir, which
may be furnished with a loaded valve, as in Sheet 2. I would remark, that in
some instances I propose to employ the middle wheels (referred to in Sheet 2)
as driving wheels, in which case I uso wheels of the ordinary construction, and
I employ the arrangement lastly described as the means of obtaining motive
power, which may be used in the manner herein-beforo particularly described
and set forth. It should also be observed, that the reservoir k at Sheet 3 may
he placed below the flooring of the carriage, as shewn at Figure 14 of that
Drawing.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, I desire it to be
understood that I do not claim the exclusive use of any of the separate parts
above mentioned and referred to, except in so far as the same may be employed
in combination and for the purposes of my said Invention, which I hereby
declare to consist in, and I claim,-
Firstly, the improvements in obtaining motive power by means or through
the agency of wheels so constructed that their rotation and pressure on a rail-
way or other way, by the aid of certain mechanical arrangements, combinations,
or adaptations attached to and forming part of the saiu wheels, shall cause the
compression or exhaustion of air, and thus obtain motive power (exemplified
by the Drawing No. 1) and the foregoing description or Specification thereof).
Secondly, the improvements in obtaining motive power by means or through
the agency of an engine, machine, or apparatus constructed and actuated in a
similar manner to that exemplified by the Drawing No. 3 and the foregoing
description or Specification thereof.
And, thirdly, the improvements in applying motive power obtained as afore-
said, in manner exemplified in Drawing No. 2, and set forth in the foregoing
Sunsification

page_text: In each and every case, with such immaterial variations of form, construction,
and adaptation of the parts as experience may suggest.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Geary, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.